Success Women's Magazine March 2021

SUCCESS MARCH 2021

Women's Magazine

No longer defined by circumstances

TESS TIMS 8

MEET SPEAKERS ON THE RISE

LEE MARIANO: Stop hiding behind the LABELS

meet

TESS

by KAREN BRYANT

Tess Tims advises others to acknowledge that no one is defined by his or her current circumstances. “It’s only temporary,” she says.

“We all have situations and obstacles that come before us. We must step back and dig deep and ask ourselves, ‘What can I learn from what just happened?’”

Tess is a thriving example of the success that that attitude breeds, having started her young adult life as a welfare mom with no prospects to becoming a dynamic, accomplished, highly regarded entrepreneur. Says Tess: “I can fully understand people who have big dreams.

And people can relate to that.”

Tess believes science can transform chaos into order. She discovered this during her lifelong battle with chaos. Science allowed her to transform her personal chaos into order and success.

Tess was born in Mississippi and raised in a wealthy, middle-class family of entrepreneurs.

She seemed bound for success.

Then chaos struck. When Tess was 17, she got pregnant out of wedlock. Her family disowned her and sent out into the streets, pregnant and penniless. She was forced to rely on welfare to survive.

Even so, Tess always considered welfare to be a temporary hand up rather than a permanent handout. Once she got a job, she removed herself from the welfare rolls.

Tess managed to support herself and her beloved daughter and still go to college, parttime. She earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of Southern Mississippi.

After graduation, Tess landed a job with NASA, where she worked for seven years until NASA underwent a radical downsizing, and Tess was laid off.

The chaos returned with a vengeance.

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Recognizing that the beauty industry had the potential to be highly profitable and that it was poised for growth, Tess went to cosmetology school. Shortly thereafter, she opened a highend salon, which lacked only one thing — clients. She had none. Things got so dire that at one point she could not pay a $42 water bill for her salon.

Her old adversary, chaos, had returned.

Rather than panic, Tess used her science background and her years at NASA to think logically and came up with a foolproof formula to make her salon a success. It promised to add 100 new clients per week in 30 days — and it delivered. Her salon blossomed, and today, 30 years later, is still one of the top-performing beauty salons in the country.

Through her signature six-week “Beauty-Preneur” online course at TessTimsInstitute. com, Tess now shares the same formula that worked for her with salon owners from all over the world.

This salon makeover formula performed so well for Tess that she ended up working 16-hour days trying to keep up with the new demand and had no time left for anything else.

This situation invited chaos back into Tess’s life.

On the advice of a friend, Tess decided she should work smart rather than work hard. She developed her 3Cs program, applying it first to herself. The program was a formula to make more money while working fewer hours. As an added benefit, the program reduced her stress and improved her health.

Today her 3Cs program, through Tess’s selflabs at TessTims.com, has transformed the lives of tens of thousands of people all over the world, and Tess has bid a final farewell to chaos.

Today she is an independent, powerful woman; a successful entrepreneur with three

separate businesses, an in-demand life transformation coach, and one of the most sought-after transformational speakers in America.

She is a director of the Kym Coleman Education Foundation, whose mission is to improve the quality of education for school-aged children in low-income areas of Houston and to provide scholarships for young adults with college aspirations.

Tess is involved in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which supports Texas youth and has awarded over $475 million in scholarships. She spends time with the Entrepreneurs Program, which helps young entrepreneurs build self-esteem, self-confidence, and a road to success.

Her most fulfilling reward is working with Tess Tims International, a company that provides custom wig designs and hair extensions for women suffering from hair loss.

she says I can fully understand people who have big dreams. And people can relate to that.

I N S P I R AT I O N PROJECT

Book now available on Amazon!

Presented by best-selling editor & author

NICOLE MASON

BRIAN PEARSE

DR. KATHY AMOS

VON GRIGGS-LAWS

Dorothy Wilson & Partners

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DR. SHAMARA BYRD

REGINA ADDISON

JEAN TURNER

DENISE HOWELL

DR. VALERIE ARTHUR

LIZ HOOP

BECKY FARRELL

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SHEILA SAPP

TAMEKIA JUDGE

DR. JOSEPHINE HARRIS

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BOOK • VIDEO SERIES • SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE • BLOG

R ea l-l i f e s t o r i es

Compelling you to

LIVE YOUR FAITH OUT LOUD

Help us spread this message across the world! Purchase the book, merchandise

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Ar e y o u l i v i n g y o u r

O U T LO UD ?

WELL JUST S AY S O !

