Huami Magazine for Richmond May/June 2020

RICHMOND

May/June 2020 Vol. 2 Issue 5 FREE

LeRone Gray Go Hard Performance Systems

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Surviving, That Has Become A New Normal There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It!

A Letter From The Editor

It appears that out of nowhere the Covid-19/Corona Virus pandemic has arrived. With its onset, the world all of sudden A Letter the Editor came to afrom screeching halt. Churches have been closed, businesses are shutdown, the new term of social distancing became part of society’s vocabulary, and it has been alright to What if tomorrow didn’t arrive? All of your plans, hopes shop in the grocery store while being masked. This is our new and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if normal. everything that you decided to put off until tomorrow never happened? There would be no reason to save for a rainy As a small business owner who greatly depends on the day, and you could spare someone the trouble of making business and support of other small businesses and their promises. What if your last opportunity seemingly expired patrons, I have felt the brunt of this global pandemic also. It today? What would you do? has caused me to adjust the ways I operate and develop more effective methods to produce and share my products and I’ve been told that I often seem like I do too much. services, all while to trying to be profitable and relevant. The Honestly, I feel like I am not doing enough and I’m a firm new normal is quite simply learning how to survive during a believer in knowing that God wouldn’t put anything on me pandemic. that I couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life would be if I chose to sit idle and accept what it presented to me. I With revenue being the most vital component needed to have found that to be very boring. In my opinion, opportunity operate and sustain a small business, many owners have been is a blessing that isn’t afforded to everyone. A challenge greatly impacted by Covid-19 in a negative manner. How do we to me is an adventure. What is the worst that can happen? survive? How will our bills be paid, and most importantly how If I do nothing, I fail, and if I try I don’t, but instead learn will I be able to feed and care for my family? We need revenue something new about myself. Relinquish your pride and in and the support and patriotism from those who have kept our return acquire life. doors open. Unfortunately, these individuals are facing the sameThe or best similar challenges themselves. advice ever given to me happened when someone

told me to make my tomorrow happen today. In doing so a result of everything that has occurred, to IAs have pressed my way through doors with a our key ability that only survive maintain has also become our the newdifference normal. The things hope and provided.

I have learned between that we once did, just don’t work the same today.

This doesn’t what God blesses me with and what life can burden me with mean the end is near,itI to believe thatwhen God istoreally telling usand that as well.

I compare knowing be confident He continues to have all the power when to be quiet, because and our today and someone maytomorrow get it confused still flows through Him. with being arrogant.In our complacently of accepting the hustle and bustle of yesterday, Make you tomorrow God proves again that He will happenyet today, but most turn our world upside to get importantly makedown it count. us onLife track with Him. Surviving is but a whisper and has become Lets we mustthe putnormal. ourselves in a embrace it and be better position to hear whatthan it is we weretelling beforeus.

Covid-19.

Terry L. L. Watson Terry Watson Editor/Founder 4

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On The Cover

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HuamiMagazine.com Richmond - May/June 2020

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HuamiMagazine.com

November/December 2014

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CONTENTS

MAY/JUNE 2020

RICHMOND

Fashionably Unique

Angelique Walker

On The Cover

Go Hard Performance Systems LeRone “Roc” Gray

6

Congratulations Seniors

Class of 2020

20

10

The Impact of Covid-19

Tangee Moore

Huami Magazine Cutest Baby

Braxton Langston Moore

18

17

Also Featured

Dominque Rice She is helping Bosses Build in the Queen City.

Charlotte, NC

26

Leah Marie Meet the founder of LA Kloset.

Raleigh, NC

14

Richmond - May/June 2020

Andrea Pitts Her scars are not hidden.

Meet the founder of Uncovered Scars Nashville, TN

HuamiMagazine.com

22 5

LeRone Gray Go Hard Performance Systems

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 in-person, 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.

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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.

