I've been an entrepreneur for almost nine years. As I enter a reflective state of mind, I find myself watching new businesses springing up every month, especially by women of color across my local community of Atlanta, Georgia and beyond.
As a profit strategist, I help new entrepreneurs create and identify their opportunities for profit in their business and the first conversation I have with clients is an understanding of what their common "struggle" or "obstacle" is in their business.
As I document a consensus in my mind, the majority of new business owners are enthused on the thought of becoming an entrepreneur but struggle with clarity, balancing, and a "saturated" market. You know, "saturated market", when there are too many people doing what you do.
Let me be clear.
Saturation is a "thing", but it only is a thing of the mind. As a millennial, you are in one of the most creative generations where fearlessness and a solid stance on equality, balance, and justice is embedded within us. In order to truly thrive as an entrepreneur in this day and age, here are a few keys to keep in mind.
Know Your Value
When launching your business, it's important to not focus on how many people are doing what you do, but what's your differentiating value to the market?
Your differentiating value is known as your market-add and some identify it as a culture-add. What new vibe does your business bring to its industry?
This is the value you bring to the marketplace that has not been done. What value does your business have? This could be your customer service, quality, depth of knowledge, experience, product scarcity, etc.
It is your responsibility to know how your business adds value.
You can't expect to see a tribe pull up on you if you're not doing anything different. Either you need to make what is already done better or create something entirely never done before.
Build Interest Through Story-Selling
Once you understand your market-add, it's time to determine how you can build interest so that you can break through the noise.
A strategy to grab the attention of your audience on social media is through what I like to call "The Story-Selling Framework". This framework involves you creating a past (a hook), present (a struggle), and a remedy (a solution) post. This framework can also be used for your e-mail marketing. It is a copy tactic.
To start your story-sell, you must start with a hook. A hook is an attention-getting headline or story opener. The goal here is to grab your audience's attention in the first sentence. A photo or video can be a hook. The next step in story-selling is identifying a struggle of your audience. What annoys your ideal client or customer? Is it not having time? Is it not having enough energy? These are all common struggles, obstacles, and annoyances that your ideal client may have. Create a list of 3-5 common struggles your customer or client is having right now. The goal here is to agitate the excuses your ideal client has.
Finally, the "remedy" is the last statement in the story-selling framework. You are the remedy to your audience. It is important that you focus on how you're the solution as it relates to your social media post(s).
Consistency, Consistency, Consistency
In story-selling, you must tell your story at least 7x on as many platforms as you're active on.
As a vet in entrepreneurship, it is important for you to understand that this is a LONG RACE. Entrepreneurship is not for the faint or weak at heart. It is for those with determination, will-power, and strength to endure even when the results are not immediate.
You may not win quickly.
You may not make money right away.
You might have to sacrifice.
But what I can guarantee is consistency is the only way that this race will work out. Shift your mindset to believe that one day the check WILL come and it will! Invest in the growth of your business. If you aren't willing to make a financial investment into your own self, why would you believe others would into you?
Invest In Self
Do not freebie your business to death. When you invest in programs, masterminds, retreats, coaches, learning, conferences, etc. you are telling yourself that you are betting on you! There's nothing quite more admirable than you putting your money where your mouth is!
Pay your homegirl for her work, tell your homeboy you could use his services, pay these people so the energy that you give off only exudes there's a "price" for that. Your vibrations will be higher when you have money invested.
You will work harder.
You will know how to repel people wasting your time.
You will feel empowered as a business owner to only do business.
The key to success in business is research (test to see what works in your audience and keep what gives the best results), relationships (create a community and collaboration in your local area), and reputation (provide great experiences for your clients or customers so they can refer or #repost).
As you thrive in your journey with entrepreneurship, understand you don't need to feel defeated. You can have a sustainable business in any market because the value you bring is ordained in you.
You were chosen to carry it out, it is and always will be your gift.
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Featured image by Shutterstock
- Growing a Company in a Competitive or Saturated Market ›
- What Market Saturation Means for Your Business ›
- Why You Should Compete in a Saturated Market | BusinessCollective ›
- The Disadvantage of Market Saturation | Chron.com ›
- Want to Penetrate a Saturated Market? Here's How | Inc.com ›
- What is market saturation? definition and meaning ... ›
- How To Sell In An Over-Saturated Market ›
Some women have their whole wedding planned out, from the bridal gown and venue to the bridal party and playlist. However, KJ was not one of those people. “I didn’t foresee a wedding in my future,” she reveals. “I was just gonna be the boss chick, rich auntie. I didn’t force love in my life until recently. I never had an idea of what a dream wedding would look like, it was easier for me to elope.”
