Huami Magazine Denver July/August 2023

Defeating The Distractions

I’m a firm believer in God-given purpose and assignments. Huami Magazine is a result of answered prayers and isolated conversations with God. I could hear God’s voice mainly due to my ability to block out any unnecessary noise and ultimately focus on what I was seeking God for. I had a yearning for something more, something greater than myself, but I knew I didn’t possess the ability to visualize it by my own efforts. I had no choice but to rest on what I needed for God to show me.

The experience I just described exemplifies the power of defeating distractions blocking and holding our blessings and purposes hostage. Distractions are often present as a means to prevent us from seeing or hearing the things needed to grow. Distractions are only effective when we allow them to be. Even more, distractions have no power unless we give them power.

What are you allowing to have relevance in your life that serves as a distraction? What are you giving energy and attention but serves you no purpose or benefit? If you can identify what is fruitful and what is not in your life, you will take the first step in clearing the path to what is purposed for you—your destiny.

Distractions can present themselves in various ways and forms. Distractions can be friends or associates. Distractions often appear in text messages, emails, and other places such as social media platforms. Distractions can begin as small meaningless occurrences but can grow into things that consume your time and affect how you act, move, and live.

We must eliminate distractions to reach our goals and live more purposeful lives. We must focus on the things that help us become the most excellent versions of ourselves. While many things in life can be reproduced and duplicated, time isn’t one of them, and with the time that life offers us, we must make the most of it.

My best advice is for you to live your life to the fullest potential by identifying and defeating distractions.

Terry L. Watson

By Terry L. Watson

I Can Overcome,

Angel Johnson is sort of a world traveler. Her feet have touched down in many places, such as Kuwait, Qatar, and Afghanistan. However, she is still a true Southern girl.

Originally from Charleston, SC, she attended the Citadel Military College there and is one of the first one hundred black women to graduate from there in its 150 year history. Her next move, she was commissioned into the United States Air Force as a Second Lieutenant and enjoyed an eight-year career there, obtaining the rank of Captain while, of course, traveling abroad.

All of her experiences have shaped Angel into the person she is. Today, she resides in Denver, CO, and owns ICONI. “I consider myself a start-up founder that likes leggings,” Angel says. Her company offers products for men and women, such as leggings, sports bras, shirts, shorts, and tops. Angel adds, “ICONI activewear delivers motivation and empowerment, and we guarantee to safeguard and support our customers’ bodies. More importantly, we aim to ensure our customers can focus on their workouts instead of see-through, non-supportive, low-quality, and boring activewear.”

ICONI is an acronym for “I Can Overcome, Nothing Is Impossible”.”The ICONI logo represents power, strength, and versatility. The base is a power button representing your power to accomplish your goals. The overlay is the Adinkra symbol for strength and versatility. It takes all these elements to control your total wellness, especially when starting a fitness journey.”

likes leggings.”

“I consider myself a start-up founder that

Photos Provided by Angel Johnson

ICONI Leggings

www.iconi.com

Facebook @ICONI Leggings

Instagram @ iconileggings

Tiktok @ iconileggings

Twiter @ iconileggings

While still in the military, Angel started her company. The idea came about in October 2019, but the company was launched in January 2020. Angel says, “I got tired of spending so much money on activewear. I never understood why women’s activewear was see-through, and I wanted to change that. I also learned that other women shared the same concern, as well as others regarding active wear.”

To build the ICONI brand, Angel utilized the power of social media. “I asked questions about the issue other women had about activewear. One thing I learned was the issue they had with leggings falling down. I thought to myself, well, I need to ensure that leggings will not fall while my clients work out. I need to make sure they are not see-through and have compression. I used social media and the feedback from my friends to help create the best products.”

In addition to finding ICONI products on their website, they can be purchased from their Amazon store. Their goal is also to have them available in five to seven boutique stores and gyms by the end of 2023. “We are moving slowly with distribution because gyms will reach out to us to have our products available in their business, but they are not an inclusive environment. We only want to work with inclusive environments because our customer base is very diverse.”

Angel credits her mother, Pearl, with having the most considerable influence on her life. “She has always taught me the value of having a hard work ethic. She taught me the value of working hard at some things and keep going,” Angel said.

After launching her brand, Angel faced the challenge of the Covid 19 pandemic. She had an activewear line, and her original marketing goal was to go into the gyms, but most gyms across the country were closed. She overcame this challenge by networking and applying to various databases and even hired a marketing company to assist with her marketing needs. Those challenges Angel shares have only made her a stronger and wiser businesswoman.

