Jamal had a life much like anyone else. Until Covid-19 shut down his world. Sinking into depression, he found his only way back was to be Unstoppable. This gave birth not only to a clothing line but to a movement and a mission. His mission: to let other people know that they are also Unstoppable.
Links:
Junior Collectibles on Facebook
Also on Instagram
Listen to Rhonda Alexia Webb’s Interview by clicking here.
Transcript
But I never knew that from there that a business would pop out of it. And I would be able to encourage other people, that they're unstoppable and that they can do it every single day. hey, I've been through these things, but it says unstoppable cuz no matter what, I am unstoppable.
Cliff Duvernois:Hello everyone, and welcome back to Total Michigan. I am your host Cliff DuVernois. As usual, I run across these stories out there, and I think to myself, I have to interview this person because their story is just too compelling. And for today's guest, I'm gonna let him go ahead and introduce himself. But, for ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to the show Jamal Robbins, CEOs of Juniors Collectibles. Jamal, how are you?
Jamal Robbins:I'm doing fine. How are you?
Cliff Duvernois:I am doing awesome. Thank you for asking. So I know somebody in my audience right now just did a head snap. So why don't you tell us how old you are?
Jamal Robbins:I'm 13 years old.
Cliff Duvernois:Okay. You're not like 13 and a half. Almost
Jamal Robbins:almost 14. my birthday's in August.
Cliff Duvernois:All right, cool. Happy Birthday. It's coming up here in just a couple days.
Jamal Robbins:Thanks.
Cliff Duvernois:Why don't you tell us a little bit about what Junior Collectibles is?
Jamal Robbins:Okay. I basically started Juniors Collectibles to encourage people through merchandise and motivate them to be the best versions of themselves.
Cliff Duvernois:Okay. So when you say you wanna motivate people, what do you mean by that?
Jamal Robbins:I wanna motivate them to not only be the best versions of themselves, but to remember that they're unstoppable, um, and that they can keep going, even when it gets hard.
Cliff Duvernois:So why is that important to you?
Jamal Robbins:Well, it's important to me because when I went through depression, people would always encourage me to be the best versions of myself. And so when I got out of it, then I wanted, um, to encourage other people to, you know, just be the best versions of themselves.
Cliff Duvernois:And so I want to, I want to delve into this a little bit. But first let's take a step back. What made you decide to become an entrepreneur in the first place?
Jamal Robbins:Well, it all started when I had to do a fundraiser for the Washington DC trip, for my school Sasa. Cuz I didn't have like enough money cuz it was like two of us that had to go. So I had to do fundraisers for that. Um, cuz I didn't wanna do the candy bars. So I came up with these cups that have affirmations on the front. And candy on the inside. So it says You're Unstoppable or, I am enough, or just very like motivation, inspirational stuff on the front. And so then I sold those and it made people very, very happy. So I was like, man, I could do this like all of the time. So that's why I started Juniors collectibles a
Cliff Duvernois:a very, it's always nice when you have that feeling of like satisfaction, like you're really touching people's lives.
Jamal Robbins:Yeah. That's the best part.
Cliff Duvernois:So you got your taste of being an entrepreneur. Now what I'd like to do is if you're okay with it, you mentioned before about how you had gone through depression. Talk to us a
Jamal Robbins:little bit about the reason why I fell into depression was because uh, of the pandemic. In March, they told us that we were gonna be like going home for like two weeks and then coming back. But it ended up becoming three weeks and then it was, seemed like it was gonna be forever. And so I'm a very interactive person. I have to be in class learning, and have that interaction with people. So I just broke down. It was very hard to like, get out of that stage. But you know, I did it and with the help of everybody else, so now I can just encourage other people to get out of that.
Cliff Duvernois:So when you're going through this depression and you're coming out of it, what would you credit as that really helped you to start moving forward?
Jamal Robbins:My parents and my therapists.
Cliff Duvernois:Okay. Was there any key piece of advice that you remember that they gave you that just really helped you out?
