My life experiences, the good, bad and the ugly, are what inspired me to kick off "Coffee With Jasmin" - a weekly mini-episode series featuring practical strategies you can use to navigate the week ahead.

 

Tune in every Monday!

THIS WEEK: Who You Are Is The Business You Create

 

Does imposter syndrome really exist?

Here’s an overview of the ideas I shared today on Built In Texas:

 

• Yes, imposter syndrome exists but it is not an official diagnosis and we have more power over it than you think
• Our limiting beliefs about ourselves, our pasts and our flaw often overshadow the success we can truly achieve
• We now have social media platforms and tech tools that give us the ability to control the perception others have
• You can't run a successful company longterm with happy, fulfilled employees if you aren't happy and fulfilled too
• What kind of business or career do I want to create?
• How do I want to be perceived by others?

 

Read on:

What Is Imposter Syndrome
Stop Telling Women They Have Imposter Syndrome

About Jasmin Brand

 

Jasmin Brand is an award-winning marketer, speaker and serial entrepreneur who’s built a solid reputation as an out-of-the-box innovator and expert at the business of strategic collaboration and partnerships.

 

In 2009, Jasmin was bitten by the entrepreneurial bug and launched her first company - a creative agency (known today as The Start) that specialized in producing culturally rich content and experiential events. In 2017, she got her official introduction to the North Texas startup scene with an opportunity to lead one of the region’s first platforms created for the startup community. In 2019, she founded Her Texas, a community-driven platform created to advance women's entrepreneurship and investment in the state of Texas.

My life experiences, the good, bad and the ugly, are what inspired me to kick off "Coffee With Jasmin" - a weekly mini-episode series featuring practical strategies you can use to navigate the week ahead.

 

Tune in every Monday!

THIS WEEK: They're Just Not That Into You

 

How do you know when it's time to leave or move on...professionally?

Here’s an overview of the ideas I shared today on Built In Texas:

 

• There is no confusion on how they feel about you
• They are making plans, talking about the future with you
• You feel good with them
• There is power in accepting your current situation for what it really is, not what you hope it to be
• If you aren't feeling needed, appreciated and valued, why are you staying?

 

About Jasmin Brand

 

Jasmin Brand is an award-winning marketer, speaker and serial entrepreneur who’s built a solid reputation as an out-of-the-box innovator and expert at the business of strategic collaboration and partnerships.

 

In 2009, Jasmin was bitten by the entrepreneurial bug and launched her first company - a creative agency (known today as The Start) that specialized in producing culturally rich content and experiential events. In 2017, she got her official introduction to the North Texas startup scene with an opportunity to lead one of the region’s first platforms created for the startup community. In 2019, she founded Her Texas, a community-driven platform created to advance women's entrepreneurship and investment in the state of Texas.

My life experiences, the good, bad and the ugly, are what inspired me to kick off "Coffee With Jasmin" - a weekly mini-episode series featuring practical strategies you can use to navigate the week ahead.

 

Tune in every Monday!

THIS WEEK: You can't build anything great without boundaries

 

How To Build With Boundaries

Here’s an overview of the steps I share’d today on Built In Texas:

 

• Guard Your Time.You can’t take the PTO if you won’t take the PTO. If you’re off you’re off and if you aren’t taking meetings or going to events, stay firm. Setting boundaries with your time is a key ingredient to maintaining your peace and mental health.
• No Means No. Not much to say here. No means no. Period.  
• Guard your ideas, vision, goals & dreams. It’s a good thing to think and dream big. It’s awesome to set goals for yourself. It’s important, however, to only share them with individuals and/or groups that will receive them with an open, positive, encouraging mindset.
• Be Selective. The partnerships and collaborations you enter into this year will set the tone for everything.

 

About Jasmin Brand

 

Jasmin Brand is an award-winning marketer, speaker and serial entrepreneur who’s built a solid reputation as an out-of-the-box innovator and expert at the business of strategic collaboration and partnerships.

 

In 2009, Jasmin was bitten by the entrepreneurial bug and launched her first company - a creative agency (known today as The Start) that specialized in producing culturally rich content and experiential events. In 2017, she got her official introduction to the North Texas startup scene with an opportunity to lead one of the region’s first platforms created for the startup community. In 2019, she founded Her Texas, a community-driven platform created to advance women's entrepreneurship and investment in the state of Texas.

Dana White wants every woman to be free when it comes to her hair. She is the founder of Paralee Boyd, a new kind of salon specifically created with textured and curly hair in mind.

