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S5 E3: Choose A Better Way with Y. Rená Cooper Sep 17, 2019

Show notes

Welcome to She Leads Podcast Season 5, Episode 3! This episode of She Leads Podcast features Y. Rená Cooper founder of 4 My Voice Matters. Y. Rená Cooper is a Domestic Violence Trainer/Volunteer, Internet Radio Personality, and Speaker who leads her life like the Boss she is. To hear Y. Rená Cooper's take on leadership, listen to her interview as she discusses embracing individuality, the importance of credibility, and fostering team productivity.

Y. Rená Cooper Bio

Yolunda Rená Cooper is affectionately known by her family and friends as Rená. Seeing others live their best lives is one thing that drives her. Seeing victims become free and victorious and witnessing survivors thrive in their 'after' is another thing that drives her and gives her life. Rená graduated Trinity High School in River Forest, IL. After graduating she attended Grambling State University in Grambling, LA for a spell.

A survivor of domestic violence, Rená made it her life's mission to make sure her voice was heard. She makes sure she cries loud and spares not for victims of domestic situations. Rená completed 40hr Domestic Violence training and obtained her certificate with the state of Illinois. Aside from being trained for domestic violence, she also volunteers her spare time at Sarah's Inn, a Domestic Violence Agency in Oak Park, IL.

Rená is the founder & CEO of 4 My Voice Matters, a NFP (501c3) organization that raises funds and brings awareness to domestic violence and suicide. She organizes events to raise monies for DV shelters and organizations throughout the country.

Rená has spoken at the University of Chicago, the Kimmy G. Foundation's Beauty for Ashes, the Move Me Soul Youth Dance and mentoring program. She's the member and speaker for Global Woman Club. She's spoken at several churches and organizations throughout the Chicagoland area. She also was invited to speak at a woman's shelter in Dothan, AL.

Rená is the 2018 recipient of a G.E.M.S. award. She's the co-host of the internet radio show called Art of Transparency. She's also keynote speaker on the 2019 Art of Transparency Tour.

Nicole Walker's Interview Commentary

I really enjoyed this interview with Rená and I hope you did as well.

I agree with Rená's advice to treat others better than we have been treated. Choose to be better by taking the high road to decrease the cycle of toxicity present in many marriages, households, families, friendships, churches, work places, communities, and so on. As Rená stated, "Some people mirror the bad person as opposed to changing it". Negative experiences are impactful and leave a blueprint on our lives, this is something we cannot control. We are impacted by our interactions, even if we don't like it or choose not to accept it. Thankfully, we have been blessed with the ability, choice, option, and power to stop the madness by being and doing better!! A quote by Stephen Covey reads, Moral authority comes from following universal and timeless principles like honesty, integrity, and treating people with respect".

I admire Rená's decision to help others by having the courage to open up about her experiences with domestic violence. Rená turned her pain into her power and how she profits from the purpose of it all. As Rená mentioned, "Our trials and where we feel like we are falling off are our testimony". Rising above adversity is a great accomplishment!! Yet, choosing to stop at this point is a complete disservice!!! Rená advised us, to speak out because that's what leaders do! Disregarding the judgement of others provides the opportunity to share our life freely and openly. Seek liberty and change lives by helping others get through what you have gone through. A quote by Mahatma Gandhi reads, "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others".

I can relate Rená's experience with having a failed marriage, as I experienced the same. I wore a mask for many years and pretended to be strong, while slowing dying on the inside until I decided to take care of myself first. Knowing something is for the best does not take away the pain associated with letting go. By choosing to focus on and be grateful for the lessons learned from my previous marriage, I have become better as opposed to being bitter. When we replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts and negative words with positive words we shift the atmosphere and begin to see and experience life differently. A quote by Winston Churchill reads, "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts".

Nicole Walker's Takeaway of the Week

Rená suggested we find someone who has done what we aim to do, then use their example as a guiding light to navigate in the darkness of the unknown. This is a controversial idea for me because my upbringing taught me that being copied by others is annoying and copying others is cheating. Gratefully, I now realize that it is a blessing be a source of inspiration to others, and it is a gift to acquire the strategies needed for success.

I will make it my business to find "my someone" to glean from by doing research on those that have been where I want to go, so I can have a vivid picture of what it takes to accomplish my goals.

A quote by Shawn Johnson reads, "I always have someone to look up to, and I think it helps me with motivating myself."

Nicole Walker's Leadership Challenge

Don't forget to subscribe to She Leads Podcast for first access to future episodes. And also, like and share this episode of She Leads Podcast entitled "Choose A Better Way with Y. Rená Cooper".

Thanks and until next time "Be Empowered and Empower On"!

S5 E2: Find Your Place In The World with DeAndrea Bryd Sep 10, 2019

Show notes

Welcome to She Leads Podcast Season 5, Episode 2! This episode of She Leads Podcast features DeAndrea Byrd founder of The Entrepreneur Accountability Squad and DeAndrea Byrd Consulting. DeAndrea Byrd is a Business Strategist, Coach, and Speaker who leads her life like the Boss she is. To hear DeAndrea Byrd's take on leadership, listen to her interview as she discusses the importance of servitude, accepting the transitions life brings, and retraining your brain constantly.

DeAndrea Byrd's Bio

DeAndrea Byrd is a self-taught entrepreneur who has launched multiple successful businesses in both the brick-and-mortar setting, as well as the online market. Over the years, her brands have grown and blossomed into a higher purpose. As a seasoned business strategist and coach, DeAndrea has a passion for entrepreneurship and now enjoys sharing the process she used to grow by helping other entrepreneurs achieve their dreams. DeAndrea has a main focus in the area of business strategy, profit focused productivity, digital product creation, and automation. She founded the Entrepreneur Accountability Squad, a group coaching membership designed for entrepreneurs looking to scale up their business and increase their personal development skills. DeAndrea is constantly invited to host corporate goal setting workshops, speak at various event planning conference, women's conference, high schools and more.

