self development Archives

In self development September 24, 2019 By Esther Ijewere

DEBBIE LARRY IZAMOJE: ARE YOU CONSIDERING A CAREER CHANGE?

My girls and I were having dinner, and after laughing about everything from fashion to family, the subject of career transitioning came up.

Fola raised the topic—not for the first time—and this time she desperately needed answers from us. We honestly thought she would follow her passion for baking, and “give daddy his law degree” as she had always said she would. Imagine our shock when she told us four years ago that she had decided to work at her uncle’s law firm. I’ll never forget how loudly we laughed when she joked that her child couldn’t live on cookies alone.

Our other friend, Bimpe, had successfully transitioned from owning and running her fashion business for years to becoming one of the best business strategists in the country. Bimpe’s voice was the loudest during this conversation, as it had every right to be. We all watched her handle her transition gracefully, how she sometimes had to delete comments by entitled people who had heard rumours about why she closed down her business. But she was soaring in her career, and that’s all that mattered.

Here are a few lessons on career transitioning that Bimpe shared with us, and will be helpful if you’re in a similar stage in your life.

Keep an open mind
This is a crucial season for you and your loved ones. Before you take that leap into a new career path, be open to the opinion of others, especially those who have transitioned before, or currently work in the industry you seek to join. Be open to asking and answering very tough questions. We didn’t spare Bimpe or Fola these questions, so I doubt your loved ones will. When people give you answers to your questions, ensure you’re not defensive.

Enhance your skills
A career transition can be one of the most humbling experiences ever. You’ll most likely find that some of the skills you have will not come in handy in the future. In order to be very effective in your new industry, ensure that you take a break to enhance all needed skills. Do it at your own pace; there is no rush. You may want to start out with a quick online search, a course, or take on a whole degree if that is needed in your new field. You should also consider an internship position to learn for a few months. Just ensure that you’ve evaluated your past experiences and measured it with what you now seek. Mentorship can also not be over-emphasized. Get a mentor or friend in this field who can help guide you.

Be sure you’re doing it for the right reasons
A career transition is a big deal. It’s important that you do not limit yourself, but it’s also important that the big decisions you take in life are well thought out. You have to look inward and question your motive. Why am I changing careers? Will I look back in five years and regret this decision? Should I seek counsel? The biggest reason for your career change should be fulfillment. Although I understand there are times where life just happens, still, always be fuelled by other desires that are not monetary.

Don’t hold back
Sounds like a contradiction, right? But life is too short to be doing anything that doesn’t give you fulfilment. You just have to take the jump. Do it afraid. There’s only so much analyzing you can do, at some point, you’ll have to just try it and see if it’ll work out. You’ll never know if you don’t try, and if you do try and it doesn’t work out, then at least you can tell the world that you’re great and trying new things and experiences.

About Debbie

Debbie Larry-Izamoje also known as The Entrepreneur’s Best-Friend is a Nigerian Entrepreneur. With Certificates in Innovation and strategy from Harvard University and user innovation from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Debbie is passionate about assisting entrepreneurs which is why she founded Image Boosters , a digital agency that specializes in Digital Marketing, Social Media Management, PR & Communications. She is an author of 2 business books and was for 25 under 25 SME and recently recognized as by Trek Africa as outstanding entrepreneurship personality of the year. www.debbielarrryizamoje.com www.imageboosters.com.ng Twitter and Instagram: @dee_larry @imageboosters_ Email: contactus@imageboosters.com.ng

In self development September 24, 2019 By Esther Ijewere

FARIDA YAHAYA: HEY STARTUPS, DON’T MAKE THESE MISTAKES IF YOU ARE TRYING TO ATTRACT INVESTORS

Discussing too many ideas is a red flag. For example, saying that your company intends to land one major customer, and then saying that you intend to land ten bigger ones at the same time shows you lack focus. Why? Because investors would rather have you record a huge success on the first one before hopping onto others.

Getting early stage investment can help new and existing startups worry less about short-term issues such as overhead costs, and help to focus on areas such as gaining competitive advantage, customer retention rates and expansion.

