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Dallas/Fort Worth - Nov./Dec. 2020
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Doors Will Open, and Doors Will Close A Letter From The Editor
There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It!
To say the year of 2020 has been overwhelming would be an understatement. For as long as I can remember, there has always been Asome etched in my mind about the year 2020. Lettermystique from the Editor What will happen? What won’t happen? By now, I believe that everyone has their own version of what the year has turned out What if tomorrow didn’t arrive?a much All of your plans, hopes to be. I am hoping that 2021 will have better outcome. and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if everything you decided off until tomorrow never With the onsetthat of Covid 19, it’s to myput interpretation that many happened? There would be no reason to save for a rainy people may have taken the eventual pandemic for granted. All day, andand youout could spare someone thewe trouble of making of a sudden, of nowhere, the way go about our daily promises. What if your last opportunity seemingly expired lives was interrupted. Can’t go to church because of the dangers today? What would you do? associated with the virus. Schools are closed, businesses have been closed and in some cases, even shut down permanently. I’ve been told that I often seem like I do too much. Everywhere I go, I must wear a mask or protective covering to Honestly, I feel like I am not doing enough and I’m a firm ensure that I do get infected or possibly infect someone else. believer in knowing that God wouldn’t put anything on me Then a new word was even invented as a result of our new way that I couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life would of living; social distancing. Oh, how things have changed. 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 Even all ofthat the isn’t discourse andtoconfusion, has is awith blessing afforded everyone.God A challenge continued His mightWhat and power through all. happen? While to metois show an adventure. is the worst thatitcan some Ifthings have been taken away, He has replaced them I do nothing, I fail, and if I try I don’t, but instead learnwith even greater ones. themyself. new normal, many business owners something newWith about Relinquish your pride and in including myself have been forced to develop new ways of how return acquire life. we do business. As a result our businesses have flourished and becomeThe even more dynamic. All that I am left withwhen to think is, but best advice ever given to me happened someone God. told me to make my tomorrow happen today. In doing so I have pressed my way through doors with a key that only I’mhope excited about what preparing everyone in provided. I haveGod alsoislearned the for difference between 2021. what WhileGod we blesses are closing out the continue be me with andyear, whatwe lifemust can burden meto with as well. I compare it to knowing confident and mindfulwhen of allto ofbe the things that whenallow to beto quiet, because God didn’t happen, and someone get itWhat confused appreciate whatmay He has. with being arrogant. I continue to learn is when God takes some things away, He always replacesMake themyou withtomorrow even greater happen butcloses, most things. When today, one door importantly make it count. another one will open. Knowing Life is but a whisper and and this, we must stay encouraged we must put ourselves in a continue to pursue our purpose. position to hear what it More than anything, we mustis us. alwaystelling trust God.
www.huamimagazine.com Terry L Watson Publisher www.huamimagazine.com Editor In Chief Writer Dawn C. Thornton Terry L. Watson Terry L. Watson Writer Alana Allen - Deputy Editor Junious Smith Writer Writers
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Terry L. Watson Editor/Founder Dallas/Fort Worth - Nov./Dec. 2020
On The Cover
Photo by Shaw Photography Group
CONTENTS
NOV./DEC. 2020
DALLAS/FORT WORTH
Rita Hinton 12
Torcha’ Berryhill
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JaQuesa Hayes-Finney
Savanah Bleu Handbags
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On The Cover
Any Day Desserts Sereena Key
Speak Life Coaching
Coach William Huff
T.T.E. Rentals
GlamHer Hair Addictions
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Also Featured
Dmitri King He is lighting things up in the ATL. Meet the owner and founder of D King Electical. Atlanta, GA
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Russell (Russ) Pennix He is the cutest, and has been selected as Huami Magazine’s Cutest Baby.
