Let Us Get To Know You

Meet Allison Rucks...

Hello, my name is Allison Rucks (Allie) and I am the owner and creator of Natural Hair Community Products, a company that makes handcrafted all natural hair and body products based in New Orleans LA. I also have a Facebook page by the same name.

About five years ago I was seriously ill. The medicines that I took caused my hair to fall out so I did the "big chop" and started fresh. I have been natural about 4 years now. I could never find products to keep my hair moisturized, soft and manageable. I remembered the lessons my Aunt Momie taught me. Auntie who was a nurse and a big believer in using herbs and Ayurvedic products to heal her patients. I used to ride along with her on her patient visits and I learned about using herbs and Ayurvedic healing from her. Ayurvedic medicine says that all things are connected: mind, body & spirit.  I would call her to pick her brain about certain things and started making my own hair care products. I would always have some left over so I would take the extras to church and give them to the natural ladies. One Sunday, I gave Miss Sharon a few products and she gave me some money which I refused. Miss Sharon told me “Your products are great and I know the ingredients aren’t cheap, so take it.” Natural Hair Community products was born!

 I make Whipped Butters, Deep Conditioners, Moisturizers, Herbal Rinses, Co-washes and Leave-in, Curl Refreshing Spritzers as well as Body Scrubs and Herbal Bath Teas. My products are very reasonably priced and are scented based on my favorite desserts my mother made for me as a child or you can have them customized to include no scent. They can be used on Natural, Relaxed, Transitioning Hair and can be used by men, women and children, and all ethnicities can use my hair products. The products are made with certified organic herbs and ayurvedic ingredients that are free of parabens, silicones, sulfates, and mineral & petroleum oils.

To find my products please go to www.alliesnaturalhaircommunity.com, My Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/nawlinsnatural?ref=hl.  You can find me on Instagram  @nawlincurly, Twitter @allierucks.

I say if you have a dream follow it, I knew I didn’t want to work for others all my life and dreamed of owning my own business. I trust in the Lord and I’m small now but I know with His guidance I will be BIG!! Natural hair is my passion. I love everything about it, I love answering the questions I get on my page and the journey and the most important thing, I love when my followers report back to me the advice I gave them has really helped their hair and especially how they love my products!!

The African American hair care industry is a $10 Billion dollar a year business, most of the small artisan product makers like myself do not have the huge marketing machine and we rely on our Facebook pages and word of mouth by satisfied clients. I hope you will give our products a try, but once you find products that work for you STICK WITH THEM.

I would like to offer your readers a 20% discount off of their orders, please use coupon code KEKECHANEL at check out.

Thank you so much Allison. I personally use some of Allison's products and I love them! You guys won't be disappointed. So, go on over to the website and check out Allison's great products. Let me know your thoughts or experience. Connect with her on social media. 

Allison, that promo code made me tear up a lit bit...LOL We met a few years ago and have been supporting each other since. Allison is my friend, my sister, and someone who inspires me. Thank you for believing in me as I believe in you! 

Until next time, Be inspired, Be encouraged and Be YOU!!!

Purple Hugs & Kisses,
KeKe Chanel

"Let Us Get To Know You"

Meet Dr. Trina Pullum

"Reaching beyond the Limits of Success"

Tell everyone a little bit about you and your business?

Wife; Mother; Servant; Vision Coach; Educator; Mentor; Advocate; and Film & Theatrical Producer. Any of these titles could describe Dr. Catrina Pullum. Dr. Pullum serves as the board chair of Center of Empowerment for Families & Youth, Inc. (COE), a non-profit dedicated to helping low-income and at-risk families. She is also the president of PullCorp Media & Business Consulting Group where she specializes in client management and business consulting. Dr. Pullum is also the founder of RARE Inc., an organization dedicated to empowering young women through training and personal development, using practical and biblical principles. The Center of Empowerment is dedicated to providing cultural enrichment, educational and case management services to families. One area we specialize in is serving families who have experienced abuse or neglect. We work with law enforcement agencies, social services, community organizations, churches, courts, and attorneys to ensure that their clients receive the best services there is to offer.

How long have you been doing your business?

The Center of Empowerment for Families and Youth, Inc. was founded in Texas in 2008, and formalized its organizational structure and base of operations in Louisiana in 2009.

What inspired you to start your business?

The Center of Empowerment for Families and Youth, Inc. was born out of the qualities and values that our organization’s founder Family Advocate Advisor, Mary Robinson Harris, instilled in her family and others.  Her descendants, like myself, have remained dedicated to seeing her vision come alive and the continuation of her legacy. 

What are some of your favorite things so that potential clients can get to know more about you?

I truly enjoy helping people see their future. Helping them define and refine the picture they have of themselves, and casting that into a clear vision, allows people to see the road-map to where they want to go. I love gospel music! My connection to God and my own spirituality brought me through some dark times. Music helps me gain that direct connection to the spirit of God and fall in tune and communion with Him.

