Today is #WINtentionalWednesday!!!

Today is #WINtentionalWednesday, and I am so excited about it! One of the most important skills in life is the ability to set and reach your goals! Why? Because to successfully set and reach goals, you must be intentional about your personal development: What are my strengths? Weaknesses? How can I improve in my weak areas to maximize my impact and minimize the time it takes to reach my goals?


What are some dreams that you have for your life? What visions of yourself inspire you? Each of us has inside of us the propensity to dream and to create the life we choose! Personal development is the key that unlocks the door to our greatest experiences while consistency is the force that pushes that door open! Think about your life goals and visions for a few minutes. Do they seem lofty and frightening? Mine often do. That is when I remember that I can accomplish those goals with ease when I take calculated and INTENTIONAL steps towards them.

One of my dreams is to own a Maserati Ghibli Q4 (although those Teslas are quite appealing!!) With all of my current customizations, this car is well over $80,000. However I dice it, TODAY, this car is "slightly" out of my reach. Fortunately though for me, I know that by setting and reaching small goals and staying consistent with my stated intentions, I CAN own this car!

 Once again, really think about your goals, dreams, and visions for your life! Sit down with pen and paper and write down ALL of the tools that you currently have to get you there and then write down all of the tools you THINK you need to get you there. Now is where the work comes in! Find a way to utilize personal development to improve the skills you have and gain the skills that you need. This is your challenge. How do you intend to win today?

Current Events: Pause for the Cause(s)

This week millions of Americans celebrated independence day: black, white, brown, and albino, and then a few days later the news of two fatal police shootings shook the "entire nation," rather it should have. (Click here for the stories.) Once the news broke, it exposed the fractures and fault lines of America. #BlackLivesMatter was once again (and frustratingly so) the subject of discussion with sentiments ranging from "If they'd done... they'd still be alive" to "I don't understand why they keep doing this to us" and whole lot of in between!

While I agree that #BlackLivesMatter, I also know that this issue is deeper than race. It's much deeper than systematic oppression, and much deeper than police brutality. This is an issue of good versus evil, light versus dark, and heaven versus hell. If you disagree, think about this. You have a black friend in the LGBT community whose life was turned upside down after the shootings in Orlando. People were killed because of their sexual preference/identification. Take it even further and think about the possibility of another friend who is black, LGBT, and raised Islamic who is hated because of the actions of another radical extremist group!

Prejudice and categorization exists to create division, disdain, and a lack of trust within communities that, if we could ban together with a positive purpose, would become an unstoppable force for good. Don't let you absence from the groups being affected stop you from speaking. Don't allow your absence from a certain struggle cause you to belittle the struggle and rights of those in that struggle. We must all come together and learn to empathize with our fellow human being. We must realize that there is more at play than race.Think about this:

While we crusade for racial equality (which is a VERY worthy cause), the unseen hands that shape our country are pushing forward agendas that will take our rights away and have us stuck with no one to depend on but the very people that we are so prejudiced against.

Money Matters: Income Basics

If you are an astute financial guru with years of experience and knowledge, this blog series will likely bore you to tears. This series is for the young and young at heart who don't quite know where to start. This simplified equation will help you to clear up confusion about budget building basics and clear up the misconceptions that may be plaguing you, and it is important to understand the basics before you move into more complex issues like credit, income taxes, etc. Having an income allows you to create goals for your finances (and pay your expenses). My top 5 financial goals are listed below:

1. Save for my son's college education (should he choose to go)
2. Save for retirement
3. Travel to at least 2 countries a year
4. Build a home
5. Build a strong empire/legacy to leave to my son

For our purposes we'll use the following definition for income: all funds flowing into your bank account from all sources. This includes wages, money received from business activities, unexpected gifts, interest, etc It is important to know where your money is coming from. For most people starting out, their income comes from working a job and receiving a direct deposit on some set schedule throughout the month.




If this is your only source of income, it will be much easier for you to track. If you have multiple streams of income, it is important to know when and how much to expect at any given time. This is one area of your finances that you have complete control over! Yes, you have complete control of your finances and no one can convince me otherwise.




You may be limited on a job by your title; however, if your job offers opportunities for advancement and higher pay, you should strive to obtain that higher pay grade. If there are no offers for advancement, you may (you should) find a place that allows you to grow and be promoted. If you are an entrepreneur, you know that your income is dependent on your efforts. What can you do within your business plan and parameters to boost your income? How can you attract more paying clients and referrals? This is for you to determine and there are several industry leading experts in this area!




