Be Well Fall Issue 2021

FALL MAGAZINE OCTOBER 1, 2021

CONNECTED • INFORMED • INSPIRED

ALL WE DO IS

Win The Bounce Back Is Real

TROUBLE CAN TURN INTO TREASURE Jojopahmaria Nsoroma

50, SINGLE & BLESSED! Rachel Wallace

CREATING A WINNING CULTURE Velma Forde

The Spirit of a Winning Woman WENDY CAMPBELL Wendy's Divine Travel

LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER

HELLO Be Well Magazine

READERS It's hard to believe we're in the final stretch of 2021. We made it through 2020 with great expectations for 2021. At minimum, I thought we would have the Pandemic behind us, but instead it's becoming our new normal.

All we do is WIN is an affirmation and our theme for this quarter’s Be Well Magazine issue. Wendy Campbell, was selected as our cover contributor for several reasons. Since I met Wendy (approximately 4 years ago), I’ve seen her move through business —not only supporting her team, but also the BIG team. Whenever Wendy speaks of her two beautiful daughters, she speaks in expectation of them winning. In addition to creating winning experiences for the many clients that book travel with her, you can catch her on Sunday in the House of the Lord leading and supporting Children’s Church. It’s a beautiful thing when women entrepreneurs can move from transactional relationships to friendship, then, true Sisterhood. Congratulations, Wendy on being selected by our magazine team— myself, Michael Damond, and Crystal Thompson.

ALL WE DO IS WIN IS MORE OF A MINDSET THAN A CONCRETE REALITY. So many times I took major losses, disappointments, and failures in my business pursuits, but now as I look back, each of those encounters served as a stepping stone towards a winning experience. I’m able to look back because of my consistency in journaling and using a paper planner. If we’re not careful, we can miss or forget major milestones and accomplishments in our business. No more relying on memory; instead, write your vision and make it plain, be intentional and uncompromising with your time, priorities and income producing activity. I’m excited to be a 2022 Affiliate Member of Perfect Planner Company. Order your 2022 Planner and let’s plan together.

Maintaining a winning spirit during times of a major loss of a loved one takes surrender and going deeper spiritually. During 2021, our family suffered devastating blows with the death of 3 close family members within just weeks of each other in August and September. I had to slow down, but not quit. That’s the meaning of “All We Do Is WIN”—in the midst of it all, just don’t quit.

Carmen Ray FOUNDER My "Bounce Back" included co-hosting a highly successful and impactful retreat with Dr. Keshia Tate, featuring Mr. Tech Talk himself and WeMerge Media experts, Michael Damond and Makayla Campbell. The information they shared with our retreat guests regarding social media was extremely valuable. All is not lost if you missed the retreat! You can join me as I take my learning of social media and technology to the next level with Tech Support For Boomers which kicks off October 4th - 8th.

Enjoy this issue and please submit your feedback to “Be Well Readers’ Corner” to be entered to WIN a 2-night, 3 day Hotel Certificate and a $50 gift card.

Enjoy, All We Do Is Win - The Bounce Back is REAL.

Carmen C. Ray

BE WELL MAGAZINE

Contributors

Dr. Brenetia

ADAMS-ROBINSON

Velma FORDE

Wendy

BROWN

CAMPBELL

DELANE

Ruben

Conchetta

Shontina GLADNEY

Cyrena

Jojopahmaria

MARTIN

NSOROMA

Rachel

WALLACE

Jacqueline

Beverly

Tamara WASHINGTON

HOPKINS

JONES

Dr.Keshia

Linda Michelle

TATE

TRAINER

Shauna

Shehara

WEATHERSPOON

WOOTEN

FALL 2021 ISSUE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thank You 2021 ADVISORY COMMITTEE Carmen Ray, Founder & Publisher Crystal Thompson, Editor in Chief Michael Damond, Marketing Director Yolanda Anderson-Wagner Jocelyn Gillespie-Obermeyer Sandy Malone Michael Damond, Marketing Director Cyrena Martin Laneice McGee Dr. Pamela Hemphill-Walker Patrice Register Dr. Keshia Tate Shawntell Taylor

MAGAZINE DESIGN

BY WEMERGEMEDIA.COM Michael Damond Campbell, Creative Director Makayla Campbell, Graphic Design Assistant

FALL 2021

Table of Contents 8

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

by Crystal Thompson

13

IT'S FALL YALL

18

I AM MY FATHER'S DAUGHTER

by Shauna Weatherspoon

11 14

EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE

by Cyrena Martin

S.M.A.R.T.Y. POSSIBILITIES

by Shehara Wooten

24

KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE WIN

THE SPOTLIGHT 26 IN Featuring Dr. K

28

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

30

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

STARTING THE JOURNEY FROM WITHIN

Featuring Betty Brown

32

34

ARE YOU READY TO THRIVE?

by Patrice Strong-Register

38

HOW HYPERTENSION SAVED MY LIFE

40

EPIC EVOLUTION OF WOMEN

by Shawntell Taylor

42

50, SINGLE, AND BLESSED

by Rachel Wallace

44

EVICTING THE SKELETONS IN MY CLOSET

by Sandy Malone

46

CREATING A WINNING CULTURE

by Velma Forde

48

ARE YOU IN IT TO WIN IT OR WIMP OUT?

50

NO PARKING ZONE - LOADING & UNLOADING = A WINNING STRATEGY

b y W endy Campb e l l

by Dr. Brenetia Adams Robinson

52

LABOR + LESSONS = WINNING

by Beverly Brown

by Jacqueline DeLane

Featuring Jennifer Moore

By Ruben Hopkins/ExploreUSTV

by Jojopahmaria Nsoroma

by Linda Michelle Trainer

60

WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK

by The Be Well Magazine Team

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS DESK

AND THE Winner Is! Winning has always been depicted by flying across a finish line, hoisting a shiny trophy, the delicate placement of a crown, tiara, or medal, and of course—tears. Many will only consider themselves winners if they have put someone else to shame; asserting that victory can only be possible when the task at hand is compared to another.

Are you beautiful only because the person next to you is dressed in rags? Are you competent solely because another dropped the ball?

Why do we own mirrors if we only see ourselves based on the accomplishments of others?

“The Biggest Loser” was a television show that was wildly popular. Real-life, overweight contestants competed against

Crystal Thompson EDITOR IN CHIEF

each other to see who could drop the highest percentage of weight within a specified time span. Each of them worked with trainers and nutritionists to learn strategies and best practices that would help them reach their weight-loss goals.

Ultimately it was each person’s responsibility to maintain the discipline with regard to the mental, dietary, and physical challenges which were ever-present and unforgiving. Although fans of the show rooted for their favorites and applauded the biggest loser at the end of each season, the true premise of the contest would soon become obvious—

ALL WEIGHT-LOSS MATTERS All of us have “weight” to lose. Regardless of how large or how small our victories, we are still winners. It is rare that winning happens without slipping, sinking, or drowning on the way—

Our family of Be Well contributors and entrepreneurs have shared priceless testimony, consultation, and resources which will open your eyes to the trophy case you didn’t even know you already have! Consider this final quarter of 2021 YOUR TIME. Don’t try to be the biggest, be better than you were yesterday—EVERYDAY. To each and every reader who takes a moment to turn these pages, I appreciate you showing up to support another stellar issue of Be Well Magazine!

Love and wellness to you all,

but THAT’S what makes winning so special and so personal.

Crystal Thompson

This October 2021 issue of Be Well Magazine for Women is a

Editor in Chief Be Well Magazine

reminder that bouncing back from failure, procrastination, laziness, or lack of focus is a part of the process! Triumph and tiaras do not come without time-consuming, tedious tasks, turmoil, and trials.

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EVERYTHING IS

Possible How can we continue to win when we have become our own worst enemy? Do you truly believe Everything Is Possible? Have you found yourself thinking or saying any of these statements: It’s too late! I’m too old! I’m too young! If only I….? Should of…, Could of… or Would of…? all the negative self-talk. It's time for you to pursue EVERYthing you desire. We often limit ourselves by talking ourselves right out of opportunities, experiences, and success.

Our thoughts become our actions, so when we THINK that we are not smart enough, OR think it’s too hard or it will take too long….

