Category Archives: Mompreneur

The Fundamentals of Why I Chose An “Inclusive” Brand

Posted in Mary Kay, Mompreneur, Moms, Self-care, Uncategorized by

I don’t often bring up race or race relations. From the bottom of my heart I believe that people can be united if they are taught. I believe in a bright future. My hubby and I have raised our children to see people for who they really are – not the color of their skin. So don’t get me wrong, I’m not deviating from my normal everyday path. But I wanted to answer this question. And I thought, no better time than the present, what with it being February and all.

Why do I represent a beauty brand that isn’t “black-owned”?

It’s a loaded question and so I must give the full answer. First, I purchase many many beauty brands. My hair products are exclusively black-owned, and I support as many small, Women of Color (WOC) owned businesses as I possibly can. Second, as a woman entrepreneur, I am thrilled to be able to decide what is good for my life and for my own business. This is so empowering after all those years in Corporate America, when I was unable to able to decide much of anything. But third, and most important, is this:

Mary Kay had a huge vision for her company. She invited everyone to the table.

When WOC were only being invited to cook for the table, set the table, serve the table, and clean the table, Mary Kay saved a place for Black women. She invited them to pull up a chair and actually BE at the table. My mom never had a Mary Kay business, but even as a kid you know when you see something special. I was watching.


I remember my mom using this product when I was a little girl. I didn’t know who owned it and of course I didn’t care. I would see her putting on eye cream and night cream every evening without fail. Even though we never had excess, she was usually in a pretty nightgown with a satin robe. She was slow about it. Deliberate. It was a ritual I didn’t understand – but I loved watching it. Regardless of what her day was like, she got in a little self-care. In the era of Good Times and What’s Happening! those words weren’t used yet, but the actions made an impact. On my mother and on the little girl watching. Me. Over the years the colors, the products and the business have grown up and reached out, not just for women of darker skin or lighter skin, but for everyone in between.

Right now, when women and the families they support need it the most, Mary Kay (the company) has reached out once again. By giving women the chance to start a business with drive, determination, and only $30, the table is expanded and there is more room than ever before. To add to that, a few months ago, the Purpose Power Index named Mary Kay among the most powerful purpose-driven brands in the U.S. They have far more “feel-good” initiatives than I can detail. This brand has programs to support victors of domestic and date violence, has given millions for cancer research, supports literacy, assures that the products are safe, and is intent on being as green as possible. Did you notice I didn’t mention anything about winning cars or fancy trips or all the millions that some women have earned? That’s all true too, but it didn’t factor into my decision. Those are just perks. Of course, no company is perfect, but when I looked at the track record, I had to stick around!

Why do I represent this brand? Because Mary Kay is not for only black women or brown women or white women or for ONLY any combination of colors or cultures. Mary Kay includes ALL women. And THAT aligns with my values.


If you have never tried the MK brand and would like to have a spa experience with me right from the comfort of your home, let me pamper you and help you get your self-care in, no matter what. I definitely have space for you at my table. To schedule an appointment, text SELFCARE to 443-583-3670.

Princess of Positivity®, Chatone Morrison has a Mary Kay business and loves to share both the products and the business opportunity with women who are ready to shine.  She believes that you can absolutely release negativity so positivity can reign in your brain, in your business and in your big beautiful life. Visit Website

Chatone is the author of the book FATT & Happy, a self-coaching course and journal for women, and a Content Strategist & Confidence Coach for Women Entrepreneurs.  She is the owner of Chatone Morrison Consulting and the founder of The Confident Content Cafe, specializing in content creation, confidence coaching, consulting and strategy for women-owned small businesses.  She is a highly creative, high energy, heart-led, coach, consultant, mentor, leader, speaker and author, and she is absolutely passionate about helping her clients to script their unique stories, know their niche and find their voice, systematize their message and move past the negativity so they can confidently sell their services on and off-line. 

To apply for a strategy session with Chatone, go to bit.ly/contentkickstartcall or visit chatonemorrison.com.

What Is Your Sweet Spot?

Posted in family, inspiration, Mompreneur, Uncategorized, WRITING INFORMATION by

macaroonTip #7:How can you create more confident content and tell your story with greater clarity?

Find your sweet spot. Knowing it and knowing it well will forever change how you position yourself in your life and business.  It’s like your own “best of” album.  Clearly interweaving the best of all of you is what makes your clients come back.  Not sure how to find yours? Think about this:

  • What is the core message that you can’t wait to share?
  • What is that topic that you can talk endlessly about no matter what?
  • What is that passion-filled conversation that you always want to have, even when you are exhausted?
  • Why did you start your business?

