MAY-JUNE 2019

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RUTH ELLE BERRY Realtor / Entrepreneur

HIGHLIGHTS, 4th Annual Financial Empowerment & Business Opportunities Conference

Dr. KAREN MILLER Provost & Executive Vice President Access, Learning and Success, Tri-C

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Beletu (Bele') Wondwossen Founder / Publisher Shelley M. Shockley Managing Editor Writers Shelley M. Shockley Kimberly Smith-Woodford Marsha Walker Eastwood Brittany Garrett

Creative Bele’ Wondwossen

Cover Story: Shelley M. Shockley Photo: Jason Garrett Contributing Writers Marianna Marron Letitia Nall Rhonda Crowder Michelle Phillips Fay Stephanie Phelps

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From the Editor: Shelley M. Shockley Preparation is key in traversing life As the summer season approaches, we are preparing an array of events and activities. We are letting our hair down and seeking to bask in the heat of the day, knowing the days are longer and our spirits are high.

As the graduation, wedding and backyard party season gets underway are you truly prepared? Have you planned for the gifts, the travel and the long lazy days? Well I can say that I haven't. Often as an adult I find that the days, months, and years just seem to come without a great deal of thought and preparation put into how I will enjoy this time.

Yes, there are weddings I have on my calendar and at least one trip already set, but I have not planned truly fun and new adventures to make this time memorable. As I write this column I have two other major projects looming in the back of my mind that must get completed within the next day or so, yet nowhere in that foggy brain is a planned activity that I must partake in.

My encouragement to you our beloved readers is that you take a little advice from the author of this calendar and plan out a few adventures this summer. Do something you've never done before. Visit a friend you haven't seen in a long time – just make time to truly live.

Now, don't think I haven't had some enjoyable moments and fun times, but as I reflect on the recent past the scale leans heavily to the side of work but I promise before the fall season rolls around that will change. As I speak with the many women who have graced these pages a standard question I ask is how do you balance life, work and family?

Many are quick to respond they have developed a system, many also note how their work life and family life sometimes co-exist. Each of them do however make time to enjoy the fruits of their labor. If you find, as I have noticed recently that you are not, please prepare a plan to begin doing so before time has passed you by and you no longer have the desire.

If a change is what you're looking for and education is a part of that plan consider Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C). Recently, we had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Karen Miller, Provost & Executive Vice President, Access, Learning and Success of the college to discuss her career in higher education and the Tri-C experience. We have featured many representatives from the college over the years, but Miller offered insight on the changes that have taken place over the years. Opportunities abound at Tri-C and the cover story on her offers a better view into the community college today. Trust me, it's not the Tri-C many of us knew, it is truly a place to learn and grow in our community.

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Many of us have tried true methods of releasing stress from meditation to getting out and enjoying nature, but have you ever considered cryotherapy? If you're like me you aren't very familiar with the process of basically freezing your body. I was vaguely aware of athletes like Lebron James utilizing this to refresh muscles, particularly during the playoffs. Your muscles may not be as stressed and overworked as James', but this therapy is available to you, so if you're looking for that new adventure maybe cryotherapy is in your future.

To read about someone familiar with this balance act, check out our feature on Ruth Elle Berry. Berry is a parallel entrepreneur, operating many careers and achieving success at each of them. Learning from her parents, Berry established herself as a realtor with Keller Williams Greater Cleveland, as well as creating her own Home Improvement Company. She juggles these careers with the assistance of a great team and her iPhone, which keeps her on track with appointments. The incorporation of several careers focused on a similar theme is both inspiring and fascinating.

Columnist Deonna Taylor breaks down the many intricacies of leading a team and the attributes of a true leader. Knowledge of a subject or job does not make a leader, and Taylor outlines why it is important to not only be familiar with the subject matter but also with the skill and personality to work with individuals. To learn more be sure to check out her column on the development of leaders.

Marsha Eastwood breaks down the traps we often set for ourselves when we are beholden to brand names. We normally think of clothing when discussing the allegiance many of us have to certain designers, but she explains this extends well beyond clothing. Do you find yourself using the same name brand products your parents used, or thinking further into your history the same brands of your grandparents? While these products may do the job, she points out how there are many lesser known brands that produce the same outcome. So, before you make that shopping list be sure to read her column on brand loyalty.

Finally, in this edition we offer you highlights from our 4th Annual Financial Empowerment and Business Opportunities Conference. This annual conference is an opportunity for women to come together for networking and gain valuable information on financial literacy and business opportunities. Once again it was a success thanks to our sponsors and presenters. As we prepare for the 5th Annual, we hope you will take time out to join.

As always, it is our intent to provide you with content that enlightens and informs so please let us know if we are meeting our goal or if there is more information you seek.

Until we meet again, enjoy your summer!

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CONTENTS

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COVER

18 Is brand loyalty wrecking your financial surplus

By Marsha Walker Eastwood

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8 Ruth Elle Berry: Realtor/CEO/ President/Investor Follow the Leader: How to Effectively Lead Teams

By Deonna Moore Taylor

NORTH COAST CRYO That was So Cool!

KAREN MILLER, Ph.D. Provost & Executive Vice President 10 Access, Learning and Success, Tri-C

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DELICIOUS RECIPES Books for Graduates of All Ages

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4 Annual Phenomenal Woman Financial Empowerment Conference a success!

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Is brand loyalty wrecking your financial surplus

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By: Marsha Walker Eastwood, B.S.Ed, MSHSVC PWM Contributing Writer

re you a die-hard brand loyalist?

Are you one of those consumers that would never ever try an off brand?

According to Wikipedia, “Brand loyalty is defined as positive feelings towards a brand and dedication to purchase the same product or service repeatedly now and in the future from the same brand, regardless of a competitor's actions or changes in the environment.”

Personal financial surplus is defined as the excess cash remaining in a budget that allows a person to save, invest, and build personal wealth. Excess cash accumulates when there are sharp decreases in spending over an extended period.

As simplistic as these terms sound, creating a financial surplus is anything but. One must develop a spending mindset that is significantly lower than the budgetary allowance. This mindset determines how successful you will be in reaching your goal. All the goods and services you use daily are often tied to some form of brand loyalty, no matter the cost. However, what exactly is the brand?

Brands are unique signatures that include stores and products marketed to a variety of consumer types.

Sometimes brands are products bearing store labels such as Sam's Club and Costco or Big Box Stores such as Walmart and Target, Home Depot and Lowe's, Menard's, Aldi, and Trader Joe's. There is also the small but growing chain of Save-A-Lot stores. Finally come the dollar stores, which on the product side of things truly include soup to nuts. Clothing, food, baby items and automotive parts can be found at any and/or all the above-mentioned stores, but who shops where and for what, and where is the most cost-saving place to shop.

In order to answer the last question, consumers need to do due diligence. The first thing is to determine how much income bi-weekly or monthly is available for basic needs, minus 10%. Keep the 10% in an unattractive one-way container in coins. Purchase rolls of coins unwrap them and deposit them into the container. Next, make several lists. The best way to do that is to use a spiral type telephone book. The alphabetized tabs keep it simple.

You can make entries for everything you use on a regular basis, medicinal needs, automotive needs, craft and home projects.

Now you are ready to comp-shop to compare prices and availability. Product placement is just as important as price points. Cosmetics and personal care products are prime examples. The least expensive toothpastes are on 6 ▒ MAY - JUNE 2019

the lower shelves and the more expensive trendy toothcare and maintenance products are on higher shelves. Big pharma GlaxoSmithKline is the maker of Aim, just plain old toothpaste which retails for less than one dollar in most major markets. The average price of a similar tube of toothpaste is four dollars. Those saved three dollars can be used to pay for additional personal care products.

