Plain and simple…
I never grew up privileged but I grew up blessed. I grew up being encouraged that I could do anything that I set my mind to. I may not have always felt understood or even supported, but I was always given an opportunity. Although my grandparents first introduced me to sales through yard sales and flea markets, it was my mother who introduced me to business. At 13, she gave me a $20 loan to purchase 5 sets of pajamas from a wholesale dealer to start my very first business. It was by far one of the most exciting parts of my childhood. Growing up an only child certainly had it’s advantages and disadvantages but overall I learned the power of vision, dedication and faith.
At 16, I expanded my pajama business into customized apparel and accessories and I remember hustling through the hallways of high school selling pearl necklaces, funky printed purses, handmade flip flops and loads of accessories. Throughout that experience, I never dreamed of being a business owner. I was certain that if I didn’t pursue acting, that I would enter the field of broadcast journalism just like my idol Oprah Winfrey. I not only went to school for it, but my military job was a broadcast journalist working in the public affairs division. In short, I didn’t plan to pursue entrepreneurship as a career or become a full-time business owner.
Like most people, I went through a period in my life where I was unsure of what I wanted to do. Not in any particular order but I left school, relocated to different states, exited the military, took a few retail management jobs, worked at a multi-level marketing company and I even spent a few weeks employed with Hooters. As Will Smith puts it, “Talent you have naturally. Skill is only developed by hours and hours and hours of beating your craft.” Rightfully so, I was navigating through a world of infinite options and possibilities.
At 20, with the encouragement and support of an ex-boyfriend, I quit my job to navigate through the world of entrepreneurship. Although I didn’t specifically know what I wanted to do, I knew of the things that I enjoyed doing. I made several attempts in an effort to figure out what “business” I wanted to start. Before I incorporate a business, I like to test out the idea and/or concept to see if it is something that can interest me in the long run. I spent my childhood and teenage years selling jewelry, so I thought I could open an online jewelry boutique, although I knew nothing about e-commerce. I purchased books, ordered wholesale jewelry, even ordered business cards, tee-shirts and pens. Needless to say, I never started the online store. Then I thought I could open a talent agency since I pursued acting as a teenager, taught at an agency and could make you give me a standing ovation when I exited a stage. So I found a potential partner, attempted to lease a building, planned several events in my city and even began the paperwork of making the idea a non-profit. I never opened the agency, however, that idea lead me to my last business attempt of starting a marketing agency, which fortunately stuck for years and was the first official business I registered and incorporated. At first, I wanted to focus on personal branding specializing in men but ultimately I decided to enter the field of youth marketing and it was by far one of the best professional decision I’ve made. I’ve worked with some of the world’s leading brands, have cashed checks after checks, have won agency awards, been recognized by some of the most prestigious organizations and have seen my work reach countries. However, at the end of the day, I was not being fulfilled. I was simply doing great work but no where close to tapping into my purpose.
The idea to start Miss Business was one that I’ve thought of for years. What began as a snarky statement from a friend, motivated me in ways I could never express. Through the accomplishments of my marketing agency, I’ve had the opportunity to speak at conferences, workshops, events and institutions of higher education. Each time, I meet countless of men and women who admire my journey and have a great desire to grow their own passion and ideas. That fueled me more than working with corporate entities. Don’t get me wrong, I love my job and I do a damn good job at it but at the end of the day, I’m attracted to people not concepts. I started with a blog in December of 2012 and I’m looking forward to gradually releasing a product line that will help support and guide those who are interested in navigating through the world of becoming an independent business owner.
So, Why did I start Miss Business?
“I have an outrageously, unconventional goal to encourage 1,000,000 females to chase their dreams and find the Miss Business inside of them!”