Support is Sexy

Latest Episodes:

126: How to Overcome Burnout and Find Balance with JenTex Training & Consulting Founder Dawn Shedrick Dec 26, 2016

Show notes

Venettes Cultural Workshop founder, Mary Baird, was a great influence on her goddaughter, Dawn Shedrick, as Dawn grew up attending classes at the workshop and watched as her godmother created a space for many Black children in their Long Island, New York, neighborhood to know that they matter -- children who may otherwise have fallen through the proverbial cracks. Dawn later carried this same passion with her into her own work as a social worker -- keeping people out of the cracks, whether that was through community organizing or providing resources for those with HIV/AIDS.

Today, as Founder and Chief Learning Officer of her own successful consulting business, JenTex Training & Consulting, Dawn now supports other social workers and health service providers with avoiding a major crack many of them slip into: Burnout. On this episode of the Support is Sexy podcast, Dawn talks about avoiding burnout and finding balance, how to set up a business that reflects your vision and your principles, how to ask for and accept support and how to be ok with exposing your messiness.

On this episode you'll learn:

How to take the path less traveled -- even when you're already down another road.The importance of figuring out a way to transition from your full-time job into entrepreneurship.Reasons to consider the possibility of partnerships.Why you should start with the low-hanging fruit when spreading the word about your business.How to get through those moments when the business brings you to your knees.The importance of being transparent about our experiences as entrepreneurs.How to be vulnerable and ask for AND accept support, even when it's uncomfortable.How to trust that the support will show up for you.How to be ok exposing your messiness.How to battle burnout.How to be empowered to say "no" and be prepared to face whatever comes after that "no."Why it's importance for us to "feel the feels" and not numb the pain.Subscribe to Support is Sexy podcast on iTunes or on Stitcher Radio!

Thank you for listening! And hey, if you love it, please click here to leave us a Rating & Review on iTunes!

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at supportissexypodcast.com.

[Music: "Someone Else's Memories" by Revolution Void]

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125: Keep Going! Dec 24, 2016

Show notes

If things didn't manifest how you wanted or envisioned for 2016, do not be discouraged: You gotta keep going!

A little holiday inspiration...

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Thank you for listening! And hey, if you love it, please click here to leave us a Rating & Review on iTunes!

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at supportissexypodcast.com

[Music: "Someone Else's Memories" by Revolution Void]

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124: Amber Azizia: The Millennial Whisperer Who Helps Entrepreneurs Create a Life and Business You Love Dec 22, 2016

Show notes

If you were to ask a five-year-old Amber Aziza what she wanted to be when she grew up, she would have told you two words: In charge. For Amber, this didn't just mean having money; it was about having control of her own destiny.

As a child of foster care, who survived a tumultuous environment before being adopted, Amber's forever family cultivated this part of her – with a long list of after-school activities that she wanted to experience (and even some that she didn't). And this curious and adventurous spirit is still a part of who she is today as CEO of Asquared, her coaching company where she is devoted to helping millennial and millennial-minded entrepreneurs succeed in business and life.

But it was Amber's first company -- which she built into a multi million enterprise at the expense of her health and sold before she was age 30 -- that taught her some of her most valuable lessons personally and professionally.

On this episode, Amber talks about openly about lessons she learned about betting on yourself, building a multi million dollar business that's bigger than you, knowing when it's time to move on and taking necessary time to heal when life interrupts business.

On this episode you'll learn:

How to figure a way to make it work before saying no to opportunity.The benefit of taking the opportunity before you're ready.Sometimes you find your genius within the gap between what you know and what you don't know.How to evaluate the risk vss the reward.Why you shouldn't just quit your job.How to map out your plan based on what you want to do rather than what another business does.How to cultivate your network and reach out with an offer.Be ok with starting small.Always present what value you're offering to your clientsThe importance of realizing your zone of genius and delegating the rest.The dangers of building a company that centers all around you.What the process of selling your company is like.How to know when to let it go.Top 3 tips for millennial entrepreneurs.Why you gotta model what works.The importance of taking time to pause.Why it's not healthy to pretend that you're "fine."Subscribe to Support is Sexy podcast on iTunes or on Stitcher Radio!

