WILD MAG #2 June 2023: Reena Merchant

ISSUE 02 I JUNE 2023

CUSTOM COLLABS SPIRITUALITY IN BUSINESS GODDESS IN THE MACHINE THE POWER OF INTUITION

REENA MERCHANT PHILOSOPHER SCIENTIST

WOMEN GONE WILD // LEADERSHIP LAWS // BURNOUT TO BALANCE

VOLUME 2 / JUNE 2023

ISSUE 02 I JUNE 2023

WILD Magazine

UBA

Founder

Chief Marketing Officer

Rhonda Swan

Brian Swan

Editor In Chief

Head Of Publishing

Jonas Muthoni

Annelise Sylta

Editor

Head of Sales

Nigel Simmonds

Ryan Lenett

Creative Director

Head of WILD Council

CUSTOM COLLABS SPIRITUALITY IN BUSINESS GODDESS IN THE MACHINE

Stuart Sullivan

Starrwyn

Graphic Design

Editorial Content Director

Adi Mika

Tarryn Reeves

Writers

Accounting

Andrew Hall,

Jelena Dakic

Karen Donald

Senior Designer

Administrative Director

Jez Orbe

THE POWER OF INTUITION

WOMEN GONE WILD // LEADERSHIP LAWS // BURNOUT TO BALANCE

Reena Merchant photographed

by Mark Fore Photography.

© No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Yana Vasilik

WILD Magazine is published by the

France, America, and more) in related

women everywhere. As a child, Rhonda

unleashing their voice is of paramount

Unstoppable Branding Agency, a

fields such as digital marketing,

grew up in a turbulent home and

importance in order to attain success.

forward-thinking public relations and

graphic design, UI/UX, and content

struggled with her self-image and an

branding company based in Bali with

production as well as publishing. For

eating disorder that lasted for almost

This is the second issue of WILD

influence and followers internationally.

its employees, degrees are not the

10 years.

Magazine, a publication which seeks to

prerequisite – instead, it is experience,

leverage the company’s faith in women

UBA utilizes storytelling, SEO, and

knowledge, and skill which matter to

When she overcame her struggles,

and their partners across all countries

brand messaging to grow its clients’

the company.

Rhonda realized that she wanted

and nationalities.

personal branding. It employs

4

REENA MERCHANT PHILOSOPHER SCIENTIST

to help other women achieve the

experts from all over the world (from

Unstoppable Branding Agency was

same success. The drive behind the

We feel priveleged that you are taking

countries such as Malaysia, New

founded upon Rhonda Swan’s firm

Unstoppable Branding Agency is to

the time to read our publication, it

Zealand, Germany, the UK, Singapore,

belief in the importance of empowering

empower women by showing them that

makes what we do so worthwhile.

5

VOLUME 2 / JUNE 2023

WELCOME WELCOME to WILD magazine, Issue 2! It’s my great pleasure to once again bring you a collection of some of the most powerful women on the planet who are living their very best lives in what has been a testing couple of years.

Many of us have had to regroup and rethink our businesses in the wake of the pandemic madness, but if one thing it has proven is that from new challenges come new opportunities for adventure. And what adventures we have planned!

Aside from our latest push into the online PR space with a new partnership with Jonas Muthoni at Deviate Agency, we have a new edition of Women Gone Wild out on the shelves around the world and are pressing forward with our Google Indexing, SEO & Top Tier Publishing programs that stand to change the game in terms of online visibility for our clients. That’s not to mention our exciting new TV shows, Times Square Billboards and award-winning podcasts which continue to garner millions of views in every sector!

On a personal note, I am very happy to let you know that I am building a brand-new house on the island of Bali, my beloved home where I live with my husband Brian and of course my now 16-yearold daughter Hanalei, whose star continues to rise with each year that passes. To have such a loving and supportive husband and a talented and beautiful daughter is a blessing for which I will always be grateful.

I feel further blessed to be able to offer you some insights into these fabulous women in WILD Magazine, and I continue to be mindful and grateful for everything we do together as a team around the world. As I always say, if you’re going to create a brand, create a sexy brand, and if you’re going to be anything … be unstoppable! - Rhonda Swan

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CONTENTS

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84

26

HEATHER MARIANNA

KORTNEY MURRAY

REENA MERCHANT

with her beauty secrets, Heather

Keeping it real in the kitchen brings the pop back into home-

We need warriors like Reena

based beauty potions with Kitchen

Merchant to guide us through what

Confidential.

promises to be a future controlled

business success stories ... helping

Caught in a spiral of stress at

of what are often limited resources.

the very top of her game, Hilary

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NEW LEADERSHIP

GODDESS IN THE MACHINE

What leadership style are you, and

RHONDA SWAN Rhonda needs very little

whys and wherefores of the biggest

your business? WILD delves into the frontrunners.

32

mix, right? Wrong. Today’s most

The female intuition famously

that balance comes from looking

guides many people through the most difficult of time, but how

Gone Wild book series, she remains

does it relate to business, and

the Unstoppable force behind her

how do we access it for success?

FROM BURNOUT TO BALANCE

TERRI BRITT

Ebony Swank saw the gap left by

looking at all aspects of her life

ride for her brand Swank A Posh.

upwards.

62

Lady Gaga leads the way in serene

formed women. But it was no easy

successful entrepreneurs recognise

48

TEAM SWANK The Gap and made clothes for fully

Spirituality and business do not

INTUITION EVERYWHERE

WILD magazine and the Women

44

entrepreneurs to make capitol out

52 how does it affect the success of

successful agency UBA.

8

HILARY DECESARE

a path to a new way of fulfillment.

to help out.

introduction. As the publisher of

Kortney is the key to so many

decided to take a step back and offer

by UX and AI. She’s perfectly placed

22

80

liftestyle ... how does she do it? y and discarding that don’t serve her inner soul. She’s not alone.

58

Terri Britt, former Miss USA,

BOBBI VARGAS

spiritual coach, TEDx speaker,

Bobbi Vargas and her brand Bodela

Enlightened Mom,” is the

are an inspiration. We talk to this beauty educator, speaker and maven.

award-winning author of “The founder of the Women Leaders of Love global movement.

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Where Health & Beauty & Meet • www.bodela.com • @bodela • info@bodela.com

CONTENTS

60

56

42

JULIE DUCHARME

ARCHANA REDDY

Since earning her MBA and

70

SOPHIE ZOLLMANN

Doctorate degrees in business

MICHALE GABRIEL

intuitive transformational facilitator

A cohesive team is often more

Julie has become a five-time

“The two most important days in

spiritual seeker and eternal student

efficient than multiple individuals

national best-selling author,

your life are the day you are born …

working in silos, says growth expert

recognized by INC magazine.

and the day you find out why,” says

and organizational leadership,

Sophie Zollman in our feature article

Michale Gabriel, who guides her

All For One.

clients to discover their purpose.

36 HANALEI SWAN Hanalei Swan, fashion designer, artist, international speaker,

72

BARBIE LAYTON

Trailblazers in forging healthy

BEATE NIMSKY

Amazing’ on The Best You TV, and

relationships, Anna Nowak and Alicia Berg, are showing us how to have a better relationship with sex.

manager, and current life coach,

92 DIANA WENTWORTH Diana Wentworth, Founder of Inside

Patti Negri, psychic medium, “Good

author of seven best-selling and

exercises to help you get back in

you are, author, former business

Host of the TV channel, ‘You Are co-founder of ‘The Infinity Life’, Barbie Layton has devoted her career to helping others literally fall in love with themselves.

you: are you happy?

PATTI NEGRI

balancing and some easy elemental

No matter how successful you think

Beate Nimsky, has a question for

Edge Foundation for Education,

host, shares the benefits of energy

unleash your great potential

ANNA NOWAK & ALICIA BERG

entrepreneurial family. We talk

Witch,” podcaster, author, and TV

who aims to help, empower, and

88

traveling the world with her

90

of Embody Your Mastery™ is a

66

author, and model, grew up

to her about living in the now.

Archana Reddy, the founder, and

international keynote speaker, award-winning books, and co-author of two Chicken Soup for the Soul titles, shares the power of what it means to be drawn rather than driven.

18 12 CUSTOM COLLAB UBA and Deviate Agency have announced a partnership to provide dynamic and infallible digital branding solutions to clients.

EVENT HORIZON Women Gone Wild: Feminine Guide to Fearless Living Wealth Edition is partnering with She Talks and Combat Boots To High Heels to host a gala event at Huntingdon Beach.

Party!

good psychic shape.

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NETWORK NEWS

Dreams Gone Wild UNSTOPPABLE BRANDING AGENCY’S RHONDA SWAN & DEVIATE AGENCY’S JONAS MUTHONI FORM AN ALLIANCE THAT BREAKS BOUNDARIES ONLINE AND IN PRINT.

UNSTOPPABLE Branding Agency (UBA), a top

professional growth is especially timely, as

geared towards women’s empowerment. The

PR and branding firm, and Deviate Agency,

many women are looking for guidance and

partnership and the magazine are expected

a leading digital marketing company, have

support as they navigate the challenges of a

to make a significant impact in the marketing

announced a partnership to provide dynamic

changing world.

and PR industries, as well as the personal and

and infallible digital branding solutions to

professional growth of women around the

clients. This partnership marks the first time

WILD Mag’s commitment to authenticity

these two sectors have merged to create an

and inclusivity is one of the things that sets

unbeatable force in the digital branding world.

it apart from other publications. Rhonda

Another key feature of WILD Mag is its focus

and Jonas have made it clear that they want

on practical advice and actionable insights.

The partnership is expected to create a ripple

the magazine to be a space where all women

Rhonda, the founder of the best-selling book

effect in the digital marketing and branding

can feel seen, heard, and valued. They have

series “Women Gone Wild”, is no stranger

industry, as both companies have a wealth of

enlisted a diverse group of contributors to

to empowering women to achieve their

experience and expertise in their respective

ensure that the magazine represents a wide

goals. With her expertise in branding and

fields. Clients can expect a more personalized

range of perspectives and experiences. This

marketing, she has helped countless women

approach, as both firms will work together to

commitment to diversity and inclusivity allows

entrepreneurs build successful businesses

create a strategy that best fits their brand and

women from all walks of life to feel that they

and establish themselves as leaders in their

overall goal.

are part of a community that supports and

respective industries. Jonas, on the other

uplifts them.

hand, brings his extensive knowledge of

The founder of Deviate Agency, Jonas

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world.

digital marketing to the table, ensuring that

Muthoni, and the founder of UBA, Rhonda

The partnership between UBA and Deviate

the magazine is not only informative but also

Swan, have also joined forces to create WILD

Agency, along with the launch of WILD Mag,

visually engaging and accessible to a wide

Mag, a magazine that celebrates women and

is a testament to the power of collaboration

audience.

their achievements while also providing

and empowerment. Entrepreneurs Rhonda

valuable insights and advice for women who

Swan and Jonas Muthoni have put in the

The launch of WILD Mag comes at a time

are looking to take their lives to the next

effort to uplift each other and collaboratively

when women are facing unprecedented

level. The magazine’s focus on personal and

come up with methods and solutions that are

challenges in both their personal and

WILD THINGS: JONAS AND RHONDA, TIMES SQUARE NYC

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NETWORK NEWS

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: WILD MAG, ISSUE 1; WILDMAG.COM; JONAS AND RHONDA AT NASDAQ; ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER PODCAST

professional lives. The COVID-19 pandemic has

inspiration, guidance, and support they need to

women’s empowerment space. As Rhonda and

disproportionately affected women, with many

become the best version of themselves.”

Jonas continue to build the magazine and its

having to juggle work, childcare, and other

community of readers, they remain committed to

responsibilities without adequate support. In

Jonas echoes this sentiment, adding that he sees

their mission of helping women thrive in every

addition, women continue to face discrimination

WILD Mag as a way to create a community of

aspect of their lives.

and harassment in the workplace, as well as

women who can learn from and support each

societal pressures to conform to narrow standards

other. “We want to build a space where women

“This is just the beginning,” says Rhonda. “We

of beauty and behavior.

can come together to share their experiences and

have big plans for WILD Mag, and we’re excited to

help each other grow,” he says. “There’s so much

see where this journey takes us.”

power in that kind of community.”

As the worlds of PR, marketing, and digital

Despite these challenges, Rhonda and Jonas remain optimistic about the future of women’s

branding continue to merge, and entrepreneurs

empowerment. They believe that by providing

The launch of WILD Mag has been met with

like Rhonda and Jonas continue to pave the way

women with the tools and resources they need

enthusiasm from women across the world. The

for women’s empowerment, it’s clear that the

to succeed, they can help create a world where

magazine’s social media pages have already

future is bright for women everywhere. With the

women are valued and respected for who they are

amassed a large following, with many women

right tools, resources, and community, women

and what they contribute.

sharing their excitement about the magazine’s

can achieve anything they set their minds to – and

launch and what it represents.

WILD Mag is here to help them do just that.

women achieve their dreams,” says Rhonda.

With its focus on empowering women and

www.wildmag.com

“With WILD Mag, we’re taking that mission to the

celebrating their achievements, WILD Mag

next level. We want to provide women with the

is poised to become a major player in the

“I’ve always been passionate about helping

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15

WE ARE THE ROBIN TO YOUR BATMAN LEVERAGE OUR MARKETING EXPERTISE

YOUR BRAND + DEVIATE

MORE MONEY

IN YOUR POCKET

PR

SEO

Contact us for a FREE consultation Phone: 949-787-4020 Website: www.deviateagency.com

NETWORK NEWS

READY, SET, GO WOMEN GONE WILD: WEALTH EDITION BOOK LAUNCH IS PARTNERING WITH SHE TALKS & COMBAT BOOTS TO HIGH HEELS FOR A RED-CARPET EXTRAVAGANZA IN HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA.

FEARLESS AS EVER

WOMEN empowerment has been a central topic

The book launch event will take place on June

with a focus on the meaning of W.I.L.D – Wealth,

in today’s world, and Rhonda Swan is putting

17th at Barnes and Noble in Huntington Beach,

Intuition, Leadership, and Diversity. This powerful

together an event that is set to empower women in

Orange County, Southern California. The red-

book involves 25 female authors from all walks

a big way.

carpet event will feature a host of high-profile

of life, and their stories reflect a wide range

female figures, celebrities, renowned authors,

of backgrounds, experiences, and challenges.

Swan is an entrepreneur and author who is

and inspirational speakers. There will be book

Together, they create a powerful message of

launching the “Wildest” book launch of the year.

signings, entertainment from American Idol’s

resilience, empowerment, and hope.

The Women Gone Wild: Feminine Guide to Fearless

Jessica Meuse, and much more.

Living Wealth Edition is partnering with She Talks

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The 25 authors are Rhonda Swan, Diana

and Combat Boots To High Heels, a non-profit

Women Gone Wild: Feminine Guide to Fearless

Wentworth, Jamie Anderson, Danette May,

that supports women veterans. This partnership is

Living Wealth Edition is about re-defining wealth

Danelle Delgado, Adriana Alvarez, Hanalei Swan,

meant to empower and inspire women by offering

and encouraging women to build their own

Camberly Gilmartin, April Ryan, Michelle Beltran,

a platform for women to share their stories and

financial success. The book offers insights and

Kortney Murray, Stefanie Bruns, Blair Kaplan

knowledge.

strategies for wealth creation and management,

Venables, Ania Halama, Karen Whelan, Tarryn

JUNE 17TH AT BARNES & NOBLE BOOK SIGNING: 10:00AM-1:00PM RED CARPET EVENT: 3:30PM-8:30PM 6501 PALM AVE, HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA 92648 TheHuntingtonClub.com

CELEBRITY SPEAKER LINEUP

SPEAKERS:

S H A R O N L E C H T E R - W E A LT H | D I A N A W E N T W O R T H - I N T U I T I O N | J U S T I N E S I E G A L - L E A D E R S H I P D R . K A M I N S A M U E L - D I V E R S I T Y | D R . J E N W E LT E R

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NETWORK NEWS

SHE TALKS, THEY LISTEN.

