Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to community viewpoints. Is Shawnee feeling blessed and highly favored?
On this Sunday morning, we are celebrating Black history in
our community. There are community advocates making moves and being
bosses and bringing other bosses together. So today I have
Adrian Martin. She is the CEO of the Boss Awards. Adrian,
(00:21):
how are you today?
Speaker 2 (00:22):
I'm great, Shawanie, Thank you for having me. How are you?
You know?
Speaker 3 (00:26):
Doing well?
Speaker 1 (00:26):
Feeling blessed because I have the opportunity to get involved
and be involved and engage with our community members who
are doing things for our community.
Speaker 3 (00:35):
Empowering our community.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
So if you would just tell us a little something
about Adrian Martin, because you are Black history in this community.
And I would just like to highlight Adrian Martin and
then we'll talk about the Boss Awards.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
Oh wow, again, thank you so much for having me
a little bit about Adrian Martin. Born and raised right
here in Jacksonville. Love my city, love my community. I
attended Rains High School, So I am a true Viking,
A proud true Viking. From a business standpoint, I started
(01:13):
the first African American owned dance and baton twirling school
in Jacksonville. It was called Adrian's Dance and Baton Company,
and I did that for twenty two years, and so
I touched a lot of lives, brought a lot of
people together through the dance school, through the students, through
the parents during that time, and it was a very
(01:35):
important and pivotal part of my life up until you
know where I am. It played a later foundation for
a lot of other things. But in addition to that,
I am currently, as you stated, the CEO of the
Best Boss Group. We are the ones that sponsor the
Best Boss Awards and that's where we celebrate the success
(01:57):
of African American entrepreneurs up until till this point, those
African American entrepreneurs here in Jacksonville, Florida. This is our
eighth year and this year we will not only be
celebrating the entrepreneurs here but throughout the state of Florida.
So we have nominees coming from Tampa, Orlando, Miami, Tallahassee, Gainesville,
(02:26):
just to name a few. So we're excited about what's
happening and bringing these people together for more unity collaborations
that will be birth and also to bring awareness to
the consumers of the many businesses that are available when
they are looking for products and services.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
Q and D Shawnee speaking to H and Martin as
she stated she started one of the first black schools
here and with it being Black History Month, empowering a community.
One of the things that we did as a peace
we danced, after we picked the cotton, after we did
our daily duty, we danced. So Adrian, thank you for
(03:09):
keeping that going for twenty three years in the community
and bringing that back to show that as African American,
one of the things that we do is dance, and
with respect to Black History Month, celebrating our history. Thank
you for keeping the dancing alive. But one of the
things that I know that you have been doing is
empowering right so through the Boss Awards, tell us why
(03:33):
you birth that here in Jacksonville.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
Well, during the time I had my dance school, I
saw where there was a lack of how would I say,
a lack of unity and a lack of awareness of
the different black owned businesses that exist. It was like
everybody just did their own thing, stayed in their own
little circle, and if you happen to hear about another
(03:59):
small business, then you know, then it's like, oh, okay,
and then I'll go ahead and support. But also during
that time, there are a lot of people that were
just not aware of so many opportunities. Again, as I've stated,
where they could spend their dollars, and not just in
the big name brand stores, but you have small businesses
(04:21):
that offer the same products, that are still quality products,
quality services, and you can you know, pour those dollars
back into our community. So with that being said, let
me think of something. What can we do to bring
the community together so that they are aware of what exists.
(04:44):
So the Best Boss Awards was birthed as a result
celebrating the success because any any business owner know that
it's hard. It's very hard to stay afloat, it's very
hard to stay relevant and to they in business. So
if you have a business and you have been you know,
(05:05):
working your business, it's worth celebrating because everybody can't do that.
So the that's the that's the main reason, like I said,
and to bring awareness to the community about the small businesses.
So we come together and we celebrate the success. We
hear different different people at the awards. They tell a
(05:29):
little bit about their stories and what they've gone through,
and it just brings a lot of unity, a lot
of unity and a lot of awareness. I don't know
how many times I've had business owners come back and say, hey,
thank you so much. My business has grown since the awards.
I have so many more clients. I have people come
(05:51):
back and say, look, listen that connection I made. How
about we're doing business together now, So you know, it's
definitely worth it. It's a lessen to all and we're
just excited about it, and we're excited that other black
business owners throughout the state of Florida are excited about
(06:11):
coming to Jacksonville for the event on February sixteen.
Speaker 3 (06:15):
Adrian, how important is it for Gross.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
I'll say this now more than ever, without going into
any details. Now more than ever. Growth is important. Support
is important. We can't keep looking the other way. And sometimes,
and it happens sometimes we feel some people feel though that, oh,
(06:46):
some of these black owned small businesses, they I don't
want to support them. I'd rather go you know, they
rather go to a name brand store when they can
get the same product. But if we look at what's
happening in our country today, real, it's praain and clear.
Now is the time if you've never done it before.
Now is the time. It's time to set aside any
(07:10):
any ill feelings or whatever may have you bound to
supporting small businesses and see exactly what services am I
needing or what products do I need? Where I can
go and spare my dollars with these black owned businesses.
Everything that there is, every service, whether it's an attorney
(07:33):
of a restaurant, I mean, mental health therapists, whatever it
is you need in in your life, there's black people
that can provide those services for you and quality services.
Speaker 3 (07:47):
Community.
