www.womenelevationmagazine.com
message from the founder down to business love by design Incorporating your family into business author spotlight: elizabeth chalker 5 simple ways to nourish yourself 3 yummy and quick recipes feature: who is melinda emerson? 8 ways to love yourself fashion: the season of love entrepreneur spotlight: my brown box spiritual corner be in the business of loving you
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Keep the momentum flowing and going through the rest of the year! Last month, the issue spoke about creating a plan of action for 2013 that would have spanned across your business into your personal and professional growth. This months' issue correlates with the theme of nurturing yourself in order to help you grow to your fullest potential. With the amount of work that we as women take on, we tend to forget ourselves in it all. Creating a plan and then finding a way to create balance are both key to transitioning into a successful and happy business woman. So I dare all of you to push forward with your dreams by using some of the tips our writers are sharing with you this month. As always happy reading!
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DOWN TO BUSINESS with Michelle Hill-Smith My expertise on the subject matter of a “Broken Business” stems far beyond my own experiences. Day in and day out, I get to virtually interact with business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. I’m either assisting them in their operations, helping them streamline their operations or consulting them in creating their operations. I’m on the frontline...if you will. The number of Broken Businesses I’m faced with may astound you. Sure, one wants to think that all is well and a little tweak here or there will solve everything that is critically wrong. However, that’s the farthest from the truth and fix. You see, a Broken Business starts with a broken owner and visionary. By re-evaluating first your personal affairs and redirecting as well as separating one from another, you can immediately discover the issue...which is mixing business, necessity and pleasure. It begins with the home, your leisure time and finally your business time. RESTRUCTURE YOURSELF TO AVOID A BROKEN BUSINESS. Women’s Elevation Magazine | February 2013
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Sure we begin with full assurance that we are well equipped to juggle life because we as women were raised to wear many hats. We feel a measure of obligation to be the best mother, daughter, sister, friend, aunt, employee, entrepreneur, wife, or significant other that we lose our most valuable player - Ourselves. However, we must quickly realize that Superwoman, like Santa Claus is a fictitious character and it is permissible to be human. I am certain you recall adults telling you to play nicely with your sibling, family member, or childhood friend. Or maybe like me you sat on the telephone (long before cells phones) giving advice to a girlfriend who was hurting from a teenage love gone wrong. Perhaps you sat in Sunday school and heard lessons on sacrifice, esteeming others higher than yourself only to find yourself all grown up and consistently drained. This unhealthy, off balance behavior must cease if you are to truly live your best life. Women’s Elevation Magazine | February 2013
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Now, I am certain you have heard this before, but you cannot truly love others until you first love yourself. It is a Biblical principal as well as a golden rule, yet many manage to do this unintentionally. Loving one's self isn't just attending to your basic needs. It is also providing balance in your life to allow refreshing to your mind, body, and spirit. You see, the energy you place into the areas of your life must be routinely replenished. Abraham Maslow, a psychology theorist, termed a model of basic needs of all humans as "the hierarchy of needs." The order of the needs varies from person to person. His list included love/belonging to a community, esteem, self-actualization, self-transcendence, safety, and physiological needs. The premise of Maslow's model is that without the fulfillment of these areas in our lives we are tossed off kilter. However, the key is not being the source of these needs in the lives but others but ensuring our needs are met. There must be a commitment to self that says "I love me enough to step back, take off the many hats I wear and regroup." This should be daily in some simple fashion. My prescription to establishing a harmonious state of existence is learning to habitually flow in love of self, love of spirit and love of community. I am not saying live selfishly, but first ensure your being is on full before you pour out. You cannot give what you do not possess. Loving self is to nurture the inner being as well as the outer. Love of spirit is merely a personal devotion to feeding your spirit with positive affirmations, readings, and meditation. Our spirit guides us in our endeavors; so when it is off balance or malnourished our life’s purpose is halted. Finally, the love of community is cyclical because all parties reap in the love that is sown. Dedicate time to pay it forward by serving those around you. Remember, you do a disservice to those dependent upon you when you are not well and complete within.
Resolve to first love yourself holistically and watch how much more you have to offer others in all aspects of your life.
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It’s hard to maintain balance as a business owner. Caught up in the day-to-day tasks of being an entrepreneur, you can lose track of time quickly. If you’re not careful, work projects will interfere with your precious family time. In fact, you’ll find yourself caught up in meetings when you’re supposed to be having dinner with your spouse or attending your child’s dance recital. Fall prey to this schedule for too long and suffer dire consequences. No one remembers their first sales call but they do remember the very first vacation they took with their family. Keep this in mind as you’re running your business and adjust your schedule accordingly.
