Ms. Toya Taylor: Club Ownership is a Gift | TURNING CORNERS With RAY CANTGETRIGHT

Thing about being the Trailblazer, you gonna smell like smoke. Going city to city, we turning corners. When you with Trailblazers smelling like smoke, pay attention to the joke. Welcome, welcome, welcome to Turning Corners. I'm your boy Ray, K-Get Right, man. Look here, I am so excited about this guest. I am so excited about this guest. Uh, been knowing her for only a couple of years, but it seems like I've been knowing her a long time. She is a trailblazer in San Antonio. She has the, the baddest club in the city, hands down. Y'all can say what you want to, y'all can do once a month clubs, whatever, y'all can do pop-ups. It's only one. There's only— that's— y'all give it up for my girl Toya. How you doing, girl?

What's up? Can't get right.

Yeah, yeah. What's the name of your club? I didn't want to say it. I felt like it wasn't right for me to say the name of Your club?

Um, Horizons and More.

Horizons and More. Horizons.

Horizons and More.

Now look at what we ain't gonna do. We ain't gonna sit here and get bougie because I know how we talk, you know what I'm saying? We, we gonna talk like we talk because I've been— I've been— listen, I cannot wait to do this interview. Uh, first of all, let's just— let's start on some basic stuff. Where you from, girl?

Homestead, Florida.

Really? You know what's crazy? I always thought you from San Antonio.

Well, I am. I've been here long enough to say I'm here from San Antonio. I've been here all my life, pretty much.

Okay, so you know Black people, we ask, what high school did you go to? Come on now.

Huskies. Holmes.

Holmes?

Yep.

Well, no Black people at Holmes.

That's not true. That is not true.

There were 3 Black people at Holmes and you was it.

It was like 105 of us.

Damn. Okay, so I ain't tripping then. That's not— oh, I didn't know that.

I—

so, so, Florida girl, all right. Do you get— do you get a chance to go visit your people much there, or is most of your people here?

Same thing now, but not as often.

Wow, that's crazy. I, I did not know that. I did not know that. So what made you come to San Antonio? Like, matter of fact, what age did you come here, if you don't mind me asking?

I don't remember the age. I was young. Um, I had no choice to come. My dad got stationed here.

Okay, so military brat.

My dad was in the Air Force. Yeah.

Oh wow. Okay, so I see all this time we, we discussed business so much, I didn't know that you was military brat. But you said airport, so that's not really a branch of the military. That's, uh, look, I would name—

calm down, killer.

No, look, I'm Navy. I got all this Army stuff on, right? Uh, but, but I'm always jealous of the Air Force because they always had the best everything, like for real. Okay, so you went to Holmes. What made you decide to open up a club? Because for those who don't know the history, could you tell us about the evolution or, uh, from one bar to where you at right now in Horizons and More?

You want the goon side or you want the lady side? I want—

give me both. Give me— make us go viral. Tell us the damn truth.

Come on. Well, let's see. I was at the East Bar and, uh, where was that at? New Braunfels and Hayes.

Okay, okay.

New Braunfels and Hayes. And, um, it was an incident that happened. And but there was more than an incident that happened. There was, you know, um, I was working for someone then Honestly. Oh, and, uh, money became an issue to where it was more about money than it was the customers. Yeah. And, um, anybody that knows me, I'm pretty much a people person. I love to see people have a good time. I interact with people. I've been a, you know, every business that I've had, it's always involved people and servicing them. So long story short, there, uh, there was an incident that happened. Some things changed and it became more about the politics of a bar than the people having a good time. Yes. And at that point I was like, um, you know what, some decisions were made and I was like, okay, cool. You know what, I'll do this on my own. And the rest is history.

Now that's what we call turning points. Okay, like, like, that's what turning point is. Like, sometimes incidents break people, you know. I mean, let's be honest, life is hard. So you got some people, an incident will tear them down, make them start doing drugs, um, get a divorce, leave the kids. You know what I'm saying? I've seen men couldn't handle it because the kids were crying, they leave. And you know, so, but Turning Corners is about people who took a bad situation, not blaming nobody, not talking about nobody, right? You know, this— we're not trying to be negative, but the situation changed you, you know what I'm saying? It was a, it was an almost a life-altering situation, but it changed you. So What gave you the guts? Yeah, what gave you the guts to do it? And, and let me ask a question. How long has Horizon been around?

4 years.

It's 4 years. So how long were you working for somebody else, or, you know, partnership or whatever you want to call it?

I guess it was maybe 2 years, if that.

Okay. Wow, wow. So you, you were still learning the business?

