Jacksonville, Florida, welcomes these distinguished businessmen who have reached the top of their respective career ladders. They exemplify all the qualities of a modern-day gentleman – driven, innovative, versatile, flexible, and successful. In today’s world, being a gentleman is a title you earn through the continuous pursuit of excellence. Casting aside the fallacy of perfection, these men know that failure comes with the territory in a high-risk, high-reward environment.
True entrepreneurs thrive on constant reinvention and creative thinking, and it is this entrepreneurial mindset that distinguishes these gentlemen from the rest of the pack. Their visions for their businesses and brands have adapted to fit the ever-changing needs of their communities and customers, but their core tenets have remained constant. Risk tolerance and unwavering motivation can bring even the loftiest dreams to life, just as they have for these game-changing businessmen.
A mediator and arbitrator, lawyer, master barber, Doctor of Education, transportation logistician, and two celebrity photographers – all at the top of their games and showing no signs of stopping. You can learn about these seven distinguished and inspirational businessmen from these short bios or by visiting their websites.
Joseph “Matrix” George, Partner at George & George ADR Group
Joseph George uses his keen business sense and growth mindset to rise above the typical boundaries of success. His entrepreneurial drive and altruism combine perfectly in his role as an independent, full-time Supreme Court-appointed mediator and arbitrator. Mr. George excels at facilitating collaboration and mutually beneficial settlements when he works as a mediator. Equally impressive is his ability to reach a fair and effective solution as an arbitrator. Resolving disputes surrounding breach of contract, intellectual property, HOA/COA, construction, and high net-worth individuals is par for the course for Joseph George.
Mr. George is also a certified Equal Employment Opportunity investigator who has worked with private agencies at federal, state, and local levels to investigate claims of discrimination against protected classes. He is passionate about fiercely protecting groups who have been historically marginalized due to their race, sex, religion, age, disability status, and national origin. This includes those whose rights are protected under legislation such as Title VII, ADA, ADEA, GINA, and the Florida Civil Rights Act. Mr. George can be reached at his firm at www.georgeandgeorgeadr.com.
James Schlefstein, Owner of Hidef Pixel Photography Studio
Despite being the man behind the camera, this entrepreneur and creative genius deserves the spotlight. James Schlefstein is leading a revolution in creative entrepreneurship, building a photography and videography business that has seen astronomical growth and success in the last decade. Mr. Schlefstein uses a hands-on approach in each step, from preproduction to final edits. Whether photographing architecture, product ads, weddings, or beauty campaigns, he brings his eye for beauty and passion for excellence to every shoot.
Mr. Schlefstein has shot commercially for Crème of Nature, Roux, Patrol Groom, Kaleidoscope, and En Love, and he works side-by-side with celebrity stylist and beauty mogul Pekela Riley. As such, he regularly works with celebrity clientele, and his list of past clients includes Marlo Hampton, Leon Timbo, Judy Harris Depart, and Dana Bolden. His images have been displayed in Times Square and Vegas Fashion Week, and his work has been featured by industry giants like Sally Beauty Supply, Walmart, and Target. Mr. Schlefstein can be reached at his photography studio at www.hidefpixel.com.
Corey Duval, Master Barber, CEO of Hollywood Cuts Barbershop, CEO of FX MEDIA
Having reached the uppermost echelon of hair artistry, Corey Duval is unrivaled in his talent and skill. Using clippers, scissors, and hair dyes as his tools, he creates veritable works of art on each head of hair he touches. He is the founder of Hollywood Cuts Barbershop, and as a leader in luxury barbering and styling, Mr. Duval has worked with a diverse range of influential clientele, including A-list celebrities, up-and-coming music artists, and fellow entrepreneurs. He also uses his over two decades of industry experience to host educational training sessions worldwide. Mr. Duval’s passion for barbering, philanthropy, and leadership led him to found The Ghana Barber Summit, which has provided free training opportunities to more than 400 Ghanaian barbers and salon owners since its inception in 2020.
Despite his success in barbering and hair styling, Mr. Duval never rests on his laurels and continually strives to expand his talents and businesses. As CEO of FX Media, he is certified in TV, film, and digital media and runs a thriving film production company that focuses on helping brands create content.
Blue Franswa, Owner of Blue Franswa Photography
Blue Franswa exploded onto the photography scene and has already made a name for himself by injecting creativity and artistic vision into everything he does. Mr. Franswa is one of the most highly coveted wedding photographers in Jacksonville, as he has a gift for capturing any moment’s magic and raw emotion. Despite his passion and skill for working with couples on their special day, Mr. Franswa’s portfolio is vast and varied. He has worked on fashion shoots, commercial ads, music albums, and editorials, and his work has been featured in The Chicago Sun-Times, B.E.T., AP World News, Florida Courier, Ebony, Essence, and Black Hair Sophisticates. Blue Franswa can be reached at www.bluefranswa.com/home.
Reganel J. Reeves, Esq., Managing Partner of Esquire Litigation Group
Reganel Reeves is the managing partner of Esquire Litigation Group, where he leads a team of passionate, committed, and successful legal professionals. Mr. Reeves has helped thousands of clients throughout the country with legal matters such as wrongful death, auto accidents, civil rights violations, and criminal defense. His humble beginnings instilled a strong work ethic and character, which he used to graduate with honors from Florida State University and Florida A&M University College of Law. He continues to use his integrity, strong mental fortitude, and love for the law as driving factors in his pursuit of excellence. Mr. Reeves can be contacted at his firm’s website at www.esquirelitgroup.com/.
Chester L. Wilson, Jr. Ed.D, Owner of The CW Consulting Firm
Business owner, motivational speaker, educator, mentor, and volunteer – Dr. Chester Wilson wears many hats as an entrepreneur and community resource, all of which he is more than qualified to do. He has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare field, 14 years of higher education experience, and nine years as a business owner and consultant. Dr. Wilson earned a Master’s in Business Administration with a concentration in criminal justice and a Doctorate in Education in organizational leadership and human services administration. His impressive educational achievements are a testament to his passion for learning, self-improvement, and giving back to his community. His current professional pursuits center on his roles as the CEO of The CW Consulting Firm and Outreach Community Care Network. Dr. Wilson can be reached at http://www.cwconsultingfirm.com/.
Steven Hill, Owner of Enhanced Logistics Steven Hill’s career epitomizes that of a rising star. He began his professional journey as an over-the-road driver and now owns and operates a transportation company that contracts more than thirty truckers. Mr. Hill uses his over 15 years of industry experience to elevate the careers and opportunities of the drivers he works with. As a Jacksonville native, he is passionate about serving the community that helped shape him and gives back by mentoring at-risk youth. He also enjoys sharing his knowledge and expertise through speaking engagements for secondary and post-secondary students interested in entrepreneurship, transportation, and logistics. Mr. Hill can be reached via email at enhanceyourlogistics@gmail.com.
The Blog received on Mail from Matrix George
