Tag: pretty women hustle

Debt Management in December

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$timulating Tips

Debt is when you owe money. You can owe money to someone, a company because you borrowed money, used your credit card or have some type of outstanding loan. There are many types of debt, but it all means you owe money.

One year for Christmas I purchased gifts for all my nieces and nephews, my children and friends, while I paid to travel out of town. I have never done that again! I was trying to be generous and was not aware of how much I spent until I got home and started adding up all my receipts. It took me until February to catch up from all the extra money I spent.

During this holiday season, let’s make a serious attempt to manage our debt wisely and pay it off sooner. Here are some tips to consider before you shop.

Don’t buy it, if you really can’t afford it.

If you need to use your credit card to purchase a gift, make sure you consider having enough money left on the card in case of an emergency.

Pull names, instead of trying to purchase gifts for everyone in the family (10+ nieces and nephews)

Try a secret Santa for the older adults.

Agree to shop after Christmas for extra savings.

If you sew, knit or crochet, make the gift instead.

Use reward points to purchase gifts.

Tying some of these alternative spending options will help you manage your spending and debt wisely.

Sharing these monthly financial stimulating tips has been a joy! I want to thank Pretty Women Hustle for the opportunity to serve you through this platform for this 2022 year.

I wish you all a very blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year! You know what to do….keep your mind on your money!  God Bless.

Dedra Porter

L.A.L.A. Nonprofit Org. www.lalanonprofit.org

The Pretty Boss Mom: Tywanna Smith

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Motherhood is one of the most rewarding and stressful balancing acts. It requires pouring your heart out to a little human being while waking up every morning to make sure they have everything they need.

In this series, we highlight a few of those women who are in the middle of their greatest balancing act; pouring their hearts into their children while pouring their heart into creating a legacy for their families.

Tywanna is a former professional basketball player turned business manager for the pros. For the past 15 years, she has worked in a financial capacity with players from the NBA, NFL, WNBA, Europe, and China. Her work has been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, and NBC Sports. She host a PROready workshop for high school athletes to prepare them for the next steps after high school and college. Also, she host a financial literacy program called the Teen Money Box. In addition, her book, “Surviving the Lights” became a best-seller in 2017.

What inspired your start in entrepreneurship? 

I was inspired to become an entrepreneur to address the multi-faceted issues faced by professional athletes. I am sure you have seen the media! There was not a traditional career path for my interests in the sports industry. For example, there are agents, coaches, and trainers who guide athletes on the court and field. There are also advisors, attorneys, and accountants who specialize in their respective fields. However, there is not a degree program that teaches you how to manage the very fast-paced and multi-faceted lives of elite athletes. So, I decided to forge my own path with my company, The Athlete’s Nexus. As they say, if there is a problem without a solution – create one.

What has been your biggest challenge/failure as an entrepreneur? and how do you deal with it? 

One of the biggest challenges that I have faced as an entrepreneur in the sports industry is being a Black mother. Early in my career, I dealt with being underestimated as a woman in sports. If you add the stigma of being a minority, you can imagine how often I was overlooked or passed up in a space dominated by White men. In addition, being a mother is sometimes seen as a disadvantage, because it is expected that parental duties will always take precedence over business. I believe that I have consistently defied those assumptions by keeping the focus on the quality of my work. My motto is to consistently over-deliver so that a potential client would be insane not to hire me!

 How do you balance entrepreneurship and motherhood without experiencing burnout, while pursuing your passion? 

I used to struggle with achieving balance, but I have learned to disconnect outside of business hours, schedule self-care time, and say NO! At one point, I felt guilty for not answering every call until I realized that it can wait. This pressure was self-inflicted. What I found was, that my clients and colleagues accepted and respected my boundaries without complaint, and these protective guidelines actually improved my productivity. 

 What advice do you have for moms looking to get started in entrepreneurship?  

Do not let what you do become who you are. We can work hard and succeed without compromising our dignity, conceding our integrity, or sacrificing motherhood. Be human in this process and never succumb to the emotionless and ruthlessness of entrepreneurship. 

What does being a Pretty Woman Who Hustles mean to you? 

Being a Pretty Woman Who Hustles signifies a beautiful blend of skill, relentless determination, and grace. Beauty is exuded from the inside out, and that means that our hearts for serving others and using our gifts for good is what makes us so magical. Our hustle is inspirational!

