Javon Merritt

About me:

. Hybrid Risk Records C.E.O Javon Merritt is a 24 year old native of Detroit-BLACK BOTTOM-Michigan. From a young age JAVON MERRITT was always the one to take control of situations and get things started, this led to my desire to pursue a career in event planning. I have always enjoyed working with different types of people. I loved the feeling of being around a crowd during an event; it was an adrenaline rush for me. In High School I worked as an assistant chef at a four star restaurant named Courthouse Braisse. I really was inspired by the head chef and owner. I liked the way he took control and ran his business. He was very direct, and made sure that things were done his way while holding his workers to very high standards. When I graduated from Martin Luther King High School in 2002 I was undecided what the next step in my life would be. Northwood University caught my eye when I heard about a new major they were offering in Entertainment Sports Promotion Management. With summer coming to an end a last minute decision to attend Northwood University was made. I decided to pursue a degree in business majoring in Entertainment Sports Promotion Management and Event Planning. Early in my college career I was given opportunities to work different events in a variety of entertainment fields. Some of those events included: Super bowl XL, Fashion Shows, Car Shows, and 2007 final four in men’s basketball. All of these experiences only excited my interests in the major I was pursuing. Later, I was introduced to various artists from all different music genres. I began working with artists from Detroit, Midland, Flint and Miami. I decided to put on a talent show in Midland Michigan to showcase all different types of talented individuals. This really put 3600 Productions/Hybrid Risk Records on the map and drew the attention of Kevin Quoss/Andrew Lay who was formally the C.E.O and Vice President of Hybrid Risk Records. From that point on I began working with Kevin/Drew on different projects such as recording various albums and mix tapes. In July of 2007 I took over Hybrid Risk Records as the new C.E.O. Since then I have been working to get a different mix of talent from all around the U.S. and have continued to work on upcoming albums and events. Once everything started it was impossible for me to get off track. I stayed focus and became more ambitious will each album put out. Creating my own business and being a full time student was not always easy to juggle, however I feel like gave me a better sense of time management, focus and drive. I have never been one to be led a stray by others. Through Hybrid Risk Records I feel like I have actually given individuals the drive to be successful themselves. I am always the one to give someone a little push to move forward when they need it and never hesitant to let someone know when they are not pulling their weight. With this company I have improved my leadership skills, and become successful in dealing with out-of-the box approach to solving problems, increasing production in any team environment, emerging markets, and closing high –volume deals ($300k+). I think that people around me are motivated by my drive; they see that I am working hard to make things happen for myself, and not letting things distract me. I think I gave them the courage to do the same thing. Despite only being 24 I have accomplished so much, every step in my success ladder just makes me want to go higher. If I were to give someone any kind of advice on starting your own business I would just say never stop believing it can happen. Things start slow and don’t always go as planned. As long as you stay focused and don’t allow others to steer you in the wrong direction you will be fine. You also have to know that in owning you own business there is no “get rich quick” way to go about it, things take time, patience and complete dedication. Make sure the individuals you surround yourselves with understand what you are trying to do and support you, if they don’t they are just slowing you down.