This week’s Girl On Top feature is very special to me because I had the opportunity to interview a woman who is on a mission to provide a platform for females around the globe to express themselves. Her business, Pretty Padded Room is an amazing online outlet for women who want a nice place to go crazy. It’s no secret that I suffered from a mental illness for 6 years and so this business venture touches me deeply. I’ve since survived that time in my life, but in my years of experience motivational speaking to audiences across Canada, I know first hand that many young adults could use a shoulder to cry on and a set of ears to listen. Bea has brilliantly made this option available. I am so happy for her success and as we continue to develop our friendship, I am super excited to witness Bea execute her long-term goals and empower women in business to keep rockin’ even when times get tough. Here’s her story!

How old are you? 20s/30s/40s?
29 years old, 30 in August!

What is your zodiac sign?
Leo and Virgo (I’m on the cusp, but I have more Leo qualities for sure)

What is your educational background?
I studied Management Communication at Emerson College in Boston for undergrad and have a dual masters in Counseling and Clinical Psychology from Columbia University.

Where were you born? Raised? Live now?
Born and raised in Houston, TX! Have lived in New York City for almost eight years.

Single or Taken?
Super single. I used to say my business was my boyfriend but…that’s just sad.

First job ever?
Hostess at a Mexican restaurant, which is where my life-long love of cheese was born.

First “real” job?
My parents own several assisted living centers in Houston and growing up, I was the unofficial and unpaid “Account Manager,” which basically meant I got to call people my mom didn’t want to and tell them to pay up! I also got to work very closely with our patients who were mostly mentally retarded adults and veterans, so even though I had to chase down the people who paid for their care, I never lost touch with why we were doing this work in the first place. To this day, I appreciate every single client in my own company even though our services are online. There is a real person on the other side of the screen who came to us for help, and that matters more than money.

Your 5 “must haves” of the moment?
The internet, always.
Trader Joe’s.
Hair extensions. I’m addicted.
Cheese. I gave it up for a diet and now I love it like never before.
Teeth whitening strips.
I drink a lot of coffee and way too much wine so I use the Duane Reade brand once a month. They really brighten up a tired smile.

How would you describe your personal style?
Half tomboy / Half drag queen. But in the summer, I live in maxi dresses.

What is your favourite book?
I have way too many: Brazil by John Updike and Bel Canto are probably my all-time favorites. Most of the fiction I love takes place in South America actually – I think the culture is so raw and romantic.

What are you currently listening to?
I found an app called Songza which creates playlists based on your mood or what you’re doing and it is my new obsession. Gets it right every time!

Bea Arthur making a presentation on the hit TV show, Shark Tank

So what do you do?
I am the founder and CEO of Pretty Padded Room, which provides online therapy to women on their own time and in their own space. Through a secure, custom-built platform, our service connects clients with an all-women team of licensed therapists anytime and anywhere. By conducting online sessions via video chat or Digital Diary—an interactive journal that lets clients have written consultations with their therapist of choice—PPR transforms traditional therapy into an experience that is convenient, low-cost, and completely confidential.

Take us along the path (personal & professional) that took you where you are today.
While I was in grad school, I babysat on the side and some of the moms I worked with would sometimes pay extra just to talk to me after the day was done – they missed talking to other grown ups. So I got the idea to start a social club for stay-at-home moms and started looking for a beautiful brownstone to give on-site childcare and grown up playdates for the moms. It was called MeTime and we were going to provide “little escapes from your little ones.” Everyone said it was a great idea and I even found an investor but right when I graduated in 2008 and was ready to launch, the economy crashed.

My investor encouraged me to wait because the women I was targeting were the wives of all the men who had just been laid off, but I went ahead anyway because I was 25 and overly confident. Well, I failed and was extremely depressed and in debt. I wanted to talk to a therapist but I was broke and didn’t know where to find someone good. Then I remembered an article that did a profile about this store in Japan where you could walk in, buy plates, and break them to release stress. I wanted something like that but with less collateral damage, and thus, Pretty Padded Room was born!

What’s the toughest thing you’ve been faced with thus far?
There’s been a lot of things that have been tough on this journey because I wanted to have a counselling company but ended up running a tech platform with no money, no team, and no background in programming. The learning curve was very steep and I stumbled a lot – that was really hard on my confidence and I doubted myself daily, but Pretty Padded Room is a very personal project and I can’t imagine doing anything else so I stuck with it and I’m glad I did.

What did your parents want you to be?
My parents are from Ghana and I think anyone who has parents from another culture is expected to be either a lawyer or doctor. To this day, my mother still encourages to write down everything I’m learning so I can use it for my doctoral thesis one day. It’s never enough!

