USE CODE ALLDAY TO SAVE 15% ON YOUR SANTE GRACE PURCHASE

Today's episode brought to you by my 2021 Black Owned Business Gift Guide!

November's Black Owned Business of the Month is Black owned plus size clothing brand, Sante Grace! I chatted with owner and designer, Tracy Christian, about the challenges she has overcome since launching Sante Grace last year at the height of the pandemic and how she basically created her own blueprint for quality, designer-inspired plus size clothing. FULL SHOWNOTES HERE

As you'll hear Tracy mention, one of the biggest pitfalls of the fashion industry is that it is inherently designed to make women feel less than, as if there's some part of their body that they need to fix in order to be able to rock the latest trend. But one of the amazing things that sets Sante Grace apart, is that Tracy creates beautiful clothing to make you feel good RIGHT NOW, not after Spanx, and not 5-10 pounds from now. I was so inspired by my chat with Tracy and I know you will be too. Enjoy!

DISCLOSURE: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post contains affiliate links from which I earn a commission, at no extra cost to you, when you make a purchase. Read more about it HERE.

• What inspired Tracy to create and launch Sante Grace
• Challenges she has faced since launching her brand
• The lack of quality, sustainable clothing options for plus size women
• Tracy's passion for creating clothing that flatters and inspires rather than "just fits"
• Day in the life of a clothing designer
• Why she's committed to paying her contractors a fair wage
• Tracy's tips for updating your plus size wardrobe
• Top picks from Sante Grace (shop below)

Tracy's Picks

The Muse Silk Kaftan

Haute Carine Pussybow Silk Chiffon Top

Something The Lord Made Two Piece Terry Cloth Set

USE CODE ALLDAY TO SAVE 15% ON YOUR SANTE GRACE PURCHASE

You may already by familiar with Tracy Christian. Based in Los Angles, California, she runs a successful licensed talent agent, TCA Mgmt, and her past clients include Octavia Spencer, Mo'Nique, and E

Today's chat with Bianca Hughes is near and dear to my heart. If you're on my email list or you follow me on social, we've discussed the importance of honoring ourselves and who we are OUTSIDE of being mothers. I recently began that journey for myself, and it has definitely made me a more present and relaxed mother and partner. Embracing and celebrating all of the parts that make up who you are is the perfect example of authentic living.

If you're someone who struggles with living authentically and you want to find your true self, I encourage you to have a listen! Bianca breaks down her work as an authenticity coach (yes, she offers virtual sessions!) and gives pointers to start your journey of living authentically and overcoming perfectionism. FULL SHOWNOTES HERE

• What is an authenticity coach?
• The importance of overcoming perfectionism and embracing authentic living
• Dealing with unrealistic expectations as women and mothers
• The effects of intergenerational trauma and post traumatic slave syndrome on Black mothers
• Taking time, as a society, for self-reflection and personal development
• Bianca's four tips for authentic living
• Bianca's 2 minute body scan exercise
• Why it's important to PUT YOURSELF FIRST
• Why meditation is important and how it helps
• Bianca's practice in Dunwoody, GA

• 21 Insights For Authentic Living, by Cherlene Wilson

• Living Against The Grain: How To Make Decisions That Lead To Authentic Life, by Tim Muldoon

Bianca Hughes is a Licensed Professional Counselor & Authenticity Coach and the owner of Authentically Be You Counseling. She specializes in helping women who are struggling with overcoming perfectionism and who want to embrace authentic living.

Bianca actually began her personal journey with authenticity very early on. Growing up in London with Caribbean roots, Bianca prided herself on her raw honesty until she began to realize it was always more judgmental and directed at other people rather than herself. She began the work of recognizing her strengths and areas of improvement, and embracing her true authentic self.

Today, Bianca Hughes helps her patients in therapy and through her work as an authenticity coach.

www.AuthenticallyBeYou.com

I recently wrote about how applying the concepts that Bianca and I discussed in this interview have helped me be a better mom. If this is something you struggle with as well, check it out!

All things lifestyle & family, plus tons of Black owned business features and round-ups!

