16 minute read
BEAUTY LIES WITHIN
CECIL WRIGHT
PHOTOS BY LINDSAY MC PHOTOGRAPHY
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Tell us about yourself and your background?
My name is Cecil Wright. I was born on the Beautiful island of Puerto Rico in Rio Piedras to my wonderful parents Sarahi Baez-Opio and my father Hector Roman. At the age of 4 my mom wanted to move to Rochester, New York to build a better home for my brothers and I so we all moved here where I watched my mom work hard to make sure my brothers and I had a great life. I started working when I was 14 years old at McDonalds and when I turned 17 I got hired at Dunkin donuts. I pushed myself to become better. I met my high school sweetheart and now husband Derell Wright at Thomas Jefferson High School. We graduated from high school. I had my first child May 20, 2010 and shortly after on April 5, 2011 I had my other bundle of joy and I became a wonderful mother of two beautiful girls Ariana & G’nia Wright. After working several jobs I prayed that God gave me the opportunity to spend time with my daughters more.
I prayed for a job that consisted of the same hours as my daughter’s school time and that I would have weekends and holidays to spend with them. God answered all my prayers. In April 2016 I started a position at the same school my daughters attended and I have been teaching for 7 years at EMHCS and it has been an amazing experience and it’s even more rewarding because I have time for my family and now my business.
What makes you hustle?
My mom taught me the true meaning of hustle for your family and to always make them my #1 priority in everything that I do because as a woman you want to teach your daughters to always hustle
for what they want to achieve in life.
Tell us about your business, Taste of the Islands Mobile Service? What type of business is it?
Taste of the Islands Mobile Service is a business that offers Mobile Bar Services, Catering, and I also sell Individual food plates and drinks as well. We have a variety of services to make sure your party, or gathering is taken care of.
What are the main services your business provides?
My business provides Mobile Bar SErvices & food catering. I also sell beverages and food plates as well every other weekend.
What do the words “Beauty Lies Within” mean to you?
To me Beauty lies Within means to find beauty in your inner self. Find what makes you beautiful on the inside and allow it to shine so bright that people and also yourself can see your true beauty and all the attributes you have to offer.
What would you say is the most rewarding part of owning your own business?
The most rewarding part of owning Taste Of The Islands mobile service is seeing the amazing vibe I bring to every event I always say even if I can bring joy to a person with a drink of food just for that moment it fills me with so much joy because you may not ever know what a person is going through.
What are the biggest challenges you have come across being a minority owned female business?
One challenge I faced was not being taken seriously as a female Afro Latina and for some people to doubt my greatness and power as a woman to overcome obstacles as a minority
Do you use social media alot to promote your business? What is your favorite platform?
Yes I use social media to promote my business. My favorite social media platform is Facebook.
What has been your biggest hurdle to try and overcome since opening your business?
The Biggest hurdle was understanding that it takes time for your business to flourish. It will not happen overnight but when it does it is a very rewarding feeling.
What has been the best compliment you have ever received?
A personal compliment I have received was that I have a good heart and that I am very caring and a selfless person. As a business owner one compliment I received was that my drinks were delicious and affordable and that my food was amazing and the presentation for my food and drinks were on point and amazing.
What skills do you feel you posses that will make clients want to use your services?
I have one year and a half of bartending experience. I also have ten plus years of customer service experience and I love to cook and allow others to experience that one bite at a time.
Tell us one thing most people don’t know about you.
One thing people don’t know about is that I once didn’t have confidence in myself or in my ability to succeed.
Who or what inspires you as a woman entrepreneur?
My daughters inspire me as a women entrepreneur because I am showing them that even if you have a family
you can still push yourself as women and you can accomplish anything they set their mind to.
How do you juggle being a successful business woman and family life?
I schedule my business times so that I have time with family as well. My husband Derell always comes with me to all events. He is very supportive! Alongside me I have my brother-in-law Deshawn Wright that helps me bartend big events. My mom Sarahi Baez-Opio and my daughters help me with inventory and my mom Sarahi and occasionally my uncle Abraham also help me with cooking when they can. Apart from family time that I spend with them they also play a huge part in Taste of The Islands Mobile Service.
Do you find it challenging being a female entrepreneur? What do you do to set yourself apart?
In today’s time I don’t find it challenging because female entrepreneurs are at an all time high. You see many women taking charge and building their own business or having amazing careers so I don’t find it challenging. I find it very rewarding. I Believe I am passionate about my business because I started it thinking about my family and our future and how I would love to leave a legacy that our children can keep and expand with our motto always in mind: FAMILY FIRST.
What is next for you?
