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There are 35,000 individuals who are homeless in Las Vegas NV and Rick ‘Siloh’ Moses believes that, no matter where you live, that no one person should ever go hungry…ever.
Siloh Moses has been called a philanthropist, crusader for the homeless, humanitarian, and leader in giftivism—the practice of radical generosity that transforms the world. He’s been Awarded Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition by The United States Congress for an unwavering commitment and leadership to help the disadvantaged people of Las Vegas. He’s also been Awarded Senatorial Recognition by The United States Senate which has been signed by Senator Dean Heller and he just recently has been Awarded Las Vegas Top 100 Men of the year.
All of this recognition has only come over the past few years. Before that, just three years ago, Siloh Moses himself found living living among the community that he currently serves today, that’s right, he serves on the same streets that he used to sleep on. You heard right, just a few years ago, he too was homeless.
Since then he’s created an organization that, to date, has had over 5,000 locals come down and pay it forward with his group (now over 105 volunteers) and has given out over 91,000 individual meals to those who are less fortunate all for free.
His community projects have included such sponsors such as, Rich Products, Starbucks, Einstein Bagels, Trader Joe’s, Coca-Cola, The 98 Cent Markets, numerous local restaurants, and more!
He is an inspiration to speak with and you can’t help but leaving his presence with a huge sense of hope and gratitude for life and all of it’s splendor. Here is an inspirational story of how one entrepreneur went from homeless to hero and used business smarts to to get there.
City where you’re from: Las Vegas, NV.
Hobbies: Binging on Tedx Talks. My persona speaking engagements. Gym six days a week. Reading great books. Eating healthy and being on the field playing soccer.
Favorite quote:
“I’m not trying to change the world…I’m just trying to create one that matches my vision for it.” – Siloh Moses
Social accounts
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/silohmoses/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrpotofspaghetti/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/siloh.moses
What are you working on?
Today I’m currently working on my new project which I’ve happily named WeWin360! (or We Win Full Circle.)
What is it and how did you come up with this idea?
Originally the concept behind WeWin360! was to become a matchmaking service for local business owners who were looking to connect with reputable local nonprofits. We the concept was came to me after reading an article on Forbes about how within the first one hundred days of our new presidency, how (since then) financial charitable donations to nonprofits have skyrocketed. Being in the ‘pay it forward’ space myself at the time, the problem that I saw was that, they indeed have skyrocketed, but only towards the national well known nonprofits? That none of that was ever felt on the local level where that same money could have gone further and helped more people. I immediately thought, this is a problem and someone has to fix this. So I jumped on it and began to create WeWin360! Which originally started off as as three day classroom intensive to bring both local business owners and non profits together under one roof at the same time. To match them up based on a deeper connection outside of just ‘writing a check.’ Since then, WeWin360! has transformed into a more personal individual experience.
Now, instead of matching local businesses up with local nonprofits, we’re matching up individual students with their life path…we’re helping them connect with their ‘why’. It’s been pretty interesting to say the least. It’s been really fun.
How is your company different?
I tell my students all of the time, ‘Just know that I will never ask you to do something that I haven’t done so myself.’ What this means is that they can rest easily knowing that the techniques that I teach, which can be applied to any and all life’s circumstances, are the same exact steps that I used to get out of homelessness. Not only did I use them to get out of the most dire circumstance but I was be able to rebound out of homelessness and start a movement that served 91,000 individual meals and has granted me the recognition from The United States Congress for leadership in philanthropy based on those same exact principles. Techniques in which I still used today to obtain phenomenal results. I believe that I am a better teacher (leader) when I teach them principles based on my very own personal results and experiences. No one else’s.
What do your students leave with when they complete or graduate from your three day classroom experience?
Great question! First and foremost, those who attend our three day classroom experience are (from what we’ve found) are CEO’s / Executive Directors, Founders, Marketing Specialist, Salespeople, and Recruiters in their own professions. Not to say that people who are not in those professions can’t attend, you are always more than welcomed to attend. It’s just that we have found that more of their professions are in our classes more than other profession. Where I was going with that is this, those who attend who are also ready to be ready, who embrace the processes and who aren’t afraid to create change, those who come with an open heart and an open mind, who really take on our lessons, tend to take off pretty quickly and when they do they tend to the be ones that leave (graduate) with a feeling of a renewed purpose in their lives. They graduate with a feeling of being off of the well beaten path and back onto their own very specific path (their journey), the one that was meant only for them. They graduate feeling anchored, grounded in who they are, what they believe in, and where they stand in this world. The masks are removed and they graduate with a more authentic feeling of themselves and with a deeper appreciation for their own personal story. It’s really fun stuff.
What’s your dream with your company?
