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

Hi Quiana, other than deciding to work for yourself, what else do you think played a pivotal role in your story?
It’s important to find your tribe. I’ve submerged myself in the startup space in Atlanta and virtually on the west coast. It’s equally important to network across the ecosystem as it is to network vertically. Running a startup requires flexibility, agility, and the ability to understand when and how to pivot. As of March 2020, barazzo® shifted gears, and we’re now developing smart retail technology to create a seamless, cashless, limited contact shopping experience. As a result, barazzo® has moved on to the SBIR.gov proposal phase!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m an entrepreneur, strategic marketer, brand builder, and former Marketing AVP with over fifteen years 
of combined experience working for fortune 500 corporate companies, small businesses, and start-up organizations. During my first business venture, I garnered six-figure complimentary product placement and media coverage in the ESPY’s, Trumpet Awards, Grammy Gifting Suites, The Kentucky Derby, Atlanta and Company, Essence, and Ebony Magazine, the official Tyra Banks website, and featured in the Steve Harvey Strayer Success Summit national commercial. I’ve earned a BFA in Communication Design, and an MBA in Marketing with combined experience from the University of Georgia, Georgia State, and Savannah College of Art. I’ve also earned a certificate in Entrepreneurship from Cornell University. As an Executive Marketing Consultant, Ureeka Small Business Coach, and former EIR (Entrepreneur In Residence), I’m an avid fan of helping build, grow, and scale underrepresented businesses.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Now more than ever, black and brown businesses are rising, and I’m excited to continue to support other black businesses. I’d take my best on a black restaurant tour for sure! We’d hit the following spots: Breakfast at Barneys Le Petit Marche Atlanta Breakfast Club The Slutty Vegan Slim & Husky’s Local Green Atlanta The Smokehouse @Triston Yards Twisted Soul Cookhouse Negril ATL Chef Rob’s Caribbean Cafe Old Lady Gang Just Add Honey Popbar Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Throw your hands in the air and wave them like you just don’t care! I would like to thank my team – Barbara Jones, Jae Park, Tony Hoang, DeAnna McIntosh, Deidra Johnson, and best friend Steven Robinson. I’d also like to thank Christie and William Blackwell, Denise and Mark Huewitt, Jay Carter, Shondrea “Bangladesh” Crawford, SMASH Rising, the RCIE and the Ureeka community, the UGA Small Business Development Center at Georgia State University, Google for Startups, classmates, Alumni, and teachers of TCHS, and Sorors of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority Inc. and the men of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. for their continued support.

Website: www.barazzo.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barazzobags

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/barazzo-bags

Twitter: https://twitter.com/barazzobags

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barazzobags

Image Credits
Pexels and the photographer are in the doc names of the first -third image **Please crop one of the images of me with the purple hair – hopefully the resolution is high enough.**

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