Huami Magazine Huntsville May/June 2020

TEE SHIRTS

Surviving, That Has Become A New Normal

There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It!

It appears that out of nowhere the Covid-19/Corona Virus pandemic has arrived. With its onset, the world all of sudden came to a screeching halt. Churches have been closed, businesses are shutdown, the new term of social distancing became part of society’s vocabulary, and it has been alright to shop in the grocery store while being masked. This is our new normal.

A Letter from the Editor

What if tomorrow didn’t arrive? All of your plans, hopes and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if everything that you decided to put off until tomorrow never happened? There would be no reason to save for a rainy day, and you could spare someone the trouble of making promises. What if your last opportunity seemingly expired today? What would you do?

As a small business owner who greatly depends on the business and support of other small businesses and their patrons, I have felt the brunt of this global pandemic also. It has caused me to adjust the ways I operate and develop more effective methods to produce and share my products and services, all while to trying to be profitable and relevant. The new normal is quite simply learning how to survive during a pandemic.

I’ve been told that I often seem like I do too much. Honestly, I feel like I am not doing enough and I’m a firm believer in knowing that God wouldn’t put anything on me that I couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life would be if I chose to sit idle and accept what it presented to me. I have found that to be very boring. In my opinion, opportunity is a blessing that isn’t afforded to everyone. A challenge to me is an adventure. What is the worst that can happen? If I do nothing, I fail, and if I try I don’t, but instead learn something new about myself. Relinquish your pride and in return acquire life.

With revenue being the most vital component needed to operate and sustain a small business, many owners have been greatly impacted by Covid-19 in a negative manner. How do we survive? How will our bills be paid, and most importantly how will I be able to feed and care for my family? We need revenue and the support and patriotism from those who have kept our doors open. Unfortunately, these individuals are facing the same or similar challenges themselves.

The best advice ever given to me happened when someone told me to make my tomorrow happen today. In doing so I have pressed my way through doors with a key that only hope provided. I have also learned the difference between what God blesses me with and what life can burden me with as well. I compare it to knowing when to be confident and when to be quiet, because someone may get it confused with being arrogant.

As a result of everything that has occurred, our ability to survive and maintain has become our new normal. The things that we once did, just don’t work the same today. This doesn’t mean the end is near, I believe that God is really telling us that He continues to have all the power and our today and tomorrow still flows through Him. In our complacently of accepting the hustle and bustle of yesterday, God proves yet again that He will turn our world upside down to get us on track with Him. Surviving has become the normal. Lets embrace it and be better than we were before Covid-19.

Make you tomorrow happen today, but most importantly make it count. Life is but a whisper and we must put ourselves in a position to hear what it is telling us.

Terry L. Watson

Terry L. Watson Editor/Founder

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On The Cover

Helena’s Collection April Roache

HUNTSVILLE

Monica Moyer

MoeJoe’s Sweets has moved their location to Archada Bakery. Archdale, NC

20

Braxton Langston Moore He is the cutest, and has been selected as Huami Magazine’s Cutest Baby.

Helena’s Collection

By Terry L. Watson

by April Roache

Originally from St. Louis, MO, April Roache now resides in Dallas, TX. She is a product of a single parent home and lived in foster care until the eighth grade and until her big sister obtained guardianship over her.

As an adult, She decided to enter the medical field, and now serves as a CNA and Medical assistant. Her career has lasted for 12 years. “I love helping people. After a while I needed a mental break from the sadness because I see so much death. The emotional part of the job itself makes you feel like that,” she says. Eventually, April did just that; she took a break from the medical field. “I pursued other opportunities that allowed me to use many other skills. I moved to Dallas three and half years ago for a fresh start,” she says.

Today, April is the owner of Helena’s Collection, a handmade accessories company that specializes in custom jewelry, handbags, refurbished furniture and more. “I like to make unique, one of a kind pieces that you will have a hard time finding elsewhere. My slogan is ‘let me customize you’. I live up to that,” April shares.

She is also well known for her customized bracelets, “Arm Candy” for ladies, “Man Beads” for men, and “Star Charms” for children. She has the latest fashion trends and describes her collection as a one stop shop. She will also deliver locally up to 15 miles with in the vicinity of Dallas. Anything over 15 miles require a $10 delivery fee (prices vary depending on distance.

