Bridging the Financial Planning Gap: A Deep Dive into Women-Owned Businesses

In the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of entrepreneurship, the spotlight often focuses on the trailblazing endeavors of women launching businesses. While considerable attention is rightfully given to ensuring equitable access to venture capital, a recent in-depth study conducted by BMO Financial Group reveals a persistent challenge faced by women entrepreneurs—a challenge that extends well beyond the initial funding phase. This challenge is none other than the nuanced realm of financial planning for sustained business success.

Financial Planning Challenges for Women-Owned Businesses:

Unveiling Disparities in Financial Preparedness

While the entrepreneurial journey is often celebrated during its initiation, the BMO for Women Survey brings to light significant disparities as businesses progress along their trajectory. A mere 36 percent of women business owners boast a detailed financial plan for their companies, falling behind the 41 percent reported by their male counterparts. This discrepancy extends to contingency planning, where only 64 percent of women have a plan in place, compared to a more substantial 76 percent among men. Furthermore, a scant 32 percent of women business owners possess a detailed transition plan, highlighting a stark contrast with the 50 percent reported by men.

Transition Challenges:

Navigating the Complexities from Growth to Maintenance

Adding a layer of complexity, the survey underscores a noteworthy trend in post-transition phases from growth to maintenance. There is a significant decline in the percentage of women business owners continuing to work with financial advisors—47 percent compared to the 25 percent reported by their male counterparts.

The Importance of Financial Advisors:

Strategic Insights from BMO Wealth Management U.S.

Shannon Kennedy, Head of U.S. Advisory and Interim U.S. CEO of BMO Wealth Management U.S., underscores the pivotal role financial advisors play for all business owners, with particular emphasis on the unique challenges faced by women entrepreneurs. Kennedy asserts that neglecting the development of a robust financial plan is a critical mistake, irrespective of the business stage.

Practical Considerations:

Integrating Business and Personal Wealth for Holistic Planning

To delve into practical considerations for women business owners, BMO spokespersons Carolynn Pfaff and Caroline Donlin offer insights. Pfaff emphasizes the importance of understanding how to strategically pull assets from the business to build personal wealth for the future. Donlin, on the other hand, stresses that working closely with financial advisors not only provides valuable insights into various financial options but also serves as an essential sounding board for informed decision-making.

Overcoming Challenges:

Empowering Women through Dedicated Support Initiatives

Recognizing the need for a tailored approach, Pfaff highlights that BMO has established dedicated teams of women advisors, creating a supportive environment specifically designed for women business owners. The company’s initiatives, including BMO For Women and Women & Wealth, actively engage women across various lines of businesses through educational seminars, events, and support programs.

Takeaway:

In a contemporary landscape where discussions about money are no longer considered taboo, the financial planning journey for women-owned businesses emerges as a critical aspect that demands meticulous attention. Bridging the financial planning gap requires acknowledging existing disparities, embracing the indispensable role of financial advisors, and integrating considerations of both personal and business wealth.

Navigating Entrepreneurial Realms: Unveiling the Confidence Paradox

Debunking Stereotypes: Women’s Entrepreneurial Confidence on Equal Grounds with Men

Venturing into the dynamic landscape of entrepreneurship, deeply rooted gender stereotypes have persistently propagated the belief that women inherently lack the confidence required for success in their entrepreneurial pursuits. However, a groundbreaking and meticulously conducted study, led by the accomplished Jennifer Jennings, a distinguished professor at the Alberta School of Business and Canada Research Chair in Entrepreneurship, Gender, and Family Business, boldly challenges and defies this long-standing stereotype. Published in the esteemed pages of Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice and co-authored by Zahid Rahman and Dianna Dempsey, the research illuminates a profound truth—women stand not only alongside but at par with men, showcasing a level of confidence in their entrepreneurial abilities that aligns seamlessly with their male counterparts.

Unmasking Overconfidence: A Surprising Gender Disparity

As the study delves even deeper into the intricate fabric of entrepreneurial confidence, a surprising revelation emerges—a subtle yet noteworthy gender disparity in confidence levels. While women consistently exhibit accurate entrepreneurial self-efficacy, the findings uncover a nuanced propensity for overconfidence among men. This nuanced trait, albeit by a slight margin, is linked to a decreased inclination among men to actively seek opportunities for improvement. Moreover, it correlates with a heightened likelihood of engaging in risky business ventures and an increased tendency to overcommit to endeavors with questionable prospects, raising crucial questions about the delicate balance between confidence and prudence in the entrepreneurial journey.

