CEOMOM April 2016

MOMS IN THE CITY MAKING MOVES IN THE BIG D THE ZEAL ELITE Redefining How Women Connect

HAVING IT ALL Define for Yourself

SWV

STILL ON TOP

Growth, Transition & Success on Their Terms

table of contents 05 Letter from the Editor 06 Having It All: Define for Yourself 08 Welcome to the Zeal Elite 09 8 Rules for Success 11 SWV: Still on Top 14 How to be an Effective Accountability Partner 16 Moms in the City: Making Moves in the Big D - Estrelita, Kat & Alisha

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23 28 Lights, Camera, Action: Cheldin Rumer 30 CEOMOM Summit: Let's Talk - Meet Phyllis McKnight 32 CEOMOM Summit: Let's Talk Meet Emily Hargrove 34 Tiffany Fulcher presents: A New Coworking Space for Moms

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Editor-in-Chief Vonna Matthews

Contributing Designer Photo Director Contributing Writer Contributing Writer Cover Photography

Taly Melo Krystal Jackson Lorrie Irby Jackson Jasmin Brand Gateway Designs & Photography

Make-up Artist Taylor Steward

EDITORIAL OFFICE The Colony, Texas 75056 +1-972-302-9150 | info@veventsonline.com

CEOMOM Magazine is published by V Events.

The Colony, Texas 75056 | +1-972-302-9150

www.bottlesbibsandpumps.com

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Letter from the Editor

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32 It is with an open heart that I offer to you a magazine that redefines power.

To say that I am excited about the inaugural issue of CEOMOM does not paint the full picture. This magazine is years in the making. Several years ago, I had a vision to create a magazine that would empower women to reach their fullest potential by not only working to improve themselves professionally, but to understand the power that lies within them. Women are unique beings who possess the uncanny ability to go beyond the norm. Women wear several hats and give all that they are to their families and their careers. This magazine celebrates those women by giving them a voice. We want you to be recognized for your accomplishments, talents and contributions to the business world and the community.

In this issue, you will read stories of transition, faith, love and hope. You will see how these women have overcome obstacles to build businesses while raising families.

VONNA MATTHEWS

Editor-in-Chief

Vonna Matthews

"In this issue, you will read stories of transition and triumph..."

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DEFINE FOR YOURSELF

HAVING ITÂ ALL!

By Vonna Matthews

A woman's ability to be both professionally driven and a mother has been debated since women began entering the workforce. This discussion is underlined by three misconceptions.

One - "having it all" means the same thing to every woman.

Two - "having it all" represents an ends to a mean, a finite goal that is achieved at one given point rather than the fluid representation of a journey.

Three - it can be narrowed down to one accomplishment that is solely defined by the "successful" merge of family and career.

Who decides what "having it all" entails and when it has been achieved? Is the question, "Can a woman have it all?," the one we should be answering or should we focus on a woman's right to decide what is important to her and how she will manipulate her priorities? In our quest for work-life balance (a colleague once told me that it should be life-work balance), we must determine and explore our individual priorities rather than societal norms or ideas of success.

I am a stay at home mompreneur. My typical day consists of attempting to manage a business while a 3 year old begs for peanut butter bites and a 10 month old discovers new ways to

HER STORY

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LET'S GET REAL

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destroy months of child proofing our home. I find myself frustrated, because I desire to pursue dreams beyond motherhood, yet the needs of my children trump the importance of a business call or the urgency of a deadline. I have come to the realization that I am one woman with finite abilities. I can be a progressive businesswoman and an attentive mom, but not always at the same time.

At any given season in my life, one area takes back seat to the other. Even when you juggle, at least one item is always in the air while the others rest securely in your hands. Mathematics tells us that if one piece is missing, inadvertently the whole no longer exists. The question becomes, which area will take priority today. Will I have to miss my daughter's dance recital for a business trip? Am I too tired to read my child a bedtime story due to a hectic day at the office? The debate is no longer can you have it all, but can you do it all. Can you be it all?

IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE by radically reducing the use of toxic chemicals in your home.

Skincare & Eyelashes

Yes, you can have a career and a family. You can be class mom and CEO of a Fortune 500 company. You can make cookies and make business deals.

It's not about having it all, but having all you want. Determine for yourself what that is. Is it important for you to say goodnight to your child every night, but you will have to miss some of her sporting events? Have you committed to being home by a certain time during the week, but you work one weekend a month? Define for yourself what "having it all" entails. Only then, can the discussion go beyond rhetoric and archaic ideas. Society no longer decides what's important to you. You do.

