Hampton Roads - Jan./Feb. 2022
HuamiMagazine.com 1
My Expectations and The Truth A Letter From The Editor
There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It!
I would have to say that I grew up poor by world standards. I never felt like it because my mother constantly poured unconditional love into my other siblings and me. Her love A Letter from the Editor wouldn’t allow me to focus on what I didn’t have or anything I could be missing. However, as life happened, I realized that when to others, my experiences Whatcompared if tomorrow didn’t arrive? All of your were plans,more hopes complex. Even still, I had the opportunity to overcome them. and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if everything that you decided to put off until tomorrow never One of the most important I learned from happened? There would bethings no reason to save formy a rainy upbringing is that the truth will always override my day, and you could spare someone the trouble of making expectations. The very firstlast caropportunity that I owned, I purchased promises. What if your seemingly expired for today? myself. What It wasn’t a new vehicle, but it was mine. It had a would you do? few dents, and the tires didn’t match either. The heat or air conditioning didn’t exhaust pipe would I’ve been toldwork, that I and oftenthe seem like I do too much.shake I feel like I am not doing enough and I’mitawas firm likeHonestly, a leaf when I started the car, probably because believer in knowing that God wouldn’t put anything on meof being held in place by the wiring of a close hanger. With all that I couldn’t handle. I sometimes how and life would its imperfections, my car was a beautywonder in my sight, I was be if I chose to sit idle and accept what it presented to me. I very appreciative to own it. have found that to be very boring. In my opinion, opportunity is a blessing that isn’t to everyone. A challenge Though it seemed likeafforded I drove that car for all eternity, it only to me is an adventure. What is the worst that can happen? survived one year with me. I didn’t keep gas in the fuel tank, do nothing, I fail, I try I Idon’t, instead andIfI Inever changed theand oil ifeither. drovebut it fast, andlearn on cold something new about myself. Relinquish your pride and in mornings I didn’t allow it to warm up. Rarely did I bathe it or return acquire life. even provide it with routine or preventative maintenance, and before I knew it, my first and only method of transportation The best and advice ever me happened when someone slowed down shut offgiven in thetomiddle of the road. told me to make my tomorrow happen today. In doing so I have pressed my way through doors with a key that only See, I expected my car to run forever, but the truth is hope provided. I have also learned the difference between I never did anything to ensure that it would. I expected what God blesses me with and what life can burden me with my car to go when I needed it to but never considered my as well. I compare it to knowing when to be confident and thoughtless and erratic treatment’s impact on it. I expected to when to be quiet, because ride forever, but the truth is I neversomeone investedmay in my future. getcars’ it confused with being arrogant. I’m saying that we will only get out of lifeMake whatyou we put into it. How tomorrow will we ever expect tobut know God happen today, most if we never spend time with Him? importantly make it count. My goalLife in life is to win. Forand this is but a whisper to happen, I must be willing toindo we must put ourselves a what is position necessary winwhat and italign to to hear is myself with what telling us. is true, which is God’s expectations.
Terry L. Watson Editor/Founder
Terry L. Watson 4
4
HuamiMagazine.com
November/December 2014
www.huamimagazine.com Terry L. Watson
Publisher
www.huamimagazine.com Terry L. Watson Editor In Chief Writer Terry L. Watson Writer Arielle Kilgore Alana Allen - Deputy Editor Dorjea’ McClammey Writer Ellen Richardson Writer Writers
Tonya Dixon Terry L. Watson Still Shots Photography Alana Allen Photographer Tamara Smith Todd Youngblood Jeuron Dove Photographer Santana B Photography Photographer Photographers Perfect Lenz Photography Todd Youngblood Photography
To Advertise? ShawWant Photography Group Still Shots Photography Send An Email or Call Today
Who Shotya Photography huami.greenville@gmail.com (336)340-7844 Layout Howard Gaither Photography
Mykel Media Company Linda Bennett
mykelmedia@yahoo.com (336) 340-7844 HUAMI MAGAZINE is published 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 Greensboro, NCeditor by may be submitted to the 2022 All Rights Reserved E-mail at terrywatson@huamimagazine.com terry.editor@yahoo.com or to Mykel Media Company, LLC P.O. Box 20102 Greensboro, NC 27420 HUAMI MAGAZINE 2014 All Rights Reserved
On The Cover
Photo by Shaw Photography Group
Want To Advertise? Call (336)340-7844
HAMPTON ROADS
CONTENTS
JAN./FEB. 2022
Lynique Browning 14
The Mad Diva Concierge
On The Cover
Happy Pen Creative Writing Monica Montgomery
6
Delectable Delights by Tarolyn
Tarolyn Street
22
KB Management
Kelvena Benson
Huami Magazine Cutest Baby
Railyn Kate
28
27
Also Featured
Celia Newman She has a passion for helping and serving others. Meet the founder of She Got Game League. Memphis, TN
18
Brian K. McNeill He is known as the Confidence Coach. Learn more about what he has to offer. Charlotte, NC
10
Debbie Leverette Meet the face and founder of Debbie’s Got The Tea. She has natural methods to help with common ailments. Greenville, SC
32 5
Monica Montgomery
The Happy Pen Creative Writing Services
By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Monica Montgomery