Bridging the Participation Gap: Questioning the Confidence Factor

Beyond the realms of individual confidence, the study casts a discerning eye on the broader entrepreneurial landscape. Despite women demonstrating a confidence level on par with men, data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor paints a contrasting picture—female participation rates in entrepreneurship are reported to be up to 20 percent lower than their male counterparts. This dissonance prompts a critical examination of the widespread belief that women’s perceived under-confidence is a pivotal factor contributing to this participation gap. Jennifer Jennings emphasizes the significance of questioning these assumptions, highlighting how they often shape training policies that assume a confidence gap between genders, categorizing it as a “female deficiency” requiring correction.

The Confidence Conundrum: Exploring Long-term Implications

As the study navigates through the complexities of gender and confidence, an additional layer of inquiry unfolds. Do individuals, irrespective of gender, who manifest an “overconfident” approach—typically deemed beneficial for business launch—truly experience better long-term entrepreneurial outcomes? The research poses this intriguing question and, in doing so, initiates a profound exploration into the behaviors of those who overestimate their performance in entrepreneurship-related tasks. The results reveal a compelling pattern—individuals, regardless of gender, who overestimate their performance are less inclined to engage in behaviors conducive to successful business ventures. These behaviors include critically evaluating their performance to identify areas for improvement, raising a pivotal discussion on the delicate interplay between overconfidence and sustainable entrepreneurial success.

Entrepreneurship as a Solution to the Gender Pay Gap: The Complex Reality for Women

In the ongoing battle against the gender pay gap, entrepreneurship emerges as a potential solution. It offers the promise of both financial independence and flexibility, making it an attractive choice for women seeking to balance their careers with family life. However, as we delve into the stories of women entrepreneurs, it becomes clear that this path is far from perfect. Madeline Reeves, a small business owner, shares her insights on this matter, shedding light on the complexities that women face when they decide to embark on the entrepreneurial journey.

The Choice of Entrepreneurship

For many women, entrepreneurship represents a conscious choice, a decision to chart their own paths. They seek the elusive balance of career and family, something that conventional corporate roles often struggle to provide. This choice is marked by ambition and a desire for both financial stability and personal freedom.

The Sacrifices and Challenges

  • Limited Financial Stability: The financial stability that a traditional job provides can be notably absent for women entrepreneurs like Brandelyn Green, the founder of Voice of Hair. In the early stages of entrepreneurship, the consistent paycheck of a corporate job can be sorely missed.
  • The Balancing Act: Entrepreneurship doesn’t eradicate the age-old juggling act between making a living and maintaining a flexible schedule. Women entrepreneurs, while gaining control over their work hours, often encounter the challenge of keeping their businesses profitable.

The Decision for Family

  • Returning to Work: Sophie Blake, a jewelry designer and business owner, found herself compelled to return to work shortly after giving birth. As the face of her business, she was expected to be present in her store.
  • Reevaluation and Online Transition: However, Sophie Blake’s story took a different turn. About a year ago, she decided to close her physical store and transition to an online-only model. Her family became her priority, and the quest for a balanced life took precedence over profit.

Prioritizing Family Over Finances

The experiences of these women underscore a common theme among women entrepreneurs. They prioritize family time over the pursuit of maximum income. This personal choice stems from the belief that family moments are invaluable and irreplaceable.

Takeaway

In conclusion, entrepreneurship can be an empowering path for women, offering them both financial compensation and the freedom to manage their own schedules. Yet, it’s essential to recognize that this journey is deeply individual. The decisions women make are influenced by a multitude of factors, not least of which is the desire to balance entrepreneurship with family life.

The Impact of Ultra-processed Foods and Artificial Sweeteners on Depression in Women

In recent years, a growing body of research has focused on the effects of dietary choices on mental health. One such study, which is the subject of our exploration, delves into the intriguing link between ultra-processed foods and depression, particularly among women. The implications of this research are profound, shedding light on the potential consequences of our dietary habits on mental well-being.

