I'm Natalie.

And in 2009, like many Americans, I was laid off. I went from having a nice full-time job getting paid on the 15th and 30th having full insurance to being laid off. I had only been working about 3-4 yrs since I graduated from college, so I really didn’t have a safety net to rely on. 

At first, I had this millennial confidence and gave myself  30 days to land, not just a job, but the one I wanted from the many offers I would be receiving. Then 30 days turned into 60 and before you knew it, I was considered a "99 weeker."

​This was a different recession. It was a challenging place to be because I realized that I had invested a lot of money into educating myself, but there was nowhere to apply my education anymore. After weeks of submitting resumes online to faceless HR Departments (with no replies)...it hit me! I am really unemployed, with no work, no cash flow. 

Now, what am I going to do? 

We had just gone through the housing crisis and people were losing their jobs left and right. I clearly remember feeling like I was in a state of depression and  I literally moved the mattress from my bedroom to my living room and watched TNT with a pack of double stuff Oreos from 8 am to probably 1 pm in the afternoon. I found myself in a really deep well and digging myself out would take a  self-motivation to move forward, be productive, and find purpose that many of us found difficult to access during that time.

I think it is important to know that from the tender age of seventeen, I knew there were people making $10,000 or more a month. This knowledge and understanding of wealth came before all the coaches and guru's of Instagram chose that number as a benchmark. A letter in the mail that read “Stuff 10,000 envelopes and make $10,000 weekly” changed my entire perspective. Though we all know “envelope stuffing” is not a business, the idea that someone could potentially earn $10,000 a month was, for me, unheard of and it became an aspiration. That's the moment I knew I wanted to be an Entrepreneur.

It's a dream I forgot for a while, this wanting to be my own boss. Fast-forward a few years and the universe provided a window of opportunity called  the “2008 Recession.” A year later PRYCELESS was created.

The journey continues to this day.

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Initiatives I've Founded

Folks I've Worked with in the Past.

Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust- Downtown West Social Enterprise Strategy 
Served as the lead consultant on the development of BNT’s social enterprise initiative designed to provide employment opportunities, support upward mobility through local entrepreneurial initiatives that allow the local community to thrive and lower the barrier of entry to entrepreneurship.

The Workplace- Nationally Recognized Platform To Employment Career Program Facilitator 
Developed and executed Professional Rebranding, a career strategy toolbox for professionals seeking a career change or have been displaced. The toolbox empowers professionals how to strategically begin their career search which includes understanding and evaluating soft skills, building and maximizing relationships, and using technology to advance your career search.

I Luv Bpt - Co-founder 
A team of social entrepreneurs focused on branding and community development. Our goal is to strengthen Bridgeport through social engagement, economic development, empowerment, and cultural awareness. We are actively managing and producing the Downtown Thursdays Concert series, Bridgeport Arts & Cultural Council & Downtown Bridgeport Merchants Association

Housatonic Community College 
Spearheaded, developed and facilitated Customer Service/ Social Media training course for the City Bridgeport. Created all presentations that participants accessed online through a password protected website. This allowed participants to gain access at their computer station and follow along with the modules and material digitally.

City of Bridgeport- Small Minority Business Office Consultant 
Successfully planned and coordinated B2B expo that increased traffic and participation by 40%, by creating an online process that included event registration, recruiting volunteers and social media marketing.​

"Natalie is an effective motivational trainer and spreaker. Her passion for her work is unmatchable. I really enjoyed the energy she brought everyday to Platform to Employment. She is Pryceless!!"

- ERNEST TURNER

Giving Back

Boards & Affiliations
Women Leadership Network Board Member 
Leadership Greater Bridgeport Board  - Vice Chair
Bridgeport Innovative Places - Chair   
University of Bridgeport - School of Business Industry Advisory Board Member
SCORE Mentor 

Awards

2011   Black Chamber of Commerce  Small Business Advocate of the Year Award
2017  Fairfield County Business Journal 40 under 40
2017  100 Women of Color Award
2016  The Workplace Place Professional of the Year Award
2019  Madame C J Walker Economic Development Award
2019  Tedx Speaker @ University of Bridgeport

In my work with individuals, I have an 85% placement rating.  

Each of those placements were deeply equipped not only for their next exciting career journey but they learned how to leverage those skills into more opportunities by implementing what they learned.  They had the longitude, latitude and the map. I will give you everything, and bring you into the fold. You’re considered a part of my collective. So your success is my success. I want us to succeed.