Dr. James Smith Jr.
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Unlocking the Power of Authenticity: Inspiring Interview with Dr. James Smith Jr.

Did you see my post where I spoke about how saying, “YES” can often lead you to amazing experiences? Well, saying yes can also lead you to awesome people, great opportunities, new friendships, incredible lessons, and new business! A…
Summer Owens Day 1 10th anniversary countdown. Day 1: Celebrating Milestones and Staying Committed
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10-DAY 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY COUNTDOWN- DAY 1: Celebrating Milestones and Staying Committed

The other day I met up with Cynthia Daniels, the well-known event planner who coordinated the Inaugural S.O. What! Awards and Scholarship Soiree. We were making time to celebrate the success of the event that I had envisioned for years and finally…
Summer Owens Day 2 10th anniversary countdown. Day 2: Be Flexible -Embrace Adaptability and Flexibility
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10-DAY 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY COUNTDOWN- DAY 2: Be Flexible -Embrace Adaptability and Flexibility

When I was a marketing specialist advisor at FedEx, I worked on three teams and four different managers in my first two years. I led or supported several different projects and was pulled off some and added to others in the middle of the project…
Summer Owens Day 3 10th anniversary countdown. Day 3: Take Action and Persevere.
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10-DAY 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY COUNTDOWN- DAY 3: Take Action and Persevere

Here comes the scariest part…taking action! Then sticking with it when it gets hard. It’s Day 3 in my 10-day countdown to my 10th anniversary of my last day before becoming a full-time speaker and entrepreneur.  Yes, I’m celebrating…
Summer Owens Cultivate a resilient mindset
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10-DAY 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY COUNTDOWN- DAY 9: Cultivate a Resilient Mindset

Can you imagine what it’s like to go all in (meaning quit your job) and start a business in an industry you just got introduced to. And have the nerve to start a nonprofit because someone you respected told you that you could get grants?  Only…
Crystal Washington
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Unleashing the Future with Crystal Washington: A Tech Strategist and Keynote Speaker

When I joined the National Speakers Association, one of the first people to welcome me was the super intelligent, super cute, super friendly, and super amazing keynote speaker, Crystal Washington. She was well-known and highly respected in…
Summer Owens with mother and 101 year-old grandmother at the S.O. What! Awards and Scholarship Soiree
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The Success of the Inaugural S.O. What! Awards and Scholarship Soiree

One night about six years ago, I had a dream about an awards and scholarship program. I've been a part of several awards programs either as a recipient or helping to plan the event, and I knew I wanted this one to be special. On April…
Melissa Graham
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Melissa Graham: S.O. What! Success Story

One thing I always tell my students is to talk to people. And something that almost always happens is you’ll find a lot that you have in common. Melissa Graham and I started talking because both of us have a passion for student success.…
Gloria Saulsberry
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Gloria Saulsberry: S.O. What! Success Story

One of the hardest things, in my opinion, to do is to be a parent. Then add being a teen parent. How about a single parent? How about to four…boys? Whew. When I became a mentor at the Adolescent Parenting Program, I met Gloria Saulsberry,…