Year: 2020

Pretty and Leading in 2020: CEO Sheena Morgan

Posted in 20 Leading Women of 2020Leave a comment

Combine tenacity, passion, and leadership, and you have Sheena Morgan. For more than 20 years, Sheena has helped small, minority and women owned business owners realize their leverage and unleash it through strategic plans and strategies that support healthy, holistic, and solvent growth.

For Sheena, watching entrepreneurs realize their potential and leverage it to build their dream, is the most rewarding part of helping her clients.

Prior to launching her business, Lengo, she gained experience in the supplier diversity and minority certification industry as the Executive Director of the South-Central Texas Regional Certification Agency (San Antonio) and the North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency (Arlington). She went on to oversee the supplier diversity program for the largest natural gas provider in the nation, Atmos Energy.

She has been featured in the Dallas Weekly, CVM Solutions, and has spoken at several industry events, including American Contract Compliance Association (ACCA)- National Training Institute, American Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) – Annual Business Diversity Conference, Southern Gas Association (SGA) – Annual Conference, and DFW Minority Supplier Development Council – ACCESS.

Outside of the office, Sheena enjoys spending time with family, cooking, and traveling. She is very active within her community and has served as Chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission for Glenn Heights, TX (2017-2020) as well as sitting on various community boards.

Her philosophy for life is simple, you must celebrate the milestones as you prepare for the road ahead. Taking the time to fully appreciate the wins is what fuels you for the journey!

PWH: Who is Sheena Morgan in five words? 

SM: Tenacious, Galvanizing, Intuitive, Passionate, Altruistic   

PWH: What inspired your choice for entrepreneurship? 

SM: Answering the call and responding to need is a part of my make-up.  My choice of business consulting was inspired by my passion for the small business owner.  Bridging the gap between opportunity and leverage is paramount for all small business owners, and all too often access to the resources and leverage is intangible.  I decided to assemble systems and proprietary models to help entrepreneurs, and those considering business ownership, develop the necessary business acumen to become proficient and capable of building the legacies of their dreams.  

PWH: What services does Lengo provide?

SM:  I tell people we do 3 things well:

·         Start-up and venture strategy design – Figuring out how to launch your business or take your venture to the next level can be overwhelming. All this talk about finding your target audience, penetrating the market, growing your capital, and pivoting in the market can keep you at a standstill, figuring out what to do next. These strategy calls are designed to give you expert advice and clarity for creating your success strategies.

·         Competitive advantage business plan development – Develop your value proposition and discover what sets you apart from the competition. Your competitive advantage can be the positive differentiation that strategic partners and investors are looking for. Take your basic business plan to a new level. Incorporating critical components of your market analysis, value proposition, and industry position you will be guided each step as your competitive strategies are designed.

·         D/M/WBE certification – Gain access to multi-year contracting opportunities. Minority, Small, Women-Owned, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Certifications are the key to setting you apart from the competition and providing access to diverse spend opportunities with corporations and government municipalities.

PWH: How has your business remained relevant during this 2020 pandemic? 

SM: The pandemic has been positive for my business.  With the swell in startup small and minority businesses and emphasis on diversity & inclusion initiatives, we have seen a 77% increase in revenue over the last 3 months. We formally relaunched our Leverage Unleashed Master Class focused on start-up strategy development. It is a 12 month – guided system where our clients are walked through each stage of business development. Ultimately resulting in a competitive advantage business plan and launch strategy with an implementation plan. It is our hope that we can move hustles to enterprises and quick fixes to legacy & financial independence!

PWH: What are five things 2020 has taught you in regards to business?

1.      Business Plans are Essential – so many people have lost their businesses because they didn’t have an initial plan let alone a contingency plan for situations such as the ones we are seeing now. If you have a plan you need to update it every 6 months and if you don’t have one, you need one!

2.      Strength in Numbers – your financial wellness is critical to your success and it is the key to your survival.  It’s not enough to have cash on hand.  Businesses must diversify and hold collateral.  Securing leverage such as a LOC or loans is business 101 and without a financial strategy, you are leaving leverage on the table.

3.      Anticipate & Breathe – there is so much opportunity out there now.  With new businesses opening every day and corporations becoming more aware of their lack of diversity initiatives, minority business owners have a chance to capitalize and scale significantly.  However, as much as we are anticipating the next great opportunity, we must learn to take a beat and breathe.  Think through the situation and the total impacts it will have on your overall plan. 

