If you've ever thought about not being yourself, please take this as a sign to just BE YOURSELF! In this episode of Bet On Yourself, Sis!, I chat with Pam Brown, owner of Down 4 Paws Dog Training, based in Norwood, MA. Pam is a certified dog trainer, animal communicator, and psychic medium, and today she talks all about how she owned and honed her gifts to become successful in her business.

Pam shares her unique approach to dog training, which focuses on understanding the dog's needs and emotions rather than traditional obedience training. She discusses her journey into dog training, the importance of lifestyle changes for pet owners, and how understanding a dog's lineage can impact their behavior. The conversation also touches on the challenges of entrepreneurship and the importance of seeking support and mentorship in building a business.

Pam and I also discuss the multifaceted nature of entrepreneurship, particularly for Black women. We explore the importance of mentorship, the reciprocal nature of energy in business, and the significance of authenticity. Pam shares valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasizing the need for networking and community building. We also delve into mindset shifts necessary for success and address common mistakes in dog training, highlighting the importance of understanding dog behavior.

We talk:

05:57 - Pam's journey into dog training

14:53 - Understanding dog lineage and needs

27:19 - The power of mentorship

28:09 - Reciprocal energy in business

29:07 - Authenticity in entrepreneurship

36:41 - Mindset shifts for success

44:52 - Understanding dog behavior and training

Episode References:

The Blox S15

American Kennel Club

Best Decade Ever - Mel Robbins (Playlist)

Connect with Pam! - IG @down4paws - TikTok @down4paws - YouTube @down4paws

Connect with Pink Lady! - IG @pinkladyprod - Tik Tok @pinkladyprod - LinkedIn @pinkladyprod

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What does it mean to live a holistic lifestyle? It means to think of yourself as a whole person and recognize that everything in your life, everything in this world is connected. And, in this episode of Bet On Yourself, Sis!, my guest Fatima Mathews dives deeper into this concept. Fatima is a Holistic Lifestyle curator, and she helps people of color develop lifestyles that prioritize physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

Today Fatima shares her process of helping clients build sustainable lifestyles, the role of yoga, and the importance of community resources. Our conversation also delves into entrepreneurship as a means of freedom for women of color, Fatima's personal journey, and the critical connection between mental health and lifestyle choices. Together, we highlight the importance of mental health advocacy, personal empowerment through yoga, and the significance of self-awareness in recognizing signs of mental distress. We discuss how yoga can serve as a powerful tool for mental health, emphasizing the need for individuals to find their own path in wellness practices. We also touch on the importance of authenticity in the wellness industry and the necessity of a mindset shift towards valuing health over wealth.

Fatima also gives some AMAZING resources, especially for those of us wanting to buy Black and keep those coins circulating in our communities!

We talk:

05:57 - The process of building a holistic lifestyle

15:09 - Entrepreneurship and freedom for WOC

30:01 - Mental health and holistic healing

43:34 - Recognizing signs of mental distress

58:00 - The importance of authenticity in wellness

Episodes References:

Josephine Baker

Tina Turner

Black Farmer's Index

Black Enterprise Magazine

Taliah Waajid Natural hair products

cutcreaters4life

thekingofloc

Connect with Fatima! - IG @thechakralady - FB @fatima.mathews - LinkTree @Phenix Organics and Wellness

Connect with Pink Lady! - IG @pinkladyprod - Tik Tok @pinkladyprod - LinkedIn @pinkladyprod

Follow Bet On Yourself, Sis! on social media - IG @betonyourselfsis - Tik Tok @betonyourselfsis - YouTube @betonyourselfsis

"Chew the meat and spit out the bones!" If you don't get anything else from this episode, take this advice from Brittney Lee! Take what you need from every situation and let go of the rest.

Brittany Lee is a fitness coach and yoga teacher, and she is one of my favorite people to have these "professional" conversations with. She keeps it all the way real and always has a great advice. And, in this episode of Bet On Yourself, Sis!, she does just that. Brittney shares insights on the importance of health and wellness for entrepreneurs, specifically Black women. She highlights the significance of self-care, the need for personalized fitness plans, and the importance of recharging and finding a work-life balance. Brittney also tells us about her journey in launching a new fitness app to reach women globally.

We discuss ways to better understand client needs, particularly in the context of health and wellness, and our personal journeys towards healthier eating habits. And, we highlight the transformative power of affirmations, and the freedom that comes with entrepreneurship. The conversation also dives into the significance of setting boundaries in business. And, Brittney offers valuable advice specifically for Black women entrepreneurs, emphasizing authenticity and self-acceptance.

