Whitney Nic James

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#FearlessWoman Feature | Ruby of Ruby Ella Photography + Brown Girl With A Camera

March 20, 2015 by Whitney 8 Comments

I met today’s #FearlessWoman back in college and to our surprise we reconnected, thanks to social media, a few months ago to work together on a project. Ruby Melton, the woman behind the lens, has quickly taken her love for photography and storytelling and created a business that’s thriving daily! Ruby’s images have been displayed on Travel Noire, Jetsether, and she’s been featured on Geotraveler’s Niche. Ruby has also founded Brown Girl with a Camera (#BGWAC) and Brown Guys with a Camera (#BGYWAC) in hopes to empower, “connect and celebrate both women and men of color photographers worldwide.”

From lifestyle, travel, head-shots, and more this Maryland native captures it all! Being able to tell a story through images is something I will forever be a fan of. Take a read below to find out even more about this Maryland based photographer and entrepreneur on a mission.

Ruby Ella Photography

 What’s a typical day for Ruby?

A typical day starts out around 7 a.m., as my boyfriend is getting ready for work my son is either up or close to it. Once he’s wide awake, I clean and feed him and we watch some of his favorite shows together. Since I work from home and have my son during the day, I have to be very organized if I am to accomplish anything. I refer to my journal to see what’s on the agenda for the week and for the day and start hammering out each task. My son usually takes a nap right before noon and that gives me free time to answer emails, update my blog and post to social media. Once he’s wake I’m back on mommy duty until my boyfriend gets home from work. I get a lot of work done late at night.

What inspired you to create Ruby Ella Photography & @browngirlwithacamera ?

Ruby Ella Photography was born out of a nickname my volleyball coach gave me in college. One day she just started calling me Rubella, which is short for Ruby + Cinderella, and it caught on. Fast forward to when I was deciding on a name for my photography business, I thought it would be cool to use the nickname my coach gave me but add the “y” back to my first name. Thus, Ruby Ella Photography was born. I’ve always loved taking pictures and documenting parts of my life always appealed to me – this was way before there was a thing called social media. I knew it was time to step out on faith and start my own business when I was working on my own thing more than working on what I was getting paid to do.

Trust and believe in yourself and what you are setting out to achieve. – @THE_BGWAC

Click To Tweet

I created Brown Girl With A Camera within weeks of returning from a volunteer trip with Girls Going Global in Costa Rica. I accompanied the non-profit as a chaperon and photographer on their yearly trip. I’m a huge Instagram head and follow a lot of photography themed accounts. The more accounts I came across the more I saw the lack in diversity for those featured. I realized how cool would it be to create something just for women of color photographers. I wanted to give us a bigger voice, a space where we could be celebrated, inspired and uplifted. Since its inception we’ve hosted meet-ups in NYC, D.C., and Johannesburg, SA. 

Ruby Ella Photography

Who are your top 3 women inspirations, famous or non-famous, and why?

Serena Williams is the epitome of what driven looks like. She has all of the traits that I want to embody, like discipline, focus and a great work ethic. Coupled with her raw talent she is a force to be reckoned with.

Evita Robinson, creator of Nomadness Travel Tribe. She’s created an astounding travel community that truly embodies the word family. She’s the definition of the woman who didn’t take no for an answer. I had the opportunity to do a short film where I followed her around for a day as she and her team were putting on their 3rd Year Tribe Anniversary party in NYC. It was an amazing experience!

Danielle Finney is an amazing natural light photographer out of D.C. I came to know of her last year after I created #BGWAC and I’ve been a fan ever since. She is where I’d like to be in 3 to 5 years. Very business savvy and her brand has truly become a staple.

@THE_BGWAC is a space where women of color photographers can be celebrated, inspired and uplifted. 

Click To Tweet

One piece of advice you have for women entrepreneurs? 

Trust and believe in yourself and what you are setting out to achieve. The journey will have highs and lows and on the lows and that’s when you have to remember the most why you’re doing it in the first place.

Ruby Ella Photography.jpg - Images

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I would love to continue to make an impact as an advocate for women of color photographer’s through #BGWAC, expand to other platforms and collaborate with brands and organizations that are in line with our values. I have a huge heart for giving back and would like to help mentor the#BGWAC in the making. My goal is to be a go-to lifestyle and travel photographer and a public speaker, using my story to inspire women alike world wide.

