Tag: business

4 Business Grants for Changemakers and Innovators

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Currently the SBA U.S. Small Business Administration is offering programs that will assist small businesses with COVID-19 financial assistance. Check out the options here: SBA.GOV. I have compiled a list of 4 grants for Small Businesses to apply to. Check them out below.

Citi Trends

Ten Black entrepreneurs can win a $5,000 grant to support their business.

In celebration of Black History Month, Citi Trends is acknowledging Black entrepreneurs that are making history in their community today. Our goal is to help advance and further the businesses of Black entrepreneurs. Using our application below we are encouraging you to apply for a $5,000 grant.

Only applicants in the following product categories will be considered: Apparel, Beauty, Skin Care, Hair Care, Footwear, Home Décor, Bedding, Bath, Technology or Accessories.

Click here to apply: https://cititrends.com/bhm/

LISC Small Business Relief Grants

Thanks to support from a variety of funders, LISC’s Small Business Relief Grant program has provided over 4,000 entrepreneurs with grants totaling over $62 million during the Covid-19 pandemic to help them stay in business and continue to contribute to their local economies.

In partnership with Verizon, LISC will open a grant application that small businesses can use to apply for a $10,000 grant when the grant application opens on Monday, February 8th.

Click here to sign up for updates: Grant Information

FedEx Small Business Grant Contest

The inner strengths you’ve discovered and valuable lessons you’ve learned this past year have helped you hang tough. Now you have a chance to win $50,000 to help your business continue to grow stronger. The 9th annual FedEx Small Business Grant Contest returns February 16.

Click here to find out more: Fedex

Comcast Rise Grant

Representation, Investment, Strength and Empowerment. These are the cornerstones of Comcast RISE, a multi-year commitment to provide marketing, creative, media, and technology services to Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC)-owned small businesses.

Click here to learn more: Grant

Ready! Set! Thrive!

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It’s time to BREATHE again and inhale all the positivity, new vibes, and new projects for 2021! Even with the pandemic still going on and some countries/states always on lockdown, let’s try to focus on the positivity within it all. Even though the year might not have started as planned and the news keeps getting worst, guess what? Don’t lose your focus now, pretty girl! It’s time to rise and shine AGAIN! Last year’s trash, frustrations, distractions, and past issues should be buried beneath us. a Take in a deep breath and inhale good energy, new opportunities, and success and exhale all the negative BS, distractions, fake people, and nonsense of people and the world! With all that said, ladies and gents, let’s get to work!

By now, you should have established brand new goals for the new year. If not, that’s okay, but you still have time this month to write down your visions and dreams. Once you have established that, you are ready and set to thrive this year! As mentioned before, don’t allow the negativity of the world, situations, and people to get the best of you this year or trip you up when trying to achieve all your goals! God didn’t give you a vision or your gift for no reason! Find out what it is that you are good at and manifest in it! Writing down your goals might be the easy part of the journey, but the distractions of the world and people may be a challenging task to do. But if you stay focused, have a positive mindset, and prove to YOURSELF that anything is possible, you are well on your way is! The only person that is going to stop you is YOU! This year it’s all about YOU, your business, your goals, your wins, your blessings! Don’t let these haters and nay-sayers tell you otherwise! If you want to start your non-profit or writing services, go for it! Thrive this year and go all out in your dreams, visions, and goals! Happy New Year!

 

Patrice Rivers is a media mogul with the mind-set to tell “inspiring” stories in the world of journalism. She has also published nine books and is the owner of her brand ‘That Riverz Gurl Brand LLC’ that consists of her freelance writing, journalism skills, writing services, media platform and health platform. Learn more about this boss in the making by visiting her website at http://www.thatriverzgurlbrandllc.com Follow her on IG at http://www.instagram.com/thatriverzgurlbrandllc

Shift Your Mindset One Thought at a Time with Author and Mental Health Advocate Shawnee Palmer

