Support is Sexy

While most people are focused on resolutions, we're going to do our own bit of reinvention over here for 2017. And I want YOU to be a part of it. Let's have some fun -- help me choose between two options for a new theme song for the Support is Sexy podcast, which we'll debut with our first episode in January. Listen to snippets of both songs on this episode, then head over to Twitter at @supportissexy and VOTE on the poll. (I just discovered the polls on Twitter and think they're adorable so, yeah, we're using that.)

As I mention in this episode, a lot going on in the news these last few days of 2016, some of it overwhelming -- violence, nonstop political bickering, transitions of well-known and not-so-well-known folks before their time... I wanted to do an episode that was light, fun, and in some ways interactive. Sometimes a smile is just the support we all need during times like these. So thank you for listening and for smiling with me.

Now, head over to @supportissexy on Twitter and pick your favorite theme song! :)

Thanks for listening!

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Thank you for listening! And hey, if you love it, please click here to leave us a Rating & Review on iTunes!

[Music: "Someone Else's Memories" by Revolution Void; "Time Flux" by Revolution Void, and "Easy" by SPCZ.]

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Beverly Stewart has wanted to be a teacher since she was five years old, and she thought she'd be one forever once she started her career in education. But after six years in the classroom, she knew she needed a change -- she wanted a way to impact each student individually. So Beverly made the brave decision to leave her full-time teaching career in 1985, and started tutoring children one-on-one. With that, her business Back to Basics Learning Dynamics was born, providing a variety of one-on-one educational services to students of all ages. Since then, the company -- and Beverly -- have won a long list of awards and recognitions in the Philadelphia area and continue to expand; but for Beverly, her personal growth during this journey has been the greatest expansion in her life.

On this episode of the Support is Sexy podcast, Beverly talks about how she bootstrapped to build and grow her business from her one-bedroom apartment to a multimillion dollar company, the power of being vulnerable and comfortable with uncertainty, and how learning to be less rigid has changed her life and her business.

On this episode you'll learn:

How to teach yourself to be uncomfortable and uncertain in order to grow.Be bold enough to ask people for advice.The value of pounding the pavement when you first launch your business.How having a coach can completely change your business and your life.How to be an open-hearted leader.The power of delegating.Her top 3 tips for turning your passion into profit.Strategies to grow your business.The importance of feedback from your customers.How to move beyond the personal blocks in your life that also affect your business.How to learn to delegate and let go.Why she can't stand the word "luck."How she created her fairytale life.

Subscribe to Support is Sexy podcast on iTunes or on Stitcher Radio!

Thank you for listening! And hey, if you love it, please click here to leave us a Rating & Review on iTunes!

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at supportissexypodcast.com.

[Music: "Someone Else's Memories" by Revolution Void]

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Dr. Karmetria Burton has always been gregarious and loquacious, so much so that her family would offer to pay her to be quiet for five minutes. That didn't work -- because Karmetria loves to connect, and she always had plenty of questions.

Karmetria grew up around a family of entrepreneurs and worked in her dad's business for about two years right after college (for room and board of course). After wowing a client on a sales call, she was recruited to work with their company -- and her professional career began with a move from Houston to Omaha Nebraska. After a layoff years later at another company, Karmetria moved into the supplier diversity field, and has since won several awards and recognition for her leadership and expertise in the space.

Today she is Director of Supplier Diversity at Delta Airlines, and shares with us her top tips for what we need to know about supplier diversity as women entrepreneurs, why it's important to register your business a woman-owned business, how she plans to spend one billion dollars with women and minority's owned businesses, and how she's empowering women to paint their lips red!

On this episode you'll learn:

What is supplier diversity?How does supplier diversity work.How to get certified and what that means.The benefits of registering your business.How to think outside of the box when considering what your business may be able to offer.Why it's smart for women-owned businesses and solopreneurs to be aware of supplier diversity programs (and some important numbers you need to know).The importance of being a scalable business.How to know when your company is corporate-ready.3 top tips for companies interested in being part of a supplier diversity program.How to get over the low points in your career.How to rebrand yourself after a setback.Why you should never let your title define you.How Karmetria is empowering women with a great red lip.And how she learned how to give up "I got it!"

Subscribe to Support is Sexy podcast on iTunes or on Stitcher Radio!

Thank you for listening! And hey, if you love it, please click here to leave us a Rating & Review on iTunes!

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at supportissexypodcast.com.

[Music: "Someone Else's Memories" by Revolution Void]

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Venettes Cultural Workshop founder, Mary Baird, was a great influence on her goddaughter, Dawn Shedrick, as Dawn grew up attending classes at the workshop and watched as her godmother created a space for many Black children in their Long Island, New York, neighborhood to know that they matter -- children who may otherwise have fallen through the proverbial cracks. Dawn later carried this same passion with her into her own work as a social worker -- keeping people out of the cracks, whether that was through community organizing or providing resources for those with HIV/AIDS.

