"The Year of the Black, Female Entrepreneur"

2014 has been marked as the Year of the Woman when it comes to entrepreneurship and executive board room participants. More exciting, African-American women entrepreneurship is on the rise and as such the buying power of African-American women is estimated to be in the trillions over the next couple of years! Forbes Magazine (2013) reported that African-American, female owned businesses skyrocketed by 191% in a period of 10 years. So, African-American women, regardless of their marital or income status, have the desire to launch their own business enterprises. Why are some of us not launching out on our own? The issue of access to resources such as social and financial capital has been a hindrance for many African-American women as they strike out as first time business owners. Not knowing where to go or who to go to for valuable startup information as well as seed money has discouraged many women from becoming successful entrepreneurs. What can we do about this? Ma'at Rising, Incorporated's community initiative, "Project: Next Level Woman- Fayetteville" aims to help African-American women strike out as first time entrepreneurs and give them the support they need in order to succeed- from learning how to startup a business, brand themselves, and effectively manage their time, and powerfully network. Encourage the women in your life who want to build their passion into a business that can help others to go to www.maatrisingankh.com and register for Empowerment Seminar I taking place on April 26, 2014 at 2 p.m. Find your biz zone! Peace and Ashe'.

Forbes Magazine reports- The Future's Most Powerful Bosses- Women...

A new Forbes magazine article has hit the sweetspot! In "11 Reasons 2014 Will be a Breakout Year for Women Entrepreneurs," Geri Steingel tells us all the juicy reasons why women will be running it this year and why women will run the U.S. within the next decade- read the info and get up to speed (http://www.forbes.com/sites/geristengel/2014/01/08/11-reasons-2014-will-be-a-break-out-year-for-women-entrepreneurs/). One of the top reasons women are running it- they invest heavily in their personal and professional development. Steingel reports that women invest in their own personal and professional development at an enormous rate because women know that learning run parallels to upward growth and mobility. Successful employees and entrepreneurs spend hundreds, if not hundreds of thousands, of hours on their own personal and professional development through self-directed reading, audio CDs, live and online success coaching sessions, etc. If you want to step up your entrepreneurship hustle or hone your craft as an employee- invest in yourself first. Register for Ma'at Rising, Incorporated's women's empowerment seminar scheduled for April 26, 2014 at www.maatrisingankh.com. God Bless and Ashe'.

Business without Faith goes Dead...

Build your Faith in God, Yourself, and your Business. With it, you can do Everything, without it you only have your circumstances. Any entrepreneur who has stayed the course will tell you that you will go through peaks and valleys with your business. There will be seasons when clientele is good and profits soar through the roof and then there are those seasons where you almost have to beg by giving 1/2 price deals for your services and products. No worries- this is a natural part of the business process. Exercising your Faith in your Business by continuing to move and plan for new or enhanced services and goods even during a downturn and not giving up will prove to be a fortitude and faith builder as soon afterwards the clientel begins to gradually build up as well as your profit margin. Having a business is a miracle! Dont' believe it? Business is the process of bringing into physical manifestation what you put on paper or spoke out into the Universe by advertising to people that you offer services and goods. At some point, the physical manifestation will show in the form of clientele and growing profits. This is why God will bless the righteous business owner. God knows that this person is a believer in miracles and a faith worker. So, this is your season to act on faith and be a worker of miracles! There are 2 things you need in the world to start- mind, your own business. If you caught that, connect with Ma'at Rising, Inc.'s community initiative to produce more African-American female entrepreneurs in North Carolina at www.maatrisingankh.com. God Bless and Ashe'.

No Matter Your Season, Stay Active in Your Life's Plan...

No matter what season of your life you're in- stay active in your life's plan. "As above, so below"- we all go through seasons just like nature- winter, spring, summer, fall. Whatever season you're in, learn to be content in it- get the lesson(s), be grateful for your space, but prepare for the next season because it's going to come. Queen Afua in her bestsellers, Sacred Woman and Heal Thyself talks about the 4 seasons in our lives as African women in various areas such as relationships, business, and so on. I've learned that even when waiting on God to map out the "How" in our lives, we are still responsible for the "What" and the "Why." The "what" is what we want in this life. The "why" is why we set the goals we set for our lives and why we must achieve them so badly. The hiccup for many of us sometimes is in the "how" to get these things accomplished and still maintain balance. I've heard it said, "If your what and why is BIG enough, God will work out the how." I'm a believer in this. And even in God's mapping out of the "how" I'm continuously having an attitude of gratitude, doing all I can for others, and seeing the signs of my next moves in every person I meet, in every situation I encounter, and in every quiet whisper of a peaceful moment. For me, I believe that the Bible's "Peace, be still, and know that I am God" is my commandement to (1) have peace, (2) freeze all the things in my head and going on around me, and know that God has always had and will always have my back. It's then that I can see God's face, hear God's voice, and know what next. God bless, Yabo, and Ashe'.

