We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Maui Bigelow a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Maui, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I found my purpose while experiencing great pain. Molested as an adolescent, sexually assaulted as a teenager and many other hardships led me to my purpose. Although it begin to unfold when I was too young to understand what purpose was, I knew that what was happening wasn’t just about me. This empowered me to cater to the souls of women and girls and to be honest and transparent about my experiences.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
While I wear many hats, one of my greatest achievements I being founder and producer of Life Styled Honors a Fashion, beauty and empowerment event that celebrates the beauty and brilliance of Black Women. In is 11 years of existence, I have had the pleasure of using the Life Styled Honors platform to honor Tarana Burke, founder of the Me Too Movement, Tamika Palmer, Mother of Breonna Taylor, American Designer, Jasmine Elder and Raynell “Supa” Steward, owner of The Crayon Case. The event has also garnered the support of elite groups of individuals, has millions of digital impressions and annual ticket sales of over 300.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three most important skills, qualities or knowledge that have helped me along this journey have been my willingness to be transparent, my bold and unapologetic nature and my commitment to my purpose.
I am think that early in the journey laying a foundation that makes room for you to be honest and present are most important. You can’t change the world until you know the world and how you want to make it better.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
Black women have been most helpful in my life. As a girl, I was surrounded by black women who were bold, brilliant and resilient; my mother, my Auntie Carolynn, and my Great Aunt Linnie (Big Mama). Were all important figures thought out my life. Then there were teachers like Ms. Brown, my Godmother, cousins, my best friend’s mother Ms. Marilynn, my daughter, Daja, my nieces and even my college roommate Tesharra Alexander. I have always been blessed to be surrounded by amazing black women who offered support, inspiration, knowledge and uplift. Whenever I am faced with anything my first thought are these women, how they would handle things, how my actions would make them feel and lastly are my actions ones that would make them proud or celebrate the woman they know and love me to be
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mauibigelow/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/MauiBig/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maui-bigelow-19479461
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MauiBigelow
Image Credits
Photos by R Jones Photography
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