LeRone “Roc” Gray Go Hard Performance Systems

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The

Huami Magazine Celebrates You! Indiana University Indianapolis, Indiana Miss Indiana University 2020 Kelly School of Business Honors

High Point Christian Academy High Point, NC Contra Costa College San Pablo, California Business Major

Noah C. Lowe

Alexandria Ford

Ragsdale High School Jamestown, NC GTCC Criminal Justice Major

UNC-G - The Middle College Greensboro, NC Dudley High School National Honor Society NC A&T State University Animal Science Major

Kylah Bates 10

Jeremiah D. Brown

Class of 2020 Grimsley High School Greensboro, NC

Grimsley High School Greensboro, NC Class of 2020 UNC-G Musical Theater Majo

Avilon Trust Tate

Jonathan Hayes James B. Dudley High School Greensboro, NC Marching Band of Thunder Service Learning Diploma NC Central State University

Chelsea Alyssia Pettiford Alabama State University Suma Cum Laude

Chelsea Alyssia Pettiford

Kierra McNeil Southeast Guilford High School Greensboro, NC GTCC Early Childhood Education

Southampton High School Courtland, Virginia

Paul Wyche

Tynese Matthews 11

Page High School Greensboro, NC East Carolina University Business Major Minor in Communications

The Academy of Dudley Greensboro, NC UNC Charlotte Biomedical Engineering

Jason “CJ� Crump

Drey Latta West Mecklenburg High School Charlotte, NC Winston Salem State University

GTCC Middle College.

North Carolina Central University Theater & Dance Major

Jamille Earl

Briquel Jackson

Fayetteville, NC North Carolina Agricultural and State University Biology Major

Southern Guilford High School Greensboro, NC GTCC Cosmetology

Jamestris Avery 12 12

Amiaya Rey

James B. Dudley High School Greensboro, NC North Carolina A&T State Univ.

The Middle College at NCA&T Dudley High School Greensboro, NC Elizabeth City State University

Jordan Minor

Khalil V. Smith

Phillip O’berry Academy Winston Salem, NC ECPI

Wanya NaShawn Milton James B.Dudley High School Greensboro, NC North Carolina A&T

Wayna NaShawn Milton

Tracy Peeler Jr.

The Middle College at NCA&T Greensboro, NC North Carolina Central University Computer Science Major

Page High School Greensboro, NC North Carolina A&T Supply Chain Management and Visual Arts (minor)

Amir Wilson

Rhyan Baker

House of LA 14

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Leah Rogers Leah Rogers is really big on family. Affectionately known as Leah Marie, she is the eighth born of 11 children, and the fourth youngest. She is a native of Kinston, N.C. and grew up watching her parents struggle to provide for their family.

Leah shares that while under her mother’s tutelage, she learned the value of hard work and determination. “In my household, I learned many lessons that established the framework in building a successful business enterprise. At the age of 16, I started my journey by working modest jobs but I realized that I needed to pursue a higher education to solidify my goals. With my eyes set to attend college but not sure how to finance this goal at the age of 18, I joined the North Carolina Army National Guard. Upon completion of my military training, I was accepted into North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (HBCU). In 2014, I graduated with a degree in Business Management,” she says.

clothing boutique, known now as LA Kloset. In 2018, I relaunched and rebranded my business to House of LA, LLC,” Leah says.

As a National Guard soldier, Leah had the opportunity to serve her country, while also pursuing a civilian career. She wore her uniform one weekend out the month and 2 weeks during the summer unless deployed or activated state side. While in uniform, there are certain regulations that must be followed when it comes to appearance and hair. Being a black female with natural hair, Leah shares how she had to work around the frustrating limits of the Army regulation. To eliminate the constant troubles with her hair, Leah started wearing wigs to cover it up while on duty.

LA Luxe Extension Brand was created in 2019 under the parent company House of LA, LLC. Its focus is to allow female Soldiers the opportunity to not have to compromise their personal styles to adhere to military standards.

The training Leah received in the Army provided the discipline needed to accomplish her educational goals and created the opportunity to strive for more. This included the option to pursue an advanced degree. In 2018, she graduated from Liberty University Online with her MBA, and later received a professional certification in Human Resources.

Later that year, she was called to serve her country in an austere environment located in Afghanistan. She returned from Afghanistan organized, disciplined, and focused. Those three words can accurately describe the guiding principles on how Leah pursued her business ventures, how she supports her community, and her commitment to mentor young women. “When I set a goal, I pursue it with passion and vigor until it is reached,” she shares.

Currently, Leah owns and manages House of LA, LLC. It is also the parent company for her clothing boutique (LA Kloset) and hair extension brand (LA Luxe). LA Kloset is a boutique for women wanting a curate mix of clothing and accessories that reflects their personal styles. LA Luxe provides ready to wear and custom-made wigs for women wanting to switch up hairstyles, protect their natural hair or dare to be different.