The Study’s Key Findings on Ultra-processed Food

Our journey begins with a deep dive into the pivotal findings of the study, which revolved around the association between ultra-processed foods and the risk of developing depression.

  • Risk Assessment: The study’s results are cause for concern. Those who consumed nine or more portions of ultra-processed foods daily, placing them in the top 20% of consumers, faced a startling 50% higher risk of developing depression compared to those consuming four portions or less.
  • Role of Artificial Sweeteners: A significant revelation of this study was that the link between ultra-processed foods and depression was predominantly associated with foods and beverages containing artificial sweeteners. This insight suggests that a specific component, namely artificial sweeteners, plays a central role in this intriguing connection.

Understanding the Connection

Having established the core findings, we turn our attention to understanding the mechanisms that might underlie the observed link between ultra-processed foods, particularly those with artificial sweeteners, and depression.

  • Chronic Inflammation: One potential avenue of explanation is the connection between ultra-processed foods and chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation is a recognized root cause of numerous chronic diseases, and this study suggests it may also contribute to the onset of depression.
  • Other Health Risks: It’s important to note that ultra-processed foods have previously been associated with a range of health issues, including colorectal cancer, heart disease, early mortality, obesity, and cognitive decline. These conditions, in themselves, have well-documented connections to depression, further underscoring the significance of this research.
  • Gut Microbiome: Emerging scientific evidence suggests that ultra-processed foods disrupt the delicate balance of the gut microbiome. This disruption, in turn, may influence mood regulation through the production of proteins that affect brain function. This intricate interplay could serve as another essential mechanism linking these foods to depression.

Study Limitations and the Need for Further Research

No study is without its limitations, and this one is no exception. It is crucial to acknowledge these limitations and advocate for further research to build upon the current findings.

  • Observational Nature: The study, as an observational one, can establish associations but not causation. Therefore, it is vital to consider the possibility of “reverse causality,” wherein depression might lead to increased consumption of ultra-processed foods.
  • Complex Relationships: The relationship between depression and dietary habits is intricate, and distinguishing the precise impact of diet on depression risk can be challenging. Several factors, such as family history of depression, high stress levels, and the presence or absence of a supportive social network, can significantly influence these relationships.

Takeaway

In conclusion, this study serves as a beacon, illuminating the potential link between ultra-processed foods, particularly those containing artificial sweeteners, and depression among women. While these findings warrant further research for confirmation and deeper exploration, they undeniably raise essential questions about the role of dietary choices in mental health. It is imperative that these insights drive greater awareness among individuals and healthcare professionals regarding the profound impact of diet on mental well-being.

The Gender Disparity Dilemma in Corporate Leadership: Insights from Americans

Women have undoubtedly made significant strides in the business world, steadily ascending to leadership positions in both the C-suite and boardrooms, setting records along the way. However, achieving true gender parity with their male counterparts in the top echelons of corporate America remains a formidable challenge. This article delves into the findings of a comprehensive survey conducted by the Pew Research Center to understand why women continue to be underrepresented in high-ranking corporate roles in the United States.

The Current Landscape

A Snapshot of the Gender Gap

Despite constituting half of the U.S. population, women’s representation in critical business roles still falls short of expectations. According to Pew Research Center data, they occupy only 10.6% of Fortune 500 CEO positions, 30.4% of board seats in U.S. corporations, and 32.8% of leadership roles in colleges and universities.

Unpacking the Why

Insights from the Survey

In an effort to shed light on this ongoing disparity, Pew conducted a nationwide survey among a representative sample of U.S. adults. Respondents were asked the pivotal question: “Why aren’t there more women in top executive business positions?” The findings revealed several significant factors.

The Burden of Proof (58%)

Women’s Struggle for Validation

A staggering 58% of respondents pointed to the perception that women must exert more effort than their male counterparts to prove their worth in corporate leadership roles.

Gender Discrimination (50%)

Battling Bias in the Workplace

Half of the respondents (50%) cited gender discrimination as a major hurdle preventing women from ascending to top corporate positions.

Family Responsibilities (48%)

Balancing Career and Family

Nearly half (48%) highlighted the challenge posed by family responsibilities, making it harder for women to advance in their careers.

Business Readiness (43%)

The Corporate World’s Readiness for Change

43% of respondents believed that many businesses are still not prepared to hire women for top leadership roles.

