We had the good fortune of connecting with Mary Celine Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mary Celine, alright, let’s jump in with a deep one – what’s you’re definition for success?
Well you certainly put me to task with these questions! My idea of success has evolved through the years. Younger Mary envisioned success as physical wealth. For a time I thought success was becoming a mother. Not too distant past me thought that my career status defined my success. Currently, Success is knowing that I don’t have to do anything to know I am worthy of abundance, love and joy. I am a human being not a human doing. It is ok to just be. My success is having beat addiction, depression, infertility, anxiety, bankruptcy, homelessness, heartbreak, betrayal and feelings of unworthiness and living to tell the story and help others through their hardships. Success to me is knowing my value and being able to live and love authentically. Success is being able to forgive and release resentment.
Becoming the observer in life has been the single practice that has brought me the most success. Talk less, observe more. I don’t see things as failures as much as just data. We learn, we apply, we adjust and we evolve.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I could tell you about how I started working at 13 at a family owned restaurant in the little seaside town I grew up in, or about the dental office that I worked my way from file room to office manager, or how I was a nanny for 10 years. I have been a grocery store cashier and a house/dog sitter. I painted custom flower pots for a couple years. I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit. As an adult I built and helped others build successful businesses. Became a motivational speaker, was recognized often for my work as a dental office manager and became a stand up comedian. I can thank my tenacity and Taurean stubborness for most of my success and all of my failures. I left high school and continued to work. I am the youngest of 14 kids and without a scholarship, college was out of the question and was not really on my radar.
If I could give anyone any advice, its DO NOT let not having a degree make you feel some sort of way. Even as the CEO of my own company, I felt inferior because I didn’t have that paper saying that I was qualified. The truth is that there are people out here less qualified and making more money simply because they are showing up, they are trying, failing and not giving up. Most of us fail our way to the top.
Second piece of advice, ease the eff up off your own back. We are so hard on ourselves and no one thanks their self loathing and negative self talk at the podium. If you aren’t enjoying the process, try something different.
About OhMyGirl Media was originally created to help women start their own businesses or revive an existing one. From content creation to customer service to crunching numbers. I quickly discovered the need for more than just business consulting. These women were exhausted, over worked and undervalued. It takes one to know one! I was no stranger constant states of stress, pushing myself to meet deadlines and produce revenue. That’s not the life I wanted to live. Covid give me an opportunity to stop and evaluate my processes. When I helped my clients take care of themselves, they were able to fully show up for their patients and clients. The old put your oxygen mask on first, then help others is an important metaphor for us all. I’m super excited to offer an eight week program as a digital product called The Art of Self-Care, it’s the program that was the catalyst for me making changes in my own life that led me to where I am today! The answer to everything is more love!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am always going to stay on the beach when I have the opportunity. The sunsets and sunrises are free and the sand, sun and surf will cleanse you of whatever heavy thing you are carrying around. Vizcaya, the best! Want to slow it down? Hit the keys. For an interactive day trip, we will hit the Coral Castle and Scnebleys winery in Homestead. It took many years of unconditioning to understand that quality over quantity is what fits me best for food. My favorite bites and libations are at Zucca in the Gables. Coral Gables was my very most favorite place. It is the epitome of lush. Quiet and tucked away, a very different experience than the rest of Miami. They have a great farmer’s market and the best restaurants and architecture. Super dog friendly too!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have had the honor of having the proper teachers come to me at the right time. The person in my life right now that has had the most impact is my coach and Quantum Physics teacher, Charlie Sage (IamCharlieSage.com) And big love to Aimee Beah Moore for giving me the opportunity to host my own radio show
Martina Deveareau for bringing God back to my life
Eli Rodriguez for loving me, warts and all
Denise Molini for believing in me so much that I started believing in myself
Cheryl Starr for trusting me to teach her life’s work. The Art of Self Care, an 8 week program that empowers women to live their best life. Available digitally and through Zoom.
My comedy family that pulled me through the toughest years of my adult life
Lastly, my parents (deceased) and my 13 siblings. My Mom would tell me to pay attention! If I can’t learn right from wrong by watching my 13 older siblings, then there isn’t much more that she could teach me.

Website: ohmygirlmedia.com

Instagram: @ohmygirlmedia

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-celine-smith-77926410/

Twitter: Lawd, are people still on there?

Other: Have a question you want answered? Send it in to OMGhelpishere@gmail.com and you just might get published in her column, Mary May I, in The Jitney @jitneybooks,com. Want to listen to interviews with local comedians and tips and tricks to navigating life? Tune into GenXtra on Shake Miami Radio on Sundays at 11:00am, http://shake-94.radio-website.com For general inquiries and consulting questions drop a note to OhMyGirlMedia@gmail.com

Image Credits
Comic Cure Billy O Photography Life Magazine

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