Your sweet spot is that “thing” that you are stoked to talk about, write about, present about, regardless of audience size.  Reaching even just one person gets you stoked, because you know it’s making difference.

Every business owner has a sweet spot.  Finding it and letting it shine as often as possible is the difference between a little confidence and a LOT.  Which would you rather have?

As a mompreneur, girlboss, super-wifey, example of all things powerful and positive energy for your family, you cannot just allow how you share your message to be flat!  And you definitely cannot allow comparing yourself with someone else to keep you from finding your best voice.  Your album is meant to be purchased, and even if the concert is small at first, there is a standing ovation on the way for your sweet spot – your greatest hit!

Do you feel that your content is boring, stale, and losing it’s edge? Do you just have plain old writer’s block?  Go on back to your sweet spot to regain your confidence.  This is the WHY behind your business and you audience is waiting for it!

Want to know my other top tips for clear and confident content regardless of your platform of choice?  Check out my Instagram feed:  instagram.com/realprincessofpositivity

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As a small biz owner, are you reluctant to tell your brand story on livestream?  Are you gripped with uncertainty at the suggestion of using IGTV, YouTube or creating edited video?  Do you get sweaty palmed when you think about scripting daily social media posts, your next blog, or  your “about me” page or bio?  No need. Helping you lose the negativity while finding your voice and letting your positivity reign, is what I do best. Get on my calendar for a free 20-minute catalyst session.  Together we can do this. 

Do You Have a Mrs. Working For You?

Posted in balance, Mompreneur, Moms, Strategy, Vision by

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Whatever you have going on today just remember that it probably doesn’t look as hard as it really is. Yeah…I said that. Because it’s true. We often hear the opposite as a motivator. But in reality much of what we face and have to get done as business owners, moms, wives, mentors, coaches, (and the list goes on) ain’t at all easy!!  YOU make it look easy. You are there subtly applying the gifts you have to the cause without even thinking about it and because of YOU it’s totally different. 

As  you start  your day remember this:  No one knows your exact struggle so it might be a good idea to stop expecting folks to get “it”.   The real question isn’t about them anyway.  Do YOU get it?  Instead of looking for others to acknowledge what you are doing and have done, create a best relationship with yourself.  Every working woman could use a wife…so become your own MRS. – Motivational Reward System. 

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Balloons just make me happy… 🎈🎈🎈

 

The WHY is simple. What you do deserves noticing. What you slay should be celebrated. At the very least someone should be saying “Thanks, let me cover a latté for you”.  Something…

Think about this:

1. How often do you relegate your challenges to simply: “it is what it is”, and then keep it moving?

2. What is one thing you could give yourself TODAY that would make a difference?

3.  How will you feel after you enjoy that activity?

4. Why haven’t you started yet!?

You may not have every answer you need at every single moment. But when you make a decision to reward yourself in even the smallest of ways you begin to create a balance for all that you are making happen – because you and I both know you are a BOSS!

For me that means creating motivational and inspirational content. It’s what I’m known for in print and video. Want some every day?  Join me in the Confidence Catalyst Academy for only one payment for the entire year! tuition Right Now!  

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As a small biz owner, are you reluctant to tell your brand story on livestream?  Are you gripped with uncertainty at the suggestion of using IGTV, YouTube or creating edited video?  Do you get sweaty palmed when you think about scripting daily social media posts, your next blog, or  your “about me” page or bio?  No need. Helping you lose the negativity while finding your voice and letting your positivity reign, is what I do best. Get on my calendar for a free 20-minute catalyst session.  Together we can do this.  

 

Take 5! How To Make A Good Day Great Without Even Trying

Posted in inspiration, Mompreneur, Perspective, Uncategorized by

 

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I’m happier when I take a few moments to focus on what’s good.

For the last few years I have been taking a moment to focus on something really small and really good every day. Yesterday this photo was taken during one of these moments. 

It’s more than just gratitude. Acknowledging the good stuff, however minor, and being thankful is an energy changer.  A mindset shifter.

In 2012 hubby and I decided it made sense for me to leave Corporate HR and Training communications behind. It was the right decision but the shift in routine and a series of illnesses threw me for a loop. Anything like that ever happen to you?  I was accustomed to feeling great and serving others and feeling relatively happy, then suddenly it was all gone. Even though I was busy concentrating on getting well, it was almost unbearable.  I had to think of something. Scaling back from trying to find my perfect life and instead working to embrace the present was a much better choice.

A little later I started keeping a list of 5 things each day that I loved or experienced or appreciated or enjoyed. The rule I set was I couldn’t make the list in advance (I cheated a few times) and I would take 1 minute to just reflect on each of the 5 things.  Guess what?  It was magical.

