Issue 2:The Art Issue

Budgeting For The Holidays

SUNSAMA DAILY

OPERATING SYSTEM

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INTRODUCING

GRL PWR LA

Looking for a supportive and empowering space for women? Look no further than Grl Pwr LA!

This women only group is devoted to helping each other grow and succeed. Whether you're looking for advice, collaboration, or just a group of like minded people to chat with, Grl Pwr LA is the perfect place for you. With a focus on personal and professional development, this group is perfect for anyone who wants to improve her life and reach their goals!

GRL PWR LA is a Nonprofit Organization based in Los Angeles for women 21+ that are eager to discover mentorship, pursue purpose driven careers, and a strong support system to support them along the way. The community is geared towards helping Women maintain a sense of community while fostering personal and professional development. They provide monthly events and services that help women grow personally and professionally. The events help women discover community and build connection while the mentorship club helps anyone seeking personal growth and accountability.

Grl Pwr LA believes in the power of sisterhood and Women coming together to support one another is a fundamental key to personal growth and success Their core values are community, diversity, purpose, inclusion and respect

Founder Catherine Parks stated” Grl Pwr L A is more than a community, Its a space where women can always feel welcome to come together to learn, grow, and reach their goals while feeling connected to a genuine sisterhood community While there are many opportunities to network in Los Angeles and professional self development events to attend, there is not a safe recurring space for women to form authentic friendships on an intimate more personal level A space where women can always feel welcome to come together to learn, grow, and reach their goals while feeling connected to a genuine sisterhood community Especially a community that is inclusive While Grl Pwr LA is created for every woman regardless of ethnicity, It is proven that there is a disparity among African American women receiving less access to resources to support their personal and professional development in inclusive settings Inclusivity has been proven to boost self esteem which is why Grl Pwr LA has had such a powerful impact”

ArtworkByChikovnaya

GRL PWR LA

Grl Pwr LA not only talks the talk they walk the walk, In 2020 Grl Pwr LA started “Self Care On Skid Row” to help unhoused citizens providing over 400 + Kits filled with essential items They sold out of their rooftop summer event series "Self Care in the Sky" back to back And this summer they have expanded their services with the launch of Grl Pwr LAMorning Mentorship Club to offer additional support

Just because Grl Pwr LA is in Los Angeles, that does not mean Women from all around the globe cannot join the community, “Outside of giving back, Grl Pwr LA hosts monthly events to help women who are looking to build authentic friendships. Whether you're new to LA or a born and raised Angeleno our events and services has the tools and resources you need to help you discover community while helping you feel supported and motivated to accomplish your goals along the way”.

Grl Pwr LA is rapidly climbing their way to the top as they continue to be allies and pillars of strength and friendship for the community. Learn More:

Location: Los Angeles, CA grlpwrla com Twitter grlpwrla Facebook Grlpwrla Instagram grlpwrla info@Grlpwrla com

Founder,Catherine Parks

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5 Ways To Improve Your Black Friday Sale

A wise Black woman once told me, if you ’ re early, you ’ re on time, if you ’ re on time, you ’ re late, and if you ’ re late, you ’ re downright… Well, use your wild imagination to complete the phrase. As pioneering business owners and CEOs, it is vital to stay ahead of the game and with two of the largest retail extravaganzas swiftly approaching, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, it’s time to plan to slam your sales.

Before the pandemic and consequential uptick in ecommerce activity, Black Friday was most popular in retail, while Cyber Monday was an online shopper’s paradise.

Issue

Written by Chelsi Glascoe Co Founder & COO Social Shifter LLC. Atlanta, GA Photography by Arekmalang

According to Adobe Analytics, last year in 2021, $10.7 billion was spent on Cyber Monday deals compared to the $8.9 billion spent on Black Friday offers. This indicates that today, customers crave the accessibility, speed, and convenience of buying online which means that whether you own a brick and mortar, digital business, or both, as a CEO you need to be there and be ready.

Checkout these brilliant sales event tactics that will prepare you to boost your business and maximize your sales:

Although Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the top performing sales events, this sales span consists of Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Super Sunday, and Cyber Monday. Here’s the tip: Instead of focusing on Black Friday and Cyber Monday alone, develop a five day sales campaign that takes advantage of the full Cyber Week. By creating a strategy for 5 Days of Deals, your business will nearly triple the opportunity for sales and leave your customers hungry for each moment of irresistible offers.

2. Grow and Nurture Your Mailing List

1. Develop a 5-Day Sales Campaign

Did you know that Black Friday and Cyber Monday are only two of the five day sales frenzy known as Cyber Week?

It is always the right time to build and grow your mailing list but, the weeks leading up to this major sales event is most important

Your email list provides an opportunity for you to give a special V.I.P. experience to your customers and bypass the iffy algorithm with special details sent directly to their inbox. During the 5 day sales event, be intentional about both creating and automating an email campaign that responds to your audience’s scarcity driven fears and F.O.M.O. or, Fear of Missing Out. The most profitable holiday sales campaigns create a sense of urgency that builds both anticipation and excitement.

3. Optimize Your Site and Socials

The shift to consumers preferring ecommerce to in person shopping is clear which means your digital presence and processes must be a priority. Focusing on your customers online user experience on both the desktop and mobile view is the key to keep them scrolling past the usual 1545 seconds. Ensure a smooth user experience by testing your tech and triple checking all call to actions and clickable links.

As you optimize your digital presence for sales, be mindful of the rising trend of mobile commerce (m commerce) which is conducting sales through handheld devices, and its’ offspring, social commerce which describes the process of seamless shopping through third party social media sites like Instagram or Facebook. Kick it up a notch by making your products and/or services available to shop on your socials.

4. Offer Steep Specials

During this highly anticipated extended weekend of deals, your potential customers are perusing your site for one thing, and one thing only, major sales! A consumer focused strategy is mindful of responding to this demand and must have competitive and compelling deals to stand out, especially amongst the major retailers.

Offering steep specials may be intimidating but, instead of focusing 100% on the immediate profit, direct your attention to the often overlooked benefits. By targeting new and old insatiable customers you increase brand equity, consumer awareness, and boost other quantifiable results such as social media fans and mailing list subscribers. Don’t think of the sales event as a get rich quick scheme, but rather employ this adage, “ you have to give a little, to gain a lot.”

5. Bullet-Proof Your Customer Experience

As you deliver the ultimate deals during Cyber Week, you can expect there to be an upsurge of customers and, as The Notorious B.I.G would caution, “Mo’ money, mo ’ problems.”

During your five day sales span common and sometimes unavoidable situations may arise such as an influx in inquiries or, a coupon code malfunction. To block any issues that would cause a slow in sales, plan to have a representative on standby who is ready to resolve any concerns quickly and easily. For an even smoother process, before the sales event, revisit your Standard Operating Procedures on how to handle key topics like website glitches and customer affairs.

A bullet proof customer experience means that although your business may be relishing in major sales, they still are treated like the main dish.

Major retailers typically dominate this Cyber Week sales event but, there is nothing but space and opportunity for an intelligent black woman in business to do a total takeover. With a focused niche and proper implementation of a sales strategy, your brand can stand out if you start now.

To Learn more about shifting your business with free branding and marketing visit: www.socialshifter.com

Chelsi Glascoe CO Founder & COO, Social Shifter LLC

Written By: Andrea Walker, Editor in chief The Bacon Magazine

M I M I H N S

Mimi Johnson is a celebrity Makeup Artist and Brand Architect with over 15 years of experience. She is the owner and CEO of The Glamatory Makeup Line & Grind Pretty. When she's not creating long lasting vegan makeup in the lab, she is fulfilling her duties as the Creative Director of Hype Hair Magazine

Mimi has worked with and been featured on major networks such as Bravo, VH1, Oxygen, WETV, Aspire, and Lifetime. Mimi has worked with celebrities from Angela Simmons, to Kenya Moore, to Da Brat, and she has been published in major publications such as Essence, E! News, The Knot, HYPE HAIR, Reader's Digest, Madamenoire, and Instyle

When I met Mimi, I marveled at her professionalism and poise She carried a quiet resilience as she commanded the room with her gentle demeanor.

