Martinique, Guadaoupe, pest control

Guadeloupe And Martinique Seek Compensation And Justice From France For Pesticide Poisoning

Guadeloupe and Martinique residents exposed for years to a toxic pesticide are demanding justice from the French government.


Residents of Guadeloupe and Martinique are demanding financial compensation and accountability from the French government over years of forced exposure to toxic pesticides.

In a landmark March 2025 ruling, a French court held the state responsible for the reproductive issues of two women and nine men who developed prostate cancer, acknowledging that France had knowingly exposed them to a toxic pesticide with lifelong consequences, Inside Climate News reported. With over 90% of Guadeloupe and Martinique’s populations carrying traces of chlordecone in their blood — and both islands reporting some of the world’s highest prostate cancer rates — residents are demanding recognition and justice from the French government.

“We were exposed to this chemical that was known for its harmful effects, daily and constantly. And it has ruined lives,” said Georgina Lambert, a native of Guadaloupe who suffered six consecutive miscarriages before realizing her reproductive struggles were because of her forced exposure to the toxic pesticide.

Lambert, now living in France, grew up in Guadeloupe, swimming in rivers and playing among banana trees rooted in soil contaminated with chlordecone. The French government continued using the toxic pesticide on banana plantations until the mid-1990s, despite its known danger, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency banning it in 1976 and the World Health Organization labeling it a carcinogen three years later.

Today, much of Guadeloupe and Martinique remains covered in banana fields bordered by homes and schools where chlordecone was once heavily used. The chemical continues to seep into soil and water with each rainfall, contaminating streams, livestock, and crops, with its toxic effects expected to linger for up to 600 years.

“The food chain was contaminated,” said Luc Multigner, one of the lead researchers at Iserm, who spent two decades studying the pesticide. “As a result, contamination wasn’t limited to banana plantation areas only.”

Recent studies from France’s National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) show that chlordecone is an endocrine disruptor linked to prostate cancer, premature births, and developmental issues in children. New research published on Oct. 16, 2025, found it also reduces women’s fertility — those with high blood levels were 25–28% less likely to conceive.

However, the journey to justice continues as French Caribbean residents residing over 4,000 miles from Paris endure the scars of this environmental disaster. Each call for justice reignites long-held resentment over France’s colonial legacy, inequality, and neglect of its overseas territories.

In 2019, Lambert learned of a lawsuit filed by nearly 1,300 Guadeloupe and Martinique residents seeking compensation for chlordecone exposure. She joined the case, and in March 2025, a court ordered the state to pay her and 10 others up to €10,000 each. Though few plaintiffs succeeded, the ruling could set a precedent for future claims. As a result, the French government has appealed the decision, drawing criticism from the victims’ lawyer, Christophe Leguevaques.

“The state is engaging in double-talk. The president and some ministers have publicly acknowledged the state’s share of responsibility, so why does it bother them when the courts agree?” Leguevaques said. 

“[The state] claims it wants to improve the situation for its citizens, yet when there is a tool that allows them to do so, they challenge it. It’s incomprehensible to the residents of the French Caribbean.” 

In response to the crisis, France has introduced measures such as free “chlordeconemie” blood tests and government-funded soil testing through groups like Jafa in Guadeloupe. A “maximum residue limit” policy also permits food with low chlordecone levels to be sold — an approach often criticized by locals.

“They’re trying to contain the problem, not solve it,” said Josiane Jos Pelage, a pediatrician who hosts community meetings to help residents better understand chlordecone and its dangers. “It’s not ambitious enough.”

RELATED CONTENT: Depo-Provera Risks and Racial Disparity: As Brain Tumor Lawsuits Mount, Critics Recall History Of Targeting Black Women

veterans , USAA

USAA Commits $500M To Help Veterans Achieve Financial Security

USAA Celebrate Veterans Day with programs that offer year-round support to the military community.


In its more than 100-year history, United Services Automobile Association (USAA), a member-owned financial services company, has been a leader in serving the military and their families. The company is now expanding its advocacy to help active-duty military members transition more smoothly into civilian life.

Under the leadership of new CEO Juan Andrade, who took on the role in April 2025, the company launched Honor Through Action, a $500 million commitment over the next five years aimed at helping military families transition into rewarding careers and secure financial stability through various partnerships across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

“One of the things that takes place when you leave the military is that you lose your tribe,” Andrade told CNBC News. “We get that, and this is about helping them find a new tribe.” 

