JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – National Women Standing Up for Women Day was Dec. 1, and two Jacksonville women represented that day in full this month.
Tia Coleman and Nicole Banks describe their relationship as one that resembles the closeness of a niece and an aunt. The ladies met about six years ago on social media and a budding sisterhood has flourished ever since.
“I absolutely fell in love with her and we could really write a book about how our relationship started,” Banks said.
Although both women are business owners and come from different business backgrounds, they have managed to leave a significant mark on the Jacksonville community.
Known as an influential millennial figure in River City, Coleman is the founder of I Am The Prize, Inc., which is a non-profit organization that seeks to help girls and young women develop high self-esteem and leadership qualities. necessary. prosper as an entrepreneur. She also launched a successful women’s empowerment and networking event called Manifesting Over Mimosas in December 2019.
A self-described “Internet’s Favorite Rich Aunt,” Banks is a fashion maven and the pretty girl boss at Shop Pretty Pieces, an online boutique.
Nicole Banks, owner of Shop Pretty Pieces boutique (XDH)
Among the many qualities ladies share… Fashion It’s where business meets pleasure.
Shop Pretty Pieces boutique collaborated with Coleman to launch the “I Am A Prize” collection on Monday, December 19.
“I think it’s important to see this type of collaboration between the two of us because I feel like we’re two very influential women in the Jacksonville business world. I feel like my brand aligns with yours because it’s about embodying high self-esteem and confidence. Our association with me talking to so many women about believing in themselves and having the confidence to show themselves as their true self and her with fashion to embody that ‘I am the prize’ look, image, feel, lifestyle…just makes sense .”
Aunt Coleman
Fashion is a statement that both ladies agreed to says a lot about motivation and empowerment.
The three-piece collection is a mix of glamour, elegance and business all rolled into one. Each piece flaunts its own individuality and was selected with the idea of influencing women through fashion.
“There are three incredible options and they all embody: I am here. I’m walking in this room and I am absolutely the prize,” Banks said.
When Coleman was working with Banks to curate the collection, he wanted to make sure each shopper felt like the star of the show when they donned his outfits.
“I like to appear in spaces giving 100% of my authentic self and I like to express it through the way I dress. For me, being memorable is the most important thing when I walk into a room, and I speak that through my fashion and what I decided to wear,” Coleman said.
Despite their 20-year age difference, Banks said she has learned a lot, especially about networking, from Coleman over the years and continues to be inspired by his tenacity.
“In fact, I am Jacksonville’s best kept secret. I do a lot of e-commerce. I know how to navigate the ecommerce space very well. I have to learn from my niece how to network. I’ve been in business for eight and a half years and as a black woman in Jacksonville, being in business is absolutely one of those self-contained things. She forces me, even if she doesn’t know it, to think big. I’m one of those people who can set limits, but she forced me out of a comfort zone that she hadn’t left in many years. So there are things that are manifesting for me just by being around. [her] Energy.”
nicole banks
Coleman also expressed his deep appreciation for the knowledge and camaraderie he has gained through his relationship with Banks.
“I feel like we can bridge the gap between women who are super established and women who are trying to find their way,” Coleman said.
Tia Coleman and attendees at the 2021 Manifesting Ove Mimosas networking event (WJXT)
The third annual Manifesting Over Mimosas event begins at 5 pm on Sunday, December 18 at the Prime Osborn Center. Coleman said that when he launched the inaugural event in 2019, he, too, was quietly battling postpartum depression. In that moment, she knew that she needed to do something to make her feel like herself again.
“I knew that when it came to doing business and networking, that was my happy place. 2019 was a defining moment for me because I felt like I was becoming my own woman. I didn’t expect anyone’s approval. I said, ‘You know what? I’m going to do it’. and when i [launched] It was supposed to start with 30 people in a small room, and it turned into 150 people filling the back of a building,” Coleman said.
Manifesting Over Mimosas is a celebration of success for entrepreneurs. It is an opportunity for women to come together in the name of sisterhood, networking, learning and development so that they are well equipped to build successful businesses.
The event includes seven speakers, opportunities to sponsor local vendors, and of course, mimosas they are on the menu.
“I know there is a trailer from someone related to someone in that room. I remember when I saw the lineup, there are two speakers that I want as my mentor. I’m really looking forward to seeing a bunch of beautiful brunette girls at Prime Osborn,” Banks said.
Coleman said that each event builds on the previous year and this year Coleman was “intentional” in selecting speakers who would convey knowledge to the audience. She knew the foundation for strong businesses was laid during the first event in 2019. Now, Coleman said, it’s time to dig deeper and take root in those businesses.
“I think access is very important for women of color and for women entrepreneurs, especially first-generation business owners. This year we have a trademark lawyer. 2019 set the tone for starting the business, but now we must protect our brands. We need to protect our assets,” Coleman said. “So when [attendees] Come in the room, I’m going to make you think big. There’s no reason you should be in business or an aspiring business owner and miss this event because I don’t see anywhere else you’re likely to get this information face-to-face, hands-on.”
What Coleman is most excited about for this year’s conference is seeing the support from the city of Jacksonville. On December 1, Mayor Lenny Curry honored her with a proclamation officially recognizing December 18 as “Mimosa Rally Day” in Jacksonville.
“Overall, people are really buying into the vision and I really appreciate that because I literally started in a barbershop. That was the first place I tried to reserve and now we are at Prime Osborn,” Coleman said.
Coleman acknowledged that the proclamation was an opportunity he could have seized on sooner, but found it happened at the perfect time, saying, “I’m a firm believer in divine timing.” He also said that he underestimated the support and tremendous response he would receive by sharing the news.
“At first, I didn’t even think it was a big deal, but then when social media blew up, I thought this performance is important because now I’m inspiring someone to go out and have their own day,” Coleman. he said.
Overall, Coleman is excited about her event and her collaboration with Banks, which comes the day after the Manifesting Over Mimosas event.
The collection will launch on Shopprettypieces.com or the Shop Pretty Pieces mobile app on December 19 at 10 a.m. You can also visit the website to sign up for early access.
To purchase tickets for Manifesting Over Mimosas, visit eventbrite.com.
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