KISH: Tell us about you..
I am a seasoned professional that has excelled in the areas of strategy as it pertains to business initiatives, economic development, and executive leadership advisement. I spent my career absorbing the wisdom of national business professionals that found success helping others to excel. Much of the time I spend mentoring and advising mid-career entrepreneurs and executives find and develop their passion. Throughout my career, I have founded several businesses and served on a variety of professional and civic boards.
KISH: What is your dream and how will accomplishing your dream benefit you and others?
Cassius: I would say that my dream is being fulfilled as we speak! I just completed writing my first book, “ EXCEPTIONAL – Being the Exception to the Rules”. It has been a dream of mine to write something that was going to inspire others. It has also been my dream to excel personally and professionally. Being in the position to serve and being appointed by two United States presidents and advise or work for a total of four presidential administrations was a dream within itself. Now, I enjoy spending my time helping others by creating blueprint pathways so they can help guide their families and friends.
KISH: Who or what inspired you to pursue this dream?
Cassius: My brother Courtlandt has been instrumental in inspiring me to believe in myself. Ever since we were kids, he was always my biggest encourager. It wasn’t until I began maturing that his encouragement helped me in ways that I could never imagine. The first time that I saw him in his band uniform at Florida A&M University encouraged me to want to go to college. In addition, I must say that my faith which was instilled in our family as adolescents played a huge contribution in my development. Moreover, working with icons such as Tyler Perry and Bishop T.D. Jakes reminds me that others spend their time creating dreamlike opportunities – why can’t we do the same?
KISH: What challenges have you encountered while pursuing your dream?
Cassius: Some of the challenges that I have encouraged while pursuing my dream was just being hard on myself. I am a perfectionist at heart and believe in leaving things better than I find them. I would also say that at one point I had to do a “self-check” of my true friends and supporters earlier in my career. Identifying your personal and professional support team is essential for your own development.
KISH: Who or what inspired you to keep pushing regardless of the challenges you’ve encountered?
Cassius: I have mentors that have inspired me when I faced certain challenges in my work. Anyone who tells you that they found success by themselves are kidding themselves. It takes others to help you along the way. There is no “I” in TEAM and no one wins by themselves. Of course, my family, specifically my mother (Barbara Ann Butts) constantly reminds me that there is never too much that I cannot handle if I rely on my faith first.
KISH: Please provide final thoughts/advice for others by finishing this sentence… dream.
Cassius: Dream big and imagine yourself at the mountaintop of your dreams. Dream often, for once you stop dreaming you start becoming idle in things that truly are not meant for you. Dream with the mindset that you too can help others achieve their dreams as you achieve your own.