Success is an Intentional Occurrence...

Success is an intentional occurrence. Success by chance or luck is only an illusion. What then is success? I like Paul Meyer's definition-"success is the progressive realization of predetermined, worthwhile, personal goals." Someone who obtains success has already envisioned their goal's destination, planned for the occassion, and executed the actions necessary to see their goals fulfilled. Have you ever dreamed of something, took the action to make it happen, and it totally ended up being a larger success than what you expected? That's the energy behind success when you move forward with passion. Passion makes everything ignite and explode! Ever seen someone speak with passion that it stirs something up in you and you didn't even share the same view before the person started speaking? Passion is contagious and it makes everything gravitate towards it- that's why some people's success seem to be so massive when we look at it. But, the truth is, we have the ability within us to have massive success as well, especially if it's combined with real passion. Progressive & Worthwhile. Notice Meyer's definition included the words Progressive and Worthwhile. That means that along the way, you may experience some failures or falls on the way to realizing your goals. This doesn't signal that it won't work- it actually signals that you're doing thing right but need some improvement on the action plan. Some of our greatest successes have come from our ability to fail, over and over and over again. Predetermined. You must "see it" before you "see it" or you'll never see it. What does this mean? Simply put, you must set goals in order to be able to usher in the energy that will make these things a reality. The Law of Attraction says that once we decide, get passion behind our decision, and move towards our goals- the entire Universe moves the right people, situations, and resources in our direction in order to ensure that our dreams are realized. So, today, I charge you to make achieving your goals an intentional endeavor forged with passion, focus, and commitment- even through the failures. Succeed, succeed, and progressively succeed some more. God bless, Yabo, Ashe!

Be a BOSS about your Business...

Always go into any business dealing with a plan laid out and all your ducks in a row. Knowing what you want, asking for what you need, and having a posture of confidence when you do so does not have to equate to the stereotypical "angry Black woman." One book that I would recommend to women in my circle is "The Little Black Book of Success: Laws for Leadership for Black" by Haygood, Brown, and McLean. It's an absolute must for any woman wanting to go to her next level of greatness in her own business or as an employee. I try to take these steps when walking into any situation where I will conduct business- (1) research, (2) inquire, (3) speak with a mid-level or executive level manager, and (4) make a decision and put it in writing. Researching a company or organization will give you background on its mission, vision, and purpose. You should know about the products or services that you are interested in purchasing or you should know more about the company if you are interested in offering them your own services. Make a quick phone call or "scout" the organization so that you have a closer "view" of the business. Then, speak with someone who is a mid-level manager or an executive level manager about what they look for in a business arrangement or what their current market needs are- just to find out how you and your services may make a "good fit." When speaking, sit with a posture of confidence. Also, know your value- if they are interested in your products or services- don't haggle your pricing. If you charge $1500 for speaking engagements- don't settle for $1000- they'll certainly let another company know that your rates are "negotiable" and thats' not what you want. Lastly, make a decision about what you will do- either you will offer services or purchase a product/service or you will not. Maybe you can offer services or purchase services but with stipulations/conditions. Either way, make a decision and make your decision known by (1) making a phone call and (2) sending a letter. The letter should thank the organization for the opportunity to work with them at this time- if you so choose. However, if you decide that the relationship would not work out beneficially for both parties- thank them for their time and state that possibly in the future your needs will meet up. Whatever you do- be a BOSS about it- people will remember your business dealings for a long time to come. Make sure it's what you want them to remember and pass on to others.

It's Not Always About the Bandwagon...

