How Media Correspondent PhaShunta Hubert Used Rejection to Build Her Own Brand
To an entrepreneur, the word "no" really just means let me figure out how I'm going to make this work. "No" never means that it's not going to happen – just maybe not with you. This is exactly what gave 25-year-old Michigan native PhaShunta Hubert the burning desire to take matters into her own hands to become one of media's youngest correspondents in the game.
Not only is she a maven in her own right, but this force to be reckoned with is also a mom of one and a soon to be graduate of Eastern Michigan University.
At the very beginning of her career, PhaShunta became very familiar with rejection, but didn't let that stop her as she remembered that some of her biggest inspirations were just as familiar with the spirit-crushing "no's" before they became acquainted with success. She had trouble securing mentors, landing internships, and even paid jobs in her field.
When PhaShunta finally landed an intern position, she soon realized that it was nothing like what she had in mind and became determined to pave her own path. She had already begun building her brand but the experience reminded her of her own goals of creating a media empire she could be proud of.
She began interviewing some of the local personalities and eventually branched out to interview more popular big names such as Tyler Perry, Rev. Al Sharpton, Mona Scott Young, Angie Martinez, Keke Palmer, Erica Campbell, Teyana Taylor and many more. Her website missPhaShunta.com did so well that she has since been able to secure features in ESSENCE, Huffington Post, Ebony, and Black Enterprise to name a few.
Her greatest lesson in rejection is that a temporary "no," doesn't mean permanent defeat. "You have to find a way to become motivated by the word 'no' and figure out a way to turn it into a 'YES' because it will happen long as you keep striving for your dreams," PhaShunta explained. "I've also learned to ask the person who told me 'no' for advice on ways I could improve. There's no reason to prolong sadness from rejection and become furious with that person because what's for you will be for you and no one can take that from you."
"What's for you will be for you and no one can take that from you."
She has been so inspired by the "no's" that she launched her own podcast titled "Celebrate Hearing No". The podcast has featured the likes of Matthew Knowles, Yvonne Orji, Dana Chanel, B. Simone and many others. Her goal and mission is to motivate others to inspire and embrace "no" and challenge her listeners to turn it into a big fat "YES!"
PhaShunta credits her success today to family, prayer, and persistence. She also notes that it's important to back your prayers with action and to stay true to your brand and what you initially set out to do. "I wanted people to like my content but I wasn't desperate to where I would step outside of my box being untrue to myself for likes or shares on social media."
Her thick skin has also assisted her in building such an impressive roster of celebrity interviews. PhaShunta says it was hard at first to get in touch with publicists and managers, but once she got the hang of it, things started to fall into place. She was professional, polite, and was always sure to send a follow-up email in the event that the recipients happened to be busy. She was already familiar with having doors closed in her face, so whenever she did encounter a "no" – once again, she was only faced with the question of "How can I turn this into a yes?"
And as a testament to the fact the efficacy of her life's mantra, to this day, Miss PhaShunta has never met a door her tenacity couldn't open.
At the tender age of 25, PhaShunta has made quite a name for herself and believes this is only the beginning. "I always told myself what I do will attract the right people and I'm forever grateful for those who have supported me so far."
For more Miss PhaShunta, follow her on Instagram.
*Featured Imageby DDS
Danielle Smith is a Toronto-based Personal Development Junkie on the gram @youbettaglowgirl. She keeps her hands full as a Writer, Speaker, Stylist & Non-Profit Founder, all while doing her most important job as a full-time mama of one. Marching to the beat of her own drum and a playlist of her favourite 90s R&B, she's blazed a path of her own.
Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.
Russell and Nina Westbrook Dish On The Key Ways To Avoid Resentment In Relationships
Russell and Nina Westbrook are one of those low-key, unproblematic couples we don’t talk about enough. They met in college and got married in 2015. They also have a beautiful family with three kids. While Russell is an NBA star, Nina is a licensed family and marriage therapist and a mental health advocate.
She recently launched the podcast The Relationship Chronicles with Nina Westbrook, and in the latest episode, she had none other than her husband on as a guest. The college sweethearts dived into important topics from marriage to children and how they navigate it all.
One of the topics they touched on was dealing with resentment in your relationship. The former MVP highlighted the sacrifices his wife has had to make in order for him to pursue a career in the NBA, and that’s why it’s also important for him to support his wife whenever he can.
“For me is respecting and understanding what your partner do and the time it takes,” Russell said. “Not kind of downplaying what they do, understanding the time and energy and effort they're doing to make sure whether it’s their job or making sure home is taken care of, and understanding that, I think that is the challenge of not being resentful.”
Nina agreed and also shared her thoughts on resentment. According to her, one of the best things couples should do is have their own identity and passions outside of the relationship in an effort to be fulfilled.
“I also think that when you’re in a relationship, that’s why it’s so important that each individual kinda pursue their own passions and follow their own dreams as I feel like it only becomes or leads to resentment when one person is not feeling fulfilled in what they're doing in their lives,” she explained.
“And so, they will start to look at the other partner who’s happy or excelling or promoting or moving along in their journey, then they’re left feeling stuck like they sacrificed themselves, their happiness, their career, their future and have not pursued it in the name of the relationship or their partner. So, it’s so much easier to avoid those feelings of resentment when you’re each equally pursuing your passions.”
The couple has many passions that they work on together and separately. Outside of basketball and his family, Russell has become known for his eclectic style and started the fashion brand Honor The Gift. Nina has her podcast, and she also started the mental health website Bene. Together, they run the Why Not? Foundation, which works with kids in underserved communities.
“I’m a firm believer that one person can’t be everything to you, so you have to sort of seek out those different friendships or groups or hobbies or activities that help to fulfill you,” Nina concluded.
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Feature image by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Religion of Sports
