CEOMOM Summer 2021

Summer 2021

Joy

OSMANSKI CHANGING AAPI REPRESENTATION IN HOLLYWOOD

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CONTENTS 07 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR The world is starting to open back up, and slowly we are working to get back to normal. How quickly we are able to do that is the question of the decade.

08 "HELLO QUEEN"BY JJ DAVIS Introducing "Hello Queen" by JJ Davis, our new column that is dedicated to empowering and equipping women to live out the best version of themselves.

10 MEET DR. THOMISHIA BOOKER Inspired by her own journey as the mother of a little Black boy, this self-published author is working to change the narratives surrounding Black and brown boys and girls.

20 MEET NONI ROBINSON Noni Robinson is a nutritionist and holistic wellness professional with over 20 years experience.

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14 MEET JOY

WHAT'S INSIDE

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MEET MARTY MCDONALD, FOUNDER OF BOSS WOMEN MEDIA: FROM BOSS WOMAN TO BOSS MOM

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BEAUTYQUE NYC CELEBRATES WOMEN WITH SONIA KHEMIRI

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HOW TO STAY GROUNDED IN THE MIDST OF CHAOS BY MELINDA CROWDER DUNBAR

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OLDIE BUT GOODIE: A WOMAN'S WORK BY BRIAN LARY

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NIKKI DINKI, CHEF AND AUTHOR OF MORE VEGGIES PLEASE!

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LET'S COOK: MINT MILKSHAKE WITH SPINACH & WILLA'S LEMON BARS BY NIKKI DINKI

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TIPS FOR HELPING A CHILD DEAL WITH ANXIETY BY JAMIE EDELBROCK

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MOMS WE LOVE TO FOLLOW: SARA LOVESTYLE & SESS CANNON

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SIMPLE EVERYDAY SKIN CARE ROUTINE FOR WORKING MOMS

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LESSONS MEN CAN LEARN FROM WOMEN IN 2021 CEOMOM

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GETTING BACK TO...YOU Editor-in-Chief Vonna Matthews Joy Osmanski Cover Photographer Contributing Photographer Contributing Photographer Contributing Photographer Contributing Photographer Contributing Photographer Contributing Writer Contributing Writer Contributing Writer Contributing Writer

Sarah Ford Photography Dorean Raye Photography Nicole Barton Photography Brian G. Hall Sarah Noelle Photography Rachel Heacox JJ Davis Melinda Crowder Dunbar Sonia Khemiri Brian Lary

Editorial Office 9355 John W. Elliott Dr. Suite 25442 Frisco, TX 75033 +1-972-302-9150 | info@ceomommagazine.com CEOMOM Magazine is published by For Her Media Frisco, Texas 75033 | +1-972-302-9150 www.ceomommagazine.com

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Editor's Note The world is starting to open back up, and slowly we are working to get back to normal. How quickly we are able to do that is the question of the decade. Because calamity and uncertainty have been the norm for so long, bouncing back seamlessly may not be as easy as we thought it would. There's a process that we must go through to get back to a routine and lifestyle that is familiar, comfortable and quite frankly, healthy.

For our Summer 2021 issue, we are turning our attention to what it looks like to get back to ourselves... back to you. For the past year we have heard the word "pivot" used to describe newness, change and redirection. Businesses have had to transform the way they operate from their interactions with customers to their product and service offerings. We've had to pivot the way we teach our kids, the way we run our households, and how we communicate with extended family.

As we move forward, we have to accept that we will never be the same. How could we be?

In this issue, we talked to cover mom and star of Stargirl, Joy Osmanski, about her mission to change the representation of the AAPI community in Hollywood, and why she is impatient for that change. We talked to chef and author, Nikki Dinki, about how to get our kids to eat more veggies in fun and delicious ways. We were excited to talk to author Thomishia Booker about bringing Black boy joy to children's literature.

Licensed professional counselor, Melinda Crowder Dunbar, gave us tips and strategies to stay grounded in the midst of the chaos. Though our reasons for pivoting were unfavorable, how we've grown and what we've learned has made the change worth it.

Vonna Matthews EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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BY JJ DAVIS

"HELLO QUEEN"

J. Joy Davis is the Female Founder of THE FIRM MANAGEMENT, a company with a capacity for management, creative production and brand strategy that is best suited for women who dare to live as large as they dream.

She has spent over a decade working with multilocation entrepreneurs, investors, luxury retailers and Fortune 500 companies including but, not limited to NBA, WNBA, Marriott, Michael Kors, BCBG, Max Azria, Tory Burch as well as nonprofits and charitable foundations on the Business Development, Corporate Sales and Relationship Management sides of the table. Joy has developed a keen business sense as to how to connect the right people with the right resources to move the needle in the right places.

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With a love for academia and a heart for empowering young power players, she is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of North Carolina - Charlotte where she teaches Business Communication courses for Belk College of Business. She is currently working on what she is manifesting to be her first best-seller while praying for a publisher who is AS obsessed about the plights of the high achieving woman as she is! Her greatest joy is being a mother to her teenage son, Nolan. Thus, Joy believes that while success is a powerful antidote, it is authenticity where God shines the brightest.

Follow Joy: @thefirmwins

THE POWER OF THE PIVOT There’s an old Yiddish proverb that says, “We plan, God laughs.”

As women, we are not only society’s life givers but, we are love sustainers and success seekers. Our superpower lies in our ability to be resilient. It’s true. We ARE the new legion of powerful women. We are shifting tables, moving rooms, manifesting blessings and disrupting the story we once told ourselves. Yes, our world may have shut down but, allow me to remind you that it was your inner fortitude that kept you going.

About a year ago, I produced a Masterclass for Female Founders. My desire to do so was birthed from a place of sheer loneliness. In a matter of weeks, we went from being outside and living our grandest lives to being on lockdown with little humans and personalities we didn’t know they had. Mentally, I needed a creative outlet but, one that would also inspire. I invited seven women who I admire to share their journeys, their lessons, their failures, their wins. The resounding sentiment was that we owe it to the next generation of CEOMOMS to become one another’s ally, her support, her champion.

In the weeks following my Masterclass, I listened as some of my girlfriends sank while others seemed to soar. Some days we felt invigorated yet, restless. We felt optimistic yet, depleted.

We were, we are ambitious yet, apprehensive. I cheered for both sets of friends because, regardless of the circumstances, she deserved it. You see whether you soared or sank, it is up to each of us, both individually and collectively to determine how the past year will define our legacy. Will you live boldly? Will you crumble? Or will we do both and learn how to better balance our transparency with authenticity?

One thing is for certain, our families depend on us and our businesses thrive because of us, and this is why we are still standing even after enduring the “year who shall not be named.” I know from firsthand experience that change can feel chaotic. I experienced the deepest loss during 2020 and during my bereavement, I retreated as far away from my business as I could. I didn’t know if I had the grit to come back or even more significantly, the desire to do so. But, somewhere over the months, the long days and empty nights; I began to find my way again. I made the decision to only accept the work that would light my fire. Nothing more, nothing less. And you know what I found in the process? I found peace. Imagine that...

The peace I craved was in the pivot.

JJ Davis

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DR. THOMISHIA BOOKER BRINGING BLACK BOY JOY TO CHILDREN'S LITERATURE

Inspired by her own journey as the mother of a little Black boy, this self-published author is working to change the narratives surrounding Black and brown boys and girls, one children's book at a time.

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Photo Credit: Dorean Raye Photography

Photo Credit: Dorean Raye Photography

Who is Dr. Thomishia Booker?

I am a wife, mother, and entrepreneur. I would describe myself as down to earth, lighthearted, and very caring. I’m also in a phase of my life where I am completely comfortable with who I am, and have been operating in a space of gratitude. Gratitude allows me to be present in each moment and be open to receiving. This is definitely a season of receiving for me.

You wrote “Brown Boy Joy” after having your son, and wanting more Black boy representation in children’s literature. What was the defining moment that led you to start writing your own children’s books?

It’s hard to think of one defining moment because I have been planting the seeds for becoming an author for a long time now. If I had to choose one defining moment it would be becoming a mom. I was so scared of becoming a mother. I was worried about how my life would change and afraid I would lose myself in motherhood. I was juggling a lot at the time and didn’t want

to slow down. I thought I was ready but I wasn’t. Finding out that I was having a son added to the stress that I was already feeling. Philando Castile was murdered five days after my son Carter was born and that impacted me significantly. I thought of all the Black boys whose lives were taken too soon. I became focused on how I would need to protect my Black son. I wanted to be a part of changing many narratives. It was all of these feelings and experiences together that launched me into the children’s literary world.

One of the social topics you want your books to address is Black mental health related to raising Black sons. Tell us a little about your own mental health challenges as a mother of a Black boy.

How is your book series addressing some of those challenges?

Growing up I didn’t receive strong and positive messages about my Blackness.

In fact, it was quite the opposite. This is one of the reasons why my books are focused on elevating Black joy and being proud of who you are. Many of

my books are love letters to my inner child and have helped me to heal my own wounds. I attended predominantly white schools and know how difficult it can be to navigate those spaces and find yourself. My son currently attends a school with predominantly white students, so it is important that he knows exactly who he is and where he comes from.

Black children receive so many messages that tell them they are not valued or that school isn’t meant for them. My books are a counter message to that narrative. We send our children into spaces every day that aren’t meant for them and that aren’t safe. Having a strong sense of self and a positive self-identity is foundational for young children.

