Feature #67: Enjoli Nesmith, Massage Therapist

Name: Enjoli Zsaneene Nesmith 

Company Name: Master's Touch (Hubby and I massage business), Naturalhairluv is a work in progress still...:)

Contact Information: eznesmith@yahoo.com; naturalhairluv (Instagram)

Special skills: 
I feel and have been told I'm a good encourager and that I have gifted hands when it comes to massage.

Describe your job story: 
I was actually in school to become a physical therapy assistant until I found out the school I was attending only accepted 100 people at a time. My Pastor's wife (now my mother-in-law) told me about a massage program her son (now my husband) had gotten into and thought it might be worth looking into since physical therapy and massage had similarities. I went to check it out and it was the best decision I ever made!!

Are doing your dream job? 

I really am doing my first dream job! (I have two) Massage is not only for relaxation but to help people understand more about their muscles and how to take care of their whole body better. Massage is good for the mind body and soul as I love to say because its the truth!!

What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager? I actually wanted to be a Pediatrician first then I decided on being a Neonatal nurse, then just a nurse. :)

What do you like MOST about what you do? What do you like the LEAST?

What I love the most is that I get to meet new people from different walks of life. I get to witness and be a witness for Christ sometimes without even knowing or trying to. People walking away feeling better than when they came is also a plus.  What I like least is the bad rap or the misunderstanding of what we as massage therapist REALLY do.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

Its hard to say where I see myself because the state of this world is just horrible and I believe that God is tired of seeing his people suffer, so I guess I'll just say I'll be where ever the Lord leads. If I have to say though,  I do see my husband and I having our business up and going strong and successful and continuing to be witnesses for the Lord to all we come in contact with.

Are you happy with where you are in life?

I won't say I'm unhappy where I am because we all make choices that lead us to the places we are today in our lives. I think I'm where I need to be and I look forward to where the Lord is gonna take me and my family.

What more do you want to do with your life?

I would love to travel a little more. See places and things I have never experienced. I also love to sing and I was once apart of a group that made a CD and traveled from NC to Cali (and other places like DC/MD) to promote it. We were pretty good together too I have to say because we were not just a group, we were a ministry and family.  I am very humble and was somewhat shy when it came to singing in front of people (still am sometimes) especially when I'm put on the spot, but being apart of the group really helped me with that.  Singing is really a passion and I would love to one day experience being a background singer!! I don't mind being a doo wop bop chick for Jesus!! LOL

What drives/motivates you?

What drives and motivates me the most is my family!! I love all of my family but my husband and my two daughters 21/2 and 4 years old are most important. I really want them to be proud and happy to call me their mom and wife. I also want my girls to understand you have to have drive and motivation along with working hard to get through in life, as well as that we can't do anything without God's help.

What else do you do?

 *smile* Well I am one who loves to sing and have been since I was a little girl which will always be a passion and first love. I also use to write poetry as well, key word use to. I can't explain why I stopped I just didn't have the desire to put my feelings in the form of peotry anymore. Now presently I have found a new love and that is my Naturalhairluv page on instagram, FB and twitter. I was very new to this when I first started returning my hair to its natural state, but along my journey I started to truly understand how much there was to learn about how to take care of your hair the healthier way. I realized also that there are a lot of women who were in the position of not knowing or understanding how or where to begin just like me. 

So I said to myself (the helper that I try to be lol) I want to help others the best I can like others helped me. Not only help with hair, but spiritually, emotionally and mentally. I think there is something to be said when a group of women can come together for a positive purpose, be encouraging and build each other up instead of the opposite. This is a hobby for me but I want to take it to many levels and get more involved in events and more hands on opportunities. My being a massage therapist has given me so many ideas especially because we like to focus on natural ways of healing aches and pain to get people off their prescription medication. We are continuing to learn that natural ways of healing is a healthier way to live and now we can promote healthy living literally from head to toe.

What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope?

