SUMMER 2019
n e m o Black W
s s e n i Bus an e M
Over the past few months, I have become relentless in my quest to be BETTER - a better mother, a better wife, a better friend, a better member of my community, and a better entrepreneur. You see, I recently turned 42 and for some strange reason everything that was not right in my life became unacceptable. After all, when you are 42 you are grown; and although this has been the case for me for quite some time now, the clarity I recently developed in terms of the actions that must be taken in my life and business in order to grow, has never been clearer. I discovered that the more I wanted to implement change, the more I realized that all of it was circular. Some of the things that I wanted to change in my personal life (new home, vacations, investments, etc.) required the financial resources that my business could provide, but the changes I needed in order to make my business grow, required peace of mind in my personal life. So… what’s a girl to do? You gotta change it all. You must draw a line in the sand and tackle it all. Get your finances in order! Spend more time with your kids! Get physically fit and healthy! Build that funnel! Take that class! Make that offer! Host that event! I bet you’re thinking, “Enisha, you are crazy! There is no way I can do all of that at once!” Go ahead! Try to do one without the other, and you will find there is always “something” getting in the way of your success! Now, I need you to understand that I have not said anything about perfection. I want you to start where you are and strive for excellence, not perfection. If you commit to making small changes consistently to whatever is on your laundry list of things you need to accomplish to be “BETTER”, you will continually experience positive changes in your personal development and that will position your business for profits. So, how does all of this relate to this issue of Ellese & Co, “Black Women Mean Business”? Well, we are out here displaying so much Black Excellence and starting more businesses than any other demographic, but statistically speaking, we are the least profitable. I believe it’s because there is always “Something”. Something that’s always keeping us from positioning our businesses for profits. We are allowing stress to seep in and sabotage our plans ("The Real Reason Black Women Entrepreneurs are Stressed Out"), not protecting our assets ("5 Things Every Entrepreneurs Should Know About Trademarks"), or not making the highest and best use of our time ("Time, Your Most Precious Resource"). But the one thing I do know about Black Women is that when we know better - WE DO BETTER! And when we activate our Black Girl Magic? It is unmatched ("The Art of Instagram" and "BLK+GRN")! Remember, there is nothing we can’t do once we activate our secret sauce. Excellence over perfection!
Enisha Ligon-Garrett ELLESEANDCO.COM
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CONTENTS CONTENTS ON THE COVER BLACK WOMEN MEAN BUSINESS Enisha ONLigon-Garrett THE COVER BLACK WOMEN 10 MEAN BUSINESS Enisha Ligon-Garrett
10 GREEN BLACK BEAUTY GONE Ellese & Co
BLACK BEAUTY 14 GONE GREEN Ellese & Co
WHEN A WHITE14 COMPANY WEARS WHEN A WHITE BLACK FACECOMPANY Dr. KristianWEARS Henderson BLACK 18 FACE Dr. Kristian Henderson
SMART MONEY 18 Takisha Artist
SMART 20 MONEY Takisha Artist
VACATION PROOF 20 YOUR BUSINESS Charlene Brown VACATION PROOF YOUR BUSINESS 22 Charlene Brown
22 5 THINGS EVERY ENTREPRENEUR
FIT FOR A QUEEN Ellese & Co
FIT FOR 30 A QUEEN Ellese & Co
30 THE ART OF INSTAGRAM Ellese & Co
THE ART32 OF INSTAGRAM Ellese & Co
32 GO ART ON THE Ellese & Co
ART36 ON THE GO Ellese & Co
THE REAL REASON 36 BLACK WOMENPRENUERS ARE THE REAL REASON STRESSED OUT BLACK Precious Frazier WOMENPRENUERS ARE STRESSED OUT 38 Precious Frazier
THE COMPANY38 YOU KEEP Mz. Maya J.
THE COMPANY YOU KEEP 42 Mz. Maya J.
UNEXPECTED42 BLENDZ Ellese & Co
UNEXPECTED BLENDZ 44
Ellese & Co SHOULD KNOW ABOUT 5 THINGS EVERY ENTREPRENEUR TIME - YOUR MOST TRADEMARKS 44PRECIOUS Angelica McDonald, Esq.ABOUT SHOULD KNOW RESOURCE Ellese &MOST Co TRADEMARKS TIME - YOUR PRECIOUS 26 Angelica McDonald, Esq. RESOURCE 46
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THE LEAGL STUFF: The information contained in this publication is for informational purposes only. Ellese & Co assumes no liability or responsibility for any inaccurate, delayed or incomplete information, nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon. The information THE LEAGL STUFF: information in thishas publication is for by informational purposes & Co assumes liability contained about each The individual, event contained or organization been provided the respective authoronly. with Ellese no verification by us.noFurther, or responsibility for any inaccurate, or incomplete information, any actions taken relianceofthereon. the opinion expressed in each article isdelayed the opinion of its author and does nor not for necessarily reflect theinopinion Ellese &The Co,information therefore, contained each individual, event orexpressed organization has been provided by the respective author with no verification by us. Further, we carry noabout responsibility for the opinion thereon. the opinion expressed in each article is the opinion of its author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Ellese & Co, therefore, we carry no responsibility for the opinion expressed thereon. ELLESEANDCO.COM
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MARIA HARRIS Editor-At-Large
Maria Harris is a copywriter and legal professional with a life-long passion for words. She has served as a copy editor for several national publications and is currently the Editor-at-Large for Ellese & Co. When she is not busy with words, you can find her at the local movie theater, as she is an avid movie buff.
CONTRIBUTORS JASMINE WILLIS Senior Copy Editor
Jasmine Willis is the CEO and Senior Project Director of The NexCrew LLC, a social media entertainment and events group. She advocates for the empowerment of Black creatives within the geek community by curating platforms to put them front and center. When she isn’t hard at work, Jasmine enjoys gaming, taking pictures, reading comics, and being her own foodie. Jasmine currently resides in Austin with her husband and two children.
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TAKISHA ARTIS Senior Contributor
Takisha Artist, a Lifestyle Influencer, CEO of Takisha’s Theory, a Lifestyle Elevation Firm specializing in financial-life coaching & personal development for women. With over 20 years in the financial industry, having seen the growing trend of women surpassing the six-figure mark, it became clear that they still struggled with financial confidence & believing they can attain wealth. It’s Takisha's mission to position women to be their own wealth plan by shifting their mindset & creating money management strategies.