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The following tips will help you maintain work/life balance so everyone is happy: Keep regular business hours. Only make exceptions if there’s an emergency to take care of. Refrain from answering phone calls and emails after a certain time of day. Let your employees know that you have faith in their decision making skills and to only contact you if a problem can’t be resolved through other means than you. Set up an automatic responder on your email account letting others know that you’ll handle their inquiry or request the next business day.
Focus on being fully present when spending time with your family. Refrain from mixing business with pleasure. Turn off your cell phone and limit how much you talk about your business, its challenges, and successes. Listen to each member of your family as they’re speaking to you. Acknowledge what they’re saying by asking questions. Fully engage the senses when you’re not working. What does your child’s laugh sound like? How do your husband’s eyes look when he’s excited? Zone in on these things and cherish the moment. Life is short but the workday is long.
Have a Family Night at least once a week. Set aside at least one day a week to do something extra special with your family. This can be going to a restaurant for dinner, having a movie night at home with popcorn and drinks or spending the day at the beach or waterpark. Let your children vote on what type of adventure or outing they’d like to have and then make plans for the day.
Think about moving your office into your home. If all else fails, you can attempt to work from home if you don’t think it will be too distracting. This will allow you to tend to your family’s needs better throughout the day. If you have the luxury of scheduling around your family affairs, this may be the most viable option for you as a business owner. Owning a business and having a family demands a lot from you. By following the tips listed here, you can keep everyone happy without overextending yourself.
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www.MichelleHillSmith.com
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Look who WE Magazine Entrepreneur Spotlight celebrates this month...
WE Magazine likes to spotlight entrepreneurs that do not work in a conventional business structure. This includes the singers, models, actors, and authors that make up the small business owners across the United States. This month’s feature brings us her story of having “Raw Faith” to climbing out of the darkness and climb into the light. Her book Hanging On: by the Scratch Marks My Nails Left Behind (Raw Faith) is a story of being able to change the world and yourself one day, one action, and one step at a time. WE Magazine talked to Chalker regarding her novel, and what made her pursue this story.
WE Magazine: What inspired you to begin writing? E. Chalker: I began writing as a catharsis to everyday life. Also, as an avenue to share raw insights, emotion, and to inspire and encourage others. Horrible things can happen in life, nevertheless, we always have a choice to not merely survive; we can decide to over-come. I wanted to write to reflect such to myself and to share with others in hopes of inspiring them to do the same.
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WE Magazine: What inspired you to write your current novel? E. Chalker: What inspired me to write my current book was my real life journey of being in the furnace of major life calamities such as having potentially fatal physical diseases with no known cure, or resources to participate in medical treatment, an abruptly canceled wedding, loss of my career as a result of disability from serious physical illness, abandonment by most closest to me including my home church, the loss of some loved ones through death. My heart and motivation was to share my journey while still in the pits of hell, in raw faith from my soul. My hope was that my vulnerability in sharing would help others to persevere and find their purpose, potential and faith even while in the fire of major life hardships. Most books are written after a life trial has resolved. Mine was written while still in the furnace of many life calamities, where I am to this day. To me, this world needs inspiration to focus on the things we do have, even amidst major losses, rather than to complain about what we lack. If we are still breathing, we have something someone else needs. We remain a vital piece to the whole of what makes the picture of life complete. We can change this world to love; one decision, one interaction, one relationship at a time. No matter what we suffer, we can choose to extend and receive love and focus on all that is of the light rather than dwell on the darkness and negative things of this life. We have a choice, always. WE Magazine: If you could give guidance to those that want to become writers what would it be? E. Chalker: My guidance to those who want to become writers would be for them to first, search their hearts and motivations as to their purpose for writing; then, to determine who they want to reach; what it is they are offering to their targeted audience; and to determine why what they are writing matters. WE Magazine: What is your favorite quote/mantra to go by as you reach for the stars? E. Chalker: My favorite quote/mantra(s) as I go through life are both from scripture: “All things are possible if you believe” (Mark 9:23), and, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). WE Magazine loves to promote women who are trying to uplift those around them, and prompting the idea that we can make it through anything as long as we stay positive, believe, and have a strong foundation in God. We hope for the continued success of Chalker and all of her future endeavors. If you are interested in reading a sample of the book you can go to http://www.barnesandnoble.com/sample/read/9781612151205. Also please support Chalker by viewing her website http://www.elizabethchalker.org/ and following her on her various social media outlets.
