Host of the JoyTutor Podcast, JoAnna Williams, met with Melissa Elliott, founder of Agape Family Therapy. As a product of immigrant parents and the eldest adult child, Melissa had been tasked with making the family proud. However, when she needed support to manage stress at several parts of my academic career, she found a few examples that looked like her. Therefore, she vowed to be the person and created systems to support people, families, and communities that look like her!

Melissa has learned that people are the experts of their lives, and we, as professionals are privileged to be on the journey. Therefore Melissa calls members of Agape a community shaped by love, learning, and growing to be loving. Melissa expanded her services from being a solo practitioner in private practice to group practice. Before the pandemic, she decided in March 2020 to take a leap of faith and resign from a position as a senior director of a non-profit agency.

AGAPE Family Therapy & Coaching is a telehealth group practice that provides mental health counseling, coaching, training, and employee assistance programming to agencies and supervision in New York. Through member testimonies of reaching their goals or reducing their symptoms of anxiety, depression, and trauma, Melissa’s organization has greatly impacted her community. They have impacted over 200 people and four organizations within the past two years.

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Contact Info:

• Linktr.ee: agapefamilytherapy

• Instagram: bajanqueendom

• Instagram: agape_familytherapyandcoaching

• Website: www.agapefamilytherapy.com

JoyTutor Resources:

• Email: [email protected]

• Website: www.JoyTutor.com

• TikTok: joytutor

• Instagram: joytutorinc

• Facebook: JoyTutor Inc

• Youtube: JoyTutor Podcast

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#joytutor #joytutorpodcast #podcast #business #businesstips #blackownedbusiness #personaldevelopment #empowerment #inspiration #inspirational #mentalhealth #agapefamilytherapy

#melissaelliott

Host of the JoyTutor Podcast, JoAnna Williams, met with Sparkle Jai, founder of Sparkle's Junk Bowtique. At the age of 7, Sparkle began her passion for sewing. By 14, Sparkle's mom noticed her passion for cutting and sewing and bought Sparkle's first sewing machine. Cutting and redesigning her own clothes bought by her mom would nurture her love for sewing. Sparkle attended the Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago to sharpen her skills and build a successful path toward her dreams. Sparkle's unique designs and creativity would lead to making bows and accessories from scrap fabric, which inspired her business name, Junk Bowtique. Tapping into her swatch book and notes from college, Sparkle began making matching garments for herself and her daughter. This would lead to Sparkle making garments for her entire family. Thus Sparkle’s Junk Bowtique was born.​Sparkle's success and growth did not come easy; she had to overcome many challenges that made it difficult to cultivate her joy for sewing. But her strength and determination to achieve her dreams would show others around her how to never give up. Sparkle's one-of-a-kind creations are blazing new trails in the fashion industry, while her resilience inspires others to go after their dreams. Contact Info:​

• Facebook: Sparkle’s Junk Bowtique

• Instagram: @sparklesjunk

• TikTok: @sparklejai

#sparklejai #sparklesjunkbowtique #fashiondesigner #handmade #joytutor #joytutorpodcast #podcast #business #businesstips #blackownedbusiness #empowerment #inspiration #inspirational y #courage #joy #blackowned #fashion

Bridget Papino is making a positive impact within her community and around the world. In 2012, Bridget and her partner, Daniel Banks, cocreated "Jersey Turnt Up Ent," now known as We Are Jersey, an all-inclusive entertainment company based out of northern New Jersey. A few years later, "We Are Jersey Magazine" was established to give fast-rising Jersey talents a platform that supports their growth and exposure and a solid foundation for those who want to make a difference in entertainment, arts, business, and community. We Are Jersey Magazine is all about celebrating creatives, community, and culture. They provide creative content and marketing solutions alongside our events and magazine publication. They are energetic and passionate about what they do, and they love connecting with like-minded people. Their mission is to inspire positive change in the world through creativity, collaboration, and cultural awareness. Bridget's biggest challenge was whether to conform to mainstream media standards or remain underground. She twisted it because she saw how important and valuable things are still occurring, but regularly mainstream media may not spotlight that or give it an opportunity. She wanted to bridge the gap where talent could be seen, and impactful stories could be shared.Her business helped her see the importance of connecting the community and displaying the positive impact of the world around them. The ability to motivate and inspire those across numerous niches showed her that our voices and actions matter more than we acknowledge.

