Angel Morel Brown is a native Detroiter and has a special love for the city she calls home. She is a graduate of Detroit Public Schools, going on to receive her Bachelor in Business from Eastern Michigan University and an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University. Angel is an advocate for following purpose and being your best self and that is how her service leadership organization, E.L.I.T.E. Women was born. Elite was founded in 2013 and has provided over 1500 hours of service since conception. Angel is also the newly published author of, “Fatherless Daughter: A Different Perspective,” a book that not only shares several perspectives of fatherlessness, but also a tool that can aid in forgiveness, healing, and recognition of your Spiritual Father. Angel is a Service Leader by trade, and her purpose is to live a fulfilled, God-led life, while serving others in the process. Read our interview with the lovely Angel below…
What motivated and inspired you to start your own business?
What motivated and inspired me to start my own non-profit and write my book, Fatherless Daughter: A Different Perspective, was women and young girls and the betterment of us all.
Tell us about your business.
I have a nonprofit called E.L.I.T.E. Women. E.L.I.T.E. Women is a Service Leadership organization whose mission is to:
Encourage women to be God-Fearing
Leaders that
Influence others to live
Triumphant lifestyles, while
Empowering those around them to be their best self.
Encourage | Lead | Influence | Triumphant | Empower WOMEN
The pillars of Elite are Community, Collaborate, Mentor, and Service. Elite Women has dedicated over 1500 hours to the pillars of the organization within the last three years, providing mentoring services and hosting or volunteering at several volunteering events per year.
Elite is one of the reasons for my second business, my book, “Fatherless Daughter: A Different Perspective.” The reason I decided to write the book was not only because I am a Fatherless Daughter, but primarily because most of the girls and or women I’ve mentored are fatherless and they have used fatherlessness as a reason to not succeed. I wanted to produce something tangible that not only shared my story, but also the stories of other women who were fatherless. The book has five perspectives of five different women who are fatherless or who have identified with being fatherless at some point in their lives. These women share their trials with fatherlessness, but they also share their success. I wanted women all over to know that fatherlessness is not a curse or disease. It is just the way the cookie crumbled for you, but that should never be used as an excuse to not live your best life. The book also has a few tools that I have used to help me to be a better me which I use while mentoring from a psychologist perspective.
Are you currently running any promos/contests/giveaways that you would like our readers to know about?
I am asking both men and women to share their story of #IAmFatherlessBut for their chance to win a signed copy of my new book, “Fatherless Daughter: A Different Perspective”. I also have an event in January that Elite Women and another organization are hosting. It is a Vision Board Slumber Party.
List awards/certifications/accomplishments.
I am a recipient of the “I Rise” award of the Saving Her Elegance (SHE) annual gala.
Where is your business based?
My business is proudly based in Detroit, MI.
What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?
As for E.L.I.T.E. Women, the first thing I did was pray. I asked God if this was really something I should do. Elite’s initial focus was to bring women from all walks of life together to do great things. Women have a reputation to be “catty” and I wanted to create something that went against that. After I received confirmation, I sent a text message to every woman in my phone informing them that I would be starting an organization for women and if they were interested, to shoot me their email address. I created a name, mission, vision, website, and agenda, and that is how E.L.I.T.E. Women was born, June of 2013.
In regards to my book, FDADP, the first thing I did was research. I read books on fatherlessness, studied statistics, asked local authors what it took to self-publish, and talked to some of my mentees about the idea. I knew that I did not want to just share my story, but I wanted to share the stories of others, so that is when I started putting the idea out to social media to try to gauge who was interested. The first five chapters share my truth and methods I have used to become a better person. The following chapters are other perspectives with a few chapters of truths in between.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and getting new customers?
The most effective way of raising awareness of Elite Women and FDADP is social media. I have FB, IG, and Twitter for both EW and FDADP. I also have a website for both. Word of mouth has definitely helped also.
What have been your biggest challenges so far?
My biggest challenge has probably been trying maintain my personal life while trying to manage a non-profit and book sales. I truly believe that you cannot be your best self if you do not care for yourself in the best way. I think that it is very important to take time out for YOU and do what makes you happy sometimes. We are ultimately here on earth for others, not for ourselves. You can’t be the best you for anyone if you aren’t the best you for you!
How did you overcome these challenges?
I have a daily planner and I utilize my phone for planning purposes. Planning is one of the only reasons I have been able to execute my goals and still fit in some “me-time.”
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
PRAYER. I know that this is redundant, but there is so much power in daily prayer. I also read books that feed my mind. There are only a couple of things that can change your life and a good book is one of them.
How do you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
In the line of work that I do, I don’t see competition. I have an organization that caters to women and I salute any woman who is doing the same. We women can be tough sometimes, so any woman or women who have dedicated a piece of their lives to help other women, I am all for it.
As it relates to my book, again, I do not see competition. Are there other books out similar to mine? Yes. My book opens your mind up to a totally different way of thinking. As I stated previously, there are only a few things that can change your life, and a good book is one. FDADP is definitely a good book and can change the way you think, which will ultimately change your life.
What is the best advice you have received recently?
The best advice that I have received recently is, “Not only be great, but know that you are great!” The reason this advice was really good for me is because this is something I have struggled with in the past and am currently working through. I have felt that I haven’t done enough or I am not giving enough of myself and I did not stop to recognize the great things that I had done. I would also be hesitant to talk about those great things. While I am a huge fan of humility, I am also a fan of being your own biggest fan. I am currently working on owning my greatness.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
Advice that I would give to other entrepreneurs is, “Do what feels right for you.” We sometimes get caught up in money and popularity and we forget about what really feels right. When you do what is right for you and what feels right for you, you are figuring out purpose. Finding purpose is one of the best things that has happened for me.
What is your favorite business tool or resource?
My favorite business tool is honestly, social media. I have met so many cool people via social media.
What social media outlets do you use? List them below.
Instagram @elitewomen, @fatherlessdaugher_adp, @_ms_angel_
Twitter @_Elite_Women_, @fatherlessADP @_ms_angel_
Facebook @Angel.m.Brown.5, @FatherlessDaughterADP, @ELITE-Women
Websites www.WeAreEliteWomen.com and www.AMorelBrown.com
Email angel@weareelitewomen.com and angel@amorelbrown.com
Hashtags #EliteWomenMovement #EliteWomen #AMorelBrown #FatherlessDaughterADP #FDADP
What is a good article or book you have read recently?
One of the best books I have ever read and would recommend to everyone who ask is, “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle. Another great book I just wrapped up reading is “Around the Way Girl: A Memoir” by Taraji P. Henson and Denene Millner.
What are you currently learning about for your business or looking for help with?
I am looking to write another book, but currently awaiting confirmation. Once confirmation is received, I will be looking for people to interview. As for E.L.I.T.E. Women, we are always looking for great women to do great things, so please visit www.WeAreEliteWomen.com to learn more about what we do.
What are your goals for the next few months and how are you striving to achieve them?
A few of my goals are to learn more about penny stocks and how to invest, prepare for the Michigan Real Estate Salesperson exam, and successfully complete the fellowship program I was recently selected for, New Leaders Council-Detroit Chapter.
Kelly LaDawna says
To any one of you who felt the need to visit this article, PLEASE take the time to view this video (https://youtu.be/F7-wnZNacqE). OMG. In one word, it is truly remarkable. So masterfully crafted that there is a passionate, therapeutic message for each one of us (including our fathers). The title may throw you but the message is enthralling and undeniably one of a kind. I hope that you find it to be just as enlightening as I and that it leaves you with a feeling of much needed relief. THESE are the type of messages that we all should be sharing around the world! Peace and love. Happy 2017.