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http://featuredfirst.eventbrite.com Women’s Elevation Magazine | February 2013
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By LaTersa Blakely
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In the world that we live in, so much emphasis is placed on taking care of the kids, taking care of the husbands, and everyone else around us that we tend to leave out the most important ingredient of all; ourselves. I have countless women come to me all the time and ask me how I keep it all together and nourish myself without leaving everyone out. It’s simple; you are no good to anyone else if you are laid up in the hospital or at home on bed rest because you are ill. The one thing that we, as women must learn to do is take care and nourish ourselves on a daily basis. Note that this does not mean that you are being selfish; it is just something you must get in the habit of doing.
So, let ’s get to loving and nourishing ourselves….. Fall In love with you. Yes, just like you fall head over heels in love with that special man in your life, you must do the same thing for yourself. Get to know yourself better. Find out what things excite you and start back being a kid again. Enjoy spending time with yourself; I must say that it is during the alone time, that you begin to understand yourself better.
Speak softly and kindly to yourself. Do you know how many women walk around on a daily basis, speaking hatred and unforgivable things to themselves? But, if came from a man, or someone else, they would be ready to chop their heads off. So, check up on your conversations you have with yourself. Take yourself out on a date. We get so caught up in taking the kids to play dates, movies, and family outings. But, there is nothing wrong with treating yourself to an evening at the spa, or a nice quiet dinner with a cute pink glass of wine. You can even spend time taking a walk around the park, or beach. Simple things like reading your favorite book will always make your heart and mind grow fonder. Take care of your personal hygiene. Just because you are having a bad day or maybe you are single and it’s just you, never neglect to take care of your body, spiritually, physically and emotionally.
Pray and build a relationship with God. Building a relationship with the lord is a great way to allow him to pour into you and build you up to the fullest.
I pray that these few strategies will allow you to nourish yourself and show love to yourself on a daily basis. Let me know how you are showing love on a daily basis. Let’s Plant Your Vision with Love,
LaTersa
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makes about 20 fritters, that you should eat immediately
1 cup Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil 3 large eggs 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1 vanilla extract 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 blueberries, sliced in half 1/4 cup sugar 1 tablespoon cinnamon Heat coconut oil in a cast iron skillet over medium high heat, until it reaches 350 degrees F (you want there to be about 2 inches of oil in the skillet). In a medium bowl whisk eggs, 1/4 cup sugar, and vanilla together. Then add in the ricotta, beating until smooth and creamy and a pale yellow. Then add in the flour and baking powder, whisk until everything is combined. Remove the whisk, and with a large spoon or spatula, gently fold in the blueberries. On a separate plate combine the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and cinnamon together to form topping for fritters. Line a baking sheet with a paper towel and set next to the stove so you’re ready to drain your fritters. Place the cinnamon sugar plate next to the baking sheet so that you can Immediately coat them. Now you’re ready to fry! Using an ice cream scoop, scoop enough batter to fill about half the scooper, drop the dough carefully in to the hot oil. Continue this until you have four or five fritters cooking. You don’t want to overcrowd your skillet. Let cook for a few minutes or until golden brown, then flip, cooking for another couple of minutes. Remove fritter with a slotted spoon and place on the paper towel lined baking sheet to drain the oil. Then roll immediately in the cinnamon sugar. Transfer to another plate. Continue this process until you’ve used up all the batter. Now you just have to try to not eat them all in one sitting! Recipe adapted from A Cozy Kitchen Receipe shared from Steph's Bite by Bite Women’s Elevation Magazine | February 2013
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Makes 6 servings
1/3 cup rice vinegar 1/3 cup thinly sliced green onions 2 tablespoons honey 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger 2 teaspoons Asian garlic-chili sauce 6 ounces refrigerated grilled chicken breast strips 12 ounces dried udon noodles or whole-wheat spaghetti 3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil 2 medium yellow, red and/or orange sweet peppers, cut in bite-size strips Fresh cilantro In medium bowl stir together vinegar, green onions, honey, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic-chili sauce. Add chicken; stir to coat. Set aside to allow flavors to meld. Meanwhile, in large saucepan cook noodles in boiling water about 8 minutes until just tender. Drain noodles well and return to saucepan. Drizzle with oil and toss to coat. Add chicken mixture and toss to combine. Transfer to bowls. Top each with pepper strips and cilantro. Makes 6 servings.