Greetings All! Today's word is short. Simply stated- not everyone is going to cry "Hoorah" over your Dreams. Your job is to carry out your appointed Vision and make it happen- with or without others on board. Most of all- this may even be the case when those who you want to be on board aren't exactly ecstatic about what you're doing. All things have a season and we must remember that when we're working on our own things. Support all those that you can, while you can, when you can. God bless, Yabo, and Ashe'!

Time, Energy, Money = Your Life in High Definition

One thing will ring true throughout your life and it is this: whatever you put your time, energy, and money to will broadcast live in HIGH DEFINITION for everyone to see. Wealth isn't simply a money thing- it's an asset thing- whatever you leave behind in the areas of morals, wisdom, and money is what the next generation will use to get to their levels of greatness. If you left the Earth today, what assets are you leaving behind? Time- What does your day look like? Do you have a lot of time on your hands? Are you so busy you're always wondering where the time went? Dr. Dennis Kimbro of the Napoleon Hill Foundation finds that financially successful black Americans put their time where they want their results to show. So, dedicate your time to things that are going to provide you and those you love with an increase. I always ask myself when I'm about to get involved in something- how will this bring the increase? If it doesn't bring increase, I pass on it. And it's as simple as that. While writing my book, I literally was like a robot. I got up at 5 am. to get the family of to school and work. I worked from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Made dinner by 7 p.m., kids in bed by 8:30 p.m. and I'm typing and editing by 9 p.m., and in bed by midnight and REPEAT! With 4 children, a husband, a house, a job, and my own business, what else do I have time for? You've got to make every second count. No sacrifice, no reward. Energy- Energy means your creativity, mental, emotional, and physical effort. Do you have goals or desires that seem to keep getting pushed back every time you look around? Are the things in your life seemingly costing you to have to give up your dreams or goals day after day and month after month? It is true that for everything there is a season. However, if every time you look around your season doesn't ever seem to be HERE, you need to assess where your energy is going in your life. Are you making room for your creativity to thrive or are you making excuses? In order to achieve your goals and dreams you must find a way by any legitimate means necessary. Some people will call you a workaholic, some will call you obsessed but whatever they call you- they can't call you unfilled, lazy, or unsuccessful. Money- Always invest in your personal and professional development. I put money aside on a monthly basis to invest in my professional development- $25. It's much better than taking a $300 chunk from my account when an event or seminar I want to attend comes around. I will always invest in myself first before I pay one bill. My professional development has become an expense yet investment that I plan for monthly. Life long learning is the #1 priority listed by high achievers as the reason for their success. If I have to choose between $15- $25 to eat out 3-4 times per month or the $150 professional development seminar that happens every 3 months that will change the course of my life and my family's life forever- I'm going for the professional development! Reaching your goals is a journey. Make it one worth the while. And when it is all said and done, your eulogy can read, "one who inspires." Join Ma'at Rising at Empowerment Seminar I of Project Next Level Woman- Fayetteville on April 26, 2014 at 2 p.m. in Fayetteville, NC. For details visit, www.maatrisingankh.com. God bless, Yabo, Ashe!

Be Accounting-able...

I always laughed when my sister-friend Imani finds a penny on the ground, picks it up, and says, "Thank you for my blessing!" How many times have you dropped or seen a penny on the ground and just kept it moving? If you're honest, you'll say more times than you can count. Money, in any amount, is a blessing and needs to be accounted for. Dr. Thomas Stanley in his book "The Millionaire Next Door" wrote that most millionaires he interviewed don't allow a nickel to go through them without being accounted for in their budgeting, savings, and investments. Proverbs 13:11 tells us that money gained little by little grows. So, don't discount the little by little that you can add to your checking or savings account over time. If you don't follow a monthly budget, I can assure you that money is slipping through your fingers like water. Balancing your checkbook or keeping receipts alone does not constitute a having budget. A budget has line item expenses, includes all of your income, and shows you any disposble income (if any) that you may have to put towards your wealth building. Don't have a Financial or Wealth Building Plan- you're behind the curve. Surely, you never hit a target you don't aim for. Dave Ramsey in his book "The Total Money Makeover" says that most people don't become millionaires because they never make it a goal to be one. You don't have to have a goal to be a millionaire, but you do need clearly set and written financial goals to reach them.

Overconsumption & the Poor House go Hand in Hand...