I put the list on my original blog with the goal of recording 3000 positive memories and experiences. I invited others to participate. It was beautiful how a few moments spent mining for gratefulness changed me and those around me.  That’s why I always hashtag “focus and take time”.

Daily we simply cannot “overcome” all the difficult people and encounters or inner feelings we meet. But we can use the law of substitution to shrink the present negative circumstances.  Just by creating this simple practice and teaching others how to do it got my is shift in gear. 5 little thoughts are amazing when you want to quickly move the energy in an otherwise negative room.  Or yourself.

Mining yesterday was easy. I took off my consultant hat and put down the laptop and toured a historic factory in upstate New York with my family. I found so many but here are just 5:

Construction workers waving hello

Huge red-orange Flowers

Meeting Matilde from France 9B2F09D8-D9ED-4F79-8BCF-6EBC533744AB

Groundhogs in the garden

Ice cream sandwiches by the fire truck

Try this. Focus and take time. Challenge your employees and teams and kids and spouse and self.  Who knows what might make tomorrow’s list? 

We pass treasures every single day. Be determined to see them. 

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As a small biz owner, are you reluctant to tell your brand story on livestream?  Are you gripped with uncertainty at the suggestion of using IGTV, YouTube or creating edited video?  Do you get sweaty palmed when you think about scripting daily social media posts, your next blog, or  your “about me” page or bio?  No need. Helping you lose the negativity while finding your voice is what I do best. Get on my calendar for a free 20-minute catalyst session.  Together we can do this.  

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Introduce Your “Yes” And Your “No” To Each Other – They Make A Perfect Couple

Posted in balance, Children, Mompreneur, Moms, Uncategorized, What's A Positive Mom To Do by

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It’s pure and simple like grade school math. The old fashioned kind. Before common core and base 10. Just the basic method of rote memorization.  Flash cards and carrying the one. For every yes there is a corresponding no. Period. Point. Blank. We keep thinking that there must be a way around it, but there is none to be found. 

As a mompreneur with two businesses this formula sometimes gets in the way.  I get caught in the yes and yes syndrome. Or the no, but syndrome.  Both end super moms and super wives in a cliff hanger of, “how in the world I am going to do all of that?”

Especially when one of my kids is involved, all bets are off.  I don’t know about you, but I think we have a way of making the  impossible suddenly feel possible.  We do what we otherwise cannot do.  It’s yes and yes all the way.  That is until we can’t.  When we have to realize that one strong defiant yes does not always have to be married to another strong defiant yes.  More often that not, our strong yes must establish a courtship with a loving No, thank you.

For the last 3 months, my life has been a series of yes and yes.  Nothing too difficult that I couldn’t handle it, right?  Sure thing.  That is until I found myself sleeping in the park 4 miles from home because I was too tired to get there safely.  And then again a few weeks later, when I had to take a 20 minute nap, (relaxation music, essential oils and all) in the radiology parking lot across town.  Uh-oh…something is out of balance.

Almost 30 years ago, during a routine exam one of my doctors saw what they now know to be the sprinkles of CFS.  Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.  I didn’t have it, but I had the “factor”, whatever that meant.  I went on the hunt and became embroiled in natural practitioners and healthy eating.  Before long, positive thinking, affirmations and gratitude edged its way into my life and finally coaching and eventually leaving my day job to pursue more balance.  It was a long process, but now after 6 years, launching my confidence and positivity coaching business coupled with Mary Kay, things make more sense.  I know what I’m doing.   Sure thing.  That is until I get over tired and keep pushing.

But what about  kids?  That is a yes and yes proposition always, right?  Nope. In order to be our best to our everyone; hubbies, kids, career, etc. we have to allow yes to get into a relationship with no – date, get engaged, and eventually marry.  It is only once we embrace the truth that saying yes to any single thing is saying no to something else, that balance even comes into view.IMG_2652

Take last night as an example.  Darling daughter had her third doctor appointment in 2 days and it just so happened to be in the middle of the height of traffic and over an hour away.  Hubby would be at worship with my son so that meant I would go and hold down the fort.  Pull my weight.  Do my share.  In the words of Nike, “Just Do It”.  Except in reality it wasn’t in me.  The sprinkle was becoming a wave last evening and I needed to slow down to a drastic halt and let the yes of her appointment become the exclusive one and only  lover of the no to my driving.  I didn’t see it, but dear husband did.  Because I’m a high creative, and I live in gratitude, I wrote this while I rode last night.

Tonight I watched a sunset while riding and felt sheer bliss. The rush hour traffic was slow-going and thick. We had an appointment that could not be missed. Stress had lifted a heavy hand as if it would never withdraw. But as I sat in the back seat all I felt was peace. 

