Year: 2022

Mygani LLC is a lifestyle accessory brand that creates inspirational products for women + girls of color. Our product line features custom illustrations of black women with naturally curly hair. We want to empower them to be confident within themselves regardless of their hair texture or skin complexion.

Owner and designer, Felicia Wright, has over 20 years as a graphic designer and used her expertise to create products that empower women of color with naturally curly hair. In 2020 & 2021 Mygani LLC was named best custom accessories by Best Boss Gala.

Additionally, the company’s signature annual event, Curls and Convo™, is a platform that instills the value of confidence in women + girls regardless of their hair texture or skin complexion.

Mygani LLC has been featured in Essence, Forbes, Rivercity Live, Voyage ATL, Voyage MIA, Buzz Tv, and First Coast Living.

What inspired the start of “Mygani LLC “?
Because of my background in graphic design, I knew I wanted to use my creativity to have a positive impact on society. In 2015 I launched our product line featuring custom illustrations of black women with naturally curly hair. Our product line consists of handbags, travel bags, backpacks, yoga mats, and mugs. I want the images on our products to convey a positive message and empower women and girls of color.

What has been the biggest challenge of running a brand like ” Mygani LLC”?
My biggest challenge is being a solo entrepreneur and trying to find the balance between family and growing my business.

How does “Mygani LLC ” impact the community?
Mygani’s mission is to create platforms and products that empower women of color. We have a unique collaboration with a local tv segment to highlight positive stories of black moms and women-owned businesses in the community. Many times we hear the negative stories about the black community, this is a way to make a positive impact on our community.

Can you share the experience that attendees receive yearly at your signature event “Curls and Convo”, why should every woman be in attendance?
Mygani’s signature Curls and Convo annual event is designed to instill the value of self-confidence in women and girls of color regardless of their skin complexion or hair texture. Attendees are able to hear from an expert panel, view hair and headwrap demos, receive a swag bag filled with hair products, lunch, and support local vendors while experiencing the unique connections of women that look like them.
In 2022 the City of Jacksonville proclaimed February 12 Curls and Convo Day.

Where do you hope to see your brand in the next 3-5 years?
In the next 3- 5 years I see Mygani being on a national retail shelf.

What advice do you have for the next generation of entrepreneurs?
My advice is to the next generation of entrepreneurs is to make sure you are taking breaks, asking questions, and getting help. It’s hard to successfully grow your business when you are mentally and physically drained.

What does being “Pretty and Black Owned” mean to you?
Pretty and Black Owned means I am a black woman entrepreneur who is handling her business and taking care of herself.

Social Media Links: facebook.com/myganillc

Instagram.com/mygani_llc

Website: http://www.mygani.com

Precious Monét is an experienced and well-established businesswoman who has mastered the art of planning and execution. She is on a mission to impact lives with her time and talents. Throughout her educational journey, Precious is equipped with professional roots in Human Resources, Project Management, and Event Management. Her educational background consists of obtaining a BA in Administrative Management and completing her certification to become a certified Life Coach. 

After witnessing constant competition amongst women entrepreneurs, Precious decided to create a women’s empowerment community called Be Her Support. 

Be Her Support is designed to bring together women that are not only supporting other women but to demonstrate what the support looks like. The community includes online courses that provide business fundamentals, tips, and engagement with group activities.

Precious grew up in a structured home that was influenced by her father who became an entrepreneur at the very young age of 16 years old. Precious possesses the same entrepreneurial spirit and has continued to instill the inspiration drawn from her parents in her work as a leader and life coach. 

What inspired the start of ” Be Her Support “?
Be Her Support was birth due to the lack of support from women that look like me. Witnessing constant competition amongst women also plays a part in why I wanted to design an environment where collaboration trumps competition. Be Her Support is designed to bring together women that are not only supporting other women but to demonstrate what support looks like. It includes online courses that will provide business fundamentals tips and engagement with group activities.

What has been the biggest challenge of running a community like “Be Her Support”?
No craft is ever easy, and pursuing one’s passion involves a journey of struggles and triumphs. When a person is fueled by their vision and armed with dedication, translating their dreams into reality is always feasible. Running a community like Be Her Support is not challenging at all. To be honest it is a breath of fresh air from the chaotic world we live in today. The goal is to continue to conduct interviews to ensure that we continue to accept the right people for the community. I believe in quality, not quantity.

