Dr. Bo Best
~ International Speaker/Model/Entrepreneur ~
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Copa: Where are you from?
Dr. Bo: Tampa, Florida. Copa: Which schools have you attended?
Dr. Bo: C. Leon King High School (Tampa, FL), Saint Augustine’s University (Raleigh, NC) and University of Phoenix (Phoenix, AZ) Copa: We see that you have several interests. At what did you become interested in becoming an Entrepreneur?
Dr. Bo: From childhood to adulthood, I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit. For instance, as a youth, I sold frozen cups of Kool Aid and candy, which was in direct competition with the neighborhood “candy lady’s” house across a busy street. My tactic was to be the safer option for my neighborhood friends (i.e., they didn’t have to cross the busy street to get candy or a frozen cup). Also, my mom leveraged my de-cluttering, organizing, and cleaning skills often. So, after cleaning up my parents’ bedroom and de-cluttering my mom’s closet, I set up yard sale and started selling my mom’s items to turn a profit. My mom came home and shut it down since it was ‘unauthorized.' Another example of my youthful entrepreneurial spirit was using my mechanical inclined skills to re-purpose the old school household speakers with sub-woofers and tweeters to enhance car sound systems. I made money enhancing people’s car and truck sound systems with the use of household speakers. |
Tampa, Florida
Florida Map
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Copa: In your opinion, what skills should one possess to be a successful Entrepreneur in today's business climate?
Dr. Bo: Critical thinking, strategic thinking, being resilient, risk management, mitigation skills, branding, communication skills, people skills, relationship building skills, time management skills, and finance.
Dr. Bo: Critical thinking, strategic thinking, being resilient, risk management, mitigation skills, branding, communication skills, people skills, relationship building skills, time management skills, and finance.
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Copa: When did you become an Inspirational Speaker, and what are some of your favorite topics?
Dr. Bo: Returning to my Alma Mater, participating in Great American Teach-Ins, and participating in various community service projects speaking to students and adults about protecting their digital life, encouraging students and adults to pursue a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) career, and pursuing your dreams. Copa: Why is good communication so important in any business situation and undertaking?
Dr. Bo: Communication is vital to understand and inquire about requirements, level setting expectations, negotiate deals, resolve issues, express needs/interests, and for networking. 
G. Eddie of Higher Level Photography and @John Haywerd of Sky Island Photography.
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Copa: Who were the 3 most influential people in your life and what lessons did you acquire from each of them?
Dr. Bo: I have more than three because the individuals mentioned within equally influenced my life. My family such as my Mother encouraged me to be resilience and independent yet humble; Daddy instilled living up to my name, mind over matter, and not settling for life’s crumbs; Uncle Gene demonstrated how to have an unwavering hustle as an entrepreneur and he influenced the way I walk as well sit today (shoulders back, straight back, and hold head up); and Aunt Grace was intelligent academically speaking (strive to be a master in your field and have the credentials), business minded, strategic and taught me elegance. My daughter had a huge influence on me becoming a model because she volunteered me (more volun-told) to be a model during one of her summer camps events at a local DC museum; I didn’t believe I had the look the fashion industry would accept.
Dr. Bo: I have more than three because the individuals mentioned within equally influenced my life. My family such as my Mother encouraged me to be resilience and independent yet humble; Daddy instilled living up to my name, mind over matter, and not settling for life’s crumbs; Uncle Gene demonstrated how to have an unwavering hustle as an entrepreneur and he influenced the way I walk as well sit today (shoulders back, straight back, and hold head up); and Aunt Grace was intelligent academically speaking (strive to be a master in your field and have the credentials), business minded, strategic and taught me elegance. My daughter had a huge influence on me becoming a model because she volunteered me (more volun-told) to be a model during one of her summer camps events at a local DC museum; I didn’t believe I had the look the fashion industry would accept.
Dr. Bo with Mom
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Dr. Bo with Dad
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Uncle Gene
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Aunt Grace
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Official Photo by Matthew Tyler Priestley (Photo Credit); MUA: Zoe (IG @Zoeselig )
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Dad, Dr. Bo, Mom, and Dr. Bo's Daughter
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Copa: We see that you are a Fashion Model as well. Who are you 3 favorite models and what do you like about each one?
Dr. Bo: The individuals list had a “Plan B, C…” beyond modeling, which I too advocate by way of my Go Beyond The Looks campaign (Instagram: @gobeyondthelooks). Grace Jones because she’s multi-talented; she pushes the boundaries, can be risqué, is risk taker, is a trendsetter, and is memorable. Lyndsey Scott because she’s intelligent (academically speaking), a fellow techie (STEM degree and develops applications), and a model. Pat Cleveland because she is multi-talented; she is the first black supermodel with a notable runway walk, recognized as a designer, owned a modeling agency owner, is a published author, social change advocate, and was a fashion industry change agent (i.e., refused to return to the USA until a black model appeared on a Vogue cover and years later Beverly Johnson appeared)
Dr. Bo: The individuals list had a “Plan B, C…” beyond modeling, which I too advocate by way of my Go Beyond The Looks campaign (Instagram: @gobeyondthelooks). Grace Jones because she’s multi-talented; she pushes the boundaries, can be risqué, is risk taker, is a trendsetter, and is memorable. Lyndsey Scott because she’s intelligent (academically speaking), a fellow techie (STEM degree and develops applications), and a model. Pat Cleveland because she is multi-talented; she is the first black supermodel with a notable runway walk, recognized as a designer, owned a modeling agency owner, is a published author, social change advocate, and was a fashion industry change agent (i.e., refused to return to the USA until a black model appeared on a Vogue cover and years later Beverly Johnson appeared)
Grace Jones
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Lyndsey Scott
Pat Cleveland
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Beverly Johnson
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Copa: What were some of your most memorable experiences in the photo studio and the runway?
