CEOMOM Spring 2021

Spring 2021

Ga rcell e

BEAUVAIS HER YEAR OF THE DO-OVER

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CONTENTS 06 HELLO QUEEN BY JJ DAVIS introducing "Hello Queen" by JJ Davis, our new column that is dedicated to empowering and equipping women to live out the best version of themselves.

14 MOMS WE LOVE TO FOLLOW Meet Sara Alter and Stephanie Skryzowski, two moms We Love to Follow. These moms use social media to inspire and educate mompreneurs.

28 BECOME A VISIBILITY QUEEN Mallika Malhotra gives four visual storytelling strategies to build your brand.

38 MEET RADIANCE W. HARRIS, ESQ. Harris talks the importance of protecting your brand through trademarking.

22 MEET GARCELLE CEOMOM | 3

COMPLETE HEALTH & WELLNESS Editor-in-Chief Vonna Matthews

Contributing Designer Photo Editor Cover Photography Contributing Photographer Contributing Photographer Contributing Writer Contributing Writer Contributing Writer Contributing Writer

Taly Melo Krystal Jackson Josh Williams Photography NSP Studio Amanda Ghobadi, The Branding Babe JJ Davis Noni Robinson Mallika Malhotra Holly Caplan

Editorial Office Little Elm, Texas 75068 +1-972-302-9150 | info@ceomommagazine.com CEOMOM Magazine is published by For Her Media Little Elm, Texas 75068 | +1-972-302-9150 www.ceomommagazine.com

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR We’re almost at the end of the first quarter of 2021. In a lot of ways, not a lot feels different from the turmoil of 2020.

We are still in a pandemic. Many people are still without jobs and are experiencing loss in their businesses, and many kids are still learning at home. However, I am not sure if it’s just the fact that it is a new year or the progress we’ve made with the COVID vaccines, but 2021 has brought in a new sense of hope that was lost in 2020. It feels like we are getting a chance to start over, and to apply all that we learned in 2020 to get back all that we lost and more. 2021 is about the Do-Over, a year riddled with new opportunities and new chances.

Here at CEOMOM Magazine, we are getting back to business, but it’s not business as usual. In 2020, due to the pandemic, we canceled our Dallas Power 15. This year we are coming back with a new date, new mission and even a new award. We are elevating our content to focus even more on things that will transform not only you, but the way you manage your business and your life. We’re finally launching our Moms You Should Know Business Directory where we spotlight moms who are blazing trails in business, their communities and their families. We’re adding more editorials and stories that reflect who we are as women and moms, and who we strive to be.

This is our year to start over, but with a more defined purpose and mission. We are getting back to business, back to us, back to health and back to tradition. For our first issue of the year, as a part of our 2021: Do-Over theme, we spoke with actress, host, author and model, Garcelle Beauvais again about her many projects and her goals for 2021. We're getting back to business with lessons on business funding, protecting our brands with trademarking and more. We are discussing how to maximize profit and become more visible as entrepreneurs. Of course, you can’t discuss entrepreneurship and being a mom without discussing the importance of taking care of you.

We are excited about our new sections “Hello Queen” by JJ Davis and the Self Care Corner. I believe that 2021 will be different. It may take some time, but I am claiming this as my year for transformation, elevation and realization. I hope you’ll join me.

Sincerely,

Vonna Matthews

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HELLO QUEEN

BY JJ DAVIS

MEET JOY J. Joy Davis is the Female Founder of THE FIRM MANAGEMENT, a company with a capacity for management, creative production and brand strategy that is best suited for women who dare to live as large as they dream.

She has spent over a decade working with multilocation entrepreneurs, investors, luxury retailers and Fortune 500 companies including but, not limited to NBA, WNBA, Marriott, Michael Kors, BCBG, Max Azria, Tory Burch as well as nonprofits and charitable foundations on the Business Development, Corporate Sales and Relationship Management sides of the table. Joy has developed a keen business sense as to how to connect the right people with the right resources to move the needle in the right places.

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With a love for academia and a heart for empowering young power players, she is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of North Carolina - Charlotte where she teaches Business Communication courses for Belk College of Business. She is currently working on what she is manifesting to be her first bestseller while praying for a publisher who is AS obsessed about the plights of the high achieving woman as she is! Her greatest joy is being a mother to her teenage son, Nolan. Thus, Joy believes that while success is a powerful antidote, it is authenticity where God shines the brightest.

Follow Joy: @thefirmwins

Hello Queen, There is a rumor going around about someone we know…

She’s relatively new to the city but, some of us have known her for a very long time. Everyone from Webster's Dictionary to Harvard Business Review have described her as an internal experience of believing that you are not as competent as others perceive you to be. Her name is Imposter Syndrome.

While “she” may not sound familiar, you would be surprised to know that she is actually quite well-known. You see, the concept of imposter syndrome sits at the crux of so many women as we attempt to successfully navigate through life. The irony is that we often spend years studying our craft and/or obtaining the necessary advanced degrees but, yet we still feel this unspoken competition within even our best selves. As hard as we work, we still subscribe to this feeling of inadequacy when in fact, we are enough. We’ve always been ENOUGH. God created us with every tool, with every innate capacity, drive, ambition to live beyond our destiny and our wildest imagination. I know life comes at us fast and we go through seasons that weather the faith we thought existed inside of us. At some point, self- doubt creeps in and failed relationships begin to tamper our resilience and our ability to love ourselves. The years of striving to accomplish our annual vision boards start to falter the less our magazine cut outs look like reality.

Trust me, I know.

But, life doesn’t owe us perfection. Life will not always present us an easy plight.

Seeking the road less traveled sounds great in business but, it can feel lonely when it means you’re the single mom in a PTA meeting filled with married ones. Yet, we owe it to ourselves! To ourselves, our truest selves, we owe this life of fulfillment.

You see, I’m convinced that we stop believing in our magic and in our fiercest abilities once we begin to dance to the beat of someone’s else’s drum. It’s only natural at that point to feel like a fraud because we are if we aren’t living in our God given authenticity. Manifestations and affirmations are powerful but, not if we don’t put in the work. Strong quotes and funny memes are inspiring but, not if they are creating envy or weighing us down with false pretenses of who and how we should be.

So, in this next season, I challenge you.

Be you. Be your bold self. Your fearless self. Your powerful self. Your true self. I know that sounds daunting. I know you’re worried about the friendships you may lose or the professional facade you’ve maintained for so long. You have heard it before but, I’ll say it again; this is YOUR BOOK, YOUR STORY! You deserve to turn the pages both emotionally and mentally. The weight of the world’s expectations of us is heavy enough. After all, it is how we got to the point of feeling like an imposter to begin with.

BUT, LIFE DOESN’T OWE US PERFECTION.

Carpe Diem!

JJ Davis

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GUILT-FREE MOMMY

BY DAYNA REED

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DAYNA L. REED Photo Credit: Didomi Photography

WELCOME BACK? It’s still fresh in my memory: returning to church after giving birth to our first child, Jaicie.

My husband Franklin and I were so excited for everyone to finally meet our baby girl. We arrived a little after the service began, so most of our friends would have to wait a while to get a closer look. Throughout the service, other moms periodically glanced our way with bright eyes and enthusiastic smiles, appearing just as ecstatic as we were about our new addition.

GUILT-FREE MOMMY

Things took a turn, however, when feeding time came and I pulled out the Avent baby bottle. As I sat there feeding my baby, I noticed a few of those warm looks strangely turn to scowls. Somewhat puzzled, I looked around, wondering if I’d missed something that was said, not realizing that those frowns were meant for me. The service couldn’t have ended fast enough for some of those moms to make a beeline to where we were sitting. But it wasn’t so that they could finally meet Jaicie or greet me. Instead, it was to grill me with questions such as: “What’s with the bottle?!”

“You aren’t nursing?!”

“Well, are you at least pumping?!”

“Please tell me that’s not formula in that bottle!”

I was so caught off guard by the ambush that my initial response was shocked silence, followed by: “Whoa . . .Wait a minute! What?!” My happy moment quickly deflated and I felt as if I’d shifted from being in the House of the Lord to the courtroom of Judge Judy.

What they didn’t know was that I’d had an emergency C-section followed by a tough recovery, and my new baby was a bit colicky – all factors that had led to my decision to discontinue nursing earlier than I’d hoped. And although things hadn’t worked out quite the way I had planned, everything was still good: my baby was healthy, I was healing, and we were happy!

Needless to say, I left church far from uplifted that day. Instead, I left feeling discouraged and questioning everything I had done for my baby those past couple of months. Although I’d been able to shut down the interrogation successfully at the time, the uncertainty their words produced and the feeling of having failed lingered for days to come. I desperately wanted nothing but the best for my baby. I began to wonder if I was giving her that.

I didn’t know it then, but this wouldn’t be my last encounter with this incriminating analysis over how I cared for my children or the second-guessing it created within me. In fact, it was only the beginning, and would unexpectedly grow into something more troubling than I could imagine. Something, my friend, I would eventually come to know as mommy guilt!

