"And the Grammy Awards goes to..... "FOCUS"

Let’s meet Grammy Award-winning producer, Bernard “Focus” Edwards Jr. 

Bernard "Focus..." Edwards, Jr is an Atlanta-based Grammy Award–winning producer who first rose to fame when signed to Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment. Since then he has produced tracks for Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé Knowles, Busta Rhymes, Bishop Lamont, Tony Yayo, Stat Quo, Outlawz, The Game, Jay Rock amongst others “Focus” has taken on a new venture called the #TheCoSign is new brand that he is building with his brother , Ty Cannon, Mike Parker, and Grammy nominated producer Wyldfyer.  #TheCoSign is looking to build new talent (artist, producers, etc) and groom then and help them with their careers. 

How much research did you do before you made your move?

I’ve been in the music business for over 20 years so I definitely have been applying

what I’ve learned to my career.

What did your friends say when you told them about your dream?

- I’m not a real talker. They saw me move and I gave results. It’s awesome to have real people who stuck around (from the start of my career to now) that really know me to the core. They keep me very grounded…

Did you have any people who did not believe in you?

- TONS! Most of them were working with me at some capacity just in case I did make it…

Describe a life-defining moment of change?

- I lost my father, my mother and have 4 children. All of those things keep me motivated to press on…

 Did you have moments of doubts about what you wanted to do, and how did you over come it.

I have those moments daily! I get through them just by looking into my family’s eyes and realizing that it’s my God given duty to provide for them and protect them. Can’t stay weak for too long…

What did you do to stay motivated through the process?

There are a lot of processes that got me where I am. I guess that focusing on the end result is what kept me moving forward. I did the best I could to cut a pattern for my career unlike any other. I didn’t want to be a superstar producer, I truly wanted to be great at what I did and to be able to provide for my family with my talent…

Did you ever get down on yourself because you felt like you were not making progress?

Again, I do that EVERYDAY! I am my worst enemy. I have always been my worse critic. I expect better than best from myself and when I come up short, I am the first to let myself know what I did, how I went about it and where I could’ve done it more efficiently…

What advice would you give the person who is reading this blog and has been hesitant about granting themselves the permission to succeed?

PLAN AHEAD! Don’t take your first step without planning your first 20 steps. Get a proper foundation spiritually, emotionally and even physically. You will need strong support. In saying this, nowhere did you read ‘don’t move forward’. Make you move! AT LEAST YOU STARTED MOVING!!! Learn from that experience, regroup, rebuild, then EXECUTE!

Five years from now what’s your dream? Five years ago where did you want to be and are you closer or have you achieved your dream?

5 yrs from now, I would like to be with my family, serving God in the security of a beautiful paradise. 5 yrs back, I wanted to be legendary. I no longer equate my career to the reception of such titles, labels or accolades. I want to help mentor those who want guidance and direction. I’m not a know it all but I do care about people enough to help where I can help…

What advice or motivation would you like to leave the readers about giving yourself permission to succeed?

You can be your best motivator and at the same time, your biggest obstacle. Work at what you want to accomplish but don’t get in your own way!

Twitter @Efftripledot

Eff.tripledot@gmail.com

www.therealfocus.com

 

Ms. CEO, Mother, Author, Trainer, and Squirrel Herder

Let’s meet Sharon Myers, she is a personal, professional and business “Growth Strategist.” She is the founder and CEO at Myers-Tech, which offers professional and personal development training and management consulting services.  Sharon also founded Moovin4ward, which offers character and career development training and speaker business consulting services. 

How much research did you do before you made your move? 

I conducted TONS of research before I got started!  And I have all the binders of data from the last 15 years to prove it.  Fear of failure prevents me from taking a step without analysis.

 What did your friends say when you told them about your dream?

My friends all claim to have predicted that I would do what I’m doing.  I don’t recall anyone being shocked.

Did you have any people who did not believe in you?

I had one family member that said “no one in our family has ever done anything like this.  I guess if you fail, you can say you tried.”  I’m not sure if that was meant to be negative, but it did sound a bit like they didn’t believe in me.

Did you have moments of doubts about what you wanted to do, and how did you overcome it?

I did and do.  It typically occurs when I forget that my life is not my own.  God has chosen the path for me and sometimes I feel that I’m not worthy or capable.  But strength and encouragement comes from my wonderful friends and family, which puts me back on track.

