The Celebration

It is vital to cultivate a healthy relationship with fear and failure.

Yeah.
I know.
Easier said than done.

In order to live this truth, I have to recommit to it every single day.

Because every single day fear makes itself known.

I feel it as a tight knot in my stomach.
Tension in my shoulders.

I recognize it in my defensiveness.
When I’m short with people.

I see it clearly during the times where I would rather be right than happy.
Where I fight for my limiting beliefs.

Fear would have me clutch the painful familiar rather than embrace the liberating unknown.

I have learned it isn’t possible to get rid of fear.
Or to vision board it away.

Instead, I must accept it as part of my present experience.
Without resistance.
Without fighting it.

Just observe it.

And little by little, its grip releases.

A huge factor in this journey is being conscious of the voices I let into my head.

I want to be really intentional that I am ingesting words and energy that contribute to a growth mindset.

That is why I am so intentional of the guests I share with you each week on T.H.E. Celebration.

On that note, this week's guest, Dijana Llugolli, is a rock star when it comes to fear and growth.

Diana Dijana Llugolli is a leading success and business coach in Scandinavia with a client base in 23 different countries. Her story as an online marketer, coach, and speaker started in March 2018, when she burned out, nearly divorced, and, on the verge of giving up, decided to make a pivotal change in her business.

After that rock bottom, she became obsessed with working smarter rather than harder, and she is now the go-to expert for female entrepreneurs who are ready to make more impact, influence, and income.

Her genius lies in her knowledge of automation, systems, and funnels – and now, she is on a mission to support a million women to be, do, and have whatever they desire. To live their version of a Freedom Lifestyle.

I had so many “aha!”s while recording this episode, and I’ve been really excited for its release!

At the root of our goals, our intentions, and our visions is our mindset.

This conversation with Dijana is going to serve you in such a big way.

So take a deep breath.

Exhale.

And then hit play.

Let’s do this.

You can connect with Dijana on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dijanallugolli/

Communication is one of the top skills every entrepreneur must master.

If you have an important mission, movement, product or business—the ability to connect with your audience is vital.

Verbal and nonverbal communication are absolutely essential.

But what is often overlooked is copywriting.

Copywriting, the ability to move people with your written words, is so crucial.
Are you with me?

Because we’re in luck.

This week’s guest, Jo McKee, is both a master copywriter herself and a phenomenal teacher of copy.

Jo Mckee is the founder of McKee Creative, a marketing agency with a mission to connect clients with their customers. Jo has also just released Copywriting for Profit—the hands-on system to train agency team members as in-house copywriters.

Throughout the interview, Jo shares with us templates, tools, and strategies you can use to write with persuasion and authenticity.

Most importantly, Jo shares with us how to write in a way that centers your audience as the heroes of the story rather than on ourselves.

This episode is about more than just the written word.

We also go all-in on the importance of mindset, courage, and emotional intelligence.

I am always eager to learn from accomplished entrepreneurs how they move through challenges, cope with stress, and continue to perform at the highest level.

Jo offers advice on all of this, and more.

I’m telling you, this episode is packed with holistic insights and actions, steps you can take right now.

You can connect with Jo on:

McKee Creative https://mckeecreative.store

Copywriting for Profit: https://copywritingforprofit.com

Your Ads on Demand: https://copy.youradsondemand.com

In 1982, in a speech to Harvard University, Audrey Lorde famously said, “. . .If I didn't define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people's fantasies for me and eaten alive.”

Quotes are inspiring.

And, seeing them put into action is empowering.

That is why this week’s guests, Alex and Ash Sullivan, are two of my favorite people.

Despite the pressure of a white supramcist capitalist patriarchy,
They define themselves for themselves every single day.

As they will share in the episode - that doesn’t mean it is easy.
I mean - how does one go about living their bold self without being eaten alive?

Let this interview be a roadmap that can guide you to your own internal answer to that question.

Oh - and did I mention that this episode is being released on their birthday?

*Cue the confetti*

For real though - Ash and Alex are the best.

Alex Sullivan is the Co-Founder of Artists Call to Action. They are also a dope poet, facilitator, activist, educator and freelance diversity consultant in academia.

As a mixed agender human being, Alex’s work is often reflective of how the self is presented in the digital world and how current socio-political events can distort that presentation.

Their creative and academic work is focused on the black queer experience and every aspect of it, frequently tying in themes of womanism, examination of power structures in the United States, and the experience of the Afro-Caribbean diaspora as the communities have spread out all over the world.

Ashley Sullivan is a counselor-in-training and poet who is currently being considered for licensure, actively publishing, and putting energy into other creative endeavors such as starting their own business.

Ash is balancing pursuing a career in poetry while also pursuing work in mental health and public health. Currently, they have been published in five or more running publications as well as fulfilling activism work centered around gender, creativity, and community.

