Thank you for allowing our community to have a peek into your lives. Let us in on some interesting things about yourselves individually.
I was born October 1, 1975, in Santa Barbara, CA. I enjoy reading autobiographies, working out and watching movies.
I obtained my degree from CAU in Business Administration, with a concentration in Marketing. An interesting fact
is that I am the son of an AME pastor and I have lived in over eight cities.
My birthday is November 6, 1974. I was born in Dallas, TX, and I enjoy reading, decorating and hanging out
with my husband and friends. I obtained a BS in Mathematics, with honors! An interesting fact
about me is that I have never attended a public school (not even college).
We met the first week of school, our freshmen year. We lived in dorms next door to each other. One night after a
freshmen event, we were hanging out with group of others, and I approached Robin by saying something that she
commented was "inappropriate." We laughed about it and over time we continued to gravitate toward each other.
One day a group of us were walking to the club and Robin saw me talking to a mutual friend and she realized
that she liked me because she immediately became jealous.
Well, the discrepancy is that we met August 18th, the first day of school-not the first week of school!
And yes, he said something that was inappropriate and at that time when someone said something inappropriate
I would tell them that they get an "X". So we laughed about it and became friends. He's also right about me
getting jealous when I saw him talking to our friend but I didn't say anything to him at the time because I
was taught that you let the man approach you. Eventually he called me and the story goes from there.
Q: What were your most memorable moments at CAU?
Lee:
Of course, meeting Robin, being in a new city the first week and meeting a bunch of new people-of whom I'm still
friends with now. I smile every time I reflect on those moments. By the way, a memorable time would have been Robin
being Miss CAU, but she punked out and didn't run!
Robin:
Everything was memorable. But I would have to say my most memorable moment was meeting Lee, making so
many new friends and winning Miss UNCF. And Lee should have been president of the SGA, but he just
settled for vice-president!
Q: How did CAU prepare you for becoming entrepreneurs?
Lee:
The motto of CAU is something that we live by today:
I'll find a way or make one. There were so many leaders at
CAU so being in leadership roles was very competitive so we were taught to be creative and a step above
everyone else from the start.
Robin:
It gave us a glimpse of possibilities for African-Americans, particularly in Atlanta. Graduates from
CAU were doing great things, and it gave us the ability to realize we could do it.
Q: Tell me how you became the owners of Cinefe` and Robin, the author of The HBCU Guide.
Lee:
It really started with the initial passion to be an entrepreneur; the idea of owning a movie theatre came about
5 years ago. I engulfed myself in how to own a movie theatre, and the industry itself. After gathering research
and putting it into a business plan, I started looking for financing within my community. I joined Nxlevel,
an entrepreneurship training program, led by Jerome Edmonson at New Birth. I graduated as salutatorian of
my class. The theatre that I own had been struggling for the past few years. I contacted the owner to see
if he was interested in selling the theatre. He called back within 2 hours. We had lunch that same week
and following our lunch I made an offer (even though I had no money at that point). So from that point,
it was just a whole lot of God and creativity. I sought investors from family and friends, and I obtained
personal loans to purchase equipment. I reached out to owner in February and closed in April. Cinefe` 8
has been operating since April 8, 2005.
Robin:
Cinefe` has taught me about supporting the vision of your significant other. It's my husband's vision. It's my
job to be his biggest support, his cheerleader, etc. Whatever he needs to do, I support it. I used to call his
business plan his girlfriend. It went out of town with us, came in the bedroom with us; it was always there!
But, what I love about my husband is that although his vision is our main focus, he still pushes me to do the
individual things I've been called to do. His commitment and focus with his vision pushed me to the things I
needed to do. Regarding my book, I wrote The HBCU Guide, as a result of writing a letter to my cousin.
As I was writing the letter, it dawned on me that a book providing these types of tips to high school
students and freshmen in college would be very beneficial. I solicited tips from my sorority sisters
and others, and the rest is history.
Q: What has been the most challenging part of being entrepreneurs?
