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Finish Strong: 4th Quarter Strategies Every Entrepreneur Should Implement by Dr. Trina Pullum

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R enowned for her dynamic leadership,  Dr. Catrina  has curated a distinguished career, navigating the intricacies of the entertainment realm and corporate landscape. As a sought-after consultant, she's known for orchestrating success stories and infusing projects with a unique blend of vision and business acumen. The 4th quarter isn’t just the end of the year—it’s your final lap, your opportunity to turn momentum into measurable success. For entrepreneurs, this is the season to refocus, reenergize, and refine. Whether you’re closing deals, reassessing goals, or setting the tone for the new year, how you finish the 4th quarter often determines how you begin the next. Here are key strategies every entrepreneur should implement to finish strong. 1. Reflect, Review, and Realign Before charging forward, take a moment to look back. The final quarter is the perfect time to review your performance from the first three quarters. Ask yourself: What worked well? What didn’t go as planne...

From Hustle to Freedom: How To Build A Life You Don’t Need a Vacation From by Suzanne Peters

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Suzanne Peters is a full-time day trader, award-winning speaker, author, and founder of the Woman To Woman Network. She creates time, financial, and location freedom while inspiring women to step into their power, embrace bold reinvention, and live life unapologetically on their own terms.   There was a time when my days were full — and my heart was empty. On the outside, I had everything: I was an award-winning speaker, author, and business owner. But behind the scenes, I was tired. I was doing all the right things, working hard, showing up, checking every box — yet I still felt like something was missing. No one ever tells you that success can become another form of survival. You can be winning in business, inspiring others, and still feel trapped in a cycle that leaves no space for you. I was constantly pouring out and rarely pouring back in. I wanted more than success — I wanted freedom. Real freedom. Not the kind that comes from a paycheck or a plane ticket. The kind that com...

Building Trust: Branding Tips for Chicago Small Businesses by Lenora Blackamore

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At MECCA, we Make Engaging Creative Content Always. 
 We equip entrepreneurs with smart tools, digital systems, and standout content to help them thrive online. Whether it’s building your brand, automating your customer journey, or managing your digital assets— we’re your trusted design partner, every step of the way. We help black women entrepreneurs like you build their businesses online, create amazing content, and post consistently to various platforms, which gives you time and energy to focus on your business. My brand is the only one that builds high-quality, customized websites, while also delivering comprehensive tech and digital solutions to help your business grow, streamline operations, and stay ahead in the digital landscape. For Chicago entrepreneurs, building a strong brand is about more than just colors, logos, or catchy taglines; it’s about creating a sense of trust and connection within the local community. In today’s competitive market, where small businesses face cha...

Why Women Entrepreneurs Should Explore Government Contracting by Dr. Yvette Gavin

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Dr. Yvette Gavin , CEO of Yvette Gavin Consulting, is a seasoned leadership strategist, executive coach, and trainer. Through her SBA 8(a) and WOSB-certified firm, she partners with federal agencies, corporations, and nonprofits to deliver innovative workforce solutions that drive leadership excellence, organizational growth, and lasting impact. When most women think about growing their business, they imagine landing new clients, scaling online sales, or building corporate partnerships. But there’s another opportunity—one many entrepreneurs never consider—that can provide long-term stability and exponential growth: government contracting. The U.S. government is the world’s largest buyer of products and services. Every year, billions of dollars are awarded to small businesses, including contracts specifically set aside for women-owned companies. Yet too often, women entrepreneurs are unaware of these opportunities or assume the process is too complex. I want you to know: it is possible,...

Carry Summer’s Flow Into Fall by Dr. Tina Armstrong

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Dr. Tina Armstrong is a licensed clinical psychologist, researcher, and founder of Living Connected Psychological, Inc., helping to reshape the future of mental wellness for Black women. Through her work of integrating faith, science, and cultural healing, she creates spaces where women move beyond chronic stress and into flourishing, freedom, and generational restoration. Labor Day has come and gone, and just like that, the ease of summer gives way to the quickening pace of fall. Calendars fill up, “casual Friday” feels like a distant memory, and the pressure to perform — at work, at home, and in our communities — starts to build again. For many high-achieving Black women, this transition can be especially heavy. The expectations to show up strong, carry others, and keep everything together can leave us stretched thin, running on empty, and silently battling chronic stress. But here’s the truth: you don’t have to leave the freedom and flow of summer behind. Think about what summer ga...

Building a Brand That Nourishes: The Power of Purpose in Entrepreneurship By Kaylenne Brown, Founder of PB Eatz

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Kaylenne Brown , Health and wellness trailblazer on a mission to help busy professionals reclaim their energy and thrive. I share no-fluff tips, plant-powered strategies, and mindset shifts that turn wellness into a lifestyle—because feeling good isn’t optional, it’s essential. When I started Plant-Based Eatz, I thought I was just launching a food brand. I wanted to share soulful, healthy meals that reflected my own transition to a plant-based lifestyle. But as the vision evolved, I realized I wasn’t just building a business, I was building a platform. At the heart of PB Eatz is a mission to nourish from the inside out. Yes, we create food, but our real product is wellness with intention. We serve busy people who are hungry for more than convenience; they’re hungry for alignment, energy, and care. As a veteran and woman of color, I’ve lived through seasons where I had to put everyone else first, where survival came before nourishment. I know what it’s like to push through, to lead whil...

The Homegirl Way: How We Deliver Top-Tier Customer Service at Every Market by Niehla O.

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Niehla O. spent over 20 years in the fashion and beauty industry, but decided to pivot into an industry that can make people look good on the inside. After a chance encounter with a tasty green hummus blend, a late-night craving led her to begin mixing unique hummus flavors of her own. Her goal is to continue to spread love and hummus throughout our community. At Homegirl’s Hummus, we don’t just sell hummus—we serve people. Our booth is more than a place to buy your favorite plant-based flavors. It’s a place to feel seen, welcomed, and celebrated. Customer service isn’t an afterthought here—it’s part of the recipe. And just like every batch of hummus is made with love and intention, so is every interaction with our community. So, what does customer service look like, the Homegirl’s Hummus way? Here’s our step-by-step guide to how we keep the energy high, the smiles wide, and the customer love flowing at every single market. 1. Greet Every Customer Within 10 Seconds—Period. No one shou...