Exclusive Interview with Dr. Ray Founder of MiNudes!!

We were truly honored to interview such an amazing innovator and businesswoman Dr. Ray, who is the founder of MiNudes. She is definitely opening doors and setting the bar for other women of color. Check out our exclusive interview below!

UM: You are the first African American woman to own an apparel manufacturing company in the state of Hawaii! How does it feel to be such an innovator paving the way for other women?

Dr. Ray: When I come up with an idea I am never focused on being the pioneer in an endeavor, I am just following my instructions for my assignments to the world. However, each time that I have been obedient, the true purpose has been revealed. I am honored, and humbled to have been chosen for this particular assignment. I am now able to set up a job-training program for Native Hawaiian women who are recently released from prison, considered low income and single parents. The role of first was for these women to have an example.

UM: Tell us a little bit about MiNudes, and how did you come up with the idea?

Dr. Ray: The MiNudes collection was created out of shear need. The Lady Easewear shapewear line was developed in fashion colors several years before the MiNudes collection. The collection is to acknowledge that my nudes are not your nudes and since your nudes are all that is available I can eliminate the ashy look with colors that match my skin tones. women of all skin tones, brown, pink, beige are asking me to develop their nudes as well. All women no matter the skin tone would like to have an under garment that blended with their skin tone. There is a universal call from all women to be apart of MiNudes.

UM: How hard was it to get your company off the ground and to the level of success it has reached today?

Dr. Ray: Starting a company or a new trend is always difficult. It is exceptionally difficult for women of color and so painful when you have to use your own money. It has been a painful build, but the perseverance from that leap of faith allows me to now sit in the winners circle.

UM: What is most rewarding about owning your own company, and what is most challenging about owning your own company?

Dr. Ray: The most rewarding is being able to start and leave a legacy. The legacy is my responsibility for the gifts that I have received. The most challenging is to introduce a new product to an audience who has established its loyalties to other brands, especially if you're working out of your own purse. Other challenges include establishing brand recognition, getting in front of people like you (Thank You) and establishing customers. All of the issues are challenging, but not impossible.

UM: Do you have any advice for someone looking to start a manufacturing company?

Dr. Ray: Yes, training, training, training. Consumers are oblivious to what it entails to create a garment. The effort it takes to create the garment from a design and sewing stand point have very little to do with manufacturing. Manufacturing is a totally different beast from a seamstress or tailor producing one design and subsequently one item. I am now a consultant for anyone with aspirations of starting their own manufacturing company. In the Americas we tend to take manufacturing for granted. We have ignored the fact that nobody walks around naked. Even the people who are homeless have on some form of clothing. I invite anyone wanting to start a manufacturing company, to join me in bringing jobs back to the U.S. and sharing in a multi, multi trillion dollar industry.

UM: Where do you see your company going in the next 5 years?

Dr. Ray: I and my team are currently on a national campaign in the Americas, (again my sincere thanks for this interview) to have every woman in our shapewear line and collections.  We will be headed into the continent of Africa next year and from there a global reach to wherever women allow us to "Shape Their Curves in Comfort"

UM:  Some people may not know that your parent company Lady Ease has created shirts for President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, how was that experience to get recognition from them?

Dr. Ray: I can sum the experience up as proud. President Obama called for action in bringing manufacturing back to the U.S., I responded by following his instruction. I will be equally proud when his shirts are in his museum/ library as having been made by the first African American woman owned manufacturing company for the first African American President in the state of his birth, Hawaii. Proud, Proud, Proud.

While I'm equally proud to have made dresses for Mrs. Obama and items for their girls, my greatest pride is with his items. Why? She always gets may designers and stylist to look after her and many have received that recognition. Him, the President not so many, nobody really thought of him. That puts me in a pretty exclusive group. Proud.

UM: For those looking to keep up with your latest products, or endeavors, do you have a website and social media links that you would like to share?

Dr. Ray: Yes, website- www.MiNudes.com, Twitter @ MiNudes and @lady_ease, Facebook MiNudes, Instagram minudes2015

The 2nd Annual Go DJ Awards Honoring Houston's Most Influential Figures!!

The 2^nd Annual Go DJ Awards kicked this week off with a bang. This highly anticipated award show brought out the who’s who of Houston, TX and surrounding areas. On the evening of July 20^th the NRG Center was filled to capacity with celebrities, spectators, and media.

The event was hosted by BET’s 106 & Park Miss Mykie, with performances by Jhonni Blaze and Just Brittany to name a few. There was also a special tribute to outstanding community business leaders such as Karen Carter Richard, Attorney Ben Hall, and more! Each year this event continues to grow drawing national attention from the media. We at Unrivaled Magazine look forward to next year's event!

Courtney Adeleye and Yandy Smith-Harris Presents Let's Grow!

