Host: Dr. Sagashus
Guest: Takia Ross – Professional Makeup Artist, Founder of Accessmatized Makeup Artistry & Kiki Thunda Cosmetics

Episode Overview

In this insightful episode of Books, Bullets, and Babies, Dr. Sagashus welcomes entrepreneur and beauty expert Takia Ross to explore how mindset plays a critical role in the journey to becoming a millionaire, particularly for the women we call "infamous mothers." Takia shares her personal journey, the lessons learned from building her businesses, and how she balances entrepreneurship with motherhood. Together, they explore the strategies that shape a successful entrepreneurial mindset, along with the importance of believing in one’s ability to succeed.

Key Topics:

Takia Ross’s Journey

Takia is the founder of Accessmatized Makeup Artistry and Kiki Thunda Cosmetics, a mobile beauty studio and small-batch cosmetics company based in Baltimore.
Featured in Forbes and recognized in Essence Magazine, Takia has earned accolades as one of Baltimore’s top businesswomen and advocates for women entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneurial Mindset and Identity

Takia talks about the different versions of herself she channels to succeed in business, including her bold alter ego, "Kiki Thunda."
As a one-woman C-suite, Takia explains how entrepreneurs must adopt different personas depending on the demands of the moment, whether they are negotiating deals or nurturing a team.

The Power of Belief and Grit

Takia emphasizes the importance of grit, tenacity, and the belief that you are capable of reaching financial success.
She shares how her mindset has evolved to embrace self-belief and the understanding that women, especially mothers, can pursue personal dreams without sacrificing their responsibilities.

The Millionaire’s Mindset

The key to financial success begins with believing that “I can” and “I deserve.”
Takia talks about the importance of achieving smaller milestones (like a six-figure income) before striving for larger financial goals, stressing the need to break societal barriers that keep women from reaching financial freedom.

Motherhood and Entrepreneurship

Takia speaks candidly about balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship, explaining that while nurturing your children is essential, mothers also need to teach their children how to respect their personal goals and boundaries.
Her relationship with her own mother serves as a powerful example of unconditional love and support.

Birthday Reflections

In a special moment, Dr. Sagashus celebrates Takia’s birthday with a tribute to her and her incredible journey as a businesswoman and mother.
Takia reflects on the wisdom passed down from her own mother, sharing how it has shaped her approach to both motherhood and life.

Cover of the memoir *A Pot to Piss In* by Dr. Sagashus Levingston. Though not science fiction, it is used here to disrupt portrayals of single Black mothers as only struggling. In this memoir, Sagashus faces obstacles and barriers, yet each time, she comes out as the hero of her own story — proving that memoir, like sci-fi, can reimagine mothers as trailblazers and disruptors.

Disrespectful Tidbit of the Day

Dr. Sagashus shares a provocative insight from her time as a PhD student studying Black mothers in literature. In fictional portrayals, single mothers, especially those from marginalized communities, are often represented solely through the lens of struggle. However, science fiction offers a genre where such women can be reimagined as trailblazers and heroes, breaking free from societal expectations.

Sponsor Shout-Outs:

American Family Insurance Institute for Corporate and Social Impact
Cuna Mutual Group Foundation
UW Health

Where to Find Us:

Audio: Available on Spotify, Apple Music, and other podcast platforms.
Visual: Catch the video version on YouTube for a more immersive experience.

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Special Thanks:

A huge thank you to Takia Ross for sharing her story and wisdom with us on her birthday, inspiring listeners to embrace their inner strength and entrepreneurial spirit.

Want the Books, Bullets and Babies Card Game?

It’s the companion to the Books, Bullets & Babies podcast — designed to spark raw, real conversations about money, motherhood, and survival. Play it with friends, in your book club, or as a journaling tool to go deeper into the stories we share here.

About Dr. Sagashus Levingston
Dr. Sagashus Levingston is the creator and producer of the Books, Bullets & Babies podcast, as well as the visionary behind Infamous Mothers. She is an author, entrepreneur, and cultural architect whose work spans books, journals, card games, and national tours — all designed to affirm, inspire, and offer tools and community for badass moms who do extraordinary things at home, at work, and beyond.

This podcast is part of the Infamous Mothers lifestyle brand that Dr. Sagashus created so that these moms have not just a place to belong, but the support, resources, and community they need to be infamous—messy, ambitious, broken, sexy, flawed, spiritual, whole—without apology.