Reeves, Dana Kay, Ebony Swank, Barbie Layton,

“If you want to rub shoulders with the leaders in

2015 preseason, making her the first female

Genevieve Searle, Shar Moore, Michale Gabriel,

women enrichment and be inspired and network

coaching intern in the NFL. Swan says, ‘’Their

and Robin Mullin.

and grow, this is where you need to be.”

powerful voices among the other incredible speakers will ensure our mission is cemented –

Swan explains why Women Gone Wild partnered

Furthermore, the Women Gone Wild and She Talks

with She Talks for their upcoming book launch

event on June 17th will feature 20 female speakers

extravaganza. “It’s an important collaboration

who will share their experiences and expertise

If you’re attending the book launch you can meet

and partnership. We want to break down gender

on topics related to the WILD definition. The

the authors, and have your book signed. There’s

barriers and promote and empower women,” she

speakers will inspire the masses with topics such

an opportunity to get glam and walk the red

says. Using powerful voices at the event such as

as wealth creation and management, intuition,

carpet, network, meet and greet, enjoy delicious

Sharon Lechter, author, and businesswoman, and

leadership, and diversity.

appetisers and drinks and of course enjoy top

Diana Wentworth, author of seven best-selling

class entertainment.

and award-winning books and the co-author of

Among the speakers, Justine Siegal, an American

two Chicken Soup for the Soul titles. Film rights to

baseball coach, sports educator, and the founder

www.shetalks.life

her romantic memoir, Send Me Someone, were

of Baseball For All. In 2009, she became the first

www.cbhh.org

purchased by the Lifetime Network.

female coach of a professional men’s baseball

www.wgwbook.com

team, when she worked for the Brockton Rox, in The partnership between Women Gone Wild

the independent Canadian American Association

and She Talks highlights the importance of

of Professional Baseball.

empowering women to take command of

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which is to uplift women everywhere. ‘’

what they want out of life and redefine what

Jen Welter, an American football coach who

wealth means to them. Attendees will have the

is currently line backers coach for the Vegas

opportunity to network with other women, gain

Vipers of the XFL. She was a defensive coaching

valuable insights, and become more empowered

intern for the National Football League’s Arizona

in their financial decision-making. Swan says,

Cardinals during their training camp and the

JUNE 17TH AT BARNES & NOBLE BOOK SIGNING: 10:00AM-1:00PM RED CARPET EVENT: 3:30PM-8:30PM 6501 PALM AVE, HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA 92648 TheHuntingtonClub.com SHETALKS SPEAKER LINEUP

SPEAKERS:

ABIGAIL DUCHARME | IRINA SYCHOV | LUBA SAKHARUK | SHELBY JO LONG | GRACE GREENE | ANDREA BELL CO R Y F I S K | D R . KA R E N WA L K E R | D R . J U L I E D U C H A R M E | M E L I S S A A . WA S H I N GTO N

FEATURE

IT’S BEEN QUITE THE YEAR FOR RHONDA SWAN AS SHE CONTINUES HER JOURNEY BOTH PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY …

BY NIGEL SIMMONDS

PHOTOS BY OSCAR MUNAR

22

RHONDA, it’s been a minute since we caught up.

with She Talks and a charity called Combat Boots

and restructuring their brand to invest in bigger

How have you been?

to High Heels that supports women veterans with

PR opportunities. We were able to help businesses

the highest suicide rate in the world. I’m thrilled

leverage the online space in a bigger way. While

I’ve been amazing, thanks! We’ve been on a wild

to be able to create a bigger impact in women’s

there were shifts in the economy, interest rates,

and crazy path of growth, with a lot of ups and

lives and show others that they have a strong

and inflation, we didn’t see much of an impact in

downs. We kicked off 2023 with a family trip to

voice. Partnering with amazing charities and

our business. However, we did notice that some

Japan for snowboarding, then headed back to the

other women doing incredible things allows us

clients started to pull back in certain areas such as

USA. We went to LA and New York for filming

to change the way women work together and for

PR. To counteract this, we shifted our message and

some television shows, opened our new office in

me to be a stronger role model for my daughter.

focused on educating clients on the importance

Orange County, solidified my new partnership, and

Even though things may not always go as planned,

of building their online presence. We emphasized

traveled to Florida, Michigan, and Atlanta to be

they will find their way, just like water finding the

that if they didn’t invest in their online footprint,

showcased on the new TV show called “American

easiest path. That’s how we’re starting to flow.

they risked being left in the dark because everyone

SESH” with Pinkie Cole. We also went back to Bali

else was shifting online. Our strategy of education How’s the family?

over selling ultimately benefited us in a major way.

weeks, changing every two to three days because

Our family is doing great, thank you for asking.

What new services or offerings has your agency

the villa isn’t ready yet, and the island is full.

We have been closer than ever, especially since my

developed recently, and how have they been

This is nothing new for the Unstoppable Family

daughter Hanalei bought her first property. As part

received by your clients?

because we traveled like this for about eight full

of our Unstoppable Family values, we are teaching

years, maybe not moving every two to three days,

her practical skills as she grows. She has been

Our agency has been focusing on Google

but typically every two to three weeks or months.

homeschooled for the past six years and started

verification, which means ensuring that our clients

her first fashion company at the age of 11, making

are seen as experts when they or their company

What are some of the biggest personal challenges

her first six figures at 12. When she decided to take

are searched for online. We achieve this through

you’ve faced in your life over the past year, and

a break from fashion and focus on her artwork and

the creation of Google Knowledge Panels, which

how have you overcome them?

writing, we used the money she earned to invest

we call GKPs. While having a blue tick on social

to start building our new villa. However, we have been in different hotels for the last four and a half

in real estate for her. Now, at the age of 16, she is

media is fun, being verified by Google is essential

Some of the biggest challenges that I’ve faced

building her first studio apartment and learning

as it’s the number one search engine in the world,

over the last year have been pretty intense. In

about property development, real estate, rentals,

and where people go to find information. Our

2022, we launched our book “Women Gone Wild”

and Airbnb. The pandemic was a blessing for

clients have responded well to this service, and

and went on a massive book tour in New York,

us, as it allowed us to reflect on our values and

we’ve shifted our payment structure from higher

Vegas, and LA. During the tour, we found out that

what we wanted in life. We are grateful for the

upfront fees to a monthly retainer, making it more

the book was not written properly with the right

growth and lessons we have learned throughout

manageable for clients who may have experienced

guidelines from our publisher. We had to pull

the challenges we faced. Ultimately, our family’s

lower sales throughout the year. Overall, we are

the book in the middle of the tour and rewrite it

happiness and growth together are what matter

pleased with the success of this new offering.

before relaunching it this year. Scaling a business

most to us.

How do you help clients develop and

and being authentic to the world can bring a lot of unexpected challenges, and I had to clear

How did the pandemic affect your business, and

communicate their brand story? What’s different

out people who weren’t serving my purpose and

what strategies have you implemented to adapt

about the way your company does that?

supporting my efforts. It was a tough year for my

to the changing market conditions?

business, but I believe that stepping back allowed

The more people are talking about you, and the

me to step back in even stronger. Now, the book

During the pandemic, our business was not

more people are seeing you, the more they decide

is written with CMS guidelines and is available

significantly affected because we were already

that you are the right one. So I use the example

in bookstores worldwide, including Barnes and

fully online as a PR and branding firm. In

that branding and personal branding, when you

Noble, Target, and Walmart. We’re excited to go on

fact, the pandemic made people realize the

are selling for yourself, or for your company, is like

our next book tour in Orange County, partnering

importance of showcasing their business online

you standing in Times Square with a megaphone

23

FEATURE

saying ‘Look how great I am!’ What we do in our

How do you stay up-to-date with the latest

Looking ahead to the future, what are your goals

agency and how we help clients achieve higher

trends and developments in branding and

for Unstoppable Branding Agency, and how do

visibility and more brand credibility is we place

marketing, and what resources do you rely on for

you see the branding and marketing industry

them in top tier publications. And it’s as if there

inspiration?

evolving in the coming years?

standing in Times Square, saying that business

I keep myself up to date by closely monitoring

I believe that the branding, online PR, and digital

or that brand is credible. It’s a whole different

the marketplace and staying attentive to the latest

marketing industries will continue to grow and

perspective. And a third party is validating your

trending strategies. However, I also make sure to

evolve, but not necessarily in the social media

business, your services. That’s what we do best

learn from the pioneers of copywriting, marketing,

space. Instead, I think there will be new platforms

– we help someone else tell the story about the

and branding because these are the principles

and apps emerging for sharing messages. However,

brand, so that there’s not only more consistency,

that endure in the long run. While there are many

the most important aspect of digital marketing will

but they’re being seen or heard in a different way.

fleeting tactics that people can use, focusing on

always be on Google, where businesses need to

When someone recommends or refers someone

the fundamentals such as consistent storytelling,

fully understand their clients and their problems,

to you, you take that with a lot more trust than if

SEO, paid advertising, and PR is what will never go

and create high-quality, keyword-rich SEO content

you’re just searching for yourself.

out of style. We always keep an eye on emerging

to be seen as experts in their field.

is, for example, a Forbes magazine representative

trends in the marketplace, analyze where the What new collaborations have you made, and

buying power lies, and pay attention to what

As for Unstoppable Branding Agency, our goal

how do you see the online marketing space

people are discussing, so that we can share these

is to continue helping our clients achieve their

developing over the next 24 months?

insights through our magazines and stay ahead of

branding and marketing objectives, while staying

the curve.

ahead of the trends in the industry. We will

I recently partnered with Jonas Muthoni, CEO of

continue to prioritize understanding our clients’

Deviate Agency, to create a new company called

What advice do you have for entrepreneurs and

needs and using data-driven strategies to achieve

Be Unstoppable. This collaboration allows us to

business owners who are struggling to establish

their goals. We also hope to expand our reach

provide the best in PR, SEO, and paid advertising

a clear and effective brand identity, and how

and impact by working with more clients and

to our clients. By combining our expertise, we

does that relate to your own story of overcoming

partnering with other businesses in the industry.

can help our clients increase their visibility and

challenges and seeking new depth in business?

As I always say, if you’re going to create a brand,

organic traffic while reducing their ad spend.

create a sexy brand, be unstoppable and always

Additionally, we launched Wild Magazine, which

My advice to people is to get very clear on the one

is now available in both print and digital formats.

client or customer that you can help the most. If

(www.wildmag.com). Thanks to Jonas’ software

you know your target market, then you will know

www.rhondaswan.com

development skills and his company’s strength,

exactly what they look for and what problems they

www.unstoppablebrandingagency.com

the magazine was recognized by Google as a news

have. I use the awareness scale to identify where

source within eight months of its launch. This

our clients are in their business journey. Many

recognition has allowed us to compete with top

businesses tend to want to help everyone, but

publications worldwide. We are continuously

they miss the point of understanding where their

working to tell more stories, including a new

client is in their awareness scale. Are they aware

section for men similar to Forbes Women. Looking

they have a problem and looking for a solution,

ahead, I believe the online marketing space will

or are they not even aware they have a problem?

continue to evolve rapidly over the next 24 months,

We need to create that need for our clients and

with a focus on personalization and creating

make them aware of what they do and how they

unique customer experiences.

can help them. In reality, clients need to see you as credible and as a solution to their problem. So, we focus on identifying where our clients are in their awareness scale and tailor our message and marketing strategies based on that.

24

stay wild.

AGENT OF BRANDING

25

FEATURE

Philosopher

SCIENTIST REENA MERCHANT HAS MASTERED THE PERFECT COMBINATION OF LOGIC AND CREATIVITY TO GUIDE US THROUGH A FUTURESCAPE THAT WILL DESPERATELY NEED BOTH.

BY NIGEL SIMMONDS

TO be described as a paradox used to be a negative. “A person having qualities that appear to be opposites,” goes the dictionary definition.

It denotes an unreconciled confusion, like an incomplete puzzle.

Except in today’s world – and more importantly tomorrow’s – these are exactly the type of qualities that will dominate: traits that bring together two opposing forces of logic and creativity.

Think about AI and its role in our future. Generative tech will soon dominate the online landscape – creating content, building websites, handling and delivering information at will. Pundits say this will lead to a homogenization of the online space, creating a meta world that will operate entirely under its own AI thinking.

A world where tech makes all the decisions, all the content and all the imagery to create a living virtual space in which humans will engage.

And that’s what has a lot of people worried – where exactly do oxygenbreathing mammals like us fit in? Who will handle this tricky marriage of artifice and human experience?

It will likely be people like Reena Merchant.

PHOTOS: MARK FORE PHOTOGRAPHY

26

LEFT BRAIN, RIGHT BRAIN

27

FEATURE

MERCHANT-DIZING

28

“There simply aren’t as many women in tech. And because of the cultural fabric, we are often expected to behave in a certain way.”

The Great Adventure

discovered UX – the science of adapting tech’s user experience

Reena Merchant is a product of two worlds. Born and raised in

to be of ultimate benefit to people’s lives. She joined Blackberry,

Toronto, Canada, she hails from a family of Indian descent. A

then Citrix and Sony PlayStation, and then Google, where today

clever kid with a talent for academic study, in Grade 9 she left

she runs a User Experience team for YouTube.

the comfort of her Canadian education and on the advice of her parents moved with her grandmother to India.

“I enjoy UX because it’s the perfect way of combining logical thinking and problem-solving with my artistic and creative side.

“I was really shy. I was an introvert, with a lot of focus on normal

And when it comes to user experience design, it’s so much about

things – you go to school, do well in your studies. And then all

creating great products for humans. That’s something that’s

of a sudden, I was put in this situation where I was going to be

really important to me.”

in a completely different country. And although I was somewhat familiar with Indian culture and language, living there full time

Is It Still A Man’s World?

was very new to me.”

Reena rose through a tech industry dominated by men, another challenge. “There simply aren’t as many women in tech. And

It was her Great Adventure. “It was a big journey of me pushing

because of the cultural fabric, we are often expected to behave in

myself out of my comfort zone and coming out of the shell that

a certain way. Women are often expected to be a louder voice and

I had grown into. I needed to make sense of the world and figure

presence that doesn’t necessarily lean on intuition. And I have

out how to do well in this new environment, how to make

found that whenever I’ve tried to become that person, I have

friends and how to be more social. It was a really great

missed out on the intuitive part within me.”

experience, if challenging.”

Reena started to look inwards and began to engage with her The experience shaped her, but she soon had to do it all over

intuition in order to further reconcile her inward and outward

again. “I came back three years later and had to reintegrate.

selves. Life helped her along.

There was a cultural shock all over again Although I’m Canadian and familiar with that culture, I had no idea what high school

“In 2015, I went through a lot of personal change in my life, and

was going to be like. I had no friends, I didn’t know anyone

to help manage the stress, I started meditating. That allowed

because I had gone to India for the past few years.”

me to give myself permission to quiet all of the chaos inside me.

I learned that when I was quiet there was another little voice

It wasn’t the last time she would feel out of place.

within me that I usually wasn’t hearing, but oh my goodness, I could hear it now. And through that I learned that my intuition is

Dance Little Sister

always there. It’s just that many times I’m not tapping into it.”

As a child, Reena considered being either a lawyer like her mother, or a ballerina. It perfectly describes her dichotomy and

Learning how to hear her intuition put Reena in better alignment

the two sides of her personality. Her paradox. On the one hand,

with her authentic self. “It’s been a lot of learning to have the

a bright spark in the field of computer science, where she would

courage to say, ‘No, I don’t need to show up in this industry as

eventually end up applying her logical brain to master code, and

women are often expected to. It doesn’t need to be like that. It

on the other a gentle and inquiring creative that sought to deal

can be my own flavour of leadership. It’s about learning how to

with an inherent sensitivity to the world around her.

coexist in this diverse industry. I’m constantly in boardrooms

At first, she struggled to marry the two sides, but then she

with people who aren’t like me.”

29

FEATURE

“It may seem obvious,” says Reena, “but the biggest lesson I’ve learned over the years is that you should never try to be someone you’re not.”

Just Be Yourself

There are dangers ahead too, she says.

“It may seem obvious,” says Reena, “but the biggest lesson I’ve learned over the years is that you should never try to be

“I’m embarking on a lot of research around AI as part of my role.

someone you’re not. When working in an industry where success

I’m personally very passionate about ensuring that we adopt

is frequently defined in masculine terms, it can be easy to

and utilize AI responsibly. Though AI has been used for years

start believing you need to ‘become’ that in order to succeed,”

in the tech industry to create products that are intelligently and

she says.

intuitively tailored to user needs, the growth of Generative AI specifically opens up a plethora of trust, safety, and authenticity

In addition to her high-powered tech career, in which she

related considerations throughout tech. Especially as a UX

leads a team at Google, today she is an author, podcaster, and

professional, my role is to ensure that technology is human-

mindfulness coach via OurVoice, her community organization

centric, and I think it’s important that all of us in tech, and

aimed at fostering self-confidence and authenticity. Inner work

especially in UX, more than ever spend time to establish the right

has helped Reena to stay calm and centered no matter what is

principles and guardrails that can keep us innovating with AI,

happening around her. “It has helped me hear my own voice and

but in a responsible way.”

tap into my intuition. All of this has helped me become more confident in myself and my decisions. I think it’s kind of a life-

Reena Merchant is well positioned to lead the way.

long journey. There is this platform [OurVoice] through which my hope is to bring others resources, but I am on this journey too so

“I have a deep love, appreciation and gratitude for life overall,”

I’m growing as I go.”

she says. “I am on a continual journey to cultivate this from within, rather than having my love for life be dependent on

Bring It All Together

external things. If I love life no matter what’s happening around

The world of user experience is going to be central to how we

me, then I am grateful for each and every day, and excited for the

exist in the future, says Reena. “On one hand, the field of user

experiences life will bring me.

experience is a high ‘human touch field’ and I believe will always require the hands-on expertise of UX designers, researchers,

“I thoroughly love what I do. I deeply enjoy my role as a user

prototypers, and writers to develop great products. However,

experience professional – bringing meaning to human lives

I do think AI is quickly changing the landscape of tools and

through tech is something that gratifies me. This deep love keeps

methodologies available to UX professionals. The possibilities

me going every day, even when the going gets tough.”

are endless. AI could revolutionize the way we brainstorm, ideate, conduct design sprints, collaborate, generate designs, or even conduct research. I think there is a lot of opportunity for AI not only to streamline the UX process, but also to amplify it by putting more generative capabilities at the hands of UX professionals.”

30

www.reenamerchant.com

JUST BE YOURSELF

31

INTUITION

YOUR FEMALE INTUITION IS A POWERFUL TOOL EXCLUSIVE TO YOU. MAKE SURE YOU USE IT TO STAY AHEAD OF THE GAME.

