It’s one thing to live honestly. But have you been talkin’ it like you walkin’ it?

It’s one thing to live honestly. But have you been talkin’ it like you walkin’ it? Allicia Washington-White, founder of I am Allicia, is using her business to encourage women to speak their truth, by any creative, transparent means necessary. Based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, I am Allicia acts as a multi-talented service: events, podcasts, hosting, writing, you name it! Whichever platform you need to help elevate living in your truth is made available by Allicia. We love a queen who can do it all!

What inspired you to start your business? What motivates you to keep going?: Experiencing life inspired me to start this business venture. It encompasses everything I love to do--event planning, podcasting, writing, and hosting. I have always been multi-talented, and I decided to share my talents, under one name and one brand.

What does your company stand for?: My company stand for honesty, integrity, creativity, and transparency.

How do you create the life you want?: The use of vision boards and the power of the tongue is a mighty thing. When combined, and used often, one has the power to transcend their life. I set quarterly goals for myself, and I create a vision board for the year. What is equally important (if not more) is remaining humble and not becoming discouraged is someone is further along than you are. I also surround myself with people who may be further along in their business journeys to help provide me with mentorship and guidance. Lastly, I work, but balance everything I have to do with a self care routine. When you are the face of your brand, you have creative control over every single aspect of it so posting, photo shoots, writing, engaging, etc takes up time and I make sure to stay grounded with self-care.

What makes you HUMAN?: Emotions. No matter what we experience, each one is tied to an emotion. Happiness, pride, self-doubt, anger, humility--you name it. Emotions are the one thing that makes everyone human. Emotions are universal and we must remind ourselves that it is OK to experience them.

What are three things your want people to know about self-love?: People want to know how to do it! It sounds like a simple concept, but many people were never taught how to love themselves. People also want to understand how self-love influences some of our behaviors and decisions. Lastly, people want to know what it looks like, and it looks different for everyone.

What's something we can incorporate today to start loving ourselves more?: Stating "I AM" affirmations to ourselves. Start with that phrase and whichever phrase the follows becomes your truth. Meaning, if you believe you are ugly, then chances are you will act as such. However, if you believe you are beautiful, you will carry yourself a such and our aura will follow.

What has been your own journey with self love?: I am grown into an introspective being. After a breakup, I allowed myself to fall apart and rebuild from the ashes if you will. I dated myself and bravely did things alone-I traveled, went out to restaurants, and movies. I had to become comfortable with making myself happy. I started to take charge of my own happiness, I appreciated what made me unique, and I no longer cared about the opinions of others. I felt free to be me as cliche' as it may sound. I stopped being over critical about my body--I now love my narrow feet, round cheeks, long arms, and full waist.

Leave an affirmation for readers.....: What I say and what I have come to believe is: "Don't be afraid to fall apart, it provides you an opportunity for growth. Growth requires us to get comfortable with being uncomfortable." Joyce Meyer 

Any books or apps recommendations?: "With Love"-Steph Crosley

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Email Address: speakyourtruth@iamallicia.net

Website: http://www.iamallicia.net

Social media handles?: Facebook: IamAllicia

Instagram: IamAllicia

Twitter: IamAlliciaW

No money? No problem.

No money? No problem. In true Black women-fashion, Gernae Alexander, founder of Her Naetion in Dallas, Texas, started her business of empowering women when she herself needed to be empowered. Relying on a heavy faith-based foundation, Gernae is dedicated to living the life God called her to do; regardless of the trials and tribulations she may have faced, her faith has always propelled her to come up victorious. Now, she is inspiring others to recognize their own faith and truths to become sensational as well. Following the leader has never looked so good! In addition to becoming a boss woman, Gernae encourages others to reevaluate their own journeys with self-love. You deserve the time to examine every aspect of you; make that time available. We’d love to introduce you to Gernae Alexander, Queen of Faith-Filled Vision!

What inspired you to start your business? What motivates you to keep going?: I started my business to empower women through entrepreneurship. It was conceived when I was in between a rock and a hard place financially and I didn’t want other women to be limited by traditional income.

What keeps me going is knowing I'm working in God's purpose in my life to serve, the impact I'm making on women's lives, and the need to set an example for my beautiful daughter.

What does your company stand for?: I teach women entrepreneurs how to convert clients and increase revenue through public speaking.

My overall vision is to become a leader in my industry. Speaking has been around since God said "Let there be light" and I feel like there are still a ton of entrepreneurs who haven’t realized how to maximize it as a sales and marketing tool for business.

How do you create the life you want?: By prioritizing my time and fully dedicating myself to my commitments. I wake up every morning at 4am to work on my business before my daughter wakes up.

Being a full time entrepreneur, wife, and stay at home mom, I don't want any parts of my life to be neglected.

Once my daughter wakes up, business activities stop. I'm fully engrossed in her little world, helping her learn and grow.

I support my husband in his goals and honor him as my very best friend. I am truly blessed!

What makes you HUMAN?: I make a TON of mistakes. It took me years to align my business with my purpose properly. It was difficult maintaining faith that I could do it, when other millennial women around me were flourishing.

But I learn from my errors, continue to trust God to lead me, and I lean on my community of business besties for support.

What are three things your want people to know about self-love?: It's okay to release the people, commitments, and things that no longer serve your well being.

Loving yourself means accepting that you are flawed, rejecting perfection, but still striving to do your absolute best in all things.

You don't have to feel obligated to fulfill anyone's vision for your life except God's and your own. People's expectations and belief about you aren't you; you know who you are and what's best for your life.

What's something we can incorporate today to start loving ourselves more?: Reflection and introspection. Take time to journal and talk to God about the deeply rooted pains in your life, and try to work out all of your emotions surrounding each situation. Then ask for strength to truly forgive, others and yourself, and give yourself permission to move forward in your desired direction for that area of life.

What has been your own journey with self love?:

Coming to terms with who I really am versus who I thought I was has been a big part of it. I've always had positive views about myself, but I started confronting the ugly truths revealed in my behaviors and thought patterns. I stopped denying they existed, examined them, and made the necessary changes so I could align my behaviors with my vision for my true self. I've learned how to give myself more grace for being human and not always having it all together.  

I've learned how to give myself credit and stop dismissing my achievements as not good enough.

I've stopped comparing myself to others and started focusing on my own path. When you really learn to focus on you, you grow so much faster. The only person I compare myself to now is my past self.

There is no competition, only collaboration. This unity mindset has really improved my relationships.

Leave an affirmation for readers.....: Everything you need to succeed is already inside of you, God put it there from the moment of your conception. It takes courageous action, strategy, and consistency to become the person you were destined to be.

Any books or apps recommendations?: 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins

The Life Changing Manga of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo

You're A Lion by Gernae Alexander (coming 2020)

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Email Address: gernaealexander@gmail.com

Website: http://www.hernaetion.com

Social media handles?: @gernaealexander

Don’t touch my hair, don’t touch my vibe...unless you’re one of these two bomb natural hair gurus

Don’t touch my hair, don’t touch my vibe...unless you’re one of these two bomb natural hair gurus. Sakeia Anderson, a natural hair stylist and creative director based in Dallas, Texas, has always had a passion for people and styling hair. It’s no wonder that she uses her God-given gift to motivate others to make the time to accept all types of love; especially the one for yourself. Tiffany Anderson, a natural hair expert and author in Oakland, California, believes that once you allow yourself unconditional love, you’re allowing tremendous growth. Reassured by reflection to unlock authenticity, Tiffany challenges people to decide to be live truthfully and freely; especially when it comes to their hairstyles! These are two amazing individuals who take hair care and turn it into motivating self-care...we are grateful for their ability to see beyond the style. Say hello to Sakeia Anderson and Tiffany Anderson, the Queens of the Natural Hair LIFE!