I would say to those people, there is always hope. I also would say seek God's unchanging hand and see where he leads you. Sometimes we get caught up in what we want to do or be and forget that we all have a higher calling. I have always prayed about any job situation and everywhere I have ever worked I met more than one person that touched me or that I was able to touch their lives in an awesome way, ESPECIALLY spiritually.

Feature #66: Shawnda Dee, Global Beauty Engineer

Name: Shawnda Dee

Current Job Position Title: Global Beauty Engineer

Company Name: Bella Vivo

Contact Information: shawndadee@gmail.com

Special skills: Building and creating my reality

Describe your job story:

I always wanted to be a hairstylist... I set a goal and that all I have ever done. I am happy.

What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager?

Hair stylist

Are doing your dream job?

Yes this is my dream job

What do you like MOST about what you do? What do you like the LEAST?

I love meeting new people..... I do not have any I do not like.... I am really happy.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

With a Global Artistry Team

Are you happy with where you are in life?

Yes I am .... and happy about where I am going.

What more do you want to do with your life?

Travel the world.... helping others... build thier dreams too.

What drives/motivates you?

Passion... I love seeing others happy.

What else do you do?

Hair....Travel... Develop

What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope?

Faith is the foundation to all substance... seek within and all the answers are there. 

Feature #65: Daunte Henderson, College, Careers, and Skills Teacher

Name: Daunte Henderson

Current Job Position Title:11th Grade College, Careers, and Skills Teacher

Company Name:Epic Academy Charter High School

Contact Information: daunte@mynameisdaunte.com (booking for speaking engagements); dhenderson@epicacademy.org (teaching email) 

Special skills: Public Speaking, Writing, Teaching

Describe your job story: 

I always wanted to do something bigger than myself. As a child I would dream about impacting the world with my talents. I've been searching for my purpose since a child. I'll give you the very short story of how I walked into my purpose.

I had a series of jobs since 2008 that I felt weren't aligned with my happiness or what I thought my life should be. Disappointed, lost and jaded were a few adjectives to describe how I felt as I sought happiness beyond a paycheck. My last job laid me off (non-performance reasons) and I got the wonderful opportunity to sit and think for a minute. During this time I traveled, reflected and asked myself the question, "What is my purpose, God?" I read "The Purpose Driven Life" and it opened my eyes to the purpose I was already living in. I wrote a book that inspired other people to follow their passions and find God. I worked with youth and impacted their lives by being a good role model. I also was doing motivational speaking to various age groups and impacting their lives through my messages. The only missing component was a job that encapsulated all of these
talents and experiences. 

My current job is my dream job. It's better than any book I've written and any speech that I've delivered. I get a chance to impact the lives of young minority men and women on a daily basis. I couldn't think of a better job. Amen.

What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager? 

 Psychologist, Black Historian, Famous

Are doing your dream job? 

Absolutely

What do you like MOST about what you do? What do you like the LEAST?

I like working with the students the most. I get life from being in front of them and impacting their lives. 

The worst part of my job is that not all of the results are immediate. Being an awesome young adult is not quantifiable, but I can qualitatively see that as they get older and watch their growth. 

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years? 

Teaching, writing my third or fourth book, Married(hopefully lol) and enjoying life. 

Are you happy with where you are in life? 

Yes

What more do you want to do with your life? 

I want to help my mother retire early, become a pastor, put my cousins through college, inspire young minorities to reach their full potential and a family. (in no particular order)

What drives/motivates you?

Young Minorities are still behind in society, my mother still works, Sallie Mae still calls my phone and the whole world doesn't know about me yet.

What else do you do? 

I'm the author of "Things I Learned While Walking" and "Feelmatic" . I do motivational speaking across the country. I'm also a private consultant for a few brands. 

What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope?

God knows what you want. He hears your cries. He's waiting on you to boldly ask and expect your blessing. Walk in faith. Persevere and keep your head up. Also, don't wait for them to nominate you.  A lot of us wait for other people to do things for us, when we can do them ourselves. Pray, Be Patient and Prosper.

