Support is Sexy

Say "yes." Spiritual teacher Barbara Biziou has taught me, and thousands of her students around the world (Donna Karan and Gabby Bernstein among them), many things over the years, but one of the most powerful for me is embracing the possibility of "yes." Barbara says we, as creative women looking for experiences, say it far too little.

Barbara is a student of global culture and rituals who uses "practical spirituality" to support you in creating an extraordinary life. I met her in 2010 during a time I said "yes" when, after a dinner in NYC, I agreed to walk a friend of mine to one of her events. I had never heard of her – or vision board workshops – but after standing there and hearing what it was all about, I said "yes," even though I didn't know exactly what it was. I've been creating vision boards with Barbara every year ever since – for my personal life and for my business.

On the episode you'll learn:

While you reap what you sow, it won't grow overnight.Vision boards are not magic.The power of rituals, language and speaking in the present with "I am..."Why you should write down your goals. Write. It. Down.The importance of deciding what you commit to being, giving and doing.How, when you are worried about that big contract, project or opportunity, Barbara's mantra will help set you at ease.

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at http://elaynefluker.com/podcast/

Thank you for listening! And hey, if you love it, please leave us a review and share with your friends!

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

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Karen Taylor Bass is a small business coach who has nearly three decades of experience in strategic public relations, branding and marketing. She has helped gain national press for celebrity clients like Jill Scott and D'Angelo at the starts of their careers and for her personal clients. Karen also has been featured as a PR expert on Dr. Oz, CNN and BET, and in Entrepreneur, Essence and NY Daily News.

More than that, Karen is beautifully honest about where she is in her entrepreneurial journey, and the bumps on the road (and on the head), that she encountered to get here. You'll be inspired by her clarity, and moved by her infectious energy!

On the episode you'll learn:

Why life is like a basketball game—and the changes represent different quartersHow having a coach pushes you to dream bigger and can change your lifeThe important difference between your passion and your giftWhy the goal is quality of clients over quantityThe importance of reinventing yourself – especially for mompreneursWhy boundaries. Matter.

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at http://elaynefluker.com/podcast/

Thank you for listening! And hey, if you love it, please leave us a review and share with your friends!

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

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When Amanda Miller Littlejohn was on maternity leave from her journalism job after the birth of her first son in 2008, she was told that she and several other writers were being laid off. Instead of panicking, she decided that this was the perfect opportunity for her to strike on her own and create her own business. The first step was to determine what she was good at, how she could package it, and how to offer it as a service. Her PR agency was born.

Today her business has evolved to her coaching individuals on personal branding, and helping them discover their own gifts and package their genius.

On this episode, you'll learn:

How to find your clients and reach out to themDetermining the needs of your clients and making an emotional connectionHow to package your genius3 Tips for building your personal brandGetting clear on who you are and what you want to be known forWhen it may be time to shift your messageThe importance of taking a moment to stop and celebrate your selfHaving the audacity to follow your dreamsEnjoy, and thank you for listening! And hey, if you love it, please leave us a review!

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at http://elaynefluker.com/podcast/

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

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Denene Millner can, as she says, write her face off! She is the author and co-author of 25 books -- four of which are New York Times bestsellers, including Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, which she co-wrote with Steve Harvey. In 2016, Denene will release the latest two books she co-authored — the Taraji P. Henson memoir, Around the Way Girl, and Cookie Johnson's Believing In Magic. Her novels, Love Don't Live Here Anymore, In Love & War and A Love Story, were co-written with her Pulitzer Prize-winning husband Nick Chiles, and her novel The Vow (co-authored with Angela Burt-Murray and Mitzi Miller) debuted in 2015 as the Lifetime Television movie, With This Ring, starring Regina P. Hall, Jill Scott, Eve and Gabrielle Union, who was also executive producer. And wait until you hear what she has planned for 2017!

Denene, who lives in Atlanta with her husband and their two daughters, is so open in the episode -- beyond her many accomplishments -- and I can't thank her enough. There's so much power in sharing our truth and vulnerability. (Thank you, Denene.) In addition to what you'll learn below, Denene speaks about recognizing her own worthiness, trusting herself and being real about her feelings, plus the importance of choosing to be happy and whole. Trust, you will be inspired.

On this episode you'll learn

Not to fall victim to the fear that no other opportunities are going to show up if you pass on that current "good thing."Why writing is way more than putting words on a pageWhat your duty is as a writerDoing what entrepreneurs do when they don't see what they need in the market – they create their own!The power of evolving and recognizing your worthinessand Why Taraji P. Henson will always be known as Yvette!!! J

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at http://elaynefluker.com/podcast/

Enjoy, and thank you for listening! And hey, if you love it, please leave us a review!

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Kaira Akita is an artist, thinker and maker. As an actress, she has appeared in films such as Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married? and The Family That Preys, and she is a creative who writes, produces, directs and designs several projects. More than that, Kaira is, as she says, "always unfolding," and her vision for what she wants to create in this world continues to evolve.

On this episode you'll learn:

The importance of knowing your authentic self and how that affects your workThe parts of Hollywood that thrives on fearHow understanding that what you think is "wrong" with you is actually makes you, youBeing aware of whether you're being committed to a false identity of yourselfThe importance of doing self work (something that I am a big proponent of)Getting comfortable in what Kaira calls the "inspired interim" Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at www.elaynefluker.com/podcast

Enjoy, and thank you for listening! And hey, if you love it, please leave us a five-star review!

