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SISTAH'S PLACE

Inspiration & Entertainment Magazine AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2018

PAULETTE HARPER SMALL BUSINESS CRYSTAL HOLLAND CHRISTAL WHITE SELENA ASKINS KIMBERLY JASPER TERRI SHAYNE

SISTAHSPLACE.COM

What's Inside?

Sistahs PlaceÂ

19 04 10

Pg. 2. The Editor's Note Pg. 4 Cover Story: Paulette Harper-A woman of Purpose & Power Pg. 10. Selena Haskins: Are Children Spoiled today?

pg. 14 Small Business spotlight-Crystal Holland Pg. 19. KimberlyJasper- 5 Signs You are a Side Chick. Pg. 25. Small Business SpotlightChristal White

FROM THE EDITOR/FOUNDER DESK Life is about what you make it. You have big dreams, goals, ambitions, and a vision so big that it scares you. Well, go ahead and step out on faith and trust God knowing you will discover who you are and what your purpose in this life really means. Our August/September issue is very special because it showcases women who share a vision of Black Excellence. Their stories are authentic and relatable to ever dreamer walking around. I love the quote below it represents the women in this issues drive and success. "I had to make my own living and my own opportunity. But I made it! Don't sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them." - Madam C.J. Walker

Chief Editor/Founder Letrise T. Carter Sistahâ€™s Place

Five Sure Signs that you’re the side chick By Kimberly R. Jasper Your man is always hustling, so it didn’t bother you that he took you out to dinner the weekend after Valentine’s Day. He’s your Boo; he treats you so well throughout the year that you don’t need that one special day.

Right? Or maybe, he had to take his main chick out on the weekend of and knew he could just hit you up later. You’re always available to him, but when you call, he’s never available to you. No one is that busy, Sis. If he wants you, he’s pursuing you. Period. No one wants to be classified as the side chick. No matter how much you may want to believe that you are the only woman, some guys are much trickier than you think. You are loyal to him, but you are not his main chick. If you don’t already know, here are 5 sure signs that you are the side chick. 1.

HE’S NEVER AVAILABLE

You’re never able to get in contact with him on his phone; if you reach him, he always has to call you back. And when he does call you back, it’s hours later, or worse, the next day. Random hook-ups for lunch or dinner are absolutely out of the question unless he’s the one popping up on you. If you even know where he works, there’s always some reason why you can’t come see him. You only have a cell and work number for him, not his home phone number. Which may be true, lots of people don’t have a home phone, but he has one. You just can’t have the number. Nothing is ever spontaneous. Instead, everything has to be planned, sometimes weeks in advance. And even then, he may cancel at the last minute. This is usually because your man has to not only set aside time for you, but he has to make up lies to tell his main chick.

A man who wants to be with you will make himself available for you, no excuses. He will make the time, put forth the effort, and make you a priority. If he’s not doing any of those things, and only available at his convenience, you may be the side chick. 2.

HE NEVER TALKS ABOUT THE FUTURE

Whenever you ask him about his plans for the future or inquire about the nature of your relationship, it’s like pulling teeth. He never seems to be able to give you a straight answer. Or even if he does give you an answer, it only eludes to the goals he has set for himself. Simply put, he’s not thinking about a future with you. In his mind, he’s well aware that keeping you as the other woman won’t last for too long, so why plan on a future? He already has his future set up with someone else, so there is really no point in talking about one with you. Then there is the guy that speaks in terms of a future with you but makes absolutely no real moves to make it happen. He says he wants to be with you, but his actions say otherwise. Every signal he sends is mixed, and you’ve become an expert in Morse code just to decipher the meanings. Translation Sis, you’re the side chick. 3.

