Making the move from designer dog apparel into holistic personal and professional development might sound strange, but it's really not. It represents the power of allowing ourselves to evolve, follow our hearts, and pivot into spaces that better serve us.
Hi, I'm Amber Lee Forrester, the proud and purpose-driven founder of Quartz Wellness Collective and I'm sharing my story with you.
I launched Quartz Wellness Collective as a sole proprietor LLC in December of 2017. My mission was and still is (at the core) to uplift and empower disadvantaged individuals and communities to thrive by providing culturally responsive opportunities for personal and professional development.
As a serial entrepreneur who worked my way up from the east side of Detroit to running a successful NYC area-based business, my success story is marked by my dedication to my own development. Attending an elite, private high school skyrocketed the expectations I had for myself and in an effort to bridge the gap between where I was and where I wanted to be, I became obsessed with reading books on self-improvement, business, entrepreneurship, spirituality, and peak performance. I used the mindset, skills, and tools I learned, plus an undergrad degree in business administration, to start my first business, an events company at 22, and my second business, a designer dog apparel and accessory company, at 26.
After appearing on Shark Tank in 2013, I started mentoring business owners and youth through school programs and doing wellness retreats for women of color. I realized that my passion and purpose had shifted. Once I came upon the science of optimal human functioning and flourishing, Positive Psychology, I became fixated with finding ways to bring it to communities of color--recognizing the need for the prioritization of holistic well-being and positioning our people for equitable advancement.
Quartz Wellness Collective started with Positive Psychology-based workshops on topics such as resilience, peak performance, self-care, leadership, and entrepreneurship and grew. I've always had a love for hosting and on-camera work, so I started creating positive content and programming.
After getting my Applied Positive Psychology certifications, I became a certified life coach and started group coaching cohorts, attracting a multi-generational clientele. I manifested a sweet spot in my business, creating programming that focused on the holistic well-being of my clients and community.
A defining moment for my business came during COVID, after getting three certifications in Positive Education (which is basically Positive Psychology in schools), I hosted a webinar called, Thriving While Black that attracted a school superintendent who invited me to pitch to support the social emotional learning programs at a world renowned charter school district in Harlem. They became my first major school client and a testing ground for future products and services I would offer to schools.
Today, Quartz Wellness Collective provides meticulously researched, evidence-based training, coaching, consulting, services, and technology to empower individuals, families, schools, and organizations alike. Our programs deliver the sciences of optimal well-being and relationships through (by way of) trainings, workshops, and engagements designed to self-empower participants with the awareness, skills, and tools to nourish various aspects of their lives, such as personal growth, relationships, well-being, and career development.
Our P.O.I.S.E.D. to Thrive Framework is a holistic approach that guides people to unlock their full potential to flourish by cultivating their personal, occupational, intellectual, social, and emotional development.
Among our signature offerings are Blooming With Intention Personal Development and Career Readiness Curriculum, workbook journal, and lesson plans for high schools and young adults; Masters & Mentors Career Exploration Series; The Well Zone, our virtual self-development portal and app and Young Genius Incorporated, a SEL-based entrepreneurship and career exploration program.
Our current and past clients include Harlem Children's Zone, NYDOE, Black Family Development Incorporated, Boys & Girls Club, YWCA, Howard University, Dress for Success, 100 Black Women, Institute for Educational Leadership, Arthritis Foundation and numerous individuals and families across the U.S., Caribbean, and Australia.
I'm writing this on the first day of July 2024, eight weeks into my participation in the Goldman Sachs 10k Small Business Accelerator program. I am full of gratitude for the opportunities that God has brought to me, the people who have supported my growth and the growth of my business, and the vision that I have to continue to grow Quartz Wellness Collective into a premiere transformational coaching and empowerment platform for underserved communities.
I am maximizing on my greatest strengths and natural abilities to make a difference in this world and I encourage you to do the same! Be sure to check out the upcoming challenges, group coaching cohorts, consulting services and programs we offer.
To get in touch with me, email Hello@39quartz.com and follow me on Instagram @theflowcoach.
Lots of Love,
Amber Lee Forrester
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