Meet Authoress Charmayne Bradberry: CEO/Purposeprenuer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Authoress Charmayne Bradberry and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Authoress Charmayne, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Growing up a little girl back home in Chicago was eye opening. I always dreamed of becoming a nurse and owning a restaurant. For decades I talked about this restaurant that God revealed to me I would have one day. God showed me some things and I stepped out on faith. I relocated to Atlanta summer of 2009 with high expectations. Honestly and this may sound cliche it was simple I dreamed I could do it, I believed that I could do all things through Christ and by His grace “I did it!” Lastly know what you want, due your due diligence, perfect your craft, network and put in that hard work it won’t be in vain.

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.
In a nutshell, I consider my work to be “purpose work”. Through my obedience to God, I am running in my purpose and absolutely EVERYTHING I do is centered around it; hence my title “Purposeprenuer”. Because God has allowed me to be passionate about multiple things, my businesses represent all He has called me to do.

Betty Nicoles Bistro: I opened Betty Nicoles Bistro, a Chicgo style eatery, dedicated in the memory of my grandmother, “Betty” Ann Scott, and Eredell “Nicole” Small, my youngest sister, back in 2017 in Jonesboro GA. I decided to take business in a new direction, however, and closed my brick and mortar and went mobile in 2019. In 2020, and in the midst of a global pandemic, I launched my line of healthy spices and herbs, which contain no salt or msg. We must monitor our salt intake and what we put into our bodies. Betty Nicole’s Flavour Blendz are available in three flavors, 9 Herb, JAP Out Taco, and Bo Bo’s Seafood available on BN Facebook, and Amazon coming soon.

Authoress, Charmayne Bradberry: During my downtime, I wrote and self-published 4 books. My personal memoir written to encourage the broken and hurt, Hunny Wash Your Face, is about overcoming your past to walk in your purpose, Des & Deo So Cool Learning Activities are two children activity books co-written by my children Destinee and Deonco. These books were designed with stem learning methods, allowing children to engage and have fun learning. Lastly, my cookbook, From Chi Town To Your Town, introduces easy Chicago inspired recipes for at home cooking and fun.

Motivator: Because I’m a natural motivator and believe we are supposed to be our sisters/brothers keepers, I motivate speakers and started a grief blog entitled Encouraging Grieving Optimists (E.G.O.). The purpose is to encourage others who may be stricken with grief to continue to walk in their purpose and carry out their goals and dreams.   Bradberry Apparel & Resources:  My husband and I provide resources and referrals to others seeking various assistance and encourage them to walk in their purpose and accomplish their dreams and goals. Coming, Summer 2021, we will be proudly launching Bradberry Apparel. I’ve created and designed a unique line of clothing which encourages others to support their own brands and start their own movements with bold statements.   Finally, on January 2, 2021 Des So Cool, LLC was established for my seven year older daughter. The purpose was simply to encourage credit and create generational wealth. Although I am CFO the CEO is Destinee’ Price-Bradberry, my smart girl “Kidprenuer” who has aspirations to be just like her Mom.