What’s the best piece of advice you were ever given?
You have to have a short memory and a long vision for what you’re trying to create in your business and your life. You’re going to get knocked down a lot but none of that will matter if you know where you’re going.

What advice do you have for women who want to follow in your footsteps?
If you’re not doing at least one thing every day towards your goal, you’re kidding yourself. Nothing happens by accident and nothing happens while you’re waiting. I meet a lot of entrepreneurs with a lot of potential but not a lot of focus and I feel that in order to make something out of nothing, you have to have a laser-like focus and commitment to your goal besides money. There really is no such thing as “getting rich quick” so just be in love with the life you want and let that be your main motivator.

Is it possible for a woman to successfully balance both love and career? Why or why not?
Good question! I’m actually trying to figure this out right now. When you have your own company, everything and everyone demands your attention so there’s definitely times when you have nothing left to give anyone else and you can feel resentful of someone who wants your time when all you want to do is zone out and watch Law & Order. That said, as much as I love what I do, it’s not enough and I still want to feel inspired outside of my work. So you have to make an effort to see friends and not be distracted by work when you’re with them. An active social life is the key to avoid burnout so make time for your man!

What’s next for you?
I just hired seven amazing new therapists and am so excited to really expand our online presence for the next quarter. We’ve also rebuilt the entire back end and enhanced our performance so we’re finally in a position to scale the way we need to. I’ve also been asked to speak on a lot of issues related to millennial women so we’ll be doing events to address the unique needs of the 20- and 30-something woman in transition. Plus, we’re building an enterprise version of our platform so colleges and companies can offer counselling services to their students/employees. Very exciting stuff!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years… 10 years?
In five years, I plan to be a major force in the future of mental and emotional health care. I want Pretty Padded Room to be a household name and have our platform be the hallmark for telehealth. I also want to have a hot house husband who can cook because I also expect to be tired a lot.

In ten years, I really have no idea but I’m excited to find out!

And last but not least, where can readers find you? Facebook, Twitter, Website, etc.
Please check out www.PrettyPaddedRoom.com! Like us at facebook.com/prettypaddedroom or follow on Twitter @prettypaddedrm.

Most days I feel like Wonderwoman and today is definitely NOT one of those days. It’s true. Today I woke up feeling a bit off and a little hesitant to move forward with my day. So I went for a run at 5am to clear my head. When I came home I pigged out on my favorite cereal (Honey Nut Cheerios) and while catching up on my reading, I discovered this kick ass article on the Huffington Post about career and success lessons from executives, politicians, physicians, celebrities, authors, filmmakers, journalists, nutritionists and more. It was such a nice pick-me-up. It’s so inspiring to see other entrepreneurs hustlin’ and bustlin’. We are all trying to make it and we all make mistakes along the way. Take this in. This is key advice from women you and I look up to. For the full list, click HERE.

1. “First of all, you have to work hard and earn it.”

That was White House senior advisor Valerie Jarrett’s basic but essential advice to young women on HuffPost Live during Thursday’s conference. Once you’ve done that, you may be surprised what happens when you ask for more money or other perks. If you don’t do it, all of the strategizing and networking in the world can’t help you.

2. You’re interviewing them, too.
“When you’re in a job interview, you should remember it’s a two-way street,” said Jarrett. “Yes, you’re trying to make the best case for why you should be hired, but they need to make a case for why this is an environment where you’re gonna do well.”

3. Seek money and power for the change you can effect when you have them.
Discussing why young women often don’t negotiate for their entry-level salaries — which usually means they make less than their male peers throughout their careers — Cindi Leive, editor-in-chief of Glamour magazine, hypothesized, “They don’t want to be that person who believes in money and power above all else. They believe in their own personal growth, and they want to work for a company that has a mission.”

“All of that is fantastic,” she continued, “but if you fall too far behind men and you don’t fight for at least what you are worth, then you’re … not going to be the person who’s in charge and able to create a culture that has meaning.”

4. Your best ideas won’t come in the office.
When wellness expert Tony Schwartz asked audience members where they get their best ideas, their answers included “the shower,” “running,” “meditating,” “walking,” even “sleeping.” Not one person said “in the office.”

5. Stop apologizing for those ideas.
No, really. Comedian Susie Essman observed that when she first started doing standup, “All the women had funny material and they were apologizing for their material.” Cindi Leive said she lays down the law with young women in her office, telling them, “You’re not allowed to do that thing that women always do when they’re pitching their ideas, which is say, ‘This probably isn’t a good idea.’”

