Ebony Lynette Minner

I attribute my success first and foremost to my faith. Without God, none of this would have been possible. My faith has carried me through the moments when I questioned myself and reminded me to keep moving forward.

I also attribute my success to my family and friends. During the times when I wanted to give up because I wasn’t sure I could do it, they believed in me, encouraged me, and simply would not let me quit.

And last, but certainly not least, I have to acknowledge my Testing Panel. Their willingness to test my products, provide honest feedback, and support my vision has played an important role in helping me grow and improve.

My success has truly been built on faith, perseverance, the love and encouragement of the people around me, and those who believed in what I was creating—even during the moments when I struggled to believe in myself.

One of the best pieces of career advice I’ve received was to learn how to delegate and, just as importantly, how to communicate my vision clearly. I’ve learned that I don’t have to do everything myself, but I do need to make sure the people working with me understand my goals, my expectations, and the direction I want to go.

Delegating has taught me the importance of trusting others while still being intentional about communicating what I want to accomplish. When everyone understands the vision and the goal, we can work together more effectively to bring it to life.

The advice I would give to young women entering this industry is to seek out someone who can serve as a mentor. Find someone who has experience, who is willing to share what they’ve learned, and who can offer guidance and support along the way.

I’ve learned so much by teaching myself, doing my own research, asking questions, and figuring things out as I go. I’m proud of that journey because it has taught me to be resourceful and persistent. But there have also been times when I wished I had someone in the industry I could simply call and say, “I need some help with this,” or “Am I going in the right direction?”

There is nothing wrong with learning on your own, but you don’t have to figure out everything by yourself. Find a mentor, build relationships, ask questions, and be open to learning. And as you grow, remember to reach back and become that person for another young woman coming behind you.

One of my biggest challenges right now is the financial aspect of building and growing a business while also working a full-time job and going to school. Balancing all three requires a lot of discipline, sacrifice, time management, and sometimes simply reminding myself why I started.

At the same time, I see one of my biggest opportunities in knowing that I have something different to offer this industry. I’m not interested in simply creating what everyone else is creating. I want my products, my brand, and the experience I provide to have meaning and purpose behind them.

The challenge is having the resources and time to bring the full vision to life, but the opportunity is knowing that the vision is worth pursuing. I believe what makes me different is also what will create space for me in this industry.

The values that are most important to me begin with keeping God first, love, and family. My faith is the foundation of who I am, and love and family give me the strength and motivation to keep moving forward.

I also believe in staying true to myself and treating myself and others with honor, love, and respect. Most importantly, I want to leave a Legacy for my daughter and my two grandbabies—something they can be proud of, build upon, and continue for generations to come.