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CONTENTS34.26.10.15.30.36.42.45.48.64.TheBadHabitofBeingEasilyOffended we are all 1 of 2 types of people Celebrities who make a difference Honoring ontributions to mankind The healthy ceo dominates in 2022 simple tips to stay on top of your health game by tanjie brewer 7 things every entrepreneur must do to build a brand we are all 1 of 2 types of people 3 simple ways to maximize the real estate boom change the way you make money Rihanna R&B Pop Princess Turned bllionaire mogul Singer, Actress, Fashion icon, and entrepreneur 11 year old bakes her way to disney Maddie’s Cakes how just $10,000 can turn kids into millionaires Insights from Tony Bradshaw Money Talk$ uncut convos with power couples about love, money & Powerhouse producer & Publicist a pr legend’s guide to retirement by jules lavalee PUBLISHER EDITOR-IN-CHIEfAND Pasha Carter MANAGING EDITOR Valeria Acosta CONTRIBUTORS TonyTanjieBradshawBrewerbeckyBursellJulesLavalleeCeirraSmith
Connecting, empowering, When we launched VIP Global Magazine last year, we showed a unique and different side of entrepreneurship. We said goodbye to the usual boring stories about business and hello to inclusivity and diversity. I realized that VIP Global Magazine is a flower blooming for the world to see, touch, and experience. Spring is in the air, and summer is around the corner. Spring represents the birth of new ventures, new partnerships, and new collaborations. This year we have partnered with new programs like T.I.U.A. School Of Business to help uplift and empower entrepreneurs around the globe by nominating them to receive their Honorary Doctorate. In this issue, we have highlighted Rihanna. Many focus on her success as an artist, which is very impressive. However, when I saw the magnitude of Rihanna’s success in the business world, I nearly fell out of my chair. I immediately knew that I had to share her story with every business owner. This is not just another business magazine; VIP Global is a unique blend of business, fashion, and leadership. We are dedicated to raising the next generation of entrepreneurs, business leaders, and influencers. This magazine is for you - who think differently, don’t play by the usual rules, insist there’s a better way, and refuse to give up on your dreams and goals. Let the sunshine in, and the flowers bloom while you indulge in this issue.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Pasha Carter and celebrating business leaders.
Visit Tony Here Visit Tanjie Here Visit Jules Here Becky Here Visit Ceirra Here Contributors
Tanjie Brewer Health and Wellness Coach
Visit
Jules Lavallee Celebrity Writer
After gaining a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Tony spent the first six years of his career as an engineer and computer network administrator. In 2001, he entered the financial educa tion world as part of an internet business and development group where he spent 16 years bringing financial education teaching and products to the online world. During his tenure in the financial space, he filled roles as Director, VP, CIO and COO.
Tanjie Brewer’s award-winning programs and fresh perspective towards fitness and wellness, has transformed the lives and bodies of countless women and men around the globe. She is a Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Nutritionist, Au-thor, Motivational Speaker, Wardrobe Stylist, and CEO of Stylish and Fit. She has an unrelenting passion to see others rock their purpose with vitality and increase their esteem for a lifetime.
Tony Bradshaw Financial Coach & Author
Ceirra Smith is a twenty-something adventurer who grew up traversing the globe, first through the pages of books, and then in reality. She’s currently a freelance writer and ghostwriter for businesses, influencers, and several magazines includ-ing SheKnows, Essence, and Black Enterprise. Ceirra’s a lover of Jamaican food, romance novels, and online shopping. When she’s not surrounding herself with words, you can find her baking cookies or exploring nature with her fur baby Sasha
Ceirra Smith Freelance Writer
Becky Bursell Business Coach
Jules Lavallee is an International Journalist from Los Angeles, CA. For the past eight years, she has covered celebrities, global leaders, royalty, entrepreneurs for over 20+ magazines and countless cover stories. Staying true to roots in Boston, MA, Jules is a true humanitarian. She has supported many nonprofits in fundraising, strategic partnerships, and media. She has served on the Board of Big Brothers & Big Sisters and is currently on the Board of Fund Duel, gamified fundraising platform. She is an influential person in the areas of gender equality, diversity, and empowerment. She is a graduate of Harvard University.
