Today, we’d like to introduce you to Jaren Collins. Jaren was introduced to us by the brilliant and talented Kristin Afelumo.
Jaren, thank you so much for joining us today. We’d love for you to bring our readers up to speed – can you introduce yourself and share your story?
I started my career as graphic designer way back in 2009. I was a budding engineering major and was having a tough time finding internship opportunities so I decided to take on an opportunity at the local radio station to learn graphic design. While working, I noticed a major underrepresentation of black people in stock imagery and decided I would take my earnings at this internship to purchase a camera and become the change. As time went on, my business grew and grew. Then, while working, I would meet my lovely fiance and our love grew and grew and today, we are both proudly entrepreneurs actively watering the businesses we’ve planted.
Please tell us more about your practice.
I am a photographer/videographer who primarily service conferences and large events. What sets us apart is my responsiveness, quick turnaround and acts of quality service. As a brand, I am most proud of how we’ve grown and evolved over the years. My fiance, Kristen, is the owner of Black to the Lab – a cosmetic chemistry kit created to spark the curiosity of young minds and encourage them to pursuit STEM careers. What sets Black to the Lab apart is its nuanced approach to give black girls access to STEM by putting it right in their hands to experience first-hand. What I am most proud of for Kristen is her perseverance and ingenuity in creating opportunities for others. She has grown this business over the years and given her all to seek resolution to the ever-growing disparity of representation in STEM.
So, as we mentioned to our audience earlier, you were introduced to us by Kristin Afelumo and HerPlanning LLC and we really admire them and what they’ve built. For folks who might not be as familiar, can you tell them a bit about your experience with HerPlanning LLC.
We would not be here today, if it were not for Kristin O’Neal. Kristin has been my financial advisor for nearly a decade and has not only set me on the right path financially, but has challenged me to be a better person and businesses owner.
I met Kristin when I moved to Dallas in 2014 through local networking channels and decided to engage her in financial planning as I began my young career. Since, Kristin has seen me transition from a young corporate American to a budding entrepreneur and she’s been a vital resource at every step.
As an entrepreneur, she helped me set up systems to invest and save for my future while also giving sound unobstructed advice on how to manage my money on the day-t0-day. Kristin also challenged my money concept in the early years to seek to grow and scale my business far beyond my own understanding and vision.
In this season, I am also transitioning into married life and Kristin has helped my fiance, Kristen, and I address real-time financial topics to better navigate our partnership and seek financial responsibility in our own relationship.
Not too long after Kristen and I started dating, I introduced her to Kristin and together, they were able to build my fiance a financial portfolio, roll over her IRA, and also transition her to full time entrepreneurship to pursue her dreams with Black to the Lab.
Kristin has been with us since the beginning of our journey, working lockstep to make sure we better manage our financial life. Its her advisement that has allowed us to repay 10s of thousands in debt and grow our savings and retirement in the process. We are eternally grateful for Kristen.
Website: jcicreatives.com
Instagram: instagram.com/jcicreatives
Other: blacktothelab.com instagram.com/blacktothelab
Image Credits
Sam Brooks Photography, Martha’s Vineyard