Nicole Walker's Interview Commentary

I really enjoyed this interview with DeAndrea and I hope you did as well.

I agree with DeAndrea's advice to ensure we are practicing self-care to recharge our "batteries" so we can show up fully for ourselves and those around us. As DeAndrea suggested, we need to keep a safe space to refill what we are putting out for others. When we take a moment to pause and refuel we are allowing ourselves the space needed to stay motivated and avoid burning out! This is super important to be a successful leader. A quote by Lori Deschene reads, "Life is all about balance. You don't always need to be getting stuff done. Sometimes it's perfectly okay, and absolutely necessary to shut down, kick back, and do nothing."

I admire DeAndrea's ability to recognize when a venture is not for her and her willingness to pass the torch along to others who may be a better fit at the moment. When something doesn't feel right or does not turn out as desired, we have the choice to force it or move on. Making the decision to move on is not always easy and many times people avoid doing so due to fear of failure or the unknown. As DeAndrea stated, we must learn to trust and listen to ourselves so we can make the best decisions for our lives. When we let go of things that are not meant for us, we make room for what we are supposed to have. A quote by Nikki Rowe reads, "Don't force it, if there isn't flow let it go."

I can relate DeAndrea's experiences being the oldest of her siblings and falling into the role of leader by default, as I experienced the same. As with DeAndrea, I did not welcome or want this responsibility. Having responsibilities placed on your as an adolescent can be hard and definitely comes with a bit of pressure. As with DeAndrea, I did not embrace my role as a leader until I was in my twenties and could figure out how I wanted to lead from my perspective. A quote by Max McKeown reads, "Adaptability is about the powerful difference between adapting to cope and adapting to win."

Nicole Walker's Takeaway of the Week

DeAndrea mentioned the importance of finding our tribe of people that will help us get to the next level. According to DeAndrea it is imperative that we ask for help and trust others to get the job done, because we cannot do everything ourselves if we want to reach our maximum potential. This is an area I struggle in due to being let down by the people I asked and trusted in the past. I appreciate DeAndrea's advice to keep searching until we find the people that are meant for us.

I will make it my business to keep searching for my tribe of people that are capable and willing to help make my dreams come true.

A quote by Simon Sinek reads, "We don't build trust when we offer help. We build trust when we ask for it."

Nicole Walker's Leadership Challenge

Don't forget to subscribe to She Leads Podcast for first access to future episodes. And also, like and share this episode of She Leads Podcast entitled "Find Your Place In The World with DeAndrea Byrd".

Thanks and until next time "Be Empowered and Empower On"!

S5 E1: Be Consistent with Michele Hall-Duncan Sep 03, 2019

Show notes

Welcome to She Leads Podcast Season 5, Episode 1! This episode of She Leads Podcast features Michele Hall-Duncan founder of enCourage Kids Foundation. Michele Hall-Duncan is a Non-Profit Board Member, Pediatric Healthcare Advocate, and Speaker who leads her life like the Boss she is. To hear Michele Hall-Duncan's take on leadership, listen to her interview as she discusses the importance of consistency, focusing on one task at a time, and never giving up.

Michele Hall-Duncan Bio

Michele Hall-Duncan is the President & CEO of enCourage Kids Foundation, a leading US non-profit focused on humanizing healthcare for children and their families by resourcing impact-driven pediatric programs and supporting the Child Life Community. For more than two decades she has cultivated relationships with Child Life Staff and all levels of hospital administration, developing an integral understanding of trends in creative therapies which has served to help position enCourage Kids to be on the forefront of state-of-the-art programming in pediatric healthcare.

Michele's passion and warm personality, combined with her leadership expertise, has made her a sought-after speaker and board member. She is a Trustee of Children's Specialized Hospital Foundation where she serves as board Secretary and chair of the governance committee; serves on the Advisory Board of one of the nation's leading anti-bullying organizations, STOMP Out BullyingTM; and is a board member of the New York City chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals where she also serves on the Professional Advancement Committee.

A native of Flint, Michigan, Michele is a proud graduate of Michigan State University with a B.A. in Advertising, and has been an active associate member of the Essex Hudson Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. for 10 years.

Nicole Walker's Interview Commentary

I really enjoyed this interview with Michele and I hope you did as well.

I agree with Michele's stance on women having a higher standard and expectation of excellence for ourselves and other women. As Michele mentioned, "women judge women differently than men". I am wondering if this comes from a place of "I had to work hard for mine so you are going to work hard for yours". There is no denying that women have to work harder than men to be recognized, which in turns causes us to have higher expectations of others. I will be happy to see the day when we don't treat each other this way, it's old, outdated, and not beneficial. A quote by Michele Hall-Duncan reads, "women empowering women is one of the most important things that we can do for each other".

I admire Michele's understanding and appreciation of the different leadership styles people possess. As Michele stated, everyone doesn't lead the same and everyone doesn't want to be led the same. Respecting individuality and taking the time to get to know those around us is crucial to being a successful leader. A quote by Linda Thompson reads, "Our uniqueness, our individuality, and our life experiences molds us into fascinating beings. I pray we all challenge ourselves to delve into the deepest resources of our hearts to cultivate an atmosphere of understanding, acceptance, tolerance, and compassion. We are all in this life together".

