Life and Work with Prisca Sisa

Today we’d like to introduce you to Prisca Sisa.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I graduated from Gateway High School in 2013. My senior year, I had my daughter, so I headed to the workforce after graduation.

I worked in the fast food industry, several grocery store delicatessens and currently in hospitality. After a while, I started to realize my drive was too high for entry-level positions. The madness of working crazy hours under unpleasant management pushed me into the higher education world to become my own boss. I knew that whatever for-profit & non-profit businesses I created needed to make an impact on my community.

I started my higher ed journey at the Community College of Denver in 2015. There, I met like-minded individuals who wanted to make the best out of their experience. A former classmate and I invented a brand called “The Clatchet Stories” (clatchet meaning Classy Ratchet) to remind us to never forget where we came from while we’re working on where we need to be. As young African-American females, we needed a platform to lean on and that kept us on track on the road to success.

As semesters go by I began to develop & expand my “clatchet” vision and use my platform to help youth & families in struggling neighborhoods find the light at the end of a dark tunnel.

I transferred to the Community College of Aurora for fall 2018 after moving out of my parent’s home. I completed my degree this past weekend! I took advantage of adding the Entrepreneurship Launch Certificate program to coincide with my associate’s degree. Endless opportunities arose from there.

The program is built to help you launch a business upon completion. I came into the program with multiple business ideas, but the first endeavor is to open an Afro-Caribbean mini market in Aurora. After conducting a feasibility study throughout the semester, I learned that I had to start smaller.

With the little money I had, I was able to buy a food cart & dedicate it to selling snacks, drinks & miscellaneous convenience store items in the Aurora area. Thus, the A-CO Cart was born! I am excited to bring it into the streets of Aurora, CO this summer.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I would be lying if I said it was easy! It took me four years to complete my Associates due to home and work life. Being a single mother, I learned how to prioritize things that are important and beneficial for the future of my family. I am a hardworking soul so I found a way to balance two jobs, school life, and motherhood throughout my degree. For the woman out there who are starting their journey, first, I would like to congratulate you because we play multiple roles in our lives. Always remember to take your time because it’s not a race, but a ride down the road. Self-care is always important. We must take care of ourselves to keep going. The sky is the limit regardless of what society says! Do what’s best for you and your legacy! Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise because nobody knows your journey better than you.

Please tell us more about what you do, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am an entrepreneur. I also consider myself to be a role model. Now that I am finished with my degree, I plan on launching The A-CO Cart while I complete the entrepreneurship certificate. I am known for being social, dedicated and conveniently having snacks. Through the power of persistence and networking, I am excited to be serving neighborhoods surrounded by schools, the local college campuses and park/recreational areas. Aside from that, I have expanded “The Clatchet Stories” in hopes of creating youth development programs for the lower income families in central Aurora.

Under each brand is a unique part of me.

I care most about social justice and community outreach.

The Clatchet Stories was originally about minority females migrating into a formal world from the “ghettos” they are used to. This platform is used to assure that there is nothing wrong with being who you are. You can be classy with a little bit of ratchetness. Younger black women are often misrepresented in the media and the workplace. We are smart, beautiful and capable of our duties. The nature of a black woman should not be considered a hindrance or a distance in a formal world. My blog, www.theclatchetstories.com is dedicated to all females 16+. The website does contain profanity and opinionated articles but is made to relate to a mature audience.

We are in charge of the next generation’s success. Our community must come together and protect our youth physically, mentally and emotionally. I work with the community builder in our complex to plan events for the families in our neighborhood. With my background in hospitality and community outreach, I created “Clatchet Corporation”, which is dedicated to youth development in lower income areas. This includes individual & team building skills, sports, arts & crafts, and fellowship & outreach. The goal is to give the love, training & resources our youth needs for a brighter future. I am going to use the money I save from The A-CO Cart to finance this non-profit endeavor.

Do you think there are structural or other barriers impeding the emergence of more female leaders?
Social norms are the biggest barriers in female leadership. Women are taught to stay home, take care of the house & kids and men are supposed to be the breadwinners. I’m here to tell you that times have evolved. Women have more rights than before. It is time we take advantage of the evolution and glow in your career path! Women are capable of doing many things. Mentally & emotionally, it may seem hard but we are equipped for this! We are blessed with the ability to multitask and it is best we use it!

I also encourage self-care. With the ability to multitask, comes the feeling of stress. It is important to dedicate several hours of the week to relax and partake in leisure activities. Your body, family & career will thank you later!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.theclatchetstories.com
• Email: breeziesevents@gmail.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/chocolatetrapsoul
• Facebook: www.fb.me/bizinaurora

Image Credit:
Davis Entertainment, Elvin Catley, mkpho_tog

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