PRECIOUS FRAZIER Contributor
Precious Frazier is the author of an affirmations book, Meditation Teacher and Coach. She provides meditation coaching and mindfulness support to busy black women and black womenpreneurs who are crazy busy, stressed and looking for ways to breathe easy.
www.facebook.com/thepreciousiam
www.takishastheory.com
CHARLENE BROWN Contributor
As a Branding Consultant and Full Stack Developer, Charlene Brown has worked with Solopreneurs to help them launch their businesses for over 20 years. As a bestselling author Charlene has also shared her knowledge with thousands to help them not only brand themselves online but to also prepare their businesses for automation through current technology.
www.bklyncustomdesigns.com
ANGELICA MCDONALD, ESQ. Contributor
Angelica McDonald is the Owner and Managing Attorney of her North Carolina-based law firm, McDonald Law, PLLC. She helps individuals form businesses and protect their brands by drafting agreements and obtaining trademark and copyright registrations. www.anmcdonaldlaw.com
MZ. MAYA J. Contributor
Mz. Maya J is an International a Inspirational Speaker, Coach, Author, Actress, Blogger, and CEO, engaging audiences across the globe with education, self-love, empowerment, and transformation. Having earned the name “The PHOENIX” for her resilience, this mother of three is on on a mission to change the lives of one billion people! www.mayajenterprises.com
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ADMINOVATIVE Adminovative is a Creative and Administrative Consulting boutique that specializes in administration, branding, graphic design, web design, and social media management. Rendesia, CEO of Adminovative enjoys providing support services to entrepreneurs and small business owners to enable them to focus on growing their businesses and speaking life into their businesses through great design-without compromising their time. www.adminovative.com
HUSTLE BLENDZ COFFEE
While coffee has been around for centuries, the difference between brands is greatly varied depending on the small details in the blending consistency. Husband and wife team, Tweety & Patrice Angwenyi have created the perfect coffee for visionaries, early mornings, and sales calls. From the Daily Grind - Light Roast to the to Shot Caller - Dark Roast, the aroma will captivate the entire room.
Shadier than the entire state of Florida, Tea + Shade is throwing shade for the makers, dreamers, doers, and all inbetweeners working a 9-5 or grinding solo. Specializing in unique collections of mugs, buttons, t-shirts, and more. wwww.teaplusshade.com
www.hustleblendz.com
BUY BLACK! Addie Rawr is an Artist, Designer, and Owner of Art & Ambition Studios. She has created a line of products that help uplift and push Black Women and artwork forward while leaving a little inspiration for everyone. Along with creating, Addie works with small businesses and product creators. She also mentors artist with developing plans for their careers. Addie has been featured on XONecole, Blavity, Essence and many other mainstream platforms for her contributions in the black community. www.addierawr.com 8 ELLESEANDCO.COM
LaShaunda C. Hoffman LaShaunda C. Hoffman turned her love for books into an award-winning online magazine, Shades of Romance – SORMAG, for readers and writers of multi-cultural literature. Her mission in life is to help promote writers by introducing them to readers. LaShaunda’s latest offering is a consolidation of over 14 years of expertise in online promotion. This how-to guide helps authors promote like a pro and build trust with their readers, so they become loyal buyers. www.lashaundahoffman.com
AnnodRight is on a mission... a mission to connect with Black women across the diaspora to confront the issues we deal with every day in therapy, through workshops and webinars, on stage speaking, and now a book. Mental and sexual health are the focus, especially where colorism and texturism meet with anxiety, depression, and self-esteem. Where being superwoman is tiring. Where the masks we wear and the way we “fake it till you make it” feels like way too much. AnnodRight is there to be a guide, a teacher, a friend, a therapist, a shoulder to cry on, a hug that’s needed, or a knock on the head. We want to be with you on your journey to self-healing and freedom. www.annodright.com
Bklyn Custom Designs Bklyn Custom Designs was launched to help busy Solopreneurs overwhelmed with the learning curve of technology and juggling the demands of running an online business. Branding yourself online does not have to stress you out. Let the Bklyn Custom Designs team handle your online business tech and brand you using proven strategies, professional graphics, and promo videos. www.bklyncustomdesigns.com
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HOW TO BEAT THE ODDS AND POSITION YOUR BUSINESS FOR PROFITS BY ENISHA LIGON-GARRETT
YESSSSSSS!
“Sistas are doing it for themselves, standin’ on their own two feet and ringin’ their own bells!” I know that I am probably dating myself, but I still sing this famous Aretha Franklin song proudly. So, you want to know who the fastest growing group of entrepreneurs are? We are… Black Women! Major companies like American Express are showing this through hard data which I will discuss later. However, I didn’t need a fancy study or statistics to come to that conclusion. It is displayed on my social media timelines daily. I scroll with pride knowing that we are not leaving our destiny in the hands of others.
From the tried and true businesses in the fields of beauty and culinary (people want to look fly, and they love to eat), to tech and consulting firms (doors which are typically closed in the corporate world), Black Women are taking their seat at the head of the table. To put it bluntly, our unmatched creativity, along with sheer necessity, gives us a distinct advantage which propels more Black Women into entrepreneurship. Now that we have gushed and applauded the good, we must now face some hard truths. A recent study, produced by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation (2018), reported that “Black-owned firms have higher failure rates than White-owned and Asian-owned firms.” No surprises there! Furthermore, the average revenue for women of color dropped from $84K in 2007 to $66K in 2018, while for non-minority businesses revenue rose from $181K to $212K. Even though Black Women own 2,402,600 or 20%, of all women-owned businesses we only produced an average revenue of $25K per firm vs. $143K among all women-owned businesses. As for other minority groups (i.e., Asian, Latina), they do not experience the same revenue disparities at such an alarming rate.
Now that we know there is a disparity, let’s explore some of the root problems and more importantly some solutions.
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STARTING BUSINESSES OUT OF NECESSITY
I know... I know… I said this was an advantage, but it can also be a weakness if you allow it to be. Because we need money, many of us are willing to undervalue our products and services (offers). The “something is better than nothing” mentality will cripple your business. Don’t let it. In a world of Amazon and offshore resources, you may not be able to compete by lowering your prices, instead, let’s tap into that Black Girl Magic and create an offer and a market that will pay you your worth. I already know what you are going to say - “My customers won’t pay more!” My response to you, "Find some new customers." You will never win on pricing alone because there will always be someone willing to offer it for less.
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NO ACCESS TO START-UP OR OPERATING CAPITAL
In all likely hood, you probably don’t have a trust fund or a rich uncle that left you a hefty sum of money. And your prospect of getting venture capital is not much better. The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation (2016) study further stated that only, “2.7% of all U.S. companies receiving venture capital had a woman CEO, and only 0.2% of venture capital goes to African American women – despite the fact that African American women founders are the fastest growing entrepreneurial segment.” The fact is most Black Women who start businesses bootstrap them. Some may have stashed a little cash away courtesy of their 9-5 or they may have even cashed out their 401Ks. In most cases, a little sprinkle of cash, that you may not know how to effectively manage, is not enough to start or operate a business. But remember we are creative by nature. We have ample experience in making a dollar out of fifteen cents; so, it can defi-
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C O V E R
S T O R Y
nitely be done. You must be willing to start where you are and make strategic decisions with your money. The fancy logo and gold foil business cards will have to wait. Invest in marketing and systems that will allow you to scale and lead with offers that have higher profit margins, thus increasing your cash flow. The more cash on hand, the more likely you are to survive the early stages of business.
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IT’S A BIG COMMITMENT, SO ACT LIKE IT
According to an article in The Atlantic (2015), “95 percent of African American middle-class families do not have enough net assets to meet most of their essential living expenses for even three months if their source of income were to disappear.” In many cases, the risk of entrepreneurship is far too high and we simply don’t have the resources to quit our jobs and bet it all on a new business. Understand that you are not going to grow a million-dollar brand overnight. You may work at your side-hustle aka 9-5 until your business is making enough money to sustain itself and you. You are only going to get out of your business what you put into it. Make a commitment to work in your business as much time as you can so that you can Position it for Profits.