Today's episode is a good one, ya'll! My guest, Shala Thomas, is a medical communication specialist, so she knows a thing or two about reliable sources. In this episode, we discuss everything from how to advocate for yourself with your doctor to the vaccine trials and how to determine an online source's credibility. Shala had some really good insight on how the trials went down and the safeguards put in place to help protect the general public, so I'm especially excited for you to listen. FULL SHOWNOTES HERE

We actually taped this episode earlier this year, but a lot of the topics (vaccine hesitancy & the Black community's mistrust for doctors in general) are still incredibly relevant today. I originally wanted to do what I could to share reliable information and help people advocate for themselves with their doctors and I think, even today, our chat will go a long way in doing that. Anyway, take a listen, and as always, come find me on Instagram to share your thoughts!

• Shala's receipts (her background in oncology research and her journey to becoming a medical communication specialist)
• Shala's commitment to mentoring current students in the medical writing field
• Black community: working through our distrust for the medical community as a whole
• How to advocate for yourself with your doctor (what to research, what questions to ask, etc.)
• Shala's thoughts on Tuskegee and how today's clinical trials differ from that experience
• Reliable sources: how to find them and how to determine the credibility of an online source
• Shala's upcoming Clinical Blueprint project to help regular people understand scientific terms and make informed healthcare decisions

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Shala Thomas is a medical communications specialist with a PhD in Oncology. We go into the details of what that actually means, but, in a nutshell, Shala helps write up the articles and reports you see in esteemed medical journals like the New England Journal of Medicine. As one of the few Black women in her chosen field, Shala's definitely the person to speak with about reliable medical sources, and of course, the kind of tricky relationship some Black folks have with healthcare professionals. Shala shared a lot of thoughtful insight in this episode, so it's a good one to listen to and share with anyone who wants to know more about advocating for themselves with their doctors.

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Instagram @curating.stories

www.CuratingStories.com

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All things lifestyle & family, plus tons of Black owned business features and round-ups! www.AllDayBritney.com

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In today's episode, I discuss finding yourself as a mom and giving yourself permission to pursue your passions outside of motherhood with Allyson A. Robinson with the Hey Girl, It's Allyson podcast. This episode was super important; as parents, we're always trying to find that balance between being present for our babies while also honoring our own interests and pursuits. Do you struggle with work life balance? Or maybe you're like me, a SAHM trying to balance mom life while also making time for the activities that make you happy and whole. If any of this sounds familiar, I think you'll really enjoy today's episode! FULL SHOWNOTES HERE

If you follow my blog or have connected with me on any of my socials, you may notice I've been a little quiet lately. One of the reasons I was so excited to share this episode is because I'm LITERALLY living this life as we speak. At the beginning of this year, I had so many plans and goals for the blog and this podcast, and it's been difficult reconciling everything that I want to accomplish with homeschool and the process of raising the kids in general. Hubs, of course, is a huge help, but mom guilt is so real, ya'll! I went back and listened to my chat with Allyson a few nights ago, and as I was taking notes, there were so many little gems that I felt I could apply to my life right now. In the episode, you'll hear me tell Allyson "I feel like you're talking directly to me" and that's still true today. I hope you'll feel the same! Anyway, all that to say, if you're working on finding yourself outside of motherhood, I know you'll get as much as I did out of today's chat!

• Allyson's background in education and how that informed her journey
• Allyson's decision to transition into staying at home with her twin girls
• The importance of setting an example and sharing your passions and/ or career with your kids
• Time-blocking and finding pockets of time to hit small goals
• The ongoing journey of finding yourself as a mom and pursuing your passions outside of motherhood
• The problem with the "I'm a Mom first" mentality
• Why it's important to look for happiness and success outside of your children
• Allowing your kids to look outside of you for comfort and fulfillment (when they're ready)
• For Moms who have no idea where to start

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Allyson A. Robinson began her journey as a singer enrolled in a graduate-level vocal performance program before she lost her voice and was forced to get in touch with her true purpose. She says, once she was able to focus on God's voice instead of her own, she was able to embrace her calling as a youth minister. Today, as an author, host of the Hey Girl! It's Allyson podcast, and motivational speaker, she uses her platform to inspire and empower other women to be their true, unique selves. All while raising her four year old twin girls at home. She's right there in the trenches working on being present with her babies while honoring her purpose to help and inspire the rest of us, and she shares some incredibly helpful gems in today's episode.

