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Is Oprah The Only African American Woman Entrepreneur America Will Allow Success

Written by: Patricia Makhulo

Article Overview: Black Women,Is Oprah The Only African American Woman Entrepreneur America Will Allow Success? How African-American Women Entrepreneurs Can Capitalize In The Business World Now that We Have The 1st African American First Lady As An Example

Is Oprah The Only African American Woman Entrepreneur America Will Allow Success

As a Black Woman Entrepreneur, Marketing Consultant & Coach, who works with women of color who are struggling to establish their presence in the business world both online and offline & struggling to attract more customers in order to build successful business both online and offline. I would like to share ideas on what other African American Women Entrepreneurs (any woman) can begin to do now to accomplish her goals in 9 simple steps!

It is widely known, to the detriment of many capable african american and black women owned business that there exists a concrete ceiling that is difficult to shatter. That coupled with the glass ceiling effect that many women in general have encountered, throw in race and gender, a Black business woman might as well have a quadruple by-pass surgery and call it a day.

Barriers facing African-American women in business include and are not limited to negative, race-based stereotypes, more frequent questioning of their credibility and authority; and a lack of institutional support. Experiencing a "double outsider" status -African-American business women report exclusion from informal networks, and conflicted relationships with white women, among the challenges they face. These results beg the question is there any use in trying to break through the ceilings?

Well if recent events, that being the election of the first American-American president and the First black lady are not enough to persuade you that “yes you can” then perhaps there is no reason for you to venture. The real issue is a lack of focus and strategy.

To help you rise up to the occasion and claim your birth right and focus on living a more fulfilled life, career, and business goals, I have created a simple system, which I call “9 Pillars To A More Fulfilled You.” Here are the 10 key tips:

1. Honey, Child You Gotts To Let It Go: I have always loved that song by Toni Braxton, herself Black woman and astute woman entrepreneur herself, Let It Flow. You cannot possibly begin to receive the good that before you if you are still hanging on to the pains and fears of yesterday. The day has finally come for the fulifilment of this prophecy “I have a dream that one day our children will not be judged by the color or their skin but by the content of their character! Pastor, Dr. Martin Luther King. I recommend that you make the
song let it flow your anthem!

2. Find a mentor/coach: Numerous studies, both private and government funded have been conducted to understand the barriers facing women and minority owned businesses The most common recommendation that has been made in favor of the up ward mobility of African-American women is the need, the inclusion and the establishment of mentoring programs and mentorship. The game is often won before you get onto the field, If you are going to play the game you had better find on your side a really savvy business coach and consultant

3. Become A Visionary: Now we all know black folk go to church, I also know that you will be very familiar with this phrase, Where there is no vision, the people perish. In other words what are you looking to get done at the end of the day? Quit your job? Retire your husband? Spend more time with your children? Paint? Learn to cook? Long walks on the beach? What do you value the most? What is it that you most desire?

4. Create a 90-day plan: With recent vision boards craze, I encounter many heart-broken people who wonder why they have been able to materialize their dreams of MacMansions, bling and whips! It is very simple A goal not written is merely a wish. A goal without a plan is a ticking time bomb. It spells nothing but failure. Make a list of the life areas you want to work on such as: spiritual, physical, financial, career, relationships, etc. Next, write out your goals for each area. Then, put your goals into a 90-day plan. Planning in 90-day cycles will help you accomplish twice as much in half the time.

5. Make it Your Business to Be in the Know- Read a book: Another major obstacle to the advancement of the black woman owned business is Limited Access to Critical Information and Business Networks, when you don’t have the right information, it is difficult to compete. You are as successful as the last book you read. It is very important you become very selective about the material you allow yourself to absorb. Just like it is true that you are what you eat, As a [woman] thinketh, so is [s]he. My people perish for lack of knowledge. As the risk of beating a dead horse, knowledge is power!

6. Get A Website: Bill Gates, you know the owner of Micro-Soft and 3rd richest man in the world? He says “there are two types of businesses, those with websites and those that are out of business! Studies show that about 75% of people go online to find out more about you and your product. The preferred site to do this is Google. Of these 50% of these people will purchase a product from you online, but only if you have online presence!

7. Track your results: Those that loose weight and keep it off the longest are those that keep a record of their activities. You see it is very difficult to know where you are headed if you haven’t a clue where you came from. It is also easy to beat yourself up when you don’t have proof of how far you have come or how well you are doing. Journals are highly recommended, track progress, document every little success. You see success is nothing but a series of compounding events with a big pay off, Compound interest anyone?

8. Pace yourself: Success is not a destination but a journey. Multi-tasking is so 2008! Stop and smell the roses and remember it is not a race to the finish line

9. Take time for you: You know Bono of U2 sang it best when he crooned

And you give yourself away
And you give yourself away
And you give
And you give
And you give yourself away

Women we are the worst at this be they stay at home moms, professional business women and/or small business owners. At the end of the day we have given it all with nothing left for yourself. Is it a wonder you have no energy left to make the changes that will bring you happiness? Even Jesus Christ, Buddha, Mohammed took a time out. What is it that the Bible say? 6 days He created the earth on the seventh day He rested? Half an hour a day to yourself for 15 minutes deep breathing is a must and 15 just to enjoy the silence.

