Meet Quadir Harmon of Q’s Animal Kingdom

Today we’d like to introduce you to Quadir Harmon.

Quadir, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
When I was 14 and my mom was expecting a new baby and was laid off while she was pregnant, it was hard for her to find work while pregnant so we went through the struggle of not having a stable place to stay on top of making sure I don’t ask for too much or complain because I wanted to be more of a help and less of a problem.

I am the oldest of 4, being the only boy and the oldest I knew I had to do something to help my mom and sisters. Although I wanted to work to help my mother financially my age would not allow anyone to hire me. I have always had a passion and a love for animals of all kinds but I grew a fascination for exotic animals, although my mom was open and accepting about anything that I am passionate about she had a fear of snakes and made it clear that I could not bring any snakes in her home. The universe had other plans, one of our neighbors was not able to care for a 5ft boa constrictor that he had for six years along with a rose hair tarantula, my neighbor and I presented it to my mom and was able to prove to her that I did my research on the breed of snake and that she can trust that I will help her overcome her fear of snakes.

To my surprise she allowed me to get the snake and tarantula. Shortly after getting Nerfettiti ( boa constrictor) we got a bird several other snakes, lizard of several breeds and my mom suggested I start a business with my animals, I wasn’t sure how but I loved the idea of creating money legally and able to afford more than one pair of shoes for a whole school year. I became a believer when my mom took my sisters myself and Neferttiti to the Sweet Aurburn Festival in Atlanta and people kept stopping me to ask question to pet the snake and actually hold the snake for a picture, what started as an overwhelming experience became one of the best days and best feelings I had in a long time. A man came up to us by the name of Jay, he said “you should be making money with all the education you’re sharing” he then gave us a box and we started accepting donations for all that wanted to hold the snake we left the festival about an hour and a half later and had made over $400. When then created a name shared our mission and like that, I created a part-time job to help my family and myself.

Q’s Animal Kingdom was est. summer of 2016, we offer party packages, we make appearances and schools and daycares we have models and photographers that hire me for my snakes we also have been featured in rap videos, skits and much more. I am so very grateful for the path I’m on because losing friends to violence and poor choices to either jail or death I knew I did not want to become a product of my environment but to actually have my environment become a product of me. I want to be a positive influence to my community and share with them that knowledge will always be key and as long as you believe what you want is possible then nothing else matters. With hope, faith and consistency I know that I reach the highest level possible of success following my dreams and passion. My talent and passion will open amazing doors and opportunities for me but my education will keep those doors open. Allow me to introduce myself I am Quadir King Harmon and I am a 16-year-old junior in high school and the Founder of Q’s Animal Kingdom. Also, I’m a promoter and culture influencer for the tobacco free company Fresh Empire!

Has it been a smooth road?
It has been an educational journey I have had a few judgmental people criticize me for dealing with animals that they can not relate to or just because they have a negative reputation. I do not allow that to slow me down nor stop me. I have been asked to leave certain parks due to my animals, but that’s about it and I don’t look at that as a struggle because everyone is entitled to feel how they want about anything and that definitely has nothing to do with me or my level of success.

Please tell us about Q’s Animal Kingdom. What should we know?
Q’s Animal Kingdom is known to rescue exotic animals and place them in forever homes, I also specialize in education, educating those who are open to learn about the different exotic animals which in most cases allow them to gain a different level of respect for the exotics. I am proud that I am able to allow the people of my community and in the surrounding areas to get a more positive approach when it comes to snakes, birds, lizards, etc. I am also proud that I have been able to help my mother and my sisters including my three-year sister overcome their fear of animals. What makes me different is the fact that I am starting my dream chasing at a young age despite of any circumstances that have been placed in my life.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I do feel like Atlanta is a great place to start a business like mine, its different and believe or not there are a lot of people that get a certain animals as pets without doing any research on them and then gain fear of their own pet and just like that, their pet is left without a home.

Pricing:

• Photoshoots can range betweem $100-$150 per hour
• Daycare and School appearances start at $250
• Rehoming Fee for exotic animals start $25

Contact Info:

• Address: 1216 Columbia Drive Decatur GA (Located Inside of Braid Bar City)
• Phone: 4046683257
• Email: qsanimalkingdom@gmail.com
• Instagram: @qtheking_ @qsanimalkingdom
• Facebook: Q’s Animal Kingdom

Image Credit:
So Offical Studios
@soofficialshowout

Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.