Meet HTX Papi | Entrepreneur, YouTuber & Sing Rapper

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

Hi HTX, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I went straight to college full time from high school, so I had no work experience once I graduated and it seemed like no one would hire me without it. My degree was in business management which I received from Texas Southern University, but it never seemed to be enough for employers. I’ve always had my own avenues of making money since middle school so I was comfortable with entrepreneurship. I just needed to find my passion and what could produce a good amount of income for me.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
For my first business, I went through everything. From very lucrative seasons to going months without making $100, but both experiences prepared me for longevity! College can only teach you and show you so much, you need actual hands on experience. You need room to mess up and grow from those mistakes. You need to overspend and overbook to learn the lesson that life isn’t all about short term pleasure and pursuits, things you want to last take time and PATIENCE. You have to deal with all types of clients to learn patience and conflict resolution, you have to have bad transactional experiences to build a rock solid policy and customer agreement. It’s beauty in actually doing the work! Running my first business prepared me for so many things, like putting my best foot forward when putting out music to my fans, remembering the importance of positive customer experiences! Because they are truly the ones who put you on the map. My brand was so well respected that I was able to successfully venture into retail and open my own Boutique “Papi-B-Charming” just 2 years later after initially opening my branding studio. If you want something for yourself go for it! You won’t get this time and opportunity back.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I grew up in Alief, the southwest side of Houston Texas so my palate is very diverse! If you want a good fried chicken wing plate I’m automatically taking you to Timmy Chann on bissonet or the original in south park on MLK. You eat anywhere else I can’t sign off on that ! You like bomb African cuisine I’m taking you to unique cuisine on wilcrest! In the mood for a burger? Burns BBQ or Burger Park no In between unless we are going to Whataburger! As far as a cool daytime vibe let’s hit some patio’s, Parma which used to be Barry’s Pizza has amazing music and fire drink specials, I just recently rediscovered Grooves of Houston, which was a definite vibe. Bowling on Tuesdays for $2 taco Tuesday at bowlmor or bowlaro on bunker hill and the Katy freeway. For those antisocial days we can hit my parents catering business up Pappa Spice Cuisine ( I Recommend the jerk shrimp and grits). And you absolutely cannot come to Houston and not fall off a chair at Lost & Found’s happy hour.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would firstly like to recognize my parents Yolanda & Hassan, who instilled the hustle and entrepreneurial spirit in me. They’ve always supported me in every aspect of life and I’m truly grateful for that. Second I would like to thank my Grandmother Ameena who actually provided me with the startup capital for my very first business “HTX Papi Branding Studio” which not only has been succefully running since 2017 but also created enough momentum to start my second business Papi-B-Charming! It’s not often someone is willing to foot the bill to bring someone else’s dreams alive. I could never repay her honestly.

Instagram: Iamhtxpapiexo papibcharming htxpapibrandingstudio

Youtube: HTXPAPI TELEVISION