The Funemployed

So, start at the very beginning – Who Are You?

I am a storyteller, founder of Evergreene Group Public Relations a Howard Grad, and originally from Kentucky.

What makes you dope?

I have great taste (thanks to my mom) and I’m not afraid of being vulnerable.

Who was your first inspiration and how did you first learn about them?

So many people have inspired me but Mrs. Georgia Ann (pronounced Georgeann where I’m from) stands out to me. She was the youth director at the church I grew up going to. She brought out the best in all of us kids and was such a kind woman. She was always so proud of us and even when I became an adult, every time she saw me she’d clasp her hands to her face, giggle, and give me the best hug. Her reaction made me so overwhelmingly happy to see her. I hope she knew how impactful she had been in my life.

What’s your happy place? Your favorite thing to do to bring yourself joy?

Curling up with a book no matter where I am: on my couch, on a beach, at my parent’s house, wherever!

Where do you get your energy and motivation?

For energy, I like to spend time alone, especially if I’ve been really social. My motivation is how I want to show up in the world. I want to travel, have the freedom to do what I want to do…I want to make things easier for my loved ones, so I get up and go.

What does balance mean to you and how do find it?

Balance means discipline. Often times, it looks like the things I don’t necessarily want to do but that I know will get me to where I want to be. So, it’s in routine, the word “no,” the daily gallon of water…things like that.

What sacrifices did you have to make, or struggles did you face to get here?

I left a really comforting environment where I grew up and basically my entire immediate family still lives, and I moved to DC. The financial risk was also huge, but I was really determined to being a graduate of Howard University. The move changed my life completely and set me on a really incredible journey.

What is the early advice you didn’t listen to that you wish you had? Or what advice would you give your earlier self?

“Align, don’t chase” is something I work really hard to practice now, but I wish I would have made it a practice earlier. I can be really stubborn and insistent but not only is that rarely necessary, I could have saved myself a lot of heartache/pain/annoyance/disappointment if I had focused more on alignment before.

What was your greatest failure and what did you learn from it?

I don’t know. I can say I’ve been disappointed, humiliated, regretful and I’ve certainly messed up, but I don’t stay in those spaces for long. I just pivot and remember what it is that I don’t want to feel or experience anymore.

What was your proudest moment to date?

I’m proud of the work I’ve done on myself, my business, and my relationships. All of these things help me to show up better in the world and lend my support, gifts, and love where they’re needed and wanted while also being happy and loving towards myself.

ACTION: How Can We Help You Today?!?!

You can go to evergreenegroup.com to find out more about what we do and/or to schedule a discovery call.

Bonus Brag – What are you currently conquering? Is there something exciting in the works? Next steps?

We’re rebranding! When this comes out we might already be launched but when I started my business I created the logo, I built the website and none of these things actually fall into my wheelhouse. So, rebranding is a big deal and has been quite the investment but totally worth it. I’m excited to enter this new iteration of my business.

What’s Your social media!!

Website: http://www.evergreenegroup.com

Instagram: @ashleym_g and @evergreenegroup

So, start at the very beginning – Who Are You?

Personal Purpose: be the best sister, (grand)daughter, niece, friend, partner and soon to be auntie that I can be. Make my small corner of the world a little bit better than I found it.

Professional Purpose: Still figuring that out, but right now it’s to find small ways to expose women & Black people to the opportunity for wealth building through hotel investment. Longer term, looking for ways to encourage more people to get out and explore the world.

Official job title: Director, Extended Stay Brand Management at Choice Hotels.

Brief Bio: Recovering lawyer turned hospitality professional. DMV native. Lover of all things travels, great food & drinks, cheesy rom coms in any form and white sand beaches.

What makes you dope?

Everything 😉 lol, but seriously, I think the travel experiences that I’ve had, especially after quitting a “safe,” well-paying law firm job and betting on myself to figure out what else I wanted to do, would bring me more fulfillment and joy. Creating and writing the weekly Folding Chair newsletter for a few years with my besties. Being a happy Black woman. And my hair!

So, start at the very beginning – Who Are You?

An author, mindful drinker, and advocate for no- and low-alcohol Cocktails

What makes you dope?

Persistence is my number one quality. As one of my heroes once said, “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.”

Who was your first inspiration and how did you first learn about them?

This borders on a Matthew McConaughey answer, but I learned very early on to believe in myself and trust that I had some valuable to offer even when things seem stacked against me. Punk rock taught me that.

So, start at the very beginning – Who Are You?

I go by Chrissy Lynn. I am a personal enterprise advisor and healthy connector. I help first generation professionals establish healthy communication and boundaries on their journey to success.

What makes you dope?

My personality. It speaks for me before I open my mouth.

Who was your first inspiration and how did you first learn about them?

My first inspiration was Marilyn Monroe (hold the controversy). I loved her ability to dominate using her femininity and poise.

So, start at the very beginning – Who Are You?

Former international model and author of my memoir Wild Child to Couture Style which chronicles my life from a small town to the Couture runways of Paris. I overcame discrimination, rejection, and ageism, but persevered and on my own terms, achieved success. I would like to encourage and share my inspirational story with others.

What makes you dope?

I was able to self-publish my book, produce a one-woman show based on the book which garnered a two-page story in the world’s biggest newspaper, the NY Times.

So, start at the very beginning – Who Are You?

An Owner & Designer of District of Clothing and Co-Founder & CEO of The Creative Ladder

What makes you dope?

Persistence is my number one quality. As one of my heroes once said, “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.”

So, start at the very beginning – Who Are You?

Nevin Martell is a freelance journalist, a photographer, an author, a writing coach, a dad, a husband, a forager, a gardener, and an experientialist.

What makes you dope?

I’m not big on self-aggrandizement, but I do love the career I’ve created for myself. My mantra is ‘Write your life.’ When I become passionate about something/someone/somewhere, I channel my excitement, energy, and desire to learn more into my work, which I hope is compelling and engaging for readers. I’ve gotten to talk to the most interesting people, eat the most incredible meals, and travel to the most intriguing destinations. But my work also makes me slow down and really think about thorny problems, including personal challenges. In a world that often moves much too fast for my liking, it’s nice to spend time contemplating an issue, consulting multiple, diverse resources, and then figuring out the best path forward (Bonus: I get paid to do it!). Writing makes me a better person, and I hope it improves the lives of people who read my work (even if I just turn them on to a new restaurant that makes them happy or gives them a helpful tip that makes their next trip go smoother).

So let’s start at the very beginning – Who Are You?

Russ Green, Founder and President of Bison Impact Group, is a writer, comedian, and philanthropist from Washington, DC. Of the many hats he wears, father of four is his favorite. Russ believes in living life out loud and being audacious.

What makes you dope?

I am a problem solver who believes in taking action. Issues do not go away on their own, it takes commitment and intention to resolve the problems we face.

Who was your first inspiration and how did you first learn about them?

Shigeru Miyamoto, Founder of Nintendo. I found it fascinating that he held entire worlds in his head and brought them to life. Cannot imagine a life without Super Mario.