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Dallas/Fort Worth - Nov./Dec. 2020
S. Elle Clark She has launched a new business venture. Sipping Good. Atlanta, GA
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Any Day Desserts, LLC
By Terry L. Watson - Photos by Erica Ms. Precious McGee and DPhotography817 There is something about a good slice of cake. If it’s sweet, then it’s good. Yet, if it’s made with love and compassion, then it’s probably delicious. That is exactly what Sereena Key of Any Day Desserts, LLC is doing in Grand Prairie, TX. Sereena says that Any Day Desserts are homemade sweet treats that people love, and will fall in love with after that first bite. “This happens because I make it all with love. I take something that can be bought in stores and make it myself. Things like cake flour, buttermilk, caramel sauce, fruit toppings, honey, pie crust, caster sugar, and frosting are all homemade by me. Because I take the time to make these items homemade makes a big difference in taste. Currently I operate a home-based business for now and only take local orders from customers that can pick them up. I do offer delivery for orders that are $15 and up, and within 15 miles from my address for a flat fee. Anything over 15 miles would be a little more in pricing. I also have desserts for vegans and for diabetics,” she says. How did Any Day Desserts, LLC begin? “I love finding new things to discover about myself. One thing that I just discovered is my passion for baking. This is something that I do without hesitation, and I enjoy everything about it,” she says. The idea to bake came almost out of nowhere, as Sereena explains. “I was in bed on the night of November 19, 2019. I was thinking about my life and the direction I wanted to go in. I was a ‘jack of all trades’ kind of a person and remembered the time I made a homemade pecan pie, with a homemade crust. I took a picture of it and I decided to post it in a Facebook group, Detroiters In Dallas (DID). The very next day I started to get a lot of orders in. I could not believe the amount of support I received. It was a breath of fresh air. By Thanksgiving and Christmas, I had orders coming in from all parts of Facebook, and I knew then that I needed to take my idea to the next level,” she says. Continued on the next page
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Sereena is best described as someone who is very kind, loving, and understanding. She was born in Nyack, New York and raised in Spring Valley, New York. Along with her mother and two older siblings, she relocated to Detroit, MI. Over the next few years she moved back and forth between New York and Detroit, and she considers them both to be home. At the age of 18, she moved to Atterbury, IN for school. By the age of 22, she made the decision to move to Minnesota for school at Hubert H. Humphrey Job corps. “I found my place and a life for myself there. After a year, I left Hubert H. Humphrey with my GED, CNA license, and Business Technology certificate and decided to stay in Minnesota to live. It was rocky in the beginning, yet Minnesota became my home for 14 years after making friends, and finding love,” she says. However, she found herself in a repetitive cycle, and doing the same thing, year after year. It appeared that all life had to offer me was work, pay bills, so that I could keep a roof over my head. “After having love break my heart, I decided It was time for me to get off that hamster wheel, and so I decided to move to Texas.” Sereena had never been to Texas. Still she made the decision to move there. She wanted to become a homeowner. “Moving to Texas by myself wasn’t the plan but I do believe it was God’s plan. I always say everything happens for a reason,” she says. Her decision to move was confirmed after receiving a job offer at a hospital in Texas in 2018. She knew that it was time to stop holding herself in Minnesota, and after speaking with God, she began putting things in motion to make the move. “For the month of November, I worked my butt off and sold everything. I packed up my car and on December 8th, 2018, along with a good friend, I drove 15 hours to Texas,” she says. Now at the age of 37, Sereena is an independent black woman with tons of ambition, determination, and drive.
The idea of turning her passion into a business still had not been decided for Sereena. After the holidays in 2019, she went back to her normal routine of working as a rehabilitation technician for Pate rehabilitation center. She didn’t focus on baking again until May 2020, as a result of being quarantined due to the Covid 19 pandemic. “Having to stay inside offered me the best opportunity to jump back into baking. I focused more on making desserts and finding new cakes to make. Though I was happy with baking, I wasn’t sure about making this a full time job for myself,” she says. During the first week of August in 2019, Sereena took a little getaway to a ranch. There was nothing there but animals and peace. This experience provided her time to think freely on life and what she really wanted and what made her happy. She determined that baking was her passion, so when she got back home she took the first steps on taking her passion to the next level. On September 23rd 2020, Any Day Desserts, LLC was born. “What I love most about my business Is when someone shares they cannot believe what they are tasting. To be able to make someone’s day with my desserts, makes me happy. When you have a customer tip you because they believe what they just tasted is worth more than what they paid for, brings me joy. To have my customers text me back 20 minutes or even three days later to let me know how much they enjoyed it, makes it all worth it,” she says. Continued on the next page
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Sereena is inspired by the positive energy from the citizens of Texas. “Seeing so many black owned businesses here has inspired me. Witnessing the love and support that we give each other In our community made me look at things differently. I have never seen anything like it before. Seeing people grind and hustle for their own business, for a better life and living made me want to be a part of it. It made me jump off of that hamster wheel. I have always been that person that has worked day in and day out, the one that always pulled doubles. I’ve had jobs as a CNA, working with environmental service, working on a cruise ship, and as a rehab tech. I’ve had my fair share of jobs just like I have had my fair share of ups and downs. Having God introduced into my life at the age of nine saved me. At times I question why things were happening to me at such a young age. Why put me through the horrible things, but each Sunday I went to the Kingdom Hall, it was like He was speaking to me. He kept me alive. If I didn’t have God in my life at that time, I truly believe that I would not be here. There was a time where I would cry when I talked about the things that I have been through at such a young age, and now I can talk about it with power in my voice,” she says. The future looks very bright for Any Day Desserts, LLC. Sereena says her goal is to include shipping with her services, and to open her own bakery by the summer of 2021. “My overall dream is to have my own pie crust in all stores so when the holidays roll around, or just for any day, you can go and pick one up. Some people may think that’s reaching too far but I don’t. I believe that we must reach as far as you can and believe in yourself always. You should never give up on yourself. If you have the will, ambition, motivation, and a plan, I say go for it. Get off that hamster wheel and push yourself to the max. I have been blessed with this talent and I plan on making Any Day Desserts for years to come,” she says.
