Meet Jason Riggins

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Ms. Selma White is from Elizabeth City, NC. She is a Mother, Grandmother, retired Army Sergeant, Owner of Stella’s Convenience Store, and a seasoned Real Estate Investor. Ms. White aspired to be a businesswoman early in life as she saw it as an opportunity to assist and invest in her local community. She knew the importance of business ownership, particularly, as it relates to inspiring others. 

Her twenty years of military training equipped her with the leadership tools needed to become a successful business owner and operator. An amazing story of hers is being the only female in her battalion while on active duty in the 70s. She's broken many barriers in life, but this experience ranks at the top as it was one of the first that taught her how to be resilient...paving the way for her entrepreneurial spirit.  

Even though running a community convenience store (Stella’s) over the last twenty five (25) years or so has its challenges, she wouldn’t change it for the world. It is a staple of the community offering some of the best soul food in North Carolina. It also allows her to commune with a wealth of people on varying levels. Someday, she plans to devote more time and effort into her real estate investing business. The additional freedom it offers will ultimately help to enhance her life even more as well as the lives of others.    

Ms. White believes God must be at the forefront of everything to be successful. Family closely follows, believing in self, and going out and doing “YOU” are extremely important as well. This support system and way of thinking fuels her desire to help push various social issues that will ultimately show respect and love for country. Initiating or joining a platform that facilitates this would be ideal. Hats off to this accomplished businesswoman and highly decorated Army Veteran. 

Copyright ©️ 2021 

Michael “Big Mike” McDonald is from Mobile, AL and now lives in Atlanta, GA with his lovely wife, Amber. He usually kicks his day off engaging in discussions with his wife over a robust cup of coffee. An Air Force veteran, standing over 6’5, Big Mike is an opposing figure by many. However, his seemingly menacing size isn’t what keeps your attention once you get beyond his shadow. One of Big Mike’s God-given talents is his relatability. He has a natural ability to engage with anyone on a multitude of topics which bodes well with how he spends a lot of his time.  

He is currently a respected podcaster and budding entrepreneur. You may have heard of his podcast, “The Big Mike Drop”, if you haven’t, you really need to check it out! For the most part, it’s a social activism podcast he created in 2019. Its mission is to be the number one source of honest, fair, and reliable commentary on the issues that face the Black community today. His love for history and social studies, equips him quite well for tackling the tough societal issues of today during his shows. He's already a force to be reckoned with and recently completed his bachelor's degree in sociology, 'WATCH OUT"! Big Mike also owns and operates The Hang Ups Boutique with his wife. Check out the latest apparel as you t this next-level shopping experience.

Big Mike has traveled to Jamaica, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Sicily, Ireland, England, and to over twenty states. He enjoys shooting guns, recording his very own raps, listening to podcasts, reading, and helping to nurture his son, Che. Lastly, he relishes quality time with his Mom, along with the rest of the family, but his greatest motivation comes from his beloved late Grandmother. 

Copyright ©️ 2021

Kristle Jones grew up just south of Augusta, GA, in Waynesboro, the county seat of Burke County. Kristle has accomplished so much in life, considering her humble beginnings. Doing a lot with a little, amid family and good friends, is what many folks in this part of Georgia experience…a reason why it is such a close-knit community. 

Kristle was a top-notch student-athlete in high school and enrolled in college upon graduating. She excelled, but soon found herself not focusing on her studies. She decided to enter the workforce and prospered, due to her exemplary work ethic. Several years later she returned to college where she earned an Associates of Arts and Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement Administration. Aside from having and raising her beautiful daughter, Keira, she says completing her college degree is one of her greatest accomplishments. 

Another noteworthy accomplishment is becoming a successful entrepreneur. In 2020 she launched Sunflower Inspiration & Co. Visit on Facebook and on Instagram at @sunflowerinspirationco. She stated, “It was actually a hobby of mine that turned into a business venture with me making all sorts of crafts. Charm bracelets, beaded bracelets, hand soaps, body butter, foot scrubs etc.” Kristle’s life goal is to ultimately work for herself. It appears she is well on her way given the experience, knowledge, skills, and other abilities she’s amassed over the years. 

For the last six years or so, Kristle has worked as a Client Services Professional for a major human resources management software and services provider. She is a woman of tremendous faith that she nurtures on the daily. Taking long walks, meditating, and listening to various music are some of the things she does for motivation and inspiration. Kristle enjoys frequent conversations with her mom, family gatherings, making her crafts, traveling, and exploring new foods. 

Copyright ©️ 2020 by "Chris Jones".

Brianna Roberson has experienced living in several midwestern cities throughout the state of Iowa and the Kansas City, MO area. However, after being away from family amid the pandemic, she decided to move back to her beloved hometown of Waynesboro, Ga. The move worked wonders as it relates to her mental health and comfort level. In fact, Brianna was motivated to open a coffee shop in Waynesboro by the name of “SoulBean CoffeeHouse”. She says, “Opening a coffee shop was a passion project of mine, as I wanted to create a serene environment for friendly meet-ups, host informative events for the community, and provide an atmosphere to read, study, or meditate.” It seems all of this is steadily coming to fruition and some!  

To help keep her grounded, Brianna keeps a collection of strategically separated sticky notes…in piles labeled good and bad. On the seemingly bad days, she scoops a sticky note from the “good day” pile to be reminded brighter days are coming. Even though she feels the organization of her notes are chaotic, God leads her to the right message(s) to pump her up for that day. She also picks a sticky note from the “bad day” pile on the days she deem “good”, to ensure she is humbled and reminded that everything she works for is for a greater purpose. Inspirational messages are incorporated in her journaling of the good and bad as well. Perhaps, Brianna’s greatest motivation stems from her family. They supported her through the single most difficult time in her life…quitting her job during the height of the pandemic and founding her coffee shop. Still, they spend countless hours volunteering to help her further her dream. She genuinely believes she would have given up in “month three” if it were not for her family’s unwavering support. Hence, another reason Brianna will be forever grateful for their love. 