I can relate Michele's passion to passion for women empowerment, as I have the same. Uplifting and inspiring others sets my soul on fire! Successful leaders beget successful leaders. Our life experiences either leave us bitter or BETTER. We have the choice to help others learn from our experiences in either a positive or a negative way. Effecting positive change is a choice! Being able to help others avoid your negative experiences and pitfalls is a gift! As with Michele, I love helping people breathe life into themselves and find their purpose.

Nicole Walker's Takeaway of the Week

Michele mentioned the importance of being authentic, as opposed to being overly arrogant or shrinking. When we choose to present ourselves in the way that we are most comfortable with, we are embracing and walking in our authentic selves. According to Michele, being a Woman of Color is of great value to everyone around because of the experiences that we bring with us. We are is super important!

I am a very transparent person, yet I struggle with being vulnerable. Complete authenticity is a setup for vulnerability, yet I know the freedom associated with it is priceless. Allowing ourselves to be fully seen and unapologetically authentic takes an immense amount of courage and strength.

I will make it my business to find ways to come out of my shell and present myself fully in both personal and business settings, as I know it will help me to grow and thrive.

A quote by Katelyn S. Irons reads, "Shine with all you have. When someone tries to blow you out, just take their oxygen and burn brighter".

Nicole Walker's Leadership Challenge

Don't forget to subscribe to She Leads Podcast for first access to future episodes. And also, like and share this episode of She Leads Podcast entitled "Be Confident with Michele Hall-Duncan".

Thanks and until next time "Be Empowered and Empower On"!

S4 E18: Expand Your Knowledge with Seretha Collins and Simone Brown Aug 28, 2019

Show notes

Welcome to She Leads Podcast Season 4, Episode 18! This episode of She Leads Podcast features Seretha Collins and Simone Brown founders of Clean Ears. Seretha Collins and Simone Brown are Conversationalists, Music Enthusiasts, and Podcast Creators who lead their lives like the Bosses they are. To hear Seretha Collins and Simone Brown's take on leadership, listen to their interview as they discuss operating in excellence, honoring your time, and the importance of continual learning.

Seretha Collins' Bio

Seretha Collins is a California girl, born and raised in the Bay Area. After college she moved to Atlanta where she rededicated her life to God. She ended up serving in multiple places at her church from children's ministry to small group leader. During this time Seretha found that her love of music made her the go to person to ask make a playlist of fun and clean music for friends and events. She and Simone co-founded Clean Ears to be a place to have the conversations they weren't hearing from the pulpit. When she isn't podcasting, Seretha practices yoga or is spending quality with her dog exploring the city and finding new ways to tell stories through media.

Simone Brown's Bio

Simone Brown is a native of Kingston, Jamaica who grew up in Atlanta, GA. She values transparency, facilitating honest conversations, and encouraging people to articulate their feelings and struggles in the safety of God's presence. She co-founded Clean Ears to help to show people that such conversations can help to strengthen our faith. As a die-hard lover of hip-hop, she also wanted to show fellow Christians that we can still enjoy our music while keeping our ears and spirits pure. She has continued her entrepreneurial pursuits and launched a subscription box, Eat Train Cleanse, with her sister. When she is not being a boss and creating content, she loves spending time with family and friends.

Nicole Walker's Interview Commentary

I really enjoyed this interview with Seretha and Simone and I hope you did as well.

I agree with Seretha and Simone's stance on the importance of continual learning and innovation. We will never know it all or reach perfection, yet it is super important to aspire for better when and where needed. According to Simone the requirements to obtain knowledge are, being willing to learn, being able to listen, and asking questions. Knowledge opens the door to the unknown, and is required to be a successful leader. If we want to grow we should aim to learning something new and try something different as often as we can. A quote by Brian Herbert reads, "The capacity to learn is a gift; the ability to learn is a skill; the willingness to learn is a choice".

I admire Seretha and Simone's connection! Being able to find someone that you vibe with and are able to thrive with is priceless. They are both very fortunate to have each other!!! Finding your tribe is super important, as collaboration is needed for optimal success. When we surround ourselves with people that are aligned with our vision and future we gain the encouragement, accountability, and support needed to reach our potential. As Simone stated "You need people around you that will call out the best in you and tell you, you can do this"! A quote by an unknown author reads, "Surround yourself with people who make you hungry for life, touch your heart, and nourish your soul".

I can relate Seretha and Simone's experiences with being a reluctant leader, as I experienced the same. As with Seretha, I did not see some of my leadership skills until others called me out, which for me still took some time to digest and accept. As with Simone, I would notice people modeling my behavior and staring at me, but I didn't initially equate this to leadership and wished they would stop. Also, choosing to play it safe and not step outside of my comfort zone is something I still battle with. Realizing I was a leader came with a sense of responsibility that I had to accept in order to grow. As Simone mentioned, it takes courage to step into the role created for you. A quote by Brian Chesky reads, "The second thing I had to do was not be reluctant as a leader…And when I started doing that, I realized that people are thriving for this, and that it's so much more helpful for people".

Nicole Walker's Takeaway of the Week

Seretha and Simone mentioned to importance of removing distractions and honoring our time to be more productive. As Seretha suggested, working in thirty minute increments is a great way to stay focused. Putting a time constraint around our focus times, minimizes the likeliness of burnout and over thinking. When we honor our time, we ensure we are working on beneficial tasks. Viewing our time as important is essential to determining where our time should be spent.

I will make it my business to focus more by working in increments and honor my time by aligning my efforts with my goals.

A quote by Dan Coppersmith reads, "Every time we act in harmony with our authentic self and our heart, we earn our respect. It is simple. Every choice matters".