Any Day Desserts, LLC “Everything Homemade” 1450 N. Hwy 360 - Building 11 Grand Prairie, TX 75050 817-808-3734 anydaydesserts@gmail.com any-day-desserts.square.site
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Rita Hinton
By Terry L. Watson Photos by David Gort Modeling by Troinesha M. Webb There are some things that you do not mess with when it comes to lady. The most important one to remember; don’t mess around with her purse, pocketbook, or handbag. Rita Hinton of Dallas, TX has embraced this notion and made a business out of it. She is the CEO of Savanah Bleu, a retailer that specializes in designer style handbags without the designer price tag. She is quick to point out that she doesn’t sell any kind of “brand name” handbag. “My styles are big brands, and have the same quality. I specialize in vegan leather, faux leather, and genuine leather,” she says. Rita can be best described as someone who is dynamic and determined. She is the middle child of Ray and Dorothy Hall and was born in Dallas, TX in April of 1969 and raised in a small town in West Texas. She has always been ambitious and independent in her thinking. At the age of 50, she received her bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a minor in Small Business from the University of Pheonix. Rita shares that she is a hard worker who has decided to work hard for myself. Her entrepreneurial experience began with her selling jewelry. “I love jewelry, accessories, and fashion. When I dressed up, women would always ask me where I purchased my jewelry, or my handbag, and sometimes even my attire. One day I was sitting at a restaurant eating lunch, and a young lady approached me and asked where did I purchased my earrings. I couldn’t remember because I had them for quite a while. However, she asked to purchase them right off of my ears. And so it began,” she says. Savanah Bleu Handbags was launched in 2009. Rita began by first dipping her hand in selling costume jewelry. She then added handbags and soon it became her bestselling product. She shares what has helped her business more than anything are the prices. “I’ve always told myself that I would not put a price on a bag that I myself could not afford. I firmly believe that every woman should be able to afford a nice quality handbag. Therefore, my prices are for all incomes and my target group are women that want to look good, stylish, and classy.” Continued on the next page
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There are a few key factors that help to make Savanah Bleu successful. Rita shares that two of the key ingredients are superb products and great customer service. “Handbags are my thing and I love selling them. I believe that you must love what you do, and equally love what you sell. You must also love your customers, even on the bad days. I believe in providing my customers with quality. Savanah Bleu offers quality, all the time. Quality merchandise, quality prices, and quality customer service.” Rita has also been successful because she is committed to meeting the needs of her clients. “I’ve worked in customer service for more than 20 years, and throughout the years I have learned that customers love to be pampered and appreciated. Although my business is an online business, I am available at any time. My clients have full access to me, 24 hours a day. Even if it’s just to say hello, I am there. I maintain a personable relationship with all my clients which has proven to work well. I have the best customers this industry offers,” she says. Though Rita finds inspiration in many things, she says her mother inspires her the most. “She passed away in 2014, but before then she instilled in me to always do well, be good to people, and to always put family first. The next person would be my father. He taught me to always be myself. He told me that even if I try to be or act like someone else, not everyone will like you. It’s best to just be you and let the chips fall where they may when it comes to others and their opinions of you,” she says. She lost her father on Valentine’s Day of this year, and with both of her parents gone, she has pushed herself to take my business to the next level and to live life to the fullest.