Affirmations are one way to help children build confidence. The sooner we start with affirmations and providing children with age appropriate language to express themselves, the easier it is to navigate issues impacting their mental health. All of the Hey Carter!

Books are intentionally filled with affirmations to support parents/caregivers through this process.

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Joy may not be the first thing people think about when they think of Black boys. Why did you want to show the joy of little Black boys? How does that play into reshaping the representation of little Black boys in literature, education and society?

For that exact reason! Joy should be one of the first things you think of when you think of little Black boys. Black boys are stripped of their innocence and not allowed to just be kids.

There is nothing inherently bad or wrong about our children yet they are assumed to be aggressive and incapable of learning. I always share the story of when my son was two and his daycare teacher was concerned about him making guns with Legos. She assumed my son’s age appropriate behavior was cause for concern and that the only “L” shaped object he could be making was a gun. This is exactly why I am passionate about changing these narratives. My books show positive reflections of Black children that permeates into literature, education, and society.

In 2020, you were the only self-published author to negotiate a deal with Netflix for their original series, Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices featuring Jill Scott, Common, and Tiffany Haddish. What was the key to you negotiating this deal?

The key to negotiating the deal with Netflix was knowing my worth and being prepared. I wasn't exactly expecting the call but I was prepared for the call. I was fully aware of the work

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"Growing up I didn’t receive strong and positive messages about my Blackness. In fact, it was quite the opposite. This is one of the reasons why my books are focused on elevating Black joy and being proud of who you are."

that I had put in and the value of my business. I was able to negotiate from a position of power because I knew my worth going in. It took some time to arrive at this point and I was glad to be prepared when the call came.

We’ve talked about some of the social conversations your book is sparking. What conversations do you want young Black and brown boys to have about themselves after reading your books?

My hope is that my books spark a sense of pride within children that creates a space to have dialogue about who they are. I want Black and brown boys to know how loved and valued they are despite what the world shows them. My favorite compliment about my books is that children point to the characters and say “that’s me!” For non-black children and families, I hope my books encourage conversation about differences and Black culture. My books were created for Black children but they are for all children. They are meant to spark conversations that lead to understanding and connection.

I want Black and brown boys to know how loved and valued they are despite what the world shows them.

Photo Credit: Dorean Raye Photography

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JoyOSMANSKI CEOMOM | 14

Photo Credit: Sarah Ford

THIS "STARGIRL" IS HELPING TO CHANGE AAPI REPRESENTATION IN HOLLYWOOD Though her role as an assassin on CW’s Stargirl appears dichotomous to her work as an advocate for racial and social justice, Joy Osmanski onscreen and offscreen is a woman who fights for what she believes in and who she loves. This KoreanAmerican actor has a portfolio of diverse roles, but none as significant as that of wife, mother of three, including an adopted Black son, and agent for change. She is working to shift the representation of Asian-Americans in Hollywood, which she believes can affect change and #StopAsianHate.

Vonna: Who is Joy Osmanski?

Joy: I am a Korean adoptee raised in the Pacific Northwest; a mother three ways - step, adoptive and birth; a partner with my husband; a cuddler of my dog; a fierce defender of the people I love; an advocate for racial and social justice.

Vonna: Your career began as a graphic designer with a love for performing arts. Tell us about the defining moment that led your career from owning a graphic design company to being a theatre, film and television actress?

Joy: My Aha! moment was more of a prolonged Ohhhhhhhh. My work as a graphic designer was creative, but sedentary. After so much time sitting in front of a computer, I began to daydream about what it was that I missed. I realized that all the dance performances I had done filled me with joy because of the process, the collaboration with so many others toward a creative goal. But dance wasn’t my world. I remember stumbling across a posting for auditions for a community theatre production of Our Town. And I thought — what the heck? I literally have nothing to lose. I cobbled together a monologue, showed up, shared it on this tiny stage, and ended up playing Emily. That was it. Hooked.

Vonna: You star as Paula Brooks, aka Tigress, in CW’s Stargirl. Tell us about your character, Tigress.

Joy: Tigress is someone who takes action. She doesn’t spend much time considering. She wants to solve the problem, and usually does that with violence. Let me be clear: I do not condone this method! If I show my kids clips of Tigress fighting, I always say, “Don’t do what Mama is doing! This is all pretend!” But to play a character like this is so cathartic, I must admit.

Vonna: What drew you to Tigress?

Joy: Tigress is such a wonderful character, and certainly came as a complete surprise to me. I have never experienced playing a role even remotely like this before, so all the new challenges, the new language of stunts, the glee of playing a dual character, and one that is so without conscience…it’s so much fun. Also — fundamentally, everything she does is driven by her love for her family. That I relate to easily.

I didn’t know that it would become so iconic. I don't think anybody did, honestly.

Vonna: Tigress is willing to do what it takes to protect her family. How is the character’s role as a mother reflective of your real life role as a mother?

Joy: I think most mothers would tell you the “mama bear” trope is actually pretty literal. There is a deep, primitive instinct to protect your family.

There are so many ways your senses become heightened when you parent — I swear I can hear things on a subsonic level, and possibly see through walls. Neil (Hopkins, Sportsmaster) and I both have young children, and we’ve been amused when fans express their love for Tigress and Sportsmaster as parents, but we also kind of blanch at the thought of our characters being held up as model caretakers. And yet — would I do anything for my family? Absolutely.

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"I think most mothers would tell you the “mama bear” trope is actually pretty literal.

There is a deep, primitive instinct to protect your family."

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Photo Credit: Sarah Ford

Vonna: You also star as Jing, the five-year-old voice of reason in Fox’s Duncanville. As a mother of three, what is the key to managing a demanding acting career with your work as an activist?

Joy: The key to managing is being okay with doing just that — managing. It can be so easy to hold yourself to an impossible standard. We’re presented with so many unrealistic (and, frankly, untruthful) portrayals of what it “should” look like to be a parent. I’ve definitely struggled with that. But ultimately, I’m coming to understand how the consistency of love, patience, play, and the simple act of listening provide the pulse of safety in kids’ lives. I make mistakes constantly. I apologize to my kids, trying to reinforce that parents are just flawed humans, too. I emphasize that we’re all learning, together. And I feel so strongly that to be my best self, the best parent I can be, is to pursue my passions, so my kids can see that doing what makes you happy makes you able to give back more. When I act, I say, Mama gets to work now, not Mama has to work now. I am so fortunate to have work that fuels me, and I want my children to witness the liberty of that.

Vonna: As an Asian American adopted by white parents, and adoptive mother of a Black son, diversity and representation are extremely important to you. Tell us about your work as an activist to #StopAsianHate and support of the Black Lives Matter movement. What role does Asian American representation on mainstream American TV play in the fight against Asian hate and terrorism?

Joy: My husband, Corey, and I take the responsibility of parenting a Black child very, very seriously. As someone who was raised by white parents, I know firsthand the dual possibilities of evolution and damage that can occur in that particular family structure. As a Korean American woman with a Black son, our family cannot afford the luxury of ignoring the ways ethnicity and race affect every aspect of our culture. We are continually humbled by the many ways the diversity of our family continues to shed light on issues that, honestly, I may not have considered as deeply without the reality of my children. That goes for my stepkid, my son, and my bi-racial daughter. For us, diversity and representation go far beyond a hashtag. These issues are a matter of life and death.

The entertainment industry carries so much power to affect change. Growing up, I saw little to no representation of myself on screen. When I did, it was often a hyper-sexualized version of what it means to be Asian, or another caricature that only served to strengthen reliance on stereotypes to define the vast community that “Asian American” contains. I feel like there is progress being made, but I’m impatient. The entertainment industry can be the catalyst, not the one that catches up. We need more representation on screen, and also in every facet of the business...in crew, in writer’s rooms, at the executive level.

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"The entertainment industry can be the catalyst, not the one that catches up. We need more representation on screen, and also in every facet of the business...in crew, in writer’s rooms, at the executive level.”

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Vonna: With a successful career that has spanned almost two decades and an eclectic home life, what do you want your legacy to be for your three children?

Joy: For my children, I wish them a legacy they can look to and own with pride. One that can sustain them through their own challenges. A history and pattern of behavior that can provide a blueprint for their own selfdiscovery, how they can affect their families, their communities for the better. A model for loving themselves. My four year old daughter has said to me, “Mama, I love you. But I love myself the most.” To me, that is the biggest win of all.

Photo Credit: Sarah Ford

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NONI ROBINSON

Helping Black Women Achieve Maximum Health Through Food

Photo Credit: Brian G. Hall

Noni Robinson is a nutritionist and holistic wellness professional with over 20 years experience. She founded Black Girls Eat LLC to create a safe place for Black women to share and talk about their relationships with food, and to learn how to take a smart, innovative, and culturally conscious approach to health and wellness.

Tell us about your background and what led you to a career as a nutritionist?

As a child in New York, I watched my grandmother cook fresh, whole foods each day not only for our family, but for neighbors all over Long Island. Witnessing the sharing of healthy food, homeopathic remedies and recommendations for traditional medicine, I learned at an early age that love, care, community and wellness are integral parts of the same system. Being exposed to healthy living at a young age piqued my interest which continued to grow over time.

As my career grew in the nutritional science area, I became passionate about making a positive impact on the health of vulnerable and under-resourced communities. There is a natural and powerful connection between the health of an individual and the health of a community. I am determined to contribute to building strong communities by providing access to wellness resources to those that

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need it. Health and wellness is paramount in the success of an individual and community.

