Unique Walker was born and raised in Cincinnati, Oh and when she graduated from BIG RED in 2006 as valedictorian headed on a 5 year scholarship to The Ohio State University with a baby in her belly and a plan on her mind she knew that she would be willing to do whatever it takes to be successful! As Gods favorite Daughter he wrapped his wings around her and provided her with a support system that was unmatched.
She pursued her studies in social work and graduated in 2011.
From there she worked with mental health and social work patients. Her desire to help and care for others led her to pursue another degree in Nursing from Mt St Joe in 2013. After working as a mental health nurse she chose to get her doctorate and was met with considerable adversity.
The school where she decided to study for her doctorate was not diverse and she found herself facing lots of hurdles being the only black student in the program. The administrators made things extremely difficult for her and her classmates didn’t want to partner with her on projects. Despite all of that she fought for her place in the program and won, but sadly the environment proved to be too toxic and she decided to put her doctorate degree on hold.
There is always a silver lining to every story. After all that she’d been through, it was time for Unique to invest in herself. In 2016, with no room to fail, she quit her job as nursing supervisor and started her 1st business venture teaching CPR classes which funneled into becoming a nurse aid instructor. She didn’t know everything or anything about running a business, she just knew she didn’t have room to give up. She attended every pop-up shop, event, and opportunity she could to get her name and business out there. It worked! She began to get really amazing contracts with Hamilton County Job and Family Services, Talbert House, and Cincinnati Public Schools. Not only was her business thriving she was able to help her husband launch his dream of owning a childcare center.
Partnering on the childcare center proved to be another hurdle she had to jump over. It was hard to get funding, licensing, and to understand the overall ins and outs of the industry but as always she did it. Being a wife and Mom of 4 is no easy task within itself, add running a school and daycare center to the mix, as you can imagine she was exhausted. That’s where partnering and teaching her craft came in very handy. Unique not only expanded her STNA school, helped to open several daycare locations, she was able to lift people up as she climbed. Through classes, mentoring and motivational speaking Unique has inpired and encouraged many to take the leap of faith into persuing their dreams.
Whether it’s through Nurturing Minds Training Center, Walker’s Learning Center, The Boss Up Gala, or the Boss Up Childcare course Unique is touching lives wherever she goes. When asked what her greatest success is outside of her beautiful family Unique said “being in childcare, enriching kids, and giving parents what they need in their toolboxes to thrive.
She attributes her success to the support she receives from her amazing husband, parents, children, family and friends but most of all none of this would be possible without God When asked what sets you apart she replied “ I searched for my yes” I hope this story will encourage you to search for yours too.
Leave a Comment