CEOMOM September 2016 by CEOMOM Magazine

Fall Fashion Haute Momma:

COLORS

Liney Chacko

Mom Fights Human Trafficking

Monique Rodriguez Mom Maven Mogul Mielle Organics'

Let's Get Real:

THE POWER OF NO

table of contents 05 Letter from the Editor 06 Let's Get Real: The Power of "No"

Mom with Impact: Liney Chacko

11 12 14

4 Must-try Fall Recipes

18 Meet Monique 14

Who's on your dream team? A Cultured Mom: Talking to Your Kids About Race Trendsetting Mom: Lauren Kutting Helping Moms Stay Organized in Style

Meet Monique 23 23 Haute Momma:

Fall Fashion Trends for the Busy Mompreneur

Erica Molett: Fashion Fights Trafficking

34 A Heart for Nutrition: Chef Cynthia Nevels

CEOMOM

Editor-in-Chief Vonna Matthews

Contributing Designer Photo Director Contributing Photographer Contributing Photographer Contributing Photographer Cover Photographer

Taly Melo Krystal Jackson FAME Studios Sudha Mathai Photography Photog4Naturals Shaun Michaels

Editorial Office The Colony, Texas 75056 +1-972-302-9150 | info@ceomommagazine.com

CEOMOM Magazine is published by Bottles, Bibs & Pumps The Colony, Texas 75056 | +1-972-302-9150

www.ceomommagazine.com

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Letter from the Editor

23 The heart of CEOMOM Magazine is to spotlight women who are proving that not only do dreams not stop after motherhood, they take on new meaning. This September issue gave us the privilege of meeting and interviewing women who are changing their communities by encouraging us to make health a priority, redefining beauty, getting us organized in style and fighting injustices to youth around the world. Their stories inspire change and teach us that conformity should never replace the individual pursuit of greatness. My hope is that this CEOMOM issue will inspire you to celebrate you without compromise or apologies. Whether it's following fashion trends that fit your personal style or learning the power of no, be the best version of you. Being your best version requires boldness and a willingness to protect your mind, body and soul by creating a dream team that empowers and educates. The better you are for yourself, the better you are for your family. A CEOMOM mom strives for success that is defined by freedom. That freedom allows you to make your own rules and create a life that seeks counterbalance rather than balance.

VONNA MATTHEWS Editor-in-Chief

Vonna Matthews

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LET'S GET REAL: HER STORY

WALKER'S LEGACY

THE POWER OF "NO" By Vonna Matthews

I was a recent college grad who had just landed my first real job. Working on a major project, I was overwhelmed and eager to prove myself. My boss walked into the office I shared with a colleague and requested my immediate presence in the conference room for an impromptu meeting. Her timing could not have been worse. Before I could think of what to say, I heard myself utter, “No, now is not a good time.” Shocked by my boldness, my boss responded with a simple, “Come into the conference room when you can.” That was the first time I experienced the power of “no.” One word said it all – I have reached my limit and adding anything else may send me over the top. Women are known for seeking perfection that pushes them beyond the limit. Too often, we strive to be everything to everyone without considering our own needs. It is important to set personal boundaries to prevent exhaustion. Here are 4 ways that will help you set personal boundaries to take better care of yourself.

1. Identify triggers of exhaustion. Everyone exhibits stress in different ways. My anxiety goes up when my stress level has reached its peak. If I don’t rest, an inevitable panic attack is near. Identify the physical, emotional and mental triggers that increase your stress levels and are indicators of burnout. When you have reached that point, start to simplify your life. The first step to simplification is knowing what you are able to handle. 2. Set and communicate professional and personal expectations. Before you start on that new project or take on that new role, make sure all of those involved know what to expect of you. Open dialogue so they will know what you will and will not do. Are you willing to stay late once a week, but the weekends are off limits? Will you work on 2 new projects a month, but anything that requires more than 50% overtime is not an option? Answer these questions for yourself and then

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communicate with your team and family what they can expect from you. Anything beyond that will require a simple “no.” 3. Be okay with judgment and animosity. Let’s face it, the word “no,” especially when spoken with fervor and conviction, intimidates some and upsets others. That is not your problem. Women have to get out of the people pleasing business and do what’s best not only for others, but for themselves. Don’t take someone else’s anger personally. If you are saying “no,” because it is best for you, then stick to it nonapologetically. In the words of my grandma, “They’ll get over it.” 4. Identify why you are saying “no.” The idea is not to say “no” just for the sake of saying “no.” Though it can be a huge stress reliever, it’s a declaration that must be done with purpose. As mentioned earlier, it can cause animosity from those on the receiving end so make sure it is beneficial for all parties involved that you do not oblige. Interviews of highly successful people like Warren Buffet and Oprah Winfrey have all discussed the power of “No.” When it’s your turn to say it, know you’re in good company.