Thank you for listening! And hey, if you love it, please click here to leave us a Rating & Review on iTunes!

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at supportissexypodcast.com

[Music: "Someone Else's Memories" by Revolution Void]

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123: Essence Editor and Entrepreneur Charreah Jackson on Finding Love, Embracing Support, Becoming Self Aware and Being a Boss Dec 21, 2016

Show notes

When having a conversation with Charreah K. Jackson -- ESSENCE magazine Lifestyle & Relationships Editor and Creator of BossBride -- you will be struck by her Southern charm as as much as you will be by her worldly self awareness. The Decatur, Georgia, native -- who considers herself "a little bit bossy" and "with a big personality" -- grew up surrounded by models of strong black women, with a great, great grandmother who had a rifle, knew how to shoot a straight shot and catch a squirrel with her bare hands. For Charreah, witnessing this strength normalized power and agency.

Today, as Charreah balances a demanding full-time magazine job with coaching clients, her Bossbride community, her personal life and writing her soon-to-be-published book, she realizes that with all that strength she has inherited, she also needs support, and softness, in many areas of her life -- and that's a good thing. As she says, we need to normalize support, and not see it as a weakness.

On this episode of the Support is Sexy podcast, Charreah talks openly about how support and her evolving self awareness allowed her to overcome cancer, shift her relationship with money, walk away from what's familiar and face her fears by standing up and catching the wave.

On this episode you'll learn:

Take inventory of your talent and your time.How to determine what your gift is and own it.How you can maximize your wealth and live a life of abundance.Be willing to make sacrifices for the hustle.Why, if you're moonlighting, you should view your job as your biggest client.Getting clear on the vision on your life and what you want that to look like.How to heal your relationship with money.Taking back your power and making a different choice.To up-level your bank account you have to up-level your circle.Being aware of the fact that we live in a culture that gets wealthy off keeping you distracted.The importance of asking yourself what's not working.Why vulnerability has gotten a bad wrap.Having the courage to walk away from something that has run its course.Why you shouldn't let the ending tell the story.The genius of standing up and catching the wave.

Subscribe to Support is Sexy podcast on iTunes or on Stitcher Radio!

Thank you for listening! And hey, if you love it, click here to leave us a Rating & Review on iTunes!

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at supportissexypodcast.com.

[Music: "Someone Else's Memories" by Revolution Void]

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122: Finding Your Fabulous, Playing in the Gray and Quieting Your Inner Mean Girl with Author and Mentor Lisa Dadd Dec 20, 2016

Show notes

Even as a little girl, Lisa Dadd always planned to be a doctor, but she always had an entrepreneurial itch. In university, she realized she was much more interested in knowing about the science of people rather than just science, so she changed her major. But when she didn't get into medical school, the Niagara Falls native felt somewhat lost. She decided to continue on to get her graduate degree in sports medicine, and later landing a job in the pharmaceutical industry, where she had a very successful career.

But as Lisa continued to rise in her corporate sales and marketing position, she found herself unfulfilled with every new promotion during her 15 years in the industry. Eventually, she gave into her burning desire to become an entrepreneur, to "find her fabulous" and to teach her clients how to do the same.

On this episode of the Support is Sexy podcast, Lisa talks about how to know when it's time to make that move, how to redesign your life and find your fabulous, and why it's important to play in the gray.

On this episode you'll learn:

Why you never really get over that feeling of being afraid -- and that's ok.How to know when it's time to move on.How to get over that "you should be happy" feeling.How to be grateful for the desire for change.How to gauge whether your longing to do something else is temporary.Why you deserve to find your fabulous.How to give yourself permission to live a fabulous life.Why you should have gratitude for the ambiguity in your life.Beware of whether you're using finances as a smokescreen.The benefits of playing in the gray.3 ways to redesign your your life.How to move beyond imposter syndrome.The power of masterminds.How to quiet your inner mean girl and tell her to "flick off."