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Like most businesses, Savanah Bleu has faced its share of challenges. The biggest one Rita shares is consistency. “I’ve learned I will not make money every day, and sometimes not even every week. Still, I cannot let that discourage me from continuing with growing my business. There are times that I make absolutely nothing, and the next week I can’t keep stock or restock fast enough. I have learned that working for yourself is not easy. I understand that one must put in just as much effort and time into owning a business as you would working for someone else. It is a constant perpetuation of time, effort, and research,” she says.
“I had a great experience with Savanah Bleu. I asked about a purse that was out of stock, but they happened to have one left. I ordered it Saturday and received it Monday. It’s just as beautiful as the picture on the website. I can’t wait to show it off. I’m very happy with my purchase and will definitely be back. Don’t think about it ladies, get the bag!” Customer Review In the future, Rita plans to continue to build Savanah Bleu into a reputable company. She is currently working on her men’s line, Savanahbleu4him, which will offer men’s jewelry and accessories. It is scheduled to launch in November 2020.
Savanah Bleu
www.savanahbleu.com (469) 509-5982 savanahbleu@yahoo.com
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She also offers some advice to others who may follow in her footsteps in regards to entrepreneurship and business. “Follow your dreams. Even if you must keep starting over, never give up on you. Nothing happens overnight and anything you want, you must want to work to get it. Nothing will be given to you which makes obtaining it all the better. Good luck and you can do it!”
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Torcha Berryhill T.T.E. RENTALS
By Terry L. Watson Photos by T.T.E. Rentals Are you planning an event in the DFW area, there is someone who can help you organize it. Torcha’ Berryhill of Dallas, TX is the owner of T.T.E. Rentals (Tents, Tables, and Etc.) Her company is a black woman owned business that provides local and affordable party essentials to the DFW area. These items include tables, chairs, tents, bounce houses, and more. Torcha’ describes herself as a work in progress. Her greatest gift she shares is being a single mother and showing her children that faith without works is dead. T.T.E. Rentals is a stable and constantly growing business. It actually started when Torcha’ began purchasing tables and chairs about two years ago. When the moment came for her to add more diverse products to her business, she did some research on what she wanted to offer, and played around with a few different names. In June of this year, she took a leap of faith by creating a flyer for her business with a price list and posted it on her social media pages. “I didn’t expect for it to take off as fast as it has, but I am so excited and blessed for the opportunity to be able to service the DFW metroplex,” she says.
682-310-7891 www.tterentals.com
As a business owner, Torcha’ has enjoyed some benefits of entrepreneurship. There are some things that she really loves about it as well. One of them is being able to service people and helping them enjoy some of the most memorable moments in their lives. She has also faced her share of challenges in business. “Has it been a smooth road? Not at all. I have lost a few friends, and I’ve had some sleepless nights and had some empty stomachs. Most of the challenges and stresses come from doubting myself and becoming overwhelmed from the doubt I’ve created,” she shares. “It’s a work in progress though. I’m coming up on my fifth month in business and I am truly learning from my mistakes.” The reasons for her drive are understandably, her children. “My inspiration comes from my children. They give me the drive and motivation to push forward with anything. They are always so supportive and happy to see me doing business. I catch them passing out my flyers and telling people about my business,” she says. Moving forward, T0rcha’ has plans to expand her inventory so that T.T.E. Rentals can be capable of servicing more clients, and even bigger events that may take place in the DFW Metroplex. Her advice to others who may follow in footsteps is to hang in there and do not give up. “If it is truly your passion, you should not allow yourself to be discouraged by what other people are doing. They don’t have you. I never thought I would be actually doing what I said I would be doing, and be successful at it, but I am,” she says. h
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Creating & Selling Solutions 20
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By Laci Ollison Photos by Chanel Mason Everyone experiences hardships in life. Things happen that attempt to throw us off course. And unfortunately for many entrepreneurs, taking time to process and destress doesn’t always come easy. Elle Clark, however, was able to reignite her passion for entrepreneurship through self-care and a sabbatical. “Last year God blessed me to be able to take a year off from business and work,” the Mississippi native said. “I had never taken off work in about 16 or 17 years. Elle said that it was her friends who encouraged her to take a break after experiencing some difficult times. “They told me I needed a break to just chill and relax,” she said. “I was really stressed. And my friends reminded me that I hadn’t stopped through any of the things that I had been through.” But then, Elle said that her mental