December 4, 2025 • 18 mins
The latest episode of the Building Black Biz podcast features Helen Little in conversation with Hala Maroc, owner of Build A Dream NYC, a wellness based coworking space for creatives and entrepreneurs in Staten Island!
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to another episode of Building Black Biz. Today we
are building with Hallam Morocks. She's the owner and founder
of Build a Dream Incubator.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Welcome to the show. Thank you, Helen. How are you today?
Speaker 4 (00:13):
I'm good.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
All is well, So tell us about your business.
Speaker 3 (00:18):
Build a Dream Incubator is a wellness based coworking space concept.
But we call it an incubator, not a co working
space because we're very invested in the people and the
businesses and the projects that come out of that space.
But we're the only coworking space on Staaten Island right
off the ferry in the north shore, so very accessible,
and we just make resources and business solutions accessible to
(00:42):
a place that needed it, full of creatives but no resources.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
Where did you come up with this idea? I mean
it's actually a great idea. Where did it come from?
Speaker 4 (00:52):
It was something that I needed personally.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
That's how a lot of things start.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
Yeah, I feel like entrepreneurs are creative in that way.
We're well, we create solutions, like it's like okay if
it doesn't exist, like why and what can I solve
if I create it? And so as an adult, I
feel like, you know, where do you find like a
tribe or positive friends or even adult friends like or
resources and things that you need, you know, within your
personal or professional journey. And I'm just like okay, Like
(01:20):
you can make friends at the bar, but that's not productive,
right or like you know, where am I going to
find resources like like church or the mosque or something,
you know. So I was just like, Okay, I need
to create this happy medium, this meeting space, like a
safe space for like minded individuals to connect and grow.
Speaker 1 (01:38):
What are some of the benefits of aligning, Like if
I have a small business with an incubator, other than
like what you said creating community.
Speaker 3 (01:46):
I mean, nowadays everything's super expensive, so shared office space,
shared space in general has become a thing. And so
for startups and businesses that want to keep their overhead low,
we create a membership or program that can help them
kind of kick things off, a place where they can
(02:08):
come and handle their business, get their mail, connect with others,
take take their meetings, and brand themselves and and clock
in even you know. But it's just you know, with
a lower overhead, and that helps a lot because you
need it for other things.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
What kind of businesses have you had or would you
like to see or work well in this space.
Speaker 3 (02:31):
I really pride myself on creating like a positive ecosystem,
a self sustaining ecosystem.
Speaker 4 (02:36):
I believe in collaboration.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
So the businesses that we tend to take on or
attract are like community based, wellness based, self development based.
And of course, you know, we we have all types
of people. We have accountants that work out of there too,
but a lot of the times they are like content creators,
and we just really we really took like a really
(02:59):
creative angle to to the the work environment. So I
think it's a place where people who appreciate balance have
a one stop shop where they can create that for themselves.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
So the idea of an incubator for a child is
you put them in there until they're long enough to
go out on their own. Is that the same concept
with you? And have you had success stories?
Speaker 4 (03:23):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (03:24):
People, That's literally the point, Like people will come in
work with us to kick their thing off, and eventually
they'll find that they there, we'll find that they're like
onto the next opportunity, and we'll be so proud. And
I honestly just started working on my portfolio of businesses
that I've helped over the years and then also just
in term, what would you know at this space and
(03:45):
it's something to be proud of, Like it's a you know,
it's it's monumental which you could do for a small
business by just giving them a thing or two, whether
it's just mentorship or like you know, tangible things that'll
get them from point A to point B. So yeah,
we have plenty of success stories, whether it's monetary success
(04:06):
or like you know, just personal success. People seem to
come back when they have the next idea.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
So what's the satisfaction that that brings to you as
the owner of a business, like that when you do
help someone else grow their business.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
I just have a I personally have a passion of
seeing things grow. Like I love seeing projects come from
like the you know, just a little idea in your
mind to incubating to realizing it too. You know, people
walking away with like a minimum minimum viile product or
you know, a solution or something that's just even for them,
like something personal that they wanted to accomplish or achieve.
