"God is the driver, I am just the passenger on this ride called life". Be blessed and be faithful
Original quote by Trisha LaNae'
"Turn Your High Potential into High Performance"
Something to Think about
Are you living your full potential, do you wake up each morning fulfilled in your work, if not take control of your life before opportunity passes you by. Living is doing what you love. Everything you do is a step, but each step gets you closer to your dream. God Bless!
--Trisha LaNae'
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Who's Who of Entrepreneurs
Up and coming, and established entrepreneurs on the move!
Interview by Trisha LaNae'
Hello Beautifully Said audience. I had the great pleasure of interviewing Tyrika Swails, and well let me just say this is one sister on the move. Please take a moment to check her out.
What is the name of your company? (TL)
mainelement: love (TS)
Who or what inspired you to start your company? (TL)
mainelement: love was born from a series of life events. Upon transitioning from relaxing my hair to wearing it in its natural state I learned about how many unsafe, unhealthy ingredients are in our hair and body care products. In addition to that life change, I started taking a medication that required me to completely change the way I cared for my skin. The education that those experiences gave me instilled a desire to provide others with an alternative to shelf products that are chock full of undesirable ingredients.
The concept of mainelement: love being a company centered on giving, comes from my innate desire to make everyone feel loved and appreciated. Being able to customize each gift item’s labeling and scent makes it possible for anyone to give of themselves and make someone feel special. (TS)
What set’s your company apart from other natural bath and body companies? (TL)
mainelement: love’s focus is on personalization and gift giving. It is my goal with every client to bring out their vision, their ideas, and their personality with every item. From customizing their labels, to creating a scent uniquely for them, they have the opportunity to express themselves and their Love for whomever is on the receiving end of their gifts. Love is energy and it goes into every gift as it is created; it is released and enjoyed by the person who has been bestowed the gift - (TS)
What are the advantages and disadvantages of entrepreneurship? (TL)
The advantages of being an entrepreneur are endless. You determine the value of your work, something no one else can truly put a price tag on. Entrepreneurship positions you to learn about yourself in depth: your strengths and your weaknesses in a way that working for someone else can’t quite do. You are able to determine what you do, when you need to do it, and have control over who you chose to do it with. (TS)
How do you think your company and your vision will influence others in the world of business? (TL)
It is my desire for those who experience mainelement: love to walk away with a feeling of care, consideration, thoughtfulness and most of all Love. Anytime something is given to someone it is given with intention and purpose. When you choose gifts from mainelement: love, you’re giving a gift that is enriching to them as a person. It allows you to show that you care enough about the person to give them something that is good for the recipients’ mind, body, and spirit.. From corporate environments to personal lives, one gift at a time, mainelement: love is able to promote a lifestyle of love and care for one another. (TS)
What advice would you give to people looking to start their own business? (TL)
Do not wait until you know absolutely everything there ever is to know about your subject or industry to start a business. If you do, you will likely never get off the ground. Every day is an opportunity to learn more and do more.
Befriend people of like mind. Running your own business is a challenge; having people in your corner to motivate and encourage you is key. Surround yourself with other successful people in order to continuously strive to achieve more. (TS)
What groups or affiliations are you associated with, and how has it helped you and your business? (TL)
I’m a member of the Indie Beauty Network which is centered on businesses that deliver handmade beauty products. Having the backing of others who are as dedicated to providing high quality products that are not just great to smell or look at but actually are good for your quality of life is extremely important to me and my success. I continuously learn how to create and deliver the highest quality gift items I possibly can and always with Love. (TS)
Where do you see yourself and your company five years from now, and what is the one thing you hope to promote along the way? (TL)
Five years from now I intend to see mainelement: love providing for the needs of those who wish to brand their own bath and body products. From boutiques to bed and breakfast getaways, it would be my pleasure to know that others are enjoying a safer quality of products and that there are retailers that care enough to chose to offer that to their customers .
My ultimate goal is to encourage people to be aware of the ingredients of products they use. Much emphasis is placed on paying attention to the foods we eat; I don’t feel enough attention is directed toward reading personal care product labels. What you put on your body goes into your body; you should know if what you are lavishing your body with could potentially be detrimental to your health. (TS)
Well there you have it, another entrepreneur on the move and doing big things. Tyrika is not only an inspiration to everyone she meets, but she is also a smart and savvy business woman. It was my pleasure to interview such an amazing person. I am proud and excited to be doing business with her, on the Tula Couture bath and body line.
Until the next interview, please allow your words to Beautifully Said. Be blessed!
Great Day Houston TV Show With Host Debra Duncan
As apart of Houston Area Event Vendors, we had the pleasure of visiting the Great Day Houston Show on 7-30-09, to meet and talk to Debra Duncan. Debra Duncan also received a complimentary jewelry set from Trisha LaNae' the owner of Tula Couture.
Let's Talk About It!
Beautifully Said...
