Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bridgette Cofield. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Bridgette , appreciate you joining us today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

I have two businesses Goddess By B. Jolene LLC and Know Your Purpose Foundation. The name Goddess By B. Jolene came from my belief that every woman is a goddess. We have a divine energy and beauty within us that all women should embrace. Hence the word “Goddess”. B. Jolene is my first initial and my middle name, that I have learned to embrace over the years. It is my name and I plan on leaving a legacy with it. Know Your Purpose was derived from my belief that we all have a purpose in this life and it is our duty to know and discover that purpose so that we can use it for God’s will. Our purpose is not just for us but it is also to be a vessel for others on this life’s journey.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

I am a single mother of three young kings. I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, been employed with Cuyahoga County Fiscal Office for 16 years and heavily involved in my community. I created Know Your Purpose in 2012 because I saw a need in our community and with our youth that wasn’t being met. Our young kings and queens were lacking mentors and resources in their communities that could aid and assist them how to live successful lives despite the hand that life had dealt and their circumstances. I wanted to create an outlet to tap into their gifts, interest, and talents, while fostering mentor/mentee relationships, offering workshops, and activities that would assist in discovering their true purpose and recognizing their potential is limitless. I also wanted to be able to give back to those less fortunate and provide them with food and everyday necessities, therefore I created Know Your Purpose Foundation. Through my nonprofit, I have been able to do blessing bags for the homeless, host community block parties, create youth workshops at community centers, and held several community forums for health awareness especially in the African American community.

Goddess By B. Jolene was created because of my love for cosmetics and desiring to create a brand that didn’t lack quality and had a standard on the same level as some of the more expensive brands but at a lower cost. Everyone can’t afford MAC, Dior, or Fenty but that doesn’t mean that a person should have to settle for a less quality product are paying for a less expensive brand. As my motto says “Every Woman is a Goddess” and every woman should have a product that makes them feel as such and at an affordable cost.

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

A lesson that I had to unlearn is the belief that majority of your support should come from your family and close friends. This is definitely not true. Of course we want those closest to us to support and we are human, we get upset or hurt when they don’t. But the reality is, majority of your support will come from total strangers. Trust if you were given the vision, you will be given the customers. Even further if you restrict yourself to only servicing those you know how do you ever expect to grow and develop beyond beginning stages.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The best sources of new clients for me has been word of mouth from repeat customers, doing pop up shops and events, and social media content. You have to be the biggest cheerleader for your brand. Keep business cards on you at all times. Network and make connections with other business owners. Presence is key!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.goddessbybjolene.com
• Instagram: @goddessbybjolene @know_your_purpose
• Facebook: Goddess By B Jolene/ Know Your Purpose Foundation

Image Credits
Brittani Shantel Jackson for the Goddess By B. Jolene ladies photo and product photo.