Define for yourself what "having it all" entails.

www.glamspotgirl.com Skincare & Eyelashes

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A GLOBAL MARKETPLACE FOR WOMEN

WELCOMEÂ TO THEÂ ZEALÂ ELITE! CEOMom interviewed Founder , Jasmin Brand What is Zeal Elite?

Zeal is the only elite global search engine designed to connect passionate, game changing women around the world. It is a stylish directory that also serves as a worldwide marketplace for influential women and brands to connect and engage with one another in meaningful collaborations.

stories, lessons and advice to share with a mom in Miami. Our bond as women is just that strong.

Tell us the story behind the unique name.

I was looking for a word that truly embodied sheer excitement and passion for something. Zeal means great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective.

As soon as I read the definition I knew it was the perfect word to describe the mission behind this project.

What is the inspiration behind Zeal Elite? What made you start this network?

I have been passionate about connecting women together in unique ways since I formed My Forward Life, a networking community started in 2013 that ntroduced women every quarter to new places, new faces and new ideas. Over the last three years, I have been excited to witness the power of social media when it comes to personal branding and connecting people together with simply a hashtag or funny phrase. I felt that the time was right to take our networking to a much more global level. Enter Zeal Elite.

We understand that Zeal Elite is the only global search engine for women. Please tell us what that means for today's mompreneurs.

Women, but mompreneurs in particular, are no longer confined to their zip codes when it comes to building a large network and establishing a solid brand.

Individually, mothers are strong, resilient and amazing. But just imagine when we come together for something that moves our lives forward? A mom in Seattle has

How do you see Zeal Elite changing the way women do business?

It is my dream that women begin to develop kicka**, huge, global plans for their lives, their blogs, their brands. To not feel confined to their current place in life but to dream BIG. There is nothing stopping you or I from doing that and Zeal wants to make it that much easier for you to do that. Women uniting and collaborating is the most powerful business strategy there is!

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8 RULES FOR SUCCESS CEOMOM asked our featured moms for their top rules for success. Here are just a few rules that will help propel you in life and business.

EMBRACE SELF-GROWTH Don't be afraid to step outside of the box and learn something new to enhance you personally and professionally. Dr. Estrelita Bruce

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BE CONSISTENT Do what you say you are going to do and be willing to do what others will not.

Dr. Estrelita Bruce

SHARE YOUR SUCCESS

GROW TO BIG

Allow others the opportunity to share in your success.

Alisha Woodall

Give yourself time and room to grow. The best lessons are learned during the process.

CEOMOM

DO UNTO OTHERS Treat everyone with honor and dignity. Kat Armstrong

SILENCE THE HATERS Don't listen to haters.

Kat Armstrong

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GATHER YOUR DREAM TEAM Put together a team of people who are smarter and more talented than you.

CEOMOM

BE THE BOSS Make tough decisions. It"s okay to do what's best for you and your business. CEOMOM

" You musn't be

afraid to dream a little bigger darling

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SWV: STILL ON TOP

SWV Photo Credit: Derek Blanks If you consider the 90s a golden time in R&B and came of age grooving to hits like "Weak," "So Into You," "Right Here" and "You're The One," then you already know that the aforementioned music belongs to a threewoman-collective that performed as Sisters With Voices, AKA SWV. Almost everyone remembers how the longtime friends Tamara "Taj" Johnson, Leanne "LeLee" Lyons and Cheryl "Coko" Gamble rose to meteoric fame from their modest beginnings in NY-area church choirs to platinum-selling soul divas off the strength of a wellcrafted demo tape, but few of their fans knew of the internal battles SWV would soon face as entertainers and young adults.

by Lorrie Irby Jackson For every beautiful ballad ("Always On My Mind," "Use Your Heart") and funky-fresh remix ("Anything," "Right Here (Human Nature)" youthful insecurities and unprofessional insiders allowed egos to flair, money to dissipate and 'haters' to pit one friend against the next. By the time their third CD, ironically titled Release Some Tension, had dropped, none of the ladies were on speaking terms. And just like too many other popular girl groups before them (The Supremes, En Vogue and Brownstone, to name a few) SWV broke up and the music seemed destined to remain silenced forever.