She has traveled to many countries but is starting to focus on traveling to less-traveled states throughout the U.S. The most beautiful place she has traveled to so far was South Africa. She enjoyed everything about the country and would probably jump at the opportunity to live there! However, the venture she enjoyed most was a week-long road trip around Washington state. Brianna stated, “A good road trip is the most ideal scenario as it does not give the sense of being tied to a certain destination…just driving along to experience what multiple cities have to offer.” She plans to recreate this experience in another state, but for a much longer period.  

In the Spring of 2015, Brianna received her Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from Augusta State University. She also earned a Masters in Accountancy from St. Ambrose University in the Fall of 2017. Even though she had no formal entrepreneurial training, her vision and drive in owning a coffee shop constantly equips her with a wealth of knowledge to effectively run her business while passing along lasting “nuggets of flavor” to her family. Brianna believes her love for a good latte may have played a vital role in her entrepreneurial vision as well. She is the latest example of what pursuing your dreams look like! 

Written by Chris Jones Copyright ©️ 2021 

Arleeta Outlaw was reared in Burke County, Georgia and currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia. She is a Georgia Certified Educator with over twenty (20) years of public-school teaching. She has played several different roles in education (e.g., Mentor Teacher, Master Teacher training College students, Grade Level Leader (4 years), Hiring Team, Club Sponsor, School Council (2 years), etc.). Her performance in these roles earned her “Teacher of the Month” and a slew of other prominent accolades. 

https://bellame.com/lipstickinc.Facebook and Instagram at "eagleacademics". It offers individualized enrichment and remedial tutoring sessions for elementary, middle, and high school students, online via ZOOM, for the convenience of families. Preparation for the SAT is also available as well as best educational practices for parents to equip them with the tools needed to effectively assist their kids while at home. She is also the sole proprietor of a wellness business which she has run for over five years, Lipstick Inc. Products and other information can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at Lipstick Inc as well as https://bellame.com/lipstickinc . 

Arleeta is always on the go, but her daily motivation derives from her four children and her relationship with God. She wakes each day with a grateful heart and a desire to be a blessing to someone. She starts with a prayer, listens to a sermon, drinks her herbal tea while listening to Gospel music. She enjoys spending as much time as possible with her children due to the amazingly close bond they share! She loves to cook, and recently, developed a love for painting and gardening. In addition, she loves reading and journaling, inasmuch, she aspires to add the title of Author to her list of titles. She also desires to complete her doctoral studies in Education.

She has traveled to Jamaica on a mission which afforded her the opportunity to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to Middle School students. The summer of 2019, she and her children were blessed to travel to Alaska on another grand mission. Their travels have taken them to and through multiple states. Arleeta has earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Augusta State University, a Master of Education in Instructional Technology from Troy State University, as well as an Educational Specialist in Reading from Nova Southeastern University. 

Copyright ©️ 2020 "Chris Jones"

Penelope Abrams often refers to herself as a “Carolina Peach Twist”. It is safe to assume this is a play on her birth state, South Carolina, and the one she has resided in for over two decades, Georgia. Her time in the metro Atlanta area has presented her with a plethora of opportunities. Perhaps, one of the most recent ones is related to its vibrant real estate scene. She has always had a passion for interior design, new home tours, and browsing beautiful communities. Atlanta’s market gradually sparked her interest which ultimately led to becoming a Real Estate Agent. Penelope states, “The fulfillment of making people happy by assisting them with one of the largest investments they will ever make deepen my passion even more. Each time I am blessed with the opportunity to assist my clients with purchasing or selling a home is memorable for me.” She enjoys the look in their eyes, and the smiles on their faces at the conclusion of the closing…it is unforgettable, pleasurable, and priceless! 

Penelope prides herself in ensuring her customers are as informed as possible. In fact, she has some wholesome tips when it comes to how prospective homebuyers can posture themselves. “It makes good business sense to first save as much as you can”, says Penelope. Money on hand is key not only for associated costs prior to closing, but having it for various expenses after moving in. She goes on to stress how this helps to create a disciplined mindset when it comes to your overall spending tendencies. Of course, advanced awareness of your credit report portfolio is paramount! Besides, assets versus liabilities are critical determining factors as they influence the loan approval process of home buying. 

She shares the following ways to boost the value of your home. A number of people opt to upgrade their kitchens, update their bathrooms and recreational space(s), as well as expand their outdoor living areas. Those considering to sale their home, should first consider decluttering as needed. There’s nothing quite like walking through a resale and feeling confined…can make the home feel small, too. This, along with making minor cosmetic repairs will seemingly make the home more move-in ready. It's also amazing how a fresh coat of neutral-colored paint can make a world of difference to a room! Overall, many buyers tend to be drawn to resale homes that do not require major projects upon moving in. 

Lastly, finding an agent who is personable and exudes the utmost level of professionalism is key, according to Penelope. “Most of us can discern if the agent has our best interest in the home buying/selling process. The worst feeling in the world is being just another number to your agent”, Penelope proclaims. There are a slew of reputable agents out there to enter into your vetting portal. You can start by visiting @penelopetherealtor on Instagram, and reaching out by email at soldbyPenelope@gmail.com, or phone at (404) 844-7686. Happy buying or selling! 

*All original work attributed to “Chris Jones” ©️ 2021 "Chris Jones"