Have you ever exceeded a vision you had for yourself? Many of us don’t allow ourselves to stretch outside of the box.  We don’t realize that to do so may take us well beyond what we have imagined for ourselves.  My wonderful guest, Dr. Alonda Alloway, is an example of how you can absolutely survive and thrive beyond your own limited imagination.  Remember that time someone told you that they could see you doing something and you said “probably not.”  Dr. Alloway’s response has been…”well, ok, why not?”

Dr. Alonda Alloway has over 20 years of counseling experience and 10 years of teaching social work as an adjunct professor.  She is the founder and a Mental Health Therapist at Loudoun Counseling and Coaching, LLC. Dr. Alloway enjoys helping adults overcome obstacles that they think are hindrances in order for them to reach their goals and full potential.  Her specialties are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, anxiety disorders, adjustments/transitions, grief, and trauma with a focus on goals to allow the client to feel better about their position in life and function effectively.

FB / IG @LoudounCounselingCoaching

Visit www.loudouncounselingcoaching.com

Mischelle O'Neal has been living her passion to help women move from a victim mindset to a champion mindset through her books, her mastermind groups, and her motivational speaking.  We often set goals for ourselves but don't realize those goals when we are frozen in place and too afraid to start.  Mischelle believes that we must learn to simply start and we must learn to master the art of starting.  When we get comfortable starting, then we will be well on our way to living the live we desire.

Mischelle O’Neal is the Founder of Mastering Your Monday, LLC a lifestyle Enrichment Firm. She valiantly served her country and is a retired United States Air Force Veteran. Mischelle continued her career as a civil servant working for various federal government agencies. Today, Mischelle and her husband reside in Loudoun County, Virginia and enjoy the company of their four awesome grandchildren.

Inspired by a desire to help women overcome personal and professional challenges, Mischelle created Mastering Your Monday, LLC, to assist women in developing a more balanced, productive lifestyle by teaching the skills needed and control they desired to succeed and create a “fresh start”, one Monday at a time. Mischelle’s extensive background with over twenty-eight years of experience and expertise with the military, has been paramount in her development of the M.A.T. Technique(TM). It brings her great joy to witness women move from a victim mindset to a champion in their own life. Not only do they become champions for themselves, but champions for others.

Throughout her life, Mischelle has had to overcome her own challenges. Through her faith, discipline, and strong values, she developed the resilience necessary to prevail. Her presence today is a testimony that you, too, can win with the right guidance, support and mastery.

IG & FB @mischelleoneal

Mastering Your Monday website:  https://masteringyourmonday.com/

Episode 15 Reference:  https://masteringyourmonday.com/view

There are superheroes and then there are super she-roes who are working to serve citizens from their financial woes and challenges.  My special guest today works daily to help resolve financial crisis that occur with small businesses and individuals who often go it alone until it's too late.  As small business owners and professionals, we are often unwilling to invest in an expert to help us handle the finances, avoid peril, and create wealth.  Angie Toney is not your everyday financial professional, she specializes in resolving complex situations and helping her clients find balance their mental and physical health & wellness with their financial positions.

Angie Toney is a native New Yorker, corporate exec turned entrepreneur serving clients as a health and wealth professional in the DC area. She utilizes a holistic approach to help small business owners in the health industry increase cash flow and reduce taxes and audit risk.

Before launching her business, she was a director working with a local CPA firm providing audit and quality assurance services for local, state and federal government projects and the chief auditor for a chemical manufacturing company.   Angie also worked as a consultant with Experis (formerly Jefferson Wells) and as a senior auditor for the not-for-profit insurance and investment organization, TIAA-CREF.  She earned a BS in Accounting from Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, NY, and an MBA from the University of Phoenix.  She is a Certified Public Accountant / Personal Financial Specialist (CPA/PFS) and holds a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) license.   Angie is also a certified health coach earned from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.  As a health coach, she practices a holistic approach to health and wellness, which examines all areas of an individual’s life, including financial matters, to see how they are connected and impact each other. Reducing financial stress can have a profound impact on health.

Angie is a mother of two living in Northern Virginia outside of Washington DC.  Outside of work, she enjoys various types of volunteer work including mentoring youth and participating in adult literacy/training programs.   She is an active board member and volunteer with the Loudoun Volunteer Financial Council, a member of the Urban Financial Services Coalition – UFSC (formerly known as the National Association of Urban Bankers), and a volunteer with Operation HOPE, the nation’s leading nonprofit social investment banking and financial literacy empowerment organization with a mission to eradicate poverty.

