The Journey with Blue: Create the Life and Business of Your Dreams

🚀 Unlock Your Full Potential in 2024 with These 4 Powerful Steps! 🌟 In this transformative video on Conversations with Blue, I delve deep into the essential strategies to elevate your goals and achieve unparalleled success in 2024. Join me as I unveil the secrets to unlocking your true potential and making your dreams a reality! Step 1: Clarity of Vision Discover the importance of having a crystal-clear vision for your goals. I'll guide you through exercises and techniques to clarify your aspirations, ensuring every step you take is purposeful and aligned with your ultimate objectives. Step 2: Craft a Plan Learn how to turn your vision into a tangible roadmap for success. We'll break down the process of crafting a strategic plan that outlines actionable steps, timelines, and milestones, empowering you to navigate towards your goals with confidence and precision. Step 3: Control What You Can Control Explore the power of focusing your energy on the elements within your control. I'll share practical tips and insights on how to identify and leverage your strengths, while effectively managing external factors, such as recessions, pandemics and conflicts, that may impact your journey. Step 4: Create Like a Kid Reignite your creativity and innovation by embracing the mindset of a child. Discover how tapping into your inner child can unleash a wealth of new ideas, perspectives, and possibilities, propelling you towards unprecedented levels of success and fulfillment. Join me on this journey of personal growth and achievement, and let's make 2024 your best year yet! Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more empowering content to fuel your journey towards greatness. 💪✨ Follow on Instagram at www.instagram.com/themichelleblue Book Blue for speaking, hosting and coaching www.themichelleblue.com

So many people always question what is the work that I do? A part of the welcome to Conversations with Blue, I want get all your questions answered. Join me as I share my 10 year entrepreneurial 'Journey' of how I help people live in their purpose and to their maximum potential and how it has looked different over the years. Bio: Michelle Blue’s entrepreneurial ‘Journey’ started two weeks after graduating from The University of Georgia, when she launched Bené, a scarf company inspired by a study abroad trip to Ghana, committed to sponsoring tuition, books, supplies and uniforms for the girls to continue their education. Through this work, the business was named Mashable’s Top Black Owned Businesses Changing the World, Featured in Essence, Black Enterprise, secured a commercial feature with Pantene and WalMart’s “Stronger Together” Campaign and shared a TedTalk ‘Breaking Free From the Plan and Letting Your Vision Guide You’. Her entrepreneurial work led her to support other entrepreneurial dreamers through her talk show and community The Journey with Blue, where she leads conversations and coaches on the transformative principles needed to become the person your purpose requires to create the life and business of your dreams. As a trained business and life coach, specializing in psychoanalytical coaching, Blue helps entrepreneurial dreamers get out their head and get into action through her signature coaching program, Take the Leap with Blue, to help them gain the clarity, strategy and confidence to create the impact and income that they are proud of. To support the academic space, Blue leads an educational consulting company through Next YE Development that supports organizations, such as the New York City Department of Education, in developing curriculums and workshops to aid students, teachers and parents in the areas of Social and Emotional Learning, Entrepreneurship, Personal & Professional Development and Financial Literacy to aid in their holistic development and fully explore their purpose in and beyond the classroom. Follow along the 'Journey' on Instagram www.instagram.com/themichelleblue Book Blue for Speaking, Coaching, Work with Blue www.themichelleblue.com

Conversations with Blue is a new mini series that shares Michelle Blue's personal story and 'Journey'. This is a time where Blue transparently shares her own lessons, sacrifices, failures and joys along the way of bringing the her dream life and business into reality. Tune in weekly to get your dose of inspiration, motivation, tips and tools to elevate in every area of your life. Make sure you follow along on Instagram at themichelleblue Visit www.themichelleblue.com to book Blue for your next conference, engagement and partnership opportunities. Watch The Journey with Blue here on the Youtube channel or at www.thejourneywithblue.com

Discover the transformative power of forgiveness in achieving breakthroughs in your life and business. Join me in a profound conversation on "The Journey with Blue" as we sit down with the remarkable serial entrepreneur and investor, Myles Berrio, who shares his inspirational story of resilience, overcoming and triumph. Myles recounts his life-altering experience, a tragic car accident that led to a near-death experience and left him as an amputee. He had to relearn the most basic motor skills, including walking, to regain his independence. However, instead of succumbing to victimhood, Myles chose forgiveness as his path to empowerment. In the aftermath of the accident, Myles dedicated himself to the growth of his business and extended his support to countless others on their entrepreneurial journeys. His decision to embrace forgiveness set him free to thrive in life, serving as a testament to the incredible power it holds. "A drunk driver took my leg but not my dreams." Prepare to be astonished and inspired as you witness the potential of forgiveness to transform tragedy into personal victory. Join us on this journey and learn how you can script your life story with forgiveness as the cornerstone of your success. Myles Shares Forgiveness and Being The Victor In Your Story Starts With: - Faith: Belief in God as your foundation and that everything is always working together for higher. - Power of Thoughts: You get to create your reality and write your story through what you think and tell yourself about your story. - Personal Development: You always have to be evolving and growing as a person. Follow Myles Berrio on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/myles.berrio/ Follow Michelle Blue, at themichelleblue and The Journey with Blue at thejourneywithblue. www.thejourneywithblue.com

