Huami Magazine Greenville/Spartanburg July/August 2019

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July/August 2019 Volume 2 Issue 12 FREE

TamaraHouston Renewal Life Counseling, LLC Greenville/Spartanburg - July/August 2019

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The Last Step Begins With Taking The First One A Letter From The Editor

There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It! One of the toughest challenges for an entrepreneur is making

the decision to pour all of themselves into their dreams. For me, the difficult part was dropping the crutches and learning A Letter from the Editor how to faithfully balance my life on the foundations of what I wanted to become.

What if tomorrow didn’t arrive? All of your plans, hopes I admit that sometimes my dreams have felt like nightmares, and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if especially when things don’t sound and look familiar, or make everything that you decided to put off until tomorrow never any sense. As I have learned from other ‘dream chasers’, the happened? There would be no reason to save for a rainy plan with a thirst of independence.

Yet, I would soon day,began and you could spare someone the trouble of making learn the journey can be a draining experience.

That is why promises. What if your last opportunity seemingly expiredit’s sotoday? important towould know you where What do?the refilling stations are positioned along the way.

I’ve been told that I often seem like I do too much.

During the moments when I have enough run out and of answers and Honestly, I feel like I am not doing I’m a firm solutions, andthat reflect onwouldn’t the reasons why I decided believer Iinpause knowing God put anything on me tothat be an entrepreneur.

These are times that me an I couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonderaffords how life would opportunity my and desire to continue press on.

When be if I chosetotorefill sit idle accept what it and presented to me.

I I doubt my ability to finish the job, I think about the first step I have found that to be very boring. In my opinion, opportunity took begin,that thenisn’t I amafforded refilled. to Aseveryone.

I encounter is a to blessing A naysayers challenge and ‘dream-killers’, I am once again refilled because it proves that to me is an adventure. What is the worst that can happen?

I’m in theI right direction. is but another important If headed I do nothing, fail, and if I try I This don’t, instead learn step ofsomething my journey. new about myself. Relinquish your pride and in return acquire life.

As ‘dream-chasers’, instead of doubting ourselves, we should takeThe value in advice the many accomplishments of our when lives. someone To make it best ever given to me happened from the first step to the fifth step, it demanded perseverance, told me to make my tomorrow happen today. In doing so determination, accountability, andwith sacrifice.

So, to make I have pressedfaith, my way through doors a key that only it hope from the sixth step to the twentieth one, we must prepare provided. I have also learned the difference between ourselves toblesses repeat me what was done previously and apply few what God with and what life can burden me awith more methods if needed. as well. I compare it to knowing when to be confident and when to be quiet, because Of someone course, we willget make may it confused mistakes, and yes, we will with being arrogant. stumble, but what’s important is that we learn from these Make youoccurrences tomorrow and allowhappen them totoday, strengthen us. It’s but most also possible that make we may repeat importantly it count. someLife or even all of the same is but a whisper and mistakes, and that too is okay. we must put ourselves in a Remember that everything position to hear what itplays is a significant tellingrole us. to help us reach the final step of our journey. Only then we will see how important taking the first step was.L. Watson Terry

Terry L. Watson Editor/Founder

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 Yasmine Regester Writer Writers

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A Group For Followers and mykelmedia@yahoo.com Supporters Huami Magazine (336) of 340-7844 HUAMI MAGAZINE is published bimonthly quarterly by the Mykel Media Company. Any reproduction of any portion of this publication is prohibited without written permission from the publisher prior to doing so. Mykel Media doesn’t accept responsibility for statements made by individuals featured or advertisers. Comments concerning this publication may be submitted to the editor by E-mail at terrywatson@huamimagazine.com Email or Telephone terry.editor@yahoo.com terry.editor@yahoo.com or to 336-340-7844 Mykel Media Company, LLC P.O. Box 20102 Greensboro, NC 27420 HUAMI MAGAZINE 2019 All Rights Reserved 2014 All Rights Reserved

On The Cover

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CONTENTS

GREENVILLE/SPARTANBURG

Q Loves Hair

Qweshanda Mauney

6

On The Cover

Renewal Life Counseling Tamara Houston

Praising God With Dance

Janya Wilkes

10

18

JULY/AUGUST 2019

16

What’s New With Patriot Owners

Elliott Washington Jr.

