Do you struggle with recognizing or confirming your purpose? Sometimes your purpose isn't the thing you find....sometimes it's right under your nose and you need to only recognize it. Our guest today is the amazing Georgette Jackson, CEO & Founder of Divine Rest, an amazing non-profit that offers resources to the homeless in the Savannah area. Georgette is one of those warm individuals who exude such warmth and care for others that you instantly want to adopt her as your sister, aunt, etc. But behind this warmth was some amazing and challenging experiences that shaped Georgette into the crusader she is today. In this interview, Georgette shares her insights on how to gain clarity in recognizing your purpose, removing crippling self-doubt, and how to take defined action. She shares details on how she launched her non-profit and maintained it even in the midst of crippling loss.  Her wisdom will help you activate your confidence, faith and help you take the necessary steps. Tune in to enjoy this candid, sincere, and empowering interview.

About Georgette

Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Georgette was educated in the public schools in Chatham County and graduated from Windsor Forest High School in 1977.  Georgette is the loving mother of two daughters and a son who have all gone on to be with the Lord.  She is the proud grandmother of five amazing grandchildren.

In 2008, Georgette started a 501 C (3) Non-Profit, Divine Rest, Incorporated, that assists single homeless women, with a goal to purchase a home to help them get back on their feet. For further information, visit www.divinerestinc.org.  In August 2021, Georgette earned a certificate in Women’s Entrepreneurship from Cornell University and in December 2021, she earned a certificate in BIPOC Nonprofit Leadership Symposium from United Way of the Coastal Empire.

Georgette is a published author of 3 books, 30 Days of Divine Rest, Heart to Heart and Inspiration in the Mourning.  She is also a podcast host of Get A G.R.I.P. (Grace, Restoration, Inspiration, Prayer) that can be heard on Anchor, Spotify, Apple, and iHeart Radio that speaks to the heart of those experiencing grief, https://anchor.fm/georgette-jackson.

Georgette demonstrates great compassion for the homeless and the brokenhearted and is known as an encourager and inspiration to those who know her.  In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren as well as other family members and friends. Georgette also loves to steal away to a quiet place to read and to write as she hears from God.

Georgette is available for speaking engagements and/or workshops in which to share her journey in hopes of helping others get a G.R.I.P. on death so that they can continue living, loving, and enjoying life to the fullest.

Georgette can be reached via email: [email protected].  Website: www.georgettedjackson.com. Cell: 912.441.5564

Do you know how women can showcase their greatest confidence and make the greatest impact? A woman showcases her greatest confidence when she not only knows her worth but is able to market herself. Self-Marketing is essential for professional & entrepreneurial women to reach their highest potential. But as we know that is sometimes easier said than done. Women sometimes deal with a myriad of issues that can make them shy away from promoting themselves, and as a result, they can miss out on huge opportunities to create impact and income. This week's guest is Karla Italiano, a Network Marketing Professional for a prestigious company recognized as a top global Leader In Action, 6-Figure Income Earner, and Top Achiever. Karla and I get candid discussing some of the internal issues that make women avoid self-marketing and some strategies to use. Karla shares her own experiences of how she created her own opportunities and was able to get over how own personal hurdles.  She also shares several strategies you can use to take the anxiety out of self-promotion and to authentically share your value. You don't want to miss this candid conversation. 

About Karla:

Karla Italiano empowers busy people to live out their full potential in health, wealth, and life. With success in network marketing, corporate America, and as a stay-at-home mom of three girls - one of whom overcame a cancer diagnosis, Karla has powerful stories and learned wisdom to share.

Her passion is to empower others to live a lifestyle of choice in alignment with their highest values, and fulfill their personal potential for health, wealth, and happiness.

Karla is a former engineer with a master’s degree. She began her network marketing journey in 2007 and remained a loyal customer to her company for six years before building her team. She has now been recognized as a top global Leader In Action, 6-Figure Income Earner, and Top Achiever.

She was born and raised in the Midwest and now resides in Savannah, Georgia, with her Italian husband, Pasquale, and their three daughters, two of whom are twins. In her community, Karla actively volunteers, currently serving as President of her local Lions Club.

