Do you have a favorite dialogue, lyric, quote or affirmation? Please share with us below.

Monique Coleman | Baker and CEO of Pretty Little Cupcakes, LLC.

“I am exactly where I need to be for my healing, growth and awakening.” I created this mantra about two years ago when I started a six-week challenge dedicated to healing and becoming a healthier version of myself. I wasn’t so much focused on losing “weight” but more of accepting this new version of me because I wasn’t the same person anymore. In 2017, my family experienced a tragic loss when my son, Parker, passed away just shy of being 3months old. This was unexpected and changed me. I found myself struggling with my grief and began to lose myself. My family’s grief was being compared to the experience of others. I had to grasp that grief looks different for everyone. We all view grief from our own lens. I began to tell myself, “I’m exactly where I need to be.” Though support and consistency, I started to understand that I will have some good days and I’ll have some days where I’ll cry, and that’s okay. I’m not judging where I’m at in that very moment. Read more>>

Meesh Taylor | Business owner / Founder of Orgaia / Entrepreneur

“I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn” – Maya Angelou This quote just encompasses what it is like to live. I went on a college tour once and a professor spoke about how she was nearly in tears explaining to her husband one night how there is still so much she doesn’t know, that’s how passionate she was about learning! It sounds crazy right, but I often feel this way a lot as I get older. Especially with Orgaia, I am still learning and growing a business from scratch so the process is trial and error. When I reflect on where I began it is crazy how much I’ve improved and it makes me wonder about the possibilities for Orgaia and the constant learning I’ll be enriched with on a day to day basis. It’s very fulfilling. Read more>>

Vamecia Powell | A Creative & Educator

My favorite quote is actually a Bible verse, and it reads “and so, after he [she] had patiently endured, he [she] obtained the promise”. It’s from the Holy Bible, Hebrews 6:15. My life has come full circle and I still have so much more to accomplish, to see, people to impact and art to create. This is my favorite quote because I didn’t let circumstances, life, disappointment or heartbreak stop me from working constantly to achieve my goals and live out my dreams. As a teenager and young adult, creating was my life. I wrote poetry from as early as 12 years old and it became my therapy as I got older and was faced with challenges. I began writing music early on as well, just for fun and it was the outlet and expression that I needed. I didn’t feel like I had a voice or could use it for a long time, so my childhood friend and sister Monique and I would record songs over instrumentals. We’d remix songs, similar to what internet comedians and influencers do today. We were way ahead of our time. Read more>>

Leslie Hayashi | Retired judge, author, artist, educator, & more

“Come to the edge,” he said. “We can’t, we’re afraid!” they responded.
“Come to the edge,” he said. “We can’t, We will fall!” they responded.
“Come to the edge,” he said. And so they came. And he pushed them.
And they flew.” Guillaume Apollinaire This quote sums up how we all feel – afraid of change. But if we trust our inner voice, we will surprise ourselves. Read more>>

Timothy Chester | Producer & Beatmaker

My Favorite Affirmation? Simply this: When in doubt, Create. Express your thoughts and feelings within your creative means. Color those areas that need volume. Shade in those spaces that need filling. Explore your doubts, the unknown, the what if’s, and challenge them. Make something out of your wildest dream(s). Just do what feels best, and be proud. Because it’s yours. Because in the end, you’re only as good as you say/think/know you are. Read more>>

Jaclyn Aguilera | Community Director at Miami Beach Bum

“People and the planet first and foremost.” I’m a very spiritual person and among the many positive affirmations and intentions I set daily this resounds the loudest in my mind. Particularly in the last year, this affirmation has been a sound board for me amid the pandemic and economic “shutdown.” This global shift gave me the opportunity to reflect, reassess my priorities and realign my goals with my core values and beliefs. I left NYC and my corporate job to be a part of an amazing beauty startup–Miami Beach Bum. Built on the principle of people and the planet, first and foremost, our collection is mindfully designed and formulated with green chemistry and a circular economy top of mind. Read more>>