Today we’d like to introduce you to Bianca Webb.
Bianca, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am a native by way of Southside Atlanta. I graduated from the infamous Westlake High School – the home of many notable Atlien movers and shakers. From the outside looking in, people would not expect to hear the story that escapes my lips. I grew up in a house divided but later reunited through forgiveness and relentless healing. I guess you could say my family, like many Black families, fell prey to the falsehoods of the “American” dream. In elementary school, my mother nearly lost her life to stage 3 colon cancer. After years of misdiagnosis from White doctors, my mother finally received the proper diagnosis from a Black woman, our angel. Since my youth, I have seen the reward in trial and tribulation. As Zora Neale Hurston once said, “there are years that ask questions and years that answer.” I spent the majority of my life questioning “why me?” “Why could my family not be wealthy?” “Why must my mom choose between medicine and shelter?” “Why are not my parents together?” “Why do we shop at the goodwill?” One day in high school, I decided to stop wondering why and start creating my how and what. It was from that moment forward that my life changed for the better.
When college decision time rolled around, I decided I wanted to move away and go somewhere that would force me to grow. Now, let me clarify. Despite the hard times, I always knew that I was different. There was a fire in my belly that I refused to let be extinguished by forces and decisions that were not my own. I never lost hope. In high school, I was often characterized as a jack of all trades and a renaissance woman. I was SGA-Class president, captain of Westlake’s award-winning dance team, HOSA vice-president, president of Women of Westlake. Ironically, hard times and strife will teach you the value of serving others and leadership.
I decided to attend Louisiana State University, formally known as LSU. I pursued my degree in Mass Communication with a focus in Political Communication and a minor in Corporate Leadership Development. When my parents were married, we would go to New Orleans every summer to celebrate their anniversary. I was so amazed by the rich culture, and though it had been over a decade since I visited, there was something about that purple and gold that called me to LSU. It is no secret that LSU is home to one of the most profitable collegiate football programs in the world. I knew that I wanted to ultimately pursue a career in sports and entertainment. To no surprise, what better way to gain experience than working for LSU Football Operations and LSU Tiger TV Sports.
Above all, I was honored to be nominated and crowned as the 2015-2016 Homecoming Queen. I was the second Black woman to be crowned in school history. Shortly after winning, I wanted to amplify the voices that were often underestimated and ignored. I decided to start a grassroots organization, The Geaux Feed Project. (www.GeauxFeed.com; Instagram @geauxfeed). The Geaux Feed Project is centered around homelessness and poverty prevention. Since its conception, we have managed to assist, feed, and provide services for over 1,300 citizens across the southeast. Moreover, LSU gave me the gift of sisterhood. My precious Eta Kappa by way of my sweet Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. My matriculation through college shaped my advocacy voice. A voice that I am still refining till this day.
The spring following graduation, I enrolled at the Southern University to begin my Masters in Public Administration. I avoided the idea of law school and convinced myself that I did not need a law degree to live a fulfilling life. What I didn’t realize is that the profession was calling my name. I had applied to law school once before and did not get in. One instance of defeat and shame almost deterred me from pursuing my dream of becoming a Sports and Entertainment Attorney. Then, one day it hit me. A law professor at Southern saw potential in me and assisted with me with LSAT prep. I retook the test over the summer and studied hard. By the time the fall rolled around, I was admitted into Southern University Law Center. I spent my first year of law school in Southern’s part-time program, and following my 1L year, I decided to transfer back home to Georgia State University to be closer to my family and loved ones. I left Southern ranked number one in my class. Though I transferred, I must admit that I would not be in law school without the assistance and guidance of Professor Michael Garrard at SULC. I am forever grateful to him for his unremitting commitment to student success and prosperity.
After wrapping up my second year of law school, I began to receive many requests to advise and mentor prospects on the law school admissions process. I diverted the idea because, quite frankly, your girl plate is full! I work for a private practicing attorney and hold various student leadership positions at the law school. On top of that, I am still managing and building Geaux Feed while also running a communication consulting business on the side. But, at my core, I am a hustler. So, when the calls were coming to take on more, I took it as a sign that God was answering my prayers. Behind closed doors, I was praying for more. As a struggling law student, I was praying for a financial increase that didn’t require me to forgo my studies or my morals. God told me to monetize my passions and talents, but yet again, I sat on his voice out of fear of failure.
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?