How does ” Be Her Support ” impact your community?
Be Her Support is a community that believes in giving back. Whether it is with our time or talent. The Fully foundation was created in honor of my grandmother who passed away from breast cancer. A portion of the first membership fees is donated to the American Cancer Society to continue to honor her. We also collaborate with our community and other businesses to volunteer our time during back-to-school events. We look forward to working with the school system in the near future to work with young teenage girls to prepare them for what happens after graduating from high school.

Where do you hope to see your brand in the next 3-5 years?
Be Her Support brand will continue to impact lives within the community with our members and amongst our community with our time and talent. I am proud of the authenticity of my brand that provides a way to connect one-on-one with people. We are currently represented in 5 states and looking forward to growing throughout the US and building a safe haven for women to give and receive support through community, connections, and most importantly accountability.

What advice do you have for the next generation of entrepreneurs?
Entrepreneurship is about being relentless for your passion and you’re willing to embrace change. It is one of the biggest risks but so satisfying if you are doing what you love. Don’t always expect your plans to go as planned but to plan for the unexpected. Be consistent and don’t give up.

What does being “Pretty and Black Owned“ mean to you?
Authentically walking in my truth while being beautiful inside and out.

For more information on Be Her Support please visit www.behersupport.com.

Delmar is the Co-Founder & CEO of ExpandHR, a tech startup; as well as, Principal Consultant of the brand HR Brain for HireTM, a boutique HR and People Relations Consultancy helping growing for-profit businesses and non-profits organizations build and develop a legacy through the development of their leadership, people, culture, and best practices to help mitigate risks and develop a strengths-based culture. With clients based across the U.S., Delmar is an award-winning entrepreneur that has been honored with the Spark and Hustle Small Business Resiliency Award (2018) and nominated for the Best Small Business Startup Award in 2014.

With over 25 years of experience working with big corporations, non-profits, small business owners, and startups, Delmar founded the brand HR Brain for HireTM as a trusted and resourceful solution for startups to established small business employers in need of affordable, efficient, and top-notch recruitment, training and HR services. Delmar’s personal story, which includes multiple layoffs, life challenges, and her own dive into entrepreneurship, gives her a perfect mix of formal knowledge and
“real-life” experience that she pours into each client and their unique needs.

Delmar, an Amazon Best Seller, is the Author of HR Is Sexy! The Truth About Human Resources and Why It’s Necessary for Your Business, Memoir Seasons of My Soul, and Co-Author of multiple books, In addition, Delmar is a contributor to Black Women Mean Business Magazine and Authority Magazine, Delmar has also been a guest speaker at several conferences and empowerment events where she has shared the stage with such industry leaders as Dr. George Frazier, Inventor Lonnie Johnson, Peter J. Strauss, Adam Witty, Cindy Trimm, Lamar Tyler and Aprille Franks.

What inspired the start of ” ExpandHR”? 

ExpandHR was inspired by my 25+ years of human resources experience and the desire to move my hands-on HR for Entrepreneurs experience into the tech space to help growing small businesses streamline their people experience including hiring, payroll, and onboarding. The future of HR in tech is a tremendous space to be in and will increasingly become more important to the sustainability of small businesses as they position to scale up. 

What has been the biggest challenge of running a brand like ” ExpandHR”?

One of the biggest challenges is being part of the less than 2% population of Black Women Founders and gaining access to funding. However, it has not stopped me nor my business partner Shayna Atkins, from continuing the journey to building and developing ExpandHR. We are very excited about the future. 

How does “ExpandHR” impact the community?

ExpandHR will have an impact in the community from the perspective of future hires of team members who will become a part of the vision of ExpandHR. In addition, the community of entrepreneurs ExpandHR will have a tremendous impact on BIPOC small business particularly, as we have found in the past couple of years of continuous research, that demographic operate more manually, although many are beginning to embrace the necessity of developing a business culture that is intentional about their employee experience.

 You expanded your brand by becoming Principal Consultant of HR Brain of Hire ™, can you share the mission and work being done?

Actually, ExpandHR is an extension of my first brand HR Brain for Hire as a Principal Consultant. That was a venture I originally started back in 2011, as it was a solution not only to my personal life that was in the midst of a hard pivot I was experiencing, but it was also taking years of HR experience and educating the entrepreneur communities of its importance to their growth. I had lost everything the year before and in returning home after years of living in other cities, I literally returned with the clothes on my back and walked into an unexpected assignment of caregiving for my mother., along with the help from my sisters. So, in starting my life over, I had to find a “work” solution that would be conducive to being essentially a full-time caregiver. And from that, using what was in my hands, which was HR, is where it all began. 

Where do you hope to see your brand in the next 3-5 years?

