Our path in life is not cut and dry, nor is it easy…..a son’s journey

by Angie McCourt

My son Brandon will be graduating with an Economics degree with an Entrepreneur minor from the University of South Florida St. Pete in less than a month. It’s hard to believe how fast this part of his journey has gone and also how hard it started out. Experiences and taking risks do not guarantee anything, but one positive outcome is learning and personal growth. I am so proud of my son for how far he’s come, how he’s handled his journey and for how responsible and dependable he has become.

Honestly, his first year I had a doubt he would finish his college education due to a lack of commitment and interest in school. He moved into an apartment locally his first fall semester and looking back it really wasn’t the best move. He couldn’t budget, partied too much and would stop attending class if he didn’t like the class. Pretty much each of the first 2 semesters he would sign up for 4 classes and either drop one or stop attending altogether (taking an F). His decisions led to consequences that only set him back.

The best thing I did at this point (end of year 1) was to break his lease and force him back home. He slept on an air mattress on his brother’s room and instead of taking classes that following fall he worked full time delivering pizzas. This helped him to realize he needed some kind of education and he committed to his academic career. He ended up moving to Orlando and transferred to Valencia College as his girlfriend of 1+ years was attending UCF. He started there on academic warning.  

Just before moving, one of his best friends (bless his heart) committed suicide and another high school friend passed away 2 weeks earlier from a drug overdose. 8 months later he found himself in heartbreak as he and his girlfriend ended their relationship. What he went through in less than a year is more than most deal with in a decade. It was heartbreaking for me as his mom and I worried about how he would move forward.   

When you are broken down as a person, a human being through heartache and loss the only person who can bring you out is you. He had to move through ‘why me’ to ‘how can I’. Six months later he moved back to Tampa and finished his AA and transferred to USFSP. It was strange to me when I asked if he was walking and if we could celebrate his accomplishment.

He said ‘no mom, that is not my end goal and I don’t want to celebrate until I get to that point’ (his bachelors). 

Brandon was excited to begin his journey at USFSP and as he figured out his degree path and had a plan towards graduation it motivated him to take on more coursework and really get into his classes. As he got busier and found purpose in many ways he really took ownership of his life from every aspect, living on his own, expenses, working and being responsible for school/work. 

How did he turn things around? He set goals. He wanted to make Deans list, he wanted financial independence, he started looking toward the future, he wanted to start a business, he stayed committed, organized and accountable. While keeping me in the loop on challenges he was dealing with he always started with ‘mom I’m letting you know, but I’m going to handle it and here’s how’.  This was the real start to him taking ownership of his life and choices.

While I’ve always wanted my 3 boys to go into the Tech Industry none of them showed an interest. I had talked about the Exploratory Lab Boot Camp when it started and over time mentioned it to the boys. I reintroduced it to Brandon 18 months ago, but didn’t think he’d be interested. Sure enough he came back to me asking for more details. He applied and was accepted (nobody on the selection committee knew he was my son). He spent his Jr. year spring break in the boot camp and learned a lot about the industry and about himself. 

He has built relationships over the years that led him to starting a business with a friend of his 15 months ago. It’s a local production company (HBS) who organizes, finds artists and executes on shows not only in Largo, Tampa and St Pete, but Tallahassee and Orlando as well. He took something that was a hobby, learned the behind the scenes process, pulled out his creative hat and his network across the country along with amazing social influencing skills and took a chance on a dream! In that time, he and Segovia along with their team have produced 40 shows and a 2-day festival. All through social media and connections. Really incredible to see how they are negotiating venue and artist contracts, taking chances on new artists and giving them a platform, gaining investments, managing large budgets, combining performance with live art and creating an underground world in this space in the Tampa Bay Area. 

His current situation? He worked 100 hours at the beach bar over spring break, puts on 1-2 shows per week and has a full course load (5 classes). He has amazing work ethic and dependability.  He is targeting making Deans list again this semester and is already saving for a house. He is also starting to apply for a job. In the Tech Industry!  Right after graduation Brandon and I will head to Thailand for an adventure!

Purpose….this was key for Brandon to grow, keep positive and drive forward. His organization and prioritization skills are the most advanced I’ve seen. He runs circles around me! While he is only 23, he is starting the next leg of his journey in a great place. He did this, he made this happen, he worked through his journey, challenges and all.  I’m so proud of him for how much he’s grown and know he will find success with everything he finds purpose in!