Reese’s story is living proof that the cards you are dealt in life do not define who you choose to become. In spite of the lack of financial support from his family, Reese lives a life on his own terms and credits the emotional and loving engagement from his family with his success.

Starting From Less Than Zero
Reese describes himself as “Blamish”, the child of a Black father and an Amish mother who divorced when he was two. His mother struggled with mental health challenges. His father lived in a crime-ridden area of Columbus, Ohio, where Reese spent his weekends sleeping on a couch, surrounded by grandparents with little money and little expectation that life could be much different.

From ages three to fourteen, Reese shuttled between the two worlds of his parents, neither of which offered much stability or comfort.

The loss of. Reese’s father at the age of fourteen forged a determination within him to create a better life for himself, harnessing sheer willpower and the clarity that daily pangs of hunger, was not going to define his identity.

Building From the Ground Up
Reese delivered newspapers from fourteen to sixteen then landed a job at Kroger for $5.35 an hour. He felt genuinely proud, because he earned his own money. With the guidance of a high school counselor, he enrolled in a two-year business management program at Columbus State Community College.

A chance connection with a fellow student led to something unexpected: an investor willing to put $300,000 into a tanning salon, with Reese running the operation. Within two years, Reese’s tanning salon was successful enough to open a second location.

Through the ownership of his tanning salons, Reese discovered that he had a gift for engaging with clients, many of them established business owners ,aspiring entrepreneurs, investors and startups.

The Power of Authentic Connection
Today, Reese hosts standing-room-only networking events at his multi-acre home, local breweries, and invitation-only clubs. I’ve been to some of these gatherings, and they are real communities, warm, energized, and genuinely useful for people exploring ideas, securing funding, and finding partners. Banks, insurance brokers, realtors, and wealth advisers: eagerly pay for access to these rooms, because Reese has built something special, trust. He’s shared with me more than once that kindness and integrity are key criteria for inclusion in his networking circle.

When I asked Reese to reflect on what drove all of this, he replied: “When I reflect on the multiple connections I’ve made through the years, the primary motivation was not money. It was being of service to others, knowing that the money will eventually come by doing the right thing.”

Reese’s Wisdom:
“You can come from nothing and make miraculous things happen.”
“Every day we need to make the resolution to be happy, no matter what.”
“While opportunities and money may be inconsistent, it is important to love and care about the people you have the honor of serving.”
“Focus on taking care of others, stay positive, and keep going, no matter what roadblocks appear. They are just temporary hurdles to overcome.”