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There are some people who know you from the version of yourself everyone sees today. And then there are the people who knew you before any of it. Tara Gray is one of those people for me. We have known each other since we were little girls growing up in Connecticut. So when Tara joined me on the BLK GRL MOB POD, this wasn't simply an interview with another entrepreneur. It was two women with decades of history sitting down to talk about where life has taken us—and what we've l

Sometimes life changes the plan without asking permission. For Helena Richardson, founder of HRichnetworks and WNC Lagniappe, that change came with Hurricane Katrina. The Louisiana native had built a life, a career in technology, relationships and a community she knew as home. Then suddenly, that life looked completely different. Eventually, Helena and her family found themselves rebuilding in Virginia. But looking back, Helena doesn't see that chapter as starting from zero.

For many parents, gaming feels like a battle they are constantly trying to win. They worry about screen time, online safety, and whether their children are spending too much time in virtual worlds. Aiyana Glover, founder of The Laptop Life Coach, sees another possibility. Instead of fighting against the spaces children already enjoy, Aiyana uses those spaces to reach them. Through gaming-based coaching, interactive workshops, and one-on-one mentoring, she helps children and y

Success doesn't always look loud. Sometimes it looks like quietly serving your community, balancing family and career, and building a business that honors who you are instead of trying to become someone else. That's exactly what Fonda Neal is doing. As the founder of After 7 Notary and Fonda Neal Natural Health, Fonda has built two businesses rooted in service. One helps families and professionals navigate important life moments through reliable notary services. The other gre

Sometimes the greatest opportunities begin with the greatest disruptions. For DeKesha Williams, founder of Vizions Enterprise, everything changed with a single phone call. After taking what she thought would be a temporary leave from work, she learned the company had closed its doors. Suddenly, the career she had depended on was gone. What could have been the end of her story became the beginning of something much bigger. Today, DeKesha is known across the entrepreneurial wor

Some entrepreneurs build businesses around a skill they learned. Others build businesses around a problem they solved. Louise Lopez built hers around a calling. As the founder of Taylor Lopez Coaching, Louise helps people understand the language of their dreams, recognize their spiritual gifts, and walk confidently in the purpose God has placed on their lives. It's a path that began long before she ever considered entrepreneurship. Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Louise

By Maya Harris | BLK GRL MOB As entrepreneurs, we're often told we need to find the perfect work-life balance. But what if balance isn't the goal? What if the real goal is alignment? That question sits at the heart of Cheryl Quintero's work and the conversation we shared on the BLK GRL MOB POD. Cheryl, founder of Alani Creations LLC, is a Certified Health Coach, Certified Personal Trainer, and wellness advocate who helps busy women create healthy lifestyle habits that improve

By Maya Harris | BLK GRL MOB Some entrepreneurs chase trends. Others see change coming and make the bold decision to reinvent themselves before the market forces them to. That's exactly what Brenda Mickens did. Many people first came to know Brenda as the creative force behind Brenda Dezigns, where she celebrated African culture through authentic fashion, clothing, and accessories. But when rising international shipping costs and changes in the global economy began threatenin

Founder, Student Loan Navigator Richmond, Virginia Robyn Roots is the founder of Student Loan Navigator, where she helps borrowers simplify student loan repayment and forgiveness so they can stop guessing and start moving with a real strategy. Student Loan Navigator provides hands-on support for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, income driven repayment plans, consolidation strategy, payment count troubleshooting, and servicer issue resolution. Robyn works with nurses, clinicia

Dr. Angela Clemmons (Knightdale, NC) is an author, speaker, and faith-centered leader who helps women rediscover who they are, strengthen their mindset, and move forward with clarity and confidence. Through her books I Thought I Lost and The Success Equation , she encourages women to reconnect with purpose and pursue what God has placed in their hearts. Angela started her business at fifty after reaching a turning point in her life. After years of pouring into motherhood and

Jawanda Smith (Richmond, Virginia), founder of Let’s Do It Right Events and creator of Journey with Jai is a purpose-driven leader building at the intersection of strategy, execution, and personal alignment. Through her businesses and platforms, she creates spaces where excellence, empowerment, and community meet. As an entrepreneur, media voice, and mother, Jawanda leads with intention while honoring faith, healing, and growth. Through Let’s Do It Right Events, Jawanda hel

Brittany Washington (Davenport, Iowa) is a mother, entrepreneur, and the founder of My Beautiful Fluff , a body-positive lifestyle brand created to empower women to love themselves fully and unapologetically. My Beautiful Fluff creates inclusive apparel, journals, coloring books, and self-care products designed to build confidence and self-love. The brand serves plus-size women and women with natural hair who want to feel represented, celebrated, and seen in spaces that have

Takisha Carr (Emporia, Virginia) is the founder and owner of Protection 4 Life Insurance Agency, where she works as a financial professional, educator, and community advocate focused on helping families and entrepreneurs nationwide build protection, stability, and legacy. Through Protection 4 Life, Takisha provides life, health, retirement, and supplemental insurance solutions for families, parents, business owners, and entrepreneurs who want clarity, confidence, and long-ter

Tiffany Winfield (Richmond, Virginia) is an author, licensed personal and executive coach, and corporate professional with over 20 years of experience. Through her work with ZenWork Studio and Selah 74, she is building at the intersection of work, wellness, and community—creating spaces where high-achieving professionals and entrepreneurs can finally exhale. ZenWork Studio isn’t “just” a wellness space. It’s a place to breathe again. To reset. To be poured into. Built with

Maya Lynn Harris (Sandston, Virginia) is the founder of BLK GRL MOB, a new collective created to elevate Black women entrepreneurs through connection, visibility, and access to real resources. She is also a proud mother of two sons and a full-time caregiver to her parents — roles that deeply inform how she builds community and leads with intention. BLK GRL MOB was created to be more than inspiration. It’s a space designed for Black women to grow profitable businesses, build

Emily Woodman-Nance (Long Beach, California) is the founder and CEO of At Their Side, an award-winning HealthTech company focused on improving communication and transparency in long-term care. Since 2014, her work has helped care providers communicate more clearly and consistently with families—reducing stress, building trust, and ensuring families feel informed, supported, and connected to the care their loved ones receive. ​ At Their Side was shaped by lived experience. Aft