Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Yazmin Coleman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Yazmin , appreciate you joining us today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

I currently own two businesses. One is a partnership with a successful business owner in the community and that business has grown steadily in the last year, The idea stemmed from a work trip conversation and with her business expertise the idea came to life and in the last year we have been able to create a non-profit entity and get credentialed with various insurance companies. We were able to hire our first contracted therapist in September. My personal business has been a slow progress and I honestly regret not starting it during COVID. I have had this idea for years but was always too scared to go for it due to feeling I was not ready. In the two years my business has been up I have been able to secure 6 new clinicians I supervise weekly and in the last year I have been able to make progress towards my dream of having a group home for youth with severe mental and behavioral needs. This last week I received the news that my letter of support to own a group home in Johnston County was approved by the managed care organization. This process has been hard but very rewarding and reassuring for me. I wish I would have started sooner as I know financially, I would be in a better position but I believe God has his own timing and I am trusting him throughout this process.

Yazmin , 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?

Yazmin Coleman’s journey started in 2007 when she became a teenage mother at the age of 16 years old. Yazmin has worked in various industries and for various companies (Dunkin Donuts, Subway, Kangaroo, HomeGoods, Staffing Agency, and the dental field). After working in the dental field and making a good salary at such a young age she decided she wanted more for herself and her two children. By the age of 21, Yazmin had two sons (Jaydan and Jacob). Yazmin attended North Carolina Central University pursuing a degree in Nursing. However, God had another plan for her, and Yazmin completed a Bachelor’s of Social Work. Her professors at NCCU saw something in her she did not and encouraged Yazmin to apply for graduate school. With their support and her hard work ethic she was able to secure a HRSA grant and be accepted into the Advance Standing Program at the University go North Carolina of Greensboro and North Carolina A&T. Yazmin completed her Masters of Social Work in 10 months. She was able to network and create long lasting professional relationships that have positioned her where she is today. Yazmin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been in the behavioral health field since 2016. She has successfully worked in inpatient settings such as Holly Hill, higher level of care serving as an Assertive Community Treatment Team Lead, Community Support Team lead, working with youth as a school-based therapist, and doing outpatient therapy for adolescents and families. Yazmin currently holds 6 active licenses in 5 states and pursuing her 7th license. Yazmin now serves as a Clinical Supervisor for an agency based of Ohio and serves as a Clinical Supervisor for provisionally licensed clinicians in the state of North Carolina. Yazmin has become a businesswoman and owns two businesses. Dr. Reba Royster and Yazmin have collaborated on various projects and created Headstrong Wellness Inc and Headstrong Communities Inc with the vision of educating young athletes on mental health and how to effectively cope with their stressors. Families of Enrichment PLLC is Yazmin’s personal business in which she currently offers clinical supervision for provisionally licensed Social Workers and will be establishing a group home for young children and adolescents with acute mental and behavioral health disabilities in the future. Yazmin has experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, anger management, & motivation, personality disorder, trauma, substance use, self esteem, and confidence. She works with clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. Yazmin is here to support & empower individuals in that journey.

How’d you meet your business partner?

I met Dr. Reba Royster through her mother who was my Program Assistant when I served as an ACTT team lead. I developed not only a professional relationship with Mrs. Royster but also a close friendship and when I expressed to her I had a dream of owning a group home or respite care home she connected me with Dr. Reba Royster. Dr. Royster shared several business tips and ideas and after that reached out to me for support with an out of state business trip and have been able to work together since 2021. In 2022 we collaborated together and created Headstrong Wellness INC and in 2023 Headstrong Communities INC.

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

My journey has not been smooth, There were various obstacles I had to overcome as a young mother and career wise as well. It was not easy juggling school and being a single mother of two. I traveled daily from Apex to Greensboro for graduate school and was gone most of the day. My parents were a great support and helped take my children to school and care for them during my absence. I did not stay on campus, I commuted daily to be home with my children. It was an adjustment financially as well as I was making a decent living in the Dental field prior to returning to school. I was making the same salary with a Master’s degree that I was making with a High School Diploma. On various occasions I questioned my career and decision to go back to school. I pushed through and for the last 6 years I have maintained multiple roles in order to meet financial needs. Being a social worker is not a lucrative career, but you can build it up, create your brand, and set yourself up for success by networking, collaborating, contracting, and continuing to develop your craft with continuing education and advanced certifications. I can say after 6 years of hard work I have put myself in a position to earn six figures and be a business owner. I never gave up and always put myself in a position to advance to the next best thing. I have always expected the highest of myself and ensure I am putting the same amount of effort and work as I expect from others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.headstrongwellness.com
• Instagram: headstrongforathletes
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093440836642
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@headstrongwellness101
• Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yazmin-coleman-34022b293?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Image Credits
Kaytheshooter and Kiarazhanyea