Episode 16: Mama Pimp” to Winery CEO: Survival, Street Rules & Legacy

She was the protector everyone called when things got ugly. Today, Kitten (Charlesetta Byers-Richardson) is the founder & CEO of Nalijaron Wines—and she’s sharing how she transformed street survival into a legitimate, legacy-building business.What you’ll learnWhy some girls “choose the life” (trauma, “protection,” fast cash) and how to exitStreet loyalty vs. self-loyalty: the moment everything changedTurning hustle into a business: discipline, product, pricing, and shippingBoundaries, safety, and protecting your kids without losing yourselfLegacy lens: from ‘mama pimp’ to mama entrepreneurWhat happens when the fiercest protector in the room decides to protect herself too? We sit down with Kitten—founder and CEO of Nalijaron Wines—for a raw, unflinching conversation about survival, loyalty, and what it takes to turn pain into purpose without losing your edge. She opens up about a childhood shaped by absence and street codes, the years she became the one people called when things got dangerous, and the moment a devastating loss forced her to choose a different legacy.We go deep on the gray spaces people rarely admit out loud: harm reduction inside “the life,” why fast money can be addictive even when it’s killing you, and how protection built on fear can slowly become protection built on structure, options, and community. Kitten shares how she tried to make the streets safer—clean rooms, food, medical care—while wrestling with the moral cost and the heartbreak of losing someone she tried to help. Her honesty about caring for everyone else while ignoring her own health will hit home for anyone who’s been the family backbone for too long.The turn toward entrepreneurship is both practical and poetic. With Nalijaron Wines—31 flavors with a clean, no-hangover finish—Kitten channels grit into craft and turns survival skills into business skills. We talk about product quality, customer trust, and a brand rooted in healing, dignity, and second chances. If you’re navigating trauma, exploring life after the streets, or building a business that reflects who you’re becoming, this story offers a grounded blueprint for change.Subscribe for more conversations that transform hard truths into healthy futures, and share this episode with someone who needs proof that survival can ferment into something beautiful. If you enjoyed the show, leave a review and tell us the moment that moved you most. •  Nalijaron Wines, 2535 Romig Rd, Akron, OH 44320 | (330) 459-9090 | Ships (where legal) • Follow: @powerfullybroken | @queenblparker | bfempowerment.com/pbp• Book: A Powerful DivorceTherapy: BF Empowerment Center 526 South Main Street Akron, Ohio 44311Watch Powerfully Broken Podcast airing on Fridays at 9am.  Call 330-368-2400 to join our Coaching Program Today !!!1. Rebuild Self-Worth & Personal IdentityBefore: Lost, exhausted, walking on eggshells, defining themselves by the relationship.After: Clear sense of identity  Increased confidence and self-respect  Strong personal boundaries  Ability to make decisions without guilt 2. Break Toxic Relationship PatternsBefore: Repeating cycles of unhealthy relationships, attracting emotionally unavailable or abusive partners.After: Recognize red flags early  Understand trauma-driven relationship choices  End unhealthy relationship patterns  Create healthier standards for future relationships 3. Master Communication & BoundariesBefore: Avoiding conflict, people-pleasing, explosive arguments, feeling unheard.After: Confident communication  Healthy conflict resolution  Strong boundary-setting skills  Ability to advocate for needs without fear 4. Create Emotional Peace & ResilienceBefore: Constant anxiety, overthinking, emotional exhaustion, and feeling stuck in survival mode.After: Improved emotional regulation  Reduced anxiety and overwhelm  Greater self-trust ...