We all are weary of the infamous “Mercury is in retrograde” period....

We all are weary of the infamous “Mercury is in retrograde” period..but for this businesswoman, the stars have aligned wonderfully. Stephanie Mayers, an HR professional, took her career back into her control when she started Mercury Professional Solutions. Rooted in Brampton, ON, Canada, Mercury Professional Solutions is committed to making your own universe come together. Stephanie provides excellent support and services to get your business structured and ready for take off. Recognizing when you need help is essential for not only your business life, but for your overall well-being. That help plays a major factor in your stress level; we know you can do it all, but we want you to keep your peace too! Accept support now so you can focus on your self-love properly. We have to applaud Stephanie for her courageous way of starting her own thang to support others doing their thang. We are pleased to introduce you to Stephanie, Queen of Support! 

What inspired you to start your business? What motivates you to keep going?: I was going through a period of transition since completing my Masters overseas and decided to leave the field of Social Services after over 8 years. Faced with roadblocks trying to gain an entry-level position in the Human Resources field while completing HR courses on a part-time basis, I was determined not to let that stop me. I was provided with a self-employment opportunity that grew into my business development.

What does your company stand for?: Mercury Professional Solutions supports you however you grow. We are about providing flexible and customizable support services to help you stay organized, increase efficiency, and build your foundation while you focus on your core business activities.

How do you create the life you want?: I schedule my day, which begins with an at-home workout to give me the energy to start my day. Keeping to a schedule, allows me to plan out and execute business tasks, self-employment tasks, as well as educational tasks from my part-time studies.

What makes you HUMAN?: Knowing that I need help, just like everyone else. and seeking out that help. Whether it is help with building and developing myself or help in learning the skills to develop, run, and grow a business.

What are three things your want people to know about self-love?: -It can take most of us to get to the point where we can actually love our flaws as well as our strengths

- As much as we may love ourselves, there are some moments when you don't feel that self-love, but it doesn't mean you don't love you

-Some people won't like you because you love yourself, but there are more people that love you because you love yourself

What's something we can incorporate today to start loving ourselves more?: Taking time out to do the small or big things you enjoy, so that you are not overburdened with stress, worry, and doubt, which wreaks havoc on our emotional and mental well-being, which is connected to how we love ourselves.

What has been your own journey with self love?: I'm a lifelong learner and when I was going through my period of transition, I took the time to learn about myself and work on myself. Once I learned what gave me strength and what didn't it made it that much easier for me to choose myself by letting go of people and things, with or without explaining myself.

Leave an affirmation for readers.....: I worked with the purpose coach Nicole O Salmon, and through that time I embraced that "doing nothing in the moment, does not equate to doing nothing in your life."

Email Address: stephanie@mercuryprosolutions.com

Website: http://www.mercuryprosolutions.com

Social media handles?: LINKEDIN linkedin.com/company/mercuryprosolutions

FACEBOOK fb.me/mercuryprosolutions

INSTAGRAM www.instagram.com/mercuryprosolutions

The world is a brilliant stage, and this passionate artist is using her talent to shine!

The world is a brilliant stage, and this passionate artist is using her talent to shine a spotlight on what really matters: honoring and respecting the craft that has been curated through rich culture. Daphne Lee, a professional ballerina with the Dance Theatre of Harlem in New York, NY, is committed to supporting black dancers by raising the standards and setting up scholarships to pursue higher education. Representation is essential in any industry, and Daphne is thankful for the boundaries DTH continues to push in order for black dancers to be seen on a global scale. While tirelessly working as an artist, Daphne prioritizes self-love: it is a daily struggle after all. Self-love is a lifestyle, and just as important as the food you eat and the air you breathe. It’s also worth it; every time. A mantra Daphne finds peace by? A true gem: “What is for you won’t pass you by.” Whew. Talk about affirming. We’d love to introduce you to Daphne, Queen of Ballet!

What inspired you to start your business? What motivates you to keep going?: What motivated me to start dancing was my mother. Seeing black ballerinas as a child was super inspiring even though I never thought about pursuing dance professionally until I was 18 and in college at Alvin Ailey/Fordham University. Now, I’m getting my masters in Dance to continue to support dancers and raise the standards and scholarships for artists pursuing a dance career. Learning my from my mother who owns a dance studio, my combination of administration in the arts with a professional career inspires my future. Being a former Miss Black USA, allows me to have a scholarship in my name to help performing artists who plan to Major in their artistic craft.

What does your company stand for?: Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) has proven over 50 years to prove that blacks can do ballet and in our time, it’s relevance is more important that ever. DTH not only performs on stages around the world and domestically but it’s outreach program allows children to have access to seeing ballet dancers, and dancers of color at that. My company allows the youth to dream about conquering whatever it is they plan to achieve. After the passing of our founder Arthur Mitchell, who was the first black principal dancer with New York City Ballet, DTH continues to push boundaries in ballet and art. I am so proud to be apart of the legacy of this company.

How do you create the life you want?: I’m a big believer in knowing that everything happens for a reason. I am deeply rooted in faith knowing God has my back and always provides, therefore, the powers that be allows me to live a life I wish to create. I believe in celebrating God's beauty here on earth by traveling, learning, growing and seeing what life has to offer.

What makes you HUMAN?: My vulnerability. As an artist, I am strong, yet sensitive to life’s ups and downs. Yet, knowing they are part of my growth allows me to fully express every aspect of life.

What are three things your want people to know about self-love?: 1. Self love is a daily struggle and isn’t limited to pampering oneself. 

2. Self-Love is also about letting go doubts, fears and anything that holds us back. It’s one thing I continue to find as a challenge. 

3. Self-love is a mindset, a lifestyle almost, about eating, sleeping and praying right.

What's something we can incorporate today to start loving ourselves more?: One thing we can stop doing is letting comparison be a thief of joy. Social media is amazing but we shouldn’t use it to compare our life and journey. All my friends are getting engaged and I’m currently still single. That envious feeling is what can kill us inside, so we need to not always let outside things affect us.

What has been your own journey with self love?: My journey is still continuing to focus on living. My mother has cancer and my father has Parkinson’s disease. Both of these things are a reminder to keep self love mentally and physically. I serve my family and myself through my career, through breaks and trips, financial wellness and exploring my artistry through graduate school and surrounding myself with like minded people.

Leave an affirmation for readers.....: What is for you won’t pass you by —Mom

Email Address: Daphmlee@gmail.com

Website: http://www.daphnemlee.com

Social media handles?: Instagram @daphne732

Facebook: Daphne M Lee

Any books or apps recommendations?: “Stronger than my struggle” bun Havilah Cunnington

Adjust your crown with a smile!

Intentionality is everything and when your t-shirt business affirms you during your time of loss, you heal. In a time of loss, Nitra Love of Atlanta, GA released her feelings on motivational tees. With the idea of PUSH THROUGH being a personal mantra, Nitra is about hard work and making it happen. It’s hard to go through life feeling like you’re not good enough. It’s not a healthy way to live. We love that this queen recognizes that the hidden traumas can prevent you from living a fulfilled life. Even more self-doubt kills your soul. We are learning that the secret to self-love is digging up our dirt and facing it head on. The Miss Intentional brand is bold, loud and inspiring. This t-shirt line gives a voice to those who want to live a purposeful and intentional life. We can tell by her book recommendations: Luviee, I’m Judging You, Jennifer Lewis, The Mother of Black Hollywood and Mike Epps, Unsuccessful Thug that Nitra has taken a “loss” and turned it into wins. Simply put, sometimes we all need to reclaim our worth, combat negative thoughts and make a change. We’d like to introduce you to the Queen of adjusting your crown with a smile! 

What inspired you to start your business? What motivates you to keep going?: My inspiration came at a time of loss. Loss identity to a horrible relationship and abuse. My ahaaa moment came when reading my own reviews left by clients as a hairstylist. With many praises and accolades for being da bomb stylist, so perfect and prompt, I accepted the fact that all was well on the outside but I felt like crap on the inside...everything in my life was not okay and I was tired of being broken. I started creating custom T-shirts really, for myself. Meaning, the messages were things that I needed to see in order to get me through. I needed uplifting so I put inspiration messages front and center. I didn’t want to talk so I wrote out my thoughts purposely and put them on tees for the world to see. Sort of like an inside cry. I was working from the inside out and everything in me needed to be released. This endeavor has helped me heal.

What does your company stand for?: My company stands for intentionality, freedom of expression, creativity and thought. My company stands for individuality, sisterhood and love. My company stands for the underdogs who want to speak but cower in fear of judgment. My company stand for me and all that I’ve been through. Miss.Intentional is more than just a name. Miss. Intentional is the Sasha Fierce of my ego.. she's bold, brave, says and do whatever she wants, intentionally without regrets. I love Miss.Intentional. I love what I do. I was born to create and cultivate relationships on many different diverse levels. My company is indicative of the trophies that I never won. 

Miss. Congeniality.. NO 

Miss. Most likely to succeed..NO 

Miss. America... NO

Miss. Intentional.... Absolutely!

I will take that and run with it any day.

How do you create the life you want?: I create the life that I want by never giving up. I’ve worked hard everyday day of my existence to survive... not only to survive but thrive. It’s hard being me heck it's hard being a woman period. But I learned early on the value of hard work, determination and perseverance. By all means necessary, PUSH THROUGH.