Order your copy of Guilt-Free Mommy at https://www.daynalreed.com/.

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STEPHANIE SKRYZOWSKI @ S T E P H A N I E . S K R Y

Photo Credit: NSP Studio

Your career as a nonprofit Chief Financial Officer has led you to countries such as Afghanistan, Nepal and Haiti. What inspired you to become a CFO in the nonprofit sector?

I actually started my career in the legal field. I had wanted to be a lawyer since I visited a courtroom on a field trip as a child, so immediately after college I got a job at a huge international law firm based in Manhattan. I realized quickly that being a lawyer was not my passion; I wanted to feel a deeper sense of purpose and connection to the work that I was doing.

I had the incredible opportunity to help a partner at the law firm with the nonprofit she started. This nonprofit helped farmers in Afghanistan rebuild their land and create businesses to earn money and support their families. I left the law firm to work full-time for the nonprofit and immediately wore all the hats; fundraiser, bookkeeper, operations manager and more!

I felt most connected to the numbers. Math had always been

a strong subject of mine in school so it felt very natural, and I loved how I could see the connection between the financial health of the organization and the work that was happening on the ground to create change for thousands of families in Afghanistan.

After spending time in Afghanistan, it really clicked for me that helping purpose-driven leaders manage, understand, and use their numbers to create change in the world was my calling. I became the CFO of another organization building primary schools around the world, then started 100 Degrees Consulting to be able to support even more leaders with their numbers.

You’ve stated that a CFO, tax accountant and bookkeeper are not the same thing. What are the most significant differences? What are the main responsibilities of the CFO? Your bookkeeper manages the daily transactions in your business, is probably an expert at Quickbooks, and makes sure everything is reconciled, neat, and tidy. Your tax accountant understands tax law and strategy and takes the financials your bookkeeper produces and uses them to file your taxes with the IRS. Your CFO is your business strategist. We look at the numbers and draw insights and analyses to help business owners understand what’s working in their business, what’s not working, and how we can fix it. We help business owners see into the future of their business by building financial forecasts that map out revenue, expenses, and cash so they can make smart decisions to achieve their goals.

What are some of the biggest misconceptions small business owners have about CFOs? How are you working to dispel those misconceptions?

Business owners may think that CFOs are only for big companies; if they only make $100k or $600k or $2M, they don’t need a CFO. But the truth is that every single business needs the analysis and strategy that a CFO provides. Maybe you don’t need a full-time CFO yet, but the insight and futurethinking that a CFO brings is essential at any stage of business.

What are some of the common mistakes entrepreneurs make when it comes to managing their finances?

The first mistake I see is lack of consistency. I love the saying: What you focus on expands. In order for your money and your impact to expand, you need to be paying attention to it every single month. Entrepreneurs often have bad feelings about their money; it’s scary or confusing there’s not enough of it, so they avoid it. But looking at your bank balance, reviewing your profit & loss statement, and thinking about your future revenue, expenses, and profit is one of the biggest drivers of success in your business.

The second mistake I see a lot is not having a plan for the future. They set big goals like hitting 6- or 7-figures this year, but they don’t have a month-by-month plan of how they’re actually going to do it. Mapping out each revenue stream and all of your expenses, month by month, essentially creates a roadmap to exactly how you’re going to achieve your goals.

Often, business owners will get the three roles confused and feel frustrated that their bookkeeper or accountant is not giving them any analysis, but it’s really just because they are different roles!

Maybe you don’t need a full-time CFO yet, but the insight and future-thinking that a CFO brings is essential at any stage of business.

Photo Credit: NSP Studio

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Tell us about 100 Degrees. What is your company’s mission? What are some of the services you provide your clients?

100 Degrees provides financial strategy and bookkeeping services to purpose-driven businesses and nonprofits around the globe.

We want to help leaders better understand and use their numbers to make smart decisions to grow their impact and their income.

We help create revenue and expense forecasts, manage cash flow, and analyze the numbers so CEOs gain clarity and confidence to make decisions with ease. We often crunch the numbers and help leaders figure out who and when to hire, where to invest in the business, and how to achieve big revenue or personal goals.

We love the name 100 Degrees? What does the name mean?

I was laying under a mosquito net on a mattress on the floor in Senegal at midnight and it was hot. I checked the temperature on my phone and it was 100 degrees outside.

With no air-conditioning or fan, I wondered to myself why in the world I was here in Senegal instead of at home, comfortable, in airconditioning, with my husband. It was a long night.

I woke up the next morning and visited a primary school my organization had built in a rural community in Senegal and it became crystal clear why I was there, why I had chosen to be uncomfortable for a little while. It was so I could help this organization create an opportunity for education for thousands of children who may not have had access otherwise.

That experience showed me that in order to create change in the world, I had to get uncomfortable. I had to push past my comfort zone to grow and help others do the same. So 100 Degrees is a constant reminder that impact happens when we get uncomfortable.

For many of the entrepreneurs we work with, numbers are very much outside of their comfort zone, so 100 Degrees shows them what impact and growth lies on the other side through financial management.

Photo Credit: MikiFoto + Co.

"...in order to create change in the world, I had to get uncomfortable. I had to push past my comfort zone to grow and help others do the same.

So 100 Degrees is a constant reminder that impact happens when we get uncomfortable."

WHY WE LOVE TO FOLLOW @STEPHANIE.SKRY

STEPHANIE HELPS SMALL BUSINESSES REALIZE THEIR FINANCIAL POTENTIAL BY HELPING THEM SEE THEY ARE NEVER TOO SMALL TO FOCUS ON A FINANCIAL STRATEGY. LEARN MORE AT HTTPS://100DEGREESCONSULTING.COM/.

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SARA ALTER @ M O M E N T C O N S U L T I N G

Photo Credit: MOMENT Consulting

Tell us about the work you do with MOMENT Consulting.

What are some of the products and services you provide to mom entrepreneurs?

Moment Consulting (MOM-Entrepreneur) provides coaching services and business resources to mom entrepreneurs in the early stages of business development. With the dual responsibilities of growing a business and running a household, moms barely have enough time to finish a hot cup of coffee let alone learn the ins and outs of building a business. That's where I come in! My goal is to support moms in the areas of business growth that they don't understand, so

that they can continue to move forward and create profitable, buzz-worthy brands.

Through a combination of mentorship and done-for-you deliverables, I leverage 20 years of entrepreneurial insight to help build unique brands and provide tools to help women sustain their businesses for years to come. Through 60minute strategy calls and 4-week coaching programs, my priority is to make efficient use of my clients' time while setting them up for long-term success.

You work with entrepreneurs during the early stages of their businesses. What are some of the biggest obstacles women face in the early stages of their businesses? What are some ways they can overcome those obstacles?

Burn-out, decision fatigue, and lack of support are 3 big obstacles I see mom business owners consistently dealing with.

When you don’t know how to run a business, and all of a sudden, you’re in a position where you’re supposed to know how to invest, how to grow, and how to balance your life as a mother and a business owner, the exhaustion and overwhelm can really weigh a person down and lead to impulsive decision making and stress.

Find a mentor. Working with a business coach, even if it's one session, can set you up on the right track. You can’t know what you haven’t experienced or learned, and for a mom with limited time, the investment in support and guidance could make or break an early stage business.

Stick to a schedule. Map out and compartmentalize your schedule to plan for work time, personal time, and family time. Unless something big comes up, try not to blur the lines. This takes time and practice, but as you begin to understand the flow of your business and how it can work with the flow of your life, you can anticipate when you need to really show up and when you can really shut off.

Get support in place. Whether it’s a family member or childcare, it’s too hard to focus and make thoughtful, wellinformed decisions when you’re being pulled in multiple directions at once.

Photo Credit: MOMENT Consulting

One of your missions is to empower women to build thriving businesses that align with motherhood. What does a business that aligns with motherhood look like? What are the key components?

A business that aligns with motherhood is one that allows for time and space to grow, evolve, and succeed while setting yourself up to allow for the ever-changing schedules and needs of your family. For many entrepreneurs there is an urgency to build fast and rush the process. I guide my clients to grow their businesses at a pace that realistically works with their schedule and goals, finding a working balance with the help of automation, systems, and outside support. My motto: The only time-line you’re on, is your own! Mom entrepreneurs can find success at a pace that won’t burn them out or leave them disappointed, they just need to know how!

You’ve been an entrepreneur for 20 years? What inspired you to become an entrepreneur? How has your entrepreneurial journey evolved over the years?

I would say I've always had an entrepreneurial spirit about me.

As a kid I would create made-up businesses and sell craft accessories to family and friends. When it came time for me to apply to college with a major in apparel design, I pitched my high school art teacher to create a personalized fashion curriculum for me so that I could bulk up my applications geared towards my specific area of interest. I officially started my first business in college when a store-owner approached me to make a memory quilt for her son who was graduating high school.

