Magnificent Living Magazine December 2013 by Kristie Kennedy

MAGNIFICENT Living MAGAZINE

Substantive Writing for Substantive Women Leaders 05

The Unstoppable Butterfly

Learn about the dreamer behind the wings

Dare to... BE BOLD BE BEAUTIFUL BE BRILLIANT BE LIEVE 20

Keys to Success

Tips for gardening your mind to harvest a field of prosperity

Content

THIS MONTH

December 2013 Life Lesson

The Editor's Note

UNKNOWN AUTHOR

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Editorial

Booming in

Empowerment

Business

NAPOLEON HILL

DEANNA MIMS

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Fab Fashion

Wealthy and

Tips

Wise

KRISTIE KENNEDY

LATAVIA MADISON

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Poetic Place

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Marketing Magnetism

SONNY CAROLL

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YASHIKA CHERRY

INNOVATOR INSIGHTS

WHAT WILL YOUR FORTUNE BE IN 2014?

Who is Kristie Kennedy? Muli-Talented. Multi- Dimensional. Multi-Faceted.

Find out how to cultivate new marketing strategies to widen your sphere of influence.

Kristie Kennedy Empowerment Enterprises, LLC. dba Magnificent Living Magazine www.kristiekennedy.com

16 17 19 20 21 22 23 24

THE LEADING EDGE ZENOVDIA LOVE

HEALTHY HABITS SARAH B. LEE

MARRIAGE MATTERS JANET SERMON, PHD.

YES TO SUCCESS! KRISTIE KENNEDY

FIERY FAITH JANEE MOBLEY, PHD.

SOUL REFLECTION ROLANDE MEHU

TECHY TIPS JAYNE ROWE LINCOLN

MOTIVATIONAL MOMENT THEODORE ROOSEVELT

“ I USED TO WANT THE WORDS ‘SHE TRIED’ ON MY TOMBSTONE. NOW I WANT ‘SHE DID IT’. ”

- Katherine Dunham

WELCOME

The Editor’s Note “LIFT UP YOUR VOICE” Welcome to the inaugural edition of Magnificent Living Magazine! We aim to provide high octane empowerment to propel you to heights unimaginable! Our goal is to deliver substantive writing for substantive women in leadership. As a child, writing was my way of escape from a tumultuous world of confusion. It was a healing garden for my restless soul and a comforting blanket in the time of sorrow. As an evolving woman I still possess those tender journal entries that reaffirm this truth, one‘s divine purpose is developed and strengthened throughout the corridors of time. There were many years that I lived in a cocoon of fear and kept my thoughts hidden between the lines of my diary. The benefit of that season of silence was the power to cultivate keen listening and observation skills, a rarity in our noise driven society. Many individuals are being led by strange voices because they have not become intimately acquainted with the sound of their own. It takes great courage to speak your truth with firm conviction in the midst of opposition or differing opinions. Our vision at M.L.M. is to offer intelligent women from diverse backgrounds a solid platform to share their wisdom with the masses. In life, I have encountered innumerable disappointments, challenges, pain, struggles, successes, triumphs and bountiful breakthroughs. I am all too familiar with pervasive health issues and the midnight agony from the weight of building a business from the ground floor with little or no support. During the month of August in 2008, I remember being curled in a fetal position crying out to God after finding out my Gynecologist wanted to perform emergency surgery to remove fibroid tumors from my body. I did not have health insurance to cover the operation which would range from $20-30,000.00 dollars. I remember speaking these words of affirmation, “You can either be powerful or powerless!” I decided to shake myself loose from the chains of despair and keep moving forward. It was at that moment I awakened to the resounding and reoccurring message of my life, “I can live magnificently in the face of adversity.” We hold the keys to our destiny and must speak into existence that which we desire to see. That is the essence of magnificent living. It is a conscious mindset that emphatically decides to rejoice in spite of adverse situations or circumstances. May you find the hope, inspiration and motivation you need to move in the moment, lift up your voice, dare to dream again, take life by the horns and own it!

Kristie Kennedy Publishing Editor

Magnificent Living Magazine

Innovator Insights

TB 101 Magazine WHO IS KRISTIE KENNEDY? 1. Tell our readers how your educational hurdles in your youth shaped you into “THE UNSTOPPABLE” Kristie Kennedy? Statistically speaking, I should have never graduated from High School let alone College. I grew up in a very hostile environment and I believe it greatly impacted my attitude in the school setting. I can remember as early as kindergarten getting placed in the corner for fighting. As a result of me acting out, I often found myself in the Principals office, which typically resulted in a paddling. My grades were below average and I always did just enough to get by. I didn’t apply myself. I was plain lazy. As I grew older my behavior became worse until a turning point during my senior year in College. During this time I was extremely self- destructive. My decisions were highly irrational as I was driven by displaced emotions. One day I realized I wanted more out of life. I began to think about my legacy. How did I want to be remembered? What would my story be at the end of my days on earth? I was tired of my less than mediocre existence. The call to greatness was too important not to answer. Hence, I turned over a new leaf and decided to become a positive contributor to society rather than a negative influence. 2. Was it difficult not having a voice and how does that translate in your adult life? Yes, it was quite

challenging trying to keep a Tsunami of thoughts caged inside my expansive and ever growing mind. As an adult I understand the power of one’s voice having the ability to change policies, laws and ultimately countless lives. I am an advocate for the voiceless and if they don’t have the courage to speak I will express intently on their behalf until they take courage and rise to the occasion for themselves. Recently, I was afforded an opportunity to judge a poetry contest at a prison for youth. I will never forget the final words of the last performer. He said, “No matter who wins today, we are ALL WINNERS. Because we all had our voices heard.” I thought what character, how noble. The markings of a true leader. Everyone had the opportunity to share a poem but not everyone possessed the courage to share their truth. 3. Early on you learned to push through what may have stopped other’s dead in their tracks. What helped you get through during that time? It definitely wasn’t me. There were times I honestly didn’t want to live. I secretly battled depression and constantly fought suicidal thoughts. By nature I am very animated which makes it hard for outsiders to discern my true emotional state. As I reflect back to that dark place in time