The story began in 2014 for April and Helena’s Collection. She started off making blinged out ID badge reels. “I would go get rhinestones and decorate ID badges. Everyone would say how cute they were and ask where did I get that. I told them I made them and they would ask for me to make them one. That’s how it all started, from some ID badge reels,” she shares. In the beginning her prices were modest, just $7.00 and $8.00. She didn’t know any better. “Once I seen I was making a little extra money, I thought that

I could get used to this. I always wanted something with mom’s name attached to it. Her middle name is Helena. That’s how Helena’s Collection was born. I started making earrings, tote bags, bracelets, etc. It went from there. My creativity, my determination, my passion, and the fact that I actually took the time to hand make these items with love is what makes my business is what it is.”

Love is what makes it all worth it for April. “I enjoy being creative and being able to give my customers their very own, unique custom pieces while bringing their vision to life. Seeing my customers smiling and happy is always the goal. I’ve also made a few celebrities bracelets. That’s something that makes me happy as well,” she says.

As a small business owner, April has weathered a few storms to stay afloat. Some of them are having the right amount of finances to maintain inventory. “Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart, and trying to make sure just regular bills are paid and still have money to invest back into your business is hard. Especially when it’s just you. I’d rather work my but off before I have to pay someone back, and that is why I don’t want an investor. One thing for sure is that I will not quit,” she says.

April is inspired by her desire to have financial freedom and being able to offer her mother and sister a stress free life. “I want to be the one to break that generational curse and create generational wealth. I feel like my family has suffered enough trauma in

our lifetime and deserves to have a win. My family and I have never had the chance to travel either, so that’s something I want us to experience as well. My sister helped to raise me and she is also someone that look up to. She’s been through her own trauma and she’s still standing,” she says.

April also addresses the challenges she faces personally. “Counseling has taught me how to be more aware of the root of my issues. I have learned to accept the fact that some things may never change. For this, I make better decisions. I have learned to not to envy other business owners or Instagram influencers because behind closed doors some of their lives might be in shambles. Everyone is battling their own demons daily, and we just don’t know it. I’ve learned to be mindful of what I see, hear, and say on social media and in real life. I block all negativity out and I protect my peace at all cost,” she shared.

When she looks back, April shares there isn’t much she would have changed about her journey other than she would have taken advantage of the opportunity to educate herself on the financial aspect of being an entrepreneur. Moving forward, she hopes to learn more on how to market her business effectively. She also hopes to continue to grow her business, especially in the clientele department. h

By Terry L. Watson

Toccara Lachell Samuel of Greenville, SC is a daughter, sister, aunt, and great friend to many people. She is also a licensed esthetician and founder of Exceptional Creations with Toccara LLC. Her company specializes in products for all natural hair growth and care, beard growth and care, skincare, and wellness. Additionally she has also served as a former Training Director for the Chick-fil-A food franchise.

Toccara says her love for entrepreneurship began in 2003 as she began working in the skincare and beauty industry in Aiken, SC. It was at Beauty on The Go, that is owned and operated by Jeanette Breeland. From there she spent years working for other companies such as Bath and Body works, Arbonne and Estee Lauder. She started Exceptional Creations with Toccara LLC in 2018 after finishing Esthetics school at the Academy of Hair Technology and obtaining her Professional License. She also owned and operated a spa suite from December 2018 until December 2019 at Cornerstone Studios in Simpsonville, SC.

Toccara currently freelances and travels with her services and product line. “Traveling and freelancing allows me to reach other states and areas, and hopefully countries,” she says. On top of being an esthetician and businesswoman, she sometimes speaks at colleges and other venues about entrepreneurship, developing positive affirmations, and creating a vision plan. She is a Life and Wellness Coach and advocate for Mental Health Awareness, Domestic Violence, and Suicide Prevention. Her advocacy was sparked from watching her biological mother battle those illnesses and from her own battles in those areas as well.

