We had the good fortune of connecting with Renee M Palmer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Renee M, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I often tell people I filmed the ‘How Not to’ video when it came to starting my company. In September 2008, as many were unaware we were heading into a recession,  I strategically negotiated a respectable severance package with my current employer after the buzz of an impending buy-out started to swirl. I had landed an amazing role with an international renowned organization, met with my sales partner and was just waiting for my new manager to send my travel itinerary for training in Houston. 14 years later, I’m still waiting on that call. Quickly, I had figure out how I was going to pay for the new house and the new car.  And since I wasn’t ready to commit to the ‘oldest profession’, I put a price tag on access my network as people were always asking for my recommendation- ‘Where did you get _________ ? Do you know anyone who _______? Where can I go for ___________ ?  Thus BlaqueBook Concierge Services was born.

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?
At the same time I started BlaqueBook Concierge Services to provide custom solutions to a vast clientele of busy professionals and companies, I also launched consulting firm to help small businesses with incorporation, branding, etc.

In 2018, I merged the two companies and relaunched as BlaqueBook Management Group.  BlaqueBook now provides brand consulting and lifestyle management solutions for major corporations and busy individuals. On the branding side, we offer consulting focused on marketing strategy. Our lifestyle management team provides curated solutions to our clients’ vast requests including but never limited to house management, event planning and production, travel and excursion coordination, gift selection and personal styling.

For Team Blaque, every project we manage and program we produce is a unique success story. Some of the more notable highlights including working with Natalie Cole during what would be her last performance in Atlanta, as the exclusive talent handler and transportation provider for WCLK, Jazz 91.9 FM for nearly 7 years. Our team has taken our clients’ ideas from concept to flawless execution more than a few times with book launches for a local real estate investor turned real estate investment industry leader, and a PK turned politician who now leads a faith-based organization. The entrepreneurial journey is never-ending and has peaks and valleys on a rugged path most wouldn’t choose not to navigate and could not endure! I made a choice to not get stuck on the corporate red tape and continue put blood sweat tears (and a little Jamaican overproof rum) into building my own dream, creating revenue streams for my family and leave a wealth legacy for generations to come. Easy – definitely not! Worth every single no, loss and disappointment – ABSOLUTELY!

The success of BlaqueBook is based on a solid foundation of strategic relationships and I a most proud of my ‘billion dollar phone’. Our team is a strong circle of subject matter experts, industry leaders and movers and shakers who understand the value of the total experience. From the first contact, we are focused on creating a lasting relationship with our clients, working diligently to be the sole source solution to support the growth of the business and allow our clients to use their time wisely.

One of the most impactful leaders I worked for always reminded us ‘Stagnant water stinks’ and ‘its hard to hit a moving target’. My other business ventures include GA Boyz Boxing Commission, a marketing agency promoting boxers as professional athletes, and Canna Body Designs, an apparel brand that intentionally celebrates and encourages a natural lifestyle.

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?
Atlanta is all about our unique melting pot culture! The itinerary would be an unofficial but oh so official Tour of Atlanta, The Best of the Best! It’s going to be a busy week~

Of course, Sunday Funday in Atlanta is all about brunch and bottomless mimosas, shopping, sightseeing, parks and play dates.
You want Sunday Brunch? We’ve got OPTIONS –
If hip and edgy is the vibe, Garden Parc with a progressive table side buffet, Escobar Atlanta for thee BEST lobster and grits in the city. For a timeless classic brunch, Ray’s on the River with a view of the Chattahoochee or the 57th Squadron situated on the runway of Peachtree-Dekalb Airport .
And for a little lighter fare with a little more flair, there’s one of the newest gems brightening the Atlanta skyline- LOA a rooftop pool with craft cocktails or we can head over to Burn at the Battery, one of the more upscale cigar lounges in the city.  

After we fill our bellies we’ll hit a few pop-up shops and boutiques and stroll the Beltline to get some steps in while sightseeing (and working up another appetite).

Monday is recovery/responsible adult mode so we’ll head over to The Gathering Spot for a few hours to get some work done, have a nice lunch and a cocktail on the way out the door-
A visit to the benchmark in adult entertainment is a must~ And what a better night than MAGIC CITY Mondays!

