We recently connected with PhyB Nelson and have shared our conversation below.
Hi PhyB, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
Well growing up my confidence and self-esteem was very low. Personally I didn’t see myself as beautiful. My mom always says that’s the humbleness within me. To answer the question it is from my upbringing. I was picked on growing up and so was my mom; the men in our families made it very clear to us that we are beautiful in our own rights. Being told that in my teenage years from my God dad and my Father gave me the confidence I needed and the rest has been history.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Currently in Life I Farm; I’ve been a farmer my entire life my family has four generations of farmers. I am the 3rd generation of farmers and I enjoy being one with nature. From business ag, starting a business, livestock, to planting and harvesting; I have had my hands in it over the years. I also model I do editorial themes and freelance modeling. I took a break from modeling because, I recently got married and wanted to focus on marriage and life for a moment. Now that I am back home I’m getting back into the routine of things.
At the moment I’m focusing on expanding my beef business (Oriyoomi: Customized Beef) and helping BIPOC farmers start their own business.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
My most impactful quality, skills, and area of knowledge… this one is a great question. Quality for me would be my confidence if you can make it make sense to me I will try it out once for the most part. Skill wise walking away when I know the activity is not for me. Saying “no” and not giving in to everybody’s ideas; staying firm on my thoughts got me where I am now. My knowledge some comes from trail and error but, most comes from studying my craft and who I knew and was willing to mentor me along the way. My advice to the next person trying to Model or Farm find people who already have a basic blueprint and are willing mentor you. Take the good, bad, and ugly from their blueprint and make it work for yourself. Show people you are willing to learn and adsorb all the knowledge they are willing to give you.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
For me the most impactful thing my parents ever did for me was; allowing my grandparents and village for a huge piece in raising me. I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it wasn’t for my village. My grandma and grandad on my maternal side did a lot for me over the years. My God parents did a lot for me as well, my parents were divorced my entire life; so in my youth years they did a lot of work and my God-parents and village stepped in and I never missed a beat in life because of that.
My parents had a solid village to help them achieve their life goals and raise me; this allowed them to be the best parent they could be. Which in return allowed me to see my dad be one of the only Black Dairy Farmers in the state NC (early 2000s); and my mom return to college and get her bachelors’ and Masters’ degrees. So my most impactful thing from my parents is showing me how to stay humble, grounded, and survive life; but most importantly, giving me a solid village to support me; I always thank them for that as well.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @leos_diamond
- Facebook: Phylicia N Barker Nelson
Image Credits
Clear cut images Jaden Boyd The Outsider Production-DT Royster