Nicole Walker's Leadership Challenge

My leadership challenge for you would be to think about the one thing you can take away from this episode and adopt into your life. I know it's hard to absorb too much information at one time and it's even harder to try and implement too many changes at once. When I attend a training or listen to podcasts I aim to walk away with a least one thing that stuck out to me and one way that I can change as a result. I challenge you to do the same! If you decide to take me up on my challenge I would love to know about your key take way. If you care to share please go to the She Leads Podcast Discussion Group on Facebook and leave your comment under the Takeaway Thursday post for Season 4 Episode 18.

Don't forget to subscribe to She Leads Podcast for First access to future episodes. And, like and share this episode of She Leads Podcast entitled "Expand Your Knowledge with Seretha Collins and Simone Brown".

Thanks and until next time "Be Empowered and Empower On"!

S4 E17: Age Does Not Define Leadership with Tye Miles Aug 21, 2019

Show notes

Welcome to She Leads Podcast Season 4, Episode 17! This episode of She Leads Podcast features Tye Miles founder of Tye Miles International. Tye Miles a Business Mentor, Coach, and Speaker who leads her life like the Boss she is. To hear Tye Miles' take on leadership, listen to her interview as she discusses empathy in leadership, the importance of patience, and her road to purpose fulfillment.

Tye Miles' Bio

Tye Miles is a coach, speaker, business mentor, founder and CEO of Tye Miles International, LLC. After 15 years as a successful entrepreneur in the beauty industry and earning millions in sales as a hairstylist and salon owner, Tye decided to sell her salon and step fully into her purpose to work in the personal development space --- further aligning her life and work with what she is most passionate about – women empowerment and entrepreneurship.

Embracing her fears with the confidence that she was flowing in her purpose, the "Personal Power Expert" decided it was time to use her God-given gifts, talents, and abilities in an even more powerful way to bring prosperity into her life ------and to help others to do the same.

Tye's passion is to teach women ready to live authentically how to activate their own personal power to create a life and profitable service business true to their persona through self-discovery, self-belief and practical planning to manifest personal and financial success.

Tye really is the undisputed expert on how to discover your personal power and prosper from your natural gifts, expertise and abilities.

Nicole Walker's Interview Commentary

I really enjoyed this interview with Tye and I hope you did as well.

I agree with Tye's viewpoint on personal leadership being the foundation of all leadership. Everyday we make decisions about what we will or will not do, whether it is for good or otherwise which is self-leadership. As Tye suggested, it is important that we get to know ourselves to effectively lead ourselves. Learning our strengths and weaknesses helps us to show up authentically and make better decisions, so we can shine and showcase our brilliance. A quote by Robin Sharma reads, "One of the most important of all personal leadership skills is self-awareness".

I admire Tye's efforts to be a trailblazer in the beauty industry by implementing structure and rules into her business operations. Operational procedures are required for business growth and longevity, which shows that Tye was aiming for the long game by implementing procedural standards for her company. Successful leaders seek and try new ways to grow and improve both personally and professionally, while dealing with the results change brings. Change is not always easy, and needs to be managed properly for a smooth transition. Although the process Tye tried did not go as planned, she did not let this deter her decision making. She definitely turned a loss into a win by learning from this experience and improving her leadership skills for the future. When we make our own roadmap, it is not unlikely to make some errors along the way. What's important is that we learn from the journey and continue to move forward to see what the end will be.

I can relate Tye becoming a teenage mother and not allowing this life altering situation stop her forward progress, as I experienced the same. As with Tye, I was the smart pregnant girl who did not hide by going to a school for pregnant girls, and sadly I also wasn't chosen for the National Honor Society due to my pregnancy. Surprisingly, I ended up bring ranked in the top ten of my class, so I was on the graduation stage while being nine months pregnant. Talk about an oxymoron! At the time, I did not realize that by continuing to handle my responsibilities despite my circumstances was actually an example of my leadership skills, as Tye explained. And similarly to Tye, I ended up finding out that some of my peers admired and respected that fact that I kept going and didn't let my daughter deter my continued growth. A quote by Roger Crawford reads, "Being challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is optional".

Nicole Walker's Takeaway of the Week

Tye mentioned the importance of having the ability to empathize to be a successful leader. Having empathy means we are able to recognize the feelings and perspectives that other people have, which is needed to foster trust and loyalty. Unfortunately many people have not taken the time to empathize personally, who inhibits their ability to empathize for anyone else. As Tye stated, how we treat others is a direct reflection of how we treat ourselves. It is essential that we learn to be patient with ourselves as well as patient with others in our pursuit of greatness.

Over the years I overlooked this important concept, which lead to me neglecting myself as well as others. Thankfully I have become more aware of this and continue to work on improving in this area! I will make it my business to take the feelings and perspective of myself and others into consideration, as I know inward and outward empathy is required for success.

A quote by Simon Sinek reads, "Empathy is about being concerned about the human being and not just about their output".

Nicole Walker's Leadership Challenge

Don't forget to subscribe to She Leads Podcast for First access to future episodes. And, like and share this episode of She Leads Podcast entitled "Age Does Not Define Leadership with Tye Miles".

Thanks and until next time "Be Empowered and Empower On"!

S4 E16: Leaders Do Not Know Everything with Veronica Blakely Aug 14, 2019

Show notes

Welcome to She Leads Podcast Season 4, Episode 16! This episode of She Leads Podcast features Veronica Blakely founder of V's Voice Enterprises, Inc. Veronica Blakely an Author, Educator, and Professional Speaker who leads her life like the Boss she is. To hear Veronica Blakely's take on leadership, listen to her interview as she discusses leading with integrity, the importance of action, and the necessity of a routine.

