Stepping out on faith

Jet, June 21, 2004

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Caption: STEPPING OUT ON FAITH: When Mathew Knowles left a six-figure salary as a medical equipment salesman for Xerox to manage the career of his daughter, famed singer-actress Beyonce, little did he know that it would be one of the best decisions he'd ever make. At 22, Beyonce has sold 33 million records, won five Grammys, starred in three movies and made millions of dollars. Knowles, the president-CEO of the Houston-based Music World Music, Inc. (MWM)/Sanctuary, also oversees the solo career of his daughter, singer-actress Solange, the group Beyonce fronts, Destiny's Child, and the solo careers of its members, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. Recently, the soul group the O'Jay's inked a six-album deal with Knowles' MWM label, distributed by Sony Music (JET, May 3). Last year he sold his music management company, Music World Entertainment, to the London-based music group Sanctuary for $10 million (JET, Oct. 27, 2003). Knowles also develops new acts and oversees a music publishing operation.