I walked into the entrance of The Girl Cave LA, A popular black owned beauty supply in Inglewood, California, which was hosting a pop up shop to promote The Glamatory product line and was warmly welcomed by Mimi Johnson I was utterly blown away when I spoke with her about her business mindset, brand, journey, and path for the future. I knew she was an exceptional businesswoman before meeting her in person However, she has an undeniable light that can only be expressed when experienced

M I M I J O H N S O N

Mimi is kind and generous with the wealth of her knowledge I felt I could pick her brain all day; she is a person who "gets it," and she makes you feel comfortable by meeting you where you are She embodies advocacy for entrepreneurship, has exceptional business insight and creates resources for women in business. The Bacon Magazine had the pleasure of getting an exclusive interview from Mimi Johnson, and this is what she shared:

What inspired you to create The Galmatory?

Doing makeup for 15 years, I had so many women in my chair from different walks of life. Especially lots of busy professional women, and I wanted to create long lasting products that were inclusive of all shades, and I found myself mixing colors and creating my own shades all the time I thought it would be cool if I tested the colors I made on different skin tones, and it worked across the board Doing that was big for me. I wanted to ensure we offered great products that were also healthy to use. We don't have any harsh ingredients; our products are vegan. The idea was to create everyday products for everyday people

How do you want people to feel when they experience your products?

I want them to feel empowered, I want them to feel like themselves, and most importantly, I want them to feel good.

Did your business make any changes during or after the pandemic?

Absolutely! 2020 was a wild ride, right? For all of us! It had so many crazy twists and turns, but so many good things happened if you were optimistic and could find opportunities. I, personally, had a tough time. I had a brick and mortar in Atlanta, and it became a staple in Atlanta; we were open for five years, and when everything had to shut down, we could not do makeup, so we were losing revenue Our landlord did not care; they basically asked me, "did you get a loan" (laughs) I'm like, did you get a loan! I actually got some loan money, enough to break my lease. It was hard for me to lose my business, I felt like a failure, and everything I worked so hard for her was snatched away from me But once I got out of the slump (and it's hard to get out of a depression slump) but once I got out of it, I looked at the bright side I posted about the situation, and it impacted so many people Whether they got their makeup done, whether they were a makeup artist or a makeup artist I mentored and helped develop, I knew that I built something great, and I knew that I could build something else Once the brick and mortar shut down, I focused on pushing the makeup line more I saw the opportunity to focus on the e commerce side of things

T H E G L A M A T O R Y

M I M I J O H N S O N

What comes is a Grind Pretty Glam Box; what can makeup lovers look forward to when opting into a subscription?

I started Grind Pretty glam in 2017, and it happened very organically The questions from my client began to gravitate from beauty to business They wanted to know how I got my store, how I started a product line, and how did I build my clientele They began to ask those questions, along with inquiries about hosting things through my platform and my location.

It actually started as a blog site to share resources, and I thought to myself, I have a Rolodex of CEO women whether I've done their makeup directly or worked for their brand My next question was, how can I merge or bring that into what I'm trying to do?

I also had a lot of emerging brands that wanted to sell their products at my store, and that's when I realized I was not Sephora yet I don't have the Sephora money to host all these events at my store So I told myself, let's get creative The box was an experiment I asked myself, How can I help emerging brands while intertwining them with my established relationships? I thought, what if I had a prominent person or a prominent brand command this box, and bring in emerging female entrepreneurs here

That way, they can get a platform they usually wouldn't necessarily be able to afford or have been at work to do, so it was more of a PR campaign than me selling boxes. That's how it came; it was perfect; it launched before 2020, but when 2020 happened, everyone was at home, so they were excited to get things in the mail The experiment worked

T H E G L A M A T O R Y

M I M I

J O H N S O N

What is your favorite product on your line?

Hmm That's hard! It depends on my mood But it's the Lip Potions! The lip potions are our hero products What I learned during the pandemic, which I didn't know before, was how long lasting the lip potions were. People were wearing their masks, saying oh my God, my lip potion is not coming off My next video on social media was with a white mask; I rubbed the product from my mouth on the mask, it did not come off, and the product sold like crazy! (Laughs)

What is your secret to obtaining peace and joy? How do you manage balance?

Whew! That's a good question! Peace is a choice We often pray for peace, but honestly, it's a state of mind I had to learn that the work would always be there No matter what, there's always going to be something you must do Give yourself grace Take the break, sis! And try not to take things to heart; I believe stress and health problems often come from taking on too much at one time. Putting too much on myself is also my problem Even with this trip to LA, some things did not work out the way I expected them to, but God was like, sit your butt down and enjoy yourself because I am going to supply everything for you

What advice do you have for black women starting a business?

The key to starting a business is to begin You're not going to have it perfect I think many of us want things to be perfect We need to learn not to focus on the pretty bells and whistles. We often invest so much money into the aesthetic of those things, but we are not investing in the backbone and structure of our business The financial part is getting advisors and mentors in the other areas because we don't know everything

If you're already in business, you want to ask yourself, who do you want to be?

A founder or a CEO? A founder is a Google person; a founder will try to do everything on their own, but a CEO thinks about the business, and there's no emotional attachment to it I had a mentor and an accelerator ask me, do you want to be LeBron James, or do you want to be the guy in the skybox?

LeBron James is working super hard on the court, but this guy in the skybox put LeBron on the team because he put the team together. That's when I told myself that is exactly what I want to do; I want to put the team together

To learn more about Mimi Johnson visit: http://www mimijonline com

T H E G L A M A T O R Y

Mia "Mimi" Johnson, Founder CEO, The Glamatory, Grind Pretty

RVL WELLNESS CO

RVL Wellness Co. is all about elevating the mental well-being of Black women. RVL (pronounced re-vel) creates jigsaw puzzles designed to encourage and inspire

Black women to practice some muchneeded self-care. "RVL Wellness Co is on a mission to elevate the personal and professional well-being of Black women. Founder, Brittny Horne, understood the pressure on Black women to be booked and busy without prioritizing their wellness. So, RVL was created as a reminder to pause and enjoy an intended moment of calm through puzzling".

We had a moment to catch up with Brittny for an exclusive interview; let's dive in.

What common misconception in your industry needs to be set straight?

That puzzles are only for kids or our parents/grandparents. Many people don't realize that puzzles offer the same benefits as meditation in terms of lowering your heart rate and blood pressure. The focus that is required to both find and put the right pieces together helps you destress and can also bring a sense of calm. And who doesn't need that?

What drives your business? Lifestyle, Community, passion, or all the above?

All of the above! I am passionate about seeing Black women win. Growing up in this society that constantly tries to make us feel like we're not wanted or valued, I am on a mission to affirm the opposite. We deserve to see ourselves represented in a positive light. That's why all the artwork we've curated for our collection is created by Black female artists and depicts imagery that captures our beauty, wellbeing, and overall magic. We want to change the way Black women view puzzles and offer them a unique form of self-care they can practice every day.

If you could work with one business mogul, who would it be and why?

Issa Rae - number 1, she was the first person to tell stories that spoke directly to me and my life (shoutout to Awkward Black Girl). And from there, she has grown to be an unstoppable force. Knowing that no one believed in her vision at first, but she was able to keep going and create things on her own before finally getting the "yes" she deserved from HBO is so inspiring. And since then, she's been able to grow her own empire with multiple productions under her name. She's just Iconic.

How important is Community to you? Who's voice do you advocate for?

Community is everything to me. At RVL, we are creating a community specifically with Black women in mind. We want to cater to the unique struggles and lifestyles of Black women and create a safe space for us to feel seen, de-stress and practice mindfulness. Growing up, we weren't really taught the meaning of self-care or how to even put ourselves first. So often, Black women take care of everyone else before even thinking about themselves. We want to foster dialogue and provide tools and resources that help Black women find more balance in their busy lives and hopefully encourage those discussions with our daughters and future daughters.

