Emotional Day

Tanita Eakins, Chaundra Smith & Monica Lucas

Yesterday was a super emotional day for me.  I presented Naturally Me's first of many Scholarship to 2 very deserving single parents that attend Durham Technical Community College in Durham, NC.  I tried hard to hold back the tears but the tears eventually won.  One of the recipients said "you don't know how much this means to me."  I said, "I know more than you can ever imagine."

Yesterday was full circle for me.  10 years ago I was in their shoes.  I was trying to attend college with three young children ages 7, 10 and 12. I only made $13 hour, which was too much to get help from social services but not enough to live on. I received child support very sporadically.  When I did receive it, it was only $300 a month. 

I enrolled at Durham Tech because they had a single parents program that assisted students with childcare and textbooks.  Because of that program I was able to attend school in the evening.

It felt really good to be able to help someone help themselves.    I am so thankful that God blesses me everyday so that I can continue to be a blessing to others.

Fear is a Mother Skunner

I had my first mammogram this morning.  I was all worked up and nervous.  I listened to so many people.  Some said oh because you have large breast it’s going to hurt.  They will have to squeeze that entire breast under a plate and smash down on it. Because I believed them, I could barely sleep thinking about the pain that I was going to receive in the morning. 

I should go back and slap everyone that told that lie lol.  It took longer for me to get undressed than the whole procedure.  The side view picture was a little uncomfortable only because of the way I had to stand.  But other than that, I felt absolutely no pain.

While you are growing your business, you will hear all kinds of horror stories from different people.  You will hear, no one will support you; everyone will want your product/service for free; if you open a store no one will come.  What if Mr. Walmart, Mr. Kmart and Mr. Target listened to the naysayers?  Don’t let someone else’s fears dictate the success of your business.  Get rid of the fear and go for it.  Like I always say, what God has for you is for you.



Much Needed Rest

Have you ever felt guilty for getting some much needed rest?  Well sometimes I do. Being an entrepreneur often means that you are the CEO, VP, shipping clerk, customer service rep and janitor.  There is always something to do.  Sometimes when I'm supposed to be resting, I never fully rest because my mind is racing at 100 mph.  I feel like while I'm laying in the bed or lounging around the house, I could be answering emails, I could be doing facebook or twitter updates, I could be return calls, etc.  Well like I have always been told, if I don't take care of me, then the whole ship will sink. Don't every feel guilty for getting some much needed rest. Even God rested after creating the earth.Today will be my day of rest. Well at least a 1/2 of day of rest.  I'm taking baby steps :-).

Doing the Happy Dance

Today is a very happy and exciting day for me.  Naturally Me is a finalist in a contest sponsored by Office 365.  ThiToday is a very happy and exciting day for me.  Naturally Me is a finalist in a contest sponsored by Office 365.  This contest is huge.  We beat out over 400 contestants and made it to the top 10.  We've already received Office 365 for a year for up to 25 users and a Kodak video camera.  5 of the finalists will receive $25,000 in cash, $25,000 in advertising dollars and a day with a Microsoft Executive (can you say "HUGE").

I am sooooooo excited that I can hardly work.  I have been smiling ear to ear every since I found out.  Winning this contest would be a dream come true.  It will not only allow Naturally Me to grow, it will allow us to finally bring on part-time staff.  I will finally be able to get more than 4 hours of sleep a night :-).

As an entrepreneur, we are usually limited on the amount of money available to grow our business.  There are hundreds of contests available to entrepreneurs.  That’s money that you don’t have to pay back.  Now you know Uncle Sam will have his hand out in April wanting his portion.  

I know a lot of us don't apply because we feel that we would never win.  If I had taken on that frame of mind, I wouldn't have made it to the finals.  It takes less than 30 minutes to apply for most of these contests.  Don't let opportunities slip through your hands because you feel that "I will never win".

Apply for as many contests as possible so that you can make your dream become a reality quicker.  Please take a moment to vote for us. https://www.facebook.com/office365?sk=app_177440328974903.  You have a chance to win a Samsung Notebook just for voting.

Have a super fantabulous day.