Meet Reatta Hall

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Reatta Hall a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Reatta, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

“How I overcame imposter syndrome?”

I didn’t. I outgrew it.

Imposter syndrome tried to whisper in rooms I built from scratch. It showed up dressed as doubt when I was drafting operating agreements, designing workflows, and negotiating contracts that would protect my empire. But here’s the truth: I didn’t have time to entertain a voice that hadn’t done the work.

I reminded myself—daily—that I’ve spent 16+ years mastering hospitality from the ground floor to the boardroom. I’ve led turnarounds, launched brands, and created spaces that don’t just serve food—they serve culture. So when that feeling crept in, I didn’t fight it. I outperformed it. I let my execution speak louder than my insecurities.

And I built systems. Legal frameworks. Insurance strategies. Ownership models. Because confidence isn’t just a feeling—it’s a structure. When you know your contracts are airtight, your brand is protected, and your team is aligned, imposter syndrome loses its grip.

I also leaned into community. I’ve got advisors like Pinky Cole who remind me that boldness isn’t arrogance—it’s legacy. And I’ve got a business partner like Krisjana Turner who brings compliance and clarity to every move we make. That kind of alignment silences the noise.

So no—I didn’t overcome imposter syndrome by waiting for it to go away. I buried it under receipts, results, and relentless vision.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

“I don’t just build brands—I build cultural blueprints.”

I’m Reatta Myers-Hall, CEO of Slutty Vegan Birmingham,Founder and Visionary Strategist of Blck NoirLounge, where I bring over 17 years of hospitality mastery to the table. My work lives at the intersection of bold branding, operational excellence, and unapologetic Black creativity. I don’t just launch concepts—I architect experiences that shift the energy of a city.

Let’s talk about Slutty Vegan Birmingham.
When I partnered with Pinky Cole to bring Slutty Vegan to Alabama, I knew we weren’t just opening a restaurant—we were planting a flag. We launched in the heart of Woodlawn with lines down the block, proving that plant-based food could be sexy, craveable, and culturally magnetic. From day one, I infused my operational systems, team choreography, and local strategy into the brand’s DNA. We didn’t just serve burgers—we served a movement. And the response? Electric. Slutty Vegan Birmingham became a hub for influencers, creatives, and everyday folks who wanted to eat well and feel seen.

Now, I’m building something even more personal: Blck Noir Lounge.
Coming soon to the Woodlawn District, Blck Noir Lounge is my flagship. It’s the culmination of everything I’ve learned—about ambiance, storytelling, and the power of space to transform how people feel. This isn’t just a lounge. It’s a cultural anchor. A place where luxury meets comfort, where the playlist hits just right, and where every cocktail tells a story. We’re designing it with intention—from the architectural flow to the lighting design to the uniforms that move with the rhythm of the room.

Blck Noir will be the kind of place where you walk in and instantly feel like you belong, but also like you’ve stepped into something aspirational. It’s for the tastemakers, the visionaries, the ones who want more than a night out—they want an experience that reflects their ambition.

What I want people to know is this:
I’m not just building businesses—I’m building legacy. I’m creating spaces where Black excellence isn’t just celebrated—it’s the standard. And I’m doing it with a team, a vision, and a strategy that’s rooted in love, rigor, and the belief that we deserve it all.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

“Three things shaped my journey: operational mastery, creative fearlessness, and legal literacy.”

1. Operational Mastery
I learned early that vision without execution is just a mood board. From FOH flow to BOH systems, I obsessed over how to make every part of the guest experience seamless. That meant understanding staffing choreography, vendor relationships, inventory controls, and how to scale without losing soul.
Advice: Start by mastering the basics—learn every role in your business. Then build systems that can run without you. Read service manuals, shadow your team, and document everything. Excellence is repeatable when it’s structured.

2. Creative Fearlessness
I don’t play it safe with branding. I lean into boldness—whether it’s naming a lounge Blck Noir, launching Slutty Vegan Birmingham, or designing a menu that’s playful and provocative. I trust my instincts and test my ideas in real time.
Advice: Don’t wait for permission to be original. Study color psychology, storytelling, and cultural trends—but then remix them with your voice. The market rewards authenticity, not imitation. And if you’re scared? Good. That means you’re onto something.

3. Legal Literacy
This one’s non-negotiable. I’ve seen too many creatives lose control of their vision because they didn’t understand contracts, ownership structures, or compliance. I made it my business to learn how to draft operating agreements, negotiate leases, and protect assets through holding companies.
Advice: Get curious about the paperwork. Take a business law course, read your contracts line by line, and build relationships with attorneys who respect your vision. Legal knowledge isn’t just protection—it’s power.

Final thought:
If you’re early in your journey, don’t rush the glow-up. Build your foundation with intention. Surround yourself with people who challenge you, not just cheer for you. And remember—your brand isn’t just what you sell. It’s how you show up, how you protect your work, and how you make people feel.

You’re not just building a business. You’re building legacy. So move like it.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

If I had to name the people who’ve been most instrumental in shaping my success, it comes down to two forces: the women who poured into me, and the pressure that refined me.

First, Pinky Cole.
Pinky didn’t just open a door—she handed me the blueprint and said, “Now go build your own.” Her mentorship has been invaluable. Watching how she scaled Slutty Vegan with unapologetic branding, operational rigor, and cultural impact gave me permission to lead with both heart and hustle. She taught me that boldness is a strategy, not a liability. And when I brought Slutty Vegan Birmingham to life, I did it with her voice in my head reminding me: protect your brand, know your numbers, and never dim your light.

Second, Krisjana Turner.
Krisjana is my business partner, my compliance strategist, and the calm in the storm. Where I bring vision and velocity, she brings structure and sustainability. She’s helped me refine my legal literacy, tighten my contracts, and build systems that can scale. She’s the reason I can move fast without breaking things. Together, we’ve drafted operating agreements, choreographed teams, and built a foundation that’s as solid as it is soulful.

And third—pressure.
The challenges, the setbacks, the moments where I had to choose between folding or figuring it out—they taught me the most. I became legally literate because I had to protect myself. I mastered operations because I refused to let chaos define my brand. I leaned into creative risk because playing it safe never built anything iconic.

My advice to anyone coming up:
– Find mentors who challenge you, not just cheer for you.
– Build with people who complement your gaps.
– And don’t run from pressure—use it. Let it sharpen your instincts, your strategy, and your voice.

Because success isn’t just about who helps you—it’s about who you become in the process.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.sluttyveganbham.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamreattahall?igsh=MTFsZGVtMWR4MXhlaQ==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19qCo2D1oz/
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/sluttyveganbham?igsh=NnljNms4aWZqOHJz