Recipe shared from Better Homes and Gardens
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adapted from Baking Illustrated
FOR THE CRUST 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus more to sprinkle on the finished bars Pinch of salt 8 Tbls unsalted butter, still cool and cut into 8 pieces FILLING 7 large egg yolks 2 large eggs 1 cup + 2 Tbsp. sugar 2/3 cup Meyer lemon juice (from about 4-5 medium lemons) Finely grated zest from the lemons 1/2 teaspoon salt 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cut in to 4 pieces 3 Tbsp. heavy cream
For the crust Cover a 9-inch square cake pan with two sheets of heavy duty aluminum foil, perpendicular to each other. Spray with nonstick cooking spray and set aside. Put the flour, powdered sugar and salt in a food processor and process briefly, about 2 seconds. Add the butter pieces and process to blend, 8 to 10 seconds, then process until the mixture is pale yellow and resembles coarse meal, about three 1-second pulses. Sprinkle the mixture into the prepared cake pan and press firmly with your fingers into an even layer over the entire pan bottom. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Bake the crust until golden brown, about 25 minutes. For the filling In a medium saucepan whisk together the egg yolks and whole eggs until combined. Add the sugar, Meyer lemon juice, zest and salt until well combined, about 30 seconds. Add the butter pieces and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the curd thickens to a thin sauce-like consistency (about 170 degrees on an instant-read thermometer), about 6 minutes. Immediately pour the curd through a fine-mesh steel strainer set over a medium bowl. Stir in the heavy cream and then pour the curd into the warm crust. Bake until the filling is shiny and opaque and the center 3 inches jiggle slightly when shaken, about 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack to room temperature, about 45 minutes. Remove the bars from the pan and transfer to a cutting board. Cut into 2 inch squares, wiping the knife blade clean between cuts as necessary. Sieve powdered sugar over the bars, if you'd like.
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Beyond the business that handles Fortune 500 clients, beyond the Facebook and Twitter followers both in the thousands; Melinda Emerson is a woman on a mission to help small businesses grow. Her mission is to help entrepreneurs navigate through the obstacles of building their business. Known all as the "Small Biz Lady" she uses her previous failures in business to help others avoid those same feats. Her career began as a television producer, and within five years she caught the "Entrepreneurial bug" which she credits to Oprah. She left her job, and started her own production business, Quintessence Multimedia. Like with any business venture she was able to evolve it into a content management and social media marketing consulting machine. Her success has been proven by the number of highly sought after clients including Facebook, IKEA, and Verizon to name a few.
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When WE Magazine contacted Emerson to be a feature we were anxious to have her grace our cover for this issue. She is expanding her reach to include her own foundation, The Melinda F. Emerson Foundation, which she put in place to end small business failures among minority and womenowned businesses. WE Magazine: So let’s dive right in how did you get started? M. Emerson: I started out as a Communications Studies major at Virginia Tech, and after school went right into the world of producing.
I started out as an Associate Producer for WPXI-TV a local Pittsburgh television station. After years of producing for different stations I quit working for others, and began my business Quintessence Multimedia and I have been with it for about 14 years now. WE Magazine: That is awesome, and what would you say is the most valuable lesson you took away from the beginning stages of your business? M. Emerson: I learned quickly that “You don’t know what you don’t know.” By first accepting this as a fact I became a student of entrepreneurship, and it worked out for me (laughs). It turned out to be a good idea. WE Magazine: That it did, because you are now a best seller, congrats to accomplishing that goal, please share with us the idea behind your book “Become Your Own Boss in 12 months”
M. Emerson: Well my book is basically about my system for transitioning from having a job to starting a business. So I basically teach people how to make that transition from full time work to full time entrepreneur. My book is based upon all of the expensive lessons that I got a chance to learn (laughs). What I wanted to do was keep people from making all of the expensive mistakes that I dealt with. So I developed the Emerson planning system, my six step planning system to help people ease their transition.