Speaker 1 (07:48):
Shawnee speaking to Adrian or Martin about the Boss Awards. Adrian,
I understand the awards is coming up, so how can
the community get involved be there to see all these
small businesiness owners who are paving the way for our future.
Is there a website, a phone number? How can the
community connect with you?
Speaker 2 (08:08):
Tickets are being sold on our website at www dot
Best Boss Awards gala dot com, so you can go
on the website purchase the tickets. We do have a
few left, but we're about to be sold out and
they're on the website too. You can find more information
in regards to the Best Boss Awards.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
And Adrian with doing this for eight years, with empowering
our community by supporting entrepreneurs in the community. I see
that you're growing to go outside of Jacksonville.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
What is the reason for that growth?
Speaker 1 (08:47):
Is it just to include more, to empower more so
we can engage and be seen there.
Speaker 2 (08:53):
Over the years, I've had so many business owners in
other cities, not just in Florida, but in different places
throughout the US that have reached out to me and say, hey,
please come and do this in my city. We need this.
We need to let our community and our consumers know
(09:13):
and our cities what we're doing. That we exist and
they've come, they see what we do, or they see
the pictures and the feedback that is shared on social media.
So there has been I guess over the past three years,
I've had people requests for us to do it outside
(09:34):
of Jacksonville. So to start, this will be our first.
So this is why we are doing it here, and
that's how we included the people here in the state
of Florida. One of the things I want to share
and just to clear up because sometimes people don't understand
quite understand how people are nominated. If you don't mind
(09:57):
me just sharing we put it out on social media
and we ask people to please nominate your favorite African
American small business owners throughout the state of Florida. So
people see it on social media, they go to the website,
they nominate their favorites, and then we in turn, after
(10:18):
the deadline has passed, we take that information and we
verify that these businesses are legit businesses and from there
we send out an email to the business owners and
let them know, Hey, you've been nominated, and it's up
to the business owner to respond to let us know
(10:38):
yes I want to participate or no, I do not
want to participate. So those nominees for all of the
different categories that we have voting for, those nominees come
from the community. They do not come from me and
are my teams. Those nominees come from the community. Those
(10:59):
are the people people that they feel like they have
had tremendous service from our product and they want to
see them continue to win. Now, my team and I
do choose the special awards such as the Male Entrepreneur
of the Year, the Female Entrepreneur of the Year, the Icon,
the Legendlaty. Those winners are chosen by our team, but
(11:24):
all of the nominees that are in those categories come
from the public. Some people say, well, I want to
be a nominee, but nobody nominated me. Nominate yourself. You
can nominate yourself. So I just wanted to share that
piece to help people understand the process. And then once
(11:46):
you put it out there, people vote and we gather
all of the totals for those votes, we announce the
winners at the BOSS Awards.
Speaker 1 (11:55):
Thank you, Adrian for clarifying how the BOSS Awards is process.
Community speaking to Adrian and Martin CEO of the Movement
Boss Awards in Jacksonville and Lightning empowering each other through
the BOSS Awards, I want to thank you for including
me as well into the BOSS Awards this year. Community,
(12:17):
I will be one of the hostess hosting this phenomenal event.
So Adrianne, thank you for allowing me to pour into
the community and being a part of this phenomenal event. Now,
I know that with everything going on life and you
said it, with the world as it is, it is
important to pour into each other. But it's also important
(12:41):
to play a part. And so Adrian, thank you for
playing a part in this community, for starting the process
of dance for starting the process of thinking about another person.
That's what the Boss Awards is all about. So thank you.
I wanted to interview you today just to thank you too,
(13:01):
because this is hard work. Eight years, ten years, any
years is hard work when you're trying to empower a
community and then you have to have the belief of
the community behind you.
Speaker 2 (13:13):
So thank you, absolutely, thank you, and I'll see you
on the gold carpet. How about that we don't have
red carpet, we do goal carpet.
Speaker 3 (13:21):
That's right a community.
Speaker 1 (13:23):
If you would like again to be involved with this event,
Adrian said, it's almost sold out, but you can always
nominate for that person next year. Nominate yourself, but become
a boss in your community and become someone who empowers
someone else. So anything else that you'd like to share
(13:43):
with the community.
Speaker 2 (13:44):
Agent, just to stay encouraged with these times that we're in.
Stay encouraged, know that God is in control regardless of
what we see in the natural, and continue to support
each other, continue to uplift one another, us especially business owners.
And my favorite quote is start unknown, finish, unforgettable, be blessed.
Speaker 1 (14:08):
And we're back with community viewpoints highlighting black History Month, entrepreneurs,
people who are in our community making a statement and
being heard. Sashawnie feeling blessed and highly favored on this
Sunday morning. We are empowering our community. We have entrepreneurs
who empower us. And today I have a Kim Wilson.
(14:29):
How are you doing today?
Speaker 4 (14:30):
I am doing my best. Thank you for asking.
Speaker 1 (14:33):
You know, we have to do our best. And you
were rocking it at the Curls and Convo events all
about our hair, our attitude and about Black history. And
I saw a lot of that at your station. So
before we get into what you do, talk to us
a little bit.
Speaker 3 (14:51):
Who is a Kim Wilson.
Speaker 4 (14:53):
Kim Wilson. So, I am the owner of Soul Sate
apperil and about fifteen years ago I wanted to create.