KJ Smith
Photo by Stanley Babb/ Stanlo Photography
And to many people’s surprise, that was their original plan – until Skyh brought up a valid concern. He was raised by his grandmother and thought she should be at the wedding, and naturally, that led to KJ wanting her grandmother to be there as well – then her mom – and later her sister – and, you’ve gotta invite the besties too, right? From there, the guest list continued to blossom. Much like the updo and pop of color bold red lip, she wore on her special day, which was initially on her Pinterest board as a soft glam look with her hair hanging on her shoulders, KJ is okay with changing her plan if it brings her and her loved ones happiness.
So let’s get into the wedding, which took place in Malibu, CA. The first thing you should know about the celebrity couple is that they’re non-traditional. They know, and they don’t care. So, in true unconventional fashion, they shared the morning of the wedding together.
“I woke up with Skyh, we walked our dog, had black coffee, and said good morning to the people who stayed at the venue with us,” she says.
Now, it was time for hair and makeup. While she was getting glammed up, she had Black-owned McBride Sisters wine and champagne (which ties into The Black Experience theme) on deck with her mom and friends, had her besties help rework her vows, retried on every outfit (sis is very Type-A), took photos, and ended the early-celebration with prayer and meditation. It seems very non-Bridezilla, I said.
“Yeah, I was the most unbothered bride ever. Everyone was just so supportive. As entertainers, we go on red carpets all the time. We actually have a production company,” she explains. “The get-ready process was like a day at work, but with people we love the most. Being entertainers, we didn’t feel stressed at all, but my excitement was so high.”
Things moved quickly, and before she knew it, it was time to line up to walk down the aisle.
“Yeah, I was the most unbothered bride ever. Everyone was just so supportive. As entertainers, we go on red carpets all the time. We actually have a production company. The get-ready process was like a day at work, but with people we love the most. Being entertainers, we didn’t feel stressed at all, but my excitement was so high.”
KJ Smith and her bridal party
Photo by Stanley Babb/ Stanlo Photography
Since everything started with their grandmothers, the couple wanted to ensure they honored them and planned to keep an element of their wedding traditional. Although we’ve all seen the reception videos and photos online, you may have noticed visuals from the wedding itself are harder to find.
“We planned for it to be traditional, but we’re not like that, so we tried to create those moments. We jumped the broom and had a salt ceremony (where the bride and groom individually pour salt into a glass container, symbolizing their lives becoming one.) But honestly, still, nothing was traditional about it.”
She goes on to explain that her mom caught the holy ghost coming down the aisle, her glam team was on deck, and she became so nervous with excitement that she had an anxiety attack – something she struggled with for years, she explains tearfully. Her friends had to literally cheer her down the aisle because of how overwhelmed she felt until she eventually calmed down.
“Skyh was standing there with his hand on his heart; we have our own little language, and I could feel the support,” she shares.
It was surprising to hear all these emotional moments happened before the party we saw online. That is until she once again got into the backstory.
“As a Black woman actress, for so long, it was popular to be mysterious and secretive, but that’s not who I am or what I like. Plus, we both wanted to create an experience for everyone there. We are the people who always host family and friends,” she says. “Like for me, the first order of business was getting sandals for the women so they can dance all night long. We had oxtail, D'ussé, and a coffee and sativa lounge – which is part of Skyh and I’s lifestyle and routine. We wanted to bring them into our world.”
Skyh Black (L) and KJ Smith (R)
Photo by Stanley Babb/ Stanlo Photography
She went on to discuss the dance routine she did for her husband at the reception, which has taken over the internet. Apparently, that’s another thing that didn’t go according to plan. According to KJ, she had promised a performance at their joint bachelor/ bachelorette party, but her outfit got stolen from her car. So, Skyh ended up performing for her – complete with a strip tease. Still, she never forgot her promise to dance for him.
So, she hired her friend as a choreographer, learned the routine, made friends and family watch it endless times, and attended Beyoncé’s Renaissance show a few days before for a confidence boost. It ended up being a show to remember. But that wasn’t all the night offered. Lil Mo performed, and the guests received special goody bags featuring their favorite Black-owned products like journals, hair care, and more.
“We made sure everyone was taken care of all night. That kind of stuff makes us happy. I wanted everyone there to experience the joy and love I have for myself, my partner, and for them. I wanted them to feel full and whole, and they had the time of their lives,” she says.
But naturally, the internet is going to internet, and while there were countless people praising the event and applauding the newlyweds, some thought it was too over the top. I was curious to know her thoughts on some of the criticism.
“It’s cool. We did what we wanted to do. I’ve decided to share my world with people. Just how I went on social media platforms and found inspiration, I want people to do the same,” she explains. “I don’t think it's fair to my supporters not to give that out. There’s so much I wanna share with brides, specifically Black brides. I love that people are adding it to their Pinterest boards."
