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31-year-old Google executive says reading this one book has influenced her career

Jean-Baptiste and her team have launched several products including Google Assistant, Gmail’s Smart Compose feature and Google’s Pixel Camera. She has worked tirelessly to test the product for racially and gender-insensitive language.

As head of product inclusion at Google, Annie Jean-Baptiste works to ensure that the products and services Google offers are inclusive and reflective of the diverse audience the company serves.

Since starting at Google nine years ago, the 31-year-old has served as an account manager and a diversity programs manager before stepping into her current role two years ago. When reflecting on the books that have influenced her the career the most, Jean-Baptiste tells CNBC Make It Adam Grant’s “Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World,” comes to mind.

“Just given that sometimes you’re in a space that’s new and a little bit uncharted, I think that reading about people who have started something from scratch or started something that people didn’t totally get at first is interesting,” she says. “It’s just really interesting to see how they build that consensus up from the ground floor.”

In Grant’s bestselling book, the Wharton School professor uses data and research to show readers what it takes to bring an original idea to life. He also challenges the belief that you have to take a crazy amount of risk in order to birth a great idea.

“You don’t have to be a round peg in a square hole to be original,” Grant said on CNBC’s “On the Money” in 2016. “In fact, many originals hate taking risks.”

For example, he says, “If you look at the data, entrepreneurs who avoid risk by saying, ‘You know what, I’m going to keep my day job before I go all in’ are 33% less likely to fail.”

Though Grant’s book may be perceived as a read that focuses on entrepreneurship, Jean-Baptiste can relate to the idea of building something from the ground up, considering her current role at Google was non-existent a few years ago.

“Product inclusion” includes elements of business, product and diversity, and Jean-Baptiste had worked in all of those areas, she says. But that doesn’t mean the transition was easy. “It’s a culmination of a lot of the work that I’ve been lucky enough to do and learn at Google,” she says. “So seeing there was an opportunity and an opening to do that and to build that out, even though it hadn’t been something that was happening before, can sometimes be scary.”

In her two years as head of product inclusion, Jean-Baptiste and her team have launched several products including Google Assistant, Gmail’s Smart Compose feature and Google’s Pixel Camera. When developing the Google Assistant, which is an artificial intelligence-powered virtual assistant that can hold a two-way conversation with its user, Jean-Baptiste and her team worked tirelessly to test the product for racially and gender-insensitive language before its launch.

“Google has always said focus on the user and all else will follow,” the tech executive says in a video about the product launch of Google Assistant. “If you’re thinking about a challenge or product, you need to make sure that you’re intentional about expanding who your users could and should be.”

Similarly with Gmail’s Smart Compose, Jean-Baptiste and her team tested the product before its launch to ensure that the predictive text feature wouldn’t create any negative or offensive messages. They also tested Google’s Pixel Camera before its launch to ensure that the lens accurately reflected all skin tones.

“I think, you know, the crux of this work is to really ensure that everyone feels seen and valued for their differences and feel like they were thought of,” she says. “We know that we have work to do and that we’re on a journey, but we’re really excited and committed to making sure that we’re building for everyone and with everyone.”

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Source CNBC

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UBER DRIVER LATONYA YOUNG OBTAINS COLLEGE DEGREE AFTER PASSENGER PAYS HER DEBT

Sometimes a conversation in a taxi cab can lead to good fortune. This is exactly what happened with an Uber driver who had her debt cleared from one of her passengers, according to CNN.

Latonya Young, who works as a hairstylist and Uber driver, picked up a passenger outside of Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium and started engaging in a conversation. She told the man that after having a child at the age of 16, she had to drop out of high school to raise him and recently had to drop out of college because she owed a $700 balance to Georgia State University.

In response, the passenger, who was a man named Kevin Esch, decided to go directly to Georgia State University and pay off the balance of Young’s debt without her knowing about the deed. The university contacted Young to inform her that she was able to register for classes.

“I was literally blown away. A stranger has never done that — or done anything like that — for me,” Young said.

Last month, Georgia State University shared the story on Facebook.

The mother of three registered with the school and worked hard to earn her associate degree in criminal justice. “I maintained my grades, As and Bs, just trying to make sure he knows I appreciate him,” she said. She plans on pursuing her bachelor’s degree as she aspires to become an attorney.