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YOUR BUSINESS IS NOT A SIDE HUSTLE
Treat your business like a “business”! [a] Have separate accounts for your business and personal finances. Mixing the two will only lead to chaos. [b] Make strategic investments in your infrastructure. [c] Issue and pay your invoices on time. As you grow your business, you may need financing and if you don’t pay your bills on time, financing may not be an option. There is no Rent-A-Center when it comes to business. Even if you are not working in your business full-time, it should not feel like that to your 12 ELLESEANDCO.COM
customers. It should feel legitimate and professional. A few small key investments can go a long way. A simple one-page website, emails to your customers from your business domain name, and clear communication channels are just a few fundamental tools you should be using. And please stop with the excuses in your business. When customers pay you for your products or services, deliver them on time. They could care less about you having to work overtime at your 9-5. You must treat your customers better than your 9-5 because this is YOUR business and you are positioning yourself for profit.
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NO ACCESS TO DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES
There is a slim chance that you may know someone that has a successful business and is willing to mentor you or show you the ropes for free. If you do, great! But if you don’t, you can’t sit around waiting for that bus to come along. You must invest in the knowledge that you need to make your business profitable.
When I say invest, I don’t mean Google, although you can start there. Learn all that you can about your business on your own so that you have an understanding of the resources that you will need to invest in. Some other helpful free resources you should tap into are Facebook groups and the Small Business Administration (SBA). Now that you know a little about a lot, you should invest in a group coaching program and then hire a business coach/consultant for some strategic 1x1 coaching, as needed. Buyers beware! Do your homework before you buy. There are lots of scammers out there just waiting to take advantage of you. Coaching is an excellent investment that will save you money, time, and provide you with access to a community of entrepreneurs which is invaluable. Once you have found a community, find a “Business Bestie”. This is someone who is at a similar stage as you are in your business that you can lean on for support and advice. For more info: www.elleseandco.com
GET YOUR PRINT COPY www.blackwomenmeanbusiness.com
BLACK BEAUTY
GONE GREEN
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"Our mission is to connect people with high-quality toxic-free products that support wellness and to cultivate forward-thinking Black artisans and entrepreneurs."
I
t’s no secret that Black Women love beauty products. However, as we embark on our self-care journeys, there are new levels of consciousness all around the types of products we use on our hair and bodies. Finding the right products can often be an expensive and very frustrating experience. Thanks to Dr. Kristian Henderson, a professor of public health and natural lifestyle enthusiast, and her company BLK+GRN, the process of shopping for self-care products just became a treat rather than a chore.
our mission of health, wellness, and community cultivation. We want to be absolutely sure that we’re offering the cleanest plant-based products on the market.” She emphasized, “our approval process shows the steps that we take when reviewing applications for artisans to feature. This 4-part process evaluates ingredients, sourcing, effectiveness and we even look at the packaging and branding of the products. We also want to know if it’s meeting a new niche and filling a gap in the beauty space. We discover hundreds of artisans, but we curate our selection to include only the best of the best of Black-owned brands. I’m always interested in making sure that we give our customers as much diversity as possible so that we can replace them having to purchase their personal care products from other places.”
IN HER OWN WORDS
Ellese & Co: What inspired you to start BLK+GRN? KH: Well, my background is in public health and one of the things that was central to
my work was health disparities — particularly looking at why Black women have poor health outcomes in comparison to their white counterparts. The growing research pointed to the levels of toxicity in the products that Black women are using, and the impact that it may be having on their overall health. We found that 75% of the products that are marketed directly toward Black women are considered toxic and contain harmful ingredients. That statistic, alarming as it is, really put things into perspective for me and prompted me to embark on my own wellness journey by opting for products that were better for me. I also wanted to make it easier for other Black women to make that same choice. So, in 2017, I started BLK+GRN, which is an online marketplace and educational platform that curates all-natural and toxic-free products created exclusively by Black artisans and entrepreneurs. I wanted to create a safe space where people could discover clean products and move towards holistic health. It was also important for me to encourage people to remove toxic chemicals from their diets and products and instead use the power of plants and nature to heal and thrive.
When visiting the BLK+GRN website, you can shop with confidence because they do not allow just every product that inquires to be sold on their site. They have a strict approval process, where they vet each and every product. When asked, “why have an approval process? “Dr. K. Henderson advised, “our mission at BLK+GRN is to promote beautiful, sustainable and high-quality products that are ethically sourced and free from toxins. I really wanted to uphold the integrity of that by making sure that all of the artisans that are featured on our site met certain requirements. Each brand is carefully chosen by experts and share in
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P R O F I L E
BLK+GRN was really born out of this desire for Black people to be conscious, politically and socially, with their consumption decisions. What I love most about what I do is being able to help people live their healthiest and happiest lives. I’m just so overwhelmed by the amount of support that I’ve gotten from people all over the country who are willing to buy our products and are seeking to dedicate themselves to healthy-living – that’s been really fulfilling. Ellese & Co: What are some of your favorite beauty brands, and why? KH: Ever since I became a mom, I try to look for gentle products with multiple purposes. Plus, I’m constantly traveling for work, which can really take its toll on the skin. So, The Rose Glow Mini Kit by Matrescence Skin has become a favorite of mine because it helps revive my skin, it protects against environmental aggressors and it gives it that healthy glow when I’m on the go. And, for multi-purpose moisturizing, Posy Hair + Body Oil is my go-to magic oil. It comes in a spray bottle, it’s easy to apply, and gives you that needed hydration without being excessively oily. Ellese & Co: We read the article that you published on Medium; why is having the BLK+GRN trademark so crucial to you? It’s an expensive fight, so why are you willing to take on such a big brand? KH: Having the BLK+GRN trademark is really important to me because it affords the visibility needed for small Black-owned and Black affirming companies, especially in the current beauty space. It directly informs consumers that they are buying clean and eco-friendly products from actual Black brands. Right now, we are in a trademark battle with Mansa Products Inc., the parent company that actually owns BLK/OPL, over the use of the word “BLK.” This has been tru-
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ly eye-opening because I’m understanding first-hand the power behind these large corporations and how they can stifle the growth of small businesses. But, what’s baffling to me is that there are hundreds of other trademarks that have “BLK” in them. So, you can’t really trademark the spelling of a commonly used color. And, you’re right. It is an expensive fight — one that can run the risk of us going out of business. I mean, it can cost tens of thousands of dollars to keep filing the briefs and paying for lawyer fees, even if the small business isn’t violating someone’s trademark. And for me, it’s a little more frustrating because this is almost like a form of “blackfishing.” BLK/OPL presents as a Black-owned brand — based on their content and marketing, many people think BLK/OPL is a Black-owned brand — but they’re actually not. They just want to capitalize on Blackness without actually being Black, and then try to prevent an actual Black company from thriving. Or, at least that’s how it feels to me. It’s very hard to wrap my head around at times.
