Creativepreneurs: Brittany Anderson-El
Creativepreneurs: Brittany Anderson-El
I met Brittany about five years ago when we both worked as academic advisors. We've both since moved on from that work (blessings!) and I'm happy to present Brittany's entrepreneurial story to you. She is the owner and creator of Nola's Blossom "where beauty & healing dwell".
What is your creative work and what inspired you to start?
My entire life is my creative project, however the one piece of work I am currently indulged in is Nola's Blossom. It is a business venture dedicated to an organic approach to hair and body care maintenance. I started to develop my own hair care products in 2011 and over time began to make products for my close friends and family. As the demand grew so did my desire to build my brand.
The inspiration was actually triggered by my relationship that ended the spring of 2015. My recovery was going terribly and I needed something to pour myself into. My mother saw how badly the break up was affecting me and encouraged me even more than before to start the groundwork for my business. So with a sweet mix of passion and anxiety, I conjured up the nerve and I went for it. Nola's Blossom launched on August 3rd of 2015.
How do you access your creativity and prepare to do your work?
When I need to be inspired, I have to be in complete silence not just as it relates to Nola's Blossom but anything. Writing, working, dreaming, it all has to be done in the confines of my solitude with no distractions. It is there that my creativity feasters. I also need cleanliness. To focus and prepare orders, or organize my online shop, or brainstorm on new ideas, my entire workspace has to be spotless. This may seem minuscule but it's one of the most important parts of my process. I find that if my work environment isn't welcoming and neat then my creativity won't flow.
What do you hope to inspire or accomplish?
I want to inspire women not only to return their hair back to its natural state but also invest in quality products that will nourish and provide sustenance for their hair as well. Also I want to help women transition from using skin products filled with alcohol and sulfates to products that are made with ingredients from the earth that complement their chemical makeup.
What if any surprises or challenges have you encountered?
I can't say that this was a surprise or a challenge more so than it was a realization. And that is the amount of money it took to start Nola's Blossom. I was so detailed in what I envisioned for my brand, and that meant purchasing high quality ingredients, paying for professional photographs, buying the expensive appliances that were best suited for what I wanted to create. There was no room for cutting corners. Was it worth it? Absolutely, but my goodness it cost me.
How do you practice self-care and recharge?
Besides being a business owner I am also an Advanced Reiki Practitioner. Reiki is a Japanese form of touch therapy. It promotes inner healing and self awareness. So I'm big on meditation and silencing the mind. When I need to get away and gather myself it is through reiki healing and sitting with myself in silence. And as random as it may seem, recharging sometimes involves the maintenance of my hair. Putting in a deep conditioner or moisturizing my scalp is so relaxing, lol and it truly helps me unwind.
What advice do you have for women considering entrepreneurship?
The first time I attempted to make a whipped shea butter I failed horribly and had to throw it away. However, I kept at it and I knew I wanted to be an Alchemist of some sort. So I tried again and again and again until I got it down to a science. When something tugs at your spirit, you are required to respond. The universe will guide you, so let it. Your passions, your skill sets, your visions, take them with you everywhere you go. Allow them to enter all of your conversations. Write them down over and over again. Become obsessed until you can no longer stand your visions not being manifested. And then,…. just fucking go for it.
What are your other dreams and goals?
I aspire to become a Master Teacher in the field of Reiki. I am currently a vegetarian and I am striving to be a raw food vegan. I have an obsession with interior design and one day I desire to be a consultant for the design of homes and small businesses. I'm currently working on a chapbook which will be a collection of my poetry from 2014 until now, it is my hope that it will be published late next year. It is my goal to one day be a wholesale distributor for raw and organic ingredients. I also want to be a certified Doula focusing on prenatal and postpartum care. And yes, the cliche dream of having a family, in whatever package that comes in, I want that too.
What are you most proud of with your business?
That I have full creative control over every product that is in my shop and that the decisions I make regarding Nola's Blossom are done with integrity.
Where can we learn more about you?
Instagram: Nola.Darling
Snapchat: Nola.Darling
Facebook: Nola's Blossom
And of course, to purchase items for yourself or someone you know Nola's Blossom is available on Etsy at www.etsy.com/shop/NolasBlossom
Learn about other creativepreneurs.
Creativepreneurs: Tepsii
Creativepreneurs: Tepsii
Yolanda's note: This interview is dear to me because Tepsii is one of my good friends. We met offline many years ago and we reconnected a few years ago as we were both starting this crazy entrepreneurial journey. Now Tepsii is a kick-ass, boss copywriter who lives in her home country of South Africa.
What is your creative work and what inspired you to start?