...I have countless letters that I typed to myself. Writing was always therapy for my soul. Even to this very moment if I pick up one of my childhood writings, I weep in gratitude because I made it in spite of every storm filled cloud. 4. What advice would you give teens and young adults who have been discouraged from pursuing their education and just accepting the labels placed on them? Believe in yourself regardless if others refuse to recognize, celebrate or nurture your potential. You were born to change the course of history and must have the courage showcase your brilliance as you embrace your unique gifts and talents. 5. When you were at your lowest what motivated you to smile anyway and keep going? The deep longing for a brighter tomorrow. A dream beyond my wildest imagination. A desire to become a woman of significance. A mother who loved me unconditionally. A song in the night that gave me strength to see the hope of daylight. A heart that believed, with God all things are possible! 6. Being creative has taken you down many avenues of expression but which would you say of all your endeavors holds your passion? I love each gift that I have been graced with beyond mention. They have been my lifeline during

TB 101 Magazine 5

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some of the most soul shattering moments. Yet the one form of expression that has been my most trusted ally in the midst of it all, bearing secrets untold is the beauty of written word. 7. Tell us about your experience being crowned the American Image National Woman? Shortly, before the pageant I found out that I had fibroid tumors and the doctor wanted to perform an immediate surgery. I did not have health insurance and I needed adequate time to absorb her recommendation. Additionally, I felt more comfortable conducting personal research to find the best solution for my body. I remember being curled in a fetal position speaking to myself, “You can either be powerful or powerless!” I decided to un-invite myself from my own self proposed pity party and not soon after there was a call for participants to compete in a platform based pageant. I entered and declared that I would speak on behalf of the millions of women, particularly African American women who suffer every year in silence dealing with these life threatening tumors. It was indeed an honor a powerful reminder that we have the strength to overcome any adversity. 8. Tell us about your services as a Women’s Beauty, Business and Brilliance Coach? I offer empowerment coaching to women of influence ranging from Entrepreneurial leaders, Spiritual leaders and Corporate leaders. Oftentimes, high profile women are so focused on serving others that they have a tendency toneglect their own selfcare. As a Licensed Esthetician, I am trained to nurture and create an atmosphere of peace in order to restore a sense of inner calm. I have incorporated Day Spa principles into my affirmative coaching style. We all need someone at specific intervals of our personal journey towards destiny to provide sound wisdom, guidance and encouragement. I act as a catalyst for change during seasons of transition before transformation appears.

9. How did you land your first coaching gig? I was speaking at a Women’s conference. Afterwards I began to engage with a mother in the audience who could identify with my personal story of overcoming many life challenges and she thought her daughter needed to work with me. It pushed me to put things in order as most of my coaching was conducted on the stage through live events. I really hadn’t entertained the idea as seriously as I should have due to an already full schedule of activities.

THE ESTHETICIAN AND MUA 10 When did you get started with makeup artistry? Who are your typical clients? I was hired to be a modeling instructor for one of the oldest modeling schools in the USA. At the time believe it or not, I was not wearing makeup. I didn’t for most of my life. I was plain as plain could get. The curriculum required that I teach makeup in which I had no clue how to put on my own face. I became a quick study. From there it turned into a creative passion. In makeup artistry you are always learning something new from the best colors to face sculpting. The possibilities are endless. My typical clients are brides, models and women who have no idea where to start with the makeup application. I love teaching newbies the tricks of the trade. I remember recently sharing with a beautiful model how dark black eyeliner as a daytime look is not the most appealing look for her. Improper techniques can do more harm than good.

THE WRITER AND AUTHOR 11. Tell us about your written works and the topic. I have written three books to date. Upon the Tables, Follow Your Dreams and

Affirmations of Greatness. Upon the Tables was my first self-published work. I created the cover with simple clip art from my computer. I believe in making it happen in spite of the obstacles set against you. The mind is a powerful machine that can create anything we program it to produce. One of my favorite quotes by Theodore Roosevelt states, “Do what you can, with what you have, right where you are.” The next book Follow Your Dreams provided an outlet of expression designed to keep me encouraged while recording my first music cd Beyond the Skies. It took five years to record that project and it was a childhood dream come true. The wonders of witnessing a dream come true is priceless. Lastly, Affirmations of Greatness from A to Z is a book of rich inspirational messages that include, “I AM” statements designed to build up the confidence of those who battle low self-esteem. 12 How did you discover your passion for writing? I have been writing since a young child. The typewriter captured a lot of my thoughts. Here is an excerpt from one of my early writings, “I am headed for success. I am going to prove everyone wrong. I can do anything I put my mind to.” I would write extensive letters to my closest friend who lived in California. I found myself composing music and articulating my thoughts poetically. Our childhood really does provide a glimpse of who we are destined to be. I believe writing discovered me and granted a lifesaving opportunity to experience a whole new world filled with hope, wonder and limitless possibilities. 13. What advice can you give to inspiring writers or people who write in journals but may be afraid to share it with the masses? Continue to write with every fiber of your being. Write something every day. This is how you develop your unique writing style and authentic voice. One day when the time is right you will possess such an internal fortitude and passionate conviction

Magnificent Living Magazine

“Our childhood provides a glimpse into our future greatness!” that when you speak the masses will stand at attention.