Ellese & Co: Any advice for someone that wants to create a beauty brand? KH: BLK+GRN didn’t start out as a business—it was really a solution to my own wellness needs. I started my career in public health as a hospital administrator. But at that time, I felt that the hospital practices and the way we treated patients weren’t aligning with my personal values. So, I wanted to create a platform where I could connect people with eco-friendly brands and products that support wellness, and cultivate forward-thinking Black artisans and entrepreneurs. So, my biggest tip is to develop a mission-driven business. Make sure that it is something that is authentic to your core values, and is something that you truly care about. It will become invaluable as you grow your business. www.blkgrn.com
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I N
T H E
N E W S
WHEN A WHITE COMPANY WEARS
Blackface I
n the wake of marketing snafus like Gucci, H&M, and Katy Perry’s blackface loafers, Black consumers are being reminded that corporations lack cultural sensitivity at the best and are downright racists at the worst. Each of these incidences often comes with a demand for a boycott and focused energy on buying Black. But what happens when large corporations that are not Blackowned appear to be Black owned and block Black-owned brands from thriving? What happens when white corporations wear Blackface? Because unfortunately, this isn’t a new trend.
Mana Products Inc, founded by Nikos P. Mouyiaris, is currently opposing the trademark for BLK + GRN, an all natural marketplace that curates all natural products created by all Black artisans. Mana owns Black Opal, which was recently rebranded as BLK/ OPL, and they are asserting that the trademark BLK + GRN filed would cause confusion, so they are opposing BLK + GRN’s trademark application. Their argument hinges on the fact that both brands use block letters, both spell Black with the shorthand BLK, and both
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brands use a symbol followed by three other letters. Despite the fact that we are in different industries (Black Opal is a color cosmetics company and BLK + GRN is a marketplace), despite the fact that several other trademarks exist with the word Black or BLK included, they are still opposing the trademark of BLK + GRN, even with a seemingly thin argument. It feels as if Black Opal is claiming to own the stylized “BLK” version of Black, despite being very far from being a Black-owned company. Black Opal’s Instagram feed features nothing but Black women, which would lead you to believe that Black women founded the brand. Yet the existence of an actual Blackowned, Black-run, and Black-affirming company that supports over 65 Black women-owned brands is at stake. Mana, with an estimated revenue of $284.92 million, can afford the legal fight. However, BLK + GRN can’t. The legal fees could strangle a small startup company and force us to close our doors. BLK + GRN was founded with the purpose of connecting Black women with all-natural products without compromising their values, their health, or their standards. We believe firmly in the power of supporting small Blackowned brands, and we exist as the antithesis of the actions of Black Opal, and others like them. We are pushing against the colonization of the marketplace. Stand with us by following us on Instagram, liking us on Facebook, Donating to our GoFundMe, or purchasing a product from one of our Black artisans.
“
If you thought Black Opal, Black Radiance or black|Up [were Blackowned], the gag is they’re not actually black-owned. And though they do make products designed for black skin, many black-owned beauty brands have suffered from a lack of visibility.” — JASLEY MONIA, THE FADER
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dr. Kristian Henderson is a professor of public health, a natural lifestyle enthusiast, and the founder of BLK+GRN, an all-natural marketplace by all Black artisans. Here, products are curated and sold in categories like skincare, home, and bath and body to meet the needs of wellness seekers who want to buy Black and live green. www.drkristianh.com
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M O N E Y
M A T T E R S
SMART
MONEY BY TAKISHA ARTIS
HOW TO MAKE STRATEGIC MOVES WITH YOUR MONEY
W
hen it comes to running a business, you have to know a little bit about a lot of things. Trends in your industry, customer concerns, products, and service development; the list just goes on and on. But one of the main areas most entrepreneurs bury their heads in the sand is with their finances. I totally understand, its probably the same in their personal finances. With an economic storm looming in the form of a recession in 2020, it’s time to make sure your finances are in order, and
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you are positioning your business to bring in an abundance of cash. With the growing number of entrepreneurs surpassing the six-figure mark in earnings, it’s vital that you are more intentional in your spending, savings, investing and giving.
Here are three ways to be more intentional with your finances. Smart investments. Identify areas within your business where you can invest in generating massive growth such as sys-
tems, personal and professional development, and marketing. This may also be the time to start outsourcing certain areas so that you can free up your time. Engage someone to help you in the areas you are weak or hire a coach to help you scale your business faster. While you’re investing, don’t forget to build a business reserve. This will help ensure that you, keep your cash flowing when sales are low, are prepared for upgrades, or in this case, provide a cushion to hold you over during a recession.
HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU HAVE IN RESERVES?
Your reserve should include the costs to run your business and the cost to pay yourself for at least three months; however, six-nine months is ideal. The payment to yourself can be in the form of your salary or withdrawals. To fund this reserve, set up an automatic deposit just like you would with your personal savings account. Be prepared to diversify your offers and prices. When your clients no longer have the same amount of disposable income, you have to make sure you still have something that they need at their new price level. This could be as simple as creating products and/or services at different price tiers. Being able to adapt to your clients’ needs at various price points may be the determining factor in them staying with you as a loyal customer or going elsewhere. Give your profits purpose. Your primary focus in business is to generate more income, but you also need to focus on lowering your expenses if you want to make a profit. If this is an area that you have been putting off, I urge you to make this a priority. Be intentional when it comes to the best use of your funds. If there is excess revenue (all expenses are paid, reserves are fully funded, and you are
taking a salary) consider giving yourself a bonus so that you can pay down your personal debt and increase your personal savings. This way, you and your business will be prepared for a possible downturn.
WHERE CAN I CUT COSTS?
The best way to cut cost is to start by reviewing your expenses line by line to see if each item is still serving your business. Ask yourself, am I still using it (i.e., software, water services, subscriptions, etc.) and is it still beneficial? If you’re not using it, cancel immediately. Congrats, you have started saving some money already. If the “stuff” is no longer serving its purpose well, you should consider finding another option. Hopefully, one that yields you some savings. If you haven’t used it in the last 30 days, you either need to use it or cancel it. Don’t think of the money you saved by canceling stuff as “free” money; it should be first allocated to your reserves and then investments, especially since you are already accustomed to the expenditures. immediately. If it's not serving you find another option or cancel. If you haven't used it in the last 30 you either need to use it or cancel. The money that you canceled, the next month add them to your reserves since you're already used to paying for them.