Still learning this.

Okay, still learning the ups and downs, the ins and outs, uh, the goods, the bad— not just the people. The people always see just the fun stuff. We gotta talk about the politics, the, the downtown liquor licenses, then your woman, then your woman. Let's, let's— can we just Before we get into anything else, it's one thing to step out on faith and say, I'm going to do something, okay? I think that's great. But it's another thing to say, I'm gonna step out on faith and do something not only as a woman in San Antonio but as a Black woman. What in the hell? No, I mean, that's— it's rare. Like, shout out to the women that are doing great things. You know, I mean, it's hard for me. It's hard. Just been— it's hard being human, let's just be real. But in San Antonio, the culture of San Antonio, and you said, you know what, I'm gonna go ahead and do it.

You know, for one, I guess my faith is I don't have, um, that grain They said if you have just a grain of faith, a mustard seed faith, somehow I think, or that I know, I was given the whole package of mustard seeds.

Ah, okay.

Because I believe outside the box at any time, and I always find myself in situations that it's gonna take a whole lot of faith. A whole lot of faith to get me through or get me to what I done got myself into. You know, for instance, one day a bill came up and the bill was probably about $14,000, $14,105.22 to be exact. And it came out of nowhere. And the day that it came up, I'm like, I don't have 9, 8, 6,000 of that. Like, where am I gonna come up with the rest of this money? And I just keep thinking like, okay, God, I'm here now. What, what are we gonna do? Next time I went back and looked at my bank account, there was money there. So I mean, I said that to say the things that I get into 2 requires totally a package of faith, because sometimes that one seed— Lord have mercy. So I just stepped out, and you know, so many people were asking me, you know, hey Toya, um, when you opening? When you going to do this? When you going to do that? And you know, I felt an obligation because of the way that things happen to just step out and The rest is history.

You know, it sounds simple because even in you telling the story, I'm looking at your emotions. I'm looking at how you— and I remember even the bill that you're talking about. I don't remember the bill, but I remember us talking about it. And I came in here and you were like, Ray, guess what just happened? And how, you know, God manifested and blessed It's something about attempting to be successful at something, right? And even when people are thinking that you're, you are activating, or you are, you're already at the height of success, they don't know the other stuff that's going on. And we just talk about the business. We're not talking about health. We're not talking about kids. We're not talking about crazy customers, you know. Yes, there's great customers. That's why I come to Horizon's more. But I've also seen— okay, then you got staff, then you got family. It's just so many different things. How in the hell do you balance it? And listen, listen, listen, I'm gonna put you on your shoe shot, right? Because I need to— I need to know the real. This is— this is the shoe shot. Right, you wanted to see— show the shoes, show the shoes. So you got, you got the, the cute bougie, then you got the hood. Show the shoes, girl. Okay, they looking, they seeing. This is— I need to hear the ground, right?

So you want to hear the, the goon gear side?

I just want to hear it, you know what I'm saying? Because they gonna tune in, they gonna see you, they gonna tune in, you know. Or somebody might be thinking about opening up a club and they might think it's all good. Okay, this is the goon camera.

Okay, what's the goon question again?

How do you balance it? Ah, walk with me, Lord, walk with me.

Wow, how do I balance it? Okay, honestly, Ray, I don't have that written down nowhere. And to balance it, I would say it's something that you just get in any business, not just this business. I mean, you wear, you wear many different hats, many different hats. The only hat that's really different in this business is the concern for people that don't know how to handle their alcohol. Wow. And don't know how to talk to people when that alcohol gets activated. So at that point, you go from professional to goon real quick. In a matter of just blinking your eye. So to balance it, I have to tell you that if it wasn't for the grace of God putting me in this position and me saying yes wholeheartedly, it has to be him and my staff that keeps me balance. And you've seen me move around this bar in many different ways, and it's just— Ray, to answer that question, I guess it's just my surroundings, what is going on with me and in here at that time, that I'm able to keep myself even. Sorry about the ice maker. It makes ice when we're not here.

We're at a bar.

Okay.