I would like to expand and have a food / mobile bar truck but also my dream is to have a little spot where customers can enjoy amazing food, drinks and music at an affordable price.
NITA B
PHOTOS BY LINDSAY MC PHOTOGRAPHY
Tell us about yourself and your background?
My name is Nita Ray aka ‘Nita B’. I’m a multifaceted Artist, Entertainer and Entrepreneur from Rochester, NY. I am a single Mother of 15-year- old, fraternal twins, with many aspirations. I have worked in Radio as a Voice Actress for over 11 years, appearing on local stations like Rochester’s 1039 WDKX, as well as syndicated stations across the globe. I truly love art, drama, music, cinema and writing. Since I could talk, I have been performing comedy, poetry and music for my family and friends. I grew up with my Father as a clean Christian Comedian and my Mother, a Minister. As a child and through my early teenage years I was very active in the Fine Arts Ministries at my church, New Life Fellowship, whether it was singing in the youth choir, flag ministries, acting in stage plays, and even the Sunday Morning announcements under the Audio-Visual department. I was always ready to put on a show. As a youth, in my spare play time, I carried a tape recorder around, pretending to be the host of my own talk show called “Kickin it wit Nita”, where I was not only the host, but the DJ and the guest, which led me to discover that I could change my voice so many ways. In later years, during my junior and Senior years of high school¸ I studied and completed the Radio and Television broadcasting course at the Eastern Monroe Career Center. When I graduated high school, I found out I was pregnant with my twins and decided to put my entertainment dreams on the backburner and to take a new career direction to better provide for my family. In 2010 I graduated from Continental school of Beauty and became a licensed Esthetician, Nail Technician and Waxing Technician. For the next few years, I worked in several spas and even offered services out of my home but I struggled to build my clientele and meet the demands of the industry at that time, so I decided to
try something else…Radio. Working in radio allowed me to network with people and led me back to my love for the stage. I started doing comedy, plays, hosting events, writing raps and performing poetry.
I have been on countless stages with Rochester’s Elite Improv Actors and comedians for over 10 years, opening up for comedians such as DL Hugely, Bill Balamy, Karlos M and Rodney Perry just to name a few. I have been in several stage plays including Grace Flores’ productions “Details in the water” and “Yesterday”. I was nominated several years however in 2015 I was the Roc Award recipient for Best Female Poet. My love for poetry led me to discovering my love for rapping and making music.
In 2019 I released a musical project called ‘Nita B. Honest’ and followed up by Producing and starring in my own sold out- one women show for my Birthday. From there, I started focusing on creating a momentum with my musical career, until the pandemic hit in 2020. I lost my job and had to find another way to take care of my children. A friend of mine suggested that I start offering nail services again since everywhere else was closed and the demand was high.
She flew into town, I gave her a custom pedicure, The Nita B Pretty Pedi, posted it on my social media and received a lot of positive feedback. As things opened back up and the traffic slowed down, I started offering more services like massage and make up enhancement. I truly enjoy pampering people and providing affordable services, especially to individuals who might not be familiar with, or take the time for a self-care regimen. Although I’m focused on expanding my services and clientele, in hopes to open a Full-Service Spa Salon with my sister Fantasha aka ‘Hair Nurse Fanta”, I
I have also ventured back into content creating and performing as well. For the last two years I have been back on stage performing both covers, poetry, standup comedy and original music, at local venues and festivals, including being featured twice for the French Quarter R and B Wednesday, opening for Grammy nominated Jimmy Highsmith Jr at the Juneteenth Festival, and most recently, The Roc Summer Soul Fest at Frontier field. my greatest aspiration in life is to leave a positive mark on the world thru my many gifts and talents.
What makes you hustle?
I don’t know if it started with selling girl scout cookies, or selling elaborate boondoggle keychains, before the age of 10 but it’s just in me, I guess. It’s just knowing no matter what you must make it happen. I could be down to my last dime and I’m going to find a creative way to ‘get it out the mud’ before looking for a handout… even if that’s collecting bottles, selling my paintings, face painting in the park or traveling massages and pedicures. YOU CAN DO SOMETHING! I’m not saying getting help, or even working a 9 to 5, makes anyone less of a hustler but I get a thrill from flipping nothing into something and building upon that. There was a time when I was jobless, carless and almost homeless and I passed out my cd for donations just to stay afloat. And then there is now where I’m more stable, driving, thriving and hustling so I never have to be in that position again, and most Importantly to show my children that you can truly be whatever you want to be in this world but you gotta HUSTLE!
Tell us about your business, All Things Nita B Productions? What type of business is it?