Veronica Blakely's Bio

Veronica Blakely is a native of Tampa, Florida where she has worked as an educator in public schools and community colleges. She is also a former corporate manager, but education is her passion which she uses in her business as CEO of V's Voice Enterprises, Inc., a Communication, Academic, and Coaching company.

Veronica is the published author of six books focusing on: Communication, Education, Depression, and Relationships in the African American community. She is a former local President and Area Governor of Toast Masters International where she managed six Public Speaking clubs. Veronica has been a Co-Host with local TV News Anchors for several community events. She was also the Host/Emcee for The Soledad O'Brien Starfish Foundation PowHERful Summit in Tampa, FL.

In addition to Veronica's many talents, she was a movie extra in Ocean's Eleven which was filmed in St. Petersburg, FL. She is also a former NFL cheerleader for the Tampa Bay Bucs and for the WFL (World Football League) Tampa Bay Bandits. Veronica performed in two Super Bowl Half-time Shows in Tampa for Disney and Bruce Springsteen. She has performed in several local plays and she has produced and directed numerous Gospel Productions in

Tampa. Veronica is a dedicated community volunteer, and she is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Veronica has a Bachelors Degree in Speech Communication, a Masters Degree in Management, and an Education Specialist Degree in Education Leadership. She is also a Host/Emcee, Voice Over Talent, and she facilitates workshops as a consultant on: Public Speaking, Career Development, Urban Communication, Entrepreneurship, and Basic Education skills. To book Veronica for your next workshop, conference, or meeting, contact her at: www.VBlakely.com.

Nicole Walker's Interview Commentary

I really enjoyed this interview with Veronica and I hope you did as well.

I agree with Veronica's advice to give ourselves credit for the work we put in, especially when we do not reach the goals we desire. The end result should not minimize the effort put forth. The journey is just as important as the destination, and can teach us many lessons if we take the time to process things accordingly. Leaders do not know everything, and we will not always hit the mark we set out to hit; however, we do deserve credit for our strides. A quote by Anne Sullivan reads, "Keep on beginning and failing. Each time you fail, start all over again, and you will grow stronger until you have accomplished a purpose – not the one you began with, perhaps, but one you'll be glad to remember."

I admire Veronica's transparency in admitting a previous flaw in her decision making as a leader. Making one sided decisions can be damaging and should be avoided at all costs. To make informed decisions and act justly, it is essential to get all the data before taking action. As Veronica suggested, we must collect and consider all the facts and avoid making hasty decisions, to be a successful leader. Veronica has shown that leaders admit when they are wrong and figure out a solution to not repeat the same mistakes. A quote by Amine Ayad reads, "Be humble to see your mistakes, courageous to admit them, and wise enough to correct them".

I can relate to Veronica's background in education as I have the same. Educators play an immensely important role in this would, as our service helps to change lives. In addition to providing education, educators also provide guidance and inspiration which are needed and essential for continued growth. Being an educator has been one of the most selfless things I have done, and the reward has been so gratifying. A quote by Jeannette Walls reads, "Teaching is a calling too. And I've always thought that teachers in their own was are holy – angels leading their flocks out of darkness".

Nicole Walker's Takeaway of the Week

Veronica mentioned the importance of having a routine to increase our focus. Routines allow us to manage our time more efficiently and create balance in our lives. Routines also help us avoid being stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed if we create our plan and stick to the script. Veronica shared her morning routine with us, which consisted of prayer, meditation, exercise, and eating. This is a great and productive way to start our day. I will make it my business to create and stick to a routine, especially first thing in the morning. I aim to have a great day every day, and know that a routine will help me reach this goal.

A quote by Tim Ferris reads, "If you win the morning, you win the day".

Nicole Walker's Leadership Challenge

Don't forget to subscribe to She Leads Podcast for First access to future episodes. And, like and share this episode of She Leads Podcast entitled "Leaders Do Not Know Everything with Veronica Blakely".

Thanks and until next time "Be Empowered and Empower On"!

S4 E15: Forgive Yourself with Stephanie McNeal Aug 07, 2019

Show notes

Welcome to She Leads Podcast Season 4, Episode 15! This episode of She Leads Podcast features Stephanie McNeal founder of SMB LLC. Stephanie McNeal is an Author, Podcast Host, and Speaker who leads her life like the Boss she is. To hear Stephanie McNeal's take on leadership, listen to her interview as she discusses overcoming adversity, the importance of forgiveness, and the power of words.

Stephanie McNeal's Bio

When a woman's partner is unfaithful, it is not uncommon for their entire life to unravel. Stephanie McNeal's passion and pleasure is to see women bounce back from this stressful experience, forgive everyone who hurt them and live out their God given purpose. She helps women go from heartbreak to happy after infidelity so that ultimately they have the power to live their best life.

Through her 7-year forgiveness coaching journey, Stephanie discovered that it takes three things for a women to recover from infidelity. Process, accountability and community. A three braided cord is not easily broken and she invites affected women to join our community on Facebook.

Her education and training includes a MBA in Marketing; Certification in P.R.E.P. - a scientifically-based, empirically-tested method of teaching relationship education sponsored by the National Institutes of Health; a licensed facilitator of Identity and Destiny which provides a step-by-step guide to help you find, know and live your God given purpose. She also has certifications to teach entrepreneurship to adults and children. Previously, she served as Women's' Ministry leader and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

She is the mother of four - Lean -15, Nyah- 16, Solomon -18 and recent college graduate Harry -23 and recently divorced. She loves reading, writing, learning and the adventure of travel. To connect with Stephanie please visit her website at freed2love.com or if you would like to schedule some time to talk to her, visit talk2stephanie.com.

