Madison Magazine’s Post

In 1996 I was 11 year old. After school, I'd hop on two city buses and head home to an empty apartment. Well, not entirely empty—my faithful cat was there to greet me. My mom worked nights at a diner in Brooklyn, so she'd prepare dinner in the morning for me to warm up when I got home. By 3 PM, I'd be settled on the couch with a bowl of cereal, catching up on Gargoyles while starting my homework. Full House or The Fresh Prince kept me company at dinner time around 5 PM, and then it was off to wash dishes and prep my mom's coffee for the next morning. That routine lasted a good three years and it was lonely. It definitely wasn't the childhood I wanted for my daughter! I worked hard to ensure she had dinner with me every night, some sense of family, and most importantly, my presence. Fast forward to Covid, and suddenly I had the chance to reinvent our lives. Remote work seemed like the answer, but everyone said I lacked the experience. Then came those emails about becoming a VA—sounded too good to be true at first, but I took the leap and invested in the course. Learning new tools like Trello and Canva was eye-opening, and before I knew it, I landed my first client. She wanted help with her social media, and that's when I fell in love with social media marketing. Now, I help mompreneurs take that off their plates so they can focus on what matters most: prioritizing their motherhood. Social media marketing isn't just about posting—it's a full-time gig. But with the right strategy and support, we can make it work for you, bringing in leads without eating up all your precious family time. So mama, if you're ready to take the leap and reclaim your time while still growing your business, I'm here to help. Let's make social media marketing work for you, so you can spend less time stressing over social media marketing strategy and management and more time making memories with your loved ones. Start by filling out this quick interest form https://lnkd.in/ezd-MSpE, and let's chat about how we can tailor and implement a social media strategy that helps you achieve your unique goals. #mompreneur #90skid #prioritizemotherhood #socialmediamarketing #prioritizemotherhood #HarrisonButker

Did you know about the NEW digital magazine from Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey, check out the link below!!

Every Wednesday, I open my home for a women’s support group. It’s a space where we walk through the ups and downs of life together, lifting each other up and encouraging one another in our faith. To be honest, there are Wednesdays when staying in my jammies, binging a show, or scrolling on my phone sounds way more appealing. But here’s the thing: not once have I finished a night with these amazing women and wished I was anywhere else. There’s something truly soul-filling about real connection. It’s funny, isn’t it? We often find “relaxation” in watching or reading about people interacting, yet the idea of engaging in real-life connection can feel draining. So much more to unpack there, but that’s a topic for another day. Last night, our conversation took a deep turn (as it often does). We were talking about our individual gifts when one of the women said, “I don’t know what my gifts are. I’m not sure I even have a purpose.” That hit me hard. It led to an incredible discussion about gifts, purpose, and self-discovery. And now, I’m curious to hear from you: 1. Do you think gifts and purpose are the same, or are they different? 2. Have you discovered what your gifts are? I’d love to hear your thoughts 🤓

As we navigate career and life inflections points, one of the best ways to reach the other side is through our relationships and connections. What I started as a small pilot program this spring has evolved into a series of cohorts with groups of women coming together to reimagine their careers and lift each other up. I will be running the next cohort of the Lift Up Connection Councils beginning on November 12th. What you get from a Connection Council: 🔹 Weekly interactive, intimate conversations and guided exercises 🔹 Discovery methods to pinpoint your unique "zone of genius" and talents to bring to your next act 🔹 Collaborative visioning and ideation approaches to craft your ideal experience for the next chapter of your life and career 🔹 Action planning with support and encouragement from others in your council 🔹 Friendships that continue after the program ends What a past participant said: “At the beginning, I wasn’t sure what to make of the process of designing my next act. I thought long-term plans were useless because the next pandemic could come any day. I appreciated all of the support and feedback I got from my council. It’s amazing that I ask people in every strategic conversation, what do you want to achieve?, and then can’t see it from the inside until someone else says it. Thanks for bringing us all together. What a gift!” Learn more about joining our next cohort beginning on 11/12: https://lnkd.in/eMqG5a_m

