fa60e21a

Black Women and Business

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 20:12:17 GMT

Believing in Myself: A Woman of Color’s Journey to Success

Hey, Blog Readers! It’s been a while.

I kind of lost touch with my blog for a bit. Life, running a business, stepping into motherhood with a now toddler, a younger daughter, and an almost preteen daughter, preparing for a wedding, and working on scaling my business in a new and resonant way all took center stage. All of these areas of my life caused the blog to go a little quiet.

But as Black History Month started to come to a close, I found myself wanting not only to educate but to share my thoughts on a specific topic. I felt compelled to write about something that mattered—something that could bring attention to an issue that needs to be understood and recognized in a positive light.

As a woman of color-owned business, I began to notice something unsettling. Although I knew several women of color-owned businesses in Utah and across the U.S., only a small percentage were thriving in ways that challenged my limiting beliefs and showed me what was possible.

Could my business, in such a "saturated industry," one day support my family, employees, and most of all, myself?

I felt overwhelmed by the challenges ahead—lack of capital, exposure, consistent financial education, and a true understanding of the complexities of running a business. But most of all, I felt the weight of being a minority in the business world.

There were moments when it felt like everything was working against me, and each challenge pushed my goal of becoming a successful business owner further out of reach.

But as time went on and I continued working toward my goals, I realized that each obstacle was helping me grow into a better version of myself. Every time I overcame what I thought was an insurmountable challenge, I discovered just how capable I was of achieving success. All I truly needed was to believe in myself and my abilities.

And while trusting myself wasn’t always easy, I came to realize that the universe has a way of stepping in during moments of doubt, showing me just how great I can be.

So to the readers who connect with this article, understand this:

Even if a task feels too great, and you feel you lack the resources, knowledge, funding, or support—remember, some of the most successful WOC business owners (Oprah, Lisa Price of Carol’s Daughter, SaVonne Anderson of Aya Paper Co., and many more, including myself) started from nothing. Look at where they are now.

When the Sales No Longer Matter: Discovering the True Purpose of A Little Piece of ZenVen

site-GORYGA — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 22:28:51 GMT

When the Sales No Longer Matter: Discovering the True Purpose of A Little Piece of ZenVen

✨Hello, again ✨

It’s definitely been a while, and we’d like to address our absence.. although you may have causally seen motivational post form us here and there outside of that we were pretty silent with what A little piece of ZenVen had been doing, and here’s why.

Imagine reaching a height of success so great it almost made you crash.

After years of building this business under the belief that a sale, equals success… this past June brought an awakening that made us realize—that’s not us.

We’d been going from event to event, market to market, trying to bring our products to the masses.

But over time, something felt off. As much as we enjoyed sharing our products each week, it began to feel like we were focused more on transactions than on true connections.

We all know that making money is often the driving force behind a company, but what happens when that’s not what the company truly wants to represent?

We didn’t want to prioritize the exchange over the experience. Each of our products are created with their own unique essence, and we wanted them to connect with you on a deeper, more meaningful level.

After a few seasons of introspection and growth, we had the realization that we’re choosing to step back from the norms of what a business “should” be. Instead of focusing on sales, we’re offering ZenVen in a different way—one that prioritizes building genuine connections.

We believe success will naturally follow, through opportunities created by community, collaboration, and mutual growth.

With that being said we’re eager and excited to reconnect and share what’s been blossoming behind the scenes here at ZenVen. We’ve poured our hearts into bringing more purpose and depth to our community work, and we can’t wait to walk this journey with each of you!

Our vision is simple: we want to see our community—and especially our BIPOC women—heal, align, and thrive. We’ve been reimagining our approach, focusing on making a genuine impact without burdening you financially. Supporting you is at the heart of everything we do.

While we’ll still offer our signature curated products, we’re shifting away from the consumerism of traditional business. This next chapter is about intention, exclusivity, and community—a space that uplifts and nurtures.

Here’s some of the changes you can expect at A little piece of ZenVen.

✨ Enriched You Woman Program

We’re thrilled to introduce this FREE program, designed to uplift and inspire women as they embrace their unique journey.

