Today we’d like to introduce you to Dominique Robinson.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Dominique. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Growing up as the oldest sibling and having to be an example for them, while facing the pressures of being an adolescent was tough. I had an on and off relationship with my dad, and a not so close relationship with my mother, I didn’t have an outlet or voice of reasoning to turn to when I needed to vent or needed advice. Fast forward to today, watching the new generation of young women emulate the video vixens and social media models, etc. God came to me one day and asked me what I was doing, he told me I had the ability to provide something to young ladies that I didn’t have but needed when growing up. From there, I created Pretty Me Inc. a female mentoring organization that provides young ladies with an outlet, support from mentors and other young ladies their age they can relate to in a judgment-free, positive atmosphere.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been a smooth road at all, and to be honest, I am thankful for the bumps. It allows me to be appreciative of my achievements and keeps me grounded and humbled. The hardest part was realizing that God gave me this vision and I had to stop expecting people to support it or be in my corner even when they said they would. However, I am thankful for some of the let downs, it forced me to stay focused on the vision and what is most important which are the girls. I do this for them, and it’s from them, I get my validation.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Pretty Me Inc. – what should we know?
I am the founder and executive director of Pretty Me Inc, I also recently received my certification credentials as a certified adolescent life coach. I am an advocate for our youth, it’s very important as they really are our future. As an organization, I am most proud of our girls, currently, we have a mixture of middle school and high-school students and will soon be adding a program for college students. It makes me proud to see the progress they continue to make, we have some high school girls that we have had since 6th grade. That in itself gives me the joy to see they still want to be apart, to see them grow from essentially children and blossom into young women. What sets Pretty Me Inc apart is we allow them to really be them. We provide a space where not only is there a lesson plan and structure, but we give them the space to be open with each other. As mentors we step back and allow them to just be girls, to have a sister circle and develop genuine friendships with each other. It’s great to have support from your mentors, but when you can develop a positive relationship with other young ladies your age is the icing on the cake.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
God deserves all credit. I will start there and that is not to sound cliche at all it’s just the truth. He provided the vision and the path and I simply followed. I had no clue what a nonprofit was or what it entailed, nor did I ever think I could start one. However, you don’t question God when he calls you to do something, even if it’s not what you saw yourself doing. I have to also give credit to my biggest cheerleader and supporter my husband, many of times I wanted to quit and he remains my voice of reasoning. My two mentors Joyce Dawkins and Larosha Paul have been AMAZING, no matter what it is or the time of day, if I need anything they are there at the drop of a dime. What makes my relationships with them so special is they have never asked anything of me, they give so selflessly and their hearts are so pure and genuine. They have proven to me that God will put the right people in your path as needed. My Pretty Me Inc teammates who remain consistent and dedicated, including my girls sometimes, I have to step back in awe because even at their young ages, I have received words of encouragement from them, I laugh and say wait I’m supposed to be the mentor. However, I gain so much from them as well.
Pricing:
- One time registration fee of $30 which pays for the mentees pink and orange PMI shirt.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.prettymeinc.org
- Email: info@prettymeinc.org
- Instagram: @PrettyMeInc @coach_dominique
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/PrettyMeInc
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