(04:45):
And it's like it's literal magic. Like you know, I
called it build a dream because you literally walk in
there and magic happens, like you'll find the person that
you were looking for the whole time, that you know,
fills the hole that you needed to get.
Speaker 4 (04:56):
To the next point.
Speaker 3 (04:57):
And you know, it's it's fun, it's it's honestly to me,
it's just like creating art or anything else.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
You know, when did you know you were meant to
be a business owner?
Speaker 3 (05:10):
It came out of survival, like I feel, I think
it happens for a lot of people. Yeah, you know,
entrepreneurship found me, but I always did have like a
hustler spirit and entrepreneurial spirit. I think it just it
came natural to me, and I found it easier to
create my opportunities than keep applying for them, you know,
(05:30):
like and you know I come from the radio and
media space, as you know, and you know, after twelve
years of doing all these gig based work, like you're
just kind of like, okay, I'll take it or I'll
do this, and you know, you're moving from the one
next thing, praying on the next thing, and it's just
no like security or it's not sustainable for a lot
of people unless you've really gotten to a certain point.
(05:53):
I really began just appreciating the fact that I learned
all these skills from this environment and being you know,
chasing this dream, but I can use it to create
others and help others with their dream.
Speaker 4 (06:05):
So well, that.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
Makes me curious as to what a typical day. What
does twenty four hours in your business look like for you?
Speaker 4 (06:14):
Uh, you have to wear many hats.
Speaker 3 (06:16):
You have to wear every hat in small business. You know,
I do have great people around me and staff that
you know, I continue to nurture and we continue to
grow and learn together. But I wake up, I try
to before nine o'clock do nothing but like practice what
I preach, which is self care and balance and so
(06:39):
you know, I'm hitting the gym. I'm doing those things,
setting the example and holding myself to that. And then
after that, I usually get to the space around ten
o'clock and you're doing everything. We have a whole checklist
where I go from being the literal janitor of the
space too, you know, the administrative assistant of the space
(07:04):
to the marketing and development product development person. In this space,
you just literally have to do everything and oversee everything.
And you know, the goal is eventually for it to
be a well oiled machine where you don't have to
do that, but right now I'm in the process of
creating my process, so it's every day is different, and
(07:26):
you know, I also balance other things. So it's been
great because the reason that I created it for other
people and made it a one stop shop for other
people actually works.
Speaker 4 (07:35):
For my life too.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
And you mentioned how you like to collaborate. What are
some of the cool collaborations You've been able to do
in this business.
Speaker 3 (07:44):
So I've done a lot of stuff with like local entrepreneurs.
Like on the top of my mind, we had like
a long standing pop up with this guy, Vegan.
Speaker 4 (07:53):
Mike, who is really really cool.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
He practices a clean lifestyle and clean eating, and then
he eventually it kind of led him to having his
pop up in the city in the Lower East Side,
and you know, I helped him design that one, and
you know, so it's like I just become like kind
of like a creative partner for a lot of people.
(08:16):
I'm always brainstorming, Like we have this thing so there's
like a sauna and fitness room and you know, all
these like wellness amenities at the space. So like we
always have like this thing where it's like and strategies,
so it's like sauna and strategies like that.
Speaker 4 (08:30):
Yeah, like spot and strategies.
Speaker 3 (08:32):
So it's like we're always like doing something for ourselves,
but we created a culture where the business meeting could
start there too.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
I don't mind doing my business meeting in a song.
Speaker 4 (08:43):
Yeah right, exactly what. I have a member at the space.
Her name is Elaine.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
She's a fabulous realtor in very known child entertainer, and
she's just like her world's come together in the sauna.
Speaker 4 (08:56):
She's just like I can answer.
Speaker 3 (08:57):
Every call, it's quiet, I can think, and you know,
little do they know that I'm literally on my break
doing this. So it's just a cool to I think
it's like a cool environment for people to just create
and build and be their authentic self.
