We recently connected with Eternity Hyppolite and have shared our conversation below.

Eternity, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I have been attempting to make a full-time living through my creative work for many years now. It has not been easy whatsoever. I decided to quit my regular job that underpaid me years ago and do ride-sharing so I could pursue my creative endeavors. With acting, you can book an audition with a blank of a hat. I needed flexibility in my schedule.

Having personal issues I had to battle heavily affected my success. I also was the new kid on the block here in ATL so it was basically like starting my career over.

I am honestly still in the process of making my work pay off full-time. I believe 100% in my business plan and will bring it to life before 2023 ends! The irony is that I will be continuing my career in a new city again very soon.

I honestly don’t think I could’ve sped up the process anymore. Maybe if I had the guts to relocate to CA a lot sooner when it was on my spirit. However, I wouldn’t have met the souls I met here in GA. The few I can trust.

Creative Entrepreneurship is hard work. One thing I definitely would have done differently is to not let the voices of my family and others get in my head. Meaning, I wouldn’t have sought out outside approval in my endeavors. Being creative is the only thing that makes sense to me.

I also believe that if I had known I was autistic earlier in my life, I would have had more of the support I needed to navigate in my work. I take all the lessons & hardships on my journey and continue to work towards my goals as a creator full-time.

I went to modeling school during my high school years. I have been writing freely ever since I could remember. I have acted out skits/scenes since I was about 4 or 5 years old. I did musical theater and drama in high school. I received my bachelor of science degree in fashion, design, and retailing, with a concentration in merchandising.

As an adult, I sought out an agent & booked some commercials. I booked my first paid modeling gig years ago and had a blast! I also booked a small role in a short film that won an award at the Roxbury International Film Festival in 2019.

I have made money doing spoken-word, acting, modeling, writing, and hosting throughout my career. I will continue to do so as long as I have breath.

After quitting my last job, I finished my first book! I also sat down and wrote my business plan in 2020. I knew it was important to create a safe space for artists of all kinds to have a place to call home. I desired to make a living doing what I enjoy!

I have been a spoken-word artist for 12 years now and it is the stage that has been my home. Being surrounded by other artists that inspire me, encourage me, and uplift me has been my church. So, a few years ago, I received the calling to open my own space to help others as well. Just as others have helped me in my journey.

In 2016, I thought Atlanta, GA would be a good place to start. I made it here in 2021. California has been on my spirit for over a decade, but I could not afford it. I stopped believing I could make it out there.

Belief in yourself is everything!

I made an impact here in ATL, but I surely will thrive more in the Bay Area. That I know for certain. I believe in my vision now more than ever.

Eternal Wellness Studios LLC will open its brick and mortar in the East Bay Area. I am thankful for the lessons learned here in ATL and the people I have met. I move forward as my intuition guides me.

I have performed on many stages. Now, I get to create the stage for others. I hosted open mic events here in ATL, Boston, and now I am off to the Bay!

Eternity, 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?

As previously stated, I have had all my creative passions since I was very young. I just had to find my balance as I got older and had more experiences in each creative field.

I provide editing and ghostwriting services for those who desire to write a book. Copywriting services for emails, marketing ads, or websites. I am a freelance writer.

My mission statement is: Your Story is Your Power. I believe everyone has a story to tell and no one can tell it better than the one who has lived it. Your story can save your life once you know how to embrace it and share it. I teach people how to love themselves and heal from any trauma they may have faced. I now provide spiritual, relationship coaching.

I have helped people my entire life without charge. After many years of intentionally healing myself, I am able to help people even more on a professional level.

I have a collection of 5 books that are available to purchase on Amazon. My website takes you to each link directly on Amazon. I am quite vulnerable and honest in my writing. It allows me to connect with the reader and have them tap in with themselves. We are reflections of one another.

My studio that is to be opened in California will host open mic nights for all artists – poets, musicians, comedians, storytellers, and painters. Eternal Wellness Studios will also have dance fitness classes, meditation workshops, and yoga. I am very excited to relocate and open this space.

