Huami Magazine for Richmond March 2020

March/April 2020 Vol.2 Issue 4

Maya Lynn

God Wants To Know Your Location

A Letter From The Editor

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

The tougher the battle, the greater the reward. I have often had to remind myself of this, especially when the struggles and pains in my life appear to have no end. Just as the pressure intensifies, I have learned that my determination should as well. I must remember the reason why I started and what is promised for me at the finish line. God has promised me double for my trouble.

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?

Along my life’s journey, I have been presented with several options and avenues. I’ve had to carefully decide on which is the better path for me to travel, because not every road is connected to my purposed destination. The effects of making the wrong move can slow up the promises of God. Just as a person utilizes the assistance of a navigational system for directions while traveling in a vehicle, God expects for me to utilize the navigational system he created to direct me back to Him, ensuring that I will not encounter any unnecessary speed bumps. And that system can only be accessed through prayer and with conversations with God.

God expects for us to seek His direction at the start of our days. He wants to provide direction for our lives all throughout the day, ensuring the steps and moves we take are in alignment with His plan. It can be a very risky experience when we make moves that are not God-planned. Only by God’s grace and mercy do we survive our wrong decisions, and often we may encounter painful lessons while we are off course.

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.

It is not like He doesn’t know where I am at. However, by checking in with God and making Him aware of my location at all times such as sharing what I am thinking and how I am feeling, and asking for His help, lets Him know that I am trusting His word.

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.

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God is fully aware of every step we take. From the beginning and where we will end. Following the map He prepared is a lot easier than traveling through life without it. God wants to know your location.

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

W.O.M.B and Coach Maya Maya Lynn

By Terry L. Watson

Maya Lynn Harris of Richmond, VA is a entrepreneur, coach, author, connector, and educator. She had served as a high school English teacher for 17 years and an instructional coach for six years before stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Her business, W.O.M.B., (Woman-Owned Minority Businesses) is a business networking organization committed to helping women entrepreneurs of color make purposeful connections that support their purpose, strengthen their process, and increase their profits.

Unlike other networking groups, W.O.M.B. utilizes a concept called “circles” to emphasize goal-setting and group collaborations that are income-producing activities for all members. W.O.M.B. started in August 2019, however the concept was previously launched under a different name, S.H.E. “Sharing Her Experience” in 2014. “At that time, several networking groups were launching and I did not have that “secret sauce” yet so I shelved it,” she says. After becoming a full-time business owner in 2018, she started planning again. When she closed her microschool in the summer of 2019, she saw it as the perfect time to relaunch the idea.

Coach Maya allows her to serve as a business startup coach and assist new business owners with conceptualizing and launching new business ideas through what she calls a “Business Birthing” method. “Coach Maya was a hobby for years while I was a teacher. I loved creating business blueprints for friends and colleagues. I did everything from business plans to web design, all for free. In 2017, my mentor introduced me to a woman in Tennessee who owned a business design firm and that’s when I decided to establish it as a licensed business,” Maya shares.

Maya shares why she has such a strong desire to help others. “I love working with women, particularly women of color. Their passion and fire to live a better life and leave a legacy for their families pushes me everyday. I also love hearing their new ideas and helping them see their next level. Additionally, I also love the opportunity that being self employed allows for me to spend more time at home, helping my parents. Working a nine to five didn’t give me the flexibility I needed to take them to appointments and handle things that concerned them. They did everything they could for me. I’m blessed to be able to do the same.”

Maya is the proud mother of twin sons, Mandell and Bryce. She is the author of What Your Oil? : Unmasking Your Hidden Talents, and is a co-author of Unchain My Legacy: How Owning Our Choices Free Us and Those We Love.

There are a small group of mentors, all women entrepreneurs of color, who continually push Maya and encourage her to be who she has been called to be. “Their standards are the highest and I’ve learned to set mine higher because of them. When you spend time in the room with seven and eight figure earners who look like just like me, I am not allowed to make any excuses,” she says.