So even when I'm editing, I'm gonna be laughing like, Ray, you at a bar? You know what I'm saying? Because the thing about it is like, first of all, to own anything is big because it means you're out front, you know? That means you are putting your financials— your finances in the buying sometimes. A lot of times, you know, a lot of times, because people see the air go out, uh, something happens, or you need this, there's a need, speaker goes out. Like, so many different things can happen. A new, uh, vendor comes around, and the old vendor— it's so many things. What made you want to own a bar? Because here's the thing about it, I, I've talked to you long enough to know that you're very skilled, you're very smart, talk a lot of shit. That's why we get along, you know what I'm saying? Oh no, you talk shit. Oh, you talk shit like a motherfucker. And at times, one reason we get along, because you messy like me. I'm like, Toya, your messy ass. Oh, I like it because sometimes Listen, sometimes you gotta be messy back to people who try to be messy to you. Fuck it, it is what it is. We ain't gonna tell what we talking about, but you know what I'm talking about. A couple exits, yeah, up, yeah. Anyway, but why a bar? Because it seemed like you could have did sales, you could have been, you know, working for Fortune 500 companies, you know, you came from a good family. Like, why a bar? And I'm just curious, I'm just curious.

Why A'Bar? I would have to say the people.

Okay.

I get— I'm privileged because not everyone is. I'm privileged to see people at their worst, and I'm able to see people at their best. And to be able to see— most people only get to see one side of a person. I'm able to sit back and see all angles of a person. So when they come to me and they want to talk, or we go to dinner, or we go to lunch, they're able to come to me with that guard already down because they can tell me something to be, you know, pouring their life out to me. At the same token, I can put into perspective what I need to give them as a friend, not a borrower, not a businesswoman, but as a friend. And a lot of my patrons— I was told, um, I was pissed off about something a couple of months ago and somebody told me, most people, you need to leave them where you met them. Okay. And I thought about that, and I thought about that, and in some situations I'm now applying that to my everyday life. But when people that really come to me and really need me, I'm able to be there for them. And to me, that's an honor. Because I have the, I have the gift. Do I want to call it a gift? Or—

so let me ask this, is, is it ministry? Because, you know, the, the average church person would tell you, how, how is owning a bar ministry? But they forget the word ministry means servant, and you have servants You are serving people. I watch you all the time. You can be watching the band, enjoying yourself on your birthday, and jump up behind the bar and see that they are overcrowded. They're working. You're not only helping your people, but you're also helping out us, you know what I'm saying? And especially the people that think they VIP, they just wanna— and they get kind of, you know, I see you. So how is it not a servant— I mean, a ministry? Not necessarily with the church, you know, stigma, whatever, but your gift will make room for you. And sometimes your gift ain't manifested sometimes in the way we think it's going to be, because you're right, sometimes coming in here is the only place that people have to vent. I watched you at that bar. I watch you on Tuesdays sit there karaoke. I, I watch the people come in and the different people come in and they get the same, and you know, just get it out, you know, get the dance. Like, I, I laugh at one dude, man, he'd be cracking me up. But on that patio, he is having a ball. I don't know what that man went through, but it's a ministry. How is it not a ministry?

It is. But most people don't see it from that perspective. They'll say that, oh Lord, the sinners, the sinners over there. But my thing of it is the sinners are in the church too. They just don't want to talk about it.

Okay.

But my pastor, he knew who I was when I came to his church. And he says, you know, you gonna be talked about, you know, they gonna say this, they gonna say that. He says, but if I know one person that's equipped for it and that can handle it, he says, it's you. He says, so I don't have a problem with you going out there and doing what you do. He says, because I know you can handle it. Now, being talked about ain't always fun. Let's, let's talk about it, but at the same token, it comes with it. Because my thing of it is, it's what you do outside the four walls, not, not inside. Ministry is outside the four walls. And I think we're— I think we're outside the four walls. What you think?

Yeah, well, and what, what's, what's funny about it, and, and this is, this is the part people don't get: when it's in you, it's in you. There's, there's absolutely nothing you can do to change it. When God has placed something in you powerful to turn a corner, to not give up, it's never just for yourself. Now you get the benefit from it because there are certain financial benefits you get. There are certain, uh, everybody know your name, you go places, you know, hey, they come to see you. So you got some people, you know, looking at you funny, not knowing the behind the scenes that you put in, right? But when God puts you in a position to be great, you're going to be hated. You know, I don't want to talk about the situation, but we've had this— we had a situation with different bar owners, we're gonna say that. And I didn't realize I called this a— I called a slug, you called a slug, all because of your success. Like, how do— how did that mentally— mentally How can that stop you? How does that keep you from going crazy knowing, yes, all these good is happening, but I remember— I'm just gonna say it, fuck it, it is what it is— was sending people over here to spy on you wearing their shirts. Bitch, like, really? And I'm watching this whole situation like, what kind of shit is this? But you, you rose, you turned the corner, you like, I'm not going to stoop to that level. And then, you know, things happen, you know, that we're not going to speak on. But how do mentally— because I got, I got a follow-up question with this one, it's gonna be fun— mentally, how do you deal with that? And then secondly, I know that fucks with your relationship. On the personal side? How do you deal with all— that's a lot.

