Today we’d like to introduce you to Devon Moody, MBA
Hi Devon, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born into a legacy of entrepreneurship. My father, a cobbler, repaired shoes for over six decades, and my mother, a cosmetologist and businesswoman, built her career with creativity, grit, and determination. Together, they taught me that building something from nothing is more than a skill—it’s a calling. From watching them serve their community, I learned early on how small businesses can be the heartbeat of a city, but I also witnessed the struggles that come with a lack of access to resources and opportunities.
Sixteen years ago, I took what I learned from them and launched my journey as a business consultant. I started because I saw the gaps—the glaring inequities in predominantly Black communities like East St. Louis, where talented, hardworking business owners struggled to scale and thrive. It wasn’t about a lack of effort; it was about a lack of access: to knowledge, capital, and the tools needed to create generational wealth. I couldn’t sit back and accept a reality where Black families earned a fraction of what white families earned. I wanted to be part of the solution.
In 2019, I took my work globally, leading a group of women to Paris for the CEO Moms Conference, where we focused on building business relationships and learning cultural competencies for Black women in entrepreneurship. I became part of the Black Paris Community, working to create opportunities for entrepreneurs and celebrating the global impact of Black excellence. One of my proudest moments was being part of the planning team to honor Josephine Baker—a St. Louis native—when she was posthumously inducted into the Pantheon in Paris in November 2021. I hosted an event alongside this historic celebration, spotlighting her contributions to the arts, civil rights, and the French Resistance.
Over the years, my work has taken me from consulting to building programs and partnerships that make lasting change. I’ve collaborated with universities like Harris-Stowe, Lindenwood, SLU, and WashU. I’ve judged competitions, developed initiatives, and counseled entrepreneurs through the Small Business Development Centers in Illinois and Missouri. Through my nonprofit, The Biz Spot Community, I’ve provided underserved businesses with training, resources, and mentorship, while my company, CEOMom Empire, focuses on helping mother-owned businesses achieve work-life balance and success.
One of my proudest achievements was helping to bring a grocery store to East St. Louis when it was a food desert. That project wasn’t just about access to food—it was about dignity and empowerment for a community long overlooked. I’ve also helped business owners secure over $4 million in capital, unlocking the doors to growth, opportunity, and stability.
About My Business
At CEOMom Empire we create impactful partnerships, develop innovative market entry initiatives, and design custom programs that empower businesses to successfully launch, scale, and thrive in competitive markets.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all. My path has been paved with challenges. I’ve often been the youngest person in the room, the only Black person, the only Black woman. And yet, I’ve stood firm, carrying the voices of my parents, my community, and my ancestors with me. I’ve had to fight for my seat at the table, call out systemic inequities, and push for change in spaces that weren’t built for me.
But those challenges have fueled my passion. I remain unapologetically authentic in my mission to close the wealth gap, because I know the stakes are too high for us to settle for less. This work is personal—it’s for my family, for my community, and for future generations.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
CEOMom Empire is an international strategic business development firm. We create impactful partnerships, develop innovative market entry initiatives, and design custom programs that empower businesses to successfully launch, scale, and thrive in competitive markets.
Mother OutLoud is a dynamic community and program dedicated to helping mothers live unapologetically—embracing their full identities, passions, and aspirations. Rooted in the belief that every woman deserves to thrive in her personal, professional, and family life, Mother OutLoud provides resources, events, and a supportive network where moms can learn, share, and grow. By fostering open conversations about motherhood, resilience, and self-discovery, Mother OutLoud encourages women to transform their dreams into reality without compromising the beauty of parenting.
My nonprofit, The Biz Spot Community, takes that mission further by equipping underserved businesses with the resources, mentorship, and capital they need to succeed.
What sets my work apart is the focus on empowerment. I’m not just helping businesses grow—I’m helping them build legacies. I’ve worked with businesses to generate millions in capital, access critical resources, and create sustainable growth plans. These aren’t just numbers; they represent dreams realized, communities strengthened, and futures reimagined.
Any big plans?
The road ahead is full of purpose. I’m laser-focused on helping businesses become capital-ready and connecting them to funding opportunities. Through Mother Out Loud, I want to support women in living their fullest, most authentic lives while inspiring their children to dream bigger.
I’m also committed to growing my family brand, United Collective Vibes, which brings my children into the entrepreneurial fold and promotes group economics. Together, we’ll create businesses that not only generates wealth but also inspire others to do the same.
On the global front, I plan to expand my work internationally, building bridges for minority-owned businesses to access global markets, resources, and opportunities. My time in Paris showed me that entrepreneurship is a universal language, and I’m determined to ensure that underserved businesses have a seat at the global table.
Ultimately, my goal is to leave the world a little better than I found it. I’ll keep advocating, creating, and pushing boundaries until equity and opportunity are no longer aspirations, but realities for everyone. This is more than a career—it’s my life’s work. And I’m just getting started.
Pricing:
- Follow me on social media for events.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://iamdevonmoody.com
- Instagram: http://Instagram.com/iamdevonmoody
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DevonMoodyGraham1