Speaker 1 (09:14):
What would you say is the biggest advantage for someone
who is looking to start a business and then find
a space like what you have? I mean, it is
a beautiful space. I've been there, and you know, I'm
blown away by some of what I've seen there. What
would you say to someone who is considering this.
Speaker 4 (09:38):
I mean, I would say come on down.
Speaker 3 (09:42):
I would say come on down, because it's like, you know,
as soon as you walk into the space, you fall
in love with this positive energy everywhere. There's always a
smiling face ready to help you, ready to talk through things,
ready to you know, workshop your ideas, and you know,
outside of just the basic stuff that you do, you
can do by yourself on a day to day. I've
really prided myself on building community there. We have a
(10:04):
month full of events every month that our geared towards
your self development or self care, so it'll keep you focused.
Speaker 4 (10:10):
It's literally like a.
Speaker 3 (10:11):
Gym for your business and yourself.
Speaker 4 (10:15):
So you know that's cool.
Speaker 3 (10:17):
Yeah, it's like you you sign up, you get a membership,
and you're committed to your growth.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
What is the toughest part of building your business?
Speaker 4 (10:28):
Hmm. The toughest part is that I have everybody.
Speaker 3 (10:31):
It feels like almost like I have everybody else's business
that works within their at stake too, you know. Yeah,
and you know, so I I really think that's a
responsibility that.
Speaker 4 (10:43):
That I take very seriously.
Speaker 3 (10:46):
But outside of that, it's really balancing my own self
development with the business. So like hallam Rock is something
and then build a Dream is something else. So it's
almost like raising a baby, but also reminder reminding yourself
to take the nap that you keep telling everybody else to.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
So it's almost like you have two businesses in one. Well,
you've got your business, which is your business, yes, and
then you've got your business, which is everybody else's business.
Speaker 4 (11:10):
Yes, exactly, exactly.
Speaker 1 (11:16):
Well, then what keeps you grounded and from feeling overwhelmed?
Because that just saying that sentence felt like a.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
Lot to me.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
Right again, it helps that I love it, Okay, But
like I said, I've created boundaries and I keep a
tight schedule and I give grace, you know what I'm saying,
Like the small business world is here today, gone tomorrow,
you know, and you can't take any of it personal.
You can't be too attached to any of it. And
(11:44):
you could be doing everything right and you know the
next day you're troubleshooting something else. So it's just you know,
allowing yourself to just go with the flow, and you know,
keep people around you that you know are smarter than you,
have resources that you might not have, have input that
might you might not be an expert at, and and
(12:05):
ask for that help.
Speaker 1 (12:06):
Talk to me about affordability, you know, Let's say I'm
going from using free Wi Fi and a coffee shop
and I'm starting to grow my business. But what would
I expect in terms of affordability if I'm going to
go from that step to where you are.
Speaker 3 (12:25):
So it's a lot different than just pulling out your
laptop and using the Wi Fi in a cafe. For one,
that's not a focused environment where that lends itself to productivity.
It's just kind of like let me pop in here
and you know, last second solutions. Nobody actually likes doing
the zoom in the in the coffee shop. But also entrepreneurs,
(12:47):
you know, are remote work. It's not even just entrepreneurs
because we also serve a lot of remote workers. You
think you want to work, you know, by yourself, but
you don't really want to work at home. You don't
want to be with the dog and the you know,
you want to separate that. You want to separate your
business and your personal So it's like this gives you
that option. And and not only do like I said,
entrepreneurs get like hot desks that they can work out of.
(13:10):
It's a place to really that like really gives your
business a foundation. You know, you have your mailbox there,
you have a team, you know that you can use
that you're with services like business services and marketing services.
You can you have booking space that you can do
your own events and workshops and meetings at. You can
(13:32):
you can rent private suites where you can. People have
used it in so many different forms as like a
showroom or I've had a therapist do her sessions there.
You know, you're not doing that at a coffee shop now,
so you know that, yeah, you know. So it's it's like,
it's it's it's definitely a better option. And you know,
(13:54):
being I was surprised to find out that I was
the only one on Statn Island because it is so
common in the city and like Brooklyn and more congested places.
