Diamond Elite Magazine Q2 2023

DIAMOND ELITE DIAMOND ELITE CHEF CRYSTAL CHEF CRYSTAL

What is a What is a Body Bakery? Body Bakery?

Take a Look Inside! Take a Look Inside!

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DIAMOND DIAMONDEELITE LITE

DiamondEliteMagazine'sgoalis toboosttheexposureandsalesof entrepreneursandprofessionals.

Webelievenetworking, collaborationandwordofmouth arethebiggestessentialswhenit comestobusiness.

Astheyearscontinue,weplanto thriveinsuccessandhelpexpand thesmallbusinesseswhohave contributedalongtheway.

Simply Blessed Creations

Norma's Bath & Body

Dioa's Secret Closet

Artist N U

Denim & Diamonds

Chef Crystal Lewis

Destinee's Fashion

Besuretotakeaphotoofthead insideandcontactthebusiness ownerorprofessionalregardinga productorserviceifinterested.

Tellthemwesentyou!

Simply Blessed Creations

A SIMPLY BLESSED man doing SIMPLY BLESSED things for SIMPLY BLESSED

People.

NORMA'S BATH & BODY

The Body Bakery

Norma’s Bath Norma's Bath and Body was established in 2004. Two words to describe the inception of Norma’s Bath and Body: “faith” and “love ” Those two words are most fitting as we were established in February 2004 This year we celebrate Nineteen years of business! it's a lot of work, but yet rewarding!

Norma’s Bath and Body literally started by faith. As cliché as it may sound, I literally stepped out on faith and started the business I was working in retail and after sustaining an accident, I left my job That was a leap of faith in itself I began crafting, doing research and started making soap. There was a gift in my hands that developed into not only making soap but also other products such as creamy lotions, bath salts, and gift baskets

Norma’s Bath and Body is a love story too. At the time, my fiancé, Stanley, who is my husband today, encouraged me to start my business Stanley encouraged me to start selling Norma’s Bath and Body products on eBay! I did and now I am selling online, in person and throughout the United States Try one of our soaps today; they come in all shapes of sizes.

Norma's Bath and Body is the handmade body bakery huge variety of products to choose from

Welcome wholesale accounts as well

Some of Norma's favorite fragrances are Birthday cake, Cotton Candy, Lavender, Blackberry, Cranberry and Lemongrass

"Thereareno "Thereareno secretstosuccess.It secretstosuccess.It iistheresultof stheresultof preparation,hard preparation,hard work,andlearning work,andlearning llessons." essons."

COLIN POWELL

FASHION TODAY BY

SHAY SOLEIL

PHOTO CREDITS:

Dion's Secret Closet

Dion's Secret Closet is an online plus size boutique that was established in 2020. We offer affordable clothing and accessories for full figured women. We provide a variety of styles and can serve your fashion needs for every occasion. We cater to women are who want to look good, and feel good on a budget. Thanks for shopping with us.

Embrace your curves and no longer keep them a SECRET!

www.dionssecretcloset.com

Ourpaintpartiesaren'tjustall funandgames.Artist-N-Uwas createdbyalocalartist,Tashita Bibles,asawaytoofferart therapyinafun,affordable manner.Tashitahascombined herloveofart,experiencein eventplanning,andofcourseher experienceasamothertocreate partypackagesforpeopleofall agesandartisticbackgrounds.

JOURNEY

KEEP GOING

An old man took his young nephew to see the highest height on a hill. While he wanted to go to the top, he accepted that he wasn’t strong enough to get there. And so he told his nephew that together, they’ll just admire the majestic view.

But the nephew didn’t want to simply look at what’s in front of them. He argued that they have what it takes to get on top of the hills and so they did. He helped his uncle during the climb, and sometimes, he tied up the old man on his back.

The nephew had an effortless time climbing to the top because he was physically fit. Plus, he knew his way around the hill. He told his uncle he used to play there frequently when he was a little boy.

He told his uncle that there is always a way to make this feat and anything come true. The young man added that while admiring things from afar is good, nothing beats the actual experience.

IF THERE'S A WILLTHERE'S A WAY.

