Vegas Circle

From Entrepreneurship to Political Advocacy with Robert “Twixx” Taylor

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Have you ever wondered what it takes for a DJ to become a successful entrepreneur and a city councilman? Join us as we uncover the remarkable journey of Robert "Twixx" Taylor, from his early days DJing in fourth grade to founding the Feta Mall Barbershop at just 23. Robert shares how his father’s enthusiasm for life insurance sales ignited his own passion for business, emphasizing the critical importance of long-term investments over fleeting pleasures. This episode is packed with invaluable lessons for anyone aiming to thrive in the business world.

What happens when city infrastructure projects threaten the survival of small businesses? Robert opens up about his experiences managing multiple businesses amid disruptive city projects and the lack of support for small business owners. His relentless pursuit of success led him to local government, where he now champions the cause of entrepreneurs. We delve into the adaptability and sustainability of business models like barbershops and tattoo shops, and Robert offers a unique perspective on the responsibilities of a councilman who truly understands the struggles of small business owners.

Wondering how to make a significant impact on youth and combat homelessness? Robert passionately discusses the importance of mentorship and inspiring young people in underserved communities like North Las Vegas. He shares his strategic approach to addressing homelessness, focusing on effective support measures such as funding shelter beds. Robert also reflects on the influence of his mentors and offers practical advice for those considering a political path. Finally, we wrap up with some fun, as Robert shares his favorite dining spots in Las Vegas. This episode promises to leave you inspired and equipped with actionable insights for personal and community growth.

Paki:

Welcome to Vegas Circle Podcast with your hosts, paki and Chris. We are people who are passionate about business, success and culture, and this is our platform to showcase people in our city who make it happen. On today's podcast, we're going to be exploring the inspiring journey of an entrepreneur who has made his mark across various industries and now he's taking on the role as North Las Vegas Ward 2 Councilman, who's one of the most votes currently. We're welcoming to the circle entrepreneur Robert Twix, taylor man. So welcome to the circle brother, how you doing.

Robert:

Hey guys, hey guys, what's going on? Paki, chris, my guy.

Paki:

Appreciate you, man. So first shout out to Abdul man for connecting us man.

Robert:

Shout out to Abdul Adim, that's my brother from another mother. You know, great guy, great, energy, smart. Congratulations to his son Just going to college to play ball. I love the family. Yes, one of the top players in the state period. Yeah, I was just telling.

Paki:

Chris, he's like him so, but let's jump right in, man. So your entrepreneur journey spans just various industries, right? So from barbershops to tattoo shop. You know, photography, promotion events, I think is how you and Abdul connected. But what inspired you to kind of get into this business and business ownership, like what was kind of the entry of getting involved?

Robert:

Great question. So my mother and father weren't entrepreneurs, right? But my dad deals did sell life insurance, okay, and what I learned was, uh, the only time he would get excited is when he would, uh, sell someone life insurance. And it wasn't the money, it was the fact that he said it came from his mind and his mouth and his heart. Okay, he literally wake me up sometimes like, hey, wake up, let me show, show you. He showed me the check and he would say, hey, son, I want to perum three times just to talk to this family so I can get life insurance. He said the money's good, but now when someone passes away, you know they'll have to go do car washes. They don't have to ask their family for money. And me seeing that like that's his joy and I wanted that type of joy in my life. So I think that kind of like led me on to get that feeling of my mind, my mouth and my heart. You know what I mean. That's what's up.

Chris:

What was like your first foray into business and what was your first you know, business that you kind of kicked off started, and how did that kind of process go?

Robert:

So the great question the first time I got paid was a fourth grade to DJ at CC Cox Elementary. Okay, so I was always the rapper. I've been rapping like I'm 46.

Chris:

I never guessed that I appreciate that.

Robert:

So my sister and brother used to rap and dance and all those things right. So I'm emulating them, but they're six and seven years older than me. So because of that I started young on everything I did and because of that, like remember, in elementary they would have the announcements in the morning Like boop the morning announcement.

Robert:

So I always did the morning announcement, so I always did the morning rap for the holidays. So if it was Christmas, they'll be like and we have the Christmas rap by Robert Taylor. So because of that, my fourth grade year, cece Cox, my teachers asked me. She said hey, the dance is coming up. Can you DJ? And I'm like I don't know how to DJ. She said but you can rap. I said yes. She said that means you can DJ, she's like, and you get paid $20.

Paki:

I'm like well, I'm in Especially at that age, man, especially at that age $20 is like $1,000.

Robert:

Yeah, that's like $2,000 back then for real.

Paki:

So you started Fade Em All Barbershops, right.

