How to Shift Gears in Your Career and Reach Success through Your New Mission in Life

Earlene Hancock is one of the most supportive persons I have had the honor of networking with in the world of social media. This "Inspiring Sister of Social Media" just oozes integrity and proactive advocacy.

She is a brilliant woman who knows just about everything you want to know about progressive politics. Whenever, I have a question on the political or social scene she is my go to read on the issues.

Ms. Hancock doesn't mince words or tolerate reactionary behavior. Whether she is weighing in on the positions of the President or Congress she brings sharp savvy political analysis to others on the social media networks.

Kamau: Hey Earlene How can women and people in general reach success through their divine purpose and professional goals?

Earlene Hancock: In April, I celebrate my 20th year in real estate. In 1994, I owned a Christian bookstore and gift shop, for which we were unable to obtain SBA funding. The reason given was that the SBA had to "maintain the separation between church and state".

I inquired if we had left out the word "Christian" and merely called it "Chapter & Verse Books & Gift Shoppe" would we have been approved? The response: "Oh, absolutely!"

After a 2 year struggle in trying to keep the business afloat, it became apparent that it was time for me to return to the workforce. I was looking for a management position (business development) and a friend was an executive assistant to the CEO of Ohio's largest real estate brokerage, at that time, encouraged me to come in and have lunch. Long story short, he made me an offer I could not refuse and I reluctantly entered the alien world of selling.

Reluctantly, because as many of you hold a certain perception about real estate agents, I had those same prejudices. Some fast-talking, wheeler-dealer was not who I was and 20 years later, I still am not. When I accepted the generous offer to join that brokerage, I made a vow that this would not just be a career, it would be a mission.

My mission was to make sure that all buyers and sellers, particularly African Americans, who had been systematically 'abused' in one way or another by the industry, would be treated with the highest regard and would be educated about the home buying and selling process, to the very best of my ability.  I was determined to be their advocate and I'm very pleased to say that those same goals are at the core of how I conduct my business today.

It is also very personally rewarding that I've garnered the respect of my fellow real estate agents, and have maintained an impeccable reputation for which I'm extremely proud. There have been numerous times where I've been involved in transactions with newer agents who, at the close of the sale, have expressed their sincere gratitude for my willingness to help them when they'd stumble.

Several have encouraged me to open my own shop and have said they would not hesitate to put their license with me ~ which is high praise and very humbling.  With the onset of the Housing Crisis of 2008, the past few years have been 'challenging' ~ nevertheless, my focus has remained constant: Put the client first, always. 
Conduct business in the highest ethical manner with unquestioned integrity. When that happens, success follows.

Thank you, Earlene Williams Hancock, Realtor Howard Hanna Real Estate Services Mayfield Village, Ohio
https://www.facebook.com/pages/EARLENE-HANCOCK-REALTOR/190058604340?ref=hl

Back to Kamau - This is a lesson ALL business people should take to heart.  "Put the client 1st - always and conduct business in the highest ethical manner with unquestioned integrity. When that happens, success follows." Great insights Earlene!

About the Publisher of Kamau's Qu!ps

Kamau's Qu!ps is Published by Kamau Austin. Kamau is a popular Blogger, Writer, and Internet Marketing Professional helping small businesses grow more profitable businesses online. If you need web design, blogging, search engine or social media promotion contact him at Search Engine Plan

How to Overcome Depression, Thoughts of Suicide, and Eventually Embrace Success

Cassandra James

March is Women's Heritage Month.  I am honored to showcase the successful insights for some of the most extraordinary and "Inspiring Sisters of Social Media" that I have had the pleasure of meeting over the years.

Today I am sharing the insights of Cassandra James, a promising writer, educator, coach, and entrepreneur who at one time was so depressed over a relationship (that ended badly) that she contemplated suicide.  Only a timely and perhaps divine intervention gave her pause and redirected her from ending her life.

 (Please note: if you are having thoughts of suicide call 911 or contact a mental health professional right away).

Similar to Tina Turner, Ms. Cassandra James found Spiritual grounding in the practices of Buddhism. A lot of her present outlook is informed with the insights of this Spiritual philosophy.

You can hear the whole account of Cassandra's bout with depression and suicidal thoughts to emerge a successful speaker, author, educator, and coach in the television show "Over the Hump" video below...

I asked Cassandra how women can reach success through their divine purpose and personal goals? I also asked her to reflect in terms of your unique experiences on being successful and overcoming obstacles like sexism, racism, lack of business capital, the need for mentors, etc.