 Do you find yourself dealing with an increase in stress, anxiety and/or depression? Do you find that mental health or mental wealth issues are a challenge to speak about? Mental wellness issues are nothing to be ashamed of. There's so much misinformation out there that can make the topic confusing or taboo. But it doesn't have to be.  Mental wellness is a universal issue that many high-achieving women deal with and shouldn't ignore.  Our guest today, Kimberly Gunn--a popular recording artist and Mental Health Advocate sheds a light on what can be a complicated topic for many. Her candor, warm spirit, and personal experiences will change the way you see mental wellness. She also offers easy-to-follow strategies to help empower you to take back your personal power and live a thriving life. Don't miss this inspiring and empowering interview!

About Kimberly

Kimberly Gunn wears many hats in her role as a recording artist, entrepreneur, consultant, mental health advocate, educator, insurance broker, and minister. She joins the ranks alongside some of the top indie music artists in the Southeast.  Her brand, Kimberly Gunn, has grown to include a variety of arts such as her entertainment company, The Love & Soul Experience, The Love Soul Fanning Festival, and Music and Mental Wellness, birthed through her mental health platform, The Love Again Initiative. Her impact in the community keeps growing.

Kimberly uses music/songwriting as a vehicle to inspire, encourage, and uplift others. Her latest music single, Clap for Me, is a sultry inspirational anthem that debuted in the Top 20 on UK's Soul Chart and number 1 on the Praise Party Countdown for four weeks in a row.  She is not only a recording artist but had her own cover band. Kimberly Gunn and the Love & Soul Band specializes in soul, contemporary jazz, RnB, pop, and Christian/Gospel music.

Kimberly serves alongside her husband, Pastor Matthew Gunn at Hosanna Church in Savannah, Ga where she serves as the Worship Leader. Through their ministry, they are involved in many community and outreach projects. They have been happily married for 16 years. Kimberly is on a mission to help others discover their purpose and to promote self-love.

Have you sometimes felt stuck trying to move forward in your career or business? Have you struggled to figure out what you wanted to do when times got tough?  Loving and choosing to live your life isn't one that should be dictated by life's circumstances but by intentional action and internal clarity. My guest today is someone who chooses to live life intentionally and creatively with some unexpected twists and turns she leveraged for the best. Merline Labissiere started from humble beginnings, following her passions into the world of fashion design and ultimately being awarded a spot on the Emmy Winning Show Project Runway for 2 seasons. In this episode, Merline discusses her secret to designing the life you want and overcoming some unexpected roadblocks. We also dig deep into other topics such as strategic pivoting, clarifying your goals, and how to uncover new streams of income. You don't want to miss this energetic, inspirational, and highly informative interview. 

About Merline:

Merline Labissiere, a Miami- based designer, fell in love with the idea of marrying architecture and fashion design at an early age. The young Haitian-American designer graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) with a bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design in 2011. Although pursuing a degree in architecture brought her to SCAD, Merline discovered fashion was the fuel to her creative passion. Her architectural background continues to inspire her designs and other avenues of art. As a Project Runway Season 14 contestant airing on Lifetime, Merline got the opportunity to design a winning look that was manufactured and sold nationwide for Heid Klum’s intimate’s line. Along with her passion for fashion, her brand “Merline Labissiere” started a non-profit teaching fashion in inner-city youth. Recently, she has given presentations on her journey in entrepreneurship and starting a non-profit to students and alumni at the SCAD Museum of Art. Merline's passion to combine fashion and architecture and show the world a new perspective appears in every piece designed for the creative woman working in a professional environment.

Are you looking ways to improve your digital presence? Do you struggle with the fear of speaking live on camera or social media? The digital age we live in combined with the pressures of the pandemic has required professional & entrepreneurial women to become more visible in digital spaces. But so many women struggle with showing up and feeling intimidated. Kurtina is here to help you squash those fears and to confidently create "your stage" in the digital universe. Kurtina Pollen is an Image Transformation Strategist with 20+ years in corporate leadership--specifically communications and information technology. In this interview, not only do we get to learn how she developed her expertise (which wasn't always easy) but she also shares her insights on how you can strategically use your image and presence to elevate your personal brand. Image is SO much more than what you wear! In this interview, Kurtina shares her presentation secrets, her own experiences and teaches how you can show up successfully as your "whole self". This is one interview you don't want to miss!

About Kurtina:

Kurtina Pollen has over 20 years of corporate leadership experience in communications and information technology.  She is responsible for managing engagement strategies and ensuring effective communication with customers. Kurtina led the team that designed, constructed, and launched a corporate multi-media studio and anchored a weekly newscast. As the past Chair of a Diversity and Inclusion council, Pollen was influential in the forward movement of an inclusive and successful workplace by guiding the council through strategic planning and goal alignment.