Female consumers overlook numerous cost-saving products. Sometimes it is the brand within the brand that makes the difference in price. This is the case with mascaras. With price points ranging from 6.00 to 70.00, the difference for most women is bragging rights. If you love L'Oréal but hate the price, there is always the more reasonably priced Maybelline collection.

Of course, Maybelline is owned by L'Oréal, so the same quality standards are in place and bragging rights belong to the consumer who did her research. Vanity often comes at a high price and several quality cost-effective products can be found at area hair stores. It is wonderful to look well made up but less really can be more when it comes to price. The less makeup the more money that goes towards that financial surplus.

Bath and body products are on everyone's list and this is where things get a little more interesting. These are items that should always be purchased from mainstream outlets and not dollar stores. That doesn't mean you have to break the bank, but on many occasions bath products made for men, except for fragrance work for women as well. The solution of course is a fragrance-free product or a product for sensitive skin.

There is definite price discrimination on female products, also known as the “pink tax”, and the unsuspecting female consumer has no idea that it is in place. Marketing companies count on the fact that women are drawn to soft colors in products and packaging. A pink razor doesn't shave any better than a blue or a green one, but the pricing is significantly different. Deodorant brands are all made by the same companies; however, women's deodorant is higher in price than that made for men.

Of course, there are some products that you get what you pay for and one of those is laundry detergent. There is nothing worse than using a product that is ineffective and time-consuming. Doing laundry is a chore, and not one that should be prolonged.

Sometimes consumers victimize themselves by using the eyeball measure or the little, no maybe just a skosh more method which wastes product. In 2018 Consumer Reports listed the worst detergents and most came in very large bottles for very little money. The test results were the same as if the test clothes were washed in water. The average cost of these detergents ranged from 5 cents a load to 25 cents a load, but the clothes were still dirty at the end of the cycle and

needed to be washed. If you pay a water bill this was literally like pouring money down the drain, and counterproductive to reducing the financial expenditure.

During your quest to save money, you may consider shopping for certain items in strange places. Imagine going to Menard's to buy a screwdriver and as soon as you enter the store you notice canned veggies priced at .50 cents a can. If they are in your address book here is an opportunity to make an entry. As you reach for that screwdriver, you notice a large package of men's work socks, priced 10 pair for 11.99. You notice they are a Wrangler brand instead of Hanes or Dickies. Here is a prime opportunity to purchase something and divide it for immediate use and future gift-giving. As you leave the store and walk towards your vehicle, start to make mental notes – or better yet, keep a pocket journal rather than trusting entirely to memory.

Automotive repairs can be costly and routine maintenance can fend off future problems. Windshield washer fluid is an absolute necessity, just as much as remembering to make sure the reservoir is filled.

Another absolute necessity are routine oil changes that should also include checks on belts, hoses, brakes and alternator. There are highly rated nationwide chains that do not advertise and have discount coupons online and the cost is around $15.00. This can amount to a $5 to $10 savings.

Resale shops such as Savers, which is a for profit division of Easter Seals has great bargains on kids' clothes, winter sweaters and bedding. Mondays are “50% off everything” days. If you only wear designer clothes (every piece of clothing was designed by someone…. you just don't recognize the name), then Marshall's is the store for you.

In addition to their lower prices they also have a yearround layaway.

A word of caution is warranted regarding layaway programs. Many companies such as Sears and Rose's are now offering in-home layaway for furniture, appliances and tools. A word to the wise- most of these programs operate similarly to national rent to own stores. Sears' high-end merchandise locks you into a very long-term arrangement and the added fees are not worth it.

Creating a financial surplus is a thought-provoking, ongoing learning process centered on how you use your money.

It requires a wealth building mindset and determination. For some people wealth is that temporary windfall of a tax refund that is handled with a poverty mindset of spend, spend, spend in the here and now. A wealth mindset is one that respects the money and plans to make it work for them in the future. Brand loyalty can create savings in small ways, but the overall impact on a budget can derail the goal of creating that surplus.

When it comes to clothing, everything has a tag, and fortunately the great majority of us don't wear the tags. www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me ▒ 7

Ruth Elle Berry: Realtor/CEO/ President/Investor

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imultaneously running multiple companies is a daunting task. While it requires enormous effort and consumes a great deal of time, it's rewarding. Meet Ruth Ellen Berry, the energetic Clevelander who falls in this category of “parallel entrepreneurs” as she leads her companies to the next level. Despite her busy schedule, she found some time to share with us her career lessons and resultant accomplishments.

Ruth, along, with her two older sisters, grew up in Warrensville Heights and moved to Shaker Heights where she went to college at Bryant & Stratton College and David N. Myers University. While her mom was a designer (architect), her father worked as a licensed realtor and businessman.

Her dad's work enabled him to visit several properties, houses/buildings, and he often took young Ruth along with him. Ruth said, “I would go on site with my dad and watch how he enjoyed his career and helping others fulfill their wishes.” Her mom's work, as a designer, also excited her to the extent that, “I initially thought I would be a designer like my mom.” Ruth widely credits her parents for shaping her into who she is today and for being very instrumental in helping her succeed in her studies and career.

Today, armed with a BSc in Business Administration and a certificate as a Professional Property Stager (PPS), Ruth Elle Berry wears many hats. She works as; a Realtor with Keller Williams Greater Cleveland, owner/Project Manager of RB Home Improvement and owns and manages 'Elle Virtual Suites.' If those were not enough, she also purchases, renovates and sells properties. Unsurprisingly, all her career responsibilities are some blend of her mom's and dad's professions.

As a realtor with Keller Williams Greater Cleveland, Berry develops strategic business plans and guides investors in purchasing commercial and/or residential properties. She delivers quality housing for her clients, ensuring a profitable return for their investment.

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Her RB Home Improvement company provides clients with a wide range of contracting services for all their remodeling and repair needs. The Company provides high-quality project management services, renovates and expands residential/commercial properties to suit the needs of clients.

In the course of her work, the thoughtful Berry realized that small business owners lacked great workspaces equipped with modern facilities all on an affordable budget. She put her know-how to work and established “Elle Virtual Suites (EVS),” an amalgamation of two entities, 'virtual offices' and 'salon suites,' EVS avails office and event spaces, meeting rooms, salon suites, business addresses, mail pickups, and related services to meet the needs of each client. To do this, Berry purchases/leases spaces inside commercial buildings and designs/builds out multiple rooms with a blend of comfort and flexibility. She feels pleased with creating co-working spaces with private and conference rooms as well as event spaces where “business owners can utilize the space with little overhead or network with other business like-minded people.”

In 2014, Berry established 'virtual offices,' which provides services in different locations within the greater Cleveland area, some within proximity to Hopkins Airport as well as to notable shops and restaurants.

'Salon Suites,' established in 2017, provides affordable suites to existing and newly licensed beauty professionals.

Its mission is to 'offer an inviting space with the necessary tools to provide each professional the highest level of success.' The salon suites vary in size, décor, and price, allowing clients to choose a suite that best meets their needs.

EVS currently operates 34 suites in four locations covering an area of about 9,600 square feet. Berry plans to acquire more suites in other parts of Cleveland to benefit more small business owners.

It's generally agreed that construction/renovation work requires smart professionals and is often carried out with a limited budget. While Berry's efforts in transforming homes/buildings give her professional satisfaction, she concedes that 'the journey to the end has not been easy and at times stressful.' She explained that the delivery of sound results requires a lot of work, patience and dealing with different personalities (contractors, owners and sometimes tenants). To cope up with her tight schedule and enhance service delivery, Berry recently restructured her businesses and put in place an efficient organizational set-up and structure. In her unrelenting efforts for efficient service delivery and boost her business, Berry has hired a team of smart professionals and has recently established state of the art financial tracking systems.

