What happens when the future you planned falls apart, and you have to build an entirely new one? In Episode 6 of Forged in Business, Levi and Brianna Brower sit down with Jarvis Minton, Army veteran, former University of Wisconsin football player, entrepreneur, and founder of Black Label Media Group and Black Label Branding. From growing up in a difficult environment in Irving, Texas, to earning a full-ride football scholarship at the University of Wisconsin, Jarvis was on a path toward professional football. But injuries and life's unexpected turns changed everything. Instead of giving up, he joined the United States Army, served as an infantryman, and deployed to Iraq. His military experience would challenge his understanding of leadership, resilience, and purpose while teaching him lessons that would eventually shape his entrepreneurial journey. After leaving the military, Jarvis found himself searching for direction. He worked multiple jobs, battled depression, and eventually discovered a passion for photography and videography that would change his life. What started with a camera, YouTube tutorials, and a willingness to walk into businesses and ask for an opportunity grew into multiple businesses built around creativity, relationships, and helping others succeed. In this episode, we get into: • Growing up in adversity and earning a college football scholarship • The injuries and challenges that ended his NFL ambitions • Serving in the Army and experiencing combat in Iraq • The difference between good leadership and bad leadership • The difficult transition from military service to civilian life • Overcoming depression and finding a new purpose • Building a photography business from the ground up • Turning creative skills into Black Label Media Group and Black Label Branding • Why relationships can open doors that money cannot • Surviving the pandemic by learning new skills • Raising children with discipline, accountability, and an entrepreneurial mindset • Why faith without action won't move you forward • Learning to recognize your worth as a business owner • Why doing the hard things separates you from everyone else • The power of helping others without expecting anything in return One of the most powerful lessons from this conversation is simple: Do the hard thing. The easy opportunities won't separate you from the crowd. The difficult decisions, the uncomfortable conversations, the willingness to learn, and the courage to keep showing up when nothing is guaranteed are what build something lasting. Jarvis also shares how his faith has shaped his approach to business, why he believes God opens doors when we're willing to move, and how relationships have created opportunities he never could have planned. His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs? Help the people you want to be like. Find people who have achieved what you're working toward. Serve them. Learn from them. Build genuine relationships. Sometimes the greatest opportunities begin when you stop asking what someone can do for you and start asking how you can help them. This is what Forged in Business is all about. Not the highlight reel. Not overnight success. It's about real veterans, real entrepreneurs, and the struggles, sacrifices, and decisions behind building something meaningful. Featured Guest: Jarvis Minton | U.S. Army Veteran, Entrepreneur & Founder Black Label Media Group | Black Label Branding Connect with Jarvis and Black Label: Website: https://blacklabelbrandingco.com Social Media: Black Label Branding Co. | Black Label Media Group If this conversation resonates with you, LIKE, COMMENT, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE it with another veteran, entrepreneur, or business owner who needs to hear it. Forged in Business | Building With The Browers Real stories. Real struggles. Real businesses. Forged through adversity.