WWW. TAKISHASTHEORY.COM
SIDE NOTE: MONEY BLOCKS A Money Block is a belief, thought pattern, or story that stops you from being able to make, save, spend, and manage money. [1] You Can’t Have it ALL Uncomfortable with receiving money. [2] You Have to Settle – Free or discounted prices when you know they’re worth more. [3] Comparison - There’s someone already doing it. I can’t make what she does, feeling like a fraud or unqualified. [4] Excuses - People won’t pay my prices, my family doesn’t support my business, I don’t know how, or I have so many ideas. [5] Believing the Worst - You’re always waiting for the worst so you never enjoy what you have, you can’t make more or have more. [6] Surrounding Yourself with Negative - People or those with a poverty mindset. They complain about money constantly. [7] Believing you don’t deserve Money - Uncomfortable with extra money or spending it when you get to a certain amount. [8] Fear of Failure - You do a little or talk yourself out of things because you’re scared to give it your all. [9] Fear of Success - You start gaining traction but the moment it gets good you stop or slow down. WWW. TAKISHASTHEORY.COM
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You’ve been working so hard, and you need time to decompress, but you’re unsure how to keep your brand relevant and your business running when you take time off. BY CHARLENE BROWN
Make your Business
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AS A SOLOPRENEUR IT'S IMPORTANT TO TAKE PERIODIC VACATIONS (OR EVEN SICK DAYS TO RECOVER). I MEAN REAL VACATIONS; TURNING OFF THE COMPUTERS, DISCONNECTING FROM SOCIAL MEDIA, AND SPENDING QUALITY TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
LEARNING THE HARD WAY
When I first launched my business, I was so excited to go on a work-cation! I just wanted to know that I could work during the day, on my terms, and choose when I got to play the rest of the time. That was easier said than done. Unfortunately, once I started working it was almost like I couldn’t stop myself. The non-stop emails, upcoming projects, requested website designs, social media managing, customer support questions; you name it, I got it and felt obligated to address them all. It was like I wasn’t even on vacation anymore. The real problem is small business owners, especially Solopreneurs, tend to take little to no vacations. When we do we usually lose money or have mediocre vacations. However, that doesn’t have to be the case anymore. Like me, you can learn how automating your business, delegating tasks, and managing your workload will allow you to enjoy guilt-free vacations while avoiding a drop in your income. I got tired of feeling guilty about taking time for myself and did not
want to answer questions while I was relaxing. I’m not sure about you, but I know I deserved guilt-free vacations. If you’re down for something real, then continue reading as I discuss some ideas that will afford you the opportunity to turn everything off, destress, and enjoy your vacation.
AUTOMATION WITH A PURPOSE
Whatever you do with automation, always make sure it supports your client and business needs first. There are so many ways to automate a lot of your business tasks, but you want to avoid making your business seem less human. A great place to start is with automating some of your bookkeeping duties,
especially your invoicing so you don’t have to manually reach out to clients that owe you money. Set reminders to go out every few days to clients who have missed payment deadlines with auto-payment options. Also, you should think hard about automating any aspect of your customer service. Decide which part of your process would be best for a team to handle, such as support emails, disputes, and/or refunds. Get your clients onboard early! Before one of my vacations, I implemented a scheduling system. It was a lifesaver and proved to be extremely helpful. So, think about how long you’ll be away and
schedule your respective media channels accordingly. You must also continue to nurture your audience through email marketing, blogs and social media posts while you are away so schedule all your content distribution using a of content management software. Knowing that my audience received new content from me while I was out sightseeing was the best feeling ever. This relieved me of the feeling of needing to be constantly present online. Automation can also help you control your workflow and create schedules for any deadlines. If you accept last minute requests, then it may be difficult to take a vacation at all. But, if your clients can see your availability, it will make it easier for them to work with you.
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DELEGATE
THE RUNDOWN
I highly suggest finding a few people, or one awesome person, to handle these important tasks long before you plan to take your vacation and provide the best training possible to set them up for success. This ensures you have ample time to complete any onboarding, review training, or to answer any questions they may have. If you want them to grow with your team, be sure to offer a fair-market rate that you both are happy with.
Whatever you do, don’t leave your brand and your clients stranded. Try some of these tips and let us know which worked for you and if you’ve found some different ways to implement them.
Once you get your automated processes in place, look to outsource some simple tasks such as monitoring your social media, redirecting clients to your support funnel, helping you schedule social media posts, and more.
As a Solopreneur you should be able to easily take a vacation. However, in order to do that and completely disconnect for a couple weeks out of a year, you need to set your business up to withstand your time away.
www.bklyncustomdesigns.com
WE’RE GOING LIVE! RESOURCES TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS
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Things Every Entrepreneur Should Know About Trademarks 26 ELLESEANDCO.COM
When I think about trademarks, big brand names such as Coca-Cola, Apple, and Walmart come to mind. They are companies that started from the bottom and built multimillion-dollar entities. They didn’t get to where they are now by not protecting their beloved brands. BY ANGELICA MCDONALD, ESQ
T
hey believed they would be bigger than where they started and so should you. As a trademark attorney, I have seen individuals put so much time, effort, and money into starting their companies and developing their brands only to find out their brand name, logo, etc. had already been acquired by someone else. In other words, someone had gained trademark registration and brand recognition with the brand name that they had built their business upon. Luckily, you can control your future by taking a few strategic steps that will be critical for your success.
will reveal whether or not you are infringing on someone else’s trademark rights. In other words, it will show if you and another person 1) have a similar mark, 2) with related goods and services, 3) that consumers think come from the same source. Although owning a domain name and registering your business name with various agencies is essential, it falls under
We are going to give you a head start on protecting your brand. Here are five things every entrepreneur should know about trademarks.
1
Before you start selling your product or service, complete a comprehensive trademark search
I would be doing you a disservice if this was not the first thing I addressed. While a Google search can be a starting point, conducting a comprehensive trademark search is where the real due diligence begins. A comprehensive trademark search
the same starting point as your Google search. Doing those things does not give you trademark rights. A comprehensive search with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is the first step in protecting your rights. It will provide you with a broad reach and much more accurate results than any Google search. I recommend you do this on the front end rather than the back end. It will save you money and migraines.
mainte2 Trademark nance is required
You may be at the point where you have successfully obtained a trademark for your brand. Congratulations! Don’t celebrate for too long, because, before you know it, it will be time to renew your registration. Renewals confirm to the USPTO that you have and are continuing to use or “excusable nonuse” of your mark in connection to your product or service under your registration. Failure to file the required maintenance documents during the specified time periods will result in the cancellation of your trademark registration or invalidation of the United States extension of protection. Once you have renewed between your 5th and 6th year and 9th and 10th year, the renewal period thereafter will be every 9th and 10th year. While this can be a hassle, you don’t want to risk losing your registration.
3
You must enforce your rights
While the USPTO issues your federal registration which offers great benefits, you have to enforce your trademark rights. You enforce your rights by keeping up with who is using your mark without permission, immediately sending cease and desist letters, and even filing lawsuits for damages. Please remember, without trademark registration through the USPTO you cannot bring an action in federal court. Also, it is your responsibility to keep up with any new applications seeking registration of a mark that could possibly blur or tarnish the public’s perception of your mark. Once an application moves past the examination stage, the mark is published in the USPTO Official Gazette, which gives a party the opportunity to oppose the registration of a mark that may damage their registration. A great example of enforcing your rights is UPS filing a lawsuit against multiple cannabis delivery companies alleging
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trademark infringement of their shield logo and dilution of their reputation by being associated with the cannabis trade, which is illegal under federal law.
4
Trademark information submitted in the application is public record
The USPTO is required by law to keep a record of all trademark applications and registrations and make them available to the public. This means the information that is included in your application will remain available to the public, regardless of the outcome of your application. While the application requires certain information such as the owner’s name and an address to receive correspondence, you can use a P.O. Box, your business mailing address, or registered agent’s mailing address. If you hire an attorney to file your application, correspondence
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regarding your application and potential registration will go to your attorney’s mailing address.
