Meet Monique Washington

Today we’d like to introduce you to Monique Washington.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Monique. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Growing up, I had a love-hate relationship with kids. I didn’t see me working with them in any capacity. It wasn’t until 2007 when I was at a cancer ward, my heart fell in love with children. These children were poor, homeless, friendly, caring yet they were sick. We brought joy to their lives with simple items. As a result, they grew attached to us and us to them. I knew there was something I needed to do. Over the years, I volunteered with various organizations. In turn, it afforded me the opportunity to paint and build houses, feed and clothe families, provide transportation, aid in employment searches/resume building and work with AIDS/HIV patients and tons more. I gave and gave. Then finally, I opened my own business. I thought, “this is it.” Finally, my dream is coming to pass. I had won huge awards and was recognized for my work in the city and around the world. I had made an impact, but did I really? Who was I reaching? Was God truly being glorified in my endeavors? The answer is no. He had me to shut down both my businesses. It was a tough decision for me. I learned a difficult lesson in doing things my way. However, in the end, I learned how to properly run a business. It takes more than accolades, a few thousand dollars and a small team to successfully and properly operate a business. If God isn’t truly the center, you are. So, here I am, with a new business model, a different team, and adequately functioning in my businesses. Moreover, I have had better and bigger accolades than I could ever imagine. Why? I am walking in obedience. I’m a girl from Savannah, GA, whose story some wouldn’t believe. I’ve faced death many times over. But, my faith in Jesus Christ is what kept me and continues to do so. Thus, The Worthy Academy was born.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Some of the struggles of being an entrepreneur are being a newbie. Although I have been in business for a few years now, not being as “established” or well-known as others create difficulties. For example, getting sponsors, children, donations, board members etc., or support in general can be challenging. These things require you to dig harder and come up with new strategies for branding yourself. But we are cautious with that, we don’t want to taint our image or send misleading information to anyone. A positive and truthful image is a healthy one.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would advise anyone to seek God when launching his/her business and be sure their heart is in the right place. Greed can consume you—the greed of fame and fortune. I’m not saying it is what consumed me, but if you are doing your business now to please someone else, stop. It isn’t worth it. If your gift is writing, do that instead of marketing. If you love fashion instead of business and analysis, do it. Don’t follow someone else’s plan for your life. At the end of the day, you’re stuck with the 9 to 5, not them. He or she may be happy with their lives, or are they? Are you? I was happy with my original businesses, things were booming for me. I was in love and things changed between us. Oh, how quickly, they did. In conclusion, be authentically you, who God made you to be. Don’t follow someone else’s footsteps or be their lacky. Role models and mentors are nice to have, but don’t make them your idols. If you must start from scratch like me, do so. Join organizations to enhance your growth and your business. Take classes, go to seminars, the library, and invest in yourself as much as you invest in others. Ask God for true friends, business partners and reveal who you need to disconnect from. He will show you. I started over, so can you!

Contact Info:

• Address: 130 Prominence Point Pkwy Ste 130-262
  Canton, GA 30114
• Website: www.theworthyacademyga.com
• Phone: 3182000479
• Email: theworthyacademyga@gmail.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/mowbraxton
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/theworthyacademyinc
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/mowbraxton

Image Credit:
Bio photo: Hair and Makeup by @bellauniquehairstudio
Photography by @artistthatiam
Location: Bossier City, LA

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