Flip Flops & Tiaras: Recent Episodes
Jess Ellett
Flip Flops & Tiaras was inspired by talking to so many incredible women and realizing how impactful it would be to hear how they achieved success doing what they love. She hopes you will find inspiration from their stories!
At 9 years old - Diamonds mother went missing. No one really talked about where her mom was or what may have happened to her. At 18 years old, she went on a mission to find her mother that lead to results no one saw coming. She has been through unimaginable trauma but as Diamond says - she learned to push through.
Diamond Johnston is the kind of daughter we all hope to have. She is tenacious and loyal, incredibly intelligent, hard working, capable and devoted. Devoted to her own children and devoted to her family. In 2012, she started working in her Grandma's herb shop for extra money and she eventually started studying those books, and how the products benefited our bodies. She became passionate. She listened to what certain products did for customers and she started using the products along with her husband and children. Eventually she began to resell and create products to share within her community for their overall wellbeing.
In 2017, she gave birth at home with an amazing midwife on that day-her dependency being SOLELY relied on medicinal interventions during labor and birth changed. The outcome of her home birth experience became the birth of her company, Push and Co. Essentials.
By 2020, she had become a Birth/Postpartum Doula helping many families in her community.
To learn more about Diamond and Push and Co. Essentials:
pushandcoessentials.com
https://www.instagram.com/pushandcompany/
Go to www.flipflopsandtiaras.com https://www.flipflopsandtiaras.com to learn more about the show, our guests and to apply to be on a future podcast!
Ta Ta for now :)
Celia is a champion at shaking up the status quo, whether fighting for the rights of others, starting an all female punk band or giving her heart to environmental campaigns.
In response to spiritual “mishandling” at a very young age, Celia’s has boldly gone down many paths toward spiritual growth, creative expression, and the fight for environmental and social justice.
A songwriter, singer, and bass player, she co-founded an all-female New Wave band in the 80s that made the local college charts and opened for acts including the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Primus, and Billy Idol. Later, she played in the group, Vucani Mawethu — which performed South African freedom songs and was affiliated with the African National Congress — then in World Beat bands with her husband, Eric “Doc” Smith, a drummer and fellow traveler.
She is currently writing and producing a documentary film on a climate solution she has championed for the last 15 years — low carbon biofuels in California. She loves talking about the Perennial Philosophy, best summed up in a quote by Meister Eckhart: “Theologians may quarrel, but the mystics of the world speak the same language.”
Listen to archives of Celia's 1980's band Z Axis at: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4y-SOvFjfD4FSBDJpDTgbw0K6_NIDsE2 (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4y-SOvFjfD4FSBDJpDTgbw0K6_NIDsE2) &soundcloud.com/user-429765450
Go to www.flipflopsandtiaras.com https://www.flipflopsandtiaras.com to learn more about the show, our guests and to apply to be on a future podcast!
Ta Ta for now :)
Machelle Gardner was a "normal kid" who grew up in a loving home. She was not a person anyone would have expected to end up on a journey that led to 15 years in prison. Many in her circumstances would have given up or continued down a not great path for the remainder of their life. But not Machelle. She ultimately got her bachelor's degree while incarcerated while in prison. When released, she completed her masters degree. And now she is working on her doctorate. Machelle is also helping other women released from incarceration become acclimated to the world again in hopes that they can also find their way to happiness and success too.
We were blown away by her story and know you will be inspired as well!
Go to www.flipflopsandtiaras.com https://www.flipflopsandtiaras.com to learn more about the show, our guests and to apply to be on a future podcast!
Ta Ta for now :)
Shirley Perry -Richardson is a Minister of the gospel, a Retired Virginia Homicide Detective, a mother, a grandmother, a great grandmother, a Body Builder, a facilitator of Cancer Ministry and is the Executive Director of a non-profit for women.
Shirley joins Jess, Dr. Harris and Kristin Peck in a conversation about her life that blew our minds. Shirley DEFINES resilience. She is one of the most inspiring women we have ever encountered.
Listen in and be prepared to go on an incredible journey.
Go to www.flipflopsandtiaras.com https://www.flipflopsandtiaras.com to learn more about the show, our guests and to apply to be on a future podcast!
Ta Ta for now :)
Reba Hollingsworth knew at the age of seven that she wanted to be on TV. She was mesmerized watching Phil Donahue and says that when Oprah came on the scene, "it changed everything for this little chocolate girl in Texas seeing her very own possibilities come to life".
Reba is currently one of the most familiar faces on our morning Televisions as the Morning Anchor on WTVR - CBS6. She is one of the most successful News Journalists in Richmond, Virginia and certainly one of the most beloved.
In 2017, she came up with an idea based on years of not being able to comfortably attach her microphone when she was wearing a dress. The idea took time, contacts, brainpower and money. But in 2018, the AHA Wrap launched! And it wouldn't be long before another idea occurred to her. Finding the perfect bag to carry her computer, lunch, sometimes camera equipment and other essentials had proved challenging over the years. Wanting to have a bag that would contain all that she needed while looking professional lead to her next creation called TRI V3RSA bags. Both products have taken off and are spreading across the country!
In additional to being a journalist and an entrepreneur, Reba is a mom and now an author as her Co-Authored book- Lipstick and Legacies is now available on Amazon & other outlets.
Reba has gone through many of the struggles women experience including loss, divorce and suddenly being a single mom but her attitude of "Go Get It" has proven itself in all the inspiring things you will hear in this motivational conversation!
You can follow Reba at:
Twitter: @RebaCBS6; IG: RebaONTV; Reba Hollingsworth-WTVR CBS 6
Go to www.flipflopsandtiaras.com https://www.flipflopsandtiaras.com to learn more about the show, our guests and to apply to be on a future podcast!
