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C E L E B R AT I N G W O M E N I N B U S I N E S S
THE
March/April 2019 COMMITTED TO BEING GREAT CHAL L EN GES OF A F OR EI GN STUDE N T AT H L E T E
FROM $467 TO THE SHELVES OF WALGREENS AND AMAZON SI M P LY SC E N T S B Y S H A N
D A RY L B E L L :
A SEAT AT T H E TA B L E
MARCH/APRIL 2019
IN TH IS
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IN TE R N ATIO N AL WO ME N
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FASH IO N
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MIN D FULN E SS
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Feature: Daryl Bell: A Seat at the Table See the article on page 34 Cover photo by Brittany Swearingen | Hair and makeup Adrianne Jackson | Listing courtesy of Mickey Stremel and R&H builders Feature photos by Life and Lens Photography
Contributors CO - FO U N D ER & EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: CRYSTAL SWEARINGEN
CR E ATI V E D IREC T OR : DARYL BELL
DESPOINA VOGASARI BRITTANY SWEARINGEN ANTHONY GONZALEZ ANIKA JACKSON CRYSTAL SWEARINGEN ANGIE WILLIAMS WR I TE R S :
KIMBRA CALLAGHAN BRIAN BYERS PHO TO G RA P H Y:
MARCH/APRIL 2019
Crystal’s Ball Reflecting on our first issue published just six short weeks ago, I am overjoyed with the process, as well as the countless things I’ve learned about myself along the way. I’ve struggled my entire life with the idea of who people believe I should be and who I knew inside that I truly was. Playing small never boded well for me, from making jokes about my dreams, downplaying my achievements, or making sure I didn’t monopolize space or over-share personally when I’m really excited about something. I want other women to know that they never need to ‘play small’ and sacrifice being the phenomenally amazing person they are! As I’ve come into my own, which this magazine has been so therapeutic in supporting, I’ve learned that I have always loved helping women gain confidence! My adult life has been focused on helping, promoting, and supporting women in whatever way I can, and I feel blessed to be able to continue doing that on a larger scale now with The Spot Mag. And, as overwhelmed, scared, and nervous as I’ve been at times, I’ve always trusted that the Vision and Mission of this magazine would be bigger then me. I dig into that Trust and Vision daily as I solider on. With two launches under our belt in Lawrence, KS, and Houston, Texas, The Spot Mag – whose mantra has been Celebrating Women In Business since it’s conception over a year ago - has reached amazing viewership numbers, and we are just getting started!! I hope you enjoy the newest issue, while truly getting a feel for what keeps these incredibly successful women and their stories going, even when daunting obstacles come their way. Life is in so many ways a journey, but I believe when you focus on your Passion, anything is possible!! There is a quote I love by Oprah Winfrey, whom I’ve always admired, in which she enthusiastically says, “You’ve got to follow your passion. You’ve got to figure out what it is you love - who you really are. And have the courage to do that. I believe the only courage anybody ever needs is the courage to follow your own dreams.” ― Oprah Winfrey
Crystal
Crystal Swearingen, Co-Founder | Editorial Director
The Spot Mag
@the.spot.mag
women@thespot.mag
EMOTIONAL FORECAST
W
inter is slowly coming to a close, and we’re headed towards an amazing Spring Season! This season is chockfull of abundance for just about everybody. We felt the ebb of Winter, and now we’re cycling into the flow of Spring. You may start to find purpose in all you’ve come through, as well as see how this will shape your outcome for the future. This is a time to recognize how many of the puzzle pieces fit together! Give honor to yourself for maintaining grace and poise through difficult challenges. Great job! Around this time of the year, the planet as a whole feels as if it takes in a deep breath of fresh air. Remember to start your day with that same deep breath, so you can take in all the great vibes swirling around you! Enthusiasm, artistic expression, and creativity are also a focus this season. Getting involved with projects, and pushing yourself towards new groups or new creative outlets, will payoff
big time! Those friends or needed acquaintances you’ve been wanting to meet will be out and about, ready to cross your path. I’m so excited for this season and you should be too! The only downside is not having enough time to do it all! Choose what matters most to you and take a breather in between. Enjoy your Spring! Love, The Southern Psychic
C R Y S TA L’ S R E A L E S TAT E T I P S
Crystal Swearingen Realtor Broker/Owner Crystal Clear Realty 785.550.3424 crystalswearingen@yahoo.com www.CrystalClearSells.com
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CRYSTAL CLEAR REALTY
LOOKING FOR AN AGENT? Buying or Selling The Choice is Crystal Clear 785-550-3424 www.CrystalClearSells.com
CRYSTAL’S CHAMPIONS
The Women of Color
Reading Group WITH JENN WILMOT
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What prompted you to create this book club? I had a few motivations behind starting the Women of Color Reading Group (the WOC), but it started with my little sister, who’s actually not so little. She’s a 2L at Temple Law School. But, for my birthday last November, she sent me a new copy of one of my favorite books, Flyy Girl, by Omar Tyree. A few weeks earlier, I had commented on how impactful that novel was to me when I read it in high school. As a young girl growing up in West Philadelphia - a Black, urban, low-income community - my friends and I were trying to maneuver growing up and coming into our own against the typical teen angst we all feel, but also against some serious societal barriers. These same friends - facing stressors and burdens in life even adults shouldn’t face, let alone children/teenagers - still found time to be ardent readers of literature that reflected our lives.