Through word of a mouth and referrals, a small business was born! From there I went on to found Pretty Please Nail Polish, a first-to-market personalized nail polish brand, which I ran for a decade before launching MOMENT.

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What led you to a career as a business coach?

While I had started consulting for women owned businesses in 2013, after becoming a mom, I became increasingly aware of the importance, both mentally, and emotionally, of having a career outside of the home. I shifted my focus to work primarily with moms because I want mothers to feel empowered to pursue entrepreneurship and build a life and a career they love. Today, women are starting a record number of businesses per year, but time constraints and limited entrepreneurial experience often prevent more moms from turning early-stage business ideas into profitable brands. I’m now able to use my own experiences to provide the resources and guidance to change that narrative.

As we’ve learned from an Instagram insider, Instagram’s expectations for social media growth is demanding to say the least. What are a few of your tips to navigate these expectations? What should small business owners be doing to monetize their content?

When used in the healthy and realistic way, Instagram is a huge asset to small business owners. My best advice is to focus on creating quality content that your audience will benefit from seeing (i.e., inspire, amuse, educate), and engage, engage, engage. Instagram is all about cultivating relationships so if you want people to support, spread the word, and buy from your business, you need to give that support back. I always tell my clients to think of your Instagram feed as a storefront. Invite people in, make sure it looks put together, and showcase who you are and what you do in a way that encourages new customers to want to want to step inside your world and see what else you have to show them!

Photo Credit: MOMENT Consulting

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“Get support in place.

Whether it’s a family member or child-care, it’s too hard to focus and make thoughtful, well-informed decisions when you’re being pulled in multiple directions at once.

WHY WE LOVE TO FOLLOW @MOMENTCONSULTING

MOMENT CONSULTING UNDERSTANDS THE COMPLEXITY OF BEING A MOM AND ENTREPRENEUR. THEIR SERVICES ARE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED WITH THAT COMPLEXITY IN MIND. LEARN MORE AT HTTPS://MOMENT-CONSULTING.COM/HOME/

Photo Credit: Josh Williams Photography

HER YEAR OF THE DO-OVER

Garcelle Beauvais has been in our homes and our lives for over three decades as a film and television actress, a TV host, a model and an author. A modeling career ushered her into the spotlight at a young age, and her breakout film role was playing a rose bearer in the first installment of Coming to America. Beauvais returned for the sequel, Coming 2 America, in what she laughingly calls a “promoted role in title only.”

Beauvais continues to reinvent herself as an entertainer. She recently launched her new podcast in partnership with MGM, Going to Bed with Garcelle, where she has candid and honest conversations about sex and relationships with her friends and celebrity guests, like her former co-star of The Jamie Foxx Show, Jamie Foxx. Beauvais can also be seen weekdays on the award-winning talk show, The Real. Airing in 2021, you can catch Beauvais on her second season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, which she says is “the hardest job I’ve ever done.”

One of the many things we love about Beauvais and her evolving career is her transparency; more and more we get a glimpse of who she is -- beyond the spotlight.

Vonna: So the last time we spoke, you said your sons would describe you as nice, fun, strict, and a good cook. Those who follow your career would call you an icon. Who is Garcelle Beauvais to you?

Garcelle: I am outspoken and resilient to a fault, because I don't give up. I am hard working, hard loving, hard living and fun.

My friends tell me that everything I do, I go all in. I try to always be present.

Vonna: Coming 2 America just came out. In the first one you played a rose bearer, and you've stated that you have been promoted in this new one.

Garcelle: I love that I've been promoted. I've been promoted in title only.

Vonna: So what was it like returning to such an iconic film?

Garcelle: Everybody came back, and here we are doing this amazing movie, 30 something years later. If somebody would have told me that back then, while we were freezing in our little outfits in New York City, I'd be like, “Get outta here.”

Vonna: Did you know that it would be so well received back then, and to the point that people would want to see it again?

Garcelle: No, we had no idea. Coming to America was my first movie. I hadn't been on a movie set before so for me, it was a learning curve to work on a film with a huge budget, and with Eddie Murphy.

I didn’t know that it would become so iconic. I don't think anybody did, honestly.

Vonna: There's so much more that you're doing. Let’s talk about all of the amazing projects you have going on now. Congratulations on the launch of Going to Bed with Garcelle.

Garcelle: Thank you so much. Every now and then I wake up in the middle of the night and think, I can't believe I've shared so much of that.

Vonna: This is a two part question. What inspired you to create this podcast? And why is it important to you to take this raw and honest approach to sex, dating and relationships?

Garcelle: Once a month, when my kids were with their dad, I would have what I called, Sunday’s at Garcelle’s. I would invite girlfriends, or couples, or an eclectic group. We would sit around, and drink and eat, and just talk and vent. Eventually, it would always turn to the topic of sex. At the

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"I’ve had to learn that I am enough now, and that if I don’t do anything else, I’ve done enough. "

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Photo Credit: Josh Williams Photography

end of every one of these get-togethers, somebody, as they're walking out the door would say to me, "This is a show. Why aren't you doing this?” And I’d go, “You’re right.” So during quarantine, we presented the show idea to MGM and they said, why don't we create it as a podcast. And let me tell you, it's been so well received. It's so fun.

We've never had to be in our homes as much.

Growing up, my parents never talked about sex. We never had the sex talk because my family, being island people, were very conservative. I love that women now can be bold, and unapologetic about embracing their sexuality. We're not here just to please men, men are here to please us as well.

Vonna: Yes, that's something that is relatable to us all. So you're returning to The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

With the guests I’ve had, I always do one celebrity and one real girlfriend, so that we get different views. It's not just highbrow people talking about sex, or people in relationships. It’s been really great, and people feel empowered. They always have a good time. And we've had some amazing guests from Jenny McCarthy, to Jaime Foxx to Kandi Burruss. I love it.

Vonna: We are calling 2021 the year of the do-over for obvious reasons.

Based on what you’ve learned from the chaos and unpredictability of 2020, what is one thing you want to do over in 2021?

Garcelle: Ooh, that's a very good one. When the pandemic hit and we were all confined in our houses, I had a hard time with it because I'm always on the go. I felt sad. I felt lonely. I felt, at times, that I was getting ahead of myself. I thought, “What are we going to do this weekend? What are we going to do moving forward?” And then I thought, okay, take it one day at a time, because we'd never had to stand still for so long.

My do over would be to take more things in stride. I would be much more accepting and forgiving of myself. I would focus on being able to just be still.

Garcelle: Screaming by the way, kicking and screaming. No, no, no, not kicking and screaming. I had a good time. I say this, out of everything I've done, this is really the hardest job I've ever done.

Only because I can't hide behind the character. When people say things on social media, it's about me. It's not about a character or a movie. And although I've been well received, and a lot of people enjoyed what I brought to the show, it's really tough because you're putting yourself out there in a different way.

Vonna: What inspired you to do the show again?

Garcelle: I'm never a one and done type of person. There were some really great aspects of the show. Some of the ladies I really enjoy spending time with, and it's a challenge. I like challenging myself from hosting TV shows to being an author, to starting a podcast. I like trying new things. And I think that's how I've been able to reinvent myself in this industry for how many decades now?

Vonna: What, if anything, will you do differently this season as it relates to your approach to the show?

Garcelle: I will be around a lot more, because I'm not traveling and doing other things like I was last year. I wasn't around a lot because I had so many other projects that I was juggling, and one of them was Coming 2 America. This season you get to see a little bit more of my life. You get to see a little bit more of me. And although I put on a hard exterior, I think I'm much more sensitive than people would perceive, because I'm bold and speak how I feel. You will get to see another side of me. You also get to see a lot more of me at home with my kids.

Vonna: So speaking of all of the things you do, you are continuing to reinvent your career in 2021 as a reality star, author, TV host, producer, and podcaster. What is one thing you want to do in your career that you haven't done already?

Garcelle: I would like to play a femme fatale, like a Basic Instinct character. I think that would be so much fun.

I keep putting it out in the universe. I would love to play a character like that.

I’ve had to learn that I am enough now, and that if I don’t do anything else, I’ve done enough. That thought brings tears to my eyes, because in this industry, you always feel like you're only as good as your last job. We as women put a lot of pressure on ourselves. We try to do everything and be everything for everybody, and sometimes we're enough if we stopped today. It's enough.

Vonna: So now that your sons are older, how does your role as a mother impact the projects you choose?

Garcelle: Well, I don't do the podcasts when they're home because of the conversations. My boys are growing up so they need me less, which makes me sad. It's bittersweet. I want them to grow up and become young men, and I see it happening before my eyes. I had a conversation with my son, Jaid, one night that he was at his dad's. There was homework missing, and after getting off the phone with him, I thought, “Wow, I could have never had a conversation like that with my parents.” He was so articulate and expressed his feelings so well. Their dad and I have given them a way that they can speak, and for young men to be able to use their voices and show emotion and not feel like they have to hide is truly Photo Credit: Josh Williams Photography

tremendous. At the same time, I wish they were six again, and needed me and wanted to sleep in my bed. Now that they're a little bit older, I'm more free. They will be leaving home soon so I'm trying to be bolder in the things that I choose to do.

