Diamond Elite Magazine Q1 2022

CONTENT

Check out the stories inside this issue!

Diamond Elite Magazine’s goal is to boost the exposure and sales of entrepreneurs.

We believe networking, circulation and word of mouth are the biggest essentials when it comes to small business.

Features Pg.4 – Let’s Toast Pg.6 – Fierce Female Network Pg.9 – Author Mark Edwards Pg.13 – Author Amy Watkins Pg.16 – New Year Recipes Pg.18 – The Sassy Motivator Pg.22 – Ask Genevieve Pg.24 – Winners & Wine Pg.267 – Advertise With Us

As the years continue, we plan to thrive in success and help expand the small businesses who have contributed along the way

Be sure to take a photo of an ad inside and contact the small business owners/ entrepreneurs directly if you would like to purchase a product or service!

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Let’s Toast!

Let us toast to new beginnings. Let us toast to strength and health. Let us toast to new opportunities. Let us toast

to financial stability. Let us toast to good will. Let us toast to accomplishing goals. Let us toast to being better people.

Let us toast.

-Kandice I, Owner of DEM & Co. .

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Heavenly Beauty Supply LLC http://shopheavenlybeautysupplyllc.com 855-578-2984 Heavenly Beauty Supply LLC 855-578-2984 www.heavenlybeautysupplyva.com @heavenlybeautysupplyva

Smile.

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Photographer: Jennifer Enujiugha

It always seems impossible until it’s done.

-Nelson Mandela

When Love & Trust" hits a bump in the road, it can only be "Loves Retribution."

Two Books – ONE STORY

lulu.com/spotlight/medwards1 'Love & Trust-A Poetic Novel' followed by 'Loves Retribution-A Poetic Novel'

Available on All Online Locations 9 |D I A M O N D E L I T E M A G A Z I N E

What People Are Saying… “…Pssshhh…all the questions I wanted to ask all the Queens that are leveling up, but didn’t feel that they would have the time to answer my question I found my answers right here inside this toolbox...”

“…the Apply the Pressure Toolbox is leading me in the right direction…”

“…Entrepreneurs go grab this box, it gives you so much to build your own empire...”

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Be sure you’re taking the time out to take care of YOU.

Cute for a Black Girl is a coming-of-age novel that follows Chloe Wilcox, a beautiful young lady with a traumatic early childhood who gets adopted by a wealthy lawyer and transfers to a primarily white school. Chloe's insecurity develops as a result of recurrent belittling from her peers and community. Comatose, she is abandoned at an emergency room and foul play is suspected. Her friends and family must put aside their differences and unify in order to find out what happened to her. Enjoy this delightful story that celebrates diversity and friendship.

Amazon: https://www.amzn.com/B08K8582XH

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Advice from a ‘self-made’ billionaire.

-John Paul DeJoria Don’t Be Too Proud To Ask For Help When DeJoria was homeless, he was too proud to ask his mom for a place to stay; he wanted to make it on his own. Instead, he asked her for a few hundred bucks to hold him over until he got back on his feet.

At one point, DeJoria's friend, a motorcyclist, offered him a spare room, where he and his 2-year-old son could stay. Some of the "biker mamas" — DeJoria's words — even helped take care of his son, allowing him to go out and hustle. DeJoria admits it was a lifechanging show of support.

If DeJoria’s friend hadn’t given him a leg up, it's hard to say for certain if he would have become the massively successful businessman he is today.

As an entrepreneur, sometimes you’re going to need help. No self-respecting entrepreneur wants a handout. But pride to the point of blindness can prevent you from ever reaching your goals.

Ask for help not because you are weak, but because you want to remain strong.

Today is the opportunity to build the tomorrow you want.

-Ken Poirot

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New Year Recipes Roasted Winter Root Vegetables ❖ 5 pounds rutabaga, peeled and cut into 2x1/2 inch pieces ❖ 5 pounds parsnips, peeled and cut into 2x1/2 inch pieces ❖ 5 pounds carrots, peeled and cut into 2x1/2 inch pieces ❖ ¾ teaspoon salt ❖ 1 ¼ cups vegetable oil ❖ ¼ cup dried basil salt and ground black pepper to taste ❖ 1 ¼ cups chopped fresh parsley

Directions Step 1 • Place the rutabaga in a pan and cover with water.

Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, cover, and simmer until tender and easily pierced with a fork, about 5 minutes.

Drain well, and cool completely. Repeat steps to cook the parsnips and carrots.

Step 2 • Place completely cooled vegetables in resealable freezer bags. Refrigerate for 1 to 2 days, or freeze up to 1 month. To thaw the vegetables, refrigerate overnight and drain.

Step 3 • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).

Step 4 • Pour the vegetable oil into a rimmed baking dish.

Place the vegetables into a large mixing bowl and toss with the basil, salt, and pepper. Place the pan in preheated oven to heat for 5 minutes. Add the vegetables and toss to coat with the oil.

Step 5 • Roast vegetables in preheated oven, turning every 10 minutes, until tender and golden brown, about 30 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley before serving.

Prep: 40 mins Cook: 50 mins Total: 1 hr 30 mins Servings: 60 Yield: 60 servings

Southern Fried Catfish ½ cup buttermilk ½ cup water salt and pepper, to taste 1 pound catfish fillets, cut in strips 1 ½ cups fine cornmeal ½ cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon seafood seasoning, such as Old Bay™ 1 quart vegetable oil for deep frying

Directions

Step 1 • In a small bowl, mix buttermilk, water, salt, and pepper. Pour mixture into a flat pan large enough to hold the fillets. Spread fish in one layer over bottom of pan, turning to coat each side, and set aside to marinate.