I'm a lifelong writer who took a turn as a Life Coach because of encouragement from you, (my dear friend) Yolanda. I've always been someone people come to for advice. It just felt like a natural fit for me to coach because - to be truthful - I ask a lot of questions. Coaching is about helping clients uncover their own truth by simply asking powerful questions.
While trying to amp up my coaching biz I was planning a summit for beginner businesswomen who were interested in bridging the gap between life and business. As I was interviewing guests for my summit I was lucky enough to be "discovered" by a well-known copywriter in the online space. (p.s. I don’t really believe in luck - it’s really about being ready to seize an opportunity and having the know-how to run with your passion).
As the well-known copywriter and I got to know one another, she realized I was a lifelong writer in my corporate career. She said she had a feeling about me so she decided to take a random chance on me and send me my first ever client since her calendar was full. That client was super happy and so it began, a chain of happy clients + referrals.
And just like that my business grew rapidly through word of mouth.
How do you access your creativity and prepare to do your work?
To kick off a project with a client we do a 2 hour VIP intensive session. I have to get to know them intimately so I coach them through a series of questions to truly understand them and their biz.
I see clients one on one via Skype. When I first started out I was incredibly booked and I started to break down a bit. I put my soul into my work and I connect with my clients very deeply. I had never done work like this, it was nothing like my corporate writing gig.
So I developed a little routine. I embrace silence, color, and relax for a few minutes before I see clients. I also ground myself (Kind of like centering myself) and then I put a fresh cup of water in front of me before the call starts. The water is there to absorb energy, and it makes it so that I don't end up exhausted after a session. My VIP intensifies go deep and before I adopted these practices I was carrying people’s marital problems, money stress, and other emotional issues they shared. My methods sound a bit woo-woo, and I don't really understand the how behind everything I do. What I know is that it works!
What do you hope to inspire or accomplish?
1) Leave my day job. (I did that May 13, 2015)
2) Retire my husband from his legal career for the Feds (We celebrated this on July 8, 2015)
3) Move to South Africa. (Moved in early August 2015)
4) Launch a course to teach entrepreneurs how to write. (Launched late July 2015)
5) Inspire other aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women to do what I've done and also to show my daughters that anything is possible. And that they don't need a man to accomplish it! (I’m trying to do this every day)
6) Open a school and a non-profit. (This is my 5 year plan)
7) Publish books and become a best-seller + speaker on the topic of copywriting as well as motivation and entrepreneurship. (In the works!)
8) Launch a business building program for aspiring writers. (March 2016)
What if any surprises or challenges have you encountered?
I had referrals and clients practically begging to work with me pretty early on in the beginning. When it came time to find new clients, I was a bit... Lost! I had to learn how to prospect for new business and also how to hold discovery calls to "close the sale." It felt unnatural and scary at first. But, to succeed I had to do it!
Another hurdle was self-promotion with paid ads. That felt so out of my sphere! I resisted it and actually had to work through it with my coach before I could go all in. But I did it and the rewards have been huge!
How do you practice self-care and recharge?
Leaving the day job and not sitting in traffic was step number one! Step number two has been moving closer to family so that my husband and I have help with our kids. It's allowed me time to take long leisurely baths, take weekends off and enjoy family time at the park.
Going on little mini vacations to the "bush" so we can do the safari thing is also key for me. Nature is so soothing and I get a lot of healing during my time outdoors. Oh, and I started indulging in 2 hour Thai massages each week when we moved... It's simply glorious to be able to do that for myself.
Each day I color in lieu of meditation. Coloring is very calming for me. After coloring I do a gratitude practice to thank God for my abundance. The other thing I do throughout the day is read motivational books to renew my spirit!
What advice do have for women considering entrepreneurship?
I once did a periscope (www.Periscope.Tv/Tepsii) about failure! I called it “Secrets of Success from a Complete Failure.”
I got so much positive feedback on it. Because so often people share successes but birther failure or vulnerability.
My point was that success is not a linear path. There are times when we will fall on our faces. That's ok! I've been wanting to explore entrepreneurship since I was 18, but I never cracked the code to success till I was on the eve of my 31st birthday. My failures made me stronger, I have tried to start so many businesses it would make you dizzy if you were to count! But, here I am now... I finally found the sweet spot between my passion and making a profit!
My advice is that you should never, ever give up and don't take no for an answer. Also, guard your biz with your life. If you tell too many people and seek too much outside advice from people who aren't knowledgeable about what you are doing they will discourage you. Emotionally and mentally that will make space for self doubt and reduce your confidence!
What are your other dreams and goals?
