Streamin' With a Purpose

In this episode of Streamin' With a Purpose, we talk to Entrepreneur and Non-profit founder Crystal Vessels. Crystal Vessels, a native of Virginia, has always believed in bringing out the beauty in others. This passion led her to a career in cosmetology, for which she has been successful for more than 25 years. She perfected her trade and became a licensed cosmetologist and in 2006 opened her own hair salon, X-Clusive Reflections. In 2007 she became a certified makeup artist and as a result of her work was featured in several magazines and nominated for the Golden Scissors Award.

In 2010, Crystal expanded her horizons by becoming a licensed cosmetology instructor. She also became manager of Main Event Models and her own group, XCR-Models. But Crystal knew she was destined for something even greater. In 2013, she founded UnMasked as a way to give back after years of donating her time and talent to families in need. She recognized a need within the community to serve individuals and their children who were victims of domestic violence and children of life's extenuating circumstances due to no fault of their own. With a lot of hard work and dedication, Crystal was able to make UnMasked a 501(3)c non-profit organization. It has since received several awards for all of its work in the community. 

Every year UnMasked, X-Clusive Reflections, the XCR Team, and volunteers along with the help and support of other area stylists and barbers, provide a "FREE" back-to-school FunDay event. School-age children are provided backpacks filled with school supplies as well as free services including hair care, food, clothing and entertainment. Attendance at these events has grown to over 400, with over 100 children receiving free hair care services. UnMasked has launched several other community functions, which include an annual purse drive, distribution of hygienic, toiletries, hair care products, collection of paper products and supplies, holiday giving/dinners, toys, food, coat drives, and financial support.

UnMasked has also started other outreach programs to support different needs in the community such as UnMasked youth group F.I.R.E., Inspiring Women, and Positive Men of Influence. 

In today's episode Crystal shares that when we're following our purpose everything aligns as it should. Unknowingly, her salon opened up the door to her nonprofit. She originally thought her purpose was to travel and beautify others with her hairstyling technique, but little did she know that it would be the non-profit that God would have her commit most of her time to and the hair salon that would pave the way for it to even happen. Hear more of Crystal's story in today's episode.

Crystal is always looking for volunteers or other businesses to partner with for her community efforts. If you're near or in the Fredericksburg, Virginia area and looking for a collaborative effort that fits your mission, contact Crystal through her website or Facebook.  

On this episode of Streamin' With a Purpose, we're talking to Larry Lewis. Larry Lewis is from Virginia; he grew up in the Richmond City area and attended public school there. Larry took several courses after high school at Richmond Business College ( Small Business Management ). He spent nearly 40 years of his life working for A. H. Robins Pharmaceutical Company. In 2013, in his mid-fifties, Larry's life was forever changed when he joined Primerica Financial Services. Larry retired from A.H. Robins and since 2016, he has been a Regional Vice President in the financial services industry helping families build their financial houses. In 2019, he and his wife Yolanda opened the doors of their own Primerica office and have not looked back. Larry has 31 active licensed representatives in his Agency. He and Yolanda Lewis have three lovely children.

If you're interested in the financial services, would like to learn more for yourself, or are interested in building a business for yourself, reach out to Larry at 804-852-8434 or you can email him at [email protected]. On Tuesdays, Larry hosts a webinar for people just like you. Reach out to learn how you can join in.

In this episode of Streamin' With a Purpose, we're talking to Sabrina Williams. Sabrina is a Career Reinvention Specialist, Life Coach, Transition Coach, & International Speaker. She is cultivating leaders, careers and communities with her unequivocal coaching and empowerment programming.

As an inspirational coach and advocate for individuals and organizations across the globe, Sabrina is one of the nation’s top professional speakers. Known for her profound insight and transformative style, Sabrina is impacting generations and lives with her distinct brand of coaching, training and consulting.

For over 20 years, she’s dedicated her career to educating and equipping others to realize and reach their full potential; especially serving the economically and socially disadvantaged populations.

Sabrina is also a distinguished workforce development and economic empowerment specialist, owner and CEO of Strategically Inspired Solutions (also known as SIS Motivation) and Co-Owner of N&S Travel Partners with her husband Namon Williams.

Her in-depth knowledge and expertise have enabled her to work with local, state, federal and international agencies and organizations.

Sabrina plans to leave a legacy and create generational wealth for her five children and four grandchildren – while making a big, bold and sustainable impact on the world.

Sabrina shares so much of her wisdom in this episode. She encourages everyone to become the CEO of their life. Don't ever give up on your dream; always pursue your purpose. Stop the excuses and do it afraid because it's only then that you become the master of your craft. Fear will only keep you from living your purpose and sharing your brilliance with the world.

