Charliette Cummings’ Post

Reflecting on pivotal moments in my career journey, one stands out vividly – the moment I purchased F.W. Haxel LLC. As I walked through the warehouse, I came across a banner displaying a famous quote by Theodore Roosevelt that resonated deeply with me: “Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.” It embodied the spirit of entrepreneurship through acquisition, inspiring me to leave the comfort of corporate America behind and take the leap into ownership. Leaving the familiar terrain of corporate structures was daunting, but it was also an exhilarating opportunity to chart my own course. It wasn't just about financial risk; it was about embracing the opportunity to lead, innovate, and shape the future of F.W. Haxel. The journey since then has been marked by challenges and triumphs, but above all, it's been incredibly rewarding. Today I'm filled with gratitude for the team at F.W. Haxel, whose dedication and hard work have been instrumental in our growth and success. Together, we've navigated through uncertainties, embraced change, and forged ahead with a shared vision of excellence. Here's to the journey.

Exactly this time last year Black Business Magazine was just an idea on a piece of paper that I’d been thinking about for the past 15 years. 15 years ago I launched a magazine 🚀 Then the following month we were hit by a recession The publishing industry collapsed We didn’t make it past Issue 02 I felt like such a failure But for 15 years I was always think what if??? 15 years later, same dream, different vision 15 years ago, I lacked the business knowledge, confidence and experience I needed to ride the waves of economic uncertainty 15 years ago, I didn’t know how to pivot I knew my weaknesses but did nothing about it Now I know how to leverage my strengths 9 months ago we launched a magazine in 6 weeks Because I had 15 years of experience, knowledge and skills. 15 years of Successes and failure 15 years of Learning and unlearning But also because I knew it wouldn’t happen if I did it alone I needed a co-founder who would bring the right skills and expertise to the table, that was needed to make this dream a reality. I was blessed to find a co-founder and CEO in Dr Tru Powell A 10 minute conversation aligned our shared vision to platform Black entrepreneurs in a way that mainstream media have never done before. Two meetings later we had our first 5 figure deal 9 months later, we’ve built a 6-figure business Never underestimate the power of partnerships. We worked together and secured brand partnerships We haven’t even touch the surface of our vision and plans for the future. We also know that: For every 10 people that congratulate you, there will be one person complaining. Not everyone will support your dreams Everyone has an opinion, but not everyone’s opinion matters Know that timing is everything Choose your business partners wisely. Build a team And more importantly, don’t give up on your daydream What dream are you sitting on that you want to come true this year??? #businesspartner #businessstartup #businesstips #businessstrategist #brandpartner #partnerships

The good days need to be celebrated. I have learned in the last 5.5 years that every once in a while there is a good day when building a business. They are typically WAY outnumbered by the grinding days, by the “what just happened” days, and by the “can we start over” days. But the good days are what we keep going for. Yesterday: - we got awarded 2 new projects (that we have been working on for months) - sent out 1 new SOW to a highly interested new client (through a partnership the team has been forging for years) - sent out 2 extensions to two happy clients (relationships that we have prioritized and provided results for) - worked on 4 new proposals- some with return clients and some with brand new. (marketing and sales efforts work) - received 3 new amazing leads (through partnerships and relationships built and fostered over the years) It was a big day that was a result of 1) years of work 2) great people on the Wonder Services team 3) and many bad days Building a business in a nutshell. Do the work. Trust the journey. Build a great team. Celebrate the wins. Celebrating today by watching some college football, building my new Blackstone griddle grill, and planting some flowers. (Oh and recording some new videos….because the work never stops!)

"Being wealthy wasn't the same as being rich," tristan walker, founder of Walker & Company Brands, Inc., realized this at an elite boarding school, a far cry from his childhood in the projects of Queens. This realization ignited a fire within him, a relentless pursuit of purpose and impact, a journey that led him to redefine ambition. Driven by an early desire for wealth, Tristan's path meandered through Wall Street, a place he found "empty," before a layoff propelled him to Stanford University. Here, he discovered the transformative power of technology, a world where young minds were reshaping reality. This sparked Tristan's entrepreneurial spirit. His journey with Foursquare, a location-based app, fueled his understanding of business growth and consumer engagement. But his defining moment came with Bevel, a men's grooming brand addressing the unique needs of men of color. He faced skepticism from investors who couldn't grasp the problem he was solving, but Tristan's unwavering belief in his mission propelled him forward. Bevel's success culminated in its acquisition by Procter & Gamble in 2018, a move that solidified Tristan's impact and allowed him to reach billions. Yet, for him, it wasn't about the exit or the financial gain. In a 2019 interview, he shared that his definition of ambition had shifted. "The thing that I care most about is being a virtuous human," he declared, emphasizing the importance of setting an example for his sons and prioritizing values over mere wealth. As of 2019, Tristan was leading Walker & Company Brands, Inc. from Atlanta, committed to building a lasting legacy of service and representation. His story is a testament to resilience, faith, and the unwavering pursuit of purpose, proving that true riches lie not just in financial success, but in the impact one makes on the world. Source: https://lnkd.in/eX7ivPnw #HowIBuiltThis #TristanWalker #WalkerandCompany #Bevel #ShavingProducts #BlackCEO #NPR