5
Hire a knowledgeable attorney
I know what you may be thinking: “Why do I need an attorney? I can do this on my own.” While you can do everything from your accounting to obtaining your trademark registration, that does not mean you should. Outsourcing important tasks are characteristic of an efficient business owner. Plus, it is a great decision to have someone who knows about trademark law and understands how to help your business. Specifically, you want to hire an attorney who knows the registration process, how to protect your rights, maintain your registration, and assist with enforcing your rights. Being frugal on the front end will inevitably cost you on the back end. Hiring an attorney to assist you with your trademarks
is a smart investment in your business. You spend money forming a business, creating a logo, developing your product or service, why not make sure you can legally use them? Also, trademark attorneys have a wealth of knowledge regarding the trademark process, making it simpler for you. The USPTO examining attorney will not provide you legal advice if something with your application is incorrect. Should this happen, you can literally pass the baton to a knowledgeable attorney and use your valuable time to focus on your business. Selecting an attorney is an important decision, so please make the right one.
For more informaTION: www.anmcdonaldlaw.com
BLACK WOMEN MEAN BUSINESS WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/GROUPS/BLACKWOMENMEANBUSINESS
RESOURCES TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS
L I F E S T Y L E
FIT FOR A
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t’s funny but totally not funny, that in 2019 we, meaning Black Women, have the distinct experience of being in industries where we are noticeably absent. One sector that immediately came to mind was interior design, but let me take it a step further - more specifically furniture manufacturing. We had the pleasure of sitting down with Shyrod Williams of Majestic Interior Designs. She is an incredible woman who crafts elaborate furniture by hand, runs a luxury full-service interior design firm, a mother, and a survivor who beat cancer while continuing to run her business full-time. When we started the conversation, we intended to dive deep into her business operations to give you some insight into her highly successful company. However, as the pleasantries progressed, we had an unfiltered conversation (about 3 hours) over what it means to be a Black Woman in business. www.majesticinteriorsco.com
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GET TO KNOW MS. SHYROD WILLIAMS
"I'VE GIVEN UP MILLIONS JUST TO KEEP MY NAME ON MY STUFF"
I meet so many entrepreneurs, and there are very few that really leave me speechless. In the first five minutes, I was so wowed and impressed by Sharod's radiant energy. On the outside looking in, you would not have a clue as to the adversity she has experienced. However, in spite of it all, she has continued to grow a highly successful business and brand in an industry that is difficult for Black Women to penetrate.
At this point in the conversation, I am no longer a journalist. We are just two Black Women chatting about what it means to be Black and a woman in business. The struggles, but more importantly, the joy of knowing that no matter how hard people try, there are just so many things that they have no control over. There is nothing they can do to take away my gifts, they are mine, and they are not for sale.
TO LISTEN VISIT WWW.ELLESEANDCO.COM/MAJESTIC
"JUST KEEP BUILDING, THE WORK WILL PAY OFF"
"THERE IS NOTHING BETTER THAN A BLACK WOMAN"
When you know, you know. No matter what is going on around you, you find a way to focus on your craft. It can be as simple as creating a product or service for yourself. It is the focus, along with some strategic resources, that separates those who succeed in their business than from those who want to succeed, but just can seem to get their business to turn the corner.
The culture and the narratives have to change around pricing. We, Black Women, work so hard in our businesses. Don't be afraid to charge your worth; on the flip side don't resist supporting those who are charging their worth. If you have a luxe brand, present it as such and find an audience that is ready to support it at that level.
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heARTbeat
The
Do you need to fill your Instagram feed with things that make you smile? Are the endless streams of food porn, and memes just not doing it for you anymore? We have a fix for that. I like a healthy mix of friends, motivation, business tips, and art with people that look like me. One of my favorite genres of art to emerge from the revolution of Instagram artist are illustrations that put a fresh spin on the varied beauty of black women in a whimsical, yet modern way. But let us not forget, this is a publication about business and how you Position your business for Profits.
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We had the opportunity to sit down with uber-talented illustrators @4everestherr (Esther Luntadila) and @princess_Kay_ (Princess Karibo). I was attracted to these artists because of their business savviness and how they have monetized their Instagram presence. Their beautiful art and consistent hard work convert admirers into customers by offering commissions, as well as, shops with print-on-demand products featuring their artwork.
Something to think about: All of the artist that Esther admires are monetizing their art. She looks up to people who are where she wants to be. Motivation is great, however a blueprint is better.
@4everestherr My goal is to live my best life while creating dope black artwork.
ESTHER LUNTADILA a 24-year-old, Christian, artist, and entrepreneur from Congo, DRC, currently living in Ontario, Canada, has an in your face style of artwork that is a unique expression of black culture. Her creations invoke an emotion that feels familiar and shows appreciation for the “around the way girl” beauty of Black women, that is far too often overlooked. Armed with a photoshop license and Huion GT-191 display tablet, Esther has positioned her passion for profit by offering Illustrations, logos, and animation services. She loves making her clients’ visions come to life. When asked which of her creations is her favorite she confessed, “I don’t really have an all-time
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creased my exposure and allowed me to meet and work with clients from other countries. If it wasn’t for Instagram, I don’t think those clients would’ve heard of me. Ellese & Co: What advise Any tips for someone that want to following in your footsteps? EL: My advice for upcoming artists is to be patient, to practice and pray every day and most importantly, to focus on their craft and not compare their work to other artists. Ellese & Co: What is next for you? EL: I definitely want to work on more book illustrations and more collabs with makeup brands. Overall, I want to do bigger and better things. I don't know what the future held so I leave it up to God.
favorite, every month I fall in love with another piece. They’re like my children.”
He influenced me to start drawing as well, and introduced me to the world of art.
However, she, along with many artists, have entrepreneurial challenges, “Some people expect me to draw them for free or for promotional trades. People think that artists don’t have bills to pay too… lol.” The lack of fair compensation is a common sentiment amongst Black Women entrepreneurs. However, Esther is combating this problem by treating her business like a “business” and not a side-hustle.
Ellese & Co: Who in your field inspires you?
IN HER WORDS Ellese & Co: When do you know you wanted to be an artist? EL: When I was younger, I spent a lot of time with my big brother, and he would draw Manga characters.
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EL: Some of my favorite artists who inspire me are Loish, Alphonse Mucha, Malika Favre, Pernille Oerum, and many more. These artists inspired me because their artwork is beautiful, and it has a flow to it; nothing looks still in their artwork. There’s always a movement to it. I am also inspired by the fact that most of their artworks is of women, and it’s very feminine and lovely. I always wanted to create art that’s very feminine and cute, but I wanted to incorporate more black girls. Ellese & Co: How has Instagram changed your business? EL: I think Instagram definitely in-
YOU CAN SUPPORT edesignsforyou@gmail.com Instagram & Direct Messaging @4everestherr
www.society6.com/foreverestherr
@princess_kay_ Princess Kaimbo is an illustrator that captures the beauty of black women with child-like innocence. Her signature style is filled with wonder and curiosity, and above all… is Super DOPE! As evident in the varied styles of each of her pieces, Princess shared that she is inspired by so many things, “from someone I see on the road, to Instagram or Pinterest, but my biggest inspiration is Black Women.” Princess has been expressing herself with art for as long as she can remember. “I always drew, ever since I was a kid.” The years of experience is evident, each
piece is expertly crafted, and not only do you see something beautiful, you feel something. It evokes emotion which is what Princess is trying to accomplish, “nothing brings me more joy that when you see yourself in my work.” This is no side-hustle for Princess, she is about her business. She is using Instagram to grow her audience and her profits. Instagram has given her access to work with clients from all around the world. Contrary to popular belief, this does happen overnight. “While it might sound cliché, practice and patience are the keys to success,” which is why Princess is taking it one day at a time. She plans to continue offering personal commissions, children’s books, logos, branded products and animation is on the horizon. We can wait to see her artwork come to life. Princesses’ playful approach is not just displayed in her art. When asked if she had any parting words, she just replied: “It’s art, have fun with it.”