We keeping it— it's me and you, man.

We talking, we talking, man.

Listen, honestly, there is a certain amount of people that I could just really let my hair down with and Let's, let's give one for the church people. There's so many people that I can allow to go beyond the veil, and you're one of them. You spoke to me in places of my hurt and my frustration that gave me that moment, that moment of peace that I was able to fight at that time. Now, it's never, it's never a moment that we're not fighting, but when you're at war with yourself in your head, it's a different type of war. Because in that war, the only voice you hear is the voice that's loudest. You don't hear— you wanna— you wanna hear this, this calm voice.

Yes.

But when you're in war and you can see it, this, like, this voice is louder. And it's people like you that came into my life, and I— people like you that came into my life that was able to speak in that moment to get me through that fight at that time. Because the next couple hours, it was going to be something different. You saw, you saw how it was an in and out and different situations and different things happening. You know, sometimes— what's our favorite saying between me and you? Can't make this shit up. You can't. So it's in those— it's in those moments that God, yeah, will bring someone in at that point in time and speak to that moment.

It's, it's, it's, it's funny because you said something. You said we're always fighting. That's what people don't understand. This is a fight. Not necessarily the bar, which is beautiful. Not necessarily relationships and just life. And then sometimes we're fighting with ourselves, you know what I'm saying? Like, like, damn, I need to give up, you know. Damn, let me cash in, you know. Let me move to Africa. You know, that's one thing I want to do. Let me get the hell— I want to get the hell away from here. And the more I see these people doing what they do, the more I say I knew I was right. Because sometimes you're not wrong, it's just that you're early. Sometimes God will give you revelation years in advance, and if you don't move, that's on you. You know, just like this bar right here. I remember this bar has been several things. But when they told me that was it, I was in Dallas. They were like, nah, it's over. I was like, where? What y'all talking about? They're like, bro, the old— I'm like, nah, ain't nobody bought that shit. I came down here on the Saturday.

I'll never forgive it. What?

I was like, never.

What?

San Antonio got something? And then little start popping up everywhere trying to, you know, But when God puts people in your life, it's not by accident. And that's why I tell people, be careful how you treat people, because you don't know. You don't know who's going to be your blessing and who's going to be your curse. And I'm saying this as a comedian. I watch these cats, and now that we doing the podcast thing, now people want to inbox and be my friend. Nigga, you don't like me, and I don't like you either. So hell no, you ain't gonna be able to. Yes, plus you ain't doing shit with your life anyway. Uh, I'm real. Listen, listen, this podcast, uh, is for people that I feel are doing great things, and hands down, you are one of them. You really are, because I, I watch how you, you navigate. I watch how, you know, you handle people. I watch the support of your staff, you know what I'm saying? I watch how we ride for each other. Like, like, let's talk about this because you said a lot on your lives, you know what I'm saying? But I really want to talk about this because you said a lot of your life and I don't think people really get it. So we're gonna, we're gonna run this over and over and over. If there's ever gonna be a short that's made out of this, this is gonna be one of them. What is the Horizons family? Because you talk about it a lot. What is the Horizons family? Meaning however you want to describe it, because— okay, okay, I don't want to put words in your mouth because this is your— this is your baby.

So I say it a lot, you don't have to be blood to be family, but it just so happens we're all family. When you come through this door to to me and from what I hear, because I can only go about what I hear from people. People say that coming into Horizons, it's like going to your auntie's house, you're going to a family reunion. What's that, what's that movie, Poetic Justice, when Tupac was— was that it? When they hit the family reunion, like, yeah, when everybody knows one another. I'm like, and here you're just You're not a stranger. I mean, we all look out for one another. Like you said, we all ride for each other. If something that needs to happen, everyone steps in because they feel like this is their home and they don't want anything to happen to their home. So when I say we watch out for one another, that's just— and that's just not here. I mean, I can go out and— well, you know what? Let me— I'm not— we're not lying on Turning Corners today. Um, I can go out not too many places, uh, here in San Antonio, and people take care of me. They don't take care of me because I'm a bar owner. They take care of me because of what we do in here for one another. And that's the way I would like to see it. I would— I don't want to think that it's my title or my position. I'm just a part of the family. When it comes to what we do here. I mean, could you say it any better, or can you say it from your point of view to where, you know, I can only tell you from how I feel and what's told to me.