What books do you recommend for moms navigating entrepreneurship?  

One of my all-time favorite books has become “The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom.” This book can help anyone unlock their potential by removing the self-limiting philosophies that they often repeat themselves. As moms, we are often our own toughest critics, and we play many different roles in the lives of others. If we remove those blocks, the doubt, the destructive thoughts that hinder our growth and confidence, we can achieve every single thing that we desire with the gifts that God has placed inside of us. It is difficult to navigate and succeed in entrepreneurship if we do not first believe in ourselves.

IG: @tywannadsmith

FB: @tywannadsmith

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tywanna-smith-mba/

Website: www.tywannasmith.com 

She’s Making Herstory: Meet Tammie L. Otukwu

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Tammie L. Otukwu is an Author, U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Retiree, and Certified Life Coach and she currently works for the Veteran’s Administration as a Legal Administrative Specialist. She holds a master’s degree in Psychology and Management, a Green Belt Certification in Lean Six Sigma, and has taken numerous military and civilian training courses. She received a certificate of Appreciation from President Barack Obama upon her retirement from the Army after serving over 26 years.
Her book, “War after the Military” has been featured in Pretty Women Hustle, Soigne, and Swank and Authority Magazines. She has been featured on the Ty Bentli Show, “Get a Hero Hired” and as a guest on Dreamspire Media’s Author’s Lounge. She is a member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women and spends much of her time volunteering in the community.
Tammie Otukwu has been married to her husband, Innocent Otukwu for 19 years and they have 2 children and 2 grandchildren, and an amazing son-in-law.

What inspired your start in entrepreneurship?
I was inspired to write my book and tell my story to help Veterans leaving the service to help them navigate the civilian world

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?
The highlight of my career was retiring from the Army and receiving a Certificate of Appreciation from President Barack Obama

If you could tribute your success to any in your life who would it be?
I would tribute my success to my Mom’s faith and belief in my dreams

What message do you hope women take away from your platform?
I hope women take away from my platform that anything in life is possible

What is your go-to quote for motivation?
My go-to quote for motivation is “If you stay ready you won’t have to get ready”

What does being a woman making Herstory mean to you?
Being a woman making Herstory means that I am sharing my journey with the hope of inspiring.

Connect with Tammie by visiting her online at Tammieotukwu.com

Tips to Keep You Motivated Along the Journey

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We dont speak enough about how difficult change can be; or about the mental willpower it takes to walk away from something familiar. We dont speak enough about those moments where you have to choose to walk away from what’s comfortable and chose the unknown. We dont talk about the strength it takes to believe that there is something better than what’s in front of you now, to know you deserve more, and to not set settle. Yet, the power of surrendering and the true substance of faith is taking the leap into the unknown.

The idea of change and wanting to change is great, but the action steps behind such change are where we seem to fall short. It sounds easy to just leave that cheating man, to quit that toxic friendship, to not give in to our temptations, yet when we are faced with the chance to say “NO” or walk away, we find ourselves back to where we started. We are all facing our own battles and all trying to find the best way to move forward. Easier said than done, but it comes down to how much work and perseverance we are going to put into this new mindset. How are we going to continue to motivate ourselves in the process?

When I find myself stuck in a hard place, I remind myself that with God on my side, I cannot fail. I may not have it all together today, but there is tomorrow. I may not win the battle, but I will always win the war. 

The following are some tips that have helped me keep pushing and motivating myself along the journey:

colorful sticky notes
Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com
  • Give yourself grace. Acknowledge the struggles that we all face that we just dont speak of and extend that grace to your neighbors. From there, you will begin to also recognize and understand your own inner struggles and extend grace within yourself. To reprogram your mindset when you have adapted to old habits is no easy feat, yet the fact that you are taking the steps to do so is progress in itself. Dont be so hard on yourself, and celebrate your small accomplishments, even if it is just getting through the day. 
  • Write it down. Hold yourself accountable for the milestones you reach. Good or bad, write down what you are struggling with and how you did or didn’t overcome it. Over time you will be able to tangibly see your patterns and triggers and even better identify how to continuously make the changes you seek in your life.
  • Small habits create big habits.  Dont psych yourself out focusing on the bigger picture, yet focus on the smaller ones. Once you accomplish those small goals repeatedly, tackling the bigger goals will seem like a piece of cake. Give yourself digestible and realistic milestones that will promote longevity in your change. 