WE Magazine: Can you share with us some key points from that six step system? M. Emerson: Step one would be developing a life plan. You need figure out what you want out of life, and then build a business that aligns with that plan. Step two you need to develop a financial plan. You need to figure out if you can even afford to become an entrepreneur because for a lot of people the more they have become attached to a full time position the more fantastic their lifestyle is. You know if you like Prada you may need to keep your job because it is important as an entrepreneur to rein those expenses back. The money to start your business is going to come from your right or your left pocket. Women’s Elevation Magazine | February 2013
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WE Magazine: Exactly. It is harder to start a business with nothing than to start a business with the right financial backing, and that backing usually comes from the entrepreneur themselves. M. Emerson: Right, You must be really clear on your savings because people who have assets have options. I was really clear on what I wanted to do. I had an asset in owning my own home I was able to leverage that to pay down all of my bills so that I could start fresh. Going back tour six steps, Step three of the system is figuring out what skills you have and what skills you need in order to run your particular business. So what I tell people is that they should go and work part time for the type of business that they want to start. Step four is that you really need to look at your paying customer. What people tend to focus on first is their logo and how everything is going to look, and they couldn’t tell you, if their life depended on it, who their niche target is, and that’s a problem. Step five is really developing that full business plan, and the last step six is launching your business while you are working. WE Magazine: All of those steps are essential, but really what stood out is the information regarding knowing and targeting your audience. Some of the top questions that any branding coach will ask you are who are you targeting? Who is your audience? And a lot of business owners are not able to answer these questions. One answer that is exclaimed by small business owners is that “Everyone is their target audience” what do you say when people give you that answer? M. Emerson: Let me tell you, if everyone can use your product then no one will. Period. WE Magazine: (laughs) Enough said. Going back to your book you stand out as the social media woman because we always see you tweeting or facebooking to help businesses. How do you help people get to their target audience? They may already know who their target audience is, but they are having difficulties reaching them. M. Emerson: Well I think that the thing that you have to do is really know who that customer is. Who is your paying customer? If you know that then what you need to do next is do a really detailed description of that person. Who is she? Is she educated? Is she a professional person? Is she married? Does she have children? Does she live in the city?
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Does she live in the suburbs? Who is she? Once you answer those questions you need to get down to what your customers paying points are. Which is the what, how, when, and where they want the product you’re trying to offer. Once you know those things you can put a message in front of them that they can respond to. WE Magazine: And how many businesses do you think spend time on really developing a detailed view of their target audience? M. Emerson: Very few which is why their business is in trouble. It’s really not that hard to figure out is it? If you think about it more people spend time planning their vacation than they do planning for their business. WE Magazine: Since we’re talking about knowing your audience let’s talk social media for second. How did the idea of #SmallBiz Chat come about? M. Emerson: I wanted to find a way to attract small businesses to me. So when I first got on Twitter in 2008 I noticed that people were starting to get together on chat. M. Emerson: Honestly you should follow where you clients and target audience are. If they are on Pinterest, use Pinterest. If they are on Twitter, use Twitter etc. but you don’t not have to participate in all of them you just have to do one really well. WE Magazine: In addition to knowing your audience and knowing your best social media outlet you have to know yourself. Passion and drive to commit to that business always needed. So we have to ask how do you keep yourself driven and keep up that passion, because it gets hard as an entrepreneur to keep with your business. M. Emerson: Well, because I know how hard it is. I have been doing this for 14 years; I didn’t just start doing this. I know there are plenty of people thinking that they don’t need a business plan. What is this woman talking about? And then after they realize how hard it is to build a successful business they come to me, and understand exactly how I can help them. So yes it is hard especially when trying to convince people that they are need of my services, but because they see me via social media my message is constantly proven. I know it works and that’s what validates me and keeps me going. WE Magazine: Touching base on your business you are a small business coach. How does the implementation of other coaching businesses that offer what you do effect your business? M. Emerson: It really doesn’t affect my business because I believe that I am in a class all my own. Number one there are 26 million businesses out here for us to tap into, and I don’t believe in comparing myself to others. In fact I work with a lot of different business coaches and we send work back in forth to each other. I think that people should always check different avenues before committing working with someone.
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Melinda Emerson, Author of “Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months”
WE Magazine: Let’s talk about credentials how should someone go about choosing the services of a coach? M. Emerson: If they are looking for a business coach they should ask them how their business is. If it is a life coach ask them about their life. You have to look at the evidence in front of you. Talk to some of their clients, check them out. Don’t just send them your money without doing your research. Check them out. WE Magazine: Thank you so much for sharing your tips with our audience I want to touch base on how you manage to do it all and still have time for home life? M. Emerson: I have a six year old son, I am a single parent, divorced, and I have eight people that work for me to keep the trains running on time. I drive my son to school every day. I make time to do be there. WE Magazine: Thank you for joining us today and sharing your wisdom on how to build a successful business. We look forward to watching your business grow in 2013. M. Emerson: God bless, Thank you so much. For more information on Emerson’s small business tips check out her website www.melindaemerson.com. Also don’t forget to follower her on twitter @SmallBizLady and on Facebook by typing in Melinda Emerson, The Small Biz Lady.