We talk:

11:52 - Brittany's entrepreneurship journey

24:01 - Starting small in your health journey

36:38 - Understanding client needs and personal growth

49:00 - The freedom of entrepreneurship

56:43 - Setting boundaries in business

01:07:14 - Advice for Black women entrepreneurs

Episode References:

Louise Hay

Toni Jones

Lizzy Jeff

Geminelle

Londrelle

Mrs. Colleen Craig-Akinsanya, LICSW-S, CAGCS

Connect with Brittney! - IG @fitbyblee_ - TikTok @fitbyblee - YouTube @FitByBlee - Website fitbyblee.com

Connect with Pink Lady! - IG @pinkladyprod - Tik Tok @pinkladyprod - LinkedIn @pinkladyprod

Follow Bet On Yourself, Sis! on social media - IG @betonyourselfsis - Tik Tok @betonyourselfsis - YouTube @betonyourselfsis

Today I'm chatting with my cousin-sister ya'll! Amber Sims is an overall creative entrepreneur and she does it all! She is the owner and creator of All Things Good Catering, and she is a new author of the book, When the Heart Breaks the Soul Blooms: A Journey of Motherhood, Renewal, and Love After Loss. And, in this episode of Bet On Yourself, Sis!, she shares her inspiring journey into entrepreneurship, and how she balances it with motherhood.

From starting her catering business during the COVID-19 pandemic to expanding into various areas, including merchandise, graphic design, and writing, Amber discusses how it all came together for her. She also talks about the importance of community support and the healing process through her new book. Together, we emphasize the value of authenticity and training.

Amber also highlights the significance of taking risks and pivoting in business, showcasing her resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges.

We talk:

03:00 - The birth of All Things Good Catering

11:56 - The importance of community support

20:03 - Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship

32:45 - The journey of writing a book

44:38 - The importance of accountability

Episode References:

When the Heart Breaks the Soul Blooms: A Journey of Motherhood, Renewal, and Love After Loss

Shauna Unmasking Motivation

Connect with Amber! - IG @all_things_good1 - TikTok @allthingsgoodcatering

Connect with Pink Lady! - IG @pinkladyprod - Tik Tok @pinkladyprod - LinkedIn @pinkladyprod

Follow Bet On Yourself, Sis! on social media - IG @betonyourselfsis - Tik Tok @betonyourselfsis - YouTube @betonyourselfsis

My podcasting bestie is here today and she has a lot to say! Dr. Nicole Young-Martin is a creative professional, writer, producer, podcaster and much more! And, in this episode of Bet On Yourself, Sis!, we discuss what it's like to create your own legacy through entrepreneurship and community.

Have you ever thought about the legacy you're leaving behind? When you're working for a company or organization, your focus is on their community culture and goals. But as an entrepreneur, you get to choose your own. You get to decide what you want to be known for.

In this episode, Dr. Nicole shares her entrepreneurial journey, discussing the challenges and triumphs of freelancing, the importance of community, and the significance of identity in branding and business. She emphasizes the need for balance, the power of saying no, and the value of continuous learning. Dr. Nicole also reflects on her experiences in academia and the evolving landscape of higher education, particularly regarding DEI initiatives. And, she gives us a bunch of Queer Black Women Entrepreneurs that we can follow and support.

We talk:

11:37 - The power of saying so

20:33 - Community-centric business models

33:22 - Building community and personal branding

38:02 - Navigating the "expert" label and its challenges

50:44 - Balancing freelance work and personal identity

57:16 - Planning for change and transitioning in business

Episode References:

Danielle Moodie

Black Women Taught Us - Book by Dr. Jenn M. Jackson

Dr. Jenn M Jackson

Private Coaching for Creative Professionals - Michelle May

Musique Noire

Erin Pompa

Black and Published Podcast

Nerdacity Podcast with DuEwa Frazier

Reed, Write, and Create

Joy Ann Reid

Don Lemon

Melissa Harris Perry

Connect with Nicole! - IG @blackwritersread - YouTube @coco_penexplore

Connect with Pink Lady! - IG @pinkladyprod - Tik Tok @pinkladyprod - LinkedIn @pinkladyprod

Follow Bet On Yourself, Sis! on social media - IG @betonyourselfsis - Tik Tok @betonyourselfsis - YouTube @betonyourselfsis

My favorite question to ask guests on Bet On Yourself, Sis! is, "what does being an entrepreneur mean to you?" And I get so many different answers. To many of us entrepreneurship means freedom and getting to choose the work we do. To some it means being bold and brave enough to create something new. And to others it means building the life they want to live.