I hope to see ExpandHR as one of the most sought-after subscription-based HR SasS resources in the small business marketplace, providing answers to questions entrepreneurs don’t have to Google their way to.

What advice do you have for the next generation of entrepreneurs?

For the next generation of entrepreneurs, I say when taking big and small risks, believe in the vision that was given to you but don’t be afraid to ask for help when you know you need it. Do not operate in a silo too long. You will go farther faster asking questions, and intentionally connecting to individuals who are several steps ahead of you. More times than not, people want to help and see you win.  

What does being “Pretty and Black Owned” mean to you? 

Pretty and Black-owned means to me, showing up and taking ownership in your vision, your power, and your BEing. 

Social Media Links:

Website:  www.expandhr.co 

Hair loss in women is more common than most people realize. Alongside cancer patients, women can lose their hair from hormone imbalances, traction alopecia, and more. COVID-19 has also created a rise in hair loss in women. People recovering from the virus and the increased stress levels have caused much more hair shedding. 

Nikia Londy is the owner of Intriguing Hair, a hair salon and one-stop solution for consumers to purchase high-quality hair extensions, wigs, and hairpieces. She has also made it her life’s work to help women who suffer from hair loss. 

For those who suffer from alopecia or cancer, Intriguing Hair offers non-surgical hair replacement solutions such as cranial prostheses. Intriguing Hair is a part of a network of about 100 insurance companies to help customers cover the cost of their hair replacements. They also have a medical reimbursement plan that helps those with hair loss be partially or fully reimbursed through their health insurance company.

Nikia is a member of the American Hair Loss Council and hopes that through the services Intriguing Hair provides, clients have a renewed sense of faith, confidence, and style. 

What inspired the start of “Intriguing Hair “? 

I believe the concept of intriguing hair has been with me for most of my life. Since a young girl maybe 5-7 years old, I have always loved hair, especially hairpieces. My first job in the hair industry was in a hair augmentation facility. This was crucial to putting this concept, which lived within me and gave it a home that could exist.

What has been the biggest challenge of running a brand like ”  Intriguing Hair “?

The biggest challenge in running Intriguing Hair is remembering to have a balance. One individual is unable to do everything. It’s a 24-hour job that requires dedication and delegation. The hair industry is profitable, but you also need time for yourself and your family and friends.

How does “Intriguing Hair ” impact the community?

The biggest impact of Intriguing Hair is helping all women look and feel their best to exude confidence. We have several target consumers. The first were African-American women. When we started, we wanted to have a high-end one-stop solution for professional African Americans to buy high-quality hair extensions and wigs, including installing, coloring, and tailoring them by certified hair extension specialists. Being one myself, I was tired of going to the salon and spending the whole day at the location. As we grew, women of all ethnicities who experienced medical hair loss began to shop with us. They also wanted this professional high-quality standard in a private setting, which we already had. Today, we are focused on being an ally and resource for trans women.

You recently joined the American Hair Loss Council, can you tell us about the work you are doing through this organization?

My work with the American Hair Loss Council focuses on women experiencing medical hair loss. This can be due to a lifelong illness, such as Alopecia, or someone recently diagnosed with breast cancer who will undergo chemo treatments. I am there to be an advocate, educator, friend, and/or partner throughout their personal journey. The women I have met are extremely resilient, and my experience with this organization has given me a deep appreciation for everything in life.

Where do you hope to see your brand in the next 3-5 years?

Expansion and growth. Entering new markets and inspiring black and brown individuals that you can create something big from nothing.

What advice do you have for the next generation of entrepreneurs?

The advice I have for the next generation. Is to be fearless, that is, to do the things that make you uncomfortable. Enjoy the journey we live at a time when social media makes people believe you will have instant success. This is not the norm for most companies. Legalize your business to enjoy the benefits of doing business the right way. Finally, look beyond your personal network for partners and customers.  

What does being “Pretty and Black Owned” mean to you? 

Being pretty and black-owned means showing up as your best always. Even when you don’t feel your best. Giving a 100% at all times. 

Connect with Intriguing Hair Online:

Instagram 

Website

  Shydiyah Gardner is a young, black entrepreneur and designer and the owner of ShyDiva Co. Having fallen in love with accessorizing at a young age, Gardner has always had the dream and drive to own her own business. Gardner founded her company, ShyDiva Co. in 2015, and specializes in handbags and is geared towards women who enjoy accessorizing and making fashion statements.

ShyDiva Co. offers a variety of styles and colors while also making them completely functional for everyday use. Not only are the handbags affordable, but they are also sustainable, made with great quality to be eco-friendly. Gardner  is not afraid to explore with color, textures, and patterns and prefers to be bold with her ideas and designs.

