Question & Answer with Robert

The title of the book is very interesting, how did you come up with it?

I thought of this title because entrepreneurs are faced with killing their dreams and ideas constantly. The up and down pressures of doing business successfully often challenges us to give up on our God given gifts and dreams. So, this book was written to encourage others not to kill their dreams.

Is the title reflective of how you were feeling at a certain point in your career?

Yes and No. For example, there have been days when I was not sure if I was going to be able to make payroll or have to shut down my business. But, even in those times I was motivated to continue to pursue my dreams as an entrepreneur.

What was the most important piece of advice you were given when starting out? Who was it from? When did you have to draw on it?

Evander Holyfield once told me that "sometimes you have to squat low in order to jump high." This piece of advice taught me that I have to constantly step back and evaluate where I am are trying to leap. You must build a foundation first and then spring forward! For example, as entrepreneurs, you have to be willing to do a lot of different things in order to succeed.

Who were your major role models?

• My most influential role models were my parents Robert and Deborah Shumake. My mother owns her own printing company and she had many other entrepreneurial efforts in her lifetime. My father taught me about a positive attitude.
• My aunt Phyllis Fletcher Ashford introduced me to the Real Estate business.
• My business role models include Willie Gary, Don King, Craig McCaw and Donald Trump.

What has been your toughest challenge as an entrepreneur so far?

Access to capital is one of the toughest parts about being in business, which is why I have included the funding resources in this book, For Entrepreneurs Who Considered Suicide When Business Got Tough.

With involvement in so many projects, how do you maintain professional and personal success?

I strongly, believe that the Creator does not give me more that I can handle. I stay focused on my goals.

You're realizing a great deal of accomplishment at a relatively young age, what are your future plans?

I plan to become an internationally renowned business leader as well as continue to promote educational achievement and scholarships for future entrepreneurs.

You give seminars at Detroit colleges and universities, are you available for speaking engagements across the United States?

Yes. If you are interested in booking, please contact me.

What prompted you to publish a book?

I wrote this book because of the many conversations I have had with people about how I got started. More importantly, I wrote this book in an effort to raise one MILLION dollars for The Robert S. Shumake Scholarship Relays which promotes entrepreneurship, academic excellence, and home ownership in the next generation of business leaders.

Homeownershipis the New Rap Topic For Robert Shumake

Just when you thought you heard it all, there is a new rap topic out there, its homeownership.

A rap CD about homeownership? Yes! Detroit-based, African-American real estate developer/investor Robert Shumake has produced Take The Land: Elements of Real Estate featuring many well-known spoken word and Def Poetry artists such as Umar Bin Hassan of The Last Poets, Big Proof of D12 and M-1 of Dead Prez. Shumake, who went from being homeless as a child to owning one of the top real estate concerns in Michigan, is passionate about creating homeownership in the African-American community. And being of the hip-hop generation himself, Shumake, 37, thought what better way to spread the word than through rhyme.

In all, there are 13 cuts each exploring different elements of real estate. The lineup of acts includes Jessica Care Moore, Prof. Griff of Public Enemy, and Abyss. All of the proceeds from the self-distributed CD on Iron Fist Records will go directly to the Robert S. Shumake Foundation. The foundation sponsors a U.S. sanctioned Track and Field Meet annually in Detroit where student athletes from the Midwest compete for trophies and college scholarships. This year the Robert S. Shumake Scholarship Relays will be held at MLK High School on April 29, 2006 The scholarships that his foundation provides are administered through the Detroit branch of UNCF.

A true Horatio Alger saga. That's what some might say about the life of Detroit businessman Robert Shumake. But that's just scratching the surface. Fact is, as a child Robert Shumake and his family were homeless, ultimately becoming squatters in a rundown home with no heat. But today Shumake owns one of Michigan’s top real estate development and investment firms, Inheritance Investment Group. And Shumake has yet to see his 40th birthday—he’s just 37.

But despite all this success in a relatively short time, Shumake, who company has grown into a multimillion business, wasn't satisfied.

He wasn't satisfied because he saw too few African Americans owning homes. Then though his work on the Board of Directors for the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, the second largest bank in America with $700 billion in assets, Shumake presided over the Affordable Housing Committees in Michigan and Indiana and helped boost homeownership by African Americans to record numbers.

Now, Shumake is turning his attention to encouraging more African-American athletes to get a college education. He has launched the Robert S. Shumake Foundation. His foundation sponsors a U.S.-sanctioned Track and Field Meet annually in Detroit where student athletes from the Midwest compete for trophies and college scholarships. This year the Robert S. Shumake Scholarship Relays will be held at MLK High School on April 29, 2006. The scholarships that his foundation provides are administered through the Detroit branch of UNCF.

In addition to this, Shumake is also encouraging young African Americans to think out getting into real estate. And being of the hip-hop generation himself, Shumake, 37, thought what better way to spread the word than through hip hop. He has produced Take The Land: Elements of Real Estate featuring many well-known spoken word and Def Poetry artists such as Umar Bin Hassan of The Last Poets, Big Proof of D12 and M-1 of Dead Prez. In all there are 13 cuts each exploring different elements of real estate. The lineup of acts includes Jessica Care Moore, Prof. Griff of Public Enemy, and Abyss. All of the proceeds from the self-distributed CD on Iron Fist Records will go directly to the Robert S. Shumake Foundation.

Dr. Robert S Shumake Biography

Dr. Robert S. Shumake is the founder of Inheritance Investment Group, a Michigan based real estate investment and development firm. As founder and president, Dr. Shumake invests, manages and develops commercial and residential real estate. Dr. Shumake has implemented policies and funding strategies to raise capital for small businesses, mortgage loans, commercial leasing and specialized financing. Dr. Shumake's vision is to expand housing opportunities for people dreaming the American dream of owning a home.

Dr. Shumake founded the real estate and business corporation, First Equity Holdings in 1996. Since then, First Equity Holdings managed and sold 85% of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) inventory in the state of Michigan with sales of approximately 80 million dollars. In addition, Dr. Shumake has developed, sold, or financed well over 100 million dollars in real estate. Based on the success of First Equity Holdings, Dr. Shumake received a White House appointment to the Board of Directors for the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, the second largest bank in American with 700 billion in assets. As a director, Dr. Shumake presided over the Affordable Housing Committees in Michigan and Indiana . Dr. Shumake was also appointed by the governor of Michigan , as a member of the Board of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons with responsibilities to regulate and license real estate professionals.

As a supporter of cultural arts, Dr. Shumake is a member of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, located in Detroit , MI . Dr. Shumake also served on the board of directors for the Lewis College of Business. Dr. Shumake is an active culturist, specializing in political and educational fundraising strategies. He has also served on national finance committees for not-for-profit companies and political candidates.

Dr. Shumake has written For Entrepreneurs Who Considered Suicide When Business Got Tough! for individuals looking to achieve their entrepreneurial and financial dreams. The book is a guide, based on Dr. Shumake's experiences as an entrepreneur, for building wealth. Packed with quotes and helpful advice, as well as interactive pages for recording your personal and professional goals, For Entrepreneurs Who Considered Suicide When Business Got Tough! is a must have resource for anyone on a journey to do business well.

In addition to being an author, Dr. Shumake hosts radio and television programs in the Detroit area. His radio show, "Necessary Business with Robert Shumake" airs weekly on WCHB-AM. "Take the Land" is a simulcast program that airs weekly. "Take the Land" can be seen on TV 68, TV 33 and heard on WHPR 88.1 FM in Detroit, Michigan.