Tune in to hear how Karen Diaz has managed to climb the corporate ladder while being a single mother of two young boys, Sebastian (7) and Rudy (8). She talks about her struggles as an ambitious working mom, imposter syndrome, and what she’s done to get out of her own way and have a successful career as a Latina Woman in Tech. Karen shares details about the unique relationship with the father of her children, Shelton, who has supported her tremendously in

Key Takeaways:

8:00 Managing imposter syndrome

10:00 Constant state of Why Me?! Are you sure?! When presented

11:28 Karen delays her promotion to really think it through

13:50 Karen talks about getting placed on a career path to

16:35 Discusses how new career path has been very difficult

20:30 Karen talks about her sons father, and his significant

24:20 Karen recognizes how supportive her sons father has

25:05 The key factor that give Karen and her sons father the

28:05 As parents, we prioritize protecting each other’s happiness

41:50 A book recommendation for managing your thoughts in

45:29 You don’t have to like your kids parent but it’s important

46:45 Tips for the single mamas that don’t have the best

47:15 How to move forward when you don’t have that support

49:15 You can’t afford to stop your life until your kids are

52:00 Final takeaway: You have the right to be happy!

My good friend, Vanessa McNair, is a dedicated wife, and mom of two daughters, Jada (4) and Diana (1.5). She recently received her Master’s Degree in Engineering, Cybersecurity from the University of Maryland, College Park. I am so proud of her! What I love the most about Vanessa is her grit and dedication to her family unit while pursuing goals together.

Tune in to learn about Vanessa’s grit and where it came from. It’s helped her achieve becoming a Scientist, Engineer, and a future Oscar Award Winning Actor!

In our talk, Vanessa shares how she's breaking toxic generational patterns, and how one person believing in her, coupled with ongoing mental health therapy changed the course of her life. There is hope for you!!

4:30 Having her first baby girl was the trigger to pursuing

6:00 Despite a difficult childhood, the creativity in stories

6:30 Her uncle got her on a plan to college and helped change

8:30 Experiencing financial hardships as a child, encouraged

9:20  Vanessa decided to

11:46 Overcoming childhood traumas and breaking toxic cycles

13:15 Huge believer in just doing it, learning from it and

14:00 Advocating for mental health

19:00 Building your community to have more reach and

19:50 Prone to depression and the importance of staying consistent

21:00 Don’t be afraid to say you don’t know something

22:40 You have two choices: Live in your head or heal from your burns

29:00 Recommend books to read for first time moms

30:15 Pursue what’s important to you not what you think will

31:50 Stay grounded in the true principle of who you are and

In two words: STAY FOCUSED! However, to get fully inspired it’s going to take hearing Jess’s story. Jess Ornsby’s hunger for success got her to complete Georgetown Law school with her then 2-year-old son, Isaac. After many struggles, like getting eviction notices and not having enough money to eat full meals every day, Jess shares what helped her overcome hitting rock bottom. Let's say it's a mix of staying focused, good people helping her, and not being afraid of receiving public assistance.  Tune in to hear her story! Jess has since went on to found her own law firm and now practices law with her business partner in their law firm, Ornsby- Dozier LLP. On her down time, she gives back to her community by volunteering as an Attorney with the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service. 

Jess’s story is a testament to the grind and what having full faith in accepting that the struggles are a part of the process to success.

Key Takeaways: 

2:30 How Jess remained extremely focused during Law school

2:45 Know that difficult stages are temporary and if you hang on, success is at the finish line

3:05 How strict schedules in Law school as a single mom with no family around was key in success

4:25 “It was just me and him, we (her son and herself) were grinding together!!!!”

7:45 When Jess started own law firm practice

9:10 Jess offers 3 tips for moms struggling financially and how to move forward

12:45 How a church friend randomly blessed Jess with a meal and how this simple gesture made the world of a difference

13:18 How her new baby Isaiah (now 2 years old) came and shook things up 10 years later from when her first was born

14:00 Second child is a totally different kid, but support system is stronger now

16:00 Define what success for you as a mother looks like, don’t compare

19:24 Actively checking in with her sons is important to managing their relationship

21:45 Jess’s book recommendation and final comments

Lashaniece (Neece) Harris is a Director, Global Human Resources Business Partner, for our favorite jean brand Levi Strauss! When she is not doing the damn thing with Levi Strauss, she is mom’n to her 3 children, Sophia (4), Maxwell (5), and Jax (10), wife’n to her hubby Stephen, and working on re-branding Intentioned, Co. an inclusive, hand-made greeting card and small gifts company. We foresee a brand feature at all @target stores coming soon hehe.

Tune in now to learn more about Neece, how Neece did it, and continues to DO IT.

Key Takeaways:

7:15 Transition from being a goal getter to becoming a mom and a wife

8:13 Does life balance really exist as a Mom? Neece’s unique perspective

9:24 The biggest challenge Neece finally had to accept as a Mom

10:00 It’s okay to let things burn. In fact, it’s normal. It will happen.

11:28 Reframing the challenge of “balancing mom/ wife/ work life” to figuring out what’s important that day to prioritize.

13:40 How her mom is her Hero and helped instill the drive she exudes today

15:58 Neece got pregnant in grad school and thought her life was over

16:40 Two words her mom said that changed her whole perspective about entering motherhood

20:40 How Intentioned, Co. a hand-made greeting card and small gifts company, was created

28:00 The importance of reframing your thoughts to succeed

Adrian McClanahan is a tech guru, owner of ChicDivaGeek a website design and consulting business, and is an advocate for tech in Black spaces. She also founded the Flash Tech Summit to expose our children early to tech and it is truly a BIG deal! Besides being a tech guru, she’s one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. Mamas if you’ve been trying to get into tech this is your sign. Tune in now to learn more about Adrian, how Adrian did it, and continues to DO IT.

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