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JOURNEYS OF

ENTREPRENEURS FOR 2021

Start 2021 strong

'It COST To Be the BOSS'

DAVID FRANZ

CONTENTS JANUARY 2021 EMILIE PERZ 04 ROB MALLOY 06 DAVID FRANZ 08 MUG$ AMILLION 10 WILLIAM MAT THEWS 12 AUBREY SIMONE WILLIAMS 14 SHELLY CLARK 16 KEVIN THORNTON 18 DERIYUN MCGEE 20 EVAN LEAPHART 22 ELIZABETH DAVIS 24 EMME RAIN 26 KRYSTAL DUHANEY 28 TONYA ROBERTSON 30 TAE LEE 32 ROZALYN & GABBY GOODWIN 34 NICOLE BROWN 36 T IFFANY WILLIAMS 38 CANDY WASHINGTON 40

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Founder – Cece Hymes

W.I.B (Where It Begins) is an Independent agency with the aim to always be innovate in each approach taken to projects and making sure excellence is given in a projects execution when it comes to media marketing, branding, networking and management. Founded by the well experienced and ever growing force; D.C native - Cece Hymes, the most important and integral aspect of W.I.B is that branding for both Creatives and Businesses is taken to the next level with each and every project undertaken. We’ve continued to represent a very diverse and well acclaimed roster of emerging talents in the entertainment, and businesses!

With a determined persistence for continued excellence, our Founder – Cece Hymes, with a college Degree in Business Management, has also worked within radio and with many companies such as: RDE Entertainment, H.I.G.H Entertainment and Caribbean Gospel Records Ltd.,

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“ It’s important to understand the role of the yoga teacher which is to help heal and hold space for people going through a crisis. ”

EMILIE PERZ

Q. Thanks for interviewing with us can you tell everyone who you are and what you do? A. I’ve been a dedicated yoga practitioner for over twenty years and have used this practice as a way to uplift and elevate the world around me. Sadly, my father passed away while I was transitioning from high school to college. Shortly

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after, I began suffering from stress induced panic attacks that left me in the hospital. Months of heavy antidepressants only made matters worse, so at the advice of a friend, I tried my first yoga class. The breath techniques (pranayama) practiced at the end immediately sedated my anxiousness and gave me a feeling of power over my mind and body

connection. I made a promise to carry on with yoga every day, and ten years later, it led to a full-time career. Q. What inspired you to want to get into Yoga & Fitness? A. I began practicing yoga after my father’s sudden death when I was 17. I was always a super active child and I excelled in many

things including horseback riding, running, singing, theater, radio, art. Immediately following my father’s death I began suffering from crippling anxiety that left paralyzed with fear of socializing and being in public. I even switched schools in an effort to restart my life. A friend invited me to yoga in hopes that the practice would help with my daunting panic attacks. I was hooked that very first class. It’s incredible to think that one self-help tool can lead to a life of helping and healing others. But truth be told, this practice transforms your life by awakening you to your unlimited potential. Q. Tell us about “Sequential Body” and the motivation behind it? A. Sequential Body is an ondemand yoga and fitness channel dedicated to community and wellbeing. I designed this online channel during the pandemic as a way to bring like-minded conscious people together to celebrate in yoga, fitness, and personal transformation. Our classes are ultra-unique blending heartfelt themes with movement, music, and laughter. We have innovative classes such as Beauty Fit Flows (BFF) and Beauty Boosts (BB) to sculpt bodies into perfection while tuning into the heart. Unlike other platforms, Sequential Body beauties can text me daily for inspiration, help and guidance. It’s the perfect fitness platform to stay motivated and inspired.

A. We are pivoting directions in early 2021 to start speaking out about the integral need to employ yoga teachers in medical settings such as clinics and hospitals. Whether we are talking about addiction or injury, yoga teachers are aligned with an arsenal of therapeutic practices to help manage pain, depression, anxiety, etc. I couldn’t think of a better time than now for yoga teachers to be working alongside doctors to treat the human spirit; especially when we are living in an onslaught of fear, worry, and doubt. Our future society is going to be affected by PTSD from the Covid- 19 pandemic. It’s important to understand the role of the yoga teacher which is to help heal and hold space for people going through a crisis.