For Monica Montgomery, her life has happened by way of the right opportunities. Writing is something that Monica realized a love for early in life. The East Saint Louis, MO native was raised by a single mother and is the youngest in the family of four. She grew up and still resides in East St. Louis and shares she was blessed to be exposed to the greatness that East St. Louis is known for. “I come from a creative family, so writing was a natural path for me. I love reading stories about mysterious people and magical places. However, it wasn’t until I wrote my first short story for the Young Author’s contest in the 5th grade that I believed I could create those people and places. The entire class was asked to write a story for the contest. I complained to my sister that I didn’t know what to write about. Annoyed, she said the most random thing she could think of. “Write about The Backwards City of Page.” She rattled it off as if it was a real place, and I should have known where and what it was. Then she said, “It’s where everything is backward!” With her help, I wrote my first piece of fiction. I was hooked from that day on,” Monica says. Monica is the owner of The Happy Pen Creative Writing Services. Her company offers writing seminars, coaching sessions, and commercial writing for websites and personal projects. Monica received a scholarship to Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina. She completed her Bachelor’s of Arts, English Literature, and music minor at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, and received her MFA, Fiction Writing from Lindenwood University, St. Charles. In 2020 she was selected to participate in the East St. Louis Urban Education Teaching Residency Program. The program was an intense ten-month accelerated Master’s degree program and helped Monica earn a Master’s in Elementary Education from National Louis University. Today, Monica works as a first-grade teacher at Wyvetter Younge School of Excellence in East St. Louis. Professionally, she has written, directed, and produced several Christian plays and skits for her church’s youth group and spent the last fifteen years volunteering and mentoring youth in dramatic arts.
Her first short story was published in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, “Chicken Soup for the African American Woman’s Soul,” in 2006. She has written her first novel series, “An Everlasting Love”. The first two books, An Everlasting Love: Concrete Soul and The Summer of Carlos, are available for purchase on Amazon. com, and the third book of the series will be released in June 2022. Additionally, she writes for I Am East St. Louis the Magazine and serves as V.P. at Top Dog Studios, a St. Louis-based independent film group. Monica says what she enjoys most about writing is the ability to create a place of learning and escape simultaneously. “I love reading because I get to travel to far-off places and meet people from every walk of life and beyond. When I write, I don’t just want to tell a story; I want to create a space where the author, reader, and character meet in a harmonious ebb and flow. A place where one doesn’t exist without the other. The highest praise is when the reader or audience refers to a character as independent, free-thinking. I’ve had people walk up to me and say they have a love-hate relationship with one of my characters. The word that stuck out to me was relationship. As an educator, I love when a student gets it. Whether it be a first-grader learning to count by ten or someone taking up the challenge of writing, the light in their eyes is the same. It’s like a door they weren’t aware of opens, and they are breathing for the first time. It’s amazing to watch,” she says. Like anyone else, Monica says she could spend hours talking about her wounds, woes, and regrets, but it wouldn’t change anything. Ultimately, it has been her trust in God that has carried her throughout her life. She shares, “In my late twenties, I was diagnosed with cancer. I have been in remission for fourteen years now, but it was a wake-up call. I could no longer wait for the life I wanted. I had to go out and get it. I never imagined myself as an author and a teacher. When I entered the Young Author’s contest in 5th grade, my teacher said she believed she had heard the story before and accused me of cheating. I knew I hadn’t, but it didn’t matter. I won second place in the district. The first prize went to a 6th grader. My teacher never apologized. and the damage was done. I have no children of my own, but I realized that my words and what I create with them are just as important to me as a child would be. Being honest meant exposing my “baby” to the world and subjecting it to public scrutiny and rejection. Any parent can tell you that hearing that your child isn’t good enough is painful, to say the least. To my surprise and excitement, readers are my writings, and I continue to trust God.” Monica says the one thing she would have changed about her journey in life would be publishing an essay back in high school. “I believe it would have gotten me into professional writing much sooner. Then again, would I have gained the experience that I think contributed to the person I am today? Destinations are great, but life is in the journey,” she says. h
Hampton Roads - Jan./Feb. 2022
HuamiMagazine.com 7
Drink 2 Shrink with Coach LaKesha By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Lakesha Spencer
“After committing myself to better my health, I changed my mindset around food and unhealthy behaviors. As a result, I have released 45 pounds, and I look and feel amazing.”