Gardner  received her Bachelor’s in Fashion Merchandising from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, having graduated in 2017 and becoming dedicated to her brand full-time since 2019. Gardner’s commitment to her brand has landed ShyDiva Co. a spot on the roster in both Marshall’s and Tj Maxx, selling over 16,000 pieces of her signature TRACEE satchel within a year. With her dedication and enthusiasm for fashion, Gardner foresees the future of her brand to be a household name all around the world, being sold in big-name brand stores such as Nordstrom and Saks. She also has the plan of expanding her brand from handbags to creating luxury travel bags, tech bags, and various other accessories.

One of Gardner’s  ultimate goals is to become and thrive as a serial entrepreneur, wanting to nourish her other talents and desires outside of the fashion industry. She eventually plans on launching The Diva Initiative, a blueprint that elevates her business further while simultaneously making a positive impact within her community.

What inspired the start of Shydiva Co.?
I was inspired to start Shydiva Co by the people around me, who loved me. As a young girl, I would always receive compliments on the way I styled and accessorized my looks. The inspiration to start this business came from wanting to give people something that they already loved so much but that they could incorporate into their own personal style and feel just as fabulous as they made me feel.

What has been the biggest challenge of running a brand like Shydiva Co.?
My biggest challenge has been building my team. Over the past year, I realized that I cannot do all of the things alone. I receive help from family when we have a bunch of merchandise coming in and/or a bunch of orders going out, however, all of the other things that I do on a daily basis like creating content, email/SMS marketing, and inventory management just to name a few are starting to become more than I can handle by myself. I am struggling with getting clear on what exactly needs to be outsourced, defining a budget to execute, and actually finding quality, passionate and hard-working candidates. Hopefully, by the end of 2022, I have a solid little team.

How does Shydiva Co. impact the community?
To be very honest, I don’t know how to answer this question because I could be a lot better at doing this. Social impact and building community is something that I plan on working to strengthen this year actually. One of our biggest values is customer experience. Outside of the shopping experience though, I plan on curating spaces on and offline for our customers to really feel like they are a part of our family.

You plan to launch The Diva Initiative, can you tell us about the work you plan to do through this blueprint?
Yes, I do plan on relaunching the Diva Initiative hopefully sometime this year. When we initially launched back in 2019 our mission was to provide feminine necessities to women and mothers in need stuffed inside a handbag. In the future, I plan to change it up a bit and make it more of a scholarship fund catered to young girls, particularly black girls, to use to further their education whether it be college or entrepreneurship. Once this is back up and running a percentage of each purchase will be donated to fund this initiative amongst other fundraisers.

Where do you hope to see your brand in the next 3-5 years?
In 3-5 years I hope to see Shydiva Co as one of the top well-known & sought-after black-owned handbag brands. I would love for the brand to do an exclusive collection collaboration with another big department store. I would really love to see our handbags and accessories being used and worn by influencers, public figures, and celebrities in their everyday lives. This isn’t everything but lastly, I would really love for Shydiva Co to be a multimillion-dollar brand in 5 years. God’s plan

What advice do you have for the next generation of entrepreneurs?

You do not have to be great to start but you do have to start to be great.

*You NEVER know everything. Always be a student to the game and continuously study your craft and industry.

*It’s going to be hard but remain patient and remember why you started.

*Do not give up. Success and results happen when preparation and opportunity meet. Everyone will get their day just make sure you are prepared for it.

What does being “Pretty and Black Owned” mean to you?
To me being pretty & black-owned means being proud to be a black entrepreneur in this world while exuding a high and lovable self-esteem and personality.

Connect with Shy Diva Co. Online

Instagram: @shydivaco

Website: www.shydiva.co

Nicole is an Award Winning Podcaster, Global Influencer, International Speaker, Podcast Launch Coach, and Women Empowerment Advocate. Nicole attributes much of her success to starting her podcast, WinHers United, and often talks about how
podcasting “literally changed her life”.

Nicole knows how it feels to be overlooked and undervalued. This is why she helps Women of Color amplify themselves and their voices via her podcast platform, podcast coaching services, and her events.
Nicole has been named a Top 50 Mom in Podcasting, a 2020 Top Influencer, and was nominated for the 2021 Excellence in Audio Media Award. She has spoken on various stages about topics pertaining to business, mindset, and podcasting.

Nicole’s podcast has received numerous accolades such as being ranked among the Top 5% of podcasts worldwide and winning the 2020 Best Black Business Podcast Award. In 2020 Nicole created the first WinHers United Virtual Summit, which was an international success.