To learn more about RVL Wellness Co, visit www.rvlwellness.com.

Founder, Brittny Horne RVL Wellness Co,

MARKETING MAYHEM

If you ' re going to do any marketing at all, it's imperative to understand why you ' re doing it and who you ' re doing it for. It's essential to remember that everything is about your audience and what's it for them, and you can only do that if you know who they are.

I'm going to give you 8 simple tips to help improve your marketing efforts so you can start attracting qualified buyers who love your products and services

Tip 1: Create Client Avatars

A client avatar, also sometimes called a client persona, represents writing and pictures of a sample customer in a specific stage of their buying journey and your marketing funnel You can better target the content you create, publish, and share with your ideal buyer by creating this profile

For example, you might find a stock picture of what you think your ideal buyer looks like in general. They might be female, 25 to 30 years old, interested in learning a specific skill to improve Draw that person to use that information every time you create more content or products

Tip 2: Understand Your Buyer's Intent

Part of understanding your buyer's journey is getting to know your buyer's intent. This means that you need to understand why they're consuming that content right now and what they want to accomplish.

For example, if your client is socializing on Instagram, they intend to socialize, not buy your product Knowing this fact, how will you communicate with them there about your product?

Tip 3: Know Where Your Buyers Hang Out

One way to learn more about your buyers' likes is to find out online and offline where they hang out When you know where they get their information, where they like to discuss that information, whom they surround themselves with, and what they're doing, you'll be able to be where they are with an offer to give them exactly what they want For example, if your buyers like to comment on a specific guru ' s blog posts, you wouldn't go there and start selling, but you might go there with an intelligent comment that piques the interest of the targeted buyer enough to click your profile and find out more

Tip 4: Know the Problems You Solve

The more you understand what your products and services really do in problem solving for your targeted buyers, the easier it will be to write copy that resonates with them

For example, you ' re not selling widgets, eBooks, or coaching you ' re selling time, freedom, security, or fun. The solution is what you ' re selling Marketing

Travel

Tip 5: Engage More with Your Audience

Find excuses to engage with your audience using chatbots, quizzes, assessments, and other interactive measures to get their attention Ensure that you are doing more than sharing information one way You should like, share, comment, and discuss things with your audience daily

For example, sell start up business coaching You can add a chatbot to your Facebook Messenger that quizzes interested parties about the type of coaching they need, and then the result will send them to a specific landing page with the product or service offer based on their needs

Tip 6: Listen to Your Audience

Set up alerts and pay close attention to the conversation about the niche, topic, you, or brand you didnt initiate You can gain incredible insight from observing these conversations

For example if you set up an alert for "special widgets " you sell but it may be a keyword for what others sell In this way, you can gain insight into your competitors and what attracts your audience to buy that special widget from that particular person You can also see what they're saying about you if you are the only one who sells that specific widget

Tip 7: Study Your Competition

Go to your competitors' sites and sign up for their email lists Buy some of their products and use some of their services This is the best way to get insight into your competition to improve your product and services and differentiate yourself

For example, when you sign up for a competitors mail list, pay close attention to the headlines they use, the type of cross promotions they do, how often they send emails, the language they use, and other information that help you make yours better

Tip 8: Build Community

Nothing is more powerful than building a community of fans buyers and potential buyers A strong community can overcome negative press or even similarities of products due to your personality

For example, you can set up a Facebook group that you use to start discussions about your niche, share information about the industry and promote your products and services through discussion engagement, and feedback

The more you can learn about your buyers, the more you'll be able to develop marketing strategies that resonate with them Take the time to be around your buyers and people with personality profiles like your buyers This will ensure that you always appeal to your target audience

AndreaWalker

Meet Wendy Medley an artist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, whose masterpieces are in high demand.

Wendy is an artist who takes your breath away Her art is refreshing, bold, edgy, and thought provoking. From portraits of John Basquiat, Diana Ross, and Beyoncé to puzzle pieces, caterpillars on the wall for children, and 3D and abstract art, Wendy does it all

We caught up with Wendy to learn more about how she paints pretty; here’s the scoop on what she said.

What is a common misconception in your industry that needs to be set straight?

One misconception that people have about artists is that “ we don’t have to deal with business or money in order to succeed”

Art is definitely about your passion, and being creative, but it’s also about numbers. Art is our business. We have to have business skills in order to get our art across to our future collectors So we have to be intentional about our signature styles. That’s what sets us a part from each other beyond our art. We have to understand our audience, as well as basic marketing and sales practices

How long have you been in business, and who do you specialize in serving?

I started Painting in 2017, but have been a full times artist for 4 years Currently, I specialize in creating art that typically services the African American community.

Butterfly Effect Blue $65 00 USD Inspired by the richness of black skin, this design incorporates a striking image of a Nubian woman with eyes covered by the outstretched wings of a blue winged member of the Rhopalocera suborder.

"Music is another thing I turn to for additional support and inspiration. Especially classical piano".

-WENDY MEDLEY

Where do you find inspiration when you don’t feel like showing up for yourself?

I find a lot of inspiration in nature and music. I love Being out near the water or near a lot of greenery That’s when I’m able to see and feel how creative God’s masterpieces are; and my mind will begin to warp its way into what I feel the need to create Music is another thing I turn To for additional support and inspiration Especially classical piano

What drives your business? Lifestyle, Community, passion, or all the above?

What drives my business is the need to be free Lol! I have Always been the “out of the box” type of person, and being an artist allows me to have the freedom to show up in my most raw and vulnerable self.

What made you pursue your career? At what point did you know “this was it” for you?

I started My art career after my divorce. I wanted to bring in additional income after going from a 2 person household to a 1 person household, so I started Off as an interior painter and paint designer I eventually begin to shift the paint from walls to canvases to try to figure out how to handle the emotions of my divorce in a healthy way I knew That art was it for me when I realized how relaxed and fulfilled I was after creating a piece. 2 years before I started painting, I prayed consistently for God to “position me”, so the more I created art, the more I felt that God was showing me that this was what I was Created to do

How do you overcome in business when you encounter dark moments in your personal life?

Art actually allows me to expel those bad feelings. A lot of my art reflect my dark moments. I have Pictures of me crying, screaming, or other images that are reflective to those down moods Ironically,

People tend to relate to those pictures more and they sell Many of my buyers are overcoming SOMETHING, so creating art that they can relate to have been beneficial to my business.

If you could work with one business mogul, who would it be and why?

Oh man! Oprah Winfrey would be the one business mogul I would want to work with. Her tenacious nature is admirable! She’s relentless, committed and the definition of extreme progression

Are there any communities, memberships, events, pop up shops, or conferences you ’ re involved in? Where can we expect to see you next?

I’m always doing sporadic events, but I always post them on my Instagram pages or my website. Where can you expect to see me next? Maybe on tv �� That you will have to wait and see Stay tuned

Branding With Briana

YOUarewhat makesyourbrand unique.

WrittenbyBrianaRoss

There are always two facets regarding people’s favoritism to particular literary work. Some like the book better, while some others prefer the big-screen adaptation.

I’ve noticed way too many times that the creative juices will flow freely in our businesses, but we oftentimes get held up being afraid of what people think. We struggle to show up, showcase our greatness, and sell our products or services, and because of this, we try to hang in the background full of what ifs instead of just taking the leap.

I want you to remember something; YOU are what makes your brand unique.

There’s no one like you, and it’s time to use this to your advantage.

Now, this does mean you may turn some people off, or some people may not vibe with you, but THAT’S OK. I believe in building brands that feel natural and attract the clients and customers we actually WANT to work with.

We must eliminate negative thoughts about what people think of us, embrace who we are, and walk authentically in that. It’s definitely easier said than done, but the feeling of being able to show up as you and build meaningful relationships is priceless.

I remember starting my business and feeling like I needed to be super polished and “perfect.” I hid my septum piercing, stopped experimenting with hair colors the way I used to, tried using my “work voice,” and only wanted to get on camera if I looked my absolute best.

