Author: Chandra Gore

For Women’s History Month I will be sharing the stories that define and provide examples of women empowerment, uplifting stories of personal triumph and businesses that are inspiring and are making a difference for women. Women’s History Month is a declared month each year that highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society.

I want to introduce you to Shivon Gunalan.

Shivon is an author, and she is the host of “The Living Room” on youtube. She is passionate about empowering women. She strongly believes when a woman embraces herself and finds her “inner voice” she can accomplish anything she wants. She enjoys reading, traveling, and cooking.

Here is HERstory:

I was involved in a toxic relationship where I was gaslighted for 10 years. I was nearly falling into depression, lost my self-worth and confidence. After I left that relationship, I was able to gain my confidence and self-worth after I went back to church. My strong community of friends and my family helped me back on my feet.

Her business is Shivon Gunalan Coaching.

What does women empowerment mean to you?

Women empowerment is when we can come together, celebrate one another and build each other up.

What advice or words of inspiration would you like to share with someone?

A woman should embrace herself and not conform to the standards of the people around her. She should be comfortable in finding her identity and use that to nurture and influence others.

What do you want your legacy to be?

I want to raise future leaders who will be non-conformists, and lead from a place of acceptance.

What inspires you?

Learning something new, meeting new people – it excites me.

What kind of impact do you want to have on those around you?

I want them leave changed. I want them to know that they can also overcome challenges in their life.

What does self care mean to you?

Going for a walk, having a coffee at my favourite spot with my book or having a spa treatment.

What obstacles have you overcome or hurdles did you personally face and how did you overcome them?

I lost my confidence as a result of the emotional abuse. I was scared to interact with people. I believe God was the source of my strength. I found encouragement in His word and I knew my identity lies in Him. That liberated me from all wrong thinking.

When did you realize entrepreneurship was right for you?

When I wanted the freedom to do the things I want to do, in a way that I want to do it.

Why did you choose entrepreneurship?

I wanted to step out and try something new.

What would you say is your most driving motivation to keep doing what you to do?

I want to be better than what I was the day before.

What are you most excited or passionate about? (In both business and life or both)

I am passionate about helping people. I want to ensure that people get a chance to improve themselves without having to spend a lot of money.

What are the goals you most want to accomplish in your business and personally?

I want to have more speaking engagements (be a global speaker) and author more books. I want to work with a community where I can help young women who have a traumatic experience.

Did you have any key mentors or people who deeply influenced who you are, what you believe in and what you’re committed to in your work and life? Tell me about them.

My mother was the first person that I look up to. She was strong and independent, she was not afraid to stand up for herself. My mentor was my ex boss, she taught me to be strong, and not be afraid to try new things.

Did you have any life-changing experiences that put you on the path that led you to be doing what you’re doing today? Tell me about them

.I think my journey of finding my way back is what inspired me to help women, and start my youtube channel. I call it the Living Room, because I want women to share from the comfort of their own homes.

What’s next for you in your business/brand? What can readers look forward to from you?

I write books based on biblical characters. I will like to write a story on Mary and the alabaster jar next.

Website | YouTube | Instagram | Twitter

For Women’s History Month I will be sharing the stories that define and provide examples of women empowerment, uplifting stories of personal triumph and businesses that are inspiring and are making a difference for women. Women’s History Month is a declared month each year that highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society.

I want to introduce you to Nichole Wright, Founder of Satrell Beauty.

Nichole Wright is a finance professional, wife, mom, and now an entrepreneur, from Charlotte, North Carolina. Nichole was inspired to start her own business after watching the entrepreneurs in her own family. While the beauty industry has a wide selection of products, Nichole believes it’ s time to add her own innovations, free from harsh chemicals, to the mix. Nichole is passionate about making all individuals feel beautiful in their own skin by providing products that allow them to showcase their personalities.

Here is HERstory:

I’m a wife, mother, and entrepreneur trying to make a name for myself in the beauty industry. My background is in Accounting and Finance, but I really love beauty products and decided to create a brand selling those products. The main reason I chose beauty is because you can be creative and expressive.

Her business is Satrell Beauty.

What does women empowerment mean to you?

Women empowerment to me means being confident and not being afraid to take on challenges. It also means having the strength to withstand negative energy around me and speak up for what’s right.

What advice or words of inspiration would you like to share with someone?

I always tell people that you should never give up on anything you aspire to do. There will always be naysayers, but there will also those around you who will endlessly support you. Just keep moving forward with your plan as long as it makes you happy.

What do you want your legacy to be?

I want to build a brand that’s well respected and trustworthy. I also want to show my sons’ that it takes hard work and dedication to build something from nothing. They are aware that one day the business will be passed down to them.

When did you realize entrepreneurship was right for you?

I was inspired to start my own business after watching the entrepreneurs in my family. I then realized that I wanted to be an entrepreneur because I wanted to have a business I could call my own. Yes, it’s a lot of work and you’re responsible for making sure everything is running smoothly, but it’s worth it in the end.

What are you most excited or passionate about? (In both business and life or both)

I’m passionate about my family, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and building a legacy for my family. Through Satrell Beauty, I’m passionate about making people feel beautiful in their own skin and have always wanted to be an entrepreneur who leads with passion, boldness, and trust. We also just launched new lip gloss shades and I’m excited to see what I decide to launch next!

