Meet Adrienne Martin: Small Business Advocate, Author and former Dance School owner.

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

Hi Adrienne, where are you from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I am from Jacksonville Florida born and raised as they say. I grew up in a home with both of my parents and I was the oldest with two siblings. My parents worked hard and was very dedicated to our family. My mother was employed as a librarian secretary in the Duval County Public School system for over 30 years and very active in her church and community. In our home we prayed every day and was taught to love each other always, respect each other for who they are and learn how to forgive those who hurt you and leave them alone lol. In my father early years he was a barber and later on a fork lift driver for many years at Anheusar Bush until his retirement. His mother was a beautician and ran her own Hair Salon for many years. So becoming a Entrepreneur I guess you can say was already in my blood. In my grandmother’s high school days she was a majorette along with my Aunt who was head majorette during her high school days. I followed in their footsteps and I was head majorette at the same high school my aunt attended 10 years later. My Aunt Angeletha Wilborn of Atlanta,Ga. taught me baton twirling  at a early age. Who knew years later after high school I would be the CEO of Adrienne’s Dance and Baton Company which was the first and oldest African American owned dance and baton twirling school in Jacksonville Florida. I was blessed to impact the lives of over 1,000 youth in our community over 22 years of being in business.. Now I’m here on a new level as CEO of the BEST BOSS GROUP USA -creating a platform which celebrates, encourage, unite and empowers Entrepreneurs .Some of the best business collaborations are being birthed as a result of our platform. Creating unity and bringing awareness of the value these businesses bring to every community is key for their success. I guess you can say I’m a small business advocate..

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am most proud of creating a platform that celebrate and unite a large number of African American Entrepreneurs in one setting. Each year at our BEST BOSS GALA of Jacksonville, Fl we recognize and honor over 80 small business owners in one night. To date, we have celebrated publicly the success of over 375 black owned businesses over the past 4 years. Alot of sacrifices are made by small business owners. Our annual gala not only celebrate their achievements but we encourage them to pray daily, hang on and push through when it gets rough. Celebrate the wins when it’s good and never entertain haters on your platform. Stay in your lane, DO YOU and give it 110% everyday. We are currently preparing for our BEST BOSS Gala Tour where we are celebrating the success of Entrepreneurs across the USA.Next stop Charlotte, NC in August 2021. I have a new mentoring group for high school graduates entering college or those who choose to start their own business-“Get It Girl”. I am also proud to be a board member for It’s A Girl Thing non profit founded by Crystal D. Life in Jacksonville, Florida,. I am also a member of Duval Black Women United founded by Kayla Mill and I am a Co-Author of the new released book “Women Who Pray”-Visionary for this project Carleeka B. Menendez.  I  recently launched our VIP BEST BOSS Discount Card where you can shop with black owned businesses across the USA along with our global partners such as Enterprise Car Rental, Choice Hotel Properties, Lowes, 1-800 Flowers, and AMC Theaters to name a few and receive discounts on your purchases and eligible for cash awards just for supporting black owned businesses. For more information to become a participating partner or to sign up and get your VIP Card- visit www.bestbosscard.com

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh wow, we have so much to choose from. For the best experience during your stay we must leave all the driving to Larry Gilmore of Luxury Transportation- the three time award winning Transportation Co. in Jacksonville. We would have to start at the Beach! I love the beach! Jacksonville and surrounding areas in Florida have some of the best beaches especially Miami. Shopping is always on deck. Visit the award winning boutiques Simply Kesay Boutique, The Classic Maven Boutique, First Lady Fashions, Kayla Mill Boutique, Josephine’s Haute Couture and Pretty Pieces to name a few of the BEST in Jacksonville. One of the best award winning live entertainment restaurants is Jazzy’s. If you love soul food check out Soul Food Bistro and Celestia’s Cuisine. For Seafood check out Urban Eats Bistro , Cartels Kitchen Seafood and Juicy Crab. If Chicken Wings your thing BAWK BAWK Food truck voted the BEST. For lunch you must try Mr. Potato Spread Crab Pot Potato- DELICIOUS, along with Foxy Lady Cafe. For the Night life check out Gene Dot and Beannie Damaestro on Tuesday nights at Whispers Nightclub for R&B Bingo. Don’t forget the Onyx Nighclub as well on the weekends. Have a drink on the roof top of Cowford Chophouse which is one of the historic buildings in Jacksonville. While visiting if you need  a energy drink check out Springfield Nutrition. Need something sweet check out The Cake Shop of San Jose, Honie Bees and Springfield Scoops. Need a  massage, one of my favorites is One Ocean Resort & Spa. A great place to take a walk is the Riverfront boardwalk downtown Jacksonville which stretches from River City Brewery to the School board building. Of course for the kiddos Disney World in Orlando is a must.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Of course my parents Ted & Gladys Martin who are deceased.I miss them dearly. My loving lil sister Thea Martin-Ward, my one and only daughter Cordelia Latoya King who is my biggest supporter and all the BEST BOSS Nominees and Winners over the past four years. My BFF from high school Angela Robinson-Whitehurst AKA- Veronica Harrington from Tyler Perry’s -The Haves and Have Not’s. Every business move I’ve made I discussed with Angela first. She would always ENCOURAGE me and give me honest feedback and advice. When I wanted to throw in the towel privately, she would  encourage me to hang on and carry on. I love her for that. My close friends that are always there to help me and keep me encouraged-they know who they are my Friendsis MS,VS, TT,JD, KC, CR,HN and VH😊😊😊🧡 THANK YOU.

Website: www.bestbossgroupusa.com,
www.bestbosscard.com

Image Credits:
Theodora Martin Ward