Manal- Minimalist

Backpack $70

If you feel like you're carrying half of your belongings with you at all times, this backpack is for you! It has a spacious inside compartment (with a pocket for your laptop), and a hidden back pocket for safekeeping your most valuable items

Dakari One-Piece

Swimsuit $55

This one piece swimsuit for all figures will bring out your best features Enjoy the smooth fabric and the flattering design, and show it off by the sea or pool!

• 82% Polyester, 18% Spandex

BrandingWithBriana

That last one alone stopped me from showing up a lot because, let’s face it, I’m not the type of woman who does her makeup every day and gets dressed up to the T every day. I love women, but you may catch me one to two days out of the week with a cute outfit unless I have events, inperson meetings, etc. I enjoy being comfy. I typically walk around in leggings or shorts, with big curly hair, no makeup, and quite frankly, I look super basic most of the time. Of course, I enjoy getting glammed up occasionally, but I’m lovely with it sometimes.

Granted, my business DID grow in my season of feeling like I had to do things a certain way, but honestly, I felt something was missing. I felt like I wasn’t being my true authentic self. I’m a fun person, but my audience didn’t get that. I wanted my audience to feel more connected to who I am. I wanted them to get to know more layers of who I am.

Now I can blame this challenge on my professional background. I wasn’t allowed to have facial piercings; we had to speak in a certain manner and uphold a certain image. All businesses should have a standard, but as I began to understand my own business more, I learned that my standards were slightly different and a little more free-spirited, if you will.

Quick disclaimer, it’s essential to have clear brand values and understand the impact you want to have and how you want your audience to feel. This will allow you to outline your standards, whom you want to attract, and how you will serve them.

BrandingWithBriana

When working with my clients, they feel free, understood, and supported. They also love how they can be themselves and take their guard down.

I wanted my audience to feel the same way. This meant me peeling back a few of my layers and allowing my audience to see more of who Briana is.

So what did I do?

I started showing up how I wanted to show up. I stopped caring what people thought about me. Eventually, I even started wearing my septum ring down. Was it scary? HECK YES, and honestly, I did get mixed feedback.

Mostly everyone loved it, but some people thought I was going through some sort of stage, finding myself not even realizing that I’ve had this piercing for ten years now.

Looking back, I realize that so much contributed to how I presented myself online.

It was time to create my own rules It was strange at first and a little uncomfortable, but over time it got easier, and the connections I have been able to build with women online have been priceless.

Over the past few years, my audience has learned so much about me.

I feel like it brought us closer together. Simply by me not caring and allowing people to see more layers of me made them realize it’s okay to show more who they are and be unapologetic about it.

Now depending on the setting, you may get a more polished version of me. The beautiful thing is I can switch it up effortlessly, and embrace all of my layers while being confident about it.

I work with a range of entrepreneurs and business owners in industries including coaching, business consulting, HR, real estate, and so much more. It’s crazy to think that the same types of clients that I was afraid would no longer be attracted to my brand are the main ones who reach out to work with me because of my edginess and creativity.

I’ve coined a quote: “Create your own lane, and walk BOLDLY in it.”

Be you; no one else can do it like you.

You may not have tattoos or piercings but think about your gifts and how you make people feel.

How can you allow who you are to shine more through your brand? As you think about how you can peel back more of your layers and grow your business online, I want you to do three things for me:

01. 02.

Allow your audience to get to know you, the founder behind the brand. This doesn’t mean you have to share every detail of your life; instead, share more behind the scenes of business and even a little bit of your life outside of business. Take your audience on a journey, and let them see what goes into running and growing your business. Share fun facts about you or what you enjoy doing outside of business. What you’ll notice is that these areas end up being conversation starters. They make reaching out and conversing so much more natural. From there, you’ll learn more about what you have in common with your audience and create a more tailored approach to how you show up and serve them.

Get comfortable showing up on video, so your audience can get a feel for you. This is honestly my number one piece of advice. People feel more connected with videos and build connections faster than other types of content. If you’re a service provider, you should create videos sharing your expertise and helping your audience understand how your way of approaching things is different. If you have a product-based business, you should take a similar approach to things. It is slightly trickier. However, the best approach is to show how your products are used and highlight real customers. If you make your products, show your audience how your products are made, or you can share why you take a certain approach. Don’t overthink videos; just focus on showing up and giving value.

03.

Allow your light to shine! I know this sounds cliche, and I can’t help but sing This Little Light Of Mine in my head, but there’s truth to this song! Stop watering down who you are, embrace who you are, and know that new opportunities will always present themselves as you continue to show up in your business. I want you to start expecting good things in your business and know that you are capable of achieving the dreams that you fantasize about.

As you embrace a new optimistic season in life and business, create the content, document as much as possible, make time for yourself outside of business, and stop caring about what people will think of your amazing ideas.

You already know you have a lot to build your own table, so now it’s time to walk confidently in that and embrace the uniqueness you bring to your business.

Allow your light to shine! I know this sounds cliche, and I can’t help but sing This Little Light Of Mine in my head, but there’s truth to this song! Stop watering down who you are, embrace who you are, and know that new opportunities will always present themselves as you continue to show up in your business. I want you to start expecting good things in your business and know that you are capable of achieving the dreams that you fantasize about.

DISCLAIMER: This article is not written to diagnose narcissists It is not written to take the place of a licensed professional who specializes in diagnosing NPD and other anti social personalities The author is a certified narcissist abuse recovery coach The purpose of this feature is to bring awareness and highlight how common narcissist abuse is so that others can be informed and free

TrickOr Treat?

FiveSignsThatYouMayBe DatingANarcissist

Written By Shannon Savoy, Founder & CEO, Narc Free Living LLC.

Let’s get right into upfront…a narcissistic partner or spouse is blocking your bag A woman who brings home the bacon is a woman about business and being the best version of herself. She is emotionally intelligent, technically savvy, and runs her day to day affairs with character & integrity.

Narcissists love bomb as a method of trickery and treats to lure their victims into their web of lies. It is designed to overload the target’s senses. Dr. Amy Keller, Psy.D says, “it feels great when a new potential love interest begin “sexting” you or bombards you with texts, calls, and flowers.” The intent is to overwhelm with the “love hormone” oxytocin so that the victim lets their guards down and trusts the manipulator. Oxytocin is released when we believe we are “in love.” It is recognized for its ability to strengthen ties and bonds between two people

Narcissist abuse crosses all demographics, cultural lines, races, creed, and status. It is much more common than most people realize. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM Version 5, 2013) outlines nine fundamental criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). A person with NPD possesses at least five of the following nine criteria:

·Grandiose an exaggerated sense of self importance; expects to be recognized as superior

·An elevated sense of entitlement

·Innate thirst for excessive admiration (known as narcissistic supply)

·Preoccupation with fantasies of unlimited control, power, success, beauty, or ideal love

Believes they are “special” and unique & can only be understood by other special or high status people and organizations.

·Interpersonally exploitative; takes advantage of others for their gain.

·A lack of empathy; is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others.

·Envious and jealous of others; believes that others are envious of them.

·Shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes

Here are a few trick or treat signs in narcissistic relationships:

1.They are sweet and charming… initially.

Trick: Narcissists are masters of illusion. They get you to buy into their fake world of make believe and trickery It seems to start out as a love story The narcissist love bombs as they mirror you and seem very interested in you. They convey how special you are, how much they love you, and how the two of you are “perfect together” or “make a great team.” However, as soon as you upset or criticize them, you unknowingly cause narcissistic injury This injury occurs when their fragile, overinflated ego is bruised. The narcissist sees you as less than perfect or ideal and the devaluing phase begins. Once you are hooked, the abuse and devaluing ramps up and the discard is inevitably soon to come

Drs. Donald Dutton and Susan Painter posed a theory they referred to as “traumatic bonding.” “The theory explained that there are two features within abusive relationships that seem to strongly seal the emotional attachment that many victims have to their abuser: narcissistic outrage followed by “good” treatment”. This is also known as intermittent reinforcement.