Through all of my businesses, we provide community resources and support continuously. We feed the hungry, spearhead back to school drives, and much more. No doubt, I got to where I am today simply put by the grace of God and my determination to never give up, in addition to the support from my family and friends of course. I never accepted no! I kept at it! I have a vision and I am serious about seeing it come to pass.  Throughout the years, I’ve learned that everyone will not see your vision and that’s ok. I’ve also learned that in order to be successful you must put in the work, accepting the wins and losses. This is all part of perfecting and mastering your craft.   If I could offer any advice collaboration is MUCH more beneficial than competition. Seek like-minded individuals to connect and execute. Also, pouring into others along your journey will enrich yours. There are endless opportunities to take advantage of, so take risks, get “un”comfortable, surround yourself among others who are successful, Seek mentorship! Stop waiting on this or that; JUST do it, JUMP! Jump out on faith and stay encouraged along your journey. Please understand, everyone you think is coming along, isn’t because it is YOUR journey.   Finally remember it’s never too late. Being a high school dropout and teen Mom, it was decades before I returned to school. Through many loss and hard work I graduated grad school with a Masters in Business Management. I’ve also learned obstacles sometimes are designed to strengthen you and prepare you for what’s next in life, embrace the strokes being confident that the sun will shine again. Understand that sometimes complete strangers will support your business and efforts sometimes quicker the ones you expect to know that it is perfectly ok. Broaden your horizons, your business may not be designed to be a small town business. Think big! Like REALLY Big and consider conducting your business worldwide, globally.  I want people to know that my brand is authentic, has substance and is purpose driven. I believe in my brand and each of my companies. They are designed to help others discover their purpose and authentically live in it! My brand is designed to encourage and help change the world where we uplift, encourage, support and empower others.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
When my friends visit Atlanta my itinerary is an all-out fun effort to show off my new found city. We are foodies and love to eat. With a Thursday arrival, we will kick off the festivities with brunch at R. Thomas Deluxe Grill. I absolutely love this place and the food is amazing. I knew it was something different about this place, but never would’ve guessed it was a vegan spot. So I’d want to see their reactions. To burn off a few calories, we will definitely tour the King Historic District and end with a celebratory toast and dinner at the Sun Dial to overlook beautiful city.  Friday we will visit the Georgia Aquarium to check out all the dope animals and exhibits and to stroke our hip hop nature, I will take them to the Trap Museum and a walk down Peters Street. Lunch will consist of amazing seafood and cocktails at Spondivits and dinner at Ray’s On the River. Saturday, we will picnic at Centennial Olympic Park. And while in the area we will visit the CNN Center Studio Tour, the State Farm Arena and the  World of Coca-Cola. We will end the day on the SkyView Atlanta to see the city at night. Sunday we will tour Tyler Perry Studios, the Mercedes Benz Stadium and dine at Marietta Diner. Our final day will include a trip to Savannah and Tybee Island Beach.  The most interesting things about Atlanta to me is their rich culture of successful African Americans, it’s motivating seeing people of color in powerful positions and corporations. Atlanta has so much to offer, their endless opportunities for entrepreneurs. The cost of living here is feasible, the city is rich in technology and recently been referred to as the new “Hollywood of the South” not to mention Georgia is home to ten HBCU’s, now that’s inspiring. The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Absolutely, there’s so many people I would like to thank! So thanks to all my customers and supporters. First and foremost, I must acknowledge and thank God, without Him none of this would be possible.

Next, I must acknowledge my POWERHOUSE Collaborators: A dynamic writer and beast of an editor, the infamous Juva Threat Alexander, the legendary CEO of B’Mari Events & Arts Studio Jonesboro GA, Tammary Scott, one of the best fashion designers in the game, Davina Eaton CEO of H.O.F.F.A Designz, and coming out of Chicago are my ships Catherine Thompson-Williams CEO of Xtra Special Gifts and Felicia M. Streeter author and CEO of More Than a Mentor; both were instrumental in providing event planning, support, and effectively hosting my phenomenal book signing hosted in my hometown.

I could not have accomplished all that I have without my partner and husband, Migale Bradberry’s unconditional support, love, and encouragement, and of course my Chicagoland family and friends who tirelessly support from many miles away.

I cannot do a shoutout without acknowledging my babies! My children Christopher 26, Precious 25, Kejuan 23, Roy 19, Deonco 10, and Destinee’ 7, for being my reasons WHY.

Lastly but surely not least, I must thank the City of Jonesboro, City Hall Mayor Day and Ricky Clark, and the Clayton County Chamber of Commerce for continued exposure and abounding support.

Website: www.hunnywashyourface.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CJUQ-9QlSDz/?igshid=z6zuaj56j86k
Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/charmayne-bradberry
Twitter: @BettyNicoles
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoresscharmayneb/
Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCEZ55obSmKvQv2ueD75fqhw
Other: https://www.facebook.com/thapurposeprenuer https://www.facebook.com/bettynicoles1423/ https://www.facebook.com/authoresscharmayneb/ https://www.facebook.com/bradberrydaplug/ https://www.facebook.com/egoblog426/ https://www.facebook.com/dessocool/

Image Credits
Picture credit: Migale Bradberry