I Heart My HBCU is a Black and female-owned spare-change platform dedicated to supporting Historically Black Colleges and Institutions (HBCUs). Established in 2017, I Heart My HBCU is the first organization to seamlessly integrate spare change technology and targeted fundraising to preserve the rich heritage and combat challenges that lead to the closures of some of these great institutions.
Founder Dominique King, a Houston native and Howard University graduate, is passionate about preserving the viability of these institutions and knows first-hand the importance of not only the cultural significance of HBCUs but the vital role that education plays in the many successes of African Americans for nearly 200 years.
While HBCU alumni are large in numbers, King understands that preserving the tradition will take a community effort and has created an integrative platform for alumni, friends, families, and supporters beyond the traditional donor marketplace. The app includes constantly updated features, including chat rooms, alumni group crowdfunding, a networking exchange, and more.
What inspired the start of ” I Heart My HBCU”? You can include as little or as much detail as you’d like.
I initially created I Heart My HBCU in 2016 to open the donation market to Historically Black Colleges and Universities. As a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc in 2018, I supported the organization as we rallied together to raise funds for Bennett College to help prevent it from closing and losing accreditation. At that moment, I knew that my idea was more significant than I had originally envisioned, and I needed to help ensure that no other HBCU had to endure the same challenge.
What has been the biggest challenge of running a brand like ” I Heart My HBCU”?
The biggest challenges that I have faced since launching I Heart My HBCU aside from the traditional start-up issues, would have to be navigating the scope of tech within a non-profit space, and understanding how to protect the ideation while still focusing on effectively growing the business.
How does ” I Heart My HBCU ” impact the community?
At face value, it is a monetary impact, but it’s bigger than that. I Heart My HBCU is influencing a new cultural norm in changing how we give to HBCUs.
By encouraging donors to select more than one institution, our goal is to build up not just the well-known names but encourage the community to support the lesser-known HBCUs, so no one is forgotten. We aim to create a community environment with the hopes of creating thoughtful conversations that can spur change.
How can readers donate and directly be a part of this great movement?
The app is available for both iOS and Android in their respective app stores.
Where do you hope to see your brand in the next 3-5 years?
Ultimately, we want to continue to scale up as an organization, supporting more, donating more, and reaching more members of the HBCU alumni, friends, and family network. In the immediate, our goal over the next 12-24 months is to achieve 10,000 user downloads per institution, one day reaching the 1,000,000-user mark.
I also envision I Heart HBCU bringing my community together to uplift one another for initiatives that go beyond the HBCU community but impact the Black community at large.
What advice do you have for the next generation of entrepreneurs?
It may sound cliché but follow your dreams. “Vision without action is just a dream, action without vision just passes the time, and vision with action can change the world.”- Nelson Mandela
What does being “Pretty and Black Owned” mean to you?
Pretty Girls Rock! and let’s be honest Black Girls Do It Better, so Pretty and Black Owned means the epitome of excellence.
Yvette Lloyd is a Philanthropist and Media Personality who partners with CEOs, executives, andsolopreneurs to grow their personal and professional brands. Yvette has spent nearly a decade being a CEO for Fadia Young Women’s Program and owner of multiple learning centers. She has been honored with her own day, named the “Yvette Lloyd Day,” December 20th from the City of Akron, Commendation Summit County Council, and Congressional Recognition. Yvette’s organization Fadia Young Women’s Program received many features such as LSherie Alert, Rolling Out Magazine, SHEEN Magazine, Bombshell BLU Magazine, BET Experience, 19 Action News, Madamennorie, Devil Strip, Ohio.com, WKYC Channel 3 News, and more. Yvette creates such a positive and comfortable space for all the women and men she interviews. Trust and vulnerability are rare feelings that are difficult to experience with someone we have never met before. ButYvette has landed media coverage in print and broadcast outlets around the world, including the Super Bowl LIV 2020 private party with Dwayne and Theresa Bowe, BGR Fest, Zaytoven Beats private party at the Trap House Museum, I Am Queen Magazine Feature, Akron Beacon Journal National Black Guide and Boss Chicks.
Patrice: What does it mean to be a pretty woman who hustles?
Yvette: A woman that walks with confidence, make sacrifices and hustle.
Patrice: Podcasts are the new virtual and audio talk show of the century andthey have so many wonderful shows from great podcasters like yourself! What made you want to start a podcast?
Yvette: My mother encouraged me to start a podcast. She was supposed to start it with me. But, she passed away before we were able to launch it together. So, now I have a passionate purpose to continue to uplift, inspire, and help women’s voices be heard on my podcast.
Patrice: Why do you feel that empowering and uplifting women is much needed inthe world we live in today?
Yvette: Women are the root to making things happen. We endure so much in this world we live in and still manage to get up and go daily no matter what the circumstances may be going on in our personal lives. That’s why I created my platform to give all women the opportunity to be themselves, feel comfortable, and be vulnerable for once on a media outlet.
Patrice: The fact that your mother wanted to start the ‘Life Her Podcast’ withyou and later she passed. You still had the strength to continue the legacy and start the podcast still. I applaud you for that! Since then, has things been difficult knowing your mom wasn’t physically there with you for the podcast?
Yvette: A lot of times it has been extremely difficult for me to keep pressing forward. However, with me coming from my mother’s womb I still feel her spirit and the connection I have always had with her. My husband also helped me and guided me a lot when she passed away too. Then, later I loss him as well. But, my purpose still serves a purpose to be that women that other women are everyday not even realizing it.
