Ciara's New Partnership With Nike Shows Us That It Pays To Diversify Your Hustle
Generational wealth is the wave and judging from the way Ciara is out here hustling, you can add baby Future and Sienna Princess to the names of brown children on the Forbes list. The singer recently announced that she will be the new Creative Director for Nike and Jordan's fall kids collection, which will be sold exclusively at Finish Line; but this isn't the only pot of gold that our girl CiCi has had her hand in over the past year.
Along with becoming a student at Harvard's online business school, the entrepreneur also recently signed her first artist to her own record label and is also the host of the new Nickelodeon competition show, America's Most Talented Family, and maintaining her status as a full-time wife and mother at the same damn time. We can all take a page out of the 33-year-old Beauty Marks singer when it comes to leveling up our income by diversifying our hustle (and she reportedly has a $20 million net worth to show for it).
There are a million ways to get it, and you don't have to only choose one. Ciara has dabbled in a number of industries and so can you. While you may feel that you don't have the time, money, or resources to truly step out on faith, it's cool. Ciara says that the true key to leveling up your hustle is simply showing up. The mommy mogul told Billboard:
"Never give up and keep believing in yourself. There were so many times where I have heard 'No' and I feel like that if I had listened, I wouldn't be here today. Set goals."
Here are a few other things we can learn from Ciara's entrepreneurial journey:
Speak It Into Existence
You're the first person to hear everything you say, so if you're constantly spewing negativity and doubt into the world, you're the first person that you hurt. Ciara says that the power of manifestation has been integral in her journey because you can't truly be the architect of your own life without a blueprint.
"There's something to the power of manifestation. I'm actually planning to do my next chapter sheet again, where I take a moment to write down the goals I want to accomplish -- and writing [it] down is huge because you start to give yourself a compass on where you're trying to get. I really believe you can't get anywhere in life without a compass. Speak it into the universe, write it down and then follow up!"
Own Your Sh*t, Literally
To truly become the master of your own fate, you have to own your sh*t, and Ciara took this advice literally. Along with owning the masters to all of her music, the singer also recently jump-started her own entertainment label alongside her husband, proving that creative ownership is probably the most valuable thing an entrepreneur can have in the digital age:
"The idea of ownership is really important to me and that's what this phase is about. It's truly about, let's really build things to where it can last for a really long time and I can really reap the full benefits of my labor. I've been in systems and the way the deals are typically structured for us artists, we don't really get to reap the full financial benefits of our labor."
Be The Table
God's "Yes" is more valuable than a hundred thousand "No's" and the entertainment industry had to learn this the hard way. After an industry professional rejected Ci Ci's vision for her now certified platinum single, "Level Up," the singer stopped looking for a seat at the table and built her own. She told Billboard:
"When [a major] CEO told me that I didn't have the right vision or I wasn't necessarily choosing the right record, the fans decided it was. And nothing could stop that; nothing could stop the fact that there were tons and tons of viral clips happening like literally within 24 hours with 'Level Up.' That was my fan's true reaction and so it shows you [the] power of the fan. It shows you the power of your platform, the power of also building a brand. It's a whole different day and age in the music culture and we all have to adjust."
Featured image by Instagram/@Ciara.
Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage
