Today we’d like to introduce you to Morgan Owens.
Morgan, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
In 2014, I decided to launch her own fitness class. Thus, Curvy Cardio was born. Having struggled with weight issues all my life, I am passionate about motivating others and sharing her story. “I am not a fitness expert, but I know what it takes. I’m never ashamed of my story because it may inspire others,” says Morgan. The purpose of Curvy Cardio is to help women embrace their curves (no matter what size) and love their bodies free of body shaming. Curvy Cardio offers four classes a week, offers online-based challenges and partnered with Project Grad by participating in their after-school program at Ethel Taylor Elementary; teaching young girls the importance of having a healthy self-esteem and body image.
Curvy Cardio has been featured on WLWT, Issues with Jan Michelle-Kearney, Cincy Chic, WCPO Insider, The Cincinnati Herald, Fitness Blogs such as Black Women Do Workout, 1230AM. I was recognized as a 2016 Bright Awards winner in Entrepreneurship. The Bright Awards honor African American young adults who have made a positive impact on the community through entrepreneurship, community service, and professionalism.
I was a featured speaker at Northern Kentucky University, Sister Circle talking to young college women about turning their “stories” into “success.” In 2017, I was an Affirmed honoree by the Urban League YP of Southwestern Ohio for Entrepreneurship. Affirmed is a celebration of top-tier professionals in the Greater Southwestern Ohio region who are contributing to their community while making strides in their profession.
Previously at the National Leadership conference for Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority Inc. I was invited to share my entrepreneurial journey on the P&G My Black is Beautiful panel discussion, where she spoke in front of hundreds. Curvy Cardio has been invited to set up national “pop up” classes in Oklahoma City, D.C, Columbus and Cleveland. Curvy Cardio’s social media presence has grown over the past year by 80% through Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Morgan was sought out to aid as an influencer for Procter & Gamble as a voice for African American millennials. Curvy Cardio also partnered with UC Health for Minority Health Month for its signature “30 days of werk” online program.
In 2016, the Morgan A. Owens brand was established as a voice for women who had a desire to become more marketable in their corporate careers as well as entrepreneurial endeavors. With the mission that women can be “powerful and pretty,” I introduced a plethora of chic and trendy events that embodied this concept. These workshops serve predominantly minority women with a mission to climb the corporate ladder as efficiently as their counterparts, gain corporate appeal in their own business, start their own business, or a mission to increase their bottom line while embracing their feminine and authentic selves.
The Morgan A. Owens brand series has been broadcasted and supported by Fox 19 News, WLWT Channel 5, The Cincinnati Herald, and Radio One. Her workshops have also received coverage from Cincy Chic, Minority Women Blogs, and The Cincinnati Herald. Additionally, the Morgan A. Owens brand has fostered strong relationships with leading companies and organizations including the African American Chamber of Commerce, The Cincinnati Herald and Urban League YP of Southwestern Ohio. I have also established relationships with local Universities including the University of Cincinnati to assist career-driven women with navigating life after college.
I am active in the community as a member of the Phi Psi Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. I also serve on the Queen City Foundation Board, African American Chamber of Commerce Board as Marketing Chair and is a former board member of Black Male Initiative at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College.
The Morgan A. Owens brand series has been broadcasted and supported by Fox 19 News, WLWT Channel 5, The Cincinnati Herald, and Radio One. Her workshops have also received coverage from Cincy Chic, Minority Women Blogs, and The Cincinnati Herald. I have also been awarded:
2017 YMCA Adult and Latino Adult Career Achiever
2017 Black Career Women’s Network Millennial Entrepreneur of the Year
2017 YWCA Rising Star
2018 DJ Ebony Queen Of The Year Award
2018 Honoree 300 Black Women of Chicago
2018 Lead/Venue Magazine Women of Influence Awardee
In 2018, I launched my first national conference, “Professional Pretty” where over 150 minority women learned about career, personal and business development skills. In 2019, two proclamations were made by the City of Cincinnati and the 33rd House of Representatives acknowledging “Professional Pretty Conference Weekend” and “Morgan A. Owens Day”.
At the conference, I surprised launched my first book, “Finding My Sparkle”, a journey to self-love. She turned her first book into a curriculum and currently partners with Families Forward, Project Grad and Boys Hope Girls Hope teaching young girls about healthy self-esteem and confidence.
I have been featured in national publications such as XONecole, Bauce Magazine, Sheen Magazine. I currently write a national column for the National Black Press (blackpressusa) inspiring and encouraging minority women to tap into their own sparkles.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Smooth road? Whew, absolutely not but that’s the beauty in entrepreneurship and success. If it were easy, everyone would do it. Looking back, my biggest struggle along the way was with myself. Often times we are our biggest roadblock. We hesitate, wonder why certain people aren’t supporting us, am I really meant to do this? should I give up and quit and go back to my corporate job, etc. We make excuses and talk ourselves out of success without even trying.
My advice to other women, particularly young women who are just starting their journey would be, keep going! If you fail, that’s apart of it. Don’t compare your journey to anyone else’s because you don’t know what battle(s) they fought to win. What’s meant for you will be for you and in your own time.
We’d love to hear more about MAO Brands.
The Morgan A. Owens brand was established as a voice for women who had a desire to become more marketable in their corporate careers as well as entrepreneurial goals. With the mission that women can be “powerful and pretty.”
The Morgan A. Owens brand mission is to educate, empower and elevate minority business owners, corporate women and young girls of color. The Morgan A. Owens Brand does this through workshops, speaking events, tools and books (Werkbook) fostering topics that include health and wellness, financial guidance, overcoming community/racial obstacles, brand building, economic and community empowerment.
What sets me apart from others, is my story. No one can be Morgan A Owens, like Morgan A. Owens.
What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
Leave a position if it’s no longer serving you. If you aren’t learning and growing, don’t be afraid to step away.
Pricing:
- “Finding Your Sparkle” book $20
- “Werkbook” $25
- “How to be Professional Pretty: A Guide to Bloom Your Business” $30
Contact Info:
- Website: www.morganaowens.com
- Email: morgan@morganaowens.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miss_morgan86/
Image Credit:
Love Photography Studios, Jehan Photography, Shanghai Imaging
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