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Hey, Girl! It's Allyson Podcast

In today's podcast episode, I'm chatting with Anitra Jackson of Chronicles of a Momtessorian about the meaning of Montessori and how to start Montessori at home and/ or in the classroom. If you're a homeschooling parent, teacher, or a parent who's just looking to switch things up a bit with your littles, this is an awesome episode to get tips and a better understanding of what Montessori means. FULL SHOWNOTES HERE

Disclosure

I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post contains affiliate links from which I earn a commission, at no extra cost to you, when you make a purchase. Read more about it HERE

Around this time last year, I, like many parents, prepared for the possibility of homeschooling my oldest baby. She was due to start pre-school last year, but I didn't feel comfortable doing traditional schooling, so homeschool was our best bet. In my research, I stumbled across Montessori and was instantly intrigued. I've mentioned before how we're raising our babes to be independent and outspoken, and this seemed like the perfect way to encourage those traits. The tiny snag? There's sooo much info out their on Montessori; some of it was helpful, and some of it was confusing and downright conflicting. Enter Anitra and Chronicles of a Momtessorian. I knew she would be the perfect gal to chat about how to start incorporating Montessori concepts at home.

• Montessori meaning
• The Montessori "umbrella"
• What can Montessori teach our kids?
• How Chronicles of a Momtessorian has helped Anitra add her voice and perspective to the Montessori space
• All of the basic materials you need for an authentic Montessori environment
• Are Montessori "toys" a thing?
• How to start Montessori at home
• What do the naysayers say about Montessori?
• The benefits of giving your kids freedom and space to figure some things out on their own
• BONUS: Anitra's tried and true lesson to help kids stop interrupting

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Anitra Jackson first began incorporating Montessori at home when her oldest child was just eighteen months. She fell in love with Montessori after observing a Montessori class in action. Anitra was inspired by the students as they worked peacefully, some independently and some with their teacher, and decided to incorporate the concepts at home with her own children. Today, Anitra is a certified Montessori Educator of 19 years and the creator of Chronicles of a Momtessorian, an all-encompassing lifestyle blog with tons of helpful resources, activities, and info for Montessori parents and educators.

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Chronicles of a Momtessorian

Twitter: @themomtessorian

Facebook: Chronicles of a Momtessorian

SPOILER ALERT: Lisa Scales is actually my Mama(: I figured she would be the best person to chat with about how to start an Etsy shop, since I've watched her build a robust business on Etsy selling handcrafted, unique gifts for several years. When the pandemic started last year, I saw her pivot and adapt as necessary to continue serving her customer and I admired her perseverance. So I, of course, wanted to feature her shop, Lisa's Maker Space, for February's Black owned business of the month and pick her brain about how she's managed to thrive in her chosen market.

Both her and my younger sister own Etsy shops and, just about every morning, we have virtual strategy sessions, so this interview was basically an extension of those chats! Consider it your "behind-the-scenes" peek. I also want to add that if you've ever considered starting an Etsy shop, this episode is definitely the one to listen to! We discuss Lisa's experience starting her business on Etsy, the pros and cons of selling on Etsy, and the specific actions she's taken to be successful. She's spilling all the tea this week, so definitely check it out!

**More info on our sponsor, Lisa’s Maker Space, HERE. Use code ALLDAY for your free gift!**

• Why handmade?
• How to decide if your passion project is worth monetizing
• Lisa's decision to focus mainly on gifts and novelty items featuring Black images
• Collaborating with up and coming Black artists
• Staying unique and ahead-of-the-curve in a somewhat crowded market
• How to start (and run) an Etsy shop
• The pros and cons of selling on Etsy
• Niching down and finding your customer
• Designing, creating, and shipping in-house
• What to expect when shopping with a small business
• Remember to shout out your small business purchases!

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Lisa Scales is the owner of Lisa's Maker Space, a Black owned Etsy shop that specializes in handcrafted, unique, and fun gifts featuring vibrant, artsy images with Brown skin. Lisa has always had an affinity for creating and designing and after making her own freebies during her time as a successful real estate agent, she decided to open her own Etsy shop. With a combination of faith, determination, and a willingness to learn, Lisa figured figured out how to start an Etsy shop, and the rest is history!