During Blue's Clues, Blue gets real and shares her own lessons, sacrifices and failures along the way to help you along your 'Journey'. 

Blue answers a burning question from Lauren, she has an idea for a beauty business geared towards women of color. She currently works full time in the industry and is now ready to take the leap and start her own business. To help prepare her for her business, she invested in different programs to learn the strategies she thought she needed to grow, marketing, ads, social media but she still feels stuck and is lacking the confidence to get started. She shares, “I’m not sure what I should be doing or what I am doing wrong?” 

Blue shares how she understands Lauren’s frustration, because we have these dreams and when we invest our hard earned money in things in hopes that that’s the missing piece and that things will work out, it can be discouraging when it doesn’t. And it can make us question if we should continue on the ‘Journey’ of bringing our dreams to reality. 

Blue shares how she has spent so much on courses and programs that focused just on the strategies. 

Knowing everything that you need to do for your marketing and launch doesn’t keep you from still being stuck. 

You aren’t creating the results you really want because you know how to DO the work, the steps to tactically do it, but you don’t know how to show up and BE the person to actually make it become a reality. 

The strategies in your business are actually the easy part. 

You must start with YOURSELF! 

Blue’s Clues:

Start with getting real about uncovering your limiting beliefs.

Align your mindset with your business goals.

Understanding who you need to be in order to create meaningful action and real results.

Every change in your life and business starts with investing and improving YOU!

Your own personal development and transformation is the missing piece to growing your business. 

Make sure you’re tuned into this full episode of Blue’s Clues. 

If you’re feeling stuck and frustrated with the results in your business right now and are ready to create results you’re proud of? 

Then, I invite you to take part in my 3-month intensive coaching program, Take the Leap with Blue, which offers accountability and guidance to help people gain clarity, strategy, and confidence to take action and create results you are proud of. 

Apply for 1:1 or group coaching at www.taketheleapwithblue.com 

Follow on Instagram at www.instagram.com/themichelleblue 

Want to ask me your burning business and life questions? 

Message me on Instagram and get the opportunity for your question to be aired on the next Blue's Clues.

During Blue's Clues, Blue gets real and shares her own lessons, sacrifices and failures along the way to help you along your 'Journey'. Blue answers a burning question from Tynisha, who launched her own workout line for plus sized women. She was excited to launch her business and bring it to the world. She posted on her social media but only sold a couple of leggings and didn’t reach her sales goal. She writes in frustration asking Blue, “What did I do wrong?” Blue shares how she has been through the same situation when she launched her first business, Bené Scarves. She was excited for all the orders to come through and to hit immediate success but that was the furthest from reality. During Blue’s Clues, Blue shares, “It’s not that you’re doing anything wrong, you are just not doing it enough.” You have to take massive and consistent action over time. So many times we expect immediate and instant success when we start our businesses but the reality is nothing happens overnight. You have to give yourself and your business time to grow but you also have to continue to market your business. You can have the greatest business and product but if no one knows about it, then what do you have. Blue shares her own personal failures and some of the marketing strategies and tips she used in her business to grow, reach new revenue goals and create results she was proud of. Blue’s top tips and marketing strategies: -”Niches Make Riches”- Find your target market and identify the specific customer you want to serve. -Social Media: Start and grow your social media and authentically share your process. -Publicity-Think through your public relations strategy to land press and tell your story to attract more attention, credibility and potential customers. -Word of Mouth-Is still the best form of marketing, find a way to incentivize your current customers. And MORE! Make sure you’re tuned into this full episode of Blue’s Clues. If you’re feeling stuck and frustrated with the results in your business right now and are ready to create results you’re proud of? Then, I invite you to take part in my 3-month intensive coaching program, Take the Leap with Blue, which offers accountability and guidance to help people gain clarity, strategy, and confidence to take action and create results you are proud of. Apply for 1:1 or group coaching at www.taketheleapwithblue.com Follow on Instagram at www.instagram.com/themichelleblue Want to ask me your burning business and life questions? Message me on Instagram and get the opportunity for your question to be aired on the next Blue's Clues.

