Day: September 30, 2021
If you look up the definition of a “greasy spoon” you’ll see it is described as a small, cheap, run-down eatery – either an American diner or coffee shop – typically specializing in fried foods and/or home-cooked meals. Well, one Houston man flipped that term in the best way and people from all over are thanking him for it. “The Greasy Spoon” located in north Houston is described as “The Ultimate Dining Experience where culture and cuisine collide, elevating the standard of Soulfood as it’s known around the world.” Vibe Houston chopped it up with its owner, Max Bozeman II, who has made his mark in H-Town’s “clean-plate” scene. Vibe Houston: Tell us about yourself? How did you get in the restaurant business? Bozeman: I’ve been in the restaurant & hospitality industry for over a decade. The initial seed was sown as a preteen, as I worked in my family’s restaurant on the weekends. I became infatuated with business and the idea of adding value to people. After opening multiple companies outside of the restaurant industry in my early 20’s, I dove into the restaurant business and helped build some of Houston’s most notable restaurant & bar brands. Vibe Houston: Tell us about Greasy Spoon Soulfood Bistro – from the concept, to the choosing of the name and location, etc. Bozeman: The is my first solo endeavor; my “baby.” My vision is to “Elevate the Culture of Southern Cuisine” by curating a five-star experience that accompanies traditional southern comfort dishes which are loved beyond cultural boundaries. The initial location was set to open in the Heights area, near Independence Heights & Acres Home, where I grew up. However, being that I already occupied a restaurant space utilizing the kitchen for my catering company further north, it made sense to maximize that real estate and open a full-fledged restaurant. Vibe Houston: What do you feel is the best feature of your restaurants…the food or the atmosphere, or is it something else? Bozeman: Of course, we offer great food and a welcoming atmosphere, however I believe our attention to people is our best feature. We strive to make sure every single customer that walks through our doors are glad that they came, and can’t wait to get back. Vibe Houston: Let’s talk about your menu selection. What do you offer and what would you say are your most popular dishes? Bozeman: We offer a combination of traditional southern cuisine, Cajun cuisine, and a fusion of elevated southern & Cajun dishes. A few of our most sought-after dishes are our World Famous Oxtails, Herb & Rosemary Lamb Chops, The Boss Seafood Stack (consisting of dirty rice, collard greens, Cajun fried catfish & lobster tail and sautéed shrimp, all smothered in a Cajun seafood sauce), Mac-N-Cheese, candied yams, and collard greens. Vibe Houston: How have you adjusted during COVID? Bozeman: We close every Monday to deep clean and disinfect our restaurant, as well as minimizing the number of guests that enter at one time. Our staff maintains a mask policy, and we encourage guests to do the same. Vibe Houston: What do you do to give back to the community? Bozeman: We’re constantly in the community serving in whatever way we can. From donating funds to challenged families during crisis, to feeding the homeless and providing necessities to children and senior citizens. Vibe Houston: How do you feel about the renewed interest or national push of supporting Black businesses? Do you think it will be short-lived? Bozeman: I think it’s always great to put forth an effort to do better and be better as a community. The Black dollar is extremely powerful, and it makes sense for us to circulate our resources within the Black community in order to leverage our power and influence. I hope it isn’t a short-lived trend, but I’m focus on doing my part and being a model no matter what the masses may choose to do. Vibe Houston: Any advice to entrepreneurs or small business owners fighting to stay afloat during these challenging times? Bozeman: My advice would be to put forth the effort to master your craft. People pay for mastery, not mediocrity. Also, make sure you’re serving a purpose beyond. Purpose beyond profit will take you a long way. CLICK HERE for more information on The Greasy Spoon.
