Meet the superwoman who helps black women entrepreneurs find clarity and confidence to follow their dreams. Get to know Jennifer, a self-proclaimed Dream Chaser who loves to put her faith in action to reach her dreams.
What's your job title & how did you get where you are today?
Founder/CEO. After being laid off while 6 months pregnant as the assistant to the Mayor, I used every cent from my unemployment check and hour until delivery of our first child to pursue my dream of being a highly sought after wedding planner. That was over 10 years ago and I’ve been an entrepreneur ever since.
Tell us about a day at work you'll never forget!
This day wasn’t just any day at the office. This day occurred after months and months of planning, 1,543 emails, and countless conference calls. It was during the closing session of my annual conference. At the end of my keynote, I asked the crowd to grab a hand of the woman standing next to them and to repeat after me “Your dreams aren’t fake, they are real!” “You can do anything but fail!” “Your talents will bless others!” “Keep moving forward and don’t look back!” It was such a special moment because after the women released hands, tears began to crawl down cheekbones and without prompting bear hugs were exchanged. I love to empower women to live lives that are beyond anything they thought possible and at that moment I was changed forever to know that I’m making a difference in the lives of others.
What's your advice about growing a brand or a personal brand?
Your brand will never grow further than your commitment to personal development. So read what you must, invest the money to attend that ridiculously expensive conference, and reach down to mentor others.
“What still helps me today overcome the imposter syndrome is reminding myself that my voice is assigned to someone else, not everyone, but someone. ”
How do you prepare for negotiation conversations?
It’s all about value proposition. When you can identify the value you bring to the organization and quantify it as much as possible it gives you the confidence to make the ask. The second is to normalize rejection. Most people don’t take the chance and ask in fear of hearing “No”. When you understand that no is a part of the process the punch doesn’t hurt as bad. But don’t stop at the no. In negotiations I’ve learned, the one who wins is the one who didn’t get sold on the other’s smallness.
Did you ever agree to something in a negotiation you now regret doing?
Heck yeah! When I first began my wedding planning business I was so hungry for clients that I would lower my prices in order to get the client. This poor business practice left me frustrated and resentful although I was the one who agreed to it.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve experienced imposter syndrome, or not feeling good enough? How did you overcome this?
The very first conference I hosted back in 2016 I was in search of a keynote speaker. After weeks of coming up with no one, a committee member suggested: “Why don’t you speak?!” I was like “WHAT? Who me? No way!” After some thought and due to the fact I didn’t have a budget to pay anyone I said “Fine, I’ll do it!” What still helps me today overcome the imposter syndrome is reminding myself that my voice is assigned to someone else, not everyone, but someone. So that keeps me going. I don’t have to be the best speaker in the world, but confident in the fact that there are more for me than against me.
What one tip would you tell your younger self about negotiating?
All they can say is “no” So state you’re case and hope for the best. Don’t be afraid of hearing the response “No”.
What’s your favourite quote?
It’s actually a poem: If you think you are beaten, you are; If you think you dare not, you don't; If you'd like to win, but think you can't, It's almost a cinch you won't. If you think you'll lose, you're lost, For out in the word we find Success begins with a fellow's will, It's all in the state of mind. If you think you're outcasted, you are; You've got to think high to rise. You've got to be sure of yourself before You can ever win a prize. Life's battles don't always go To the stronger or faster man; But soon or late the man who wins Is the man who thinks he can. by Walter D. Wintle