Angel Financial Services Website:  https://www.angelfinancial.services/

Angel Financial Services Blog:  https://www.angelfinancial.services/blog/

How much attention to you pay to the leadership in your community? Are you plugged into the decisions that are on the table or do you react when things get too close to home.  There was a time that I took much for granted.  Then somewhere between becoming a mother and increasing my participation in the local community, I started paying closer attention.  Maybe, that's where it all begins....something or someone you care about is being ignored or mistreated, and you decide that it's time to let your voice be heard and fight for what you believe in.  In this episode, I am talking to three active leaders in the community. I went all the way with this one. 

You will also find it live on Facebook @ViewFromthe5thRow!

My featured guests include:

Buta Biberaj - Buta Biberaj has lived by the principles of Justice, Equality, Transparency, and Integrity all of her life and was recently elected as Commonwealth Attorney for Loudoun County, Virginia in 2019.  Buta practiced as a trial attorney in Loudoun County for over 25 years and a substitute judge for over 11 years.  Buta spent her entire career helping families, children and clients with problems that required experienced, sensitive, and solution based approaches.  The ultimate goal being to help address the core root issues of the matter, provide support systems and prevent repeat incidents of crisis.  Buta was a guardian ad litem for 23 years.  Judges from the Juvenile and Circuit Courts in Loudoun, Fairfax and Fauquier Counties consistently selected her to represent the best interests of children and the elderly in some of the most complex and dire cases that came before the courts.

Krysta N. Jones - Krysta Jones has committed her life to public service, developing leaders and changing lives. Named one of Leadership Arlington's Top 40 Under 40 , she was also featured in Ebony Magazine as a "Hero Next Door." She successfully represented two associations for eight years as a registered lobbyist, advocating for women’s and socio economic status issues.  Krysta served as the Director of Outreach for two Members of Congress, designing outreach strategies, developing relationships with key community leaders and communicating their legislative agenda via meetings and over 20 congressional events.  While serving in the Peace Corps in Paraguay from 2000-2002, Krysta helped create student governments, and procured funding and provided training for a community radio station.   Krysta hosts her own show, "A Seat at the Table" on Arlington Independent Media. She is a graduate of the Sorensen Institute of Political Leadership and the Women’s Campaign School at Yale.   https://www.krystajones.com/vote-lead-impact

Nancy Finley Barbour - Nancy Finley Barbour has nearly 30 years of project management experience in information technology consulting.  Nancy is an active member of the Loudoun County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and has been active with the Social Action Committee for more than 30 years.  Nancy has organized and spoken at political, empowerment and educational workshops for over 20 years and is the founder co-founder of Mocha Entrepreneurs of Loudoun County, a group that meets monthly to network with small business owners.  Nancy has worked on several political campaigns behind the scenes for many years and loves to celebrate when her candidates win.  Nancy lives by the quote by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “A man can’t ride your back unless it’s bent.”  Nancy is the recipient of the VLI 2020 Vision Awards presented by the Virginia Leadership Institute for her leadership and advocacy in minority student achievement.   IG @Codesuccess

Are you an entrepreneur just starting out or wondering how to elevate your success? Sometimes it is just as simple as identifying your why.  Why should customers buy your product or use your services? How can you change your message to have more of an impact and to develop better, long-term customer relationships.  Kindra Harvey will no doubt help you get your business on the right track!

Kindra Harvey serves and inspires business owners and industry professionals daily. Encouraging and empowering those who are unafraid to take the leap into business ownership is one of her core missions in life.  She believes it is through our collective experience and willingness to share that we are able to impact generations and contribute innovation to the future of our culture, community, country, and our world. Helping to create jobs for our neighbors, stepping in to help companies re-imagine their possibilities, and shining light on resources that make a difference drives her to excel. Exceeding expectations and witnessing dreams as they come true is what makes her job interesting.

Professionally, Kindra has spent the past 17 years working in Human Resource Development, Training and Development, Employer Services, Business Development, and Economic Development. During her tenure in Economic Development Kindra led the charge in her community to create a system of support for HUBZone companies and local job seekers. This model is now being duplicated in communities across the country.

Now as an entrepreneur, Kindra also, serves on HUBZone National Council where she is Chair of the Economic Development Committee.  Her company, Purpose WorX, guides businesses through the process of expansion, relocation, and consolidation of their business operations. They regularly monitor economic trends and the competitive landscape for various industries. The firm advises businesses on strategies and best practices to better equip them for success.

Learn more at https://www.purposeworx.com/.   Follow IG @purposeworxllc

Carla Wiley is a beautiful soul who had a temporary setback that resulted in her learning a life lesson that was instrumental in helping her find her life’s passion and personal peace.  This is Carla’s Story: My Crown, My Cross, and My Celebration.