However, for entrepreneurs who aren’t savvy at the game, they could make mistakes that could prevent them from getting funds to expand their businesses. As the founder of a growing hair care solutions brand, I have made some of these mistakes in the last 6 years, and I learned these lessons the hard way. So let’s get into those mistakes and how to avoid them in the future.

Lack of Focus
Investors don’t like to waste their time and money. Therefore, when pitching to them to get funding, pass your message across clearly and keep it short and sweet. Additionally, since their main focus is to get returns on their investments, make sure that you explain the strategic plans you’ve put in place that would help you generate leads and bring in revenue. However, don’t make unrealistic claims or say things that aren’t related to the topic.

Likewise, discussing too many ideas is a red flag. For example, saying that your company intends to land one major customer, and then saying that you intend to land ten bigger ones at the same time shows you lack focus. Why? Because investors would rather have you record a huge success on the first one before hopping onto others.

Underestimating Your Competitors
Don’t make the mistake of telling potential investors that your business has no competitors. Saying that automatically translates to telling them that a market for your business doesn’t exist.

No matter the type of products or services you offer, your business has either direct or indirect competitors. For instance, if you intend to produce luxury cutlery and kitchen appliances when no one has, it’s safe to say that you don’t have direct competitors since there isn’t any other business offering the same product. However, your indirect competitors are other companies also producing affordable cutlery and kitchen appliances.

Additionally, don’t say horrible things about your competitors. Don’t make them look like they aren’t doing anything right, because the truth is if they aren’t doing it right, they won’t remain in business.

A Long/Boring Business Plan
When pitching your business to investors, one of the major items they’d ask for is your business plan. Don’t go to presentations submitting a 70 to 100-page business plan. Those are too many words, and most investors just want to see how your solution can guarantee a return on their investment. Likewise, your revenue model shouldn’t be shallow, It should adequately convey your plans for your business’ success.

Based on my experience, I’d recommend that your business plan shouldn’t exceed 10 to 15 pages. If it’s a pitch, it shouldn’t be more than 10 slides.

Not Understanding Your Metrics
Want to scare off investors? Don’t understand your metrics and you’re good to go. You should be able to know how much it would cost you to acquire a customer or cost of delivering the product and marketing. Knowing these metrics would give you an idea of the amount of money needed to fund or expand your business. Additionally, understanding your metrics would help you and your team work purposefully towards setting and achieving your business’ growth goals.

Being Overconfident
Investors have experienced successes and failures; and they can sniff a lie from miles away. While investors expect you to be an expert in your business, they don’t expect you to be a Jack of all trades. Instead of touting yourself as a know-it-all, acknowledge your investors’ experience and let them know that while you are knowledgeable about your business, you welcome their suggestions and ideas about other areas of your business.

Excess Focus on Product Features
Strictly focusing on your products and their features when raising funds for your business isn’t a great idea. Sure, while you need to sell your products and their features to potential investors, you also have to clearly communicate that you aren’t just selling a product or offering a service. Let them know and show them that you’re building a customer-centric brand.

Without strategic marketing, a great team, financial literacy, emotional intelligence and efficient operations, your business won’t survive, even if your products or services are gems.

Likewise, let investors know if your products have a special feature, and make sure that you communicate clearly how you’ll ensure it isn’t copied or reproduced, such as patent protection or copyright.

Poor Forecasting
Nothing puts off investors more than an unrealistic goal. When you aren’t authentic, you lose credibility. Most business owners make the mistake of exaggerating their financial projections, metrics and market size.

Don’t say it would take competitors five years or more before they can reproduce your products; because when investors carry out an investigation and discover that your claims are far from the truth, you’ve blown your chances. Period!

Instead of falling into this, sell your execution and your value proposition.

In self development September 24, 2019 By Esther Ijewere

TEMI OLAJIDE: THE BUSINESS OF PARENTING

Raising children in this digital age is different from our days where we were raised with restrictions. In the digital age, there are no restrictions. Everything is out there , whether you like it or not. This makes it challenging for parents to raise their children, if they don’t become deliberate and intentional about it.

