Westbrook Scales Enterprise to 40 Businesses with AI and Purpose Focus

Fireside Chat with Russell Westbrook with NBC News and Russell Westbrook Enterprises — Ai4

Ai4

Russell Westbrook argues that business performance and community purpose thrive side by side while leveraging artificial intelligence across his portfolio.

AI-assisted summary of Fireside Chat with Russell Westbrook with NBC News and Russell Westbrook Enterprises — original source. Check the original for full context.

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Detailed notes

## Background This video was published on YouTube by the channel Ai4 on August 22, 2026. The page description explains that NBA star Russell Westbrook speaks with NBC News's Jason Abbruzzese about the decade-long business journey behind Russell Westbrook Enterprises, detailing how his "Why Not?" philosophy shapes his investments and company building across 40+ ventures.

## TL;DR In this fireside chat, Russell Westbrook outlines the strategic principles behind Russell Westbrook Enterprises and its diverse portfolio, including ventures like Honor the Gift, RW Digital, and Easewell. He discusses balancing business performance with purpose-driven community impact in underserved areas and highlights how he leverages AI for demographic targeting, daily brainstorming, and scaling operations. Westbrook also shares insights on the responsibilities of business ownership, the value of sharing knowledge, and his goal to build a blueprint for pairing successful commerce with long-term youth inspiration.

## Atmosphere & style The conversation carries a warm, candid, and relaxed vibe, opening with lighthearted banter about the room's audience size before settling into an insightful dialogue. Westbrook speaks with approachable authority and humility, balancing his status as an elite athlete with a grounded passion for community uplift. The dynamic between Westbrook and Abbruzzese is smooth and conversational, giving the session an inspiring yet pragmatic feel as Westbrook demystifies his approach to business and AI.

## Key takeaways - [00:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=4s) Russell Westbrook Enterprises operates as a broad-based investment and operating group spanning tech, fashion, consumer goods, and sports without confining itself to a single industry. - [00:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=4s) The enterprise drives growth through a combination of direct investments, launching original brands, and backing external venture funds. - [00:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=13s) Westbrook spent over a decade learning directly from top business leaders to build the necessary foundation for managing his growing portfolio alongside his NBA career. - [00:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=20s) Flagship venture Honor the Gift focuses on providing affordable, high-quality fashion to empower underserved and inner-city communities. - [00:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=20s) RW Digital uses AI-driven programmatic media buying to help major brands connect with traditionally underrepresented demographics and specific zip codes. - [00:41](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=41s) Westbrook's investment criteria rest on three core pillars: community impact in underrepresented areas, a clear and meaningful founder 'why', and positive technological impact. - [00:41](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=41s) Westbrook rejects the idea that purpose and performance are mutually exclusive, asserting that impact and metrics can succeed together. - [00:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=6s) A central priority for Westbrook is sharing business knowledge openly with peers and athletes to empower others. - [00:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=6s) True business ownership requires full leadership responsibility, deep understanding of assets, and embracing the valuable lessons learned from trial and error. - [00:09](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=9s) Westbrook views AI as a powerful scaling tool to drive human connection, community building, and personal daily brainstorming. - [00:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=11s) Founders seeking partnership or investment from Westbrook Enterprises should directly highlight community access and impact in their pitches. - [00:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=11s) Easewell, co-founded by enterprise president Bevis, leverages AI to streamline administrative and financial processes for families navigating end-of-life care. - [00:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=11s) The long-term vision for Russell Westbrook Enterprises is to serve as the premier industry blueprint for combining business success with community uplift.

## Detailed walkthrough Here is a detailed, faithful walkthrough of the fireside chat transcript.

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[00:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=4s) Introduction and the Overview of Russell Westbrook Enterprises

Jason Abbruzzese of NBC News opens the conversation by noting that NBA star Russell Westbrook needs no formal introduction. Recalling Westbrook’s 2023 *Forbes* cover story—which proclaimed that "Russell Westbrook means business"—Abbruzzese points out that his business footprint has only expanded since. Westbrook thanks the audience for attending, lightheartedly acknowledging that while the crowd is a bit smaller than his morning session, he appreciates everyone coming out.

He then outlines the scope of Russell Westbrook Enterprises, explaining that the entity owns, creates, and directly invests in companies, as well as putting capital into other funds. Rather than confining himself to a single niche, Westbrook prides himself on avoiding being placed in a box, spanning diverse sectors such as technology, fashion, consumer goods, and sports. While he initially pondered whether he should restrict his focus to one specific industry, he quickly realized that approach did not suit him. Today, the enterprise concentrates on identifying opportunities to help scale businesses and uplift communities through strategic funding and direct support.

- Forbes featured Russell Westbrook on its cover in 2023 with the headline "Russell Westbrook Means Business." - Westbrook refuses to put his business ventures in a box, spanning tech, fashion, consumer goods, and sports. - The enterprise scales businesses via direct investment, launching original companies, and contributing to external funds.

[00:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=13s) Evolution of Westbrook’s Business Mindset

Reflecting on the origin and evolution of his enterprise, Westbrook shares that his biggest learning curve involved grasping the sheer time, energy, and effort required to build and manage a company. Over a decade ago, while actively building his NBA career, he made a conscious decision to seek out, meet with, and question some of the world's most successful business leaders. He expresses immense gratitude for taking that early initiative, as the techniques and insights he picked up back then continue to drive his business operations today.

- Took time 10 years ago during his NBA career to seek out and learn from leading global business figures. - Emphasizes that mastering business requires gaining an understanding of the necessary time, energy, and commitment.

[00:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=20s) Key Ventures: Honor the Gift and RW Digital

With Russell Westbrook Enterprises now involved in over 40 businesses and organizations, Abbruzzese asks Westbrook to highlight a couple of ventures particularly close to his heart. Westbrook points first to Honor the Gift, a clothing brand he launched roughly a decade ago. Grounded in inner-city, underserved communities, the brand’s mission is to make quality, stylish apparel accessible and affordable so consumers can feel confident without spending top dollar.

Second, he highlights RW Digital, a programmatic media buying company founded about four years ago. Designed to bridge corporations with underrepresented audiences, RW Digital uses AI to target specific demographics—including minority groups, varying age brackets, races, and specific zip codes—that brands may have previously overlooked or failed to engage. Beyond these flagship ventures, Westbrook notes that his overarching motivation across all 40+ investments is seeing others succeed, using his platform and resources to bring partnerships and capital to help small businesses scale.