Born and raised in Michigan, Dana initially founded Paralee Boyd in her hometown to solve a problem women with textured hair were facing everywhere: spending their entire day in the hair salon. Modeling the processes of the automotive industry to increase efficiencies and appointment time, Paralee Boyd offers fast and quality styling and treatments for textured hair, providing women with not just a service, but a lifestyle where haircare is high-quality and efficient. She recently launched the second location in Arlington, Texas with plans to ultimately franchise. She is the first Black woman to do this nationally for a hair salon.

 

The salon, which is based in Arlington, Texas, was named for Dana's grandmother, Paralee Boyd.

IN THIS EPISODE

• building a global hair business and brand
• creating the ultimate customer experience
• why Dana is franchising her biz
• balancing love and business
• the FIVE lessons every entrepreneur must learn to achieve success

IN HER WORDS:

"You won't be able to bring everyone with you. It's ok to keep evolving."

On The Menu:

Anything Tex Mex! Love Rosa's and Pappasito's.

What's Next:

Paralee Boyd has been contracted by the DOJ to open salons at Fort Bragg and other U.S. military bases around the world to provide the same efficient and high-quality services to servicemen and women. Next Texas location - Plano or Frisco.

Texas Women That Inspire Me:

Barbara Jordan, the first black woman to serve in Congress, iconic businesswoman Mary Kay Ash and Emma Tenayuca, a Mexican American labor organizer and civil rights activist that led a wave of strikes by women workers in Texas in the 1930s.

Connect With Paralee Boyd:

Facebook

Instagram

Built In Texas is powered by Her Texas, the first membership organization created to increase community, connectivity and capital for female founders in Texas. www.hertexas.co

Connect with host Jasmin Brand HERE

Learn more about Her Texas HERE

Subscribe to Built in Texas HERE

Sandy Diaz Haley is passionate about creating a sense of belonging for others, but building a community that would ultimately bring thousands of professional women together wasn't something that was ever on her radar.

On a mission to find her next career opportunity in PR or Communications after an unexpected layoff, Sandy (who was born in Lima, Peru and moved to the states when she six years old) began posting job opportunities (and even hosted a happy hour) for women in her network who were looking for their next gig too. Organically, a special community of women supporting women began to take shape via a Facebook page that truly felt like a safe place. Five years later, the Badass Ladies of DFW has evolved into a trusted network of women (and men) representing a diverse array of industries and professional levels.

Sandy ultimately landed on her current role, Vice President, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for Mr. Cooper, one of the largest home loan servicers in the country.

IN THIS EPISODE

 

• why understanding DEI is crucial for your woman-owned business
• the three ingredients every successful community must have
• overcoming the misconceptions people have about you and your career
• the role storytelling plays in building a DEI strategy
• how to find and network with your community

IN HER WORDS:

Favorite Quote:

"I can and I will. Watch me."

On The Menu:

Shinsei on Lover's Lane in Dallas. Love the braised pork steam buns and you can't go wrong with any of the sushi on the menu.

What's Next:

I'm launching a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion consulting business in January. The opportunity to work with organizations to evaluate their business goals and employee experience through a DE&I lens to create meaningful impact is something I'm extremely passionate about. Our Bada$$ Ladies community is also rebranding. The last five years have been incredible and what we're evolving into will be even more exciting. The best is yet to come in 2023!

Texas Women That Inspire Me:

Ann Richards as Texas' first female governor and Barbara Jordan, the first black woman to serve in Congress. The (Dixie) Chicks are brave and brazen in what they believe in. They have unapologetically been themselves before it was a thing.

Connect With Me and the Badass Ladies:

Facebook

LinkedIn

Sandy’s LinkedIn

Built In Texas is powered by Her Texas, the first membership organization created to increase community, connectivity and capital for female founders in Texas. www.hertexas.co

Connect with host Jasmin Brand HERE

Learn more about Her Texas HERE

Subscribe to Built in Texas HERE

Akellia Stewart is a Dallas native and mom whose passion for creative design, shoes, and art inspired the start of her first business, Customs By AK, nearly 10 years ago.

Customs By AK brings creative art and style to the process of shoe customization by allowing clients to design their own themes or most popularly, requesting Akellia to personally create freestyle designs that exude each client’s personality, favorite hobbies, memorable moments, interests, and more.

In 2022, Akellia launched Saving Soles, a nonprofit dedicated to providing fundamental tools to support and inspire children and their future career advancement. Saving Soles' volunteers use the sharing of knowledge and creativity to discover the needs of students and any obstacles that may be hindering them from moving forward. School readiness, art, mental health, and of course, sneakers is its focus. Saving Soles provides a platform that assists in releasing a student’s creative side and ultimately opening a conversation with the next generation.