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Flyy Girl is one of these works. Published in 1993, the book takes place in Philly and follows the teenage years of Tracey Ellison, the main protagonist. She’s a spoiled girl from a solid, middle-class neighborhood in Philly, and she’s “boy crazy.” She’s also very caught up in seeking attention from the wrong people and in the wrong ways. It’s basic bildungsroman - a “coming of age” story just like Jane Eyre or To Kill a Mockingbird - but it centers around the life of a Black girl, and that made a world of difference. For the first time, we were seeing ourselves in literature - our experiences, our culture, our struggles, and our joy as Black girls - in very raw and realistic ways, which proved to be transformational. So, I wondered if this book and a similar one, The Coldest Winter Ever, by Sister Souljah, could offer Black girls of this generation – and girls of color, in general – the same opportunities it gave me and my friends. In addition, I have a personal connection to the KU GEAR UP Topeka program at High-
land Park High School, and I’ve done some events and projects with them previously, so naturally this is where I wanted to start the group. KU GEAR UP Topeka supports students heading into post-secondary education by ensuring they are academically and financially prepared to enter this next stage. I knew the majority of the young ladies who signed up from previous events, so it all came together very nicely.
What’s the goal or mission? The WOC is designed as a safe, inclusive space for students to freely explore social, historic, and personal experiences through the medium of literature and critical conversation. We intentionally elevate the voices of authors and characters of color - especially women of color - to center the ideas and insights of those who are too often marginalized in the traditional literary canon. This is a space for students to receive support, to be seen, to be heard, and to be acknowledged for their lived experiences.
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Currently you’re working in Highland Park schools. What other areas are you ‘eyeing’ to expand this mission? Right now there are no intentions to expand. I would love to see groups like the WOC take root in middle and high schools all over the country, because this is critical and necessary work for our girls of color. But for now, the WOC resides at the singular location in Highland Park HS.
How did you generate funding for this project?
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All funds were raised through Facebook. I have some really amazing friends. I posted a status one evening about wanting to start a “book club” for girls of color, as well as wanting to purchase and ”gift” the first two books for all of the students (Flyy Girl by Omar Tyree and The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah).
shouting THANK YOU to our donors whenever I can!!
What has the feedback been like from the young girls in the book club? The girls love it! The group isn’t structured like a class, or even like a typical book club. They direct this group. At the start of the hour, I’ll post a critical question related to the book and the experience of girlhood, and the girls will add their thoughts to the board as they file in, while also writing down any topic they want to discuss (it doesn’t have to be related to the book).
We had about 20 girls sign up initially, and I calculated that if we could get 20 people to pledge $8 that would get both books in every student’s hands. The next morning my friends and their friends had donated over $1000! It blew me away - I mean speechless, froze, floored, all of it. We’d raised enough money to buy ALL of the books for the club! We’re reading 5 books total, and we had just enough funds to get all of the books for every student, with a small amount left over to cover some snacks. The generosity of everyone, especially considering we were just coming out of the Christmas season, was simply phenomenal. I’m still
We start our conversation with a quick mental wellness check-in - “how’s everyone doing” and giving them the time to decompress if they need to. From there we go into high-level discussion of the critical question,
the book, their reactions, what they saw coming or didn’t, and we compare it to their own experiences and whether they can or cannot relate. We’ll then decide which topic from the board we want to tackle first, and we just keep building from there. Finally, every session has a ‘lip gloss’ break. We take about 5 minutes and discuss lip gloss brands, favorites, glitter or no glitter, etc. It derived directly from the ladies, and like clockwork, it’s always on the unwritten agenda of the WOC.
Have parents been involved or engaged and is this part of the objective? Thankfully the KU GEAR UP Topeka team at Highland Park - my partners at the school - have excellent relationships with families and engage them on a consistent and regular basis, so while families are not directly involved with the club, as this is a space explicitly designed for the ladies, they are loopedin to us and what we’re trying to accomplish.
