"I love to take BIG risks. BIG risks yields BIG returns, and I think that's who and what the next Apprentice should be about."
Carey, 25, grew up in Atlanta and currently resides there. Not satisfied with working in a conventional office environment, he left to pursue his real passion - marketing. Carey's flair for crafting innovative promotions helped him launch his own event marketing and promotions firm, whose high-profile clients have included Adidas America and Stoli Vodka, as well as Atlanta's High Museum of Art, Turner South, Verizon Wireless through its agency partner Mini Mobile Media, and Cartoon Network through Hothouse Inc. He has served as National Political Director for the College Democrats of America, one of the youth arms of the Democratic National Committee, and was one of the youngest members of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. In his spare time, Carey enjoys playing flag football for the Atlanta Storm, an NFFLA team, working out, indoor rock climbing and creating "fashion forward couture" from items he finds at thrift shops. He says, "I should be the next Apprentice because I am a marketing guru, and that's what this show is all about!"
"Success" can mean different things to different people; what does it mean to you and how will you know when you've achieved it?
Success to me is a "full circle" concept. It's not about having everything you want, but rather getting everything you want out of life. To me personally it's when my client calls me back because we have done such a great job, or they refer us to someone. WOM (word of mouth) is the #1 most powerful marketing tool, and it's a great feeling when I'm talking to new clients and they tell me a current client told them to call us.
To be successful you can't reinvent the wheel. You have to create a totally new wheel that is different, new, bold, creative, and innovative. Since success in its true form is intangible, it can only be measured by you.
Describe the toughest business situation you've had to deal with and what you did to solve the problem.
I am not really sure that I have had to deal with tough situations. I mean, I think everyone has days where shipments are late, event trucks are broken down, in-market staffers are late or don't show up at all, event sampling product is damaged from the heat, or a client pulls the plug on a program because it's just not what they thought it was going to be, or you loose thousands of dollars because your client cannot be happy!
I am sure these things happen to everyone... or maybe just me. The key to survive is a flawless game plan. And even if you drop the ball, always offer a backup solution. Be smart and truthful to your client and never leave your office without a backup plan because, as we all know, what can go wrong will go wrong!
What lessons have you learned from past Apprentice winners or candidates?
It's imperative that you learn how to manage personalities. You can be the CEO or the President of the United States, but if you don't know how to manage characters (a.k.a. personalities) and make people feel a certain way, stroke their ego when need be, or persuade them to do things they would never do, then you will fail at this process. This is a good lesson before dying... or maybe just before starting the Apprentice interview process.
Why should you be Donald Trump's next Apprentice?
Well it's very simple. I am the best of the best of the best. I would make the perfect Apprentice because I embody all the traits of a smart, successful businessperson; plus, I am completely creative and wild. I love to take BIG risks. BIG risks yields BIG returns, and I think that's who and what the next Apprentice should be about.
What's your favorite thing about Los Angeles?
My favorite thing about L.A. is the Abbey in West Hollywood and shopping on Robertson with a little pit stop at The Ivy for lunch. There is a really awesome paintball course near Long Beach that I love so much. But there is nothing better in life then driving from Malibu down PCH to the Santa Monica Pier while being chased by LAPD for stalking your favorite celeb! (It's a beautiful drive, just watch out for the spikes).
What's your least favorite thing about Los Angeles? And you're not allowed to say "traffic."
Ok, I know it's off limits but traffic on the 405 and Dodger Stadium. The Stadium is so old and crappy. Egh! Oh yeah... and the fact that there could be an earthquake any time. Not good.
What will surprise viewers about this sixth season of The Apprentice?
This season is Mark Burnett's best work ever! He has single handedly been able to cross two #1 shows together, The Apprentice and Survivor, a combination that will captivate auditions all over America. I think that fans are going to love it. The drama, the yelling, the sex... The best part about the show is the team you think should win never does and you never know who is going to get fired. Just when you think you know, you realize that you have no idea! Think Vegas baby.
UP CLOSE
What's your marital/parental status?
I am happily in a relationship and we have been together for three years and counting. This is of course unless Seal and Heidi Klum break up and Heidi calls me and tells me I am the man of her dreams!
If you could be the star of any movie ever made, which movie would it be and why?
Ryan Philippe in "Cruel Intentions." I am not sure why I love that movie so much, but I do. I think it was my break through movie as a teen because those characters were nothing like me or my friends, but we wanted to be like them (kind of like today's generation is all about the movie "Mean Girls"). I never knew that people could be so ruthless, dirty, and cruel, and I loved every minute of it.
What are your three favorite albums of all time?
"Yourself or Someone Like You" by Matchbox 20
"The Buena Vista Social Club"
Jock Jams, Volume 3
What are your three favorite books of all time?
"The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck
"A Lesson Before Dying" by Ernest Gaines
"My Life" by Bill Clinton
What hobbies do you enjoy, outside of trying to impress Donald Trump?
I really enjoy playing flag football for the Atlanta Storm an NFFLA Team, working out, shopping at the thrift store and creating fashion forward couture from items found, paint ball, and indoor rock climbing, and the gym. Working out is my vice, plus having a nice body makes for a great summer!
Carey Sherrell
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