Fred Burns, originally from Jackson, is 27 years old, has been a software engineer for American Airlines for more than three years and founded two of his own companies.
Burns, who currently lives in Dallas, told his story during a recent event Small Business Mixer: For the Culture at the Crossroads Cultural Arts Center. The Higher Purpose Co. put the event together.
Burns was a strong safety for the Mississippi State football team and transferred to Jackson State University where he earned a computer engineering degree in 2014.
He founded CultureSnap on July 19, 2017, a digital platform app intended to give the African-American community a place to express itself in words and hash tags. He also founded RuniT, which is a software development company that develops mobile applications for different people.
“I was 12 going down the wrong path,” Burns said reflecting on his childhood.
He put a tattoo on his arm with his name and a cross under it and built his own tattoo gun.
“I took apart my remote control car,” he said. “I got the generator. I got my cell phone charger, used it as my power source and did this.”
From there, Burns knew he was capable of doing big things. He had a mentor who told him he was good at engineering.
Burns also considers himself an artist.
“CultureSnap is a growing platform for the culture,” he said.
“We needed something to express ourselves in many ways. The business motto is being able to control your own.”
It did not come easy for Burns as he attempted to found 10 apps before CultureSnap and invested his rent money in his businesses. He saw many eviction notices on his door, which he took pictures of to remind himself the path to success was not easy.
One key to Burns’ success was relationships.
“I have had some wonderful people in my life that I stayed connected to,” he said. “I never reach out to people when I need them. I always keep tabs, stay in touch, birthdays, how is your daughter doing? All of that stuff matters if you’re doing it in a genuine way.”
Burns said many people helped him along the way.
“I’m a hustler,” he said. “I did not go to school to work 9 to 5 and only apply my skills to a job. No. I can do much more with my skills. I’m making money on the side. I’m making apps. I’m doing things I can do with my skill set, which is also my passion.”
Burns’ advice to the audience was everyone should do what they want to do for a living and not get caught up in stigmas.
Tim Lampkin, CEO of Higher Purpose Co., moderated the event and said his organization will continue to bring speakers on important topics to Clarksdale.
“This is not the end,” Lampkin said. “This is just the beginning of multiple events that we’re doing around the Delta and, hopefully, around the state of Mississippi.”
