NASHVILLE
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July/August 2021 Vol. 2 Issue 12
SMN Square Inc. Nashville - July/August 2021
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There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It!
Understanding PowerOr of Buts Your About Influence There Are NoThe If, Ands, It! A Letter Editor A Letter Fromfrom The the Editor
Now that I am many years settled into fatherhood, I sometimes reminisce A Letter from the Editor on those precious moments when son was a baby. Though What if tomorrow didn’tmy arrive? All only of your plans, hopessmall and quite fragile, I wanted to make him tough and brawn, selfishly and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if hoping that he would live out the hopes and dreams that I had for my life. That everything that you decided to put off until tomorrow never What if tomorrow didn’t arrive? All of your plans, hopes is what dads do, or at least I think they do. My son would eventually happened? There would be no reason to save for a rainy and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if grow up right before my eyes to be a very grown man, which I am quite day, and you could spare someone the trouble of making that youof decided to put off never proud everything of. Still, I reminded his dependence onuntil me tomorrow and his mother for promises. What if your last opportunity seemingly expired happened? There would be no reason to save for a rainy everything while he was a child and our responsibility to understand and today? wouldspare you do? day, you could someone the trouble of making provide forand hisWhat needs.
promises. What if your last opportunity seemingly expired I’ve been that I often seem like do too What would you do? words, As atoday? baby and nottold yet able to form myIson criedmuch. and made other Honestly, I feel like I am not doing enough and I’m firm his baby sounds when he wanted to let us know he was hungry.a When inheknowing that God wouldn’t put onItme I’ve been told that I[dad, often seem likeinstead, I do anything toohemuch. diaperbeliever was wet, didn’t say I am wet]; cried. was my that I couldn’t sometimes wonder how life would duty toHonestly, determine his handle. need translate information he trying I feel like I and amI not doingthe enough and I’m awas firm to share. able to, and mywhat son was fed and cared for.I be ifThank I chose toI was sit idle and accept it presented to believer inGod knowing that God wouldn’t put anything onme. me Though I can only imagine how it would beenlife forwould him had I have that to be very boring. In myhave opinion, opportunity that I found couldn’t handle. I difficult sometimes wonder how ignored or to was to understand them. is his aifblessing that isn’t to what everyone. A challenge be Icries chose situnable idle afforded and accept it presented to me. I to mefound is an adventure. What is the In worst that can opportunity happen? have that to be very boring. my opinion, As adults and notthat babies, our methods of communicating our pains, If aI do nothing, I fail, if I try to I don’t, but instead learn is blessing isn’tand afforded everyone. A challenge wants,to and needs aren’t generally boggled into a baby’s cry. However, something new about myself. yourcan pride and in me is an adventure. What is Relinquish the worst that happen? it doesn’t mean that we are not crying. When we become prideful return acquire life. If I do nothing, I fail, and if I try I don’t, but instead learn and shamed, it can be difficult to express what is truly hurting us, which something new about myself. Relinquish your pride and in causes us to internalize these issues and not let them out. The best advice return acquire life.ever given to me happened when someone told me to make my tomorrow happen today. In doing so When God blesses His children to be a well or source for others, it I have pressed myever way through doors with a key thatsomeone only The best to me happened when often comes with advice some form ofgiven influence. With influence, there is power hope provided. have also learned difference between told me to impact makeImy tomorrow today. In doing so and the ability to someone’s life.happen Notthe understanding the power what God blesses me with and what life can burden me with pressed through doors with thataonly of yourI have influence is justmy asway careless as someone whoaiskey driving car at 100 as well. I compare it to knowing when to be confident and hope provided. I have also learned the difference between miles per hour with their eyes closed. when to be quiet, because what God blesses me with and what life can burden me with someone may get it confused as well. I compare it to knowing when to be confident Influence attracts the interest of others. Because influence is and often with being arrogant. whenweakness. to be quiet, because associated with power, it oftentimes attracts What I am someone mayfeel getlike it confused trying to share; If someone is treating you wrong you you are Make youarrogant. tomorrow being “hated on”, it might mean that person is actually crying out and with being cannot convey them. As happenwhat’s today,hurting but most Christians, we can’t cries. importantly makethese it count. Make youignore tomorrow We should listen with our hearts and Life is but a whisper and seek happen today, but most God’s instruction toitrespond. we must on puthow ourselves in a importantly make count. position what it is Life is buttoa hear whisper and If you we are in aus. position of influence, telling must put ourselves in a fill yourself with the love of God on a daily position to hear what it is basis. I was able to determine what my telling us. son’s needs were only because I loved Terry L. Watson him. God’s love gives us power and the ability to understand the cries and pains Editor/Founder of others. Terry L. Watson
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On The Cover
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CONTENTS
The Tea Bar 901
Titile Niamke
On The Cover
SMN Square, Inc.
