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As posted on Denene Millner's "My Brown Baby" on November 5, 2012. See full post here.

Author: Akilah S. Richards

How is it that, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, our percentage of business ownership as black women in the U.S. is up 59 percent since 2002, yet we make up a mere 3 percent  of the $1.2 billion dollars in sales from women-owned businesses?

Unjust systems and long-standing, deliberately placed hurdles aside, many of us are learning to maneuver this new era of social impact through technology, and leveraging our skills with our passions to the tune of thriving businesses and comfortable lifestyles.

But on the real, the numbers of us who hoist sails on sinking ships with unstable businesses far surpass the number of financially and emotionally stable black women business owners.

Certainly, we do not lack access to the resources or the brainpower it takes to excel in business—so what’s the deal?

Business and Life Strategist Katrina M. Harrell and I have got a theory about these troubling truths.  It might ruffle your feathers a bit, but perhaps that’s a necessary part of your growth and ours.

The theory: Black women in business have been B.I.T.C.H.ing up, big time!

Yes, we BITCH up!  We get scared.  We stop trusting ourselves.  We take the shortcuts and we prioritize popularity over business ownership.  Many of us, myself included, spent years building a “popular brand”, without focusing on operating a business.

The results: High visibility, but low income.  Some success, but no real fulfillment.

I was a slave to the very thing I had built.  But thankfully, I got free.

READ MORE HERE...POWERFUL READ.

Rejection feels “icky” doesn’t it? It hits that space in us that we are uncomfortable with. That space that reminds us that we perhaps aren’t good enough or worthy enough. It reminds us of those childhood memories we would much rather forget. It just doesn’t feel good to be rejected by others.

We’ve all experienced it at some point in our lives, perhaps regularly. That feeling of wanting to retreat and hide in our “caves” after someone has rejected us or made us feel as if we weren’t “in the in crowd”. Or perhaps that family member who spoke to you in a manner that contradicts the symbol and role they are supposed to play in your life, confirming that “people are selfish or out to get you” It could also be the lost client contract or the new connection you made with someone on line who’s positive energy wasn’t favorably returned. It happens to us all at one time as we all have this undercurrent desire to be accepted and connected to each other. It’s normal for us to want to bond with others and co-exist with others. It’s part of our human DNA – but when rejection begins to take over our human existence, the feeling of wanting to be accepted begins to appear in an unhealthy way.

You know…

::Seeking approval over and over from others and feeling “empty” when not reciprocated

::Not knowing when it’s time to let go of a relationship or connection

::Making personal decisions based on what others think of you…

::The ironic disconnect from others (i.e. isolation or indifference because the world isn’t giving you “your way”)

or the most common for most people…

Living your entire life against the flow of your LIFE PURPOSE.

IS THAT HOW WE REALLY SHOULD LIVE OUR LIVES?

Click here to read more

What keeps you focused? What do you say when you feel ready to give up? There are moments when as women we simply get drained, and maybe even ready to throw in the towel. However there is a powerful restorative beauty in daily reminders of what is ultimately important to you.

“YOU.WILL.RISE. ->The myth of the phoenix describes the fire-bird who is burned to ashes with its nest. Out of the ashes a new egg is created and a new bird is born, who lives longer and more powerful than the original bird. Your ability to “reborn” after a personal set-back or failed business venture is important to remember. You may fail at some point, but it’s what you learn from the experience that will raise you to another level of excellence that ultimately creates the powerful businesswoman you are.” ~Excerpt from Embrace Your Journey: 180 Day journey of Spiritual Transformation for the Woman Entrepreneur-Day 1 (c) Copyright 2011, 2012 Sum of Her Publishing/Katrina M. Harrell

Below of 107 powerful mantras, reminders and affirmations for you on your wealth journey. Read them print them, share them, commit some of them to memory.

