It Takes A Village with Delina Medhin

In this episode of It Takes A Village with Delina Medhin, we welcome back Yanely Espinal, a financial educator and storyteller who’s transforming the way we think about money. Yanely is known for her popular YouTube channel MissBeHelpful and her bestselling book Mind Your Money, where she shares her journey from paying off $20,000 of debt in 18 months (on a 40k/year salary living in NYC) to becoming a leading voice in financial education. Her mission is to make financial concepts accessible and actionable, and she brings that same energy to our conversation.

Yanely breaks down key financial topics including saving and investing, the benefits of high-yield savings accounts, and various types of investments. We dive into the differences between stocks and bonds, explore the advantages of having a certified financial planner or advisor (and why they should be fiduciaries), discuss Roth IRA as an investment and how your taxes are affected. She also offers insights into investing specifically for creative entrepreneurs, showing how you can build wealth while pursuing your passions.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your investment strategy, this episode is packed with practical tips and inspiring advice. Tune in to learn how to manage your financial health, embrace a growth mindset, and make smart decisions to secure your financial future.

More about Yanely:

Yanely Espinal is a Brooklyn-born ball of energy! She's an educator with a gift for storytelling and a passion for explaining financial concepts in a straightforward way. 

While working as an elementary school teacher, she decided to change her financial life by paying off $20,000 of debt in just 18 months. In 2015 she started MissBeHelpful, a YouTube channel that now has over 4 million views, to help others learn the money skills she never learned in school. Her book, Mind Your Money, was released in May of 2023 and quickly became an Amazon Bestseller, with thousands of copies sold in the first month.

Yanely is the Director of Educational Outreach for Next Gen Personal Finance, a nonprofit working to ensure that every high school student gets a full semester of personal finance education. She's also the host of Financially Inclined from Marketplace, a video podcast for teens about money lessons for living life your own way!

Connect with Yanely:

@missbehelpful

Get her book at mindyourmoneybook.com

Listen to more episodes of It Takes A Village podcast:

⁠It Takes A Village with Delina Medhin⁠

Stay updated on everything It Takes A Village podcast:

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⁠www.ittakesavillagepod.com⁠

Connect with Delina:

⁠Instagram @delinamedhin⁠

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⁠YouTube @delinamedhin⁠

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⁠Facebook⁠

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In this episode, Delina has a conversation with Ashunta Sheriff-Kendricks, a trailblazing makeup artist with over 20 years of experience in the beauty industry. Known for her signature “Glow” and “less is more” approach, Ashunta has worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Zendaya, Alicia Keys, Rihanna, and Taraji P. Henson. She shares her journey from learning under industry legends like Laura Mercier to launching her own brand, Ashunta Sheriff Beauty, and the challenges she faced in building a business from the ground up.

We explore Ashunta’s experiences as a celebrity personal makeup artist and her exciting venture into entrepreneurship, including launching on QVC, where she showcased Ashunta Sheriff Beauty to a wider audience. Ashunta also opens up about her commitment to wellness, the importance of healing, and the power of speaking your truth—key lessons she’s embraced throughout her career. We also discuss how going viral can change your life in an instant and the resilience needed to navigate those pivotal moments.

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a beauty enthusiast, or someone seeking inspiration, this episode is packed with valuable insights and heartfelt advice. Join us as Ashunta shares the wisdom she’s gained from her incredible career and how she continues to innovate, heal, and empower others in the beauty industry.

More about Ashunta:

Ashunta has over 20 years creating her own signature flawless clean beauty technique. Some of Ashunta’s teachers and mentors are Vincent Longo, Laura Mercier, Charlie Green and Pat McGrath where she assisted on their teams for high fashion runway shows world-wide. The tools she’s learned have been invaluable making her one of today’s top makeup artists constantly sought out to report the hottest trends in beauty as well as give expert beauty tips. She has also worked with companies like Dior, Biore, Codex Beauty, Armani Beauty, Mary Kay, Cover Girl, Nair, Simple Beauty, Milani, Elizabeth Arden, Loreal, Smashbox, Jane Iredale and many more from collaborations to product development, making her a Global Makeup Educator and TV Personality. Ashunta’s work has graced the covers of top worldwide publications, every major red carpet event, #1 shows on TV, Major blockbuster movies, TV commercials, Music videos and the list continues.