What inspired you to start your business? What motivates you to keep going?: My love of people and my passion for what I do hair has always been apart of my life and has always been a time connect share love and accept love a time to see yourself be your self accept yourself and transform to be able to bring that and experience that with people keeps me going I believe that God gave me this gift and I have to share it

What does your company stand for?: We stand for love of self that frees you to love others

How do you create the life you want?: By relinquishing the need to control things I can’t control and truly allowing God to lead me where I need to go away from where need to move from and keeping me where I need to be kept

What makes you HUMAN?: Every flaw every mistake and every lesson learned

What are three things your want people to know about self-love?: You can’t love anyone or anything properly until you love yourself. It allows you to see and know God deeply. It’s free and on the other side of it is joy

What's something we can incorporate today to start loving ourselves more?: Set a aside a time each day when you wake up and before you sleep to do something you love or enjoy no matter how big a or small or unconventional

What has been your own journey with self love?: A turbulent one I knew how to love everyone and everything but myself and as I got older I couldn’t hide it and that lack of self love spilled out into every area of my life and I had to make a change if I wanted better and that change started with me focusing on what my heart needed to heal and be happy and I’m chopping away a that bit by bit it’s a journey and I have come a long way

Leave an affirmation for readers.....: I am fearfully and wonderfully made psalms 139:14

Any books or apps recommendations?: N/a

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Email Address: Sakeia@icloud.com

Website: https://directory.bookedin.com/kocreations

Social media handles?: @kocothecure

What inspired you to start your business? What motivates you to keep going?: Inspiring women to love themselves through adversity and beyond.

What does your company stand for?: My company stands for love. I believe that when you love yourself you will share what has propelled you to grow. The growth will inspire and motivate other women to do the same.

How do you create the life you want?: I create the life I want by inspiring women to be their best self by loving the hair that they were blessed with.

What makes you HUMAN?: What makes me human is that I spent 3 years in federal prison for bank robbery and I chose not to let that negative choice define me. I chose to let it make me become who I am destined to be. A passionate individual who enjoys inspiring people to become their authentic self.

What are three things your want people to know about self-love?: Self -Love is not defined by what you have but by who you are.

What's something we can incorporate today to start loving ourselves more?: Today you can make a decision to be honest about who you are from start to finish.

What has been your own journey with self love?: Reflection has been my journey with self love. As long as I wake up and reflect on how far I have come I am able to love myself honestly.

Leave an affirmation for readers.....: Love your hair and follow your curls!

Any books or apps recommendations?: Hair Therapy by Tiffany Anderson

I Love My Natural Hair by Tiffany Anderson

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Email Address: tanderson@tiffanysnatural.com

Website: http://tiffanysnatural.com

Social media handles?: Instagram/Iamtiffanyanderson, Twitter/tiffanysnatural, Facebook/tiffanyanderson

Honey, you’re not just a blossoming flower...you’re the whole garden.

Honey, you’re not just a blossoming flower...you’re the whole garden. Are you ready to nurture your roots so that you can truly flourish? Melanie Holst-Collins, founder of Grow Your Lovespace in Austin, TX, has a strong desire to encourage intentional living among others. Engaging with your humanness, practicing the presence, rooting for personal and spiritual growth...these are the essentials for letting your soul glo, and we are digging it. Melanie continues to use her own self-love journey to create experiences for those who are looking to grow their lovespace. Her key to staying rooted? “I can find myself in the absence of others.” Your presence is a present, and their absence will never change that. We’d like to introduce you to Melanie Holst-Collins, Queen of Growth!

What inspired you to start your business? What motivates you to keep going?: I made the choice in 2012 to really start being intentional about this human experience + to follow any pull or push I felt from the inside.

I know I was put on this earth is help people awaken, spiritually. To create safe + sacred spaces that facilitate healing within individuals + communities. A strong desire heal myself, live on purpose + to inspire others to do the same is what inspired me. The pure joy I experience as a result of walking in my purpose keeps me on the path!

What does your company stand for?: The entire reason Grow Your Lovespace exists is to remind this generation that this human experience is the most enriching experience for personal + spiritual growth. Engaging with your humanness, intentionally + with presence, offers you the fullest, most healing + transformative experience.

How do you create the life you want?: I practice embodying my beliefs, every day.

I practice being, in energy, the qualities I want to see in my life (peace, abundance, joy, healing etc). When I start there, the way I want my life to look unfolds with minimal effort.

What makes you HUMAN?: Although I am a teacher + facilitator, I know that I am never exempt from any experience or lesson that I may be teaching about. I am not exempt.

What are three things your want people to know about self-love?:

1. Self love is not a destination, it is an ever-evolving process + journey. You never stop growing + cultivating love for yourself 

2. There will be beautiful times + ugly times. Both are normal, necessary + imperative to the journey.

3. Others will not always understand your choices you make out of love for yourself. Sometimes you will unintentionally hurt someone else as a result of loving you. Its ok. Trust you.

What's something we can incorporate today to start loving ourselves more?: A small thing is literally taking 2-3 minutes daily or every few days to just be quiet, breathe + scan your body. We offer so much wisdom to ourselves daily, but don't allow ourselves to heart it in order to follow it. Simply practicing being quiet with ourselves, even if for 2 minutes, allows us to learn ourselves in subtle ways.

What has been your own journey with self love?: The journey continues! I struggled for much of my life from childhood to young adulthood with loving myself. There were times where I would put on the facade that I was 'working on loving myself more' but I was just talking about it + not really jumping in the trenches. Telling myself the truth about my desire to cultivate love for myself was crucial on my journey. Presently, my relationship with myself is the most healthy it has been at any other point in my life + it is because I am committed to introspecting + prioritizing my wellness, mentally, emotionally, physically + spiritually. I am try my best to create an outer environment to support that!

Leave an affirmation for readers.....: "I can find myself in the absence of others"

-Melanie Holst-Collins from the Rooted + Growing Insight Affirmation Card Deck

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Any books or apps recommendations?

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Email Address: mel@growyourlovespace.com

Website: http://growyourlovespace.com

Social media handles?: @growyourlovespace

@shopgrowyourlovespace

You’re never fully dressed without a Styleee…

You’re never fully dressed without a styleee. Thrifting for vintage gems and pieces is always a whimsical time, but the fashion ends up meaning more when you really dive into the story behind it. Fortunately for us, Ndi Jeru, founder of Tribe and Sol, is excellent at immersing into fashion and the culture they represent. Tribe and Sol is an online boutique in Houston, Texas that offers casual and comfortable clothing that beautifully embraces all cultures. You are what you wear, and this company inspires you to discover how to embody the roots you’ve grown with; all with amazingly stylish pieces! Define your own story with a variety of styles offered by Tribe and Sol. We’d like to invite you to meet Ndi Jeru, Queen of Hidden Treasures!