What’s next for you in your business/brand? What can readers look forward to from you?

I’m still in the process of building the color cosmetics line of my brand, but definitely looking forward to creating a skincare line in the future. I’ve also considered creating an apparel line. Be on the lookout because there is more to come!

Website | Instagram | Facebook

For Women’s History Month I will be sharing the stories that define and provide examples of women empowerment, uplifting stories of personal triumph and businesses that are inspiring and are making a difference for women. Women’s History Month is a declared month each year that highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society.

I want to introduce you to Tijania Goodwin, Brand Creative Director & Consultant.

Tijania “Tee“ Goodwin is Media Personality, educator, serial entrepreneur and branding strategist from Philadelphia. She has worked with brands assisting them in executing their business branding, sponsorship consulting and media. She believes that defining your brand is a journey of business self-discovery. Tijania is a well-rounded person who enjoys living life through PURPOSE and with PURPOSE. She uses her life experiences to empower others to stay strong and push through all situations no matter how hard they may be. She lives by this great quote, “Your mind is a powerful thing. When you fill it up with positive thoughts, your life will start to change.” She is honestly a Mogul in the Making!

Here is HERstory:

Building my brand, along with tackling life, has not been easy. I went through the loss of my mother and grandmother during this time. Living without them has been one of the hardest challenges yet in life. Not having them around made me feel like I was non-existent to some extent. It was my “new normal,” and I had to get adjusted to it real quick. So, of course, these events has now made me depressed and have anxiety. I did not realize until maybe 7 or 8 years later that this journey was about me learning about who I was. Navigating the journey of who I was as an individual was and is still interesting. I had been a caregiver for the majority of my life. So I was use to always putting other people first instead of myself. I also second-guessed a lot of things I wanted to do in regard to becoming an entrepreneur as well, especially a full-time one. I wanted to know if I had enough money saved or would I get enough clients to sustain myself. Of course, there were plenty of others, but I knew this was something that would change my life. So I started to live a life of the unexpected because I had no clue how things were going to pan out. I always knew that if things did not work out, I could go back to work. In the back of my head, I could not have that as an option. Becoming the individual, I am now, showed me that I had to take those life struggles and turn them into life triumphs because they helped develop who I am today.

Her business is The Divine Connections Agency.

What does women empowerment mean to you?

Women empowerment means uplifting the next woman when she is faced with ups and downs. Pouring positive energy into her as well so that she can have the ability to pour great energy into someone else. Women empowerment is also being transparent and authentic with not just the next woman but also yourself.

What advice or words of inspiration would you like to share with someone?

The piece of advice I would give to someone is, life is going to get hard and you will be challenged. When you give it your all, great things will happen. So stay focused and grounded.

What do you want your legacy to be?

I would want me legacy to be that I was someone who was determined, respected, authentic, and unique. I was an individual who embraced all my flaws and used my testimony to help others get through.

She has authored the following book, “Purposely Bossin Up: The 10 Step Guide to Help you Unveil your Inner Boss.”

What does self care mean to you?

Self care are the techniques individuals use to better themselves. Self care is long-term and is something that should be used to reach a greater goal. These techniques strengthen us mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Why did you choose entrepreneurship?

I chose entrepreneurship because I am great at it. I feel very comfortable building relationships with my clients and networking with others.

What would you say is your most driving motivation to keep doing what you to do?

My faith in God is the driving motivation because it was times in my life when I doubted who I was and what I was capable of doing. You have to have foundation in everything that you do and for me that is my faith.

What are you most excited or passionate about? (In both business and life or both)

I am passionate about assisting my clients find their PURPOSE in their business and in their personal life. It is so important to take a look at our setbacks and accomplishments because these are the things that will help us understand why we are here.

Did you have any key mentors or people who deeply influenced who you are, what you believe in and what you’re committed to in your work and life? Tell me about them.

I must say my main mentors were my mother and great-grandmother. They are both deceased but I see them in me all the time. These two women were strong, prayer warriors, spontaneous, determined, and special in their own way. When I look at myself and the things I do, I see that I hold so many of their characteristics.

Did you have any life-changing experiences that put you on the path that led you to be doing what you’re doing today? Tell me about them.

When I think about life-changing experiences that led me to where I am today, I think about the passing of my mother. Even though it was death, it was a new beginning for me. I went through so many different transitions to get where I am today. Ups and downs in my life led to challenging my faith, suicide attempts, drinking my pain away and so much more. I really had to sit back and think about how my actions would make my mom feel. Once that lightbulb went off, I knew I had to get myself together. I started to use the strength I knew I had to make things happen. I pushed myself so hard to get back on the right path and I am happy that I am here today.

What’s next for you in your business/brand? What can readers look forward to from you?

My brand will be doing a mini-brand content tour. I will also be releasing my second book entitled, “God Did Me a Favor when He took Her Back: Coping with Life after Death.”

Instagram (The Tijania Experience) | Instagram (Purposely Bossin Up) | Facebook | LinkedIn

For Women’s History Month I will be sharing the stories that define and provide examples of women empowerment, uplifting stories of personal triumph and businesses that are inspiring and are making a difference for women. Women’s History Month is a declared month each year that highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society.

I want to introduce you to Seleah Simone.