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By Tosh Patterson
Women are such good multi-taskers and we often dismiss the importance of self-care when it is such a vital piece of our overall wellbeing, mental sanity, and happiness. As a smart & successful woman taking time for yourself probably seems like a luxury until you snap at kids or feel stressed out. February is the perfect time to slow down enough to give yourself some love and care. Here are eight simple, almost money free, strategies to have you make YOU a priority.
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We lead such busy lives and, as a result, may have piles of paper throughout the house or a messy car. Take time to clean out and/or de-clutter one area needing attention. Most people neglect their cars, so start there because having a fresh car will have you appreciating your ride again. Why not buy two decadent pieces of chocolate from a specialty store? Spend $5 on a few pieces of handmade, hand dipped treat and simply enough it alone. Enough said! Grab your girlfriends and run out the door ladies! You may not be able to have a manicure, pedicure, AND massage weekly, but once a month or at least THIS month, go for it! Research shows people who have regular massage reduce stress and experience increased blood circulation. So look out for a Living Social Deal or splurge on yourself with a 30-60 minute massage, then go get a mani/pedi too. As a busy person you may have to plan for one night with a full 8 hours of sleep but feeling refreshed will be worth the effort. Studies have shown that sleep deprivation puts your body in a chronic state of stress. Stress elevates cortisol levels and stimulates insulin secretion, which puts your body in fat storage mode. So get some sleep and whittle away that waist line. Over the weekend indulge in doing your favorite activity. When you are re-charged, those around you know it and you’re nicer too! Light a candle, put on your favorite mellow tunes, and pour bubbles into running water. Also, if you add scented Epsom salts not only will you enjoy the aroma, your muscles will relax due to Epsom salt properties. So, please soak, linger, relax, and enjoy. Wear your favorite outfit or favorite shoes this week; dress up & feel good. Stop saving your best outfit for a special occasion. Go ahead and rock those cute heels or lovely silk shirt. I dare you! Sit down, away from computer, to eat your lunch. This one speaks for itself, but too often we eat and work so we miss the opportunity to actually appreciate a 10-15 minute lunch break.
These are simple ways you can slow down & love yourself because a little self-care goes a long way. I urge you to indulge in at least two of these strategies throughout the year or in February. Just remember that anytime is the perfect time to make time for you! If you need more regular time for yourself, check out Tosh's 28 Days of Self-Care Series occurring in February. Women’s Elevation Magazine | February 2013
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By Sandra Salathe
IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN. If you are on board with the whole Valentine’s Day hoopla then congrats to you but if you’re of the many who disregard it as a joke of a holiday then I might just have to high five you. Seeing how all my past Valentines Days have been drastic failures from the beginning, it could be the reason why I never found much interest in it.
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When I first discovered that the February issue of the magazine would be dedicated to love, I was a bit skeptical. Writing an article centered on Valentine’s Day was enough to make me cringe with absolute fear. But then I was struck with such a realization that made my entire body brake out in itty, bitty goose bumps. What was this realization you ask? Nothing more than an epiphany of course. What I realized was that love comes in many forms; it doesn’t necessarily have to come in the method of a relationship. Love starts from within and when one starts loving themselves first; the rest follows. In order for you to start loving yourself, you need to gain the confidence to do so. I’ve learned in the past that one of the best ways to gain confidence is to look good. It may sound a bit vain but it’s the honest truth. When you look good on the outside, you’re bound to feel great on the inside. And what better way to look good on the outside then updating your wardrobe?
Let’s start with incorporating existing trends into your wardrobe. You may think trends are not as important when getting dressed in the morning but believe me when I say they’re vital. If you’re not going to go the extra mile to transform your look then you might as well not go through with it all. Check out polyvore.com to play around with their style creator. They also give insight on where you can buy the products you are interested in.
Once you’ve identified which trend you would like to pull off, make sure you add some of your personality into the mix. You can still be trendy without straying too far away from your true self. When getting dressed for work in the morning, I always like to make sure I’ve added one piece of clothing that represents my personality.
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The great thing about stylists is that they always know what’s current. They’re constantly checking what’s new on runway and in stores so that they can properly assist their clients. When you are a business woman who doesn’t have time on her hands, a stylist can become your very own fairy godmother. Looking your best is not only crucial for you but also for your company. Your appearance represents what you stand for and if you don’t look your best at all times; your consumer’s might not take you seriously.