Recently, I was having a conversation with a client, and as we continued the conversation, I said “parenting is a business and it must be treated as such”. Immediately, I said this, I looked at her and I could see that it took some self control for her not to roll her eyes at me. In that moment, I realised that there were probably a lot of mums out there who would probably not agree with this statement.

I could understand why this lady thought this way. We know that a business is the act of making, buying or selling products or services in exchange for money; so, classifying parenting as a business sounded absurd to her.

If you take a minute to think about it, you’ll realise that God placed the business of parenting in your hands. He also gave clear instructions when He blessed you with that child which is to train him up the way he should go!

In this digital age, everything you thought you knew about parenting has probably changed. However, our role as parents remain the same . Therefore, you cannot continue to use the ancient method you were brought up with, with your children and expect to get great results.

I have come to realize that when things are practicable, we understand it, because we can visualize it better. So, let’s relate it to real life business. As parents, you will do everything you can to grow in your business or career. You will pay business coaches, take professional courses, write qualifying exams, travel for days or months, if necessary, to progress in your field. However, when it comes to raising your child, you prefer to figure it out, make mistakes and wait for God to sort it out for you.

Can you progress in your business or career, if the knowledge you use is outdated? Imagine using the knowledge of 5,10, 20 years ago to operate in 2019? You would be out of a job if you had a career, or out of business if you were an entrepreneur as your competition must have taken over . In fact, it’s no news that if you want to succeed in business in this day and age, you must continuously innovate.

Now, if you must continuously innovate yourself or business to stay ahead of your competitors, why do you think it is okay to parent your kids in the same way you were brought up 20, 30 years ago? Why are you not seeking new ways to raise your digitized babies?

We have left raising our children to chance, the internet, gadgets, schools, teachers and religious organisations. We don’t do this to our businesses/careers? Why do that to your children? Your children are given to you to nurture, teach, guide and train and it is a role you shouldn’t take lightly.

Raising children in this digital age is different from our days where we were raised with restrictions. In the digital age, there are no restrictions. Everything is out there , whether you like it or not. This makes it challenging for parents to raise their children, if they don’t become deliberate and intentional about it. The days of trial and error are long gone. We need to start to seek help where necessary, because in this day and age it is so easy to lose a child.

Why?

Because the world is moving too fast and children are easily carried away if they aren’t brought up the right way.

Want to learn how to parent right and excel in this business of raising your child? Here are a few helpful tips:

Be a role model
Your kids are watching. 80% of your parenting is made easier if you practice what you preach to your children.

Speak positively
Rather than label your child in the negative light, use a positive approach. For example, rather than say you’re a liar, say, you know you’re not a liar, so why did you have to lie?

Create and spend quality time with them
Spending as little as 30 minutes a day, intentionally, will have more impact on them than not spending any time at all. Your children will also appreciate spending this time with you.

Invest in your kids’ talents and gifts
If they’re particularly skilled at something say singing, be their number one cheerleader. Gone are the days you have to be a medical doctor to be rich and famous.

Involve them in your day to day activities
Even if you run a tight schedule, you can bond with them through routine activities like ironing, cooking and cleaning.

Listen to them and don’t be too quick to judge
Your kids are human beings too, ask for their opinion on issues concerning them and listen to them.

Be quick to apologize when you’re wrong
Some of our parents are guilty for always wanting to be right and never apologising when they’re wrong. Don’t be that parent. In fact, don’t be too surprised if your little one calls you out for not apologising. We are in 2019 after all.

Invest in getting knowledge
Some of us need more help than others when it comes to parenting. If you think you need more knowledge to raise your child(ren), get it.

Teach them through life stories
Children often connect better with stories, so ensure you teach them valuable life lessons in the same way. In addition, it is okay to be vulnerable with your children.

Teach them the power of choice and consequences of decisions
Help them to understand that the choices they make can make or mar them for life.

Pray for them and with them
Prayer is key when raising kids in this day and age. But, remember you have a part to play before God can do His. Some parents are quick to hide under the umbrella of prayers and forget their responsibility.

While it takes a village to raise a child, being an intentional parent, who puts in some work and thought, will surely help in the long run.

Source: Bellanaija

In self development September 24, 2019 By Esther Ijewere

EVA ALORDIAH: HOW TO GET OVER AN EX

Rapper and writer, Eva Alordiah shared a post on her Instagram page on how to get over an ex after breakup.

In the post, she talked about how moving on from a breakup is very important even though it seems hard to deal with especially when one has invested so much time in the relationship.

She wrote:

Why is it so Hard for you to Get over your #Ex? Have you thought about this at all or are you simply just deciding that you cannot get over them?
Breakups are hard, especially when you have spent time connecting and building with someone.
Unfortunately, sometimes, things end.
They just do.
But it’s up to you to realize when it is time to let go and stop fighting to hold on to things.

Do understand that the #Universe will always, always, bring to you that which is good for the nourishing and full evolution of your Soul.
If someone is meant to be in your Life, they will always circle back to you. No matter how long it takes.

But right now, you cannot continue to fight, and to grapple and hold on to people especially when they aren’t holding on to you.
All you’ll be doing is picking at the wounds, making the pain worse and delaying your own emotional healing.

As bad as Breakups are, they are in fact good for us.
They help us reflect on who we were in the past relationship, and who we want to be moving forward.
Breakups introduce us to a whole new Self that we never before knew existed.

So I challenge you today to face yourself, to get back into the sweet rhythm of your life and to Live again.

And stop telling yourself that you cannot get over them, for this is a Lie and Time will prove you wrong.

Stop holding on to the past, stop wishing them back. Because you doing so you cut yourself off from the present moment which is where Life is really happening. In the Now.

Let Time glide you slowly through the stream of Life.
Let time help you Heal.

No matter how painful it feels right now, you are going to get over them ❤

Watch video below:

View this post on Instagram

Why is it so Hard for you to Get over your #Ex? Have you thought about this at all or are you simply just deciding that you cannot get over them? _Follow @evaxalordiah _Follow @evaxalordiah _ BREAKUPS ARE HARD, especially when you have spent time connecting and building with someone. Unfortunately sometimes, things end. They just do. But it's up to you to realize when it is time to let go and stop fighting to hold on to things. Do understand that the #Universe will always, always, bring to you that which is good for the nourishing and full evolution of your Soul. If someone is meant to be in your Life, they will always circle back to you. No matter how long it takes. But right now, you cannot continue to fight, and to grapple and hold on to people especially when they aren't holding on to you. All you'll be doing is picking at the wounds, making the pain worse and delaying your own emotional healing. As bad as Breakups are, they are in fact good for us. They help us reflect on who we were in the past relationship, and who we want to be moving forward. Breakups introduce us to a whole new Self that we never before knew existed. So I challenge you today to face yourself, to get back into the sweet rhythm of your life and to Live again. And stop telling yourself that you cannot get over them, for this is a Lie and Time will prove you wrong. Stop holding on to the past, stop wishing them back. Because you doing so you cut yourself off from the present moment which is where Life is really happening. In the Now. Let Time glide you slowly through the stream of Life. Let time help you Heal. No matter how painful it feels right now, you are going to get over them ❤ _ #TheTruthonTuesday #Throwback #EvaAlordiah #EnergyGiver #WaterWomanEvaAlordiah _ ♡ ♡ ♡ PLEASE SHARE THIS to your WhatsApp and #InstaStories to keep the good energy flowing. Tag me 💥 ♡ Wanna talk to someone? GET A PHONE CALL with me to talk about anything. DM to Request Access.❤

A post shared by #EnergyGiver |11:11 Lightwork (@evaxalordiah) on Sep 24, 2019 at 1:30am PDT

In self development September 24, 2019 By Esther Ijewere

LOUISIANA WOMAN BECOMES POLICE DEPARTMENT’S FIRST BLACK FEMALE MOUNTED PATROL OFFICER

Black women are out here diversifying the #BlackExcellence portfolio! 25-year-old Catari Jackson just became the Shreveport Police Department’s (SPD) first Black woman in Mounted Patrol, the Shreveport Times reports.