Seleah Simone is all things entertainment and lifestyle — from hosting, to acting, to fashion–and a sprinkle of activism. With an array of aspects that make up the brand of “Seleah”, Ms. Simone refuses to be put in a box. Hailing from Brooklyn, NY, Seleah embarked on her evolving career immediately after graduating with a B.A. in Television and Radio from Brooklyn College. As a correspondent and associate producer for Allhiphop.com, Seleah has interviews with Oprah and Tyler Perry and frequently covers red carpets at shows such as the BET & MTV Awards. As a lifestyle editor and blogger, Seleah has contributed to Guest of A Guest, Ladygunn, Today.com, The American Museum of Natural History and RapTV. When she’s not prepping for an interview or a red carpet, you might find her binge-watching SnowFall or seeking great finds at thrift and consignment shops.

Here is HERstory:

Once upon a time I simply worked a job. Then one day I woke up and felt very unfulfilled. I decided at that moment I would follow my dreams of becoming a television personality. My best friend was dating someone who worked at an entertainment website. She asked him if they needed help and referred me. After a few months of contributing as an intern, I offered to create new content by covering red carpets. The site had never done anything like it and agreed to give me full creative control over this new content. I submitted myself as press to cover the 2015 MTV Awards in Los Angeles. I was approved and covered my first red carpet! The rest is history. After years of connecting people and brands to my celebrity contacts for free- I realized that I was missing out on a ton of money. Hence the birth of my liaison company Patoos LLC.

Her businesses are Seleah Simone Inc. and Patoos.

What does women empowerment mean to you?

Women Empowerment is being a true sister. Often times women talk about helping other women publicly. Yet, privately they aren’t in accordance with a true sisterhood. I believe it takes being open to helping another woman- even if it doesn’t benefit you directly. Whether it be business advice, a repost on social media or even a referral- all of this matters.

What advice or words of inspiration would you like to share with someone?

Always understand what you bring to the table. Understanding helps you know exactly how to approach each situation. You will also know exactly what to offer.

What inspires you?

I’m inspired by people who possess consistency and tenacity. Seeing resilience in myself and others inspires me. I’m also inspired by just waking up and seeing the sky and nature.

What kind of impact do you want to have on those around you?

I love when people tell me I inspire or motivate them. I try to be self motivated and inspired even when I feel very low. I love sharing that component of myself with others.

What does self care mean to you?

Self care is just as much mental as it is physical. We nurture our skin, hair and nails. The same must be done for the mind, soul and spirit.

What obstacles have you overcome or hurdles did you personally face and how did you overcome them?

I’ve overcome being a women in a male dominated entertainment industry. I’ve dealt with trying to prove myself and be taken seriously. I’ve also overcome the idea that someone has to give me a job. I’ve learned to always create jobs and opportunities for myself.

When did you realize entrepreneurship was right for you?

I started working at age 12. I used to clean the homes of older women in my building. As I entered the workforce- I had a side hustle and a 9-5 job. My dad was the same way. I did this for years. Last year, just before COVID- I promised to go full throttle as an entrepreneur as of June 1st, 2020. I was furloughed from my job in March 2020. It was the very best thing that could’ve happened to me. I’ve been forced to level up. Business is good.

Why did you choose entrepreneurship?

Entrepreneurship has been instilled in me from a kid. My dad used to tell me stories of the record store he owned at age 17. As an adult- I once did a job that was partly commission. Once I saw how much I earned, I realized as an entrepreneur the money was endless.

What would you say is your most driving motivation to keep doing what you to do?

I’m motivated by the thought of being mediocre. Mediocrity is unacceptable. I’m also motivated by my family. I want to always make them proud.

What are you most excited or passionate about? (In both business and life or both)

It’s exciting to see the direction in which my businesses and career are going. Being able to expand and make major profit during a pandemic has given me a confidence boost. It’s also given me a new found respect for other entrepreneurs. Overall- I’m passionate about pushing myself like I’ve never done before. Producing new forms of content is also a goal of mine.

What are the goals you most want to accomplish in your business and personally?

I would love to win an Emmy one day for my original content. I definitely have a lot more work to do. Yet- it’s something that’s possible.

What’s next for you in your business/brand? What can readers look forward to from you?

I’m working on a few of my own television pilots. I believe that the real power in entertainment is producing and selling your own work.

Follow her on Instagram

For Women’s History Month I will be sharing the stories that define and provide examples of women empowerment, uplifting stories of personal triumph and businesses that are inspiring and are making a difference for women. Women’s History Month is a declared month each year that highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society.

I want to introduce you to Buffany Hunter, President of The Junior League of Los Angeles.

Buffany N. Hunter is the President of the Junior League of Los Angeles, one of Los Angeles’ most recognizable, largest, and oldest women’s civic leadership organizations. As an entrepreneur and transformative change-promoter, Buffany has dedicated 15 plus years’ to inspiring and leading strategic initiatives and organizational change in local government and the nonprofit sector. She is a communications consultant who has also held positions with the City of Santa Monica, University of California, Los Angeles, and the United Negro College Fund, among other public sector organizations. Over the years, Buffany has established a brand as a strategic and critical thinker specializing in organizational development, policy, and finance. She draws on her lived experience and allows her commitment to women’s leadership, collaboration, community, and diversity to drive her work. And when promoting community change, Buffany prioritizes economic development, education, social justice, and housing. She has served in various participant and leadership roles with the City of Santa Monica, Cal Alumni Association, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, the Empowerment Congress, and her local assembly districts. Buffany graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts in Rhetoric and minors in African American Studies and Education. And from the USC Sol School of Public Policy, Buffany earned a Master of Public Administration with a specialization in Financial Management.