Speaker 4 (14:03):
But but yeah.
Speaker 3 (14:05):
Once people find us, even the ones that go to
the city will come to us because it's cheaper and
it's right off the ferry, So you know, I think
it creates a better option for people who.
Speaker 4 (14:17):
Are on the go but need a place to have
a foundation.
Speaker 1 (14:23):
Okay, what advice and words of wisdom would you give
to other small business owners who are looking to start
a business?
Speaker 3 (14:34):
Well, my two my two coin phrases that everybody knows
me for is one find success through finding yourself.
Speaker 4 (14:41):
It's not going to look the same for everybody. Every
day is not going to look the same for you.
Speaker 3 (14:45):
And also remember that entrepreneurs are meant to work for themselves,
not by themselves. So you know, build yourself a team,
keep like minded of individuals around you, and don't forget
to ask questions when when need be. And no point
of your your your journey is stupid or negative. It's
(15:07):
all working for you, not against you at the end
of the day.
Speaker 4 (15:11):
It's all part of the story.
Speaker 1 (15:12):
So and do you know of resources at least in
the New York area for people that are interested in
starting a business that might help them in a situation
where they need a coworking space, like you, you know,
starting a businesses can be daunting and sometimes it does
take funds.
Speaker 2 (15:33):
I don't know if.
Speaker 1 (15:34):
There are recommendations in that area that you know of
as well.
Speaker 3 (15:39):
I would say, like join every board, every nonprofit, every
you know, community based organization that you can, because they're
the ones that know, like, they're the ones who have
access to a lot of these grants and city funding
and well you can eventually get on the right path
with your paperwork and stuff using them as an umbrella sometimes.
(15:59):
So that's one thing as far as like the grant
world goes and outside of that, I think, just get
your pitch tight, get your proof of concept together, and
tell anybody who will listen. That's what I did, you know, yeah,
like and and you never know, even if it's not money,
that's not the only valuable thing that you need to
(16:21):
start a business.
Speaker 4 (16:22):
You need all types of stuff.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
So what I heard there was networking basically.
Speaker 3 (16:26):
Yeah, definitely network, network your little booty off and and
just do the work. Like I think, just for a
long time, I had to make something out of nothing,
you know, and and eventually you have more than you
can hold, you know, handle, and you have to and
people are people are expecting you to bring that back
(16:47):
ten folds. So you know, people, you earn people's trust,
and you earn people's respect as a business owner by
the impact that you make.
Speaker 1 (16:59):
So if people people want to contact you to get
space or to collaborate or to connect or invest or
whatever they want to reach out, how do they find
out want more about build a.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
Dream and then maybe even connecting with you.
Speaker 3 (17:12):
We'll go to build a Dream dot n y C
and follow us on Instagram at Build a Dream Incubator.
You can follow me personally at Halla Morock h A
L A M A r O C. I'm always doing
consultations and brainstorms. But yeah, we're always doing things and
you can always email me at Halla at Build a
(17:32):
Dream dot NYC.
Speaker 4 (17:34):
What is the goal?
Speaker 2 (17:35):
What is your what's your next big goal?
Speaker 3 (17:38):
I think my next big goal is connecting the two worlds. So,
like you know, coming from like media entertainment, I learned
a lot when it comes to using your voice and
these things that I say about making impact and connecting
with people. That's where my like community, my passion for
community really comes from. But I think there's it also
(18:01):
the more I build that up, the more resources I
have for Build a Dream Incubator, so kind of bringing
in the two teaching people to do what I've done,
which is kind of monetize your voice and brand your dreams.
Speaker 2 (18:13):
I love it.
Speaker 1 (18:14):
Well. Halla, I want to say thank you so much
for coming by and being a part of the building
Blackbiz Podcasts and sharing your knowledge and information and we
wish you the best.
Speaker 4 (18:25):
Thank you so much. Helan and you gotta come by soon.