There have been some highs and lows with running her company, Angel shares. One high was when it was listed as one of Oprah Winfrey’s favorite things in November 2020. Angel says that experience turned her side hustle mentality into a fully-fledged business. Since its inception, they have done over half a million dollars in sales. Now, with the assistance of outside investors and a marketing company, the projections look promising.

Looking ahead, Angel says she hopes to give back and mentor other aspiring entrepreneurs. She also wants to expand their size range and incorporate more fabric technologies into their clothing.

To learn more about ICONI, please visit their website. h

The Source Unlimited LLC

By Terry L. Watson

Without question, Jensine Reeder is a lover of all people. The Greenville, SC, resident has a reputation for giving and pouring into others. She has intentionally made limitless connections across the beauty, technology, and nonprofit sectors and provided hope and opportunities while doing so.

Jensine’s story reflects the life of someone who has refused to be denied or misled. She shares, “Family has always been important to me. I grew up in Greenville, SC, as the oldest of five siblings, and Southern Baptist ideals shaped my adolescent identity. While the church offered community, support, and love, it also led me to believe that money, specifically desiring money, is bad. I scraped by for years to make ends meet. I hoarded basic supplies like toilet paper and worked tirelessly for less than minimum wage to feed myself and my family. My efforts kept us fed, and we were alive but not truly living. I knew deep in my bones that I was capable of more, and we deserved more.”

Jensine says her career and entrepreneurship journeys taught her wealth is not inherently evil. “I learned that money is neither good nor bad but simply a tool. What matters is how you use it. Money provides stability and offers opportunities. I wanted to allow my children to pursue their education, dreams, and passions and access the best care and resources money could buy. Furthermore, I never wanted my children to feel the suffocating fear of living paycheck to paycheck. So, I carved out a new career path for myself and climbed from minimum wage jobs to a salaried position,” she says. However, little did she know her journey out of poverty had only begun.

Today, Jensine owns Source Unlimited LLC, a consulting firm dedicated to connecting small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and corporations with the resources necessary to thrive professionally. “We offer nonprofit IT consulting services to ensure data collection procedures are efficient and accompanied by effective workflow processes,” Jensine says. “That enhanced efficiency better positions organizations for additional funding opportunities and enables organizations to tell their stories.”

One of the services offered by The Source Unlimited is Professional Nonprofit IT Consulting. Her goal is to ensure data collection software and procedures are efficient and accompanied by effective workflow processes. “This positions the organization for additional funding opportunities,” she says. Another product offered is Elevation Coaching™, designed for small business professionals, which offers small business establishment for Limited Liability Corporation (LLC), Incorporation (Inc), Sole Proprietorship, and Nonprofit (501(c)(3) establishment. Additionally, they offer coaching with a phased approach to growing their clients’ businesses.

Another product offered, which is designed for individuals, is Elevation Coaching™. Jensine asks, “Are you ready for your elevation journey? We offer a process to tap into your highest self and elevate your thinking about yourself, your purpose, and your life! My services are for anyone with a vision to start or expand their business and needs guidance, support, and accountability.”

Jensine’s creative side is displayed with Goddess Wraps by Jensine™, which was launched in 2021. She hand-makes vibrant satin-lined headwraps with 100% Cotton Ankara fabric lined with high-quality satin. She says the line resulted from her doing some soul-searching and learning what her life’s purpose was. Annually, a portion of their sales are donated to organizations that focus on raising awareness about breast cancer and alopecia. Additionally, Jensine provides virtual and in-person wrap services for photoshoots, date nights, weddings, birthday celebrations, anniversary events, and more.

Photos Provided by Stacey Gardin

Jensine says her journey in poverty began in 2012 while working as a paralegal at a private law firm. She overheard a conversation between the attorneys about a client who didn’t understand their life of poverty. At that moment, Jensine learned there was a difference between being poor and being in poverty. “I was in shock because, according to my family and friends, I was doing well for myself because I had a good job, a car, and was renting a home. I then researched what career I could transition to in order to increase my income to make enough money to be above the federal poverty line,” she says.

Her next move was returning to college to get her degree in Computer Technology at Greenville Technical College. While being a full-time student, she worked on campus in the Engineering and Technology computer lab, an experience that allowed her to sharpen her skills and gain professional experience. Jensine shares that with the support of her family, friends, and church members, she graduated with honors in 2014 with a degree in Computer Technology.

