Meet Gene Martin | Founder & President of Route 7 Orlando

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

Hi Gene, what do you attribute your success to?
The key contribution to Route 7 Orlando’s success are the men that believe in our mission; “A network of gentlemen driven to promote growth amongst the community and each other.” Our members are our strongest asset, and with every decision we make as an organization we keep that top of mind. We pride ourselves in creating innovative opportunities for engagement to sustain and grow our member-base.

What should our readers know about your business?
The concept of Route 7 Orlando was developed shortly after I read Napoleon Hill’s book, Think and Grow Rich. The Mastermind Principle is something that resonated with me on many levels. I wanted to start where I stood with executing this concept, so I called a few of my friends to meet up on a Friday night after work. Rather than your typical happy hour to start the weekend off, I wanted to make sure our conversation was guided with purpose and intent. We utilized this time to speak on our goals, our professions, and ways we could help each other achieve success. Little did I know, that initial conversation would lead to what is now Route 7 Orlando.

At the time, the Orlando area had six major highways that got people to and from their destinations. We wanted our organization to be the seventh Route that brought people together.

Route 7 Orlando is a member-based 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization founded by a network of gentlemen with the desire to develop both ourselves and our communities. Since 2016, Route 7 Orlando and our members have worked to accomplish this through our focus areas of accountability, community service, and collaboration. The organization’s primary services and programs include professional development, networking, volunteering and mentoring youth.
We host “Accountability Meetings” for men looking to establish new relationships, share goals, and grow both personally and professionally. The purpose of our meetings is to hold members accountable in reaching new goals while fostering an ego-less environment.

Through our “Speakers Series,” we utilize our platform to bring in subject matter experts to share insight on their professions. Featured speakers include authors, finance professionals, personal trainers, and mental health therapists. By providing safe places for Central Florida men to unite and uplift each other, Route 7 Orlando offers a unique set of opportunities to Orlando’s nonprofit community.

One of the most significant ways we display our commitment to creating an impact in the community is through our public speaking mentorship program called, Well Said. Well Said is a 12-week program for at-risk youth ranging from middle to high school ages. Since 2020, we have partnered with the Levy Hughes Boys and Girls Club to offer this free afterschool program to the club’s members.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
– Mills 50 District – An Orlando Magic game
– The Bronze Kingdom
– The Boheme
– Downtown Orlando/Lake Eola
– The Dr. Phillips Center

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to shoutout the members our Route 7 Orlando and our brothers of 9th Bridge Jacksonville.

Website: www.Route7Orlando.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/route7orlando/?hl=en

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/route7orlando

Twitter: https://twitter.com/route7orlando?lang=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Route7Orlando

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNDbBurpA6MFuuuwi7TSGrg

Image Credits
Shamir Webb