I’d love to travel/relax for 6 months out of the year and my husband and I are planning to have vacation homes that we can visit and rent out in Cape Town, South Africa and Vermont, USA. Those are my biggest short term goals.
What are you most proud of with your business?
FREEDOM! I am in the driver’s seat and I do what I want when I want!
I'm also proud that my biz puts food on the table, pays for my girls’ private school tuition, allowed me to retire my hubby, and financed the move to South Africa.
How do you define the good life?
The good life is slow, easy, and flowing. It is relaxing mornings drinking tea and admiring the view, time to really raise my kids the way I want and be there for them whenever they need (without begging a boss).
The good life means safari drives to reconnect with nature and renew my spirit.
The good life is mountains, beaches, or the open savannah.
It's eating well, 100% organic and GMO free. It's cooking from scratch and enjoying food with my best friends and most cherished family members.
It's a “less is more attitude.” Less obligations, less stuff, less stress!
To be honest after all these years I’m certain that I’ve finally found the key to living the good life. I was always scared I’d have to wait until retirement to live on my own terms. I pinch myself because this is our reality.
Where can we learn more about you?
My website is where you should go if you want to read and know more about me, or work together. www.Tepsii.com
My facebook group, #CopyBosses is where you need to be if you want to know how to write killer copy. My #CopyBesties and I also share actionable advice help to grow your own online business. Our group is growing fast and I love watching the members make friends, create partnerships, and get new clients in there. I can't wait to see you over there!
www.Facebook.com/groups/copybosses
BONUS: Get Tepsii's Brilliantly BounceProof- your fail-proof template for creating highly converting landing pages! Click below.
Yolanda's note: I hope you took a lot away from this interview and what it means to be about your business. I'm so inspired by Tepsii and it is encouraging to see someone I know from real life having so much success. Even though we are far apart these days, I still treasure our conversations, time spent together, and her support.
Learn more about creativeprenuers.
Creativepreneurs: Baiyina Hughley
The Creativepreneurs interview series explores the entrepreneurial journeys of black creatives.
What is your creative work and what inspired you to start?
I’m a designer focusing on all things Interior Design. My latest ventures include teaching an online decorating class, selling vintage rugs and shopping for home makeover shows. Ever since design school, I knew I wanted to own my own business. I have many journals filled with notes detailing business ideas and entrepreneurship.
How do you access your creativity and prepare to do your work?
The excitement and challenge of new projects creates an electrical buzz which is where my creative ideas come from. It’s intuitive for me - I can usually walk into a space and immediately start visualizing ideas. To execute a project, I use my logical side and follow a step by step process I’ve developed from experience. I can’t work if my space is messy or disorganized, so I’ll clean up or rearrange if I feel unmotivated or stuck. I also work best in the evening and typically need to have Netflix or talk radio on to get into it.
What do you hope to inspire or accomplish?
I hope to accomplish creating a lifestyle for myself that feels fun, free, creative and thriving, all the while helping people create better spaces and give them access to really neat quality finds that they cherish for years.
What if any surprises or challenges have you encountered?
My biggest challenge is having staying power to stick with one idea/ focus. I prefer lots of short term projects and gigs within design. I’ve never been able to stick with just one thing. And I’ve struggled with accepting if that’s okay.
How do you practice self-care and recharge?
When I’m burned out the thing that brings me the most joy is hopping in the car with my best friend for a day trip and the city behind me - and even better if it’s a weekday. On a smaller scale, massages and vegging out on the sofa with Project Runway helps too.
What advice do have for women considering entrepreneurship?
Test your ideas by trying to see if you can sell before you create a whole website, register your business and order the business cards. Start before you do any of this. Also, follow what feels good and uses your natural talents.
What are your other dreams and goals?
My dreams include owning a home, opening a furniture/ home decor store and starting a family.
What are you most proud of with your business?
I’m most proud of the fact that I've genuinely been able to pursue my passions. I’m not where I want to be fully, but I’m working on it.
Where can we learn more about you?
My website baiyina.com or my youtube channel www.youtube.com/quirkyliving.
Anything you would like to add?
The biggest thing I’ve learned is that you just have to be who you are. One of my favorite authors Jean Haner wrote a book called “Your Hidden Symmetry”. And it’s all about understanding your true nature and then creating your life around that, rather than trying to change yourself to fit a life around you.
Baiyina is also featured in Black Minimalists on the Web. Learn about other creativepreneurs.
Photos courtesy of Baiyina Hugley.
Creativepreneurs: Tasha McZorn
The Creativepreneurs interview series explores the entrepreneurial journeys of creatives of color.