Jamal Robbins:To just really not, what's the word? So they basically told me that I could get through it. That, I could do anything that I'm unstoppable, which was one of the words um, that, I put on my shirt. So that unstoppable word really touched me. And so that's why I put it on the merchandise. So I think them telling me that I could do anything, that I put my mind to, really helped me.
Cliff Duvernois:So at what point did you decide to marry your interest in entrepreneurship with your lessons that you learned from your depression?
Jamal Robbins:I combined it them, based on, the thought that I would be able to just go to like many different places at the vendor events and, at the kids' room, our events and all this stuff. I would just be able to go to those different places, um, on my free time or just any time to encourage people. So I put those two ideas together because hey, I can make money to start the, special surprise that I'm gonna say at the end. And I could also encourage people.
Cliff Duvernois:Nice. Now, what made you decide to do merchandise?
Jamal Robbins:Well, I really love shirts, hoodies and hats and stuff. because I really love just shopping and clothes and all that stuff. So, um, I did merchandise so that, I could, it's like something that I like, something that everybody can like wear on themselves to show other people. Cuz you know, people go up to other people and it's like, hey, so what does this mean? What's the meaning of your shirt or what's on here? And then it can be like, hey, this young kid told me that this is unstoppable and what it means and all of that stuff and what it means to them and how I can encourage other people. And now many of other people are being encouraged and hey, I want this shirt, I want this. And now I can pour back into the community. Um, and the people that helped me.
Cliff Duvernois:Oh, that's awesome. So I gotta ask you this question. You decided to be an entrepreneur, you've got your own business up. You are CEO. So what did your friends say to this?
Jamal Robbins:They were like, what? A ceo, e o. Like, what's going on here, man? How did this happen?
Cliff Duvernois:Did they get behind you?
Jamal Robbins:Well, they were like, man, I'm your biggest supporter.
Cliff Duvernois:Now, when you came up with the merchandise and you're trying to come up, how do you come up with, cuz I don't know anything about design. I actually, I just, I go find people that know stuff about design. So how did you go about designing? The logo, the unstoppable being on the shirt. How did you do, how did you do all that?
Jamal Robbins:I wanted it to be distressed. so that basically meaning that, it went through like the shirt, that I have on right now. It went through some things like it's been scarred. It's been pushed. It's been tested. But it's coming out. It came out of whatever it went through. And that's what made it unstoppable cuz we never gave up and all that. So that's why I came up with the distress looked. So that it basically lets people know, hey, no matter what you go through, you can still do it man. Come on. Just pick your stuff back up. Pick yourself back up, and just get back to it cuz you're unstoppable.
Cliff Duvernois:I am loving this. So now the question I got for you is, the reason why you and I were able to connect was because of, Rhonda Alexia Webb. And for our audience, you can go back to episode 92 and listen to my interview with her. But she's got the program called Kids Ruled Now. Yeah, but you were in that program. Talk to us about your experience in that program.
Jamal Robbins:it was very cool. I think the first time I went was 2017. oh, you've been in it for a while? Yeah. and it was very cool. of course I was younger then and I was like, wait a minute. These, there's. Telling us like very important things because, this one, the 2017 one and the previous one that I just went to her, last one, they were teaching us how to like, work the cameras and do all that other stuff. And, he was also teaching us about business, which is, another reason why I wanted to start a business. Cause I was like, Hey, this is another, another way that I can do it. And he told me, Hey, you're really good at this stuff. So, you know, might as well, just do it. So, um, I can get the word out.
Cliff Duvernois:And what would be some of the key lessons that you learned going through that program?
Jamal Robbins:To never give up. Like I've heard, never give up. And you can do it. And you're not nervous. You're just excited. Hey, I love you. And they embrace me like with warm hugs and it's just like a really cool atmosphere. So yeah. Um, I've heard a lot of those things, keep going. You got this. You know.
Cliff Duvernois:I love that you're not nervous, you're excited.
Jamal Robbins:Yeah. That's what Miss Rhonda said.