JULY/AUGUST 2021
NASHVILLE EDITION
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Rueben Hays 20
Crescent Surgical Supply
Shawn M. Nicholson
Standing On The Rock
Pastor Todd Curry
Huami Magazine Cutest Baby
Asher Grady
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Also Featured
Tifanie Rudd Meet the face and founder of M8D 2 Rise Inc. God has done it again in her life. Charlotte, NC
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Toi Cage Meet the face of Sunflower Queen Products. Minneapolis, MN
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Nicholson SMN Square Inc. By Arielle Kilgore Photos by Shawn Nicholson
A company is only as good as its leader. Without a great guide, the company or business can experience stagnant or depleted growth. Shawn M. Nicholson, a business leadership coach, helps other companies, small businesses, and individuals obtain the successful leadership they wish for. Ultimately, his coaching can provide inevitable prosperity for all who work with him. Shawn is the founder of SMN Square Inc., located in Richmond, VA. It is a consulting/coaching business that helps the executives of small companies, organizations, or non-profits find sustainability in their corporation by learning how to communicate effectively, self-awareness of employees and directors, and have sustainable habits that can grow their staff. As a result, the seven-month program gives the company a chance to rise within themselves and be better clients for their customers. “I’m a third-generation entrepreneur on both sides of my family, my maternal and paternal. I often tell people that I knew exactly what I wanted to do, even at the age of eight. I wanted to be a business owner.” Shawn grew up watching his father and his father’s brother manage a business in construction. In that time, he watched as they led other employees and gave instructions that helped build the company. Although he did not choose his father’s business, he learned that you must care and provide great leadership among your peers to receive wealth and successive victory. “We provide the building blocks for success, and I model that off of literally building a house. In building a house, there is a lot of underground work that has to be done to have a good solid footing to pour the foundation on,” Shawn says. Shawn provides different pathways for individuals to take, like one-on-one coaching or team leadership activities. He also provides an assessment and stakeholder interviews that help determine the kind of leader you are and what needs to be worked on for the corporation at hand to stay above water. In light of this, the time and effort put into the transformation is not his only reason to help, but it’s Shawns’ drive to change institutions that keep him going.
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A small business in stature, SMN Square, Inc. provides connections from corporate friends and other business stakeholders for individuals who need more guidance. His philanthropy draws more customers every day because his prerogative is not self-derived. It is to provide the best help most efficiently and sufficiently possible. “To see them flourish and be successful and sustainable, that’s the greatest joy there. It’s truly a blessing to be able to see my vision come to pass,” he shares. As SMN Square, Inc. grew in time and clients, their only challenge was not the pandemic but a previous event in U.S.history--the Recession. It was then that Nicholson had to liquidate most of his assets due to a slowing economy. It was his building blocks and firm foundation, he explains, that carried him through this rough time. He eventually acquired back what he lost but would still like to grow in capital and connections. His goals go beyond the vocational schools he has established in Richmond and Hampton, VA. There are plans soon to have another vocational leadership school internationally in Cape Town, South Africa. He hopes to expand himself way past the borders of America so other people may have the same opportunities for advancement. “I’m trying to expand with [vocational schools] and create more trades there. I’m trying to create more entrepreneurs and establish more business,” he says. SMN Square, Inc. extends their generosity outside of their clients. Shawn offers his expertise to colleges in his area like Stratford University and Virginia State University Reginald F. Lewis College of Business. VSU, a local historically black college, partners with Shawn to help bring the next generation of black entrepreneurs and great business leaders. “I love working with those young people there. It’s a variety of affluent, self-driven students that are excited about the world of business,” Shawn explains. His guest appearances consist of him teaching the theories of business and practical knowledge of the world today. His other contributions are to the J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College board in dual enrollment and the workforce. Soft skill training and participating in hiring events in like manner are other ways Shawn and his company give back to those who sow into him.