In this BONUS episode of Bet On Yourself, Sis!, I share a collection of answers from the episodes that have been released so far. These Black women entrepreneurs share insight, advice, strategies, and tips, and I hope they inspire and motivate you to continue on your journey!

This episode was created for Banjee Boombox's Podcast Village! Thank you again for choosing us to share in this special event!

Connect with Banjee Boombox! - IG @banjeeboombox - Website banjeeboombox.com

Connect with Pink Lady! - IG @pinkladyprod - Tik Tok @pinkladyprod - LinkedIn @pinkladyprod

Follow Bet On Yourself, Sis! on social media - IG @betonyourselfsis - Tik Tok @betonyourselfsis - YouTube @betonyourselfsis

Why do so many Black women entrepreneurs have problems raising their prices, and sometimes even charging at all? We feel like the communities we want to serve can't afford it. Or, we don't think anyone will buy from us if our prices are too high. But, these are the lies we tell ourselves to keep us from succeeding. The truth is that we have poured so much into our businesses. We've paid for trainings and equipment that increase the value we offer. We've spent countless hours ... And we deserve to be compensated! Period! And this is only one of the many amazing conversations I had with today's guest on Bet On Yourself, Sis!, Adi Kaur.

In this episode, Adi shares her journey as a yoga teacher and entrepreneur, emphasizing the importance of energy, healing, and community. She discusses the role of ego in personal growth and entrepreneurship, advocating for a service mindset in business. And she highlights the freedom and power that come with being an entrepreneur. Adi provides insights on pricing strategies and the value of starting from free services to build momentum. The conversation concludes with reflections on navigating mistakes and the importance of community support.

In this engaging conversation, Adi and I explore the intricacies of sustainable business practices, and the importance of valuing oneself in entrepreneurship. We discuss the significance of manifestation, self-discovery, and the unique challenges faced by Black women entrepreneurs. The dialogue emphasizes the need for collaboration over competition and the value of lifelong learning in personal and professional growth.

We talk:

09:07 - Adi's entrepreneurship journey

17:06 - Understanding ego in entrepreneurship

24:34 - Exploring internal family systems and self-acceptance

35:00 - Entrepreneurship: defining freedom and value

44:34 - Pricing strategies: understanding your worth

57:56 - The joy of planning vs. doing

01:09:50 - The importance of self-care and authenticity

Episode References:

3 Yoga Benefits for Black Women with Adi Kaur Part 1

3 Yoga Benefits for Black Women with Adi Kaur Part 2

No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model

By Richard Schwartz, Ph.D.

Connect with Adi! - IG @theblkyogitribe - TikTok @theblkyogitribe - Website theblkyogitribe.org

Connect with Pink Lady! - IG @pinkladyprod - Tik Tok @pinkladyprod - LinkedIn @pinkladyprod

Follow Bet On Yourself, Sis! on social media - IG @betonyourselfsis - Tik Tok @betonyourselfsis - YouTube @betonyourselfsis

What is the difference between confidence and ego? I think many of us get it confused, especially in the entrepreneurial space. But today's guest explains the difference in a way that really resonated with me and I'm so excited to share it with you!

In this episode of Bet On Yourself, Sis!, I chat with Deandra Raquel Bacon aka Raq and we dive into confidence, confidence, confidence! Raq is a visual artist, photographer, and confidence and career coach. She also support non-profits in managing grants and moving towards higher impact.

In this conversation, we explore the delicate balance between confidence and ego in entrepreneurship. Raq shares her personal journey of overcoming challenges, the importance of affirmations, and the power of networking. We discuss the hard work required in entrepreneurship and Raq offers valuable advice for both new and established entrepreneurs, emphasizing the significance of community support and personal growth.

We talk:

05:55 - Confidence vs. ego

08:50 - The power of affirmations in building confidence

17:31 - The role of networking in professional growth

39:13 - Navigating the entrepreneurial journey

49:10 - Advice for new and established entrepreneurs

Episode References:

The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom (A Toltec Wisdom Book) By Miguel Ruiz

The Blox S15

Connect with Raq! - IG @professionalpeace_ - LinkedIn @deandra-raquel-bacon - Website professionalpeace.org

Connect with Pink Lady! - IG @pinkladyprod - Tik Tok @pinkladyprod - LinkedIn @pinkladyprod

Follow Bet On Yourself, Sis! on social media - IG @betonyourselfsis - Tik Tok @betonyourselfsis - YouTube @betonyourselfsis