Using her experience in business and training at the Fashion Institute of Technology - New York and the Image Resource Center of New York, Pollen launched Elevated Me, LLC, where she is the President.  Elevated Me’s mission is to empower women to be confident, elevate, and succeed. Kurtina uses her experience as an Image Transformation Strategist to help ambitious women enhance and elevate their image, digital presence, and technical knowledge to increase their professional influence and impact. She is the trusted advisor to small businesses, non-profits, and C-suite executives.

After earning a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Computer Information Systems from Savannah State University, Kurtina completed a Master of Science degree in Technical Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She is also a Certified Project Manager. Pollen is a past recipient of the Rising Star in Technology Award by Women of Color magazine and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Savannah Alumnae Chapter.

Clarity is a journey! Especially when it comes down to figuring what you want to do in life and how to carve out your own path of success. In this episode, Amy Shippy--a successful Serial Entrepreneur and Business Development Expert shares both the "bumpy and smooth" parts on her road to success. She is the co-founder of Marche’ de Macarons and owner of Blue Poppy Designs and Lottiebelle’s headquartered in Savannah, Ga. Her determination and sharp business methods during the pandemic alone took her Blue Poppy Designs business from 1 to 500 wholesale stores in the short time of 6 months.  She talks candidly about the importance of finding your own potential in the midst of negativity from others and the process of getting comfortable in your own skin, finding your gifts, and defining success on your own terms.  

Her message to every woman is that you can create strong forward momentum in your business, move past failure and find your success "sweet spot" on your terms. You don't want to miss this amazing interview. Amy's candidness and wisdom is applicable to professional or businesswomen alike. 

Amy's Bio

Amy Shippy is the cofounder of Marche’ de Macarons and owner of Blue Poppy Designs and Lottiebelle’s headquartered in Savannah, Ga.  Amy is a strong business development professional with proven success in the food & beverage, and gift industries. Amy was born and raised on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and later moved to Savannah, GA, in the ’90s to study Graphic Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).

Amy started her first business at 21 and her passion for business has been realized in several successful businesses over the past 25 plus years. Amy’s business idea won Biz Pitch Hilton Head in 2019, proving that her ambition resonates in everything she does. Amy’s endeavors have been featured in Savannah’s South Magazine, Chatham County Living Magazine, and Savannah Morning News. Her greatest accomplishment is raising three sons and instilling the same hustle principles in them in hopes that those principles are carried on to the next generation.

Amy’s true passion is helping others succeed while navigating the potential pitfalls of business ownership. She hopes to spend her future empowering women to get out of the way of their own success and become the business leaders they were designed to be.

Have you ever had the dream to develop a resource that would help your community? Well, Elbi did and her dream of doing so became the Culturist Union, a Black-owned coffee shop that exists to foster social interactions and support local artisans. But pursuing that dream wasn't always easy and in the midst of her wins and challenges Elbi went on to make it happen. In this episode, Elbi and I dive into topics such as the power of focus, how past experiences can shape your dream and how having tough skin and flexibility is a necessity. You will enjoy this candid interview from start to finish. May the insights and wisdom shared ignite your confidence to bring your dreams to fruition.

UPDATE: New Culturist Union location:

We are now at 3129 Bull St., Savannah, GA and will be opening at the start of the New Year!

About Elbi:

A proud alumna of Howard University and the Savannah College of Art and Design, and a dedicated Eastern Star of PHA-OES, Elbi Elm is passionate about managing creative spaces, using self-expression as a change agent, and community-building. Elbi founded The Culturist Union to equip creators with the support, awareness, and confidence to improve their craft and their community.   She brings over 15 years of leadership to the table, including nine years in the U.S. Air Force. She’s served as the diversity marketing advisor and board member for several nonprofits and publicly speaks on diversity, equity, and inclusion. DEI work also rooted her fellowship with the Minneapolis Children’s Theater Company. Completing the Georgia Women’s Policy Institute fellowship positioned her as a strong advocate for creating positive policy change for women and girls. Elbi won best pitch of Savannah SCORE’s 2019 BizPitch competition, was selected for the American Express “100 for 100” program and has been featured in several local and national publications. For more information visit https://www.theculturistunion.com/.