Patrice: Your podcast has received over 6,000 downloads! Congrats on your amazingjourney! What do you want others to learn when they listen to each one of your episodes?
Yvette: Thank you so much! Yes, it has. I want each woman to develop strength, knowledge, wisdom, and courage from each woman I interviewed. We all carry something similar to each woman. We just have to listen to each other’s hearts more and love ourselves more to hear what God is trying to show you. Each journey in our lives serves a purpose and you listening to each woman on Life Her Podcast at that very moment is a reason for that because you could’ve occupied your time doing something else.
Patrice: Tell us more about being a CEO for Fadia Young’s Women Program. Whatwas that experience like?
Yvette: It was a beautiful experience mentoring young girls in the community. It actually helped me to become the woman I am today as well. Sometimes we don’t recognize mental health issues in ourselves not until you see a reflection of yourself. I saw that in every girl and being an advocate and mentor for them is one of the best moments of my life.
Patrice: You also had celebrity features on your podcast such as Trina, PrettyVee, Kissie Lee and more! What was it like having those heavy hitters on your podcast?
Yvette: I honestly don’t see a difference in them than we see in any other women. I loved every moment with them because it was an opportunity for me to let people see them for them on the inside instead of a celebrity. Sometimes people aren’t considerate of other people’s feelings and believe everything in the media. I want Life Her Podcast to give women that are celebrities a chance to be who they really are within instead of someone making them feel uncomfortable speaking about nonsense.
Patrice: Are you currently working on any new projects at the present moment?
Yvette: Yes! I’m actually working on a new show connected with Life Her Podcast that will feature my close friends. Also, I will be launching my new Networking Channel Called “Black Orange Network” that I started with my best friend Tommy Cherry.
Patrice: What can we expect more of on your podcast?
Yvette: More authenticity and more real life stories from women. Also, I will be interviewing some men as well real soon.
Patrice: What motivated/inspired you to start a business?
Alicia: What motivated me to start Alidib Beauty was me actually starting my own natural hair journey. Back in 2009 I decided to big chop my heavily heat and relaxer damaged hair. After experiencing CCC a form of alopecia. I decided to become not only an example to myself. But my 3 beautiful black daughters who were following my destructive hair and skincare regimen. On how to embrace and care for what naturally came from my creator. Which was my naturally kinky curly 4b/4c hair. And oily acne prone skin.
Patrice: What makes you a pretty woman that hustles?
Alicia: I am a pretty woman that hustles because I believe in embracing my independent, go getter energy. I feel like I have a story to tell to my assigned audience. That not only will encourage, but motivate and inspire other beautiful women and men to attract their life of abundance. Through entrepreneurship and setting intentions to build self-sufficient generational wealth.
Patrice: What is the name of your business(es) and what are they all about?
Alicia: The name of my business is Alidib Beauty. I decided to give my brand this name because it’s a combination of my actual legal name. And what better way to introduce my consumer to my brand than sharing with them who I AM as a CEO.
Alidib Beauty is an all -natural herbal infused hair and skincare brand. That promotes and encourages the use of natural and organic ingredients. That help to nourish and replenish our bodies. Through our largest organ which is our skin. I believe healthy hair and skin start with what we 1st think about our bodies. Followed by what we put into or onto our skin. That’s why my brand motto is “Be You. Be Beauty+Full”!
Patrice: Have you faced any challenges in your business?
Alicia: The challenges I’ve faced so far as a business owner has been making the public aware of Alidib Beauty. Again, the mission is to promote healthy hair and skincare from the inside out. And as a small business or new business owner who has been used to being a stay at home mom of 9 since I was 14 years old, I’ve found it to be a challenge with marketing and getting my products into the hands and homes of the people who can truly benefit from them. Let’s just be honest, modern tech skills such as Tik Tok and Instagram isn’t my lane of expertise!
Another challenge of being a new business owner has been accepting the fact that I can’t be like Noah and build this Ark alone. Meaning, growing a sustainable brand isn’t a one -woman show. So I had to learn how to seek and ask for help. And that was my sign of growth as CEO. Admitting I needed help even when I was used to being independent and always in control.
Patrice: What projects are you currently working on?
Alicia: The projects I’m currently working on with Alidib Beauty is staying ready for overflow! That means preparing for continued sale out and restocking once my brand grows. So, I’m learning to clarify my brand image and gearing up for summer and fall with future pop- up shops and small beauty business expo events rather than be in person or online. Also, working on two new products that will join the roster and help my customers feel amazing and beautiful! Stay tuned for the big drop June 1st!
Patrice: How do you face diversity as a woman entrepreneur?
Alicia: I face diversity as a woman entrepreneur first and foremost by being a minority. We all know that women in general aren’t taken as seriously or paid as equally as our male counterparts. So, I make it a mission to have Alidib Beauty be as credible and high quality as possible so my brand and I are seen and taken seriously.
Secondly, I am a mom of nine which means I am always on the move. I’ve seen so many opportunities for collaboration and partnerships for myself and my brand not come together simply because someone had reservations about if I would have time or stamina to meet goals,
Patrice: Is balancing your personal life, work life and business life difficult for you at times?
