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May/June 2020 Vol. 2 Issue 5 FREE
1 of 1’s by Jolie Memphis - May/June 2020
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There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It! Surviving, ThatNo Has A New There Are If,Become Ands, Or ButsNormal About It! A Letter from the Editor A Letter From The Editor A appears Letter from theout Editor It that of nowhere the Covid-19/Corona Virus What if tomorrow didn’t All of yourallplans, hopes pandemic has arrived. With its arrive? onset, the world of sudden andtodreams wouldn’t a streethave to park on. What if came a screeching halt.have Churches been closed, everything that you decided to put off until tomorrow never What if tomorrow didn’t arrive? All of your plans, hopes businesses are shutdown, the new term of social distancing happened? would beano reason save for aalright rainy and dreams wouldn’t have street to park on. What if to became part ofThere society’s vocabulary, and ittohas been day, and you could spare someone the trouble of making everything that you decided to put off until tomorrow shop in the grocery store while being masked. This is ournever new promises. What your last happened? Thereif would be opportunity no reason toseemingly save for aexpired rainy normal. today? wouldspare you do? day, andWhat you could someone the trouble of making promises. What if your lastwho opportunity seemingly As a small business owner greatly depends on expired the I’ve been told that I often seem like I do too much. today? What would you do? business and support of other small businesses and their Honestly, I feel like I am not doing enough and I’m a firm patrons, I have felt the brunt of this global pandemic also. It believer in knowing that God seem wouldn’t anything on me I’ve been told that I often like put I do too much. has caused me to adjust the ways I operate and develop more that I couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life would Honestly, I feel like I am notand doing enough and I’m aand firm effective methods to produce share my products be if I chose to sit idle and accept what it presented to me. believer knowing that God onThe me I services, all in while to trying to be wouldn’t profitableput andanything relevant. have found that to be very boring. In my opinion, opportunity that I couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life would new normal is quite simply learning how to survive during a is aifblessing that to what everyone. A challenge be I chose to sitisn’t idle afforded and accept it presented to me. I pandemic. to me is an adventure. What is the worst that can happen? have found that to be very boring. In my opinion, opportunity If aI do nothing, if I try to I don’t, but instead learn is blessing thatI fail, isn’tand afforded everyone. A challenge With revenue being the most vital component needed to something new about myself. Relinquish your pride and in to me is an adventure. What is the worst that can happen? operate and sustain a small business, many owners have been return acquire life. If I do nothing, I fail, and if I try I don’t, but instead learn greatly impacted by Covid-19 in a negative manner. How do we something new about myself. Relinquish your pride and in survive? How will our bills be paid, and most importantly how The best advice return acquire life.ever given to me happened when someone will I be able to feed and care for my family? We need revenue told me to make my tomorrow happen today. In doing so and the support and patriotism from those who have kept our I have pressed myever way given through doors with a key thatsomeone only The best advice to me happened when doors open. Unfortunately, these individuals are facing the hopeme provided. have also learned the today. difference between told to makeImy tomorrow happen In doing so same or similar challenges themselves. blesses and what cana burden with Iwhat haveGod pressed my me waywith through doorslife with key thatme only as well. I compare it toalso knowing when be confident and hope provided. I have learned the to difference between As a result of everything that haswhen occurred, our ability to tocan be quiet, what God blesses me with and what life burdenbecause me with survive and maintain has become our new normal. The things may get it confused as well. I compare it to knowingsomeone when to be confident and that we once did, just don’t work the same today. This doesn’t with being when to bearrogant. quiet, because mean the end is near, I believe that God is really telling us that someone may get it confused He continues to have all the power Make you tomorrow with being arrogant. and our today today, and tomorrow happen but most still flows through Him. Incount. our importantly make it Make you tomorrow complacently ofaaccepting the Life is but whisper and happen today, but most hustleimportantly and bustle of yesterday, we must putmake ourselves in a it count. God proves that Heit will position what is Life is yet buttoagain a hear whisper and turn our world upside down to telling us. we must put ourselves in aget us on position track with Surviving toHim. hear what it is has become the normal. Lets telling us. embrace itTerry and beL. better than we Watson were before Covid-19.