They are a current candidate for their Master’s of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Long Island University.

On this week’s episode we go all in on:

creativity,
activism,
learning to trust yourself,
finding your own voice,
the unique relationship Ash and Alex have with each other,
getting comfortable with your own silence,
getting to know yourself better, and,

Well...you’re gonna need to push play to find that out!

We could all invite a little more grace, community, and courage into our lives.

And Ash and Alex deliver all of that and more in abundance on this week’s episode.

Let’s do this.

Hit play.

And join us.

Check out their past interviews here http://www.tomearl.com/blog/alex

And here http://www.tomearl.com/blog/ash

Check out Ash’s LinkedIn here https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-sullivan-631573135/
Check out Ash’s Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/three.of.four/

Find out more about the Artist’s Call to Action here https://actartist.com/
Check out ACTA on Facebook and Instagram at https://www.facebook.com/artistscalltoaction/ and https://www.instagram.com/artists.call.to.action/

“Finding your purpose will make you unstoppable.”

When Jaye Washington invoked this mantra I knew it had to be the title of this week’s episode.

Having a north star amidst the storms of life can make all the difference.

With all the clutter of social media, the year 2020 has been, and the ups and downs of just living, discovering what our inner-compass is can be easier said than done.

That is why I am so grateful Jaye has joined us as this week’s guest.
Jaye is an expert at creating a transparent and uncut safe space for all things adulting.

Whether it is through her podcast (The School of Life), her online academy (The School of Life Academy), or as the CEO and Chief Communications Consultant at The Savvy
Solution - Jaye expertly delivers the kind of advice you write on sticky notes and stick to your mirror.

At the heart of this episode is Jaye’s insights on we can translate pain into purpose.

Jaye also speaks on the importance of giving yourself grace, embracing who you are as an individual, and role models we can look to for inspiration.

Touching upon her experience as a CEO, Jaye also shared some valuable advice on running a business, managing a team, marketing your key message, and connecting with your audience.

She shared with us her 4 Step Strategy Formula for Creating Your Business Strategy.

And this is just the tip of the iceberg.

I’m telling you - this episode with Jaye is fire.

Do yourself a favor.

Get ready.

Then hit play.

Here we go.

You can know m“Finding your purpose will make you unstoppable.”

When Jaye Washington invoked this mantra I knew it had to be the title of this week’s episode.

Having a north star amidst the storms of life can make all the difference.

With all the clutter of social media, the year 2020 has been, and the ups and downs of just living, discovering what our inner-compass is can be easier said than done.

That is why I am so grateful Jaye has joined us as this week’s guest.
Jaye is an expert at creating transparent and uncut safe space for all things adulting.

Whether it is through her podcast (The School of Life), her online academy (The School of Life Academy), or as the CEO and Chief Communications Consultant at The Savvy
Solution - Jaye expertly delivers the kind of advice you write on sticky notes and stick to your mirror.

At the heart of this episode is Jaye’s insights on we can translate pain into purpose.

Jaye also speaks on the importance of giving yourself grace, embracing who you are as an individual and role models we can look to for inspiration.

Touching upon her experience as a CEO, Jaye also shared some valuable advice on running a business, managing a team, marketing your key message, and connecting with your audience.

She shared with us her 4 Step Strategy Formula for Creating Your Business Strategy.

And this is just the tip of the iceberg.

I’m telling you - this episode with Jaye is fire.

Do yourself a favor.

Get ready.

Then hit play.

Here we go.

You can know more about Jaye at Thesavvysolutionllc.com and on instagram at @missjaye
ore about Jaye at Thesavvysoluti“Finding your purpose will make you unstoppable.”

When Jaye Washington invoked this mantra I knew it had to be the title of this week’s episode.

Having a north star amidst the storms of life can make all the difference.

With all the clutter of social media, the year 2020 has been, and the ups and downs of just living, discovering what our inner-compass is can be easier said than done.

That is why I am so grateful Jaye has joined us as this week’s guest.

Imagine you have a million-dollar business.

Imagine you have a multi-million dollar business that took you years to build.

Everyday you get to empower amazing people.

You’re living the dream.

And loving it.

Until one day - you’re not.

Inside you start to feel a calling to serve a new mission.

That inner-voice grows until it becomes a choir singing it is time to change direction.

Would you have the courage to walk away from this super successful company that has brought you notoriety, wealth, and an enormous audience?

This was the crossroads this week’s guest, Kimra Luna, found herself about a year ago.

If you Google ‘Kimra Luna’ you’ll find a number of articles, including Forbes and Business Insider, detailing Kimra’s journey from “Welfare To $1M [Business Owner].”

As someone who has been in the entrepreneur community for a decade, Kimra’s name was one of the first you’d come across when looking for tips to start your business.