What makes you HUMAN?: The air that I breathe and the constant beat of my heart. Being HUMAN is only one aspect of being alive. The resilience of my SPIRIT is what keeps me here.

What are three things your want people to know about self-love?: As with all things self-love is a process and there is no blueprint to achieving it. As with all processes its forever changing. For me, the journey to self love has been through self acceptance. Accepting my imperfections, acknowledging hidden traumas and finally being to realize that I am okay just the way God made me.. “black and ugly as ever HOWEVER !!!!” I want people to know that the journey to self love is a process, own it, cultivate it, bend with it and get through it.

What's something we can incorporate today to start loving ourselves more?: We can incorporate a daily mantra. Mine has always been “I’m the biggest superstar that I know!” It has helped me channel more positive energy back to me. Self doubt is a killer but there are ways to combat negative thoughts.. simply put, learn to adjust your own crown.

What has been your own journey with self love?: My journey has been a lifelong process of never feeling good enough. Reclaiming my worth has given me the confidence to speak aloud as opposed to just writing or “putting it on a tee”. My journey had consisted of just living life... nothing special except owning the definition of being intentional and purposely redirecting all the love that I gave so freely away back to me.

Leave an affirmation for readers.....: LOOK GOOD. FEEL GOOD. BE DIFFERENT. BE YOU.

- MISS.INTENT.

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Email Address: nitralove@missintetional.com

Website: http://www.missintentional.com

Social media handles?: IG:@miss_intentional

Any books or apps recommendations?: Jennifer Lewis, Mother of Black Hollywood

Luviee,I’m Judging You

Mike Epps, Unsuccessful Thug

With the way life plays out, there are a lot of out of control things that are simply out of our control!

With the way life plays out, there are a lot of out of control things that are simply out of our control. Fortunately, there will always be one essential factor that we can have the sole power of: our energy. Robin White, also known as Robin the Reiki, is an incredible woman who balances several roles while based in Atlanta, Georgia. Energy healer. Yoga coach. Tireless humanitarian. You go girl. Robin created her business with determination to empower the people of her community to start pursuing a sustainability, healthy lifestyle. Her company, Robin the Reiki, stands for embracing the ability that everyone has to restore what has always been theirs: good, good energy. The journey with self-love starts when you courageously decide to listen to yourself and your own intuition! Don’t be afraid; you’ll be surprised with how much you like what you have to say. Interested in learning more about healing your energy? Robin recommends the read, “Healing Harmony and Hopefulness - 7 Effective Ways in Healing Energy” by LaTonia and Titus Mathis. We are grateful for your generous and wise healing, Robin. We’d like to introduce you to Robin, Queen of Good Energy!

What inspired you to start your business? What motivates you to keep going?: I got exhausted with the lack of cultural diversity in corporate America. I wanted to heal and help my people live healthy and build empires with sustainability.

What does your company stand for?: We all have the ability to heal and restore when we are ready

How do you create the life you want?: I am a big fan of the universe and I trust the processes and that little voice in my head even when it doesn't feel the most secure.

What makes you HUMAN?: I get pissed off. I don't always wanna be love light and peace but I am a representative of recovery and development and not the perfect person. I am complicated and weird as fuck.

What are three things your want people to know about self-love?: You can't love yourself without exercising empathy for yourself. We are all under personal reprogramming. Take your time. Do what you need to do. It's scary to be afraid, don't be paralyzed by Tuesday fear. Move within it

What's something we can incorporate today to start loving ourselves more?: Moments of solitude. I have a day called manifestation Monday where I cut the outside world off, sleep, plan whatever it is mine. I worry about me and my goals. Be alone and be unafraid to hear your own thoughts.

What has been your own journey with self love?: Everybody can't go. Understanding everyone isn't on the path. And finding your way towards forgiveness begins with self. 

Leave an affirmation for readers.....: Be unafraid to hear your own thoughts and value them more than others.

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Email Address: robin.artnfashion@gmail.com

Social media handles?: Robinthereiki on Instagram and Facebook

Any books or apps recommendations?: The alchemist Paulo Cohelo

Healing Harmony and hopefulness- 7 effective ways in energy healing by latonia & Titus Mathis / Spotify - Binuaral Beats

It’s true that you’re never fully dressed without a smile!

It’s true that you’re never fully dressed without a smile, but it’s also crucial that you’ve got an actual style for yourself. Regardless of your field, you’ll feel your absolute best when you look your best! Reiko Foster, an educator-turned-stylist based in Houston, loved to dress up for the classroom. The teaching veteran is now empowering and encouraging other teachers to discover their own fashion while they take on the timeless job of educating our future. Reiko wants her clients to send messages to the world without even saying a word; she refers to wardrobe as a form of self-care, and we can all imagine how much educators need to embrace that! Deciding how to present yourself is a factor we fortunately have control over; might as well make it incredible, ya know? When Reiko’s not styling educators or speaking at conferences, she’s tuned in to one of her favorite podcasts, “Gettin’ Grown”. We admire your fashionable and scholarly eye, Reiko. We are excited for you to meet Reiko, Queen of Stylish Studies!

 What inspired you to start your business? What motivates you to keep going?: I’ve been a Style and Family blogger for years all while being a teacher for over 16 years. A little under 2 years ago, I began sharing what I was wearing to work via my Instagram Stories. I began receiving messages from teachers and simply working professionals that they were getting inspired to make dressing for work more fun. That’s when I decided to write an E-Style workbook, “How To Avoid the Dreaded Teacher Uniform.” My goal is to inspire women to invest in their work wardrobe as a form of self-care. Teachers are especially the worst when it comes to self-care. You’re taught in the education field that if you don’t work yourself to death and look like you’ve been at home checking papers all day that you are not dedicated. I was in the classroom for over 16 years and I’ve seen first hand how honoring my style even in the classroom has helped me to invest in myself. Students love it but honestly, you will grow to love it to. Getting dressed everyday is one of the very few things we can control in life.

What does your company stand for?: My brand as a whole is about empowering the everyday woman to find style as a way to communicate to the world without saying a word. I’m a mom. I’m a wife. I’m a working woman. I’m an entrepreneur. I’m all these things and investing in things that work for my body and spirit doesn’t have to be sacrificed while doing it all. That’s what you get when you purchase my E-Style workbook or follow me on social media or bump into me on the street or book me for a speaking engagement.

How do you create the life you want?: That, for me, is an ongoing process. It changes but what I am learning is to create rules that work for me. What works for one person may not work for me. It’s about finding a rhythm. I’m still in the process of finding it. Right now that looks like me writing tasks down and checking them off day by day.

 What makes you HUMAN?: My bank account makes me human! Working on that generational wealth is not a game! Lol! The disagreements I have with loved ones make me human. Being a mom makes me human. Being flawed makes me human. 

What are three things your want people to know about self-love?: 1. Self- care is self love and doesn’t always mean a spa day or nail appointment. It could mean unfollowing someone whose posts trigger you or it could mean binge watching your favorite show even though you have something else more pressing to do. 

2. Distancing yourself from toxic people even if they have the same DNA or if you’ve been friends with them for years can be self-love. 

3. Self-love is not being so hard on yourself.

What's something we can incorporate today to start loving ourselves more?: Book a doctor’s appointment to get a general physical. Simple yet something most of us avoid doing.

What has been your own journey with self love?: I am harder on myself than anyone could be. That has been something I have been working on. I used to get disappointed in myself a lot if things didn’t go according “to plan.” Then I would look around and see that I am actually blessed and there are people all around me who have more challenging lives. It made me become more grateful. I remember a few years ago, somebody from church, reminded me that I had a lisp. (Yes girl, on church grounds.) I have always known that about myself but I never let it affect how I interacted with people. I let that one moment make me “hide” from public speaking whenever possible. Then I was reminded of God’s grace when I realized that somebody didn’t wake up that morning. That was the day that I started doing live videos and started sharing my morning outfits via Instagram stories.

Leave an affirmation for readers.....: Be your own competition. I try very hard not to measure my path based on the size of someone else’s shoes.

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Email Address: Reikogfoster@gmail.com

Website: http://reikofoster.com

Social media handles?: Instagram: @reikofoster on Instagram 

Facebook: Reiko Foster- God’s Favorite Shoes (@reikofosteronline )

Any books or apps recommendations?: Not any apps or books but I do have some favorite podcasts that keep me giggling throughout the week. 

1. The Gettin’ Grown podcast- all about adulting 

2 How Married Are You? - All the things. All the things!

3. Ratchet & Respectable- Demetrius Lucas says all the things that brown girls think.

Life should be a wonderfully crafted!

Life should be a wonderfully crafted combination of daring elements, fulfilling work, and appropriately-spiced moments. Life should be like...gumbo. Jenell Gilyard, owner of the magnificent Neon Gumbo Design Studio based in Denver, Colorado, thinks life should be as satisfying as your favorite bowl of comfort and nutrients. Jenell is using her creative services to empower dreamers and the brilliant businesses they have. Having her fair share of rough times, Jenell works to not only allow the space and freedom for her to evolve as a human, but offers the same to her clients. Her journey with self-love reminds her that life is transformative: regardless if it’s personal or professional matters, you are able to add, alter, and remove whatever doesn’t serve you. While she’s not whipping up a thrilling new branding plan for her clients, Jenell is making good use of the app “Simple Habit” (she recommends you do too!). Thank you for fulfilling our creative appetites, Jenell. We’d love to introduce you to Jenell, Queen of Design!

