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From Thirst Quencher to Airport Business Owner
As a child, her business acumen exceeded that of most adults. Affectionately known as Busy Bee, she already was considered a wonder kid. Long before franchising became popular, this 10-year old Detroiter spent her summers selling lemonade on the corner of her family home. By the time she was 13, she farmed out the cookie-cutter operation to six neighborhood corners. At 15, she became the business manager of a high school social club -- planning dances, trips and even concerts with several national acts throughout her high school years. At 16, she was head cashier at her neighborhood McDonald's and at 17, as an undergrad student of Political Science; Britton coordinated her first and paid for an international trip to Seoul, South Korea as an exchange student. Ms. Britton moved to Washington, DC, for graduate school and subsequently landed a competitive internship in the Office of the United States Trade Representative during the Reagan Administration. She has held positions overseas; with the State Department in Dakar, Senegal; Federal and District of Columbia governments. She later progressed to assist on special assignments during the Bush, Sr. and Clinton administrations. The popular East Coast, BZB Black Gift & Art Show is her brainchild. This 'Shop Til You Drop' event will celebrate its 19th year during the 2009 Christmas holiday season. With assistance from her family, Georgiann Austin and Donald Britton, adopted daughters Robin Adams and Danielle Koon and a host of employees, volunteers and loyal friends. She also operates the Anacostia Art Gallery & Boutique in Southeast Washington, DC; BZB International Tours, an educational, social, and recreational travel group; Up, Up and Away, a program that uplifts young people by exposing them to the aviation and airport retail industries and her parent company, BZB Public Relations and Marketing Consultants which coordinates special events and works with small businesses on marketing and building better consumer and community relationships. Her list of clients is available online. Ms. Britton is a partner in Paradies-BZB, DC, LLC, an enterprise that operates retail stores such as Brooks Brothers, CNBC and PGA stores in the Washington metropolitan area airports. She works closely with over 100 employees on customer service, team-building and community outreach projects. Click here for current employee newsletter, At the Threshold. In spring 2007, she debuted her first film, Random Acts of Kindness, A Documentary of Giving, based on an emotional dream she had experienced nine months earlier. She spearheaded the Random Acts Foundation of Washington, DC, that is dedicated to conducting random acts of kindness to women, families and humanitarian projects nationally and internationally. Britton's communication and public relations savvy are focused on building bridges between corporate and community based entities. She is a consultant, motivational speaker and trainer. She enjoys working with aspiring entrepreneurs; women in micro-economic development projects and artists and merchants throughout Africa and the African Diaspora. Many under her tutelage have ventured into very successful enterprises. Her professional and volunteer undertakings have led to national and international accolades. Ms. Britton received a Masters in Public Affairs from Howard University, in Washington, DC, and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Education from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She serves on various community and economic development boards and commissions. She is also a diligent mentor of several youth in her neighborhood. She loves adventures such as: touring traditional African villages, scuba diving, and jumping small buildings on a single bound! Ms. Britton is a natural promoter of all things that are positive and exciting! Her favorite quotes are, "The more you do, the more you are!" - Anonymous ; "The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are." - Joseph Campbell ; and "...We Can Make It Happen, We Change the World Now!", Dialouge Parts 1 & 2, Chicago Juanita "Busy Bee" Britton thanks the Almighty God for his mercy to bless her life every morning with the breath to make great things happen!" |