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SWV: STILL ON TOP

But instead, Coko, LeLee and Taj, now 40-plus and with families

RULE NO. 3: DON'T BE AFRAID OF A NEW DIRECTION

of their own, accomplished what many considered impossible----

Anyone who watched the ladies during the two seasons of SWV

new music, growing popularity, a reality show and a Grammy-

United knows that there were tussles with management. Presently

nominated comeback with their 2012 CD, I Missed Us. It's

though, SWV is being managed alongside New Edition by NE's

probably true that few of us can carry a tune like SWV can, but

longtime manager, Brooke Payne."He's known us since we were

what we can learn from these hitmakers are universal lessons

a lot younger and we would see him when we performed on

applicable to any of us looking to excel as CEO moms to the next

shows with New Edition or BBD," says lead singer Coko, who's

level as professionals and entrepreneurs.

now married to professional drummer Mike Clemons (of gospel's Israel & The New Breed) and the mother of two sons, Jazz and

In a recent chat with the group, who visited Dallas earlier this

Jaden. "So when we started looking again for new management,

year to promote their fifth studio CD, Still, CEOMOM learned

we thought Brooke Payne would be a great fit for SWV and he's

that every woman wrestles with issues and learns lessons along

awesome. He's taught me at 45 what I should have learned when

the way, even glamorous stage divas like SWV.

I was 19!"

RULE NO.1: ACKNOWLEDGE PAST MISTAKES, BUT

RULE NO. 4: WHEN SOMETHING HURTS YOUR BRAND,

KEEP IT MOVING

LET IT GO.

According to LeLee, a single mother of two adult children and

Despite the fact that SWV United broadened the trio's visibility

grandmother to one, simply living and maturing is how everyone

to those unfamiliar with their music, Coko was glad to see the

learned from their young-girl-mistakes and renewed their

reality show take a wrap. "I'm not saying I wouldn't do another

friendships: "We understand each other now as women. Don't get

reality show one day, because I would," she says, "But my main

me wrong----we still get on each other's nerves sometimes, but

issue is, 'show all sides of what I am. I'm just not one way all the

we love each other and respect where everybody is coming from

time, so show the good and the bad, not just what's wrong. We

right now, and I think that's important."

already had fans following before the show, but we lost some because they saw us being portrayed as going at each other. It

RULE NO. 2: DON'T LET GETTING OLDER MAKE YOU

wasn't a cool thing."

THINK YOU CAN'T ACCOMPLISH YOUR DREAMS Taj Johnson is now Taj George, married to former football great

For her part, LeLee didn't understand how people were unable to

Eddie George and the mother of a son and stepson, but you

see them as individuals. "Taj said she went on her Instagram

couldn't tell her that SWV entering their 40s made them obsolete:

page and read where someone said they 'used to be a fan of ours

in fact, the songs from their CD Still were learned and recorded

til they saw the show'--- what does that have to do with....music?

within a week! "I would say we're pretty professional when it

We didn't do anything personally to you!"

comes to the work process. It was hard, since we were trying to capitalize the single ["Ain't Nothing Like A Man"] off of our

Her final point is one that every CEOMOM can relate to---never

time on the reality show [WeTV's SWV United]. We appreciate

putting a time limit on what you can bring to the table personally

being mature and older, but we can definitely hang with these

and professionally. "SWV wants to do something different, so

new kids the way they think they can hang with us!"

we're gonna change the face [and image] of Black music groups."

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HOW TO BE AN EFFECTIVE ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER At some point in your career, you will become someone's accountability partner. Your role is to assist your partner in taking some part of her life to the next level. Here are 5 tips to help you be the best accountability partner without compromising your dreams.

An old boss used to tell me, "Get it done right. Get it done now." As a young professional, those words were intimidating. As a more seasoned businessperson, I appreciate their sentiment. The progress of any individual or organization is determined by the ability to execute a series of goals with accuracy, efficiency and effectiveness.

One of the first steps to accomplishing goals is to develop an accountability system that is defined by partnerships rather than duties. As a member of a business or organization, you may be called to serve as an accountability partner, someone who helps another person accomplish a task, meet deadlines or make a commitment.

Understanding what makes one accountability partner more effective than another will impact your partner's ability to execute. Here are 5 C's that will make you an effective accountability partner.

Consistency - Consistency creates a pattern of dependability. Dependability is important in any partnership, because it increases trust. Your partner must know that you will provide feedback that is task specific, measurable and timely. Sporadic and unpredictable contributions create chaos and reduces your partner's ability to make necessary adjustments in a timely manner.

Capabilities - Identify your strengths and areas of growth so that you can give your partner your best.

Having a strong sense of self and being aware of your unique capabilities allows you to assist your partner with specific tasks and provide information that is exclusive to their needs.

Commitment - Be committed not only with your time, but with your desire to see your partner succeed. Your commitment level will show in how often you show up and what you bring with you in the form of talents and resources.

