Tony Rouse shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Tony, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I moved to Miami Beach in January and the first 90 minutes of my day typically starts at 5:45 am so I can sit on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean for sunrise before the tourists show up at 7:15 am.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Tony Rouse. (I always start with that because in this life you may have times where you forget who you are and before you have people try to tell you… you must remember that for yourself.) I am a fragrancer that makes custom candles and cologne. We make masculine scents that guys like and women love.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My family, specifically my parents. I grew up in church and we served in every aspect and every capacity. Singing in the choir, cleaning bathrooms, vacuuming the carpet, etc. I was taught to serve God with the gifts He’s given me… and believe me those gifts got put to use! But I say my parents saw me clearly because they always believed in me and funded my dreams as best they could. I’m forever thankful for that and because I was exposed to things along the way, that shaped who I am today.
My early education was in a private school. I took my first flight when I was in kindergarten just because we were learning about airplanes and travel. I performed in Carnegie Hall. I consistently go to the most prestigious sporting event in the world… so I have access to things and people that most would never understand.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
“One day you’ll be the man.”
I know that sounds cheesy and corny, but I grew up shy. College was my evolution to becoming “Tony Rouse”, but there was glimpses of it in high school. Confidence is necessary for you to live a life of your dreams, but if you don’t know that it’s possible for you, you won’t see that as even being an option. It’s so easy to feel less than, but when you start to develop who you are and realize that if you fall down seven times, you stand up eight… You’ll make your way in this world and become unstoppable. But I must give all credit to Jesus. That was the person in the pit with me. There have been so many times where I have felt alone, but not lonely. And I realize one of my strongest characteristics is my ability to believe. A lot of people may take that lightly, but if I see it in my head… I become relentless about being able to hold it in my hand.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
“Who I Am.”
In life… Identity is everything. If you forget yours, you will start to take on a moniker of other people and become unrecognizable to yourself. Me being “Tony Rouse” is in essence the core person that I was able to develop of who I always was.
Did I create and host award-winning supper clubs? Yes. Did I make candles that have now been featured in multiple VIP gift bags and gifted to Academy Award winners? Yes. Do I have an international network of friends that do some pretty cool stuff? Yes.
I say all of this to say… no matter how big you think you are or what cool things you think you’ve done… if you forget that you will forget you.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes, but I like the recognition and awards.
Here’s the reality… I live life in service to God. So even if other people aren’t recognizing it… I still have to show up with my best because that’s what He gave me to give. I can’t short change Him or people I work with. At the end of the day, the real reward is “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Now that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy the accolades and winks and all the cool stuff I get while being here… But I also know I’m playing at a much bigger level in the grand scheme of it all.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.MeetTonyRouse.com
- Instagram: MeetTonyRouse
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/tonyrouse
Image Credits
Shaquille Kplump
Tony Rouse
