Meet CoCo Wade | Entrepreneur, Publisher & Success Coach

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

Hi CoCo, other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
The single most important decision I made that contributed to my success was structuring my business like a giant world class corporation, regardless of how small it is at first. I’ve always gone to great lengths to ensure that my company is structured well and to the best of my ability. As entrepreneurs we must understand that it is not only crucial, but imperative we do things decently and in order. That means incorporating the business from its very inception, securing a domain name, launching a website, establishing telecommunications, customer service, invoices, contracts, leases and due process. These are just the basics, and while there’s more to be done, it’s undoubtedly a good start. Hiring a team or contracting out third-party services can help entrepreneurs and startups tremendously. If there’s anything I’ve learned about entrepreneurship is this, you can’t go it alone. It’ll never work, not now, not ever. Enlisting the help required to run an effective and lucrative business comes with the responsibility of training others, whether interns or industry professionals, as a new or even existing business, one can benefit greatly by doing so. I’ve seen profits in my business triple or even quadruple at times, simply by having more hands on deck. So, I decided, if I’m going to run a business, I won’t do it without a team. In theory, if you don’t have a team, you don’t have a business. The sooner that resonates, the sooner profits will pour in, consistently.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

Please tell us more about your business. I am an entrepreneur for the dreamers with the mindset and desire to catapult others. Whether through spotlighting surreal stories in my publication Exxpose Magazine or by providing a hands-on approach through PR representation with my brand Industry Exxposed I am an entrepreneur for the dreamers.

Embracing opportunities to extend success coaching worldwide with my recent platform, “Succeed and Get Money.” The Georgia based publishing entity expands my ability to advocate for small businesses by creating and distributing courses, digital content, books as well as hand-on success coaching to provide entrepreneurs with key components necessary to generate consistent cash flow while structuring and scaling their business from a mere stick in the mud. Using this ground-level approach, owners learn to implement actionable steps most likely to align them with results-oriented success. I have often, been referred to as “The idea catalyst,” and am now taking on the reigns of catapulting entrepreneurs into financial freedom with passive income strategies outlined in my new book “Never Broke Again Passive Income Trends” which as an instrumental tool, the 45-minute quick read illustrates “25 Simples Steps to Financial Freedom.” Although I’m not rich, nor do I promote quitting a job prematurely, I consider myself successful given the fact that I have been a full-time entrepreneur since 2007. My life’s work surrounds helping others as I simultaneously help myself. This affords me the opportunity to lead by example. So, I’ve set a personal goal to help 500 entrepreneurs, business owners, startups and dreamers overcome stagnancy with the release of my forthcoming course “Never Broke Again Passive Income Wins.”

We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others.
I’ve worked with over 2,000 aspiring talents, entrepreneurs, startups and brands since the inception of my first business venture. What sets me apart from others is this, for the duration of my career, each of those 2,000 relationships derived from up close encounters, in-person meetings, hands-on development and training. So, in addition to my ability to serve in a virtual online capacity, I have spent at least 5,475 days of my life jump-starting the careers of those who dare to dream. My life’s work revolves around helping others as I simultaneously help myself. I believe in the theory “each one reach one teach one, together everyone achieves more, That, in and of itself, affords me the opportunity to lead by example. So, I’ve set a personal goal to help 500 entrepreneurs, business owners, startups and dreamers overcome stagnancy with the release of my forthcoming course “Never Broke Again Passive Income Wins.”

What you are most proud of or excited about.
I often find myself in awe of what God has done in my life. I came from nothing and although I don’t quite fall on the list of America’s millionaires, I’m exuberantly pleased with the level of success I’ve attained and more importantly the direction God is taking me in. As an author, I’ve written and self-published three books within a one-year time span. As editor-in-chief, my magazine has published over 117 issues. I am the first black female independently owned and operated magazine to have done so, stemming from a New Orleans based publication. As a singer-songwriter and indie artist I managed to turn $10 into $10,000 using the knowledge I’ve attained by applying my own principles of self-help PR and social media management.

But what’s even more fulfilling, is that I’ve helped change the trajectory and lives of more than 2,000 dreamers by contributing in some way during the early phase of their careers.

How did you get to where you are today business-wise.
Fortunate to have worked as a corporate accountant in my previous profession. I did so for a period of years. I’d have to say, much of what I’ve learned about a business’ infrastructure, business terminology and its chain of command lends to that of real-life experiences. I was afforded the opportunity of securing my dream job in corporate America at the age of 17 and worked in the accounting department as an intern for five years as I continued to study. After 7 years of college, I knew it was time to walk out on faith and challenge myself. I advanced to working for two of the largest law firms in New Orleans and loved everything about it. Towards the end of my stint with corporate accounting, I began to feel as though I had reached the ceiling, especially after hurricane Katrina. In that very moment it became evident. If I was going to accomplish more in this lifetime, I’d have to create the opportunity for myself. Thus, I started my first business.

Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges?
The biggest challenge I faced wasn’t learning how to make money, consistently. Securing capital, still to this day, remains one of the most difficult obstacles an entrepreneur will ever face. I knew that if I was going to make it as an entrepreneur, I would have to learn how to self-fund my dreams. Of course, I’ve learned so much now, about business credit and grants. But as a self-taught entrepreneur with no blueprint, no road map and no mentorship at the time, I was literally on my own. That didn’t scare me one bit because entrepreneurship is in my blood. I started a candy-making side-hustle when I was 12, sold 50 pieces of praline for fifty cents every day at school and earned $125 a week (as a kid). I was going hard, so much so, my wrist started aching. For the sake of my wrist, I never went back to selling candy, but I knew right then, someday I’d become an entrepreneur!