THE RECORDING ARTIST, POETESS AND JEWELRY DESIGNER 14. Multitalented is not the word. What’s currently in your CD player? It’s a compilation compact disc entitled, “The Ultimate Most Relaxing Jazz Music in the Universe.” My life is pretty fast paced and I generally listen to instrumental music with nature sounds in the background to help realign myself internally. 15. Have you published any of your poetry or performed before an audience? Yes, the first book Upon the Tables was poetic prose penned from youth to adulthood. I have spoken before live audiences as well. 16. Are any of your jewelry pieces for sale online? Yes. The jewelry line is formally

called Nava which is Hebrew for beautiful. Our motto is, “Someone Beautiful, Deserves Something Beautiful.” As a child I was taunted and teased over my looks. I aim to remind women that they are beautiful inside out regardless of the opinion others may have. The ugly duckling transformed into a lovely swan. At www.kristiekenedy. com, I have previous designs available for viewing and new designs for purchasing. I typically keep at least 10 pieces ready for sale due to the amount of time it takes to produce each one. After speaking or singing at a special event, I usually have a vendor table to showcase each work of heart.

THE PUBLIC SPEAKER 17. What about Kristie Kennedy engages her listeners and what is the one thing they all can relate to? I often hear my UNDENIABLE ENTHUSIAM. I am a full blown experience. I create so many different experiences within the experience. It is somewhat of a breathtaking journey that

we all experience together. I can be very humorous as a child I used to desire to be a famous comedian. Even though you prepare in advance, when you are in the moment you never know what could happen! I may ask an audience member to get up do something they have never done before to thrust them out of their comfort zone. Most women feel safe with me as I often share how I was not always a bold speaker quite the opposite. I was timid and always hiding in the silencing shadows of obscurity. 18 How do you make time for YOU among your many opportunities? There was a season when I was so out of balance it was ridiculous. My drive for my business and my purpose consumed me. After I landed in a hospital for being extremely dehydrated I knew life as I knew it would have to change. I now make sure to embrace little pieces of heaven on earth. What does that look like: Walks in the park, I love hazelnut candles burning with instrumental music playing in the back, reading a good book, journaling, painting, bubble bath, bike riding, roller skating, movies, travel, etc...

Speech is the voice of the heart Anna Quindlen

*Interview published on www.tb101magazine.com 7

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3 FEET FROM GOLD Excerpt from Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

One of the most common causes of failure is the habit of quitting when one is overtaken by temporary defeat. Every person is guilty of this mistake at one time or another. An uncle of R. U. Darby was caught by the “gold fever” in the gold-rush days, and went west to DIG AND GROW RICH. He had never heard that more gold has been mined from the brains of men than has ever been taken from the earth. He staked a claim and went to work with pick and shovel. The going was hard, but his lust for gold was definite. After weeks of labor, he was rewarded by the discovery of the shining ore. He needed machinery to bring the ore to the surface. Quietly, he covered up the mine, retraced his footsteps to his home in Williamsburg, Maryland, told his relatives and a few neighbors of the “strike.” They got together money for the needed machinery, had it shipped. The uncle and Darby went back to work the mine. The first car of ore was mined, and shipped to a smelter. The returns proved they had one of the richest mines in Colorado! A few more cars of that ore would clear the debts. Then would come the big killing in profits. Down went the drills! Up went the hopes of Darby and Uncle! Then something happened! The vein of gold ore disappeared! They had come to the end of the rainbow, and the pot of gold was no longer there! They drilled on, desperately trying to pick up the vein again--all

to no avail. Finally, they decided to QUIT. They sold the machinery to a junk man for a few hundred dollars, and took the train back home. Some “junk” men are dumb, but not this one! He called in a mining engineer to look at the mine and do a little calculating. The engineer advised that the project had failed, because the owners were not familiar with “fault lines.” His calculations showed that the vein would be found JUST THREE FEET FROM WHERE THE DARBYS HAD STOPPED DRILLING! That is exactly where it was found! The “Junk” man took millions of dollars in ore from the mine, because he knew enough to seek expert counsel before giving up. Most of the money which went into the machinery was procured through the efforts of R. U. Darby, who was then a very young man. The money came from his relatives and neighbors, because of their faith in him. He paid back every dollar of it, although he was years in doing so.

three feet from gold, but I will never stop because men say ‘no’ when I ask them to buy insurance.” Darby is one of a small group of fewer than fifty men who sell more than a million dollars in life insurance annually. He owes his “stickability” to the lesson he learned from his “quitability” in the gold mining business. Before success comes in any man’s life, he is sure to meet with much temporary defeat, and, perhaps, some failure. When defeat overtakes a man, the easiest and most logical thing to do is to QUIT. That is exactly what the majority of men do. More than five hundred of the most successful men this country has ever known, told the author their greatest success came just one step beyond the point at which defeat had overtaken them. Failure is a trickster with a keen sense of irony and cunning. It takes great delight in tripping one when success is almost within reach.

Long afterward, Mr. Darby recouped his loss many times over, when he made the discovery that DESIRE can be transmuted into gold. The discovery came after he went into the business of selling life insurance. Remembering that he lost a huge fortune, because he STOPPED three feet from gold, Darby profited by the experience in his chosen work, by the simple method of saying to himself, “I stopped

Magnificent Living Magazine

5 Fabulous

Must Have Shoe Colors for Your Winter Wardrobe

Kristie Kennedy It is no secret that women love shoes! They are simply irresistible from low flats to high heels. Any type of texture from suede to patton leather we must have our shoes ready for any kind of weather.

For influential women there are five staple colors that are a must have for your wardrobe: BASIC BLACKNUDE -

Creates a soft and classic chic look to compliment lighter attire.

NAVY BLUE -

For the business savvy woman who is ready to seal the deal.

DARK BROWN PEWTER-

This is your power shoe, a bold statement for every woman on the move.

Perfect for casual days, you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be all work and no play.

Every cloud has a silver lining, shine through it all.