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

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Ouidad is a name synonymous with curly hair care. 30-plus years ago, however, she was a hairstylist from Beruit, Lebanon, who fought (literally in some cases!) to have people recognize the value and beauty of women with curly hair. In 1984, she became a pioneer in the hair care industry when she opened the first salon in the United States that was exclusively for curly hair. People told her she was crazy, what they didn't realized was that she was determined.

Since then, Ouidad has created a trademarked cutting technique for curly air, opened hundreds of salons around the country, and has a line of beloved hair care products that are top-rated by her customers and by many beauty and hair editors.

Now, after 30 years in the business, Ouidad is focused on giving back and sharing her wisdom and support with entrepreneurs around the world, including the Support is Sexy audience!

On this episode you'll learn:

The challenges and rewards of traveling the unpaved road as a pioneer in your industryWorking with a partner—especially a spouse—and how to draw those important linesExpanding your brand by creating productsThe importance of your commitment to asking for supportThe value of integrity, and why it's a state of mind

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at http://elaynefluker.com/podcast/

Enjoy, and thank you for listening! And hey, if you love it, please leave us a review!

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

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Lynnette Khalfani Cox a.k.a. The Money Coach®, is a personal finance expert, television and radio personality, and the author of numerous books, including the New York Times bestseller Zero Debt: The Ultimate Guide to Financial Freedom. Lynnette once had $100,000 in credit card debt, before paying it all off in three years and turning her financial life around.

Since then, she has appeared on such shows as The Oprah Winfrey Show, Steve Harvey, The Today Show, Dr. Phil and Good Morning America sharing her success story and teaching millions about proper money management. And I've had the great pleasure of working with her when I was executive editor of a financial web site. She is such a joy and truly brilliant!

On this episode you'll learn:

How a layoff may be just the push you need to start your businessThe powerful lessons Lynnette learned about branding and entrepreneurship from her dad, who was an actor and shoe shine manHow to set boundaries if you are in business with your spouse and the very real compromises you should discussWays to ensure that if the business fails, the marriage will notWhy debt is reaching record-breaking highs and what Lynnette plans to do about itSome of the biggest money mistakes that entrepreneurs makeAlso, a special thank you to you, Lynnette, for sharing a personal side of yourself that we don't necessarily see on CNBC or in the Wall Street Journal when you're giving us all of that awesome financial advice. I so appreciate you for sharing your journey, and know so many will be inspired!

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at http://elaynefluker.com/podcast/

Enjoy, and thank you for listening! And hey, if you love it, please leave us a review!

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

Visit Lynnette at AskTheMoneyCoach.com, her free financial advice site for consumers.

DISCOUNT FOR SUPPORT IS SEXY LISTENERS:

Sign up for Lynnette's brand new video course on Winning College Scholarships and get 50% off! The course is designed to help students -- and their parents -- get free money for college and avoid student loans. FOLLOW THE LINK TO "WINNING COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS" ABOVE TO UDEMY.COM AND USE THE CODE: SUPPORTISSEXY

Coupon Code: SUPPORTISSEXY

Her NY Times bestselling book: Zero Debt: The Ultimate Guide to Financial Freedom.

Her latest book: College Secrets: How to Save Money, Cut College Costs, and Graduate Debt Free

Follow Lynette…

Twitter: @TheMoneyCoach

Facebook: TheMoneyCoach

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JLove Calderon is a social entrepreneur, activist, author and conscious media maker, who has spent more than two decades working on issues of social justice, race and gender. She is an executive producer of documentaries and docu-series, and she is co-executive producer of the new series "M1 The Message."

JLove is also a speaker, transformational strategist and coach, who helps people get out their dreams.

I met JLove last year at an event and was immediately drawn to her, how down to earth she is, and how committed she is to seeing you win! On this episode, she openly shares her truly harrowing journey with you--from being down with the Crips as a teenager to creating conscious content for television today--so you can boldly go after your own dreams no matter your circumstance.

Another thing to love about JLove? She does not mince words. She speaks frankly and candidly about her journey, and we thank her for that! But if you have sensitive ears in the room, go ahead and pop those earbuds in.

On this episode you'll learn:

Making the choice to change3 Ps of social entrepreneurshipWhat is conscious content and how to use it to challenge the status quoHow to create content that's smart AND sexyAligning your passion with your purposeWhy you can't just be an artist -- you need to handle your business!Difference between compromising and getting CREATIVE!Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at http://elaynefluker.com/podcast/

Enjoy, and thank you for listening! And hey, if you love it, please leave us a review!

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

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Welcome to the SUPPORT IS SEXY podcast hosted by Elayne Fluker! Finally, a place where women can get real about their entrepreneurial journeys! Monday through Friday, Elayne interviews smart and successful women entrepreneurs around the world, who share true stories of how they are handling their business, loving their lives and inspiring you to do the same. On this first episode, Elayne shares a little about her 20-year background in media, the ups and downs of her own entrepreneurial journey and why she wanted to create a podcast for YOU that is all about women supporting women by boldly telling our stories and being transparent about the wins and the whoa-I'm-never-doing-that-again moments of entrepreneurship! Her goal is to have guests who will give you actionable strategies for success, tips for building your support network, pitfalls to avoid and important lessons learned that will motivate you to take your business, and your life, to the next level! Make sure to subscribe to the SUPPORT IS SEXY podcast, then visit elaynefluker.com, sign up for our email for updates and inspiration, and always remember: having it all doesn't mean doing it all alone!

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