4.      Women Lead, Women Change, Women Execute – women business ownership is 40% of total business ownership and we keep shattering ceilings with each closed deal, sale, and transaction. Yeah, we’re bad!

5.      Rebrand with Purpose – rebranding is a reality for a lot of businesses.  However, rebranding is not necessary if you aren’t making a significant change to your services or company name.  In our case, I included diversity certification (which I had always provided) to my formal list of services and wanted to demonstrate a linking and correlation of all my services.  Thus, the new logo and clean fonts. Make sure that rebranding makes sense because if it doesn’t it could significantly impact your current brand awareness.

PWH: Lastly, What is your definition of a Pretty Woman Who Hustles? 

SM:  A woman that defines each step she takes with poise, class, ferocity, beauty, spirituality, and plans greatness with the intention of impacting others. 

Connect with Sheena and Lengo Focus online

Facebook – facebook.com/lengofocus
Instagram – instagram.com/lengofocus

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/lengofocus

A Kid’s Guide to Being a Mermaid with Denise Lopes

Posted in New OnlineTagged Leave a comment

Denise Lopes grew up in Toronto, Canada in a fairly diverse part of the city.  However, as a child, she hardly ever saw examples of what she looked like in the books that she read.  As a mother of two, she wanted to make sure that her grandchildren, and ALL children saw others that had their skin color and were beautiful and smart, in the books that they read.  She has won awards for her work in equity, diversity and inclusion and is using that experience to share her dreams of representation with children around the world.

Being a mermaid isn’t always easy.  Join our mermaid friends as they not only show a love of diversity, but give examples of mermaid life lessons that will help us all through those hard days.  Examples of acceptance, kindness and believing in yourself are just a few things that our mermaids bring to life.

PWH: What inspired you to start writing?

DL: have always loved to write in some capacity but privately. I actually began working on my biography that talks about my cancer journey a few years ago.  However, as far as the children’s book goes, I know that this goes back to my equity, diversity and inclusion work that I do.  I am on a few committees at the University of Toronto Scarborough that support this type of work, as well as our first anti-Black racism taskforce.  It breaks my heart every time I see a video or read another story of a little Black girl who hates her hair or her complexion and is brought to tears when they have to talk about it.  It’s unacceptable that our babies feel this way and we have to begin the work much younger.  It involves self-affirmations, parents and loved ones talking about these topics and celebrating them, and exposure to positive images of little Black girls in the books that they read.  Once I began working on the book, I started thinking that if little Black girls don’t see themselves in the books that they read, girls from other marginalized communities have even LESS of an opportunity to see themselves.  That’s when I decided to expand the diversity in this book even further.

PWH: If you had to choose four words to describe your writing style, what would they be?

DL: Inclusive, empowering, love and community

PWH: What message do you want readers to gain, while reading your work?

DL: When readers engage in my work, I want them to see love of my community. I want them to see the “normalization” of racialized children.  I want them to see the beauty that I see when I look at these little Black girls, these little Indigenous girls, these little Hispanic girls, etc. I want readers to embrace self-love and love of all communities.

PWH: What in your opinion is the most important element of good writing?

DL: I think the most important element of good writing is passion.  I always say that I am not for everyone and everyone is not for me.  However, when I believe in something, I am like a dog with a bone! I am passionate, outspoken and determined to share that something with the world. I am passionate about ALL children being able to see themselves in the pages of the books that they read, so I will shout it from the rooftops.

PWH: What is next for you as a writer?

DL: I already have 2 additional children’s books that I am planning to release in 2021 based on my 2 children.  Currently I am working on revising a children’s book that my mother hand wrote over 40 years ago! I am modernizing it a little bit and hope to surprise her by letting her see HER name in print soon.

Take a moment and purchase Denise’s book “A kid’s guide to being a mermaid”

Thoughts of a Recovering Perfectionist

Posted in New OnlineTagged , , , , , , 2 Comments
Photo by Kristal Terziu on Pexels.com

Unfortunately, when trying new things or embarking on a new journey such as entrepreneurship, you experience a great deal of loss! You have to take the L’s and stumble before you get better, practice makes perfect. 

Photo by Luriko Yamaguchi on Pexels.com

Even though I am fully aware, Rome wasn’t built in a day, that still doesn’t change the fact that I am hard on myself when I make mistakes. “You should’ve known better” echoes in my head, as I relentlessly strive for perfection. 