OurMeet
Becky Bursell is a business coach and entrepreneur responsible for over $1 billion in sales during the last decade. She has built and managed teams of over 500,000 representatives in over 60 countries. Becky has mentored countless people to become millionaires themselves. Becky specializes in leadership development training in partnership with her mentor and New York Times bestselling author, John C. Maxwell. Currently, she is serving as the Executive Vice President of Personal Growth for the John Maxwell Co, developing & producing personal growth products & solutions for millions across the globe.
magazine VIP GLOBAL MAGAZINE is a business media outlet that brings entrepre neurial resources to the forefront of digital media. Our content encourages aspiring creators and entrepreneurs to apply actionable advice and develop small businesses into industry-leading organizations. We feature everything entrepreneurs and business leaders want to know about creating, marketing, and maintaining profitable companies. No mat ter where you are on your entrepreneurial journey, VIP Global Magazine is the ultimate resource for anyone looking to take their business to the next level. Website vipglobalmagazine.com Contact info@vipglobalmagazine.com Advertise with us info@vipglobalmagazine.com Subscribe vipglobalmagazine.com
by becky bursell The offendedofhabitbadbeingeasily
"why are we so quick to take personal offense when people say something ignorant or mistaken to us"
If you’re easily annoyed, you’re most likely Type 1. Are you someone who’s easily offended? Are you someone who offends others easily? Most li kely, you’re both. In my experience, someone who offends others easily is usually easily offended by others. Do you recognize these responses? Someone calls you selfish. You respond, “They’re just jealous.” Someone calls you rude. You respond, “They’re just too sensitive.” Someone calls you soft. You respond, “They’re just not empathetic.” by becky bursell
If you’re tall and someone calls you short, is your im mediate response, “That guy is mistaken?” Or do you think, “Is he making fun of how freakishly tall I am?” Our assumptions are what triggers our insecurities.
Are easilyyouoffended?
If I know that my name is Becky, is it going to rock my world if a stranger on the street mistakes me for a wo man named Barbara? No. My response is more likely to be, “Well, that was weird” and not give it much thought afterwards. I know without a shadow of a doubt that my name is Becky; there’s no question about it. I chalk it up to the person being mistaken about who I am or what they saw when they looked at me. I don’t go home and spend days thinking, “Should my parents have na med me Barbara?” “Do I look like a Barbara?” “Maybe I should change my name to Barbara.”
" Let me say chis again. Those who are easily offended, often offend others easily."
Then why are we so quick to take personal offense when people say something ignorant or mistaken to us, espe cially if it doesn’t align with what we know is true? If you truly know who you are, can you be an easily offended person? I don’t think you can. It’s the bad habit of being easily offended. We are only offended if the offensive comment has some portion of truth in it. Coming to grips with the truth is what most people spend their entire life trying to avoid.
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When you approach life giving others the benefit of the doubt, you become a “not easily offended” person. Other people might hear a snarky comment, but your
first thought is, “He probably didn’t mean it like that.” Usually you give people the benefit of the doubt because you never intend to hurt other people’s feelings. You’re not TRYING to make others feel bad about themselves. But if you’re hurting inside, you have a tendency to want to hurt others. You assume what they said was meant to hurt you because that’s how YOU would have said it too. The insecurities you thought you’d locked away suddenly come out of their cage. We’re all 1 of 2 types of people: Type 1
"We can all get our feelings hurt.We are all human. And as humans, we are not perfect"
Now, before I make myself sound like a complete ass, please know that it has taken me half a lifetime to not care about everyone liking me. But when it comes to my family, my friends and my children, of course I care what they think! Of course, I want them to like me and say nice things about me. After all, if the people that know you the most, like you the least, you have a serious problem.
Type 2
If it takes a lot to get you riled up, you’re most likely Type 2. You don’t even realize when someone’s trying to put you down because you know how to handle it. Either you know how to laugh at yourself or you take it as constructive criticism. Your first thought to a rude comment is that they probably didn’t mean it the way it sounded. Or you may think, “I’ve never seen myself that way. Maybe I should talk to that person about it.” You might be completely oblivious to the insult all toge ther because you really don’t value that person’s opinion anyway. This has happened to me more times than I can count. LOL!! Someone will later say to me, “Can you believe they said that!” My response is usually “Yes!” But it truly doesn’t bother me because the person who made the rude comment doesn’t really know me.
We can all get our feelings hurt. We are all human. And as humans, we are not perfect. We have insecurities about our imperfections. But getting your feelings hurt and being easily offended are two very different things. Getting your feelings hurt happens when someone leans on your insecurities to purposely make you feel bad about yourself. Being offended is a choice you make to be annoyed instead of choosing to try to understand.
" When you approach life giving others the benefit of the doubt, you become a “not easily "offended” person" "we are only offended if the offensive comment has some portion of truth in it. "
The only way you bulletproof yourself against offensive is to become secure in who you are. And the only way you become sure of who you are is by testing yourself, testing your capabilities and testing your truth about yourself. It would be beautiful to live in a world where the only thing that is offensive are people that are easily offended by everything.