Q. Who is your sports hero? A. I love Serena Williams, dedication to her sport is inspirational and it’s great that she’s been a trailblazer for and role model for all women especially women of color. Q. Can you tell us one of your favorite styles you most enjoy teaching? A. I love heated power yoga that involves lots of movement. It’s great to be able to be able to provide students a quality full body work out while also helping them heal their minds and bodies through the addition of heat. Q. Where do you see yourself in the next three years?

is necessary for a kinder, more connected society. This is a beautiful thing. Q. What are some of the challenges you’ve experienced as an International Yoga educator? A. Prior to COVID, it was a struggle to make time to visit all the places where I’ve left my footprint in for example, I have students in Mexico City and London that I wouldn’t be able to teach due to physical distance. However, now with SB I’m able to teach via live stream, I’m able to connect with teach students all over the world. Q. How important is mediation to your Yoga Practice? A. It’s crucial. When leading a meditation, I try to be clear, concise and very articulate with everything I say because I know my students are listening and digesting what I say. I practice mindful meditations and focus on heart language I want to elicit and express in the classroom. Often times, I pick a feeling, such as gratitude, and meditation on my own hearts experience with it to create the theme, tone, mode of class. Q. Do you have any workshops or projects coming up this year? A. Not at the moment, but be sure to read the latest updates on SB. I have some exciting things in the works but I’m not able to share just yet.

Q. How has Yoga changed your life? A. It’s made me come to believe Mind, body, connection is real, and employing yoga teachers in medicine

Q. Where can the readers follow you? A. On IG, @EmiliePerzYoga.

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“ I want to create a space where I can speak into the lives of other people in whatever way God allows me to."

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SHELLY CLARK

Q. Thanks for interviewing with us. Tell everyone who you are and what you do? A. Thanks for taking the time to interview and chat with me. Who is Shelly? I’m a first-time author. My hallmark work was published in mid2019. I’m a small-town girl originally from the great state of West Virginia and now reside in Charlotte, NC with my husband. I’m an accountant and CPA by trade but at my core I’m a teacher…whether on the job or ministry at my core I’m a teacher. Q. What motivated you to be an author? A. It was motivated by a need to encourage and inspire other people. At one point in my life, I had the opportunity to minister to others in church and when I left that ministry, I figured that door was closed only to realize that God was opening the door to

ministry through writing. I’m learning to not put God in a box. Q. Tell us about your book “Beyond the Cracks” and the motivation behind it? A. If I had to sum it up in one word, I would say that it is about Hope. I really want people to realize that God’s grace and mercy is available to them no matter where they find themselves. There is hope for all of us. My motivation is to inspire and ignite others to live their best lives in and through Christ.

Q. What is the most difficult part of your writing process? A. In writing my first book, I revisited a lot of the painful moments or cracked places in my life, so I “felt” the words that the readers see on the page. I hope as a writer that what I’m saying connects with the audience. Q. Tell us what the most important elements of good writing? A. I’m a newbie at this so I’ll answer your question from a reader’s perspective. I love to read. The most important elements of good writing to me, as a reader, is the writer’s ability to connect with the reader, keep the reader engaged and to inspire/ ignite something in them. I think this happens by painting a picture with your words so well that the reader can “see” it. Q. Where do you see yourself in the next 3 years? A. I want to create a space where I can speak into the lives of other people in whatever way God allows me to. If that is through public speaking, writing, whatever…I’m open to it all. I believe that God needs people who are willing to reveal Him in the earth through our walk. We may be the only “Jesus” some people see because not everyone is going to walk the four walls of a church. I desire to walk alongside others in whatever capacity God allows. Q. Can you tell us your favorite book you ever read? A. The Shack by William Paul Young. Q. Are you working on any new events or projects right now?

A. Yes. Working on a 21-day journal/devotional to couple with my book, Beyond the Cracks. It’s well overdue but I believe I’ll get it out when the world needs it. Q. What are some things you do on your spare time? A. I started working on my health and my weight and in doing so discovered that I enjoy walking. It has done so much for my physical and mental health. My husband and I are movie buffs too. We binge watch shows on Netflix sometimes. Q. What does the words “Writers block” mean to you? A. I feel like I’m experiencing it right now…lol. Seriously, I think that sometimes distractions cause writer’s block for me because it’s difficult to sit down and focus. Right now, there is so much uncertainty and crazy making in the world it’s difficult to turn it off. Q. Where can the readers follow you? A. You can find me on:  /  : @shellyrozzelclark. You can also connect with me and purchase a book on my website  beyondthecracks.com.

The book is also available on Amazon.com in paperback and e-book form. I’d love to connect with readers to hear how my work has impacted their lives.

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TAE LEE

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"After I went to college and could not find a job in my field, I had to figure it out. I started waitressing at a restaurant and realized that this was not my calling. From there, I never looked back. Entrepreneurship here I am. “

Q. Thanks for interviewing with us. Please tell everyone who you are and what you do? A. My name is Tae Lee and I am the founder of Never Go Broke, Inc. We are a financial literacy company that gives individuals a foundation to become successful in managing their money for the future. We help more people to build generational wealth and not debt. We give our clients a financial blueprint, financial guidance, seminars that give continuing financial education, and workshops that give hands-on step-by-step information; all of which are designed to take successful money management to the next level. Q. What inspired you to be an entrepreneur? A. Life experiences inspired me to become an entrepreneur. After I went to college and could not find a job in my field, I had to figure it out. I started waitressing at a restaurant and realized that this was not my calling. From there, I never looked back. Entrepreneurship here I am.