Click Here For Details

✨ Hey Beautiful Brown Girl Returns

You’ve asked, and we’ve listened. After so many requests, Hey Beautiful Brown Girl will return for a new season in 2025! We can’t wait to continue this conversation with you Follow the Podcast Here .

✨ Our Blog is Back

We’ve relaunched our blog with fresh, thoughtful content that speaks to the heart. Sign up for monthly posts—think of them as letters to you. Read Our Blog Here

✨ Stay in Touch Through Our Newsletter

If you haven’t yet, join our newsletter family. It’s where we share our best insights, resources, and little gems that we hope brighten your day. S ign Up For Our Newsletter Here

Thank you for being part of ZenVen. Together, we’re creating a space for healing, growth, and endless possibility. Here’s to what’s next—let’s rise, together. ��

Let's talk about the emotions behind Black History month

site-GORYGA — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 22:13:12 GMT

"Black History Month" Are we really being honored?

A story on what it's like to misunderstand & understood month of Honor.

(8-12 minute read)

Hello, to all who decide to read and connect with this post.

This particular Blog post will carry a different energy than some of my other post here on ZenVen Open Talk. This particular post will show a brief view of what if feels like to be a Women of Color who doesn't truly understand Black History Month. The Trauma, the emotions, the feelings of frustration of not feeling understood around the significance of Black History Month.

This next passage you will read, comes with a lot of depth, emotion and a small bit of vulnerability in regards to my race..

This blog post was a hard one to try and navigate through, I wanted to feel this connection to Black History Month. I wanted to not feel these lower vibrational energies around something that was supposed to make me feel honored, yet I didn't.. and even though I wasn't able to make the connection at first, I still found a way to connect and offer healing to myself and others through my words. Although creating this post was challenging and I faced a lot of blocks, I want to present this heartfelt blog post of what it's like to not understand Black History Month as a Women of Color in America.. and with all that said here goes..

As each day passed through the month of February; I debated on whether I would post something for “Black History Month” due to me not believing that the world is or ever was just black and white.. there’s an immense amount of diversity to what the standards of society seem to classify as our race..

But as February came to close, I found myself more and more eager to speak.. to say something, but I had a lot of resistance..

As I thought about “Black History Month” I felt frustrated, angry, sad, and slightly misunderstood..

You may wonder why these lower vibrational energies were being displayed? Well for most People of Color the trauma behind a day, week, or month of recognition is far too real.

We tend to feel a bit of PTSD, for ourselves, our loved ones, the ethnic collective, but most of all our ancestors.. The battle it must’ve been just to obtain a given birth right.. the ability to exist, and fulfill our life’s purpose/s.

This analyzation of my feelings and thoughts around Black History Month made me understand this is why these times of recollection carry a heaviness to them. Some people of color have a hard time appreciating these time, because we can feel the pain, the trauma behind our lineage, the suffering; but it’s through the midst of our inherited and personal pain we realize that even if the month is labeled in a way we as People of Color would want to be seen or recognized as, we realize the blessings it is to exist in a society that is slowly beginning to realize the trauma we as a ethnic people have gone through.

I finally understood my pain.. the lack of understanding around "Black History Month". I felt as if it was up to me to break through the barrier and help my people to say it's okay we may not feel that this is how we should be honored, but let's regain our power from "Black History Month" and allow ourselves to be seen and give honor to those ethnic ancestors who would've dreamt of a month that honored them.. And with that said, I want to take this time to acknowledge the current month we were in “Black History Month” and although the race reference of “Black” to me represents a terminology used to reference People of Color in a derogatory way, I have since realized it’s time to release that version of me and progress in the beauty of being able to thank all those determined and empowered Women & Men of Color who truly did pave the way for many others and me to have access to what was our given birth right, FREEDOM!

Today as I write this Blog Post I feel honored to have these People of Color spiritually behind me.. Helping me to believe that my dreams can be a reality. My life can be lived in abundance and peace; but most of all my "Woman of Color owned company can and will be successful.