Today, as Founder and Chief Learning Officer of her own successful consulting business, JenTex Training & Consulting, Dawn now supports other social workers and health service providers with avoiding a major crack many of them slip into: Burnout. On this episode of the Support is Sexy podcast, Dawn talks about avoiding burnout and finding balance, how to set up a business that reflects your vision and your principles, how to ask for and accept support and how to be ok with exposing your messiness.

On this episode you'll learn:

How to take the path less traveled -- even when you're already down another road.The importance of figuring out a way to transition from your full-time job into entrepreneurship.Reasons to consider the possibility of partnerships.Why you should start with the low-hanging fruit when spreading the word about your business.How to get through those moments when the business brings you to your knees.The importance of being transparent about our experiences as entrepreneurs.How to be vulnerable and ask for AND accept support, even when it's uncomfortable.How to trust that the support will show up for you.How to be ok exposing your messiness.How to battle burnout.How to be empowered to say "no" and be prepared to face whatever comes after that "no."Why it's importance for us to "feel the feels" and not numb the pain.Subscribe to Support is Sexy podcast on iTunes or on Stitcher Radio!

Thank you for listening! And hey, if you love it, please click here to leave us a Rating & Review on iTunes!

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at supportissexypodcast.com.

[Music: "Someone Else's Memories" by Revolution Void]

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If things didn't manifest how you wanted or envisioned for 2016, do not be discouraged: You gotta keep going!

A little holiday inspiration...

Subscribe to Support is Sexy podcast on iTunes or on Stitcher Radio!

Thank you for listening! And hey, if you love it, please click here to leave us a Rating & Review on iTunes!

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at supportissexypodcast.com

[Music: "Someone Else's Memories" by Revolution Void]

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If you were to ask a five-year-old Amber Aziza what she wanted to be when she grew up, she would have told you two words: In charge. For Amber, this didn't just mean having money; it was about having control of her own destiny.

As a child of foster care, who survived a tumultuous environment before being adopted, Amber's forever family cultivated this part of her – with a long list of after-school activities that she wanted to experience (and even some that she didn't). And this curious and adventurous spirit is still a part of who she is today as CEO of Asquared, her coaching company where she is devoted to helping millennial and millennial-minded entrepreneurs succeed in business and life.

But it was Amber's first company -- which she built into a multi million enterprise at the expense of her health and sold before she was age 30 -- that taught her some of her most valuable lessons personally and professionally.

On this episode, Amber talks about openly about lessons she learned about betting on yourself, building a multi million dollar business that's bigger than you, knowing when it's time to move on and taking necessary time to heal when life interrupts business.

On this episode you'll learn:

How to figure a way to make it work before saying no to opportunity.The benefit of taking the opportunity before you're ready.Sometimes you find your genius within the gap between what you know and what you don't know.How to evaluate the risk vss the reward.Why you shouldn't just quit your job.How to map out your plan based on what you want to do rather than what another business does.How to cultivate your network and reach out with an offer.Be ok with starting small.Always present what value you're offering to your clientsThe importance of realizing your zone of genius and delegating the rest.The dangers of building a company that centers all around you.What the process of selling your company is like.How to know when to let it go.Top 3 tips for millennial entrepreneurs.Why you gotta model what works.The importance of taking time to pause.Why it's not healthy to pretend that you're "fine."Subscribe to Support is Sexy podcast on iTunes or on Stitcher Radio!

Thank you for listening! And hey, if you love it, please click here to leave us a Rating & Review on iTunes!

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at supportissexypodcast.com

[Music: "Someone Else's Memories" by Revolution Void]

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When having a conversation with Charreah K. Jackson -- ESSENCE magazine Lifestyle & Relationships Editor and Creator of BossBride -- you will be struck by her Southern charm as as much as you will be by her worldly self awareness. The Decatur, Georgia, native -- who considers herself "a little bit bossy" and "with a big personality" -- grew up surrounded by models of strong black women, with a great, great grandmother who had a rifle, knew how to shoot a straight shot and catch a squirrel with her bare hands. For Charreah, witnessing this strength normalized power and agency.

Today, as Charreah balances a demanding full-time magazine job with coaching clients, her Bossbride community, her personal life and writing her soon-to-be-published book, she realizes that with all that strength she has inherited, she also needs support, and softness, in many areas of her life -- and that's a good thing. As she says, we need to normalize support, and not see it as a weakness.

On this episode of the Support is Sexy podcast, Charreah talks openly about how support and her evolving self awareness allowed her to overcome cancer, shift her relationship with money, walk away from what's familiar and face her fears by standing up and catching the wave.

On this episode you'll learn:

Take inventory of your talent and your time.How to determine what your gift is and own it.How you can maximize your wealth and live a life of abundance.Be willing to make sacrifices for the hustle.Why, if you're moonlighting, you should view your job as your biggest client.Getting clear on the vision on your life and what you want that to look like.How to heal your relationship with money.Taking back your power and making a different choice.To up-level your bank account you have to up-level your circle.Being aware of the fact that we live in a culture that gets wealthy off keeping you distracted.The importance of asking yourself what's not working.Why vulnerability has gotten a bad wrap.Having the courage to walk away from something that has run its course.Why you shouldn't let the ending tell the story.The genius of standing up and catching the wave.