I had the idea to create from apparel that really
spoke to the best of who we are. And fifteen
years later, I'm still here doing what I love. I mean,
I just love to empower and inspire the community in
(15:17):
which I came from because somebody did it for me
and I want to do to do it you know
for other people.
Speaker 1 (15:22):
Well, we always have to pass it or push it forth.
And that's why I wanted you to talk to me
about what you do in the community and how you
empowered me at Curls and Convo. Sitting there, I was
looking at your t shirts, just looking at your vendor station,
and talk to us about how you became involved with
Curls and Convo.
Speaker 4 (15:42):
Actually this year was my first year, but the owner
of Curls and Combo we actually did f and fifth
last year together, so that's how I know her. And
just through that, I really liked the conversation around here
and us really embracing our natural beauty. So you know,
(16:03):
once she said she needed vendors, it was a no brainer.
It just it aligns with soul Teed Apparel and so.
Speaker 1 (16:11):
Seed Apparels talk to us about being in business for
fifteen years. That is not an easy feat as an entrepreneur.
So what's your mission statement for sol Seed Apparels.
Speaker 4 (16:22):
No, it's not easy. And as Felicia I think she
mentioned when she was talking at Curls and Convos, she
mentioned that sometimes you have to pivot, you know, sometimes
you have to reinvent yourself. But when the purpose is
there and the purpose is strong, that keeps you going
on those days where you feel like giving up and
you know, and you get that email or you get
(16:45):
that text from a customer that you know, had a
life changing conversation by it. You know, just by wearing
a shirt or something happens magnificent just by wearing a shirt.
And so the purpose for Soul Seed, the vision is
to continue to help to elevate the self image of
(17:07):
melaninated people and it's by enemy. It is necessary. So
if we have to do that by a T shirt,
a tennis shoe, a bag, that's what we're gonna do.
Speaker 3 (17:16):
Black History Month. I wanted to talk to you.
Speaker 1 (17:19):
There was a lot of powerful people in the building
at Curls and Convo and that's what this tenth anniversary
seems to me, that pulling people like minded people, melanin
people to talk about what makes us unique. And your
station was unique. So let's talk about what drew me
to you. It was a T shirt and that T
(17:40):
shirt who The T shirt was powerful for me because
you know, we are celebrating our ancestors. So we had
a woman other than Rosa Park before Rosa and Harriet
and you had a T shirt the original ride or
Die Chick. Oh yeah, oh, Yeah, talk to me about
that statement, that shirt and how powerful it is for
(18:02):
the people.
Speaker 4 (18:03):
Okay, so that shirt, like I was telling you, that
is a classic. That's one of my classic teas. I've
had that one for about twelve years and everything I designed,
it's like it's divinely inspired. So I really have to
feel it, but it has to come to me. And
it came to me to put that on the shirt
with her, because Harriet Tubman is one of those people
(18:25):
that I just admire so much, like to her heart
and how close she was, Like they said, you know
when I read about her that her prayer was so
powerful because she had a connection with God. She her
purpose was humanity. It was all about humanity. And because
her spirituality was so strong, I'm drawn to her. I'm
(18:47):
drawn to her story about how she put her life
on the line for others many times, and not just
the regular stories that we hear about her. There Also,
she was involved in a called the Combaie River Raid.
Nobody ever talks about that, but with her help, it
was over eight hundred enslaved Africans that she helped free.
(19:10):
I just love her. I love me Samria Tubman, and
that is definitely a shirt that I fell very well
all the time. It's been selling for twelve thirteen years.
It's an honor and.
Speaker 1 (19:22):
It's powerful, and I felt it that rage. She saved
eight hundred enslaved people, She created and saved a bloodline.
Please understand our history and the slaves and the people
they created our bloodline, which is why Black History Month
is so meaningful and powerful and why we should empower
(19:43):
our own. So when I saw you and your display,
let's talk about the display other than the shirts, because
you had a lot, and we're going to talk about
one at the end, about the mouth, But talk to
us about what you carry with soul Seed.
Speaker 3 (19:59):
Apparel right now.
Speaker 4 (20:00):
Yeah, I travel around. I do pop ups, but I
also have an online store. It's at www dot solocidperil
dot com. So that's why I said by any means necessary,
because I do I can use any medium of apparel
to put a message on. And so it might be
a T shirt, it might be a tennis shoe, it
might be a bag. You know what I'm saying. It
might be something put in my mind to make a puzzle,
(20:22):
and I'll do that because the purpose is the same,
and that's just for us to see ourselves as dynamic beings,
the dynamic beans that we are, and that's just who
we are, and that's just what it is.
Speaker 1 (20:34):
You know, sometimes we just have to say it loud
and say it proud. Community. Shawn is speaking to a
Ken Wilson. She is an entrepreneur on the move about
ensuring that our history is placed on anything necessary. Now,
talk to us about your table and what you had
on there and what the community can expect by just.
Speaker 3 (20:56):
Shopping with you.
Speaker 4 (20:57):
So on the table, I had all of the shirts.
I had work for women because there was a like
a women's dominated event, and I had some shoes where
I put a bunch of the ancestors that have done
dynamic things in our stories. It's called power to the People,
all Stars. So I have tissues of those people on
a shoe. I have the different T shirt designs that
(21:21):
I've done. Harriet Tubman is the one that we talked about.