Sexual Harassment (40%)

Navigating a Hostile Environment

40% of participants noted that sexual harassment creates a hostile environment, making it difficult for women to progress in their careers.

Future Outlook

The Road to Gender Parity

Looking ahead, when asked whether there will ever be as many women as men in top executive positions in the business world, 50% of respondents predicted that men will continue to outnumber women. Another 48% optimistically stated that it’s “only a matter of time” before women occupy an equal share of these coveted roles.

Analyzing Variances

Gender and Political Party Perspectives

Pew’s analysis compared responses across gender and political affiliations, revealing intriguing patterns.

  • Most women (65%) and the majority of Democrats, regardless of gender (76%), expressed concern about the scarcity of women in business leadership.
  • Of those concerned, a significant majority (79%) believed that gender equality should be the goal, with an equal number of women and men in these roles.
  • The remaining 10% believed that more women than men would be ideal, while another 10% advocated for more women but not in equal numbers as men.

Political Divide and Common Ground

Partisan Views and Gender Realities

Interestingly, while Democrats were more likely than Republicans to identify multiple obstacles for women in top business leadership roles, gender was the common denominator when it came to views on why women aren’t reaching the pinnacle of the corporate world.

In conclusion, this survey provides a comprehensive snapshot of the perceptions surrounding the gender gap in corporate leadership. It underscores the need for continued efforts to address the factors hindering women’s progress in the business world, while also highlighting areas of common ground across political affiliations.

Empowering Women in Small Business Financing

A Historical Perspective on Women’s Access to Business Capital

Not too long ago, women who aspired to secure business capital faced a daunting reality: they were often required to have a male relative co-sign their loan applications. It was a challenging era for women entrepreneurs. However, significant strides have been made since 1988 when this restrictive law was revised. Despite the progress, gender disparities in accessing financial resources continue to persist, spanning the realms of investor equity and traditional bank loans.

Gender Disparities in Venture Capital and Global Challenges

The gender gap in venture capital funding in the United States remains a critical issue. In the past year, women-founded companies received a meager share, accounting for less than 3% of the total capital invested in venture-backed startups. The situation is even more severe on a global scale. According to data from Goldman Sachs, women-owned small and medium-sized enterprises worldwide face a daunting gender credit gap, estimated at a staggering $1.5 trillion. These numbers underscore the significant challenges that women entrepreneurs continue to encounter.

A Milestone for Women-Owned Small Businesses

In fiscal year 2023, the Small Business Administration (SBA) reached a remarkable milestone in its support for women-owned small businesses. The SBA approved loans that surpassed the $5 billion mark, representing approximately 21.3% of all loans extended to small businesses. These statistics are a testament to the growing influence of women entrepreneurs in the business ecosystem. The latest data from the Census Bureau’s Annual Business Survey also reveals a positive trend, with 21.4% of employer-owned businesses being led by women.

The Biden Administration’s “Bidenomics” Initiative

While the $5 billion loan volume in fiscal year 2023 did not exceed the peak of $5.7 billion in 2021, the Biden administration is actively promoting this achievement as part of its “Bidenomics” initiative, particularly in anticipation of the next year’s election. The 21% share of loan volume is a significant milestone and reinforces the commitment to economic equity.

A Commitment to Economic Equity

SBA Administrator Isabel Guzman has expressed unwavering support for women-owned small businesses, emphasizing their pivotal role in driving America’s historic small business boom. The Biden-Harris Administration remains dedicated to ensuring that women receive the necessary capital and resources to build resilient businesses, thereby contributing to job creation and fueling the economy. In Guzman’s words, “Bidenomics is about growing our economy equitably.”

Remarkable Growth in SBA Loans to Women-Owned Small Businesses

The SBA’s efforts have resulted in remarkable growth in loans to women-owned small businesses. In fiscal year 2023, over 13,059 SBA 7(a) and 504 loans were granted to these businesses, marking a substantial increase from the 7,715 loans in 2020. The total loan volume exceeded $5.18 billion, demonstrating a remarkable 61% growth compared to 2020.

Impact of Women Entrepreneurs on the Economy

Quantifying the real-time impact of women entrepreneurs on the economy can be challenging. Nevertheless, their businesses make significant contributions. Women-owned businesses generate an estimated $1.9 trillion in receipts, provide employment for 10.9 million people, and have an annual payroll of $432.1 billion, according to the Census. This data, available through calendar year 2020, underscores the pivotal role women entrepreneurs play in shaping the business landscape.

Challenges in the Current Credit Environment

The SBA’s accomplishments come in the midst of one of the most challenging credit environments in recent history. The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates by more than 5% in a year, resulting in small business loan rates reaching double-digit percentages. A survey by Goldman Sachs’s 10,000 Small Businesses Voices indicated that 78% of small business owners are concerned about access to capital. More than half (53%) of them cannot afford a loan at the current interest rates.

The SBA’s Lending Programs

The SBA’s pivotal lending programs play a crucial role in supporting small businesses. The 7(a) loan program provides guarantees to lenders offering financing to small businesses, with loans available for amounts up to $5 million. Meanwhile, the SBA’s 504 loans provide long-term, fixed-rate financing of up to $5.5 million, primarily directed at major fixed asset purchases.

Inflation has a higher toll on women, experts believe

Inflation —- The high inflation has been difficult for everyone with prices surging at a rapid rate, but women are suffering a greater deal than most.

Child care prices have soared, prompting women to leave the workforce.

In recent years, US child care costs have outpaced wage growth.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, day care and preschool prices jumped 5.7% annually in February 2023 and 25% in the last decade.

From 1990 to 2022, child care inflation increased by 214%, outpacing the average family income gains, which rose by 143%.

Simultaneously, sectors with the highest share of female workers are seeing inflation beat wage increases.

75% of the healthcare and education sectors consist of women, but they have had the second lowest increase in nominal wage last year.

Recent progress

The Ellevest Women’s Financial Health Index monitors indicators like employment rates, inflation, reproductive autonomy, and pay gaps.

Recently, the index found progress to be mixed.

While it rose slightly from the November 2022 lows, ongoing inflation casts an overhang on further improvements.

The 2022 drop in women’s financial health lined up with inflation levels hitting double digits.

Dimple Gosai, the head of US ESG strategy for the Bank of America, offered her insight.

“While women are paying more, they also earn less,” she explained.

“The pandemic made the child care crisis undeniably worse, and inflationary pressures are adding fuel to the fire.”

“Surprisingly, over 50% of parents spend over 20% of their income on child care in the US.”

Gosai also noted that child care costs can not only keep women out of the workforce, but also push them out, which would remove the recent progress to close gender parity.

“Caregiving responsibilities are preventing more women from getting into, remaining, and progressing in the labor force,” she continued.

“This is more the norm than the exception.”

“The pandemic worsened this gap, with women taking on more of the traditional child care burden than men.”

Child care

The child care industry is suffering from a supply crunch thanks to low worker retention, which is affected by low wages – an issue that has lingered before the pandemic.

Child care providers are dealt with a dilemma of offering better wages and affordable prices to families and caregivers.

Mike Madowitz, the director of macroeconomic policy at the Washington Center for Equitable Growth, offered some insight.

“We have seen a negative shock to the supply of child care providers in this recovery, and that could make this problem even worse going forward, but child care costs are more systemic than other shorter-term inflation pressures we’ve seen,” said Madowitz.

“Absent public investment, there’s just not much margin to give in this market, and that’s one reason the Treasury department found child care is a failed market.”

However, it isn’t just women with children who are affected by inflation.

Gosai noted that underrepresented women and minorities in higher wage industries like tech or finance are more insulated from inflation pressures.

In addition, the economic landscape has shown that women’s shopping carts are more expensive at a faster rate.

Read also: Black couples still get unfair treatment, they pay higher marriage penalty tax

Long-term impact

The negative impact of rising prices isn’t just a short-term problem, but could have a lasting impact on their financial health.

The Bank of America Institute recently found that women’s 401(k) balances are two-thirds compared to men’s.

Ariane Hegewisch, the Institute for Women’s Policy Research program director of employment and earnings, shared her thoughts.

“Because of both [the] COVID and inflation crisis, women are much more likely to have broken into their retirement savings,” she offered.

“Debt is much higher, [and] rental costs have gone up.”

“So, there’s now an even bigger hole in retirement or in wealth or any kind of security right the financial security that [women] may have, and that needs to be rebuilt.”