BY NIGELLA LORSON HAVE you ever had a gut feeling or inner

intuition, we can pursue careers that align

It’s also important to acknowledge

voice that guided you in your decision-

with our passions and strengths, rather

that intuition can be influenced by our

making process? That’s your intuition at

than being limited by societal norms.

emotions and biases. For example, we may

work! As women, we often undervalue

Using our intuition can also help us

be more likely to trust our intuition when

this powerful tool, but by tapping into our

navigate difficult situations, such as

we are feeling confident or optimistic, and

intuition, we can achieve great success in

negotiating a salary or dealing with a

less likely to trust it when we are feeling

our personal and professional lives.

challenging boss. By reading between

anxious or insecure. It’s important to be

the lines and picking up on subtle cues,

aware of these biases and to approach

So, what exactly is intuition? It’s not some

women who trust their intuition can

decision-making with a clear and open

mysterious ability that only a few possess.

navigate these situations more effectively.

mind.

processing and synthesizing vast amounts

Of course, intuition isn’t a substitute for

In addition to mindfulness, there are other

of information beyond our conscious

critical thinking or rational decision-

practices that can help women develop

awareness. It’s the reason we often feel a

making. It’s important to balance intuition

their intuition. Meditation, journaling,

“gut feeling” or “inner voice” when making

with logic and reason to make the best

and creative pursuits such as painting or

decisions.

decisions possible.

writing can all help us tap into our inner

In today’s fast-paced world, where we are

Use It Wisely

constantly bombarded with information

Many successful women credit their

and faced with numerous decisions, the

intuition for leading them down the

When it comes to using intuition in the

ability to make quick and accurate choices

right path. Oprah Winfrey, for example,

workplace, it’s important to remember

is essential. By trusting our intuition, we

has spoken about how she has used her

that it can be a valuable asset, but it’s

can tap into our inner guidance system

intuition to make decisions throughout

not a substitute for hard work and

and make decisions that align with our

her career. She once said, “I’ve trusted the

perseverance. Women who have achieved

values and goals.

still, small voice of intuition my entire life.

great success through intuition have also

And the only time I’ve made mistakes is

put in the time and effort to hone their

when I didn’t listen.”

skills and develop their knowledge.

mindfulness. Practicing mindfulness

Another way to develop intuition is

Intuition is a powerful tool that women

helps us tune out external distractions and

by paying attention to our physical

can use to achieve success in all areas of

focus on our inner voice, making it easier

sensations. When we are faced with a

their lives. By developing our intuition

to make decisions based on our instincts

decision, our bodies often give us physical

and learning to trust our inner voice,

and gut feelings, rather than being swayed

cues that can help guide us. For example,

we can make better decisions, pursue

by external pressures or societal norms.

we may feel a sense of tightness in our

our passions, and navigate challenging

chest or a knot in our stomach when

situations more effectively. It’s time to

When it comes to career decisions,

something doesn’t feel right. Conversely,

embrace our intuition and let it guide us

women often feel pressure to conform

we may feel a sense of lightness or ease

on the path to success!

to traditional roles, such as teaching

when we are making a decision that aligns

or nursing. However, by trusting our

with our values and goals.

In fact, intuition is the result of our brain

voice and develop a deeper understanding

Developing Intuition

of ourselves.

One way to develop intuition is through

32

ILLUSTRATION: ADI MIKA POWER PLAYS. 33

INTUITION

ILLUSTRATION: ADI MIKA

34

Intuition: What is it?

THE word “intuition” comes from

means of accessing deeper levels of

or stressed, we may be more likely to

the Latin word “intuitio,” which

consciousness and understanding.

interpret a situation negatively and

means “looking at, considering, or

trust our intuition that something is

contemplating.” The term was first

Today, the concept of intuition is

wrong, even if the evidence suggests

used in the English language in the

widely used and studied in fields such

otherwise.

late 16th century and originally

as psychology, neuroscience, and

referred to a type of direct perception

business. Research has shown that

Additionally, research has shown that

or insight that was thought to be a gift

intuition is related to our unconscious

people who are more in tune with

from the divine.

mind and is often driven by our past

their emotions and more self-aware

experiences and knowledge. Our

tend to have stronger intuition. This is

The concept of intuition has been

brain processes information and

likely because they are more attuned

studied and discussed in various

makes connections subconsciously,

to their own internal signals and more

cultures and philosophical traditions

and intuition is thought to be a result

able to recognize when their intuition

throughout history. For example,

of this process. In other words, our

is guiding them.

in ancient Greece, the philosopher

intuition is based on patterns that our

Plato wrote about the concept of

brain has learned over time, and it’s

While there is still much that we don’t

“anamnesis”, which refers to the idea

able to recognize those patterns even

fully understand about intuition,

that knowledge is innate and that we

when we aren’t consciously aware of

the science suggests that it is a real

can access it through introspection

them.

and powerful phenomenon. By

and contemplation.

paying attention to our physical Studies have also shown that intuition

sensations, our emotions, and our

In Eastern philosophy, the concept

is closely linked to our emotions.

past experiences, we can learn to

of intuition is often associated

Our emotions can influence our

develop and trust our intuition, which

with mindfulness and meditation

intuition by shaping the way we

ultimately helps us make better

practices. In Hinduism and Buddhism,

perceive and interpret information.

decisions to achieve greater success.

for example, intuition is seen as a

For example, if we are feeling anxious

These women celebrated their intuition in business...

Sara Blakely

to a news site that covered politics and current events.

Sara Blakely is the founder of Spanx, a wildly successful

She trusted her intuition that there was a demand for a

shapewear company. Blakely has spoken publicly about

more substantive news source and made the shift,

how she used her intuition to develop the Spanx product.

which ultimately led to the site’s success.

She noticed that there was a gap in the market for comfortable and flattering shapewear and trusted her gut

Sheryl Sandberg

feeling that there was a demand for such a product. She

Sheryl Sandberg is the COO of Facebook and author of

launched Spanx with a small initial investment and went

the best-selling book, “Lean In.” Sandberg has spoken

on to build a multi-billion dollar company.

about how she uses her intuition to make decisions in the workplace. She believes that women often undervalue

Arianna Huffington

their intuition and should trust their instincts when

Arianna Huffington is the founder of the Huffington Post,

making tough decisions. Sandberg has also spoken about

the popular online news site. Huffington has spoken

how she used her intuition to identify the potential of

about how she used her intuition to pivot the focus of the

Facebook when she first met Mark Zuckerberg.

Huffington Post from a celebrity-focused blog

35

IN THE NOW

PRESENT TENSE

BY TARRYN REEVES

HANALEI BY FIKRI HALIM

36

WHEN we are growing up, how often are we

to be now?” This subtle shift allows them (and you)

asked what we want to be when we grow up? The

permission to explore their passions with curiosity

intention behind this age-old question is well-

instead of expectation while instilling confidence

meaning, but the sentiment behind its answer

in their abilities right here and now. In addition, it

leaves something to be desired. Instead of setting

grants us permission to make mistakes without fear of

children on a track for success in some far-off future,

failure because those mistakes are part of what makes

what if we asked them something different? What

life meaningful. Seeing your child take risks with

if we asked them what they want to be now?

enthusiasm is much more fruitful than seeing them cower under pressure – for both parent and child alike!

Hanalei Swan, fashion designer, artist, international speaker, author, and model, grew up traveling the

It is important to give kids permission to dream,

world with her entrepreneurial family. She will never

explore, and make mistakes without worrying about

forget the moment when, at the age of seven, her

getting them right all the time. We must remind

mother asked her, “Hanalei, what do you want to be

them that there is no one definitive path to success

now?” It was a moment that undoubtedly changed the

and that they should not feel pressured into taking

trajectory of Hanalei Swan‘s life. She shares the power

a certain direction just because it appears to be the

of asking the question: “What do you want to be now?”

expected route. Instead of asking them what they want to be when they grow up, let’s encourage them

The Importance of Living in the Moment

to start dreaming now, in the present moment.

In today’s world, getting lost in the future can be easy.

“I believe as kids, we are very open to so many

We plan our lives as though they have already occurred

possibilities and constantly want to try new things.

– we think about where we will be in five years, what

So when my Mom asked me what I wanted to be in

job we will have, who we will marry, etc. This kind of

that moment, it was like an affirmation to feel like

planning is important for ensuring our visions become

I could do something bigger right then and there

a reality. However, living only in the future can lead

rather than waiting for the future,” reflects Swan.

us to neglect the present moment and all that it offers – opportunities for growth and learning lessons.

Helping kids identify what they want now can help them develop a sense of self-awareness and confidence

The same goes for your children. When you ask them

that will carry over into adulthood. For example, if

what they want to be when they grow up, even if you

your child expresses an interest in sports or music,

don’t mean it this way, it implies that their current

encourage them by helping them find ways to pursue

pursuits don’t matter or are somehow less important

those interests today instead of waiting until some

than their future ones. It steers them away from

distant point in the future when “the time is right.”

pursuing their passions here and now and instead focuses on a distant goalpost that may never come

Living in the present moment doesn’t mean forgetting

true. This can make kids feel like failures before

about our aspirations for the future; rather, it allows

they even begin because the pressure of achieving

us an opportunity to enjoy life as it happens while

their ultimate dream can seem insurmountable.

also working towards our goals with gusto. Asking, “what do you want to be now?” instead of “what

The Answer is Asking Differently

do you want to be when you grow up?” encourages exploration without sacrificing ambition or success.

To combat this issue and allow kids (and yourselves)

So let’s permit ourselves today – no matter how young

the freedom to live in the moment without sacrificing

or old –to explore who we are now instead of waiting

ambition or success in the future, reframe the

until some far-off future date materializes!

question. Ask your children not “what do you want to be when you grow up?” but rather “what do you want

www.hanaleiswan.com

37

SPIRITUALITY

Goddess in the machine.

WOMEN AND SPIRITUALITY IN BUSINESS: AN EXPLORATION OF MEANING, PURPOSE, AND IMPACT.

BY ANDREW HALL

OPRAH BY ANNIE LEIBOVITZ

38

“SPIRITUALITY is not just about religion, it’s about having a sense of peace and purpose in your life,” says Oprah Winfrey, who perfectly captures the growing trend of female entrepreneurs incorporating spirituality into their businesses.

Meditation, visualization, and affirmations are just a few examples of spiritual practices that have become common tools for female entrepreneurs. These practices help reduce stress, increase focus and productivity, and create a positive and empowering mindset.

However, it’s important to be aware of potential pitfalls, such as being perceived as unprofessional or becoming too reliant on spiritual practices. Despite these risks, many women entrepreneurs have successfully incorporated spirituality into their businesses and found a greater sense of fulfillment and success.

In today’s world, entrepreneurship has become a popular career choice for many women. The ability to create and manage a business on their own terms, and to make an impact in the world has become increasingly important for women in business. For many women, the pursuit of success goes beyond just financial gain or career advancement. It’s about finding a deeper sense of meaning and purpose in their work and creating a positive impact on the world. This pursuit often leads women entrepreneurs to integrate spirituality into their businesses.

Oprah says: “The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success but on significance – and then even the small steps and little victories along your path will take on greater meaning.”

For many women, spirituality is an integral part of finding that significance and aligning their businesses with their personal values and purpose.

Spirituality can be defined as a belief in something greater than oneself, and a search for meaning and purpose in life. It encompasses a wide range of practices, including meditation, prayer, gratitude, and mindfulness. By incorporating these practices into their businesses, women entrepreneurs can align their work with their values and purpose and create a more meaningful impact.

Arianna Huffington, founder of Huffington Post, is one example of a woman who has successfully integrated spirituality into her business. In her book Thrive she writes about the importance of incorporating mindfulness and meditation into our lives and businesses. She says that by doing so, we can reduce stress and increase productivity, while also creating a more fulfilling life.

39

SPIRITUALITY

“Spirituality is not just about religion, it’s about having a sense of peace and purpose in your life.”

Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx, is another example of a successful

that life inevitably throws our way. Do we choose to grow or to

woman entrepreneur who has integrated spirituality into her

shrink? Do we choose to go within deep within our very soul

business. She has publicly discussed her spiritual practices, including

and spirit to source the wisdom and answers or stay stuck? It is

“gratitude journaling” and meditation. She says these practices

a very practical tool that one can use to navigate life, not just a

have helped her to stay grounded and focused on her purpose,

contemplation of life but how that contemplation reflects and

despite the challenges of running a multi-billion-dollar company.

translates into a meaningful life full of joy, purpose, and wisdom.”

However, incorporating spirituality into business also comes with

Archana speaks of the “Three Cs” of ethical/spiritual leadership,

its own set of challenges and potential pitfalls. One major concern

the first of which is compassion: “In the face of suffering – one’s

is that it can be seen as unprofessional or even inappropriate in

own or that of others – one can turn away or turn towards it

some industries. It’s important to strike a balance between being

and be a voice of compassion or a hand to uplift. It does not

authentic to your beliefs and maintaining a professional image.

always require bold steps but even a small gesture will do.

Another challenge is ensuring that your spiritual practices do

“In organizations, the need for results and bottom-line profits

not become a distraction from the day-to-day operations of your

sometimes does away with the need to see the humanity in a person

business. It’s important to find a balance between taking time for

or situation. There can be room for both humanity and results.”

self-care and ensuring that your business remains a top priority.

So, how can women entrepreneurs integrate spirituality into

true leader to lead by example, by virtue of acting in the

their businesses while still maintaining a professional image

right way, not taking the most convenient path.

and ensuring that their business remains a top priority?

“There are many instances or situations where it is easy to take path

Archana Reddy, the founder, and intuitive transformational

of least resistance yet what is really required is the path of courage.

facilitator of Embody Your Mastery™ is a spiritual seeker

To either speak the inconvenient truth or to stand up for what

and eternal student who aims to help, empower, and

is right or just. It takes conviction and courage to go against

unleash your great potential that hides under unwanted

the grain and give up one’s comfort to act in an ethical way.”

corporate burnouts, life transition, and limiting beliefs.

Competencies are not just hard skills but also the human skills – the

From a very young age, she grew up with a strong sense of

combination of the head and heart-based leadership that leads to

spirituality in the Hindu faith where philosophy and life practices

the greatest engagement and results. Archana says people want to

were part of her upbringing. Her grandfather was a Vedic scholar,

know they matter and that they are contributing to a greater mission

philanthropist, and co-founder of a sacred temple in South India.

and purpose; that they’re not just a cog in the corporate wheel.

For more than two decades alongside her work in the

While they might use slightly different phrasing, these women agree

corporate realm, she has worked with hundreds of healers

that you need to identify your core values and purpose to align

and more than a dozen coaches and helped a lot of

your business with your spirituality and create a more meaningful

people with “turning point moments” in their lives.

impact. Find a practice that works for you. It’s important to set

Archana says spirituality is an inside-out job.

“It’s how one handles every aspect of life especially challenges

40

Courage is next, Archana says, in the sense it takes a

boundaries around your spiritual practices to ensure that they do not become a distraction from your work. Set aside specific times for your practice and communicate these boundaries to your team.

ALL PRAISE THE SPREADSHEET. CREDIT: THE NEW YORK TIMES

41

SPIRITUALITY

TOP: MULTI-TASKING MINDSET. ABOVE: ARCHANA REDDY

42

“It’s how one handles every aspect of life, especially challenges that it inevitably throws your way.

Do we choose to grow or to shrink?”

Another important aspect of integrating spirituality into

business. Entrepreneurs need to find a balance between taking

business is understanding that it is a personal journey. Each

time for self-care and ensuring that their business remains a top

woman’s path to spirituality is unique, and it’s important to find

priority. Setting boundaries around spiritual practices can help

practices that resonate with you personally. Some may prefer

ensure that they do not interfere with work responsibilities.

to incorporate mindfulness meditation into their daily routine, while others may find comfort in prayer or gratitude journaling.

Despite such challenges, many women have successfully integrated spirituality into their businesses. Entrepreneur and

Jenna Brocious, creator of Positive Intention Prayer

author Gabby Bernstein, who has built a successful career

Cards, understands firsthand how essential spirituality

around teaching others about spirituality and personal growth,

is in both professional and private lives. But what

is a good example. Her books, workshops, and online courses

does spirituality, in this sense, even mean?

all incorporate spiritual practices, and she gives seminars

“Spirituality is knowing oneself,” she says. “Knowing oneself

about how spirituality has helped her in her own career.

more than others is a huge advantage in all aspects of life.

Another fearless spiritualist is entrepreneur and author

Finding your true purpose and following your desires is a

Marie Forleo, who has built a business around helping others

powerful move. Having clarity and intention will always lead

create successful businesses and lives. She speaks about the

you down the right path. Investing time in yourself allows

importance of spirituality in her own life and how it has helped

the truth of your heart and mind to show itself fully.”

her navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

Authenticity is key when it comes to integrating spirituality

She says spirituality can be a powerful tool for women

into your business. Be true to yourself and your beliefs, and

entrepreneurs to create a business that is aligned with their

don’t be afraid to share your journey with others. Seek support.

values and purpose. By finding a balance between spirituality

Find a community of like-minded individuals who can support

and professionalism, women can tap into their inner wisdom

you on your spiritual journey. This can be a mentor, coach,

and create a more fulfilling and successful business.

or group of peers who share your values and beliefs.

www.embodyyourmastery.com

There are, however, some potential challenges to integrating spirituality into business. One concern is that it can be seen as unprofessional in certain industries. For example, a financial institution may not be receptive to an employee who openly discusses their spiritual beliefs. In these cases, it’s important to strike a balance between being authentic to your beliefs and maintaining a professional image.

Another challenge is ensuring that spiritual practices do not become a distraction from the day-to-day operations of a

43

FEATURE

Team Swank

EBONY SWANK REFOCUSED AFTER A START-UP FAILURE TO BUILD AN 8-FIGURE INNOVATIVE FASHION BRAND CALLED SWANK A POSH.

BY ANDREW HALL

FAMILY FIRST

44

EBONY Swank’s path to success was far from

embrace their individuality and feel confident in

our offerings and ensuring that the fabrics

conventional. After dropping out of high

their own unique beauty.”

and designs we use to cater to the needs of real

school, she pursued various jobs until a chance encounter in her hair salon business sparked her entrepreneurial spirit. She discovered a door-todoor clothing seller and took it upon herself to locate the production source, but her first attempt at opening a store was unsuccessful.

Setbacks, pfft Her journey was not without setbacks. Ebony’s

It’s A Movement

first store, which was not profitable due to

Swank A Posh is not just any fashion brand – it is

mismanagement, poor cash handling, and a

a movement.

lack of understanding of her customers’ needs.

This experience was painful, she says, but she

store called Swank A Posh, which focused on

did not let it defeat her. Instead, she saw it as an

trendy jeans for girls. With her unwavering

opportunity to learn and grow, to rediscover the

determination, Ebony grew the business from

business principles that she knew and apply them

one store in Detroit to a staggering $40 million

to her next venture.

the fashion industry, driven by her unyielding determination, vision, and unwavering passion for excellence.

for stylish and flattering attire.”

initial failure came when she opened her

Undeterred, she persisted and opened a second

empire. Today, Ebony is a true powerhouse in

women, making Swank A Posh a go-to destination

Says Ebony: “No matter how much business experience you have, you’re always going to encounter problems and even some failures on your entrepreneurial journey. Failure is part of

“At Swank A Posh, we’re not just selling clothes, we’re creating a movement of confident, empowered women who are proud to stand out from the crowd,” she says. Through her brand, Ebony wants to inspire women to be bold, brave and embrace their uniqueness.

