My Friend: Eula M. Guest

Are You Proactive or Reactive

What running a business and the year 2013 has taught me is I don’t always have control over situations that come up in my life, but what I do have control over is how I am going to handle tough situations. 

What I am most proud of and what I learned these past 12 months is that to stop, think and decide in a calm mental state what my next move is going to be.  I learned this from chess and learning how to calculate my next moves and not to rush a move but to think it through.  I had situations come up recently that could have escalated quickly where I didn’t have control over what was going to happen next.  

There was a situation when I was on a NYC bus where it was pretty crowded. I had my daughter with me, and I sensed that something was wrong. I wasn’t near an exit, and I knew that if something happened there was no way my daughter and I were going to be able to get off fast enough. There was a woman in front of me that turned around and looked at me. She must have had the same sense that the man in the front was gong to do something.  I told her to stay calm, and I held my daughter’s hand.  I whispered to the lady that the bus driver was going to call an emergency code that is going to flash  911 and not to move. My daughter was getting antsy, and I told her to hold my hand and don’t try to run. She wanted to get off, but I told her not to worry because help was coming. Within seconds, the bus was surrounded with police, and they pulled the man off the bus. 

The lady in front of me asked me how I knew what was going to happen. The bus drivers reaction told me what was going to happen. Most people who sense danger will try to get out of a situation or try to put distance between them and the person who they are in fear of. He did neither; he just calmly said, “I am not going to argue with you,” and he didn’t move the bus. This told me he had pulled the alarm.  This driver was an older gentleman who was probably trained for this situation. If he had been younger and or a reactive person this could have ended a lot differently.  The driver knew that he was not only responsible for his life but the lives of everyone on that bus, and he kept a very cool head. Everyone clapped when the police came on the bus. This was when my daughter and I got off and that was when I had time to react.  I knew if I showed my daughter any fear, she would have tried to run and that would have started a panic. 

The next time you are in an emergency, are you going to be prepared?  Will you be proactive or reactive?  Will you be able to be calm and think quickly on your feet?  Plan now because the next emergency is coming.  Are you prepared? 

Inspirational Woman Of The Day: Betty Ford

 

 

Betty Ford may be best remembered for her role as the First Lady of the United States from 1974 to 1977. During her husband’s tenure, she was a vocal supporter of breast cancer awareness following her own mastectomy in 1974, pro-choice on abortion, a leader in the Women’s movement and an activist for the ERA (Equal Rights Amendment).  But, I believe her greatest moment came when she not only faced a personal demon, but also used her success as a teaching tool for others.

 

Elizabeth Anne “Betty” Bloomer was born in Chicago and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  After graduating from Central High School, she went on to study modern dance at the Bennington School of Dance.  While a student at Bennington, she met renowned choreographer Martha Graham and became a member of her Auxiliary Performance Troupe in New York City.

 

Bloomer returned to Michigan in 1941 and became a fashion coordinator for a department store.  During this time, she continued to pursue her love of dance by starting her own performance group and teaching dance to handicapped children.  In 1947, she began dating Gerald R. Ford, Jr., and the two married in 1948.

 

Shortly thereafter, the Fords moved to Washington, DC, where Mr. Ford served as a member of the House of Representatives and Mrs. Ford assumed the duties of a congressional spouse.  Mr. & Mrs. Ford became the parents of four children, with Mrs. Ford staying at home to care for them.

 

In 1973, Gerald Ford was appointed Vice President of the United States.  One year later, upon the resignation of President Nixon in the wake of the Watergate scandal, Ford became the 38^th President of the United States and Mrs. Ford became the First Lady.  A few months later, Mrs. Ford was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a radical mastectomy.  Rather than suppressing the diagnosis, she courageously shared her story and inspired countless women across the nation to get breast examinations.  During her tenure as First Lady, Mrs. Ford continued to be an outspoken advocate of women’s rights, addressing public issues like the ERA and increasing the number of women appointed to senior government posts

 

After leaving the White House in 1977, the Fords settled in Rancho Mirage, California.  A year later, the family staged an intervention, forcing Mrs. Ford to face both her alcoholism and an addition to painkillers that had been described to her in the early 1960s.  In 1982, following her recovery, she co-founded the Betty Ford Center to treat victims of alcohol and chemical dependency

 

I love that. 