- **Honor the Gift:** Westbrook's apparel brand founded ~10 years ago to provide affordable, confidence-building fashion targeted toward inner-city communities. - **RW Digital:** Programmatic media platform created ~4 years ago leveraging AI to help major corporations connect with minority groups, specific zip codes, and underrepresented demographics. - Involved in over 40 businesses, using his personal platform and resources to provide scale and strategic partnerships to small businesses.

[00:41](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=41s) Investment Philosophy and Core Values

When evaluating whether to invest in, found, or partner with a company, Westbrook relies on a straightforward set of core principles. First, the business must have a distinct community component that connects with underrepresented areas across the globe—a mission deeply personal to him having grown up in inner-city Los Angeles. Second, he presses founders on their fundamental "why," seeking to understand their underlying motivation. Finally, he evaluates how the company plans to utilize technology to generate a positive human impact.

Addressing Abbruzzese’s observation that many investors have shifted away from impact-oriented models toward purely performance-driven metrics, Westbrook insists that "performance and purpose can run side by side." For him, performance depends entirely on an organization's specific goals, but his personal priority will always lean toward leveraging his profile to uplift underserved communities.

- Investment criteria rests on three tenets: community focus in underserved areas, a clear and meaningful "why," and positive technological impact. - Westbrook grew up in inner-city Los Angeles, which grounds his passion for serving underrepresented communities. - Rejects the notion that purpose and performance are mutually exclusive, believing both can thrive together.

[00:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=6s) Sharing Knowledge and the Power of Ownership

When asked about his role as a business mentor to fellow athletes, Westbrook jokes that the single most common question he gets from peers is: "How do you have time to do all this stuff?" While he historically preferred quietly enjoying the journey without public fanfare, he has recently challenged himself to speak out more. He abides by the mantra that "it cost me nothing to give information," expressing confusion over society's tendency to hoard knowledge.

On the topic of ownership, Westbrook emphasizes that having a real stake in ventures brings significant leadership responsibility. True ownership requires intimately understanding the background, pros, and cons of an asset before taking it on. Although achieving success with an owned entity is deeply rewarding, he candidly admits that he enjoys the process itself even more—including the mistakes and missteps along the way—because of the invaluable lessons it teaches.

- Peers frequently ask Westbrook how he balances his demanding basketball career with his extensive business portfolio. - Strongly advocates for open information-sharing rather than withholding knowledge from others seeking advice. - Views business ownership as a responsibility that requires thorough understanding, leadership, and embracing the trial-and-error process.

[00:09](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=9s) Leveraging AI and Day-to-Day Use

Turning to the core theme of the conference, Abbruzzese asks how artificial intelligence fits into Westbrook's vision. Westbrook reiterates a point from his morning session: the true power of AI and technology lies in its ability to connect with millions of people from all walks of life. Because community building and human connection are central to his life's work, tech acts as an expansive scaling mechanism for that mission.

On a personal level, Westbrook admits to using AI tools like ChatGPT daily, revealing that he was using AI right before stepping onto the stage. He quips that he occasionally finds himself falling down an "AI hole," typing away as he explores new ideas and efforts to create. When asked about his ultimate goal for Russell Westbrook Enterprises, he explains that there is no fixed endpoint or maximum number of people to reach; rather, the objective is to continuously inspire youth and positively impact as many lives as possible through tech, fashion, and AI.

- Believes AI's greatest utility is its ability to foster connectivity across diverse global populations. - Uses AI platforms daily for brainstorming, learning, and business creation, admitting he easily falls down "AI holes." - Measures long-term enterprise goals by continuous positive impact and youth inspiration rather than a cap on numbers or monetary metrics.

[00:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=11s) Building the Team, Pitching Westbrook, and End-of-Life Care

Westbrook attributes much of his success to his team, noting how fortunate he is to work alongside longtime friends who share his vision and offer honest feedback. For example, the president of his company, Bevis, has been his close friend and partner since the ninth grade. When asked how entrepreneurs should pitch him, Westbrook smiles and advises founders to lead with community impact and access for underserved groups.

Abbruzzese asks about a particularly unique venture within their portfolio: a company focused on end-of-life care. Westbrook shares that his partner Bevis founded the business, named Easewell, after experiencing the loss of his parents and a mutual close friend. Westbrook notes that in the African American community and beyond, navigating a loved one's passing often leaves families blind to financial obligations, debts, or final wishes. Easewell integrates AI to streamline and centralize this critical information, making an emotionally taxing life transition significantly easier for grieving families.

Looking ahead 10 years, Westbrook hopes Russell Westbrook Enterprises is recognized as a premier blueprint for combining business, community uplift, and positive impact.

- **Team Leadership:** Westbrook Enterprises President Bevis has been Westbrook's friend and business partner since ninth grade. - **Pitching Advice:** Entrepreneurs pitching Westbrook should immediately highlight community benefits and access for underserved populations. - **Easewell:** An AI-integrated end-of-life platform founded by Bevis to help families manage administrative, financial, and relational details following the death of a family member. - **10-Year Vision:** Aspires for his enterprise to be viewed as the leading industry focal point for pairing successful business operations with community uplift.

## Notable quotes > [00:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=4s) Russell Westbrook means business — Jason Abbruzzese

> [04:41](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=281s) performance and purpose can run side by side — Russell Westbrook

> [00:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=6s) How do you have time to do all this stuff? — Russell Westbrook

> [00:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=6s) it cost me nothing to give information — Russell Westbrook

## Mentioned Russell Westbrook, Jason Abbruzzese, Russell Westbrook Enterprises, NBC News, Ai4, Forbes, Honor the Gift, RW Digital, ChatGPT, Bevis, Easewell

## Video description Jason Abbruzzese - Assistant Managing Editor, NBC News Russell Westbrook - Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Russell Westbrook Enterprises

Most people know one part of Russell Westbrook’s story. In conversation with NBC News’s Jason Abbruzzese at Ai4, he reveals the over a decade of business leadership behind Westbrook Enterprises, the operating and investment group through which he has founded, owned or helped scale more than 40 companies, and how his “Why Not?” philosophy guides what he creates, where he invests and what he looks for in the next generation of companies.

