What is your #HustleWhy?

Everybody has a reason that they work as hard as they do, hustle. You may hustle for your family, your friends, your name, security, stability, growth, or to live the fullest life possible. Whatever your hustle why is, let it be ever changing. Your hustle why needs to be something that takes on roots in your life and evolves as you evolve. Your hustle why is a goal that you seek to achieve, and once it's done, set a new goal. Never become stagnant. Never become complacent. Never allow yourself to be haughty or unappreciative of the people that helped you reach that hustle why.

We as business owners have a responsibility to be innovative, successful, strong, and determined to achieve our vision. Without the innovation and stick-to-itness of entrepreneurs, there would be nothing. We'd still be living in caves, and walking around naked! Now that second part sounds great since I hate doing laundry, but I do enjoy the modern comforts of central heat and air and cooking on the stove top.

So, tell me, what is your most recent #hustlewhy? Let's start a conversation and you can tell me what makes you hustle the way you do. One of mine is my son, and he is definitely growing, changing, and putting down roots in my life every day!

Tidbits by Tay: The "Patti Pie"

This post was originally posted on my personal Facebook page, but I felt that it was necessary to share here as well!

Congratulations Ms. Pattie! Your pies are sold out of nearly every Wal-Mart in America, and you were able to pull in $2.5 million in sales revenue from your venture in one weekend (roughly $104,667 an hour)! People went out in droves to support you and buy a pie they can make themselves or eat for free in a few weeks. The majority of people buying these pies were African Americans, and I commend each of you for supporting her pie venture.

Now I have three challenges for you all: 1) While the cost of a sweet potato pie is not the same as the cost of a handcrafted Blessed Body Brand bar of soap (shameless plug here), find a local minority artisan to support with your dollars. (If you can't find one, I can help with that.) 2) Again, while the cost of life insurance is higher than the cost of a sweet potato pie, why not buy some coverage even if it's just enough to bury you with dignity so your family isn't selling fish plates? I'm sure most of you that bought pies bought (& ate) more than one. Let's see if you qualify for at least $25,000 before you "catch the suga" and can't get anything at all! (I offer this service too.) 3) Take note of this event, and realize that while you may not agree with the "hoteps" or the "sheep" on anything else, we can all agree that the "black dollar" has power in America & we fail to leverage it by our own divisive actions!

While this post is mainly discussing small businesses run by African Americans, we should also support small businesses run by and/or founded by other minorities in America as well. We each stand to gain so much by supporting each other. Buy at least one item for each room in your house from a small business rugs, wall art, bath products, hair care products, food, dishes, etc. Minorities are represented and under-supported in every industry in America! You as a consumer just have to take the time to support them. There are multiple minority supported Facebook groups, such as the Buy Black Friday - Online Market. You will find minority owned businesses representing quality products and services in a multitude of industries! Just head over and request entry! You'll be glad you did.

***UPDATE***

Oh my goodness, I didn't realize that I'd allowed 3 months to pass by with out posting to my blog! What on Earth was I doing? Well, I'll let you know exactly what I was doing: building my knowledge of Finance! In the past three months, I've spent countless hours going back over what I learned in college and putting it with what I am experiencing in the field, and I have to say that I've learned so much since I became a licensed life, health, & annuities agent than I ever did in a classroom!

When I go out and talk to people, I get the opportunity to see real world scenarios (not the simplified examples that we get in textbooks!). I have the opportunity to see in real time what the stock market has done, is doing, and will do to the retirement plan for the working class (401(k)), and I see the inequality in financial services that the middle class and lower income Americans receive EVERY DAY!

The systems in place are being re-written by a select few companies, and I am thankful that I partnered with one of them! I'll be talking a lot more about finance and many of the different ways to make your financial goals a reality! STAY TUNED!

~Shanta