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HOW TO BE AN EFFECTIVE ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER

Ask yourself, "Am I as passionate about my partner's success as I am my own? What am I doing to show that passion?"

Collaboration - Be eager to work together rather than be the star of the team. The end results take precedence over the accolades given to individuals. We have all heard the saying, "There is no "I" in team." Identify opportunities to help your partner complete a task whether it is by donating your talents, connecting them with an expert or providing knowledge.

Communication - Communication is the foundation and most vital component to all relationships. It allows you to exchange ideas and emotions to understand your partner's needs. The modes of communication aren't as relevant as the consistency, purpose and effectiveness. Communication can be used to comfort, encourage and educate.

An effective accountability partner initiates communication. Starting the conversation shows your partner that you are eager and passionate about their goals. This helps to further increase trust.

However you end up becoming an accountability partner, remember that your impact can be immeasurable. Though your role is diverse, you serve one singular purpose, to help someone propel their business, life or career...one goal at a time.

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A NEW ME: DR. ESTRELITA BRUCE Dr. Estrelita Bruce, affectionately known as Dr. E., epitomizes beauty, poise and strength. From tragedy, she has created the brand, A New Me, to help others transform their lives. After the loss of her first husband, Dr. E. decided to help others realize their power and experience healing from loss. She has dedicated herself to encouraging her clients to grow beyond pain.

Inspiration is her gift, and I experienced that firsthand through our interview. As a wife, mother and counselor, Dr. E. shows that you can have it all if you’re doing what you love.

What inspired you to start Zoea Life?

Being a life coach and Christian counselor, I wanted to provide a safe place for individuals to understand what it means to live an "abundant life" (which is the meaning of Zoea) through tragedy and loss. There are changes to Zoea Life which is transitioning to my new brand, "A NEW ME." After coming back from the successful Steve Harvey expo in 2015, I felt discouraged. I didn’t know my next move. I began to write in my journal which has always been a passion of mine. As I was writing, the Lord reminded me of how freeing and fulfilling I feel when I write. I felt God pushing me to start a blog. My initial plan was to write a few posts but then it just took off, transitioning into a brand that incorporates all of my passions; creating Inspirational Value (writing),

A NEW ME has no doubt been my outlet to be more creative while integrating my passion with my profession."

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Products (workbooks, apparel, and spiritual enrichment materials - currently in process to be launched), and Services (Life Coaching and Christian Counseling). God knew that moment of discouragement would later redefine my path in life.

A NEW ME has no doubt been my outlet to be more creative while integrating my passion with my profession. It has helped me step outside of just being a "Christian Counselor."

Describe A NEW ME using 5 words.

Fun, Elegant, Transparent, Beauty and Truth CEOMOM

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DR. E A New Me, Transparently & Abundantly What are some of the biggest misconceptions made of women who balance family with business?

That you can’t do it. What debunks that misconception is having a supportive family. You need family who believe in your dreams and visions.

Most importantly, as a woman you have to set your boundaries and find balance in a manner that works best for you and your family. Another misconception is having children or a husband will slow you down so you can't be successful. You have to create ways to work around the reality of your roles and lifestyle.

Learn to balance spending quality time with family and look for those "free" moments or opportunities to work on your business. It may require more sacrifice but you can always make it work!

What advice would you give to a mother who wants to start her own business or elevate her career?

It can be done when you find something that you are passionate about. If you have the support of family and friends with a plan in place, it will happen for you.

I'm very blessed to have such a supportive husband and family. I know that's not the case for every woman, but you can still make it happen. Don't let anything deter you from your dreams! If God has given it to you, then He entrusts you to make it happen.

FIND or CREATE a way. Don't be afraid to fail. Failures are great stepping stones to elevate your business and personal life.

What does a typical day look like for you?

My typical day consists of getting up at 5:30am to read, pray, and meditate. That sets the tone for my day. I get my daughter ready and then hit the ground running. I make a daily to do list and work to tackle each item on the list.

I’ve also learned that you can’t finish everything.

Tomorrow will come. After coming home, I cook for the family. Sometimes I have things scheduled in the evenings such as phone interviews and empowerment sessions. But I always make it a priority to play with my daughter, put her to bed, and spend time with my husband.

Do you want your children to follow your footsteps in business? What advice would you give them if they decided to become entrepreneurs?

I want my children to excel or do better than me. I want our daughters (including our adopted daughter who is 27 years old) to do whatever they are passionate about whether that's following Mommy’s footsteps or not. I know they will be able to do anything they put their minds to if they are just willing to pay the price. Talent will only take you so far, but ultimately hard work, their faith in God and focus will propel them to their own God given purpose.