Each year, about 250,000 active-duty military members transition to veteran status in the U.S. According to the Department of Defense, fewer than one in five transitioning service members feel fully prepared to find civilian jobs, and once employed, they typically stay in the same position for less than a year. Additionally, the unemployment rate for military spouses is 4 times the civilian average, according to Blue Star Families.

Job insecurity can lead to financial strain. Moreover, some veterans experience emotional struggles and culture shock as they adjust to civilian life, Andrade notes. The CEO highlights the importance of not only helping them find new jobs but also matching them with careers that suit their individual needs and personalities. 

“That starts creating that sense of belonging, which I think is very important from a mental health standpoint, and it’s also very related to the financial side,” he said to CNBC News. “If you don’t feel that you belong somewhere and if your finances are not in a good place, you’re going to have incredible stress, and we want to focus on solving some of those problems before they become real issues.”

Andrade said one of Honor Through Action’s main focuses is strengthening relationships with companies seeking to hire veterans. It also aims to provide resources for reskilling and childcare to help veterans and their spouses overcome barriers and improve their chances of securing meaningful career success.

Kenya,, children,

Student-Founded NonProfit Transforms Communities By Feeding School Children In Kenya

The nonprofit empowers community members to get involved in its mission.


A college student from Kenya has turned her education into a mission to feed young scholars.

At just 20 years old, Wawira Nijiru serves as CEO of Food4Education. The international student founded the nonprofit to provide meals to hundreds of thousands of schoolchildren in her home nation in East Africa.

Her passion comes from her own academic background as a nutritionist and food scientist. She wants the nonprofit to address the hunger issue directly in the region. Since its inception, it has given out over 100 million meals to help children avoid hunger.

Nijiru spoke on the CNBC “Changemakers and Power Players” podcast about Food4Education and her homegrown values that help her facilitate this service. The 20-something started the first-ever meal service by cooking it herself. She wanted to do something for her local community, starting with a meal to feed 80 people.

While she remembers the burnt rice, what was launched was a greater purpose to feed her country. Others began donating to her cause, which she believes is the first step toward inspiring others.

“When you give someone food, the first thing, and the first motivation that I have, is to give them dignity,” she said.

Although a nonprofit, she does not run Food4Education as a charity. Instead, she allows parents to pay what they can so they can feel empowered by this system.

“Our kids, our parents, we treat them like our customers,” continued Nijiri. “They’re not beneficiaries, because they do contribute a subsidized amount, and they do have ownership.”

The process works through small digital wallets attached to wristbands that the children wear during lunchtime. During their meal break, children scan their wristbands to pay for meals submitted through mobile platforms.

While parents may not always be able to pay the full amount, the meals are often subsidized through donations and government support. Local kitchens have also chipped in to create the nutritious meals, while parents also clock in as staff.

“They’re treated like heroes, because the people there know that these are the people who bring us food every single day. And I think that local ownership, that being from a place and serving a place is really, really critical,” she added.

However, Nijiru says this level of participation is crucial and makes everyone feel responsible and helpful in ensuring the kids eat.

“The anchor of this financing system is a child. Everyone is participating to make sure that the child is able to eat, and by bringing in smart ways where the government can contribute, parents can contribute. Philanthropy can cover the gaps, we’re really able to shift how school feeding happens,” Njiru said.

Sustainability is another core tenet of Food4Education. The kitchen is part of its ecosystem, aiming to maintain a zero-waste policy, further amplified by the technologies used. The wristband not only keeps things on track financially but also provides crucial insights to keep Food4Education’s operations tight. Nijiru has already seen the results, including less truancy and better test scores.

Kids are attending school more regularly, and then their performance goes up as a result. … they’re healthier, they’re falling sick less often,” she said.

However, the transformation of communities across Kenya remains one of her most significant accomplishments. She now hopes to make more plates for the hundreds of millions of food-insecure school children across Africa.

RELATED CONTENT: Depo-Provera Risks and Racial Disparity: As Brain Tumor Lawsuits Mount, Critics Recall History Of Targeting Black Women

Mariah Carey, Hot 100

Mariah Carey’s Early Recording Heads To Auction, And It Probably Won’t Come Cheap

Here’s your chance to earn a rare piece of Mariah history.


A rare Mariah Carey demo tape will soon go up for auction. Just in time for the holidays, someone could own a one-of-a-kind music collection from the Queen of Christmas. Experts estimate the rare recording could sell for $20,000. 

