Bet On Yourself, Sis!

Why do women make the best leaders? Because our default (or maybe it’s our programming) is to always put others before ourselves. Now, that isn’t always a good thing. Prioritizing yourself needs to be non-negotiable, and that is where many of us struggle. So this episode of Bet On Yourself, Sis!, is an ode to that. It’s for you! The Black woman entrepreneur who is striving to put herself first while you do all the things.In this episode I interview Taryn Finley, who is a storyteller and solopreneur dissecting culture at the intersection of race, entertainment and politics. She shares her journey from graduating Howard University (the real HU) to becoming a successful culture journalist and entrepreneur. She discusses the challenges of transitioning from college to the workforce, the importance of community and self-belief, and her experiences in the media industry. Taryn emphasizes the need for Black creators to support one another and the significance of pursuing one's dreams despite societal pressures. She also reflects on her entrepreneurial journey and the lessons learned along the way. In this conversation, we delve into the emotional complexities of job loss, the importance of self-care, and the transformative power of sisterhood among Black women. We talk:4:49 - Navigating post-graduation challenges15:09 - Taryn’s shift to entrepreneurship20:12 - Building a career in media39:07 - Fearlessness and personal growth49:34 - Empowerment and trusting yourselfReferences for Black Women Entrepreneurs and Business Owners: The Artist’s Way by Julia CamerOctavia ButlerHuffington PostThe RootTakeaways for Black Women Entrepreneurs and Business Owners: The importance of community and collaboration for Black creators.Research is important, but taking action is crucial to success.Sisterhood among Black women provides essential support and empowerment.Fearlessness is a muscle that can be developed over time.Being “selfish” can be a positive act of self-preservation.Affirmations can help reinforce self-worth and confidence.Bet On Your Community, Sis!Connect with Taryn! - IG @_tarynitup - Substack Let’s Stay Connected - Website tarynfinley.comConnect with Pink Lady! - IG @pinkladyprod - Tik Tok @pinkladyprod - LinkedIn @pinkladyprodFollow Bet On Yourself, Sis! on social media - IG @betonyourselfsis - Tik Tok @betonyourselfsis - YouTube @betonyourselfsis

What does wellness mean to you? Is it just something you hear white people talking about on social media? Or is it about living a fulfilling and healthy life? If you have no idea, that’s cool too, because on this episode of Bet On Yourself, Sis!, my guest Zikea McCurdie drops all the gems you need to get you started on your wellness journey today. Zikea is a health coach and wellness advocate, and in this conversation, she discusses the multifaceted nature of wellness.Zikea highlights the importance of access to wellness resources, the various dimensions of wellness, and the significance of social connections. Our discussion aims to empower Black Women Entrepreneurs, to embrace our unique wellness journeys and prioritize ourselves. Together, we explore the journey of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of maintaining curiosity and childlike wonder. We discuss the challenges faced by Black Women Entrepreneurs, including mindset shifts related to scarcity and control. We also highlight the necessity of being adaptable and open to pivots in your career, while stressing the importance of self-investment and wellness. Ultimately, we encourage you to prioritize your own needs and dreams as you navigate your entrepreneurship.We talk:3:13 - Understanding wellness beyond stereotypes12:02 - Mindfulness and being present26:56 - Embracing curiosity and childlike wonder32:52 - Navigating challenges in entrepreneurship45:09 - The power of the pivot50:32 - Investing in yourself as a Black Woman EntrepreneurTakeaways for Black Women Entrepreneurs and Business Owners:"Be where your feet are.""Curiosity drives entrepreneurship.""Scarcity mindset holds us back.""Don't be afraid of the pivot.""Baby steps are still progress."Bet On Your Community, Sis! Connect with Zikea! - IG @doseofvitamin.z - LinkedIn @zikeamccurdieConnect with Pink Lady! - IG @pinkladyprod - Tik Tok @pinkladyprod - LinkedIn @pinkladyprodFollow Bet On Yourself, Sis! on social media - IG @betonyourselfsis - Tik Tok @betonyourselfsis - YouTube @betonyourselfsis