Esch actually attended Young’s graduation when she received her degree.”There was something about Latonya that just—she resonates with me and we developed an incredible friendship now and I am incredibly proud of what she’s done,” he told CNN Full Circle. “I could’ve bought new clothes or I could’ve helped someone out. And what has come back to me has come back a hundredfold and I would do it 1,000 times over.”

In a statement to CNN, Andrea Anne Jones, a spokesperson at Georgia State University, said, “Kevin Esch has been justifiably applauded and heralded for providing the funds to enable Georgia State student Latonya Young to earn a college degree, but his gift is so much bigger than that. With it, he has changed a life and opened a door to a brighter future for a student who, like so many others we see at Georgia State, simply needs a chance to achieve and succeed.”

 

Source : Black Enterprise

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“MY GOAL IS TO PROMOTE LOCAL INDUSTRIES AND OUR CULTURE” – JADESOLA RAWA

A popular poet once said: “Fashion is like eating, you shouldn’t stick to the same menu.” The beauty of Fashion is to be unconventional and sometimes break from the norm. That is what Jadesola Rawa is doing with her Melia by Jade clothing line, making evergreen clothings that stand the test of time, using Batik (Adire).In a short period of time, she has been able to not only carve a niche for herself but become a household name. Jade has successfully made fashion that cut across all social status and also give a percentage of her sales to organisations that look after women with breast cancer, and that’s what makes her stand out. She shares her inspiring story with  Esther Ijewere in this interview.

Childhood Influence
I grew up in the Northern part of the country. Not with a lot, so I had to be resourceful to get what I need. I was that child that knew that getting extra uniforms was not going to happen. So if I wanted my uniform or hand-me down clothes to look a certain way, I had to patiently sit with the tailors to alter. I remember spending hours with local tailors in Barnawa, Kaduna where I grew up. I guess looking back at it, that’s where this whole business started from indirectly. I pored over Ovation and City People magazines for years. I loved looking at clothes and people looking glamorous.

Inspiration behind Melia by Jade
Melia By Jade started out of necessity and also love. Necessity because I was in-between jobs and I really felt like I had to do something for some sort of income. I have always loved fashion and clothes. I knew I didn’t want to just sell clothes. So it seemed natural to create the pieces I would wear but using local fabrics to do it. The Melia part of the name came from a hotel I was staying in at the time; the thought came to me to do something about this. Some research into the name and it turns out to mean feminine beauty in German. Flatterer. Industrious. So there you have it…Feminine Beauty by Jade which is the short form of my name…Jadesola.

Why I chose Batik
I have always loved Adire and fabrics that are indigenous to us. Adire is art. I love art. I love beautiful things that are unique and can’t be found on every and anybody. Remember watching all those old Yoruba movies? The ones in the village setting? They wore adire. The royalty wore adire. There is just something special about it. And also because a part of me wants to give back to Nigeria, Promote local industries and our culture; from the tailors we use, the printers, the suppliers. A huge part of what we do is to also give back. Every year, a percentage of sales goes to organisations that look after women with breast cancer; CancerAware. This year, I am looking to do something with kids. On a bigger scale. So, yes we are huge on giving back and making a difference in our own little way.

My brand in five years
To be honest, I want my brand in stores across the world. I already do a tiny amount of export to the UK and US and Canada. But the plan is to stock in some of the stores abroad where anyone from any part of the world could walk into and pick up a Melia By Jade piece. I want to be a household name in Nigeria and beyond, for a brand that makes unique, affordable and contemporary pieces using locally sourced fabrics.

Moments that make me reflect on why I started
The joy I get when I run into people wearing my brand. Or people send me pictures of themselves wearing it, or when my daughter sees any random person on the street wearing adire and she goes “are you wearing Melia?” To her, any adire piece is a Melia piece. All these things give me joy. Makes me remember why I started and gives me the push to continue during the difficult times.

Nigerian designers that inspire me
I admire a lot of Nigerian designers. I love Moofa…like I can see myself wearing like 80 per cent of what she makes, just can’t afford her yet). I look up to Xclamations by Tomi Rotimi. Lanre Da Silva Ajayi also does great work.