Cliff Duvernois:So tell us about the first time that you had a product to sell, and I don't know if it was Unstoppable or not, but you had a product to sell and you're all of a sudden now facing the public. You got people coming in. It's no longer theoretical. You now have to actually get out there and try to sell something. So talk to us about that.
Jamal Robbins:Well, um, like I said, it started with the Washington DC trip thing. Um, and so I went to the Freeland market. in the Midland area around, yeah. In the Midland area. And, I had to sew the different people and they were like, wow, you're doing such a good job and all that stuff. And at first I was nervous. I actually was, I was like, oh my gosh, how am I gonna do this? But, I ended up doing actually really, really good that day. And so I was like, I can turn this into a business. So that, the Kids Rule Now and everything else just Put together made me, want to start.
Cliff Duvernois:So in that moment when you said, I can do this, what do you think changed?
Jamal Robbins:I think it was that people telling me, Hey, you have a great sales pitch. I'm gonna take you to my dealership. You can help me sell cars you like better than all my other workers on all that stuff. I was like, wait, so if I'm that good, then, I can have an impact on people. Because I normally just, it's a connection, with people that I try to have, like a personal connection, uh, when we're at the sales and just in general life. So I said, Hey, I can add my personality into the business ethic and sales pitch and everything. So I was like, wait a minute. If one plus one is two, then I can do this. You know,
Cliff Duvernois:You talked about your skills, you talked about your personality. Why don't you share with us maybe some of the some of the things that you thought, you know, like maybe you were thinking one way and then you started thinking another way, right? When you got into, when you got into sales part of it, for instance, when you're talking about that, like what was some of the, I guess the word that comes to mind is preconceived notions that you had that maybe you thought, okay, I thought that was gonna work this way, but naturally works this way.
Jamal Robbins:Yeah. so that day, I'm not gonna lie, I didn't think I was going to do too well because like I said, I was nervous. so when I started doing really, really well, I was like, wow, you know,
Cliff Duvernois:what do you credit when you talk about doing really well, what do you credit that to?
Jamal Robbins:You're saying like, to people who helped me do that?
Cliff Duvernois:either that or, what was that? Did you find some confidence in you that you didn't have before? Did you find the right words to say?
Jamal Robbins:I think it was the confidence. I found some sort of confidence. Because at first, like I said, I had no confidence, that I was gonna be able to like do well. But cuz I wanted to touch people, to I, but I didn't think I was gonna be able to do it. cuz you know, hey, I'm just this little kid, But, um, I ended up doing it in I, my cons, my confidence level boosted and, that's why I have the business now.
Cliff Duvernois:Nice. I know that Kids Rule now has been working with, Saginaw Valley State University. Now, were you in that program as well Okay. So talk to us about your experience working at S V S U.
Jamal Robbins:Ms. Rhonda selected me and my sister for this program, called the Vitito Fellows, over at S vs U in the business department. Um, So it basically was like this huge boost to my business. It helped me come out with new merch and new just everything. It boosted my business to it took it to the next level. Nice. And so it was really cool being able to do like a pitch presentation in front of everybody, which they really loved it. And, we had really good time with the Vitito fellows. And I actually really missed them.
Cliff Duvernois:For our audience, we're gonna take a quick break to thank our sponsors and when we come back, Jamal's gonna tell us about that future project that he's keeping for the end of the show. We'll see you after the break. Are you enjoying these amazing stories? Michigan is full of people that are doing some pretty extraordinary things. If you want these amazing stories sent directly to your inbox, head over to total michigan.com. Enter your email address and get them today. What are you going to get? I'm glad you asked. First, you're gonna join our awesome Michigan community and it is quite awesome. Second, you will get an email that includes the top five interviews from the show sent directly to your inbox. This is going to include the powerful lessons that we've learned from these amazing. People. Third, you're gonna get exclusive behind the scenes information about the show. There's a lot of things that are happening to grow this movement beyond the confines of just a radio show and a podcast. You'll get advanced notice of upcoming guests and early access to their interviews. You'll also get a link to our Facebook group now to get all these goodies. Just head over to total michigan.com/join. Enter your email address and join our awesome community today. Hello everyone, and welcome back to Total Michigan. I'm your host, Cliff DuVernois. Today we're talking to the rather extraordinary Jamal Robbins, C E O of Juniors collectibles. Now, Jamal, before the break, we were talking about your experience working with the Vitito Fellows, and I hope I said that correctly, at S V S U. Why don't you talk to us a little bit about what has happened since your experience with them?