Make your mark and refuse to blend in because you were born to stand out!

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The Empowered Woman by Sonny Carroll The Empowered Woman, she moves through the world with a sense of confidence and grace. Her once reckless spirit now tempered by wisdom. Quietly, yet firmly, she speaks her truth without doubt or hesitation and the life she leads is of her own creation.

She now understands what it means to live and let live. How much to ask for herself and how much to give. She has a strong, yet generous heart and the inner beauty she emanates truly sets her apart. Like the mythical Phoenix, she has risen from the ashes and soared to a new plane of existence, unfettered by the things that once that posed such resistance.

Her senses now heightened, she sees everything so clearly. She hears the wind rustling through the trees; beckoning her to live the dreams she holds so dearly. She feels the softness of her hands and muses at the strength that they possess. Her needs and desires she has learned to express. She has tasted the bitter and savored the sweet fruits of life, overcome adversity and pushed past heartache and strife.

And the one thing she never understood, she now knows to be true, it all begins and ends with you.

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“Get Off the Nail!” A man walking down the street encountered folks sitting on their porch and a dog lying on the porch whining and groaning. He asked the folks why the dog was acting that way . . . “Because he’s lying on a nail” they replied. “Why doesn’t he get up?” the man asked. “Because it’s not hurting bad enough” they replied. . . . . How bad is it hurting where you’re lying today? How bad does it have to get before you get off the nail? -Author Unknown

Magnificent Living Magazine

What Will Your Fortune Be in 2014? Would you agree that almost all of us look forward to opening our fortune cookie at the end of a meal. A delicious anticipation of a mystery – a tiny slip of paper prognosticating our future and predicting our fortunes. Almost irresistible, even if you don’t like the actual cookie. Though it’s far easier to just break open a cookie and read about your destiny, with the “right” shift in thinking and a new pair of ‘‘marketing eyes,” you can get excited about creating a fresh approach to your marketing methods that is virtually painless! In A Whole New Mind, author Daniel Pink says: “The Keys of the Kingdom are changing hands and the future belongs to a very different kind of person with a very different kind of mind – creators and empathizers, pattern recognizers, meaning makers.” To me this means that a creative approach to achieving a bottom line increase, becoming more creative in your messaging, creating, super-charging or clarifying your advertising is to commit to becoming a new contextual thinker. Inspiration is all around us, all the time. I get ideas from a wide variety of articles I read, advertisements for items dissimilar to what I offer, TV broadcasts on any topic. It might come from a reader’s comment on someone’s blog, questions I’m frequently asked, another businesses failure or success. Maybe it appears in front of me from a piece of art, a pattern in nature, elements of someone’s presentation, a quote. The key is to go from passively consuming information, to deliberately thinking of how any given element can apply to your message. I routinely read idea-rich materials – local trade journals, Inc., Fast Company, Entrepreneur…and O Magazine, novels, HGTV, ads in the newspaper, social columns, others’ tweets and LinkedIn posts, and then capturing it, methodically in a creative ‘dump’ file for inspiration and application. Here are some Right-Brained, Thought Provoking Questions to Ask about your Marketing , (or How to Acquire New Marketing Eyes).

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Pre-test your assumptions of the view through your current “marketing eyes”, just, for this exercise, using your own observations and ‘competitive intelligence’ by thoroughly reading all sections of your local morning newspaper, and then answering these questions from what you pick up on: 1. Who is the person (my ideal customer) who wants what I have for sale, be it a product, information or service? What are 4 characteristics of my ideal client? 2. What does my ideal customer really want when purchasing my product, information or service? Jot down 3 things I believe my client really wants from me: 3. What else do I know about my ideal customer? When is my customer most likely to buy from me? 4. Where can I find my ideal customer to communicate my message? What are 3 alternative places/ways I can connect to my target audience? 5. What is my USP? (Your Unique Selling Proposition) What 3 features am I bringing my customers that are different than my ‘competition’? 6. What 3 creative ways am I currently reaching out to my audience? (When and with whom did I lost hold a brainstorming session about my offerings and customer service?) 7. What 3 creative opportunities will I embark on in the next 3 months to put these thoughts into action? Marketing is a Process – not an Event. There is no ending. Things to consider in re-crafting your 2014 creative marketing improvements include considering: • • • • •

Name of your business, logo What you are selling? Packaging, collateral that goes with the product – color, shape, size Public relations, contacts – how far reaching? Advertising, networking - with whom? How far reaching?

•

Website, branding

What Will Your Fortune Be in 2014? • • • • •

Your email signature Your sales training/presentation, telephone greeting Your growth and referral plan Your approach to problem solving, team buy in, unity in message Your approach to follow-up

All of your marketing really boils down to being customer focused – all about your client’s wants, needs, feelings, self-esteem, problems and ways you can best satisfy them. Cultivating new marketing eyes will help you widen your gaze, consider new approaches, combine the best of the best, and give you a new outlook on networking/relationship building. SEE you soon! Deanna A. Mims is owner and chief marketing enabler at MarketDone, a Tallahassee firm that provides marketing guidance, clarity and collaboration to reach your ideal clients. She works primarily with entrepreneurs, small business and non-profit associations and is always looking for fresh, non-typical ways of delivery. She can be found at 850. 425.5240, dmims@marketdone.com, www.marketdone.com

Magnificent Living Magazine

“Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.” - Epictetus

5 FINANCIAL SUCCESS STRATEGIES FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS Latavia Madison 1.

Keep a handwritten or computer based application to track your monthly bills. Financial Obligations must COME FIRST!

Give yourself a BUDGET and a SAVING GOAL it will help when special events come up or when you have unexpected bills.

NEVER spend more than you make. (I.e. Credit cards should only be used if you have the money in your checking or cash on hand available to pay the balance before the payment due date. Just because you have a $1000 limit does not mean you have to spend $1,000 that month.)