"I got my first start from a good friend who happened to play for the NFL. He challenged me as an artist to step outside my comfort zone by creating a custom shoe for him. I haven’t stopped since and it’s been 10 years of doing what I love. I’ve traveled to different places and have been featured at various events for my custom shoes designs and labs that I have done for many athletes and celebrities. That one opportunity blessed me and gave me the opportunity to serve a bigger cause, which is helping children express themselves through art.”

IN HER WORDS:

Describe Texas in 3 Words:

Big. Adventurous. Opportunity.

Frisco Diner, Red Claws Crab Shack, Tender Smokehouse 

What's Next:

Next for me is expanding my nonprofit with other local businesses and companies in DFW (Dallas-Fort Worth) and growing internationally. Also I’m working on my shoe line as well.

Texas Woman That Inspire Me:

A woman that inspires me daily is my mother. To see what she has done for the Dallas metroplex as a young woman working in the District Attorney's office then pivoting into another role in the medical field and now being retired and still helping in the community is so inspiring. Her love of helping others and children has been passed down to me and it’s an amazing feeling to have a front row seat.

Connect With Me:

Instagram

Nonprofit Instagram

Facebook

LinkedIn

IN THIS EPISODE

 

• making the leap; turning side hustle into a full-time business
• why a good mentor matters
• LinkedIn for leads and business advice
• Akellia's strategy for securing community-driven, sustainable partnerships (and how to activate them!)
• Finding success in a male-dominated industry
• making time for business, family and yourself
• helping students explore future career paths through creativity and designing sneakers

Built In Texas is powered by Her Texas, the first membership organization created to increase community, connectivity and capital for female founders in Texas. www.hertexas.co

Connect with host Jasmin Brand HERE

Learn more about Her Texas HERE

Subscribe to Built in Texas HERE

Custom suiting has always been a styling option for men...until today.

A c-suite executive, mother, daughter, friend and founder, Alana Matthews, knows the power of self-confidence and being well-suited. After working for years as a lawyer and executive with the Dallas Stars, Alana recognized that most custom suiting companies only served men. But suiting herself in the morning was always a way for Alana to power her mindset to tackle the day and Alana felt women should have this experience. Alautus was established to fill this void. 

Alautus recently launched its newest colorway in Emerald. Check out the beautiful pieces here.

IN HER WORDS:

Describe Texas in 3 Words:

Big: Such a big state with beautiful wide open spaces and such a diverse state from weather, vegetation and people! 

Bold: Texas and Texans seem to have a natural boldness, a swagger, a confidence and can-do attitude that is just so powerful and inspiring to me. I love it. 

Opportunity: Texas really has been good to me from an education, career and opportunity standpoint. The mindset here is you can do it.

On the Menu: Favorite Place to Grab a Meal?

Cowboys Club at The Star in Frisco. My husband and I are members and it is our favorite spot to meet up!

What's Next:

First, we are expecting our third little boy any day now so that is priority #1 next! We just launched for pre-order our new suiting lines. We are so excited about our Super 120s Wool Windsor Suiting and our Power Stretch Ponte Chelsea Suiting!

UPDATE: Alana and her family welcomed their newest little one this past weekend. Congrats!!

Texas Women That Inspire Me:

Whitney Wolfe Herd, Kendra Scott, Jamie O'Banion. Three women founders that have Texas ties that inspire me. They all have such interesting stories about how they have persisted and built impactful companies through grit and self belief.

Connect With Me:

Instagram

Facebook

LinkedIn

IN THIS EPISODE

 

• Introducing professional women to "on demand luxury'
• Why custom suiting is the new self-care
• Transitioning from the c-suite to entrepreneurship
• Proving naysayers wrong in your career when you're young or just getting started
• Navigating being "the only one" working in male-dominated industries
• Three questions to ask yourself when it comes to innovation in your business
• Advice for new entrepreneurs
• The official color for this holiday season
• Sneak peek into what's to come for Alautus

Built In Texas is powered by Her Texas, the first membership organization created to increase community, connectivity and capital for female founders in Texas. www.hertexas.co

Connect with host Jasmin Brand HERE

Learn more about Her Texas HERE

Subscribe to Built in Texas HERE

She's back....! After a well-deserve hiatus for our team, Built In Texas is excited to return with our special guest this week, artist Roma Osowo.

A color-loving abstract artist who creates vibrant, joy-filled art to elevate beautiful spaces, Roma was born in the British Virgin Islands and graduated from the Inter American University of Puerto Rico with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Marketing. She worked in Marketing Management before eventually transitioning to staying at home with her kids to homeschool them. After a twelve year hiatus, Roma returned to her brushes in January of 2017 and a true fire was sparked within her to pursue her first love, which was painting.

Roma recently announced her featured 18-piece collection with Target. Check it out here.