In the future, Maya hopes to expand W.O.M.B. and provide its services in every city where there are women entrepreneurs of color. “We’ll take those statistics and flip them upside down, together. There’s nothing more powerful than a determined group of women. We’re going to change the narrative,” she says.

Tiffany Draper

By Terry L. Watson

by TIffany Draper

Tiffany Draper of Huntsville, AL is not allowing any grass to grown under her feet. This young and beautiful lady embodies the absolute meaning of what ambitious means.

In business, and especially for those who are self-employed, it can be hard to get people to support you. Not having money or supporters can be tough for a business owner, however it’s during those tough moments, character is developed, and survival is dependent upon determination. This is what Tiffany Draper is all about.

She is an entrepreneur who is passionate about generational wealth and encouraging other black women. “As a survivor of many things, I want to reach as many women in the world and encourage them to love themselves and never give up on their life or dreams. I love people and I believe that God has called me to serve His people,” she says.

One of the businesses she owns is a women’s empowerment business, Tea With Tiffany. Tea With Tiffany is a platform she started to give women hope and to empower one another. “In 2016, I remember waking by a mirror and not recognizing myself. As a result of this I decided to write about it publicly on Facebook. Women from all backgrounds started to follow and write me. It was a coming to terms with myself kind of moment. I believe that you must bring your whole self to the table if you want to succeed in life, your personality, your sense of humor, and most importantly, your heart. All these elements help to build your character. And so, in that same year of 2016, God gave me a vision to launch Tea With Tiffany. I started out writing posts on Facebook and trying to grow my audience through social media. Writing became second nature to me and from there the blog was birthed,” she says.

Another business owned by Tiffany is the event center, Studio 53. Opened in November 2019, it is available to meet the needs of anyone in the Huntsville area. Their spacious facility is capable of being the host location of parties, special events, and much more.

As if Tiffany hadn’t enough on her plate, she has found time to author and publish her first book, But She Didn’t Quit Though. “I wrote my very first book in September 2018. It’s basically an open letter to myself, apologizing to myself for how I mishandled myself. I was free from bondage after that,” Tiffany shares.

While there could several reasons as to why Tiffany pushes herself to do so much, it’s obvious she genuinely loves people and enjoys seeing them happy. Furthermore, she shares how the impact that her mother and kids have on her life, and the influence they have in her business. “My mom was a single parent and I remember promising myself that I would take care of her one day if I could. She sacrificed so much for my brother and I, and I knew I needed to be successful and show her that she had done a great job with us,” she says.

As a businesswoman, Tiffany draws strength from other people who have made it and reached back into their community. Like others, she hopes that will be her story as well.

Tiffany offers some advice to others who may have similar experiences, “Stay humble, and don’t quit! Quitting is not an option. God will never give you an assignment if He believed that you couldn’t handle it. Stay the course and most of all, trust God,” she says.

“As

a survivor of many things, I want to reach as many women in the world and encourage them to love themselves and never give up on their life or dreams”.

www.teawithtiffany.org

By Terry L. Watson

She is an award winning stylist who owns the moment. Chastity Vaughn of Dallas, TX first and foremost is a child of God and work-a-holic. She is also a loving mother of three wonderful kids who prides herself on being determined.

“I come from humble means. And because of that, I believe that anything is possible if you work for it. As a business owner, I strive to be the best Entrepreneur I can be by providing quality work to each and every client that I have the privilege of servicing,” she says.

Chastity is the onwer of S2R Hair Studio LLC, (Something 2 Remember). There, along with her team of professional stylist, Chastity provides an array of services including but not limited to all types of natural hair, sister locks, traditional locs, updos, silk press (blowouts), hair tape extensions, and more. She explains how important versatility is in her industry. Natural hair and Sisterlocks are definitely two of Chastity’s specialties, and what she is widely known for.