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November/December 2014
Memphis - May/Junne 2020
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CONTENTS
MAY/JUNE 2020
MEMPHIS
Chef Carlos Brown 18
Toccara Samuel
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LeRone “Roc” Gray
Gullah Cooking
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On The Cover
It’s All About Fashion Angelique Walker
Uncovered Scars
Andrea Pitts
Beauty Is Essential
Go Hard Performance
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Also Featured
Monica Moyer MoeJoe’s Sweet Treats has moved to Archdale Bakery Greensboro, NC
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Dominique Rice She is helping Bosses of the Queen City build. Charlotte, NC
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Memphis - May/June 2020
Braxton Moore He is the cutest, and has been selected as Huami Magazine’s Cutest Baby.
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1 of 1’s by Jolie 6
By Terry L Watson Photos by Angelique Walker Angelique Walker of Memphis, TN is a strong, God fearing, fearless, hard working woman. She is also a wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend and loves designing clothes, and making her own lane and rules. Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin she migrated to Memphis in hopes of making her impression in both business and personally. Business wise, she has made her mark as the owner of 1 of 1 by Jolie, and fashion boutique that specializes in creating quality and luxury denim pieces for the everyday woman. “I cater to women who are petite and curvy. I provide a service that every women can love,” she says.
inside me to never give up and keep going regardless of the challenges that come. My children keep me humble. They keep me human,” Angelique shares. Moving forward, there are plans to have a boutique on wheels in 2021. The demographics change so much in Memphis and having a mobile store will create a change of scenery and a different way of shopping for Angelique. “We are now looking into manufacturing h jeans in an effort to eliminate all pre orders,” she says.
There is no coincidence how Angelique’s career started. While she was working in the ladies shoe department for Dillards in 2013. “There was a huge event that was taking place in Memphis at the time. I seen a lot of women purchasing the same pieces, from dresses to shoes. I wanted to go to the event as well but I wanted to wear something no one else had,” she shares. She’d always been obsessed with Beyoncé, and was fond of a red Robert Cavalli dress the star wore to the 2009 MTV VMA awards. She decided to make that same dress but in white, with custom shoes to match. The day after Angelique shares who people began messaging her on Facebook, asking where how to order the same things. As a result, 1 of 1’s by Jolie was born on July 20, 2013. In 2020, her husband, officially became her business partner. “He’s everything. He keeps up with all invoices and books. We are a team and I owe everything to him,” she shares. Some of her clients include Cardi B, Taraji P. Henson, Issa Rae, Lil’ Mama, Keyshia Kior, Zendaya Justina Skye, Young Dolph, Tae Heckard, and Karen Civil. For Angelique, her connection to fashion is genuine. “I love that people love what I create. I try my best to stay authentic and make my own fashion trends and I believe the success of my business is directly tied to my creativity. I try to do the opposite of what everybody else is doing and it always works for me. I try my best to create a piece that will get stares all night, and in a good way,” she says. Like most other businesses, Angelique has faced her share of challenges as well. One is learning to say no and being organized. “I had to learn that the hard way. I gain local attention fast and global attention so after mainly due to social media. My inability to say no during the moments when I couldn’t keep up with demand caused my customer service to plummet. I always tell people I never got the chance to learn how to operate my business as a business. I just knew how to make clothes and that was it. I did everything by myself, from making clothes, shipping, to answering emails. I failed miserably. It took me almost seven years to realize I was in my own way. I finally have help and a team of people who are eager and willing to help me grow,” she says. One might ask what motivates this ambitious and outgoing woman. “My children are my drive. I have a three year old son and a one year old daughter. I want to give my business to them when they are of age. They created this competitiveness
www.shopjolie.net Shop Jolie 1138 N. Germantown Parkway - Suite 101-189 Cordova, TN 38106
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PROOF THAT GOD HEALS