Earlier in the day my soul love partner offered to cancel his plans and drive us. My immediate response was no.  His day had been equally challenging and as a wife I like doing my share. And I can handle it.  Tonight though would have been too much.  He knew before I did that saying yes and no must coexist.  They are the exact same value on a bill that needs to be paid on time.  Everytime. 

Tonight I was reminded that being a ‘super mom’ and ‘super wife’ has limits.

Positivity is not a substitute for waning power.  

Confidence does not trump Self-Care. 

Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is sit behind the driver and watch the sun fall.

So there it is.  Yes and No in a beautiful relationship that each confident woman needs to embrace if she will slay the servant, wifey and career/momtrepreneur game.  I’m not yet asking you to run out and ask for loads of help.  That might be too jarring.  That kind of levelheadedness takes time!  But if it’s been far too long since you allowed yourself to receive a hand up, it’s time.  Just say Yes…and No.

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Are you a make it happen woman in public,  who is hiding behind a facade of confidence? Could you benefit from support around your mindset, body image, motivation and self-talk in private?  Are you ready to ease your way into releasing your negativity so your positivity can reign?  I’d love to help you up level your game.

Complete the questionnaire to apply for a free 20-minute strategy session with me.  http://bit.ly/Ready-now

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Three Ways to Find Grace Even On the Craziest of Days

Posted in Grace, Mompreneur, Moms, Strategy, Stress by

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Chatone Morrison    “Princess of Positivity”

The painters came today.  Again.  They are neat.  Tidy.  They don’t play obnoxious music while they work.  They don’t even whistle.  They don’t curse or say misogynistic things to Katelin (my 14-year-old daughter).  They don’t leave food wrappers in the house or outside on the lawn.  They are great.  Really, really great.

The problem is there is a film of dust all over the house.  Despite the terribly noisy vacuum that is supposed to make the paint and dust spores disappear into the thin air…which is totally ironic because the air is so thick with dust it’s completely impossible to see if it’s even working!  But they are nice guys.  And they are neat.  I’m supposed to be happy.

Here’s the thing.  I can’t cook.  There is a 6 foot tall silk Ficus tree in my kitchen.  Oh, and the recliner, and the loveseat and my latest Mary Kay inventory boxes, and a science experiment, and 3 lamps.  The kitchen table is up against the island, the island is covered in the same film described above and did I mention there is no dinner?!

Junior is running through the house sliding on the dust residue, in between itching,  seems to have an allergic reaction to not being able to breathe…go figure.  And my girl is rolling her eyes so far into her head she just might be blind and no one told me.  The noise from the scraping and the vacuum and the ladders and 6 dudes, is deafening.  I cannot hear my thoughts.  In fact I might be slipping into the realm of the brain dead.  (OK, that might be over the top…but you know what I’m saying!)

Days like this come and we moms can sink into the pit of despair.  Little triggers all over the house and even though we are rocking it out, suddenly we don’t see it.  Suddenly eating a box of chocolate ice cream or a huge pot of spaghetti straight from the pot seems like a good idea.  But don’t do it.  Don’t believe the hype.  There is a better way.

  1. Go Outside – It’s fall here in Maryland and the days are super crisp and pretty.  If it’s crazy inside, go outside!  That’s simple right?  Duh…why didn’t you think of it?  You did!  You just didn’t do it.  We always know what we should do.  We are smart women.  Of course we know.  The problem is we don’t act.  We substitute a logical action for an intuitive one.  When it’s crazy inside, follow your gut.  Go Outside!
  2. Count – Yep.  Just count.  There is some neuroscience behind this one…but I don’t want to overwhelm you with my amazing expertise. (ha ha) Suffice it to say it’s like having your brain go outside for a moment.  The counting helps you redirect.  Center.  Get out of the crazy for just a moment.  Then you can focus on doing what you need.
  3. Just One Thing – Well the fun can’t last forever.  After you clear your mind outside;  then center your focus to unclutter your thoughts, it’s time to find one thing that will make a difference.  Perhaps that’s clearing off just one counter.  Or picking up the socks on the couch.  Or making a salad for dinner.  Or calling one client to do a little service check.  Or following up on one hot email.  It doesn’t really matter what you choose.  Just choose a good one so that you can feel the sense of accomplishment.

Honestly girlfriend, in the midst of the madness…in the middle of whatever crazy you have going on, just go with the simplest strategy to help you get through.  You already know that this day too shall pass.  Being graceful and easy on yourself as it does, is priceless.

Rock On Ladies!

Chatone Morrison – 11/16/2016

Connect with me!

Facebook:  @chatonemorrisonmk or @chatonemorrisonconsulting

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Looking for a Coach? Check me out at:  ChatoneMorrison.com