I recently returned to the U.S. after living in Dubai since 2011 and doing business in the Middle East since 2009. My work in Dubai was organizing large-scale events and booking celebrities for concerts or festivals.
Since my time living in Dubai, I chose to take the initiative and diversify my portfolio by delving into other industries. I was approached by a government company in Dubai to organize large-scale events to help boost tourism for their upcoming developments. It’s important to attract tourism through events because the rest of the region does not have the opportunity or freedom to host concerts. A lot of Muslims from neighboring countries would fly into Dubai specifically to attend events or concerts they would never have the opportunity to see otherwise.
As I worked for the government, I used to get approached a lot through individuals who were linked to CEOs or presidents of American companies that wanted to open a branch in Dubai. At that stage, I jumped at the opportunity to broker projects that allowed brands to enter into the Middle East from the U.S.
Along the way, I was able to help an American auto parts company export into Africa from the United Arab Emirates port. I later was approached by Oman on their new initiative to launch the biggest port in the Middle East. They wanted us to help attract American companies to manufacture in Oman at 0 percent taxation. My business partner visited an indoor dairy farm in Amsterdam since Holland is well known for its agricultural technology.
Now that I am back in the U.S. and back home in St. Louis, I have started commercial accounts with Napa, AutoZone and Parts Authority as suppliers for Japanese-made vehicles, Mercedes and Rang Rover parts into Lagos, Nigeria.
Why should black Americans get more involved in exporting? The rest of the world does not view skin color. They view you strictly as an American (which is how things should be viewed). Being American is viewed like a high-end, luxury brand. Everyone respects the passport. My success in Dubai was based on the fact I was an American, but also my integrity. I always made sure I delivered on what I contractually said I could do.
