One Day of Philanthropy...A Lifetime of Gratitude!

On May 6, 2014, charities around the country are counting on you to make a donation. Yes, this day is designated as National Giving Day. Our focus for giving is to YELL!Girls who are going to college.

Girls are our legacy to the world. As women, we know how it feels to be a girl. But, we also know there are things that happen to us that makes us feel no one understands us. Algebra Blessett says it best in her song, Nobody But You, when she says, "Everybody won't understand my journey; everybody won't know how to hear what hurts me; everybody can't be written into my story; just because they want me don't mean they're ready for me!" I can relate to that because...I was that girl and many of you are that girl also.

See the problem is many of us can relate to that story but what are we doing about it?

Every 26 seconds a child drops out of school, even worse, the only grade level girls drop out more than boys is in the 12th grade (U.S.Department of Education, 2014). While there are many variables, pregnancy, marriage, peer pressure, and disconnect from school are some of them.

So don't TALK about it, BE about it! Here are 3 ways you can support girls in your community: advocate, volunteer, and donate!

ADVOCATE

The working definition for advocate is "publicly recommend or support." When a person becomes an advocate, they become "a person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy"(Merriam-Webster, 2014). I am not sure how you interpret this, but, for me, this goes with the saying, Stand for something or fall for anything. Speak up...ADVOCATE! That is what girls need us to do for them. Tell them we believe in them, we support them, and we will tell others about the need to support the next generation of girls. Besides, they are our future. They will run the world when we are older (or seasoned) and need a voice for our gender. There were those before us, Susan B. Anthony, who fought for the right to work. Shirley Chisholm, who fought for the right to be YOU in politics and society. What better reason to fight now, than for girls to BE THEMSELVES and grow and prosper based on their talents, skills, and ability!!

Essence of a Lady Inc. has been advocating for women and girls for 25 years. I have been on the front line, helping girls as a volunteer, in schools, church, the community, and one-to-one mentoring. I have helped girls stay in school when they were contemplating dropping out, helped women refocus after being dumped by a man, helped girls find scholarship money when they thought they could not go to college, and helped women develop, build and fund their businesses when they did not believe it was possible. Who are you advocating for and how are you doing it?

Essence of a Lady Inc. can use you as an advocate. Tell people, especially other women, what we are doing to educate, mentor, and empower girls by directing them to our website, and encouraging them to join the network. Then, they are one step closer to advocating for a cause, our girls. After that, the next step is stepping up to the plate and doing something...volunteering. 

Our gift to you is a FREE Listing for your business, educational program, or nonprofit.

                                         VOLUNTEER

One of the most important things we can do for humanity is give back. Ron Simmons, a reknown philosophist called it "THROW THE ROPE BACK!" His thought was someone helped us become who we are, now, as adults, it is our turn to throw the rope back. I have been a volunteer since I was 10 years old, when I tutored a second grade girl who was struggling in reading. I read to her daily for 20 minutes when I was in the fifth grade. A inevitable way to ensure I spent time with my daughters when they were young was through volunteering...in church, the community, and schools. Through Girl Scouts, PTA/PTO and Homeowners Association boards, and now as Chair of the Board for Essence of a Lady, Inc.

Essence of a Lady Inc is in desperate need of you to volunteer as a mentor, speaker, or committee member at our events.We offer opportunities for you to conduct seminars, group mentoring sessions, become a one-to-one mentor, become a speaker at our annual conference, and/or partner with us to provide products and services to girls. Are you giving of your time and/or talent to girls?

DONATE

The ultimate gift, and the common way of giving as a philanthropist, is donating cash (Forbes.com, 2014).
Forbes mentioned most people give to causes such as school alma maters, universities, and national and local charities. Kimbria has gone one step further to encourage philanthropy by creating GiveLocalAmerica. May 6, 2014 has been declared National Giving Day. You can make donations to charities in your community. Essence of a Lady Inc is listed in GiveLocalHouston and GiveLocalJacksonville because we are raising money for graduating YELL!senior girls. 

Now, more than ever, Essence of a Lady Inc needs your support. We work with over 200 high school girls at East Early College High School. Approximately 75 are graduating. Our goal is to give 10-$500 scholarships during our annual Females are FABULOUS Conference September 5-7, 2014. I registered on April 1, 2014, therefore there are only 41 days left. Please support!!! For more information and to see how we have created a win-win situation for the girls and you, go to Indiegogo. 
How will you contribute to helping your community as a PHILANTHROPIST on May 6, 2014?

