Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Singleton.
Hi Brittany, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
“Small town girl with big city dreams”- Fantasia. Born and raised in Downtown Charleston, SC, I never thought I would make it to where I am now. I was raised by my great-grandmother, Irene Singleton, grandmother, Yvette Williams, and my mother Cheketa Singleton, all single women. Growing up, I was the black sheep of the family, an outcast, but being the outcast gave me the motivation, and the drive to keep pushing forward. My family rarely supported any of the goals I’ve accomplished thus far, it really discouraged me, but I had to push through and I’m proud to say that I admire my strength and passion, without it, I wouldn’t be Brittany M Singleton.
I graduated from South Carolina State University, on May 8, 2015, where I obtain my bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering technology. A year later, I gave birth to a handsome baby boy, Gerald Burns III; and this is where it all began. After giving birth to my son, I made a promise to myself that I WILL become successful to create a better life for my son and me. I later got accepted into The Citadel Graduate College, where I studied civil engineering with a concentration in structural engineering, I will obtain my master of science degree in the Fall of 2024.
Being a single parent was never in my plans but God never makes mistakes. My son gave me the extra strength I needed to not give up. Fast forward to 2020, Covid hit, layoffs were being made and of course, I was one of the individuals. Working for one of the leading private engineering firms in South Carolina as a Staff Professional; took a huge toll on me financially and mentally, but I knew I had to keep moving forward.
July 2020 was the birth of B’s Passion Flavors, LLC. Who knew selling wings out of my small apartment just to pay rent for the next month to get by, would turn into a small business? The outcast of the family no longer became the outcast in Charleston, SC. Everyone knew the “ Wing Lady”. My vision started to come to reality. From becoming a business owner to helping individuals start their businesses, it gave me a better purpose. My future goal is to own a food truck for my business and create a nonprofit organization called “Black Woman Empowerment” to mentor black females from ages 10-29 on how to become their own boss, the importance of furthering their education, mental health, and self-love.
Who knew a little girl raised in public housing would grow up to become an inspiration to others? My story will be the survival guide to someone’s life.
I am Brittany M Singleton.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’ve struggled with discrimination and criticism while being an African American female working in the civil engineering field. I was always told I wasn’t good enough, my resume was too good to be true, and I’m not fit to work in this industry. It led me to discourage myself and depression.
I got hired into private engineering firms and except the bare minimum in salary because I didn’t have a degree from Clemson or USC. I felt like my degree from an HBCU wasn’t good enough to work in this line of work. But my degree did matter, my degree from South Carolina State University made me stand out from others. A black female engineer with a degree from an HBCU; is a true inspiration, you honestly don’t hear that too often.
Being a mother, juggling school work, and being a business owner, all while struggling with depression and mental health really took a toll on my life. Getting laid off, and forced to resign from my jobs because “I wasn’t good enough”, gave me the strength I never thought I had.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
We specialize in catering popular finger foods for parties ranging from 10-100 individuals. We offer travel services as well; we’ve traveled to numerous locations within South Carolina and hoping to branch off to North Carolina and Georgia areas. We also offer one on one mentor services; mentoring other business owners, assisting with business plans, business credit, and structuring your business properly.
When I started my business, no one taught me about business plans, business credit, how to structure my business, etc. It took losing out on hundreds of dollars, connecting with individuals who did not know the correct knowledge about business, and making numerous mistakes to get my business off of the ground. It gave me the vision to branch off into mentoring others and becoming the author of two ebooks, “What’s your business plan?” and “ Business Plan: Corporate America”.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I don’t withhold knowledge. Every time I’ve completed a goal or earned a certification in my line of work, I reach back and teach others how to “come to the ladder”. My business is a one-stop shop, you will receive knowledge while fulfilling your taste bugs at the same time. I did not let my depression win. Battling depression and mental health are major issues in the black community. I was a part of the percentage, but I did not let it defeat me. Since I started therapy, my business has become well known in the Charleston area, business owners reached out to me in regards to being an inspirational speaker at their events, and my engineering career is slowly getting back on track. I will graduate from The Citadel Graduate College in the Fall of 2024. Therapy truly changed my life.
Within the next 5 years, I will become one of the leading African American female project managers at a construction firm. My business will be successful as well. Owning 1-2 food trucks, traveling from state to state giving the world a taste of B’s Passion Flavors. I will also branch off to create a nonprofit organization for black females called “Black Woman Empowerment” teaching little girls and women from ages 10-29 about self-care, mental health issues, self-love, seeking therapy, college, how to become an entrepreneur, etc.
My ultimate goal within the next 5 years is to later obtain my doctorate in business administration to fully advise my small business and continue to help other black-owned businesses succeed in their small businesses as well; bringing the knowledge of business to the black community. By my 10-year mark, my dream/goal is to be the pioneer of my community and an inspirational role model for our younger generation.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/bspassionflavorsllc?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Facebook: B’s Passion Flavors LLC
Image Credits
Gerald A Burns III
