God and the fortune is in the details, so follow up and follow through
For many believers, our lives are not about what you want but more so about what God has planned for you. The longer you live, you realize that you are on a spiritual journey with God as your tour guide existing mainly in the details.
Recently, I attended the Annual Odyssey Media Retreat as 1 of 9 Keys to Success panelists. I was made aware of this retreat by my mentor/friend. He said, “Odyssey Media would award $25,000.00 each to four Black Female Business Owners to contribute to the success of their business.”
I had never considered getting funding for 0, but God was in the details. Therefore, in this edition of On the Scene, I am sending the elevator back down with information.
Through my Odyssey journey, I learned that African-American female business owners have limited access to investment capital, and these racial and gender funding discrepancies are well documented facts. In fact, according to Refinery29.com “a 2014 report from the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship found that even though women accounted for 30% of all small businesses owners, they received only 4.4% of small business loans and capital.” Translation: we are given $1 of every $23 given out. Yet, it’s safe to say that we supernaturally create jobs, help sustain local and global economies and our community outreach crosses color, gender and religious backgrounds.
Odyssey Media showed us nine finalists what it looks like when #BlackGirlMagic becomes #BlackWomanPower. Sitting amongst 500 plus women, my soul overflowed with inspiration. Please google: Kim Blackwell, CEO of PMM; Linda Clemons, Body Language & Sales Expert; Terrez Thompson of Coca Cola; and Linda Spradling Dunn, CEO of Odyssey Media to name a few.
Dunn said, “Crystal, you are me, 19 years ago. Keep going.” To this day, I am convinced that Mrs. Dunn is an angel sent by God to encourage me to remain standing despite every obstacle, roadblock, failure and closed door.
Family, I didn’t win the $25,000.00 grand prize, but how about the runners up received $5,000.00 each!!! The $25,000.00 winners were: Florence Furaha; Tamara Tunrer; Stevonne Ratliff and Kimberly Wilson and the $5000.00 winners along with myself were Yashica McKinney; Jennifer Lyle; Kimberly Wilson and Baricka Edwards As a runner up, you know I had to send the elevator back down to say if we can stand just in faith just a little longer, God has a way of revealing our untapped super powers.
After getting over my excuses and insecurities, I completed the Odyssey application in the midnight hours, moments before the deadline. I was one of nine finalist selected to participate in the business pitch competition, and as a runner up, I came to terms with God’s master planning. He strategically placed me in a position where I could remind my readers that God is in the details, so follow up and follow through. Now it’s your turn to send the elevator down.
Crystal Chanel— Press Release Marketing, LLC — Event Hosting – Marketing – Public Relations
www.justpressrelease.com — @PressReleaseLLC on Instagram