Order the “Live Your Faith Out Loud” book and read 32 amazing stories of how to turn your past into purpose driven by faith!

Order merchandise and wear your message of faith to support the project.

The FaithInspiration Project is a book, blog, small group discussion guide and video series compelling you to Live Your Faith Out Loud. Its mission is to spread this message around the globe so we can live louder.

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HELPING OTHERS

RECLAIM THEIR POWER Lee Mariano is an author; speaker; business guru; best-selling author; and CEO and founder of Alexidom Coaching, a multifaceted coaching specialty centered on helping clients increase their self-confidence, reclaim their personal power, and rediscover their identity so that they can successfully achieve their goals and attain the life they most desire.

The path she helps others to take is one she has followed herself. Lee can relate to the

challenges facing women who feel as though they’ve hit a dead end. Her own story holds some harsh realities, but she feels it’s important to tell it.

“I’m the only daughter of a teen mom who raised me as a single parent. I joined the U.S. Marine Corps right out of high school because we didn’t have money for college,” she says. “I became a single mother at nineteen, experienced date-rape from a work colleague, and became a domestic abuse survivor at 22. But my story doesn’t end there. I also went back to school and got my bachelor’s degree. Had a six-figure job before 35. Ascended to my first executive leadership position by age 40. I also achieved status as an Amazon and USA Today bestselling author with my self-published novels.”

Making the move to leave her successful career to start her own business took a leap of faith, but it also marked Lee’s commitment to following her heart and fulfilling her dream. “My recent success is the product of a massive life change,” she says. “After focusing on building the career I thought I wanted and attaining the coveted title as a C-suite executive, I decided in 2019 to launch my business.

It took me until 2020 to truly begin. Yes, there was fear, but there was also excitement. I was anxious, questioning if I would succeed. But I stepped forward, and once I did, I knew this was the right decision for me, my life, and my career.”

Lee holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and has served her country as a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. But she also draws on her personal experience as a survivor of domestic abuse in helping guide others to reinvent themselves, speak their personal truths, and begin again.

“I want women to stop hiding behind the labels that others have placed on them and to remain resolved to their purpose and the possibility of creating their own future,” Lee says.

She coaches and encourages others to show up with confidence, speak with authority, and get things done. She merges an ability to help others with a deep sentiment for education, authorship, advocacy, and communal service.

Lee says that her actions and decisions have shown her that she draws power and strength from helping

people, working with women as they transform, and giving her clients guidance and mentoring as they take bold steps in their own lives.

“That’s power right there! My ability to help women understand what they’re capable of accomplishing is what makes my coaching style perfect for the right client. I’m supportive, but I push you to do better. I’m empathetic, but I don’t allow my clients to give up or slow down. I use my own life experience and training and expertise to help my clients get to the next step and get rid of the barriers and limiting beliefs holding them back,” Lee explains.

Her past has formed her into the person she is today, and that person, she says, can help women get to the other side of their pain and hurt, to create the life they deserve.

Lee is energetic about her future, which promises to keep her going at a fast, exciting pace: “This is going to be a very busy and exciting year,” she says. “I’m a member of four book anthologies releasing in 2021. In these books, I share my story in an effort to help others see what’s possible. My contribution to each of these books includes a message of hope, of a phoenix rising, and transformation. My group coaching program, Step Into Your Power, is open for registration for women who are ready to show up to the world differently. Step Into Your Power is a coaching program that will help you tackle and manage the issues keeping you up at night.”

She will continue to work with women one on one because, she points out: “Sometimes the transformation needed requires hightouch, focused interaction.”

She will continue to focus on building her business and providing a safe space for women who feel they’ve lost their voice. “I’m claiming 2021 as the year of transformation,” she says.

As founder of Alexidom Coaching, Lee is living her dream.

“It’s the business I knew I wanted to create. Other than my amazing children, Alexidom is the legacy I want to leave to the world. In my business, I work with women who want to change and transform their future and become the person they’re meant to be.

They feel overlooked, under-appreciated, or ignored, and they’re on a journey to reclaim their power, rediscover their strength, increase their confidence, and remove the barriers and beliefs holding them back.

Launching my coaching business gave me the opportunity to work with clients who truly needed my help and support. Watching women transform their lives and come out stronger, braver, and bolder than they were before has been unlike anything I’d experienced before. Removing the cover of corporate America and stepping into my future has given me a freedom I hadn’t felt before.

I know that I’m on the right journey and I can’t wait for what’s to come.”

When Lee is not out helping to empower women through Alexidom Coaching, she is a beloved member of her chosen community, a cherished mother, and friend.