Here is HERstory:

I have a BA in Rhetoric from UC Berkeley and an MPA from the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy. It took some time, but I learned that a formal education and working for someone else are not the only ways that one should invest in herself. After leaving a toxic work environment, I realized I did not have that much to show for all the creativity, and strategic thinking that I put into the organization. Fortunately, some of the best investments I’ve made have been around supporting my community. I currently serve as President of the Junior League of Los Angeles and I’m a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. In these spaces, I spent time connecting with other people honing my why and communicating it to those around me. This prompted my decision to go into consulting around storytelling. I believe everyone has a story to tell, but they may not have the platform and resources to encourage others to listen.

Her business is BNH Strategy Consulting.

What does women empowerment mean to you?

For me, women empowerment means supporting women where they are and as they are. It means treating every woman like she is valued and brings value. I’m extremely active in a lot of women led and operated spaces, this includes Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and the Junior League of Los Angeles. I love these organizations and others like them because I feel nurtured and challenged. These spaces have created opportunities for me to lead when I told myself I wasn’t ready and challenged me to to start new ventures. This is the essence of women’s empowerment to me, you celebrate and support other women.

What advice or words of inspiration would you like to share with someone?

I would share two thoughts as words of encouragement. 1) Be in the moment and try to stay ready because you only get one shot. In some ways, people may think these thoughts contradict one another, but I believe they support one another. I know some of us can be perfectionists and we are not ready to share an idea or launch a program until all the details are in place, but you are going to miss out on a lot of opportunities because you are betting on perfection. What I believe to be more important is that you are able to tell your story and convince people to come on a journey with you. When you know your story, I believe everything else will follow. 2) Know your why. For example, are you trying to create something that is sustainable? If so, what does that mean for the type of relationships you should be trying to build? And to what extent should you be trying to bring other people along with you on your journey?

What do you want your legacy to be?

I want my legacy to be that I cared so much that I didn’t remain silent and that I cared so much that I built community wherever I could. This quote by Shirley Chisholm speaks to what I want my legacy to be, “You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas.” I hope people say Buffany, acted in a way that helped inspire change.

What inspires you?

Community inspires me. I’m a woman of faith, so I very much believe in being of service to others, but I don’t think you have to be of faith to want to help others. When I see people supporting other people because they can rather than based on what they get out of the situation, it makes me smile. It also makes me wonder how am I contributing to the world in this way.

What kind of impact do you want to have on those around you?

The kind of impact I want to have on those around me is that I gave others the space to be themselves. I want people to be able to say that I helped design spaces that encouraged them to bring their whole self to an experience. I am Black. I am a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, the first Black sorority, worship at a predominantly Black church, and I attended a predominantly Black high school. I also occupy many spaces where I am the only or one of few, I graduated from UC Berkeley, worked for the Santa Monica Fire Department and I’m a member of JLLA, a predominately white women’s organization. Regarding the predominately white spaces, some didn’t make me feel like an other while some I felt like I couldn’t be myself. I know what it’s like to feel watched, to bite your tongue and be misunderstood. I would never want to contribute to another person feeling this way. I think when we create spaces that honor diversity, value inclusion and stand on equity, we can sit back and marvel at the amazing things that are going to happen for all of us. I want to contribute to this. I also understand that part of my contributing this to spaces requires my acknowledging where I’ve been a gatekeeper, how I’ve played into respectability politics and why I failed to proactively support others. The book Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall helped me see some of this. I’m a work in progress, but my hope is that when someone does encounter me, they can’t say that I actively contributed to them feeling othered, I want them to say I proactively contributed to them feeling empowered to show up as themselves.

What does self care mean to you?

I’m convinced that we will be dealing with the impacts of 2020 for years to come – a global pandemic that shined a light on health inequities and the painful and blatant disregard of Black and brown bodies. It’s been a trauma filled year. And I have never felt more overwhelmed yet in touch with what my body and spirit need. I’ve unexpectedly cried so many times. This year has also offered me the space to sit with my feelings and process them in ways that I can’t when I’m constantly on the go trying to be superwoman. I’ve also struggled to process some very personal emotions while leading the Junior League of Los Angeles, an organization of 900+ women, many of whom do not look like me – that are not BIPOC. When the verdict in Breonna Taylor’s case was announced, I remember many details of that week. I cried for her, her family and other Black women. Because it speaks to how we are perceived yet who we must be in society. The contradiction of Breonna Taylor being someone responsible for preserving, stabilizing and protecting life, but she wasn’t afforded similar courtesies. It hurts. With that said, a lot of the language we use to describe Black women centers around our being resilient and self-sacrificing. 2020 has encouraged me to reject all labels, especially those around being the ultimate caregiver and having to be strong for others. I don’t think honor comes with it and it dehumanizes us. As of 2021, self-care is resistance for me. I love Audre Lorde’s quote “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” I now see self-care as something that’s radical because it centers on me.