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Women have to get out of the people pleasing business." "

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Mom with Impact: Fighting Human Trafficking

LINEY CHACKO

We made it our mission to find the underage victims. We help girls from the age of 5 up to 15." "

A dove soars through the sky with a twig in its beak. A voice can be heard saying, “The dove you see is my Holy Spirit, you’re the twig. I will be the one to carry you to nations, to glorify my name.” This was a vision given to Liney Chacko in 1982 to bring the gospel to a hurting world. With tears streaming down her face, Liney humbly said "yes" to what would become Global Renewal. Global Renewal is a missions driven organization that provides training programs, fights human trafficking and offers community relief and development. Along with her husband David Chacko, Liney fights human trafficking among young

girls through the Chain Reaction campaign. Chain Reaction asks the question, "Will you react?" According to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center, almost 30,000 cases of human trafficking have been reported in the United States since 2007. With safe houses in Cambodia and Indonesia, Liney knows firsthand the international impact of human trafficking. Cambodia is ranked 14th in the world for modern day slavery. CEOMOM interviewed Liney to learn how she is working to end modern day slavery.

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Chain Reaction has 2 safe houses in Cambodia & Indonesia How did you get started? Why is human trafficking one of your missions? It wasn’t something that we signed up for. We had always been involved in missions, working in different countries from young ages. While working in Cambodia and Indonesia, we just kept confronting this monster. We thought it was someone else’s job. At first it was like, let’s see how we can help others who run safe houses or are rescuing. We were offering spiritual support as well as prevention talks in villages in Cambodia. So we thought, that’s our role. That’s all we’re going to do until one of the little girls in one of these villages walked right into our hearts. She ended up being our first rescue. When we met her we didn’t know that she was actually spending most of the days chained to the front of her home and fed scraps or dog food, and was then abused at night. She also has special needs. Her grandmother, who was her caregiver, had sold this child’s mother, as well as the mother’s sister. Both of them had died of HIV. We asked if we could have her. She came to our house and was just such a source of joy in spite of her disability and the abuse she had endured. She just put smiles on everybody’s faces. She brought laughter and song and dance. We knew there were more like her. We made it our mission to find the underage victims. We help girls from the age of 5 up to 15. Some of them were sold by their parents to brothels. The 5 year old was actually sold to a bar to clean and serve beer. They are thriving and becoming wonderful women of purpose, understanding that they have destiny on their lives. They want to now reach out to communities. Sometimes we take them to villages and let them love on the children. So the healing process, which we envision to be something long and drawn out, is such a quick work. There is unconditional love and an atmosphere where they can thrive.

What are some specific ways that you help these young ladies? We give them medical care and enroll them in private schools so they can get the best education possible. There are caregivers who love and care for them and meet their physical, as well as heart needs. We go through a curriculum of healing with them. Most of all, it is just providing a loving atmosphere. Do you work with young ladies in Dallas or Texas? At the moment, no. We seem to have our hands full with our 2 safe houses in Cambodia and Indonesia. My husband and I were living in the region, but now we are here, because of our children. We have 3 children of our own and it was getting really hard. So we go back and forth every other month. Our hope is that there will be such a strong team in all of these places so that we can start to look into how we can serve here. What are some ways that people can prevent being taken in the U.S. and sold internationally? Be well-informed. There is a market for international trafficking. For example, the Vietnamese are attracted to Cambodia, because they are more light-skinned. We have come across cases where women from Russia are brought here and have been trafficked, and Koreans have been taken from the United States to Mexico. Within the countries themselves, there’s a huge demand for local American girls who are in the countries. How can people in Dallas and the United States help end human trafficking? There are opportunities for volunteers to travel with us for those who can afford it.

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afford that. People can go for 10 days up to 6 months to

next thing you know she is in an apartment in South Dallas

a year. We have fundraising activities where we are looking for

with bars on the windows and padlocks on the door. She was

people with specific skills to help. We personally believe in lots

trapped for years until she was able to get out.

of prayer. We’ve seen mountains moved from prayer so we totally encourage that and love for people to concentrate on

Are you going to provide local support?

that here in North Texas. Of course, giving. Our dollars can go

We’d love to. There is an organization here that is run by some

such a long way. We offer opportunities for people to sponsor

of our friends called Restored Hope. They have taken in some

children to get an education. Ten dollars helps keep a child out

young women.

of the trafficking ring, because now they have value. We also have the village that we have adopted in Indonesia that’s a

How many young girls have you been able to help?

brothel village. We offer classes, because the children can’t

We have helped about 20 in Cambodia. We have just begun in

afford to go to school. We are teaching them to make jewelry

Indonesia. We sponsor education for over 100 in Cambodia.

that can hopefully be marketed here. We know that taking a

Our prayer and our faith is that when my children grow up

child and putting them in a house is not the only solution.

they will be talking about this like we talk about slavery. “Did

There needs to be a complete transformation.

you know that once upon a time there was human trafficking?"

Are there trafficking rings here in Dallas?

To learn more about Chain Reaction and the Selah Gala, visit

Yes, it’s happening here. They target runaways. I know a young

http://www.willyoureact.org. Save the date for the Selah Gala

lady who ran away. A wonderful man picked her up. First he

on November 19 at The Marriott at the Shops at Legacy.

wined and dined her and told her how beautiful she was. The

CEOMOM

Pumpkin

Spice Latte

What's fall without pumpkin spice? From cookies to coffee, the very smell ignites your senses and excites you about the season. Pumpkin Spice Latte 1 cup milk 1 tablespoon of white sugar or to taste 1 tablespoon of pumpkin purĂŠe 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice or to taste (You can also use cinnamon.) 1 to 2 shots of espresso (optional) Combine the pumpkin, milk, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla in a large saucepan over medium heat. Use a whisk to blend well. Don't be afraid to add ingredients gradually according to your taste. Heat to a simmer. Make sure you do not boil the mixture. Add your mixture to your coffee and top with whip cream.

