"For a long time I was trying to be perfect to the point that I didn’t even want to hear criticism, because it meant that I wasn’t perfect. I’m at a point in my life where I’m trying to work on myself as much as possible and change the things about myself that maybe can be improved."
My Truth | Leah Qualls On Strong Family Bonds, Facing Fear And Navigating Life In Love
"When people try to come at me with hate and negativity now that I'm living in my truth, I don't even acknowledge it. It's like it doesn't even register. I don't ask for your understanding. But what I do ask for and demand is your respect."
My Truth | Tyra Carter On Self Accepance, Not Living With Regrets And Being A Feminist
"I don't consider myself a fetish. I consider myself a woman. A lot of people don't know about trans women of color. We live our lives completely different from a gay man or a drag queen. I'm a woman, respect me. Or get out. Simple as that."
My Truth | Gizelle Messina On Unspoken Truths And Tackling Life Head-On
"I actually am a person. I actually function the same way everyone else does. Just treat me accordingly is all I ask for. No matter how many times the world wants to stone me for my truth, I'm going to keep my head up."
Ashley Blaine Featherson: Queen Esteem
"I truly believe that I am a queen. You can't tell me any different. That doesn't meant that I'm sitting on a throne everyday and I order people to do things for me. It's not that. It's...I believe that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Whitney White, Beauty Entrepreneur: ‘I Don’t Ever Want To Live With Regrets’
Being able to connect with Whitney was much more enjoyable than I’d even imagined. I was looking forward to delving a little deeper into her life as a mother, wife and business woman and as I anticipated, during our conversation, her spirit unfolded over the hours revealing a woman who is authentically sincere and kind. I meet lots of amazing women, who in their own right inspire me as well, but the wisdom, humor, humility and unabashed candor and poise that she embodies all at once delivered a refreshing melange. I agree that Whitney is the same person as “Naptural” is online as she liked to point out, but there is something more there, possibly something even she does not see. I think it was those moments of being able to feel her ‘it’ that made me proud to spend time and share space with a woman who also feverishly seeks out seeing the ‘it’ in other women too. [Read more…]
Stephanie Edwards, Owner, LoosEnds Vintage Décor
“I sometimes hate to define myself because I am forever evolving, but I am a woman who loves dreaming. I’ve always lived in my head and imagined all the wonderful, beautiful and limitless possibilities of life. And life in my mind almost mirrors my life today with some exceptions. I believe anything is possible, I?m always shooting for the moon and the stars. I am constantly evolving, just like the saying, ‘For every day is a new journey towards self awareness and discovery.’ [Read more…]
Mimi Goodwin, Seamstress And Co-Owner, Stitched9
“I started sewing when I was probably 12. My aunt is a seamstress, she does bridal gowns. I was completely taken over by it and I would sit in there and I would watch her. Eventually I got my own machine and I started making all of my own clothes which was a trial and error kind of thing and it really wasn’t until my late 20’s that I decided that I was going to try to take it serious. I couldn’t afford Prada so I’d look at it and make my own Prada. I continued my road in sewing when I realized how many other young women found sewing interesting but they thought it was like an old person’s thing to do or crafty. So I took what I was doing and turned it into something fashionable, something that everyone could learn to do, and that is my main goal – teaching. I love to teach. [Read more…]
Natalie Live Pt. 2 – On Quality Time, Sleeping In Pearls And Letting Your Hair Down
“I naturally wake up early. I fill up a big glass of water and update myself on the latest from my favorite magazines: InStyle, Harper’s Bazar, Lou Lou, which is a Canadian shopping mag, Lucky and RedBook. After about an hour of that, I workout for 45 minutes on the treadmill. After my workout, Theo, my husband, is usually awake. He asks me what I want for breakfast and proceeds to cook for us both while I have a quick shower. Theo always cooks and he’s awesome at it. And since he cooks, I eat whatever he wants to make. I’m not picky, I’m just thankful I don’t have to. I eat breakfast with my husband every morning. I have always carved out time in the morning to spend with my guy. [Read more…]
Carole Adele ‘Supreme’ Williams, Hair Stylist And Artist
“I’m an open minded, free spirited being who was born and raised in South Central, Los Angeles and always takes chances. I do what I want when I want because I believe that unadulterated physiological and spiritual liberation equates to pure bliss. I actually have the word bliss tattooed on my hand. But It’s in Greek. [Read more…]
LaRie Taylor, Photographer
“I worked in accounting for less than a year and it was then that I realized that all of the money in the world could not make me happy if I hated my work. My first job out of college was at a marketing firm. And after being there for about a year I found myself always making excuses to ask the creative department questions about an invoice, credit card statement, expense report, or whatever. Whenever I stopped by everyone always seemed so happy. They were always smiling, looking at photos, and doing fun, creative things like producing T.V. commercials, hello! I don’t hate accounting or finance, but I thought, ‘If I am going to spend most of my day doing anything why not spend my time doing something I love?’ When I had that epiphany that is when I made it my mission to find my life’s passion. [Read more…]