Black Suburbia Privilege

After the last couple of years from the Trayvon Martin shooting to the hate crimes being committed, I wanted to revisit a topic I wrote years ago in 2015. In my life, I’ve been extremely blessed to have dodged social minefields of uncomfortable conversations and unfair treatment.

Our company goal was to speak the truth and stick up for the little person, but I had no idea how my life was going to be turned upside down.

Since this article was on my experience, I wanted to marry to controversial topics together, black and privilege.

My privilege of being in the black suburbs caught up with me in 2015, and it has changed my outlook of how I run my business, why I love Vancouver, WA, and the need for us to come together and make change.

I proud to be black, from the suburbs and my journey.

So enjoy the podcast!

Sincerely,

Nathan A Webster

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Fearing Failure

 

“If you have no tolerance for failure, you will not create anything new.”
~ Brené Brown

Fail. Failing. Failure.

Words many, if not all, of us fear or have feared at some point in our lives. As humans the fear of failing is one of the greatest we face. I once believed if I failed then I was a failure. I allowed it to define me. To take me down. How did I overcome this catastrophic fear in my life? By failing.

There are different ways to fail. There is the failed business venture, a failed relationship, an idea or dream that didn’t quite work out. There are varying levels of failing. Some are mere mistakes. Some can take us down for a time. But failure can only take us out if we let it. How we choose to approach the situation will make or break us.

We’ve all heard the cliché, “Failing does not make one a failure.”
The question is, do you believe it?

Personal Experience

A while back I was terminated from a position for the first (and actually only) time in my life. At first, I felt humiliated. I felt like a failure. I felt like a loser.  I sat alone in my living room processing all that had transpired. I learned years ago that feelings are very real. However, some feelings are based in lies while others are based in truth. I asked myself two key questions:

  • “What is the truth in what you are feeling?”
  • “What are the lies in what you are feeling?”
A Change of Perspective

The answers to those questions changed me. Because of my willingness to be honest with myself I saw what happened as an opportunity. While I had no idea what my “next” would be I now had all options open to me. I gave myself time to process how I arrived in my situation. I accepted the role I had played. I forgave myself and those who had wronged me. I used the situation as an opportunity to learn and to grow personally, professionally, and spiritually.

Today I say with full honesty that I am better for it.

Maybe the “new” that needs to be created in your life will come through failing. Maybe your “next” will be found through something painful and difficult to go through. Don’t fear failing. Expect it.

Success happens when we are brave enough to take the risk to fail.

Keeping it real,
Cheryl

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  • nathanwebster
  • September 10, 2018

Articles

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May 19, 2019

Omnichannel Marketing

April 28, 2019

Why to Fail Forward

April 21, 2019

The Top 10 Effective Social Media Strategies in 2019

April 14, 2019

Elliot for Water

April 7, 2019

Introducing MobileMoxie’s Cindy Krum

March 17, 2019

How to Dominate in Your Industry

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My Faith

September 21, 2017

I Almost Died

February 9, 2017

Pray or Worry, You Can’t Do Both!

October 23, 2016

Godly Endurance

October 14, 2016

Pride is Your Enemy

September 18, 2016

Humble Yourself

September 15, 2016

Your Story is for God’s Glory

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Social Entrepreneur

October 27, 2018

Transitions

September 26, 2018

Fearing Failure

August 26, 2018

The High Cost of Burnout

July 26, 2018

The Power of Help

June 25, 2018

My Greatest Hurdle….

May 23, 2018

Moving Toward Difficult Conversations

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BE Your Dream! Programming

10 Steps to Starting a Nonprofit

John Lee Dumas

Black Girl Magic with Chauntrice

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The Power of Help

 

One of my greatest strengths (and my greatest weakness) is fierce independence. It is my greatest strength when I set myself to accomplish what must be done. It becomes my greatest weakness when I refuse to ask for help. One of my favorite authors, Brené Brown, in her book The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to be and Embrace Who You Are, has this to say:

 “One of the greatest barriers to connection is the cultural importance we place on ‘going at it alone.’ Somehow we’ve come to equate success with not needing anyone. Many of us are willing to extend a helping hand, but we’re very reluctant to reach out for help when we need it ourselves. It’s as if we’ve divided the world into ‘those who offer help’ and ‘those who need help.’ The truth is that we are both.”

I’ve spoken with many leaders of small to mid-size nonprofits in recent months and noticed an interesting and concerning trend: there are many people with passionate, giving hearts who begin the hard work of starting a nonprofit or social enterprise without doing the necessary personal and professional prep work to equip them and their organization for a sustainable future. Venturing out like this can be an incredible opportunity to learn; it can also create a mess when we don’t get the right help from the right people and places.

I want to pause and give credit to every individual who has embarked on this marathon.

It takes vision and courage to see a need and be willing to do something about it. It takes grit to do it blindly and, “figure it out.” It takes authenticity, vulnerability, and even greater courage to ask for help when we don’t know what to do next.