We pass our offenses off on others. It can’t be a pro blem with me so it must be a problem with them. That’s definitely the easiest way to live life. I’m not responsible for how others react to me. It’s their problem, not mine. But that would have to work both ways. When someone else offends you, your response would have to be “It’s not their fault it hurt my feelings. It’s my problem that I took offense to it.”
type 1? type 2?
Let me say this again. Those who are easily offended, often offend others easily.
3. MERYL STREEP The universitnotenough,AsfourwinningAcademy-Awardactressisrecipientofawhoppinghonorarydoctorates!ifthatwasn'timpressivethreeoftheseableaccoladescamefromthemostrecognizediesinthecountry:Harvard,Yale,andPrinceton.Throughouthercareer,MerylStreephasutilizedhernameandvoiceamplifycausesclosetoherheartincludingequalpayandenvironmentalactivism.
Celebrates new Honorary Doctorates VIP global magazine
Dr. Pasha Carter, Head of the Nomination Committee for T.I.U.A. School Of Business, is excited and honored to announce the collaboration between V.I.P. Global Magazine and Dr. Jaqueline Mohair in recognizing the achievements of entrepreneurs around the world. Honorary degree recipients are an inspiration to our world and the communities we serve. Our esteemed alumni and our nomination committee are invited and encouraged to nominate candidates to be considered as recipients of honorary degrees from T.I.U.A. School Of Business.
“The honorary doctorate is one of the highest honors a university can bestow upon an individual. It gives me great joy to shine the light on these amazing leaders. I am so proud of them, and I will continue to watch and support their journey in business and life.”
DR. PASHA CARTER
DominatesHealthyTheCEOin2022 Simple tips to stay on top of your health game
BrewerTanjie
A schedule is a roadmap for success. Oftentimes, some CEOs have secretaries or someone else managing their schedule, and they walk in the double doors realizing that they have five back-to-back meetings. That sche dule is a disaster for building a healthy body and mind. Even the boss needs a break. A powerhouse leader must add wellness breaks into their schedule, making them just as important as a big client. Always remember, the
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With a focus on so many other things going on in the world, health and wellness have taken a major back seat for business leaders. Let's face it. Some business owners are doing their best to restructure & regain money lost from the pandemic. Health and fitness have not been a focus. As a result, burnout and health issues are occu rring. Some have still been able to run successful com panies even while not feeling their best. Just imagine what can happen when operating optimally. Here's how the healthy CEO dominates: The healthy CEO dominates with mindset.
Ask yourself this question. Do I lead with health in all I do? Most people think health is the absence of disease. Health is power-packed with so much more! Leading with health is the understanding that you can't perform your purpose or BOSS UP without it. When health is at the forefront, there's a focus on taking care of your emo tional health, spiritual health, physical health, stress level, and employees' health within your organization. The bottom line, health is multifaceted, and the CEO that is ready to dominate shares that same mindset. The healthy CEO dominates with their schedule.
emotionalhealth physicalhealth spiritualhealth
he CEO is a continuous stream of energy execution. Whether it's mani festing a new vision, putting out fires, or inspiring the world, self-giving is constant. This leaves many powerhou se leaders thirsty for replenishment & necessary self-ca re. More than ever, with the effects of Covid-19 on the body, the world is realizing that a strong immune sys tem is a superpower. While most CEOs are built with mental fortitude, mental innovation is challenged if the body isn't kept strong. When fresh ideas stop flowing, so do the Benjamins. With that said, building energy currency is just as important as building financial cu rrency. Health and wellness must be a focus for the CEO that wants to dominate in 2022!!!
The healthy CEO dominates on the gym floor!
The healthy CEO dominates with meditation. The brain of the CEO is constantly at work. Even at night, it's hard to shut the brain off. Studies show that meditation prevents Alzheimer's, dementia, and forge tfulness. Meditation gives the mind the gift of relaxa tion. Some find it challenging to meditate for just five minutes a day. If that's you, start with small increments. When meditating, your body should be at ease. It would be best if you were not thinking about anything at all. If the mind stays full of clutter, it's hard to think of your next big innovation or idea.
Talk about building your energy currency!! It's crucial to look at the gym floor like the boardroom. Just as ag gressive deals are handled in the office, the same energy should be taken in the gym.
re's no one more powerful than you. No one can ma nage you better than yourself. Those working closely with you will respect what you respect. Therefore, if you respect your wellness, others will follow suit. They will know the importance of creating space within your day so that you can make healthy deposits. However, if you're running your schedule, it's up to you to make wellness matter.