Features #63 & 64: Gigi St. Juste and Tori-Ann Hampton, Co-Producers

                Gigi St. Juste                                               Tori-Ann Hampton     

 

                                                                                            

Names: Gigi St Juste & Tori-Ann Hampton

Current Job Position Title: Co-Producers of Catching Up With Gigi

Company Name: Catching Up With Gigi

Contact Information: catchingupwithgigi@gmail.com YouTube: Catching up with Gigi; Instagram: cuwg; Twitter: @cuwg

Special skills:

Gigi St Juste: Actress, writer, producer, dance & makeup artist

Tori-Ann Hampton: Actress, Writer, Advocate

Describe your job story:

Gigi: Being a black actress in South Florida the jobs are few and far in between, instead of waiting for my opportunity I decided to create one by starting my own online show. 

Tori-Ann: I have to piggy back on what Gigi said, it has been challenging to not only get work, but comedic work. Most of the auditions I've been on have been dramatic roles, which I love. But there's something about comedy that is so interesting and it's something I definitely wanted to explore.

What do you like MOST about what you do? What do you like the LEAST?

Gigi: What I like the most is being creative, having no one to answer to. What I like the least is the hustle, but If I'm going to hustle I might as well apply to something I love.

Tori-Ann: I absolutely love what I do. I'm living the dream. I love connecting with others through the stories. Actors are story tellers and when the audience feels what I feel, then I feel like I did what I needed to do. What I like the least is as Gigi said, the hustle. I just want to create and have someone take care of that part. It's growing on me though.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

Gigi: Making Oscar worthy movies. 

Tori-Ann: In Hollywood, being a part of something special. I want to make films that leave a lasting impression on you. Something that's remembered, not just for that season, but for years to come. 

Are you happy with where you are in life?

Gigi: I try to be. Because I know where I am today is better than where I was at yesterday.

Tori-Ann: Yes. I understand that this is a process and I've seen the growth God has allowed me to make on this journey. I know that it gets better as time continues, so I'll be content with where I am, but keep striving because of who God is.

 
What more do you want to do with your life?

Gigi: Build a empire for my great grandkids. Leave money, business and creativity when I'm gone. 

Tori-Ann: I want my words to be few. I want my legacy to be seen. In other words, I don't want to talk about anything in particular, because I know that my mind can't possibly wrap itself around what God has for me. I just know that He's preparing me for it. 

What drives/motivates you?

Gigi: God, he pushes me to be the best that I can be & not take the easy way out.

Tori-Ann: God. 

What else do you do?

Gigi: I'm a makeup artist, Sunday School teacher and dancer. 

Tori-Ann: I am an educator. I work with mainly elementary school aged children. I also help motivate and encourage women through an organization I started with my partners called P.U.R.P.L.E. Producing Unique Responsible Proactive Ladies Through Education.

What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope?

Gigi: We are in a world where if there's not a way you can just make one. Don't take no for an answer. Keep God 1st, Stay focus & make sure you surround yourself with people who are doing what your doing. 

Tori-Ann: Never give up. Keep God first. This quote always helps me keep moving. “All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake up in the day to find it was vanity, but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible.” T.E. Lawrence You have to work while everyone else is busy being mediocre. You have to be outrageous with your dreams. Why not?! 

Feature #62: Anthony Wilson, Associate City Solicitor

Name:  Anthony Ivan Wilson

 

Contact Information: tony.ivan@gmail.com

Describe your job story:

I defend the city of Springfield in civil suits in both state and federal court.  In state court I defend the city from claims for personal injuries or property damages.  In federal court I defend the city from lawsuits by individuals claiming that a city official violated their civil rights.

This includes defending the city in discrimination and contract suits. I also provide legal advice to the city councilors.  In that capacity I draft proposed legislation and tell the councilors what is legal under state and federal law.

What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager?

As a child I wanted to design toys.  As a teenager, I wanted to be an engineer.

Are doing your dream job?

This is not the job I dreamed of but I'm am having a lot of fun and learning a lot.

 What do you like MOST about what you do? What do you like the LEAST?  

