Meet Daphne Pollard

Today we’d like to introduce you to Daphne Pollard.

Daphne, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve always been different. As a child, I would force my little cousin and her friend to play school so that I could teach them all that I learned that day. It was evident that I would be a leader in some capacity. My life totally changed at the age of 16 when my father who was dealing with addiction issues, burned down our home, we lost everything. This made me very angry and guarded but it also created a young minimalist. From that point on, I only wanted things in my space that made me feel something, things that I loved and nothing more.

That day in 1997 was a turning point for my entire family. My dad, after struggling from years of addiction, started recovery. We started to repair a broken relationship and with the unwavering support of my mother, he started his own business. Seeing that determination after hitting rock bottom birthed the person I would eventually become.

Has it been a smooth road?
The road has been a very bumpy one. I didn’t follow the traditional route. I hated college so I dropped out of school and started life. After deciding to leave a long term relationship, losing a pregnancy and losing my brother to suicide, I knew I needed to make a decision about how my life would go. A friend suggested that I act, so I did a few very small roles in movies and television. I began a short career in hair modeling, all while working as an office manager and childcare provider for Ava Duvernay’s mom. Suddenly I was asked by a new friend to help plan an event. IT WAS THE BEST FEELING IN THE WORLD. IT FELT LIKE HOME. I eventually partnered with someone and opened an event venue in Montgomery, Alabama. It was such a great idea but attached to very poor choices. I went through my life’s savings within a year and had to shut down the business. I was devastated. But I wasn’t going to let this be the end. I was in love with being an ENTREPRENEUR. Producing events was the love of my life. So with my Family, my sister Demetria, best friends Sheba and Renee, and my Guy Jarvis by my side, I was determined to never give up.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Daphne Pollard Presents is the blanket for much of my creativity. I produce one of a kind events, my specialty is making my guests feel like they are the only one in the room. I’m known for my exuberant personality and thinking outside of the box. The one thing I’m most proud of is that I was the first African American Woman to produce a natural hair and health expo in the city of Montgomery, Alabama. It was something I was so proud of. To offer free health services, STDs testing and support over 50 small black-owned businesses in the birthplace of civil rights was something this girl from SHORTER, AL never knew was possible.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Atlanta is the perfect city for my business because everyone here is so open-minded. When I moved here three years ago, I was shocked that my first event sold out and I didn’t even know anyone. If anyone is thinking of moving to Atlanta as an entrepreneur, I would say GO FOR IT. There are so many opportunities so starting out here would put you ahead of the game if you do the work it takes.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.daphnepollard.com
• Email: daphnepollard80@gmail.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/daphnepollard
• Facebook: Facebook.com/daphnepollard
• Other: Instagram.com/daphnepollardpresents

Image Credit:
Ashley VictoriaLens
Eugene Bates Photography
MG Images

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