“As a hairstylist, I would not want to limit myself. I want to be able to cater to my clients, on all fronts. It is my overall objective to create new and exciting looks for today’s modern woman, while offering a 5-star experience,” she says. Her versatility has eveolved to her now offering a Sisterlock Coaching Program and a Business 101 class.

“I am comfortable in my own skin. I am confident in all that I do, and it’s reflected in my work. I also have a fluid personality and the ability to work with almost any type of person. I don’t dictate what services I will provide to my clients. I am open to their ideas and so when they sit in my chair, I want them to understand that it takes a team effort and colloboration to produce the look they desire,” she states.

Chastity shares that she got her start styling hair early in life. Growing up as a child in Tupelo, Mississippi, she recalls her mother, who is also a hairstylist, styling hair. While watching her over the years, she found herself infatuated with hair as well. Once old enough to do so, Chastity says she registered and attended Foster’s Cosmetology in Ripley, MS in 1998. This is where she learned everything she needed to know about styling hair and the hair industry. “It was then that I decided to turn my dreams into reality. So, I took that knowledge, packed up and moved to Dallas in 2002, because I felt I could thrive as a young and new potential business owner,” she says.

After getting settled in Dallas, she purchased her first home and would eventually open Something2Remember Salon & Boutique. The first location Chastity operated out of her garage which was converted to a salon. As her business began to flourish she was afforded with an opportunity to branch out and expand to a salon suite setting. That transition brought about even more business for her. From there she was able to venture out on her own and into her own Salon Studio.

“What I love most about my business is the opportunities if provides. I love catering to the needs of my clients and giving them a comfortable home away from home environment, with a touch of class and elegance,” she says. Being a mentor to others is also a passion for Chastity. She loves to share the knowledge she has obtained as a means to help others along their journey.

While Chastity has proven herself to be a top tier stylist, there is still more that she hopes to accomplish and add to the profession overall. Some of these include education, excellent resources for live classes, and web-based tutorials and podcast. “I believe that selfinvesting in myself and my business is what has led to many doors opening up on my behalf. The struggles that I’ve endured have also played a major role. I am truly thankful for my struggles because without them, I would have never found my strength,” she confesses.

Another important ingredient for success Chasitiy shares is to surround herself with people who are smarter than she is. “It helps to push me. I am committed to pushing myself to stay ahead of the trends by taking tons of education classes that fall in line with my profession. Remaining humble helps me to remain grounded and focused and reminds me that no matter how successful I become as an entrepreneur, there is always room for improvement.”

Being a business onwer is very important and personal for Chastity. “It is something that I worked hard for, and no one can take it away from me. As a business woman, I wear different hats that influence my professional goals. I wear the hat of a mother first, and the hat of an entrepreneur, and mentor. As a strong business woman, I have not lost sight of the struggles and where I came from, because it was those trials that fueled me and instilled in me the drive and determination necessary to succeed,” she says.

Moving forward, Chastity has set her eyes on cementing her legacy by helping others. “Success and growth takes hard work, and not everyone understands this tough journey. At S2R Hair Studio, we welcome anyone who is looking to grow in their own personal journey. For those who are getting started, stay patient in your own journey. With growing your business from the ground up, one cannot expect to make money in the beginning. As a matter of fact you will probably spend more getting your business off the ground, but the key is to persevere and believe in your vision and mission. Keep working hard and Investing in yourself and your business and eventually things will pay off if you’re consistent,” she says. h

Kiings Neurological

By Dr. Marrissa Dick

Photos by JLG Photography

From a less than a middle class Nigerian home, father and mother, both teachers who constantly fed into the consciousness of their seven children, that with education, one can stand shoulder to shoulder with the tallest man in the world, seat and dine with the Presidents and the mighty, walk with one’s head high, comes Dr. Olukayode Oluseun Onasanya.

That teaching among other factors, resonated in him and kept him motivated to be the best husband, father and a Physician Neurologist he can ever be. His journey to becoming a doctor has a tumultuous beginning.