The healthy CEO dominates with their fork. The healthy CEO understands that your plate should su pport your mandate! Simply put, the food that you place on your fork should support the energy needed for your evolving door of success and purpose. Everything consu med will affect our body either positively or negatively. Healthy foods send a nutritional message throughout the body, making an energy deposit. Whether it's vitamin A, vitamin K, potassium, or vitamin C, you are serving your body something. That's if it's proper nutrition! If it's pro cessed food, your body cannot identify what you're ser ving it. Therefore, it's essential to take inventory of what's on your fork before it touches your lips.
The healthy CEO dominates by ensuring that health is a focus in their organization.
The healthy CEO understands that a healthy leader em powers others to incorporate the same healthy habits in their life. They know that when their employees focus on wellness, it's like fertilizer for results within an orga nization. Therefore, it's important to have fitness goals for everyone attached to you. It will cause reciprocation of Manysupport.new businesses and entrepreneurs are emerging every day. It's wonderful for the economy and brings a fresh wind of innovation. CEOs that desire to dominate in 2022 must make overall health a priority.
"A schedule is a roadmap for success."
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The healthy CEO understands that working out is not an option but a mandatory meeting with oneself. It's the most powerful transaction you'll ever make for that day. Working out helps the heart and builds endurance to give you stamina not just for that day but days to come.
Turned Billionaire Mogul R & BPopRihannaPrincess
Singer, actress, fashion icon, and entrepreneur. When it comes to business, Rihanna makes her own rules—and she’s just getting started.
R ihanna made headlines as No.16 on the Forbes 2021 list of America’s 100 richest self-made women. Earning an astounding $1.4 billion of her then $1.7 billion net worth from uber-successful cosmetics brand Fenty Beauty.
“ Fenty Skin is everything I wish I had growing up. It’s my vision of the new culture of skincare” .
Rihanna launched Fenty Beauty in September of 2017, to empower women to feel seen, heard, and loved. The revolutionary brand provided 40 diverse shades of foundation and concealer—far more than the industry standard. Since then, Fenty Beauty has expanded to 50 shades. After seeing the tremendous success of Fenty Beauty, mainstream and celebrity makeup brands scrambled (unsuccessfully) to provide more shade options to the neglected demographic of darker skin women. This market-wide shift is now dubbed the Fenty Effect. If anyone needed further validation that Fenty Beauty had high quality, affordable, and inclusive products, the numbers showed Rihanna’s collection was a ma jor success. In its first month launching in Sephora and online, Fenty Beauty recorded over $72 million in earned media value! In addition to face products, Fenty Beauty has cheek, lip, eye, and body makeup products. As for badgalri ri’s favorite: “I’ve always loved lipstick. Since the day I saw my mom applying red lipstick, it’s been my favo
Frustrated with a lack of quality makeup for women of color sparked Rihanna’s desire to start a beauty line. She wanted changes, she wanted inclusivity, and she made them happen on her terms.
Don’t let the headlines fool you, her success in entre preneurship has been a long time coming. Rihanna collaborated with several brands and created pro ducts before trademarking Fenty Beauty in 2014.
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efore reshaping the standards of diversity and inclusivity in the beauty, skincare, and fashion industries, she dominated pop and R&B charts, won nine Grammys, and dabbled in ac ting. Despite her success, Rihanna put music and en tertainment on hold to become a full-fledged mogul.
“I wanted to create amazing products that really work, that are easy to use, and that are for everyone.”
Recently, the lingerie company raised $115 million in support of its plans to expand overseas, open brick and mortar stores, and create new collections.
Rihanna maintains roughly 30% ownership of the Savage X Fenty lingerie brand, which she also part nered with LVMH to create. Currently valued at $3 billion, the company is rumored to go public in the near Thoughfuture.Savage X Fenty is very hush, hush about re venue, co-president Christiane Pendarvis revealed the brand has seen a revenue calculated annual growth rate of 150% each year since launching in 2018 .
Rihanna is a businesswoman who embodies the be lief that no market is too saturated. She saw a pro blem and created a solution. Her actions, as a Black woman, set the new standard for what is and is not acceptable in beauty. But the Wild Thoughts singer was far from done. When she unveiled Savage X Fenty’s debut collec tion in 2018, the Bajan-beauty made a point to hi ghlight and celebrate every body. Bras come in more than 50 sizes, while sleepwear and lingerie sizes ran ge from XS to 4XL.
“Lingerie is about celebrating your body and that’s what Savage is all about,” explained Rihanna. “Sava ge is a representation of all and a validation that ever yone is beautiful no matter what.”
Backed by heavy-hitting investors including Jay-Z’s Marcy Venture Partners, Avenir Growth Capital Sunley House Capital, and TriplePoint Ventures, it’s safe to say her lingerie brand is here for the long haul.
rite—from the very beginning.” She continued, “Lipstick in general completely trans forms your look. Even if you don’t have on a stitch of makeup. If you have on a good, strong lipstick, it changes everything.”