Where do you find inspiration to keep going and what inspired you to start your business?: In my youth, I was enthralled by my grandmothers jewels and my mother’s sense of style. I’d scour every thrift store in the city of Houston and alike for vintage. My mom and her best friend owned a brick and mortar. I helped to merchandise and create, that’s set the stage for my career in fashion.

I rely on my faith in God and nothing else. I know He gave me these gifts and there’s a purpose for my life, that gives me strength. That is what #feel the soul is all about.

What does your company stand for?: Tribe and Sol designs lived in daily wear and jewelry with organic shapes, inspired by calligraphy, for everyday people that transforms the common way of casual and comfort. Created by self-taught designer Ndi Jeru, based in Houston. The design process is grounded in spirituality, history, and culture. African roots are the thread of the brand’s aesthetic. Asian culture shapes the identity, with silhouettes from the 1910 - 1920 vintage eras. Size inclusion has been the mantra since conception. We embrace all cultures and all curves through versatility and functionality to enhance the ease of life. Each individual defines their own standard of beauty with the use of style as a sanctuary for balancing movement and meaning.

How do you create the life you want?: I just start, it’s so easy to stop yourself with thoughts, ideas, and the fear of; beginning. I’m a research connoisseur, I put the things I learn into practice and find any way to support someone else. That’s the ultimate fulfillment.

What makes you HUMAN?: I’m an empath. I feel with my whole heart, others struggles and successes. I LOVE to help but I had to rid myself of the savior complex, there’s only one Jesus.

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Email Address:info@tribeandsol.com

Website:http://www.tribeandsol.com

Social media handles?: @tribeandsol and @ndijeru

A picture is worth a thousand words!

A picture is worth a thousand words, and this creative queen is determined to make sure your pictures are only saying the sweetest things back to you! Meet Olesha Haskett, founder of OH Experience Boudoir Photography, gets behind the lens to capture self-love on film. Olesha is committed to making women feel beautiful, worthy, and empowered...on their own terms. She recognizes the importance of glorifying your beauty for your own wellness. Using the “OH” Experience,  Olesha offers the chance for women to define what their sexy is. Picture, picture, on the wall...who says you don’t deserve to feel like you got it all? Ladies, let this company encourage you to have the audacity to love yourself hard. We invite you to meet Olesha, Queen of Framed Art!

What inspired you to start your business? What motivates you to keep going?: I was inspired to start my business when I realized I wanted women, especially black women, to feel empowered, beautiful and sexy on their own terms. I went through a period in my life when I did not feel beautiful or sexy. I wanted to help myself through that and help other women as well. I am motivated by the women I photograph. Their reaction to seeing themselves. Many of my Beauties, my clients, cannot believe that woman in the image is her. That is my greatest motivator.

What does your company stand for?: My company stands for the empowerment of women to define their own sexy, worth and beauty.

How do you create the life you want?: I create the life I want by cultivating my happiness. I know that I have to work hard to be happy because their are so many negative things that can happen around us.So I strive to see the best possible outcomes in all situations. I have a mantra I repeat when i have feeling burdened by life, " All is well. Everything is working out for my highest good. I am safe. "

What makes you HUMAN?: My empathy and willingness to forgive makes me human. I have had a very rough few years. Things happened that I would not wish on my worst enemy. From those experiences I had to learn to forgive others and especially myself. It was a hard lesson, but it gave me a new outlook on life.

What are three things your want people to know about self-love?:

1. Self love is hard! It doesn't happen over night. It has to be cultivated day after day.

2. Self love is necessary. If you cannot love yourself how do you expect others to love you.

3. Self love is so important for black women. It is not selfish.

What's something we can incorporate today to start loving ourselves more?: A boudoir experience! I recently did my own and I fell deeper in love with myself. I wrote three poems about loving myself after it. Framed and hung the poems in my bedroom. I also printed four of the images from the boudoir experience and hung those in my bedroom. Everyday I wake up to me! I smile every morning.

What has been your own journey with self love?: My journey with self love has been rocky. I relied on another for several years to define who I was. When I no longer did that I had to define who I was as a woman. Who and what I wanted this new Olesha to be. It has been a hard journey of healing, but I would not change anything about it.

Leave an affirmation for readers.....: Please have the audacity to love yourself a little harder.

Any books or apps recommendations?: Favorite authors for black love:

Love Belvin

Alexandra Warren

Christina C Jones

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Email Address: olesha@ohexperience.com

Website: http://www.ohexperience.com

Social media handles?: ohexperience - instagram

Twitter: @oh_experience

Girl, you know you deserve a ring!

Girl, you know you deserve a ring. Who better to love you...than you? Wellness Stylist Toni Jones is encouraging women into saying ‘I do’ to the most important relationship they’ll ever be in: self-love. Wife Comma is the powerful company that Toni founded to guide women into becoming a “wife”, which boldly stands for “Womanhood in Full Empowerment”. If that’s the case, then yes; we’re all down for being a wifey for lifey! Using emotional, mindset, and spiritual wellness to protect women against the infamous burn out, Toni Jones is an inspiration to all of us. Self-love and self-awareness has never been needed more; now’s the time to say “I do”...to you. We are excited to introduce you to Toni Jones, Queen of Wellness!

What are three things your want people to know about self-love?:

1. Become a wife to their internal world through practicing stillness to explore their limiting beliefs about their worth, love life and finances.

2. Self Love is embracing your past, present, mistakes, flaws, negative thoughts and habits and any imperfections as though they are your dream love partner! Acceptance of your whole self is the ultimate love story; happily ever after.

3. Self love is awareness that you are a spirit first, a human second and a woman third and that all three must be nourished and not neglected.

What's something we can incorporate today to start loving ourselves more?:

Set your alarm on your phone as your birthday to remind yourself to say I love and thank you.

ex:// My birthday is April 18 so I set my alarm clock at 4:18.

Download the insight timer app to master meditation; this will help you meditate every single day of the year!

What has been your own journey with self love?: I was raised to be a wife. After a 8-year-marriage I got a divorce; I was at a point where I had to make the choice to save my marriage or save my soul...I chose to save my soul. I walked into a world that glorified the independent woman, and I had no clue what that was. Through trial and error I was trying to become independent. At the same time, I was trying to become a wife to men who weren’t worthy. I burned myself out, and gave up the identity that society, my childhood, that men and standard success was defining for me. I decided that I will win, and be well, and create my womanhood from the inside out. I got my degree in Psychology and knew I wanted to start a brand that taught women these Psychology principles and findings in a comprehensive way. So I created Wife Comma to help ambitious woman wife their life through emotional, mindset, and spiritual wellness. I blew my mind away with what I was able to create when I started to love my bs, the areas that needed to grow, my body, my empathy, my ability to forgive, and reshape my pain! I stopped judging my story. Instead, I started creating and using my story to transform women. And I just live a life possessed with self love.

What Affirmations do you live by?: Pain is a slave to my greatness, I always transcend in love knowing all of life is happening for me.

Financial abundance is flowing into my life from the North, South, East and West.

Everyone loves me, and I don’t expect everyone to realize that.

Thank you body, thank you my digestive system, thank you my brain, thank you blood flow, thank you for my physical life that works for me everyday to move, breath, do, and be.

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Email Address:toni@wifecomma.com

Website:http://www.wifecomma.com

Social media handles?: IG : @wifecomma @ilovetonijones

Facebook and LinkedIn: Toni Jones

Twitter: @wifecomma

Youtube: @wifecomma

Work hard, play hard...relax hard?