Who's on Your Dream Team ? Surround yourself with

people who are only going to lift you higher. by Vonna Matthews

I quickly learned that the secret weapon of any successful person or organization is their uncanny ability to assemble a dream team consisting of educators, motivators and executors. I love the Summer Olympics. I am also an avid basketball fan. You can imagine the excitement I felt in 1992 when the National Basketball Association (NBA) assembled a group of its most talented players for the Barcelona Olympics. This group of elite players including Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley and Magic Johnson, became known as the original Dream Team. They easily won gold medals in the 1992 Olympics, because of their superior and diverse abilities. I quickly learned that the secret weapon of any successful person or organization is their uncanny ability to assemble a dream team consisting of educators, motivators and executors. Educators serve as the teachers. They equip you with information and training to keep you competitive. Motivators are your cheerleaders. They inspire you during down times. Executors are the members of your team who make it happen. They have the right connections and experience to turn the impossible into reality. The cohesion and immense talents of your dream team help to propel your business. Do you have a dream team? Who is on your team and what are their roles? If not, now is the time to put together a group of people who complement and challenge your abilities. Here are some tools to help you assemble a life changing dream team. 1. Evaluate your current squad. I once read a statement by Bishop T. D. Jakes that said, “If you’re the smartest person in your circle, you’re in the wrong circle – you’ve outgrown it. It’s time to move to the next level.” Though this statement may appear self-serving, it illustrates the need to be in a constant state of movement to achieve success. It challenges its readers to evaluate current relationships to determine growth potential. A mentor told me, "Surround yourself with people who are smarter

and more talented than you.” This is a mantra that I apply in business and life. Ask yourself, “Am I growing as a member of this group?” If you answer no, then it is time to move on or step up as a leader. Either way, you need to make changes to prevent stagnation. 2. Write a vision. Make it plain. I believe in the power of the written word. Vision boards have become popular for illustrating life goals related to career, family and more. Use that same concept to demonstrate what you want in a dream team. When developing your plan, write down your strengths and areas of growth to determine what you can bring to a dream team and what you lack in skill and expertise. Here are 3 "be's" to help you get started with composing a dream team vision board. 1. Be specific. Provide details as it relates to areas you need to improve and the roles you want to fill for your team. 2. Be realistic. Look at your current situation including your network, your profession and your abilities to determine what people and characteristics are vital to your dream team. Set goals that are obtainable now. You can always build your team as you grow. 3. Be bold. Remember, you are aiming for greatness. When putting together a team to help you achieve that, you can't be shy about what you are looking for in teammates . Each member of your dream team must play a specific role and compensate for where you lack. Whether your team consists of educators, motivators and executors or you define your own positions, they should be willing players who understand their roles and are eager to see you win.

CEOMOM

A MOM'S PERSPECTIVE

GROWING OUR KIDS

TALKING TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT RACE By: Vonna Matthews

As I walked with my 3 year old daughter out of ballet class, she eagerly left my side to go play with a group of children enthralled in a game of makebelieve. Positioned in a circle, she sat down next to them with no hesitation. She was the only African-American child in a space full of Caucasian children. She introduced herself to each child with the same joy she exhibits when meeting kids of her own race. I found myself wondering how much my daughter understands about race. Does she see racial differences, but doesn't allow them to deter her from developing relationships? Does she only see human beings and not color? In order to answer any of these questions, I must talk to my daughter about race.

With unlimited access to global news through social media and web based news sites, children are exposed to the chaos that defines current race relations in America. Parents no longer have the luxury of social complacency and are forced to be proactive when talking to their children about race. We must not only determine their perceptions and ideas regarding race, but we must take a leadership role in making them celebrants of culture diversity and its social impacts. Here are 3 tips to help you start the conversation about race with your children.

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Accept that your children are not color blind. Children possess an innocence that allows them to see beyond skin color and connect with peers based on commonalities and character. This does not mean that they do not see race, but that they do not always perceive its relevance to human relations. According to the article, Are Kids Racist? by Dr. Kristina Olsen for Psychology Today, children do see differences among people as it relates to skin color, hair and human interactions among specific groups. They notice how these differences impact societal norms. In the same article, Dr. Olsen comments on a study done by Dr. Rebecca Bigler at the University of Texas at Austin that illustrates how children's understanding of race can go awry. The study done in 2006 asked a group of 5 to 10 year old students why they thought all presidents of the United States were white. Approximately 26% of the children stated that AfricanAmericans could not be president, because it was illegal. We must ask ourselves, "What ideas have our children developed regarding race? What roles have we played in those perceptions?" Don't wait for your children to ask questions about racial differences.

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Take initiative by starting the conversation. Identify and evaluate your own culture diversity experiences as it relates to education, racial perceptions and societal interactions. Do you live in an area or thrive in an environment that is predominated by one race, particularly your own? How is that impacting your children's view of other cultures? By no means do I suggest that you move your family to a different neighborhood, but parents must actively celebrate various cultures and be intentional in immersing their children in diverse environments. Step outside of your cultural bubble to move beyond a colorblind mentality. Teach your children about the relevance of interacting and developing relationships with others who do not look like them by exhibiting the same behavior. Evaluate your child's exposure to individuals of various cultural and ethnic groups. A diverse environment teaches children to value the differences in people. If children do not value diversity, it is easy for them to develop negative views of various groups based on stereotypes and mistrust.

