From the heart of Houma, Louisiana, to the bustling city of Houston, Texas, Marial Lawson Washington's journey is a testament to resilience and faith.
Raised by her grandparents and inspired by her mother’s adventurous spirit, Marial has faced numerous challenges, from homelessness to personal loss. Yet, she emerged stronger, becoming a beacon of hope and an inspiration to her family and community.
In this candid Q&A, Marial shares her path to entrepreneurship, her motivations, and her dreams of empowering single mothers. Dive into her story and discover the passion behind Blessed Ink Notary and her unwavering commitment to breaking the cycle of poverty.
Tell us about your background. How were you raised, and how did you end up in your current city?
I am originally from Houma, Louisiana, and was raised by my grandparents. As a young adult, I moved to Oakland, California, because my mother always said I was adventurous. While living there, my grandfather fell ill with cancer, so I relocated to Houston, Texas, to be closer to my hometown. I would drive to Houma on the weekends to care for my grandfather, giving my mother time to manage other responsibilities at home. I've been in Houston since 2009.
Tell us about your business.
My mother passed away in 2015, and I missed spending time with her deeply. To fill that void, I took a part-time job assisting seniors at Brookdale Senior Living Facility. While working there, I noticed that some seniors had difficulty getting their documents notarized since they couldn't leave the facility. To help, I got my notary certificate and provided my services for free. Later, a friend told me about becoming a loan signing agent, so I took the test and passed. I then created my business, Blessed Ink Notary, because I want my ink to be a blessing to your documents.
What motivated you to become an entrepreneur?
I prayed to God to break the chain of poverty in my family and asked for it to start with me. I strive to be an entrepreneur to show my grandkids, nieces, and nephews that they can achieve this as well.
Are you a full-time entrepreneur?
Yes, I am a full-time entrepreneur. I started with one business, and I thank God for blessing me with two additional businesses: a franchise with Takeaway Tax and Star Bookkeeping. My name, STAR, stands for Success, Talented, Anointed, Radical woman of God.
What jobs did you have before becoming an entrepreneur?
I was an E-rate facilitator for Aldine ISD.
What made you choose your current business?
Being able to help others gives me great joy.
What has been a key ingredient for growing your business?
The key ingredient for growing my business is changing the mindset of my family and setting an example for my younger family members to follow.
Can you share an important turning point in your life?
An important turning point in my life was when I earned my bachelor’s degree. None of my brothers finished high school, so this achievement was a chain breaker for my family.
What has been your biggest obstacle thus far?
The biggest obstacle in my life was when I lived in California. My boyfriend cheated on me and kicked me out, leaving me homeless. I had a full-time job but no family to turn to, and I was too embarrassed to tell anyone. I also had to financially support my mother in raising my brothers. I lived in my car for a month until I could afford an apartment. God humbled me, and I learned to appreciate the small things in life.
Tell us about a failure that turned into a lesson.
When starting my business, I trusted a friend to help me. We prayed together, so I believed she would be reliable. However, due to my lack of knowledge about business, she took advantage of me. This experience taught me to learn about establishing a business myself. I took the financial loss as a lesson and educated myself. With God's grace and mercy, I am determined to accomplish all my goals.
What is your biggest dream?
I dream of building an apartment complex for single mothers, where they can live rent-free for three years. The property would include a daycare to allow mothers to attend college or learn a trade for the first two years, with the third year focused on finding employment. As a single mother, I know how challenging it can be, and I want to provide the assistance I lacked.
Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
Michelle Obama is my biggest inspiration. She is a successful Black woman who stood by and supported the President of the United States.
In your opinion, what is the key to being successful?
The key to success is staying focused and dedicating yourself to your goals and your business.
Words of wisdom for other Black female entrepreneurs?
Keep God first in everything you do.