Founder and CEO of The Mane Choice, Courtney Adeleye and Vh1's, Yandy Smith-Harris sat down for intimate conversations with a group of women that were willing to learn from the best. Topics consisted of everything from growing your hair to growing your wealth! This all took place Essence Festival weekend at Hard Rock Cafe New Orleans. 

The event kicked off with panel discussions, then Q&A, followed by a mix and mingle. There was great food and drinks, along with plenty of networking at this amazing event. The ladies wanted to give back and share how they turned their dreams into multimillion dollar empires, so this event was absolutely free! Unrivaled Magazine was on the scene getting exclusives. We definitely look forward to the next event given by these ladies!

Celebrity Fitness Expert and Lifestyle Coach Dawn Strozier Gives The Run Down on How To Become Healthy From The Inside Out!

UM: What inspired you to become a fitness expert and lifestyle coach?

Dawn:  I was inspired by my own life to become a fitness expert and a

lifestyle coach.  I have had the pleasure of being coached in            

different areas of my life by some of the best in their field.  I currently train every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning with Mr. Charles Glass, who is considered to be one of the best trainers in the world. I have also worked with motivational speaker/lifestyle coach Mr. Les Brown. 

When I began to see changes in my own life and experience first hand what working with a trainer and lifestyle coach could do.  I wanted to do that for someone else.  I wanted to help someone else be their best and reach their fullest potential.      

            

UM: When did it first hit you that you would successful at this?

Dawn: From day one felt I would be successful in this business. I have a passion for helping people, I love to encourage and edify people to be their best, and when I combined those things with my joy for working out, I knew this would be the industry I would soar in.  

UM: What tips do you have for your average men and women that are looking to maintain a healthy weight?

Dawn: Motivation is the key to maintaining a healthy weight. Remind yourself daily “WHY” staying in shape is important.

·         Eat breakfast!  It’s the most important meal of the day

·        Do not skip meals; 5-6 “mini-meals” will keep your metabolism moving throughout the day.

·        Watch your portion size. Use the pal of your hand or a chliched fist

·        Do not "drink" your calories. Limit your alcohol and soda intake

·        Break a sweat “Everyday.” Aim for a minimum of 45 minutes of aerobic exercise a day and a minimum of 20 minutes of resistance training three times a week.

·        Journal. Writing down everything you eat or drink including portion sizes. Be honest and accurate, otherwise the journal is not as helpful. The food journal will help you learn about your eating habits and help you assess the food choices you are making.

·       Avoid crash diets!

UM: Many people say they don’t have time to work out or prepare healthy meals, do you have any advice on how they could adjust their daily routine or lifestyle to allow healthier living?

Dawn:  The best advice I can give to someone that feels they don’t have the time to workout or cook healthy meals is to plan, plan, plan. 

Nothing simply happens in life, you have to plan for it.  I started having success the moment I started planning my days ahead of time. It will take that type of commitment. Once you start planning you will find a system that works for you.  In my planning, I discovered I am most successful when I prepare my food ahead of time on Sundays for the entire week. Preparing my clothes for work and scheduling my day the night before allowed time for me to train early in the morning and get to work on time.  It’s all in the planning

UM:  You have trained many celebrities such as Steve Harvey and Kim Kimble, is it more difficult to work with celebrities due to their busy schedules and other factors? 

Dawn:  Absolutely! Celebrities have a very challenging schedule.  However, they hire a trainers because they understand the importance of being in great health in order to keep up with the demands of their busy schedule and high profile life. 

UM: What celebrities would you say not only have a fit body, but also live a healthy lifestyles.

Dawn: Idris Elba and Jugh Jackman are male celebrities who are fit and I believe live a healthy lifestyle.  For the female celebrities I'd say Halle Berry & Jennifer Lopez just to name a few.

UM: For someone thinking of hiring a fitness expert, what are some of the benefiits opposed to doing everything on their own? 

Dawn: Personal trainers are experts on holding you accountable to your goals.  They will provide you with solid, consistent and non-judgmental support.They are educated on the most effective ways to help you reach your fitness success. They will also work with you to develop a fitness regimen and nutritional plan that will allow you to achieve the result that you cannot achieve on your own.

There is an overwhelming amount of nutrition and fitness information available today. A personal trainer will keep you abreast on new perspectives and ideas and also teach you proper technique & form helping you avoid unnecessary injury.

UM: Tell us about The Fitness Kidz, and how did the idea come about?

Dawn:  The Fitness Kidz are a group of kids from age 7 through 15 who’s mission is to educate motivate and encourage other kids to make healthy diet choices and exercise daily.  It started with a challenge Steve Harvey presented to a 15 year old young man name Broderick to get in shape.  Other parents heard about the challenge and brought their children by my studio to train and The Fitness Kidz was birthed.

UM: For those looking to keep up with your work or to contact you for services do you have a website and social media likes that you would like to share?

Dawn: You can follow me on instagram, facebook & twitter @Dawn Strozier. website address is www.ds-fitness.com .