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How can my readers help with this program? If they want to donate books, funds, and the like, what’s the best way to do so? The group couldn’t exist without the time and generosity of others! We are very grateful for any and all support, and if you’re looking to get involved or to donate, please just reach out to me at JMWilmot@ku.edu.
Thank you very much for your time, your dedication, and for all that you do!! Thank you again for your support of the WOC and for promoting our endeavors!!
Crystal’s Champions is dedicated to strong and inspirational women and organizations that are making a difference in the community. To nominate a Champion, email us at women@thespot.mag.
I N T E R N AT I O N A L W O M E N
Committed to Being Great OVERCOMING OBSTACLES AS A FOREIGN STUDENT-ATHLETE AT KU BY DESPOINA VOGASARI
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here seems to be a misconception that life as a college student-athlete is glamorous. And, unless you are one or have been one in the past, it might be difficult at first-glance to wrap one’s head around the actual sacrifices involved, the situations in which we are pushed beyond our limits, and being continuously confronted with testing our breaking point – mentally, physically, AND emotionally. The awards, the scholarships, and the private planes that come along with a successful career remain high-profile and frontpage news. However, the sweat, the tears, the blood, the pain, the injuries, the selfdoubt, and the pressures that go with being a Division 1 college athlete dig in as a stubborn, subterranean reality. My friend and former teammate, Anastasia Rychagova, is a senior on the KU Women’s tennis team. “Nas,” as she is known to her friends and teammates, is an All-American and former #1 player in the nation. She grew up in Moscow, Russia, which some say is the current epicenter of the tennis world today.
Like most Russian youth, she started playing at her local club. By the age of twelve, she’d already shown an aptitude for the sport. But, her parents were unable to provide the financial support she needed, since it costs a minimum of 130,000 Rubles (an equivalent of $2,000) per event to play in tournaments outside the borders of Russia. Even at that young age, Nas displayed signs of a promising career, and her family was able to find a sponsor to help pay for her practice and traveling expenses. At the age of 16, Nas faced her first injury, developing a hernia in her back that resulted in three months of forced rest. When she made her return, it took time to regain her form. Due to mediocre results in those first months back, Nas lost her sponsors. She was left with no choice but to stop playing. She instead focused on her studies and was accepted into a Russian University, where she majored in Physical Education. ”I woke up at 6:20 a.m.,” she said. ”I would drive an hour and a half to The University, take classes from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., then drive an hour to my job. I taught tennis two hours a day for nine dollars an hour. I got
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Anastasia Rychagova, KU Tennis.
home at 10 p.m. and started my homework. I woke up at 6:20 a.m. the next day and had to do the whole thing all over again.” She soon realized she needed a change. Nas explained, ”I was unhappy and facing severe depression. This was definitely not the life I had pictured for myself. I was struggling financially and did not see a light at the end of the tunnel. I felt trapped and knew I needed to make a drastic change soon. I decided to start looking at opportunities for college tennis in the U.S. The next thing I knew, I committed to KU and arrived in the summer of 2015.” Being a student-athlete has its share of
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Women’s Tennis, University of Kansas.
challenges in and of itself. However, being a foreign student-athlete can be absolutely grueling. Struggling to learn the language, adapt to the American culture, and get back to “playing shape” after a two-year absence, Nas found herself questioning her decision. She reflected, ”The first two years of college, I struggled a lot mentally. I was still trying to fit in and find out who I truly was and what I wanted out of life. The summer of 2017 was a turning point for me personally AND in tennis.” Nas continued, “Entering my junior year, I committed to being great. I wanted to become an All-American. I wanted to graduate college and become a professional
tennis player. I realized I was fortunate enough to be given a second chance. I felt I owed it to myself and to my parents, who had sacrificed a lot for me. I decided I would give it my all and see where it took me.” It took her right to the top. During that pivotal summer, Nas transformed into a truly elite athlete. I was right beside her to witness it, and I have never seen someone work as hard as she did during those 7 months. It was inspiring - and contagious. She has an innate talent to motivate everyone around her and to make her teammates try harder, compete better, and be
Struggling to learn the language, adapt to the American culture, and get back to “playing shape” after a two-year absence, Nas found herself questioning her decision. the best version of themselves on the tennis court. That work ethic and newfound commitment helped Nas reach the #1 spot in all of Division I college tennis in November 2017, breaking every single KU record in the process. And then, another setback. Nas was initially diagnosed with a rib fracture that same November. The doctors recommended
two months of rest, hoping she would be able to return by the start of the competitive season at the end of January 2018. She originally came back feeling healthy and refreshed, but the pain resurfaced almost immediately. It was an extremely rare case, and the doctors struggled to diagnose the injury simply because it was unprecedented. No tennis player in KU or the sport’s history had ever faced something remotely similar. Scans were done repeatedly, and they eventually showed that not only had the original fracture failed to heal, but she was also developing a new stress reaction in the rib below. Nas was given two options: try resting again and see if her body would be able to heal on its own, or undergo surgery. Rest came with the danger of the ribs never healing correctly. Unfortunately, surgery carried the possibility of never being able to play again, as this particular procedure had never been performed on an elite athlete before. It had only been experimented with on severely injured trauma victims of car accidents. She elected to move forward with the surgery. ”I was terrified and felt powerless, but I believed it was the best option I had,” she said. Nas was out for a total of 10 months. She did not know if she would ever be able to compete again, let alone continue her career after college on the professional tour. ”I was devastated,” she continued. “I had dreams for the future,
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Our coaches tried to persuade us that our season wasn’t over. Jayhawk Head Coach Todd Chapman would say, ”This does not define our season. Each and every one of you needs to step up. You need to believe, like we still believe, that this can be the best season in the history of this program!!” And, truth be told, I didn’t believe them at that time. I felt that’s what they believed they had to say to have any hope of absorbing such a devastating blow and salvaging the season. But somehow, something changed those next few days. As a team, we stopped feeling sorry for ourselves. We started pushing each other and ourselves - more than ever before. We did step up!
