2023

It’s Back-To-School Time! 7 Money-Saving Tax Tips for Parents

Parents, you are probably tired of the many back-to-school ads, endless emails from administrators, and registration fees for the myriad activities that your children have. For once, wouldn’t it be nice to SAVE money, as opposed to spending it?

As a parent, I feel your pain, and I’ve got some tips that may give you a little relief. For starters, children are costly, and the costs will only increase as they get older. In order to prepare our children for the world they will have to navigate as adults, we must invest in them emotionally, time-wise, and yes, financially. But, even with rising costs, it’s possible to save money, and even put more money in your pocket. Here are some ideas that can help you save money as you prepare for your younger and/or older children to return to school.

  1. Get familiar with the tax credits that are relevant to parents. It’s wiser to know the range of what’s available than to hope that your tax software (or tax preparer) will automatically know what benefits are applicable to you. At the beginning of every calendar year, remember to check out IRS.gov for information about tax credits, and then remember to check it at the beginning of every school year (like, now). For tax credits specific to parents, click HERE.
  2. Remember to separate the business from the personal. If you run a home business, then make sure that your business assets are “exclusive” – only used for the business. Please disregard all of those claims by scheming “tax gurus” and “entrepreneurs” that advise you that you can write off any and every item that you buy. The burden of proof for business expenses is “ordinary and necessary” (and sometimes reasonable is thrown in there). Yes, cell phones are necessary, but the phones that you purchase for your children who do not work in the business aren’t necessary to your money making operation. I hate to fear monger (but I suppose it isn’t mongering if it’s factual?), but IRS plans to hire (and has begun hiring) many thousands of employees, specifically for audits. Get your children their own cell phones, their own computers, etc., – if you are audited, and the auditor determines that any of your assets were not exclusively for business use, you may end up repaying IRS for any tax write-offs relevant to those assets. (If you need help setting up tax strategies that save you money and shield you from audits, contact me)
  3. Purchase school items on tax-free weekend (if applicable to the state where you live). If you want to bypass taxes completely, then tax-free weekend may be a good time to do so. Figure out when this occurs in your state. For some states, it has already occurred, but if you’ve missed it, remember that you can always plan for next year. Research your state to see what qualifies for the tax exemption (simply Google your state’s name and “tax free weekend”). You probably won’t care about this tip if you live in Alaska, Delaware, Montana, Oregon, or New Hampshire, since tax-free weekend is every weekend where you are (these states have no sales tax).
  4. Feel free to donate to your child’s school. The same rule that allows you to deduct the value of items donated to charity also applies to donations to schools, museums, and other nonprofit organizations. Always check IRS’s website to determine if an organization qualifies as charitable. If your children’s schools qualify, then you may be able to deduct items that your children will also benefit from (score!)
  5. Mind your memberships. The enriching things that you do for your children can be tax-deductible, so long as the organizations are nonprofits. So that museum membership that exposes your little ones to art, culture, and history may have multiple benefits for you (check with the museum to see how much of your membership cost is tax deductible). That same membership that your children enjoy may have perks for adults, like free exhibit tickets, exclusive invitations to gala events, and discounts to other businesses and service providers in the area. Not sure which museum is best for membership? Start with the North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association, where you can quickly look up member institutions near you, and see what benefits they offer. If your nearby museum is a member, then you can get free admission to other member museums (this is great for when you’re traveling).
  6. Take your time with your (and your kids) W-4. For children that are working, remember to help them fill out a W-4 properly, so that they won’t get hit with a tax bill. A little known fact is that when your children get their first jobs, they will have to fill out a W-4 and possibly a comparable form for state withholding purposes (if you’re subject to state income tax) because taxes don’t care about your age. *If* your children are employed part-time, many people (friends, teachers, and employers) will tell them to write that they are”exempt” on the form. This is a TERRIBLE idea, especially since it doesn’t teach them how withholding is calculated and deducted from their pay. Also, if they earn more than they anticipated (which can easily happen when they work during summer breaks or over holiday weekends), they may go beyond the ceiling for “exempt” income and end up with – yup, you guessed it – a tax liability. And, unless they plan to consistently earn below the poverty level (the threshold for “exempt” income), they’re going to need to learn about withholding at some point. No time like the present to learn about how wages are taxed. If you’d like me to create a video about how to complete a W-4, let me know, and I’ll try to create that for you all. Just select “Other” on the dropdown options and write “W-4” in the details.
  7. Check your state and local tax website for additional tax benefits. Every state will have different tax requirements and benefits, and all would do well to consider the tax obligations within their states. Further, if you live in a city that has local taxes, there may be some things you need to know in order to maximize your benefit and reduce your expenses (click here for a list of states that have local income tax). The best tip that I have for familiarizing yourself with the tax obligations of your state and city (if applicable) is to get a copy of your state and local tax return instruction booklet, and flip to the section for deductions and credits. See what they have: you may be entitled to more credits than you realized.

