Today we’d like to introduce you to Cleopatra Lee.
Hi Cleopatra, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Growing up, I had no choice but to be active and healthy. I grew up vegetarian before it was trendy, and my father had me practice in almost every sport. I stuck with track, swimming, and kung fu. Seeing the difference between the way I was raised vs. the health standards in predominantly black neighborhoods upset me. In 2014, I created Cleopatra’s Army as a way to help make health and wellness more accessible to the women of my hometown, Harlem, NYC. Now, it’s growing and becoming a national brand. Our goal is to build a community that focuses on health, wellness, and fitness for WOC.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When I first started my business, I just started posting my ideas to social media without any real structure. What I didn’t know was there is so much research that goes into running a business, especially if you’re one of the first entrepreneurs in your family. My biggest struggles were taxes and building a name outside of just social media.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Cleopatra’s Army provides online tools to help women achieve healthier lifestyles. We offer online workout classes, meal guides, workout equipment, and now athletic apparel as well!
We also host quarterly hygiene drives for homeless women where we provide tampons, pads, wipes, etc.
What sets Cleopatra’s Army apart from other brands is our authenticity. We are not selling any quick fixes or false information, we are offering longevity. Oh yeah, and our team is made up entirely of women of color.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
If you’re just starting out, don’t hesitate to take a leap of faith, but don’t do it completely blind. Research. Research. Research. Whatever activity or business you’re diving into, study it first. It may seem tedious but it is necessary. In addition, make sure you know money beyond just simple arithmetic. Really understand things like cash flow, crowdfunding, getting investors, etc.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: cleopatrasarmy.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/cleopatrasarmy
- Twitter: twitter.com/cleopatras_army
- Youtube: youtube.com/cleopatralee