A few months ago, I was on Facebook and saw Kimra post a Google drive folder that gave everyone complete access to her entire course curriculum, modules, and resources.

Previously you would have paid thousands of dollars to access this kind of content from Kimra.

And now - it was all there - with the message from Kimra that she is leaving the business coaching world and embarking on her new mission a cosmic sensuality coach and pleasure activist.

I immediately messaged Kimra asking if she’d be open to sitting down for an interview to share her story and her journey.

As you meant imagine - this turned out to be one of my favorite interviews of all time.

Yes - Kimra shares details on what led to her decision.

But the majority of this episode goes all in on the vital, important, and necessary mission and business that Kimra has launched.

We talked about healing from trauma, sex, love, relationships, music, sensuality, self-love and activism. Topics she covers every week on her podcast and Youtube channel.

Kimra took a deep dive into the core component of her new signature program - 30 Days of Slowing The Eff Down - and you discover your deepest desires, connect with your personal pleasure, and shed the shame so you can channel your inner creatrix and live the life you deserve.

I’m telling you - this episode is a must-listen!

Please do yourself the favor of absorbing the knowledge, compassion, and tools Kimra openly shares during this episode.

Alright. This was the longest writeup ever - I know.

Time to stop reading and start listening.

Hit play.

Here we go.

You can find her works at kimraluna.com or on Instagram at @kimraluna

Websites are often the most neglected tool in our entrepreneur toolbox.

We know they have the ability to convert leads into customers, build brand awareness, and communicate our authority.

And yet, creating or updating our website remains on the “I’ll get to this soon” to-do list.

This week’s episode is your moment to move past hesitation'

Our guest, Michanae Edwards, is the owner and designer behind Michanae’s Designs.

She specifically works with female service providers who are interested in a more minimalist and holistic approach to design. Someone who’s looking for a website and brand to be designed strategically to achieve a certain goal.

She is a creative genius when it comes to designing minimalist and strategic websites.

In the middle of this episode, you will get to hear the HUGE aha moment that Michanae brought up for me on what I was doing wrong. It was such a big aha that I immediately hired Michanae right after the interview to solve the brand design problem she uncovered.

Whether you have a business, a nonprofit, a mission, or a movement - you need to communicate your message to your community.

This interview with Michanae will put you on the right path to getting that done.

Stopping putting it off.

Hit play.

And let’s do this.

You can follow

https://www.instagram.com/michanaedesigns/

www.michanaedesigns.com/homepagefreebie

“I don’t see color.”

“We all bleed red.”

“We’re all just human.”

Oh God. No.

#FacePalm

If you’ve ever engaged in a dialogue on race or attempted to invite someone in on their racism, I would bet my favorite pen that you’ve heard some variation of these.

Hey. I’ll up the bet.

I’d wager my favorite pair of headphones that more likely than not it was one of us white folks who uttered said phrases too.

All jokes and bets aside, phrases like “I don’t see color”—while good intentioned—derail efforts towards anti-racism.

Rather than being egalitarian, they are actually racist.

Now you might be saying to yourself, “What the hell, Tom? How is this racist?”

Here’s my suggestion: listen to this week’s episode.

My guests this week are Dr. Angela Courage! and Dr. LaTonya Jackson, authors of “5 Blinders to Seeing Color.”

We took a deep dive into this topic and provided insights on how “I don’t see color” is problematic at best.

If you’re striving to unpack your whiteness and privilege, or you’re looking for resources to send to a friend who keeps saying “I don’t see color,” we have you covered.

In addition, during this episode we talked about:
race
power
privilege
color
colonialism.
control
social privilege
economic privilege
layers of privilege
international question: “we don’t have white privilege in my country” → colorism.
corporate issues ←- relating to race.
individual issues ←- relating to race.

We really went in on this one and I know it will bring you tremendous value.

Hit play and let me know what was your biggest aha.

You can learn more about Dr. Angela Courage! and Dr. LaTonya Jackson’s work at - seecolorr.com.

Sales. Salesperson. Closer.

Most people have visceral reactions to these words and phrases, and almost all of us hold stereotypes or preconceived notions of what they mean.

First off, we usually think of a man.

Probably a white guy.
Headset on, maybe.
Yelling, probably.

Definitely intense, right?

Maybe you envision the Wolf of Wall Street, or buying a car?

Here’s the thing.
If you have a life-changing idea, product, service, business, and/or brand, you are going to need to engage in sales.

Even if you’re a nonprofit, you’re selling something.
Even if you’re an activist, you’re selling something.

For my entepresunrus, business owners and side hustlers: sales is probably one of the biggest roadblocks holding you back right now.

No matter how much exposure, leads, or prospects you get, if you can’t close them – if you’re afraid of sales – it will all be for naught.

