

This Mother/Hustler Started Her Blog Five Years Ago. Now She Makes Six Figures.
In xoNecole's series Mother/Hustler, we sit down with influential mom bosses who open up about the ups and downs of motherhood, as well as how they kill it in their respective industries, all while keeping their sanity and being intentional about self-care.
Lifestyle blogger Jehava Brown has four very special men in her life––three of which call her "mommy". While this Pennsylvania-based entrepreneur may have a full house of growing boys, her lucrative lifestyle blog allows her to bring home the bacon (and bread and butter, too).
Only five years ago, Jehava launched OnlyGirl4Boyz on a wish and a prayer, and today, this Mother/Hustler says that the fruits of her faith have been nothing short of a blessing. According to Jehava, the first step to success is getting out of your own way. "As simple as it sounds, just do it!" she explained. "So many people I have come across have all these plans they are ironing out when they could be in the process of growing their businesses. The people who do well in business are the ones who do not let fear of the unknown cripple them."
For a creative on the come-up, analysis paralysis is real, but Jehava wants you to know it's time to stop planning and start doing. Although the first step can be the hardest, it is also the most important. "When I started blogging, I knew enough to get everything going, but I had A LOT to learn. I learned as I went along, but I knew that the longer I 'planned', the less likely I was to start it. Also, I could still start producing an income that I would have missed out on if I didn't just hit the ground running."
We sat down with Jehava to talk more about budgeting, time management, and making your income work for you. Here's what we learned:
xoNecole: How do you handle moments when you feel overwhelmed?
Jehava Brown: Prayer and time with my girls can help me feel better in almost any situation. My faith is a big factor in my life and helps me take a step back and see all of God's many blessings when the cares of life feel like too much. Hanging out with my girlfriends encourages me to recognize how similar our issues are and that I'm not alone.
What’s the hardest part of your day?
JB: It would probably be once I pick my kids from school and my "second job" starts. I put on my mom hat while still balancing work through early-evening. I'm typically helping with homework, prepping dinner, and answering emails.
How (and how often) do you practice self-care?
JB: Once a week, I have a night out with a girlfriend. We typically go somewhere good for dinner, but it's so relaxing to unwind and eat alone in peace. When I go back to my family, I feel energized and ready to take on the busyness of life. This is something I made a priority a few years ago, and it has made all the difference.
"My faith is a big factor in my life and helps me take a step back and see all of God's many blessings when the cares of life feel like too much. Hanging out with my girlfriends encourages me to recognize how similar our issues are and that I'm not alone."
When do you feel most productive?
JB: First thing in the morning! I wake up and make my family breakfast and get everyone out of the house. Then, I start working by 8 am. I find I am most productive from then until noon. I can just focus on my business and tend to have the most energy (mainly because when I get my kids from school, I am juggling more and have to multi-task).
What is your favorite way to spend “me time”?
JB: I love going to the spa a few times a year or planning a girls' trip to get away, but on a more normal basis, I enjoy getting my nails and hair done as they just help me feel special even if I'm in sweats.
What is your advice for dealing with mom guilt?
JB: Even though I work from home, it is really hard to manage everything I have on my plate, and I have definitely battled with mom guilt. With my business, it definitely feels like the more time and energy you put in, the more successful you are. That is hard because some weeks I work 50 to 60 hours. In the past year, I have learned how to not let work control my life and cut back my hours by hiring more help. Another thing is just coming to grips with what I am bringing to the table and being proud of that.
I make a large income for my family, and we have had tons of all-expense-paid trips to Disney World, Vail, Colorado, and many other places due to my job. So acknowledging that my job affords my children better experiences, memories, and daily life helps with any guilt associated with the work it takes to be successful. I also make sure I am intentional in having meaningful family time each week where I am not working and we are spending time together.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned as an entrepreneur?
JB: To not take "no" personally. I think the difference between those who succeed and those who struggle to see their business flourish is how they interpret the word "no". I have met so many people in this business that are paralyzed by the idea of being turned down by pitching collaborations with companies and brands. I learned early on to just push past the negative responses and try harder. Even with all of my success, I still hear that word on a normal basis and use it as inspiration to do more and dream bigger. I started out reaching for the stars and was shocked by the brands that responded. Perseverance makes all the difference.
"I think the difference between those who succeed and those who struggle to see their business flourish is how they interpret the word 'no.' I have met so many people in this business that are paralyzed by the idea of being turned down by pitching collaborations with companies and brands. I learned early on to just push past the negative responses and try harder."
What is the most important lesson you want your kids to learn from you?
JB: To follow and trust God with all of your heart, and He will bless you in whatever you put your mind to. Every step of my business I have given back to Him and He has been faithful to bless it. Also, to dream big, research the steps to make that happen, and go for it! Hard work and perseverance pay off!
Why was it important to you to be an entrepreneur even though some people may think that a 9-to-5 offers more stability?
JB: I wanted to be available for my kids during these child-rearing years. I wanted to be there when they get home from school, volunteer in their classes, and make dinner each night. This was important to me and I believed I could do that while bringing in a consistent income. Yes, my goal was to make a standard full-time salary, but I didn't realize or dream it would become all that it has become!
