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When does it make sense to go back to school?

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Originally published on July 5, 2015.

T. Cleo Austin says she realized at a young age that one of the simplest ways to achieve her financial goals was to change into her own boss, like her childhood idol Dominique Deveraux, a personality from the Eighties TV series.

Austin was also inspired by Oprah Winfrey’s multi-layered empire and decided to further her education so she could create her own empire within the health and wellness industry. “I often refer to myself as an Oprahite,” she says. Through her marketing strategy, Austin developed a method that may generate multiple streams of income: private practice, writing, public speaking, and product sales.

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The 49-year-old entered the health and wellness industry after years in the company and entertainment worlds, where she held executive positions at high-end hotels and luxury automotive firms. She worked as a wardrobe stylist, prop designer and spokesperson for the ’95 BET Presents the Biggest Hip Hop Tour, which featured stars Jodeci and Mary J. Blige. Austin also founded a South Florida hip-hop club called the Undaground Compound, which lasted two years.

She says she knew each stop on her journey was temporary as she looked for her true passion. In 2009, while working at Allianz Global Investors, a colleague noticed Austin’s interest in metaphysical books and suggested she look into acupuncture. In June 2010, Austin applied to Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (PCOM) in New York City and commenced a four-year program the next yr, graduating in December. At PCOM, Austin will earn an associate degree in massage therapy, a bachelor’s degree in science and a master’s degree in acupuncture.

“I wanted to do something that better reflected my philosophy of life and working in a field I’m passionate about,” Austin says.

Now a full-time student, she takes six classes a semester and one clinical shift. Austin says the full immersion her studies require leaves no room for paid work, despite tuition costs that she says range from $27,000 to $36,000 a yr, depending on the variety of classes and clinical shifts she does.

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“On top of that, there’s another $27,000 a year for living expenses, books and tutoring,” he says. After graduation, he expects the full cost of this advanced training to be $100,000.

Austin financed her education with student loans and covered living expenses with personal savings she had amassed throughout her profession. “I was able to survive for four years without working or receiving assistance except for student loans,” Austin says. “I don’t repay my loans while I’m enrolled in full-time studies. After graduation, I plan to repay the loans with income from my work as an acupuncturist and massage therapist.

Paying off debts, paying off debts

After graduation, Austin plans to work part-time at a rehabilitation center three days per week, devoting the opposite two workdays to constructing his private practice. He expects to earn $3,500 to $5,000 monthly in his first yr.

“These numbers are based on a business plan project in a classroom at PCOM. They are based on real-time data analysis of the acupuncture and other complementary and alternative health services industry. Health insurance (from my clients) covers rehabilitation, so I am guaranteed a small salary to supplement my income while I build my private practice. My expectations are conservative for the first two to three years.”

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Austin is confident in her initial predictions because she already has some contacts on the clinic.

“As part of my internship at the clinic, I am starting to build a steady clientele. I also help out at workshops and internships organized by my school, where I meet hundreds of new potential patients each year. I take advantage of every opportunity to build relationships and, perhaps, have the people I treat as students follow me after graduation and become my patients.”

But a non-public practice is barely a part of Austin’s plan. She wants to offer her medical services abroad, specifically in Arusha, Tanzania. She volunteered with a nonprofit group and paid $3,500 for the trip out of her savings. The trip made such an impression that she included a nonprofit/for-profit enterprise in Tanzania in her marketing strategy after college.

“I am creating a charity event as part of African Integrative Medicine called the EAST Africa Music Festival, which will be one of the fundraising events for my AIM initiatives, including mobile medical clinics.”

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Austin is working with schoolmates and friends in Tanzania. “I can’t go into detail yet, it’s a huge team effort, but a fee for my services has been agreed and I’m comfortable with that,” he says.

“Given my aspirations, I expect to earn between $7,500 and $10,000 per month in the future with combined employment.”

Austin has it all planned out “according to a strict business model I learned at school. Leaving no room for excuses—age, debt, time commitment—Austin made it a priority to take steps to maximize her earning potential through education in her 40s.