Vonna: What’s next for Garcelle Beauvais?

Garcelle: Maybe getting married. I'm putting that in the universe, too. I think it's funny, because if you would have asked me maybe a year ago, I'd be like, no, I'm not ready. But I think now, with COVID, this past year has made me realize that I do want a long lasting relationship, and although I'm independent and I love that side and I’ll never change, I definitely would love someone to love, and to share the rest of my life with.

Photo Credit: Josh Williams Photography

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BECOME A VISIBILITY QUEEN 4 VISUAL STORYTELLING STRATEGIES TO BUILD YOUR BRAND

Mallika Malhotra MikiFoto + Co Mallika Malhotra of MikiFoto + Co is an award winning brand builder, professional photographer, business mentor and author of The Brand Photography Playbook. After years of working in corporate advertising, she now helps women entrepreneurs master their story, show up as the face of their business and create their brand empires. Find out more about Mallika at www.mikifoto.com or on Instagram @mikifotoco.

As a business owner, it feels like we're fighting an uphill battle when we try to stand out from the crowd and connect with our audience. Our markets are saturated, our prospects have little to no attention spans, and the competition is fierce. Often, we feel frustrated, lost and invisible. How do we get our clients' attention when we’re in a world of information overload? How can we convince them to hire us versus the competition?

Why? Visuals allow us to understand ideas better, faster and longer.

Especially in our noisy world where attention spans are decreasing, visuals can make an impactful first impression.

Research shows us the sheer visibility of a brand leads to perceptions of success and leadership. The more your brand is SEEN, the more your audience will assume you can deliver on your promise. You’ll have credibility. But if you're unknown and unseen, you just won’t be as trusted.

Visual storytelling is a narrative using images, video, illustration, infographics and social media. It could be using images in a newsletter, a blog post, social media or video. Whatever the medium, tell a story and offer value to your audience.

In fact, according to CrowdRiff, 67% of product users acknowledge that images are very important when making a purchase decision. 63% of consumers admit good images are more important than product descriptions.

It's time to consider visual storytelling as a business-building tool to bring your brand to life.

What is visual storytelling and how can it help my business?

consistent conversation with your people.

The truth is, if you're not present and seen, you could be forgotten and possibly leave money on the table. In today’s market, it is imperative to have a consistent conversation with your people.

Remember, humans are visual creatures.

Before we make any buying decision, we go straight to the website and click on image after image. We scroll through Instagram, double tapping pictures that catch our eye and our hearts. We create Pinterest boards and pin photos for life’s occasions. Human beings crave visual content.

Here are 4 visual storytelling strategies you can implement NOW to boost your brand.

It’s the idea of showing, not telling. It’s the idea of sharing before selling.

The truth is, if you're not present and seen, you could be forgotten and possibly leave money on the table. In today’s market, it is imperative to have a

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"The truth is, MALLIKA'S TOP TIPS if you're not #1 BE TRANSPARENT present and Take your audience on the journey of your seen, you business. Pull the curtain and share your process by taking your audience behind the could be scenes. Reveal your wins and losses. Be open and authentic about the ins and outs of your forgotten work. Show the real side of being an and possibly entrepreneur. things to share with your audience leave money Some through visuals: your tools, your workspace, team, your process, your struggles, your on the table." your dreams. When you invite your audience into your story, they will soon become invested in you.

#2 BE CONSISTENT Figure out your story and stick to it. Define your expertise, your core message and your target audience. Once you nail these elements down, own them and keep them consistent. You lose people when you’re all over the place and constantly changing.

A stable message is a memorable one. Keep your brand story consistent and soon you will build connection, reliability and trust.

Once you create trust, that trust will lead to loyalty, and we all crave loyal fans and customers!

#3 DIFFERENT IS BETTER Everyone is striving to be the best.

Sometimes to stand out, the smarter strategy isn’t being better, it’s being different. Identify what makes you unique — own your competitive edge and celebrate your signature process. Focusing on your difference can be what gets your client’s attention. Spend some time figuring out your special sauce and then be bold enough to share it.

#4 PICTURES SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS Become the face of your brand through professional photography, and watch how your images create connections, energize your brand, and bring personality to your business. Storytelling images can position you as a trusted expert and can inspire your audience to buy from you over anyone else.

I know it can feel scary to put yourself out there, but it’s necessary to make the best first impression. Show up as the CEO of your brand consistently through your headshot, website photos, blogging, social media, and newsletter.

Visibility is a powerful tool to share your story with the world and to keep your brand top of mind with your audience. Step into leadership with a strong visual presence and watch how you fast track your business growth. Who’s ready to amp up visibility?

Let’s do this!

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Building buzz for your brand, one creative tactic at a time.

Award-Winning Branding | Marketing | Public Relations Agency

CONTACT US TODAY! www.thinkthreemedia.com @ThinkThreeMedia Leah@ThinkThreeMedia.com 469-428-7498

Tips to Refresh and Get Your Work Mojo Back BY: HOLLY CAPLAN

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Working out of our homes for the last year has certainly taken a toll on how we think, function and dress. We wear hoodies and no make up for days. Our working lunches with colleagues have been reduced to the UberEats guy dropping off cold Chinese food at the front door. Let’s just say our way of life has irreversibly changed and working from home will be a mainstay.

Moving forward it will be important to keep ourselves motivated, focused and fresh to maintain the spark that makes us great at what we do.

Here are my 5 Tips to Refresh Yourself and get Your Work Mojo Back: 1.Wardrobe Matters Since we have been working from home, it is very easy to go day to day living in yoga pants with our hair in a top knot. No need to put on make-up and get dressed unless you have a ZOOM call, right? Well, how we dress impacts our state of mind. Wearing clothes as if you are at work, affects productivity. Mike Slepian, author of “The Cognitive Consequences of Formal Clothing,” says that formal dress encourages workers to “feel more powerful and ready to tackle higher level abstract thinking.” Obviously wearing heels in your home office is not necessary, but if you dress the part, or close to it, you stay in the mindset of a true professional.

2. Work Your Schedule Do the best you can to keep your usual work schedule while working from home.

Clearly this is barring kiddos interrupting and dogs barking while you try to do your job. But, if you have a set schedule and do your best to follow it every day, it will mimic your pre-Covid work environment

and you will get more done. Also, save laundry, dishes and other housekeeping items until the end of the day. It is easy to get distracted by these chores while working from home but learn to let them go. Stay focused on your job at hand. Those dishes aren’t going anywhere.

3. Get out of Your House Yes, get out! Being at home staring at the same four walls can do a number on your mindset. Being inside our homes as often as we are is not normal. We need the external stimulation and time for self- care.

Go for a walk for 20 minutes or visit your nearest Starbucks drive through and get a latte. Either way you will be able to clear your head and maintain a level of normalcy.

4. Take Breaks Make sure you take breaks from work every hour or so. It is easy to get sucked into the work vortex and never escape. Not taking breaks causes fatigue, physical discomfort and eye strain from the computer.

Your breaks can consist of surfing Pinterest or just stepping outside your back door to get fresh air.

Either way, stop thinking about work for 10-15 minutes. You will come back stronger and refreshed.

5. Redecorate Your Home Desk When we sit at the same desk all day, it is easy to feel stale and uninspired. Have a look at your working space and consider what you can change to freshen up your environment. Throw away those

empty Diet Coke cans and random notes from earlier conference calls. Maybe add a scented candle and certainly open your blinds to let light in. Do something for yourself in your own space and you will feel clear and motivated.

6. Interact with Colleagues Since we don’t have the in -person water cooler bonding time at the moment, it is easy to lose touch with the colleagues you care about. Having others around you to brainstorm or just download on your day is not as accessible. To keep your sanity and stay engaged with your job, schedule one on one’s with your colleagues. Make the time to speak with them to help you keep the personal connection despite the distance Let’s stick together on this. We have to help each other through these tough times to continue to inspire each other and keep our work momentum going. In the meantime, if the UberEats guy shows up at your house for lunch, please send him my way next.

-Holly Caplan worked in medical device sales for more than 20 years, working her way up to management in a very male-dominated, competitive industry. Caplan became a successful, award-winning manager with sales accolades along her climb, and has worked with well-known physicians as well as prominent CEOs and executive management of medical device companies.

But Caplan wanted more, and went on to help inspire other women battling their way through corporate culture with her book, Surviving the Dick Clique: A Girl’s Guide to Surviving the Male Dominated Corporate World, which garnered her national media attention.

From there, Holly left the corporate world to become a full-time confidence and workplace coach. She has also founded and led the soldout convention FLY Girl, which helps women heal and thrive following relationships with narcissists, as well as the online workshop SPARK: Find Your Kick-Ass Confidence in the Workplace.