6. Do not ask a stranger to be your mentor. Especially if that stranger is Valerie Jarrett.

“Sometimes young women come up to me and say, ‘Will you be my mentor?’” Jarrett told HuffPost Live. “A mentorship is a relationship, and it’s earned over time. Just as you earn a promotion, you earn that somebody else is gonna invest in you. If I recommend somebody for a job, that’s my reputation on the line too.”

7. That thing you’re doing isn’t multitasking.
“Multitasking is a myth — what we actually do is task-switching,” psychology professor Amishi Jha said. “Out of all the things our mind does, that switching function is the most depleting.” Psychologist Donna Rockwell put it a little more bluntly, “There’s no such thing as multitasking — you’re just not doing anything well.”

8. Introverts have an unexpected advantage.
Work can feel like an environment that requires being “on” all the time. But people who naturally keep more to themselves may have a leg up when it comes to dealing with stressful scenarios. “One of the benefits of being an introvert is that it’s not very hard for me in these situations to find a sense of calm,” said Susan Cain, author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts.

9. Hanging out with your coworkers is part of your job.
Who has time for that? If you want to get things done, you do, suggested Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.). Taking time to socialize with other members of Congress helps them all work together much more effectively, she said. “When we are socializing, talking about things other than work, invariably the next time we try to work together, it just goes better. We listen to each other more carefully. I think compromise has a more likely chance of surviving.”

The female senators, she added, are good at setting aside downtime with each other. They get together every three months for dinner, she said, and once a year they invite the women on the Supreme Court to join, “and then we really gossip.”

10. Career moves that might look like a step backward can be a step forward.
Valerie Jarrett told the story she related to the graduating class at Wellesley when she delivered their commencement address on May 31. She went from a corner office at a law firm to a city government cubicle that looked out on an alley. “It took a lot of courage to basically walk away from the conventional knowledge of the track I should be on and go work for city government,” she told Huffington and Brzezinski. But as she told HuffPost Live, “From the very first day I moved in there, I knew that I was where I belonged.”

Source ::: Huffington Post 

Peace & Love,

2012 Family photo

When I came across this post on my Facebook news feed I felt blessed by this father’s ability to touch not only his daughter but myself and any young woman who will (or has already) read this love letter. Yesterday was Father’s Day and I can’t tell you how happy I was to celebrate it with my papi. Mind you, he was at work most of the day, but we still celebrated in our hearts. Heck, every damn day is Father’s day to me. Daddy is my best friend, my confidant, my life coach and the inspiration behind my workaholic ways. I grew up watching him juggle what seemed like 100 career paths and excel in everything he did. When I was a little girl I’d hear his car pull in the driveway and burst through the front door as fast as lightning so I could hug and kiss him hello. My dad has been there for me through all phases of my life; the good, the bad and the ugly. He never judges me, just loves me and I only hope that I am blessed with a husband and son just like my daddy. I can go on and on about our love connection, but I really want to redirect your attention to this letter. It’s honest and beautifully written.

Note: For those of you who have not yet read my love letter to my unborn daughter, you can do so by clicking here.

-This dad’s letter has received 121,000 Facebook likes and counting
-He acted after discovering ‘How to keep him interested’ was trending on Google
-He wrote it for every woman who has never known a father’s voice

This letter was written by daddy blogger and clinical psychologist Kelly Flanagan. Please subscribe to his Facebook Fanpage and blog called The Good Men Project.

The site and its Facebook page were set up to “have a conversation about what it means to be a good man”.

“I dedicated this post to my daughter … but I also wrote it for my wife, who has courageously held on to her sense of worth and has always held me accountable to being that kind of ‘boy’,” Dr Flanagan said.

“I wrote it for every grown woman I have met inside and outside of my therapy office — the women who have never known this voice of a Daddy.”

“And I wrote it for the generation of boys-becoming-men who need to be reminded of what is really important — my little girl finding a loving, lifelong companion is dependent upon at least one of you figuring this out.”

Below is Dr Flanagan’s letter in full. Share your thoughts by scrolling down to the comments box.

Dear Cutie-Pie,

Recently, your mother and I were searching for an answer on Google. Halfway through entering the question, Google returned a list of the most popular searches in the world. Perched at the top of the list was ‘How to keep him interested’.

It startled me. I scanned several of the countless articles about how to be sexy and sexual, when to bring him a beer versus a sandwich, and the ways to make him feel smart and superior.

And I got angry.

Little One, it is not, has never been, and never will be your job to ‘keep him interested’.