Dr. Bo: My most memorable runway experiences include being selected as a 4th Annual Natural Hair Expo & Fashion Show runway model at the age of 48; this was my debut show and walked for two designers (Instagram: @AudreyPatMcGhee and @RareHoney). Although the fashion industry is evolving to accept, book, hire, and publish more diverse individuals, I decided I would pursue my dreams since I was an empty nester and put my entire foot (not just dip my toe) into the modeling ocean. As a 5’6”, athletic-build, Black, bald by choice older model based in Florida, I walked in multiple fashion shows in Tampa, Saint Petersburg, Leesburg, and Orlando. Next, I tested my God-given characteristics and evolving modeling abilities and flew to/from New York and New Jersey for model castings. In under a year of my modeling career, I felt validated as runway model because I was selected as a petite (5’6”), older, Black model to walk for several designers during New York Fashion Week (NYFW); met and obtained pointers from Khrystyana Kazakova (Instagram: @Khrystyana) before hitting the runway; and ended the NYFW with an honorary role of Virginia Cathey Collections’ (Instagram: @VirginiaCatheyCollections) first Brand Ambassador. By 49 years of age, I walked in other notable fashion shows such as New York’s Fashion on the Hudson (thanks to Instagram: @JagandCo for opening this door and @Aces.Mseda._ for the encouragement and tips), Florida’s Vegan International Fashion Show (GASP!) my first bathing suit moment and served an “the opener” for Instagram: @Kildernines), Runway Liberia International, Tampa Bay’s Fashion Week and walked for Dillard’s® (my first nationally known designer), and many others. Before putting my entire foot into the modeling ocean, Matt Dunn (Instagram: @MattDunnDC) took photos me with my Harley Davidson; and he featured me in his gallery during an Arlington, Virginia-based artsy event. When he invited me to this event, I found it odd to have people compliment me, want to take a photo of me, and/or to say “oh wow, it’s YOU… I saw you blown up over there”. In addition, I’ve been featured in magazines domestically and internally for studio and on-location photoshoots. I have many most memorable on-location photoshoots at the infancy stages of my modeling career, I highlight those photographers often on my Facebook pages (@BoTheModel (modeling page) and (@Bo.Best.545) especially those who have contributed to my model initial compcards and portfolio (e.g., Instagram: @MiguelMaisonet, @JohnStalter, @imagesbyjoewalters, @clareeselittle and @elaineacruzphotography). Majority of my most memorable studio photoshoots are tied to a “first” in my modeling career. For instance, I shot with a well-known photographer (@matthewtylerpriestley) and I was honored to have supermodel Coco Rocha (@cocorocha) there support, coach, and encourage me through the process. My very first studio photo is tied to a steampunk theme shoot with Lee Brand; as a budding cosplayer, I enjoyed expanding my modeling to steampunk fashion. My next first was tied to truly understanding the importance of storyboarding (Instagram: @HghrlvlPhotography) and connecting with your photographers prior to a photoshoot (@skyislandphoto); it more structured and goal-oriented, which aligns perfectly with me. |
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Designer: Alek Risimnic Couture MUA: Nicole Lauren
From 5th Annual Pink Carpet Charity Fashion Show
10/9/2021
Designer & MUA: Earle Bannister
Photographer: Joseph W. Allen
IG: new_columbia_wingman
Designer: Alek Risimnic Couture MUA: Nicole Lauren
Copa: How would you describe your personal style, and what is your opinion of local fashion as opposed to styles in other parts of the world?
Dr. Bo: My personal style is timeless with pizzazz. Thanks to Internet and various shipping companies, our fashions are locally global in my opinion. If I see style or ‘look’ online that I like, I’ve provided my payment details to have the item(s) shipped to me locally. However, with a subset of countries still being digitally divided and not having same resources, there’s still some untapped fashions and styles inaccessible to the masses who appreciate fashion to create their own personal styles.
Dr. Bo: My personal style is timeless with pizzazz. Thanks to Internet and various shipping companies, our fashions are locally global in my opinion. If I see style or ‘look’ online that I like, I’ve provided my payment details to have the item(s) shipped to me locally. However, with a subset of countries still being digitally divided and not having same resources, there’s still some untapped fashions and styles inaccessible to the masses who appreciate fashion to create their own personal styles.
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Copa: What does the future hold for Dr. Bo Best and her world of Business, Fashion, Mentoring, and Style?
Dr. Bo: I plan to continue to model until I decided to stop, enhance my personal brand, and to help others become their own dream catchers through my upcoming coaching/training platform via BoKnowsBest.com (Instagram: @BoKnowsBest)
Helping people protect their digital life, become cybercrime fighters, become their own dreamcatchers, fashion talents become change agents, and help themselves. In addition, continue to grow my cleaning business (@BoKnowsCleaning), get back into blogging (@BoKnowsBest), and continue to advocate for fashion industry agents and designers to Go Beyond the Looks (@GoBeyondTheLooks) when selecting models to represent you and your brands.
Dr. Bo: I plan to continue to model until I decided to stop, enhance my personal brand, and to help others become their own dream catchers through my upcoming coaching/training platform via BoKnowsBest.com (Instagram: @BoKnowsBest)
Helping people protect their digital life, become cybercrime fighters, become their own dreamcatchers, fashion talents become change agents, and help themselves. In addition, continue to grow my cleaning business (@BoKnowsCleaning), get back into blogging (@BoKnowsBest), and continue to advocate for fashion industry agents and designers to Go Beyond the Looks (@GoBeyondTheLooks) when selecting models to represent you and your brands.