Jamal Robbins:Well, um, I've been very blessed to, receive a lot of offers to go speak to people, which is what, I wanted to become or, and still want to become, which is a motivational speaker. So I've gotten offers to speak at Bavarian Inn in, um, Boys and Girls Club in various, other places, and I'm very excited to, do it.
Cliff Duvernois:That's absolutely wonderful. Has there been any other doors that have opened up for you because of that?
Jamal Robbins:Oh, I've gotten new merch styles. So not just the distress look that I talk about earlier. Um, I've also gotten one that says unstoppable and then like a line and then says every scar has a story on it. Not just new merchandise, but new logos and everything. And an Instagram account.
Cliff Duvernois:Oh, nice. And we'll have to delve into that. when we get closer to the end of the show, what I would like to do is talk maybe about another, I see that you are also in a band. Yes. You're quite the musician. Talk to us about, I have you always had a love for music. How does that work? Yeah,
Jamal Robbins:Yeah, I've like, since I was four, I've always had a love for music. I play, can I tell you the instruments that I play? Uh, please do. Okay. so I sing, um, I play piano. I play the drums, the ukulele, the guitar, the bass guitar, the trump, the ooh, the trumpet, the baritone, the tuba. And some other instruments that I forgot. I kind of forgot.
Cliff Duvernois:Oh man, I love it. Yes, I played one instrument and I was lucky to do that. So you played 'em all. Excellent. So what made you decide to pursue this? Because I see that you got videos online posted, you got like an actual band that's going on there. You got all kinds. So what, why pursue this?
Jamal Robbins:because, Since the Kids Rule Now event, the first one that I went to, I, I've had a passion for business since that age. and I really wanted to pursue this, at, not just in entrepreneurship wise, but um, also at S V S U, going there for like college and stuff and like having minor in music or something. So ever since like my inspiration to have a business or become a young entrepreneur, that in music have been like, tied for first place of like my most, like the things that I really love to do. And, and it's not just become like a hobby or whatever, but like it's actually something that I, it's like a dream for me or you've actually gotten gigs. Yeah. Yeah. Tell us some of the places that you played. We've played at the Red House by the Temple Theater. I forgot what it was called. But the Big Red House and it was like some sort of club, not, community club. Okay. I forgot what the name was. But yeah, it's like this red building by this temple theater and a lot of bands and everything come to play um, like really cool music from jazz to like regular, like actual band, like orchestra stuff. So, um, we've played there and various of other places.
Cliff Duvernois:Because this has come up a few times during your talk between the music and entrepreneur, and I'm just curious as well, is there an entrepreneur out there that you admire?
Jamal Robbins:Miss Rhonda Alexia Webb.
Cliff Duvernois:Boy. I could just hear her laughing right now when she hears this episode. That's gonna be cute. What is it, what is it about Rhonda that you, that you truly admire?
Jamal Robbins:Her always having a smile on her face and, always has this like warm embrace. She always tells me the nervous or you're not nervous. But you're excited. That whole thing. And she just like, The first time that I met her in 2017, I was like, wow, this lady is amazing. Like, So it's just, we've always had that like bond or whatever, ever since. So yeah, she's like a really amazing person and she's the reason why I wanted to start this special thing again
Cliff Duvernois:Yes. So let's talk about this special thing. So the question I got for you is, cuz I know this is off to the future, but tell us what the future holds.
