Mompreneurs: Pilin Anice Talks Motherhood, Movement & Wellness

Pilin Anice is a multi-hyphenate health and wellness coach, educator, performing artist and more. On this episode of Mompreneurs, she shares how she cultivated her own path after leaving the corporate world in pursuit of a livelihood rooted in purpose.

The mom of two sat down with Mompreneurs host Nancy Redd to reflect on her journey from Howard University, to Wall Street, to becoming the multifaceted mompreneur she is today.

Anice left Wall Street to pursue wellness

Mompreneurs: Pilin Anice — Source: Courtesy of Pilin Anice

Early in her journey, Anice moved to New York City, equipped with a BFA from Howard University. The young artist found her footing as a working actor, but when she became pregnant, she made the practical move of taking a job on Wall Street. On paper, it was a steady 9-to-5 with benefits. She stayed “for a season, about a year” until it was time to move on.

“That was a space where I did not feel seen…(I was like) I have to get out of here, this is not good for my spirit,” she said. “I didn’t move from Flint, Michigan, to New York City to sit here on Wall Street. That’s not why I’m here.”

Determined to forge a different path, Anice reflected on her gifts. “My purpose is to connect, inspire and uplift people,” she said. She quit her Wall Street job in 2010 “and I’ve been doing this work ever since.”

Anice possessed an innate ability to connect with her mind and body—which came as part of her training while studying as a performing artist at Howard. “As an artist, our body is our instrument,” she said. “So I had to make sure my body was on point, because if the body’s not working, we’re not booked and we can’t do the job.”

With her family’s support, Anice began her journey—channeling her passion for health, wellness, and movement into a thriving career.

A health and wellness coach is a person who supports you on your health and wellness journey, who understands what your needs are and supports you in tracking yourself so that you find optimal health…So it’s all elements of your life, whether it be food, movement, getting your mental health right, also the quality of your relationships—because all of that is going to impact your health overall.
Pilin Anice

‘I embrace that I’m a multi-hyphenate’

Since 2010, Anice has built a network of ventures that “ebbs and flows” with each season. From teaching yoga and dance at Ailey Extension and the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, to acting, to working as a health coach—she’s leaned into her broad range.

“I embrace that I’m a multi-hyphenate. There’s a lot that I do. So when I think about myself as a mompreneur, it’s not just the health coaching that supports me. It’s also the movement business that I have: I’m teaching yoga, I’m teaching dance. I’m also a commercial actress and do brand partnerships as well. So all of those things together are what keeps my business afloat.”

Over time, Anice realized she didn’t need to compartmentalize her various ventures. Each part of her work was connected, and could even strengthen one another.

“One of my biggest challenges starting out was thinking that I had to keep them separate, that everything had to work separately. But in a sense, they all work together and they support each other. That was a part of my journey, was coming to that place of embracing that, so that I can allow them to kind of buoy each other and allow the business to be successful.”

‘Because I love what I do, I didn’t realize I was exhausted‘

In this chapter, Anice is looking forward to a change of pace.

“One of the things that I’m working on right now is being still,” she told Redd. “Since 2010, it’s been 15 years of this mompreneur life. And I think because I love what I do, I didn’t realize that I was exhausted.”

Advice for aspiring mompreneurs

For aspiring mompreneurs, Anice offered words of encouragement.

“Get in touch with what you are here for. Get in touch with your ‘why.’ Get in touch with your purpose. Understand what your talents and your gifts are, and how you want to share them.”

She added, “I’m reading a book called Imagination, and it starts with a quote from Toni Morrison that says, ‘Dream a little before you think.’”

Catch new episodes of Mompreneurs every week

Every week, we celebrate the beautiful Black entrepreneurs who are not only amazing business moguls but also outstanding mothers. Join host and New York Times bestselling author Nancy Redd as these mompreneurs share their life stories and inspiring advice.

Watch Mompreneurs on MadameNoire’s YouTube channel or below. Or listen to the podcast online on the Urban One Podcast Network.

Categories: Entrepreneurship