Nicole believes we go through to help others get through, and her life’s motto is “be empowered and empower on”. Nicole is the proud mother of two children, and when she is not working she enjoys traveling, eating, and scrapbooking.

What inspired the start of ” WinHers United “?
In 2018 I had a vision. I wanted to amplify the voices of Women of Color entrepreneurs and show the world that we are leaders who have valuable information to share. Making this dream come true began on March 1, 2018, with the launch of WinHers United the podcast.

My inspiration to start WinHers United came from my desire to be the change I wanted to see in my own life and the lives of other Women of Color. It is a statistical fact that Women of Color are systematically disadvantaged by being both a woman and a person of color. WinHers United was created to level the playing field for aspiring and current Women of Color entrepreneurs by providing valuable insight into business and personal development practices.

My journey to effective self-leadership was long and hard; however, once I realized some key principles, things became much easier for me. WinHers United is also my effort to shorten the learning curve for those that want to grow their mindset. This is why WinHers United provides the insight and tools needed to stay inspired, maintain motivation, and take action.
From my past experiences I dealt with too much backbiting, and too little collaboration amongst the women I surrounded myself with. Because of this, I decided that WinHers United would be a place where aspiring and current Women of Color entrepreneurs come together to celebrate and support one another. At WinHers United we believe in collaboration over competition.

What has been the biggest challenge of running a brand like “WinHers United “?
One of the biggest challenges I have experienced while running my brand is finding a decent work/life balance. In addition to being the founder of WinHers United I am also a single mother, and a full-time employee. Needless to say, I am juggling many roles. As a result of my many hats, I have to be very intentional about how I choose to spend my time. This is especially true because balance and self-care are top priorities for me.
One thing that I have learned to help me with this challenge is making decisions for the greater good. There have been many times when I made a decision to sacrifice what I really wanted to do because I had to meet a deadline for my business, put work to the side because my family felt neglected, and rest because I was on the verge of burnout. Learning to prioritize accordingly has been essential to my success.

How does ” WinHers United ” impact the community?
WinHers United helps aspiring and current Women of Color entrepreneurs improve their business, mindset, personal development, and self-care practices. This is done via podcast episodes, virtual summits, webinars, and in-person gatherings. We provide the clues needed to be successful in business and in life.
WinHers United shines a light on and makes space for those that are normally overlooked and undervalued. At WinHers United aspiring and current Women of Color entrepreneurs learn about, learn from, and connect with other aspiring and current Women of Color entrepreneurs. Our tagline is “be empowered and empower on” because we are all about bringing together like-minded women to build knowledge, and grow impact.

You recently hosted your first virtual summit for your brand that gave international success, can you share the experience?
The WinHers United Virtual Summit was an amazing experience for myself, the speakers, and the attendees. We had 28 speakers over four days, with four-panel and twelve solo discussions. Attendees learned about various topics in relation to business, mindset, personal development, and self-care. I surprised myself by pulling the first-ever WinHers United Virtual Summit together in just six short weeks and managed to get six sponsors to come on board as well.
I love to host events, and have been doing so in my personal life for over twenty years. Deciding to take my experience and use it for my brand was honestly scary because it was a new endeavor, yet it was also super rewarding. I was humbled to have 150 registrants and 75 attendees from four countries show interest in the WinHers United Virtual Summit. Hosting my first summit gave me a glimpse into what I am capable of achieving.

Where do you hope to see your brand in the next 3-5 years?
Some of the things I see in the future for WinHers United are group coaching, a membership community, online self-paced courses, various forms of merchandise, and local chapters across the nation/globe. I have so many aspirations for WinHers United that it scares me! They say if your vision doesn’t scare you, then it’s not big enough. This tells me that I am heading in the right direction.

What advice do you have for the next generation of entrepreneurs?
My advice for the next generation of entrepreneurs is: Give yourself permission to be great! Over the last four years, I have learned that mindset plays such a huge role in being a successful entrepreneur. Many times we talk ourselves out of our greatness due to fear and low self-esteem. If we do not believe in ourselves, how do we expect anyone else to believe in us? This is why we MUST give ourselves the permission we need to be great.

What does being “Pretty and Black Owned” mean to you?
To me being “Pretty and Black Owned” means I am a beautiful Black woman who has decided that I can and will run a business. I have made a commitment to show up for myself and for those that need me, by sharing my talents with the world. I have decided that I want freedom, and my business is how I will obtain the freedom I desire.