Be honest with your children (and yourself) about the current racial climate. Children are a lot smarter than you think. They have more access to information related to world affairs than we did as children. Find out what they know and how the current events make them feel. When they hear news stories related to race, do they assume those stories represent the entire race or do they understand individualism and complexity among racial and cultural groups? Not talking to your children about race allows them to develop their own explanations pertaining to certain racial and ethnic groups which in most cases are negative. Just as kids aren't born racist, they aren't born open-minded. Be proactive in your children's learning and appreciation of cultural diversity. Allowing them to thrive only in your culture will cause them to function in a cultural bubble. Lack of education equals lack of appreciation and respect. Start the conversation.

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Lauren Kutting

Trendsetting Mom

When CEOMOM Magazine asked Lauren Kutting to describe herself in 5 words, her confidence and go-getter attitude was evident in her quick response. Lauren describes herself as ambitious, creative, Type A, introverted and determined. CEOMOM would have to agree. In 2014, Lauren provided the solution to a problem that is familiar to all new moms. Through the formation of the Life in Play company, Lauren helped new moms answer the question, “How do I maintain my individuality and style while carrying a diaper bag? Life in Play introduced ToteSavvy through a successful Kickstarter campaign and has continued to build the brand with new colors and styles. The ToteSavvy mini is one of the latest products along with the colors Luxe Red and Coffee for the original ToteSavvy. This dynamic mother of 3, including boy/girl twins, is showing no signs of slowing down. She will be introducing a new and exciting product as a part of the ToteSavvy brand just in time for the holidays. Her words of wisdom to women who aspire to build their own businesses, “When you think of a CEOMOM or someone who has created her own business, it can be intimidating. These women are just like you. They are focusing on one passion and building it into a business.”

What advice would you give a mom who wants to start her own business or grow in her career? Jump right in. You are going to make mistakes along the way. You will learn from each one. It’s jumping in that will give you the confidence to keep going. Congratulations on a successful Kickstarter campaign. What advice would you give a mompreneur who is looking to launch her own crowdfunding campaign? It was a wild ride. It is a full time job. Be prepared to work full time days. It’s great to land press. You can’t rely on a big press article.

Balance You mentioned in your "A Day in the Life of a Mompreneur" post that you love working from home, but that it can be challenging. Describe some of those challenges. Disconnecting from my children when I need to work is a big challenge. I have to designate time to interact with them. It’s not always possible to interact them. The hardest part is having to set boundaries. How has your role as a mom prepared you to be an entrepreneur? It has increased my time management skills. I have been able to apply that to work. It also has made me a lot more easy going. I have learned to go with the flow. You can’t win every battle. Where do you see the Life in Play company in 5 years? We are growing to become a lifestyle brand that is geared around style and organization. We want to introduce new products. We have recently introduced new colors. We want moms to be able to organize their suitcases and backpacks. We want to introduce complementary products that go along with ToteSavvy.

No one reaches success alone. Who is on your dream team? What roles do they play in your life and business? At Life in Play, I have a great team of women. I have someone who does social media and someone else doing public relations. I wouldn’t be where I am without them. They also help me to be a better mom since I don’t have to do every aspect of the business.

being able to express herself in her fashion."

How did you come up with the name Life in Play? We wanted something to be a brand not just one product. We knew that ToteSavvy would not be the only product. We thought play was a nice play on words as it relates to motion. Describe the ToteSavvy mom. She loves to keep herself organized. She appreciates efficiency. She appreciates being able to express herself in her fashion. She appreciates being able to decide what type of bag she wants to carry. She likes being able to change her diaper bag on a daily basis. She likes to be able to change up her look.

Do you want your children to follow in your footsteps? If so, how are you preparing them to be entrepreneurs? If they decided to go on the path of an entrepreneur, I would be excited about that. I am focused on encouraging free thought and creativity. I want to help them to feel comfortable enough to express themselves in whatever outlet they choose.

"A ToteSavvy mom appreciates

Life in Play

What does the phrase "having it all" mean to you? Should women strive for balance or is it a myth? The phrase stresses me out. It reminds me of trying to do it all at once. I like the term counterbalance. You really can’t be a full time mom, entrepreneur, wife or friend at the same time. You have to be able to segment everything on a daily or weekly basis. You have to feel good about the attention you are giving to each bucket in your life at that time.

Give us the latest and greatest with Life in Play and the ToteSavvy. We just launched 2 new colors, Luxe Red and coffee. We also just launched the ToteSavvy mini. This holiday season we are launching a new product that is a secret for now. To learn more about Life in Play and to order your ToteSavvy, visit http://www.lifeinplaycompany.com.

CEOMOM

Meet

Monique

Teach your children to build their dreams without conforming. Society should not dictate your career or dreams."

