Cool Soror with Rashan Ali

Tiffini Gatlin, a Cool Soror of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. joins the podcast today and her jaw-dropping story will have you wanting to stand up and cheer for her to get the win. 

This CEO of Latched and Hooked has lived a whole lot of life in a short period of time.  Her journey to having her own beauty company comes with many stops and revelations along the way. 

Kicking off her career as a bank executive, she realized she was basically running her own company by managing her bank (10:15).

During the latter part of her 10 year career, she felt something tugging at her heart.  She knew her life was bigger than banking.  She stepped away to start her own concierge service and online magazine (12:00). 

Tiffini had some success in her businesses, but a chance partnership with an associate would bend her in ways she could have never anticipated. 

She named this wildly successful hair company, was a co-founder and her name was on the patent as well.  But things started to go awry when she refused to take out another joint loan.  Tiffini's refusal led her business partner to lock her out of their joint accounts and shut down the key card to their warehouse (28:00).

A court case ensues and so does jail time (33:10). 

Tiffini’s unsuspecting journey will make you understand the true meaning of the spirit and the flesh and how they constantly battle. 

But as Tiffini says so vehemently “I’m human.” 

That statement resonates with each of us because no matter how spiritual we are, we all understand that feeling.

@theatlgo2girl

@latchednhooked

www.theatlgotogirl.com

www.latchedandhooked.com

Today's Cool Soror episode features "Cool Bruh" and man of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.. Tiwa Aganga-Williams (better known as Tiwaworks).  As the President and CEO of the Atlanta Greek Picnic Weekend and Tiwaworks International and Real Estate, this British born Nigerian has truly lived and been around the world.

His parents asked him if he wanted to come to the states to attend school, just before his senior year in high school.  He took them up on their offer and therein molded this ambitious entrepreneur who has no "off-switch (8:31).

Upon graduation, Tiwa's parents made the decision for him to attend Georgia Southwestern State University, because they knew what was best for the oldest of their three sons !11:34).  Ultimately, his parents' decision would turn out to be one of the most amazing experiences in his life (13:53).

Tiwa takes us on a ride delving into so many topics including the relationships between African people and Black / African-American people. (18:10): feeling at home in the motherland (19:32); the lineup of the Atlanta Greek Picnic (41:00) and encouraging others to become entrepreneurs (42:35).

Tiwa has the type of cultural experiences that some people dream of.  From thousands of people converging on the city of Atlanta for his annual picnic, to awarding start-ups thousands of dollars in a pitch competition, he has continued to push the boundaries.  

Tiwa's story makes us take a closer look at believing there is something in each of us that is entrepreneurial.  We just have to believe that it truly lives there.

www.atlantagreekpicnic.com

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram - @tiwaworks

Alpha Kappa Alpha Cool Soror, LaToya Wilson, taught herself how to cook after marrying her now ex-husband when she was in college.  

In between classes to study to be a nurse, she would binge watch Food Network chefs.  She would then put a twist on recipes that she liked.  

This  Alabama native would call her mother and grandmother to get meal ideas over the phone (2:45).  Before long, she realized that this desire that she had inside of her was no longer a task, it was her purpose.

She created "Saucepans and Stilettos" after one of her friends forwarded her a similar idea she had seen online.  

LaToya says it's not about the actual shoes, but that everything feels and possibly tastes better with a pair of heels on.  

The "Saucepans and Stilettos Experience" allows women to gather at their homes with friends and learn to "create meals to make him think of you."  This experience, along with the stiletto stories from the events, has become life-changing for so many of her clients (13:50).  

An only child to a teen mother, she realized early what sacrifice looked like and is doing that same thing for her own children.  

She witnessed her mother defy the odds of societal statistics and become a nurse.  LaToya credits her own strength on the strength she gained from her mother and grandmother.  

She knows what it looks like to be selfless and to be in tuned with God's voice (22:40).  

LaToya Wilson coins herself as "Southern with a little bit of Country!"  She knows that there is greatness in her concept because she has experienced it and seen others benefit from her obedience. 

However, she knows she will not see the magnitude of the dream, until the exit date has been met.

Website: www.saucepansandstilettos.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/cooknstilettos

Instagram: www.instagram.com/saucepansandstilettos

FB: www.facebook.com/SaucepansAndStilettos

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's own Monica Coleman, CEO of M320 Consulting, joins the Cool Soror Podcast today.  

This brand strategist and marketing expert from New York City got the bug for executing events during her college days at Hampton University. 

She knew her path would be different when she curated the red carpet for the 70th anniversary of the Apollo Theater (2:25). Even thought this was big, she new there was something else.

With no job, clothes and a television, she made the move to Atlanta.  

It took her less than a year to establish herself as a true visionary after landing a corporate job.  