I would love your support. I spent the last 3 1/2 years gathering stories of “Onlys” and the last 2 years writing the book. Voices Matter, Stories Matter. Representation Matters. “Being The Only is not a weakness, it is your greatest strength.” What better place to continue this conversation than at SXSW 2025 in March just days after my book launch. I am part of a Panel Picker proposal. “Harness The Power Of The Only to Unlock Your Potential”. Community voting plays a major role. Click here to vote. https://lnkd.in/gPVpGNh5 If you have an account all you have to do is log-in. If you’re not familiar get a free account and check out all the timely topics. I know it may take a bit of effort, but YOU get to shape the conference. Organizers want to make sure the content stays dynamic, timely, and engaging. Asking for help is one of my biggest fears, but I am going to continue to push myself to grow and step out of my comfort zone. You’re going to see bit more of me as I build up to my book launch in March 2025. But I promise to continue to deliver value and share things that will help you own your voice, own your power and unlock your imagined potential. Thank you!!! #youamplified “The Power of The Only” is seeing, understanding, and feeling what others don’t, and leveraging this unique perspective to achieve your goals and create change for yourself or others. It is cultivated through years of navigating challenges and different situations as an only. It allows you to make the most out of every opportunity available regardless of the environment. When you step into this power, you know the value you bring to every interaction. You don’t second guess yourself. You know what you want and don’t, what you are willing to do and what you are not, and you don’t accept that these decisions are not up to you or not available to you.  You will thrive in any environment and be the bridgebuilder for the next generation of leaders, ideas and innovation.

Here's my 2024 LinkedIn Rewind, by Coauthor: While others retreated from equity commitments in 2024, we proved that taking A More HUMAN Approach™ - leading with LOVE first, always - creates sustainable change. This year showed us that meaningful dialogue isn't just about having conversations - it's about creating spaces where every voice can be heard and valued. That's what drove our work across diverse organizations, from Rise School Houston to In-Q-Tel to the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. What emerged clearly in 2024: • Real progress happens through authentic dialogue, not performative statements • Communities need practical tools for having difficult conversations • When we center humans in our approach, transformation follows Some moments that mattered: → Launching "Our Old House" conversation series examining American identity → Guiding anti-racism education for incoming clergy in The Episcopal Diocese of Texas → Expanding public dialogue through Films for Thought and theater talkbacks → Serving on boards of Main Street Theater and SHE CAN WORK FOUNDATION Three perspectives that resonated deeply with our community: "Anytime a community isn't ready to embrace someone deemed too different, the result is either expulsion or attack until surrender" - On systemic barriers and institutional resistance https://lnkd.in/guk2g5dh "Showing up with empathy is a basic human need" - Using the HUMAN framework to navigate difficult moments https://lnkd.in/gW94sFb8 "If you desire to learn, share your immediate knowledge gap" - On authentic learning from marginalized voices https://lnkd.in/gBmAVzae Looking to 2025: While others question their equity commitments, we're expanding practical, human-centered approaches to justice and inclusion. The work continues because humans need it to continue. To everyone still showing up to make workplaces and communities more welcoming: Your courage matters. Your persistence matters. And yes, your voice matters. LOVE first, Always. #AMoreHUMANApproach -- Get your 2024 LinkedIn Rewind! Go to coauthor [dot] studio in your browser

A few years ago I decided that I needed to really up-level my centers of influence. To demonstrate my commitment to my next level, I invested in a ticket to an event that cost five figures to attend. Yup, five figures. By being in that room, I knew that the other attendees were just as serious as I was about quality connections, conversations and collaborations. The attendees were exactly the kind of people I knew I needed to connect with to deepen my impact around the world. As a result of being in that room, I got an opportunity that has generated more than two hundred thousand dollars in revenue since. Here's what I know: that opportunity would have never happened had I not be in THAT room. The rooms you enter matter. While I don't know what your goals are, I do know that by being in the room at God Girls Making Millions®, you will be in a safe, aligned and significant space where these kinds of deals happen. The average income in the room last year was five million dollars, with one CEO whose business made one hundred thirty-three million last year. When I say elevated conversation, my mind is still blown thinking of what was shared and what I was able to implement. This year will be no different. This year, we are even more intentional about who will be able to join us. Submit your application ASAP if: Your business has already made $500,000+ this year or you're extremely close You're ready to join in on truthful and transparent conversations about what the journey of anointing + abundance is really like You can add as much value as you get from being in the room with heart, mind and spirit minded women of faith who are about their birthright, business and bank accounts unapologetically You are available December 3-6, 2024 and can join us live in West Palm Beach FL I can't wait to get your application. https://lnkd.in/eDuh557G