To learn more about Lee Mariano, you may email her at alexidomcoach@gmail.com or visit her website, https://alexidomcoach.com.

she says My recent success is the product of a massive life change. After focusing on building the career,

I thought I wanted and

attaining the coveted title as a C-suite executive. I

decided in 2019 to launch my business. It took me

until 2020 to truly begin.

Yes, there was fear, but

there was also excitement.

I was anxious, questioning if I would succeed. But I

stepped forward, and once I did, I knew this was the right decision for me, my life, and my career.

8 speakers on the rise digital and in-person developmental courses to empower parents and caregivers to maximize a child’s foundational brain development between birth and 5 years old. Her website, perspectivebasedparenting,com, offers an online course, The Joy of Parenting, designed to teach new mothers strategies to foster a deep, collaborative connection with their children.

WHAT DRIVES HER

cara tyrrell Cara Tyrrell is founder of Core4 Parenting, an education hub that offers

Eighty-five percent of a child’s foundational brain development is complete by 5 years old. This fact drives everything I do! Knowing that there is a small window of time to anchor the four learning developmental areas keeps me fired up on my mission to reach as many parents and caregivers as possible. We have an exponential opportunity to raise a next generation who are truly ready to create positive change while being extraordinary human beings, but we must start now. business umbrella, Jean uses her radio and podcast shows, “Health Chat w/Coach Jean,” coaching sessions, non-fiction books, workbooks, and signature wellness programs that help her clients to achieve their intended results. Tenured in the nursing profession for over 30 years, Jean Turner empowers both her patients and clients to take charge of their health: body, mind, soul, and spirit.

WHAT DRIVES HER

jean turner Jean Turner is an Army and Iraqi war veteran, author, inspirational speaker, RN and holistic health nurse coach, licensed minister, and the CEO of The “Spirit of a Warrior Life Enterprises, LLC”, a specialty created to help others draw on their innate strength to overcome the obstacles that are preventing them from living at their maximum wellness capacity. Under her

I’m a product of the ‘60s and ’70s, born and raised in the projects of Queens, New York. My younger brother and I are firstgeneration college graduates. Growing up, I watched my mom work hard. As hard as she worked, as hard as she tried, she was still unable to make ends meet. She relied on my father to help, but once they separated, that did not happen. I loved my mother, but I knew at a young age that I did not want to rely on or depend on anybody.

Growing up below poverty level and witnessing what my mother went through helped to shape me into the hard-charging person I am today.

HER MESSAGE

As a RN and holistic health nurse coach, I recognize that it is important that we practice stewardship over our health. I was

HER MESSAGE

When I speak for parents, childcare providers and administrators my core message is always the same. You are their first teacher. So many people, early childhood staff included, often feel that kindergarten is when they meet their first “real” teacher when, in fact, the complete opposite is true. You, their caregiver during the invisible learning years (0-5), are their first teacher, and it’s often time that gets overlooked.

KEY LESSONS LEARNED

There is no perfect parent or perfect child; there is only relationship. And how you cultivate that relationship from birth designates how you and your baby grow together for life.

Develop: mutual trust, implied honesty, shared respect, open communication and you will have the ability to collaboratively problem solve any issues that come your way. the perfect picture of health! Suddenly, I went from being this HOOAH, HOOAH Army chick and marathon runner to a cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy in zero to five seconds and from that to congestive heart failure and cardiac arrest.

The medical doctors continue to say that if I had not been in such good shape prior to these events, then I wouldn’t be here today. The message I share with my clients and audiences is this: “Your current state of health will affect your prognosis and recovery should you suddenly find yourself in the midst of a health challenge/ crisis! It was during the chemo treatments and later on while I was recovering from the heart failure that KEY LESSONS LEARNED

The first lesson I learned was that we are to grow through what it is we’re going through. There is a lesson to be learned, so I tell people to learn the lesson so you don’t have to repeat the course! One of the other lessons I’ve learned that has helped me to grow tremendously is that what I thought was punishment (i.e., the diagnosis, the sickness) was process! The opportunities that God has given me now would not have been possible if it had not been for the process. The process is what propels us into our purpose and destiny.

The Journey To BE FLY: A Guided Journal for Positive Mindset & Personal Growth

which prompts you to consider your starting point, shift your attitude, set goals, track your progress, and celebrate victories. As a result of dealing with challenges in her own life, after quiet reflection, spiritual insight, and plenty of opportunities to practice mindfulness, LaNesha Renee’ Sherman reemerged with a few tools that were easy to remember and quickly implement as a mental checklist, even in the heat of very intense moments.