Where do you see A New Me in 5 years?

I see myself as a very successful blogger. I will be traveling more to spread the message and lifestyle of A New Me as an author, speaker, life coach, and Christian counselor. I also plan to host my own events. I see it being a global brand to encourage individuals to live a lifestyle of excellence and to share the message that you can truly embrace who you are, transparently and abundantly in Christ.

Learn more about Dr. Estrelita Bruce and A New Me at www.anewmedre.com

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CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE PIE

INGREDIENTS: DIRECTIONS: 1 flax egg 3/4 cup Vegan butter 1/2 cup cane sugar 3/4 cup coconut sugar 1/2 tbsp vanilla extract 1 3/4 cup flour 3/4 tsp baking soda vegan chocolate chips

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Prepare the flax egg with 1 tbsp of ground flax & 2 tbsp water. Stir and set aside for 10 min.

3. Mix the butter and sugar.

4. Add vanilla, and flax egg to your butter mixture.

5. In a separate bowl, mix the flour and baking soda. Gradually add the flour mixture to your batter. Stir in the chocolate chips.

6. Put the mixture in a greased pie dish. Spread evenly. Bake for 10 to 20 min. Let cool.

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POLISHED & REFINED: KAT ARMSTRONG A true Texas girl from Houston, Kat Armstrong is a powerhouse with a passion for ministering to young professional women. A graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, Kat gives a new meaning to the phrase, “wears many hats.” Inspired by her son Caleb, Kat founded Baby Bow Tie, a company that provides fashionable bow ties for stylish babies. She is also the Executive Director Co-Founder of Polish Ministries, an organization that hosts networking lunches to share the gospel with over 5,000 women.

Married to her college sweetheart at the age of 21, Kat knows the power of a supportive family. Her husband, lead pastor at Dallas Bible Church, is her biggest supporter. They share home, business and church duties, referring to themselves as Team Armstrong. Kat is not your typical pastor’s wife, but she feels comfortable in her own skin. Most would describe her as real and passionate about Christ, her family and her purpose.

1. What inspired you to start Baby Bow Tie? Besides wanting to create stylish bow ties that my 3 month-old son could wear, Baby Bow Tie was a means to an end. It was a way to fund working for Polish. I had this precious 3 month old in my arms and needed to pay the bills. God just lined up the right people at the right time. I met the right woman who had made a huge hit in the accessories industry.

She helped me to find my manufacturer.

We can't treat ourselves the way we do our goals, we need to have grace with ourselves." "

She did all of this work for me for free. She told me that she saw something amazing in me. Her assistance helped me to fast forward my success and legitimize my business.

Describe Baby Bow Tie using 5 words.

Inclusive, Authentic, Professional, Polished, Feminine What made you shift to working Polish Ministries more than Baby Bow Tie. I had a lot of creative juices that I wanted to release. I have a real passion to do nonprofit work. There are days when I miss the adrenaline of getting a new account or designing new ties, but I believe my CEOMOM

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KAT Young professional women are the newest U.S. mission field mission is to share the gospel with young professional women and equip them to share their faith. In 2008, I was a highly successful VP and Independent Consultant for Arbonne, a skincare company. I was selling their products, earned a car and trips and speaking to groups about the business. I was doing home parties and sharing my faith as a result. Along with a friend, I created a space where I could share the gospel with young professional women outside of Corporate America.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Besides driving Caleb to my mom’s house, the first thing I do in the morning is spend time in the gospel.

I listen to God to hear Him speak to me. That takes me less than 10 minutes. I write out my prayers in a journal. I begin work by getting on the phone with my assistant. I also create a bullet point of all the fires and emergencies to put out for the day.

What advice would you give to a mother who wants to start her own business or elevate her career?

Start thinking about what grace looks like. We have to learn to be graceful with ourselves. Our faith community, our world and our work may not be gracious with us. If we are going to be successful, we have to be ruthlessly driven. We can't treat ourselves the way we do our goals, we need to have grace with ourselves.

Do you want your children to follow your footsteps in business? What advice would you give them if they decided to become entrepreneurs?

I want Caleb to do what he was meant to do and to flourish, it doesnt really matter what that is. It would be great if he picked up some of my work ethic but at the end of the day my highest hope is that he would treat people with dignity and honor.

I believe we were created for that. I would be so pleased to see him doing something where he is flourishing.

What do you like to do to release stress?

I see an LPC regularly and I love to read and I practice a weekly sabbath.

Where do you see Polish in 5 years?

