Today we’d like to introduce you to Oyinka Coakley.
Hi Oyinka, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I am Oyinka Coakley. I was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, FL to teenage parents. Since my parents were so young, my grandparents played a critical role in my upbringing. They stressed the value of education and ensured that I was safe and that my needs were met so I could focus on school. I thrived in school graduating from Dillard High as class president and #3 in my class. I received a full Presidential scholarship to Florida A&M where I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 3.96 GPA. I went on to work for one of the nation’s largest accounting firms and earned my CPA licensure in 2001 and my Master’s degree in Business Administration in 2004. I’ve had a rewarding accounting career working for both public and private entities and eventually teaching accounting at Broward College for the last 15 years.
While I could’ve maintained the status quo, my intuition was screaming that there was more to my story. I was destined to be my own boss and make a more significant impact on my community. Owning an event venue has always been a dream of mine so in 2000 I decided to execute a plan to bring that dream to fruition. I secured a mentor in the event space industry and immersed myself in a community of entrepreneurs. With the knowledge I gained through those connections, I launched SuiteOne Event Venue in Hollywood in June 2001. SuiteOne has been an overnight success. In under two years, we’ve hosted over 250 events! To meet the incredible demand, we’ve just secured our second location. SuiteTwo Event Venue will launch in May 2023!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
People look at me now and assume I’ve had things easy but that is far from my reality. I grew up in two of the poorest and most dangerous neighborhoods in Fort Lauderdale. My parents and grandparents did their best to shelter me from the ills of our community but inevitably my family, like many others, fell victim to struggles with drug abuse and criminal activity that threatened to derail any plans I had for myself. Luckily, I had a support system of family, educators, and community members who stepped in to ensure that my family’s struggles didn’t result in my demise.
They ensured that I had the support I needed to graduate high school and safely get off to college. As a first-generation college student, I had to navigate my way through the college system without much guidance while maintaining a part-time job to support myself from the moment I arrived in Tallahassee. While in college, I married my high school sweetheart Henry and had a son. As a 22-year-old wife, mom, and college student in a small town hours away from family, life was tough! However, I knew I couldn’t give up. I was able to escape the trap of projects and poverty through education and hard work and provide a life for my children that is drastically better than the environment I grew up in.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I own SuiteOne and, coming soon, SuiteTwo Event Venues in Hollywood, FL. We are a brand of luxury, modern venues that provide our clients with an exceptional event experience at an unreal value. Our venues are bright and clean and have several amenities you won’t find in other local venues. These amenities include a surround sound speaker system connected to all major music streaming services, free tables/luxury chairs, ample free parking, free WiFi, a kitchenette, and a luxury VIP suite reminiscent of those in an upscale nightclub. We are proud to give our community a safe and modern space to celebrate all of life’s special occasions. Our customer service is unmatched as evident by our 70 five-star reviews on Google.
My success as a venue owner has garnered quite a bit of attention. People are constantly reaching out to me for guidance on how to launch their own successful businesses. My extensive business experience and my background as an educator have birthed my brand The Entrepreneur’s Professor®. As The Entrepreneur’s Professor®, I teach busy entrepreneurs time and money-saving strategies that simplify their business’ financial operations. I specialize in business development, strategic planning, and the implementation of systems such as QuickBooks and HoneyBook. I have taught hundreds of entrepreneurs over the last year through webinars, lectures, and one-on-one consultations.
What are your plans for the future?
I’m so excited about the launch of SuiteTwo! I can’t wait for my clients to experience the next level of modern luxury through my vision for the space. Although the renovations are still underway, our clients are so excited that we’ve already gotten several bookings for SuiteTwo!
I’m also excited about the number of entrepreneurs I can help bring their business ideas to life through my coaching as The Entrepreneur’s Professor®. The last few years have taught us that one stream of income is too close to zero. Several of us are taking that leap into entrepreneurship and are extremely passionate about our craft but are woefully unprepared for the realities of operating a successful business. With my coaching, busy entrepreneurs will close that knowledge gap so they can turn their passion into profit!
Pricing:
- Venue rental packages start at only $1,100 for SuiteOne
- Venue rental packages start at only $1,550 at SuiteTwo
- Business consultations with The Entrepreneur’s Professor® start at $99/hr
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thesuiteone.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suiteone_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suiteonefl/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/oyinkatheprofessor/
Image Credits
Nu Look Photography, GoDaddy Marketing, Kenneth Lamor Signature Photography, Dominique James, Oyinka Coakley, and Fiverr
