We were lucky to catch up with Angela Mullen Batson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Angela , looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
Where do you get your work ethic from?
If I can keep it all the way real with you, my work ethic was birthed from my fears! My fear of being unsuccessful, failing, and being ‘just another teenage mom out of Baltimore.’ My work ethic came from having a survivor’s mindset.
As a child, I was working at the early age of 12 because my mother had a side hustle running vending machines. By then, I was already acclimated to working, making my own money, and being held accountable for the responsibilities that come with running a business. My mother was, and still is, an early bird, so by 6 am we were already on our way to our locations. By 13, I was working at McDonald’s, getting acclimated with corporate systems. I mention this because, as a child, I grew up in an environment of entrepreneurs. My father retired early due to injury and focused on using his natural gifts and talents as a handyman to serve the community, and to this day, he’s still successful as an entrepreneur.
However, as an adolescent, I experienced my parents’ divorce and the life transitions that came with it. I wasn’t able to process my emotions in the best manner throughout that journey. Environments changed, moods were swinging, and life was happening. Going to work became a rewarding distraction. More than a distraction, it became an addiction. I was addicted to being distracted from what was going on that I couldn’t process: grief! Family members and friends started dying to the point where my grandmother told me, ‘You know you don’t have to go to every funeral, right?’ So I stopped going to funerals. But I didn’t stop pursuing work until I could no longer run from myself!
In addition to grief, it was postpartum, most times it was both. I could never fully process what I was experiencing because I didn’t know how. From what I could see around me, you just keep going. I know that’s a huge part of it, but the way I “kept going” was I would go to work. I ran to work to fill voids; every free moment I had I would spend exchanging my time for money. Not that it was all bad, because I did what made me happy, ultimately helping me discover my passion. But even when I discovered my passion, I still never could disconnect from the hustle of working due to fear. At 28, with 4 kids and a husband, I faced new fears that were on a completely different level. Grief wasn’t only for the loved ones that continued to transition but for the versions of myself that were leaving, who I never had a real moment to connect with.
My work ethic hasn’t changed in terms of me still being a goal-getter and hardworking visionary. However, it’s no longer rooted in distracting me from myself. Now, my work ethic comes from the pursuit of my purpose! Like I tell my mentees, “You can’t run from yourself forever.” It may not have been for the right reasons initially, but running from my traumas brought me right into triumph!
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
After receiving my letter about nursing school admission, I decided NOT to open it! Instead, I committed to following my passion! I chose to trust myself and start over, switching my major to Fashion Marketing and Management. With 3 small kids, I took a silent leap of faith! And like DJ Khaled says, ANOTHER ONE!
Shortly after graduating, I accepted an offer to attend SCAD and relocated to Atlanta. I started my journey to take over Atlanta. That’s really what I told and still tell myself, “I didn’t move here to do the same thing I was doing in Baltimore,” and it manifested! I became a Successful Industry Professional Stylist! But hold up, I’m NOT Your Average Stylist.
Beyond lighting up TV and digital ads, gracing major publications, and turning heads on Times Square billboards, I also mentor entrepreneurs to holistic success! As a wife and mom of 4, I’ve navigated the challenges of balancing a high-profile career with family life. After conquering burnout and early obstacles, I now dedicate myself to guiding purpose-driven individuals toward both personal fulfillment and professional success.
This journey led me to create the Live In Style exclusive mentorship and coaching program. What sets our program apart is its holistic approach to success. We don’t just focus on your business or your wardrobe – we help you create a lifestyle that supports your goals and dreams. Our program offers personalized guidance to help you overcome challenges, set achievable goals, and create strategies for long-term success.
But that’s not all. We understand that entrepreneurship can be a lonely journey, which is why we’ve created a vibrant membership community. This community is the heart of our program, offering invaluable support for busy entrepreneurs striving to create work-life balance. Here, members find a supportive group of like-minded individuals, all working towards empowerment and success.