Out of a phone conversation with a person I now like to consider a good friend, I asked the favor of Lashonda Jackson-Holmes to write an article for the blog. Already a published author in her own right, she graciously obliged. Our shared opinions and conversation about the plight of our youth, ignited my desire to share a story with our readers. The story Lashonda Jackson-Holmes writes of, comes from both concerned observance and personal tragedy. I hope that everyone reading this story will take something away from it that will make them compelled to help one youth or individual to become a better self. It is always in helping others that we always help ourselves. Be Blessed! Asha Lashae'
THE PLIGHT OF OUR YOUTH
“…but if you fight with these, you live to see another day,” is spoken to the character Craig by his father in the movie “Friday.” Craig was faced with an impending confrontation.
Time had run out. I couldn’t save him. Michael was on the run. He was running with the intent of escaping an eminent death. The horror of knowing a single bullet had shattered his cranium is-to this day- an image I try hard not to visualize. Even as I looked at him one last time before the casket closed, there are still days the reality of his absence sets off silent screams that only I can hear.
I do not pretend my brother was a saint, for that matter neither was I at his age. The difference is, I survived, and he did not. The irony in it all is the very state he was murdered in, is the state I contemplated sending him to for culinary school.
As I write this piece on the most beautiful of days, it becomes apparent that my moment of reflection is causing me distress. A lady with her children inquires about my well being. I assure her I am alright, or at least I will be. I sit watching her children run after one another. The action in itself is one that bothers me, even with my own children; running didn’t help Michael. I gather my things together and call for my children. They will have to swing on the swings play at the park another day.
The character Craig, who is portrayed by Ice Cube, solution to his problem was one that young people turn to all too often. He sought to handle his problem with a gun.
It seems that the media excessively reminds us how confrontation is handled with our youth on a daily basis. Being a sister who lost a brother to murder by a gun, I can tell you five years later, the pain is still real. Michael was my youngest brother. Eight years separated us. In some ways, he was my baby. As an infant, I helped bathe and dress him; I cuddled him, carried him around and often insisted he slept with me.
January 18th, five years ago, my family found out Michael had been murdered. Our story is no different from any other family that has experienced such a senseless loss. After we laid him to rest, I began to ask God “what about us?” They were my mother, his daughter, his niece, my self, and the others who were left to feel his absence.
I often ponder the idea of whether the gunman thought that far ahead. Had he known my mother cooked “Bettie Burgers” for anyone that entered her home and requested one, would he have cared? Would it have made a difference that many people call her “mom” though not related? If he had known my niece, Michael’s only child, would be haunted by the nightmares, would he have cared? Would it have made a difference had he seen my child, who bore more of a resemblance to “Uncle Michael” than she did her mother, would he have cared? Would knowing my Aunt Dot would have an accelerated death because of the stress, have made a difference? What about the fact Michael had a ninety-two year old great Aunt who was awaiting his visit to Louisiana so she could send someone to buy her great nephew vanilla ice-cream? My answer is always the same, only if he had had a conscience. Never again would my daughter be able to leap into her uncle’s arms and laugh uncontrollably as silliness engulfed them both.
If God’s word had dwelled within him, the Holy Spirit would have been able to intervene. We as parents have done a great disservice to our children. We have failed to introduce our children to God the Father. Proverbs 22: 6 reads,”Train up a child in the way he should go. Even when he is old he will not depart from it.” God’s word is dynamic in that it never changes for He is the same today as He was yesterday and will be forever, proclaims Hebrews 13:8.
After the death and burial of my brother, God was my only solace. He allowed me to draw close. He literally rocked me in his arms and protected my sanity as I grieved at six months pregnant. My unborn child would be denied her uncle as would my son. My mother would grieve into the late night hours. Had he known Michael’s death would cause so much pain, would he have allowed things to get so out of control? Did he think of his own family?
Even as I think about “us”, what about “them?” The mother of the accused, the father of the accused, the siblings, cousins, spouses, of the same. No mother gives birth thinking her child will be a murderer. Their hearts must ache to visit their loved one in jail. There may be many letters and phone calls, but what about the pain. The absence and inability to wrap ones arm around another. They too are victims. How do I know, you ask? I have sat on the side of the accused as well. Did the accused really not know there would be more than one victim?
I continue to watch families grieve unnecessarily. The pain is always the same, especially a mother’s pain. I know that absence from the body on earth is a physical death, the real victims are the individuals left to mourn their loved ones. Even after the casket has been lowered into the ground, the phone calls have ceased, and the visits have stopped, the pain continues. Long after the holidays have gone and the one year anniversary has passed, a void still exists. One can only hope that emotions can be released quickly so that a spirit of depression does not set and cause more heartache to the victim’s family.
Although my brother is feeling no earthly hurt, there are days I look at his daughters face and know that she does feel the hurt That fact alone should make our youth ask, “Who did I really victimize?” Michael never reached his full potential, but then neither did other victims of violence.
I can only pray the Spirit of the Lord continues to comfort those of us who are left with emptiness because of violence. May we look to Him knowing that Ecclesiastes 3:1declares there is a time for everything under the Heavens, including peace.