13

Huami Magazine Cutest Baby

Jonas Malcolm Jackson

Also Featured

Ashley Davis Meet the owner of Fly Feet Boutique & Styles of Columbia, South Carolina.

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Cynthia Reynolds There is magic in her fingers. Sewcynt of Cyntsational Designs

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Greenville/Spartanburg - July/August 2019

Demetra & Anthony This is how it should be done. Omega Security Solutions, LLC of Richmond, Virginia.

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HuamiMagazine.com

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TamaraHouston Renewal Life Counseling, LLC

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HuamiMagazine.com

Greenville/Spartanburg - July/August 2019

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Harold Marshall Some people seek the services of a professional counselor for various reasons including marriage and divorce, career and employment, and even depression. For whatever reason, the common need for most is assistance to manage the problems and stressor they face every day. Fortunately, there is someone who has dedicated their life and career to meeting the needs of such individuals.

Tamara Houston of Greenville, SC is the owner of Renewal Life Counseling, LLC, a multi-specialty, multi-provider group practice.

She is a graduate of Berea College in Berea, KY, and the University of Georgia. She is also a Clinical Social Worker and has enjoyed entrepreneurship for six years as the owner of Renewal Life Counseling, LLC and contractor for other mental health practices.

Tamara launched her practice in 2015, while doing contract work for a psychiatric group practice. “I was familiar and comfortable with going into my clients homes, as I had worked in hospice for eight years, and supported patients and families while they dealt with the impacts of a terminal illness. There were components of operating a private practice that I was ignorant to. Still, I stepped out on faith and took care of the logistical needs to start seeing clients in their home,” she shares.

Renewal Life Counseling, LLC initially began as a mobile mental health practice. About a year into her venture, Tamara contacted a friend and local entrepreneur to ask about obtaining her business license. On that call, her friend offered to sublease Tamara an office space. “There was no well-thought out plan to start the practice.

The path I took presented me with a number of opportunities to learn various aspects of business, and now I’m able to teach that to others,” Tamara says.

While the practice is owned and operated by Tamara Houston LISW-CP, other clinicians affiliate with the group to offer services they specialize in. Tamara offers individual and family therapy to both children and adults. The group specializes in areas of trauma, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, work-life balance, grief and bereavement, parenting support, and stress management.

Medication management services are offered by a nurse practitioner on a short-term basis.

Tamara shares that any therapeutic service begins with a psychosocial and mental health assessment to gather more information about the client and the reasons why they are seeking assistance. The other purpose for the assessment is to ensure the patient-client dynamic is going to be a good fit. “From the assessment, there is time spent working on a treatment plan, which is a documented map of what the client wants to work on, and how that will take place, and its duration. These treatment plans are ‘living documents’, so the direction of treatment can change at the agreement of the clinician and client. This same process takes place in groups as well, but the treatment plan looks different because the goals and objectives of the groups are already defined by the person facilitating, and those are discussed at the start of the group,” she says.

“The path I took presented me with a number of opportunities to learn aspects of business that I am now able to teach to others.”

Continued on the next page

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Another important product that Renewal Life offers is information. “Clients are considered to be experts on their own ‘stuff’ or what they bring into the office. This is combined with a toolbox of strengths they’ve accumulated over their lifetime. The clinician is there to help the client sift through their stuff, and provide information about ways to manage it better, and perhaps remind them of the tools they have, and offer ideas on more effective ways to use them,” she says.

Tamara shares she enjoys consulting with and mentoring women, who are either at the initial stages of starting a business or feeling stuck and simply need support and encouragement to pursue their life’s passion. “I am passionate about helping people work through life stressors to maintain a more sustainable mind-set and drive to manage life more effectively and efficiently,” she said.

Tamara is equally passionate about the additional services Renewal Life offers which include an on-site women’s empowerment group that meets several times during the year, and a new, one-day workshop for adolescent girls, both led by Kemeako Dillard, LPC. Other group and support offerings include individual parenting/coaching sessions and group opportunities that are led by Angela Gaines, LBSW, and grief support and consulting services for other private practice owners.