If you think a mother can not transition from being a full-time Registered Nurse to a mogul, selling hair care products in over 1,500 major retailers across the nation, you haven’t met the incomparable Monique Rodriquez. With a desire to use her background in healthcare and science, Monique set out to create a line of hair care products that would make your tresses beautiful while helping you to maintain optimal health. In 2014, Mielle Organics launched with its flagship product, the Advanced Hair Formula, which is a blend of herbs, amino acids and minerals to support healthy hair, skin and your immune system. With orders in over 87 countries, these all natural hair care products are taking the beauty industry by storm. CEOMOM had the privilege of interviewing this wife and mother of 2 daughters, Mia and Mackenzie, to learn how she balances an international business with family life. What is your personal motto? Dream big. Work hard and stay humble.” What advice would you give a mom who wants to start her own business or grow in her career? It is very important that you have a strong support system. You can't do everything by yourself. I can be successful, because I have

a great support system. You need someone who can help with the kids. You also have to learn to delegate certain tasks. I believe that I shouldn’t sacrifice time with my kids like going to gymnastics practice or the first day of school. I will delegate meaningless tasks like cleaning the house. What is important to me is spending time with my family. I set my schedule from 9 to 2. Once I’m off, it is family time. Accept the fact that you are not perfect and you can’t do everything. You can not be superwoman, and it is okay. It’s amazing that you went from being a nurse to a successful entrepreneur. Describe the transition from being a full-time nurse to a full-time entrepreneur. In the beginning, I didn’t sleep. I was still working a full time job during the daytime. I was able to come home early and work on my business. My attention from being a nurse was becoming more focused on my business. The transition was hard. I had to prioritize my time. If my work schedule was from 6am to 12, I would get up earlier to do nursing so I could get off earlier to work on my business. When my kids would get out of school, my mommy time would begin. I didn’t get a lot of sleep, but it was worth it.

Congratulations on going from 95 stores to 1,500. To what do you attribute your immediate success? Consistency. In everything I do, I am consistent in my messaging to my consumers. We were in 95 stores. I communicated to my customers, "If you don’t have the product in your area, request it. You have the power to help us grow.” Customers across the nation requested that Mielle Organics be sold in their local stores. Within 2 weeks, Sally called to tell me that they were going to increase us to 500 stores. That still was not enough. Now we are in 1,500 stores. How has your role as a mom prepared you to be an entrepreneur? It prepared me, because my kids are the ones who inspire me. I want them to have a positive role model that they can look up to. That’s what I strive to be. I want them to know as a mom, and a wife that they can accomplish anything. They are my biggest motivation. They have prepared me, because they make me work so much harder. Where do you see the Mielle Organics company in 5 years? In 5 years, I see us in more stores like Walmart. We just launched in Target. I want to increase our distribution chain. I also want to increase our brand to become more than a hair care company, but offer other beauty options such as skin care. What does it mean to you to be a CEOMOM? It means you are successful. Success means freedom. I have freedom to spend with my kids, and freedom to go on vacation without having to answer to anyone. I have freedom to be my own person.

Have people on your team who share your same vision and values. You don’t want anybody on your team who doesn’t mimic your values.

Do you want your children to follow in your footsteps? If so, how are you preparing them to be entrepreneurs? I actually do want them to be entrepreneurs. I think that this country has a setup system. We are brainwashed to think that we are supposed to go to college, get a degree and work a white collar job, especially as African Americans. Yes, I want my children to go to college. College provides invaluable experience. However, college does not teach you how to be an entrepreneur. I was self taught to be an entrepreneur. I try to teach my kids to reach out of the box. Being an entrepreneur is not for everyone, but you can still make your own path. Don’t be what society wants you to be. Don’t conform to society’s ideas of success. What do you do to relax? I think it is very important that you take care of yourself. If you don’t take care of yourself, you will not be able to take care of your family. I like to do monthly massages or every 2 weeks. I like to do "girlie" things like get my nails done. I like to go on vacation.

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No one reaches success alone. What should mompreneurs look for when putting together their dream team? Have people on your team who share your same vision and values. You don’t want anybody on your team who doesn’t mimic your values. I have learned that the hard way. I’ve had people on my team who didn’t understand the message I was trying to get across. You can’t teach common sense. If they don’t have common sense or your values don’t mesh well, you won’t work well together. Pray for discernment when putting together your dream team. Ask yourself, “Is this the right person to be in my life.” Have a questionnaire to learn more about people. Get to know people before you bring them into your circle. How is Mielle Organics making a difference in the community? I believe in giving back to my peers and younger girls. We will be starting some non-profits for young girls. I am specifically passionate about young African American girls. It is very important to set positive role models. There are so many negative images for young girls. It is important to start now. I want to start a mentorship program to let them know that you can start a business. We do a lot of sponsorships and contributions to organizations that cater to young women. To learn more about Monique and Mielle Organics, visit http://www.mielleorganics.com.

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Spicy

Chicken Curry

Here's a CEOMOM favorite! The variety of spices add just the right kick to make this dish perfect for fall. Spicy Chicken Curry 1 medium onion, chopped 3 garlic cloves, minced 3 tbsp red Thai curry paste salt to taste pepper to taste 1 chicken cut into 8 pieces 1 cup of carrots, chopped 4 medium potatoes, peeled and sliced 1 14 oz diced tomatoes 1 to 3 cups water 2 tbsp vegetable oil steamed white or brown rice

Using the oil, cook the curry paste, garlic and onions in a large saute pan over medium heat. Stir often and let sizzle for 5 to 6 minutes. Add chicken pieces, potatoes, carrots, diced tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste. Add enough water to cover and bring to a boil. Simmer until the chicken, carrots and potatoes are completely cooked, about 30 minutes. (Add curry powder and cumin to taste while it simmers if you want more spice.) Serve over a bed of rice.