As entrepreneurs and creative minds, we know the hustle can bring a lot of stress and a load of uncertainty. We're always aiming to grow our businesses, make more money, and make a real impact, but it's easy to forget that our top priority should be taking care of ourselves, especially our emotional and mental well-being. Here's the deal: our health is our true wealth in this game. The better we feel, both mentally and physically, the better we can show up and take our businesses to the next level. That's exactly why I brought in the amazing therapist, Ariane Byron, who specializes in working with entrepreneurs, onto ‘The Journey with Blue’. She not only inspired but she shared practical mindfulness tools and activities that we can use in our everyday lives. These activities aren't just about feeling good; they're about creating a solid foundation for success in our lives and businesses. Ariane’s Top Tips for Emotional and Mental Wellbeing: Be Honest With Yourself: The most important person to be real with, is yourself. Take time in silence and journal to be real with yourself to write out your thoughts and how you are feeling. Give Yourself Compassion: We all have a high expectation of what we want to accomplish and where we think we should be on this ‘Journey’ but we have to show ourselves grace and compassion for where we are. Identify Exactly How You Are Feeling: Check in and really identify what emotion you are feeling and what is triggering it. You can use an emotions wheel to help you identify your root feeling. Get Help: You are not meant to do this work alone. Find people, communities and/or a licensed therapist in your area that can support you in your emotional and mental health. Watch the full episode for MORE!

Is fear of failure keeping you stuck from stepping into your purpose to create the life and business of your dreams? 

During Blue's Clues, Blue gets real and shares her own lessons, sacrifices and failures along the way to help you along your 'Journey'. 

In this episode, Blue answers a burning question from Renae, who is ready to step into her purpose and wants to start her own wellness company. She recently heard Michelle Blue on one of her favorite podcasts share how she went through a $40,000 loss in her first business and writes in because stories of failure are keeping her stuck and afraid to start and go for her dreams. 

Blue gets real and completely understands where Renae is coming from and shares how she views failure and how she allows failures to help her reach her dreams, instead of discouraging and stopping her. 

Blue shares her top lessons on Failure: 

-Failure is not easy, it hurts. 

-Failure is an inevitable part of life and business. 

-Failure doesn’t define you. Just because you failed at something does not make you a failure. 

-Failure is not personal, it is just feedback of what worked and what didn’t work. 

-Fail, fail fast and fail as often as you can.

-Failure gets you closer to where you want to be in your life and business. 

-Fear of failure is why most people don’t start, don’t step into their purpose, don’t get the most out of life. 

-Failure is defined by YOU! Are you making it your end or your beginning?

If you’re ready to overcome your fear of failure and take the leap to bring your dream life and business into reality? 

Then, I invite you to take part in my 3-month intensive coaching program, Take the Leap with Blue, which offers accountability and guidance to help people gain clarity, strategy, and confidence to take action and create results you are proud of. Apply for 1:1 or group coaching at www.taketheleapwithblue.com 

Follow on Instagram at www.instagram.com/themichelleblue

Want to ask me your burning business and life questions?

Message me on Instagram and get the opportunity for your question to be aired on the next Blue's Clues. 

Visit www.thejourneywithblue.com to join TJWB Dream Leapers community to get your weekly dose of inspiration and tips along the ‘Journey’. 

-Blue💙

The Journey with Blue LIVE Power of Manifestation and Vision Book Party in Atlanta, GA was AMAZING and just what we needed to bring in the new year. Manifestation queen and founder of OmNoire, Christina Rice, joined me in conversation to share how we could get clear on our dreams, uncover what's keeping us from our possibilities and the steps necessary to manifest powerfully. After the conversation, we had an ultimate vision book party to claim what you want to create in every area of your life and business in the new year. You had to be in the room. If you're ready to unlock your manifesting potential with powerful tools for manifestation. Learn how to harness the law of attraction and manifest your desires effortlessly. Discover the secrets of manifestation and the tools that can help you manifest abundance, love, and success in your life. From vision books, gratitude, affirmations and healing from within, explore a range techniques to amplify your manifestation powers. Empower yourself with the tools and knowledge to manifest your dreams into reality today.Ready to step into your divine power and manifest your dreams? Then it’s time to tune into The Journey with Blue with Christina Rice.

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The Journey with Blue Instagram @thejourneywithblue

Apply to work with Blue for 1:1 or Group Coaching at www.taketheleapwithblue.com to gain the clarity in your vision, strategic plan and confidence to create the life and business of your dreams.