I am here to tell you, don’t be like me! Learn from my mistakes, and save yourself from those early gray hairs!The journey of entrepreneurship is just that, a journey. A new path and adventure full of unknown. However, I see all these great moguls before me and can’t help but feel like I need to be where they are despite the fact that I am fresh out! Oftentimes I get discouraged and the negative thoughts creep in, thinking I’ll never measure up or be successful. (Very wrong)

One thing that I have to constantly remind myself is, comparison is the thief of joy, this is a marathon and not a race, and I will be where I need to be when I need to be. Right now I need to enjoy the ride, the growing pains, and all the bumps and bruises along the way; what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. 

Your mindset and the thoughts and words you feed yourself have so much power. It is imperative to speak life into your craft and vision and watch them grow. Learning to water your own roses and not seek external validation. Understanding that any harvest goes through ALL seasons, and each season is very vital to the longevity of the crops. Seasons of drought, pruning, growth, and reaping, all necessary. 

The Law of Attraction is simple, the more you seek for abundance and think abundantly you will attract such. Manifest and believe in yourself and everything else will fall in line. When things seem as though they are falling apart, God surprises you and shows you it was all a part of the plan and things are indeed coming together. Don’t be discouraged by what’s not happening, but focus on what you can control and do the best at that. What separates the winners is the drive and dedication. The relentless desire to not give up and keep going no matter what obstacles stand in the way.

When you want and strive for more, and do the work, God will meet you halfway and exceed your expectations. 

From one recovering perfectionist to another, dont beat yourself up. You are your own worst critic! When life knocks you down and you feel like you can’t keep going, it’s okay to slow down and rest. Take care of yourself, but don’t stay down. Cry today and get back to work tomorrow. Your future is waiting for you. Your impact and legacy is needed for others tomorrow. Continue tending to your garden and slowly but surely it will bloom.

Rosie Basquin. Author | Blogger | Content Writer | allrosiewrites.com

Follow me on Facebook ||| Instagram

Achieving Health and Wholeness with Author Stephanie Johnson-Rice

Posted in New OnlineTagged Leave a comment

Stephanie Johnson-Rice is a multi-talented, multifaceted woman, impacting and influencing those around her. She thrives to edify, educate, and empower each person she encounters. Every individual has a destiny and a purpose. She instructs them to go forth and display the greatness embedded in them. She is an emcee/host, author, comedian, poet, minister, playwright, publicist, and motivational speaker. 

PWH: When did you realize you had a passion for helping women?

SR: I began helping women after I dropped out of college and gave my life to Christ. Before then, I was out for myself; I was selfish and rude!! I began meeting women who were telling me issues and counseled them the best way I knew how.

PWH: What has been your greatest accomplishment thus far?

SR: My greatest accomplishment ironically was my own self healing after going to  jail for assaulting my mother. I was carrying over forty years of trauma and anger and refused to get help. But that all changed following that jail visit.

PWH: What struggles have you found that women are facing that stops them from achieving their goals?

SR: Women are not going forth due to fear of failure. Most do not realize their beauty and worth.

PWH: Can you tell us about your books?

SR: I have one devotional that is self published that speaks on prosperity; prosperity is more than just wealth,It is health and wholeness. The next book is Therapy, which is a journal that reveals the hurt and the healing in my life.

PWH: What message do you hope people gain from reading your work?

SR: I hope that people realize that you can excel in spite of ANYTHING!!! A lot of what’s written in the book are things no one knew I was going through. You can conquer ALL!

Connect with Stephanie Via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.d.johnsonrice

Black Excellence at the 2020 Soul Train Awards

Posted in New OnlineTagged , 1 Comment

The 2020 Soul Train Awards were full of Black Excellence. The pre-show warmed up the stage with some newcomers on the R & B/Soul scene, such as Skip Marley, Taina Major9, and more. The returning Black Girl Magic duo of Tisha Campbell and Tichina Arnold were eclectic hosts who set the foundation for an eventful show. The duo began the evening with a girl power medley to open the show. The pair showed their flair and talent range that started to the tune of “Unity” by Queen Latifah. The melanin magic was at an all-time high.

All photo credit to Getty Images. 