Continuing her educational journey as a working mother required great personal sacrifice, Jensine confesses, but she was ready to pursue a career in technology. She soon started her consulting business, The Source Unlimited. In no time, doors began to open in her favor. Jensine says, “The United Way of Greenville County was searching for a Database Administrator. I applied and got the contract, and that seven-year opportunity helped me find my niche within the technology field. I also assisted over 222 Greenville County nonprofits with acquiring over $4 million in grant funding.” She was off and running, and The Source Unlimited LLC was birthed in 2014.

Jensine’s new career helped her purchase her first home in 2015. “My children and I were so happy to have a place to call home,” she says. Her children also inspired her to share her story with others and pursue public speaking engagements throughout the Upstate community.

I was in shock because, according to my family and friends, I was doing well for myself. I had a good job, a car, and was renting a home.”

Jensine Reeder

When asked what she loves most about her journey in business, Jensine says it’s the opportunities she has to mentor entrepreneurs, business owners, executives, and professionals. She enjoys transforming their lives, careers, and mindsets through the power of radical self-discovery, self-care, and self-love. “I also love the opportunity to honor my Afro-Indigenous heritage with Goddess Wraps by Jensine.”

Jensine emphasizes that external success cannot exist without internal success, and when she reflects on the fear, anger, and grief that consumed her at the beginning of her journey, she’s overwhelmed with joy. “I cherish and appreciate the peace, prosperity, and stability my family knows now. I am also humbled by the blessings God placed in my life,” she said.

Jensine thanks the members of her community for their constant support. She also thanks her mother for always breathing life into her vision. “Thank you, Mom, for being the wind beneath my wings!” Her advice to others who may follow in her footsteps is simple. “Life will never be without trials and tribulations, but we are strong, creative, and gifted enough to turn those trials and tribulations into something more. Whether it takes a year, a decade, or multiple decades, you can transform your life. You have everything you need within you to start and succeed.”

The future looks very bright for this savvy businesswoman. Jensine’s businesses and brands are growing, and soon she will launch a new men’s line at the beginning of 2024. To learn more about The Source Unlimited LLC, please visit their website.

Dan Smith Charon Thompson and The Porter House KC Creating Opportunities For The Betterment of Others

By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by The Porter House KC

The Porter House KC is an inner city-based co-working community that provides entrepreneurship access and resources to underserved populations in the Kansas City, MO, Metro area. Founded by Dan Smith and Charon Thompson, the organizations’ mission is to be a bridge for underrepresented individuals who typically don’t have access to the entrepreneurial dream. They also assist in representing entrepreneurs of color by providing an affordable business space to grow an idea into a full-fledged business.

Dan is a native of Kansas City and graduated from Bishop Hogan High School. He has worked in for-profit and not-forprofit sectors for the past 18 years, and in addition to the Porter House KC, he has started, owned, and operated five businesses. Dan’s affinity for the not-for-profit sector, explicitly helping underserved populations, started over 20 years ago when his mother exposed him to the importance of helping others. This experience gave him a deep appreciation for the not-for-profit work in underserved communities of color and fueled his drive to help those in need. Dan will serve his first year as a professor at the University of Kansas School of Business this fall. He previously taught at the University of Missouri in Kansas City. He shares two boys, Michael and Daniel Jr, with his wife, Aisha.

Charon is not a native of Kansas City, but he has lived in the “City of Dreams” since he was seven years old. Most of his family lives in Dallas, TX, and Shreveport, LA. Charon was a military brat who traveled all over and found his way there by way of his grandmother, a Kansas City resident. He attended Lincoln College Prep and the University of Missouri in Kansas City. At UMCK, he majored in Electrical Engineering, and from there, he started several businesses with Dan and worked with the BNSF Railway for 17 years. One of the businesses he and Dan created was a coffee wholesale company called Black Drip Coffee. Dan is married to Lauren, and together they share two boys and a girl, Caleb, Dylan, and Bryson.

The Porter House KC was developed when Dan and Charon were challenged with access to few resources when starting their business. “We wanted to help entrepreneurs in the community have a sustainable business. We reached out to a couple of businesses and noticed gaining access wasn’t easy. We had to ask the hard questions to make it easy for others who look like us to have access and operate successfully,” they share. “The plight of the minority entrepreneur is one with many struggles and hardships and very few victories. We aim to reverse this narrative and help entrepreneurs grow in victory.”

