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Kristofer Granger dropped out of his undergraduate programme then returned a year later and graduated as Valedictorian. He later went on to receive the Director’s Award for his Master’s degree. After working in the state sector and creative agencies for a number of years, he only found his true niche when he left the corporate world. Now, he is a lecturer at Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business and heads a consultancy where he guides digital strategy for companies and brands. Kristofer told MENtions, it is important to trust the timing of your life and believe that the dots will connect in the future:

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As a child, I was quiet and reserved. People would often tell me that I had an old soul. Instead of playing shilling takes or football with a plastic bottle after classes at Rosary Boys’ RC, I would be inside alone doing homework or reading work for class the next day. I didn’t have many school friends back then. At St James Secondary School, I spent most of my time in the art room or the computer lab. At age 15, I built my first website: a directory of all my favorite music that streamed songs online.

What to do next?

I remember being fascinated by religion but I felt I lacked the charisma and influence to lead a church. I also wanted to study law because I figured I had the brain for a challenging career. But, my Information Technology teacher saw something else in me and he encouraged me to sign up for the Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems being done at SAM Caribbean. I persuaded my best friend Mevon Soodeen (now a Music Producer) to do the degree with me. By year 2, I had lost interest in the degree and was ready to switch over to The UWI to study Psychology. Still undecided, I dropped out of the SAM degree programme and never completed the process to make the switch to The UWI.

At 19 years old, I started modelling for fashion designers and some commercial brands as a side hustle. The jobs became pretty frequent and soon enough, I was convinced that I could make a career out of it. I sent my portfolio to about ten agencies. They all said no (or completely ignored me). I eventually changed my focus.

With more free time on my hands, I was partying hard while working at my dad’s meat factory. My dad convinced me to go back to school and finish the degree. I complied but I hated it. I ended up graduating as Valedictorian. I think my success was due to my determination to prove to myself that I could do well at things that I didn’t like and maybe my photographic memory.

“What’s comin’ will come, an’ we’ll meet it when it does.”

After the degree, I freelanced as a graphic designer and hosted weekly events to make extra money. One of the events was an open mic spoken word series called On D’ Corner, at a bar managed by Chris Leacock (now known as Jillionaire) and co-hosted by Muhammed Muwakil of Freetown Collective. Another event, 220, was a downtown dance party that I hosted with friends on Tuesdays. Through these activities, I realised that I enjoyed marketing. So at 23, I started a Master’s degree in Marketing at the Arthur Lok Jack GSB. That was a great experience for me and now that I’ve been practising marketing for over 10 years, I still see my career going in unexpected directions.

As my career grew, I embraced the opportunities to work in the state sector and some of the top creative agencies. I experienced obstacles and sometimes got in the crosshairs of agendas that I had no idea were even there. But, I’ve always been a straight shooter which may have sometimes made me a bit naive to many things. Thankfully, I put very little emphasis on obstacles and I’m optimistic. I’m also not afraid to take risks and I try my best to cultivate positive, productive energy which helps me to focus on doing my best each day and overcome challenges as they appear. This approach has helped me as I navigated any challenges.

When I decided to leave the corporate world, my brother and I launched Shujin, a beautiful, well stocked store, and what we thought was a powerful brand. Notwithstanding our best marketing efforts, no one came to the store. Eventually we had to close up shop because we weren’t making the rent. We closed less than a year after opening. But as they say, “People who avoid failure, also avoid success.” We kept going. We reopened the store in Trincity Mall in November 2018 and have been pushing through ever since. In JK Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Hagrid said “What’s comin’ will come, an’ we’ll meet it when it does.” So we’ve been prodding along embracing, challenges one at a time.

The support factor and the importance of mentors

My parents are hippies. They never wanted anything for me that I didn’t want for myself. They both value academics so I too gravitated in that direction. They’ve generally always supported me through my very colourful upbringing. They really embraced my decisions and took me seriously from the time I was born. They continue to support me today in the very same way.

As I got older I sought mentorship from people who were in my field. At about 25 years old, I found a mentor who provided me with a lot of structured guidance on navigating my career and day-to-day challenges. I was able to call him any time of day if I needed advice. He helped me make wise career moves at critical points in my early career. I have been blessed with good people in my life. My brothers Jason and Justin are good men who love their families. My friends are real and they always show up for me, and I show up for them.

I also rely heavily on my business partner. Ten years ago, we started a consulting company and he’s become my “business-best friend”. These days I run most business and career decisions by him. It’s like having peer reviewed plans.

We need a culture of upliftment

Great black men definitely exist. Our ability to use our greatness in a way that helps other people is what makes a difference in the people we perceive as role models. The man who thinks often about the fact that there’s someone looking to him as an example, can emerge as a mentor. I believe that there are many men walking around who possess the skills and experience to add value to the journey of another person, in different ways.  Men who cultivate this ethos make good CEOs, teachers, fathers and community leaders.

What we need more of are men who actively choose to be mentors: men who adopt the term and use it. This will stimulate and facilitate a culture of upliftment.

To that young man, who is confused and still searching for a career path, note this, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. You have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something – your gut, your destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down and it has made all the difference in my life.” Steve Jobs said that during a commencement speech at Stanford University. This quote shifted me when I first watched that speech on YouTube. It has become somewhat of a way of life for me.

Also, I think careers choose us. A career comes together from a mix of the things we gravitate to and the ways in which we can add value to other people. Being great in a career is something we choose. The effort and attention we give to the way we help others, becomes our personal brand. As you wander around connecting the dots of your career, consider this quote “The way you do anything, is the way you do everything”. I use this quote very often in my work life.