How has being a mother helped you become a better entrepreneur (or vice versa)?
JB: As a mom, I wear a lot of different hats and I do the same as an entrepreneur. It's helped me balance my time, multi-task each day, and be assertive. I use all of these in my business each day and in parenting. Also, being a mom has given me more inspiration to push for my goals than I would ever have if it was just for me.
What advice do you have when it comes to time management as a mogul mommy?
JB: This is hard because when you have a business, success seems tied to the time you invest––especially in social media. However, I have found ways to be more effective with the time I invest in growing my brand. I have multiple calendars that I live by. One is for work, one is for our home life, and another my partnership manager and I share. This helps me stay focused on the tasks that need [to get] done each day. I also created work hours, and try to put down my phone and laptop outside of that.
What tips do you have for financial planning, both professionally and for your family?
JB: Every month my husband and I sit down to plan out our household budget and where we want our money to go. We also do quarterly goals for savings, paying off debt, investing and so on. We did this when we had 2 cents to our name and we were trying to save $50 in a month, and we still do this now with a six-figure household.
As far as business goes, I have multiple accounts for business expenses, savings, and taxes. This makes everything so much easier at the end of the year. I make sure that I pay everything out of these accounts, and never cross them with our family accounts. A plan makes all the difference in reaching your financial goals. Be sure to give yourself little rewards to stay encouraged along the way as you meet those milestones.
Featured image courtesy of Jehava Brown.
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.
Exclusive: Gabrielle Union On Radical Transparency, Being Diagnosed With Perimenopause And Embracing What’s Next
Whenever Gabrielle Union graces the movie screen, she immediately commands attention. From her unforgettable scenes in films like Bring It On and Two Can Play That Game to her most recent film, in which she stars and produces Netflix’s The Perfect Find, there’s no denying that she is that girl.
Off-screen, she uses that power for good by sharing her trials and tribulations with other women in hopes of helping those who may be going through the same things or preventing them from experiencing them altogether. Recently, the Flawless by Gabrielle Union founder partnered with Clearblue to speak at the launch of their Menopause Stage Indicator, where she also shared her experience with being perimenopausal.
In a xoNecoleexclusive, the iconic actress opens up about embracing this season of her life, new projects, and overall being a “bad motherfucker.” Gabrielle reveals that she was 37 years old when she was diagnosed with perimenopause and is still going through it at 51 years old. Mayo Clinic says perimenopause “refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years.”
“I haven't crossed over the next phase just yet, but I think part of it is when you hear any form of menopause, you automatically think of your mother or grandmother. It feels like an old-person thing, but for me, I was 37 and like not understanding what that really meant for me. And I don't think we focus so much on the word menopause without understanding that perimenopause is just the time before menopause,” she tells us.
Gabrielle Union
Photo by Brian Thomas
"But you can experience a lot of the same things during that period that people talk about, that they experienced during menopause. So you could get a hot flash, you could get the weight gain, the hair loss, depression, anxiety, like all of it, mental health challenges, all of that can come, you know, at any stage of the menopausal journey and like for me, I've been in perimenopause like 13, 14 years. When you know, most doctors are like, ‘Oh, but it's usually about ten years, and I'm like, ‘Uhh, I’m still going (laughs).’”
Conversations about perimenopause, fibroids, and all the things that are associated with women’s bodies have often been considered taboo and thus not discussed publicly. However, times are changing, and thanks to the Gabrielle’s and the Tia Mowry’s, more women are having an authentic discourse about women’s health. These open discussions lead to the creation of more safe spaces and support for one another.
“I want to be in community with folks. I don't ever want to feel like I'm on an island about anything. So, if I can help create community where we are lacking, I want to be a part of that,” she says. “So, it's like there's no harm in talking about it. You know what I mean? Like, I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change. I'm just getting better and stronger and more intelligent, more wise, more patient, more compassionate, more empathetic. All of that is very, very welcomed, and none of it should be scary.”
The Being Mary Jane star hasn’t been shy about her stance on therapy. If you don’t know, here’s a hint: she’s all for it, and she encourages others to try it as well. She likens therapy to dating by suggesting that you keep looking for the right therapist to match your needs. Two other essential keys to her growth are radical transparency and radical acceptance (though she admits she is still working on the latter).
"I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change."
Gabrielle Union and Kaavia Union-Wade
Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images
“I hope that a.) you recognize that you're not alone. Seek out help and know that it's okay to be honest about what the hell is happening in your life. That's the only way that you know you can get help, and that's also the only other way that people know that you are in need if there's something going on,” she says, “because we have all these big, very wild, high expectations of people, but if they don't know what they're actually dealing with, they're always going to be failing, and you will always be disappointed. So how about just tell the truth, be transparent, and let people know where you are. So they can be of service, they can be compassionate.”
