Exploring Life & Business with Monica & Melody Simmons of HNTT Productions

Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica & Melody Simmons. They and their team shared their story with us below:

Both Simmons sisters have been passionate about advocating for wealth, health, and equity for Black Women. Their podcast “Invisible Women” has gained a loyal following of listeners nationwide who enjoy the uplifting episodes around career, life, love, and politics. These Corporate America Queens turned serial entrepreneurs also just launched their first published book with the 13th and Joan publishing house called; The Invisible Women: Addressing the Intersection of Pay and Racism in the Workplace (www.invisibleblkwomen.com)

These ladies take pride in fostering sisterhood more than ever. From the wise words of their late mother, “Always remain your sister’s keeper”. This led to the desire for creating a safe space for women and girls with a mission to give them their flowers before it is too late. As stated by Melody Simmons, “We want to see Black women thriving, and not just surviving. Self-care is a must!”. This dynamic duo was presented with the proclamation on 10/28/22 acknowledging “Black Women Thrive Day” in Oakland, CA.

This led to the Simmons Sisters producing their inaugural”Black Women Thrive Summit” in Oakland, CA during the month of Juneteenth on June 8th, 2023 at the black-owned event production/event space, The Noire Wealth Xperience (www.thenoirewealthxperience.com). This day was an empowering and impactful day full of sisterhood. If “Find your tribe” was a word, this was it!

BWT Summit was powered by 20+ amazing speakers, panelists, vendors, and ended with a guest performance by the beautiful songtress, Goapele (also from Oakland, CA). The goal of BWT Summit was to empower attendees and allies with the tools to move the needle forward for Black women to thrive in career, business, health and wealth. Feedback from the attendees was this Summit did not disappoint.

To learn more about the BWT Summit and keep abreast of updates for 2024 Summit, please visit www.blkwomenthrive.com.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Faith, resilience, and perseverance is what have kept these ladies focused on their mission. Melody and Monica have experienced many hardships while on the entrepreneurship journey and the most challenging of times was when they were confirmed to host a film screening of their documentary “Invisible Women: Being A Black Woman In Corporate America” with a global streaming service in Los Angeles to have that canceled due to the 2020 Covid Panic and the same month their mother suddenly passed away.

Feeling like the world had stopped, literally and figuratively, the Simmons sisters wanted to give it all up. While empowering women and girls comes easy to these ladies, during this time they found it tough to inspire themselves to keep going. Whether advocating for Black women in the workplace around issues like all the “isms” (racism, sexism, ageism), pay equity, overcoming the feelings of “invisibility”, or how to find access to capital to sustain business, they do it with grace, poise and class.

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?
Head Not The Tail Productions, LLC is a Black women-owned company founded in 2016 by Melody Simmons- Hudson along with co-founder and sister, Monica Simmons. Located in the heart of Oakland, California. HNTTP creates content, experiences, develops, produces, and invests in film, television, and documentary projects. Not only are we business partners but we are also blood sisters.

Diversity and representation matter to these Corporate Queens turned serial entrepreneurs. Simmons sisters believe it is necessary that we continue to build platforms to continue elevating the voices of Black women paving the way and creating change for generations to come. We make it our mission to support and show up for Black Women in business, career, and health, wealth and community.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
During the Covid-19 crisis, we’ve learned that no one is exempt to the adversities that life brings. However at times, you may need to pause, take a break, or reset. You have to just trust the process and stand on faith and believe”all things are working together for your good.”

Post-COVID, we’ve used our pain and turned it into purpose to inspire others and make our impact on the world. When you come into alignment, you possess the power and tenacity to push through in becoming the best version of YOU!

Pricing:

• 24.99 book (invisibleblkwomen.com)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hnttproductions.com/
• Instagram: HNTT PRODUCTIONS
• Facebook: The Equal Balance Movement
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/head-not-the-tail-productions-llc-2779a6231/
• Twitter: Black Women Thrive Summit
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hnttproductions6144
• SoundCloud: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/invisiblewomen
• Other: https://blkwomenthrive.com/