Drink 2 Shrink sounds almost unheard, yet the concept is a reality for Coach Lekesha Spencer. The fitness enthusiast has transformed her life simply by addressing her health needs head-on. The Detroit, MI native, says her company, Drink 2 Shrink with Coach LaKesha, was born in 2020 through her millionaire mentor, Stanecia Graham. LaKesha says Stanecia was the movement’s visionary, which allowed each partner to personalize and brand themselves in business. The concept is much like a franchise, minus the million-dollar startup cost. “It all began when I went to the doctor for a routine physical. My doctor prescribed me four medications to go along with the six prescriptions I already had. As a nurse, I knew the effects of drugs and the side effects. I had to make a change, so I got my mind right and lost 45 lbs. The rest was history. To this day, all 10 of those prescribed medications have been discontinued,” LaKesha says. For the most part, LaKesha shares her life is one of resilience. After several failed marriages, she learned how to bounce back and become the person she always knew she was. “After committing myself to better my health, I changed my mindset around food and unhealthy behaviors. As a result, I have released 45 pounds, and I look and feel amazing. I now walk with conviction about the products I offer. My ultimate goal is to help others who are serious about losing weight and becoming healthier,” she says. LaKesha describes herself as a devout woman of God and a beacon of light to her family and friends. She was reared as an only child by her loving mother, whom she describes as her best friend. Growing up, LaKesha shares she was taught she needed to go to college to get a good education to become a teacher, doctor, lawyer, or nurse. So that’s what she did. She studied hard, and I obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. After three years of working as a nurse, she knew that it wasn’t for her. “I often questioned if it was even my calling at all,” she says. That doubt led her to dabble in entrepreneurship. “April 2020, I had an emergency surgery. During that time off work, I realized that my Drink 2 Shrink business was more than a hobby, it really pays. After 28 years of nursing, I relinquished my safety net and became a full-time entrepreneur.”
8
LaKesha shares that entrepreneurship has afforded her the freedom and flexibility to do exactly what she wants. It also provides her with a chance to take care of her parents. “We have the opportunity to travel the world and enjoy one another,” she says. She shares what she loves most about her business: the results her clients obtain when they follow the designed regime she provides. “I love knowing their results put them in a happier place where they feel so much better about themselves. There is nothing like a girl being able to fit into her favorite pair of skinny jeans again, or her going into the backside of her closet and grabbing her favorite dress that she refused to give up after many years.” In addition to the positive results from her clients, LaKesha says their testimonies of overall improved health inspire her to keep pushing. “I am inspired because I am a product of the product, and I know firsthand the feelings I have from my transformation. I know that I am transforming lives, not just selling a product,” she says. As a coach, she offers this advice to anyone who wants to achieve their goal in life and in health. “Be very persistent and never give up on your goals and dreams. Be yourself and know that you can fulfill your heart’s desire if you don’t give up.” Her plans for 2022 are to stay consistent and build upon the double digits of the year with the expectation of doubling the number of clients that she can help. She also plans to double her income which she says will allow for her to help her family and people in her community. To learn more about Drink 2 Shrink with Coach LaKesha, please visit their website. h
Coach Lakesha Spencer www.healthylivingwithcoach.squarespace.com
Coachblings@gmail.com
9
10
HuamiMagazine.com
Hampton Roads - Jan./Feb. 2022
The Sales Confidence Coach By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Brian K. McNeill Brian K. McNeill of Charlotte, NC, is Brian K. McNeill is a true champion in the arena of “how to sell”. He has accumulated over 30 years of study and practice of professional selling. By his own count he has read over 700 books on Sales, Sales Management and Self Development. Brian has produced coaching programs, published several Best-Selling Books, and is committed to helping and serving others. The loving, caring husband and father is also a proud veteran of the US Army. Brian is the founder of The Sales Confidence Academy. In this capacity, he provides training and certification for entrepreneurs. He is the current president of Virtual Team Network, a global online