Book Blue to speak at or host your next conference or event https://thejourneywithblue.com/contact

Are you ready to design and create a life you truly love? Join us in this conversation on The Journey with Blue with Tonya Rapley, founder of My Fab Finance and an acclaimed life and money expert. Discover how to overcome life's challenges, including pandemics and recessions, and step into your power to manifest the life of your dreams. Life doesn't happen by chance, it happens by DESIGN. In this conversation, Tonya Rapley shares valuable insights on how you can become a true co-creator of your reality. Learn how to navigate life's circumstances and rise above them, irrespective of the world's ups and downs. Discover practical steps to take, regardless of your current situation, and unleash your potential to create a life on your own terms. Tonya breaks down the process of bringing your dream life to reality. Start by gaining a clear understanding of where you currently stand and where you want to go. Explore your core values, as they serve as guiding principles in your life. She emphasizes the importance of asking the right questions to shape the quality of your life. Don't let the thought of making significant life changes overwhelm you. Begin with small actions that make a difference. Learn how simple steps like creating a to-do list, making necessary calls, and engaging in activities you love each day can pave the way to transformative results. Above all, discover the power of aligning with the vibration of your joy. Uncover the feeling you truly desire and understand that it is the essence of your journey, not merely the external achievements or financial gains. Start designing the life you love today. Remember, life happens through us, not to us. Become the master of your reality with Tonya Rapley's expert guidance. Watch YouTube @thejourneywithblue Listen to Podcast on All Major Platforms Follow on Instagram @themichelleblue & @thejourneywithblue Visit www.thejourneywithblue.com to join TJWB Dream Doers community to get your weekly dose of inspiration and tips along the ‘Journey’. -Blue💙

During Blue's Clues, Blue gets real and shares her own lessons, sacrifices and failures along the way to help you along your 'Journey'. Blue shares her tips on how to show up more confidently in your business, whether it is on social, on a podcast or on camera, and in real life. Blue shares that putting yourself out there can be vulnerable and shares their own struggles with it. We can all be our own worst critics and that oftentimes, the things we fear being judged for are not even noticed by others. To help overcome this, Blue shares her "4Ps" to instantly show up more confidently. The first "P" is to Prepare and emphasizes the importance of doing research and being knowledgeable before a podcast or meeting someone in person. The second "P" is Presentation, and Blue emphasizes that looking the part is 70% of the battle, even if you're not on camera. The third "P" is to Pretend, and Blue encourages you to act as if they are already an expert and show up as that. Finally, Blue shares the fourth "P," which is to Persevere. She reminds you that everything great takes time and that consistency is key to gaining confidence. I invite you to take part in my 3-month intensive coaching program, Take the Leap with Blue, which offers accountability and guidance to help people gain clarity, strategy, and confidence to take action and create results you are proud of. Apply for 1:1 or group coaching at www.taketheleap.com Follow on Instagram at www.instagram.com/themichelleblue Want to ask me your burning business and life questions? Message me on Instagram and get the opportunity for your question to be aired on the next Blue's Clues.

Sales can be a daunting task for many people, but it's an essential skill that can be applied in various aspects of life. Whether you're pitching an idea, promoting a product, or presenting yourself for an opportunity, you are essentially selling. It's crucial to develop confidence in yourself and believe in the value you offer to excel in sales.

In this conversation, we get insights from Ariane Ellsberry, a master real estate agent based in Atlanta, who has sold over $50 million worth of homes in the last three years. Her clientele includes celebrities such as Khadeen and Devale, Kendall Kyndall, and Yandy, for whom she creates a luxury buying experience. Ariane shares her tips on how to show up confidently, even when lacking experience or results in sales, to achieve next-level outcomes in your life and business. Don't miss out on Ariane's expert advice and start boosting your sales skills today.

Watch and Listen to This Episode to Hear: -The importance of sales and having confidence in your ideas -Your level of belief in yourself determines how you will show up and the success you will attract -Comparison to others can be the biggest killer of confidence for us all -How to overcome getting more no’s than yes’s in business -Focus on being authentic and connecting when sharing the value you bring -Tips to start showing up more confidently now Ready to build confidence to create next level results in your life and business? Then it’s time to tune into The Journey with Blue with Ariane Ellsberry. Follow Ariane Ellsberry Instagram @mydear_ariane Follow Michelle Blue Instagram @themichelleblue Follow The Journey with Blue Instagram @thejourneywithblue Apply to work with Blue for 1:1 or Group Coaching at www.taketheleapwithblue.com to gain the clarity in your vision, strategic plan and confidence to create the life and business of your dreams. Book Blue to speak at or host your next conference or event https://thejourneywithblue.com/contact