Being a nutrition expert with over 20 years experience, I see the positive impact of helping others realize their health and wellness potential by developing personalized, culturally, relevant and sustainable regimens. As the saying goes “Health is Wealth!”

What is Black Girls Eat? What inspired you to start this health and wellness movement?

Black Girls Eat is a one stop shop for resources and “Real Talk” for Black women regarding nutrition, wellness, and living a healthy lifestyle. Black Girls Eat is a movement that inspires, educates, and supports Black women to be our best selves starting with what we put on our forks.

While thinking of the continued racism and social injustices in America, I am reminded of why I started the Black Girls Eat platform.

Black women are more likely to be uninsured, face greater financial barriers to care when they need it, and are less likely to access preventative care. Black women experience higher rates of many preventable diseases and chronic health conditions including diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. To improve Black women's overall health, we need a

multi-faceted approach that addresses our health across the lifespan, improves access to quality care, and addresses the social determinants of health.

What are some ways Black Girls Eat serves Black women as it relates to nutrition and wellness?

Black Girls Eat has been providing quality consistent wellness programs for Black women and girls combatting nutritional related diseases through the areas of nutrition education, wellness partnerships, and animated PSA’s featuring the superhero character Noni Malene. We also participate in health expos, provide workshops to teachers and students in several school systems, and offer 1:1 individual counseling.

What are some of the biggest misconceptions related to eating healthy?

You may not realize it, but every day you make unconscious decisions about how to eat. Some healthy and some not so healthy. Here are a few misconceptions people have and the truth behind the myths: 1) If you exercise, you can eat whatever you want.

Think you can indulge in a super high-in-fat treat after hitting the gym? Once you take a look at these numbers, you’ll see what I’m talking about. In order to "make-up" for an

Helping Black Women Achieve Maximum Health Through Food

How we choose to exercise self-care in terms of mind, body, and spirit is important to implement in a positive way at a young age, with consistency. order of large fries, you’d need to swim laps for an hour.

Perhaps your guilty pleasure is a slice of pepperoni pizza?

Let’s hope you jogged for 30 minutes at a medium pace.

To keep your weight in check, balance out physical activity with your calorie intake.

2) You can’t eat late at night.

Making the blanket statement that “I can’t eat after 8pm” isn’t always the smartest choice. You may have had a hectic day and not enough time to eat your dinner at 6pm, does that mean you should skip it completely? We all have different schedules and lifestyles. If you do find yourself hungry at night, here are a few healthier snack options you may want to consider: Fresh fruit and veggies: Have them washed and ready to eat in an area that’s easily visible.

Baked chips: Go for a low-calorie dip such as salsa and remember a handful is a serving.

Sugarless gum: Try breaking the snacking habit by chewing on some sugarless gum.

Sugar-free ice pops: If you’re looking for something cold, these run around 30 calories a piece (better than hundreds of calories from ice cream).

3) You should purchase a food because it claims to be “natural.”

The term “natural” is so loosely defined by the government that you’ll find it on everything from cereal boxes to soda to packages of meat. You’re better off ignoring the word on any package and taking the time to read through the ingredients and nutrition information.

Don’t be fooled into believing that natural means healthy.

What should every nutritious diet/meal include?

A very common piece of nutrition advice around the world is to “eat a balanced diet.” This seems like quite an easy idea today, where words like “carbohydrates”, “fiber”, and “fructose” are now making their way into everyday conversation. In recent decades, scientific research has rapidly expanded the understanding of human nutrition, but this may make a healthy diet seem much more complicated than it used to be. How do we make sure we get enough, but not too much of the seemingly endless numbers of nutrients out there?

Go for whole grains, 1/4 of your plate should be barley, quinoa, brown rice, and foods made with these ingredients.

Protein Power: 1/4 of your plate should be fish, poultry, beans, and nuts which are all healthy protein sources.

Drink water or tea throughout the day. Skip sugary drinks, limit milk and dairy products.

You quoted, “It is your younger self’s job to look after your older self? What does this quote mean?

How we choose to exercise self-care in terms of mind, body, and spirit is important to implement in a positive way at a young age, with consistency. It allows for the aging process in every area of our lives to be fruitful and healthy. Everyday choices impact our life’s outcome.

If a woman needs to start prioritizing her health, especially as it relates to what she eats, where should she start?

Instead of resolutions, let’s talk about commitments.

Commitment involves an actual action plan. Really making a commitment and holding yourself accountable is critical. Here are six simple steps for accomplishing this: 1) Don’t try to change everything at once. Pick one thing and stick to it.

2) Aim to create a positive new habit, not just a result.

3) Change your environment.

4) Recognize that small changes add up.

5) When you slip, get back on track quickly.

6) Schedule new habits into your life.

REPEAT. Learn more about Black https://wearehealthyaf.com/.

Girls

Eat

at

Building a Healthy Balanced Diet should include the following: Make the most of your meal, vegetables and fruits should be 1/2 of your plate. Aim for color and variety.

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MARTY MCDONALD FROM BOSS WOMAN TO BOSS MOM

Photo Credit: Rachel Heacox

Marty McDonald is a former corporate queen and side hustler turned entrepreneur who is passionate about creating opportunities for women to succeed in their careers. Through the global and highly successful platform, Boss Women Media, McDonald enjoys sharing the stories of women who have created magical moments by pushing all of the mess aside to focus on the ultimate goal. She believes that boss women allow every woman to see the possibilities inside all of us!

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A new mom, McDonald has fought through so many things to become a mother, from miscarriage to the removal of fibroids, and birthing a NICU baby.

Through it all, McDonald knows what it is like to push through the mess to focus on the ultimate goal!

NOW SOMEONE IS WATCHING MY EVERY MOVE AND THE WAY I SPEAK TO PEOPLE WILL BE HER INTERACTION, AS I AM HER MODEL. SO IN SHORT, SUCCESS MEANS THE IMPACT I MAKE TODAY THAT WILL BETTER HER FUTURE. What is Boss Women Media? Tell us about the history of the media company and how it evolved to what it is today.

Boss Women Media is an offline/online women’s empowerment community that creates experiences through the lens of brands to connect with Gen Z and Millennial Black Women. Boss Women Media started as a brunch experience to connect women together who worked in corporate environments. It evolved into being a space that empowers, motivates and gives resources to corporate women and start up entrepreneurs. In 2020, Boss Women Media gave over $150,000 to women owned businesses. We are on a mission to resource women so they can create the careers of their dreams.

In five words, describe the ultimate boss woman.

The ultimate boss is God-filled, joyful, resourceful, fearless, and kind.

From the beginning, Boss Women Media has experienced exponential growth and empowered thousands of women across the globe. What has been the key to your impact?

The key to any business impact is to stay consistent.

Consistency is the blueprint to success along with listening to what your audience needs to stay relevant. Every decision I have made with Boss Women Media that has led to ultimate success has been from data driven decisions.

Congratulations on recently becoming a mother to your beautiful daughter, Elle Olivia. How has your perspective of success changed since becoming a mom?

Success has never been about the now for me but the long term impact. Now someone is watching my every move and the way I speak to people will be her interaction, as I am her model. So in short, success means the impact I make today that will better her future.

Earlier you were asked to describe the ultimate boss woman in five words. Now describe the ultimate boss mom in five words.

The words are still the same no matter your title.

Ultimately all women are moms to some capacity.

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IN 2020, BOSS WOMEN MEDIA GAVE OVER $150,000 TO WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES. WE ARE ON A MISSION TO RESOURCE WOMEN SO THEY CAN CREATE THE CAREERS OF THEIR DREAMS. W W W . B O S S W O M E N M E D I A . O R G

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What do you want your legacy to be for your daughter?

I want to demonstrate to her anything is possible, and success is not defined in a box. I am traveling the pathway to uncomfortable places and spaces so that when she travels those roads it is less bumpy, and she can see her way through. If she wants to be an entrepreneur, I want resources to be available for her or if she wants to dominate corporate spaces, I want her to see herself in leadership.

Where do you see Boss Women Media in five years?

Boss Women Media will be a full source media agency that helps women take their brands to the next level with spaces for them to connect to do just that. It will be a generous company that resources millions of dollars to women who desire to make an impact in the world.

Learn more about Boss Women Media and their upcoming Black Girl Magic Tour at https://bosswomen.org/.

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BEAUTYQUE NYC CELEBRATES WOMEN A SPOTLIGHT ON FOUNDER & OWNER SONIA KHEMIRI

Supporting, embracing and leading women empowerment is a key platform for Beautyque NYC. “First and foremost, I am a woman myself — and the journey of a woman in my generation doesn’t come without bumps. I came from a traditional Muslim culture, where patriarchy was engrained into every aspect of our lives,” Sonia describes. “Being a woman entrepreneur was not even considered a possibility, and that was my biggest dream. Getting to where I am as a female entrepreneur, and as a woman in general, has taken a lot of courage, perseverance, and standing up for myself.”

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To Sonia’s surprise, in North America, women are still fighting for their right to be feminine without judgment, for equal pay, and so much more. “When I first moved to Canada and eventually the U.S., I thought that I was entering a place where women were totally liberated and free to live the way they truly wanted... as I had imagined,” she says. “Now that I’ve been in North America for more than 20 years, I’ve learned that that isn’t quite the case! Of course, we are ahead of many other areas of the world in terms of women’s rights, but the fight isn’t over, and there’s still a lot of progress to be made.”