Other Projects and Activities
I work a full-time job in renewable energy. I love what I do in my 9 to 5 because it’s social impact work. I love the fact that while I am earning salary, I can still make a difference in lighting up communities that would otherwise maybe not see power if they wait on the national grid. I love TV. That’s where I started my career from. I have all these ideas about stuff I would like to do in content creation. One day soon. These are my passions. One day soon…

Challenges of being an Entrepreneur
I was talking to someone who mentors me recently in this fashion space, and he mentioned the fact that he imports EVERYTHING for his business. That made me so sad. But I can legit understand why he would do that. From tailors, to suppliers, to printer to pretty much everything, it’s almost crazy to even want to run a business in Nigeria. It seems like EVERYTHING is configured to frustrate you.

Designing Nuggets for Beginners
Lol. Shouldn’t I be taking lessons? I am a learner too. But I would say this…no matter how tempted you get, make sure you stay true to yourself. Your stamp should always be on your designs. Everyone has done everything that everyone is trying to do…what makes you different? That’s what everyone should ask themselves when designing.

Being a Woman of Rubies
I think a lot of things. The fact that every single day I wake up, I want to be a better person. The fact that I have faced adversities so many times and I refused to give up. The fact that even though it’s hard, I still try to make sure that integrity is my watchword for the things I do. The fact that for me, helping the next person anyway I can will still put a smile on my face over profit. The fact that I tell my child every single day I can…be a decent human being. That’s more important that being “first in class” or being the prettiest girl out there. Don’t get me wrong…this woman of rubies has feet of clay…but we keep pushing.

Dear aspiring Fashion Designer…
What are you bringing to the table that’s different? That’s the only question. If you can answer that, then you are good to go.

My experience in the Industry
I would say that I am a child of grace. I believe I have been given opportunities others might not have been lucky to access. It is a grace thing. Don’t forget, this isn’t a full-time gig for me yet. If and when it becomes a full time gig, I would then be able to say whether or not the industry has been fair. But on second thoughts, me…I am not waiting for anything to be fair o. We take it!!! When we are ready.

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This Singer/Songwriter Helps The Australian Fire Victims During Her Tour

The Singer named Lizzo, at her Concert in Sydney Opera House took some time to volunteer,by helping those affected by the wildfires.

 

The nonprofit took to social media to thank the artist for her efforts saying, “Beautiful Lizzo stopped by our Foodbank Victoria warehouse today to thank our hardworking team and vollies who have been working tirelessly for the past 6 days. What a [star], she even packed hampers for fire-affected regions. Thank you for the support.”

According to Because of Them We Can The pop star volunteered at the Melbourne Foodbank Victoria, packing food hampers for those impacted by the fire. She took time to thank the other volunteers and took pictures with everyone. The Foodbank is the largest food relief provider in Victoria. Following the “Truth Hurts” singer’s visit, the nonprofit has set up links for people to donate on all of their social media pages. 

“Join Lizzo to deliver emergency food relief and water to the victims of the Bushfire Crisis. We need your support to continue delivering emergency food relief and water to Victorians affected by this devastating bushfire crisis,” a message on the Foodbank website reads. 

CNN reports at least 24 people have died, about 18 million acres of land has been burned and half a billion animals have been impacted by the fires. Victoria and New South Wales have been affected the most, with over 2000 homes having been destroyed and about 3.5% of the state of Victoria being burned, according to Mashable. 

 

 

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MICHELLE OBAMA LAUNCHES NEW SERIES IN IGTV TITLED ‘A YEAR OF FIRSTS’

While some would relax after eight long years in the White House, rest is something Michelle Obama isn’t doing just yet. The former first lady will be launching an Instagram video series that will premiere later this month.

Obama and her initiative Reach Higher have partnered with ATTN: on a new IGTV series, “A Year of Firsts.” The series aims to empower and inspire freshman college students across the country. Each episode will spotlight the journeys of the students as they embark on their quest for higher education. “A Year of Firsts” continues the tradition that Obama started as first lady of uplifting and inspiring young people and supporting their educational potential.

“As a first-generation college student myself, I know how intimidating it can be to take that leap and pursue your educational dreams,” Obama said in a statement. “That’s why I’m so proud of these students. By sharing their stories, they’re helping others see that the ups and downs of the first year of college are something everyone goes through—and they’re creating a supportive community for others facing similar challenges.”