Shawn M. Nicholson 877-367-4359 www.smnsquare.com
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Additionally, strategy, innovation, and vision are core pillars for SMN Square, Inc. to push their clients to be better. “My goal is to be able to duplicate and replicate myself across the country, across the globe, if you will. Regardless of where they are in their respective places, that other person can have the same success and the same sustainability. The same outcome as what I’ve been able to have through my experiences and my failures,” Shawn says. To learn more about SMN Square Inc., please visit their website. h
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The Tea Bar 901 By Terry L. Watson Photos by Titile Niamke
Titile Niamke of Memphis, TN, describes herself as a joyous person. She is a lover of God, a love that she expresses while helping and serving people, and making them happy. The origin of her name, Titile is Ethiopian and means purified, while Niamke is Nigerian and means God’s Gift. She describes herself as a joyous person, a woman that lives with integrity and transparency. “I believe that whatever I consume on this earth, I must replenish it,” she says. She comes from a large family and credits her father with having a significant influence on her life. She recalls a conversation she had with her dad, as he advised her to do whatever she wanted to do with her life. “My told me to not put any limits on my life. While my mother is very driven and stern, and that’s where my discipline comes from,” she says. She is currently pursuing a marketing degree at Middle Tennessee State University. While attending school, she finds time to manage her company The Tea Bar 901. Her company produces teas, honey, and various skincare products that are infused with natural products. Her niche is listening to the needs of her clients and finding natural remedies to meet them.
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“I had never heard about these things before. I learned that lavender
could help with anxiety, so I made a tea with lavender and was amazed at how it made me feel. I fell in love with the world of teas and
natural healing. I began to wake up happy and eager to take on
whatever life would throw at me. I was no longer depressed or anxious,”
Titile launched The Tea Bar 901 in 2016 while she was a student at MTSU. It all began in her college dorm. While doing some research, she came across a few herbs, such as lavender and camel milk. “I had never heard about these things before. I learned that lavender could help with anxiety, so I made a tea with lavender and was amazed at how it made me feel. I fell in love with the world of teas and natural healing. I began to wake up happy and eager to take on whatever life would throw at me. I was no longer depressed or anxious,” she says. Titile began combining herbs to address different ailments. She was sure not to disrupt the tea’s integrity, so she used honey instead of sugar. She was able to connect with a local Bee Keeper who helped her learn the process of beekeeping. As Titile continued to work with her new “bee” friends, she also developed a love and respect for them. “I am a little nervous while getting honey from their hives. It can be noisy because there are usually thousands of bees moving at the same time. Yet, being able to care for them is a special and rewarding experience. Bee’s pollinate our plants and foods and work hard at doing their job. Understanding the role they play in our ecosystem has made me respect them even more,” she says. Continued on the next page
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The original name of The Tea Bar 901 was Divinity which means “of, from, or like God”. She shares that she named the company Divinity, because she believes tea and herbs are from God” Also, in the beginning, she wasn’t making a profit. She shares how she conducted more promotions and demonstrations than sales transactions. Now, The Tea Bar 901 is quickly becoming a recognized brand at local farmer markets and pop-ups in and around the Memphis community. Her next focus to increase the online presence for The Tea Bar 901, making her products accessible to anyone around the globe. Some of the products sold by The Tea Bar 901 are raw and unfiltered honey, ginger honey, lavender honey, turmeric honey, herbal teas, bottled teas, flavored sea moss, natural skincare products made with natural products, and herbal oils. Titile says helping others is what she loves most about her business. “Entrepreneurship is only a business entity, but not every business is designed to help other people. I understand that I can help others live a better life with the usage of my products,” she says. Moving forward, Titile plans to continue to allow God to lead and guide her steps. She is also excited about introducing new products and making The Tea Bar 901 a household name. To learn more about Titile and her company, please visit their website.