The Soul Train Awards featured amazing performances from:

  • Brandy
  • Jazmine Sullivan
  • Cee Lo Green
  • Charlie Wilson featuring Smokey Robinson
  • Moses
  • Ella Mai
  • Lucky Daye featuring Babyface
  • Snoh Aalegra; and
  • Ella Nicole

(Certified Award Winner: Brandy)

(Performance by Ella Mai)

(Music Duet by Lucky Daye and Babyface)

(Performance by Jazmine Sullivan)

A soulful cypher was presented by the ear buzzing talents of:

  • Shanice
  • PJ Morton
  • Chante’ Moore
  • Stokely

The cypher was to the tune of Erykah Badu’s “Love of my Life”.  It portrayed the soulful range of the musical artists who are continuing to grace our ears.

(Soul Cypher (left to right):  Chante’ Moore, PJ Morton, Stokely and Shanice)

Some heavy hitters took home the gold by winning in their music categories:

  • Best New Artist – Snoh Aalegra
  • Soul Train Certified Award –Brandy
  • Best R&B/Soul Male Artist – Chris Brown
  • Best R&B/Soul Female Artist – H.E.R.
  • Video of the Year – Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, Saint Jhn & Wizkid “Brown Skin Girl”
  • Best Gospel/Inspirational Award – Kirk Franklin
  • Album of the Year – Summer Walker “Over It”
  • Rhythm & Bars Award – Megan thee Stallion “Savage”
  • Song of the Year – Chris Brown & Young Thug “Go Crazy”
  • The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter’s Award – “I Can’t Breathe,” Written by H.E.R.
  • Best Dance Performance – Chris Brown & Young Thug “Go Crazy”
  • Best Collaboration Performance – Chris Brown & Young Thug “Go Crazy”

The night ended with Monica taking home the iconic, Lady of Soul award and her soul-stirring performance of some of her mainstream hits.

(Lady of Soul Honoree, Monica)

The evening hosted DJ Cassidy as the MC and after party host of “Pass the Mic”.  Following the awards show, DJ Cassidy kept the party going with the 80’s “Pass the Mic” to reminisce on some old-school musical favorites.

(MC and “Pass the Mic” Host:  DJ Cassidy)

Overall the 2020 Soul Train Awards celebrated some great talents of music favorites from the past, present and future.  This night of Black Excellence was an honor to witness.  Congratulations to the nominees and honorees as their talent continues to shine bright to showcase that Black Lives Matter.

Writer, C. Scott, is a mother of one; author, social worker, early literacy interventionist and entrepreneur.  Follow her on social media as @curls_coils and @mysweettealife.

Collaborations that Enhance Your Brand – Pretty Pieces partners with R&B Songstress Chrisette Michele

Posted in New OnlineTagged , Leave a comment

Pretty Pieces Boutique owner Nicole Banks is truly a woman who hustles. She shares with me via Q&A on how she managed to keep the inventory for her booming clothing boutique in stock as well as tips on how to collaborate with influencers. She also shares how she was able to maintain her business during the 2020 Pandemic.

During the pandemic has it been tough getting inventory? 

 For a while it was certainly hard getting certain things. The good thing for me is that I’ve built relationships with my main manufacturers and as things became available that were similar in style with my purchases they would call to offer me “first dibs” so to speak, so I was able to keep the inventory fresh! 

When collaborating with a celebrity or brand what should a business look/ask for? It’s important to look for a collaborative partner that has an influence in alignment with your target demographic! It’s also important to find a vested interest, like brand goals and values and a similar aesthetic! These are things that not only make it easier for the customer to consume the content but easier from a business perspective as well. 

What made you collaborate with Chrisette Michele? 

I’ve always loved Chrisette and she actually found us from a certain hashtag that I use. After communicating with her via social and watching her delicately and carefully nurture her tribe I knew it was a go. Her personality is effervescent and she comes alive in front of the Camera! As I got to know her, I saw some similarities between us personality wise which made the collaboration even the more sweet.

You can visit Pretty Pieces Boutique online at www.shopprettypieces.com or if you are in the Jacksonville, FL area you can use their convenient curbside service. Follow the boutique on Social Media Instagram | Facebook

Breaking Free

Posted in New OnlineTagged , , , 1 Comment
Photo by Rakicevic Nenad on Pexels.com

Breaking free from the norm, leaving the stability of a 9-5, a confirmed source of income, and stepping into the world of entrepreneurship is scary!  Chasing your dreams and not knowing where it will lead is frightening. However, as daunting as that may seem, go for it!  Take the leap and break free! 