There's another classic going called definition of a Black Woman.
I have black men too, but I did that because
I wanted to define us for us. You know, we
get so many definitions outside in the world trying to
tell us who we are, but only we can define
who we are, you know, and I have some puzzles
(21:44):
and some smell goods and just a variety of things.
When you come to my table, that's what you find.
But you definitely gonna find culture, and you definitely gonna
walk away feeling good, feeling in power, and learn something.
And sometimes people come to the table and they teach
me that is that I didn't know. So it's all
about a cultural experience.
Speaker 1 (22:04):
And that's what Curls and Convo did for our community.
Seanee speaking to Kim Wilson from Soul Seeds Apparel. We
were out at an event and a Kim, why is
it important for people like you entrepreneurs to be vendors,
to sponsor events to help the local mankind and support
local black businesses.
Speaker 4 (22:25):
It's very important because by us being out and about,
we get to meet people and we get to it
gives us a really clear picture or who our market is.
It gives us hands on talking to the people that
we have affected and the things that they want. Sometimes
they'll tell you what they want to see. So it's
(22:46):
real time market research. That's what I like to call it.
When you're out with the people and it's it's just
a beautiful thing. It's necessary. It's community.
Speaker 1 (22:56):
And speaking of community, you said that, you know, I
was like, I need to talk to you and we
were like, hey, I got this event, but I keep going,
So talk to us about the other event that you
experienced in Jacksonville. Because the name of the event is
what drew me to why we need to attend certain
events in our community.
Speaker 4 (23:17):
We have a museum downtown called the Marsh Museum and
they do this Black History Month event it's called Power,
So they're celebrating the culture and invited me to come,
you know, as a brand, and I'm just delighted to
be there because I just love us. I love me,
(23:37):
I love us.
Speaker 3 (23:38):
And that's why you created Soul Seed Legacy.
Speaker 4 (23:42):
Yes, live the legacy. So see a peril And for
anyone on social media's on my socials are at soul
See Apparel. That's where you can find me.
Speaker 1 (23:51):
Thank you so much for your time today and just
empowering me as well as the room and people with
this conversation, understanding that we have to act and pivot sometimes.
Last question, what does black history.
Speaker 3 (24:05):
Mean to you?
Speaker 4 (24:06):
Black history is our story, you know, when we know
there's this a West African symbol in West Africa called
Sankofa And what san Cpa it means is before we
can go forward, we got to know our past. So
that's what Black history is for me. When we know
our past, we know how to move into the future.
Speaker 1 (24:27):
Soul Seed Apparel, soul Seed Legacy creating a movement. I
love the name, I love the environment.
Speaker 3 (24:36):
You empowered me.
Speaker 1 (24:38):
Talk to me about that shirt it said keep my
Name out your mouth.
Speaker 4 (24:44):
Oh that one, Oh that one, Oh that one.
Speaker 2 (24:49):
So being a black woman navigating this society, people often
have so many things to say about the black woman.
And what I love about I would not want to
be anything in this world but a black woman. What
I love about us is that we're so resilient, we're
so creative.
Speaker 4 (25:08):
We just we we do the most and the best way,
we do the most, and just sometimes people just have
a lot to say about us. And that's why I
wrote that, you know, keep my name out of your mouth.
Speaker 2 (25:21):
Because it is what it is.
Speaker 3 (25:23):
It is what it is, and it's going to be
what it's going to be.
Speaker 2 (25:26):
That's it, that's it, and that's all.
Speaker 1 (25:30):
So Seed Apparel, this lady is making sure we are
expressing ourselves through apparel and through a vision that empowers.
Thank you so much for your time. I appreciate every
expression because it expresses I believe us as a whole,
as a Black society.
Speaker 3 (25:50):
So thank you.
Speaker 1 (25:51):
Don't stop, keep moving and keep pivoting because you have
a line that is powerful.
Speaker 2 (25:57):
Thank you, Thank you for having me.
Speaker 4 (25:58):
I appreciate you.
Speaker 1 (26:00):
Thank you for being a part of a show where
we're delivering and empowering our community. So thank you A
Kim for being a part of the show today spotlighting
the sisters doing work in the community, empowering us through
their apparel, through being an entrepreneur, highlighting our African American sisters,
and so as an entrepreneur community advocate, are you from Jacksonville?
Speaker 4 (26:24):
I'm rooted here, and I say rooted because my grandmother
and grandfather. You know, this is where they gave birth
to my mom and her siblings. But my mom was
married to a military man, so I got to experience
other parts of the country.
Speaker 1 (26:39):
Thank you so much, A Kim for being a part
of Community Viewpoints today empowering us through apparel. And of
course we have to be creative when we are entrepreneurs,
so that we can express ourselves. A Black History Month
is an amazing month for us to highlight our ancestors
and the people who are highlight our ancestors and providing
(27:03):
a way for us to acknowledge our ancestors. So thank
you so much for being a part of Community Viewpoints today.
Speaker 2 (27:10):
You're welcome, Thank you, I appreciate you.
Speaker 1 (27:13):
Thank you community for listening to Community Viewpoints today. Be
sure to check out our community calendar page. Lots going
on in the community that you can get involved, celebrate
Black History Month, or just be in the know about
how we are empowering our entrepreneurs, our nonprofits. And you
(27:35):
have a blessed day. Be a blessing, and thank you
again for listening to community Viewpoints
Welcome to community viewpoints. Is Shawnee feeling blessed and highly favored?