The 7-track cassette, recorded in the late 1980s and recently discovered in producer DJ Arthur Baker’s personal collection, will be auctioned in December through the music magazine and merchandise site Wax Poetics. It features early versions of songs from Carey’s debut album, including “Vision of Love,” “Someday,” and “Alone in Love,” as well as several unreleased tracks. 

Baker recalls the night he met Carey at a holiday party. The then-19-year-old was working as a backup singer for Brenda K. Starr when she handed Baker the tape. When he listened to it later that evening, he knew he had discovered a gem.

“I stick the cassette in and the first three songs are all hits, and I’m thinking ‘Holy s**t it’s Madonna meets Whitney. She writes like Madonna, sounds like Whitney. This is it, I’ve discovered gold,’” said the producer, who has worked with artists such as Afrika Bambaataa, Tina Turner, Cyndi Lauper, and Prince.  

However, according to Baker, another copy of the tape ended up with Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, who signed Carey to a record deal in 1989, propelling her into superstardom.

Wax Poetics CEO Alex Bruh describes the tape as one of the most sought-after items the company has acquired and estimates it could sell for up to twenty thousand dollars.

“It captures the exact moment an era-defining artist was emerging, before the world knew her name,” Bruh said in a statement obtained by Billboard. 

The auction, which runs Dec. 2-11, will include a certificate of authenticity, archival notes, and materials from Wax Poetics’ collection. Fans can register to bid on the tape via the  Wax Poetics website.

RELATED CONTENT: Mariah Carey’s Sephora Holiday Ad Faces Backlash Over ‘Anti-Worker’ Message

Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rainbow coalition, Black men xcel

Prayers Up! Reverend Jesse Jackson Hospitalized Amid Battle With Neurodegenerative Disease

Jackson has been battling the rare neurodegenerative disorder Progressive Supranuclear Palsy for many years.


Civil-rights icon Reverend Jesse Jackson has been hospitalized and is “under observation” at a Chicago hospital.

On Nov.12, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition announced Jackson has been battling the rare neurodegenerative disorder progressive supranuclear palsy for many years. The coalition revealed the 84-year-old’s condition is currently being treated at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, with additional updates pending.

“He has been managing this neurodegenerative condition for more than a decade,” the Rainbow PUSH statement read. “He was originally diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease; however, last April, his PSP condition was confirmed. The family appreciates all prayers at this time.”

Progressive supranuclear palsy affects movement, balance and eye-tracking. Unfortunately, the neurodegenerative disease progresses more rapidly than other commonly known degenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease.

The U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) states there is no cure or treatment able to slow the progression of symptoms. Consequently, most patients develop significant disability within three to five years. Symptoms are far-ranging and impact one’s ability to function independently. According to the NINDS, symptoms include:

  • Unexplained falls caused by “axial rigidity”
  • Speech impediments and complications due to swallowing
  • Unique eye movement problem: specifically, difficulty looking up and down.

It is important to remain vigilant if a person in your life is experiencing multiple indicators of the disease. Some of the signs of PSP can be mistaken for regular signs of aging, happenstance, or a freak accident. However, along with the physical symptoms, be on the lookout for changes in mood and disposition, including:

  • Depression
  • Lack of motivation
  • Changes in judgment, insight, and problem-solving
  • Difficulty finding words
  • Forgetfulness
  • Loss of interest in activities the person used to enjoy
  • Increased irritability
  • Sudden laughing, crying, or angry outbursts for no apparent reason
  • Personality changes
  • Slowed, slurred, or monotone speech
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Mask-like facial expressions
  • Sleep problems

There is no word on the severity of Rev. Jackson’s condition or when he will be released from observation.

RELATED CONTENT: Rev. Jesse Jackson To Retire from Rainbow PUSH Coalition, Name Successor

shooting, Mississippi, HBCU

Female TikToker Allegedly Kidnapped And Killed In Public Square In Mali Sparks International Concern

A suspected reason for the shooting was the TikToker's alleged support of Mali's military.


A known TikToker was allegedly kidnapped and killed by armed men in Mali. The grave act of violence sparks international concern.

According to reports, unidentified men took Mariame Cissé, a content creator in Mali who garnered fame on TikTok, and allegedly killed her in plain sight. Cissé had occasionally posted videos of herself in army fatigues, a suspected reason for her killing, to her over 140,000 followers.