Work hard, play hard...relax hard? Sometimes, you need a helping hand to get that soothing touch. Sharisha Cooper, owner of Sha’s Massagetique, believes that everyone deserves to wind down after putting in some werk. Sha’s Massagetique offers a relaxing and comfortable environment to indulge in some good energy. Who doesn’t look a good vibe (and a good feel!)? Sharisha is using her company to stress the importance of taking care of your body. Health and wellness is essential for your overall growth; especially when it comes to taking care of your body. Don’t let the stressors of life keep you all buckled and knotted; relax. You are allowed to treat yo’self! We’d like to introduce you to Sharisha Cooper, Queen of the Magic Touch!

Where do you find inspiration to keep going and what inspired you to start your business?: I find my inspiration to keep going by being the best mother I can be to my son. Knowing I have those set of eyes watching everything I do makes me push harder than the day before to provide, protect, guide, and teach my son to be great no matter what life may bring. Becoming a business owner allows me to enjoy time with my son while he plays football, basketball, and mommy and son time. I want to show my son that anything you put your mind to is possible. He has seen me work, and work, and work for others. Now he see me work hard to build a brand that he will continue to build on. To create a brand that can be passed on through generations is my goal. And I will not stop until I get there.

What does your company stand for?: Sha Massagetique is a brand to be loved with focus on health & wellness for young athletes and adults.

How do you create the life you want?: I am creating the life I want by removing negativity in all forms. Researching as much as I can to master my craft all while learning new things to add to my craft. Learning to let go of things and people that are not for me, and remaining humble above it all. Let’s not forget pushing as hard as I can to be great at all I do.

What makes you HUMAN?: What makes me human????

I am very caring of others. At times, too much.

I make mistakes. I learn from them .

Creative, passionate about my career as a Lmt.

Bookworm. Always learning.

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Email Address:Booking@shasmassagetique.com

Website:http://Shasmassagetique.com

Social media handles?: Facebook /Instagram: Shasmassagetique

LinkedIn: Sharisha Cooper

Ready, Set, GLOW!

Ready, set, glow! LaVonndra Johnson, aka the Beaute Boss, founded her skincare line, Elle Johnson, with two words in mind: black and bold. We all know when it comes to being a black woman, quality and catered beauty brands is not always available to us on a smooth surface. Johnson not only saw the lack of representation among products, but she also saw a need to boost black women’s self-confidence in general. Embracing the skin you’re is a major key in feeling your best. No amount of make-up can make up the beam you radiate from a healthy skincare routine, and thankfully, Elle Johnson is dedicated to providing skincare options that will enhance your beautiful skin. We’d like to introduce you to LaVonndra, Queen of Serving Face!

Where do you find inspiration to keep going and what inspired you to start your business?: I find inspiration in making my daughter proud. Seeing her bear witness to my strengths, weaknesses, triumphs and pitfalls makes it all worth it. I also love the personal gratification of a seeing my brand go from an idea to a business plan, and from a business plan to an actual tangible things. Sometimes I step back and think to myself, "Wow, I really have a brand". That feeling is priceless.

I started my skincare line because skincare is something that affects us all, and can dramatically alter your self confidence. I enjoy the makeup looks and the 'beat face' look, but I also think it's become so common place for women to wear these masks, that they feel naked in just their bare skin and I want to change that narrative. I want women to feel just as beautiful in their own bare skin and I use my skincare line as me vehicle to do just that.

What does your company stand for?: My company stands for diversity and equality. I knew when I first launched the line that the imagery would be consistent with women who look like me. I didn't want to straddle the fence and use women that appear biracial as to not be looked at as a black brand. I'm boldly black, and that's beautiful. I don't need to filter it, or "mix" it with anything else.

How do you create the life you want?: I create the life I want by living on my terms. I determine what success and happiness looks like for me. I make it a priority to have a good work/life balance and spend my time with those people that are important to me. I enjoy a variety of things, from a great read, to a brisk walk, to traveling, and shopping.

What makes you HUMAN?: I think what makes me human is my ability to fall and get back up. Throughout my 15 year entrepreneurial journey, I've had my fair share of falls, but I always get back up. I'm not ashamed or embarrassed. I walk in it boldly, mistakes and all.

Email Address:shopellevj@gmail.com

Website:http://www.ellejohnson.co

Social media handles?: professional - @ellejohnson.co

personal - @thebeauteboss

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These December Boutiques confirm that excellent things come in threes.

Excellent things come in three, and we have three amazing queens we’d like to introduce you to. Christina Esposito, Bajunki’s dope and fierce founder, is in her bag (while providing several cute ones to others!) in Atlanta, Georgia. Nethdra Fairley is using her company, The Advocates, to encourage communities to stand up and stand out for various social awarenesses in Chicago, Illinois, by “wearing” their truth. Iyana Laws is using her brand, Yoni Love, to encourage and embrace self-love by creating powerful (and gorgeous!) waistbeads. Let’s clap once...twice...three times for these dazzling ladies! We’d like for you to meet Christina, Queen of Securing The Bag; Nethdra, Queen of Expression; and Iyana, Queen of Good Energy.

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Christina, Queen of Securing The Bag

Christina Esposito, Bajunki’s dope and fierce founder, is in her bag (while providing several cute ones to others!) in Atlanta, Georgia.

Where do you find inspiration to keep going and what inspired you to start your business?: My business was created a couple of years ago while I was living in Atlanta. I was interested in the Nightlife and I would only carry one clutch that matches every outfit . I decided then that I wanted to create things that were different and Atlanta would be a perfect outlet to explore it . I bought a sewing machine with no experience and taught myself how to sew Handbags . I practiced all day long until it was wearable . I launched it in October and people began to inquire about “Where to get them “ and so it began . I had to be able to take care of my daughter so I was determined to make this work . I’ve continued this passion and it has progressed so much.

What does your company stand for?: Bagjunki stands for “Women that loves to be Different “ and stand out . Individuality is my Motto and I want to show others that making stuff is okay and to Rock it with pride . Being able to show off your talent or someone’s is cool and showing support.

How do you create the life you want?: I’m still generating an ideal life that I want . I know that I have to stay with my brand in order to be able to do it Full time permanently. I still work a 9 to 5 but when I get off I do as much for hours each day . I believe in it tremendously even though I’m told that it should be a hobby , I see the potential and I know the life it will grant my family.

What makes you HUMAN?: Making mistakes make me feel human each day . I’m not perfect and I’m understanding that . I don’t achieve my goals all the time and I learn from that . I always want to keep myself grounded and the people that I keep around me make me feel real human.

Email Address: Bagjunki@Gmail.com

Website: http://Www.Bagjunki.com

Social media handles?: IG: @Shopbagjunki

Twitter: Shopbagjunki

Pinterest: Shopbagjunki

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Nethdra, Queen of Expression

Nethdra Fairley is using her company, The Advocates, to encourage communities to stand up and stand out for various social awarenesses in Chicago, Illinois, by “wearing” their truth.

Where do you find inspiration to keep going and what inspired you to start your business?: What inspired my sister and I to start our business was to start a platform to help people while also being able to have those important conversations about impacting social awareness and change.

What does your company stand for?: Our company promotes social awareness while also giving back to organizations that support marginalized communities and have a positive impact on social change.

