It is my honor to facilitate Girls Night Out on Domestic Violence for a 5th year. The 1 hour program is designed to bring awareness to teen girls and women about domestic violence. And, to allow for an unfiltered conversation about dv, sexual assault and teen dating violence.
In 2012, I was asked to serve as a co-facilitator for this event. It is hosted by the Whitehaven Public Library in Memphis, TN. It was believed that the area would benefit from having an intimate discussion with young ladies about domestic violence. Since the initial event, I’ve been doing it solo. It continues to be one of the most enjoyable events that I participate in. I learn as much for the attendees as they say they learn from me.
The event is FREE to attend, and if you or someone you know is in the Memphis, TN area, please make plans to attend. It’s for teens and women only. For more information, please contact me or call the Whitehaven Public Library at (901) 415-2781.
I’m currently a Star Consultant for Paparazzi Jewelry. I wish I’d taken my business a lot more seriously a long time ago. Now, however, I’ve hit the ground running with no intentions of looking back. If you are a person looking for a source of income, whether it be primary or secondary, I would encourage you to consider direct sales as an income source option.
I will be honest and say that there was a time when I thought that direct sales were no more than a scam by the very rich to maintain their personal level of income. It is a fact that there are some companies who operate as more of a ponzi scheme than a reputable business. But, there are many businesses around the globe that are creating wealth for thousands of people. There are many reasons to consider direct sales, but I will share the three that have been the most convincing for me, especially if you’re seeking a full time opportunity.
Flexibility: I love having the option of setting my own hours and working as little or as much as I choose to. If there’s an event or unforeseen circumstance that arises, I don’t have to go through the process of requesting time off.
No salary cap: I can make as much money as I want to. Now, the REAL key to that statement has to do with what you’re selling and how you’re selling it. Minimal effort yields minimal results. If you’re putting a lot of effort into it and not seeing the results you need to see, then you need to take a step back and do some self and product reflection. That’s a completely different post for another time. The point of this bullet is to simply point out that while many companies have a glass ceiling for growth, direct sales provides an avenue for you to potentially make millions of dollars without considering age and number of years on the job.
Love helping people: As an advocate for those affected by domestic violence and sexual assault, I love helping people feel holistically good about themselves. Having a sustainable income is a very important part of the healing process. I sell the jewelry because it makes me feel and look pretty on the outside, provides steady income and shows others that they can have the same. It provides a sense of ownership. It gives me something different and fun to do. It allows me to meet new people from all walks of life.
I’m on my way to director and beyond! Want to come with me? Click here or reach out to me in a message for more information.
In business, as well as in our personal lives, no can sometimes be the hardest word to say. Those two little words possess a great deal of power and influence. The closer we are to the person, place or thing we must say no to, the more difficult it is to do. I will go a step further and say that we feel compelled to provide an explanation. And, while I do believe that sometimes it is necessary to explain why we are saying no, in most cases, it is not. As humans, we tend to feel obligated to explain ourselves. We don’t want individuals to be mad at us or feel we are letting them down. The truth is, no is a complete sentence. It’s an answer to a question. Whether or not you should offer a why depends on the situation.
Understand that providing an explanation doesn’t mean you’ll be forgiven. It doesn’t mean you will be more liked. What is does mean is that you respected yourself and others to say no. It’s not necessarily a bad thing. When I say no, it’s usually because I’m trying to protect myself and/or others. There’s a lesson to be learned. There’s a strength that needs to be explored or exercised.
With each encounter in question, ask yourself what the short and long term outcomes will be. Examine the pros and cons. Evaluate whether the risk is worth the reward. Decide whether or not it will compromise your values, peace of mind and overall holistic well being. Assess whether or not you will see growth and if there is a mutual benefit.
Once you’ve completed your research, evaluations and careful assessments, you will be able to make an informed decision about what YOU want and need to do. And, if the answer is no, then say it with confidence, knowing that unless it is truly necessary, an explanation is not needed nor required.
I just wanted to take a quick moment to acknowledge my 2 year wedding anniversary to my amazing husband, Jason. People often ask me how I gained enough trust in someone to allow them into my heart after having dealt with abuse. I dedicated an entire chapter of my book, Restoring the Whole in My Soul to our story because I felt that others needed to see and know that love after abuse is possible, and the HOW it happened wasn’t a fairy tale knight in shining armor type of story. It’s about real people who established a friendship which set the foundation for love, trust and understanding on a holistic level.
I absolutely love my husband for helping me to grow, trust, love and pursue my dreams. He encourages me to go further, push harder, dig deeper and explore infinite possibilities. He helped me to develop a business brand, a nonprofit and a confidence to share my knowledge and experiences in a way that is both professional and personable. I have never felt more safe, secure and encouraged in a relationship. I not only speak and train about healthy relationships, micro enterprise, personal development and life after abuse. I live it daily. It’s evident in the way I carry myself. It’s evident in my conversations. It’s given my family, friends and colleagues an opportunity to see my growth. I am grateful for this phase of my journey and all of the wonderful adventures that my husband and I will share for years to come.
I’m honored beyond words to have been selected as one of 12 women in our community as the Elizabeth Terry Reproductive Justice at the Intersections Award honoree. The beautiful program was hosted by SisterReach, Founder and Executive Director, Cherrise Scott. I absolutely love working in a field that helps to bring awareness and change regarding issues related to domestic violence and sexual assault. As a survivor, I can transparently reflect on times when I felt that my reproductive choices were compromised due to marriage. As I learn more about SisterReach and reproductive justice as a whole, I understand that it’s more than just about abortion. I strongly suggest that you take some time to learn more about the wonderful work of SisterReach and how you can get involved.