I have rented spaces and done these events throughout ATL and I did virtual events during the pandemic. It has been a joy to host artists and see them shine! I help people see their true potential and believe in their gift. The stage is open to all levels of creativity. I look forward to doing this on a regular basis.

So many people do not believe in their vision. Lots of people seek outside validation and my work is to teach people the power they possess within. I help people elevate to their higher self through creativity.

Your Story is Your Power

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I relocated to ATL from Boston, MA in October of 2021. I had very little money to my name, but I knew that with every fiber of my being, I needed to pursue my creative outlets full-time. I knew I needed to open my business, Eternal Fitness Studios, LLC in GA. This is the home for black entrepreneurship.

One of my best friends and some support from some of my followers got me here. I could not afford my new apartment without a roommate. My credit score was fair from years of working for crappy pay and not being able to pay off my debt.

I struggled financially since graduating high school 15 years ago.

I knew in my late 20s that I had to make my dreams come true. I have always been a dreamer, creator, and believer that I would make it in the entertainment industry.

Anxiety and depression hit me pretty hard after a couple of months of living here. I refused to take another underpaying job at 30 years old. So, I continued to perform spoken-word and kept writing my books. I wrote all 5 of my books in under 3 years.

When I did apply for hundreds of jobs so I could pay the bills, I had no luck in that department. It was stressful, but I knew deep down it was a sign that I was not meant to work a regular job. I am not a regular person.

In 2022, my best friend and a new therapist got me through my depression. I fought daily the demons I faced. I sincerely no longer wanted to live in January of 2022. I found a new therapist through my insurance to fight the suicidal ideation. I have had a lot of people hurt me in my lifetime and the burdens of not feeling like I was enough was too much to bear.

I went through a difficult separation and had to face the parts of myself that still needed healing from past trauma.

I did my self-care routines – walking in nature daily, meditation, writing, and painting when I was suicidal. The use of colors and paint helped me in my darkest hours. I released the pain I felt on canvas. It is very therapeutic.

I performed at open mics when I could. I started hiking over the summer and in August of 2022, my foot slipped on Stone Mountain on one of the highest inclines. I was hanging on for dear life and I could not pull myself up. I asked the man ahead of me to come back and please take my hand. Thank God he pulled me up!

I could have died that day. In my mind, I kept saying: I cannot die, I have too much to live for. That fall changed me forever. I went from wanting to die to knowing I needed to live. I will never forget that day. My back injuries from that fall were terrible. Yoga stretches daily and epsom salt baths helped to heal my back over time. I am quite active and health conscious.

I dealt with suicidal ideation again in October of 2022. It was the heaviest I had ever experienced. My chosen godmother said that was my breakthrough in real time. She was right. I texted her when I could not breathe. I felt like I was suffocating, I called the suicide hotline first, then hung up and called my soul mama.

She has been by my side for three years now. We live in different states, but her energy is present. I can go to her with anything and I am forever thankful for her. I am unable to talk to my biological mom about a lot of things. That’s just my reality.

My godmother stayed with me during that difficult time via phone. I had called my then partner too, but we were long distance – in different time zones. I knew he was asleep. He called me as soon as he woke up.

He was the best partner and I honest to God fought harder to live for him and his youngest son. They were my family. What we began to build in the fall of 2022 was something I knew was worth fighting for.

I mainly wanted to live life on my own terms. I have always desired my own family. The universe provided. Things did end between us, but I have no hard feelings towards him. He is one of my soulmates and I’m thankful we got to cross paths.

I have had my fair share of dates, boyfriends, and love interests. Many of which broke my heart. However, I never stopped believing in love. I learned a lot from my previous relationships. I learned a lot about myself. I give thanks for every man I have ever loved.

I believe in my vision for business and my personal life. I give thanks that I am in a place of loving myself fully & unapologetically.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.eternityhyppolite.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/eternityhypp and instagram.com/eternalwellnessstudios
• Facebook:Eternity Echo James
• Twitter: @eternityhypp
• Other: https://gofund.me/6e2f54a0

Image Credits
The Lucky Rebels – Alycia Keys