Developing organizational infrastructure is critical to the long-term sustainability of an organization. Jim Collins in his book Good to Great in Social Sectors says:

“…start by focusing on the First Who principle—do whatever you can to get the right people on the bus, the wrong people off the bus, and the right people into the right seats.”

This process takes great strength, wisdom, and discernment. It will require asking – and listening to – help from those outside your organization.

How and when do you ask for help?

  • First, be self-aware. Do what you must to assess your own strengths and weaknesses.
  • Second, be willing to have difficult conversations with your team about their strengths and weaknesses.
  • Third, Listen. Ask questions so you can understand what strengths are missing in your team.
  • Fourth, (and most important), get help from those who have the expertise to take you forward. It may be an Executive Coach, fundraising consultants, business consultants, or others.

Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It is the strongest thing you can do for yourself, and your organization. Take it from me, a fiercely independent woman who has learned (the hard way) to accept help from those who can when I cannot

Keeping it real,
Cheryl

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Wake Up Your Sleeping Giant

Wake Up Your Sleeping Giant

When I look around I reflect back on my short time on being on this earth, we have made a lot of improvements. Thank God for technology, it has quadrupled everything that we do. I remember on Friday nights using my blockbuster card and getting some Jiffy popcorn and having a grand ol’ time for $40 (which was a deal). Now, for only a small fraction and a mobile device, everyone in the household could be watching something different.

Technology has definitely made things a lot easier. From the ways that we communicate and engage, to how we do business. Even by becoming an entrepreneur, the barriers to entry have immensely lowered.

However, for all the good there is a bad. And this episode I’ll talk about how it has allowed us to be a lot more dormant when it comes to our own gifts. The giant that allows us to be great is in a deep slumber.

Click here to subscribe and give us a review on iTunes.
Click here to subscribe and give us a review on Soundcloud.

Click here to submit your iTunes review!

Dream Big,
N

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My Greatest Hurdle….

Memories…

A friend recently asked me what my greatest hurdle in developing my career has been. My mind instantly flooded with many memories. Some amazing and beautiful. Others painful and overwhelming. It seemed like writing a letter to my younger self about how to overcome would be the best way to process the question.  I want to share that letter with you. This process has been therapeutic and encouraging to my (now older) self. It is honest and vulnerable. My hope is it will inspire you to step into a similar journey.

To my younger self,

What a journey you have had. Looking back at all you’ve experienced, there is much I want to tell you. History cannot be changed. This letter will not change what has been. Time machines are pure science fiction. This letter is meant to encourage you to stay the course, no matter what obstacles you find in front of you. Regret nothing. Be intentional to look for opportunity in every encounter in front of you;  most of all the good, the bad, and others..

There are many hurdles ahead of you. The greatest one, the one with the power to take you down, is you. Your childhood held many challenges. Many voices spoke lies over you. Choose to not believe them. Choose to accept who you are created to be. Lean into it. Every beautiful part of who you are.

Your passion for life will inspire others. Your strengths will take you far in life.

You are a woman with great purpose. Some will tell you that your power, one of your greatest strengths, is a weakness. Don’t believe them. It is the greatest thing about you. Don’t let the views of others keep you from your purpose. Your power is not a corrupt power. It is the hidden strength of wisdom and discernment. You have the ability to see potential in every situation. This is not an accident. It is how you are wired. It is good.

Some will tell you your value as a woman is rooted in tradition. It is rooted in their belief system. Don’t believe them. As a woman you bring a specific perspective to the leadership table. A perspective unique to who you are. A perspective to be valued. Never fear sharing your perspective. Never fear the gift of leadership within you.

Overcoming the hurdle of yourself means you must be intentional to dig deep. It means you must take ownership of painful things in your life. Learn from them. It means not only accepting yourself; it means loving yourself.  Most noteworthy, my younger self, it is imperative you know this: confidence is not pride. Be confident in who you are.  See the beauty in every moment. If you do all these things (and more), you will go far.

What’s next?

There is much, much more I plan to say to my younger self in the days and weeks ahead. I know that each of us faces hurdles in developing our careers. Most of all as Social Entrepreneurs. Some hurdles are financial. Some are gender or race based. Others are, as in my case, hurdles we choose to put on ourselves.

I would love to hear from you. What has been your greatest hurdle? Have you overcome it? How did you overcome?

I am looking forward to the conversations ahead!

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Monart Gives Back

Monart Gives Back

As we’ve said before, you don’t have to be a nonprofit to do social good. Mona Brookes, founder of the Monart Drawing Schools and the Monart Method is a great example of this!  Mona brings art to another level because it isn’t just about drawing. This is about engagement and problem-solving and developing an eye for detail.

We had the pleasure of sitting down with Mona and chatting with her about how she was able to create the proven Monart Method and bring it into her local school’s all because of a grant she received over 40 years ago. Listen to her journey now!

The Monart Method is now available to all. Learn more about Mona and the Monart Method by clicking here.

Resources:
California’s Art Council 

Click here to subscribe and give us a review on iTunes.
Click here to subscribe and give us a review on Soundcloud.

Click here to submit your iTunes review!