What obstacles have you overcome or hurdles did you personally face and how did you overcome them?

There have been a couple of pivotal moments that have really challenged my thinking.1) I made the decision to enter a new sector and I spent a lot of time with a particular organization making a name for myself and contributing to the organization. I received a promotion with a different department and soon discovered that it was a toxic environment. I had little recourse and all the time that I had invested into the organization all of a sudden meant nothing. I walked away from the organization with little to show for it, but a bruised ego. From this I learned the importance of investing in myself and identifying opportunities that align with my values, but more than this it made me realize how quickly things can change at work. This prompted me to start my own business. 2) I’ve struggled with being an introvert and someone who isn’t big on talking. For a long time, I felt like leadership was reserved for big personalities and it made me uncomfortable and question what I had to offer. I often get, “you’re so quiet” which made me think that was a bad thing. I’ve since acknowledged that I show up and lead in a different way and that’s perfectly fine. I overcame this self-doubt by focusing on my strengths.

What would you say is your most driving motivation to keep doing what you to do?

What drives me to do what I do is seeing people of various ages making a name for themselves around their passions. It’s been a beautiful reminder that leadership and exploring your passions aren’t bound by age. I see a lot of need in the community and I believe I can help amplify voices through storytelling. I spent a lot of time on the sideline being critical and waiting for someone else to do the work. I also spent time on the sideline trying to figure out how other people got to be where they are. Unfortunately, that’s a lot of wasted time. Time that I could have used to make an impact and invested in myself. I realized that you do not just wake up and everything you want is neatly placed in your lap. I also learned that systems and processes do not change because you believe they should. You have to contribute. When you spend your whole life waiting for the perfect moment or trying to follow the path that someone has taken, you miss your opportunity to do meaningful work. This is what drives me, seeing people be courageous and knowing that I can lend my voice to important causes.

What are you most excited or passionate about? (In both business and life or both)

As someone who was labelled as quiet and shy, I’m most excited about helping other people amplify their voices. I’m particularly excited about doing this from a social justice lens and telling stories that others may shy away from. I truly believe that storytelling can be an equalizer. Everyone just has to be offered the platform to tell their story and that’s where I come in.

What’s next for you in your business/brand? What can readers look forward to from you?

I would like to continue to build my brand. Right now, I’m focused on supporting friends and family with their stories. Eventually, I would like to move into coaching. From my brand, readers can expect to be brought along on a journey focused on social justice. Even if the reader doesn’t have firsthand experience, my hope is that they can see themselves in the story, sharing their story and/or being moved to action.

Is there anything else you would like to share with me?

For a long time, I’ve played it safe and I’m not sure why. I’m using this time to put my thoughts into action. I would tell others to do the same, be ambitious. There is no reason to play it safe.

Website | LinkedIn | Instagram

For Women’s History Month I will be sharing the stories that define and provide examples of women empowerment, uplifting stories of personal triumph and businesses that are inspiring and are making a difference for women. Women’s History Month is a declared month each year that highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society.

I want to introduce you to Ellen Yin, Founder & Podcast Host of Cubicle to CEO.

Ellen Yin is the founder of Cubicle to CEO, an online membership helping entrepreneurs who sell services make their first $10K month, without a large audience or posting every day. She has been featured on the TODAY show with Hoda & Jenna and in publications like Authority Magazine, Databird Business Journal, Thrive Global, HerMoney, and BlogHer. Through her results-driven online courses + agency services, Ellen has worked with over 7,000 entrepreneurs and brands ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies. Ellen is also the host of the award-winning Cubicle to CEO Podcast, which peaked in multiple countries’ Top 50 business podcast charts and has been downloaded in over 100 countries worldwide.

Here is HERstory:

Although my entire professional career has been in marketing, I actually graduated college with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. My first job post-grad was a self-created marketing & PR role at a fitness company I had connected with through Instagram. They weren’t hiring when we first met, but I pitched myself for an unpaid internship my junior year of college and that turned into a full-time paid offer upon graduation. That first job launched me into the world of marketing, and I eventually ended up on the marketing team of a large healthcare company. That was my first and last corporate job – I only lasted 10 months in a cubicle before I quit my job without a backup plan at the end of 2017. I am a self-professed “accidental entrepreneur” who always had an entrepreneurial spirit, but never had the intention of starting my own business until I landed my first freelance client about a month after I had quit my job. I decided right then to stop applying for new jobs and to go acquire new clients instead.

Her business is Ellen Yin Media, LLC. Digital Marketing.

What does women empowerment mean to you?

Women empowerment to me means; creating opportunities, sharing resources, and connections with other women in the spirit of collaboration. Elevating each other rather than viewing other women as competition. I think it’s not only women supporting women but it’s everyone coming together to support female leaders and giving that space whether it is in various industries or life at large.

What advice or words of inspiration would you like to share with someone?

