We recently connected with Ebonee Hammonds- Copeland and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ebonee, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
My work ethic comes from what I saw growing up as a child. I have always been surrounded by self employed individuals/entrepreneurs and I would say it was engrained in me at an early age. I was raised by a grandmother who owned and operated a hair salon and a grandfather who owned several different businesses. I always saw the work they put in to their businesses and the since of pride that gave them, as well as myself. At the early age of 15, I secured my first part time job. I literally went in to the interview and told the manager that I needed a job and was ready to work immediately. He was definitely apprehensive of hiring me because I wasn’t 16 yet, but he saw the determination I had right then. After that first part time job, I have always worked and made my own money. Even in my late teen and early 20’s I had a child, a full time job during the day, and went to school full time in the evening. I have never been one to want to ask people for anything that I needed or wanted, so that mentality has pushed me in extreme ways regarding my work ethic. By the time I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in late 2014, which was 10 years after completing my Associates degree, I went back to grad school in January 2015 and finished grad school with my MBA with in 11 months, while working full time and taking care of 3 kids. I usually don’t look at certain circumstances as a reason not to do something, I look for reasons why I should do something because of circumstances. I’ll do everything I can within reason to accomplish a goal.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I currently live in the Birmingham, AL area. In addition to recently becoming a franchise owner, I have short term rentals that I rent that are listed on Airbnb. I also have just become a real estate investor by purchasing a few tax lien properties that I will be either flipping or holding long term for rental income. I am also a city council member for the City of Center Point, AL where I was elected in 2020.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Perseverance, faith, and ambition have been the most impactful in my journey. I have learned that faith without works is dead. A person can dream all day everyday, but that dream won’t come to fruition without them getting up and starting. Start somewhere, just as long as you start. I was say before starting a project or commencing on starting something, I would advise that they read and research on what it takes to actually accomplish what they are trying to do. See how other people have done it and learn what to do, as well as what not to do. Get mentors in your life who can be accountability partners and help to guide you in the right direction, I would advise that people who are early in their journey take advantage of any free resources such as classes, trainings, or any information that they can utilize.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
When I’m overwhelmed, I try to take a break and have some quiet time. I have found meditation to recently be very effective and also listening to meditative music. I have been one to struggle with feeling overwhelmed at times when things aren’t progressing at a rate that I feel it should. I definitely still struggle with feeling overwhelmed when its other outside factors or people who are not aligned with the progress and timeline that I am working towards. I have learned that I can’t control what others do, but I can control how I react. Being an entrepreneur is definitely not for the weak, but it can be extremely rewarding.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.peachcobblerfactory.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getpeachyTrussville
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/councilwoman-ebonee-copeland-mba-a4935286/
- Other: https://www.bookelhent.com/ https://www.airbnb.com/h/chi3br https://www.airbnb.com/h/mke1br
Image Credits
I have rights to photos