As of 2020, the cosmetics company, a 50-50 venture with French luxury retailer LVMH generated over $550 million in revenue. An astonishing feat for then just three years of business.
“ Lingerie is about celebrating your body and that’s what Savage is all about ”
In line with her unrelenting desire to have inclu sive products, Fenty Skin caters to all genders, skin tones, textures, and types. The skincare line is vegan, cruelty-free, and eco-conscious in product and packaging. “We eliminated boxes where we could, we have refill systems, and we use recycled materials where possible. Nobody is perfect, but I believe we can try our best to do right and we’ll keep evolving as we go,” said the mogul, who is expecting her first child with long-time partner, ASAP Rocky.
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“ Never a failure. Always a lesson.” Ilchi, Layla. "Fenty Beauty Earns Third Spot in Earned Media Value". Women's Wear Daily. October 24, 2017. 2 Tse, Crystal and Tan, Gillian. Rihanna’s Lingerie Company $3 Billion Valuation. Bloomberg. 11 March 2022. Savage X Fenty Lingerie Raises $125 Million. Forbes. Rihanna Launches Fenty Skin. MultiVu. 5 Fenty Skin—About. Fenty Skin. 6 Mamona, Sheilla. Fenty Skin is disrupting the skincare industry–here’s how. Vogue. 3 September 2020.
From selling out stadiums in seconds to making millions in minutes, Rihanna is proof that women in business are forging their own paths and cas hing in on their efforts.
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“Never a failure. Always a lesson.” Rihanna has the phrase tattooed backward so she can read it in the mirror. It’s a personal reminder that in business and life, failure is inevitable. But in fai lure, there’s always an opportunity to learn and become a better businesswoman.
THAT RIHANNA REIGN JUST WON’T LET UP
In just over five years, Rihanna has conquered the art of multi-faceted entrepreneurship and become the second richest female entertainer after the one and only, Oprah Winfrey.
In case you weren’t aware, Rihanna’s latest ven ture has once again taken the beauty industry by storm. She cemented her billionaire status with the launch and success of her skincare brand— Fenty Beauty. The entrepreneur discussed her desire for sim ple, effective skincare products, “I wanted to create amazing products that really work, that are easy to use, and that are for everyone.”
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She continued, “Fenty Skin is everything I wish I had growing up. It’s my vision of the new culture of skincare” .
MaddieMaddie´scakes11YearOldBakesHerWayToDisney
* She's already made 10 custom cakes, over 200 cookies and has several orders yet to fill.
* On a personal note, Maddie loves musical theatre, is a year-round, competitive swimmer, has done several kid triathlons and loves playing Roblox with her friends.
* Interviewed by and was a guest on @houstonlifetv
addie is an 11-year-old entrepreneur who is the founder of Maddie Cakes Bakery 2. She star ted MCB2 when she was just 10 years old. Her brother, Michael is also involved in the business and helps Maddie as well- but she's the Head Chef. She baked with her mother ever since she could reach the kitchen coun ter. She was always her helper and baking assistant and loved it. Around the age of 7 she started making treats on her own and selling them. During the pandemic she had a LOT of time on her hands and that's when she redisco vered her love for baking and started the business. Her mom’s home business was called Maddie Cakes Bakery (named after her, her nickname is Maddie Cake), but her mom stopped baking as she had no time. When Maddie started her business, she just kept the name and added a "2" to the end- hence Maddie Cakes Bakery 2- the se cond generation. She makes cookies, cupcakes, choco late treats and cakes. She has had tremendous success in her first year in business with making over 35 cakes,1300 cookies, hundreds of cupcakes and a “whole lotta” cocoa bombs and chocolate treats. A few other highlights of her first year in business were: M
* Interviewed by and featured locally on @abc13houston and nationally on Localish
* Attended her first cake convention @icescakeexpo
* Was a vendor at her first corporate event 2022 year has started off great as well!
* She was recently seen on Access Daily where they highlighted her Maddie Cakes Bakery 2 and some of the cakes and cookies that she made.
* Flew to Los Angeles to compete on Disney's new show Disney’s Magic Bake-Off with her brother, Michael
* Taught her first cupcake decorating class
* She was most recently feature as a kidprenuer on the rise on The Real daytime talk show.
6 What is the next big thing for you?
First, I had to come up with a name which was pretty easy part. We then had to get a food handlers license, insurance, labels and other supplies. My Godfather gave me a nice stand mixer and some baking tools for Christmas, so I had a lot of what I needed to get started. Next was finding a way to get the business “out there”. We created products, took pics, posted on Facebook and then started Instagram page. We first launched an advertising campaign for Valentine’s Day 2021 with a flyer on Facebook. The orders came a lot faster that I imagined! It was so exci ting making all the treats and seeing the reaction on people’s faces when I delivered them.