Austin’s combination of skilled experience, current training, and entrepreneurship is how she will strategically craft a plan to generate and sustain a marketing strategy. She suggests:

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Do your self-analysis homework

Make an honest assessment of your strengths, weaknesses, likes and dislikes about being your individual boss. Ask yourself if you’ve the leadership qualities and are confident enough to construct a practice from scratch. You may resolve that being a part of a bunch practice or working for an establishment can be best. Try to answer these questions objectively, because it is crucial to know where you might be ranging from before you may plan your profession.

Continuing Education Plan

“Like medicine, new advances are emerging every day,” Austin says. “To keep my future practice relevant, I need to build into my business plan the regular updating of my qualifications. At the low end, I plan to spend $3,000 a year on continuing education; at the high end, up to $15,000 if I have to study abroad.”

Align your social goals with our business and life plan

“As is my case, I have a deep desire to continue my efforts in Tanzania,” Austin says. “So I’ve made it part of my business plan to develop different initiatives that will have a lasting impact on this community. When you start an entrepreneurial venture, it should be something you’re passionate about.”

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This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com

Business and Finance

Tariffs can grow, but also a black strategy

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With the rise in inflation and tariffs, black entrepreneurs don’t shrink with fear – they seem, strategies and support them forward. I saw it first hand on Tuesday evening in Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (Rice) in Atlanta, where dozens of black founders gathered on a powerful night of dialogue, combination and brightness based on solutions.

The event, a part of the continuing programming of Rice’s “retail readiness”, was greater than just a panel. It was a forum of survival – and a reminder that owners of black firms at all times had creativity and courage to adapt under pressure. At a time when economic winds are essentially the most difficult to hit products based on products, this community is predicated on strategy, not a shortage.

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Tariffs have increased, but wisdom too

One of the essential challenges was the growing load of tariffs for imported goods that increase costs around the globe – from materials and packaging to international shipping. While the specter of economic uncertainty increased, the climate within the room was not panicked.

Asked in the event that they are afraid of growing tariffs, only a few participants raised their hands. But asked in the event that they feel influence, almost everyone did that. Instead of alarm bells, the conversation focused on solutions: improvement of logistics, taking control of the warehouse, limiting unnecessary expenses and re -assessing third party suppliers.

The prevailing message: be agile, not afraid. Panelists called us to regulate surgery before making drastic changes. The goal is just not to shrink in response to pressure – it moves smarter.

Thinking about a larger, no less

Another powerful? You have to redefine what “little business” really means. Many black entrepreneurs limit their scale from habit or perceived restrictions. But, because the panel noted, in response to federal definitions, a small company can employ as much as 500 people. This implies that we’ve got a place to dream – and constructing – constructing.

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Terri-Nichelle Bradley, the founder, entered the home along with her own journey. Known for putting educational toys within the principal retailers, akin to Target, Bradley now opens her own brick store in Atlanta on May 14. It is a brave turning point that restores ownership in her hand-her story was a unique example of what it means to regain narrative and strategy.

“Black business owners do not need every answer right away,” she said within the room. “We just have to want to figure it out.”

Recovering the narrative of Dei

The conversation also concerned a hard truth: the rise in funds and guarantees of the corporate after 2020 is assumed. But the energy within the room was not bitter – it was focused. If external support dries, the reply is just not waiting – it’s best to focus again.

Daughter of Carol sold an independent entrepreneur after a decade under the property of L'Oreal USA

Panelists encouraged us to dual authenticity and a deeper reference to the communities that may already take us. This means consistently appearance, without floating and nurturing relationships with those that deliberately buy black, women and veterans.

It is just not nearly representation-it will devote property, self-determination and economic independence.

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The evening ended with a high note with practical network activities. We were asked to avoid wasting two things: what we wanted and what we can offer. Then we exchanged this information with someone in the entire room. It was greater than a icebreaker – it was a plan.

The message was crystal clear: relationships are resources. And in such rooms, cooperation is a currency.