A stylist takes care of all the tiresome and trying tasks that you may not want to perform when it comes to shopping. I’m not going to lie, as much as I love shopping; it can be extremely exasperating. Stylists sit down with you and go over your sizes, your likes, and designers that attract you so that they can build up your portfolio. Once your portfolio is complete they will put together certain looks that are based on what they’ve gathered from you and it’s your choice to decide which of them you like. If fashion isn’t something you’re very drawn to (God forbid) then a stylist would be your best hand to bet on.
Sometimes the trick to looking put together, is simply being-put together. I’m not saying you have to match, but tucking in a shirt now and then wouldn’t hurt either. Add some glamour with jewelry or a headband to spruce up your outfit. Always make sure before you leave the house to take one last look in the mirror to make sure all ends are tied. Make sure your lingerie isn’t showing through your clothing or that a button is undone. Once you’ve gotten an understanding to all of this than is should be pretty simple to grasp. Don’t just see this as a way to obtain a better appearance, remember it’s a way to gain more confidence in yourself. As time goes by, all of this should become something of a second nature. Love is hard especially when it comes to loving yourself. Not everyone can have the confidence of a Victoria Secret model but that’s what makes us all human. We’d be crazy not to have a little uncertainty in ourselves every now and then. But as long as deep down we all realize how incredibly fabulous we are, I have a feeling we’ll be alright.
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STYLISH, CLASSY, AND FASHIONABLY INSPIRATIONAL – My Brown Box brings beauty, lifestyle, and luxury products to women of color. They select the latest and greatest products from some of the best brands to simplify your decision making process, making it fun, affordable and very convenient! Brittney Marshall, Founder of My Brown Box, was inspired by her surroundings. Her experiences and interactions with others led to the birthing of My Brown Box. The want to create something where women of color can connect, inspire, and inform one of author became so passionate that in April of 2012 My Brown Box was born.
WE Magazine got a chance to quiz Marshall on all things related to My Brown Box for our February Issue: “The Love Issue: Giving Yourself the Nurturing You Deserve,” and here is what she had to say. WE Magazine: Explain to our readers that might not know of My Brown Box exactly what it entails: B. Marshall: My Brown Box is a subscription beauty service and ecommerce store for women of color. Each month we send our members a chic box containing 5-6 beauty and lifestyle products that complement their natural beauty and personal style. These goodies will span categories of makeup, skincare, nail care, body care, fragrances, grooming tools and other lifestyle goods. It’s like having a birthday celebration every month! WE Magazine: What does the Brown Box include? B. Marshall: When you open your brown box it will be filled with 100% natural skin, hair, bod, make up, and nail care items. We dare you to try different shades that you may not have felt would work for your skin tone. A lot of the products are made from minority owned businesses. Since it is hard to get them into the stores we try to feature them here.
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WE Magazine: You talk a lot about wanting to bring style and fashion to women of color, what else inspired you to create My Brown Box? B. Marshall: I have always had a strong passion for beauty and fashion. My mom is a former makeup artist, my dad and brother are both entrepreneurs, and as a child I always thought that I wanted to be a fashion designer- All of these things combined fueled my desire to create My Brown Box, a brand that represents beauty, lifestyle, and luxury for women of color. I also find that women of color are often times overlooked and underrepresented in the beauty and fashion industry. I wanted to create something that all women of color could identify with and relate to, which gave birth to My Brown Box. WE Magazine: Tell us about 2012 you started back in April what were some of the things that you all accomplished?: B. Marshall: In November 2012 we kicked off our #BrownBeauties of the Month series. Each month we will select two #BrownBeauties to be spotlighted on our blog and across our social media properties. We hope to give our readers a glimpse into the lives of real women, all while conveying the message that there are no limits to brown beauty and that it comes in many different shades, shapes, sizes, hair types, etc. Along with this fun series, we will also be doing Facebook and Twitter giveaways! WE Magazine: What are some of the things that you are looking forward to in 2013? B. Marshall: My Brown Box is participating in the Fro Fashion Week February 25-March 3 in Atlanta, Georgia. We will be giving away two six months subscriptions to two women at the event. We are also planning a party for our recent launch. Possible locations are New York and Detroit. WE Magazine: How do you see the company evolving? B. Marshall: We see ourselves adding conferences where women from all over can come and speak, and have vendors that inspire them to create a lasting community.