Believing that one can be entrepreneurial in a corporate environment, she continued to hone her skills until the time was right to launch M320 Consulting (5:35). 

Monica knew the time was right, when she asked one of her constituents if he would partner with her company. He immediately obliged (8:15).

Monica says that certain things come natural to her because she sees things from start to finish (13:02).  

She believes in loyalty, integrity and fairness when working with such clients as Lexus, Home Depot, Pepsico and FunkFest just to name a few (19:14).

Monica says, "Most of the barriers that are stopping you from moving forward are completely imaginary.  You are your biggest obstacle."

She has learned to overcome herself and become used to the taste of winning.

www.m320consultinggroup.com

Twitter @monica320

Instagram  @monica320

Carla Morrison graces Cool Soror with her regal presence on this week's

episode. 

The publicist, author, entrepreneur, journalist, Connecticut

native and member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. takes us through the inner

workings of her non-profit organization and Public Relations firm.  

Carla founded Sisters of Today & Tomorrow in 2008 and is a direct

result of community programs her PR Company, Chit Chat Communications, has

produced since 2003.

The organization is reputable across America for its sincere

need to help women and children. (3:23)  

The company has produced over 30 community programs, promoting higher

education, entrepreneurship, self-esteem, health & fitness and personal

development, impacting over 5,000 youth and adults. Sisters of Today & Tomorrow has

received favorable media exposure nationwide.

The non-profit walk is not an easy one and Carla discusses how

she was close to giving up on that dream. (9:28)

A chance opportunity at Yale University gave her the purpose she

needed to keep the vision moving forward (11:44). 

As the CEO of Chit Chat communications, Carla sheds light on her

innate desire to work with Magic Johnson and how it ame to fruition

(30:00).  This sports and entertainment PR firm has given her the

opportunity to partner with professional athletes, musicians and global brands.

Carla Morrison's daily prayer is, "Lord, order my

steps.  Make me hear you and obey you."  She has done just that

and the results of her obedience continues to allow her to thrive.

Twitter: @carlamorrison

Instagram: @carlamorrison

FB: https://www.facebook.com/Sisters-of-Today-Tomorrow-357394781724/

Delights by Dawn founder Dawn Belisle is our guest for this week’s Cool Soror episode. 

She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. - West Palm Beach Alumni Chapter. 

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Attorney Dawn Belisle is a Criminal Defense Lawyer by profession and a delightful, creative cupcake lady by passion. 

She practiced law for over two decades. While she had a very successful career in this space, her passion was pulling her to take a leap of faith. 

Dawn put her prestigious law career on hold and let God take the wheel. She found herself starting her life anew and enjoying more than ever, baking alcohol infused cupcakes.  

Now holding two kiosks at the Georgia Dome, Dawn is a testament that sometimes resets in life are necessary to find yourself and feel the happiness yearned for.

This 35-minute podcast touches on Dawn’s life and experiences and hear about:

How the cupcake project goes as far back to her childhood and why despite such inclinations, she still pursued Political Science, then Law (3:14).

How her career as a lawyer started (4:54), bloomed (6:25) and slowly dissipated (8:01, 12:32).

The set of events that led to leaving the law practice (31:40) and her advice to anyone who might be interested in re-paving the paths of their lives (13:18).

How she landed the gig at Georgia Dome (15:50) and how Keith Olbermann, Twitter and Facebook worked together into marketing her cupcake kiosk (18:02, 18:59).

 Her bestselling infused cupcake flavors (22:30) and her dreams and visions on expanding Delights by Dawn (19:30, 21:48).

The narrative behind joining Delta Sigma Theta (26:49), who influenced her (27:17) and her motivations to become a Delta (29:03).

 

To get in touch with Dawn and Delights by Dawn:

http://delightsbydawn.com/

https://www.facebook.com/delightsbydawn/

https://www.instagram.com/delightsbydawn/

Kesha Denise is the one-womanpowerhouse behind Funky Flair Boutique in Marietta, GA, and is the week’sfeatured Cool Soror. She pledged to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in 1997 atCalifornia State University Northridge.

Born and raised in Inglewood, CA,Kesha grew up surrounded by fashion with a seamstress for a grandmother, and astylish mother. She is the quintessential California girl who is laid back,chill, and loves the beautiful weather, beaches and diversity of the state.

In 2006 however, after feelingburnt out of LA, she moved to Atlanta, Georgia.

In her first few years inAtlanta, she worked for Dermalogica. After an interesting turn of events, she came up with a master plan andfinally launched the Funky Flair Boutique in November of 2012.

Listen to this half-hour podcastto learn more about Kesha Denise:

How the Funky Flair Boutique ideastarted (3:00), the master plan and the financial route she took to set up thestore (7:02) and why she chose Marietta as the location (8:28).

