Meet Yamisi Fanga-Mbourounda | Wellness Coach, Exercise Physiolgist & Nutritionist, Entprepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yamisi Fanga-Mbourounda and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yamisi, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I’ve always wanted to be an entrepreneur even as a child, playing store shop owner in my room. It was always the thought of how can I make “it” happen. Figuring out what “it” was then selling “it”. Moreover, as a woman, a black woman, from Harlem with strong roots, it’s always the thought about legacy. What type of legacy and impact do I want to leave. Starting my own business for me was the way to control that narrative to create access and opportunity within my community. And to also provide a footprint or rather a foot in the door, so that others who look like me can open the door and walk through it. The idea of working a 9-5 made me cringe and it could very well be due to what my mom endured. She was gifted, worked tirelessly for 40 years, and gave 1000% but with no regard, little thank yous, and even fewer promotions. But much to my chagrin, I did work many 9-5s. But in each position, I soaked up everything I could learn and took note on how it could be done better.

Being put in the position to actually start my own business didn’t happen until about 10 years ago. I had left the corporate sector behind, moved back to NY from Atlanta, and was gaining traction as a personal trainer. Along with my past experience as a former athlete and basketball coach, I truly began to see the benefits of wellness and fitness on individuals who were not just athletes. Then by working in various wellness companies, rising in the ranks, and learning from the positions I held, I began to figure out what I could do if I started my own company. I will also say that what also occurred is the tendency to become comfortable with a steady check and the ability to pay bills, so many times the planning of my business was stop-and-go any time an outside opportunity arose.

However, life always has a way of recentering you. In 2019 I was let go from a fitness company. I had never been fired before, it was a position I was passionate about and the gut check was real. I questioned who I was, my talent, my abilities in the fitness industry and went into a slump. And as I spiraled… we were all met with the Coronavirus, which literally put the world at a standstill. So with limitless time on my hands and nowhere to go, I pulled out all my journals and notes that I wrote about wellness, physiology, behavior modification, mental health, socioeconomics and then asked myself what did self-care, my community, and wellness mean to me. And for me, wellness is broad because it means different things to everyone, but I believe it all boils down to improving quality of life – what we surround ourselves with, how we treat our bodies, what we put in our bodies, what do we give to ourselves. Thus QLTY of life was born, it’s curating and integrating wellness into our everyday lives.

What should our readers know about your business?
QLTY of Life is a business that’s dedicated to self-care and community health. It’s also geared to enhancing one’s lifestyle with wellness at its core What sets it apart from others is taking the physical aspect of wellness – exercise, movement, activity – and tying it to the mental aspect of wellness – our emotions, stress levels, active and passive thoughts because they both go hand in hand.

I’m very excited for the future of QLTY of Life. The partnerships I’m working to coalesce, as well as workshops, services, and products I’m looking forward to rolling out this year. We’re already having some success with the launch of our apparel line.

I’m proud as a black woman to take the leap as an entrepreneur while having the support to do so. And I want to be able to extend that support on my end.

Business-wise I got to where I am today by observing and being in uncomfortable positions. What I mean by that is that when people in leadership positions or positions I was simply curious about were talking, I listen or ear hustled. My mom was very astute in analyzing, and surrounded her self with like minds and she would take me with her to meetings and gatherings, where I’d sit, analyze, and listen. I was also very fortunate to have people take me under their wings and guide me.

Was it easy, absolutely not. No matter how many roadmaps are placed in front of you, it’s still your journey to figure out which paths to take. And your experience on the same path may not be the same as someone elses. To overcome challenges, I first have to tell myself to take a step back, breath, and evaluate what the challenge is. Because as an entrepreneur or business owner, you are taking huge risks and if the pressure builds too much, you can begin to make poor decisions if you allow yourself to second guess, have doubt, or develop fears.

I’ve learned to ask for help, which is not easy to do, but it is essential to progress. I’ve learned that the road to success isn’t easy and there is no handbook for it, yet it is so rewarding. You should incorporate a self-care, mental reset time within your work week because being clear and refreshed will aid in the longevity of you and your business(es).

We live in a world where tomorrow is not promised. I come from a place and an era where the day may not even be promised. But if you stay focused on your dreams or the things you are passionate about, do not let it waver and find a way to pursue it. I’ve been blessed to have access and opportunity that helped to shape and mold be. I also know what it’s like to not have it, so my goal is to always create an avenue where I can afford that to others. My brand, QLTY of Life, is about harnessing that power within yourself to not just be healthier overall but to feel empowered to thrive in your own skin mentally and physically.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Let’s see, that’s tough. I’d be freer to immerse myself in the city after March, but this is the winter version. lol I’m a bit of a foodie so first we have to discover all the wonderful places to eat in Harlem. I’d show them the Schomburg Library, historic Hamilton Heights, then down Lenox Ave, walk past Dapper Dan’s Atelier, and go down restaurant row because I love a good brunch at places like Ponty Bistro, or Lido and Vinetaria. After that, even though I’m a Harlemite through and through, I’d end up in Brooklyn. There are so many places, but first, it would be to the carousel on the waterfront, from there I’d hop over to Bittersweet or On Dekalb BK for a quick pick me up of coffee. I also enjoy looking around some thrift stores such as L Train Vintage. We’d have dinner at Kokomo and then cap the night off at Ode to Babel where amazing groups of people are always hanging out for cocktails and great music.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My ability to thrive even when I don’t feel like I’m thriving is from my wonderful circle. Especially in the last two years, these bonds are cemented and will last till the end of time, seriously. My circle includes my mom who will probably never know the impact she’s made on my path towards my future, my former players who gave me the passion to reimagine wellness, my love and best friend who stands by me every day to ensure that my feet are on solid ground, my sister circle who are my hype woman, therapists, and counsel and my fitfam who have mentored me and swept me under their wings to help me become the best version of myself in this industry.

Website: www.qltyoflife.com

Instagram: @_qltyoflife & @yamzz (personal)

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/yfanga/

Image Credits
Photo credits go to Cooper Naitove