On this Sunday morning, we are celebrating Black history in
our community. There are community advocates making moves and being
bosses and bringing other bosses together. So today I have
Adrian Martin. She is the CEO of the Boss Awards. Adrian,
(00:21):
how are you today?
Speaker 2 (00:22):
I'm great, Shawanie, Thank you for having me. How are you?
You know?
Speaker 3 (00:26):
Doing well?
Speaker 1 (00:26):
Feeling blessed because I have the opportunity to get involved
and be involved and engage with our community members who
are doing things for our community.
Speaker 3 (00:35):
Empowering our community.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
So if you would just tell us a little something
about Adrian Martin, because you are Black history in this community.
And I would just like to highlight Adrian Martin and
then we'll talk about the Boss Awards.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
Oh wow, again, thank you so much for having me
a little bit about Adrian Martin. Born and raised right
here in Jacksonville. Love my city, love my community. I
attended Rains High School, So I am a true Viking,
A proud true Viking. From a business standpoint, I started
(01:13):
the first African American owned dance and baton twirling school
in Jacksonville. It was called Adrian's Dance and Baton Company,
and I did that for twenty two years, and so
I touched a lot of lives, brought a lot of
people together through the dance school, through the students, through
the parents during that time, and it was a very
(01:35):
important and pivotal part of my life up until you
know where I am. It played a later foundation for
a lot of other things. But in addition to that,
I am currently, as you stated, the CEO of the
Best Boss Group. We are the ones that sponsor the
Best Boss Awards and that's where we celebrate the success
(01:57):
of African American entrepreneurs up until till this point, those
African American entrepreneurs here in Jacksonville, Florida. This is our
eighth year and this year we will not only be
celebrating the entrepreneurs here but throughout the state of Florida.
So we have nominees coming from Tampa, Orlando, Miami, Tallahassee, Gainesville,
(02:26):
just to name a few. So we're excited about what's
happening and bringing these people together for more unity collaborations
that will be birth and also to bring awareness to
the consumers of the many businesses that are available when
they are looking for products and services.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
Q and D Shawnee speaking to H and Martin as
she stated she started one of the first black schools
here and with it being Black History Month, empowering a community.
One of the things that we did as a peace
we danced, after we picked the cotton, after we did
our daily duty, we danced. So Adrian, thank you for
(03:09):
keeping that going for twenty three years in the community
and bringing that back to show that as African American,
one of the things that we do is dance, and
with respect to Black History Month, celebrating our history. Thank
you for keeping the dancing alive. But one of the
things that I know that you have been doing is
empowering right so through the Boss Awards, tell us why
(03:33):
you birth that here in Jacksonville.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
Well, during the time I had my dance school, I
saw where there was a lack of how would I say,
a lack of unity and a lack of awareness of
the different black owned businesses that exist. It was like
everybody just did their own thing, stayed in their own
little circle, and if you happen to hear about another
(03:59):
small business, then you know, then it's like, oh, okay,
and then I'll go ahead and support. But also during
that time, there are a lot of people that were
just not aware of so many opportunities. Again, as I've stated,
where they could spend their dollars, and not just in
the big name brand stores, but you have small businesses
(04:21):
that offer the same products, that are still quality products,
quality services, and you can you know, pour those dollars
back into our community. So with that being said, let
me think of something. What can we do to bring
the community together so that they are aware of what exists.
(04:44):
So the Best Boss Awards was birthed as a result
celebrating the success because any any business owner know that
it's hard. It's very hard to stay afloat, it's very
hard to stay relevant and to they in business. So
if you have a business and you have been you know,
(05:05):
working your business, it's worth celebrating because everybody can't do that.
So the that's the that's the main reason, like I said,
and to bring awareness to the community about the small businesses.
So we come together and we celebrate the success. We
hear different different people at the awards. They tell a
(05:29):
little bit about their stories and what they've gone through,
and it just brings a lot of unity, a lot
of unity and a lot of awareness. I don't know
how many times I've had business owners come back and say, hey,
thank you so much. My business has grown since the awards.
I have so many more clients. I have people come
(05:51):
back and say, look, listen that connection I made. How
about we're doing business together now, So you know, it's
definitely worth it. It's a lessen to all and we're
just excited about it, and we're excited that other black
business owners throughout the state of Florida are excited about
(06:11):
coming to Jacksonville for the event on February sixteen.
Speaker 3 (06:15):
Adrian, how important is it for Gross.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
I'll say this now more than ever, without going into
any details. Now more than ever. Growth is important. Support
is important. We can't keep looking the other way. And sometimes,
and it happens sometimes we feel some people feel though that, oh,
(06:46):
some of these black owned small businesses, they I don't
want to support them. I'd rather go you know, they
rather go to a name brand store when they can
get the same product. But if we look at what's
happening in our country today, real, it's praain and clear.
Now is the time if you've never done it before.
Now is the time. It's time to set aside any
(07:10):
any ill feelings or whatever may have you bound to
supporting small businesses and see exactly what services am I
needing or what products do I need? Where I can
go and spare my dollars with these black owned businesses.
Everything that there is, every service, whether it's an attorney
(07:33):
of a restaurant, I mean, mental health therapists, whatever it
is you need in in your life, there's black people
that can provide those services for you and quality services.