Those are my top 7 tax tips for parents. Do you have any tips that you’d like to share? Feel free to post it in the comment section below.

3 AI Tools For Wealth Creation, Pt 1

I’ve mentioned FutureTools here before, because it’s one of my favorite databases for all of the newest AI tools on the market. As someone that regularly uses FutureTools, I’m always testing out new tools and figuring out which ones are best for my audience over here. Since wealth creation is the focus of much of my writing (because you can more easily create the life of your dreams if you have adequate financial resources, at whatever amount/level you decide), here are some of the tools that I’ve found may be helpful for you as you build wealth.

I’m limiting the tools in this series to free (no cost) versions. I’ve financially invested in a few AI tools, but I find it far more interesting to see what can be done at low- to no-cost, especially since people at the beginning of their wealth creation journeys usually have less disposable income. Without further ado, here are three tools to try:

Tool 1 – AOMNI – This site allows you to submit 3 free research requests per day. It provides fairly comprehensive responses and saves the request results, so you can “build” a body of knowledge related to whatever you need to research. If you’ve found your “shovel”, this can save you a lot of time and legwork when it comes to researching different aspects of your business. Since this searches the entire web (unlike the free version of ChatGPT, which only uses data up to September 2021. This can fill in many of the gaps from 2021 to the present, and can be used for detailed market research. Just make sure you write your question well (if you struggle with wording your questions, consider asking ChatGPT to help you write a question that will give you the best response on AOMNI).

Tool 2 – Let’s Recast – I use this app to take articles and turn them into podcast-like audio files. This isn’t an app to “read” the article to you, but rather, to summarize the details and make it easily comprehended. If you find it easier and/or more time efficient to listen to articles as opposed to reading them, this can save you a LOT of time. I usually add articles from Harvard Business Review to Recast, and listen to the articles while I’m doing chores or walking. The app requires either a Chrome Extension or an app download (iOS) to operate the recasting function, but you can also just sign up for the website and listen to the recasts that already exist on the website, too. Lots of the available recasts have valuable information for business owners and anyone interested in finance.

Tool 3 – Video Highlight – This is almost the inverse of Let’s Recast, in that Video Highlight takes video content and turns it into written, summarized information. Remember that 5+ hour video I mentioned in my Millionaire Blueprint post? I actually put that into Video Highlight so that I could get a bulleted list of the recommendations in the video. It was far quicker for the app to summarize the video than to sit through the five hours of content (though I still enjoyed watching the episode and taking my own notes). I’ve since used it for 3 other longer videos. The notes that Video Highlight generates may not be a perfect capture of the information in the video, but it’s excellent for making sure that most of the crucial points are documented. I’m actually considering how I can take the Video Highlight summary and turn it into a recast, so I can listen to the key details of the video whenever I want.

All of the aforementioned websites require sign ups, so have your email addresses ready. However, as someone that has used each of these tools, I have to say that I really enjoyed the capabilities of these apps, and I found them useful for the researching and learning phases of wealth creation. Have you already used any of these? I’d love to hear what you think of them in the comments below!

What Are Your Financial Core Values?

(Slightly longer intro: if you want to go directly to the subject, start reading after the photo inserted).

This is a topic I’ve wanted to explore over here for a while now, and I think now is a good time. 2020 was a reset for most of us, because major changes on the world scene and in our personal lives brought our values to the forefront and made us all keenly aware of what matters to us, and how we prefer to live.

Three years ago, I think most of us were forced to ask ourselves hard questions and to carefully examine whether the lives we were living were 1) sustainable in the “new norm”, and 2) actually making us happy. I personally had many revelations while experiencing lockdown, and these insights made me more aware of what made my heart sing, what saddened or angered me, and, ultimately, what didn’t serve me.