Dr. Onasanya shares, “I am from Nigeria and when I was seven years of age, there was an outbreak of pneumonia in my village. Many people with dying from that outbreak. I became afflicted with pneumonia also, suffering from double pneumonia. I was hospitalized in the only local hospital for treatment. The hospital was an open ward, with each bed partition from the other with a curtain. Apparently, I had been unconscious for three days while receiving treatment still. I regain consciousness by the end of the third day and all I was hearing was my mother screaming with excitement, ‘he is awake, he is awake’, and I saw a young doctor in immaculate white ward coat walked over and leaned over me, listening to my chest with his stethoscope. He was the only doctor in the village hospital, and he had just saved my life. Right then, I decided I would be a physician, so I could be like that young doctor who saved my life. And years later, here I am, a Neurologist.”

At the tender age of seven, he was astute enough to understand the academic rigors and financial challenges facing him, but he was determined that those trials will not define his future. He started his medical education in Nigeria but the catalyst for his passion in neurology again came from him experiencing another hardship. Again, he shares, “my grandfather came to live with us after my grandmother died. We were preparing to have dinner one evening when my grandfather decided to use the bathroom. He went in but did not come out within the expected time frame. So, my father asked me to go and check on him. I knocked on the door, but he did not answer. We had to break the door open only to find him on the floor, unconscious with blood around his head. There was a crack in his skull. We presumed, he fell and hit his head causing the skull fracture. I ran to the nearest hospital, a privately owned one, hoping to get the doctor to come with me to see him. There is nothing like 911 in my country. I explained the situation to the doctor, but he would not come to see him. Instead, he advised me my grandfather was an old man and that we should watch him overnight and bring him to the hospital if

he was alive by the following day. I came back home disappointed and crying. He was my grandfather and he dotted on me as his first grandson. Well of course, he did not make it to the following morning. We sat around him as he struggled painfully with death. I observed he was moving one side of his body, more than the other side. He died right in front of us, my father, mother and siblings. We later learned that he suffered a stroke, fell and hit his head while falling. That he suffered a stroke triggered my interest in Neurology and informed my decision to becoming a Neurologist”.

Equipped with encouragement from his academic loving parents, he set his mind on becoming a Neurologist. He had his medical education in Nigeria and was the best graduating student of his class. He met his beautiful wife, Olushanu Onasanya shortly after graduating from medical school. Like the saying “behind every successful man, is a woman”, Dr. Onasanya’s success story is not complete without his wife’s contribution. She has been very supportive and has played a significant role in their journey from Nigeria to America. They are blessed with three children.

“Right then, I decided I would be a physician, so I could be like that young doctor who saved my life. And years later, here I am, a Neurologist.”

Continued on the next page

Dr. Onasanya is aware that his neurological skillset in headaches, dementia, peripheral neuropathy, strokes, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, epilepsy, and seizure disorders is needed in Greensboro as well as the surrounding Triad area. He also knows that his practice can meet the needs of the person who is seeking individualized quality neurological care without having to wait several months for a doctor’s visit. With Kiings Neurological Care having state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment in neurology, Dr. Onasanya can provide his patience with the latest nuances in neurological research while holding true to his mantra, “Our Commitment, Your Outstanding Care, ....Always.”

Dr. Onasanya believes that people want to know that their physician has a vested stake in their recovery. He shares, “I started my own practice because I realized the system was pressuring doctors to see a certain number of patients by the end of the day and that never set well with me. That means you must meet a quota and you cannot spend any time really getting to know your patients. You’re in the room then you’re out. I wanted to be able to take my time and develop a one-on-one relationship with my patients. I wanted to know my patient’s names and I wanted them to learn how to pronounce mine. I believe that anyone who comes to see me will be more than satisfied with their care because I treat my patients very well. I believe people want doctors to speak with them and not at them. I believe people really want to be a part of their healing process.”

Dr. Onasanya is proud of the fact that he has his own practice where he is not on a time clock; instead, he can concentrate on delivering superior neurological care which incorporates his empathic personality into every facet of his medical practice.