“A Year of Firsts” is produced by ATTN: in partnership with Reach Higher. ATTN: is working with the students directly to document their first year as they explore issues like the academic stress of attending college, making new friends, college affordability, and the physical and mental health challenges they encounter while in college. Episode one of “A Year of Firsts” will premiere exclusively on IGTV in mid-January. Over six episodes, the series will chronicle the students’ first year in college and conclude with the last episode in June 2020.

Obama announced the series on her Instagram page: “The first year of college is exciting, but also a little nerve-racking. As a first-generation college student myself, I know how intimidating it can be to try to navigate through a new place and make new friends, all while trying to figure out who you are and who you want to be. That’s why I’m so excited that @reachhigher is teaming up with @attndotcom to share the stories of four first-year college students: Robert, Linette, Regan, and Haseeb. Can’t wait for you all to meet them and learn more about what taking that leap really feels like, day in and day out. Stay tuned!”

“As Mrs. Obama highlights in each episode, there are many hidden challenges to making it through college,” said ATTN: co-founder, Matthew Segal. “This series will meet many students where they live—on Instagram—and share candid perspectives about how to overcome barriers. We’re thrilled to be partnering with Mrs. Obama and Reach Higher to engage and inspire students to invest in themselves through higher education.”

 

CREDIT: Black Enterprise

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This Female Corper Narrates Her Leadership Skills on Camp

About four weeks ago, I was called to serve my country; Nigeria. That three weeks experience in Ondo State Orientation Camp Ikare – Akoko was indeed a thrilling one.

I had the opportunity to serve as the flag bearer to escort Mr. Governor and as the Director of Socials of my platoon. Holding this position in camp was a whole lot especially as almost every night rolled by with social activities and the performance of my platoon in various social activities depended on me. I employed the use of Democratic, Transformational and Laissez-Faire styles of leadership which helped to bring several individuals with cultural diversities and upbringings to come together and achieve set goals. The experience also exposed to a greater level of inter-personal skills.

Yes, i indeed worked hard and played hard. At the end of the orientation camp, i was posted to the Ondo State Civil Service Commission. I’m looking forward to an innovative and empowering service year and beyond.

Idara Etang

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FUTURE’S MOM IS BUILDING A BUSINESS LEGACY FOR HER FAMILY

Stephanie Jester may be just as busy as her Grammy Award-winning rapper and philanthropist son Future. She runs multiple businesses and nonprofits, which include a real estate company for the last 10 years. She is also co-founder of her son’s The FreeWishes Foundation. Her entrepreneurship endeavors and business prowess earned her the 2019 Good Samaritan Pink Award as well as being honored at the Economic Empowerment Initiative.

In an interview with BLACK ENTERPRISE, Jester says her faith is at the center of all she does when it comes to managing her businesses, engaging in philanthropist efforts, or mentoring women.

Stephanie Jester

Image: Kisha Scott (GAME)

Black Enterprise: What gets you up in the morning to carry out your duties as an entrepreneur?

Jester: My inner drive. I want to see more, serve more, and be a better me. I get up in the morning because I want to remove the generational curse of deficiency in the lives of my family and friends. According to scripture, “A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children.”

BE: How has your son’s success influenced your business dealings? 

Future is an established recording executive and businessman. His successful career has provided an opportunity for me to reach beyond real estate to a diverse audience, allowing me to reach millions of people and opening many doors far beyond my imagination. The FreeWishes Foundation, where I am the co-founder, and EmpowHER, where I am the CEO, are examples of this opportunity. Through the foundation, I am involved in nurturing lives and serving the community through various activations. The foundation’s mission is to deliver a message of hope, perseverance, and resilience to our community by lending support and making dreams a reality for youth and seniors. 

BE: How does your passion and faith help lead you to the decisions you make as an executive?

Before I make an important decision, I dedicate time to pray and meditate. Quiet time or prayer time is required for all major deals and negotiations. Oftentimes, passion and faith do not align, so I have the tendency to lean more toward faith because it activates my spirit. Oftentimes, passion will persuade you to make a decision based on your emotions. Thus far, faith has never failed me.

BE: You have a hand in many business decisions for the companies you are involved with. Which position is the most challenging and which one is the easiest to do in terms of making things run smoothly? 

