Black in Business

I bet there are some people that still believe, that you have to work for someone else in order to make a decent living. And that being your own boss, or working for yourself is just a mere dream.

Lights, Camera..... Yeah I'm about to put her in the spotlight Baby! Things hasn't always seemed to shine in her life in the past. So how did she get here?

I've always looked up to her. My entire life, she have been an Inspirational strong black woman. A pillar in her community. Through trail and error I've seen both the path to her failure and successes.

On the outside looking in I've found myself somehow living vicariously through her. Intrigued by the way she handled childhood abuse, absent parents, forced to look after her siblings being the oldest and somehow pull it all together. Strong minded, and strong willed enough to not let her pass life lessons affect the outcome of how she treats others.

Bold, yet Brave, Never known to be shy. Paving the way, breaking chains and barricades of generational curses. Ground stepping, shattering the ceiling glass to the things in her family that had never done before.

There are so many people that are very inspirational especially with all the innovators in this world today. Sometimes the creator puts people in your life so that you don't have to look anywhere other than right next to you.

The person that comes to my mind each and every time is Cynthia Denise Porter. The Owner of "Jus Relax " Nail care Therapy LLC. Located at 362 E Mulberry Street. A small town in Durant Mississippi. 39063

Miss Cynthia grew up born and raised in the city of Chicago. Things was not easy as I watched how Cynthia struggled to get an education. There were plenty of times she would get a head start wee hours in the morning, walking from Englewood community 76 & Halsted to Dunbar H.S to 30th and King Dr. just to get to her 1st class. At times she would take her lunch money to use for bus fare to prevent from walking.

Her early life included an absence father and missing mother that had a terrible battle with substance abuse. Cynthia struggled with having to help raise her siblings. This lead to her having to drop out of school. This situation didn't stop her from her goals. She knew that for generations that the women in her immediate family had never finished High School. In time, Cynthia's grandmother stepped in and raised her and her siblings. Cynthia was always determined to do better and reach her greatness. In time Cynthia went away to Dayton Ohio to achieve her GED. She inspired her siblings to do the same.

Pushing forward to continue higher learning, Miss Cynthia was one of the first to go to College. She obtained her Associate Art in General studies and a paralegal Degree and later took up Massage Therapy in 2006. She inspired me to do the same. In 2007 I got my Associates in Science Degree in Paramedic, and Massage Therapy Diploma/ License in 2014.

Cynthia continued to influence me my entire life. In 2006 Cynthia completed Massage school and all of her training. Cynthia had managed to build up a clientele of well over a 150 people. Traveling as "Jus Relax" Traveling Massage Spa from Chicago, Missouri, Arkansas, to Mississippi. Performing stretching techniques and massages to those with acute and chronic overworked aching muscles.

In 2008 Cynthia life took a turn for the worse, leaving a bad marriage and grandmother passing caused an urge for change in Cynthia's life. Post Cynthia's hearing of my graduating from Massage school. Cynthia wished me well by reaching out to her clients, and passed the torch to me. In 2016 I opened my own brick and mortar business in Chicago. Myo X Tension Massage Spa.

Cynthia worked 2 jobs while completing College as a Nail Technician and Esthetician. In 2017 I got a phone call from her with some exciting news. Although, I was worried and concerned. She made mention to me that she had pulled out all of her 401k and drawn down all her savings. Because of not having the funds to secure her dreams. Her credit was bad, Cynthia had bad debt before she was even legal to pay a bill or deemed legally grown. Mom had placed her credit in a bad position.

Cynthia was more than determine not to let that stop her dreams. Cynthia's traveling spa gave her a taste of being her own boss. She too opened up her very own Brick and Mortar. The building was a mess, only she could see what it would become. All by herself she used the gift and talents God gave her. She tore out the old, added drywall, built rooms, painted, bought her equipment, nail stations, pedicure chairs. From plumbing to electrical, hanging, pictures, mirrors and Flat screen Tv's on the wall, she did it all herself.

In 2018 Cynthia was devastated when she arrived at her Nail spa to find that a Tornado had came through Durant and hit her shop. Making matters worse, Cynthia Insurance had just lapsed for nonpayment the day before the Tornado happened. Cynthia faced with the choice to pay the shop phone and light bill cost her to have to replace everything once again on her own. Cynthia was left with all of the out of pocket expenses from the damages that Tornado had done.

2019 again took a toll on her business as she kept fighting to keep her Nail Salon abreast. Mom came from Chicago to Mississippi at Cynthia door step demanding this well needed attention from this illness of Dementia. This early onset of this mental deteriorative disease cause by drug abuse in mom's earlier years of living had caught up. Cynthia would miss days, sometimes even weeks on in to care for mom. She would close down her Nail shop due to the needs of her mother. After her sister traveled from Chicago to Mississippi to help. Cynthia was moving forward getting on track.

Then 2020 came in like an unimaginable nightmare. "The Pandemic" hit and she was forced like all other businesses to shut down her Nail spa.

Indeed Miss Cynthia is not just some random Black Entrepreneur. I am proud to say she's my Big Sister. She has inspired me to follow my dreams. And she has also volunteered herself to helping other become successful in getting others who just need a little help or advise on how to get started in their own business ventures.

I am elated and beyond moved with words. It is with deep pleasure to say, Cynthia has maintained her Nail spa despite her endeavors. Jus Relax Nail Care Therapy LLC, has recently had it's 4th year in business Anniversary!

Cynthia is the only black owned full service Nail Salon in the Mississippi South. Even being 45-50 miles outside of the State Capital Jackson, you will not find a Nail Salon as capable and qualified to do the work that her and her staff do.

Help me show Miss Cynthia Denise Porter that black businesses matter. Please Show your love and support to this Amazing, Motivating, Ground Breaking, Phenomenal Queen. My at times mother, and forever Sister & friend..... Cynthia. Remember "Jus Relax" and let Cynthia or my niece Amari S Hayes also a Licensed Nail Technician take care of you. While I finish the work Cynthia started massage.... Myo X Massage Spa Moved to Mississippi.

Every day complete your goals, Dream Big! And Remember anything is possible!!!!