HAUTE MOMMA

COLOR

6 1 0 2 l l a F3 Fashion Trends for Busy Moms

Being a mom doesn't mean you have to compromise your individual style. With a busy schedule, you need easy yet chic fashion that expresses who you are while allowing you to keep up with the demands of family and career. Fall 2016 trends are about colors and patterns. These looks are right off the runway and will add flair to any wardrobe.

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Checkered Print

This fall, add checkered print to your wardrobe. Everything from shirts to pants, to dresses to skirts. You will love this pattern, because it adds a nice contrast to other prints and solid colors.

Pretty in Pink Pink usually doesn't make you think fall, but its popularity and charming nature can not be denied. Even men are rocking this versatile color. Pink works well with floral designs and even as an accent color.

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Camel One of our favorite fall colors is camel. Many know it as nude. Whatever you call it, it goes with an array of colors, patterns and pieces. Will camel ever go out of style? We hope not.

Erica Molett and the Style Bosses fight human trafficking

CONSCIOUS COUTURE An interview with Erica Molett on how fashion can change lives The Conscious Couture Resale Event was in June, but the fight to end human trafficking continues. That’s if Founder Erica Molett has any say. Conscious Couture, the name itself draws you in and peaks your curiosity. The combination of high fashion and a great cause attracted elite fashion bloggers, reality tv stars and news personalities, all dedicated to helping alleviate human trafficking. CEOMOM had the privilege of attending the Conscious Couture Resale Event on June 18 at the Lofty Spaces in Dallas, Texas. Conscious Couture allowed over 120 attendees to shop for upscale items from the closets of fashionistas such as LeeAnne Locken of the Real Housewives of Dallas, Jeanette Chivvis of ChivviStyles and Style Boss Nikki Hurd of Be Styled Be Hurd and CW33. Nikki, who is a fashion commentator for CW33, teaches the value of individual style. “Fashion is what’s trending. Style is who you are, Hurd says.” The featured designer, Ese Azenabor who fuses vintage, African, Egyptian, and contemporary European influences, had a sample sale which allowed shoppers to purchase luxurious ready-towear pieces. You could also get

your eyebrows waxed, hear from experts in business and social entrepreneurship, receive a makeover and meet other amazing women who are as passionate about impacting the community as they are about fashion. CEOMOM asked Style Boss Samantha Stewart of Style of Sam, why she chose to get involved with Conscious Couture. “I do love fashion, but I feel like if you can do something great then you should. The purpose behind it is just amazing. As Erica said, “Every woman should get to choose who she loves.”” Surrounded by exquisite fashion from couture dresses to high-end handbags to exclusive jewelry designs, there was an element of excitement and joy in the atmosphere that could be felt by everyone there. Conscious Couture promised to connect the everyday woman with supreme style and they did not disappoint. “Fashion is a perfect expression of freedom, says Erica.” Erica’s desire to stop human trafficking among young girls locally and abroad is filled with passion. Twenty percent of the net proceeds from the Conscious Couture Resale Event benefited

CEOMOM

non-profit organizations fighting human trafficking, such as Chain Reaction. Founded by David and Liney Chacko, Chain Reaction provides spiritual, practical and educational support for underage victims of human trafficking. CEOMOM interviewed founder, Erica Molett to learn more about her passion to stop human trafficking through fashion. Why did you start Conscious Couture? I started another business called Neighbors to Friends yard sale event. My family and I were competing in a financial boot camp for City Credit Union and Good Morning Texas. There were 4 families competing, and we were in 3rd place. The competition was ending in a few weeks. I thought to myself, “What can I do to increase our chances of winning?” I thought of doing a yard sale, but I didn’t have much to sale. Then I decided to do one big yard sale and charge other people to set up vendor tables. Havertys Furniture allowed me to use their parking lot. People paid $25 each to have a vendor table. A portion of the proceeds was donated to a charity, a food pantry in Cedar Hill, Texas. We got such a good response that I’ve been doing the yard sales twice a year since 2013. How did you transition from the Neighbors to Friends yard sale to Conscious Couture? I had several vendors who had really nice items to sell, but felt they wouldn’t get enough money selling them at a yard sale. I thought, “What if I create another venue that is for the more high end shoppers and the woman who has a ton of things in her closet that she would love to sell.” That’s how I created Conscious Couture. I’ve always loved having a charity element to my events, because it allows us to expand our reach and give more. With the yard sale, we usually donate anything that is not sold in truck loads to charity thrift stores, as well as give money.

With human trafficking, I hadn"t realized how bad it was. I think most of us are getting a wake up call seeing how much it affects girls here in Texas and the hundreds of girls who were kidnapped in Nigeria, Africa. I have sons, but I deserve to decide who will enjoy my body. I decide what I wear everyday, when I wake up and what I want to do for the day. To have young ladies not be able to have that, it’s so sad. We as women have to stand up for each other. I was inspired by Bracha Jewelry, because they give a portion of their proceeds to fight human trafficking. That’s what drew me to them, just talking to them and learning about Chain Reaction. What is a Style Boss? A Style Boss is a woman who allows other women who don’t enjoy playing dress up or having their makeup and clothing slayed as they say, to learn from them. They do the blogs for us. They also do the YouTube videos to help everyday moms and professionals step up their style game. I selected each of the Style Bosses, Nikki Hurd of CW33, Sam Stewart of Style of Sam, Michelle Carranza and Sayra Carpenter of Bracha Jewelry and Nicole Regan of the bull & the bun, because of the differences they make in the community and their leadership in the world of fashion. For us, the Style Boss is someone who has made that commitment to be a role model and not just be beautiful herself, but to help other women realize their beauty. Where do you see Conscious Couture in 5 years? This is the first Conscious Couture event, but we aim to make it an annual event. We want it to be a national event that travels wherever God leads us. In 2017, we will start incorporating men’s fashion. We see Conscious Couture having a bigger impact on human trafficking by being more of a platform and voice for other areas that impact women. We want to go beyond just being an event, but a part of conversations seeking to find other ways to support the fight against human trafficking. We definitely want to empower women.