Dream Big,
N

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The 4 P’s of Marketing

I believe somewhere in the world this sentence is said about a 100 times a day, “I had a really great idea.” And then the dialogue goes back and forth with a trusted confidant.

It looks something like this:
Confidant- so what was it?
Great Idea- if I tell you, you can’t tell anyone. Ok?
Confidant- ok. I won’t.
Great Idea- so this is my idea… [the great idea]. So what do you think?
Confidant- that sounds cool. Why don’t you get some help with it and make it into a business?
Great Idea- I don’t want them to steal it, so I’m working on a non-disclosure agreement (aka, NDA).
Confidant- oh, ok.

[a year later]

Confidant- so how’s the business coming along?
Great Idea- I’m still working on my on NDA.
Confidant- have you made any other progress on it?
Great Idea- well, some but I’m being careful to I speak to about it.

I’ve lost count how many times I’ve had this conversation with someone. We all have great ideas, but some of us don’t know how to implement into reality. In my opinion, the idea isn’t that great yet. Not until you have a recurring customer give you a raving review.

When starting a business from a simple idea, you’re not thinking of the framework or the logistics of repeat customers. Not unless you have a marketing background.

One of the core principles of marketing is the 4 P’s. In the digital era of non-stop constant ads, we’re being bombarded with it. Every company has a strategy and if the budget allows, there is a mass amount of dollars being invested to get you to buy. Within 30 to 90 seconds, they have told you the following:
1. Product (what they’re selling)
2. Price (how much)
3. Place (where you can purchase)
4. Promotion (why it’s a special offer)

In this podcast, I go into explaining this a bit more. Even though we had some great episodes on marketing in the past, I wanted to break it down a bit more for those who want granular nuggets. To check out the other previous episodes, click below:
Marketing with Kent Lewis of Anvil Media
Online Marketing and Social Media
Marketing Campaigns and Channels Pt. 1
Marketing Campaigns and Channels Pt. 2

Click here to submit your iTunes review!

Dream Big,
N

Photo by Rodion Kutsaev on Unsplash

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  • nathanwebster
  • May 9, 2018

Home

My Business is Personal

Nathan A Webster

My Journey

The business acumen I've acquired throughout the years required many hours of the grind without any recognition, love or rewards. I ain't mad, because it taught me to rely on the finished product, results and outcomes. Throughout the passion of keeping my head down, I learned an incredible amount of invaluable knowledge that I won't sit on. I know firsthand how hard to work and not have access to resources. Hence, why I content comes from out of my rejection, humiliation and the succession of my businesses.

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Podcast Episodes

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Years in Business

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Years Fundraising

Our Social Entrepreneur Podcast

Published on iTunes and Soundcloud.

On Apple’s iTunes app, please go to the ratings and share your feedback. Please share any of the podcast episodes on social media, friends or email.

We want to hear from you. There shouldn’t be an Apple user who isn’t downloading social good onto their device, so why not us?!

CLICK HERE: Download on iTunes

We know Android users have to go an extra mile and have to download a podcasting app, and for that, we’re grateful to you.

You can download using SoundCloud. Please like, comment and share your feedback on any of the podcast episodes.

CLICK HERE: Download on SoundCloud

EXPERTISE

I've been blessed to experience leadership at high levels from different industries. One of the most valuable lessons I've learned is to always bring value to the table. Value comes from the experience of being the practitioner.

Multi-Functional

I've excelled in the US Marine Corps, corporate leadership, academia and self-employment.

Check Me Out

Producer

I've created profitable content, videos, business plans, and college curriculum.

Check Me Out

Author

I've written books for my nonprofit programs and aspiring nonprofit founders.

Check Me Out

Dowload on Soundcloud

For Android users, listen to Social Entrepreneur with Nathan A Webster.

Latest Articles

My articles of goodness, and other contributing authors.

May 19, 2019

Omnichannel Marketing

April 28, 2019

Why to Fail Forward

April 21, 2019

The Top 10 Effective Social Media Strategies in 2019

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Follow Your Why

Follow Your Why

Finding your why is not an easy thing to do. I struggled with this my whole entire life, and it requires soul-searching. As an entrepreneur, you have to embrace it else you won’t be successful.

I remember sitting in my class on the verge of dropping out of college because I was denied a computer science internship. This was the first time I applied for a position and was turned down. My background was “impressive and good” according to the interviewer, but he said, “you don’t have any experience.”

The dream of me becoming a computer scientist was fading away, which was the purpose of me going to school for the past three years. I couldn’t go back to the military, but I was also fed up with scraping by so this is when I began to chase my ‘why’ and became an entrepreneur.

Not everyone should be an entrepreneur so that’s not the route I’m telling you to take because we all have our own journey. I do suggest that you should follow your why.

In the podcast, I share my why. My experience with finding my brutal truth was painful. There’s nothing like thinking you’re on the right path to realize your trajectory is off.

As the saying goes, “hindsight is 20/20.”

Photo by Jan Kahánek on Unsplash

Click here to submit your iTunes review!

Don’t Settle- Dream Big,
N

 

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