YOU DON’T CELEBRATE TOGETHER

You never celebrate holidays together. When you do celebrate, it’s before or after the actual day. He always has plans on the day or weekend of but promises to make it up to you later. Valentine’s Day is celebrated the weekend before or after, so is his birthday. Yet somehow, he always manages to be able to join you for your celebratory festivities. This is because his time is being soaked up by his main chick. He celebrates with his family first, and then he does a quick celebration with you after the fact. There is a reason that both February 13 and 15 are known as "National Side Chick Day". You may want to consider how serious he's really taking you and the relationship if he's not spending at least a couple of major holidays with you. Simply put, holidays are reserved for the wife or main chick. There's nothing wrong with a Wednesday night date, meeting for lunch, or Happy Hour on a Friday, but if that's the only time he can see you, there's a good chance you're dealing with a dude who's in a relationship. Sure, some guys may be a little antisocial, but when he never wants to spend time anywhere other than your place, there's a good chance that he's keeping you a secret from someone.

YOU’VE NEVER MET HIS FAMILY OR CLOSE FRIENDS

Some guys are hesitant to introduce their love interest to their friends, as they're concerned they may not mesh well with one another. That said, if he isn't in a relationship, he'll probably let you meet at least some of his friends and family. I get that these things take time, but if it’s been longer than six months and you haven’t met anyone close to him, that is definitely a sign to pay attention to. If in all the time you've spent together, you've heard countless stories about his friends and family, but you’ve never met them, that's a bright red flag. He’s trying to hide you away if he makes up sketchy excuses about why you can’t meet them, it’s a sign that something is not right. Most men who are proud and happy with their relationship will eventually introduce their woman to family and friends. If you have never met, let alone spoken to any of his key family members or friends, this is a huge sign that you are being hidden from his inner circle. The question you should be asking is Why? I am glad you asked. Because they know his wife or main chick. His mother would surely 20

Small Business Spotlight with Christal White: Lela’s Babies By Mia Thomas When you have a unique gift and talent that is tailored to your soul and hands nothing can stop you. A small business owner name Christal White has that very special gift of stitching and drawing. Her talent will capture your heart while encouraging your spirit. What is her business? Christal White have been crocheting and drawing for five years now giving life to Lela’s Babies located in Alexandria, Louisiana. It all started in Colfax, Louisiana out of her grandmother’s love and passion for whatever it was that she was creating. Christal’s grandmother truly loved her crochets items and hung every drawing where she could around the house.

these particular dolls of color.

It would be later in her life that she developed a love for Black dolls because many of us did not grow up with the likeliness of a doll manufacture creating

She specializes in crochet dolls that are more for a mature audience. The dolls are designed to sit upright and have very long legs.

All pictures courtesy of owner Her drawings are to inspire and bring a smile to someone’s face. She captures mostly the faces of young people to encourage them especially those who have been bullied. Christal’s drawings have a message of hope, empower, and self-love.

We would categorize her business as a specialty because her products are one of a kind. You will not be able to go into another store to find such gems. As with many small business owners, there are challenges that she must face. We asked Christal, what is a challenge for her business? She said when it comes to handmade items you have customers who always want a discount because they don’t understand the process it took to start with a piece of string and turn it into something beautiful. As with her drawing, customers don’t understand the effort and time 26

invested into creating a drawing for others to relate to is priceless to discount. Christal’s advice to all crafters, know your worth and don’t be undersold by those who don’t value your creativity.

Well said, Christal White! Small business owners should not discount their gifts or their talents. You work hard to share your products with the community. It’s time a community invested in Black Own Business like they invest in many of the major players in retail. Follow her on social media and connect with Christal to learn more about her authentic gifts from the heart. Facebook: Christal Johnson Instagram: @darlise2003

Press Announcement Sistah’ s P lace B log Talk R ad io show on B log Talk R ad io show is b eing p aused for six months while we focus on our new M agazine Sistah’ s P lace and Sistah’ s C reative M ed ia.

Any interviews sched uled for Sep temb er will still b e d one, b ut no future interviews will b e b ook ed until we revisit our B log Talk Show p latform in Decemb er 2 0 1 8 . W e thank y ou for sup p orting our p latform. W e will p lay and p romote many of the interviews d one over the last four y ears across our social med ia p latforms and Y ou Tub e C hannel. Sistah’ s P lace www. b logtalk rad io. com/ sistahsp lace