Jamal Robbins:In the future, the very near future, when I turned 18, so roughly around 2027, I want to start a nonprofit organization, um, like Kids Rule Now. Like I said, Miss Rhonda is my inspiration to start it. Because I don't want people to just buy from me to be encouraged. But I want this business to be able to grow so that I can support that nonprofit, when I turn 18 because I want to be able to do it for free. Like not just people buying from me. Cuz I've always just wanted to be like, Hey, like basically over Oprah Winfrey. Hey, you get this. You can do anything except I'm motivating people. and encouraging them to like be their best. So the nonprofit will actually really help me do that. Um, Instead of just going to sales and stuff and selling stuff. So my business that I have now can support the nonprofit in the future, which is my plan.
Cliff Duvernois:What is the nonprofit?
Jamal Robbins:The nonprofit. I don't know what I'm going to name it. I'm still deciding that. So
Cliff Duvernois:the mission of the nonprofit?
Jamal Robbins:mission to just encourage people, No matter what, tell people that they can do it, go to like various different places, like around the country and hopefully around the world, um, to just spread the message that we are unstoppable and we can do anything.
Cliff Duvernois:I know when you talk about inspiring people, and that's a very laudable goal, when you talk about inspiring people, what is it exactly do you want to inspire them to do?
Jamal Robbins:like I said, be the best versions on themself. Just try to be positive, instead of looking at the negative things in life because there's always a bright side to to a story. And some things happen to make greater things happen. you could, your car could break down, but next thing you know, hey, there's this car for sale for that's very affordable in. Now look, it's just basically in your hands and, hey, I have this new nicer car, better than the other one. So sometimes things happen for a good reason. And so sometimes when bad things happen, people um, get down and sad. Like I did when Covid happened. But I never knew that from there that a business would pop out of it. And I would be able to encourage other people, that they're unstoppable and that they can do it every single day. Even though I had to go through some things to come out and be like a better person and have um, the business so I can encourage other people. It just, it's just wow. It's amazing cuz I'm able to do it now. So, yeah.
Cliff Duvernois:Why don't you talk to us about some of the new merch that you've been working on?
Jamal Robbins:I know earlier that I mentioned, about hoodies and hats and shirts. So I already had shirts, before the Vitito. But the Vitito at, the Innovation Lab, with, I believe his name is John. I could be wrong, but anyways, we made hoodies that says every scar has a story underneath unstoppable. Um, and those like all sold out at the event. The pitch presentation that we had to do. They all sold out. So I had to make some more, so that, you know, I can, sell 'em, But that was amazing. I
Cliff Duvernois:Oh, that's okay. I was actually gonna lead right into my next question that I had for you when you were talking about, now talk about the Innovation Lab and part of the S V S u and I missed this part before. The innovation lab is where you can actually go and make products. So when you talk, when we talk about making products, is it like a one-off thing? Could you like run a hundred t-shirts? Could you do a thousand hoodies?
Jamal Robbins:Yeah. I can. I actually I can't remember how much I made. I think I made 50 to a hundred different like hoodies or shirts. And so it's actually really cool process. So you have to, it fits, um, a gray hoodie, like how we had to do with the gray hoodies and shirts. You have to put it in this like big red machine and then it like, coats it with something. And then you iron it and then you put the, ink on there for the thing, and then you iron it again, and then bam, there's a shirt. I had the really cool opportunity, with the Vitito fellows to go to the innovation lab, and make the products myself. Um, And it was like a very fun experience. So I can really just go there, anytime, but like I have to set up a date or something, You know, plan it out with him. So yeah, I can just go there and just make stuff, for my business.
Cliff Duvernois:Talk to us about the first time that you held up one of your shirts and you saw your logo on there. This is now your product. Talk to us about that.
Jamal Robbins:So when they came to my house, and my mom showed me, I was like, whoa, that's, I'm gonna be selling these? And I was like, wow. Really? was that bad? No, it was good. Um, I was like, wow, it's, this is actually like really happening. It was only like a dream, some time ago. But it's like, wow, it's actually happening now.
Cliff Duvernois:And It became a reality. And you sold out.
Jamal Robbins:Yeah.
Cliff Duvernois:So what does that tell you?
Jamal Robbins:That I can do it. This is just living proof that I can, and that anybody can, do whatever they put their mi their minds to, which is what I was told the entire time, before I had my business started. Little did I know that it was actually going to manifest that I could do anything that I put my mind too.