Why do they serve their community, one may ask? The answer is simple. Dan and Charon are committed to bringing change and opportunity. “We love improving our community and seeing generational wealth pour in.”

Others have shaped and molded the minds of these servants, whom they both acknowledge. Dan says his grandfather and mother impacted his life while growing up. They showed him how to be the man he has come to be. Charon says his mother, twin sister, and brother, John Wilson, helped make him the man he is today. Additionally, he had role models in Deion Sanders and Derrick Thomas as a child.

“The plight of the minority entrepreneur is one with many struggles and hardships and very few victories. We aim to reverse this narrative and help entrepreneurs grow in victory.”

Running a business will always come with its own challenges, and the Porter House KC is no exception. Charon says marketing and getting known in Kansas City is one, while Dan says one of his challenges has been figuring out better ways to connect with his community. “Even though I come from the same community as our target population, the population we’re serving is ever-changing for business owners and changing for them as well,” Dan said.

Their advice to other entrepreneurs, whether in business or thinking about getting into business, is to keep grinding. “Believe in yourself and have confidence in your abilities and your vision. Those two things are very crucial. Also, trust your instincts, stay true to your values, and believe in your potential to positively impact your business.” Dan emphasizes that it’s essential to have the power to create a successful business and inspire others as a minority entrepreneur. “Stay resilient, persevere, and let your passion guide this rewarding journey,” Dan says.

In the future, Porter House KC will open another space at 811 W 31st St in Kansas City. The opening is planned for August. “Instead of trying to figure out eCommerce and how to get in the next pop-up show or ‘First Fridays’ type deals, we want founders and business owners to be able to have stores and be a retailer out of their own space. We want to create opportunities for entrepreneurs,” they shared. There will be a lot of surprises when their new space is finished, that is for sure.

To learn more about Porter House KC, please visit their website.

h

www.theporterhousekc.com

Focuses on two groups of business owners.

Individuals Just Starting Out:

Those wanting to launch a product or create a start-up

Have an idea and the motivation to learn

Needs the resources and facilities to get started

Looking for the education to start on the right path

Entrepreneurs In The KC Metro Area:

Their company is 0-2 years old

Looking to expand operations

Success is haltered

Needs the expertise to continue growing

Chea Butterz Beauty Michea Jones

By Terry L. Watson

Photos Provided by Michea Jones

Michea Jones, pronounced (My-Shay), is the owner of Chea Butterz Beauty, also known in the Milwaukee, WI, community as The Braid Spa. Chea Butterz Beauty offers a wide range of luxury braiding and esthetics services, including every type of braid, from micro to the extra large knotless. Their services include styled feed-in braids (the new name for French braids), and a half weave and half braid option. They also have esthetics services, including waxing, facials, body treatments, body sculpting, lashes, brows, and more.

Michea says that Chea Butterz Beauty’s targeted audience is any male and female between the ages of (5-100) looking to enhance their beauty, whether through getting their hair done, cleaning their skin, or sculpting their body.

Michea describes herself as a hard-working, driven individual who isn’t afraid of challenges. She says, “I have dealt with many challenges throughout my life, which has molded me into the woman I am today. Growing up under the poverty level was one of the main challenges my siblings and I faced. Yet, that never stopped my mom from providing for us. Before my mother died, she taught me how to survive. Those values showed up in my life once I was on my own.”

At the age of nine, Michea’s mom first put a baby doll with hair in front of her. It was then she learned how to braid. “My mom braided hair also, and I would take the clients she didn’t want to do. However, I wasn’t making much money braiding for my mom, so I lost interest. That was my attitude every other year in regard to braiding. I would do it for a while; then I would stop. After high school, I decided to stop braiding and get my degree. But in the mix of school, my mom died. I was in my sophomore year of undergrad, and her passing hit me hard. I was only 19 and had nowhere to live. I eventually landed on my Godparents’ couch until I could make enough money to move. Once I got the hang of living on my own and paying bills, I realized I was missing something; braiding. Braiding was my connection to my mom. Soon, I had a two-bedroom home and turned the spare room into a “room shop”. I started taking clients in my home and charged what I wanted. I began to feel a sense of belonging,” Michae says. Today, she has a salon suite almost four times the size of her “room shop”, with independent contractors working alongside her. Things have changed for the better for Michea.

“My mom braided hair also, and I would take the clients she didn’t want to do. However, I wasn’t making much money braiding for my mom, so I lost interest.”