Now more than ever, we recognize that beauty is not only about what’s on the outside, but it’s about what’s on the inside — how we feel about ourselves, how we present ourselves, and what we make of ourselves.

Since Sonia was a child, she has always loved to support girls and women who need help. “I appreciate female beauty, I appreciate women’s courage, and I recognize the many challenges that we face. Helping my fellow women brings me great joy — even if it's something as simple as sharing a compliment,” she details. “And while appreciating the women in my life on a personal level is great, the impact is rather small. I discovered that being able to help women through a business may lead to an even bigger impact.”

At Beautyque NYC, the new company aims to better women’s lives in a variety of ways. “Maybe it’s by sending a free product to someone who wouldn’t normally be able to afford it. Maybe it’s by teaching something new through one of our beauty tutorials or our live events with wellness experts,” Sonia describes. “Empowerment for us does not mean overpowering or comparing ourselves to anyone else — It means allowing ourselves to be who we are. Now more than ever, especially during this pandemic, many women are at home dealing with all aspects of their lives under the same roof all the time. Taking care of ourselves during this period is crucial. As a company, we are bringing support to women’s self-care journeys — and the more we grow, the more impact we have, and the more happy and successful we all can be as empowered women.”

Beauty has the ability to be such a positive and impactful industry for women. “Now more than ever, we recognize that beauty is not only about what’s on the outside, but it’s about what’s on the inside — how we feel about ourselves, how we present ourselves, and what we make of ourselves,” she believes. “When you think about it, taking care of ourselves really comes down to layers of selfrespect, self-care, confidence and self-love.”

There is the first layer which is hygiene and personal care, and another layer is a woman’s physical health such as exercise, nutrition, and drinking water. Beauty, health, and wellness are all extremely interconnected. Skincare is another layer, because not only should women take care of their skin from the inside, but also on the outside by using the right products that are results-driven and clean while also serving a purpose.

Sexual wellness is becoming more and more prevalent in the beauty industry, and this comes in part from the indie brand movement. “Indie companies like us are changing the rules of the game by introducing what's good for us, not what the industry imposes on us,” Sonia believes.

“Makeup is a forever favorite accessory to enhance our beauty, give us a confidence boost, and transform us into whoever we want to be. During a crisis like the one we’re currently living in, self-care is a necessity, not an option — and all of these layers are what empower us!”

Beautyque NYC has several women founded beauty businesses as its members including, Amazing Cosmetics, founded by Sue Katz and Lisa Thurman and The Sexiest Beauty, founded by Heather Fink.

“Each and every one of these female member founders are mission-driven, want to make a difference in the world, and help women in their own ways,” she adds.

To celebrate women, Beautyque NYC hosts live events titled “Meet the Founder,” where women brand founders are interviewed about their journey, their brands and products and how they overcame the challenges they faced to get where they are today.

“We also host weekly live tutorials called ‘BeautyQlass’ where Dana Gileza, our digital marketer and beauty expert, gives makeup and skincare tips to empower our women viewers and shine light on our amazing femalefounded brands and products,” according to Sonia. “We do giveaways on a regular basis, and in March, we held a contest for the person who brought the most impactful message regarding their ‘badass woman’ moments. We celebrated all women founders (and men founders who support women through their brands) by sharing their badass moments with our community and with other entrepreneurs.”

To learn more, visit: https://www.beautyque.nyc/.

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How to Stay Grounded in the Midst of Chaos By: Melinda Crowder Dunbar, LPC Do you notice when you're emotionally off-kilter? If so, how do you return to a place of balance amid the chaos? Oftentimes, busyness gets in the way of us checking in with ourselves, resulting in us feeling unstable. But just like the smoke alarm that goes off when smoke is detected, or the check engine light that comes on when there's a problem underneath the hood, the body sends signals to alert us when a situation requires attention.

Our built-in, internal systems are designed to help us respond to stress and challenges with alertness and controllability. Yes, controllability. During heightened emotional states, it may be hard to imagine that you have the ability to control what you think, feel, and choose, but you do. Many clients enter my office or virtual therapy room, seeking to regain control in the midst of internal and external pandemonium with so much vying for their attention. Instead of worrying about things that may happen in the future (anxiety) or events that have already happened (depression), their goal is the same: finding balance.

There are several grounding and mindfulness techniques designed to help relax the body and mind, and reduce stress that my clients and I find most helpful. When practiced routinely, the following "Stop, Pause, Breathe, and Notice" method will help you become more self-aware and move

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toward mental and emotional recalibration and stillness during times of chaos.

STOP, PAUSE, BREATHE AND NOTICE. 1. Stop and assess the situation.

2. Pause and listen to your mind and body (without judgment).

Sometimes it's hard to simply sit and be, but there's something to learn in the quiet.

3. Breathe deeply from your diaphragm at least 3 times, inhaling from your nose and exhaling through your mouth.

4. Notice what is happening and become an observer of yourself as you ask the following questions: What am I feeling?

Where am I holding the tension in my body?

What am I thinking?

What was the trigger?

What do I need?

Before I react, what are my options?

Answers to these questions are a pathway to regaining calm and redirecting your mind to the present. If you have been externally focused, now is an excellent time to pay attention inward.

Learn more about Melinda Crowder https://www.crowdercounseling.com/.

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A WOMAN'S WORK: A MAN'S PERSPECTIVE By: Brian Lary

Since as far back as we can remember, women have played dual roles as mothers and caretakers of the home, while being disregarded in certain areas society deemed better suited for men. Women have been told they aren’t strong enough, smart enough and in some cases worthy of positions reserved for men. Wage inequality exists because corporate America believes that a man doing the same job as a woman should be paid more, as though he is more valuable than his “weaker” counterpart. Women have debunked this notion of inferiority, proving that their capabilities not only match those of men, but in some cases surpass them. Yes, there are significant differences in the design of men and women that go beyond the ability to reproduce. However women are not inferior in business, intellect or ability.

Women are trailblazers and influential leaders leaving their imprints in history.

Society suffers when a woman’s voice is silenced and she is denied the opportunity to determine her position in life outside of wife and mother. Thriving in a society that often sees you as less than is not an easy feat, but women have made their marks and continue to strive. These women give inspiration and support to all women who proclaim their worth and power.

To run a business and keep the love and structure in your home takes diligence, as well as foresight, something a woman uniquely understands. She unapologetically celebrates her role as a career woman, and knows what's important to her. On her journey, she has learned to not only identify how her her family can play a part in her entrepreneurial success, but embraces their contributions. This has allowed her family to grow together, as she works to become a successful businesswoman. She relishes in the gift of quality time with those who need her more than the money she makes.

We need you. Not just to be there for us, but to be there for you. Continue to grow in as many ways as you desire. Play the parts of wife, mother and businesswoman on your own terms, not according to societal ideals.

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NIKKI DINKI As mothers, we know the challenges that come with getting our kids to eat more vegetables. A wellknown method is to incorporate veggies into smoothies. Nikki Dinki, chef and author of More Veggies Please! has developed more creative ways to include veggies in our everyday lives. Her recipes are fun, delicious and most importantly, kid-friendly.

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Photo Credit: David Nicholas Photography

Photo Credit: David Nicholas Photography

Tell us about your new cookbook, More Veggies Please!.

What inspired you to create the recipes?

More Veggies Please! is all about recreating classic comfort food dishes with the addition of more veggies, not only to make them more nutritious, but to make them even more delicious! As a chef, I have always been the veggie queen, twisting veggies into incredible things. As a mom, I found myself doing that same thing but with more traditional family food. I was always looking for ways to incorporate more veggies into my family’s meals so I kept creating more and more recipes like this.

For example, I found that eggplant makes for the ultimate breading on chicken parm, white beans and pancakes were meant to be together, and beets are the secret ingredient to an incredibly rich and moist chocolate cake.

In the end, I created a book of recipes that are dinner party worthy and kid-approved, all the while making it easy for the whole family to eat more veggies.

What are a few of your favorite summer recipes from the cookbook?

In the summer, we love loooong lazy breakfasts, which always include my Zucchini French Toast, Carrot Biscuits, or Double Chocolate Chip Muffins (what can I say, my kids love their carbs!). Then for lunch, we’ll pick some basil from the garden to make Basil Spinach Pesto over spaghetti.

And for dinner my kids love when we grill up some burgers they can eat outside under the umbrella—they love both my Ultimate Veggie Burgers and Mushroom + Onion Burgers equally. Of course, the best summer days end with Willa’s Lemon Bars, which are tart and sweet, but also packed with butternut squash and oats!

What three tips do you have for parents who want to incorporate more veggies into their own dishes?

If you start cooking from More Veggies Please!, you’ll see the unique ways each veggie can function in your cooking, and how to apply that to lots of dishes. When you taste how creamy pureed beans make my chicken pot pie, you’ll start to think about what other creamy dishes you could add beans to.

The great thing is my recipes are truly for the whole family. I spent years not only figuring out how to add vegetables to our favorite dishes, but how to create the ultimate versions of those dishes. I strive to make parents as happy with my recipes as kids. Because at the end of the day, nobody wants to spend time making a dish that’s "just okay." And nobody wants to make a separate meal for their kids.

When and where can we get More Veggies Please!?

