The Basement with Tim Ross Rejected by My Father… Redeemed by God | The Basement w- Tim Ross
Nov 22, 2025
Malcolm Solo Brown, a Chicago-based tattoo artist and entrepreneur, shares his powerful journey from childhood rejection to healing through faith. He candidly reflects on the pivotal moment of his father's absence on Christmas, shaping his struggles with self-worth. Malcolm reveals how painful experiences inspired him to lead men's ministry and offer support in unexpected places like tattoo shops. His story highlights transformative kindness, like gifting a tattoo to a client in need, showcasing how vulnerability can foster authentic connections.
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Brokenness Fueled Entrepreneurial Drive
- Solo explains his entrepreneurial drive grew from needing to provide and avoid burdening his busy mother.
- He turned survival hustles into organized businesses like snow-shoveling crews and a dance group with contracts and uniforms.
Military School Rekindled Confidence
- Tim and Solo discuss Lincoln's Challenge, a quasi-military program that gave Solo structure, ribbons, and leadership roles.
- That environment rebuilt his confidence and revealed his leadership gifts, earning commendations.
Last Words: A Brief Closure Then Loss
- After his father reappeared dying of cancer, Solo spent time with him, received a brief 'I'm proud of you,' then lost him again to death.
- That last interaction offered fragile healing but reopened loss when his father died shortly after.