Young Professional Jamal A. Todman has a very high IQ, is very analytical, focused, and there is no doubt that he has places to go in the world of business. Photo: VINO

Jamal Moving on the go: Jamal A. Todman is a successful private businessman as the owner of a trucking company, a storage company, and car rental. Photo: provided

He says having an education is one of the most important things in life and would always encourage persons to go as far as they possibly can to make their mark in life. Suffice to say, life for him was not that extensive on the academic side but considers himself, “Very intelligent.” He had such a passion to follow in the footsteps of his father who had a very successful trucking company that he ventured out into the world of work immediately after completing high school since he said he did not see the need to attend college. 

“I always wanted to walk in the footsteps of my father and there was nothing holding me back but it did not start by magic, I started out in the working world by scrubbing boats.” Today Jamal A. Todman is a successful private businessman as the owner of a trucking company, a storage company, and car rental.

“The rental is just something I am trying to experiment with as business gets slow these times. You don’t just rely on just one small business, I always try to alternate to keep going to cope with the economy,” he told Virgin Islands News Online, adding that in most cases one business is slower than the other, “So when things slow down on one you can turn to the other and keep going.”

He says he considers himself as being half way in life as it relates to business and family but there is one thing that is sure, being at the halfway mark is not where he intends to stop. “You can be sure that I am reaching for the stars, I have to be somewhere up there with the big ones. You don’t have to tell me its not easy getting there because I am very aware of that but there is one thing you can be sure of is that for as long as the father blesses me with life, I will continue to keep climbing.”

“You will make mistakes but that is ok. I like to gamble. Don’t get me wrong I am not speaking gambling for money but I the aspect of taking risks,” he noted.

There is one thing that is foremost in the mind of our Young Professional and that is the importance of laying a solid foundation for his two children, who today are still in their very infant ages of three years and eight months old. “I am making a sacrifice for my two children. Today they are the most important in my life.”

Despite being a man who is always on the move, Jamal said that he does his utmost to invest time into being with his family. “When I hold up my eight month old baby and look into her eyes and she stares me right back there is a great level of communication that takes place. My father laid a foundation for me and I will do even more for my children,” he stressed.

Jamal says he will never down play the role of his father in his life but has a whole lot to be grateful for the role of his mother in his life. “That woman Randolin Isaac is a tower of strength in my life and she has taught me so much. Those values will be with me and will most certainly be passed on to my children.”

His advice to person is to always “stay locked on your dreams no matter what. You may stumble along the way but just remember that where there is a will there is a way.” He also spoke to those persons who may not have had the opportunity to excel in the academic field. “There is always a way, you just have to surround yourself with the right people and you will find that way.”

He adds that unlike him having a family business to walk straight into, some persons who would have had to leave school at an early stage should at all times remember that there is a place for every person in the world but the smart thing is to “look for your place and stay positive.”