These thoughts become our reality and we either procrastinate or never even begin to follow our dreams. Well, I am here to show you it’s never too late, and the time is NOW. Ms. Linda Pate-Hall used to say, “Do you plan on being here (meaning alive)”? Then she would say, “Then it’s not too late to get started!" How

CYRENA MARTIN

old will you be when you accomplish your next goal? The time will pass so quickly, just like it did when you completed other goals and accomplishments. Remember how quickly high school flew by? I certainly do and now I am in my final year of Graduate school and it, too, has gone by quickly. If I had never started, I would be in the same spot and same job with the same feelings of not living up to my potential; the same old stinking thinking. I chose to go back to school at 48 years old, and for many years I was enabling my own negative self-talk. I told myself

If I can encourage anyone I would say, “The time is now, and you can do it! You deserve every opportunity and every blessing; and we ALL deserve to Win!"

that I was making decent money, so why go back? I thought it would be too hard since it had been over 10 years since I finished my bachelor’s degree. I just knew I was going to be the oldest student, and psyched myself into thinking that was a bad thing and that I would not fit in. ALL those things were FALSE!!!!! The truth was that I was not content with my salary. I began to see my worth and all the experiences and passion I bring to my career. School was difficult and it took some time to get used to it. I learned very quickly and can proudly say I currently have a 3.5 grade point average. I was definitely not the oldest student, and my lifetime experience has been a huge asset to my formal education which enhanced my writing and my contribution to the courses. The institution I chose had many adult students who were seeking the next level in education, and made the decision later in their lives, also. If I hadn’t started, I would still be contemplating all of the reasons for me not to follow my dreams.

Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all (everything) things are possible to him who believes.” ~Mark 9:23 NKJV

We’ve all heard the saying,’anything is possible’. I believe EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE. ‘Every’ (plural things) typically means ALL THINGS whereas ‘any’ (one choice among many) means any ONE of those things. Anything is possible; there is nothing that is impossible. Everything is possible; there is nothing that is impossible. All possible things can happen, and any number of things can happen— even all at once.

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HEY BEAUTIFUL SOULS

It's Fall Y'all I'm looking forward to dressing up the front porch for this year's "It's Fall Y'all" theme. Here's a few SW Living tips for you all to enjoy over the next few months.

Start with selections of colors & home goods you already have throughout your home to re-purpose & enjoy.

You will be amazed at how many knick-knacks you can add to your home design from the Dollar Tree, Ross, Marshalls & Burlington Coat Factory without breaking the bank!

SHAUNA

WEATHERSPOON

FOR DISH SELECTIONS: Put those spring & summer colors away Darlings & spice it up with warm colors for your family & friends to enjoy.

Get that fire pit party started. Spark up that grill.

Grab your ciders, cigars & get your favorite tunes going around that fire with your family & friends.

FALL PLANTS...HERE'S THE DIRT: I had to call my Granny on this one...her recommendation is to not reuse soil from dead plants...I did not love on mine properly at all over the summer! Hope that helps & I can't wait to see all of your beautiful designs you are all about to create in & around your home.

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S.M.A.R.T.Y.

Possibilities BRAINSTORM ALL THE POSSIBILITIES In the 1980s and 1990s, an entire genre of book reading called “choose your own adventure” was popular. The genre was specifically targeted to boys and some girls ages seven to fourteen years old. In this genre, which was mainly written in second person, the main character, which was the reader, takes on the role of a doctor, spy, private investigator, or another type of protagonist. The format of the stories is such that the reader could choose from a number of scenarios that led to multiple endings depending on what was chosen. As a child, I don’t remember reading

SHEHARA

such books, but they sound utterly engaging and entertaining for a

WOOTEN

reader.

We all know that how we come into the world is not our decision. For instance, we didn’t choose our gender, ethnicity, culture, parents,

Therefore, I’m starting with the S.M.A.R.T.Y.

country of citizenship, etc. So, if we were to look at our life as if it were a

possibilities. I recently added a “Y” to the S.M.A.R.T.

story, we didn’t determine the beginning. However, I learned some

Goals acronym, and I’ll share more about that later

lessons in life that led me to believe that we have a choice in our

in this section. Here’s a reminder of what the

destination once we become an adult. When I was in my mid-twenties, I

acronym stands for:

had a pastor who always said, “Life is choice-driven.” This statement led me to believe that there’s a good possibility we can determine the ending

S - Specific

of our story.

M - Measurable A - Attainable

I think that framing our financial story from this perspective can shed a

R - Realistic

lot of light on the narrative that we want to create. What if we could

T - Timebound

start at the end of our financial success story and then fill in the chapters

Y - Why?

in between to get as close as possible to creating the ending we want? I believe there are so many possibilities, and often we get caught up in the

Since you’ve probably heard of this many times

day-to-day, month-to-month, and year-to-year activities that we forget

before, I’m going to point out a few aspects of this

to take deliberate and initial actions toward all the possibilities that are

acronym so that you’re able to look at it from a

available to us to make that phenomenal last chapter come true.

fresh perspective.

Create S.M.A.R.T.Y Possibilities (Goals)

First, we’ll review the various aspects of the acronym. The S stands for Specific. When we are

Many professionals and students are familiar with the S.M.A.R.T goals

creating our S.M.A.R.T.Y. possibilities, we need to

acronym as an easy blueprint for creating solid goals for any area of our

start them by clearly identifying and defining them.

lives. Being a Financial Life-Planner Strategist myself, I have adopted the

Being precise in your goal setting possibilities will

term “possibilities.” I learned the importance of this term from a book

help you get closer to achieving them.

written by Mitch Anthony and Paul Armson called Life Centered Financial Planning: How to Deliver Value That Will Never Be Undervalued.

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S.M.A.R.T.Y.

Possibilities BRAINSTORM ALL THE POSSIBILITIES

Next in this acronym is the A, which is Attainable. A synonym that stood out for me was the word Winnable. It’s important to make sure your financial goals are Winnable and Attainable. You want to have something that encourages you to make progress even when roadblocks come your way. If the goal is winnable then you’ll be motivated to get across the finish line.

We have a high chance of having success and victory in that area when we look at all the attainable/winnable possibilities.

The next letter in the acronym is R, which stands for Realistic. According to the Oxford Dictionary, Realistic means having or showing a sensible and practical idea of what can be achieved or expected. It’s important to make sure your goal is Realistic. I believe this goes hand in hand with Attainable. Having a realistic goal allows you to believe in your ability to accomplish that goal.

Now let’s move on to the next letter in the acronym, the T, which stands for Time-bound.

Whenever you start a race, you’re aware that there is a finish line. The time-bound portion of this acronym is that you will actually put a date to when you want to accomplish the goals you have set. Having a set date gives you a deadline and creates a sense of urgency to accomplish your goals. I enjoy the quote by Milton Erickson: “A goal without a date is just a dream.”

Now the reason my acronym is slightly different from what you’ve seen before is because I added a Y. The Y actually stands for Why. The “Why” is going to be the reason for reaching your possibilities. It’s going to be your motivation for achieving your goal. When you dig deep into your Why, nothing will stop you from achieving the possibilities you’ve set forth. It may not happen exactly in the time frame you determine or precisely the way you want, but that Why is going to be the driving force behind achieving what you’ve set out to do.

Of course, in addition to making winnable goals, it’s also important to make sure they are worth winning. Create progress points for evaluating your goals. If it’s a five-year goal, monitor it every quarter. If it’s a three-month goal, check it every week. Then after you perform your periodic check-ups, remember to celebrate your wins.

Celebrating your accomplishments is so important to your overall financial success. You know how disciplined you were while you were pursuing your goals. You remember the sacrifice you made and the things you gave up to reach your possibilities. You need to acknowledge that and celebrate. I highly recommend deciding how you want to celebrate your achievements when you create your goal. Besides understanding your why, it’s another great way to stay motivated.

-Excerpt from Chapter 9 “Your Financial Success Story” of the book entitled, In the Meantime:Own Your Financial Narrative

by Shehara L. Wooten, CFP® You may purchase the book on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles and other online stores. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1637304390

“A goal without a date is just a dream.”

Milton Erickson

FREE

30-MINUTE CONSULTATION CHANGE YOUR FINANCIAL STORY

SCHEDULE A LEARN MORE CALL

Peace of Mind Awaits You!

Learn how we can help you achieve ALL of your financial goals.

Shehara L. Wooten, CFP® (Sha-Hair-Rah)

Founder of Your Story Financial Financial Life-Planner Strategist

www.yourstoryfinancial.com

I AM MY

Father's Daughter My Dad transitioned to heaven recently and I had so many confusing thoughts about our relationship.

So many of his friends talked about what a great person he was, and I wish I knew this person they were speaking of. He was my Dad after all. I felt embarrassed at times during the service because I didn’t have those awesome stories they shared. I felt the sting of an absent father and I started reflecting on why I didn’t have those stories. I began to feel like the loser daughter, and maybe that is why it was hard to say goodbye.

I grew up wanting so desperately to be a part of his life, but I never felt that I was part of his equation. I was always part of God’s equation. He gave me a father figure. I loved my Uncle Lacey dearly and I called him Uncle Daddy. He and my Dad were cousins as well as good friends. And when I think back on it now, God gave me what I needed. God has a way of doing that. In Psalm 13:22 it says, “A

WENDY CAMPBELL

good man leaves an inheritance to his children” The concept of inheritance is important in the bible. It not only means the passing of possessions and land to the next generation, but also earthly and spiritual gifts. I didn’t focus so much on the land and possessions, but the earthly and spiritual gifts; and how much I am my Father’s Child.

