Successful Black Female Entrepreneurs

Full enthusiasm I picked up the magazine FAB. A magazine about female entrepreneurs in The Netherlands. Strong, brave and wise women with courage that started their own businesses. They left their comfort zone of working for a boss from 9 to 5 to start their own career. How great, how wonderful. I love to read these stories to inspire myself. As I turned the pages I saw all kinds of beautiful women passing by. I saw single women, married women, housewives all kinds of women with different backgrounds. I continued and went through the pages to look for a woman just like me. I turned the pages to look for cultural diversity. I looked, and looked until I finished the whole magazine. I got to the last page of the magazine and I couldn't find her. I couldn't find none of the women that represent every day women in the culturally diverse society we are living in today. I was very disappointed cause all I saw were the same women, page after page. But not one looked like women I see every time I step outside my door. Not one woman that looked like the Surinamese, Antillean, Cape Verdean, African, Dominican, Portugese women I know. I'm disappointed how is it possible that I didn't see 1 black female entrepreneur in the magazine. I'm so disappointed because I know that they are out there. These women are great in fashion, they are great in cosmetics, great in designing, great in finance, great in management, great in coaching, great in music. But they are not being portrayed in the media at all. Not here in The Netherlands where I live. Why are these women being covered as a secret to be forgotten?

Why do I have to go to an international magazine to read and see more about black female entrepreneurs. There are many, many black successful female entrepreneurs out here in The Netherlands. But they are not given any platform to share their story so they can be a role model for the ladies out here. I want to see and hear more about black female entrepreneurs I can relate to. Women who made it from the scratch. Women who haven't had mommy and daddy with a business of their own. I want to hear the stories of cultural diverse women who had to fight their way through to learn about businesses, to learn how to adapt into an unfamiliar culture cause they never been taught how to talk or how to negotiate with a CEO. I want to see and hear more of these stories. How did they climb up on that ladder, what steps did they took. What obstacles did they faced when they tried to be somebody in a world where no one knew their names.

I want to hear stories about women who didn't have any money in the bank and still managed to start her own business. All around the world, there are black female entrepreneurs making it. I was very happy I was able to turn into a magazine like the O' magazine or Essence to read about success stories of black female entrepreneurs but very disappointed I couldn't find it in a Dutch magazine.

I love to hear stories about women like Oprah and Lisa Nichols, women who had to deal with life and face their reality. Knowing that if they wanted a change they had to step out and change their whole surroundings. Their thoughts, their thinking and the people they hung out with.

I'm still disappointed that it's hard to find success stories of black successful women in The Netherlands. We live in 2015 and it shouldn't be like that. We still have to fight to be seen, to get a platform to share our stories. So I went on the internet and did some google research about black female entrepreneurs. And I found some amazing stories, that need to be shared. Stories to inspire every day women. Women from all cultures.

I have a short example: You may have never heard about it, I didn't until 2005. It was the year I went to the states with one of my dear friends Melissa van Hetten. Also a very inspiring and creative woman. We stayed in New York in Harlem and she introduced me to a beauty line and store called Carol's Daughter.

I was in 7th heaven when I stepped into the store. She told me about Carol's Daughter being introduced on The Oprah Winfrey Show and that it was used and supported by celebrities like Mary. J Blidge, Jada Pinket, Will Smith and Jay Z. We stepped into this amazing store on that day in October I immediately fell in love with the smell of all the products. Being a perfume lover, I couldn't resist to buy the perfume of Carol's Daughter. A sweet almond flavor. The women behind the brand is Lisa Price. She started making hair products in her Brooklyn, New York kitchen with just 100$. Today her homemade beauty line is a multi million dollar business. Unfortunately, I have to fly to the states or order it online if I want to buy a product from Carol's Daughter. Not that I don't like that, cause everybody that knows me, knows how much I'm in love with the states.

Madame C.J. Walker
(Hair/Scalp Products)
United States first self-made black female millionaire

There are more stories of black female entrepreneurs who made it. Starting from the scratch. These stories I want to see and hear more of. While I was researching I found 20 success stories of black female entrepreneurs I wanted to share. Click the link. http://atlantablackstar.com/2014/09/22/20-success-stories-of-black-female-entrepreneurs-you-may-not-know/

Definitely worth reading to inspire yourself and those around you. I know that there are many young ladies out there that want to dream big, that want to achieve more than where they came from but have never been in contact of what is possible. They have never seen ordinary people just like them making it. They never had role models, I believe it's very important to know what is possible to be able to dream about that possibility. If you have never seen success or prosperity how else are you gonna know what success is or how prosperity looks like. If you have never seen beauty how else are you gonna dream and have a vision about beauty.