Investing in your own network, mindset, and skillset, in that order. Network: People are your greatest asset! You become interesting by first being interested, so lead with generous action when you network by consuming other people’s content, taking the time to share the work of people you admire, leaving positive reviews, etc. One of my favorite ways to add value to someone’s life is referring my mutual friends to one another for collaboration or services. When you connect others, you actually strengthen your own relationship with the people you introduce to each other because you are now top of mind for next time they have someone they can connect YOU with. Mindset: Journaling, seeking mentorship and community, and reading a TON have helped me immensely with my mindset. Skillset: Always be learning and improving your skill sets! Free information is everywhere and you can make a lot of progress on your own just being scrappy and doing your research online, BUT there is huge value in joining paid programs too. What you receive from paid programs is PERSPECTIVE and a filter for organizing all the information out there so you can skip a lot of trial & error.

What do you want your legacy to be?

To provide female entrepreneurs of all walks of life, in all locations, and from all socioeconomic backgrounds, more equitable ACCESS to live mentorship, community, and education outside of traditional school systems through a networking + media platform.

What inspires you?

I am very inspired by other people. I love getting to know other people through their stories, which is why I started my podcast. I wanted to create a platform to highlight female voices and create a space where they can share their stories because females are so under-represented in business media. Getting to interview female entrepreneurs and hearing their journey, how they built their success, challenges they overcame, and the impact they are making on others; is what really inspires me. I think storytelling is so powerful and that’s why I chose podcasting as my primary media channel and why I love getting to know people through that.

What kind of impact do you want to have on those around you?

I want to help people see the potential in themselves and realize their dreams

What does self care mean to you?

Self care means: 1) Stop letting your schedule be run by other people’s urgencies. Get really clear on what it is you want to accomplish, and filter every task or meeting that comes your way by asking yourself: Is this thing only important and urgent right now, or does it have long-term significance in my business? If I do this thing today, will it create more time in my business tomorrow, or will it continue to suck up my time? Significance has become the key priority I make my decisions from these days. 2) Build short breaks into the day. Schedule yourself an actual lunch and eat away from your computer. Block out 10 minutes for a walk up and down the street and stick to it like you would any other meeting. Some of our best thinking happens in the pause, and self-care doesn’t have to be extravagant or complicated. If you can’t take two weeks off yet like I did, take two minutes off multiple times a day. The important thing is that there is intentional rest and pause in your routine. 3) Understand that “balance” is a myth, so don’t beat yourself up for not having achieved a perfect balance in your life. What’s more practical is choosing priorities and getting clear on what you want and what you’re willing to do to get what you want in THIS season of life. Your priorities will change in different seasons, so honor that. The best way to instill a sense of balance in your life is actually saying “no” more often to the things that don’t support the priorities in your current season of life 🙂

What obstacles have you overcome or hurdles did you personally face and how did you overcome them?

About a year into starting my business, my largest retainer client ended our contract when they replaced my role with an internal employee position. They gave me the option to take that employee role, but I knew I didn’t want to go back to working for someone else, so I had to walk away. Overnight, my revenue dwindled to almost nothing, so I had to start the new year from ground zero. Turns out it was the best thing that could have happened because by losing everything, I never put myself in a position for all my revenue to depend on one client again. The client acquisition system I created and now teach from what I learned during that period of rebuilding actually led me to pivot my business to primarily digital products + media now.

When did you realize entrepreneurship was right for you?

I really believe that YOU have to make yourself available for opportunities to present themselves by putting yourself in the right place at the right time – “jump and the net will appear”, as they say. When I quit my corporate job and found myself with lots of white space in my schedule, ironically it was a co-worker at the company I had just left who reached out after hearing through the grapevine that I was experienced in Instagram marketing. He and his wife owned two local coffee stands and needed help rebranding and growing their Instagram account, so I took them on as my first client for $300/month. My “Aha moment” was realizing that I could monetize my existing skills and knowledge and turn them into a service that I could sell. I knew if I could land this one client, then I could repeat the process and land another, bigger account. That’s exactly what I did and within my first 12 months in business, we had scaled to a 6 figure social media marketing agency. We’ve continued to double in revenue every year since.

Why did you choose entrepreneurship?

I am a self-professed “accidental entrepreneur” who always had an entrepreneurial spirit, but never had the intention of starting my own business until I landed my first freelance client about a month after I had quit my job. I decided right then to stop applying for new jobs and to go acquire new clients instead. I realized if I can do this for this client then I can use my marketing skills to impact more entrepreneurs and business owners. It was more of a gradual journey rather than me one day saying I am going to start a business and quit my job!

What would you say is your most driving motivation to keep doing what you to do?

To provide female entrepreneurs of all walks of life, in all locations, and from all socioeconomic backgrounds, more equitable ACCESS to live mentorship, community, and education outside of traditional school systems through a networking + media platform.

What are you most excited or passionate about? (In both business and life or both)

I am most excited and passionate about helping other people see the potential in themselves and realizing their dreams. I have always been a big dreamer and have always believed that anything is possible. I realized that not everyone feels that way about themselves. What really excites me is when I see people light up and realize that they are capable of doing so much more than they had expected of themselves. Getting to connect with different people all over the world through my business/podcast and hearing the stories from emails/DMs. People reaching out and telling me because of this episode of the podcast I quit my job and finally started my business I was looking to do or because of your program I was able to get out of debt, fund that vacation, or whatever it may be. The life changing things that happen because people take the action and finally go after what they really want.

What are the goals you most want to accomplish in your business and personally?

The goals for my business and for me personally are to keep growing this platform that elevates female entrepreneurs and help people see the potential that they have. That people’s dreams are actually way easier to reach than what most believe.