Taco Tuesday comes with plenty of options! Let’s get in a little educational fun with a visit to Zoo Atlanta and head over to happy hour at Tin Lizzy”s, Grant Park. An evening nap is necessary because when the clock strikes midnight we’ll strike out heading to The Koo Koo Room for a night of dancing til you sweat, laughs until your sides hurt and cocktails that are guaranteed to make you call Uber.

The Wednesday Wine UP is also weekend-eve in Atlanta so let’s get ready! Shopping is a must so we’ll start at the N. Georgia Premium Outlets and work our way back down. We’ll drop our bags and hit the High Museum to soak in the artistic culture. We have to make sure the libation levels are appropriate so we’ll grab a few bottles, or a case, of La Fete Rose from The Purple Corkscrew in Avondale and grab those $2 cupcakes from My Fair Sweets while we’re on the East side. Let’s grab some of the best BBQ in the city from Anna’s BBQ in Kirkwood and head to Centennial Park or East Point for the Wednesday Wind down summer concert series.

We’ll be in full tourist mode on Thursday. With all the stops we’ll be making, we’ll have black car service, courtesy of BlaqueBook LifeStyle Management of course. The day will start with the man who’s name is on a street sign in in every major city in America- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a visit The King Center, Ebenezer Baptist Church and his birth home. We’ll take the scenic route to The Center for Civil and Human Rights so we can grab a A-Town orangesicle or strawberry shortcake doughnut with some rose sorbet from Sublime Doughnuts! The afternoon itinerary will lighten the mood with a trip to the 6 million gallon fish tank aka the Georgia Aquarium and round out the day with a tour of the Trap Museum, an Atlanta cultural experience must-do.

Friday is for Rooftops, cocktails and cigars! We’ll start the morning with a nice walk in at the Westside Reservoir to make sure we have worked up a good appetite for brunch at Breakfast at Barney’s. Gotta have the ‘BlaqueBook Starter Kit’ including soul rolls, Yard Bird chicken and waffles with a Grown Folks mimosa made with Uncle Nearest!  A mani/pedi session at iwi Fresh is a must and we can stroll the block, visit Zucot Art Gallery, take a few pictures at the Selfie Museum. Here’s the bar/patio line-up-
Clairmont Rooftop   
Ponce City Market
Bar Margot at the 
The Parlor

Saturday is FINISH STRONG! Last 24 hours- Let’s go HARD!
Extreme Fitness and veg out as we ‘shoot the ‘hooch’ floating the Chattahoochee River. Part II includes axe throwing, football bowling and the roof of TDH (Tom, Dick and Hanks) before heading to a night time tat session (see below)

Grand Finale
Let Atlanta leave a mark- Get tatted by the best Miya Bailey, Peter St. Station or Lord Yatta Colbert, College Park

And we still just scratched the surface! Come back soon~

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?
I dedicate my Shoutout feature to my father David E. Palmer, Sr. who I firmly believe taught Jesus how to walk on water and is far from a saint. His formula for success has remained constant and consistent- Grit, determination and hard work. He made sure I knew there is no magic wand, secret weapon or shortcuts to success. Success is achieved based on ability and execution. Likeability is a bonus. And free is too damn expensive! I am truly a forever Daddy’s Girl.

Appropriately named for both my paternal and maternal grandmothers, Rena Lee (Matthews) Palmer and Mary Azerlee (Tyus) Holcomb. I carry their spirit and energy with me. In their own regards, both were Renaissance women well ahead of their time. They were well respected in their communities AND their homes, breaking down barriers, disrupting the norm and blazing uniquely successful paths for their families. Grandma Rena owned a convenient store and had a love for family that was unshakable. Grandmommy Holcomb held a master’s degree from Lane College, knowing that education was undeniably invaluable and a solid faith foundation was non-negotiable.
These are the shoulders on which I stand, and the footsteps that I am so very privileged to walk in.

Website: Www.cannabodydesigns.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/blaquebook?igshid=NjY2NjE5MzQ=

Linkedin: LinkedIn.com/ReneeMPalmer

Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/BlaqueBook

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

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