It’s our own self doubting beliefs that can hinder us from moving forward and going after more. We feel like we lack, we’re inadequate, or we can’t compete. It can be unsettling trying something new and not knowing what to expect. The leap of faith is always pretrifying, and it takes guts to take that first step! However, the determination and willpower to succeed, along with a strong work ethic will lead you to where you want to be, believe in yourself! Happiness and fulfillment is right on the other side of fear. 

Nothing is wrong with the traditional 9-5, but not everyone was cut out for the ordinary routine life. For those who like to break through glass ceilings, color outside the lines, and want more out of life than the box society seems to place upon our lives, it takes the willpower to say screw it and just go for it! The only way to experience true growth is to overcome the changes and life experiences we face. Those experiences are used to mold us and construct us into the person we need to become to prepare us for our future. It’s never a bad thing, but only good. So take that ideology and apply it to your new start up. The unknown, the doubts, the uncertainty, we all face it. Even the greats didn’t get to be where they are without the self doubts, but they pushed passed all that and kept going. They believed in their purpose and their calling and they went for it.

Your steps and path in life have already been orchestrated, it’s up to you to go after all that life has to offer. You may not know your way through the storm, or don’t think you have the right tools, but one thing I have learned in life is that you wouldn’t have that idea or notion or strive for that thing if God didn’t place it in your heart. It is up to you on how you fuel the passions and gifts brewing inside of you. Go against the tide and do what’s scary and it will be the best decision of your life. The bumps and bruises you get along the journey will only make you greater and stronger. It will prepare you to withstand the tides and the tribulations when reaching new  heights of success. Believe in yourself the way our Father in Heaven believes in his children. You’ve got to be your biggest cheerleader and supporter. Even if it’s just a party of one, keep going, the rest will align itself. God will make a way. Don’t give up! You are closer than you think. 

You are better than your self-limitations, you are more powerful than you think, and you are more gifted than you give yourself credit for. Stop self sabotaging and letting the cons trip you up, calculating the bad before you even try for the good! Break free from the cycle and jump into your destiny, because you won’t regret it. If God can make sure the birds and animals of this planet are fed and taken care of, why wouldn’t he ensure you are too? It takes a hustler to be a hustler, so hustle and catch them coins. There’s much money to be made, and there is enough room for us all to feast. Pull up a chair and join the winner’s circle, don’t let fear hold you back! Break free! 

How to Hire a Virtual Assistant and Grow Your Business

Posted in New OnlineTagged Leave a comment

I often get asked, what is a Virtual Assistant?


A virtual assistant (VA) is a sole proprietor owner of a business who supports various
business operations from a remote location. Any type of business can use VAs to help
with inbox/calendar management, social media management, marketing, and basically
any task that doesn’t require them to report to an office.


Want to know more about what type of tasks you can outsource?
Check out the list HERE.


If you have owned your business for a while, you are probably starting to think about
how to grow your business. Virtual Assistants are an affordable way to scale your
business and give you time back to focus on things that you love about your business.
Here are 3 steps to guide you to hiring a VA and scaling your business!

  1. Review your budget
    A Virtual Assistant works remotely so you do not have to worry about the cost for office
    space. Virtual Assistants are business owners just like you, so they cover their own
    expenses. One hour of your time trying to figure what the content to post on your social
    media, could be one hour of your time spent on calls with your clients. VAs can charge
    between $25-$40 per hour for many services, more for specialized services, and
    packaged rates for a certain amount of work done.
  2. Determine where you need help
    A crucial step in delegating to a Virtual Assistant is to know when you need the most
    help. Allow yourself for at least 1 week to write down all the tasks and routines that you
    complete in your business. As soon as you sit down at your desk, write down each task
    you do throughout the day. From this exercise, you will be able to see where you spend
    most of your time.
    Next, label each task into the following categories:
  3. Things only you can do
  4. Things you hate to do
  5. Things you don’t have time to do
  6. Things you don’t know how to do
    After completing this exercise, decide where you want to focus your time and what tasks
    you can pass on to a VA.
  7. Know how to delegate
    Once you are able to find a Virtual Assistant, now you need to show them how you
    operate. If you have certain SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) or systems that
    you use, be sure to communicate this to your VA. Clear communication works best with
    any working relationship.
    Here are some ways to communicate:
  8. Weekly team meetings-meet at least once a week to discuss current project
    statuses and assign tasks in advance with due dates.
  9. Provide step by step instructions-share your list of tasks and how you complete
    them. This can be shared during your meetings with a screen share or you can
    record your screen to walk your VA through your thought process (I love using
    Loom to record my screen and share mini tutorials.)
  10. Send a message in any form-if writing a long email is too time consuming, you
    can also send a voice message. Voxer is a great tool to use to send a quick
    voice message.
    What tasks on your to do list can you outsource today?