Did you have any key mentors or people who deeply influenced who you are, what you believe in and what you’re committed to in your work and life? Tell me about them.

Absolutely, I have had so many mentors in my life. I believe that mentorship is one of the most important elements to creating success. I think it’s important to seek wisdom from people who have walked the path before you and who have that guidance and perspective that you simply do not have until you have experienced it. In business some of my favorite mentors who have turned to amazing friendships are Rachel Pedersen and Haley Burkhead to name a couple. In reference to mentors in my life when growing up, I would say my Young Life leader Alison was such a huge influence and my piano teacher, who I looked up to and was like a grandma to me. I have really had so many different mentors for different seasons in my life. Undeniably mentorships are key and I believe that people should always seek a mentor in every season for their life.

Did you have any life-changing experiences that put you on the path that led you to be doing what you’re doing today? Tell me about them.

Not really, I think that’s actually something that created imposter syndrome in me (in the past) . I would think, Who am I, to share my story or tell people about things when I have never had anything traumatic happen or earth shadowing that brought me to rock bottom. So many people tell their stories from this place of overcoming a huge terrible thing that has happened to them. But I do think that there are so many people who exist somewhere in the middle. Whereas we don’t have these huge catalysts of change in our life. We have to become our own catalyst for change and we have to decide if we are good enough or if it is enough, and we are responsible for going after the things that we want out of life. Obviously, my experiences have shaped me, how i grew up, a first generation american, being an immigrant, and I have had to make big decisions in my life. But I don’t think there is one big life experience that has drastically altered the course of my path.

What’s next for you in your business/brand? What can readers look forward to from you?

What’s next, is that we are on a mission to help 500 women in 2021 to make their first $10K month! That is what we are doing through our online programs. For the long-term we are creating a digital media platform that creates accessible mentorships, resources, education, and networking to female entrepreneurs no matter the background and location. This is what we are working towards!

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For Women’s History Month I will be sharing the stories that define and provide examples of women empowerment, uplifting stories of personal triumph and businesses that are inspiring and are making a difference for women. Women’s History Month is a declared month each year that highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society.

I want to introduce you to Reenah Golden, Founder & CEO/Artistic Director of Avenue Blackbox Theatre.

Reenah Golden is an award-winning writer, performance artist, social activist and educator. She is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Avenue Blackbox Theatre in Rochester, NY, where she is working with the community to transform an art-deserted quadrant with collaborative, multidisciplinary, socially-conscious arts programming. For nearly 20 years Reenah has been using the stage to educate, affect social change and create new ways of thinking. As a professional actor, Reenah toured in the one-woman show, No Child…By Nilaja Sun about arts-in-education at Geva Theatre, Syracuse Stage, Kelly-Strayhorn Theater, Indiana University NW Theatre on Grand and various universities from 2009 – 2016. In 2014, she presented a collaborative work entitled, To Mothers of Sons for TedX Flour City that can be found on YouTube.

Here is HERstory:

I am a Gen X Rochesterian, born at Rochester General Hospital but was blessed to experience all of the types of Rochester living. I’ve lived on the Westside and Eastside, and currently live in the 19th ward but have a business on the Eastside. I’ve lived in the suburbs Churchville-Chili and Irondequoit. And, I’m also a country girl; I grew up spending much of my school breaks and holidays at my grandparents in Wayne county. I was a tomboy and they owned a beautiful ranch home where my brother, cousins and I explored nature and ran wild. Though I started high school enrolled at Wilson High I ultimately went to Churchville-Chili for two years and Franklin High for the last two where I was class VP and graduated 3rd in my class. After high school I went to the US Army Reserves and ended up serving active duty in support of Operation Desert Storm. I guess this is where I both found out how disciplined I can be and discovered that I really am a free-spirit who loves to create my own boundaries. “Discipline is freedom” is a quote from one of my performing arts entrepreneurial heroes (Garth Fagan) and I truly live by that philosophy.

Her business is The Avenue Blackbox Theatre is an inclusive, fully accessible, safe, bold and Queer space where social justice and art disciplines converge to create dynamic stage productions, installations and live art-making events.

What does women empowerment mean to you?

To me, woman empowerment is about recognizing and honoring all types of womanhood as a testament the brilliance and resilience of women! Though “womb” is embedded in the word and is a source of much of some women’s strength, some women don’t have a womb and that does not make them any less powerful. I often use the alternative spelling “womxn” to remind us of that. I’m here for woman empowerment that is inclusive, sensitive, understanding and bold!

What advice or words of inspiration would you like to share with someone?

Let your passion be your path! We all have something that we are passionate about and we are most inspired and inspiring when living in our truth!

What do you want your legacy to be?

I want my legacy to be that I lived authentically, boldly in my truth but with care and compassion for my community’s most vulnerable members, and that inspired others to do the same!

What inspires you?

I am inspired by creativity and truth. I believe both are always accessible and will get you out of almost any funk or moment of doubt or despair.

What kind of impact do you want to have on those around you?

I hope that my impact on others and my community includes safety, wellness, creativity and also inspiring people to stand powerfully in their truth. I want people to feel like they can do anything when they step into The Avenue or spaces that I create.

Have you authored any books?