We all go through at time- you're leading a busy life as a single or married woman with no children or you're leading a busy life with children in tow. Your busy-ness has you on the go so often and when changes arise, you have to be ready to go with the flow. So, you grab a quick meal from a fast food restaurant and of course it's laden with calories, fat, and some indescribeable ingredients from Monsantos Corporation. Grabbing and going every now and again isn't so bad. However, it becomes a problem when it becomes "the norm" of your life. And at the end of the month as well as the year, you've spent hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars "grabbing and going" and it's affected your waistline and your pocketbook. I'm not pointing fingers, I believe last week alone I spent about $50.00 eating out when I could have put that towards a bill payment or in my savings account. I don't beat up on myself. I allow myself to still enjoy some things but I do so in moderation because I know that my life's goal is to have optimal health and wellness (mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually). Studies now show that 4 out of 5 African-American women are overweight. Mind you, we all know that Serena Williams made the medical community think again about the issue of BMI and physical fitness. However, many of us are dealing with habitual poor eating habits and lack of physical exercise. This is to our own detriment. In short, we must strive for balance in our daily lives in every area. It's okay to be busy but to be busy and taking several medications to deal with stress, bad food choices, lack of exercise, and work overload might cause short term gains but long run suffering. How to Create Balance: (1) Start with the goal of getting purpose exercise in at least 15 minutes a day. Move up 5 minutes per day every week until you make it up to 60 minutes a day. (2) Prepare and pack breakfast, lunch, and snacks in a bag before leaving home. When this isn't realistic and you're on a budget grab these items from the store: (1) a bag of fruit (mixed, apples, oranges, etc.)$5-7 , (2) box of ramen noodles (only use 1/4 to 1/2 of the seasoning packet for the entire pack of noodles to cut the sodium intake)$1.50, (3) a gallon of water to leave in the office and car ($1). This should set you straight for an entire week at work and you've spent barely $10.00. This is simply a suggestion. It works for me and has put at times over $100 extra dollars in my savings account during the month. (3) Walk in place, squat, lunge while watching the evening news and or a favorite television program. (4) Turn down working lunches when you can. No need to spend lots of money entertaining people or don't feel obligated to eat at a restaurant. Ask if the lunch can be at a park or the library. Better yet, eat before you go and simply order water or a cheap beverage during your working lunch. Don't obligate yourself to spend- it's your business about what you do with your money. It's not be cheap, it's being smart. Until next time, God bless, Yabo, Ashe'

The Ridiculousness of It All...

I often times wonder how far ahead in my financial life I would be had I been able to recognize the need to be financially savvy right after obtaining my undergraduate degree. I was set- only $13,000 in debt to pay back in student loans (the remainder of my $80,000 undergraduate education was taken care of by multiple scholarships which I had applied for before and during my college years). My mother had bought me a car for my senior year (my Ford Contour, I loved it!)so I didn't have car notes to pay or car insurance because she took care of all of this for me as a graduation present. I, like many college students, graduated with about $3,000 in credit card debt which I paid off immediately. However, I did not make paying back my student loans from my undergrad alma mater a priority. So, I continued to defer my loan payments while I lived like I had financial freedom. I built up no savings and literally lived paycheck to paycheck when I didn't have it. Being wet behind the ears, I even went got financed for a $13,000 brand new Ford Focus. At this point (2006), still no savings but I had the bonus of having my daughter (an added responsibility). I made sure we lived comfortably and had plenty of food and clothing. I had new clothes, new car, even had the nerve to apply for and get a credit card (for whatever reason!). And still- no savings, no retirement fund, no assets, negative net worth, and no clue! I know many of you may have experienced this in your life and don't quite know what to do. I have good news for you- it can get better if you're willing to fully commit to a lifestyle change. Greener Pastures... So, in 2008, I met with David Pound, a certified Financial Planner for Nobles and Pound Financial Planning here in Fayetteville, North Carolina. As a good financial planner should, he not only looked at my finances and my dreams for my financial future but he made me look at how my life choices would either (1) keep me in the poor house or (2) put me on the road to prosperity and building weatlh. Your day to day decisions can only put you on one of these two roads, there is no in-between. In other words, there is no Financial Purgatory in the sky! I tweeted this morning that a $1,500 Gucci purse, $600/month car note, $1,200 rent, $150,000 student loan debt, and a $35,000 annual salary= NOT SEXY! If you have debt but are trying to look like a millionaire, I've got news for you. (By the way, most millionaires are tight wads and wouldn't dare spend over $400 for a decent suit.) Your debts, if you are not eating them like a ferocious lion, and building an emergency savings and pulling for your retirement, you are being sucked dry! Get out of the dark and walk into the Light of Financial Freedom. Become debt-free! Here are some simple steps you can take now: (1) Stop using credit NOW! (2) Start building an emergency savings fun with at least $1,000 in it. The goal is to eventually have 6-12 months of savings in this fund. (3) Contact your creditor and arrange viable (realistic) payment arrangements with them all. (4) Seek the assistance of a Certified Financial Planner who can help you find ways to curb your debt and spending habits. (5) Sell, sell, sell everything that you can do without and use this money to build your emergency fund and begin to pay off debts. (6) Make and stick with a budget. (7) Drastically change your expenses. Buy pre-owned from everything you can to include cars, car tires, car parts, clothes, appliances, furniture, etc. (8) Write a list of your "motivators" so that you can stay focused on your goals. In the meantime, in-between time: Send me an e-mail at restoreourintegrity@gmail.com if you would like to become a part of "Sisters Living Financially Savvy," a support group for African-American women who want to get out of debt, live within their means, and build wealth. This group is free and open to the local Fayetteville/Cumberland County community. Resources to get your hands on: The Wealth Choice by Dr. Dennis Kimbro The Millionaire Next Door by Dr. Thomas Stanley Zero Debt for College Grads by Lynette Stanley The Total Money Makeover Workbook by Dave Ramsey God Bless, Yabo, Ashe!