She also uses her cell phone for routine works. “My iPhone calendar is one way I organize; I swear it's a lifesaver! I schedule everything, appointments, which job I'm working on that day; family time, vacations, hair appointments, workouts.

I even schedule when to check emails & return missed calls. It makes it so much easier for me to stay on track with my personal life and my work schedule. Scheduling each day and sticking to it and of course, my team is key.” Berry stressed.

Although it is encouraging to see that the number of women business owners is on the rise, studies indicate that women business owners generally face challenges in building and, or expanding their businesses. However, Berry emphasizes that, she has not suffered challenges because she is a woman.

Nonetheless, she stated, 'I had a few disagreements with contractors who thought, as a woman I didn't know much about construction.'

Berry dedicates a significant part of her time towards managing her companies. As a workaholic, she admits that she has positive opinions about being an entrepreneur and asserts that it is rewarding. 'Try to work 100 hours for yourself, so you don't have to work 40 hours for someone else.” She advises.

While holding nearly half the total employed workforce, women comprise only 9 percent of the construction force. The industry, almost always growing at a fast rate, seeks an abundant workforce to sustain the demand. Hence efforts are necessary to inspire, train, and support women to enable them join the construction sector. When asked how to get more women in the construction field in general and real estate in particular, Berry stated, “Men dominate real estate so we need to show more women that there is a seat at the table in these fields.” She continued, “Also discuss that the challenges for women doesn't exist. I've learned that many investors, landlords, homeowners want to work with women. Clients have said it's good to see more women in this field especially, in the construction field.”

One aspect of inspiring more women to join the construction industry is through mentoring. For Berry, mentoring is a work in progress. She concedes that “people don't know or even think so, but I'm shy in front of large crowds, and with public speaking. It's something I have to work on so the mentoring will start small.” She also plans to give back to her community who has given her so much. To that effect, she and her son have discussed plans to establish a non-profit organization which benefits communities. She hopes this will materialize soon!

Berry has been immersed in real estate/construction works for some years now, but she doesn't allow this designation to set a limitation on what she can achieve. She has identified other business ideas and plans to launch some of them in the Cleveland area and in others in Florida where her mom resides and her son goes to college. As a great entrepreneur, Ruth Ellen Berry has successfully blended her vision into execution and puts in long hours to fulfill it every day. Her results so far can easily make her a 'real deal' but already looks forward to next year saying, “2020 will be a magnificent year.”

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How to Combine Learning and Fun 5 tips to keep kids' brains active and avoid the summer slide Summer break provides a chance for kids to cut loose and enjoy the freedom of a less structured schedule. However, as parents and teachers know well, months away from academic pursuits can make for a rocky start to a new school year come fall.

During the time when students lose some of the achievement gains they made during the school year, known as the “summer slide,� parents can help kids avoid this learning recession and stay engaged with these tips and ideas from the experts at KinderCare.

Read and learn as a family. Research from Harvard's Graduate School of Education shows that spending time reading and writing as a family and encouraging kids to read on their own has a bigger impact on preventing summer slide than any other activity. Find books, poems or even museum display cards that correlate to places you see or visit during the summer. Take turns reading a chapter book with an older child or start a new series to read together.

Don't forget math. Over the summer, math skills often fall by the wayside, according to Harvard University's Graduate School of Education. Experts recommend getting creative to prevent math learning loss. For instance, ask children to help add prices in the grocery store or assist in measuring and counting while cooking together in the kitchen. Math can also be part of outdoor play. Children of all ages can count objects they find outside, like the number of trees in the neighborhood or the number of rocks collected on a nature walk. If it's too hot to go outside, count and sort items like blocks or toys by shape, size and color indoors.

Get up, get out and get moving. One of the healthiest uses of summer time is free and available to all: nature.

According to research by North Carolina State University's Natural Learning Initiative, kids who spend more time playing outside are better creative problem solvers and have improved focus and cognitive skills. Outdoor play can be adventurous, like hiking, or it can be simple, like a backyard scavenger hunt for certain leaves, flowers or bugs.

Resist the urge to let screens do the work. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents balance the need for media literacy with reasonable limits on screen time. For children over the age of 2, one hour of screen time is enough. For children under 18 months, screen time should be discouraged. Between 18-24 months, high-quality educational media is appropriate when supervised by parents.

Encourage social and emotional development.

Researchers from the University of Chicago and Northwestern University have found that students lose around 7% of their progress in social interpersonal skills for each month they are out of school, likely caused by children spending less time around their peers.

Scheduling play dates or enrolling children in summer programs can help offset the backslide by helping children build friendships, increase self-confidence and model independence.

Learn more about how you can prevent summer slide through fun, educational summer activities and programs in your area at KinderCare.com. www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me â–’ 11

Follow the Leader: How to Effectively Lead Teams dealing with administrative issues with the church, adult members were too busy bickering about our new pastor, and the young adults were too busy being young adults. I was lost in my new role. Because I did not have anyone to mentor me. I failed in my position. I was a tyrant. I allowed myself to be drunk with the power I was given. My best friend in the church sat me down and told me some truths about my attitude in this new position, and it was simpe, “We hate you.” OUCH! Have you ever been in the position where someone told you how much they dislike you because of how you act?

By Deonna Moore Taylor PWM, Contributing Writer

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ave you ever led a team? Think back to the earliest moment in your life when you were asked to lead in some facet: what was your experience like? Were there challenges? Did you like the people you were guiding? How did your team like you?

Did they feel that you offered a safe space, and held confidences? Did they respect your vision and lead you to victory? Do you still communicate with some or all of the members of that team today?

I remember my first experience as a leader. I was 14 years old. The church I attended as a child was going through a lot of restructuring and changing of the guard. Our founding pastor passed away and we had to elect the second pastor in the history of our church.

When our new pastor was selected and agreed to serve as our leader, he was taken aback over the fact that there were a lot of young children at our church, but no youth ministry. His idea was to keep the children engaged because he understood that we were the future of the church. I remember the conversation like it happened this morning.

“Deonna, I want you to be our youth ministry leader” Remember, I was 14 years old. I had no idea how to lead a team. I had some experience in leadership as the eldest sibling, but that was being the “boss” of my little sister. I had no idea how to lead 24 children.

Unfortunately, I had no one that I could work with that would help me in my new position. My then pastor was

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As leaders and emerging leaders, we have to learn the difference between leading and managing.

- Leaders have a circle of influence and followers; Managers chase power and have subordinates.

- Leaders motivate their circle and find strengths within their team. Managers control a group and, or entity to accomplish a goal.

- Leaders create opportunities for their team and realize their added-value to the organization.

Managers count value and will eliminate those who do not add value that's cost-effective to the organization.

- Leaders show you the way to go. Managers tell you to figure it out yourself - Leaders live by the core values of their organization. Managers live by the get it done “by any means necessary” creed.

As you can see, there is a huge difference between leading a team and managing people. Leaders understand that it's a calling and a unique one at best. Managers think of it as completing another rung on the corporate ladder. As a seasoned leader or an emerging leader, there are some things I have learned throughout my years in leadership that has helped me become the influential leader I am today. These lessons did not come without problems and growing pains within various leadership positions I've held.

With each challenge and growing pain, I was able to grow and become a stronger leader.

These simple rules will help you become a leader that your team will have no issues respecting: 1.

Make the choice to LEAD: You have to decide whether or not you want to be a leader

2.

Lead by example: You cannot lead if you have never been a follower

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Provide vision and inspiration for the team: You have to always let your light shine, even in adversity. You must also create vision and inspiration that your team is willing to buy-in to.

4.

Make your team feel important: You do this by not only including them in your vision but inspiring them to be better than what they are currently. Saying “thank you” is never out of order and recognizing those members who go above and beyond boosts the team morale.

