We recently connected with Eboni Yahudah and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Eboni, thanks for joining us today. Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?

Many mothers were still homemakers when I was a child. My mother, Titian Koonce, is an educator who chose to stay at home with her children before beginning to work part-time once I started school. I’m the oldest of three children, and my mother emphasized the importance of education, focusing on aspects such as proper grammar, phonics, handwriting, and reading. Her dedication ensured that I received the necessary attention during my formative years, which significantly boosted my academic performance.

Under her guidance, we participated in reading clubs, and she provided materials to help us retain and excel in our studies. This period of focused learning felt akin to a summer homeschool, and although I wasn’t initially a fan, my mother’s wisdom became evident as she knew exactly what we needed.

My father, Don Koonce, has a diverse background as a Professor, MBA, and IT Professional. Our home was unique among my friends because we had a Macintosh Personal Computer, and I was the first among them to have an “electronic pen pal,” which we now know as email. My father initially had a background in fine arts and briefly worked in graphic design before transitioning to IT.

As the oldest child, I had the privilege of witnessing my parents’ evolution into the adults they are today. I observed what it meant to be an adult, start a business, and strive to balance household responsibilities and finances during a startup venture. I also had the opportunity to hear about the journeys that led my parents to their current careers.

My parents have been deeply involved in their church community, serving on the deacon board and organizing activities such as vacation Bible school, Awana Club, Sunday school, and Christian camp. They have consistently upheld a moral standard for our household and provided a foundation for us to build our character upon. One of their strengths is their ability to organize and produce results.

I believe that I am a social entrepreneur today because of the example set by my parents and their fearlessness in pursuing their passions when I was young.

As a BIPOC woman and mother, I consider it imperative to set an example for my children by pursuing the passion that drives me. I aim to demonstrate the strength of our family’s lineage and encourage my children to build upon our family’s achievements.

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.

I am a Social Entrepreneur, Content Creator, Graphic Designer, and Holistic Practitioner. Much of my work is dedicated to supporting social entrepreneurs, community organizations, and contributing to community economic development.

I am the Owner and Principal Designer of Be Light Media LLC, a full-service digital agency with Minority and Woman Ownership, dedicated to providing web and communication support to fellow small business owners, artists, and social entrepreneurs. Be Light Media is certified as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) by the Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council.

The inspiration for starting Be Light Media stemmed from my observations of the limited autonomy that many organizations had when working with designers. I aimed to create an experience where my clients felt empowered to utilize the tools and materials we developed, rather than feeling restricted to make changes only when they paid the designer (me).

In addition to Be Light Media, I am also the owner and designer of WorkingFromHomeCo, an apparel line that specializes in lounge wear and travel gear. Our mission is to offer sustainable luxury options for individuals who value comfort without compromising on style. This line is specifically designed for remote and location-independent workers.

I had the privilege of participating in the National Association of Mom Entrepreneurs Makers Accelerator course, a program offered in partnership with Open Works. During this course, I achieved first place in their pitch competition, representing both Be Light Media and WorkingFromHomeCo.

As my business has expanded, I’ve embraced a location-independent lifestyle, allowing me to fulfill my commitments from anywhere in the world. This achievement served as the inspiration for WorkingFromHomeCo, where I create products that resonate with my experience as a location-independent worker. The flexibility to work from any location also enables me to travel and spend time with loved ones, a long-held goal I’m delighted to be realizing.

I also serve as the Founding Director of Lantern Mindsets, a network organization that places a strong emphasis on charitable giving and cooperative economics. The network’s primary mission is to provide valuable resources for local opportunities.

Lantern Mindsets has evolved over the years, yet its core mission remains unwavering. Currently, it organizes two key events: “Eating With Our Hands,” which promotes volunteer opportunities in and around the city, and “theSpot,” a networking event featuring live music, panel discussions, and vendor presentations.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

In 2016, I made the decision to leave corporate America and transition into the wellness industry and the social sector. During this transition, I undertook an unpaid internship in community economic development and enrolled in massage school. After obtaining my massage license, I was fortunate to receive a fellowship and subsequently began working full-time at Baltimore City Public Schools in the Office of Communications.

In 2020, I welcomed my second child into the world. By 2022, after 1.5 years of remote work, I took a significant leap of faith by accepting my first contract through my own business, which meant leaving the security of a regular salary and benefits. During the same year, I also began the process of applying for Minority Business Certification. Amidst these changes, I discovered a profound motivation and determination to achieve more, seize every opportunity, and sustain my momentum. One of the most significant challenges I encountered was the realization that my choices had a substantial impact on my family.

In my pursuit of growth and mentorship, I applied for a business accelerator course offered through the National Association of Mom Entrepreneurs. Not only was I accepted into the program, but I also emerged as the winner of the pitch competition held at the program’s conclusion. I have been in an unwavering “Achieve It” mode, striving to surpass my profit goals and leave a lasting legacy for my children and relatives.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

Be Light Media does not produce any physical products, whereas WorkingFromHomeCo does. During the accelerator course, I received training at Open Works on the Direct to Garment printer and Laser Cutter, which kickstarted my work on prototype demos.

I have plans to offer a range of products, including branded apparel (on sale now), Mala Beads with custom medallion pieces (ideal for meditative moments during travel), Laptop Accessories (perfect for working on a plane, in bed, or by the pool), and Hotel Stay Essentials (compact accessories to help you keep your space tidy in between room service visits).

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/eboniyahudah
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eboniyahudah/

Image Credits
Aisha Butler Eboni Yahudah