Meet Alvinya Key: Writer/Published Author, Entrepreneur, and Documentary Filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alvinya Key and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alvinya, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I always knew I wanted to have my own business. I want to leave my children a legacy to take over and pass down to their children. I have had several different jobs, but I would love the job initially, and after a year, I was ready to leave. I have children, so I could not quit and pursue my dreams if I were not financially stable. I have an MBA and even tried to work in my field, but I just was not happy with that. I thank God for my partner Frank because he has allowed me to work full time on my business. Business is empowering and inspiring other women, especially moms, by publishing books and producing documentaries geared to them. I’m part owner of a coffee company called Hustler’s Cup, with an amazing coffee aficionado, LaNisa Williams. We both have a love for coffee and wanted to bring the true coffee experience to our community.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My first book is called “Love or the Illusions of Love”. This book is about my personal relationships I went through. I wanted to write this book to help out other young women from not making the same mistakes I did or help her get through some of the same situations I have been through. I want to empower and inspire women to be great at whatever they do. I use my personal stories to be transparent as possible.

My second book is called ” Little Frank’s Colorful Zoo Adventure”. My two-year-old son inspires this book. I wrote the book to help him with learning his colors and animals. I’m in the process of writing another children’s book about learning numbers to help other children.

I have a blog called, A Women’s Space, that talks about my personal experiences having my third child and parenting experiences with my family.

My latest project is my documentary film, which will be out this is summer. I have been through postpartum depression, not dealing with self-care, and thought I was the only mom going through my emotions. Once I started talking to other moms about my journey, I wanted to highlight the importance of self-care for moms, and that’s what made me decide to make this documentary.

I have worked for years to get to where I am creatively now. It took me to get out of my comfort zone and not care what people thought about me to step out and make things happen. I had to realize that not every idea, book, speech is for everyone. I had to focus on my niche and my target audience because, at first, I wanted to reach everyone with my books or films, but that’s not realistic. Now that I have found my audience, it’s much easier to produce work that will improve quality. Being a mom has had some challenges with starting a business, but learning balance is important. Having balance will make work home life good, especially now since we are all working from home.

I have also learned that sometimes a NO is a good thing. Just because you got a NO, it’s not the end of the world. Just adjust and learn from it. Just as many No’s, there will be Yes’s as well. Don’t stop. Just keep working. Take a deep breath and enjoy the small wins. Get excited about you the process and get a mentor, hang with like-minded people. Sometimes you don’t have to tell everyone everything that’s going on with your business. Let the process speak for itself.

My brand is new, and I’m excited about where it’s going in the future. My books and blog about my personal journey to help other women. My documentary films are based on mothers and my coffee company expanding and eventually franchising. It’s all about positivity for me. As I stated before, inspiring and empowering women to be great at what they do. The future is women, and I’m not stopping. As a mom striving to motivate my children, I want them to see my work and know if my mom can do it, so can I.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would take them to Griddle Cafe in Hollywood for breakfast. Sweet Chick’s, which is Nas restaurant, is another breakfast spot I like. I would go to an oldie but goodie Roscoe’s Chicken and Wafffles. For lunch, I would go to Cheesecake Factory or Take her to the Grove to shop and eat. Joans on Third is another place for lunch. I would head to the beach to get some sun. I like Manhattan Beach or Hermosa Beach because they have great places to eat and drink. Ruth Chris is good for happy hour or lunch/dinner. Javier is good for lunch or dinner as well. Nick’s is in Manhattan Beach and is a great dinner spot. I like Romona’s burritos in Gardena and Burnt Tortilla. For some soul food, I would go to Dualn’s. I would go to Beverly Center, Santa Monica, Melrose, or South Coast Plaza for shopping. Go to some wineries in Solvang, it’s a small town, but lot’s of fun. I would go to Kenneth Hahn Park to see the views and to workout on the trails. Drive-up Mulholland drive, go to the Getty Center, or day party’s on Sunday afternoons.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to shoutout my father, Alvin Key. He has been an important factor in my life. He had always encouraged me in everything I do in life and has given me positive reinforcements even when I doubted myself.

I want to shoutout to my man Frank Carrington V for having my back and allowing me to follow my dreams and make things happened.

Lastly, I want to shoutout my grandmother Mildred Henderson, who has given me strength through her life experiences and stories. If she can make it through everything she has been through, I know I can be successful and won’t quit.

Website: www.alvinyakey.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/alvinyakey

Twitter: www.twitter.com/alvinyakey

Facebook: www.facebok.com/authoralvinyakey

Other: www.instagra.com/hustlerscup www.awomensspace.com