Toccara shares how diverse her product line is. “My products are all natural and vegan friendly. They were developed to help with all areas of needs ranging from hair care, skincare, beard care, and wellness. Most importantly, each item is developed and formulated personally by me. My hair growth oil was developed because of my own experience with hair loss and finding out this was a need by many people. I formulated it several times before finding the perfect combination of oils. From developing the growth oil and servicing male clients, I developed the beard oil. The beard oil helps with the health and the growth of the beard but is formulated with essential oils that are appealing to a man.”

Toccara also makes hair butter, hair moisturizer, beard balm, beard moisturizer, beard wash, skin care kits, body butters, soaps, wellness oil blends, and many other items and kits that are helpful to the human body and the environment. Her wellness blends help with pain and many other ailments in the body and are specially formulated for each client that orders them.

Exceptional Creations began with Toccara taking small steps. “I started with just 25 recipes and now I have close

to 100,” she says. On of her top product lines are the skin care services for all genders and also beard treatments for men.

Being an entrepreneur has its perks. Toccara says she loves the fact that she is able to be exceptionally authentic and creative. “It allows me a chance to manage my own time and grow my business. As a child growing up, I didn’t understand my creative mind and why I was into so many different things. I found myself having a love for the arts and crafts. It all started to make sense in 2016 when I realized I could go to school and obtain a professional license that would allow me to be creative and not only help people, but also provide for and help my family,” she says.

She finds inspiration in her late grandfather Henry A. Samuel Jr. who also owned his own businesses until his heavenly transition in December of 2009. “He inspired me to push and never give up no matter what happens and that I can over

come any battle in my life,” she says. The second person who inspires Toccara is her adopted mom, Christabell Fulmer who came into her life at the young age of six, after her mom passed away. “She taught me that it’s okay to be myself and to be authentic. She has loved me all of my life and cared for me like a mother should care for her child. She has taught me strength and showed me how to obtain every goal I want in life. I couldn’t ask for a better mother figure in my life,” Toccara says.

Like most small businesses, Toccara has faced her share of challenges. One for her was learning how to let the word “No” roll off her back without allowing herself to be discouraged. “The answer “No” is just the journey towards the “yes” that cam change your life. It’s not an easy journey to develop and grow a business on your own but it’s definitely worth it. I’m thankful for my sister, Rhonda Burgess for being in my corner at all times. She keeps me encouraged with my business.

The future surely looks bright for Toccara. Moving forward she plans to add more products to her product line, and branch out to other states and countries. She also plans to open up some new businesses locally.

creationswithtoccara.com

Exceptional Creations with Toccara Toccara Cara Samul h

Cre8 Your Reality Publishing

By Dawn Cauthen Thorton

by Aleman Mayes

In 2015, Almena Mayes had an idea for a book. As a lover of writing, she put pen to paper and inked out her thoughts about life and how we can change our circumstances simply by how we react to stressful situations. Upon completion of “Just Eat The Beans”, Mayes found a publishing company, signed a deal, and couldn’t wait to impress her words on others.

Mayes’ book began to sell on Amazon and garnered great reviews from customers. As time went on, Mayes’ expectations weren’t met, communication with the publishing company wasn’t satisfactory, and most of all, she wasn’t receiving the expected royalties. She reached out to Amazon about the problems she was having and they informed her that since she didn’t have complete rights to the book, she didn’t have much recourse. She couldn’t even insist that they stop selling it; that was the publishing company’s call.

The schoolteacher and grandmother of five (soon-to-be six) was devastated. That disastrous experience sparked her desire to help others avoid the same pitfalls on their journey to publication. She thoroughly researched the process to see what she could’ve done differently to avoid the outcome she experienced. In January 2019, Mayes launched ‘Cre8 Your Reality’ LLC, a publishing company based in Duluth, GA.

“What makes ‘Cre8 Your Reality’ different from others that offer the same services, is that clients are charged a flat fee depending on the package they select,” Mayes explains. She guides them through the publishing process from beginning to end if they choose, or offers a la carte services such as proofreading, editing, and ghostwriting. The company specializes in inspirational, self-help, and urban fiction, but welcomes other genres. Their mantra is I take an aspiring author’s story “from the mind to the masses”.

