We may receive commissions for affiliate links included in this article. This is a sponsored post. Future Sharks makes no warranties about the statements, facts and/or claims made on this article. These are the opinions of the author. Read our advertising and contributor disclosure here.
A jet-setting entrepreneur and a true businessman, RD Whittington is always on the move. From selling exclusive cars, making dreams come true for celebrities to delivering toys to the LA Shriner’s Children’s Hospital- he always believes in doing good. It’s no wonder his list of clients and close friends include the likes of Floyd Mayweather, Leonardo DiCaprio, Scott Disick, Jamie Foxx, The Weeknd and many others.
From rare cars to movies to brokering private jets and yachts, Whittington is the modern day genie to some of Hollywood’s hottest celebrities, “I’ve loved aviation all my life and I have my student pilot license. It’s great to be able to secure private jets and many of the world’s exclusive toys for my clients” he says.
However, the high flying businessman recalls a time in the early days when close friend and business partner Jamie Foxx aided in promoting his luxury car dealership and this catapulted Whittington to being the go-to car guy for movie productions and many projects alike.
Building a network takes time, especially if that includes the world’s elite celebrities. For a person like Whittington whose rolodex includes some of the world’s most influential people, he definitely has picked up some secrets along the way that has allowed him to be successful and form partnerships that some can only dream of.
When businesses or people want to engage celebrities for things like conferences, events, promotional campaigns etc. It’s important that they work with someone who knows how to work with celebrities.
They need someone who understands the unique type of interaction that’s involved, how to make deals, and what to expect when working with them.
RD Whittington said that in the world of celebrities, it’s all about developing relationships through friendship and business. RD teaches us how to connect with people on a personal level:
1. Provide value and deliver results: I am known for making the impossible possible and dreams a reality for celebrities. From custom vehicles for a birthday party to selling exclusive and rare cars for Mayweather, the only way I continue to expand my business is I prioritize customer service over money. I always believed that if I continue to master my craft and deliver results, the money will eventually take care of itself- so far it has worked out well.
The average person who approaches an influential person asks for something without returning the favour or doesn’t provide any value in the relationship. You must determine what you can offer them in hopes of developing a professional relationship that’s mutually beneficial.
“For me it’s not about the money but it’s making people’s dreams a reality. Customer service is a high priority and I always try to go the extra mile to make the impossible possible. I’ve lived my life by the saying that if I help others get what they want, I will eventually achieve my goals- the law of reciprocity is how I lead my life.” Whittington says.
2. Build your personal brand: It’s extremely important for people to sense and understand that you exude trust and have credibility- both personally and professionally. You only have about 30 seconds or less to make a connection and demonstrate your credibility. When you gain access to the celeb or VIP always be respectful and never waste their time. Key points people consider when deciding to do business with you or build a relationship are: your track record of success, are you the expert or best in your field of work, your background and character. Making sure that you are the real deal, being authentic and confident in your abilities makes your clients feel comfortable working with you.
Whittington mentions, “When I do business with the likes of Mayweather, Taylor Swift or other celebrities it’s because I have built a track record of success which allows me to not only continuously do business with them but it opens other opportunities for their friends and others alike to want to work with me through positive word of mouth.”
3. Attend exclusive VIP events and conferences: At the end of the day, you have to be willing to invest the necessary amount of money to get in touch with high profile celebrities as most value their privacy and security. “Most people attend key networking events to make important connections and establish relationships that will lead to landing new deals or closing existing ones. To optimize your success at these events, prepare meetings by doing your homework on who’s attending those events and make a list. In addition, have a set agenda on the outcome you’re looking to achieve so you utilize your time effectively. Remember to be memorable through a story or mention what you admire about them- people love to talk about themselves so give them the opportunity to do so!
What does the future hold for Whittington? Other than travelling and making a positive difference in the lives of others, he has been working on exciting projects that he hopes to share with the world very soon. To follow the exciting life of one of Hollywood’s modern day genie- you can check out his Instagram: @wiresonly to see what’s happening day to day for this business mogul.
➡ Looking to get featured on Future Sharks?