What do you want to be known for? What unique gifts, experiences, etc. do you have to create your legacy? Every woman has the power to create her impact and legacy. The question is are you taking that power into your hands and being intentional about it? Today's guest, Therese Gamble is an amazing woman, serial entrepreneur, and dynamic leader who is on a mission to do just that. In this podcast, she discusses her rich family history and how it influenced her to bravely step out into entrepreneurship despite the pushback she got in the corporate world. Other challenges Therese experienced served as stepping stones to push her beyond the limitations put on her. This candid and honest interview will inspire you to move to your next level. You don't want to miss it!

Therese's Bio:

Therese W. Gamble is a serial entrepreneur with Concierge Resource Professional Consultants, LLC, (CRPC) as a Strategic Process and Systems Engineer, International Public Speaker, Streaming Radio + Podcast Talk Show Host, Podcaster, Global Virtual Event Ambassador, Recovery Invisible Illness Interventionist. CRPC was founded in 2015 due to being laid off from a government job with invisible illnesses using unemployment checks of $275 a week.

In these roles, Therese manages a multi-state consultancy, all aspects of consulting, coaching, digital communications, collaboration, connections, and community. Therese works with and/or coaches entrepreneurs to structure the nuts and bolts of their business and coach them to navigate their back office for sustainable customer lead and residual revenue streams.

She is a preacher’s daughter, a wife of 34 years, a mother of two sons, a grandmother of two grandchildren. A 22-year ovarian cancer survivor, 4 years after battling multiple invisible illnesses on 25 different prescription opioids, Recently, Therese is 2 years divinely detoxed ™ from opioid dependency due to invisible illnesses and ready to coach other women to do the same with her lifestyle brand of Suffering 2 Soaring: Conquering Chronic Pain Advocacy Recovery Accelerator.

A big believer in Christian faith-based practices and principles, Therese supports women, family, invisible illnesses, ovarian cancer survivors, diversity, equality and inclusion, youth/college students, returning citizens (ex-offenders), HBCUs students, and black own businesses.

To contact Therese W. Gamble email [email protected] or go to www.linkedin.com/in/theresevlwgamble and www.linkedin.com/company/crpcconsultingllc . Sign up for our newsletter at www.crpcnow.com or follow us on social media.

As women, we battle so many internal and external pressures. From negative thoughts to situations out of our control---it can be a lot. Sometimes it can feel like you will break under the pressure but what if it's that very pressure that brings you to your greatest purpose? In this episode, Shalida Gray, Fitness expert and Business Coach shares how the tough challenges she faced transitioning from a corporate job, experiencing divorce, having major weight gain, etc paved the way for her not only to find her purpose but impact the lives of hundreds of women through her Phoenix Fitness, Phoenix Academy and Lida Bonita businesses. Her endeavors empower women to move from being stuck to feeling comfortable in their skin inside and out. The message her remarkable story shares is that sometimes the worst situations can turn out to be the best opportunities if you have the courage to pursue them one step at a time. Listen now to hear this candid and insightful interview as Shalida shares the mindset shifts, struggles, and ultimate triumphs she gained when she got out of her own way, trusted her gut, and reclaimed her life.

Shalida Gray's Bio

Born in Warner Robbins, GA on Feb 24th, 1983. During her younger years, Shalida lived in Germany and moved with her family to Atlanta. She was married in 2005 and in 2008 had a beautiful girl named A’talie Gray. Soon after giving birth to her daughter she learned that she had Hypothyroidism (a disease that slows the metabolism) and was having difficulty losing weight. At her highest weight of 215 she decided to lose weight the natural way (nutrition and exercise). She lost over 65 lbs and was motivated to help others do the same.

In 2012 she moved to Savannah, GA and was inspired to become a coach with an organization that would foster her skill sets and give her the drive to help others with their health and fitness journey.

0n Feb 26th 2018, after 12 yrs of marriage she went through a difficult divorce that inspired her to get a tattoo of a Phoenix to represent courage and to remind her that she was resilient and could rise above the ashes.

Thus in April of 2018, Phoenix Fitness International was born. A company founded on inspiration, encouragement, and empowerment.

Phoenix Fitness International is an online health program created to see quick health results coupled with nutrition and accountability in order to stay focused on health/weight loss goals at an affordable price.

In only 3 years of business, Phoenix Fitness International has expanded all over the world. Helping Phoenixes become the best version of themselves in London, Canada, Spain, Germany, Nigeria, Bahamas, as well as the U.S.

Over 10,000+ men & women weight loss since the beginning of the company and more to come.

Shalida Gray is the owner of:

Contact Shalida at https://www.instagram.com/Coachfitlida or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/shalida.gray