More Veggies Please! hits shelves October 12, 2021 and is available for pre-order anywhere books are sold. You can even get personalized signed copies on my site NikkiDinkiCooking.com. I can’t wait for you all to dig in!

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Mint Milkshake with Spinach There are 5 cups of spinach—an entire package—in these two milkshakes!

It’s like having an extra-large salad and your dessert at the same time (except way more desserty and way less weird than that sounds). The spinach adds an extra boost of vibrant color while truly disappearing tastewise. It’s such a simple and amazing way to get more veggies into your day, and also just outrageously tasty.

The Ingredients MILKSHAKE 5 cups baby spinach (5 ounces) ½ cup milk 4 cups mint chocolate chip ice cream (2 pints) TOPPINGS Whipped cream Chocolate sauce Crushed chocolate cookies 2 maraschino cherries

Photo Credit: Andreana Bitsis

The Instructions 1. Blend the spinach and milk in a blender until the mixture is very smooth—you should basically have green milk. You will need to push down the spinach with your tamper (the stick thing that comes with the blender and fits in the hole on top of the lid). If you have lost your tamper like I have, scrape down the sides a couple of times and push the leaves toward the blades, then blend again.

2. Add the ice cream and blend until the mixture is smooth and the chocolate chunks are small enough to be sucked through a straw.

3. To serve, divide the milkshake between two large glasses. Top each with whipped cream, a drizzle of chocolate sauce, a sprinkle of crushed cookies, and 1 maraschino cherry.

REFERENCE: MORE VEGGIES PLEASE!

Willa's Lemon Bars The Ingredients OAT BASE 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats ½ cup granulated sugar Zest of 1 lemon ¼ teaspoon kosher salt 1⅓ cups all-purpose flour ¾ cup unsalted butter (1½ sticks), melted 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract

LEMON FILLING One 10-ounce bag frozen cubed butternut squash (about 2½ cups), thawed to room temperature 1½ cups granulated sugar Juice of 4 large or 8 small lemons (¾ cup), room temperature ½ cup all-purpose flour 4 large eggs, room temperature 2 large egg yolks, room temperature

The Instructions TO MAKE THE BASE:

TO MAKE THE FILLING + THE BARS:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. This is also a good time to let the

1. While the crust is cooling, place the thawed squash in a fine-

squash, lemon juice, and eggs used for the filling to come to room temperature. Line a 13 × 9-inch glass or ceramic baking

mesh sieve or kitchen towel and push/squeeze it well to remove as much excess liquid as possible; once most of the

dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang to allow you to remove the bars easily (do not use a metal pan because it will give the bars a metallic taste, yuck).

2. Blend the oats, sugar, lemon zest, and salt in a blender until the mixture is very finely ground and has a flourlike texture. Add the flour to the blender and pulse a couple of times to mix the ingredients together (no need to clean out the blender after this step, as you will use it for the filling).

3. In a medium bowl, mix together the melted butter and vanilla, then add the oat-flour mixture and stir until a dough forms.

Transfer the dough to the prepared baking dish and pat it down into an even layer (if you like, use the back of a measuring cup to press down on the dough to get it very flat).

Prick the dough all over with a fork.

4. Bake the crust until it is lightly puffed and the edges are light golden brown—25 to 30 minutes. Remove the crust from the oven and allow it to cool for 20 minutes; this step is important because if you pour the lemon filling into a hot baking dish, the sides of the curd will cook too quickly and become rubbery.

Reduce the oven temperature to 300°F.

liquid is removed, you should have about ¾ cup squash.

Transfer the squash to a blender along with the sugar and lemon juice and blend until completely smooth. Add the flour, whole eggs, and egg yolks and blend again until smooth. Use a spoon to remove any frothy bubbles that form at the top of the mixture.

2. Pour the filling from the blender onto the crust (it’s okay if the crust is still a little warm, but the baking dish should be cool enough that you can touch it without oven mitts). Use a knife or skewer to pop any large air bubbles that form on the top.

3. Bake until the filling is fully set—about 35 minutes. Allow the bars to cool at room temperature for 1 hour, then transfer them to the refrigerator and cool completely (do not cover with plastic wrap, as it will cause condensation to form on the filling)—about 2 hours.

4. Use the parchment paper to lift the bars out of the baking dish and transfer them to a cutting board. Trim off the edges of the lemon bars using a large knife (eat these scraps—because you deserve them!). Top with powdered sugar, candied lemons, and/or lemon peel.

Photo Credit: Andreana Bitsis

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TIPS FOR HELPING A CHILD DEAL WITH ANXIETY

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By: Jamie Edelbrock I’ll be honest. The water scares me. Whenever my children are in it or near it, anxious thoughts creep in my head. I even get nervous in boats, large or small. That’s why I was hesitant when we were invited to float down the Shenandoah River in Virginia with friends. Just in case you haven’t experienced a float down a river, it’s typically done in an innertube and is mostly a slow, fun-filled, and relaxing time. It’s a popular summer activity in Virginia, West Virginia, Oregon, and many other parts of the US. My husband and three children were excited to go, so despite my nerves, I agreed. To help with my anxiety about it, I made plans in my head about the trip. I planned to keep the innertubes close together, would keep a close watch on the children, and I constantly reassured myself we’d all be okay.

The day of the trip was mostly uneventful. We linked up with friends, checked in, got our life jackets, briefings, signed paperwork, and loaded a bus to head upriver. Once in the calm water, I told myself we were fine as we floated down the beautiful river. Hearing the children laugh and splash was a refreshing sound that calmed me. Good right? Well, about an hour into the float, the serenity quickly left me as we approached what we later discovered was a class 2 rapid.

The worst part? We had no choice to go through it. Several tubers had stopped short of it, examining the best route through. We followed suit. Others proceeded through, smiling and laughing as they came out the other side. After watching a few tubers pass through without issue, we charted our course best we could and continued toward the rapids.

Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too.

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As we approached, I was filled with fear as I watched my three children start to go down the rapids on individual tubes. We proceeded partly through unscathed until suddenly, two of my daughters flipped backward in the rocky, heavy flowing water. My middle daughter hit her knee and emerged from the water with a few cuts. I was relieved to see her head pop up. However, my youngest daughter was nowhere to be seen. The water was flowing swiftly, and the white water made it difficult to see anything. Fortunately, the water was shallow enough that my husband and I could stand, albeit with difficulty due to the rapids. As we searched the area, people could tell we were in distress and were trying to stop their canoes and rafts, but they couldn't. The current was too strong. Meanwhile, our friends had successfully stopped 100 feet downstream, grabbed our two older daughters, and had made their way to the bank.

Knowing my youngest daughter was in trouble, I let go of my fear and frantically searched the water for her. The current was strong, and my bare feet hurt as I stepped on each sharp stone. I was scared, cold, wet, and in pain, but I wasn’t about to give up. She needed help, and as her parent, I was willing to do anything in my power to help her. My husband was upstream about 100 feet doing the same. We had both assumed she separated from her innertube, but I noticed that it was stuck on a rock near me.

When I finally arrived at her upside-down innertube, I pushed the heavy tube aside and found her. Her life jacket was caught under a rock, and she was face down. As I grabbed her, she gasped for air and cried, clinging to me like crazy. With the panic of the situation over, I quickly examined her, and other than the scary experience, she was fine. After a few minutes of calming down, my husband made his way to us. The three of us then floated downstream using our life jackets to link up with our other children and friends. The worst part? We still had 3 hours of the river left to float but no worries, there were no more unannounced rapids. I didn’t realize it at the time, but this experience foreshadowed a groundbreaking moment in our future.

Let me explain.

When my daughter was diagnosed with anxiety at the age of six, much like the rapids, I was taken by surprise. Up until her diagnosis, I thought she was just misbehaving. She was disruptive in class and would abruptly run to the bathroom to hide. She would scream and have angry outbursts. She would slam doors and yell at me all the time. She would rip up books, ruin her toys, and refuse to eat. When she would raise her voice, I would raise mine. When she slammed a door, I would slam mine. When I got the dreaded phone call from the school saying she did something wrong, she would get in trouble at home. It was a never-ending cycle, and I couldn't figure out why she was behaving this way.

It wasn’t until we met with her therapist that I learned that behavior issues and anxiety issues could look very similar. It can be challenging to distinguish between the two. I learned that she wasn’t misbehaving on purpose; she was reacting to her anxiety. I also learned that she needed two things from me. She needed me to educate myself on anxiety and she needed me to change how I responded to her behavior.

Like all parents, I will do everything in my power to protect my children, and sometimes that means being selfless. Just like when I let go of my fear and jumped off my innertube to rescue my daughter, I let go of my former way of dealing with her behavior and jumped into learning how to help her. Instead of slamming doors, yelling back, and punishing her, I learned what she needed most from me was for me to be calm. I also began researching and learning about anxiety so I could best understand her.

During my research, I found a quote from the award-winning author of Little Hearts/Gentle Parenting Guide, L.R. Knost. It put things in perspective for me. She says, "When little people are overwhelmed by big emotions, it's our job to share our calm, not join their chaos."

I found this to be true because as I started to change my daughter began to change as well. Instead of slamming the door back, I would tell her I was here for her when she was ready to talk. Instead of yelling, I told her I needed a timeout and would talk when I was ready. This allowed us to collect our own thoughts and calm ourselves so we could have a productive and peaceful conversation.