YOU CAN SUPPORT PRINCESS KAIMBO princesskayart@gmail.com Instagram & Direct Messaging @princess__kay_
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ART ON THE GO Talk about taking advantage of your time. Jerlyn Thomas, originally from the Commonwealth of Dominica, creates captivating artwork while commuting to work. Remarkable, right?
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With a few simple tools, an iPad, an Apple Pencil, Procreate software, and Photoshop, Jerlyn not only explores her passion, but she’s also created a profitable business. We had the opportunity to sit down with Jerlyn and talk more about how she is turning her passion into profits. ELLESE & CO: How did you get started drawing? JT: Jerlyn Thomas: I was five years old—well, that’s the only surviving record of me drawing. However, I can assume that I picked up a pencil prior to that age. I decided to fill the spaces between my mom’s textbooks because my preschooler brain needed them to be prettier. There was always something about creating that excited me. ELLESE & CO: What artist inspire you and why? JT: This, unfortunately, changes almost daily. I have the classics such as Picasso and Frida, but I’m completely obsessed with scrolling through my feed to see what other artists do in the apps that I use daily called Procreate. I loved Picasso because of his process of going through different phases of his life. For example, the Blue Period and the Rose Period. His early works depicted realism and the later periods showed him breaking them. I love that! I feel like I spent the early parts of my life mastering [my skills], and now I can break the rules with all the tools. Frida had the luxury of drawing her life story through her work. I’m fortunate to be able to do so whenever I want to as well.
ELLESE & CO: Any tips for someone that want to follow in your footsteps? JT: Don’t think. Just get out there and start. I think we are our [own] worst critics. The more time we waste questioning [ourselves], the less time we’ll have to figure out whether it was the best option for us. I also think it’s wise to learn the foundations and learn to completely ignore them to create your own style. Learning from the beginning allows you to create work that seems like it was created on purpose. ELLESE & CO: What is the thing that you love most about what you do? JT: I definitely think it’s predicting what people would react to when I post. I know that certain pieces that I do trigger certain thoughts and reactions. I believe art should always work that way. ELLESE & CO: What is next for you? JT: If I’m fortunate enough, I’d like to complete a children’s book. In the meantime, for work (I’m a VP of Product Design), I’m focusing on creating inclusive digital designs. I
believe if we create a more accessible world, then we’ll be able to communicate with everyone.
JERLYN, an illustrator, digital designer who offers consultation from UX to deployment and illustration, creates rich, attention-grabbing, digital experiences that amplify human purpose by concentrating on inclusivity and accessibility of design. Her passion is bridging the gap between technology and art, in order to communicate to diverse demographics. An ultramarathoner and triathlete, she’s fast, agile and knows the value of training and discipline.
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L I F E S T Y L E
THE REAL REASON BLACK WOMENPRENEURS ARE
Stressed Out Top Tips for De-stressing today
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The demands of building and running a business make entrepreneurship an already stressful lift; add “black womanhood” to that and you get double or even triple the stress. Superwoman Syndrome - managing multiple roles at the same time of living up to the expectation of being strong - all while taking on the weight of the world. To add, we traditionally haven’t been afforded the time, space, or means to breathe, relax, or give ourselves half of what we so generously give to others. In more recent times, we have sought to make self-care a priority, but the demands of being a good mate/partner, sister, or friend, trying to excel in your career and serve the community haven’t exactly changed. With this being a reality, it is still tough for us black women to consider elevating ourselves above the other areas of life that pull for our time, energy, and attention. When it comes entrepreneurship, the entry point into the biz, for many of us black women, is by way of a fragile financial foundation. We generally enter into it
after a lay-off, as a result of feeling undervalued in the traditional workforce, and/ or because of the need for additional income. Because business alone is financially taxing, entering with a less than strong financial foundation only adds more stress to the plate.
As a black female entrepreneur, who is also a meditation and mindfulness coach, I know the pains of carrying a full plate. I also know the mental and emotional freedoms that can be experienced when you’re equipped with proper tools to destress.
Couple a black woman’s “blackness” with her entrepreneurship and marry that with the historical and cultural expectation that we are to be strong at all cost and by all means, it’s no wonder we feel weighed down and are screaming, gasping and begging for air.
My passion is to help black women in business, such as yourself, have an encounter with such freedoms. Why? Because I truly believe that the thriving black female entrepreneur is paramount to the health and growth of the black family and community.
BUT, if you ask me the real issue is not that we’re stressed, the real problem is that we are left to manage multiple “stressors” usually at play all at once, without the proper tools, resources, and support necessary to do so. This - being over-stressed and not having proper tools to cope - is what has led black women in business, and in general, to experience anxiety and depression at growing rates. It also puts us at greater risk for heart disease and causes us to be plagued by sleeplessness, weight issues, and hormonal challenges.
That said, I’m sharing two of my fave stress-relieving practices to help you stress less and breathe easy. I’m also including a link to 3 Relaxation Techniques for Less Stress, More Peace, and Productivity that have been very helpful for me. These techniques/practices are perfect for incorporating into your daily self-care routine and especially when you’re in the middle of a “stress” swell. Give them a try and don’t forget to pass them along to another black woman in business who could benefit as well.
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STRESS RELIEVING PRACTICES YOU SHOULD DO 1. SIT AND WATCH YOUR THOUGHTS
Most stress is caused by NOT being present and so training the brain to focus on presence works wonders for stress reduction. When it comes to your thoughts, what you should know is that you are NOT your thoughts, nor are you your brain. What this means is that you have the ability to step outside of your brain to observe and listen to it. Instead of thinking your thoughts control you, when you begin to watch them, you’ll soon realize that you can actually separate yourself from them. If you have never been a watchful observer of your thoughts, here’s how to get started: •
Take 5-10 minutes each day to sit in stillness.
•
Find a comfortable place to sit with your legs crossed - in a meditative pose - or you can simply sit however feels most comfortable. As you sit, relax your body and close your eyes. With your eyes closed, begin to hear to the thoughts that are going through your head. Listen for what you say to yourself and even the thoughts or narratives that you find yourself getting entangled in.
•
The goal with this exercise is not to change or judge your thoughts (or anything you found yourself thinking about) but simply to observe them.
•
When the time is up, take a take in a few deep inhales and exhales (I like to do this five times in a row) to release any tension you feel in your mind or body.
Finally, take a moment to express gratitude toward yourself for reserving time to sit and be sure to make it a habit to watch your thoughts a few times a week.