InTouch Property, my real estate, and property management company run efficiently, like a well- oiled machine, because it has been established for over a decade. The most challenging business is Freebandz Touring, because as a woman and a minority, in a male-dominant industry… there have been plenty of obstacles. It is important to solidify your position and stay committed.

BE: Are there any future projects in the works that you’d like to talk about?

EmpowHer (although it’s not a new endeavor) it’s my primary initiative for 2020. It evolved from my innate ability to truly elevate, connect, and help women become their best selves emotionally, mentally and physically. Oftentimes, as women, we are pulled in many different directions, being wives, mothers, sisters, girlfriends, and successful businesswomen, that we neglect to take time to nurture our own well being. I wanted to create a space and outlet that significantly supported women in ways that made an impact on their overall self-development. It is important to thrive from within to live a healthy and balanced life. Creating this strong foundation and balance for women… is the goal of EmpowHer. This is my passion and I pray that it becomes an enormous platform for women wanting to live their best lives.

BE: What advice or suggestions would you give to someone who wants to become an entrepreneur?

First, you have to believe in yourself and be passionate about your endeavor. You have to understand that every great business involves sacrifice and be prepared to lose before you win. Next, understand that sometimes it will be more work than play. If you continue on the path and hold fast to faith and hope, your rewards will be plentiful. Sometimes, you will not see the return on your investment right away, but you have to understand when things look bleak, you must be disciplined, consistent, and self-motivated. The return on your investment will come. 

BE: If there is anything you could do over again when it comes to any business dealings, what would you change and why?

There is absolutely nothing I would change. I appreciate all the life lessons, late nights, quiet and prayer times, curveballs and everything else involved in building my business empire… a LEGACY for my family.

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Temi Olajide
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Temi Olajide: I Want To Help Working Mums Enjoy Motherhood While Achieving Their Goals

Temi Olajide is a Certified Child Sleep / Potty Training Consultant and Child Psychologist. She is Nigeria’s first certified child sleep consultant, Founder and Lead Strategist at Mummyclinic Global Services, founded in December 2017. Her organization hosts an online platform that provides strategies and result-driven solutions to the challenges of child-rearing. The organization which is also a sleep training platform for children in West Africa helps mothers to successfully combine the requirements of life and motherhood while responding correctly to the peculiarities of the digital age. She successfully worked with over 1500 mothers within the first year of establishment.

Beyond her certification in Child Psychology, Potty Training and Child Sleep Behaviour, she holds a B.Sc. in Chemistry, a certification in Introductory Journalism from the London College of Media and Journalism and  Makeup Artistry and Aesthetic Spa certification.

Temi is also the author of the fast-selling Amazon book;  Wi-Fi Kids and Analog Parents, a comprehensive book that equips parents on how to raise well-rounded kids in the digital age.

She shares her story in this interview.

Childhood Influence

I will say yes, my parents did their best to live intentionally and their lives were transparent to us and were both great role models. I wanted to be a modified version of them though not with as many kids, by the way, I’m the first and only girl with three brothers.

I would also my parents lives parented me, I would have loved for them to have been more approachable early on in my life because there are some experiences you would have loved to share as a young girl growing up, but typical Nigerian parents then weren’t that approachable, the fear of some many other things wouldn’t allow that, lol. But they never lived a lie, so I grew up using their lives as a guide, which I usually encourage parents to do. If you cannot do so much, just be a good example because your kids can see through you and learn just to be like you as many parents don’t practice what they preach and that’s where you start to lose your kids.

Inspiration behind Mummyclinicc

Mummyclinicc was founded to empower mums on how to overcome day-to-day mummy challenges by providing them with quick hacks and solutions, achieve work and life success, and improve their well-being and state of mental health while they raise well-rounded children in this digital age.

Let me share a background story of what prepared me for mummyclinicc.

