We were lucky to catch up with Maya Purcell recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Maya , appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
Learning to play the violin—and sticking with it—laid the foundation for building my resilience in life.
Without the advantage of private instructors to guide me, picking up the violin was no easy task. But I made a commitment to myself: I practiced consistently after school, challenging myself to learn new songs, one note at a time.
The beginning was rough. My progress was slow, and at times, frustrating. But I stayed focused on my goal—to one day perform the songs I loved in front of my family. That vision kept me going.
The discipline, patience, and determination I developed during those early years of learning the violin have become the blueprint I use to face other challenges in life. It taught me that persistence pays off, even when the path isn’t smooth.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
The Black Business Union (Coachella Valley Chapter) was founded in October 2019, with our roots at Trainer Joe Fitness Gym in Palm Desert. Since then, we’ve been dedicated to advocating for Black-owned businesses throughout the valley by hosting a wide range of events that uplift and support our local communities.
Our mission is to empower entrepreneurs, foster growth, provide education, and encourage collaboration across a diverse network of businesses and community members.
In addition to our monthly meetups at Black-owned establishments, we’ve organized several impactful events over the past year. These include a Black Fashion Weekend, a hair braiding workshop, and—coming up on May 17th—a nature class focused on sustainable practices like harvesting water from trees and foraging. We’re also proud to offer sponsorship opportunities for children to participate in this event.
Through these efforts, the Black Business Union continues to be a driving force for unity, education, and economic empowerment in the Coachella Valley.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, three key qualities that had the most impact on my journey were resilience, self-discipline, and community-minded leadership.
Resilience was something I began to build early on through learning the violin without the support of private instruction. There were moments of frustration, but staying focused on my goals helped me push through. That mindset carried over into many areas of my life and work.
Self-discipline was just as important. Whether it was practicing violin after school or organizing consistent events through the Black Business Union, I learned that showing up for yourself and your goals—day after day—leads to real growth, even when progress feels slow.
And finally, community-minded leadership became a cornerstone of my work with the Black Business Union. Empowering others, creating platforms for collaboration, and supporting local businesses taught me the value of building something bigger than myself.
For anyone just starting their journey, my advice would be this:
1. Be patient with your growth—resilience is built over time, not overnight.
2. Create habits that keep you moving, even when motivation fades. Discipline is your long-term fuel.
3. And stay connected to your community. The more you give, the more you’ll grow—not just in your work, but as a person.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I’m always open to partnering and collaborating—especially with individuals and organizations who are passionate about community empowerment, entrepreneurship, education, and cultural enrichment.
Through the work I’ve done with the Black Business Union and other community-based initiatives, I’ve seen the power of collaboration firsthand. I’m particularly interested in connecting with:
1. Small business owners, especially Black and minority-owned businesses, who are looking to grow and connect with community resources.
2. Educators, artists, and wellness practitioners interested in offering workshops or events that support creativity, sustainability, and skill-building.
3. Sponsors and supporters who believe in investing in the next generation—whether that’s through youth programming, event sponsorships, or mentorship.
If you’re reading this and feel aligned with the mission, I’d love to connect. Let’s build something meaningful together!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cvblackbusinessunion/
- Other: To get added to The CVBBU email newsletter or email me: [email protected]
Image Credits
Dream Factory Productions
Sam Cobbs Farm
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