Moving forward means healing from your past and applying the lessons learned in your future for continuous self-improvement. As long as you don’t quit, you can and always will make a change. Don’t look back because there is something better to look forward to. Old habits die hard but new improved habits create promising futures, just keep hangin’ on.  

All Rosie Writes & Publishing, LLC  http://www.allrosiewrites.com

Greentop Gifts Shares Diversity in the Black Community with African-American Characters

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Jacquelyn Rodgers is the Founder of Greentop Gifts. Greentop Gifts started as an idea for her son and turned into a company bringing diverse products that reflect families for their own celebrations and holiday moments. Greentop Gifts has been featured in NBC News, Essence, People, and O, The Oprah Magazine. Jacquelyn is a recipient of the 2020 Visa • IFW Black Women Owned Business Grant, 2020 Wild Card Winner in the Stella Labs Women’s Fast Pitch Southeast Regional Competition and a participant in the 2020 Ad Astra Get to Even Founder Bootcamp. She has over 14 years of Consumer Packaged Goods experience at Nestle & Mars Wrigley. From this experience she has keen knowledge on how to take an idea from concept to actual product which has proved invaluable in the early stages of Greentop Gifts.

Patrice: What stuck for me while reading about your business is the name ‘Green Top Gifts’ which is unique. Could you tell us a little bit more about your motivation for creating Green Top Gifts?

Jacquelyn: Yes, I love telling the story of Greentop Gifts. It is an ode to my family. My grandfather had a restaurant bar in the 40’s/50’s which was called Greentop. It was a place of celebration for people in the black community because it was a place where people can go and enjoy the fellowship. This is how my grandfather got his start in entrepreneurship. My dad shined shoes there as a child. When we were deciding on names, we discussed it and that’s how I came up with the name.

Patrice: This is an amazing back story on how you came up with your business name! I like the fact that your grandfather owned a restaurant back in the day and that your dad shined shoes there as a child! Great memories to have! For those who don’t know, that Greentop gifts is an African-American décor and gift service and you mentioned that it features an African American character called Clarence Clause. Could you elaborate a little bit more on the character?

Jacquelyn: We launched the company with the idea of looking for black characters for the season that has a black Santa clause on it. I came to realize that it didn’t exist so I joked with my husband that I wanted to make wrapping paper and he just laughed. That made me start looking at manufacturers and illustrators and we created Clarence Clause that we wanted to appeal to children and adults.

Patrice: Now who would have thought of that idea? That is truly unique on how you moved on that idea of creating wrapping paper for black children! So, are the wrapping paper and other items that you guys sell specially sold online or are they in stores as well?

Jacquelyn: We currently sell online and partnered with some independent retailers in Chicago, Atlanta, Charlotte, and Raleigh. We are also looking to expand with some other retailers at the top of 2022!

Patrice: Sounds like a plan! Congrats on that! Like I stated before, your business is very unique and I love the whole representation and the whole meaning behind it. As far as diversity goes, how important is that to you and how do you empower not only kids, but adults on the importance of it?

Jacquelyn: Diversity is extremely important to me and to my husband especially since we are raising small children. We are factious about the images that we show them so that they see representation in television shows, the books they read, and even the celebration we do in our home. We try to make sure they understand and share with them the celebrations that are important to our family as well as people of other races and other nationalities.

Patrice: Well said! Diversity is extremely important in America! Besides Christmas wrapping paper, do you all have other wrapping paper for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries or graduations?

Jacquelyn: Yes, absolutely!

Patrice: Great to hear! Your business is located in Atlanta and it has been reported that Greentop Gifts had the record-breaking in sales this past year. Congrats on that big accomplishment!

Jacquelyn: Thank you! We were excited to work with big supporters of our brand. 2020 was a challenging year for us and a lot of businesses and entrepreneurs. We really tried to fight through that by creating product and content that our consumers were excited about; we just thrived through the pandemic! We are grateful for the support from our customers.

Patrice: Are you currently working on any new projects? What can the readers expect next from Greentop Gifts?