“Our wigs are glue-less, making them perfect to throw on in little to no time, without the need for a hairstylist or visit to a salon. Our custom units are 100% human hair and can be made with your preference in regards to length, texture and/or color. Our goal is to provide our customers with an all in one seamless shopping experience, eliminating the need to shop in multiple locations to put together one look,” Leah says.

How did it all began for Leah? She was first introduced to the beauty of fashion while working as a sales associate at a women’s clothing boutique in Greensboro, N.C., called “Q Fashions”. Then, she was a part-time guardsman and full-time college student studying Business Management. Her job as a sales associate consisted of showcasing the store’s most popular items and offering solutions or ideas to customers, providing guidance on product fits and styles. As her passion for fashion grew, so did the relationship with her customers. It was then Leah realized she wanted to get into fashion more.

“What started as a dream, selling my own used clothing and shoes, eventually tuned into much more. In 2013, I started my

Starting a business is a big accomplishment for many aspiring entrepreneurs, but maintaining it can be the biggest challenge. Time management is essential. Leah shares that when she initially started, she was a full-time college student, working part-time with the Army National Guard, and working part-time at my civilian job. “In the beginning, I struggled with finding a balance between my business, work and school.

Finding ways to devote time to both has proven to be key for achieving a work-life balance. Now that I am done with school, I have a better handle on devoting time to my business,” she says.

Being an entrepreneur gives Leah an opportunity to pour her love into something that she loves, and to help others. “Being an entrepreneur can be daunting at times but my family, friends, customer base, and other business owners make it worthwhile. Serving my growing clientele and learning the day to day operations of building my brand is always an ongoing . Waking up each day knowing I get to do something I love is more than I can say about almost any job that I’ve held,” she says.

Furthermore, Leah loves the opportunity she has to create new clothing outfits and hair styles and the ability to collaborate with other creatives, social media influencers, and business owners all over the world.

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Leah says that her parents have inspired her to be the person she is. “My parents are my role models. Their actions in life guided me and give me the courage to face obstacles. Since childhood, my mother has always been a hard worker, working days and sometimes nights and doing everything possible to provide for us. She inspired me to never give up and to keep working hard no matter what.

My dad came to the United States with little to no education from the Common Wealth of Dominica.

His goal was to make a better life for himself. He is my pillar of strength. I’ve seen him at his highs and lows, and one thing I noticed is that he never gave up or surrendered to the situations life threw at him.

At his lowest points in life, he remained positive and vigilant. No matter the circumstances, he continues to smile. He is the most caring, loving, and humble person I know. He gives me strength to face any problem in life. He inspired me to look at the bigger picture in life and focus on what’s really important,” she shares.

For those who may be thinking about starting a business, Leah offers some advice. “Believe in yourself. Your vision starts with you. If you don’t believe in yourself or your vision, how can you expect the next person to do so. Having the vision and believing in myself is the force that keeps me going daily even when times get hard or business is slow,” she says.

Leah also encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to do the time and put in the necessary work to succeed.

“Success doesn’t happen overnight. Everyone starts as a beginner. You have to invest time into your business. No one succeeds in business alone. It took me a while to realize this but now I have the assistance of family and friends to help me with small things. I lived by the saying, teamwork makes the dream work.”

LA Kloset www.shoplakloset.com infolakloset@gmail.com 919-346-3492 Facebook: @leahmarie @thelakloset Instagram: @i.am.leahmarie @shoplakloset 16

HuamiMagazine.com Richmond - May/June 2020

Moving forward, Leah desires to assist other aspiring entrepreneurs on starting their journey.

She is in the planning stages of her next business venture. Her next move will involve taking her experience from both the civilian and military side to form Leah Marie & Company. “My dream has always been clear, to one day be my own boss and help others do the same. In order to do so, I had to learn the process on from the beginning. For those that have dreams inside but aren’t sure where to start, my team and I will be able to assist them along the way. I want to provide an all-in-one hub for upcoming entrepreneurs and help them to be able to feel confident when taking this journey by providing them with the resources needed to be successful,” she says. h

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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The Impact of Covid-19

Tangee Moore - Avail Outreach

How has the Covid-19 Pandemic affected or impacted your practice?

Avail Outpatient Counseling LLC is a private, mind-body practice focused on empowering and healing the total person- mind, body, and soul.

Avail services are healing focused, personcentered, and goal directed. Avail offers outpatient psychotherapy, empowerment coaching, and holistic healing services such as Reiki, Yoni Steaming, Mindfulness Meditative Practices, Nutrition Psychoeducation, and Physical Fitness. In addition to programs and services, Avail offers holistic healing products such as yoni steam herbal blends, sage, Palo Santo, CBD products, and more.

