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

Hi Phillip, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my own business really came from not being allowed to go into the USO in an airport back in 2015. I thought to myself it was so bizarre that here I was a disabled veteran honorably discharged and still not being able to frequent this establishment so I made a promise to myself to build a company where veterans are never over looked, I have always been rooted in music and entertainment and really thought that would be a great way to build a brand that welcomes all veterans and where veterans will always have a place to come and be creatively themselves.

What should our readers know about your business?
Creative Minds Music Group (C.M.M.G.) is a veteran-owned media entertainment company, independent record label and management collective whose goal is to provide professional support and opportunities for veterans to live out their creative dreams. Founded in 2016 by CEO and Marine Corps veteran Phillip Jenkins, C.M.M.G. came together out of a passion for the music and entertainment industry along with a desire to help veterans on an artistic level and along with a group of veterans started making music together while still deployed, which led them to create a project for artistic collaborations between veterans giving birth to Creative Minds Music Group.’s The Creative Hive Based in Miami, the company serves as a platform, community, and music agency to assist military veterans in exploring and expressing their musical endeavours and living out their dreams. By promoting creative outlets and live entertainment platforms, Creative Minds provides a platform for veterans to tell their stories we can all understand and love. We also work with an up and coming record label Way Bigger Records that is right here in South Florida founded by artist and CEO Ervince Louis also a s Florida native.

What is exciting about our company is that we are a company like no other here to Help creative veterans obtain their ultimate creative dreams, we started small and we are building our way to become a well known company within the industries of Music and Entertainment.

Creative Minds Music Group has since worked with many artists from across the country providing support in areas such as production, distribution, songwriting, and organising music showcases

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would start the day off with connecting with the city as a whole, we’d start off with a great experience at Virginia Key Beach, and after we’d go to eat at at-in-the-wall pizza spot near South Beach, Grafa Pizza & Pasta which has some amazing Italian food . I’d have to take whoever comes to Miami to the Wynnwood walls where we can really embrace creative and artistry displayed and appreciated and after taking some awesome pictures we’d head over to House Of Mac, I love macaroni and cheese and they have the best, trust me. We’d end the day with a night of great music and entertainment at Wood Tavern. I love Green Street Cafe located in Coconut Grove, then walk breakfast off at Coco walk. Then get ready in the evening have an amazing dinner at Public Square in coral gables then head over to Blue Martini to close the night out. Taking a boat tour or even if you just to rent a boat to feel at home at sea for a few hours. What I have learned and love about Miami is that the city that thrives from beautiful cultures that you can experience and appreciate at every corner

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?
A great deal of our company success would be nothing without the team and the support behind the scenes like producer and songwriter Julio Orozco in El Paso Tx, Darren Jenkins, Breion Caples(Army Veteran) Reginald Hodge (Marine Corps Veteran) who have helped support and guide the engine that is the company today along with The Collective Hive’s Marty McFlry (Martin Jenkins a Marine Corps Veteran ) in Augusta Ga who has been instrumental with our musical creative sound and Ryheem Satchell (Army Veteran) who has provided graphic designs and art work for any project we have had. Wesley Ramey (Air-force Veteran) who has been instrumental as our Business Affairs Director. Way Bigger Records has been a lifeline when it comes to Integrating veterans with local Miami-Dade and Broward County cultures.

Website: Www.creativemindsmusicgroup.com

Instagram: creativemindsmusicgroup.cmmg

Linkedin: Phillip K Jenkins

Twitter: CMMG_Music

Facebook: Creative Minds Music Group

Yelp: Creative Minds Music Group

Youtube: Creative Minds Music Group

Other: We also have two podcasts, I co host The Not Ur Average Podcast Crew Instagram: noturaveragepodcastcrew Twitter: NotUrAverage3 YouTube: The Not Ur Average Podcast Crew Our sports podcast/show hosted by Purple Heart recipient Reginald Hodge and Coach Darren Jenkins Facebook:Turtle Island Sports Instagram: turtleislandsportsnet Twitter:turtle_islandsp

Image Credits
Ryheem Satchell Yolanda Jenkins Julio Orozco Sheila G. Yolanda C.

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.