Huami Magazine Raleigh/Durham May/June 2019

RALEIGH-DURHAM

®

May/June 2019 Volume 2 Issue 11 FREE

Sharon Jermaine & Marsh’s Rentals Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2019

HuamiMagazine.com

1

Come See Our New Location Stop By For A Free Consultation Offering Services For Alopecia Specialist, Hair Loss, Thinning Hair, Hair Replacement, and more!

Invisilace Hair Wigs

804 Salem Woods Dr. Suite 101 2

Raleigh, NC 27265

HuamiMagazine.com

Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2019

833-LACE WIG 833- 522-3 9 4 4

Hors D’oeurves Chicken Drummettes Homestyle Meatballs Platters & Salads

Buffets or BBQ Picnics Sea Trout or Catfish Country Fried or BBQ Zesty Herb Grilled Chicken Hickory Smoked BBQ Spare Ribs

Events & Occasions, Outdoor BBQ’s and More or

www.jj-catering.com Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2019

HuamiMagazine.com

3

The Push, The Pull, and The Prize A Letter From The Editor

There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It!

In your lifetime, there will be moments when you will be required to push. These moments happen when you get A Letter frompurpose, the Editorand it appears that it has stalled in behind your the middle of the road. You may want to move on to the next step, but you lack the enthusiasm and momentum What if tomorrow didn’t arrive? All of your plans, hopes needed to do so. During these moments you have to muster and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if upeverything the strength, your shoulders, and push! thatlower you decided to put off breathe, until tomorrow never You must push those things which appears to have died. happened? There would be no reason to save for a rainy However, it die becausethe of trouble the significance day, andyou you can’t couldlet spare someone of making it has in your future.

You must push the things which has promises. What if your last opportunity seemingly expired carried you but is now out of gas.

You have to push that of today? What would you do? which others have determined to be valueless, back into brilliance.

Youtold must also push seem yourself position I’ve been that I often likeinto I do atoo much. of effectiveness in order to meet the needs of and others Honestly, I feel like I am not doing enough I’m who a firm depend oninyou to survive. believer knowing that God wouldn’t put anything on me that I couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life would When you get tooidle farand ahead of yourself, you may realize be if I chose to sit accept what it presented to me. I that you havethat left to someone It my might have opportunity gotten have found be very behind. boring. In opinion, is ainblessing that isn’tbut afforded to everyone. challenge lost the confusion, now you realize thatAyou need to me is an adventure.

What is the worst that can happen? them. You must reach behind and pull them to where you If I Without do nothing, I fail, and if I try don’t, learn are. them, you may notI be ablebut to instead reach the next something new about myself.

Relinquish your pride and in phase of which God has prepared for you, and for them as return acquire life. well.

The best advice ever given to mewaiting happened when Believe it or not, there is a prize for you at someone the end told me to make my tomorrow happen today.

In doing your journey. After all of the excitement that life brings,so I have pressed through with a keycalm, that aonly fades away, and my theway music stops doors and the winds prize hope provided.

I have also learned the difference awaits to be redeemed by you. The irony of it all isbetween your what God me with andand what life can burden me with reward was blesses uniquely prepared promised well before as well. I compare it to knowing when to be confident your first steps were plantedand on when to be quiet, because the road of life. God promises to someone may get it confused give each and every one of us His with being arrogant. very best. That is how much he loves us. Your decisions, both the Make you tomorrow good ones and bad ones, will play happen today, but most a role as to when and how the importantly make it count. moment will happen.

Life is but a whisper and we must put ourselves in a In the meantime, you must position to hear what it is push your way telling us.through, pull that which has fallen behind, and press on to redeem your prize that God promises. Terry L. Watson

Terry L. Watson Editor/Founder

4

HuamiMagazine.com

4

HuamiMagazine.com

www.huamimagazine.com Terry L Watson Publisher www.huamimagazine.com Editor In Chief Writer Dawn C. Thornton Terry L. Watson Laci Ollison Writer Alana Allen - Deputy Editor Terry L. Watson Writer Yasmine Regester Writer Writers

Tonya Dixon

Terry L. Watson Bernard Smith Alana Allen Ashleigh Crawley Tamara Smith Jeuron JLG Photography Dove Pharen Lopez

Photographers

Perfect Lenz Todd Youngblood Photography Want To Photography Advertise?

Shaw Photography Group Send An Email or Call Today Still Shots Photography

huami.triangle@gmail.com Howard Gaither Photography Who Shotya Photography (336)340-7844 Layout

Mykel MediaUs Company Keep Up With on Facebook Linda Bennett Huami Magazine for Raleigh/Durham

A Group For Followers and

mykelmedia@yahoo.com Supporters of Huami Magazine (336) 340-7844 HUAMI MAGAZINE is published bimonthly quarterly by the Mykel Media Company. Any reproduction of any portion of this publication is prohibited without written permission from the publisher prior to doing so. Mykel Media doesn’t accept responsibility for statements made by individuals featured or advertisers. Comments concerning this publication may be submitted to the editor by E-mail at terrywatson@huamimagazine.com Email or Telephone terry.editor@yahoo.com terry.editor@yahoo.com or to 336-340-7844 Mykel Media Company, LLC P.O. Box 20102 Greensboro, NC 27420 HUAMI MAGAZINE 2019 All Rights Reserved 2014 All Rights Reserved

On The Cover

Photo by Shaw Photography Group

Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2019

November/December 2014

Photographer Photographer Photographer Photographer

Want To Advertise? Call (336)340-7844

CONTENTS

MAY/JUNE 2019

RALEIGH/DURHAM

The Key Experience

Keyshia Daniels

On The Cover

Marsh’s Rentals

Sharon & Jermaine Marsh

6

Greene’s Floor Care

Akeem Greene

10

14

The Making Of A Soldier

Adriene Odom

Huami Magazine Cutest Baby

Marquel Wilson

30

23

Also Featured

DeAnna Morris Life Seeds Coaching and Devoping of Richmond, VA

18

LaToya Hill Meet the face of Hill’n Hands Massage Therapy of Charlotte, NC

22

Kevin Thornton Offering Coaching and health information, and a whole lot more for men.