Keep Up With Ruby

Website // BGWAC // BGYWAC // Twitter

Filed Under: Inspiration, Style Tagged With: Entrepreneurship, inspiration, photography

#FearlessWoman Feature | Krystal of The Feisty House

March 17, 2015 by Whitney Leave a Comment

Today’s #FearlessWoman feature comes from the lifestyle blogger and budding entrepreneur, Krystal Scott. The author of The Feisty House lives with her husband and new baby girl Maya in New York. She’s been a virtual source of inspiration for me for a while now. Her lifestyle blog has several motivational posts, natural hair and makeup tips, thought provoking interviews and more.

Check out this Fearless Woman Feature with Krystal Scott, author of @thefeistyhouse. #FWIAM

Click To Tweet

Krystal has a natural zest for life and it shows through her writing, photos, and how she lives day to day. Her entrepreneurial plans are inspiring and I can’t wait to see what’s next for her! Find out more about Krystal in her interview below.

The Feisty House Feature

 What’s a typical day for Krystal? 

My days are a bit insane! I’ve been trying to wake up earlier in the day (so I can exercise), but my average wake time is about 7:30 AM. Then I get ready for work, grab breakfast and pack a lunch. I try to be out the door by 9:00 AM. I arrive at work at 9:30 AM and I work nonstop until my lunch break. I use that time to check my blog emails, do a quick check-in on social media, etc. I schedule my blog posts, blog-related tweets and Facebook posts as well as my blog-related Instagrams because I don’t really have the time at work to do all of that.  

I have been leaving work between 5:00 PM and 5:30 PM, which is great. I head home and spend some time alone before I start dinner and do some chores. After dinner I’m usually blogging and checking email, and I do that between8:00 PM and 11:00 PM. I try to write two posts within that time, but some nights I only get to the post for the next day! Blogging and having a full-time job definitely isn’t easy, and I’m constantly adjusting my schedule so that I can blog and also have time for friends and family.

What inspired you to create The Feisty House?

I started The Feisty House in graduate school when I was learning about how to take care of my naturally kinky hair. I’d been natural my entire life (never used chemical straighteners or even hair dye), but I quickly learned that I was doing everything the wrong way! I used The Feisty House to share what I was learning about my hair with other women. Fast forward five years, and The Feisty House is much bigger than natural hair!

The blog has involved into a space where I discuss and share inspirations related to lifestyle (personal style, home life, beauty) and entrepreneurship (including my DREAM JOB Interviews with Black female entrepreneurs and blogging tips).

The Feisty House Feature

Who are your top 3 women inspirations, famous or non-famous, and why?

I could say my aunt and grandmothers and be done so easily! These women work so much. They’ve worked hard my entire life. It’s been amazing to see with my own eyes what women can do for themselves when they put their minds to it.

I’m also inspired by Arianna Huffington (I’m reading On Becoming Fearless for the second time this year), and all the entrepreneurs I’ve interviewed for The Feisty House. It’s amazing to learn from women who have looked fear in the face and started their own businesses (and become successful!) in spite of being afraid.

“Share… You have no idea how your experience is going to affect someone.” ~ @TheFeistyHouse

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One piece of advice you have for women entrepreneurs? 

Share your stories. Because you have no idea how your experience is going to affect someone else. You may be just what another woman needs in order to make the leap into entrepreneurship. Those stories are so valuable and such an important source of strength for me and other women who are considering working for themselves.

The Feisty House - Feature

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I’ll probably still be living in New York, but also living in either South Florida or Jamaica for half of the year. And I’ll be working for myself, FULL-TIME! The Lord has yet to reveal to me exactly what I’ll be doing, but I know I’m on the right track. I’m excited about the future!

