#iamempower

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Happy Women's History Month

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Dominique K Galbraith - Love you enough to pursue what you Love

I am an artist. My canvases are women that lack inhibitions and could care less for public opinion. In my art, she is the conversation piece. I pull inspiration from all aspects of life. My pieces most often reflect my love for old hollywood, my obsession with architectural structures and my Jamaican roots. These elements and influences come together to create a label like no other. I was born and raised in New York City.  As the eldest of four girls, and raised by a single mother, I was always determined to not only succeed but make my mark and be an example doing what I was born to do.

I started very small. A $300 investment in a Kenmore sewing machine, the goodness of Jesus Christ, an intense desire to create, birthed a lucrative business.  I developed a clientele by wearing my own designs to local parties where my designs generated interest in young women.  At age 21, I decided to drop out of college and open a boutique in Westchester, New York where I designed custom clothing for women of all sizes. Two years later, I relocated to midtown manhattan. I went on to start my first collection, which made its debut during new york fashion week in september of 2009.

The label began to attract the attention of stylists, editors and bloggers. My first and most memorable breakthrough for my brand came in 2010 when rapper Nicki Minaj performed on David Letterman wearing what is now known as the “Nicki dress”. The same year brought more celebrity, and magazine features but I faced an issue. While more people had become aware of my brand, many stores were reluctant to carry the label. Retailers were fearful of carrying the labels of relatively unknown designers especially designers that didn’t play it safe. The recession wasn’t helping that sentiment either. The problem of demand with limited channels of distribution birthed the online store, www.dauxilly.com.  I felt that women worldwide should have access to what I had to offer and the industry’s rejection wasn’t about to hinder that.

I knew I had a gift and while my line isn’t for everyone, there are a group of women somewhere on God’s green earth that will appreciate it, support it, wear it, turn heads and cause jaws to drop. I’m still finding them, and they are still finding me. I’m moved whenever clients share their photos in my pieces on social media. There is always a confidence that exudes from the photo and an attitude that says, “I owned the night!” These moments are like the fuel that keeps me moving along this journey.

Today, I work with a highly skilled and dedicated team in the heart of New York City, to create and produce a label that knows no boundaries, while encouraging others to find and pursue their God given purpose.

The journey continues…

www.dauxilly.com

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Vanessa Canteberry - Your Past does not Determine your Destiny

Vanessa Canteberry is the Founder and CEO of Faithfully Fearless, Inc. She was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. She's determined to continue to break the cycle of poverty, negligent and unnecessary hardship. Vanessa worked in Corporate America for 20 years as a Secretary. After being laid off in 2011, she knew something needed to change knowing she was a single parent of three. Vanessa was not able to obtain employment and the mere thought of being unable to support her son attending high school and two daughters attending college was unbearable. For that reason, Vanessa challenged herself. She took a stand on faith and changed her mindset. Now, she is a business owner, Speaker and upcoming Author, working from the comfort of her home. She is also committed to teaching individuals how they too, can become a business owner and overcome obstacles in their life. Your past does not determine your destiny and dedicated to make what seems impossible, possible. Faithfully Fearless stands on FAITH and refuse to allow FEAR to void VISIONS, that needs to be seen and heard on so many platforms. Be sure to stay tune to what is next. She's currently writing an inspirational book reminding you that you are not alone in your journey.The only thing ever achieved in life without effort is failure! With God all things are possible - Matthew 19:26 http://www.inspiredbyvanessa.com/

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Roberta Perry - Reclaiming her I AM

After years of being totally selfless (ok, that is my own humble opinion, but work with me here) and taking care of everyone else, my skin was peeling, dry and irritated. At 42 I finally had enough and decided I was worth it, too. I discovered exfoliating products, but like the proverbial Goldilocks, none were completely satisfying my needs and wants. I decided to create my own and headed for the kitchen. I knew the basics of botanical oils, due to personal curiosity, but it was not until I did extensive research, that I realized how lucky I was with the original recipe. We started Scrubz™ in 2006, in my home, moved quickly to a renovated garage, and then opened our first manufacturing/store front, in Bethpage, in 2011. We have since moved to a larger space, right in the heart of town. We produce all products in small, handmade batches. We host “Make your own Scrubz™” parties for kids of all ages. We sell retail and wholesale, with clients such as Whole Foods Markets.. I have been published in blogs,beauty magazines and articles. I have had 3 Newsday Long Island articles written about myself or my business. I was a panelist for Long Island Newsday’s Connect Small Business Seminar, I was a guest for a natural remedy segment of the Dr. Oz show which aired on Oct. 24, 2014, I am a proud member of the Indie Beauty/Indie Business Network, American Made Matters, Independent We Stand, Bethpage Chamber of Commerce, Bethpage Kiwanis Club

www.scrubzbodyscrub.com

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Carrie Pink - Financial Stylist

Carrie Pink, Entrepreneur

SuperFrugalousStylistBlogger Wife & Mom of 4, Carrie Pink is creator of the successful blog www.CarriePink.com where women can find answers to their #1 question, “Can I Really Have It All?”

