BE Modern Man: Meet “The Marketing Whiz” Vincent Kirkwood

BE Modern Man: Meet “The Marketing Whiz” Vincent Kirkwood


Name: Vincent Kirkwood

Age: 30

Profession: Experiential Marketing, Entrepreneur

One word that describes you: Dynamic

What does being one of the BEMM 100 Men of Distinction mean to you?

There was a time when African American men had no platform of recognition for the ways in which we have contributed to society. I am grateful, honored, and humbled to be recognized by Black Enterprise. This distinction confirms I am on the right track. The right track to continued success in fatherhood, being a husband, mentorship, and entrepreneurship. Most importantly, the right track to making a difference in my community.

What are some examples of how you turned struggle into success?

I took my first leap into being an entrepreneur in early 2015. At the time, I had several investors that were interested in moving forward with the investment opportunity into the business. Once all aspects of the business were established, over half the investors backed out. I had opened up a business and was extremely undercapitalized. Through continued hard work, dedication, and prayer, I was able to get through the hardest of times as a young entrepreneur. The business is seeing its best numbers yet and now I am in talks with new investors for additional storefront locations!

What is an important quality you look for in your relationships with others?

In both personal and business, grit is the most important quality that I look for in others when it comes to building key relationships. It is convenient for friends and associates to support and stand by you when life is good and business is booming. However, there are times when sales are not where they are projected or you don’t know if you will even make payroll. During tough and challenging situations, I need folks around me that have grit. Strength of character that is persistent in motive and effort are the kind of folks that I know will stand the test of time.

What are some immediate projects you are working on?

Experiential marketing for the last five years has been my forte. I’ve operated experiential programs for Rocawear, American Legacy Magazine, The Smithsonian Museum, and Eppa Sangria to name a few. Experiential marketing is a trend that corporations, agencies, and retailers are starting to fully understand and embrace. I just happen to be great at creating and executing mobile marketing campaigns. Currently, I am working on a few projects in the experiential marketing world with major corporations. In addition, I am taking on the role of executive producer, working on a short film project that combines film and marketing. I am excited to share this new venture with the world.

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