
We recently got a hold of the founder and influential icon of WWS Magazine. Please give a round of applause for Big Will, not just for squeezing time for this interview to his hectic schedule, but also the high caliber magazine and the radio-seductive singles “My Girl” he’s responsible for.
Give it up for Big Will! And here’s your opportunity to get inside his head for the next 20 questions.
1. What is the start-up story behind your pursuit as a CEO of WWS Magazine?
I started WWS Magazine when I was about 17 years old. It all spawned from my passion for good music and the entertainment business. I have been singing and rapping since a very young age and I knew in order for me to be successful I had to have more than just talent. I needed the connections and correct marketing and branding in order to make it. WWS stands for World Wide Success and it is a magazine focusing on the young, rich, famous and successful people in America. I believe it is just a great magazine haha.
2. Describe your brand, what is it like? What are three words that best define it?
WWS is all about being self paid and self made. It is dedicated to the many who went against being employed and made a name for themselves independently without having to be babysat by anyone. It is made, paid and success! Haha!
3. What is your definition of success, and how much of it do you think you’ve achieved?
My definition of success… it is a point where you come in your life and all the things you’ve had to worry about before is no longer existent. If you had money problems or financial problems or personal problems, these things all work together to go against your success. I believe success is of four things… personal success, relationship success, group success, and wellness to mankind in general. Without all four working at once, true success will not be achieved. And I’m of course not completely successful yet. Money and fame makes up only a small portion of my happiness. You can’t forget about my family, friends, girlfriend and God. I think I’ve achieved about 5% of my success as of this day.
4. What are some recent achievements you’re proud of and would like to share?
I’m very proud of being able to help artists and people out in general. There is no other feeling like it when you know that you’ve turned someones life around in a positive way, or have been able to give someone an opportunity they never though existed. This is one of the many great things about life. And it’s positive and contributes to my success. I thank God everyday for all the things I have along with my talents. I want to share my success with the world and show that everyone is capable of so many things.
5. What’s something that’s always running inside your mind lately?
I’m always thinking about my magazine business and my record company! Haha! Everyday I think of new enhancements to make my business stronger and better.
6. What would you spend you a million dollars on?
Besides a nice home for me and my family, I would probably spend it on my health and make sure I’m at the optimal state of being or saving the world. Other than that, I would probably get a nice car haha!
7. What’s one incident that would serve as a turning point to your life?
I remember one time about five years ago, I hit a point where I was going to give up on the magazine business because I felt it was just too hard to manage. I was understaffed so the pressure was very immense. I called my business partner and told him it may be all bad for me to continue. But ultimately, I decided not to haha!
8. What three pieces of advice would you give to others when it comes to life and business?
Always try to improve your business and make it better than the competitors. Never compete against peons and small mice. Always compare yourself to the giant. Every day try to do something small to make it as good as the giant. In no time, you will be as big as that giant.
9. What have been some of your failures, and what have you learned from them?
From all the times I thought about quitting and got put down… just do not ever give up. Never stop thinking big and dreaming, the only way that dream will not turn real is if you let it. Dreams are all meant to become reality in my opinion, its just up to the person to keep that dream alive.
10. What’s a typical day in your life like?
It’s not as tough as one would think. Once you have leverage and people working with you on your side, it’s easy. I usually wake up and check my mails and handle a few calls, then I’ll probably go to the gym and carry on with my day. I love spending time with my girlfriend and future wifey and just staying at home. Occasionally I’ll have those super busy days at the studio and with meetings, but overall it’s pretty relaxing. I try not to stress myself out.
11. What’s one of the highlighting moment in your career? Why is it so?
My favorite highlight is when T.I. took the front cover and promoted it on his myspace default picture and photo gallery. I felt it was a great push for the WWS company.
12. What stops you from throwing in the towel and giving up during those frustrating days of being in this industry?
Well first of all, it’s all about not being frustrated in the industry. Its all about having a good team of people you trust to take care of the things you might not know how. If I’m having website issues, I’ll know exactly who to call. If frustration does hit, you have to take a deep breath and tell yourself the problem will be resolved. When there is a problem, there will be a solution. It is tough sometimes and very stressful, but you have to hang in.
13. Biggest risk ever taken?
LOL, it would be starting WWS Magazine over everything else in my life
14. Who has influenced you most and been your greatest inspiration?
To be dead honest, I never had great inspiration for anyone in specific. Many of the bigger artists and people in the entertainment business do motivate me from time to time, but my greatest motivation comes from myself and the bigger companies that are trying to compete.
15. How do you go about marketing your business or yourself? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
I just try to get myself out there as much as possible. Online and solid street promotions work very well.
16. In three words, characterize who you are.
Big Will baby! Haha!
17. Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
I really like the Universal company. I really like Virgin as a corporation, they handle a lot of the worlds economy not just entertainment.
18. How do you achieve balance in your life?
Haha! I’m still trying to find balance! That’s one of the hardest things to find now a days! But, I guess like anything else you have to practice balancing and managing your own life.
19. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?
I honestly cannot see a clear vision haha! I see myself doing very well!
20. What’s the first thing you would say to the world if all attention was on you?
I would tell the world to stop hurting each other and start helping one another out. In all aspects of life. The world is such a dark and cold place, I really wish it wasn’t like that. But maybe slowly we can turn the direction around one day at a time!
For more information on Big Will, check out his Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/iwantbigwill
WWS Magazine http://www.wwsmag.com
WWS Music Group http://www.wwsmusicgroup.com