[Source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA)

中文简报

威斯布鲁克依托AI与使命导向将企业版图扩展至40家业务 拉塞尔·威斯布鲁克认为，商业表现与社区使命可以共同繁荣，并在其投资组合中充分利用了人工智能。 在本次炉边谈话中，拉塞尔·威斯布鲁克阐述了 Russell Westbrook Enterprises 及其多元化投资组合（包括 Honor the Gift、RW Digital 和 Easewell 等企业）背后的战略原则。他探讨了如何在欠发达地区平衡商业表现与以使命为驱动的社区影响，并重点介绍了自己如何借助人工智能进行人群定向、日常头脑风暴以及规模化运营。威斯布鲁克还分享了关于企业所有权责任的见解、分享知识的价值，以及他致力于构建将商业成功与长期激励青年相结合的发展蓝图这一目标。 Russell Westbrook Enterprises 是一家涵盖科技、时尚、消费品和体育等广泛领域的综合性投资与运营集团，并不局限于单一行业。 (0:04) 该企业通过直接投资、创立自有品牌以及支持外部风险投资基金相结合的方式推动业务增长。 (0:04) 威斯布鲁克花了十多年时间直接向顶尖商业领袖请教学习，为在征战 NBA 的同时管理自己日益扩大的投资组合打下了必要基础。 (0:13) 旗舰品牌 Honor the Gift 专注于提供价格实惠且高品质的时尚服饰，以此为资源匮乏的内城社区赋能。 (0:20) RW Digital 利用 AI 驱动的程序化媒体采购，协助各大品牌与传统上代表性不足的人群及特定邮政编码区域建立连接。 (0:20)

Reading summary

NBA player Russell Westbrook manages an enterprise spanning over 40 businesses, centering his investment thesis on the premise that commercial performance and community impact can operate together. Scope and Strategic Evolution of the Enterprise (0:04) Russell Westbrook Enterprises operates by founding companies, investing directly, and deploying capital into third-party funds across technology, fashion, consumer goods, and sports. Westbrook rejects limiting his holdings to a single sector, stating that his current model focuses on providing strategic capital and partnerships to help small businesses scale. His approach began evolving over a decade ago while building his athletic career, during which he consulted established global business leaders to understand the operational commitment, time, and energy required to run scalable enterprises. Investment Thesis Grounded in Underserved Communities (0:41) Westbrook evaluates investments through three core criteria: a demonstrable community focus serving underrepresented areas, a clearly defined underlying motivation from the founders, and the integration of technology to produce positive human outcomes. This focus stems from his upbringing in inner-city Los Angeles. While moderator Jason Abbruzzese observed that mainstream venture models increasingly prioritize purely performance-based metrics over social impact, Westbrook asserts that purpose and performance are not mutually exclusive and must run parallel. Flagship Deployments Across Media, Apparel, and Healthcare (0:20) The portfolio features ventures designed around access and demographic inclusion. Honor the Gift, an apparel label founded roughly a decade ago, creates affordable clothing aimed at inner-city consumers. In programmatic media, RW Digital uses artificial intelligence to connect corporate brands with demographic segments, racial minorities, and specific zip codes that Westbrook argues are frequently overlooked by traditional marketing strategies. Within healthcare and administration, Westbrook highlighted Easewell, an AI-enabled end-of-life care startup founded by the enterprise's president, Bevis. Westbrook noted that families in African American communities and elsewhere often face sudden logistical confusion regarding debts, assets, and final wishes following a relative's death; the platform applies AI to centralize and organize critical financial and estate records during bereavement. Operational Integration of Artificial Intelligence (0:09) Westbrook positions artificial intelligence as a mechanism to achieve scale in community connectivity. Beyond programmatic targeting in RW Digital and estate organization in Easewell, he reports using consumer generative AI tools like ChatGPT on a daily basis for brainstorming and workflow ideation, viewing technology as an expansive distribution channel rather than an end in itself. Philosophy of Ownership and Knowledge Sharing (0:06) Westbrook distinguishes true business ownership by the degree of accountability it demands, arguing that equity holders must understand an asset's full operational liabilities and learn continuously through operational errors. Emphasizing a policy of open information-sharing with athletic peers and entrepreneurs, he advises founders seeking investment to lead their proposals with community accessibility and societal impact. Looking across a ten-year horizon, Westbrook aims for Russell Westbrook Enterprises to serve as an industry model for integrating commercial success with community uplift, though the exact benchmarks for reaching and scaling these impact goals remain qualitative rather than bounded by fixed metrics.

精炼阅读摘要

NBA球星Russell Westbrook在接受NBC News采访时表示，其旗下投资实体Russell Westbrook Enterprises正通过自主孵化、直接投资及注资外部基金的方式跨足多元行业；他强调商业回报与社会使命并不冲突，企业核心在于利用资本与技术赋能少数族裔和弱势社区。 跨领域商业布局与所有权管理 (0:04) Westbrook回顾，Russell Westbrook Enterprises目前已涉足超过40家企业和机构，业务涵盖科技、时尚、消费品及体育等领域。他在十多年前建立NBA职业生涯的同时，便主动向全球顶尖商业领袖请教，由此认识到创办与管理企业所需投入的时间、精力和持续承诺。不同于将业务拘泥于单一垂直领域的传统策略，他更倾向于通过多元化布局支持小型企业扩张，并为社区发展提供战略性资金扶持。 在谈及企业所有权时，Westbrook强调持有资产意味着必须承担明确的领导责任，深入掌握项目的背景及利弊。他表示自己享受创业过程中的试错与教训，并倡导打破知识壁垒、公开分享商业见解，以此协助向其咨询时间管理和商业运作的同行运动员。 兼顾商业回报与社区赋能的投资准则 (0:41) 针对投资界近年来逐渐淡化社会影响力、转向纯粹财务指标的趋势，Westbrook明确反对将社会使命与商业回报割裂开来，认为两项指标完全可以并行不悖。他早年在洛杉矶内城区的成长背景，促使其将服务弱势群体和资源匮乏社区置于核心考察维度。 根据Westbrook的说明，其团队的投资评估框架主要围绕三项原则：第一，标的业务必须具备清晰的社区赋能属性，能与边缘化群体建立联系；第二，创业团队必须展现出真诚且明确的底层动机；第三，企业需明确规划如何通过技术手段对人类生活产生正向影响。 标志性业务案例：时尚与数字媒体 (0:20) 在旗下40余项投资中，Westbrook重点提及了服装品牌Honor the Gift与数字媒体采买平台RW Digital。创立约十年的Honor the Gift植根于内城边缘社区，主打高性价比、兼顾品质与设计的日常服饰，旨在让消费群体无须承担昂贵费用即可建立自信。 成立约四年的RW Digital则是一家程序化媒体采买公司。该平台利用人工智能算法协助跨国企业精准触达以往容易被忽视的细分群体，涵盖少数族裔、特定年龄层、不同种族以及特定邮政编码区域的受众。Westbrook指出，这两家核心企业集中体现了利用自身平台与商业资源帮助小型企业提升体量的运作逻辑。 人工智能赋能连接与临终关怀平台 (0:09) Westbrook在对谈中指出，人工智能与先进技术的根本价值在于打破壁垒、连接不同背景的多元群体，成为推动社区建设和扩展社会影响力的倍增器。他透露自己日常频繁使用ChatGPT等AI工具进行商业方案构想，并依靠长期信任的团队推进落地——其企业总裁Bevis为其自九年级起相识的挚友，二人要求外部创业者在推介项目时必须优先阐明社区价值与普及性。 在该团队孵化的项目中，临终关怀平台Easewell展示了AI的具体落地形态。该项目由Bevis在经历亲友离世后创立，针对非裔等社区在处理亲人后事时常常面临的财务不清、债务盲区和遗愿缺失等难题，利用AI技术集中整合并理顺行政与财务事务，以减轻家属在悲痛期的心理与经济负担。 Westbrook期望Russell Westbrook Enterprises在未来十年内能成为成熟商业运作与社区提升深度融合的行业典范。不过，本场对谈并未披露其40余项投资组合的具体财务回报数据或基金分配规模，亦未对AI技术在复杂监管环境及敏感家庭场景下的长期落地挑战作深入论证。