What did you do to stay motivated through the process?

I visualized my success to stay motivated.  I often thought about how my success would benefit my family.

Did you ever get down on yourself because you felt like you were not making progress?

Yes.  

 

What advice would you give the person who is reading this blog and has been hesitant about granting themselves the permission to succeed?

Imagine what your life would be like if you DON’T pursue the success you want.  Now imagine what your life would be if you achieved it.  When you compare the two, isn’t it worth trying?

Five years from now what’s your dream? Five years ago where did you want to be and are you closer or have you achieved your dream?

I am definitely not where I imagined I’d be five years ago, BUT I am exactly where I need to be.  My dream has grown and shrunk, all at the same time.  Five years from now I hope to have learned more about myself and have used my strengths to benefit others.

What advice or motivation would you like to leave the readers about giving yourself permission to succeed?

It is hard to give yourself to succeed if someone else defined what success is for you.  Once you have truly defined what success means to you personally AND WHY, then you will have given yourself permission to achieve it.

Please check out Sharon’s site and support her business.

www.myers-tech.com

www.moovin4ward.com

www.mysbresource.com

ARM CANDY anyone?

Let me introduce you to Saratta Reeves, Saratta is the owner of Expressions Bracelets.  Expressions Bracelets is a bracelet design company that specializes in creating the trendiest, highest quality bracelets on the market today. It was created, Jan 2012, out of a need to allow your everyday woman the opportunity to express her style, her uniqueness through the bracelets she chooses as her arm candy.  As the owner and designer, Saratta studies fashion trends and researches the fashion industry on a regular basis to stay abreast of all the latest styles.  She wants her customers to accessorize like celebrities but at an affordable price. Saratta also does custom orders so that her customers can get a one of a kind, uniquely fashionable piece.

How much research did you do before you made your move?

I had already started 3 other businesses prior to launching this one and I had not reached the level of success I had hoped for. But I’m a risk taker, plain and simple. I knew I wanted to create something that was an expression of me and my creativity. After much encouragement from a close friend, I decided to start selling the jewelry I had already been designing, beaded bracelets. I jumped in HEAD FIRST, I researched later. I already knew what women liked, accessories and because I consider myself a fashionista, I already knew what the latest trend was, and these bracelets were ‘it’! I designed the product, focusing on the hot colors for spring (found through thumbing through magazines) and some neutral colors that are always a hit with any collection. The rest is history.

What did your friends say when you told them about your dream

Most didn’t understand and the common response was, “you starting another business?” However, I did have a few that believed in me and anything I did. I even had a friend invest $3,000 and another $700 just to help me get started. My friends have always known me as a hustler and this was nothing new.

Did you have any people who did not believe in you?

I had people that were not sure if THIS was the business that would be successful. Most people thought it was just a “cute” idea. I wouldn’t say they didn’t believe, I would just say, they didn’t understand. It is hard to understand the mind, drive and hustle of an entrepreneur.

Describe a life-defining moment of change?

The moment I decided to never work another 9-5, another corporate job, or have another boss was my life-defining moment. The year, 2010, when I was laid off from my corporate job at a Starbucks over coffee was the moment I vowed to never relive that moment ever again. That was the moment I became my own boss and began to control my own destiny. Plan A, professional, corporate business woman had turned into Plan B, entrepreneur.

Did you have moments of doubts about what you wanted to do, and how did you overcome it?

Yes, I had doubts and it took me a year to finally find something that worked. I had no choice but to overcome, I had bills to pay and no safety net. I got up every day, grinding and pushing forward. I looked at my parents and I knew I wanted more. I looked at my life to that point and knew I wanted better. I also had a person beside me this last year that has encouraged me and pushed me to step outside the box.

What did you do to stay motivated through the process?

I prayed. Along with prayer, I kept my eye on others that were moving forward with their dreams and the further head they got; the more motivated I felt to reach my goals.

Did you ever get down on yourself because you felt like you were not making progress?

Yes, but I had to realize that I’m a one woman show and until I can began to outsource, there’s only so much I can.

What advice would you give the person who is reading this blog and has been hesitant about granting themselves the permission to succeed?

Release the inner thoughts of doubt and focus on the life you could have if you only allowed yourself to reach your full potential. Create a dream board, or write down, 10 things you would do if you only had more money and/or time. Create an action plan to be able to accomplish one in the next year and keep reaching from there.