How do you create the life you want?: we create the life we want by following our passions and building upon those things in life that drive our soulful purpose.

What makes you HUMAN?: What makes us human is our capability of loving one another conditionally and being able to directly and positively impact or be a part of something greater than ourselves driven by that love and passion is what makes us human.

Email Address: nethdrafairley@icloud.com

Website: http://www.theadvocatestee.com

Social media handles?:

Instagram: @theadvocatestees

Twitter: @advocatestees

Facebook: @theadvocatestees

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Iyana, Queen of Good Energy.

Iyana Laws is using her brand, Yoni Love, to encourage and embrace self-love by creating powerful (and gorgeous!) waist-beads.

What are three things your want people to know about self-love?:

• Self Love is the foundation for love in all its forms.

• Self Love requires choosing yourself moment-to-moment.

• Self Love keeps our cup full, allowing us to pour into others.

What's something we can incorporate today to start loving ourselves more?: Presence. This is the gift that keeps on giving. Presence grounds us in the moment, reduces anxiety and helps us connect deeper within.

What has been your own journey with self love?: Daily grounding exercises, journaling, spiritual baths, and crystals ultimately led me to make a strand of Waistbeads for a loved one. A love offering to support her fertility. Supporting others on their journey has always been amazingly healing for me. My business was actually born out of my own need for intense self love & self care after miscarriage. It’s my offering back into the world. I get to take my customers/clients along with me through this ongoing self love journey. It’s a ball of reciprocal healing fun.

What Affirmations do you live by?: Everything I need is drawn to me just when it’s needed. Everything happens in its own perfect timing. Be gentle with yourself.

Email Address: TheYoniLove@gmail.com

Website:

Social media handles?: Facebook

Yoni Love: Tools for Self Care

IG@yoniLoveWaistbeads

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Let's Drink + Be Merry at Sip & Share Winery!

Jesus drank wine, but was it blood orange with a hint of apple? …..and if Nicole Kearney has any say in it, there’s some for everyone! Let’s raise a toast to Sip & Share Winery, a brilliant VEGAN winery that is dedicated to keeping our glasses (and hearts!) full. Nicole has hosted plenty of wine tastings in her town of Indianapolis, IN, but she grew tired of seeing the lack of representation in the wine community. Well, viola: this wine enthusiast founded Sip & Share Winery, which works to expose wine culture to the black community by highlight black winemakers, hosting wine tastings, and producing excellent wine with rich, blended, cultured backgrounds. We’ll have another round of black inclusion, thank you very much. Cheers to Nicole because, hello...we love wine too! Pour us up sis. We invite you to meet Nicole Kearney, Queen of Wine!

 Where do I find inspiration?: I find the inspiration to keep going in showing my children you can have a dream, take small action steps and make it into a reality. My children and my family are my biggest cheerleaders and supporters. I know that my business is a reflection of them, their dreams and a legacy I'm creating. I find inspiration in other creatives. I'm a writer as well. I've spent two decades surrounded by actors, playwrights and screenwriters and directors. It has taught me collaboration and to see the solution and areas of opportunity in situations.

 What does my company stand for?: Sip & Share Winery mission is to produce wines that are accessible, affordable and targeted to the current growing demographics of wine drinkers ignored and untapped by the wine industry. Our handcrafted, small-batch, vegan wines are easy to drink, fun and bring people together for any occasion. Providing wine education is important to ensure people feel comfortable navigating wine, as wine is a social drink, the preferred beverage of business.

 How has your business?: When I started my business, I was told I would do well as  I was a relationship builder. This wasn't a trait I saw in myself prior. It has also put me on a path of being better disciplined. I started with making my bed daily for at least 30 days. Now I make it every day. Then I focused on eating better, drinking more water and working out 15 minutes a day and riding 3 miles, now I ride 6-8 miles, 3-4 days a week for 30 minutes. I know I can accomplish anything I set my mind to as long as I break it down into manageable tasks, start small and steady and build. This is the mantra I use to guide myself daily. I continue to assist others in finding and pursuing their passion. Giving always results in blessings.

 How do I create:?: Creating the life I want for me started when I become a recovered co-dependent; simultaneously seeing a therapist to work through past traumas, grief and poor relationship choices. This lead to my healing, loving and valuing myself and being the healthiest version of myself is a journey. I practice self-love, self-care and take time to smell, sip and share wonderful wines as I go on my journey. These things allow me to live a fulfilling, joyous and passion filled life daily.

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Website: http://www.sipnsharewine.net

Social Media Handles: @sipnsharewinery

Email: sipnsharewine@gmail.com

Phone: (317) 758-7075

Vegan Cookies, Anyone?

Few things are more powerful than a black woman who has said, “Move, I’ll do it.” Entrepreneur Denise Woodard deserves all the cookies in the world for starting Partake Foods, the delicious, vegan cookies that are providing dietary solutions and an excellent taste. This New Jersey mom was looking to take on the food allergies her young daughter faces. Denise grew tired of looking for safe alternatives; nothing was making the cut. In true boss-like form, she stepped up to the plate and crafted up her own healthy snack. Can’t take the heat? Move over and let this cookie queen get to bakin’ up some solutions! We invite you to meet Denise Woodard, Queen of Healthy Snacking!

Where do you find inspiration? or the inspiration to keep going?: I found the inspiration to launch Partake Foods because of my 3 year old daughter Vivienne's struggle with food allergies. I was frustrated with the existing meal and snack options - When I found things Vivienne could eat, they either didn't meet my nutritional standards or tasted like cardboard. Also, from an emotional perspective, so many social events are centered around food, and I didn't want my daughter (or the 15M other Americans who suffer from food allergies) to feel excluded.

What does your company stand for?: At Partake Foods, our mission is to bring peace of mind to those with dietary restrictions and simple enjoyment to those without. I want people to associate Partake Foods with inclusiveness and yummy food, made with high-quality ingredients.

How has your business made you a better person?: I've become a much better listener. I learned very quickly that there are lots of things that I don't know and reaching out to subject matter experts has made a ton of difference in growing our business. I've found that this has also translated to personal relationships.

How do you create the life you want?:

What makes you HUMAN?: The everyday struggle! I'm consistently humbled by the struggle of being a good wife, mom, friend, and Founder. Understanding my limits and weaknesses and relying on my village for help is a daily great reminder that I'm human!

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Website: http://www.partakefoods.com

Social Media Handles: www.facebook.com/partakefoods

www.twitter.com/partakefoods

www.instagram.com/partakefoods

Email: denise@partakefoods.com

Phone: 001 (910) 685-6858

Why Beauty Matters from the Inside Out

The life of a woman can get pretty busy. Whether it’s juggling work-life demands, taking care of kids or balancing social life, you deserve to still look great doing it. Now, with on the go lifestyles, beauty product awareness is sometimes overlooked. Luckily, LaKeisha Entsuah owner of Elements of Aliel in Lansdale, PA has done the hard part and created a line of healthy beauty products through her business Elements of Aliel. After giving birth and struggle with fertility, LaKeisha used her pharmaceutical manufacturing experience to create products that were free of toxins and harmful chemicals. She attributes motherhood to helping her understand the care of oneself as well as care of the baby. She’s a believer that a better self-care routine can enhance your life. In the spirit of healing from the inside out meet LaKeisha, the Queen of Aliel!