As I read over my Dad’s eulogy, I began to realize my inheritance. He could stretch a dollar. He loved to shop the grocery ads on Tuesday evening, then hit the stores on Wednesday. This served me well as a single Mother of two Daughters. I was never one to frequently splurge on things, but when I did it was well thought out. “Clearance” was both of our middle names. He was generous with his love and his time. I know why it is easy for me to love hard, and why the time I invest in someone is so precious. Quality time is one of my Love Languages —definitely not a coincidence. A person feels most valued when we take time to listen, share, love, or just spend time being around them. He loved nature and all the plants and animals in it. I can’t say that I inherited his green thumb. Many

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children.

Psalm 13:22

cacti and bamboo have turned brown under my care. But, when a puppy was left on my doorstep, I couldn’t turn her away. My Dad welcomed everyone and treated them as if he had known them all his life. I remember my Mother telling me stories from my childhood of when someone was being picked on, or looked like they needed a friend, I was there. She said I often dared someone to mess with my new friends when I wasn’t around, because they were gonna get it. He was a gentle man and never in a hurry. I’ll have to say that while I love to be on time, my family does not. It irks me to not be on time. Quite frankly, I don’t mind if that skipped a generation.

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At the end of the eulogy, we watched a video of my Dad singing on a cruise ship. Well, guess what—I am no singer, but I love cruising. I saw his gold ship on a stick that they give out on cruises when guests participate in games, trivia, etc. And even though I would never be brave enough to get on stage in front of all those people, the love of travel is certainly in me. My girls didn’t have an opportunity to travel outside of the realm of an 8--10 hour road trip, but that has certainly changed for us all. I am blessed to pass on the gifts I inherited from my Dad to my girls. I am also blessed to have a business that I can leave to them.

We inherit so many good things from our parents, and we should take time to focus on those things instead of thinking we have missed out. We will find our treasure there.

As I navigate through the grieving process over the next, no matter how long it takes me, I will keep on the forefront my inheritance of the fruits of the Spirit from my Heavenly Father, and the earthly gifts my Dad gave me. I am who I am because I am my Father’s Daughter, and my inheritance was great.

I AM MY

Father's Daughter WENDY CAMPBELL

KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE

Prize Win As we enter this last quarter of 2021, let’s reflect on how things have gone so far. We’ve come through three seasons with highs, lows and in-betweens.

Some goals met, some goals we exceeded and some goals were eliminated.

The bottom line is WE MADE IT THIS FAR! So where do we go from here?

How do we finish strong? How do we win??

Believe it or not, I had to really ponder this. I had to go back much farther than the beginning of this year to determine my launch point for this last quarter. I had to first remind myself what “launch” means to me. I looked back at something I wrote in 2014 to the graduating class of the high school I was retiring from. In that very speech, I discussed the term “launch” and reminded them that to launch means to begin something that requires much effort OR to begin doing something that is new and very different from what you have been doing. So to win…put the effort in!

Now a win may not always bring recognition or applause. A win may feel like a sense of deep satisfaction that you’ve done all you could do to bring about the change you desired. A win could look like finally having peace in your life, a good night's sleep, a new career you desired, a trip you always wanted to take, being able to pay your bills on time, having a flexible schedule so you can take your children to school (and being home when they return), taking care of your elderly parents, and so on. YOU determine what your win is.

So I’ll share one of my wins with you. After working in corporate America for 13 years after college (and hating much of it), I decided I wanted to work in the public school system. After my research and the advice of friends already working in public schools, I realized I would have to attain a masters degree in order to work in the field of social work within the public school system. So off I went to graduate school for two years, full-time. Oh my! When I tell you that was one of the most difficult challenges I had experienced in my life at that time. But how did I do it??? I had to focus, re-focus and focus some more. I had to remove all distractions and have tunnel vision during that time. I had to learn new skills, create a whole new circle of contacts, have a schedule that allowed me to meet my goals, fit in with a group of classmates who were straight out of undergrad, figure out how to maneuver through a library that no longer relied on a card catalog, improve my research skills….and that was only in the first week! I could elaborate on this life adjustment for the next year, but I won’t bore you with all of those details. What I will say is during those two years, there were many stumbles, roadblocks, slammed doors, no invitation to the table, side eyes, tears, and refusals to work on projects with me. However, because of my “WHY”, I kept my eyes on the prize…..working with young people and being available for my son and on the same schedule he was on.

JACKIE DELANE

Keep your eyes on the prize and know sometimes a win is loud, a win can be quiet, a win can be subtle, a win can look like a failure in disguise… but keep the faith and know — ALL WE DO IS WIN👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Soooo, needless to say, that decision to return to school turned into completing that degree and getting a second masters degree some years later. I’m saying all of this to say don’t get distracted by the stumbles because the WIN will show up. I was able to have an almost flawless 25 year career in the school system where I was honored, promoted and respected…why? Because I pushed through the obstacles and kept my eyes on the WIN.

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ENTREPRENEURS IN THE SPOTLIGHT She hails from Detroit, MI and her title, THE DOC OF HEALTH AND

A WINNING WOMAN

WEALTH makes everyone take notice of her brand, her brilliance, and her badassery! She is Dr. Keshia Tate (affectionately known as Dr. K), and Be Well Magazine is beyond excited to celebrate and witness the becoming of this amazing lady. Dr. K began to display her drive and fortitude when she relocated (by herself) from Michigan to California at the age of 22. She went on to build a real estate empire with over 30 properties, and started medical school at age 44! Her grit and courage

Spotlight DR. KESHIA TATE (affectionately known as Dr. K)

was tested upon entering medical school, for at this point she endured a separation, divorce, became a single mom of 2 girls and survived a near fatal car accident. Today she is a thriving doctor, best-selling author, and the picture of strength, entrepreneurship, and “cant-stop, won’t stop”.

Please get to know Dr. K and receive her bounce-back testimony.

Welcome to Be Well!

WHO IS DR. KESHIA TATE? An OVERCOMER! A SURVIVOR! A HEALER! A SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR! A Motivational Speaker! A two-time, best-selling author! A mom of two beautiful daughters & a woman of GREAT Faith!

TALK TO ME ABOUT YOUR PHILOSOPHY WHEN IT COMES TO CREATING A VALUABLE CONNECTION WITH YOUR PATIENTS/CLIENTS AND LEAVING A MEMORABLE IMPRESSION? It is my goal to create a relationship with my patients/clients built on trust, transparency & truth. In order to get to the root cause of issues, I spend time with them so I can get to know them. They know that I care and that I have their best interest in mind. This creates lasting relationships. Just the other day, a client posted a compliment about me, tagged me & another client that I worked with a few years ago, jumped in and stated that I was the absolute best. In fact, she still refers people to me all the time.

WHAT ARE BENEFITS OF YOUR BRAND/WORK THAT MOST PEOPLE FAIL TO RECOGNIZE OR TAKE ADVANTAGE OF? People fail to realize that I have a very unique perspective about health & wealth. I’m not a typical doctor. Yes, I’m concerned about health, but I’m equally concerned about wealth because I understand the profound

...Those breakdowns have ushered me into purpose. Of course, in the pursuit of purpose all we do is win!!

-Dr. K

connection. I feel compelled to make sure that my patients/clients are enlightened about this connection and are given the guidance & tools to succeed in both areas.

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ENTREPRENEURS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

THE THEME OF THIS ISSUE OF BE WELL MAGAZINE IS “ALL I DO I WIN—THE BOUNCE BACK IS REAL”.

DO YOU CLASSIFY YOURSELF AS A WINNER? WHY? Absolutely, I AM the very essence of Bounce Back. In fact, I should be crowned the Bounce Back Queen, lol! Seriously, I AM a winner for many reasons. I think the timing of this theme is right on time. My chapter in my upcoming book is all about overcoming insurmountable odds & STILL winning EVEN in the midst of…

I’m in the process of taking a course and one of our assignments was to create a brag binder. As I gathered my degrees, certificates, thank you notes, and wrote out my accomplishments, I began to cry because although I have been to hell and back, although I have lost everything when I filed a $10 million bankruptcy, I have yet risen and I’m still winning even though I don’t have what I once had! All of those losses and breakdowns are truly the stepping stone for my breakthroughs. Those breakdowns have ushered me into purpose. Of course, in the pursuit of purpose all we do is win!!

