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Monthly Archives: November 2010
No More Freebies – Don’t Give Away Your M&Ms (Mind and Muscle)
Get Your Hands Off My M&Ms
I am an entrepreneur who is proud to finally say no more freebies to the vampires; unless they are providing enrichment to my sphere and brand –- be gone.
This was the year I decided to no longer giveaway my M&Ms (PR/Branding/Coaching expertise) for free because that would devalue my brand’s worth and drain me.
Folks are crafty — be mindful of one-way bartering, partnership, multi-level opportunities and so forth … you do your part but the other side comes up short.
Let me say it now – stop giving away your M&Ms.
Also, if people say I would like to work with you, B-U-T, let’s see how it goes before anything is put in writing – proceed with extreme caution.
Don’t make light of your intellectual property; come up with a price and billable hours menu to ensure you don’t get played.
Make a rule that you will allocate (6) freebies a year to an organization, friend, charity, and will monetize the time, energy, transportation, it took to fulfill that obligation. I’ve learned this is the best way to understand and monetize your value so you don’t feel like your blood has been sucked out.
If you are donating your services make certain its with a reputable organization and you get a letter stating your services and time for the IRS.
Remember, your M&M’s Have Value:
1) If they weren’t valuable folks would not ask you to donate your time, energy and expertise
2) Have them write you a formal letter with value for service as barter so you can have for tax purposes
3) If you keep giving it away it loses value
4) Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free.
5) If you don’t value your M&Ms and make it known, no one else will.
New rule – you are playing to win; this is no longer a hobby.
I am thankful for my time and family by Lucinda Cross
Lucinda Cross, CEO of Corporate Mom Dropout
I am thankful for this time of my life where I am in my mid thirties, appreciating the time I have with my children, my spouse and my family.
As a child I rushed to grow up to be a teenager, when I reached my teenage years I rushed to be an adult. As an adult I wanted my youth back. This game that I played with time has taught me a valuable lesson.
Live life everyday to the fullest!
I don’t abuse my time and value how I spend it and where I spend it and with whom I spend it with.
Savor your time just like you are going to savor the turkey and stuffing, enjoy.
I Am Thankful For …
I am thankful for simplicity
I love Hutchinson Park
Beautiful
This is what hope looks like
I can’t believe that the holiday season is upon us.
What the heck happened to 2010? Don’t you remember making a resolution several months ago? I do … this year was filled with growth, evolution, and challenges. Through it all, I stayed in the climb and saw many dreams crystallized.
With the season for giving in full swing don’t let the pressure take over, you know … pandemonium, gift giving, parties, shopping, going into debt, depression, anxiety, unemployment, and, dreams deferred.
Enjoy the free stuff in life … breathing, loving, and smiling.
I am thankful for my health this season.
1) Health. Simple movement with no pain and no medication. Going for a walk, breathing, creating ideas, driving my car, moving my arms, no back pain, having my legs dance, and daydreaming at my neighborhood park.
2) My mind. Yes, there are times when I am on overload and can’t remember my pin number; however, at the core of it all I am still sharp and appreciative of the gift of life.
This season I am not looking for a turquoise blue jewelry box or anything fantabulous – just the birth of my niece (scheduled for December), and continued peace, spirit, health, love, and joy. I know it sounds crazy but with so many (younger) people around me dealing with health challenges all I want is to BE and enjoy each moment. Happy Thanksgiving!
What are you thankful for this season? Please share.
Feeling Clean and Natural
This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Tom’s of Maine. All opinions are 100% mine.
I was 25, and tired of having my long hair be all that mattered to the people around me.
It was time to set my self F-R-E-E.
My hair was first cut into a bob, then a mohawk and finally got the guts to go bald.
Sinead O’ Connor had nothing on me, I was natural and easy like Sunday morning.
When you become natural, everything changes – diet, lifestyle, and deodorant (most have carcinogens like aluminum which scared me), so i did some research and found a product which makes me smell good, combat the humidity, and preserve my life. That’s Tom’s Of Maine — natural, safe, and the company gives back to the environment.
Recently, I have been trying to spice up my daily routine at nursery school drop off with a new toothpaste and mouthwash from Tom’s of Maine. My daughter’s school is very bourgeoisie and most times I look like I just rolled from the bed. Change does not come easy even in the midst of reinvention.
Why do mom’s want to have full conversations in the morning when you are just trying to do a quick drop off and go about your biz?
Well, that’s why I was glad to write this post because I can tell you for real for real … Tom’s new wicked toothpaste and mouthwash ( i love the peppermint) is perfect for early morning right through lunch when your day is one long conversation. Feel me?
Oh yeah, there are tons of cool prizes for sharing your wicked moment — That’s Wicked Fresh contest page
My wicked moment is going to lunch with a co-worker who was looking to purchase a treadmill from the Sports Authority. As he was talking to me, I was pushing the incline and speed buttons, the next thing I knew he was running, panting and having a Jetson’s moment. I know it was wicked but he had it coming.
I guess it’s natural to have a wicket moment?
ps: Follow Tom’s of Maine on Facebook and/or Twitter @TomsofMaine and get cool information and products
Brand Princess Tiana Is Redefining Black Beauty
Princess Sofia
Black Beauty - Anika Noni Rose aka Princess Tiana
Hello Princess.
When I was growing up there really weren’t many images and mass merchandising items for Black girls.
Thank goodness times of changed, welcome Brand Princess Tiana.
Yes, you might remember Black Barbie (Christy) and Cher (well, she was Indian) but in 2010 our daughters can wear a Princess Tiana outfit – pants, dress, shirt, gown, underwear and hat and be a walking billboard for all that is possible. How empowering!