For the past 5 years, Carrie has maneuvered her professional career, family and personal life, while dangling off the ledge of entrepreneurship as a Stylist to the everyday woman and their families! Personal Cents of Style services include closet organization, personal shopping, and wardrobe remixing on a dime!  This obsession with looking good while saving money too, has made personal finance coaching a secondary service to her business.

“Women feel empowered when they look good and I want to empower young girls the same way!”  says the mom of 4 daughters who in 2008 founded Pretty World Inc, a non-profit org where she offers workshops to young girls in edge communities on the importance of good financial habits, personal appearance, and self-confidence.

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Tangy Major - Living the Purpose and Plan that was established for her Life long before she was even Born

The Testimony and Ministry

Tangy Major was raised in the church, she loved The Lord and had big plans to live her life on purpose.  But in 1989, at the age of 23, Tangy became pregnant, unknowingly contracted HIV and transmitted it to her unborn child.  Five months after she gave birth, she buried her son, and five short years later she buried the young man who became her husband.  Tangy was HIV positive, childless and was a widow all before the age of 28.

The two most important people in her life – her son and her husband had died of AIDS and for a brief period, she had resigned herself to die quietly in their wake.  It would appear as though she too would become a victim of the unforgiving and relentless disease that ravages the body and weakens the soul.  But one dark pivotal moment changed the course of her life forever. HIV/AIDS had taken almost everything she had – but the one thing it couldn’t take was her faith.  Today, Tangy is married to an HIV negative man Marvin Major who adores her.  Marvin and Tangy has a beautiful baby girl named Kayla C. Major, who is by the Grace of God HIV negative. Currently, Tangy  is a high school guidance counselor and she ministers and sings of the promises that life holds.  

Although Tangy refused to succumb to HIV as a victim but rather overcome it as a victor her journey has not been an easy one.  She endured years of pain, shame, stigma, and fear that so many African American women living with HIV face in isolation and silence.  However, Tangy believes that this disease is part of the purpose and plan that was established for her life long before she was even born.  With this knowledge, her courage and determination to prevent another young woman or young man from contracting HIV are what motivates her to press on.  

Some achievements made by Tangy is her Bachelor’s of Arts degree from Stockton State College, a Master’s of Arts degree in Educational Counseling from Eastern University, a documentary film made about her life which was shown on BET, being chosen in Essence magazine as one of the 25 most beautiful women in 2005, three gospel cd’s, and the ability to share her story any chance given to possibly encourage someone no matter what their crisis may be.  Tangy is grateful to be alive and humbled by the love and gratitude shown to her where ever she goes.  To God be the glory for the great thing he has done.

Contact: [phone] or www.Tangymajor.com or [email protected]

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Toni Coleman Brown - Embracing her I AM

Toni Coleman Brown is a quantum leap marketing expert, author, business coach and motivational speaker.  After years of a successful corporate career, in the Spring of 2006, Toni founded Quantum Leap Productions LLC, where the Motto is "Going to Another Level."  Her main goal with this company is to help others reach their personal and business goals through coaching.  She published her first non-fiction book Quantum Leap: How to Make a Quantum Leap in Your Network Marketing Business in 2006, which is based on her success in the home-based business industry.  Since then she's gone on to co-author two additional books, "Success in High Heels" (released in April 2013) and "Network to Increase Your Net Worth" (released in September 2013)  She has also published several e-books and audio CDs.

In January of 2012, she fulfilled a long-time dream of helping woman business owners by launching  the Network for Women in Business, an affordable online resource for women in business to get training, connect with other professionals and advance their business.  The motto of the Network is "We Educate to Elevate Women in Business".  Training is Toni's passion and she is very excited about this new endeavor which has taken off quickly, and is currently over 2,100 members strong and a following of almost 15,000 Facebook fans, something that's only been accomplished by 4% of the fan pages on Facebook.

Toni was born in New Orleans, LA. She graduated from Howard University earning a Bachelor's in Business Administration majoring in Finance and also holds a Master's Degree in Creative Writing from City College of New York.  Toni and her husband currently reside in Queens, New York with their two daughters, Sasha and Taylor.