Im not going to post any this weekend, being that it is the 4th of July weekend and all. Id like to wish you all a wonderfully blessed weekend. Be safe, no drinking and driving! Til next week!

Adopt it today!

Yesterday, while watching the BET Awards, Alicia Keys won an award for Empire State of Mind, and in her speech, she said that Empire State of Mind was not just New York, but a mind set where you can accomplish anything you set your mind to, where the sky is the limit.

My question to you is, Do you have an empire state of mind? I was told over and over that I could not get Queen Natural Beauty up and running, that the beauty industry wasn't ready for natural hair, that I couldn't pull of these events. But, because I have an empire state of mind, I have managed to do it all. Business is good and growing. We are planning our next event which is a beauty industry event and corporate sponsors are growing everyday.

What were your goals for this year? Are you living up to them? If not, I challenge you to do so and adopt an Empire State of Mind!

Why aren't you living your dreams?

As sure as the planets rotate around the sun, you were put on this planet for a reason. Think back to when you were a child. You had the biggest and best dreams. But somewhere along the path, into adult hood, you put your dreams aside, to work a regular job and do what "society" told you was best.
You see those with their own businesses and living their dreams and wish it was you. Well guess what, you can. We were born with the ability to achieve, to over come all obstacles. I'm living proof that what you put your mind to, you can achieve. I didn't have a red carpet laid out for me, nor a sliver spoon in my mouth, I'm a single mom and I have no support from outside sources. I'm building a business with no revenue, which many will tell you is impossible, but with my faith, my business is growing. The times get hard, I can contest to that, but hold on to what you know you are meant to do, hold on to your faith and you will make it though.

Here are a few of "my" tips of stepping out and living your dreams

1. Have a strong faith system. No matter who or what you believe in, believe in it. Have faith that your creator wants nothing but the best for you and he will see you through. When times get tough, your faith may be the only thing you have. To me, this is a necessity!

2. Discover your dreams. Somewhere through the years, you forgot what it is that you really wanted to do, what you are really good at. Take a weekend sabbatical and look deep inside you to find out where your passion lies. If you already know your passion, move on to number 3.

3. Have a plan. Passion without plan equals nothing. What are you gonna do with that passion? How are you going to turn that passion into revenue? What can you do with that passion that won't call for immediate start up revenue? Develop a business plan. If not a full plan, at least a one page plan that will put you on the right path. Is imperative to have a plan written down that you can refer to when needed.

4. Action. Step out on faith and move forth with your plan. You may have to take small steps at first, but make steps to move toward your goal.

As the process goes on, you may have to re-evaluate your plan, it will surely evolve, and grow into something bigger and better.

Leave this post today, knowing that you can accomplish anything your heard desires. If others can, why not you?

I salute you MJ!

I am a huge Micheal Jackson Fan! I remember the day he died. At was at work and I initially thought it was a hoax. About an hour later, CNN verified and I was in utter shock. Today, we remember Micheal for the successful artist that he was. He gave his childhood to make music for us, the world. On this day, June 25, 2010, every channel you turn on has a tribute to Micheal. On VH1 The Jackson's An American Dream, Fuse Micheal Jackson: A tribute, TV1 Micheal Jackson 30th Anniversary Special, Bet Micheal Jackson The King of Pop, and the list goes on and on. On twitter, its became a treading topic and on Facebook, profile pictures changed to pictures of him.
No, I didn't know Micheal personally, but I did know him musically. I still have a red t-shirt with his picture on it that I had at the age of 2. I can recite the words to most of his songs and I even have my three year old grooving to his beat.
On this day, I want to salute Micheal Jackson on his life long commitment to music and the world.
R.I.P
Micheal Jackson 1958-2009

Suing the city for 4 million? Really?

The city of Birmingham is being sued by the fishing and wildlife conservatory for 4 million dollars.
Now, I like animals and all, but this is ridiculous. In 2008, their was an accident on a lake that killed 2 million snails and about 20,000 fish (endangered). Because of this the conservatory's suing for 4 million. Why? I just don't understand. Those fish, that would probably be caught, killed and eaten, will not come back for 4 million. While we are suing over the death of fish, people are getting killed everyday, men, women and children are going hungry and again I say, "We are suing the city for 4 million dollars?". Makes absolutely no logical sense to me...

If you choose to leave comments, please leave on the blog...

Im speaking at the 2nd Annual Writers Symposium

As some of you may know, I am not only the lover of all things natural, especially natural hair, but I have also authored two cookbooks. That's right, your girl can cook! Now in the last few months I haven't been doing much cooking because I've been tied up with this line but I still have it in me!
Because of that I have been invited to speak at the second annual Writers Symposium in Atlanta, Ga on July 24th. I'm very flattered and yet excited all at the same time.

I'm gonna tell you now, I have absolutely no idea exactly what Im going to speak about. Normally, when I speak in front of a group, I speak from the heart, preparing NOTHING ahead of time, but something tells me that is not going to work in this group of hundreds of authors, bloggers, publishers and aspiring authors. I'm going to need some divine intervention because for once in my life, I'm at a loss for words on this topic.

Anyway, I really hope to meet you all at the symposium. If you have ever thought about writing a book, publishing a magazine, or anything dealing with the writing world, you want to be at this symposium! Experienced publishers will be there signing on new talent so this is going to be a must attend! Tickets are $15 and can be purchased on http://www.poartpress.com/about.html The event is July 24th from 8am - 4pm
Again, you don't want to miss this!

Celeb blogger? Really????

Today I heard something that seriously had me tickled pink... or shall I say I read it. I received an email from an event I will be speaking at later in the year and in the introduction they referred to me as Stephanie D, Celebrity blogger and owner of the fastest growing natural hair and beauty company. Celebrity??? That's a bit much don't you think? Sure, when you are a popular blogger people follow you religiously, which is not a bad thing, especially if you have something good to say, but to call me a celeb is ridiculous. I'm flattered, but again its ridiculous. A friend told me to accept it and embrace it, but I'm here to help and inspire others to come on this path that I have fallen in love with. That's all...

But I can admit, it made me smile :)