Desperate for curvy “Insta-bodies,” many women are compromising both their health and finances but one Houston woman, Lyndsey Brantley, is offering healthier and cheaper ways for women to achieve voluptuous bodies. This woman on the move is embarking on a national tour to train and teach practitioners new procedures and is surpassing the million-dollar revenue mark with her innovative products and methods. She spoke with Vibe Houston about her quest to help others. Brantley has spent more than 11 years in the Beauty & Wellness industry, innovating products, procedures and conversation around beauty regimens that are physically and emotionally healthy for men and women. Her research and personal experience with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) led her to natural medicine and aesthetics, thus leading to her opening Camellia Alise Studios, as well as the Camellia Alise Spa & Academy where her team offers various courses and beauty certifications. Featured in Essence Magazine as one of the top Black-owned spas in Houston, Brantley continues to set the bar high. Vibe Houston: You went from an engineer to a certified beauty boss. How did your engineering skillset help you on your journey to conquering beauty and wellness? Brantley: My engineering and procurement background gave me the scientific knowledge to help me analyze ingredients and results when I first started formulating products. It also helped me with a strong foundation in research so I could determine success strategies as I was building the business. Vibe Houston: You’ve been open about your personal struggles with PCOS. What is this condition, and how did it play a part in birthing your Camellia Alise skincare line, Spa and Academy? Brantley: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a hormonal imbalance that affects 1 in 10 women of childbearing age in the US, and it can affect your weight, body hair, skin and more. I was inspired to develop our product line because I was seeking a way to naturally prevent the ingrown hairs and skin irritations I had always dealt with. Finding nothing on the market, I used my medical aesthetics license to formulate natural skincare products that met my needs and the needs of those who also struggle with ingrown hairs, acne, scars, and stretch marks. Vibe Houston: What is so unique about Camellia Alise products? Brantley: Camellia Alise products are the first specially formulated vegan skincare products made to not only eliminate, but to prevent, ingrown hairs and stretch marks. We are also the first medical aesthetic practitioner developed product to solve these issues with alcohol free ingredients that you can pronounce and understand! Vibe Houston: What is the best thing about entrepreneurship and owning your own business(es)? What is the most challenging? Brantley: The best thing is being able to employ people in my community and watch others grow and gain confidence because of products and services that I developed. The most challenging part has been gaining brand awareness nationally, but we are now well on our way to being a household name, recognizable in the natural skincare industry. Vibe Houston: Many small businesses faced great challenges during COVID. How did your business not only survive, but thrive during a global pandemic? Brantley: None of the challenges I have faced have ever been too great to dim my ambitions. But in 2020, with the COVID virus, we faced one of our biggest challenges and had to rise to the occasion with new and innovative ways to grow the company. Our spa and academy had to close our doors to any in-person services for four months, meaning two thirds of our typical income had been cut off. In response, my team and I worked hard to increase e-commerce operations by using innovative giveaways, new influencer platforms, and by launching an online student classroom – converting 80% of our classes to digital versions. We also introduced a natural hand sanitizer to the market during the pandemic. Lastly, we created a way to digitally analyze our clients’ skin so we could still view their blemishes and make virtual recommendations. It’s been an amazing and fun-filled experience coming up with alternative ways to enhance natural skincare and increase educational services around the topic. Vibe Houston: With body sculpting, liposuction and deadly Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) surgeries on the rise, why is it so important to offer alternative services with similar results? And what kinds of results should customers expect from non-invasive body sculpting? Brantley: It’s extremely important to be able to offer an alternative so that the everyday consumer knows that everyone doesn’t feel obligated to invasive procedures and/or going under the knife. On average, our non-invasive treatment in 6 to 10 sessions yields anywhere between 3″ and 12″ reductions across a single body part (2 to 3 pants sizes). Clients are not disappointed when they finish a treatment regimen. Vibe Houston: Any advice for aspiring entrepreneurs or small business owners looking to follow their dreams? Brantley: Don’t be afraid to explore things and figure out if they are the right fit for you. Be sure to do your research first so that, even though you may not know everything every step of the way, you have an idea of what you are getting into. Ultimately, just go for it, and don’t put any limitations on your dreams! Camellia Alise Studios offer alternatives to two of the most coveted procedures: Non-Surgical Butt Enhancement Ultrasonic Liposuction (Non-surgical) Body Contouring & Body Wraps (Targeted Inch Loss), Infrared Services (Body-Slimming), Anti-Cellulite Vacuum Therapy, Radio Frequency Skin Tightening and more. CLICK HERE to learn more.