HuamiMagazine.com

26 5

Sharon Jermaine & Marsh’s Rentals 6

HuamiMagazine.com

Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2019

By Junious Smith Photos by Pharen Lopez

Jermaine Marsh’s concept was a thought for a while, but decided to follow through.

Marsh and his wife, Sharon, started Marsh’s Rentals in 2016, a Durham-based company set to supply party needs, such as tents, tables, flatware and furniture. Marsh said there were humble beginnings, but the support has helped the business flourish.

“This was something I’ve wanted to do for a long time,” Marsh said. “My wife and I entertained this personally and it was almost a natural move since we started. People borrowed a lot of things from me throughout the years for different parties and cookouts, so I thought ‘why don’t I turn it into a business?’ Entrepreneurship is a great way to go. “We got the Tax ID in 2015, but didn’t get started until 2016. At the time, we didn’t have much inventory — we started with maybe 100 chairs, 14 to 15 tables and a few linens.” The amount of material has skyrocketed over the past few years with support.

“Right now, we’ve been able to expand to 700 to 800 chairs, a couple hundred tables and about a hundred sets of linens,” Marsh said. “We’ve got backdrops and dishes — which we didn’t have when we first started — and right now we can seat about 400 people, with the opportunity to mix and match beyond that.”

Marsh said there hasn’t been an issue traveling either. The organization has worked across the Research Triangle Park area, but also hit places such as Greensboro, High Point and Burlington while trying to establish the brand. “We’re still a young business,” Marsh said. “We’re very hungry and passionate in what we do. Over the years, we’ve been building clientele and thankful to have repeat customers, who seek us for all kinds of events. In turn, that leads to others who want to use our services because of the positive referrals.”

Sharon Marsh, Jermaine’s wife, said the business has its ways to differentiate itself from competitors. “We deliver and set up, which is something most places won’t do,” she said. “When I sit down with a client, they’ll tell us what they need for an event, we’ll take that information and then head out to the venue in order to make sure we’re prepared for what they need us for. We measure the space before the day of the event and assure everything is fine. This way, the client can concentrate on their day instead of worrying if we’re able to deliver. Our goal is to make things easier and allow you to have a great time at the event.”

Continued on the next page

7

The Marshes also work full-time jobs — Jermaine with UPS and Sharon in the Durham County area. Still, Jermaine Marsh said there’s no issue when it comes to the business. “We have a staff of roughly seven people — nine including my wife and I — but we just work it out,” Marsh said. “If there are things planned during the week, we’ll try to set things up in order to make sure we can handle the obligations. If we’re not able to staff it ourselves, we’ll have one of our staff members do it.

“Just because my wife and I work full-time jobs doesn’t mean we’re not able to service our customers here. We work our (9 to 5) shifts, then go home to work on our business. We work seven days a week and don’t catch much of a break, but this is something we enjoy. In this type of business, you have to be passionate and we don’t approve of wasting time.”

Marsh said he enjoys being able to run a business and bring smiles to the faces of those utilizing the services.

“The advantage of entrepreneurship is that you’re betting on yourself for the success of your business,” Marsh said. “For us, we put God first and everything else comes secondary — when you rely heavily on Him and give Him honor and glory, what you discover is that everything else falls into place. You’ll find the strength within you that sometimes you didn’t know you had. It’s also a sense of pride you have when it comes to owning your own business and servicing people. It also feels good to receive feedback for the work you do, which keeps you going. Without it, we don’t know where we stand.”

“We’ve always appreciated referrals. We’ve had clients who went to an event we helped put together tell others who didn’t know about us, and they had the opportunity to see our work. They’re able to get a first-hand look and see what we’re capable of doing, so that type of marketing speaks for itself,” he said. “While the goal is to be successful, there’s no reason to gouge the consumer. We don’t want to just sell you stuff to run your invoice or quote up. If we feel like there’s something you may not need, we’ll cut costs in the evaluation. I don’t feel right selling something just for the sake of making a dollar — I’d rather not make a profit and do a great job over providing someone with items they don’t need.”

The long-term plan for Marsh’s Rentals is to have the opportunity to branch out. “Ideally, we’d like to have our own venue to host receptions, parties, weddings, corporate events and anniversaries,” Marsh said. “That would be something we look at as a goal we want to obtain. We also hope to run the business full-time and hire a full-time staff.” h

Marsh’s Rentals

4213 S. Alston Ave. - Durham, NC 27265 919-475-2435 www.marshsrentals.com

Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2019

HuamiMagazine.com

Keyshia Daniels

E

By Laci Ollison Photos by Pharen Lopez

veryone has a story of how their journey has manifested itself. Some people are fortunate to not experience much heartache, and others are tested in life a bit more than most.