networking organization. Brian exhibited signs of effectively communicating with almost anyone at an early age. He shares, “I entered the wonderful world of professional selling at the age of 23. That was 31 years ago. I soon came across some books about selling. After reading the first book, my interest grew, and before long, I had read several hundred books about sales. Some of the other topics were about Sales Management and Personal Development. The more I read, the better I became at selling. I eventually became a sales manager and my job. Sales and the knowledge and understanding of sales seemed easy to me, and soon I decided to start my own sales training company. Over the years, thousands of salespeople and entrepreneurs have benefited greatly from my sales training workshops, classes, and platform.” Today, he is recognized as Brian K. McNeill, the Sales Confidence Coach. In this role, he teaches entrepreneurs and salespeople what to say and do, to ensure they are confident and prosperous in selling themselves and their services. His services include Sales Coaching, Sales Training, Sales Speaking, and Sales Workshops.
Hampton Roads - Jan./Feb. 2022
HuamiMagazine.com 11
Some additional products include personalized and on-demand/self-paced sales training programs. He also has the Basic Essential Sales Training (BEST), a recorded seven-session curriculum covering the basic essentials entrepreneurs must know and the seven reasons why a client will say yes to you and your services. After completing the course, the entrepreneurs will have the correct language and confidence to sell their services successfully. There is also Get Profitable/Stay Profitable (GPSP), which includes everything in (BEST) plus a curriculum that teaches the entrepreneurs what to do with their time. Then finally, there is the Sales Confidence Course, the complete and updated course on How to Sell Your Services in today’s marketplace. One of the books that Brian has published is The Shortcut! - The Fastest route to Selling You and Your Services so that you earn more money than ever before! Another book he has published is Asking for the Money - How anyone can close more Sales, even you! Another publication is a children’s book, Why Rhinos Make Great Sales People - Featuring Mr. Randall the Rhino. Many of Brian’s typical clients are service-based entrepreneurs, Coaches and Consultants, Insurance and Financial Services Professionals, Attorneys, Accountants, and Bookkeepers. Brian has also founded the M.E.N (Male Empowerment Networks of Charlotte). This organization is a Support Discussion group that meets virtually twice a month and has been doing so since August 2013. “We know that men need men, and teenage men need men. So we provide a safe and transparent space for men to talk about anything.,” he says.
Brian K. McNeill The Sales Confidence
www.briankmcneill.online
Brian says he loves it when people take what he teaches them and earn more money as a result. “It brings me joy. I believe that God has uniquely gifted and qualified me to help people sell themselves and their services. My work is a ministry, and I honor God by helping people sell better,” he says. Moving forward, Brian shares he will continue to make his workshops available, especially through online courses, so that people can take the training on demand. To learn more about Brian K. McNeill, please visit his website. h
12
Hampton Roads - Jan./Feb. 2022
HuamiMagazine.com 13
14
HuamiMagazine.com
Hampton Roads - Jan./Feb. 2022
I Am The MAD Diva By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Lynique Browning
Lynique Browning is known as the Mad Diva. This multi-talented entrepreneur represents her home of Los Angeles, CA, fashionably. She is a licensed esthetician, certified makeup artist, certified bartender, and event coordinator. Her brands are the MAD Diva Concierge, MAD Diva Travels & Vacations, MAD Diva Media, MAD Diva Mixology, MAD Diva Makeup & Esthetics, and MAD Diva Meals. Originally from Ladera Heights, Lynique comes from a very large family; she has one sister and one brother, but she is the youngest of them all. She has always been a social butterfly also. “I know a lot of people, and because of that, I am making a lot of moves.” She has worked in the hospitality industry and entertainment finance, fashion, and more. These skills continue to play a huge role in her life and career. The Mad Diva brand has been built on hard work and opportunity. Lynique launched her business in 2010 initially as a makeup artist and esthetician. Before attending school for those skills mentioned, she worked as a bartender for celebrity events and private parties. “I’ve always known how to cook. I learned from watching my mom in the kitchen,” she says. Lynique’s media brand fell into place naturally as she gained experience by covering photography for the events that she booked.