I’ve gone through hundreds of Black professionals’ LinkedIn profiles… And I’m disappointed in my people. I don’t see enough of us disrupting industries; on the frontlines of change; doing the work that truly MATTERS. Companies can create wealth… But is that all it’s about? 🤔 Money? Companies also innovate and solve world problems. And I’m not talking about nonprofits. I’m talking about companies that make major cash💰 for solving huge problems in society. FAANG companies, or even Fortune 500 companies, are not the only companies that pay well. You can make BANK 🏦, and still make a huge difference. (For example: midsized and startups in the healthTech/finTech realms.) And I’m not saying that you can’t make a difference at the companies where you’re currently at… Yes, you can make a difference working at KPMG, Nike, or McDonalds….WHEREVER. And you can also use that money to invest in your community… But are you ready to do something bold and change the world? Ready to be a maverick, a trailblazer, a pioneer? #changemakers #innovate #riskandreward #mavericks 

2023 was the year I stretched myself. I wrestled with myself. I pushed myself. And my clients and my team held it down every step of the way. 2023 was the year I understood the power of gratitude. It was the year resilience became a muscle I exercised daily. 2023 put me in the center of my community and made me fail while learning to embrace failure all at once. We increased revenue by 10%, hired an assistant, became MBE certified and joined amazing organizations like NAWBO Dallas/Ft. Worth Chapter and the Entreprenista League. This journey is anything but easy, but I love the woman I am becoming in the process. Here's to setting goals, breaking rules and designing life on your terms: www.mycaraquel.consulting #womanownedbusiness #blackmarketers #mycaraquelconsulting

We're committed to being an inclusive retailer where every colleague can fulfill their potential. As part of our efforts, we launched 'Thrive with [Company Name]', an incubator program for Black-led businesses. Through this program, we provide funding and support to help these brands succeed. We're proud to see three new Black-owned and founded brands hit our shelves, and we continue to support all the brands involved. If you're looking to work for a company that values diversity and supports Black entrepreneurs, we invite you to explore opportunities with us. #InclusiveRetail #BlackHistoryMonth #ThriveWithSainsburys #SupportBlackOwnedBusinesses #DiversityandInclusion #JoinUs #DiversityandInclusion #BlackHistoryMonth #SupportingBlackOwnedBusinesses #InclusiveEnvironment #CulturalHeritage #CareerOpportunities

*** What Would You Do If You Had Your Dream Team? *** The saying "If you want to go fast, go alone but if you want to go far, go together" is still very true. Great partnerships have built great products and services that serve our world significantly today. Take for instance; Markus Villig and his team built Bolt, Shola Akinlade and his team gave us Paystack, and LinkedIn by Reid Hoffman would not have been possible without a team. These founders and pioneers, though very intelligent, could not have gone as far as they did without the support of a great team. Whatever you are working on can take a new height if you have the right people working with you. I believe Steve Jobs's words should be held dear now more than ever, your idea can be much better from a different perspective. Do you agree? #teamworkmakesthedreamwork #buildingexcellence #collaborativeleadership #partnershipsmatter

I am a connector. A venture activist as I’d like to call it. Being the child of retired ARMY veterans taught me how to stay connected with people very early. No matter what we look like, where we come from, nor where we’re going, Clara Brown showed me how to stay genuinely connected to people no matter what. As a founder, I’ve found that being a connector is one of my top 5 traits. The past few years, I’ve been extremely blessed to create organizations like Black Marketers Coalition and CultureMRx to connect Black marketing and market researchers around the globe. It is my honor to do so - and all for free! These communities have rippled throughout the world - I’ve seen mentors help mentees land their first roles, small businesses getting a chance to work with enterprises, friendships form, speaking gigs and awards coming to fruition, and so much more. This is diversity - and not just because we’re Black..it’s more than that. Our ethnicities, education, lived experiences, and so much more has catapulted our members to success. Now, thankfully, these groups are on autopilot and can stand strong as I make a necessary pivot. Over the next year (or so..), I’ve decided to do some introspective work to connect with myself, God, and partners that can help me achieve my personal and professional goals. As industry leaders, and leaders within our communities, we all have to take steps back to take steps up. We have to restore in order to give. We have to challenge ourselves to understand if our needs are the same and if they are being met. We have to live. I say all this to say, connectors you’ve got to stay focused. After all you’ve given to others, ask yourself how much you’ve given to yourself. Listen to yourself. Give to yourself. And connect with yourself. Activate YOUR venture, and better yet - let’s do it together! See how, at www.924coop.com Have a great Pre-Friday, yall! #foundersjourney #connector #learning #leadership #databae

It’s incredibly easy to overlook your progress. That’s why capturing your achievements – large and small - makes a huge difference. At Fire Memos, we encourage you to take a moment at the end of each month to discuss 3 wins. They might be significant. They might be small. But they matter. When I reflect on the past month, these are 3 moments that made me smile: 🚀 Welcoming Nora Khalili to our team as an advisor. 🎙️ Sharing our startup journey in an interview with Black Enterprise Magazine. 🙌🏾 Receiving this wonderful testimonial from Jasmin Moreno, Director of Innovation and Partnerships at iMentor. Fire Memos provides a scalable solution to support career growth, ensuring every employee receives the coaching they need to thrive. Want to see how it works? Let’s set up a demo👇🏾