The victim is trauma bonded to their abuser and the abuser uses gifts, flattery, affection, false promises to change, etc. The trauma bond or soul tie makes it harder to break free of an abusive relationship.

Treat Advice: Take your time to get to know someone Pay attention to how you feel and the signals that your body is telling you. Trust yourself. Address your feels of inadequacy and rejection so that you do not stay with someone out of fear or loneliness. Is your relationship built on secure love, control, or traumatic events?

2. Narcissists love talking about themselves and putting down others.

A true friend, family member, or significant other will genuinely be happy for you and express their happiness for your successes.

3. Narcissists are huge time wasters & energy vampires.

They purposely move the goal post to occupy and waste your time Narcissists, especially in the beginning, text, call, and direct message you excessively to get you used to the rush of oxytocin and dopamine Once you are successfully secured as an adequate source of supply, they begin to push and pull, waning between hot and cold This ensures that your thoughts, time, and resources revolve around keeping them happy.

Trick: Their favorite subject is talking about themselves, telling fabrications, and tall tales of where they are the victim or the hero. They do not like when the spotlight is on others, unless they can also gain credit for their achievement A narcissistic partner is inherently jealous. One of the ways they gain control over their victim is through putting them down and sabotaging your successes

Treat Advice: Pay attention to what occurs when you achieve a goal or an accomplishment Are they excited for you? Does the conversation dry up?

Advice: Take note of anyone who attempts to keep tabs on you, especially when you first meet them. Are you staying on top of your goals and life objectives?

4. One of the biggest traits of a narcissist is their inability to feel empathy for anyone outside of themselves.

Trick: Narcissists and those with high narcissistic traits have low, no, or cognitive empathy. They do not feel empathy, except when it comes to themselves

Cognitive empathy is when they mirror empathy they see in others

They do not truly feel it If you stick around long enough, you will notice that they do not possess the capacity to truly care about others. Anything they do is for a strategic, calculated purpose

Treat Advice: Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a well known clinical psychologist who specializes in NPD, says, “You can teach a narcissist to show up on time, but you can't train them to listen once they get there.” Narcissists may display empathy; they may even be “self aware” but this does not change who they fundamentally are at their core.

5. Lots of circular conversations that go nowhere.

Trick: High conflict people they thrive from chaos, discord, and confusion

Everything is about winning and winning at all costs. You’ll notice when you have a disagreement or even a simple discussion, you may walk away wondering what just happened? How did things escalate so quickly?

In a narcissist’s mind, their opinions are the only ones that matter They see those around them as extensions of themselves. When you attempt to hold them accountable, disagree, or just for no reason at all they do lots of “crazymaking” and gaslighting so that you feel like you are the crazy one.

Treat Advice: Are you able to convey your thoughts and ideas freely? Are you walking on eggshells to keep the peace? Disagreements and differences of opinion are normal in healthy relationships. Examine patterns Look at what they do, not what they say

TREAT

How to break free:

·Remember that love and abuse do not coexist.

·Build your A Team of therapists, coaches, and support groups who understand narcissist abuse

·Know that you are worthy and that you deserve better.

·Abuse is not only physical.

Emotional abuse is just as damaging as physical abuse.

·Sever the soul tie & trauma bond that was established.

·Understand that you cannot change a person

If you find yourself involved with a narcissist, albeit family, partner, or spouse, it is important to take your emotional, psychological, physical, financial, and spiritual health seriously. Narcissists may become self aware, however, they typically do not change. It is not about diagnosing a narcissist, or even about them at all. This is about you and healing from trauma

How does this person make you feel? Being in a relationship with someone who devalues, discards, projects, gaslights, and criticizes you, takes a toll on you in every way.

A narcissistic partner is contrary to everything boss businesswomen seek to achieve. It is not uncommon for high value women to find themselves in toxic relationships. Success does not mask and cannot take the place of inner healing and deliverance. The higher we climb the corporate and entrepreneurial ladders, the more we need to self reflect and set firm boundaries. Let’s break those chains!

Sources: DSM 5: https://psychiatry org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm Drs Donald Dutton and Susan Painter

Dr Ramani Durvasula

Dr Amy E Keller, PsyD, MFT https://www dramykellermft

ArtImitates EnhancesLife: TheIntersectionof Art&MentalHealth

Art has always been a powerful therapeutic tool that allows us to fully express ourselves without limitations. The National Museum of African American History and

Culture in Washington, DC memorializes the evolution of this Black artistic process over generations through its labyrinths of exhibits. It is breathtaking to see the numerous collections of painting, poetry, music and other creative expressions born out of the need to ‘stand out’ and not ‘fit in’ to any social constraints.

The top floor of the museum is dedicated to the modern-day contributions of musicians and artist and with unparallel excellence documents this fusion of how we as a people have endured our emotional pains through expressive and creative arts that provided catharsis for our soul.

Really Keeping It Real: Artists are increasingly using their platforms to break stigmas around mental health and present themselves as a more realistic role model by openly acknowledging their mental health struggles.

Recently, I attended a concert looking to detach from work and unwind. What I experienced was a mix of entertainment and mini-therapy sessions where each of the performers freely discussed their mental health struggles since the pandemic. They were all refreshingly honest and successfully highlighted the importance of taking care of our mental health. They repeated the message of encouragement to the audience to reach out and share mental and emotional struggles.

As a clinical psychotherapist, I truly appreciate the normalization of embracing positive mental health practices since mental and emotional wellbeing is mission critical in these difficult times.

I felt particularly pained by one performer who went directly into some very deep personal spaces about her self-doubts and insecurities. It seemed as if all her emotional pain was sitting right under the surface of her famous persona. My heart swelled as it does whenever I am in session with a client who is sharing that kind of emotional pain. I felt like I wanted to start a therapy session when I quickly realized that this was happening in front of an audience of thousands. What a place to be so vulnerable!

Written By Carole Davis MSW, LICSW Photo Credit Siriwannapat Photos

While I was worried for her and her ability to pull it together and carry on, she suddenly began singing with a powerhouse voice that can only come from the depth of undeniable pain. She used her platform as an artist to encourage her audience to drop the shame and stigma that holds us back and seek professional help to deal with life’s problems. Then, she masterfully demonstrated the healing power of fusing her pain with her gift to give release of that pain through her singing. As black women, we all have been there. The pain of what we have been through, what we continue to go through, sits right under the surface of what we must do daily at work and at home. We strap it down, dress it up, make it over and go out with a flair that makes it look easy to the untrained eye. Yet, we need to embrace the new public service messaging from many artists today which is to love yourself, get help with mental and emotional stress, and let go of the worry of what others think of you.

It is now cool to move from being apologetic about your existence, to being “Unapologetically Me”. With that comes a strength in finally, lovingly accepting ourselves for who we are and who are becoming. Allow yourself to sit with that thought and give yourself permission to let go of fears and embrace the woman who needs to express herself in ways that are authentic.

Earlier this week, I was similarly moved after a national news story showed the trailer release of Disney’s newest princess movie, The Little Mermaid.

The beautiful face of Halle Bailey appears on the screen and with doe-eyed longing, sings a few seconds with exquisite precision. Deeply moving. Yet, the story was about how brown girls were moved to tears watching the trailer for the first time. 4-, 5- and 6-year-old girls mesmerized by this new image before them saying “She looks like me!” “She’s brown like me!” Their reactions became viral on social media.

These beautiful brown little girls as young as 4 years old felt a connection to a beautiful brown girl on their tv screen. Maybe it made them think ‘If she looks like me, then maybe I can do big things too!"

Ms. Baily’s performance in that brief trailer is not just creative expression but is a release of exponential power through her artistic performance that has already captured the hearts and imaginations of millions of young black girls who now feel seen. And that’s just the trailer. For that impact, I am joyous beyond words. The next generation of young black girls will grow up looking for themselves in every place of importance and will walk into new places being the Halle Bailey for the ones behind them. THAT is the healing power of art.

Yet, the bigger (and heartbreaking) part of this story is that these little black girls were moved to tears. In their 4 short years of life, they have not seen themselves in these important roles and the early roots of painful invisibility have already taken root in their understanding of how they see themselves – or don’t see themselves - in in this world. Think about that. 4 year old girls moved to tears. It is a pain that must be addressed.

