Have you ever experienced that gut-wrenching feeling when you see your idea out there, but it wasn’t you who put it into the world? Did they steal your idea or were you just sitting on it? In this segment of officehrs, we’re navigating the murky waters of originality and understanding where ideas truly come from. We'll explore my personal journey with copycats, how to deal with them, how to identify the fine line between inspiration and imitation, and we’ll review the concept that no idea is truly original, inspired by Elizabeth Gilbert's insightful title, "Big Magic." In This Episode, We Discuss: My personal experience in dealing with copycats. The emotional toll and professional consequences of being copied. Effective methods for handling copycats. Industry trends and the difference between inspiration and imitation. The importance of professionalism, innovation, and community support. Strategies to act on ideas, overcome procrastination, and foster creativity. The concept that no idea is original. Chapters 0:00 Dealing with a Copycat on the Internet 3:20 Dealing with a Copycat in My Company 20:28 The Lesson I Needed to Learn 22:05 How to Tell When Someone is Copying Your Work 23:47: The Emotional and Professional Impact of Being Copied 27:17 Different Ways to Handle Copycats Effectively 29:08 The Importance of Maintaining Professionalism and Focusing on Your Own Growth 30:26 The Role of Trends 31:39: Defining the Fine Line Between Inspiration and Imitation 33:48 Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert & The Myth of Originality 36:54 How to Embrace and Nurture Your Ideas 39:06 Final Thoughts & Words of Encouragement Get the Making the Brand Workbook HERE Book a 1:1 officehrs session with Brittany of Not So CEO HERE Subscribe to the Not So CEO newsletter The Paper HERE Follow Not So CEO on Instagram and Tiktok

Navigating grief is never easy, especially when balancing the demands of life and work. In this heartfelt and enlightening episode, we sit down with Rachel Cargle, an Ohio-born writer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist whose impactful work at the intersection of race and womanhood has inspired many. Rachel shares her journey of finding grace and resilience amid personal loss, offering profound insights into how we can care for ourselves while supporting others and working through grief. Join us for an inspiring conversation filled with wisdom, compassion, and actionable advice on giving yourself grace while navigating the complexities of grief and professional life. About Rachel Rachel is an Ohio-born writer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Her work exists at the intersection of race and womanhood where she explores the question of what it means to be well in the world. This theme is written about in Her book A Renaissance of Our Own: A Memoir and Manifesto on Reimagining published in 2019 with Penguin RandomHouse. In 2019 she founded The Loveland Foundation, a community-focused non-profit that provides free access to mental health care for Black women and girls across the US providing over 72k hours of therapy to over 10k participants thus far. Her bookstore Elizabeth's Bookshop and Writing Centre lives in her hometown of Akron Ohio and exists as a community hub that works to highlight, promote, amplify, celebrate, and honor the work of writers who are often excluded from traditional cultural, social, and academic canons. Rachel lives between Akron, Ohio where she stewards her late grandmother's bungalow house on a hill, and Kingston, Jamaica where she stewards a home next to the river -- an ongoing reminder of just how sweet life can get. In This Episode, We Discuss: Rachel’s background and the interconnection between her entrepreneurial ventures. Practical approaches to managing grief and mental health while continuing to run and grow a business. Tips on giving yourself grace during difficult times and ensuring self-care while supporting others. How to foster strong, supportive communities that help navigate grief and mental health struggles. Encouragement and strategies for dealing with personal loss while achieving professional milestones. Follow Rachel and Her Ventures on Instagram Rachel Cargle The Loveland Foundation The Great Unlearn Rich Auntie Supreme Get the Making the Brand Workbook HERE Book a 1:1 officehrs session with Brittany of Not So CEO HERE Subscribe to the Not So CEO newsletter The Paper HERE Follow Not So CEO on Socials Instagram Tik Tok

