Daily Inspiration: Meet Austin Allen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Austin Allen.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am incredibly grateful to Jondese for thinking of me.

As a Black business owner, achieving success can sometimes be challenging, but I have never allowed obstacles to deter me. I founded Certified Protective Detail LLC/INC in 2023 after experiencing mistreatment, belittlement, and discrimination while working for a private security company in Nevada. I decided then that I had to leave, even if it meant a period of struggle, because I could not continue in that environment.

I resigned and began building my own brand. To my surprise, I faced immediate setbacks from the Nevada licensing board, which I believe were biased. Despite over 19 years of security experience, including running and operating as an account manager and Vice President for another company, my applications for a license in Nevada were repeatedly denied.

Feeling defeated, I expressed my frustration to my wife. She reminded me of the values I instilled in our children—never allowing anyone to diminish their joy. She asked why I would let others prevent me from providing opportunities for new employees to love their work. Her words, “Do not accept their no,” resonated deeply with me.

After a night of reflection, I realized she was right. I decided to leave Nevada for a month and explore the process of becoming a business owner in Arizona. In Nevada, obtaining a private security company license typically takes three to six months; in Arizona, it takes weeks. Within three weeks, I secured my license. Returning home, I shared the news with my wife, who attributed the success to my perseverance. She then urged me to ensure that no employee at Certified Protective Detail would ever experience the mistreatment I faced and that everyone would receive a fair opportunity.

Today, we proudly hold five contracts that we’ve maintained since day one, and all our original employees are still with us. We are now looking to expand our team. My goal isn’t immense wealth, but rather stability and comfort for my family and employees. I’ve tried various social media platforms to spread our message, but they haven’t yielded the results I hoped for. Having my wife, who serves as our CFO, acknowledge me as someone worthy of an interview is a profound display of unconditional love and support that I deeply cherish.

At the heart of the Certified Protective Detail lies a narrative woven with threads of Transparency, love, and unwavering faith. It all began with CEO Austin Allen, whose journey started as a humble dispatcher supervisor in the bustling city of Chicago. Driven by an insatiable desire for growth, he soared to the position of operations manager, skillfully managing over 200 employees and more than 30 accounts.

His remarkable evolution continued as he embraced the role of EM/3M Tech with the Department of Correction of Cook County from 2012 to 2015. But on July 5, 2016, Austin made the bold decision to trade the Windy City for the dazzling lights of Las Vegas—a move that not only transformed his career but also led him to the love of his life, Mrs. Jondese Allen. Their love story blossomed in the very same security firm, where both started as dispatchers. Together, they forged a path of partnership, not just in love but in building a legacy of safety and trust through Certified Protective Detail. After all, when you mix love and ambition, you create a fortress of protection that stands tall against any storm!

After years of navigating the intricate maze of the security industry, the Allens emerged not just as seasoned professionals but as the champions of safety! With a wealth of experience tucked under their belts and a treasure trove of knowledge at their fingertips, they were ready to launch their own security company that would shine brighter than a diamond in the dark!

They made a heartfelt promise to treat every client with the respect and care they wished they had received, turning the tide on the “NOs” they faced. With unwavering faith and determination, they transformed every setback into a steppingstone, proving that with God by their side, they could turn every “NO” into a glorious, resounding “YES!” So, buckle up and get ready to feel secure, because the Allens are here to protect you with passion and purpose in the State of Arizona!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting a new company is incredibly challenging. Lacking years of business experience often feels like a recipe for failure, even though my team has been in the industry for over 15 years. It didn’t seem to matter to business owners who had been running their companies for just as long. Leaving my job to start my own company wasn’t for the faint of heart. I felt like giving up almost every week, but my wife and team kept encouraging me, saying, “Someone will call.” We used all our savings to finance the business, and it got so tough that I had to take another job just to keep funding it. We went to Arizona with 5,000 business cards, flyers, and pamphlets to promote ourselves, but months passed without any results. Then one day, the office phone rang—a potential client who had found our flyer. That same day, I drove 400 miles to meet him, and three weeks later, we signed our first client. I told him, “I may not be local, but I will drive or fly 400 miles to keep my clients happy.” I believe that statement reassured him, and now, nearly three years later, we still have that client.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Certified Protective Detail is a private security services firm providing armed and unarmed security services across Arizona. All CPD officers are trained and certified in firearms, batons, handcuffs, OC spray, and more. Our officers undergo extensive training, including situational awareness, customer service, tactical knowledge, and threat identification to protect our clients’ properties. They wear body-worn cameras to ensure professionalism and transparency in interactions with clients and the public. CPD stands out from other agencies due to our years of training and deep understanding of our clients’ needs, delivering exceptional service and beyond. Our officers are committed to revitalizing communities where other agencies have failed. As a Black-owned company, CPD is always in the spotlight, and we strive to work ten times harder to prove our worth. Despite being in business for less than five years, the owners’ extensive experience ensures employees are treated with the utmost respect. We believe that treating employees well leads to happy clients.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Security is all about taking risks. Certified Protective Detail (CPD) understands that life can be challenging, and many people have had difficult upbringings. We once had a client who was very disrespectful to our employees, showing bias and discrimination. The CPD owners started this business for similar reasons—we were mistreated and looked down upon because security was considered beneath others’ pay grade. One of our employees requested a transfer from one of the client’s properties, and without asking questions, we approved it to keep our employees happy. However, when we later moved a female employee to the same property, she also requested a transfer. At that point, we knew something was wrong. I brought both employees into my office to find out what happened. They explained that the client’s workers talked down to them and made them feel disrespected. I reviewed the body camera footage and determined that the client was indeed biased and made our employees feel unwelcome. I immediately contacted the client and canceled the contract. Yes, we lost thousands of dollars, but that’s the risk CPD takes to ensure no one is mistreated under our name.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.certifiedprotectivedetailinc.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562040514125
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/certified-protective-detail-inc-674024286/
• Twitter: https://x.com/certified42590
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CertifiedProtectiveDetail