39 Dexter Avenue, Suite 201, Montgomery, Alabama 36104
39 Dexter Avenue, Suite 201, Montgomery, Alabama 36104
Date: May 3, 2025
The Montgomery Small Business One Stop Shop was proud to participate in the inaugural Business, Beards, & Bourbon event sponsored by Digital Media Collective and The Pantera Group, which was held at 23 Court Cigar Bar. The event successfully brought together over 50 male entrepreneurs, business leaders, and community stakeholders for an afternoon of candid dialogue, networking, and empowerment. Designed with a relaxed yet purposeful “gentlemen’s lounge” atmosphere, the event set the stage for honest conversations about entrepreneurship, resilience, and leadership within the local business ecosystem.
Moderated by Terrance Baldwin and Kenneth Penn, the event opened with a welcome emphasizing the power of relationships and collaboration in business. Attendees were encouraged to leverage the room’s collective expertise, reinforcing the message that “you’re only as powerful as your network.”
The dynamic panel featured local leaders including Anwar Shahid (Propelled Technologies), Charles Phenix (Phenix & Jones Corp), Jimmy Morris (Morris Builders), Kevin King (artist and creative entrepreneur), and Vladimir “Boo Man” Averett (Heritage Barbershop). Each shared their entrepreneurial journeys, challenges, and lessons learned, weaving in themes of overcoming failure, building generational wealth, mentorship, and balancing family with business.
Vladimir Averett shared insights from his 30-year career as a barber and community mentor, emphasizing the impact of building relationships with customers—especially young men—beyond the chair. He spoke about the “Four F’s” philosophy: Faith, Family, Finance, and Fitness, encouraging men to invest in holistic success, not just financial gain. His barbershop has become a hub for mentorship, career exposure, and youth empowerment, offering free haircuts for students and creating opportunities for young men to learn entrepreneurship. He challenged the men in the room to prioritize mentorship and model healthy examples of leadership and accountability for the next generation
Charles Phenix shared his entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the critical role of partnership and teamwork, especially within his family-owned businesses. He highlighted how he and his wife balance their relationship as life partners and business partners, setting boundaries by keeping business discussions confined to designated times to protect their home life. Phenix stressed the importance of understanding financial literacy, banking relationships, and strategic planning for business scalability. Drawing from his military background, he spoke on resilience, discipline, and consistency as key attributes to long-term success. He encouraged attendees to see challenges as part of the journey and reminded them that true strength is built “in the valley,” not just on the mountaintop.
Jimmy Morris reflected on his transition from a musician to a successful business owner in the construction industry. He credited his network, mentors, and willingness to take risks as key to his growth. Morris encouraged entrepreneurs to be “men of action” rather than perpetual planners, emphasizing execution over theory. He shared strategies for navigating minority contracting, leveraging certifications, and maintaining performance and persistence in competitive industries. Morris also spoke about the importance of partnerships and advised men to focus on building relationships with decision-makers and positioning themselves for long-term opportunities
Anwar Shahid shared his journey from college student to CEO of Propelled Technologies, highlighting how his early experiences in cybersecurity, coupled with 18 years of industry growth, positioned him as a leader in government contracting. He emphasized the importance of strategic relationships, financial literacy, and proactive networking, encouraging entrepreneurs to “apply for credit before you need it” and build partnerships that open doors to opportunity. Shahid also spoke about the challenges of navigating compliance requirements like CMMC certification and warned attendees to choose business partners carefully to protect their reputation and contracts. He urged entrepreneurs to see obstacles as fuel for growth, closing with a powerful reminder: “Don’t let problems hold you back—use them to propel forward.”
Speaking on behalf of Mayor Steven Reed, Jerime Reid reaffirmed the city’s support for small businesses through programs like SBOSS (Small Business One Stop Shop), aimed at providing guidance, resources, and access to capital. Reid emphasized the administration’s vision of scaling local businesses, expanding affordable housing, and driving holistic economic growth. He challenged participants to see themselves as critical partners in building a thriving city and urged them to align their businesses with Montgomery’s broader development goals
Frank Robinson provided updates on city initiatives supporting small businesses, including new grants for first-floor retail buildouts and a program launching to enhance downtown’s safety and beautification through the “Montgomery Ambassadors.” He encouraged attendees to take advantage of these resources and emphasized the city’s commitment to fostering inclusive economic development. Robinson applauded the event’s focus on male entrepreneurship and urged participants to collaborate as a force for collective impact
Ron Simmons delivered a passionate call to action, urging attendees to become ambassadors of Montgomery’s story. He highlighted Montgomery’s ranking as #1 in Alabama for international tourism and emphasized the city’s unique role as a site of purposeful tourism rooted in history, civil rights, and social justice. Simmons closed by reminding attendees: “If we push together, we move the bus. If we don’t, we stay stuck.” He encouraged Business, Beards, & Bourbon to continue as a movement, not just a one-time event
Across all speakers, themes of resilience, collaboration, mentorship, financial literacy, and faith emerged as critical tools for business growth and community impact. The event successfully sparked dialogue, connection, and a shared vision for a stronger, more unified entrepreneurial ecosystem in Montgomery.