LaShonda Jackson-Holmes
Out of a phone conversation with a person I now like to consider a good friend, I asked the favor of Lashonda Jackson-Holmes to write an article for the blog. Already a published author in her own right, she graciously obliged. Our shared opinions and conversation about the plight of our youth, ignited my desire to share a story with our readers. The story Lashonda Jackson-Holmes writes of, comes from both concerned observance and personal tragedy. I hope that everyone reading this story will take something away from it that will make them compelled to help one youth or individual to become a better self. It is always in helping others that we always help ourselves. Be Blessed! Asha Lashae'
THE PLIGHT OF OUR YOUTH
“…but if you fight with these, you live to see another day,” is spoken to the character Craig by his father in the movie “Friday.” Craig was faced with an impending confrontation.
Time had run out. I couldn’t save him. Michael was on the run. He was running with the intent of escaping an eminent death. The horror of knowing a single bullet had shattered his cranium is-to this day- an image I try hard not to visualize. Even as I looked at him one last time before the casket closed, there are still days the reality of his absence sets off silent screams that only I can hear.
I do not pretend my brother was a saint, for that matter neither was I at his age. The difference is, I survived, and he did not. The irony in it all is the very state he was murdered in, is the state I contemplated sending him to for culinary school.
As I write this piece on the most beautiful of days, it becomes apparent that my moment of reflection is causing me distress. A lady with her children inquires about my well being. I assure her I am alright, or at least I will be. I sit watching her children run after one another. The action in itself is one that bothers me, even with my own children; running didn’t help Michael. I gather my things together and call for my children. They will have to swing on the swings play at the park another day.
The character Craig, who is portrayed by Ice Cube, solution to his problem was one that young people turn to all too often. He sought to handle his problem with a gun.
It seems that the media excessively reminds us how confrontation is handled with our youth on a daily basis. Being a sister who lost a brother to murder by a gun, I can tell you five years later, the pain is still real. Michael was my youngest brother. Eight years separated us. In some ways, he was my baby. As an infant, I helped bathe and dress him; I cuddled him, carried him around and often insisted he slept with me.
January 18th, five years ago, my family found out Michael had been murdered. Our story is no different from any other family that has experienced such a senseless loss. After we laid him to rest, I began to ask God “what about us?” They were my mother, his daughter, his niece, my self, and the others who were left to feel his absence.
I often ponder the idea of whether the gunman thought that far ahead. Had he known my mother cooked “Bettie Burgers” for anyone that entered her home and requested one, would he have cared? Would it have made a difference that many people call her “mom” though not related? If he had known my niece, Michael’s only child, would be haunted by the nightmares, would he have cared? Would it have made a difference had he seen my child, who bore more of a resemblance to “Uncle Michael” than she did her mother, would he have cared? Would knowing my Aunt Dot would have an accelerated death because of the stress, have made a difference? What about the fact Michael had a ninety-two year old great Aunt who was awaiting his visit to Louisiana so she could send someone to buy her great nephew vanilla ice-cream? My answer is always the same, only if he had had a conscience. Never again would my daughter be able to leap into her uncle’s arms and laugh uncontrollably as silliness engulfed them both.
If God’s word had dwelled within him, the Holy Spirit would have been able to intervene. We as parents have done a great disservice to our children. We have failed to introduce our children to God the Father. Proverbs 22: 6 reads,”Train up a child in the way he should go. Even when he is old he will not depart from it.” God’s word is dynamic in that it never changes for He is the same today as He was yesterday and will be forever, proclaims Hebrews 13:8.
After the death and burial of my brother, God was my only solace. He allowed me to draw close. He literally rocked me in his arms and protected my sanity as I grieved at six months pregnant. My unborn child would be denied her uncle as would my son. My mother would grieve into the late night hours. Had he known Michael’s death would cause so much pain, would he have allowed things to get so out of control? Did he think of his own family?
Even as I think about “us”, what about “them?” The mother of the accused, the father of the accused, the siblings, cousins, spouses, of the same. No mother gives birth thinking her child will be a murderer. Their hearts must ache to visit their loved one in jail. There may be many letters and phone calls, but what about the pain. The absence and inability to wrap ones arm around another. They too are victims. How do I know, you ask? I have sat on the side of the accused as well. Did the accused really not know there would be more than one victim?
I continue to watch families grieve unnecessarily. The pain is always the same, especially a mother’s pain. I know that absence from the body on earth is a physical death, the real victims are the individuals left to mourn their loved ones. Even after the casket has been lowered into the ground, the phone calls have ceased, and the visits have stopped, the pain continues. Long after the holidays have gone and the one year anniversary has passed, a void still exists. One can only hope that emotions can be released quickly so that a spirit of depression does not set and cause more heartache to the victim’s family.
Although my brother is feeling no earthly hurt, there are days I look at his daughters face and know that she does feel the hurt That fact alone should make our youth ask, “Who did I really victimize?” Michael never reached his full potential, but then neither did other victims of violence.
I can only pray the Spirit of the Lord continues to comfort those of us who are left with emptiness because of violence. May we look to Him knowing that Ecclesiastes 3:1declares there is a time for everything under the Heavens, including peace.
LaShonda Jackson-Holmes
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