After marriage, I sat down one day and analyzed what kind of mum I wanted to be. I wanted to be that mum that enjoyed her life and work while raising my kids. But the narrative around me didn’t reflect what I desired. The narrative I saw was that as a mum you will experience sleepless nights, it’s overwhelming, tiring, and exhausting,  it’s either you choose your career or your children, and it’s not fun and fulfilling asides having these babies. I didn’t want my life to be all these. I  know being a mum is very challenging but I said to myself since I  can’t avoid it so why not look for easier ways to overcome these challenges and enjoy the journey, I started to seek knowledge and read books to find solutions. I wanted to change this narrative so that I can enjoy this journey despite the challenges. So I became deliberate from day one when I got pregnant with my first. And that was the beginning of being an intentional mum, I didn’t leave things to chance except pray for God’s guidance and blessings on my effort as I knew God wouldn’t come down to do my job. Then the digital age came, joined Instagram in 2016 and I saw many mums struggling and unhappy with the journey of motherhood, I remember always seeing posts of mums struggling with getting their kids  to go to bed early, sleeping through the night and potty training and I always told myself, this shouldn’t be a problem any mum should be facing, I can help  but didn’t know how

I will have sleepless nights many times thinking why will these mums be going through all this when solutions exist but I am a very private person and thinking of how I will cope with social media which can still be a struggle times though.

Then my late dad’s funeral will play again in my head, Temitope, if you die today, what value will you have added to mankind? So I decided to finally take a plunge and live my dreams because I knew I was called to help working mothers. I knew it was time to overcome my fears and start to fulfil my dreams of helping more mums than those around me and adding more value to humanity.

I knew 80% of our problems are solved as mums if raising our kids gives us some form of peace and joy.

I’m always unhappy and troubled when I see or hear other mums unhappy and overwhelmed because this was what I wanted to avoid as a mum and I know they can also achieve it if they allow me to help them. This was how Mummyclinicc was birth. Taking mums from exhausted/overwhelmed to enjoyment despite our challenges.

Being  Nigeria’s first certified child sleep consultant

We have been able to sleep train over 700 children in our sleep school and it’s amazing how you see the lifestyle of mums transform and become productive when their child’s sleep habits and sleep is improved. We’ve witnessed improved bonding between husbands and wives as they get more time to spend with each other as soon as the kids are in bed and not witnessing any interruption in their beds through the night too. We have had testimonies of children feeding better, behaving calmer, becoming healthier and doing better at school due to improved sleep lifestyle and so many more.

I’ve heard some mums say why to hire a sleep consultant, our parents didn’t sleep-train us until I explain to them that life sleep-trained us. Imagine our lives without the internet, youtube, 24-7 Tv programs, phones, tabs, and generators. Everyone including our parents went to bed early by 10 pm after the news and we kids after dinner, so we were able to enjoy the benefits of sleep. But imagine our lives now and the benefits of sleep and our physiological body system are still required, our bodies are still the same and don’t understand the Internet age but we are depriving it of the benefits. Even as adults, inadequate sleep is leading to many illnesses now and it’s during consolidated adequate sleep that our brain cells are repaired and our children’s growth hormones are developed.

Leaving the banking industry to pitch my tent as a Child sleep and potty training advocate

I left the banking industry after having my first child to give me more time to be hands-on with him and I didn’t have a lot of support around me at that time as my mum wasn’t in the country. I also wanted a career as a business consultant because that was my desire after graduating from school which I am today which I combine with Mummyclinicc. I became a Child sleep and potty training consultant solely out of a passion to help other mums. I just want every other working mum out there to enjoy motherhood while achieving their dreams and raising well-rounded children. That this is doable.

Work-life balance of being a certified Potty Training Consultant, Child Psychologist, Wife  and Mom

I have immense support from my husband, my children and my mum, they’ve been a great help. And there is something I never fail to do, asking for help, even if it will cost me.

Being Intentional with my life has also helped, me plan my day. I guard the use of my time jealousy as I know time is life. I also started to involve and integrate my kids at a very young age with house chores and my work, so that helped as well. I refuel regularly by taking care of myself and doing what I enjoy doing I ditched perfectionism. Nothing like a perfect mum or wife, I just work at being the best for my family.

Finally, I prioritize. I focus on what’s important each time, so I’m able to give my best to whatever I choose to focus on.

Other projects and activities

Asides from our sleep and potty training services, as a child psychologist I also help mums through our classes and mummy coaching programs on building trust with their children, getting kids to listen and cooperate with them, sex education for kids, confidence and positive personality building for lifelong success and other challenges mum face.

Challenges of Being a Social Entrepreneur

Poor Internet  Services in our country are a major for me because we work with mums across the world, and poor internet connection makes it more frustrating in helping as many mums as we will love to help as our platform is majorly using the online space to reach out.

