The Entrepreneurial Spark: A Heartfelt Thank You for a Life-Altering Chance
Growing up in Lexington, North Carolina, as a teenager in 2008 and 2009, options for after-school activities were fairly straightforward. You could get involved in sports, join clubs, or find a part-time job. Many of the athletes at the time were focused on football or basketball, dedicating their energy to traditional high school sports. I remember waking up on a hot summer morning, thinking to myself that I wanted more for my future, and I needed to figure out how to make it happen sooner.
My journey began with a simple idea: cutting hair. It started in high school, where I was charging just five dollars a haircut. It sounds small, but those five-dollar fades started to add up, not just in cash, but in the foundation of my entrepreneurial spirit. I was still figuring out where this would lead, but I was creating my own opportunity. It was around this time that I went to get a haircut from a local barber, Ricky Holmes. While he was cutting my hair, I noticed a turntable in his setup—something I’d grown up seeing, but never really understood. I was captivated by it and, once he was done, I asked him to show me a few things. He taught me the basics, and I was hooked.
Manifestation made Djing a reality for me.
Not long after, an opportunity came knocking that I can only describe as a moment of pure manifestation. My friends, Ty Holmes and Tony Clodfelter, approached me saying the school needed a DJ for a dance. Without a moment's hesitation, I said yes, despite having minimal experience. That's when Corey McMillian stepped in. He showed up at my place with speakers and a mixer and took me under his wing. For days leading up to the event, I immersed myself in the mixes of legendary DJs like Grandmaster Flash, Eric B., DJ Kid Capri, and Master Mix Mike from the Beastie Boys. I was nowhere near their level, but Corey's mentorship gave me the confidence to push forward.
The high school dance was a total success. Shortly after, Corey secured me another gig with his son, Andrew Kennel, DJing a party in High Point, NC, with the Orangeburg Boyz from South Carolina. It was at that moment that I realized what I wanted to do in life. I didn't know where it would lead, but I knew it would lead to something significant. The skills I developed as a DJ—understanding rhythm, crowd engagement, and the power of a good performance—became the foundation for everything that followed.
Corey Mcmillian stands alongside his son Andrew Kennel.
That initial spark from DJing eventually led me to videography, then to editing, then to photography, and even to flying drones. The desire to tell stories through sound and vision naturally transitioned into journalism and entertainment. The common thread was a passion for creation and connection. My journey from a five-dollar barber to a DJ, and eventually to a multi-faceted creative professional, is a testament to the power of a single chance.
Mcmillian poses alongside wife Kim Mcmillian on vacation.
It's a reminder that we must give the youth an opportunity to explore their passions. A small chance can lead to a life-changing path and save them from a negative influence. With all the gratitude in the world, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Corey McMillian. Your kindness and belief in a young man you didn't even know truly made a positive impact on my life. You are forever appreciated.