Connect with Nicole Online:

Website: http://WinHersUnited.com

Facebook: http://Facebook.com/WinHersUnited

Instagram: http://instagram.com/nicole_walker_network

Linked In: http://LinkedIn.com/in/nicolewalkernetwork

When fulfilling God’s plan is calling on your soul, you can rely on speaker, author, entrepreneur, and holistic wellness influencer Cassandra Hill to give you the right words to answer His call.

As a firm believer in radical self-care for professional Black women who’ve put themselves on the backburner in building their careers and businesses, Cassandra’s purpose is to empower women to become their most cared for, stress-free, purpose-driven, and impactful selves.

Her empowering insights and actionable advice have led her to share the stage at major events along with expert keynotes such as Iyanla Vanzant contribute frequently to Thrive Global and Authority magazines and be featured on CBS, NBC, FOX and several local Atlanta channels.

Cassandra is an inspirational expert in health and wellness, women’s

empowerment, spirituality, and women in leadership. Relying on God and a holistic, natural regimen to heal her systematic lupus is what originally sparked her knack for transforming lives.

When Cassandra discovered the power of holistic and faith-based healing, she knew she had to share this gift with professional Black women. And she is grateful for the many unlocked doors that have provided her with the opportunities to do so.

What inspired the start of “Cassandra R. Hill Holistic Living Consulting”?
For many years I went misdiagnosed as being anemic. When I finally received the diagnosis of systemic lupus my body was falling apart. Thankfully, God blessed me to begin courses in health and wellness which lead to developing a regimen that sparked remission. While living in remission I felt called to empower other women towards healing their bodies physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

What has been the biggest challenge of running a brand like ” Cassandra R. Hill Holistic Living Consulting “?
Initially, the biggest hurdle was a lack of capital. This business was developed after I lost my career due to dis-ease and no bank would loan funds for my company. Like many entrepreneurs, I was forced to work and build my business which was difficult given what my body had experienced.

How does ” Cassandra R. Hill Holistic Living Consulting ” impact the community?
When I started Holistic Living Consulting the mission was simply to transform the physical, emotional, and spiritual health of women. It has been a delight to impact the community I am called to serve. Partnering with organizations like Black Women United Inc and Beautiful Brown Girls I have the opportunity to share best practices on taking care of the mind, body, and soul.

You are an author of several books, can you tell us about the message behind your work?
Whether it is a health/wellness or inspirational book the message is similar. As human beings, our health is interconnected. It’s not possible to be depressed and have physical well-being or vice versa. In my writings, the goal is to emphasize self-love and self-care while providing the tools necessary to make those things part of your lifestyle.

Where do you hope to see your brand in the next 3-5 years?
God never ceases to blow my mind with the plans He has for my life and Holistic Living Consulting. He has revealed that I will change the lives of 20k women of color. Additionally, I look forward to sharing the message of healing to the world through television.

What advice do you have for the next generation of entrepreneurs?

Do not become solely focused on money. Find your passion and that will open doors and create wealth.

What does being “Pretty and Black Owned” mean to you?
Pretty and Black Owned is the confidence that a woman feels inside knowing she is aligned with the vision God has granted her to fulfill on earth.

Visit http://www.cassandrarhill.com to find out how Cassandra’s healing hands can touch and transform your life.

Shauntreis is an Arizona-based Photographer that shoots multiple genres including headshots, sports, portraits, and wildlife. Shauntreis specializes in documentary-style work with the goal of promoting positivity and unity for social issues, especially those centered on human rights.

Shauntreis also performs work as a brand ambassador/advertising for small businesses and larger companies. She loves to network with people for the purpose of improving our world and local communities.  

After having overcome a wide number of obstacles in her life and also in working in corporate America, Shauntreis was inspired, pre-Covid, to start her own businesses. Shauntreis brings a wealth of experience to her endeavors; both collegiate and from the varied industries that she has worked, including the areas of Business Administration, Management, Economics, Advertising, Finance, and Healthcare.

Shauntreis spent many years volunteering her time and efforts to non-profits, especially those in the areas of education, wellness, and spiritual growth. She enjoys working with youth as well as adults and sharing her wisdom with individuals from all walks of life. 

What inspired the start of ” Shaun Finette Photography “?
SFP started out of my desire to paint my own original works in watercolor. However, after I started taking photos I became more interested in advancing my skillset in photography. I realized shortly thereafter that I had always been intrigued with photography because I was the one who created and collected the family photo albums. I also began noticing how photography pushed me to be adventurous. It was helping me with my long-time struggle with social anxiety.