Five years from now what’s your dream? Five years ago where did you want to be and are you closer or have you achieved your dream?

Five years from now, I hope to have tripled my yearly revenue from my businesses, be traveling the world and I hope to be teaching other women how to start their own successful business. Five years ago, I wanted to own my own business, but I never envisioned it to be selling bracelets. Yes, I am much closer to my dream.

What advice or motivation would you like to leave the readers about giving yourself permission to succeed?

In order to give myself the permission to succeed I had to remove a lot of negative energy from my space, my life, my environment. There were many things that were holding me hostage and not allowing me to move forward, the most powerful of these things, my mind. I released the chains wrapped around my thoughts and made up in my mind that no matter the cost, I would succeed

If you are in the market for some great affordable bracelets, check out the links below and support this great product.

                                                                                                      

Website:

www.expressionsbracelets.etsy.com

Email:

expressionsbracelets@yahoo.com

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/ExpressionsBracelets

Twitter: @ExpressUrStyle

The Business of a healthy YOU!

      Let’s meet  Patrice Hooper and she lives in Maryland with her two wonderful children, Brandon, age 16 and Alexandra, age 12. She works for an unbelievable company that specializes in helping people improve their health. She is a passionate entrepreneur who cares about what we do and the difference we make in people’s lives.

How much research did you do before you made your move?

I have enjoyed what this company has to offer for nearly 8 years as a faithful customer. It was a

Natural transition to begin working with the company and sharing with others what I have enjoyed this entire time!

 What did your friends say when you told them about your dream

The response has been mixed. There are those that will support you no matter what you do and others that live their lives based on safety. I love my friends and cherish them dearly but I would not base my life decisions on their opinions alone. I value their input but the ultimate fire and belief has to come from within me.

Did you have any people who did not believe in you?

I am not certain they did not believe in me per se. The doubts were more industry based. There are many people that believe that the only successful career decision is to get a safe job. Any sort of entrepreneurial endeavor is not open for consideration.

Describe a life-defining moment of change?

My life defining moment happened after my marriage of 20 years, business and business partnership of 10 years all fell apart in a six month period. I was certain that my life was over. I was down for the count. I floundered for a little while but eventually decided that the only way out of any crisis is through. The more you avoid the hard trials, the more likely they are to follow you. Sometimes, it is only by facing all of your trials, tests and demons head on that you come up higher and propel yourself forward.

 Did you have moments of doubts about what you wanted to do, and how did you overcome it?

Trial and error to be honest. I knew that what I wanted was possible but I doubted I had the ability and tenacity achieve it. I tried taking an easier path and that was more difficult than actually pressing forward.

What did you do to stay motivated through the process

A desire to show my kids that it was possible to overcome adversity. I did not want them to think that throwing in the towel when times were tough was the right course in life. Life is full of challenges and sometimes you have to push through to a brighter tomorrow.

Did you ever get down on yourself because you felt like you were not making progress?

Absolutely! Fortunately for me I was surrounded by supported friends and colleagues. I was willing to listen, learn, try and re-evaluate when needed.

What advice would you give the person who is reading this blog and has been hesitant about granting themselves the permission to succeed?

Pray. Seek. Dig deep. Think about what your life will really be like if you do not step outside of your comfort zone. The prize is sweeter than defeat could ever be!

Five years from now what’s your dream? Five years ago where did you want to be and are you closer or have you achieved your dream?

10 years from now my youngest child will be graduating college. My home will be paid for in full. I will be debt free and in great health. I will travel. I will achieve these life enriching goals because my company and business will flourish between now and then. Five years ago I was six-figures deep in debt, in danger of losing my home, nearly 100 pounds heavier, spiritually disconnected and just interested in surviving. Where I wanted to be now is just surviving. Because I was not willing to dream big then, I did not give myself permission. In spite of that, I have paid off most of the debt, saved my home, have lost about 90 pounds and have a richer spiritual life than I ever have before. Now that I have given myself permission to succeed, I am looking forward to the next 5-10 year span.

 

What advice or motivation would you like to leave the readers about giving yourself permission to succeed?

No one else can grant it but you.

You can learn more about Patrice and her business  at

www.patricehooper.com

Email: PatriceShooper@yahoo.com