Ashunta has worked with some of today’s hottest and biggest stars such as Zendaya, Janelle Monae, Rihanna, Taraji P. Henson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Alicia Keys, Tessa Thompson, Tika Sumpter, Jennifer Hudson, Sharon Stone, Marisa Tomei, Ciara, Jazmine Sullivan, P.Diddy, Usher, Jay Z, Swizz Beatz, Denzel Washington, and Basket Legend Michael Jordan.

Ashunta is most proud of being a mentor to many of today’s top makeup artists. She is not only passionate about her work, but equally passionate to give back to young artists and especially women of all walks of life.

Ashunta has worked in all mediums of makeup from Broadway, Fashion, Editorial, and Red Carpet. Ashunta is amongst the leaders in the “New School” of makeup talents creating timeless beauty and fun new trends with every brush stroke.

Connect with Ashunta:

Instagram @ashuntasheriff

TikTok @ashuntasheriffkendricks

Shop @ashuntasheriffbeauty at www.ashuntabeauty.com and in select stores:

Black Beauty Collective (Chicago and LA)

Manhattan Wardrobe supply (NY)

Makeup alter in Nashville (TN)

glow +Flow Beauty (LA)

Friends in Beauty (LA)

Shop the Diamond 3-pc sponge set at Marshall’s and TJ Maxx.

Listen to more episodes of It Takes A Village podcast:

⁠It Takes A Village with Delina Medhin⁠

Stay updated on everything It Takes A Village podcast:

⁠@ittakesavillagepod⁠

⁠www.ittakesavillagepod.com⁠

Connect with Delina:

⁠Instagram @delinamedhin⁠

⁠TikTok @delinamedhin⁠

⁠YouTube @delinamedhin⁠

⁠Twitter @delinamedhin⁠

⁠LinkedIn⁠

⁠Facebook⁠

⁠www.delinamedhin.com

In this episode of It Takes A Village with Delina Medhin, listen to a heartfelt conversation with Delina's best friend and soul sister, Ruthie, a seasoned Leadership Coach and Business Developer who's spent over 12 years working with some of the biggest names in global media, like NBC Universal, Discovery Communications, and National Geographic. Ruthie opens up about her journey from the fast-paced world of advertising to helping people lead with intention and authenticity. Her story is a powerful reminder that true leadership starts from within.

Ruthie shares her thoughts on the importance of friendships, particularly those low-maintenance connections that bring joy without the pressure. We also dive into the deeper aspects of personal growth, exploring spirituality, the Akashic Records, and healing practices like transcendental meditation and astrology. Ruthie speaks candidly about her own experiences with trauma, pain, and depression, shedding light on the vital role of mental health in our lives.

Whether you're looking to grow your business or simply want to become the best version of yourself, this episode offers a wealth of insights and inspiration. Join us for a conversation that’s sure to leave you feeling empowered and ready to lead with purpose and heart.

More about Ruthie:

Ruthie is a certified Leadership Coach and Business Developer with +12 years of international experience in digital media and global advertising sales. She's worked for global brands such as NBC Universal, Discovery Communications and National Geographic.

Ruthie added Leadership coaching to her professional tool belt in 2017. Through her boutique global coaching and consultancy practice she coaches, educates and trains individuals, entrepreneurs and businesses around the globe on self-leadership, success creation, and how to live and lead powerfully and effectively from the inside out.

As a proud daughter of Eritrean immigrants who is trilingual (in swedish, english and tigrinya - eritrea’s national language)., Ruthie is a culturally competent coach with a global mindset that connects with people from all walks of life easily. Ruthie’s bi-cultural experience is central to her work as a Leadership Coach.

Ruthie is a native of Stockholm where she was born and raised, she obtained her Masters in International Management from King's College in London where she lived and worked for over 10 years.