This experience prompted me to dig deeper, and I decided that I needed to revisit and clarify my core values. I did a core values exercise several years before COVID, but post-COVID seemed like a good time to review these values and ask myself if these still rang true for me. So I re-read Jeannette Maw’s Core Values Uncovered (this absolute GEM of a book is a free PDF!) and took my time doing the exercises. I uncovered eight core values, and, in the months following the discovery, I’ve prioritized these values in my daily life. I’ve seen that prioritizing my core values has helped tremendously with my emotional health, productivity, creativity, and the quality of my relationships.

The inner peace that comes from living in harmony with your core values (Photo by Aidi Tanndy on Pexels.com)

This brings me to financial core values. After completing the core values exercises, I realized that most of us have financial core values that have to be honored as we build the lives that we desire. Ignoring these values is a surefire recipe for frustration, disappointment, and discontent. If you find that you aren’t earning enough money, or if you find that you aren’t experiencing any financial difficulties yet still feel unhappy with or insecure about your money, you may be disregarding your financial core values.

I’d define financial core values simply as the principles that govern how you earn, save and spend money. Your core values around money should make you feel good about the way you earn your money, how much and how often you save money, and where you spend (or, as I prefer to say, invest) your money. Whenever you have discomfort around any of these things, there is probably some fundamental financial core value mismatch.

I’d argue that your personal core values may differ from, but don’t contrast, your financial core values. For instance, one of my personal core values is rest, but I don’t necessarily want my money “resting”. I want my money to have a lot of ease with (easy coming in, easy to retain). In this case, “rest” doesn’t translate to a state of inaction for my money, but a relaxed energy that feels good to me. I’m looking at my other personal core values, and these can translate over to my financial core values.

I have eight personal core values, but for the sake of brevity, I’ll share how a few of them cross over into my financial core values. Some of my core values are security, sagacity and artistry. These show up in my financial core values prominently. I invested heavily in bonds and other slow growing (but stable) financial instruments when I was younger (security). I still prefer some of these conservative but sure vehicles for growing my money. I constantly learn about money and apply what I learn to my financial strategy, and I chose to earn money through working in finance for most of my professional career, allowing me to earn and learn simultaneously (sagacity). I donate to charities that support the creative arts, and I also purchase items that nourish my creativity and inspire me (artistry). The things I invest in feed several of my personal core values, and this makes every purchase feel delightful.

I enjoyed reviewing and clarifying my personal core values, then translating these over to my financial core values. I highly recommend you try this and see where it takes you!

So, what are your financial core values? Have you done core value exercises before, and what did you learn from them? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

ExodUS Summit 2023 Announced: Get Ready for FREEDOM!

A few months ago, I shared my review of ExodUS Summit 2022, and how much I enjoyed the conference. Every year, hostesses Roshida Dowe and Stephanie Perry bring together the leading Black women experts in living abroad, creating location independence, and designing extraordinary lives. This year is no exception: the 4th annual ExodUS Summit has been announced!

The theme for 2023 is 3 Days to Location Freedom, Financial Freedom and Time Freedom. The dates for the summit are October 6 – 9, 2023, and the hostesses recommend blocking off the entire time so that you can savor every bit of community that you’ll get to enjoy while learning from the experts. Several of the speakers have been announced, with more being confirmed as the dates for the summit draw closer. This year’s program promises to give excellent information for attendees interested in creating freedom for themselves, and will include sessions for intentional resting with rest expert Octavia Raheem, and a keynote session with the brilliant mind behind Therapy for Black Girls, Dr. Joy Harden Bradford.

What I find most exciting about this year’s program is that it will offer attendees a glimpse into some of the mental “blocks” that may be preventing them from enjoying more freedom right now, as well as help attendees set their freedom plans in motion. I’ve already purchased my ticket and I’m thrilled to learn more about how to unlock new levels of freedom for myself!

Check out ExodUS Summit here, so you can purchase your ticket. Purchase early, so you can take advantage of the discounted rate (the prices will go up soon!)

I’ll talk to you all soon: take care!

How To Find Your Shovel (What To Sell In a Saturated Market)

Last year, I wrote a post about selling shovels, or, in other words, catering to the less obvious markets. I wanted to highlight the fact that business success doesn’t require that you do what everyone else is doing; in fact, you can find tremendous success in offering secondary goods and services to the people who are pursuing the mainstream business ideas. I still maintain that your personal “gold rush” is easier to create when you sell the tools that the hopefuls need.