Collaborating with people and organizations can be a herculean task also in our Country especially pitching our services to organizations to help women employees become more productive.

Lack of funds to expand is also a major challenge. We don’t want to only help mums that can afford our services or be able to access the free resources we give daily on our platform only

Potty Training Nuggets

The first thing about potty training is education. We advise mums to educate themselves before getting started. Many times we just want to jump into potty training, get potty and tell the child to sit on it. That is why many children wouldn’t cooperate so easily with us on the first try.

Secondly, the type of potty matters, imagine sitting on a toilet that is too low, high or the toilet bowl is too wide for your bum, you wouldn’t be comfortable and enjoy the process of using it, likewise with children, comfort matters especially something you’re weaning them into, if not it becomes a stressful process for you and your child.

My fast-selling book Wi-Fi Kids and why it’s a must-have for every parent

It’s a must-have because it addresses the changes in the dynamics of parenting in this age compared to ours and how to handle those changes, it provides a much-needed guide for raising children in the digital age. It is so all-encompassing and it highlights the pros and cons of the digital age, sex education for kids, understanding and communicating with children in the digital age, and constructing boundaries, among other salient issues bordering on parenting in the digital age. We need to understand what our digital children require from us to allow them to thrive and navigate successfully at this age.

I use this analogy, our parents were trained with walls, and our walls were our churches, schools, mosques and family. We believed everything we were told because there was no other source of information. Imagine our mothers telling us then that if a man touches us, we will get pregnant and we believed, even a 2year old in this digital age will say, Mum, why are you lying, it’s impossible. We should understand that we are raising our children now with no walls, if you lie to them, google is now everyone’s new friend. Learning and information are not limited to what we were limited with, so you will agree with me that the tactics that are used to find battles in a place with walls/restriction are different from a place with no walls, no walls means more danger, confusing to navigate and porous to attack. Parenting Strategy has to be different, which is why my book is a must-have for every parent at this age, nothing to do with you being techy, it’s a mindset shift!

To Moms who are finding it hard to get the necessary support and resources, they need to train their children.

Honestly, not every mum will get desired support from families and friends, but thank God for the online space, support and resources that now exist compared to when I was having kids.

If you can’t get free help, if you can afford to pay for help and support, please do. I did and I’m still doing so I’m not a fan of giving excuses, whining and blaming my circumstance for not having the support I desire.

Trying to figure things out in this digital age is becoming more costly than the cost of seeking help from people. I remembered when we were growing up, it took a village to raise us, our parents will go to their friends, neighbours, pastors and school for help and support, but at this age, everyone is keeping their problems to themselves, you don’t want people to know your challenges before they spread it around (which can be understandable because there is a trust issue in this age) but it still doesn’t take away the fact that you need to seek help when needed because we can’t do this alone, and that is why if you can’t get it free please seek professional help on time before its too late, everything happens so fast in this age.

Government  and  the child health sector

I believe they should have improved medical child-friendly facilities for children as parents will be more comfortable in taking their children to the hospitals without self-medicating which usually leads to more complications. Then if they can make access to medical facilities free for children, it will reduce child mortality rates as parents will take their kids quicker for treatments rather than self-medicating or figuring it out instead of waiting till the last minute and health deteriorated.

Challenges Mum faces

 I would say one of the major challenges is having to get their children to listen and cooperate with them without having to shout, spank or nag them and knowing appropriate ways to discipline and set boundaries with the peculiarities of the digital age.

Dear Mums….

Dear mum, There is nothing like this how things are when you become a mum, you must have sleepless nights,  shout, nag, be overwhelmed, and give up something for something. Times have changed and help is here, Solutions exist. Please reach out for help, no mum deserve to suffer in silence.

You deserve to live the best version of yourself while raising the best version of your children. Remember you can’t give what you don’t have and your kids will most likely be like you or a  better version of you. The question is what version of you are your kids seeing and learning from?

At mummyclinicc, we provide quick proven solutions to all your worrisome mummy headaches,  while you achieve work & life success to live a healthier life and improve your well-being and state of mental health while you raise the best version of your child in this age and enjoy your mummy life.

We can be reached through our website www.mummyclinicc.com and our Instagram page @mummyclinicc.