What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way?
Amongst all the many lessons I’ve learned, is this. It is very important to understand “your network is your net Worth.” But it is equally important to acknowledge the fact that everybody can’t go where you are going. When it is your time to elevate, your season to rise, your social circle will shrink. Simply put, “everyone who’s a part of your story shall not necessarily be a part of your glory.” That is the theory in which one of my mentors, Darnetta Mahaffy, instilled in me.

What do you want the world to know about you?
What I want the world to know about me is that I am a thought leader, an advocate and a dreamer. I’m not better than you. But more importantly, what I want the people of the world to know is that “I am you.” I came from the bottom with no handouts. I am proof that you can do whatever it is you set your mind to. I’m self-taught but given the blessings of a few mentors and a ton of moral support from those of whom I have helped – I’m able to pay it forward knowing that beyond a shadow of a doubt, if we ban together, we could change the trajectory of our future.

What I want the world to know about my brand?
My brands were all created out of a desire to catapult others. The over 2,000 talents, entrepreneurs, startups and brands I’ve helped, they spoke to my heart in a capacity that I would come to serve their needs. The knowledge and insight I’ve used to sustain longevity and grow my businesses, is the same knowledge I use to coach them to success!

What I want the world to know about my story?
For a while I was running in place. Seems like I was moving fast but at the same time I wasn’t going anywhere. And although I have always been fortunate to profit in my businesses, I didn’t quite know how to hone in on exactly what it is I really wanted to do. The moment I started to pray for clarity, particularly in my business, then I had an ‘ah ha’ moment. I became one with my purpose and started walking in it ever since. I’m here to tell you. “You don’t have to have money to start a business, you have to have guts.”

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?
Exciting question. I travel often, but I mostly enjoy staycations which typically consist of hotel stays, dining experiences and a bit of sightseeing. I’m a huge foodie. Here are a few of the places and things I’d like invite my friends indulge in:

Chateau Elan
Ruth’s Chris
Horse and carriage tour
The Roosevelt Hotel
R. Thomas Grill
Virgil’s Gulla Kitchen & Cocktails
Agave

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Indeed there are quite a few individuals having served as mentors throughout the span of my journey of entrepreneurship, too many to name honestly. But in all sincerity, it is humbling to know I’ve gained a wealth of knowledge simply because my life’s work has been aligned with a plethora of superhumans, all of whom I am forever indebted to. While it is impossible to name them all, it would be contrary to not name a few. In my reflective thoughts, I often praise God for Mary Ali who serves as chief communications officer for my publication Exxpose Magazine. Mary has worked diligently for over a decade and has never strayed from her ability to commit to things larger than life. Although we have an impeccable camera crew consisting of countless visual professionals, Herbert Foster has remained our longest standing photographer since the first ever cover and has performed in pure excellence for more than fifty photo shoots. My spiritual journey is as important as my purpose in life as the two are equally aligned. In saying so, I’m humbled to say, Marlice Young-Dugas is committed to inspiring my ever-growing knowledge of the word in sharing our mutual closeness to God and the mission he has set forth for our lives.

It is important to note, my family has equipped me with the utmost support, all the while embracing countless ventures of which I continue to embark upon. My husband, for example, Felton Langlois Jr of Smallworld Studio Productions, fills the role of my producer. As a singer-songwriter, I’ve managed to compose a slew of hit songs. When it comes to music, art and creativity we are truly a dynamic duo. We don’t even plan our projects. We just meet in the studio and make it happen and the fans absolutely love it. As a result, we’ve achieved the milestone of streaming more than 14 million monetized views on YouTube.

But here’s the part where family support becomes intriguing. My son, Derrick M of The DMJ Agency is a business and finance professional in addition to multiple entrepreneurial ventures. What makes our relationship unique is that he was the first and only investor to ever support my business. He, at the age of 18 invested $1,000 a year into my magazine publication and refused to accept a return on his investment, ever. Like clockwork, he contributed the same amount from 2011 to 2014 every year in January. In addition, he has worked side-by-side with me, assisting in the production of over 200 music and fashion inspired events.

My daughter Derrica of DMcAll Studios has served a full-on glam squad, providing impeccable face beats, hair styles and as we say on the movie set “last looks” for me as an entertainer and media correspondent. She is self-taught and on the cusp. A computer scientist in her professional career, she has contributed over 100 hours of community service in support of helping my brands innovate with enhanced technology throughout the pandemic.

Now the glue that holds it all together are my parents, Frank and Lil Ann have shown up and taken front row seats amid at least 195 of my events. If for no other reason, than to ensure that my work doesn’t fall on deaf ears. Although we’ve packed many venues throughout the years, some with lines wrapped around the building, it’s still nice to know you’ll always have at least two VIP guests in the building.

Regardless of how daunting entrepreneurship can seem, these are the things that have contributed to my ability to stay the course!

Website: http://www.industryexxposed.com/ and https://www.succeedandgetmoney.com/ and https://www.exxposemagazine.net/

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

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@succeedandgetmoney

Other: https://www.succeedandgetmoney.com/ https://www.exxposemagazine.net/

Image Credits
Exxpose Magazine, Studio Sharp Images and Jakari Kearney