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Walk the walk – Talk the Talk: live your values and behave ethically. Be consistent in your behavior and pursuit of excellence. Let the life you live be a positive influence for your team.

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Establish an environment conducive to excellence and continuous improvement: this ties into your vision. Does your vision for the team include goals and objectives for continuous improvement? What are some ways you and your team can improve? What are your strengths, and what weaknesses need improvement?

7.

Provide personal and professional development opportunities: offer support and suggestions in areas of personal and professional growth.

Support those who want to pursue personal and professional growth opportunities.

8.

Have compassion and care for the team: Be genuinely concerned about the total well-being of your team. Show empathy and care when needed.

Be considerate of the needs of your organization and what they may be dealing with in and outside of the workplace.

These are things that I had to learn as I continued to evolve and grow as a leader. I have to be honest, it has taken years for me to master this list. There are times that I forget and slip on following this list. I recognize that we are all human, prone to error, and are not perfect. Nothing beats a failure, but a try. Each day, with each role, I hope and pray that I am getting better. I know and believe that I am much wiser than ever before and have allowed my past mistakes to be the guiding force that reminds me that I must do better.

You have what it takes to lead. Now is the time to pick up the mantel and do just that! Lead, my sister… LEAD! Deonna Moore Taylor is an award-winning speaker and bestselling author. She is a contributing writer for several publications and blogs. To contact Deonna, please email her at: deonna@deonnamooretaylor.com

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! l o o C o

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By Marianna Marron PWM, Contributing Writer

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recently had my first Freeze at North Coast Cryo and it was COOL to say the least.

North Coast Cryo has been open since February 2017, and while I have heard a lot about cryo, I was afraid to try it until my recent fall while roller skating got me into their doors.

When I arrived, I was greeted by the owner, Terri Mullins. Terri explained the benefits of cryotherapy and how it would help with my ailing leg and buttocks pain from my fall. So, since my pain overrode my apprehension and fear, I got dressed with socks, boots, and gloves provided by Terri, my own shorts and a sports bra (I also kept on my headband and placed it over my ears for mental warmth) put on my robe and took the slow walk to the chamber.

Terri explained the temperatures could range from minus 90 degrees to minus 185 degrees Fahrenheit and has three (3) levels, but everyone starts at level 1. I passed Terri my robe out of the chamber and began my 3-minute session. Terri talked to me the entire time, engaging me about my future weekend plans and work etc. I knew she was keeping my mind off the cold by keeping me talking and it worked! Before I knew it, I was 2 minutes in with only one left to go. At about 30 seconds, I wanted to quit, but then I thought, you can do anything for 30 seconds, so I danced in the chamber for the last 30 seconds and excitedly shouted the ten-second count down with Terri. Just like that, it was over, I did it! 3-minute freeze, Terri 14 â–’ MAY - JUNE 2019

passed me my robe and I walked out of the chamber better than I walked in. Instantly, my legs, while tingly, felt better and my tail bone was not as sore as it was previously. The best part of the entire experience was the 600 calories that Terri told me I would continue to burn over the next 24 hours. I probably should have led this article with that detail. Six hundred calories for three minutes of cold, Sign me up again!

Intrigued by the entire experience, I asked Terri why she decided to open North Coast Cryo, she explained that one day she was reading an article in the newspaper about cryotherapy and it sparked her interest. The article spoke about cryotherapy from a sports recovery standpoint, but as she researched more about the benefits, she discovered how much it also helps with chronic pain and autoimmune disorders like arthritis. There were very few places in Ohio offering cryotherapy at the time, and she just couldn't get the idea out of her head. So, she followed her dream and made it a reality. Within a year of reading that first article, North Coast Cryo opened its doors to Northeast Ohio. She chose the name, North Coast Cryo to represent Cleveland since it is in the North Coast, seems befitting to me, especially since Cleveland winters can feel like the North Pole!

North Coast Cryo offers the latest in advanced wellness services. Their therapies are designed to rejuvenate & refine your body, relieve pain & inflammation, maximize athletic performance & recovery, and transform your overall health & wellbeing. It's been 24 hours now since my session, and I must admit this morning, I woke up feeling great!

Whole body cryotherapy uses extreme cold to reduce inflammation in the body: ·

Promotes natural healing, pain relief & fitness recovery

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Relieves joint pain & muscle soreness

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Boosts athletic performance & recovery

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Accelerates metabolism – Burns 500-800 calories per session

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It's not just for elite athletes – clients include everyone from high school athletes to 85-year-old grandmothers with arthritis

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3355 Richmond Rd #191, Beachwood, OH 44122, (216) 508-4302 , Website: http://northcoast-cryo.com www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me ▒ 15

Cagwin, who interns at the LGBTQ Student Center. “As a queer graduate student, it makes me feel safe to be able to be my most authentic self on campus. As an intern who works toward creating an inclusive campus environment, it is the most rewarding experience to be a part of an ongoing effort to support LGBTQ+ students, faculty and staff!”

Jacob Dudley, a Kent State senior who serves as president of the Pride! Kent student organization, is also pleased with the university's latest achievement.

Receives Highest Possible Score as an LGBTQFriendly Campus A national organization has recognized Kent State University with a perfect overall score for the university's efforts to create a more inclusive campus and welcoming environment for all.

Kent State has received a 5.0 out of 5.0 score on the Campus Pride Index, the premier national benchmarking tool for creating safer and more LGBTQ-friendly learning environments at colleges and universities. The university moved up from last year's score of 4.5.

“I'm proud that Kent State has made progress in supporting our LGBTQ+ student and campus community,” said Ken Ditlevson, director of Kent State's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Student Center. “I feel like we've always been strong in this regard, as a leading community resource for LGBTQ+ individuals, but our score now truly represents the great work being done.”

The Campus Pride Index examines eight LGBTQ-friendly factors: policy inclusion, support and institutional commitment, academic life, student life, housing, campus safety, counseling and health, and recruitment and retention efforts.

“This is a tremendous accomplishment for Kent State on the Campus Pride Index,” said Alfreda Brown, Kent State's vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion.

“This is reflective of Kent State's deep commitment to create a university community that is truly – in practice and action – inclusive of all.”

For LGBTQ students at Kent State, the top score is a point of pride that demonstrates the university's ongoing commitment to strengthening diversity and inclusion.

“I am proud to know I attend a university with a 5.0 Campus Pride Index,” said Kent State student Kayla 16 ▒ MAY - JUNE 2019

“I am incredibly proud of the score the university has received,” he said. “The LGBTQ Student Center in particular has done a lot of good work for the community on campus. I am sure we will continue to grow and improve to keep that great score.”

Kent State's LGBTQ Student Center serves as a safe space where individuals can explore their identities and foster connections with other members of the LGBTQ community and their allies. Additionally, it connects students to valuable university and community resources and provides students with meaningful involvement and leadership opportunities. Resources that the center connects students to include the Queers United to Encourage and Support Transition (QUEST) mentorship program, the LGBTQ Library, the LGBTQ Emergency Fund, the LGBT Studies minor, university counseling services, university legal services, the universal restroom map, the preferred name change process and gender inclusive housing.

Over the past year, the main areas of change that the university accomplished that helped improve its Campus Pride Index score were policy changes. These policy changes included trans-inclusive healthcare for faculty and staff, preferred name process for faculty and staff, and a written policy for universal restrooms.

In 2017, Kent State's LGBTQ Student Center expanded into newly renovated and furnished space where students can relax, meet new friends, get involved in programming, and engage in tutoring services or career development and exploration. In 2016, the university established a living-learning community for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and asexual students and their allies in Korb Hall. Also in 2016, the university established a Center for the Study of Gender and Sexuality to advance the scholarly exploration of gender and sexuality.