Whatever we set our hands to exponentially more powerful because who we are as Black women. There is an art and style to being a black woman that belongs uniquely to us. We are creators and shapers. It is a flair that stands out and influences every genre of expression, every aspect of culture and society. Even people who don’t like us want to be like us. That’s why Botox moved from being migraine medication to being a beauty treatment injected in lips. Always imitated, never duplicated. It’s ok. We get it. Imitation is a form of flattery. So, as the original influencers, lets continue to raise the bar higher.

Infuse and Use

Art is not just for the famous. It is an authentic expression of one’s inner self. It is another method of processing, expressing and the releasing (much like talk therapy) of pent-up energy and what comes out is exponentially more beautiful and more impactful than we ever could imagine. It not only changes your life, but the lives of everyone you encounter. With that said, allow me to challenge you in this moment to try this exponential power for yourself. What is your expressive/creative art form that you would use to process your emotions?

Don’t believe you have an artistic gift? Not all art is music or painting. Maybe you are naturally funny. Or you enjoy writing. Creating a sketch or monologue could help you process your thoughts and emotions. Maybe you enjoy poetry in written form or spoken word, podcasting. Or maybe there is a book in you waiting to be born. I challenge you to think of the things that you enjoy doing and ways you can share that expression with others. Once you’ve identified a gift of artistic expression as your vehicle, you can infuse that artistic gift with your most passionate emotions and use that art form to inspire and encourage others.

So, go back and look at that journal book you’ve been keeping with a fresh eye. It could be the next best-selling novel, selfhelp podcast or even screenplay. Ask the newly minted, Emmy winner, Quinta Brunson.

To learn more about Carole Davis please visit: www.mywellnesswarmline.com

Carole Davis, MSW, LICSW

MEET MACHEE KELLY CREATES Machee Machee

Machee is the Founder and Lead Designer at MacheeCreates.

Established in 2018, Machee Creates is a luminous creative brand specializing in art and stationery inspired by Black women, culture, and colors that evoke joy. The brand's product line includes art prints, greeting cards, enamel pins, stickers,bags,andnotebooks.

LET ME EXPLAIN!

By Jennifer J Jones, LMFT, PCIT (Parent Child Interaction) Certified Photos by Tiffany LeGrand

Have you ever been on the receiving end of this outdated adage? Have you been the giver?

I bet you were a child when you first heard these words I wonder if you can take a moment to remember how those words landed How did those words make you feel? What message or story did you form as a result?

When I imagine for myself and glean from the responses of many parents I have worked with, it is common for a child hearing these words to feel discouraged, intimidated, invisible and voiceless

The truth is children do need an explanation. They need age and developmentally appropriate explanations

Giving children an explanation has multiple short and long term benefits including increased compliance, increased communication skills and increased connectedness and joy in the parent child relationship. And you know what that means? Decreased stress for you, the parent or caregiving adult

By nature, parents are in a position of authority and power. We are bigger, stronger, and wiser. Our children are smaller, more vulnerable, and looking to us to nurture their physical, emotional and mental growth We are influencing our children, and we are afforded countless opportunities for teachable moments

POSTMODERN PAINTING. Stella alternately paints in oil and watercolor

“Because I said so.”

"Our children are smaller, more vulnerable, and looking to us to nurture their physical, emotional and mental growth".

Children are curious. Children, like adults, want to know why. From a developmental standpoint, this is something, if welcomed with delight enthusiasm, can shape their ability to communicate and receive directives For example, “It’s time to leave for school. Please put your socks and shoes on,” or, “I am making dinner plates now. Please sit at the table ” For an older child, they may know how to get their own socks and shoes, and an older child may know how to set the table It is important to provide age and developmentally appropriate commands unique to your child. When children feel they know how to do something well, or have mastered it, it boosts their self esteem, and fosters their ongoing development

Note the commands are given as a positive opposite. Instead of, “Don’t do this,” or, “Please stop that,” you want to tell your child what you do want them to do “When we get inside the store, please keep your body inside the cart,” or, “The couch is meant for relaxing Please sit on your bottom.” Let your child know what you expect instead of highlighting the behavior you are aversed to

Another way to boost your child’s self esteem is to provide choices For instance, “It’s lunch for time. Please wash your hands and then come to me in the kitchen.” When your child follows through, you will praise them for their compliance, and then offer two choices: peanut butter and jelly, or a turkey and cheese sandwich “You can have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or a turkey and cheese sandwich.” Follow that up with, “You made a good choice. Please sit down for lunch ” You can provide choices for toy selection, shows to watch, etc , always providing two choices you are comfortable with and know to be age and developmentally appropriate for your child. That is how you exercise your authority while still granting your child a sense of agency, as well

You will notice the examples stated are for essential tasks. So often parents who are overwhelmed give commands just for the sake of receiving help Children have a robust inner world that is best cultivated through play Asking them to grab the remote for us is not the best use of giving a directive. When children receive constant commands, they eventually tune us out and lose interest in engaging with us Save the commands for times when it is important for your child to comply, and children are more likely to comply.[i] If you want to enter their world and you can designate the time to get down on the floor and play or engage in special one on one time with your child for at least 5 minutes a day, please do! It can be something as simple as doing what is already built it into your routine (i e reading a book at bedtime, bath time, preparing dinner together, etc.). Again, make it work for you, and that will increase the chances of you being consistent and creating an enjoyable experience and memory

Once a child follows a command, praise is due. “Thank you for putting your socks and shoes on the first time I told you to. It makes our transition to school go smoothly,” or, “I’m so proud of you for setting the table so neatly so we can eat dinner together I love spending time with you at the table ” Doesn’t that just feel good?

You may be wondering how you will teach your child to respect you if they do not comply without an explanation Relationships require that we earn respect in relationships including those with our children. We earn respect by communicating clearly, modeling the behavior we want to see, and by acknowledging and appreciating their physical abilities and emotional and mental capacity as they grow and learn We do so by showing up consistently. We do so by offering ourselves as a supportive presence. Exasperating our children in our frustrations with adulting is an indicator we need to step back and take care of ourselves, not a sign to place more expectations on our children And what a gift to model self care to them.

By Jennifer J Jones, LMFT, (Parent Child Interaction) Certified

Photos by Tiffany LeGrand

“Speak life into your children and over your children.”

Finally, we circle back to this notion of being “ seen and not heard,” and the often unspoken or harshly spoken rule around staying out of grown folks’ business. Back in the day, you just “knew” to stay away But I’ve heard this new generation is children is different I may know a thing or two about that a a millennial parent Parents, we need to explain, and we must shift how we think about this to: It is best to explain. “We are having an adult conversation Please go in your room and play with your dollhouse for 15 minutes, and then I will join you ”

Speak life into your children and over your children. It only takes a few moments to give an explanation that has endless potential in shaping the overall development of your child and how they will exist in and navigate relationships for a lifetime Choose to explain Choose to use language that prioritizes compassion and connection That is what will give our children the courage to thrive.

Budgeting For The Holidays

WrittenbyAndreaWalker

Images

The holidays are a time to celebrate andgivethanks,buttheycanalsobea time when your bank account lets you down Instead of going into debt or feeling like you don't have enough money to spend on friends and family this holiday season, create a budget rightforyouwiththese5simplesteps.

1:First,decidehowmuchyouwantto spendintotal.

2:Then,createalistofallthepeople whowillbereceivinggiftsfromyouthis year.

3:Next,Considerwhateachpersonon yourlistwantsorneeds.

4:Lookforsalesanddiscountsat storeslikeTargetandCostco,which offergreatdealsoneverythingfrom toystofood.

5:Trytostayawayfromdepartment stores.Theseplaceschargetoomuch forclothing,jewelry,andhomedécor.

Abonustip:Shoplocal,shopfrom smallbusinesses,shoponline,andtake advantageofdiscountcodesand offers.