To help prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), Avail has followed through with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation of social distancing. Many people have had to change the way they conduct business—this includes private practices such as Avail. To reduce in-person contact, Avail’s programs and services are now being offered completely online through virtual platforms.

Avail has been fortunate to have always had wellestablished business continuity plans in place. In 2017, Avail launched TelAvail™, an online

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HuamiMagazine.com Richmond - May/June 2020

platform for clients with transportation issues, health issues, or daycare issues. Prior to COVID19, we were able to operate from multiple locations and in a highly secure work-from-home capacity. At this time, we have been able to continue to manage our operations through this evolving situation.

It is important however to note that in offering online treatment to clients, we face lower or no reimbursement from insurance companies and payers. The main barriers to maintaining usual care by telehealth require changes that are unlikely to come from the federal level. Commercial reimbursement, Medicaid reimbursement, and credentialing are the states’ domain. Only 20% of states require payment parity between telemedicine and in-person services.

Fortunately, both the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and some local commercial payers have modified payment policy in response to Covid-19. We hope others will follow suit.

one hour session that includes physical Movement (workout routine that incorporates Hip-Hop, Afro-beats, and Latin dance moves), and Mindfulness techniques (mindful breathing, visualization, and movement) by qualified professionals.

The Avail Workplace Wellness program is designed to support and encourage a holistic approach to employee wellbeing by creating an organization culture of health. Avail Workplace Wellness Program provides a series of interactive and engaging online workshops that includes the following topics: Effective Communication, Cultural Competency, Mind-Body Balance, and Self-Care. Each workshop provides practical yet effective tools that employees can readily access and easily implement. Each workshop is led by Avail’s MindBody experts who are clinical licensed social workers, certified fitness instructors, and corporate leaders.

What has been Avails response?

Avail has taken proactive measures to ensure the health and safety of our therapists, student interns, and clients. We recognize the personal impacts that the current uncertainty may have on our clients and the emotional uneasiness it may cause. To that end, we have continued to monitor the situation closely, providing weekly emails with resource information from reputable sources to our clients and staff. We have assisted our clients with safety planning, made contact calls outside of scheduled therapy sessions, remained involved with providers outside of our practice for treatment coordination purposes, and kept our website www.availcounseling. com updated with information regarding COVID-19 and ways to continue to access our programs, services, and products. Avail’s social media platforms to include Instagram (@ availcounseling), Twitter (@availcounse1ing), and Facebook (Avail Outpatient Counseling LLC) remain active offering uplifting messages or quotes and information to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and educate the community in which we serve on ways to meet unmet mental and physical health needs.

We recognize that individuals are using homeopathy, essential oils, and other forms of alternative medicine to prevent COVID-19, or to treat it. Avail does not have a cure, but we do have mind-body, holistic healing products to help ease one’s distress, lower anxiety, and find their center. Our online shop offers essentials that can help individuals with dis-ease in an effort to avert stress that will only weaken the immune system, making one more susceptible to any virus, infection, or disease.

In response to COVID-19, majority of our programs are being offered online to both our local and global communities. One of our programs used by many schools and daycares is “Mindfulness, Movement, and Motivation.” We are currently offering this online to students at E. W. Wyatt Middle School in Greensville County for their 21st Century after school program using the Zoom platform. Students receive a

Avail, in partnership with Education Connection Academy (ECA), a nonprofit organization, continues to host our monthly series titled, “Girl, Take Off Your Cape”: Community Chats about Superwoman Syndrome online. Avail contributes to “Cut to the Chase,” a safe space for men to discuss men’s mental and physical health issues.

This has continued online.

To learn more about Avail Outpatient Counseling LLC visit www. availcounseling.com. Attached is also a flyer that shares how to support Avail during COVID-19.

Richmond - May/June 2020

HuamiMagazine.com

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1 of 1’s by Jolie 20

HuamiMagazine.com Richmond - May/June 2020

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 21

PROOF THAT GOD HEALS 22

HuamiMagazine.com Richmond - May/June 2020

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.

Continued on the next page

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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

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HuamiMagazine.com Richmond - May/June 2020

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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Helping Bosses Build

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Dominique

HuamiMagazine.com Richmond - May/June 2020

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.

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Exceptional Creations with Toccara LLC

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.”

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 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 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.

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