I like the variety and the people alot.  I dislike some of the politics. Not office politics, real politics.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years? 

I don't know.  Hopefully, paid my loans off and still doing interesting work.

 Are you happy with where you are in life? 

What more do you want to do with your life? Yes.

 What drives/motivates you?
The responsibility and need to do a good job.

What else do you do? 

I am on a couple boards and I go to church.

 What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope?

I would say don't underestimate an opportunity because I job you don't like today may lead to a great job tomorrow 

Feature #61: Nina Brewton, Assistant Production Coordinator

Name: Nina C. Brewton  

Current Job Position Title: 
Assistant Production Coordinator

Company Name: M2 Pictures

Contact Information: infobaldheadqueen@gmail.com 

Special skills: 

I can clean house like no other...oh wait. Work skills...? Nothing special really! ;-) 

Describe your job story: 

I just recently wrote a blog about my job story actually, here it is (take what you'd like from it):   So, as I build my life as a writer and speaker, I work full-time as an "Assistant Production Coordinator" for a production company here in Hampton. In other words, I'm a receptionist. :-)

Some wouldn't think this job very glamorous, and they'd think right but I must say, I love my job and the people I work with. Besides having the freedom to write and work on my creative life freely, I am constantly supporting a company and individuals who work directly with the likes of Harpo Productions, Discovery Communications and Sony Records to name a few.

In other words, I'm cool by association, even as a measly receptionist.

Truth is, I have over 10 years of experience in administrative support and my heart for serving people helps me to keep things in perspective when I think about the careers that my peers have as full-time artists, educators, etc...

Over the years, God has shown me that my position, wherever I am, goes well beyond answering phones, keeping the calendars of executives and distributing mail. I have embraced my position recognizing the opportunity that I have daily to enhance the lives of those I work with. By simply being ME I am able to meet simple needs of stressed out producers, editors and researchers both in house and around the country.

Prime example: When I answer the phone at work declare, "Happy Monday! Thank you for calling...this is Nina. How may I help you?" *BEAM*

"Happy Monday!" normally catches people off guard. After giving pause, many callers express their appreciation for my enthusiasm!

Every day I seek to make someone's day brighter in whatever way I can, even if that means helping them to get over their "case of the Mondays"! Those who question my energy on Mondays will see that if they call on Tuesday, Wednesday or any other day, I generally share this same energy every morning even though I'm not a "morning person".

What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager? 

A writer and motivational speaker. 

Are doing your dream job? 

Yes, I'm just not getting paid my dream salary yet. ;-) 

What do you like MOST about what you do? What do you like the LEAST? 

What I love most about my DAY job is the freedom it gives me to do/prepare for my dream job! I was literally able to rebuild my website, finish writing my book and do all that publishing a book entails from the comfort of my desk at my day job. 

I work in a creative environment so even the president of the company was encouraging me to "finish the book! We pay you to sit here all day, you better finish it while you're here!" #WhereTheyDoThatAt?

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years? 

I see myself as a continuously successful, multiple self-published author who uses music/poetry/spoken word to inspire the lives of people both young and old. I aspire to delve more into acting on stage and on television.

Are you happy with where you are in life? 

Overall, I'm content. I'm always striving for more and often beat myself up over an apparent lack of progress/growth but have to remind myself to look at the big picture and to see me the way God sees me. 

What more do you want to do with your life?

I look forward to becoming a mother and raising and nurturing a beautiful, healthy family.

What drives/motivates you? 

Inspiring others to live better lives full of peace and joy drives me. The fact that God created me to love others and to teach them how to love by loving...it sounds so cliche but my heart is truly full of love for people in a way they've never experienced.  

What else do you do? 

I enjoy running and being outdoors. I find that cleaning is therapeutic so, I spend time cleaning house daily! I also sing at church and volunteer with youth ministries whenever possible! 

What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope?

In everything, I find that building positive relationships is key. Whether it's with individuals at church, with former employers and even online. 

