Check Out Kevan Reece’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevan Reece.

Hi Kevan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Imagine Christmas early 2000s and I turned on the TV to see a Sony cyber-shot commercial featuring Aerosmith. At that moment, I knew I wanted a camera as my Christmas gift. It was $500 and at the time being 15, this was a major gift. I could get video games, clothes, and more… or get this camera. My mom tried to talk sense in me but she saw that I needed to explore the burning desire within.

The year is now 2009, I am enrolled in Full Sail University but only after a failed attempt at completing a 4yr degree at, Florida State University, on an academic scholarship. This time, I did graduate from the accelerated program at Full Sail University. After graduating from Full Sail with an audio engineering degree I interned at WSDG (Walters-Storyk Design Group), Electric Lady Studios (NYC), and Downtown Recording Studios (KY).

After my last internship, I landed at the guitar center to build my studio and create a one-stop shop for artists. During the years I accomplished this; I was able to work with major recording artists, record labels, and larger brands. However, I was challenged to shoot a music video by my business partner for an artist we were working with. I knew how to shoot video but I had no proof. So instead of continuing to engineer, I decided to do a 180 and accept the challenge. At that moment I dedicated everything to not being great but proving to myself that I could do it. Hundreds of music videos and millions of views later, I reached a point in which music was not where my heart was.

In August 2019, I packed my car with $400 in my account and drove 16 hours to Boulder, CO to interview for a CBD brand as a digital designer. I wanted to be in the cannabis industry but not on the CBD side of things so I kept my eyes open. All the prior experience in CBD and the music industry made me prepared for the moment. I was unfortunately laid off at the beginning of covid, but that was the best thing for me. In March 2020, I started working for Veritas Fine Cannabis as the content manager and helping to change the scope of the industry in `Denver. However, like most people in the cannabis space, you end up leaving once the industry tanked recently.

I partnered with Eryk Fisher and KC to create the “City Boy Country Club” which was a show that left no stone unturned. While being on Mile High Sports thanks to a great friend Josh Jackson; we built a great foundation, met a ton of people, and started new ventures. Eryk was able to have his segment “Late Night with A Lightskin” & KC was able to grow his company “Its A Bodega”. Working for myself again was fulfilling beyond my wildest dreams but I needed more pressure that didn’t involve a team atmosphere.

I finally decided it was time to gamble on myself and follow my passions once again. After losing my father, aunt, grandmother and mentor all in one year; I was fueled to live and take on more challenges. I’ve always had a competitive spirit but now it was time to try my hands at boxing. Secretly I started boxing years before getting in shape, then slowly it became an obsession to be “good enough”. To my surprise that obsession became my therapy and outlet for all the things I was holding in over the years. Thanks to Julian Vigil and Pound 4 Pound Promotions I made it a reality. I took the challenge on 4/20/23 ironically as my amateur boxing debut. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the W but I was able to learn and grow for the next opportunity. From that moment, I knew this was where my heart was then turned pro on 8/23/23, and this time I got the job done with a first-round TKO.

Currently, I have focused my efforts on my secret love child which is day trading. However, I am still boxing and marketing myself so I can break into the social media boxing world. With more irons in the fire than ever before I am excited for all challenges that will help me grow and develop. Nothing is off limits and I enjoy the growth process; whether it’s being a DJ at the last ever Bandimere Speedway car show hosted by Dream Fest or running a Turo business throughout the day. Nothing will stop me from reaching my goals and living life to the fullest daily.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been anything but a smooth road. This has been a rollercoaster the entire way. Living in Louisville, KY I experienced more dark days than I ever thought possible. Whether the death of close friends or personal life setbacks nothing came easy. I have lost it all and gained it back with interest too many times to count. I have been backstabbed by people I considered family and snaked out of more money than I can count.

I have experienced everything down to not having a place to sleep, food to eat, or transportation to get to work during the winter. I have shared the stage and been in the room with some of the largest musicians to shoot the largest youth basketball tournament in the world. From being months away from getting my artist Wavytheking a record deal with 300 to watching him get incarcerated for 4 years in a federal penitentiary and going back to square one. This journey has cost me relationships, money, my mental health, and more.

However, growth is supposed to hurt and be uncomfortable that’s why your growth spurt as a child always gave you back pains and more. If you’re comfortable then your family is uncomfortable is what I like to live by. At the end of the day, we can never let people see us sweat, so on the surface be like a duck in water calm and collected. Under water make sure your legs are moving like hell so you can continue that forward motion.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I live and breathe marketing! I can envision anything on a large scale and see the final product years down the line. I have an uncanny ability to find what’s special about a product or person, so I can take it to the next level. I am known for my work ethic and for helping develop multiple artists in the music space.

Being able to shoot and edit; photos, and videos, create graphics, as well as lead all creative aspects necessary for a team has set me apart from others for quite some time. I am most proud of my morals and ethics overall because opportunities come and go but what you stand for lasts a lifetime.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Trying doesn’t exist…it’s either you do it or you don’t. It’s ok to fail but at least you took a chance while most people will never do any of the steps involved to be successful or achieve a goal. As we know it today, we only have one shot at this thing called life. Don’t live with regret and wish you could’ve done something you have always wanted to. Get up and go for it because one day you will be right and your time will be up.

You do not have to move at anyone’s pace but your own in any aspect of life. Stop allowing comparison to steal your joy and realize that happiness is internal. Yes, it would be awesome to have all the glitz and glamour but you have to put in the work first to get there. Take each day with stride and grace because no one is perfect. We all have a story to tell so you’re not alone in your pain or heartaches. Life is not easy and we spend the most time in our head so make that a good place to be. When all else fails ask yourself 2 things:

1. When was the last time you did something for the first time?
2. When was the last time you did something for yourself that didn’t benefit anyone else?

This is always a good reset to allow you to shake off whatever you’re going through and get the motor back up and running to feel alive again.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: instagram.com/kforbez
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/kforbez
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/kforbez

Image Credits
Syre Klenke, Ray Carter III, and Josh Harbaugh