 Where do you find inspiration? or the inspiration to keep going?: I find inspiration in my family, every time I hear someone say that they are suffering from a skin issue or are having a hard time fitting self care into their schedule. Listening to the needs of those closest to me makes me want to create a solution. A simple conversation about dry skin may lead me to weeks of research and sometime new products.

What does your company stand for?: The company motto is “Self Care through Skincare”. We want women to be healthy above all else so we provide them with beauty products that support that journey. We focus on ingredient safety and quality, taking a less is more approach to ensure that the quest for beauty does not compromise health. In this way we are helping women to care for the whole self not just the outer self.

How has your business made you a better person?: I have always thrived off of helping people make healthier choices. Running this business has taken that to a whole new level. Since I formulate every product myself, I do a lot of research on ingredients. This has opened my eyes to so many different cultures and traditions from all over the world. I think that exposure though books makes me more open to those people in real life. As an introvert this has been a huge shift in my life.

How do you create the life you want?: As an entrepreneur, especially when you are running your business mostly by yourself, it is so easy to work to the point of burnout. I don’t personally believe in the idea of balance, all areas are not created equal. Instead I try to live my life in order and for me that means in a hierarchy of faith, family and then business. By establishing that hierarchy I am able to set boundaries for my time and energy. This allows me to give each area of my life exactly what it deserves.

What makes you HUMAN?: My ability to accept myself, flaws and all is what makes me human. I use to get so caught up in chasing the idea of perfectionism that I was missing the beauty of my journey. I’ve realized that progress is better than perfection and strive to enjoy every stage of the process.

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Website: http://www.elementsofaliel.com

Social Media Handles: @elementsofaliel (Facebook, Instagram & Twitter)

@l.entsuah personal Instagram

Email: lentsuah@elementsofaliel.com

Phone: 1 (856) 229-1553

Struggle No More, With the Advice from this Queen

 Celebrate every moment with a cupcake AND add some sprinkles, AND bling AND a smile as big as the one Mignon Francois has on the front page of her colorful and mouth-watering website. She basically makes you want a full order of red velvets with a side of icing please. On a whim to help her family during the recession, Mignon decided to have a bake sale to help her family. Without any experience, she invested what to had and turned it into a 10 Million Dollar Cupcake company in Nashville, TN and New Orleans, LA. Can we say GOALS?! This woman did not let up and we love the “never satisfied” mentality! We celebrate her for making struggle boating seem endurable with a little tenacity and will power! And you know what they say…… you give a black woman a little something and she’ll turn it into everything! We don’t want to spill all of Migon’s tea in her interview so we take 10 steps back and invite you to meet the Queen of the Cupcake Legacy!

What inspired you to start your business and why?: I started my business out of necessity in 2008 after my then-husband, relocated our family to Nashville for a job offer that ended up falling through. As a household manager of 6+1 (aka stay at home mom) during a recession and a recent relocation, there were tough days. Days so tough, that we sometimes had no running water or electricity, wondering what we were going to eat for dinner each night. After struggling to maintain, I had to figure out a way to provide for my family. I got the idea of having a bake sale every day while listening to financial expert, Dave Ramsey. However, I didn't know how to bake nor did I have any money or knowledge on how to run a business. My daughters were good bakers so I practiced with them and gave the results to my neighbors as "welcome to the neighborhood" gifts. One day a neighbor stopped by and offered to pay me if I baked her more! That day I took the last $5 I had to feed my family and turned it into $60. Fast forward to 2018, with what started as a $5 investment has turned into a $10 million award-winning cupcake business that "sprinkles people's day full of joy" Sunday through Friday in Nashville, Tennessee and New Orleans, Louisiana.

What does your company stand for?: Joy!

How do you create the life you want?: I get up every single day on purpose. My goal right now is legacy building. I want to leave something for my grandaughters. I want my name to mean something to them. I want them to be able to pass the story along about who I was, what I did and how it matters to them. I want them to say, 'My grandmother was Mignon Francois and she had joy. Everyone who came in contact with her felt that. She got up every day on purpose to leave something for us and that's what we are continuing the legacy of today.

Where do you find inspiration?: I find joy in the journey. I have been broken. I have been down in the dumps. I have had not enough to eat. I've had not enough to wear. I have not had enough money to pay for stuff. I have lived in a home with no electricity on a regular basis, no water on a regular basis. While everybody else around me had enough, I didn't have enough. I was satisfied with what I had. But, never satisfied with good enough. I always wanted more because there's this burning on the inside of me that told me, that required more of me.

How has your business made you a better person?: As a small business owner, I am grateful for my community, my family, my customers and the opportunity to give back.

The Cupcake Collection is a family business and our community played a huge part in our success. I started my company by giving out my baked goods as a "welcome to the neighborhood gift". One day my neighbor said she'd pay me to bake more for her clients and since then my neighborhood has been continuing to sow into my business for nine years. Our customers are our advocates, cheerleaders and advertisement everywhere they go. I give back by mentoring aspiring business owners and hiring people who live in and around our area. In addition, when I am out in the community people often recognize me as "the cupcake lady" and jokingly ask if I have any cupcakes on me. So now I keep complimentary cupcake coupons on me in hopes of sprinkling someone's day with joy! We also participate in random acts of kindness, taking complimentary cupcakes to fire stations, police stations and hospitals during the holiday season.

What makes you HUMAN?: Knowing your purpose is knowing that you wake up every day for a reason, that you’re called to be something, not just to do something, but to be something. That's why we're human beings, not human doings. And when I saw my purpose written, which is this: I want to leave all the people who experience Mignon Francois with joy. That's my purpose in life. So I want to affect the world and make it a better place by causing those people that get an opportunity to interact with me to feel joy. And if I don’t do that for you, then I have failed on my personal mission. And knowing that every day is how I approach my business. My business is one that you don’t leave out with the product that we're selling. You have to leave out with something that stands in its place because you can't actually carry joy. You can only feel it. And so the only carrier can be you, your actual body. And so we created these cupcakes in order for you to be a carrier of joy. So that where you’re going will feel that joy.

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Website:https://www.thecupcakecollection.com/

Social Media Handles:https://www.facebook.com/cupcakecollection/

https://www.instagram.com/thecupcakecollection/

https://www.instagram.com/mignon.francois/

https://twitter.com/cupcaketweets

Email:tonisha.brown@thecupcakecollection.com

Yoga AND Therapy, sis?! What Else Do You Need…..

With the perfect combination of therapy and yoga, Devyn Walkers fuses her brutal honesty and her real world experience to bring you a host of self-love advice and actionable items. Witnessing the aftermath of her own father's suicide, Devyn became home to negative thoughts and devastating behavior.  Through yoga and counseling, Devyn was able to receive the gift of healing and is now able to give to others. With adding her own millennial twist, Devyn is able to advocate for suicide/mental health awareness in a way that’s authentic and relatable. Her blog is here to encourage you and let you know that it’s okay to be HUMAN, even if that means bumping Cardi B on the way to meditation class. We invite you to meet Devyn Walker from Dallas, TX, the queen of heaven sent!