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After working in healthcare for many years, Shawnee developed a desire to become more active in helping people overcome the challenges in their lives. This desire soon transformed into a passion, which led Shawnee to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Addiction Counselor. She named her private mental health practice Alpine’s Empowerment Agency, both as a tribute to what she works with her clients toward—self-empowerment and overcoming their challenges—and after her grandmother, who has been a spiritual guide and angel for Shawnee, guiding her life long after she’s passed.  Alpine’s Empowerment Agency provides a private space where individuals and families can receive counseling to uncover and address the root causes of today’s problems. Shawnee has a passion for working with individuals who battle with substance abuse, depression, anxiety, PTSD, trauma, anger, low self-esteem, and those who are grieving a loved one or having difficulties adjusting to a sudden life change. Through her agency, Shawnee strives to serve as her grandmother did, as a guide to those who are struggling in life, bringing them to a statement of acceptance and contentment. Shawnee has a new book out, “Shifting Your Mindset: A Guide to Overcome Depression, Anxiety & Trauma”. The book focuses on identifying ways to change your perspective on life for unmanaged and unresolved anxiety, depression, and trauma. As a mental health therapist, she wrote scenarios based on her own life experiences to give the readers ideas on overcoming life obstacles. She provides the readers with knowledge that helps them reflect on their current mental processes. This book experience helps readers to enhance their critical thinking skills.

“I had a desire to share my story on how I overcame depression, anxiety, and traumatic childhood memories in hopes that it would help others become victorious over their life woes.”

 

Patrice: What makes you a pretty woman who hustles?

Shawnee: My demeanor and how I carry myself with peace, confidence, and security. The love that I have for myself that helps me to stay self-motivated to create and accomplish all of my goals makes me a pretty woman who hustles!

Patrice: I was looking at your book “Shifting Your Mindset” and in the Preface section, it asked the question “If you had a chance to redo your life, what would you change?” I really like that question. So, I want to ask you that question. If you had to redo your life, what would you change and why?

Shawnee: For me, I wouldn’t change anything because those life experiences brought me to where I am today. I wouldn’t have the knowledge, wisdom, or understanding without those experiences. They led me to loving and nurturing myself more than I ever knew that I could!

Patrice: Tell us more about your journey as an author. What was your inspiration behind it?

Shawnee: I’ve been writing poems and short stories since elementary. I won a Young Author’s award in the 4th grade for a book I wrote on dinosaurs. I wrote off and on throughout the years but never shared the work I completed with others. As a therapist, I noticed that the calling on my life required me to reach a larger population of people and I wouldn’t be able to do that just with 1:1 therapy. Expanding my influence through books assisted me in connecting with more people. I’m a big advocate for people healing so I wanted to be part of many people’s healing journeys. This is the first self-published book of many to come in the future.

Patrice: Why did you choose this book you wrote to share with the world?

Shawnee: I had a desire to share my story on how I overcame depression, anxiety, and traumatic childhood memories in hopes that it would help others become victorious over their life woes.

Patrice: What message do you want readers to gain by reading your book?

Shawnee: My goal is for readers to learn more about themselves and ways to address their hidden pain. I want them to explore it from a different perspective so that way, they can get the healing that they need and deserve.

Patrice: In your book, you talk about self-care and I think that topic is so important especially if you are an author, established business owner, or entrepreneur. Why do you think that topic is so valuable and important to learn?

Shawnee: It’s valuable because stress is common but in order to truly address the life stressors we have and not allow them to break us down, we have to find outlets to release stress. Self-care should be practiced daily to keep a healthy balance between ourselves and life experiences that we have no control over.

Patrice: What is the best part about being a clinical social worker?

Shawnee: I have the ability to help others heal themselves. When people give me feedback about how I have helped change their lives, it warms my heart. It gives me the momentum to keep going and thriving to offer more to the people. It also encourages me to keep enhancing myself so that I am always presenting myself to my clients as my best self.

Patrice: Let us talk about your company Love and Serenity Wellness. What is the inspiration behind it? What type of skincare products does your company provide?

Shawnee: I believe in holistic healing for the mind, body, and spirit, Love & Serenity Wellness has the mental health sector by providing books and consultation services that aid in healing, understanding, and gaining wisdom that guides individuals to fulfill their true purpose in life. I enjoy teaching others how to reduce the barriers in their life, gain the knowledge that they need to be successful, and obtain the resources that they need to gain a sense of serenity and love for themselves as they venture out on their financial journey. I offer body and skincare products such as body butter, sugar scrubs, fragrance oils, detox bath salts, pain relief, and eczema cream. All products are therapeutic items that enhance the quality of the skin.

Patrice: Overall, what is the goal for your business?