“My role as a black woman CEO has allowed me to break barriers, overcome obstacles, and create lasting change in my community and the lives of those around me. Throughout my journey, I have

As CEO of Swank A Posh, she has created an

the learning curve and can contribute to your

8-figure enterprise, starting from a modest

success if you take the time to learn from your

$12,000. Ebony’s remarkable success is a

mistakes.

life, embracing my roles as a mother, wife, friend,

“When I opened my first store, I was more into the

my relentless pursuit of excellence and my

excitement of owning a store and the presentation

dedication to making a meaningful difference in

than marketing to customers,” she says. “After it

the world of business and beyond,” she says.

testament to her perseverance and hard work, and she serves as an inspiration to others who strive for success. She is the first millionaire in her family, and a true role model for future generations.

The Numbers Matter Ebony’s journey as an entrepreneur began with a deep-rooted passion for fashion and a strong belief in the importance of inclusivity within the industry. She saw a gap in the market for stylish, high-quality clothing options that catered to

failed, I knew that if I wanted to make my next store work, I needed to focus on inventory and

expertly balanced my personal and professional and mentor. My accomplishments demonstrate

Customer First

marketing.”

Ebony knew early on that the key to success

Vision One

that to build a brand that speaks directly to the

Today, Ebony’s vision is to provide a wide range of clothing options specifically designed to fit and flatter the real woman’s body.

was to focus on the consumer. She understood customer, it was essential to understand their needs and desires.

“My advice to anyone starting a business is to

women of all shapes and sizes. She wanted to fill

Her foundation begins with carefully selecting

that void. Her desire to promote body positivity

the right fabric, which often incorporates stretch

and empower women to feel confident and

to ensure comfort and the perfect fit. As CEO,

beautiful in their own skin became the driving

she now personally designs 90% of the company’s

force behind her journey as a CEO.

catalog, ensuring that the products not only

Success, according to Ebony, is not about luck or

reflect her vision for style and inclusivity but also

talent. “It’s about hard work, persistence, and a

meet the unique needs of their diverse clientele.

willingness to adapt to changing circumstances.”

A self-taught entrepreneur who overcame the challenges of limited formal education to build

focus on your customer, understand their needs and desires, and build a brand that speaks directly to them,” she says.

Ebony’s determination to succeed has been one

a successful business, Ebony discovered early

One of Swank A Posh’s most successful

on that she had a natural affinity for numbers,

achievements is the sale of over one million pairs

which played a crucial role in the growth of

of their most popular denim, the Super Swank

Swank A Posh. She navigated through corporate

Jean. This versatile and inclusive product, with

Innovation is one of the core values of Swank

culture with various job titles, from data entry

its comfortable stretch, has resonated with their

A Posh. Ebony believes that innovation

to becoming a collections specialist, accounting

customers, as it is designed to accommodate a

distinguishes between a leader and a follower.

manager, and financial analyst. She later realized

wide range of sizes, from small to 3XL.

“That’s why we’re always pushing the boundaries

that understanding numbers would allow her to make data-driven decisions that could clarify the complexities of the fashion industry.

“We take pride in offering clothing options that celebrate every woman’s unique shape and empower them to feel confident and beautiful,”

of the driving forces behind Swank A Posh’s success, as has her desire for constant innovation.

of what’s possible at Swank A Posh,” she says.

The brand is constantly striving to find new and innovative ways to empower women through fashion.

“My passion for fashion, combined with my love

says Ebony. “At Swank A Posh, my mission is to

for numbers and my dedication to inclusivity,

provide high-quality, fashionable clothing that

In her world, success is not final, and failure is

has allowed me to create a brand that is not only

embraces inclusivity, promotes body positivity,

not fatal. She says: “Building a brand requires

successful but also transformative,” she says,

and empowers women to feel their absolute

the courage to continue forwards. And at Swank

adding “I strive to inspire women everywhere to

best. I am dedicated to continually evolving

A Posh, we’re not afraid to take risks and learn

45

FEATURE

KITCHEN DREAMS

from our mistakes.” She and her team are always looking for ways to improve and grow.

Here’s Ebony’s 5 Point Plan for Achieving Success Step 1: Believe In Your Vision

It’s also not a path to be taken alone. “Great things

Develop a strong vision for your product, service,

in business are never done by one person,” she

or company, and believe in its potential to make

says. “They’re done by a team of people. And at

a significant impact in your industry. Your

Swank A Posh, we’re proud to have a dedicated

unwavering commitment to your vision will

team that’s committed to our mission of

guide you through challenges and inspire others

empowering women through fashion.” Her team,

to join your cause.

she adds, is the backbone of Swank A Posh.

Step 2: Embrace Innovation and Change Stay

Learn The Tech

open to new ideas, technologies, and methods

Technology and data analytics play an important

that can help you achieve your goals more

role in business growth. “At Swank A Posh, we’re

effectively. Be willing to take calculated risks and

not just a fashion business – we’re a tech company

adapt to changes in the market, always seeking

that’s using fashion as a way to innovate and

ways to improve your products or services and

disrupt the industry. Our focus on technology

stay ahead of the competition.

and data analytics is what sets us apart from traditional fashion brands,” says Ebony.

Step 3: Develop a Customer-Centric Approach Focus on understanding and addressing the

Ultimately, Swank A Posh is not just a fashion

needs and desires of your customers. Create

brand – it is a company that is empowering

products or services that genuinely improve

women and a testament to the fact that with hard

their lives, and continuously seek feedback

work, determination, and a focus on innovation,

to refine your offerings. Remember that your

anything is possible.

success depends on your customers’ satisfaction and loyalty.

46

Step 4: Cultivate a Culture of Excellence Foster a culture within your organization that values innovation, dedication, and collaboration.

Encourage your team to think creatively and challenge the status quo. Recognize and reward their contributions, and provide opportunities for growth and development.

Step 5: Lead by Example As a leader, embody the principles and values you want your team to follow. Demonstrate resilience in the face of adversity, maintain a strong work ethic, and stay committed to your vision. Your passion and determination will inspire those around you to strive for excellence. By embracing innovation, staying true to your vision, and focusing on your customers, you can achieve significant success and leave a lasting impact on your industry. This approach has been proven effective in transforming various fields and creating iconic brands. www.ebonyswank.com @SwankAPosh @ebonyswank

BUSINESS SWANK

47

BALANCE

from burnout to balance STAR POWER MEANS TAKING CARE OF YOUR MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH TO GAIN BALANCE. ASK GAGA.

BY ANDREW HALL

SUSTAINABLY BEAUTIFUL LADY GAGA 48

LADY Gaga (aka Stefani Germanotta)

Sloan-Taylor Rabin and Lisa Marie Goodwin.

accomplishment. Burnout can be caused by a

is possibly one of the busiest women

She used Pilates in 2017 to help her improve

variety of factors, including workload, lack of

on the planet.

some chronic pain that she was experiencing.

control, and a lack of support from co-workers

As a multi-award-winning singer, songwriter

What you are what you eat

– selling tens of millions of albums – actor, philanthropist and entrepreneur with health and beauty brand Haus Labs, Gaga has amassed enormous success, wealth, and fame.

Lady Gaga’s food choices are, at times, eclectic, according to her long-time friend and personal chef Bo O’Connor.

and supervisors.

In recent years, there has been a growing focus on the role of nutrition in combating burnout and promoting overall well-being. A healthy and balanced diet can help individuals manage

In April 2023 Rolling Stone magazine reported

Bo says that Gaga is healthy on tour, which is

stress, increase energy levels, and improve

that US president Joe Biden appointed Lady

essential to help fuel successful performances.

mental clarity. For female entrepreneurs,

Gaga as co-chair of the President’s Committee

“She usually puts on an intense show, so she

who often juggle multiple responsibilities and

on the Arts and Humanities.

can’t be eating Doritos, clearly,” O’Connor told

face unique challenges, a healthy diet can be

The Feast. “But in general, she tries to stay

especially important.

Her awards collection includes 13 Grammys, an Oscar, two Golden Globes, a BAFTA, and three Brit Awards, among a plethora of others.

But none of this has come without mental and physical investment and cost.

In a 2020 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Gaga detailed her long-term travails with PTSD – arising from being raped as a teenager – a “psychotic break” and the ongoing struggle with chronic pain after being diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

Describing her psychotic episode to Oprah, Gaga said: “My whole body started tingling and I started screaming. I was in a hospital. It’s very difficult to describe what it feels like other than that you first start to tingle from head to toe and then you go numb.”

So, how does this amazingly talented and courageously committed woman keep doing

away from anything that was super processed or made with white flour,” Bo says, noting the singer opted for whole-wheat and whole-grain products, instead.

An author who has written extensively on the subject of burnout and nutrition is Patricia Bannan – a dietitian and nutritionist. In her book, From Burnout to Balance, Bannan

As Bo told Australian Women’s Health: “The

emphasizes the importance of a balanced and

Mother Monster gets off to a healthy start first

varied diet in combating burnout. She notes

thing in the morning. It would usually involve

that a diet rich in whole foods, including fruits,

some type of eggs or egg whites, vegetables

vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats,

– a lot of vegetables – and sometimes Greek

can help to reduce inflammation, support the

yoghurt or different types of fruit, or healthy

immune system, and promote overall health.

granola.

Bannan also emphasizes the importance of

“If [Gaga] is in the mood for French toast or

regular meals and snacks throughout the day,

something sweeter, we would make a healthier

noting that skipping meals or going too long

version of that for her. Think: whole-wheat

without eating can contribute to feelings of

bread instead of white.” This is an example of

stress and fatigue. She recommends planning

what Bo O’Conner calls a “half-cheat meal”;

ahead and keeping healthy snacks on hand,

or a slightly more nutritious version of a

such as nuts, seeds, and fresh fruit.

traditionally not-so-healthy dish.”

In addition to Bannan, several other authors

Bo says Gaga hasn’t strayed far from her roots

have written about the role of nutrition in

when it comes to her favourite meals. “She’s

combating burnout and promoting overall

Over the years, Lady Gaga has perfected her

definitely an Italian girl at heart, so she loves

well-being.

diet and workout routine into one that works

the red sauce, or gravy as they call it. For a

well for her lifestyle and health needs. She

slightly healthier version, she’ll opt for gluten-

prioritises working out consistently, and has

free or quinoa pasta, served with veggies, and

worked with celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak

grilled shrimp for protein.

what she does?

for many years. She works out at least five times

Dr Josh Axe is a doctor of natural medicine, clinical nutritionist, and author of several books on nutrition and wellness. In his book Eat Dirt he explores the role of gut health in

“At home though, with her hair down, whether

overall health and well-being, noting that a

I’m cooking or we’re going out, she’ll usually

healthy gut can help to reduce inflammation,

pick Italian.”

support the immune system, and promote

keeping her strong and able to perform well.

. . . or is it?

mental clarity.

Her regime includes cardio work – she likes

Burnout, Baby

He recommends incorporating gut-friendly

to swim, Harley says, which can be “a great

Burnout is a common phenomenon in the

vegetables, bone broth, and probiotic-rich

a week, sometimes more if she’s preparing to go on tour. Harley says Lady Gaga has never needed to lose weight. Instead, they focus on

source of cardio”. She wrote on Instagram that she will even swim laps before some of her shows. Gaga is also a yoga practitioner and has spent years studying Pilates with trainers

workplace, affecting employees across various industries and roles. It is characterized by emotional exhaustion, a sense of depersonalization, and reduced personal

foods into the diet, such as fermented foods. He also notes the importance of avoiding processed foods and sugar, which can contribute to inflammation and other health issues.

49

BALANCE

Dr Rangan Chatterjee is a physician and author

beyond exercise and meditation. Driven by a

mind through meditation, exercise, or simple

of several books on health and wellness,

desire to break stereotypes in natural beauty,

leisurely activities,” she says.

including The Stress Solution. In his book, Dr

Bobbi’s leadership in holistic healing inspires a

Chatterjee explores the connection between

harmonious lifestyle.

stress and health, and offers practical strategies for managing stress and improving overall health.

One of the strategies Chatterjee recommends is incorporating stress-busting foods into the diet, such as blueberries, almonds, and dark chocolate. He also emphasizes the importance of eating regular meals and snacks throughout the day, noting that this can help to stabilize blood sugar levels and reduce feelings of stress and fatigue.

With unwavering determination, passion, and hard work, she embodies the notion that “Nothing is impossible,” encouraging others to embrace the same mindset in their ventures.

Moon Maison is an artist, entrepreneur, and soon to be author. “I am creating a brand that inspires others to become their fully expressed selves,” she says. “Your best strategy for creating work life balance is that when you feel

“Your best strategy for creating work life

stress, it means you are out of a creative flow,

balance lies in prioritization and mindfulness,”

and it’s time to pause for a couple hours or a

she says. “Begin by setting clear objectives for

day if possible.”

both your personal and professional life. Rank these goals and ensure that the top priorities receive the attention they deserve.”

Moon, who writes a blog for a “non-toxic life with style”, says we shouldn’t overlook the obvious: water.

In addition to incorporating these key nutrients

“Water is essential to everything we do; it’s

into their diets, female entrepreneurs can

what keeps us alive and nourished. It may

also benefit from reducing or eliminating

sound obvious, but many people overlook this

certain foods that can contribute to burnout

simple fact: without enough water, we can’t

and stress. This includes foods high in refined

operate at our full capacity.”

sugar and processed carbohydrates, which can

Even such a simple act of drinking should also

cause blood sugar crashes and lead to fatigue

be recognised as mindful, she adds

and mood swings. Excess caffeine and alcohol

“So, if you haven’t been talking to your water,

should also be avoided, as they can disrupt sleep and contribute to anxiety and irritability.

it’s time to start!” she says. “Tell it, ‘thank you

Authors and experts in the field of nutrition

beautiful. I love you.’ Hey, it’s worth a try…

for hydrating me and keeping me healthy and

and burnout stress the importance of mindful

everything with intention…”

eating practices, which involves paying

Her other great passion in understanding how

attention to the sensory experience of eating,

what we consume affects how we perform is in

such as the taste, texture, and smell of food.

recognising that even simple everyday products

This practice can help female entrepreneurs

can be harmful to us.

better connect with their food and make healthier choices, rather than mindlessly

This clarity helps in recognizing which tasks

consuming food as a means of coping

are essential and which ones can be postponed

with stress.

or delegated without compromising either

It’s Not All About Food

sphere, she says. “As an entrepreneur, it’s necessary to establish boundaries between

A mindful revolution is sweeping the world,

work and personal time,” says Bobbi. “Dedicate

with Bobbi Vargas and her ground-breaking

specific hours to your business, but also

company, Bodela, at the helm. Their potent

commit to reserving time for yourself, your

philosophy revolves around health, beauty

family, and your hobbies.”

solutions, self-love, and self-care, promoting a balanced and joyful life.

50

Over The Moon

This intentional time allocation fosters a wellrounded lifestyle and a sense of fulfillment.

Bodela distinguishes itself by emphasizing

Mindfulness plays a crucial role in maintaining

comprehensive wellness and ethical practices.

balance too. “Continuously evaluate your

It offers an extensive array of products and

emotional and physical well-being, ensuring

services designed to foster self-care in daily

that you aren’t leaning too heavily into one

life. Bobbi’s entrepreneurial journey led her

domain at the expense of the other. Regularly

to recognize the necessity approach to health

practice self-care, nurturing your body and

“Take toothpaste, for example,” she says. “Many mainstream toothpastes and dental flosses are super bad for you. The ingredients are kept very discreet as they don’t even really mention them. I mean what are those white crystals on dental floss anyway? I’ve never seen the ingredients listed anywhere. Do yourself a favour and throw out your crappy toothpaste and promise yourself that you will not use toxic substances to brush your teeth. Repeat through your entire bathroom cabinet, then move on to the fridge and try to better treat your body – and what you put into it – as a temple.”

www.bobbivargas.com www.now.moonmaison.com

MOON MAISON, AND LEFT, BOBBI VARGAS

51

LEADERSHIP

NEW LEADERSHIP

The Rise of Women Leaders in Business

STEP IT UP

52

In recent decades there has been a noticeable shift in the leadership landscape, with more and more women taking up leadership roles in a vast array of business endeavours. These women are bringing fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and different approaches to managing teams that operate in a landscape that arcs from small business to global corporate giant, and everywhere in between. This article explores successful leadership styles used by women and how their impact is set for enduring success.

WOMEN Leaders in Business According to a study by McKinsey & Company, companies with diverse leadership teams, including women, are more likely to outperform their peers. The report also found that companies with a higher percentage of women in executive roles tend to have higher profitability and better overall performance.

In January 2022 McKinsey published an interview with Stephanie Hill, executive vice president of Rotary and Mission Systems at Lockheed Martin – a $16 billion, 35,000-employee organization.

Former CEO of PepsiCo Indra Nooyi is known for her transformative leadership style, where she focused on investing in healthier products, expanding PepsiCo’s reach globally, and promoting sustainability. Nooyi famously said: “If you’re trying to create a company, it’s like baking a cake. You have to have all the ingredients in the right proportion.” Under her leadership, PepsiCo became one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies.

Although she is not (yet) involved in the business sector, prime minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern – who stepped down from the position earlier this year after being elected (in 2017) the youngest national

When asked about what leadership principles have been helpful, Hill

leader in democratic history, only to be pipped by Finland’s young

replied: “You start by keeping your commitments to your team. And if

female PM Sanna Marin (in 2019) – says of women in leadership: “One

you’re not able to keep them for some reason, you own up to it. Everybody

of the criticisms I’ve faced over the years is that I’m not aggressive

makes mistakes, full stop. And the most powerful thing I’ve seen done –

enough or assertive enough, or maybe somehow, because I’m

and that I try to do – is to say you’re sorry. You tell your team, ‘You know

empathetic, it means I’m weak. I totally rebel against that. I refuse

what? That thing I did or that thing I didn’t do, that was wrong. And

to believe that you cannot be both compassionate and strong.”

you have my commitment that I’m going to work on it so that it doesn’t happen again. And if it does, I want you to hold me accountable’.”

Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, is known for her collaborative leadership style, where she encourages her team to share ideas and work together to achieve common goals. Barra says: “Diversity in the workplace leads to better decision-making and better outcomes.” Under her leadership, GM has been able to bounce back from various crises and deliver strong financial results.

Leadership Styles Women tend to deploy different methodologies and mindsets than their male counterparts (and competitors). They often adopt a more collaborative and inclusive leadership style, encouraging participation and teamwork. They prioritize building relationships and empowering their teams to achieve their full potential. It must be said, however, that this is not necessarily an empirical global phenomenon.

53

LEADERSHIP

“Good leadership consists of showing average people how to do the work of superior people.”

Meg Whitman • Transformational Leadership: is a leadership style that inspires

The style of leadership used by an organization can have

and motivates employees to perform beyond their expected

a profound effect on its culture, productivity, and overall

capacity. Women such as Indra Nooyi and Mary Barra have

performance. Different styles of leadership may be better suited

demonstrated this leadership style by setting a clear vision for

for different types of organizations or situations. It’s important

their companies and empowering their teams to achieve it.

to understand the various options available so that you can

• Servant Leadership: prioritizes serving the needs of others, rather than one’s own interests. Women leaders such as

“I like to say that I am an adaptive leader as well as a situational

Oprah Winfrey and Sheryl Sandberg have demonstrated this

leader. Cambridge University defines adaptive leadership as

leadership style by prioritizing the needs of their employees and

a ‘practical leadership framework that helps individuals and

customers and putting them first in their decision-making.

organizations adapt and thrive in challenging environments. It

• Collaborative Leadership: encourages participation and teamwork among employees. Women leaders such as Ginni Rometty, former CEO of IBM, and Ursula Burns, former CEO of

is being able, both individually and collectively, to take on the gradual but meaningful process of change’. And in this world of business and leadership we must change and adapt rapidly.”

Xerox, have demonstrated this leadership style by promoting

Situational leadership is “a style that refers to when a leader

diversity and inclusion in the workplace and encouraging

or manager of an organization must adjust their style to fit the

their teams to work together to achieve common goals.

development level of the employees they are trying to influence”.

Dr Julie Ducharme: Glass Ceilings Shatter

Julie says: “After being a president, CEO, and leader for the past 23

Since earning her MBA and Doctorate degrees in business and organizational leadership, Julie has become a five-time national bestselling author, recognized by INC magazine. Julie hosts a podcast; numerous TV appearances with CBS, ABC, and Fox; is a professional public speaker; and a serial entrepreneur. Her co-authored book, Leading By My Ponytail: Why Can’t I Wear Pink and be the President was named by INC as one of the top 60 leadership books for women.

Her most recent book, Authentically You: Empowering Your Way to Success, is changing the way women approach their lives.

years I learned two important lessons in leadership. Everything is not black and white, so we must adapt not only to the situation, but we must adapt our leadership style to meet the needs of the people we are working with. One size does not fit all in leadership and the good leaders know this and apply this method.”

Autocrats Suck Dr Julie Ducharme says autocratic leaders are bad for business: “This is a pyramid-style where if you are on the bottom, you are never going to talk to the company hierarchy. It’s a leadership

Julie is also a serial entrepreneur with four companies and

style that feeds off fear . . . and sadly this leadership style was

has stepped up to take on the role of senior vice president of

very popular under patriarchal systems – people felt trapped

marketing for the Leigh Steinberg Sports Academy project.

working in fearful, hostile environments. Production drops when

“Leadership is a critical factor in the success of any business.

54

determine which one is right for your business,” Julie says.

people are fearful; innovation and creativity go out the door.”

55

LEADERSHIP

“As you diversify your leadership you diversify your ability to have awareness in a variety of areas and bring in a competitive advantage.”

Adaptation is Key Julie agrees with the McKinsey report when she says integration of diversity into an organization it brings in a greater perspective and depth. She says it creates the ability for leaders to be able to find relatability in their possible clients and as well as their employees.

“As a leader of several organizations, I want my perspective to be challenged. I want openness and passion for diversity of thought in my organizations. I want my teams to know their thoughts are important in the work we do and that I value them. As a leader I want my thoughts challenged to know I am as innovative as I can be.

“When I can increase the diversity of leadership in my organization, I will increase awareness as well. What do I mean by this? Well, we all have been shaped by our experiences and those experiences make us more aware of different situations, and how we handle them. As you diversify your leadership you diversify your ability to have awareness in a variety of areas and bring in a competitive advantage.”

At the end of the day . . .

Developing an effective leadership style takes time, practice, and reflection. By understanding the different approaches available and applying the appropriate tips for each one, you can create a style that best suits your organization’s needs and helps foster an environment of respect, collaboration, trust, and innovation. With this in mind, it’s important to remember that regardless of what leadership style you choose, it is vital to stay consistent with your approach so that everyone involved understands expectations clearly as well as what needs to be done in order to achieve your business goals. www.drjulieducharme.com

DR JULIE: SHATTER THE CEILING

56

57

FEATURE

Bobbi

TOP BEAUTY EDUCATOR BOBBI VARGAS RISES AS A PUBLIC SPEAKER AND LEADER TO ENTREPRENEURS.

BE BOBBI

58

CELEBRITY make-up artist turned entrepreneurial

Eventually, the news came that her father

After stepping into the position of sales trainer,

coach, Bobbi Vargas has a stunning story of

would be joining them in the states,

various companies and clients secured her

triumph over adversity. The self-made woman’s

escaping the horrors of war in Kuwait.

for her prowess leading to opportunities

tale of spirited success following a troubled childhood is inspiring for all the right reasons.

outside of the fashion industry.

The initial happy reunion took a bleak turn when her father’s issues, exacerbated

She currently acts as a consultant; helping build

As a young girl living in Kuwait, she was

by the trauma of war, started to manifest

brands, and training sales entrepreneurs.

born to a wealthy businessman and a stay-at-

through fighting and abuse.

home mother. But In the ‘90s, her congenial life unexpectedly came to a halt.

The most rewarding venture for Bobbi is being “We witnessed fights and arguments that

a voice for women starting businesses, and

no child should ever have to experience.

speaking at conventions for entrepreneurs

On chance, Bobbi, her mother, and her sisters

The abuse escalated from the trauma

– such as the 10X Ladies in Las Vegas and

were visiting relatives in the United States right

my father endured during the war. “

Fuerte Femme in Orange County.

the war broke out during their stay, things took a

Bobbi found herself at age sixteen - raising her

She does public speaking to help women find

sharp turn, and they found themselves in a sudden

sisters without their parents in the picture.

their way in the industry and “to help my

before the start of the Persian Gulf war. When

hostile milieu as immigrants in a foreign country.

students succeed in the same way that I have With a decided preference for work over

by helping them develop their skills. Helping

She describes the sudden shift from that of a

school, she came to the conclusion that it

women achieve financial freedom and build their

vacation mindset to one of immigrant status

would be more rewarding, financially, to

security independent of anyone and any job is

overnight, “At a time when having an accent

pursue a career in the beauty sector.

an integral part of my mission.” She explains.

somewhat of an outcast, it was challenging coming

Bobbi’s tenacity sparked her to climb up

Then there’s Bodela, her brand of luxury

to terms with the changes that life threw our

the totem pole, landing jobs as a make-up

products and services which focuses on self-

way. The family that was happy to see us visit one

artist for celebrities like Christina Aguilera,

care and saving time on women’s beauty

moment couldn’t wait to get rid of us the next.”

and Jay Leno, among countless others, and

routines with permanent make-up procedures,

working on music videos and movies.

and body-sculpting. “I have two decades in

wasn’t cool and having dark features made you

The dizzying circumstances had the family

sales and beauty so I can use beauty as a force

on eggshells and they found their little

By the time the mid-2000s rolled around,

for good by helping women boost their self-

unit living in uncertainty, bouncing from

Bobbi was prospering as a beauty

confidence and feel good about themselves.”

one family member’s home to another.

connoisseur and Versace had hired her to relaunch their cosmetic line.

Bobbi had a humble illumination about the power

Through all of her pursuits – she hasn’t forgotten her roots; Bobbi’s altruistic nature serves the

of earning a dollar while sitting in a diner one

But a pivot was coming that would change

underprivileged by using her status to make a

day – she was watching her mother work as a

everything and reconfigure her path.

difference. With Bodela, a portion of the sales

host, not fluent in English. She was also unable

will go to children victims of domestic abuse,

to afford a babysitter for Bobbi and her sisters,

During the 2008 recession, Bobbi found herself

they had to stay within her watchful eye.

taking a position in uncharted territory when

Already thinking with a depth far beyond

securing homes and resources for recovery.

Versace recognized a leadership streak in her

Bobbi Vargas is bent on giving back so that others

and offered training in a sales position.

may follow her lead and become independent in

that of her eleven years, she calculated how

their own right. From riches to rags and back to

she could ease the stress of working at the

She says that the position generated buzz around

riches again, she defied the path set out before

busy diner on her mother, which turned into

her, “I excelled and my name was floated around

her at a young age, and she continues to grow, an

her first gig bussing tables to help out.

luxury fashion houses because it’s a small

inspiration for aspiring women entrepreneurs.

industry. It was a lateral promotion year after “The servers rewarded me with money for

year, and Christian Dior created a position for

www.bobbivargas.com

clearing the tables when my only intention

me. Then it was Valentino, Dolce and Gabbana,

www.bodela.com

was to help them and my mother. That’s how

and finally, Chanel where I was the lead sales

I learned what it takes to make money.”

trainer and host to shows, and VIP clients.”

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TEAMWORK

ALL FOR ONE GROWTH EXPERT SOPHIE ZOLLMANN BELIEVES IN THE BENEFITS OF HIRING AN ALL-IN-ONE TEAM OVER INDIVIDUALS. HERE’S WHY.

AS a business owner, you know just how many

Save Time

are no additional legal fees for separate contracts

moving pieces it takes to complete a project. You

A cohesive team is often more efficient than

or any other administrative tasks that would be

can choose to do it all yourself, but let’s face it,

multiple individuals working in silos because

needed when dealing with multiple individuals.

nobody has the time or all the expertise required

everyone understands how their role fits into

You will have no need to retain an attorney to do

to properly pull that off.

the big picture. This makes it easier for them

all the in-house legal around employment. This

to collaborate and develop creative solutions

saves you both time and money.

You can hire multiple individuals with different

quickly. An all-in-one team also saves time since

specialties and skills or an all-in-one team with

they don’t need to wait on each other every step

Employee Churn

all the necessary expertise under one roof. In

of the way - they can move on to the next while

If you hire multiple individuals, if someone

the pursuit of offering excellence and simplicity

someone else works on the current one.

quits, you have to fire someone, or you need to

to her clients, Sophie Zollmann launched her

expand the team, you have to go through the

all-in-one team. Hiring an all-in-one team has

Additionally, it takes an enormous amount of

whole process of recruiting, hiring, training,

many benefits compared to hiring individual

time to look for, interview, hire, onboard and

etc., all over again. Every time.

contractors, especially for complex projects.

train multiple individuals. This is time spent

Here are my top five reasons why an all-in-one

away from revenue-generating activities. With

With one team, you don’t need to worry about

team stands head and shoulders above hiring

an all-in-one team, lengthy processes like these

hiring new people - the team continues to work

individuals.

are a thing of the past. Almost no training is

seamlessly whilst that person gets replaced by

required on your part as the team is already built

your all-in-one team project manager. “All-in-

Save Money

out with the experts. It’s just a matter of that

one teams have the resources to bring people

An all-in-one team can save money by

team adapting to your processes, technologies,

on easily and quickly. There is no break in the

eliminating redundancy and cutting down on

and strategy.

workflow, and the single team is well-prepared

costs associated with individual employees or

to cover roles from the get-go, ensuring no

contractors. You pay a flat monthly fee with a

Cohesive Project Management

downtime if someone takes leave or is off sick,”

scope of work clearly identified. This means

As the CEO you know your time is best spent

states Zollmann.

you don’t have to worry about tracking hours,

working on your business, not in it. Zollmann

overtime, payroll, overheads, and many other

says, “Hiring multiple individuals would require

Overall, I think you can agree that an all-in-one

things you need to consider when hiring

you to take your own strategy, build it into a

team has many advantages. They can provide

multiple individuals.

plan, break the plan down into the various tasks

a cohesive unit that can move quickly and

required for implementation, task each person

efficiently to get the job done, and they often

“With individual hires, you need to work out

to get their piece done, ensure the job is being

come at a lower cost than multiple individual

how much you will pay each person per hour

done, conduct quality assurance processes,

contractors. So if you have a project coming

and how long they will be required to work.

manage your people and on and on it goes. With

up or your business is thriving and it’s time for

With this style of project completion approach,

an all-in-one team, you need to do none of that.

next-level business support, consider hiring an

your budget and cash flow are less known, and

Your team operates like a well-oiled machine

all-in-one team instead of multiple individuals.

there is a large opportunity for hours creep. Put

delivering top-quality work according to your

Ultimately, it will likely save you time and money

simply, when you look at the hours you will need

strategy as and when you need it.”

while yielding better results.

would pay an all-in-one team, the single team is

Legalities Made Simple

@thesophiezo

likely to be far more cash-flow friendly,”

Under the operation of an all-in-one team, your

www.sophiezo.com

explains Sophie Zollmann.

legalities are made a whole lot simpler.

to pay each individual person vs. the flat fee you

Because everyone is part of a single entity, there

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SOPHIE ZOLLMANN

61

MOTHERSHIP

Terri Britt The dangers of playing the perfect Mom MOMS everywhere are striving to be the perfect mom – a mythical

first, their partners next, and themselves last, believing this

role of perfection. They are trying to get it all right and be everything

is love. When parents, particularly moms, operate under

their family needs them to be. But what if, instead of trying to reach

this outdated family paradigm, they don’t feel very loving.

an unattainable standard, moms embraced unconditional self-love?

They begin to feel angry, resentful, and even trapped.

Terri Britt, former Miss USA, spiritual coach, TEDx

The mother sets the tone for her family. By setting an example that

speaker, award-winning author of “The Enlightened Mom,”

her feelings, needs, wants, desires, and dreams don’t matter, the

and the founder of the Women Leaders of Love global

Mom sets a tone of unworthiness. Despite her doing everything

movement, is on a mission to help moms establish a new

for her loved ones, her example will affect them most.

family paradigm based on unconditional self-love.

We must be examples of abundance if we want them to live lives Girls are raised to be good. We are told to be quiet but not too quiet.

of abundance. If we want them to have happy lives, we must be

To look good but not too good. To be smart but to never be the

an example of happiness. If we want them to enjoy peace, love,

smartest person in the room. And on and on the list goes. “I was

and fulfillment, we must lead by example and be those things

raised to be good. So good, that in the moment I won Miss USA, I felt

for ourselves and in doing so, teach them to do the same.

guilty. I actually considered giving back the crown,” shares Britt.

“It’s not what we do for our families but how we live our lives that

62

“I believed that if I received it, that my boyfriend would suffer

impacts them most,” explains Britt. “Most mommas don’t live by this

as I would have to move away. I lived by a rule that said, ‘Love

truth. Instead, we deny ourselves, believing this is the loving thing

means that you must deny yourself.’ And I learned it from my

to do. But when you deny yourself, you disconnect from your heart.

family.” So many little girls grow up to be women and then mothers

This is what causes your pain and suffering. You become angry,

who believe this very thing. And that is so very damaging.

resentful, overwhelmed, sad or depressed. And the next thing you

Many families live by the old paradigm of putting their kids

know, you’re handing your pain over to your spouse and kids.”

TERRI

63

MOTHERSHIP

LOVE THYSELF

The moment a mother is able to shift her mindset from the idea

release the beliefs that they harbor telling them that they are not

that love is sacrificing yourself for your family is the moment

good enough and that they must perform for love and approval.

she sets them all free, and the family unit is able to enter a new family paradigm. “Loving myself was the greatest gift I could

When a mother is able to stop performing and own her worth,

give to my loved ones,” shares Britt. “The old family paradigm

she sets a new example for her loved ones. By embracing

of self-denial teaches us to perform for love and approval and

unconditional self-love and investing in themselves, moms can

shuts us down to receiving the abundance we all deserve.”

become pioneers of change for their families, communities, and the world. When the mother heals, the family heals.

The new family paradigm is built on unconditional self-love vs. performance/rule-driven parenting. This helps individuals

The dangers of striving for perfection as a mom are real. It can

heal from relational traumas and leads our world into greater

lead to burnout, guilt, resentment, and a feeling of not being good

mental health and productivity. When we understand that

enough. It can be extremely challenging to unlearn this pattern,

there is no such thing as a “perfect” mother, we can begin

but when we understand that love is not performance-based but

to work together to create a healthier and more supportive

is found within ourselves through self-care and connection with

environment for everyone in the family system.

others, it changes everything. Moms can create a safe space for their families to learn to love themselves and each other. It is time

Moms need time for things that make them feel nourished,

for mothers everywhere to take back their crowns - it is time to own

loved, and supported. They need to take time to nurture their

our worth and inspire positive change that can benefit us all.

creative side, spend time with friends, engage in meaningful conversations, and participate in activities that bring joy and fulfillment. Moms need these things, but it goes even deeper.

The real need is for moms to heal. They need to go deep within to

64

www.terribritt.com

CHANGING THE LENDING EQUATION

It starts with your business

Contact us at: sales@coastalkapital.com 65

FEATURE

LET’S TALK ABOUT

sex A GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MADE HOT

ANNA NOWAK AND ALICIA BERG

66

YES, you heard that right - sex. It’s high time we normalize the conversation around sexual wellness. Sexual wellness is an important and often overlooked component of a healthy, thriving relationship. It involves having clear communication around wants and needs in the bedroom between two partners. Such a dynamic can be difficult to achieve due to the stigma that often exists regarding sexual conversations, yet the benefits are expansive.