Tamara shares her greatest accomplishment is her family. She has been married for 14 years, a union that has produced three children. “Serving in my family has been the best training ground for what I encounter daily in my work. It has taught me how to balance the need to adjust to difficult situations, be flexible in thought, and make self-care a priority. One of her favorite sayings is ‘you can’t give to others something that you don’t have’. Therefore, it is important for me to maintain balance in all areas of life,” she says.

Tamara says she is inspired mostly be her grandmother, Birtie Gaines. “She was a business owner and cosmetologist for 18 years and I saw how diligent she was in her work and how proud she was of her work. I always admired her perseverance to grow in her skill set. I do not take for granted the example of perseverance that she is. Even today, she understands business and continues to offer me great advice is also quick to tell me when I’m doing too much and need to sit down somewhere,” Tamara shares.

Moving forward with Renewal Life Counseling, LLC, Tamara plans to add some additional services to her practice that will include yoga and stress management workshops. She also hopes to bring on more clinicians, with one starting in the fall. Most recently, she launched a Facebook group for professionals to engage in dialogue and activities to support their self-care needs, and to allow her to interview other helping professionals, and provide another level of exposure on the services that are offered within the community. This fall, Tamara will be serving as the President-Elect of the South Carolina Society of Clinical Social Workers, which is an organization that promotes clinical education, support, and networking to all clinicians across the state. Additionally, she will work on some material to present on HIPAA - compliance and building private practices. h

Services Offered

Individual And Family Therapy Client or family is seen for mental health services in the office.

Assessment and Referral Clients access their Employee Assistance benefits through their employer, which provides a set number of sessions with a therapist for free.

Clients issues are assessed, a brief treatment plan is established; clients tend to get an opportunity to work on one or more specific issues or may be referred for individual/family therapy or other services to deal with an issue for a longer period of time.

Telemental Health Individual and family therapy provided via an electronic device (laptop, telephone, etc.). The platform used is HIPAA-compliant to protect the client’s privacy rights.

Psychotherapy/Support Groups Women’s/girl’s empowerment groups, grief and bereavement, parenting support.

Tamara Houston, LISW-CP, EAS-C 123 Commons Way Greenville, SC 29611 864-416-4560 www.renewallifecounseling.com 9

Qweshanda Mauney

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Qweshanda Mauney Hailing from Columbia, S.C., Qweshanda Mauney is living her life the way she wants to; by walking in her purpose and encouraging others to do the same. She is a wife to an amazing, supportive, and understanding husband, and mother of two active, opinionated, and inquisitive sons. She is a licensed cosmetology professional, with over 24 years of experience in the beauty industry, and licensed cosmetology instructor. With this role, she serves as an Executive Master Level educator with Farouk Systems, the manufacturers of CHI and BioSilk products.

Qweshanda says she is grateful that God has allowed her to operate in that which also captivated her at a young age, and for such a long time.

Now she is prepared to show her gratitude by giving and restoring hope to entrepreneurs and business owners that have faced obstacles.

Though things are sort of changing in regards to the way she does business, her approach and committment hasn’t. As the owner of Salon Q – Private Beauty Studio, she has decided to retire from behind the chair, and not accepting any new ones. She is also the owner of Q & A Cosmetology Association, LLC, and QLovesHair.com, which offers information and insight on various topics including ncluding beauty business strategies and host R.E.S.E.T. work sessions.

“I started Salon Q in 2010, as a residential private salon. My son had been diagnosed as autistic and began to receive home therapy. His sessions totalled 30 hours per week and required parental supervision, and forced me to choose between working at my salon suite, or closing it all together to focus on his needs. I chose to work from home and eventually converted our garage into a 400 sq ft salon space, and I never looked back,” she says.

Qweshanda conitinued on this path until deciding to retire from the behind the chair in January 2019.

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Her other venture, Q & A Cosmetology Association, LLC is an organization dedicated to the education in the beauty industry.

It is approved by the South Carolina State Board of Cosmetology to provide Continuing Education Courses for our fellow Cosmetologists and offers mentoring and shadowing programs for other licensees.

QLovesHair.com was started in 2017 during a season in Qweshanda’s life when she experienced a few adverse physical conditions which encouraged her to explore other ways to make a living. She began by posting educational videos for her clients and fellow licensees on YouTube. This grew into more educating and mentoring opportunities, and assisted other industry professionals with creating and developing their own businesses and branding campaigns. She continued along this path, which has opened even more doors of opportunities.

