Late last year, I got an opportunity to appear on Cassandra Moutrie’s podcast, “Her Life, Her Story“. Each week, she interviews a woman of color in business, work, family and shares their unique stories to inspire and motivate others, and also to reclaim their voices. Being interviewed gave me an opportunity to reflect on my goals and priorities. Here are some snippets:
On taking the leap and starting a business with no resources or funding:
I was scared out of my wits… The challenge was believing that it could be done…I was my own obstacle, in terms of being fearful. What if it doesn’t go right? or we do not succeed? ‘What if I messed up?’ was always a thought in the back of my mind. I don’t know if budding entrepreneurs feel that type of pressure, that weight, but I did. And that was one of the biggest challenges for me to overcome was myself, and whether I was still enough and knowledgeable enough to pursue this. That was me getting over myself. It took many years to deploy in the first year of business and the second year, or third year. It just it was a growth that happened over time.
On mentoring others:
I think to those who would like to get into this space. Yes, they are living boldly. They have to be courageous, and they have to get into it. But I think to also those of us who are in that space, we have a responsibility to reach out to those who want to get in and that’s what’s missing. You got to pull people up. I don’t believe in pulling one person up. You got to make room for Others to have that opportunity. Because we’re out there and we have the ability we have the skillset and we’re brilliant. And get it done. We can get it done. So make room for others. I mean that’s part of what we do always we always create an environment where people can come in and ask for help.
In the future what it means to be ‘Free’
Freedom is for me is being able to do what you want to do in order to serve. Okay, free to do what it is that God calls me to do. Free to do without asking permission without making demands on others. I don’t want to be able to serve by trampling on others or making demands. So she’s gonna have a free spirit to be able to serve where she wants to serve. Do what she wants to do, and not to serve God and others but serve ourselves. Do what brings her joy, and what brings them peace.
LISTEN TO THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW
xoxo
Nicole