Detailed notes — zh

## Background 该视频由行业大会频道 Ai4 于 YouTube 平台发布，记录了 NBC News 助理执行主编 Jason Abbruzzese 与 Russell Westbrook Enterprises 创始人兼 CEO、著名球星拉塞尔·威斯布鲁克（Russell Westbrook）的炉边对谈。视频简介显示，威斯布鲁克在对话中揭秘了他十多年来的商业领导历程、其旗下创立与投资超 40 家公司的企业版图，以及“Why Not?”哲学如何指引其商业创造与科技投资。 ## TL;DR 威斯布鲁克在对谈中深入拆解了 Russell Westbrook Enterprises 的发展逻辑，强调拒绝被单一框架定义，其生态已覆盖 AI 科技、时尚潮流与消费民生等多元领域。他重点分享了平价品质服装品牌 Honor the Gift、利用 AI 算法连接少数族裔受众的 RW Digital 以及聚焦临终关怀管理的科技平台 Easewell。威斯布鲁克明确指出，他的投资决策始终围绕社区联结、创业初衷与科技赋能三大支柱展开，坚定践行商业表现与社会使命并重的向善理念。 ## Atmosphere & style 整场炉边对谈氛围轻松坦诚且极具亲和力，威斯布鲁克褪去了赛场上的激烈锋芒，展现出成熟商业领袖的沉稳、务实与开阔格局。对话节奏流畅自然，在谈及内城区成长背景、与多年挚友的商业信任以及亲友离世催生科技创新的经历时，情绪真挚动人且充满温情的人文关怀，让观众深切感受到一种超越金钱回报的深刻使命感与启发感。 ## Key takeaways - [00:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=4s) Russell Westbrook Enterprises 拒绝被单一赛道定义，集自主孵化、全资持有与对外投资于一体，生态跨越科技、时尚、消费品与体育等多元领域。 - [01:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=90s) 威斯布鲁克历经十余年商业探索并深度参与超 40 家企业，旗下核心项目包括平价潮流品牌 Honor the Gift 以及利用 AI 连接边缘受众的程序化广告平台 RW Digital。 - [04:16](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=256s) 投资与合作决策恪守三大核心支柱：深度联结弱势社区、具备清晰坚定的创业初衷（The "Why"），以及通过科技为大众生活带来正向改变。 - [04:16](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=256s) 商业表现与社会使命并非对立关系，但若项目无法赋能弱势群体或引起社区共鸣，即使预期财务回报可观也会果断放弃。 - [06:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=395s) 威斯布鲁克奉行“分享信息毫无成本”的信条，乐于向运动员同行与年轻创业者公开商业经验，打破认知壁垒。 - [06:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=395s) 真正的资产所有权（Ownership）意味着沉甸甸的领导责任，不仅要透彻理解业务底层逻辑，更要在摸爬滚打与试错中享受学习过程。 - [08:59](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=539s) AI 与前沿科技的核心价值在于高效打破边界、连接不同背景的社群，威斯布鲁克自身也是 AI 工具的高频深度探索者。 - [08:59](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=539s) 企业发展不设具体上限，其终极追求是持续通过科技、时尚等载体最大化拓展启发与赋能的人群规模。 - [11:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=679s) 企业依托高度互信且敢于直言的长期伙伴共同运营；向其宣讲项目（Pitch）的关键在于以社区赋能作为首要切入点。 - [13:09](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=789s) 旗下临终关怀科技平台 Easewell 借助 AI 自动化整合后事与财务交接，解决少数族裔及边缘家庭在亲友离世时面临的信息混乱困境。 - [13:09](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=789s) 未来十年的核心愿景是将企业打造为行业标杆，树立商业投资、社区赋能与社会影响力完美融合的商业向善典范。 ## Detailed walkthrough ### [00:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=4s) 创立 Russell Westbrook Enterprises：拒绝被标签与单一赛道定义 对谈在轻松幽默的氛围中展开。主持人 Jason Abbruzzese 提到，拉塞尔·威斯布鲁克（Russell Westbrook）早在 2023 年就登上了《福布斯》（Forbes）杂志封面，当时封面文章的标题便是“威斯布鲁克意味着商业”（Russell Westbrook Means Business），而在那之后他的商业帝国仍在不断壮大。威斯布鲁克首先笑着向在场的观众致谢，调侃下午的场子比早晨小了一些，但更具亲和力。在阐释自己的商业组织 Russell Westbrook Enterprises 时，他将其定义为一个集自主创立、全资持有以及对外投资于一体的综合平台，其核心使命是通过直接投资、母基金联动等多种形式，为企业提供资金与资源支持，帮助他们实现规模化扩张并产生社会影响力。 威斯布鲁克特别强调，自己职业生涯中最引以为傲的特质之一就是“拒绝被局限在单一框架中”（not being put into a box），而他也将这种哲学完全融入到了企业的战略布局中。在刚起步时，他也曾纠结过是否应该深耕某一个细分赛道（Niche），但很快意识到这种单一模式并不适合自己的愿景。因此，他的企业生态跨越了科技、时尚、消费品以及体育等多元领域，每天都在探索如何通过赋能与赋权，帮助更多初创企业完成跨越式发展。 ```mermaid flowchart TD accTitle: Russell Westbrook Enterprises 战略架构 subgraph CoreEngine["Russell Westbrook Enterprises 核心定位"] A["自主孵化与创立"] B["战略直投与基金联动"] C["资源赋能与规模化加速"] end subgraph MultiSectors["跨领域业务矩阵"] D["科技与人工智能 (AI)"] E["时尚与潮流 (Honor the Gift)"] F["消费品与民生健康"] G["体育生态与文化连接"] end CoreEngine --> MultiSectors ``` --- ### [01:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=90s) 商业版图与核心项目：Honor the Gift 与 RW Digital 回顾自己十年来的商业进化之路，威斯布鲁克分享道，理解商业的本质需要投入海量的时间、精力和心力。早在十年前征战 NBA 期间，他就主动走出舒适区，去拜访并请教全球顶尖的商业领袖，通过不断提问汲取商业经验。如今，Russell Westbrook Enterprises 已经深度参与或投资了 40 多家企业与机构。在庞大的投资组合中，他重点分享了两个倾注最多心血、最贴近他个人初心的核心项目： 第一个是他创立约十年的自主服装品牌 **Honor the Gift**。该品牌深深植根于大城市内城区（Inner city）与资源匮乏的弱势社区，初衷是让那些买不起昂贵奢侈品的大众也能买得起兼具品质与设计感的服装，让他们通过品牌穿出自信。第二个项目则是与本次 AI 峰会高度契合的 **RW Digital**。这是一家创立约四年的程序化媒体采买（Programmatic Media Buying）技术平台，旨在利用 AI 算法连接大型企业与传统广告往往覆盖不到的少数族裔、特定年龄层及特定邮编区域的多元受众。威斯布鲁克表示，看到他人取得成功是自己最大的快乐，因此他乐于利用自己的平台和资源为有潜力的小企业打通合作通路。 --- ### [04:16](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=256s) 投资与合作的三大核心支柱：社区、初心与正向影响力 当被问及在兼具创始人、投资人和合作伙伴等多重身份时如何做决策，威斯布鲁克坦言自己的筛选标准非常清晰且坚定。他在商业和生活中始终恪守三大核心原则： * **社区联结（Community Component）：** 业务是否能与弱势群体或代表性不足的边缘社群（Underrepresented Areas）建立深厚联系。威斯布鲁克成长于洛杉矶内城区，这一背景让他对回馈社区有着天然的使命感。 * **探寻初衷（The "Why"）：** 创业团队必须能够清晰、有力地解释自己为什么做这件事及其背后的底层意义。 * **正向技术影响力（Positive Impact through Tech）：** 技术或产品能否为大众的生活带来实实在在的积极改变。 ```mermaid flowchart LR accTitle: 威斯布鲁克的投资评估决策流 subgraph Filter["决策三大支柱"] F1["1. 社区联结与弱势群体覆盖"] F2["2. 探寻创业初衷 (The Why)"] F3["3. 