Meet Camille McCallum | Author and Entrepreneur

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

Hi Camille, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The Black Woman on a Mission brand lives and breathes because of the incredible community we’ve built around it. Our community takes the brand beyond its digital presence as they share our brand story with their friends and loved ones. We give our patrons a conversation piece with their Black Woman on a Mission apparel, and they continue to keep the discussion going. By listening and catering to our community we’ve been able to fill their needs, motivate them daily, and inspire them to act toward the causes they care about.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m an entrepreneurship specialist at Southern Methodist University, and it is absolutely my dream job! Each day I meet with entrepreneurs who are doing exciting work and building amazing companies. It’s an honor to be in on the ground floor. While my formal training is not in entrepreneurship, I’ve been taking a crash course for quite some time. Through networking and positioning myself in the areas I feel most passionate, I’ve found myself here. It wasn’t an easy journey, but I kept speaking up with mentors and members of my network about the type of work I wanted to do. I also did the work of learning so I could be prepared when the opportunity presented itself. I believe it’s important to know that fear can be the greatest deterrent to achieving your goals. Overcoming mine was my greatest achievement.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love Dallas, and if I were to show you the town, I’d start off with my favorite places to brunch, Ida Claire’s, BreadWinners, Public School 214, and Saint Ann’s. Of course you have to day party when you come to Dallas, Stirr is at the top of my list for a guaranteed great time, but Level and The Nines can be great as well. For culture and relaxation I love the Dallas Museum of Art followed up by a great lunch from the food trucks in Klyde Warren. Shopping in west village would be high on my list, and finding some fun around Deep Ellum is always a must.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to dedicate my success to the Incubator@SMU, a fantastic business space who has nurtured me through every stage of my business. Specifically Jennifer Ebinger the Director of the Incubator has been integral to my success.

Website: Camilleviviana.com

Instagram: @camilleviviana

Linkedin: Camille McCallum