Full Transcript for Being the Blueprint: Creating Space, Leading Boldly, and Building Legacy with Yasmeen Duncan

you, I would be like, I would get so excited jumping up and down the screen, and my mom was like, oh lord, here goes my favorite commercial. 00:05:56.399 --> 00:06:00.160 And of course, as soon as I turned 18, I got my passport. 00:06:00.480 --> 00:06:01.680 That was the first place I went. 00:06:01.759 --> 00:06:09.839 And I have to say, maybe it's because I wanted to go there so long for so long and finally to go. 00:06:10.399 --> 00:06:14.560 I never traveled somewhere where I stepped off the plane. 00:06:14.800 --> 00:06:19.040 As soon as we came through and I'm in the airport, I felt like I was home. 00:06:19.279 --> 00:06:24.079 I felt like I've been there a thousand places, a thousand times before. 00:06:24.480 --> 00:06:26.240 I remember waiting for the taxi. 00:06:26.399 --> 00:06:33.519 I just I felt like I like it wasn't the first time I've never traveled anywhere and felt at home. 00:06:33.920 --> 00:06:34.399 Like this is a good thing. 00:06:34.639 --> 00:06:35.120 I love that. 00:06:35.279 --> 00:06:35.759 I love that. 00:06:36.399 --> 00:06:38.720 I mean, I felt actually more home than here. 00:06:38.959 --> 00:06:43.600 So I could see me living in Jamaica one day, but listen, I may change my mind when I go to Africa. 00:06:43.759 --> 00:06:48.480 Because I have some friends who went to Africa and it's just life-changing. 00:06:48.720 --> 00:06:50.560 A good friend of mine just came back. 00:06:50.639 --> 00:06:54.959 Uh, we um caught up this week, so that's definitely on the bucket list. 00:06:55.120 --> 00:06:55.360 Thanks. 00:06:55.600 --> 00:06:58.639 Is there a um which country in particular are you thinking of? 00:06:58.879 --> 00:07:00.160 I was thinking of Ghana. 00:07:00.800 --> 00:07:01.199 Ghana. 00:07:01.279 --> 00:07:01.439 Okay. 00:07:02.079 --> 00:07:02.240 Okay. 00:07:02.720 --> 00:07:04.639 Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania. 00:07:04.959 --> 00:07:05.199 Okay. 00:07:05.600 --> 00:07:07.279 I do want to visit as well. 00:07:07.360 --> 00:07:09.279 So let me know when you're going, okay? 00:07:09.519 --> 00:07:10.160 Yes. 00:07:11.040 --> 00:07:11.680 All right. 00:07:12.160 --> 00:07:17.040 And if there is one book or movie you'd recommend, which would it be? 00:07:17.279 --> 00:07:26.000 The movie, well, the first that comes to mind, which I've actually had mentees of mine go watch this, is Molly's Game. 00:07:26.560 --> 00:07:41.920 And it was based on a true story of a woman named Molly who um was down on her luck, ended up getting a job as like a receptionist to someone who would run a gambling ring offline outside of work hours. 00:07:42.240 --> 00:07:47.439 And at first, you know, she's there helping him, but she saw how much money they were making. 00:07:47.519 --> 00:07:48.800 And then he started to tip her. 00:07:48.959 --> 00:07:53.040 Then it's like, huh, well, wow, I'm I'm bringing in some money, you know. 00:07:53.199 --> 00:07:54.079 Then they got into it. 00:07:54.240 --> 00:07:55.759 I don't want to tell the whole story. 00:07:55.920 --> 00:07:59.199 She ended up running her own ring, and you know, the story takes off. 00:07:59.360 --> 00:08:00.720 But she was in the Olympics. 00:08:00.800 --> 00:08:26.000 I mean, she's had like a really dynamic life, and I think there's so much to take from it as far as how you operate from a place of strategy, not reactiveness, not being, you know, hyper-emotional, but really being strategic in how you move, navigating politics and being having like a level of resolve and being grounded as you level up. 00:08:26.160 --> 00:08:38.559 I think that was a masterclass in a woman in her leadership, especially starting off in leadership and figuring out like what is my leadership style, how do I move, how do I operate? 00:08:38.639 --> 00:08:50.399 You know, when you're climbing the ranks, especially in corporate, that comes to mind, you know, as far as how do I establish my authenticity, how I sound, how I talk, what do I say, this level of overthinking. 00:08:50.559 --> 00:08:57.360 She moved through the world with such precision, even when she wasn't clear on what she was doing, you wouldn't know. 00:08:57.519 --> 00:08:59.120 There was such a confidence there. 