ALL OF US IN THE BE WELL COMMUNITY BELIEVE THAT COLLABORATION IS THE NEW CURRENCY. WITH THAT BEING SAID, WHO HAS BEEN INFLUENTIAL IN YOUR WINNING SEASON AND/OR IN YOUR TESTIMONY OF BOUNCING BACK? Definitely concur that Collaboration is the New Currency. There are a few influential people who come to mind. I would have to say Carmen Ray is at the forefront of my mind since we just hosted our 3 day retreat, Breakdown to Breakthrough at the beautiful W Scottsdale Resort. It was amazing. There were tears, revelations, transformations, networking & the birth of new collaborations. It was truly a phenomenal retreat. The ladies are already asking when is the next one.

WHAT IS ON THE HORIZON FOR YOU AND YOUR BRAND? HOW CAN OUR READERS COMMUNICATE WITH YOU OR INQUIRE ABOUT YOUR SERVICES? I am so grateful that so many things are on the horizon. Launching two signature courses, one for black women and the other one for doctors..Breakdown to Breakthrough in October. Both of them are six-week courses that will guide both black women and doctors to live their best lives while achieving both health and wealth without losing themselves and usher them to use their breakdowns so they experience the most pivotal breakthroughs in their lives.

Currently working on another book, Becoming 50 Something, Volume 2. I have collaborated with the amazing Cheryl Garrison and a few other wonderful authors to share our personal stories of WINNING in spite of the insurmountable obstacles we have faced. Pre-sales will start just in time for the holidays.

In the midst of a major deal and launching a Publishing Company with two business partners.

First time speaking at a church (from the pulpit) for a women's conference in Los Angeles.

Collaborating with the YMCA to host my book signing and community health fair in November.

Also launching my own supplements and t shirt line before the end of this year.

Just to name a few things.. there is more to come. I’m chasing purpose!

Readers can stay connected with me as follows: Website: https://docofhealthandwealth.org Instagram: www.Instagram.com/docofhealthandwealth_ TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMR4XhXgb/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/docofhealthandwealth

ENTREPRENEURS IN THE SPOTLIGHT Be Well Magazine is proud to shine a spotlight on Jennifer Moore, an

A WINNING WOMAN

independent contracting physical therapist and business owner. She has ingeniously crafted an impressive business—rooted in strength of mind, body, and soul. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Jennifer works with clients locally and across the nation. Her passion began as a little girl, and was further

Spotlight

inspired after suffering an injury as a student athlete. Jennifer makes fitness a priority for herself, also—working out 4-5X each week, and is especially proud to support the mental and physical therapy of veterans. Ms. Moore’s hobby of extensive reading further enhances her business, but also provides a proper

JENNIFER MOORE

outlet for this woman on the go! I was so enamored in speaking with her as she sparkles while shocking you with the depth of her work ethic and love for her family. You will be just as amazed, I am sure of it! Introducing, Jennifer Moore!

Welcome to Be Well!

WHO IS JENNIFER MOORE? I am an embodiment of an Empress. Someone who has strong faith in God and trusts him emphatically to walk this journey of life with. For those who truly know me I am loyal to fault, and live unapologetically true to myself. I love hard, and am fiercely protective of my family. I believe the most important thing a person can have in this world is self love. If that is not obtained you won't be able to truly love another human being. I know the importance of building a legacy and having generational wealth. I respect and expect integrity from not only myself, but others as well. I'm a mother, a sister, an aunt, a best friend, and colleague with ambitions, determination, strong work ethic and an entrepreneurial spirit.

TALK TO ME ABOUT YOUR PHILOSOPHY WHEN IT COMES TO CREATING A VALUABLE CONNECTION WITH YOUR PHYSICAL THERAPY CLIENTS AND LEAVING A MEMORABLE IMPRESSION? Creating a valuable connection with my PT clients is the foundation of our working relationship. I approach physical therapy as how can I make this individual better from their injuries, and also how can I get them in better shape so they can enjoy active daily living without pain and limitations.

I tailor each prescribed regimen specifically to each person. We all know we all have various internal as well as external ailments that can hinder the body's response to healing. So I focus on three main things: the injury, predisposed health conditions, and strength and conditioning.

Throughout each session I provide information on the body's response and I am able to tell someone what they will feel. This, in itself, helps a person feel as important as I do about getting them better, and helps them know that I'm not seeing them as a number but truly care about their well being and seeing them regain that confidence back physically; so they can enjoy life again.

I have made sure that when I get up, even if it's just to take one step forward and hit yet another road block, I persevere and push through.

-Jennifer Moore

We take for granted what we do on a daily basis without any thought when it comes to our physical health. But the moment the power is taken away from us within our own body, it is very discouraging and hinders a lot of our growth.

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ENTREPRENEURS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

WHAT ARE BENEFITS OF YOUR BRAND/WORK THAT MOST PEOPLE FAIL TO RECOGNIZE OR TAKE ADVANTAGE OF? I would say the benefits of my work that people fail to realize is that it is convenient for each client. I am open to traveling to my clients; some don't realize how beneficial their healing is when it is in a comfortable and familiar environment, in regards to your body's response to muscle stimulation over an extended period of time. Of course we all are used to going into a physical therapy facility and having treatment done, but go back home and sometimes don’t work on instructed care until they go back for next appointment. When rehabbing at home or in a familiar environment, I've found that people tend to progress better; and not only heal and become stronger externally but internally as well.

THE THEME OF THIS ISSUE OF BE WELL MAGAZINE IS “ALL I DO I WIN—THE BOUNCE BACK IS REAL”. DO YOU CLASSIFY YOURSELF AS A WINNER? WHY? Yes I do consider myself a winner. Having to overcome a lot of personal adversity, and continue a dream I spoke on my fifth birthday is absolutely amazing. When others said it couldn't be done, I accomplished it. When a person didn't have the confidence in their ability to simply walk up stairs, I had the confidence for the both of us. When I have been faced with what we call road blocks and being knocked down, I have made sure that when I get up, even if it's just to take one step forward and hit yet another road block, I persevere and push through.

My life hadn't been easy mentally and emotionally due to fear, but I know what God I serve and how much I love myself. I realized that I was in my own way and vowed not to allow my past to dictate my present and future. Everyday I strive to improve the day before, to acknowledge where I'm weak and heal and work on myself so I can be truthfully honest to self motivate, as well as motivate others on a daily basis to make strides no matter what life brings. I understand the power of consistency in all aspects of life, which is the basis and foundation of success.

ALL OF US IN THE BE WELL COMMUNITY BELIEVE THAT COLLABORATION IS THE NEW CURRENCY. WITH THAT BEING SAID, WHO HAS BEEN INFLUENTIAL IN YOUR WINNING SEASON AND/OR IN YOUR TESTIMONY OF BOUNCING BACK? I would have to say God, first and foremost. When I experience doubts and fears in my life, I remember that he promised not to leave or ever forsake me. And if I remember him in everything I do, he shall give me great success.

Second, my family. My mother, for her continuous prayers and supporting my achievements; and providing motherly constructive criticism on how I need to get out of my own way. My sister for always being so brutally honest with me that it forced me to re-evaluate a lot of my fears and to overcome them to go after my dreams head-on no matter if I'm supported or not—make it happen for myself.

Third, My circle—they know who they are—and my clients. I mention my clients because of their unwavering trust in me with their physical beings and to know in my madness comes great rewards that we all are amazed by on a day to day bases. They never allow me to feel as though I shouldn't take credit for the work I've done, but support and like that I am truly here to help and serve in order for them to physically and mentally become stronger.

WHAT IS ON THE HORIZON FOR YOU AND YOUR BRAND? HOW CAN OUR READERS COMMUNICATE WITH YOU OR INQUIRE ABOUT YOUR SERVICES? What's on the horizon is to grow my clientele base a little more with areas of study in physical therapy, strength and conditioning, and psychology. I am known by word of mouth or physician referrals. Readers are able to communicate with me primarily via LinkedIn: JS Med Rehabilitation

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ENTREPRENEURS IN THE SPOTLIGHT I don’t meet strangers! I always want to communicate because I am a networker

A WINNING WOMAN

in every sense of the word. If you need food, I can help; clothes, housing, health and wellness and a means to supplement your income, I will help you. I want to help everybody! In order to do this, you must listen, realize their need, and assist in filling it. Make a friend and gain their trust, first. Do not rush right into your business because you will appear to be a used car salesman.

People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care!

Multi Level Marketing was given a bad name when actually it is the best form of enterprise out there! Why? As you bring people into your partnerships, they

Spotlight BETTY BROWN

remain there forever. You will continue to be rewarded financially for this as well as on all the people that will flow through that partnership. There is no limit as to how many partnerships you can have. It takes on a life of it’s own and grows and grows.