Speaker 3 (18:28):
I will, and thank you for being one of the
first supporters of the space, so absolutely thank you.
Welcome to another episode of Building Black Biz. Today we
are building with Hallam Morocks. She's the owner and founder
of Build a Dream Incubator.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Welcome to the show. Thank you, Helen. How are you today?
Speaker 4 (00:13):
I'm good.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
All is well, So tell us about your business.
Speaker 3 (00:18):
Build a Dream Incubator is a wellness based coworking space concept.
But we call it an incubator, not a co working
space because we're very invested in the people and the
businesses and the projects that come out of that space.
But we're the only coworking space on Staaten Island right
off the ferry in the north shore, so very accessible,
and we just make resources and business solutions accessible to
(00:42):
a place that needed it, full of creatives but no resources.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
Where did you come up with this idea? I mean
it's actually a great idea. Where did it come from?
Speaker 4 (00:52):
It was something that I needed personally.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
That's how a lot of things start.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
Yeah, I feel like entrepreneurs are creative in that way.
We're well, we create solutions, like it's like okay if
it doesn't exist, like why and what can I solve
if I create it? And so as an adult, I
feel like, you know, where do you find like a
tribe or positive friends or even adult friends like or
resources and things that you need, you know, within your
personal or professional journey. And I'm just like okay, Like
(01:20):
you can make friends at the bar, but that's not productive,
right or like you know, where am I going to
find resources like like church or the mosque or something,
you know. So I was just like, Okay, I need
to create this happy medium, this meeting space, like a
safe space for like minded individuals to connect and grow.
Speaker 1 (01:38):
What are some of the benefits of aligning, Like if
I have a small business with an incubator, other than
like what you said creating community.
Speaker 3 (01:46):
I mean, nowadays everything's super expensive, so shared office space,
shared space in general has become a thing. And so
for startups and businesses that want to keep their overhead low,
we create a membership or program that can help them
kind of kick things off, a place where they can
(02:08):
come and handle their business, get their mail, connect with others,
take take their meetings, and brand themselves and and clock
in even you know. But it's just you know, with
a lower overhead, and that helps a lot because you
need it for other things.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
What kind of businesses have you had or would you
like to see or work well in this space.
Speaker 3 (02:31):
I really pride myself on creating like a positive ecosystem,
a self sustaining ecosystem.
Speaker 4 (02:36):
I believe in collaboration.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
So the businesses that we tend to take on or
attract are like community based, wellness based, self development based.
And of course, you know, we we have all types
of people. We have accountants that work out of there too,
but a lot of the times they are like content creators,
and we just really we really took like a really
(02:59):
creative angle to to the the work environment. So I
think it's a place where people who appreciate balance have
a one stop shop where they can create that for themselves.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
So the idea of an incubator for a child is
you put them in there until they're long enough to
go out on their own. Is that the same concept
with you? And have you had success stories?
Speaker 4 (03:23):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (03:24):
People, That's literally the point, Like people will come in
work with us to kick their thing off, and eventually
they'll find that they there, we'll find that they're like
onto the next opportunity, and we'll be so proud. And
I honestly just started working on my portfolio of businesses
that I've helped over the years and then also just
in term, what would you know at this space and
(03:45):
it's something to be proud of, Like it's a you know,
it's it's monumental which you could do for a small
business by just giving them a thing or two, whether
it's just mentorship or like you know, tangible things that'll
get them from point A to point B. So yeah,
we have plenty of success stories, whether it's monetary success
(04:06):
or like you know, just personal success. People seem to
come back when they have the next idea.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
So what's the satisfaction that that brings to you as
the owner of a business, like that when you do
help someone else grow their business.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
I just have a I personally have a passion of
seeing things grow. Like I love seeing projects come from
like the you know, just a little idea in your
mind to incubating to realizing it too. You know, people
walking away with like a minimum minimum viile product or
you know, a solution or something that's just even for them,
like something personal that they wanted to accomplish or achieve.
