Inspiring Conversations with Kenny Levister of TUNLVSN & VISION NEXT AGENCY

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenny Levister.

Hi Kenny, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
While balancing my professional career, I started building a brand called TUNLVSN. The name comes from “Tunnel Vision,” but for me it has always meant more than just intense focus. It actually started as a mentality I developed when I was younger, a way of keeping myself locked in on a particular goal despite distractions, setbacks, or whatever life was throwing at me at the time. Growing up, TUNLVSN became my personal formula: first identify your own definition of success, then calculate what it would take to get there, and finally put in the work through execution. It was a mindset before it ever became a logo, a platform, or a brand.

As life evolved, so did the meaning behind it. In a world that constantly feeds negativity, division, and unrealistic expectations, I wanted to create something rooted in transparent conversations that inspire, educate, and motivate people. Especially young adults and people like us navigating life, identity, faith, relationships, mental health, career growth, and purpose.

What started as just a phrase and idea in my head slowly evolved into something real. Watching a personal motto transform into a platform, a brand, and eventually grow wings and become an actual image has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. It became my peace and my way of giving back. More importantly, it became something I can one day show my daughters that if you truly believe in something, even if it only exists in your imagination at first, you can bring it to life through faith, consistency, and hard work.

Through TUNLVSN, I’ve been blessed to travel to places like Chicago, San Francisco, and Atlanta hosting podcast conversations with incredible people from all walks of life. Every conversation reminds me how powerful storytelling and human connection really are. Looking back, it’s still wild to think that something that started as a mindset in my head when I was younger eventually became something that allowed me to create impact and connect with people across different cities and communities.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
For a question like this, absolutely not. it hasn’t been a smooth road, and honestly I’m grateful for that now because a lot of the struggle shaped who I became.

Growing up adopted came with blessings, but it also came with internal questions that many people never see. Even when you’re raised in a loving home, there are moments where you wrestle with identity, belonging, and wondering where certain pieces of your story begin. Later in life, at 21 years old, my biological sister found me on Facebook, which eventually connected me to my biological family. That was a beautiful experience, but also emotional and layered in ways that are hard to explain unless you’ve lived it. Imagine going your whole life never seeing someone with your same facial features and then suddenly seeing reflections of yourself for the first time.

I also made mistakes growing up. I struggled with direction at times and eventually got expelled from high school. That season was tough because I watched classmates preparing for graduation and prom while I was dealing with the consequences of my own choices. I didn’t get the opportunity to walk across the stage with my classmates. My diploma was mailed to me instead. Not being able to experience those moments hurt more than I probably admitted at the time. As a teenager, you feel like those moments define your future.

Then one of the hardest seasons of my life came when both of my parents graduated to the Lord. My mother was a radical follower of Christ and my father, “Big Joe,” was one of the strongest men I knew. Their graduation forced me into a different season of manhood. There’s something about not having them physical present the people who covered you, prayed for you, and believed in you that changes you. It forced me to stand on my own two feet and trust God for myself in a deeper way.

Professionally, there were struggles too. Building a career, trying to create opportunities, balancing family, launching businesses, building TUNLVSN, and now creating my very own Agency all while trying to be present as a husband and father is a constant balancing act. Add real estate investing into that mix, and me and my wife have definitely had our moments where we looked at each other like, “Lord… are we sure about this?” lol .

But I think one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that struggle isn’t always a sign that you’re off course. Sometimes struggle is preparation. Sometimes it’s refining you into the person you’ll eventually need to become. Looking back now, every setback, every disappointment, and every painful season carried a lesson attached to it. I’m still learning, still growing, and still building. The road hasn’t been smooth, but it’s definitely been meaningful.

We’ve been impressed with TUNLVSN & VISION NEXT AGENCY , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
TUNLVSN and Vision Next Agency are built around one core mission: turning vision into impact. By profession, I’m a project and program management leader with 7+ years of experience across government contracting, media, operations, and marketing strategy. I’ve had opportunities to support initiatives with BET, working at Radio One, support marketing campaigns with the United States Army, and contribute to cloud migration initiatives supporting the United States Air Force. My passion has always been bringing structure to ideas and helping people execute at a high level.

But entrepreneurship has always been bigger than business for me. I’ve always had a passion for creating vision and building something from the ground up. Success was never just about titles or money, it was about ownership, freedom, taking back my time, and creating a legacy my family could be proud of.
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What I’m most proud of is that both brands started with nothing more than faith, consistency, and belief. At the center of everything I’m building is legacy. I’m not just trying to build businesses. I’m building impact, creating opportunities, and creating something my daughters can one day look at and say, “My dad built that.”

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My advice for finding a mentor or networking in general is to go into every environment with an open mind. A lot of people walk into rooms already trying to predict outcomes or expecting instant results, but relationships rarely work like that. Some of the best opportunities and connections in my life came from conversations I never planned for.

Also, understand that while pursuing your goals, you’re probably going to hear a lot of “no’s” before you hear a “yes.” But I’ve always looked at it differently—no’s are often just delayed yeses. Sometimes it’s timing, sometimes it’s preparation, and sometimes God is simply redirecting you toward something better.

For mentorship and networking specifically, I think we need to go a little old school again. Get out of your comfort zone. Put the phone down. Step away from behind the computer and actually introduce yourself to people. Shake hands. Ask questions. Build genuine relationships. In a world where everybody is sending DMs and emails, real human connection stands out.

People remember authenticity. They remember energy. They remember how you made them feel. Sometimes one conversation can open a door that changes the direction of your life.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tunlvsnpodcast/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TUNLVSNMindset
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenny-levister/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TUNLVSNPODCAST