We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Angalina Mcclinton a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Angalina, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

If I am honest, I did not come up with the idea of starting Hagar’s Village. I have always loved helping people, teaching people, and assisting people along their journey. However, I never would have come up with Hagar’s Village. God gave me the vision. He painted a picture so clear that I could not ignore. I saw images of a daycare, a counseling office, a consignment store, a food pantry, and more. The women were happy and healthy, and the children were flourishing.

When the vision left me, I knew exactly who I needed to help. There was absolutely no question about it. I have been a single mother for 20 years. So, I know all too well the “ins and outs” of that life. While it comes with many of the same challenges that are attached to simply being a parent, the office of a single mother requires a lot more. Because of my experience and the vision, Hagar’s Village, the one-stop shop for all things needed by the single mother, was born. Through Hagar’s Village, women not only find community, but they also receive career support, parenting classes, basic, affordable healthcare and more.

Angalina, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

As previously stated, I am a single mother who was blessed to have an awesome support system. I always had food, clothes, and quality childcare for my children. I was able to attend college and earn multiple degrees all while being a mother. While that is my story, I know too many women who cannot say the same thing. Many of the single mothers I have known throughout the years struggled to pay their bills, struggled to pay for basic necessities for their child(ren), and even had a hard time emotionally relating to their children. They needed support and education in so many areas but, more than likely, did not have the means to get the support or simply did not know where to go to get it. Hagar’s Village is the answer, and I am excited about it!

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

During COVID, in the fall of 2020, I decided I was going to open my own school, and I did. I was already teaching children in my home, and several people were wanting me to teach their children. They also did not want to send their children back to school. I knew there was a need for in-home teachers, and I also knew that I was great at teaching. So, I decided to resign from public education and open a school. It was the best and worst decision ever!

I had the skill and the will, but I certainly could not cover the bill. I partnered with someone who decided to cover the expenses if I agreed to allow her children to enroll in my school. She definitely covered the expenses, but it only lasted for about six weeks. I was having a hard time getting parents to enroll their children, and all of sudden, my partner could no longer cover the expenses she had agreed to cover for a year. I certainly did not want to close the school. I had broadcasted the grand opening all over social media, and I had agreed that I was done working for anyone. My pride wanted to take over, but I had to humble myself and accept that I could not continue to keep the school open without any funds. It was a tough pill to swallow, but I did it.

I learned humility. I learned forgiveness- for myself and others. I do not regret doing it. Opening the school truly showed me how brave I am. It displayed my creativity and my heart’s desire to truly help people. Opening the school also gave me a little insight into what it takes to open a business. There is always something to learn, even in an perceived failed moment.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Resilience is a must in life period. There is no time to crumble. Sure. Things are going to happen. That’s life. Everything isn’t always going to go your way. Life will require that you pivot, recover, and keep moving. When I closed the school, I had nothing. I was delivering for Uber Eats and DoorDash, but that was not covering my bills. I had three children who were counting on me to keep their lives afloat. There was no time to panic, be angry, prideful or even sink into a depression. I decided to go work in retail, while delivering food. Eventually, I chose to go back to teaching. However, I knew I was not going to stay. I knew something else would come along, I just did not know that Hagar’s Village would be it.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: iam_angalinamcclinton
• Facebook: Angalina McClinton
• Twitter: Listen_2_Angea
• Other: TikTok: @listen2angea

Image Credits

Nathan McClinton