Speaker 3 (07:47):
Community.
Speaker 1 (07:48):
Shawnee speaking to Adrian or Martin about the Boss Awards. Adrian,
I understand the awards is coming up, so how can
the community get involved be there to see all these
small businesiness owners who are paving the way for our future.
Is there a website, a phone number? How can the
community connect with you?
Speaker 2 (08:08):
Tickets are being sold on our website at www dot
Best Boss Awards gala dot com, so you can go
on the website purchase the tickets. We do have a
few left, but we're about to be sold out and
they're on the website too. You can find more information
in regards to the Best Boss Awards.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
And Adrian with doing this for eight years, with empowering
our community by supporting entrepreneurs in the community. I see
that you're growing to go outside of Jacksonville.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
What is the reason for that growth?
Speaker 1 (08:47):
Is it just to include more, to empower more so
we can engage and be seen there.
Speaker 2 (08:53):
Over the years, I've had so many business owners in
other cities, not just in Florida, but in different places
throughout the US that have reached out to me and say, hey,
please come and do this in my city. We need this.
We need to let our community and our consumers know
(09:13):
and our cities what we're doing. That we exist and
they've come, they see what we do, or they see
the pictures and the feedback that is shared on social media.
So there has been I guess over the past three years,
I've had people requests for us to do it outside
(09:34):
of Jacksonville. So to start, this will be our first.
So this is why we are doing it here, and
that's how we included the people here in the state
of Florida. One of the things I want to share
and just to clear up because sometimes people don't understand
quite understand how people are nominated. If you don't mind
(09:57):
me just sharing we put it out on social media
and we ask people to please nominate your favorite African
American small business owners throughout the state of Florida. So
people see it on social media, they go to the website,
they nominate their favorites, and then we in turn, after
(10:18):
the deadline has passed, we take that information and we
verify that these businesses are legit businesses and from there
we send out an email to the business owners and
let them know, Hey, you've been nominated, and it's up
to the business owner to respond to let us know
(10:38):
yes I want to participate or no, I do not
want to participate. So those nominees for all of the
different categories that we have voting for, those nominees come
from the community. They do not come from me and
are my teams. Those nominees come from the community. Those
(10:59):
are the people people that they feel like they have
had tremendous service from our product and they want to
see them continue to win. Now, my team and I
do choose the special awards such as the Male Entrepreneur
of the Year, the Female Entrepreneur of the Year, the Icon,
the Legendlaty. Those winners are chosen by our team, but
(11:24):
all of the nominees that are in those categories come
from the public. Some people say, well, I want to
be a nominee, but nobody nominated me. Nominate yourself. You
can nominate yourself. So I just wanted to share that
piece to help people understand the process. And then once
(11:46):
you put it out there, people vote and we gather
all of the totals for those votes, we announce the
winners at the BOSS Awards.
Speaker 1 (11:55):
Thank you, Adrian for clarifying how the BOSS Awards is process.
Community speaking to Adrian and Martin CEO of the Movement
Boss Awards in Jacksonville and Lightning empowering each other through
the BOSS Awards, I want to thank you for including
me as well into the BOSS Awards this year. Community,
(12:17):
I will be one of the hostess hosting this phenomenal event.
So Adrianne, thank you for allowing me to pour into
the community and being a part of this phenomenal event. Now,
I know that with everything going on life and you
said it, with the world as it is, it is
important to pour into each other. But it's also important
(12:41):
to play a part. And so Adrian, thank you for
playing a part in this community, for starting the process
of dance for starting the process of thinking about another person.
That's what the Boss Awards is all about. So thank you.
I wanted to interview you today just to thank you too,
(13:01):
because this is hard work. Eight years, ten years, any
years is hard work when you're trying to empower a
community and then you have to have the belief of
the community behind you.
Speaker 2 (13:13):
So thank you, absolutely, thank you, and I'll see you
on the gold carpet. How about that we don't have
red carpet, we do goal carpet.
Speaker 3 (13:21):
That's right a community.
Speaker 1 (13:23):
If you would like again to be involved with this event,
Adrian said, it's almost sold out, but you can always
nominate for that person next year. Nominate yourself, but become
a boss in your community and become someone who empowers
someone else. So anything else that you'd like to share
(13:43):
with the community.
Speaker 2 (13:44):
Agent, just to stay encouraged with these times that we're in.
Stay encouraged, know that God is in control regardless of
what we see in the natural, and continue to support
each other, continue to uplift one another, us especially business owners.
And my favorite quote is start unknown, finish, unforgettable, be blessed.
Speaker 1 (14:08):
And we're back with community viewpoints highlighting black History Month, entrepreneurs,
people who are in our community making a statement and
being heard. Sashawnie feeling blessed and highly favored on this
Sunday morning. We are empowering our community. We have entrepreneurs
who empower us. And today I have a Kim Wilson.
(14:29):
How are you doing today?
Speaker 4 (14:30):
I am doing my best. Thank you for asking.
Speaker 1 (14:33):
You know, we have to do our best. And you
were rocking it at the Curls and Convo events all
about our hair, our attitude and about Black history. And
I saw a lot of that at your station. So
before we get into what you do, talk to us
a little bit.
Speaker 3 (14:51):
Who is a Kim Wilson.
Speaker 4 (14:53):
Kim Wilson. So, I am the owner of Soul Sate
apperil and about fifteen years ago I wanted to create.