Cliff Duvernois:That's great cuz that seems to be a reoccurring theme today yeah. For you to be able to do that. Nice. so with regards to, the nonprofit, the question that I got for you is this, cuz having a nonprofit is tough. So why do the nonprofit? Why not just do speaking engagements right underneath of your company now? Why make a separate entity?
Jamal Robbins:I really don't know. I just, it's just something that was put on my heart to do. Just one day, it was just like an idea. Because how Ms. Rhonda's Kids Now, really touched me and it was like all just for free. It's just was set in my hands. And I could do whatever I wanted to, do with it and be encouraged and everything. I was like, Hey, I don't want to do this when people have to pay for it. I wanna do it for free. And yeah, that's why I wanna do the nonprofit because I don't want to take, I wanted to do it with my business that I have now. I don't want to take like anything out of it. I don't want to earn any money. I don't wanna do that. I'd rather get a job, somewhere else. But I was like, wait a minute. This business could be funding another thing um, that I wanna do for the nonprofit. And so I was like, Hey, this is actually gonna be a cool plan. It's actually gonna work out. and so that's why I did that versus, my other plan.
Cliff Duvernois:Okay. Another question I got for you is circling back to the, to the speaking gigs, right? People saying, Hey, we want you to come talk to us. Is it just doing your business presentation? Or is it you inspiring people.
Jamal Robbins:It's me inspiring people, both, really, but more of the inspiring people. Because people that showed up to the event and people that wasn't able to make it, but heard about it. They were like, wow, this dude is like, He's, he's encouraging people. He's doing this. He's telling us about Unstoppable. And so, um, they wanted me to go to other places and tell them about Unstoppable. So I believe at the Bavarian Inn it's going to be like a a staff day. So like they relax, whatever. And I can encourage the staff to keep going and keep doing what they do, um, and doing what they're, what they really love. So it's like a mixture of both.
Cliff Duvernois:And for your speaking engagement, so I asked this question because this is something that I'm getting into myself, but for your speaking engagement, do you have already an outline prepared of what you're gonna say?
Jamal Robbins:I'm actually working on that. right now.
Cliff Duvernois:Cool. Anything you can share with us?
Jamal Robbins:I'm going to tell people about Unstoppable. in every car, in every scar has a story. And what that means to me. And I've been coming up with an acronym for Unstoppable, or either every scar has a story.
Cliff Duvernois:Where did you get every scar has a story?
Jamal Robbins:Well, um, that was another thing that was just like on my heart. Every scar has a story. Because like I said, with the distressed look, the distress tells or it shows people that, hey, I've been through these things, but it says unstoppable cuz no matter what, I am unstoppable. And those scars tell stories. And, yeah. So how we come out of those scars and how the scars can still be there, but, it doesn't change you, you know what I'm saying? It just, it makes you better.
Cliff Duvernois:Jamal, for our audience, if anybody's listening to this and they want to connect with you, they wanna follow the excitement and the journey that you're on. And I know you mentioned instagram before, is there a website we can direct people to social media? What's the best way for them to get in to, to follow you?
Jamal Robbins:The best ways for them to follow me or get in contact with me is Facebook and Instagram. Instagram, I believe, if I'm not mistaken, it's at Junior's Collectibles. Um, Or you can just look up my full name and hit the search button. Don't forget the search button cuz it won't work. But my full name. And then hit the search button. And then it should be the first one up there and it says Junior Collectibles with my red hat for my logo. And then on Facebook you can either just look up junior Collectibles or my full name.
Cliff Duvernois:Awesome. Jamal, thank you for taking time to come and chat with us today. It's really great and There's a lot of great things and I actually look forward to having you back on the show in the future so you can tell us how everything's unfolded. So thank you.
Jamal Robbins:Thank you for inviting me.
Cliff Duvernois:And for our audience, you can always go to total michigan.com, click on Jamal's interview and you will see all the links that he mentioned above. We'll see you next week with another exciting story. See you then.