I first met Tasha when we were both studying at the Art Institute of Philadelphia and she was my Resident Assistant. Later, we both went on to do AmeriCorps during the same time and now we're both on our entrepreneurial journeys. I'm proud to share her story.
What is your creative work or hustle and what inspired you to start?
Well my new venture is called BossLady Entertainment where I currently operate as a Talent Manager. I manage the work, career, and sometimes the life of my solo R&B/Soul artist, Soultareek.
Well my inspiration plays out twofold. Since high school and in church I was curious about the music industry. I love music and always was surrounded by music. The beginning of my life mostly consisted of gospel due to being Pentecostal, but my friends at school started to expose me to Hot 97. My mom told me stories of groups and bands running in my family and then a businessman I worked for put me on CD 101.9. I also observed my cousin Aaron take his music career on the road and people like House Divas, Barbara Tucker, and Dawn Tallman sing as part of the Praise & Worship team at my church.
That let me know you can love God and still love all types of music while moving in the business. I tabled that thought of being in the business at age 17. The second part... 17 years later (crazy right!), my now artist Soultareek resurrected this idea. He approached me about managing his career. I was totally against it due to knowing nothing about how the business works and I wasn't confident I could do it. I'm in Education and manage middle school students and teachers, not music careers. We realized I could take those same skills I use every day in education and transfer them over to his career. I got my hands on some resources and read up on some dos and don'ts, connected with some veterans from the industry, and can say I'm very proud of myself. That was a long inspiration...lol
How do you access your creativity and prepare to do your work?
It's a combination of picking the brains of veterans and collaborating with my artist. We function more like a team then he wants me to go do this and that. We meet the first week of the month and set goals for him as an artist, myself as a manager, and collaborative goals for ourselves. Afterwards, we go back to the board and see what we accomplished, what we need to roll over to the next month, and what are our next moves.
I also have to say my spirituality. I ask God what is the next move, and thank him in advance for the people he lines up for me to connect with. I ask daily for guidance for me so I won't miss opportunities I normally wouldn't accept.
After that I'm unleashed! Lol! Things and people start to line up based off those goals that are set in the beginning. It's done effortlessly! I don’t have to force, push or step on anyone’s toes to prepare for what I do. Which is definitely the perception and truth about this business.
I read up and watch how well known talent managers, who are responsible for a lot of celebrities’ careers, move or moved. How are you going to know what to do if you don't seek the wisdom from those who’ve already done it? I connect with local talent managers as well.
What do you hope to inspire or accomplish?
A few things… I hope to inspire others to go for your dreams. I hope to inspire others to go with the flow. Sometimes you have to turn the control button off and stop trying to force things to go this way when you know good and well God got this sharp left turn coming. Just go for it!
I hope to inspire others to go own your own. Whatever it is, don't let your plan be to retire and live off your pension. You have your 9-5, great! Is that something you can leave for your grandchildren? your great grand? Remember to build a legacy for your family!
What I hope to accomplish with BossLady Entertainment:
- I hope, no will, accomplish being the "go to" establishment to package independent artists and present them for successful distribution and record deals. I don't expect to have a bunch of artists on my roster, but I do expect to have a successful track record of building artists up and getting them out there into the world.
- I'm looking to extend my service at BossLady Entertainment managing Fashion Models careers (I graduated with a B.S. in Fashion Marketing) as well as event planning for upcoming and known artists.
- Just because I feel how this flow is going and I'm not going to question it or ask how and why...it will all come together, have my very own establishment where I can offer the record deals and distribution.
At this point anything is possible and I'm NOT going to second guess myself or say NO to anything that God put in place for me to get there!
What if any surprises or challenges have you encountered?
Yesssss!!!
Challenges:
Finding the balance managing your dreams and life while driving and pushing to make someone else’s dream come true. Unexpectedly your life becomes intertwined with the people you manage. I noticed that with my work as BossLady and in my 9-5 job as a Director. Just finding that balance, but also being realistic that hey, it's going to be like this sometimes but don't have to be all the time.
Surprises: How many people believe men and women can't work together unless there are hidden agendas. I know we’ve got Love and Hip Hop giving everybody some insight into the industry, but my name is Latasha "BossLady" McZorn...ummmm I don't WANT or NEED to roll like that to make ish happen. And that is that!
Support and Supporters! Very shocked to see how artists will get love and actually help from the people outside of their camp or city. Strangers will support you sometimes better than your own family. So to see that happen and hear a lot of other artists mimic the same message is helping me steer a different way in managing my artist.