10. Reward yourself: On a weekly basis, review the progress that you are making on your goals. With every accomplishment take time to recognize your achievement and pop in Kool & The Gang

Celebrate good times, come on! (Let's celebrate)
Celebrate good times, come on! (Let's celebrate)
There's a party goin' on right here
A celebration to last throughout the years.

You must get into the habit of seeing the good you have to offer. Women of color are just not very aware of what they capable of today. Bring out the inner Harriet Tubman in you, The Rosa parks and The "Madam C.J." Walker. You have a rich history and heritage. Those women fought long and hard for such a time as this and you get to live do them justice, do yourself justice. Get it together and bring it back to me!

To Your Success,

Party Plan Pat

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Article Tags: african american business, african american women, american business women, birth right, black business, black lady, business woman, concrete ceiling, glass ceiling effect, honey child, informal networks, institutional support, marketing consultant, outsider status, woman entrepreneur, women entrepreneurs, women in business, women of color, women owned business, women report



Related Forum Posts
Oprah - Just an FYI - Suze Orman met Oprah years ago when she became one of Oprah's dream team of consultants. Just like Dr. Phil, Suze became a big hit after Oprah promoted her books and expertise. I doubt Oprah gets paid endorsement dollars per say but I do know that her production company has equity positions in a variety of programs and experts. I will look back through my files for more specific information. I recall a past Oprah staffer who know consults with people on how to get on Oprah. I'll pass it along! Good luck Shri. I think you can write a letter, or contact a series of the big names in order to get endorsements. you have to be professional, but persistent! It is said that Jack Canfield gets over 500 such requests each week. Cheers Jude
Re: History of Women in Business in the United States - Nice read. I feel a few things were left out. At a time in American history it was illegal for a women to do many things. Not only did they need a man to stand up for them, but they needed him to sign bank documents etc.. for the women in question. Not long ago in our history a women did not have a bank account. This was a slap in the face for the woman's husband or father. My state of Oregon is supposedly had a very strong women, a madam, contribute to the establishment of our state. Of course this is seen as a very old business but a business a women were able to run in the back alleys, and as I have read, in the underground here in Oregon. Mileva Mari? was a women in our history that in her own right contributed to America with her mathematics and physics smarts. Born disabled and "homely", her rich parents sent her to many fine schools where she was (it has been said), the only women in these establishments. Since her father did not think she would ever get married seeing how she was, I bet he was a happy camper when Albert Einstein married her. I feel, with no hesitations if it were not for Mileva Mari?, Albert would not be in the history books as he is now. I feel since in the day women were not supposed to have a brain, nor be allowed to publish their own work, that her husband took her work and published it as his own. The Pendleton Roundup , (a huge rodeo here in Oregon), banned women from the rodeo due to "unlady like" behavior around the 1900's. Hence barrel racing took hold as the ONLY women event. In WWII women were the ones who were the welders etc.. women were the ones to take on the jobs of men who were fighting for our country. Once the war was over, women had to relinquish their jobs to the men. One such women was in my sons family, and I got to hear first hand how things were. I like to bring up Emily Dickinson as well, as for women who changed who women are. Women helped establish equal rites here in America. Women along with the black society fought for equal rites. A white women had the same rites as a black person here in America, thus it was only common sense to help with the equal rites movement. Again running into a women who was there. I feel Oprah Winfrey is passing down a history of strong women. Strong women who have always been. She has just stepped it up to modern times. Women rites is not a white nor black issue, it is a women, man issue. Women have done so much for America, sorry to say to find information which gives credit where credit is due when the husband is a big name, or when the establishment is huge, it takes some digging. Women in history have done bigger and better things than the girls of today are taught in schools. Bigger and better then beauty products, or cooking. Women have been, and always will be the back bone of America and American Business.
Re: Get on Oprah, make a fortune! - Suze Orman is very passionate about her work so I'm not surprised she got noticed by Oprah, however it came to be. (I've heard of people sending their books to Oprah's staff so they can filter information for Oprah to consider.) I personally have really enjoyed listening to Suze when she's been on Larry King Live. She has great tips and advice. She has also openly shared her passion for helping women achieve financial success as well. I guess the inspiration is that if you have something to offer that you believe can make a difference to many, then attempt to pull at Oprah's heart strings and see what happens. I remember reading in one of Marianne Williamson's books how being on Oprah instantly changed her life and she became a so-called overnight success. Being on Oprah isn't a dream of mine, but if it's yours, I cheer you on!
Re: Get on Oprah, make a fortune! - [quote="OmnivoreInk":3pr8ilfu]That's the thing, of course. If you're not a "big name" or don't have some kind of a pull with Oprah, there's no way you get on her show.[/quote:3pr8ilfu] Well what about those book authors that Oprah brings into the spotlight from obscurity? I was under the impression that "Oprah's Picks" were always titles that she discovered on her own and wanted to share with the public. Or is that a shame? Is Oprah just paid to endorse those books by wealthy publishers or were those books already bestsellers? How does it work?
Re: reframe what you want to accomplish - [quote="TheRainmaker":3a9wv4jy]it is said that if you help other people to reach their goals, you too will reach yours. Find out what Oprah is trying to accomplish over the next few months and pitch a link to a topic. Recently she is really motivated by the Eckard Tolle, A New Earth and the awakening of the human spirit. i will check out your stuff. good luck[/quote:3a9wv4jy] Another suggestion might be to specifically write a new book on what interests Oprah. If you can't control what Oprah is looking for, then control what you produce.


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