Beauty Business Strategist (BBS, No BS) she shares was created to help develop and implement successful business and branding strategies for entrepreneurs and beauty business owners. She offers short- and long-term coaching services in business including starting, operating, profits, customer service, salon morale and comradery, and more. There is also a component that touches on branding which involves brand development and refreshing, video and photography, websites, and business stationary.

Love & Beauty TV™️ are webisodes that Qweshanda creates that are dedicated to the beauty industry that feature Master Beauty Professionals. In these she discusses various topics important to her industry such as hair and makeup, deregulation and professionalism.

The information is obtained directly from the mouths of professionals.

She also highlights many of the talented stylist within her community on the show.

There is also, R.E.S.E.T.™️, a curriculum created by Qweshanda. “I know firsthand how life can swing at you hard, often without warning.

This is especially damaging to small business owners that deal with traumatic experiences. They are their business, so when they suffer, so will their dreams, aspirations, and businesses too. I created this curriculum to share my experiences and how I recovered from them.

The work session is a 2 day curriculum that is designed to help other get back on track. “It’s tough, it’s in your face, but it’s effective and I’m so proud of it,” she says.

Qweshanda says she pours into the lives of others because others too have poured into her. “I experienced a lot of pain and rejection in this industry, especially in the first half of my career. After a major illness, I was going to walk away for good. I didn’t believe I had the training or the skill to be as successful as I wanted to be. When I reached out to others, doors were slammed in my face, literally. I wasn’t prepared for what came at me,” she shares. Still she survived and succeeded but know that something needed to be done so that others wouldn’t experience the same things she had.

“Something is wrong,” she said. “We have the skill, but we lack the life balance and business knowledge we need and it is destroying us and our industry. I want to help change this because we work too hard and give up too much to not reap the fruits of our labor.”

Being a professional hair stylist offers a few unique perks. For Qweshanda, she loves the opportunity she has to leave a little bit of herself with those she interacts with. “I’m blessed to help people who’ve lost hope, decide to give it another try. I get to help people reach milestones they thought they’d never see. Watching people light up with joy when they finally understand the power they have and being able to help people reach their goals is a very rewarding experience,” she says.

Moving forward, Qweshanda plans to go full time with her projects.

She is currently accepting new coaching clients and is prepared to conduct her first live event for R.E.S.E.T.™️ this fall. She has recorded multiple episodes of Love & Beauty™️ and is in the editing phase. She is always looking to connect with other professionals who love this industry as much as she does. h

Qweshanda Mauney www.qloveshair.com 864-567-5187 11

huami MAGAZINE

Cutest Baby

Jonas Malcolm Jackson

To submit photographs to be placed in the Huami Magazine Cutest Baby feature, please send a The son of Kyara Thomas and Tristan Jackson detailed email to huami.cutestbaby@gmail.com

Richmond, Virgina

By Dawn Cauthen Thornton Photos by Lechele Trent Jackson

Most parents believe it’s their job to assist their child in achieving anything they have ever dreamed of. They motivate them and often give them boosts of confidence needed to take necessary steps forward. But when the child motivates the parent to do the same thing, it’s undeniably transforming.

Anthony ‘Tony’ Brewer experienced this firsthand, after years of contemplating starting his own business, but wasn’t sure where to begin. His own son, wife, and a business owner were instrumental in the creation of Omega Security Solutions, LLC. Of course, the Almighty orchestrated the feat and Anthony hasn’t looked back since.

The veteran’s connection to securing the safety of others dates back decades when he served six years in the U.S. Army as a combat nurse. When the time was right, he ended his military career but continued nursing as a civilian. Eventually he was ready to embark on other ideas and decided to go to barber school. From there, he owned and operated his own barbershop until he was ready to move on to something else.

“Someone mentioned that a school was hiring for security and so I was a security officer for the school system for eight or nine years,” Tony explains. But in 2001, his life took a turn that led him down a dark path. Drug use consumed him, and he found himself in a recovery facility in Atlanta, GA. Tony spent the next two years reclaiming his life. Since then, he’s made the decision to not allow previous mistakes to define the direction of his journey.

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HuamiMagazine.com

Triad - July/August 2019

Once he found his way back to Richmond, VA, his security roles ensued, and he continued to make strides with his recovery. He even yielded to the call he’s been running from since the age of 18 – to serve as one of God’s messengers. “I always felt like preachers were stuck up and had no life. But I realized that’s not true, “says Tony.

