Small Businesses Surviving the Economic Recession

Reporter: Kristen L. Rogers
Videographer: Josh Senior
Location: DABarts Hair Salon, Harlem, New

Our Deepest Fear (Marianne Williamson)

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

I am thankful for the RAIN

Today is December 1, and Richard and I can officially say, "We're getting married next month." Wow...this sounds like a powerful statement to me. We have come so far in such a short time.

To some living in New York City, today looks rather gloomy and dark outside. One's demeanor and attitude might even be affected negatively by the unattractive weather. However, today, I am thankful for the RAIN. This rainy day is releasing so many blessings. It it a sign to me that things are well.

Yesterday, Richard moved into our new home. The events leading up to moving into this wonderful space reaffirm that God is on our side. After coming up with a budget for what was feasible to spend every month on living expenses we began apartment hunting in September. Richard convinced me to visit an apartment complex that I was not interested in considering as an option. The complex was mixed with new garden style buildings, serving as the main corridors and a couple of separate of buildings that had been acquired by the complex. The annex as Richard calls it, had the larger apartments that we were most interested in viewing. When taking the tour we had to press the consultant to show us the annex buildings. Later we found out that his hesitancy was related to the lack of interest shown in these separate buildings. Interestingly, Richard and I took great liking to the annex building. The apartment he showed encapsulated everything that Richard and I wanted in a home individually and as a couple.

Since our search was still early from our prospected move in date, we continued to look lightly in other places. However, we were sold on the penthouse apartment that we stumbled upon. In his persistent manner, Richard visited the apartment weekly for updates on any other interested renters. He grew a rapport with the consultant and was assured that if anyone was interested we would be the first to know.

At the beginning of November interest in the building picked up greatly and we were faced with some decisions. We needed to decide if we would lease the apartment a month sooner than we anticipated and if Richard would live there during that extra month. The consultant followed through with his promise. He leased almost every other apartment in the annex except for the one we showed interest in. At that crossroad, we made the decision to lease the apartment.

Our prayers were answered and our diligence was honored. We got the exact apartment we wanted under budget. I'm thankful for the RAIN!

Blessed Abundantly,
Kristen

Behind the scenes! Taping for Small Business

Finished Footage coming soon!

One Single Mother Empowers Many

Single mothers are increasingly becoming the face of the modern family. According to Custodial Mothers and Fathers and Their Child Support: 2007, released by the U.S. Census Bureau in November, 2009, there are approximately 13.7 million single parents in the United States today, and those parents are responsible for raising 21.8 million children (approximately 26% of children under 21 in the U.S. today).

Recently, the long-running cable access program, “The Lenny Matthews Show,” taped in New York City featured a new voice and a new hope of encouragement for single mothers in Feona Sharhran Huff. Feona, writes the blog, “Living the Solo Mommy Life” (http://livingthesolomommylife.blogspot.com) and maintains a rigorous schedule. She operates a full-service communications firm with an event planning arm, writes children’s books, conducts youth workshops and teaches all while raising her two talented children in Brooklyn, New York, “solo.” In her blog, Feona writes her daily discoveries, learned lessons and tips on balancing life. Feona’s blog is sometimes comical, sometimes tear-jerking but always empowering.

Feona studied journalism at Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia and had the dreams of many young women that included marriage to her childhood sweetheart, living in a big house, raising children and travelling with her family. However, not all of those dreams became her reality. Feona has made strides to turn her life’s journey into an empowerment platform, rather than a pity party. “

Even though Feona has turned what could be seen like tragedy into triumph, her journey has not been without struggle. She says, her greatest challenge is not feeling like there is enough time to do all the things she needs to do. Achieving life balance is a daily goal. Feona sites knowing that her children love and support her as her greatest reward. “My children are my greatest joy and the best thing that has happened to me,” she says.

Feel free to contact Feona at (347) 386-9206, solomommymag@yahoo.com.

LMS Show: Kristen and Lenny interviewing "The Cake Lady" (unedited)

Lenny Matthews invited me to co-host his long running cable access show. This is our interview of Renee the neighborhood "Cake Lady," at Sister's Bookstore.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lDM0mQEVYo

Pictures from the Lenny Matthews Show Taping

God Bless!

Kris