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

Anita, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you have a hero? What have you learned from them?

My grandmother who passed away many years ago set the tone and foundation for me; to whom much is given much is required. She was consistent in her giving to those less fortunate and showed me the importance of caring for God’s people, no matter the race or background. I consider myself lucky to have been so blessed to be able to bless others. She was also big on all natural healing remedies. I was diagnosed with cancer in 2019 and healed my body naturally, no chemo and no radiation. Our covid year pushed me to take a few courses & I am now a Certified Nutrition Specialist. So I am not just feeding & cutting hair the homeless, I am also educating the masses on the importance of healthy living. Being proactive verses reactive.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Dr. Anita Hawkins & Ms.All World Beauties Elite US 2023 is a mother of 2, model, 4 time author, global philanthropist, certified nutrition specialist, franchise owner, mentor, Producer and entrepreneur extraordinaire with a fierce determination to succeed at whatever she sets out to accomplish.
Anita grew up in Gary, Indiana, where though being a teen mom, her entrepreneurial spirit took flight when she inherited her grandmother’s hair salon. Anita seized this amazing opportunity, immediately completed her cosmetology license and elevated the success of the salon by growing her clientele both in the shop and traveling to provide personal service to clients. This was the first of many successful business ventures for the young woman with big dreams.

In 2000, Anita married Major League Baseball pitcher, LaTroy Hawkins, shortly after relocating to Texas. The move to Texas proved prosperous in business as well, as Anita founded Trokar Industries, LLC in 2006. Through Trokar Industries, LLC, Anita acquired numerous land developments around the state and celebrated a tremendous victory when she sold a parcel of land to D.R. Horton for $1.53 million dollars.
After being diagnosed with a rare blood disorder, Anita decided it was time to make some lifestyle changes of her own. Her love of healthy eating and exercise led to her next big business venture, Fresh Healthy Café, receiving its master franchise designation for the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.
Her tenacity and business savviness has not gone without notice. Anita has been recognized by the National Association of Professional Women for Outstanding Excellence and Dedication to Her Profession and the Advancement of Women, and she was recognized as one of the National Association of Distinguished Professionals’ prestigious Women of Distinction. She was also identified by 10 Shades of Success as one of Dallas’ Most Successful Women and served as the keynote speaker for their awards banquet & voted Top Woman of Collin County.
Anita is as abundant in beauty as she is in business know-how. As a model and spokesperson, Anita has walked the runway for numerous high-profile fashion events & designers including New York & LA Fashion week.
With her tremendous success, Anita has not forgotten the age-old proverb, “to whom much is given, much is required.”  Generous does not begin to describe the dedication and hands-on involvement with which Anita supports her many charitable affiliations. She and her husband, LaTroy have collectively donated more than $1 million dollars to the charities they support. Most recently they donated a home to a national domestic violence organization, Women Called Moses, to serve as a safe home for women and children fleeing abuse. In 2014, Anita launched the Find One Reason to Smile campaign, where she raises money to support survivors of domestic abuse by recreating their smiles diminished by abusers.
Anita also walks annually for St. Jude Children’s Hospital, is one of the organization’s top individual and team fundraiser and served on the Dallas planning committee for 5 years for the charity. She is also an ardent supporter of Minnie’s Food Pantry and has donated over $160,000 to the organization and its mission to feed the hungry. For her tireless efforts, Minnie’s presented Anita with the Community Service Award for her leadership and commitment to the organization.

Anita has also received 4 Lifetime Achievement Awards for Volunteer and Service from President Barack Obama administration, and President Joe Biden Administration.

Annually, she and her husband sponsor the college education of a deserving student to the school of their choice through the Jackie Robinson Foundation. Anita also received the President’s Philanthropy Award from Women of Wealth Magazine.
Anita Hawkins has been featured in many notable media outlets, local & national.
Destined for greatness and not slowing down any time soon, Anita chronicles her rise from the depths of abuse, anger and despair to triumph, self-love and success in her debut novel, “The Storm After The Storm”.
Today, featured in her new journal Owning My S.H.Y.T Anita E. Hawkins is both self-assured and selfless. She has overcome the harshest of circumstances to become a successful businesswoman, lifestyle expert and fashionista, while giving back to those in need. Most importantly, she is a dedicated wife and mother to her family.

www.AnitaEHawkins.com
www.owningmyshyt.com
www.FindOneReasonToSmile.org

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One lesson I had to unlearn was that passion and a good idea alone are not enough for a successful business venture; thorough market research is crucial.

Back story: I made an investment and purchased a franchise of Fresh Healthy Cafe. I believed in the concept and was excited to bring healthy eating options to the community.
However, I didn’t realize until later that the community at the time wasn’t quite ready for a health-focused restaurant, and the business wasn’t as successful as I had anticipated.
This experience taught me a valuable lesson: before investing, it’s essential to conduct comprehensive market research to ensure there is a demand for the product or service.
Now, if I ever decide to purchase a business again, I will either opt for a well-established Fortune 500 company, perform the necessary market analysis, or create my own franchise with a solid blueprint to guide others.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

This illustrates resilience in several ways.

Firstly, it shows my ability to learn from setbacks. Despite the initial failure, I didn’t give up on my entrepreneurial ambitions. Instead, I analyzed what went wrong and identified the gap in my approach—lack of market research.

Secondly, it demonstrates adaptability. Rather than sticking rigidly to my original plan, I recognized the need to change my strategy. This willingness to pivot and adjust my approach is a key aspect of resilience.

Lastly, it highlights forward-thinking and determination. Instead of being discouraged, I’m now better prepared and more knowledgeable. I’m ready to make more informed decisions in the future, whether that means investing in a Fortune 500 company, conducting thorough market research, or creating my own franchise model.

Overall, my experience underscores the importance of bouncing back from difficulties, learning from them, and using that knowledge to improve future endeavors.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.anitaehawkins.com
• Instagram: @anitahawkinsofficial
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anita.hawkins32?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/anita-hawkins-7b83a252
• Twitter: @anitaehawkins