Little One, your only task is to know deeply in your soul — in that unshakeable place that isn’t rattled by rejection and loss and ego — that you are worthy of interest. (If you can remember that everyone else is worthy of interest also, the battle of your life will be mostly won. But that is a letter for another day.)

If you can trust your worth in this way, you will be attractive in the most important sense of the word: you will attract a boy who is both capable of interest and who wants to spend his one life investing all of his interest in you.

Little One, I want to tell you about the boy who doesn’t need to be kept interested, because he knows you are interesting:

I don’t care if he puts his elbows on the dinner table — as long as he puts his eyes on the way your nose scrunches when you smile. And then can’t stop looking.

I don’t care if he can’t play a bit of golf with me — as long as he can play with the children you give him and revel in all the glorious and frustrating ways they are just like you.

I don’t care if he doesn’t follow his wallet — as long as he follows his heart and it always leads him back to you.

I don’t care if he is strong — as long as he gives you the space to exercise the strength that is in your heart.

I couldn’t care less how he votes — as long as he wakes up every morning and daily elects you to a place of honor in your home and a place of reverence in his heart.

I don’t care about the color of his skin — as long as he paints the canvas of your lives with brushstrokes of patience, and sacrifice, and vulnerability, and tenderness.

I don’t care if he was raised in this religion or that religion or no religion — as long as he was raised to value the sacred and to know every moment of life, and every moment of life with you, is deeply sacred.

In the end, Little One, if you stumble across a man like that and he and I have nothing else in common, we will have the most important thing in common:

You.

Because in the end, Little One, the only thing you should have to do to ‘keep him interested’ is to be you.

Your eternally interested guy,

Daddy

 

Peace & Love,

Getting prepared for a hectic weekend with my hairstylist @jlxpressions

A passage from my Pocketbook Diary

Dear Pocketbook Diary, June 2013

*Scratches head* Where do I even begin. So much is happening in my life and I can’t wait to share it all with you! Dreams are coming true and my confidence is at a 10! I just can’t imagine a better feeling in the world. Let me break it down for you one time. Here we go!

WRITING
On May 21st, 2013 I received an email from my literary agent stating that he has finally shipped off my manuscript to 10 publishers within the United States and Canada; all of the major powerhouses who have endorsed my favorite best-selling writers. I literally screamed at the top of my lungs and then I cried like a baby and emailed a few friends to share the news. After 3.5 years of pouring everything into this proud piece of work, the time has come where I can say, I am an author. Many of my followers who have grown with me throughout the years know about my biggest dream in the world: to become a New York Times Best Selling published author. But for some this is new information. It’s been a hard emotional roller coaster, but I was so determined to make this vision a reality that I didn’t stop into it was completed. What also may be new information is the fact that my agent and I had hopes to submit my novel over this past Christmas break, but after revisions and then some more revisions, he sent me an email saying that I needed to rework the first 100 pages. *Jaw drops to the floor* Ummm yeah, Merry Christmas to you too sir! After about a month of going back and forth with his idea, I bit my tongue and followed his advice. Looking back I’m sorry I didn’t follow his words of wisdom sooner because now I love my storyline more than ever before!

As I celebrate this accomplishment, at this point I have no other choice but to wait. Wait for a letter, phone call, or email from either my agent or the big wigs who have made the decision to grant me a book deal. The excitement is killing me. I don’t want to sound cocky, but I am a damn good writer and visionary. I have made sacrifices in every aspect of my life to make this project happen and I truly deserve this win. My novel title will remain a secret, but I will reveal that my book is dedicated to any woman who has questioned her sexual maturity and readiness, stayed silent at a time where she should have spoken up or accepted treatment that was less than what she deserved. So I ask that you please pray for me.

SPEAKING
On the night of November 21, 2012 I attended an event that pretty much changed my life forever. It was called the Art of Powerful Conversation and the Keynote Speakers’ name was Stuart Knight. This man is incredible. His energy is on fire and his speaking talents are rock star quality. If you haven’t signed up for his mailing list then I suggest you do so. Anyways, to make a long story short in April of this year I decided to send an email to Stuart asking him to be my mentor. I knew if anyone was going to elevate my career to the next level it had to be one of the most sought after speakers in Canada. I asked and I received. I couldn’t be more grateful for his guidance and expertise. I truly am dancing on clouds 9 and 10.

Not only did I connect with a new mentor, but I launched a brand new mentorship program of my own. It’s called New Girl On The Block and I’ve designed it to teach women how to become smooth, savvy and successful. It’s the best of its kind. I also launched my 2nd Annual Think BIG workshop and in about two weeks I ad 70 applicants register! Wowza. That is record numbers and I am more than thrilled about these results.