At a time when the headlines speak about recession and withdrawal, the entrepreneurs with whom I sat do the other. They should not waiting for saving or wonderful financing. They construct their future, one deliberate movement directly.

No panic. Just a goal. And a lot of power within the room.

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(Tagstranslat) entrepreneurship

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Business and Finance

Hope Operation celebrates the day of green socks

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John Hope Bryant


Operation John Hope Bryant Hope celebrated the end of the month of financial knowledge On April 30 with Green Socks Day Challenge as a visual option to emphasize the importance of financial knowledge.

As a nationwide movement, Hope Bryant and the stars of the corporate world, sport and entertainment supported the challenge of Green Socks Day, wearing live socks, stating: “Put your best foot forward.” In cooperation with Operation Hope, the initiative was supported by financial knowledge for everybody (FL4A) with a view to promote financial knowledge as national priority and gain adhesion in various state lines, strengthening people, organizations and communities to take crucial activities by supporting financial education for everybody.

Participants were encouraged to take a selfie or video in green socks and publish it in social media using the hashtag # Greensocksday. The quiz can also be available to people fascinated about assessing their financial skills. According to a press release, Operation Hope will probably be distinguished by green socks on the Times Square Nasdaq in New York.

While socks may be bought at Walmart locations, other firms supporting this initiative include the most important financial institutions, comparable to the American Bank, Trust and Huntington Bank. Other firms on board are iheartmedia, Delta Air Lines, MLB, MLS, NBA, NHL, Nascar, Nasdaq, Shopify, OpenAI and UPS.

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Hope Bryant also received support from the US government at the starting of the annual celebration. Meeting with the Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, two long -time colleagues emphasized the importance of financial education built into the structure of American life, discussing ways of deepening cooperation between private and non-private sectors with a view to extend access to financial tools and knowledge. “Too long, knowledge of finances was treated as a luxury,” said secretary Bessent.

“This is a necessity, just like reading and writing. John and I have been leveled in this for almost a decade and I am proud that I can stand with him in April and later.”

In addition to April, corporations, small firms and social organizations are encouraged to have interaction employees in the initiative by organizing events related to financial skills and pushing financial resources.

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This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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Business and Finance

John Hope Bryant shares the rent into his own strategies

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John Hope Bryant


John Hope Bryant, founder and general director of Hope operations, recently shared his rent strategies, which in his opinion provide tenants with “dignity, possibility and grace.”

Bryant still conducts efforts to fill the gap in the field of racial wealth by promoting financial skills and increasing the ownership of a black house. Financial teacher he outlined compassionate and Surprising plan to assist tenants Not only construct your credit results, but in addition prepare for potential Financial difficulties. The entrepreneur was once “the largest owner of the minority of single -family houses in the country.”

  • The tenants’ rent will likely be reduced by 10%in the event that they raise their creditworthiness from 600 to 700
  • If the tenant maintains his place of residence for 18 months, he receives 1 month “Life Event Credit” for an 18-month term. This corresponds to 3 months of “free rent” in the event of monetary difficulties.
  • Tenants are also in a position to borrow from the security deposit, paying off the money in small increases over time.

Hope operation has grow to be a number one organization non -profit Dedicated to financial reinforcement. Under Bryanta’s leadership, the organization facilitated over $ 2 billion in private capital to support home properties, small corporations and community development in underestimated areas.

Despite these efforts, black home properties remain much lower than in the case of white Americans. Black home owners from 2024 it accounted for 46.4% population. However, the total variety of houses is 65.7%, said Axios.

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Bryant emphasized the importance of getting a house in Building generational wealth.

“The whole experience related to home properties is embedded in aspirative economic growth and creating wealth,” he said in the last post on Instagram.

Bryanta’s work with Hope operation still raises the black community. The organization equips individuals with knowledge and tools mandatory to realize financial stability and residential owner. He also divides financial strategies in its weekly podcast,

Due to the incontrovertible fact that efforts are in a position to bring a racial gap, Bryanta initiatives remain a central force in promoting financial skills and economic possibilities in black communities.

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(Tagstranslate) John Hope Bryant

This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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