Chea Butterz Beauty began in 2018, the year before Michea finished college. It began under the name, Bliss Essential Goods, and offered skin care products. Michea wanted to combine her braiding services with her skin care products, and thus Chea Butterz Beauty was born.

When she graduated from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee in 2019 with a BA in Psychology, Michea realized, Therapy wasn’t something she wanted to pursue then. “I wanted to learn about skin just as much as I knew about braids. I wanted to be legit in the skin care and esthetics world, so I went back to school and attended Milwaukee Area Technical College Mequon Skyn Spa,” she shares. Michea graduated in 2021 as a state Licensed Aesthetican; in 2021, Chea Butterz Beauty LLC became a registered business through Wisconsin. Michea was no longer operating in her “room shop”. She was legitimately established in her existing space.

Michea shares what she loves most about being a business owner is the opportunity to write her own story. “My business is what molded me to be,” she says. Michea also loves people. “I’m a giver by nature, and I want to make people feel good. I serve others in hopes of making their day just like they made mine when they chose Chea Butterz Beauty.”

Michea says her “why” has to be bigger than the “no’s” of others. Having this type of mentality is what drives her. “ I have to remember each day why I am doing this. I must keep going even without the support of others. I am also encouraged when I am supported by those I didn’t expect to support me,” she says.

Her advice to other aspiring entrepreneurs is to believe in what God has given you. “The vision that God gave you was meant only for you, so don’t let anyone tell you you can’t because God already showed you that you can.”

In addition to running her business, Michea teaches at Universal Scholars Academy. She shares that she doesn’t desire to teach in a classroom setting but still loves to teach, which is why she plans to return to school and get her cosmetology and esthetics instructor licenses. “I want to open the first black-owned Braid Spa Institute in Milwaukee and offer professional braiding and esthetics classes to individuals between the ages of 18-50. I also want to obtain my Masters in Counseling and open a Therapy salon, a first of its kind. I will call it Hairapy, and it will be designed for both men and women and offer a professional space to unwind, relax, and vent while getting serviced,” Michea says.

June 9th, 2023

Marriott Hotel - Downtown Greensboro, NC

Photos Provided by Still Shots Photography

The Liberty Juneteenth Celebration

Committee-Brenda Hornsby Heindl, Sandra Bartell, Michelle Hooker-Ravenell, Gisela Pacheco and Mary Matthews

By Dorjea’ McClammey

Something remarkable is happening in the community of Liberty, NC. Sandra Bartell and a committee of members of the same community have produced the first Liberty Juneteenth Celebration. The festival occurred on June 19th, 2023, at Paul Henry Smith Park. There were vendors, food, events for the kids, entertainment, and history. The park exists in the exact location of one of the Rosenwald schools, which were built to help educate young black kids. Currently, it’s being used to educate everyone on the town’s history and bring everything into full circle for the citizens of Liberty.

Born and raised in Liberty, NC, Sandra aims to keep her town’s history alive. She was one of the students who integrated Liberty High School in 1965. After she graduated, Sandra and her high school sweetheart moved to Greensboro, NC. There she attended beauty school and later received a degree in childhood education from North Carolina A&T State University. Sandra worked in the education system, enlightening people for nearly 30 years. During her retirement, she wrote a children’s book called “Money Manners for Kids”, which helps to educate young people about financial responsibility.

The Liberty Juneteenth Celebration is quickly becoming a staple in the small but well-connected southern community. Sandra realized there was a need to share the rich history and efforts of Liberty’s black citizens, so she partnered with her cousin Michelle Hooker-Ravenell and started researching their family and the town’s history. The town librarian Brenda Hornsby-Heindl helped them create a scanning day, allowing others in the community to come and share their history and create archives. Brenda also informed them about a community grant received by the Liberty Library. After President Biden made Juneteenth a national holiday in 2020, that grant moved the committee closer to creating the first Juneteenth celebration for the community of Liberty.

Photos Provided by Snuggs Photography

The Bartell’s and Herbert’s Sandra.C. Bartel (Center)

As the festival has grown, so has the committee’s participation. Mary Matthews, Gisela Pacheco, and Michelle Hooker Ravenell have joined the circle, and they all possess a general interest in bringing together the small, diverse town of Liberty and ensuring everyone feels included in the town’s history.