When she isn’t coaching or leading events, Caplan volunteers with the Veteran Women’s Enterprise Center, helping women veteran’s reach their entrepreneurial dreams.

For more information visit www.hollycaplan.com, and connect with her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

o D e h t f o r a e Y e h T : 1 2 20 g n i l a e H h t i w g n i t r a t S r e v O

by Vonna Matthews

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2019 was one of the most challenging years for my family. I know what you’re thinking.

You mean 2020, right? No, for me, it was 2019. Now don’t misunderstand me, 2020 was a beast. I still have to be intentional about maintaining my mental health from the chaos of the year. I also understand that for millions, 2020 was defined by loss, heartache, and uncertainty. Although my family experienced some of the heartache along with the rest of the world, we didn’t go through as much as others. I thank God for protecting us, as I pray for those who experienced the worst of the year.

I say 2019 was the most challenging for us, because that is the year we suffered loss in what felt like every part of our lives. The greatest loss was my mother in law passing away of breast cancer. She was a 10 year survivor before the cancer returned with a vengeance. As we watched her health gradually decline, all while we were dealing with other challenges, we knew our lives would never be the same. She was the matriarch of the family. Quiet and meek in demeanor, yet unapologetically persistent, she was the core. Losing her required a hard shift that would create new roles in the family. We had to move forward and figure out what this new normal would look like.

Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too.

With all that we’d gone through in 2019, I hadn’t realized how much of the suffering I was holding on to, how much I had allowed to seep into my skin. Suffering had become a part of my being. When 2020 hit, I felt like I had no time to breathe… or heal. My life moved from one chaotic year to another. Fear, anxiety, and self doubt had taken up residence in my mind, in my body, in my soul. Those feelings of trepidation impacted the way I made decisions, and the way I moved through the world. But how could this be? I am a woman of faith. I know who God is. I know what he can do. I have witnessed and experienced his power. So why am I allowing fear to consume me, anxiety to control me and self-doubt to define me?

This is not a story filled with answers, rather it is a story of realization, reflection and redirection. It’s a story that reveals why self care should be embedded in our everyday lives, why you can’t get back to business until you get back to you. I’m learning that I can’t arrive at self care; it’s not a destination. I must enter into a relationship with self care, courting it, and getting to know its relevance in my life. I must approach it gradually, taking it one day, or even one moment at a time.

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I slowly realized that fear, anxiety and self-doubt were playing such integral roles in my life, not because of what I had been through, but because of what I hadn't. I hadn't given myself time to heal, time to breathe, or time to hear God. I hadn't looked at my suffering in the face, acknowledged its existence, processed its impact and relinquished it of its power. We often move on before we're ready, because that's what society prompts us to do.

In most cases, that's what life forces us to do. "Life must go on," we say. Instead of taking the time to pause, and process our trauma, we mask our lack of healing with everyday life. By not taking the time to heal, I had entered into a relationship with suffering. It was motivating my decisions, how I see myself and how I move through the world. It even started to manifest itself in my body.

Suffering is a part of being human, but it doesn't have to control us. It's not the only part of being human, therefore we don't have to give it more power than it deserves. How do we do that?

Enter into a space of realization. Realization is the act of becoming aware of something as a fact. It is also the fulfillment of something desired. There’s a few things I have to accept as truth before I can remove the power of fear, anxiety and self-doubt.

Healing is required every time you experience suffering or trauma. We must stop trying to get on with life as though nothing happened. That is not a sign of strength, but rather it is resistance to the very thing that will help us move forward in a healthy way.

When I was a kid, we were taught in the case of a fire to stop, drop and roll. In the case of suffering, stop to acknowledge you’ve gone through something traumatic, drop to your knees in prayer, and then start the healing process. For each of us, that looks different. Look for evidence of growth and restoration before you move forward.

Acknowledge how the traumatic experience has impacted you- mind, body and soul. This is an evolving process, because the full scope of the impact may unfold over time. You can still start the practice of becoming aware of how what you’ve been through has changed you. Some simple steps are to write down your feelings and thoughts. Read them as truth.

Celebrate the positive transformations and be intentional about reversing the negative ones. Don’t pretend like everything is okay. Being able to cope and move forward is not always an indication of healing or strength. Sometimes it’s reflective of denial.

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Accept that the practice of self-care is vital to your healing. As I’ve stated, self-care is not a destination.

Once you are aware of your feelings, your thoughts and your movements, you can create self-care practices that fit who you are and who you strive to be. There are so many ways to practice self-care from your relationships to your daily routines, to prioritizing your physical health to your spiritual maintenance.

Identify activities and practices that nurture your whole self and make those habits. The key is to be intentional, consistent and gracious.

Let go and let God. I once heard someone say, “You be you, and let God be God.” Your healing takes time. It is a process that evolves as you do. God is the healer.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” — Isaiah 41:10 God knows what you are going through; he knows everything about you. Your pain is not new to him. Surrender all your cares to him as he walks with you on your journey of healing. Ask God to equip you with what you need to experience wholeness and healing. Acknowledge your weakness and watch God become stronger. Relinquish control to God for he has the power.

"I SLOWLY REALIZED THAT FEAR, ANXIETY AND SELFDOUBT WERE PLAYING SUCH INTEGRAL ROLES IN MY LIFE, NOT BECAUSE OF WHAT I HAD BEEN THROUGH, BUT BECAUSE OF WHAT I HADN'T. I HADN'T GIVEN MYSELF TIME TO HEAL, TIME TO BREATHE, OR TIME TO HEAR GOD."

RADIANCE W. HARRIS, ESQ. Talks the Importance of Protecting Your Brand

Photo Credit: Amanda Ghobadi, The Branding Babe

Radiance W. Harris, Esq. is an awardwinning trademark attorney who works with small businesses to protect their brands. As a bestselling author, speaker and founder and managing attorney of Radiance IP Law, she helps small and emerging businesses protect, monetize, and leverage profitable brands with trademarks. With a wealth of legal experience and expertise in the area of intellectual property, Harris has worked at one of the world’s largest law firms representing Fortune 200 brands and been featured in major publications, including Forbes.

What inspired you to become an attorney, specifically a trademark attorney?

I knew I wanted to become an attorney when I was 15 years old. I only knew one attorney who was a family friend. I would become the first attorney in my family. At first, I thought I wanted to be a sports and entertainment attorney because it sounded like a cool and fun job. While attending law school, I had various law clerk and summer associate positions that gave me the opportunity to explore different practice areas of law, including real estate law, corporate law, family law, bankruptcy law, litigation, trademark law, and copyright law.

The first time I was given a trademark law assignment, I was hooked instantly. I knew

that trademark law was exactly the type of law I wanted to pursue. Fortunately, prior to graduating from law school, I was offered an associate position at DLA Piper, a major global law firm, in the Trademark, Copyright and Media Group. A few years later, I would launch my own trademark law firm, Radiance IP Law. I’ve been a trademark attorney for over a decade now.

Please break down the process for acquiring a U.S. trademark.

The U.S. trademark registration process is deceptively more complicated than it may seem. On average, the process takes about one year. The first and arguably most important step in the trademark process is to conduct a thorough trademark search to ensure that your chosen business name does not infringe on someone else’s prior trademark rights. Once you’ve confirmed that your proposed trademark is available for use and registration in the United States, the next step is to prepare and file a trademark application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“PTO”).

After roughly three to four months, your trademark application will be assigned to an examining attorney at the PTO who will examine your application to see if there are any refusals or issues which must be

addressed before your application can proceed.

If there are any refusals or issues, the examining attorney will issue an office action, to which you have six months to respond. The office action may cite substantive and non-substantive issues that you may need to address, such as a likelihood of confusion refusal, failure to function refusal, descriptiveness refusal, disclaimer requirement, or identification of goods and services amendment. Sometimes these issues are quick fixes, other times you’ll need to conduct legal research and draft a lengthy legal brief to overcome.

Assuming you can overcome the issues in the office action, then your trademark application will be published for opposition in the Official Trademark Gazette for 30 days. During the period, anyone who believes that they’ll be harmed by the registration of your trademark can oppose your trademark before the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board and challenge your ability to register the trademark with the PTO. If no one opposes your trademark and you filed your trademark application based on an intent to use, then the PTO will issue a notice of allowance requiring evidence of trademark use before issuing the registration. You have six months to file a statement of use with your evidence of actual commercial trademark use or

Protecting Your Brand with Radiance W. Harris, Esq.

Securing a U.S. federal trademark registration functions as a birth certificate for your business name. It establishes actual legal rights and ownership... file another six-month extension of time to file the statement of use with the PTO. Once completed, your trademark application will proceed to registration.

If no one opposes your trademark and you filed your trademark application based on current use, then your trademark application will proceed to registration.

