10BB AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MIA MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS GROUP TO THE SUN SENTINEL FRIDAY MAY 13 , 2016
By Zach Rinkins
Stockar McDougle and Octavia McDougle
Stockar and Olivia have spent the majority of their adult lives proving they are much more than average . Stockar is a retired professional football player turned philanthropist and entrepreneur . An entrepreneur in her own right , Octavia is a London , England transplant who came to America and fell in love with her husband back in the ninth grade . Their 23-year-old relationship has blessed them with 19 years of marriage , five children , and a host of business and community interests .
“ Let me say this , we are not perfect . We have bumped our heads and made mistakes ,” says Stockar . “ But , we love each other and decided we are going to be together .”
The Parkland-based enterprising couple collectively run several businesses including : Beauty Anatomy Institute of Cosmetology and Wellness , an accredited cosmetology vocational school ; with Stockar ’ s brother Jerome , they run the McDougle Family Foundation ; among other real estate and community concerns . For these reasons and more , Legacy Magazine is proud to recognize them as two of the Most Powerful and Influential Black Professionals in Broward County .
“ I nominated them because of their contributions to the community through their businesses and the McDougle Family Foundation , Inc ., which provides coaching , mentoring and inspiration to our youth ,” notes VIP Training and Consulting CEO JoeAnn Fletcher , who nominated the couple for the honor . “ This power house
Legacy Power Couples Stockar and Olivia McDougle and Lowell Crawford and Beverly Crawford
couple has given unselfishly to the youth and families in our community . They are also owners of a real estate school .”
Stockar made a name for himself blocking rivals as an offensive lineman for Deerfield Beach Senior High School , the University of Oklahoma , and eventually as a first-round draft pick of the Detroit Lions in the NFL Draft 2000 . These days he is content helping local youth block the distractions of poverty and negativity .
“ If you want to be successful in business you must have plan and a budget . They must be written on paper ,” he advised . “ You must also have a mentor that you can emulate . Then , get a job in your desired area . Don ’ t be afraid to learn from the ground up .”
His wife emphasizes the importance of creating a corporate identity .
“ It ’ s important to know who you are as a company and stand firm on that . If you know who you are then you won ’ t bend to various trends ,” she adds .
Though the McDougles have succeeded in the civic and corporate arenas , they still count their relationship and family among their greatest assets . These are their three tips for relationship success :
Communication and Forgiveness : “ You must communicate with your partner and forgive them . You also have to be able to let things go ,” says the former footfall pro .
Do Your Thing : “ It was very challenging being away from my husband for long periods of time while he was in the NFL ,” Olivia shares . “ But , he encouraged me to do my thing . He would cheer for me when I closed million dollar real estate deals . That encouragement helped me believe more in myself . Now , I can ’ t believe that I am the owner of an accredited , post-secondary school .”
Make Them Feel Desired and Appreciated : Says Stockar , “ Make sure you always make your partner feel like they are wanted .” Octavia adds , “ Everybody wants to feel appreciated .”
Stockar and Octavia McDougle have power . Staying power . Find out more at www . Firstability . org .
“ It ’ s important to know who you are as a company and stand firm on that . If you know who you are then you won ’ t bend to various trends ”
Lowell Crawford and Beverly Crawford
Beverly and Lowell Crawford are a match made in love and determination . They were both born in Miami but their paths didn ’ t cross until they were college undergraduates at different schools .
“ I thought my husband was very handsome on-sight ,” Beverly recalls . “ I admired his vocation as a teacher and as a football coach dedicated to inspiring young men to do something better with their lives .” For , Lowell the magnetism was mutual . “ I thought Beverly was attractive and she had substance . We also had the same core beliefs on family and our future ,” says the Florida A & M University alumnus .
Their relationship includes 22 years of marriage , three kids and a few business ventures that included a barber shop and ice cream franchise , among others . The couple does not view this aspect of their relationship as extraordinary .
“ Many people may view us as a power couple . But , we want to encourage others to understand that there are no limits for what they can achieve ,” Lowell advises .
As a 25-year insurance industry veteran , the Howard University alumna knows this first hand . She converted a nine-year successful State Farm career into the massively successful Beverly Crawford State Farm Insurance Agency based in Miami Lakes .
“ I ’ ve spent most of my career in the insurance industry ,” she says . “ The income opportunities are endless and I am trying to be the best I can be . I hope to possibly open a second location .” Running her own business for 16 years has given her the following insight .
“ I believe business success is strictly tied to your people , your processes , and your products . I get that from Marcus Lemonis from the Profit television show ,” she says . “ Your staff is to key . Empower them . Treat your people well and they will treat the customers well .”
She adds : “ I am big on efficiency . A lot of small businesses are not as successful because they don ’ t think through the processes that run the business efficiently . We overspend , we under-utilize and we are not analyzing the steps it takes to get things done .”
A retired school principal , Lowell is the owner of Charles Lowell Realty ( www . charleslowellrealty . com ), a Miami Lakes-based real estate investment and development firm . The company offers real estate brokering and development services . The 15-year old company is engaged in projects from Miami to Detroit . He says entrepreneurs must create solutions .
“ Innovation is very important . Sometimes we underestimate our ability to be creative ,” he shared . “ I really press myself to think about solutions to problems . I encourage any aspiring entrepreneur to learn to solve problems .”
He continues : “ Execution is very important . There are a lot of great ideas out here , however , too many people don ’ t execute for a number of reasons . Lastly , you have to be persistent .”
This Miami-bred dynamic duo offers this advice to create a solid relationship foundation .
Have Common Goals : “ We have common goals . I didn ’ t marry somebody I had to motivate to want more out of life or to become an entrepreneur . She already had those desires ,” Lowell notes .
Share Family Responsibilities : “ When you are an ambitious and high achieving person , it is important to have balance and support each other . No success can replace the satisfaction of having your family intact . We have to have each other ’ s back and coordinate responsibilities ,” Beverly reveals .
Take Time to Organize and Recharge : Lowell shares , “ Every year we have a two-day getaway-conference as a family to organize our spiritual , financial and personal goals as a family .”