Questions maddiecakesbakery2 / www.maddiecakesbakery2.com / maddiecakesbakery2 SOCIAL MEDIA PAGE Long Term goal-
3 What was the process like to start your bakery?
4 After Disney, how has your explosive visibility strengthened your gifts after? It’s gave me a lot of motivation to keep growing the business and to learning new baking and decorating techniques and come up with new products ideas. I’ve gotten some orders that I couldn’t have imagi ned myself taking on a year ago. Knowing that my customers trust in me to make the cake for a big event definitely boosts my confiden ce and makes me want to continue to grow my skills.
1 Your mission statement: what do you love to do, and why is it impactful for you?
I love to bake treats that bring a little sweetness into people’s lives. It’s very rewarding to be a part of the special occasions that mean a lot to people, and I’m honored to have a role in the memories that they are making.
If you had one piece of advice, what do you hope to say to young people like yourself? Make sure you have a good support system because running a business can be fun but it’s a LOT of work. Don’t try and do everything on your own and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Your business can grow faster than you think so use all of your re sources. Network! I’ve met so many people who have helped me with great advice, tips, sharing recipes, decorating techniques and business leads. Know your limits, don’t take on too much and stay organized. Take your business seriously. Just because we’re kids doesn’t mean that customers expect less quality or professionalism from us. Study your craft, keep learning and beco me knowledgeable in your field. And most of all- have fun and enjoy the journey!
Short term, I want to continue to grow my skills in baking and deco rating. - there’s so much to learn! It would be a dream to get to collabo rate and meet some of my baking idols to learn from them. I would also love to teach more decorating classes to kids to get them interested in baking. To continue to grow the business and eventually open the first Maddie Cakes store front
bakery!
Bakery 2
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1 What/when was the moment you knew you had a gift for baking and business? When I was around 7 I knew I wan ted to start a baking business so I started making little cookies that I sold to family members and friends. I would look online for recipes and write them in my own little recipe book. I created my price list and in voices as well. I’d wrap them in bags with ribbons, labels and attach my business card and my mom would take me to deliver them. I loved it!
Power Couple WHEN YOU THINK OF A WHO AND WHAT DO YOU IMAGINE? • President Barack & Michelle Obama • Oprah Winfrey & Stedman Graham • Beyonce’ & Jay-Z • Will & Jada Pinkett-Smith or even • Ciara & Russell Wilson Why? Does money, fame, and accomplishments equal power? Maybe. Maybe not. Our P.O.W.E.R. Couples are: P: Passionate, positive, productive O: Open-minded, optimistic W: Well-spoken, witty, winning E: Ethical, engaging, empowering R: Resilient, resourceful, respectable Thirty-four (34) P.O.W.E.R. Couples have come together in this anthology series to embark on an EPIC journey! In this well-anticipated project, they have brought their truths, experiences, struggles, stories, strengths, strategies and positive energy. They have given the UNCUT, REAL version of how they have weathered the storms of love, money and entrepreneurship, while trying to grasp work/life balance (what’s that?!). The Covid-19 pandemic added an unprecedented layer of frustration, despair, losses, uncertainty, financial strains for many and this book series is the glimmer of hope, light and resilience shining bright in spite of it! This book is perfect for couples who need to know the REAL DEAL about what it truly takes to keep their marriage together, while trying to create wealth, impact and break the chains of dysfunction plaguing our communities. It is also great for dating and engaged couples who want to get the “cheat-codes” on how to have a thriving relationship and learn how to navigate through the “rough patches”, WHEN they come!”
Compiled by Visionaries: Dr. Constance & Anthony Mason: 24OptimismCo-authorLove,MoneyCouples-Entrepreneurship-ebook/dp/B08XMFTR8Vhttps://www.amazon.com/Money-TALK-Convos-TALK$:UncutConvosWithPowerCouplesAboutMoney&EntrepreneurshipVolIMagazineFeatures–March2022“NationalMonth”Co-authorCouples(launched2/27/2021)
As his wife, I’m taking the mantle of being the head when it comes to the health of our family. So even though CJ is the head of our household and he handles most of our dealings, my role in our household is to make sure that we eat well; he is nourished, energized to go out into the world and is internally equipped to carry out his life’s purpose. This man is a servant to the utmost. Just seeing how he serves in his community, how he serves other men, and even how he serves me, I was just blown away. The way he mentors me in business and the way he intentionally romances me, spontaneously. He keeps me on my toes and makes me want to have that healthy competition, ‘Let me. I’m going to serve you’. (CJ) I specialize in the finances. I love making spreadsheets and accounting. I know every dollar that was spent for 2019. I got all these crazy spreadsheets, but she definitely takes care of the health and the well-being of our household. My wife is very kind when it comes to people; very patient. She’s even very patient and kind with me. She is a peacemaker to the highest form. It really gives me something to strive towards.
