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

Daphne , appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

Taking a leap of faith, I teamed up with an associate to kickstart The Co-Lab Collective. It all started when Ossie my now business partner, dreaming of her coworking space, explored spots in downtown Montgomery. Spotting a rundown gem, she immediately thought of me. Even though we were just merely associates then, the potential of the place struck a chord with both of us. So, we combined our funds, rolled up our sleeves, and dove into revamping that worn-out building together.

Daphne , 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?

This question paints a very colorful picture for me. I’m an artist through and through, having worn many hats in my life. From being an educational nanny over 20 years and a certified Birth and Postpartum Doula to spending over 15 years as an event producer, my journey is as diverse as it gets. I’ve belted out tunes in a band, strutted down runways for fashion and hair, and shared the joys of art with kids through an independent art company. Toss in being a published author, a dog mom, and embracing a plant-based lifestyle, that’s the eclectic mix that defines me. Creating a lively atmosphere with great music is my vibe, and I cherish curating a space that’s both enjoyable and inspiring for everyone.

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

On June 26, 2015, I faced an unimaginable loss, losing one of my closest friends just weeks before a monumental event in my life. It felt like my entire world crumbled, leaving me paralyzed despite the hundreds relying on me. Struggling to cope, I had to reach out for support. In that dark period, I realized she would’ve wanted the event to be extraordinary. I managed to pull through, orchestrating a remarkably successful event, but the aftermath sent me into a deep depression.

I needed to heal, I took a bold step, uprooting my life to a new state, navigating the journey alone. Starting from scratch became my path to healing. Amidst the process, I poured my emotions into a motivational journal on grief. Emerging from this turbulent chapter, I found strength and happiness, attributing much of my growth to the memory of the late Dr. Cozetta Shannon.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

As a event producer I plan many events in and around the city. I met Ossie because she would come out and support many of my events. We were friends on Facebook and she was always extremely helpful and willing to assist me with anything she thought I needed. That’s it. It’s just that simple on how we met.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.thecolab-collective.com
• Instagram: @Daphnepollard
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/daphne.pollard?mibextid=ZbWKwL
• Other: TikTok: Daphnepollard80

Image Credits
D. Whitfield illuminations