The story of serial entrepreneur, Keyshia Daniels is far from ordinary. As she describes it, the journey has been a “roller coaster ride.” Her story has been one full of hurt and pain, as well as victory and triumph.

Born in Whiteville, North Carolina and raised in Raleigh, the single mother of two has been a hairstylist for 27 years and owns a cupcake business as well as a hair care product line.

“I started doing hair when I was about 18 and I got my license in cosmetology after giving birth to my first son.”

But before Keyshia got her start as a hairstylist, she found herself working a corporate job while trying to pursue her passion for hair only part time.

“It’s funny how life works. My grandmother and I went to the bank to get a paper notarized that I needed for nursing school. She saw a sign that said they were hiring. I ended up getting a job at the call center for the bank and worked there for five years.”

It was also during this time that Keyshia received extremely devastating, and unexpected news. One week after undergoing a breast reduction procedure, Keyshia received news that she had breast cancer.

“My doctor said It was a blessing. I must have Angels all around me, because in five years I may not have been alive if I had waited too long to have the Breast Reduction surgery,” Keyshia said. “Fortunately, I didn’t have to receive chemo because they found it early enough.”

“My doctor said It was a blessing. I must have Angels all around me, because in five years I may not have been alive....”

Her children were just 10 and four at the time. Soon after overcoming her bout with breast cancer, Keyshia unfortunately lost her job at the call center. But it was through the loss of her job that she gained the push that she needed to become an entrepreneur. Now, she uses her brand as an avenue to raise awareness of and bring recognition to breast cancer survivors; including her grandmother, her mother, and her aunt. The colors of her business are pink and teal, in honor of those who are living with, or have lost their battle with breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and peritoneal cancer.

Continued on the next page Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2019

HuamiMagazine.com

11

In addition to being a hairstylist Keyshia is a master baker, owning a cupcake business that creates treats for special occasions and holidays. “I started baking in 2010,” said Keyshia. “One of my friends tasted one of my cupcakes and encouraged me to start selling them on the side.”

With multiple businesses, Keyshia found herself contemplating on which one she should give her full attention to. “I remember asking my mother one time what I should focus on, and she told me that I should focus on whatever makes me the most money. I replied: hair.” But her passion for styling hair and creating healthy tresses didn’t just stop with her clients in the salon.

Through her love of baking and her passion for hair care, she also created her own line of hair care products. “In the midst of everything that was going on, the Lord gave me a dream about the scent of cupcakes,” she shared. “But I didn’t know how that was going to intertwine with hair. Then He showed me in another dream about the scent of conditioner and other products.” Keyshia created her products to encourage healthy growth of hair, with an added twist of scents inspired by deserts that she creates in her baking business. Her Cupcake inspired hair care products include a red velvet shampoo, a chocolate conditioner, a lemon coconut growth serum, a lavender vanilla hydrating oil, and a vanilla hair polish.

Throughout her personal life and her journey as an entrepreneur, Keyshia has experienced a lot of things that would probably discourage the average person from continuing to pursue their dreams. But this powerhouse has persevered through any obstacle thrown her way. “I have had a lot of loss and grief, but I kept pushing.”

Keyshia Daniels

The Key Experience Keyshia Daniels Cupcakes 919-213-1040 www.mykeyexperience.com Instagram @keyshiadaniels @keyshiadanielscupcakes @mykeyexperience

“Through everything I have been through, it was by my faith in God, we were able to make it.”

While she experienced the unexpected death of her grandmother in 2015, her brother suffered but survived an aneurysm in 2016. She then lost her mother three months later to Ovarian Cancer also in 2016, and her aunt in 2017 from a battle with Peritoneal Cancer. She also remembers a time when her and her oldest son had to rely heavily on friends and family when her journey in entrepreneurship had just begun. “My oldest and I have had instances where we had to move in with friends and family,” she said. “It was hard starting out as a young entrepreneur and single mother.”

But through her trials, Keyshia credits her strong relationship with God as the one factor that has allowed her to keep pushing through any adversity that she has encountered. “Make sure you have a strong relationship and a sincere prayer life,” she said. “Through everything that I have been through, it was by the faith of God that we were able to make it.”

A minister that possesses a consoling and loving spirit, she proudly serving under the leadership of Pastor Jameliah Young-Mitchell of Unity Church Charlotte.

In regard to her biggest joy as an entrepreneur, the flexibility that comes along with being your own boss makes her journey worthwhile. “Having the flexibility to be all that I can be to myself and others has been amazing for me. If I would have continued my banking career, I would not have been able to have been there for my family. It was a lot but the fact that I could be there for them was an even bigger blessing,” she shared.

Keyshia continues to impact lives through ministry, in the salon that she works in, and through her cupcake business.

She is now working on developing new products for her haircare line, which she hopes to release soon. h

Greene’s Floor Care

By Yasmine Regester Photos by Pharenheit Photography Being able to provide for his family and building a legacy of generational wealth is what fuels Akeem Greene’s purpose behind his floor and carpet cleaning business.

Established in September 2018 in Akeem’s hometown of Goldsboro, North Carolina, Greene’s Flooring provides expert floor and carpet cleaning services to both residences and businesses, which includes stripping and waxing floors, floor scrubbing and carpet cleaning. “My passion is floors. I love taking dirty floors and transforming them into something new. I take pride in what I do for my customers,” says Akeem.

He attended community college for a year, but wasn’t sure what he wanted to do but knew he liked helping people. He became a certified CNA in 2009, and worked at a hospital for five years before he ever touched a floor buffer.