What inspired you to start your business and why?: My company is a lifestyle brand and I started to encourage others, specifically black women, to live their best lives through achieving wellness. I am a counselor and a yoga teacher so I provide plenty of wellness tips, daily inspiration, yoga tutorials, and everything in between on a relatable level. I started this through my own personal journey of achieving wellness. I lost my father as a young women to suicide and I was the one that found him dead. So I suffer from various mental diagnoses but I know how to cope through them through the things I’ve learned from counseling and yoga

What does your company stand for?: Providing a wellness platform for black women

How do you create the life you want?: Through affirmations, self reflection, meditation, and journaling.

Where do you find inspiration?: I find inspiration through various meditations and bible study.

How has your business made you a better person?: My business helps me practice what I preach to the fullest. I can not be out here teaching women about wellness and loving their best lives if I am not doing it myself.

What makes you HUMAN?: I have days where I’m simply not motivated, when I’m sad, angry, and aggravated but I never shun those emotions away, I allow myself to feel them and experience them. I also am unapologetically myself so whether that means I’m bumping Cardi B on my way to my meditation class then that’s just what it is.

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Website: http://www.sentfromdevyn.com

Social Media Handles: Sentfromdevyn

Email:Sentfromdevyn@gmail.com

Your Favorite Introvert Speaks!

Are you introverted and cool? Are you someone who shys away from people, but can work a room at the same time? Do you think you’re misunderstood and lovable all in one? Well, honey...Marsha Badger may be your new best friend! She’s a creatively charged introvert that’s navigating the city of New York as a freelance journalist and naturalista. She wholeheartedly believes that we have the power to write our stories. She believes we can all win. Her blog, Introvert N the City has advice for dating, love, networking and business. Infused with her original style, her blog breaks down all of the introverted myths and offers strategies about staying in the game! We personally loved the, Textrovert article,…. which basically confirms that our communication skills may need a little a tweaking, LOL. We invite you to meet the Queen of Introvert!

What inspired you to start your business and why?: I am a creative. I feel like my purpose in life to to create memorable experiences, author compelling content and inspire others through action. I couldn’t do all of that working for someone else so I decided to create a platform that would reach and inspire others.

What does your company stand for?: Introvert N the City was originally created to dispel the rumors and reputation of introverts. Over time, it has morphed into a platform that inspires people to become their best selves. This transition happened as I myself transitioned in life. As I work to become a better person and follow my dreams, I want to inspire others to do the same.

How do you create the life you want?: You create the life you want by taking control of the pen that writes each chapter. Monitor your thoughts and recognize that you live in a limitless world. There is nothing you can’t do! What would the world look like if we believed we could achieve or dreams and did the work to execute them?

Where do you find inspiration?: I am mostly inspired by watching others win. One win for some else is a win for all of us. I am also inspired by who I know I can become. It forces me to level up and do the work so that I can evolve into the vision.

How has your business made you a better person?: It’s taught me the importance of consistency and community. Do the work consistently because you never know who is watching. Pay attention to your community. They’re who will support you.

What makes you HUMAN?: Love is what makes me human. I believe the ultimate commandment is to act outside of love. Because of that, I make it my mission to judge less and love more.

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Website: http://IntrovertNtheCity.com

Social Media Handles: IG: introvertNtheCity

Email: Introvertnthecity@gmail.com

Vanilla Coconut, Orange Kisses and Stress Relief, the body butters you need!

When you have an idea, it’s better to just go for it. That’s what Shae Harris in #DallasTexas owner of @SNHSkincare did. She decided NO MORE to products not good for her skin and created her own! She pulls inspiration from the people around her and as one of the sponsors for our The Affirmation Summit we can’t be more proud! Shae Harris partnered with our DIY Facial Spray class to teach women how to look in the mirror and affirm themselves when getting ready. Women created their own facial sprays and used SNH Skincare to nourish their skin! With scents like Vanilla Coconut, Orange Kiss and Stress Relief, you’re sure to find your “flava” and if you have commitment issues, the sample pack will be perfect for you. So yes this is a plug! ...but we wouldn’t steer you wrong. Meet the Queen of Skin!

Where do you find inspiration? or the inspiration to keep going?: Honestly, I love looking up inspirational quotes and listening to motivational speakers to keep me going. Motivational speaker Les Brown is the go-to guy for me I listen to him daily.

What does your company stand for?: We are compassionate about providing high quality and affordable products that are Safe, Natural, and Handmade.

 How has your business made you a better person?: It has motivated and pushed me to grow daily.

"knowing my products will help customers skin feel restored and help them feel more comfortable and confident with their skin."

How do you create the life you want?: By living it as if it already exists.

What makes you HUMAN?: Being vulnerable at times, willingness to accept constructive criticism, speaking up if I have an opinion or disagree with someone. Wanting to grow in all areas of my life.

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Website: http://bit.ly/2LgmJ7a_snhskincare

Social Media Handles: Instagram: snhskincare

 Personal Facebook: Shae Harris

Email: Snhskincare@gmail.com

Phone: (682) 553-6662

Honey Drippin' with Honey Baby Naturals

We all can fall in love with a multi-use product. Granted, the owner of said products has the product education to match, then it’s heaven on earth. As the Ultimate Sponsor of our first annual Affirmation Summit, Aisha Crump, has been in the industry for over 12 years working behind the scenes. She’s done it all, from manufacturing to product development and after journeying from engineering and landing in the beauty industry, Aisha took a leap and started the Honey Baby natural hair and skin care brand. Aisha said launching a family brand was a unique concept, because there’s a little something for everyone. Now, her brand Honey Baby has made its way to the shelves of national retailers!

Inspired by her grandmother who would use honey on her hair and skin, Aisha’s interest was sparked. She describes her grandmother as beautiful and one who didn’t wear make-up. So, infusing her grandmother’s self-care practices created a beautiful brand story as honey is the main ingredient in the Honey Baby products. Even more, honey is one of those household items that can be used as a sweetener, healer and now moisturizer.

Even the name has a meaning. The term Honey Baby is a term of endearment that is centered around, love, Aisha said. “I call my youngest daughter Honey Baby because she’s a diva. My husband is my Honey Baby. We’re all Honey Babies, Honey Mommies, Honey Daddies, Honey Babies and that’s where Honey Baby came from.”

Listen, it’s all about the Honey, baby. And paired with packaging reminiscent of her grandma's kitchen, infusing honey into the products has been a win-win.

We would be remiss if we didn’t connect the self-love dots. Aisha said not only is honey the foundation of her brand, but birthing the Honey Baby product line gave her confidence. “Honey is a metaphor for that secret ingredient we all have inside of us that makes us better and drives you and pushes you to the next level,” Aisha said.

And the most interesting part? …Men love it too! Aisha sees it first hand with her husband of 17 years who dips in the honey jars frequently. “I’m telling his business, but he’s all into self-care. He’s worse than me,” Aisha said. “HONEY, Daddies go crazy for the Honey Baby. They love the Honey Body Butter and the Body Jelly.” That loves spreads to her three kids, as she uses the Body Jelly for her daughter with eczema and hair her products for the three different hair textures her little ones have.

You see confidence comes in all shapes and sizes and for Aisha, it shows. “People always ask me, why are you so successful and how have you created so much success in your family, in your business, career, education? Her response? “It’s because of my confidence.”

With that said, Aisha wants to encourage you to love your hair texture, walk confidently and celebrate your own beauty by embracing your blessing, flaunting it, loving it and sharing it.

We’re happy to have partnered with this brand who shares our mission of using green products that are free of the extras and to share the message of self love.  