Alicia: Balancing my personal, work, and business life has always been a priority for me. One thing that I decided even as a kid that “I can have it all” If I learned how to organize and plan my time accordingly. I am very good at time management and have a scheduled alarm for everything! That’s how I keep my sanity. I stay organized and as close to time as possible. I was taught very early on by my bonus dad that if I stay ready, I’ll never have to get ready. So it’s definitely a skill that I utilize daily.
Patrice: How would you say your business differs from others in the same industry you work in?
Alicia: How Alidib Beauty differs from other beauty or self- care brands you ask?
Well, as Founder and CEO of Alidib Beauty again I wanted to be sure I wasn’t just selling a product but an actual lifestyle. Most hair and skincare brands push products claiming to be natural. Yet the consumer can’t even pronounce the ingredients and the ingredients purpose. Every ingredient in my products are all natural and of highest quality. You can pronounce the ingredients as well as understand it’s intended benefit.
Our products are handmade in my kitchen with spoken intentions over every batch and that this product will improve the quality of life for its customers. I am a huge believer in law of attraction and manifesting and every herb and oil sacrificed has been given new life and purpose to heal. Not to mention, my products are made to order, not pre- batched or machine manufactured. That means my customers get the freshest product possible when it reaches their doorstep.
Patrice: What does being an entrepreneur or business owner mean to you?
Alicia: Being an entrepreneur means freedom to me. Whether it’s freedom of time or financial independence, I get to have a bit more control over my destiny. That means I get to gain, grow, and, share more leadership skills in my family and community. I have an opportunity to inspire and motivate those coming behind me; That if you must work to earn and it can be achieved at your own standard. There’s more than one way to obtain my idea of success; punching in a 9-5 and missing opportunities to be a full -time mom was not my idea of success.
Dr. McBride’s executive coaching programs have produced a generation of exceptional leaders who have transformed industries using sustainability and innovation while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. “The focus is on building emotionally intelligent leaders and helping them understand and conceptualize the concepts of emotional intelligence with applying self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-motivation,” Dr. McBride says.
Her upcoming book explores the psychological theories and their applications of the operational style assessment, making it the new ‘Leadership Language’ of the 22 Century. “It gives you a deeper insight on how to utilize the theories to benefit how you engage others, communicate, make decisions, and how to fully show up in your professional and personal life.”
Dr. Karen McBride provides Entrepreneurs, Influencers & Thought Leaders with the insight and expertise necessary in the areas of entrepreneurship, corporate structure & business acumen, as well as, counseling/mentoring professionals dedicated to providing them moral support and actionable value in both their business and personal lives; empowering, strengthening, encouraging, and challenging them in identifying their unique purpose, equipping and enabling them by teaching them transformative lifestyle changes to live positive, dynamic, impactful, influential lives by supporting & propelling them to show up to lead & win.
Patrice: What motivated/inspired you to start a business?
Dr. Karen: I was raised in the inner city of Compton, California. I was destined to reach higher heights in the entrepreneurial and leadership space. I was leading and starting businesses in elementary school. As a teenager headed to college, I sold my flower business to a florist and received $11,000 to pay towards my education. I was always an entrepreneur. I always believed in leadership, bringing me to realize my goal was always to lead people. Not just lead people, but in a way that would produce results, that would create opportunities, and that would shift the norm of what people would consider leadership to be.
Additionally, I believed in education and how it would support my business acumen. I did not plan to have 5 degrees. However, I worked hard to establish an impressive college background, obtaining my bachelor’s in business administration, a master’s in management and organizational leadership, and two doctoral degrees in business administration/ organizational psychology, psychology/management & consulting, and human letters honored for research.
Patrice: What makes you a pretty woman that hustles?
Dr. Karen: Ha-ha, I love that! I see, ‘pretty’ as an internal state of your being. Meaning, the work I do, is because of my inner awareness of who I am, and how I can use my expertise to help others. I train small business leaders and executives to become emotionally intelligent leaders. I teach the highest level of leadership theory to reach the most significant level of growth. So, with that, I would deem it equates to a “pretty awesome hustle.”
Patrice: What is the name of your business(es) and what are they all about?
Dr. Karen:MKCircle Enterprises: CEO Institute Executive and Business Coaching.
MKCircle Enterprises, LLC offers individuals, small business owners, entrepreneurs, corporate, non-profit, and civic leaders a one-on-one curriculum that support professional growth, life planning, and goal setting. It also explores personal and professional pressures that may hinder progress and growth—introducing several tools that support daily decision-making and leadership, all of which can be shared with other leaders, colleagues, and subordinates.
The CEO Institute offers executive coaching, leadership development team building, and engagement programs that provide one-on-one, cohort and team curriculum that supports professional advancement, personal growth, success strategies, and tools to create the best YOU! It is like no other program in the market. The focus is on three main theories: Operational Style Language, Emotional Intelligence, and Mindset. We explore personal and professional pressures that may hinder progress and growth introducing several tools that can be shared, as well.
We offer:
1:1 Executive Coaching Programs (Executive Leaders, Small Business Owners, Civic Leadership, Entrepreneurs)
Cohort Leadership Program
Team Building and Engagement Programs
And, much more.
Patrice: Have you faced any challenges in your business?