Jackson has been a patrol officer with the SPD for four years. When she transitioned departments to Shreveport’s downtown area, she was informed that she would be going to “horse school” as a training requirement for officers in that area.

Jackson didn’t know she was literally blazing a new trail. While completing her four-week course to get certified in Mounted Patrol someone told Jackson, “Um, have you noticed you’re the first?” The thought never crossed her mind. Jackson spoke to the press saying, “It’s a great feeling…God placed me here to be an example for other young women.”

Photo courtesy of Emily Enfinger/The Times

The image of Jackson in uniform and with her horse is a welcomed one. After a Shreveport Police group on Facebook shared photos of the new members of the Mounted Patrol, the ones featuring her received a plethora of likes and shares.

We’re excited for young kids and other women in Shreveport and beyond to see this type of representation. Congratulations Catari! We wish you and your horse, Rock, the best in your new endeavors!

Source: BOTWC

In self development September 21, 2019 By Women of Rubies

KIM KARDASHIAN BARES IT ALL ABOUT HER STRUGGLE WITH PSORIASIS

Reality tv star and beauty entrepreneur, Kim Kardashian opened up about her struggle with Psoriasis for the past eight years.

In an in-depth essay she shared on Kourtney Kardashian’s website, Poosh, Kim revealed she first experienced the condition in her twenties, but it came back strongly in her thirties and this year, it was at its all-time high.

According to Poosh :

Earlier this year is when it got extremely bad – it covered my whole face and a majority of my entire body.

Today I’m sharing with Poosh my journey with the autoimmune conditions psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, including what’s worked for me and how I’ve adjusted my life since being diagnosed.

It’s been 13 years since I experienced my first psoriasis flare-up…. I am the only child my mom passed down her autoimmune issue to. Lucky me, lol. When I was 25, I had my first psoriasis flare-up.

I got a common cold, and since psoriasis is an autoimmune condition, this triggered it. It was all over my stomach and legs. Luckily, in my apartment complex at the time, my neighbour was a dermatologist.

I have learned to live with this spot without using any creams or medication—I just deal. Sometimes I cover it up and sometimes I don’t. It doesn’t really bother me

If you have psoriasis, you can’t let it ruin your life or get the best of you. You have to do what you can to make sure you are comfortable but not let it take over.

I hope my story can help anyone else with an autoimmune disease feel confident that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Click here to read the full story

See Photos below

Photo Credit: Poosh

Credit: Bella Naija

In self development September 21, 2019 By Women of Rubies

“PLEASE DON’T TATOO MY FACE ON YOUR BODY” -SINGER CELINE DION BEGS DRAKE

Singer, Celine Dion has pleaded with Drake not to get a tattoo of her face, two years after he told her he wanted one.

The Canadian stars met at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards where Drake, 32, told Celine, 51, that he was “‘like a year away from a Céline tat” on his body.

Speaking at the time, Drake said: “It means the world, you’re very iconic. We love you. I’m like a year away from a Celine tat.”

However, now Celine has issued a public plea to Drake not to get the personal inking.

But in a recent video for iHeartRadio Canada, Celine said: “Please Drake, I love you very much. Can I tell you something? Don’t do that.

“You can write me love letters, you can send me autographs for my kids, you can come and visit. I can have you home for lunch or dinner… we can go for a drink. We can sing together. Whatever you want to do – I can talk to your mother – whatever you want! But please…”

Celine added she didn’t want Drake to get her face etched on his body as due to aging, the tattoo will eventually wrinkle and her face will look “not pretty”.

“This is not the money maker over here, first of all,” she went on. “But the thing that I want to say to you is that all of us here, we are going forward in life. I’ve always been very thin. And as time goes … as you go older — you too, when time comes — my face will go longer and it will go not prettier. So please don’t tattoo. If you do it, just do a fake one so you can change your mind.

Credit: fabwoman.ng

In self development September 18, 2019 By Women of Rubies

RITA CHIDINMA: MY BABY WAS JUST 6 MONTHS OLD WHEN I FOUND OUT I WAS PREGNANT AGAIN!