Subscribe to Support is Sexy podcast on iTunes or on Stitcher Radio!

Thank you for listening! And hey, if you love it, click here to leave us a Rating & Review on iTunes!

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at supportissexypodcast.com.

[Music: "Someone Else's Memories" by Revolution Void]

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Even as a little girl, Lisa Dadd always planned to be a doctor, but she always had an entrepreneurial itch. In university, she realized she was much more interested in knowing about the science of people rather than just science, so she changed her major. But when she didn't get into medical school, the Niagara Falls native felt somewhat lost. She decided to continue on to get her graduate degree in sports medicine, and later landing a job in the pharmaceutical industry, where she had a very successful career.

But as Lisa continued to rise in her corporate sales and marketing position, she found herself unfulfilled with every new promotion during her 15 years in the industry. Eventually, she gave into her burning desire to become an entrepreneur, to "find her fabulous" and to teach her clients how to do the same.

On this episode of the Support is Sexy podcast, Lisa talks about how to know when it's time to make that move, how to redesign your life and find your fabulous, and why it's important to play in the gray.

On this episode you'll learn:

Why you never really get over that feeling of being afraid -- and that's ok.How to know when it's time to move on.How to get over that "you should be happy" feeling.How to be grateful for the desire for change.How to gauge whether your longing to do something else is temporary.Why you deserve to find your fabulous.How to give yourself permission to live a fabulous life.Why you should have gratitude for the ambiguity in your life.Beware of whether you're using finances as a smokescreen.The benefits of playing in the gray.3 ways to redesign your your life.How to move beyond imposter syndrome.The power of masterminds.How to quiet your inner mean girl and tell her to "flick off."

Subscribe to Support is Sexy podcast on iTunes or on Stitcher Radio! Thank you for listening! And hey, if you love it, click here to leave us a Rating & Review on iTunes!

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at supportissexypodcast.com.

[Music: "Someone Else's Memories" by Revolution Void]

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When Kelly Lynn Adams was a young girl growing up in New Jersey she was considered shy and was diagnosed with a speech impediment. But doing things that pushed her out of her comfort zone helped her get over that shyness and over other people's perceptions of her.

Today, Kelly is a motivational speaker and life coach who considers herself a "loud, obnoxious Jersey girl." In other words, she is fully herself and she empowers her clients -- women making the transition from 9-to-5 life to their entrepreneurial life -- to do the same. But what's most important for Kelly is the lessons she learned along her journey, those breakthrough moments that allowed her to turn her "mess" into her message.

On this episode of the Support is Sexy podcast, Kelly talks about launching her new business by offering 50 free consultations, the importance of practice, the dangers of comparison, why patience is paramount and why self-care is non-negotiable.

On this episode you'll learn:

Why it's important now more than ever to have a mentor.Why mentors don't have to be people you know.How to become a master of anything.How to hone in on your niche.How to overcome the noise on social media.How to realistically have it all.Why she has a nonnegotiable self love power hour.Importance of being not just doing.Ways the body will let you know that you're not taking care of yourself and why that dis ease can be a blessing.How to view you mess as your message.The first step to take to get out of that low point.Her top 3 tools to change your life and business.

Subscribe to Support is Sexy podcast on iTunes or on Stitcher Radio! Thank you for listening! And hey, if you love it, click here to leave us a Rating & Review on iTunes!

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at supportissexypodcast.com.

[Music: "Someone Else's Memories" by Revolution Void]

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Who is the woman I have to become to become the woman I want to be?

Yes, this is actually a question I have ask and continue to ask myself. It is my version of a check in and grounds men when I feel I am beginning to sway from the way of being that truly reflects who I am and who I want to become.

Sound to woo woo for you?

How about this: If you want to become the woman of your own dreams you have to dare to go there! And this episode -- which includes a roundup of inspirational words from women such as She Who Dares founder Kelli Coleman, Harlem's Fashion Row founder Brandice Daniel, inventor serial entrepreneur Jen Groover, New York Times bestselling author Michelle Burford, Collective Mobile founder Sian Morson, Intensati Creator Patricia Moreno and media personality and entrepreneur Tai Beauchamp – will send you into your weekend (or whenever you're listening) with advice to help carry you along the journey.

And if you're in the Atlanta, Georgia, area on Friday, December 16, 2016, please come say hello and enjoy a free event with myself, Kelli Coleman, Tai Beauchamp and more at the She Who Dares event in Bloomingdales at Lenox Square mall, 5pm EST.

Subscribe to Support is Sexy podcast on iTunes or on Stitcher Radio!

Thank you for listening! And hey, if you love it, please click here to leave us a Rating & Review on iTunes!

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at supportissexypodcast.com.

[Music: "Someone Else's Memories" by Revolution Void and "Candlepower" by Chris Sabriskie]

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