Happy Friday!!! So this has been a conversation over the last two years we've been approached by a lot of people on for advice, help or perspective OR had randomly with a lot of people. Given the recent turn of events we felt like "maybe we should say something about this y'all..." WELP now we're saying something, would truly love to hear your thoughts/perspectives on this 🎭 DEI: The Corporate World's Favorite Jenga Tower 🧱 Ever wonder how Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) became the hottest mixtape in the corporate world, only to morph into something that makes some folks run for cover like it's an IED? 💥 We've just dropped a spicy little thought piece that unpacks this wild ride. From civil rights marches to corporate board Zoom calls, we're diving deep into: - The not-so-greatest hits album of DEI history 🎵 - Why DEI feels like a high-stakes game of Jenga for some 😰 - The unexpected plot twists (spoiler: white women often win) 🎭 - How "DEI" became the new four-letter word (OR SIX letter word) in some circles 🤐 Whether you're a DEI champion, a silent skeptic, or just trying to figure out why your company suddenly has more acronyms than a government agency, this read's for you. Fair warning: This isn't your grandma's diversity report. We're serving up hard truths with a side of humor, garnished with hope for dessert. Ready to see how deep the DEI rabbit hole goes? Check out the full piece here - https://lnkd.in/eAKMgZxB Let's chat: Has DEI been a game-changer or a head-scratcher in your workplace or your business? Drop your thoughts below! 👇🏽👇🏻👇🏿 #DEI #CorporateCulture #WorkplaceEquity #InclusionMatters #RealTalk #linkedin #friday #bias #cognitivebias #insights

Launching Our Women's Book Club This Week! We are thrilled to announce the launch of our Women's Book Club this week at AllPoints Fibre ! 📚✨ This exciting initiative is designed to create a supportive community for discussions, networking, whilst providing hints and tips! If you are thinking of launching or joining a book club, here are 5 fantastic benefits: 🧠Enhanced Knowledge: Book clubs expose members to a wide range of genres and topics, broadening their horizons and enhancing their knowledge. 👂Improved Communication Skills: Regular discussions help improve articulation, public speaking, and active listening skills. 🙋♀️Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded individuals, build relationships, and expand your professional network. 😤Stress Relief: Reading and discussing books can be a great way to unwind and de-stress from the daily grind. 🎨Inspiration and Creativity: Books often provide new perspectives and ideas, sparking creativity and inspiration in both personal and professional life. We’ve chosen ‘How Women Rise: Break the 12 habits Holding you back’ By Sally Helgesen and the fabulous Marshall Goldsmith as our first book. With all the news around the world on backward steps happening in 2025, now more than ever is the time to RISE!

I see a number of 2024 LI highlights in my feed, and it is great to celebrate accomplishments. One person stated that he posted twice a day, each day, for 2024. To me, the highlight is not the number of posts, it is the quality of the posts. Do the posts: > provide information that others would like to or need to know? >Do the posts help others? >Do the posts inspire others? >Do the posts make others think? >Do the posts challenge what we think we know? These are the posts I am interested in reading/viewing, and contributing to with a comment. And I look forward to reading/viewing, and engaging with these types of posts in 2025. Some post, and repost, about how LI rewards those using gimmicks, such as white board messages, animals, or certain videos. What value do these posts have if they impart information we already know? Measure what matters (also the name of a book by John Doerr). How many posts impart information to others? How many posts help others? How many inspire? And how many make us think or challenge what we think we know? Here are some LI thought leader contributors (which is by no means an exhaustive list) whose posts provide value: Evan Benjamin, Luiza Jarovsky, Cindi Cohn, Kimberly S. Arnold, Eden Ezell, Leslie Nydick, Melissa Cohen, Schmooze, Lisa Rangel, Gaurav Valani, Katie McIntyre, Matthew Wohl, Cole Sperry, Carlos Abrego, Patrick J. McKenna, Michael S. Cohen (He/Him), Jonathan Z. Cohen, Charlie Sull, Kevin Oakes, Shola Richards, Mike Barnum, MSc, Kelly Lease, Robert Lowe, SPHR, Robert Lufkin MD, Christine LaVopa, Theresa Christine, Thomas Woodhams, Marco Delgado, Kari Naimon, James Sampson, Cory Warfield