Lanesha sherman LaNesha Renee’ Sherman LPC, is a licensed professional counselor, international speaker, author, workshop leader, worship artist, and owner of Fly Better Life Counseling. She is the author of

LaNesha Renee’ was a featured speaker at The Women’s Empowerment Conference in Ghana, West Africa, on the topic of depression based on her personal testimony where she led the crowd in positive affirmations, speaking life into their situations, inspirational singing, and celebratory dance. She has a heart for women’s empowerment, faith-based encouragement, communication, couples, youth, and families. She is a native of Dallas, Texas, and relocated to Louisiana upon marrying her husband, Isiah Sherman

Jr. She enjoys traveling, sipping tea, relaxing near water, collecting rocks, and watching butterflies.

WHAT DRIVES HER

Starting out as a young career woman, I had to advocate for myself under the leadership of a domineering boss who attempted to make me feel as though I did not have a voice or a choice in my placement within the organization. Today, I remain just as driven to succeed and empower others.

HER MESSAGE

As a keynote speaker, I share How to Overcome Workplace Toxicity as a Career Woman and B.E. F.L.Y. I recognize that career women face twice as much toxic stress in the workplace as men. I personally experienced workplace toxicity earlier in my career with little support resulting in severe anxiety, depression, and even physical symptoms but I persevered.

Now, I am passionate about providing resources and teaching coping strategies to reduce tension, maintain life-work balance, and boost productivity.

and production of logos, and other marketing materials. She is creative and resourceful and has the ability to create original and cutting-edge designs from inception, under the tightest deadlines.

She is thoroughly knowledgeable with prepress procedures, work-flow management, concepts of good design, and the importance of clear communication.

WHAT DRIVES HER

SUCCESS MEMBER NETWORK SPOTLIGHT Genice L. Allen Advocate, Influencer, Activist, Inspirer

Genice is a visionary business strategist, with an expertise in logistical planning and rural development. She is highly esteemed in the global aviation industry with an immense background in service.

Determined to create a legacy by implementing educational and economic opportunities she developed a STEM Scholarship Fund for at-risk youth.

What drives me to be successful is to be authentic and setting boundaries. I learned to know my limits of how much I can do when to say no and listen to my body

nari weaver Nari Weaver says she’s up for any challenge that a project or opportunity presents. In each of her professional roles, Nari has been successful in advancing shared company missions and goals – she has a strong reputation for developing solutions that yield positive results.

Nari possesses the skill sets to produce customized visual prints and websites, the design

HER MESSAGE

You can do this! Trust in your gut, it’s important to have confidence in yourself to achieve your goals.

KEY LESSON

You can do this! Trust in your gut, it’s important to have confidence in yourself to achieve your goals.

to pen and paper. I often draw on my experience dealing with mergers and acquisitions to identify and secure talented and passionate authors and their stories.

My passion and true purpose prevailed after reflecting on the many conversations I had with, defeated, aspiring, and first-time authors around the inequities they felt as they tried to navigate the publishing process.

nita chase I have always loved writing, ever since I was able to write. Although it took a backseat to my successful 20+ year career in the public and private sectors, I always knew that someday I would find my way back

As a black woman-owned and operated publishing company, we are all about giving black and brown authors the resources to thrive. My goal is to create and advocate for greater access in the publishing industry and amplify black and brown authors’ voices. My mission is to amplify black and brown voices in an industry that under-represents our stories and our voices.

I have also decided to expand my platform by opening my first bookstore (spring/ summer 2021), Chapters, Verses & Books, in the Bronx, N.Y., where I will house and sell

Renee Bauer is a divorce attorney and educator, author, and host of the Happy Even After podcast. She is passionate about helping women through their divorce by using spirituality, mindset and strategy.

WHAT DRIVES HER

I was so ashamed about my own two divorces, even though I work in this space.

If I was experiencing the shame, guilt, and embarrassment, I knew so many others must have felt it too.

HER MESSAGE

renee bauer

I want anyone going through a divorce to know this is just a moment in your story. I also want women to know that it’s okay to walk away from a marriage that is no longer serving you. You get to choose you, and you get to so unapologetically.

books written by brown and black authors.

WHAT DRIVES HER

I’ve spent over 20 years in the public and private sector, often the only black (and sometimes female) in leadership roles. I faced every type of stigma, stereotype, and bias black women endure in business.

I’ve fought and advocated for my growth, development, and elevation. Now I want to advocate for others, but through my passion for writing and publishing.