You can connect with Sabrina on Facebook at SisMotivation and N&S Travel Partners; IG @sis_motivation; and on LinkedIn at Sabrina Williams. 

In this episode of Streamin' With a Purpose, we're talking to Sonya Lewis. Sonya is the daughter of the Most-High! She is the mother of three wonderful children (one of which is her daughter-in-love). She is the proud and blessed grandmother of three beautiful grandbabies. She is The “BIGHUG Lady” Founder and CEO of BIGHUG Lady LLC, cultivating positive change in the earth, through you. She is the host of the weekly show, BIGHUG Conversations, where she inspires others to EMBRACE purpose by spotlighting individuals who have already taken a journey to self-discovery and are LIGHTING UP their corner of the world. She is a Certified Life Coach, taught under the direction of Doreen Rainey, CEO & Founder of The Society of Life Coaches, and she is your guide to the place where passion and purpose collide, revealing your true and authentic self, feeling like you just received the BIGGEST HUG EVER from the Most-High Himself! 

Sonya helps us to see that our purpose is already within us. We have to embrace who we are in God, trust Him at His word for who he says we are, and trust the process. When we can trust God for what He says, it doesn't matter how uncomfortable it makes us or the sacrifices we make. We continually search outside of Him for answers, but He is the one with the answers. And the answers are already there. 

Sonya helps us to see there is power in saying "Yes."

Allow Sonya to help YOU EMBRACE Purpose. This is what she was created for!

Connect with Sonya through her website at biggesthugever.com and click on "Work with Me", or go straight to it here: https://thebighuglady.vipmembervault.com/

In this episode of Streamin' With a Purpose, Sylvia shouts out to all women as we continue to lift up women everywhere in honor of Women's History Month. She leaves us with inspiring words - to find your voice and have compassion for one another. 

If you didn't hear the episodes in honor of Women's History Month, find them here:

Mary Rollins - Pillar of Strength

Amy McCune - Pillar of Courage

Shellia Smith and Delores Tyler - Pillars of Obedience, Sacrifice and Humility

Beverly Samuel and Alyssa Samuel - Pillars of Resiliency and Passion

In this episode of Streamin' With a Purpose, we talk to Beverly and Alyssa Samuel. 

Beverly Samuel is co-author of the children’s book, Make New Friends, with her daughter, Alyssa. She retired from the United States Department of Agriculture as a National Program Leader. She developed an interest in Diversity & Inclusion on a task force at the federal level. She worked for more than 25 years as an Extension Agent. Alyssa is a Management Consultant on federal government contracts. Their story of Make New Friends was inspired by their family’s life experiences in school, work, and the community.

Make New Friends is a children's book that focuses on diversity, inclusion, and equity targeted to first and second graders. Together Beverly and Alyssa share a story that was inspired by their family’s experiences in school, work, and the community. Their purpose is to promote children's acceptance of diversity and inclusion. The story also has lessons that adults can glean to learn about diversity and inclusion. 

You don't want to miss the opportunity to inspire and educate those around you. You can find Make New Friends on iUniverse, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble:

https://www.iuniverse.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/836399-make-new-friends

https://www.amazon.com/Make-New-Friends-Beverly-Samuel/dp/1663232857/ref=sr_1_1?crid=28I6YNHNUYUUV&keywords=978-1663232748&qid=1640529056&sprefix=978-1663232748%2Caps%2C74&sr=8-1

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/make-new-friends-beverly-samuel/1140814009?ean=9781663232748

In this episode of Streamin' With a Purpose, we're talking to sisters Sheila Smith and Delores Tyler who have taken great pride and care to ensure they are being obedient to their call. How would you respond to the call to take in four small kids (two of which are toddlers) that you barely know and at a point when you are free to live your best life?

That was the call for Shellia and Delores, and they not only answered it, but they committed their lives to it and continue to be there today as often as needed to ensure that others have what they need. 

Without obedience and humility, it's hard to sacrifice completely, and so we're focusing on all of these traits in this episode as we continue to lift up women who are impacting their community in awesome ways.

In Shellia's words, "there are takers and givers. Only go into a [full sacrificial commitment as this] if you have a giver's heart. If you are expecting anything in return, then don't do it."

Take a listen to these ladies as they give all of us some great advice for sacrificial commitment.