Yes. Revelations from the Single Mama Tribe & All Me both books of poetry. I have also contributed poems and chapters to on my work in arts education to some academic texts. I have authored and adapted plays including; Black Coffee; The Poets’ Cafe, Mother to Sun, and Office Politics.

What does self care mean to you?

Self-care is about listening to your body and spirit and honoring it’s needs over your ego. Your ego wants to always concern you with how others see you vs what you truly want or need. Self-care means turning off the ego voice and listening to the truest voice inside that says, “you matter”.

What obstacles have you overcome or hurdles did you personally face and how did you overcome them?

I guess I would say that I have overcome many of the sadly traditional hurtles of being a Black womxn in America. I’ve only barely escaped a life of poverty, domestic violence, the pain of losing your child to the streets or police brutality though all of those things have touched me at different times in my personal life. I am a survivor of sexual abuse and someone who has struggled with anxiety, courage and trust issues as a result. Yoga, meditation and therapy has helped me address many of my issues but is my commitment to both self-work and healing with others that has helped tremendously. It’s not a one and done thing. I have big dreams so I still struggle with overcoming obstacles every day. Expressing gratitude for life and what I have been able to accomplish on my own and with the loving support of family and chosen family keeps me going. We press on!

Why did you choose entrepreneurship?

I chose entrepreneurship to support my desire to be more involved with creating change in my community starting with the school system my child was in. Stepping into the classroom when we entered the public school system, I remember thinking “this place needs a lot of help if its going to be right for my child and it’s going to take time and dedication.” I knew that an employer of a white-led company filled with privileged suburbanites wouldn’t understand what that meant. I didn’t want to try to fit what was important to me, my household and my community into the crevices while I worked my butt off for someone else. I also didn’t feel like the corporate world deserved me, to be honest. Corporate American doesn’t seem like it will ever be truly interested in equity and righting the wrongs of racism, sexism and all the other isms and oppressive practices it’s built on. So I’d rather spend my time, energy and talent impacting change that I can see and feel.

What’s next for you in your business/brand? What can readers look forward to from you?

We just launched a social justice message brand, BLACK. This is a line of apparel and accessories with a simple but powerful message that celebrates our Blackness in all the packages it comes in whether that be militant, unapologetic, Queer, gender-nonconforming, soft, fragile, bold, spiritual, disabled — whatever! We are BLACK.

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For Women’s History Month I will be sharing the stories that define and provide examples of women empowerment, uplifting stories of personal triumph and businesses that are inspiring and are making a difference for women. Women’s History Month is a declared month each year that highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society.

I want to introduce you to Esnavi, Recording Artist & Entrepreneur.

Esnavi is a Top 40 Urban A/C Recording Artist turned entrepreneur who recently launched her very own skincare brand, ZEN by Esnavi.

Her is HERstory:

I’ve been a beauty enthusiast for as long as I can remember. Everything new and noteworthy in skin care and cosmetics, I know about it. It’s such an exciting world. Self-care is extremely important to me and my desire to have healthy, glowing skin is the ultimate motivator in the foods I eat and the products I use. I’ve been no stranger to the beauty industry. Early on in my music career, I extended my brand beyond music with two beauty campaigns — one with Alison Raffaele Cosmetics, an eco-friendly cosmetics line, in which I became the first African-American to represent the brand in its “Live Beautiful” campaign; and the other with Dazzle Dry, a clean beauty nail polish brand in which I had my very own collection, entitled Esnavi Live. At the time, I had no idea I would someday create my own skincare brand, but my musical life positioned me to be a part of the beauty world that I love so much. I became an organic skincare formulator after deciding to turn my immense love for skincare into a business, while making natural products that are good for our skin and environment. I believe that everything our skin needs is provided by nature. This philosophy inspired me to create ZEN and these products are a direct reflection of that. I launched ZEN during the pandemic. As a recording artist, I was suddenly unable to perform, record or make public appearances so I decided there was no better time to move forward with starting my business.

Her businesses are ZEN by Esnavi Skincare and Recording Artist.

What does women empowerment mean to you?

Promoting women’s sense of self-worth, their ability to determine their own choices, and their right to influence social change for themselves and others

What advice or words of inspiration would you like to share with someone?

Do what makes you happy. Create the life you want. Always believe in yourself. No one can stop you but you.

What does self care mean to you?

Caring for my physical and mental well-being by doing things that make me feel good.

When did you realize entrepreneurship was right for you?

During college when I couldn’t envision myself working a 9 -5 the rest of life. I started to recognize my entrepreneurial traits. I knew I was a leader, a risk taker, a money maker and very tenacious and confident in my abilities. I had no doubt I would become an entrepreneur.

Why did you choose entrepreneurship?

To have the freedom to live life on my own terms while doing something I’m extremely passionate about.

What would you say is your most driving motivation to keep doing what you to do?

My children. Every decision I make will ultimately have an impact on them so I am driven to build an empire to show them what is possible.

What are you most excited or passionate about? (In both business and life or both)

I am most passionate about music and skincare. I love the art of songwriting and performing and the feelings I evoke from my songs and performances. I equally love the process of formulating skincare, using it, seeing the results in my skin and others.

What’s next for you in your business/brand? What can readers look forward to from you?

I’m currently working formulating body care products to launch the Spring.

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