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Lemon Pepper This recipe is so easy, we hesitate to call it a recipe at all. The simplicity does not take away from its intense flavors.

Lemon Pepper Chicken 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast Â˝ cup chicken broth 1 tsp lemon pepper with 1 small sliced lemon Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the chicken breasts into an 8x8 baking dish. Cover the chicken with the broth. Add the lemon pepper seasoning and the lemon slices on top. Bake the chicken for 40 minutes. There should be no pink portions. Remove the chicken from the pan and drain the liquid. Slice chicken. Serve and enjoy!

Chicken

TEACH HER TO DREAM BY LIVING YOUR OWN.

Bottles, Bibs & Pumps is a space for moms to get the latest business trends, network with other mompreneurs, and celebrate their dreams. Join the community at bottlesbibsandpumps.com!

A Heart for Nutrition

Meet Chef Cynthia Nevels Changing your mind about vegan food

Imagine, to save your child's life, you are forced to uproot your family to a new city without a plan or means of income. Chef Cynthia Nevels, owner and founder of Soulgood, an organic vegetarian and vegan fast food kitchen, has mastered the art of turning lemons into lemonade. Born with Cystic Fibrosis, Cynthia's then 16 year old son Tyler was added to the UNOS organ transplant list in 2010. In an effort to prolong Tyler's life while waiting for lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2039; saving organs, Cynthia began preparing plant-based meals comprised of organic and local produce. The demand for her delicious vegetarian and vegan dishes extended beyond her family to friends and the healthcare professionals who were caring for Tyler. With encouragement from family and friends, as well as the healthcare community, Chef Cynthia started Soulgood. She believes that food can be healthy without compromising taste. "I believe food can be thy medicine, but doesn't have to taste like cardboard." Part of the mission of Soulgood is to change public perceptions of vegan and vegetarian dishes. "The way I prepare my meals, you would not know they were vegetarian or vegan. My customers can't tell the difference." With a background in business consulting, Chef Cynthia has created a business model that will allow Soulgood to see exponential and sustainable growth. Soulgood is a 3-â&#x20AC;&#x2039; tier business with a catering component, a 5 day meal plan delivery service and a pop up restaurant at the Dallas Farmers Market. A food truck is next on the horizon expected to launch October 1, 2016. CEOMOM had the privilege of trying Soulgood's popular vegan corndog, the StellaDog, at the Taste of Dallas. It was delicious! Though Tyler transitioned on July 23, 2015 from transplant complications, he still serves as the inspiration and motivation behind Soulgood. Faith that his mother could change lives through healthy food and a zest for life is a part of the mission of the company. How did you determine that food would be the best way to improve your son's health? We were told that Tyler needed a double organ transplant. We had to move to Houston within 10 days in hopes of being placed on the donor list. I sold everything that I could to relocate there. We had to stay at the Ronald McDonald house for 2 months and then found a place to stay in Houston for our family. As we were waiting on the organ transplant, Tyler was on 23 different medications. I believed there was something better. I started researching and studying the impact of food on our health. I didn't want to give Tyler any more chemicals than he already had.

After feeling helpless, I decided the best thing I could do to help him was feed him healthier foods. How did your family respond to your new way of cooking? I transitioned to a vegetarian lifestyle 8 years ago. I was preparing foods for my children with meat and vegetarian foods for myself. It became too expensive. I decided not to do that anymore. I started becoming creative with my foods to fit the whole family. I started making food that looked and tasted like meat. My family didn't miss the meat. The way I prepared it, you would not know that it was a vegetarian or vegan meal. I don't want my family or clients to miss what they are accustomed to. I don't want people to have a misconception about vegan or vegetarian foods. Describe the moment you knew you had a good business idea. I had been in business for 3 years. It was not on my radar to start a business. Eventually, the organ procurement executives, hospital doctors and nurses started trying my foods. They were astonished and wanted more of my food. They told me that I should do something with it. I asked myself, "Am I the only mom who cares about what her children eat? Maybe there is a market out there for people who want healthy fast food." Tell us more about your process for starting Soulgood. Soulgood is a lifestyle business. I aimed to create something that I could build from the ground up and eventually sell. I decided to start small. I started out in my home. One of the things that I had to do was to have a distribution system without a lot of overhead. I didn't have a lot of capital to do a brick and mortar so I built my business model out of necessity. I used the lean model. I sell a few things. Evaluate. Make changes. Enhance. Grow. Sell again. I used my sales and revenue to pour back into Soulgood. I had to keep reinvesting in my business. I even used reward crowdfunding to help get me started. A part of your business model is selling to the Dallas Farmers Market. How did you get that opportunity? Selling at the Dallas Farmers Market was an accident. I read an article in the newspaper about the $60 million dollars that had been invested in the rebuilding of the Dallas Farmers Market. I knew that's where I needed to be. There was an application and approval process to become a vendor. I understood how to communicate my message and how it would align with the mission of the Dallas Farmers Market. I went through the interview process. After much persistence, I got the email saying that I could be a vendor. The Farmers Market focuses on local farms that provide produce that is in season. You have people selling organic soaps and artisan merchandise. They even have new restaurants in The Market. A lot of the restaurants buy from the local farmers just like I do.