(04:45):
And it's like it's literal magic. Like you know, I
called it build a dream because you literally walk in
there and magic happens, like you'll find the person that
you were looking for the whole time, that you know,
fills the hole that you needed to get.
Speaker 4 (04:56):
To the next point.
Speaker 3 (04:57):
And you know, it's it's fun, it's it's honestly to me,
it's just like creating art or anything else.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
You know, when did you know you were meant to
be a business owner?
Speaker 3 (05:10):
It came out of survival, like I feel, I think
it happens for a lot of people. Yeah, you know,
entrepreneurship found me, but I always did have like a
hustler spirit and entrepreneurial spirit. I think it just it
came natural to me, and I found it easier to
create my opportunities than keep applying for them, you know,
(05:30):
like and you know I come from the radio and
media space, as you know, and you know, after twelve
years of doing all these gig based work, like you're
just kind of like, okay, I'll take it or I'll
do this, and you know, you're moving from the one
next thing, praying on the next thing, and it's just
no like security or it's not sustainable for a lot
of people unless you've really gotten to a certain point.
(05:53):
I really began just appreciating the fact that I learned
all these skills from this environment and being you know,
chasing this dream, but I can use it to create
others and help others with their dream.
Speaker 4 (06:05):
So well, that.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
Makes me curious as to what a typical day. What
does twenty four hours in your business look like for you?
Speaker 4 (06:14):
Uh, you have to wear many hats.
Speaker 3 (06:16):
You have to wear every hat in small business. You know,
I do have great people around me and staff that
you know, I continue to nurture and we continue to
grow and learn together. But I wake up, I try
to before nine o'clock do nothing but like practice what
I preach, which is self care and balance and so
(06:39):
you know, I'm hitting the gym. I'm doing those things,
setting the example and holding myself to that. And then
after that, I usually get to the space around ten
o'clock and you're doing everything. We have a whole checklist
where I go from being the literal janitor of the
space too, you know, the administrative assistant of the space
(07:04):
to the marketing and development product development person. In this space,
you just literally have to do everything and oversee everything.
And you know, the goal is eventually for it to
be a well oiled machine where you don't have to
do that, but right now I'm in the process of
creating my process, so it's every day is different, and
(07:26):
you know, I also balance other things. So it's been
great because the reason that I created it for other
people and made it a one stop shop for other
people actually works.
Speaker 4 (07:35):
For my life too.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
And you mentioned how you like to collaborate. What are
some of the cool collaborations You've been able to do
in this business.
Speaker 3 (07:44):
So I've done a lot of stuff with like local entrepreneurs.
Like on the top of my mind, we had like
a long standing pop up with this guy, Vegan.
Speaker 4 (07:53):
Mike, who is really really cool.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
He practices a clean lifestyle and clean eating, and then
he eventually it kind of led him to having his
pop up in the city in the Lower East Side,
and you know, I helped him design that one, and
you know, so it's like I just become like kind
of like a creative partner for a lot of people.
(08:16):
I'm always brainstorming, Like we have this thing so there's
like a sauna and fitness room and you know, all
these like wellness amenities at the space. So like we
always have like this thing where it's like and strategies,
so it's like sauna and strategies like that.
Speaker 4 (08:30):
Yeah, like spot and strategies.
Speaker 3 (08:32):
So it's like we're always like doing something for ourselves,
but we created a culture where the business meeting could
start there too.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
I don't mind doing my business meeting in a song.
Speaker 4 (08:43):
Yeah right, exactly what. I have a member at the space.
Her name is Elaine.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
She's a fabulous realtor in very known child entertainer, and
she's just like her world's come together in the sauna.
Speaker 4 (08:56):
She's just like I can answer.
Speaker 3 (08:57):
Every call, it's quiet, I can think, and you know,
little do they know that I'm literally on my break
doing this. So it's just a cool to I think
it's like a cool environment for people to just create
and build and be their authentic self.
Speaker 1 (09:14):
What would you say is the biggest advantage for someone
who is looking to start a business and then find
a space like what you have? I mean, it is
a beautiful space. I've been there, and you know, I'm
blown away by some of what I've seen there. What
would you say to someone who is considering this.