Track your spending. If it is not a need you most likely can say NO. It’s good to only treat yourself after earning a good grade on a test (Minor treats like movies or a Mani/Pedi) or if you reached your semester goal of completing all your assignments (Big treat such as a mini road trip). It is important that you focus on saving and avoid financial snacking.

Ask for help only when it is imperative. One goal in college is to help you become a wise independent individual.

Latavia Madison is a budding financial savvy woman who is currently a Business Administrative student at Florida A & M University.

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Small Business Marketing Made Easy Yashika Cherry

o you remember why you started your business? Maybe, you wanted to exercise your gifts and talents freely. Perhaps, you started it to leave a legacy for your children or to significantly change the world. Whatever your reason there is one common goal that business people set for themselves: ideally, to make money and plenty of it. From the inciting marketing outreach

that brings customers in the front door, to the glitzy publicity and PR that keeps them loyal, one thing’s for sure these efforts (along with supreme service) are the bread and butter of your business.

more than what they sow--big time! As a small or independent business owner you don’t have to break the bank to have exceptional marketing and PR in order to receive a fortune 500 level response.

Securing customers is one of the main reasons Fortune 500 companies pour boatloads of money into creating departments to carry out visibility campaigns. The result; they usually reap far

These Simple marketing tips can get you moving toward being a small business with huge presence. The best part? You can start today!

Be social: Use social media to get to know your audience. The days where merely posting coupons and events have vanished. Not only are consumers savvy to and disheartened by a social media sale but they also know when a business genuinely cares. Get involved in their conversations as a person. Learn what excites them and inspires them to return. As you gain this awareness, create your services and products around what matters most to them.

Find your guerrilla: Yes, I said guerrilla. Guerrilla marketing is an unconventional form of marketing that requires little to no investment and depends on creative, hands on execution. Let’s say you own a hair salon that primarily services college students. Your salon is introducing a new hair spray that you will be retailing in your business. Instead of creating a flyer that announces the new hair spray, go out and show them how it works. Visit College campuses and provide free samples while students are transitioning between classes. This way they get an immediate feel for the product and a quick beauty fix simultaneously.

Work around the clock: Lack of consistency is the most common downfall of small business marketing. Working around the clock means that not only must you market on a regular basis, it is imperative that you create a marketing schedule just as you would for individual appointments. I challenge you to design a weekly plan that serves as a guide for exactly what actions steps you will perform during the week. Additionally, designate a certain time of day to execute your marketing activities. This way it’s penciled in with the rest of your meetings and sends a strong message that you recognize the importance of exposing your business to a specified target audience.

As you step forward expecting your business to flourish, continue to plant seeds of diligence that will bring forth a prosperous return. Yashika Cherry is a writer, motivational speaker, life and wellness coach and entrepreneur. She is the owner of LipstickCEO, a personal development business for women and Beyond Publishing LLC, an inspirational book publishing company.

Magnificent Living Magazine

Prepare to Thrive as You Become More Organized

Have you been experiencing overwhelm lately? Does this sound familiar? You work, take care of family, ministry and other obligations and always seem to feel disorganized. This is a common problem for working women. So how do you combat this high-stress, low-reward system? Let’s look at a few simple solutions that you can implement today: 1) With technology, you can use note pad on your phone, log appointments and cancellations on your phone to ensure you don’t allow anyone to rob you of your time. This sounds stressful, but it only takes one positive change in your life. “Action and movement!” 2) Writing down every appointment and scheduled activity is one of the most important organization tips you can follow. The problem is that you think you will remember a simple appointment scheduled for the next day, but the second you get busy, it is easy to forget. Take the time to log all appointments and other important information as you receive it. Don’t wait to write it down in your calendar. This will also help to guarantee that you never double book or overextend yourself. 3) Lists are a great way to keep yourself organized and time efficient. For the busy woman, time is the enemy. Any opportunity to save time should be taken. If you live a healthy lifestyle according to 3 John 3:2 “The Lord desires for you to prosper in all things and be in Good Health even as you’re Soul Prospers.” This includes personal organization. 4) Use time wisely as you prepare your day and take control of your time according to Ephesian 5:22 “by redeeming the time.” These organization tips can become a busy woman’s best friend. Once you have conquered mismanaged time you have taken control of the occurrences in your life. Don’t allow anyone who is unworthy of your time manipulate you from a balanced and structured life that is a result of efficient time use and organization.

Zenovdia Love

Why put off what you can do Today for Tomorrow?? “Seize the moment!” This is a general rule that will keep you organized. Here are a few final suggestions to help you maximize your time: Plan out your meals the night before, prepare your clothing a day in advance, clean a section of your house daily and by the end of the week you can relax on Saturday and enjoy your family rather than being bogged down with nonproductive tasks. Following simple organizational tips such as planning ahead will decrease your stress level and allow you to remain levelheaded throughout the day. These organization tips, if done consistently, can make your life feel more centered which will empower you deal with unexpected challenges.