I came upon my current position through a connection on Twitter. A sister in Chicago that I met on Twitter (and have yet to meet in real life) connected me with someone she knows (from Twitter) who was relocating from Atlanta to Hampton for work. She asked me to reach out to the sister with hopes that I'd help her get adjusted to the area, which I gladly did. 

After meeting the sister from Atlanta, we remained in touch and about three months later, she text me asking if I had administrative experience. At the time I was wearing myself out working two part-time jobs as I worked hard to establish my life as a freelance writer (which wasn't going well...). Lucky for me, I have over 10 years experience in administrative support and immediately sent my resume to her. She forwarded it to the appropriate individuals and within two weeks, I had a new full-time job!

Again, not only did I have a new full-time position but I found myself working in a creative environment which allows me to freely work on my work as a freelance writer. I literally finished my first book while sitting at my full-time job!All hail the power of Twitter! LOL

So yeah...RELATIONSHIPS are important, even when looking for work!

Feature #60: Lizann M. Destin, Brand Manager/PR

Name: 

Lizann M. Destin

Current Job Position Title: 

Brand Manager/PR

Company Name:  

Brand Manager and PR for fitness company  “Fitness As A Lifestyle. LLC”

Contact Information:
Destined2n4@aol.com/ twitter:@destined4itall

Special skills:

I mange people’s lives for a living. I am forever organizing people’s lives and businesses. I am good at seeing someone’s dream and turning it into reality. The fact that I am well versed in writing, producing, and public speaking gives me the power to be great at what I do.

Describe your job story:

I’ve been in love with reading and writing from a young age, winning awards for writing short stories from the 3^rd grade. As I got older I struggled to figure out what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to be in charge of whatever it was. I joined the United States Navy right after high school, to protect and serve and to find my path. After five years, It wasn’t until my last year in the military that I realized what I wanted. I wanted to be in the media, I wanted to write, inform and educate people about what was going on in the world. I decided to finish up my Bachelors degree, graduating Magna Cum Laude from Clark Atlanta University. Concentration Mass Media Arts, I knew that I wanted a career that didn’t feel like work, I want to wake up every morning and be excited about what I’m doing, and I’ve found that in media.  

What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager?

As a child my imagination ran wild! I was everywhere, I wanted to be Tony Danza from Who’s the Boss? Lol until my mom told me that wasn’t happening, she was like your not cleaning up houses! He just looked so happy! I wanted to be a doctor, and singer. Now I realize even as I child my main focus was to be happy, that is the thing that is most important to me.

Are doing your dream job?

I haven’t landed my dream job yet, but I’m on the path I want to be and I’m in the field that I love. I am fulfilling my dreams everyday by seeing my hard work turn into reality.

What do you like MOST about what you do? What do you like the LEAST? 

I love being in charge and organizing things because I love to see things come together. It makes me happy that I am the key person in someone’s journey to their dreams. This the life that I chose.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

In the next 5 years I see myself establishing multiple businesses in different markets and helping others establish their dreams of being a business owner. I want to be one of the biggest names in brand management.

Are you happy with where you are in life?

I am happy at where I’m at in life because I feel like I am exactly where I’m suppose to be and every goal that I set for myself a few years ago, I’ve accomplished and exceeded. I am happy but I am not content. I’m always trying to get better!

What more do you want to do with your life?

I want to wake up every day and love what I’m doing, I want to change lives in any way I can, and tell people my story. I want to live my life to fullest, with no regrets. 

What drives/motivates you?

My need to always do better and my fear of being less then the best motivates me. I truly believe that the only competition, I have is myself, so every time I accomplish something, I’m already thinking “what else can I do to get closer to my others goal?” “What else can I do to add value to me?”

What else do you do?

I am currently working two more jobs at the U.S. Department of Education (Office of Civil Rights) as an Automation Clerk, and at 11Alive News as a Producer.  I am also taking Small Business Management courses.

What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope?

Always try to do things that enhance your worth, take classes, learn a new skill, and find what makes you happy. Don’t be afraid to try new things and be persistence.