Brandon W. Allen

Born May 12,1988 to a middle class family in Houston, TX, Brandon Wade Allen is a nationally recognized entrepreneur, up and coming producer, writer and musician. He has authored several books, including Start to Finish: The Unattainable Prize and From The Streets to The House a local best seller. Not only a philanthropist donating profits from his company to worthy charities, Allen is one of the youngest and most successful African-American businessmen of his time. His achievements have drawn praise from Donald Trump, former Houston mayor Lee P. Brown,Jesse Jackson,Henry Louis Gates Jr. and author Nathan McCall.

Companies

Only at the age of 18, Brandon W. Allen is of the youngest people in the world to hold more than two upper level corporate positions. He is not only ETC's Marketing Executive but also heads the sales and advertising departments. Recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's Start Your Own Business (Third Edition) as "the innovator who pushed when there was nothing left", Allen and business partner Keith Vienn continue to shock the corporate world with their company and it's rapid growth. The company was started in April 2005 and it launched it's first summer campaign on June 17,2005. Their success in the greater Houston area was over night and founded rumors of going public within 2 years if gross profits would allow it. However, Allen dulled the suspicions in an interview with CNN's Larry King when stating "This year's returns have been unimaginable but why would we even take the risk of going public? As a limited liability corporation we reduce the risks of fraudulent lawsuits and retain the opportunity for further expansion of ETC Publishing. It may sound like a good risk, but business wise, it's not a very smart move. I prefer being equipped for whatever I might encounter down the line. If that means staying smaller for now, I’m all for it. " Noting his business savvy and strong numbers competing companies slowly moved out of the picture leaving Allen and his partner at the number one spot for corporate advertising and consumer growth. His latest project is a company called New Velocity Records. With that, he plans to entice local artist in various genres and expand the second company as he did it's predecessor in the sophomore year.

Personal life

Currently a freshman at Morehouse College, Brandon Allen maintains his professional commitment yet still is actively involved in on campus activities.

In a TV interview when being questioned about running a business and going to school, Allen laughed and replied "Well I guess I'm sort of leading a double life. On one hand I'm a perfectionist whose only ambitions revolve around the expansion and growth of my company and on the other hand I'm a normal freshman who wants to be independent, meet girls and have fun at parties." At the end of the interview he disclosed his wishes to keep his early professional success "under wraps" while in school.

As a student athlete at Lamar High School, Allen both wrestled and ran track.

Allen is also said to be a former affiliate of the Crips and claims to have broken ties with the gang for personal reasons. He addresses accusations and goes into more detail with his involvement in his book From The Streets to The House.

Also a skilled percussionist, Allen's instruments range from trumpet,vibes to piano. He has won several awards for Outstanding Solo in competitions at Victoria College (2005), UNT and University of Houston. He plans to continue his involvement in jazz band at Morehouse College for the spring semester and has already been spotted playing downtown in popular Restaurant/jazz club Church Hill Grounds.