health began to become affected because of not being able to take a break. “I started having bad panic attacks and anxiety attacks,” she said. “That’s when I knew I had to do something.” The single mother reluctantly agreed to take a break, but it wasn’t a decision that was easy to make or adjust to. “It was crazy to not get up and go to work,” said Elle. “I felt like an underachiever. I felt like I was being a slacker and like I should be up doing something. I just felt like I was wasting my life.” By the second month Elle told herself that she was blessed and that she could do this. By the third month she pushed herself to find a routine. The year-long sabbatical gave the entrepreneur time to process some of her life’s experiences. “It gave me time to release a lot of things that had hurt me,” said Elle. “I unloaded a lot of hurt, stress, and pain, and had time to process things that I had been through.” It also gave her a chance to remember why she started her businesses in the first place. “I shut down all my businesses,” Elle said. “I didn’t do anything work related and it was hard. It gave me time to plan, time to meet with suppliers, and that’s also when I came up with my organization, ‘Passion Funding Purpose.’” Continued on the next page Dallas/Fort Worth - Nov./Dec. 2020
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Passion Funding Purpose is a non profit organization that Elle founded in hopes of assisting working class men and women with everyday life necessities: food, housing, medical expenses along with attorney fees of black fathers who are battling tough child custody cases. “The inspiration for Passion Funding Purpose came from me and my own experience,” Elle said. “To be in full time business and raising a child, you find yourself needing help sometimes but there’s not a lot of help for the working class.” Elle said that business owners and working class shouldn’t have to worry about essential things like childcare, housing, or making sure they have food for their family when times get hard. Assisting others was also part of the inspiration behind another one of her businesses, Sippin Good. Named by her son, Sippin Good offers cbd teas and organic loose teas that are geared toward health and wellness. “All teas are geared toward the body,” Elle said. “We felt that it was the perfect time to launch this type of business during a pandemic.” The teas were specifically created to help with ailments that many people experience such as diabetes, dementia, joint pain, anxiety, alcohol and substance addiction, fibrosis plus so much more. All ingredients from the teas are sourced from suppliers found within the United States.
“It was crazy to not get up and go to work. I felt like an underachiever. I felt like I was being a slacker and like I should be up doing something.” 22
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Elle along with her son had hopes of opening a storefront but due to the pandemic, they have pushed their open date to March of next year. For now, their line of teas can be found on their website. “The goal is to come to the café and have a full tea experience,” she said. Along with her non-profit organization and her tea business, Elle is a Georgia Notary and full time Georgia Realtor of 16 years. Elle Clark Solutions offers Real Estate and Small Business Strategy Solutions to entrepreneurs who need assistance defining their goals, creating an execution plan and scaling their business. Elle says that she hopes to handoff her Real Estate business to her son in the next six years. “I don’t see myself opening up any other businesses,” she said. “But the goal is to have all my businesses go on auto-pilot.” She also hopes her 12 year old son will continue to build his entrepreneurial skills. Continued on the next page
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“Both myself and his father are entrepreneurs,” Elle said. “So he is a product of his environment. Our goal is to make sure that he knows that he doesn’t have to work for anyone else. Our goal is to make sure that he knows that an unplanned direction to college or working a job for someone else not knowing his skills does not have to be his path. I want him to look at himself and know that he has options based on learning his purpose. She hopes to leave a legacy for her son to follow. “I have to ask myself, “what am I leaving behind”? “If I departed this world today, what did I as a parent teach him to do without me?” “Have a clear, concise, and well strategized plan,” she advises. “Plan for long and short term.” The business strategist says that entrepreneurs should also save and budget for the potential costs that come along with starting a business. “Have the money because nothing is free,” she said. “We’re past the days of being able to start a business for $500 because legal filing fees cost that much alone.” Elle also says that business owners should be able to adapt to changes that they may encounter along the way. “Be open to change. Business is not one dimensional no matter how many years you have been in it. Every year and every quarter you should be rising to a new level and still learning while maintaining that which you have mastered at the same time.” Elle says that she is proud of how she herself has been able to adapt to change. “I find strength in knowing that I could do this by myself with what God placed within me. In spite of adversity and in spite of the lessons that I had to learn, I stayed the course.” h Elle’s next goal is to make a “little time” to be found by true love and marry in the near future.