科技赋能与正向社会影响"] end subgraph Action["决策输出"] DEC{"是否契合标准？"} YES["推进投资 / 合作 / 资源整合"] NO["果断放弃交易 (Pass)"] end Filter --> DEC DEC -- 是 --> YES DEC -- 否 --> NO ``` 面对主持人提出的行业趋势疑问——即前几年市场热衷于谈论社会责任，而如今资本全面转向紧盯商业表现（Performance），威斯布鲁克回应道，“商业表现与使命初衷完全可以并驾齐驱”。对他而言，衡量表现不仅关乎财务回报，更关乎是否达成了赋能弱势群体的战略目标。如果一个项目无法与社区产生积极共鸣，哪怕商业数据再亮眼，他也会果断放弃。 --- ### [06:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=395s) 运动员榜样与资产所有权（Ownership）的责任 作为体育界向商界跨界的领军人物，威斯布鲁克经常被其他运动员请教如何平衡时间与开启商业投资。他笑着透露，大家最常问他的第一个问题就是：“你究竟哪来的时间做这么多事？”威斯布鲁克认为，自己过去的习惯是默默做事，低调看团队成功，但现在他也在挑战自己，更多地在公开场合分享经验。他奉行一条人生信条：“分享信息对我来说毫无成本（It costs me nothing to give information）。”他坦言无法理解当今社会上许多人将行业认知与信息藏着掖着的做法，只要同行发问，他很乐意知无不言。 谈到“所有权”（Ownership）的深层含义时，威斯布鲁克神情严肃地指出，拥有资产并不只是一种成就感，它更意味着沉甸甸的领导责任。真正的掌控者必须深入理解业务的底层逻辑、行业利弊以及运营全貌。他直言，最让他享受的其实不是最终成功的瞬间，而是摸爬滚打的整个过程——在试错中看清哪些该做、哪些不该做，从走过的弯路中不断学习与校准方向。 --- ### [08:59](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=539s) AI 赋能连接与无上限的赋能愿景 围绕峰会的 AI 主题，威斯布鲁克分享了他对人工智能的独特视角。他认为，AI 与先进科技最大的魅力在于打破边界的“连接力”——它能以极高的效率将全球数以百万计、处于不同人生阶段和背景的人紧密连接在一起，这与他始终倡导的社区凝聚力不谋而合。被问及个人的使用习惯时，他大方承认自己每天都在高频使用 AI 工具（包括 GPT），甚至在登台前一刻还在使用，经常在输入提示词、探索新知识和新点子的过程中陷入停不下来的“AI 探索黑洞”。 当探讨 Russell Westbrook Enterprises 的终极目标时，威斯布鲁克表示： > “我不确定是否存在一个具体的终点线，但我每天都在挑战并激励我的团队：无论我们创造什么、拥有什么，都要尽可能广泛地启发和影响他人。无论通过科技、时尚还是 AI，正向影响的人群数量没有上限。” --- ### [11:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=679s) 信任团队与向 Russell Westbrook 项目宣讲（Pitch）的正确方式 商业运作离不开高效互信的幕后班底。威斯布鲁克动情地表示，自己非常幸运能与相识多年的挚友并肩作战。比如他的商业合伙人兼企业总裁 Donnell Beverly（Bev），两人从高一（9th Grade）就已相识。在商业世界中，能与既深切关心彼此、又敢于随时讲真话的人共事，是一份巨大的福分。 对于那些渴望向 Russell Westbrook Enterprises 寻求投资或合作的创业者，威斯布鲁克给出了明确的“通关密码”：宣讲时务必直接以“社区”作为开篇切入点，清楚说明该项目如何赋能那些缺乏资源的边缘人群。因为包括他创立的 Why Not? 基金会在内，整个威斯布鲁克商业生态系统正是以社区为跳板与底色构筑起来的。 --- ### [13:09](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=789s) 临终关怀科技 Easewell 与未来十年的商业向善愿景 威斯布鲁克在对谈中深入介绍了企业旗下创立的一家特殊科技公司——**Easewell**。这家聚焦于临终关怀与后事管理规划的企业由其合伙人 Donnell Beverly 主导创立，其创立背景源自亲友离世的沉痛个人经历：Beverly 先后失去了双亲，两人也共同失去了一位挚友。在非裔社区成长的经历让他们深知，亲人去世时往往会留下复杂的债务、未交接的财产和未竟的人际联系，家属在极度悲痛中往往无从着手整合信息。Easewell 平台通过引入 AI 技术，自动化整理各类生前规划与遗留事项，帮助亲友在最艰难的生命过渡阶段更加从容、体面地完成交接。 在对谈尾声，展望未来十年的发展愿景时，威斯布鲁克总结道，他希望十年后人们回顾 Russell Westbrook Enterprises 的历程时，会一致认为他们树立了一个行业标杆——树立了一个“如何将商业投资、社区赋能与社会影响力完美融合”的典范，成为以商业向善推动社会公平发展的核心力量。 ## Notable quotes > [00:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=4s) 威斯布鲁克意味着商业 — Jason Abbruzzese / 《福布斯》 > [00:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=4s) 拒绝被局限在单一框架中 — Russell Westbrook > [01:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=90s) 看到他人取得成功是自己最大的快乐 — Russell Westbrook > [04:16](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=256s) 商业表现与使命初衷完全可以并驾齐驱 — Russell Westbrook > [06:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=395s) 你究竟哪来的时间做这么多事？ — 运动员同行 > [06:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=395s) 分享信息对我来说毫无成本（It costs me nothing to give information） — Russell Westbrook > [06:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=395s) 拥有资产并不只是一种成就感，它更意味着沉甸甸的领导责任。 — Russell Westbrook > [08:59](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=539s) 我不确定是否存在一个具体的终点线，但我每天都在挑战并激励我的团队：无论我们创造什么、拥有什么，都要尽可能广泛地启发和影响他人。无论通过科技、时尚还是 AI，正向影响的人群数量没有上限。 — Russell Westbrook > [11:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=679s) 在商业世界中，能与既深切关心彼此、又敢于随时讲真话的人共事，是一份巨大的福分。 — Russell Westbrook > [13:09](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA&t=789s) 如何将商业投资、社区赋能与社会影响力完美融合 — Russell Westbrook ## Mentioned Russell Westbrook, Jason Abbruzzese, Russell Westbrook Enterprises, NBC News, Ai4, Forbes, Honor the Gift, RW Digital, Why Not? 基金会, Donnell Beverly, Easewell, GPT ## Video description Jason Abbruzzese - Assistant Managing Editor, NBC News Russell Westbrook - Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Russell Westbrook Enterprises Most people know one part of Russell Westbrook’s story. In conversation with NBC News’s Jason Abbruzzese at Ai4, he reveals the over a decade of business leadership behind Westbrook Enterprises, the operating and investment group through which he has founded, owned or helped scale more than 40 companies, and how his “Why Not?” philosophy guides what he creates, where he invests and what he looks for in the next generation of companies. [Source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYULli31aA)