What inspired you to start your business? What motivates you to keep going?: My start happened as a circumstance of being laid-off. Then I wouldn't say it was divine timing, then I was 400 degrees of anger, confusion and sadness, oh but now, now I know it was divine timing. Since then, I've been at this for going on 11 years, and I must say the best part are my clients. Empowering them and their businesses is my biggest motivation to keep going, keep designing and to keep empowering!

What does your company stand for?: Neon Gumbo's culture is for the culture. Everything that I love I pour into my brand. It's an amalgamation of everything I've learned as a human, but also everything I've learned in the industry. It's bold, it's spicy, and it's just good!

How do you create the life you want?: Creating the life I want is always an ever-evolving thing. I'm 100% not who I was 11 years ago, and I am also not who I was 6 months ago. The basis for creating the life I really want is allowing myself the space to always change and evolve. My highest self and inner child deserve that space to go left if I want, when everyone is going right. Simply put, creating the life I want starts and ends with authenticity of self and freedom of self!

What makes you HUMAN?: Every flaw, every stretch mark, every single time I fell, and every time I got up. Every time I dimmed my light, but also every time I walked into a room with it on 100 watts. Duality makes me human, realizing it's okay to not always have your shit together, but pushing through anyway makes me human!

What are three things your want people to know about self-love?: 1. You deserve it. You are a brilliant being who deserves unconditional love, unconditional forgiveness, abundance and joy. 

2. There is no RIGHT way to do it. Your self-love rituals are all about you. It's your show. If self-love one day looks like a good masturbation session, then rub that shit out. If another day it looks like reading Abraham Hicks and meditating, DO THAT! Do what works for you.

3. DO IT AS OFTEN AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE! Self-love is transformative. It not only teaches you how to fall in love with yourself, but it will teach you how to fall in love with the collective all over again. It will open your eyes to things you've never seen before.

What's something we can incorporate today to start loving ourselves more?: Mirror work! Even if it's simply saying, "Hey J (that's my higher self, or Hey Jeanie Girl (meet my inner child, lol), you are beautiful and I love you, or just saying I love you!" All of it helps. Listen to your spirit, it knows exactly what it needs!

What has been your own journey with self love?: Man! That's a heavy one from being a survivor of sexual trauma to experiencing a Miscarriage, this journey has been stacked with situations that force me into it almost. And to be 100% transparent, I didn't realize how important it was until I had a miscarriage. There's so much that goes through your mind when you go through something like that, and a lot of those self-detracting thoughts are fueled by the loss. Whew, it has been a journey, and I'm all the more better for that journey.

Leave an affirmation for readers.....: Choose love over fear. You deserve the freedom that awaits you there.

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Email Address: info@neongumbostudio.com

Website: http://neongumbostudio.com

Social media handles?: @audculture / @neon.gumbo.studio

Any books or apps recommendations?: Apps: Simple Habit 

Books: Chameleon Aura and The Five Agreements

A key component to loving the skin you’re in is taking great care of that skin!

A key component to loving the skin you’re in is taking great care of that skin. In a world that’s becoming more green and clean conscious, the natural route is always an excellent path. Eight One Face + Body, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is an all-natural, gender-neutral company that stands for promoting healthier lifestyle choices, starting with the products you use for your skin. Temara Payton, the enriching owner of this brand, strives to be act as an agent of positive change in her community. She is using her brand to not only greatly improve the skin and health of others, but to build awareness and connections with those within her community. Temara’s biggest take on self-love? It’s a true gem: validate yourself before you allow others to validate you. Start where you are, and make a conscious effort to nourish yourself before you can bloom for the benefit of others. When she’s not mixing up miraculous skincare products, Temara is catching up on a few of her favorite books: “The Thing is..” by Alecia White, “The Esther Effect” by Arionna Anderson, and “Becoming” by our forever First Lady Michelle Obama. We are in awe of your natural craft, Temara. We’d like to introduce you to Temara, Queen of Skincare!

What inspired you to start your business? What motivates you to keep going?: I was inspired to start my business to be an agent of change in my community. How can All-Natural, gender neutral skin care perpetuate change? Well, the more people understand that our skin tells a story of our overall health the better! There are so many products on the market that include toxic ingredients creating issues with our skin and health and we need to know the cleaner, more effective alternatives. That’s what made me want to be a part of the solution so that’s what we do. I had skin care issues of all kinds for the first half of my life. Then I realized it was what I was putting in and on my body that was the problem, and the temporary fixes I was prescribed or given was not the solution. 

 What motivates me the most is the connections I make with our customers. The days I want to give up, there’s a dm or an email that testifies how our skincare is helping them or their loved one. 

Then there’s the woman who posts a selfie makeup-less, glowing and tags us. Or the man that testifies that they love our Body Bars and how they have improved their skin after shaving..that confidence is bigger than skincare. I can’t give up after that!

What does your company stand for?: Our company stands for awareness and the use of clean, quality ingredients in every product. We stand for community building and education of healthier living and clean skin care practices for our families we serve. 

We stand with and for women and girls especially those of color who want to start their own business or cultivate ideas and solutions.

How do you create the life you want?: I create the life I want by being able to control HOW I use my time. I am happier when I have time to nurture the passions and causes that are important to me. Also, being able to spend quality time with family and friends and not missing out on pivotal moments in loved ones life because I’m too engulfed in work is the life I want to lead. So in short balance.

What makes you HUMAN?: What makes me human is my ability to experience every emotion in a 10 minute span. Or maybe that’s entrepreneurship but it happens! I make mistakes and I’m imperfect and I get an attitude if I’m not properly fed. Lol! Being human to me is about identifying with the human experience and giving grace and support to others when needed.

(On Black) What are three things your want people to know about self-love?: Self love is a pre-requisite for any healthy relationship. Don’t expect anyone to validate you before you have validated you.

3. You have to practice it everyday. Love on you everyday. Someone else will forget, so we are responsible for ourselves first.

What's something we can incorporate today to start loving ourselves more?: First thing that comes to mind is be more kind to ourselves. Don’t rush or put unreasonable deadlines on things we can’t control, adding unnecessary pressure on ourselves.

Also, let go of comparison. They say comparison is the thief of joy. No one can do what you do the way you do, so don’t compare your skill or journey to anyone else’s.

What has been your own journey with self love?: My journey with self love began when I realized who I was. It was like seeing myself in the mirror for the first time. I became confident at my own table AND what I bring to the table. I had given up a lot of my power by waiting for people to validate me. I got tired of that. The second half of that was me putting more energy and time into others endeavors than my own. I will always help others but in order for me to help you, I have to help me first. I can’t ask people to do what I have to do for me. The moment that was revealed to me I was free. I practice self love daily, I check in with me. Some days are better than others but at least know I’m on the right path.

Leave an affirmation for readers.....: No one can do what you do, like you do, period.

Email Address: eightyonefaceandbody@gmail.com

Website: http://www.eightyonefaceandbody.com

Social media handles?: @eighty_one_face_and_body

@temarapayton

FB: Eighty One Face and Body

Temara Payton

Any books or apps recommendations?: The Thing is..by Alecia White 

The Esther Effect by Arionna Anderson 

Becoming- Michelle Obama

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Millennial Moms: Representation is essential in all fields of livelihood!

Representation is essential in all fields of livelihood. It’s especially essential that this representation is authentic, transparent, and enlightening in every form. Christine Carter, an incredible writer and global marketing strategist based in Baltimore, Maryland, has been using her successful career in marketing to serve as a leader to an audience completely relatable to her: Black millennials and millennial mom consumers. Christine is inspired by fellow mothers who strive everyday to thrive in both their work and home life, and she is committed to reducing the all-too familiar stress and hardships that comes with finding that balance. In addition to a bomb support system, self-love is crucial as well; being able to decide when to take a break for your own well-being is honestly non-negotiable. To practice growing self-love, Christine recommends reading, “The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook: A Proven Way to Accept Yourself, Build Inner Strength, and Thrive” by Christopher Germer and Kristen Neff. We love that you’ve taken your business and personal experience to pass along to the younger generation, Christine. We pray your gift keeps on giving. We’d love to introduce you to Christine, Queen of Marketing!

What inspired you to start your business? What motivates you to keep going?: My career in marketing started in 2006, when I was the director of marketing for a retailer in Baltimore. I enjoyed providing leadership to and advising the CEO, director of operations, and other stakeholders on effective communication strategies and messages so much, I decided to open a retail marketing firm. Over the years I’ve been labeled a thought leader because I’ve headlined workshops, seminars and panels, instructing, educating and inspiring organizations on successful marketing to black millennials and millennial mom consumers. I’ve also trained organizations on launching more effective and cost-efficient events and content to reach a millennial audience. This includes finding the right influencers for their brand.

I’m an advocate for working millennial moms because they are ME! I’m passionate about seeing my tribe represented in a positive light. I have the opportunity to promote us on some of the largest platforms in writing, like Forbes and TIME and I do feel pressure to clarify misconceptions and make sure I get it right. I’m motivated to tell the story of a generation, a gender and a race: our hopes, fears, challenges, everyday struggles and wins… and having someone listen to the story and made a positive impact as a result of the story.