I have outlined 3 ways to become a philanthropist. Whether you advocate, volunteer, and donate to Essence of a Lady Inc to support YELL! Girls or any other 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Remember, DON'T TALK ABOUT IT, BE ABOUT IT!! Participate in National Giving Day and make the difference in a girl's life forever!

LEVERAGE Your Business: 3 Ways to Invest in Yourself and Your Community of Women=Owned Businesses

In March 2012, I began to recruit women to support the Females are FABULOUS conference. At that time, I began my journey to truly live out my purpose to build Essence of a Lady Inc's (E/LInc) brand and raise money for scholarships and YELL! programs. I began seeking women entrepreneurs to become a part of this educating, mentoring, and empowering conference called Females are FABULOUS. This conference was envisioned May 2011 when I was at another associates' fundraising brunch with one of E/LInc's board member.

As I began my networking journey to recruit women entrepreneurs to enhance the support I already had in the E'Ladies Network, a program of E/LInc which recruits women to advocate, volunteer, and donate to our mentoring program for school-aged girls called Young Essence Ladies...Learning(YELL!). To be frank, I have always supported women and girls. May 1989, 25 years ago, I was so determined to support women, I brought over 20 women together to support each other and girls through Essence of a Lady, Inc.(E/LInc), a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation.

The problem is women say they support each other, but when it comes to spending money with women-owned small businesses,they continue to FALL SHORT!

Research shows:
65% of women entrpreneurs continue to work at other jobs and 75% of them continue to work full-time jobs!

This begs the question, how are we investing in ourselves and the community, yet we are not supporting women-owned businesses/nonprofits?

Here are three ways to evaluate your support of women-owned businesses:

1.Does your goals include women=owned businesses as collaborative partners?

When you are creating your strategic plans, Make them more productive by including small businesses that offer services you need for your business or your clients/customers.
Step 20 of 26 Time Management Tips tells us to "DELEGATE if it can be done 80% as well by others." Last year, I spent thousands of dollars using women to create business products, including my website and design business cards, postcards, posters, and banners. Yes, Marcia Hylton at Clickgrapix  created eLadies.biz, Myrna Galan at Galan Graphix is my official graphic designer, and Theresa Allen, at Pamper Your Biz is my virtual assistant for FAB Conference and she gets my printing done after Myrna creates it. Also, I purchase services to help me market and promote my events and projects with women-owned television and radio hosts for interviews and speaking conferences, etc. Tina Dixon does social media, Jeanette Harris has Choices with Jeanette and NOW Network and I am finalizing a deal with Melissa "Anne" Santos with The Anne Network, a syndicated Radio Show.

2.  Are You Investing in Yourself with Women "Influencers?"

Check out women who you feel can help you LEVERAGE your business by being connected with them. These women are called "INFLUENCERS" because they have established themselves as experts in their field, they have at least 3 years experience and a loyal following who will support them whereever they go.

They are women whom you have or would like to establish a business relationship with. I have paid money for products from Kim Roxie, LAMIK Cosmetics, to participate in masterminds with Kristi Jackson and Dawniel Winningham; paid for events to support Tonya Hofman, and programs with Vernetta Freeney, Jill Lublin, just to name a few, to connect with them to support my event or cause. In return, they have supported YELL!Mentoring through the E'Ladies Network. These women are reliable, dependable, and very professional.

3.Are You Investing in Your Community with a Strategic Plan?

When you invest into your community, you give back to it on a monthly basis. The good book tells us to "give out of the goodness of our heart, without expecting ANYTHING in return!" Philanthropy is giving of your time, talent, and resources. Serve, don't sell! Justina Page, Amos House of Faith, has made this statement her mission. She obviously heard this from women in Public Speakers Association because after I heard her say it, a few days later, it resonated thoughout the PSA conference. This soundbite represents what I have always believed but never expressed so clear and concise. When you include financial support in your monthly budget, you are sowing a seed. By advocating, volunteering, and donating to promising and achieving women-owned businesses/nonprofits, you have the opportunity to receive blessings 100-Fold because you are living out GOD'S PURPOSE FOR YOUR LIFE! Dr. Alma Allen, Texas State Representative has sown seeds in my life since I met her over 25 years ago as mentor and strongest supporter of E/LInc.

When you incorporate these three tips into your business, you will be able to watch your business grow by building strategic partnerships, becoming a philanthropist, and LEVERAGING your life based on God's purpose for you.

To ensure you continue, join eLadies.biz, where women buy, sell, and barter with women entrepreneurs! Also, where women can find resources, post events, and market and promote their businesses or non-profits!

Get your FREE LISTING for your business/non-profit OR Register for FREE as a customer ALWAYS! Go to www.eladies.biz!