Source quotes

[0:04] Jason Abbruzzese / 《福布斯》: 威斯布鲁克意味着商业 [0:04] Russell Westbrook: 拒绝被局限在单一框架中 [1:30] Russell Westbrook: 看到他人取得成功是自己最大的快乐 [4:16] Russell Westbrook: 商业表现与使命初衷完全可以并驾齐驱 [6:35] 运动员同行: 你究竟哪来的时间做这么多事？ [6:35] Russell Westbrook: 分享信息对我来说毫无成本（It costs me nothing to give information） [6:35] Russell Westbrook: 拥有资产并不只是一种成就感，它更意味着沉甸甸的领导责任。 [8:59] Russell Westbrook: 我不确定是否存在一个具体的终点线，但我每天都在挑战并激励我的团队：无论我们创造什么、拥有什么，都要尽可能广泛地启发和影响他人。无论通过科技、时尚还是 AI，正向影响的人群数量没有上限。 [11:19] Russell Westbrook: 在商业世界中，能与既深切关心彼此、又敢于随时讲真话的人共事，是一份巨大的福分。 [13:09] Russell Westbrook: 如何将商业投资、社区赋能与社会影响力完美融合

Source quotes

[0:04] Jason Abbruzzese: Russell Westbrook means business [4:41] Russell Westbrook: performance and purpose can run side by side [0:06] Russell Westbrook: How do you have time to do all this stuff? [0:06] Russell Westbrook: it cost me nothing to give information