Mayes introduced her services by advertising heavily on social media platforms and by word-of-mouth. Now she has nine clients and looking to grow even larger soon. Since she is a team of one, she’s taking it slow, making sure to not overwhelm herself and provide the best service she can. Being the whole team can be a blessing and curse at times.

“Many usually don’t want to do it, because they just have no interest in it. But you should see the looks on their faces when they have their book in hand.”

Almena Mayes

In early 2019 Mayes wrote another book, “The Chronicles of Dating Over 50: 50 Guys, 50 Dates, 50 Days”, which turned out to be a comedic hit and an Amazon best seller. “I actually went on these dates and experienced everything you read about in the book,” she laughs. That summer, Mayes published her first client book, “The Nine Lines” written by Tashauna Richardson. It can be purchased on Amazon.

Almena was always a writer at heart. She studied communications at NCA&T in Greensboro, NC and earned a degree in English with a concentration in professional writing and Education from Guilford College.

When Mayes isn’t cranking out books and mentoring budding writers, she is a full-time English and World Literature teacher at Charles R. Drew Charter School in Atlanta. Each year she requires her 10th grade students to publish their own books. She carefully guides them through the steps of what it takes to actually publish one and then allows them to ponder their thoughts and ideas. “Many usually don’t want to do it, because they just have no interest in them. But you should see the looks on their faces when they have their book in hand.”

Mayes typically allows them to select their own topics but ultimately has to approve it. Throughout the year she challenges them to come up with new ideas and concepts that will carry them far beyond high school. She likes for them to challenge their imaginations, but once had to redirect a student’s idea due to the nature of the contents.

Mayes plans to retire in six years, making room to spend more time with her family and for her to offer her expertise full time. The generational home she shares with her children and grandchildren will make family time effortless. “My grandchildren love me being in the same home with them. We get to experience one another all the time.”

Traveling, writing, and continuing to publish are on her list of things to do during retirement. Most of all, she wants to assist and educate others on how to effectively share their words with the world.

h

Get Organized By Key

By Terry L. Watson

by Keokuk Domingo

Keokuk Domingo of Celina, Texas has the spirit of entrepreneurship flowing through her veins. She owns several businesses and often offers her expertise and talents to others who aspire to follow her path.

She is the owner of Get Organized by Key, LLC, Get Staged and Designed by Key, and also Get Signed by Key. “I am a one stop shop for all of your home needs. We can provide assistance with the buying process to turn key. This also includes organizing, staging, insuring, and designing your new or existing space,” she says.

Keokuk is a strong woman of faith, discipline, principles and morals. She’s a leader in the church, podcast host and speaker whose focus is to serve and cater to minority owned businesses. She is also a native of New Orleans, Louisiana and eventually moved to Dallas nearly 14 years ago to work in a supervisory position with the University of Phoenix. She would resign from that position after working with the company for eight years.

Keokuk has sat as the event chair for University of Phoenix. She’s a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and received her undergraduate degree from Xavier University in New Orleans in 1996, and later completed her Masters from University of Phoenix.

With Get Organized by Key, her resilient drive is to help families to decrease their stress, declutter their lives and become organized. “This passion started as a child. My mom forced us to clean, organized, and declutter prior to playing with friends. I believed this was torture for me, but my pain turned into my passion. I am so blessed to be given the opportunity to work within passion which includes designing, organizing, cleaning, and staging,” she says. “My goal is to provide quality work to people’s home and life. It has been such an amazing experience for me.”

Keokuk finds inspiration in various ways. “I’m inspired by several designers, my mom, HGTV, and in others who have come before me. My inspiration is to leave a legacy for my children’s, children now. My mom embarked an imprint on my destiny and I’m forever grateful to her for this passion and zeal to help others live their best life,” she says.

Though the experience as an entrepreneur may get tough at times, Keokuk is built for them. “I don’t see things as challenges, but instead as opportunities to grow, expand, and increase my territory and income,” she says.