Dr. Karen: Starting as a small business and now scaling into a more mid-level business, presents some challenges. Our main challenges have been funding for expansion and hiring new coaches with the proper education credentials. But if I am speaking about my small business clients, they experience the same challenges around funding. However, they also need support in marketing, customer engagement, understanding their business, and making it profitable and sustainable within their community. The pandemic has been a struggle for some of my small business clients, but it’s also been profitable for some. I always encourage my clients to use my EOES Business Growth Model to plan for the unexpected. The EOES Business Growth Model represents, Emulate, Originate, Establish and Sustain. We support them in creating a plan using the model to follow, which ultimately promotes sustainability during challenging times.
Patrice: What projects are you currently working on?
Dr. Karen: I have several projects that are happening simultaneously. I will share three that I am extremely excited about.
First, I am teaching a Business Health 101 course to legacy business owners in the Los Angeles area. This project is so near and dear to my heart because I grew up in the inner city of Los Angeles. I am a proud product of the inner city. This is an opportunity for me to bring my expertise back to the inner city to support economic growth.
Secondly, I was offered the opportunity to publish a section in Business Matters magazine, for 12 issues, called “Executive Coaching Corner with Dr. Karen.” This is so amazing because I can reach an audience not just in the US, but in the UK and Australia. I get to coach individuals monthly with tips and resources that support professional growth and business sustainability.
Lastly, with my longtime colleague, we created the Operational Style Assessment. It embarks on a new leadership language that will help leaders communicate effectively and learn about their true selves. When I speak of leaders, I speak of everyone who leads their professional sector, in their personal lives, and social circles. The language is universal.
Patrice: How do you face diversity as a woman entrepreneur?
Dr. Karen: I wrote a quote that says, “High heels are not about being comfortable; they are for leveling the playing field.” I wrote that in closing on a talk I was giving to a group of young female professionals who needed to hear that we are enough. We are tall enough, we are smart enough, we are strong enough, to stand equal to our male counterparts in any sector. Although we have come far, there is still inequity in pay, position, and perception. That quote represents my stance, my obligation as a leader to stand when injustice, a lack of inclusion, and a lack of diversity are present. I believe it is my job to pave the way for women who walk behind me and alongside me and support them in their growth.
Patrice: Is balancing your personal life, work life and business life difficult for you at times?
Dr. Karen: Work-Life balance is a priority for me. I teach work-life balance within the CEO Institute programs because as leaders and hard workers, we get caught up in what I call the loyalty spiral. We misconstrue loyalty by not leaving work on time. We discount our needs and place them behind our work. What we fail to realize is that it is a dysfunction and more of a hindrance to our growth. If we continue to work in that capacity, the inevitable is resentment, unhappiness, not being fulfilled at work or home. I do my best to balance my work and personal life. I leave my office when it is time to go home. I don’t take client meetings during my off days or off times. I’m a better leader, a better teacher, a better coach if I have that balance, and I want to be a role model for my clients. I want to practice what I teach.
Patrice: How would you say your business differs from others in the same industry you work in?
Dr. Karen: There are countless times that I hear from a corporate client or an individual client that there is no other coaching firm doing the work that you do, how do you do it? Our results speak for themselves. Our research showed me that 1:1 dyad executive coaching breeds the highest results. It was essential for us to make our coaching programs about our client’s needs, not about time or money.
Not only are we business strategists and an executive coaching firm, but we are also a research firm. We believe the data that we produce. The data offered that we needed to teach theory in a practical way and create training with tools that would be used and not forgotten. All our programs are 4 to 12 months long. We do not have one-week executive coaching programs or 1-hour group trainings. We have a results-based curriculum, and to teach that curriculum takes time on task, repetition, and engagement. We base all our training on sustainable research and the results that our clients receive. That is what makes us different.
Patrice: What does be an entrepreneur or business owner mean to you?
Dr. Karen: To me, it means that I have the opportunity to welcome diversity of thought, engage in like-minded leader projects, teach my curriculum, make a difference in individual’s lives, and support business growth. I also have the opportunity to create, collectively build, individually and intentionally shift sectors of business that I would not have typically engaged in my previous role as a COO of a large corporation. The most important part of being an entrepreneur and a business owner is doing the work I love every day.
As a spirit’s enthusiast, with over 10 years’ experience, collectively, working in the service industry and “behind the bar,” Tyemerica has successfully executed spirits promotions, helping to launch various spirit brand activations for Ciroc,Crown Royal, Hypnotic,Fireball,BelAire, Jose Cuervo, Titos, Seagrams, Bacardi (and many more). Frequenting large scale events such as Black Bike Week and CIAA, this provided her with the exposure and the ability to personally secure business working as a bottle girl and bartending with various party promoters in South Carolina and North Carolina. In addition, she landed the opportunity to work as a brand ambassador/ model/ bartender for the former SC Ciroc Fam, where she trained under the leadership of Charleston, SC’s Nightlife guru “Twenty.” She executed activations for high celebrity profile concerts, club appearances, booking events; college tailgating and homecoming parties by helping to create brand awareness and educating consumers for Ciroc Ultra-Premium Vodka. This eventually landed her a lead spirits promotional model position with a national agency, MKTG, Inc. and head bartender position with High Star Entertainment, based out of Charleston, SC. She has also been featured on the former Media and Arts, hosted by H-Dub, on-air personality for a top urban radio station in Columbia, SC. During the segment she discussed her love for the service industry, “modeling,” and the adult cocktail industry. This gave her visibility in the southeast region of the nation.