All Things Nita B productions is just that, All Things NITA. In all honesty, I just knew I have several different hustles and it was time to legitimize them by making my business official, branding and marketing myself as a full-on Entertainment package and Experience. My business is still a baby however I’m fully confident it will grow as I am booked for more gigs and continue to create my own content and produce my own shows.
What are the main services your business provides?
All Things Nita B Productions encompasses my entertainment services such as hosting, voice acting, writing and producing songs, jingles, content creating and brand promotion and more. With me you’re getting an experienced, comedian, rapper, poet, actress and motivational public speaker.
Although they are not productions, I consider my personal traveling spa services to be a full-on experience as well. I offer Make up, full body massages, and natural nail care services, Including my signature Pretty Pedi.
Under my Nita Lovez Da Kids services, I also offer hosting, facepainting, character appearances and more for youth parties, festivals, and school / church functions.
Do you find it challenging being a female entrepreneur? What do you do to set yourself apart?
Absolutely! My biggest challenge use to be knowing my worth and selling myself short. I had to learn my worth and to stand on it no matter what. Once I started truly owning my brand and my purpose, better opportunities started arriving in my life. I encompass my brand in everything I do, from wearing black and yellow daily, to decorating my home and wardrobe with bumble bee esthetics, or to the old fashion business card in every hand that I can, I’m always marketing myself. it costs to invest in myself its only right I feel confident to charge what I charge and accept nothing less.
What would you say is the most rewarding part of owning your own business?
I love making others feel good. Weather it’s from comedy or a makeover, making others feel better, from the inside out, is healing for me. It’s such a dope feeling to be able to open someone up to a spa service they may have never experienced had they not booked with me. But nothing tops hearing ‘’Queen I remember you from when you use to hustle your cds at the plaza and I respect your grind …and your bars!” These are things that really let me know I’m doing something right.
What are the biggest challenges you have come across being a minority owned female business?
There is an ugly stigma attached to black Queens that we must degrade ourselves sexually to get ahead or be respected. A lot of Black women are mishandled or labeled difficult in these industries when they don’t take the bait. It’s just dumb really.
Do you use social media a lot to promote your business? What is your favorite platform?
Yes! Matter of fact, Follow me now on all platforms @nitab585! Go do it now!!! lol
What has been your biggest hurdle to try and overcome since opening your business?
Staying consistent and disciplined. In entrepreneurship and being A boss, no one is going to get it done but ME. It’s demandin, but I know I have to keep going for the freedom I want. As outgoing as I am, I can be very introverted at times and I have days where I don’t want to cater to anyone else’s needs, but then I take time to regroup. I make sure I’m keeping up on my own self-care regimen , setting boundaries, and refocusing on my goals.
What has been the best compliment you have ever received?
My massages are the best! That’s it! That’s all! Lol
Honestly though, it blesses my spirit whenever someone tells me they enjoyed a show or a service.
What skills do you feel you posses that will make clients want to use your services?
I’m lovable, relatable and provide quality customers services that caters to each client’s needs.
Tell us one thing most people don’t know about you.
I was inducted into Toastmasters after winning 1st place in the 15th Annual Otis Young Motivational Public Speaking Competition in 2014.
Who or what inspires you as a woman entrepreneur?
All the Queens in my family from my mother Janice, my sisters, my aunts, my cousins, my grandmothers, both alive and transitioned on, my Ova Mutha ( I don’t like the word step mother), my godmothers, and all the Queens on their grind, one way N another across the world! I love you all so much.
I also would like to honor the late Ms. MG Avery and Mrs. Langston of WDKX. You both inspired me more than you’ll ever know. You are greatly missed.
Above All things I am motivated and inspired by my twins, Timyra and Timarian because passing down a legacy and wealth, for generations to come is what keeps me on my hustle. I love you both!
How do you juggle being a successful businesswoman and family life?
I have a great tribe and I’m learning to utilize my resources better. I’ve learned that setting boundaries and sticking to a schedule is key. I’m not superwomen, I don’t have to try to be.
What do the words “Beauty Lies Within” mean to you?
Beauty Lies Within reminds me that everyone has a special something inside them. It’s not what’s on the outsidethat makes people beautiful, it’s having a beautiful spirit that is the most beautiful quality to have.
What is next for you?
I’m currently in the studio working on another project, and more visual content is on the way! Be sure to follow my fb: Nita B and my Ig and TikTok @nitab585 for updates and content! I look forward to dropping my podcast this fall on YouTube, “Kickin it wit Nita”. And as far as Spa services go, Finding and opening a location with my sister is always the goal and in the works. For now, I strive to stay booked and Bizzy, offering mobile services in the comfort of your place or mine.