When I became involved with PlanNet, I was a caregiver for my husband who was paralyzed from a stroke! Prior to that we lived very well on his 6 figure income thinking this would last forever! After all, he was a health nut and so was I! We totally ignored the part about rest! He had a stroke from lack of rest and became permanently paralyzed. Now I understood what living on a fixed income was like with a definite ceiling! He could not work anymore and neither could I being totally committed to his care.

I am a fighter and a woman of God and knew I would bounce back from whatever the enemy threw at me!

We have a team of leaders who are evidence that this program works, and new ones are being produced weekly! I read in a book that God has, “…no respect of persons…”, meaning it worked for others, it will work for me; if I do what they did I can get what they got!

After being a caregiver for over 10 years and working this business part-time, my husband lost his battle and gained his wings. I am now more determined to make it work in giving it full-time effort! I now realize the ceiling has been removed and a whole new world of lifestyles and options have opened up.

My future is consisting of travel, time freedom, personal freedom, and financial freedom, and leaving a legacy for my children!

I am committed to sharing my journey with others so they can avoid the comfort trap and get wiped out overnight because of a pandemic. My mission is to help millennials catch the vision while they have many years to change more lives, help the middle class know that retirement is no fun and not enough to live on in the manner you may have been accustomed, and that seniors—it is never too late!

I did not say it was easy but MAN—it is doable and WORTH it! Don’t let life catch

“You May Forget the Work but the Work Won’t Forget You.” -Betty Brown

you unprepared!

I am Betty Brown and my web site is: agetawaytravel.com

Come join me on the beaches of the world; or the bank, or both!!!!

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AFFORDABLE • INTERACTIVE

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STARTING THE JOURNEY

From Within From where does our strength come and on whom can we rely? Spiritually, we hold the belief that God supplies us with what we need. He has placed it within us; therefore, it is up to us to search and find the power within.

Here are some simple steps:

Get To Know Thyself The search for some is simple, for others a bit more complex. Begin a journal of the self. Start with your name and origin. Then explore your lineage as far as you can within the first few days. It is often said, “Once you know who you are and whose you are, your life’s journey and success is closer than you think.” Answer those questions. If they are difficult, follow the steps below.

Tie Yourself To A Proud Heritage.

RUBEN

Begin the journey to find “from whence thou came.” Identify and accept the high points and the lows: Its struggles, its heroes, and its wealth and contributions to

HOPKINS

society as a whole. For example, Africa is one of the richest countries in natural resources, yet it is portrayed as one of the poorest. Our example will focus on Nigeria; with a national GDP of over $500 billion, and a strong push for all people to know its heritage and true name prior to 1914. There are several languages spoken and a fight for self-control and governance. This is no surprise as the similar story of Shaka Zulu presents. These examples serve to demonstrate that possessing origination knowledge builds a sense of worth that is unbreakable. Biblically speaking, there are lists of genealogies of important characters. Why? Simply put, to build credibility and add value.

Where To Start Naturally, start with family stories and traditions. Find out who started and why.

Where did the bulk of the generations reside (closest first, and then spread out).

Next, search out and read high quality material written by scholars within your own

Knowing who you are and your ultimate life plan will guide you through life.

Ruben Hopkins

ethnicity, such as Dr. Yosef Jochannan and biographies of persons of influence; and survivors of struggles within your own people. Find a replacement example, for instance when given an example of a scientist from another race, ensure you have a person of your own. Given a scientist in cancer research, replace it with Dr. Hidayah Green.

The Middle –Identify Your Personality and Self Knowing who you are and your ultimate life plan will guide you through life. What is your purpose, passion, and standing in the five sectors of life: emotional and physical health, career and finances, spirituality and values, social: family, relationships, interpersonal relationships, and developmental and educational sphere?

Read and watch what feeds your mind, body, and soul in a positive and progressive manner. Enough said. This simple blueprint will begin your journey from within.

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ARE YOU READY TO

Thrive Are you ready to awaken from the delusion of separation, fear, and powerlessness? When we buy into these lies we suffer, we struggle, and we lack. We must remember that we are connected, we are abundant, and we are powerful!

I am excited to have shared my journey as an entrepreneur with so many people. I have been blessed in so many ways, therefore I give thanks and show gratitude each day for how my heavenly Father has set me up for success. I am too blessed to be stressed and he shows me that I am highly favored. You see, that is my attitude towards life. I want the life that he says he has for me.

Each day, I must stand and say to myself, “Patrice, you were made for this; you can achieve whatever you put your mind to.” My mind sometimes says “Wait,

PATRICE

STRONG-REGISTER

nah, I am not built for this”, to which I respond, “Yes you are!”(with a smile).

Jeremiah 20:11 reminds us that the Lord declares that he has a plan to prosper us, not harm us; plans to give us hope and a future. Now, if God says that about us, then why should we second-guess our position on earth? We need an attitude adjustment. Stop the self-sabotage, bad self-talk, and listening to what naysayers have to say about us.

Raise your level of thinking. Nothing is easy or free. You have options. Start with plan A, then B, C, D, or make as many as you can. As someone once said, “Most people don’t plan to fail, they just fail to plan”. So, create multiple options for yourself. Dig deep into your knowledge base and create a life that can become a legacy. Operate in the consciousness of love and feel your power to change things. Honor what you know and be open and willing to

A mom, daughter, sister, friend and serial entrepreneur, ready to change the world and make it a better place.

Thriving is in our DNA. Do yourself a favor, change your stinking thinking, stop to smell the beautiful flowers and be grateful for all things as it is a gift and part of your journey to learn from your experiences.

learn and share it because sharing is caring. Be kind and caring to your fellow man. Raise your vibrational frequency and do not be susceptible to the toxic environment that we live in. Know that you are so powerful and when you come into the consciousness of love and release the consciousness of fear, you can change everything. There is no greater power than that which resides in you.

As Shontina Gladney says, "Stop pressing the snooze button on your dreams."

Don’t worry about things you can’t change; focus on the things you can change. Be happy where you are and raise your level of thinking—10x your mind and your spirit. Once you increase your level of thinking and align this with your spirit, you will see a change happening that will create new

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?

Romans 8:31, NLT

opportunities for you. These two must be in alignment. Oftentimes, our spirit does not align with our thinking. Getting into alignment while knowing thyself is equivalent to understanding your purpose. I believe that if you operate in your purpose then you will be living your best life and thriving.

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You are going to love this membership.

We are committed to bringing you information that will save you time, make you money and inspire you to greatness. What you will get is expert advice through our private Facebook group, case studies, and some hand holding to help you get to the next level.

Go ahead, get on the mailing list.

Better Business Now Mailing List on Facebook @PLRServices.

Join us Friday, October 8th at 12 pm CST for "In the Spotlight with Dr. Latrice Rollins."

Tune in at https://youtu.be/s9DTEdOd004 Dr. Rollins is advocating for the unique service needs of African American fathers and men. She shares how we as a community can mobilize to promote diversity & inclusion for fathers in American's social services system.

ORDER YOUR COPY The book is available at Amazon & Kindle, Abe's Books, Walmart, and other on-line booksellers

My website: www.wisdomwalktoselfmastery.com Facebook Group: Wisdom Walk Community

HOW HYPERTENSION

Saved My Life AND TAUGHT ME TROUBLE CAN TURN INTO TREASURE July 1, 2014 - The Trouble: Really, God? Really?

It’s 12 noon, and my legs are folded in an armchair in the basement of a friend’s home in Wisconsin. It isn’t my home. My financial rug is gone, and although I knew that this huge change was coming, I couldn’t bring myself to accept it.

Today, I am in so much physical and emotional pain that all I can do is sit and cry. I’m worried that my blood pressure won’t come down. My plan didn’t work out. I am not going to be where I thought I would be for the rest of my life.

Except for a couple of suitcases and some books and CD’s, everything I own that I didn’t give away to friends and Goodwill; or leave by the garbage containers in the alley, is now boxed up in storage. I feel like I have failed.

Again!

July 1, 2017 - The Turning Point: Okay God, I surrender!

For real this time! It’s 12 noon, and I’m about to jump into my car, put pedal to the metal, and cruise on down the highway from the Midwest to the Southwest. I now understand that there’s no going back. Thank God, my blood pressure is now running normal. I have no idea when or where I’ll have a financial rug again, but I’ve made a deeper commitment to myself, my God and the Universe to put my physical and emotional health and wellbeing first. I am now completely open to learning how to be in alignment with God’s plan for me. I feel a combination of excitement, grief, and the joy of freedom. Like never before!

July 1, 2021 - The Treasure: Thank you, God! I love my life and am open to receive! It’s 12 noon, and I’m lounging in my beach chair on Zuma Beach in Malibu County, California. It’s a weekday, and the temperature is 75 degrees and sunny. I have been provided with a financial rug and home of my own, as well as a place to do my spiritual healing work. My experience of success is not just financial and material. My physical health and emotional wellbeing are better than ever. My blood pressure is better than normal. Also, I’m collaborating easily and effortlessly with very talented people who are also committed to a healthy and abundant lifestyle. I now truly understand the importance of trusting the higher process and journey to authentic success. I am beyond grateful!