In his full-time job as a nursing assistant for the past 10 years, Akeem says that helping people has been his calling in life. “I feel like giving is the best gift in life. That’s when you get your blessings from God -- when you freely help another person. God is a part of me. I try hard to treat people right. You have to have faith and positive people around you,” says Akeem.

When he first found employment as a floor tech, it started as a part-time gig to supplement his income. Akeem shares that at first he didn’t like the job. But he worked with an older man he affectionately refers to as Mr. Perry, and says that he encouraged him to take pride in his work, no matter what it is.

“Always take pride in your work, because your work reflects who you are as a person. It was like he lit a fire in me,” says Akeem, adding that from that day forward he developed a passion for cleaning floors. After three to four years learning his way around a floor, he shares he asked his manager for a raise, but didn’t get it.

“I thought to myself, ‘why not be my own boss? Why not empower myself to start my own company?’” says Akeem.

So he went online to search for equipment and found a slow-speed buffer for sale in Hope Mills, N.C. Akeem says he told the seller about his plans to start his own business, and the seller also threw in a floor stripper and wax pads – at no extra charge. The next step was to obtain a business license. Then he moved onto creating a logo and business cards. “I wanted to be a young entrepreneur, be my own boss and do something to advance myself,” he says.

“I feel like giving is the best gift in life. That’s when you get your blessings from God -when you freely help another person.”

From there, Akeem says he made sure to purchase just one more thing for his floor care business with every paycheck from his fulltime job. After about two months of getting the business set up, he was ready to accept his first job.

Want To Advertise?

Please call 336-340-7844

HuamiMagazine.com

15

Now at age 30, Akeem said he’s focused on creating something he can pass on to his three-year old daughter, Faith Anne Miles.

Raised by a single mother, Akeem says he now understands why his mother worked so hard. He recounts walking miles with her, in the snow and the rain, to her job at a nearby daycare. “Once I got older, I understood what she was doing. She was doing what was needed for her to provide. That’s where I get my hustle and grind from. I want to make my momma proud,” he says.

Carpet Cleaning (Before)

Akeem credits the tenacity he witnessed in his mother, and the tough love his grandparents gave him to the creation of the man he is today. “What they taught me is that nobody is going to hand anything to you. You have to grind and work hard,” says Akeem.

Although located in Goldsboro, Greene’s Floor Care has provided floor stripping, waxing, buffing, scrubbing and carpet cleaning services in Mebane, Kinston, and Wilson, and is willing to travel.

“After you strip the floor, and then you add a few coats of wax and that shine starts to come through – it’s a beautiful thing.

People don’t really understand all you have to do when stripping and waxing floors. Floor care can be very time consuming,” says Akeem.

Carpet Cleaning (After)

Hardwood Floor Cleaning (Before)

He has experience working on an array of surfaces in barbershops, salons, homes kitchens and carpets. As a small business owner, Akeem says his model is to charge his customers fairly and deliver good, honest work. “I don’t want to cheat my customers or myself. I just want to be fair and I want people to want to come back,” he says. “Your floors say a lot about you. When people go into places like nursing homes, hospitals, daycares, they will look at your floors to determine what type of establishment you have. So how your floors look plays an important role,” says Akeem. “Quality will always open doors.”

His future goals for Greene’s Floor Care are to secure more long-term contracts with repeat clients and add more employees.

He notes that the best way to promote his business has been on social media where he shares photos of his work and DIY cleaning tips. Another goal is to run his floor care business full-time that can provide jobs or internships for marginalized groups that may not get the chance otherwise.

“I want to help the next guy up. We need more Black businesses, ready to give back to their communities. I know that if I can do it so can someone else,” he notes. The young business owner says that it is a struggle being an entrepreneur, but what counts is how you stand up to hardships. In addition to being the owner, he is also his own marketing team, spending time passing out flyers and business cards, and receptionist, adding that he’s even had appointments cancel on him. “You have to keep pressing on. Another phone call will come and you have to be ready for them,” he says.

Hardwood Floor Cleaning (After)

Greene’s Floor Care 919-394-7921 akeemgreene88@yahoo.com 16

Akeem advises people to never stop learning and perfecting your craft. He says that through Greene’s Floor Care, he is trying to show people that you can start at the bottom and get to the top. “I don’t necessarily want to be rich; but I want to be stable and successful. My biggest accomplishment will be able to provide employment for people who wouldn’t otherwise get the opportunity. And provide them with a job they can be proud of,” he says. h

17

DeAnna Morris

By Dawn Cauthen Thornton Photos by Photography by Lechelle

In life, we don’t always get to choose our paths. Many believe that our steps are ordered, by our creator, before we even travel through the birth canal that delivers us. Some will arrive at their destinations sooner than others and some will get derailed and turned around, get lost even. But make no mistake, your experiences throughout your journey will shape you into the person you were meant to be. And if you know DeAnna Morris, you know she has had one heck of a journey to arrive where she is today.

Growing up, DeAnna thoroughly enjoyed helping people and always knew that was her passion.

She had no idea in what capacity she would do this, but understood this was her calling. At age 13, DeAnna was diagnosed with leukemia (a form of cancer) and needed a bone marrow transplant.

The experience was so traumatic that being self-encouraging and pushing herself through the treatments made all the difference. “I had to keep telling myself I could do it. I can make it through this.” And she did. She made it through the treatments, was cured of cancer and was ready to encourage others with their struggles.