To the world out there, to publishers, to producers, to the whole media industry here in The Netherlands there are many successful black women out there. Open your eyes and you'll see rich, successful colors all around you.

My Journey to Entrepreneurship

Being a creative artist I do a lot of research about entrepreneurship. I think all creative artists would love to live their life doing what they love to do 24/7. In a time such as today where it's not always easy to get that dream job or that job you so hard studied for. A lot of people start something on their own. It seems like the world is more aware now that we are not alive only to work and pay the bills. Everywhere around me I see people wanting to do something meaningful in their lives and something they love to do. For all we were not born to just pay bills in life.

Unfortunately, it sometimes looks like that for a lot of people. I noticed that a lot of people would love to quit their jobs and do more what they have been called to do, but they just don't know how? They just don't know the ways. They feel trapped, cause they have to go to work to pay the bills. But in their hearts they feel like they have been called to do something completely different. I had my moments too, everywhere people are saying just do what you love to do. But they forget that for some people, it's just not that easy. They need to know the ways.

I'm thankful I was able to go to college where I learned things about entrepreneurship, businesses, foundations and nonprofit organizations. But also about persistence, organizing and stepping out. I was able to be surrounded by students who started businesses or studying at universities this was a great way to learn about a whole new area I was unfamiliar with.

The only example I had was my mother working hard to raise up four children and paying all the bills around the house. So that was a whole other world. So I believe a lot of people don't know that it is possible to do a job or create your own job in the area you love.

I have always loved fashion, entertainment and acting. But in my world back then there was no way you could make a living in the art scene. You finish school and be happy you get a 9 to 5 job. Thank God I had the opportunity to break that circle. I know now that there are ways. For me it started with stepping out my comfort zone. Stepping out my familiar world.

I started to search for places where I could get in contact with people already doing what I dreamed of doing. Signing up at well known acting schools, agencies, participating in creative projects. Anything to be in contact with what I loved to do and around people in the industry. I realized that there were things I needed to learn they already managed. This was an adventure, but also very unfamiliar to me. Cause what was I gonna say or ask, I didn't know nothing or maybe just a little of their world. All kinds of questions would rise up. Where they gonna make fun of me? Thinking I am a complete #%@%?  What if I had nothing to say? I would feel so stupid. All kinds of questions that was able to keep me in my place. The place where I absolutely didn't want to stay in. I knew I had to step out of my comfort zone. Even though the world, I was living in where thinking I was a complete #@x%!. Cause I was thinking differently, I was thinking bigger and more, I was thinking about standing on top! And I'm still on my journey, going to seminars and meetings about entrepreneurship. I am aware I want to go a step higher than just performing. We all have multiple talents, why not bring them all together.

I'm learning a lot by making these decisions, by taking these steps. I'm not completely where I want to be yet, but thank God I'm not where I used to be.

Everyday I'm learning,  I'm fascinated by young professionals and entrepreneurship. Being a creative artist I want to create my own social, creative shows to inspire others. There are a lot of ambitious and creative people out there that just can't find the right working place where they can do what they have been called to do. I've been dealing with that struggle too. After looking for that dream job for 4 years, long after graduation. I now had a bachelor of Social Work but couldn't find a job in my field and what I have studied for. Since then I made the decision and decided I'm gonna do whatever I need to do to put into practice all that I have learned and what I'm passionate about. So that brings creativity, education, social, talent, self esteem, awareness and compassion together under one roof. I love being creative with poetry and theatre sharing, education and information to bring self awareness to people. Awareness of who they are and what they are capable of. Awareness about their influence and about what's going on in the world. I have a compassion for those in need and want to give them a voice and share their stories. Where I can, I want to help others too. I believe we all can do something around us, in our area to help others.

Today I want to share some valuable, powerful words that I read that inspired me to write this article. I have been reading books from people that Inspire me. Last time I read a book from Ivanka Trump. Very inspirational for women that want to follow their dreams, for women that want to follow their hearts in life and in business. Last week I bought a book from daddy, Donald Trump himself. I never knew this man could be so inspirational. But I want to learn and read more from people who are successful in business and in life. I decided and made the decision to read more about those who are already doing it and have proof to be a Master in it. I absolutely believe It's a waste of my time sitting in front of the television watching entertainment series without a purpose. I rather invest in myself or watch something I can learn from. Maybe something to think about!