- MARSHALLUNA L.O.M.A.H. Life www.lomahlife.com
@iam.king.collins@_lomahlife
Collins “CJ” [Veteran]01MEN’S DEVELOPMENT COACH & FITNESS INSTRUCTOR MT$ Vol I. Chapter title: “Partnered in Purpose” & Marshalluna Akintade
Blackwell troy &02SOFTWARE ENGINEER, PERSONAL TRAINER & CPA, MAKEUP ARTIST MT$ Vol I. Chapter title: “Humble Tigers” Team CORE Wellness & Fitness Hassana Blackwell, CPA We’ve found that when you have the ambition and determination of a tiger, but your humility borders on self-doubt, it will stagnate the growth of your business. You don’t price your services at what you’re worth. You shy away form making the connections or not promoting your business like you know you can and should. You talk yourself out of ideas before you even try them. Others see and respect you to the moon, but you see yourself at the same level staying under the radar. It’s crazy but we both have struggled with overcoming deep humility and self-doubt, even when everyone around us is telling us how great we are. Statements like, ‘You guys are a power couple. You’re such a beautiful couple. You guys have inspired me to start a business’ are all great to hear and provide a temporary boost in self-image. But for us we’ve found that it’s most important to always speak life unto one another at home behind closed doors, because that matters more than any outside praise. - TROY & HASSANA Hassana Q. Blackwell, CPA www.hblackwellcpa.com @troy.teamcore@hassanablackwell
carter-hall
“Yin
MARSHAwww.quenchinfusions.com
Yang” & Adrienne
Marsha title: and Carter-Hall,
@quenchinfusions MHA, BSN, RN, ADS [Veteran]
Carter-Hall, CRNP, NP-C, FNP-BC03CEO & COO OF QUENCH INFUSIONS & WELLNESS MT$ Vol I. Chapter
The best advice Adrienne has given me is, ‘You can go for anything you want to go for and be anything you want to be. All you have to do is start somewhere’. That advice has changed my life and it changed the trajectory for me. Prior to meeting Adrienne, I didn’t realize that I could do those things. (Adrienne) The best advice that Marsha has given me is, ‘Listen, stop talking about it and be about it. Go see about it and make it happen’. I have these ideas and usually they’ll just sit, but she encourages me to pursue it. I am Yin and she’s Yang. She puts total fire under my butt! We balance each other out because she has all these ideas and it’s hard for her to focus. And me, I’m like, ‘Look, do one thing at a time.’ -
clark D.S. “Clark” &04PREPARE-ENRICH FACILITATOR & PSYCHOTHERAPIST MT$ Vol I. Chapter title: “Our Ministry; Our Work” Mayra Figueroa-Clark, LICSW We were that couple that looked good at church with adorable children, but were strangers to one another. For over a year, we struggled to communicate effectively filled with hurt feelings and we had lost trust in one another. We went to our mentor couple, The Irwins. They recommended that we see a therapist and we were blessed to find the perfect one for us. Now, as Marriage Educators, our mission is to be ‘Naked and Unashamed’ in all areas of our marriage. On this journey, we are revealing, exposing and learning who we are as individuals and as a married couple. We’ve discovered some new joys and some wonderful things about each other on this journey.
- CLARK & MAYRA Co-Founders of Clark & Mayra https://figueroaclarkm.wixsite.com Mayra Figueroa-Clark, LICSW mayra-figueroa-clark.clientsecure.me @mayratheloveexpert
- LINDRIA Kingdom Missionary Baptist Church www.kingdommbc.org
Forte’-Dockett
I couldn’t do this without him supporting me like he does. I don’t have to worry about what’s falling or what I’m leaving behind. I know when I walk out the door to do what I love, he’s good and the kids are fine. I can be out, be free and just focus on whom I’m serving. I’m more of a time, knowledge, and resourcebased giver. As a wife, watching him give has been surreal. (Aaron) I believe that when you hold onto money, when God is asking you to give, He will send a moth to eat holes in your pockets. You will lose it. I think with my heart in our marriage and it helps. I always keep in mind that I stood before God and man making a promise that I would love her for the rest of our lives. So even when she frustrates me, I understand that my love for her is tied to my favor from God.
