Draft:Akeem Shannon

= Akeem Shannon =

Akeem Shannon (born May 26, 1992) is an American entrepreneur, speaker and coach. He is known as the founder the phone accessory brand Flipstik, as seen on Shark Tank , as well as his keynotes about StorySelling.

Early Life
Shannon was born in Saint Louis, Missouri on May 26, 1992. The only child to his parents he felt the weight of living up to their expectations. At De Smet Jesuit High School Akeem nearly lost his scholarship due to poor academic performance, save for a friendly admissions director. After improving his grades in high school he earned a full scholarship to study Chemical Engineering at Howard University. At University, he once again strugled with academic performace and this time lost his scholarship for good and was forced to return home to Saint Louis.

After returning home Akeem became one of the top sales professionals at multiple Fortune 500 companies in the telecommunications industry. Starting with a wage of $10 per hour, after four years he found himself sitting on savings of nearly $100,000. With is savings, he quit his job to pursue his dream of entrepreneurship.

Career
Inspired by a conversation with his uncle, a NASA engineer, Shannon became intrigued by a pioneering adhesive technology modeled after gecko feet, Synthetic Setae. Recognizing the potential of this innovation, Shannon conceptualized Flipstik, a unique phone accessory designed to defy gravity.

In 2018, Shannon launched Flipstik on the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter, successfully reaching his fundraising goal through meticulous planning and execution. Despite encountering challenges, such as unsuccessful attempts to secure a spot on the television show Shark Tank, Shannon remained resilient, utilizing alternative avenues to promote his product.

Shannon's entrepreneurial journey gained momentum when he caught the attention of entrepreneur and music icon Sean "Diddy" Combs. Although initially not selected to pitch at a competition hosted by Combs, Shannon's innovative approach, including presenting his business through rap, impressed Combs and led to a significant partnership. With Combs' endorsement and introductions to influential figures like Snoop Dogg, Shannon gained crucial support and exposure for Flipstik.

Despite setbacks, including the interruption of his Shark Tank segment by a 2020 presidential election news segment, Shannon persevered, propelling Flipstik to national recognition. Strategic partnerships and Shannon's unwavering dedication facilitated the product's availability in major retailers such as Target, BestBuy, and AT&T, cementing Flipstik's position as a market leader.

As a speaker, Shannon uses his entrepreneurial odyssey to serve as a testament to the transformative power of perseverance, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to realizing one's vision. His story inspires aspiring entrepreneurs to navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and pursue their aspirations with unwavering determination.