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Rychagova, sustaining severe rib fractures, underwent surgery.
but at this point it was a waiting and wishing game. I went to physical therapy and counseling regularly to deal with the situation.” As her teammates, we witnessed her trials every day. She would come to practice and cheer us on, but her emotional pain was evident, and so was ours. After getting the news that Nas would not compete for the entire season, I believe we mentally “checked out.” Everyone had held high hopes for the season. But the question remained: How could we possibly survive without our best player in Nas?
In late March, we traveled to Lubbock, TX, to face Texas Tech, where KU had not won in over a decade. We stepped on the court with a different attitude than ever before. We played with an enormous amount of fire, heart, and passion. We played with each other and for Nas. We felt we owed it to her. The emotions were so intense that I do not remember much. What I do recall is that we walked off the court with a 4-0 shutout victory against the No. 9-ranked team in the country on that day!! That was the first and only time I saw my Coach with tears in his eyes. He was truly proud. A few months later, the doctors confirmed that the surgery had been successful. Nas
17 Rychagova, 2017 #1 Division I player.
would be able to start playing again soon with the proper daily treatment. Fast-forward seven months: She currently plays Number 1 singles and Number 2 doubles for the #7-ranked team in the Nation at KU. “I feel my mental game is better than ever.” Nas said. “I feel as if this hardship has helped me appreciate every day I get to step on the court, because at one point the odds of that happening were extremely low.” This story belongs to Nas. But it also belongs to my teammates and to me, to all of our fellow KU student-athletes, and to each of you that it might Inspire. It goes to show that the road taken by an exceptional collegiate athlete is not always paved with
award after award, but rather with obstacle after obstacle. Often the most grueling challenges are the ones that many never see. It takes enormous courage to overcome difficulties that present themselves unexpectedly and manage to shake up our world, both internally and externally. However, when we do face these challenges head-on, we’re rewarded with the most magical of experiences, and with unrivaled lessons no classroom can ever teach. We feel privileged to compete for a school like The University of Kansas, that goes above and beyond for the well-being of its student-athletes. Rock Chalk, forever!!
FA S H I O N
THE JOURNEY TO A
Personal Legend BY BRITTANY SWEARINGEN
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teacher asked my class recently, as a writing prompt, if our lives most resembled the journey on a car, train, boat, or airplane. I suppose this could be considered an admissible opener in order to soften the calloused spirits of college freshman in a gened classroom, but it led me to think about my life thus-far as a linear route with designated stops and destinations. Where did I begin? The chapters of my life, as I’m sure occurs for many, are unfortunately tangled to the point that events with no relationship seem to have occurred in the same weeks, while genuine overlapping timelines hold entirely different real estate within my mind. I do however, remember my first fashion movie, The Devil Wears Prada - shout out Anne Hathaway. I remember sketching every frame of it for hours. I too remember drawing my best friend’s future prom dress - a baby blue princess cut with a sweetheart neckline – deemed a classic. But, I don’t remember putting down that sketchpad. I don’t remember ever deciding to stop drawing, stop caring, or choosing to focus on something more attainable. I had my typical high-schooler stint when
I believed I would become a psychologist despite my utter loathing for science, the one subject I cannot to this day crack. More generational buzzwords like depression, divorce, devaluation of my humanity by my peers, coming out - and many more I’m sure I could list for far beyond 600 words - became a part of my roadmap. After all of these stops beyond my control, it seemed almost prophetic I should realize that I only really wanted to do one thing. I could make one choice for the fork in the road ahead also known as college. I discovered the only thing that truly inspires me is fashion. It seems that we all have detours and roadblocks that try to curve us to the path of something more mainstream. Maybe, without these hindrances, we would never realize that there is only one choice that can make us happy. Realizing my personal legend, again and again since childhood, I’ve grappled with reality and conditions to keep it alive. Much like a pesky succulent. Too much direct sunlight and time out in the open, and she will be brutalized. Too much shadow, and she will be forgotten and abandoned. It seems our dreams need to be shown to us time and time again to prove they’re really there, and worth the hardship of keeping them alive.