But, maybe you’re unaware of what “shovels” you should sell. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with numerous options available and so many people being willing to “coach” you (for a fee, of course). But we’re friends, and friends share information with each other. So I’m going to share a strategy for finding your “shovel”, so you can start making the money you deserve. I made sure to do this exercise myself, so I found more than a few “shovels” of my own in the midst of it. More about that later, but here’s the strategy for finding your own “shovel”.

  1. Make a list of what interests you. Aim to write down at least 20 things (I felt ambitious, so I wrote down 45 things). These don’t have to be your hobbies, per se: this is a list of interests, not necessarily things that you are actively pursuing. The interests do not have to be activities: I mentioned whisky, vintage fashion, travel, and excellent ink pens on my list. You’re using the list to capture things that you enjoy. If you struggle to come up with 20 things for your list, you may be thinking too narrowly: write down anything that puts a smile on your face. If you like the color pink, that can go on the list. If you enjoy the sounds and smells of wood burning in a fireplace, that goes on the list. Anything you like can go on the list (including people!). If you still struggle to come up with 20 interests, it may be time to grab your journal and figure out if you’ve been suppressing your interests. If so, you’ll have to spend some time rediscovering yourself (it’s worth it to spend time doing this).
  2. Randomly pick two things off of the list, and see how these cross over. Whatever cross over you find, consider it the “overlap”. Think of the “overlap” is your sweet spot for “shovel” creation. For the sake of giving an example, let’s take two of my interests, whisky and vintage fashion. These two seem to have nothing in common, but this is just the beginning of your research. A Google search for “whisky vintage fashion” turns up results of vintage resellers with the word “whisky” in their titles, and several whisky brands that have their own vintage inspired logos and branding, who are also selling their own t-shirts and other merchandise. There is ALWAYS some crossover, no matter how wildly different the two interests may be. The “shovel” you’ve been looking for lies in the overlap, and the gaps that the overlap creates.
  3. Ask yourself, “What’s missing from the overlap?” The overlap always creates another market, some under-served population that’s waiting for what you have to offer. It may take you a while to brainstorm, but you can always find something to offer the “overlap” population. In the instance of whisky and vintage fashion, I thought of things that whisky lovers that appreciate vintage fashion may like. A vintage themed notebook to capture tasting notes, vintage inspired whisky paraphernalia (glasses, bar tools, etc.,), wall art that features men and women from the 1920s – 1970s appreciating whisky, vintage themed whisky stickers, host whisky tastings that require attendees to dress in vintage clothing, a cool vintage-esque poster that is a checklist of bunch of whisky brands (something that appreciators can “check off” as they try each one) . . . The possibilities are endless, but try to come up with at least 5 ideas. If you struggle to come up with ideas, use something like ChatGPT or Claude to help you brainstorm (I didn’t use either for this exercise, which confirms that you don’t have to rely heavily on technology to generate the idea [though it may be useful to use technology to eventually bring the idea to market]).
  4. Determine what you want to offer, then develop your plan to bring it to the market. This will require additional research and possibly some upfront financial investment, but if the idea excites you, then it’s worth exploring. I have some resources I can share in a future post, with how to research your “shovel” potential. Also, I’d be remiss if I didn’t tell you that some of these ideas you come up with will bore you . . . And that’s okay. You’re looking for one that offers something unique AND will hold your interest. This is something you want to sell again and again, and that will only happen if you aren’t bored with it. Of course, you may “sell your shovel” once or twice before you realize you don’t enjoy it, and that’s okay, too. You can always go back to your list of interests and try again. With 20+ different interests, possibly hundreds of combinations, and (easily) thousands of business ideas, you’re guaranteed to find something that you want to do.

I don’t plan on using the whisky and vintage fashion idea to test my strategy, but I love proof of concept, so I’ll be taking my own advice and creating a “shovel” with the steps I just mentioned. I’ll take you all through that process in the upcoming weeks. I’m excited to share that with you all as I complete the steps! But until then, think of your own interests, figure out some overlap, and learn how you can serve those groups that will happily buy what you’re creating. You can do it!

I’ll talk to you all soon: take care!

A Millionaire Blueprint?