Dr. Onasanya takes great pride in his humble family upbringing and recognizes that his life experiences have been the catalyst for his interest as a neurologist. He is also grateful for the medical training he received from some of the top-notch educational institutions and medical facilities in the United States. Dr. Onasanya performed his general neurology training at the New Jersey Neuroscience Institute. He then received specialized training at the prestigious Hospital for Special Studies Surgery at Weill Cornel Medical College (Cornel University) in Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine with a specialization in Peripheral Nerve Conduction Studies and Electromyography (EMG/NCS). As a skilled neurologist, Dr. Onasanya is board certified in Neurology, Neuromuscular Medicine, and Electrodiagnostic Medicine.

Kiings Neurological Care opened their doors in January 2017 and some of his former patients have been the first to cross the threshold of his practice. He attributes their loyalty to his individualized care and his neurological expertise. Dr. Onasanya says, “I love to see my former patients. Sometimes I cannot believe they found me but that’s because of the relationships that I’ve developed with them and the care they receive from me. I can truly say that patients are not going to be disappointed when they come here. The staff is very professional and courteous, and we offer a family environment here.”

Though the practice is geared for the adult in need of neurological services, Dr. Onasanya will accommodate selected pediatric patients from 15 through 17 years of age.

3820 N. Elm Street #104

336-365-1001 h

Black Murfreesboro

By Terry L. Watson

by Black Murfreesboro

Black Culture Connected (dba) Black Murfreesboro is a non-profit organization located in Nashville, TN. Their mission is to connect people to businesses, events, and topics centered around black lifestyle. In essence, they hope to be the one-stop-shop for learning what is going on in the black community within Murfreesboro, TN and surrounding areas.

Black Murfreesboro was founded by power couple Mylikia Franklin and Germayle Franklin. The group’s administrators in addition to Mylikia and Germayle includes Corell Oglesby.

How they couple met and became one is by no means an accident. Germayle Franklin moved from Waycross, GA to Murfreesboro in 2001 on a full football scholarship from Middle Tennessee State University. Mylikia moved to Murfreesboro in 2005 from Detroit, MI. That is where they were acquainted. They both fell in love with Murfreesboro. Not long after he graduated they were married and purchased their home in Murfreesboro. “We knew it was a great place to raise our four children and start a business,” they said.

Corell Oglesby grew up in Jackson, TN and came to Murfreesboro to attend MTSU. She is married to Jonas Oglesby and they have two children. Their family recently chose Murfreesboro as home after living in surrounding cities.

Black Murfreesboro started in May 2019 while Germayle and I were working in their business, Franklin’s Fruit Tea. “We were on the square in downtown Murfreesboro vending and there weren’t many people at this particular festival. At a previous event, I had success posting our location on Facebook in various groups, so I told Germayle I was about to do just that. I went to Facebook groups and began to post. I then went to Black Nashville, then typed in Black Murfreesboro. Seeing we were in Murfreesboro, it just made sense. To my surprise, there was no group called Black Murfreesboro. So right there on the Square of Murfreesboro, I created the group. It wasn’t until around October and while talking to Corell did we start inviting members to the group. To all of our surprise, the group began to grow at a fascinating rate,” Mylikia shares.

The focus of Black Murfreesboro is to be a source for people wanting to connect or simply find out what’s going on in the black community. The city of Murfreesboro’s population is more than 141 thousand residents with African Americans making up 19% of its total population or nearly 26,790 black residents, and not including the surrounding areas. Mylikia says that unfortunately, when she opens a newspaper or look at local events, there’s not much highlighted that aligns with black culture. “Not seeing events, businesses and topics that are important to the black community can leave a feeling of void and isolation. A sense of community and belonging is essential to the soul and that’s just what we are focused on,” she says.