You will receive your U.S. trademark registration certificate in the mail and can start enjoying all of the benefits of trademark ownership. Your U.S. trademark registration remains active so long as you continue using the trademark as registered and file renewal documents with the PTO at the fifth and tenth year after registration, and every ten years thereafter.

What are some of the main reasons businesses do not get a trademark?

Lack of education and misinformation about trademarks is the primary reason that businesses do not obtain trademarks. In my experience, most creators, entrepreneurs, and business owners don’t know what a trademark is, why they need it, or how it can help them make more money. Also, some businesses believe that only the big companies own trademarks. The reality is that these big companies secured their trademarks when just starting their businesses before they became big and famous. By protecting trademarks early, they were able to grow distinctive, recognizable, and profitable brands because they established the legal foundation from the start. Lastly, some businesses think that a trademark is too expensive and unattainable for them, which is far from true.

What are some of the misconceptions about acquiring trademarks?

Most business owners mistakenly believe that establishing an LLC or corporation, purchasing a domain name, and/or securing a social media handle establishes ownership in their business name. Unfortunately, without a U.S. federal trademark registration, these business owners are building a business on a name and brand that they don’t actually own. Securing a U.S. federal trademark registration functions as a birth certificate for your business name. It establishes actual legal rights and ownership as well as the exclusive right to use your business name nationwide.

What are some of the costs related to acquiring a trademark? What advice do you have for an entrepreneur who feels like they can’t afford to get a trademark?

The costs vary depending on whether you do-it-yourself (DIY), pay an online document filing service such as LegalZoom, or hire an experienced trademark attorney.

For DIY, your primary cost is the government filing fees, which start at $250 per application per class. For an online document filing service, you may pay between $100 and $600 plus any government filing fees. For an experienced trademark attorney, you may pay between $1500 to $3000 plus any government filing fees. These options are not equal by any means. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for, so choose wisely.

For any entrepreneur who feels like they can’t afford a trademark, I would recommend my bestselling book on trademarks, Trademark Like A Boss: The Ultimate Step By Step Guide to Protecting Your Brand, which walks readers step-by-step through the trademark registration process with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office without confusion or spending tons of money on lawyers.

You are an award-winning trademark attorney. What separates your practice from other trademark practices?

What sets me apart from the competition? I have prior BigLaw firm experience working with major global brands. I offer BigLaw firm experience and strategies in an intimate small firm setting for small and emerging businesses. I also provide all-inclusive flat fees. I believe in being transparent about my rates so that clients know exactly what to expect when working with me. Most importantly, I get results. I have over a decade of extensive trademark law experience, and a 99% success rate obtaining trademark registrations for my clients.

Learn more about Radiance W. Harris, Esq. at https://www.radianceiplaw.com/.

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IN MY EXPERIENCE, MOST CREATORS, ENTREPRENEURS, AND BUSINESS OWNERS DON’T KNOW WHAT A TRADEMARK IS, WHY THEY NEED IT, OR HOW IT CAN HELP THEM MAKE MORE MONEY. Photo Credit: Amanda Ghobadi, The Branding Babe

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ENTREPRENEURSHIP

REDUCE YOUR HUSTLIN: MAKE MORE TIME FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY For many of us, entrepreneurship is about experiencing a sense of freedom.

We relish in the freedom to execute our own ideas and watch our visions come to life. What we also have to keep in mind is the purpose of entrepreneurship, which is to maximize profit. Yes, we must work to make as much money as we can. In our quest to make the world a better place, we forget that business is just as much about money as it is service. When your goal is not to make money, you start a nonprofit organization. When it is to make money, you focus on the activities that allow you to do just that.

Below are the activities we must focus on to make sure we make the money we need to not only keep the doors of our businesses open, but to invest in the philanthropic efforts for which we are passionate.

LOWER COSTS When in business we have to constantly find ways to reduce our costs to increase our bottom line. Reducing costs helps to increase profit margins and cash flow. During COVID, we have learned more than ever the value of having cash flow in a business. It helps us pay the bills and put our money back into the business for growth. There are several ways to reduce costs.

Don’t outgrow yourself. In our eagerness to take our businesses to the next level, we sometimes take on products and services before we are financially ready. It is standard to not experience a profit until your third year in business however the work you do in the first few years will determine how soon you make a profit and the amount. Don’t be anxious to grow sooner than your finances will allow. Instead of adding five new products, add two. Increase capabilities as your profits increase. I would recommend not adding until you see actual profit from your current portfolio. In some cases, slow and steady wins the race.

Hire and partner with cost-effective vendors and manufacturers. These are groups you have developed a relationship with and are offering the best quality at the best price. They can also help you find easier and less expensive ways to produce and sale your products and services.

Provide value. One way to maximize profit is to give your customers and clients what they want. The more value you bring, the more you will sale which increases your revenue. Increased revenue minus lower costs equals higher profit margins. It is better to offer a few or even one amazing product or service than several subpar ones. A way to provide value is to invest in production and development.

Having the best and most cost effective vendors and manufacturers and talented staff impacts your ability to produce quality products and services. You should also be well educated on your demographic and what they want. Meet their needs with superior offerings and competitive prices and you will increase sales.

RAISE CAPITAL No matter what type of business you own, you must always be raising money. We’ve heard so many stories about how you can start a business with little or no money. Although, we know this is true, what people fail to mention is your inability to grow a business with no money. Here are a few ways to consistently raise capital for your business. When I discuss capital acquisition, I am not just referring to revenue gained from sales. This is money you have acquired from banks, investors and even friends and family.

Research and apply for grants. As a woman owned business, you can look for grants that cater to disenfranchised groups. If you are a woman of color, that gives you even more opportunities to receive grants.

Make sure your business credit is good so you can acquire business loans. Speak to a loan DETAIL > officer who can help you borrow money based on your credit and finances. Never borrow more than you can pay back.

Look for investors. Pitch your business to possible investors who will want to purchase equity in your business. You want to make sure that your business is investor ready.

REDUCE HUSTLIN' Entrepreneurs are some of the most passionate and hardest working people I know. We work extremely long hours and wear several hats at one time. Although this is often admired, it can be problematic if not done in moderation. It can result in creative burnout, fatigue and even illness, both physical and mental. If you want to make more money, be in the best possible shape to run your business. Reduce your hustle so you can increase your human capabilities. Put emphasis on self-care which is vital to running a successful business.

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NONI ROBINSON OF BLACK GIRLS EAT

HEALTH & WELLNESS VISION 2021

Beyond a single accountability partner, all of us benefit from being part of a community that is greater than ourselves.

If you are reading this, you made it through 2020. Yes, it might have been ugly, and you probably wouldn’t want to do it all over again. But the truth of the matter is while the calendar may have turned a new page, much of our reality has remained the same in 2021. Sadly, many of the struggles that we face have continued… personally, professionally, nationally, and globally.

But it does not have to be the same in terms of our health and wellness.

Which also means we need to sharpen our tools for thriving in the year ahead.

But first, let’s acknowledge some gratitude. The past year brought a combination of challenges that nobody could have anticipated. 2020 brought a global pandemic, a wounded economy, and a reckoning over racial injustice – and that was all before July! Then came natural disasters, more economic adversity, an American election that ripped at the seams of the world’s most powerful republic, and a dangerously adaptive virus that continues claiming a record number of lives.

Yeah, 2020 was a tough one.

But we survived. We endured the challenges, and some of us even discovered newfound strength. We may not be our old selves, and we may be missing some of our friends and loved ones, but we are here. And that gives us reason enough to say “thank you” and “amen.”

Yet as much we may have looked forward to the end of 2020, being wishful that 2021 will be better isn’t a strategy. Sure, it’s nice to believe the next nine months will be different, but think back to January 1, 2020. Didn’t we feel the same way?

And look how that turned out.

So with that in mind, perhaps it is wise to plan a few strategies to help us thrive in 2021. Yes, it probably is still wise to have a back-up supply of toilet paper and an active subscription to Netflix. But these ideas will help make sure that no matter what 2021 throws at you, you will be prepared.

Write a Personal Vision Statement. It's very cliché to make new year’s resolutions (and then to casually, sometimes quickly, break them). But this year, rather than declaring a few loose commitments, write down a real vision statement for yourself.

What do you really want to achieve this year? What do you want to look back and see when the clock hits 11:59 on December 31, 2021? Will there be professional achievements?

Personal transformation? Health and Wellness goals achieved?

What will the outcomes of your efforts be in the year ahead?

And if you aren’t the writing type, make a selfie video of you talking to yourself about your vision. Nothing is more powerful

(and perhaps awkward) than a good look in the mirror, especially when she/he/they are talking back to you.

Find an Accountability Partner. Nobody can do it alone. Not even you. So take your personal vision statement and find at least one person to share it with. It can be a family member, a friend, or even a co-worker. The key quality this person needs is the power to help hold you accountable. That person will need to honestly challenge you and determine whether you are really staying committed to your vision, or, alternatively, if you’re thoughtfully reexamining it. The role of an accountability partner isn’t just to motivate you, but to also help you achieve your goals by serving as a thoughtful and clarifying counterpart.

