Q&A with Dwamian Mcleish
Who is Dwamian Mcleish?
Hailing originally from Jamaica, Dwamian has grown several successful startups, including Camp Gladiator, now a multimillion-dollar business. But what challenges did he face on his pathway to success? How did he overcome them? Keep reading to find out.
What's your story?
Grew up in Jamaica. I came to the U.S. on a track scholarship to attend the University of Kentucky. Founded several startups before I landed as the CTO of Camp Gladiator. Helped grow from Startup to $70 Million business. After 7 years left to start Journely. A consumer engagement platform that helps businesses have thoughtful and informed conversations that lead to frictionless commitments.
If you were talking to your younger self, what are some things you would share?
Being exposed to the computer early in a 3rd world country where the concept of computer science was so young it was almost foreign, changed the trajectory of my life. I was also fortunate to be influenced by some of the greatest achievers in Jamaica at the time through my track and field coaches, Pablo McNeil and Herb McKinley. I would also share how important my life outdoors was. I believe it influenced my creativity and my social life which has allowed me to build my leadership and not just my functional skills. I always hear "You don't behave like the typical tech guy", which is a sad statement to me in that I believe people say that as a welcoming opposite of what they generally experience from other "Tech" people. I also believe it is important to be respectful to people, especially elderly people. There is so much wisdom locked up in conversations with them. Saying please, thank you and sir was instilled in me... and I think it helps to reinforce the social contract of respect.
What are some memorable moments or things from your past?
Our 2-computer computer science lab in Jamaica where my first program was a computer game. The first time I won a sprint race in Jamaica. Our 4x100 team winning at Penn Relays. Meeting the Prime Minister of Jamaica at the time (P.J. Patterson) who was an alumni of my high school in Kingston Jamaica. Being a part of a nationally televised debate competition. The day we moved from our very tiny wooden house in Duncans Trelawny, to our slightly less tiny house made of cinderblocks in Carey Park, Trelawny. So many amazing memories!
What was your family dynamic like?
Mom is From Jamaica from a "Black" family. My dad's family is British the "White" side of my family. I never knew the concept of racial discrimination when I was growing up but I later learned that the two different sides of the family didn't totally get along because of the racial difference. I grew up with both my mom and Dad and had a younger brother who was 3 years younger than I was. We were a loving family despite not having much. My mom stayed home and took care of us boys while my Dad worked. Then came my youngest brother who is 16 years younger than I am.
What kind of neighborhood did you grow up in?
Very small "village-like" town in Jamaica called Duncans. Everyone knew each other and truly cared for each other. I went to the neighborhood church where most people who were trying to grow there kids "right" would meet each other :) We also had a big outdoor culture! meeting at the beach, in the dirt parking lot somewhere, in the woods... we used every space. The poverty though did cause desperation at night, so you would see "Burglar bars" installed on every house to stave off home invasions. When I moved to Kingston for high school it was a different story. Certain parts of Kingston are the most dangerous on the island, so you had to be more careful where you end up both day and night....especially around election time. However, most places were still welcoming and friendly. I think one very distinct memory from when I was growing up is that every adult had the right to reprimand any child they observed doing something wrong... even to the point of being physical. It was accepted... at the time.. and truthfully, I think it made for an accountable culture. I don't necessarily think that strategy would work in today's younger society...but it worked for us.
What are some events that transformed your childhood or adolescence? (Turning points, game changers, etc.)
I think one of the most valuable lessons I learned was my transition to Camp Gladiator after owning my own company and having a "decider" philosophy back then... which meant I thought I was smarter than most and would just say what I wanted and people needed to move on that. The lesson I learned was the power of the team is more often than not greater than the abilities of an individual. I learned that the stubborn way... and it happened when people who weren't afraid to challenge me did just that. As a leader, I had to decide how I would respond and luckily I chose to adopt my new philosophy of "I am because we are". It has been changed me positively since and as it turns out has extended my success as opposed to inhibiting it.
Did you have mentors or role models? Who were they? What did they mean to you? How did they help you?
My most memorable mentor or role model in my life was Pablo McNeil. He was my first track coach and also was an Olympic sprinter for Jamaica. He taught me my life's creed "The heights of great men reached and kept, were not attained by sudden flight, for they while their companions slept, were toiling upwards through the night". Which is a poem I discovered was by Edward Longfellow. The philosophy those words instilled in me changed my perception of what it took to accomplish something in life. "Were not attained by sudden flight"... Very fiew things happen overnight. "Were toiling upwards through the night"... You have to put in more work than everyone else and burn the candle at both ends.
Any other things you want to share?
I am a little obsessed with learning. I try to learn something new each new year as a resolution. Last year it was Woodworking, the previous year it was a new certification on my Pilot's license. I think learning is the gateway to true empathy and drawing conclusions on the value of the new skills you gain. Also, I think there is a lot that can be done for humanity in general... but when I think about animals, I think they are less capable of helping themselves out of situations that sometimes they have no control over. I would like to encourage households, especially parents to be very mindful when choosing pets for their children or even themselves. Think of it as a lifetime commitment. I see too many households that "rehome" their pets or neglect their care. I am a dog guy, and I am involved in a wonderful charity called PilotsNPaws that rehomes or relocates pets across the nation using a network of pilots who donate their time and place costs to the effort. I am surprised at the number of these that are happening each day! Now, I would prefer an animal be rehomed if the owners are not able to take care of them... but I think we can do our part to reduce the number of these happening by just being more mindful and caution when we are becoming an animal parent.
Like what you just read? Click here to listen to Dwamian's podcast.