What does your company stand for?: It may sound trite but Malcolm X once said, “The mother is the first teacher of the child. The message she gives that child, that child gives to the world.” I feel by giving working mothers positive, insightful content, I’m doing my part to reduce their stress, raise loving children and thus- change the world.

For example, brands assume that we’re selfish, entitled, and lazy. As mothers, we are often portrayed as women who want to be perfect. But that’s not it. In fact, we don’t like this idea of perfection. What we really want is a balance. Brands like Luvs get it. On some days we’ve got it all together and on other days we’re a mess. This resonates with us as consumers. I’m also proud of the advancements in technology that we’ve helped to create and spread. My generation is also reinvigorating the civil rights and women’s rights movements.

When I think about single Millennial Black women who are also moms, 30% of African American Millennial moms are the primary breadwinners in their homes, as compared to 19% of all Millennial moms. We’re facing so many obstacles and also have to think about how childcare expenses are widening the wealth gap. Childcare is often the second largest monthly expense after paying the mortgage or rent. I get to comment on our everyday struggles as black women. I want to tell the whole story so they don’t feel alone and frustrated, because that’s how women get depressed. I want people to listen to their stories. Even for readers who are not millennial moms of color, they may connect with the topics. They may listen to that story and choose to be a part of the solution. As long as I am representing us, building and improving on the narrative of women, I am doing something right.

How do you create the life you want?: My family and friends make it possible to live the life I want. They’re always willing to pick up and drop off children or watch kids for a few hours while I work or write an article. It is critical to have a good support system. The support system shouldn’t just be good, but should be customized to the mom. I am a single mom. My aunt is an excellent mother to her children so I knew she would be great for a support system for me. My aunt has managed to customize the care of my children to fit my lifestyle. For example, I am vegan and my aunt gives my kids healthy snacks. She drops off and picks up my children. She does that because she wants to support me. The support she gives me bleeds over into my professional life. 

I also hear due to household responsibilities moms have they have very little time for sponsorship and networking. I know what that feels like. That's why I created Mompreneur and Me events, which are inclusive parent and child-friendly networking events. Moms no longer need to feel guilty for wanting to focus on their career or for leaving their child to do so- their child is with them at the event and they're in a room with like-minded women. Plus the events are nationwide and free, which everyone loves. 

I also don’t have a strict work schedule and it is understood that family obligations come first. I understand not every mother is lucky enough to be in this position, and work-life balance is a far-fetched idea.I was once told independence is a spectrum, and the only way a mother can achieve true work-life balance is by relying on the help of others. This includes everyone in her circle, from her employer to partner to friends. I find the moms who are having challenges balancing work and life, are the ones who just can’t bring themselves to say anything to their circle other than, “I’m fine.” That’s easier said than done and even I struggle with that, but to balance your worlds, you’ve got to ask for- and accept- help.

What makes you HUMAN?: My children! Oprah once said that a mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself. My kids do that for me. I also do a lot of public speaking and professional development work for teenage girls and I’m so inspired by this next generation of passionate, self-confident #blackgirlmagic.

What are three things your want people to know about self-love?: Self-love is more important than self-care. The two concepts are not interchangeable. Self-love will take on various forms, grow, and look different than it did the day before.

What's something we can incorporate today to start loving ourselves more?: Moms can stop believing in the myth of work life balance. When I think of work/life balance, I think of having it all. I said on a recent podcast I did that the only way for a mom to have it all is to go to the store and buy a bottle of All detergent. There is no perfect work/life balance. There are times that you are not spending as much time with your kids for work, and there are times when your work is pushed to the side because you need to walk away from the company, recharge, practice self care and have time with your children. It always ebbs and flows.

What has been your own journey with self love?: I'm still working on loving myself. Over the past year I made it a point to focus to self-care, thinking the concepts were similar. They are not. This year I'm on a quest to figure out what it means to love me, because I am worthy of a deep love. Especially from myself.

Leave an affirmation for readers: I will surround myself with positive women who will help bring the best out in me.

Email Address: christine.michel.carter@gmail.com

Website: http://christinemichelcarter.com

Social media handles?: @cmichelcarter on Twitter and Instagram

Any books or apps recommendations?: The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook: A Proven Way to Accept Yourself, Build Inner Strength, and Thrive

How lovely is it when you look as good as you are on the inside?

How lovely is it when you look as good as you are on the inside? Hint: it’s pretty exhilarating. Styled by Charae, servicing proudly to the DFW area, stands for “freedom of self”; honoring your personal style is her thing! Charae Tucker, the fashionable and fearless founder, believes that everyone deserves to look and feel their best, regardless of their lifestyle. Empowerment is not only a feeling, but a look; Charae is committed to helping others discover their look that will enhance their pep in their step. Style and self-love makes an excellent duo; being intentional about what you want for your life plays a huge role in how you allow self-love to seep in. The same way you pick and choose what to cover your body in, choose how you want to love yourself. Self-love is always a beautiful look on you; we want to remind you to choose it everytime. Charae recommends these books on your personal journey to self-love: “You Are a Badass” by Jen Sincero, and “What Happens When Women Say Yes to God” by Lysa TerKeurst. We admire your dedication to making everyone look as worthy as they are, Charae. We’d love to introduce you to Charae Tucker, Queen of Style!

What inspired you to start your business? What motivates you to keep going?: I was inspired to start my business because everyone deserves to look and feel their best, no matter what their budget or lifestyle is. In the past, I dealt with low self-esteem and an unhealthy image of self, so I know how much what you see in the mirror effects what you think about yourself. While looking good on the outside is only one part of addressing those issues, it is an important one. Knowing that I'm able to help people see themselves in a way they never have or thought they would, motivates me to keep going. When people look good, they feel empowered to go accomplish their goals and own the day! Knowing that I have a part in that is an amazing feeling. 

What does your company stand for?: If I had to come up with one phrase, I'd say, "freedom of self." We live in a society where we are constantly bombarded with information and images on what we should look like or how we should dress. When we don't fit into that box, we can start to feel inadequate, even if it's only subconscious. At Styled by Charae, we stress PERSONAL style. What works for one individual, might not work for the next. We take time with each client to learn their lifestyle, personality and likes and dislikes, as it pertains to fashion & style. We want people to own who they are and look great doing it. 

How do you create the life you want?: Hmm, I'm still trying to create it. But the first step for me, was getting clear on what I want in life. You can't create something you don't have a vision of. Now that I know what I want, I am intentional about the decisions I make and the things I commit to. 

What makes you HUMAN?: What doesn't! Even though I'm an entrepreneur and get commended on taking a leap of faith all the time, the struggle is real! I still doubt myself at times and let fear get a hold of me more than I should. I'm also constantly trying to figure out how to balance growing a business, being a daughter, friend, working out, etc., the list goes on. I'm basically trying to figure out life like everyone else and trying to decrease the amount of mistakes along the way. 

(On Black) What are three things your want people to know about self-love?: 1. Be patient. A lot of the negative feelings we have about ourselves were developed over a period of time, so give yourself time to fall back in love with you. It's a process. 

2. Be intentional about identifying and removing the things and people in your life that are hindering you from loving yourself.  

3. It's amazing and once you start experiencing it, you start to live life differently. 

What's something we can incorporate today to start loving ourselves more?: Affirmations! It might feel weird at first and even pointless, but they work! Start with just one and say it to yourself in the mirror everyday or randomly throughout the day, as it comes to mind. 

What has been your own journey with self love?: I'm not sure there's enough space for my answer but I'll try! I think my journey of self love started before I even knew it had. But after a few counseling sessions I become privy to this concept of "self love." In hindsight, I was lacking in that department and that's what led to some of the decisions in my past. I realized that self love was beyond liking what I saw in the mirror or having high self-esteem. It was about valuing myself, my needs, aspirations, likes and dislikes. Once I began to really understand the value of those things and of myself, I started to make different decisions and live life differently. Self love is not about being selfish, it's about valuing yourself enough to not make sacrifices or decisions that will prove detrimental in the future. It can be as simple as not going out with friends because you're exhausted or as difficult as walking away from a toxic relationship that you've been in for years. Taking care of self, is loving self. 

Leave an affirmation for readers.....: I am a capable, confident, beautiful and anointed woman, walking in my purpose and I will not fail. 

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Email Address: info@styledbycharae.com 

Website: http://www.styledbycharae.com 

Social media handles?: IG: @styledbycharae 

Linkedin: Charae Tucker or Styled by Charae, LLC 

Any books or apps recommendations?: You are a Badass, Jen Sincero 

What Happens When Women Say Yes to God, Lysa TerKeurst 

Eternal Sunshine (app) 

Self-Love After Divorce (Guest Feature)

Allow us to introduce you to Caroline. After meeting Prince Charming, Caroline thought life and love had been fulfilled. However, after a rocky patch in her marriage, Caroline came to realize her dream had turned into a nightmare. A victim of an abusive husband, she fled to start her life anew. Broken by her mistreatment, it wasn’t until she uncovered the importance of herself and the need to love who she is did she start to turn her life around.

Photo Credit: CreateHerStock

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

There’s a preconceived idea that self-love is similar to selfishness, that it’s simply caring about what you want and disregarding others around you. Most importantly, that is something easy, done out of laziness.

Self-love takes work. Getting over those feelings of self-doubt and worthlessness is a mountain to climb. If you don’t feel deserving of love, it’s not possible to love yourself. Changing that mindset can be a difficult endeavor, but you come out the other side healthier and happier.

