We had the good fortune of connecting with Mykel Dedmon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mykel, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking

Risk taking… This is a saying that is often associated with fear and uncertainty. It is in our nature to fear what we don’t know. We as humans love to be comfortable, safe, and secure.

But…
Something that I’ve learned through my experience as an entrepreneur and professional dancer is that when I was comfortable, I wasn’t growing.

Once I adopted this idealism into my life both myself and my businesses flourished.

Starting a business is a huge risk. All entrepreneurs plan and dream of having tremendous success through their endeavors, but in most cases we are ultimately operating from the unknown. Wise entrepreneurs leverage data driven predictions or projections to make educated decisions for their business.

Which leads into my next point.

Successful risk takers have created a method in measuring their risk to reward. Identifying and analyzing the risk to reward for a decision is the greatest tool you must possess as entrepreneur. A tool not only should you possess but exercise regularly. As you become more successful you will make less but more riskier decisions for your life and business. Ironically in most cases risk-takers are more motivated by the award rather than the risk themselves.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

I am the proud owner of ECG Graphics & Printing. I founded ECG back in 2014 formly known as, “Ink Pushers Silkscreening.” I started ECG because I wanted to create a brand. A brand that offered more than just my silkscreen capabilities. Like Quality graphics and promotional printing. So Emanate Creative Group (ECG) was born.

For many years I operated ECG as a side hustle, until the pandemic. The pandemic gifted me with the time to really invest in myself and grow my business. During this time I also started my YouTube channel of, “Mykel the Entrepreneur.” Where I shared my journey along with helpful tips and tricks of running a business with new entrepreneurs.

Throught that experience I was exposing myself to more and more knowledge about running a successful business. Implementing those findings and teachings directly into my side hustle resulted in some amazing opportunities. One being the opportunity of buying a business. This business being the same business we’re I learned how to silkscreen. After many weeks of doing my due diligence and strong negotiations myself and the owner (also my old mentor) came to an agreement. Just a few weeks later I quit my 9 to 5 and took over the business full-time. It’s crazy to think that within two months ECG grew from being my side hustle to my full-time business.

There has been many challenges along the way but I strongly believe that through my experience as a side hustler, I was discovering and refining the tools and skills needed to take on this new adventure. While running my side hustle I was focused on the processes. Creating systems that would allow for me to be efficient in the little amount of time I had due to my 9 to 5. Since becoming a full time entrepreneur, my focuses have change. While speed and efficiency are important to any business. My newest lesson I’ve learned is that cash is king. Paying close attention to cash flow is my top priority.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

Seaport village and Downtown (The view and eats)
I’m a sucker for a great taco shop.
Pizza – Bronx North park or Fernando’s in Spring Valley
Taco shop – La Posta Casa Del Oro Spring Valley
Burgers – Froster Freeze Spring Valley  of Canadian Steak Burger
Diner vibes – Sunrise deli
Julian (Old city vibes)
Mission beach or Big bear (Family)
Otay lake (fishing)

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First, would be my wife Kendra for believing and supporting me. Next would be my father, who instilled the mentality of ownership and entrepreneurship. Next would be to my many mentors over the years in life and business; Trina Lyons, Michael Brunker, and Ron Bibb to name a few.

Some of the literature that has inspired me throughout the years have been books such as; Rich dad poor dad, F u Money, Traction, and Profits First.

Website: www.ecggp4u.com

Instagram: @ECGGP.4u

Facebook: Facebook.com/ECGGP

Youtube: YouTube.com/mykeltheentrepreneur

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