No Plan B Entrepreneur

"I'm a very spiritual person and the one thing that was said right when the pandemic and quarantine started was that, a lot of underdogs are going to be moving up, like this is the SHIFT, you might had never had these opportunities had we not gone through these times," Fancy Felder Francheska “Fancy” Felder is the founder/publisher/EIC of SwagHer Magazine and owner of Fancy’s Thoughts, LLC . Fancy describes herself "as a mother of 3 - Libra - Trapping scribe -Lover -Mental health advocate - Country girl - Proud, liberated Black goddess." The former teen mom graduated from Southwest Mississippi Community College. Francheska chose the name “Fancy” as her “stripper name” during hard times relocating to Baton Rouge after community college, and then continued to use it when she started the magazine a year later as many of her connections started in the club. Those connections ignited her desire to be business woman but also revealed to her how hard it can be for a Black woman in business and life. She realized the importance of women sharing their stories to inspire and educate others. In 2014, her connections and self love journey led her to Atlanta, GA, during which the time magazine experienced significant growth. However, she returned home to McComb, Mississippi and then back to Baton Rouge, LA in 2016. Somewhat of an introvert, Fancy is known for her charming but genuine character. After many personal disappointments and failures, she understood that we are only given one life, and it is what you make it. The self-professed goddess realized she has lived an eventful life and openly shares about her experiences on various subjects such as business (entrepreneurship/blogging/ branding); inspiration (self-love/homelessness/teen mom/domestic violence/Black unity and growth); and mental health (anxiety/depression/mindset/lifestyle/strip club addiction). Through her years of interviewing powerful women and men searching for the ingredients to success, Fancy now believes that true success is when one is strong enough to love and forgive themselves, and be who they uniquely are. According to @SwagHerMagazine, it is a black empowerment, cultural and lifestyle publication. "Let's embrace life together, inspiring & uplifting each other as a whole." "We really have a little bit of everything... it's black culture," Felder said. Felder who says (believe it or not) started her career as a "negative Nancy" with big dreams and no idea how to accomplish them. "When you say No Plan B, well I really didn't have a Plan B," Felder said. Felder opens up about her entrepreneurial journey (she started the magazine 10 years ago), learning to be and stay authentically positive, and the highs and lows of finding herself and her passion.

"I've got work that I wrote out in a painful place. In a place of unknown and hurt that God is allowing to manifest now, cause you got to understand what you call entrepreneurship - you got to do even in pain. You got to do purpose in pain. You got to do purpose in death. You got to do purpose when you are sick. You got to do purpose during a pandemic," Speaker | Change Agent Crystal Tolbert In this episode, Linda talks to speaker, author and transformation coach Crystal Tolbert who affectionately calls the women she works with jewels. Her latest book, From The Eyes of A Prophet, is groundbreaking, transformational and empowering. ​ Although Crystal is a Kingdom Leader, she understands that she's first a woman, Daughter of the Most High God. And she has a big heart that loves to serve women. Her mission and responsibility is to create a platform to help change the mindset, impact, lead, & prepare women, whom she affectionately refers to as Jewels, for their own Legacy/Platform. Her desire is that all women can walk in complete Greatness in the Kingdom. In her own words, "I really want to be able to impact and bring forth what God has placed in them. It is so important to me, that women are left with something of real value. I was called to be a Change Agent because I have the gift to make “Dreams reality” for the Kingdom. I just want to be able to touch someone's life, in a positive way." In her spare time she enjoys traveling, shopping, helping/inspiring others, & spending time with her family & friends. Sister, if you have ever felt or said something like this… "I am so committed and I have tried to be normal and shake it off… Shake off my purpose but it won’t let me. It’s haunts me at times because I know someone is waiting to hear my voice. I am not saying that I am someone that is so great or anything like that but I know my purpose and once you know, you can’t go back to being in a common place," then this episode is for YOU!

"Businesses are not made by being behind the computer, businesses are made by talking to people face to face," Regina says. Regina felt the entrepreneurial bug in college. She wouldn't scratch it completely, however until October, 2019 when she started RRP Marketing. "I'm not a flashy or shiny brand, more piratical knowledge, tried and true methods," Patterson said. "There were a lot of things happening in the world when I was starting my entrepreneurial journey," she said. Being an advocate for social justice was a key value for Patterson. When she started looking at how she could help her community, she said that people who have money, have power. In order to change the landscape and help people create and sustain better businesses, she decided to go into marketing and change the world from what she saw as a seat of authority. Regina also believes in the power of knowledge and being unapologetically bold and authentic. When it comes to marketing Patterson said, there is no "one formula" method. She said even though social media has changed the marketing game, the same principles remain in tact. Regina goes into how to work harder, not smarter and how to stay healthy and wealthy in business, how to define if entrepreneurial life is the right for you and how to successfully navigate the jump from quitting your day job. Listen to the full interview now!