Hampton Roads - Jan./Feb. 2022
HuamiMagazine.com 15
Lynique says she loves being able to network and meet people. She is also thankful for her opportunity to build an international brand while she travels across the globe. She says she is inspired mostly by her mother. She credits her mother for being consistent and laying a path for her to succeed. She is also motivated by her sister who has similar aspirations as Lynique does. Like most entrepreneurs, Lynique has faced some challenges. One of them has been loyalty. “I have sought the assistance of friends to help grow my brand, only to see them attempt to duplicate my business idea and turn their backs on me,” she says. Another challenge she has faced is constantly promoting and marketing her brand in business, something she says is costly and time-consuming. Lynique is well on her way to achieving every goal she has set for her life. While there isn’t much she would change about her journey; she wishes she had started earlier. By the looks of it, that shouldn’t hold her back from her purpose. She would offer advice to someone who may follow in her footsteps to stay around positive, motivated individuals and entrepreneurs. She says these individuals are always looking to grow and reach their best potential. Her plans moving forward are to eventually partner with a marketing company that can better promote her brand. She also plans to make the Mad Diva concept a household name. Please contact her directly or visit her website to learn more about Lynique Browning and The Mad Diva products and services.
www.maddivaconcierge.com 16
HuamiMagazine.com
Hampton Roads - Jan./Feb. 2022
Hampton Roads - Jan./Feb. 2022
HuamiMagazine.com 17
18
HuamiMagazine.com
Hampton Roads - Jan./Feb. 2022
She Got Game League By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Celia Newman
One thing is for sure, Celia Newman has a special love for serving and helping others. She also has got game. The Dyersburg, TN native has faced a few challenges in her life such as abuse and depression, though, with resilience, she has prevailed to be a woman who many depend on. Currently, Celia heads the She Got Game League, an organization dedicated to empowering women in the world of sports. Their focus is to expose and encourage female basketball players, school-age to college and provide personal and career development tools to excel at the next level. “Our mission is to create a support system and platform to give them the tools necessary to be the best they can be in life,” Celia says. Ceia launched SGG in January 2019 after noticing a lack of competitive organized women’s league in Memphis. “I wanted to give female basketball players the opportunity to not only play competitively but also provide them with a platform to gain exposure, play overseas, and acquire professional contracts. We started with six teams, and have since expanded in three years to a total of ten teams in other areas, including Chicago, IL, Nashville, TN, Huntsville, AL, and Houston, TX,” she says.
“I wanted to give female basketball players the opportunity to not only play competitively but also provide them with a platform to gain exposure, play overseas, and acquire professional contracts.” 19
Celia has a strong background in athletics. She was a high school standout with the 2005 State Runner-Up, Dyersburg Lady Trojans, and a former college student-athlete at Bethel University. Additionally, Celia has over ten years of experience working with athletes, both academically and athletically, in her role as an Athletic Trainer. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Athletic Training from the University of Tennessee at Martin and a Master’s Degree in Sports and Wellness Leadership from Austin Peay State University. She worked at the University of Memphis for two years as a Student Athlete Development Mentor for at-risk student athletes, and founded the Elite Level Prep in April 2015. She also co-founded the UpNext Sports Consulting Firm with her business partner Christian Ross-Francis in May 2020. In her career, Celia has mentored and assisted over 100 athletes. Celia is very passionate about helping athletes succeed, not just in athletics, but more importantly life. She fuels her passion by serving others, specifically within her community. She is an active member of the Big Brother Big Sister organization and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. “I love seeing women play the game they love and have fun doing it. I get to give back to my community by helping others become the best version of themselves. The women athletes in the SGG league inspire me with their stories of triumph. That alone motivates me to continue to give them the platform and environment to compete at a high level,” she shares. She credits former WNBA Champion and Memphis Hall of Famer Ashley Shields with believing in the vision of SGG. “ I was struggling to get people to sign up in the beginning, and she spread the word and ignited the fire of what SGG has become. I am also grateful for the great sponsors that believed in me when SGG was small. These include Grind City Kicks, For The Kingdom Memphis, Building Blocks Mentoring Program, and The Awkward Agency. Their continued support has helped SGG become the hottest semi-pro women’s league in the MidSouth and beyond. Celia has plans to expand the SGG league but admits she can’t do it alone. She is currently in the process of building her staff and acquiring more interns. Moving forward, she plans to reach more professional athletes and entrepreneurs with her partnership with UpNext Sports Consulting and continue to be a voice for women’s sports.