The success of Black Murfreesboro is directly connected to the actions of its leaders. Mylikia’s is somewhat of a social butterfly and according to her husband, she will talk down a wall if giving the chance. She has a love for small business and is inspired by I am inspired by other entrepreneurs. “Watching people work on their craft is fascinating. The fact they can turn their passion into a business and thrive is nothing short of amazing,” she shares.

She credits her mother Carolyn Ross, “The Shea Butter Lady”, for impacting her life and business the most. “She has owned businesses every since I can remember. Even today she owns African Shea Butter, Etc. She taught me how to run our family-owned Pet Shop in Detroit, MI when I was just eight years old. I watched her succeed, fail, and get right back up and succeed again. Her spirit of entrepreneurship has helped me in each business I have owned. Her perseverance taught me to remove fear and step out on faith. Her motto is, ‘A scared man can’t win! Nothing beats a failure but a try!’ In other words, you will never know what you can do until you try,” she says.

Mylikia advises others who may follow in her footsteps to do what you love. “Stay true to your morals and core values. It’s easy to be persuaded by others but be sure you always keep your personal brand in perspective. Win or fail, if you stay true to yourself you have succeeded,” she says.

In the future the Black Murfreesboro group would like to have more events on an even larger scale. They are looking to create a membership site for people who would like to be sponsors and are aligned with the mission of Black Murfreesboro. “We are excited to meet the challenge of promoting Black Culture Connected!” they shared.

By Terry L. Watson

by Devona Boone

I Am A Hope Dealer

Devona Boone of Hampton Roads, VA describes herself as a “Hope Dealer”. She is a country girl who is confident, powerful, anointed, caring, nurturing, and God fearing.

Besides being an author, she is the founder of the nonprofit organization, Precious G.E.M.S Inc. Her mission is to empower young girls by teaching them resilience, promote positive self- awareness, sisterhood, and the power that is within. “We know that girls who do not have positive role models and mentors are three times more likely to experience a myriad of emotional, physical, mental and spiritual delays and deficiencies. Our job is to empower the young ladies and show them the endless possibilities for their lives. Our Motto is, ‘Every young lady has a gift to offer the world,’” she says.

Devona founded her nonprofit organization at the age of 25. As she began to empower young ladies, in return I empowered myself. Over the course of five years of telling them they can do anything and be anything they wanted, she realized she wasn’t fully living up to what she was preaching. “I knew I had a story to tell and I knew it could help many women, but I was fearful of not having enough to say to even be printed in a book. However, I pressed on and in 2018, I started to write a memoir. The entire process took me five months. During that time, I found my voice and courage to share my story in hopes to offer strength, healing, and hope to other women. I am a woman of grace and resilience. Many of life’s difficult moments has given me courage, strength, and healing.”

Precious G.E.M.S offers three programs. First is the My Life Foundation which promotes the importance of positive self-image and respect for self and others. It also prepares young girls to succeed by teaching them decision making and problem-solving skills and helps young ladies make independent life decisions to overcome past mistakes that altered their lives. Next is Community Service Learning. This tool provides young ladies with meaningful community service and incorporates instruction and reflection. It also teaches girls civic responsibility and the importance of strengthening their community. The third product is Natalie’s Closet. It provides clothing, shoes, accessories and outerwear and more to girls at discounted prices. The goal is to inspire girls to care about their appearance but also educates them on how to work with budgets to obtain the things they desire.

Devona’s book, “A Precious Gem: The Journey of My Shaping” is a direct compliment to her organization. It is her story, and her testimony of how she made it through some of the traumatizing times of her life from childhood to present day. “As an author, I found my voice. I found my strength. I found a new purpose. Writing my story gave me a sense of freedom which made me fearless. I began to encourage,

motivate, and inspire people by being transparent and sharing my life lessons. I became the me I always wanted to be,” she shared.