Nothing worth having comes easy. Has life always been fair? Hell no. Will life ever be fair? Probably not, but it is up to me to allow life’s ups and down to be in vain. Just as a bee has to grind to cultivate honey, I must put in grit to receive the fruits of my labor. Imposter Syndrome is real. We must be mindful of the personal narratives that we disseminate to our subconscious. The hamster wheel syndrome often leaves us feeling as if we are working for no reward. However, through spiritual progression and self-work, I realized that I am blessed beyond measure. I often wondered what it would be like to be rich and have all of the worldly possessions until I realized that a rich man would change places with me today. There are many “rich” people who search for the intangibles in life that money simply cannot buy: peace of mind, acceptance, love, hope, and, most importantly, family.
Though my family was not wealthy, they worked hard and always showed me the true definition of love. My mom worked until she couldn’t physically do so anymore. My dad is a veteran and small business owner and is one of the hardest working men that I know. My uncles, aunts, grandparents, and godparents are all embodiments of what it means to fight like hell for your right to life, liberty, and freedom. However, though their hard work is admirable, I also understand that this work ethic often shields the reality of a crumbling capitalistic society. See, as Black folk, we have been duped into believing that perpetual hard work without rest and restoration is the only way to earn your stripes and to live a fulfilling life. To have an 80-year-old grandmother come out of retirement to reenter the workforce she deserved to exit is not commendable. It is deplorable. It is deplorable to know that America does not protect the very people who built this country on their backs. It is deplorable to know that this country does not protect the elderly and the vulnerable. The ancillary difficulties are sometimes harder than direct challenges.
In retrospect, despite the obstacles, I know that this path was destined for me. The moment I began to tap into my divine feminine, I realized that every struggle, heartbreak, denial, or any perceived negative has a purpose. Though the purpose behind the pain is still being unveiled, faith reassures me that each moment will ultimately contribute to my success.
We’d love to hear more about The Daily Honey.
I began The Daily Honey a little over a year ago. As a former sports journalist, and I wanted a business model that could fuse the many hats that I wear as a student, entrepreneur, and servant. When I think of honey, I think of something simplistic yet transformatively sweet and versatile. Honey is a simple ingredient, but it is not easy to catch. If you walk up to a honeycomb, you are bound to be stung by thousands of bees. This is a metaphor for how one should safeguard their vision and dreams.
Honey is the final harvested product of hard work and persistence. Moreover, honeycombs are beautifully and delicately designed by the runner bees. In sum, I believe I personify this artistic creation because I am a delicate balance of trial, triumph, grit, ease, creativity, and vision. I envisioned a business that would capture the woman that I am today and the one that I strive to be in the future. I wanted something that I could diversify over the coming years. However, my main focus is to share my story and the lessons that I have learned along the way. One subsection of The Daily Honey is Honey Strategies, formally the Bianca Group. Honey Strategies is a consulting firm that offers a wide range of freelance services for political candidates, independent contractors, and small business owners. Additionally, I offer law school advice and mentorship to aspiring esquires.
I am most proud that this venture allows me to do a little bit of everything in one. As a serial entrepreneur, I can serve others by assisting them in achieving their wildest dreams while also keeping a little extra coin in my pocket as I continue to pursue mine. My model is unique because I believe in seeing past limitations by humanizing business and building long-lasting relationships with clients, mentees, and supporters. Above all, it’s providing a pathway for someone else to follow and pushing them to have the courage to create their own lane.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Some may call it the luck of the Irish, but I like to think of every occurrence– even the most unfortunate acquaintances– as divine alignment. I believe God gave us all the ability to create our destiny, and whenever we are shying away from our calling, the universe has a funny way of reminding us that God is king. I think of myself as a phoenix. Life’s impromptu surprises and whirlwinds have a funny way of dousing the flame to our fire. Just as a phoenix, I always find a way to persevere. It is the ability to see the glass half-full and never half-empty. It all starts with tapping into the mind’s power and just discerning that God did not give us the gift of imagination to let our inner divine creator fade. Ninety percent of what can happen to you will likely happen to you. It is not in what happens but how you react. You can choose to be a martyr, or you can take the power and fight back. And if I just so happen to stumble across a blue bill or two along the way, well, I call that a blessing!
Pricing:
- Merchandise starting at $15
- Consulting services starting at $200
- Graphic and Web design starting at $125
Contact Info:
- Website: thedailyhoneybee.com
- Phone: 6787604688
- Email: thedailyhoneyb@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/thebee_buzz
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/biancawebbgsulaw/
Image Credit:
MM Photography in Baton Rouge, LA – Homecoming Photo
Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
