by Donna Maria on March 13, 2010
I maintained the Lifestyle CEO blog from September 2005 to September 2006. I recently reviewed it for content I could share with you here. This post, originally titled, “… And the Rich Just Get Richer,” is from September 26, 2005, and holds special meaning for me since I was once in-house counsel at a Fortune 500 corporation.
Not that there’s anything wrong with being rich, mind you. The problem is that when us common folks eking out a living doing either what we love (because we want to) or what we hate (because we have to) are constantly bombarded with it, it’s sickening.
One of the gag stories of the week is that so many newly bankrupt airlines are paying their attorneys millions of dollars while those who invested in their stock get an empty seat. And I haven’t even started on how it affects the employees. You know, those people who foot the bill so the company can get back on its feet just in time to promptly fire them as a cost cutting measure. Continue Reading…
by Donna Maria on March 12, 2010
I maintained the Lifestyle CEO blog from September 2005 to September 2006. I recently reviewed it for content I could share with you here. I was delighted to discover that nearly every post is more relevant today than it was when I originally published it. This one, from November 10, 2005, is one of my favorites. I hope you enjoy it.
Yesterday, my husband and I taped the Lifestyle CEO cable television show, and we did it with our kids at our sides. We waited until the last minute to secure our usual sitter, but she was not available so we were stuck. At the eleventh hour, a next-door neighbor agreed to help us, but since she was too young to stay in our home alone with the children, we piled into the car and went to the studio to tape the show.
Seeing my children sitting just feet away from me as my husband and I taped our television show reminded me that we really are creating the life we love. We are not bowing to traditional notions of what parenting should be like. We are making up our lives as we go along, doing things we love to do on our own terms and including our children every step of the way. The whole experience reminded me that you can either make things in your life the way you want them to be, or you can allow the world to dictate how your life should be. Continue Reading…
by Donna Maria on March 11, 2010
Failure is uncomfortable and embarrassing. But it is also empowering, if you allow it to be. For one thing, failure helps you empathize with others. This is good not only in personal relationships, but also in business ones. When you empathize with the failures and challenges of others, you are better equipped to enhance their lives with what you have to offer.
Failure also teaches you to ask for help. Whenever I try something and get nowhere, I reach out to friends or business colleagues who are already doing what I want to do. Sometimes I have to pay for their insights, sometimes it’s free. Either way, when faced with continually failing or improving my circumstances, asking for help becomes a no-brainer. Continue Reading…
by Donna Maria on February 19, 2010
This week, IBN member Lela Barker, owner of Bella Lucce in Columbia, SC, is launching an exciting new non-profit venture. From Morocco, With Love offers wonderful products imported from the beautiful nation of Morocco. I have seen this venture unfold from the time it formed as a seedling in Lela’s mind, so this week’s launch is especially exciting for me to watch.
Among the many lovely products Morocco, With Love offers is this lovely pair of women’s leather babouche slippers pictured above, alongside the company logo. In a minute, I will tell you how to enter to win a free pair in the color of your choice, plus another From Morocco, With Love treasure. Continue Reading…
by Donna Maria on February 14, 2010
Yesterday, I read a post at my social networking site by a person who hopes to one day own her own business. Her post shared her anger and disappointment at receiving a raise at her job of twenty-six cents, covering her past 24 months of service. I related to her situation since similar things happened to me from time to time when I was working for someone else.
My first thoughts were purely emotional. How dare someone treat her that way?! Who do they think they are? Then I remembered that a lousy raise does not lessen her value as a person, nor does it mean that she doesn’t deserve more. What it does point out is that she has options. Here is some of the advice I shared with her. Continue Reading…
by Donna Maria on February 11, 2010
This afternoon, I attended the Annual Pride Entrepreneur Education Program (PEEP) Luncheon. PEEP is a non-profit organization devoted to eliminating socio-economic disparities in the African American community by promoting education, financial literacy, attainment of technical skills and entrepreneurship. This video, produced by my company and presented during the luncheon, features the inspirational story of Dr. Paula Newsome, the first African American woman admitted to the American Academy of Optometry.
(If you are reading this via RSS or email and cannot see the video, click here.)
I Tweeted a few photos from the event, including this one when Anthony Foxx, Charlotte’s newly elected mayor, made a surprise appearance to address the hundreds of Charlotte area high school students in attendance.
PEEP was founded by Charlotte philanthropist Dee Dixon, publisher of Pride Magazine. The organization is doing amazing things to help young people in the Charlotte community, so be sure to find out more about how you can partner with them to make a difference. You can learn more about the PEEP luncheon here. You can connect with Pride Magazine at their website and FaceBook Page.
And be sure to call on Dr. Newsome for expert vision care from an amazing physician entrepreneur.
Question: Did Dr. Newsome inspire you? Will you show this video to young people in your family?