Have you been doubting the dream that has been given to you? Do you feel like others just don't understand your dreams and you're alone on the 'Journey'? So often when you're going for your dream, you are the only one with the vision and belief that it is possible for your dream to become a reality. Renae Bluitt is no stranger to believing in her dream when others didn't. For years, Renae self-invested, self-produced and self-promoted her documentary, She Did That, featuring the stories of other amazing black female entrepreneurs such as Luvvie, Lisa Price, creator of Carol's Daughter, Melissa Butler, creator of The Lip Bar and more. Even when others doubted Renae kept her belief in the dream given to her and landed a deal with Netflix to share the stories she had devoted to sharing years before. Renae shares how times she questioned the dream given to her and how her belief carried her through even when things looked as if they wouldn't work out. Renae Shares Her Keys: -Closed Mouths Don't Get Fed: Yes, it can be uncomfortable but you have to ask for help. No one knows what you need unless you ask for it. -Believe it Before You See It: So often we think you have to see it to believe it but the truth is, you have to believe it first and then it will come into reality. -Enjoy the 'Journey': You have to trust the 'Journey' and stay present to what is before you. -If God Planted the Seed Then You're Capable: Having the dream alone shows that you are capable of bringing it to life. It is up to you to honor the gift that is given to you. -You Only Attract Up to Your Belief: Your level of belief sets the tone of what will be attracted to you. Lets just say, this conversation is true transformation and will help you create the life and business of your dreams.

The Keys To Attract More Money In Your Life - Kara Stevens | Transform Your Finances Money, Money, Money! Lets Talk About It! Are you tired of feeling like you never have enough money? Are you ready to transform your finances and go from broke to abundant?...I know that I am! This conversation, I invited financial expert Kara Stevens, creator of Frugal Feminista and author of 'Heal Your Relationship with Money'. Kara has been able to support other women step into their abundance as a trusted money and career contributor for Essence Magazine. We all have a money story that has been developed from our experiences and passed down from our family. Kara gives us the tools to heal our relationship with money to step into our birthright of riches. She shares the power that our energy, thoughts and words holds and how we can shift, so that we can attract more money to ourselves. In this conversation, Kara helps us... --Uncover Our Money Story: It is time to explore what are your deep rooted beliefs and feelings about money. -Money is Your Birthright: Money is just a tool and it is abundant all around us. Money is not something reserved for the few but its available to us all, its time for you to claim it. -You Are Worthy: So many times we question if we are worth it. Nothing determines your worth, you alone are worthy for me, so become a stand for yourself for more. -It's All In The Feeling: I always say, "try it on!", try on the feeling of wealth and abundance. What does it feel like? What are you able to do with your wealth? Step into it and feel as if your wealth is already here. Lets just say, this conversation is true transformation and will help you create the life and business of your dreams.

Cliff Jumping To Bring Your Dreams To Life - Brandice Daniel | Make Your Dream Real Lets get real...Have your fears been keeping you from going for your dreams? In this episode we get real about the fears and failures that keep us from making our dreams a reality. My guest Brandice Daniel, is the founder of Harlem's Fashion Row, a fashion agency helping designers of color get representation in the industry through partnerships with some of the largest brands such as Nike and LeBron James, Gap Inc., Tommy Hilfiger and more. Brandice shares how constantly on her 'Journey' she was faced with moments of fear and doubt, and all that seemed impossible. Even in these scary and questionable moments Brandice shares how she was still able to overcome and cliff jump into making her dreams a reality. Brandice shares her keys in 'Cliff Jumping' to create the life and business of your dreams: -Failure is Inevitable but Doesn't Have to Be the End: Often times we look at other successful entrepreneurs and see what they have been able to create without acknowledging the failures and missteps that they all took and had to go through. The key is not letting failure stop you nor define you. -Give Your Business Time: Think of your business as a child. So often we give up on our businesses and ideas too soon. We expect to see success overnight but that is not how it works. Your business, like a child, will grow, mature and will be able to do and produce more with time and consistency. -Play to WIN!: Don't just play the game to play...Play to Win! When you move with the intention of winning, you do whatever you need to at all costs. Lets just say, this conversation is true transformation and will help you create the life and business of your dreams.

