7 minute read
EASY WAYS TO LEGALLY PROTECT YOUR ONLINE BUSINESS
Contents
5
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MY MESS IS MY MESSAGE
How I turned my eating disorder into a growing side hustle.
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10 PHRASES WOMEN NEED TO DROP FROM THEIR BUSINESS SPEAK ASAP
Increase your confidence, gain respect and move forward in your career.
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HOW I, AT 25, GREW MY BUSINESS TO 7 FIGURES
And how you can too - now.
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4 EASY WAYS TO LEGALLY PROTECT YOUR ONLINE BUSINESS
Legal documents you need to protect your website and business.
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2022 UNAPOLOGETIC BADASS FEATURE
Women across the globe pursuing their purpose, leading thriving businesses, and living life unapologetically AF.
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HOW TO GET PR COVERAGE FOR YOURSELF, FROM A FORMER TV ANCHOR
Tips from a former TV anchor.
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VISIONARY LIFE MAGAZINE LAUNCH PARTY
Behind the scenes.
CONTRIBUTORS
Publisher: Kelly Charles-Collins, Esq., MBA Editor: Michelle Rostamian Executive Assistant to Publisher: Mary Joy Blanco Creative Design & Layout: Mary Joy Blanco, Kimp.io
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:
Jessica Vos Mauria Smith Alana Van Der Sluys Smita Das Jain Kristin Marquet Marin Richardson Jacqueline Gualtieri Shannah Kennedy
Ryan S. Gallik & Michael L. Stahl Amira Irfan Chloe Elise Angela Fulcher Dr. Bunny McFadden
ON THE COVER Ladies Who Leverage Unapologetic Badasses
(Front Left to Right) Simone Morris, Isabella Adediji; (Back Left to Right) Shanel Evans, Bridgett McGowen-Hawkins, Tamika Michelle Johnson, Esq.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER: The information contained herein is for informational purposes only. Ladies Who Leverage, including but not limited to, Ladies Who Leverage Visionary Life Magazine, HR Legally Speaking, LLC, nor any of its owners, employees, contractors, partners, affiliates, members, insurers, and/or subsidiaries (collectively “Ladies Who Leverage”) assume liability or responsibility for any inaccurate or incomplete information, nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon. All readers are encouraged to do their due diligence and seek appropriate legal, medical, tax, or other necessary professional advice prior to taking any action based on the information contained herein. The information provided in the articles and advertisements have been provided by the writers and/or the business. Any questions or concerns about the information contained therein or any services or products should be directed directly to that writer or business. The opinions expressed in each article are those of the contributors and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Ladies Who Leverage, therefore, we assume nor carry any liability whatsoever for the opinions expressed herein.
Contact: editor@ladieswholeverage.com Advertising Inquiries: www.LWLMagazine.com © 2022 All rights reserved. Ladies Who Leverage Visionary Life Magazine.
41 HOW TO TRANSITION YOUR MAKEUP ROUTINE FOR SPRING
IS MY MESSAGE
By Alana Van Der Sluys
White-knuckling gnawing hunger when most would just sit down and eat. Performing repetitive mental math to reassure myself that I had not exceeded the paltry 1,000 calories I alloted myself each day. Attempting to power through the brain fog and lethargy that came between the time I became hungry and the prescribed “ideal” time to eat my next meal. Dreading the daily weigh-in on my scale, knowing that a higher number would be a recipe for shame and anxiety for the rest of the day. This was my reality for nearly seven years. It took a healthy dose of honesty and research to realize that I had developed not one but three eating disorders: orthorexia (an obsession with “clean” eating), binge eating disorder (cycles of intense restriction followed by overeating), and body dysmorphic disorder (a hypercritical focus on a particular body part and/or perceived flaw). It took even more honesty, introspection, and self-help books to realize my eating disorders were a perfect storm of reliance on external validation, people pleasing, codependency, and perfectionism.
After I had recovered (which was a slow and nonlinear process), I reflected often on those years. I resented what I had done to myself. I mourned most of my 20s, the years I had wasted in the pursuit of a number on the scale and
six-pack abs. I was angry that diet culture’s narrative was heard by millions of other women around the world, and that those women, like me, simply accept it as the price of admission to life. If you are a woman, you have to conform to a thin ideal, or at the very least, waste your time, money, and energy pursuing it. Around the same time, I read about TV broadcaster Robin Robert’s harrowing health and career journeys. One of her mantras stuck with me: “Make your mess your message.” It was then I realized that I had the power to help other women who were suffering from chronic dieting and poor body image. Women who wanted to heal their relationship with food and their bodies, but didn’t know where to start. I had a bachelor’s degree in journalism so I knew how to write copy that was clear, organized, and inspiring. I knew how to research the topics surrounding these issues. I am also a high school English teacher by day, so I have always had the passion and talent to help mentor and guide others. With the tools I had cultivated, I decided to create a side business, Freedom with Food and Fitness, an online community where I help women heal their relationships with food, weight, and their bodies through the anti-diet philosophy of intuitive eating. We come back to who we were as babies and children, listening to and respecting our bodies’ cues, and cultivating a sense of worth that is not tied to our external bodies.
Since launching in December 2020, when my firstborn was just five months old, my business has expanded to include three engaged and growing social media platforms, a biweekly podcast, two evergreen video courses, a 10-week group coaching bootcamp, a weekly blog, guided meditations, a steady email list, and a book on the way.
Still, it’s been a difficult journey. I amassed a list of 87 rejections from literary agents before finding one to champion my book. Social media growth has been slow because of the saturation in the health and wellness space. I struggle with and experience guilt for not balancing my work and home life perfectly. Despite those things, though, I know that my purpose with Freedom with Food and Fitness is greater than those struggles, those rejections, those insecurities. My mess has revealed what I believe to be one of the greatest purposes in my life: to help women come back to themselves with love.
Here are a few tips for other entrepreneurs to “make their mess their message”:
1. Spend time alone to reflect.
Many entrepreneurs are always doing, going, and striving. But taking purposeful time to just reflect on how you’re doing, as a person, is paramount. What are you struggling with? What keeps you up at night? Those are pain points in your life that you should examine.
2. Dig deep.
Many of my clients truly believe losing the last 15 pounds is what they need to feel happy. What they’re not cognizant of is why they believe that will make them happy. Digging deeper to find the true reason behind your goals can help you get clear on what your mess really is.
In order to recover, I read every self-help book I could get my hands on,followed every body positive account I could on Instagram, and listened to every podcast I could find while doing the laundry, cleaning the house, or commuting to work. Know how to heal your own mess and work on doing just that, in order to help others heal theirs.
4. Your avatar is your messy self.
The person you were when you struggled the most is your target audience. You know how to help them better than anyone else because you helped yourself.
So remember what your pain points were, your fears, your worries, your behaviors, and your recovery process. It’s crucial information for the people you want to help.
5. Be patient.
Creating a business takes patience and a whole lot of trial and error…and subsequent failure—that’s how we learn what works and what doesn’t. Also, be patient with your clients. Remember how long it took you to get past your obstacles; now remember that most people aren’t as self-aware and driven as you (and most other entrepreneurs). Be kind, empathetic, and compassionate toward your customers and clients. Authentic connection will not only better benefit them, but your business, too.
Alana Van Der Sluys is a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor (in training) and the founder of Freedom with Food and Fitness.
FreedomwithFoodandFitness.
