Rev. Al Sharpton and I Are Both Libras and This Explains So Much

Libras are extra.

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Lizzo: How mean-spirited shamers taught her body positivity

Lizzo opened up about how mean-spirited, body shaming comments helped shape the singer and actress into a star who knows her self-worth in the skin she’s in.

—Lizzo wants us to stop calling her ‘brave’ for loving her body—

In a CBS Sunday Morning clip of an interview set to air October 6, the hit-making singer got real about her life, her father’s death and her thoughts on digs about her weight.

The star, whose real name is Melissa Jefferson, said the moment she started to believe in her own body positivity is when the tide changed for her.

“Like, when I’m looking at my body and I’m shaming every little thing about it, I have to look at all of those things that I’m shaming, and I have to find love in those things. And I think that is why I’m able to call myself fat,” Lizzo said.

“I can also feel healthy and still be fat,” she added. “I can be healthy and be fat. I can be beautiful and be fat. I can be beautiful and all of those things. And I think it’s because I learned to actually look all of my insecurities in the face, call them by their name, and fall in love with them.”

The ‘Truth Hurts’ singer shared that sentiment earlier this year when he told Glamour Magazine that she has never been ashamed of her plus-size or confident look but she’s getting sick of how people give backhanded compliments about the way she flaunts what her mama gave her.

“When people look at my body and be like, ‘Oh my God, she’s so brave,’ it’s like, ‘No I’m not,’” Lizzo, 31, explains. “I’m just fine. I’m just me. I’m just sexy. If you saw Anne Hathaway in a bikini on a billboard, you wouldn’t call her brave. I just think there’s a double standard when it comes to women.”

— Lizzo’s 2-year-old song ‘Truth Hurts’ might still qualify at 2020 Grammys—

Lizzo’s “fat” is certainly not holding her back. She’s staring in major makeup campaigns and dressing in ways that celebrate her figure will help normalize bodies like hers. Currently, she’s a spokesperson for Absolut Vodka’s new “Juice” line a nod to her career making hit of the same name. And she recently starred in J Lo’s “Hustlers” movie.

The post Lizzo: How mean-spirited shamers taught her body positivity appeared first on theGrio.

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Will My Professional Experience Make Me a Great Franchise Owner?

The beauty of a franchise system is that much of the risk that comes with starting up a business is mitigated, which increases your chances for success—if you follow the model. But like anything else, there are certain qualities, characteristics, and experiences of the franchise owner that can help propel you to top performing status.

With the average initial investment for a franchise being $250,000, having the confidence that you posses the skills to run a successful franchise may help you get past your fears and take the next steps toward entrepreneurship. Of course, success can be measured in a number of ways, but as a benchmark, I advise clients that for every $100,000 of capital they invest, they should anticipate making at least $15,000 per year in ROI. Most franchises, particularly in the service industry where overhead costs are lower, yield between 20%-25%, after calculating for both the active and passive investment costs.

Franchises are attractive to corporate professionals because they provide the autonomy professionals seek from an independent business and the systems they appreciate from corporate life.  Certain professional experience can also lend itself to achieving that ROI goal quicker and in many cases, top performing status, regardless of industry or sector experience.

• Sales Executives: Sales executives are typically responsible for a designated sales territory, P&Ls, KPIs, and a support staff. In other words, they’re already running a small business within a corporation. Making the leap to franchise ownership can be a lot easier because they are used to their income being based on their level of production, rather than the time they put in. When times get slow, they’re not intimated by the lull, and they understand the nature of the business cycle. In addition, sales executives thrive off of the idea that there is unlimited earning potential, driven by their own actions.
• Military: Similar to the military, franchises provide a clear mission and the protocols for achieving it. Ex military professionals understand they are part of a larger unit and working together to achieve greater success. They’re not alone, and if they need guidance or assistance, there’s a clear path to where they can go to get it. The military also provides confidence- and leadership-building, traits that any great business owner will need to have.
• Directors / Mid-level Managers: Some of the fastest growing franchise sectors, such as senior care and child enrichment, require franchise owners to spend a good deal of time hiring and managing staff. For professionals that have experience in tasks such as reviewing applications, interviewing, training, assessing performance, and mentoring, they can quickly get a strong team up and running. These skills are also invaluable in acquiring customers.
• Accountants: One of the biggest fears people have about owning a business is if they have enough financial intelligence to know what they’re doing. And while there are books you can read and classes you can take to gain this knowledge, professionals that have a background in accounting are already quite comfortable with spreadsheets, financial calculations, and problem solving. They also tend to have established professional networks with attorneys, financial planners, and small businesses—which can all be very useful when building a franchise.