Brand Tiana represents talent, humility, strength, power, tenacity, mucho melanin and all things possible.
For many of us who have grappled with having it all seeing fairy tales come to life is the biggest adrenaline shot. I mean did you ever think you would see a Black Princess produced and marketed by Walt Disney Films? I didn’t.
For me the images and pages of Ebony, Essence, and Seventeen (remember Whitney Houston?) provided me with role models, fashion guidance and aspirations at 13.
My daughter, is 3, and she proudly wears her Princess gear to school, play dates, parties — how far we have come when our children can believe and act like royalty at an early age.
Brand Princess Tiana aka Anika Noni Rose is redefining what it means to be Black, Beautiful and Understood in 2010. Thank you sister for empowering our little ones.
Brand Tiana has proven what we always tell our kids – all is possible if you work hard and follow your passion – keep in mind – individuality is key; aim for the stars; act entitled (in a good way); diversify your circles; accept your beauty (flaws and all); and, remember, our kids will emulate all our craziness?
The Brand New Mommy Launch Party — Woo-Hoo!!!
Thank you to everyone who came out and expressed their support and love — it meant the world to me. You empower me.
Continue to spread the word, we are just getting started. Much love to you and thanks for helping me live my dream at The Brand New Mommy.
You Are Invited to Jill Scott’s Private Event …
Blues Babe Foundation Fundraiser
Happy Friday!
I love a good charity and that’s Blues Babe –it does what it says and gives back to the community by funding recreational sports, providing scholarships, funding camp experiences and bringing back music in the schools. All at no cost to the parents. Fabulous!
Jill Scott’s Blues Babe Foundation has been empowering young people to strive for greatness since 2002 and as a BNM reader you get a chance to win a pair of ticket to attend this unforgettable night of giving in Philadelphia, PA.
If you don’t win the contest and looking to make a contribution to a worthwhile event OR attend an evening of sophistication with a purpose then please purchase a ticket or two (special $75 tix until 11/15).
Enter to win a pair of tickets (giving away 2 pairs – valued at $150 per tix) to Jill Scott’s event with a purpose.
Here’s what you need to do:
1) Subscribe to the BNM blog and comment on a post
2) Follow BNM on Twitter and send a message promoting your personal brand
3) Post a message on the Brand New Mommy Facebook Fan page (140 words or less why you should attend)
5) Contest ends on 11/27/10 and winners will be notified via email on 11/30/10.
You are cordially invited to the
Blues Babe Foundation Fundraiser
An evening of purpose, passion, and networking
Inspired by the potential of determined young minds.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
6pm – 9pm
material culture
4700 Wissahickon Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19144
Enjoy refreshments, cocktails, stimulating art, a silent auction and an array of beautiful sights and sounds culminating with an intimate acoustic performance by Jill Scott.
Your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.
For more information visit www.bluesbabefoundation.org.
See you in Philadelphia!
i am a colored girl
For Colored Girls ....
I am a colored girl.
Proud. Stressed. Happy. Encouraged. Supportive. Overwhelmed. Successful. Passionate. Hungry.
With all that said – I loved Tyler Perry’s adaptation of Ntozake Shange riveting play.
Yes, I too try to celebrate and understand all the complexities from the Obie Award-winning play For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf.
Each frame of the movie became more captivating and I felt my skin simply exfoliate all the pain, joy, cries, and humility of each ‘Colored’ girl — because that’s our story. Complicated. Valiant. Hopeful. Forgiving.
Witnessing the phenomenally talented and beautiful actors on the screen was mind blowing and historical. Each scene became more cathartic for this colored girl.
I cherish the feeling of being colored each day, and strive to break society’s stigma of what it means to be a colored girl.
My little girl is three and she must over-stand that being a colored girl is a fabulous gift wrapped without the bow and not in a box.
In doing so I must love, understand, appreciate, empower, share, take off my cape, and simply be authentic.
No perfection here – just a woman living her purpose, keeping her eyes on the prize and learning to accept rejection and keep it moving.
This thing called life it always easy.
I am getting into a zone …
BNM,
I wanted to get some stuff out in the open and share what I am loving at this very moment and what I am tre’ disappointed with.
Let’s get the disappointment out of the way …
President Obama during happier days
1) I want President Obama to get his confidence back and walk with that swagger he had during the 2008 campaign. Watching his press conference after the mid-term election was heartbreaking — nothing worse than a Black man not feeling powerful. We are behind you but need you to BELIEVE also.
Rick 'Freakin' Fox
2) Rick Fox getting axed on my guilty pleasure, Dancing With The Stars. Foxy will always be man since I saw his acting chops on my fave show – The Game. Much respect for this chameleon — you really know how to reinvent.
I am truly feeling …
For Colored Girls - In Theatres Now
1) Tyler Perry for producing “For Colored Girls.” You really are evolving with each film. TP, you inspire me to stay in the climb.
My show is coming to BET - January 2011
2) BET bringing back my show and original cast — The Game. Love this show and let me say it was syndication that made me a fan.
3) My favorite hair products this week are oils — Coconut and Argan (great oils for the hair and skin to revitalize cells). Just cut my afro after a botched up texturizer from the Dominican shop around my neighborhood. Probably should not have gotten the texturizer in the first place.
4) Celebrating the launch of The Brand New Mommy blog. Thank you for a dream actualized.
Kids & Mother-In-Law
5) My babies telling me that I am their best friend. How long will they feel this way? Savoring each moment.