Self-love is also something that’s never complete, at least, that’s how I find it. There’s never a point where I feel ‘ok, now I’ve taken care of myself enough I can carry on’. Self-love is a continual process, something that becomes less or more important as we live of lives.

One opinion of self-love that I saw many people having is that it disregards our faults, that it’s an attempt to make us think we’re perfect. For me, self-love is the complete opposite. It’s a safe place to admit to your own shortcomings, free from damaging self-persecution. It’s where you can see your faults and accept them so you can move on and work on improving.

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

A good place to start is to look at your surroundings. Look at the people in your life and consider whether they add to your well-being, or take from it. Don’t feel guilty distancing yourself from those individuals.

No one has the right to a relationship with you, they must earn it. We make sure that bar is very low for the closest people in our lives, particularly our family, and rightfully so. However, if to save yourself you need to cut out toxic relationships, you should not feel ashamed to do so.

Something I found important was the importance of rest. In our day-to-day lives, it’s very easy to forget what rest really is. Whether it’s our constant connection to social media, and the emotional impact it has, or the incessant worries in the back of our minds (we should be working, we should be exercising, we shouldn’t be wasting time), we're never really resting.

Take time to disconnect yourself from these and spend time doing just nothing, it’s eye opening just how impactful it can be.

What has been your own journey with self love?:

My journey to self-love was a difficult one. I had married the man of my dreams at age 30 and we enjoyed almost 8 problem-free years together, however cracks started to appear at year 7.

He had recently been fired from his job, health issues were causing problems, things became a little difficult for us. While we had rough periods before, it wasn’t anything like this. Over time, he started to become resentful and angry, turning our household toxic. Most days he was aggressive and abusive, and I carried on as though it was fine. Deep down I think I believed I was deserving of this treatment.
It was my family who forced me to leave him, something I’m grateful they talked me into. Through a bitter divorce, my depression worsened. The days became long and lonely.

Thankfully I had a friend who understood what I was going through. She saw my problems were exacerbated by view of them. That the lack of respect of myself that I had in marriage carried on well after my divorce. She explained to me the importance of self-love, the need to disregard those doubtful fears and to celebrate that what made me happy.

It was through this discovery I came out of my shell. I threw myself into dating, and most importantly dating who I want to. I opened myself up to my friendship group, something that my fears of rejection and my lack of self-esteem previously stopped me from doing. I started to travel, and sometimes travel alone, something I never thought I was brave enough to do.

While I’m not exactly where I want to be right now, I’m far from that person I was a few years ago. I had always thought my self-worth was something that will eventually be given to me. It wasn’t until I realized it was something I give myself that I began to experience what I loved most.

Lucy, Guest Feature

Navigating through this life requires essential protection!

Navigating through this life requires essential protection: protection of your hair; protection of your mind, soul and body; and especially, protection of your skin. Vitamins, sunscreen and water will always do your body good, but natural skincare is an excellent step in the right, glowing direction. Ariella Beamon, an esthetician with a flourishing talent, is using her company, Looks Skin Studio, to teach the importance of practicing natural skincare. Looks Skin Studio, located in Plano, Texas, is using their excellent customer service to spread the good word of natural skincare, and the power that it truly holds. Ariella’s secret to gaining a true, natural glow? Personal mantras: encouraging your body to bloom everyday really does wonders! Ariella recommends to read “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho to stimulate your mind. We are in awe of your dazzling ways, Ariella. Your glow is only becoming brighter from here. We’d love to introduce you to Ariella, Queen of Glow!

What inspired you to start your business? What motivates you to keep going?: What motivated me to start my business, is a couple years ago while I was in esthetics school (originally just planned to do makeup professionally) my nine year old had a major eczema outbreak. His doctor wanted to put him on steroids. I respectfully declined and started doing gentle natural skincare services on him. As I watched his 

Skin transform, I was convinced there’s a need for more black natural skincare specialist. Knowing that I am able to change peoples lives by changing their skin motivates me. That alone pushes me to be great every time I touch someone’s face. 

What does your company stand for?: My company has many core values that set it apart; teaching the importance and power of natural skincare, educating everyone on the need to protect your skin from the skin, bringing awareness to the need of vitamins, and giving amazing customer service experiences every time! 

How do you create the life you want?: I am creating the life I want by being a mompreneur. Being a full time entrepreneur allows me to be more present for my husband and children. By making my passion my paycheck, I am creating the peace I need in life! 

What makes you HUMAN?: I am human because I am battling a rare disease. Having to deal with such has caused me to be more aware of my limitations. It’s also has brought me to a place where I understand I am not superwoman and I do need help.  

I am human because I make mistakes. I’m far from perfect but despite the obstacles I am determined to be great!  

I’m human because I wash loads of laundry and most times the clothes don’t make it back to drawers/dressers. 

(Put on Black) What are three things your want people to know about self-love?: Self love is necessary; don’t give yourself the short end of the stick. You deserve the whole pole!  

Self love is whatever you need in that moment; love yourself enough to drink more water, get your chakras balanced, read a book, etc. Whatever YOU need.  

Self love is not SELFISH; you can’t pour from a empty cup. Don’t fill bad for taking care of you. 

What's something we can incorporate today to start loving ourselves more?: Love yourself enough today by protecting your skin from the sun (esthetician life), take vitamins, drink hella water, disconnect from any negative energy, and smile! 

What has been your own journey with self love?: I struggled with loving the skin I am in. I would wake up two hours before any where I had to go, to do a full face. I was so worried about someone seeing my flaws. Until I started working on me. I started doing daily personal mantras to encourage me to love who I was. I focused more on what my body needed to create a natural glow. That has been a huge factor in me loving the skin I am and who I am. 

Leave an affirmation for readers.....: It’s okay to be you. Be authentic. People love you for who you are, not who you aren’t. 

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Email Address: looksbyarie@gmail.com 

Website: http://www.looksskinstudiollc.com 

Social media handles?: Instagram @LooksByArie 

2nd Instagram @LooksSkinStudio 

Facebook Page: Looks Skin Studio LLC 

Any books or apps recommendations?: Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho 

App: The Calm App (meditate sis!) 

How You Gone Win If You Ain’t Right Within?

The soulful and ever-so-relevant Lauryn Hill once said, “How you gone win if you ain’t right within?” We must admit...an excellent point was made. Soul On Purpose, thriving out of Baltimore, Maryland, is dedicated to bringing women of color what they are in dire need of: balance. Life is busy; with our energies being spent in several different directions, sometimes all you need is a little guidance. Tanefa Wallace, founder of Soul On Purpose, believes that guidance stems primarily from holistic self-care. During her journey to self-love, Tanefa constantly reminded herself to put herself first. Rather it was rain or shine, she was always ready to break it down to build it all up again; all while always keeping herself the priority. Soul on Purpose stands for women of color who want to strive in their own goals and dreams, and recognize the key component in being able to do so is starting by living positively for themselves. Tanefa’s book, “The Lies You Tell”, is a powerful 21-day devotional filled with affirmations and scriptures crafted to help guide women of color into feeling confident and secure in finding their divine purpose. We admire your soul, Tanefa. We’d love to introduce you to Tanefa Wallace, Queen of Purpose!

What inspired you to start your business? What motivates you to keep going?: Soul On Purpose was started because I saw so many women of color struggling to manage all that we are called to do. Mothers, moguls and young women making it count all need holistic self-care practice, assistance in finding and honing their purpose and making their mark. I fill that need with a three fold tact; with Reiki, Life Coaching and the books I write under The Write Way publishing imprint. 

What does your company stand for?: Soul On Purpose stands for women of color walking in their purpose and changing their world for the positive by starting with themselves. 

How do you create the life you want?: I create the life I want by having a positive outlook no matter what is happening around me. Meditation and prayer are central to my practice. I choose the things I do, the people I surround myself with, and the way I decorate my spaces, all with the life I want in mind. I also speak goodness and love to myself about myself and others. These things combined help me have a positive and abundant life! 

What makes you HUMAN?: What makes me HUMAN is my soul! The connection that I have to my soul enables me to have empathy and love for my fellow human souls and that to me is what humanity is. 

(Place on Black) What are three things your want people to know about self-love?: Self-love enables you to love others. Self-love sometimes looks like saying no. Self-love looks good on you because it shows others how to treat you. 

What's something we can incorporate today to start loving ourselves more?: I am a firm believer in affirmations and positive self talk. A lot of times we walk around being really down on ourselves and the inner voice we hear must be loving so that we can love ourselves fully. 

What has been your own journey with self love?: My own journey with self love has been so storied! As a young girl I was inundated with color struck comments and insults about my lips and my rotound behind. It seems like as a lighter skinned woman that wouldn’t be the case but imagine being called cracker girl or piss colored... The effects can be long lasting. I had damaged self-esteem and being molested added to that tearing down of my self-worth. I woke up one day realizing that I had been selling myself short! That made me look in the mirror and pour into myself what I liked about myself. I had to compliment myself. But I also had to forgive myself and those who hurt me to move on from the hurt and pain I was carrying with me. Along the way I was involved in many relationships that showed me where I was in my progress although they were painful in the midst of them, they taught me about myself and who I truly was once I was able to separate myself from the emotional entanglement and see things clearly. I used those experiences to teach me about myself and what I deserved and want in my life. Then I used prayer, scripture, meditation, reiki and affirmations were the tools I used to bring myself back from the brink. 