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2. DUMP THE JUNK
Sometimes when you’re really stressed it’s because you have a million and one things, thoughts, and ideas that you’re holding in your head. When you’re brain is overloaded, it’s always a good idea to do a brain dump to help free some mental space and release stress and tension. I recommend doing this a few times a week and every night if you feel led. To “dump the junk,” you simply need to make a 15-minute date with yourself. In that 15 minutes write down every thought, worry, or stressor that’s bothering you. Write down both large and small stressors. When time is up, look at the list and take note of how many of the things listed actually need your time, effort, and attention right now?
For the things that need your time, write those out on a separate paper, and make a plan to address those things. As for the rest? Trash them. Literally, ball up the paper and throw it away. As you implement these stress relieving hacks, you’ll be well on your way to better managing your stress. And again, if you’d like additional tools to try out these 3 Relaxation Techniques for Less Stress, More Peace, and Productivity. Here’s to stressing less and MORE LIFE! For more info www.facebook.com/thepreciousiam
W W W. K L E O P A W S . C O M
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THE COMPANY YOU KEEP BY MZ. MAYA J.
Everybody is looking to grow their network, but few want to take the time to build and nurture connections and relationships. The desire to make money is there, yet marketing becomes strenuous when there is a lack of genuine concern and care for the client or their needs.
E
stablishing a strong rapport is gold! The energy that you radiate, when you come from the heart first, attracts the client and your desire to satisfy them maintains that professional bond. The professional connection is especially crucial in start-up businesses because the longer you build that connection, the stronger it will become, and the closer you are to where you want to be. My Dad once told me, “You are only ever six people away from where you want to be”. If that’s true, then how important do you think nurturing the connection is (on a scale of 1-10)? Here’s a secret - the connection is what separates you from most of the competition! Let me share with you my top method.
Tailor the messages from your heart and keep it short, sweet, professional, and to the point. Nobody wants to read a long message from a stranger. They will instantly assume it’s a sales pitch and your attempt at a connection will go out the window. I repeat, DO NOT PITCH!! My messages usually say something along the lines of: “Hi [name], Thank you for connecting! I enjoy meeting like-minded, high vibe entrepreneurs. I noticed in your bio that you are a speaker and you have been on the Today Show. What an achievement, congratulations! To be recognized and honored for your accomplishments in the media is a big deal. I also noticed we have public speaking in common. I would love to learn more about you and your business. Have a great day!”
SAMPLE MESSAGE: Connect. Hi (name)! Always address them by their name, no cute names yet.
You will have a chance to introduce yourself and share what you do. Typically, after they expand on who they are and what they do, they’ll ask “What about you?” or “What do you do?” Those who are invested have likely already read your bio so they may say something to the effect, “I see you’re a published author as well. Congratulations! What inspired you to start writing?” or “What is your book about…etc.” Then you have the floor but don’t dominate the conversation and make it all about you, and remember,I can’t say it enough, DON’T PITCH! I know this may seem like insanely hard work to meet a few new people. Some of my best friendships and connections have been from simply reaching out to people on platforms like Facebook. As shown in the digram, one connection, leads to another and this approach is how you truly grow your network. www.divinelovemastery.com
Show appreciation and your position. Thank you for connecting. I love meeting (whatever type of person you like to connect with that makes this person feel special). Let them know you have checked out their profile by commenting or complimenting on something they have posted or have in their bio. (Congrats on the new office; you killed the stage last week; you have such a beautiful family…etc.) Conclude with why you’re messaging them. Help them understand why they shouldn’t delete you. (I would love to know more about you/your business/brand and we can collaborate, be of service to one another, etc.) Optionally you can add something cute or inclusive. (Mompreneurs have to stick together). After the new connection has responded to you, let the conversation flow naturally. Be yourself and try not to sound like a salesman!
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UNEXPECTED
BLENDZ While coffee has been around for centuries, the difference between brands is greatly varied depending on the small details in the blending consistency. Husband and wife team, Tweety & Patrice Angwenyi, have created the perfect coffee for visionaries, creatives, go-getters, entrepreneurs, early mornings, and sales calls. From their Daily Grind - Light Roast, to the Shot Caller - Dark Roast, the aroma of Hustleblendz’s unique coffee will captivate the entire room. While owning a business can often be strictly about the hustle, this business is more about their calling. “Our love for coffee propelled the idea of combining faith and coffee. In our personal lives, we function on gifts given to us; one of those gifts is simply creating. Just like our father in heaven created us and built purpose in us.” Coffee connoisseurs know that their love for coffee extends beyond just consuming it. Hustleblendz is a lifestyle brand that caters to your daily needs. Their approach to the industry is unique and genuine. “While our competitors provide coffee, we aim to present a lifestyle brand that can assist you in your daily hustle.” For more info: www.hustleblendz.com
"Our love for coffee propelled the idea of combining faith and coffee. In our personal lives, we function on gifts given to us; one of those gifts is simply creating. Just like our father in heaven created us and built purpose in us."
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YOUR MOST PRECIOUS RESOURCE
TIME 46 ELLESEANDCO.COM
No matter what stage you’re at in your pursuit of entrepreneurship, there is one thing that you’ll always find yourself fresh out of TIME. Each day, we all begin with the same amount. However, some people are much better at managing their time than others. I’m one of those unlucky souls who is always out of time. I never seem to cross things off my to-do list. Great at starting to-dos, but terrible at checking the box. Fortunately, I have acknowledged this problem and have taken steps to correct it. Just like any other skill, you can learn time management and even better than that efficiency. We can’t create more time, but these tips have helped me get back some of that precious resource back.
BATCH YOUR WORK
Once I start a specific task, I like to stay in that zone. For example, I create all of my marketing and social media graphics on Sundays. Some people even go as far as scheduling social media post using tools like Buffer and Edgar. This way, you don’t have to worry about that task because you’ve completed it until next time.
EMAIL MANAGEMENT
Touch emails as few times as possible. Quickly determine how you want to
classify it. If it requires immediate action and you can get it done quickly, do it immediately. If not, defer it to a specific time or delegate it. If you can’t take one of those actions it’s likely junk, so you should delete. If you genuinely need more time to determine how to handle it, then move it to a folder that you review at a scheduled time daily or at least every other day. Don’t be one of those people that takes days and weeks to respond to emails or, heaven forbid, does not respond at all.
SCHEDULE IT
You’re not going to magically find the time to do things. Even the simplest task should be calendared (prep time, dinner with the family, me time, etc.). If you respect your calendar, everything will get the attention they deserve.
GUARD YOUR TIME
You cannot do it all, nor should you try. There are some things that you should delegate or even decline. If its a regular event, choose to do every other or even every third occurrence. Now, I am not telling you to be a stick in the mud. All work and no play will contribute to burning out. Strategically speaking, pick what you would like to invest your time in and don’t feel obligated to say yes to every invite.
FOCUS
The days of multitasking are over so turn off the distractions. I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I’ve checked my social media feed when I was supposed to be researching or taking care of other things online. Surfing social media is a tough habit to kick, but you have to focus and limit the amount of time you spend on it especially if that’s not the task at hand. Not strong enough to do it on your own? Try tools like Freedom (www.freedom. to) or Cold Turkey (www.getcoldturkey. com) to help you stay focused.
SOMETHING TO REMEMBER So many of us stop making progress because we chase perfection. Planning is a tool to help you make progress, however, it should not be used to measure perfection. Strive for excellence. Perfectionism has killed far too many dreams.