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1. 1. 1. Though it hurts…I will fight
   2. 2. Through my cry…is my triumph
   3. 3. Though I stand out…I’m the missing link
   4. 4. Through my sweat…is my breakthrough
   5. 5. Above all the things I need,  is courage
   6. 6. Though I waiver, I shall not fall
   7. 7. Though I pause, I shall not stop
   8. 8. Though they laugh , I shall smile
   9. 9. Though I’m heavy, my burdens are light
   10. 10. Though it challenges me…I am victorious
   11. 11. There is beauty all around me
   12. 12. There is power in the dark
   13. 13. BE. Is a complete sentence
   14. 14. The seed is the blessing
   15. 15. Sowing the good seed is the purpose of all..
   16. 16. Do not rush the harvest
   17. 17. There is power in incubation
   18. 18. Though it is hidden, it is transforming
   19. 19. Your breath is your life
   20. 20. You only have TIME…to be present
   21. 21. Through your haste, you spoil
   22. 22.Through your quiet you are loud
   23. 23. Through your faith you shall persevere
   24.  24. Though they may appear better, you have yet to shine
   25. 25. Your inadequacy is your power in the wrong space
   26. 26. Protect your peace, create your abundance
   27. 27. They’re not haters, simply the confused
   28. 28. Those that “hate” are confused about their own power
   29. 29. Clean your home…clear your mind
   30. 30. Your abundance is in your home
   31. 31. Your home is the manifestation of your universe
   32. 32. A messy mind creates a messy environment
   33. 33. Treadmills lead to nowhere, but the journey on the open road reveals abundance
   34. 34. Do not desire others to change, desire others to know who they are
   35. 35. The journey is in discovering that we all have the mind of God.
   36. 36. When in doubt…stop and clean
   37. 37. You do not need an answer…you simply need to be BE the answer
   38. 38. Lack of money is lack of order
   39. 39. When you receive the calling…do not shout it aloud…there is power in silence
   40. 40. Your calling requires cultivation
   41. 41. Do not compare that which is incomparable
   42. 42. You have everything you’ve ever asked for…stop looking, start seeking.
   43. 43. An upset stomach is an unbalanced life…
   44. 44. There is power in stillness
   45. 45. There is no lack, only the clog in the flow of abundance
   46. 46. The secret to success is in creating your system
   47. 47. Focus on the process…not the end result
   48. 48. You do not know what you do not experience
   49. 49. You do not understand what you do not learn
   50. 50. Wisdom requires courage
   51. 51. It is great to be seen…but better to be effective
   52. 52. Do not shout before it’s ready
   53. 53. Tears are the windshield cleaner of a cloudy soul
   54. 54. Perception is like a computer…it only outputs what you input, true or not.
   55. 55. All the world is an analogy…should you need the answer, look within.
   56. 56. At the end…I am you, you are me.
   57. 57. No one cares about what you do…only in the energy you bring
   58. 58. In all the chaos…clear the plate
   59. 59. In all the noise…remain still
   60. 60. In all the confusion…most is non important
   61. 61. Do not wait for a wakeup call…
   62. 62. Set the standard to which you shall live by
   63. 63. Even though it hurts…do not stop
   64. 64. Even though they pass you…continue at your pace
   65. 65. Even though they do not respond…continue to love
   66. 66. Even though they do not desire you…continue to grow
   67. 67. Though you may stop…you shall not quit
   68. 68. Though you may fail…you shall pivot
   69. 69. There is peace in a smile
   70. 70. There is power in empathy
   71. 71. Being who you really are…requires courage
   72. 72. Being who we agree to be, requires motivation
   73. 73. Worrying clogs the flow
   74. 74. Though there is not enough, there is plenty
   75. 75. Though they do not see, I shall reveal
   76. 76. Through they do not respond I shall…praise
   77. 77. Though they do not feel, I shall embrace
   78. 78. Though I am complete…it is not done
   79. 79. Though it is not perfect, it is ready
   80. 80. Though I still lack, I am abundant
   81. 81. A lion does not consult the bird
   82. 82. The bird does not request the permission of the worm
   83. 83. The worm does not fret its fate
   84. 84. A confused life is a confused business
   85. 85. A confused business is a wasted purpose
   86. 86. The secret to success is in what you eat
   87. 87. Lose the weight…gain your abundance
   88. 88. Wealth is your birthright
   89. 89. Liberation is in letting go
   90. 90. People do not hear what you say…they feel what you are
   91. 91. They do not need to know your every movement…only your every result
   92. 92. Over planning kills the flow
   93. 93. Control is fear of success in letting go
   94. 94. There is only one thing you must do…be present
   95. 95. Your creative energy is like the ocean…therefore do not haste
   96. 96. Control creates fear
   97. 97. Though you may not fit in…you are the secret ingredient
   98. 98. Children are the good seed…
   99. 99. Without faith…there is no life
   100. 100. If the seed does not harvest…evaluate the soil
   101. 101. Anxiety is the body telling you to slowdown. Stop, refocus on what’s important now
   102. 102. They do not “buy” you because you are not BEing “you”
   103. 103. The blessing is in the fight…the pull, the push, the tenacity…don’t give up
   104. 104. The greatness you see in others…is indeed the greatness you have yet to see in you.
   105. 105. Though they resist, you continue to push
   106. 106. You already know…you simply need the courage to agree and act.
   107. 107. The answer will not come by staring at the computer…but it will come in the stillness of a deeply rooted tree, the lean of the blade of grass towards the sun, the stretch of your limbs in stride, the peace in your mind a midst chaos, the chirp of the bird at the top of the morning, the wind we do not see, the moon that is ever present, the sun that sustains and nurtures, the perfection of the fruit, the restorative beauty of rest, the fall of the leaf, the spoil of the fallen fruit that resurrects new fruit, the laughter of our children. The peace you chose to embrace…no matter what.
   (c) Copyright 2011, 2012 Sum of Her Publishing/Katrina M. Harrell