Breathe slowly and deeply together. You can count slowly to five as you breathe in, and then five as you breathe out. If this is too much, try starting with shorter counts. If it works for them, gradually encourage your child to breathe out for one or two counts longer than they breathe in, as this can help their body relax.

Sit with them and offer calm physical reassurance. Feeling you nearby, or holding your hand or having a cuddle if it’s possible, can be soothing.

Reassure them that the anxiety will pass and that they will be okay. It can be helpful to describe it as a wave that they can ride or surf until it peaks, breaks and gets smaller.

Ask them to think of a safe and relaxing place or person in their mind. If you haven’t tried this before, agree with them when they’re feeling calm what this place or person is. It could be their bedroom, a grandparent’s house, a favorite place in nature or somewhere they’ve been on holiday. Sometimes holding a memento of a relaxing place, like a seashell or pebble, can help.

Try using all five senses together. Connecting with what they can see, touch, hear, smell and taste can bring them closer to the present moment and reduce the intensity of their anxiety.

You might think together about five things they can see, four things they can touch, three things they can hear, two things they can smell and one thing they can taste.

Encourage them to do something that helps them to feel calmer.

This could be running, walking, listening to music, painting, drawing or coloring-in, writing in a journal, watching a favorite film or reading a favorite book.

Children with anxiety have big emotions that are hard for them to understand and make sense of. They count on their parents to be their protector and compass, which means it matters greatly how we respond to them during the chaos. Using our tubing trip as a parallel, the outcome would have been very different had I stayed on my inner tube in fear, rather than jumping off to save my daughter. If you are surprised by your child’s anxiety diagnosis, jump off and dive in. Push stigmas and fear aside and go all-in because it’s equally important to help your child with mental health as it is when they’re in physical danger. Learn all that you can and change what needs to be changed because the outcome is worth it.

About Jamie Edelbrock Born and raised in Salem, Oregon, Jamie is married to her high school sweetheart, and together they have three beautiful daughters. She has worn many hats, some of which include a homeschool mom, preschool director, family ministry director, and author. Through years of experience working with children, and raising her own, she knows how difficult parenting can be. She encourages others by sharing her own trials, triumphs, and sometimes hilarious stories. She is an advocate for children's mental health and is best known for her creativity, optimism, and kind heart.

Some other strategies that worked the best for us can be found on www.youngminds.org.uk in an article titled “Helping Your Child With Anxiety”.

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SESS CANNON @ S E S S L E E _ C U R L S

Photo Credit: Eileen Pratt, Pratt Prism Productions

Sess Cannon is a woman who, like most women, is multifaceted. This award winning natural hair care expert, educator and beauty influencer takes joy in empowering women to realize their power both externally and internally.

Inspired by humor, change, reading, and spending time with the people in her life, this mother of four continues to evolve as a woman to watch and a mom we love to follow.

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Who is Sess Cannon?

I am a wife, a mother, a business owner and a sister. I find joy in humor, I love change, reading, spending time with the people in my life and being motivated by challenges. I can sit in my hammock for hours in the sun reading or just being with myself to recharge.

I am a mother of four littles whom I love doing life with, helping them navigate relationships, obstacles and wins of their own. I use every opportunity as a way to learn and be better for myself and for the little people watching me every day. I see value in my friendships and all of my relationships, and believe that life is so much richer when you have people to share it with.

education. Flourish is a training salon that spends six to eight weeks training each stylist on a vigorous curriculum that I created. I teach each stylist how to properly educate each client on their hair, perform a variety of natural styles, and create a regimen for each client to help them reach their hair goals.

How did your career as a natural hair care expert begin?

Unknowingly it started when I was a child with curly hair born to a mother with straight hair. My mom took me everywhere looking for help with my hair and even though I may have left with a style, she was never educated on what to do when we weren’t in the salon. As I got older, I continued to struggle with my hair so I resorted to what was easiest. I straightened my hair most of the time and every once and a while would experiment with wearing it curly, but I could never really get it right. It wasn’t until college that I finally started getting a good hang of what my hair liked, didn’t like, and what made it thrive.

The training that the stylists go through is very intense and covers everything from the hair structure, to treatment plans and business building. Once they are finished with training, each stylist operates on a six-step system that ensures each client leaves with what they need. Setting each stylist up with how to create a career as a textured hair care stylist that really makes a difference with the women in our community adds so much value to everyone involved. In addition to providing great hair care, we create an environment where women support each other and genuinely want to see each other do well.

I did hair for my classmates in high school and college, then while working a corporate job I followed my heart to hair school. I decided to focus on curly hair because of the struggles I had with my own hair during childhood. I struggled to find someone not only to style my hair, but to teach me about my hair so I would know how to help it flourish. That is where the basis of my career was formed. The education is what sets me apart.

Your mission is to help clients and stylists love every stage of their natural hair journey. What are your top three tips for taking care of natural hair, especially during the summer?

You are the founder and owner of Flourish Curls Salon based in Arlington and Addison, Texas. Tell us about the salon and what separates it from competition.

What sets Flourish apart from most salons is our emphasis on

The top three tips would be: 1. Protect your hair. Make sure to moisturize your hair with the best moisturizer for your hair type regardless of the style you are wearing so your hair can be protected against drying from the sun. Make sure to wear a hat or covering if you are going to be in the blazing sun for long periods of time. The sun will bake your strands and remove their moisture.

I use every opportunity as a way to learn and be better for myself and for the little people watching me every day.

Photo Credit: Eileen Pratt, Pratt Prism Productions

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2. Make sure to wet your hair before swimming in chlorine. Wet your hair first and apply conditioner before jumping into a chlorinated pool. Think of your hair as a sponge. If the sponge is already full of water, when you drop it in more water it doesn’t have the ability to absorb much more. It’s the same with your hair. If you fill it with water and conditioner first, the chlorine will not have space to be absorbed to dry out your hair.

3. Understand what YOUR hair likes and doesn’t like regardless of what anyone else tells you works or doesn’t work. Each person's hair is like a fingerprint, it is particular to you. Use your fingers during shampooing, conditioning and detangling to get to know your hair and how it feels. And remember, less is always more. You don’t need 100 products to achieve amazing results. Go to a stylist who truly specializes in natural hair care and ask questions to get you on the right track.

With a lot of salons impacted by the pandemic, what has been the key to growing your business during all of the uncertainty and financial turmoil?

The biggest thing that kept my salon flourishing even through a pandemic was staying connected socially to my customers and showing up consistently with content that my audience values.

When our salon was closed, I turned to retail and started shipping hair care packages and ‘how to’ videos to people at home. Being able to provide hair care packages during shut down was beneficial for clients, because most hair places were closed, and beneficial to us because it helped keep our bills paid without being in the negative. After we reopened, we continued to boom because so many people had gone natural during shut down and needed a salon to help them walk this new journey.

As a mother of 4, what are your summer self-care musthaves?

A must have for me is long summer days in the sun with my family! It is good for our mood, our energy and our bodies to be outside enjoying each other, or inside with the blinds open!

Photo Credit: Eileen Pratt, Pratt Prism Productions

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Another thing is as a mother who has birthed four humans, I am not waiting for the perfect time to wear those shorts or put on that swimsuit. I have learned to be gentle with my body. We put so much pressure on ourselves to look a certain way before we do this or wear that. Just getting my body moving, soaking in some sun, creating memories with my kids and laughing with friends is good for my mental health, and reminds me that my body has housed years of magic and deserves kindness. It is okay to want to keep improving physically and getting stronger, but I realize that I cannot hate my body into a better version of itself, only love can do that.

This form of self care has released so much weight for me, and my summer days have seemed so much lighter.

"It is okay to want to keep improving physically and getting stronger, but I realize that I cannot hate my body into a better version of itself, only love can do that."

WHY WE LOVE TO FOLLOW @SESSLEE_CURLS

SESS CANNON EMPOWERS WOMEN TO UNAPOLOGETICALLY EMBRACE THEIR BEAUTY, BOTH EXTERNALLY AND INTERNALLY. LEARN MORE AT HTTPS://SESSLEECURLS.COM/.

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SARA HOOD

@ S A R A L O V E S T Y L E

Photo Credit: Sarah Noelle Photography

Born in a refugee camp in Sudan, Sara Hood, also known as Sara Lovestyle, epitomizes strength and resilience. This mother of two found her passion to help women live a lifestyle that reflects self love when she found her voice as an advocate for her son with special needs. As an autism mom, heart attack survivor, entrepreneur and global influencer, Sara Hood is living out her “why” with the Lovestyle brand that is equipping others to do the same.

Who is Sara Lovestyle? Tell us about Sara Lovestyle the person, and Sara Lovestyle the influencer and brand.

I was born in a refugee camp in Sudan after my parents escaped a civil war in their homeland of Ethiopia. Our lives

changed when we received a God-sent blessing from a church family in Virginia. After being touched by a picture they saw of me smiling at four years old, they sponsored my family to come live in America. Fast forward to having two kids, and then I had my “aha moment.” As a mom, our identities are intertwined with our children. I didn’t know where one began or the other ended. Lovestyle is your passion and purpose, and the pursuit of both without fear. Lovestyle is knowing self-care is important. Lovestyle is to have an open heart and open mind. My motto is, “It’s More Than A Lifestyle, It’s A Lovestyle!”

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You have an incredible story of resilience and fortitude. How has your life journey led you to your “Lovestyle?”