“Some companies give good ideas, we sell great Solutions”
Sippin Good LLC 833-7SI-PPIN www.sippingood.com “Enhance your mind, body and wellness while Sippin Good” Facebook & Instagram @Imsippingood
Elle Clark Solutions Real Estate & Small Business Solutions 770-421-5531 www.elleclarksolutions.com 800 Battery Ave - Ste 100 Atlanta, GA 30339 Facebook & Instagram @elleclarksolutions
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D KING ELECTRIC By Dawn Cauthen Thornton - Photos by Dmitri King
The trajectory of your life is usually determined by the decisions you make for yourself and the odds that may be stacked against you despite those decisions. Unsurprisingly, black men tend to face these odds at a larger rate than any other ethnic category. In high school, in Greensboro, NC, Dmitri King was traveling down the wrong path. He was hanging out with friends late at night, taking the family car without permission, and eventually ran into trouble that he couldn’t escape. After he graduated, not much changed. Things got worse even. He and his stepfather weren’t getting along due to his constant mischief and eventually he was kicked out of the house. A close friend and his family took him in and for years it seemed his life was turning around…until he got arrested and thrown in jail. While spending time behind bars, King received a phone call from a close cousin that would change his life more than he could’ve ever imagined. “My cousin came and bailed me out and asked me was I ready to leave Greensboro, NC now. I knew I couldn’t keep doing what I was doing. So not only did he pay my bail, but he paid to rent a moving truck, packed up all my stuff and brought me and my son down to Buford, GA put us up, and put me to work that week,” King explains. He is beyond grateful to his cousin and freely admits that he could never repay him for giving him the career he currently has and a new lease on life almost two decades ago. Perhaps he’s reimbursing him by following in his cousin’s footsteps and being a successful businessman.
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King’s cousin owned an independent electrical business and taught him almost everything he knew at the time. The New Jersey native absorbed as much knowledge as he could and moved on to another company where he worked alongside seasoned electricians who poured into him. Years later he transitioned to another cousin’s business, expanding his knowledge base even further. “I learned on three different levels and learned three different ways to run a business. They were all so smart and took their time to teach me everything about wiring and lighting and all of that,” says King. In 2010 King felt he’d had enough hands on experience to branch out and start a business of his own. He became a Certified Electrician and opened DKing Electric, LLC under the parent company Metro Atlanta Electrical, LLC. It wasn’t easy for me, but it wasn’t that difficult because I had support.” When one of his former employers changed directions to focus solely on commercial contracts, he referred two of his biggest residential clients to King because of his talent and the level of trust in his work. King met several more loyal clients who gave excellent references so it wasn’t long before his clientele began to grow. Popular nightclub owners, restaurant owners, and new construction home builders all across the area came calling and then connected him with others. Soon he had more clients than he could handle. That push only made him work harder, hire more workers, and make more money. The once troubled kid perfected his craft and is proud that he can wire an entire home by himself from ‘top to bottom’. Fortunately, he’s so busy with inspections, contracts, and clients that he doesn’t have time to do that anymore. He hires professionals whose work is just as thorough as his, so he can trust them to do a job when he’s not there. He’s currently training another cousin to one day take the rein or at the least, be his backup. “You’re only as good as the people you hire so I make sure I employ smart people who know what they’re doing.” A typical day for King consists of driving from city to city, managing projects and the variety of work that has to be done on each job. “The biggest part of my day, really, is going to a [home improvement] store several times! Easy. There isn’t a day when I’m not there at least twice. Sometimes five or six times in a day. So much that I should purchase stock!” he laughed. As busy as it is and as intricate as it can be, King can’t imagine where he would be without DKing Electric, LLC. It’s like the heart of his family. His wife lends her time to the business by handling the bookkeeping and much of the paperwork and he manages the field. His 24 year old son helps out from time to time but has his sights set on entertainment for now. His bonus-daughter watches from afar.
“You’re only as good as the people you hire so I make sure I employ smart people who know what they’re doing.”
The life-saving cousins King embarked on this journey with have now expanded to being builders and restaurant owners, and he is itching to do the same. Don’t be surprised to soon see Dmitri King’s name on something bigger and better around the Atlanta area. Whatever it is, it will be lit. Literally. h Dallas/Fort Worth - Nov./Dec. 2020
D King Electric 678-791-3314 www.dkingelectric.com HuamiMagazine.com
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GlamHer Hair
Addiction
By Laci Ollison Photos by LA Photographie During the day, she has the responsibility of delivering packages and mail to local residents as a postal worker, but at night she is mixing, creating, and serving up natural haircare products to her male and female customers who are looking to grow and maintain their healthy locs and manes. Thirty-three-year-old Jaquesa Hayes-Finney is the proud owner of GlamHer Hair Addiction, which offers natural hair products for all hair types. She founded her company after gaining inspiration from her sister who was diagnosed with cancer and lost all of her hair. Her oldest daughter also has eczema on her scalp which lead Hayes-Finney to create a product that could be used on children’s hair as well. “I wanted to create a natural hair product to help women and children who have lost their hair for different reasons and to help establish healthy hair habits,” stated Hayes-Finney. “Although many of my customers wear extensions, I want them to understand that it’s okay to wear them but their hair should be healthy underneath as well.” She shares that her best-selling product is her, HERJuice which helps with the health of the scalp which is vital for healthy hair. HERJuice also helps with hair retention, density and breakage. Hayes-Finney states, “This product has helped women that have experienced loss due to alopecia, chemotherapy and eczema. It can also help with chemically treated hair and stress points.”
