Buzz Magazine Dallas

It all started at church, really, I’ve always enjoyed photography, since I was very young and received my first Kodak camera for Christmas, But a few years ago, I became fascinated by the images of the services and events that were shared on social media by my church. There was something about the joy and emotion that was captured in those images that just tugged at me and pulled me in.

It was then that I became serious about photography. I wanted to be able to create images like that, images that made others feel something. I know that might sound like a cliché, but that’s the reality of it. So, I joined the media team at church, bought a DSLR camera and began to learn as much as I could about photography. Some (mostly my family) might say that I became a bit obsessed with it all and I really can’t disagree with them too much. I just found a passion for it that I can’t describe.

I began by working alongside our church photographer, Ken Miller, and I learned from him how to shoot in low light situations. It was, and still can be, challenging because we are not able to use any flash in the church. Those were my first lessons and has proven to be my most valuable source of photography training. I also invested in additional education, taking photography and lighting classes, both online and in-person, and attended several workshops. And all along the way… Practice, practice, practice. I loved it!

After a while, I started getting inquiries from people outside of my family to take their pictures or shoot an event for them. At the encouragement of my husband, I decided to turn my hobby into a business. That was nearly three years ago.

In 2015, was unhappy with my current status in life and decided to pursue more of my passions in life. In my pursuit a discovered a fashion show that was to take place. The fashion show was entitled Insta Runway. I located the contact information for the show and emailed the production team. The assistant producer for the show read my email and exclaimed to the lead producer that they had to take a look at it. After the lead producer read it they contacted me and we scheduled a call.

Upon receiving the call we had over a 3 hour long call about my aspirations. I was brought onto the production team shortly thereafter at the conclusion of the call. The show included an all black designer cast. Among them are those who are now known for their current fame. Names such as Project Runway Allstar Korto Momolu, Laquan Smith, Reco Chapple of the famous fashion house, House of Chapple and Ese Azenabor. It included guests such as Ty Hunter, Christina Johnson, Dallas Cowboy players and Stylist J. Bolin just before the precipice and surge of his now famous popularity. The show is still touted as one of the best fashion shows in Dallas. The show took place at the well known Lofty Spaces and trended across the social media platform Instagram.

Following the success of show the lead producer asked me to stay to assist with scouting male models. Eventually the members of the original production team each parted ways to pursue their own individual interests. I later started fashion state of mind which was intended to be an agency. At the time I looked into and researched the requirements for owning an agency and it was not feasible at the time. So I started as a model management company. While the an agency and model management are similar the requirements for each are different.

After starting the road to model management I later discovered that people would often inquire and seek my advice on how to start their own business. Quickly realizing I was functioning in a bigger scope the company transitioned to public relations.

The story behind Deaf Clothing starts 10 years ago. When I went to college, I was really an introvert. You would only see me out with friends, then i’d be the one that kept to myself. Music is what helped me break out of my shell. I decided to become a DJ. During the same time I made this decision, I became a homeless college student living out of a Motel 6. Half of the time I didn’t know where my next meal would come from. All of my friends were thriving and I was stuck, so I went into hiding to figure out who I was and what my purpose is. One day my friend Fletch asked me what “Deaf” means to me and all I could say was “Don’t Ever Accept Failure”.

When I came back on the scene, I had new energy and focus. Success started to come as a DJ becoming the first official DJ for LSU, signed with a label, club residencies, and join the radio station as On-Air Personality and mix-show DJ. Every show I ended my set with “Don’t Ever Accept Failure”. People started coming up to me telling me how my mantra was helping them in life. It was weird hearing that, but people encouraged me to keep sharing my story. They would even ask if I had shirts for sale. I knew I wanted to expand my portfolio so I got into real estate in Louisiana and Texas which helped investing into my brand. Then I received a call from the Harlem Globetrotters offering me a position to be their DJ/Show Producer. While touring, I worked a silent plan, invested into my personal brand and apparel.

The message behind the name was helping more people than I realized. It wasn’t until a friend messaged me on Instagram one day asking how much money do I owe 50 Cent. He sent me a post from his personal account where he just purchased some jewelry then flips the camera around and he’s wearing one of my shirts saying “Don’t Ever Accept Failure”. I called my business partner and said let’s clean this up. It’s time.

Being born in a family that specializes in the restaurant industry, I was always around food, people, and family. That was the premise for starting Mother Clucker. I wanted to have a place where there was good food for everyone to gather and to enjoy with their friends and families. After eating out at many fried chicken dining establishments, I noticed a common theme missing at all of them. They were all missing out on something small, whether it was tasteless or over breaded tenders, offering only one kind of fries, offering limited sauce options, or not having dessert.

I set out to create something different, something with everything that is missing. Starting with fresh jumbo chicken tenders, we marinate for a minimum of 12 hours, hand-breaded hand-battered and made to order. Then with eight different options of fries and seven different sauces. Finally, with the State Fair Desserts, we all know and love from Fried Oreos to Funnel Cake, Fried Twinkies and Fried Snickers to Fried Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches. I set out to have a place that I would be happy and proud to call my own.