How To Make Millions From The Inside Out - Danielle Leslie | Key Points To Transform Your Life Have you ever questioned how others are making their millions? In my conversation with Danielle Leslie, I am giving you an inside look of how she was able to make her millions from the inside out and how you can too! "Work harder on yourself than you do anything else." Danielle Leslie lives by this motto, as a true student to personal development work, Danielle shares her transformational strategies of how she was able to grow her business from $0 to $16 Million in just three years. Danielle Leslie is the creator of Course from Scratch, a program that teaches women how to create a course and monetize their expertise. AfroTech named Danielle a tech "unicorn' for how fast she was able to grow her business and Forbes has given her the name "Millionaire Maker" as she is helping other women do the same. During our conversation, Danielle gets real about how she was able to shift her mindset and become who she needed to be each and every day to become a successful business woman. Danielle's Key Points to Transform Your Life & Business and Grow a Multi-Million Dollar Company: -Who Do You Need to Be?...What ways of being and characteristics will serve you in reaching your goal. You get to choose to be that person NOW, not later. -Power of Your Word: Your word is your bond. Start building your relationship and integrity with your word by following through with the things you say you are going to do. This goes for things both big and small. -Mentorship: Surround yourself with people who inspire you, who are doing similar work that you want to do and that are playing a higher level than you. In-person mentors are great but there is also so much value in virtual mentors that you listen and tune into as well. -Team: When you are on the "Journey' of building your dreams, you have to realize that no one person can do it all by themselves. You can go so much further with a team supporting you and bringing their gifts forward. Lets just say, this conversation is true transformation and will help you create the life and business of your dreams.

Black millennials are making an imprint abroad and its in more ways than you think. 

When I was in college, I had the opportunity to go on a study abroad trip to Ghana to learn more about the textiles and culture. I was fortunate to have traveled a good bit growing up but my time in Ghana was much different. The people, the music, the food, the history all had a lasting impact on my life. When I returned home from my trip my mom met me with a million questions and all I could say was I was more aware. More aware of the world we live in, the stories of people around the world and it was up to me to find my place in it. Sitting down and talking to the guys of Black & Abroad brought back these memories and allowed me to question the importance of black people traveling. 

Through their blog and work in travel consulting they have made it their mission to inspire the black community to travel and challenge marketing agencies to show black representation traveling in the media.

In our conversation, we talk about: 

• The lack of diversity and inclusion in travel 
• When the African American community is authentically marketed to research shows they are more apt to spend more money. 

If you can relate or have thoughts about this conversation, I would love for you to comment and share below. And as always know that you are not alone in the ‘Journey’. 

-Blue 

For my 9to5 and 5to9ers and side business hustlers...this is for YOU!

After I graduated, I launched my business full-time and even though I don’t regret my decision, I also don’t think that entrepreneurship is the only way to go. I’m not advocating for you to drop out of school or just quit your job to start your business. Speaking with Troy showed the balance of working full-time while also building a business he is passionate about.

Troy started Grits and Gospel with his best friend Sam as a platform to share evergreen content that was more than just talking about people and things but thought provoking ideas and opinions. They saw the need to provide witty perspective that would move the generation. After bringing there digital platform to a live experience in New York city for the premiere of Black Panther, they have published the first volume of the Grits & Gospel coffee table book.

When talking to Troy, we realized that so many times when people are in job, they are miserable and literally counting down the hours to leave everyday without really taking stock of what does this moment actually have to teach me. What are the skills in corporate America that can be transferable as you start your business.You’re never in a space where there is nothing for you to learn.

So if you can relate, I challenge you, to look at your job with a new perspective, what are the transferable skills that I can apply today in growing my business. Use it for what it’s for and in the meantime, work for your 5-9 to put you out of your 9-5.

If you've enjoyed this conversation and know a friend that needs the encouragement along the 'Journey' make sure you share the inspiration with them. 

-Blue

Amari has one of those gentle, humble spirits that you can’t help but love to be around. I was truly inspired by the conversation we had and the life lessons that took him from being homeless to starting two million dollar businesses. 

We all have moments in life where we go through some level adversity. Moments in life where its hard to find the meaning and beauty in. But if we take the time to reflect, it’s in these moments that shapes and crafts us the most. It is up to us to allow these moments to define us or build us and Amari decided it would only make him stronger. Growing up Amari spent some time during high school homeless with his family. In these hard times Amari became more resourceful and fearless as survival depended on it. It was these times that would later give him the foundation to becoming a successful entrepreneur. 

In our conversation, we talk about: 

• Allowing moments in life to build you, not define you. 
• How he was he able to launch his company with just $300. 
• The only barriers that exist are the ones in your mind. 
• Amari’s To Dos on How to Change your Mindset: 
  • Check the people you hang around
  • Visualize Your Dreams and Aspirations
  • Read, Read, Read 

I believe there is something we can all learn from Amari’s story and the inevitable obstacles that life brings. I hope we all take time to reflect on the moments in life that seemed to challenge us the most and take inventory of how it added to our character and shaping us into the people we are today. It is in these moments that our unique gifts are unearthed and its up to us to share it with the world. If you can relate or have thoughts about this conversation, I would love for you to comment and share below. And as always know that you are not alone in the ‘Journey’. 

-Blue 

Forbes 30 under 30, met with Obama, and sold her tech company to Amazon...is just an overview of how Jewel Burks Solomon is changing the game and changing the face of tech for black women. 