 

For many of us (myself included), substance abuse would definitely be something that we’d try to hide.  Something we’d put in a dark corner somewhere along with life’s other embarrassing moments – far away from polite company.  But, not Mrs. Ford.  Not only did she have the humility to own up to her mistake, but she shared it continuously with others in an effort to help.  And, for that alone, she will always be an inspiration to me.  Talk about turning lemons into lemonade.

 

What do you  think of Betty Ford?  Inspirational or not?  Are there other moments in her life that you find more inspirational?  Let me know what you think.  Sound off in the comments.

 

 

Inspirational Woman Of The Day: Patrice Cunningham Washington

Patrice C. Washington has been making money fun since 2003 as a nationally recognized personal finance columnist, television commentator, radio host, author, speaker and leading authority on personal finance, entrepreneurship and success for women and youth.

Known to tens of thousands online as the Wisdom & Wealth Money Maven, Patrice C. Washington is the Founder and CEO of Seek Wisdom Find Wealth, a boutique personal finance consulting firm based in Atlanta, GA. Seek Wisdom Find Wealth is devoted to teaching professional women and youth around the world how to consistently eliminate financial stress and implement financial strategies that support the lifestyle they desire and deserve.

She is the author of Real Money Answers, a series of sensible, straightforward, question and answer style, personal finance books written to address the most common financial questions of targeted groups of individuals. Her latest release, Real Money Answers for Every Woman: How to Win the Money Game With or Without a Man is inspiring women internationally to recognize that whether voluntarily or involuntarily, managing money is a reality that all women will face; they might as well do it wisely. The previous installment, Real Money Answers: College Life & Beyond, the ultimate guide to creating a wealthy mindset, skill set and overall personal finance success in your 20s, is still a favorite among college coordinators and planners looking for a young, fresh and entertaining voice on financial principles that speaks to their students on a level they can relate to and understand.

Patrice teaches women and youth practical tips and tools that they can implement immediately in order to get the results they desire while enjoying their lifestyle. She believes and advocates strongly that success with money comes from creating discipline – not deprivation, a unique spin on what many financial gurus in today’s market would advise. In Patrice’s opinion, it’s also one of the reasons, younger people and many women cannot make the progress they truly desire. Who wants to constantly be told what they can’t have today in order to maybe get something decades from now? “You can’t compete in today’s market by preaching old rhetoric. We live in a society that proclaims proudly, ‘YOLO! Meaning you only live once!’ I show people how to enjoy their life while making wise and financially supportive decisions.”

Patrice’s timely and well-received wisdom on money matters has been featured by national brands such as NBC, Black Enterprise, The Huffington Post, Upscale Magazine, SHEEN Magazine, GEICO, Experian and more. Each year she electrifies tens of thousands as a sought after speaker from colleges to churches and conferences nationally.

A Message From The Creator

Inspirational Woman Of The Day: Natalie Gouche’

Natalie Gouche’ is a social media marketing trainer based out of Los Angeles, California. She uses her expertise in marketing to help others master the new age of communication.

Natalie started her career in social media as a frustrated small business owner looking to expand her global reach. She used social media to attract customers, grow sales in her health business and brand her name. In less than 6 months Natalie was able to quit her corporate job and triple her income using only online strategies. It was then that she decided to train and empower others on how to effectively use the social media-marketing platform to grow their business. She can be found around the Los Angeles training, speaking and teaching as well as doing webinars for her international clients.

What people are saying about Natalie Gouche’ :

“Natalie Gouche’ is an incredible resource for entrepreneurs. I recently attended one of her Facebook 101 training classes and was happy with the service she provided. Natalie seems equally comfortable with business owners that are well established to entrepreneurs just starting out, and demonstrates a genuine willingness to share what she knows with others. I recommend contacting Natalie if you need help taking your business to the next level.” – Tamesha Diggs

“Working with Natalie one-on-one is an experience. With her fast pace style, she engages you to think and put into action on the spot. No frizzles, no fluff just plain down-to-earth and get job done.” – Earnestine Lavergne

“Natalie has given me the know-how on getting a step ahead in the online world and her information is outstanding. Her creative ideas and her genuine willingness to help is apparent from the get go. I would definitely encourage the business minded to reach out to her because no matter how big or small, Natalie is sure to make a lasting and valuable impression.” – Purvee Patel of Pure Management