When not bartending or executing spirits promotions, she is juggling parenthood as a mother of 2, volunteering as the Operations Coordinator of the “Purple Stilettos” Women’s Empowerment Group, and creating content to grow her mobile bartending school and cocktail business “Kocktail Kulture.”
Patrice: What motivated/inspired you to start a business?
Tyemerica: The love and passion I develop for the hospitality industry and the need to support my family by legitimate means. It began in 2013 when I had little experience, I was given a shot at being a spirit’s promotional model and it took off from there. I’m not getting any younger. Sometimes the industry is vain, so I needed a backup plan for when my looks fade, lol. And of course the money!
Patrice: What makes you a pretty woman that hustles?
Tyemerica: My passion and drive to succeed; to make it to the top and bring others with me.
Patrice: What is the name of your business(es) and what are they all about?
Tyemerica: Kocktail Kulture is a mobile bartending school that travels throughout the state of South Carolina instructing individuals in the fundamentals of bartending; a beginners bartending class.
Patrice: Have you faced any challenges in your business?
Tyemerica: Yes, anyone who tells you they don’t face challenges in running a business is lying, lol. From having enough people in class or staffing for a party to not having enough funds for supplies like alcohol which is needed for class, you’re bound to run into challenges. I overcame them by praying for guidence and taking a step back from the challenge to approach it another day, so I can have a clear head to think it out.
Patrice: What projects are you currently working on?
Tyemerica: My plans are to partner with various venues/ locations to offer staffing and job placement for bartenders, shot girls, bottle girls, and spirits promotional models. In addition to other classes within the industry.
Patrice: How do you face diversity as a woman entrepreneur?
Tyemerica: Diversity is extremely hard, especially here in the south. I face it by remembering who I’m doing this for, by remembering who my audience and target demographic is and why I’m doing this. Also, when first starting out in this industry, people never wanted to help or give you their info. So I wanted to be that person who gave people direction and info to get started and to help them grow in the hospitality industry as a bartender.
Patrice: Is balancing your personal life, work life and business life difficult for you at times?
Tyemerica: Balancing is extremely difficult…work and business life. Other than taking care of family, I leave the personal life out of it because I’m a Capricorn and we’re all about our business and coins, lol, no time for personal lives 😉
Patrice: What does being an entrepreneur or business owner mean to you?
Tyemerica: It means having the freedom to work on your terms and work in your purpose and passion—when I want, how I want, and where I want. I quit a full-time job I use to have because I was tired of clocking in and out, day-to-day NOT doing what I love, waking up every day knowing I had to deal with a rude client, an incompetent boss, and not being trained on procedures but expected to produce outstanding work…you grow tired of chaos.
I believe pretty is not about the outer appearance, but instead what is deep within you~ Feleshia Sams
Feleshia was considered the “go-to-girl” for make-up in college. Now she is the CEO of the Atlanta-based Academy of Advanced cosmetics (AAC,) a cosmetic training academy and hub for beauty technicians and artists. Feleshia is also the CEO of Coz Tat, a mobile app created with cosmetic artists and consumers in mind and 365 Greens, a holistic brand that boasts a green superfood powder that has proven to strengthen weakened immune systems and energy.
Patrice: What motivated/inspired you to start a business?
Feleshia: From the age of 5 I was saying that I told myself that I wanted to be the boss. At that time I had no idea of what I was going to do all I knew was that I wanted to run my own business. Growing up as an only child with only my mom and I. I saw how she was able to build her own business and that inspired me to want to do the same one day.
Patrice: What makes you a pretty woman that hustle?
Feleshia: I believe pretty is not about the outer appearance but instead what is deep within you. You can have a pretty face, body, and gorgeous hair but a ugly heart. Physical appearances fade and who we truly are resides within us forever. Being pretty is what do we do for our families, communities, those around us. How we live, work, and give back. Its my mission to be that “pretty” example for both my children and those that may look up to me and want to do what I’m doing today.
Patrice: What is the name of your business(es) and what does it intel?
Feleshia: I have 3 businesses. 2 are cosmetic related and 1 is health and nutrition.
Academy of Advanced Cosmetics is a cosmetic training academy that trains, mentors, supplies our very own cosmetic tattoo products to students in the industry.
CozTat is my app that connects cosmetic tattoo artist and clients together. We provide a complete business system for our artist to manage their calendars, take payments, send electronic consent forms, and showcase their work. The app is free to clients where they can check out reviews, artist pictures, check certification / licensing credentials, schedule, and pay all within the app.
365 Greens is my green superfood powder. This is a superfood powder that is a daily powder that can be mixed in water or your favorite drink to provide you all the multi vitamins and nutrients you need. It’s simple to mix and taste really good unlike most powders on the market.
Patrice: Have you faced any challenges in your business?
Feleshia: Being in business has a lot of ups and downs. Some recent challenges that I had to face was finding the right contractors and support for some of my businesses. For example, when I see that someone or company is not providing me what I need I have learned to move on, but before I do I always have a backup. When I initially started my app I started with one developer and then found that I was not getting what I wanted. As a result, I left and moved on the next. Yes, it was costly but in the long run I feel as though it was going to save me a lot in the long run. The same with my superfoods brand. Having my own vision of what I want and what others say they can do can sometimes cause you to redirect your vision to what they can do. So just as with the app I found myself moving to another manufacture that was able to give me exactly what I was looking for. Bottom line I have to trust my gut and stick to my guns and know that this is my vision. Sometimes others can’t see it and that’s okay but I know at the end of the day if I’m paying I need to get what I’m paying for.