Original transcript

[0:04] man next to me needs no introduction so I'm  not going to spend a lot of time on one. You [0:07] were on the cover of Forbes and thank you in 2023  said Russell Westbrook means business three years [0:13] since since then it's only grown. Uh you gave us  a preview earlier today of what Russell Westbrook [0:19] Enterprises is. But let's start there. Walk  us through what it is. Uh first and foremost, [0:24] thank you guys for coming out. It's great. It's a  lot smaller crowd than this morning. just one of [0:29] those a lot of people. But thank you guys. Yeah,  man. Russell Westbrook Enterprises. We um we own, [0:36] we create, we invest in companies. Um we find ways  to uh uplift impact um scale uh through funding, [0:48] through other ways, through investing directly,  through other funds. Um but not just that, we in [0:54] multiple areas which allows us to be able to be  in tech, fashion, technology, um consumer goods, [1:01] obviously sports, every area. One thing that  I always pride myself on has not been put into [1:07] a box. And with my enterprise, I kind of do the  same thing. When I first started, I was like, man, [1:13] maybe I need to like be in one particular niche.  Um and I decided that didn't work well for me. So, [1:19] uh, every day we try to find ways to be able  to, um, find an area where we can create, um, [1:25] help scale help someone scale their business.  Excellent. And you said from the beginning, [1:30] you know, when you started, take us back to that.  What was it like starting it out and and what's [1:35] the evolution been like for you? Yeah, you know,  I was talking about this a little bit earlier. Um, [1:38] I think one of the biggest things that I  would say that um really taught me a lot [1:43] was just learning and understanding business,  understanding exactly the time, the energy, [1:48] the effort it takes to be able to manage and  create a business. And through my NBA career, [1:56] I took the time, you know, 10 years ago to be able  to meet um go meet and explore, ask questions with [2:04] some of the most successful business people in  the world. And um that to me took time and took [2:10] some some energy and I'm grateful for that time  because it allowed me to be able to now to this [2:15] day uh use some of those techniques I learned  at a young age. You guys are involved in now [2:20] more than 40 businesses and organizations is my  understanding of it. I I wanted to see if you [2:26] could talk about if there's a couple just just top  of mind that you know you'd want to highlight like [2:32] what what drew you to those organizations.  What do you like about them? Yeah, I mean [2:36] I think ones that are really close to home to me,  I would say two that um I mentioned today. One is [2:43] Honor the Gift. Honor the Gift is my clothing  brand that I I created about 10 years ago. [2:49] um and based around the inner city underserved  to find a way to be able to um make clothing [2:55] affordable um for people that can't afford the  expensive things but allowing them to be able to [3:02] be confident uh with the brand and and and follow  a brand. And then the next one that really relates [3:08] to obviously this conference is RW digital. It's  a programmatic med media buying business that I [3:15] created um about four years ago that um we find  ways to connect with um big corporations, use our [3:25] AI to be able to connect with audiences that um  they particularly may want to reach um and or may [3:31] not have reached in the past, different minority  groups, ages, race, um different zip codes. And [3:38] it's been a a good journey and something that  I think those two are probably the most close [3:42] to home for me because um I've been learning a lot  about the business and I spend probably most of my [3:48] time on on both of those two and then the others  um that we've just been working on just I really [3:54] enjoy seeing other people do well. So, anytime  I have an opportunity to be able to help scale [4:01] somebody's small business, whether it's through  funding or just through our resources that we have [4:05] with the platform that I'm given to help uh bring  other resources, other partnerships to help scale [4:12] um somebody else's company, I'm always in for  that as well. Yeah. Yeah. And so you you've been [4:17] a founder, you've been an investor, you've done  partnerships, you know, what's the thought process [4:21] for you in terms of how when you find something  you want to get involved with, how do you decide [4:26] to way? Yeah. You know what? It's uh I wouldn't  say it's simple, but it's easy for me. Like I I [4:31] have some core values that I I stick by and that  I as a business and in life in general um areas [4:37] I like to attack. Um first of them is if they have  a community component a component a component that [4:44] finds a way to be able to connect with community  primarily underrepresented areas across the world. [4:50] Um I grew up in the inner city of Los Angeles  so th those areas are home to me. Um second [4:56] uh to me is their why like why why why and and and  explain to me like what that means and and always [5:04] ask that question because it's very important. And  then lastly to me is like uh how are you going to [5:09] use this technology to impact people positively?  And that's always a way for me to be able to tell [5:15] if I'm going to invest, if I'm going to partner,  um if I'm going to just be a part of the company [5:21] in itself. Um and it's an easy answer for me. I've  passed on deals and different things because of [5:27] things on the line. I'm I'm always trying to find  ways to use companies to impact people positively, [5:34] especially in areas that um are underrepresented,  underserved that may not have the resources that [5:40] everybody else. Yeah. You you talked about kind of  serving underserved communities, thinking looking [5:45] at opportunities that maybe other people have  passed over. This is something I think we've heard [5:49] about, you know, uh five, six years ago was really  hot. Yeah. Now it feels like maybe people have [5:54] started to think a little differently. They're a  little more zeroed in on performance. Yeah. Does [5:58] that change your outlook on this at all? Um,  yeah. I mean, I think performance and purpose, [6:05] you know, can run side by side. It just to me it  depends on exactly uh what's your purpose and what [6:13] performance you're trying to get out of it and  kind of what's your goal. For me in particular, [6:18] I'm always trying to find a way uh or a company  to be able to help the underserved just cuz [6:24] that's what's home to me. Um, and if I can use  my platform and my abilities to be able to do so, [6:30] um, and other people performance, I I I lean more  towards that way. You know, in terms of, you know, [6:36] as a [snorts] as a role model for other players,  you know, talk to me about what that's like. Do [6:41] do you talk with other athletes about here's  how to get into this, you know, what what kind [6:45] of questions do you get from people, you know, at  your level? Uh, one is how how do I have time to [6:51] do all this stuff? That's like the first question  I get. Uh mostly I I'm always what I what I what [6:58] I don't do is which I've challenged myself to do  more is just like um talk more about what I do. [7:06] Like I I I really enjoy um the journey and seeing  people do well without people noticing cuz I think [7:13] that's what matters the most. Um but for a lot  of times my colleagues if they have questions I'm [7:20] always open to give information. um this model I  live by of like uh I was telling someone the other [7:26] day like it cost me nothing to give information.  