Devona says her mother, Eunice Boone is the reason she has such a passion for serving others. “At the age of 10 I witnessed my mom’s murder at the hands of her abusive boyfriend. That tragedy shaped my life in so many ways, and when I became an adult, I knew I had to make an impact with our young girls and women in order to create a change with the statistics of domestic violence,” she said. She also draws inspiration through obedience to God’s will for her life and through her mother’s death. “In my life I am intentional in making sure I am in alignment with what is purposed for me. I do not want my mother’s death to be in vain. Her life will leave a legacy.”

Janee Kinnard

Information

provided by

Janee Kinnard and Terry L. Watson

Photos by Janee Kinnard

Janee Kinnard, Nashvillian turned Memphian, is an author, photographer, travel blogger and CEO. For a lack of better words, she can be considered to be an all around “On The Go Boss”. What began as a personal blog (OnTheGoBoss.com) quickly transformed into an online stationary business for her. Her local business OnTheGoPhoto (@OnTheGoPhototn) has been capturing memorable moments across Memphis and surrounding areas since 2017. These photo booth rentals have been featured with The Knot.com, EBL Magazine, Raising Bosses Podcast, Purposely Awakened Magazine and The Memphis Flyer.

Janee is also the author of an educational children’s book for ages 0-6 titled Jay’s Adventures. The series first book was released in September of 2019, and the second book is scheduled to be released December 2020. OnTheGoBrands will be releasing a business and ambassador program scheduled for June 2020. This program tailors to the “we all win as a collective” approach, welcoming all small business owners to take part.

Janee is a strong ambitious and innovative woman. She has the drive and motivation to create avenues for not only herself but for others as well. She is a mother to two boys and a loving wife to her husband Duane. She wears many hats but can always excel in any role.

OnTheGoPhoto, LLC offers photo booth rentals ranging from full length mirror photo booth to smaller personal photo booths. “With our products, you get custom designs for your photo layouts, back drops, and on site printing with most packages,” she says.

Her blog, OnTheGoBoss began as a personal blog. It then blossomed into an online store and then into a multipurpose hub. On the site you can get advice on parenthood, small business Information, travel, and day-to-day life. Her other business, OnTheGoBossVacations is an independent travel agent site that specializes in family fun and business travel packages. Janee has produced vacation packages from Las Vegas, New Orleans, Gatlinburg, Thailand, and China.

“OnTheGoBoss began in 2017 during my down time of my first pregnancy. I was on maternity leave for a few months and had a lot of time on my hands. During maternity leave, I was getting asked a lot of questions about motherhood. Instead of answering a bunch of the same questions on a one-on-one basis, I created OnTheGoBoss. With my new found blog, I was able to answer everyone’s questions in a readable format. From there, I went back to work for about six months and I realized that I was giving way too much of my time to my job, and not to my family. Soon after that, I decided to launch OnTheGoPhotoTn 2018,” she says.

Within six months of operation, she was able to book 22 events, and within the first year, she booked 58 events. OnTheGoPhoto gave Janee the confidence to become a full time business owner. The following year she did however slow down a bit with the arrival of her second son. Being home bound with two kids under two, offered her the opportunity and flexibility to start her traveling business.

Janee shares that she loves the perks that come with being an entrepreneur. “I love the fact that I’m on my own time, I’m doing my own thing, and I’m able to still provide for my family,” she says. She also points out several challenges that comes with entrepreneurship. “There are a lot of ups and downs on the road to steady success. For me, I base my businesses off of quarterly success. That success or failure depends on many factors ranging from the different seasons, marketing, and other personal factors.”

Janee finds inspiration in her family to push and encourage her. She shares how significant the role of her husband has in her life. “I’ve only told him a few times but my husband actually inspires me the most. I’ve watched him take the chance on himself and it

gave me the motivation to do so as well. I watched him start from him having the deep desire and passion to do what he does, and then it blossomed. He took the idea early on that he was going to be a real estate broker and has been working towards it ever since. Even going through hurdles along the way, he never let anyone stop him or get in his way. He is currently the head Real Estate agent at Tri-Leake Realty in Memphis and has been on the multimillion dollar club since his first year,” Janee shares.

The future sure looks bright for Janee and her family. To learn more about her business, please visit them online.

