Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Reka Robinson, Founder of Single You Academy, located in Kennewick, WA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I'm a certified NLP Life Coach and Podcast host on nights and weekends. I focus on Black women of faith, the single woman actively seeking guidance on keeping boundaries. She's ready to unlearn bad Christian dating theology to get over the shame of constantly being mishandled by men. She's prepared to accept and love herself through her single-season finally. Single You Academy is my online coaching program, and Single You is the podcast.

Tell us about yourself

My background came from TV & Radio. I'm also a Howard University graduate and currently a Project Manager for a 501c(3). Outside of my credentials, I am a single Black woman who freed herself from thinking I was less than because I'm single. Unfortunately, the old religious fixed mindset I had about relationships, dating, and being single, that mindset put me in some traumatizing situations with men. So now I'm on a mission:

  • To be a light for women.
  • To encourage.
  • To be a positive example.
  • To share my story and to show my strength despite my weaknesses.
  • To allow God to use me so that I can release women from the cycle of dysfunction with themselves, men and religion.

I began to share my trials and tribulations about my journey in life with men in 2017. The shame I had about my "abusive ex" and the embarrassment I had about the "$10,000 boyfriend" I got over to encourage women! I became vulnerable. I have found that there is always someone who has gone through what you've gone through, and if you know that, you will feel less alone in this world. Loneliness is really about a lack of connection and inspiration. The more I share my story, the more I see that I can be a bridge to that connection!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

The women I have guided. Here is a great example: "I've been slowly catching up with the videos, halfway through Relational Intelligence and using the info in my daily life. Joining your group was one of my best 2020 investments. Single You Academy has been extremely helpful with just having the information and now the understanding. We don't know how to date. We don't know about relationships. I have a 20-year-old daughter, and I'm constantly quoting things from Single You to her. So the generational curse put on me as far as I saw my parents do and thought, "it was okay," she's going to be in a better place. We're already starting to talk about intentional dating. Like there's no time for what I did. I dated stupid, and I didn't even know it was stupid".

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Staying consistent.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. It doesn't have to turn into a full-time job, and if it doesn't, it doesn't mean you're a failure.
  2. Stay consistent.
  3. Get very clear on your message and why you're doing it.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

How can you tell if you love yourself? It's within your boundaries. Let's get specific -  I'm talking with men. What do your behaviors with men show you about yourself? Let that question to yourself take you on a journey.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://singleyouacademy.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SingleYouAcademy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justmereka/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/justmeReka
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rekarobinson/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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