“I went to cosmetology school, but I never wanted to actually do hair. I was always more focus on the anatomy of the scalp so I could formulate, mix and create my own products.” Continued on the next page
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Customers have also used her natural products on baby’s who have experienced cradle cap and need moisture on their scalp and help with their hair growing back.
GLamHER Edges Control
GLamHER Conditioner
GlamHer also offers a variety of other haircare products for customers such as shampoo, conditioner, deep conditioner, leavein conditioner, butter crème and edge control. “My edge control works with all different types of hair,” said Hayes-Finney. “I have a lot of customers who wear locs and they like to use the edge control to retwist their hair.” The single mother of two said that she has always wanted to work for herself and to own her own business. And although she has always had a passion for hair, she says that she was never really interested in becoming a hair stylist. “I went to hair school, but I never wanted to actually do hair,” she said. “I was always more focused on the anatomy of the scalp so I could formulate, mix and create my own products.” Hayes-Finney said that the science behind hair and hair products drew her more because she loves science. She also earned a degree from Baptist College of Health Sciences in Memphis. The Nashville native said that the anatomy behind the hair and scalp drew her to taking online courses to create her own product line. “I took classes on how to mix products together and I learned what mixes well. Once I learned how to make the products, then I added my own twist to make something that would work for all hair types,” Hayes-Finney said. She also states that when coming up with inspiration for her products, she had a specific type of hair and customer in mind. “My target was 4C hair because that’s the type of hair that my oldest daughter has and it is the hardest texture of hair to maintain and find products for,” Hayes-Finney said. “My youngest daughter has curly 3C hair and I have 4A 4B hair. I made the product to where it is versatile on all type hair.” Hayes-Finney said that it was important for her to create a product that would work perfectly on all of her family’s hair, no matter the texture. h
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I keep my daughters very involved in the business. Not only do they assist with getting the products together by helping with packaging, but they are also co-owners of GlamHer Hair Addiction.
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As an entrepreneur, Hayes-Finney states the hardest part about managing a business has been the marketing but being consistent and having good customer service is what has helped her be successful as a business owner. And although, working a full-time job and raising her daughters while managing her business can get tough at times, she keeps with the grind because failing is not an option. She hopes to pass down the importance of entrepreneurship to her daughters. “I keep my daughters very involved in the business,” Hayes-Finney said. “Not only do they assist with getting the products together by helping with packaging, but they are also co-owners of GlamHer Hair Addiction,” she says. She encourages her daughters and teaches them that they can be their own boss and pave the way for the next generation to come. The businessowner is now looking to start two lines of products specifically for kids and for men. “The men products will be for men who may be experiencing hair loss, or who may just need a good moisturizer for their beard,” Hayes-Finney said. GlamHer Hair Addiction has been in business for over a year and you can also find the natural hair styling products on the shelves of Colored Essentials on Jefferson Street. All of the products that GlamHer offers are vegan friendly, kid friendly and have been approved by the FDA. h
Ja’Quesa Finney GlamHer Hair Addiction www.glamorousbombshell.com 615-863-1578 32
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Coach
Speak Life Mentorship & Life Coaching 34
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By Terry L. Watson Photos by Maya Todd William Huff, aka Coach William Huff is the co-founder of Speak Life Mentorship & Life Coaching. Along with his wife Promises, they focus on providing Total Life Coaching services that address concerns within individuals reaching their goals mentally, physically, financially, socially, and professionally. Their life coaching packages include services and products such as direct one-on-one coaching (via phone or virtually) sessions, personal Speak Life Journal, customized plans, copies of Speak Life Literature, gifted Speak Life Swag Bags, special discounts within programs, and certificates of completion. The dynamic duo officially started Speak Life in March 2020. “I have been life coaching since 2004. As an educator and athletic coach, I found myself coaching young kids, both middle and high school, and some adults in making real life decisions for the best positive result possible,” he shares. Speak Life Mentorship & Life Coaching host a number of influential in-house programs such as FIME (First Impressions Mean Everything) Business