Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Bee Thomas.
Hi Dr. Thomas, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I have always been into doing my own thing. It is even better when you can make money and help people while doing your own thing. That is the spirit of being an entrepreneur for me. That is the freedom that attracted me. Working for yourself equals freedom and the ability to make money using your creative gifts while supplying an honorable product or service. I grew up wanting to work for myself. I grew up wanting to use my gifts to produce wealth. I was naturally gifted with abilities; we all are.
The entrepreneurial spirit arose strongly in me in 2003 when I was working in the medical records section at the VA Hospital. I took a pay cut to work in Medical Records. I left the police department so that I could finish my master’s degree program. In other words, I took a demotion to promote myself.
Working in Medical Records gave me the timeout that I needed to try different things in my life and see what I really wanted to do.
I thought that I would go into law school after I got my master’s degree. I took the LSAT and only applied to one school; that dream did not pan out. Then I thought I would go into the FBI and eventually become an agent. I applied for a position at the FBI and went through the entire hiring process, and that did not manifest either. After experiencing two dream career disappointments, I can remember sitting at my work computer in the file room, and I had an epiphany.
My very first business idea was to open an elaborate spa. I was nowhere near having the resources to create that specific plan in 2003. Nonetheless, I could see that I really wanted to work for myself because it was easy for me to create a service. Writing out the vision of having my own company in that lonely, forgotten file room was empowering. I knew that even if I did not become an entrepreneur who owned a spa, I was going to work for myself eventually—because it was meant for me to do so.
I started my first company in 2007, and by 2012 I was a part-time entrepreneur. I was dipping my toes deeper into the entrepreneurial water and experiencing the multiple failures and successes that come with stepping into the role of an entrepreneur. I considered myself a part-time entrepreneur because
I was working multiple jobs when I started my very first company. By 2012 I had been playing around in the world of business for 5 years, I didn’t know what I was doing at that point, but I knew if I kept going, making adjustments, I would eventually see real success.
I love all women. I’ve always had a powerful desire to help women, especially overlooked melanated women. Because of this desire to reach and teach women, in 2013, I gave birth to a company called Women’s Circle International (WCI). I launched my first holistic health conference for women in downtown Milwaukee. I had over 30 holistic health industry vendors and close to one hundred paid guests. I designed my first company for women around the idea of conducting holistic health workshops around the topics of mental, physical, and emotional healing. I wanted to create a network of support for women to learn how to live holistically and connect with other women internationally.
After I launched Women’s Circle, I continued to work on my offerings. I went back and forth with the idea of writing a book for women. Long after my first successful women’s conference, I continued to brainstorm and develop other products and services that would help women. In 2015 I expanded beyond WCI, and I found my roots within the cannabis industry. I am proud to say that I still help women heal themselves holistically. Now I have added cannabis to help assist that process. Cannabis has helped me explore my passion for helping women heal holistically, which is what I set out to do with other businesses. I built cannabis into my business product and service offering. I’ve always been passionate about women in general and our issues.
True business success in my early entrepreneurial path meant working exclusively for myself, paying myself, and sustaining myself. I have finally gotten to that level of success and beyond.
I helped launch the highest-rated dispensary in San Diego taking it from $0-$2.5 million in under six months and $6 Million in sales in one year.
Since then, I have been instrumental in consulting NFT artists and launching several businesses, cannabis dispensaries, and multiple CBD brands and stores.
In addition to supporting, educating, and mentoring entrepreneurs at every chance I get, I also created numerous charities, helping women, children, and at-risk youth.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest challenge as a business owner is reminding yourself that you have what it takes to be a business owner. This challenge is internal. Therefore, the first key to business success is mindset, according to my 5-keys to business success. This key applies to all business owners. Because it is challenging for all people regardless of race or gender to start, operate, and expand a business. I don’t care who you are; even if you inherit a successful family business, it is challenging to keep a business successful all the time. Everything seems to run in cycles, and sometimes there are cycles of diverse types of success. There may be a cycle of growth of financial success, or a cycle of social media and publicly success, etc. You can have multiple cycles within business. Like having a farm raided to losing partnerships and friendships that were meant to be lost. The story of the business owner is an adventure, and all business owners must be willing to take risks and rewards.
In 2012, while in my doctoral program, I started exploring the behaviors and traits that led companies to succeed. Why were Black women starting “the most” businesses? What were their thoughts on success and failure? The more I studied the literature concerning the topics of entrepreneurs within America—African American entrepreneur experience, woman entrepreneurs, and African American woman entrepreneurs—the more I became fascinated with the ideal mindset for business success.
There are lots of obstacles on our path along the way that we experience as females, as black female business owners and business owners in general. Again, I must stress that entrepreneurism is difficult for all people to navigate. Yet as a black woman you may experience added racism or not be taken seriously in business, especially as a young female business owner. Again, not being taken seriously is one of the challenges for African American women business owners. Genderism exists. Not being able to secure monies because of racism and multiple variables can be very problematic for African American women, yet the root cause is often because she is single with kids, her income is a one-family income. The issues are challenges, yet there are ways to navigate business financially that are to a business owner’s favor.
I saved my own capital for my second business venture in 2013. Yet when I initially started my first business in 2007, I was able to secure a loan; my very first business was a tea and coffee e-commerce business. And because of my credit and ability to pay off the loan it was easy to obtain. When you do start generating money a lot of the business is financial. Therefore, knowing your numbers is another one of my keys to business success. I am telling what I know after generating over 700k in business sales and millions for my clients. Fast forward to 2020, I start showing what it takes for black women business owners to secure capital for their businesses and grow their own capital within their business. My 5-keys to business success gave me the keys again and again.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Expect F*cking More?
In my professional life, I act as a business curator; I do more than consulting; I am not just telling people what to do; I am giving you a framework while allowing space for my vision to expand within the partners’ interpretation. In other words, it is what the student takes or doesn’t take from the 5 keys system that leads to their business development; more than learning is the outcome, reminder and blessing. I let the spirit of love lead. I allow for people to stretch out my 5 keys system into a size that fits perfectly for them; because I am an artist and analytical thinker, my business curator side is brimming with fresh inspiration that I download into the people from downloads I have received. I work with the energy of my clients and give people what they need in that moment. They get to rediscover what they already have within, which is all. That is my professional life, to inspire other professionals to create businesses that are as unique as they are because they can. My career is to bring love to this world. My business is one of the vehicles I use to achieve this career. I am not here to do. I am here to be. And all businesses created in being benefit when they are created from inspiration.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up intuitive and trusting myself. I could see the unknown world. I was a creator from the very beginning. I grew up playing outside, falling out of trees, and making music with my cousins. I’ve always been into exploring the unknown, adventures, using my imagination, learning, laugher, and fun. I grew up a very spiritual being-I still am.
Services:
- Expect F*cking More: The 5 keys to business success for African American Women $947
- Expect F*cking More: Business Tune-up Mini-Course $297
- Expect F*cking More: Entrepreneurial Roadmap $297
- Expect F*cking More: NFT 101 Masterclass $747
- Book To Speak $5,000 – 10,000 Licensing Program $10,000 VIP Consultation $25,000 Holistic Initiations send email for inquiries.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbeespeaks/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bee.thomas333
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drburnettathomas/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/goddessmooneth
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrBeeSpeaks/videos