In this episode, it’s time for officehrs and we’re delving into the one phrase that can make any creative or founder cringe, “Can I pick your brain over coffee?” Maybe early in your career, you said yes to every coffee date only to see how draining it is to have your brain picked over time constantly. There’s a difference between free game and free drain and we’re diving into the art of brain-picking from the perspective of both the brain picker and the brain pickee. In this episode, we discuss: Britt's personal experiences with having her brain picked. The impact of brain-picking on your time and energy as well as the emotional toll it takes on your well-being. How to set boundaries and find alternative ways to offer assistance while maximizing your time. The best practices on how to politely ask to pick someone's brain. Chapters 0:00 Intro to Episode 2:23 Personal Experiences 5:09 The Impact of Brain Picking on Your Time and Energy 6:03 The Importance of Setting Boundaries 6:32 Different Ways to Offer Help 8:16 How to Politely Ask to Pick Someone’s Brain 12:29 Conclusion Get the Making the Brand Workbook HERE Book a 1:1 officehrs session with Brittany of Not So CEO HERE Subscribe to the Not So CEO newsletter The Paper HERE Follow Not So CEO on Tiktok and Instagram @notsoceo

It’s time to take a chill pill. In this refreshing episode of the Not So CEO Talk Show, we sit down with Cyndi Ramirez-Fulton, the founder of Chillhouse, to explore how entrepreneurs can infuse self-care and wellness into their hectic lives. Cyndi shares her journey of creating a modern sanctuary for self-care, offering invaluable insights on maintaining balance, overcoming challenges, and building a distinctive brand in today's fast-paced world. About Cyndi Ramirez-Fulton Born and raised in New York City, Cyndi Ramirez-Fulton is the founder & CEO of self-care brand, Chillhouse. She is also the First Lady of the hospitality brand, The Garret Group, where her husband is the founding partner. Chillhouse was born when Ramirez-Fulton realized the city didn’t offer an aspirational massage place that was affordable. Reflecting on her upbringing as the daughter of an esthetician, Cyndi opened Chillhouse in 2017 in Manhattan’s Lower East Side and was immediately remarked as one of the most innovative wellness brands of that time. Chillhouse currently has a flagship in Soho that offers a spa service suite. In addition to its physical destination, Chillhouse has a line of products ranging from press-ons to body care. The brand is carried by Target, Saks, Urban Outfitters, Shopbop & more. Ramirez has been honored on Create & Cultivate's 100 list, WWD’s 40 of Tomorrow, Nylon’s Inventor of the Year, Guest of a Guest 20 Hottest CEOs, and has appeared in campaigns with Nike, Fossil, amongst others. Additionally, she has been featured in Vogue, the Drew Barrymore Show, Forbes, CNN, WWD, Arch Digest, and more. She splits her time between Manhattan & Miami with her husband and their kids Hendrix and Stevie. In This Episode, We Discuss: Cyndi’s background and what led her to become an entrepreneur. How Cyndi developed Chillhouse’s unique blend of wellness and self-care, and its importance in today's fast-paced world. Defining, identifying, and resonating with your target market. Strategies for balancing work and personal life, and advice for other entrepreneurs on integrating wellness into their routines. Insights and tips on raising capital to grow your business. Advice on creating a distinctive brand identity and standing out in a competitive industry. Follow Cyndi & Chillhouse on Instagram Grab the Making the Brand Workbook HERE. Book a 1:1 officehrs session with Brittany of Not So CEO HERE. Subscribe to the Not So CEO newsletter The Paper HERE Follow Not So CEO on Instagram and Tiktok