HER MESSAGE

I believe in the power of the stories written by black and brown authors. Society and generations to follow will benefit abundantly when our voices and stories are applied. We can no longer wait for others to find our stories and our children important. We must use our creativity through writing so that we can influence social and economic. We can close the literacy divide in the brown and black communities when there are more books that feature stories and characters to whom we (and our children) can relate.

KEY LESSONS

I’ve learned that rejection is just redirection. And every roadblock or obstacle is an opportunity for growth.

From our pain grows a beautiful purpose.

As a result of working with Dr. V, women learn how to dominate every area of their lives by owning their brilliance and their breakdowns, accepting their wholeness and incompleteness, and embracing their confidence and insecurities to become the woman they’ve always been inside.

Dr. V is a former K-12 mathematics educator, academic Instructional coach, and district mathematics specialist for the Office of School Transformation in one of the largest school districts in the nation.

She has been an advisor and strategist for leaders from principals to superintendents to universities.

vernita glenn-white Dr. Vernita Glenn-White (Dr. V!), is a life + empowerment strategist and founder of THEE V.I.B.E Institute where she teaches high-achieving professional women how to vibrate higher in their influence, brilliance, and excellence as they break their personal glass ceilings to become their most empowered selves in life and career.

Dr. V used her skills to transition into higher education as a college professor, speaker, best-selling author, and personal growth facilitator. She now uses her education and life experiences to transform the lives of others by shifting the perspective of what it means to lead and educate for transformation and empowerment in all areas of life.

WHAT DRIVES HER

I got tired of people placing their desires and labels on me of who I should become thematic plays, Winona has illuminated three key action steps that continue to transform important breakthroughs in the lives of women. She declares that “With every storm, every challenge, we must make the decision to live and not die.

When fear stares us down, we must keep moving and take the fear with us! Fight back when adversity comes in your life.”

winona thomas Winona L. Thomas is one of God’s rare treasures. Facilitator of spiritually and emotionally liberating tools, Winona shares the journey of motherhood, adversity, and triumph in her encouraging messages of surviving and thriving in your faith. Known for her many accomplishments including talk show host, author of four inspirational books, and

CEO/Founder of Beautiful You, On the Inside ministry, she has witnessed firsthand the transformation of God’s healing physically, emotionally, and spiritually in her life. It is through the “Beautiful You, On the Inside” workshops and inner healing curriculum that Winona is able to truly pour into and impart her faith, her strength, her courage, and the inspiration that only a true relationship with God can transform. Winona has helped to elevate women to new levels in their personal and professional lives by sharing keys to survival and success.

WHAT DRIVES HER

The one thing that drives me to success is seeing other people arise to success.

My passion is to provide help through resources, inspiration, and teaching that will empower people in and outside of my community to not only have a vision for change but becoming the change in their

and how I should act. For most of my life, I focused on being perfect, smart, (but not too smart), and quiet. There were times when the “real me” would show up by voicing my opinions, being brilliant in my ability to problem solve, or taking charge of situations. However, those were also the times when I was labeled as mean, stuck up, or bossy. I followed a career path because people said, “I was good at this” not because I wanted to do to it. Although I achieved a lot of success in life, I still wasn’t happy or fulfilled and I felt guilty for wanting more out of life. I felt like I wasn’t showing up at 100%, even though people treated me like I did. Whenever I expressed these feelings of wanting more, I was told that I should just be happy to have what I have. I was tired of pretending, and that led me on an intense personal growth journey to uncover a more empowered version of me!

HER MESSAGE

I believe that most high achievers are results-oriented and they focus on achieving the next career goal or accolade.

However, I want to challenge my audience to focus on the process that led them to each level of success in their professional lives. lives. Through mentorship, I understand that me being successful is not about what I am now able to do for myself. My being successful is important and impactful when I can support and build other people up. What motivates me for success is the constant reminder that the tears I once cried are the tears I have been empowered to stop with my success.

HER MESSAGE

I stand on three key action steps that continue to transform important breakthroughs in my life. Number 1: With every storm, every challenge, we must make the decision to “live and not die” so you can take the next step.

Number 2: When fear stares us down, we must keep moving and take the fear with us!

Number 3: Fight back when adversity comes in your life. Fighting back teaches us how to survive and thrive in our faith. It is important for me to share this message because it will encourage and empower you to move past the adversity in your life so that you can be elevated to new levels of breakthrough.

Let’s Connect!

Email: info@doreenlettsomereid.com Website:https://doreenlettsomereid.com/ Website: https://unlockwhatsinsideyou.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/watch/ unlockwhatsinsideyou/

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