"I wanted everyone there to experience the joy and love I have for myself, my partner, and for them. I wanted them to feel full and whole, and they had the time of their lives."
KJ Smith
Photo by Stanley Babb/ Stanlo Photography
“I’m happy with it because we did what we wanted to do. They can do what they wanna do. Don’t be cruel, though, because you will get blocked,” she said, laughing.
The more I spoke with her, the more her sense of freedom shined through. People are always going to have their opinions, but at the end of the day, it’s you who has to live your life, and it seems like the couple realizes that and embraces that power. She also stressed the importance of not living for others and the lessons life has taught her.
“I’ve been to countless weddings, and I’ve been in countless weddings. I’m a generally older bride. So when women in my demographic get married, and you and your husband are busy working people like us, you deserve to have the one you want to have,” she shares.
“This is what we wanted to do. Our loved ones love and support us. We did so much to honor them, but we also wanted to start our own tradition, legacy, and creation. I'm not going to be pulled back into ideas of the past when I’m trying to create a future with my partner. “
If you’d like to see more of the couple, you probably won’t have to wait long. Although no content is planned yet, she admits to being an oversharer. “Me being open and transparent about my experiences lets people know it’s okay to have flaws; it makes you human, and for many years, I didn’t believe that was okay. I had pressure to be perfect, and I’d crumble every time,” she explains to xoNecole.
Now, she owns her flaws and uses them as a superpower to connect with her community and feel and express her love.
“Some people give us [Skyh and KJ] a hard time because they say we just seem too perfect. I’m like, why is that a bad thing? I love the people I love. From my man to my mama, to my friends - unabashedly. We move through time and space how we want to move. If we did it another way, we’d let ourselves and our union down.”
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Feature image by Stanley Babb/ Stanlo Photography
But if you could give yourself one less thing to think about during your period, unwanted leakage is at the top of the list — and period undies are here to save the day.
Period panties are underwear designed to be worn during menstruation to absorb menstrual flow and provide a comfortable, discrete, and leak-proof alternative to traditional menstrual products like pads or tampons. Not only are they absorbent and fit light to heavy flows, but most period panties are made to be reusable, making them a cost-effective and eco-friendly option compared to disposable menstrual products.
From briefs to boy shorts and more, we've got the best period undies that will have you feeling confident and protected all day (and night) long.
Aisle Leakproof Period Underwear - BOOST Boxer
Aisle
Aisle period underwear boasts a unique design that incorporates their cutting-edge Truetex™ technology with a leak-resistant layer, ensuring you stay comfortably dry and confident. They offer eight times the absorbency of typical disposable products, and when worn alone, their underwear can absorb as much fluid as four tampons. Kiss your leakage worries goodbye.
Knix Full Coverage Cotton Modal Super Leakproof Bikini
Knix
Experience unparalleled confidence with the Full Coverage Cotton Modal Super Leakproof Bikini. The undies offer comfort and unmatched absorbency, capable of absorbing the equivalent of eight tampons' worth of liquid. Crafted from a naturally breathable and luxuriously soft Cotton & Modal blend, these bikinis are sure to become your most adored companion during that time of the month.
Cora Free-To-Flow Period Sleep Short
Cora
If you find yourself waking up with a spot or two on your sheet during your cycle, you just might have the panties of your dreams. Cora’s sleep shorts provide up to ten hours of leak protection, equivalent to the absorption capacity of six regular tampons, all without causing discomfort, bunching, or sticky pad mishaps. As reusable shorts, you can wash them, rinse them, and wear them again. So, save your sheets and sleep more peacefully with these underwear.
Always ZZZ Period Underwear
Always
If you’re looking for an overnight panty alternative that’s within your budget, try these overnight underwear from Always for a leak-free night.
Bambody Absorbent Briefs
Bambody
Bambody believes that period protection should be both affordable and kind to the environment. Their range of comfortable and reusable bamboo period underwear keeps you feeling fresh and protected while reducing waste. And with the absorbance of four tampons, their period underwear will give you ultimate assurance when you need it most.
Thinx Classic Classic Hi-Waist Underwear
Thinx
When it comes to all-day protection, Thinx has you covered. These high-waisted, vintage-inspired panties give you an elegant flare while delivering top-level absorbency.
Goat Union Overnight Period Underwear
Goat Union
From light, medium, to heavy flow days, Goat Union provides you with moisture-wicking, extra absorbent (equivalent to 3-4 regular tampons), leak-proof, and breathable briefs that are perfect for overnight use — eliminating the need for tampons, pads, or cups for a hassle-free period.
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Featured image by jacoblund/Getty Images