Madowitz said the Fed’s aggressive interest rate hikes could impact the improvement of women’s economic health and opportunity.

The Fed has been raising rates since 2022.

“If the FOMC raises interest rates too high in an effort to reach its 2% inflation target faster, that would hurt worker demand and harm those already facing more labor market barriers,” Madowitz noted.

“Namely, women workers and workers of color.”

Hegewisch also said the higher rates could lead to higher unemployment, affecting women.

“Unemployment is always higher for women of color, and men of color, than it is for others,” Hegewisch noted.

“Unemployment is double for black women compared to white women and almost as much for Latinos.”

“And so, if it doubles, it goes [up] at a much higher rate for black women than it does for white women.”

Gosai said that one solution could lift the pressures of inflation on gender parity if companies invest more in their employees’ well-being, including:

  • Enhanced reproductive health care benefits
  • Subsidized child care
  • Flexible work arrangements

Strategic Genes Transcribe Plans Into Actions for Lady Bosses

Women are often pressured by many societal roles, such as being a good mother, wife, daughter, sister, and many more. Aside from these roles, women are also entrepreneurs and lady bosses and what makes women majestic is their ability to juggle all the positions at once. However, they seem to manage everything gracefully; they still need external support that fully understands them like Strategic Genes. 

Cassandra Theagene is the founder of the company, a New York native who witnesses busy streets and businesses growing and closing through time. Growing up, she has seen women who started small businesses and is now fully established, and companies that were not that successful. Having this eye-opening experience, she developed a knack for helping women entrepreneurs in succeeding. With her BA in Communications and Journalism degree from Florida A&M University and her experience working in strategic business management in various industries, such as entertainment, radio, healthcare, and local government, Strategic Genes was born in 2015.

The company’s main goal is to put women’s dreams of creating an established and sustainable business into fruition. Gone are the days when women are bound by roles set by society; women can be whatever they want to be now. Backed up with companies like Strategic Genes, the lady bosses in the business industry can build empires with ease. 

Some consultation agencies or business coaches will help their clients identify the problem and propose vague solutions, which is why most small businesses get lost, and in extreme cases, fail. They can only talk the talk and not walk the walk. What makes Strategic Genes standout is that they will not only help their client to see and analyze existing and potential problems in business, but they will also provide solutions and do it for them. They not only point at the direction to the goal, but they will even walk their clients to it. Besides, they have three things that make them outstanding – niche, results, and passion. 

By focusing on women-owned service-based businesses, the company has learned and is continuously learning all the industry’s ins and outs. Given their experience, a unique business model was crafted to help women face the challenges they usually face. These challenges are the inability to fully implement the digital processes necessary to grow their business, low income despite working round the clock, lack of relevant third-party integrations that could improve internal processes, and burnout from trying to do it all. 

Women may be used to wearing many hats, sometimes more than what they can wear, but this makes them create a stronger foundation and see things in a different light. However, even if women are hands-on with everything they do, they still need to think of a strategy for the most efficient way of playing all their roles. Strategic Genes help lessen women’s load on the business side, which gives them more time and energy to focus on other things in life. 

To start planning this work-life balance, head over to their official website

Sexual Harassment Victim Turned Life Victor: How Tara Roe Rose Above Abuse

The prevalence of sexual harassment is an issue that women have to face and deal with regularly. Statistics show that there are 433,648 victims of rape and sexual assault each year in the United States. Sometimes women keep silent about their encounters with sex offenders, but Tara Christine Roe is giving the silent a voice, telling them that they have all the right to speak up.

In July,, Chasyn Wilkinson received a sentence to 116 days in jail and 60 months probation after admitting to groping Tara while he was drunk. The system has also registered him as a sex offender. Before the incident, Tara had long experienced cases of repeated sexual harassment and abuse. A bartender by profession, she previously accepted that men treated her that way. Realizing the gravity of this crime though, she decided that enough was enough. Today, she speaks up against sexual harassment of all forms and how vital it is do so, “… for our own healing and to stand up against such criminal behavior”.

Tara’s journey has been deeply uncomfortable over the decades, but has actively and intentionally chosen to persevere. She chooses to view her past hurts as something that has molded her to be the woman, mother, and friend that she is today. She attributes all of her inner strength to her faith. Tara shares the drastic transformation she has experienced since choosing to live life as a Christian, and how she now lives a life filled with freedom through forgiveness. But she also maintains that forgiveness is different from refusing to seek justice.