I asked myself, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Am I the only mom who cares about what her children eat? Maybe there is a market out there for people who want healthy fast food."

Describe a defining moment in your journey as a mompreneur? I'm not a quitter, but there have been 3 times I have wanted to quit. I first launched Soulgood at Earth Day. It was a complete disaster. Everything went wrong. I had a line of people who wanted to try my food. My equipment failed and I had nothing to serve them. I packed up and left within two hours of starting. When I got home, I just sat in the dark and cried. My ex-husband, Tylerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s father and my best friend, told me not to give up. Learn from it and kill it next time. I did. What's next for Soulgood? We are opening a food truck on October 1, 2016. Our ultimate goal is to have a brick and mortar drive-thru and put McDonald's out of business. To learn more about Soulgood, visit http://www.eatsoulgood.com.

CEOMOM

MOMS ON THE GO: FALL EVENTS

SEPTEMBER 15, 2016, 5:30PM

Polished North Dallas Kick-Off Party

Blue Mesa, Granite Park 8200 Dallas Parkway, Plano, TX 75024 http://www.polishedonline.org/northdallas-kickoff-party/

SEPTEMBER 18-20, 2016

National Women's Business Conference Hyatt Regency Columbus 350 N High St Columbus, OH 43215 https://nawbo.org/

SEPTEMBER 22, 2016, 6:00PM

OCTOBER 6, 2016, 6:00PM

3rd Annual Ladies Alliance Rally

My Forward Life Glow Summit

OCTOBER 8, 2016

OCTOBER 13-16, 2016

Magnolia Hotel - Park Cities 6070 N Central Expy Dallas, TX 75206 http://www.dfwbeautyexpo.com

PARK CENTRAL SAN FRANCISCO 50 THIRD STREET SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103 http://www.emergingwomen.com/

Willow Street Agency 3900 Willow Street, Second Floor Dallas, TX 75226 http://www.3rdladiesalliancerally.eventbrite.com

DFW Beauty Expo

Aveda Institute Dallas 8188 Park Lane, #150 Dallas, TX 75231 http://myforwardlife.com/glowsummit/

Emerging Women Live

CEOMOM

OCTOBER 18, 2016, 6:30PM

OCTOBER 20, 2016, 7:00PM

Preston Trail Community Church 8055 Independence Pkwy Frisco, TX 75035 http://www.goingbeyond.com

3015 at Trinity Groves 3015 Gulden Lane Dallas, TX 75212 http://www.polishedonline.org/partydetails/

Awaken Gathering

OCTOBER 21, 2016, 11:30AM

Dallas Women's Foundation 31st Annual Luncheon

Hilton Anatole Hotel 2201 North Stemmons Fwy Dallas, TX 75207 https://www.dallaswomensfdn.org/luncheon

NOVEMBER 3-5, 2016

Blogalicious Weekend

Grand Hyatt Atlanta 3300 Peachtree Rd NE Atlanta, GA 30305 http://beblogalicious.com/conference/conf erence/conference/

Polished Annual Fundraiser

NOVEMBER 2, 2016 Dallas Women's Conference

HYATT Regency North Dallas 701 E. Campbell Road Richardson, TX 75081 http://dallaswomenconference.com/

NOVEMBER 10, 2016

Women Adviser Summit

The Fairmont San Francisco 950 Mason Street San Francisco, CA 94108 http://www.investmentnews.com/section/ event?eventID=WAS

NOVEMBER 15, 2016

NOVEMBER 19, 2016, 6:00PM

Austin Convention Center 500 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701 https://www.txconferenceforwomen.org/

The Marriott at the Shops at Legacy 7121 Bishop Rd, Plano, TX 75024 http://willyoureact.org/

The Texas Conference for Women

Chain Reaction presents Selah Gala

Cream of Mushroom This classic dish is one you should make at home. It adds immense flavor to many main dishes, but can also be eaten alone.

Cream of Mushroom Soup 8 oz fresh mushrooms 2 tbsp onions, chopped 1 -2 garlic clove, minced 1-2 tbsp coconut oil 3 tbsp flour (separated) 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth 1 cup light cream 1⁄2 tsp sea salt 1⁄4 tsp pepper 1/2 tsp parsley, chopped 1⁄4 tsp nutmeg Slice the mushrooms into slices. Saute the onions, garlic, and mushrooms in the coconut oil until the onions are soft. Blend in 2 T. flour and stir. Add in the vegetable broth and heat until slightly thickened. Stir frequently. Stir cream with additional 1 T. flour and seasonings. Add cream to soup. Heat to thicken while stirring frequently. Garnish with the parsley. Serve and enjoy!

Soup

Gateway Designs & Photography

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