The university offers four scholarships that give preference to LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as an emergency fund to assist students in financial crisis, Mr. Ditlevson said.

“Having an excellent Campus Pride Index score is important because it helps with recruitment of students, faculty and staff,” Mr. Ditlevson said. “It will help to ensure that we are recruiting the best candidates possible and that individuals aren't looking elsewhere because they know they'll be treated well at Kent State.”

www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me â–’ 17

COVER STORY: KAREN MILLER

Karen Miller, Ph.D.

Provost & Executive Vice President Access, Learning and Success, Cuyahoga Community College ARTICLE BY: SHELLEY SHOCKLEY PHOTOS: JASON GARRETT

18 â–’ MAY - JUNE 2019

What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others............(Pericles)

environment that welcomes all. Creating that sense of belonging transfers to the staff, who have worked as champions for Miller and others.

The power of mentoring and seeing the possible in people is often the key to women progressing in the workforce, and Karen Miller, Provost & Executive Vice President, Access, Learning and Success at Cuyahoga County Community College, is a prime example of this power.

Throughout her 22-year career, she has been fortunate to have colleagues that pushed her outside of her comfort zone.

Tri-C as the oldest and largest community college in Ohio has provided high-quality, affordable education and programs to more than 900,000 community members.

Led by its visionary president Dr. Alex Johnson and his team, Tri-C has recently earned “Leader College of Distinction” status for achieving higher student outcomes and narrowing equity gaps. The award positions Cuyahoga Community College as one of only 11 community colleges across the nation to receive the award.

Her professional career began after leaving her hometown of Barberton and heading north to the University of Akron.

There she received a bachelor's degree in Technical Education which is geared to working in the community college setting or in corporate training programs. The first professional position she took was with DeVry Institute of Technology where she worked for about five years as a Career Counselor before returning to northern Ohio to join the staff at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU).

Recently, Miller sat down with Phenomenal Woman to discuss her journey, the importance of mentors, and the role of Community Colleges in educating communities. In her downtown office with a view of progressive field, it was clear she is a sports fan and also a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“

Over the years, Tri-C's presence has expanded as the job market shifted from heavily industrial and manufacturing and moved more into medical and technology. The college has adjusted with the environment, adding advanced manufacturing facilities to incorporate the addition of computerization in manufacturing and to address the growing technology needs in the job market.

Miller has not only witnessed the changes, she has also experienced change in her own role. She readily admits that her continued progression at Tri-C has been in part due to others “seeing something in me I didn't see myself.”

As an example, after serving as the Director of Student Affairs , she was encouraged to apply for the position of Assistant Dean, a position she says, “took me out of my comfort zone and I really didn't want to do at first.”

“

Miller has served in her current position since February 2017, and admits that the road to this position was forged with encouragement from others.

Trust the people that have your back because they sometimes see things in you that you don't see yourself.

At CWRU, she served as the Coordinator of Student Activities, a position she enjoyed. She said of the job, “I loved what I did, loved the students and student development and being on a college campus with students who were so excited about what they do.” At that point she thought a career as a student affairs professional would be her calling, before an opportunity at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) became available.

The position at Tri-C was the proverbial dream job in more than one way. While pursuing her undergraduate degree, Miller said the path she took was geared to working in a two-year environment and the school she planned to pursue was Tri-C. So, she joined the staff as the Director of Student Affairs. Once again, she wholly expected to work in this area for the rest of her career but her hard work and love for her job didn't go unnoticed. She explains, “I was very blessed to be in a place that rewarded hard work and to be with people who helped me grow and think beyond my wildest dreams.”

In discussing the role of the community college, Miller says “Our job is to help educate the community,” to provide an

Taking that leap of faith led to new experiences and to her obtaining her master's degree in Technical Education with a specialization in guidance and counseling, again from the University of Akron.

Additionally, she was named the Dean of Student affairs at the Metropolitan Campus where she served for six years. She said of this time, “I had some great mentors and role models and they pushed me and pushed me.” She also participated in national programs that help motivate and inspire women in higher education.

Inspiration and motivation as well as a desire to improve herself led to Miller going back to school for her PhD at the University of Toledo. Confident in her abilities, she interviewed for the Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs position before completing her doctoral studies. The job entailed doing much of what she was doing at the Metropolitan campus but for the entire college. The college is made up of four campuses, two corporate colleges, and a University Center. Of that leap she said, “I surprised myself being in that position. I loved being in that role and I served for about four years.”

Continued on next page... www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me ▒ 19

COVER STORY: KAREN MILLER

Karen Miller discussing with colleagues.

Transitions within the college would lead to her next promotion, she recalled, “Some things and people were changing at the institution and I was working hard doing my thing when I was asked if I would consider taking on some additional responsibilities. I inherited what was then the Institutional Planning Division, now called Evidence and Inquiry. This area deals with all the data, reporting benchmarks, and a lot of federal reporting.” With these added responsibilities, Miller was instrumental in developing and implementing the College's strategic plan.

In recent years, she spearheaded initiatives that raised the College's graduation rates to historic highs. Miller has led numerous College-wide initiatives, including the crossfunctional team that developed the Strategic Enrollment Plan, College Credit Plus, and Veteran's initiatives.

With more changes taking place, she was asked to serve on an interim basis as the Provost, a position that oversees college wide all student affairs, and academic affairs. Now she was really delving into areas that were not part of her background, but she said, “I have been at the institution for a long time and I think I have a pretty good feel for the culture and the people and the faculty and someone thought I would be good in this role.” She held the title of 'interim' for six months, and is now approaching the end of her third year as Provost. Again, she cautions, “I have the pleasure of serving this institution in this capacity which was something that I was not aspiring to do.”

Reflecting on her career at Tri-C she said, “I was very fortunate at the college level first with Dr. Jerry Sue 20 ▒ MAY - JUNE 2019

Thornton and also with Dr. Alex Johnson, current college president, who happened to serve as my campus president when I got hired at the institution. Additionally, my dean of students at the time – all of whom I think saw more in me than I saw in myself and pushed me a little outside of my comfort zone in the beginning to think about taking on new responsibilities and that took some time for me to get used.”

A question she is often asked is, “How does it feel to be a woman in your position?” Her response is fairly simple, “The institution has been very supportive of me and of lots of people and everybody. “Tri-C has a history of supporting women, Dr. Jerry Sue Thornton served as the college president for 20 plus years and right now three out of four campus presidents are women, so that has never been an issue. Men and women alike have been supportive of me and others in the institution, it's a great environment.”

As the Provost, Miller oversees three divisions of the college including workforce; finance and administration; and academics and student affairs. She serves as part of the executive level, which includes two other executive vice presidents and the College President. Academics and Student Affairs is the term used in the broader education community, but at Tri-C, it is known as Access Learning and Success, and this is the area she oversees. The wealth of responsibilities encompasses everything from hiring faculty, academic accreditation to student services and affairs, which is only a small fraction of the oversight.

To ensure all of these areas function flawlessly, Miller has a team of campus presidents, college-wide vice presidents, program managers and coordinators to handle the day-today functions and report up to her. Due to the many moving parts of her division she said her biggest challenge is, “Just trying to keep up to date and on top of everything in the division it's just broad and it's big and everyday changes. You need to know what's going on and that's important and especially when you are talking accreditation and program review or you're talking collaboration with faculty.” She Continued, “Those are big parts of my job that I spend a lot of time being involved in and just making sure that you're well connected with everybody in your division so that they keep you posted when there are obstacles or they see something that might pose a challenge so that we can be ahead of the curve and be on top of everything.”

Dr. Karen Miller's phenomenal career has made her a statewide and nationally recognized leader in higher education. Her unwavering passion and commitment to creating an effective learning environment coupled with her outstanding achievements make her truly Phenomenal.

