We had the good fortune of connecting with Gerren Rush and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gerren, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?

My thought process is made up of many layers. At the center of it all is famlys around family. I am a teacher. I remember pitching my idea to a wonderful parent named Brene Brown. What she said struck me and has always stuck with me.

She asked: “What’s stopping you?” She followed with: “I’ve had had enough ‘No’s’ to fill the walls of my home!” From then on, I went ALL OUT to finish the dream I began!

One day a student came up to me and said, “Mr. Rush you look weird because your lips are brown.” I immediately went into the restroom and looked at myself in the mirror trying to imagine what they see. In that restroom, I began to imagine how I would have handled it if I was a child around the same age and that was the spark behind the book you see today known as “Wonderfully Weird.” From there, it has blossomed into thought-provoking video projects, inspirational t-shirts and much more.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m an educator and a proud member of the Mark Twain Family in Bellaire.

My love for serving others has helped me to grow, develop and advance in my educational career. My parents value education and raised my sister and I to do the same. In addition, I come from a long line of educators. My family has produced many passionate educators across the nation.

As an educator, one of the lessons that I’ve learned is that: “All children CAN learn.”

I want the world to know that our young people are in need of more caring role models who have a servant’s heart.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
What’s fun and exciting to me is the food and the art life that Houston has to offer. If I had a friend visiting, I would take them to the Turkey Leg Hut, Truth BBQ and Gringos. Since I like Caribbean food, we’ll also have to stop by Jamaciapondiroad. I think these restaurants give you a true feel for the diversity Houston has to offer.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My mother just recently passed and truly, she was a big inspiration, along with my father, in everything that I’ve done and accomplished. So, I want to dedicate this to her (JoAnn Vallie Rush), my father (Frank Rush), my father’s church (Houston Praise and Worship Center), my beautiful wife (Monyce Rush) and biggest supporter, the amazing Cherish Rush (my sister), my kids, the Rush/Austin/Vallie/Slocum Family and my Twain Community. My current accomplishments rest on their shoulders. Thank you for helping to make (or mold) me into who I am today!

Website: https://www.gerrenrush.com/

Instagram: Gerren.rush

Twitter: @GerrenRush

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gerren.rush

Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCaOHeoz_CzRewJA0XLPI6QA

Image Credits
Photo by: jlacourphotography

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