Today we’d like to introduce you to Reba Hollingsworth.
Hi Reba, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve been a TV news anchor and reporter for almost 30 years. It’s my dream. I knew I wanted to be a journalist since I was seven years old. I’ve climbed the TV markets covering news from the courthouse to the White House. In 2017, I stepped out of my TV comfort zone to begin my entrepreneurial journey. During my long career in TV news, I became all too familiar with the frustration of trying to attach my wireless microphone when I was wearing a dress. Tons of other women face the same frustration of that unflattering “back bump” when the mic is clipped to their bra strap. I created a simple solution. An adjustable leg wrap for women to attach their wireless mic. It was truly my AHA Moment! The AHA Wrap is sold across the country to not only female TV news talent but public speakers, ministers and business executives.. From there, I caught the entrepreneurial bug. In 2021, I created the TRI V3RSA bag. It’s a 3-in-1, vegan leather bag that converts to an over-the-shoulder, cross-body and backpack. My mission is to create products that will make the lives of people easier.
I share my journey with five powerhouse and ambitious CEO’s in the Amazon best-selling book, “Lipstick and Legacies”. These incredible women have all built their businesses from the ground up. I co-authored the book with visionary author Holly Byrd Miller, Holly has dreamed of collaborating with other like-minded businesswomen to share their journey of creating their own businesses and the impactful legacies they want to leave behind.
For this inspiring journey, Holly personally handpicked these co-authors: Julie Hill, Catina Jones, Tanya Battle, Grace Washington and myself, Reba Hollingsworth. Entrepreneur and actress Daphne Maxwell Reid wrote the forward to “Lipstick and Legacies”. She’s best known for her role as Aunt Viv on the comedy sitcom, ‘Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’. These dynamic businesswomen tell their story of successes and setbacks. They represent a ton of experience in their professions: beauty, branding, banking, wealth management, product creation, business development, housing development and real estate. We hope our collaborative book will serve as an inspiration and a resource for aspiring entrepreneurs and as a motivation for other business owners who are building their own dreams. We have an obligation to share the knowledge and experiences we’ve learned along the way and leave a legacy that will be passed on to generations to come.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
There will always be obstacles and challenges when pursuing a career or starting your own business. It’s how you respond to those setbacks that will determine the outcome for you and your business. For the ladies of Lipstick and Legacies, our stories had a common theme. We all experienced the difficult parts of life such as divorce, money problems, challenges on the job, abuse, health complications and the loss of a loved one. However, we used those life experiences to push and propel us to our greater purpose. We hope by sharing our truth and vulnerability that readers can see themselves in our stories and continue to persevere in their own lives.
In the book, I share my journey of trying to become a TV journalist. I remember a News Director from Louisiana told me I should find another profession after looking at my resume tape. Those words hurt me to my core, but those same words made me want to dig in and fight even more for the career I’ve always dreamed of having. I also share my story of becoming an entrepreneur and the setbacks of creating a product. I didn’t know a thing about starting a business, but I’m thankful for the female entrepreneurs who showed me the ropes and who guided me through the process. I have an obligation to do the same for other aspiring business owners. It’s my way of paying it back and paying it forward.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am TV News anchor, entrepreneur and author.
I’ve worked in television news for almost 30 years as a reporter and anchor. In 2018, I followed my entrepreneurial passion and created two products–the AHA Wrap and TRI V3RSA bag. These products were created with TV women in mind, but these creations go beyond women in the television industry. These products are designed to make our lives easier. In 2022, I became an author by writing a collaborative book with 5 other female entrepreneurs. They are powerhouses in their fields. We hope our book, “Lipstick and Legacies”, serves as a resource and an inspiration for other entrepreneurs.
Any big plans?
My future plans are to continue to grow my small business by expanding my line of products and reaching even more customers. I have tons of other product ideas swirling in my head. It’s my dream to see these ideas come to fruition.
The ladies of “Lipstick and Legacies” want to continue to share their story through speaking events and interviews. We believe the knowledge we’ve learned along the way could be invaluable to other entrepreneurs from learning the steps to getting a product made to how to finance your business, your big ideas.
Pricing:
- $30/$40 AHA Wrap
- $150 TRI V3RSA bag
- $19.00 Lipstick and Legacies Book
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ahawrap.com and www.triv3rsabags.com
- Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Lipstick-Legacies-Holly-Byrd-Miller/dp/B0BGKZBQ65/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=OJ0ABVIHDDV0&keywords=lipstick+and+legacies+book&qid=1669126159&sprefix=lipstick+and+legacies+%2Caps%2C88&sr=8-1
- Instagram: the.aha.wrap tri_v3rsa_bags
- Facebook: AHAWRAP4U Lipstick and Legacy Builders (private invite)
- Other: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QU_t_7Q6wLE2gxSm1oXCBNwdxtf2q-e6/view?usp=drivesdk
Image Credits
Reba’s headshot and the Lipstick and Legacies group pic–Photographywithraleigh.com/Raleigh Marketing All TRI V3RSA bag pics and Reba green dress wrap pic–Emmanuel Pezoa