Oh! and how can I forget. I applied to become a speaker at this year’s TedxToronto. The Tedx team is evaluating the applications as we speak, so please wish me luck as this is a huge dream of mine. If it doesn’t happen this year, there’s always next. I will keep applying until they get sick of me! ha!

SOCIAL
Shocked to see me out at the club? Ummm yeah, I know. I finally took a night off to burn a hole through the dancefloor. I attended a private fashion event at Brasaii on Friday night, followed by a beautiful wedding on Saturday afternoon. Needless to say on Sunday I was a wreck. This grandma slept in until about 3pm (A first ever in my life). I was sick and very tired but overall I had a blast! I miss dancing the night away back in my younger days! haha.

I am loving life right now. Lord knows I am not getting any younger so I am going to live it to the fullest.

 Peace & Love,

If you follow me on all social media networks, then you’ve probably taken note that I am loving my new boxing class. Today, I’m going to tell you a little more about my new routine and how you can get in touch with my personal trainer and jumpstart a healthy lifestyle for yourself too! In recent posts, I’ve discussed how important it is to have a fantastic business team. It’s the key to success in business and will make your life a hell of a lot easier because you have the support to back you up when you need it. Meet the newest addition to my team. His name is Juan Guevara and he is a kick-ass personal trainer and boxing coach with a company called Body by Chosen. My weight-loss journey has been an uphill battle. I’ve openly shared my struggle with my food addiction and how it’s literally taking over my life and level of productivity.  My primary focus is to be healthy, I love my curves and have no interest in becoming super skinny, however, if I can lose between 10-15 pounds in a healthy way, boost my energy and create a diet I can easily manage then I will consider this experience a success. But this is much more than just an experience to enjoy or look back on one day. This is a new way of life.

Who is Body by Chosen: An elite group of personal trainers that specialize in Boxing, Kick Boxing, Strength, Speed, and Calisthenics Training. They have diverse methods of training, but one common goal; to teach that health is wealth, and being healthy is a way of life. They are becoming the sought-after trainers of choice for celebrity clientele. Body By Chosen trainers are mobile trainers that can train in your home, condo, or at your local gym.

Body By Chosen are the ambassadors of the bar movement in Canada. Although wildly popular in New York City, Canada has yet to witness the phenomenon which is bar calisthenics. Body By Chosen is affiliated and well-known across the U.S., U.K., and Russia as the elite bar athletics group of Canada. This is a title that they hold dearly because it was earned literally with blood, sweat and tears.

This year, Body By Chosen is expanding its horizons. Not only are they restructuring the company, but they are changing the fitness industry. They have many ventures that are in the works such as a clothing line, annual sexy calendars, a documentary, even a cooking show. The future is bright for Body By Chosen. Now the only question is not what they can do for you, it’s what CAN’T they do.  

Juan Geuvara (on left)

Here’s a little background on Juan: For the past 6 years, this boxer-turned-personal trainer has been a force to be reckoned with both inside the ring and out. As a personal trainer, he specializes in speed, and strength conditioning using boxing and calisthenics. As a bar athlete, he pushes the envelope every time he touches the bar. What motivates him? He enjoys helping people feel good about themselves, and educating them about living a healthy lifestyle.

How we met: Juan messaged me through Twitter. Gotta love social media! It’s such a powerful tool which connects you with the most amazing people. Since meeting Juan I have been telling my girlfriends about his services through Body by Chosen. My cousin Alyssa and girlfriend Safia have both stopped by and trained with me. 

Private session with Juan and Safia

Why Juan is the best at what he does: Juan is one-of-a-kind. His work ethic is impressive; his ambition is admirable. He always pulls out the best in me during our training sessions and what I love the most is that there’s never a dull moment because he brings a sense of excitement to the gym and inspires me to do the same. We have a blast and I am looking forward to reaching my fitness goals and learning more about health and nutrition. Not only is boxing a great overall workout, but it’s a great way to release stress and anxiety. I am so addicted to this sport. I’d highly recommend his services to anyone seeking a uniquely skilled trainer who is an expert in his field.

What my routine looks like: Don’t be intimidated by the boxing gloves. Boxing is just one part of my workout. Juan makes me put in work and adds a variety of exercises to strengthen my entire body. 

[A little blurry] Here is a photo of Safia and I during our recent workout.

Boot camp classes [Photo credit: Body by Chosen]

Location: 393 King Street West, Toronto - Venice Fitness 
Your first private session or class is absolutely free to try!