When asked what they each love about the festival, everyone had one common factor; the comradery the celebration brings. “I love how everyone comes together from different walks of life to bring together such an amazing event,” says Sandra. Michelle shares she likes the community involvement and the visible growth that happens each year, saying it reminds her of a family reunion. Committee member Gisela noted the love she sees within the community, “Liberty is the type of community where when we get together, it feels like a family reunion. Many of us can get busy with work, school, and busy with families, so to have a day where we can come together and celebrate is very special. “I am glad that a small group of individuals were concerned enough about the Heritage of Black Americans in Liberty to want to make a difference. It has something of interest for all ages, games, food, crafts, fellowship, and most of all, Black History.”

With the growth of the celebration also comes new challenges. One was the need for updates in the park and resources in general. “We also need more people to fully commit to the interest of the festival and be willing to do whatever it takes to make it a success,” Sandra says.

Despite the challenges, most of the community does show their support. There were 200-250 people in the first two years, and this year there were nearly 350 people. They support them financially through donations and volunteering and show their support by being there and enjoying each other’s company. This year, people from other towns and Liberty residents celebrated. Sandra shared there was a young man with a rocker, a table for his fan, radio, food, and drinks. “He helped put up and take down tents. It was one great big happy family event.”

Mary Matthews (Committee Member)

Michelle Hooker-Ravenell (CO-Founder)

In the future, the committee hopes to turn the celebration into a non-profit and find more sponsors. They are also working to connect with people nationwide with ties to Liberty to help make the festival bigger and better. They are also working to create other events that will benefit the community, providing opportunities for Black and minority-owned businesses to thrive. Furthermore, they want to let more people know about the celebration, be more transparent, and educate more people about the history while also being a part of the history they are currently making.

“We want to show people we’re serious about the Juneteenth Celebration. We also thank everyone for their support and prayers. With support from the Town of Liberty, the event continues to grow. We’re all in this together, and like Maya Angelou said, when you learn, teach, and when you get, give. That is what Juneteenth is all about,” the group shared.

“We want to show people we’re serious about this, and we’re going to be here. We also thank everyone for their support and prayers.

With support from the Town of Liberty, the event continues to grow. We’re all in this together.”

Brenda Hornsby-Heindl (Librarian)

Sarah Cheek/Clara Shoffner - Residents of Liberty

Gisela Pacheco (Committee Member)

Uncle Reggie’s Catering

By Terry L. Watson - Photos Provided by Uncle Reggie’s Catering

If you are looking for proof, check their reviews. Uncle Reggie’s Catering is regarded as one the best catering services available in the Richmond, VA, area and is known for its Mac n Cheese (Smac Mac).

Owned and operated by Richmond native Reggie Rhoades, Uncle Reggie’s Catering offers a variety of items for their clients, including brunch, lunch, and dinner. They also offer a buffet, drop off, or drop off with setup services for events. Additionally, they allow their clients to customize menus to fit their events. Reggie shares that his services are designed to be professional and affordable.

Reggie describes himself as someone who loves to cook. He earned his culinary degree from Virginia College in 2007 and started his catering company shortly after. He has been married to his wife, Alisha, for 20 years, and they share four beautiful kids; Quintrell, Mariah, Jordan, and Reginald Jr. They also have a grandson, Dazai.

Uncle Reggie’s Catering came to life because Reggie was connected to the right person and at the right time. He shares, “My wife’s best friend Kenya Bundy had a catering business when I graduated from culinary school. Her business was thriving, and she would have to turn down many potential clients due to her already being booked. She brought the idea of catering to me, and I thought it sounded like a good idea, so I gave it a try. Kenya took me under her wing and taught me everything about catering, and I have been blossoming ever since.”

Besides cooking, Reggie says he loves making people happy through his food. He also loves meeting different people regularly and experiencing different venues. He credits his mother for instilling the importance of working hard and being consistent in everything he does. “My mother is my rock, and I love her to the ends of the earth,” he says.

Reggie advises others who may follow a path similar to his to have realistic expectations. “Running a catering business is a fun but sometimes stressful job. You have to ensure with every event that you give 100% to your clients no matter what. It is your job to help make their event as successful as possible,” he says.

Moving forward, Reggie says he plans to own a food truck. He says he would also like to do more travel catering jobs for artists. He mentions that he just finished a catering job for the Lacrae tour. To learn more about Uncle Reggie’s Catering, please visit their website.

MAGAZINE Robert Duece Austin

Cutest Baby

son of Staci Simms and Anthony Austin

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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