Well, I loved these words from Donald Trump. It's from his book: Trump 101 the way to success.

Fear of Failure

Many people are afraid to fail, so they don't try. They may dream, talk and even plan, but they don't take that critical step of putting their money and their effort on the line. To succeed in business, you must take risks. Even if you fail, that's how you learn. There has never been, and will never be, an Olympic ice skater who didn't fall on the ice. Skaters acquire their skills and master their moves by doing and falling, not just by watching or talking.

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Knowledge requires patience;  action requires courage. Put patience and courage together and you'll be a winner.

Donald J. Trump

My tip to you would be, don't be afraid to step out your comfort zone. Don't be afraid of doing something you would never do if it can bring you closer to your purpose or in contact with the people you need to surround yourself with.

With todays technology you can easily find information about resources, meetings, courses, anything you need to know to get a step closer. We often stay in our comfort zone hoping that the right people will find their ways to us. But we also have a responsibility to show up in places where the right people can find us. If we hide our lights our talents under the table who will ever see the greatness you have inside of you. You need to go out there and shine your light, you need to go out there and share the talent God has given to you. You matter!

I would like to hear from you if you have experience this? If you still struggling in finding your ways or maybe you concurred this and are living the dream job today. Please share your story, your tips or advice. I would love to hear from you.

Be Blessed and Be a Blessing

Nadira

The journey continues

The last 2 weeks have been very very busy. As some of you may now I auditioned at RCTH theatreschool in August. Well 2 weeks ago we had our first presentation. We had to make a short presentation of 10 min of a stage play “What a beautiful day”!

While rehearsing we had people visiting to see how it all works at the theatreschool. The 2nd day we had to perform. A week later I had my poetryperformance about life, love and hope. It was a 15 min performance with acting and music in it.

The one that I liked the most was a piece I wrote a few months ago.  While participating in a mentor traject I won with Leonie Jansen. The title is I seek a man? In this performance I talk about all the things I seek for in a man :) I go through all the things we ladies do before we go out on a date and prepair ourself for that 1 special person that we want to, need to, gotta have. It was recorded so I hope to be able to post it on my blog very soon!

While prepairing and following my dreams, I’m also researching, going out on seminars, meeting up with other creative, innovative people. Finding, discovering what I can do, what I can bring with my passion, talents and gifts to the community and the world I’m living in. How can I be inovative? Times have changed and times continue to change. There are so many talented, gifted, educated people out there that cannot find a job, that cannot make a living of what they love to do. They are the best singers, the best actors, the best writers, the best (fill in 4 ureself). Because the market, the business, world economy have changed. I used to think I’m gonna work at a theatre or art organisation. Well I had to change that plan. Not because I lost my passion for theatre and art, no not at all, but a lot of the theatre and art organisations are closing, not hiring, due to financial crisis. Even the big ones out there. And this is happening with the whole art and culture scene, only those who are being innovative are the ones keeping there head on top! So I had to change plans and ask myself. Oke, what is it that needs to be change? What is it that the world needs today? How can I use my acting, poetry and organisationskills in a time like this? I still believe everyone can create his or her own job with that what has been given to him/her. We just have to flow and walk ahead of the changes in this world. We have to ask ourselfs what is it that the world needs? Where is there a problem and how can I bring a solution for that problem? What are people willing to invest in?

That is why I go out on business meetings, seminars, workshops to brainstorm with other like minded people. That is why I’m reading books and researching on topics like innovation, creativity, technology and social media. And I’m learning that there is a whole new world out there.

So tuesday I visited a business meeting from Rabo Bank. It’s a bank with a mission to invest in entrepreneurs that are investing in the community. This was a meeting to share idea’s and to see what we all can do to build up and make the community in Rotterdam stronger. A very interesting business meeting. I also met some other creative entrepreneurs and had a good talk with them. So I’m gonna meet up with them to brainstorm on new idea’s and see how we can help eachother.

I’m always in to brainstorm with other like minded people on how to be innovative as an artist in this world today. So if you have something on your mind or want to share something on this subject just let me know!