Speaker 4 (09:38):
I mean, I would say come on down.
Speaker 3 (09:42):
I would say come on down, because it's like, you know,
as soon as you walk into the space, you fall
in love with this positive energy everywhere. There's always a
smiling face ready to help you, ready to talk through things,
ready to you know, workshop your ideas, and you know,
outside of just the basic stuff that you do, you
can do by yourself on a day to day. I've
really prided myself on building community there. We have a
(10:04):
month full of events every month that our geared towards
your self development or self care, so it'll keep you focused.
Speaker 4 (10:10):
It's literally like a.
Speaker 3 (10:11):
Gym for your business and yourself.
Speaker 4 (10:15):
So you know that's cool.
Speaker 3 (10:17):
Yeah, it's like you you sign up, you get a membership,
and you're committed to your growth.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
What is the toughest part of building your business?
Speaker 4 (10:28):
Hmm. The toughest part is that I have everybody.
Speaker 3 (10:31):
It feels like almost like I have everybody else's business
that works within their at stake too, you know. Yeah,
and you know, so I I really think that's a
responsibility that.
Speaker 4 (10:43):
That I take very seriously.
Speaker 3 (10:46):
But outside of that, it's really balancing my own self
development with the business. So like hallam Rock is something
and then build a Dream is something else. So it's
almost like raising a baby, but also reminder reminding yourself
to take the nap that you keep telling everybody else to.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
So it's almost like you have two businesses in one. Well,
you've got your business, which is your business, yes, and
then you've got your business, which is everybody else's business.
Speaker 4 (11:10):
Yes, exactly, exactly.
Speaker 1 (11:16):
Well, then what keeps you grounded and from feeling overwhelmed?
Because that just saying that sentence felt like a.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
Lot to me.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
Right again, it helps that I love it, Okay, But
like I said, I've created boundaries and I keep a
tight schedule and I give grace, you know what I'm saying,
Like the small business world is here today, gone tomorrow,
you know, and you can't take any of it personal.
You can't be too attached to any of it. And
(11:44):
you could be doing everything right and you know the
next day you're troubleshooting something else. So it's just you know,
allowing yourself to just go with the flow, and you know,
keep people around you that you know are smarter than you,
have resources that you might not have, have input that
might you might not be an expert at, and and
(12:05):
ask for that help.
Speaker 1 (12:06):
Talk to me about affordability, you know, Let's say I'm
going from using free Wi Fi and a coffee shop
and I'm starting to grow my business. But what would
I expect in terms of affordability if I'm going to
go from that step to where you are.
Speaker 3 (12:25):
So it's a lot different than just pulling out your
laptop and using the Wi Fi in a cafe. For one,
that's not a focused environment where that lends itself to productivity.
It's just kind of like let me pop in here
and you know, last second solutions. Nobody actually likes doing
the zoom in the in the coffee shop. But also entrepreneurs,
(12:47):
you know, are remote work. It's not even just entrepreneurs
because we also serve a lot of remote workers. You
think you want to work, you know, by yourself, but
you don't really want to work at home. You don't
want to be with the dog and the you know,
you want to separate that. You want to separate your
business and your personal So it's like this gives you
that option. And and not only do like I said,
entrepreneurs get like hot desks that they can work out of.
(13:10):
It's a place to really that like really gives your
business a foundation. You know, you have your mailbox there,
you have a team, you know that you can use
that you're with services like business services and marketing services.
You can you have booking space that you can do
your own events and workshops and meetings at. You can
(13:32):
you can rent private suites where you can. People have
used it in so many different forms as like a
showroom or I've had a therapist do her sessions there.
You know, you're not doing that at a coffee shop now,
so you know that, yeah, you know. So it's it's like,
it's it's it's definitely a better option. And you know,
(13:54):
being I was surprised to find out that I was
the only one on Statn Island because it is so
common in the city and like Brooklyn and more congested places.