Monetize Your Speech as You Help People Reach Their Goals!

"JoAnn Ajayi-Scott was a delight to have as one of our main stage speakers at the 1st Annual Public Speakers Conference.  Her story and inspiration moved the audience and I was so honored to have her on my stage.  Book JoAnn immediately for your next conference!"

Tonya Hofmann: CEO & Founder of the Public Speakers Association
 
What a wonderful way to start my work day! I opened an email that said "testimonial" and this was in it! It is definitely what every speaker, trainer, or consultant aspire to have in their arsenal (and on their speaker sheet).

The amazing part of this whole story is I had the shortest time on stage and was probably the greenest speaker...meaning I had spent less time as a speaker in the past few years than most people at the Public Speakers Conference March 3-5, 2014. Based on the presentations, speakers, and conversations I participated in, most of the speakers had been full-time speakers for at least 2-3 years and are being paid quite well, based on the strategies, techniques, and tools they used at the conference.

This conference was transformational. Although I have been conducting workshops, keynote speaker, emcee, panelist, and facilitator for many venues over the past 25 years, I have not worked as a speaker full-time, so making money as a speaker was not important to me.

I knew I had to be at this conference because the desire to become a sought-after empowerment speaker this year was my ultimate goal. I saw speakers in every arena to help entrepreneurs LEVERAGE their business. These speakers demonstrated how ANYONE could use speaking to market and promote their expertise. The key is to have products and services to offer after the speech is over! In other words, tell people your story, show them how you can help them, then offer them a chance to buy from you IMMEDIATELY after your presentation.

After watching speakers go up, present their products and services in a way to make you want to buy from them time after time, I got it! Getting PAID to speak can happen three different ways: by the people who invite you to speak, at the back of the room after the speech (products and services being offered), or by paying to speak...knowing you are in front of your TARGETED audience and they will hire you as a consultant, coach, or mentor for face-to-face or webinar for exponential income!

Lesson: Make sure you tell your story, Provide a service, and Give them a chance to Get More from you through products and services TODAY or in the future...MONETIZE YOUR SPEECH!

And you will get testimonials such as this:
Ms. Scott,

Thank you so much for having been apart of my senior project Girl Power Seminar. Not only were you a part of this amazing seminar, but you also helped me get six of my speakers. Without your help none of this would have been possible. Through you not only was I able to get some of my guest speakers, but I was able to meet many wonderful people. Not only are you a spectacular business woman, you are an amazing human being. Your upbeat personality is great! Not to mention that your enthusiasm and laughter is contagious. You are like a spark of energy that as soon as you walk into a room you make everyone’s day that much better. I truly appreciate all your help, it will never be forgotten. You are an amazing human being!

Sincerely,

Susanna Gutierrez

 

If you need someone to Emcee, Open, Close, or Keynote your Event or If you need someone to mentor a student (in school or college) to coordinate an event with speakers, contact me at joann@joannajayiscott.com

 

LEVERAGE Your Business...One Speech at a Time!

Have you noticed that you are always giving advice? When someone is asked to speak on a topic or conversation, do you readily volunteer? Or are you an introvert, but still need to market and promote your business? Finally, are you already speaking in front of groups but would like to go to the next level and MONETIZE it?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, this topic is for YOU! As an iconic entrepreneur who has been a public speaker for over 25 years, I have spoken in many different arenas on many different topics. From those speeches, I have had people write, text, and email me about the impact I made on their life a few days to a few years later! Today, I would like to share with you how YOU can Leverage Your Business...One Speech at a Time, regardless of you current circumstance, status, or personality.

Struggle? We all go through it. Dr. Martin Luther King stated, "Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle". As a speaker, our circumstance (ie struggle) is the reason we can stand in front of people and tell our story. As CEO and Founder of Essence of a Lady Inc, a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation celebrating 25 years of philanthropy in 2014, our program for women, called Essence Ladies (aka The E'Ladies Network), focuses on recruiting women entrepreneurs to become philanthropists. One of the roles of philanthropy is speaking. As a philanthropic speaker, the women in the E'Ladies Network(hereafter called "the network") go out to schools and community organizations where we have established our program, Young Essence Ladies...Learning (aka YELL!Mentoring Programs) and TELL THEIR STORY! Each month, there is a theme, module, and national focus based on curriculum created by me, using my Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. The women in "the network"  share their struggles, their triumphs, and their tenacity to become the woman or woman entrepreneur they feel they are purposed to become or have become! The benefit of coming to the schools and community centers, etc, is two-fold: they have an opportunity to impact girls' lives in a positive way, and they make connections with other women, mothers, and girls that may help them LEVERAGE their business. For example, our speaker for the month of February at our community-based YELL!Program was contacted to speak at its Mother's Day event...LEVERAGE in action!