There is infinite wisdom inside of you, waiting to unleash itself. Let's embark on this journey of self-discovery together. Visit www.amazon.katrinamharrell.com for a groundbreaking best seller written for the spiritual journey of Women entrepreneurs.

I WAS THAT GIRL...THE ONE WHO THOUGHT SHE HAD TO FIX EVERYTHING, CONTROL EVERY OUTCOME AND JUST BE IN CONTROL ALL THE TIME. Until I had a revelation...FEAR is a manmade myth and that when I learn to LET GO I gain control...enjoy the blog post below where I share my insight into my revelation and how you can uncover the same journey for yourself. ~Katrina

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I started my day as normal, clear focused intentions, meditation time and time to give thanks. I’m ready to hit my day swinging focusing on my W.I.N. and making things happen because that’s what creatives do. Then it hit me….my video camera battery was completely out and the video I needed to record early this morning to send to my list for registration to my 21 Day challenge was already 3 hours late. My kids were in full fledge “mommy! mommy!” mode and I felt the twinge of “ugh” reach my belly – an all to familiar feeling of…”FEAR”

I know the signs…frustration, annoyance “why didn’t I charge the camera up last night!!!” and even the feeling of putting off my objective for today for another day (procrastination). ALL the ugly signs of FEAR that in the past would mean I would find myself “fighting” to get through the day, needing to make sacrifices instead of choices. I wasn’t having it…afterall I wrote the book on learning to “let go” and Embrace the real journey of your life. No way I was going to start tripping today.

Instead I did what I have learned to do…I told FEAR to buzz off…in my Martin Lawrence voice I told it to “Get to Steppin’” because I know now that FEAR isn’t real. It’s a manufactured emotion we’ve created when the perception of the world doesn’t happen the way we “think” it should. In other words…I ignored the fear and instead found courage to make a different choice.

Why is Fear a Myth?

It would take me an entire book to explain how I have come and am still evolving to learn that FEAR is a big ole nasty myth that we’ve all purchased, but to put it in few words. Fear is a myth because all that there is is LOVE and ABUNDANCE. We’ve been conditioned to accept fear because we have also been conditioned that we cannot control but should fight to control everything.  You know…the client that doesn’t respond to the email fast enough or even the partner that doesn’t seem to “get” your point of view in business or maybe the product launch that isn’t selling. We feel as though we have to fight every battle in life…with only a few worth fighting. All those creepy thoughts that love to remind you that ‘fear” is a constant thing we must FIGHT-{a daily battle of external manifestations that don’t add up to our PERCEPTION of the world}. The constant reminder of Fear that we’re not good enough, smart enough, have enough money, our kids don’t do enough or fear that we’re not working hard enough to push past generational curses that we are determined not to repeat. So we MUST fight.

Continue to read the full Blog post here...

Here are some important things that you should remember about competition:

1) No One is Perfect. Your competition makes mistakes, and runs into problems, issues, and obstacles, just like you do.

2) There’s Room Enough For All Of Us To Be Successful. Don’t believe for one minute that the success of someone else, somehowcompromises your potential to be successful. This is simply not true.

3) What God Has For You, Is For You. No one can take it away from you. It’s all a part of a greater plan and purpose foryour life. No one can steal it from you, and only you can fulfill yourlife’s purpose.

4) Stay focused on your core vision/mission/passion, and you will always stand out from your competition. Why? Because you’re busy being the best that you can be.

If you’re an entrepreneur, and wondering how you can stand out from your competitors, or simply be competitive with companies or individualswho may have more resources than you do, remember these tips:

- Offer High value

-Offer great customer service

-Solve an existing problem

-Offer solutions and/or convenience to your customers in a unique way.

-Be accessible.

Remember, Competition is Nothing.