Our campaign
In Life, I Win
With funding from the Dr. Frank E. Boston’s Black Justice Fund by Health Spark, I Choose To Win launched the “In life, I WIN!” campaign to amplify the voices and lived-experiences of up to 10 Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) Female-owned and Female-led businesses in Montgomery County.
This campaign tells the stories of their trials and triumphs in business to demonstrate that though the odds are often stacked against us, with strong mental well-being, resilient spirit, creative outlook, positive choices and focused actions, we are victorious in the end. These women have overcome the obstacles that could have left them discouraged, disengaged and defeated. And, have erected businesses in spite of the trials endured to become owners and achieve economic independence. Here are their stories:
Dr. Ann L. Colley
Rachael Hanible
Drs. Kala & Maya Johnstone
Daija Moore-Evans
Natasha Patterson, PhD
Felicia Ramey, PhD
Lynette Smith
Dr. Carlita Tabb
Here’s a directory of BIPOC Women-Owned Businesses in Montgomery County:
| Business Name | Business Owner Name | Business Category | Description | City/Town | Website Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I Choose To Win | Melonie Butler | Nonprofit | Leadership Development and Economic Empowerment for Women and Girls | Fort Washington | https://ichoosetowin.org |
| Nutz About Popcorn | Lynette Smith | Food & Beverage | Gourmet Popcorn, snacks & gifts | Hatboro | https://nutzaboutpopcorn.com/ |
| Aramanth Flowers | Melissa Parker | Florist | Floral, Weddings and Events | Narberth | https://amaranthflorist.com/ |
| Philly Shared Retail | Annette Kennedy-Harris and Christin Austin-Evans | Clothing | Retail & Creative Space | Willow Grove | https://www.phillyshared.com |
| Posh and Bloom | Brittany McRae | Florist | Event and Floral Designs | Jenkintown | https://poshandbloom.com/ |
| Cheesecake Lady | Vanessa Jackson | Food & Beverage | Gourmet Cakes | Elkins Park | https://www.phillycheesecakelady.com/ |
| Robin Dove Hair Studio | Robin Dove | Beauty | Beauty | Flourtown | https://www.robindovestudios.com |
| Zoe Sky Salon | Zoe | Beauty | Beauty | Elkins Park | https://www.zoeskysalon.com |
| DD Daughters | Myisha Miller | Beauty | Hair & Custom Wig Salon, specializing in women with issues of hair loss | Willow Grove | https://dddaughters.com |
| Memories Created for You | Rose Williams | Event Planning & Designs | Event Balloon decor, photobooth, decorating | Blue Bell | https://memoriescreatedforyou.com |
| Spavia | Adrienne Byrd | Spa | Spa | King of Prussia | https://spaviadayspa.com/ |
| Nothing Bundt Cakes | Melissa Ayers | Food & Beverage | Gourmet Cakes Bakery | Collegeville | https://www.nothingbundtcakes.com |
| Sass and Style Boutique | Dr. Carlita H. Tabb | Clothing | Clothing store boutique for women, men, and children | Elkins Park | https://www.sassandstyleonline.com/ |
| Food Chasers | Drs. Maya and Kala Johnson | Food & Beverage | Restaurant serving brunch (breakfast and lunch) | Elkins Park | https://www.foodchaserskitchen.com |
| Violets in Bloom | Ava Adames | Healing & Holistic Arts | Jewelry, stones, and crystals | Elkins Park | https://www.myvioletsinbloom.com/ |
| VLC Handmade Candles | Vanessa Lynn | Aroma | Scented Candles & Aromas | ||
| Voices By Courtney Lynee | Courtney L. Williams | Voiceovers | Voiceovers for Ads & Marketing | Glenside | https://www.courtneylynee.com/ |
| Ann Colley And Assoc. | Ann Colley | Counseling Services | Individual and Couples Therapy | Abington | https://www.alcolleyassociates.com/ |
| Aliya Hammond Consulting | Aliya Hammond | Social Media Strategist | Social Media, Communications and Marketing | https://aliyahammond.com/ | |
| Pooch Kaboose | Tori Price | Pet Services | Pet Adoption, daycare, grooming | Jenkintown | https://poochkaboose.org |
| Next Level Network | Nikki Benson-Watlington | Mobile Notary & Program Coordination | Mobile Notary & Program Coordination | We come to you | https://www.GoNextLevelNow.com |
| Kellyn Hodges Orthodontics | Kellyn Hodges | Orthodontist | Dentalcare | Montgomeryville | https://www.hodgesortho.com/ |
| Trilogy Event Designs | Randi Martin | Wedding & Event Planning | Wedding & Event Planning | Jenkintown | http://trilogyeventdesign.com |
| On the Journey to Better, LLC | Dr. Natasha A. Patterson | Consulting- Higher Educations Careers | Coaching individuals who want to teach at the college level; consulting with higher ed institutions as they recruit, hire and retain faculty of color | Abington | http://onthejourneytobetter.com |