At 14, she was asked to speak to a high school health class about her experience as a cancer patient and survivor. When the speech was over, the students showed their appreciation and had so many questions that the nervous teen knew she had made an impact. That day was the catalyst to her motivational speaking career.

Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2019

HuamiMagazine.com

19

Since she grew up in the church, motivating others wasn’t far-fetched at her young age. By her early 20’s, DeAnna was preaching, evangelizing, and serving in many other capacities. A few years later, she started a non-profit organization, where she provided resources to those facing depression and other mental battles just as she had previously.

“People don’t know that there are so many resources for them. If I couldn’t help the person, I always found someone who could.”

“ I had to keep telling myself I could do it.

I can make it through this.”

20

The year 2007 would prove to be a difficult one for DeAnna. She was ending her first marriage, preparing for a cornea transplant, and decided to pick up and move to Richmond, VA – a town she barely had a connection to.

It was an unorthodox decision, but it was necessary, to carry out God’s vision. In the years following her relocation, God’s plan manifested into creating her coaching firm, marrying the love of her life, Mercell Morris, and cultivating their joint venture, The Ministries Church. DeAnna and Mercell, also a pastor, married in 2009, two years prior to her

receiving her pastoral ordination in 2011. Now they’re partners in life and in Christ. In fact, as a married woman of the cloth, DeAnna takes pride in the role she plays in her husband’s life, but also honors the meaningful position she holds as a leader and mentor in the community. To support her beliefs and coaching methods, she published “My Husband’s Rib” in 2013 and “S.Q.U.A.D. Leadership Coaching Manual” in 2016. She is currently working on her third self-help book, due out next year.

Her biggest endeavor to date, however, is Life Seeds Coaching & Developing Firm. It incorporates DeAnna’s pastoring with her life coaching to elevate and expand her clients’ lives for the better. In addition to life coaching, she’s a certified behavioral coach, a certified marital coach, and a prayer coach with more than 20 years of coaching and mentoring experience. Naturally, her primary target is women and uplifting them, allowing them to ascend to where they want to be.

“I don’t want to inspire people, I want to have an impact on them,” DeAnna explains. The latter of the two is more meaningful to her, in that she feels it has more of a lasting impression. Under the Life Seeds umbrella, DeAnna has spearheaded a support group named S.I.P. (Sisters in Partnership) that was created as a safe space for women to talk openly and be vulnerable without being judged. She teaches that it is an injustice to one’s self to not recognize personal growth and live in cycle behaviors without expecting or desiring change. She also lives by those words.

The cancer survivor has created a safe space for countless people and fortunately her family continues to be hers. “My family is very close with each other.

I’m the oldest of five children, and the only girl,” says DeAnna. When she suffered a heart attack in 2017, it was discovered that she had kidney cancer, as she recovered in the hospital. Ten days later, one of her four brothers unexpectedly passed away. As devastating as it was, her family held each other up and supported her through more treatments. In the fall of 2018, DeAnna triumphed over triple bypass surgery. Once again, her family, especially her husband, was with her every step of the way.

DeAnna has dedicated the better part of her life proving the depths of her conviction by helping others feel whole, mentally. She continues to walk by faith in everything she does and attributes her success to God, the trials she has faced, and her nurturing family. Her parents, brothers, and husband have been her biggest fans throughout her journey of finding a place to plant her feet. h

DeAnna Morris Life Seeds Coaching & Developing Firm P.O. Box 5082 Midlothian, VA 23112 804-464-7815 www.lifeseedscdf.com HuamiMagazine.com

21

LaToya Hill Hill'n Hands Massage

By Yasmine Regester Photos by Todd Youngblood

Finding one’s niche can be hard. Sometimes you have to try out a few different things to get to where you want to be.

That is how LaToya Hill looks at life. After a stint in law and real estate, LaToya found her passion in massage therapy.

Originally from Arapahoe, North Carolina, she is a certified paralegal with a degree from Central Piedmont Community College. She worked for a Charlotte law firm for four years, where she started off as a mail clerk, before working her way up. “I was good at it, but it really was not a passion of mine. I felt like I didn’t want to work in an office anymore,” she says.

LaToya also went to school for real estate and soon realized that wasn’t for her. So she went back to the drawing board. In order to generate an income, she continued to do some freelance legal contract work and offered her notary skills. She eventually took her current remote position as an administrative assistant for a telecommunications firm, but still felt like something was missing.

“It felt like I couldn’t find my niche. I felt I needed more.

Not an office environment, but more interaction with other people. I was looking for something that didn’t feel like a job. Something I could do and still be a mom.” She shares that part of her initial interest in massage therapy stemmed from friends and family who always complimented her on ability to give a good massage with no formal training.

“People have always told me I was good at massages. And now I believe that it’s something that I am really good at,” she says, adding that she had been interested in massage therapy for a while.

LaToya states that her biggest challenge was paying for school, but one fateful day, she visited Southeastern Institute in Charlotte and toured the institution. After speaking with a counselor, she decided to take the plunge and enroll in the massage therapy program in July 2017. But working full-time, going to school and raising a child is no easy feat. LaToya shares how grateful she is for a young lady from her neighborhood that helped her with childcare for three nights a week, the entire 16 months she went to school. She worked her full-time job during the day and attended classes at night. She recalls times she would sit in the school parking lot, determined to complete assignments for work by 5 p.m., the same time her class started. “It was hard at times. But I appreciate my job being flexible and working with me. And I appreciate all the support I received from friends and family.”