Shawnee: To educate and empower business owners about mental, emotional wellness so that they are able to overcome any and all adversities that may come their way on their entrepreneurial journey.

Patrice: Do you plan to write any more books soon? If so, will it be on the same concept as the Shifting Your Mindset book?

Shawnee: I have started working on concepts for the next book and it will be a book about overcoming emotional hurt from a parent. It will allow the reader to address unhealed wounds and find ways to forgive their parents so that the issues with them no longer impact intimate relationships with others.

Patrice: Are you currently working on any projects for the remainder of the year?

Shawnee: I have several projects in the works for 2021! First, I am working on some workshops, courses and collaborating with others on panels to educate others about mental and emotional wellness. My biggest launch this month will be my non-profit, “Kindred Youth Foundation.” The mission is to build healthier emotional and mental wellness foundations through education and support for teens in underprivileged areas who have challenges with a parent or caregiver who is recovering from substance abuse.

 

 

Connect with Shawnee:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/LoveAndSerenityWellness

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/LoveSerenityW

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoveAndSerenityWellness

Website: https://www.loveandserenitywellness.com

YouTube: Shifting Mindsets with Shawnee https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8xUxlR-Bd5sgJuVf7HaEfQ

 

Patrice Rivers is a media mogul with the mind-set to tell “inspiring” stories in the world of journalism. She has also published nine books and is the owner of her brand ‘That Riverz Gurl Brand LLC’ that consists of her freelance writing, journalism skills, writing services, media platform and health platform. Learn more about this boss in the making by visiting her website at http://www.thatriverzgurlbrandllc.com Follow her on IG at http://www.instagram.com/thatriverzgurlbrandllc

Survivor’s Jewelz: Woman Empowerment Advocate Sprinkle Jewelz on Young Women By Keeping Them Inspired

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Kendra Hall, passionately champions for young women and other at-risk populations who are entering into adulthood, through her writing, mentoring, and avid connectivity to resources that she shares to uplift and prosper others. She is a devoted advocate for young women, sharing her own life experiences like being a teenage mother of three children by the age of 18 years, overcoming homelessness and domestic violence. Ms. Hall celebrates, especially, the continued success of at least 30+ women whose lives she’s directly mentored, while still achieving her own professional milestones like graduating with a Bachelors in Arts in Law and Justice from Rider University as an adult learner. She also believes in making time for the things she enjoys like learning about the metaphysical and heightened spiritual awareness, connecting people, networking, reading, tennis, studying and traveling. She is also the Host of her Newest Instagram Live series, #SurvivorsJewelz, where she offers her platform to allow Survivors to share their stories. She believes that everyone’s survival has power and that it is through the sharing of those stories that we let that power serve its purpose. She is spreading hope through the understanding that the power to succeed comes from within and not without, and by letting young women know that support is available. By teaching a philosophy of hope she inspires others to maximize their life, no matter the obstacle. Kendra hopes to help as many young women as she can succeed in life.

 

Patrice: Tell us a little about the leadership role you carry out for your family and the community.

Kendra: The leadership role that I carry out for my family and community is administered and based on an “each one teach one” philosophy.  Also, I offer referrals to community resources and one-on-one mentoring.

Patrice:  How long have you been mentoring young women and girls?

Kendra: I’ve been mentoring for over 20 years.

Patrice: What do you hope your mentees take away from your mentorship?

Kendra: I want those I mentor to understand that life does not have to be perfect to be beautiful. We all have trials and tribulations in life; however, we define our journey. Our journey does not define us.

Patrice: How did your journey start as an author? Any inspiration?

Kendra: My journey as an author started as a young girl having my poetry published in ‘Highlights Magazine.’ I love to write creatively.  Over time, and through many inspirations, my first self-help book,” Droppin Jewelz: Guiding Principals to Help Girls Live Their Best Life,” was born!

Patrice: Can you tell the readers more about your first book?

Kendra: My first self-help book is based on my real-life journey as a 13-year-old pregnant teenager, kicked out of home, and trying to survive.  I discuss what decisions led me to have three children by the age of 18 years old and how I could prosper beyond my circumstances.   My book takes you on a faith-based journey filled with life lessons that give foundation to and highlight life’s ebbs and flows.

Patrice: You are also writing a second book. That must be very exciting for you! What genre is it on, and what is it about?