How you can stay in touch with Juan:
Juan can be reached through the Body by Chosen website, via email at bodybychosenjmg@gmail.com,  phone (647) 215-1126 or via Twitter @BodybyChosenJMG

Be on the look out for more posts about my progress as well as health and wellness tips from Juan.

p.s. Don’t forget to join the Body by Chosen Facebook Fanpage and follow all the team members on Twitter.

Peace & Love,

Battle of The Sexes Show
In Association with
Just For Your Events
Presents

For Love or Money?
A conversation about how economics affects
love & relationship choices in the new millennium

Featuring:
Nigel Birch
Lincoln A. Blades
Mariah Giscombe
Honey Lou

Hosted By:
Goddess Intellect

Music By: Dynamic Vibe Entertainment

Friday June, 14, 2013
In the trendy distillery district
Arta Gallery
14 Distillery Lane
Toronto, ON

Order Tickets
Regular $30
Group of four $100

Complimentary Wine & Hor D’oeuvres
Gift Bags for each guest

For media inquiries & vendor opportunities: info@battleofthesexeshow.com

Speaker bio, vendor application & event details visit: www.battleofthesexesshow.com

Battle of the Sexes is a distinctive yet interactive social event for patrons to network and participate in lively discussions surrounding the topics of love, marriage, sexuality, dating, and relationships.
 

Peace & Love,

Telisha knows what women want. As the founder and creative genius behind the brands Goddess Intellect and Battle of the Sexes, she has tapped into the souls of females everywhere through relationship coaching and social events. Her word is of high value and well-respected amongst Toronto’s movers and shakers. She is strong, confident and leads with love. It’s no wonder her audience is growing at a rapid pace. She is adored by many and has a bright future ahead of her. It’s beautiful to see a young woman filled with so much passion. Here’s her story! 

How old are you? 20s/30s/40s?
I am the fabulous age of 30 years old.

What is your zodiac sign?
I am a Scorpio.

What is your educational background?
I have an associate’s degree/diploma in fashion business.

Where were you born? Raised? Live now?
I was born and raised in Toronto. I continue to call Toronto my home.

Single or Taken?
I am currently taken.

First job ever?
I sold shoes at Eglinton Square in Scarborough at a store called Ashley Shoes. They sell comfort and orthopaedic shoes. That was a fun job, it taught me patience.

First “real” job?
I consider my first job a real job.

Your 5 “must haves” of the moment?
Chocolate covered pretzels, love, respect, wine and green tea lattes from Starbucks.

How would you describe your personal style?
I like to clash and show a tiny bit of skin while keeping it classy.

What is your favourite book?
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, I have yet to see the 2013 adaptation of the book but I’ll get to the theatres sometime in the near future to see it.

What are you currently listening to?
Martin Luther an indie artist I met while in San Francisco. He’s the dope realness and he looks like Al Green with 2013 swag.

Telisha hosting one of her signature events

So what do you do?
I do many things, my pride and joy is my blog Goddess Intellect and an event I produce called Battle of The Sexes Show. Goddess Intellect is a relationship blog and through my site I also offer relationship coaching and workshops. Battle of The Sexes is a unique social event where patrons gather together to discuss various love, sex and relationships topics. The event is hosted by myself and features a panel of authors, experts and fabulous people I handpick because they are fun and outspoken. I love writing and hosting events. I love seeing people express themselves and be happy.

Take us along the path (personal & professional) that took you where you are today.
You’ll have to read my book & blog for the entire story but in a nutshell I realized a few years ago that I had more to offer the world than what I was currently giving. I knew I did not enjoy for working for others, that I love to pay it forward and that I was being stifled creatively by my lifestyle at the time. I chose to focus on relationships because I had been through so many dysfunctional ones and I figured the best way to heal was to tell my story. Telling my story turned into giving advice. I was always the girl people turned to for advice. Not only did I begin to give it, I began to take it as well.

What’s the toughest thing you’ve been faced with thus far?
Perhaps having to deal with being the caregiver of my youngest sister in my early twenties while my mother was in and out of the hospital. I had to grow up very quickly, but I’m grateful for the experience because it allows me to relate to my friends and colleagues who are parents a lot easier.

What did your parents want you to be?
I have no clue, they never said anything, probably because I wasn’t paying attention. I have always made up my own mind when it comes to what I aspire to be.

What’s the best piece of advice you were ever given?
Get to the spot. That means regardless of what you have standing in your way, if you keep knocking someone is gonna get fed up and eventually open that door.

What advice do you have for women who want to follow in your footsteps?
Don’t. Be bold and make your own footsteps in the sand.

