We recently connected with Crystal L. Gunn and have shared our conversation below.
Crystal L. , appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
I was hired as a housing counselor and shortly after my start date, the company was relocating to a different part of Detroit. Because of the nature of the business, the old location had to remain open for 30 days, in case clients showed up. Someone needed to sit in the old location for those 30 days and I volunteered.
During that month, no one ever showed up but the download I received, took nine years to become reality.
Let me give some back story. After graduating from Michigan State University, I worked in the accounting department of a credit union for a very short time before I was recruited by another credit union, as the accounting manager. Within 2 years, I was Vice President of that credit union and the only black VP in the entire Oakland County Chapter of Credit Unions.
From there I started a mortgage broker office, with my husband (we divorced 5 years later), went on to become a life insurance agent, then a manager of a mortgage processing team at a financial institution, then a housing counselor, ultimately becoming the manager of that agency.
After about 3 years, I went back to the mortgage industry, not in management, but as a mortgage loan officer. There were two main reasons behind the decision. One, it was time to move on from that company and two, there was not enough black mortgage loan officers helping black people secure mortgages in Detroit.
All while doing the above, I always (in the background) facilitated financial and home buying education workshops and trainings.
During all of the time above, I experienced my own journey in life: financial hardship, which had never been an issue for me previously and depression. I remember having dinner with a friend and he told me “Crystal, your story is not special. Everyone is either going through something, about to go through something or just came out of something. That is not what defines you. What defines you is what you do now.”
I went home to do what he suggested and I asked God what was I supposed to be doing with my life. The downloads instantly started to come. ‘Create a journal – 365 days of inspirational quotes, scripture and song lyrics”. I am clear, this is what helped heal my depression.
The other item was “empower and unite black women globally”, to which I chuckled because I believed my life to be in shambles. When I asked my friend how to do this, he responded “Crystal, walk your journey and you will be surprised at who you inspire”. And so, the journey began.
I founded The Amazing Woman Network (AWN) to empower and unite black women globally under the pillars of reclaiming personal power of the mind, body and spirit; reclaiming financial power and increasing social involvement. AWN is truly dear to me but it’s not the download I received sitting in that office by myself for 30 days. Those pillars however, have guided me for the past 13+ years.
March of 2022, I resigned from originating mortgage loans, after months of stress. It was not something that I planned but the peace that came with that resignation was incredible.
I launched my financial coaching business full time and although that was going well, God and the Universe had to remind me of the download from 2014, when I was sitting in that office alone for 30 days.
I received a phone call from someone who had referred some of his clients to me for mortgage loans in the past. He and I had spoken on the phone numerous times but had never met in person. Well, he called in July of 2022 and I advised him that I was no longer originating mortgage loans. He of course asked what I was doing…one thing led to another and we met for lunch. He wanted to ‘convince’ me to start my own housing counseling agency.
As he told me all of the perceived benefits, I was unmoved. He asked me why, to which I responded “People ask me all the time to be a part of certain things. I never consider it unless I feel that internal click and I haven’t felt it yet in this conversation”.
He was doing some real estate development so I asked him what he was ultimately trying to accomplish with the developments. As he started to detail his vision, I leaned in to ask questions. He asked if I felt the click yet. I told him “Yes, because what you are saying is part of a community program I wrote in 2014”. That community program was the download I received sitting in that office, alone.
I still was not convinced that I wanted to walk that road and he asked me “If I can connect you to someone that could help, would you meet with them?”. Sure. He made a phone call and two weeks later, I was in Daytona Beach and spent the day with his connection. We were about 4 hours into the conversation when I said “Right now, in this moment, I understand why I have held every position, why I received every download and why I experienced my own financial hardships years prior.” It was clear that my community program was to become a realty though a non-profit. I had to open an agency.
Things typically come to me with confirmation. We were at the end of the meeting and he wanted to send me a phone number of someone we had called during our meeting. He said he had two numbers for me in his phone and wanted to know which one was correct. I asked what was the other number because I had only given him my mobile number. “313-861-8100”. My mouth dropped. He asked what was the number to which I responded “That was the number for the mortgage office my husband and I had. I have been in your phone for 20 years.” Talk about a full circle moment.