Today, following her profound realization that has molded her into a woman she adores and barely recognizes some days, Tara is now using her past to empower people who feel hopeless and trapped. She is now certified as a Master Life Coach, specializing in Goal Attainment, Life Purpose, Happiness and Advanced Coaching Methodologies through which she hopes to help people who carry hurts, habits and hangups that “zap their confidence and productivity”. Tara has also founded Next Level Purpose Academy  (www.nextlevelpurposeacademy.thinkific.com), a way to connect, support, educate and inspire others like her. Her premier course, THE END OF SUFFERING, will be launching September 10, 2020 and is available for pre-enrollment and preview now.

“I’m called to love, serve, teach and lead folks through self-transformation, total financial fitness, and future success, and there is a lot to say about it!” says Tara. For the coach, she views her heartbreak as a blessing in disguise. She declares for other people a future of hope and security, even when today’s challenges seem overwhelmingly powerful.

Tara maintains that after the Chasyn Wilkinson case closed, she chose to rise above it. Today, the event has been an unexpected blessing in her life, opening many doors to connect with and help others readjust their perspective so they can once again live a life of peace and joy again. She has moved forward to become a beacon of hope for others and a successful entrepreneur who speaks on topics such as Christian values, single parenting, rising above abuse and next-level living. “The wealth of information I have to share this side of overcoming assorted adversity and abuses, miraculously transforming through Jesus Christ and now transitioning from poverty level single motherhood to business entrepreneurship alone is staggering.”

Tara hopes that her story would inspire more women to speak up against sexual harassment and that she can help more people who feel lost, confused, and alone.

To learn more about Tara Christine Roe and her message of hope, visit her website, Instagram, and Facebook page.

 

The Abundant Me Is Woman’s New Best Friend Towards Enlightenment and Empowerment

Even in modern society, women have fewer opportunities for economic participation than men. They also have less access to primary and higher education, more excellent health and safety risks, and less political representation. This patriarchal society seems to cripple women from being empowered, which is incredibly unfair because women should have the same rights and privileges that men freely enjoy. The Abundant Me is a platform created for that purpose- aiming to give women the rights and benefits they deserve.

The Abundant Me is a platform created by Kashon Abdul-Qadir to give women affordable access to spiritual and personal development tools that can create more opportunities and live an abundant life. It is the leading spiritual program that is readily available online. The Abundant Me also offers its retreat resource center for those who are interested in availing of their programs. At present, the company has serviced 1,500 women and it hopes to serve 450,000  women of color from all around the world in the next five years.

The founder of The Abundant Me, Kashon Abdul-Qadir, is a mother, wife, and businesswoman. On June 30, 2017, she walked away from her job that earns a six-figure salary to live her life according to how she seems fit. Her journey to enlightenment was not a smooth one as she suffered from an autoimmune disease called lupus. Her battle with this disease left her very drained, stressed, lost, and depressed. It was during this time that she discovered the power of having a relationship with her divine self.

She decided to undergo a series of training sessions with life coaches and spiritual mentors. With the help of like-minded people, she was able to have a more positive outlook in life, and eventually, good things came to her way. She met her husband, who was supportive of her and her child, got her home remodeled, and had her products from her online business featured in five publications. These experiences led her to the realization that she needs to share it with other women, and as such, The Abundant Me was formed.

The main highlight of The Abundant Me’s program is the Divine Feminine Academy, a 12-week online course teaching Kashon’s inner engineering teachings fused with Reiki healing, Egyptian goddess practices, and money manifesto. 

The platform also has a program that only focuses on Reiki healing and life coaching sessions to awaken and align one’s mind and body through various rejuvenating sessions. These coaching exercises teach women how to identify blocks, remove negative vibrations and aura, and gradually heal this negative energy. At the end of this program, women will find that they are more attuned to achieving their highest form of enlightenment.

What makes these programs very different from the rest is that they do not cost a lot of money. There is no need to shell out tons of cash since it is very affordable. Moreover, these sessions are more often a one-to-one session, which means the consumers can easily ask queries and make the most out of their chosen course. Check out all of these sessions available online on The Abundant Me’s official website.