Subscribe to Support is Sexy podcast on iTunes or on Stitcher Radio! Thank you for listening! And hey, if you love it, click here to leave us a Rating & Review on iTunes!

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at supportissexypodcast.com.

[Music: "Someone Else's Memories" by Revolution Void]

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121: How to Transform Your Life, Live Out Loud and Follow Your Passion with Life Coach Kelly Lynn Adams Dec 19, 2016

Show notes

When Kelly Lynn Adams was a young girl growing up in New Jersey she was considered shy and was diagnosed with a speech impediment. But doing things that pushed her out of her comfort zone helped her get over that shyness and over other people's perceptions of her.

Today, Kelly is a motivational speaker and life coach who considers herself a "loud, obnoxious Jersey girl." In other words, she is fully herself and she empowers her clients -- women making the transition from 9-to-5 life to their entrepreneurial life -- to do the same. But what's most important for Kelly is the lessons she learned along her journey, those breakthrough moments that allowed her to turn her "mess" into her message.

On this episode of the Support is Sexy podcast, Kelly talks about launching her new business by offering 50 free consultations, the importance of practice, the dangers of comparison, why patience is paramount and why self-care is non-negotiable.

On this episode you'll learn:

Why it's important now more than ever to have a mentor.Why mentors don't have to be people you know.How to become a master of anything.How to hone in on your niche.How to overcome the noise on social media.How to realistically have it all.Why she has a nonnegotiable self love power hour.Importance of being not just doing.Ways the body will let you know that you're not taking care of yourself and why that dis ease can be a blessing.How to view you mess as your message.The first step to take to get out of that low point.Her top 3 tools to change your life and business.

Subscribe to Support is Sexy podcast on iTunes or on Stitcher Radio! Thank you for listening! And hey, if you love it, click here to leave us a Rating & Review on iTunes!

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at supportissexypodcast.com.

[Music: "Someone Else's Memories" by Revolution Void]

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120: How to Be A Woman Who Dares Dec 16, 2016

Show notes

Who is the woman I have to become to become the woman I want to be?

Yes, this is actually a question I have ask and continue to ask myself. It is my version of a check in and grounds men when I feel I am beginning to sway from the way of being that truly reflects who I am and who I want to become.

Sound to woo woo for you?

How about this: If you want to become the woman of your own dreams you have to dare to go there! And this episode -- which includes a roundup of inspirational words from women such as She Who Dares founder Kelli Coleman, Harlem's Fashion Row founder Brandice Daniel, inventor serial entrepreneur Jen Groover, New York Times bestselling author Michelle Burford, Collective Mobile founder Sian Morson, Intensati Creator Patricia Moreno and media personality and entrepreneur Tai Beauchamp – will send you into your weekend (or whenever you're listening) with advice to help carry you along the journey.

And if you're in the Atlanta, Georgia, area on Friday, December 16, 2016, please come say hello and enjoy a free event with myself, Kelli Coleman, Tai Beauchamp and more at the She Who Dares event in Bloomingdales at Lenox Square mall, 5pm EST.

Subscribe to Support is Sexy podcast on iTunes or on Stitcher Radio!

Thank you for listening! And hey, if you love it, please click here to leave us a Rating & Review on iTunes!

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at supportissexypodcast.com.

[Music: "Someone Else's Memories" by Revolution Void and "Candlepower" by Chris Sabriskie]

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119: What Would This Look Like If It Were Easy? Dec 15, 2016

Show notes

Ever since I heard author and podcaster Tim Ferriss say "What would this look like if it were easy?" when he was a guest on another show and speaking about his approach to launching his own podcast, I immediately incorporated that mindset into my toolbox. Whenever approaching a new project or adventure: What would it look like if this were easy.