Your mental health is your wealth. In this inspiring episode of the Not So CEO Talk Show, we sit down with the remarkable Priscilla O. Agyeman, MPH, to delve into her journey as a creative entrepreneur and mental health advocate. Priscilla is the founder of Saddie Baddies™, a virtual safe space dedicated to destigmatizing mental health and promoting collective healing among Black and multiracial communities. Join us as we explore the story behind Saddie Baddies™, the challenges and triumphs of building a community-centered brand, and the importance of mental health awareness in entrepreneurship. About Priscilla O. Agyeman, MPH: Priscilla O. Agyeman, MPH (she/her) is a dynamic creative entrepreneur, digital strategist, and thought leader. She is the founder of Saddie Baddies™, a platform committed to bridging the gap between mental health awareness and minority communities through digital discourse, podcasts, workshops, live events, and creative collaborations. With a Bachelor's degree in Biology from St. John's University and a Master's in Public Health in Global Health from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Priscilla's academic and professional background is deeply rooted in community care and mental health advocacy. She has conducted pioneering research on the mental health of children detained at the U.S.-South Texas border and uses her platform to discuss critical public health issues like Black maternal health, social justice, and gender-based violence. In This Episode, We Discuss: Priscilla’s background, what led her to become an entrepreneur, and the creation of Saddie Baddies™. The importance of normalizing conversations about mental and emotional health. Cultivating and nurturing a community and its role in the business model. Strategies and resources for managing stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges while growing a business. Staying true to your mission while growing and incorporating social impact into your business. Follow Priscilla & Saddie Baddies on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/priscilla.o.agyeman/ https://www.instagram.com/saddie_baddies/ https://www.instagram.com/thesoftlifepod/ Follow Not So CEO on Instagram⁠ https://www.instagram.com/notsoceo⁠ Subscribe to the Not So CEO newsletter The Paper https://notsoceo.substack.com/

It’s time for officehrs and we're diving deep into how "Perfectionism is a Form of Procrastination". We'll discuss how waiting for the perfect moment, over-planning, and constantly comparing yourself to others can hold you back. We’ll also cover the signs of perfectionism paralysis and share practical tips on how to combat it.

On this episode of the Not So CEO Talk Show, we're having Water Cooler Convo with Yasmine Jameelah. A CEO, Founder, wellness advocate, and multimedia journalist creating healing spaces for the Black community through her wellness collective Transparent & Black, which has a reach of over 5 million Black women. This Jersey native's work has been featured by Nike, ASICS, McDonald’s TPH By Taraji, Oprah Daily, Essence Magazine, BET, The New York Times, and more. With over 10+ years of community-building experience, Yasmine dedicates herself to reclaiming space for the marginalized. I got the chance to catch up with Yasmine on all things work and wellness just in time for Mental Health Awareness Month. Pour up and join us for some Water Cooler Convo.

In this conversation, we’re in great company with Taylor Baldwin who you may know as Mama Photog and if you don’t know who Mama Photog is, then you might want to get familiar. From her resonant storytelling to her perspective behind the lens, Taylor Baldwin is a visionary capturing the essence of Black women being on and off camera. Specializing in photography, video, and content creation her impactful work is shifting and shaping narratives for the misrepresented with beauty, grace, style, and authenticity. Taylor’s notable approach to film has been spotted in publications like Essence, CRWN Mag, W Magazine, Refinery 29, Complex, and many more. A mother first and creative second, Taylor is a breath of fresh air with her unwavering vulnerability, taking us on an intimate journey of the ups and downs in her single and lover girl eras. In the current midst of a pivot, she shows us that she’s more than just a mama behind the camera, but a multidimensional creative who’s basking in the bliss of curating a place called “Home”.

To have successful friendships, you need to be your friend first. Join me as I sit down with Content Strategist and Beauty Influencer @bigspiritenergy while uncovering the importance of developing your vibe to attract friendships and relationships in alignment with the best version of yourself. In this episode, we deep dive into:  Defining your vibe.  What to do when you're the problem.  Taking back control of your life, energy, and emotions.  Defining relationships and friendships.  Categorizing your friend groups.  Red flags and green flags in relationships.  What to do when a friendship turns toxic.  How do you take care of yourself during a breakup, and how to heal?  How to move forward and build better relationships, circles, and communities? Download the FREE Your Vibe Attracts Your Tribe Workbook: https://bit.ly/3RcdTZu

Just in case you need a refresher once in a blue moon, this officehrs episode is here to remind you that the B in Business Stands for Boundaries. Just like our personal relationships can impact our well-being, so can our professional ones. In this short episode, host Brittany A. deep dives into: Defining the term boundary and the different types.  How boundaries show up in business and our day-to-day. Signs you may have poor business boundaries. The boundaries you should create in your business to create balance in your life.