Now, this is usually where the tight feeling in our stomachs comes up. Or the explanation for how “my business is different though” starts to make its way into the conversation.

But before we go there. Let me introduce to you this week’s guest: Nina Concepcion.

Nina is here to turn all of your assumptions upside down.

Nina is a master and teacher of Conscious Sales: a co-creation and a synergistic relationship between two or more people that is beneficial for both parties and the rest of the world.

Now I bet that sounds more in alignment with your values, right?

Sales and selling doesn’t have to be ugly.

When done right, it provides growth, opportunity, and a step forward.

I invite you to take a few minutes of your week and hear what Nina has to say.

Now only will it change your entire perspective on what it means to be in sales, you’ll also have the opportunity to meet a truly remarkable entrepreneur.

In addition, you’ll get to hear Nina talk about:

-How your values drive your life
-How to get your coaching business off the ground
-The power of social media
-What to do on a sales call
-What’s stopping you from moving forward
-How to overcome self-sabotage and step into your inner power

I’m telling you: this interview is essential!

Hit play and let me know what your number one takeaway was.

Be sure to hit Nina up and show her some love → through her facebook

https://www.facebook.com/ninathenakedcoach

Picture this: 35 of the world’s leading digital marketers step into a room together.

Each person in that room had successfully run a million dollar launch, and is a legend in the marketing, social media, and media buying arena.

A challenge is presented to this motley crew of marketers:

Over the next 48 hours, each person is tasked with coming up with a new mind-blowing marketing strategy.

At the end of the 48 hours, everyone will vote on the best strategy.

The time starts now. Go.

This is a true story.

Today’s guest, Curt Maly, was one of the 35 people in that room.

And at the end of the weekend, he was the one who walked away with the championship belt.

The marketing system he developed that weekend has since been honed, tested and perfected, and has become Curt’s legendary BELT Method.

I hope I’ve set the stage for the epicness that is this interview.

Yes, Curt dropped some serious high level gems on all things marketing, sales, social media, and getting your message across in a crowded digital space – but we also went deep on the importance of mindset, how to overcome adversity, and how to pick yourself up when your entire world crumbles.

We didn’t just talk about vague ways to artificially fire yourself up. Nah. Curt got tactical and offered practical ways to elevate yourself to peak performance – and how to actually enjoy the process.

At the heart of our time together, though, was something specific: ethical propaganda.

For all of us out here trying to make a difference in the world, whether it's as an activist, coach, nonprofit, or thought leader: you’ve got to hear Curt go all in on the tenets and tactics of ethical propaganda.

It will be a game changer for you, your organization, your business, and/or your movement.

I’m serious. This will change your entire outlook, strategy, and therefore your results as well.

Hit play on this one and then send me your favorite part.

If you’d like to learn more about Curt and his Belt method program, head to thebelt.live/celebration.

A few months ago, my nephew and I came up with an epic idea for a T-shirt company.

It began when I asked when he planned to come out and visit Adaora and I again.

He said he needed to get the funds first; so I proposed we sell t-shirts to get the money that he needed. We decided that he’d design them, and I’ll sell them through Facebook and IG ads.

And boom. Just like that we had an e-commerce company.

Even before COVID-19 disrupted the economy and the way we shop, e-commerce was a trillion dollar industry in the U.S. alone.

E-commerce has revolutionized our ability to sell products directly to consumers without having to go through gatekeepers or big box retail.

Now, while it is relatively easy to get your product loaded onto Etsy or Shopify, marketing that product can be quite a task.

That is where e-commerce consultants like Veena Gandhi step in. Veena is a strategic digital marketer who specializes in providing creative and innovative solutions to advertising agencies, small businesses, start-ups, and entrepreneurs on the cluttered world of the Internet.

She is also the founder of Digital Street, which is a marketing agency that builds successful sales funnels for fashion, beauty, lifestyle and fitness e-commerce brands.

Whether you’re a seasoned brand or are just getting started in e-commerce, this interview will serve you.

Rather than just giving general information you could google for yourself, Veena got down to the nitty gritty of how to build a successful e-commerce campaign.

Veena shared her knowledge on:

How to build audience personas for your Facebook ads.
The importance of data, and how to analyze it.
How to set up your creative strategy for an ads campaign.
Which metrics to use in determining which ads to turn off and which ones to increase ad spend on.
The importance of testing your ads and campaigns.
How to use Instagram stories as a retargeting strategy.

For agency owners, media buyers, and ad managers, you will walk away from this interview with a plethora of industry secrets

If you’re just getting started in e-commerce and are worried this might go over your head, don’t worry! Jump in and learn from a master of her craft.

Alright. That’s enough from me.

Let’s jump into this week’s episode.

If you have any questions or would like to reach out to Veena, you can do so through her website - http://digitalstreetau.com/.