I chose Colleyville, TX to be the founding site of the Mother Clucker because I saw something in Colleyville that I have missed in a very long time. A small-town feel in the heart of DFW. The central location makes it very accessible to everyone around and the town is more than just a community; it’s an extended family. From day one of opening my doors, everyone has been so welcoming and friendly, it is a great place to grow and expand. I hope there are many more years to come.

I am semi-retired from a long and successful career in small-animal veterinary medicine. Decades ago, I had developed an interest in photography, but the time demands of raising a family and attending to a 60-90 hour/week business, left me with little time for art.
As my clinical veterinary duties scaled back, I was able to devote more and more time to expanding my knowledge of the art and science of portrait photography. Today I am fortunate enough to be able to shoot as little or as often as I want. I mainly shoot portraiture and artistic portraiture for myself, and sometimes senior pictures, model tests and headshots for actors and others.

When I started this venture of real estate and investing, I quickly realized the need for dedication and integrity in this business. I wanted to be able to provide a service to people that they thought was not possible. The human touch to be exact, to make them feel heard and vision understood. With the help of a 20 year experienced and nationally recognized broker, My husband and I were able to create RML Group-Universal Realty Texas. With the same passion and goals, we can present first-time homeowners opportunities they thought were not possible for them. We also provide excellent customer service and dedication to those clients that wish to grow and transitions to their dream homes. It brings us full circle to see people reach their goals and that we were able to help achieve them.

Being a new mother of two and a military wife came with a list of new challenges to face. After struggling with postpartum depression I felt the need to grow into something more to change my state of mind. I have always loved to dress up and express myself through apparel, hair, and makeup. It made me feel good to see myself as a successful wife and mother and I wanted to share my outlet with women alike facing my same struggles. I decided to invest some money into myself and start my own online boutique. I named my store, “Heart of Capricorn”, referring to my horoscope sign and how perfectly it describes me. The “Heart”, of the title is based off of things that I love and care about. Since my debut in 2017, both my business and I have grown tremendously. My website now carries my blog posts, my podcast, which I co-host with a dear friend of mine, and my youtube videos, on top of including my shoes and clothing. I also participate in various events in the Dallas/Fort Worth area where set up my pop up shop and sell my merchandise. Its been a blessing to see myself grow as a business owner and as a woman. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for H.O.C.

From a very young age, my parents have always supported my dreams, no matter how crazy big they are. I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit and a belief that anything is possible with hard work and a good support system. Life is so short, and I want to create a life & career that I’m passionate about.

I’ve achieved some huge goals for myself over the past few years that I am really proud of. I published my first book in November 2019, released my first song in January 2020, and in 2017 I started my wedding hair and makeup business. Each of these projects has taken a lot of time and effort to achieve, and I have even bigger goals in the works for 2020.

Originally a high school drop out, but went back and graduated. Hitched a ride to design school 13 hours away with only a couple/few hundred dollars in my pocket and with a lady, I met the day before. Was terrible at art while in college, and the professors even questioned my major choice. But I tackled it through technical know how until the creativity came (much later). I almost dropped out, but stuck with it, and learned the software as best as I could. Worked three jobs, 35-45 hrs./week for scholarship money and a little bit of money to survive on all while taking full load years straight. It built a crazy work ethic going through all that. Any free time I ever had, I wouldn’t go out or do anything else. I instead would hop on my computer and learn the software more and more. Practicing design any chance I got.

Fast forward five years after graduation, I started my own growing ad agency. It took off quickly and been fortunate to work with such brands as NASA, American Airlines, LG, GE, Boeing, Enkei Wheels, Frito Lays, Samsung, etc.

A few years ago, I went through some personal hardships, and out of that, I rebranded and also began a culture/brand that focuses on fitness and turning pain into fuel. Getting up, getting better, and that being your “come back.” I am currently growing that brand and motivating many to rebuild their lives after hardships.

A profound visionary from Dallas, Texas, Akilah Yaasmeen Whitaker fell in love with fashion, production, and fashion editorials at an early age. During 2014, she received her Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from The University of North Texas. Akilah Yaas also earned a certification in fashion styling from the School of Style in Los Angeles, California. Since then, she launched her fashion consulting network and blog, Are You Willing (AYW); Akilah Yaas has covered media and press during New York Fashion Week and many other shows here in Dallas. Akilah Yaas has over 5 years of experience in personal, fashion, and runway styling. She has worked with respectable fashion houses such as SAKS Off Fifth, BCBG Maxazria, and Louis Vuitton. In 2019, she formed Haus of Yaas, LLC. which specializes in creative direction, wardrobe styling, and runway production. She is highly skilled at interpreting your style and revealing you to yourself. Akilah Yaas main focus are executives in positions whose style impacts their business and career advancements.

Her philosophy is “Style is like your second skin, everyone has one…It only takes 3 seconds to impress someone and ultimately your wardrobe is that first impression”.