Host of the JoyTutor Podcast, JoAnna Williams, met with Odalis Avant, founder of Ocean & Mint Apothecary, to explain what is a spiritual white bath, the benefits, and why clients use them. As the creator of Mint & Ocean Apothecary, Odalis blended her journey as a medical coder, herbalist, and spiritualist to curate a growing wellness line that assists our community with their healing paths. After 20+ years of gardening & studying plants with her parents, earning her B.A. in Linguistics and certificate in Behavioral Health coding, she began blending balms & salves in her kitchen for family & friends. With an amazingly warm response & encouragement, Odalis opened Mint & Ocean’s virtual doors in 2017. One year later, after realizing some of her family’s spiritual practices could also assist the community, the Botánica portion of the shop was shared. The mission? To help our community mentally, physically & spiritually with traditional recipes sourced from both the earth & the sea. Mint & Ocean has been blessed to be featured in BuzzFeed, New York Live, and, most recently, the JoyTutor Podcast. :) On her ever-evolving journey, one of the most vital lessons learned is that a strong and healthy connection to the earth, ourselves, and our tribes is essential to our longevity. Asè.

Tamara “Tee” Dopwell from Brooklyn, NY, identified a gap within the community that was beyond the reach of local services. With a passion for giving back to the community, Tamara developed a t-shirt line, Designs by Tee (DBT), to fund the needs of local residents struggling to make ends meet. As a social entrepreneur, Tamara has over 15 years of medical social work experience and currently works in the space of Elder Justice. Tamara is utilizing her creativity to create a positive, motivating, and socially-conscious T-shirt line. To pave the way for others, Tamara provides a free e-book and online classes teaching others how to start their own t-shirt business.

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While constantly learning new skills, marketing strategies, and social media management, Tamara conquered the challenge of making sales and continued growth during the onset of Covid. Pivoting to social media and online marketing enabled Designs By Tee to gain sales and increased social media following that would exceed expectations.

Host of the JoyTutor Podcast, JoAnna Williams, met with Christian Cashelle, founder of Dynamic Imaging Publications, to discuss her inspirational journey of becoming a successful author and building a publication empire that helps aspiring authors achieve their dream of publishing a book. We navigate how to write a book, self-publish, overcome challenges, and explore various literary bodies of work published with Dynamic Imaging Publications. For free tips on how to write and publish a book, check out Christian Cashelle's social media accounts below and the Dynamic Imaging Publications website.

Like this show? Post a screenshot of you listening on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok, and tag us so we can thank you personally! Or please leave us a review here.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]

• Website: www.dipublications.com

• Instagram: dip_books

• Facebook: Dynamic Image

• Youtube: Dynamic Reign

• TikTok: Christian Cashelle

JoyTutor Resources:

• Email: [email protected]

• Website: www.JoyTutor.com

• TikTok: joytutor

• Instagram: joytutorinc

• Facebook: JoyTutor Inc

• Youtube: JoyTutor Podcast

Host of the JoyTutor Podcast, JoAnna Williams, met with Doreen (Mamma D) Martin to discuss transitioning from burning yourself out to thriving in self-love while being supported by your tribe. We also discuss the transitions of relationships and how we outgrow relationships that no longer serve the new version of ourselves. For those who need it, Mamma D gives her love, support, prayers, and words of encouragement on your personal development and entrepreneurial journey.

Like this show? Comment or tag us on TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook so we can thank you personally! Please leave us a review here.

Resources:

• Email: [email protected]

• Website: www.JoyTutor.com

• TikTok: @joytutor

• Instagram: @joytutorinc

• Facebook: JoyTutor Inc

• Youtube: JoyTutor Podcast

Host of the JoyTutor Podcast, JoAnna Williams, met Waneta Rupert (formerly Willis-Cooper). Like a phoenix who has risen from ashes, Waneta is a walking testimony that you can have love again and a joyful life. In 2011, Waneta married the love of her life, Anton Cooper. A match made in heaven and love that inspired others. What was a normal dental visit would forever change their union as Anton would later confirm he had cancer. Over the years following, Waneta would care for Anton with unwavering, unconditional love. In February 2018, God called Anton home.

The healing journey for Waneta was challenging but nothing she couldn't handle with the strength of God and the love and support of family and friends. After 4 years of doing the work to reinvent her life from the inside out, Waneta stands strong and tall as a woman who exudes self-love, forgiveness, and courage. In July 2022, Waneta will walk down the aisle again with her new love and soon-to-be life partner, Curtis Rupert. Their joy, love, and friendship are a true testimony of having a 2nd chance at love!

Waneta has a 14-year career as a developmental therapist for children with special needs. As a true superwoman, Waneta owns three businesses: Mirror Me 2 Photos (an interactive photo booth company), Queen My Yoni (all-natural products for women's health), and a travel specialist with Inteltravel.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]

• Website: www.MirrorMe2Photos.com

• Facebook: Mirror Me 2

Host of the JoyTutor Podcast, JoAnna Williams, met Dr. Tenille Rose to share her journey of healing by way of also correcting her last name.

Despite fear and anxiety, you can build a life of abundance and joy. Listen in