I knew I had to find my purpose, my “why” and reason to put a “smile” back on my face. I chose to rediscover myself by embracing a radically new and healthier lifestyle after having a heart attack at the age of 23. This event probably kicked off the initial innate idea of the Lovestyle brand and what it encompasses before I even knew what it was myself.

When my son was diagnosed with non-verbal autism, it was a life altering moment. I had to adjust to being his voice, and becoming one with every expression, emotion and experience.

In my frustration and anger during a situation with my son’s school, SaraLovestyle was born. One of my prayers to God was “Please do something with all these emotions I’m having. Please help me navigate the space that I’m in.” I knew my job was not to make him fit into the world, but to shift mountains so the world adjusted to him. In that realization, my voice was born. My vulnerability in essence became my strength and biggest point of connection to other moms. As I leaned into this powerful calling as a mom that became my son’s biggest cheerleader, protector and advocate – I grew out of my introverted shyness, and discovered my calling to become an influencer that helps other women and moms discover their superpower and their voice.

Part of your journey has been about getting back to who you are outside of motherhood. What has been the key to you finding yourself beyond motherhood?

During my pregnancy with my first son, my hopes turned to heartbreak when the doctor told me there was a strong chance he would be an extreme special needs child. It was only six days later that I experienced a heart attack at 23 years old. Fitness

became mandatory because I wanted to live for my kids and just as importantly, ME! After a full recovery, I committed to a five day/week workout regimen and eventually lost 60lbs off what was then a 220lb 5’3” frame. Due to the exhaustive responsibilities of motherhood and special needs parenting, along with the insecurities I constantly wrestled with as a woman - I realized I had lost myself. I remember looking in the mirror one day and not recognizing the person staring back at me. I was a mom but I wasn’t happy because I wasn’t ME. I didn’t know who I was, where I belonged, and what my purpose was. I was pouring out my energy, but I wasn’t filling my own tank.

That was my breaking point and I knew I had to find a way to live for myself. I knew there was a bigger calling and purpose in my life. I started meditating, reading books that filled my mental tank, and I started writing goals for myself. With each goal there was a deadline and evaluation period. I still do that to this day.

When I accepted God was working through me and I had an opportunity to speak to one singular person through my testimony, everything changed.

For a mom who wants to start a fitness regimen, what should be her first step?

Start with small goals. Large ones are great, but they can be daunting and overwhelming. For one week, track what you eat and drink. Yes it's mildly annoying, but it serves a purpose. You need to know exactly what’s going into your body. Most of us would be shocked at the calories we take in because we don’t think about it. Google and track the foods that you eat and what you drink, and be sure you drink lots of water! Fill in meal gaps with healthy snacks. Starvation or crazy crash diets are a NO. If you want a cookie...eat ONE. Depriving yourself only leads to binging.

Photo Credit: Sarah Noelle Photography

Photo Credit: Jendayi Asha Photography

Your oldest son, Josiah, was diagnosed with autism. What do you wish more people knew about kids with autism? What advice do you have for a mom whose child has recently been diagnosed?

As a woman, especially a Black mother with a special needs child, it's about making sure we aren’t alone. We need to change the narrative.

I require the world to fit my son, not changing my son to fit the world. I would say it’s okay to ask for help even when you don’t want to and your pride is telling you that you don’t need it.

And especially after a diagnosis, know that it’s going to be ok... it’s all going to be ok, even when it doesn’t feel like it. When it feels like your entire world is crumbling, it’s going to be ok. You can handle this... you’re strong enough, you’re tough enough, you’re smart enough.

There is nothing you can’t handle. There is something about a mom. We’re just rock stars.

I would also say that it is okay to have a grieving point. Rock star or not - we are all still human. Feel all the feels and don't feel bad for what you feel.

The other thing I will say is to advocate for your child. You’re not crazy. No one can tell you anything about your child more than you can. Stand firm on faith. Stand firm that you can do this. Find a friend that you can vent to.

Support systems are so helpful when you need to sob and cry and share your heartbreak with someone - additionally, you can share your victories with this person also! It's a win-win!

Remember that there is no expert mom. None of us truly have the answers. There is no playbook. You are doing your best, Momma and that is more than ok - It's great!

Photo Credit: Sarah Noelle Photography

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Tell us about the Lovestyle League and how our readers can get involved.

The lovestyle league is a group of women from all different walks of life who are ready to live and walk in their lovetyle. The class includes (1) a monthly masterclass and ‘pick my brain’ sessions that are all about influencer marketing, branding, business strategy and more, exclusive weekly IG live replays, weekly devotionals to help our audience fulfill their God given purpose, and monthly challenges where we emphasize accountability, commitment, and consistency. To sign up, you just go to www.saralovestyle.com/lovestyleleague/. The class is only $30/month.

Members of the lovestyle league will even receive giveaways from my specialty line Belay and Bell spice company!

"As a woman, especially a Black mother with a special needs child, it's about making sure we aren’t alone.

We need to change the narrative. I require the world to fit my son, not changing my son to fit the world."

WHY WE LOVE TO FOLLOW @SARALOVESTYLE

SARA LOVESTYLE IS HELPING WOMEN FIND THEIR VOICES FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN, LEARN MORE AT HTTPS://WWW.SARALOVESTYLE.COM/.

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SI MPLE EVERYDAY SKI N CARE ROUTI NE FOR WORKI NG MOMS

BY: SONIA KHEMIRI

"...I still firmly believe that good skincare is the number one way to look and feel beautiful in your own skin."

Between co-founding a beauty start-up, parenting a teenage daughter, and managing all the everyday challenges of being a woman, I’m always busy! But no matter how hectic life can get, I always make time for my self-care — and for me, that’s doing a daily and nightly skincare routine. Especially now that I’m in my 40s, it’s definitely not the time to start neglecting my skin!

As co-founder of a growing beauty company, I’m fortunate to have the opportunity to try out lots of different products from some pretty amazing brands — but I know this isn’t the case for everyone.

Just a few basic products for cleansing and moisturizing are all you need to have a quick and effective beauty routine as a busy working mom.

For me, double cleansing at night is a must! I always use an oil-based cleanser first to break down and remove my makeup, and then I follow up with a water-based cleanser to remove any remaining impurities from my skin. Cleansing your skin is absolutely essential, no matter your age. Even if you don’t wear a full face of makeup, your face still accumulates dirt and oil throughout the day, and leaving those impurities on your skin overnight can have a lasting effect as you age. We don’t want that!

Hydrating and moisturizing the skin is the other essential step to a quick yet effective skincare routine. In my experience, the best combination for ultimate hydration is to apply a water-based serum, followed by an oil or a moisturizer. Don’t forget that a moisturizer is always a mix of many ingredients, but there is always oil and water. If you’re ever unsure what order to apply your products in, a great tip is to always go from thinnest texture to thickest texture. There are many more steps to a full skincare routine besides cleansing and moisturizing, but as busy women, sometimes we need to stick to the necessities!

Up until a few years ago, I never wore foundation on my face — I think the only time I ever did was at my own wedding!

Although I love makeup as a tool to enhance your beauty, I still firmly believe that good skincare is the number one way to look and feel beautiful in your own skin. I really got into skincare in my early 20s, and since then, I’ve practiced my routine religiously. I absolutely love skincare oil, which is one of the reasons that the hero product of my own beauty brand is a skincare oil. I’ve used countless beauty oils throughout the course of my skincare journey — you name it, I’ve tried it!

I love taking my time to relax and do my full skincare routine each morning and night, but as all busy moms know, sometimes our demanding schedules just won’t allow it. So, for those super hectic days, I have a quicker, simplified routine as well. For nighttime, the “fast” version of my routine is a double cleanse, followed by a face serum, and finished off with a moisturizer. In the morning, I apply ice on my face to depuff and refresh my tired skin, followed by a hydrosol and an oil to prep my face for makeup application. It’s important to note that a good beauty routine doesn’t have to only be about your face — don’t forget to take care of your body, your hair, your hands and feet, your lips, and even your teeth, too!

As I said earlier, a quick and easy routine is essential for busy moms on-the-go.

However, on those days when we get a little bit of extra time for ourselves, I love to take full advantage of it!

n r a e L n a c n Lessons Me 1 2 0 2 n i n e from Wom

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As a Conscious Innovator and Impact Entrepreneur, my goal is to empower others to collectively rise. We have forgotten that the best ways humans perform is through collaboration. By empowering and shining a light on others, you are in turn, empowering and shining a light on yourself. Be direct, be honest, but be reassuring as you create safe spaces where people share their feelings, and their vulnerabilities. For too long, in a masculine view culture, it has not been deemed acceptable to share how we really feel, but what I find is the secret of your supercharged growth is through allowing fearful feelings of shame, self doubt, or worry. I encourage conscious leaders through my impact training: the "Your Real Power is You Mentorship Program" to share how they really feel, because when you address your fears, and look them in the eye, you can deal with them. In your fears are your secrets to supercharged growth, because when you face your fears, you see your limiting beliefs, and when you see them, you can voice them and get feedback to overcome them.

Below are some lessons men can learn from women: 1. Trust others and learn to let go The best results in leadership is through trusting others and letting go. When we control others and dominate a conversation, we are really getting back from others a version of ourselves vs. when we let go, and allow others to flow, and to lead. As a female conscious leader, I have struggled with this. When I allow myself to let go and trust others, magic happens. By allowing others to lead, I can supercharge my learning, because when I listen to others and create space for them to lead, they can guide me into new areas where I can expand my growth. The process of collaboration comes from allowing space for others to lead and to shine in their genius, which reflects back and shines the light on you.

