Young, Gifted & Black Series
By Taki S. Raton
Warren Cassell Jr.
Our YG&B feature this week is a young man described as being, “driven, passionate and completely focused on achieving his goals,” according to an April 4, 2014 Shay Chin’s New Nostalgia posting. “It’s like watching a millionaire evolve,” she adds.
He is young, gifted and Black. Warren Cassell Jr. is an internationally established entrepreneur, a published author of two books, and a highly successful investor from the Caribbean island of Montserrat.
At the age of 15, he has during his youthful climb to fame and fortune founded multiple companies, contributed to the Huffington Post and has even earned a first degree black-belt in Tae Kwon Do.
Citing his personal bio, Warren is a member of the Leaders Investment Club and has been constantly recognized as a prominent business leader and role model for young people.
Just within this past year, the Montserrat Department of Youth Affairs recognized the young teen as a “Youth on the Rise” and named him “Caribbean Journal’s Entrepreneur of the Year 2013.”
His business and investment portfolio is both quite expansive and impressive to include media engagement, Internet activity, and food manufacturing. He further actively invest in hedge funds, private equity and in real estate.
Warren is Founder and CEO of the Abella Group, a privately held investment company designed to manage his investments in a number of sectors to include media, publishing, technology, and financial services.
As additionally noted in his bio, the Abella Group also works with institutional investors and high net worth individuals to co-invest in a diverse collection of investment opportunities.
“I intend on doing anything and everything ethical to achieve my success,” he says in Benjamin Haggith’s June 11, 2014 posting, The Sport of Business.
“I have defined my goals,” he adds, “and I am committed to reaching them regardless if it means sacrificing a few hours of sleep or doing things I don’t necessarily like doing.”
A very fast track competitive businessman, he seeks to always be “ahead of others who are not willing to go that extra mile or do whatever it takes to succeed.”
Warren further reveals in Chin that he is extremely focused on his work, “because I’ve defined what I want in life and what I want my legacy to be.
I know what I want and I’ve made it clear to myself that no matter what, I’m going to achieve my goals or at least fail trying as hard as I can.”
The still budding entrepreneur started his business journey at the age of eight when he launched his own greeting card business.
Along with the assistance of a small capital outlay from his parents to get him started, he designed and marketed his cards to an international consumer base.
Following his success in the greeting card industry, it was at this time at the age of 13 when he turned his attention to making investments in hedge funds, private equity and in real estate.
It was this vision which led to the formation of the Abella Group which now, cites the July 7, 204 writing of Financial Juneteenth, has around 50 to 60 clients worldwide for whom he designs websites.
His financial activity in both real estate and private equity funds at present, again sourcing his bio, welcomes inquiries for investments from $500 thousand to $5 million in US currency.
Currently a student at Montserrat Secondary School, Warren published his first book, “The Farm of Wisdom: 25 Unforgettable Tales that Will Ignite a Wiser You,” in 2013. With the assist of a fictional farm and caricature farm animals, our youthful author informs us, according to a review account, “That pigs, cows and even ants can teach us lessons.”
“A countryside trip to Oliver’s farm offers much more than the touching tales of its barnyard inhabitants,” writes “Power of Positivity” founder Kristen Butler in her Amazon book review of “The Farm of Wisdom.”
She adds that, “Much like Cassell’s maverick nature, ‘Farm of Wisdom’ connects classic wisdom to the world in a way readers will remember.”
In his second 2014 published title “Swim or Drown: Business and Life Lessons I’ve Learned from the Ocean,” Warren further underscores his contention that we can learn everything there is to know about life by simply observing nature.
“Several sea turtles sprint across the beach, jumping over driftwood and dodging hungry birds.
These creatures simply do not know the meaning of the word, ‘obstacle’,” he writes in this title.
“’Swim or Drown’ has shown me something I have yet to find from any author or investor – the fibers that relate business to the main aspects of life,” cites investor Mohammad Islam in his Amazon praise for “Swim or Drown.”
“Warren goes into depth about marine life and relates it to what he has learned and puts it in words that couldn’t be altered.
The idea behind this book gave me a very true definition of the world we live in today,” he adds.
He further elaborates in Juneteenth that one of the most inspiring lessons he has learned in life came from the sun.
He shares that, “one should embrace the sunshine, and we should also embrace the positive things in life.”
Recalling the sixth grade when he learned photosynthesis, he makes yet another point of parallels between nature and business.
“That is how plants actually make their food. If you block sunlight from a plant, it’s going to move around and try to find a source of energy and a source of light to grow,” he explains.
Having interacted globally with a multitude of clients and business ventures, Warren is an exemplar model reflective of proof that anyone with a vision, determination, and dedication, coupled with the proper skill sets, can achieve magnificent success – no matter the age.
“Warren makes me so proud! Especially because he is a young Black man that has gravitated towards what’s important in life and has realized it early,” says Chin.
“He’s not one to tweet about the newest pair of Jordan’s or even the most recent Drake song.
To me, he is like a younger brother but also a wise mentor,” she adds.
In his own words, also noted in Nostalgia, “At the end of my teenage years, I’ll be able to say that I lived a pretty awesome life as a teen!
Instead of getting involved in horrible high school relationships and teenage drama, I’ve been caught up with the life of an entrepreneur.
I’m making money for myself and putting that money to work by investing in companies.
I’m super grateful to the persons who have been a part of my journey and helped my evolution process.”
In his April 24, 2014 Huff Post Teen article, Warren speaks to the “Virtue of Courage” as that which separates those who reach heights that most cannot.
Wise beyond his 15 years, he positions that those attaining success must try to develop this attribute.
“Being courageous is not at all easy and can even be nerve-wracking. But overall, it can be very rewarding.”
He shares that, “without being courageous, we end up missing a lot of opportunities that are waiting for us to just ask for them. Be courageous, because nothing else pays.”