Recently, I came across a video from the show, Undercover Billionaires. Many of you are unaware of this, but I rarely watch television, and I am hopelessly ignorant to the shows that are currently being aired. That being said, I had to research when this show originally aired (2021) to see just how long these episodes have been available. The show takes current millionaires, and puts them into situations where they have to rebuild their wealth without the help of their current assets or network. The show attempts to create a “from scratch” scenario that allows current millionaires to demonstrate how to build wealth without the advantages that come from already having money. I guess the goal is to show that anyone can do it (American bootstrapping fantasies abound: more about that later) so long as you’re creative and persistent.

Anyway, I found this great edit of the show, focusing exclusively on the clips featuring Monique Idlett, ex-wife and business partner of Timbaland (music producer and songwriter). The show follows Idlett as she goes from having $100, no home, no job, and no connections in a new city (she was sent to Takoma, Washington). The goal was to have Idlett go from $100 to a $1 million business in 90 days. It’s fascinating to watch how she rebuilds in three months and ends up launching a business that she hopes will be valuated at $1 mil.

This video is LONG (nearly 6 hours!) but these first 30 minutes had so much value that I committed to watching the whole thing.

I enjoy shows like this, but I have some critiques as well. What I found really inspirational about the show is how many of us are starting with more than $100, have homes, networks, and many other things that can help us launch successfully, but we don’t tap into the power of what we already have. *Most* of us in the US have enough resources to start on the path of wealth. This doesn’t mean we will all succeed in creating a million-dollar business in 90 days, but increasing our income through entrepreneurship and dedication is a strong possibility.

However, I must point out the problems with the notions presented in this show. This show has to be taken with a grain of salt, of course: there is no easy, cookie cutter formula to financial success in 90 days. Anyone thinking that this is an easily duplicated process is in for quite a shock. I actually think Idlett’s story highlights that fact: she has to start working to rebuild her wealth just 3 days into this challenge. And she initially gets quite a few “nos” as she’s trying to build. Take the advice that works, try it, and don’t punish yourself if the results vary a bit, or if it takes a little longer than 90 days.

Also, this show heavily relies on the cult-like obsession with “bootstrapping” in America. The idea that anyone can become massively wealthy through hard work has been fetishized in the US, to the detriment of people who have legitimate challenges and difficulties on their entrepreneurial paths. The US media loves telling stories of highly exceptional people (which are always great stories and worth sharing and telling!) and then using those stories to say, “What’s your excuse for being ordinary?” The cult of “bootstrapping” is notorious for dismissing the efforts and contributions of those who opt out of entrepreneurship and decide to work for businesses instead of creating one. It’s this fanatical reverence for massive wealth at the cost of recognizing legitimate challenges that I dislike. That’s the reason why I chose to highlight Idlett’s story: she does not fetishize “bootstrapping”, and her approach is very realistic for anyone interested in growing a business, or even someone just recreating their life after experiencing setbacks. From what I’ve seen so far, she navigates her way through Takoma with kindness, grace and a realistic understanding of how genuine connections are made. I enjoy her way of interacting with others and how she builds her business through putting people first.

Overall, I recommend watching the show and seeing what tips you can glean. It’s inspirational to see what’s possible, and applying the ideas presented into our own businesses can result in improved business processes and incredible growth.

Have you watched the show? Tell me your thoughts below!

How Has Your Summer Been Going?

It’s been a few months since I last posted, and for good reason. I’ve been working behind the scenes on some exciting offers that are guaranteed to uplevel your life. But more about that later . . .

How have you all been doing, and how has your summer been going? I hope that you’ve been doing well, and have been taking excellent care of yourselves and your money (of course!) Have you accomplished any major goals? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

I’ve spent some time traveling these past few months, and pouring some much needed time into self care. Aside from relaxing and getting additional clarity on some things I desire in my personal life, I’ve been doing additional research into AI tools (many of which are incredible for managing your money and your life!) as well as tweaking my own financial blueprint, as I figure out how to get maximum results with minimal effort and investment. When it comes to money, there’s always something new to learn, and I love sharing those insights with you all, which is why I’m BACK!

In a previous post, I mentioned a program that I was intending to launch a particular program that I felt would be an incredible opportunity for the right people. But something kept me from committing to a full launch . . . And now I know why. There was something missing from the program, and, as a person that believes wholeheartedly in doing things with excellence, I couldn’t offer something that felt “incomplete”. But now that I have the missing piece, I’m reconfiguring everything in the program, and I’m excited to finish assembling it and presenting it to you all in the near future.

Until then, please enjoy the upcoming articles (I have LOTS to share!). I’ll talk to you all soon: take care!

