Today I'm chatting with my cousin-sister ya'll! Amber Sims is an overall creative entrepreneur and she does it all! She is the owner and creator of All Things Good Catering, and she is a new author of the book, When the Heart Breaks the Soul Blooms: A Journey of Motherhood, Renewal, and Love After Loss. And, in this episode of Bet On Yourself, Sis!, she shares her inspiring journey into entrepreneurship, and how she balances it with motherhood.

From starting her catering business during the COVID-19 pandemic to expanding into various areas, including merchandise, graphic design, and writing, Amber discusses how it all came together for her. She also talks about the importance of community support and the healing process through her new book. Together, we emphasize the value of authenticity and training.

Amber also highlights the significance of taking risks and pivoting in business, showcasing her resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges.

We talk:

03:00 - The birth of All Things Good Catering

11:56 - The importance of community support

20:03 - Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship

32:45 - The journey of writing a book

44:38 - The importance of accountability

Episode References:

When the Heart Breaks the Soul Blooms: A Journey of Motherhood, Renewal, and Love After Loss

Shauna Unmasking Motivation

Connect with Amber! - IG @all_things_good1 - TikTok @allthingsgoodcatering

Connect with Pink Lady! - IG @pinkladyprod - Tik Tok @pinkladyprod - LinkedIn @pinkladyprod

Follow Bet On Yourself, Sis! on social media - IG @betonyourselfsis - Tik Tok @betonyourselfsis - YouTube @betonyourselfsis

My podcasting bestie is here today and she has a lot to say! Dr. Nicole Young-Martin is a creative professional, writer, producer, podcaster and much more! And, in this episode of Bet On Yourself, Sis!, we discuss what it's like to create your own legacy through entrepreneurship and community.

Have you ever thought about the legacy you're leaving behind? When you're working for a company or organization, your focus is on their community culture and goals. But as an entrepreneur, you get to choose your own. You get to decide what you want to be known for.

In this episode, Dr. Nicole shares her entrepreneurial journey, discussing the challenges and triumphs of freelancing, the importance of community, and the significance of identity in branding and business. She emphasizes the need for balance, the power of saying no, and the value of continuous learning. Dr. Nicole also reflects on her experiences in academia and the evolving landscape of higher education, particularly regarding DEI initiatives. And, she gives us a bunch of Queer Black Women Entrepreneurs that we can follow and support.

We talk:

11:37 - The power of saying so

20:33 - Community-centric business models

33:22 - Building community and personal branding

38:02 - Navigating the "expert" label and its challenges

50:44 - Balancing freelance work and personal identity

57:16 - Planning for change and transitioning in business

Episode References:

Danielle Moodie

Black Women Taught Us - Book by Dr. Jenn M. Jackson

Dr. Jenn M Jackson

Private Coaching for Creative Professionals - Michelle May

Musique Noire

Erin Pompa

Black and Published Podcast

Nerdacity Podcast with DuEwa Frazier

Reed, Write, and Create

Joy Ann Reid

Don Lemon

Melissa Harris Perry

Connect with Nicole! - IG @blackwritersread - YouTube @coco_penexplore

Connect with Pink Lady! - IG @pinkladyprod - Tik Tok @pinkladyprod - LinkedIn @pinkladyprod

Follow Bet On Yourself, Sis! on social media - IG @betonyourselfsis - Tik Tok @betonyourselfsis - YouTube @betonyourselfsis

My favorite question to ask guests on Bet On Yourself, Sis! is, "what does being an entrepreneur mean to you?" And I get so many different answers. To many of us entrepreneurship means freedom and getting to choose the work we do. To some it means being bold and brave enough to create something new. And to others it means building the life they want to live.

In this BONUS episode of Bet On Yourself, Sis!, I share a collection of answers from the episodes that have been released so far. These Black women entrepreneurs share insight, advice, strategies, and tips, and I hope they inspire and motivate you to continue on your journey!

This episode was created for Banjee Boombox's Podcast Village! Thank you again for choosing us to share in this special event!

Connect with Banjee Boombox! - IG @banjeeboombox - Website banjeeboombox.com

Connect with Pink Lady! - IG @pinkladyprod - Tik Tok @pinkladyprod - LinkedIn @pinkladyprod

Follow Bet On Yourself, Sis! on social media - IG @betonyourselfsis - Tik Tok @betonyourselfsis - YouTube @betonyourselfsis