Volume 9 – Number 40 JULY/AUGUST 2019
Jamal
Wilson TALKS ENTREPRENEURSHIP, INSPIRING OTHERS AND EXPANDING HIS FOOD HALL BRAND
7 NEW RULES FOR BUSINESS CASUAL
$3.50 onyxmagazine.com
FROM CO-ED TO CEO
STUDENT MAKES MOVES
WHAT’S HOLDING YOU BACK FROM BEING YOUR OWN BOSS?
BLACK ENTREPRENEURSHIP ON THE RISE
contents 6
Publisher’s Column
7
ONYX Salutes James Hammond
8
Elevate: Life – the sequel
10
From Co-Ed to CEO: Makeup by Mochaa
12
Five Answers from a Leader: Dr. Cynthia Johnson
13
Entrepreneurship: What’s holding you back from being the boss?
15
Florida Scope
16
Library Series: Mind your bizness
18
Arts & Entertainment: Anthony Alabi
20 Good Read: Getting down to business 23
Business: Are you working On or In your business
24 Farmers Market: youth make food their business 26 Health and Wellness: Food safety 28
Money Matters: Does lack of funds keep blacks out of office?
30 Workplace: Soldiers bring value to the team 32
On the Rise: Gen Z view higher education as vital to startups
34 SAGE: How retiring Baby Boomers affect the job market 35
4 FEATURE
Jamal Wilson: Entrepreneurship, Inspiration, Expansion Photos courtesy of Jamal Wilson
4 ONYX MAGAZINE
Are business incubators right for you?
36 Men’s Fashion: The new business casual 38
Women’s Fashion: How dressing well can help you earn more
40 Jamal Wilson: Entrepreneurship, inspiration, expansion 42 Beyond Florida 44 Your Business: Small business owner or entrepreneur – which are you? 46 On the Quad 48 Travel: Ideas for the family vacation 50 ONYX on the Move 51
Real Estate: Four tips for house buying
52
Black History: Black Wall Street – the race riot that destroyed a legacy
54 Food and Wine
WOMEN’S FASHION
How Dressing Well Can Help You Earn More By Quin Brewington
though I didn’t have it at that point. It can be disheartening to think that in spite of the countless accomplishments women have made in virtually every field, our overall success is still tied to how attractive other people think we are. But, the truth of the matter is, people will and often do draw conclusions about us based solely on what they see. Take former First Lady Michelle Obama for instance. No other wife of an American president has been ridiculed more for her looks than she has. Remember the accusations of unprofessionalism that wearing a sleeveless shift dress for her first official portrait caused? If Mrs. Obama’s story — and even mine to a lesser degree – doesn’t serve as proof that image matters, I don’t know what does. The road to image and financial success in the workplace can be hard to navigate without proper guidance. So, here are some tips that could help make your journey a little smoother: 1. Don’t be overly provocative: Personal style is just that, it’s personal. So, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with showing some personality in the ensembles you select. But remember, when it comes
to winning over colleagues or wowing potential clients, be careful that the message your outfit conveys doesn’t alienate the people you want to impress most. 2. Think about what your clothing says: Fashion designer Miuccia Prada
once said, “Fashion is instant language.” Are the clothes you’re wearing telling your colleagues or clients that you lack good judgment? These days, what is and is not appropriate can be a touchy subject, but generally speaking, being in tune with your environment is an excellent place to start. For example, if you have a meeting in a law office – many of which still adhere to a pretty conservative dress code— you wouldn’t want to show up in khakis and a polo shirt.
3. Always dress with intention: Your style of dress can serve as a powerful extension of your personal brand. What you put on your body in the morning can either reinforce or diminish your skills in the eyes of employers, co-workers and potential clients. So, the lesson here is twofold: choose wisely and dress for the job you want (assuming you don’t already have it, rock star!).
Quin Brewington is an award-winning writer, content creator and founder of SisterLadyGirl.com, a lifestyle and fashion blog in Tampa who teaches women over 40 how to embrace their own unique style and love themselves just the way they are.
38 ONYX MAGAZINE
Adobe Stock
F
or many people in the workplace, i.e. colleagues, clients and potential business partners, appearance equates to performance. A sharp dresser can be perceived as quick-witted and focused, while someone shabbily dressed can be seen as having a poor work ethic. When it comes to the qualities that people most often associate with professionalism, a person’s appearance ranks second only to good communication skills. For women in particular, the more successful you look, the greater your chances will be of advancing professionally and in turn, making more money. Sounds crazy? I thought the same thing. Then, I remembered my own story. It was only a few years ago that I started a new job and quickly became known for two things: my curly hair and the way I dressed. After a year on the job, I was promoted. Less than three years later, I had nearly doubled my starting salary. Do I believe all this happened because of how I look? Absolutely not! I’m a hard worker with a strong work ethic. But, here’s what I do believe: perception is reality. I knew going in I wanted to be seen as a leader. So, that was the image I cultivated. In other words, I dressed for the role I wanted to play even