The single mother says her biggest supporter -- and sometimes assistant-- is her 8 year-old daughter, Alanna Galloway. “Being a single mom, I’m away from home a lot, but I am so proud of how independent and responsible my daughter is. There have been trials and tribulations, but she and I have worked together and it all worked out.” After concluding her training, a nervous LaToya took her exit exam and passed with flying colors. She graduated October 2018 and was issued her massage therapy license 60 days later.

“Taking my test for my license was the most stressful day of my life,” she says. “But when I saw I passed, I was so happy.” This gave LaToya the last piece of the puzzle to official start Hill’n Hands Massage Therapy in December 2018. She shares that part of her social media strategy to attract clients is to share information about massage therapy and its benefits.

22

Hill’n Hands Massage Therapy is a mobile business that travels to the client. She is currently working on transitioning the name to Hill’n Hands Massage on the Move. When she’s not working on her own, she works part time at a chiropractic clinic in Charlotte.

LaToya offers a variety of massage techniques such as Swedish massages, deep tissue massages, and cupping therapy. She says providing education about massages and the muscles is an important part of her business model. She advises clients on daily stretches for optimal body performance and to hydrate with plenty of water to keep muscles flexible.

“Sports massage is my favorite because you are able to do so many different things with the muscles. I like to teach people about their bodies and how to get the most from their muscles when they care for them properly,” she says. “I love to share this knowledge with people because they learn so much more about their bodies that they didn’t know,” she says. Since starting her mobile business, she has been able to serve about 81 clients.

LaToya also touts massage therapy as an alternative to medicine method. “Someone can rehabilitate oneself without going through a surgery procedure or having to be on a ton of pain management medication,” she said. “There is less risk with massage therapy.”

LaToya shares that her aunt suffers from sciatica, in which severe pain is caused by a pinched nerve. Once she started giving her aunt massages to supplement the pain medication therapy, she says she witnessed significant improvement. LaToya says she understands that people may be skeptical about trying massage therapy as an alternative because most insurance companies do not cover it like medications or surgery. “I want to put more knowledge out there that massage therapy is something to consider.”

Through Hill’n Hands, she also seeks to educate people on the difference between the terms masseuse and massage therapist.

Massage therapy is an alternative medicine for relaxation and muscle rehab, versus the term “masseuse” which can be associated with negative connotations or stereotypes. Most states, including North Carolina, requires massage therapy practitioners to graduate from an accredited massage program, pass a licensing exam, pay a licensing fee, and continually earn education units in order to maintain licensure. LaToya states, “There is a difference. So I try to educate people on what I provide and how I provide my services. I am a massage therapist. I take my craft very seriously.”

Though much of her clientele has been gained through social media, LaToya recently completed what she calls a “Massage Marathon” which is a two-day massage event where she schedules six new clients each day to each receive a 60 minute massage. The ultimate massage experience at Hill’n Hands also comes with the client’s choice of oil or an organic, handmade cream that she makes herself, as well as edible treats emblazoned with her signature logo.

Hill’n Hands also travels to the client and has provided services in the cities of Charlotte, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Raleigh-Durham, Greenville, New Bern and Morehead, North Carolina. LaToya hopes to have her own mobile unit in the near future in order to provide a custom, intimate, spa-like experience. Sometimes people can’t come out to a location, but may not have a household where they can truly relax and get the full benefits of a massage. And I want to always provide a relaxing experience,” she says.

LaToya also aspires to teach her own massage therapy classes to individuals interested in the field. She also believes that in sharing her story, she can inspire other young women to go after their dreams in life. h

Want To Advertise? Please call 336-340-7844

LaToya Hill

Hill’n Hands Massage Therapy 980-999-0480 www.hillnhands.com 23

huami MAGAZINE

Cutest Baby

24

HuamiMagazine.com

Marquell Wilson The son of Paul and Aisha Wilson

Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2019

To submit photographs to be placed in the Huami Magazine Cutest Baby feature, please send a detailed email to huami.cutestbaby@gmail.com

Essence Pugh A Touch of Essence Event Decor

“I am most proud that I have the unique opportunity to help my clients create lasting memories. We have a five Star rating and our clients are always blown away with the finished product. I believe that it is critical for everyone to have the same opportunity to celebrate life and create lasting memories. More than likely if you have decided to do it yourself, or you are on the planning committee, are the cousin, sister, or friend that has raised your hand for this special task, you will not fully enjoy the event that you have planned,” she says.

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Hope Ballenger Photography Essence Pugh of Greenville, SC is known for having a sharp eye for detail. Her creativity coupled with a sincere passion lead her to start her own event planning and decor business, A Touch of Essence Event Decor.

A Touch of Essence Event decor specializes in event planning and décor including weddings, wedding day management, family reunions, corporate parties, birthday parties, baby showers and bridal showers. They are known as the one stop shop, and for offering exquisite event designs, and amazing customer service.

Essence, who is also a wife and mother, started planning events about 15 years ago. It all started with small family events like birthday parties, dinners, and trips. Five years later, she had the opportunity to plan the most special events in the world, the day she married her best friend, Daris. There were 250 guest, vendors, and all of the craziness that comes along with wedding planning. She loved it!

“Soon after the wedding, I had many people making comments like ‘that was the best wedding I have ever been to’ and ‘I can’t believe everything started on time,” she said. As a result of this event, she knew what she wanted to do and her business model was official.

For the past ten years, they have been dedicated to their clients and providing a unique personalized “WOW!” experience. They’ve received a event planning certification and frequently attended training seminars to keep up with the latest trends and to learn what’s best for their clients.