Jacquelyn: We are launching our Happy Birthday collection, we are expanding that with other products, such as gift bags. We are also getting ready for the holidays! Also, we are trying to get our products with some retailers to expand the marketplace.

Listen to more of this interview by visiting http://www.anchor.fm/theriverzreport

Connect with Greentop Gifts:

Website: www.greentopgifts.com

Instagram (business page) @greentopgifts

Meet Yvette Lloyd of Life Her Podcast! Get Uplifted and Motivated Through Candid Conversations

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Yvette Lloyd is a Philanthropist and Media Personality who partners with CEOs, executives, and solopreneurs 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 and they 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 in the 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’ with you 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 amazing journey! 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. What was 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, Pretty Vee, 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.

Connect with Yvette:

Facebook: Life Her Podcast

Instagram: @ lifeherpodcast

Twitter: lifeherpodcast

Website: http://www.lifeherpodcast.com

The Renaissance Woman and Media Mogul Donia Duchess Shares Insights and Experiences of Being in Media

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Donia Duchess is an award-winning, two-time Emmy nominated producer, host, model, actress and motivational speaker. Having carved her own path to success, Donia is known in entertainment circles for her determination, outgoing flair, and fearless demeanor. Hailed as “one to watch,” Donia is using her distinct gift of gab to make a name for herself as a rising television personality! Upon graduation, Donia landed her first job in television production with The Maury Povich Show, where she thrived as a production assistant, helping to book and coordinate some of the show’s most watched episodes. But by 2015, Maury’s executive producer approached Donia about appearing on the show to host a national segment, and Donia’s on-air career officially commenced. Bold, beautiful and brilliant, Donia Duchess is a renaissance woman. With multiple television and modeling credits under her belt, Donia is quickly becoming entertainment’s go-to celebrity reporter, on-air segment host, and lifestyle expert. Fierce perseverance, sincere passion and an undeniable propensity have helped Donia climb the ranks as one of television’s most sought after talents, and she’s just getting started.

Patrice: Thank you so much for taking the time out to interview with Pretty Women Hustle Magazine.

Donia: Thank you for having me!

Patrice:  I was blown away just by reading your bio. It is very impressive of all the work you have done so far in your career! How did you get started in the media industry?

Donia: I always like to tell people that I started out behind the scenes. I wanted to learn everything behind the scenes to make good television, to make good entertainment, figure out how to connect with people in order to be good in front of the camera. My first job was on the Maury show and I started there as a production assistant. It was a really interesting time for me because I got to work with all these incredible people and producers and learn so much. Honestly after one season, I immediately felt like that wasn’t the kind of television I wanted to produce. I knew that type of television wasn’t really what I wanted.

Patrice: Anyone that wants to be in the media industry whether a producer, behind the camera, media correspondent or in front of the camera, a lot of people do start behind the scenes. People who work in media don’t just jump in front of the scenes, but gradually start slow. What experiences have you learned from being behind the scenes and then working your way up in front of the camera?

Donia: Ultimately, I’ve learned to have a bigger appreciation and the work that goes into making television. So for the people that sit at home and don’t know much about TV, they can watch a show and see a host on camera and you know those type of people that comment negative things on social media and say “Oh that job must be easy” They can sort of attack a celebrity or host because they feel that the job looks easy. So, that’s the point. As a talent you are supposed to make the job look easy. That’s how you know that you are doing a good job. But It’s really hard and it is a lot that goes into it and I’m grateful on how my climb has been slow and steady.

Patrice: I agree with that. Media can be quite competitive at times and may not look as easy as it may seem. Gaining all the experiences and challenges you overcame so far, what current projects are you working on?

Donia: Honestly, current project is being a mom (laughs). To be completely honest, I am just trying to get back to myself. I see that a lot of times celebrities will have kids and snap back in six weeks. And then they are showing off their abs and that is the unrealistic for the average mom who is at home with her kid. I went through a lot with my pregnancy. At point they thought my son was going to have down syndrome; it was a 92 percent chance. I had diabetes when I was pregnant, I had high blood pressure, and not to mention I was pregnant during the pandemic. A lot of doctor’s appointments I had to go alone because my husband wasn’t allowed to come in with me. So right now my current projects are being a mom, focusing on my mom and getting back to my hosting career.

Patrice: You are definitely a renaissance woman! During your career, what has been some of your favorite celebrity interviews so far?