JOJOPAHMARIA NSOROMA

Owner and steward of Higher Expectations Consulting Collaborative, is an accomplished innovator and influencer of human and organizational change. Since 1979, she has made significant contributions as a human services professional through a wide variety of educational and program leadership roles.

In addition to her organizational and professional development work, Jojopah also provides spiritual healing and coaching to individuals, broadcasts a weekly internet radio program (Wisdom Walk Talk), is a YouTube influencer (Wisdom Walk to SelfMastery), and has published her first book, (Wisdom Walk to Self-Mastery: ancient wisdom for transforming pain). She currently resides in Santa Monica, CA where she can easily walk to the ocean, practice her skills as a classical pianist, and visit restored movie palaces in Hollywood.

As you can see from my journal excerpts above, I’ve gone through a 7-year process experiencing and learning how trouble turns into treasure. When I Iook back on my experience now, I know for sure that even when I believed I was a failure, I was actually still successful, and still winning.

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You see, at the beginning of 2014, I had been diagnosed with out-of-control hypertension.

It is a miracle that I didn’t have a stroke because my blood pressure had been in the danger zone for weeks. I wasn’t conscious about it. I just knew that I was feeling good, but didn’t understand why. Once I learned how serious my condition was, I began to realize, too, that I needed a huge lifestyle change. The timing of my health challenge coincided with the completion of a major consulting contract. I had no energy to do any kind of work, so I allowed myself to go unofficially bankrupt and become a nomad.

HOW HYPERTENSION

Saved My Life AND TAUGHT ME TROUBLE CAN TURN INTO TREASURE

JOJOPAHMARIA NSOROMA

I went in search of a place where I could get healthy again, and this eventually led me to the perpetual sunshine of Arizona. With the support of friends, I secured a one-way plane ticket and places to safely lay my head down at night. I continued my spiritual coaching work, which brought in enough cash to allow me to focus on getting healthy and really writing my first book. All was going good, but in the spring of 2016, I accepted an offer to work as an employee for a human services organization back in the place I had left in 2014. Although the experience brought much financial stability and boosted my ego, my need for a different lifestyle to maintain my health became greatly evident. After about a year and a half, I resigned and courageously went back into the sunshine and the writing of my book.

Too often as entrepreneurs, we forget that we matter more than the money. The most common culture of economics doesn’t hesitate to put profit over people, so it’s easier for us to go along with that program rather than challenge it. Thanks to my hypertension, and my choosing not to die, I have established my healthy life- and -work-style. By 2018, I was living in my dream city of Santa Monica, California, where I finished writing and publishing my book. This experience grew my sense of worthiness, and I was able to take more creative entrepreneurial risks that have proven to be aligned with God’s plan for me.

At this time in my journey, I’ve been able to grow my financial rug in ways I could have never imagined. Every day I am learning new things, connecting with new people, and having fun in the process. Most importantly though, I know that my greatest treasure is my ability to put my physical and emotional health needs first. When I do this, I will always experience the right success. I thank my hypertension for coming into my life and waking me up to this truth. May my experience help you believe that your troubles can also turn into treasure.

...my greatest treasure is my ability to put my physical and emotional health needs first.

Jojopahmaria Nsoroma

EPIC EVOLUTION OF

Women

SHAWNTELL TAYLOR

A HISTORY OF DISPARITIES & INEQUALITY A study done by researchers concluded that in 2021, there are still inequalities in career and business that women all over the globe are faced with, especially women of color. The study published by leanln.org and McKinsey & Co. provides proof that women in the workplace and in business, namely Black women—continue to experience a wealth gap. The study concluded that Black women receive 39% less remuneration than their white counterparts and therefore 21% less compared to that of white women. The glass ceiling phenomenon that women experience in the workplace contributes to the unequal distribution of wealth that plagues society and more specifically, creates generational disparities for women of color. Here is a daunting list of obstacles: Balancing responsibilities Access to capital Fear of failure Inadequate support Gender inequality Difficulty being bold and confident Contracting resources

Author of: Heavy Content & BluePrint Business & Succession Planning

Expensive Lessons In my family, the elders would say, “Bought sense is better than taught sense.”

It’s true, a lot of my wisdom and understanding is a result of expensive lessons that I had to learn along the way. During my professional career in the financial industry, I have felt first-hand, many of the disparities and inequalities that black women all over the globe have legitimate concerns about. In 2006, I accepted a position as District Sales Manager for an Ohio based fortune 500 financial services company. Prior to my promotion, there was a white, middleaged male that preceded me in the same office and for the same territory--and my pay was thirty eight percent less than his. To make matters worse, I was assigned more duties and held more accountable by executive level management. As time progressed, I eventually started my own practice and discovered that as an entrepreneur equal pay and contracting would still be an issue and major hindrance for me.

CEO of Midwest Advantage Holdings Company, onestop- shop for all business and financial needs for individuals, families, & small businesses.

Founding Board Member of Chayil Incorporated, a nonprofit organization that assists women with achieving their life, career, and financial goals and dreams.

Chief Visionary Officer, Shawntell Nicole LLC, Hostess of Podcast, Wealth, Wicks & Wine Quiescent Moments Candles & Wine Company 12645 W Burleigh Rd. Ste 29A Brookfield, WI 53005 262-788-9999

Tune in to Wealth, Wicks, & Wine on Wednesdays at 7pm!

During recent years, as the CEO of my own financial firm—I have suffered many losses from clients to contracts and unfortunately these very expensive lessons were taught to me by the men in the industry.

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Quitting and failure were never options for me and now, I understand that I must continue to evolve and trailblaze for the next generation of women who are inspired entrepreneurs.

I do not despise small beginnings and I am grateful for the opportunity to

EPIC EVOLUTION OF

Women A HISTORY OF DISPARITIES & INEQUALITY

motivate women to pursue careers and businesses in male-dominated

SHAWNTELL

industries such as financial services.

TAYLOR

Challenges are Opportunities I am delighted and excited about the future of all women, especially Black women in business, and it is my mission to embrace, encourage, and empower the next generation of female financial professionals; to boldly stand with authority and to exceed their life, career, and financial goals and dreams. I believe that challenges are opportunities to break grounds for new development. At Midwest Advantage Holdings Company (MAHC) we provide training and education to new business owners. We provide opportunities in the field of finance coupled with education and resources to ensure success. MAHC’s tax services franchise and insurance pre licensing center affords women the opportunity to eliminate obstacles. MAHC’s partnership model consisted of various professionals assisting with growth and development to include access to capital, and succession planning.

Epic Evolution of Women Despite the obstacles and inferiority complex, women continue to evolve in business and the wealth gap has been recognized and continues to close. Researchers stated, “Although Black women experience low access of capital and other resources to sustain in their respective markets—Black women’s businesses continue to expand and escalate compared to any racial group in the United States.” According to Fundera, 64% of new women-owned businesses were started by women of color last year.

...women continue to evolve in business and the wealth gap has been recognized and continues to close Shawntell Taylor

50, SINGLE &

Blessed I’m blessed I was invited back as a contributor to write my second article for Be Well for Women Magazine.

I dedicate this second article, to my single sisters 40 and up that have never been married and my sisters without children like myself!

This is a subject that’s near and dear to my heart as well as a subject I can speak to based on MY OWN personal experience and journey of singleness.

For far too long society has judged a woman’s success by her marital status and if she’s had a child. Perhaps they even chose to start a career over starting a family. Whatever the reason, many have looked down upon or even shamed women of a certain age if they’re not married or do not have children by a certain age. I have come to dispel this false narrative. By the time this article is released, I will have celebrated my 50th birthday, praise God! My hope and prayer as you read this article, is that you are reminded and encouraged regardless of your age, marital or motherhood status, you

RACHEL WALLACE

are a success and still winning!

One of my favorite sitcoms was “Girlfriends”. This popular show starred Tracee Ellis Ross and featured a group of four educated black women— Joan, Toni, Lynn & Maya. These four ladies were the best of friends and went through life’s challenges—relationships, breakups and makeups, marriages, divorces, and having children. My college girlfriends & I joke that this sitcom (in some respects) mirrored us in our younger days. I won’t call out their names, but they know who they are and which characters they could have played. 😊 Let’s just say I mostly identify with the character “Joan” in my circle of girlfriends. Joan was the fixer and caretaker of the bunch; a successful career woman with a beautiful home and always dreamed of becoming a wife & mother. Joan was always looking at her biological clock ticking. It wasn’t until the show’s finale that Joan found the love of her life

But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait patiently for it.

