Welcome to Episode 21 of Imagine Better! I’m thrilled to have Keith Powers join me today as we delve into a powerful and inspiring topic: “Resilience, Self-Reliance, and Entrepreneurial Spirit.”

Keith’s journey from growing up in Southeast Detroit, facing hardship and instability, to becoming a self-made entrepreneur, is a testament to his incredible strength and drive. In this episode, we’ll explore how his experiences shaped his path, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and how resilience and self-reliance can spark entrepreneurial success.

Keith Powers, born in 1975, grew up in Southeast Detroit. His early years were marked by hardship and instability. With a father who was largely absent, caught up in a cycle of strip clubs and drugs, Keith didn’t experience a childhood filled with good memories. His home life was toxic and abusive, with his parents eventually divorcing. Often kicked out of houses due to his father’s financial neglect, Keith learned the importance of self-reliance at a young age. At just 11 years old, Keith embarked on his first entrepreneurial venture—a newspaper route.

He showed early leadership by recruiting friends to help distribute papers, and soon added company flyers to his route, marking the beginning of his first side hustle. At 19, Keith had his first child and was teetering on the brink of a life of crime, nearly facing prison. Fortunately, a second chance allowed him to clean up his life, and he seized the opportunity with determination. At age 20, Keith entered the sales market, selling vacuum cleaners.

His knack for sales and relationship-building quickly propelled him to the top ranks, making him one of the state’s most successful vacuum salesmen. Around the same time, he also worked for a local lawn care company, where he realized the value of building relationships and how they could turn into profitability. By 26, Keith took his first major step as an entrepreneur by starting his own lawn business, learning the ropes of building and growing a company. By the age of 27, his business was generating $500,000 in revenue. At 28, he expanded his entrepreneurial efforts by adding a second company and opening a Pizza Pan franchise out of Ohio.

His businesses continued to thrive, and by the age of 29, he was generating over $1 million in revenue between both ventures. However, life threw Keith a major curveball in 2015. Despite a significant downturn, he bounced back by co-founding a roofing company with a business partner. The company flourished, generating over $10 million in revenue within its first three years. Through perseverance, resourcefulness, and an ability to turn adversity into opportunity, Keith Powers has built a legacy of success and resilience. His story is a testament to the power of determination and the entrepreneurial spirit.