I had the idea to create from apparel that really
spoke to the best of who we are. And fifteen
years later, I'm still here doing what I love. I mean,
I just love to empower and inspire the community in
(15:17):
which I came from because somebody did it for me
and I want to do to do it you know
for other people.
Speaker 1 (15:22):
Well, we always have to pass it or push it forth.
And that's why I wanted you to talk to me
about what you do in the community and how you
empowered me at Curls and Convo. Sitting there, I was
looking at your t shirts, just looking at your vendor station,
and talk to us about how you became involved with
Curls and Convo.
Speaker 4 (15:42):
Actually this year was my first year, but the owner
of Curls and Combo we actually did f and fifth
last year together, so that's how I know her. And
just through that, I really liked the conversation around here
and us really embracing our natural beauty. So you know,
(16:03):
once she said she needed vendors, it was a no brainer.
It just it aligns with soul Teed Apparel and so.
Speaker 1 (16:11):
Seed Apparels talk to us about being in business for
fifteen years. That is not an easy feat as an entrepreneur.
So what's your mission statement for sol Seed Apparels.
Speaker 4 (16:22):
No, it's not easy. And as Felicia I think she
mentioned when she was talking at Curls and Convos, she
mentioned that sometimes you have to pivot, you know, sometimes
you have to reinvent yourself. But when the purpose is
there and the purpose is strong, that keeps you going
on those days where you feel like giving up and
you know, and you get that email or you get
(16:45):
that text from a customer that you know, had a
life changing conversation by it. You know, just by wearing
a shirt or something happens magnificent just by wearing a shirt.
And so the purpose for Soul Seed, the vision is
to continue to help to elevate the self image of
(17:07):
melaninated people and it's by enemy. It is necessary. So
if we have to do that by a T shirt,
a tennis shoe, a bag, that's what we're gonna do.
Speaker 3 (17:16):
Black History Month. I wanted to talk to you.
Speaker 1 (17:19):
There was a lot of powerful people in the building
at Curls and Convo and that's what this tenth anniversary
seems to me, that pulling people like minded people, melanin
people to talk about what makes us unique. And your
station was unique. So let's talk about what drew me
to you. It was a T shirt and that T
(17:40):
shirt who The T shirt was powerful for me because
you know, we are celebrating our ancestors. So we had
a woman other than Rosa Park before Rosa and Harriet
and you had a T shirt the original ride or
Die Chick. Oh yeah, oh, Yeah, talk to me about
that statement, that shirt and how powerful it is for
(18:02):
the people.
Speaker 4 (18:03):
Okay, so that shirt, like I was telling you, that
is a classic. That's one of my classic teas. I've
had that one for about twelve years and everything I designed,
it's like it's divinely inspired. So I really have to
feel it, but it has to come to me. And
it came to me to put that on the shirt
with her, because Harriet Tubman is one of those people
(18:25):
that I just admire so much, like to her heart
and how close she was, Like they said, you know
when I read about her that her prayer was so
powerful because she had a connection with God. She her
purpose was humanity. It was all about humanity. And because
her spirituality was so strong, I'm drawn to her. I'm
(18:47):
drawn to her story about how she put her life
on the line for others many times, and not just
the regular stories that we hear about her. There Also,
she was involved in a called the Combaie River Raid.
Nobody ever talks about that, but with her help, it
was over eight hundred enslaved Africans that she helped free.
(19:10):
I just love her. I love me Samria Tubman, and
that is definitely a shirt that I fell very well
all the time. It's been selling for twelve thirteen years.
It's an honor and.
Speaker 1 (19:22):
It's powerful, and I felt it that rage. She saved
eight hundred enslaved people, She created and saved a bloodline.
Please understand our history and the slaves and the people
they created our bloodline, which is why Black History Month
is so meaningful and powerful and why we should empower
(19:43):
our own. So when I saw you and your display,
let's talk about the display other than the shirts, because
you had a lot, and we're going to talk about
one at the end, about the mouth, But talk to
us about what you carry with soul Seed.
Speaker 3 (19:59):
Apparel right now.
Speaker 4 (20:00):
Yeah, I travel around. I do pop ups, but I
also have an online store. It's at www dot solocidperil
dot com. So that's why I said by any means necessary,
because I do I can use any medium of apparel
to put a message on. And so it might be
a T shirt, it might be a tennis shoe, it
might be a bag. You know what I'm saying. It
might be something put in my mind to make a puzzle,
(20:22):
and I'll do that because the purpose is the same,
and that's just for us to see ourselves as dynamic beings,
the dynamic beans that we are, and that's just who
we are, and that's just what it is.
Speaker 1 (20:34):
You know, sometimes we just have to say it loud
and say it proud. Community. Shawn is speaking to a
Ken Wilson. She is an entrepreneur on the move about
ensuring that our history is placed on anything necessary. Now,
talk to us about your table and what you had
on there and what the community can expect by just.
Speaker 3 (20:56):
Shopping with you.
Speaker 4 (20:57):
So on the table, I had all of the shirts.
I had work for women because there was a like
a women's dominated event, and I had some shoes where
I put a bunch of the ancestors that have done
dynamic things in our stories. It's called power to the People,
all Stars. So I have tissues of those people on
a shoe. I have the different T shirt designs that
(21:21):
I've done. Harriet Tubman is the one that we talked about.