In 2010 he received his preaching license, and by 2014, Tony had graduated with a master’s degree in Divinity, from Virginia Union University. Now he travels from time to time to share God’s word.

A word wasn’t the only thing that Tony provided, he also offered his gift in making those around him feel protected. “When you’re given a gift, you share it.” A few years ago, Tony’s son (also named Anthony) established a recurring event at his Richmond coffee shop where he asked his father to provide security. He did, and it was a safe, fun event where the community could fellowship with no worries. Soon after, his son referred him to a fellow businessman who owned a construction site that had been robbed of equipment several times. He was looking for the best and it seems that is just what he got when he hired Anthony and his team of trained professionals.

“There is a big piece of this puzzle that I don’t want you to miss,” Demetra, Tony’s wife and business partner, interjects. “Even with his son initiating and encouraging him, we still had to figure out how we were going to do this. We looked at our own financial situation and realized we didn’t have the money. Our credit didn’t look good so we couldn’t get a loan. When we started we didn’t really have a business yet. But God worked it out. When the construction company started paying us, we were able to obtain our license and are now are accredited as a business.”

Tony had been perusing this idea for two years and was on the brink of giving up. In January 2019, Omega Security Solutions, LLC was officially in business and didn’t waste time obtaining more clients. They have recently been granted their largest contract to date, with a local church, offering mobile security for the remainder of the year.

Omega also provides security for private parties and single events.

Demetra and Anthony Brewer Owners of Omega Security Solutions, LLC

To help grow the budding business, Demetra, who also oversees the marketing, advertises on the radio and just produced their first television commercial.

They’ve learned that one of the biggest obstacles is budgeting. “You have to know what to pay your employees, what to spend money on, and what to invest in,” says Tony. Another matter of importance is knowing what to pay yourself and how to do bookkeeping to ensure taxes are properly handled.

Of all the struggles they’ve faced, neither of them would have it any other way. “It feels great to own a business.

It’s stressful but also rewarding,” says Demetra. There were a few naysayers that didn’t believe in their vision, but knowing they have something to pass on to future generations makes it all worthwhile. The couple sees their children and grandchildren one day taking over and growing the business even more. h

Owners of Omega Security Solutions, LLC (804) 683-7961 www.omegasecurity.solutions 15

Elliott Washington Jr. PatriotOwners.com

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Apollo Wonex What’s the latest and greatest happenings at PatriotOwners. com? Owner Elliott Washington Jr. says their current focus is streamlining the process of home ownership for fellow veterans.

Since being featured in Huami Magazine earlier, they fast moving group has been working on military bases at Fort Jackson in Columbia, SC and Shaw AFB in Sumter, SC. They are working with veterans that are getting ready to separate and other veterans that currently reside around the base.

Starting on August 24th, Elliott will be presenting The Financial Blueprint seminars in downtown Greenville inside of 935 S. Main Street, on the 4th floor. As of now the free event is held every other month and non veterans are welcomed to attend as well. There is a line up of financial professionals speaking to fellow veterans on various topics such as mortgages, credit restoration, business set up, business credit, business funding, real estate, CPA Tips, and more. Refreshments will be provided and the doors will open at 8:00 am, with the seminar running from 9:00 am until noon. There will breakout sessions afterward for more one on one and networking.

Elliott wants to be clear on the tools that his company provides. “My fellow veterans, I’m not considered a lender but as a comrade or a mission commander leading my team to a successful path to home ownership.

When we speak, we can relate to sacrifice and military life, and being away from home, serving campaigns, standing the watch, service connected disabilities, teamwork, and more. Have no doubt that I will not leave anyone behind enemy lines. I will drag you across the line for home ownership, by any means necessary,” he shares.

Elliott says the purpose for what he does is simple. “Due to the sacrifice that myself and my fellow veterans have made and are willing to make, we deserves ownership of this great land, and not just rental or lease of it. If that’s not the desire of a veteran so be it, but I think it’s a travesty not to be able to own a piece of the soil that we were willing to risk it all for,” he says.