I was sitting at the hospital, cradling my six-month-old son, trying to process the information I had just received. How could I be more than three months pregnant, and have a six-month-old baby? How? I mean, I was exclusively breastfeeding. We had just introduced my son to water and puree foods. How?

I couldn’t believe it. I don’t know for how long I sat on that hospital bench before I decided I was strong enough to leave. The tests had to be wrong. Surely. Nigerian hospitals, probably my blood sample had been mistaken for someone else’s. There had to be a mistake somewhere.

I was really pregnant.

So we had two boys, exactly eleven months and three weeks apart. Crazy, right? During those nine months I completely shut myself off from everything and everyone, ghosted, like the millennials call it. I couldn’t believe I was in such a situation. Needless to say that it was one of the most difficult periods of my life. I couldn’t wait for it to be over. I believed things would get better once we had the baby. I was borderline depressed.

Labour eventually came, and I almost didn’t survive the day. I was in so much pain, probably because my body was tired and had very little or no time at all to recover from the first birth.

On that bed I kept wondering how I got into that situation, and if I could ever get out. But we survived. My second son came, finally, and I thought it was all over. I could move on with my life. I’d never have another child. All I had to do was return back to my normal self and raise them. Sigh. Little did I know.

We were completely unprepared for the reality of having two babies that were twins, yet not twins. We had to employ a series of helps and nannies that initially came to help, but took advantage of the situation and began to make all kinds of demands. We had to endure, because, I mean, we actually were helpless. The hubby worked full time, and so had to be away most of the time. But he helped as much as he could. I was a corp member then, and had been given maternity leave, so I was home full time. I can vaguely recall one of the nannies telling the hubby, “You know this your wife likes to keep her face somehow.”

At a point, we found ourselves completely alone with two babies, two of them so similar and yet so different. Most nights, with my sleep-clogged eyes, I couldn’t tell which particular baby was crying until I got to their cribs. Suffice it to say that it was a very trying time for me.

So I’m thinking that it’s either exclusive breastfeeding is not a reliable means of contraception, or I’m one of the very few it has failed for. Either way, it was a very difficult experience, one I never wish to relive again. Oh, and the boys are all grown up now, with the second one well over two years old, with a few weeks old baby sister.

I guess it all worked out in the end.

Credit: Rita Chidinma, Bella Naija

In self development September 17, 2019 By Women of Rubies

CHUKWUNETA OBY: SOBER MOMENTS….

I have had so many sober moments but the most recent one came about a few weeks back while looking after a loved one at a clinic.

Granted that the hospital environment can be quite depressing, I was so unprepared for the sobering moments I experienced there. I saw every imaginable orthopedic/surgical case ranging from broken/disfigured limbs, gunshot wounds to severe burns, etc.

While there, I tried so much to confine myself to the room, as most of the sights were gory, but one could not help running into them every now and then.

It’s so touching to see someone in severe physical and emotional pains, being so calm, looking into their faces, one saw gratitude for being alive, acceptance of “what is” and hope for a new beginning.

My initial reaction was that of fear and dark imaginings, asking myself what I had to do if I were in their shoes, and then followed by an exclamation of “God forbid, not my portion!’’

Then it dawned on me that they probably said more, thus life never announces the misfortunes that can come one’s way, but what is important is how we choose to take it.

This changed my perception of things and I began to see each and every one of them as heroes, not just because they survived what came their way, but more because of the positive attitude with which they carried their crosses.

I began to reach out, remembering them more in my prayers, having a kind and encouraging word plus a ready smile for all that came my way.

Two lives were lost while I was there and the pain of the relatives cannot be described.

While there, I met a very beautiful lady, who survived (though immobilised at the moment) an auto accident that claimed the lives of her husband and their only child. Thus came the end of her three-year-old marriage. I have never ceased to marvel at her strength, much as I know she could be going through a lot emotionally.

Her calmness shames me!

I also met a young lady in her early twenties, a university undergraduate; she was going back to school when the accident happened. Her spinal cord was affected and she is confined to a wheelchair at the moment, she has spent over a year at the hospital.

