Thomas Howard

Introduction and Welcome

Taryell Simmons: Welcome ladies and gentlemen to another episode of Rise Urbanation, where we amplify Black, Pan-African excellence in entrepreneurship, leadership, and culture. I am your host, Taryell Simmons. Today we have a multi-talented guest in the building: retired Navy corpsman, business coach, speaker, podcaster, DJ, and entrepreneur, my good friend Thomas Howard, also known as DJ Doc. How are you doing, Doc?

Thomas Howard: I am doing fantastic, man. How are you?

Taryell Simmons: I am doing good. People may know DJ Doc as a modern-day Renaissance man who can mix beats and business strategy. Doc is the founder of Deep Soul Sound Productions, co-founder of ROCK Media, and the voice behind the Straight Talk podcast, which streams worldwide. Plus, you help promote the Yemye Organic Sea Moss superfood brand.

Thomas Howard: We assist them with marketing. My wife is a pescatarian and all about healthy eating. It is a great product, so we help get the word out.

From Navy Corpsman to Accidental DJ

Taryell Simmons: Let us start from the top. Tell the listeners about your journey from the Navy to DJing, podcasting, and becoming a serial entrepreneur.

Thomas Howard: I joined the Navy right after high school and became a corpsman. Initially, I wanted to become an OB-GYN doctor because working as an EMT in high school, seeing a baby born was the most beautiful thing. Raised by a single mother, the military was my pathway to college. I served twelve years on the Navy side and ten years with the Marines. During a stint with the Marines, we helped elementary students learn to read. At a school dance in 1990, the teacher was playing Beatles music on a tiny boombox. The sixth graders were not feeling it, so I brought my home sound unit and CDs. A parent saw me entertaining the kids and offered me two hundred and fifty dollars to DJ his daughter's party. Another parent heard and offered three hundred and fifty dollars. That was the start of my DJ business. Throughout my active duty service until retiring in 2002, I maintained a business, and after retirement, I focused on growing it.

Revive Our Culture and ROCK Enterprises

Taryell Simmons: What does Revive Our Culture mean to you, and how does that shape your work today?

Thomas Howard: Around Christmas in 2014, my wife and I noticed people at the mall being rude and inconsiderate, which discouraged our children. We talked all night about how society had become self-centered and needed a revival of caring across humanity. My wife wrote down the acronym ROCK: Revive Our Culture. Our motto became creating a culture of caring worldwide. We added enterprises so the business could expand into multiple ventures while leading by example.

Overcoming Roadblocks and Building Your Own Platform

Taryell Simmons: As a serial entrepreneur, what have been some of the biggest obstacles you faced?

Thomas Howard: In the beginning, the technology I envisioned did not exist yet, and people told me creating a media company required millions of dollars. An old mentor taught me that if a platform does not exist for you, create your own. As technology advanced rapidly, I leveraged new tools to build our own platforms and bypass traditional gatekeepers.

Taryell Simmons: How did military discipline shape your resilience?

Thomas Howard: The military instills discipline. When the Marines made us run three miles instead of the Navy's mile and a half, discipline taught me that you push forward and get the job done regardless of obstacles.

Pivoting During the Pandemic to Audio Podcasting

Taryell Simmons: Tell us about a time you had to pivot quickly in business.

Thomas Howard: When the pandemic hit in 2020, we had to rethink our model. We used to do video podcasts, but listeners shared that they could not finish episodes while multitasking during daily routines. We pivoted to audio podcasts so people could listen while driving, cooking, or working. We also offered free podcast interviews to business owners struggling during lockdowns to help them promote their brands. To monetize, we pivoted to an affordable sponsorship model where businesses pay for mid-roll ads.

Networking and the Genesis of Straight Talk with DJ Doc

Taryell Simmons: What led to the creation of Straight Talk with DJ Doc?

Thomas Howard: People always complimented my voice and suggested radio. We did a six-month radio show called Sunday Soul Hour, simultaneously broadcasting on Facebook Live. The live stream gained massive engagement. When Facebook started cutting live feeds, I researched podcasting platforms like Anchor and Switcher. I wanted a platform where we could speak honestly about health, wellness, business, motivation, inspiration, and education without censorship. That is how Straight Talk with DJ Doc was born.

Taryell Simmons: How has podcasting helped scale visibility?

Thomas Howard: Podcasting created global reach. We had listeners tuning in from Spain and the United Kingdom, and guests on our show landed corporate contracts across the country. We also expanded into producing podcasts for other creators under our network, including Dr. Lawana and Chef Ena.

Automation, Systems, and Podcasting Advice

Taryell Simmons: How do you manage so many roles effectively?

Thomas Howard: Time management and automation are essential. I use digital business card tools like Popl to capture contacts and trigger follow-up reminders. I automate scheduling so clients can book meetings without back-and-forth emails. Automating workflows protects personal and family time. Furthermore, my wife and I bootstrap our businesses with our own capital rather than taking on debt.

Taryell Simmons: What advice do you give aspiring podcasters and business owners?

Thomas Howard: You do not need expensive equipment to begin; start with your smartphone. Focus on good sound quality, clear visuals, and your unique personality. For businesses, advertising on podcasts is cost-effective and creates evergreen content that attracts customers for years. Above all, adopt an abundance mindset: give generously, collaborate, and create a culture of caring.