Kendra: My second book is a self-help book exploring more of life’s foundational principles to success.

Patrice: Sometimes juggling more than one thing at a time can be challenging. How are you balancing motherhood and business all at the same time?

Kendra: I still have my challenges at times; however, having a morning routine has been my saving grace. I wake up at 4 A.M. daily to pray and meditate.  I find waking up at this time allows me to maximize my day.  I also workout, which gives me energy and provides stress relief.

Patrice: What advice would you give to entrepreneurs who are trying to balance their work and life?

 Kendra: My advice to entrepreneurs looking to find a balance between their work and home life to find and stick to a routine that allows you to maximize your day.

Patrice: What was the writing process like for your first book?

Kendra: Writing my first book was a challenging yet mentally freeing experience.  It’s the same feeling I have now writing my second book.

Patrice: Do you have a specific spot or place that you like to write at?

Kendra: I don’t have a specific spot or place I like to write at.

Patrice: What advice can you give teen moms that don’t have any family support?

Kendra: My advice to teen mothers who lack family support is finding the community resources in your area.  Please feel free to contact me if you need assistance in finding community resources.

Patrice: What does women/girl empowerment mean to you, and why do you think it is important?

Kendra: Woman empowerment is when self-love and intrinsic motivation collide.  In a male-dominated society, women must find their voice and use it. We have fought so long for equal rights, and the fight is not over.  We must continue to push forth.

Patrice: How is the process of going with being a personal trainer/wellness coach? 

Kendra: The process is excellent! I find it fulfilling and rewarding, helping others to reach their health and wellness goals.

Patrice: How can readers connect with you? 

Kendra: You can visit my website: www.DroppinJewelz.com and on social media @justusjewelz

Patrice: What does being a pretty woman that hustle mean to you?

Kendra: Being a pretty woman that hustles means work hard in life; however, know you don’t have to look like what you’ve been through.

Connect with Kendra:

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/justusjewelwz

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/justusjewelz

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/justusjewelz

Reiki Master and Crystal Dealer Makes Six Figures on Pinterest!

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Sharena created The Regal Phoenix from a place that she calls her Rock Bottom Season. During her most challenging times, she found herself still buying and gifting crystals to her friends and associates who needed to begin a healing process or were starting to explore the metaphysical realm. Launched on her daughter’s first birthday, November 20, 2018, and amid heavy postpartum depression, The Regal Phoenix was born and quickly placed on hold. Although barely operating for the first quarter of the year, The Regal Phoenix promptly went viral on Pinterest in 2019, and the rest has been history. A true testimony that when you heal and become aligned, you can manifest anything!

Patrice: What makes Sharena, Sharena?

Sharena: Sharena is authentic. Indeed a dope soul, I was sent here to help those who want to do the work to heal. My superpower is being non-judgmental, probably because I’ve been through some unimaginable things throughout my life, so my empathy for people runs deep. It allows me to connect with people uniquely. After experiencing healing for myself, it has become my purpose to share and see the light that beams when people heal their minds, bodies, and souls.

Patrice: Before you started your current business, you were a Real Estate Broker for fifteen years. What sparked your interest in real estate?

Sharena: I always had a love for architecture and interior design as a teenager. My Mom supported my interest and paid for me to take my first real estate class right after finishing college. I got my license a few years before the bubble burst in 2008, and it’s been lucrative for me ever since.

Patrice: Now that you have your own business and make six figures, what was the motivation/inspiration behind that? Is there a story?

Sharena: I’ve been an entrepreneur for over 15 years. I have a few businesses under my belt, including a real estate brokerage and construction company. This is my first e-commerce business. God gave me this business to create a legacy for my family. Initially, it wasn’t something that I was considering or even wanted to do. It was something that I needed to do, and God was telling me to d, through those close to me, but I wasn’t listening. The Regal Phoenix is the result of me finally listening and being obedient to God’s word.

Patrice: You specialize in crystal dealing and healing. What types of crystals do you use?

Sharena: I use all types, shapes, and sizes. My collection consists of tumbles, rough stones, points, towers, pyramids, animal figurines; you name it. In my daily practice, I use tumbles and pendulums the most. My absolute favorite crystals would probably be black tourmaline and selenite because of their abilities to transmute negative energy. Black tourmaline can be used for protection, and selenite can be used to cleanse your stones as well as your aura of psychic smog.

