We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jalisa Gilliam a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jalisa , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry? Any stories or anecdotes that illustrate why this matters?
I feel like Corporate America just gets it’s aim at funding wrong. There are people out there that had no chance since birth. Those same people are born into poverty, grow up get good grades, graduate and start a business. But then they hit a wall, they have no credit or bad credit, the parents have ruined it before they could use it. So now that same person can’t get anyone to look at their business ideas, their pitch or their product because they’re considered high risk! But those same people work so hard and can never get far! If we took a look at each individual rather than a score, the industry would be totally different! Business would be everywhere, making sure Americans have everything they need, here in America! But it’s other ways credit can affect a person who is trying to start a business, no funding, no capital, grants are a leg and an arm to even fill out so most get confused and stop the entire process! I wish we had different guidelines and guidance on these matters in schools as well. Because they never teach you that in school!
Jalisa , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I own Yoni Express LLC, the only black female owned beauty, skincare and hygiene product line in South Carolina that manufactures and distributes it’s own chemical free products completely in house! We’re on Walmart, in Piggly Wiggly stores, local stores and we ship around the US! We develop our recipes right from our garden and now plant based! We are unisex friendly! We have been nominated for skincare brand of the year and new business of the year! We have been featured in multiple interviews and magazines and have multiple partnerships and brand deals! Come check us out. We also offer services!
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Me! I am a walking billboard for my business! I promote anytime and anywhere! I am my business! I placed cards in random places, I put cards in post offices, stores and I also print flyers, I bring up my business in conversations with new people and I also printed it on my car. I post on social media a lot to market as well!
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I had to unlearn comparison. I would also look at another business and wonder what I am doing so wrong. When in fact, I was doing everything right! I just needed patience! I would look at another person accomplishments and get so upset within myself. And it’s nothing the other person did, I just self sabotage and it was not healthy. Once you learn to focus on your own business, you’ll soar!!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://yoniexpressllc.my-online.store/
- Instagram: Yoni.express.llc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075912522457&mibextid=ZbWKwL
- Linkedin: Jalisa Gilliam
- Twitter: YoniExpress22
- Other: Jalisa Gilliam/ Yoni Express LLC