In this episode of Driven By, I sit down with JW Gibson, a Memphian whose story runs from the Dixie Homes housing project to entrepreneur. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he built businesses from the ground up—including a medical supply company launched in his mother’s garage and a printing company that now produces Tennessee’s lottery tickets. This conversation is about how JW built from scratch, took risks, and kept moving forward.

Episode Highlights

• Housing Project: Growing up in a Memphis housing project, and how that experience shaped how he sees opportunity and challenge.
• Lessons from the Navy: What he learned about leadership, discipline, and staying steady under pressure.
• Entrepreneur at Work: From cash-flow struggles to building companies today.
• Politics and Government: His thoughts on education and workforce development.
• A City in Transition: His take on Beale Street, downtown’s future, and projects like the Rock & Soul Museum move.
• The Campaign: His thoughts on City Mayor election campaign and what he was planning before dropping out of County Mayor race.