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Roar with Lakecia Gunter

The Power of Perseverance with George Tinsley

Ep. 21
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When you possess an unshakable will to win, no obstacle has the power to derail you. This level of perseverance is in the DNA of great leaders. Rather than allow poverty, misfortune, or lack of support to determine who you are, it’s possible to take the reigns and steer yourself towards greatness.


How does one make the decision to defy the odds, regardless of their circumstances? Where do perseverance and determination come from? Well, money can’t buy it. This is the magic of the mind. 


Possibility thinking centers on the idea of shifting how you think about who you are. Rather than looking at your situation in a single moment, and deciding that this must be your lot in life, possibility thinking throws you a lifeline. It sifts through the sands of reality and searches for those little flecks of gold, helping you to recognize opportunities. 


You find empowerment through opportunities, no matter how big or small they are. This revs up the engine of self-confidence, and that confidence becomes the foundation on which you can begin to build your dreams. It might take time, but once you’ve found a way to start believing in yourself, and you’re willing to put in the time and do the work, success is a certainty. 


We can’t control how we come into the world. Our financial and social circumstances are what they are. Our job is to do our best to persevere through them until we have the ability to control them. But if we’re clever enough, if we have just a little bit of self-esteem propping us up from even a single influence in our lives, someone who’s looking at what’s inside of us, rather than judging only what they see on the outside, we can start to detach from that mould and shape ourselves. We begin to recognize our greatness, and it becomes possible to rise up and make waves. 


My guest today is Mr. George Tinsley. Along with his wife of 48 years, together they own the highest-grossing KFC franchises in Florida and are among the most successful African American couples in the state. George Tinsley is a six-time basketball Hall of Famer, a millionaire entrepreneur, leader, motivator, coach, and most importantly, a family man. 


His story is one about a man who's risen from rags to riches. Having grown up in an era where racism was openly tolerated, his poverty and inner city beginnings didn’t pave an easy path towards success. Through faith, tenacity, education, and a relentless drive to transform obstacles into opportunities, he beat the odds. Today, he and his wife own more than 50 restaurant franchises in Florida and Kentucky, with their brands representing the majority of dining options in the Tampa International Airport, Miami International Airport, and Louisville International Airport. 


George Tinsley’s success goes far beyond his own personal achievements. He has helped many others, myself included, gain a stable footing on our career ladders. He gave me my first job opportunity at one of his KFC restaurants when I was 14 years old. For those of us who had the opportunity to work for George Tinsley and his wife in their franchises, we saw African American leaders who were vested in our career success, and more importantly, our success in life. Today, he shares some insights about his rise to the top, and how perseverance and possibility thinking made his dreams a reality. 


Some Questions I Ask:

  • What stands out as a defining moment in your life where you realized that, despite your obstacles and circumstances, you could still be successful? (10:49)
  • How did you capitalize on your intellectual ability and athletic gifts to navigate yourself towards a better future? (17:35)
  • How did a career in sports prepare you for your next steps in life? (28:44)
  • How did you transition from winning in the game of basketball to winning in the game of franchises? (34:52)
  • What has been the key to success for you in Mississippi, and what's sustained you over the years? (48:37)
  • What would you say is one of the biggest mistakes or failures that you guys had to navigate through, and what did you learn from it? (52:04)
  • What’s the next chapter for you? (57:55)
  • What is some of the advice that you have for entrepreneurs or franchise owners? (1:01:43)


In this episode, you’ll learn about: 

  • Turning rejection into determination (10:52)
  • Recognizing and reciprocating kindness (14:27)
  • Being a fearless first as the minority (27:04),(34:12)
  • Building a legacy from the ground up (39:10)
  • Staying resilient when the bottom drops out (42:41)
  • Learning from your mistakes (53:19)
  • Community involvement as a key to success (56:01)
  • Having the right team in place (1:04:25)
  • Seeing opportunity through obstacles (1:06:11)


Connect with Geroge Tinsley:


Resources:

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