Nicole Walker's Interview Commentary

I really enjoyed this interview with Stephanie and I hope you did as well!

I agree with Stephanie's viewpoint on the importance of self-forgiveness. Self-forgiveness improves our productivity as well as our emotional and mental well-being. If we aim to move forward in life then self-forgiveness is essential for the journey. We will not always do things the "right" way. Thankfully, self-forgiveness is our safety net to ensure we do not get stuck on what didn't work. According to Stephanie, "It's not what happens to you, it's what you say to yourself about what happens to you". We have to treat ourselves with compassion as often as needed, while we continually work to improve in our weak areas.

I admire Stephanie's commitment and dedication to improving herself so she could be a better mother. Stephanie attributes the experiences from being a stay at home mom to increasing her leadership capacity. In order to do anything we need some type of motivation. In this instance Stephanie's children motivated her to eliminate negative behaviors from her life in an effort to set a positive example. When aiming for the higher mark, we must find our motivation so we can continue to improve.

A quote by George Bernard Shaw reads, "Those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything."

I can relate to Stephanie's previous struggles with being optimistic to a fault, as I have experienced the same. Being optimistic to a fault consists of holding onto something that isn't working with the undying hope of success. Ironically, having this pleasant nature can make life more difficult. Successful leaders know when to call the game, as they say. Although I would not trade my optimism for the world, I now also realize that when the writing is on the wall, the writing is on the wall. To avoid being optimistic to a fault, we must be okay with walking away from anything that is not bringing out the best in us.

A quote by Tony Morgan reads, "You get to decide where your time goes. You can either spend it moving forward, or you can spend it putting out fires. You decide. And if you don't decide, others will decide for you."

Nicole Walker's Takeaway of the Week

Stephanie mentioned how important it is to maintain our power. When we maintain our power, we do not allow ourselves to be taken out of character by anyone at any time. According to Stephanie "Once you learn how to master yourself you have got the power!" I will make it my business to master myself, by continually exploring my strengths, weaknesses, and triggers so that I establish and maintain my power. Having power over my life is important to me, so I will do what is required to achieve this goal.

A quote by Sanhita Baruah reads, "It is not as much about who you used to be, as it is about who you choose to be."

Nicole Walker's Leadership Challenge

Don't forget to subscribe to She Leads Podcast for First access to future episodes. And, like and share this episode of She Leads Podcast entitled "Forgive Yourself with Stephanie McNeal".

Thanks and until next time "Be Empowered and Empower On"!

S4 E14: Integrate Work Into Your Lifestyle with Talitha Beverly Jul 31, 2019

Show notes

Welcome to She Leads Podcast Season 4, Episode 14! This episode of She Leads Podcast features Talitha Beverly founder of HR Strong. Talitha Beverly is a diversity advocate, HR Professional, and workplace healer who leads her life like the Boss she is. To hear Talitha Beverly's take on leadership, listen to her interview as she discusses ethical leadership, embracing our womanly powers, and having a growth mindset.

Talitha Beverly' Bio

Talitha Beverly is a nontraditional HR professional with a degree is in Biochemistry from Florida State University. Her career began as a 3rd shift Production Supervisor making beer at Anheuser-Busch.

Talitha became a great business partner by working in the business. She has always been hands on to ensure I have a thorough knowledge and understanding, so she could train others on what to do, and how & why they are doing it.

Talitha was introduced to HR after participating on a Diversity Panel for women in manufacturing. She developed a passion for HR realizing she could make a greater impact in the business and people's lives. Talitha worked for the best companies in the world; Coca-Cola Enterprises, Nestle USA, and Borden Dairy, and she has been exposed to cutting edge technology, world class business concepts, extraordinary leaders, and lifetime friendships.

Talitha became an entrepreneur to bring my world class business exposure to business owners with great products and services who need help with compliance, business organization, and human capital strategy. Talitha has had great success streamlining my clients' employment systems and lowering their overhead, saving them time and money. Talitha has a deep passion for what she does and she believes Human Resources is her Marketplace Ministry. Talitha is a workplace healer, who fixes companies, stimulates the economy and rebuilds families and communities.

Nicole Walker's Interview Commentary

I really enjoyed this interview with Talitha and I hope you did as well!

I agree with Talitha's stance on the importance of being an ethical leader, which includes following through, building trust, and maintaining a good reputation. Ethical leaders do what is considered to be the right thing to do, even when it is not the most popular, profitable, or convenient. Making this decision is not always easier, yet the rewards of doing so are priceless. As Talitha suggested, "Don't wish that it was easier, wish that you were better and don't wish for less challenges, wish for more skills". Determining what matters and prioritizing values is the key to leading ethically. A quote by Andrew Leigh reads, "To be an ethical leader is indeed to be different. This kind of leader acknowledges the complexity of running a responsible business, yet tries to do it anyway."

I admire that Talitha was chosen as the executive of her dad's estate, especially considering she is the youngest of her siblings. Leadership traits and capabilities do not have an associated age, leadership is defined by character. Talitha handled her responsibility by taking on and embracing the duties she was given to make her dad proud, all while she was grieving. Successful leaders get the job done, and Talitha did just that. Being recognized as a leader is a great gift, which can help to open our eyes if we are not already aware of this. People often see in us things we do not see in ourselves, which is why it's important to be open to accepting feedback and taking on new challenges.