Robert:

So is that like the franchise model? So it turned to a age of 23, shouted House of Fades. I got hired at House of Fades, first, okay. And then when House of Fades was doing the pivot, moving their locations, that's when I had the money saved up to buy another car. At the time it was 99. Bling, bling was out, everybody was wearing jewelry and stuff Got it. So I was going to cash out my third car without owning a house. It was ridiculous. Once they pivoted and had to change to another location, there was a three-month span to where we had to cut it home. And during that three-month span I said, instead of me buying a third car without owning a home or a business, let me take this money towards this car I'm going to purchase and get my first barbershop, which is 300 East Lake Mead Feta Mall Barbershop in North Las Vegas, 500 square feet, wow, yeah, that's pretty exciting.

Paki:

Where'd you get the mindset to know you wanted to buy a house, because most people you would think is now, everything is now. You had a plan, obviously, so.

Robert:

I feel like the plan for the house came too late. I should have got the house first. I got the house when I was 25. I got the barbershop when I was 23.

Paki:

Oh, okay. Okay, I follow you now. I misunderstood you.

Robert:

Yeah, I had two cars without a house. I misunderstood you and always. I think it's important to say that, especially as a black man, to say, yeah, I had two cars, but I didn't own a house, and that was ridiculous, right, and I was about to buy my third car without owning a house 1,000% and thank. God, I bought a business instead of that third car was changing the trajectory of my life.

Chris:

Yeah, that's a big deal, especially that young, to be able to start setting an entrepreneurial journey like that you're starting, and how did you learn how to get that process? Being 23, having the money is one thing, but going through the processes, getting the licenses, getting clientele how did that kind of work through?

Robert:

that Great question. So with that me being a barber, once you're a barber, you're already your own business person right to a point.

Chris:

Yeah Right, Like what do they call it? Are you a what's the term? Independent contractor? Yes, sir, independent contractor Yep.

Robert:

So because of that I already knew the business of you, know me and my clients, I knew how many clients I had, et cetera, et cetera, right. What I didn't know was this this is one of the biggest. Your boss won't tell you or the owner won't tell you. Sometimes you'll make more money doing it yourself than working for them. So the shop I used to work for did 22%, as in whatever I made, they got 22% of right. At that time that was about at least $1,000 a month. I was paying in booth rent. Right Got you Now, well, $880 to $1,000 a month. I was paying a month. My first barbershop was 500 square feet, a dollar a square foot. So that's 500 a month.

Chris:

So you're actually saving money by going to open up your own barbershop, by having your own independent barbershop.

Robert:

So because of that I didn't even plan on having barbers. I'm like, by myself I'm already winning. But as soon as I had to add more chairs because you got to show the bar board, you're set up, so I have four other chairs. So as soon as I was telling people you got to get my own barbershop, other barbers were like, oh, we're going to get your shop. I'm like, for real, I didn't know how to hire anyone.

Paki:

Right, but you have the relationships and the energy. You got a great energy and that's how it works.

Robert:

So two years later I expanded my barbershop. A year after that I got 3, then Feta Mall Centennial, then Feta Mall University, then Feta Mall Summerland Ivory Salon, and it kept going and kept going, so if I wanted to buy, say Chris, and I wanted to buy at Feta Mall. You sell those franchises out now, so I don't do it like Trump does when it's just a name.

Chris:

What I do, and no, not with him, but that's what he does. He does licensing Like a marketing man, right.

Robert:

What I. I got to make sure that we're in the same mindset because you know my barbershop is no rigmarole, you know no profanity, you know. So I got to make sure we're in the same mindset first. Then with that I'll let you know how much it costs to get the shop and I'll be your partner. So I'm not selling it as just a franchise, I'm doing it as a partnership because I want you to succeed. It's not about me making money.

Paki:

It's seating because smiles make money. I 1000% agree. And not only that, you had the knowledge, you know literally what the blank canvas is on how to actually build it. Yes, sir, that's awesome man. Thank you. So talk about I know, when we, when we sat down, I had coffee the tattoo shop, right? Yes, sir, if I remember correctly so were you the first person to open a tattoo shop. It was in North Las Vegas, I remember, I remember. No, you're on point, you're getting there.

Robert:

So I'm the first black-owned black artist tattoo shop in.

Paki:

Las Vegas?

Robert:

I wasn't sure, I couldn't remember and that was downtown, at first on Merlin Parkway and then once North Las Vegas had changed their ordinance. A lot of people know this. North Las Vegas has had ordinances to where certain businesses were restricted. So that's why, before 2008, you've never seen a tattoo shop in North Las Vegas, because it wasn't allowed Up until 2008. Up until 2008.

Chris:

That's not long ago, it's not long ago at all. That's crazy Right.