God is the one directing the ministry and I believe the vision he has given me is to watch Polish grow into a national organization with chapters in cities across the U.S. To learn more about Kat visit www.katarmstrong.net and to learn more about Polish ministries, visit www.polishonline.org.

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OATMEAL COOKIES INGREDIENTS:

1 cup rolled oats 2 ripe bananas 1/2 cup Vegan chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Mash the bananas in a medium sized mixing bowl.

3. Add the oatmeal to the bananas.

4. Mix in the 1/2 cup of chocolate chips.

5. Scoop onto a lightly greased baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes.

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IT TAKES A VILLAGE: ALISHA WOODALL We’ve all heard the African proverb, “It takes a village.” Alisha Woodall understands this firsthand and decided in 2012 during her pregnancy with her beautiful son that she would not walk alone on the journey of motherhood. She started the Facebook group, Village Moms, to provide a safe haven for moms to connect and be transparent with the challenges and joys of being a new mom. The group grew from 7 moms to over 1,300 women worldwide with more than a thousand on a waiting list. If you are a Texas mother on Facebook, there’s a possibility you have heard of Village Moms.

Not only is Alisha the creator of this amazing Facebook group, she is the founder of Finding the Foundation, a counseling center that focuses on transforming behavior by acknowledging and accepting behavioral patterns. I have admired Alisha from afar so I was excited to interview her and learn more about her passions.

What inspired you to create Village Moms?

Village Moms started when I was pregnant. I didn’t want to be that person who over shares about my baby on my Facebook page. I knew there were several other moms in my social circle who were pregnant that could also benefit from a private online space to share in "mommy chit chat." It started with me and 6 other women who knew each other prior to becoming pregnant. Those 6 women

What you might see as a corporate career woman working long hours, could easily be a determined mother striving to have a better work/life balance in the long run." "

added a few of their friends and the 6 of us just kept multiplying. One mom added over 300 people. The group grew exponentially in a matter of months.

Today we have over 1,300 mothers in the group with over 1,000 women on a waiting list.

What inspired you to open Finding the Foundation?

I have always known that I wanted to own and operate my own private counseling practice; my desire to help and counsel others was a driving force in my decision to step out alone. Prior to having children, I also knew that I wanted a career that afforded me a level of flexibility to do what I love and CEOMOM

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A.W. Village Moms is moms loving moms without judgment nurture my growing family. Finding the Foundation focuses on heightening one’s awareness and making life changes. I believe that awareness is as critical to the process of change as changing the behavior.

Once you are aware of the motivations of your behaviors you are most capable of making an informed plan of action necessary to change.

3. Describe Village Moms and Finding the Foundation using 5 words.

Village Moms - Moms loving moms without judgement.

Finding the Foundation - Heightening awareness making life’s changes.

What are some of the biggest misconceptions made of women who balance family with business?

There’s a misconception that a working mother’s career matters more to her than her family does. I am of the belief that women in business actually care a great deal for their families and spend significant amounts of time trying to formulate a plan to work less and attend to their families more. Like their male counterparts, working women also subscribe to the "work hard now so that you can relax later mentality" in the workplace. It is because family means so much to most working mothers that they work extremely hard to obtain an increased ability to manage their own schedules. What you might see as a corporate career woman working long hours, could easily be a determined mother striving to have a better work/life balance in the long run.

What do you like to do to release stress?

I enjoy reading. I am currently reading the "Year of Yes" by Shonda Rhimes. Its an easy read and provides awesome insight into the mind of a successful working mother!

What does a typical day look like for you?

I'm not a morning person AT ALL. However, getting my son ready for daycare which includes preparing a hot breakfast every morning, starts around 7am daily. That's my constant. Aside from our morning and evening routines together, everyday looks different. Between working full time, planning meals that my toddler will enjoy and managing 2 different online communities, I rarely have "boring" or "typical days."

What advice would you give to a mother who wants to start her own business or elevate her career?

Figure out if there is time available in your life to allow for something else. Ask yourself, "Do I have time to take on this new venture?" Identifying that time is going to be the most important piece. Once you find the time, determine how it will add value to your life or family and push forward.

Where do you see your businesses in 5 years?

I see Village Moms being a staple organization in cities across America with regular events and official chapters that moms can depend on. We want to have events that moms will flock to simply because they are being hosted by Village Moms.

Regarding Finding the Foundation, we will continue to provide teaching and training for LPC interns, mobile counseling support for postpartum mothers and customized counseling services for those seeking personal changes in their lives.

To learn more about Alisha, visit www.findingthefoundation.com.

