Meet Jacinda Holley | Dernier Cri Gowns & HHB Realty Owner

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

Hi Jacinda, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I was born in Atlanta and proud to say @ GA Baptist Hospital. I was raised by a single mother who graduated top of her class at Fort Valley State University. She was offered a job working with for the GBI. She was a very talented, smart and adventurous woman. So ahead of her time. Sometimes not understood, she just wanted to be happy in a complex world.

Shortly after having stress overtake her mind, she became a victim to schizophrenia. I say victim because it wasn’t anything that she could control. or asked for. My family was embarrassed by her condition. Sadly many stayed away from her like it was contagious. Watching her struggle to regain back some sense of normalcy or to fit in, made me have sympathy & empathy for others who were the underdog or had less then others.

Due to her mental illness, I became her only child & also her caregiver.

Childhood what is that? I personally never knew. I spent my days at school & nights taking care of her. Life growing up wasn’t easy. I saw more as a child then some adults ever see and witness their whole life. I was molested by a family member for several years, raped within our neighborhood, tired to commit suicide, robbed & stabbed by a guy who want to see me died. Talked about and judged by all who saw me. No matter what I went through sadly my family the ones closer to me who knew my living situation – always looked at me as the bad person, instead of asking how did we get here – they judged me and stated I wouldn’t amount to anything.

Sadly trying to escape my judgmental family actions & comments I ran into the arms of an older boy, who would soon become by baby daddy. I followed my mother’s footsteps and became a single mother at 14 years old.

Looking into those little brown eyes, changed my mission, changed my life for ever.

At that moment I didn’t care what others thought about me. I knew God saved my life for a reason, and it would be something major. I knew my daughter deserved to have a mother who would be there for her no matter what. I graduated on time from high school, went to college and got my degree. Purchased my 1st home at 18 years old and continued flipping homes yearly. I officially started my 1st company (HHB Realty) when I was 27 years old and 2nd (Dernier Cri Gowns) years later.

Being negatively judge by all who I came in contact with whether for caring for my mother or children, made me humble, made me a fighter, made me want more, made me work harder. I learned with no risks, there will be no rewards. I learned having faith the size as a mustard seed, all things were possible, if I kept my focus on God!

Yes, I walk with my head held high, because I know & understand whose child I really am!!

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?
I’m a owner of (2) businesses – HHB Realty & Dernier Cri Gowns.

HHB Realty I started in 2013, with the focus on my clients. I was blessed at 18 years old to have a Realtor who believed in me and assisted me in getting my 1st home. I was touched by her efforts in making sure the industry took me serious at such a young age. In return I wanted to offer the same to others who the industry rejected. HHB Realty offers credit repair seminars & conferences to educate potential clients on how to become 1st time homeowners. Our agents 1st goal is to offer amazing customer service to our clients.

Dernier Cri Gowns I started in 2018, with the focus and understanding that all women are created differently. Therefore we specialize in the uniqueness of women and carry sizes 000-40. DCG team members provide more than excellent customer service, they take pride in empowering our clients during their shopping experience. Clients walk in as strangers and leave out as part of DCG family.

The hardest parts of starting either business, was getting out of my own way and placing the fear behind me. Once I put faith in front of myself – the process was easy opening both businesses. For the real estate brokerage, I passed the brokers test in 30 days and opened the doors. For the boutique, I researched where the store would be located, did the paperwork, and opened within 90 days.

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?
Being born and raised in Atlanta gives such an advantage to where I’ll take my friend. Even though a week is never enough time to be in Atlanta to witness all the diversity and culture experiences the city as to offer we’ll enjoy it to the fullest!

Once they land on Sunday at Hartsfield – Jackson Airport – we’ll start with staying at the airport and grabbing a bite to eat at Paschal’s Restaurant. Nothing like some soul food to satisfy the stomach on Sunday. Now that our bellies are stuffed we’ll walk it off and do a little shopping in the airport. Most people are in a rush to get to their flights, they don’t realize the shoppes in the airport have alot to offer. Next up Piedmont Park and lounge around enjoy the scenery, head over to Atlanta Botanical Gardens – have dinner at 10th & Piedmont.

Monday –
Breakfast: Enjoy Breakfast at Barney’s
Lunch: Explore The King Center and Ebenezer Church & Old Wheat Street Baptist having lunch at Hattie B’s
Dinner: Sprig Restaurant
Nite Cap: Butter & Cream

Tuesday –
Breakfast: First Watch – Madison Park
Lunch: Walk the Atlanta Beltine & grab a bite to eat…so many choices there I’ll let them pick
Dinner: Green Ginger for some sushi – walk throughout Downtown Decatur

Wednesday –
Breakfast: Flying Biscuit – take the Atlanta Streetcar to Centennial Park
Lunch: GA Aquarium, Coca Cola Museum, & Civil Rights Museum – eat at Legal Seafood
Dinner: Waffle House

Thursday –
Breakfast: Atlanta Breakfast Club
Lunch: Have a bite to eat and laughs at Pin & Proper
Dinner: Paces & Vines – enjoy the shoppes within the area

Friday –
Breakfast: Three Local Kitchen & Bar
Lunch: Slutty Vegan
Dinner: High Museum of the Arts – Listen to their live jazz and explore the museum – eat at High Note Rooftop Bar & Lounge

Saturday –
Breakfast: Murphy’s
Lunch: Fox Bros BBQ & go to Stone Mountain Park to walk the trails
Dinner: Enjoy Truist Park (catch a Braves game) and eat at Walhburger’s

Guess it’s obviously I’m a foodie and love to eat and explore the city. I enjoy traveling the world, however there is no place like HOME!!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I give credit first and for most to God! Secondly to the haters in my life that pushed me to greatness. Third for the few friends & family that prayed & believed in me & saw greatness that simply needed to be mold.

Website: www.dcgowns.com

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Image Credits
Third_Eye Photography, Johnathan Kayne, Sydney Closet’s, Michelle Bridal, Cinderella Divine, Terani Couture, Karishma Creations, Jasz Couture