Robert:

That's pretty outdated 16 years Right.

Paki:

16 years ago.

Robert:

Wow. So because of that, once they allowed tattoo shops, started having my tattoo shop from there to my first barbershop. So I'll have Fade the Mall Barbershop and tag it up. And that's when I ran against the speed bump of the city of North Las Vegas because they denied my tattoo shop after they allowed tattoo shops to be there. And that's why I'm here right now talking about my counseling journey, because ever since then I've been focused on changing certain situations, just from getting punched in the face like we were talking about yes a few times.

Paki:

Yes, sir, can you share a little bit of just kind of the adversity of the roadblocks, right Like dealing with construction, dealing with a lot, I mean, unfortunately we've turned into the cone capital right, yes, we are, but can you share, kind of, some of the things that you had to deal with to be able to deal with all those detours and be able to get back on, you know, back on point basically?

Robert:

So with that, my barbershop is right off the freeway exit and that's why I got it, because it's off the freeway exit and it was on the one-way street also right. So they ended up shutting down the freeway for, if I'm not mistaken, around three months, but the street was shut down for like six months. So if you wasn't going to my barbershop you would have to get off on Cheyenne exit. But if you want to go to my barbershop you have to get off on Cheyenne and go through two other neighborhoods literally neighborhoods to get to my barbershop.

Robert:

That's crazy Right, and all my barbers quit because of that, because they're frustrated.

Paki:

They're frustrated.

Robert:

No one was there. Like all the businesses quit, they went out of business. I had my other businesses and I was doing parties to be able to allocate money towards paying that rent there. And I'm the type of person where you know I have to die before I stop. You know, every day I wake up I'm ready to go. So I'm there every day by myself, and back then, you know, google wasn't good with maps so people couldn't get to my barbershop and I remember a gentleman came to my barbershop after the mayor at the time said you're right, robert Taylor, you should be what's the word? Financially taken care of To bless you for all the detour BS.

Paki:

Right and she's like, but it's not our fault.

Robert:

You have to talk to NDOT. And when the gentleman from NDOT came to my barbershop and he told me to pass out more flyers, I just took that as a slap in the face and because of that, ever since then I've been focused on city government, local government and how can we run a better way?

Chris:

Nobody realizes how disruptive that is. I'm sure people do realize it, but there is no support for businesses. They're paying their taxes, they're employing people and they just get hit over the head with these.

Paki:

We're always under construction, all these detours and trying to really get people you see, with the F1, really, in fact, a lot of people in Las Vegas, f1 was a pain in the butt.

Chris:

I'm not going to lie.

Paki:

And I feel bad for a lot of the businesses in there and take that.

Robert:

So F1, at least everybody knows about that because it hindered a lot of people. Right, it was just me and I'm the young man who's trying to fight, so nobody really cared. Exactly I went through the same thing. It was just me and fighting the good fight by myself, but because of that fight I'm here right now. So that's awesome, man.

Paki:

It's all I got a reason. Yeah, let's jump into that man. So one thing you know, chris and I talked about this earlier, right, and Ty, my wife how can you have all these businesses? Like, how can you keep all your life together and run for councilman, cause it's you in the streets every day knocking on doors. I mean you share with me your schedule of how you're able to do it. But, like, who are your partners to be able to keep the businesses running and how, how do you make it all happen?

Robert:

Shout out to my managers at my shops. Okay, so right now, uh, I have managers at my shop who pretty much it's it's runs by itself because barbershops are pretty easy. Sure, that's why I like barbershops, sure, and barbershops one of those business to where you're not paying employees because they're independent contractors. They're paying to be there that's right so that makes it much easier.

Robert:

Also, that's right, they're not cash cows at all, right, but it's good, sustainable money where you constantly get it. Long as they're there and they're cutting hair or doing hair, you constantly get it. So that part isn't the hard part. The the hard part is being busy already. And I am a community. I'm big in the community. You know I'm big on the community, I'm big in the community. So the hardest part is trying to uh navigate my time with all the community service that I do with the barbershops while running. That's a hard part. But now, uh, uh, I lost 60 pounds. You know I want to talk about it. Yeah, I feel really good and because of that I wake up super early. I go to bed around 9, 10 pm, I wake up around 4 o'clock and then before 9 o'clock I get about 20 things done before then, so by the time it's 10 am. You know I'm good and that's how I'm able to compartmentalize my time and I think once people start doing that like, your days become so much better.

Chris:

Yeah, is that kind of why you like this business model? Can you see what the business? The barbershops, the tattoo shops and the salons are all independent, contract oriented businesses.

Robert:

Yes, sir, yeah.