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VEGAN PARFAIT

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup raw cashews 3 tbsp of nondairy milk 3 tbsp maple syrup 2 tsp vanilla extract 1/8 tsp salt strawberries slices granola

DIRECTIONS:

1. Soak your cashews overnight or boil them for 7 min. Drain and rinse.

2. Add the milk, maple syrup, vanilla,, salt and cashews to a blender.

3. Blend for 3-5 minutes or until completely smooth. Add more milk if needed.

4. Layer your parfait with cream on the bottom, then granola and strawberries.

6. Continue until your glass is full with cream on the top.

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LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION

CHELDIN RUMER Photographs by Ambush

With Cheldin Rumer's contagious personality and uncanny ability to make lasting connections, it is no surprise that she hosts her own lifestyle show, This is it.”

She has mastered the art of

“turning lemons into

lemonades” by turning what some may see as defeat into the opportunity of a lifetime.

From a magazine publisher to the marketing genius of ig creative, Cheldin has spent over a decade creating strategic marketing campaigns for a plethora of clients including five star restaurants, luxury hotels and major casinos. This mother to a beautiful and precocious daughter proves that creativity, tenacity and resilience are vital to greatness.

What inspired you to become an entrepreneur?

I didn't have a choice. To my family's dismay it was who I was meant to be. I love to be around people. I need to be constantly challenged so doing one thing wasn't enough.

I was working in advertising sales for a medical publication. I was calling people and asking them to list their open nurse practitioner positions in the publication.

This was not fulfilling to me. I was bored, but I still wanted to tell a story. I originally studied mass communications so I had a love for marketing and media.

Describe your transition from employee to entrepreneur.

My transition was abrupt and ugly. I was losing my shirt with the magazine so I went home not knowing what to do.

I had success as a marketing manager, but something was in me to pursue my dreams. Originally from Sierra Leone, Africa, I grew up in New Jersey. There was a new casino being built in Atlantic City. My mother prompted me to go see them. I found the secretary of the CEO and started working out with her. The secretary gave me the names of the people I needed to meet. I sent them care packages and

" Identify the people who are on the team with you, people you can tell anything to."

they interviewed and hired me to be the head of public relations at 25. I helped to open the Borgata Casino in Atlantic City.

I learned a lot working there. I had the opportunity to work with celebrities to endorse the hotel. I wasn’t sure how I would grow within the company. Eventually, I felt my time was done.

Using my Rolodex, I contacted potential clients and began opening restaurants from beer and wine to fine dining. I focus on small businesses and merging brands. My vision is to help people to be aggressive in their marketing. My enthusiasm for people’s brands has helped me to acquire success.

Describe i-g creative using 5 words.

Interactive, Multimedia, Marketing, Events & Production

What advice would you give to a mother who wants to start her own business or elevate her career?

Do it!!! Identify the people who are on the team with you, people you can tell anything to. I have what I call those in my huddle. Each player has a significant role. My mother is a season ticket holder. She will support anything that I do.

My opponents are people who are not interested in me doing well. Your fans wear the jersey, but when you lose they will tell you what to do to win the game. Get and identify the people in your huddle.

Where do you see i-g creative in 5 years?

It's going to be about continuing to tell stories online. We want to continue to produce

“This is it," expanding to other

cities. I want to be doing a lot of one on one consulting, and working with people to master tricks of the trade.

To learn more about Cheldin, visit http://cheldinbarlatt.com/.

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CEOMOM SUMMIT: LET'S TALK

THE POWER OF COLLABORATION Meet the Group Publisher of D Magazine

PHYLLIS MCKNIGHT CEOMOM

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From traditional media companies to trailblazing start-ups to leading internet brands, Phyllis Cole McKnight has more than 20 years of experience building profitable businesses in Dallas. Phyllis is currently the group publisher of D Magazine Partners and has helped launch titles such as D CEO and D Weddings. She has served as a media consultant at The Dallas Morning News, as a senior vice president and chief innovation officer for Culturemap and as an account executive for The Wall Street Journal.

She has served in strategic leadership roles at Children’s Medical Center of Dallas as vp of development and as a vp of national sales at Blue Calypso.

She is originally from Missouri and is the proud mother of 10 year old triplets, Ava, Cole and Vaughan.

THE POWER OF COLLABORATION

PHYLLIS MCKNIGHT

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CEOMOM SUMMIT: LET'S TALK

THE POWER OF AN IDEA Meet the Director of The Dallas Festival of Ideas & CEO of Hargrove Partnership

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Emily Hargrove began her career in public relations in London in 1998 and worked for four years for international companies GCI Group and Fleishman Hillard and for RJH Public Relations – the PR firm jointly owned and managed by the wife of HRH Prince Edward, Sophie Wessex. Her focus was managing the communication strategies for wellknown consumer brands and attaining press coverage for all clients, from FMCG to luxury, beauty and travel.