Founders of Made Hot STHLM AB and trailblazers in forging healthy relationships, Anna Nowak and Alicia Berg, are showing us how to have a healthier relationship with sex.

The S Word “Sexual wellness is being in a healthy, thriving relationship where you and your partner have clear communication about your needs before, during, and after sex,” explains Nowak. “It’s important to have clear and healthy conversations about what you want to do, what you want to explore, and what you want to educate yourself on.”

The stigma around sexual wellness is a problem that affects many people on a global scale. It can often be traced back to the culture or country in which someone was raised, with certain countries emphasizing more traditional values and beliefs concerning sex. Sometimes, these traditional values are passed down from family to family, leading to an environment where topics such as sex are seldom discussed and seen as shameful or sinful.

“I was born in Poland, and sex is not open for conversation. It is assumed that when you get married and have sex for the first time, you will automatically know what to do. Unfortunately, your family isn’t teaching you anything, and neither are the schools. Not anything of real value in this area anyway. And that is frightening,” says Nowak.

A lack of real sex education in schools often reinforces this stigma, creating a situation where young people have no reliable source for information about healthy sexual behavior or practices. Without any real guidance on important topics such as contraception, consent, and pleasurable options in the bedroom, it becomes easier for negative stigmas around sexuality to take hold and remain unchallenged.

“Nobody is teaching how the dynamics in a healthy relationship are supposed to be. For example, how can we be intimate with our partners and not just in a sexual way? It’s not just about a man’s pleasure but a woman’s as well. So often, both sexes are afraid of speaking up and explaining what they want to feel and explore because we have been taught that we are not supposed to,” says Berg.

67

FEATURE

It is important to consider the stigma surrounding voicing our needs and wants in the bedroom. Many people feel uncomfortable discussing these topics with their partners, fearing being judged or rejected due to societal perceptions about sex. This can lead to a lack of communication in relationships, ultimately negatively impacting sexual satisfaction and pleasure. And we all want more pleasure, right?

Normalizing the Conversation Around Sexual Wellness When it comes to normalizing sexual wellness within a relationship, there are several steps you can take: start small and be open-minded; create space for honest communication about sexual desires and boundaries; take time to explore fantasies together in a safe environment; practice listening to one another without judgment.

“Ensure you open up the conversation at the right time and place. There is no point in starting a sexual wellness conversation when you are feeling like it, but your partner is a million miles away in their head. It won’t go well,” shares Berg. “Start small. For example, many card games on the market will make exploring sexual conversations fun for both you and your partner.”

Why is sexual wellness so important? Well, developing healthy attitudes towards sex and exploring different aspects of it can help foster better selfesteem, more fulfilling relationships, and improved overall well-being. In addition, creating an open dialogue around sexual wellness can benefit both individuals involved.

Practicing healthy boundaries, developing trust with one another, and exploring different fantasies are just some of the ways that relationships can become more sexually fulfilling and satisfying. Furthermore, it’s been shown that couples who practice good sexual communication tend to have less overall relationship conflict.

Normalizing sexual wellness within a relationship is essential to creating an emotionally supportive atmosphere where both partners can express themselves freely. It’s important to remember that developing good sexual communication is a process that takes time and effort. However, the benefits of both physical and emotional satisfaction outweigh any discomfort that may come up during the process. With dedication, self-awareness, and open communication, couples can reap the rewards of a healthy sexual relationship, and the benefits ripple reaches far beyond the bedroom. www.madehot.com @madehot_

FREE EXPRESSION IS HEALTHY

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69

FEATURE

YOUR STORY, YOUR WHY YOUR WORK AND YOUR LIFE IS SOURCED BY YOUR PERSONAL WHY. MICHALE GABRIEL HELPS YOU FIND AND TELL THAT STORY.

BY TARRYN REEVES

MICHALE

70

DO you know the source of your “Why?”

some people never truly understand their

The next pivotal moment in Gabriel’s Why

The Why that fuels what you do in the

Why in this lifetime. “It is never too late to

journey came when she was in college and

unique way that you do it? Your Why is the

go after your calling. Your evolution and

cast in the role of Emily in Thornton Wilder’s

underpinning of your business. It sources

pursuit of fulfilling your personal Why never

Our Town. During a rehearsal, when her

your mission, your vision, and your purpose.

truly ends. You just keep working on it,

director felt she was “faking it” in a scene

This all sounds fairly simple in theory but

refining and redefining it in relation to what

with her stage father, Gabriel exploded, “How

the process of truly uncovering your Why

is going on around you,” explains Gabriel.

do you expect me to relate to a stage father

is a lot more complex. Michale Gabriel, storytelling expert and founder/ CEO of

when I don’t even know what it’s like to relate The Power of Story

Story by Design, has spent years coaching

to a real father?” She broke down. He took her into his office, and she told him what

leaders in not only uncovering their Why

“Our brains are wired to make meaning and

was going on behind closed doors at home.

but in delivering the story behind it.

we do that through the narrative process.

Gabriel revealed her fear that behind the

By telling stories. It’s how we make sense

carefully crafted façade that she had created

It is not enough to simply know your Why

of things.” As Barry Lopez says in his book

to protect herself, she feared that she had

and then conduct business from a surface-

Crow and Weasel, “When stories come to

no value. The director assured Gabriel that

level approach. The game completely changes

you, care for them and give them away

the person he cast in the role of Emily was

when you know your Why, understand it,

when they are needed. Sometimes people

a person of tremendous worth. He invited

embody it, and then unleash the power of that

need stories more than food to stay alive.

her to see herself differently. “By seeing me

story in the form of authentic storytelling.

That is how we care for one another.”

for who I truly was, he gave me the gift of a

When you are a leader, your story is what

Our experiences and the stories behind

enables you to create authentic connections,

them are more often than not the key

build trust, motivate employees, galvanize

factors that influence our Why. These

“What I have discovered in my work with

audiences and make an impact. Human

experiences are often gritty, challenging

the transformative power of story over the

beings are natural storytellers but your Why

and less than glamorous. How then do

past forty years, is when we are seen for

is a valuable story that you may not yet have

we come to peace with our own story?

who we truly are, it changes us. It reshapes

new story I could tell myself. That was the

thought to share, or if you have, perhaps

moment I started to heal,” reflects Gabriel.

us. When we reflect on our life as a whole,

you haven’t told it in a way that allows your

“My siblings and I grew up in a single-

a tapestry emerges that is uniquely ours.

audience to step into your story, imagine it

parent family in Anchorage, Alaska. My

Our wisdom is revealed, and we begin

and retain your message long past the telling.

mother worked tirelessly to make ends meet.

to understand what sources our life and

The challenge with finding your personal Why

There was a tremendous amount of stress

gives it meaning. It allows us to lead from

is that most of us don’t know what sources our

in the home and my mother suffered from

a more authentic place, to connect, to

business on a deeper level. We don’t know the

depression. However, what I realized early

have the impact we so deserve to have.”

full story. And not knowing our full story is a

on was that when my mother read to us, we

missed opportunity to connect with potential

all experienced a reprieve from the chaos

Uncovering your Why is your gateway to truly

clients, and most importantly with ourselves.

that surrounded us. When my imagination

connecting with yourself and with others.

was activated and I stepped into a story, I felt Mark Twain once said, “The two most

safe. I felt free. I felt whole. Stories allowed

www.michalegabriel.com

important days in your life are the day you are

me to escape into a world of hope and

@michale.gabriel

born … and the day you find out why.” That

possibility. I began to understand that I could

day will mark a pivotal moment not only on

imagine something better,” shares Gabriel.

a professional level but on a personal level as well. Who we are and why we do what

“What I did not know then, but I know

we do are fundamental to our experience

now, is that those moments of experiencing

as human beings. Some people figure out

the power of story were preparing me

their Why at a young age. For others, the

for the realization of my own Why.”

process may take a little longer. Tragically,

71

GRATITUDE

the happiness guru Counting the Beate … two, three, four, five …

Co-Founder and COB of Biotonus Corp. and founder/CEO of Nimsky Academy, Beate Nimsky just wants you to be happy.

BY ANDREW HALL

NO matter how successful you think you are, author,

Conscious Leader Coaching System

former business manager, and current life coach, Beate Nimsky, has a question for you: are you happy?

Beate coalesced Eastern meditation and martial practice with Western metrics for successful business management to develop a system that

Because, Beate says, if you lack joy in your life and your

empowers women who might question their place in the world.

work – regardless of your status within an organization – that can drag you down and limit your personal horizons.

“The Conscious Leader Coaching System is a proven system that you can use for many years. The program is designed to take out the

“I worked in management in corporations for 10 years and

emotional stress and anxiety of not being good enough,” she says.

experienced how people are treated, especially during a merger,” Beate says. “People’s frustration and loss of productivity due to a

“You will be supported and empowered to build your business in your

lack of joy was obvious. I’ve always wondered how to change that.”

own way. It doesn’t matter if you’ve already started building a business or if you’re just starting out with an idea. We help you to integrate this

Crash, Bang, Boom

system into your life so that you can be a successful entrepreneur.”

In the midst of a successful corporate career, Beate was

It is a personalized system that will help people discover,

involved in a serious traffic accident that left her physically

develop and implement their unique talents and ideas so they

injured and psychologically distressed. Her five-month

can successfully shape a business and a life that suits them.

convalescence led Beate to question life’s priorities.

Step-by-step learning with weekly personal coaching with Beate and her team will help integrate what you have learnt so

“During this time, I learned from my doctor how homeopathy works.

you can master your change and business development.

He also sent me to the Chinese Qi Gong grandmaster Mantak Chia, from whom I learned how to activate my life energy, to heal myself

“To build business success it takes perseverance and

and to feel a lot of joy inside. That was the start of a new way of life,

changed approaches. Including recognizing and

which led me to self-employment two years later,” Beate says.

transforming ingrained patterns, solving blockages, and changing inhibiting habits,” Beate says.

“I found that activating life energy is one of the keys to happiness and success. That is why I have trained myself in the Taoist energy practices over 10 years with Master Mantak Chia. I combine his knowledge and techniques with many other leadership tools to empower people.”

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DONT WORRY...

73

GRATITUDE

BE HAPPY.

74

In addition to an initial three-month program, the Conscious

Staying Happy

Leader Coaching System offers individual one-on-one sessions in the areas of personal assessment, recognition, and

How do you think about yourself, about life? Have you ever

resolution of emotional, mental, and energetic blockages,

thought that you are an infinite being that exists without

as well as energy activation and transformation.

limits? From whom did you adopt your assumptions and beliefs that limit you? What beliefs do you avoid or defend that keep

Stepping Up

you from at least trying what might be possible for you?

Do you wake up happy every day? Or do you wake

Happiness is a choice, says Beate. You decide whether you

up with worry, judgment and anxiety weighing you

want to believe people who see a problem in everything

down and keeping you stuck and unhappy?

and everyone and would rather not start something new because it could go wrong. You decide whether you want

The first step to happiness is gratitude. What if you were grateful for

to compare yourself and take back your skills, or whether

everything you have experienced in life so far? Grateful for the

you step out of your comfort zone and live life bravely.

so-called good and beautiful as well as the bad and ugly.

Beate says: “When you doubt yourself, when you think you can’t do Beate says: “The first step of gratitude is not about evaluating, but

something that you would like to do, you can always ask yourself:

about being thankful to yourself that you have mastered everything

would an infinite being choose doubt? Would an infinite being

up to this point. When you’re grateful, you don’t need to compare

choose restraint? What would an infinite being choose instead? You

yourself to anything or anyone. Stop comparing yourself to others.

will discover how truly powerful you are, and how much strength, clarity and focus were within you all the time. You will begin to tap

“Being grateful that you are alive, being grateful that

into your true potential to shape, form and create your reality.”

you can make a difference, being grateful for your body gives you the energy for your next steps.”

www.nimskyacademy.com @beate.nimsky

The second step in the Conscious Leader Coaching System,

LinkedIn beate-nimsky-16729973

speaks to the natural vibrational (biotonus) state of your body.

Beate says: “Imagine all your cells vibrating in a harmonious rhythm in accordance with the universal energy. Every step feels like a light dance, like floating. Our bodies are the most wonderful instruments on this planet. It is our soul’s home in this reality.

“Your breath plays a big role in this. Close your eyes and breathe in and out deeply into your lower abdomen for at least 10 breaths. With each breath you draw the energy from the pelvic area up to your brain and breathe out very slowly into the earth. This alone brings relaxation and calm to your whole system because the sympathetic nerve, which is always driven by external perception, is not activated at this time.

“That’s when you can step out of your drama and truly become the creator of your own experiences. When you are in your heart and smile into it again and again, situations that normally trigger you and trigger strong emotions like anger or envy are transformed. You stop being a slave to your emotions.”

75

FEATURE

the optimisation queen TEDx speaker and best-selling author Genevieve Searle says a positive future for humanity lies in people reaching a holistic level of understanding of themselves and each other, then moving forward together.

BY KAREN DONALD

VISIONARY OF THE HEART

76

GENEVIEVE describes herself as “a visionary and revolutionary

“I like to say we are in a dance with life responding to what

of the heart” whose deep contemplation about how patriarchal

happens, predicting what’s to come and adjusting our genetic

systems have harmed all of humanity led her to turn her

expression on the way via our dominant hormones.”

life around, and to share her journey with others, whose vulnerabilities prevent them from leading fuller lives.

Genevieve says that while we’re in our mothers’ wombs, and through childhood, we acquire a hormonal profile that “wires”

She recalls the words of author, international keynote speaker

us to be who we are at every level, physically, mentally, and

Bryant McGill who says: “In a world of hate, love is a revolution”.

emotionally. We are all different, we know this, but until now we haven’t really had a way of understanding how we are different or

“The words of Bryant McGill are visionary and full of hope,

how to apply this to our lives. Epigenetic profiling changes this.

but far easier to dream than to do, especially when we have experienced pain . . . but it’s time to go beyond anger and

“With epigenetic profiling, about 80 per cent of the guesswork and

retaliation and begin building real connection within our

complexity is removed from your personal wellness program. Taking

relationships, teams, families and communities,” Genevieve says.

physical measurements – health, lifestyle, and ancestry questions, combining that with 11 branches of science, ten thousand data

Genevieve was the 2022 ambassador for Feminessence Magazine,

points – this cutting-edge technology determines our ‘HealthType’.

and is a contributor to Disrupt Magazine, Los Angeles Times

“While we are all unique, we also fit into six broad groups or

“Now”, New York Weekly Times, the Rhonda Swan Show,

HealthTypes, each ruled by a dominant hormone. Though

and multiple podcasts. She is a guest teacher in The White

we all have all the hormones in our body we each have one,

Picket Fence Project with Cass and Kathryn Morrow.

sometimes two, hormones that we need to regulate more than others. When we do that, everything else falls into

Epiphany

place. PH360 HealthType profiling uncovers which hormones governs us and then creates a personalized program.”

Genevieve says: “One night, 25 years ago, after years of depression, post traumatic depression syndrome from rape and sexual assault,

Not only does it offer a specific food plan including what,

eating disorders, and chronic gut issues, I found myself lying on

when, and how often and how much food you should be

the floor of an empty resort pool, and I suddenly realised I had

eating, and not only the type, timing, and frequency of exercise

three clear choices: continue as I was; kill myself; or get better.

you should do, though this is ground-breaking enough, it gives insight and guidance on every part of your life.

“With that clarity, I made the choice to get better, and from then on, I was committed to doing whatever it took first to heal and

What’s your body type? What daily rhythm best suits you?

then, as the healing happened, to see how good I might become.

The best way to de-stress and how to make the best of relationships. What your core values are, what environment

“It wasn’t a smooth path: divorce, bankruptcy, unexpected pregnancy

best suits you, and how your brain works. The answers to all

and still battling depression, and other issues for many years.

of this and more is available through epigenetic profiling.

“But I have a phenomenal partner, the father to our three

Can epigenetics help you optimize your life?

incredible sons, who supported me in so many ways to heal, evolve, be a devoted mother, study, and start my

Genevieve says: “One of the main gifts epigenetic profiling

first business – Rhythm and Light therapies.”

gave me was learning I am not ‘broken’ and never was.”

One day a client told Genevieve about epigenetic profiling, and

She notes that her tendency toward depression comes from

she immediately trained to become a PH360-endorsed coach.

serotonin being her dominant hormone to regulate, “so of course I’ll be prone to depression”. In learning this and now having clear

“Finally, I had a super potent, precise pathway for

strategies for how to regulate it daily, she can detect when her

working with individuals. This was when I stopped

serotonin levels are out of kilter and can do something about it.

searching for the ‘one thing’, because epigenetics is the one thing – it’s really the umbrella science of

“It is extremely empowering to know not only what is happening in

how humans work in relationship to the world around

my system at a hormonal level but also how to work with that in very

us, including our environment, food, movement,

simple and practical ways,” Genevieve says.

relationships, thoughts, and beliefs.

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FEATURE

“While the health industry has spawned a compulsive rhetoric aimed

teach them how to understand the people around them.

at improving fitness, strength, and muscle growth, epigenetics

“Already I see it changing the world, because this information

doesn’t often list these high on priorities but perhaps it should.”

gives people the power and pathway for individuals to access energy, clarity, passion, and purpose according to their own

Hack your environment; change your life

unique operating system. Imagine bringing this into our intimate relationships, communities, and businesses?”

For many, epigenetic profiling alone is eye-opening, offering a glimpse into hidden traits and propensities. However, Genevieve

And so, Genevieve’s own evolution continues. Going beyond

amplifies its usefulness by applying her own hard-won experience.

individuals, she now wants to get this information out to the world. In addition to writing, speaking, and teaching,

“I overlay all my learning, gained over 25 years. I train

Genevieve has begun training other mentors, leaders, and

people to become their own wellness experts by looking into

impact-makers, especially men, to leverage this information for

their ancestry, hacking their environments, (workspaces,

the benefit of their clients, communities, and businesses.

homes), habits, and behaviours to better support their body type, mind, and emotions,” Genevieve says.