So choose wisely.

Commit to a Community. Beyond a single accountability partner, all of us benefit from being part of a community that is greater than ourselves. In the past year all of us (except, perhaps, committed introverts) have had to adjust to an era of physical distancing. But that doesn’t mean we should be truly distancing ourselves from one another in the communal sense.

Whether it is a social group or a civic cause, a religious congregation, or a study group, commit to being a more engaged community member in one way or another. By finding new ways to embrace togetherness, not only will you surround yourself with people who share your passion, but you will also feel a stronger sense of connection to a greater goal.

Plan Some Fun. Let’s be honest: 2021 has started out pretty rough. While vaccines are coming and perhaps the political landscape will cool down, we aren’t out of the woods yet. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be joy and wonder in 2021. So just as much as you should plan on some personal growth in your 2021 vision statement, you should also plan on experiencing something that makes you smile and laugh. Maybe it is taking up a new hobby, embracing a new habit (like meditation or walks in nature). Perhaps it is even planning a Covid-conscious journey to somewhere new later in the year. Yes, an unpredictable 2021 might mean you need to adjust your plans, or reschedule your journeys, but if you don’t start planning, it won’t start happening.

Despite our greatest hopes for an easy year, 2021 will chart its own course, and there is no doubt that it will bring twists and turns as well as hardships and heroics. But by applying optimism and effort, as well these four strategies, each of us can alter the way we personally and professionally navigate the year ahead.

Because while it is a good thing to survive a year, it is an even better thing to thrive in it.

And THAT is one new year’s resolution we can all commit to keeping.

AIM to be healthy in all areas of your life! We can do it!

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SHELLY BELL Named as one of Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top 100 Powerful Women in Business, Shelly Bell is a computer scientist, system disruptor, and business strategist who moves ideas to profit while empowering people to live, build, and foster better relationships. This single mother of three connects entrepreneurs, investors, and corporations in order to diversify their talent pipeline, increase equity, and grow their brands.

The first step to raising capital is having a capital need.

Start with what are your capital needs in general and then break them into priorities so you can create a strategy around those needs.

Tell us about Black Girl Ventures. How do you help Black and brown women entrepreneurs acquire funding for their businesses?

I started Black Girl Ventures almost 5 years ago in a house in southeast DC with about 30 women. We came together, and we decided to put money in a hat and have a pitch competition. Four women pitched, and we voted with marbles and coffee mugs. If you liked the pitch, you would put your marble in their coffee mug. Very quickly, that grew to become a national organization called Black Girl Ventures.

Black Girl Ventures creates access to social and financial capital for Black and brown woman-identifying founders.

One of the ways we do that is through our unique crowdfunded pitch competition, which can be described as a mix between Shark Tank and Kickstarter, but live. In these competitions, Black and brown woman-identifying founders pitch from a stage, and the audience votes with their dollars for the pitch that they favor. Through entrepreneurial education, leadership development, and community, Black Girl Ventures is committed to supporting Black women founders and changing the face of entrepreneurship.

Tell us about your professional background and what led you to create Black Girl Ventures.

I began my entrepreneurial journey by building a teepee in my living room. I listed it on Airbnb for supplemental income and the response was overwhelming. Later, I founded MsPrint USA, a women-run custom apparel and merchandise print shop with clients like Amazon and Google. I also hosted poetry performances and led a community-based arts organization called Seven City Art Society, which evolved into Made By a Black Woman, a marketplace offering clothing, accessories, and home decor created and curated by women of color. I’m also a computer scientist and was a K-12 educator for a few years.

Break down some of the historical inequities that have put Black founders at a disadvantage as it relates to access to credit/capital, financial literacy, and market discrimination?

Receiving this question is a bit piercing for me as a Black person, because the historical inequities of Black people in America is so available for media outlets and the readers of those media outlets to educate themselves.

The remnants of slavery still exist in our country today.

Systemic racism comes from the fact that for hundreds of years Black people were not viewed as people. We were viewed as property.

We're not talking about just the 1800s. As we come through history, we realize and recognize that this thought process around Black people not being allowed to have access to equal rights has been within the lifetime of people who are alive today. We're taught that this thought process only goes back as far as the 1950s.

Black people were not allowed equal access to voting rights, equal access to bathrooms or equal access to education, and this is in America, and it was legal. So the Black community has been historically legally disadvantaged by our government, not just by individuals. It often gets forgotten that it has literally taken an act of Congress for Black people to have rights.

Simple things, at the lowest level of a right like going to the same bathroom as a white person, took an act of Congress for Black people.

And so let's bring it into finances. If I couldn't go to the same bathroom as a white person, then I absolutely could not have a bank account. If you hold one group hostage while another group gets to continue to live freely, it is quite natural to understand how inequities would take place. When you hold one group hostage on any type of rights, financial rights, or the right to equal

CEOMOM | 45

access, you hold that group in place. Simultaneously, the other group is growing up and growing older, with opportunities to thrive, creating a 400 year gap.

To name a few directly- slavery, the lack of civil rights and having to fight for civil rights. The focus on having the right to eat at the same tables and use the same bathrooms took away from the ability to just learn about finances. You had to learn about finances in the context of where you can eat, sleep, and breathe in America without being physically harmed.

Redlining, subprime lending, and pattern matching when it comes to VC funding are all inequities that have prevented Black people from understanding financial literacy, and the depths of the finance world that white people understand when it comes to funding, and whether the system is equitable or not. The lack of access to the same terrible system as everyone else is still a civil rights issue.

What is the first step to raising capital for your business? What do entrepreneurs need to get started?

What additional steps do women, particularly Black and brown women, need to take to close the equity gap in funding?

The first step to raising capital is having a capital need.

Start with what your capital needs are, and then break them into priorities so you can create a strategy around those needs. Then you want to map out the type of funders you might need related to the type of capital.

Then, create a plan for developing relationships around the types of capital you need. For instance, for a loan it might be a banker, for an equity investment, it might be certain types of investors who invest in your type of venture or industry. For grants, it might be looking into the SBA based on the funding priority you may have.

In terms of what Black and brown women can do to close the gap in funding, Black and brown women cannot close the gap in funding. It needs to be closed by those in charge of the money, the power and the system.

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What are some of the mistakes entrepreneurs make when trying to raise capital?

Some of the mistakes that entrepreneurs make when trying to raise capital is taking a one size - fits all approach to the kind of funders they need. There are faces of business, and different types of funding are needed in order to succeed. In some stages you might need a loan, in others you might be ready for equity investments, in other stage you might need family capital.

Founders need to ask themselves what they need at the moment, if they need diluted or not diluted capital.

Diluted capital is capital that ships away the amount of equity that they have in their company, and not diluted capital is capital that doesn’t take away from equity.

Diluted capital can be angel investing or VC funding.

Black Girl Ventures has experienced incredible success during the pandemic. What has been the key to your success? What advice do you have for women business owners who haven’t experienced the same success during the pandemic?

A key to our success during the pandemic has been being able to pivot and adapt quickly. We managed to successfully move our pitch competition from an in person format to an online format. We also have taken advantage of the time during the pandemic to build strategic relationships that have contributed to the success we have today.

In terms of advice for women in business, having a support system is more important now than ever.

Surround yourself with community to support your business. Having the right people by your side now is key to overcoming this moment. Use this time to build influential relationships that can help you on the next steps of your journey.

How can Black and brown women-owned businesses get started with BGV? What other resources are available for funding?

To get started with BGV, founders that need funding can apply for the BGV pitch competition to receive grant funding that way. They can also apply to be a fellow. Our fellowships come with a $10k stipend and a nine month leadership development program where participants get an opportunity to dive into what it means to be a

business owner and a business leader.

We also have a few more grant opportunities coming up, one of them with an ice cream brand called Coolhaus, where we're creating our own ice cream flavor called Currency Cake. When people buy the ice cream, a grant is created for Black and brown women founders to get access to marketing, design and IP needs.

If a founder is looking for community and capacity-building they can join our BGV connect virtual community or our Facebook group, which is also one of our virtual communities. Through these communities, we deliver different levels of support, including 20 to 25 new resources a month. For founders to find and get access to other funding opportunities, our BGV connect group has a deeper and more intimate engagement. There, we directly serve those founders weekly in our virtual co-working and virtual page practice, along with introducing them to industry experts who give them information to help them along their journey.

Learn more about Black Girl Ventures at https://www.blackgirlventures.org/.