Speaker 4 (14:03):
But but yeah.
Speaker 3 (14:05):
Once people find us, even the ones that go to
the city will come to us because it's cheaper and
it's right off the ferry, So you know, I think
it creates a better option for people who.
Speaker 4 (14:17):
Are on the go but need a place to have
a foundation.
Speaker 1 (14:23):
Okay, what advice and words of wisdom would you give
to other small business owners who are looking to start
a business?
Speaker 3 (14:34):
Well, my two my two coin phrases that everybody knows
me for is one find success through finding yourself.
Speaker 4 (14:41):
It's not going to look the same for everybody. Every
day is not going to look the same for you.
Speaker 3 (14:45):
And also remember that entrepreneurs are meant to work for themselves,
not by themselves. So you know, build yourself a team,
keep like minded of individuals around you, and don't forget
to ask questions when when need be. And no point
of your your your journey is stupid or negative. It's
(15:07):
all working for you, not against you at the end
of the day.
Speaker 4 (15:11):
It's all part of the story.
Speaker 1 (15:12):
So and do you know of resources at least in
the New York area for people that are interested in
starting a business that might help them in a situation
where they need a coworking space, like you, you know,
starting a businesses can be daunting and sometimes it does
take funds.
Speaker 2 (15:33):
I don't know if.
Speaker 1 (15:34):
There are recommendations in that area that you know of
as well.
Speaker 3 (15:39):
I would say, like join every board, every nonprofit, every
you know, community based organization that you can, because they're
the ones that know, like, they're the ones who have
access to a lot of these grants and city funding
and well you can eventually get on the right path
with your paperwork and stuff using them as an umbrella sometimes.
(15:59):
So that's one thing as far as like the grant
world goes and outside of that, I think, just get
your pitch tight, get your proof of concept together, and
tell anybody who will listen. That's what I did, you know, yeah,
like and and you never know, even if it's not money,
that's not the only valuable thing that you need to
(16:21):
start a business.
Speaker 4 (16:22):
You need all types of stuff.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
So what I heard there was networking basically.
Speaker 3 (16:26):
Yeah, definitely network, network your little booty off and and
just do the work. Like I think, just for a
long time, I had to make something out of nothing,
you know, and and eventually you have more than you
can hold, you know, handle, and you have to and
people are people are expecting you to bring that back
(16:47):
ten folds. So you know, people, you earn people's trust,
and you earn people's respect as a business owner by
the impact that you make.
Speaker 1 (16:59):
So if people people want to contact you to get
space or to collaborate or to connect or invest or
whatever they want to reach out, how do they find
out want more about build a.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
Dream and then maybe even connecting with you.
Speaker 3 (17:12):
We'll go to build a Dream dot n y C
and follow us on Instagram at Build a Dream Incubator.
You can follow me personally at Halla Morock h A
L A M A r O C. I'm always doing
consultations and brainstorms. But yeah, we're always doing things and
you can always email me at Halla at Build a
(17:32):
Dream dot NYC.
Speaker 4 (17:34):
What is the goal?
Speaker 2 (17:35):
What is your what's your next big goal?
Speaker 3 (17:38):
I think my next big goal is connecting the two worlds. So,
like you know, coming from like media entertainment, I learned
a lot when it comes to using your voice and
these things that I say about making impact and connecting
with people. That's where my like community, my passion for
community really comes from. But I think there's it also
(18:01):
the more I build that up, the more resources I
have for Build a Dream Incubator, so kind of bringing
in the two teaching people to do what I've done,
which is kind of monetize your voice and brand your dreams.
Speaker 2 (18:13):
I love it.
Speaker 1 (18:14):
Well. Halla, I want to say thank you so much
for coming by and being a part of the building
Blackbiz Podcasts and sharing your knowledge and information and we
wish you the best.
Speaker 4 (18:25):
Thank you so much. Helan and you gotta come by soon.
Speaker 3 (18:28):
I will, and thank you for being one of the
first supporters of the space, so absolutely thank you.
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