Today we’d like to introduce you to Yolanda Harper.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Born and raised in Fort Worth, the youngest of four, I didn’t have a full name until probably high school. Until then, I stepped in the name and athletic abilities of my three older siblings, so I was always referred to as “Lil Harper or Lil Kim.” As a middle and high school athlete, I really started to make a name for myself on the courts and especially the track at O. D. Wyatt.
Although I loved both volleyball and basketball, track & field was my favorite. From being featured in Fort Worth Star-Telegram to winning district and regional meets in the 100m hurdles ranked in top 3 in the state to being honored with numerous other awards and recognition, I was determined to make a name for myself.
My exceptional talent afforded me a full athletic scholarship to the University of Houston where I trained with and competed against some of the greatest names in the sport. On this level, I was a major contribution to the team as I competed in the 100m hurdles and anchored the 4×100 meter relay. I was even named Most Valuable Female athlete and team captain. After my track career, I became a single mother and later returned to Fort Worth.
I started my first business in 2009, Fit&40 Crew, an outdoor fitness boot camp. As many knew of my athletic abilities, and with the help of social media, they quickly grew. This is truly a story of turning my passion into profit! I held weekly one-hour boot camps for free for over 6 months until a friend told me that I could easily turn this into a profitable business.
So, one cold winter Saturday morning I tested her push. After our session, we gathered like we usually do for final words and I asked everyone if they would simply “tip” me…and they did. People were going to their cars and returning passing me money and I was stuffing it wherever I could. When I got home and started unpeeling the layers, I created a small pile of money on my bed. I sat on the edge of my bed and cried as I counted $250 while thinking, “You mean to tell me I can make $250 an hour doing what I love, helping people have fun while getting fit?” My answer was obvious and the rest is her-story! Still, to this day, Fit&40 Crew is a reputable brand that many still respect and support.
I expanded the workouts to include personal training and athletic performance training for young athletes. Today, boot camp sessions are held every Saturday in downtown Fort Worth with a dedicated group of women. Much of my work experience was more internal facing in foundational positions while I completed my Communications degree at Dallas Baptist University. It was not until I started working for Blue Zones Project in Fort Worth as the Relationship Consultant for Worksites that I became re-introduced to the Fort Worth Community.
Within the next year, I was asked to serve on the Board of the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce and Women’s Business Division chair. I was learning Fort Worth as an adult and being reconnected with many faces and people that I once knew as a kid.
Still working full time, I am also a business owner. I formed Alpha Discovery Group LLC in July 2017. It’s a development platform where I house my speaking engagements, author of two books, and personal, physical and professional development training programs. I’m a sought after and energetic speaker and use my voice to impact, influence and ignite listeners. I coined the term, “Yolanda’s Nuggets” which are small bits of impactful information that you can grab and use along the way. My talks are filled with them and it’s up to the listener to grab what they need. My overall purpose in life is to empower women to connect to their personal power and operate in it to live their best life.
I serve on the Fort Worth Task Force on Race and Culture, acknowledged for y contribution to business and community in the Fort Worth Business Press as a 2017 Minority Leaders in Business award recipient and Top 21 Women to Watch in Fort Worth in 2016. I’ve also been featured in many other publications across the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Has it been a smooth road?
I will not lie and says it’s been a smooth road, but I can say that once I truly starting operating in my God-given purpose, my life changed dramatically. I was no longer disoriented and aimlessly living life, but with now that I’ve found my purpose, which is to impact, influence and ignite the lives of women that I encounter, things seem to fall in place. I’m in my lane, living and enjoying life like it’s golden that’s for sure. It doesn’t mean that things don’t get difficult sometimes because LIFE just happens! With focus, direction, and tenacity, the “bounce-back” is faster which allows me to get back on track and moving towards my goals.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Alpha Discovery Group LLC DBA Yolanda’s Nuggets – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I formed Alpha Discovery Group LLC in July 2017 as a way to rebrand myself as a speaker and trainer. I started my first business Fit&40 Crew, an outdoor fitness boot camp, 2009 and was known and connected to the fitness industry. Although I was already doing speaking engagements and wrote my first book, I rebranded in order to put the “speaker” on their minds first.
Alpha Discovery Group LLC is a resourceful tree with branches of empowerment programs and tools that are solely focused on optimal personal performance. My belief is, “Through self-exploration and revelation, we become more valuable contributors to those people and things were connected to.” With a global mindset, I
I’m enthusiastic about sharing my knowledge and guiding women from all experiential backgrounds and cultures to operating at their highest and best self.
What sets me apart from others would be my captivating energy, I demonstrate my passion for opening people’s souls to their “Personal Power”. I have a way of asking self-reflective questions to engage every individual. My overall desire is to Impact, Influence and Ignite the ONE THING needed by each one I’m blessed to connect with. I support this by sharing SIMPLE but hugely impactful information that can be implemented daily along life’s journey. These are referred to as, “Yolanda’s Nuggets” and my presentations are filled with these gems. I’m authentic and relatable. One of my strengths is CONNECTEDNESS, and once I learned to use this, it made a big difference.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
What I like best about our city is it’s growing and a great place to live, work and play, then, on the other hand, the racial divide/issues that seem to plague us. I don’t think we’re different from any other metropolitan city.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.yolandasnuggets.com
- Phone: 8174958545
- Email: yolanda@yolandasnuggets.com
- Instagram: yolandasnuggets_
- Facebook: @yolandasnuggets
- Twitter: @yolandasnuggets
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