Patrice: Are you currently working on any current projects right now?
Feleshia: I have a new project coming out that is an online business course. It’s called PMU Resources make 6 figures while working 3 days a week or less. This is through my Academy and will be available to all permanent makeup artist. I wanted to layout the blue print on how I did this my first year in and how they can do this to. Also, I am coming out with a green superfood for kids in May 2021. This is through 365 Greens and will be specifically for kids.
Patrice: How do you face diversity as a woman/man entrepreneur/author?
Feleshia: I would say while developing my app it was sometimes a challenge. Being that the tech field is so male dominant. Also, I was creating something as a woman for mainly women and they knew nothing about it. It was huge challenge. In the development phase we would have weekly conference calls and it would be all these men and then me. I knew from the first meeting that if I wanted my app to be a certain way I was going to have to drive my point across and let them know that yes this woman has voice. Despite the fact I was spending my money I always felt that I had to defend my view on why I didn’t like their ideas. This was part of why I switched developers. I’m still with a bunch of guys but I find this new group is way more respectful and inclusive.
Patrice: Is balancing your personal life, work life and business life difficult for you at times?
Feleshia: Yes, yes, and yes! Lately it has been a lot but I feel that once I get through these next few months I’ll be able to get more balance. I consider myself to be an extremely organized person so this helps tremendously along with a terrific staff.
Patrice: Do you have any new projects or events coming up?
Feleshia: At the Academy we use to do an annual PMU and Micro blading event. Due to COVID-19 we delayed it so the plan is to do it again March 2022.
Patrice: What does being an entrepreneur or business owner mean to you?
Feleshia: Being an entrepreneur means that I have no limits on what I can do in my career. As an entrepreneur there’s no glass ceilings and no climbing that corporate ladder. This is so rewarding to me and I am so blessed to be where I am today. It’s hard-work but I wouldn’t trade it for any 9-5.
Patrice: Tell the readers a little bit more about yourself
Glamorous Taye: Glamourous Taye is the youngest of; a 29-year-old mother of 4 and serial entrepreneur, fashion, and beauty influencer. I also conduct master classes for those who wish to learn more about the beauty industry and learn the basic makeup application steps. Though beauty is my passion, I am also a woman of many other trades, such as a social media influencer, brand ambassador. Besides wearing many hats in entrepreneurship, I also have experience writing and publishing my E-book called “How to become a successful Influencer,” which hasn’t released yet. To add to my experience as a one-on-one consultant helping influencers build their brands and online presence, I have expanded my talents as a boutique owner, public speaker, aiming to motivate the community’s masses. I was raised in Florida, with my father being Jamaican and my mother being American, where I grew up in a poor neighborhood.
Patrice: What makes you a pretty woman that hustles?
Glamorous Taye:
● My loyalty towards everyone.
●I am destined to win
●I put all my hard work in and grind
●I support you even if you don’t help me
●I put my best foot forward.
Patrice: Are you currently working on any current projects right now?
Glamorous Taye: Yes. My eBooks will be released next week, a fur and contour line that’s launching, and my coaching/mentoring sessions that I am working on.
Patrice: How do you face diversity as a woman/man entrepreneur/author?
Glamorous Taye: A lot of people don’t believe women are capable of handling huge task, but little do they know “We Were Built For This”
Patrice: Is balancing your personal life, work-life, and business life challenging for you at times?
Glamorous Taye: It’s challenging because I am a full-time mother, school bus driver, and social media influencer. It’s super hard, but I was built for this, and I deserve this life that I am working so hard for.
Patrice: What does being an entrepreneur or business owner mean to you?
Glamorous Taye: Being an entrepreneur to me means being the head CEO of the world bosses. Business first, and treating everyone with respect.
Kay Elle is doing big things in the Bronx, New York as a baker of sweet treats and desserts that will make your sweet tooth scream for more! Not only is she a baker, but Kay Elle wants to push culture forward in her community as a whole.
“The first dessert I learned to make were cupcakes. The first dessert I mastered visually were chocolate-covered strawberries!”
Patrice: What makes a Pretty Woman who hustles?
Kay Elle: I believe pretty is not only what you look like on the outside, but what you do from the inside. Hustle is being passionate about something that you love and doing something that contributes to that passion daily. When you put them both together, it is using the resources you have outside and combining that with who you are inside. I feel that is what makes a Pretty Woman who hustles.
Patrice: Tell us more about your amazing baking company MADE BY KAY Kitchen! What was your inspiration behind it?
Kay Elle: MADE BY KAY was a result of a passion for sweets, pretty desserts, and freedom. After being wrongfully fired from a previous job, I used that experience as motivation to start my own brand.
Patrice: What type of sweets do you normally bake?
Kay Elle: I bake cupcakes, cakes, cookies, and brownies! We can bake just about every sweet treat you can think of, but those are my specialties!
Patrice: What was the first thing you learned to bake?
Kay Elle: The first dessert I learned to make was cupcakes! The first dessert I mastered visually was chocolate-covered strawberries!
Patrice: Have you been on any cooking shows?