Because Essence has produced many events, she has been able to establish relationships with her clients as well.

Essence own’s a venue is Simpsonville, S.C. There she can host intimate events for up to 80 guests. “We have formed a partnership with The Upper Room Downtown Greenville that offers our clients an all inclusive opportunity. In addition we provide decor, planning, and support for personal and corporate events,” she says.

A Touch of Essence has a simple planning process which helps to ensure they can provide their clients a stress-free planning process.

She shares, “when you select A Touch of Essence, you can trust that you are getting a unique wedding design with top-notch event vendors, and amazing event management.

Though she has met many designers ad planners, she finds her biggest source of inspiration in her husband and children. “The look in their eyes give me the push to be creative and feel like I can take on any challenge,” she says. Faith and Favor has truly been the biggest impact in my life.

Like all business, Essence has experienced a few bumps along the way. “When I left corporate America, I had to lean on God and trust the process. When I didn’t know what to do, He gave me clear direction and made a promise He would send the people. I have full confidence in God and He has never failed me,” she says.

Essence remains grateful for her journey. She even has to adjust to traveling to Greenville after she moved to Georgia. That will all change after she returns to Greenville in June for good. h

A Touch of Essence Events

680 Fairview Road - Suite C Simpsonville, SC 28244 (864) 349-9935 www. atouchofessenceeventdecor.com 25

Kevin T hornton Author and Life Coach

26

HuamiMagazine.com

Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2019

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Kevin Thornton Kevin Thornton is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University. There he obtained a BS in Health Administration. He also has a Master’s in Organizational Psychology from Argosy University. Additionally he is a life coach, holistic health coach, author, indoor cycling instructor and internet radio personality, and someone who understands his life purpose; To inspire, educate and empower others to create the healthiest versions of themselves mind, body and spirit. Kevin uses his platforms to change the narrative of how society and the media portray black men. “I want the world to know there are more men like me than what they see and hear on TV and radio,” he shared.

Kevin is the brains behind 1 on 1 Health Coaching (which offers 60 minute session of 1 on 1 coaching), 1 on 1 Life Coaching and Group Coaching. He also produces meal plans based on the assessment he conducts. He also offers (7, 14 and 30 day) Detox. “Detoxing is a way to cleanse the body of toxins while allowing the body a chance to heal.

Seven day detoxing is for someone looking to cleanse while lose a couple pounds. The 14 and 30 day detoxing is for people with medical conditions looking to create a change in their health. I also offers Juice Plus, vegan capsules with fruits, veggie and berries. These capsule should be taken daily as a supplement, and this product with help you reach the goal along with eating a healthy diet,” he said.

Kevin began life coaching in 2013 after he was coached

by Iylanla Vanzant and her team in 2011. During that process, he realized his life’s purpose and the need for mens coaching. “I believe the best life coaches are people who have been coached themselves. They are able to understand the process,” he shared. He became a health coach in 2015 after graduating from Integrated Institute of Nutrition. He was already a fitness instructor and I wanted to incorporate the holistic health coaching into his program. He began detoxing as soon as he graduated from school, knowing that most people tend to have between five and 30 pounds of feces in their systems, and because he . Once his system was aligned, he started offering the product from Juice Plus.

Kevin says he is inspired mostly by his father Sam Thornton. “He played a big part in my journey in holistic health and personal development. Growing up, he has always been into holistic living so he planted the seed in me. Seeing him at 77 years old and in great health without taking any medication motivates me daily to be my best self, and help others be their best self,” he says.

Kevin credits Iylanla Vanzant with giving him clarity of his purpose and teaching him how to be the vessel to help black men and all people become their best self. h

“I want the world to know there are more men like me than what they see and hear on TV and radio.”

www.evolutionofaman.com 27

Kendra Diggs is a Greensboro native and author. Her book, His Masterpiece, was inspired by her very own life experiences. She is a domestic violence survivor and though she admits it can be frightening to tell share her stories, she understands they must be told. What makes her book unique is its rawness, uncut, and honest description of resilience and courage. “I’m the voice of many women who are silent and are afraid to share their scars of domestic violence, and losing their identity and abandonment. I just want to help people, especially women who have dealt with this, and maybe I can help save a life. I pray that people are inspired and blessed by this book and God is glorified,� she shares.

Kendra has started a movement called (#lovedoesnothurt) and has partnered with the Sherri Denese Jackson Foundation in Greensboro, North Carolina to help bring awareness of domestic violence in North Carolina and beyond.

28 28

HuamiMagazine.com Raleigh/Durham - May/June HuamiMagazine.com Triad - May/June 20192019

Kendra Diggs HIS MASTERPIECE

Book Release Party - June 29, 2019

Information Provided By Kendra Diggs Photos by Luguzy Atkins

Exerpt from His Masterpiece

“How dare you compare me to him?” He screamed. We started to fight in the bathroom and his nail dug deep in my chest as he threw me in the shower. I got up with tears in my eyes and I tasted blood. “ I’m sorry. Please stop!” I pleaded. We were fighting until we got into our bedroom. “I’m my brother, you said?” He sneered and proceeded to throw me into the wall, which left a huge hole. I fell. He kicked me in my shins. “Please stop! I’m sorry, Please forgive me.” I cried as my body laid weak on the floor. He stopped and looked at me with disgust. He gathered his things and left. I just laid there and cried. My shoulder was throbbing. I can’t believe someone I loved would treat me this way. I must’ve deserved it. Tears started to roll down my face but I cleaned them up quickly.