www.theteabar901.com 901-831-4501 15
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TifanieRudd God Did It Again By Ellen Richardson Photos by Santana B Photography
When you sit down and think about your career path, can you honestly say that you love what you do? Maybe you are someone who fell on hard times, which led to a criminal record. As a result, you are probably having a difficult time finding a good job. If either of these statements make you stop and think then you have come to the right place. Allow us to introduce you to your fairy godmother – Tifanie Rudd. The Chief Executive Officer of M8D 2 Rise, Inc. uses her God given gift and passion to restore and build the lives and self-esteem of individuals who have challenges in gaining competitive employment. Before becoming a real-life hero for many in her community, this Guilford County native learned at a young age of what was required to survive. “My work ethic is something I inherited from both of my parents. They taught me the importance of working hard. They both became entrepreneurs after years of struggle,” said Rudd. “To say that the struggle was real is an understatement.” Watching her mom work so hard would eventually give rise to this self-professed people lover’s desire to help those in need. While this yearning began with a career in the nursing field, it would not be long before Rudd’s life plan changed. “I was on the job for about a year before I experienced what so many do in the world of advanced careers – envy and hatred for early success,” said the born philanthropist. Despite receiving awards, like employee of the month, Rudd lost her job and, in its place, was given a feeling that many of us might be familiar with – that feeling of losing a purpose. While this often takes many people down, this is where Rudd’s new life would begin. “I have to admit that I did a lot of crying, but before long I decided that I was done crying Fand ready to make my next career move,” said Rudd. After going back to school at Guilford Technical Community College, in 2004, Rudd began to see a crossroads turn into her new path. “After going back to school, I decided to get a degree in Psychology, and before long I was given the opportunity to participate in an internship program. The funny story about this assignment was that I was sent to a company that I really did not want to work for,” she says. Like many confusing assignments that God may send to us, Rudd began to see the purpose for where her Heavenly Father sent her within a few weeks of this assignment. “The assignment was to work with people
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with mental illnesses and developmental disabilities and I did everything that I could to get out of this type of work, but this didn’t happen and before long I realized why,” said Rudd. “During my time helping these people I began to find my niche or my calling – to serve the underserved.” As she began to learn the importance of “learning to love people right where they are” and how to become a voice for the voiceless, Rudd said that she could feel her spiritual pathway open right before her. This road would not only keep her working with a company that she was not even sure she wanted to intern for, but would also lead to a bachelor’s degree in Ministry, in 2013, and a master’s degree in Christian Counseling, in 2015, from Grace Christian College. During this time of rising from the ashes, Rudd also had a new life-altering experience that led her to where she is today. “I lost my brother,” said a saddened Rudd. “My brother struggled with crime in his life and he was trying to get out of the streets. He was trying to stop getting into trouble with the law. He strongly desired change, however due to his criminal history, he struggled to sustain livable income and his employment opportunities were very slim. He passed before having an opportunity at a second chance.” Despite losing her brother before helping him find his new path, the woman who was gifted with a spirit to serve began to use her latest loss to develop her own company. Formed in 2011, M8D 2 Rise, Inc. is a supportive employment agency in which individuals with life barriers are assisted with gaining and maintaining competitive employment as well as God’s purpose for their lives. They currently serve multiple counties in North Carolina ncluding Guilford, Rockingham, and Alamance. They will soon begin serving Mecklenburg county. “God is doing it again,” Rudd says. What exactly does this acronym mean? “M is for the Milestones in life, the number 8 is for the new beginnings that we receive each day, the D is for Determination and what should we all be determined to do? TO