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Learn more about the Honey Baby brand by visiting,  www.honeybabynaturals.com and following their social media, @honeybabynaturals.

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Ratchet + Worthy: Special Interview with Bre Scullark

The essence of becoming is one that takes strength, courage and wisdom. Strength to do the work, courage to accept the journey and wisdom to make the best decision for yourself and those attached to you. Becoming is one of those unexplained things and many times you realize how far you come after you’ve reached your destination. It’s you being a partner to your own destiny and helping to manifest the YOU you see.

For Bre Scullark, it’s the ratchet and worthy parts that have blossomed her into a fierce advocate for peace and self-love. She is one to remember. She is a daughter, sister, partner and friend. Not to mention, a certified YOGA instructor for @liberationprisonyoga, trauma specialist and survivor, founder of Urban Peace Squad and Ambassador for Honey Baby Naturals. You can also find Bre, modeling, expressing and just being. She fuses urban, dreamy and art in way that's captivating and self-reflecting. Her spirituality gives her the courage to constantly work at uncovering and discovering parts of herself and she encourages you to do the same! She’s the kind of compilation dreams are made of. And she’s taken ownership of her power by helping to heal others - no matter how painful and personal it may be.

Photographer: Jaye Sant (www.instagram.com/jaye_sent)

It’s our pleasure for Bre to share her thoughts on spirituality, worthiness, self-love and owning your un-doneness.

What does being spiritual look for you? Spirituality looks like courage! It is constant work to uncover and discover parts of self.

How does one even know that they are spiritual? I don’t think it’s a matter of knowing. For me it’s a practice of being. Being courageous enough to have faith, to dig deeper and to trust that all things will work out the way they are intended to be.

Is more spiritual something someone can become? In my opinion, like anything else in life, practice makes progress. To practice operating from your highest self, a shift will happen naturally.

Humility: I will never "arrive" to some spiritual finish line. There will always be more work to do.

Acceptance: I may not like everything I uncover about myself but I honor where I am and I have a choice to do something different.

Gratitude: I am grateful that I can choose to look at self and strive to be a better version if I choose to.

Service: Self Esteem is built through esteemable acts. Being of service to others strengthens character and helps the world motion forward.

Belief: Believing in something greater than myself will not only motion me forward but it will also help move the world gracefully into a better way of living.

How does yoga play a part in that ownership or any of your businesses? Yoga for me, is the practice of being present through all moments, whether pleasant or unpleasant. It’s helps me to move gracefully through both sides of my life as a swinging pendulum.

How do you operate when you are transitioning changes and new challenges? I breathe and put one foot in front of the other until more is revealed.

What’s the biggest mistake people make when defining “self love”? In my opinion, many people confuse grooming themselves aesthetically as “self love" but from my personal experience, if I’m empty on the inside, what I look like on the outside means absolutely nothing.

What does “worthiness” mean to you? I’m still defining it for myself. The meaning grows when I do. For now, I’d say worthiness is to be deserving of. I am deserving of the love I give to others to give to myself unapologetically. And without compromise or limits.

What’s something you want women to know about their worthiness? You are worthy. Your worth is waiting for you to see it, to bask in it, and to wear it proudly as if you were coaching others on how to do the same.

Anything else you want to include? Love is Love. Long live Urban Peace :)

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MEET BRE SCULLARK at AFFIRMATION SUMMIT

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Eat Clean. Train Dirty. Move Mountains and Crush your fitness goals!

Sis, let’s face it, we all like to eat! Sometimes our food choices and fitness practices aren't the best. It can boil down to how you were raised. Whether you grew up on fried chicken and cornbread or steamed veggies, it is always important to take charge of your eating habits and know where your food comes from. It’s equally important to have a fitness regimen. Through her business Eunoiafit LLC in Dallas, Texas, Alyssa Nichols shows you how to manage healthy eating habits while staying fit. Through her online fitness and nutrition programs, Alyssa’s goal is to help you get out of your comfort zone!

Alyssa has dedicated the last years to helping people reach their fitness goals as a NASM certified personal trainer and Baylor Track & Field Alum, Alyssa’s primary goal is to provide her clients and community with the necessary resources to reach their max potential. Eat Clean. Train Dirty. Move Mountains and Crush out your goals with Alyssa’s Full Body Programs. Meet Queen of Fit! 

What inspired you to start your business and why?: I was inspired to start my business in order to help women not only achieve their fitness goals, but build their self esteem and provide them with knowledgeable information about their health. Too often we, as minorities, grow up in households where health is not a top priority. You eat whatever you are fed and there is usually a history of some type of chronic illness like diabetes, heart disease, or cancer in your family. My goal is to provide women with information about fitness and nutrition that they can also take into their household and apply to their everyday family life. So many women struggle with their weight after having children because the importance of fitness and strength is not addressed before conception. I am currently studying to be certified for pre/post natal care to fill that gap and one day would like to become a registered Doula.

What does your company stand for?: Eunoia (you-noy-ah) is a relatively unknown word with many meanings. It means well mind or beautiful thinking. It also means the good will cultivated between a speaker/creator and is or her audience, a condition of receptivity. So much of fitness and health is mental. My company strives to improve mental health as well as physical health by providing knowledge about exercise, nutrition, and mental fortitude.

How do you create the life you want?: I create the life I want by choosing to be positive daily and do what I love. I opened my own fitness studio in Dallas, Texas by myself because I got tired of working for other people. I wanted to be able to control my circumstances and steer my life in the direction I wanted it to go.

Where do you find inspiration?: I find inspiration first and foremost from my clients. I train and coach some of the strongest most amazing women in Dallas and they inspire me daily to give them my best no matter how I feel. If they are going to show up despite being exhausted, depressed or whatever the case may be, then I can show up and give them my best no matter what I'm going through. I also find inspiration from other fitness gurus like Massy Arias, Kaisafit, and Fitgirlmel on instagram. They remind me daily that strong is beautiful and that I can do anything that I want as long as I put in the work. I don't have to sell sex or be half naked all of the time on instagram to inspire women to greatness!

How has your business made you a better person?: My business has made me a better person because it has forced me to be vulnerable and real with my clients and followers. I can't pretend that I do everything perfect. When they come in and are discouraged I let them know where I falter and that it is normal. My business has also made me a better person because it has made me so much more resilient. Opening up your own studio is tough. I went through a period where I was training people out of my car on the rooftop of my apartment complex in the middle of the summer because my gym closed down unexpectedly. It was a very humbling experience going from that to being able to build the vision that I've always at my studio. It showed me just how tough I am and how amazing God is when you walk in faith and not fear. As long as you put in the work and patiently wait to reap what you have sewn, you can achieve anything.

What makes you HUMAN?: I am human because I go through slumps just like everyone else. I fall off the wagon sometimes for weeks at a time with my nutrition and fitness. One of the most difficult things about owning your own fitness studio is finding the time to get your own workout down. When stuff hits the fan, business wise, the first part of the day to get cut is my workout. Struggling to establish a healthy work/life balance makes me human. I struggle with anxiety and depression and I have to learn how to cope and address those issues because my clients depend on me to motivate and inspire them daily.

Website: http://eunoiafit.com

Social Media Handles: instagram: @eunoiafit

facebook: Alyssa Tristen Nichols

twitter: @eunoiafit

Email: eunoiafit@gmail.com