Pinky Cole has always been someone who embraces challenges head-on, and when the opportunity to join The Real Housewives of Atlanta came knocking, she was more than ready.
By the time Bravo reached out, Cole had already faced a series of financial hurdles tied to her plant-based fast food chain, S—— Vegan. Despite these struggles, she found herself in a position where she could use her story to inspire others.
In an exclusive interview, Cole spoke about her decision to join the cast, how she opened up her life for television, the cast member she formed the strongest bond with, and her words of wisdom for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Joining the Cast of ‘RHOA’
After temporarily losing control of her business, navigating Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and eventually regaining ownership, Cole was no stranger to adversity.
For her, joining The Real Housewives of Atlanta wasn’t just a career move—it was a natural progression.
“I didn’t think twice about it,” she said. “My information is already out there in the media, so why not? I was prepared for this. Now, I can inspire someone else and help them understand business in a new way. I wouldn’t take it back for anything. There will be someone watching this show, and they’ll see me and think, ‘I’m not going to give up because Pinky fought through the hardest moments of her life.’”
Putting Her Life on Television
Despite her confidence, stepping into the spotlight with her husband, Derrick Hayes, and their three children wasn’t without its challenges.
“It was an adjustment, but I adjusted,” she shared. “I’m happy that I did because I’ve gained some really good friendships along the way. When you see me walking in the room and I say, ‘Hello everybody!’ It’s because I’ve never met a stranger in my life. Every time I get around someone, either you’re going to love me or you’re going to leave me alone. That’s the energy I bring.”
The ‘RHOA’ Cast Member She Got the Closest With
Navigating a well-established cast as a newcomer can be intimidating, but Cole found support in K. Michelle.
“I connected with K the most,” she said. “She’s my sorority sister. We hit it off, especially because even though she’s a newbie like me, this isn’t her first rodeo on reality TV. She’s a veteran like the rest of them. I’ve been able to connect with her in a way where I can learn from her and exchange big ideas. We talk about life and business; she’s a newlywed like me. On and off-camera, that’s my girl.”
Her Advice to Entrepreneurs
Cole’s journey has given her a unique perspective on risk and resilience. For entrepreneurs, her message is clear:
“You are going to fail, and it’s okay to fail because failing isn’t failing. It’s finding the aspiration in the losses. Some of the biggest companies we use today have failed at something. Amazon almost went bankrupt. Delta went bankrupt. American Airlines had its financial challenges. Some of the biggest chain restaurants have closed their doors and filed for bankruptcy. Then most of them bounced back. In the failure, you really learn lessons that will make you stronger for the next time.”
New Episodes and More
New episodes of The Real Housewives of Atlanta premiere on Bravo Sundays at 8/7c ET and stream via Peacock the next day.
Stay tuned for more updates and insights from the world of reality television.
