Introduce yourself and profession to our readers: I’m Tamiko Lowry-Pugh often referred to as "The Empowering Diva" and the voice for Women's Empowerment. As a bestselling author, empowerment specialist and inspirational speaker, I empower women to turn their wounds into wisdom so that they can live a life of passion, purpose, potential, and peace.


What inspired you to pursue this area of interest? My inspiration comes from my personal experience with being wounded from bad relationships, childhood experiences, generational curses and just being wounded by life. I wanted to create a platform that empowered women to move past their hurts and pains by understanding the lesson in what they went through. Allowing them to turn their wounds into wisdom so that they can have a successful future of passion, purpose, potential, and peace.


What advice would you share with those interested in a similar pursuit? My advice to anyone seeking any form of entrepreneurship is always to remain authentic and true to your brand. Dare to be original, reveal your uniqueness and let people know that you are one of a kind. Life is too short to live it trying to be anything other than your true, original self. Be who you are, and be it the best way you know how.


Discuss a professional challenge and how you overcame it: One of my biggest challenges was not asking for help and seeking mentorship when I needed it. I tried to do it all on my own. I’ve grown to realize that there are people out there who have already walked your journey who are willing to help you along the way. Seek out mentorship from someone you admire or who has already walked the road you are walking. It will save you a lot of time and make your journey a lot easier.


What is next for your brand/business in 2016? I plan to release my 3rd book in 2017 and kick off my Wounds to Wisdom Empowerment Tour which will allow me to continue my journey of empowering women to live a life of passion, purpose, potential, and peace.


 How can readers connect with you online and through social media.
Website: www.tamikolowry.com
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @EmpoweringDiva
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Lifestyle Publicist and Motivational Speaker Lillie Mae recently presented the All White Brunch Soiree to celebrate Atlanta's female visionaries and support women-owned businesses. In partnership with the GlambitiousIAM Network, attendees enjoyed gourmet brunch, photo-booth fun, shopping, an entrepreneur panel and special giveaways. Confirmed honorees included, Lisa Nicole Cloud, Chanita Foster, Saptosa Foster, Mimi J, Natt Taylor,Tanika Gray, I'na Saulsbery, Niya Brown Matthews and Dr. Myla Bennett. Panelists included Ronnika Ann, Tamara Barnes, Kenyatta Joseph, LeShanda Davis, Brenda Spencer and Tamiko Lowry-Pugh.  The event concluded with a live performance and prayer from Minister Emi Lively, leaving guests with multifaceted experience of empowerment, entertainment and spiritual engagement.

The featured female business owners for the event were: Author Shonda White, Anita Hollis (Neet Jewelry), Candice Coulter (High Maintenance Boutique), Krystal Cain (Kontour Events Management), Katrina Robinson (Atown Apples), Natasha Hickman (Make a Cake Cupcake Bar), Lisa D. Hall (Epic Event Planning Services) and Charla Ruschelle (CR Clothing Co.). Event partners included Myx Moscato, DRY Sparkling, SC Visionary Services, Jola's Joyful Events, Funky Flair Boutique, Event Photocube, Beautiful Textures, Flo On Entertainment and Salon Blu. To view additional event coverage connect with the @GlambitiousIAM and @LillieMaePR Instagram pages.

Photo Credits: Priiincesss Photography and Joi Pearson Photography

​1.Introduce yourself and profession to our readers:
My name is Yvonne Pearson. I am a 31 year old wife and mother of 4. I am originally from the Ivory Coast, Belgium, and raised in France. I am an Atlanta fashion designer.
 
2. What inspired you to pursue this area of interest?
I've always loved the bold and beautiful prints from my African descent, but my style leans more toward the contemporary European fashion. So I decided to combine the two: African prints in modern fashion.
 
3. What advice would you share with those interested in a similar pursuit?
Nike says it best: JUST DO IT! We often delay on pursuing our dreams, waiting for everything to be just right before we begin. Just start and take it one day at a time, little by little. So whether it is lack of complete ideas, support, resources, funding, time, etc... just start with what you have.
 
4. Discuss a professional challenge and how you overcame it:
It is hard to find the time to focus on growing my business with four small children. But I push through and work my business right along my personal life, which sometimes means working late at night and on the weekends.
 
5. What is next for your brand/business in 2016?
I am currently working on new and exciting pieces for the Holidays.
 
6. How can readers connect with you online and through social media.
Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @melangemode
 
Yvonne Ghyselinck Pearson
Owner and Founder of Melange Mode
 
www.shopmelangemode.com
www.facebook.com/melangemode
www.instagram.com/melangemode
www.twitter.com/melangemode

Please introduce yourself to our readers:
I’m Renée Mitchell Simpson, a registered dietitian nutritionist and plant based chef. I provide wellness consulting and help women develop a self-care plan they love.


What inspired your pursuits?
I was inspired by my mom who finally got the swing of her constant weight battle when she sought the help of a nutritionist. She taught me what she did, I did it and lost 32 pounds and commenced to teaching everyone who would listen.


What makes your business unique?

That would be me! I make my business unique. I strive to be 100% authentically me. Some people may get offended from time to time, but I’m learning that that’s okay. Maybe that particular joke or post wasn’t for them. But there are plenty who do like my flavor. These days everyone’s a chef or a nutritionist or some kind of coach, but thank God there can only be one me.


What advice do you have to emerging professionals in this area

My advice is to own who you are, completely. People want to see and experience the real you. All of the things you’ve gone through, don’t let them be in vain. You went through it to show someone else that they can survive it to. So don’t be ashamed and try to hide your flaws or bad experiences. Make them work to your advantage. I once got a job because I was a thick dietitian. I was concerned that I had a little post-partum weight on and had no idea that it actually helped me get the job. It turns out the chef who hired me wanted a dietitian who wasn’t stick thin, someone who could be more relatable. Who knew?


What is next for you this Fall?

Right now I’m about to start requesting sponsorship for my upcoming Well Diva Weekend retreat, which takes place in Sedona, AZ in February. That’s a huge and exciting project since it’s my first retreat, a 4 day wellness event for women to get away and do something wonderful for themselves. It booked up within a week so I’m already scouting locations for the next one. Other than that I’m working on a yet to be named October challenge where I’ll be guiding the Well Divas through a 31 day willpower and self-discipline development program, starting October 1.


How can readers connect with you online and through social media?

My blog is welldiva.com, Facebook.com/groups/detoxforadiva is the group where we do our challenges and contests, and I’m on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @welldiva.

Introduce yourself and profession to our readers:
​Hello. My name is Keema Bouyer and I am founder of The Queen's English PR. My agency specializes in Branding and Public Relations for Beauty & Lifestyle Brands and Non-profit organizations. We also offer consulting, event and red carpet management and a la carte PR services.