"Own It!"

Fact:  African-American women earn on average only $.77 for every dollar earned by men- regardless of the men's race or ethnic background.  What does this mean?  This means less buying power, lower household incomes, and even lower wealth to have for self and the next generation.  Why do African-American women earn less than their male counterparts.  Of course, an obvious reason is gender discrimination.  As most followers know about me, I'm not into pointing the finger at this point in my life.  So, I'd like to discuss the issue of "Ownership."  If African-American women could just "own it," many of us would be in better situations emotionally, mentally, and most of all financially.  Let's face it.  It's hard to get where you want to go in life and what you need and want when the finances are short.  Getting by on love and happiness will only take you so far.  Therefore, we must get in the habit of "owning" our own "stuff."  

There are 2 major ways that we as African-American women can "own" our stuff- externally through business enterprises and internally- being our own CEO.

Own It #1 The Business Enterprise

No matter what reputable source of literature you read, all or most of them will tell you that one of the best ways to guarantee financial success, stability, and wealth is to own your own business(es).  Through business ownership, you get to sell yourself!  You have the opportunity to market your services and/or products with a passion! You set your own prices so you determine your own income- no more waiting for that bi-weekly paycheck! Furthermore, when you live with passion, you get to market all of your favorite things- like speaking, giving people information and resources, cooking, babysitting, teaching- and create multiple streams of income.  Do you have passion but don't know your purpose?  Visit www.livingwithpurposeservices.com where CEO, JurLonna Walker, gives business and life coaching advice.  Looking for like-minded women who have an entrepreneurial spirit and are "owning it?"  Join Project Next Level Woman-Fayetteville at Empowerment Seminar I on April 26, 2014 at 2 p.m. in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Visit www.maatrisingankh.com for all women's empowerment events for African-American women.

Special shout out to #HBWspeaking for tonight's webinar by Rosetta Thurman of "Happy Black Woman" for her presentation on "How to Become a Professional Speaker."

Own it #2 Self CEO

Entrepreneurialism isn't for everyone.  Yet, you still have the power to "own it."  Own your price for services rendered.  Know your value.  African-American women are often cut in the department of wages and salaries because we don't negotiate our price for the value of our services given to an employer.  Later for that!  You are the bank!  Name your price.  A study of millionaires found that men were more likely to leave a job because they wanted higher compensation whereas women leave a job primarily due to their value and input not being appreciated in the workplace.  Every service or product has a price tag attached to it.  Sometimes we simply have to be willing to have the raise or salary negotiation conversation.  Come on ladies, we've got to be willing to come to the table.  If they want your services, expertise, and talent- they have to pay to play.  

God Bless, Yabo, Ashe!

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