In 2013, Jewel founded PartPic, a technology that recognizes replacement parts. Out of her own frustration with working with customers trying to find parts she knew that there had to be a better way. During her internships with Goldman Sachs and Google. Jewel’s interest in technology was sparked. As a student at Howard University, she accelerated her classes to graduate in three year to go to Silicon Valley and work at Google full-time. 

As a woman and a black woman in tech, Jewel’s presence represented something so much greater than her. So, I had to ask, ‘How did you navigate in conversations and meeting as a woman in a male dominated space?’, ‘Were there times when you thought you couldn’t do this?’ and more. 

With starting a company, conquering Silicon Valley and successfully selling her company to company to Amazon, Jewel feels like there is nothing she can’t do. Instead of taking it easy from here, Jewel has made it her mission to not be the anomaly in this space but to bring up other minority founders. With her venture capital company, she is supporting these founders with sharing the lessons she has learned along the ‘Journey’ and investing in what they are building. 

Lastly, I wanted to know, what are some things that anyone interested in tech can do to get started: 

• Get over yourself. You have to first get over the mental hurdles. Stop listening to the voice telling you that you can’t, I’m not smart enough, or I don’t have the right background. 
• Decide that you are going to do it and do it! It’s really just a decision to get started and do it. 
• Learn what you need to learn and find others to help you fill in the gap. Recognize your strengths and partner with people to make up for your weaknesses. 

Get inspired and share. 

-Blue 

Ready to learn what it takes to build an e-commerce empire?  Then this episode of The Journey with Blue, is just for you! 

I came across Gamal’s story months ago through Foundr, on how he was able to start his beard oil company, Fresh Heritage, and within 90 days grew his revenue to over $60,000 a month. Of course, I was impressed and had to share with you his step by step process on exactly how he was able to start and launch his business. 

Have you ever questioned how do people get the money to start? Should you launch a product or service business? Or do you question if you have what it takes to start a successful business? Then tune in to listen my full conversation with Gamal because you’re not alone, we have all had these questions and worries and we’re sharing it all here. 

In our conversation, Gamal shares: 

• The importance of testing and validating your product in the market before you launch. 
• How he was able to raise the capital needed to launch, with friends, family and fools. 
• His top marketing strategies to grow and launch your business.
• How lack of confidence kept in from going all in and believing in himself. 

If you’ve asked yourself any of these questions or found some inspiration today, I would love to hear from you. Comment below and share your story, ideas and thoughts on this conversation. And lets do the ‘Journey’ together. 

-Blue 

Tired of hearing more 'no's' than 'yes' along the 'Journey'? 

Trust me you're not alone. It comes with the territory of starting your business but that doesn't mean you have to let it stop you. Tune into this conversation with Britt Adams, founder of Whitby Handbags, on how she is pushing through the inevitable losses in business. 

Britt’s idea to start a socially conscious luxury handbag line that supports girls education in Haiti, Peru Iraq and Thailand to help prevent them from being sold in sex trafficking, came from the idea that women who have never had to experience tragedies such as modern slavery, human trafficking, or child marriage, can carry the weight for these girls and boys, so they never have to. To get Whitby started, Britt self-invested almost $35,000 to bring her first collection of bags to life. There are definitely pros and cons of being self-invested, like most small businesses are. Of course there is a lot of pressure that if you don’t succeed you bare all of the loss but it’s a true testament of your belief in self and what you are building. Yes, there is a lot more skin in the game but it forces you to bootstrap your way through and be more mindful of when and how you spend your money. After months of working through her business plan, Britt was ready to launch. Regardless of the time in planning and preparation you do, unfortunately, losing is a part of the ‘Journey’. Mistakes are inevitable, Britt admits that she has made almost $25,000 worth of mistakes.

Is it a tough pill to swallow? Yes…Does it make you question if you are fit to do this? For sure, but that’s the cost of doing business. One thing I wish I would have done before starting Bené to help minimize my risks and failures was to gain as much experience as I could and surround myself with mentors in my industry who could provide some guidance along the way. It’s impossible for you to know everything but the most important part is that you don’t keep making the same mistake, you just have to learn and get smarter. We’ve all been told to, ‘go big or go home’ but I had to go agree with Britt and say, ‘go the smallest you can go’. Make one and figure out if people are going to like it first, if the pricing strategy works before you have inventory stacked to the ceiling…I’ve been there and I know that starting small allows you to be agile enough to recalibrate if needed, fail fast and move forward. Just a couple of lessons on how to handle the inevitable losses along the ‘Journey’. 