Romans 8:25

and became engaged. If Joan had it her way, this would have happened many years earlier…….

……BUT GOD. When I was a little girl playing with my Barbie dolls (and Ken), my Barbie playhouse and my Easy Bake oven, like Joan in Girlfriends I always dreamed of being a wife, a mother (with 2 kids), and a successful career woman who owned and lived in a nice home with the white picket fence and a dog.

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This dream grew during my CSU college days. I just knew after I graduated from Central State University, I would be married by 25, have my first kid at 28 and my second by 31. That’s how I planned out my life. Well, having just turned 50, I have managed to accomplish 3 out of 6 on my list. Funny how I’ve accomplished the last three on my list and not the first three!

Successful career woman Nice home Picket fence (brown, not white) Dog (Pebbles is in doggie heaven now) Like Joan, I was incessantly consumed with the loud ticking of my biological clock.

“If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.” ~Woody Allen I can certainly say, everything has not worked out the way I planned for myself however, I believe it’s exactly how God saw fit while still asking me to trust him and not give up hope as outlined in Romans 8:25 which says, “But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait patiently for it.”

God knows patience has never been a strong suit of mine, however I’ve certainly learned the virtue of patience through my journey of singleness. Once I learned to stop looking at that “biological clock” society places on women to marry and have children by a certain age and trust God’s divine timing and season for my life, I entered a peace that surpasses all understanding. I was also able to clearly see the blessings and successes in my life such as the young women God has blessed me to mentor, the women God has entrusted me to minister to and pray for, the role I play as an Auntie to nephew DJ and to my girlfriends’ children, as well as my role as a Godmother to my goddaughter. Despite not having a child of my own, I’m still able to provide counsel and guidance while having an impact on the children in my circle of influence. Additionally, during the height of the Pandemic, God blessed me to purchase my first home—with a garden—at the age of 48! (I’ve always wanted a garden) Although my plan was always to buy a home with my husband, God blessed me to do it on my own during a Pandemic when people were unfortunately losing homes.

Whose clock will you believe in and trust?

While my life certainly has not exactly turned out the way I had originally planned, I’ve learned God’s delay is not a denial. His ways are not our ways and his timing is not our timing. I chose to believe I am in the exact time, place, and season He has ordered for me. I have not given up hope that in due time and season, God will bless me with the soulmate he has for me. Until then, I will patiently wait on the Lord.

As the prophet Isaiah says in Isaiah 40: 31, “But those that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."

EVICTING THE

Skeletons IN MY CLOSET Today I am on a mission to live my best life purposefully and intentionally with no regrets or at least very few!

While that may sound wonderful and even grand...it has been a daily battle fought with both missteps and huge challenges along the way to shake my confidence and replace it with fear and doubt. It is interesting that once you finally make a decision to do something different in order to get the results you desire that is the time when all h--- decides to break out just to see if you are truly committed to doing the work necessary in order for me to live my best.

I grew up in a family of four brothers (two older and two younger than myself) and a younger sister along with two parents. In this scenario, I grew up as a middle child. My parents were just entering the real estate business during the 60’s when only a handful of African-Americans had dared to venture into

SANDY MALONE

selling real estate. Historically, this was during a time of growing racial tension and discrimination all across the country, especially in the housing sector.

My family moved into a white suburban neighborhood when I was in the 3rd grade. The move came after months of noticing that we seldom received homework or had books to read. My parents with only a high school education were adamant that my siblings and I would be given the opportunity they never had to pursue higher education!

While attending predominantly white suburban schools I saw the education divide immediately. I went from rarely having homework to daily having homework in all of my core classes! What kind of school is this? I would mutter to myself, silently of course.

I am getting ready and preparing myself to get EVERYTHING God has for ME Sandy Malone

Self-Confidence. I grew up with a sister and four brothers, two older and two younger. I learned growing up to speak up for myself otherwise you will get left behind. I seldom had to speak up for myself or tell anyone off because the people who knew me saw that I put in the work to accomplish anything I wanted to achieve. In addition, I was not one who was boastful about what I accomplished. I let the results and the recognition speak for themselves! This is especially true when I was preparing for a track competition, playing tennis, or preparing for a piano recital.

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I learned from my mom, who was the youngest and only girl in her family with four older brothers to speak up or else get left behind.

Witnessing my parents fight to keep the business afloat during one of the toughest economic downturns in our nation’s history was devastating…

My father died 5 years ago and my mother died on November 26th, 2020. I was a caregiver to both of my parents and while the work was very taxing on the mind, body, and spirit especially during a Pandemic when hospital visitors was limited to one family member; my family agreed for me to be the designated visitor and to sign off on any medical procedures. The depth of my sadness and grief at witnessing my parents demise was unbearable. I was plagued with fear and doubt about what next and lost 40 pounds and contracted COVID-19 in the process. Ironically, I had no symptoms at the time, except the loss of taste and smell. But God….promised me that He would never leave me nor forsake me...and that I would be rewarded for Honoring my Mother and Father.

He became my refuge, comforter and strong tower...He promised me that the next chapter would be a beautifully woven one for what He is about to do next…I am getting ready and preparing myself to get EVERYTHING God has for ME!!!!

Remember God is no respecter of persons, what He has done and is doing for me, He can and will do for those who believe….Thank you to The Dream Academy for guiding me through a thoughtful and intensive process of learning how to examine the negative strongholds holding residence in my thoughts and actions over the years and replacing them with the proper techniques to lessen the negative influence of those unhealthy patterns and be an overcomer.

I Have Decided to Follow Jesus...no turning back, no turning back...

CREATING A

Winning Culture Have you ever wondered how winners become winners?

When I was growing up in Chicago our family was die hard Chicago Bulls fans, but at that time, the Bulls were not that good until the team acquired this young college phenom named Michael Jordan. This one decision that management made set their course on a path of winning. We all know one person cannot do everything on a team, and they realized this quickly. So, they set out to acquire other individuals who would complement his productivity, and by working together they created a winning team that not only won at home, but also on the road. In this example, we see the framework of how winning can be achieved not only from our own efforts, but from the efforts of those who are our teammates. The question is asked, why were the Bulls able to outperform their competitors? Was it talent? Absolutely! Was it discipline? You bet it was! Was it strategy?

Without a doubt! Was it hard work? Of course! But, above all that,

VELMA FORDE

creating a winning culture is at the heart of competitive advantage.

Let’s go back for a moment. How did the Bulls create their winning culture?

They created a winning team that consisted of players who were at the top of their game in their assigned positions on the court. Each team player stayed in his lane and worked on being the best in his position. One player did not try to outshine the other but instead used individual skills and strengths and combined them with others to create winning plays; plays that allowed them to dominate on the court and score more baskets, allowing them to reach their team goal of winning.

Here are three important keys to creating a winning culture: Loyalty is at the heart of a winning culture. It attracts people who

Winning is never about what you can do as a person alone.

Velma Forde

want to be part of your team or circle, and it motivates you to do the right thing—not just the easy thing—and in turn, people not only know what they should do, but why they should do it. Loyalty is treasured because it lets us take the risk of foreseeing the deeds of people we trust. These times require us to re-prioritize some people and some things. Don’t feel bad about it!

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Trust is also essential in building a winning culture, and it causes one to feel safe and respected. Having an environment of trust is significant to attracting like-minded people. When there is no trust, it is highly unlikely that people will want to collaborate with you or lend a helping hand. Not everyone who says “I’m a team player” is trustworthy, that’s why it’s important to do your due diligence when seeking out the “right” people in which to partner. Don’t hoard information for yourself. The people you’re building trust with are usually people that you should be working with collaboratively. Share the information so they can succeed too! You want to create an environment where people feel safe, respected, and comfortable sharing their feelings, ideas, and thoughts. This will lead to long-lasting relationships.

Consistency. Picture this…have you ever gone to a job and had co-workers who didn’t pull their weight on a day-today basis? Was the company better because of their inconsistencies? Absolutely not! Do you think this type of behavior could fly for a long period of time without a total breakdown at some point? Consistency is another key to a winning culture. You may start out with a bang and on a high note but maintaining that performance over time is fundamental to long-term success. If Michael Jordan could only perform in the first quarter and then slacked off the rest of the game, he would have never been considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Likewise, in any profession, consistency is essential to winning!

Having a winning culture isn’t always the easiest to achieve. It’s a continuous effort of building.

Winning is when you are happy with the outcome regardless of the score. It’s a mindset; a peace within that’s comforting and healing. It’s knowing you gave everything you had to give even though it may not have been enough.