RISE against all that comes against us and tries to stop us from us from tapping into our inner strength,” said the woman who has risen above all that has tried to stop her from her God given purpose. “When we tap into our inner strength and into the support that is around us the sky is the limit. I started to do this by helping a gentleman who reminded me a lot of my brother. Unfortunately, this young guy served 12 years in federal prison and just wanted a second chance.” Before long Rudd’s newest company, which started in a garage, was helping people all over this community realize that no barrier is too big to use the power inside of you to rise above the circumstances to become all that God has created you to be. According to Rudd, she has continued to become a successful boss lady in a man’s world due to the strength that God has given her as well as two inspirational mentors that never let her give up. “I have been blessed to have two incredible mentors. The first being Rev. Odell Cleveland who has continued to remind me to ‘fly
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higher when people throw attacks at you because people cannot get to an eagle’. The second is Greensboro City Council Member Goldie Wells, who always says ‘not to tell people where you tie your goat’ because when people know how to get to you, they will use this information against you.” As her efforts to help others rise above all that tries to hold them back, Rudd has continued to expand this company to include services like life coaching and even a women’s ministry called M8d 4 H.E.R. Ministry. This born people person is also publishing her first book that is meant to help women learn that they can persevere above everything. The self-published novel entitled When the Tree Moves, will be released to the public in August. Rudd is a mother of three amazing children and blessed to have five beautiful grandchildren. She is also a a certified, spiritual life coach and the founder and executive directive for the nonprofit, M8d 2 Rise Eagles. She has been commissioned as Chair on the Status of Women Board (Women And Violence), and several other boards in Greensboro. h
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Tifanie will celebrate her 50 th birthday in July. This is a milestone that confirms that she is only getting started.
To learn more about Tifanie Rudd and M8D 2 Rise Inc., please visit their website.
M8D 2 Rise Inc. 2302 W. Meadowview Road Ste 124 Greensboro, NC 27407 336-907-7268 www.m8d2rise.com 19
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Crescent Surgical Supply
By Gamal Williams Photos by Rueben Hays
The comedian Milton Berle once said, “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” Rueben Hays built that door, and the company it led to, Crescent Surgical Supply. The Los Angelos native, and seven-year Navy veteran where he served as a surgical technician, started his journey when he took a chance. After separating from the Navy, In 2003 Rueben briefly worked as a sales representative for a major surgical device manufacturer. The field was very competetive and severely underrepresented by African-Americans. One day, he learned surplus surgical supplies were being sold on eBay. “I asked myself ‘What is this equipment doing being sold online? It was a different time back then,” Rueben recalls. “You can’t do that anymore. That limitation is how I was able to get into the industry, get buyers and connect with vendors.” As Louis Pasteur said, “chance favors the prepared mind.” Continued on the next page
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Formerly kown as RomeMed Inc. which was founded in 2003, Crescent Surgical LLC was birthed in Greenville, S.C. in August 2019. This represented more than a name change, it represented a new chapter in life and business. A painful divorce set the stage for Rueben’s renewed focus and limitless vision. CSS currently employs eight employees and forty contractors that work throughout the country. Rueben and his CSS team focuses on the medical equipment set to expire and be disposed of if left unused. This is the leverage point CSS uses to acquire said equipment from wholesalers, distributors, and vendors at a lower price point, then resells them at a mark-up but much lower than the retail price. “We sell mostly specialized, one-time use devices: electrocardio devices, mesh, implants used in hernia surgeries, staples for different types of resections, sutures, and harmonic wound sealing devices, for example,” explains Rueben. “If we don’t buy and resell short dated surplus from hospitals, most often they are thrown away. We also donate all the products that we can’t move,” he shares.