Is it possible for a woman to successfully balance both love and career? Why or why not?
It is possible for a woman to successfully balance love and career when she has a supportive partner and is also just as invested in the relationship. There is no I in team and a supportive partner understands this well. The days of thinking the opposite way are dead; the men today know what’s up they are willing to share the stage and then some.

What’s next for you?
More Battle of The Sexes events, we are currently in the midst of a 5-city US tour. We just knocked out Oakland show out the park, next is Toronto as well as shows in Washington DC, Atlanta, New York City & Los Angeles. I’m also working on a book that is going to change the way we see dating, love and relationships.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years… 10 years?
I don’t know if this is even feasible but let me go ahead and put it out into the universe- I see myself as a wife and stay at home mom, who goes back and forth from Toronto to LA…why? Because besides the books I plan to write I have a deep interest in writing and producing for television. I want to see the community presented on television with more respect and honour while still providing a high level of entertainment value. So I would take on small projects but family would come first. It sounds a little nuts, but I’m sure I can pull it off.

And last but not least, where can readers find you?
Facebook, Twitter, Website, etc. I’m everywhere honey, Twitter @goddess_I   Facebook: facebook.com/goddessi   website: http://goddessintellect.com

Age: 30

Occupation: Dancer, Choreographer, Dance Instructor and Personal Assistant

Twitter: @neeksmoney

Hometown: Toronto

She says: “Ask, believe, receive… whether it’s love, life or career. KNOW what you want, ASK for it and have FAITH that the blessing is already in the works… if not, something/someone better is. I’ve learned that life is much more rewarding by not stressing on things that you cannot change but believing everything happens for a reason. It’s important to acknowledge the blesson (Lesson in the blessing) to enjoy your destined journey/purpose. Live.Love.Life x”

Pauleanna says: Neeks definitely has a point. Closed mouths don’t get fed. Once you have a good understanding of what you want, open your mouth and ask for it. This mentality will take you very far in your life and career. Thanks for today’s words of wisdom!

Peace & Love,

UPDATE: A big thank you to @Mattcheung for giving me the heads up! You can now save $100.00 on the ticket price by clicking HERE and using the promo code 1006 – Best news ever!

Peace & Love,

Entrepreneur and Branding Architect, Jesse Jones, is respected for his vast experience in the business.  His successful company, TEN81 Lifestyle Inc., is a boutique agency which helps brands connect with consumers through non-traditional strategies involving lifestyle-based marketing and branding initiatives. Some of his past clients include: McDonald’s, Bell, Much Music, Mattel, Royal Bank of Canada, Converse, and Fuji Film to name a few. His success stems from humble beginnings and along his inspiring journey, Jesse has touched many lives. He leads by example, teaching other entrepreneurs how to fulfill their calling and make happiness a priority.

What is your educational background?
Studied Marketing and Communications at the University of Ottawa. Also, currently enrolled in the School of Life.

Where were you born, raised and live now?
Born in Sudbury, Ontario to Jamaican born parents. Now reside in Toronto, Ontario.

What are your 5 “Must-haves” of the moment?
I don’t really have a Must Have list. I’m pretty content with how things are at the moment. I have everything I need and am thankful for it. Well, except for Pumpkin Pie. I really wanted to grab one tonight but I’m in training mode for my second 10k race so I painfully said no to it. But yes, I guess Pumpkin Pie would always exist on any must have list for me. That’s about it. I really love Pumpkin Pie.

How would you describe your personal style?
I think I’m an even cross between the suit some days, jeans and a tee on other days, and everything in between. Really depends on a few things, my mood, and what the occasion calls for. I definitely like to keep things interesting. I guess I’m somewhat preppy.

What is your favorite book and why?
The Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. It really dives into the science of success.

What are you currently listening to?
I’m listening a lot to the Slacker Radio app on my phone. Filter Magazine has an Indie channel that I’m really loving right now. Putting me on to a ton of new sounds and bands. Being of Jamaican background, some days I just need to turn on the reggae in my place and get loose.

So what do you do?
Interesting question. I dream and then I create. Daily. I don’t think I can accurately wrap what I do into one word. I’m an entrepreneur, I run a marketing agency, but I also do a great deal of public speaking as well. I’ve dabbled in TV….life for me is diverse but all within worlds that work seamlessly together. It’s pretty engaging. I enjoy leading our agency TEN81 Lifestyle Inc. to higher and higher heights though….I’m a marketing and branding guy first. Everything feeds off of that.