Keep Up With Krystal

Blog // Instagram // Facebook // Twitter

Filed Under: Inspiration, Style, Uncategorized Tagged With: blogger style, Entrepreneurship, inspiration

#FearlessWoman Feature | Cortnie of Love, Cortnie

March 10, 2015 by Whitney 12 Comments

I’m thrilled to announce the beginning of my #FearlessWoman series, in honor of Women’s History Month. I’m constantly inspired by those around me, especially strong and driven women. I’ve been blessed to meet and form pretty awesome relationships with several dynamic women who happen to be entrepreneurs as well. I think of these women as Fearless because with all they have going on in their day-to-day lives, they still manage to do so much. From working 9-5’s to running households and small businesses, raising children (and husbands, hehe), these women do it all and they do it with style.

Cortnie Hutchinson, a Columbia, MD native and now a Miami resident, definitely fits the #FearlessWoman criteria. I consider Cortnie a friend and I’ve been inspired by her drive and style since we met at the Starbucks in Columbia Mall, back in 2011. From the moment we met, I knew she was destined for greatness. Not only is Cortnie a stylish blogger, but also a driven small business owner. Her handbag line, Love, Cortnie is all kinds of fabulous! Read ahead to find out more about this #FearlessWoman making things happen.

Love Cortnie Feature - Womens History Month

1. What’s a typical day for Cortnie?

Oh boy. I wake up and wrap up any orders that are being shipped out that day. I take them to the post office and then proceed to run any other errands while I’m out. Which will basically include local fabric stores for basic supplies and possibly the grocery store. I get home and jump online for maybe an hour. Check emails and send out shipping notifications for the orders that shipped. I may do a post or 2 on social media while I’m at it. Once I’m done with that I may eat something. If I’m lucky. I’m getting better at it. Once all of that is out of the way I get to work. I’m working on new orders or maybe even a new design all together. This goes on for the majority of my day depending on how much I have to do. I usually stop in the evening around 8-ish. I’ll relax a bit, eat and watch tv. Then I’m back online. Possibly answering more emails, browsing some of my favorite sites or ordering more supplies. I’m never in bed before 12am.

2. What inspired you to create StyleLust Pages & Love, Cortnie?

My blog StyleLust Pages was originally supposed to be a way to document and share my styling escapades. It didn’t last long and quickly became a personal style blog. Love,Cortnie didn’t get its start until about 2 years later. I was in between jobs and found myself with extra time on my hands. I had always wanted to learn how to sew and it was the perfect time. I had my grandmother teach me. It was important to me that she did. She knows how to basically do anything. I’m playing around with some scrap fabric on her sewing machine in her kitchen and mentioned it would be cool to make a clutch. We ended up going to a local fabric store and grabbed some supplies and she came back and taught me.

I always had an idea of the clutch I wanted to own, but could never actually find them in stores. Clutches weren’t a big accessory at the time and the ones available were either too small, boring, all black, etc. So I figured I’d make the kind I was looking for. I asked my blog readers what they thought and encouraged me to do it. They played a big part in how and why I got started. I learned to sew, made my first clutch and then launched my first 3 styles in my Etsy shop about a week later. I’ve now done over 150 styles to date and have expanded into totes and bucket bags in the last few months.

Love Cortnie - Feature

3. Who are your top 3 women inspirations, famous or non-famous, and why?

My mom and my grandmother are amazing women. Amazing role models, generous and honest people. They’ve supported me since day one and I love them dearly. They occasionally play a role in new clutch designs too. Each have had bags named after them. I’ll also say Tory Burch is an inspiration. I remember reading an article about how she got her start. It also happened to be in her kitchen. I ripped that article out of the magazine and saved it. I still have it. It definitely serves as inspiration.

4. One piece of advice you have for women entrepreneurs?

Work hard, be determined, don’t settle and be consistent. If you love it you can make it your full-time job and never feel like you’re actually working. It’s an awesome feeling to be able to support yourself doing something you love and enjoy. Just go for it!

5. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

5 years from now I’d love to have expanded my brand even more. Each year I see growth and I want to keep growing. I’ve been able to manage doing everything on my own. In 5 years I’ll have a Love,Cortnie team, my pieces will be manufactured due to growth and I’ll be selling my products in large retail chains across the country and internationally.

Love

 Keep Up With Cortnie

Shop // Instagram //  Blog //  Facebook

Filed Under: Style Tagged With: blogger style, Entrepreneurship, inspiration, Love Cortnie

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