According to Allied Market Research, in 2019 the global surgical equipment market was valued at $33.72 billion. By 2027, it is estimated to grow in value by 33% to $44.48 billion. Grand View Research estimates the disposable surgical equipment market will be valued at $5.5 billion this year. Yet even with the high value of these products, in the U.S. alone, its estimated that hospitals spend almost $10 billion per year in disposal fees for supplies, equipment and trash.** Rueben has ensured CSS is seizing a piece of that market, with half of the CSS buyers being international. One can understand how Rueben’s medical training, initiative and business acumen have positioned Crescent Surgical Supply to be a key player and large stakeholder in the disposable surgical equipment market, but it was not without obstacles. “There is not another me (African-American person) out there doing what I do. In seventeen years in this business, I have never seen another me.” When asked if entering a market with no African-American representation was difficult, Rueben let out an exasperated sigh. “Of course!” he exclaimed. “It took a while. Luckily, I was able to find a niche market. I don’t have to deal with the end users, like hospitals or clinics. I deal with the distributors. But it was challenging to break in, to get people to trust me. We just ensure that we conduct sound business practices and are trustworthy. That is what has built us into what we are today.” And should a product expire before it can be resold, Rueben has a plan for that as well. “We donate a lot of products, products we cannot move. In the United States, there must be time left on a product in order to resell it. When the expiration date is too close for resale or has expired, we donate it to Partners For World Health.” Partners For World Health, a Portland, ME based charity, has donated over 236 tons of medical supplies worldwide.
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“Fear is not from God. Fear is of the devil. God did not give us the spirit of fear. For me, if ever I get afraid of journeying down a path, whether it be in business or in myself, I know that is the devil trying to push me away from what it is that God really has for me.” Rueben ensures CSS donates money and resources to charities in the Greensville area as well. “The biggest thing for me is giving back, philanthropy,” states Rueben. “Most of my donations are focused on the Greenville community.” Some of those charities include Lisa’s Schoolhouse Rocks, which provides camps to teach civics lessons; Vernon Veteran’s Services who help military personnel transition from the military lifestyle to civilian beginnings; Upstate GEMS (Going the Extra Mile for Success) that promotes positive qualities in young ladies; and the “Spread the Love” initiative, a food drive sponsored by Harvest Hope, amongst others. Rueben offers this advice to any young woman or man that recognizes a potential opportunity but is unsure if they should take the chance: “Fear is not from God. Fear is of the devil. God did not give us the spirit of fear. For me, if ever I get afraid of journeying down a path, whether it be in business or in myself, I know that is the devil trying to push me away from what it is that God really has for me,” he said. “I’d tell them to lean into it, even if you fail, failure is not final. You learn some of your best lessons from failing. This wasn’t just a linear track for me. There were ups, there were down. I had many obstacles, much to learn and I didn’t have the privilege of partners or even people that looked like me that really wanted to empower me or educate me. I had to go into places I didn’t know or what to expect. I got ran out of a few places. But I learned from it. So, I would tell them you have to go for it.” h
1327 Miller Rd – Suite B Greenville, SC 29607 1-888-481-1086 www.crescentsurg.com 25
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Sunflower Queen By Dorjae McClammey Photos by Toi Cage
Let me tell you about Toi Cage. She is the owner of Sunflower Queen, a Natural Yoni care line located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. With the help of her amazing daughters, she produces terrific Yoni products for women. Toni describes Yoni care as a dedication to women’s health and womb care, and the process of detoxing ones’ womb and vaginal area, ridding it of toxins that might cause odors and infections. Growing up, Toi tended to overhear conversations about how women and men felt about their private areas. So while studying at the University of Notre Dame, she and a friend worked to find the perfect combination of herbs and plants to make them feel healthy and beautiful. Once she saw the results it gave her, Toi was inspired to turn it into a business and help other women feel beautiful inside and out, just like it did for her. Sunflower Queen offers many products such as plant-based yoni detox pearls, vegan rose oil, steaming seats and stools, detox herbs, womb detox tea, yoni soaps, yoni gowns, and yoni pops. She also produces vegan yoni tightening gel, a yoni refresher spray, and a foaming wash is in the works. She also provides one-on-one yoni steaming sessions that can be performed in the privacy of her client’s home or in her office. Toi says what she loves most about her company is providing products for women who embrace their sexual health and wellness. She also enjoys having open conversations that educate women and men about vaginal health. She shares, “Yoni care is not an offensive thing, it’s self-care.” Continued on the next page