Ta Ta for now :)
Today we are talking to Jamillah J Sabir Wheaton. Jamillah was tough andtenacious in highschool - she was both hilarious and intimidating to some. She was a take no crap kind of chick. And because of those traits - She was the last person anyone would have thought would end up enduring a physically violent relationship. But abusers come in very charming and disguising packages and as you will hear today - they take their time ensuring that they have worn down your self esteem, chipped away at your circle of friends, controlled so much of your world that by the time they become violent - they have you seemingly trapped in their net. Its almost a grooming process and it can happen to anyone.
If you or someone you know is being abused - there is help available. Speak with someone today by calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline
Hours: 24/7. Languages: English, Spanish and 200+ through interpretation service
800-799-7233
Go to www.flipflopsandtiaras.com https://www.flipflopsandtiaras.com to learn more about the show, our guests and to apply to be on a future podcast!
Ta Ta for now :)
Go to www.flipflopsandtiaras.com https://www.flipflopsandtiaras.com to learn more about the show, our guests and to apply to be on a future podcast!
Ta Ta for now :)
Cara Presley, also known as The Career Cheerleader, is a local entrepreneur, podcast host, influencer, and self defined cultural custodian from Richmond, VA. She launched
“The Pull Up” which is an interview series for local individuals to share their stories in mini interview sessions, a "bite sized" podcast called “The Successful Podcast” and she has curated a diversified Facebook group by the name of Red Table Talk RVA that has garnered over 115k followers! Many of her fans are supporters of the Emmy award winning Red Table Talk series, starring Jada Pinkett-Smith and her family.
Cara has been applauded for her engagement strategies and tactics with RTT, and her partnership with the brand has allowed her the opportunity to host several local Red Table Talk events, including the launch of the “We are not really strangers” game!
In July 2022 Cara launched the official fan re-watch podcast with the Red Table Talk and iHeart brand.
Keep an eye on this enlightened entrepreneur - she is going to continue to do big things!
For more information visit www.CaraPressley.com
Go to www.flipflopsandtiaras.com https://www.flipflopsandtiaras.com to learn more about the show, our guests and to apply to be on a future podcast!
Ta Ta for now :)
Diane Jones has survived a bad marriage, foreclosure, bankruptcy, employment termination, loss of a parent, and employment layoff. These experiences strengthened her to pull up her bootstraps and create a job for herself in 2015.
After being laid off and interviewing for several larger corporations, she realized that working in that environment was no longer comfortable for her and she didn't want someone else controlling her future. As Diane was interviewing for positions, she was also chatting with previous co-workers and other small business owners.
The idea for Virtual DiVA was formed during conversations with previous co-workers and other small business owners and the question arouse- if we could work down the hall from one another, can't we work from another building, part of town or even in another city or state?
Diane is now remarried to graphite artist, Craig Jones and they run two small businesses together along with Virtual DiVA.
Learn more here:
https://www.virtualdiva.biz
Go to www.flipflopsandtiaras.com https://www.flipflopsandtiaras.com to learn more about the show, our guests and to apply to be on a future podcast!
Ta Ta for now :)
Jess and Dr. Harris chat with entrepreneur extrodinaire Kristen Peck about her journey as a women, a mother and a multiple business owner. Kristen worked in law enforcement for 6 years and had a 12 year career in the medical industry but she dreamed of working for herself and using her passion to make a difference.
She started her first company, Derma-hue LLC in a small shop in Carytown and has expanded to an absolutely gorgeous center on Parham Road. Powered by this initial vision, she then started its sister company, The Areola Restoration Center. There, Kristen focuses on 3D nipple tattooing for her post mastectomy patients. She is providing more than just reconstruction. Her talent and services restore patients both physically and emotionally.
Kristen attended training at the acclaimed Sauler Institute for 3D Areola/Nipple restoration and was awarded an NPI number (National Provider Identification) which served in allowing her clients with insurance to file for reimbursement. She has a bachelor's in psychology, an MBA and has spent the last 7 years performing advanced clinical medical pigmentation.
Listen in and be INSPIRED to follow your heart and dreams!
Learn more about The Areola Restoration Center here:
https://areolarestorationcenter.org
Learn more about Derma-hue here:
https://dermahuepermanentmakeup.com
Jess and Dr. Harris chat with Doni Belah, Founder of Girl's Guide to the World (formally Girl's Guide to Paris).Doni's love affair with Paris began when her sister took her as a high-school graduation gift. Ever since, she knew Paris would need to be a part of her life. She started Girl's Guide to Paris in 2009 so she no longer had to choose between what she did and what she loved.Girl's Guide started withDoni leading travel tours for women who didn’t already know one another, and she said that was truly when the magic happened. Everyone opened up, connected and had experiences that transcended the travel. Now she is leading traveling trips around the globe. She believes that we are sisters who come as strangers and leave as friends. Her travel tours for women go everywhere from France and Japan, to Bali and Africa.
Doni believes that something magical happens when a small group of women feel a kinship with one another in a place of great beauty and culture. The story-telling, the dreams, the heartbreak, the laughter and the discovery all meld together. It’s a completely different experience than going by yourself, with your family, or on a large packaged group tour.
Doni says that she feels so blessed to be able to do what she loves and we want the same for you! Listen in and be INSPIRED to follow your heart and dreams!
Learn more about A Girls Guide to the World:
https://www.girlsguidetotheworld.com
https://www.instagram.com/girlsguidetoparis/
https://www.facebook.com/GirlsGuidetoParis