As we contemplate creating a winning culture, please keep in mind the importance of celebrating victories along the way, no matter the size— super-sized or bite-sized! Winning cultures are best measured through our day-to-day activities and constant improvement! Make more choices that are intentional and let yourself be the person you’ve always wanted to be. Spend more time with people who make you laugh and feel loved. Stop wasting your thoughts over what could have been. If it should have been, it would have been. Live in the present (right now). You can’t move forward looking through the rearview mirror. Don’t overthink! Tell all the thoughts running around in your head to get somewhere and sit down! There will be some wins and some losses. Don’t let the wins go to your head or the losses go to your heart.

Winning is never about what you can do as a person alone. There is always going to be someone who helps lead you down your path of success. Doing things by yourself can be extremely challenging at times. By working together with one unified goal, you can achieve anything and together we all win and enjoy the culture we’ve created!

ARE YOU IN IT TO WIN…

Or Wimp Out? As a transformational life coach, I constantly hear individuals talk about having a desire to live their dreams, but will then admit to being completely stuck on how to make it happen. Statistics tell us that only 12% of the population achieve the goals they set each year. That means out of every 100 people, only 12 will achieve success.

The question is…why are so many failing? I have come to realize that most people talk a really good game about wanting to win in life; but most don’t want to do the hard work to make the win happen.

So, my question to you is…are you a winner or will you die a wimp? Sounds harsh? It is! But, if you don’t want to be one of those who take your dreams to the grave, it’s time for a wake up call. I want to give you a few key strategies to push past fears, self-doubt, limiting beliefs and self-sabotage to leap into victory!

DR. BRENETIA

ADAMS-ROBINSON

Seek God’s guidance before you leap. Setting a goal based on greed or anything other than God’s plan will lead to working hard and going nowhere. Without God's guidance, you will eventually get to some destination, but you will still live in mediocrity.

Adopt a Winner’s Mindset. That means you must take the option of quitting off the table before you leap. Stop feeling sorry for yourself ; stop blaming others for

If you are ready to win, get off your pity pot and stand boldly to make your dreams your reality.

how you got to where you are; stop making excuses! Winners don’t whine, they do the work. They make a decision to make it happen, and don’t get swayed by naysayers, haters, or those who can’t see your vision. Winners stay on course!

Realize that winning means hard decisions. Winners don’t waste time on useless efforts. Winners make tough decisions on where they invest their time, what they do with that time, and who they allow in their inner circle. If you want to win in this game called life, make sure you connect to others who want the same thing. You may have to change some things to make your dreams happen.

Set your “win standards”. Set your goals based on your heart’s desire, not on

Dr. Brenetia Adams-Robinson “Dr. Bre”

jealousy or envy, being a copycat, or keeping up with the crowd. Identify your ‘why’ and make it big enough to drive you into action. Imbed your ‘why’ into your spirit and pull on it when you want to quit. Chasing a goal for the wrong reasons or with weak whys means you have already lost.

Envision your 10-year future. Get your dream clear in your mind. Then envision your life 10 years down the road if you quit or fail. How does it look? Are you willing to live a life with failure?

If you are ready to win, get off your pity pot and stand boldly to make your dreams your reality. Realize that only you can get you to where you want to be. Do you have the courage and determination to push past all obstacles and make it happen? If making dreams were easy, everyone would win. So do whatever it takes to make your dreams happen. Realize that there is one God-given promise you can count on…If you stay prayerful, align with God’s plan, and refuse to quit…you will win!

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Dr. Brenetia Adams-Robinson "The Destiny D.I.V.A."

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NO PARKING ZONE LOADING & UNLOADING =

A Winning Strategy I recently spotted these words while standing in front of a hotel waiting for the van back to the airport: No Parking- Loading and Unloading Only. I thought about how life consists of times along our journey when we must pull over and load ourselves with positive, nutritional, sustainable substances (mentally and physically) and at other times we must release the negative toxins we have picked up along the way (fears, frustrations, disappointments.) I envisioned how vital it is for us to have a designated area, safe from interference and commotion; where we can effectively handle our business and the tasks at hand to accomplish our hearts desires.

There are times when the hotel vans return from a trip and someone is blocking their way, preventing them from unloading and loading according to their schedule. They may be inconvenienced, but it does not stop them from doing what needs to be done.

In order to make progress we must continue to move forward towards our intended objectives and goals. There will be things that come along that block the path we are

LINDA MICHELLE TRAINER

traveling, yet we cannot let that completely stop us. Maya Angelou once said, “We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.” We must continue forward to find a way around, through, or above the situation so that we can keep on moving forward.

We must be purposeful with all of our actions and our rest stops. Pride makes excuses, humility makes an adjustment. Every failure means we’re one step closer to finding something that works. Our breakthrough - your personal, uniquely designed way through - could be just around the corner.

Winners face truth and release lies and deceptions; facing the truth and avoid being in denial. Winners choose to live in reality as opposed to a fantasy world; trying to escape painful reality, suppress negative emotions or to mentally separate themselves from painful memories or events. Winners take the necessary time to grieve and heal; crying with an agenda, processing through their pain and discomfort. If “it's” hard, winners do it hard. Winners seek professional help to walk through any areas where they may seem to be stuck; press through to find the root cause, process it and then arise anew— continuing forward to their ordained purpose and destiny.

We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.

Maya Angelou

I remember working to meet deadlines and manifest my goal to publish an Amazon Best Seller, “Who Cares that You Care…” I recall how difficult it was for me to stay awake after working full days, coming home to tend to my house and my husband, and keeping myself awake all night researching and typing out my manuscript. There were many nights I woke myself up as my head bobbed to my chest in mid keystrokes on my laptop. I would wipe away the tears and cry out loud for God to give me the strength and the focus to finish what had already proven to bring help, understanding, and direction to families dealing with loved ones with dementia. Every fiber in my body ached, yet I knew I was called to finish the project and release it so that caregivers and their loved ones would find their own relief.

It’s been said, “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” We have all been challenged by distractions and interference when we’ve set out to do something that seems incredible and almost impossible at the same time. I bet you can personally list at least a half dozen or more things that you have been faced with that challenged your resolve, and yet you stood up, pressed through and made it to the other side of your goal. YOU DID IT! Y-O-U did it then, and Y-O-U can do it again. We win in life when we obey God and leave the consequences to Him. Be IN Courage, precious one. We win.

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LABOR + LESSONS =

Winning As I sit here on Labor Day, (trying not to LABOR at all) and listen to “The Best Soul 70’s” on YouTube the tune playing right now is “What’s Going On by Marvin Gay”. I subtracted the years and that song was played over 50 years ago. Talk about the Bounce back is Real! What was going on back then in your life? Think about it, in the 70’s…hmmm.

Well, those were my primo years and I guess my most resounding days. I had just become a teenager, had good friends in school, great family, and just enjoying life.

And just like that I was no longer a virgin at 14 with a beautiful baby girl by the age of 15; unwed and still “a child” myself. Due to a great and large family, I was still able to finish high school, graduate from my normal high school, proceed to college and

BEVERLY

become the first to get a four-year degree in my family lineage. I even got engaged,

BROWN

worked, was happy- go-lucky…. and then the engagement was broken which seemed to permanently break my heart.

At this point I embarked on what I didn’t know was my vision—to help others to discover their dreams and help build their businesses. Between New Orleans street life and partying, my dream was still constantly growing inside of entrepreneurship, even though I was not quite FULLY aware.

Hints of it would emerge whenever I WAS on a job in corporate America and not fully understanding why I never fit into the group and how they were happy (or so it seemed) doing everyday duties and going home to their lives and starting it all over again the next day. I guess that’s where I rebelled even though I was doing an excellent job and awarded positions and promotions that carried greater responsibilities than the others I may have started with at the same level.

...we are consistently and constantly WINNING Beverly Brown

Therefore, I would work great, but somehow manage to either get transferred (never fired) or I’d find something that was more intriguing to do than the usual mundane duties. Actually, most of them went out of business AFTER I had left the company. So, there I was “bouncing” from place to place, job to job, transition demotion to promotion, city to city, state to state, each time managing to start everything all over again.

Fast forward to the 2000’s I managed to start my own business, fail at it, start it again, fail again, survive Katrina, start it again, survive breast cancer twice, relocate again and start it AGAIN and accomplish so much more. Now we are in 2021 and I look back at how each time, all I was really doing was winning—all along.

From giving birth as a teen, to heartache, to street life, to corporate America, to starting my own business, to now seeing how the Dreamers that come into my life via consulting or my academy, I have seen and heard so many stories of bouncing back from the obstacles and “adventures” placed in front of us. If you REALLY think about it – What’s Going On? (from the seventies and until now) is that we are consistently and constantly WINNING. As long as you keep bouncing BACK from the pits of hell (and yes some of them were close) you WILL and are always WINNING! BE WELL MAGAZINE FOR WOMEN

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