Endless possibilities and a spirit of giving drive the RVA Entrepreneurs. The organization was created in June by a handful of people in a variety of fields who are eager to share knowledge gleaned from a combined 100 years-plus of experience.

“We believe there are endless possibilities available to people who want to act on a dream or idea that, in addition to being financially lucrative, can also be emotionally fulfilling, says Vinara L. Mosby, who is described as the engine behind the organization. She also is the volunteer coordinator of the organization’s inaugural Dinner, Dance and Networking Gala on Saturday, Dec. 16. Ms. Mosby, 47, has been an entrepreneur for 27 years or more. She is an insurance agent and owns a hair salon. “I’m probably a good example of someone who has always felt comfortable running a business,” she says. “Before I entered the insurance business 14 years ago, I ran – and continue to run – my own hair salon. I started the business because of my passion for styling hair and a desire to make my clients feel good about their appearance. Sometimes, making them feel good involves more than shampoos, blow-dries or roller sets. It means caring and listening when they tell me their darkest fears, deepest secrets or greatest joys. “I can say that I have gained far more from my salon clients than I probably provided them,” she continues. “In listening to my clients, I gained insight and knowledge about how to be an effective administrator, communicator, organizer and more. Those skills led me to establish my insurance business, and I continue to learn and form strong relationships with my clients.” The founding members of RVA Entrepreneurs have similar paths, Ms. Mosby explains. “We are used to running things and getting things done,” she says. “This is not our first rodeo and it won’t be our last.” She says the group is dedicated to showing others what they’ve done and how they’ve done it. “We want to bring others, particularly our children and millenials, into the organization and create opportunities for them through our businesses. And we want them to know the importance of giving back.” In addition to sharing their business acumen, expertise and resources with others, members are donating some of the proceeds of the inaugural event to FeedMore, the nonprofit that offers a range of programs to alleviate hunger in Central Virginia, including Meals on Wheels and the Central Virginia Food Bank. “Working with seniors, I go to a lot of their homes and they don’t even eat,” Ms. Mosby says. “They don’t have a lot of food. It is really heartbreaking.” The group aspires to work with Richmond Public Schools’ nutrition program because, “in many instances, some schoolchildren don’t have enough money to pay for their lunches” Ms. Mosby says. “I believe that RVA Entrepreneurs differs in that our members are a giving organization,” Ms. Mosby says. “You don’t have to pay a fee to join.” Meet businesswoman, organizer and this week’s Personality, Vinara L. Mosby.

Occupation: Licensed professional hairstylist and insurance agent and owner of Maxamus Insurance LLC.

Community involvement: Coordinator, RVA Entrepreneurs’ Dinner, Dance and Networking Gala.

Date and place of birth: July 22 in Richmond.

Current residence: Chesterfield County.

Education: Varina High School graduate in 1989. I have taken courses at Virginia Commonwealth University. I have licenses in cosmetology and insurance.

Family: Daughter, N’Dea, 25; son, Kaleb,14; and grandchildren, Lei’yah, 6, and Johaan, 1.

When RVA Entrepreneurs was founded: June 2017.

Its mission: We are dedicated to imparting knowledge, understanding and unity among all communities, while displaying high ethical standards of conduct and sound discernment. Combined, our members have more than 100 years of experience as entrepreneurs in finance, insurance, mental health, media and communications. We proudly share our combined business acumen, expertise and resources to assist those who are less fortunate.

How RVA Entrepreneurs differs from other business organizations: In Richmond, several of the traditional, minority-owned business organizations have been closely linked or aligned with many of the city’s large, corporate entities. While many of those relationships have served our community well, the RVA Entrepreneurs differ in that our members enjoy forging new paths by partnering with similar-sized or solo business owners to network, exchange ideas and share resources. In addition, our members, who service hundreds of clients or customers, are job providers. Although some of us are sole proprietors, others, such as the highly successful The New Y-CAPP and Ndutime, have more than 200 employees combined.

Three essentials of entrepreneurship in the 21st century: Don’t be afraid to go after your dream. Be daring. Be bold. Embrace your entrepreneurial spirit. Don’t be afraid of failure because there is no such thing. Use social media to help you rather than to hinder you. Read to stay informed and for pleasure. Travel. Get out of your own way. Share what you’ve learned with others who want to know what you know.

Advice to young people interested in entrepreneurship: JUST DO IT and stick to it! Have a goal and a plan. Stay focused. Never give up. Always have patience and realize that Rome wasn’t built overnight and neither will your business. The rewards in being consistent and persistent are immeasurable. There will be ups and downs, poor days and prosperous days, but watching your dream come to life can’t be matched.

A perfect day for me is: Weekends when I wake up, turn on my TV and watch “Law and Order” on TNT. Then I will get up, throw on some sweats and socks, piddle around the house, maybe fix dinner, possibly bake a cake and do not touch my computer or cell phone for anything work related.

Favorite meal: I love shrimp and avocados and apples and dark chocolate.

How I unwind: After getting home most days around 6 p.m., I usually cook and clean. If it’s after 8 p.m., I will shower and turn on the TV while I play “Words with Friends.”

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: I enjoy window shopping at the mall or when I’m traveling in another city or country.

A quote that I am most inspired by: “When you do more than you are paid for, eventually you will be paid for more than you do!” — Zig Ziglar.

People who influenced me the most: My good friends Donna Z. Pierce-Baylor, chief administrative officer of The New Y-CAPP, and John Jones of J. Johns and Associates. Both are very giving, kind and smart people.

Best thing my parents ever taught me: Work hard, give, don’t worry about things you can’t control. My father, Alvin W. Mosby Sr., has always taken care of his family, traits that have been passed on to me. My mother, Linda L. Walker, was a nurse who also worked hard. Both of my parents are huge givers. If you need something and they have it, then it’s yours.

Books that influenced me the most: “Failing Forward: Turning Mistakes into Stepping Stones for Success” by John C. Maxwell and “The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom” by Don Miguel Ruiz.

What I’m reading now: “Good to Great” by James C. Collins.

My next goal: To partner with Richmond Public Schools’ nutrition program.