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

Hi Dominique, what matters most to you?
Neutralizing negativity is my guiding principle. When it comes to my non-profit Naturally You Inc, and my business 360 Arts and Production the thought process is the same. If you influence someone’s life positively, affect their experience, if you teach them a better way of viewing things, a better way to respond, you have no choice but to change their perception of life which will in turn shift their reality. They will take this newly enhanced positive energy, and they will bring it back to their environment, and they will influence those around them. As long as the positivity is continuously nurtured (or as often as possible), it will continue to spread, and you will then neutralize negativity.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Naturally You Inc. was created by myself in 2017 to be an inspiration to young girls in the Hampton Roads area and beyond. The yearly retreat caters to young girls ages 6-11 years old. It consists of weekend-long sessions with a range of topics such as financial responsibility, hygiene, combating bullying, self-esteem, gift assessing, health and wellness, and more! I thought of the relationship with my own two daughters and wanted them to know that they too can come out of generational curses and grow up to be future entrepreneurs, community leaders, teachers, and more. Naturally You’s mission is “Teaching Young Queens Intentional Lessons While Fostering Healthy, Meaningful Connections with Peers and Mentors.”

I am proud to say that yearly attendance, community knowledge and support has grown. I am excited to continue to expand to help young queens in neighboring states, as well as to be able to expand to help middle and high school girls in the coming years. Starting small helped because I was able to really develop what I wanted Naturally You to be, and by the time the second year came I received help from my mother, and the mother to my bonus daughter, my good friend Rosa. Things are always better when you have people to bounce your ideas off of and to help you with execution, especially when they are more organized than you!

The hardest thing about running this non-profit is just finding the time to really pour into it, to get to where you see it going. Beginning with the end in mind is not hard for me, I see it. It’s just pushing yourself to get there after working a 9-5, or having to help your children with work, or anything that may come up day to day. It’s finding that extra energy when you feel you may have none. What pushes me the most, is living with my reason. I started this for my girls, and one day Naturally You will be there’s. One day I will support them as they change the lives of your queens looking to find love within themselves.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
So one thing about me, if you get me outside…we are going to eat a lot, get some good drinks, and have an experience. I try to patronize black owned businesses mostly, to keep our dollar circulating, and I love finding out about the hidden gems in our area. I would secure a nice Air BnB on the beach and have some of my favorite private chefs come over to make us breakfast every morning (Lisa from Lisa’s Plate, Chef Kiara Whack, and Shavonne Alexander). One of the days I would have Daria from Blaque Alchemy come over and do a tarot party because I’m that friend. We would have to do a spa day at Simply Panache Spa to get pampered, lunch at GotFish?, and Happy Hour at JT’s Bar and Grill! For shopping we would have to go to Zion’s Creations in McArthur center, and Purely Sunnah in Norfolk, both have a bomb selection of body care, crystals, attire etc! Hours will definitely be spent at the beach doing nothing, because that’s everything! Good conversation, meditation, food, and organic experiences is my go to. My friends know with me, you wont go to the club but it will be a memorable internal journey where you might gain 5 pounds from all of the food.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
It takes a village! I look over my life, and there are check points where certain people got me through. I want to thank my mother for never belittling my dreams. I came to her with a dream at 4 years old, and she did nothing but support it then and never stopped. To my first best friend, my big brother and forever cheerleader for always supporting me as well, no matter what country he was in at the time! To the second mother’s who taught me about life and leadership Michelle, Debbie, and Lois, and so many others, thank you for your love and light! My life long friends who were the sisters I needed to go through life with, there are many but especially Erica and Chasity, thank you for keeping me laughing and being my family. My children who are my best mirror, my legacy, and my motivation thank you for loving me unconditionally. And as I stand now Tasha, my sounding board and big sister thank you for truly seeing me and pushing me! Last but not least my light Nick who came at a time where I least expected and changed my life in the best way possible, I’m so thankful.

Website: www.360artsandproduction.com and www.naturallyyouva.com

Instagram: 360artsandproduction and naturallyyouva

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dominique.pierce.16

Image Credits
Nicholas Harrison

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