00:08:59.360 --> 00:09:02.960 She also didn't mix business, she was snatched. 00:09:03.120 --> 00:09:04.320 This woman was pulled. 00:09:04.399 --> 00:09:10.720 She was, she came when she came to her poker game, she was collected, she was very together. 00:09:11.039 --> 00:09:13.200 But she ran it as a businesswoman. 00:09:13.279 --> 00:09:18.559 She didn't, she didn't mix get miss mixy to run her business and be successful. 00:09:18.720 --> 00:09:19.679 She held the line. 00:09:19.759 --> 00:09:21.919 There was a just a lot there, and it's a true story. 00:09:22.159 --> 00:09:27.600 Movie wasn't fabricated at all, but definitely a lot of gems to pull from. 00:09:27.919 --> 00:09:28.240 Okay. 00:09:28.639 --> 00:09:29.039 Wow. 00:09:29.120 --> 00:09:31.039 Now I have to go watch. 00:09:32.080 --> 00:09:33.919 Thanks for sharing that with us. 00:09:34.080 --> 00:09:39.200 Um, so talking about business women and you're a two-time entrepreneur. 00:09:39.440 --> 00:09:45.279 Tell us, um, based on your experience, what's one of the highest moments you've had in business so far? 00:09:46.080 --> 00:09:47.200 Oh, wow. 00:09:47.519 --> 00:09:56.240 By far, um, you know, we started, I was divinely inspired to start Sisterhood Society in fall of 2018. 00:09:56.399 --> 00:10:00.320 We launched January 2020 because of COVID and all the things in the world. 00:10:00.480 --> 00:10:12.639 We had to pivot online and to come in person and have our event with a partnership, a collegiate partnership with Pace University, and have it be a sold-out room, not a seat in the house. 00:10:12.879 --> 00:10:26.159 And have all of the people who have followed us throughout the years and stayed with us, even when we took our pause and took our break, come out, was just absolutely everything

coupled with the women that I have been networking with. 00:10:26.480 --> 00:10:32.480 Once at that point, I was a global chief people officer at a global company. 00:10:32.720 --> 00:10:35.840 That was huge to have that level of support. 00:10:36.000 --> 00:10:38.480 It was like seeing all the things, you know. 00:10:38.720 --> 00:10:45.039 I remember my sister being there, and she's meeting people, you know, people just walking on to people. 00:10:45.120 --> 00:10:46.159 Hi, how do you know Yasmeen? 00:10:46.240 --> 00:10:47.200 How do you know Yasmeen? 00:10:47.279 --> 00:10:49.039 How'd you find out about sisterhood? 00:10:49.200 --> 00:10:54.000 And as I'm walking through the room, greeting people, um, passing by and hearing stories. 00:10:54.159 --> 00:10:56.960 Oh, I met her because she got me a job. 00:10:57.120 --> 00:11:00.320 She looked at my resume, she connected me with a recruiter. 00:11:00.399 --> 00:11:02.720 You know, she was my mentee at a point. 00:11:02.879 --> 00:11:04.080 She gave me feedback. 00:11:04.240 --> 00:11:05.840 She actually had me on a pip. 00:11:06.080 --> 00:11:06.960 I grew. 00:11:07.200 --> 00:11:09.440 I she challenged me higher. 00:11:09.679 --> 00:11:20.320 You know, I was able to hear the whispers of my legacy as I maintained the line and my authority and my authenticity and how I operate and who I am and how I move. 00:11:20.639 --> 00:11:22.879 It was also a highlight because I was the keynote. 00:11:22.960 --> 00:11:24.000 I'm like, we're gonna have an event. 00:11:24.080 --> 00:11:24.879 We need a keynote. 00:11:24.960 --> 00:11:25.919 I'm not, it was a given. 00:11:26.080 --> 00:11:27.120 I'm I'm the keynote. 00:11:27.200 --> 00:11:34.879 You know, I I it didn't even come into mind to have somebody else be the keynote for the event. 00:11:34.960 --> 00:11:50.559 You know, this was my time to really share the sustained fire within me of why I decided to do this movement, why I decided to build an organization around being a blueprint, being the only in the room. 00:11:50.639 --> 00:11:52.320 But what did I do about being the only? 00:11:52.399 --> 00:11:53.679 Was I intimidated by it? 00:11:53.840 --> 00:11:55.279 Was I overcome by it? 00:11:55.519 --> 00:12:04.159 Or did I find my stride and run my race and share my strategies with people I met along the way? 00:12:04.320 --> 00:12:09.360 You know, I I've come to experience a lot of things in the in the corporate run. 00:12:09.519 --> 00:12:24.000 And it's been interesting to and highly disappointing to meet people who look like me who I'm like, oh, you know, I meet another woman or a woman of color who director, VP, and asking, how did you get here? 00:12:24.080 --> 00:12:26.240 How do you know you want the tips of the trade? 