What has been the biggest challenge of running a brand like ” Shaun Finette Photography “?
The biggest hurdle has been trying to find a way to impact our communities and the world around us beyond taking a photograph. I ponder often on how I can stretch my business and place my visions into an expressive form that will call people to action. I truly want to inspire love in people and help them see how we can impact the world and the communities around us when we take time to care for the disadvantaged, pay attention to the social issues in our communities, and care for the environment around us. Furthermore, the attempt to do this with limited resources has been very difficult.

How does ” Shaun Finette Photography ” impact the community?
SFP has done free photoshoots for local nonprofits and worked to bring awareness to various events and businesses to inspire us to get out and socialize with one another and have fun celebrating our lives.

SFP also has an online presence, which is geared at making social media posts that inspire positivity and empowerment.

My reach has been limited, but I am always exploring ways to extend my efforts and have things in the works. It just takes time to build each platform, but my dedication hasn’t wavered.

You are a photographer who specializes in more than one genre, what is the creative process like preparing for shoots?

Preparation is definitely important and looks different for each shoot/genre. Equipment preparation starts at least a day or two beforehand, and the creative process may start a week ahead if time allows. There are many times when I’m just going with the flow and capturing the moment because I like to feel my art. In regards to equipment, for example, with wildlife photography I’m not only taking items to do the work, such as the heavier super-telephoto lens, extra batteries, etc, but also survival items such as a compass, whistle, extra water, and items to protect myself should I come in contact with a threat in the wilderness. On the contrary, for portrait/headshots sessions I would have my standard/wide/macro lenses, props, and professional lighting equipment, accordingly.

Where do you hope to see your brand in the next 3-5 years?
I would like to say that I visualize my brand being more of a household name, seeing my prints in more businesses, and bringing about a great amount of awareness. However, with the fluidity of my business, I don’t want to limit where this can go. I’m taking it one day at a time and know from experience that life can change in a blink of an eye. At the end of the day, I sincerely want to make a positive impact no matter what happens.

What advice do you have for the next generation of entrepreneurs?

Never give up! You are powerful and please understand that great things come with a struggle and don’t happen overnight. We have all been there and that’s okay. It’s our fortitude that really speaks to people at the end of the day. Lastly, whatever you do, be yourself and search for the Truth.

What does being “Pretty and Black Owned” mean to you?

Being Pretty and Black Owned to me means rising from the ashes and being in charge of yourself. No one is perfect and no one’s life will ever go perfectly. As Black people, our Culture has especially endured some unfortunate and devastating experiences. This does not define us, but instead, what’s inside of us does. Pull that beauty and creativity out for not only yourself but to uplift others. Invest in yourself and in the communities worldwide. You are indeed powerful and you matter. You owe it to yourself and our ancestors to keep going! We are all connected to something Bigger! Something Spiritual! Something Real Pretty!

Connect with Shauntreis:

Facebook: Shaun Finette Photography

Instagram: shaun_finette_photography

Website: www.shaunfinettephotography.mypixieset.com

Natasha D. Oates is a 2x award-winning therapist, relationship expert, and entrepreneur. She understands the challenges that come with balancing many roles. She is the founder of The UP Company, a 5-star counseling company based in Charlotte, NC. Natasha has been featured by many national publications including Fox, Reader’s Digest, Best Life Magazine, Market Insider, and more. Natasha impacts organizations through conferences, retreats, and consulting services. Natasha has a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling and is a proud graduate of North Carolina Central University and Gardner-Webb University. Her mission is to create legacies of strong families and generational wealth. She is the founder of The UP Company where she provides therapy for entrepreneurs empowering them to heal themselves, their families, and their communities.

What inspired the start of “The UP Company”?
I wanted to create a place that really cherishes Black women. Our strength and our struggles. A place where they not only could take off the fake smiles and be honest about their emotional pain and challenging relationships, but feel really seen and get the support and strategies to thrive. We provide therapy and relationship coaching geared toward professional Black women who are oftentimes exhausted from taking care of everyone else.

What has been the biggest challenge of running a brand like “The UP Company”?
My greatest challenge was overcoming certain myths like, Black people don’t get therapy. We realized that we faced overcoming real concerns about the weight of mental health diagnoses and care. Historically, African Americans have faced misdiagnosis and unfair treatment. We knew the importance of creating an environment where people felt seen, cared about, and confident in receiving the best support.

How does “The UP Company” impact the community?
Our aim is to help women who are most likely to be overlooked. This is why we help the person who is usually labeled as the glue for their family, usually successful professionally giving a lot of advice and financial support to their family and community. They are the ones who typically do not think about their own needs and feel guilty taking breaks or sharing their own pain. The work we do strengthens not only our clients but with burdens lightened allowing them to better strengthen their family and community. We’ve received National media features from publications such as Market Insider, Best Life Magazine, USA Today, etc. We’ve also received two awards for our work.

