We had the good fortune of connecting with Charles Osuji and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Charles, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Two reasons! The first reason is that I wanted to be in charge of my own time. Prior to owning my own business I used to work in management for some large companies. I used to work 70 to 80 hours a week, weekends, and holidays. I was missing so much valuable time with my wife and kids. My kids at the time was 1 and 3. I was missing out on key moments in their lives. After missing out on so much, God was pushing me to leave. The second reason is that I always had a burning desire to impact the youth in our community in a positive way. Since high school I was always that one friend that tried to bring the best out of you and tried to help you shy away from making wrong decisions in life. The combination of these two things gave me enough courage to leave my career and start a business that can potentially impact the lives of thousands of people in our community, It wasn’t the easiest decision either because my wife was in the middle of attending law school. But with knowing that I have God on my side I knew that this was the best decision for me and my family.

What should our readers know about your business?
Here are what both of my companies bring to the table. Kingdom KEYS Mentoring is designed to help guide high school students to manage internal conflict when it comes to picking the right career, college, and major by connecting those major decisions with their gifts & talents. By doing this we believe that it can lead to significantly increase in student academics, confidence, and behavior. In addition to this we also provide our teens with knowledge and skills in college & career readiness, entrepreneurship, professional development, financial literacy and self growth classes and courses. I started this mentoring program with the idea of giving minority teens the best opportunities and tools to be success by creating a positive and energetic environment for teens to gain skills and knowledge that would put them in better positions to win at life. KEYS Aftercare & Tutoring is my after school tutoring company for kids in grades K-8. We want to be the most effective and trusted tutoring program in our community by creating a safe and fun environment for kids to learn. We believe confidence is key when it comes to learning and improving. We help create confidence in your child by making learning fun and interesting so that it can translate into the classroom. How we do this is by focusing and celebrating your child’s progressions no matter how big or small. We also offer learn and play business summer camps. In business you must continue to grow mentality. You must continue to educate yourself by reading books, follow influential people on social media, watching informative youtube video that can help you grow your business, and most importantly find yourself a mentor who is doing what you want to do. The last tip will make the process of being an entrepreneur so much easier.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am a big food person so I would definitely take them to Chez Katu. Chez Katu hands down the best Haitian paté in Miami!! Believe the hype and get the most delicious patty you’ve ever had. It is located at 7150 Pembroke Rd. Miramar, FL 33023. Another place that I would take them to is Organic Food Kings. They have the best comfort vegan food that I have ever tasted. They are located at 3246 N Miami Ave. Miami, FL 33127.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost I want to give a huge shout out to God for allowing me the opportunity to impact the lives of our youth. Secondly, I want to shout out my partner in doing good, Christina Rozier who is the founder of S.W.A.G Mentoring (Students With A Goal) for inspiring me to go out to our community and make a lasting positive impact for the youth in our community. Lastly, I would like to recognize my 7 year old daughter for constantly encouraging me to keep going, constantly telling me that she is praying for me and my businesses, and giving me random kisses on the cheek. This little girl was sent from heaven. Whenever I am down and frustrated about my businesses she will just randomly give a kiss on the cheek and tells me “I believe in you dad. Your business is going to be great. Your going to help so many kids and teens.” Whenever she does that I gain a new super power.

Website: www.kingdomkeysmentoring.org www.keysaftercare.com

Instagram: @keysdreamz @keys_tutoring

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-osuji-89866968/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keysdreamz https://www.facebook.com/KEYS-Aftercare-LLC-117420773384196

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpBveOE-Y9kaWrKbflvL_zA

Image Credits
Our teen photographer Emely Perdomo @emp.photoss Visual Vence @visualvence.photography Izzy Digital. @izzy_digital

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutMiami is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.