Zenovdia “Zee” Love, is a certified coach who embraces life with balance and desires to make a significant impact upon everyone she meets. Ms. Love is an Energetic, Persistent, Goal Driven, Passionate Motivational Speaker and Mentor. For more information visit: wowwnow.com “Women of Warfare Win”

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Stress Kills: It’s

Time to Stop, Drop and Roll your Heavy Load Away I

n our minds, as little girls, we formulate just exactly how our lives will look, and feel at about eight years of age. At that time we’ve developed some kind of image of who we desire to be when we become an adult. It could’ve been a parent or guardian, a celebrity personality we’ve seen on television, or a prominent leader we admire. Mine was my mother. That lady was and still is a jack of ALL trades. She cooked, she cleaned, she led the choir, she ran her own business, she mowed the grass, changed the oil, she ran her own facility all while being a wife and mother to four children. Hearing all those things, you would think she was a single mother, but both her and my dad had a severe case of being a “work-a-holics.” Being amazed by seeing how she saved the day every time the sun went down, I made up my mind early on to be just-like-her. Now that I look back, the one thing we never did as a family, is vacation. Never! My heart was always in community service, so every project imagined during high school, I was on it. I shot out the gate running. I volunteered in numerous homecoming events, local elections, specific causes affecting the community, all while being a full-time working student. Sounds a lot like my mother huh? It wasn’t until my sophomore year where I had two jobs and was

Sarah B. Lee

on the verge of picking up a third one. By then I had unknowingly dropped two to three pants sizes, and bones that I’ve never seen before surfaced. My emotions were jumbled, I didn’t have an appetite, and I only slept when my body forced me to rest. I was unaware of how my body was functioning and drastically changing for the worst. The workload of my two jobs, full time course load, and the worry of family and bills weighed heavily on me. Stress was slowly, but surely killing me. It was only until a year and a half later, when I changed my mentally and physical lifestyle. I started to make my way in becoming balanced in mind, body, and spirit. Although today some aspects of my life is still a working progress, I’m happy to say I have a steady weight, a balanced diet, and living the happiest life I’ve ever lived. Someone is always going to need you to be somewhere, want you do something for them, and expect you to contribute to their cause. However, very often people forget that you have your own share of problems, personal relationships, and things you’re continuously working on to make you a better you. Your solution to that is, when people forget, you have to remember. As driven women, we sometimes forget that the small person inside matters. Here are the 5 simple steps that will save your life from stress:

Be Aware of Your Body

Years ago in grade school we were taught about not giving into peer-pressure, well those same rules still exist. We have family, friends, co-workers, even strangers who consistently are offering projects, social events, and others things for us to play superwoman. Set your boundaries and learn to say “no”. In 2012, I began becoming aware of my body. There is something I like to call “body whispers,” which are small nudges that tell us we need more of something or have done too much of something. Still, today I have to sometimes stop, and check how I’m feeling before I accept or deny any project or social invite. Being driven, your mind will always tell you that you can do it, but your body will say otherwise. This also takes a great deal of emotional awareness. There’s no one on the planet worth getting to know more of than you. You work more effectively when you’re in control and aware of your emotions. The last thing you want to do is run your body on an empty tank. Try that with your car and see what happens. The same rules apply.

Treat Yourself to Spiritual Release

Let’s face it, you work hard and you deserve a BREAK! Make a conscious decision in your mind that you deserve to take some time out for yourself. Tell yourself every week, “I do a lot and I deserve a break.” Cut off the infamous Black berry, iPhone, and Android. Find yourself a comfortable quiet space and just listen to yourself breathe. Carve out a sacred space and be grateful for the amazing person that you are. Be spontaneous. Naturally, we love activities with adrenaline rushes; it’s just a part of our DNA to be driven. Book a quick trip to an exotic beach or go zip lining. Don’t wait until after you retire to experience life. All you have is now, and given your schedule-- work hard, party harder most certainly comes into play.

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Eat a Healthy and Balanced Diet

Our bodies are our temple, and a vehicle to carry us throughout our day to day activities. Your vehicle will perform according to what you’re filling it up with. Think about what type of car you see yourself as. Lexus’ and Mercedes’ are high grade cars, and the engine will malfunction if the gas you’re using does not match the quality of the car. It is very easy and simple to blend a variety of vegetables and fruits, pour it into a bottle and head out the door. Drop the lattes, coffee, and breakfast sandwiches. All the energy you need is a simple glass of orange juice, and a banana. Yes, that is enough! Stop thinking you need 2 pancakes, eggs, and hash browns. It’s not Saturday and you have 15 minutes to be out the door. Start to think realistically when it comes to eating. You know your lifestyle and you know what will fit and what will not. Add calcium, in the form of milk, yogurt and cheese. In addition, two to three servings per day of protein from meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs or nuts. Use fats, oils and sweets sparingly and drink lots and LOTS of water.

Exercise and Get Plenty of Rest

Stress produces chemicals that make you feel tense. Exercise helps to move these chemicals through your body. Exercise at least three times a week with a mixture of aerobic exercise (i.e. running, walking, or swimming etc.). Most people need seven or eight hours of sleep a night to feel renewed and refreshed. If you have trouble sleeping, increase your exercise routine. Sleeping is probably one of the hardest tasks for me, because sometimes my brain doesn’t shut off. There’s always a to-do list or a how-to master list running through my head. If you can relate, this just means you have to increase step number two, and do a complete sweep. A warm shower before bed is another helpful route to take. Refrain from using sleep depressants like pills, NyQuil and alcohol. Although those tactics may temporarily work, you do not want to make a habit out of it.

Enjoy Life and Practice Gratitude

Gratitude puts all things into perspective. When we can see the good as well as the bad, it becomes more difficult to complain and stay stuck. Not grateful for what has us stuck, but appreciating what doesn’t. “Gratitude helps us see our situation in a way that can lessen panic, and could open up our thinking to new solutions. It strengthens relationships, improves health, reduces stress, and in general, makes us happier,” according to Dr. Emmons—a psychology professor at UC Davis. Keep a gratitude list, especially on emotionally challenging days. It’s simple, the way we treat ourselves is according to what we think of ourselves. Take a minute to sit in the mirror for 15 minutes to discover your thoughts about you. After all, the worst betrayal is self-betrayal. Do yourself a favor and think of yourself as tenacious, divine, passionate, and benevolent because that’s what driven women are.

As a visionary, motivator, and personal/ career development consultant, Sarah Lee has found her purpose in life, and is on a mission to help others find theirs. While teaching others to live in abundance, Lee has accessed the qualities in producing and obtaining all that one desires.