Surviving AI: How To Thrive In All Professions

Artificial intelligence (AI) discussions have taken over many of the spaces that I frequent. Everyone is wondering how they will be able to keep their jobs if AI threatens to replace them. I haven’t had the same concern, and I’ll explain why in a moment (I’ll also tell you how to be AI-proof later in this post). To be clear, AI can absolutely replace MANY different professions, and I understand that some people are afraid that they may be next to be impacted. But I’m here to tell you that most people can not only survive the AI takeover, but THRIVE, earning more money and getting all of the things they’ve ever wanted: flexibility, work/life balance, and meaningful, interesting work.

I’m not concerned about AI overtaking a huge portion of the job market because I’m old enough to have seen more than one tech revolution. With every revolution, there are jobs eliminated . . . and jobs created. I remember when I had a typewriter in my home, and how the computer replaced it. But, as many of you know, computers – like typewriters – can malfunction, and thus need repair. Guess what? When tech fails, someone has to fix it! And even if you aren’t the repairer of said technology, you can be of service in a different way (remember that whole post on selling shovels? Yeah, I was sounding the alarm WAY before most people knew about ChatGPT). Certain skills are transferable (typing on the keyboard of a typewriter prepared me for typing on a computer keyboard: they’re the same!) and other skills are a slight pivot into a different modality (if you use creativity as a graphic designer, you can use creativity in other industries [once you learn the basics of that industry]).

Much like the automobile replaced the horse and carriage (I’m not old enough to remember that, but I know it happened!), and airplanes became the default method for long-distance travel (as opposed to trains and ships), newer technology will replace slower, less efficient existing technology. What’s interesting is that, while change will happen quickly, that doesn’t mean that the newer tech will overtake ALL existing processes. Despite there being many different electronic options for sending documents from one person to another, the US Postal Service still exists. The courts still require certain documents to be “served” via postal mail or hand delivery. In spite of the glorious technology of scanners and PDF formatting, there are still companies that only accept fax documents, and these companies PAY for additional phone services that allows for sending and receiving faxes. As recently as 2022, I knew someone living in Germany (a country known for being an industrial titan) that could only get documents from one doctor to another through faxing, and he still had to hand-carry prescriptions to the pharmacist. In short, new tech does not quickly and completely replace all existing old tech: it’s a process, and it could be years or decades before the transition is “complete”. In the case of the horse and buggy, there is still a subset of people in the United States – the Amish – that keep the carriage makers in business.

Aside from the points mentioned earlier, there are reasons why being AI-proof is worthwhile. Here is a quick guide to how to survive and thrive through the AI revolution, no matter what profession you’re in:

  • Learn to specialize in the things that AI does poorly. Anyone that has enjoyed using free or low-cost AI image generators has griped about the hands of the images. A great potential niche for digital artists is to specialize in fixing the error in these photos. For copywriters, AI does a great job of quickly coming up with text that matches the prompts entered, but, unless the text is edited for a more natural voice, these will fail the AI language checkers and fall victim to being “pushed down” in the algorithm. Editors that specialize in adding human (natural) voice touches are needed. Go into the many YouTube and Discord groups discussing the shortcomings of AI, and find something that you can offer to offset them.
  • Develop soft skills. This is going to be challenging for people who have relied heavily on technical expertise. While AI can automate those technical tasks and free up considerable time, it cannot replace uniquely human skills such as critical thinking, creativity, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving. Yes, not even ChatGPT 4 has mastered critical thinking and problem solving for the REAL WORLD (though, by all accounts, it’s getting closer). Developing your soft skills can set you apart from the machines that will undoubtedly eliminate most of the technical tasks you currently execute. In addition, soft skills can open up different revenue streams for people that may be in fields that are positioned to be completely eliminated by AI.
  • Diversify and expand your skills. This relates to the last point, because diversifying your skill set is critical for anyone that wants to weather the changes that can happen in any industry at any time. Consider expanding your skills to different areas within your industry and to different industries altogether. This opens up so many more opportunities and keeps you from being devastated by the impact of automation in your current area of expertise.
  • Embrace AI and technology in general. If you can’t beat them, join them. Rather than viewing AI as a threat, learn to embrace it and find a way to use it to your advantage. Now is a perfect time for this, since many AI tools are free to use and can be explored in whatever pockets of time you have. Try using AI to help you automate repetitive tasks, then watch even more of your time open up. You can also experiment with using AI’s decision making capabilities, and it can help you plan out your work or your life, thus freeing up your mental resources to be applied to some other project or passion (or passion project, if you’re anything like me).
  • Strengthen your network, or form a brand new one. Networking is critical in practically any profession, but especially in industries that are undergoing major changes due to automation. Stay connected with colleagues (current and previous), attend industry events, and participate in online forums to stay up to date on the latest developments and opportunities. If this is something you’ve never done before, prioritize doing it now.