There's no better time to show your family and friends how much you care thanduringtheholidays Youcanshow themyourlovebygivingthemgiftsand spending time with them, but it doesn't havetocostmuchmoney.

Whatwillyoubeshoppingfortoday?

PhotoCredit:StudioDoresfromGetty

AndreaWalker Founder&CEO

HOW TO TURN YOUR HOBBY INTO A CREATIVE BUSINESS

WRITTEN BY ANDREA WALKER PHOTO CREDIT: ARIANA SMITH FROM CORLENS

If you're the type who loves spending your free time tinkering with creative projects, you might have thought about turning your hobby into a business After all, what could be better than getting paid to do something you love?

We all have that one thing we're passionate about that activity we enjoy so much we'd do it for free But what if we could get paid to do our hobby? Would our lives be full of eternal sunshine, rainbows, and pots of gold? It may sound too good to be true, but it is possible to turn your passion into a creative business here are a few tips on how to get started:

HOW TO TURN YOUR HOBBY INTO A CREATIVE BUSINESS

1. FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU'RE GOOD AT.

We all have our talents and skills. Some of us are better at some things than others. And that's okay! Figure out what you're good at and use it to your advantage. If you're a natural motivator, use your charm to inspire others. If you have a green thumb, put it to good use in the garden. If cooking is your thing, whip up something special for your friends and family. We all have something to offer, so find your niche and make the most of it. You may even surprise yourself with what you're capable of!

2. START SMALL

Don't quit your day job just yet! It would be best if you had time to get comfortable taking your hobby seriously and professionally. You also want to earn more with your hobby than you would at your job before you can think about quitting and maintaining your current lifestyle.

Try selling your wares at local craft fairs, Etsy shops, or online on your social media page or website. Once you've established yourself and built up a clientele, then you can think about expanding.

WRITTEN BY ANDREA WALKER

3. BE PROFESSIONAL

When converting your hobby to a business, it's essential to be professional. After all, this is a business. It would help to create a brand identity, develop marketing materials, and set fair prices for your products or services. But what does it mean to be professional? Being professional means being organized. You need to have systems in place to track inventory, manage finances, and keep customers happy. It also means being responsive to customer feedback and always looking for ways to improve your products or services. Finally, it means treating your employees and contractors with respect and fairness. If you can do all of these things, you'll be well on your way to running a successful business.

"BEING PROFESSIONAL MEANS BEING ORGANIZED.

4. HAVE FUN!

It's easy to forget why you're doing something when you're in the middle. Especially if it's something, you love and are passionate about. But remember, you're doing this because you enjoy it so don't lose sight of that!

Let your creativity flow and enjoy the process. The more fun you have, the better your finished product will be. And who knows, maybe converting your hobby into a business will be !

With a little effort and perseverance, anyone can turn their hobby into a money making venture. So go out there and start turning that passion into profit!

TIAN HARRIS Meet Artist

Affirmations, empowerment, and Melanated women are the design topic for Artist Tian Harris. The Haywood, CA Artist is known best for using pops color to highlight faceless Melanated illustrations representing all of us.

The Bacon Magazine had the opportunity to learn more about the artist behind the creations, which is what she had to say

How long have you been in business, and who do you specialize in serving?

I started my Instagram Business page in January of 2022, specializing in serving women of color. My artwork celebrates the many beautiful shades of Black Women through words of encouragement, affirmations, and positive quotes.

What made you pursue your career? At what point did you know "this was it" for you?

My Instagram followers were one of the reasons that I decided to create items to sell. I had no idea that my Instagram page would take off how it did, and I would get messages and comments asking me where my artwork could be purchased My mother was another inspiration. She told me to shoot for the stars and bought me an amazing printer. I felt so much love from so many people. That's when I knew that this was it for me.

What has betting on yourself and your creativity taught you?

I was afraid to share my artwork at first. I'm an artist, and I can get sensitive about my sh@*! I had to tell myself that the only way I could get anything started was if I went out on a limb and had to go full out. Betting on myself has now taught me to not be afraid. If I just continue to create and do what I love, those who love what I do are what truly matter

How important is community to you? Who's voice do you advocate for?

Community is extremely important to me, and I get my energy through catering to the community. By being a Black Woman, I know what it feels like to search for images I can relate to. To feel like someone can hear my silent cry to be understood, I try to translate that into my artwork for others to feel that attention

How do you overcome in business when you encounter dark moments in your personal life?

When there are dark moments in my personal life, I tend to play music more often while working. I read more, and I cook my favorite dish. These things help me stay positive and give me that fire to keep drawing.

Are there any communities, memberships, events, pop-up shops, or conferences you're involved in? Where can we expect to see you next?

I will be in Oakland, California, at the Sip Shop Eat Holiday Pop Up on Saturday, November 12, and Sunday, November 13, 2022.

Learn more about Tian Harris Creations:

https://www.redbubble.com/p eople/TianHarris/shop

Follow Tian on Instagram

https://www instagram com/ti anharriscreations/

Tian Harris Creations

By Artist Brandie Adams Piphus

Meet the Owner of BAPart-Brandie Adams-Piphus

"Brandie Adams Piphus is a digital painter that paints to explore the extraordinary within the humdrum of life. She chooses portraiture as an art form because it helps her define the self in the context of place, coexistence with others, and existentialism. Her body of work explores gender roles and sexuality while dealing with the constraints of racial bias".

"BAPart was founded to help others tap into something bigger within themselves through expression and choice in the arts." Brandie Evans.

"Be A Part" offers therapeutic Art that uplifts Women of Color.

BAPart

By Artist Brandie Adams Piphus

BAPart is inviting, sexy, colorful, elegant, and spirit rising When I saw BAPart, I knew Black Women deserved to feel what I was experiencing bliss We caught up with Brandie to learn more about the woman behind the Art, and here's what she had to say:

How do you want people to feel when they experience your artwork?

I want black women to feel represented and uplifted This is the primary driving force behind my work When you go into major retail shops, you often don't see many prints featuring the diversity of black women in beauty of all shades embracing their dopeness So I strive to capture that and represent us in a positive light I also want people to feel inspired and empowered when they view my work Art is very therapeutic and has a positive impact on mental health Every piece I create has a message supporting self esteem and mental health behind it

What inspired you to create Dope Chick Journals?

Journaling is therapeutic and is proven to enhance mental health by reducing stress and helping people maintain a growth mindset I think journaling is a tool we need to use more in our communities to support mental health and well being. I wanted to produce a line of journals that were made for black women by black women and told our personal stories

BAPart

By Artist Brandie Adams Piphus

If your artwork told a message to the world, what would it be?

Being a part of something bigger than yourself makes the difference It's when we feel the most purpose driven, grounded, aligned, and a part of a larger community Art has the power to inspire people across genders, religions, and cultures I believe in the power of Art to promote connection and alignment with "something bigger," and that is the fundamental message behind all my pieces

To Learn More about BAPart: https://bapart store/

Followers Followers inCounting

Tanaé B is a freelance artist, writer, and content creator specializing in realisticcoloredpenciland chalk pastel portraits. She created Black Artist space artgalleryin2014.

Black Artist Space is a virtualartgallerydedicated to helping Black visual artistsaroundtheworld 346k

gain exposure for their talent when she realized that none of the well known art accounts on Instagram ever featured work depicting or created by Black people. Tanaé herself was forced to pay expensive fees just to be featuredandhaveherwork ridiculedforrecreating popular characters as Blackpeople.

Black Artist Space is not only an art gallery but a communityspaceforBlack artists to connect. The community highlights artistsandartforsalefrom some of the most talented artists. With so many different art styles, and features, it is easy to get lostontheirpagesforhours atatime.

Founder, Tanaé B.

Black Artist Space Art Gallery

Thismagicallyonlinespace houses an audience of 347,000, including Sheryl Lee Ralph, Alicia Keys, Queen Latifah, Vanessa Williams, Tina Knowles, Michael Jai White, and Chrisette Michele, India. Arie,andmanymore.

The Bacon Magazine reachedouttoTanaéforan exclusive interview about Black Artist Space, and here'swhatshehadtosay.