Once you've mastered your income, you can start building a plan to reach your financial goals. Your income is your choice, and it is the most important piece of creating a boosted budget!

Money Matters: Understanding the Equation

Once you've taken the time to discover where your money is coming from, where your money is going, and how your money is growing, you'll need to make a plan to get to where you need to go! This is where budget planning comes in handy! What are your top 5 financial goals? My goals are

1. Save for my son's college education (should he choose to go)
2. Save for retirement
3. Travel to at least 2 countries a year
4. Build a home
5. Build a strong empire/legacy to leave to my son

How can I achieve these  goals? I must set forth a realistic yet challenging budgeting and savings plan and know what options will get me to my goals in a way that truly suits my needs. The equation below is a very simplified way to understand your monetary goals:

Income = Expenses + Investments

 Although simple, if you understand what each component contributes and how to balance the equation, your financial goals are attainable.

Income: all funds flowing into your bank account from all sources. This includes wages, money received from business activities, unexpected gifts, interest, etc

Expenses: all fixed or variable outflows (rent, electricity, water, etc)

Investments: all money moved strategically and intentionally to a separate account to gain interest credit and the interest added to this account

If you've never created a budget or need a coach to guide you along the path, Start Young Financial Group and finance coach Latasha Kinnard are the place to be and the person to know! You'll have access to resources and tools that will help you create your best budget and live your healthiest financial life possible! The Virtual Budget Box is a great option for beginners or anyone who just needs help putting it all together while the 90 Day Income to Empire Intensive Course is a great option for people who are looking for a hands on, one-on-one coaching to not only reach their financial goals, but to surpass them! Get started on your path to financial freedom today!

Money Matters: Coming, Going, Growing?

This year we are going to spend a lot more time talking about finances and budgeting! When it comes to your money, you need to know where it's coming from, where it's going, and how it's growing. If you miss any one of these three areas, you can end up in a lot of trouble! This is when Payday loans and high credit card balances can create a huge sinkhole in your financial pathway! You don't want to get sucked in to a sinkhole!


How do you take control of your finances and start making smarter decisions? You start with the beginning: income. How much money do you bring home each week, biweekly, monthly? Once you have this figure, you need to look at your expenses, ALL OF THEM! This is not the time to get cute with yourself. Be honest with your expenses. Count how often you stop at the drive-thru for coffee and how many packs of roasted unsalted peanuts you buy when you stop to pay for gas. These little expenses add up very quickly over time!


Next step, determine what expenses are necessary, acceptable, and extravagant. Try to reduce your extravagant expenses to zero or less than 10% of your income. Yes, it may be nice to go to the beach every weekend in the Summer, but the amount that you spend on fuel, food, and lodging (if your relatives don't live there) could be better utilized in category three: money growth!


The last category is your money growth. What kind of investments do you have, stocks, bonds, insurance, annuities? Is that investment strategy working for you and your family? If not, you need to reevaluate your strategy, and I'd love to help!


Visit the Prosperity Legacy webpage today to schedule a free consultation by filling out the "Contact Us" form (please include 3 dates/times that you are available), and remember: when it comes to your personal finances, you need to know where your money is coming from, where it's going, and how it's growing.


~Shanta Wilkerson

Happy New Year 2016!

Happy New Year! I can't believe it's 2016 already! 2015 was a blur, but so many amazing things happened! I gained a new family/business, my cousin survived a vicious put bull attack, my son turned 4, and I am becoming more and more the woman that I was designed to be!

This journey has not been without its lessons, so I want to share three important lessons that I am taking into 2016:

1) there are no shorcuts to success

• consistency and persistency are key
• plan, try, fail, repeat, SUCCESS

2) it's ok if people say "no"; everyone isn't meant to be a part of your business or our message

• know your target audience and market to them
• brand your business and stick to it
• you have to sell yourself on your vision everyday; stay motivated so the rejections can be fuel

3) self-development is business management; you need to constantly improve for your business to improve

• my challenge this year is to read 1 book per month (not very high, but last year...)
• do a self inventory at least once a quarter to measure your growth
• the better you develop and manage yourself, the easier it is to do it for your business

What are some lessons that you learned in 2015 that will make you even better in 2016?

