The ‘Ladybrille Woman of the Week’ is a feature on Ladybrille that celebrates women who empower themselves and others, through their contributions and actions, in their local and international communities. These women are intelligent, courageous, confident, and innovative. They strive for balance in their personal lives (whether emotionally, mentally, and spiritually), are persistent, and when they fall, they get right back up. These women honor and stand in their truths. They are business and community leaders, visionaries, and game changers. They are our sisters, aunties, mothers, friends and so much more. They are “Ladybrille” (brilliant) women.
If you are a woman or know of a woman who should be celebrated as a ‘Ladybrille Woman of the Week,’ please feel free to email ([email protected]).
We kick off January 2014 by celebrating the inspiring QUEENKAY who is an author, Life Coach and Entrepreneur based in Oakland, California.
“QueenKay is a mother of two young boys, Chika and Lota. She moved to the United States from Nigeria when she was 18-years-old. After living in the Washington, DC area for a few years, she relocated to Los Angeles, California. Her desire to realize her creative passions led her to Hollywood. However, she soon found herself taking a detour to follow her heart’s pathway. She found love and got married but her real-life, fairytale romance ended tragically. Ironically, though, the end of her romance heralded the beginning of her reconstruction and transformation; the very catalyst of her autobiography. Queenkay is an entrepreneur, writer, enthusiast, and an optimist.”
LADYBRILLE:What do you do professionally and what have some of your accomplishments been to date?
QUEENKAY: I am the Owner of a specialty food store in downtown Oakland, CA. The store is called Man Must Wak (eat)- The African Caribbean Food Market, Inc. www.manmustwak.com I am also a published author of 3 books one a personal memoir titled, The Reconstruction and Transformation of Queenkay and the other 2 books, I collaborated with several women on an inspirational series. I am also a professional certified life and business coach. Using my experiences to help others discover who they are and using their gifts and talents to make the best of their lives and businesses. www.queenkay.com
LADYBRILLE: What drives you to make a difference the way you currently are?
QUEENKAY: I have always believed that life is too short and an incredible roller coaster journey where you have to be present to ride the wave. Growing up, I was surrounded by inspiring and amazing people especially my mother. I have had a few life experiences that made the drive even more intense.
LADYBRILLE: In your role as a woman business owner, what are the three common mindsets you find hinders women business owners, especially small business owners, from success?
QUEENKAY: The 3 major mindsets that I find that hinders women business owners are:
- Fear- Fear that they cannot make it. Feeling that it’s a man’s world and that they can only grow to a certain extent or giving up without really trying.
- Lack of vision: Many women want to be business owners but they lack vision. Being able to fully visualize the business and believing that it can have unlimited potential because most of the time, they do not have role models who have gone before them.
- Not being connected to other business owners, especially women business owners can be a major hinderance. It is important to maintain relationships so that one is the know of what is going on in the business world especially the way some information can positively impact women. We cannot be an island and expect to grow.
LADYBRILLE: What part of you are you yet to say “yes” to?
QUEENKAY: I think I have said YES to every part of me. What may be the case is that everything I am about has not manifested yet. I feel very strongly that I am well on my way.
LADYBRILLE: Health is so important but often many brilliant women simply neglect self because they are always so busy serving others. How are you taking care of your health?
QUEENKAY: I believe as women, particularly African Women, we need to be sharing information to help each other grow. I believe everyone is born with unique gifts and talents and no one is exactly like the other, so by being open with each other, we give ourselves the opportunity to enhance ourselves and we grow individually and collectively.
LADYBRILLE: What is it you hope, when you look back on your life, you never regret not doing or being?
QUEENKAY: When I look back on my life, I don’t want to ever regret not living my dreams and living a legacy for my children. I don’t want to look back and feel that precious time was wasted doing things that did not add value to my life and those around me. It is important to recognize that time flies and before you know it, we are either too old to live our dreams or to ill or even dead. I don’t want to live a life of regrets.
LADYBRILLE: How do you define yourself, the Ladybrille (brilliant) woman?
QUEENKAY: I define myself as a work in progress. I am equipped with everything I need to make this life the one of my dreams. I work hard and I love people. I am passionate about what I do and I love life and I want to be the best version of myself I can be.
LADYBRILLE: What is the most important advice you can give a fellow young woman reading this who is inspired by your accomplishments and what you stand for?
QUEENKAY: I would say to this young lady, to be strong and courageous, to face her fears even if she is standing alone. To believe in God and in herself and to never ever give up and to work hard and stay focused. Life is a journey, stay on the course and you will get to your destination. Somethings may take you of course, you may even be derailed but your cup will never pass you. Just believe and work towards the goal.
Photocredit: Nana Kofi Nti/510Media.com
A running feature for 12 years on Ladybrille.com, The ‘Ladybrille Woman of the Month’ celebrates women in business and leadership, who empower themselves and others through their contributions and actions in their local and international communities. In 2014, the feature expanded to include a podcast show. If you would like to nominate a woman to be celebrated, please email [email protected].
[…] Like many of my friends, I am in the habit of telling everyone how busy I am all the time. However, there are some hard working ladies out there who take busy to another level and Queen Kay is one of them. Queen Kay is an author, life coach, entrepreneur and mother of two who migrated to the USA from Nigeria at the age of 18. Impressed yet? Read about Queen Kay’s inspiring story, her specialty food store, and how she holds it all togethe…. […]