www.shegotgameleague.com 20
HuamiMagazine.com
Hampton Roads - Jan./Feb. 2022
To learn more about the She Got Game League, please visit their website. h
Hampton Roads - Jan./Feb. 2022
HuamiMagazine.com 21
22
Delectable
Delights By Tarolyn By Terry L. Watson Photos by Christopher Fails Sr.
It’s one thing to have a sweet tooth, but to have it satisfied is where the real pleasure comes in. If you happen to be in the Pensacola community of Florida, there is one company that is sure to meet your delight. That company is Delectable Delights by Tarolyn Inc., a home-based cottage bakery. Delectable Delights offers both traditional and custom cakes, as well as a wide variety of treats. Owned and founded by Tarolyn Street, they can create anything for such occasions as baby showers, birthday parties, weddings, and more. Tarolyn is the true definition of a savvy businesswoman. She launched her company with a determination to succeed and set an example to her children of what hard work will do for them. She has been married for 12 years to her husband, David, who she describes as her business partner, prayer warrior, best friend, and counselor. Together they shepherd a blended family of six children and seven Godchildren. Tarolyn says the truth is she did not want to launch her business. “I enrolled into culinary arts school right out of high school, but I had so much going on in my life, including being homeless, that I did not finish. I would make cakes for family and friends, but I wasn’t interested in making cakes and treats full-time. My focus changed, and I enrolled in school to become a licensed massage therapist. I was running from my calling. I was scared. Scared of failure and scared of not being accepted. I was also scared of not knowing what to do. I had these emotions even after winning third place in the state of Florida VICA Commercial Baking and Pastries Competition. However, things changed one day when I heard God say, “I gave you a talent, so what are you going to do with it?” I told God if He’s pushing me out here, I know I have no choice but to move with His plan, and so I did,” she says.
23
On February 11, 2015, her company opened for business. Tarolyn says she was referred by her classmate, Shirley Johnson, to a customer who needed her services. Shirley was already familiar with Tarolyn’s sweet creations, and things took off once the connection was made. “From that weekend until this very day, I have soared beyond what I could ever have thought,” she says. Tarolyn says what she loves most about her business is being able to touch the lives of others with something as simple as a cake or treat. “To be able to build relationships and bonds with people and see the looks on their faces when they see what my hands have created. Their faces light up with excitement. This makes it all worth it.” With all that she has endured in life, Tarolyn continues to credit God with being her source and strength. “God is my biggest inspiration. Without Him, I’m absolutely nothing,” she shares. Tarolyn credits her husband and kids for pushing and motivating her to be the best every day. “On days when I need that extra push, they give it to me. They provide the drive and the confidence I need to go further.” Additionally, she acknowledges Derric and Valiencia, a couple in her community who she says exemplifies what genuine love for community looks like. “I have seen them effortlessly care for the children on the dance team as if the members were their own kids. I’ve witnessed them take money out of their pockets to make sure no one is left behind,” she says. For those who may be considering starting a business like Tarolyn, she offers the following advice. “Be confident in yourself and know your worth from the beginning. Even in knowing your worth, remain humble and learn something from every avenue of your life.”
