As an adolescence, we usually dream about the direction we would like our life to go, within our career paths, what was your dream during this time?

• “I’ve always had a passion for fashion. I wanted to be a jewelry & fashion designer.”

Can you talk to me about specific instances that influenced you to diverge from the route that you were on?

• “Yes, in this case it would be my Aunt. She persuaded me to pursue a career that would provide financial stability. Her school of thought was to get the money first and then pursue your dream. As a result, I pursued a paralegal program at my local community college and then later switch my major to business with a concentration in marketing.”

How did these instances lead you to your current situation?

• “Working in corporate America as a double minority was eye opening experience. I faced and overcame the glass ceiling in many instances. Despite workplace inequalities, I was still successful but I had to fight for every level of achievement for myself and for those I was leading. One day I woke up and decided that I was tired. I was simply tired of fighting inequality. I was really unhappy and dreaded going to work. So, I left a job I had an 8 year career with cold turkey and without notice. Just to find another one similar that I walked away from too. I no longer had the drive to do any work I am not passionate about. I no longer wanted to work just to survive. I knew deep in my soul this was not my path. So, I started soul searching and was lead back to my childhood dream of fashion and jewelry design. As a result, I just launched my own jewelry business MiAura Gem Company, which is in direct alignment of my childhood passions.”

Can you talk to me about your emotions/struggles in this area?

• “Yes, it was a hard transition. Especially, being a single mother. I did not have the motivation to work a mundane job. So I didnt. I really didn’t know how I was going to survive and care for my son. But my spirit would not allow me to go back to anything that was not serving me during this time. I took a whole year off and really focused on me. I went into an interspace journey and in this time I found healing & spiritual enlightenment. As for surviving, I did small jobs that I enjoyed from acting to Uber and I prayed. I truly learned how to manifest through the power of prayer & meditation. In this time, I learned my power as a child of God.”

• “One of my favorite quotes is from the late Great Nikola Tesla, “If you want to know the secrets of the Universe thing in terms of vibrations, energy and frequency” Since energy can neither be created or destroyed, we have an infinite access to abundance. We just have to tap into the right frequency to access it. I’ve discovered The Secret, this law of attraction. Surely we can have anything we want in life as long as we do our work from the heart. I desire to share this knowledge with the world through the power of stones. I’ve recently launched a holistic jewelry business that’ll allow me to do exactly that. It’s called MiAura Gem Company”

Why did you decide to go to college?

• “Unfortunately, to escape my home reality. At the age of 15 I was given a choice to either home school or start community college. My life at home consisted of cleaning, cooking and caring for children. It gave me a chance to leave home and experience a different world.”

What was your 4-year plan?

• “My ultimate goal was to head to fashion school after my undergrad. I even took a trip to Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia, visited the campus and applied for their jewelry design program. Unfortunately, before I could make this dream a reality my mother got terminally, I married and had a child. Life unfolded before my eyes and my priorities shifted quickly.”

How did you view college?

• “I’ve made up to $60,000 a year as a call center manager. However, I’ve racked up $80,000 in college debt. And again, I’ve never used my degree, lol. The only requirement was experience. I viewed it as a complete waste of my time. Sally Mae owes me a refund, lol.”

• “So, at this point I only encourage higher education for technical trades such as healthcare, engineering or law. Most industries care more about your experience than education.”

During your post-graduation phase of life, are there any lessons you learned and would like to share?

• “Yes. Follow your heart your passion. Show the world the true nature of your heart. Not the assimilated values that have been instilled in you. When we do work from our hearts we activate the law of attraction and unlock the gates of heaven while on Earth.”