Minister Aaron Dockett05FEDERAL POLICE OFFICER, MINISTER & PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER, REAL ESTATE AGENT MT$ Vol I. Chapter title: “Servant Leaders in Love” & Lindria
Lindria Dockett Photography lindriadockett.com @lindria.dockett
JAHEEL
Garrett 06 Jaheel & PERSONAL BANKER & CO-FOUNDERS OF FREAKIN SWEET JARS MT$ Vol I. Chapter title: “Ain’t Nothin’ Coming In Between Us”
Renate Garrett
- & RENATE Freakin Sweet Jars freakinsweetjars.com @freakinsweetjars
I love coming home to my wife. I love being here. But do not let it fool you. We’ve been separated. I’m putting that out there for the world to know. We are here by the grace of God, number one, and the grace of our own patience with one another. I want people to know that it’s ok to go through things. I want them to know, it’s about communication. I want them to know, that you must love yourself in order to give love to someone else. If you love yourself enough, then you can bring that love together in a marriage. And that’s what keeps us together. Nothing’s coming in between me and her, nothing! I’ll tell the world, nothing! We’re always going to be together.
Bishop DurantCORPORATE07 CHAPLAIN & SOCIAL WORKER MT$ Vol I. Chapter title: “Love According to Harvin: Promises, Patterns & Practices” & Pastor Lisa Harvin, MSW Complications in childbirth, diagnosis of disease, unhealthy church experiences and the list goes on, all have demanded that we learn and learn again and again the power of prayer and the reality of our secret, supernatural, wondertwin power—touching and agreeing in prayer. The yield has been undeniable. There has never been a shortage of matters about which to pray, nor an absence of people to pray for but as the needs has not relented neither has the exceeding, abundant power of God relented in doing more than enough as we pray. We dreamed. We prayed! We believed. We learned to listen. We followed. We watched and we expect to see because we have seen. These are not patterns of the past but practices of this very hour. Until God gets through, we are not through! - BISHOP & PASTOR Founding Pastors of The GIFT—The Greater Immanuel Faith Temple www.thegiftemple.org @thegiftemple
- PASTOR
After signing the contract for our third home in December 2006, we noticed that all four janitorial accounts would not renew our contract; shortly after that, Jo and I both lost our full-time jobs. It was like an atomic bomb being dropped, destroying everything in sight. It was a moment where depression and anxiety took up residence on our front doorstep. As Jo and I worked through our challenges, along with keeping our marriage and family intact, we focused on the words written by Isaiah, ‘Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.’ (Isaiah 41:10) And like Job, not only did we recover, but God restored our marriage, our finances and birthed Transformation of Life Christian Center; now known as Life Nation Church, where lives are being transformed and needs are being met. & JONELLE Founders of Life Nation Church www.transformationoflife.org
hooks Pastor R. Kevin Hooks08LEAD PASTOR & FIRST LADY, BEAUTY CONSULTANT MT$ Vol I. Chapter title: “Becoming Who We Are” & Lady Jonelle (Lady Jo) Hooks
@fl_jo@transformationoflife1
Mason Dr. Constance &FINANCIAL09 CONSULTANT & TRANSPORTATION TRAINING MANAGER [VETERAN] MT$ Vol I. Chapter title: “Shifting the Vows”
Anthony, ever since I laid eyes on you nearly 23 years ago, I knew that I didn’t want to spend one day without seeing your face, experiencing that bright smile, and hearing your voice. But there’s one significant difference between looking into your face on that bus stop as a 19-year-old young woman and looking into your eyes as a 42-year-old wife. I do not look away in bashfulness, insecurity of my flaws, uncertainty of my womanhood, and fear of being ‘too fast’. I look into your eyes, and I see you; the man of God, faithful husband, dedicated father, doting grandfather, and the man of distinction that you’ve always wanted to be.
Anthony Mason
CONSTANCE & ANTHONY Co-Founders of the Real Connect Co www.realconnected.co @ccraigmason@realconnected.co
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Vice Maurice &10SECURITY CAPTAIN & PINK CADILLAC SENIOR SALES DIRECTOR MT$ Vol I. Chapter title: “We Got Some Skin in the Game” Felicia Vice We’ve been married for 26 years and have been together for 29 years. We have one daughter and one grand puppy that we love so very much. (Felicia) I’ve been building my Mary Kay business for 17 years (11-2020). Lots of longevity over here! The best advice that Maurice gave me literally was to walk away from my j-o-b. I had already started my business, but I had not yet gone too hard at it to see what I could do on my own. I am so thankful that he believed in me. There was a time when I was like, ‘Just tell me to quit. If you tell me to quit, I’ll quit and then I’ll be done with it’. He was like, ‘No, I will never tell you to quit. Just go for it’. I did and I am so glad that I did. - MAURICE & FELICIA Mary Kay – Pink Cadillac Senior Sales Director www.marykay.com/fvice @marykayfanatic