Before her passing, Cissé posted short vlogs about her daily life in Tonka. News outlets believe her growing platform caught the eye of the assailant, thus endangering her life. According to AJ+, the Mali TikToker appeared to be in her 20s.

@ajplus A Malian TikToker was publicly executed by an armed group. Mariam Cissé was livestreaming when she was kidnapped by armed men. #MariamCisse #Mali #Tonka #PublicExecution #Africa ♬ Incredible_Breaking News, Press, verification VTR, Disaster Prediction, Disaster Prevention, Earthquake, Emergency (1204983) – Ney

The Associated Press confirmed her death with the mayor of Timbuktu, a major and ancient city in the West African country. The city official described the scene as a public horror. The men reportedly snatched the influencer and returned her to the town square in Tonka the next day, where they fatally shot her.

“The young TikTok user Mariame Cissé was abducted by armed men on Friday while she was at the weekly market in Echel … The following day, at dusk, the same men brought her back to Independence Square in Tonka and executed her in front of a crowd,” explained Mayor Yehia Tandina.

His fellow mayor in Tonka, Mamadou Konipo, also confirmed the incident’s validity. However, he did not provide further details on the tragedy. An al-Qaida affiliate, Jama’at Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin, or JNIM, reportedly operates out of the city, located around 93 miles from Timbuktu.

The news has gained international attention for the public violence, especially against a civilian like Cissé. However, the notion of her alleged allegiance and support of the nation’s military sparked an apparent reaction, although the militia group has not claimed responsibility.

Mali has dealt with internal militia conflict for over a decade, as multiple military officials have taken power from one another in subsequent coups. The instability has led to a shaky Mali government, which has threatened the safety and security of civilians. Now, more eyes are back on the conditions in Mali and how they impact its native people.

RELATED LINK: Shanquella Robinson’s Mother Says Friends Lied And Cried While Visiting Her Before Funeral

Kamala Harris, day of unreasonable conversations, 107 Days, book tour, Trump adminsitration

Kamala Harris Says Democrats Took Black Women For Granted Last Election

Kamala Harris got candid on her recent book stop


Kamala Harris got candid on her recent book stop, opening up on her thoughts of how the Democratic party treats Black women voters.

Harris spoke on the Nov. 9 episode of Storehouse & Friends during her press tour for 107 Days. During the chat with its host, Tamira Chapman, and panelists Melissa Butler and Kiaira Nixon, the former presidential candidate shared her views on how the Democratic party has “taken for granted” this target demographic.

“The Democratic Party has taken Black women for granted. There are very specific issues that impact Black women in America that should’ve been some of the highest priorities. I made them priorities when I was Vice president [such as] Black maternal mortality.”

Harris made clear she believes the left has slighted Black women in their approach to policy concerns, despite the majority of Black women voting in their favor. Last November, 92% of Black women voted Harris over Trump, the highest percentage out of any other voters by sex and race, NBC News reported.

Despite their overwhelming support, Harris thinks the Dems do not uplift them, leaving Black women subjected to the heightened systemic harm.

Harris has not minced words while on tour or within her book since leaving office earlier this year. The former vice President also emphasized her disappointment with how the Biden Administration handled the entire election season. Previously covered by BLACK ENTERPRISE, she even deemed Biden’s initial bid for re-election a moment of “recklessness.”

However, she remains strong in her identity and political stances, especially as she reflected on her short presidential campaign. While not counting out nor confirming her re-entry into the political arena, Harris also detailed her discontent with Trump, calling him “this guy in office.” She explained how his crusade against DEI has further marginalized Black women, especially in scientific breakthroughs.

She continued, “And then you look at what’s happening now with this guy in office, and they’re cutting funding for scientific research if it has the word woman or Black in it. So, to your point, I am never going to shy away from who I am. I’m never going to feel burdened that, because of who I am in terms of my race and my gender, that I should pretend not to be.”

As Harris continues to promote her memoir, the private citizen remains vocal about issues prevalent to the group who many deem the “backbone” of the Democratic Party.

RELATED CONTENT: Kamala Harris Hints At Future Presidential Run, Condemns Trump’s ‘Weaponization’ Of Justice

Travis Hunter, Heisman

Jaguars Rookie Travis Hunter Out For Season After Knee Surgery

The two-way player had surgery to repair a Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) on his knee


2025 Heisman Trophy Winner and Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter will no longer be playing football this season, as a season-ending surgery has taken him out for the year.