I went back home, and started to build out United Community Solutions to introduce my community plan “Rescue the American Dream”, the download that was given to me nine years ago while I was sitting in that office, alone.
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 back background and context?
Career wise, there are a few things I am most proud of. 1. My obedience. Where I don’t get this right 100% of the time, I get it right the majority of the time. It’s a constant challenge and I am now closer to 100% than ever before.
All of the things I do and programs I have, came as downloads and I had no idea, when they were given, when, if ever, they would happen…but I wrote them down anyway. Now as I continue in my journey, so much that I do was given to me years ago.
2. My consistency and impact. Empowering others, either personally or financially, has been my work for over 2 decades. I am definitely proud of my consistency but am most proud of the impact that it has had on others, some of whom I’ve never met or been with in the same room.
3. My reputation. I want to see everyone win. I operate out of a place of love. It’s a judgement free zone with me. I do not compromise my integrity. I get things done. I operate in excellence. I am consistent. People know these things about me and speak my name proudly. For that I am beyond honored.
My Bio:
Crystal L. Gunn is a trailblazing entrepreneur and financial strategist dedicated to empowering individuals, businesses, and communities. She began her journey as a Graduate of Michigan State University and quickly rose through the ranks in the business world, leaving a lasting impact in each role she undertook.
Her career started in the accounting department of SOC Credit Union, where her exceptional skills and leadership qualities led to her appointment as Accounting Manager at Municipal and Health Services Credit Union (MHSCU) within a year. Impressing everyone with her prowess, she achieved yet another milestone by becoming the Vice President of MHSCU, within just two years, making her the youngest and only African American VP, in the Oakland County Chapter of Credit Unions, at the time.
During her tenure as Vice President, Crystal realized the importance of a united team with a shared goal for business success. She mentored and coached staff members, fostering a cohesive environment that resulted in significant business growth. Driven by her passion for empowering others, she decided to explore new horizons and transitioned to become a mortgage broker, leveraging her operational expertise to lead her team with recruitment, coaching, and training.
In a span of six years, Crystal’s visionary approach enabled her to expand her business, establishing four additional branch offices, all while ensuring a strong focus on productivity, compliance, and, above all, the needs of her clients.
Her belief in personal responsibility and destiny fueled her desire to impact as many lives as possible. Crystal became a financial strategist, small business consultant, author, coach, and activist, using her talents to help others reach their true potential and lead extraordinary lives.
Driven by her experiences and understanding of the role of women in society, she founded The Amazing Woman Network (AWN) to empower and unite Black women. Through AWN, she provides support, resources, and a network for women to achieve greatness, reclaim personal and financial power, increase social involvement, and embrace their amazing potential.
Crystal’s unwavering commitment to empowering individuals led her to create a transformative retail line and signature fragrance, designed to further inspire and empower the wearers. Understanding the profound impact that self-belief can have on one’s journey to greatness, Crystal infused her retail line with empowering messages and symbols of strength. From empowering T-shirts and accessories, each product serves as a reminder of the wearer’s inherent greatness and their ability to achieve extraordinary heights.
Additionally, her signature fragrances, act as a powerful daily affirmation, enhancing the wearer’s confidence and self-assurance. Crystal’s vision for this retail line and fragrance is to instill a sense of empowerment and self-love in everyone who wears them, igniting a powerful reminder of how amazing they truly are, and inspiring them to reach their fullest potential in all aspects of life.
Her dedication to financial empowerment extends to her work as a Licensed Life Insurance Advisor and Financial Strategist, where she customizes financial strategies for clients, helping them improve their current situations, achieve future goals, and educate future generations to break generational curses.
Crystal L. Gunn’s commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of others extends into other entrepreneurial endeavors. As the founder of AWN Cares, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, Crystal has spearheaded several transformative programs that address critical social issues. The Red Dot Project, one of AWN Cares’ flagship initiatives, is dedicated to eradicating period poverty and providing financial empowerment to those in need of sanitary supplies. Through this program, Crystal and her team have worked tirelessly to ensure that no one is hindered by the lack of access to essential menstrual products, empowering women and girls to embrace their dignity and pursue their dreams unhindered by such challenges.