 

 

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MEET THE REAL ESTATE INVESTOR WHO OWNS 18 PROPERTIES AT 26-YEARS-OLD

Homeownership is a secure way to build wealth. For many Americans, homeownership is an instrumental way of creating generational wealth for their families. For Jamisa McIvor-Bennett, founder and CEO of Rosebud’s Investments, her introduction to ownership began with a conversation with her grandmother, which ultimately led her to become a real estate investor at the age of 19.

After a conversation with her guardian about being next in kin to own and manage the family home, Mclvor-Bennett was added to the deed. Months later, her grandmother passed away unexpectedly.

“I took what she said to heart…to be responsible and to help my family because this [family home] is all we had. That kept replaying in my mind over and over again,” says Mclvor-Bennett.

At that time, she worked as a cashier and could not afford home renovations on her own, so she had to make an executive decision.

“In the back of my mind, I kept hearing my grandmother say, ‘this is all we have’, and one day I asked my myself, ‘why is this all we have?’” and that question led to her selling the house for $152,000. After doing research of her own and speaking with financial advisers, Mclvor-Bennett decided that investing her earnings into real estate would be the best way to never have to work for someone else again.

BUILDING WEALTH REQUIRES A MILLIONAIRE MINDSET 

Mclvor-Bennett’s humble beginnings taught her how to be conservative with money and wise in her dealings.

“During that journey, I ran into a guy who was a real estate investor. That was my first time making the differentiation between an investor and a little estate agent,” says Mclvor-Bennett.

Under the tutelage of her mentor’s guidance, she went on to purchase her first home for $6,500 in cash. And she didn’t stop there.

Now 26, McIvor-Bennett is the owner of 18 properties throughout Pennsylvania—and she only has one mortgage. In addition to owning and investing in properties, she also teaches others looking to generate more income and learn the ins and outs about real estate and real estate investing.

Her company, Rosebud’s Investments, caters to people interested in real estate investment but unsure of where and how to get started. The company offers individualized services in investor processes, for both new and seasoned investors who are looking to enhance their knowledge and expertise. Beginning with their individualized investment call, new clients work with a member of the Rosebud’s Investments team to create a blueprint for purchasing property without using credit.

KNOWLEDGE AND MENTORSHIP ARE KEY

Like many business owners and investors, Mclvor-Bennett has been met with challenges. After purchasing nine properties, she began to hit a wall.

“I was down to $15,000 and some of my properties needed to be rehabbed. I wasn’t educated on the loan process. And keep in mind, I didn’t even have credit cards. These are all things that I had to pretty much learn as I went along. But I do remember playing monopoly as a child—so, I decided I was going to sell a house.”

After selling a few of her properties, she learned more about the business through that process. As a first-generation real estate investor and entrepreneur, Mclvor-Bennett knew that she had to seek the formal training to educate herself so that she could grow her business after buying her properties in cash.

“It was helpful to me to learn the terminology and more about contracts.”

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LISA WILLIS BECOMES NEW YORK KNICKS’ FIRST FEMALE COACH AS ASSISTANT FOR G LEAGUE TEAM

History has been made in the state of New York! According to The Washington Informer, the Westchester Knicks have added former WNBA player Lisa Willis to their coaching staff, becoming the first female coach in the history of New York’s basketball franchise.

In addition to Willis’ hiring, the Westchester Knicks—the official NBA G League affiliate of the New York Knicks—also announced the hiring of Allen Deep as an assistant coach.

Willis, who was the fifth overall pick in the 2006 WNBA Draft, played for the Los Angeles Sparks her first two seasons before continuing her playing career with the New York Liberty (2007-08). While attending UCLA (2002-06), the Long Beach, California, native was recognized as the nation’s best defender by ESPN’s Nancy Lieberman. She graduated as the Bruins’ all-time three-point leader and second all-time in then-PAC-10 history and ranked ninth all-time in scoring.

“The Westchester Knicks continue to be a vital part of our player development program at the New York Knicks,” said Steve Mills, president of the New York Knicks in a press release. “Today, we’ve added two talented coaches who will improve our players’ skills both on and off the court.”

Willis participated in the heralded NBA’s Assistant Coaches Program (ACP), a program formed by the NBA G League’s Player Development department, providing an educational conduit for former NBA, WNBA, and NBA G League players to the ranks of coaching and front office opportunities.

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