I will not forget little Samuel, whom we all call “mulanky.” He is a gregarious two-year-old, very cute. Samuel had a name for everything and everyone; one became so fond of him that I felt bad the day he was leaving the clinic. He was there due to a broken limb.

In all, I believe this little “getaway” has once again reminded me how precious life is and how lucky those that are in good health are. It has also reminded me to remember the sick more in my prayers.

I was particularly impressed with the various church groups who found the time to come around, talk to and pray for the sick. That to me is priceless, letting someone know you care enough to make an effort to come visit them in the hospital, even when they are not personally known to you. The psychological benefit (to the sick) cannot be over emphasised.

This taught me that “it’s all in the efforts we make,” and in this sober moments, I have resolved more than ever to be thankful for the blessings of life, however small, to be a blessing to those around me and humanity in general and never take anything(life especially) for granted.

I am learning to live my best life daily because one is only sure of now…the next minute is not guaranteed.

The whole experience really got me thinking…how beautiful and humane it will all be if people begin to send a little something to hospitals of our choice for babies like little Samuel, who had to stay back after they had been discharged…for lack of funds to offset hospital bills. The Samuels of this world will have access to good and prompt medical attention if we all make efforts in that regard.

It’s the least we can do for the little ones in our world. Please look around you, choose a hospital or reputable charity organisation for this purpose.

I must also add that it is not enough to make this commitment, monitor how the funds are being dispensed; make an effort to meet some of the beneficiaries whenever you can. You have learned to appreciate life more and it’s so soul- cleansing to know you helped give a child a chance to stay healthy and alive.

I am currently compiling a list of general hospitals to recommend for charity purposes. If you need suggestions, please contact me via SMS.

God bless your efforts.

Credit: Chukwuneta Oby, Guardian Woman

In self development September 16, 2019 By Esther Ijewere

REMEMBERING BLACK HAIR CARE PIONEER AND FOUNDER OF AFRO SHEEN, JOAN JOHNSON

According to the Chicago Sun Times, Joan Johnson, co-founder of the trailblazing Black hair care company, Johnson Products, has passed away at the age of 89.

In 1954 Joan and her husband George Johnson, started what would become the world’s largest Black owned business, Johnson Products. The two started the company with a $250 investment on the South Side of Chicago. The hair care company dominated the market for decades, with famous trademark products like “Afro Sheen.” Johnson Products sales eventually grew from about $4 million in 1967 to $40 million in 1976. Read that again, $40 million in 1976!

Johnson was relentless in her business pursuits and even more relentless in uplifting and empowering other Black businesses and business owners. Johnson Products became the first company to sponsor the hit variety show, Soul Train, helping to elevate it to a national audience. Johnson also helped to sponsor and organize the Congressional Black Caucus Fashion Show, served as a board member of the Museum of Contemporary Art and was a member of the women’s boards at the University of Chicago and Northwestern University. She also served as a trustee of Spelman College, where she donated to an annual scholarship fund.

Eric G. Johnson, the oldest son of the hair care maven said she passed away last Friday evening, after a lengthy illness stemming from a 2005 accident that caused her to undergo five back surgeries.

“I look at my mother as a pioneer,” Eric Johnson said. “She and my father had no provided path. They created a path where there was none.”

Johnson also said that while his mother spearheaded the business, his father served as the creative genius behind the products.

“My dad could come up with brand names and products, and [my mom] brought the culture of integrity to the company. People had a great deal of confidence in her ability to make the company successful,” he said.

As a result of the couples joint efforts, in 1971, Johnson Products became the first Black owned company to be traded on the American Stock Exchange. The company also frequently came in at number one on Black Enterprise Magazine’s list of the nation’s largest Black owned businesses. The Johnsons were awarded with the magazine’s highest honor, the A.G. Gaston Lifetime Achievement Award.

Eric Johnson said his mother “set a direction and standard” for the family. “Because of her, people have been able to accomplish things they maybe didn’t think they could, and they knew all the things they had to strive for.”

Because of Her, we can!

Source: Because of them we can