He is also working on creating several communities within the 30 states that he is licensed in for my fellow veterans. He also acquired several acres of property in downtown Greenville, in Columbia, and several acres towards the South Carolina and Georgia line. He is also working to provide veteran entrepreneurs with an opportunity to have retail spaces for business, which includes business incubators. To learn more about PatriotOwners.com please contact them directly. h

PatriotOwners.com 2007 Woodruff Road Greenville, South Carolina (864) 580-6402

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Janya Wilkes I am

Spiritual Mime Dancer

Please describe yourself as a dancer and p erson

Follw Jayna Wilkes on Facebook and Youtube (864) 651-8507

I am a very educated, blessed and beautiful young girl who speaks positivity into my life to reflect the blessings God gave me.

Why did you decided to become a dancer I became a dancer because God gave this gift to me and I feel like it’s a great opportunity for me to honor Him.

When and how did you begin I began my dancing career at the age of five.

I was inspired by Shirley Caesar.

What do you love most about dancing I like dancing because it’s my way of blessing people and a way for me to praise God.

What are your biggest inspirations Watching my mother battling cancer and watching her “praise” her way through.

What is your testimony My testimony is to “never give up on God because He won’t give up on you.

What do you love most about your life Waking up every day knowing that God has given me another opportunity to bless people.

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Ashley D

A

V

I

S

Fly Feet Boutique 20

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Fly Feet Boutique Ashley Davis is a wife, mother and survivor. She is also the daughter of the late Licita WashingtonWilliams and the granddaughter of the late Bessie P. Foster. She is self-described as a survivor and says she never envisioned herself without the ladies that raised her, yet here she is. “Dealing with the grief of losing them is the hardest thing I’ve ever been through. You don’t know how strong you are until strength and the Lord are all you have,” she says.

Ashley is also the owner of Fly Feet Boutique, a one stop shop for custom pieces, styling, and closet organization. She started Fly Feet Boutique in 2013 initially in response for her love of shoes.

“I wear a size 10 in women and always found it difficult to find stylish shoes in my size,” she says.

In 2014 she introduced custom pieces and styling to the mix.

“I assist with coordinating looks for print ads, public appearances, weddings, and more. I also come into your home and help you “purge” your closet,” she shares. If someone is need of a oneof-a-kind piece for a special occasion, chances are that Fly Feet Boutique can create something.

Ashley says her mother, grandmother, and children have impacted both her life and career the most. Her mother and grandmother were both entrepreneurial, well spoken, well dressed, god fearing women who had a great sense of humor.

Her mother passed away when Ashley was 21 and her grandmother passed away in January of this year. Now, she has two children of her own to raise, Alahnna, 16 and Mj, 13. “Being a mother can be challenging, but it has pulled a delicate strength out of me I didn’t I know existed,” she said.

To run her business, Ashley looks for inspiration within herself. Of course she reads magazines she shares, but she also watches documentaries, and follows other stylist. However, Ashley says when she’s alone, that is when it all comes together.

“I simply want to grow in whatever way the Lord has for me, whether it be In my business or personal life. I have an open mind and a eager heart for learning, but most importantly I have a faithful spirit. If I take two steps, I know the Lord will take three,” Ashley says.

To learn more about Fly Feet Boutique and Style, please contact Ashley Davis, and follow them on h Facebook and Instagram @ Fly Feet Boutique.

Fly Feet Boutique & Style 864-205-1586 21

NitaNo Washington More Tears 22

By Terry L. Watson Photo by Nita Washington Nita Washington of Spartanburg is a true definition of a survivor. She is an author, advocate for the prevention of domestic violence, and has launched her very own line of self-defense products. She also produces her own radio show, No More Tears, that airs every Wednesday at 8:00pm.

As an author, wife and mother, she has chosen to use her writing platform to reach others who may face many of the things she has in life. She is the author of ‘No More Tears, a book that shares the story of how she was victimized by domestic violence. “I write about incidents in my life that have a molded me into the person I am today,” she shares. “My stories come from the heart, from situations I survived, and the lessons I’ve learned from. I write to help others overcome by letting them know that I made it and they can too as well.”

“I am inspired mostly by my family, my husband, my children and my godson. I started writing after going through a lot of trials in her life. She shares how she had to learn to trust and know who God really was in her life. She was once given two weeks to live and had to rely solely on her faith in God during the experience. “God stepped in and gave me back everything that the devil tried to steal from me. I’m here to tell everyone that what Satan tried to do, didn’t work,” she says.