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Yes, of course, I recognize the variance between magnificent avant-garde artistry and my own personal preference towards the wearable side of the spectrum. But, what inspires me is the rules – or lack thereof in art and in the fact that everyday, in some way or another, I am participating in it. I wake up every morning and step in front of my own personal curated art collection. All of my pieces hanging on the plastic of a Target value pack. Even on the days when I hate everything I see, and nothing suits me as well as it did yesterday, I love the options. I love having power and control in how to show my face to the world, as well as what people will think when they see me and how they will perceive my very being. So, when this class question of journey was posed to me, I reflected upon my core values and passions, in addition to important events in my life. I asked myself how choice and circumstance have played a role in
this sometimes tenuous journey working towards what I want to do in this lifetime, including the stops and derailments along the way. I found that I value choice so immensely, likely because of all of the occasions when I felt I had none. And I see now that the route in my mind most nearly resembles seemingly endless miles and miles of hard-labored steel that can be abrupted by any inclement snow storm, but nevertheless keeps on going, boarded or not.
Brittany Swearingen is a freshman at KU studying strategic communication in the Journalism School. She is ursuing a career in fashion, while working as a Team Leader at Urban Outfitters.
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MINDFULNESS
MINDFULNESS OF NON-JUDGMENT AND IMPERFECTION BY ANTHONY GONZALEZ, LCSW
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mperfection is inevitable, yet this is a truth that few of us can seem to accept. Brene Brown seems to have been one of the few to be able to speak to this truth in such a comprehensible way.
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In her exceptional book, The Gift of Imperfection, she posits, “Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are. Choosing authenticity means cultivating the courage to be imperfect, and to allow ourselves to be vulnerable; exercising the compassion that comes from knowing that we are all made of strength and struggle.” This is a very difficult dialectic for most of us to balance, particularly working women who must manage the expectations of so many demanding roles in their lives, often leading to the creation of unattainable beliefs or “shoulds.” We have impossible expectations of ourselves to be perfect, to succeed in all of our goals flawlessly, with grace and dignity, and still have enough energy to care for our minds and bodies. After all, why “shouldn’t” a successful woman or man be able to do this, right? However, an inner critic that is motivat-
ing from a place of judgment far too often drives this. We have come to believe and accept that if we don’t achieve, we don’t parent perfectly, we don’t impress our supervisor or colleague, and we don’t make a healthy dinner every night, then somehow we are failing. This perception of failure then creates even more pressure and judgment on ourselves. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy defines that there are three functions of emotions - to motivate us to action, to communicate to others, and to validate our experiences. The self-judgment that comes with this drive for perfectionism often serves the function to avoid the guilt or shame we may experience with perceived disappointment, to gain acceptance or approval of others, or to try to maintain some semblance of order in our lives when we may be otherwise feeling out of control. While these motivations are understandable as protective, they lead to invalidation of our efforts and genuine value sets. This judgment of self establishes the measurement of “good” without any flexibility or room for change, and even less room for defined success. Most people work with an honest effort and intention, and they rarely give themselves enough credit. Mindfulness
that generate anxiety, as when we are not labeling our circumstances as good or bad, we can more clearly see them for what they are and problem solve accordingly. Feelings are not facts. And yet, we believe them with certainty. Mindfulness of non-judgment helps us to move away from labeling our experiences as good nor bad, which in turn helps remove the consequential branding of ourselves as failure or success.
of non-judgment is a core tenet of achieving a state of wise mind and balance. Developing a practice in mindfulness of non-judgment pushes us to accept reality as it is, rather than placing a “should� on our existence. We can validate our longing to always get the outcome we desire and accept that we may fall short at times. Irrational beliefs and myths around approval and acceptance are often rooted in our early childhood experiences, and they may be very difficult to challenge. Practicing Mindfulness of non-judgment allows us to work toward development of a healthier internal dialogue that allows for imperfection and fluidity of success. Mindfulness practice is not simply relaxing and achieving a quiet mind. Rather, it is strengthening our ability to accept moments as they are - in that we are, by nature, imperfect beings and doing the best we can while striving to do better for ourselves. Mindfulness of non-judgment helps us to challenge the irrational or improbable fears
I often tell my clients that failure is in the effort, not the outcome. We can be good enough for today and allow for the acceptance that we are doing the best we can, while continuously striving to do better. Working hard and facing fears, all while accepting that the only failure is in an experience from which we do not grow. That is the beautiful dialectic of imperfection. 23
Anthony is the Clinical Director at The Delray Center in Delray Beach, FL, which is one of the most clinically and medically advanced mental health treatment centers in the United States. Anthony is a proud alumnus of the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare. Anthony has advanced therapeutic training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Prolonged Exposure Therapy.