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WE Magazine: What keeps you driven and elevated to continue on the journey? B. Marshall: From childhood my parents instilled in me the mindset to “think big”, because small-scale thinking is unacceptable. Never in my life have I felt that something was impossible. This optimistic state of mind keeps me driven and it continues to elevate me as I take on life full force. Each day I wake up with one thing on my mind- success. I never want to go a day without reaching new heights. I admit it’s challenging operating a business, working a full time job and trying to make time for family, friends and myself. But I always remind myself that if it were easy, then everybody would do it. I thank God for the many blessings that he has bestowed upon me and for waking me each day so that I can elevate higher. My Brown Box is growing fast, and becoming an unstoppable force in the world of fashion and beauty. Marshall and her team of Brown Beauties turning their fears into desires and just doing it! WE Magazine says stay tuned for what they have coming up for 2013. Follow them on their various social media outlets and make sure to check out their website and subscribe www.mybrownbox.com. Website: http://mybrownbox.com Facebook: http://facebook.com/mybrownbox Blog: http://mybrownboxblog.com Twitter: @MyBrownBox Instagram: @MyBrownBox Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/mybrownbox/
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Running out of time… This month's issue talks about loving yourself and giving yourself the nurturing that you need in order to become the success you are destined to be. There are a lot of things we as business women are running. We're running towards our goals, running away from things that are set up to block our blessings, running our businesses, and last but not least running out of time. Time is something we strive to create more of so that we can say we were able accomplish as much as humanly and sometimes inhumanly possible in a day, week, month, year. But you mustn't run yourself into the grave. The enjoyment of running your own business is that we have the ability to create our own schedule, or say no to something every once in a while in order to regain perspective. Instead many of us are not taking care of our most precious asset, ourselves.
When God bought your abilities and blessing to the forefront in your mind he allowed you to see all of your potential, all that you could/will become. He left you no compass, but gave you his hand to walk beside you and guide you. Many us are running with God's hand; many of us are not allowing him to lead; many of us are dragging him along beside us because you want to get to that destination faster. You are running when you need to be walking, you are walking when you need to be crawling. You are telling God your plans when you should be silent and listen to his screenplay for your life. He has written the script. Just read your lines and play the best part you can play.
1 Corinthians 9:24 says "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it." Stop running ahead of God and begin your walk next to God. He knows all that you need before you even ask it. He knows all that you will do before you even breathe life into it. As always I leave you with a quote from the bible: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.”-Isaiah 48:17
Amen!
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Be Your Own Valentine: Taking Care of Self First by Monique House, MS, CHES
We as women are natural care-takers; we do whatever we can to ensure the well-being of our loved ones. In business, we aim to please our bosses, co-workers and clients. Sometimes we inevitably neglect ourselves in the midst of being everything for everyone else. During this month of love, I challenge you to consider the seven dimensions of wellness and assess your own health.
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Physical wellness: This includes diet, nutrition and exercise. Maybe you made a New Year’s resolution to lose a few pounds or eat healthier. Perhaps you are battling a chronic condition. Or suppose this is your year to quit smoking. Now is the time to make sure you’ve had all your annual exams. Visit your primary care provider to discuss your goals and get their advice on how to safely and effectively reach your optimum health. Intellectual wellness: Don’t worry, I’m not saying you have to go back to school (although if you want to— awesome!). Aim to learn something new every day. Sign-up for the word of the day or download a brain-teasing app on your phone (there are plenty of free options). Check out a book on another country or culture. Consider learning a new language, or hone a new skill. You owe it to your brain to remain curious. Environmental wellness: We can contribute in small ways to make a major difference in our world. Become an advocate for the green movement. You can do your part by recycling, conserving energy and water, or taking public transportation. Pay attention to your surroundings. For example, most public places by law prohibit smoking. Make sure you enforce a healthy environment in your home too. Occupational wellness: Not all experts consider this a dimension of wellness, but us business professional know this is important. Do you love your job? Are you making good use of your skills and talents? Consider assessing your career aspirations. Decide what you need to do to advance and be the professional you want to be. If you are in a full time environment that is unhealthy for you try exploring other options to free yourself from a bad situation. Social wellness: Too busy to have a social life? This can be harmful to your overall health. Humans are social beings. Plan that girl’s getaway, hold game night with your family, or attend a networking event and meet someone new. Emotional wellness: We women tend to ignore our feelings in order to meet the needs of others. Don’t do it! It’s so important to be cognizant of your emotions particularly in moments of stress. Accept how you feel, explore the reasons behind those feelings, and know when to seek help. Seeking help does not mean you’re weak, it means you’ve tried too long to be invincible! Spiritual wellness: It’s so important to have morals and values. They define our outlook on life, and give us strength in challenging situations. Whether you look to a higher power, be sure to listen to your innermost self and seek meaning in life.
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