"...Really finding your spirituality and allowing the vision that God has for your life to be your business because once you have determined this and clearly identified the vision what the vision for your life than getting up everyday and working in that business and being that entreprenuer is that going to be that much easier because its not going to seem like work its going to seem like living," Sherrie Thomas said. We got a dream cultivator in the house!! Sherie Thomas is a dream cultivator, influencer of women, public speaker and business strategist with a gift to transform dreams and visions into reality! In this episode, Thomas shares the secrets to building wealth, health and prosperity by losing two simple words. "I can't" is not in Thomas's vocabulary and it shouldn't be in yours either. Thomas is the founder and CEO of Medical Money Maker institute, Licensed Educator and Trainer, Business Analyst, CPC-I, RHIT, EHR, Healthcare Reimbursement Expert and No Plan B Entrepreneur. Thomas describes herself as once a small girl who always enjoyed trying new and challenging things that others feared impossible. For four years, she worked as a legal secretary which led her to a career as a medical money maker. She recalls a moment that changed her life at age 22, where after being told she was too young to be a corporate supervisor, she changed her career path and jumped with full faith into an entrepreneurial career. She followed her bold spirit and unstoppable belief in the impossible and turned rejection into an epic adventure. According to Thomas she decided what she was going to do for the rest of her life at age 13. It was then Thomas decided to become a BioMedical Engineer and even moved in with her grandma to go to a high school that would allow her to graduate at 16. Unfortunately, life had other plans and Thomas chose to return home to be with a sick father. This would shift her into a path where she seemingly had to start at the bottom. This wouldn't be the last time life would throw Thomas a curve ball but it would be moment that would define how she would handle and overcome adversity. The secret to her sauce in becoming the successful entrepreneur she is today. If you have been struggling and feeling like you can't catch a break, this episode is for you. You can follow Sherie Thomas @LAHealthcareIns or find out more her business at www.medicalmoneymaker.com.

AB still cannot believe that the little girl from the eastside of Detroit, MI overcame so many obstacles. She was the broken little girl who wanted love and acceptance. The girl who suffered from rejection and was molested by six different men from five years old to nineteen, ending with a date rape. AB was the teenager that battled with suicide attempts and identity crisis. The girl that had her first child at seventeen and by the age of twenty-two had three children by three different men. She was also the girl who in her mid-twenties became addicted to food, that resulted in being overweight almost her entire adult life. AB was a woman with deep hidden issues and was dealt a hand in life that was out of her control, but she did the best she could with the knowledge she had at the time.

Meet Sophia DaLioness Lightbourne, an entrepreneur and personal and business credit consultant with Novae Financial Management Company. Sophia says " Fear will paralyze you." Listen as she shares some of her strategies and stories of taking her leap from employee to entrepreneurship full-time. Sophia also says get better finances, get your money right, get uncomfortable And have people who believe and you who can help you along the way. Please listen as Sophia has so many more tips to share. www.iamdalioness.com EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: The reality of becoming a No Plan B Entrepreneur How to make the most of being a No Plan B Entrepreneur

Roshanda "The Rosho" Pratt Storyteller and Strategist is a storyteller strategist, live stream expert, speaker, and television news producer of more than a decade. In this episode, Roshanda shares why you need to get from behind the comfort of the computer and become visible to your audience. According to Roshanda, People need to see you to connect with you. Roshanda equips influencers, media personalities, and organizations with the tools to tap into the power of their story, amplify their voice, and monetize their story online. She is on a mission to empower and release an army of messengers who not just tell their stories, but show up and impact the world. In this episode, Roshanda shares tips on how to go live and shine online! Get prepared to connect and GROW your audience before you become a NO Plan B entrepreneur. You can find out more about Roshanda at https://www.therosholive.com/

CEO of Think About It, LLC, Marketing Communications Coach and Consultant, Jovanne Walker's journey somewhat began with a declaration on Facebook. Jovanne was done with her job of 12 years in corporate America and according to her, was ready to make the dreams come true that God had planned for her. She had felt the entrepreneurial itch for awhile, but had been hesitant about leaving her cushy job. The job, while stagnate and suffocating, was a safety net. Then the day finally came, and she wrestled up all that fear and posted it out the world. She was transparent of all her feelings, including her unwavering confidence that she was making the right decision and her complete faith in the glorious unknown to chase the beat of her own heart. On that day of liberation, March 29th 2018, Jovanne wrote: "I did something that I consider scary and rewarding all at the same time. I resigned from a company that helped to shape my career and professional development for over 12 years and decided to pursue my dreams as a full time entrepreneur. When I tell you it was one of the scariest things I ever done, I promise, promise you it was - you see, I felt extremely stuck and was stagnant in many areas of my life. I felt like my creativity was at an all-time low and I couldn't really think clearly. I felt like I was praying, praying always for the same thing, everyday and not seeing a difference. I didn't feel like eating healthy, working out because I felt drained from the thoughts of things not really shaping up for me. It was nothing against the company I work for, but it was all about me seeing myself from a different lens, the way in which God saw me overcome the feeling of being stuck. I had to look to the future as opposed to my current situation. I had to revisit the dreams that God gave me and push to work on making them happen...once you believe in and have a willing heart to pursue, he will begin to show you more and provide opportunity for those dreams to manifest. Prior to leaving my job, I was extremely nervous to go but the whole time I kept hearing God say, 'don't worry. I've got you.' I went back and fourth in my mind. Like, I knew exactly how I am getting paid each month and I know exactly what benefits will keep me healthy and wealthy, LOL, but still - l kept hearing God say don't worry. I've got you.... In a few days, a month will have passed and based on God's promise. I see him moving my on my behalf and new opportunities to continue professional growth and more. I definitely know this is a God thing because your girl doesn't make nonsense decisions. I love that a nonsensical decision is the result of this, I'm even more pumped to encourage others to chase their dreams to pursue their passions and be the best leader that God has designed them to be." In this episode, Host Linda M. Otterbridge talks to Walker about to how to really own your own fear factor, take control of your life and become that boss babe you have been dreaming about. You can find out more about Jovanne Walker at https://thinkaboutitllc.com/

I don't know if you are like me, but I like to do business like I like my martinis - straight and without a chaser. Sister, it's time to dump that job that is killing your soul and leap into your business FULL-TIME. It's time to leave the cubicle like a bad ex boyfriend. I am Linda Otterbridge and I am the founder of several platforms to empower female entrepreneurs including Hook A Sister Up and Women who Write G8. In each episode I interview fierce lady-bosses (just like you) who accomplished their dreams and did so without the net. Welcome to the No Plan B Entrepreneur podcast!