Step 2 • In a 2 gallon resealable plastic bag, combine the cornmeal, flour, and seafood seasoning. Add fish to mixture, a few fillets at a time, and tumble gently to coat evenly.

Step 3 • Heat oil in deep fryer to 365 degrees F (185 degrees C).

Step 4 • Deep fry fillets until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Avoid overcrowding so fillets have room to brown properly. Fish should be slightly crisp outside, and moist and flaky inside. Drain on paper towels.

Prep: 20 mins - Cook: 10 mins - Total: 30 mins - Servings: 2 - Yield: 2 servings 17 |D I A M O N D E L I T E M A G A Z I N E

Farrah Ratliff is a mother of four beautiful children and a wife, although she was born and raised in Waco, Texas - she now resides in Arlington, Texas. She is a woman who is passionate about helping women and men conquer their goals and dreams as well as helping them drop the weight of life that hinders them from moving forward in life and dropping the physical weight that creates unhealthy habits caused by the weight of life.

Farrah has an A.A.S in Criminal Justice and is the founder of #D + D = T Dedication, Determination, Transformation Weight Loss/Life support group which caters to the needs of those who are struggling on their health journey. With over seven plus years of experience in overcoming her very own weight loss struggles, she has been able to monetize her business as an entrepreneur which has helped her incorporate fitness regimens, health and wellness products and establishing her very own DDT fIT/ShapeHER active apparel line. In 2019, she has been recognized as "Rising Entrepreneur", by Diamond Elite Magazine & Co. Her "SOUL" purpose and passion has always been to push and pull those that feel stuck in the gap of life. Farrah has had the heart to help teach, empower, uplift, and speak life into others from a very young age by watching her mother Margaret Proctor be her example on how to love and treat others. This is what has led her to become a speaker, by supplying individuals with the necessary tools that will equip them to transform into the person that God has already pre-commissioned them to be.

Farrah has embarked upon supporting communities in different cities with her D.D.T'N WEIGHT! 5K Run/Walk/Jog event. This is a free community event which welcomes individuals from all walks of life where all come together and "Show Our Hearts Some Love" this 5K gives their health and fitness journey a kickstart. She is the author of “10 Rounds in the Ring with A Million Bucks " My Intentional Storm by God" and “An 8/Week Guide to A Heal-thy Self " Motivating Transformation." Her books have

helped many examine themselves, their health and self-worth. Which in return has given them the courage to pursue an abundant life.

Farrah has spoken on numerous platforms, featured in magazines, and has shared her story on the radio. Farrah is not only ready to take the world by storm but she's ready to ignite the fire in so many who are willing. She wants to push and pull millions towards their purpose in life with her story and leaving a legacy for her children.

How Farrah’s Vision Came to Fruition At the age of 32, Farrah actually had so many limited beliefs driving her dreams, goals, and desires. One day she was exposed to what she could be and become through an amazing Black Women in Business event her daughter and she attended. Once she arrived there she was so amazed at what she saw. Farrah actually saw women of color who were speakers, business owners, authors, and entrepreneurs. It was really a lightbulb moment. She was not in the familiar.

Farrah was able to see things that were not taught to her growing up as a teenager and a young woman. “Once the event was over I told my daughter to take me a picture at the podium because I am manifesting that I will be a world-renowned motivational speaker,” Farrah revealed.

Five years later, she has not quite reached that yet, but she has spoken at several events and inspired so many by speaking life into them. She is now living out her Purpose on Purpose.

The Sassy Motivator SASSY MOTIVATOR became when Farrah really accepted who she was and that she was not for everybody. Farrah coined the phrase "SASSY MOTIVATOR" only when she knew that the words Lively, Bold and Full of Spirit fit her personality so well.

Farrah knew that no one would be able to take that from her. Once she realized it was absolutely okay to be her authentic self and that everybody would not accept her, “It was like my eureka moment,” Farrah shared.

“I told myself, that there are millions out there waiting to hear my story which will aggressively push and pull them to what God has already pre- commissioned them to be.”

She speaks into individuals’ authoritative, and she speaks with so much passion and love that sometimes it may come off as rough, but it's all love.

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“Only because I know how it feels to be stuck, I know how it feels to be last, I know how it feels to be undiscovered. It's a blessing that I speak into people who are facing those challenges in their very own lives,” she said. “This is how Sassy Motivator became what it is today. It's not something cocky it's just having Godfidence in the person that God has already gifted me to be.”

Trusting God and having faith beyond all difficulty beyond all distractions, you will WIN. Farrah knows the pain, the hurt, the struggle. This is why she continues to be, "LIVELY, BOLD and FULL OF SPIRIT." Sassy! These are the characteristics that the Sassy Motivator embodies!

@farrah_lenise

Farrah Ratliff

"There isn't nothing more beautiful and more unstoppable than a woman in alignment with her Divine assignment."

-Marshawn E. Daniels

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Genevieve is here to answer any question you may be having an issue with anonymously. Names are not mentioned, just questions and answers.

Question: How much is an EIN?

Answer: An EIN is actually FREE! If you are on a website and it’s trying to charge you…RUN! The official website is https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-selfemployed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online

Question: What is the cost of an LLC?

Answer: The cost of an LLC registration varies by state. Check with your Secretary of State.

Question: How do I know which business to start?

Answer: If you’re not sure which business to start, you may not be an entrepreneur. However, it doesn’t hurt to begin with something that you actually like or love doing. If you love writing, start a blog or write a book. If you love sewing, begin offering the service to others that may need items altered, etc. Good luck!

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