Networking and servant leadership does not always have to look or be perfect. But it does always need to be done with sincere purpose. This was taken about 3 weeks ago. It was my first time setting up a full vendor space in nearly 18 months. I just grabbed my ‘vending gear’ and went to the event. I failed to pack the additional proper table cloths and other accessories I usually have on hand for community events. I didn’t neatly put my earbuds, the bags, or boxes out of sight for the photo or during the time that attendees stopped by the table. And you know what, none of that mattered to a single person I met.
This is an appropriate place to share this because advocacy is a major part of the ‘why’ for starting my business. And as business owners, nonprofit leaders, etc., solving the problem and fulfilling the needs of those whom you serve is far more important than how pretty or well put together the staging looks. Next time, I will make a point to have all the things I am accustomed to having, but the servant leadership, passion, and professionalism for which I do what I do will remain the same.
I had the honor of being featured in the Community Highlights section with MemphisVoyager. My journey as a business owner, speaker, and advocate actually came out of a place of need in the beginning. The interviewer did a great job of sharing my start, my ‘why’, and my life as an advocate, credentialed speaker, and life and thriving skills coach and consultant.
I had the privilege of being the keynote speaker at Harvard University last week for the American Association of Mental Illness’ annual conference. The students pictured are the AAMI board of directors for the school’s chapter.(The event was not a Harvard specific event). Talking about mental illness is very important to me, and seeing these young people coming together to bring about more awareness and resources was great. They also streamed the event to other chapters across the U.S.
While the event was not a Harvard specific event, my being on that campus as a speaker is an experience that I will not soon forget. I’m was a fairly good student in high school. But attending an Ivy league school required credentials that I was not academically strong enough to meet. However, my professional education and personal, lived experiences continue to demonstrate my strengths and knowledge to contribute to society in my own purposeful way.
I appreciate the AAMI Boston Chapter for the opportunity to keynote the conference!
Networking and servant leadership does not always have to look or be perfect. But it does always need to be done with sincere purpose. This was taken about 3 weeks ago. It was my first time setting up a full vendor space in nearly 18 months. I just grabbed my ‘vending gear’ and went to the event. I failed to pack the additional proper table cloths and other accessories I usually have on hand for community events. I didn’t neatly put my earbuds, the bags, or boxes out of sight for the photo or during the time that attendees stopped by the table. And you know what, none of that mattered to a single person I met.