Key takeaways:

• Learn from your mistakes
• Don’t go big or go home
• Pick yourself back up
• Push through the “No’s”

What losses have you experienced in your business? I would love to hear and make sure you share with a friend that needs encouragement along their 'Journey'. 

-Blue 

Have you questioned how do you grow your side hustle to replace your 9 to 5? 

My conversation with Lauren, founder of THROW, shares the step by step process on how she was able to make it happen. 

After working a consulting job for a few years after college, Lauren started THROW part-time, a give back pillow company, for every 10 pillows sold, they give a bed to a child in need. Miserable at her job and knowing that her part-time business really needed some full-time attention, Lauren took the leap. I know…leaving a salary and security isn’t easy but like Lauren said, “You have to get mad enough at what your life is becoming, when you get to that point, you’ll know it” and she refused to just live, work and die. And just 6 months later, Lauren was able to turn her part-time project into a profitable full-time business.

Lauren shares how her community and how her ‘why’ are what help keep her focused and mentally sane through it all. Yes, we know, entrepreneurship is not easy and you’re in for a rollercoaster of emotions and even if you are a solopreneur you can’t do it alone. So our advice to you is:

Join a Community: Whether it’s a co-working space like WeWork or meet up with other entrepreneurs to talk, share resources and of course, tell each other the stories that no else would understand.

Remember Your “Why’: “If your ‘why’ is not personally connected to you…you in no way will survive”. And check out the TedTalk, “Start with Why’ by Simon Sineck, it’s a must watch.

I want to hear about what keeps you sane through this emotionally and mentally sane through your ‘Journey’, so share with me below and make sure you share the 'Journey' with those that need the encouragement. 

-Blue 

Have you ever felt like your vision was too big and didn't know how to start or where you were going to get the money? 

Then make sure you're tuned into this conversation on The Journey with Blue with Ryan Wilson, co-founder of The Gathering Spot, on how he dared to make his dream a reality and how he wasn't taking 'no' for an answer. 

The Gathering Spot is a private club at its core where they host events, everything from lectures to discussions, co-working space and full restaurant and bar. All in 25,000 square feet complex in the heart of Atlanta. Launching such a massive project at 24 years old, of course I was wondering where the guys got the money to make this happen and the obstacles they faced along the 'Journey'. 

Ryan and his co-founder wanted the club to be as good as it could be instead of settling based on the capital on hand. I loved that the guys didn’t let financial constraints hinder their vision and what they would ultimately launch to the world as the first Gathering Spot. So they continued to push. They set a target of the best possible version of their idea and raised to that goal. They were afraid that small versions of ideas tend to stay small and they didn’t want that to be their fate. They literally entered their entrepreneurial ‘Journey’ with no limits. I always say, ‘To thine self be true.’ and Ryan did exactly that.  The biggest fear was looking back on his life and regretting not taking that chance and saying, “I should have tried that five years ago.” 

Over $3 million dollars and a leap of faith later, The Gathering Spot has over 1000 members and is continuously pushing for the next level. They have hosted conversations with everyone from presidential candidates to partnering with influencers such as T.I. to their community. 

Ready to get inspired on how you can take the leap and not take 'no' for an answer? 

Then its time to tune in and join the 'Journey'. 

Inspired? Or have questions? Make sure you drop them below in the comments and share with a friend along the 'Journey' of making their dream life and business a reality. 

A couple of months ago I was scrolling through LinkedIn and to my surprise, I saw that my friend Lantre Barr had recently been named Inc. 5000’s Fastest Growing Companies in the US. After graduating college in the middle of the recession, like many Americans, Lantre found it difficult to find a job using his degree. Out of pure necessity, Lantre started his company Blacc Spot Media, a communications and technology company. In 2013 he made revenues of $150,000 a year and in just three years grew to generating $2.9 million, landing him on Inc.’s prestigious list. 

Of course, I had a lot of questions on what he had to do in his business and what was the mindset shift that had to take place mentally for this to even be possible. After digging deep, Lantre shared that yes, the right introductions and going for bigger deals was a part of the shift but internally he had to become more confident in himself and the value that he provided. 

In our conversation, we talk about: 

• How to lead by example and show compassion to your employees while setting a level of expectation to deliver quality work
• Knowing your worth and having confidence in the value you offer changes the game 
• The importance of showing compassion to yourself as an entrepreneur and celebrating your wins along the ‘Journey’.

We may not all be going for million dollar deals (yet!) but at some level we are all second guessing our value and what we have to offer to the world. What’s keeping you from going for great? From leveling up? From asking for the money you deserve?...True, undeniable, unshakeable belief in self is where it all starts. If you can relate or have thoughts about this conversation, I would love for you to comment and share below. And as always know that you are not alone in the ‘Journey’. 

-Blue