By Terry L. Watson Photos by Judith Hill Photography Andrea Pitts of Nashville, TN is a burn survivor, community advocate, and very kind hearted person. She also believes in the power of a simple smile and laughter from the heart, and thrives off making others smile with positivity and helping those who are less fortunate. These are all qualities that assist her with managing Scars Uncovered, a nonprofit she has been cultivating since 2014. Scars Uncovered is an organization that encourages survivors to uncover their scars, and to be transparent and free. I have my good and bad days in this area but hearing “Scars Uncovered” continues to give me, as well as those we serve, encouragement. At the age of 18 months old, Andrea was involved in a traumatic incident that left her with severe burns on approximately 30% of her body. “While in the kitchen and watching my mom as she cooked one day, she turned her back for a quick second to get something out of the refrigerator. In that quick second, I instinctively reached for the ladle she had been using on the stovetop, trying to imitate her. This caused a pot of scalding hot water and beans to spill over me. In pain, I was rushed to the hospital and began a recovery process that would greatly shape the rest of my life. In the midst of tragedy, the nurses always told my parents that my smile spread happiness through the burn unit. I went through surgeries and countless hours of occupational and physical therapy and the medical
bills steadily increased. Unfortunately, my parents did not have adequate insurance coverage. The hospital even threatened to terminate treatment at one point, but thanks to the persistence of my parents and the help of others such as the Shriners, I was able to continue my stay. After my hospitalization, the lives of my parents as they knew it changed a great deal. I had to be given special baths, daily wound care changes, and taken to several follow up appointments. My parents were very resilient and endured quite a bit of challenges in order to get me where I am today,” she shares. That ordeal is the reason why Andrea pushes so hard today. Scars Uncovered was founded November 2014 with an understanding of the journey that encompasses coping with a burn injury. What started as an idea for a walk for burn survivors has evolved into the creation of an entire nonprofit organization. Andrea shares how she started hosting small fundraising efforts in order to obtain funding for start-up cost. “We were simultaneously in communication with hospital facilities surveying their needs and sharing what services we intended to provide. This process lasted for approximately a year and we provided our first set of care packages to Vanderbilt Burn Center in January 2016. As we collaborated with more healthcare entities, we were able to partner with more facilities to provide services and add on the financial assistance component of our services,” she says.
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Scars Uncovered has assisted over 1,000 burn survivors. Their focus is to give comfort and support to burn survivors and their families. They provide resources that ease the burdens that often come with the tragedy of a burn injury. They also partner with burn units to deliver “Boxes of Love” care packages to recovering patients and/ or family members. These are specialized care packages filled with necessities hand-picked with the needs of survivors and their families in mind. Each care package costs approximately ten dollars to produce, however Andrea says the impact is priceless. Currently, they are able to provide care packages to Vanderbilt University Regional Burn Center in Nashville, Tennessee, Shriners Hospital for Children in Cincinnati, OH, and the Reginal Burn Center in Memphis, TN. Andrea’s personal experience of being a burn survivor hugely impacted her life. Even today, she shares how dynamic the journey contines to be and she has a great understanding of the mental, physical, emotion, and financial trauma that can be experienced throughout the healing process. “Being a burn survivor and creating an organization to support other survivors has helped me in so many ways, especially as it relates to the healing process,” she says. Besides having compassion and a geniune concern for others, Andrea shares what she loves most about helping others. “I love when I hear from or see a patient that has received a care package or financial assistance from our organization. The gratefulness in their heart is rewarding and so fulfilling. To know that we are helping to make a difference in someone’s life during such a critical time makes it all worth it. Even if we do not hear from a survivor specifically, knowing that you are paying it forward with no expectation of anything in return is a great feeling,” she says. As a woman of faith, Andrea proudly shares how God is using her to help so many others. “I believe we sometimes go through difficult times in order for God to strengthen us to be used by Him. Through this experience I have learned that it is a blessing to share your testimony. The very thing we try to hide is sometimes the very thing God uses to bless us, and others as well.”