Between 2019-2021 we helped the community receive free counseling services through an internship program, influencing other counseling centers to do the same. We partner with The Black Mental Health Symposium to help equip mental health professionals with practices that promote healing in the Black community.

What has been your greatest lesson since launching your business?
Resilience is my greatest lesson. As a small business owner, when challenges come we cannot sit on our hands, we have to get support and take action. I remember early on it was tough. I had given myself one year to get enough clients before I’d have to close the practice. Getting support and having tenacity made all the difference. My faith really helped me overcome the fear I experienced during that time. Whether the challenge was figuring out how to get started or the pandemic, responding to fear with determination, seeking support, and taking action have been key. We are celebrating 5 years strong as an organization.

Where do you hope to see your brand in the next 3-5 years?
In the next 3-5 years we see ourselves providing services to small businesses and corporations by providing leadership retreats and culturally sensitive counseling services.

What advice do you have for the next generation of entrepreneurs?
Take the limits off of what you believe you are able to do. Know that being excellent at your craft is only the beginning, read the best marketing books, and join networks and conferences that give effective strategies for growing your business.

What does being “Pretty and Black Owned” mean to you?
When I think of “pretty and black-owned” I think of Not looking like what you’ve been through. When you see my success. Know that I had to overcome a lot of doubt and disappointments to get here.

Connect with Natasha online

Social Media: @NatashaDOates
@UPCompanyPLLC
http://www.upcompany.or

Nakia Booker is a cultural advocate and believes that art can be an outlet completely unbound by time or space. Her grandfather introduced her via his part-time work as a multimedia artist. As an adult, Nakia co-found Music Addikts (a music promotion and social group), and has had vast experience in event planning–leading to her partnerships with diverse organizations such as the Dallas Museum of Arts and Homme Gallery in D.C.

Nakia holds a Masters in Mass Communications from Southern University and A&M College and is the founder and creator of The Kreadiv Group. When she isn’t curating art, she is searching for new music, traveling, or looking for a new adventure.

MMXX: The Black Artivism Capsule is a curated collection of art made by Black creatives worldwide during the 2020 pandemic. In the midst of the deaths of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, John Lewis, Chadwick Boseman, and Kobe and Gigi Bryant, we also had to witness the world reject the racist experiences of Harry and Meghan, endure the highest unemployment rate in the country’s history, and the Trump administration called for critical race theory, along with diversity and sensitivity training, to have funding removed.

Exploring art by photographers, painters, digital creatives, and more, MMXX: The Black Artivism Capsule is a moment that explores the lives and times of Black people, as defined by Black people.

What inspired the start of ” MMXX: The Black Artivism Capsule “?

The vision of MMXX: The Black Artivism Capsule was curated during a time of civil unrest – during the 2020 worldwide pandemic. It was during this time I took to social media and some of my followers because it was something special about their art that drew me to their work.

What has been the biggest challenge of running and being the creative behind a project like ” MMXX: The Black Artivism Capsule “?

My biggest challenge of the book project was keeping up with each artist. I have built up a relationship with most of the artists and wanted to keep it personal throughout the entire project. It’s extremely important to foster those one-on-one relationships with each of them to have a deeper understanding of their art and missions. So no group texting.

How does ” MMXX: The Black Artivism Capsule” impact the community?

This capsule impacts the community by highlighting the successes, ideas, creations, experiences, and histories of Black people because we are demanding it now. I think we are going to create our own Wakanda and rebuild back Black Wall Street communities moving forward.

Where do you hope to see your brand in the next 3-5 years?

In the next 3-5 years, it is my hope to continue working with a brilliant team of people to produce more Black Joy projects that strengthen the culture. Our culture is so powerful and influential in this world. I look forward to growing in this space. I am currently planting seeds for this journey as I also have another book in the works that will require me to take on more artists. If you’ve got some amazing art you’d like to showcase, look me up! I’d love to work with you.

What advice do you have for the next generation of entrepreneurs and creators?

My advice to the next generation of entrepreneurs and creators is do not be fearful and trust your instincts. Set and implement healthy boundaries. Rest just as much as you build and to find your tribe.

What does being “Pretty and Black Owned” mean to you?

Being​ “Pretty and Black Owned” to me means using my pretty to help move the culture forward.

Connect with Nakia on online

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackartivism/

Website:  https://blackartivism.co