850-375-3417 delectablesbyt@yahoo.com Facebook @ Delectable Delights by Tarolyn
24
As the future continues to look bright for her and Delectable Delights by Tarolyn, she hopes to become more involved in her community by giving back and serving. One way Tarolyn plans to accomplish this is to shine a light on more small businesses and help them grow and become more successful. That is what love looks like. To learn more about Delectable Delights by Tarolyn, please visit them on Facebook, or contact them directly. h
Hampton Roads - Jan./Feb. 2022
HuamiMagazine.com 25
26
HuamiMagazine.com
Hampton Roads - Jan./Feb. 2022
MAGAZINE
Cutest Baby
Railyn Kate The daughter of Raisha Mercer and Dexter Bozeman
To submit photographs to be placed in the Huami Magazine Cutest Baby feature, please send a detailed email to huami.cutestbaby@gmail.com
Hampton Roads - Jan./Feb. 2022
HuamiMagazine.com 27
28
HuamiMagazine.com
Hampton Roads - Jan./Feb. 2022
Kelvena Benson KB Management
By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Kelvena Benson
Kelvena Benson, also known as Kelvy B, wears many hats. She is a wife, mother of two beautiful children, a Professional Admin at a Fortune 500 Company, CEO of KB Management, and an author. KB Management Brand Operations, LLC is the official name of Kelvena’s company. She provides small business owners who are looking to fill the digital gap in brand operations and strategies with brand management. She offers a wide range of services such as creative digital content, website construction, business development, custom printing, and more. Her book, A Creative Path, is a mentor-styled guided workbook for creatives and entrepreneurs that shows them how to trust the process and adapt to change while going through their creative journey. Kelvena was born and raised in Milwaukee, WI. She shares, “I was raised in a very traditional environment, where checking the boxes was the norm. I was blessed to be surrounded by a hard-working, educated Christian family. As I began to have my own family and figure out what kind of life I wanted to build for myself, the way I knew wasn’t fulfilling.” Growing up in Milwaukee, Kelvena admits, was tough. When the chance arose to see something different, she was all for it. “Finding a new place, new people, and new opportunities changed the game for me. I realized my own strength when I moved out of my city, and although I’ll always love it and have roots there, it was the best decision I could have ever made,” she shares. She relocated to Austin, TX in 2017, to pursue other opportunities and further her professional career. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management. Although her entrepreneurial journey started in the beauty industry, she was constantly intrigued by business and technology. “Relocating has opened many doors for me and allowed me to further those passions, and focused on building my own branding company,” she says. Kelvena’s creative path started when she jumped off the porch and launched a cosmetics/beauty company in 2014. In 2017, she transitioned her focus to branding. “I was asked to assist various entrepreneurs and small businesses with building their brands. I started by freelancing my services and as my network grew, so did the number of inquiries. So I embraced my new lane and birthed my brand,” she says. Over the past four years, Kelvena has helped over 200 people elevate their brands with clean, professional, and modern services.
29
Fast forward to 2021, KB Management Brand Operations, LLC came into the mix. This part of the company focuses on small businesses and career professionals looking to enhance their brand awareness with effective brand management. “The goal of this transition is to build long-term relationships with clients while building a team of experts to help further the success of her client’s brand building,” she says. “We also expanded our business by adding short-term rentals, KB Management Stays, as an extension to the company.” What sets KB Management apart from other companies that offer similar services? Is their commitment to delivering the best experience possible. “When you come to us for assistance, we seek to build a long-term relationship to ensure your personality, purpose, and vision is embedded into your brand. While building and providing solutions to your problems, we connect you with experts, resources, and tools to further your success. Kelvena says she is inspired by the opportunity to serve others. “I’ve always been ambitious and optimistic. My biggest motivations are my children and my husband. My children are so talented, and leading by example with their Dad means the world to me. My husband and I have been together since high school and the fact he saw me for who I am today speaks volumes. He believes in me more than I believe in myself sometimes,” she says. One of the biggest challenges Kelvena has overcome as an entrepreneur was trying to do it alone. She says, “I realized the team I needed was always around me, I just had to be ok with reaching out for help.”