What was your inspiration for creating Black Artist Space?

What was your inspiration for creating Black Artist

What makes you different from other online art communities?

BAS is different from other online art communities becauseweputartistsfirst. You will never pay for a featureonBAS,andyouwill never see featured work thatdoesn'tcreditanartist. Idon'tpostworkjusttogain popularity and make money;Igenuinelywantto help. Another difference is all the separate resources BAS offers, from print production, our artist directory, and promoting fundraisersforBlackpeople inneed

How does Artist benefit

p y one day" And then I thought, "Wait I'm somebody.Ishoulddoit."

What can we look forward to next from your community?

The next goal is to start hosting BAS art showcases inphysicalgalleriesand,of course, own my own gallery! After that, I would like to create a BAS Art Grant where I can help support Black artists in an even bigger way. It's movingslowlybutsteadily! The future is definitely bright more about Black ArtistSpacehere: @blackartistspace

TWritten By: Andrea Walker Editor in Chief, The Bacon Magazine

Photography By : Ryan of

Melissa A Mitchell

"If the of for many times, it feels as if I'm but in my know what wants me to do"

THE WOMAN OF WORTH

"Melissa A Mitchell is a powerhouse and a prominent Bahamian artist closing critical gaps in art, technology, and fashion worldwide In just eight short years, the self taught artist has earned international recognition and the attention of many high powered and leading brands This Miami, Florida native utilizes her ideas and creations to heal people through the happiness only creating can bring

A global deal with Foot Locker, winning a Ford Explorer from a global contest/campaign, a global deal with SPANX, an official TED TALK speaker, an inaugural member of Hennessey's "Never Stop Never Settle Society, an Afropunk/ Shopify Black Fashion Accelerator member, and features in Forbes and Vogue (design worn by Lupita Nyong'o) only scratch the surface of her accomplishments

Her company, Abeille Creations (ABL), is unique and easy to identify, and Melissa's impact is undeniable She is a proud graduate of Florida A&M University, holding a bachelor's degree in public relations and a minor in graphic design

She also earned a master's degree in public management from the elite institution She cultivates her philanthropic reach through the college and as an Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc member

Melissa has created over 500 original art pieces and 40 larger than life murals She's been featured in ESSENCE Magazine, Black Enterprise, Atlanta Journal Constitution, and The Huffington Post, and partnerships include Peloton, Cadillac, Microsoft, Pepsi, CNN, The Home Depot, MARTA, Jack Daniels, and countless others

Her signature headwraps are textiles that still hold beautiful life and have been worn on Tabitha Brown, Amara La Negra, Yandy Smith, Karen Civil, Rebecca Gross, and more She is also the author of a coffee table book, Views from My Kaleidoscope, and an interactive coloring book, Color & Manifest "

hen Melissa A Mitchell came across my radar, she already had a big rep Established and verified She was already growing, and our publication had just launched; two months prior, I was working on Issue 2 when I saw her Instagram art it was like my jaw hit the floor in cartoon fashion

I'd seen beautiful art before, but it was nothing like the paintings of Melissa A Mitchell Her work was fresh and bold, full of neon colors and electricity! I felt a connection to her paintings that took me back to my childhood, where I could do anything, and my future was bright Melissa was like a home; wherever I wanted to go in the future my office, workspace, or home I needed to incorporate a piece of her work

I had trouble deciding what I liked most about Melissa's artwork because she gave me many options Not only were her creations beautiful, but they were wearable My eyes lit up with a child like love when I saw headwraps, outfits, duffel bags, backpacks, comforters, rugs, coffee mugs, and pillows decorated with gorgeous illustrations Melissa's artwork reminded me of being in the third grade and how much I adored Lisa Frank.

When I was a kid, Lisa Frank stickers and folders were the only bright spots in my otherwise bland existence The leopard print notebooks and neon colored pencils seemed to come from another world people didn't care about inequality or poverty; they just wanted to be happy I wanted so badly to live in that world

In the 90s, we didn't have access to artwork from artists who looked like us Lisa Frank was an escape from the monotony of my everyday, A world of colorful unicorns, kittens, and highlighter covered notebooks She made me imagine things more significant and brighter, so she was the closest thing to representation in my world

Almost 30 years later, Melissa A Mitchell's painting sparked a sense of wonder I hadn't felt since childhood As tears filled my eyes, the young girl who wanted something beautiful emerged from the past The spiritual wonder beyond my environment rushed back to me, but it was intentional and sophisticated this time It was like finding an adult Lisa Frank at last one who looked like us, who related to us one who was us.

My opinion of the cover immediately changed from the art to the artist I knew representation was as important as recognition

When we decided to collaborate on this issue, I learned that the woman behind the success was more than what meets the eyes

Ngozi Canvas Gallery Wrap $70 18"x24"

Melissa was a warm, professional, honest, transparent woman who cared about her work and had the highest integrity regarding the brand If you spend time with her, you'll instantly see why she's such an inspiration to so many people

Despite having a packed schedule, recently being highlighted on The Shaderoom, and between international flights, Melissa managed to find time for this interview with The Bacon Magazine

E X C L U S I V E I N T E R V I E W

WHEN DID YOU FIRST FALL IN LOVE WITH ART? YOUR WORDS, DESCRIBE WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A MASTER MANIFESTING ARTIST

A Master Manifesting artist is merely a person who embraces taking thoughts, words, and ideas and turning them all into something magical I am a person who sets a goal and relentlessly pursues it It's all about staying focused, knowing I am chosen for something very specific, and that anything is possible with the right amount of faith

There was never ONE moment of me falling in love with art, and I just BECAME art the more I fell in love with myself

What would it be and why if you could describe your work in one word?

Evolving I am ever changing, so everything I create reflects my constant evolution

You are a bold and colorful artist; what inspires your innovative fashion and designs?

I am constantly inspired by music, travels, emotions, legacy, and making sure the world never forgets me I create work that stands out because I pour myself into everything I do When one experiences my art, one gets glimpses into my soul, psyche, and prayers

How do you want people to feel when they experience your collection?

I want people to be hopeful, inspired and empowered to do anything

What is the message behind the brand? What do you stand for?

Abeille means "honey bee" in French, and Melissa means "honey bee" in Greek I wanted to create a brand that would pay homage to my parents and future self The bee ergonomically isn't supposed to be able to fly, but it doesn't know that Against all odds, bees are one of the hardest working insects, and they work hard and receive sweet rewards I've also created the acronym ABL to represent "a better life," indicating that my brand inspires everyone to strive for the best life in their lifetime

What is your favorite piece? Why is it unique to you?

I don't play favorites with my work Each piece stands on its own because it represents specific moments in time My art is my prayer in full color and my dreams on canvas I pick up my brush whenever I want to express something I can't find the words for So each piece is a moment in my personal history, and they ALL are my favorites They each remind me to keep going If God used me artistically before, He will again.

Who inspires you to create? In what ways did they motivate you to take action and build your career?

There is no one "person" that inspires me to create I am striving to build an undeniable legacy while expounding upon the incredible legacy my parents have created for my sisters and me Being an artist is about inspiring others to live life to the fullest AND being immortal The moment I create something, I leave breadcrumbs to excellence that will live even generations after I am gone

Will you be in any upcoming exhibits or events? Where will we see you next?

My new Foot Locker collection will be debuting by September 2022

What advice do you have for Black Women in business?

My greatest advice is to be yourself, no matter what You can't focus on who's supporting you, who seems to be doing better or be discouraged about your business' momentum You have to be committed to always providing the BEST work, no matter what Eventually, the right person will take notice, and life can change instantly for the better

DIFFERENT GIRL (HEADWRAP)

Dimensions: inches

Comes as a long piece of fabric and can be worn in a myriad of ways: headwrap, sarong, skirt, top, belt, and more.

MANAL BLUE (HEADWRAP)

Dimensions: 68 inches

Comes as a long piece of fabric and can be worn in a myriad of ways: headwrap, sarong, skirt, top, belt, and more