Patrice: Within The Regal Phoenix, what type of crystal prescriptions does your business offer?

Sharena: The Regal Phoenix offers various crystal kits to help heal our society’s most common issues, such as anxiety, obesity, insomnia, chronic pain, and more. On our Etsy shop, The Anxiety Kit is our #1 bestseller, followed by The Empath Kit. This signals that our society is hugely stressed and overstimulated emotionally. We must make more of a conscious effort to include self-care and healing into our lives, and our crystal kits offer an easy and inexpensive way to do so.

Patrice: In 2019 your business went viral on Pinterest. Congratulations on that! When you heard the news, what was going through your mind?

Sharena: I watched it unfold. Pinterest was just a portion of my marketing strategy. I didn’t think it would go viral, but I knew I needed a platform presence. It took off for about five months, and I wasn’t paying any attention to it or engaging with my audience. I started watching the numbers and putting forth the effort to grow Pinterest when my profile was about 17,000 views. That was in April 2019. From April to May, my account had 15,000 more views, so I knew it was about to pop, and I decided to master the platform through education. Pinterest is most likely the reason why The Regal Phoenix is here today. For the first quarter of the year, the website was in view mode, so customers couldn’t even check out because I couldn’t afford the monthly fees with no sales. The traffic from Pinterest was my motivation to reactivate the site, and the rest is herstory.

Patrice: A lot of people don’t know about marketing and promoting their business on Pinterest. What tips do you have for entrepreneurs and business owners for using Pinterest?

Sharena: Pinterest is not your typical social media platform. Pinterest is unique because it acts as a sort of a “dream board” for people. People use Pinterest to manifest their “wants,” so essentially, they plan their purchases for every part of their lives via this app! Use this app to sell, not to socialize. I give all the action items you need to get started strong in the Pinterest Hack 101.

Patrice: Let’s talk about your “crystal alchemy gifts.” When did you realize what your gifts were?

Sharena: When I first started collecting crystals, they gave me major headaches when I had too many near me at one time, so there was no doubt in my mind that they worked and possessed powerful energy. I was initially super sensitive to the strengths and had to be careful about using them as I learned how they work. Over time, I became obsessed with them.

Patrice: How is your business helping other women or men in their lives?

Sharena: The Regal Phoenix helps people across the globe heal, unlock their magic, and live their best lives by providing them with genuine healing crystals, authentic spiritual tools, and supplies. Often we don’t know what we need to heal from or that we even need to recover in the first place. Our shop provides the tools you need to help cleanse, heal, and manifest your greatest desires. Our products also offer a great way to give the gift of healing to someone you love or care about!

Patrice: Does your business offer any workshops for healing?

Sharena: We do not offer workshops at the moment. We offer virtual Reiki healing sessions, and we host Full Moon ceremonies from time to time.

Patrice: In what year did you publish your e-book “The Pinterest Hack 101”?

Sharena: I published it earlier this year. It was just more comfortable for me to do it that way and share my initial strategy that launched my brand. I had promised my audience training, but I could not wrap my head around delivering information. It’s a super short read, but the tips I give are vital to winning Pinterest with any product, service, or blog.

Patrice: What do you want the readers to take away from reading your book?

Sharena: It’s truly a hack, so there’s nothing to think about. The book is all about taking action. I tell you exactly what you need to do to get traffic to your website from Pinterest. The only takeaway is results, that is if you do the work. I have a Facebook Group that can be accessed via the book to support those who need help making sense of the information.

Patrice: Do you have any new projects planned for the remainder of the year?

Sharena: Right now, I am focused on Black Friday. Getting our campaigns ready and making sure we have inventory on hand. We are launching a couple of new products that weekend, so it’s been a beautiful nightmare and a simple learning process, but I wouldn’t change anything.

Connect with Sharena:

Website: www.theregalphoenix.com

Instagram: @theregalphoenix

Facebook: @shopregalphoenix

Pinterest: @theregalphoenix

Twitter: @theregalphoenix

 

 

Patrice Rivers is a 9x published author, freelance writer, certified journalist and creator/owner of That Riverz Gurl Brand, LLC. Learn more by visiting http://www.thatriverzgurlbrandllc.com

Follow That Riverz Gurl on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/thatriverzgurlbrandllc