Lee:
I would say juggling various responsibilities. When I worked for someone else, I had specific responsibilities.
Now the marketing, accounting, administration- I have to oversee all of this. That's the biggest challenge,
and to be creative at the same time. Also, I have to figure how to grow the business from one level to another.
Robin:
Because my role is to be as supportive as possible, one of my biggest challenges is to know how to be there for
Lee, while doing what I need to do for myself, as far as school and other personal and professional goals.
I'm not a natural risk taker. Stepping outside of my comfort zone is challenging.
Q: What inspires you to face present and upcoming challenges?
Lee:
I think the fact that I know God has called me to this position in life. There's a great responsibility on my
shoulders; not for me, but for the ministry of being in business. I want people to see the fruit of our faith
and relationship with God. There is a greater calling on our lives. We must show our ability to see visions
and dream dreams. Failure is not an option.
Robin:
To piggy back on Lee, understanding that it's not just about us or people watching us now. It is about
generations to come. We sowing seeds that we hope will reap financial freedom and abundance of freedom,
for generations to come. Part of our vision is Proverbs 31:8-9.
Q: What has been your greatest accomplishment as business owners?
Lee:
Getting to this position. Right now, being able to take a dream, and bringing it into reality. That's such a
great accomplishment. The next accomplishment will be seeing the growth of the business and it becoming
greatly profitable.
Robin:
For me, writing The HBCU Guide helped me stop my procrastination and actually do it. I was tired of talking...
Q: What are your future plans, both personally and professionally?
Lee:
I hope to grow the Cinefe` into a major chain. I would like to open seven in the next five years, and 35 over
the next ten years. But my life is divided into 3 segments: ministry, as I am an Elder at New Birth; political,
as I have aspirations to be elected to office or to be of political influence; and business--continuing to
grow Cinefe`, as well as other endeavors.
Robin:
Personally-within the next year or so, we hope to start a family. Professionally, my main goal is to keep
Lee's vision as priority. Following that, I seek to continue servicing my spiritual father, Bishop Long,
finish graduate school, obtain my doctorate and start a practice focusing on relationships and marriage.
I also have two more book ideas and I want to pursue motivational speaking opportunities.
Black Owned and Operated Theater
Q: What advice would you give future entrepreneurs?
Lee:
There is a quote in the Bible that says study to show thyself approved. Any endeavor that you plan to take on,
learn everything you can about that industry. If you're not currently working in that field, switch careers or
work part-time in it. Stay focused on your goals, and put together a team of advisors to consult about your goals
and aspirations.
Robin:
I have a scripture, 2 Cor.1:12. It speaks of being honest and sincere, and not relying on our wisdom,
but depending on God. With business come trials, with dreams come obstacles. So be sincere, and trust
God with the rest.
Q: What is your legacy?
Lee:
Our legacy is that we, in all of our success in business, ministry, speaking, etc., lead a life pleasing to God. Any power or profit gained is used for the glorification of God.
Robin:
My legacy, of course, is the same as what my husband answered. I believe married women have to realize
that when you marry a man, you are marrying his vision as well, so you need to be clear about that before
you walk down the aisle... but that's another story. Personally, I want my legacy to be one that shows women
the true power that comes with walking in integrity and in strength; and that our marriage will be a hope
for others. I pray that our family will give hope in Christ.
The HBCU Network: Thank you for the insight, Lee and Robin! Many blessings on continued success!
Contact Information:
For media relations--including interviews, motivational speaking
requests, book signings/club meetings, etc.,
please contact:
Candace D. Reese
Envision Consulting Services, Inc.
Voice: 678.754.8881
Electronic Mail: Candace@EnvisionPR.com
Lee May
Cinefe` 8
2224 Panola Road
Lithonia, GA 30058
Office: 770-593-8303
Movie Line: 770-593-2600
www.cinefe.com
Robin May
The HBCU Guide
www.hbcuguide.com
www.hbcuguide.blogspot.com
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