“Since working with Natalie, I’ve finally conquered my fear of Twitter and now I’ve got lots of followers and connections. Using this medium to promote my business and stay in touch with my contacts is easy and effective, and I can’t thank Natalie enough for all her help and encouragement. She is a terrific social media coach and consultant” – Diane Severt of Busy Bee SEO

Office: 213-394-5973

Hours: 8am-5pm PST

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MogulMom

Contact Natalie

Inspirational Woman Of The Day: Eula M. Guest

 

Eula M. Guest, COO

Eula M. Guest, daughter of the late John D. Young & Mrs. Gertrude Young, was raised in the south Bronx, New York, and graduated from William Howard Taft High School with an Academic Diploma.  Ms. Guest graduated in 2005 with her Bachelors in Business Administration from Metropolitan College of New York, and completed business courses at the Workshop in Business Opportunities (WIBO) class of 2009. Eula M. Guest lives with her husband and partner Derrick M. Guest and their daughter Shassee.  She has two daughters from a pervious marriage Monique Taylor and Sasha Lenore.

Ms. Guest has developed a sharp eye for business as the Chief Operating Officer & co-owner of Griot’s Roll Film Production & Services Inc. She is the social media and on-line marketing expert at Griot’s Roll a video marketing and video consulting company.  Ms. Guest was the Publicist for the off Broadway Play “Choices” a production produced by The Negro Ensemble Company this started Ms. Guest on her public relations journey. 

Ms. Guest was interviewed for The Wall Street Journal – Kitting Up for Next Disaster (November 2012), The New York Times (September 2012) featured education article entitled: “School Choice Is No Cure-All Harlem Finds”, Appears in an Article in Women’s Elevation Magazine entitled: “Eula M. Young: A Fresh Lens For a Generation” (August 2012), Ms. Guest was voted one of the top uptown women entrepreneurs for women’s history month featured in the Harlem News two years in a row (April 2013, 2012).  She has appeared in The Manhattan Times, Amsterdam News, Black Enterprise Magazine (May 2009) featuring article, “Learn Cost Effective Ways to run their Business in These Hard Economic Times.”

In 2011 Ms. Guest was interviewed for a book entitled: Mogul Mom – How to Quit Your Job, Start Your Own Business, and Join the Work-at-Home Revolution. As one of the 250 winners of the 2011 British Airways Face of Opportunity Video Contest, she and her partner was flown to London, England as part of the British Airways Face of Opportunity 2 day Business Conference (February 2011).  Ms. Guest was one of the 50 Fabulous Women Entrepreneurs in SistaSense Black Business Women On-line (July 2011).

Ms. Guest was the workshop facilitators entitled: Building Social Capital for the 2014 Onward Winter Conference for college freshmen and sophomores.  Presenter for W.E.S.T. (Women of Excellence, Strength and Tenacity) 2013 Symposium panel discussion entitled: “The Significance of Professional Relationships: Your Fortune is in Your Follow-Up and Follow Through”, (June 2013), Guest Presenter for the Falu Foundation 25^th Anniversary Economic Development Job Creation Event – Workshop entitled: “Branding and On-line Video Marketing” (August 2013). Guest Presenter for Real Sisters Rising 10^th Anniversary Conference Rise To Power – Workshop entitled: “E-mail Marketing Strategies” (November 2013), Guest panelists for The Phenomenal Women Group Inc. at Medgar Evers College on “Women, Gender & Media”, Black Data Processing Associates New York – 2012, 2010 Black Family Technology Awareness Week Panel Discussion entitled “Cost Effective Solutions for Black Business Owners” (February 2012),  On MSNBC Education Nation – New York Summit – Student Town Hall, moderated by MSNBC’s Melissa Harris-Perry as part of “The Melissa Harris-Perry Show” (September 2012), Presenter for the Girl Scouts of America “Taking Action” Workshop entitled: “How to Build your On-line Presence now for Internships, Scholarships, College and Future Careers”(October 2012), on the panel for Fast Track To Solopreneur Success Meet-Up Group “Effective Video & Social Media Marketing” (January 2011).

Ms. Guest a member of The NYC Small Business Services as an M/WBE, The New York State Economic Development Corporation. For video services quotes, interviews, panel discussions, speaking engagements workshops, contact Ms. Guest at (212) 281-2286 or eula@griotsrollproduction.com.

