Meet Bianca Hodge: Serial Entrepreneur and CEO

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

Hi Bianca, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My son, Bakari Yasir, is the inspiration for starting my business, The VIYA Group. The name VIYA originated from combining my son and I middle names (Victoria & Yasir). It also is an acronym for Victory Is Yours Always. The VIYA Group is a certified Women Owned Small Business and a Logistics and Supply Chain Management provider that specializes in facilities management; freight dispatching & trucking; and vending solutions.

I chose to enter the logistics industry because it is vast, and you can continuously grow within it. It is an industry that will always be in demand. Also, you can create a business within this industry that can be passed down. By the time my son starts kindergarten, he will know the importance of having a great work ethic. For example, he will be helping stock and sanitize his vending machines. By the time he gets to high school, he will know how to dispatch semi-trucks and will have the option of owning a box truck and/or an 18-wheeler. He will also have a real estate portfolio established. All these things will help my son learn how vital personal and business credit is and how to leverage it.

My thought process behind starting my business is creating generational wealth for my child, his children, and their children’s children. I wanted the freedom to watch my son grow; fully nurture him; experience adventures; create memories; and enjoy life with him. I know I want to provide a particular lifestyle for my son. I want to normalize luxury for him, so when he gets older, he will not act as if luxury is foreign. I want to give my son a better chance at being a successful black man because I know the struggles that black men are faced with. Therefore, I do not want my child to ever feel like his back is against the wall and turn to the streets. The only time my son should be “posted up on the block” is when he is buying the block (real estate). It is my obligation to create a path for my child and help guide him, so his journey will not be so difficult. I started my business to be an example to my son, my nieces and family that we can obtain and achieve anything our heart desires. The goal is to set the table (foundation) for my entire family to eat.

What should our readers know about your business?
The VIYA Group is a certified Women Owned Small Business and a Logistics and Supply Chain Management provider that specializes in facilities management; freight dispatching & trucking; and vending solutions. I started my business, The VIYA Group, while being a first-time new mother; dealing with post-partum depression; and in the middle of a pandemic. I am most proud of just starting! I could have had every excuse as to why I should not start a business, but I prevailed. Everything that should have held me back actually motivated me. I have had other great career opportunities but none of them felt how The VIYA Group feels. I was a new mother and in a weird space, I was trying to figure out balance and purpose. My life prior to motherhood was completely different. In those moments, I was trying to figure out how to make my next move the best move for my son. One day, I was driving by myself to get lunch and heard a voice (God) say, “Victory Is Yours Always” and I screamed “Oh my God, that’s it, VIYA!” The VIYA Group was birthed. 

This chapter in my life is exciting! The most important lesson I’ve learned thus far is you have to give yourself grace.  It’s okay to make mistakes because that builds character and experience, and that’s imperative in business. I am going to be honest being a “Mompreneur” is cool but it’s also challenging. Although work is never-ending, you must keep your vison at the fore front of your mind. 

I am a “Hustle Mommy” and have unwavering faith in everything I do! I know with every fiber of my being I will be successful. Even if things do not go smoothly at first, I know those L’s turn into Lessons and eventually I’ll be showered in Blessings.

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.
Honestly, I believe the most fun one can experience is when its spontaneous. Also, I am a firm believer in energy and energy doesn’t lie. Therefore, wherever you go, you be the vibe! When your vibe is right, you attract good energy, and it’ll always be a great time!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My son, Bakari Yasir, my parents, my siblings, my nieces, and my cousins.

Website: https://theviyagroup.com/
Instagram: @biancavixtoria @theviyagroup
Twitter: @biancavixtoria
Facebook: Bianca Victoria

Image Credits:
LilyAnnRivers Photography IG: @lilyannriversphotos MUA: @lolaluxebeauty