There are many more specific things you can do, and I’ll be sharing more about that in upcoming articles. But this introduction to the idea will hopefully get the wheels turning and inspire you all to take steps to AI-proof your life. Do you have any strategies for surviving and thriving through AI’s takeover? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!

How Rihanna Won The Super Bowl – Business Lessons From A Billionaire

I was eager to write this post, after being one of the millions that tuned in to see Rihanna’s halftime performance at Super Bowl LVII. I’m fascinated by Rihanna because her brands, Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty, have propelled her to billionaire status. As I watched her perform, I thought about how many music artists have tried to do the same, but haven’t gotten this level of success. As a performer, it is to their benefit to have multiple business aside from singing: in many cases, these artists understand that they have a relatively short shelf life *if* they hang their legacies upon the preferences of a fickle public. So it’s always in their best interest to expand and nurture business aspirations beyond their singing careers. As far as performers go, no one in the past couple of decades has done this as well as Rihanna has.

So what can business owners and wealth builders learn from Ms. Fenty? Here are 7 business lessons from Rihanna:

  1. Don’t be afraid to have a “starter business”. In many ways, music has become secondary to everything else Rihanna has going on. Music was what opened doors for her, and she worked hard at her craft. However, she was strategic: music was never the final destination for her empire. So, if Rih had a “starter business”, that is, a business that opens doors until you can land bigger opportunities, why not you? Start with something that you enjoy but not necessarily plan to do forever, and use it to position yourself for the things that can catapult you into the spaces and income brackets that you desire.
  2. Weave your businesses together in unique ways. Most of us weren’t expected to see an ad for Fenty Beauty in the midst of the Super Bowl halftime show. Yet, here we are. When Rih dabbed her nose with her brand’s blotting powder, it set the internet ablaze, with Fenty Beauty’s website activity tripling its normal numbers. It was a simple move that got her brand the kind of additional press that most business owners dream of. Consider how you can weave two or more of your interests together, and then experiment with those interests – explore how they overlap, observe how they diverge, and see whether these interests have a common audience – until you hit your sweet spot.
  3. Consider starting a business in an area that others have complimented you on. Rihanna is a singer, but her beauty is undeniable, and she quickly became noted for her fashion sense. She took those compliments to the bank – literally. Her beauty and fashion brands are an extension of her, and for that reason, it’s only natural that she has made billions of dollars in this industry. Wherever others have complimented you, consider making it into your business. It doesn’t always look like what you’ve been paid to do in the past, and sometimes it’s in an area that you never believed could be monetized. And don’t worry if you can’t come up with a business idea based on those compliments: consultants like myself can help you with that. Click on this link to see how I can help you find your Marvelous Metier (TM).
  4. Have a bold opener to your business, so that you stand out immediately. When Fenty Beauty was launched, Rihanna didn’t start by peddling lipsticks or eye shadow. She took on the costliest – and riskiest – product in beauty: foundation. She launched with 40(!) shades of foundation, from the lightest hues to the deepest colors, and she didn’t cut any corners. She had the beauty industry shaking, after many cosmetic companies whined about their limitations in making complexion products that flattered darker skin. Rihanna’s risk paid off: the pale and deeply colored beauties of the influencer world sang her praises and confirmed, without a doubt, that there was ZERO reason for companies to ignore darker skin. If she, a newbie to the makeup world, could create a range that respect the varying undertones, overtones and depth of all skin tones, what was their excuse? That kind of bold opening is how she established herself as a cosmetic force to be reckoned with. If she can do it, you can, too.
  5. Be willing to do the unexpected. Perform at the Super Bowl visibly pregnant? Take a music career and spin it into lucrative cosmetics and lingerie businesses? Achieve billionaire status before turning 33? Rihanna has done it all, and did it well. NO ONE could have seen any of this coming, yet here she is, successfully doing whatever she wants. Rihanna has done many unexpected things in her career, and it has paid off handsomely for her. You can take smaller (or bigger!) risks, doing unexpected things and seeing where it takes you. Who knows: you may become a billionaire, too!
  6. When all eyes are on you, be ready to shine. The Super Bowl is one of the biggest stages available to musicians, and Rihanna didn’t waste any of her time. She employed fireworks, moving stages suspended in the air, color symbolism, and a host of other eye-catching elements to make sure that we focused on her through the entire performance. Wherever you go, be ready to shine. Have your elevator pitch and hook ready, keep your business cards ready, and always have a great story to connect with anyone you meet. You never know when the spotlight will be on you. Sometimes that spotlight happens when you least expect it, but if you stay ready, you don’t have to “get ready”.
  7. Giving 100% doesn’t look the same to everyone: just make sure you’re satisfied with what you’ve created. There were a lot of viewers that were disappointed in the performance: they expected more athleticism, guest stars, flashier production, etc.,. But, the understated performance had a certain charm to it, and it’s still memorable. I believe that Rihanna gave 100% to the performance, but how she defines her “best” is different from what viewers expected. She focused more on the details that may be lost upon those that are unfamiliar with what goes into such a large production. And in those details – the symbolism in the colors and dance, the tribute to Andre Leon Talley, the order of the music performed and the fact that she announced her pregnancy without saying a word – she gave 110%. So learn what 100% looks like to YOU, then aim for that. What others expect isn’t nearly as important as fulfilling the vision you have for yourself.