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What Makes A Marriage Last? Janet M. Sermon, Ph.D.

So many individuals are searching for their special mate. The individual that they can “love, honor, and cherish” for the rest of their lives, and vice versa. In the United States unfortunately, the divorce rate exceeds 50%. Yes that is, at least one of every two marriages ends in divorce. This statistic begs the question, “What makes a marriage last?” Marriage is defined as a legal union of a man and a woman as husband and wife (The American Heritage College Dictionary, 3rd Edition, Houghton Mifflin Company, 1997). The fact that marriage is lawful and officially recognized seems not to have any bearing on whether marriages succeed or fail. The numerous reasons individuals offer as to “why their marriage did not last,” are much too plentiful to name. One thing that certainly differs from relationship to relationship is the individual(s) in the relationship(s) and the personality traits each brings to the relationship. That being said, marital success must be based upon something greater than personal idiosyncrasies and individual agendas. In my opinion, marriage should be centered primarily and foremost upon the Commitment made to one another. This commitment should represent a promise, pledge, or vow to “stay the course,” together in the midst of life’s certain challenges. Communication is key in maintaining a meaningful connection and consequential understanding of your mate. Communication should be open, often, and deliberate. Compassion, another necessary component in a marriage, is concern, kindness, consideration and care displayed often and freely. This provides us the opportunity to demonstrate unconditional love for one another. Every relationship inevitably experiences occasions where “give and take” is the order of the day. These occasions present opportunities for Compromise, another critical element, vitally essential in a lasting relationship. A valuable trait of a wholesome relationship and a stable home is Consistency. Couples need to feel safe and secure within their relationship. This assurance comes as a result of some level of trust, confidence and/or certainty of one’s respected standing in the relationship based upon the consistent care and love displayed to one another. Lastly, marriage is what you make it, that is, you get out of marriage what you put in it. Marriage is indeed work, but it is valuable work. Marriage is so worth all of the effort you could ever invest. Marriage is a Commitment, a Commitment to Love. Dr. Janet M. Sermon has been married to Richard Sermon Jr. for 36 years after 6 consecutive years of dating. They are the parents of two adult children and three grandsons. They reside in Tallahassee Florida and serve in the Married Couples Ministry of their church, Bethel Missionary Baptist Church.

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5 Ways to Prepare Your Mind for Success and Abundance Have you secretly desired to experience wild and outrageous success? What would having limitless possibilities at your fingertips mean to you? How many individuals would be impacted as a result of you living large and fully in charge? Are you cognizant of self-defeating thoughts that are attributing to a cycle of failure? Are you willing to implement significant change now in order to experience undeniable results later?

In the wise words of Socrates, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Every circumstance you have encountered from childhood to present has shaped your thought patterns. Whether you are aware or not, the mindset greatly impacts your capacity to believe, receive and achieve. We often spend a great deal of time making executive decisions that spring from an adolescent perception. How do we prepare for uncommon success? The basic definition of prepare is to put in a proper state of mind or to make ready before hand for a specific purpose, event or occasion. In order to become that which has never before existed one must excavate old belief systems and import a new conceptual framework to build upon. If you were to be frank and honest, what state does your mind currently reside in? Are you afraid of success? Do you feel undeserving of a better life? Why has success eluded you? How can you create a vastly different picture from the present moment? When you are alone do you battle thoughts of frustration regarding the amount of energy you seem to expend with little reward for your efforts? We all have the potential to inhabit an extraordinary existence if we dare to accept the notion that we have a divine right to abundant success and are committed to all that it will require of us in the transformational process.

Let’s look at five simple ways to prepare your mind to occupy a new state of being: 1. Become a sponge constantly soaking up new ideas to implement. Maximize every opportunity to learn ranging from radio interviews, books, audio and video programs, attending conferences etc… 2. Create synergistic relationships with wealthy minded individuals who are successfully thriving in their personal and professional lives. 3. Write down well defined goals and set out to accomplish short and long term desires on a daily basis. 4. Invest in professional coaching services based upon your current needs. Focus on expanding not shrinking. 5. Act as if you already are and it already is. Live from the future as you walk successfully in the moment! Kristie Kennedy, Women’s Empowerment Speaker and Entrepreneurial Leadership Coach provides simple success strategies to overcome everyday challenges, internal conflicts and confidence killers. www.kristiekennedy.com

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Your Divine Calling Is Bigger Than You! Janee Mobley, PhD.

As a servant, I have learned how important it is for me to take time and reflect. During my time of reflection I assess, where I am, who I am, what I’ve learned and how I can become better. It is indeed during these times of tranquility and stillness that I am most inspired. As I was sitting on my couch, my mind pondered on the story of Moses and Joshua in the bible. In summation, Moses and Joshua were created specifically to be used by God to lead the people out of slavery into the Promised Land. Just as God gave Moses and Joshua a people to deliver and lead into the Promised Land, He has also given you a people to guide into the Promised Land. This is why he planted the seed of purpose and destiny into your life so that He could bring you before great men as He so promised in His word. It’s also why He said, that “Your gift will make room for you and set you before great men” so that you can lead them to their promised land. This can only be done through your gift and purpose. He created Moses and Joshua for such an assignment and He’s created you for the same. There are souls that are bound, imprisoned and enslaved just like the children of Israel were. You, yes YOU are called and chosen to set the captives free and lead them to their promised land. You have an ordained calling that you MUST fulfill. Yes YOU! Say it with me, “Yes I have an assignment!” Come hell or high water, you must decide to complete it regardless of your emotions, circumstances, or those that don’t believe in you. No is not an option. This is bigger than you!! It’s time for you to free people with your gift. They need you. They’re seeking you out. They’re waiting on you to stand up and market yourself. Are you looking for the right skills? The perfect speech? Moses had issues with his speech, but God still used him. Everything that you need is on the inside of you. So, quit looking externally for the equipment and look within. Looking for perfection? You don’t need it. I just shared with you that Moses wasn’t perfect. God is just looking for your yes! Yes, I will obey. Yes, I will serve. Yes, I will set the captives free. Yes, use me. I remember when I started my journey of entrepreneurship. I felt so inadequate because I didn’t have all of the answers, talents and skills, but I was reminded that as long as I made the commitment to walk in my purpose, that was all that mattered. The awesome part about it was once I said yes, by taking action, the resources and opportunities appeared. God rewarded me just for showing up! So, take your place NOW and boldly step forward on the path of success! “When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.” - Lao Tzu Dr. JaNee ‘ Mobley, is a Transformational speaker, author, certified life coach and owner of Unveiling You Enterprises. Dr. Mobley is dedicated to initiating and provoking change in everyone that she comes into contact with. She is committed to helping her clients and audience unveil their next level through uncovering and uprooting the hidden barriers that keep them captive in their internal prison. www.unveilingyouenterprises.com