NFL.com reported that the injury that Hunter suffered recently, which has kept him out for the past two games, will now keep him out for the season. The two-way player (wide receiver/cornerback) had surgery to repair his Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) on his knee on Nov. 11. The recovery period is expected to be six months, knocking him out until next season.

He was initially expected only to miss four games when he was placed on the injured reserve list after he suffered the injury in practice two weeks ago.

Hunter has been utilized on both the defensive and offensive sides this season, primarily playing as a wide receiver on offense. In the seven games he has appeared in, he has 28 receptions for 298 yards. On defense, he has broken up three passes and made 15 tackles. The rookie was coming off his best game of his career when he caught eight passes for 101 yards, while scoring a touchdown when the Jaguars lost to the Los Angeles Rams during Week 7.

Hunter has had an interesting year, with one more month to go. After winning the Heisman Trophy during his senior year at the University of Colorado Boulder, he graduated, got married, became a father, bought a new home, and moved to a new state after being drafted No. 2 in the NFL Draft. He also got baptised at a new church during the season.

The Jaguars had placed a lot of stock in Hunter after trading up to obtain the No. 2 Draft Pick from the Cleveland Browns, even sending their 2026 first-round pick to get their hands on the former Colorado player. 

The team remains in playoff contention with a 5-4 record and currently holds the No. 7 seed in the AFC.

RELATED CONTENT: Let The Church Say, ‘AMEN’: Jaguars’ Travis Hunter Baptized Right Before NFL Game

Don Jackson, Stellar Gospel Music Awards, Tamela Mann

Tamela Mann Launches ‘Mama Mann’s Kitchen Seasoning Blend’

Mann's seasoning blends were developed in collaboration with chef Erica Barrett.


Tamela Mann, gospel legend and host of YouTube’s cooking series Mama Mann’s Kitchen, has launched her own seasoning line, Mama Mann’s Kitchen Seasoning Blend Collection.

The seasonings were developed in collaboration with chef Erica Barrett, the Season 5 winner of Food Network’s BBQ Brawl. The four-blend set was designed to deliver what Mann calls “love you can taste.”

In a press release, Mann said, “These spices come from the same heart that’s been cooking for my family for years—with flavor, warmth, and faith at the center. They’re full of flavor, easy to use, and will remind you of grandma’s down-home cooking.”

The collection features the “For Everything” blend for everyday dishes, a “Garlic Mix” for comforting home meals, and the “All Things Blackened” blend for a bold kick. The line also includes a dessert seasoning, “Just For Pie,” which Mann says is “like dessert at grandma’s house.”

Preorders are available at mamamannskitchen.com, with delivery expected on Nov. 30. 

Mann said the line is an extension of her mission to inspire confidence in the kitchen. “From my kitchen to your home, I’ve crafted my new spice blends with loving care,” she said.

Mama Mann’s Kitchen, launched on YouTube under MannTV, was created by Mann and her husband, actor and producer David Mann, to share and create beyond their music and stage endeavors.

According to the press release, the series and the seasoning aim to “make cooking simple and joyful for everyone—whether cooking solo or with family,” she said. The Meet the Browns and The Color Purple actress said she sees food as a natural extension of her artistry and faith.

“My goal is to help families bring a little more joy to the table and remember that food, like love, is best when it’s shared,” she said. 

RELATED CONTENT: Meet ‘Aunt Rhonda:’ The Woman Who Stopped At Nothing To Bring Fresh Food Options To A Syracuse Desert 

Balancing Motherhood And Entrepreneurship: 4 Ways To Build A Brand With Purpose And Heart

Balancing Motherhood And Entrepreneurship: 4 Ways To Build A Brand With Purpose And Heart

Get clear on who you are in your business and what your work stands for


By Azhelle Wade

When I found out that I was pregnant, I cried. The tears that flowed from my eyes down my cheeks carried relief, fear, and a quiet mourning for my business. I was all but certain that this pregnancy would be the end of The Toy Coach.

Four months postpartum I realized something no one told me: motherhood does not erase who you are. It amplifies it. Having a child will make you more you.

Instead of worrying about opportunities you may miss out on, get clear on who you are in your business and what your work stands for. Why do people love working with you, and why do you love working with them? What sends you into a negative spiral and what breaks you out of it? ALL of that, will be amplified by your new arrival, and bring you the most elating and most deflating of times. 