GOOD BYE TAX SEASON: An Ode to Entrepreneurship

GOOD BYE TAX SEASON

An Ode to Entrepreneurship

 

Every year, millions of Americans file their taxes. This year and last year I spent some time in the offices of H&R Block as an income tax professional, and I must say that it is very educational. I learn so much every year and discover exactly how much variation there is in this country.

 

Normally, I have W-2 income and rarely any schedule C income (self employment) unless I am doing my own. There is a HUGE lack of entrepreneurship where I currently live and at times it makes me feel out of place, but the interaction is what keeps me going back! Truck drivers, school teacher, security guards, and all the rest all have a very interesting story to tell, and taxes tells it all.

 

These people work hard for every dime that they receive from their wages, but many of them are living below their potential. There are so many people that I meet who are "just getting by" and ready for a change. They want to experience the thrill of being their own boss, but the fear of change holds so many people in place.

 

We are taught, trained, & conditioned to get an education and join the workforce. We are taught that when we work hard for others, it will pay off with a large paycheck, a big house, new car, and the perfect environment to raise our families, but today I challenge that thought! We are not meant to work all day every day until we die. Other nations have a much better view of work than we do (think siestas)! What if you could live the American dream on your own terms? I'M TELLING YOU THAT IT'S POSSIBLE!

 

This new opportunity that I have discovered has truly opened my eyes to the reality that I can live the life that I want without breaking my back on someone else's behalf. It has also taught me that I did not need to go to college, and if I had listened to my mother in high school, I would be $90,000+ lighter in the debt department! Network marketing companies are a great option for those seeking to make a change but are not sure how to start. I know when you hear "network marketing" you may automatically be turned off, but let me explain.

 

Anytime you make a major purchase, you verify it with others. That means you look at reviews, you ask the people currently in the neighborhood, or you may even consult your parents or other trusted advisors for their opinion. We do it daily, for free! There exist in this world a number of companies that utilize this network marketing framework to build relationships and income for the dedicated individuals who can see the vision and bring it to life.

 

I've been an entrepreneur since 2013, and there was no system in place when I started. However, with my current opportunity, there is a system in place, there is no monthly purchase requirement, and I can get the experience and education that I thought college would give me for a much lower cost!! The company I am referring to is People Helping People. This opportunity is exciting because I have a team, I have a system, and my team is AWESOME!! They are there when I need them, and I believe in the vision of the company! If you are interested in making a change, let me know. PHO may not be the change for you, but you can find the company that provides you just the change that you are looking for! I'M TELLING YOU THAT IT'S POSSIBLE!

~Shanta

Natural Hair Update

Prior to cut: front

Side view before cut

 Natural Hair Update 

 

 

 

1 week after cut

I CUT MY HAIR!!! On April 3rd I came home from a very long weekend at Children's Hospital and chopped off my hair. I put it in 6 tightly braided and detangled plaits and cut off all of the colored ends. My hair was in bad shape from general neglect, damage from the color, and super split ends. It was even breaking off where the color met the uncolored hair!!! I was trying to hold on to the length until I could get my hands on a Talavera Split Ender; however, the damage was constant, so I had to make a decision!

After cutting my hair, it felt AMAZING!!!! The strands are thicker/stronger, and it feels exceptionally soft and moisturized. I am pleased to report that my hair is thriving, and the virgin hair has been thriving with gusto!! I only use my products on my hair unless my mom brings some Shea Moisture home LOL I wash once with Castile soap or the Lush Bar followed by one wash with the Peppermint Mud Bar.

After the wash, I rinse thoroughly and moisturize my scalp with my Herbal Hair Oil and moisturize my strand with my Butter Creme Body Frosting. My hair loves this regimen!! I stopped using a comb in October of 2014, and it has given me a much more intimate understanding of my hair. I also deep condition and keep my hair in two strand twists (picture before the cut) throughout the week. I spray with water, detangle, and moisturize my twists once a week and wash on Fridays. This is what work FOR ME! If you are new to natural hair, you may need to try many different processes before you find the routine that works best for you. Remember, it's not just about how long your hair is. GOOD HAIR IS HEALTHY HAIR!!

To stay up-to-date with all things Blessed Body Brand and my natural hair journey, follow me on Facebook (Blessed Body Brand: All-natural Soaps and More, Twitter & Instagram (blessed_shanta), and on Pinterest ( Blessed Body Brand)!

~Shanta