I can relate to Talitha's experience of being humbled by her failures, as I experienced the same. Being able to self-reflect, realize, and then admit that you missed something is not the most fun or easiest thing to do, yet it is super important for continued growth. As Talitha mentioned, we need both grit and a growth mindset to sustain success. Failures usually have a positive experience buried within, if we are willing to dig deep to figure it out. If we want to be successful we must allow our failures to humble us which provides the power needed to work harder, do our best, and never give up. A quote by Amine Ayad reads, "Be humble to see your mistakes, courageous to admit them, and wise enough to correct them".

Takeaway

Talitha mentioned the importance of holding focus groups and getting feedback on ideas and projects before deciding to move forward. This helps us to ensure we are giving our customers what they want and need, as opposed to moving blindly based on our thoughts. Understanding the true needs of others will help us avoid working in vain and missing the mark. I will make it my business to ask for feedback and support from others to get my ideas off the ground, as I do not want to do any work in vain.

A quote by Tennessee Williams reads, "Life is an unanswered question, but let's still believe in the dignity and importance of the question."

Leadership Challenge

My leadership challenge for you would be to think about the one thing you can take away from this episode and adopt into your life. I know it's hard to absorb too much information at one time and it's even harder to try and implement too many changes at once. When I attend a training or listen to podcasts I aim to walk away with a least one thing that stuck out to me and one way that I can change as a result. I challenge you to do the same! If you decide to take me up on my challenge I would love to know about your key take way. If you care to share please go to the She Leads Podcast Discussion Group on FaceBook and leave your comment under the Takeaway Thursday post for Season 4 Episode 14.

Don't forget to subscribe to She Leads Podcast for First access to future episodes. And, like and share this episode of She Leads Podcast, "Integrate Work into Your Lifestyle with Talitha Beverly".

Thanks and until next time "Be Empowered and Empower On"!

S4 E13: Your Past Does Not Define You with Florence Davis Jul 24, 2019

Show notes

Welcome to She Leads Podcast Season 4, Episode 13! This episode of She Leads Podcast features Florence Davis founder of Focused Vision Design Group. Florence Davis is a designer, developer, and spiritualist who leads her life like the Boss she is. To hear Florence Davis' take on leadership, listen to her interview as she discusses the importance of integrity, having empathy for others, and the necessity of structure and planning.

Florence Davis' Bio

Florence Davis is a Spiritualist, Designer, and Developer. She is the Founder of Focused Vision Design Group. A company that provides teaching materials and workshops on all avenues tech and design related. The Front End Creatives Division of Focused Vision Design Group focuses on creating design and technology workshops to help empower people to get to the next level in career and life goals.

Before, Focused Vision Design Group. Florence Davis worked and consulted for several Fortune 500 companies in the Silicon Valley Area. Including LinkedIn, Google, Apple, and Salesforce to name a few. She also taught "Intro to Programming", at Year Up. Year Up's mission is to close the Opportunity Divide by providing urban young adults with the skills, experience, and support that will empower them to reach their potential through professional careers and higher education.

Seeing the major divide in her own career, usually being the only black female in her career field. She put a major effort into volunteering and teaching. She chose to start teaching workshops on design and development to help close that divide. Therefore Focused Vision Design Group and Front End Creatives were born. Florence wanted to show that technology could be fun and that you have the opportunity to make a lot of money in this field. As well as change your life trajectory, especially if you came from a place where you were underprivileged. Year Up is what really sparked Florence's entrepreneurial journey because through all the disadvantages she was still able to make it to Fortune 500 companies and eventually start several businesses.

Nicole Walker's Interview Commentary

I really enjoyed this interview with Flo and I hope you did as well!

I agree with Flo's stance on our past not defining us!! We are defined by what we believe, what we speak, and the actions we take. We have the power to change our beliefs, words, and actions as we increase our understanding and gain more knowledge if we are willing to do so. Our beginning does not have to determine our lifetime unless we allow it to. The road to redemption will have its challenges; however, the glory of a transformed life is well worth it! We all have the opportunity to create and recreate ourselves as often as needed. And, we all have the responsibility to not allow ourselves to be created by our circumstances. A quote by Joel Osteen reads, "You are not defined by your past. You are prepared by your past."

I admire Flo's ability to recognize and admit that she was a reluctant leader in one of her previous positions. I can completely understand this, due to the misconception that leadership has to come with a title and that speaking up will overshadow others. It is imperative that we are unapologetic about our greatness, and do not shrink ourselves to accommodate for anyone. Just because someone has a higher position or title, does not mean that they know all the answers. Every voice matters, and we all are leaders. We have to be comfortable speaking up at all times, allowing our light to shine for the world as it should!

I can relate to Flo's experiences with feeling depressed about life and wanting more, as I experienced the same. As with Flo having an impact is extremely important to me, as it makes me feel alive and valuable. In many cases people are moved more by being involved in something they believe in, as opposed to having monetary and materialistic gain with no sense of purpose. When you have what others would deem as success and still feel empty inside, it's time to re-evaluate your circumstances to ensure they align with your goals, values, and vision. A quote by Kevin Kruse reads, "Life is about making an impact, not making an income."

Nicole Walker's Takeaway of the Week

Flo mentioned the importance of doing our hard tasks first to ensure the important items on our list are taken care of. This is definitely a struggle area of mine as I am a recovering procrastinator. Pushing things off and waiting until the last minute has been my practice for so long especially for the harder tasks. I am grateful that I no longer enjoy the unnecessary pressure this brings, and am working to improve in this area.

I will continue to make it my business to align my tasks with my core values and desired impact, while working on the hard tasks first to ensure I am challenging and growing myself, showing up in excellence, and not rushing the process.

A quote by Dale Carnegie reads, "Do the hard jobs first. The easy jobs will take care of themselves."