But you know what? Sometimes I forget. Like this week, as I was setting up interviews, recording episodes of the podcasts, preparing to travel, and flying through a long list of to-dos. There's nothing wrong with hustle, and moving with a sense of urgency; but you have to check in with yourself – at least I did – and ask: am I hustling or am I harried? Your answer will tell you whether you need to take a minute, shift and readjust.

In the middle of the whirlwind, and honestly some unrealistic goals of what I was going to accomplish in 24 hours, I stopped. I mean, complete stop, and said: What would this look like if this were easy. On this episode of the Support is Sexy podcast, I dive into more reasons for why this is such an important question.

Subscribe to Support is Sexy podcast on iTunes or on Stitcher Radio!

Thank you for listening! And hey, if you love it, please click here to leave us a Rating & Review on iTunes!

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at supportissexypodcast.com.

[Music: "Someone Else's Memories" by Revolution Void]

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118: Kelli Coleman, Founder of She Who Dares, on Overcoming Expectations and Becoming a Woman Who Dares Dec 14, 2016

Show notes

Kelli M. Coleman grew up in Detroit with her parents as a child surrounded by other successful African-American adults who, by all appearances, had it all. They were successful, had great careers and businesses and enjoyed loving, enduring personal relationships. This model of success became an important part of Kelli's evolution as she, at age 10, entered into the family business (her father, Don Coleman, founded Global Hue -- which is the largest independently owned multicultural advertising firm in the United states) and later as she became an entrepreneur on her own terms.

What Kelly didn't expect was that her own personal development and independence -- outside of the shadow of her dad's successful business -- would require a different model. One that placed her in a position where she could either continue to meet expectations, or she could be a woman who dares. After much soul searching, and with some support, she decided to dare, and since then, Kelli has inspired other women around the world to do the same.

Kelli, who is an award-winning marketer and advertising executive, is now founder and CEO of her own company, KM Coleman Group, which advises businesses led by or built for women. She is also the founder of the She Who Dares initiative, which tackles the importance of personal development and speaks to the extraordinary side in every woman through events and conversations.

This Friday, December 16th, Kelli will host a free She Who Dares event in Atlanta at Lenox Square in Bloomingdales with a panel of moderated by yours truly and featuring powerhouse women including Tai Beauchamp, Valeisha Butterfield Jones, Dr. Karmetria Burton and Kelli! If you're in the area, please come by, enjoy and say hello! (Link below)

On this episode of the Support is Sexy podcast, Kelli talks about the moment she knew it was time to make a move, how to be ignore the expectations, the importance of surrounding yourself with a village to support you and the power of becoming a woman who dares.

On this episode you'll learn:

How to step away from the family business.How to free yourself from the assertion of expectations.How she defines legacy (and how we can redefine it for ourselves).The importance of going through a phase of discomfort.How to know when it's time to move on.The importance of personal growth and discovery for every entrepreneur.Why avoiding uncertainty is crippling.Her master plan for shifting (and the resources that help her create a new life).The importance of knowing what you DON'T want.How to be a woman who dares.

Subscribe to Support is Sexy podcast on iTunes or on Stitcher Radio!

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117: Don't Get Caught Up in the Numbers Game Dec 13, 2016

Show notes

Comparison is death. And so is the numbers game.

As we wrap of the year and look at where we were in our business, how we performed, where we can improve, it may be easy to get caught up in the numbers game -- meaning this self-destructive behavior of comparing our numbers to someone else's numbers within our industry or otherwise and allowing it to make us feel less than. Don't do it! No good can come of it!

In the episode I talk about three areas of the numbers game that trip most of up: audience and influence; social media; money -- and I share strategies that you may use to steer clear.

Yes, numbers matter; but comparison kills. So stay focused! Here's how.

Subscribe to Support is Sexy podcast on iTunes or on Stitcher Radio!

Thank you for listening! And hey, if you love it, please click here to leave us a Rating & Review on iTunes!

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at supportissexypodcast.com

[Music: "Someone Else's Memories" by Revolution Void]

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