As Harriet Tubman once said "every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world."

In closing, I want to truly show my appreciation to all the empowered and strong Women of Color who came before me; I want to say thank you. Thank you for helping me to believe as a small girl, to a now woman to believe in myself and my abilities..

I will forever keep on DREAMING .

Anxiety.. It's not all in your head.

site-GORYGA — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 21:32:06 GMT

Anxiety... it's not all in your head.

�� recent anxiety attack episodes.

Hey, all. ��

It’s Gina here. It’s Definitely been a while. I’ve truly missed posting my weekly 5 Steps for you all..

However, over the past few weeks I have taken some much needed self-care time. To realign myself and my mental health.

(7-�� )

Owning a business is definitely a blessing, but it also has its challenges at times. These challenges can then sometime intertwine with your mental health, and if you struggle with mental health issues you may be able to resonate with what my story is.

Mental health is also a challenge and those challenges can arise at any moment, but knowing how to navigate through those challenges and coming out stronger, is always the most beneficial to you and your overall progress.

I suffer with anxiety along with depression, and generally I deal with anxiety in the spring/summer months. The heat of the sun can create a sense of urgency within us and this was what I had become accustomed and kind of used to.

However, over the past few months I’ve noticed my anxiety peeking more and more, and in October is when my anxiety but most of all my mental health decided it needed my full and undivided attention..

As a business owner, my first instinctive thought was there's no time for this. The holiday's are among us. I have order to be placed, my website to update, local vendor events, social medias to engage with.. and so on, and on and on.. My mind was racing.. My thoughts spiraling.

Whenever this happens to me I know it’s time to go inwards and find out what’s going on within me.

I had my tools prepared, and I was ready to face the issue direct, but although I was ready doesn’t mean the issue was any less challenging.

Erratic sleep patterns, over thinking, mood swings, emotional imbalance had seem to become a part of my normal routine.

I felt stuck, worried, alone, but most of all confused..

Why am I anxious? I have a thriving business; I’m healthy, I’m dedicated to my fitness, my children and family are healthy too. My life seemed to be headed to an overall path of success and greatness, but this overwhelming urge to worry was amongst me daily..

But as I began to continue going inward I realized subconsciously I wasn’t okay. My subconscious mind was so used to being in a state of panic and fright, that this sense of calm created a anxiety within me..

It was then I realized.. wait? My mind is just trying to keep me safe, this feeling if security, prosperity, good health and consistent happiness was new to me and my mind wanted me to be prepared in case this feeling we’re to dissipate I wouldn’t be wondering why I’m feeling so low again; I would just know because my mind was conditioned to think this way and act this way.

Having your mind in freeze, flight, or fight mode, is the same mechanism our minds use when it senses danger.. Your mind can’t depict a bear attack from you finally feeling happy; your mind just thinks danger.. YOU have to reprogram and rewire your mind to believing you’re safe, you’re okay, and you're protected (one of my daily used affirmations).

By teaching your mind these new steps and conditioning your mind into a new way of thinking, you can truly overcome the strain of anxiety or an anxiety attack..

As you can tell from the start of my post.. this will be a guide on my 5 simple steps to help you overcome your anxiety.

The first thing to try and do, is connect with the present moment.

Always engage your five senses..

What can see? Take a look outside engage with the elements

What can you hear? Listen to the space you're in, play some music, hum to to yourself.

What can you smell? Is there an aroma in the air, is it pleasant or is it unpleasant?

What can you taste? Chew some gum, pop in a mint or sip some water. When we are eating or drinking our bodies and minds naturally believes we're safe.

What can you touch? Feel your skin, your clothes, your hair, feel your body and engage with the sensations around you.

Once you’ve become more present, take some deep intentional breaths.. there’s so many methods of breath work find one that works for. However my go to when I’m having a panic attack is Nadi Shodhana (alternating nostril breathing).

This next step may be uncomfortable, but push yourself through the intensity you may feel when you decide to answer your over thinking thoughts.. It’s okay to overthink, but it’s not okay to not address any of the thoughts that may arise.. Those unanswered thoughts become stored in your subconscious mind and will arise later..

