James T. Davenport understands the challenges, and rewards, of entrepreneurship from the inside out. Over the past three decades, he has led, advised, and nurtured growing businesses.
Today, he leads his own electronics manufacturing company, but during the course of his career, he has been a business and marketing consultant; served as a partner in one of the first minority-owned electronics manufacturing companies in Maryland; and honed his skills working for such well-known institutions as Westinghouse, AT&T, and ARA Services.
Growing up in some of Baltimore’s most neglected inner city neighborhoods---at a time when they were still strictly segregated by race---could destroy hope or temper determination. Davenport was made stronger by it, and by the high expectations his family set for him. In addition, Davenport credits his public high school, which boasted a number of excellent academic programs taught by educated and dedicated teachers who formed supportive relationships with the students. Many in his class, he says, have gone on to become judges, politicians, and college presidents.
Davenport studied physics at Morgan State University and business systems and operations research at The George Washington University, all the while working full time to support himself. He learned to focus his priorities and value education as a lifelong journey. This is a lesson he has not forgotten. He is currently working on a master’s degree in pastoral care and counseling so that he can continue to work with people, as a life coach, when he finally retires from business.
Davenport is president and CEO of American Technology Corporation, the firm he acquired in 1985. The firm specializes in designing and manufacturing electronics and other products to detect and protect against chemical and biological threats.
He did not start his current business from scratch, but acquired an existing business---a small entity owned at the time by Westinghouse, now part of Northrop Grumman---with its own products and a proven track record for sales and service.
He offered this advice to potential entrepreneurs based on his own experience: “Consider the advantages of acquiring an existing business. They already have staff, facilities, and products. ... You also don’t have the high costs involved with opening your own manufacturing facility ... You may even be able to buy a business at a depreciated value, and perhaps even get owner financing.”
He encourages fledgling entrepreneurs to carefully identify their niche, and said, “You can’t compete against elephants without getting crushed.”
When asked what skills or traits successful entrepreneurs need to prosper, Davenport didn’t think first of a management technique or technological advantage; instead, he stressed personal qualities. “You need a commitment to a dream,” he said without hesitation. In his case, the dream was strengthened by his faith, and he said, “I am a creature of God and created for a purpose in life."
This dream has equipped Davenport with a set of principles that he applies to his business life: “I don't sell myself cheap and I don’t do cheap things. I believe others are also creatures of God and created for a purpose.”
“I’ve gotten a lot of advice and direction out of my faith.” Referring to one of his favorite proverbs, he said, “Always know how many sheep you have. This means pay attention to details.”
Jim Davenport will continue counting his sheep while working to improve the profitability of his business, but he will remain careful to understand his own niche and diligently plan for the future. After all, as every entrepreneur should know, there are a lot of elephants out there.
Bruce E. Phillips can be reached at BPhillips@ccgmag.com
