Meet Irvon Plummer | Entrepreneur | Community Advocate

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

Hi Irvon, how does your business help the community?
Well, The Entrepreneur Education and Development Center was founded on the principles of seeing everyone Learn, Grow, and Lead. Those principles are achieved through our dedication to making an impact. One way, we make an impact in throughout #BeGreatRegardless Young Entrepreneur Camp. #BeGreatRegardless Young Entrepreneur Camp is geared to students with a high level of interest in entrepreneurship. Through fun games, activities, group projects, and a business simulation program, students learn business and marketing strategy, teamwork, and essential problem-solving and leadership skills. Every day is filled with interesting and challenging activities to help students learn the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and creating a start-up business.

Through this week-long program, brand-new entrepreneurs and creatives are born. These young geniuses will be the leading force to take our community in the direction it needs to go. It’s important that we take the necessary steps and time now to teach and give the entrepreneurs of tomorrow the help they need now to be successful in the future. Registration is now open. Simply go to www.teedc.org/camp to register.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

The Entrepreneur Education and Development Center Inc. is a Non – Profit organization that serves as a safe haven for dreams and aspirations. A place where people of all walks of life can be a part of a community of people whose life desire is to impact their community through entrepreneurship and positive change. What sets us apart is our willingness to not be confined by the circumstances and the situations that may surround us. Prosperity and Difficulties are bound to happen, but it is what we do when they come that makes the difference in who we are. I always say that the road to what some may consider “success” is not always filled with diamonds, pearls, and glitter. It can be filled with rocks, unexpected potholes, and even some road closures causing you to detour. 

Sometimes the challenges aren’t physical, they can be mental. I’ve had to overcome over thinking and over complicating situations in my mind. Visually, I can see that things are going amazing, but mentally everything needs to be fixed or tweaked in some type of way. I would call it the unintentional self-sabotage mindset. I had to come to the realization that everything is not going to be perfect. When I came to that realization, I began to see, hear, and think clearer. It’s all about who and what you surround yourself with. If you choose to hang around negativity, then most likely you will begin to have the attributes of a negative person. I have learned that having a community of people around you is what makes the difference. We can’t do anything by ourselves. Success is a team effort. I wouldn’t have the success in my Shop With a Boss Community Giveback Initiative if it wasn’t for teamwork and collaboration. 

Shop With a Boss began as an idea in 2015 that I was honestly afraid to act upon. I had a fear that this idea wouldn’t work; like the last few failed ventures I had pursued. In 2018 is when I took a leap of faith and contacted a few of my entrepreneur friends, and literally the rest is history. Shop With a Boss is now a National Program that provides financial assistance to hundreds of inner-city families each year, currently in 4 different states and 5 different locations. Financial assistance comes in the form of a fun filled day for children and teens going on a $100 shopping spree. We partner with entrepreneurs, creatives, business owners and everyday people to create a shopping spree experience like no other. As of today, we have been able to help over 400 families with contributions nearing $40,000. If you would like to get involved with the Shop With a Boss National Program, simply go to www.teedc.org/community-initiatives for more information.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I have the pleasure of living where millions of people love to come and vacation, and that’s sunny South Florida. I love everything about living here. One of my favorite places to visit is the Everglades National Park. At the Everglades Nation Park, you get the opportunity to experience life changing boat rides as well as the opportunity to interact with different wildlife including alligators. One spot I would visit for lunch is the Boathouse at the River Side. This place has great drinks, amazing food, and spectacular views of the New River. If you happen to go there, make sure you get the Grilled Octopus and the Blackened Chicken Cobb Salad.

A place where you can find a wide range of fun, interesting, exciting people, places, or things to check out is our beaches. Whether you choose South Beach, Hollywood Beach, or Fort Lauderdale beach, you are destined to find something that will make you scream, laugh or cry, all in a good way. Our people are different, our food is delicious, and our entertainment is endless. There is absolutely no place like South Florida.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate this Shoutout to my late mother, Sheila D. Brown. Everything that I put my hands to, my mom was right there in my corner to back me up. From wanting to be a singer/entertainer to starting a business, she has always been there. She was and still is the definition of what the words “encouragement and love”. If she had it (money / resources), then my seven siblings and I had it. She would literally give you the shirt off her back. That’s honestly why I decided to dedicate a scholarship in her name.

The Sheila D. Brown #BeGreatRegardless Scholarship. It’s a scholarship that anyone can apply to receive. My mom was a stickler for making sure you did something with your life. Whether it be going to college, a trade school, starting a business or simply working a 9-5, my mom longed for you to be the greatest you could be in that field. If you know of any senior student graduating from high school that would be a great fit for this scholarship, direct them to the website to apply.

Website: www.teedc.org

Instagram: @irvonplummer @teedcinc @shopwithaboss

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irvon-plummer-078b25ab

Facebook: www.facebook.com/irvon.plummer www.facebook.com/theeedc www.facebook.com/shopwithaboss/