Picture from "walk a mile save a child" with the district attorney's office

What are your plans as far as your business in the future?

COE is taking an ever expanding role in the communities in which it is based and serves. Training others to be present and answer the call when needed, bring resources to where they are needed, and helping communities grow their own network of resources, are some of the areas in which COE can and will experience growth. We aspire to strengthen each person's confidence- at every point in their life, and encourage personal and spiritual growth.

What do you hope to accomplish with your business?

Help families break the negative cycle of abuse and neglect. Have a generation of happier, healthier children. In our lifetime, we would love to see the end of abuse, neglect, human trafficking, nationally and worldwide. Until that time, we will continue the fight, one family at a time!

 Is there anything in particular that you specialize in for your business to target a certain clientele?

Parenting programs, mediation services, mentoring, abuse prevention seminars, Christmas angels’ projects, finding resources available in the community for those in need of help.

Is there anything else you would like to share with potential clients about your motivation and inspiration in your everyday life? 

“Beautiful pictures are developed from negatives in a dark room. So when you see darkness around you, and negative things in your life, rest assured that a beautiful picture is being prepared.”

I love that saying! It is very inspiring. 

This has truly been great getting to know you and your organizations. I pray continued success and multiple blessings in all your future endeavors. 

For more information visit the website: www.coe4youth.org

Until next time, Be inspired, be encouraged and be YOU!!!

        Purple Hugs & Kisses,

        Keke Chanel

"Let Us Get To Know You"

Meet Annette Jones of Dart Consulting and Professional Services LLC & Assurance for Tomorrows' Leaders Youth Foundation, Inc.

Tell everyone a little bit about you and your business

My name is Annette Jones, M.A. I am a mother of 2, a Certified Life Coach, Certified Educational Consultant, Professional Mental Health Counselor, Speaker, Author but most of all Child of the most-high God.  I love God and people, and strive to empower the lives of everyone God allows to cross my path.  In addition to the aforementioned roles I play, I am also a successful entrepreneur, owner of Dart Consulting and Professional Services, LLC and Executive Director/CEO of Assurance for Tomorrows’ Leaders Youth Foundation, Inc. 

How long have you been doing your business?

My non-profit has been in existence for 6 years and the Consulting business for 2 years.

What inspired you to start your business?

I started my business when I realized my purpose and passion, and grew enough faith in myself and God to operate in my calling.  Though I started my non-profit six years ago, I didn't start working full-time in it until three years ago when God clearly spoke to me saying it was time.  A time when the business wasn't making enough to pay me a salary, not even a partial salary which was very scary because I was a single mother with bills, tuition, the works but I had my faith and a promise from God.  The promise is what carried me through a dry and lean season and to where I am now.

                                             

What are some of your favorite things so that potential clients can get to know more about you?

I love to read, to research, to work hard and then to reward myself after much hard work.  I enjoy spending time with my kids, being able to take them places neither I nor they have ever been.  However, I also really enjoy empowering the lives of others which is what I do in both of my businesses. The non-profit provides empowerment and enrichment services for disadvantaged youth and the consulting business for aspiring and existing entrepreneurs.  I love making a difference.

What are your plans as far as your business in the future?

I plan to continue growing both businesses and employing people especially single mothers to pay a livable wage that will allow their lives and the lives of their children to be enriched. 

What do you hope to accomplish with your business?  With the non-profit our goal is to attain our Community Center that will allow us to offer so many more services to not only disadvantaged youth but their families as well.  Services from: job readiness workshops, financial literacy, social and life skills and so much more.  The consulting business, I intend to grow this business to a business that generates millions annually.  This simply means to me, the more we generate the more people I can put to work, even youth from my non-profit that are of working age.  I would have the ability to help them to escape the grips of poverty and assuring they see a better tomorrow.

Is there anything in particular that you specialize in for your business to target a certain clientele? In the event I can hire more staff for both businesses, I intend to travel more promoting my books, speaking and coaching to tell how I've become a successful entrepreneur in spite of it all, and teach others how to convert their passions into profit.  I'm willing to share the path God has taken me on in order to get to where I am today and how to accomplish their life's goals.

                                  

I sincerely commend you Annette for all of your hard work, dedication and willingness to give back to others. We need more people like you in the world. With so many people tearing each other down instead of lifting each other up, it is always good to know there are great people in the world like you. I pray God continues to bless you, your businesses and the lives of the people who are destined to be a link in your chain of success. 

If you all would like to know more about these two amazing businesses and the business woman behind them, please send me an email and I will make sure Annette gets back with you. 

Until next time, Be inspired, Be encouraged and Be YOU!!!

Purple Hugs & Kisses

Keke Chanel