Genevieve’s decision to work more with men feels like a culmination of all her life experience and work up to this point.

Over the past 18 months, Genevieve has embodied epigenetic and hormonal profiling to an even greater degree, as

She says: “The war that men and women have been waging

she and her partner, Matthew, “deconstructed their 20-

with each other for millennia is not the way forward.”

year relationship, taking it down to ground zero”.

Maximize your wellbeing with simple exercises “I truly thought it was over. It was devastating.” Genevieve says.

“Again, I realized I had three choices: ending the relationship or

As well as her more advanced techniques that help amplify the results

pretending everything is fine, when it’s not, are the two pathways

of epigenetic profiling, there are certain health-giving exercises

most people choose but, as I said, I’m a visionary and at the

that Genevieve prescribes for everyone: Breathing is of paramount

very least I needed to understand what had happened. I dove

importance to wellness. Genevieve advocates slow, controlled breaths

deeply into how dominant hormones influence relationships.”

through the nose – four seconds in and six seconds out, with a twosecond hold on the outward phase, for stress relief. Make sure that

It was a game-changer not only for Genevieve and her

the breath goes all the way into the belly. But don’t ‘gulp’ the air.

partner, but this new understanding changed her work, parenting, and every other connection too.

The key is to try and make each breath calm, quiet, and light. Ten minutes of slow, nasal breathing is known

“I see people very differently now. Matthew and I both

to give your nervous system enough time to rebalance

say that we learned more about ourselves and each

and harmonize, offering a host of health benefits.

other in one year than we had in all the years previously and we are not new to personal development.”

“My vision is for a world where every single person on the planet is healthy, energised, feels deeply aligned with

This took Genevieve in a new direction with her business,

their own truth and can walk through the world with a

moving beyond just personal health and wellness to supporting

strong back and an open heart,” Genevieve says.

couples, and men with relationships, intimacy, and mission alignment through the lens of epigenetic profiling.

“That’s the kind of world I want to leave my children. This is my mission, and this technology maps out a very clear pathway for this to

“What I love about this is that we can use the precision of

happen. Truly, it can change the world and I’m so here for that...”

personalized science to get to the heart of relationship dynamics and life purpose. Our core wounds, needs, desires, and values are all literally written in our bodies. I get to give people their own personal blueprint and instruction manual and

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www.theoptimisationqueen.com

STAY AHEAD OFTHE THE GAME AHED OF

79 75

REJUVENATION

GETTING OFF THE STRUGGLE BUS HILARY DECESARE IS ON A MISSION TO EMPOWER AND ELEVATE WOMEN. HILARY’S first question is: Are you a woman with an unstoppable

“Hearing the stories of the lives of scores of women and how they had

entrepreneurial spirit, but struggling to find balance between

made fantastic leaps and bounds toward often radical goals made me

profitability and fulfilment?

want to dig deeper and commit to understanding and supporting how they achieved these incredible successes and joys,” she says.

“Having reached what, I thought, were all my professional goals as a high revenue (and rare female) CEO in Silicon Valley, I realized that my

Hilary wondered about the common themes, and the science and

life had become overcome with stress, and I felt unrecognizable as the

methodologies that underpinned them.

person I knew myself to be,” she says.

“A key goalpost for me was leveraging the answers to these questions to Hilary’s sense of burnout was compounded by her mother developing,

build a sustainable architecture and life-enhancement platform, and

and succumbing to, terminal illness.

then expanding and sharing this proactively with others,” she says.

Some things had to change.

Countdown to rejuvenation

“My mother’s unexpected illness and the emotional reckoning process

One relaunch is all it takes to make your dreams a reality.

of her death jolted me into re-examining my life and goals, and I became driven to focus on how we can make change for the good in our

It’s not rocket science, but it does take some thinking outside the square,

lives,” she says. “I became fascinated with neuropsychology and gained

Hilary says, as she contemplates her revolutionary approach to taking

extensive training, education, and practice, working with leading experts

women to the places they deserve to be – The Relaunch Co. – which offers

and earning numerous certifications, and directing my intentions toward

mid-life-career women, who would like to propel their lives and/or career

women who in many ways mirrored my own journey and challenges.

to the next level and beyond, a path to purpose and self-defined success.

“Hearing the stories of the lives of scores of women and how they had

Hilary says: “The ReLaunch Co. guides women who would like to propel

made fantastic leaps and bounds toward often radical goals made me

their lives and/or career to the next level and beyond with a path to

want to dig deeper and commit to understanding and supporting how

purpose and self-defined success. It offers a customizable portfolio of

they achieved these incredible successes and joys.”

programs and methodologies – steeped in science and merged with years of experience and everyday practicality, that has been tried and tested by

Changing your headspace

thousands of our clients, having successfully transformed their lives and incomes.

Hilary says she became fascinated with neuropsychology and gained extensive training, education, and practice, working with leading experts

“As an award-winning business leader, international best-selling author,

and earning numerous certifications.

and coach to thousands of entrepreneurs and top executives, I’m on a mission to empower and elevate women. With The ReLaunch Co., you’ll have the opportunity to create your perfect blend of success. One

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MISSION POSSIBLE

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REJUVENATION

relaunch is all it takes to make your dreams a reality.”

Hilary says: “In a world where stressful crisis is

Hilary’s most recent book RELAUNCH! Spark Your

increasingly constant, and “tuning out” is an easy out,

Heart to Ignite Your Life is a proven go-to resource

Women – with our unique needs – require powerful

for women who want to learn how to take control,

support from innovative, responsive and customizable

understand their goals, challenges, and inner

tools with both flexibilities that keep up with the

blockages, and move forward toward greater success.

pace of change and built-in sustainability to go the distance, not one-off patches.”

The secret, Hilary says, is her trademarked 3HQ™ Method, which provides a step-by-step guide to shift

3HQ™

from the negative mindset “stuck” channel to the heart-led, high-energy “Success Zone” channel,

This is the secret within the secret. Hilary says:

and on to the higher path of being the best version

“You are a complex, multi-dimensional person, but

of yourself.

many programs only address one dimension. That’s just not me, and I’m sure it isn’t you, either! Or you

Tune In, don’t Tune out – four steps to self-

wouldn’t be reading this. Addressing and calibrating

actualization

your head, heart, and higher self – the 3H’s – leads to an alignment of your inner self, with all its desires

Hilary calls this the 4-Step “Tune In Process.”

and conflicts, with your goals and sense of purpose.

At The Relaunch Co. we take a 360-degree, holistic

1) Ask yourself – what is not working for you right

approach. No part of you is left behind in this mission

now? What is your biggest challenge or what is your

of total empowerment. Result? Strength without the

intention for something you are doing in your life?

stress.”

2) It’s time to Change the Channel. It’s time to take a

Your time is now

few deep, calming breaths. Tune In to a song that fires you up, one that literally elevates you when you hear

Hilary says: “Our sought-after coaching community

it and allows you to change your state via “Changing

is built on reinvention, alignment, and impact.

the Channel”. Hear the music inside your head and

Our core focus of business advancement using our

let it flow through your body. This is tapping into your

trademark 3HQ™ method, allows women to achieve

own energy state. When you hear that music inside

and inspire the echelon of entrepreneurship without

you, you are accessing your higher self and elevating

compromising fulfillment. Hundreds of business

your vibrational energy level. This is the level where

owners have relaunched into a newfound sense of

like attracts like and possibilities happen.

ambition and purposefulness.

3) Now turn up the volume of your song and

“At The ReLaunch Co., we serve those who want to

experience it. Let it spark you to shift your focus to

stop living a life on autopilot and instead, join us

what you really want away from the challenge from

to become a woman to whom opportunities flock.

Step 1. Move through visualizing it; capture the

We’re here to set off a spark in you if you’re halfway to

emotions; allow your heart to feel the excitement of

somewhere in your life but not sure how to jumpstart

having it and knowing it’s already yours.

the next step and want more: more out of your business and more out of yourself. You know how to

4) Continue to Tune In and hear your song and

work hard. Now, it’s time for the results you so richly

leverage the energy that you have been creating and

deserve. Let’s close that gap, shall we?”

ask yourself what can you do right now as a first step to create momentum towards that goal. Don’t wait to

www.therelaunchco.com

react, this is the time to act.

@therelaunchco TUNED IN

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GROWTH FACTORS BREAKING into male-dominated industries can be challenging yet

Resource Strategies

rewarding for women, and despite the hurdles in the financial sector, there are successful women entrepreneurs who serve as inspiration.

Expanding a business can be a challenging and overwhelming task for any entrepreneur, especially for women who may be working in male-

One founder created a company to empower women in business

dominated industries. However, there are resources available to help

by providing resources for public speaking, securing grants, and

women in business overcome these challenges and achieve their goals.

coaching. Her company helps women achieve their career goals by providing them with essential tools regardless of their industry.

One valuable resource is public speaking in the business industry and women in business. Attending events and conferences where

Helping Lead Women To Success

successful women entrepreneurs share their experiences and insights can be inspiring and empowering. These events provide opportunities

CEO and founder of Coastal Kapital, a prominent women-owned

to network and connect with like-minded individuals who can offer

financial service provider in Florida, believes that she has a voice

support, advice, and potential partnerships.

that can be shared with the world. According to Kortney Murray, empowering women in business and guiding them to build their own

Murray explains: “Expanding a business is a challenging but rewarding

empires is crucial.

journey, and there are resources and strategies available to help women entrepreneurs succeed.”

With the limitless opportunities provided by the internet and available tools, women are no longer confined by previously established borders

Always Trust In Your Intuition

in male-dominated fields. Her mission is to help others navigate the challenging process of finding the right funding and expansion tools.

Trusting one's intuition and staying true to personal goals is also key.

It's important to establish clear goals and listen to what one's intuition

"Public speaking is a powerful tool that can help women in business

or gut is saying. This can help entrepreneurs make better decisions

communicate their vision and values to a wider audience. Intuition

and stay aligned with their values and vision.

plays a vital role in building a successful company and leveraging available resources to expand it. Seeking out guidance and help is

“Trusting intuition, establishing clear goals is essential for any

essential for any entrepreneur looking to achieve their goals."

businesswoman, “Murray continues, but finding the right help and support, and bringing positive energy to the workspace and culture

Guiding Them Through Their Own Process

can all contribute to building a successful business.”

Trusting your intuition and staying true to your personal goals can

The Sky Is the Limit

be the key to building a successful business. By taking the time to establish your goals and listening to what your intuition or gut says,

Public speaking can be challenging for most of us. As a high achiever,

you can create a business that is aligned with your values and vision.

how has Murray set her sights on a new goal: public speaking while also achieving financial success? Murray explains: “Unwavering

It is also crucial to find a team that is willing to work with and support

commitment to my community and the financial empowerment

you as you grow. A team that shares your values and is committed

of women has earned me a reputation as a leader in the field. She

to your vision can help you navigate challenges and make better

explains: “With over three successful entrepreneurial ventures under

decisions for the long-term success of your business.

my belt, I bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table.”

Finally, bringing positive energy into your workspace and culture can

Her forthcoming book, “Women Gone Wild: Intuition Edition,” set to

create a strong foundation for future growth. When positivity and

be released this year, and a movie slated for 2024, will provide readers

a can-do attitude are present, teams are motivated to work harder,

and viewers with insight into her tried-and-true methods for success.

innovate, and support each other. This sets the tone for a successful business that can thrive in the long run.

Murray continues: “I firmly believe that women supporting women is the key to success. My personal mission is to help guide others

Remember, building a successful business is a journey, and trusting

through the complexities of business financing, creating successful

your intuition and staying true to your goals can help you achieve

partnerships, and advocating for the challenges faced by business

success on your terms.

owners,” says Kortney. Her unwavering passion for helping women succeed and her dedication to the cause make her a formidable force

"I believe that by helping women trust their intuition and stay true

in the business world.

to their personal goals, we can empower them to build successful businesses on their own terms,” says Murray. “By providing them with the resources and support they need to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship, we can help them achieve their dreams and lead them to success through their own unique process."

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www. coastalkapital.com

CREATING KAPITAL

KORTNEY MURRAY EMPOWERS WOMEN WITH A RESOURCE-BASED INITIATIVE THAT HELPS ENTREPRENEURS ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS.

BY KAREN DONALD

KORTNEY

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SELF ESTEEM

A SONG OF SELF HEALING KAREN WHELAN OFFERS FIVE ACTIONS TO ACHIEVE BETTER SELFLOVE AND CONFIDENCE SO YOU CAN LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE.

KAREN WHELAN

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FOR many of us, self-acceptance and self-love might be hard

From these experiences, you may subconsciously fear

concepts to grasp. The act of being overcritical and unaccepting

commitment or perceive yourself as a bad public speaker. Again,

of who we are, what we’ve done, and how we were raised, could

these thought patterns derive from trauma and hinder our

lead to a plethora of problems. This includes self-doubt and low

abilities in our adult lives.

self-esteem at the lower end of the spectrum; depression, eating disorders, and self-harm at the higher end.

Body Practices To Heal Trauma “Everything we learned as a

Accredited psychotherapist, Karen Whelan, is a proponent for

how to love and care for ourselves can be done through the

achieving greater self-love. Whelan posits it as a solution for

body. There’s a trove of activities we can engage in to bring out

individuals struggling with low motivation, anxiety, depression,

the joy factor from the child archetype. Most importantly, to

loneliness, and forming healthy relationships.

Her unique coaching style has been featured in Los Angeles Weekly, Times, Yahoo News, Thrive Global, and more. She provides five tangible actions to achieve better self-love and confidence to live a more optimal life.

Heal The Inner Child The “inner child” is a concept used in analytical psychology, traced back to the works of psychiatrist Carl Jung. This archetype is used to describe experiences and

child, we learned viscerally,” says Whelan, therefore, relearning

unleash the negative stories that we hold in our bodies. These include shamanic work, dance, and breathwork to create balance, harmony, and alignment.

Getting Out Of Your Own Way Many of us go through life with an unquestioning gaze of why we do things. How often is it to meet social expectations, rather than because we truly want to do them? Getting stuck in obligations and routines that don’t internally satisfy us can lead to self-doubt, depression, burnout, or

memories of innocence, playfulness, and optimism.

just general looming dissatisfaction with life.

Early experiences, whether positive or negative, have a significant

If there’s a nagging feeling to pursue a different career path,

effect on our behavioural patterns in the future. Thus, connecting to this inner child can be a way of altering those behaviours.

Re-inviting those amicable feelings of bravery, confidence, and joy into our lives can act as a catalyst for us feeling better about ourselves.

there’s most likely an intuitive reason why. The only person who is getting in the way of making that change is ourselves. Often it’s the fear of change when we perceive we’re already doing the “right” thing.

Whelan recommends that to live the most optimal life, one needs

Because painful or traumatizing life events can damage our

to take charge of discovering our authentic selves and needs,

“inner child”, healing becomes paramount to our development as

which will lead us to craft the type of future that will cultivate

self-loving adults. For example, if we were mistreated or untaken

more joy and pride. When we live and create with alignment to

in some aspect as children, we are more likely to experience that

our true selves and values, our confidence and the love we have for

lack of love and nurturing in our later life.

our lives can increase exponentially.

Reparenting Ourselves Healing, according to Whelan, begins

Tap Into Your Wisdom Learning to love yourself means also

with acknowledging those pain points and finding ways to nurture

learning how to trust yourself. The truth is that we hold all the

ourselves, our “inner child”, as adults so that we may transform

keys to our own problems.

those feelings of angst and lack of attention to patience and tender love.

Allocating the time to work on ourselves is imperative to better

This means being there for yourself when you go through adverse

love, says Whelan. When we begin to trust our intuition, decisions

life events or daily feelings. Learning how to soothe yourself and

pertaining to our personal and professional lives may become

be kind to yourself when you experience painful feelings (grief,

clearer. This might mean we make that career change, take on

loneliness, embarrassment, anger). Becoming our parents can

more challenges and responsibilities or leave a toxic relationship.

help us reclaim ownership of our care and resolve the unloving

understand our patterns, obstacles, and unlock the key to self-

tendencies we experienced through our developmental phase.

Taking ownership of our own futures, and not letting them be

Heal Wounds & Trauma The majority of us have experienced

possible if we learn how to trust and listen to our own wisdom.

some form of wound or trauma. This doesn’t mean we’ve all

dictated by our fears, our paths, or social expectations is only

been through abusive situations or have gotten into accidents.

“The moment you take your energy off of worrying about what

Emotional wounds can develop from the smallest things and leave

others’ perceptions of you are and put that energy onto your inner

a resounding mark on the way we behave or perceive ourselves in

peace, your life will transform”, Whelan asserts. Self-love is not

the future.

selfish, nor is it a clique, but is such an important tool for us to

This can range from experiences like watching a divorce go through, to “messing up” on stage in front of an audience as a child.

overcome the mental roadblocks that are hindering us from living the most optimal and joyous life. www.soulutiontherapist.com

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INTUITION

BARBIE

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the Frequency of Gratitude IT’S TIME TO FALL IN LOVE WITH YOURSELF AGAIN, SAYS BARBIE LAYTON.

THROUGHOUT the last couple of years of global pandemic, many celebrities

job performance and help us to do more than we ever thought possible, both

have opened up about their personal struggles and how they are pivoting to a

privately and professionally.

different mindset, choosing self-love over previous behaviors.

Step Two: Practice Extreme Gratitude

In a recent interview between Oprah and Adele, the singer stated that she loved herself and had become open to loving and being loved by someone

“Firstly, you have to tune into a frequency of gratitude. Native Americans

else. “Everything is timing … You have to get clarity on what you really want

would offer a prayer of thanks for the three hundred hands that had brought

in the soul of yourself.” When Oprah asked her, “What do you really want?”

the food to their table. When I cook, it’s the same thing. I say thanks for the

her response was, “Peace of mind and stability.”

beautiful ingredients laid before me. I thank inanimate objects like my car, fridge or microwave because they carry an energetic frequency. And they’re

Given the toll that job losses, health problems and a worldwide pandemic

there to support me. I’m acknowledging that everything is working with me,

have had on society’s well-being, self-care has certainly come to the fore.

and for me, as opposed to against me.”