Gabrielle’s transparency is what makes her so relatable, and has so many people root for her. Whether through her TV and film projects, her memoirs, or her social media, the actress has a knack for making you feel like she’s your homegirl. Scrolling through her Instagram, you see the special moments with her family, exciting new business ventures, and jaw-dropping fashion moments. Throughout her life and career, we’ve seen her evolve in a multitude of ways. From producing films to starting a haircare line to marriage and motherhood, her journey is a story of courage and triumph. And right now, in this season, she’s asking, “What’s next?”
“This is a season of discovery and change. In a billion ways,” says the NAACP Image Award winner. “The notion of like, ‘Oh, so and so changed. They got brand new.’ I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
"I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
She continues, “So I'm just trying to figure out what's next. You know what I mean? I'm jumping into what's next. I'm excited going into what's next and new. I'm just sort of embracing all of what life has to offer.”
Look out for Gabrielle in the upcoming indie film Riff Raff, which is a crime comedy starring her and Jennifer Coolidge, and she will also produce The Idea of You, which stars Anne Hathaway.
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Feature image by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images
Here's How To Host Your First Dinner Party, According To TikTok's Viral Dinner Host
If you haven’t scrolled upon Olivia McDowell's TikTok famous dinner parties, you may need to reconfigure your "For You Page."
What began as a passion for hosting aesthetically themed meals for her closest friends has quickly become a viral sensation. With an astonishing 12 million viewers, women describe Olivia’s picturesque dinner parties as the “dream girls' night,” complete with classy cocktails, beautiful table settings, elegant outfits, and, most importantly, food plated to perfection.
Seemingly reigniting the feminine urge to host fancy dinner parties, Olivia has perfected the finer details. Overlooking the skyline in her beautiful NYC apartment, she never fails to make her signature handmade pasta dishes while simultaneously looking effortlessly chic in the wardrobe of dreams while doing so.
@oliviaamcdowell Replying to @nara0630 what should the theme of my next dinner party be? #minivlog #nycliving #dinnerpartyideas #caviarinnewyork
What I love most about hosting intimate dinners for close friends are the connections and relationships that form over food. They don't require a caviar budget with a high-rise apartment, it just takes determination and a little creativity. Watching Olivia’s journey inspires viewers to be a part of a community of positive and uplifting women who share common interests and tastes in food, fashion, and decor. Simply stated, she’s raising the bar of friendship goals.
If you’re aspiring to host a holiday-themed dinner party this season, check out the four tips that will guide you along the way.
Choose Your Theme
@oliviaamcdowell Replying to @emz.life.tsv what was your fav part? 🤍 hope this gives you some inspiration to host a fancy friendsgiving too! #hostingtip #dinnerparty #pastamaking
Set the ambiance with a thoughtful theme, which will indeed be your guiding light for less stress during the planning process. Establishing a theme sets the tone for everything else to fall in place, such as menus, table design, and presentation. For example, a holiday-inspired dinner party is a perfect occasion for elegant all-white decor paired with draped table cloths, pillar candles lit atop luxe holders, floating floral arrangements, and, for a personal touch, handwritten place settings.
Utilizing free resources such as Canva for menu templates and creating a “Dinner Party” moodboard via Pinterest is perfect for gathering dinner inspiration for themes, decor, and recipes for the special occasion.
Simplify the Menu
@oliviaamcdowell How to host your own pasta making dinner party — part 1: pasta making from scratch 🤍 Hosting dinner parties has become my favorite thing to do this year. More goes into it than you expect, the prep, planning, guestlist, tablescape, etc. but it’s always worth it in the end. What do you guys want to see next? #hostingtips #dinnerparty #pastamaking
Don’t overcomplicate the menu. A simple dinner party formula to use as your guide to making sure your guests leave full of food and joy is appetizers, salads, entrees, sides, desserts, and beverages. As a starter, assemble an aesthetic spread that your guest can nibble on while awaiting the main course with starters such as bread, cheese, jam, nuts, and fruit. A simple salad will do, complete with a light dressing right before your entree. For a main dish, pasta recipes always go a long way and also allows your guests to interact with one another, which leads to McDowell's third dinner party hosting tip.
Include an Interactive Element
@oliviaamcdowell Replying to @itstai.tv 🥹🖤 #girlhood
To break the ice and encourage guests to get to know one another, introduce interactive elements to the evening. Moments of interaction allow everyone to connect, like capturing content for social media or memorializing the essence of the night through fun Polaroids. Olivia also encourages her guests to participate in the pasta-making dinner process as a group, or if hosting a brunch, her friends indulge in building their own coffee bar as an opportunity for forming connections and conversation starters. Group board or card games are also great for laughs and healthy competition to help get the vibes flowing.
Don’t Forget the Dress code
@oliviaamcdowell Replying to @samantha_mendiz when all of your friends are the main character 🖤🥂 #dinnerparty #nycfashion
Tis’ the season for glamour and sparkles, so why not go all out with a super chic dress code? You can’t have a picture-perfect holiday dinner party without the coordinating attire to match. When planning, make sure to make the required attire specific yet broad enough for a range of personalities and preferences to comfortably partake while looking stunning doing so.
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Featured image by Justin Lambert/Getty Images