Scars Uncovered 615-933-9083 www.scarsuncovered.org info@scarsuncovered.org Facebook & Instagram @ Scars Uncovered
Andrea says they are blessed to have volunteers, sponsors, donors, social media support, and others. Should anyone have an interest in any either of these areas, she encourages them to contact her and learn more on how to be a part. please follow us on Instagram or Facebook @Scars Uncovered, email us at info@scarsuncovered.org, or contact us at 615-933-9083. We would love to chat and/or love to see you following our good works. h
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Archdale Bakery 12
HuamiMagazine.com
Memphis - May/Junne 2020
MoeJoe’s Sweet Treats Is Now Archdale Bakery By Dawn Cauthen Thornton Photos by Still Shots Photography When Monica Moyer took a leap of faith in 2018 to start her own business, her ultimate goal was to one day transition from her small home kitchen to a storefront bakery. For the last two years, MoeJoe’s Sweet Treats has been carefully developing its products and growing it’s clientele. In March, Moyer’s tenacity finally paid off. “In January I was just scrolling through Facebook and noticed that someone was selling their bakery. I knew I couldn’t afford it, but the owners persuaded me to come and see it,” Moyer explains. The owners, who had run Archdale Bakery for about five years, were ready to retire and had planned to leave everything in the store. Moyer needed time to contact her financial advisor who was traveling abroad. Within a few days, another suitor made a deposit on the property, and Moyer was crushed. Maybe this wasn’t meant to be after all. “About a week and a half later, the owner called and said the other deal had fallen through and it was available again. We made a payment [plan] for the deposit and the deal was done.” Moyer actually settled the deposit well before her deadline and was able to get to work quickly. In early March, at the onset of the current Coronavirus pandemic, the faithful entrepreneur made the difficult decision to leave her full-time job to pursue her passion. Thus far, she has not suffered any significant losses.
Strawberry Delight Cake
Considering the bakery is a staple in the community (Moyer is the third owner), she decided to keep the name intact. With the purchase of the store, Moyer was able to retain the staff, as well as utilize the expertise of the previous owner for the first two weeks, and will make herself available until Moyer completely learns the ropes of running the business. Not only is Moyer keeping and paying employees, but she’s providing comfort food to the patrons during this uncertain time.
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The former owners offered a variety of pastries and specialty cakes that the customers have become accustomed to. Now, Moyer is excited to introduce the delights, that her own customers know and love, to Archdale Bakery’s long-standing customers who have frequented the establishment. MoeJoe’s Sweet Treats now has a new home and an even bigger audience to serve. Over the years she has wanted to experiment with new items and flavors, but working another job wouldn’t allow her to do that. Moyer would often burn the candle at both ends by working on treats until 1 a.m., sleeping for a few hours, then heading to her job early the next morning just to do all over again. Being the owner and having one job has now afforded her more opportunity to create and most importantly, relax and spend time with her family. The best part, her daughter noticed that she’s able to sit and eat dinner and just be home. “I know this was God-sent because nothing has really changed. We’re still open and doing great business with curb-side and pick up only,” says Moyer. There have been guidelines put in place to adhere to CDC guidelines to help fight the pandemic. Currently, three employees are in the store at the same time, so she only allows six customers inside to pick up their items. They have plenty of hand sanitizer and the employees are encouraged to wear masks and gloves at all times. Each employee has also attended the ServSafe training. Since she was first introduced to the public in 2018, Moyer has expanded. She has been able to forge relationships with several local party planners to be one of their preferred dessert vendors. As soon as large events are approved, her cakes will make reappearances
Sweet Cinnamon Rolls
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Memphis - May/June 2020
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I know this was Godsent because nothing has really changed. We’re still open and doing great business with curb-side and pick up only.
Banana Pudding Cone
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at affairs across the city. She can do more than sell items at work or open a pop-up shop (a short-lived location) for a few days. The new space allows her to create more products. She can spend more time promoting the business on social media and will roll out a website in the near future. “I learned to just focus on God and on being patient. He’ll lead you to where you need to be and I want others to know that.” For now, Moyer has had to postpone her grand opening scheduled for April, and reschedule a few projects. But she is still confident in her decision. Following your dreams will never fail and she is on the right path to keeping this idea alive and well. h
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Stop by Archdale Bakery today and enjoy one of their delicious sweet treats.
Archade Bakery 101 Bonnie Place Archade, NC 27263 336-431-7437 www.archdalebakery.com Follow Archdale Bakery on Facebook and Instagram @ Archdale Bakery
Blackberry Pound Cake
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Memphis - May/Junne 2020
By Terry L. Watson Photos by Carlos Brown Executive Chef Carlos Brown is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of C3Culinary Group LLC. He believes that “Food that Makes You Smile” and “Saving Hospitality”. He began cooking at the young age of eight. By the time he was 16, he was declared to be a professional. “It started at home. I was raised by two great women, my mom and grandmother,” he says. Fast forward, he eventually created the Chef Carlos brand which includes Gullah On The Go, Private Stock, Kitchen by Chef Carlos Brown, Authentic Shrimp & Grits Cafe by Chef Carlos in Atlanta, and Charleston SC. His arsenal includes Celebrity Chef, Restaurateur, Hospitality Consultant, speaker, personal and private chef, philanthropist, multi-product developer, and author. Carlo’s career as a chef is more than food on a plate. It’s artistry, developing, teaching, and training. Under the Saving Hospitality umbrella, he shares his talents with kids who have special needs. “That’s special to me because the love bring families, communities, and homes together,” he says. Today the impact for me is not allowing my failures to stop or slow me down. Because I realized that my cooking is more food, its an encounter! This catapult me to build a stronger career as a celebrity chef. Chef Carlos loves food and finds inspiration in cooking. “It’s starts with having a love in our strong culture of Gullah. I believe that food is an experience. I was born in the low country. Being a black executive chef was so hard and almost never heard of. But I believed that I was born to create art. That belief pushed me to move forward, reach back, and pull others up and show that we can be whatever we desire,” he says. Chef Carlos shares there have been some ups and downs in his career as a chef. “My wife LaShawn has been the greatest support. She has been on this joinery with me since it began. I’m grateful to be a part of history located in Smithsonian African American Museum For Authentic Shrimp & Grits in Washington DC. I am a 2020 National Black Chef Awards Culinary Excellence Award Winner, and I received the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Award Kingston Chef Scholastic Award Diamond Culinary Medal in 2017. Even more, in Charleston, August 23rd is declared Chef Carlos Brown Day,” he shares. He has also had the pleasure to work with and serve some great celebrity clients that include Oprah Winfrey, Viola Davis, David Oyelowo, Shaquille O’Neal, Julius Tennon, Jim Carrey, Phyllis Newhouse, Danny Glover, US Congressman John Lewis, US Congressman Jim Clyburn, US Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Bo Jackson, Hall of Famer Ray Lewis, Susan Taylor, Teddy Bridgewater, Mack Brown, Bill Bellamy, TI, LIl Wayne, Latavius Murray, Jerick McKinnon, Fantasia, Rashaun Williams, Darlene McCoy, and many more. Some of the challenges Chef Carlos has faced have been investors, who tend to run away from restaurants because most restaurant fails. “That happens when owners don’t understand the concept of hospitality or how to effectly run this business,” he says. “We have developed a winning concept to be successful.” Moving forward , Chef Carlos plans to open new restaurants and expand the Chef Carlos brand that includes several products. He also plans to work with kids who have special needs, juveniles, and continue to share his talents with schools. h
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Exceptional Creations with Toccara LLC 20 20
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Memphis - May/Junne 2020
By Terry L. Watson Photos by Toccara Cara Samuel Toccara Lachell Samuel of Greenville, SC is a daughter, sister, aunt, and great friend to many people. She is also a licensed esthetician and founder of Exceptional Creations with Toccara LLC. Her company specializes in products for all natural hair growth and care, beard growth and care, skincare, and wellness. Additionally she has also served as a former Training Director for the Chick-fil-A food franchise. Toccara says her love for entrepreneurship began in 2003 as she began working in the skincare and beauty industry in Aiken, SC. It was at Beauty on The Go, that is owned and operated by Jeanette Breeland. From there she spent years working for other companies such as Bath and Body works, Arbonne and Estee Lauder. She started Exceptional Creations with Toccara LLC in 2018 after finishing Esthetics school at the Academy of Hair Technology and obtaining her Professional License. She also owned and operated a spa suite from December 2018 until December 2019 at Cornerstone Studios in Simpsonville, SC. Toccara currently freelances and travels with her services and product line. “Traveling and freelancing allows me to reach other states and areas, and hopefully countries,” she says. On top of being an esthetician and businesswoman, she sometimes speaks at colleges and other venues about entrepreneurship, developing positive affirmations, and creating a vision plan. She is a Life and Wellness Coach and advocate for Mental Health Awareness, Domestic Violence, and Suicide Prevention. Her advocacy was sparked from watching her biological mother battle those illnesses and from her own battles in those areas as well. Toccara shares how diverse her product line is. “My products are all natural and vegan friendly. They were developed to help with all areas of needs ranging from hair care, skincare, beard care, and wellness. Most importantly, each item is developed and formulated personally by me. My hair growth oil was developed because of my own experience with hair loss and finding out this was a need by many people. I formulated it several times before finding the perfect combination of oils. From developing the growth oil and servicing male clients, I developed the beard oil. The beard oil helps with the health and the growth of the beard but is formulated with essential oils that are appealing to a man.”