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Like most small business owners, some challenges presented themselves while she was getting her business started. Toi decided to start selling her products during the Corona Virus pandemic; she was prepared to jumpstart her business a couple of months before it hit and then had to stop everything. From having grand openings in stores to over 20 events over four months to push her product out, she had her hands full. All of the contracts she had obtained were now null and void, and the money she spent had to be returned. She was just about ready to give up when the opportunity arose to partner with Black Business Enterprises, which was able to help her receive great exposure for her business. From there, she turned things up a notch and changed her approach to doing business. She began providing informational sessions at vendor events, promoting her products and natural yoni care in general. To her astonishment, Toi was even invited to showcase her products at company events. Things were starting to look a lot better for this aspiring entrepreneur. Sunflower Queen has become very accomplished and has been nominated for a few awards, such as the New Black Business of the Year award and Customer Service of the Year award. By her third month in business, she had already hit 13,000 dollars in sales and celebrated by partnering with a Doula, delivering prenatal yoni care packages to women in her community. Toi has even had the mayor of Minneapolis inquire about products for his wife.
Her testimony proves that Toi Cage is a true hardworking hero. “I started as a 15-year-old mother, and it wasn’t until my daughter entered college and started her own business that I decided to move forward and stop being scared. I think that’s what pushed me. I am happy to have a friend that was already dabbling in chemistry. Once my daughter told me ‘mom you’ve taken care of everybody for so long, why don’t you have your own business?’ I thought about it. I’ve taken care of my family, survived divorce, and felt like I couldn’t let her down. When I finally started selling my products, she was my biggest cheerleader,” she says.
www.sqyoni.square.site (651) 313-4652 sunflowerqueen777@gmail.com 28
The future for Sunflower Queen is filled with amazing opportunities. Toi has received an offer to open up space in the Mall of America in Minneapolis, but she is going a step further by finding her own storefront location. So keep an eye out for all of the new products and services she has planned. The partnership with a full-time Doula should produce even more exciting products that will roll out to hospitals, ob-gyn, and wherever prenatal care is sold. Until then, all Sunflower Queen’s products are available online, in-store at Storehouse Grocer in St. Paul Minnesota, and the Wellness Lounge in Uptown Minneapolis. To learn more about Toi and Sunflower Queen, please visit their website. h
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St. Peter, The Rock, Inc. By Teyah Glenn Photos by Still Shots Photography
Todd Curry, also known as “Pastor T”, is a leader in the body of Christ. He is also a prolific teacher, community activist, and award-winning producer and songwriter. For the past five years, he has shepherded the flock of St. Peter, The Rock, Inc., a ministry located in the Eastwood Community of Pinehurst, North Carolina. His message can be described as flourishing, as Pastor T aims to spread his “Kingdom Minded” philosophy to everyone, both young and old. As fate would have it, St. Peter, The Rock is the same church his father, Bishop C.L. Curry, preached to and served for several years. Pastor Curry is the youngest of three children. He was born to Gretchel Curry and the late Bishop C.L. Curry in Grand Forks, North Dakota. “Growing up in the church, I was reared in fear and admonition,” he says. He remained faithful as he worked as an Associate Minister, Minister of Music, Sunday School Teacher, Youth Leader, and Choir Director, up under the tutelage of his father for 28 years. “Church is all I knew. I loved music from the very beginning. I started out playing the guitar that