Kamau: How women can reach success through their divine purpose and personal goals?

Cassandra James: LOVE this question! We need a return to the VERY basics, Kamau. I was born a woman but was not taught to appreciate and cultivate feminine energy. Women are so steeped in victim consciousness that we can’t transform the world even though we are the nurturers of life!

Gender is not happenstance; an appreciation of feminine energy builds self-esteem, clarity of purpose, and equality through appreciation of the complementary strengths of yin and yang. We have been taught that femininity is about etiquette, looks, and/or wardrobe when scholarship in the divine feminine teaches traits like compassion, self-awareness, authenticity are just some of the virtues that lead to wholeness as a woman.

Some resent the role of nurturer because in their mind it has become synonymous with self-sacrifice; so let me put it this way. If you aspire to be in business, what is one of the FIRST things any marketing consultant will ask - who is your target audience? Self-awareness can help you clarify your market niche. When your business grows, what virtue will help you develop customer loyalty?

Compassion helps you relate to others so you are engaged in building relationships and not just ‘selling.’ All the thought leader wisdom of the day is about creating value and sharing it with the world. Building a life and a business is a spiritual journey. Developing our humanity is not something we do because it is ‘nice’ or ‘right’ there are very practical and tangible benefits that come from drawing from a philosophy of developing our humanity; in the process of our changing ourselves we change the world.

Kamau: I totally agree. I think women have natural gender characteristics that can make many of them very successful in their professional careers. Can you tell us about some unique experiences and challenges you've had to over come like sexism, racism, lack of capital, or finding mentors, etc? 

Cassandra James:  Unique experiences on being successful and overcoming obstacles like sexism, racism, lack of business capital, the need for mentors, etc. I can’t say I believe in sexism and racism as much as I do classism. Even so, with the advent of the internet I have become tremendously resourceful with getting the information I need to overcome this. I study voraciously.

There is a term in Buddhism called Bodhisattva, one of its translations is “one who has become a master at life.” Studying cause and effect has trained me in understanding the root cause of phenomenon.

As a result I feel less hindered by a lack of capital; it does slow me down but it does not make me give up. Perseverance is probably one of the greatest virtues of all because there is only one way to develop confidence and that is by overcoming obstacles; they aren't always resolved overnight.

Mentors are paramount and I do not want for them. I get guidance from senior leaders in faith; I coach as well as receive coaching. I am inspired by biographies of Andrew Carnegie, Rodney Dangerfield, Bob Proctor, and more.

I read titles like “The Millionaire Mind” so I am in training in the energy of money, the use of money, trends in moneymaking, the mindset of the wealthy and the poverty-stricken.

More on Cassandra James

Book by Cassandra James
Order Her Book

BIO Born in Jersey City and a graduate of Seton Hall University, Cassandra has worked in the legal and Information Technology industries as an employee and entrepreneur. She believes "Turning poison into medicine is what it is all about. She reveals she "needed years of study in Nichiren Buddhist philosophy to help me out of the pity party and mindset of victim consciousness that had become my life experience." 

Having suffered through a turbulent relationship within her single parent household, in the early 2000s Cassandra was estranged from family and severely depressed from a sudden, traumatic romantic breakup. Vacillating between thoughts of suicide and revenge, Cassandra went on the Web to research how to increase her intuition as a defense mechanism.

It was then that she came across the Buddhist concept of The Ten Worlds. It was the best explanation of human behavior she had ever encountered. In time she came to realize wisdom was the healing balm she needed.

No longer a victim, she seems life's obstacles as a great source of benefit. Empowered by this new core philosophy Cassandra has set out to help others understand the power that exists in their life for healing and transformation one life at a time.

Cassandra has published "How to Go from BooHoo to WooHoo in 90 Days," You can Order Her Book by Clicking Here She also and launched a public speaking career with a vengeance. In her mind there is nothing sadder than suffering because of a lack of wisdom.

She is also a member of the Soka Gakkai (Value Creation Society) International, a United Nations non-governmental organization where she works on community projects to empower and enlighten others locally and internationally.

About the Publisher of Kamau's Qu!ps

Published by Kamau Austin. Kamau is a popular Blogger, Writer, and Internet Marketing Professional helping small businesses grow more profitable businesses online. If you need web design, blogging, search engine or social media promotion contact him at Search Engine Plan.com