Denim & Diamonds Networking Event

About the Event

The Denim and Diamonds Networking Event presented by Diamond Elite Magazine & Co. was an event where like minded professionals and entrepreneurs came together to network. The event was hosted by Kandice Sherril, owner of DEM & Co. Tashita Bibles, owner of Artist N U and Christopher James Freeman, owner of Simply Blessed Creations both came to speak about their testimonies within their entrepreneur journey There were also two vendors who set up to sell their items from their businesses, Dion’s Secret Closet and Fashion Today by Shay Soleil. We are excited for the next event!

ABOUT CRYSTAL

Chef Crystal has always had a passion for many different types of foods. She loves to prepare dishes from different cultures and bless the dishes with her special unique Chef Crystal taste. Growing up in a family of food preparers which runs on both sides of her family, she's always wanted to make her parents proud. Her grandmother and mother molded her passion for cooking. “Thinking back to when I was just five years old, I would stand in the kitchen watching my mother cook different creole dishes with admiration. This is where my passion for cooking developed at such a young age,” Lewis shared. Lewis took pride in cooking for her younger siblings.

“It was something I enjoyed doing in my teenage years. At such a young age...I had such an "old soul" as my elders would say.”

As soon as she graduated high school, she moved out of her mother’s house into an apartment. That's when she started to cook and sell plates. A few years later, she decided she wanted to bake as a Pastry Chef. “I self taught myself, learned different techniques on my own and began selling cakes, pies and cookies. The abundance of sales and customers gave me the proclaimed name, The Creole Cake Lady.”

At this point, she decided to get her license to open a business to sell food and pastries from home. With so much success and passion for the job, she made a career out of it. Lewis attended Alvin Community College and graduated with an Associates degree in Culinary Arts.

Since 2016, she’s had a business working from home and later bought a food truck that she’s establishing to run on her own.

“One thing I pride myself on, I feed everyone and never turn a hungry soul down.”

Being of French Creole descent, in her culture, they feed everyone. “My Mother is my biggest inspiration and motivator, I’ve always wanted to make her proud. Seeing that beautiful smile on her face is the greatest feeling!”

Overall, Lewis shared that it hasn’t been relatively smooth, that there has been a few ups and downs. “I'm grateful for every obstacle and challenge I’ve had to go through, it has helped to mold me and grow into the successful business.” She is best known for her dessert/cakes. She is known as The Cake Lady. “What sets me apart from others is, I cook and bake from love. Making sure my customers are happy. My passion for food is out of this world! I love to see people happy, especially after eating any dish I've prepared.”

In 2020, she entered a competition called,The Masked Baker from Houston, Texas. She baked her favorite cookie (Banana Pudding Cookie) and got a call back that she made it to the next level of the competition. It was around 10 bakers that were chosen to move to the final round and she was one of many. She placed 2nd, missing first place by only half a point. “It was such an amazing experience to be ranked 2nd in Houston, Texas!”

CARESELF TIPS

Be Self-Compassionate Pay attention to your self-talk and speak to yourself the way you would to someone you love.

Nourish Your Body With Healthy Foods

That's right, setting yourself up for nutritional success is a simple act of self-care.

Learn to Say No

One powerful way to practice selfcare includes acknowledging and honoring your own boundaries.

“Don’tlimityourself. Manypeoplelimit themselvestowhatthey thinktheycando.You cangoasfarasyour mindletsyou.Whatyou believe,remember,you canachieve.”

-Mary Kay Ash

TryOutThis SpringRecipe.

StrawberryandWatercressSalad

½ medium rhubarb stalk, very thinly sliced on a diagonal

6 oz. strawberries, hulled, halved, sliced if large

2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

2 tsp. honey

1 bunch watercress, tough stems removed

½ cup basil leaves

½ cup cilantro leaves with tender stems

2 scallions, thinly sliced on a diagonal

Kosher salt

Crushed red pepper flakes

2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

Poppy seeds (for serving)

Step 1

Toss rhubarb, strawberries, lemon juice, and honey in a medium bowl to combine.

Step 2

Arrange watercress, basil, and cilantro on a platter, then scatter scallions over. Season with salt and sprinkle with red pepper flakes. Spoon berry mixture and juices over; drizzle with oil and sprinkle with poppy seeds.