On International Women’s Day, Author and Public Speaker Keisha Mabry organized the now famous, #MastHerclass. Now just a bit of a disclaimer for those who may be caught up on the title of this piece,
When I call God “She,” it reminds me, every time I say it or write it, that half of the human beings here on Earth are not “other,” and in fact, those people who identify as female are also created in the image of God.
With that said, I am not attempting to “gender” God when I say “She.” My use of female pronouns doesn’t evoke in me the image of a human being, or even some big ol’ goddess hanging around in the sky. Instead, when I say “She,” when I think of “Her,” I get a full, warm, compassionate feeling in my heart. I get a God-of-Love feeling.
I relate sis, I relate. Moving on.
That God feeling is what I felt as an attendee of MastHerclass.
On the surface, MastHerclass was promoted as an all day masterclass for women to provide an impact in various areas such as (but not limited to):
- Getting into public speaking
- Selling products through e-commerce
- Finding your brand voice
- The business of travel
- Building an online community
- Radio, tv and podcasting
- Product design and prototyping
- Media production made easy
- Building a business on purpose
And more!
So what I got out of it. How much time do you have? Get your notepad ready!
1. There’s Power In Being Present and Trusting God As Your Wingman
The first session I attended was with Christina Brown of LoveBrownSugar.com. I relate to Christina. She’s a Creator, Digital Strategist, Speaker and a Mommy. She also makes every move not only in strategy but with love. I felt that as she immediately recognized me from Summit 21 and made time for an exclusive interview!
The Wire Hanger By Winnie: You represent 3 different brands. You’ve explained at MasHerclass how to manage that. But I have to ask, how do you not get mentally overwhelmed by wearing so many hats?
Christina Brown: You need to be really clear about what you want to get out of the platform that you’re building. Whether its one online community or multiple. My intention has always been to create platforms that specifically help people, which relieved the pressure from me performing a specific way. If I was creating a platform just to make money, there’s a different level of pressure associated with that. That’s never been my focus. I’ve always been a quality over quantity type of person.
Winnie: What do you do to prepare your mental?
Christina: I am on a journey to discovering what self care means to me and how important self care is to me. I pray every morning, I read scripture, I meditate and I spend time in my thoughts and spirit. I love going to the spa and sometimes I’ll simply take myself out to dinner. At first there was mommy guilt but I had to remind myself that I’m worth it!
Winnie: Speaking of spas, I recently tried FLOAT STL. It was thee best experience because there’s literally a pod you can lay in, with over 1,000 pounds of epson salt which will make you float and relax! But I won’t lie, I was a bit nervous at first because I have never floated on my own. I used to swim as a kid but I almost drowned and haven’t swam since! But after a while I just decided to let go of those inhibitions and once I floated it was like the best thing ever.
Christina: Yes! I’ve floated before and whew! But isn’t that so true about life? When you let go of these preconceived notions, the way you feel like your life is ‘suppose to go’, that’s when He really takes you higher. I literally feel like any time I didn’t feel like I was in the right place in life, that’s when God really took me to a better place in life that I couldn’t imagine going. A lot of times when we’re going through things, that’s really God asking, “Can you trust me? Can you trust that I am bringing you through and to a place where you need to be? If so, there’s nothing to worry about. The faster that you can get to that, the sooner He can promote you where you need to be.”
Winnie:
2. Get That Schmoney w/Sabrina T. Boissiere
Sabrina is an Event Producer, Content Curator and authentic in securing the bags! I loved how she was naturally herself and also understood her worth! Here’s a few gems I noted from her.
- Have vendors sign a commitment form. When hosting an event, you don’t have time for people backing out last minute, being late or showing up ashy. Not exactly her words but I’m sure she’d agree. (Definition by Winnie… Ashy – Not presentable, with a dollar store table cloth, and any way else possible that can bring visuals down for your event)
- Hire a graphic designer to create everything. From your Save The Date until the event is over. Period.
- Don’t pitch to potential sponsors based off of your expected talent. You be the driving force!
- Have a day of coordinator. During the event you shouldn’t be worried about anything minimum. Hire a coordinator to be the buffer between you and volunteers, vendors, etc.
- Go above and beyond in deliverables
- Any pre-event ideas write down the synopsis on paper then put it away for a few days. Come back to it to see if it really makes sense to execute. If not, scrap it. If so, get to work!
3. Be your Best Spokes(wo)man and add value w/Keisha Mabry
Keisha is one of the most fearless women I know and it shows! She will make a plan, tackle it and make it look easy! Not only did she organize this MastHerclass that over 250 women attended from all over the country, but she did so in less than 2 months! How?? Chile, if you want to channel your inner Keisha (Amazing Public Speaker, Coordinator and Author), take notes:
- Find your alter ego and email on your behalf. SO if your name is Heather, and you want to speak at an event, channel your inner assistant and email as Sarah on behalf of Heather…from a new email address…yep! Watch how it’ll work.
- Volunteer at conferences! When you put the work in and show your true interest, coordinators will have a new level of respect for you. And volunteering gets you in rooms that attendees can’t access.
- Set goals in 3 month chunks!
- Have a website (or landing page) for people to book you as a speaker
- Write a book! It makes you more credible as a speaker
- Only do 3 free speaking gigs a year. Period.
4. God is in All Things with Purpose
So the last session that I attended was with Jovian Zayne.
Let me just say heavens gates opened when she started and my lashes barely made it because she turned that session into sermon. Jovian Zayne is a Speaker, Certified Coach and Consultant…and she’s clearly saved chile. Her purpose is to encourage the human spirit and I will list how she encouraged mine:
- Being unapologetically herself. She graced the stage in beautiful fashion, then bust a rhyme introducing herself! Those who know me knows that this warmed my God and Trap music heart. Lawd!
- She encouraged us all to create a purpose board. A purpose board is grounded in your values. Who are you called to show up to be?
- Plan a business retreat to support goal setting and reflection
- Write a vision statement and read it often
- Tithe Your Time Online. Check every 1 out of every 10 posts..do they relate to your purpose?
- Recognize that, “Trailblazing is always met with opposition even if the opposition is yourself,” Jovian.
- Identify your Core 4: Who you want to impact, How do you want to positively impact them, What are you committed to shifting in order to make this impact a reality, and who needs to impact you?
So there you have it folks. I am so happy I had a chance to attend, not just for the amazing speakers but to be re-ignited by women I’ve known about and some I just met. To be reminded of purpose, your value and accepted by everyone was a moment I will never forget. Thank you Keisha for all that you’ve sacrificed to make this possible. Thank you for offering so many different sessions different women could relate to without compromising themselves. You are truly a blessing.
P. S. If you are a STL local and want to try FLOAT STL, here’s $10 Off! Thank me later! Use code bu-295766 here!
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