Earlier Times

- I was born and raised in South Carolina, and pride myself on being what I might describe as a "Renaissance Gentleman".

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- My eclectic life was nurtured very early through my exposure to, and involvement with my faith community, diverse individuals, the performing arts, and athletics.

 

- Upon graduating from high school, I was accepted academically by, and attended The Georgia Institute of Technology.

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- There, I “walked on” to the university's NCAA Division I basketball team. My teammates included quite a number of notable eventual NBA players, John Salley, Mark Price, Yvonne Joseph, and Duane Ferrell to name a few.

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- As a member of the team, I had the opportunity to compete against many other eventual NBA talents, including Michael Jordan, Len Bias, Johnny Dawkins, Kenny Smith and Spud Webb.

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- While at Tech, I also pledged my beloved Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

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The Entrepreneur

- After graduating from "Tech", I began a career in technical design and sales.

 

- Despite immediately thriving, I yielded to a burning desire for entrepreneurship. And soon left corporate in search of what I would come to call my “right livelihood”.
 

- My first business ventures produced nominal, if any, successes. But I was undeterred. Before long, my natural inclinations lead me to fashion industry. Here I found my stride. 

 

- A perfect example of “necessity being the mother of invention”, I began focusing on shoe-making because of my inability to find stylish high-quality footwear for my size 15 ½ feet.

 

- This lead to the founding of my signature luxury lifestyle brand, RONDONOVAN. 

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- Now with over 25 years of experience, I continue to design and produce footwear, accessories, and apparel for RONDONOVAN, as well as for other prominent brands.

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- I have also founded several other fashion related businesses. One of these is THESHOEMAKER'SSTUDIO, through which, I offer footwear and accessory making classes and related experiences.

 

- Along the way, I have been the director of couture for a prominent 7th Avenue couturier, was named an FGI Rising Star Finalist, and have taught shoemaking at several colleges and universities, including NYC's FIT, Parsons, and LIU.

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The Adventurer

- Travel has and remains an integral part of my life and experiences.

 

- I lived abroad for a number of years in Monte Carlo, Monaco, and from my long-time home base of New York City, continue to spend considerable time traveling, particularly in The South of France and Italy.

 

- One of my greatest undertakings was walking The Camino De Santiago De Compostela (an 800 plus kilometer trek which begins in the South of France, crosses the Pyrenees Mountains, traverses across northern Spain, and ends in the town of Santiago, near the country's west coast.

 

- Along my journeys, I have been blessed to have experienced some of the most incredible people, places, and adventures. Each has provided unique and invaluable lessons. 

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A Test Of Faith

- Perhaps the greatest challenge of my life was being diagnosed with, and battling, prostate cancer at a relatively young age. My life changed significantly from the surgery and ongoing treatments, but I am extremely grateful to be a survivor.

 

- While difficult at times, my faith is what helps me remain in gratitude and embrace the beautiful life that I have versus mourning the life I sometimes "think" I lost.

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- My faith is a foundational aspect of my mindset along with logic and creativity. It is integral in all I achieve and transcend. This balanced mindset has been developed over time, and forged from many trials, tribulations, and blessings.

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Becoming "The Strategist"

- In retrospect, it is now clear to me that I have been an "unofficial" guide and coach for much of my life.

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- As long as I can remember, people of all ages, relations, and statures have come to me for direction, encouragement, and support.

 

- However, it was the suggestion of a trusted friend/advisor that made the thought of coaching a tangible pursuit. 

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- Once the fire was lit, I immediately got to work studying. I devoured any and all information I could find. I read books, researched articles and individuals, and listened to countless hours of messaging. I studied some the most successful coaches and evaluated their beliefs and approaches. I then compared what I discovered with whom I knew myself to be, the experiences I have had, my successes, strengths, gifts, challenges, and my failings.

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- The more I looked, the more I realized that there was not only space for me, but a void that I am uniquely suited to fill. I then established TheSOULstrategist.

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Learning Is Circular

- Over the years, I've been described in many ways, focused, confident, resilient, optimistic, caring, empathetic, gregarious, fun-loving, and a gentleman. People often to praise my transparency and my handling of adversity. this said, I'm sure that some not-so-nice things have been warranted at times as well.

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- I love the good things people see in me. They are who I strive daily to be. However, frankly, like most people, there are still times when I don't feel like "this guy", when doubt creeps in and I'm not quite so sure of myself.  

 

- It is only with continual self-reflection, self-work, paradigm shifting, critical thinking, resounding faith, and outside support that I have developed the strategies and processes that enable me to course correct pretty quickly, to get back to my most authentic self. 

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- Who, what, and where I am at any given moment can be tied directly to my experiences, and all they have taught me.

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- One of my greatest blessings is that as I share with and guide others, I am continually evolving as a creative, a change agent, an entrepreneur, and global citizen.

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I look forward to sharing with you the wisdom I'm continuously gleaning from this blessed life...

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Ron Donovan, "The Soul Strategist"