2. Get vulnerable to relate to others When I mentor others, I have found the best way to supercharge growth is to share your vulnerabilities-sharing personal stories of how I have struggled, or personal insights I have experienced. These are things I would have previously kept private, but I know today that to lead by example is to give the deepest part of yourself, so that you can serve others in the greatest way. Real courage, real power and real strength come from not in sharing your achievements but sharing your struggles, pain and how you transcend through your own conscious evolution. People trust you, relate to you and follow you and have a deep sense of lasting loyalty as it's not easy.

3. Don't be afraid to shift with the times Our world is moving at incredible speed to the era of impact capitalism. I moved into the area of impact in 2006, when this was a topic on the fringe. I pivoted into a new space. I learned to do this by listening to my intuition and feelings, I didn't know then that impact was the future, I felt it. Don't be afraid to pivot. Don't stand still, move forward, even if you don't know how it will work out. Jump and pivot, because your heart and your intuition know your purpose, and will lead you to the greatest places.

4. Dreaming means creating Learning how to dream has been one of the hardest things for me to do. Why? Because to dream, you have to allow yourself to believe you can be the biggest version of yourself, and that is scary because it means jumping out of your comfort zone to a new, bigger comfort zone. To dream, means creating the new. I had to allow my fears, by meditating, or taking time out to let the fears come up, so I could feel them, and then make space to dream a new dream. I rode the wave of fear until it passed and created a new safe space for my new big dream, and gave myself the reassurance to allow myself to receive my new dreams.

This is how I face dreams, and what gives me the courage to create and achieve new bigger dreams. Through facing my fears, letting go, reassuring myself, and taking action to make my dreams happen, I am able to look back and see the results of what I made happen.

Learn more about Sara https://www.sarasimmonds.com.

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DAYNA L. REED Photo Credit: Didomi Photography

WELCOME BACK? It’s still fresh in my memory: returning to church after giving birth to our first child, Jaicie.

My husband Franklin and I were so excited for everyone to finally meet our baby girl. We arrived a little after the service began, so most of our friends would have to wait a while to get a closer look. Throughout the service, other moms periodically glanced our way with bright eyes and enthusiastic smiles, appearing just as ecstatic as we were about our new addition.

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Things took a turn, however, when feeding time came and I pulled out the Avent baby bottle. As I sat there feeding my baby, I noticed a few of those warm looks strangely turn to scowls. Somewhat puzzled, I looked around, wondering if I’d missed something that was said, not realizing that those frowns were meant for me. The service couldn’t have ended fast enough for some of those moms to make a beeline to where we were sitting. But it wasn’t so that they could finally meet Jaicie or greet me. Instead, it was to grill me with questions such as: “What’s with the bottle?!”

“You aren’t nursing?!”

“Well, are you at least pumping?!”

“Please tell me that’s not formula in that bottle!”

I was so caught off guard by the ambush that my initial response was shocked silence, followed by: “Whoa . . .Wait a minute! What?!” My happy moment quickly deflated and I felt as if I’d shifted from being in the House of the Lord to the courtroom of Judge Judy.

What they didn’t know was that I’d had an emergency C-section followed by a tough recovery, and my new baby was a bit colicky – all factors that had led to my decision to discontinue nursing earlier than I’d hoped. And although things hadn’t worked out quite the way I had planned, everything was still good: my baby was healthy, I was healing, and we were happy!

Needless to say, I left church far from uplifted that day. Instead, I left feeling discouraged and questioning everything I had done for my baby those past couple of months. Although I’d been able to shut down the interrogation successfully at the time, the uncertainty their words produced and the feeling of having failed lingered for days to come. I desperately wanted nothing but the best for my baby. I began to wonder if I was giving her that.

I didn’t know it then, but this wouldn’t be my last encounter with this incriminating analysis over how I cared for my children or the second-guessing it created within me. In fact, it was only the beginning, and would unexpectedly grow into something more troubling than I could imagine. Something, my friend, I would eventually come to know as mommy guilt!

Order your copy of Guilt-Free Mommy at https://www.daynalreed.com/.

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3 TIPS FOR STAYING CONNECTED TO YOUR COLLEGE STUDENT, FROM A MOM WHO’S BEEN THERE “Several years ago, when my firstborn left our proverbial ‘nest’ to spread her wings at college over 1,000 miles away, we were over-themoon proud and thrilled for her,” says Tracy. “Watching her start to forge her path in the world was exciting. Yet, as exciting as it was to watch her embark on new challenges, I have to admit I wasn’t sure how to navigate being a long-distance mom. She was my firstborn and this was all new to me. How would we find a new rhythm? How could I balance respecting her boundaries but remind her I’m thinking of her? Over the past few years I’ve realized, it’s easier than I thought.”

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LET THEM SET THE PACE. Patience is definitely a virtue. Your student will be busy. It takes a lot of energy, especially emotional energy, for them to navigate their new environment, relationships, and schedules. Texts and calls may be frequent at times and other times your phone may be silent. Follow their lead and don’t nag. Just let them know you're here, whenever it works for them.

“My daughter and I have an unspoken rule that works well for us. If I’d like to chat, I’ll text first and ask if it’s a good time for her. To me, it’s like knocking on their bedroom door before walking in. I think (hope) it shows her that I respect her time and schedule, and allows her to call me when she’s in the mood to chat.”

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FIND LITTLE BUT FREQUENT WAYS TO REMIND THEM YOU ARE THINKING OF THEM. Surprise them with little care packages — with goodies that they’ll love. It’s a sure-fire way to make them feel loved.

A brief text goes a long way — “brief” being the key word. Photos of any beloved pets at home get bonus points.

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WHEN THEY DO NEED YOU — BE THE CALM IN THEIR STORM. There will likely be times of roommate troubles or test disappointments. Through your words and demeanor, let them know you have confidence in them that they’ll get through it and thrive. Remind them of difficult things that they’ve successfully navigated in the past.

Listen. Do your best to not jump in with lots of advice (ugh, not easy). Ask questions but don’t try to fix it. A sincere “How can I help?” is comforting.

“Let’s face it, by the time our kids enter college, we are no longer the CEO of their lives,” adds Tracy. “They’ve long since fired us from that role. But if we, as parents, are open to change, healthy communication, and a little effort, we’ll eventually be lucky enough to be rehired in a new role, as a trusted consultant. Which, I have to say, is pretty great.”

Learn more about Tracy Schactman at https://www.sendingsun.com.

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5 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE TAKING THE LEAP TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP By: Tim Mercer

WHY DO YOU WANT TO DO THIS? “Let’s be honest,” Mercer says. “If the business endeavor is just about us, we will want to give up on ourselves when things get hard. Your why, which is your purpose, has to be much bigger than yourself. You must believe in a vision of why you want to be an entrepreneur and develop a plan for how you will involve others in your vision.

Sustainable entrepreneurship requires the efforts of other people.” Mercer thinks it’s imperative to write down your ‘why’ and keep it in front of you as a reminder when tough times come.

CAN YOUR RELATIONSHIPS SURVIVE THE SACRIFICES? ARE YOU BEING REALISTIC? One can get swept up in the emotion of starting a business, but Mercer says it’s vital for every potential entrepreneur to be realistic in their business projections for the first two years of the startup. “Answering this question before you open can prevent some unpleasant surprises as you try to build your company,” Mercer says.

DO YOU HAVE DAILY DISCIPLINE? “You are the boss, and only you can hold yourself accountable,” Mercer says. “If it’s hard for you to stay on task or stay motivated, and you think being an entrepreneur is a fast ticket to easy street, entrepreneurship definitely is not for you.”

The time commitment, Mercer notes, to starting one’s own business and getting it running efficiently goes well beyond a typical 9-to-5 job. Relationships can suffer. “All entrepreneurs have to understand that they are going to be forced to make sacrifices on a personal level with their family and friends,” Mercer says. “You have to stay focused without letting your dedication to your entrepreneurial pursuit harm your relationships with those you are closest.

Communicate with them and mutually come up with adjusted expectations as you build the business.”

CAN YOU WITHSTAND THE STRUGGLES? Rejection and failure, Mercer says, are realities that new entrepreneurs have to get accustomed to and learn to overcome. “You need to understand how many times you’ll fail before you’ll succeed,” he says. “You’ll get turned down by prospective customers constantly and your self-value will be tested on a daily basis. Is your why strong enough to keep you going?”

“Overall, deciding whether you are an entrepreneur or not boils down to how comfortable you are being uncomfortable,” Mercer says. “Only time will tell if you have the people skills and business skills to be a successful entrepreneur, but rest assured that you will have to endure periods of real discomfort.”

Tim Mercer (www.timtmercer.com) is the founder of IBOXG, a company that provides technology services and solutions to government agencies and Fortune 500 corporations. He also is the ForbesBooks author of Bootstrapped Millionaire: Defying the Odds of Business. Mercer was inspired to pursue a career in IT as a consultant after he became a telecom operator while in the U.S. Army. After growing up in difficult economic circumstances in the rural South, Mercer achieved success as an entrepreneur, then recovered from the financial crisis of 20072008 after starting IBOXG. The company has accrued over $60 million in revenues since its inception in 2008.

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