Another remarkable program under AWN Cares’ umbrella is Curated Conversations, a groundbreaking initiative that celebrates Black women while promoting mental wellness and therapy. This platform aims to break the stigma surrounding mental health within the Black community by fostering open and honest discussions. Crystal’s vision for Curated Conversations is to create a safe space for Black women to share their experiences, challenges, and triumphs related to mental health, thereby encouraging healing, understanding, and growth. By shining a light on this essential aspect of well-being, Crystal is fostering a culture of care and support, empowering Black women to prioritize their mental health and overall wellness.
Through AWN Cares and its transformative programs like The Red Dot Project and Curated Conversations, Crystal L. Gunn continues to exemplify her unwavering commitment to positively impact the lives of others and create a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their circumstances. Her visionary approach and tireless dedication have earned her the admiration and respect of countless individuals and communities.
In addition to her impressive accomplishments, Crystal L. Gunn has also made a significant impact through her various published works in the realm of financial empowerment. Her acclaimed workbook, “Becoming Financially Flawless,” serves as a 40-day financial workbook specifically designed to empower women with the knowledge and tools to take control of their finances and achieve financial success. Crystal’s dedication to catering to different demographics is evident in her subsequent works, such as “Financially Flawless Questions, The Couples Edition” and “Financially Flawless Questions, The Single Mothers Edition,” which address the unique financial challenges faced by these respective groups and offer practical solutions. Her insightful and comprehensive guides, including “The Tax Refund Flex Pack,” and “Recession Ready – The A to Z on How to Financially Turn Up during the Turn Down,” provide readers with invaluable strategies to navigate challenging economic times and emerge stronger financially.
Undoubtedly passionate about making a difference, Crystal’s commitment to the well-being of single black mothers led her to launch the groundbreaking “Single Black Mothers Collective” in 2023. This innovative initiative not only aims to financially empower single black mothers but also provides a holistic approach, addressing overall healing and well-being. Through her multifaceted work and tireless dedication, Crystal L. Gunn continues to inspire and uplift individuals and communities, leaving an indelible mark on the world of financial empowerment.
Crystal’s influence extends to the digital realm, as she is the creator and host of The Amazing Women Speak Podcast, where she engages in compelling conversations that uplift and unite Black women, fostering an environment that encourages breaking barriers and setting new standards of greatness.
In 2022, she founded United Community Solutions (UCS), furthering her vision of financial empowerment and community economic development. UCS is committed to empowering individuals, families, and businesses within the community.
As the Chairwoman of The Detroit Black Chamber of Commerce (the Detroit chapter of The National Business League), Crystal advocates for Black businesses, providing them with resources and opportunities to thrive on a global scale.
Throughout her journey, Crystal has remained guided by the words of baseball legend, Jackie Robinson: “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” Her unwavering dedication and belief in creating positive change led to her being honored as a recipient of the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
My reputation has been built from my consistency, messaging and integrity.
For over 2 decades I have empowered people personally and financially. It’s who I am and it’s the consistency that has made me a trusted resource.
My messaging matches my brand so people tune in because they know they will receive information that will empower them in the areas in which I specialize. My audience knows if they listen, they will get a message from me that will uplift, inspire or empower and it’s coming from a place of love.
My integrity. I am true to who I am and what I do. I will not compromise that for anything.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
There are tons of books, videos, essays and additional resources to help you along in your journey. Pick those which resonate with you but don’t get stuck with reading and watching the videos, you must move into action. All the motivational, tutorial and self help books won’t help, if you don’t do the work.
One book that I return to often is Outwitting the Devil by Napoleon Hill. I think everyone, no matter the religious belief, should listen to this book, especially with everything going on in the world today. I recommend you listen to it on Audible because of the interview and it will be far more impactful hearing it as opposed to reading it.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.rebel.crystallgunn.com/
Image Credits
Images of Crystal – Jared Davis of Jared Davis Photography