Whilst some have balked at the term – saying it evokes a sense of narcissism – it’s been proven that a dearth of self-love can seriously affect your health.

Barbie explains: “Extreme gratitude – as I call it – enables me to fall in love with the world around me, allowing me to easily shift out of a negative

Low self-esteem, caused by a negative self-image, is linked with depression, poor physical health and a lack of mental well-being. Since depression is an increasingly common and destructive blight on modern society, self-love might be the ‘antidote’ that we all need.

mindset and into a positive one.”

Step Three: Be The VIP Of Your Own Life Turning that science into an art-form, Barbie believes that everyone should

Host of the TV channel, ‘You Are Amazing’ on The Best You TV, and co-

act as the ‘VIP’ of their own life. She explains: “Loving yourself means

founder of ‘The Infinity Life’, Barbie Layton – aka Intuitive Barbie – has

occasionally treating yourself to the better things in life. It’s not about

devoted her career to helping others literally fall in love with themselves.

consumerism, or spoiling yourself, but it’s an attitude that says, ‘I deserve the

According to the renowned author and motivational speaker, self-love

best.’

is a powerful emotion that opens one up to a new realm of personal and professional possibilities. As a vocal advocate of learning to appreciate

With pandemic-related job losses still affecting the economy, it can be easy to

oneself, she offers some practical advice.

get into a ‘make do’ mindset where you never really put yourself first. Barbie

Step One: Fall In Love With Yourself Where You Currently Are

you are worthy of good things. Not only will it change your life but also the

says, “It doesn’t have to be something huge. Love yourself and act as though atmosphere around you, shifting people from a mindset of lack and fear to

Whilst falling in love with the world, and yourself, may be the first step

freedom and abundance.”

towards self-acceptance, further action is required to see a monumental life-change. A common complaint amongst adults is that they have no time

Barbie continues, “If you listen to a frequency of 528 HZ on the Solfeggio

for themselves. Kids, careers, and chores conspire to subjugate dreams and

Frequencies, which sounds like Hyuuu (the tone of creation, love, and DNA)

aspirations. There are so many other pressing duties.

for thirty days, it can play a small part in opening up your energies to love or ‘above’ frequencies, which is the frequency where manifestation occurs.

But Barbie maintains that transformational self-love must ‘reanimate’

YouTube contains many free tracks. We have all watched people go through

old passions, whether it’s music, singing, painting, or something entirely

metamorphoses like the caterpillar that becomes a radiant butterfly. Above

entrepreneurial, like starting your own business. Part of appreciating

all, stay in childlike wonder and suspend disbelief that things can get better.

yourself involves bringing your dreams to life and then carefully nurturing

Thank everything that supports you now and step into a better version of

them.

yourself every day just by shifting your perception.”

According to recent studies, repeated bouts of self-compassion are strongly

www.youareamazing.online

linked with resilience and success. The mood-enhancing effects can improve

89

INTUITION

Patti Negri ENERGY BALANCING FOR THOSE WHO ARE TIRED OF THE RAT RACE

THE key to almost everything is balance. Unfortunately, modern society has us running faster than crazed rats on hamster wheels, and sometimes it feels like the wheels will fall off. Yes, we all know the benefits of meditation and “me time,” but for those battling it out in the rat race of life, we have mere minutes to pull ourselves together and try to get back into balance so that we can not only survive but thrive. Patti Negri, psychic medium, “Good Witch,” podcaster, author, and TV host, shares the benefits of energy balancing and some easy elemental exercises to help you get back in balance within 30 seconds, no matter where you are.

BALANCED

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ELEMENTAL

What is Energy Balancing?

element of water. Find a sink or something similar. Before you turn on

Energy balancing works by harmonizing the energies within you, bring-

the tap, be sure to set an intention such as, I choose to release my anger.

ing into balance your elemental natures of earth, air, fire, and water.

Then turn on the tap and place your hands underneath the running water

When all of these elements are in balance, so are we. From this place of

for 30 seconds. You may wish to visualize your excess emotions draining

balance, we can achieve harmony and well-being in all areas of our lives.

down the sink. Now that you have released your excess emotions, you can deal with whatever brought on the feeling minus the overwhelm.

“I am an elemental witch. I work with nature and its elements. Nature truly does balance us, but in our modern society, most of us don’t get

Air and Thoughts

enough time to commune with nature. The good news is, we don’t have

“Do you overthink? Get foggy? Sometimes you can’t get your thoughts

to leave our office or our recording studios to tune into the elements and

to SHUT UP! You need to balance your air element,” says Negri. A quick

reap the rewards,” explains Patti Negri.

fix to calm the air element is to bring awareness to your breath and add sound. First, set the intention that your breathing will clear and quiet

Our Elemental Selves

your mind. Then take 30 seconds to sound out vowels or chants like

Your entire life is made up of the four essential elements of earth, air,

Amen, Om, aaaa, eeee, etc. This is great to do before a presentation!

fire, and water. Earth represents who you are, your home, and your sense of being. Air represents your thinking brain, thoughts, and sense of rea-

Earth and Grounding

son. Fire represents your passion, creativity, the blood flowing through

Feeling ungrounded or as if you have left your body? Take 30 seconds to

your veins, and spirituality. And finally, water represents your emotions.

connect with anything made of wood or stone. Affirm that the object you are connecting with will ground and center you. Then hold onto it and

The next time you feel unhappy, unproductive, or like you are cruising

breathe.

through life “asleep at the wheel,” know that there is a remedy; you need to figure out which of your elements is out of balance.

Fire and Passion All out of passion and feeling tired? Fire is what you need. “This is breath-

How to Balance Your Energy - in 30 Seconds or Less!

ing and sound magic,” explains Negri. “Affirm in your head how you want

“Recognising which of your elements is out of balance is easy. All you

to feel and then, for 30 seconds and breathing deeply, make the sound of

need to do is think about which element aligns with your feelings. For

a bee buzzing. You will start to feel a tingling at the base of your spine,

example, I feel angry. That is an emotion. That’s water. I’m feeling foggy.

and in no time, you will have all the energy, passion, and creativity you

That has to do with my thoughts; that’s air.

need to move forward.”

Here are four simple techniques to quickly bring yourself back into bal-

These four techniques will act as your hidden powers! You can do them

ance as you move through your day.

anywhere. Best of all, they cost nothing and only take 30 seconds. So keep them in mind and pull them out whenever needed for immediate balance

Water and Emotions

and relief.

Feel as if your emotions are out of balance? “Your emotions keep you from your full experience of life…you need the water element,” explains

www.pattinegri.com

Negri. You only need access to a running water source to balance the

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FROM EGO TO ESSENCE HOW TO OPEN YOURSELF TO INFINITE POSSIBILITIES.

BY TARRYN REEVES

ARE you driven? Or, are you drawn? The pathway of being driven

were, park the pursuit of ‘more,’ and embrace the magic of ‘being’?

often leaves us feeling exhausted, stressed out, and unfulfilled always searching for the next best thing. To be drawn, however,

“The clear, easier path emerging in these dark times takes the work out

is where the magic lies. Diana Wentworth, Founder Inside

of it. All that is required is a shift of perception. You need only discern

Edge Foundation for Education, international keynote speaker,

and create a partnership with all that is available to us now and become

author of seven best-selling and award-winning books, and

completely open and receptive to your highest good,” says Wentworth.

co-author of two Chicken Soup for the Soul titles, shares the power of what it means to be drawn rather than driven.

Studies have shown that we have a minuscule 17 seconds to capture a negative thought and turn it into something more positive. As is

“We’ve evolved into a time when we can experience a

natural human behavior, our first thoughts in the morning are often

much more intimate, interactive, expansive relationship

centered around survival. Thoughts about all the things we have to do

with the unknown,” explains Diana Wentworth.

that day, the things we don’t want to do, situations we dread but know we must do; thoughts like these tend to start running rampant in our

The Essence Within

minds as soon as we open our eyes. It can be easy to get overwhelmed by stress and even easier to fall into victimhood, but we must learn to

We are all familiar with the term ‘soul,’ but what does it mean,

take control and set the stage of our day for wonder rather than woe.

and how can we connect with it to support us to live our lives to our fullest potential? “I refer to the soul as essence. It is the elixir

Wonder instead how great the day can turn out or how you can lift

that lights up the core of someone’s being. It is your purpose

someone’s spirits. Turn your thoughts instead to a place that lifts

based on your gifts to bring forth in this life; what you are here

you and makes you feel light and full of possibilities. “From that

to exemplify from your purest, truest place,” says Wentworth.

place, that feeling of wonderment, you become a flowing fountain nourishing the world with your unique gifts,” says Wentworth.

In her 80 years, Wentworth has experienced the profound magic that can occur when we feel and listen to the power of being

There are many ways in which we can learn to shift our thoughts.

drawn to people, experiences, and places. Some might refer to

Start your day with an app such as NuCalm or a journaling

this as luck; however, Wentworth understands that the magic

session. “You need only ask for what you want, listen and discern

that continues to unfold in her life is a result of learning to listen,

the highest answer to that,” explains Wentworth. As you move

connect with her essence, ask for what she wants and then allow

through your day, you only need 20 minutes to realign yourself.

herself to be drawn to the next best step to achieve her goals.

Take a 20-minute walk in nature, breathe deeply and/or listen to a short meditation. You will be surprised at the power that this

Just like a seed being drawn out of the Earth to bloom

has to support you in choosing your mental state - because that is

into the sunlight, so must we allow ourselves to be

what it is, a choice. You get to choose. You must expect magic.

drawn to the next thing that will lead us forward.

“Invisible help is not only available but standing by for eager Put the Drive in Park

directions!” says Wentworth. So start small and go from there. The more you follow the feeling of being drawn, the more magic you

Our modern way of living has us stepping further and further away from

discover. And who doesn’t want more magic in their lives?

our true selves and falling into the trap of running faster and faster in pursuit of the next best thing. But what if we just stopped, even just for a moment? What if there was a way for us to remember who we truly

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www.dianawentworth.com

INFINITE

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SECRETS

KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL FROM DIY YOUTUBER TO BEAUTY BRAND ENTREPRENEUR: THE HEATHER MARIANNA STORY

BY KAREN DONALD

HEATHER MARIANNA, an entrepreneur and beauty expert,

beauty into a thriving business. In this article, we will dive

turned her passion for creating homemade beauty recipes into a

deeper into how Heather Marianna is using her knowledge and

global brand. Her journey to success is unique and inspiring. She

experience to help entrepreneurs achieve their dreams.

started as a beer girl in bars while attending college in Indianapolis before starting her own business of booking promo girls.

In The Beginning

At just 21 years old, she made her first million dollars by selling

Heather Marianna skyrocketed in popularity with the launch of her

Ferrari-shaped doggy beds to wealthy women. After a break from

Beauty Kitchen YouTube series in 2012, where she showcased simple DIY

work, she moved to Vegas as a marketing consultant where she

beauty recipes made with common kitchen household ingredients. Her

launched her successful YouTube channel, Beauty Kitchen.

channel quickly generated a following of more than 3 million viewers.

Heather’s DIY beauty videos gained popularity, leading to the

With the channel’s growing success, the vivacious social media

launch of her own all-natural, plant-based skincare line, Beauty

personality translated her passion for looking and feeling great into

Kitchen. Her expertise and bubbly personality helped her appear

the development of her all-natural, plant-based self-care and skincare

in over 100 national TV news segments and be featured in major

product line, Beauty Kitchen, which delivers a luxurious at-home

publications like Better Homes and Gardens and US Weekly.

spa experience with simple ingredients at an affordable price.

Empowering Entrepreneurs

“Over the last decade, I’ve had the privilege of assisting numerous individuals in launching their beauty brands through private

But Heather’s success didn’t end there. She started a Brand Incubator

labeling,” she explains. “My expertise has even extended to working

and Accelerator Program that provides coaching, manufacturing, and

with celebrities and TV personalities. Through these experiences,

affordable resources for those looking to launch their own beauty brands.

I’ve accumulated invaluable knowledge that any entrepreneur starting in this industry can use to gain a competitive edge.”

Despite facing challenges like her struggle with a shopping addiction and being engaged 13 times to 11 men, Heather’s passion

Building An Empire

for natural beauty and her desire to share her knowledge with others have driven her success. Her products are used by many

Marianna’s DIY beauty recipes went viral, inspiring viewers

celebrities, and she has been called “Hollywood’s best-kept secret”

to create their own natural beauty products. Her relatable

by her clients. Heather’s journey serves as an inspiration to anyone

personality and charisma helped her build a thriving business

looking to turn their passion into a successful business.

with the Beauty Kitchen line. The products are all-natural, plant-based, and free from harsh chemicals and toxins.

Starting a beauty brand can be a daunting task, but with the right guidance and support, anyone can turn their passion for

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EMPOWERMENT

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Beauty Kitchen offers a variety of self-care products like bath

The Tools For Success

bombs, body scrubs, and face masks, providing an indulgent, spalike experience at home. The brand is available at Boots, Planet

“Over the last decade, I’ve had the privilege of assisting numerous

Organic, Lloyds Pharmacy, Nature Intended, and Lloyds Pharmacy:

individuals in launching their beauty brands through private

selected stores and online, and is popular among celebrities.

labeling,” she explains. “My expertise has even extended to working with celebrities and TV personalities. Through these experiences,

Achieving Financial Freedom:

I’ve accumulated invaluable knowledge that any entrepreneur

Marianna’s dedication to empowering others and sharing

starting in this industry can use to gain a competitive edge.”

her expertise has made her a trusted source in the beauty industry and a beacon of hope for those looking to turn

Marianna’s passion for teaching and sharing information is evident

their passion for beauty into a successful business.

in the resources she provides, such as workbook downloads, minicourses, and product packages with limited-run product lines. For

With her famous tweet, “The only way to fail is to stop trying,”

those looking for more personalized guidance, Marianna provides

Marianna has not only built a successful business in the beauty

one-on-one coaching sessions that offer personalized guidance

industry but has also become an inspiration to many women seeking

and support over Zoom. With Marianna’s guidance, anyone with

financial freedom. Her commitment to hard work and passion for

a passion for beauty can turn their dreams into a reality.

helping others has created a story of success that inspires many.

Weekly Support Develops Your Brand Celebrity Swag Bags If you’re already running your beauty brand, Marianna’s coaching Marianna’s journey began in 2015 with her own YouTube series called

services can help you take your business to the next level. These

Beauty Kitchen, where she shared her DIY methods and quickly gained

courses offer valuable insights into the beauty industry and provide

a following. In 2013, she expanded into selling her line of natural beauty

the necessary resources to get started. Workbooks are also available for

products and has since grown her business to include private labeling for

those with a passion for beauty who can turn their dreams into a reality.

other brands. Her company grew as she continued making appearances on reality TV shows and providing items for celebrity “swag” bags.

These courses offer valuable insights into the beauty industry and provide the necessary resources to get started. Workbooks are also available for

Currently, Marianna’s line includes soaps, bath bombs and soaks,

those who are looking to expand and elevate their existing business.

shower gels, skin polishes, anti-acne items, eye gels, lip balms, and face and lip masks. They come in a variety of scents as well as

Marianna’s dedication to helping others achieve financial freedom

purposes, such as anti-aging, plumping, or skin brightening.

through the beauty industry is admirable. Her vast knowledge and experience in building successful brands have been instrumental in

She even offers an all-natural bug spray. Because her products

helping others launch their own businesses. From providing educational

incorporate fresh, natural, organic ingredients, Marianna said they have

resources to personalized coaching, Marianna is committed to helping

a shelf life of about one year but are better when used shortly after they

others turn their passion for beauty into a profitable business.

are made. This also enables her to create seasonal scents, such as Fall in Love with Fall orange clove skin polish and Pumpkin Pie hand sanitizer.

Weekly Workouts

Knowledge Is The Key

For those who are ready to fully commit, personal coaching sessions are a great way to navigate the development of their

Marianna has extensive experience in building successful beauty

brand. These weekly calls provide guidance and support,

brands and helping others launch their own. She believes her

along with access to products, labels, and designs.

knowledge can empower other women to achieve financial freedom and offers resources and services for those passionate about creating

“From someone who started reading skincare articles in magazines

their own brands. Her master class courses on the website provide

as a teen, to someone that’s taking one of my skincare brands public I

an excellent starting point for those seeking preparation.

can give you the coaching, motivation, and map to success that you’ll need as you create your dream skincare line,” explains Marianna.

Through building beauty brands, Marianna gained valuable knowledge in cost reduction, bulk order marketing, wholesaling, pricing, public

Heather Marianna is also making waves in the industry. She

relations, and more. She also travels throughout the country to source

will be co-hosting an Emmy’s Event Celebrity Gifting Lounge in

raw materials for her products, maintaining a focus on quality.

September with the Merritt Marianna Group to help bring exposure to brands and their products to help build their business.

Having made several mistakes herself, Marianna is determined to help others avoid the same errors while building their own beauty brands.

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www.beautykitchen.net

JUNE 17TH AT BARNES & NOBLE BOOK SIGNING: 10:00AM-1:00PM RED CARPET EVENT: 3:30PM-8:30PM 6501 PALM AVE, HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA 92648 TheHuntingtonClub.com WGW SPEAKER LINEUP

SPEAKERS:

D I A N A W E N T W O R T H | B A R B I E L AY TO N | DA N A K AY | K A R E N W H E L A N | G E N E V I E V E S E A R L E | M I C H A L E G A B R I E L KO R T N E Y M U R R AY | T E R R I B R I T | B E AT E N I M S K Y | R H O N DA S W A N | H A N A L E I S W A N

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The Wild Network At The Wild Network, we understand that women today are looking for more than just entertainment – they want to be inspired, empowered, and supported on their journey to becoming their best selves.

That’s why we offer a wide range of shows that are designed to help women connect with themselves, each other, and the world around them.

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