Photo Credit: Black Girl Ventures

WHEN A BLACK WOMAN WALKS INTO A ROOM A Black Woman’s Journey from Cotton Picking to College Professor: Lessons about race, gender, and class in America

By: Dr. Menah Pratt-Clarke

When a Black woman walks into a room, something happens. For how could it not? For when we walk into a room, we bring the ancestral power of generations, centuries of Blackness and Womanness -- intertwined, inseparable, immutable. When we enter a room, we bring memories of oppression; memories of racism; memories of sexism; memories of poverty; memories of disrespect; memories of disenfranchisement; memories of disregard; memories of moments when we were minimized, marginalized, and dehumanized. Those memories walk in with us, for they are stitched into our soul, into our DNA, with needle-point precision – permanently.

We bring not only memories into the room, but we also bring our pain and our pride, intertwined with success and sorrow, and often with stories of sadness and struggle. We bring dried tears as sacred and sacrificial offerings -- etched as wrinkles – often invisible – on our faces, like scars from African ancestral tribal markings. Yet we are proud -- proud of our own perseverance and persistence in places of peril when our fire and flame should have been stomped out; yet still we stand, resilient. With elegance and sophistication, hips and lips, and our breasts leading the way – breasts that with White milk nourished the Whiteness of America -- as mammies and maids and midwives, we walk into rooms. Yes, when a Black woman walks in a room, much much more walks in with her. Centuries of Black motherhood, of Black womanhood, of Black Goddess energy accompanies us, as our ancestors, as our angels, as our assistants to guide, direct, comfort, and console.

When a Black woman walks into a room, there is often something else, something submerged and sublime, simmering below the surface, like fine wine – maturing in barrels of our body until it’s time to be poured out – sometimes smooth and silky. Other times explosive, unrelenting, wounding. Formed from the bowels of the earth -- marinated for decades in juices of dirt, decay, and death.

Formed from the misery and madness, the malfeasance and the mischief, and the mistreatment by miscreants. It walks with us. It has no name; but It is part of us.

Yes, Yes, when a Black woman walks in a room, It comes with us. For It is Us and It is our power.

Imagine if the Black woman who walks in the room was born in 1928, just outside of the Great Depression in rural East Texas. One of 8 children. Her mother – a maid; her father – often in prison for stealing from White people. Who could blame him when he was the product of a theft – generations stolen in slavery for their bodies to be used and bruised for the building of America?

Imagine, for a moment, if the Black woman who walked into the room came from an uneducated sharecropping family – living in utter poverty, moving often from house to house trying to eek out a living in shelters that could barely be called a home. Imagine if that Black woman’s grandmother was a slave – her own body belonging to another – available at the whim of Whites – caring for and carrying the land upon which her ancestors’ blood had been shed in brutal beatings, yet still tilling the soil for White America’s prosperity.

Imagine if that Black woman’s mother -- living in such utter poverty that to save her children from starvation -- had to fashion a trap from clothespins hanging off of a windowsill to catch a bird to feed her eight children, telling them to imagine that the defeathered bird was a chicken. Imagine that same Black mother’s children eating from a garbage dump and chewing as gum the tar from car batteries, from cars discarded and dumped in Black communities -toxic dumps feeding Black children. Imagine that Black mother telling her children to bring her buckets of snow to mix with sugar and vanilla to make ice cream – making a game out of desperate moments – snowballs transformed to snow cones. A commitment to survival; a refusal to surrender to starvation.

Imagine if one of those Black woman’s daughters, as a young black girl in a dress with braids at the age of 8, remembers going to the mailbox to get the mail and when the White male postman said, “Hey boy,” she proudly proclaimed to him, “I am not a boy, I am a girl.”

Imagine that same little Black girl, running home with pride to tell her mother how she told that White man that she was a girl, only to be told to never do that again – to never speak to a White man because in the 1940s, speaking to a White man could mean death.

But because Black women cannot and must neither live in silence, nor as caged birds that cannot sing, the young Black girl became a Black woman who spent her life walking into rooms – proclaiming purely by her presence, “I am a Black woman.” This same Black woman would never allow herself to be referred to as a guy, in the everyday common phrase unconsciously embedded in hegemonic familiarity of patriarchy in our society -- “How you guys doing today?” Each time, the ancestral pain of denial and dehumanization and the misgendering triggering the It. The It would rise up; the It would speak: piercing, sharp like a knife, slashing the greeting and the greeter, chastising and criticizing. And in a voice from a hundred years of midnights, the It would shout: “I AM NOT A GUY.” For misgendering cannot be owned only by our friends in the LGBTQ community – narrowly focusing on pronouns, for we are more than gender pronouns. And every time women are referred to as “guys,” we should never be silent.

For when Black women -- saavy, street-smart, and sophisticated -informed with the White man’s knowledge, and infused with the wisdom of African queens, walk into a room, each step is imprinted with power and purpose. Each step marking and imprinting permanence and existence into the earth. Each step proclaiming and pounding out the right to be: to be validated, to be heard, to be seen, to be acknowledged, as a Black woman.

Yes, Yes, for when a Black woman walks into the room, let the room take notice.

For this is Women’s History Month, let us, as women, keep pushing forward into rooms; entering with energy, like earthquakes, shifting tectonic plates. Let us walk confidently and courageously into more rooms; for we do not walk alone. We walk with the invisible and invincible presence of one thousand ancestors and angels. Let us, therefore, boldly strut and stride into our destinies of greatness.

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The measure of any society is how it treats its women and girls.

MICHELLE OBAMA

Happy WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH TO ALL THE WOMEN MAKING HISTORY BY UNAPOLOGETICALLY PURSUING THEIR CALLING TO CHANGE THE WORLD, YOU INSPIRE US.

21 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO INTEGRATE SELF CARE INTO YOUR DAILY LIFE Tips to help you make self-care a regular part of your life.

SELF-CARE CORNER

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1

Say “No” to some events. You don’t have to go to everything. There doesn’t always have to be a schedule conflict. Sometimes it’s a mental conflict. You’re tired.

12

Start and end your day with intention. Wake up thinking more about your purpose for the day rather than a to-do list.

2

Stay connected. Although we are practicing social distancing, create opportunities where you can stay connected to friends and family.

13

3

Protect your peace. So what does it look like to protect your peace? For me, it is stepping away from anything (or anyone) that threatens my ability to function without anxiety, self-doubt or fear. Although these feelings are present at times, being intentional about maintaining my peace helps me to manage their impact.

Reduce multitasking. Distinguish between work and home life. Now that most of us are home, the line between work and home life are blurred. Be intentional about creating as many distinctions as you can regarding your day. For example, don’t do laundry in the middle of the work day.

14

Adopt rituals in addition to routines. Rituals focus on what feeds you. It is more about being than doing.

15

Charge your worth. Whether it is setting your prices or negotiating a raise, you know your worth better than anyone else. Come to the table honoring your value by charging accordingly. It’s okay if you’re not affordable to everyone as long as your value matches your price.

16

Accept a compliment. How many times has someone given you a compliment and you downplayed the praise?

Try a simple “Thank you,” and allow yourself to receive the kind words with gracious humility. Words have power and what you believe about yourself has even more power.

17

Rest. “Learn to rest, and not quit.” Too often, we as busy moms do so much with few or no breaks. We go to bed late and wake up early. It’s not just about sleeping, but resting. Removing as much as we can from our minds and focusing on complete relaxation is not only vital to our physical health, but enhances mental health. Get a good night’s sleep every night and take rest breaks throughout the day, even if it’s just a moment of solitude.

18

Journal. Writing is a great way to express your thoughts and feelings. Without judging yourself, be raw and honest about the space you occupy in your mind, spirit and soul.

It’s hard to shift what you don’t accept.

19

Exercise regularly. If you don’t have a fitness routine, start out slowly. Try 30 minutes a day for three days.

Take a walk or follow a YouTube fitness video. Don’t be too hard on yourself. The key is to get moving.

20

Read. Continue to feed your mind with content that empowers and equips.

21

Pray and meditate. This goes back to feeding your mind.

What you consume mentally greatly impacts what you believe as truth.

4

Cut people off. Some people are not good in relationships for a variety of reasons. Make a list of what you need to maintain mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health.

If anyone in your life threatens that, consider walking away from that relationship. You may give them a chance to change, but be prepared to walk away.

5

Set personal boundaries. You don’t need to do everything for everyone. Stop trying to be God in people’s lives.

You’re finite. Let people know upfront what you can and cannot do.

6

Be flexible. Things will not always go according to plan.

Give yourself some grace and wriggle room to make the necessary adjustments.

7

Seek therapy. Talking to friends and family can be effective, but a non-bias professional can help you dig deeper.

8

Don’t cram your day. Stop filling up every hour. Create blocks of nothingness. These are moments throughout the day when you can just breathe.

9

Know your triggers and have a plan to deal with them that you and your friends and family know about.

10

Take breaks frequently throughout the day. Studies show you should take five to fifteen minutes breaks every hour or so.

11

Incorporate leisure into your life. Make sure you are having fun everyday. Do something everyday that makes you smile or brings you joy. It doesn’t have to be big. It can be as small as creating a private moment to indulge in your favorite dessert or watching your favorite show. Do something for you.

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