BY ANIKA JACKSON REDICK HOUSTON, TX
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Shanquita Greggs, Founder of Simply Scents.
N AT I O N A L N E W S
SIMPLY SCENTS BY SHAN:
From $467 to the Shelves of Walgreens and Amazon BY ANIKA JACKSON
S
hanquita Greggs catapulted into entrepreneurship after becoming disillusioned with her job as a flight attendant. She’d gone from the United States Air Force - where she served eight years working with T-38 bombers and performed aircraft inspections of F-16 and F-17 Fighter Jets for NASA - to working as a flight attendant for United Airlines. Post-9/11, Ms. Greggs was one of many employees who was laid off, then called back to work, only to be laid off again within a repeating cycle. Shanquita explains, “I’ve always loved candles and crafts. During one layoff, I watched a Martha Stewart holiday episode on candle-making, did a little research, and used my entire $467 paycheck to make my first batch of candles. I gave them
out as Christmas gifts and realized they were a big hit when everyone wanted more. After I received my first order, I realized that this was my passion. Candle-making and selling were all I wanted to do. I saw the vision and turned my passion for candle-making into a business.” Thus, Simply Scents by Shan was born. It has become a very successful business that’s now included for sale on the shelves at multiple Walgreens locations, online via Amazon, and on her own website. In addition to running her business fulltime as Founder and CEO, Greggs also is a dedicated community activist, taking a hands-on role with the city’s disabled community. She also teaches basic job skills, as well as training and employing special education students and disabled adults through programs with the
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N AT I O N A L N E W S
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Texas Department of Assistive and believe I’ve found my purpose withRehabilitative Services (DARS) and in Simply Scents.” Jack Yates High School in Houston, Greggs extends her philanthropic Texas. efforts in the community by workShe continues, “I’m inspired just ing with Meals on Wheels and by pleasing others and fulfilling a establishing candle fundraisers, purpose in people’s homes as well where the charities receive 50% of as their lives. It gives me great joy profits, which is almost unheard of to hear someone say, “That candle in the world of fundraising. Others filled my entire home. I’ve also had have noted Shanquita’s success, intwo disabled employees from day cluding her recent recognition at one, and it is my goal to train and the BossLife Foundation’s BossLife employ the disabled and special Ball as 2019 Business Woman of the needs adults in our community. I Year.
For special occasions, Shan recommends Simply Scents’ signature Bundt Cake Candles and Mini Bundt Cake Candles, as well as a case of 8 oz. Jelly Jar Candles. They come in a variety of fragrances and twelve per case, so they’re great as gifts, along with select choices from the recently launched Luxury Candle Line. To order directly from Simply Scents by Shan, or to find out more about custom products, fundraisers, and her Candle Club, go to www. simplyscentsbyshan.com. Follow Shan on social media at Simply Scents Candle Co.
Anika Jackson is a mother, community volunteer, philanthropist, and brand strategist. As Founder/CEO of Social Graces Social Club, Jackson fosters friendships, business opportunities, and community activism for her members through events and via the Social Graces Social Clubhouse in downtown Houston, while maintaining a thriving PR, marketing, and event company. In her role as VP of Strategic Partnerships for Real Beauty Real Women, Anika creates collaborative opportunities for brands and non-profits, and she co-hosts Real Beauty Real Women Entertainment
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- a popular Monday night Facebook show that highlights socially conscious men and women. Among her philanthropy endeavors, Ms. Jackson serves as an advisory council/ founding family for the Greater Houston Community Foundation’s Center for Family Philanthropy. She’s also Chairman of Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, and she is a founding steering committee member of the national Planned Parenthood Affiliate Board Leader Council, as well as a founder of Houston Children Give Back and Learn Grow Lead.