Moody Black I Manifest, I Inspire, I Motivate

By Terry L. Watson

Photos by Ian Curcio

Aunt Norahs House Photography and John Gallager

He is something like a homegrown talent that hails from Spartanburg, S.C. Moody Black is the face and founder of Moody Black Enterprises. He is also a TEDx performer that brings a whole lot more to the table. He is a national Award-Winning Poet and host, a Smart Arts Teaching Artist, Motivational Speaker, SpokenWord and Visual Artist, Actor/Voice Over Artist, Chess Instructor, Storyteller, and Comedian.

Moody Black has been a performing artist since the age of eleven. “I found a book on my mom’s shelf in the hallway of our house entitled “This Time Called Life” by Walter Rinder. It was about being young and free. The book spoke to me. It allowed me to go back and appreciate the greats (Maya Angelou, Nikki Giovanni, Langston Hughes, Walt Whitman, etc). After that, I began writing more in school and entering contests. In junior high school, the students would ridicule me for reading out loud and sharing poems. However, by high school poetry all sudden became cool. Guys would ask me to write poems for their girlfriends. That’s how I learned to enterprise. I would charge money to write poems. I felt like I had won in the end. And here I am now, doing poetry for a living,” he shares.

He has become a prominent force across the nation through his enthusiastic live shows and strong work ethic.

Currently residing in Greenville, S.C. Moody Black focus is to electrify audiences across the country with his original poems and energetic performances. Fusing a blend of Hip-Hop, Soul, and Poetry, the talented artist delivers a unique rhythmic message in which each new listener finds common ground.

Moody Black has performed at several elementary, junior and senior high schools, universities, and colleges. He is a Poetry Slam Master and Coach Poem with works published in Still Home (Book of Spartanburg Poets). He has been a featured artist at dozens of festivals including the Travelers Rest Arts Commission annual Arts Festival, North Charleston Arts Festival, Stone Soup Story Telling Festival in Woodruff, S.C., the Annual Piccolo Spoleto Festival, the Peace Day Festival in Charleston, S.C., the annual Chautaugua Festival, and the 3rd Annual Millican Festival in Sumter, S.C. Even more, Moody Black has opened for multi-platinum recording artists Trey Songz and Lyfe Jennings.

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Moody shares what she loves most about his chosen path is the ability to create for a living. “I get a rush when I perform, and people connect. Then, I love the grind. The whole process is exciting. It can be nail biting at times and somewhat nervewracking, but I love the result. I know the outcome is going to be positive,” he says.

“Life inspires me, every aspect of it. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Everything is my muse!” Moody says his biggest inspirations are his parents. “My father was a boxer, and my mom worked and was into theater. Everything they’ve been through (divorce, not accomplishing their dreams) somehow, they instilled in me to fight and create. Even though they’re from a different time where doing what I do is insanity to them, I continue to look at them for motivation. I want to take off from where they felt they couldn’t continue. I’m going to show them I can make it happen.”

Some of the challenges Moody has faced is filling up his calendar. “It’s a constant grind of having to knock on virtual doors. Hoping to get booked to teach poetry in as many schools as I can is also challenging. The summertime is rough since school is out. So, I spend a lot of time on the road touring which means a lot of time away from my family,” he says.

In the future, Moody has plans is to apply his arts integration across the globe. In addition, he wants to perform his art everywhere. He also hopes to finish his Hip-Hop project “Manifest”, a compilation of personal stories and inspiration and eventually establish a business where I can make money while I sleep. And not to mention his aspirations to serve as a professor at a university, teaching poetry.

Finally, Moody Black is a brand ambassador for Empire Limited (Men’s Consignment Store) in Greer, SC. He was recently nominated for “Best Male Model” and “Best Male Entrepreneur” for the South Carolina Music Awards. He was also nominated as the “Smart Arts Teacher of the Year” for the Smart Arts Program through the Metropolitan Arts Council of Greenville. h