How the business operates, withher as the one-woman-team in charge of everything from merchandising, marketingand even utility; her preference to keep it this way as opposed to gettingemployees (10:28); Funky Flair’s online presence and e-commerce (19:09); andthe processes involved in merchandising (20:35).

Her vision for Funky Flair'sgrowth and brand recall (11:49); the struggles she goes through and the supportteam that motivates her in spite of the hurdles (9:34)

Why she chose Alpha Kappa Alpha(16:00).

“Being an entrepreneur is a giftand a curse. I’ve worked harder for myself than I’ve ever worked for anycompany, but the joy in it is that it’s mine. On days when no money is moving,I’m still ok. I can sit in this building and look around, [sic] everythingthat’s in here is me. Nobody can take that from me. And that’s priceless” –Kesha Denise

Nick is the Chief Marketing Officer of Liquid Soul - the country’s premiere strategic communications and marketing firm for entertainment and consumer brands. 

This man of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. takes us through the history of the company he started with his fraternity brother Tirrell Whitley and reveals the beauty of his journey to date. 

What started out as an online radio show has become the “go to” marketing agency for films and television shows produced by Sony, Paramount, LionsGate, Universal along with HBO, Fox, CNN, Bravo, OWN and so much more.

Their first huge success was implementing and executing the marketing strategy for the film - “The Gospel” which was written, produced and directed by two more of his frat brothers: Will Packer and Rob Hardy of then Rainforest Films.

Nick and Tirrell knew they were on to something once they received a call from the head honchos at Sony Pictures.

The enormity of all of his successes came to a halt in 2013, when he lost his father, William E. Nelson, Jr. and spiritual father, W. Ron Sailor all while dealing with his mother Della’s Alzheimers diagnosis. 

Fighting through the pain, he knew then he had to rethink his priorities.  That birthed the idea for his book, “Stay Tuned”.  (www.staytunedthebook.com)  

“Stay Tuned” - balancing faith, family and career without compromising you - is for everybody, but speaks particularly to the professional male balancing career and his everyday life.  

He gives honor to his wife, Tiffany and son Quinn to whom he dedicates his book, for helping him find what truly matters in life.

This “Cool Bruh” episode is compelling, thoughtful and emotionally complex and so is Nick Nelson.

@NickFNelson Twitter, IG, FB

@goiquidsoulmedia IG

@tirrellwhitley IG

@realrobhardy

@willpowerpacker

www.goliquidsoul.com

www.staytunedthebook.com

Koereyelle Dubose is a Cool Soror of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She pledged at Tennessee State University in 2005. She is the founder of The Single Wives Club, an entrepreneur, educator, author and advocate of all things girl power.

Koereyelle was a second and third grade teacher in Rockdale County for four years, but circumstances had her degree in education steering her towards another direction.

She founded the Single WivesClub as result of an abusive relationship. She was engaged at the time, but 9 months before the wedding, she realized that she was not ready for the married life. Koereyelle felt that she needed support, but saw that there was lack of resources, so she invited girlfriends who might also need help.

She did not intend for the support group to be a business at first. However, the demand for such a tremendous support group had her empowering women and educating them to focusand invest in themselves.

The Single Wives Club has grown massively and now plays host to Werk-Pray-Slay - a weekend where women get pampered, educated, empowered, enlightened and recognized. The women leave with key takeaways on the weekend – not just a plan, but also the tools needed tofeel ready in real life to put their plans in place.

She also wrote Werk 101, a how-to-handbook on health, wealth and lifestyle lessons – 77 lessons on everything a woman might need: from personal finance, entrepreneurship,etiquette, to finding your purpose. It also has an app version which digests the lessons in the book to bite-size chunks of morning affirmations and blogs,as well as invites to events and classes.

With the amount of success she’s been having, it’s interesting to know that she doesn’t like making plansand would rather be open and trust God on what his plans are. She doesn’t knowwhat it’ll be in 5 years, but we’ll all know by then.

Hear more about Koereyelle’s inspiring and entertaining stories:

Howthe idea for the Single Wives Club came about (3:20), establishing that the club’s goal is not to have the women find a man, but to find themselves (7:29),and the creation of the Wives Society, which is a celebration of the women whowere part of the Single Wives Club who are now happily married (5:20).

How men who date her perceive her upon knowing that she spearheads the Single WivesClub (11:05).

The process she had to go to finally write Werk 101, which entailed her to write 2 books prior at different states of mind (12:22), and the contents of the book which also pushed for the creation of the Werk 101 app (14:27).

The structure of the Work-Pray-Slay Weekend that starts on a Friday Night with a private pampering session, a BYOB conference and Relationship Readiness Talk on Saturday, the Big Hat Brunch on Sunday, and the Claire Huxtable Award (16:00)

“We talk about building businesses and being bosses and all these stuff but if your health is not whereit should be, who cares about what’s in your bank account?” – Koereyelle DuBose