For those who may follow in her footsteps, Keokuk encourages them to push through and follow their dreams. “It will get tough, but find your ‘why’ and try to stay focused.” In the future, she will be expanding her brand into different cities. She also planst to get a show on the OWN television network and become one of the top three designing firms in the country. She shares, “my goals are huge and scary, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

MoeJoe’s Sweet Treats Is Now Archdale Bakery

By Dawn Cauthen Thornton

Photos by Still Shots Photography

When Monica Moyer took a leap of faith in 2018 to start her own business, her ultimate goal was to one day transition from her small home kitchen to a storefront bakery. For the last two years, MoeJoe’s Sweet Treats has been carefully developing its products and growing it’s clientele. In March, Moyer’s tenacity finally paid off.

“In January I was just scrolling through Facebook and noticed that someone was selling their bakery. I knew I couldn’t afford it, but the owners persuaded me to come and see it,” Moyer explains. The owners, who had run Archdale Bakery for about five years, were ready to retire and had planned to leave everything in the store. Moyer needed time to contact her financial advisor who was traveling abroad. Within a few days, another suitor made a deposit on the property, and Moyer was crushed. Maybe this wasn’t meant to be after all.

“About a week and a half later, the owner called and said the other deal had fallen through and it was available again. We made a payment [plan] for the deposit and the deal was done.” Moyer actually settled the deposit well before her deadline and was able to get to work quickly.

In early March, at the onset of the current Coronavirus pandemic, the faithful entrepreneur made the difficult decision to leave her full-time job to pursue her passion. Thus far, she has not suffered any significant losses.

Considering the bakery is a staple in the community (Moyer is the third owner), she decided to keep the name intact. With the purchase of the store, Moyer was able to retain the staff, as well as utilize the expertise of the previous owner for the first two weeks, and will make herself available until Moyer completely learns the ropes of running the business. Not only is Moyer keeping and paying employees, but she’s providing comfort food to the patrons during this uncertain time.

Continued on the next page

The former owners offered a variety of pastries and specialty cakes that the customers have become accustomed to. Now, Moyer is excited to introduce the delights, that her own customers know and love, to Archdale Bakery’s long-standing customers who have frequented the establishment. MoeJoe’s Sweet Treats now has a new home and an even bigger audience to serve. Over the years she has wanted to experiment with new items and flavors, but working another job wouldn’t allow her to do that. Moyer would often burn the candle at both ends by working on treats until 1 a.m., sleeping for a few hours, then heading to her job early the next morning just to do all over again.

Being the owner and having one job has now afforded her more opportunity to create and most importantly, relax and spend time with her family. The best part, her daughter noticed that she’s able to sit and eat dinner and just be home.

“I know this was God-sent because nothing has really changed. We’re still open and doing great business with curb-side and pick up only,” says Moyer. There have been guidelines put in place to adhere to CDC guidelines to help fight the pandemic.

Currently, three employees are in the store at the same time, so she only allows six customers inside to pick up their items. They have plenty of hand sanitizer and the employees are encouraged to wear masks and gloves at all times. Each employee has also attended the ServSafe training.

Since she was first introduced to the public in 2018, Moyer has expanded. She has been able to forge relationships with several local party planners to be one of their preferred dessert vendors. As soon as large events are approved, her cakes will make reappearances

Continued on the next page

“ I know this was Godsent because nothing has really changed. We’re still open and doing great business with curb-side and pick up only.

“

at affairs across the city. She can do more than sell items at work or open a pop-up shop (a short-lived location) for a few days. The new space allows her to create more products. She can spend more time promoting the business on social media and will roll out a website in the near future.

“I learned to just focus on God and on being patient. He’ll lead you to where you need to be and I want others to know that.”

For now, Moyer has had to postpone her grand opening scheduled for April, and reschedule a few projects. But she is still confident in her decision. Following your dreams will never fail and she is on the right path to keeping this idea alive and well.