You shouldn’t give up on your dream of franchise ownership if your profession is not on the list. If you have read any number of my articles in Black Enterprise where I interview franchise owners, then you know that teachers, dancers, athletes, and police officers have been wildly successful in franchising.  However, for professionals with one or more of these skill sets in their background, the career transition and speed to success can be that much easier.

from Black Enterprise https://ift.tt/3374WIy

Will My Professional Experience Make Me a Great Franchise Owner?

The beauty of a franchise system is that much of the risk that comes with starting up a business is mitigated, which increases your chances for success—if you follow the model. But like anything else, there are certain qualities, characteristics, and experiences of the franchise owner that can help propel you to top performing status.

With the average initial investment for a franchise being $250,000, having the confidence that you posses the skills to run a successful franchise may help you get past your fears and take the next steps toward entrepreneurship. Of course, success can be measured in a number of ways, but as a benchmark, I advise clients that for every $100,000 of capital they invest, they should anticipate making at least $15,000 per year in ROI. Most franchises, particularly in the service industry where overhead costs are lower, yield between 20%-25%, after calculating for both the active and passive investment costs.

Franchises are attractive to corporate professionals because they provide the autonomy professionals seek from an independent business and the systems they appreciate from corporate life.  Certain professional experience can also lend itself to achieving that ROI goal quicker and in many cases, top performing status, regardless of industry or sector experience.

• Sales Executives: Sales executives are typically responsible for a designated sales territory, P&Ls, KPIs, and a support staff. In other words, they’re already running a small business within a corporation. Making the leap to franchise ownership can be a lot easier because they are used to their income being based on their level of production, rather than the time they put in. When times get slow, they’re not intimated by the lull, and they understand the nature of the business cycle. In addition, sales executives thrive off of the idea that there is unlimited earning potential, driven by their own actions.
• Military: Similar to the military, franchises provide a clear mission and the protocols for achieving it. Ex military professionals understand they are part of a larger unit and working together to achieve greater success. They’re not alone, and if they need guidance or assistance, there’s a clear path to where they can go to get it. The military also provides confidence- and leadership-building, traits that any great business owner will need to have.
• Directors / Mid-level Managers: Some of the fastest growing franchise sectors, such as senior care and child enrichment, require franchise owners to spend a good deal of time hiring and managing staff. For professionals that have experience in tasks such as reviewing applications, interviewing, training, assessing performance, and mentoring, they can quickly get a strong team up and running. These skills are also invaluable in acquiring customers.
• Accountants: One of the biggest fears people have about owning a business is if they have enough financial intelligence to know what they’re doing. And while there are books you can read and classes you can take to gain this knowledge, professionals that have a background in accounting are already quite comfortable with spreadsheets, financial calculations, and problem solving. They also tend to have established professional networks with attorneys, financial planners, and small businesses—which can all be very useful when building a franchise.

You shouldn’t give up on your dream of franchise ownership if your profession is not on the list. If you have read any number of my articles in Black Enterprise where I interview franchise owners, then you know that teachers, dancers, athletes, and police officers have been wildly successful in franchising.  However, for professionals with one or more of these skill sets in their background, the career transition and speed to success can be that much easier.

from Black Enterprise https://ift.tt/3374WIy

Friday's Best Deals: ExOfficio Boxer Briefs, Apple Watches, Crocs, and More

An Apple Watch Series 4, an ultra-low price on ExOfficio Boxer Briefs, and a grill that is apartment-sized lead off Friday’s deals.

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