With challenges there should always be joys and Miller said that the best day each year is Commencement when you get to see the excitement when all of the pieces have come together, the mortar board is placed and smiles illuminate the Wolstein Center. As for the best part of her job that was easy she said, “the people and the students, the faculty, the staff, the administrative team are just great people to work with. They are all committed to the same thing. We work hard, but we have a lot of fun and it's exciting.”

With an overflowing plate at work, it would seem that adding family, hobbies or other fun activities is nonexistent. Miller said that it can be a challenge but the college is pretty supportive of taking vacation time and being with your family. While she is focused on the job when she is there she said, “I make sure I make time to spend with my family, my Mom and my husband and others.” The couple doesn't have children together, but she is the stepmom to two adult children who live out of town. They are now focusing on her elderly dog she said.

She and her husband are sports enthusiasts and Sundays in their home are interesting as she roots for that team in Pennsylvania and he is a proud Browns fan.

In response to advice she would give to her 16-year-old self or a teen or college student beginning on this journey, Miller said “Don't sell yourself short. Don't short change yourself, there are so many opportunities that you don't even realize exist and you assume because you have a certain skill set or you have a certain goal in mind then that's where you are going to end up. Never say never, you don't know what opportunities are going to come your way and you have to be open to taking on things that push you outside your comfort zone.” Probably most important is, “Trust the people that have your back because they sometimes see things in you that you don't see yourself.”

Additionally, she said she advises potential students to work hard, and to treat people well, but most importantly, “Treat people well, don't burn bridges. Nobody gets where they are by themselves you have teams of people that support the work that you do. You have to treat them well, give them the credit they deserve.” While getting credit or success is not the goal of working with teams, but the way you treat people “speaks volumes and it is a characteristic of great leaders.”

PHENOMENAL FACTS §

B.S. Technical education - University of Akron

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M.S. Technical Education - University of Akron

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Ph.D. Higher education - University of Toledo

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A graduate of the Executive Leadership Institute The League for Innovation in the Community College

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Serves on the Nat’l Enrollment Management Advisory Board The American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Offices

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Served on the Ohio Articulation & Transfer Network, OATN Oversight Board

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A statewide & nationally recognized leader in higher education

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Serves on several College wide administrative leadership teams

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Led numerous college-wide initiatives, including the crossfunctional team that developed the Strategic Enrollment Plan, College Credit Plus, and Veteran's initiatives

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Has presented at numerous conferences and conventions, including; §

The American Association of Community Colleges Annual Convention

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The Institute for Higher Education Policy & Lumina Foundation

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The American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers Strategic Enrollment Conference

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The National Noel Levitz Retention Conference

www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me ▒ 21

th

4 Annual Phenomenal Woman Magazine Financial Empowerment Conference a success!

By Shelley Shockley PWM, Contributing Writer

F

or four years Phenomenal Woman Magazine has convened the Financial Empowerment & Business Opportunities Conference to enlighten, uplift and inform local entrepreneurs about the many nuances of elevating their businesses. The conference is also an opportunity for entrepreneurial neophytes to learn best practices for financing their ventures and to network with established business owners.

This year was no exception thanks to the support of host and sponsor Jumpstart, Inc. as well as contributing sponsors Third Federal Savings & Loan, Dollar Bank and supporters like Cuyahoga Community College and WEWS Channel 5. Program presenters included Danielle Sydnor, executive director of Economic & Community Development Institute, Inc. (ECDI); Barbara J. Smith, senior vice president and director of Key4Women, KeyBank, N.A; Todd Allyn Williams, associate professor of business and economics, Tri-C; Cicely D. Campbell, director of Women in Transition Program, Tri-C; Sharon Rose, Human Resource Specialist, Third Federal Savings & Loan; Dr. Melissa K. Burrows, director, office of Equal Opportunity, City of Cleveland; Nicole Sims, partner, Inclusion Initiatives, Jumpstart; and Darrell X. Johnson, supplier diversity specialist, The MetroHealth System.

Sydnor set the tone of the day as she challenged women to alter their thinking about money. She noted women have a lot of people counting on them and as a segment are advancing in many areas including education, yet they are not confident in who they are, particularly as it relates to money.

Her goal for this conference was to “dismantle the belief that we are not good with money;our belief that money or finance is a challenging subject; or our belief that I have to be good at math to be able to be successful in any of these (financial) realms.” As a point of reference, she cited a study of affluent women taken in 2013 that found 91% of the women queried said money was important to them, but only 41% of them felt they were confident about investing and making financial decisions.

To counter this negative thinking Sydnor suggested looking at finance and investing as a consumer behavior.

To explain and make it clear she polled the audience about 22 ▒ MAY - JUNE 2019

their level of confidence that they could find the best pair of shoes for their new outfit. Everyone said they knew they would be able to secure the purchase. She asked the same question about locating a dress for the next big event, and again everyone felt they would not have a problem.

She assured them they were correct and then offered the basis for her confidence in them. “You'll go online and check to see what sales Macys has, Dillard's and then you will check for coupons and call your girlfriends asking for assistance.”

Shifting back to money and finance she said, “If we looked at money, finance and investing as a consumer behavior I promise you we would make different decisions.” Further stating, “if we had that same behavior when it came to investing and making financial choices and decisions for our business we would have much better outcomes and it would increase our confidence.”

To begin shifting your mindset, she offered these tasks, “Acknowledge your worth; analyze your worth and accumulate worth.”

Acknowledging your worth begins by creating a realistic baseline to work from. This baseline determines what you are willing and capable of achieving. To support this she said, “Women are 33% more likely to earn a college degree than men,” which means we are taking a stake and value and saying that education is important and we are willing to make the sacrifices of going and obtaining that degree.

When analyzing your worth, you want to be confident you understand some of the basic financial concepts. You don't have to become a master at them but Sydnor suggested, “Break them down into bite sized pieces like,`Do I know what my credit score is?' Maybe I don't understand how to read a credit report, but I will tell you that there is no excuse now because you can find just about anything on YouTube.” The goal here she concluded is to have the ability to engage in a competent conversation with whoever you are engaging.”

Finally, when accumulating your worth, it is setting a plan and step by step making sure you are putting into place things that are going to help you work the plan and stay on track. At the center of this is developing a spending plan, and setting aside funds for emergencies. When you think

of saving, look at different vehicles you can use to set money aside. A key point is to put it where you can't readily access it. To put it bluntly she said, “It is not a savings account if you take money every month and put it in your checking account and spend it. You might as well put it in your checking account. Don't lie to yourself. If all you can do now in terms of discipline is save five dollars a month I want you to do that. Take some sort of small activity that helps you build that mental muscle to make better financial decisions. You have to make sure you are doing it for yourself.”

In summary she advised, “You have to matter to yourself you have to know your worth, analyze your worth and accumulate your worth. So, set aside some money for you to make sure if something happens you have something in case of an emergency so that you don't become a burden to your family and you can live a dignified lifestyle in retirement.”

Continuing the conversation on financial confidence, Barbara Smith, senior vice president and director of Key4Women, Key Bank, explained how women are very new to the finance and business world because, “before 1974 women could not legally get credit without a man co-signing for them.” In 1974 the Equal Credit Opportunity Act was passed by congress making it illegal for lenders to discriminate against applicants on the basis of sex, marital status, race, color, age, religion or national origin.

Danielle Sydnor Exec. Dir., Economic & Community Development Institute, Northern Ohio

While women have a young history in finance, they have made up for it by their participation in the consumer process. Some of the statistics she recalled to support this were, “Eighty five percent of all consumer purchases are by women; 91% of new homes are purchased by women; 92% of vacations are purchased by women; 80% of healthcare is purchased by women and 65% of new cars are .” Yet, a mere 31 years ago, women were not freely able to own homes and cars on their own. It took the Women's Ownership Act of 1988 to correct that wrong.