IN HER WORDS:

Describe Texas in 3 Words:

Melting pot

Talented

Friendly

 

On the Menu: Favorite Place to Grab a Meal?

The Winewood Grill, Grapevine

 

What's Next:

I’m opening up my commissions again so I will be available for custom orders.

My Target collection will be in stores until Dec 4th and will continue to be available online for another 9 months.



Texas Woman That Inspires Me:

Georgia O’Keefe. Because she was an incredibly talented artist who was not born in Texas, but lived and taught here for quite a while and made Texas home.

Connect With Me:

Instagram

Facebook

TikTok

 

IN THIS EPISODE:

• How to reinvent your professional journey
• Art is both a product and a service, it's important to create and SELL
• Landing big partnerships & collabs (and how you can do it too!)
• How to step out of your comfort zone when it comes to building your network of friends, colleagues and mentors
• Overcoming rejection by knowing where you stand
• Finding your way (and your voice) in Texas
• The next big industry Roma wants to explore



Built In Texas is powered by Her Texas, the first membership organization created to increase community, connectivity and capital for female founders in Texas. www.hertexas.co

Connect with host Jasmin Brand HERE

Learn more about Her Texas HERE

Subscribe to Built in Texas HERE

"To know that I am using the very thing that my ancestors made (Egyptians made paint and paper) to make a living for myself, there is such a deep connection between my culture and my art."

Marian Mekhail's mission as an artist is to inspire her audience to use the gifts they’ve been given, live fully in their purpose and to seek beauty in all things, all people and all colors. Her Egyptian heritage influences much of her work, subject matter and creative process.

In 2019, Mekhail held her first solo exhibition “Queendom”, which had over 250 attendees and raised over $2,000 for the Women’s Center of Ft. Worth. She was also commissioned by Dallas Theater Center to create an interactive mural for its Public Works Theater at the Wyly Theater production of "As You Like It" by William Shakespeare. In 2021, she was commissioned by President Michael Sorrell of Paul Quinn College to create a custom crushed glass portrait of prominent Dallas businessman and philanthropist Mr. Trammell S. Crow.

In her latest collection “MAKTUB: It Is Written”, she explores topics surrounding modern feminism while also celebrating ancient Egyptian traditions.

In today's episode, we discuss:

• the business of art and being a creative
• protecting yourself, mentally, creatively and legally
• scared money doesn't make money - be strategic
• good things take time, especially the return on your investment
• the role Marian's culture has played in her art and her experiences living in Texas
• the women that inspire Marian personally (and have helped her business grow to the next level)
• Why Beyonce is still Queen (and King)!

Connect with Built In Texas HERE

Connect with Marian Mekhail HERE

Connect with host Jasmin Brand HERE

Learn more about Her Texas HERE

Built In Texas is produced by Her Texas, the first statewide organization powered by Texas women looking to shatter glass ceilings, create a seat at the table and thrive in the modern workplace. www.hertexas.co

We thought there was no better way to bring the month of February to a close than with our special guest this week, Christina A. Brooks, Chief Equity Officer, City of Fort Worth.

As the City of Fort Worth's first Chief Equity Officer and Director of Diversity and Inclusion Department, Christina is responsible for the enforcement of the City’s Non-Discrimination Ordinance for Fair Housing, Fair Employment, Public Accommodations, ADA and Title VI and the Business Equity Ordinance for equitable access in City contracting and procurement and capacity building of underrepresented business firms as defined by the City’s most recent Disparity Study for contracting and procurement.  

 

The newly created Department of Diversity and Inclusion supports several City Boards, Commissions, and Advisory groups including the Fort Worth Human Relations Commission, the Business Equity Advisory Board (formally the Minority and Women Business Enterprise Advisory Committee), the Mayor’s Committee on Persons with Disabilities, and the City Diversity and Inclusion Committee for Staff. 

 

Before joining the City of Fort Worth as the City's first Chief Equity Officer, she served in the City of South Bend's Mayor’s Office as the first Diversity and Inclusion Officer for the City under Mayor Pete Buttigieg. In South Bend, Christina led workforce, workplace, community, diversity purchasing and contracting, and small local MWBE policy development.

IN THIS EPISODE:

 

• Why CDFI Friendly Fort Worth is a game changer
• Being the first and not the last
• Intentional leadership & the power of being fearless
• Creating opportunities for communities of color in Fort Worth
• Why Barbara Jordan is EVERYTHING
• Your new women's empowerment hashtag for 2022

Connect with Christina Brooks HERE

Connect with host Jasmin Brand HERE

Learn more about Her Texas HERE

Subscribe to Built in Texas HERE



Built In Texas is powered by Her Texas, the first statewide organization and marketing engine powered by the diverse women that live, work and do business in the state of Texas. www.hertexas.co