Ruthie also hosts the podcast Zanta on all things self-development and growth.

Listen to Ruthie's podcast: Zanta podcast

Connect with Ruthie:
@ruthiezerai

www.ruthiezerai.com

LinkedIn

Listen to more episodes of It Takes A Village podcast:

It Takes A Village with Delina Medhin

Stay updated on everything It Takes A Village podcast:

@ittakesavillagepod

www.ittakesavillagepod.com

Connect with Delina:

Instagram @delinamedhin

TikTok @delinamedhin

YouTube @delinamedhin

Twitter @delinamedhin

LinkedIn

Facebook

www.delinamedhin.com

“Cutting sponges is nothing new, but what I did was build a business from it.” Dive into the inspiring journey of Rea Ann Silva, the brain behind the game-changing Beautyblender brand, in this episode of "It Takes A Village To Raise An Entrepreneur."

Get ready to hear the incredible story of how Rea Ann went from doing makeup for music videos in the MTV era to becoming the Founder and CEO of the category creator Beautyblender. 

In this podcast, we talk about her journey with experimenting with various sponge shapes and stumbling upon the accidental yet iconic neon pink color, which ultimately became Beautyblender's pivotal marketing strategy. She also shares the raw, unfiltered moments of entrepreneurship - from working with the one person who believed in her, to the nerve-wracking decision to mortgage her house to kickstart Beautyblender.

We'll explore how Rea Ann navigated the beauty industry, Beautyblender’s influencer marketing strategy, her journey of refocusing during COVID, and the most challenging part of entrepreneurship: managing a team.

Come along for an honest, inspiring chat about the adventurous journey of Beautyblender, Rea Ann's incredible leadership, and the vital lessons she's learned about entrepreneurship and the beauty industry. 

Connect with Rea Ann on Instagram @reaannsilva and visit beautyblender.com to learn more about the brand’s latest offers.

In this "It Takes A Village To Raise An Entrepreneur" podcast episode, we explore the captivating journey of Danessa Myricks, a makeup artist whose career took a transformative turn when she opted to leave the corporate world following the closure of her company. Juggling life as a single mother and drawing inspiration from her upbringing in a large family, Danessa shares invaluable lessons she learned from her parents, particularly creating and sustaining something as your own.

Amidst her journey, Danessa emphasizes that much of her career has unfolded through unexpected opportunities, encouraging a mindset of saying "yes" even when unsure of the outcome. She also reflects on the impact and importance of having people around you who also journey with you.

Danessa candidly shares the journey and growth of Danessa Myricks Beauty, emphasizing the importance of hard work and creation. She also touches on her experiences and strategies in building her brand alongside her team as well as her insights and lessons from her background in photography.

To learn more about Danessa Myricks Beauty, head over to danessamyricksbeauty.com.

To stay updated with Danessa, follow along on @danessa_myricks.

In this episode of "It Takes A Village To Raise An Entrepreneur", we sit down with Yanely Espinal, a Brown University graduate, Brooklyn native and trailblazer who's making personal finance engaging and accessible. As the first college graduate in her family, Yanely realized the stark absence of financial education in her academic journey. This revelation led her on a mission to empower young individuals with the financial knowledge they need to succeed.

Yanely's remarkable career journey took her from Teach For America to creating a YouTube channel, where she breaks down budgeting, credit management, savings, investments, and more. She serves as the Director of Educational Outreach at Next Gen Personal Finance and contributes her expertise to CNBC's Financial Wellness Advisory Council.

Join us as we explore Yanely's inspiring story as a first-generation achiever, her transformative understanding of money psychology, and the profound wisdom found in her book, "Mind Your Money," filled with stories and strategies to guide you on your financial journey. Join us as we dissect our own spending habits, taking on Suze Orman's "90 Days of Spending Habits" challenge and gain valuable insights from the concepts and tips shared in her book.

For more financial wisdom and inspiration, follow Yanely at @missbehelpful on Instagram.