| The Open Space Venue | Sandra | Event Venue | Event venue space for rent | Glenside | https://www.theopenspacevenue.com |
| Mahoney Event Space | Michele Lowe | Event Venue | Event venue space for rent | Ambler | https://mahoneyeventcenter.com |
| Welcome Home Cafe | Chef Stephanie | Food & Beverage | Breakfast and Lunch (No Pork) | Jenkintown | https://welcomehomecafe.com |
| Kitty on Top Mobile Bartending | Khamila Barnes | Food & Beverage | Mobile event alcoholic beverage bartending servcies | Dresher | https://kittyontopbartending.com |
| Cyrenity Sips Winery | Shakia Williams | Food & Beverage | Winery/Wine Tasting Room | Hatboro | https://cyrenitysips.com |
| LindsayLou's Cheesecakes | Lindsay Dorsey Sanders | Food & Beverage | Custom Ordered Cheesecakes | Elkins Park | |
| Collegiate Bridge, Inc. | Dr. Nicole Henderson | Nonprofit | College coaching and planning for students and parents. Experts on scholarship coaching and earning a debt-free college education. | Skippack/Norristown | https://collegiatebridge.com/ |
| Dr. Nicole Henderson Consulting, LLC | Dr. Nicole Henderson | Higher Education / Executive Consultant and Speaker | College readiness, retention, completion, and student affairs operations consulting, seminars and training. | Montgomery County | https://collegiatebridge.com/consultingtraining |
| Loft 17 | Kisha | Event Venue | Event Venue space for rent | Wyncote | https://loft17venue.com/ |
| Refresh Hydration | Maya Robinson & Tracy Drayton | Health | Oxygen Therapy | King of Prussia | https://www.refreshhydr8tion.com/ |
| Bare Estheticx Med Spa | Rashidta Richardson | Spa | Facials, Wax, Oxygen Therapy | Willow Grove | https://bareestheticxmedspa.com/ |
| Diyanu | Addie Elabor | Clothing | African print style clothing | Norristown | https://www.diyanu.com |
| Being Beautiful Foundation | Valerie Crabb | Nonprofit | Advocacy organization serving Youth in Foster Care | Ambler | https://beingbeautifulfoundation.org |
| Be Rezilient | Denise L Williams | Nonprofit | Healing through the Arts | Pottstown | https://berezilient.org |
| Flavaz | Tania Watson | Food & Beverage | Chef catered meals and custom charcuterie boards | Norristown | https://www.flavaz.org |
| Mimi's Favorite Things | Michele | Body | Self-Care Products including candles, hair, bath and body items | Coatesville | https://mimisfavthings19.com |
| Sphynx Wax Studio | Tara Better | Spa | Face and Body Wax services | Flourtown | https://sphynxwax.glossgenius.com |
| Neighbors Helping Neighbors on the Main Line | Muneera Walker | Nonprofit | Supporting underrepresented youth with food security, education empowerment and outreach | Ardmore | https://nhnonthemainline.org |
| Missing Peace Financial Group | Rachael Hanible | Money | Financial Coach | Blue Bell | https://www.rachaelhanible.com |
| Photography by J Nicole | Jennifer Nicole | Photography | Photography services specializing in event, real estate, concert and nature. | Cheltenham | https://www.byjnicole.com |
| Bamba Soap Co. | Kenza Bamba | Beauty | Natural soap and body care products | Phoenixville | https://www.bambasoapco.com |
| Lashes bi Sage | Sage Watson | Beauty | Lashes technician and consultant | Willow Grove | https://lashesbisage.com |
| S&A Aesthetics | Sage Watson | Beauty | Lash, body wax and nail services | Willow Grove | https://sandaaesthetics.com |
| Zenn Hair Care | Aurora Teasley | Beauty | Hair growth pomade and other care items that prioritize health consciousness | King of Prussia | https://www.zennhaircare.com |
| Lovelace & Associates | Saleema Lovelace | Professional Services | Notary, Business solutions, Consulting, Tax Services, Credit Repair | Norristown | https://www.lovelaceservicesllc.com |
| Moody Jones Gallery | Robyn Jones | Art | Art | Glenside | https://www.moodyjonesgallery.org |
| Hooks Intimates | Clothing | Lingerie and Underwear | Glenside | ||
| Just Be P.O.W.E.R | Alexis Musgrove | Consultant - Life Coach; Academic Consultant; Motivational Speaker; Mindfulness Instructor | Providing professional and personal development coaching for adults. Partnering with youth and families to help navigate the college application process and resources for readiness and planning. Facilitate Mindfulness trainings for individuals, education institutions and professional groups. | Glenside | |
| Muse | Tracie Stroman | Beauty | Glenside | ||
| Arnette's hair salon | Arnette Lennon | Beauty | Hair Salon | Glenside |