The Hustle
Years in Tampa Bay
5
Hustle (job)
Founder of A Griot’s Corner, LLC; Mental Health Coach, Corporate & Community Workshop Facilitator.
What do you do?
I provide resources, peer support, and products to guide communities to emotional and mental freedom. I use modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to remove blockages in retraining the mind. My programs equip individuals with the power to tap into levels of healing while unleashing the most authentic version of themselves. I currently devote my time to curating healing spaces within communities, teaching the art of well-being, facilitating youth programming for nonprofits and assisting adults with Life Skills and Emotional & Mental Resiliency.
Why do you do it?
Because I understand what it feels like to be lost and invaluable, I also understand what it’s like to regain your power and trust yourself truly. Life sometimes creates blockages that we don’t know how to break through. I specialize in seeing the bigger picture, and I help others see that the “big picture” is their recovery and that they’ve held power to their healing all along.
What was your Catalyst? (How did you get started?)
I became a freelance writer in 2010 and began writing for women’s organizations and local print/online magazines. When my brother passed in 2016, I dealt with several mental health challenges; however, I had no help or support in my transitions until I started going to group therapy. In 2019 I published my first book, “The Butterfly & The Bully,” which has helped transform communities and myself in developing healthier coping mechanisms to navigate life properly.
What’s a common misconception or unknown aspect of what you do?
Most people believe that counseling or therapy is the only option or way of being supported. Behavioral Health is an expansive field, and many others have lived experience, such as myself, that can use our testimonies, strategies and recovery process to assist others on their healing journey.
What’s the most challenging part of your Hustle?
Not having a larger team.
What’s the most valuable piece of business advice/insight that’s helped you?
Be willing to do the work. “The work” includes your recovery process. Practice self-mastery by understanding your triggers and keeping integrity at the forefront to keep yourself grounded to fulfill your mission. Understand what it means to “scale” a business, and be willing to turn your one idea into a multitude of avenues where you can create multiple income streams. Stay true to your truth but be ready to grow. Also, understand that nothing in life is meant to be done alone. Your business will not survive without a team, be willing to understand what roles you need to be fulfilled and why then be ready to place the right people to assist you. Taking a chance on others is also investing in yourself.