Feel the emotions of the thoughts you answered, allow your body to acclimate to the response you give the thought.

Over time your body will learn that this is your minds reaction to the response of your thoughts and YOUR body will stop reacting..

And finally although this may seem weird to some..

Tell your mind and body thank you for always wanting to keep you safe, and alerting when you feel unsettled or uneasy in a situation.

By honoring your anxiety; your mind will begin to realize anxiety is just a threat response, and is not always needed in day to day situations of daily life.

You deserve to live a life of sovereignty, and peace..

& remember... although the journey may be difficult at times, don’t give up! Trust that you too can get to the life you deserve.

Depression... Can you make it out natrually?

site-GORYGA — Tue, 12 Oct 2021 21:13:01 GMT

Depression... Can you naturally get out of it?

�� .

One of the things I find most interesting about how depression works… Is how depression can allow you (me) to sabotage a potentially positive situation.

(��-�� )

Having both versions of depression affect me personally on an internal level and externally with others I know, and seeing how depression can negatively affect ones life; was one of the main reasons I pushed through my most recent episode; with so much perseverance, and determination. This message on depression and the ongoing epidemic of mental struggles needs to be heard.

I recently decided to change my posting schedule since I realized my super woman complex was kicking in and I was working too much from a place of ego, and not honoring my true needs as human and seeing I was only honoring the needs of my small business.

So... when my newly adjusted posting day came and went I was not in a space to create let alone post. This was when the negative self talk and negative thoughts began. I felt low, unmotivated, a bit like a failure.

One thing you have to understand about depression is if you allow the negative to consume you; the negative will rule you.

When these low vibrational feelings arose; I realized I needed to take some space from posting my weekly 5 steps, and focus on me, and these recently surfaced emotions.

The mind is powerful and will continue to try and find truth to what you’re feeling internally, in your external reality.

You have to be willing to push through those moments and understand that emotions , are energy in motion .

When you realize your energy … is in motion … you can begin to honor the depressive state you may be currently in.

Depression… in a less negative sense, can be seen as deep rest is on(��: �� ). Your body needs to be revitalized. The trauma you’re dealing with and possibly suppressing has consumed you and your vital energy sources .

By allowing yourself to feel the emotions that come up in a safe but observant way, will help you understand how to better navigate through your depressive state and this focus and attention to your emotions can help you to unveil what some of your triggers may be and what the root cause of your depression may be as well (�� ).

Once you have navigated through the emotions you may feel; allow them to come up and work through each one, one by one. One of my favorite ways to allow my emotions to flow through me but not rule me is by getting into nature.

Becoming one with the elements truly does calm the mind, but it also connects the body and spirit as one. Allow yourself some time outside; don’t stay in, while going within.

Once you feel more connected to source and yourself, rejuvenate the body by implementing small self care steps, whether it be for bed or starting your day. Doing something special for yourself will make you feel valued and important. Never underestimate the power of Self-Love ..

& finally, once you have found what helps you get to this next point, be sure you get connected with true loved ones so you don’t get too into your head. Isolation while in depression is destructive to you as an individual.

Depression is difficult and at times… time consuming.

However, if you’re willing to put in the work and promise yourself brighter days are ahead you will make it through; what seems to be the darkest points of your depression.

Depression isn’t easy, but with a team of people supporting you, you can begin to live a more meaningful life.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this post, and I hope you found some value within the context of this caption.

You deserve peace, you deserve happiness, but most of all you deserve to know your life is valued and honored. ��

I appreciate your time and energy spent reading this post ✨

Have a beautiful day and namaste. ��

Are you living or existing?

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 20:57:23 GMT

Are you living or existing?

On this episode of ZenVen Speaks I dive into the aspect of living or just existing?

If your life was limited to just today... would you have any regrets?

Would you wonder what life would've been if you made different choices or decisions?

Unlock the essence of your current life state, and see what state of mind you currently reside in.

Access your FREE Podcast here!

ZenVen Speaks ✨Podcast is available on Anchor and Spotify .