Donia: OMG! There are so many! Boris Kodjoe was the first one. So we are doing the interview and I’m with my co-worker and he’s answering all these amazing questions. He’s a very good-looking guy; people with eyeballs can see that. Then in the middle of the interview, I said “Me and my co-worker are listening to you, but all we can say is uh-huh uh-huh” We were zoned out by how beautiful he was! (laughs) The interview was live so people picked up on that clip and thought that it was the funniest thing.  In the end I am always going to be myself and everyone ended up loving it.

Listen to more of this exclusive interview by visiting The Riverz Report Podcast at www.anchor.fm/theriverzreport

FEEN, The New Streetwear of Fashion You Must Have! CEO of FEEN Official Talks about Journey

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By Patrice Rivers @thatriverzgurlbrandllc

Patrice: What motivated/inspired you to start a business?

Kate: What motivated me to start my business is the fact that I’ve always wanted something of my own. I wanted to create a platform to not only inspire but also motivate and push true hustlers to exceed their limitations. Starting a business wasn’t about me, but more so about others. Everyone needs inspiration at some point in their life, my business FEEN helps inspire you when you need it most.

When I was younger my father got into a drinking and driving accident, leading him to a coma. Thankfully, he woke up on his birthday. Fortunately for me while my family was going through this tough time I turned to fashion as my outlet. But I was FEEN for more than just fashion. I was a FEEN for my purpose. And I was determined to be more than a fiend for alcohol as my father was. So I changed the narrative. I FEEN for my dreams!! And I created brand that will inspire you too as well.

Patrice: What makes you a pretty woman that hustles?

Kate: Without a doubt I’m a pretty woman that hustles. Humbly speaking, I am good looking on the outside, but I’m more beautiful on the inside which makes me pretty. I embody my brand’s motto, Hustle, Grind, Rewind. Every day I wake up I make it a priority to work towards my business, personal brand, and overall goals. I create opportunities for myself and the people around me. Not only do I create opportunities but I also open doors for myself. I am a true believer that you get what you work for. So I’m striving to work towards everything I want and desire 24/7.

Patrice: What is the name of your business(es) and what are they all about?

 Kate: The name of my business is FEEN. FEEN is a premium streetwear brand that caters to women and men. While providing quality streetwear FEEN also provides hope. FEEN pushes their consumer to live by their motto, Hustle, Grind, Rewind and FEEN for their dreams! The fact of the matter is that we all crave and have a desire for something(s). FEEN helps you express your hustle for whatever that may be.

Patrice: Have you faced any challenges in your business?

Kate: Of course I have faced challenges in my business. But, every challenge I have ever faced I’ve overcome through preservation. Any challenge I encounter I take it as a lesson, I learn and grow from it. In the end every challenge it’s all a part of my journey and my story. I am trusting the process through every trial and tribulation.

Patrice: What projects are you’re currently working on?

Kate: Currently I am working on an upcoming collection, a podcast in the making, as well as a huge event I am producing together this summer that will focus on giving creatives like myself a platform that started from the ground up.

Patrice: How do you face diversity as a woman entrepreneur?

Kate: As a powerful female entrepreneur I face diversity by embracing it. I feel powerful when I’m the only woman in the room, because I know I make a difference.  Diversity takes you out of your comfort zone, and that’s when you grow the most when you’re uncomfortable.

Patrice: Is balancing your personal life, work life and business life difficult for you at times?

Kate: Honestly, I would say that I balance my personal and business life pretty well. Sometimes it’s a thin line in between the two and as an entrepreneur you may give more to one than the other but life is about finding the balance that’s comfortable to YOU.

Patrice: What does being an entrepreneur or business owner mean to you?

Kate: Being an entrepreneur to me means that I control my own time, financial freedom, and direction of my energy to whatever I please. Having that type of control on your life is a power like no other. Don’t get me wrong, everything in life has its ups and downs, and entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Connect with Kate:

Personal Instagram : @katehayez

Business Instagram : @feenofficial

Business Twitter : @feenofficial

YouTube : Feen Official

Website : http://www.feenofficial.com

ANN AND ASHLEY BRINGING THE GAME-CHANGING SKINCARE PRODUCTS IN BEAUTY

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The highly anticipated skincare line Ann & Ashley has released game-changing products for all skin types to ensure that every individual receives the glow they all desire and deserve. With each product supercharged with antioxidants, essential oils, botanicals, and more, it becomes the perfect regimen to restore radiance and reinvigorate the skin that has been exposed to temperature and harsh environmental aggressors. Designed with the skin in mind, Ann & Ashley products respect and restore the natural pH balance of the skin, firm the skin, and improve elasticity.