We truly believe that with WeWin360! That we truly have the opportunity to change communities everywhere, but before we first change those communities, we must first change those who live in them. The people who make up those communities. Why? Because when we change the one’s who live in those communities, they become better people…people who start to take leadership roles in their communities thus, they go out and start to volunteer, they start organizations, and give back in way that makes them happy. When they do that, they begin to pay it forward from a good place and they then begin to change lives. Lives of those who they serve and those who serve with them. Our dream is that with every student that comes through WeWin360! That they become better people. That they then go home and create better communities, better neighbors, better co-workers, that they go out and serve and to bring it full circle, they go out and change someone’s life (who because of them) who becomes no longer less fortunate. Now you know the meaning behind our name, WeWin360!
How do you creatively advertise?
We creatively advertise by leveraging great content (stories), great pictures (high def), and great calls to action. We also leverage fantastic ‘word of mouth’ on social media in every possible form with hashtags, tagging, and by communicating with students via direct messaging. Which also utilize DM’s on social media, private groups, and messaging apps like WhatsApp.
What kind of results have you achieved using those kinds of methods to advertise?
We’ve achieved phenomenal results that speak for themselves. Last year our volunteer organization (outside of WeWin360!) had over 5,000 locals come down and pay it forward with us. Expanded our core volunteer group to over 105 volunteers and was the one and only reason we were able to serve over 91,000 individual meals to those who are less fortunate all for free. Not to mention has connected us on community projects that have included such sponsors such as, Rich Products, Starbucks, Einstein Bagels, Coca-Cola, The 98 Cent Markets, and numerous local restaurants. By the way, who called us…we didn’t call them. So, obviously, something must be working!
What were your biggest failure and biggest success? What did you learn from them?
Going homeless. Nothing says you’ve failed more than finding and eating your dinner (which someone else deemed useless to them) out of a garbage can. What I learned was that there is going to be some point (I call it a Choice Point) in our lives where we must take 100% responsibility of where we are and how we got there. Then and only then, can you take 100% responsibility for getting out of your current circumstance and get to where you want to go. This is a challenge for most people because inside it feels good to point fingers and have someone or something to blame but, what I have found is that by having someone or something outside of us to blame, that the blame only keeps you in our bad circumstance even longer. Breaking free from your current circumstance by taking responsibility gives you 100% complete freedom…the freedom to take a stand and to become everything that you were meant to be!
Value-add questions:
Give the readers the best entrepreneurship advice you have.
The best entrepreneur advice that I have is to know yourself. Know yourself to the core of your very own being. You can’t have anything in life (let alone a successful startup or business) until you know yourself and the very fiber that you operate on. This is crucial. The world, your best friend, your parents, your employees, your market at times, investors will all tell you at some point that you suck. That you have no idea of what you are doing and that your idea is crap. You have to know thyself so well, that when these conversations, comments, or feedback, shows up in you life that you don’t hear them. As if you are standing at the mountain top and they are screaming from the valley down below, you just don’t hear them. Why? Because, those comments have a way of knocking you out of alignment and worst, if you give them the power, they will have all they need to kick you off your God given path which is rightfully yours. Respectfully, they are not you and you are not them. I would suggest looking into some Emotional Intelligence courses based in leadership and personal development. I would do this prior to starting your business. This is how important it is. If you have already started your business…it’s never too late to get started on raising your emotional E.Q. If you have any questions about where to start when it comes to personal development or emotional intelligence classes, feel free to email me at [email protected] and I will be happy to introduce you to what we do or if not, point you in the direction of where you can start. Emotional intelligence has been the absolute biggest contributor to all of our and my own personal success. It’s a must have.
What should an entrepreneur focus on?
Every entrepreneur needs to know what you stand for, what you believe and where you stand in a world full of eight billion people. Knowing what unique characteristics (not talent because everyone has that) that’s attractable in you that makes you stand out. Emotional intelligence, personal internal development, personal brain growth (books and experiences that expand your brain capacity to grow), creating a happy place for your employees and vendors etc, (because happy employees and vendors make happy customers), and most importantly, learning how to say ‘No’. Community contribution is in there as well.
What are some of the best books you’ve ever read?
‘The brain that changes itself.’ by Norman Doidge
‘The Talent Code.’ By Daniel Coyle
and ‘Ask And It Is Given.’ By Esther & Jerry Hicks
Where do you see yourself and your product in a couple years?
I see WeWin360! Changing numerous communities and those who live in them including LA, Washington DC, NYC, MIAMI, and in Atlanta in next four years. In the next ten years expanding into international markets, impacting over one million lives and changing thirty communities, small towns, and cities across the globe.
Last but not least, who are your inspirations?
Manoj Bhargava. He’s an Indian American businessman and philanthropist (currently a billionaire) who is known for producing the 5-hour Energy drink. He has recently dedicated to investing 99% of his fortunate into humanity and moving our species forward.
Howard Schultz. The executive chairman of Starbucks and a former owner of the Seattle SuperSonics. Simple because of what he stands for. He was one of the first major household name brands to donate all of their unsold food to local charities. I have to admit, I am a little biased tho because they are one of our sponsors but, I still like where his head is at and his story is impressive.
Last, but not least.
Jeff Bezos, Chief Executive Officer of Amazon.com, the world’s largest online shopping retailer. His philanthropy game is on point and plus, he’s a ‘beast’ in business.
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