Depending on others is an important part of life, personal and professional. The problem is that many people have a one-sided point-of-view. They network to see what you can do for them, instead of building a mutually beneficial relationship. And, that is just one key that we talk about in this episode of Bet On Yourself, Sis!, so I hope you caught it! Today I sit down with director, writer, and producer, Eboni Price. In this conversation, Eboni shares her journey in the entertainment industry, and how she balances it all. She emphasizes the importance of networking, discipline, and professionalism, and she provides valuable guidance for aspiring creatives navigating the industry. She discusses her experiences in both independent and studio filmmaking, the challenges of the starving artist mindset, and the necessity of setting boundaries to avoid burnout.Eboni and I explore the challenges and joys of creativity, the significance of mental health, and the need to harmonize work with self-care. Eboni also highlights her work and the creation of the film 'Hard', highlighting the importance of storytelling and representation in media.We talk:06:51 - The starving artist mindset19:40 - Discipline and boundaries in creative work25:40 - Finding balance and avoiding burnout33:20 - Navigating entrepreneurship48:12 - Creating 'Hard': A personal journeyEpisode References:On The Set Camp42 (2013)Bad RobotShondalandD. StevensDawn GilliamNoelle GreenJohn SingletonConnect with Eboni! - IG @willfilm4food - LinkedIn @eboni-p - Website willfilm4food.com Connect with Pink Lady! - IG @pinkladyprod - Tik Tok @pinkladyprod - LinkedIn @pinkladyprodFollow Bet On Yourself, Sis! on social media - IG @betonyourselfsis - Tik Tok @betonyourselfsis - YouTube @betonyourselfsis

This episode is for you. You have that idea on your mind, but you’re letting what you don’t have get in the way of what you could have. You feel fear, doubt, and all the other things holding you back. And, you just need that bit of encouragement. Well, here it is! In this episode of Bet On Yourself, Sis!, I sit down with Denese Longsworth and we discuss the importance of asking for help, building visibility, and fostering community engagement. Denese is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, creator of community, podcast producer, voice over artist and public speaker.In this episode, Denese shares her journey in both navigating the podcasting industry and creating her own social work agency. She highlights the importance of community, collaboration, and support among Women of Color. And, she discusses her experiences and challenges in creating Podcasters of New Jersey and the PODWORK Virtual Summit.Denese and I emphasize the value of relationships and the lessons learned from rejections, ultimately advocating for supportive communities that foster growth and empowerment. We explore how to build confidence through authenticity, embrace your unique journey, and prioritize your well-being while pursuing your goals.We talk:09:04 - The importance of asking for help11:58 - The role of community in growth21:10 - The value of relationships in entrepreneurship34:58 - Visibility and community engagement40:31 - Building confidence through authenticity54:19 - Entrepreneurship: responsibility and freedomEpisode References:Ann SmithDanielle Desir CorbettABF CreativeShirlz RejouisBlack Podcasters AssociationAfros & AudioDissecting Your PerspectiveEvergreen PodcastsBuilding Confidence and Success Through Affirmations with Deandre Raquel BaconBlack with BenefitsDiscovering Your Calling through Connection and Resilience with Erin PompaFrom Dream Job to Dream Life: A Cannabis Journey with Lucille VerdeConnect with Denese! - IG @deneseduran82 - LinkedIn @deneselongsworthConnect with Pink Lady! - IG @pinkladyprod - Tik Tok @pinkladyprod - LinkedIn @pinkladyprodFollow Bet On Yourself, Sis! on social media - IG @betonyourselfsis - Tik Tok @betonyourselfsis - YouTube @betonyourselfsis

“Black with Benefits” is a new audio series that brings mental health theories to life in an engaging story about a modern day situationship. It highlights cultural expectations, family dynamics, and societal pressures, especially within Black and Brown communities. And, in this episode of Bet On Yourself, Sis!, I get to sit down with its creators! Today I talk to Shirlz Rejouis and Denese Longsworth, and get all the details on the show.In this episode, Shirlz and Denese share the show’s writing process, their creative journey, and how they bridged theoretical knowledge with real-life examples. They also highlight the significance of their social work backgrounds in shaping the content of “Black with Benefits,” emphasizing mental health and community support. They reflect on their successful listening party, the challenges of work-life balance, and the need for boundaries in creative partnerships. And, they discuss the significance of community, support, and resilience in the entrepreneurial journey, encouraging you to embrace your identity and pursue your dreams despite the obstacles.This conversation truly highlights the importance of collaboration and sisterhood in your creative endeavors. Ultimately, we hope to inspire you to embrace your journey, learn from failures, and build meaningful connections.We talk:10:40 - Sisterhood and collaboration26:11 - Social work's influence on creativity32:15 - “Black with Benefits,” a peak into the story42:06 - Entrepreneurship: overcoming fear and building communityEpisode References:Ep. 17 - Rejection is Redirection: Walking in Purpose with Shirlz RejouisABF Creativebell hooksFrequency973prod Connect with Shirlz! - IG @i_5urelyrejoice - SubStack @i5urelyrejoiceConnect with Denese! - IG @deneseduran82 Follow Black with Benefits on social media! - IG @frequency973prod - Threads @frequency973prod Connect with Pink Lady! - IG @pinkladyprod - Tik Tok @pinkladyprod - LinkedIn @pinkladyprodFollow Bet On Yourself, Sis! on social media! - IG @betonyourselfsis - Tik Tok @betonyourselfsis - YouTube @betonyourselfsis