EP 251: CEO CHRIS.SIMON

Join me for the last episode of the 2023 interview series where I sat down with Chris Simon, Founder and CEO of BTST and Co-Owner of Blk Swan. We discuss his journey as an entrepreneur, his love for golf, and the importance of going to grad school for his development as a leader. Don't miss out on this insightful conversation.

In 2008 Chris Simon started BTST Mentoring Services. His enthusiasm for service was palpable. It was not long before he was awarded his first contract with a level 5 school, Florence Bertell, now known as New Visions Academy. BTST continued to grow beyond Baltimore City and began providing services to several counties throughout the state of Maryland. Now called BTST Services, the company has expanded to include 5 facilities in several different counties in Maryland including Baltimore City, PG County, Frederick County, Washington County, and Cecil County providing services such as outpatient mental health clinics, psychiatric rehabilitation programs, and substance abuse.

In recent years, Chris has continued to grow as an entrepreneur. Presently, Chris Simon is CEO of Simon Enterprises, which encompasses several companies such as Xtra-Ordinary Creative Consulting Company, Simon Development, Cornerstone Health Management, and Lorraine’s Cleaning. He has received numerous awards such as the Small Business Administration Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and KEYS Development Award for being a leader in the field of mental health and most notably was recently awarded and recognized at the Light Health and Wellness Gala alongside Congressman Elijah Cummings and Dr. Galo who invented the term and treatment for HIV. Chris has been featured in the Baltimore Sun, Afro Newspaper, as well as the Black Business Review and is a Mental Health Contributor for local radio shows, news networks, and vlogs. He continues to support and give back to his alma mater Morgan State University where he is the President of the National Alumni Association of the School of Social Work at Morgan State University. Continuing his philanthropic pursuits, he launched a non-profit organization, BTST Cares that has helped the community by sponsoring yearly back-to-school book bag giveaways, turkey drives, Christmas big giveback, as well as help for Haiti, and providing clean water for Flint Michigan.