Pick yourself up after you fall and fail
21 QUESTIONS
Name: Jayevan Foster Company: Empire MGMT (empiremgmt.ca) Title: President Organization location: Hamilton
1. What is your company’s mission statement?
To provide the best management, counsel and guidance to young athletes, professionals and aspiring artists in the entertainment industry.
2. What advice have you received that has helped you the most?
Along the way, I’ve received a lot of great advice, from a lot of amazing people. But, something that has always stuck with me is to stay positive, believe in yourself, and pick yourself up after you fall and fail. Because in life you will fail and fall often, but you have to bounce back.
3. Can you think of a moment in your life that pushed you to become who you are? A defining moment?
There were many moments that have helped shape who I’ve become. But I’d have to say leaving Hamilton and my comfort zone to attend Queen’s University in Kingston was the best decision I’ve ever made. My five years at Queen’s were the defining moments that made me into the person I am today. During post-secondary education I became a man, I learned how to balance school, football, work and my social life. Walking across the stage in April of 2013 to receive my degree at my Queen’s graduation was a priceless moment for me that I will never forget.
4. Can you think of a time in your career where things were not going well, but you managed to turn it around? How did you
persevere?
I’m an entrepreneur and only in my third year of business, so things have been a roller-coaster ride. Early on, finding clients was very difficult. A lot of football players, actors, and models were skeptical of a young agent and/or manager. All the no’s didn’t stop me. My persistence, hunger and positivity led me to my current roster of 13. I’ve been humbled many times on my journey, but the one thing that remains constant is perseverance!
5. What are the key principles that guide you in your day-today life?
Carpe diem! Seize the moment, live in the moment, live, laugh and love. I cherish every minute of every day because tomorrow’s not promised. Live outside the box, dream big, and who cares what people think! DO YOU!!! 6. What makes you laugh? I’d like to think I’m pretty funny but my little princess, who’s about to turn 1, is hilarious and actually makes me die (laughing). Love that girl!
7. What is your guilty pleasure?
I have the sweetest tooth ever. Favourite chocolate — Reese’s Pieces Minis! I can easily eat a bag in a sitting. Then I grab a bag of Miss Vickies chips, a package of Swedish Berries and then a McFlurry. Horrible, I know!
8. What was your first job and what did you learn from it?
I delivered the Hamilton Mountain newspaper when I was a kid. I had the hustle from a young age. I learned quickly the value of a hard earned dollar. Rain or shine, I had to ensure the paper was delivered.
9. What do you do to wind down from work?
It’s fitting because I’m an agent, but I actually just love to kick back and watch football with the boys. I love to leisure read, hit the gym, CrossFit, or yoga to get a sweat in. Lastly, my all-time favourite way to wind down is just getting outdoors.
10. How do you motivate people?
I like to motivate people by leading by example. Hard work pays off! So is it a coincidence the harder we work, the luckier we get? I wake up every morning with a smile on my face, blessed to have another day to get better, get closer to my dreams and grow my business.
11. What is your biggest pet peeve?
It really grinds my gears when people are dishonest. 12. What are you good at? I’m a closer! A-B-C, right? Always Be Closing!
13. What do you want to work on?
On a personal level, I’ve been working on talking less and listening more. It’s a tough one for me, but it’s imperative for me to grow in all aspects.
14. What is on your bucket list?
Backpacking through Southeast Asia, having a fantasy football draft with the boys in Las Vegas and getting a box at the Super Bowl, to name a few.
15. What is Hamilton’s most valuable asset?
The fact that our city has more than 100 waterfalls makes them our city’s most valuable assets.
16. What is the city’s biggest liability?
It has definitely been heading in the right direction, but one area of opportunity is to work harder on ridding our city of poverty. Providing shelter for all those in need should be top priority this winter.
17. How do you balance your life?
Definitely easier said than done! But I try my best to balance my life through the use of my agenda. It allows me to sort my life out, so I can visually see my scheduled appointments, meetings, and the neverending to-do list.
18. What is your favourite spot in Hamilton?
I try to say a different spot every time I answer this question, to show love to the many amazing establishments in our city. So today I’m going to give my boys down at Architect Hair Design on James Street North a shoutout. Love what they’re doing down there. A spot to get a quick cut that has a liquor licence. #Winning
19. What do you think people would be surprised to know about you?
That I don’t like cheese or butter. But the ultimate surprise has to be finding out my age (27) and that I’m father to a one-year-old princess.
20. What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs?
Stay positive, stay humble, and learn from every mistake and failure. Trust your instincts, set realistic goals and don’t procrastinate. Time is the only thing in life that we don’t get back, so use every second wisely. 21. What is your dream job? I have it! I’m living it every day when I wake up and there’s no better feeling. Three years ago, I made one of the toughest decisions in my life to take a leap of faith and register Empire MGMT.
I can proudly say that I am president of Hamilton’s No. 1 sport and talent agency.