There's another classic going called definition of a Black Woman.
I have black men too, but I did that because
I wanted to define us for us. You know, we
get so many definitions outside in the world trying to
tell us who we are, but only we can define
who we are, you know, and I have some puzzles
(21:44):
and some smell goods and just a variety of things.
When you come to my table, that's what you find.
But you definitely gonna find culture, and you definitely gonna
walk away feeling good, feeling in power, and learn something.
And sometimes people come to the table and they teach
me that is that I didn't know. So it's all
about a cultural experience.
Speaker 1 (22:04):
And that's what Curls and Convo did for our community.
Seanee speaking to Kim Wilson from Soul Seeds Apparel. We
were out at an event and a Kim, why is
it important for people like you entrepreneurs to be vendors,
to sponsor events to help the local mankind and support
local black businesses.
Speaker 4 (22:25):
It's very important because by us being out and about,
we get to meet people and we get to it
gives us a really clear picture or who our market is.
It gives us hands on talking to the people that
we have affected and the things that they want. Sometimes
they'll tell you what they want to see. So it's
(22:46):
real time market research. That's what I like to call it.
When you're out with the people and it's it's just
a beautiful thing. It's necessary. It's community.
Speaker 1 (22:56):
And speaking of community, you said that, you know, I
was like, I need to talk to you and we
were like, hey, I got this event, but I keep going,
So talk to us about the other event that you
experienced in Jacksonville. Because the name of the event is
what drew me to why we need to attend certain
events in our community.
Speaker 4 (23:17):
We have a museum downtown called the Marsh Museum and
they do this Black History Month event it's called Power,
So they're celebrating the culture and invited me to come,
you know, as a brand, and I'm just delighted to
be there because I just love us. I love me,
(23:37):
I love us.
Speaker 3 (23:38):
And that's why you created Soul Seed Legacy.
Speaker 4 (23:42):
Yes, live the legacy. So see a peril And for
anyone on social media's on my socials are at soul
See Apparel. That's where you can find me.
Speaker 1 (23:51):
Thank you so much for your time today and just
empowering me as well as the room and people with
this conversation, understanding that we have to act and pivot sometimes.
Last question, what does black history.
Speaker 3 (24:05):
Mean to you?
Speaker 4 (24:06):
Black history is our story, you know, when we know
there's this a West African symbol in West Africa called
Sankofa And what san Cpa it means is before we
can go forward, we got to know our past. So
that's what Black history is for me. When we know
our past, we know how to move into the future.
Speaker 1 (24:27):
Soul Seed Apparel, soul Seed Legacy creating a movement. I
love the name, I love the environment.
Speaker 3 (24:36):
You empowered me.
Speaker 1 (24:38):
Talk to me about that shirt it said keep my
Name out your mouth.
Speaker 4 (24:44):
Oh that one, Oh that one, Oh that one.
Speaker 2 (24:49):
So being a black woman navigating this society, people often
have so many things to say about the black woman.
And what I love about I would not want to
be anything in this world but a black woman. What
I love about us is that we're so resilient, we're
so creative.
Speaker 4 (25:08):
We just we we do the most and the best way,
we do the most, and just sometimes people just have
a lot to say about us. And that's why I
wrote that, you know, keep my name out of your mouth.
Speaker 2 (25:21):
Because it is what it is.
Speaker 3 (25:23):
It is what it is, and it's going to be
what it's going to be.
Speaker 2 (25:26):
That's it, that's it, and that's all.
Speaker 1 (25:30):
So Seed Apparel, this lady is making sure we are
expressing ourselves through apparel and through a vision that empowers.
Thank you so much for your time. I appreciate every
expression because it expresses I believe us as a whole,
as a Black society.
Speaker 3 (25:50):
So thank you.
Speaker 1 (25:51):
Don't stop, keep moving and keep pivoting because you have
a line that is powerful.
Speaker 2 (25:57):
Thank you, Thank you for having me.
Speaker 4 (25:58):
I appreciate you.
Speaker 1 (26:00):
Thank you for being a part of a show where
we're delivering and empowering our community. So thank you A
Kim for being a part of the show today spotlighting
the sisters doing work in the community, empowering us through
their apparel, through being an entrepreneur, highlighting our African American sisters,
and so as an entrepreneur community advocate, are you from Jacksonville?
Speaker 4 (26:24):
I'm rooted here, and I say rooted because my grandmother
and grandfather. You know, this is where they gave birth
to my mom and her siblings. But my mom was
married to a military man, so I got to experience
other parts of the country.
Speaker 1 (26:39):
Thank you so much, A Kim for being a part
of Community Viewpoints today empowering us through apparel. And of
course we have to be creative when we are entrepreneurs,
so that we can express ourselves. A Black History Month
is an amazing month for us to highlight our ancestors
and the people who are highlight our ancestors and providing
(27:03):
a way for us to acknowledge our ancestors. So thank
you so much for being a part of Community Viewpoints today.
Speaker 2 (27:10):
You're welcome, Thank you, I appreciate you.
Speaker 1 (27:13):
Thank you community for listening to Community Viewpoints today. Be
sure to check out our community calendar page. Lots going
on in the community that you can get involved, celebrate
Black History Month, or just be in the know about
how we are empowering our entrepreneurs, our nonprofits. And you
(27:35):
have a blessed day. Be a blessing, and thank you
again for listening to community Viewpoints
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