www.kbbrandmanagement.com IG: @kbmanagement_kelvy_b FB: KB Management
30
HuamiMagazine.com
Hampton Roads - Jan./Feb. 2022
Kelvena plans to continue serving small businesses through KB Management in the future. She says she desires to employ more creatives and provide a healthy and flexible working experience. “We are adding more short-term rentals to our portfolio this year and in different locations. I am looking forward to collaborating with other amazing brands on social events and initiatives designed to educate and empower through our expertise. Additionally, I am working on my second book, with plans for its release within the next year. Besides taking over the world, I plan to elevate my kid’s brands and help them strive for everything they set out to do.” h
Hampton Roads - Jan./Feb. 2022
HuamiMagazine.com 31
Debbie Leverette Debbie’s Got The Tea, LLC
32
HuamiMagazine.com
Hampton Roads - Jan./Feb. 2022
By Ellen Richardson Photos by Bernard Smith
When you envision someone starting a business from scratch, how often do you hear someone say that they started a business “by accident”? This is precisely the story of Debbie Leverette and her wellness company, Debbie’s Got The Tea. The Anderson, SC resident has always dedicated her life to helping others. She began her career path as a pharmacy technician, cosmetologist, and health care coordinator before realizing her chosen career path was doing more harm than good. “I was placing medications into the hands of people who had no idea what they were putting into their bodies. I needed a change.” After leaving her job in corporate America, Debbie found herself in a low place. “My life was in the garbage can at the time, so I asked God to help me. It was during that place that I remembered what my parents and grandparents taught me. I was taught before calling on the doctor for help, see what can be done naturally at home first,” she says. Growing up in a family that preferred using natural remedies, Debbie was accustomed to using such products to address any personal needs or health problems. She weighed the benefits of using a natural product versus something man-made, and the results were persuasive. She saw improvements within her own health and with one of her close friends who had tried her products. Soon word got around about her teas and their benefits. This is how Debbie’s Got The Tea was birthed; by word of mouth. In addition to her cold-pressed teas, Debbie also makes all-natural products that address skincare, hygiene, oral hygiene care, pain relief, sinus and allergy relief, hair care and growth, and sexual health. Debbie also addresses total wellness of the mind, body, and soul through individual consultations, motivational speaking, excercise sessions, group and business seminars, social gatherings, and mentorship programs. She is also a certified detox therapist. She offers detoxification of the total in this role, including lymphatic detoxification using wood therapy.
33
“After seeing how the all-natural products improved my overall well-
being, the first thing that I wanted to do was help others, especially women like me, to find their way to a better way of living as well.”
“Debbie’s Got The Tea is much more than amazing healthy tea blends. I have created a signature blend of herbs and flowers that provide my clients with a plant-based option, which is a better option for our bodies. I and many others are thriving because of not only what I make, but how I make it,” she says. Debbie said when she started her business, she was on many medications and going through a tough time in her life. This involved surviving a domestic violence situation which caused trauma and PTSD. “After seeing how the all-natural products improved my overall well-being, the first thing that I wanted to do was help others, especially women like me, to find their way to a better way of living,” she says. The desire to help others also led her back to school. She would soon obtain a degree in human services and even launched a campaign for county council in the community of Anderson County, SC. “I have always been told that if you want to see a change, you have to be the change that you want to see,” she said. Although she hasn’t been elected into office, Debbie knows God has a plan to continue to use her to make a difference, whether in the political realm, as an entrepreneur, or even as a famous talk show host.
34
Hampton Roads - Jan./Feb. 2022
HuamiMagazine.com 35
36
HuamiMagazine.com
Hampton Roads - Jan./Feb. 2022
As a part of her healthy wellness company, Debbie has also started an online talk show called, The Tippy Show. With this production, she allows real, multi-faceted people to join her live, to discuss topics that matter to them. “These diverse topics can range from health and wellness, business, entertainment, and domestic violence. I allow my guests to use their voice to share their God-given knowledge and help others,” she says. Debbie confesses that none of what she has accomplished would happen without God. As the future comes, Debbie plans to continue her path towards addressing the mental, physical, and spiritual health needs of others. She also plans to add some new and exciting products to her inventory. To learn more about Debbie’s Got The Tea, please visit her website. h
www.debbiesgotthetea.com 864-634-8348
Hampton Roads - Jan./Feb. 2022
HuamiMagazine.com 37
38
HuamiMagazine.com
Hampton Roads - Jan./Feb. 2022
KIRBYROBERTSANDCO.COM
NEED HELP RECRUITING? WE SP E C I A L I Z E I N F I N D I N G J U S T T H E R I G H T P E R S O N F O R T H E R I G H T P O S I T I O N WI T H I N A C O MP A N Y O R O R G A N I Z A T I O N .
Visit our website for more details: www.kirbyrobertsandco.com
Listen To Every Episode On The Following Platforms
www.mykelmedia.com
www.thisiswhoiam.libsyn.com