If you are a future mama, an expectant mama, new mama, or mama again, here are 4 ways that I have grown with purpose and heart while building a sustainable brand.

Toss the rulebook and design what you need

During pregnancy, everyone told me what my postpartum would be. Then I landed in the ER at 33 weeks with severe preeclampsia and delivered a strong preemie. No one’s script applied anymore. So I made my own.

My maternity leave became a season to nurture my baby, my body, and my business. My husband and I stayed home together for the first 10 weeks of my baby’s life and we cared for him together during the day while taking separate shifts at night. When my husband was on newborn duty, I used small pockets of quiet to care for the foundations of my company. I rewrote my email onboarding for The Play Pattern newsletter and gamified it so each subscriber received a personalized path. 

For the first time in years I had the freedom to approach my business with gentle care and love. To this day, when I look back on the emails I wrote during my mat leave, I smile at the love and honesty that poured through them. That magic could’ve only been captured then.

I encourage you to do pregnancy, maternity leave, and motherhood in your own way. Your mind may crave stimulation or rest. Whatever it is, don’t be afraid to listen to it.

Time block without flexibility.

Even before kids, I was an avid timeblocker, and post-kids it’s even more important. I keep a private Google calendar called “My Ideal Week.” It has two roles I honor, 1. founder and 2. mom. Mondays and Fridays are blocked for full-time mom duty. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., are my work windows. Client calls book only inside preset slots, which protects the energy my clients deserve and the presence my family needs.

Having boundaries did not reduce my ambition but it DID increase my efficiency. My team and clients know when they can count on me, when I will deliver, when I will respond, and I always know what kind of workday lies ahead.

Try building your very own Ideal Calendar. Start by taking note of your most frequently booked consultation call or meeting times, and build blocks that incorporate those times, since they work for your business. Then build in time for content creation, build in time for client work and another block for client delivery. Blocks should be 2-5 hours for best efficiency, because, most likely, you won’t be able to focus on one task or one category of task beyond those times. Timeblock your lunch and even the time you post content! Most of your timelocks will be set to “free,” so they don’t actually clog your calendar, but some things, like content creation or client work timeblocks, should be set to “busy” so you don’t find your time clogged with meetings or other commitments.

Add new offers slowly, remove old offers fast.

Before my son, I built a busy business with a complex mix of products and services. Now I add new offers slowly and remove old ones fast. New services always take more time than you expect to set up, and time is a precious resource for parents. I often ask myself, “If we cut this, would our customers be clearer on what we offer and our results better for them?” If the answer is yes, it goes. Simplicity creates focus and better outcomes for everyone.

Before you add an offer or service to your business, ask yourself if it aligns with your purpose, what it will cost you in resources (time counts), what it will cost to deliver to your customers, and what the ROI will be for both you and your customers. Start with an MVP or minimal viable product offer first. If it works, launch it. If it doesn’t, tweak and test again. When you drop an offer, don’t be afraid to offer refunds and a clear explanation as to why that service is no longer available. Your best customers will want you to stay in business, and will understand if you need to make changes to do just that.

Lead with tenderness

For me, nurturing a child is a daily reminder that every person I serve was once a child who wanted to be seen. My company has always encouraged new toy inventors, but motherhood deepened that instinct. I listen longer. I offer guidance, even when someone is not ready to buy. That generosity builds trust, referrals, and a community aligned with my mission to end gatekeeping in the industry. Leading with tenderness is not soft; it is operational. It is how we codify listening, access, and care in the way we work.

To do this, you can run a reputation audit. Write what you want your business to be known for in three words. Write what you think it is already known for, in three words. Then ask five former clients the same questions: How would they describe working with you? How would they describe your business in three words? Compare the answers. If you find a gap, choose two concrete changes to make this quarter, such as a response-time standard, clearer office hours, or a simple access policy that reduces gatekeeping. Revisit the audit every six months.

Conclusion

Building a sustainable brand requires complete harmony in what makes you happy emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. It does not ask you to choose between profit and purpose. But it does ask you to be clear, consistent, and courageous. Define your non-negotiables, track your profit, and build simple systems that promote your client’s success. When your daily choices match your mission, customers feel it, teams rally behind it, and your brand gains longevity.

RELATED CONTENT: Ask Your Fairygodmentor®: How To Thrive At Work While Caring For An Aging Parent

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