to 100,” she says. On of her top product lines are the skin care services for all genders and also beard treatments for men. Being an entrepreneur has its perks. Toccara says she loves the fact that she is able to be exceptionally authentic and creative. “It allows me a chance to manage my own time and grow my business. As a child growing up, I didn’t understand my creative mind and why I was into so many different things. I found myself having a love for the arts and crafts. It all started to make sense in 2016 when I realized I could go to school and obtain a professional license that would allow me to be creative and not only help people, but also provide for and help my family,” she says. She finds inspiration in her late grandfather Henry A. Samuel Jr. who also owned his own businesses until his heavenly transition in December of 2009. “He inspired me to push and never give up no matter what happens and that I can over
Toccara also makes hair butter, hair moisturizer, beard balm, beard moisturizer, beard wash, skin care kits, body butters, soaps, wellness oil blends, and many other items and kits that are helpful to the human body and the environment. Her wellness blends help with pain and many other ailments in the body and are specially formulated for each client that orders them. Exceptional Creations began with Toccara taking small steps. “I started with just 25 recipes and now I have close
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come any battle in my life,” she says. The second person who inspires Toccara is her adopted mom, Christabell Fulmer who came into her life at the young age of six, after her mom passed away. “She taught me that it’s okay to be myself and to be authentic. She has loved me all of my life and cared for me like a mother should care for her child. She has taught me strength and showed me how to obtain every goal I want in life. I couldn’t ask for a better mother figure in my life,” Toccara says. Like most small businesses, Toccara has faced her share of challenges. One for her was learning how to let the word “No” roll off her back without allowing herself to be discouraged. “The answer “No” is just the journey towards the “yes” that cam change your life. It’s not an easy journey to develop and grow a business on your own but it’s definitely worth it. I’m thankful for my sister, Rhonda Burgess for being in my corner at all times. She keeps me encouraged with my business. The future surely looks bright for Toccara. Moving forward she plans to add more products to her product line, and branch out to other states and countries. She also plans to open up some new businesses locally. h
creationswithtoccara.com Instagram @ec_withtoccara @toccara1981 Facebook Exceptional Creations with Toccara Toccara Cara Samul
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Braxton Langston Moore MAGAZINE
Cutest Baby
The son of Lasaudia Moore
To submit photographs to be placed in the Huami Magazine Cutest Baby feature, please send a detailed email to huami.cutestbaby@gmail.com
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Helping Bosses Build
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Dominique
By Terry L. Watson Photos by Dominique Rice
Dominique Rice is a serial entrepreneur. At the age of 22, she started her first company, Perfect Fit Placement. She is also passionate about helping people and inspiring women entrepreneurs. Dominique currently owns Dominique Rice Consulting and INFLUENT. Dominique Rice Consulting is a consulting firm for women entrepreneurs that focuses on helping them grow and scale their company. INFLUENT is a travel company that allows women to travel in style with groups. Their first trip is scheduled for the continent of South Africa in January/ February 2021.