Marketing Solutions, a graphic designs and production program offering services such as customized logos, business cards, flyers, business plans/proposals, websites, book publishing, and more. They also offer We Are One (1) Investment Group, a financial coaching program offering services to build financial wealth portfolios. The portfolios include a confidential financial plan, education towards debt elimination, income protection, legal services, insurances, investments, real estate, and income opportunities. There is the My Health Matters, serves as an accountability program offering health tips, virtual workout groups, health coaching, and more. Coach Huff first and foremost is a child of God. He is a devoted husband, father, son, brother, friend, and citizen. He is a reflection of amazing parenting that installed respect, humility, morals, and comedy. His mother, Phyllis Huff, and father, Charles Huff raised him to be a family man who is dedicated to leaving a legacy for future generations. He is an educator that aides and assists young coachable minds with maturing into their goals and dreams. His coaching arm has grown to that of athletics coach, a Certified Life, Business, Entrepreneurship, Financial, Marriage, and Family Coach. Coach Huff is loyal, honest, humble, genuine, real, and a servant at heart. His love for people is paramount in his quest to answering his call. “I’m a Black King and a billionaire in the making. I choose to uplift and encourage my brothers to step into their kingship and live their destiny. I am who God says I am. I am Coach William Huff,” he says. Dallas/Fort Worth - Nov./Dec. 2020
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What keeps the wheels turning in Coach Huffs’ life one might ask? He is quick to credit his wife and business partner, Promises. “My wife, hands down. I wish everyone could see what she means to my life. God blessed me with the perfect wife. She is truly my diamond, my jewel, and my rock, and I wouldn’t trade her for the world. She speaks life into the king in me and handles me as a King should be handled by his Queen. She is the best part of me. She is priceless. Without her, there is no telling where I would be,” he says. He also acknowledges his mother, Phyllis Huff for playing a huge role in his life. “She was my very first super hero. She taught me how to endure, stay humble, keep moving, and be clutch for my family and those around me,” he says. Currently, his mother isn’t in good health and a portion of their proceeds are going towards research in establishing a cure for Dementia and Alzheimer’s. His father he says, taught him to stand as his own man, and to protect and defend his wife and kids. “He taught me to stand up for what I believe in, and to always treat others with love, respect, and care. Through all the ups and downs of my life, whether we agreed or disagreed, he has always been a father to me and for me. I love you mom and dad,” he shares. The opportunities that his career offers are very rewarding, Coach Huff says. He loves the fact that he’s stepping and operating in what God wanted and instructed him to do. “I’m able to witness clients’ transformations to living a better them. I enjoy the simplicity of our operations. We do not offer employment or job openings. Instead, we offer entrepreneurship and partnership opportunities. In this manner, as we assist others grow their business, our business grows as well,” he says.
“I’m a Black King and a billionaire in the making. I choose to uplift and encourage my brothers to step into their kingship and live their destiny. I am who God says I am. I am Coach William Huff.”
There are many great things that are happening in the future for Speak Life Mentorship and Life Coaching. They are launching a new virtual talk show to showcase new businesses today. The show is entitled “Whatcha GOT”. This platform will serve as a resource for new businesses to market, promote, and advertise their business as a guest on the show, an advertisement slots in their commercial segments, or both. It is a partnership to increase the awareness of their clients businesses, promote their growith, and as they grow, so will Speak Life. They are also producing another virtual talk show entitled “Let’s Talk Tuesdays”. This show serves as a platform for us adults to have real discussions about their everyday issues ranging in topics of dealing with procrastination, marriages built on true friendship, women, men, single mothers, single fathers, responsibilities, being black in America, and more. They also have a reality show in the making to be tied to their ‘My Health Matters’ program. The show will be an opportunity to build a community of people who struggle with weight loss, and who are willing to work together to hold each other accountable in order to build a more health cautious population. Lastly, Coach Huff has coauthored a book with his wife, “You Were Built For This”. His second book is scheduled to be released in early 2021. h
Coach William Huff Certified Life, Business, Entrepreneurial, Marriage, and Family Coach Speak Life Mentorship and Life Coaching 662-477-7351 www.speaklifemc.org 36
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Russell (Russ) Pennix
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