Indiana University

Indianapolis, Indiana

Miss Indiana University 2020

Kelly School of Business Honors

High Point Christian Academy

High Point, NC

Contra Costa College

San Pablo, California

Business Major

Ragsdale High School

Jamestown, NC GTCC

Criminal Justice Major

UNC-G - The Middle College

Greensboro, NC

Dudley High School

National Honor Society

NC A&T State University

Animal Science Major

Class of 2020

Grimsley High School

Greensboro, NC

Grimsley High School

Greensboro, NC

Class of 2020

UNC-G

Musical Theater Majo

James B. Dudley High School

Greensboro, NC

Marching Band of Thunder Service Learning Diploma

NC Central State University

Chelsea Alyssia Pettiford

Alabama State University

Suma Cum Laude

Southeast Guilford High School

Greensboro, NC

GTCC

Early Childhood Education

Southampton High School

Courtland, Virginia

Page High School

Greensboro, NC

East Carolina University

Business Major

Minor in Communications

The Academy of Dudley Greensboro, NC

UNC Charlotte

Biomedical Engineering

West Mecklenburg High School

Charlotte, NC

Winston Salem State University

GTCC Middle College.

North Carolina Central University

Theater & Dance Major

Fayetteville, NC

North Carolina Agricultural and State University

Biology Major

Southern Guilford High School

Greensboro, NC

GTCC

Cosmetology

James B. Dudley High School

Greensboro, NC

North Carolina A&T State Univ.

The Middle College at NCA&T

Dudley High School

Greensboro, NC

Elizabeth City State University

Phillip O’berry Academy

Winston Salem, NC ECPI

Wanya NaShawn Milton

James B.Dudley High School

Greensboro, NC

North Carolina A&T

The Middle College at NCA&T

Greensboro, NC

North Carolina

Central University

Computer Science Major

Page High School

Greensboro, NC

North Carolina A&T

Supply Chain Management and Visual Arts (minor)

Dominique

Dominique Rice is a serial entrepreneur. At the age of 22, she started her first company, Perfect Fit Placement. She is also passionate about helping people and inspiring women entrepreneurs.

Dominique currently owns Dominique Rice Consulting and INFLUENT. Dominique Rice Consulting is a consulting firm for women entrepreneurs that focuses on helping them grow and scale their company. INFLUENT is a travel company that allows women to travel in style with groups. Their first trip is scheduled for the continent of South Africa in January/February 2021.

“I am regularly sought as an adviser to global and North American CEO’s and business leaders. My plan will help your company reach your earning potential. I am driven by my relentless passion to help visionaries get what they really want in business and life. My clients come from a wide range of industries, including consumer packaged goods, childcare development, and professional services. My coaching structure is built on my belief that CEO’s and business leaders can have tremendous business success, along with an enriching and adventurous lifestyle,” she says.

Dominique started Perfect Fit Placement in 2012. “I was a nanny and wanted to start my own firm. This company quickly grew and became in high demand. Before I knew it, I was placing high profile and high net worth clients. I was really rocking it in the corporate baby-sitting world and decided to divide my company in half. All baby-sitting was to shift to the franchise we acquired, College Nannies Sitters and Tutors, and Perfect Fit Placement was to continue doing the entire nanny placement. I knew I could grow the baby-sitting service to the point of selling in a short amount of time,” she says.

Over the last three years Dominique has primarily been consulting. She has helped a handful business owners scale their businesses. Once she sold the baby-sitting service, Dominique knew it was time to really focus on helping others. She used everything she learned along the way and it worked. It was then when she officially launched Dominique Rice Consulting.

“I love helping people the most that is what I am proud of. I am truly inspired by Beyoncé. Not the singer, but Beyoncé the entrepreneur and mother. Beyoncé is one of the greatest not just because she is talented but also because she works the hardest. She is a wife, mother, and creator. She expects perfection from herself and those around her. I admire her hard work and work ethic,” Dominique says.

While being faced with many challenges in business, Dominique has persevered. “I’ve had former employees leave and start their own business while stealing valuable content and work for competitors. I have faced all the issues with growing and scaling too quickly. I feel like I have faced it all and through that, I am able to teach others and help them to learn from my mistakes,” she shares.

By Terry L. Watson

by Dominique Rice

Moving forward, Dominique plans to take her business ventures to even greater heights. She clearly understand there is a great deal of work to do and is preparing herself to meet the challenge. “I want to continue to help all women entrepreneurs. I also look forward to having the ability to work aboard and travel. I truly enjoy the perks that being self employed offers such as the flexibility to spend time with my family and friends,” she says.

www.iamlaurendanielle.com

www.mykelmedia.com