Co Creation Agency

If you ever look up either of these two-word phrases “new beginnings” or “fresh starts,” be prepared to see my face smiling back at you. I believe that when we understand the meaning of second chances, we learn how to leverage them to help navigate pitfalls in life. Hence, how I got labeled as an “entrepreneurial architect.” In actuality, it was the potholes in the road that actually helped me become the business strategist that most truly see me as today. Between you and me, truth be told: I’m really an enigma who simply loves to co-create. So, in short, it’s gonna be hard for me to sum up my crazy journey to success in this somewhat short but long bio. What I hope you gather is who I am, what I’m not, and why I do what I do.

We all have a story, and while mine is unique to me, sadly, it’s not to many others. I grew up in a housing project on the East Coast. I was surrounded by social and economic struggles, financial hardship topped with racial challenges by both black and white America, as I am biracial: a 3rd generation Sicilian Italian, African American female. My classroom was the school of hard knocks, filled with crime and sexual exploitation met with physical abuse and drugs. When you’re a child trapped in a world like this, it makes it difficult to see past tomorrow. But you either succumb to your situation or you begin to dream your way out of the hell surrounding you. So, needless to say, I had one heck of an imagination. I had BIG dreams of one day becoming a successful actress. Unfortunately, I was on the trajectory of becoming a statistic in our society. After turning 18, pregnant, and living in a violent domestic relationship, I was clearly miles away from my Hollywood dream. One night, my life finally took one blow too many, and I was determined to change the course of my narrative. This was where my love for “new beginnings” and “fresh starts” began.

"The Entrepreneurial Architect" A Brand Is Born

At 18, I was a full-time mom who lacked guidance and education, and even financial literacy. But it didn’t matter; I had to use whatever tools I had at the time to get me to that next rung in life. For me, it was my natural charm and hustle that helped me forge my way through. I always had a passion for the entertainment world and wanted to be a major player. But I figured if I couldn’t make the cut in the audition, then I could sell my skills to land work behind the scenes as a stylist or makeup artist. It was the easiest way to stay actively involved in the film industry, and the directors got a kick out of my approach – often landing me a job on one side of the camera or the other!

During this time, I was working a 9-5, studying, competing in hair shows while raising my daughter…and YES! It was all very difficult. I still, however, managed to find time to volunteer three nights a week at a youth correctional prison facility to help out troubled teenagers by offering free haircuts, and more importantly, someone to talk to.

This was an outlet for me to reflect on where I had  come from and where I was trying to go in my life. I wasn’t even sure where my cosmetology license or acting was going to take me, but one thing was for sure—I always wanted to give back, no matter where my life’s journey would take me.

Acting had proved to be a successful venture for me. However, life was about to change, because the high cost of living – coupled with the desire to settle in a more family-friendly environment after having my second daughter – led to our relocation to Florida.

Cheers… to “new beginnings” and yet another “fresh start!” Add to those two-word phrases the word “reinvention!!!” Can you relate, and does this sound familiar?

 The First Line of Cosmetics Introduced to the World of Fitness  

It was during this time that I entered the world of fitness, which would shortly become my next arena of success. What first started as a way to get fit and feel more confident soon developed into a career, which resulted in numerous modeling offers and the chance to compete on several national fitness stages. When I wasn't competing, I was busy promoting my skills as a makeup artist. More often than not, you could find me competing and working at the same event - with my two girls by my side. I also maintained a corporate 9 to 5 job to help support my family and fund my dreams. The networking and exposure at each fitness competition were invaluable, and while using my business acumen, I saw an opportunity to take my cosmetology skills and love of the stage even further. This was when I began to develop my own cosmetics line, Shades of Monet® cosmetics.

With my fan base growing, my cosmetics were now  being featured in fitness, fashion, travel, and lifestyle magazines. I was so excited because Shades of Monet® cosmetics had everything going for it: innovative formulas unlike anything else on the market, trendy palettes that worked both in the world of fitness, and fashion, and most importantly, the belief that my products would ultimately help women all over the world - all taking place before the rise and accessibility of social media.

Never Give Up #Justbelieve

Life was PERFECT, right?? Actually, not even close. I was now faced with a monumental challenge. A well-known retail giant wanted the rights to the name “Monet” for a cosmetics line of its own. I was devastated! My competitor had more money, more power, and more influence than my small startup, and a legal battle at this stage in the game was daunting, to say the least. I had just left a six-figure corporate job to devote my life to developing Shades of Monet®, and now everything was coming to a standstill. Even my lawyer advised me to give up.

Sorry, but not sorry; that’s just not in my DNA. So, I refused to give up the rights to my name without a battle. Who cares if I didn’t have a college degree or never attended law school! What I did have was a lot of grit and resources after working at LexisNexis®  for years to fight on my own without a legal council. So, after representing myself, in a four-year legal process against this Fortune 500 company, I finally won shortly after relocating to Atlanta, Georgia in 2008.

