Meet Natasha Baptiste | CEO of Beguiling Phenix

We had the good fortune of connecting with Natasha Baptiste and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Natasha, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I was born in Antigua, West Indies, but raised by my adoptive parents in Plantation, FL. I was raised by West Indian parents, who were deeply rooted in the Seventh Day Adventist Church. There was always that expectation and push for me to be successful, so the pressure was always on. Lol. I’m sure my parents questioned if I was picking up anything they were trying to teach me. While I was younger I definitely fought against this but as I became an adult and matured, those embedded values and biology helped me through the toughest times in my life. I was determined to make my own way and become successful. I can definitely say that nature and nurture contributed to who I am today.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Beguiling Phenix started out as a simple idea that grew different “appendages”. My initial plan was to create a business that would honor my oldest Son’s memory while helping women and children in abusive environments rebuild their lives, but I realized that I needed to take smaller steps to reach my final goal. I began with earning my MBA, then my Psychology degree. One part of my goal was to encourage wellness & wellbeing in women. I thought about my personal experiences and being able to come back stronger than ever, while not letting life win regardless of what it throws at me. Greek mythology mentions the phoenix, and I felt it was a perfect representation of what I wanted my organization to become.

As women, we often focus on our significant others, children, our careers, while neglecting ourselves. We forget how powerful and multifaceted we are. I believe that we judge ourselves too harshly, and try to live up to someone else’s standards of who we should be, as well as industry beauty standards. This can become taxing to our mental and physical health. I began with creating the first business (Beguiling Phenix Photography), where the goal was redefining beauty into a more personal definition by helping everyone who stood in front of my camera feel beautiful and/or sexy. The next step was creating my second business (Beguiling Phenix Boutique), which focuses on creating spaces that speaks to different aspects of our lives & personalities. I then created Phenixology, which focuses on self-care and wellness, a reminder to stop and smell the roses.

Beguiling Phenix is not just a business, it is a lifestyle. Our organization will be instrumental with creating jobs and opportunities, while empowering and rebuilding lives of the women and children who are/were in abusive situations. While the journey is slower that I hoped for and challenges arise, I am excited with what the future holds for Beguiling Phenix.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
That is a very good question. lol. I have to admit that a relaxing dinner and a good drink always excites me. The two places that I know they will love to visit in town is Kyoto’s and Longhorn. My girls and I are not that into the club scene anymore, but we love a good resort. I recommend Chateau Elan Winery & Resort located in Braselton, GA. You will get the good food, the drinks, the pampering and the relaxation. I am never disappointed when I have the opportunity to go there, and I always leave with a lot of wine. lol.

There are a few places in Atlanta such as the Upside Down House, Rage Room, the escape rooms, Botanical Gardens, and some others that will be fun to visit.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I definitely would not be here if I did not have the love & support of:

My Sister/Cousin’s Dessie & Dorria Francis
My best friends Anita Odaiyar, Suzette Miller & Vickie Johnson
Malika Alston, my Battle from my days in the Military
Dawn James, my Sister-in-law

These are definitely my rocks, and I can honestly say that I would not have made it without them. They saved me and kept me pushing. I want the world to know how much I love them and appreciate them.

Website: https://www.bphxco.org/

Instagram: @bphxco

Twitter: @BPhxLLC

Facebook: @BPHXORG

Image Credits
Jordan JeanBaptiste