Q. Tell us the biggest factor that has helped you to be successful? A. Having mentors, a strong support system and tons of trial and error have helped me become a successful entrepreneur. Without those three important factors, I would not be who I am today. Q. What business-related books have inspired you the most to help with your business? A. The books Failing Forward, Cash Flow Quadrant, Make Your Bed- Little Things That Can Change Your Life, and The Wealth Choice are books that have helped me continue to grow and develop my business. Q. How do you define success? A. Success is the freedom to live your life on your terms happily. Q. What is your main goal for your business? A. The main goal for my business is to help at least 10,000 people become financially free and create generational wealth.

Q. Can you tell us one of your biggest accomplishments you have had being an entrepreneur? A. Since I have become an entrepreneur, my biggest accomplishments have been building a game for my business and a financially literary program to help people become financially free. Q. What challenges do you face being a women entrepreneur? A. My biggest challenge that I have faced being a woman entrepreneur is balancing both work, home and family life. It can get overwhelming, so taking the time for yourself is a must. Q. How has Covid impacted your business? A. COVID-19 has shown us that regardless of how good your business is, it can fail. We have not gone under, but we are paying more attention to our business model and strategies moving forward. Q. Where can the readers follow you? A. Readers can follow me on :  @nevergobrokeinc and visit my website:  nevergobroke.money.

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“ We wanted to create my own brand and business to save families time, money and frustration when styling their kids’ hair. ”

ROZALYN & GABBY GOODWIN WIB Magazine

Q. Thanks for interviewing with us. Please tell everyone who you are and what you do? A. Hi, my name is Gabby Goodwin and I am Rozalyn Goodwin and we are the Co-Founders of Confidence by Gabby. With our company, we have created the patented GaBBY Bows and plant-based natural hair care products designed to save families time, money, and frustration. Q. What inspired you to create your own brand and business? A. I wanted to create my own brand and business to save families time, money and frustration when styling their kids’ hair. Q. How is it being a six-figure entrepreneur at a young age and balancing school? A. It is an honor, but it can also be very jam-packed. With all the work from school, business, and my personal life, I have learned to use my time wisely and that’s a great skill to have. Q. Tell us about your company “Gabby Bows” and the motivation behind it? A. Yes, my motivation behind creating GaBBY Bows was when I would leave for school, I would leave the house with my hair done nice and neatly with my bows clipped perfectly on the ends. When I would come, most of the bows at the end of my hair would be missing from my hair or barely hanging on to the ends. We created the first patented double-face double-snap barrette to solve the age-old problem of disappearing hair barrettes. GaBBY bows are engineered to prevent hair slippage. Q. Can you tell us about “Girl Boss” and how it empowers other young entrepreneurs? A. Girl Boss is an entrepreneurship academy that teaches young girls how to save for college and learn entrepreneurship and life skills like sales, marketing, budgeting and public speaking. In the beginning, I was not as confident and courageous as I am now, but entrepreneurship changed that for me. Creating this academy has allowed me to empower other young girls to be fearless and fulfill their dreams through entrepreneurship.

Q. Who have been your biggest supporters building your business? A. My biggest supporters have been my family and friends. My parents have helped in every area of the business, whether that is using their own money at first to start the business or pushing me out of my comfort zone to gain confidence. My other family and friends have helped with many other different things as well. Q. What advice can you give to other young girls and boys that want to start their own business? A. My advice to young girls and boys is to believe in yourself. If you don’t believe in yourself, nobody else will, so be passionate about what you do and others will become passionate about you. Also, don’t be afraid of hearing the word NO. I always say, “N.O. is just an abbreviation for Next Opportunity”. Even if you have heard 100 no’s’, you can keep pushing to get to that next opportunity you want. Q. How excited were you when you found out your bows were going to be sold at target? A. It was very exciting to hear that my bows were going to be in such a big box retailer like Target. It’s probably every business’ dream to get a major opportunity like that, and I’m honored to have that opportunity. Q. Tell us some things you like to do in your free time? A. In my free time, if I’m not working, I love spending time with my family and friends, dancing, and playing on my electronics. Q. Where can the readers follow you? A. To learn more about the duo and their work, visit www.gabbybows.com today. Also, join their Facebook Community at www.facebook.com/therealgabbybows .

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