But let me say how I feel. Okay, look, look, look, look, when I hit the door— matter of fact, shout out to my boy Daryl Davis. Daryl, when I hit the door, if Daryl's anywhere in Horizons He's gonna yell, can't get right. I'm like, nigga, why do you do that? If Ken, an experienced man or not, when I pull up, I see Dirty, you know what I'm saying? And I'm shouting out people, I'm gonna miss some people, but I see Dirty. Hey, what's up? You know, what's up? You good? And that nigga hit hard too. I'm like, nigga, if you hit me in my back one more damn time, strong ass. But it's love, you know what I'm saying? There are days where I'm having a bad day. Listen, there are spots closer to me where I live at, but I know if I come to Horizons, the bartender's gonna treat me good. I'm gonna hear some good music. I'm gonna laugh with AK or K-Sam, or you know, my nigga. DJ Oh Yeah Kevin. Like, it's— that's my nigga.

A good day or a bad day with Kevin, that's my nigga.

Good day, bad day, everything, that's my dude. That's my dog, you know what I'm saying? But anyway, what I'm saying is I know I can come in here and have a good time, whether I'm, you know, Mamie with her crazy ass, Miss Pat. Like, there's so many names, and I'm gonna miss some people. My boy Gerald, you know, it's so many people. If I keep going, I'm gonna miss somebody. That when I hit the door, I'm gonna feel all right, you know what I'm saying? And there have been times— let me tell you how cold Horizons is. You talking about family? On your birthday, we're sitting, a dude was drunk. His friend was taking him out.

Oh, I remember you telling me about—

you talking about family, right? A dude was taking him out, and as he's taking him out, it's obvious the guy's drunk. It's, it's no doubt about it, the guy's drunk. And as the guy is taking him out, he spilled his drink all on me. I'm talking about it wasn't a little bit, all on me. It scared me because at first I caught him before he fell, and when I lifted him up, I said, hey dog, he started going in. So I was like, 2P, bye bye bye, let's get over with. But I'm like, nah, this is my home, this is— it is your birthday. But what scared me was his boy was like, no, OG, OG. I guess we know them. No, OG, OG. And I said, nah, you good, bro, don't worry about that, you know. But I looked up and I'm watching people like ready to go into action. Never women, for all those that say women don't— no, I ain't gonna say their names, but they all sit right there. Look, you see what I'm pointing to? And when I tell you they was coming like with the quickness, I said, oh my God. Family, this is family. Horizons and More is family. I always wanted to ask you this, but this is a good time to ask you. They got you on camera. Okay, what's the 'and More'? And where'd you come up with the name Horizons? That's a lot, right? That's a lot.

It's, it's, uh, it's biblical.

Oh, okay. Oh shit. Oh, oh, I don't know if I could cuss. Excuse me.

So there is a scripture in the Bible. I'm not going to tell you exactly where it is, okay? But, uh, God says that he would scatter his people to a place.

Uh-huh. Yeah, uh-huh. I know about a little bit. Yeah, I got you.

It's a little bit. So, um, that's where I got the name from, actually. And, and more is because there's no telling what I'll end up adding. Um, you know, for instance, cigar line, wine line, nonprofit, all the other stuff, and more.

I, I love that because one of the things I deal with a lot is people say, I thought you was comedian, like I am. Yeah, but you do podcasting. Yeah, I do that too. But you write too? Yeah, do that too. Aren't you a barber? Do that too. And you make shirts? Do all that.

What—

why do people feel like you only have to be one-dimensional?

It's a mindset, huh? It's a mindset.

So even naming the bar, you already knew that it's not going to just be a place for drinks. Can we talk about some of the things you have going on here for people who may not know?

Okay. Uh, let's see. I have my own wine line, Taylor Made, uh, Taylor Made Wine. Um, I have my own cigar line in which I'm still tweaking. Um, the one that you're actually holding up has, uh, has bourbon in it. And that, that should be the CEO's dessert, the small one. The small one, Peach something, that's Peach Chardonnay. Yes. And that one right there is CEO's Dessert. Yes, yes. I'm gonna let you take that one home.

Another one?

Not that one, you don't. Oh no, that's one of the newest ones.

Okay, shit. Yeah, it was a good time.

And, uh, it goes very well with a cigar. And, uh, I'm gonna let you try it. And then I have, um, my TaylorMade Foundation, which is my nonprofit. So, you know, I have my for-profit, I have my nonprofit, I have my both wine line and, um, cigar. And then there's something else in a couple of more months I'm gonna be releasing as well.

So along with the and more, what type of events do you have here?

Um, it just— I mean, I mean, we have anything. I mean, I'm not anything, but we have a plethora of events. I mean, we have Fight Night, we have karaoke. Okay, so Monday nights we have— it's football season, so we have, um, football played. We have Cajun King outside, and we're doing something now to where you can get food, drinks, and a hookah for one set price. Okay. Or if you don't want a hookah, you can get food and drink for one set price. You got to come in and see what that price is and see what's going on to get that. Tuesday night we have karaoke. For those who don't know, my favorite song is We Have Something in Common.

We have something in common.

That's right. That's right. Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston. Have you ever seen that video though? Yes. Oh yeah, I love that video.

I love that video.

So Wednesday night we have Women Whiskey Wednesday, and that's open to brothers and sisters on the league. Thursday night we have Bike Night. Every Friday is Fedora Friday, which is live music. Saturday night, I've just given up on giving Saturday a name because it could be Situation Saturday, it could be Simple Saturday, it could be Scattered Everywhere Saturday. I mean, when I tell you Saturday night is the night of its own. We can only write history on Saturday nights. And then Sunday, of course, we play spades, dominoes, and it's just like, just like a little family thing.

See, well, surely you charge a lot to get in. I mean, you got the COVID charge, gotta be high, Toy. I mean, listen, for the Experience Band and Dee Dee and Tasha, and I'm just throwing names out there, people I've seen even people that I've seen come from Houston. You brought bands from Houston and different artists and line dancing and step class and all these— you got a lot of stuff. You had, you know, Chuckles, uh, what's that, uh, Chuckles and Chats, Chuckles and Chats, and Point of View. And, uh, like, it's always something. Surely you charge Toya at the door. I'm saying for people who may not know, they might watch this podcast like, I've never New Horizons and More. What's the COVID charge to get in?

I don't charge. There's no charge. I just— everyone tells me, and even my accountant, I mean, we get into it all the time. They're like, Toya, charge $5, charge $5, charge something, it'll help. I'm like, yes, it would help, you're right, it would. But you know, when we have events such as live music, you buy a table that that helps offset the cost. Um, I just don't believe you should charge to have a good time. Now, if it's dance instructions, you know, you're being taught by somebody, then, you know, pay that person the fee because it's their time and you're investing in what you're about to learn or what you're learning. Or if we're having, you know, who knows if we'll come up with a knitting class. I mean, I don't know, you're gonna pay for something you're gonna But my yawn— but to have a good time, I don't— that is just not in here right now. And not to say that I will never do it, but I'm strongly against it now. New Year's, something like that, of course, because the simple fact that, you know, and I still don't charge a lot. I think it's what, maybe $30, $35 or $65 for just a table? Yeah. And I'm giving you a full buffet a bottle of champagne at your own table, the events, you know. I don't believe in that charging thing when it comes to a bar, but you know, I could, I could say something, but I ain't gonna say it. I'm gonna be nice.

I already know where you going. I already know where you going. And, and we're not here to be messy because the thing, the thing is, I— sometimes you, you will make your money anyway. Because you have been a blessing to somebody else. You know, I, I have found— and you know this because we've done business together— you don't get the prices other people get. And people have said, well, I heard— no, you don't know how much because you don't know what we do. Because there are certain people that you just have relationships with that you don't ever want that to come in. Now, I remember I'll never forget first time we did an event here. I'm like, I ain't go. And you almost cursed me out trying to pay me. And we did a point of view. It was the first time we did it. And you were like, what the hell? And that was our first time doing business together. Hey, I just want to come in. And I'll never forget you like— and my cousin was like, Ray, why do you— I said, because I like her. Like, I like her. I can see us having a long relationship of business. You know what I'm saying? Not necessarily friendship because I didn't know you yet, but I was like, other places I had tried to do business with in San Antonio— and I'm from here— was messy as fuck. Like, yeah, and they were shiesty. And so I was like, you know what, I just take my services somewhere else. So when I started coming here, I was like, man, this is cool. Like, this is cool. And don't get me wrong, I know a lot of people— I'm from San Antonio, born and raised on the northeast side. Let me make sure I say that. I ain't from the east side. I'm All right, ain't gonna lie, born on East Side, right? But in 5th grade, I moved over here. I went to Roosevelt and Justin. I grew up in the Glen, so I got to put that out there for these people that's gonna watch it and talk their shit about Sam Houston and Parkette and whatever. But anyway, the point is, like, sometimes people don't understand, and this is a when you give so much and you don't charge, do you find yourself lacking? Or does God say, you know what, I'm gonna take care of you in this way?

He's taking care of me in many ways. Many of ways.

Let's talk, let's talk, let's talk. Because, because you just showed me your wine, you just talked about the cigars. Let's just talk because I, I, I had it written down. I said I'm not gonna be churchy today, right? Because for whatever reason, people think I hate the church. I don't hate the church. I hate, hate, I hate church folks, right? And these preachers, them old niggas, I can't, I can't stand a shiesty fucking preacher. I can't. I don't give a fuck what nobody say. You shiesty preachers die because you are a cancer to society. But I want to talk about just the spiritual side. It's something about when you do what God tells you to do, it seems that God just shows up in ways that you didn't even ask for. Can we, can we speak on that? Because I think people need to know that side, because from health issues to just life. I've seen you, girl. Like, I've seen you. We've had conversations that we're not going to talk about, but I've seen you come through some of the darkest moments and then came out this mother shining.

Don't have me in tears, but, um, you know If I had to say it without saying it, since I've been in this, since I've been these last 4 years, let me put it that way, I have, I've been hit. I've been hit by some heavy darts. When I say heavy darts, and these darts weren't designed— all right, now, now you're getting ready to get the church girl coming out.

No, I want to get you.

Let me stop calling those darts hits or hits darts, however. I've had some attacks sent on my life that weren't necessarily designed to take me to my knees, because there's some attacks that come that are meant to take you out. Now, going to your knees is a good thing because you ain't gonna do nothing but pray. But have you ever had that moment where you're laying prostrate before God?

Oh yeah.

And the only person that can pick you up is him? Not when you want to get up. I sometimes I've just laid there like, God, I don't, I don't have the strength for this. And when I get out my truck those days, it's an I don't want to, I don't want to, I don't want to every step. But when I hit that door, game time, because of the simple fact that Encouraging yourself in the midst of hell and having to be seen 15 minutes before or 15 seconds before. You got to straighten up. Because if I walk in here sad, doomed, and woe is me, everybody gonna be looking like, what is wrong with her? Like, what's wrong? Like, you can't— I can't— because if I did, what's gonna happen?

Okay, we're here. The biblical text David came to Ziklag. Okay, I want to say 1 Samuel chapter 30, somewhere around there, and 2 Samuel. And this dude was going through, and when he came already on the run from Saul— Saul wanted to kill him, ain't did shit. He was like, look, bro, God anointed me king, I ain't asked for this. I didn't ask for this, but now I'm on the run. I come from helping somebody, and not only is my wife and children gone, but the whole town is burned down. Then it burned down everything that we had. And the Bible says that his homeboys talked about stoning him. Wait a minute, bro, we just came from battle together. So people that I've been rocking with, you want to stone me? And the Bible said that David cried, he had no more tears. That, that, that took me out. But then he said he encouraged himself in the Lord his God.

That's right.

He put on the ephod and he prayed, and he said turned the corner. Shall I pursue? And God said, go and recover all.

All.

So as I listen to you, I'm, I'm trying not to get old Ray, you know, get the Father God, you know. Well, you know I love the Lord. I'm trying not to go there, right? I'm trying not to go there, but the point is there are times, Toya, where people try to take you out. Look, I don't know how to be— I don't know how to be that cute churchy guy. There's some devils out this shit. I'm gonna say it like I mean it. I'm sorry, I know people like, he just got through quoting scripts. Yes, I'm me, right? And there are some people that ain't no fucking good. There are some people who are trying to hurt you all because you're trying to do right, all because you have a church on the corner called Horizons. Now, it might not be the church that you think it is, but you are the pastor of this sanctuary. People don't understand sanctuary just means separated for ministry, for ministry. Now That's what this is. And you are the pastor. You have deacons. Come on, somebody. And the deacons are called waitresses and bartenders. Okay, you, you got some trustees. We call them DJs. Come on, you don't know what I'm talking about, girl. Like, like, it's like you got people on your team. You got a congregation that comes in and gives an offering every now and then for a lot of nations, you know what I'm saying? You know, you know, it don't have to be first Sunday. We gonna have a little communion with the food truck outside. Okay, I'm going too far. What I'm saying is, what I'm saying, then you got security, you know, that's, that's some, that's some deacons that used to be in them corners.

Yeah, okay, anyway, they got deacons in the church now that have to, they have to be on.

