For starters, let’s be clear… this film will be empowering to ALL women but because the focus and intent is to highlight the adversities that black women have had to deal with when it comes to being looked at as equals in the work force, I want to encourage all African American women to see this documentary and fully embrace the message.

So, to review this documentary, I give it 5 HUGE stars for sure!

This documentary was filled with amazing stories of how despite what society may say, Black women can be successful in their own right.  Throughout the film you will hear details of the start ups, the challenges, and ultimately the success of some very well known African American women and the businesses they have created.

Some of the women featured are Lisa Price, founder of Carols Daughter, successful blogger, award winning  author, and digital strategist  Luvvie Ajayi of Luvvie Ajayi   

Melissa Butler, founder and CEO of The Lip Bar and Tonya Rapley, founder of the very successful financial awareness and wealth building business named  My Fab Finance    

 

 

Did you know that  Black women are responsible for over 1.3 million businesses in the country?

 

 

So while this film was filled with amazing stories, vibrant colors, positive energy and an amazing outpouring of  Black Girl Magic, there were several takeaways that it provided that all women of color should use as a catalyst for jump starting that business she has always dreamed of.

The Barriers

So for many of us, we have had to face certain barriers in life that would prove to try and hold us back from our dreams and often place a certain level of fear in our minds that we are not capable of successfully running businesses.

Things such as domestic violence or financial trauma are both things that could be potential barriers. As victims of domestic violence women are often forced to deal with the emotional and mental scars that they were left with, but launching a business not only could fill a void of breakthrough independence, but also give you an outlet to pour your passion into and take control of something in your life whereas you may have been left feeling as though you had none.  Financial trauma can be the result of several things but never think- no matter the severity or circumstances that a bounce back is not something you are capable of. With the amount of resources available to women, learn how to take back control of your situation.

In the documentary, Tonya Rapley discussed how she went from being completely in financial shambles in her own personal life at the hands of an abusive man she was dating, to successfully building her empire and launching a challenge called Banish The Balance that helped over 4,000 participants pay off more than $200,000 of debt in 60 days, so it can be done!

Don’t ever make decisions based on fear. Make decisions based on hope and possibility. Make decisions based on what should happen, not what shouldn’t.

Michelle Obama

Different Household Dynamics

As young women, we all have different backgrounds, and our upbringings can take us down different paths but no matter what we were products of we can all successfully launch a business that could bring in generational wealth to carry forth.

So regardless of what you were exposed to as a child, whether you are the product of a one OR two parent home, had a child at a young age, or even lacked the “ideal” nurturing growing up, your upbringing can provide you with the determination you need to fuel your business.

Could your business be the exact thing you need to make a difference in your family history?

Support-Love Matters

 

Though being in a relationship is not required to be a successful business woman, know that having a person in your life that will add value is important on this journey.

Should you choose to share you life with someone make sure that it is with someone that will support you and lift you up during the inevitable times of frustration and turmoil in your business. Love built on a foundation of two people who support one another and understand the level of commitment it will take to be in business, can prove to be a successful element to this process.

When you have someone that has your back and willingly wants to help you carry the weight or simply give you that shoulder to lean on should you need them to, is a blessing to you and your business!

 

Self-Care Awareness

 

Throughout the process of building a successful business, you must realize that balancing your energy is key. The “superwoman complex” that many of us are plagued with can be a heavy source of depleting the mental, and physical energy you are going to most definitely need.

In the film there were key notes that stood out to support this thought such as:

• Knowing when you need help.
• Trouble with saying no.
• Learning how to compartmentalize different aspects, thoughts and ideas.
• Boundaries

All of these things are important for us to be aware of how they may be factors that are affecting us. You have to have full control of your life an always take care of you first.

Remember you are the root!

The business can’t grow without you and so the care that you invest into yourself  is detrimental to the process.

 

Collaboration Over Competition

Finally, I come to a very important dynamic when it comes to African American women in the self started business industry. The idea that more than one woman can’t be successful in what is often called an “overly saturated niche”.

For a long time and what still sparingly lingers, there are some women that seem to be in some sort of silent competition with other women doing the same things where as truth be told there is enough money out there to be made for all of us.

With such a touchy subject among some women, we still have an entire force of women out there that are actually passionately willing and wanting to collaborate instead.

They are figuring out lucrative ways on how to team up and do BIG things…together. They are supporting one another and lifting one another up. They are creating classes and courses, even setting up destination conferences and doing their part to make sure that the next woman is on the come up as well!

Here’s the thing, as creatives that are walking in our God given purpose, there is a plan for all of us. There is a blessing with our names written all over it and the more we engage in helping and giving towards others, the greater our own grace will be.

Collectively, as women we have the potential to do great things and build a mighty platform when we all come together with the determination, intelligence, and creative juice we were all blessed with.

 

When I dare to be powerful to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.

Audre Lorde

 

Renae Bluitt definitely blessed us with her vision and her presence as Creator/Executive Producer in this one ladies! Her tenacity for women building businesses and everything that goes along with that is captivating!

This is a MUST SEE!

If you would like to check out more about her or her blog, you can find it here at In Her Shoes Blog

So if you have always had dreams of building a business and seeing where all those amazing ideas could take you, I encourage you to just leap!

The biggest mistake you could ever make is not trying and never knowing what could be!

Until Next Time,

Peace & Blessings

La’Ray Renee