Nicole Walker's Leadership Challenge

My leadership challenge for you would be to think about the one thing you can take away from this episode and adopt into your life. I know it's hard to absorb too much information at one time and it's even harder to try and implement too many changes at once. When I attend a training or listen to podcasts I aim to walk away with a least one thing that stuck out to me and one way that I can change as a result. I challenge you to do the same! If you decide to take me up on my challenge I would love to know about your key take way. If you care to share please go to the She Leads Podcast Discussion Group on Face Book and leave your comment under the Takeaway Thursday post for Season 4 Episode 13.

Don't forget to subscribe to She Leads Podcast for First access to future episodes. And, like and share this episode of She Leads Podcast, "Your Past Does Not Define You with Florence Davis".

Thanks and until next time "Be Empowered and Empower On"!

S4 E12: Be a Catalyst of Positivity with Lindsey Vertner Jul 17, 2019

Show notes

Welcome to She Leads Podcast Season 4, Episode 12! This episode of She Leads Podcast features Lindsey Vertner founder of Lindsey Vertner, LLC. Lindsey Vertner is a captivating speaker, leadership consultant, and personal development coach who leads her life like the Boss she is. To hear Lindsey Vertner's take on leadership, listen to her interview as she discusses the importance of self-reflection, the power of positivity, and practicing self-care.

Lindsey Vertner's Bio

In 2007, a "fatal" car wreck had multiple medics pronouncing Lindsey brain dead and paralyzed. Amongst a multitude of injuries and battling to live, Lindsey acquired a rare outlook on life. As a personal development coach, she uses her unparalleled perspective to push her clients towards success. As the founder of Lindsey Vertner, LLC, she is devoted to helping leaders to create a life full of purpose, balance, and happiness by empowering them to practice self-care while creating boundaries, to prioritize their goals while avoiding burnout and overwhelm, and to gain personal growth while healing limiting beliefs. As a nonprofit co-founder of The Unleashed Woman, Lindsey helps to support and uplift women through empowerment and networking events. Looking to help clients in all areas of their lives, Lindsey partnered with Max Credit Score to become a credit building expert – helping clients to reach credit scores of 700 or higher.

As a captivating speaker and leadership consultant, not only does she motivate and inspire her audience, but she challenges and encourages them to lean on her and take action immediately. Lindsey serves by speaking life into others by utilizing her inspirational experiences to provide practical and actionable tips. She facilitates private workshops in the areas of: leadership development, stress management, and time management/productivity. Authoring her forthcoming book, "When Great Isn't Good Enough", Lindsey aims to help readers turn their losses into lessons. With a master's in Professional Counseling & Coaching, Lindsey is a graduate of both Indiana University and Liberty University.

Nicole Walker's Interview Commentary

I really enjoyed this interview with Lindsey and I hope you did as well!

I agree with Lindsey's stance on the importance of energy and paying attention to the energy we put out. As Lindsey stated, energy is always being exchanged, and we should be mindful to ensure we are putting positive energy out into the atmosphere. The energy we radiate affects the lives of those around us, so it is our responsibility to be aware of our energy. Both positive and negative energy creates a ripple effect, and we have the power to decide the type of energy we offer the world. A quote by Jon Gordon reads, "Positive energy is like a muscle. The more you use it the stronger it gets. The stronger it gets the more powerful you become."

I admire Lindsey's courage to be vulnerable and accept the help she needed to make her conference more successful. As Lindsey mentioned, "It takes vulnerability to let things go". As women, we have to be careful of allowing everything to fall on us and utilize our resources to help ease the stresses of life. Yes it has to get done; however, we do not have to be the individuals to do it all!! Accepting help, seeking help, and releasing control over certain aspects of life and business is not always easy; yet, it is essential to be more productive. Successful leaders focus on the goals, and delegate the tasks.

I can relate to Lindsey's belief that multi-tasking is a myth, as I feel the same. Lindsey and I both believe there is a difference between being busy and being productive, and encourage others to be mindful of how their time is being spent. Lindsey suggested a great tool we can utilize to ensure we are being productive and not just busy, which was a Daily Brain Detox. Clearing out our mind is necessary to properly plan and execute our success strategies. Writing our plans on paper helps to make them real and increases our probability of attainment, and working on items until completion will get us to the goals we desire more efficiently. A quote by Christopher Westra reads "The quickest way to do many things is to do one thing at a time."

Nicole Walker's Takeaway of the Week

Lindsey mentioned to importance of taking the purpose from our pain, and using it to be great. As Lindsey suggested, we should think of ourselves as seeds, and realize that we already have everything we need inside of us to be amazing if we allow ourselves the room needed to grow, bloom and blossom.

I will make it my business to nurture the seed within me, so I can continue to reach the heights I have been created to reach because my goal is to maximize my capacity in this world.

A quote by Brian Tracy reads, "You have within you right now, everything you need to deal with whatever the world can throw at you".

Nicole Walker's Leadership Challenge

My leadership challenge for you would be to think about the one thing you can take away from this episode and adopt into your life. I know it's hard to absorb too much information at one time and it's even harder to try and implement too many changes at once. When I attend a training or listen to podcasts I aim to walk away with a least one thing that stuck out to me and one way that I can change as a result. I challenge you to do the same! If you decide to take me up on my challenge I would love to know about your key take way. If you care to share please go to the She Leads Podcast Discussion Group on FaceBook and leave your comment under the Takeaway Thursday post for Season 4 Episode 12.

Don't forget to subscribe to She Leads Podcast for First access to future episodes. And, like and share this episode of She Leads Podcast, "Be a Catalyst of Positivity with Lindsey Vertner".

Thanks and until next time "Be Empowered and Empower On"!

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