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Becoming a Better Me Rolande Mehu

n the dictionary the word better in a verb sense is defined as “improve on or surpass (an existing or previous level of achievement). It clearly says to improve on not find a shortcut or rushing to get things done. It’s not telling me to give up or make drastic and over the top changes to my life. But it is doing its best to encourage me to become better at what I know or what I think I know I’m good at. In order for me to become “better at” anything I must first find my passion. I read somewhere that your passion is your compass. Before I can establish my new path I need to identify what it is that I’m passionate about. The only problem is I have no idea what I have passion for. An hour goes by and I’m still lying on my bed trying to focus and find that stubborn passion but distraction keeps seducing me and before you know it, I’m in a blur. But it’s not surprising because I live in a blurred world surrounded by individuals whose thoughts and actions are just out of focus as mine. So there it is, in that very moment I realized I lacked both passion and focus. So without those two how could there ever be a vision? Maybe it’s time I grab my flashlight and seek the one major component that I am not familiar with which has the capability of bringing what I lack into existence. This missing ingredient is called clarity. Deep in my brain I can hear a pesky voice telling me that when I find clarity and become aware of who I am I will indeed obtain concision of purpose. Once I become laser focused, cognizant of who I am and what I desire my passion will come to me. I must first, slow down and put away my “get rich quick” plans aside, return these outdated “how to get a man and keep him” books back to my bestie and focus on desiring to put some effort into becoming a better me. That’s right, I would much rather spend my time and attention on improving and upgrading my mind, my lifestyle, my health and my surroundings. I’ve declared that I will be a living work in progress and every day I will become a better person than the day before. Rolande Mehu is a Haitian American native from Pompano Beach Florida. She is a graduate of Florida A&M University with a bachelor’s of science in business administration. Rolande likes to spend her time volunteering at Excellence Dance Studio where she is the modeling coach for the self- development and improvement class for children between the ages of 3 to 14. She also serves as the Vice President of Public Relations for her local Toast Masters chapter. She loves reading, writing and traveling.

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Begin at the Beginning Jayne Rowe-Lincoln

s our world becomes more technical, some may feel they are being left behind. The need to learn or enhance our computer skills is sometimes overwhelming. What with Social Media, internet, electronics, apps and more… where do you begin? Fear not my friends; we’ll tackle this one together. Begin at the beginning. Most agree it’s easier to eat an elephant one toe at a time. The most important thing to remember is ‘do not be afraid’ after all, what’s the worst that can happen? Go ahead, open that new program, be nosey; click on that toolbar and see what function each tool performs. Programs such as Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, etc. are complex but pack a powerful punch when it comes to designing a professional product. While there are plenty of great learning resources available online, it’s often difficult for beginners to know where to get started. Ready to begin but don’t know where to start? Photoshop Basix, by Adobe Certified Expert and Instructor, Martin Perhiniak http://psd.tutsplus. com/tutorials/tools-tips/photoshop-beginners/ includes 25 short video tutorials, around 5 – 10 minutes in length that will teach you all the fundamentals of working with Photoshop or

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http://vandelaydesign.com/blog/design/learnphotoshop-basics/ where everything is broken down into sections so you can find exactly what you are looking for. For those with intermediate to advanced skills visit: http://photoshopcafe.com/, http://www.photoshoptutorials.ws/ and http://psd.tutsplus.com/ for outstanding step by step tutorials on the latest and greatest techniques. With the veritable plethora of information available via the World Wide Web; learning is easier than ever! Set your mind to learn one new step, trick or technique each day. Browse the content at http://w3schools.com/, the world’s largest web development site which is another great (and did I say free?) way to educate yourself! Self-taught graphic designer, Jayne Rowe-Lincoln is well known for her ‘always on time’ graphics. Mother of two adult children, and three grandchildren. Jayne lives in Tallahassee, Florida with her husband, retired law enforcement officer, Adam and their long hair Chihuahua Nadalee. To contact Jayne and learn more about her services please visit her website http://www.plainjayne.weebly.com

MOTIVATIONAL MOMENT “ It’s not the critic who counts. It’s not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled. Credit belongs to the man who really was in the arena, his face marred by dust, sweat, and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs to come short and short again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming. It is the man who actually strives to do the deeds, who knows the great enthusiasm and knows the great devotion, who spends himself on a worthy cause, who at best, knows in the end the triumph of great achievement. And, who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and cruel souls who know neither victory nor defeat. “

- Theodore Roosevelt The Magnificent Living Magazine

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Kristie Kennedy Empowerment Enterprises, LLC. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Motivating the Masses to Take Monumental Action!â&#x20AC;? Post Office Box 6464 Tallahassee, Fl. 32314 www.kristiekennedy.com info@kristiekennedy.com

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