Teach Your Children Not to let Their Crown Tilt

I'm what I like to call a "Hustle-preneur." No, it's not a word but it describes me perfectly. Somewhere around my mid-twenties I realized that I didn't want to spend my entire life working for someone else. The goal was to be my own boss entirely and and also have numerous streams of income. From that point on, I ventured into many different potential careers. I worked for #Primerica for a short period of time and obtained my Life License. I wrote and published a few books and eventually started my own publishing company, #AmbitiousInk. I started a custom basket business, #AmbitiousBaskets. I even got my Bartending License and started a custom mixed drink business, #BestChilled. Yet, almost ten years later, I am still a full time employee. Bummer.

The problem is, I waited too late in life to decide to embrace my crown. By the time I made the decision, I already had two children, tons of debt and responsibilities and the need to chase a check rather than a dream or a passion. I promised myself that I wouldn't make that same mistake with my children. I promised to teach them to be go getters at an early age and never feel like they couldn't make it on their own. And then God gave me Ayoni. . .

From as early as two years old I knew that one day Ayoni would be a strong black woman making her own way in this world. Like me, she always had strong leadership skills and a desire to have her own money. In second grade she started her first "business" selling handmade friendship bracelets in school. I had no knowledge of this "business" until I saw one on her teacher's wrist during a parent teacher conference and complemented it. Imagine my surprise when her response was "Oh, thank you. I bought it from Ayoni."

Around the age of 14 she started her next business, #MesmerizingMirrors. She started by making a custom mirror for her bedroom. She did such a great job that my mother had her make one for her bedroom as well. Next thing I knew we were in the stores buying different size mirrors and tons of materials. To Ayoni, decorating these mirrors was a past time but to me it as a business opportunity. I began to promote her mirrors on my social media and immediately my followers began to show interest and request that she make them a custom one as well. People bought mirrors for their homes and their businesses. I was so proud of her. But eventually the orders stopped coming in and she lost interest. But even still, I knew we were on to something.

With her creative juices still flowing, she easily found a new way to make a few bucks. Once again, an artsy creation for her room quickly turned into a product for sale. This time it took a little more time and effort. The process of creating these beautiful, custom, aesthetic collages was work. She had to find all of the pictures online, print them, cut them, glue them and then add the glittery finishing touches. For weeks, her room looked like a sparkly wonderland but her talent was undeniable so I didn't mind one bit. But, yet again, the orders started to fade and so didn't her interest. Eventually I had to have a talk with her about sticking with ventures even when things weren't necessarily going in her favor. Trust me, I would know. But I also had faith that when she found that thing that was for HER, she would flourish. She had the talent and the drive to do so. Now all she needed was the passion and the discipline.

About three years later and here we are. My 17 year old daughter has now found her "thing". She created her very own business and booking page and is on her way to being her very own boss before she even makes it to college. She is a self taught hair stylist with so much talent at times it's hard to believe that she's only 17. From braiding, to quick weaves, to color, she can do it all. She started helping me with my hair and doing her little brother's hair around 15. I quickly noticed her talent and even then suggested that she take doing hair seriously, but she wasn't ready. One thing I have learned in motherhood is as bad as we want to see our kids win, we have to let them find their own way and also get out of their own way. For the past year I have watched, frustratedly most times, as she put hours into doing her friends hair free of charge and thought to myself "so much talent going to waste." That was until I finally realized that it was all apart of the plan. Like the saying goes, practice makes perfect. Of course she'll always have me to practice on (free hairdos, yay me) but she also needed the pressure of doing heads beside mine in order to build up her confidence. She needed to figure out if she was just good at doing hair or if she was passionate about it. Yes, money is the motive, but even the most expensive crown can still look cheap if not worn correctly. In order to succeed as a "Hustle-preneur" you have to love what you do and do what you love. The money is only the cherry on top.

I am so very proud of all that Ayoni has accomplished so far in life and I'm excited to see what she will do next. Not only is she super smart, super talented and drop dead gorgeous, she has hustle and that alone will take her places that some girls her age will never go. So, if you live in the Boston area and need your hair done, check out the traveling stylist NiiStyles

Oh, and not to brag but did I mention she also cooks, bakes, draws and sews, amongst other things! Look at this cake she made for her brother's birthday when she was only 14!! YOU GO GIRL!