How has your past influenced your choice to become an entrepreneur?
I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs. My family business, Jones & Jones Group, is rooted in the arts and entertainment industry and I grew up immersed in that culture so it’s no mistake that I’m doing what I’m doing now. I have always been entrepreneurial, even when employed by companies…I always wanted to create, push the envelope, implement ideas immediately. As we grow our agency here at TEN81 Lifestyle Inc. it is my commitment to create a place that fosters the entrepreneur in us all, allowing individuals to really take their career by the horns, and feel like they have the ability to create and bring new ideas forward. If it is something that works within the framework of what we envision, then sure, go for it and build it out. I never want to stop creating, or moving forward and passionate and engaged employees can will help you do that.

What is something you know now, that you wish you knew 10 years ago?
That life is about what you give, not about what you have. I’ve learned more and more that the beauty we seek often comes when we give outwardly the things we truly want. If we want love, give love. If you want help, give help. If you want collaboration, seek to offer that to someone else. Push positivity out, get positivity back. The world opens up for you when that happens. I’ve learned that with time.

What do you feel are the biggest challenges for millennial entrepreneurs?
The fact that things don’t happen overnight. The millennial generation is one that has grown up in a very instant day and age. Everything is at the fingertips. Entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint.

On a recent speaking engagement at Yale University, you spoke about making your life passion, your work. How does one overcome the fear to take that leap of faith and dive into their dream career?
I don’t think you ever truly overcome the fear. I think what happens is you just start to believe the success part more than you believe the failure story you tell yourself. In my case that’s how it went. I still feared failing but I began to obsess over making my dream come true and then everything I began to do ended up serving that vision. You have to believe that you will succeed more than you believe you will fail. You also can’t stop. You must keep going. It is hard to ignore those who just don’t quit. Simply because most others, do.

You’ve managed to create an empire which involves all of your passions, what advice do you have for young entrepreneurs?
Take the time to uncover the things you’re passionate about. Start there. Take that time…no matter how long it takes, because once you identify those things everything you do after that ends up serving that direction you’ve carved out. It becomes your roadmap and helps you focus.

What is the toughest thing you’ve been faced with thus far?
Things are definitely not easy breezy now. I mean they’re definitely not horrible, but everything is cyclical. That’s probably what I’ve learned most as an entrepreneur. You’ll have good and bad moments, but the trick is to stay leveled throughout. My toughest moment was probably when I just started up. TEN81 started as a consultancy, meaning it was just me. Working from home and bringing in other people as needed on projects. But in between projects, I had to stay afloat, keep the lights on. I worked night jobs at warehouses, I was a courier guy by day sometimes. I remember once being on a client call as I was leaving the Park Hyatt after delivering a package to the front desk. My life at that time was by any means necessary. I knew that I needed flexible jobs that would allow me to still be able to consult and pursue my dream. Those days really molded me for what’s happening right now. I don’t take any client meeting for granted now. Every single one of them are a blessing to me. We’ve just hired new staff, and our agency is really resonating positively in the marketplace….it’s truly a special thing. Sometimes I feel like I’m dreaming.

Who were your biggest influences and mentors growing up?
My parents. No question. They are the reason I am what I am today.

Why is it important to have a mentor?
I think it’s important to have people that you look up to, but more importantly, people that you can share and engage with and learn from. People you can ask questions of and build with. It’s always been a priority of mine to develop the next generation of youth coming up because they are the future executives, and potentially future TEN81 employees. We always bring on interns, both in the college/university space, right down to the high school space. It’s important to cultivate the future leaders. Positive mentorship can change the course of a person’s life.

What’s next for you?
That’s an interesting question. Right now, building the TEN81 Lifestyle Inc. empire is what’s on the forefront. We’re hiring fantastic people, building with incredible clients, and I just want to continue adding to that. I’d love to continue my public speaking opportunities as well. We’ve got a pretty interesting new product that we’re about to launch that deals with employee engagement in the workplace. It’s a really engaging and exciting initiative that deals with employee satisfaction. Very close to my heart and I’m pumped to launch it in a few weeks. You will probably hear about it very soon. I just want to continue moving culture forward, and beyond the business, I want to inspire people to pursue their dreams in life.

Paint your life 5 years from today.
Hopefully it feels like it does now. Waking up every single day thrilled to do what I’m doing. That is true success.

And last but not least, where can readers find you? Twitter, Faceook, etc.
I’m definitely easy to find online. @iamjessejones on twitter is probably the easiest way to get to me. I tweet mostly about marketing, branding, advertising type stuff with an underlying tone of inspiration and motivation. Oh, and random tweets about my love of pumpkin pie. Can’t forget that.