In this episode of Streamin' With a Purpose, we talk with Amy McCune. Amy is an organizational development coach with a focus on leadership development and personal development. Her certifications in Lean Six Sigma and Facilitation and her work as a National Trainer have given her insight into how to connect the business process to the people who implement those processes. She teaches leaders how to create genuine, meaningful relationships for a strong and collaborative working environment. 

Amy’s meanderings have taken her through all fifty states in the U.S. and over 50 countries worldwide. It’s her goal to visit more countries and experience all that life has to offer.

Amy shares with us her fearless journey as she courageously travels the world one country at a time, embracing the different cultures and customs for no other reason than she just wants to. Amy's dream has not only been to travel the world, but she believes that is what she has been purposed to do, lifting the lives of people all around the world, one country at a time.

Amy's purpose journey will fill your heart with a longing to do more or to at least do what you've always dreamed of. Hear her inspiring story of courage, love, and hope for a better world.

If you'd like to check out Amy's leadership development and personal development courses, visit https://amysuemccune.com/. 

Mary Rollins is the owner and operator of Elegant Weddings by Mona Me. Since 2009, Mary has been living her purpose. Her goal is to make the clients' dream a reality, whether they are planning the wedding of a lifetime or a simple gathering. With over 12 years of experience, creativity, and knowledge, Mary strives to make each event a breathtaking experience.

Mary not only caters to the needs of her clients, but she also caters to the needs of her community. For over 10 years, she has been humbly blessing countless (over a hundred) women in her community in a special way. She always wonders how she will do it, but her strength and tenacity just take over. 

If you want to connect with Mary for your next event, visit her website at www.elegantweddingsbymm.com and on Instagram #elegantweddingsbymoname

In this episode of Streamin' With a Purpose, we're talking to Kearn Crockett Cherry. Speaker, best-selling author, and award-winning businesswoman, Kearn Cherry, is a female tycoon with a "leg-up" in successful entrepreneurship. Laying to rest any stigma surrounding the stagnancy of female leadership in the Deep South, Kearn has enjoyed more than two decades of excellence, as the CEO of a thriving health care business on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. Kearn hosts a portfolio holding countless awards, acknowledging her abilities; locally, nationally, and internationally. She is a recognized figure in both business and communal leadership, holding membership and chair positions on diverse councils and local organizations.

While cherishing a well-earned reputation in business, it has been her ability to gather the masses that classifies Kearn Cherry, as a household name. The Success Women’s Conference is an award-winning- business leadership conference attracting an annual audience of over 1100 attendees worldwide. Iyanla Vanzant, Lisa Nichols, and Robin Roberts are some of the few “powerhouses” to take center stage; leaving Kearn Cherry and her contributing partners with a reputation for revolutionizing the way women interpret both public speaking and business, on a global scale.

In 2001, Kearn Cherry effortlessly graced the pages of one of the most popular publications in the world, Essence Magazine. Featured in both their local and international publications; Kearn was recognized as the “Comeback Queen”, confirming her commitment to exemplify dynamic business agility. Today, Kearn is a familiar face on several Magazine covers, all testifying to the entrepreneurial giant, she truly is. Out of many publications highlighting her expertise; Speakers Magazine, Sheen Magazine, and her very own, Power-Up Speakers Edition Magazine; are amongst her favorites.

Proving to be an unshakable force for over 25 years, Kearn Cherry has been blessed with the ability to integrate the outstanding professional ethics she acquired throughout her generation, and seamlessly translate its importance, to rising millennial audiences. In 2020, Kearn facilitated her very own business networking platform.

Giving birth to Amazon’s best-selling book, Trailblazers Who Lead: Unsung Heroes, a manuscript comprised of 29 stories featuring several well-respected female entrepreneurs, moguls, and business professionals. In the midst of its release, Kearn also facilitated two innovative web conferences: the “Level-Up Your Visibility Virtual Summit” and the “Power up Summit”. Both by which, featured the best of multi-generational entrepreneurs, influencers, authors, and business professionals, all offering top-tier advice, recommendations, and business exhortation to professionals, entrepreneurial hopefuls, and those facing the unforeseen challenge in maintaining a successful business during a global crisis.

Enthusiastic about the future, Kearn remains diligent in helping entrepreneurs reach their destined potential. She is currently creating a book anthology titled; “Make It Happen”, a manuscript dedicated to those with an unyielding resilience to succeed, a quality Kearn Cherry embodies all too well.

If you're interested in planning your own events, but need some coaching along the way, connect with Kearn at kearncherry.com for her upcoming group coaching.

If you're interested in being an upcoming speaker for some of her events, go to time2levelup.com or powerupsummit.com.