Despite their youth Smith also stressed the importance of women gaining confidence in their understanding and use of money. The relationship they have with money she said, “comes from a background of women being ostracized but at the same time taught to think of money a certain way that is not necessarily the truth.”

Todd Allyn Williams continued the discussion of financial empowerment adding levity and a male perspective. Williams goal was to empower those gathered and to offer them knowledge. To begin he dismissed the adage that knowledge is power explaining, “simply knowing is not enough, we have to be able to apply it.”

Barbara J. Smith (Barb) Senior Vice President and Director of Key4Women, KeyBank N.A.

Throughout his short presentation Williams pointed out many components of the financial system he believes society has been incorrectly educated to believe.

Another was the idea of time management which he definitely sites as a misnomer because, “The most important resource you have is time, but it is a nonsustainable resource. Once it is gone it is gone, so when people tell you, you have to manage time that's another lie. There is no such thing as time-management” At the core of his presentation was the need to reevaluate what has been taught about many things particularly money, credit and banks.

With banks he said they are important but you must control that relationship as opposed to being controlled by it. To have a better understanding of economics he offered, “? Dollars and cents are the tools that economists use. Economics is the study of choices. You are where you are based on your choices.” To that end he said, “Invest in yourself, you are your greatest investment. Not everybody needs to have a college education or a college degree; you need to be educated but more importantly you have to be able to apply your education.”

Cicely D. Campbell Director, Women in Transition (WIT) Program, Cuyahoga Community College

At the heart of what he and many of the speakers was having the ability to take control of money and allow it to work for you and not the other way around. To do that you must learn to leverage the money you have. An example he offered is with credit cards. If you are fortunate enough to have cards you should not be paying the minimum monthly payment. That practice does not increase your credit score, which in turn does not allow you to leverage your money. If you have a credit card the key is to use it, but then pay it off each month – this is one component of leveraging. If you take that card with the high limit and pay your bills instead of using the funds in your checking account you can then take your income and pay off the card. As you do this over time, your credit limit increases as does your score.

With this practice you can now take that high credit score and good credit history and use it as leverage when making large purchases at a reduced interest rate.

In concluding his presentation Williams recited William Ernest Henley's “Invictus,” which ends with the phrase, “I am the captain of my soul,” his goal for the audience to go away being in charge of their own futures.

Continued on next page...

Todd Allyn Williams Associate Professor of Business and Economics - Cuyahoga Community College www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me ▒ 23

The life lessons and sharing of historical information continued with Sharon Rose, of Third Federal Savings and Loan. Rose offered a view of the changing landscape in the city of Cleveland, showing the trends have existed for more than ten years, but many are and were not paying attention.

Rose has a good perspective working with Third Federal, which specializes in home ownership and offering residents the opportunity to invest in their communities through the purchase of homes. To explain the trends in Cleveland she noted that prior to the housing crisis federally funded financial assistance was available for those seeking to purchase homes in Cleveland, but after the crisis when many inner ring suburbs had been devastated that money was shifted from the inner city to those struggling suburbs. The explanation she offered was, “they needed more people in the city to move out into the suburbs. Why, because they were going to rebuild the inner city, which you can see with Ohio City, Tremont, and it's coming to the eastside it's going to happen with Glenville and Fairfax where they now have money to recreate the city.” Continuing she said, “because with gentrification people are moving in and other people are leaving out.”

While the focus of the day was financial empowerment and entrepreneurship she explained that for many the first step to developing a financial portfolio, on which can be used as leverage when venturing into business is to own a home. At the core of that is understanding and being financially literate. Rose said, “You have to be successful at managing your money, you have to know how to save, how to budget and where to start.”

To illustrate the importance, she pointed out the many ways credit scores are used. “Your credit score determines if you can buy a car, a house and now a lot of employers are checking your credit score before they hire you because it tells your character.”

One of the first things you should do is set a financial goal.

She said be it large or small, each year you should begin with a goal in mind and a goal starts with a dream. She explained, “You can't live life without dreams, and with dreams you have to set goals you have to have something to dream towards. Along the way it may change, you may have to doctor it up or down, but you have to start with a goal, idea and a dream. What am I planning to do by the end of the year?”

With a goal you can begin to plan. Whether you call it a budget or a savings plan Rose stressed the importance of knowing how much is coming in and planning where it will 24 ▒ MAY - JUNE 2019

go. To begin the practice of knowing where your money is going she suggested starting to collect receipts for everything you have purchased within a week and then sitting down and categorizing them. “If you spent fifty cents in the vending machine, write it on a piece of paper and put it in a bag, little amounts leave our hands every day and we don't realize it,” she explained.

Two examples she offered to show the importance of saving and knowing where your money goes included the Rockefeller Method and the story of an elderly woman she metth while working early in her career at a bank on E. 105 & Superior.

The Rockefeller Method was taught to the Rockefeller children by their father who paid them $6.50 and taught them to save $1, to give away .50 cent and to spend the other $5. The point he offered is to pay yourself first, give and then spend the rest. The other anecdote occurred when Rose was working as a young teller at a bank in Glenville. An elderly woman came in to update her Passbook (savings book) and when she handed it to the young clerk Rose noticed she had more than $100,000 in the bank. Young, and surprised to see someone in her neighborhood with that type of money she asked the woman how she had saved that much money. The customer was more than happy to explain stating, “When my husband worked I took an odd number from each check and saved it.” Rose offered this example, “So, if he got a check for $22.50 she saved the $2.50.”

At the end of the day she left the audience with the goal of saving and planning so that your money can work for you and not the other way around.

Cicely Campbell of Tri-C diverted the conversation from finance to empowerment. She eloquently described the innovative Women in Transition Program, an exemplary initiative developed by Tri-C. The program empowers women in their pursuit of education, training and career.

She invited participants to consider benefitting from the program.

As the director of the Women in Transition Program, she offered an overview of the many programs offered for women in the various stages of transition. Whether you are relocating to a new country, seeking a new employment path or just beginning the journey into the workforce, Women in Transition can aid you in that goal. At the core of her presentation was that “You should never let anyone or anything hold you back,” from your destiny.

Campbell's own experience helped her guide the program to a new level.

The second half of the day focused on how to do business with the City of Cleveland and with MetroHealth as well as tech tools to help organize your life while running your business.

The sessions started off with Dr. Burrows and the City of Cleveland's Office of Equal Opportunity. The mission of the department is to advance equal economic benefit for all Clevelanders by ensuring compliance with contractor goals and requirements, by providing development and support activity for target groups, and by overall advocacy, with a commitment to excellent public service.

For the audience Dr. Burrows broke this down into segments including promoting entrepreneurial parity, inclusion, promoting the growth and sustainability of firms, contract unbundling, wealth creation and the rejection of bids that do not reflect acceptable participation levels.

She explained that the city of Cleveland wants to be inclusive to its residents, ensuring that all small and medium sized businesses are afforded the opportunity to expand and grow in their hometown by working with the municipality.

Sharon Rose Human Resources Specialist, Third Federal Savings and Loan

To achieve these goals, she explained the many processes involved beginning with certifying your business as an entity prepared and able to compete in the process. Her office administers and oversees the applications and annual renewals. As the director she monitors contracts to ensure participating levels are being met and analyzing the impact this has on the overall community.

Her session was very interactive with audiences asking questions and learning the multi-faceted nature of doing business with a governmental agency.

The presentation from Darrell X. Johnson of MetroHealth was very similar as they are both government agencies. Johnson's presentation was also lively with a great deal of back and forth on what type of businesses would be eligible to do work with the hospital system. A key component of his session focused on the large undertaking the hospital is going through as they build their new campus headquarters.