Moving forward, Dominique plans to take her business ventures to even greater heights. She clearly understand there is a great deal of work to do and is preparing herself to meet the challenge. “I want to continue to help all women entrepreneurs. I also look forward to having the ability to work aboard and travel. I truly enjoy the perks that being self employed offers such as the flexibility to spend time with my family and friends,” she says. h
“I am regularly sought as an adviser to global and North American CEO’s and business leaders. My plan will help your company reach your earning potential. I am driven by my relentless passion to help visionaries get what they really want in business and life. My clients come from a wide range of industries, including consumer packaged goods, childcare development, and professional services. My coaching structure is built on my belief that CEO’s and business leaders can have tremendous business success, along with an enriching and adventurous lifestyle,” she says. Dominique started Perfect Fit Placement in 2012. “I was a nanny and wanted to start my own firm. This company quickly grew and became in high demand. Before I knew it, I was placing high profile and high net worth clients. I was really rocking it in the corporate baby-sitting world and decided to divide my company in half. All baby-sitting was to shift to the franchise we acquired, College Nannies Sitters and Tutors, and Perfect Fit Placement was to continue doing the entire nanny placement. I knew I could grow the baby-sitting service to the point of selling in a short amount of time,” she says. Over the last three years Dominique has primarily been consulting. She has helped a handful business owners scale their businesses. Once she sold the baby-sitting service, Dominique knew it was time to really focus on helping others. She used everything she learned along the way and it worked. It was then when she officially launched Dominique Rice Consulting. “I love helping people the most that is what I am proud of. I am truly inspired by Beyoncé. Not the singer, but Beyoncé the entrepreneur and mother. Beyoncé is one of the greatest not just because she is talented but also because she works the hardest. She is a wife, mother, and creator. She expects perfection from herself and those around her. I admire her hard work and work ethic,” Dominique says.
Dominique Rice Dominique Rice Consulting www.dominiquerice.com
While being faced with many challenges in business, Dominique has persevered. “I’ve had former employees leave and start their own business while stealing valuable content and work for competitors. I have faced all the issues with growing and scaling too quickly. I feel like I have faced it all and through that, I am able to teach others and help them to learn from my mistakes,” she shares. Memphis - May/June 2020
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LeRone Gray Go Hard Performance Systems
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HuamiMagazine.com
Memphis - May/Junne 2020
By Terry L. Watson Photos by Roc Gray LeRone “Roc” Gray is a Richmond, Virginia native as a graduate of Henrico High School, an alumnus of Virginia State University, and a former multi-sport athlete. Roc is a devoted son, loving Fiancé and visual artist. Most importantly, he is a passionate Strength & Performance coach that specializes in holistic health, pain free functional movement, and sports performance training. Roc is the owner of Go Hard Performance Systems in Richmond, Va. Go Hard Performance Systems is a strength and performance coaching provider that offers services in functional training, strength development, and sports performance with a holistic approach. Additionally, Go Hard Performance Systems offers services inperson, via online platforms, and has a full line of wearable merchandise. “GHPS is for those individuals who want to move pain free, be challenged mentally as well as physically, and ultimately grow in greatness,” he says. Go Hard Performance Systems originated in 2016 after Roc graduated from college. It was rebranded in January 2020. “I had been an athlete all my life and like many others, I aspired to play football professionally. In pursuit of that throughout college, I devoted myself to strength and conditioning by researching programs, following prominent coaches and eventually earning a degree in Health and Physical education. During this time span aided quite a few athletes based on the work and changes I had achieved for myself. This along with the dream of being a successful business man I had as a adolescent, I took the time to make my business official,” Roc shares. Roc says he loves the grind of his business. This is often accompanied with interacting with new people, earning their trust, setting a plan of action based on their goals and deficiencies, and ultimately seeing them expand as a person. “I feel great about the relationships I build during the process of transforming someone’s mind, body, and spirit. Although the money earned is great and needed to maintain a living, seeing the impact my efforts makes is astounding. I can honestly say I’ve had people I worked with years ago reach out and mention how something I did still positively effects them to this day, which is an indescribable feeling,” he says. It is people who Roc says he is inspired mostly by. “The fight they show on a daily basis and taking opportunity after opportunity to better themselves is amazing to me. Even when times are hard, people find a way to strive forward. I know for some that isn’t easy so those who do it and thrive, that is all the inspiration I need. I want to be a helping hand in those stories where people achieve lifelong dreams, make a huge health change, and honestly become the greatest version of themselves,” he said. In the future, Roc has set a few things in motion to take GHPS to the next level. “The main goal is to continue to grow and expand in a way that makes more positive impacts across the city. I would love for Go Hard Performance Systems to become the strength and performance provider for local high schools this year. That will afford opportunities to showcase what Go Hard Performance Systems is all about as well as filling a huge void for schools in the area. Within two to five years the goal is to have a facility for our clientele base to call home,” says Roc. h
LeRone “Roc” Gray Go Hard Performance Systems
Memphis - May/June 2020
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