Today we’d like to introduce you to Crystal Pellom, Sheri Shaw and Dr. Constance Foreman.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
The co-founders of Three Ladies in Wilmington (3LW) are transplants into Wilmington, NC, committed to creating a local space for Black professionals. The idea for 3LW began with our challenges when trying to connect to other professionals with similar interests. Therefore we decided to offer opportunities to create spaces that were socially built around meaningful intentions and connections. We felt that through these significant relationships formed, the results would be in the areas of belonging and community. When we think about how to build communities, it starts with connections. We want to assist with attracting and retaining black professionals in Wilmington and SENC.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Building a new brand really involves partnership and collaboration that aligns with your purpose…so we had to find our niche! We had to get bold on what was important for the brand of 3LW and made sure not to move too fast or outside our designated mission and parameters. It has worked for us…we have received a strong following on our Instagram page and typically 75% of those who register to attend the event.
All events during first 2 years were free entry. As we move into year 3 and our reach has grown, we are now in the space where we need to pay for security, entertainment, and the venue. We are prepared to see a challenge around moving toward paid events. We will have to be extra careful and transparent around planning, marketing, and execution. We feel to overcome this challenge we will have to be intentional with community collaborations in the form of partnering with local businesses to continue to offer our audience new and meaningful experiences. We will also have to explore new and fresh options of expanding and outreaching to our target audience.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Each one of the co-founders has a full-time position in the area as well as a small business that they have launched in addition to 3LW. Below are details of our small businesses:
Crystal Pellom is a licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor who specializes in infant toddler mental health. She is the National Training Manager of Child First. When she is not training, she is working diligently to support minority mental health professions. In 2020, she founded MMHP, which stands for Minority Mental Health Professionals, to help bring about a sense of community for minorities who are facilitating mental health treatment or education by offering multiple opportunities for community engagement, learning, and networking.
Dr. Constance Foreman launched Beyond Clinical Walls Wellness, with the vision to make the idea of wellness approachable and attainable for all walks of life by providing workshops and unique social environments that are health-forward.
www.beyondclinicwallswellness.com
@beyondclinicwallswellness on FB and IG
Sheri Shaw launched Black Woman Working, LLC in 2019. Black Woman Working (BWW) is a platform that informs, connects, and protects the spirit, honor, and vulnerability of black women as they work on and through life’s adversities and possibilities while sharing their stories, growth, and accomplishments. BWW hosts collaborative events and has a nationally syndicated podcast. All details can be found on www.sherinicole.co, the location for Black Women Working as well as professional coaching and public speaking requests.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
As a professional, collaborator, and small business owner, I think we have all learned that there is space for everyone. Even if there are several makeup businesses, Rihanna launched Fenty. It is okay to create a space in a saturated market, no one has ever executed your dream before. But as you dream, understand failure, and pivoting are all a part of the process.
Additionally, make sure you have the critics and the champions in your circle as you build…you need both to help drive you toward success and to provide clarity around concept mapping.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @three_ladies_in_wilmington