Chris:

That's why, yeah, it makes sense it gives you a little bit more freedom to like, be flexible, it does.

Paki:

Sure For our listeners, and just me included. What does a councilman do?

Robert:

right, what is it? So the duties of a councilman pretty much all around in America is planning and zoning, right and ordinances. So, as I mentioned earlier, that was an ordinance where they didn't have tattoo shops. So ordinance is like a law specifically set for that city right. It can't be a law for the state because it's only for that city, so it's an ordinance. So the council comes up with different ordinances. They have Right and planning and zoning. For instance, let's just say this was Ward 2 in North Las Vegas Right, which has Ward 2, has about 79,000 people Right. So let's just say it has 200 businesses. So anytime someone goes to their business for business licensing Right, as your councilman you know, I would be there to help your business and not hinder it.

Robert:

Love this conversation.

Chris:

And not hinder it.

Robert:

And if you need a special use permit, you will go to planning and zoning. First they will have to say yes to it and then you will go to the council, which I will be a council member. I will look at it. I will ask you the good questions, you know you give me tangible answers on why you want this business and then I would deny or approve that business. But the difference of me and other councilmen and councilwomen is me being a small business owner. Unlike the time when I had my business, and none of them were, I understand how it is to operate, to be a small business owner. So I have the back of all small business owners who hire more than 53% of the working force in America. So if you are hindering small business owners, you are hindering us everyone.

Chris:

Yeah, 100%. With that being the case, that's the whole job of the councilman. Why is it that some would want to hinder it? Because why would they decline a business? There's really just a curious situation to be in. You're trying to grow specifically North Las Vegas, right, they really are trying to compete in a lot of senses with the business development of Las Vegas. So if you don't get as much exposure, you would think you want more small business in that area. You would think so. Yeah, very, very interesting dynamic.

Robert:

But here's the thing Also a lot of people don't know Las Vegas, inner of Las Vegas, is a part-time position. So even though of course, we all get paid, it's labeled as a part-time position. You only have to go to one meeting a month.

Chris:

Right now.

Robert:

Usually you only have to go to one meeting a month. Now most council members are on different, like the housing board Okay, got it. Yeah, so you will be a part of boards and stuff, right, sure. So I think the problem is sometimes council members literally think that in their head it's a part-time position, so they're not doing their real due diligence when it comes to looking at different planning and zoning and approving things. They're like ah no, we don't want that. Oh, we do.

Paki:

Versus taking it serious because it's people's lives. I'm running because it's people's lives and the productivity from the city I'm born and raised in. I love about when we first sat down is you don't want people to experience what you experienced, too, being a business owner and like I'm glad you're running, but also the frustration like we've had. I mean, we've had this podcast for almost six years and everybody we've interviewed is business owners and one of the things they always talk about is the challenges of getting permits, getting a business license. I remember we probably pissed a lot of people off because it's like why is it so hard and why is it so expensive? So that's the other thing. Is that something?

Robert:

that you're trying to figure out. Yes, I want to look into that, or not figure out, but you know what I'm saying. Definitely, because some things are unfair. For instance, if you have a barbershop in the city of Las Vegas, right, okay, your plumbing fee would be about $400 a year. So for every sink you have, it's $400 a year.

Chris:

Oh, I didn't know that was a. Thing.

Robert:

But that's cheap compared to a bar. With a bar it's around $2,600 a year for each sink. What?

Paki:

kind of sinks. We got gold sinks and think about this.

Robert:

Barbershops and salons use much more water than a bar does, so why is it more money? It's more money because the average person who owns a bar is a millionaire.

Paki:

Oh, yeah, because liquor.

Robert:

So to me. But that's still unfair though. Yeah, Because it's still prejudging your prejudice. When people think of prejudice, you think of negative connotations. Prejudice your prejudice. When people think of prejudice, you think of negative connotations. Prejudice means prejudging You're prejudging the business owner to make a certain amount of money, so because of that, now you're charging that person a different fee than everyone else, and that's not right Things like that.

Chris:

And that makes it more likely for that bar to not be successful, especially right off the bat. You're having to pay these fees and you're not even generating any income at that point Exactly. That just seems unfair, because the whole point of politics is for consistency, right, yes, sir, and laws are for everything to be on a basis. So that, just, you know, makes it really that's very terrible to hear. Yes, I did not even know that. That's a new one for me. Yes, sir.

Robert:

I can keep going. I know a million others.

Paki:

No, really behind the curtain, right, you know what I mean. We need people like yourself to be able to say, hey, this is the real, this is what we're really dealing with, you know, and I'm glad we were able to sit down and kind of discuss a little bit. But youth, you know, youth is big for both of all of us sitting at the table. What's your plans for the youth? Right, because the education is tough, obviously in Vegas. Right, 49th every year. I don't even know what North Las Vegas is, but what is your plan to kind of help empower the youth here All?

