Nancy Interviews Denitra Townsend Gregory

Nancy O'Neale opened the session by introducing Denitra Townsend Gregory as a guest speaker for an upcoming event on May 23rd. Denitra Townsend Gregory’s Professional Background: Denitra shared their history as a former social worker for the city of Detroit, where they worked for nearly 13 years. They described a turning point where, following a spiritual realization at their church, they felt compelled to resign from their full-time position to pursue entrepreneurship. Denitra noted that they resigned without a formal plan, driven by a desire to act immediately rather than allow fear to intervene. Discussing the shift from their professional career to a business owner, Denitra explained that the process was both scary and liberating. Before resigning, Denitra had attended cosmetology school in the evenings from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for a year and a half, which provided a foundational skill set for their future work. Business Growth and Diversification: Denitra utilized their network and began by engaging in public speaking for corporations, nonprofits, and churches, which helped them secure initial clients. They later expanded into wardrobe styling and image consulting, eventually working with the Detroit Opera House on wigs and makeup, which led to opportunities in film and partnerships with the University of Michigan. Denitra now focuses their hair and makeup services exclusively on theater and film work (00:09:47). Their image consulting business has been scaled to focus on long-term, retainer-based clients rather than managing a high volume of individual appointments. Denitra emphasized the importance of leveraging one's "warm market," which involves informing friends, family, and existing contacts about new business availability. The participants agreed that while this can be challenging for some, it is an essential strategy for those starting a business. Both Nancy and Denitra identified as introverts, noting that they gain energy from solitude rather than social interaction. They discussed the necessity of retreating and reflecting after public-facing engagements, such as speaking events, to maintain their well-being and assess their impact (. Denitra described meeting their husband, Orlando, while working for the city of Detroit during a mass recruitment event for firefighters. The two worked together for a period, dated, separated for six years, and eventually reconnected at a more mature stage in their lives when both were clearer about their individual paths and callings. Denitra also shared the origin story of Twelve 12 Coffee Company, which began with hosting "coffee and style" socials. After a colleague suggested they start a coffee brand, Denitra felt inspired to pursue the idea, and they founded the company with their husband (00:21:37). The brand name refers to their wedding anniversary, December 12th (00:27:15). Sourcing and Coffee Philosophy: To ensure ethical practices, Denitra and their partner researched farm origins and prioritized direct relationships, eventually securing Ugandan coffee beans after meeting contacts at a coffee festival in Portland, Oregon. The brand offers only whole beans, promoting the idea that coffee should be a "slow living" ritual rather than just a quick routine for caffeine consumption. CTwelve12 Coffee Company operates primarily online, though they have expanded to include local stockers, such as a residence at the Redesign and Restoration home decor studio on Wednesdays and presence in a Detroit-based Airbnb. They are also slated to appear at a local venue called Corner Market. Denitra discussed their video series where they highlight items from vintage shops, home decor stores, and boutiques. This initiative, known as "Denitra's Picks," serves as an extension of their image consulting work, emphasizing versatility in both fashion and home design (00:40:06). Daily Rituals and Entrepreneurial Benefits: The participants discussed the importance of structured morning and evening rituals for mental health and business productivity. Denitra distinguished "rituals" from "routines," explaining that rituals are performed with intentionality and purpose. They noted that entrepreneurship provides the flexibility to control one's own time, rather than being bound by an hourly work structure. Denitra cautioned that many businesses fail within five to 10 years due to a lack of planning. They emphasized the need for entrepreneurs to understand their finances, manage their numbers, maintain accounting systems, and commit to staying in business long enough to see results. Nancy reiterated the recommendation to establish systems before fully transitioning to self-employment.