Inspirational Woman Of The Day: Katherine Waddell

CHARLOTTE, NC – January 13, 2014 – Small business owners are growing discouraged when it comes to marketing techniques  that are low cost and effective. According to Yahoo! Small Business, “in 2012, on average 10.4 percent of revenue was spent on marketing” (source: http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/advisor/much-money-business-spending-marketing-223031425.html).

Katherine Waddell of This Needs to Be Said Media, Inc. (TNTBS) wants to show an affordable option for small businesses looking to get the word out about their products and services.

 On April 1, 2014 join Katherine, along with an expert-packed panel, for the B4 Tour, an all-day showcase where guests can attend online with their computers, tablets or smartphones. The B4 Tour will guide attendees through major aspects of small business, such as branding, taxes and marketing. Katherine will discuss “Profitable Radio Marketing Exposed: Understanding What Needs to Be Said” during the webcast.

The B4 Tour is hosted by Durham-based Rhonda Nails of Project PUSH, an initiative dedicated to supporting small business. Known as the Success Instigator, Rhonda has worked alongside new and seasoned business owners since 2010. 

 To register and join the live virtual event, beginning 12 noon on April 1, 2014, visit the B4 Tour registration page. For more information about the event and its schedule, visit http://www.project-push.org/b4.

 ABOUT PROJECT PUSH

Project PUSH goes beyond serving as a support system, for today’s entrepreneurs. It displays Rhonda’s story of building a business in spite of bankruptcy, to help other entrepreneurs build their businesses, even on a bankrupt budget.

 ABOUT TNTBS MEDIA, INCORPORATED TNTBS Media, Incorporated is the home of the online radio broadcast This Needs To Be Said, a Charlotte, NC-based talk show. The show aims to get a message out to everyone who will listen that says, ‘There is an elephant in the room, let’s talk about it!’  TNTBS is also home to the Dreams Woven Support Network, Incorporated, with  which its mission is to provide a support system to help business owners and entrepreneurs stay on track, stay focused and to stay motivated as they realize their dreams.

Media Contact:  Katherine Waddell

Email: letstalk@thisneedstobesaid.com Phone: 980-522-8223

Site: http://www.thisneedstobesaid.com

My Friend: Eula M. Guest

Are You Putting Limitations on Your Life

When I greet people and they ask me, how are you?  I try to answer every time, “I Woke Up and the Rest is Gravy”.  The reason why I answer that way is to remind myself that I have another day to get it right.  To learn whatever lessons God is putting in front of me.

Are you negatively putting road blocks in front of your life?  Are you impacting your lessons by putting negative energy into the air?  Do you answer “Oh I had a rough morning” or “my knees arehurting me today” or “my sinuses are bothering me” or “my children are getting on my nerves”.  If you answer yes to this or any negative answers, then you are putting limitations on your life.  You are officially blocking your blessings.  I’m not saying I am perfect I have to literally be conscious of what I say and how I put words into the universe.

If you haven’t already done so you should have written a list of intentions for the New Year 2014.  You should put forth realistic positive energy in to your life and to speak positivity into the universe.  It won’t be easy if you are not in the habit of looking at this in a positive light but now that you know better, you will do better.  Start by going into the bathroom in the morning and speaking positivity into your life.

• I am blessed
• I am going to have a great day
• I will make some sales today in my business
• I am a child of God and God don’t make no junk
• I can do anything through God etc.

 

Just get into the habit of speaking positivity.  Don’t get bent out of shape if you don’t get it right away.  This takes time and conscious efforts.

Remember that at every new level you will encounter a new devil.  When you are trying to do better the negativeenergy is trying to keep you where you are at.  

 

Blessings!  HAPPY 2014

 

Inspirational Woman Of The Day: Myra Hunn

Myra grew up in a church family but choose to leave church for many years.  When she walked away from church, she spiraled down a road of drugs and alcohol until the day she was faced with raising two kids alone.  Sitting in a small two bedroom apartment trying once again to drown her pain in drugs and alcohol she made a promise to God that she would not return back to the life of drugs and alcohol.  She had hit her rock bottom.  From that day she began to walk with God.  She has obtained an associate degree in Computer Networking and Applications.  She is currently pursuing her bachelor degree in Computer Information Systems.  In 2012, she felt the need to tell her story and encourage others along their journey.  She started a Facebook page called Learning the Lord which ultimately became her company name and began posting words of encouragement.  In August of 2013, she began a talk radio show called Endless Encouragement on Blog Talk Radio.  Over 4,600 people have listened to her broadcast. Myra’s desire is to bring “real life” stories so that listeners can be encouraged and inspired to overcome their obstacles in life.  As well as understand an individual’s past does not determine a person future only today determine a person future.