Chris:

right listeners, let's take a break from our podcast to talk about something really exciting that's been a game changer for us. It's Magic Mind Productivity Shop.

Paki:

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Chris:

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Paki:

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Chris:

And you can do that by going to wwwmagicmindcom, slash vcircle and use promo code vcircle to get 20% off your order. So, for our listeners, let's get back to the podcast.

Robert:

I'm a part of the SOT board. The SOT board is a board that's actually the assembly made a law to, where every high school has an SOT board. So it's kind of like the PTA, but on another level. So I'm the vice chair of Canyon Springs High School's SOT board. So once a month we meet on the Zoom and when it comes to proms, homecomings, as a community servant and a parent, we talk about what we can do for the kids.

Robert:

So one I'm big with safety for our children my son, israel Taylor. He was with a young man that got killed at Canyon Springs years ago. That's one of his closest friends. Sorry to hear that. Yeah, and my son would hang out with him after school every day, right, and then my son would walk home and his friend would take the— I think his friend would get picked up or something right. Well, same thing. My son left and said bye and then the gentleman came to the school, tried to fight him the kid's protecting themselves and they literally killed them on the campus. So because of that, that's why I joined the SOT board.

Robert:

But when it comes to a broad spectrum of what I want to do is give these kids hope, for over 20 years, every high school, every high school, junior high school, elementary, who asked me to come speak to them. I've spoke, I've been a keynote speaker, career day, and I give my time to give hope, because these kids, if they don't have hope, they are hopeless and nothing else matters. I agree, you know, and me, growing up in North Las Vegas, I love to see North Las Vegas, but I've never seen anyone who looks like me, who came to any of my schools, speaking life into me. And because of my different business ventures and because of my positive attitude, I believe that it is good to have more of us in these schools, to talk to our children, to give them an idea oh, I could be that. And I always say you'll be better than me, not just you could be me, you could be better than me, you will be better than me. And that, right there, leads to hope and that leads to different opportunities.

Robert:

I want to start a thing called the pipeline to where the seniors in high school. I want to get three seniors from each high school in my ward, so Canyon Springs, canyon Springs, cheyenne and Mojave, to where I have the principal. Choose three different, you know, hopefully, young men, right, because you know the men are doing the worst versus our young ladies. And then tag them, team them up with a fire department, tag them up with the police department or someone in the trade.

Robert:

Yeah With trades, you know electrician, plumbing department or someone in the trade yeah, with trades you know electrician, plumbing or barber, beauticians, business owners that way for sure we know these. These kids are being looked at and now, the next year, when they're 19 and 20 and they're starting to be successful, other kids look up to them, start emulating them, because kids follow the popular kids. It's on us, as the adults, to hone the popular kids, to make them positive popular kids, because once they're negative popular kids, the other kids will follow that also.

Paki:

I love that you're talking about this, like specifically, because I had hoop dreams right, like, being from Chicago, I thought we're going to go to the NBA, whatever. You know you had that mindset. But we need more people with trades, we need more doctors, we need more engineers. You know people in property management, real estate, you know that whole setup, so it's great that you're given the opportunity and even being able to share with them. Literally, this is what I've been able to do. You know that's awesome, thank you. Let's talk a little bit about the homeless situation. Yes, we've got a really bad homeless situation. Yes, sir, what's the plan for you? You know just maybe what you would plan to do in North Las Vegas with the homeless scenario we're dealing with, which is very challenging.

Robert:

Very challenging. So right now, what I've learned from what I'm seeing is kind of like a tug-of-war situation, because where you could say ground zero is where we have the most misplaced and homeless people. It's on the borderline of Las Vegas and North Las Vegas, so it's constantly usually like pushing them here, pushing them there, pushing them here.

Paki:

Situation that's what you see everywhere, right.

Robert:

Versus. Just first we have to figure out who is able to get back in the job market Right, who has mental problems right, and who just doesn't care. Because a lot of people don't know that we are a right to fail nation, you have a right to fail. So if you want to be homeless, you know you can be homeless, not saying that means you're failing, but, as in, you have the right to do that, yeah Right. So some people don't want help.