my father bought me and eventually learned how to play the organ and the keyboard,” Curry said. Curry shares that he learned early in his faith walk that “You can be anointed but not appointed and need to sit back and learn.” Curry did just that, and when the time was right, his father, Bishop C.L. Curry, saw something in his son and gave him his blessing to go forth in full-time ministry. While many pastors to pass away while being in office, that wasn’t the case for Curry’s father. The late Bishop worked tirelessly to serve God. While Curry would lead the ministry on Sundays, his father would be sitting in the congregation watching him proudly as he delivered the sermon to the church, encouraging him to spread the word to God’s people. “I thought my father was completely stopping, but he would still come to church every single Sunday, and every Monday, we would have our talks. He never once tried to tell me how to run the church. He was always sitting back proud,” Curry explained. Curry and his wife of 26 years, April, affectionately known as Lady A, have always had a heart for ministry and outreach. They have taken in numerous youth under their training and have justly opened their hearts to serve the lives of their ‘special needs’ children, which led them to open up Curry’s Haven, LLP in 2008. Curry’s Haven is a six-time nationally accredited organization set up to train, support, house, and serve special needs children and adults. They also regularly reach out to help behavioral and troubled youth, who are also a part of their organization. Continued on the next page
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Curry’s passion for the unsaved and less fortunate has transformed into the outreach ministry, TLC Unlimited, Inc. With TLC Unlimited, Inc., they can serve individuals who need clothing and food and help get them back on their feet with job placement, schooling, and shelter. Along with withholding many titles in the church and the community, Pastor T is the lead singer of his musical group, Todd Curry and FOCUS, which is under the umbrella of TLC Unlimited. The nationally acclaimed, award-winning group has won several national awards and even appeared on BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel for their Sunday morning showing. Out of 42 groups of every music genre across the country, they were one of two gospel groups selected by the State Department of the United States and allowed to audition for the Rhythm Road Project at the Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York. FOCUS was also chosen as one of the nation’s top 10 groups by judges with the Gospel Music Channel and American Heart Association. Ministry and music go hand in hand for Curry. His freshman project, “It’s All Good” along with his sophomore project, “Quit Playin Church”, was released by his own record company, TLC Unlimited, Inc., and received National Digital distribution with Trevano/Ingrooves/ Universal Music Groups. Their albums were available for purchase at stores including Walmart, Kmart, Best Buy, and Barnes & Noble, to name a few. Their music can be heard on Sirius Radio, Pandora, and many other streaming services and stations across the nation. Curry has recorded with the ministries of St. Peter, The Rock, Inc. The ministries include the Choir, Children/Youth Choir, Men’s Chorus, Praise and Worship teams, and a new young group of sisters called “Lyric”. His recent project is entitled “Standing on The Rock”. The
album made the Billboard top 25 Gospel Album Chart and the Gospel Music Association Top 25 Chart showcasing the top albums in the country. This phenomenal project has also qualified for the First Ballot of the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Awards in four categories and made the Nominee Finalists Roster for The Stellar Awards for Traditional Choir of the Year. Only four nominees were chosen: The Chicago Mass Choir, Rev. Luther Barnes, Ricky Dillard, and Pastor Curry and the ministry choir. Eventually, Curry hopes to bring the choir sound in gospel music back to the church, one song at a time. In the meantime, he plans to allow God to continue to order his steps and lead the way. A few of these steps directed Curry back to school and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). In honor of his father, he was granted an opportunity to walk across the stage and finish college with a 3.91 GPA in May of this year. To God be the glory! h
St. Peter, The Rock Inc.
192 Esther Road - West End, NC 910-295-0936 - www.therockstpeter.com
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MAGAZINE
Cutest Baby
Asher Grady The son of Jessica and Justyn Grady
To submit photographs to be placed in the Huami Magazine Cutest Baby feature, please send a detailed email to huami.cutestbaby@gmail.com
July/August 2021
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