I think in our world today our society people [7:32] withhold information like it's I don't know  you know I'm I'm always confused by people with [7:38] that. So if somebody asks me a question I have no  problem sharing information. Um I'm no genius by [7:44] any means but I have no problem sharing my opinion  and my thoughts on it if it's going to help them [7:49] at least. What's the important of ownership to  you? What is the importance of of having a stake [7:54] and and seeing you know things that like you know  you're not not just you are a part of but other [7:59] people in your orbit are a part of like how does  that change your perspective on on what you're [8:03] doing? Um it's very important. I think ownership  is something that you know I've always aspired [8:09] to to do but I think it comes with responsibility  comes with responsibility of leading and not just [8:15] leading but also understanding. I think a lot  of times um and I've been taught this by other [8:21] people and advisers of mine of like you want  to own somebody you have to understanding what [8:25] you're owning, understanding the the pros, the  cons, understanding the background of exactly [8:29] what you want to own. Um and in the mix of that,  understanding how to lead and be a leader. Um and [8:36] uh it's one of the most I think successful  thing you own something of yourself. You see [8:41] the success of something that you own is is  a really good feeling. But I think the best [8:45] part of it is the process which I enjoy more than  anything because the process shows me all the dos [8:51] and don'ts and things that I thought I was doing  well that may not turned out so well and which [8:56] happens but it allows me to be able to learn and  understand exactly what I'm doing. We are at an [9:00] AI conference so I do have to talk about AI. You  you said this morning uh I'm I'm paraphrasing a [9:05] little bit you know that the the promise of AI  is what more people will be able to do because [9:10] of it and with it. Um, where do you see that in in  the business world and business opportunity? Um, [9:14] one thing I I and I I'll add on it from this  morning, one thing I I love about just AI and [9:20] tech itself that I really believe like technology  allows you to be able to use a technology. Um, [9:28] and whatever technology allows it to connect with  a million millions of people across the world. And [9:34] that's one thing I love about just AI and tech in  itself. It allows uh it to be able to connect all [9:40] different type of people from all different shapes  of life. And to me, that's the biggest part of [9:44] it. Uh because it connects with me cuz community  and people and connect connectivity is something [9:50] that I strive to do. And in technology, you can do  the same thing regardless of exactly what it is. [9:55] But you're able to kind of connect with so many  different people just using AI. Can I ask, do you [10:00] use AI much in in your day-to-day, the GPT? Yeah.  Yeah. Yeah. I use AI. I was just using it before I [10:05] got on the stage. uh and sometime I I catch myself  in this uh AI hole of typing and trying to learn [10:12] and and create so many things but I definitely  use it uh daily for sure. Is there any sort of [10:19] end goal here like like is there somewhere where  you're pointed toward like with Russell Westwick [10:24] Enterprises you know an an end an ultimate goal  that you feel like you're kind of pursuing? Um, [10:30] I don't know if there's a goal, but what I'll  say is this, like I strive daily and challenge [10:38] my team and I'm grateful to have an amazing team  that whatever that we are creating and that we [10:43] own that we impact and inspire as many people as  possible. And whether that's through technology, [10:51] through fashion, through um anything that we're  working on through a AI, whatever that may be, [10:58] that we impact and inspire as many people possible  in a positive way. And to me, that's the goal that [11:07] there's no end goal. There's no maximum amount  of people, but that is something that I want [11:12] to be able to do to inspire the youth and people  around to be able to do the same and to do as much [11:18] as you guys are doing. I'm sure you have to have  that team you just talked about. Talk to me about [11:21] what it's like, you know, thinking [snorts]  about who the who are you trying to surround [11:24] yourself with when you're pursuing those goals.  Yeah, I've been I've been um lucky and blessed [11:29] enough to be able to work with my friends um and  um a lot of my workers, my president Bev, he's [11:38] he's he's somewhere around here, but he's he's my  partner and I've known him since the ninth grade, [11:45] other friends I've known um a lot of times. So  to be able to create something that in a business [11:51] that you love with people that also care can also  not just care but also be honest with you to me is [11:57] one of the a blessing um and being able to create  something like this and I'm just grateful to be [12:03] able to do that with people that um you know see  the same thing that I see the same goals and have [12:10] the same aspirations as me as well. If somebody  uh was trying to pitch Russell Westbrook on I [12:16] got something for you. How should they come?  How should they What should that sound like? [12:22] [laughter] Uh, honestly, it should probably  lead with how you with community. It should [12:30] probably lead with uh whatever it is that you're  doing or want to do to how it's going to impact [12:37] uh people that don't have access to to it. Uh it  can be, you know, anything. And obviously uh it [12:43] may not that may not be the case for everything.  But I do think if that's if I'm getting pitched [12:48] that's something I immediately look for because um  it's what our entire ecosystem is based around is [12:56] my foundation um my why not foundation and kind of  how we are able to um use the community as a as a [13:05] springboard to everything else. Great. Well, you  heard himself you know pitching. Uh, one company [13:10] I wanted to ask you about in particular that I  thought was a really interesting uh uh move that [13:15] you guys founded was the the company meant to help  people with end of life care. Yeah. Um, that's [13:20] obviously an incredibly sensitive topic, but  it it's also a topic that hits a lot of people, [13:26] a lot of families at a particularly tough moment  in their life. Walk me through like how that came [13:30] together. Yeah. Um, so my partner Bevvis, he  he founded the company. Um, and unfortunately, [13:38] um, he lost his parents and we lost a best friend  of ours. Um, but with that, we we growing up in [13:45] the African-American community, we understand  that when death happens, there's with that person, [13:51] there's so many different things that um,  as people we don't know, whether it's debt, [13:56] whether it's different things they have going on  or people they want to connect with. we there's no [14:00] place to gather all the information. Um and the  company is called Easewell. Easewell allows you [14:06] to be able to do that with um obviously there's  a implement of AI implemented as well that allows [14:13] u that part of the process to be an [clears  throat] easier transition from you know [14:17] afterlife of figuring out exactly how to make  that easy for a family member or a lost one. [14:24] I I'll wrap this up with with uh uh one more  question, which is I suppose if 10 years from [14:30] now you were to look back kind of like where you  are now, you know, what are you hoping to see in [14:35] the next 10 years, where do you hope to to see  yourself then with with Westbrook Enterprises? [14:40] Um honestly, I I think that um I hope to see that  we are um thriving in areas that are important and [14:52] impactful. Hope I'm I'm [snorts] hoping that  in 10 years from now people can look at what [14:58] we're doing and what we've done and and say  that they are um the focal point of how you [15:08] use business to create and uplift communities  um because that is something that I strive to [15:13] do and each and every day. So hopefully in  10 years from now that is something that [15:18] um I could lean on and people can say hey you know  Russell Westbrook Enterprises [clears throat] um [15:24] leads the way in creating business with impact  with community um all mixed together. Wonderful. [15:31] Well, thanks for taking the time. One more  time for Russell West. Here you go. 3:30.