Robert:

One of my mentors, who was very successful in the music industry, had a lot going on money, corvettes, beautiful women, et cetera, et cetera. Things that as men would deem successful end up being homeless. Successful end up being homeless. And for years he passed away now. But for years I would try to motivate him to get back in music or something and he stopped me once. He said Robert. He said I want to be homeless. He said you keep trying to cure me, but there's no cure for what I want to be. That is wild, he said. And he said you guys always talk about helping the homeless out and giving out money. He said a lot of homeless people have never slept on a bed in years. He said. So if you want to help a homeless person out, don't give them money. He said go down where he would stay at some time the shelter. It costs a few dollars to have a bed or a mattress, he said you guys go down there and just pay for mattresses.

Paki:

That way they can sleep comfortable at one night.

Robert:

I'm saying this on purpose, because I never heard that until I heard it and I can't unring that bell.

Robert:

That's deep and for your viewers who listen to this. Now, we're always trying to help something, but how can you help something that doesn't want to be helped If they feel they're not in danger and that's how they want to live their life? That's why I say we've got to separate and figure out who's who. Who wants to be like this Okay, who wants to be there, who wants help, who wants to get back in the job market. So we have to do that first. Once you do that, automatically we'll help it out. But another big thing is we have a whole sheet of people who are about to be homeless. So the first thing we do is make sure these people, these individuals if you notice, las Vegas has a lot of new homeless people and you could tell by looking at them.

Chris:

I could tell this is a new homeless family.

Robert:

You know, I see a family on. I see a family on Craig Road almost every day when I leave my barbershop and other day I saw him. I told myself next time I see him I'm going to turn around and try to give him some money. And it's women, right, it's black women. I literally just saw them. I saw them. Oh, there they go. I was all happy I could try to help. Maybe a U-turn. I pulled around, I got in my truck, I said hey. I said you ladies are always on Craig Road, right? The younger one answered yes, I think it was her mom and she said I don't even know. Now.

Paki:

And I said okay.

Robert:

Yeah, she was like I don't even know now, and I said I want your money. The daughter looked at her and I'm like no, I said I know you're not asking for money. They had no signs, right. I just see a lot of luggage and stuff they're carrying every day. That's why I knew they was homeless, right, and the mother was like I don't want anything, sir. And then they hit me. There I go again. There we go again, thinking that we're trying to fix someone. So when it comes to that, we have to figure out different resolution solutions. It's not just oh, they're homeless, no, we've got to figure out what do they want?

Paki:

And set the foundation.

Chris:

try to help the foundation A lot of times you can see they're trying to avoid some of those pressures. When you're forcing the pressures on them of doing things that they don't want to do, it's almost like you're reinforcing their want to be in that situation versus trying to help them.

Robert:

I'm an NPR nerd, so sorry, sorry, seeing another station, but I'm NPR nerd because it gives you statistics, right. And when I was running for mayor two years ago, I'm listening to NPR news and they said they did a survey and they said only 2% of mayors in the nation believe that they could cause a positive effect towards homeless. And I was like only two percent, oh, that's wild. And I was like, wow, I feel proud because even though I was running for mayor, I wasn't a mayor. I knew that I was focused on trying to help the situation, so I'll be part of that two percent, right.

Robert:

So right after that I did a tour at the same place downtown where not downtown but north las vegas downtown area, where everywhere everyone's at for the homeless population, uh. So I went down there and I talked to the woman who ran the center and I'm like when I saw it, it was much nicer than I thought it was. It was really nice inside there. From the outside you would think it's bad, but it's really nice inside. And I'm like why there isn't more people inside here and they're outside on Main Street? She said because we have rules in here and the people on Main Street don't like rules. A lot of them don't. That's why they're homeless. She said that's an everyday struggle for us, because we have a curfew at a certain time, we have this and a lot of people don't want rules. She said our hardest problem is trying to give people rules who don't want rules, but help them at the same time.

Robert:

I was like that makes so much sense. And there we go again, thinking we could just help out the homeless situation. No, it's much more complex and perplexing than you ever could imagine.

Chris:

Yeah, because the solution is always let's build more homes, let's do more of this, but that usually is not the solution.

Paki:

You touched a little bit about mentorship, right. You know Vegas Circle. Let's talk about who's in your circle, right? Would you be able to share, like, who's impacted your circle you know and what they've done to be able to make that impact? Definitely, thank you.

Robert:

So one of my mentors that passed away, I express, was homeless David Bowie. Okay, Not David Bowie, but David Bowie, but he's still a musician also. Got it. He was one of my first mentors. You know that his glory days my sister, alicia Taylor. She's a mortgage mogul. She was born in Tulsa but came to Las Vegas like eight months later. So she's yeah, so she ain't from Vegas.

Paki:

Basically, sound like a shop she's from, not a home. Yeah, yeah, sound like a shop, because I always say I'm the person born in Vegas.

Robert:

She's like I was a few months old.

Paki:

That's hilarious.