Today, Lisa's Maker Space carries culturally minded gifts including puzzles, coffee mugs, metal and ceramic prints, and even At Home Sip and Paint kits. Whether you're shopping for birthdays, holidays, or just-because, Lisa's Maker Space carries a little something for everyone.

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www.LisasMakerSpace.com (use code ALLDAY for free gift with purchase!)

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This week, I chatted with Sherica A. Matthews about developing and cultivating emotional intimacy in a relationship with your spouse or partner while also running your business or pursuing a successful career. As moms, partners, business owners, career-women, or some combination of all four, sometimes (okay, maybe a lot of the time) we struggle with maintaining that strong relationship with our partners. With the added pressure of teleworking and virtual school, a lot of us are stressed, busy, and struggling now more then ever. So, I figured we were long overdue for a conversation about the challenges we face with building emotional intimacy in our relationships and how to overcome those issues.

My biggest takeaway? Relationships are abstract, so there's no "right way" to handle them. As far as relationship advice, tips, ideas, etc. take the concepts that you find the most helpful and adapt them to your specific situation.

**More info on our sponsor, Lisa's Maker Space, HERE. Use code ALLDAY for your free gift!**

• Sherica's background in electrical engineering and how that informs her work today as a life coach and relationship expert
• The importance of being vulnerable and open with your partner
• Developing a deeper understanding of self before seeking that deeper understanding of your partner
• When to get curious & get naked
• Honoring our emotions and viewing our relationships as a safe space
• Intimacy and relationship advice for women entrepreneurs
• Creative ways to playfully engage throughout the day
• How to avoid falling into an intimacy rut
• The "Olivia Pope Persona"
• Balancing being present in your relationship with maintaining a successful career
• When your partner needs help communicating effectively
• Sherica's "Relationship Success For High Achieving Women" community

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Sherica A. Matthews is a professional Life Coach with certifcations in relationship coaching and grief counseling. While working in her original field of choice, electrical engineering, Sherica noticed the lack of information and "formal training" in maintaining intimacy in relationships for female entrepreneurs and career women. She was inspired to get her life coach certification and immediately went to work helping her fellow women entrepreneurs.

You can learn more about Sherica's work at www.ShericaAMatthews.com or on her YouTube channel where she shares spot-on relationship advice and tips for women entrepreneurs.

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It's a "very special episode" of TRIBE Culture LIFE this month! (And, if you get that reference, you're my people!) In honor of Valentine's Day this month, I decided to chat with Cassandra T. Le about dating abroad, falling in love, and maintaining your sense of community while living and working abroad.

We started the episode off with a little background on Cassandra's decision to move to Spain and it was so much fun hearing about that process firsthand. Moving across the world is no easy feat, and Cassandra's adventurous spirit and willingness to step out of her comfort zone are what drew me to her story in the first place. I'm almost certain those traits helped set the scene for her to meet and fall in love with her partner. Are you looking for love abroad? Or maybe just intrigued by Cassandra's story? Listen as we chat about her journey so far and the beautiful life she lives with her partner in Málaga, Spain.

• Cassandra's background as a Vietnamese American living and working outside of DC
• The culture-shock of relocating from a large, diverse metro area to a small town in Spain
• What it was like to integrate into a completely foreign culture
• Finding love abroad
• Dating and communicating with a language barrier
• Where to settle? Spain vs. the U.S.
• Mixing the best parts of Spanish and Vietnamese culture
• How Cassandra and her partner have managed to build community and maintain relationships while working remotely
• Interested in dating abroad? Here's what you need to know!

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Cassandra T. Le runs The Quirky Pineapple where she helps her clients build their brands through content management and creation and copywriting. She also hosts a fun YouTube channel where she shares tips on content creation and chats with other business owners about what works for them in their businesses. You can also find her on the Business Without The Buts podcast where she and her co-host, Monica Schrock, discuss "challenging the status quo, marketing with less manipulation, and creating action for more inclusive businesses."

Cassandra made the decision to move to Spain after graduating college a few years back. What was meant to be an opportunity to explore, get to know the Spanish culture, and travel turned into so much more when Cassandra met her now partner, a native Spaniard.

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www.TheQuirkyPineapple.com

Instagram: @thequirkypineapplestudio & @cassandratle

Business With No Buts Podcast

Cassandra's YouTube Channel

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