Welcome to a world where beauty meets individuality, and makeup is a form of self-expression. In this episode of "It Takes A Village To Raise An Entrepreneur", we journey with Violette, a seasoned makeup artist, CEO of VIOLETTE_FR, and the Global Creative Director of Makeup at Guerlain. But titles only scratch the surface of this creative trailblazer.

Get ready for a delightful and inspiring conversation as we venture into Violette's world. We'll explore how makeup in France is more than skin deep – it's a fashion statement. Discover how Violette masterfully balances her role as CEO of her own brand and as Guerlain's Creative Director.

Violette reveals her secrets to building a dream team, her fearless move from France to New York, and why stepping out of your comfort zone is a must. We'll also find out how she maintains calm strength, navigates married life and motherhood, and embarked on the incredible journey of launching VIOLETTE_FR, a brand that bridges the gap between minimalism and all-out glamour.

Violette walks us through her favorite product creations and the magic behind them, her calling had she not pursued makeup, and so much more.

Join us for an intimate and fabulous chat that redefines beauty. To stay in the loop, follow Violette on Instagram and TikTok: @violette_fr.

In this episode of "It Takes A Village To Raise An Entrepreneur", we take another step into the world of beauty and artistry with Jessica Smalls, a New York-based Emmy-nominated makeup artist, esthetician, and groomer with an inspiring journey. Born and raised in the vibrant streets of Harlem, Jessica's life took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with a rare skin cancer at just 18. This pivotal moment led her on a remarkable path into the beauty industry, where she discovered not only her calling but also a powerful means of self-expression and empowerment.

Meet Raisa Flowers in this episode of "It Takes A Village To Raise An Entrepreneur." Raisa is a creative director and visual artist who has turned makeup into her canvas for creative expression. Raisa's multi-cultural background and transracial experiences have shaped her unique artistic perspective, allowing her to draw inspiration from every corner of life.

In this episode, we dive into Raisa's incredible journey, from initially aspiring to be a fashion designer to finding her true calling as a makeup artist. She candidly shares her experience of dropping out of college three times and the philosophy she lives by: "Never be thirsty, always be hungry."

Discover the intricacies of choosing your team, the importance of skill-building, and the transformative process of becoming an assistant. Raisa also sheds light on the significance of creating a supportive community backstage, redefining beauty standards, and challenging gender stereotypes in the fashion industry.

As a powerhouse in the world of fashion and pop culture, Raisa Flowers is reshaping how we perceive beauty and fashion. Her artistry, tenacity, and radically progressive perspective are making her a prominent figure in the new digital landscape of fashion and beyond.

Join us in this enlightening conversation with Raisa Flowers, where we explore her path to becoming a groundbreaking makeup artist and a trailblazer in redefining beauty and fashion.

To stay updated with Raisa's extraordinary work, be sure to follow her on Instagram at @raisaflowers.

Tune in to this episode to be inspired by Raisa's artistic journey and her powerful message of pushing boundaries and embracing individuality.

In this episode of "It Takes a Village to Raise an Entrepreneur," we're jumping into the lively world of health and wellness with the amazing Tiara Howard, affectionately known as "T-How." Tiara, who once coached me on the secrets of mood balance and increasing happiness through movement, shares her inspiring journey from track and field athlete to certified personal trainer, powerlifter, and strength coach.

We chat about the ups and downs of this fitness journey, and Tiara reminds us that it's all about the process. Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to level up, you'll find valuable insights here. Tiara also shares the importance of inspiring people to get up and move their bodies. She highlights the significance of working with dedicated clients and emphasizes that motivation has to come from within. You can't force someone to make a change, they need to meet you halfway.

We also take a peek behind the scenes of the coaching business, from assembling the right team to help you get started, to the nitty-gritty of building a website, navigating the nuances of online coaching versus in-person training, and mastering the art of effective marketing to grow your fitness empire.

And for those itching to kickstart their fitness journey, Tiara introduces her GetWaisted Fitness program. Learn more at getwaistedfitness.com.

For daily fitness inspiration and a glimpse into Tiara's world, don't forget to follow her on Instagram @t.hoowww.