My Hero: Iyanla Vanzant

Rev. Dr. Iyanla (pronounced E-Yan-La) Vanzant’s story reads like an epic adventure filled with near misses, struggle, strength, courage and triumph! From her life’s experiences she has uncovered her life’s purpose, discovered the power that lies within and recovered her authentic self Iyanla Vanzant has emerged as a living testament to the value in life’s valleys and the power of acting on faith. The best part is, she teaches what she has learned.

Born in Brooklyn, New York in the back of a taxi cab to an alcoholic mother, Iyanla was a child of an extra martial affair. When Iyanla was two-years-old her mother succumb to breast cancer. This left Iyanla and her older brother to be raised by father, who left his children in the care of a series a relatives, including an uncle who raped her at the tender age of nine. Although Iyanla knew her father, he was often not present physically and emotionally unavailable. By age 16, she was a teenage mother. By age 21 she had three children and a physically abusive husband. 9 years, two suicide attempts and many beatings later, Iyanla and her three children made their early morning escape into an unknown future; a future where she would raise her three children alone. Being a single mother, she sustained her family for several years on public assistance. Iyanla was inspired by a sign on the bus to change her life by attending Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, New York. Three years later she graduated Summa Cum Laude and entered the City University of New York Law School at Queens College. Her brilliant oratory skills caught the attention of the Philadelphia Public Defender’s office who offered her a job without a formal interview. Three years into her practice, Iyanla knew she had made the wrong choice for her life and left her position.

Like everyone else, Iyanla readily admits that she too has had long periods of confusion. Unlike many, however, she uses her difficult times to usher her into a new state of being. After leaving her prominent position as an attorney, Iyanla eventually found herself unemployed, sleeping on a sofa in a friend’s basement with her pregnant 16 year-old daughter. A friend invited her to teach a class for women who were being trained to transition from welfare to work. Understanding their predicament very well, Iyanla took her new job seriously. She produced a workbook for the class. In 1988, that workbook became her first published work, Tapping The Power Within: A Path To Self Empowerment For Black Women. The 20th. Anniversary edition of this book was published in 2008. (Smiley Books/Hay House). Her second work, Acts of Faith: Daily Meditations For People of Color, crossed the racial divide to become a favorite companion for Tipper Gore, wife of then Vice President Al Gore. 13 publications and 5 New York Times Best Sellers were not a part of Iyanla’s plans. Then again, the best laid plan tend to go awry.

Iyanla has received numerous awards and accolades for the power and impact of her work. She received She is hailed as one of Halle Berry’s five “Sheros” (Glamour Magazine 2006); one of the country’s most influential African Americans (Ebony Magazine 2004); among the country’s most 100 Influential Women (Women’s Day Magazine 2003); one of the “most dynamic speakers in the United States” (Emerge Magazine 2000). She is a woman of passion, clear vision and purpose.

Dr. Vanzant travels globally delivering her teachings and message of hope to thousands. A much sought after guest for prime time radio shows, her voice is a staple on The Tom Joyner Morning Show (Radio One); The Tavis Smiley Show (NPR); The Michael Baisden Show (ABC); and Tell Me More with Michel Martin (NPR). She has appeared as a host Life Coach on the NBC Daytime Drama, Starting Over (2004-2006); Iyanla, her own daytime talk show (2001-2002) produced by Barbara Walters and Billy Getty. She was also a recurring guest on Oprah (1998-1999) as part of the Change Your Life Faculty.

As Founder and Director of Inner Visions Institute of Spiritual Development, Iyanla shares her knowledge of Universal Principle and Law, Eastern and Western spiritual/religious traditions/teachings, and the truth of Unconditional Love to motivate others to create a better life, a better community and a better world! She spends most of her time now training Life Coaches and Ministers and conducting a series of community forums through Inner Visions.

Read More: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0889395/bio