When asked about their future ambitions, most children will declare their desire to be a doctor, lawyer, teacher or another related profession. I, on the other hand, was unaware of the word entrepreneur, yet I knew and desired to be rich – and to do so by not working years and years for someone else’s company.
I was already in college and working at my first professional job by the time I encountered Cheryl Broussard’s Sister CEO book—and, it had a huge impact on my life and decision to go into business for myself. In addition to the knowledge from the book itself, I also wanted to share Cheryl’s motivation for writing this amazing work. At the start of the interview, she told me, “My inspiration for writing Sister CEO: The Black Woman’s Guide to Starting Your Business came when I noticed a disparity in the media of recognizing entrepreneurial ‘women of color.’ I knew these ladies were out there, but I never saw them in any of the top business magazines. I also believed that women of color would never reach income equality working in Corporate America. My goal was to show black women the value in starting their own business.”
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Cheryl, like yourself, the women in the Leaders in Heels community are simply extraordinary. Your brilliance has spanned across multiple industries, including being a successful financial professional, a multi-bestselling author, being a coach/mentor to other aspiring female entrepreneurs and soon to be a magazine founder and editor – of these roles, is there one that excites you more than the others? IF so, why?
All my roles as a woman entrepreneur: financial professional, author, coach/mentor and now magazine founder, stem from one passion – empowering women, from all parts of the world to their best selves. Each of the roles has been enjoyable, as they are similarly interconnected and elegantly feed each other. Presently, I’m excited about my current passion project, Jet Set Girl Entrepreneur University, and magazine. Because of the effectiveness and reach of the internet, it is feasible to inspire and help an untold number of women, no matter where in the world they live.
Have you always followed a personalized development plan, and had a mentor/coach for professional direction, support, and feedback?
Yes. Actively pursuing a personalized development plan and utilizing the services of a mentor and coach are traits of success-minded and focused individuals. I’m also a voracious reader. My books serve as virtual mentors and coaches. I highly recommend women read and continue gaining new knowledge on leadership, finance, and business.
Initially, I remember you from your black woman’s financial independence book. However, it was not until Sister CEO, where I was gob-smacked by its wisdom, that I felt the need to reach out and connect with you directly. Sister CEO is still one of my all-time favorites, even all these years after its initial publication. What was/were your motivation(s) for writing your books?
Sister CEO, I’m happy to announce, is still popular. I am very proud of this book. I believe and embrace my purpose in life—as a teacher of improvement and increase. My message is always about how to improve one’s business, life, and money. We are not put on this earth to suffer. We are here to prosper and live abundantly. And we each have the power within ourselves to make it happen. Unfortunately, few know of this power. Nor do they understand the tools that are needed to unlock it. Teaching about abundant living and using one’s mind power, as well as effective success-producing tools, brings me great joy and satisfaction.
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Effient use of time is the mark of a truly successful professional. How do you prioritize your time to accomplish all your goals?
Efficient use of time is definitely important for an entrepreneur and leader! It’s so easy today to get distracted. I’m still working on using my time more efficiently. My biggest challenge is taking on too many projects at once. Now that I’m wiser, I aim to do better about overextending myself. I do my best to not work on more than two goals/projects at a time. I recommend when you are prioritizing your projects, work on the goals/projects that will help you get the fastest results first, then pursue with fervor the other things you want.
Please share with our readers at least one or more signature books/quotes/sayings that keep you motivated.
There are two books I read over and over. The first is The Dynamic Laws of Prosperity by Catherine Ponder; and, the second is The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Dr. Joseph Murphy. Both works keep my wealth consciousness at a high vibration. A quote that I repeat over and over throughout the day is “God is my Source; and, I am Eternally Grateful!” This quote keeps my mind right when I have challenges. I believe everything will always work out.
Presently, what are your Top 3 to 5 entrepreneurial aspirations?
Today and for the foreseeable future, my sole aspiration is my current professional and passion project. It is my intention to build a successful online university for women entrepreneurs, and reach over 100,000 women. I want to start a global women’s entrepreneur’s movement that will empower and invigorate. Just recently a report from the U.S. Census Bureau stated a very slim closing of the gender wage gap. The median women’s earnings were 79 percent of men’s in 2014, up slightly from 78 percent in 2013. When you look at the numbers, it’s worse for women of color. “African American women make only 60 cents, and Latinas make only 55 cents compared to white men.” This fact is crazy in 2017! My goal is to help all women earn 100% of what men earn.
… And now, the signature questions asked of all interviewees
What do you do with fear?
I do my best not to let it affect me. I read something empowering, and I recite affirmations all day long to block out the fear. I also write in my journal and get out on paper what is causing the fear. Once it’s on paper, it doesn’t seem to be as strong. I also visualize the result of my goals and dreams. The more I focus on my positive desires, the easier it seems to deal with fear.
Would the you of today advise the you of yesterday (when you began your career) differently than the path you have traveled—knowing what you know now and after all you have experienced?
I would tell myself today to build a business that can be run without me. Now that we have the Internet, that’s 100 percent possible. The online university and the magazine can be put on automatic pilot and continue to grow for many years without my daily involvement. That’s a truly successful business, and this is what I’m now teaching to women entrepreneurs.
Simply for visiting www.thejetsetgirl.com, Cheryl is graciously offering everyone her latest complimentary e-book: “The Jet Set Girl’s Guide to Building a Million Dollar Online Empire.”