Our community provides a safe space for sharing experiences, seeking advice, and celebrating wins – big and small. We host regular virtual meetups, workshops, and Q&A sessions, ensuring that no matter where you are in your journey, you have access to the resources and support you need. This sense of belonging and mutual support is crucial for maintaining motivation and overcoming the unique challenges that come with balancing a thriving business and a fulfilling personal life.
I’m often asked, “How do you do it all?” My answer is simple: I Live in Style! And now I’m here to show other serious purpose-driven entrepreneurs how to do the same too.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
When I look back over my journey, gaining wisdom in brand positioning, holistically sustaining life personally and professionally, and making the right connections were my top three developmental areas. I know seasons change, but auditing life and business regularly is key to growing with your brand. Knowing when to pause and rest while journeying through life and entrepreneurship is vital because burnout is real. Recovery is possible; however, having the tools and using them is super beneficial in sustaining your overall life.
Everyone has connections, but having the right connections is what’s most important. Are your connections beneficial to your overall well-being, or are they hindering your success? These are areas I unpack with my clients as we journey to their success. Like Lil Baby said, everybody can’t go to the top with you, and it’s true. Many people are too afraid to let go of others because doing so lets go of a version of themselves they aren’t ready to part ways with yet. Little do they know that letting go is part of the process.
Greater is waiting for you to part ways with old ways; old ways of thinking, old ways of living, and old connections. If you can relate to any of what I just mentioned or this season seems familiar, I encourage you to spend some time silencing the noise so you can have a one-on-one session with yourself. See yourself for where you are today, discover where you want to go, set some new goals, take audits of everything, and make some hard choices. See where you need to invest your time and money next and commit to becoming a better version of yourself.
Push past your fears and challenges and aim to elevate! If you need support, find a circle with like-minded individuals who can inspire and support you in leveling up. Be open to learning and discovering new tools to help you on your journey, whether it’s from a mentor/coach, courses, or programs. As you scout for the right coach and cheerleader, make sure you take your time to first check-in and consult with your higher power to see if who you are guided to is the right person for you! Get on a call with them, ask questions, and ask yourself if you believe they can truly lead you to success based on their knowledge and experience.
Keep in mind, that you are the client and your goals matter. You want someone who can help you accomplish them in a manner that empowers, inspires, motivates, and challenges you! The journey won’t be easy or comfortable, but if the vibes are vibing with your mentor/coach, then that’ll at least make the journey better. So be open-minded, be open to change, be open to new connections, new challenges, and new heights!
When looking for the right mentor or coach, it’s crucial to consider not just their expertise, but also the community they offer. That’s why our Live In Style program places such emphasis on our membership community. This network of support can be a game-changer, providing you with diverse perspectives, accountability, and a cheering squad that understands your journey. Remember, success is not just about individual achievement – it’s about growing and thriving together.
How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?
I’m sure by now you can tell I’m an honest person. So I’m going to keep it real and say that currently, the challenge I’m facing is getting out of my comfort zone. God has been telling me to dream bigger! And honestly, that’s not the hard part – the dreams are there, but the faith is a little shy. So in this season, I’m working on BIGGER FAITH!
Everything I’ve ever wanted, God has blessed me with, BUT I’ve found that in some areas I haven’t been specific enough. So I’m working on being more specific with my words. I already have proof that anything is possible and that what I can get can be bigger than I can imagine. However, the vision I’ve been seeing lately has me thinking, “Is this me?” So I’m talking back to myself, letting her know, “Yeah, that’s you! Why wouldn’t it be?”
Every new level requires more confidence. So this season is about having more faith than fear so I can see another Dream Life come into fruition!
As I work on dreaming bigger and building my faith, I’m reminded of the power of community. This is exactly why I created the Live In Style program and its membership community. I know firsthand how important it is to have support when you’re pushing past your comfort zone. Our community is there to remind each other that yes, those big dreams are possible, and yes, you are the right person to achieve them. Together, we’re building the confidence and faith to turn those visions into reality.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.angelamullen.com
- Instagram: iamangelamullen
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