Dr. Melissa K. Burrows Director, Office of Equal Opportunity, City of Cleveland

Just as the City of Cleveland seeks to have a diverse group of contractors the Metro system seeks to be inclusive. The published statement on its website states, “As a public hospital system which has diverse patient, workforce and community stakeholders, The MetroHealth System (MetroHealth) has a compelling interest in providing equal contracting opportunities to a diverse range of businesses and persons. Accordingly, MetroHealth will actively encourage and solicit the participation of diverse suppliers in its various contracting opportunities.”

Johnson offered information on the Supplier Portal and how those in attendance can register and begin growing their businesses through building relationships with Metro. Many of the opportunities were in the construction arena, but stretched to other services including training and development and potential in the areas of event planning and communications and marketing.

Darrell X. Johnson Supplier Diversity Specialist, The MetroHealth System

Once you have started your entrepreneurial effort staying on track with the business and your personal life can be a challenge and Nicole Sims of Jumpstart offered excellent insight on “leveraging cloud-based technology” to streamline your business.

Have you found yourself trying to manage several projects at one time? One possible solution to keep you on track is Asana, a cloud-based work management platform that will keep you on task, focused on your goals while ensuring the completion of daily tasks while you grow your business.

Some of the other platforms Sims presented included Google Calendar, Outlook and x.ai to keep track of the many meetings a thriving entrepreneur participates in. If you're fortunate enough to have a team, she advised trying out Team up to keep everyone on task and offer views of calendars to schedule meetings at times suitable to all. These were just a few of the many tech tools offered to keep your business running smoothly and expanding.

Within the span of about six hours, attendees were offered a wealth of information on beginning and sustaining businesses. The feedback on the information was overwhelming favorable with many anxiously awaiting 2020.

Nicole Sims Partner, Inclusion Initiatives, JumpStart Inc. www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me ▒ 25

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Books for Graduates of All Ages The High School Survival Guide: Your Roadmap to Studying, Socializing & Succeeding by Jessica Holsman Jessica Holsman of YouTube’s Study With Jess and Nickelodeon’s AwesomenessTV is changing the way teens feel about school. In her book, The High School Survival Guide, Holsman shares exclusive study tips and tricks to help you with how to get better grades! Beyond the classroom, Jessica, who has a degree in Psychology, helps you understand your social skills as you grow from a Freshman to a Senior.

From your first year orientation to applying for college and graduation, Jessica provides the best study tips and tricks to help you stay organized, write assignments, complete exams, manage stress and live a well-balanced life.

Maximize your full potential, ace your next test, and become an A+ student!

Student Loan Solution: 5 Steps to Take Control of your Student Loans and your Financial Life by David Carlson Loans should be straightforward, but unfortunately, student loans are complicated. If you are one of the 70% of college graduates with student loans, Student Loan Solution has financial advice for you. Those who have student loans, especially those with a lot of student loans, need to approach their finances differently than those who do not have student loan debt. Student Loan Solution explains what student loan borrowers should be focusing on when it comes to their finances, above and beyond managing their student loan debt. Additionally, it shows borrowers how to take advantage of strategies that help them make more money, save more money, and ultimately pay down their student loans faster. By the time you are done reading Student Loan Solution, you will understand your student loans, gain control of your finances, and be armed with strategies to improve your finances and, ultimately, your life. For millions of Americans, paying for college meant taking out loans. Fight the student loans epidemic affecting 40 million borrowers―learn the best way to pay off the college degree you worked so

The Academic Hustle: The Ultimate Game Plan for Scholarships, Internships, and Job Offers

by Matthew Pigatt The Academic Hustle tells the story of Matthew Pigatt and his transformation from a juvenile delinquent with a 2.1 GPA in high school to a national award-winning researcher, graduating magna cum laude from Morehouse College. Matthew uses his journey of entering college on academic probation and covering all tuition with loans—to securing over $100,000 in scholarships, fellowships, and awards—as a springboard for a detailed, step-by-step guide to academic and career achievement. The Academic Hustle gives a personal accounting of strategies uncovered while conducting research on high-achievers. Through this experience and research, Pigatt has refined a system that has been replicated by hundreds of other students to secure millions in funding for their career development. In this book, you'll learn how to develop a plan for your career, find and apply for scholarships, win awards and be recognized, cultivate a network for success, master time and manage money, develop an impressive résumé, and much more. The Academic Hustle is a perfect gift for new and aspiring college students. View this book on Amazon!

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Your Next Level Life: 7 Rules of Power, Confidence, and Opportunity for Black Women in America by Karen Arrington If you're feeling stuck or trapped by other people's expectations of what you can achieve, it's time to stop playing small and start redefining what success can mean for you. It's time to get that upgrade. Karen Arrington―founder of the Miss Black USA Pageant, creator of the Next Level Women's Summit, and mentor to thousands of confident, successful young black women―is your guide to getting your next level life. With the seven simple rules, you'll learn how to bring your career, income, and lifestyle to that next level. Don't settle for a life of invisibility and mediocrity. Set ambitious goals, reach for bigger opportunities, and know that you are brave enough to get what you deserve.

Your Next Level Life is a guide to opportunity that recognizes and celebrates the true magic of ambitious black women.

You Can Do All Things: Drawings, Affirmations and Mindfulness to Help With Anxiety and Depression by Kate Allan When you have anxiety of depression, you can feel deeply alone. You can feel like you’re the only person on the planet who’s struggling with weird worries (which won’t go away), who can’t go grocery shopping without getting sweaty and panicked, who fears everything. When we feel this way, one of the greatest gifts we can receive is knowing that there’s someone out there walking a similar path, someone who understands the sorrow, the struggles, the symptoms, the hardships. Someone we can relate to, someone who shares their story, with vulnerability and without filters.

With You Can Do All Things, Kate Allan has given us such a gift. In You Can Do All Things, Kate shares her struggles with anxiety and depression, which started when she was just a child. Through her honest words, uplifting illustrations, and actionable suggestions, Kate also encourages us to keep trying and to keep going.

How to Ikigai: Lessons for Finding Happiness and Living Your Life's Purpose by Tim Tamashiro Okinawa, Japan is a tiny, tiny island south of the Japanese mainland where people live their life’s purpose every day. How is it possible for so many to live each day in such meaningful ways? The Okinawan concept of ikigai. How to Ikigai describes the lifestyle choices that have led to an island full of fulfilled, long-living people. Examples of ikigai in action are often magical. Take David Michiels. David stuttered severely well into his adulthood. In clinical terms, his stutter was difficult to treat. But David started to work in a liquor store. Before long, his focus turned to one specific section of the sales floor: the scotch section. As he spent more of his days learning about scotch, he began to share his knowledge with customers. Eventually, David noticed that his stutter vanished when he talked to anyone about scotch. Over time, David’s passion led to a new life. Today, he is a renowned whiskey expert, traveling the world tasting and purchasing whiskey on behalf of his employer. He feels his life is meaningful because of ikigai. How to Ikigai explains a simple but abstract map for living a meaningful life. After reading this book, you will understand how to implement ikigai’s four directions in your own life: Do what you love. Do what you’re good at. Do what the world needs. Do what you can be rewarded for. www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me ▒ 33

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GOING THE DISTANCE

FOR OUR

COMMUNITIES. At Dominion East Ohio, going the distance for our customers means more than just delivering safe, affordable natural gas. It means being a positive force in the communities we serve. Our EnergyShareÂŽ program has raised $6.8 million and helped more than 70,000 people in Ohio alone. These resources, combined with more than 6,300 volunteer hours from our employees, have benefited organizations as diverse as the American Red Cross, the Boy Scouts of America and the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition.