Kevin Tuohy joins Andre and Tracy for part two of their interview. Kevin is the founder of The Shoeshine Guild where he and his team offer an unparalleled shoeshine experience for special event attractions and in-store experiences. They have locations in New York, San Francisco, and Osaka, Japan. He was also featured in the documentary The Art of the Shine.

Kevin is an entrepreneur, artist, entertainer, and sobriety advocate. On last week's episode, he shared his childhood and upbringing with us in his own colorful way. He also talked about his 30 years of sobriety that began when he had a white light experience at a facilitated event. This week we continue our conversation as Kevin shares more about that white light experience.

Show Notes:

• [02:07] Kevin wasn't happy with himself. He went to the event that his sisters had talked him into going to. He walked into a dark room and they started doing creative visualization.
• [02:28] As Kevin was walking through his emotional junkyard, he had a white light experience. His eyes were closed and he saw a light. He also heard a voice say Kevin you have a problem with drugs and alcohol. He then started having the thought that he didn't want to drink anymore. He wanted to be sober.
• [03:31] This was August 16th, 1988. He started telling everyone that he is sober. It was like a switch, he had no desire to drink.
• [05:14] He had so much energy, he didn't know what to do. He was overwhelmed with a wave of hatred towards past grievances. All of his feelings bubbled to the surface.
• [06:51] He started going to meetings, praying, working out, and looking for any help he could get.
• [07:53] He smoked two to three packs a day. He also worked as a bar back. He was searching for something and running out of things to do.
• [09:39] Six years later, he became suicidal. Until he met a new woman. She taught him to take a written inventory, and he discovered that the 12 steps really did work.
• [16:06] Kevin became an overzealous AA advocate and really tried to convince everybody he knew to get involved.
• [17:30] After getting out of the army, Kevin said that he would never shine another pair of shoes, but this woman who he met was actually a shoeshiner. He tried shoe-shining, and he loved it.
• [18:32] He started managing a shoeshine stand in San Francisco. He hired all of his friends, and they became the sober shoeshine crew.
• [19:54] He ended up wanting to buy the shop. He put together a business plan and his professional customers helped him.
• [22:24] They built beautiful chairs, and he had one stand. He ended up buying another stand and then another. They started swing dancing and shining. They did eight seasons with the Giants, and then took over the Moscone Convention Center. They grew and did conventions all over the country.
• [24:35] He got a call from JetBlue, and they asked him to open up a stand at JFK. This was how Kevin ended up back in New York after being in San Francisco for so long.
• [27:32] They were voted best shoeshine in the world by Vanity Fair. They also took over a shop in Chelsea Market where Kevin spends most of his time now.
• [28:37] They also have a shop at Delta in LaGuardia. They also have a shop in the tallest building in San Francisco. What has happened with his business has been amazing for Kevin.
• [29:53] Kevin authentically shows up as himself. He loves expanding his business and just opened up a shop in Osaka, Japan.
• [31:19] Kevin and Andre are next door neighbors. People come to him for very custom work.
• [33:52] There is a lot of help out there. Don't be afraid to look for what will help you and ask questions. You can even hit up Kevin.
• [34:51] Kevin loves helping people and believes in self-examination, prayer, and meditation. Writing and meditating are so powerful.

Links and Resources:

• Kevin Tuohy Interview Part 1
• The Shoeshine Guild
• The Art of the Shine
• Kevin Tuohy on Instagram
• Kevin Tuohy on Facebook
• The Shoeshine Guild on Twitter
• [email protected]

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