Carla Anderson Wiley has been a resident of Loudoun County, Virginia for over 55 years and works for the Archdiocese of Washington - Catholic Charities in the Human Trafficking Victims Assistance Program.

As a community involved citizen, Carla was on the founding Student Achievement Committee which was later renamed Minority Student Academic Achievement Committee (MSAAC) as well as an active member of the Loudoun NAACP. Carla originally became interested in community work through her mother, now deceased, who was one of the first black teachers to teach at Douglass Elementary School (now Frederick Douglass Elementary) when schools were integrated in Loudoun County.

In her spare time, Carla has been working on restarting her Jewelry and Accessory online store (https://www.carlafinds.com/) and managing her high school friend's band - Bryan Fox and Friends.

Carla feels that her biggest lifetime achievement is being her authentic self.

How can you stay safe AND sane while life as we know it has been totally disrupted? I've pulled together a short list of things that can help us regroup and refocus.  It's not just about staying busy but its also about finding balance, staying hopeful, productive and keeping the faith!

So excited to talk with my broadcast inspiration, my childhood big sister from my early days living in Connecticut.   For as long as I've known her, Michelle Turner has been in broadcast journalist and her golden voice and fiery spirit have made waves throughout the Connecticut scene.  We are talking about the old days, her career journey and how life has brought her to this moment in time.

Michelle Turner has worked as a #journalist, talk show host and #moderator across three counties in #Connecticut. She is currently the host of, "The Show", a podcast airing and streaming on the #NewHaven Independent's 103.5 LP FM, WNHH Community Radio. Michelle started her career as a Disc Jockey at AM 1340, WNHC, after graduating from North Carolina A&T State University, in Greensboro, NC. Returning to New Haven, she worked at AM 1340, #WNHC, working the overnight shift, naming it, "The Overnight Party for the Overnight Army." She then moved to news as a #Reporter and News Anchor at 960 AM, #WELI.

Several years later, Michelle was the first voice heard on AM 1220, #WQUN, Quinnipiac University's commercial station and New Haven County's lone CBS affiliate. She became managing editor of what became an Associated Press award winning station for news and features coverage. Michelle became News and Public Affairs Director of 94.3 WYBC New Haven AM and FM radio two days before September 11th. She and the station's staff and later the program director stayed on the air 14 hours with updates and then opening the phone lines for the public to express their concerns about the event.

Later Michelle became the executive producer, host and moderator of the Heritage Talk Show of 94.3 FM's, "The Electric Drum," which saw some of its highest ratings during her seven years with the show. She also had the opportunity (and pleasure!) to moderate a live conversation with 'Shark Tank personality, Daymond John. She most recently ended a four-year stint with #Fairfield County's NPR affiliate, WSHU and it's syndicated stations and also worked as a Reporter and Announcer at WTIC-AM, Hartford's award-winning CBS affiliate. She is currently one of the co-hosts of the Ma’am WHAT?! podcast with Babe Rawls Ivy and Markeshia Ricks—their tagline: “This ain't your mama's podcast ... or maybe it is.” (Spotify)

Michelle has been a volunteer with the New Haven Public School's "Read Aloud" Program, and the Greater New Haven Community Foundation's Women and Girls' Fund; she is an active member of the New Haven Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and has been the recipient of numerous community service awards, the most recent being from New Haven's Chi Omicron Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Michelle holds a Masters degree in Journalism from Quinnipiac University and lives in New Haven with her daughter.

You don't have to stop what you have to do to start doing what you want to do.  Listen in while I chat with an old friend and inspiration, Mark Wiggins, who has built his business on the philosophy of movement.  Yours and mine.  If you want it, you've got to get up and go for it.

Coined by clients as an outstanding entrepreneur with the uncanny ability to ignite passion and to motivate others, Mark “The Speaker Man” Wiggins is an accomplished author of several books including Permission to Succeed: The Only Person Who Can Give it is You, and Success Does Not Need a Co-signer.  Mark is a certified facilitator of the Lego® Serious Play methodology, Master Presenter PSSP, ++ Co-creator of the Journey to Success Program and creator of the Zero to 1 Speaker Training Program.

Among his many achievements, Mark hosts a Podcast called “Off the Bench with Mark Wiggins.” He is an international motivational speaker, trainer, facilitator and coach. With more than 25 years of experience in the corporate and communications industries. Mark is a driving force in helping youth, athletes, corporate organizations, and individuals, move from the bench to the starting line up in life.

You can follow Mark on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram andYoutube @Speakerman87

To get a free audio version of his book Permission to Succeed

Text the word “Speakerman” to 90210 to download your copy today.