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8313 KIRKWOOD DRIVE | LOS ANGELES $1,275,000 | 3 BEDS, 2 BATHS
MINA KUPER M: 310.345.8500
SHELENE ATANACIO M: 310.500.0678
RICHARD CHASSLER M: 646.303.5997
DRE: 01515351
DRE: 02017476
DRE: 01997601
24573 PIUMA ROAD | MALIBU $35,000/mo | 7 BEDS, 6 BATHS DANIELLE ARMIENTO M: 424.522.3800
155 N CRESCENT DRIVE | BEVERLY HILLS $23,400/mo | 2 BEDS, 3 BATHS CHRISTOPHER WULFF M: 949.412.8492
2463 ACHILLES DRIVE | LOS ANGELES $28,000/mo | 4 BEDS, 5 BATHS DANIELLE ARMIENTO M: 424.522.3800
DRE: 01988894
DRE: 02026426
DRE: 01988894
DRE: 02018471
NEW YORK
DRE: 02018471 / 01876418
| HAMPTONS | GOLD COAST, LI | NEW JERSEY
DRE: 02003402
| MIAMI | SAN FRANCISCO | BEVERLY HILLS
| LONDON | ASIA
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Where your story happens.
meet kate & michelle - they are your people Start your home buying journey with them today. Kate White | 785-228-8012 kate.white@envistacu.com | NMLS 979302 Michelle Fales | 785-331-7589 michelle.fales@envistacu.com |NMLS 780009
T R AV E L
The Rich Coast LA PURA VIDA BY ARIEL HEIM
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reen grass and trees shown clearly along the side of the bus. Mountain ranges, both brown and green, stretched as far as your eyes could see. The clouds danced around the tops of the volcanoes and the blue sky as a topaz would shine under the blazing sun. Costa Rica, the country rich in culture and agriculture, was where I spent the last two weeks of winter break. On a travel writing trip, we saw as much of the country as possible, so we could create a body of writing that truly represented what we did and what we were able to genuinely experience. We traveled to five different cities, and we witnessed two volcanoes and two oceans. We hiked literally everywhere and uncovered hidden cultures one wouldn’t see if just going for a ‘touristy’ attraction visit. One of the best parts of the trip was seeing how hotels, people, restaurants, tribes, and even museums used the environment to its fullest potential, without destroying the life that needed protecting.
I saw abundant species of frogs, and beautiful butterflies that at first glance looked plain and brown, but when they opened their wings were beautiful shades of blue. I observed as a private hotel company created a safe space for sloths and regulated the ways in which one could interact with them without disturbing their daily routines. I watched a private hotel company give a significant amount of land to a tribe who had been living on, protecting, and sharing that land for generations. Costa Rica really was a “rich coast,” and that wealth was spread amongst its people, plants, and animals, no matter what the cost. The Maleku tribe, the indigenous people in Costa Rica that were given back their land by the private hotel company, have striven to give as much information about their traditions and their art as they can. They gave small talks about their histories, their medicinal knowledge when it came to the plants on their land, how they create their art, how to speak their language, and how they get their names when they are born.
One interesting story was this: a speaker told us when it was time to be given his name, his family couldn’t find one that truly fit his Spirit. Usually, when you get your name, it is paired with the type of Spirit you have and the knowledge you will acquire later as you grow. For this man, his father couldn’t figure out a name for him because his Spirit had a vast amount of knowledge already - so much so that it was predicted that later in his life he would acquire far more knowledge than the average man, including but not limited to language, art, fishing, and a knowledge of medicinal plants. We also heard stories about the last volcano eruption of Irazu. The tribe’s involvement with it sparked so much creativity in me that I wanted to learn and understand more by listening to as many of their stories as possible!! Costa Rica, though a small country, remains so rich in history, and the people maintain a true appreciation for all that they have and all that they can offer. Costa Rica is more than just a country with two oceans and six active volcanoes. It’s a beautiful country of cocoa, vanilla, watermelon, sloths, monkeys, butterflies, many bird species, frogs, the Maleku tribe, hot springs, and coffee plantations. Is it any wonder that many years ago a Quaker took a jeep and moved his entire family to the top of a mountain and founded a huge business based on this country’s plentiful agriculture and pristine nature, later calling it Monteverde? It seems only right, as my all-too-brief stay in this magnificent Central-American conclave left me with a desire to return and see more!!
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Your Wichita, KS Connection.
A Seat at the Table DESIGN + DESIRE
W
hen you sit face-to-face with Daryl Bell, two things immediately stand out:
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One, there’s no questioning the fact you’re in the presence of a very bright, self-aware, extremely creative, deeply determined, and quite formidable woman; and Two, Mrs. Bell seems to be still getting used to the idea that she’s being recognized more everyday in the rough-and-tumble business world for bringing these same qualities to bear as a professional in her craft. The Owner and President of Design Brilliance here in Lawrence has had her share of tough moments and doubts as she’s risen to be clearly recognized as one of the top Brand Marketing and Design companies in the Midwest. She explains, “When I first started this company six years ago,
and I had very few clients – and some days very little work and barely a work table – I’d still jump out of bed and get dressed for the day as if I had multiple clients and meetings, and conduct my day in a way that made me feel like I was already successful.” She continues, “And then, as I acquired more and more clients and began to receive recognition both in the industry and in the business world, I actually started having to deal with ‘Impostor Syndrome.’ I found myself constantly asking internally, ‘Do I really deserve this? And, in a broader, external sense as a woman in a male-dominated business environment, am I even supposed to have A Seat At The Table?’”
