Meet Alando Durrett | Entrepreneur, Basketball Trainer, Model, Actor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alando Durrett and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alando, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started my own business because i wanted to be an owner of my own brand, i wanted to be financially free, i wanted something i can build my own wealth off of for my family going into the future.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Gifted handles is an innovative basketball training and apparel company. Mastering in the art of ball handling. Our Gifted Handles slogan is ‘The Heart Is In The Handles’. The meaning behind that slogan is exactly what it says, to maximize your handles and the game of basketball specifically your heart has to be in It. the passion for the game has to be there, just like anything great in life you want to accomplish you have to put your heart into.

What sets us apart, WE REALLY CARE. We care about what’s going on with our student athletes from school, home, personal life etc. We believe baskteball is a gateway to really build a bond that will last a lifetime. We are also in the entertainment space, so we work on movie sets, tv shows, music videos, helping the talent get ready for their basketball role with our top level Training.

I am most proud of seeing our student athletes crush their goals and move to the next levels in career and life. It gives me extra joy knowing we played a part in it. I’m also excited about the growth of our company and the new logo that’s been catching everyone’s eye. It has been a game changer for us on every level of business.

It definitely wasn’t easy especially when you are the one putting up the cash flow to fund your business. Your taking a gamble not knowing if its going to work or not. I never went into my business looking for family and friends to support first, But in my case it was actually family and friends that supported first Then other supporters came. It’s rewarding at the end When everything does workout.

Some of the lessons I’ve learned is relationships matter, consistency is very important, always striving to be better at your craft is important It helps when passing knowledge down to others in general, being a good person is important, never taking anything personal in business, business is business and it should be just that, making sure you have thorough legal team, make sure you trademark your logos and names so you don’t have to worry about someone taking your stuff and don’t be afraid to take risk sometimes you just have to jump off the bridge and hope for a safe landing.

I want people to know, I’m just getting started and my story is still being told.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m going to list off a bunch of my favorite spots to eat at. We are definitely going to the boiling crab, Tocayas, grilled fraiche, bossa nova, Yardies kitchen, mikes deli one of the best sandwich spots, go to the pike In Long Beach eat and hangout Like when i was a teen, Louis burger off rosecrans & bullies, sky’s tacos off pico Blvd, always have to take the newbies to Roscoe’s Long Beach or pico location, definitely have to hit chin chin in the sunset plaza area, when its time to get fly and get Mexican food you gotta hit javiers newport beach location. Can’t forget about Malibu seafood off PCH by Pepperdine, when your trying to keep it healthy you gotta hit simply wholesome off Slauson & overhill, when its time to have Fun and eat you gotta hit the sugar factory in century city my guy Nick Cannon owns that spot. Theres other restaurants i like to many to name, Shoutout Dulan’s and Mo Better burgers by Eve Fouche and Mother Tami Bennett. But nothing is better then that home cooked meal so definitely have to eat a few of those by my wife at our palace.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Yeah, I want to dedicate this shoutout to the quote “Do what you love and let the money follow” I’ve been living by this quote since 2010. What i love to do is almost anything dealing with basketball, because of basketball its open other doors to different opportunities like modeling, acting and me being The founder of the basketball company called Gifted Handles.

I want to give a shoutout to some people in my life that helped me a long the way and is currently still in the picture. First my mother Dorothy for always being there for me and pushing me along the way I wouldn’t be me without her. I have to give a huge shoutout to my wife Herlinda Durrett who always keeps me encourage and has been there for me since college, love you babe. I have to give credit to my cousin Jerrice who put the ball in my hand and was my first basketball trainer as a kid. Shoutout to my uncle Charles and my cousin Abasi always battling with me on the court to make me a stronger player. Big shoutout to my brother Jesse and my cousin/brother Andrew It’s been us 3 since day 1 and on Cali/Seattle boys. Big shoutout to NBA/WNBA Coach Tom Newell For always telling me to be a model to follow and i have a lot to give to the kids in the world. Another big shoutout to my uncle shaheed aka Big cap for being there through think and thin love ya unc. Shoutout to a big brother figure Lo aka Lorenzo Noria he’s been team me and Gifted handles since day 1. Another big brother figure shoutout is Dre Mitchell always in support of me. I have to give a big shoutout to one of my best friends Danielle Crawley Always looking out for me, supportive and one of the sweetest souls ever love ya. Shoutout to my guy Anthony cherry he is a day one supporter of Gifted handles and y’all go stream his music on all platforms. big shoutout to chuck aka the rapper Game he was another big supporter of gifted handles, training his son’s Harlem and Justice, and nephew shyheim parm. Shoutout to the bro Nick Cannon looking out for me and always Looking out for others in general on some Ncredible ish salute king. Big big shoutout to my business partner and friend Princess Vashion always supporting me and helping others we are on our way do everything together gang hahaha. Roni aka Geronica Moffett my great friend one of the best film makers always putting me in front of the camera when she’s working on a project, thank you salute queen. Shoutout to Tariq Nasheed put me in my first film with 1804 hidden history of Haiti y’all go check that. Shoutout to other family and friends who weren’t mention love you guys. Can’t forget the fan’s/supporters y’all keep me going, I cant do it without y’all much love.

Website: Www.giftedhandles.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/a3presidential?utm_medium=copy_link

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GiftedHandles/

Other: Business instagram Gifted Handles https://instagram.com/giftedhandles?utm_medium=copy_link Clothing site- https://giftedhandles.club/

Image Credits
AJ Lamor photography cover photo.