Experienced or Aspiring? It doesn't matter where you are in this spectrum of your business, speaking to others will help you brand your business as you market and promote your products and services to a targeted group. Simon Mainwaring explained it best, "...a brand needs to embrace the first principles of marketing, which involves brand definition and consistent storytelling." Think about it, look at McDonalds, Coca Cola, Macys, Mercedes Benz, and Walmart. They are billion dollar companies but they continue to market and promote themselves through the media, in addition, they continue to evolve with society. They are also involved in the community by connecting with organizations, businesses, and community agencies in order to have their marketing and promotions department staff come in front of the audience of the entity they are supporting to SPEAK on its company's behalf! They tell stories to show how they are connected to the community. One of the benefits of becoming a philanthropy speaker for Essence of a Lady, Inc(aka E/LInc) is the opportunity to become connected with its strategic partners. Public Speakers Association is one of them. At least once a month, Public Speakers Association CEO and Founder, Tonya Hofmann and I provide E/LInc philanthropic speakers in "the network" an opportunity to learn the techniques necessary to get PAID as a speaker. Both of us are very passionate about supporting women and entrepreneurs. We have made it our life's mission to help them LEVERAGE their lives by creating a platform to leverage their business through speaking. In addition, each of us have created bigger platforms to help women LEVERAGE their business by participating and/or speaking at our annual conferences. Public Speakers Association's First Annual Conference is scheduled for March 3-5, 2014 in San Antonio, Texas. Yours truly and over 25 other speakers, including Renowned Motivational Speaker Les Brown will be in attendance. E/LInc's Females are FABULOUS! Conference shows information from last year. This year's theme is "Celebrating 25 Years of FABULOUSNESS!" and the conference will take place the weekend after Labor Day...September 5-7, 2014. Women from around the country, and possibly the world, will participate in this "ULTIMATE SLEEPOVER!" Mothers/daughters, sisters, besties, grandmothers/granddaughters, godmothers/goddaughters, and mentors/mentees will come together for a weekend to be pampered, fed, and empowered. They will shop, network, and build lifetime connections. This conference also allows speakers with all levels of experience to engage the audience.For more info, go to www.eladies.org.

Shy and Introverted? Susan Cain described introverts as people "who will go to a party or event but after a short period they prefer to be at home in pajamas, they don't like wasting energy, therefore they exert most of it on close family and friends and also prefer to express themselves in writing." As I read these comments, I began to reflect on conversations with one of my business and accountability partners, Vernetta Freeney. As a networking extraordinaire, I have always loved going to events, connecting with at least one person at that event, and usually that is the head sister in charge (HSIC). April 2012 was no exception. I was in pursue of women entrepreneurs to support the vision of coordinating the second conference of my life, the first one was in June 1993. I lucked up on a ticket to attend her first-ever Fusion event. While the connection was not immediate, I connected again in January 2013 at a mastermind retreat. My suggestion to turn her blog posts into an ebook resonated with her and from that point forward, she an I have been accountability partners. When she talked about being an introvert on her award-winning Fall Fusion Tour, I was not surprised. That is why I happily volunteered to be her emcee for the 10-city tour this 2013-14 academic year. The most excitement of all has been watching her blossom from a very shy, yet motivated young entrepreneur to a classy, stylish, self-motivated woman entrepreneur with a burning desire to LEVERAGE her business...one speech at a time. She went from having a name for her business...Women are Gamechangers, to using her own name, Vernetta R. Freeney, as her business name after we discussed simplifying our businesses in that manner during the Fall tour. She has been invited to many speaking engagements, including the hard-to-get-into Texas Conference for Women Conference in 2013. Is she still shy, of course! But that has not stopped her from pursuing her dreams of building a successful business her way! Join the unique networking and connection at the Fusion Tour in five cities, Houston, Chicago, Dallas, San Antonio, and Detroit every weekend in March, 2014.

It is women/entrepreneurs, such as the ones aforementioned, who have validated you can leverage your business one speech at a time, regardless of your struggle, experience or personality. Stay tuned, these women and thousands of others will be featured during March-Women History Month and will be spotlighted on eLadies.biz, a website that will list women-owned businesses in all cities, states, and countries starting March 2014. The site will allow women to buy, sell, and barter products and services from other women. To receive your FREE listing, a chance to win $1000, and a chance to become a Charter 100 Member go to www.eladies.biz. To receive your FREE birthday gift, go to www.eladies.org.

Our next blog will focus on MONETIZING Your Speaking!