Lessons: (I'm adding this)
Somebody can big you up all they want, but when you ain't buying the CDs, downloading the iTunes, attending the shows, helping you post or share or coming out to help or even ASK how can I help.... You note it and move accordingly.
How do you practice self-care and recharge?
I plan for it and follow the shifts in the season. I fall back and make sure I take care of me, my family, and my needs. You can end up as an entrepreneur doing everything yourself or pushing so hard for somebody else vision you forget about your own personal needs. So I plan it and just do it! What good are you for the people you are planning to serve or product you are planning to produce if you're off! Nobody else will take care of you better than you! So do it!
What advice do have for women considering entrepreneurship?
- You get the idea and write it down. Now I remember writing my ideas down about the music when I was 17. Boom in my journal, done. So that is the first step.
- When something opens up that connects to your vision and dream, entertain it.
- Start researching it up! Get some resources. Look up career stories of individuals who successfully made it in the field you are interested in pursuing.
- Be open to a mentor. I have someone with 10+ years in the industry I can call on to ping ideas off, reflect on my actions, and see if I'm on the right path. Some of you will seek and find your mentors. Other will have people whose been watching your moves and the mentors will just come into your life. The mentor shows up when the student is ready. So be open to one!
- Just go! Get started, get the LLC, go ahead and build the site, start the instagram page, get the business cards. Just go ahead and do it. The worst you can do is fail! Guess what? Remember that last thing that failed or didn't go through? How you doing? It’s over right? Had some stuff you had to put back together and changes had to be made..but it’s over right? Okay, so just go! Failure is temporary, so just start. People are in graves with dreams they never fulfilled or was too scared to start. Think of this... Whose dreams, jobs or legacy are you holding up because you won't fulfill yours? People are waiting on you!
Girl just go and get started!
What are your other dreams and goals?
I would love to have my own school. Start from preschool to whatever grade I can fulfill during my life. My children, grand-children or great grands might fulfill my legacy but I can at least start it.
Another is to travel the world! I want to take my artist all over the world because sometimes your own backyard won't recognize your skills and talents until others do. So one of my goals is to take BossLady Entertainment international!
Of course one of my other goals and dreams is to be married and have my own family. Sometimes women entrepreneurs be faking the funk like they don't want no man. Remember a BossLady needs a BossMan so one of my dreams is to marry my King and build our own legacy. ;)
Another dream of mine is to either have my own successful segment on a radio or television show.
What are you most proud of with your business?
I am so proud of everything! BossLady Entertainment’s one year anniversary is coming up in two months. Not having any industry background, my artist Soultareek has completed his first EP. He just released his first album (which is fire!!!), had his album release party, participated in DJ Absolut’s Rock the Mic showcase in NYC, his first music video about to drop on VeVo in a few days, building his collabo portfolio with other artists, and I have a new opportunity to become a talent manager for an independent record label. All from just saying YES and just going for it!
I am still in awe and thank God every day. As long as I follow and listen to God I know he got my back and I will keep going until he tells me... done!
Where can we learn more about you?
Request Me
You can hear me online w/my co host Frisco Kid on Saturdays, 9am-12pm on Kingdom Wave Radio.
Also join us on FB:The Frisco Kid's Kingdom Wave Radio Show.
Anything you would like to add?
Yes! You know I have to promote! :)
Follow my artist, listen, and share his music.
His album Consciously Thinking is available on iTunes, TIDAL and Google Play. Download, Share, Comment!
Also, I’m looking for new Female and Male artists ages 15 & up in R&B, HipHop, Gospel and Pop. Hit me up at bosslady.management14@gmail.com
Thank you so much for reading and I hope I inspired at least one person to get up and go or to keep going!
-BossLady
Creativepreneuers: Kaneisha Trott
Source: Kaneisha Trott's Facebook Page
What I enjoyed most about Kaneisha's interview was her transparency and authenticity.
I know Kaneisha Trott as "Nee Cee" and have known her since freshman year of college way back in 2001. We met in our freshman english class, took calculus together, and lived in the same dorm complex.
The essence of who Neecee is hasn't changed. She is intelligent, hilarious, generous, and kind. It's been great to watch her mature in her perception of self and on her spiritual journey.
Watch my in-depth interview with Kaneisha Trott as she talks about her dreams and music ministry.
She has already impacted many through her music ministry and her daily walk with God and I know she will touch so many more with her gift.
Support NeeCee on Facebook and Twitter.
She debuted last spring, live in concert, to a packed house at Power City in Smyrna, Delaware and I was fortunate to attend.
She brought down the house, with the help of Jesus of course.
You can hear a snippet of one of her tracks here.
What did you take away from NeeCee's interview?