Leave an affirmation for readers.....: I am powerful beyond measure. 

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Email Address: Hello@TanefaWallace.com 

Website: http://TanefaWallace.com 

Social media handles?: @Soul_On_Purpose 

@WriteWayPub 

Any books or apps recommendations?: If there is any book I would recommend it would be mine! The Lies YounTell - A 21 Day Affirmation Journey Back to Your Truth. It’s a book of affirmations and scriptures that assist in refuting the lies we hold on to that are holding us back from being the Soul On Purpose we are meant to be. 

Confidence is a look that makes everyone of all shapes and sizes glow!

Confidence is a look that makes everyone of all shapes and sizes glow. That value of feeling good and looking better is available for everyone. Fattshirts, based in Dallas Texas, is a clothing line that is encouraging women to gain some well-deserved self-esteem. Lisa S, the fabulous owner of Fattshirts, is creating her dream life by working tirelessly towards her inspiring endeavors. While on her journey to self-love, Lisa realized that she can’t be a service to others unless she first serviced herself. By taking the time to making herself a priority whenever it’s most needed, Lisa is able to recharge and recommitt herself to one of her many purposes: empowering others. Fattshirts is a business that represents owning your body and having immense pride for the way that you were uniquely made. “The Life of Asil”, authored by the amazing Lisa herself, is the perfect read for any young women going through self-esteem issues and insecurities. We are pleased to introduce you to Lisa, Queen of Tees!

What inspired you to start your business? What motivates you to keep going?: I created my line of T Shirts to take the insult/stigma out of the word FAT. I am a plus model/content creator and have always been very assertive & confident however I know personally so many plus size women that are not. Many curvy women are super sensitive about the word FAT. I wanted to take the power back from others using the word FAT to degrade and belittle plus women. My shirts are trendy & provoking. My most popular seller is FAT&FLEWEDout taken from the urban term Flewed out. Meaning plus size ladies are fabulous and can be flown out as well. I love how people are loving the shirts and buying them because they like the quotes. The FAT and FLEXIBLE is also a big seller because so many plus size curvy women are active and workout so they really love that one. The shirts are empowering and encourages curvy women to kick up their self esteem. Doesn’t matter if you are a plus-size woman on a journey of better health, weight loss or self care, you should hold your head high and never lower your expectations for anyone.

What does your company stand for?: Fattshirts stands for empowering women size 12-26 to value themselves and know their worth. Love themselves and stand tall.

How do you create the life you want?: Every day I strive to be better than I was yesterday, I set out to learn something new every single day. Through reading or meeting someone new in my community. I am an entrepreneur so being social and getting my products to people is a essential part of my business. I also am a author of a teen book on self esteem The Life of Asil. Although my book is sold through Amazon and book fairs I don’t depend on that for others to find my book. I ask churches and schools can I come read excerpts from my book. I’m constantly spreading the word about my book. I use myself and love for fashion as a opportunity to sell my T-shirt’s. Being a entrepreneur is hard work much harder than working a traditional job but so rewarding. I have definitely created the life I want by not being boxed into a office or behind a desk somewhere. I am a people person and my skills are much better served in my community and encouraging younger women. Every day I thank God that he is letting me use my skills & talent with young women and being able to go to schools and speak. Definitely living the life I created.

What makes you HUMAN?: My compassion and desire to help women see their unique one of a kind beautiful. That may sound weird but through my years of modeling I can easily help women develop and play up their best assets. Sometimes women don’t realize how unique, different or blessed they are to have something on their body that they pay no attention to. I have a girlfriend that has amazing teeth and smile. She literally can show every tooth when she smiles. I said girl you light up a room with your smile you really should smile more and use it to your advantage. This advice has helped her land some wonderful bookings.

What are three things your want people to know about self-love?: Self Love is nine times out of ten something that had to be worked on. Men usually seem to be born with self love and know how to automatically put themselves first. Women are more you go first I will go last attitude. This has to change

1. If you don’t have self love start reading self help books.

2. As corny as this sounds look in a full length mirror and find something you love and appreciate about you. Your brain, your memory, your quick wit, your small waist, your hair texture, legs, feet it can be anything but start there. Appreciate what you were given by God.

3. Self Love can only be validated or given by you and the creator. The wonderful thing about it is once you discover it, you become confident and probably will not find yourself in a unhealthy relationship because you love yourself and know your self worth. It’s almost impossible to accept inferior treatment when you have self love.

What's something we can incorporate today to start loving ourselves more?: Honestly talking to my women as hard as it may be you have to end unfulfilling, draining situations and relationships. The weight of that off your mind and shoulders is self love. We as women carry around too much unnecessary problems of others.

What has been your own journey with self love?: I always add myself into anything I’m doing for others even if it’s my children. I use to run myself in the ground making sure everyone was happy around me. Literally until I was past exhaustion but there has to be a balance in life. God did not put us on this earth to be a footstool for anyone. As much as I love my family and children I have to give myself the time and attention to recharge my battery and know that a once a month massage and spa day is not a luxury but something I worked for and deserve. Also if I don’t give my self love I will not be good for my family.

Leave an affirmation for readers.....: I believe.....

That is my affirmation of 2019. I believe I can do anything with prayer and work. I believe anything is possible to turn around in your favor. I believe you are special and deserve Favor. This reminds me one of my T-shirt’s is FAT & FAVORED.

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Email Address: Lsrealsize@aol.com

Website: http://TheShoppingSlayer.com

Social media handles?: @TheShoppingSlayer

@denimpluslisa

Any books or apps recommendations?: The Life of Asil

Get this book for a teen in your life that may be having some body image, self esteem issues.

All Sarah Jakes books.

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The start of something beautiful always begins from the ground-up!

The start of something beautiful always begins from the ground-up: your roots. Roots are our essential foundation to creating your perfectly balanced and meaningful livelihood, but in order to bloom you must be willing to cater holistically and unconditionally to those roots. AMEDE HEALTH THROUGH WELLNESS, rooted in Pasadena, California, is a product line that is rejuvenating mental, physical and emotional health through a service of life coaching and holistic healing. Latia Youngblood, the incredible founder of this nurturing brand, wants everyone to know that “life is lifting”. You fall down; you lift yourself up. No matter how many times or how much it hurts, you always lift yourself back up. On Latia’s journey to self-love, Latia valued the importance of allowance; admitting to your feelings, so the healing path could be honest and authentic. It’s never easy facing your imperfections, but self-love comes when you’re able to graciously accept every single fiber of your being. AMEDE HEALTH THROUGH WELLNESS proudly stands as the foundation to building your best life; the roots that are destined blossom wonderfully. Latia recommends these two wonderful books from bell hooks, “Sisters of the Yams” and “All About Love”, to help nurture your roots. We are pleased to introduce you to Latia Youngblood, Queen of Holistic Health.

What inspired you to start your business? What motivates you to keep going?: I began my journey through health and wellness in 2009, attempting to heal myself naturally so that I could discontinue the usage of Western medicine after becoming ill from my second pregnancy. I had developed a heart condition that required medicines which did not allow me to be a hands on parent. I began to seek natural ways to live with my health oppose to masking it. I start studying apothecary, homeopathy and healing herbs. I became the go-to person for those seeking help to cure themselves naturally. After years of personal studying and numerous people using my home remedies, Améde was born. Through my love of healing others mind,body & soul, I am able to do what I love naturally. It does not feel like work to me. My motivation is to be able to show people that there is balance in life. Everything we need to cure us has been provided to us by Mother Earth. I am my own testimony. 

What does your company stand for?: AMÉDE HEALTH THROUGH WELLNESS is a mental, physical and emotional life rejuvenation service and product line that was birth from the roots of my ancestors, where using the methods of healing came from nature, before western medicine was created. The name Améde belongs to my great great great grandmother who was also the sister of American jazz pianist Jelly Roll Morton. She was illiterate, not knowing how to read or write. But her strength through life proved to carry her, allowing her to break barriers for herself in order to provide a better life for herself, her siblings and her children. This is also what my company stands for. Through the Holistic Health & Wellness Life Coaching, I provide the basic fundamentals needed to help others find their strength so that they may move forward as well. 

How do you create the life you want?: The creation of life starts with your mental health. Your mindset is the foundation of all things you manifest. I have taken it upon myself to surrender to happiness, no matter what the obstacle is. A gift my husband has given me. I don’t want/need much for myself or require much for others. This allows for me to be optimistic in the journey and path that’s forever changing with consistent growth. Through this, life makes sense. 

What makes you HUMAN?: I’ve questioned humanity a lot more lately. As I look around at those who were raised differently then how I was raised or those who seem to run with opinions rather then facts, I believe that sympathy and empathy are what keep me grounded. In raising two young men, I have to make sure that I find the fine line between the two and lead by example so that they are given the best opportunity in how to process life for what it is. This process is what keeps me humbled and human in the purest form. 

What are three things your want people to know about self-love?: Self-love is understanding that you are and will never be perfect, and that it’s okay.  Self-love is being honest with yourself, when you’re having bad days and allowing yourself to heal properly from them. Self-love is accepting your own silence and not being afraid of how loud your own silence can be. 