F E AT U R E
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Daryl Bell, CEO of Design Brilliance and Co-Founder of Hey Sister.
Daryl, and husband Jack.
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And, herein lies the dichotomy of a Bright Star: It shines so ebulliently that it’s impossible for everyone not to notice, but at the same time that star remains floating in an infinite universe, utterly and fully dependent on it’s very own energy to survive. Without the intangible rocket fuel of self-acceptance and self-worth, both the star and the human being’s very survival hang in the balance. Bell graduated from KU in 2007 with a degree in Visual Communications. It didn’t take long for her prowess to be acknowledged,
as she garnered an A-7 Design Award from AIGA KC that very same year. As she continued to further both her craft and her business acumen, 2013 saw her become a Graduate of Leadership Lawrence. 2014 followed with a tremendous honor in being named Kansas Young Entrepreneur of the Year by the Kansas Department of Commerce. Through it all, Daryl has chosen clients and projects based on integrity and passion, as opposed to just chasing money. She clearly reasons, “In my view, there’s no such thing as ‘work-life balance.’
You’re always making a trade of some sort, and the most important choices I make are with my time. I’ve made a conscious choice to be open to the idea that people and creativity, combined with passion, provide far more fertile ground for success than simply money. At the end of the day, I’ve always wanted to be client-based, as opposed to just business-based, because to me, the quality of the people involved in a project can ensure its success.” This idea of ‘quality people’ runs as a consistent thread in all that Bell does — proven-out by the excitement around another business she recently founded, Hey Sister, a networking and co-wroking initiative for women and gender non-conforming people, with her sister-in-law, Kerry Bell. In an office space for almost four years as she began Design Brilliance, she discovered that the overhead associated with this amenity became unnecessary, as true solutions for her clients dovetailed her creative thoughts with both her phone and her computer. Still, in giving up her office space, she found a double-edge to that sword. Bell expands, “I noticed that, while I didn’t miss the costs associated with my office,
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I definitely missed the interaction I was having by simply getting out into the world and talking to people. Working from home didn’t provide that. I also craved the insight and motivation I could draw from networking with other people in various, inspiring places around town, and from these reflections and more, Hey Sister was born.” From Vision Board Workshops at the beginning of each year to Special Events like the recent Galentine’s Day Celebration in February, the Bells have constructed Hey Sister to function as a thriving network
amongst women and a genuine opportunity to bond with and learn from one another in an encouraging environment. The tone beneath each get-together is one of acceptance, inspiration, and support, and Bell finds the number of women interested in and joining Hey Sister continues to multiply by the month.
Daryl, and Sister-in-Law, Kerry Bell, Co-Founders of Hey Sister.
She surmises, “I really believe that so many women deal with issues like questioning selfworth, self-doubt, and the idea of chasing ‘success’ that has been defined for them. I know I’ve dealt with this so much myself, and I feel like we as women deserve to feel good about ourselves and one another, especially within the context of achieving in our everyday lives. I believe we deserve to define success for ourselves, and I wanted Hey Sister to be a vehicle that can drive this type of empowerment amongst women.”
Having recently been awarded the 2018 American Package Design Award by GDUSA - as well as an honor just weeks ago in receiving the prestigious 2019 Gold Addy Award in Cross-Platform Promotional Design by The American Advertising Federation Topeka – Bell insists that the process of continuing to work with passionate clients and do her very best for them stands as her daily pursuit. The consummate professional, she never wants to rest on her laurels or forget the days of jumping out of bed in the morning and finding a reason to work diligently at her craft and get better, whether she had a table to sit at or not. In those lean days full of questioning, she discovered a great deal about herself - her desire to achieve, her willingness to go the extra mile for her clients, and her resolve. And, in looking to the future, Daryl Bell can honestly say that through sheer determination, persistence, and perseverance, she ultimately found her chair, walked it right over, and MADE SURE she now truly has A Seat At The Table!!
Daryl’s award-winning work with Design Brilliance in 2018 and 2019, craft beer label designs for Yankee Tank Brewing Company.
LOCAL MUSIC SPOTLIGHT PHOTOS BY BRIAN BYERS
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Homemade Cobblers, Signature Cocktails & Live Entertainment
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Disclosure Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company,* Farm Bureau Property & Casualty Insurance Company,* Western Agricultural Insurance Company*/West Des Moines, IA. *Company providers of Farm Bureau Financial Services M123 (8-18)
