Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Rice.
Christina, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I launched OMNoire, a social wellness club for women of color in 2017. It was born from a few life changes I was going through at the time. One being from entrepreneur burnout from my previous Public Relations career which drew me to yoga in 2015. Once I started practicing regularly and then deciding to get my certification, I noticed in my training I was the only black woman. Although I connected with the students in our 50-person training, I still felt somewhat of an outsider. Then, when I started teaching many black women would ask me when my classes were. It dawned on me that they felt more comfortable being led through their yoga practice by a woman who looks like them, that’s not your typical 120 lb, size 2 blonde yoga teacher or student.
OMNoire started off as an Instagram page to highlight women of color in wellness in Spring 2016. It didn’t become a “business” until Spring 2017 when we announced our first wellness retreat. This retreat was held in November 2017 in Grenada with over 50 women from all over the world.
To date, we have hosted four sold-out retreats in Barbados, Poconos, Bali, with our 5th in Arizona this April with an estimated attendance of 75+.
We recently relocated to Atlanta in November, so we could expand the platform with more content, more events and some other surprises we have in store.
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?
Ok, so I’ll say this. There is no “one size fits all” journey. I have a background in PR, event production and marketing so there have been a number of factors that have attributed to our “success.” I put success in quotation marks because we have a long way to go to scale this platform to be considered successful but it’s been an amazing ride thus far. Early on, my relationships in media were key in us getting exposure. To this day, I haven’t actively pitched myself and/or OMNoire. Media outlets have reached out to us. Our first article was in Black Enterprise, then Forbes, then Washington Post, Essence and so on and so on.
We’ve also been blessed to partner with incredible brands such as Quaker, Tropicana Essentials Probiotics and Dr. Miracles.
My advice to other women, young women are relationships are key in not only your success but your business’ success. Those relationships are going to propel you forward. However, make sure there is an even exchange of give and take. I’ve done well in both this industry and media relations because I always SHOW up for people, professionally and personally, and I keep my word.
We’d love to hear more about OMNoire.
I am the Chief Experience Officer at OMNoire. We pride ourselves in creating an experience at our retreats, events, and platforms. We want to make sure you feel supported in your wellness journey, like a girlfriend in your head.
We also encourage the idea of 360 degrees of wellness. It’s not just the foods you eat or how often you exercise but also your mental and emotional health, financial wellness, healthy relationships and more.
I believe what sets us apart is that we meet you where you are. You don’t have to be vegan or alcohol-free, we want you to define what wellness means for you, not the other way around.
Do you recommend any apps, books or podcasts that have been helpful to you?
I am an avid reader, some of my faves are:
Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living by Shauna Nequist
The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson
Spiritual Liberation by Michael Beckwith
The Year of Yes by Sandra Rhimes (this book motivated me to get over my fear of public speaking by saying YES to speaking opportunities. It worked!).
Podcasts:
Sidehustle Pro
My Taught You
Oprah’s Soul Sessions
Contact Info:
- Website: www.omnoire.com
- Instagram: omnoire
- Facebook: omnoire
- Twitter: omnoire
Image Credit:
OMNoire
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.