Kay Elle: I was featured on Foodie Down Bronx which is a local Food Network showcasing chefs and bakers in the Bronx! It’s hosted by EM, @TheHungryDominican from Instagram, and airs on BronxNet. I absolutely loved it!
Patrice: Who or what has been your biggest motivation?
Kay Elle: My biggest motivation is the lifestyle I feel we all deserve. I am adamant about my happiness and using my time wisely to create a life of abundance. I use my future children as motivation. They deserve a great life.
Patrice: Tell us about LIT BLACK FOODIE!
Kay Elle: LIT BLACK FOODIE is an amazing showcasing competition and pop-up shop event created to highlight Black chefs and bakers around the world! My hope is to create a safe space that merges Black food culture and Black music culture. We will provide a business grant to one lucky chef or baker at the end of each event. My goal is to one-day grant one small business owner $10,000! Our very first event is April 25th, 2021!
Patrice: Any special requests for weddings/special occasions?
Kay Elle: We recently rebranded our business to become a food blog full time and currently don’t take special requests. We love showcasing baked goods such as wedding cakes and special occasion cakes online! Our goal is to show others how to make these special cakes from the comfort of their own home! We may even attend pop-up shops in the future to showcase/sell those specific types of cakes as well!
Patrice: If you could meet any other Baker, famous or not, whom would it be and why?
Kay Elle: I would love to meet Tabitha Brown. Her energy is infectious and her talent is amazing! She is her authentic self and I love that about people!
Patrice: What does being an entrepreneur mean to you?
Kay Elle: Entrepreneurship represents freedom. Entrepreneurship allows me to be my creative self and work at my own pace. I’m allowed to be exactly who I am as an entrepreneur. I wouldn’t trade it for the world!
Patrice: How do you balance your work-life, personal life, and business life all at the same time?
Kay Elle: I think it’s important to create boundaries for yourself, especially as an entrepreneur in 2021. It is very easy to lack discipline when working for yourself. You must seek guidance outside of yourself to get yourself back on track sometimes. Discipline is most important and understanding when to rest is important as well. Scheduling and organization are key!
Patrice: What is next for MADE BY KAY Kitchen? Any new projects you will be working on?
Kay Elle: Next for us is embracing our LIT BLACK FOODIE journey! Our goal is to travel all around the world with our showcasing event. I’m currently working on adding a new layer to MADE BY KAY as well. I want to introduce the business side of the foodie world to my audience and supporters! We’re starting with an E-book series and an affordable online course program! Lastly, we will be expanding our MADE BY KAY merchandise line. It’s our clothing brand for all the dope foodies! We are incorporating new designs, which will include t-shirts, sweaters, aprons & more!
Pamela D. Smith is an Evangelist, Best-Selling Author, and Authorpreneur who has dedicated her diverse pursuits to elevating the lives of women and authors around the world. She uses her literary talent to evangelize and bring others into the saving faith of Jesus Christ. She started a movement #healedlifewholewoman to help women release past hurt and pain and live a life of purpose and abundance. As an Authorpreneur, Pamela serves as a life and book coach and a self-publishing consultant. Pamela has worked with many authors and helped them pursue their dream of becoming published. She has been featured in several magazines, articles, podcasts, and blogs. She was recently named one of 11 Women in Marketplace Ministry to watch in 2021 by Sheen Magazine. To learn more about Pamela D. Smith visit her website at www.pameladsmith.net
My inspiration comes from the things I have been able to heal and break through from. My inspiration also comes from living, breathing examples of the gospel in demonstration. People who I watch who have mastered the art of overcoming!
Patrice: For those who do not know you, tell us a little bit more about yourself?
Pamela: I am a Wife, Mother of 3 boys, Glam Ma, and an Authorpreneur. In the Author Space, I write and self-publish my books, which are used to evangelize and minister to readers, help them heal and live a purpose driven life. I coach other aspiring, faith-based authors on how to do the same.
Patrice: What makes a pretty woman that hustles?
Pamela: Her spirit. Her tenacity. Her courage. The fact that she is not truly hustling as the word defines hustle, but she is in divine flow and living her life purposefully. A healed, whole woman is a pretty woman who hustles.
Patrice: How did you get your big start in business?
Pamela: I’ve been writing for as long as I could hold a pen. From journaling to re-wording and rewriting my friends love letters to their boyfriends, it’s something I have always done. About 16 years ago I gave God my “real” yes and decided to use writing as a ministry tool so I started self-publishing my writing and then other aspiring authors started asking if I could help them self-publish their books and from there the business was birthed.
Patrice: You are a woman that wears many hats in entrepreneurship such as being an evangelist, author, inspirational speaker and more! Where does your inspiration come from?
Pamela: My inspiration comes from the things I have been able to heal and break through from. My inspiration also comes from living, breathing examples of the gospel in demonstration. People who I watch who have mastered the art of overcoming!
Patrice: I want to talk about your love to help others in the literary world. How long have you been a literary agent to new and upcoming authors?
Pamela: I’ve been helping others self-publish for the last 5 years.
Patrice: Speaking of authors, you are one yourself! How many books have you published?
Pamela: I have published 9 books.
Patrice: Out of all the books you wrote, which one seems to be the reader’s favorite?
Pamela: I think there’s a split between my very first one-E3: Encouraged, Equipped, Empowered and my last one, While at the Altar.
Patrice: What does being an entrepreneur mean to you?