Robert:

She's definitely a mentor of mine. She's my financial advisor. She's the only one I trust when it comes to money. You know who else? Frank Hawkins, mccurdy Sr. William McCurdy Sr. He's an amazing campaign manager, but an amazing man in general. Pauly Mack I have a few people and everyone's different. They're all like. You know, it takes a village. It takes a village of mentors also, because you learn something from everyone my mother and father's first. My father passed away. He was the most intelligent man I ever knew in my life. My dad was a really, really, really intelligent person. He watched Jeopardy and get every question right.

Robert:

I haven't met anyone who could do that Built different, you know. So he was a different type of person and because of this I and I was the youngest I was able to see all these different people, my brother, all these different people with different skills, and I just emulated each skill that I liked.

Paki:

That's what's up. Yeah, that's awesome. Yeah, so for business advice, right, you being a business owner, you running for councilman, trying to grow the business market right here, what's one nugget you would share for somebody that right now, that maybe is on the fence right Trying to decide hey, do I want to invest this money Like you did with not buying a car, whatever the scenario could be? But what would you share with them? You know, or maybe they want to get into politics?

Robert:

So I do business and I do politics Perfect, Okay. So I would say this for the business aspect just know this. Know that people work hard for their money, right, and just because you open up your business, your family and closest friends will not support you like you think, Because why you haven't showed them you're a winner. And that sounds bad. But let's be real, because we don't have time to lie to people right. At the end of the day, people only bet on the team that they believe that's the winning team. People have to see you win so many times for them to be like okay, that's a winner.

Robert:

Your business is the same way. If you open up a bakery, they're not going to just come because it's you they're going to. They want to hear how good it is. They want to constantly hear how good it is first. They're going to check your Yelp reviews and all those things first. So just know you have to prove so many times that you are a winner in your business for people to contribute and support you. So don't take it personal. Just know it's an uphill battle, but once you're on top of the hill, you're on top of the hill. Then you bring others up with you. That's on the business aspect, On the political aspect.

Robert:

Just know this when it comes to politics, people who are elected officials, they're regular people. We're all special, Everybody just doesn't know it. Once again, we're all special, Everyone just doesn't know it. So, with that being said, they're the people that represent your classroom. Think of your ward, your area, your city, your state as a classroom, and you guys are picking the student president for your classroom Right Now. If you want to be in politics, are you able to be? Are you able to represent your classroom? Meaning men, women, all races, all backgrounds. Can you represent them? Because if you can't, you shouldn't be the leader for that classroom. I agree.

Robert:

And that classroom needs to know who you are. That's why I knocked on doors yeah, right, because your classroom needs to know you are so much to where when they try to come and make you look bad, when you're running against another classroom, that's real, that's real they can speak up for you. I'm like no, we know his or her personality, right. So that's very important. And I think this when people say I'm not into politics, yes, you are, because when you're following laws, you're following laws made by who? Politicians, politicians. And if you break the law and you go to jail you. So don't act like I don't care about. Yes, you do.

Paki:

It's impacting your life. It's impacting your life.

Robert:

Taxes you pay on the drinks, the gas, everything you do it has to do with local government. And who prints out money? Government? You're working for what Money? So, at the end of the day, just know that it's much bigger than what you think it is and you can be a part of it. And if you want change, instead of you complaining like me, I could have been complaining my sister she expressed to me. She said, robert, it's an easy lawsuit. What happened with the city? I said, alicia, if I win, I only win and that's not a win for my people. I said, if I run and I win, then I change what's happening, then it's a win for all the people who are like me, who want to be a business owner, and that changes everything. So you got to be focused, steadfast and be serious.

Paki:

That's what's up. Yeah, that's great man, I like how you're breaking that down, man, Just transitioning a little bit, pivoting a little bit, with you being from Vegas. We always ask everybody this what's your favorite restaurant in Vegas?

Robert:

I'll just change my whole diet. That's probably what I need.

Chris:

I'll just change my entire diet.

Robert:

Shout out to Ella M's. I used to love Ella M's all the time. Soul Foods on Craig. Shout out to Grits Cafe.

Paki:

Grits Cafe.

Robert:

But now I pretty much eat healthy.

Paki:

You eat real clean, I eat clean and.

Chris:

I eat once a day.

Robert:

So with that I might go to Tropical Smoothie. So with that I might go to tropical smoothie. Besides that, I'm at home now. I never cooked until now. I never cooked until this time of my life where I'm trying to eat healthy, because the healthier you try to eat, the more you realize it's not a lot of places that are healthy to eat.

Chris:

You're talking about the stuff in the background.

Robert:

You're like what's going on in here?

Chris:

Right right.