Patrice: What makes you a pretty woman that hustles?

Ann and Ashley: A pretty woman that hustles is an enterprise woman whose savvy, & determined to go after her goals. I have always been ambitious, driven, and aspired to bigger things and I believe you need a combination of all those things to truly be a pretty woman “hustler”.

Patrice: The name of your business is catchy! What is the story behind it?

Ann and Ashley: Our story began when I decided to develop a solution to help alleviate my mother’s skin condition. I realized that a homeopathic solution would help reverse the symptoms affecting the texture and color of her skin. ​Recognizing a valuable opportunity to provide for this niche market, Ann & Ashley was born. The inspiration behind Ann & Ashley (hence our brand’s name) named for my Mother and myself.

Patrice: What makes your skincare products different from others?

Ann and Ashley: Sourced from the cleanest, purest ingredients using nearly up to 60% to 80% natural and organic botanicals and oils to effectively moisturize and hydrate the skin as well as protect the health & body using the principles of aromatherapy. At Ann & Ashley, its more than a moisturizer, it is a lifestyle!

Patrice: In your beauty products, what are some of the main ingredients?

Ann and Ashley: Vitamin C, African Baobab “super fruit” oil, rosemary extract, mango Butter, vitamin E, Neem Seed Oil, Rosehip Seed Oil are some the main ingredients used based on the healing properties.

Patrice: A lot of people have sensitive skin as well. Does your products caters to all skin types?

Ann and Ashely: Yes, Absolutely! Our products are formulated to work for even the most sensitive skin.

Patrice: Skincare regimen is especially important I believe. What products do you recommend people use?

Ann and Ashely: A good moisturizer, first and foremost, helps to reduce the signs of aging, and a good exfoliator to remove buildup of dead skin. Our Skin Elixir is a pore reducing genie that provides superior benefits that enhances the moisture content of the skin.

Patrice: Black-owned businesses are important. Do you feel that black-owned businesses in the beauty industry are treated the same as any other skincare company around the world?

Ann and Ashley: Black brands are some of the most culturally influential in the world. Many companies have recognized the value of Black owned brands and Black consumers in the marketplace and are starting to implement better inclusion practices as well as reflect that diversity of product offerings to their customers.

Patrice: Tell us more about the Coconut and Rose body butter and the Skin Elixir Firming Radiance concentrate.

Ann and Ashley: The Coconut Rose body butter boasts an enchanting flowery scent that invigorates the senses and envelops the skin in velvety butters for maximum hydration. The Skin Elixir Firming Radiance Concentrate is vitamin c packed skin food that reduces appearance of pores, minimizes cystic breakouts and the effects of the elements on the skin. It is superstar ingredient of Baobab Oil is a fountain of youth in a bottle.

Patrice: What are some of the challenges you faced along the way in your business?

Ann and Ashley: Whew! So many things from having a lack of access to capital, knowing what things to look for to help with the best decision making, budgeting, bad deals, incorrect marketing. Those are some of things I have had to overcome.

Patrice: What does being an entrepreneur mean to you?

Ann and Ashley: It means being passionate, savvy, fearless, tenacious, determined, cunning, hardworking and being willing to sacrifice and get back up after being knocked down to achieve your goals.

Patrice: For people wanting to start their own business, what advice would you give them?

Ann and Ashley: Give yourself time, do the market research, find your niche that makes your brand unique, automate things, and outsource jobs that you are not an expert in. It will ultimately save you time and money!

Connect with Ann and Ashley

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ann.ashleyskin

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnnAshleyskin/

Website: http://www.ann-ashley.com

Email: info@ann-ashley.com

KOCKTAIL KULTURE IS BRINGING THE KULTURE OF ALL THINGS IN BARTENDING

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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.

Connect with Tyemerica:

Instagram: @kocktailkulture

Facebook: @kocktailkulture

Snapchat: @kocktailkulture