Onto The Next Chapter: Redstone Creative Grows...

In 2014, Redstone Firearms started as a humble home-based FFL (Federal Firearms License) business. What began as a small side venture for Jonathan and me, fueled by our love for shooting, quickly grew beyond our expectations. As a home-based dealer, we reached a point where we had to make a critical decision: either scale down or go brick-and-mortar. We chose the latter, and Redstone Firearms was born.

The journey from our home office to becoming a brick-and-mortar store was filled with ups, downs, and invaluable lessons. We navigated the challenges of building a business from scratch, managing media attention, and dealing with the complexities of the firearms industry. Balancing a demanding corporate job that required frequent travel, while simultaneously laying the foundation for Redstone’s infrastructure—training materials, agency submissions, marketing, and more—was an incredible challenge. Looking back, I realize that only the energy of youth kept me going during those intense years.

But as the business grew, so did the demands on my time and mental health. Eventually, I made the difficult decision to leave Corporate America, allowing me to fully commit to Redstone, Redstone Creative Leaf Cafe and Our Uhaul Company (yes diversity is key). This transition brought both relief and a new set of challenges. While Redstone became a force to be reckoned with in Southern California, I found myself stepping away from the daily grind of customer interaction to be able to fully focus and deliver the type of work I believe in doing. So when you stopped seeing me at the shop I retreated to my home office and focused on managing and developing our amazing team and coaching other Black FFL dealers across the country—a role I found deeply fulfilling.

Funny Note: I probably would have been a school teacher except they have more schooling and they don't make as much. I do, however, love to educate. 

Embracing New Opportunities

As I took a step back from the day-to-day operations at Redstone, I also began exploring other ventures. Setting my own schedule allowed me to engage more with my son's homeschooling projects in robotics and coding, which has been incredibly rewarding. His growth actually has bypassed his private school classes because his teachings are focused driven and not what regular "school standards abide by" So to keep flexibility in your schedule as a parent it's vital for entrepreneurs to diversify their interests, and that’s exactly what I did.

The decision to step away from the store was further solidified by the situation with the City of Burbank. While the abrupt changes were initially upsetting, they aligned with our long-term plan to eventually leave California. The decision to close Redstone Firearms Burbank was already on the horizon, and the events only accelerated that timeline. Despite the challenges, I remain proud of what we accomplished as a Black-owned FFL brick & mortar store (there are home based dealers here) in one of the most restrictive states for gun ownership.

That’s black girl magic in action!

A New Chapter: Generational Wealth Protection

Generational Wealth Protection 

Leaving Corporate America wasn’t just about swapping Tory Burch wedges for Nikes and hanging out in the gun store all day. I actually enjoyed dressing up in my corporate days. While I loved the camaraderie with my fellow 2A brothers & sisters across the nation, the daily operations of Redstone Firearms became less enjoyable for me over time. It was time to shift my focus. The educational element just stopped being important to law makers and it really truly just about preventing you to buy a gun at all. Thats a problem for me - especially for women. I will still be heavily involved in the 2A world and who knows what may be on the horizon, or come down the line. 

With that said...

My passion for education and empowerment led me to launch Generational Wealth Protection, a venture dedicated to closing the wealth and health gaps in underserved communities. This new chapter allows me to combine my expertise in wealth management with my love for teaching. Through Generational Wealth Protection, we are already hosting free webinars on crucial topics such as the differences between wills, trusts, and estate planning. Options to generate wealth that was never told or explored by those in our communities will also benefit. 

For example I had a conversation with an older Black Gentlemen randomly and asked if he was interested in rolling over his 401K. He indicated he had just left his prior job and moved on. Also, it's important to note you can roll over your 401K once your employer is fully vested in you (normally 3-5 years). In this gentlemen's case taking that 100K and rolling it over into fixed annuity proposed with 12.5 years left to being able to take it out (if he retires at 59 and a half that 100 will see a gain of over 600K within that 12.5 year time span. Keeping in mind fix annuities that receive funds from a 401k pre-tax plan are not taxed as capital gains. They're taxed as ordinary income. Some key things to take away from that - that money could have sat there in a traditional 401(k) for the next 12.5 years 

I’m also excited to announce the release of my e-books: "Estate Planning, Wills & Trusts and the Racial Wealth Gap" and "Essential Guide for Black Americans." These resources aim to empower my community with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions about their financial futures.

Generational Health & Wealth Management What We Do 

Looking Ahead: Education and Empowerment

My first job out of college was in Health Administration, and despite my Business Law degree, I quickly climbed the ranks in that sector. My track record shows that I always strive to reach the top, but this time I’m taking a different approach. I frequently receive requests for coaching services, but not everyone can afford my upfront rates. Through Generational Wealth Protection, I will offer coaching services to my team members, helping them build their own brands and earn commissions while I take a step back to focus on what truly matters—my family and my community.

Upcoming Projects and Continuing the Mission

I’m not done yet. This November, I will be diving into new projects, including a seriesof children’s financial literacy books that are fun, interactive, and Afrocentric. My

team and I will also offer free online educational courses on topics like mortgages, health exchanges, IULs, term life insurance, and more. We believe that education should be accessible to all, especially in underserved communities.

Our next webinar on Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning is scheduled for September 12th, 2024, at 6:30 PM. Click here to register.