When I arrived at Panera Bread I sat down at the table and waited for my client. When she walked in, I put on my fake smile. We sat and talked for an hour. My shoulder and my legs were on fire. After the meeting, I sat there for another hour or so. I was just quiet.

My ears started to ring again. I stared out into blank space. Tears flowing from my eyes. Maybe I should kill myself. This will get me out of my misery. With my eyes blurry from my tears, I looked outside, it was night time. I got up and walked back home.”

“My ears were still ringing, I was still in a daze as he held me. As he was talking, I still couldn’t hear the words but I saw his mouth move, I heard a voice say, “Take his life and take yours. You won’t have to deal with him or yourself anymore. Why go through this? Do it.” Then the voice left me. That voice shook me to the core. I looked into his eyes blankly. I saw this man who I thought was supposed to love, protect, and be there for me turn into a nightmare but I could forgive him again right? I breathed in and exhaled, “I forgive you and I love you, too.” He stood up, hugged me, and kissed me. He laid me back down and started to rub my shoulder. Then he laid down beside me. “We are going to be okay.” He reassured me. I nodded my head. “I know.” It was quiet for the rest of the evening. When he fell asleep, I got up and looked out the window. Our window sill had an alarm on it. It was 2am. I walked in the bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror. I looked at my face, with heavy bags under my eyes, the scar from my chest, and my bruised up shoulder. I didn’t see myself. I didn’t see beauty. I didn’t see virtue. I saw a failure. I sat on the bathroom mat and I grabbed my head. I began to wail and cry. “There has to be more than life than this.” I said to myself. “I want to be free.”

To order your copy of His Masterpiece, please visit: www.thekweenexperience.com 29

The Making Of A Soldier

By Terry L. Watson Photo by Smart Shot Photography There is one word that can effectively describe who Adriene Odom is; survivor. Even more, she is a mother, author, and soldier. With all of these attributes, God has made her perfect and unique.

Adriene, who is originally from Yanceyville, North Carolina but, migrated along with her family to Virginia when she was about nine or ten years of age. For the most part, Virginia is home for her, but the path and roads traveled along her journey in life far exceeds the common wealth state.

“Becoming an author was something I never imagined for myself. The way I told my story bought me so much more strength and empowered me.,” she says.

In 2017, the aspiring author made the decision to share a sincere and precious part of her life in the pages of her book, The Making Of A Soldier. “This is my story of surviving so many obstacles which are similar to those that women have to face daily,” she shares.

Adriene says she had to rely solely on her faith in God to carry her from a state of brokenness as a teenage mother and single mother, to becoming a soldier in the United States Army, and now disabled veteran.

As a soldier, she did one tour to duty in Afghanistan during which time she began to realize who she was and her purpose for life. “I was put here on earth to become a soldier, not just in the Army but, for women and men who are too afraid to speak out for themselves. In my book I expose my darkest and most intimate secrets so that others would be inspired to tell their stories and be set free, no longer having to live in bondage,” she shares.

Adriene’s story opens the doors of her life to the its readers, and what lies behind them are pages of pain and triumph, as well as determination and self acceptance.

“In my lifetime, I’ve faced homelessness, domestic abuse, rape, and divorce. My testimony is my story.

The story of a teenage mother having her first child at 15 and then her second at 19. It is a story of becoming a high school drop out, and later joining the US Army, and eventually becoming a disabled veteran. It’s a story of me becoming an author, entrepreneur, and founder of Joshua’s Place, a nonprofit that helps to house, and advocate for homeless veterans,” she shares.

30

Coach Adriene Odom Adriene finds inspiration in being a mother to her four sons Gabriel (26), Joshua (21), Kaleb (12), and Aldarius (5). Though now divorced, that experience alone caused a great deal of hurt and pain. “It was almost like grieving for my husband, except he wasn’t dead. The hurt that he caused me has given me the strength I needed to continue to be what others needed from me to survive,” she says. “I guess in so many ways it intensified my hunger and passion to continue to help others.” Throughout her book, Adriene shares similiar experiences, all of which lead to where she is today. And that is a winner.

Moving forward Adriene plans to continue to share her story through motivational speaking with the hopes of inspiring others to tell their stories. To purchase a copy of her book, The Making of A Soldier, please visit her website. h

To learn more about Adriene Odom, and to purchase a copy of The Making Of A Soldier, please visit www.themakingofasoldnier.org

DURHAM RALEIGH AND THE TRIANGlE

Ashley Wray

www.wrightfootconsulting.com Wright Foot Consulting is a professional development consulting business that works closely with those entering the job market and those transitioning within. Whether you are changing your career or simply looking for new opportunities, We will provide comprehensive employment consulting and match your skills with employers in need.

Wright Foot Consulting was founded by Ashley V. Ray, MHA out of a need that she saw in the areas of job placement and recruitment. She noticed that too often, job seekers were either ill prepared or lacking the proper resume to advance in their desired job market.

They offer assistance in researching the market to help you find the right position for your skillset, helping to create and craft resumes, building a professional image, and preparing for potential interviews.

She is the published author of the self-help book, “What They Don’t Tell You About Personal Success,” which can be found on Amazon.com. This book will help you maneuver through life’s hardships to become the person you were meant to be. Make sure to check it out as you improve your personal success.

Advertise Your Business Here!

Call For More Info

336-340-7844

32

HuamiMagazine.com

Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2019