People would ask me all the time why would I spend over $100K in legal fees to fight for just a name. My response is always the same:

"The name was shaped around the shades of my own life and I have seen how the name and products have empowered and inspired many women like myself. I fought with all odds against me and with the help of a dear friend of mine that believed in my vision as much as I did. In the end, we delivered an amazing opposition, later gaining the legal rights to "Shades of Monet® ." Shades of Monet®  is about inspiration along with true faith."

So, cheers! Another “new beginning,” “fresh start” and “ reinvention.”

My journey was now leading me back into the  corporate world, but this time, in the beauty industry as an educator for REDKEN, a L’Oreal brand. This 5-year seasonal detour was even more interesting. You really have to read my book, Shear Destiny, to fully grasp this irony and the miracles that were unearthed throughout this road. But TRUST ME when I say, “Never judge a book by its cover.” I will share this, though: our move to Atlanta was involuntary. Like most people in our country in 2008, we were also grossly affected by the recession. Yes! We lost our dream home and my oldest full ride, college scholarship. As a family, we were over $500K in debt. Credit cards maxed out, we were behind in payments, and barely able to shoulder our living expenses…Clearly, bankruptcy was inevitable. In short, it was a nightmare from which both my husband and I desperately tried to awaken.

Progress Over Perfection™

One thing you should know is that you have the legal right to dispute erroneous and outdated information that could be affecting your purchasing power. Most people wait ten years for the statute of limitations to run out. Why wait? So I studied the law and got our lives back on track in less than 24 months, which is why I help others do the same now through the  Credit to Success  partnership.

A Goal Without A Plan Is Just A Wish ― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry 

Little did I know that this painful experience would only sharpen my skills and add tools to my toolbox that would later go on to help me build a purposeful dream – one that would allow me to co-create with the masses. Not only on a business level but also on a personal one. In less than 5 years, I would go on to accomplish the following:

Helping hundreds of business owners strategically launch or rebrand their businesses – starting from right where they were. Even on shoestring budgets, I can do it for you as well!

Repairing my personal and business credit, one negative infraction at a time. My partners can show you how to level up your credit literacy so you can fund your own dreams!

Built out and opened my own salon, ‘Monet & Company’ with $0.00 in build-out expenses ($10k in FREE labor). I love teaching entrepreneurs like yourself how to negotiate their dreams, oftentimes eliminating the thought of ever needing an investor after all.

Self-published my first book, Shear Destiny: 50 ways to Map out your Career and Win –I shared principles that will help in every aspect of your life, whether personal or business.

Launched my first online course the “IT Factor” master class, where I help entrepreneurs take their ideas from concept to launch.

A Fallen Soldier Leaves His Legacy 

2017 was supposed to be the year of growth, yet it was met with so much confusion. NO blueprint for what I was about to embark on as my out-of-state father became very ill. No wife and very few real friends surrounded him. It wasn't until later did I learn that he, in fact, had people around him taking advantage of him. Like most Veterans, he suffered from PTS amongst many other health matters. In the three years, I was taking care of my father from afar which ultimately took its toll on me emotionally, physically as well as financially. I eventually lost my dad. But now I was in for the fight of my life. This time I was crying and calling out for any blueprint possible. Now the financial burden is all on me and I had no idea where to begin. What does it cost to bury a loved one? Did he have insurance (yes, but not enough); Was the house paid for? (Yes, but years of back taxes); If so, what happens next? (Not what you would expect); What if the house is in the name of a corporation (like it was in my case), who do you call? How many attorneys would I need? For me, it required three in three different states.

This is where that entire experience with the fortune 500 company came into play. I had to research and learn so much overnight. It was after 24 months and $65K of my capital and after all the attorneys were paid that I realized that no one should ever have to go through what I went through. See, my father had every intention of doing the right thing. However, like most people, he lacked an understanding of his own insurance policies. He didn't know how to manage his debt. Unfortunately, while he thought he was leaving a legacy with some financial stability, he, instead, left me -$65K in debt, but with a new outlook on life and business.

The Co-Creation Agency™

So, as you can imagine, I once again started on the path of a “new beginning,” “fresh start” and “ reinvention.” I made sure I had my real estate license and insurance license ready to go. My vision was to help as many families as I possibly could with their real estate, insurance, investment, and lending needs. People thought the idea of me doing this virtually was a stretch. That was until 2020, the year of COVID-19 took the world by surprise. It was clear to me that God was preparing me all along for something even greater. The Co-Creation Agency was set to sail right before the outbreak. I can't tell you how this experience has affected me. The families we have been able to help and the homes we have saved. If this wasn't God’s work being done, I don't know what is. We're determined to change the inequality wealth gap and believe that everyone deserves a shot at financial freedom, and we plan on helping you get it so that you can actually live it!

This is the foundation that the Co-Creation Agency™ was built off of. Allowing us to partner with some of the most innovative like-minded businesses like SmartCredit and more coast to coast!

This is the place where relationships truly matter.