Emily then joined Warner Bros to be the key contact for Emma Watson, the actress known for her role of Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series. For five years, she was involved in all aspects of Miss. Watson's film production and publicity. It was on the set of Harry Potter that Emily met her husband Miles, a filmmaker from Texas, and the path to Dallas was set.

When Emily moved to Dallas in 2007, she joined the Dallas International Film Festival working in various roles before becoming Vice President of Client Services at Forté Public Relations, specializing in Non-Profit and Entertainment PR with a strong focus on cause marketing. Under the Forté umbrella, Emily was Director of Press and Publicity for the 2011 and 2012 Dallas International Film Festivals. She was also the host of the weekly community television show "Prime".

THE POWER OF AN IDEA

EMILY HARGROVE

For two years, Emily was the Director of Communications and Development for the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture. She played a key role in the Dallas Institute's partnership with the Dallas Morning News in launching the inaugural The Dallas Festival of Ideas. Emily is now the Director of the Dallas Festival of Ideas reporting to both the Dallas Institute and The Dallas Morning News. Additionally, Emily is CEO of the Hargrove Partnership, a public relations, brand and cause marketing agency that specializes in “telling stories that matter."

Emily chaired the Board of Directors for Equest Therapeutic Horsemanship in 2014, and served on its Board for 5 years.

In 2016, Emily launched the “Lift Up Lunch” - a quarterly lunch series that provides a community of love, humor, and support for those who juggle way too much in life.

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TIFFANY FULCHER PRESENTS

A NEW CO-WORKING SPACE FOR MOMS Photographs by Amy Headington Besides wanting to help mompreneurs increase productivity, what is the passion behind your new co-working space for moms?

I looked at traditional co-working spaces and felt that they didn’t fit the specific needs of women. They didn’t address my personal desires and experiences. I want to create something that feeds more into the feminine energy of women. We want to offer simple things like carpet. We also want to provide an opportunity to overcome the barrier of trying to find childcare.

Our co-working space will be a place where women will have several resources for the things they need in their businesses. Women are big on community. We feed off of the energy of others. Offering women an opportunity to come together helps us all to be better. There’s a magic when you are in the same space together.

I f you are a work at home mom, you know the challenges of balancing day to day activities with business. Your day often entails household chores and chasing children around with a business project or two in the mix. The love for your children is undeniable, yet you long to pursue your dreams beyond motherhood. Tiffany Fulcher understands this all too well. As a mompreneur and business trainer, she has experienced the loneliness and frustration that can come with working at home. She loves the flexibility, but realizes that productivity is low when only your children are your co-workers.

CEOMOM had the opportunity to sit with Tiffany and learn how she plans to help fellow mompreneurs maximize productivity. In January 2015, she had the idea to open a new co-working space for moms that will include childcare, training opportunities and office space.

Part 1 of our interview focuses on the planning process for the new center.

Expand on the challenges of being a work at home mom.

I have worked at home for over 8 years, and it can be lonely. I have 3 kids, ages 12, 9 and 5. I have been through every phase of having kids at home. I know the struggle that work at home moms face trying to balance between two different worlds from diapering to managing a business. Every time you have to shift your focus, it takes another 30 to 45 minutes to get back in order. When you have an opportunity to zone in you can get more done in 2 hours than in 8 hours distracted.

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Rance Elgin

Because I am in the environment, I feel the need to partake in household duties.

What have been some of the challenges with opening this new coworking space?

The biggest challenge has been finding the right space. In my personal experiences, there is a lot of creativity that takes place when it comes to the environment. Having a childcare option provides a big challenge. I don’t want to be in the middle of the city to avoid inconvenience. I want the focus of the center to be family, so the city isn’t an option. I want it to be local enough, yet far enough that it doesn’t feel like the local coffee shop.

What can people expect from the center?

The center will offer training, mentorship and development both during the day and at night. We want to give women a variety of resources to be successful. We don’t want women to just figure it out on their own. Being in an environment where you are working one on one with someone, you can connect with the audience and the person who is teaching you. Women will also be able to host their own networking and training events.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of our interview with Tiffany Fulcher as we get closer to the grand opening of this new coworking space for moms. The space will open later this year.

Women are naturally the caretakers of the home. What could have been really valuable time is now split between household duties.

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