Nita says that her life experiences have pushed her to do many things with her life, which she hopes will impact the lives of others. She was once a victim of domestic violence which I write about in my book ‘No More Tears’. “That experience brought me from a time of pain and suffering to a strength I never knew I had. Reluctantly, I had to experience that same senseless act with the loss of my cousin to domestic violence,” she says. She has started a movement “Misha’s Movement” to educate others about domestic violence and states that It is her hope that other will be empowered to seek help.

Moving forward, Nita plants to continue to push for victory for others who may be dealing with domestic violence. She also plans to write another book and continue to share her story. “I want to build a bigger platform and reach the world and be a voice for others through speaking and doing whatever I can to help other make it through difficult situations,” she says. “Life isn’t always perfect, but I wouldn’t change anything about my life because my experiences have made me strong and made me who I am today,” she says. h

To purchase a copy of No More Tears please visit www.amazon.com and search for Nita Washington (864) 651-8507 23

Cynthia “SewCynt” Reynolds

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Cynthia Reynolds When examining the garments Cynthia Reynolds creates, one would be led to believe that she has magic in her fingers. That would be an accurate assessment. She is the creative designer and face of Cyntsational Designs, a custom clothing and garment design company.

Cynthia is a mother, sister, auntie, cousin, and friend. Her life has had its share of ups and downs, yet she has maintained and persevered through them all. Most importantly, she is a God-fearing woman who and true testament of someone who exercises their faith to its fullest capacity. “I inspire, challenge, and motivate myself to go above and beyond my own expectations. I believe there are no limits to what I can accomplish and I’m always eager to learn more about myself and my craft,” she says.

“Cyntsational Designs is a form of art that I design and create through sewing. It is not only my brand, it’s also my love and passion and something that allows me to feel honored and humbled. I’ve been sewing since the age of 18 and have always known this was what I wanted to do. I’m extremely blessed to be able to express my thoughts and ideas in the form of clothing and other items,” Cynthia says.

“Every piece is meticulously thought, planned, and executed with compassion.”

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She has always had the desire to sew and been equally creative with both design and home interiors. Her business began in Charlotte North Carolina, amidst her divorce. While she drudged through her thoughts of single parenting and isolation, a very dear friend suggested that she find something that she liked to do to occupy her time. She also needed to do something that would generate an income.

“I decided to design and create my daughter a dress to wear for Easter. From that design my younger sister also wanted different pieces made and would eventually become a constant source of encouragement for me. My confidence grew as well as the desire to do more,” she shares.

While others admired her sister’s pieces, more work and opportunities began to pour in. What began as pleasure and a hobby became the birth of her business.

Today, Cynthia’s product line includes custom church usher uniforms, women’s dresses, After 5 attire, formal wear, infants and toddlers wear, little girls formal wear and Easter designs. She also produces prom gowns, bridal gowns, wedding party gowns and dresses, suits, garment bags, handbags, and more, and she is constantly evolving and learning new ways of how to expand and improve her brand.

For weddings she can service the bride and her wedding party, even on the day of wedding, providing any last-minute alterations and making certain everything is perfect. She will also travel to different states for fittings and consultations.

For her business to thrive, Cynthia knew she would have to pour her heart into it. “My drive, motivation and determination are immeasurable. I love the fact that my business allows me to envision art in the form of sewing and then take that vision and create beautiful and unique pieces. It has also given me the opportunity to meet many people from different walks of life. I’m ecstatic when someone shares their vision of what they want, and I can bring their vision to life. The feeling is overwhelming. “I am also grateful for the flexibility my business provides to be there for my children and grandchild. I have an 18-year-old daughter teaching her to always have a plan and to pursue your passions is very important to me. I advise her to never give up despite life’s obstacles,” she said.

The life of an entrepreneur can often present its own set of challenges. For Cynthia one was finding ways to manufacturer the usher uniforms she creates. Another one was having the financial means to operate. “I remain confident, knowing the results will be rewarding,” she says.

Moving forward, Cynthia plans to continue to improve her craft. She also hopes to launch her own clothing line and h possibly become a celebrity designer.

Cyntsational Designs www.sewcynt.com (202) 718-3946

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