What's something we can incorporate today to start loving ourselves more?: Self-love is birth through self-acceptance. When you wake up in the morning, examine yourself fully. Call out your flaws and make note of them. The more that you ACCEPT yourself for yourself, the easier it becomes to love yourself for yourself. Today, wake up and tell each flaw how perfectly imperfect they are. It is through this process that you’ll learn the true meaning of self-love. 

What has been your own journey with self love?: In my younger years, I battled the idea of wanting to remain skinny. I had self-esteem issues that were given to me in the form of highly critical parenting. I spent a lot of time in self doubt and in fear of not being pretty enough, skinny enough or social enough. It was this mental state that lead me to having health issues over time. After the birth of my first son, I had stretch marks to go along with the unwanted weight that child-bearing gives you. Immediately I was fixated on losing the weight more then healing. However, during my 2nd pregnancy, I developed a major condition that jeopardized the life of my unborn child and myself. I remained thin but it was due to my illness. Mentally I began to heal. Within this process of mental healing, I began to accept who I was as an individual, a woman, a mother, a sister, a friend... a wife. It took for my husband to tell me that he knew I was hiding my tiger stripes (Stretch marks) and that he liked tigers, for me to really look in the mirror and start the process of REALLY loving myself. I began to love my curves that eventually developed and how naturally wild my hair was. I smiled more as I began to accept my big teeth that were passed down to me and how tall I was. I learned to love all of me piece-by-piece until it was overall. 

Leave an affirmation for readers.....: Life will forever be lifing. Make sure to enjoy the ride. Everyday will not be great. Everyday will not be happy. Everyday you will not smile. This is what makes you beautiful. It’s okay to be sad. It’s okay to feel lost and confused. It’s okay to have self doubt. It’s all part of the process. However, it is not okay to sit in that sorrow. Life is lifing. Every 24 hours you are given a new chance to start over. Take advantage. Tell yourself, I AM WORTH TODAY! I AM WORTH HAPPINESS. TODAY WILL BE GREAT! And move forward. 

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Email Address: Call_Me_Amede@gmail.com 

Website: 

Social media handles?: Instagram: Call_Me_Amede 

Any books or apps recommendations?: Books: SISTERS OF THE YAMS and ALL ABOUT LOVE by Bell Hooks. 

Beauty is found everywhere...

Beauty is found everywhere. In magazines, in movies, in the ever-growing social media platforms...most importantly, beauty is found in yourself. The Modeling Standard, based in Dallas, Texas, is committed to revealing to women how gorgeous they truly are, inside and out. DeAna Fierce, who is just as true to her last name as she is to her mission, navigated her own journey to self-love by listening to God’s truth rather than doubtful thoughts. DeAna was compelled to start The Modeling Standard to give women the opportunity to shine and recognize their undeniable worth, especially in a world where there are limited spaces that allow beauty inclusivity. The Modeling Standard stands for the one standard that is absolutely essential: the one you set for yourself. When she’s not reminding women of the treasure that they are, DeAna’s only growing more powerful by reading two of her favorite books, “The Power of Now”, by Eckhart Tolie, and “Unf*ck Yourself” by Gary John Bishop. We see you, DeAna. And we are loving what we see. We’re excited to introduce you to DeAna Fierce, Queen of Setting Standards.

What inspired you to start your business? What motivates you to keep going?: I started The Modeling Standard as a mission. A mission to change the way society views modeling to be only made for a certain 'type' of woman. I started my business to show the world that beauty and modeling skills are within every type of everyday woman. All they need is to be taught how to do it and given the opportunity to shine.

What does your company stand for?: The Modeling Standard stands in the place for women who are atypical, diverse and needing a place to go to learn how to pull all of their self-esteem out to the front and show themselves what they are made of. My company stands for what the standard really should be when we ask women to show up on camera and share a piece of themselves.

How do you create the life you want?: I create the life that I want by staying true to who I am and what I want in my life. I only have one life, it is my responsibility to make the best out of this one opportunity that I have. I do this by having daily affirmations, praying and truly showing up every day as DeAna.

What makes you HUMAN?: What makes me HUMAN is my outlook on life and how I see others. How I view other people is as a human being. Someone who has a story has a past and is on a current journey in their life, just like me. I see the world for what it is and I strive to make a positive impact versus sitting back and just watching or complaining about it.

(On Black) What are three things your want people to know about self-love?: Self- Love...

Starts from within. Self Love Is a golden ticket to a purposeful life.

Is the most valuable give you can ever give your whole life, don't cheat yourself.

What's something we can incorporate today to start loving ourselves more?: Better self talk. Changing the conversation between our ears. The one conversation that drives more doubt and fear than anyone else that is standing face to face ever could. It is all about the dialogue we have with ourselves that needs to change. Once we acknowledge that, connect it to what we feel of ourselves in our hearts THEN we can make huge strides to start loving ourselves the right way.

What has been your own journey with self love?: My journey with self-love is still one I am on today. I have struggled with self love since I was in middle school. I use to tell myself every day, that I was ugly because I had blemishes on my skin from acne breakouts. I would not leave the house without makeup. The dialogue in my head has been negative for many years. So negative that it made me create a life that I wasn't proud of because I was not fulfilling my purpose all because... of the voices in my head telling me I would fail or that I wasn't good enough. For the past 3 years, I started practicing more self-love and have pulled back the layers of who DeAna really is, what she stands for and I have started listening to the truths of who I am and who God made me to be and turned down the volume on the voices in my head.

Leave an affirmation for readers.....: Nothing has been stolen from me. What is meant for me, will be for me.

God has gone before me and has secured everything that he has assigned to me, no one will take it from me.

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Email Address: deanafierce@gmail.com

Website: http://themodelingstandard.com

Social media handles?: @deanafierce on Instagram

@thedeanafierce on Twitter

Any books or apps recommendations?: The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

Unfu*k Yourself by Gary John Bishop

Hair history in the black community has been proved to be a burden for many

Hair history in the black community has been proved to be a burden for many. Fortunately, it’s also been a blessing to many, many more. When it comes to turning pain into passion, Yakima Fernandez is using her business, Onyx Haircare, to turn her strength into an even stronger salary. It’s no wonder this Baton Rouge-based beauty is such an inspiration; she was able to take a dark time in her life and use that energy to create a beautiful product line, that will undoubtedly bring joy to Black women who want better for their hair. Turning lemons into lemonade...we are in awe of what you have accomplished. Thank you for turning your work into our light. We’d love to introduce you to Yakima, Queen of Strength!

What inspired you to start your business? What motivates you to keep going?: Being a single mom in Corporate America is tough. I’ve cried countless times because I’ve missed things at my children’s school or have had to sacrifice and explain to one why I couldn’t come to an event the same day another had an event at their school. My children motivate me. They have been my strength from the day I had my first.

What does your company stand for?: Onyx means strength. It came from a place of pain and manifested when I didn’t have a desire to live after losing my parents 10 months apart. God spoke to me at my lowest point and helped me transform that pain and negative energy into something beautiful, amazing and positive. He gave me the strength I needed in Onyx to go on.

How do you create the life you want?: I still work in Corporate America Monday-Friday so that I can get my business off the ground debt free. The money I make, takes care of home and Onyc. There is not one day that goes by that I don’t do something to get my business to place they will set me free financially. I am driven and motivated to live a life free of time clocks and having to punch in everyday.

What makes you HUMAN?: My heart for people. I’ve been told I am a light in dark places, kind, gentle, uplifting, motivating and so many other sweet adjectives. I take pride in being what I needed at the lowest point of my life. I am extremely filled after I encourage someone,

speak blessings over their lives and pray for their trials to dissipate.

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

Self love is a necessity

Self love allows you to be able to care for others around you

Self love is an outward reflection of what’s on the inside

What's something we can incorporate today to start loving ourselves more?: Taking time on a regular basis to do something that you love. Forget the world around you and do at least one thing you love once a week or once a month but definitely regularly. Turn off phones, place a hold on checking emails, read a good book, get a massage, manicure, pedicure, get your hair done, get dressed, speak positive affirmations to yourself through the mirror and anything else you enjoy. Make it a habit to do something often for just you.

What has been your own journey with self love?: For quite sometime I placed myself on the back burner simply because in my mind I wear too many hats to even think about myself. I recently began my journey to self love and it began with scheduling a therapy session for individual counseling. I now set aside time for true “me” time. My family knows to just let me be and it has been the best thing I’ve ever experienced. Self love has changed my life!

Are you living your best, healthy life?

Are you living your best, healthy life? Don’t go back and forth about this; go ahead and check out AJA Naturals, bomb products that will definitely have you feeling like a natural woman. Aja Walker-Rice, the founder of this incredible, all-natural, luxury self-care brand, believes that everyone deserves to access to self-care. What’s a better way to start with your skin? Inspired by nature and unwilling to compromise one’s health, Aja is using her brand to promote loving the skin you’re in by taking care of the skin you’re in. Be selective of what you allow into your body; it’s yours for the long-run, honey. We’d like to introduce you to the Aja, Queen of Self-Made Skin Care.

Where do you find inspiration to keep going and what inspired you to start your business?: My inspiration comes from a few places, namely: My family (I want want my children to know that working for oneself is a legit option, and they don’t need to help make someone else even richer to feel accomplished) & my passion & my drive (I just can not sit idly. I never could. I must be multitasking most of the time to truly feel that I’ve gotten the most out of my 24 hrs. Healthy & holistic living is my lifestyle & it’s ever evolving. Natural body care products helped to change my life for the better. Now, I don’t go a day without thinking of a new formulation or how I can approve upon one that’s already been created).