Houston-based rapper GSO Phat, 19, has just released a new single, “Diddy Bop,” with Boosie Badazz. Over production from Air Keezy, GSO Phat leans into the beat with hypnotic and head-nodding verses delivering an undeniable hook. Meanwhile, Baton Rouge, LA legend Boosie Badazz rolls through with an explosive cameo of his own. Out of the gate, “Diddy Bop” is being hailed as “a fun uptempo track that encourages everyone to dance.” Hailing from Natchez, Mississippi, GSO Phat initially made waves by dropping head-spinning freestyles on Facebook. He landed a deal with 7Kings Entertainment and went on to post up millions of streams as he continued to release songs independently.. Upon hearing his music, Cash Money Records immediately signed him in 2020. Now, he’s about to flip the game upside down with his scorching signature style. Click here to listen / download from various music platforms. Follow GSO Phat on Instagram
To advance racial equity in Houston and help close the wealth gap, JPMorgan Chase is making a multi-million-dollar investment in Unity National Bank (“Unity”) to strengthen the independent, Black-owned bank. The capital infusion will help Unity increase its support of small businesses and its mortgage lending. In addition to receiving an immediate capital investment, Unity will now offer JPMorgan’s money market funds to institutional investors through the firm’s Empower share class – which has surpassed $5 billion in assets under management. “This investment is a transformative event for Unity and is indicative of JPMorgan Chase’s commitment to strengthen our bank and our community. I truly believe that JPMorgan Chase’s mentorship, guidance, and partnership will assist us in moving community banking into the 21st century and enable Unity to enhance and support economic development in underserved communities,” said Dr. Kase L. Lawal, Chairman, Unity National Bank. Founded in Houston 58 years ago, Unity is the only African American owned banking institution based in Texas. For half a century, Unity has provided financial services to Houston’s underserved communities. JPMorgan Chase’s total investment of more than $100 million is part of the firm’s broader $30 billon initiative to help close the racial wealth gap. Chase – the largest bank in Houston and Texas – has more than doubled its original $50 million pledge made one year ago by investing in 14 diverse-led financial institutions across 18 states and the District of Columbia. “Working together, Unity Bank and JPMorgan Chase will create more opportunity for Houston’s underserved community,” said Kisha Porch, Regional Director for Chase branches in Houston, San Antonio and El Paso. “The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated racial inequalities in Houston and across the nation, putting an even greater strain on local families. Our collaboration with Unity will have a meaningful impact to create a more equitable future.” Investments in Minority Deposit Institutions (MDIs) and diverse-led Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs) are focused on strengthening the financial foundations in cities across the nation. In addition to equity investments, MDIs and CDFIs working with JPMorgan Chase will also: Become J.P. Morgan clients, connecting them to the firm’s expertise, solutions and network Gain access to more than 16,000 of the firm’s ATMs—beginning November 1, 2021, Chase will not charge a fee for participating MDI and CDFI customers who make a withdrawal at a Chase ATM Receive customized training and advisory support from the firm’s Advancing Black Pathways Fellows and Service Corps programs Unity National Bank is a participant in J.P. Morgan Asset Management’s Empower money market share class, which connects MDIs and diverse-led CDFIs with institutional investors to create new income streams and has surpassed $3.9 billionin assets under management since launching in February. Other MDIs participating in the program include The Harbor Bank of Maryland, Liberty Bank and M&F Bank. JPMorgan Chase’s investment in MDIs and CDFIs is one of the firm’s initiatives to help close the racial wealth gap. Other initiatives include the recently announced $350 million, five-year global commitment to grow diverse-owned small businesses and help create a more inclusive recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, which encompasses $42.5 million to help scale the successful Entrepreneurs of Color Fund (EOCF) program. CLICK HERE to learn more about how JPMorgan Chase is working to advance racial equity and bridge the racial wealth gap.
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