Written by:
Jilandra W. Coffin, Ed.S.
Jilandra is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist turned mompreneur. She
empowers education entrepreneurs, health/wellness professionals, and coaches to
tackle their to do lists and gain back more time to work on what they love about their
business. She is the owner of JC Virtually LLC, providing online administrative support,
business management and project management services.
Connect with Jilandra online at www.jcvirtually.com
Social Media:
Instagram: @jcvirtually
Facebook: JC Virtually LLC
LinkedIn: JC Virtually LLC

Level Up Your Skincare For Winter

Posted in New OnlineTagged Leave a comment

Fight the Winter Beauty Blues

Winter will be here soon. The cold weather of winter, in addition to the ongoing stress caused by the world-wide pandemic, means our hair, skin and nails need special care. Dry air and stress make our hair, skin and nails more susceptible to damage. Whether you are working from home or at the office the temperature in the building and outside require a change in beauty needs. Check out these tips to help you look your best for Zoom meetings, in person work events and to just feel great!

Hair

Hair color lightens in the summer sun. An easy way to refresh your color is to use a glaze. A glaze will add shine and depth to your hair color. These products are great for every hair color. For winter a glaze will bring your summer color back to life! Hair glazes are available for home use as well as a salon service. They can be purchased in a salon, on the internet and local drug stores.

The trick to keep your hair healthy in the winter is to keep it moisturized. Dry air makes all hair types prone to breakage. Adding moisture to your hair will keep it healthy throughout the winter months. Use a humidifier in your home to keep the air moist. Also, using an oil leave in conditioner and a weekly deep conditioner will keep your hair in top shape. Get a trim every four to six weeks to prevent the formation of split ends. Limit the use of hot tools on your hair such as hair dryers and curling irons.

Skin

As with hair, the skin on your face and body needs to stay moisturized to survive the hard winter’s cold air. First use a gentle exfoliator to get rid of dead skin cells. This will prep the skin to better absorb your moisturizer. An exfoliator can be manual or a chemical product (a loofa for body and toner for face for example).

For the skin on your body you will want to use a moisture rich body wash or soap. True soaps are alkaline and will further dry out your skin. After your shower or bath use a heavier moisturizer than the one you used during the warm winter month. Use a cream moisturizer, not a lotion. Look for body creams that contain shea or coconut oils. Some body creams also contain mild exfoliants such as lactic acid or urea. Use your body moisturizer after your shower or bath on damp skin.

To keep your feet soft during the cold winter months the most important thing to do is keep them dry. Thick socks and boots may make your feet sweat. Keeping them dry will prevent a fungus or infection from growing on your toes and feet. When moisturizing you should use a thicker product than one you would use on your body. The skin on your feet is thicker than anywhere else on your body and needs the extra help from a thicker moisturizing product. Just like the skin on your body you will want to exfoliate the skin on your feet so that the skin will better absorb the cream.  Foot files, pumice stones and creams containing an exfoliant will all work.

The skin on your face should be treated different than the skin on the rest of your body. The skin on your face is thinner so you should use a gentle face wash and moisturizer. Using gentle products will keep your face from becoming irritated. Also, do not exfoliate with harsh scrubs and or highly concentrated chemical exfoliants. Stick with a lower concentration of the toner or peel you would like to use.

Nails

Nails are vulnerable in all seasons. Its important to pay attention to any changes that may occur on an ongoing basis. The key to nail health is taking care of your cuticles. Do not cut your cuticles. This will give an infection an entry way into your skin. Use a cuticle pusher to move the cuticle back towards the base of your nail and achieve the same look as cutting them.  Keep cuticles moisturized with cuticle oil at least twice a day. Use a hand cream that you can feel sink into your skin and cuticles after washing your hands. This will keep your cuticles from cracking, which in turn will keep your nails strong and healthy. You can use a topical product that strengthens nails and take biotin supplements, too.