Did you glean any other lessons from Rihanna? I’d love to hear about them in the comments below!

My Review of ExodUS Summit 2022: Money Matters And Creating Joyful Lifestyles

Hello friends! I meant to tell you all about ExodUS Summit when I attended in October 2022, but I had so many other things going on at that time. I’m finally back to tell you all about ExodUS Summit, what I learned, and whether I recommend that you all attend future sessions.

ExodUS Summit is a weekend-long virtual conference, where speakers discuss a variety of topics all related to a central theme. The founders of ExodUS Summit, Roshida Dowe and Stephanie Perry, both live full-time outside of the United States, and they have built lifestyles around helping other Black women to do the same. The summit theme selected each year is focused on supporting Black women in creating their dream lives by moving abroad. The theme for the 2022 summit is Move Abroad Money, and the sessions within the summit were all centered around ways to generate enough money to relocate outside of the United States.

The topics this year ranged from securing remote positions, starting businesses, investing for profit, getting work in foreign countries, and more. I watched several sessions and I was so impressed with the variety of information offered, as well as the ease of implementing the strategies discussed. Each of the speakers excelled in explaining exactly how to get started on their recommended path to getting “move abroad money”, and I left the conference feeling confident that I could implement any of the plans that I found interesting.

The importance of ExodUS Summit cannot be overstated: a recent article published on Business Insider discussed how Black women are tired of discrimination and microaggressions in the workplace, and are leaving corporate America. This is creating a talent gap within industries and is expected to hurt “innovation and profits in corporate America”. ExodUS Summit speaks to women that are not just weary of corporate shenanigans, but who are also tired of living within a system that feels oppressive and unrewarding. The summit addresses the needs of women who are disillusioned with corporate culture, and are also seeking new levels of liberation and satisfaction. There are a lot of systemic and cultural implications that have to be unpacked when discussing whether an ExodUS is worth it, which I won’t explore in depth here (you can visit the YouTube channels of Stephanie Perry or Roshida Dowe for more details on those topics). That being said, many Black women are realizing that there are more satisfying ways to earn their living, and they don’t have to tolerate casual or targeted abuse in their personal or professional lives to support themselves.

While the conference is aimed at Black women, I believe some of the principles can be applied to anyone. There are always income alternatives that can be explored, and abusive work environments are a hazard to everyone. Making a positive change doesn’t have to be a drastic one, but if your health is at risk, taking the leap is better than staying put. In many cases, a smooth transition from a draining life to a rejuvenating one can be achieved with proper planning.

If you are part of the summit’s target audience (Black women residing in America), then I highly recommend that you attend the next summit. The discussions in this space are life affirming, inspirational and full of actionable tips. I feel that my ability to envision financial freedom was enhanced by what was discussed in ExodUS Summit. I’m confident that anyone that wants to create a life that delights them can benefit from attending the summit and taking action on what is taught.