Robert:

So mainly you know I'm at home just putting stuff together, but you eat once a day, once a day.

Paki:

We were just talking about that earlier. Yeah, that's awesome, man, once a day, but I could talk to you all day, man, your energy is contagious.

Robert:

I appreciate that.

Paki:

What do you want to leave us out on? Anything that we forgot about or what's next up? Right, Because we have the prim on what we should pay attention to Got you.

Robert:

So I just ended up being number one in the primary. It was three of us. Congratulations, thank you, thank you. So now I'm going to the general. So the general is the actual presidential election. So in the primary a lot of people don't vote in the primary because a lot of people don't understand what the primary is about. Real quick on that, so people get it, because I didn't understand until I ran. For mayor could run the classroom scenario In the primary if you have 40 students in the classroom, 20 could run, right, but the class is only going to pick the top two for the general. So 20 could run. 18 would be eliminated in that number scenario. Now the general you're picking the number one to be the representative of your classroom, of your city, of your ward, of your state, etc. Right, so now I'm in the top two in the classroom which is my ward two in North Las Vegas. Got it. Now I'm number one out of the two going against an incumbent, which is really crazy. Right, because of the most votes, because of the most votes.

Robert:

Okay, right, I won by 47 votes. Wow, that's how much votes matter. So I'm winning by 47 votes, got it? It's counted. So, with that being said, the generals in November, which is the presidential election, right? So now, when people go vote for their president and everyone down the ballot, I'm on that ballot if you live in my area. So I say, please, I hope that you vote for me if you live in Ward 2. If you don't live in Ward 2, let your friends know. Hey, I saw this podcast with Robert Twiggs Taylor. He's a good guy. Vote for him, because my platform is community, commerce and change. I'm from the community, I'm a business owner, I understand commerce and the simple fact that I'm bringing this energy to the table, and I have a plethora of ideas to bring more money to North Las Vegas and things for our children to do, so it's less crime and to add more police officers, community-orientated police. That's part of the change and that's why I'm the clear choice. No, there's a word to counsel.

Chris:

And how do you know what word you're in? Just people who want to find out if they're a person representing you.

Robert:

Great question, let me. Let me say this Is that a camera right there?

Chris:

Yeah, Let me say this camera.

Robert:

When I was running, when I, while I'm running right now, people say Councilman or councilwoman is doing a good job, you would know what ward you're in. You would know the ward you're in because you're, like they're, doing such a great job. So one you'll know when I'm the councilman right. But two. You can look it up, you can go to see it at NorthLasVegascom and there's maps. You could type in Ward 2, maps of North Las Vegas. You could type in Las Vegas ward maps and then you'll see it because there's no signs, and that's something else.

Robert:

I'll let the Cal to back when we do win for council, I do. I have this plan to put on the polls actual numbers to let you know what wards you're in while you're driving.

Chris:

Ward one, ward two so at least now you already know it makes sense, it does. Everybody wants to know because I would never have known.

Robert:

I wouldn't have known either, and Chris let me give you a little quick one too. Also, A lot of people don't know this either. When I ran for mayor, I did this Everybody's like. I never knew that. Do you know the difference of being in Las Vegas and North Las Vegas just by driving?

Chris:

No.

Paki:

I thought the signs changed, though, don't they the color Yep, las Vegas the signs are blue.

Robert:

Yeah, they change Las Vegas. The signs are green.

Paki:

A lot of parts of Henderson.

Robert:

They're brown.

Paki:

Yeah, I learned that from my driving through.

Robert:

But these are the neighborhood signs. So all the main streets are green for the city of Las Vegas. But all you got to do is look into the neighborhood and if it's blue, you're in North Las Vegas.

Paki:

I did not know that.

Robert:

Okay, good stuff, man. We're all about the education over here. Entertainment, entertainment.

Paki:

Driving gems man. Where can people reach out to you at man for your social handles and all that good stuff Got you. You know what? Go to my personal Instagram page.

Robert:

That's more fun. Go to at Vegas Twix. That's Vegas with Twix with two X's. You can email me at RobertTaylor4Nevada at gmailcom. That's RobertTaylorFordNevada gmailcom. You can go to my website at RobertTaylorFordNevadacom or you can call me at 702-355-8392.

Paki:

You know I'm for the community. It's all going to blow up, man, or just.

Robert:

Google Fatemult Barbershop, or just Google Robert Twiggs Taylor.

Paki:

Support this man. He's doing some great things in the community. Man, I support you and I'm glad we got a chance to sit down with you and pick your brain for the short period, man, but check us out at thevegasurgecom and support us. Man, subscribe man.

Robert:

I'll be back after we win Appreciate y'all have a good one. Root, let's go.