Hydrate

The biggest thing to consider when taking care of your skin in any season is to hydrate. Make sure to hydrate inside your body as well as the outside. Drink plenty of water and eat water rich foods. This will keep inflammation in your body down, which will translate to better looking and feeling Hair, skin and nails.

Tawanna Sams Unplugged: From Runway to Entrepreneurship

Posted in New OnlineTagged , Leave a comment

Tawanna Sams is a native of Queens, where she has lived a majority of her life. She graduated from the prestigious Townsend Harris High School with honors and then went on to obtain a degree in Computer Programming from Anthem Institute. Presently, Tawanna is a Product Owner for a major Healthcare Insurance Company focusing on Technology tools and initiatives. Tawanna sits on the board of BDPA, Black Data Processing Associates, an organization of professionals in or having an interest in the Computer Science and Information Technology fields.

Tawanna is the Founder and CEO of TREMAINE IT Solutions, a Software Consulting & Development Company.   When not working, she likes to spend her time reading, writing, and traveling. A former model, she traded in her runway shoes for a pen to pursue her true love of creating stories that readers will enjoy. Tawanna is also a published author and writes under the pen name Eva Tremaine. Eva has written six novels: Open: Love, Lust & Sexuations, The Unstable Trilogy, Seven Again: Coming Full Circle, and Betrayal Served Cold.

Tawanna has overcome her fair share of trials and tribulations, and her motto: Your beginning does not dictate your end.  As a child, Tawanna struggled with reading, speaking and had a host of developmental delays.  Today she is thriving and continues to reach for the stars.

PWH: Describe “Tawanna” in five words?

TS: Strong, driven, intelligent, giving, and beautiful

PWH: What inspired your start in entrepreneurship?

TS: I was laid off and realized I put my ability to survive and provide for my family in someone else’s hands.  I would never do that again.  I knew I must have more control over my life.  I got serious about developing multiple streams of income and never looked back.  Today my 9 to 5 supplements my income but does not define it.

PWH: How do you balance work life, entrepreneurship and being an author?

TS: I balance my busy life by staying balanced within.  There will always be things and people that demand your attention.  You cannot control everything around you, but you can control your response.  I put me first, always, knowing that if I lose me, all else does not matter.  And some strong organizational and prioritization skills do not hurt either!

PWH: Do you have any tips for the everyday working woman and entrepreneur?

TS: Work as hard for yourself as you do for others.  Once you clock out of that 9 to 5, the day does not end.  Then you go to work building your dreams!

PWH: What does self-care look like for you?

TS: Self-care starts within.   It all starts with putting God at your center with prayer and gratitude.  Add some meditation and affirmations to strengthen your core – I am beautiful.  I am strong.  I am powerful.  I can do it.  I will win today.  You go you beautiful brown girl! And once you are glowing from within, polish that off with some me time, doing whatever brings you joy.

PWH: You are a 6x Author, what sparked your passion for writing and creating stories?

TS: As a child, I could barely read and struggled to speak properly.  I was labeled special needs and told I would not go far.  I refused to accept that label and where others projected me to go.  I turned every doubt into a win and cut myself out of every box I was put in.  My book club, Sugar & Spice Book Club started me on my path to writing.  Today I write for all those little brown boys and girls, to show them your beginning does not dictate your end.  You can be and do whatever you set your mind to.

PWH: Which title speaks to your heart the most?

TS: Unstable is my baby, and you know how us mothers feel about our first born. But the title that speaks to my heart the most is Seven Again: Coming Full Circle.  The story is a testament that if you have just a mustard seed of faith and a few BFFs, you can make it through any situation.  This book is about true friends who ride for each other and hold it down. I love sistas uplifting other sistas.

PWH: What message do you hope women take away from your platform?

TS: As a black woman, I have entered rooms and sat at tables where I was the only one.  Do not be afraid to be the first, and do not be afraid to be alone.  Somewhere there is a little girl or boy watching you and glowing with admiration.  Be the example and walk into that room and own it like the beautiful, powerful Queen you are.

PWH: What is your definition of a pretty woman who hustle’s?

TS: A pretty woman who hustles does not have to own a company, be a boss or manage a team.  A pretty woman that hustles is a woman that gets up everyday and does whatever is required to provide for herself and her family.  She navigates trials and tribulations daily and is a boss in her own right.

Tawanna Sams – Wife, Mother, Grandmother, sister, entrepreneur, writer and a pretty sista that hustles, daily!