By: Dove
June Archer is celebrating the release of his first self-help book, but the Connecticut native is much more than an author and entrepreneur. An active father and husband, Archer has solidified himself as a tastemaker and thought leader, sharing key aspects of business, entertainment and professional activism with his peers.
Long before he took on a leadership role in the entertainment community, June was a performer in a group called Room Service in the ’90s, which was signed to then-major label Elektra by Sylvia Rhone and Merlin Bobb. Over the years, he transitioned from entertainer to manager and consultant, and started Eleven28 Entertainment, a marketing and brand development company.
In an effort to share his knowledge with others, Archer has developed conferences and seminars to teach young people about the music industry. He also devotes energy in the fight against cancer, AIDS and other worthy causes with his annual “Celebration of Life” charity function on his own birthday. In 2008, his hometown of Hartford, Connecticut declared November 28th “June Archer Day” in the city.
If that wasn’t enough, in 2013 June published his first book, Yes! Every Day Can Be A Good Day (The Keys To Success That Lead To An Amazing Life) with a forward from fellow author and CNN contributor Dr. Steve Perry and Dreamgirls actress Anika Noni Rose.
In this UrbLife.com exclusive, June Archer gives us some insight to how he balances life and career, how he finds the inspiration to reach his goals, and more. He also shares some important tips on how each of us can make the most of our New Year’s resolutions to make change for the long haul. Read on…
What inspired you to write your book, and what was the process of putting it together?
June Archer: After reading numerous negative posts on social media and after the deaths of mentors of mine in the music business – Chris Lighty and Shakir Stewart – I decided to take to social media everyday for a year and posted motivational and inspirational quotes to inspire those who needed it, and to get people to look at the world with a glass half-filled perspective. I took those posts along with others I came up with and put them into book form.
Had you already been talking to publishers, or did the publishing aspect come about after you had the book together? How did you decide on the best situation?
JA: I was not thinking about publishing or a publisher until after filming my shows The Docu-Tape and Behind The Unsigned on Fuse TV. My brand marketing person brought me to the attention of Uptown Magazine and Augustus Publishing. We sat down for a three-hour meeting, and decided it would be beneficial for both parties to publish the book.
Even though you are a rock for many people in your life, I’m sure you have your own challenges sometimes. Who do you look to for advice?
JA: Since embarking on this journey and new chapter, I have been trying to inspire as many as I can. When you do so, the universe seems to return it back one hundred-fold. However, when I find myself at a crossroad, challenge or indifference, I look to my wife for balance, and guidance from my mentor, motivational speaker Eric Thomas.
What is the best advice you were ever given in a difficult time, and how did you apply it?
JA: The best piece of advice I have ever been given was that timing is everything and so is patience. You get to a place where you want things to happen and want them to happen on your time. Well, The Most High and the universe do not operate on our time. If we are patient and work hard, we align ourselves with both of them, and then, and only then, will we find our rhythm along our journey. So when I get to that place of being overzealous, I practice patience.
Can you give us your best advice for keeping a positive mindset and putting our goals in to action for the New Year?
JA: 1. At this very moment, it is time to get your thoughts to line-up with your goals, dreams and aspirations. You bring about what you think about. What you think about today will differ from yesterday and change your tomorrows. Having the proper perspective will make you a better person in this present moment.
2. When you discover who you truly are, you begin to attract what you need rather than what you want in your life. To thine self be true. If you remain consistent in that behavior, you find that success will find you, and you attract favor and blessing beyond what you expected.
3. Don’t block your blessings by standing there complaining. Most of us will find a reason to complain about what is wrong, what is going wrong or what can go wrong. This type of mentality and energy only attracts that same reaction. If we can only work on what we want and rid ourselves of complaining about the unknown, we end up better off.
4. Surround yourself with like-minded people who want to be successful. If the people around you don’t have the “let’s get it” attitude, you will find that their energy will bring your energy down, and you will feel less inspired to succeed. Accept people into your life and on your journey that will add to your success and motivate you to become successful beyond your wildest dreams.
5. Be in the environment that prepares you for greatness. If you hang with nine broke friends, you are bound to be the tenth. If you hang with nine upwardly mobile and successful people, you really have no choice or excuse not to be successful. Surround yourself with those who are doing great things, thinking of greatness and inspiring others to do the same.
6. Be careful not to cut corners when it comes to the things you are passionate about. It directly affects the outcome of your success. There is no shortcut to becoming successful. Anything you want to do requires hard work, patience, faith and the ability along with the know how to execute it. You may have the opportunity to skip a step here or there, but straight to the top is a climb that has to be made one rung at a time.
7. Worry less about your successes and failures and be more concerned with your journey, experience and life lessons along the way. Stop worrying about making mistakes and not winning every chance you get. There are lessons in losing and coming up short that can’t be taught if you never run up against adversity or losing sometimes. Never get over-excited about winning. If you do what you are supposed to, you win. However, it is not always about the win as it more about sustaining your success through the highs and lows.
You are known for throwing awesome events for young professionals in music and entertainment. What is your favorite thing about putting events together, and what is your least favorite thing?
JA: My favorite thing about producing events is providing a safe environment for those who attend and place where relationships as well as friendships are made. The least favorite part is the stress leading up to the event regarding whether you did all you could to make it the best you could make it.
How do you balance your family life, fatherhood and work? Do you have a routine or set of personal guidelines in place for maintaining your sanity?
JA: I don’t try to figure it out, I just do it. But family is always first. The balance is easy when you realize why you do it. I get support from my family so it makes it easy to be a husband, father and entrepreneur. When it feels too overwhelming, you go back to what gives you the balance and comfort you need: your family.
What do you want to teach your own children about running a business, or finding a position in someone else’s company? What are some methods you use or plan on using to instill work ethic?
JA: We teach our children to be the best they can be, and that getting the best out of receiving a good education is key to a great head-start. If they choose to run a business or work for anyone, they will know their worth, but always strive to achieve and dream for higher heights. The only way to instill this thinking or work ethic is to lead by example.
What do you want people to know most about you at this stage of your career?
JA: I want people to know that you can still be a good guy and win in life. Not only can you win, you can have all your dreams come true as long as you work hard and live good with others. I have done a lot since being in the music and television for the past 19 years, since entering the business as a recording artist. The best part of it all is that I have so much more to accomplish and more dreams I can’t wait to see come true! Dreams DO come true, all you have to do is believe!
What can we expect from you in the next few years, and where can we find you?
JA: You can expect a few more books from me in the next few years. You can find me speaking all over the world to inspire as many as I can, all while building a legacy of greatness with all that I do, from raising money for AIDS and Breast Cancer with “Celebration of Life”; empowering young men with “100 Men of Color”; giving artists a voice with Hot Chocolate Soul performance series, The Docu-Tape and Behind The Unsigned shows, or educating them with the New England Music Seminar. I want to continue to build brands that continue to be of service to the people.
Follow June Archer on Twitter @JuneArcher and Instagram @JuneArcher, on Facebook/YesEveryDayCanBeAGoodDay
For more information on June’s next events and books, go to IamJuneArcher.com
CLICK HERE to get Yes! Every Day Can Be A Good Day (The Keys To Success That Lead To An Amazing Life) on Amazon.com
