DALLAS — Much to their delight, Houston-area business couple Bishop Larry Donnell Leonard II and his wife, Shuwana, are steadily enjoying the fruits of their labor.
Approximately four months removed since engaging in the ever-so-competitive world of entrepreneurship as owners of Teshuater, the Leonards revealed recently that their flourishing business venture has reached yet another monumental milestone, one that figures to change the overall landscape of their lives.
A Texas-based pastor who is believed to be the first black owner of an all-natural alkaline water company, Leonard II announced that his business in the infancy stages of launching its very own ICO in the cryptocurrency market.
According to a detailed description at http://www.investopedia.com, ICO is the acronym for initial coin offering — which is widely known as ICO — and is an unregulated means by which funds are raised for a new cryptocurrency venture.
In addition, an initial coin offering (ICO) is used by startups to bypass the rigorous and regulated capital-raising process required by venture capitalists or banks. Interesting enough, in an ICO campaign, a percentage of the cryptocurrency is sold to early backers of the project in exchange for legal tender or other cryptocurrencies, but usually for Bitcoin.
For the Leonards, news of their business having launched its own ICO continues what undoubtedly has been a four-month stretch of favorable developments surrounding a business that is making a solid case to have a global presence much sooner than later.
“Well it pushes us to our common goal in being the Amazon in the alkaline water industry,” Leonard II told Making Headline News during an exclusive interview.
As if their latest entrepreneurship move wasn’t enough about which to celebrate, the Leonards will now be able to routinely pay it forward by giving back in a big way, especially in a Houston metropolitan area that has crippled mightily in recent weeks by Hurricane Harvey.
“We also will be able to give back to our community, which we’ve been able to do recently in giving $1000 to Cherrie On Top, Inc., a non-profit company that has been helping inner city youth in Houston, Texas for over nine years,” Leonard II said.
What’s even more astounding for this generous, big-hearted Houston business couple is that just recently, they sent over 12,000 gallons of alkaline water to Flint, Michigan to assist its residents in their ongoing water problem.
Three years ago, the drinking water source for the city of Flint was changed to the Flint River and, as a result of the insufficient water treatment, more than 100,000 residents were potentially exposed to high levels of lead in the drinking water.
“This extra capital will definitely allow us do a lot more in the years to come,” said Leonard whom, in all likelihood, will continue to his working rapport with residents of Flint as well as his native establishment.
As expected, the latest development surrounding this family’s alkaline water business was embraced wholehearted by Leonard’s companion of 19 years.
“Well, of course, she trusts my judgment call whenever I want to lead the company in another direction that will allow us to raise more capital,” Leonard II said. “We have been in recent talks with our shareholders and distributors about expanding to Atlanta, Cleveland, and Seattle.”
As it turned out, one favorable business-related discussion led to another and, just like that, the Leonards had ultimately found themselves on the right side of yet another remarkable business deal.
“(My wife) felt that this plan to do an ICO will definitely give us the capital to open up distribution centers at those selected cities,” Leonard II said. “I couldn’t agree with her more.”
All things considered, what this all boils down to for this accomplished man of cloth exercising his faith diligently by way of the written word of God.
That is, he destined to leave behind an inheritance for his children and his children’s children.
Or as Leonard II tells it, his great grandchildren’s great grandchildren.
“Of course, financial security is top on the list,” said Leonard, “but what I have been preaching this whole time to our shareholders is that I am currently on the clock, working for my great grand children’s great grandchildren. So for the most part, it’s about generational wealth and being in a position to give back.”
All while steadily enjoying the fruits of their labor in the process.
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Andre Johnson is Founder and Publisher for Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former staff reporter the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send email to [email protected] or to [email protected]. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.