Pamela: To me it means I have the liberty to enter an industry and set my own rules. Yes, I think it’s important to be knowledgeable in what is trending, but one can also be innovative and disrupt the industry. You can’t do that when you are working for someone else. Their rules and processes are their rules and processes.
Patrice: Tell us more about your business and what it intel.
Pamela: As an Authorpreneur, I am a Christian Author, Speaker, and Coach so I write, publish, and sell books. I speak at Churches, Women Conferences and Empowerment Events. I also coach and serve as a Self-Publishing Consultant to aspiring authors to help them through the writing process and with self-publishing and launching their books
Patrice: Are you currently working on any new projects?
Pamela: I am working on 3 client projects and from there I have some more that have already signed on. I’m booked with client projects until September. Glory be to God
Patrice: Do you plan on writing any more books soon?
Pamela: Yes. With every book I say it’s my last one because I want to focus 100% on clients, but God continues to download to me and I am always drawn back to writing another book. I have accepted that I have a writing ministry so I will never be able to get out of literary evangelism, whether that be through publishing books or blogs, God will continue to give me a message to share through a book.
Patrice: It is so great to sit down and interview you. Let the readers know who you are and what your business is.
At first, I never thought I wanted to act, but now I love the glam and being in front of the camera. Acting is something, and I am very interested.
Cree: Great to sit with you as well! Thanks for thinking of me to interview. My name is Cree Campbell. I am currently the newest member of Growing Up Hip Hop LA. My father is Luther Campbell, and my dad (Stepfather) is Ted Lucas, owner of Slip N Slide records. I own and operate two businesses ‘Inspire Agency’, an experiential marketing firm that cultivates branded moments and corporate events. ‘Inspire Body Recovery’ is a luxury post-op concierge service to assist “dolls” in their post-surgery journey.
Patrice: Tell us about your advocacy of health and wellness. How important is that for you?
Cree: Health and wellness are vital to me because I’ve seen the downside of not being healthy when it comes to family members suffering from high blood pressure and heart disease. This all stems from not living a healthy lifestyle.
Patrice: You are the latest cast of Growing up Hip Hop. How does that feel?
Cree: Wow! It’s insane! Being the newest member of WE TV #1 show ‘Growing Up Hip Hop LA’ is enormous for me and business overall. It’s an honor that they reached out and wanted me and to hear my story. I am genuinely excited about it.
Patrice: This is definitely exciting news since I’m also a fan of the show! What are you expected to learn from others on the show that has been on there for a while?
Cree: I do not think any expectations are made of me in regards to learning from anyone. However, I am open to learning because I do not know everything. Maybe I will learn something you’ll have to tune in in June.
Patrice: Will do! I will be counting down until June! LOL. So are you currently working on any new projects?
Cree: Yes! Omg, I have some pretty cool new stuff in the works for “C.Swim,” which is my swim line. I also have another brand called ‘FIM33’,“Faith in Motion33,” which is a workout line that Mama Tina came up with, and we are doing a mother-daughter project in regards to that. I am also purchasing land lots in Florida to build luxury single-family homes and duplexes geared towards middle-class families. I feel like in certain areas, the houses are run- down, and everyone, no matter their financial status, should feel good and peace when entering their home.
Patrice: Wow! You have a lot going on for yourself and I see that you are an entrepreneur of many hats! Congrats to you in all your business ventures! Now since the pandemic hit last year and still is going on in 2021, has it affected your business or planned projects in any way?
Cree: The pandemic has ultimately shut down events for big branded clients, and it’s sad because I have all these concerts and partnerships that were ready to go for 2020 and 2021. But it made me look at life differently. I honestly feel less stressed without doing ground-up events. But I’ve also been given opportunities to partner with others and still execute concerts. My company was responsible for the first two ‘City Girls’ shows in Florida when JT was released from prison. I’ve always wanted to make sure to execute because I am low-key, and I wanted to make sure to put on for not only the city but my state!
Patrice: Blessings on top of blessings! Have you been on other Television shows?
Cree: Yes. ‘Luke’s Parental Advisory’ on MTV, but I was young and extremely disconnected. It was probably the most awkward thing to be doing at 15 for me at the time.
Patrice: Do you see yourself becoming an actress in the long run?
Cree: At first, I never thought I wanted to act, but now I love the glam and being in front of the camera. Acting is something, and I am very interested. Someone should call Issa Rae and tell her I need to be in Rap Shit, lol.
Patrice: LOL. I understand because talent like Issa Rae deserves actresses like you who are hungry in this industry.
Follow Cree Campbell on IG @_itsmecree for more updates.
A storyteller and writer creating her own lane one opportunity at a time! Patrice Rivers is a 9x published author who created her own brand That Riverz Gurl Brand, LLC. Not only is she a certified journalist and freelance writer, but a Sickle Cell survivor and advocate. Patrice created the “Come Learn with Patricia” book series to share her personal testimony of living with SCD. Patrice is also the proud owner and creator of Versafi Media Magazine which is an online publication dedicated to entertainment news, articles and compelling interviews. Learn more about Patrice and That Riverz Gurl Brand, LLC by visiting www.thatriverzgurlbrandllc.com. Be sure to follow her on Instagram www.instagram.com/thatriverzgurlbrandllc and visit her website for her magazine at www.versafi.style to learn more.
PRETTY WOMEN HUSTLE ONLINE 