Yes, yes. So what I'm saying is, Toya, a guy, a guy told me something that, that blew my mind. Shout out to Derek Jack. He said, Ray, if you believe in the power of comedy, that you can heal people by making them laugh, he said you got to understand that you have created enemies because you make people laugh. So if the enemies of the skies, or whatever you want to call it, attacks me because I'm making somebody laugh, I got to put myself up under covering of somebody else. So now you are the pastor of Horizons, but you— that means you got to be covered by somebody, by something. Not necessarily a church covering because it's a different type of anointing, but maybe a, a, a mentor. Or, you know, I, I know your circle, you know what I'm saying? Sometimes they don't even know they're pouring oil onto your aching spirit. They don't even know it, you know. They don't even know that we do green tea shots, you know. You just— last night I came here so tired. I told you, to get this interview, if you only knew what it took, because the devil was trying to stop it. When I say the devil, y'all, I'm just talking about the enemy, right? And I was on my way out and I see my cousin. He walked in and now I'm like, let's do a shot. I don't want to do a shot. I'm tired, I'm mad, what's going on? I didn't want to tell him what was going on. An hour later We're laughing, joking, everything else. I was like, what? It's funny how your ministry heals. So I want to tell you thank you. Thank you for being a friend. Travis, we're back again.

Back again.

How you go? The heart is true, you're a friend in the comfort. Okay, I'm sorry. All right, before we, before we stop, what is your message to— and I'm gonna be very specific, and if I'm wrong for this, I apologize— but what is your message to a young Black woman who's watching this, who's thinking about stepping out on faith and saying, I want to do XYZ, not necessarily a bar owner But they want to step out on faith and say, you know what, I'm going to do something great, but I'm scared. I don't have the resources. My family say it's never been done. I got more haters than I got contributors. What is your message to them as we close out the show?

My message would be, first of all, know who you are. Who Have self-confidence in you, because if you don't know who you are, when people start coming, they'll try to detour you from what you're standing for. So my question— my first thing would be know who you are. Number 2 was know how to stand alone, because if you cannot stand alone, in the midst of the trying times, and they come more than what you ever know. And number 3, number 3 is know that everyone is not your friend. People come, spirits come, the enemy comes, the devil comes in all shapes, form, sizes, good looking, smelling good, money right, all them things. But honey, if you don't know the first two, when this number three comes along, because I've seen women in this business that try to make a name for themselves. They make a name for themselves because they end up sleeping with everybody just to get somewhere. Where's that going to take you? So if you know who you are, you know how to stand alone, And you know, when them different assignments come, you'll be able to withstand anything. Because if you don't know the first two and can't do the first two, there's no foundation. Your foundation is made strong when you can stand on anything. And yes, you may waver, the foundation may shake, but as long as you continue standing no matter what you're going through and any type of business. And this is for my brothers and my sisters, because, you know, we all, we all get caught off guard. Because I know if, you know, I, I ain't gonna say it, but anyway, I'm listening because somebody needs to hear it. I mean, if you just, if you know those 3 things, yeah, and have faith that you know what you're doing You know how the churches say you got to know when you know what? Yeah, you got to know when you know what, that you know that what you're doing is going to make a difference, that it's going to be a change. Be that change, because the day and time that we're living in right now, you don't know what turning corners may be for somebody. You don't know who you may meet while you're doing turning corners. You may meet a man that you shake his hand and the world is yours tomorrow. You may be someone, may meet someone that is laying prostrate and can't get up. You can still be up, down on that floor, face down, face down, and still walking. So if you can speak to that person, if I can speak to that person and be the instrument, because that's all we are. We're just instruments being used for a greater purpose. My purpose happens to be people. I love people that don't necessarily love me, but at the same token, I know the ones that are in need of what I have. And if that is changing people when they come into Horizons and More, Then to God be the glory. I'm not going to change. I'm going to continue being twin because that's all I know how to be. So to that business owner that's trying, to any relationship that is going through those things, you got to first know those two things.

Wow.

Yeah, that's in the church, out of the church. Don't lose them. That's what, that's what I would say to him.

No, I love it, I love it.

That's the, that's the lady speaking now. The goon, know your shit, know your shit, man.

I love it, I love it. Listen, thank you so much for just hanging out with me. Thank you for opening up your beautiful club, um, Yeah, because you could have been doing anything else, and I appreciate you allowing us, you know, to come and hang out with you and everything else. Of course, you'll see me tonight because I'll be back for Monday Night Football. But I just want to tell you thank you. For those of y'all watching, I really appreciate y'all. Thank y'all again. It's your boy Ray. Can't get right without the Lord.

Ah, holla!

Thing about being the Trailblazer, you're gonna smell like smoke. Going city to city, we turning corners. When you with Trailblazers smelling like smoke, pay attention to the joke.