What does your company stand for?: All natural, Vegan (unless otherwise noted- we use Honey on occasion), luxury self care products that are affordable. Everyone deserves to have access to self care.

How do you create the life you want?: When I hear that question I’m always reminded of the saying, “How does one eat an elephant?” The answer: “One nite at a time.”

I work toward obtaining the life I want a little everyday.

What makes you HUMAN?: Me train of thought.

I have worries, self-doubt, fears...I just make a conscious effort every day to turn it all around & focus on the beauty that’s currently in my life & that, no doubt, is to come.

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Email Address: ajanaturals@gmail.com

Website: http://www.ajanaturals.com

Social media handles?: @ajanaturals

We all need those sweet, gentle reminders to love ourselves through all of life’s twists and turns

We all need those sweet, gentle reminders to love ourselves through all of life’s twists and turns. What better way to be reminded than to wear it? Iyana Laws, based in Lexington Park, Maryland, is using her Yoni Love waistbeads to encourage women to embrace body positivity and mindfulness. These waistbeads, strung together beautifully with meaningful beads and stones, are used to help women adore their body, all while stepping into a divine, feminine energy. Body jewelry to accompany your journey to self-love looks pretty powerful...and it feels even better. We’d love to introduce you to Iyana Laws, Queen of Good Energy!

What inspired you to start your business? What motivates you to keep going?: My business was born out of my own need for self care. After moving through miscarriage in 2016, protecting the womb space became very sacred to me. Making Waistbeads allows me to send healing to wombs across the country; healing my own by default.

What does your company stand for?: My company stands for self care. For self accountability. For sisterhood. For taking the reigns and designing your best life on your terms.

How do you create the life you want?: I’m constantly creating my best life by showing up authentically. By seeking out the lesson in each experience and connection. By reaching to the side of me and supporting those around me (in person and virtually). That’s what fulfills me.

What makes you HUMAN?: My flaws and the desire to constantly improve in spite of them makes me human.

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

Self love is:

•Honest

•Healing

•The well you draw from to pour into others

What's something we can incorporate today to start loving ourselves more?: Staying hydrated and breathing - deeply + intentionally.

What has been your own journey with self love?: My self love journey is ongoing. It involves me being gentle yet honest with myself. Acceptance is a huge part too. When you accept yourself, as you are and without excuse, it allows you to press forward with much less emotional baggage. To travel lighter.

Leave an affirmation for readers.....: “Self care teaches me that I can pour into myself just as much as I pour into others.” Alex Elle

Email Address: Theyonilove@gmail.com

Website:

Social media handles?: IG- @yoniLoveWaistbeads

FB- Yoni Love: Tools for Self Care

Any books or apps recommendations?:

Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukav

Today I Affirm by Alex Elle

Sacred Woman by Queen Afua

Home is when the clothes fit you just right, leaving you feel more than allllright.

Home is when the clothes fit you just right, leaving you feel more than allllright. Take the comfort of home with you by dressing yourself up in confidence and style. Erin Clark, founder of 2632 Lexington, cleverly named her company after the address of her childhood home, the place she familiarizes with comfort and love. Based in New Orleans, her company is encouraging women to be as extra and vibrant as they want with their clothing. The way you dress should be a statement of how you feel; feel confident and secure in any sense of fashion you chose is the best fit for you. Home is where the style is; find yours and embrace it proudly. We’d like to introduce you to Erin, Queen of Confident Clothing!

 What inspired you to start your business? What motivates you to keep going?: I was inspired by my greatest fear of coming up short to show my daughter that she could be more than a wife and a mother. She could move mountains if she wishes. I needed to be more for her so that when she gets older she can be more for herself, a lesson I learned later than I should have!

What does your company stand for?: My company is for women who are a basically extra! Lol! What that means is that they love comfort and simplicity, but will always jazz it up! What’s casual!? Clothing to make us feel confident whether we are on the go, with our children, or out on the town!

How do you create the life you want?: I don’t think that’s easy. I don’t want to create a life that I want, I can’t see the biggest picture— only God can see that. I want the life that leaves me fulfilled, a life that God intended for me. I will work hard and smart with what He gives me!

What makes you HUMAN?: My undying love for others even when they aren’t deserving; I’m not deserving. The fact that I have to remind myself that perfection isn’t attainable. Not being able to attain a perfect twist out so I cut all my hair off! Lol! The ability to look in the mirror and not love all of my flaws but accept them with a smile because I am perfectly imperfect.

What are three things your want people to know about self-love?: It’s possible.

Perfection isn’t attainable.

Love yourself more than anyone else because that love will push you to do amazing things.

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

Acceptance and will power to change the things we don’t like.

What has been your own journey with self love?: My journey has never been easy, but I’m strong because of it. Being dark skinned was very hard growing up. I was called everything but a child of God! I have amazing parents that made me know my beauty inside and out. My confidence didn’t come without struggle or tears. Words hurt, you keep them with you. Prayer works, figuring out who you are besides what you look like works, being kind and being loved because of your heart works! That’s in short.

Leave an affirmation for readers.....: I affirm that over all things I will live my life to make myself proud, fulfilled, and at peace.

Email Address: erine_clark@yahoo.com

Website: http://www.twentysixthirtytwo.com

Social media handles?: @wear.2632

@erin_elise

Any books or apps recommendations?: Books: The Five Love Languages

The Alchemist

Toners and scrubs and all essential things...these are a few of our favorite greens.

Toners and scrubs and all essential things...these are a few of our favorite greens. Going green is a bomb movement to be apart of, and 103 Collection is a magical brand that’s perfect to start experimenting with! Based in Schereville, Indiana, Melinda Herron started this brand when she was looking to live a healthier, more conscious lifestyle. What better way to start than with your roots? Literally, roots; Melinda and her husband began to craft plant-based products to help treat allergic reactions, skin conditions, and other irritating skin troubles that may have us feeling down. If you’re looking to get your skin on track, this brand is a lovely place to start! We’d love to introduce you to Melinda, Queen of Plant-Based Skincare!

What inspired you to start your business? What motivates you to keep going?: 103 Collection, founded by husband and wife Melinda & Delfondo Herron wanted to create a Conscious Lifestyle Brand for Men & Women. The passion behind 103 Collection was a direct connection between suffering from allergic reactions, chronic skin conditions and discovering

that many of the toxic ingredients in our everyday products were probably the triggers. We decided that we wanted to live a healthier life by using plant-based products. So we started mixing products in our kitchen. We not only wanted to create a unisex lifestyle brand that could appeal to a diverse mix of consumers, we also wanted to have a business to share and pass on to our three sons Donell, Daelon and Mekhi.

What does your company stand for?: We are a Conscious Lifestyle Brand that encourages plant based vegan products for people with sensitive skin, allergies, and skin conditions.

How do you create the life you want?: I've always dreamed big and worked hard. Since the age of 14, I've worked and invested in myself, because I knew I always wanted to be a success entrepreneur. I believe that you can always have the ambition to create but without faith, you don't trust that it will happen. I set goals and ask God to guide my steps to push me closer to success, and this journey may have hard lessons to be learned but I always find value in those setbacks.

What makes you HUMAN?: I am such an honest person and wear my emotions on my sleeve, so it's very hard for me to not show my emotions whether I'm happy or disappointed, but in those moments I say thank you or a quick prayer and move forward with faith. I make mistakes just like everyone else but I'm the girl keeps it moving.

Being a wife, mom, sister, cousin, and friend I celebrate life with each person that is breathes the same air as me. I am truly a giver and supporter and always offer myself as the person that steps up when help is needed.

What are three things your want people to know about self-love?: Without self-love you can't discover who you really are.

Self-love enlightens your sense of being a woman.

Discovering self-love provides you with a creative spirit in business and life.

What's something we can incorporate today to start loving ourselves more?: I think the most important factor of self-love is a women's intuition. If you feel like you need a personal day, take it. If you feel like your child is not telling the truth, believe it. If you feel that you and the hubby need a weekend get away, plan it. Self-love is very important for you but it's also important for those that you love dearly, because energy is transferable and when one discovers self-love, they understand that in order to love someone else you must love yourself first.

What has been your own journey with self love?: My journey to self love started in 3rd grade. I was called a nerd because I wore glasses and tested higher than the other students in the class. I tried my best to not cry in front of those kids so when I got home I cried like a baby. I couldn't understand why kids would make fun of me for being smart, but my mom quickly made me realize that those children were probably facing difficult situations at home and never accepted the possibility of being the smart kid in the class or even graduating college. That situation help me discover self-love and to never dim my light when I'm shining. I learned to love my glasses and my good grades, and when I graduated from college, I looked back on that day and realized that I could have let that moment set the tone for my life but I choose to love the person I was and 3 degrees later, I can definitely say my journey to self-love was all worth it.

Leave an affirmation for readers.....: When Get You Give, When You Learn You Teach ~ Maya Angelo

Email Address: info@103collection.com

Website: http://103collection.com

Social media handles?: IG, Facebook, Twitter @103collection

Any books or apps recommendations?: Fearless Faith + Hustle 21 Day Devotional by Arian Simone