00:12:26.399 --> 00:12:31.120 And you're kind of met with a cold shoulder, like, you know, I'm like, you know, do you mentor? 00:12:31.360 --> 00:12:32.559 No, I don't have time for that. 00:12:32.639 --> 00:12:33.679 Well, you'll figure it out. 00:12:33.919 --> 00:12:36.480 I have to climb the ropes, you have to do the same. 00:12:36.639 --> 00:12:41.759 There hasn't been that pay it forward, and I feel highly responsible and accountable. 00:12:42.080 --> 00:12:46.720 Not only because, okay, I'm the only I should do something. 00:12:46.879 --> 00:12:52.320 No, that I'm I'm accountable to this mission, I'm accountable to the movement and how I operate. 00:12:52.480 --> 00:12:53.840 How am I with women? 00:12:54.000 --> 00:12:54.799 Am I welcoming? 00:12:54.960 --> 00:12:55.519 Am I opening? 00:12:55.600 --> 00:12:56.639 Am I sharing resources? 00:12:56.799 --> 00:12:58.399 Am I being a resource? 00:12:58.720 --> 00:13:05.600 And that day was a reminder that I lived my message and it was on display. 00:13:05.919 --> 00:13:08.559 And that's the the highest height. 00:13:08.799 --> 00:13:12.799 Yes, and there were there was a lot of affirmation in that room, from what I can hear. 00:13:12.960 --> 00:13:13.919 So that's great. 00:13:14.000 --> 00:13:23.840 And then I'm glad that you have a different approach to some of you know, you did talk about some of the experience you had where people you don't lift as they climb. 00:13:24.000 --> 00:13:26.559 So I'm glad that you do differently. 00:13:26.799 --> 00:13:34.000 And um, in terms of one of the lowest moments you've had, or not so good moments, is there any that comes to mind? 00:13:34.320 --> 00:13:49.759 I would say earlier on in my career, being overlooked, being counted out, being assumed not to have the rigor for the task at hand, for just assume like I don't know if she could do that. 00:13:49.919 --> 00:13:52.240 You haven't tested the vehicle, you don't know. 00:13:52.320 --> 00:13:59.279 You know, you can't say that the car doesn't go up to six to 90 miles per hour if you haven't gotten a car, right? 00:13:59.919 --> 00:14:09.120 And those moments are disappointing, sure, but I've always found them to be fuel and gas for me. 00:14:09.360 --> 00:14:11.440 I hear that's sustained fire there again. 00:14:11.679 --> 00:14:20.159 I've always it's consistent, it's consistent and not to prove to anyone, you're counting me out. 00:14:20.320 --> 00:14:21.600 No, I can do this. 00:14:21.840 --> 00:14:39.759 No, for me, it was an opportunity to show myself what I'm capable of and how I can navigate and endure without scratch, without compromising my authenticity, without shrinking and rising to the occasion. 00:14:40.000 --> 00:14:42.000 Like, girl, look what you did. 00:14:42.240 --> 00:14:42.960 Note that. 00:14:43.279 --> 00:14:46.879 You have to be your own cheerleader. 00:14:47.200 --> 00:14:48.240 Yes, you do. 00:14:48.480 --> 00:14:49.200 You gotta be. 00:14:49.279 --> 00:14:50.879 Nobody's gonna do it. 00:14:51.120 --> 00:14:53.600 Nobody's coming to save you. 00:14:54.000 --> 00:14:56.639 I can see where the sisterhood came from. 00:14:56.799 --> 00:15:01.200 I can hear that passion, I can hear all the

experiences that led to that. 00:15:01.360 --> 00:15:04.399 Um, so I can't wait to hear even more about that. 00:15:04.639 --> 00:15:08.000 Um, but you did um allude to what you did before. 00:15:08.159 --> 00:15:12.480 So can you tell us a little bit about what you did before entrepreneurship? 00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:13.600 Sure. 00:15:13.840 --> 00:15:22.799 So I was, and I have been, I say was, because you know, I always go back and forth in these moments, but I I do feel like my I had my career. 00:15:22.960 --> 00:15:25.200 You know, now it's pivoted to something else. 00:15:25.440 --> 00:15:28.799 But I I have been um in H NHR for 20 years. 00:15:28.879 --> 00:15:30.799 I worked in a myriad of different industries. 00:15:31.120 --> 00:15:38.960 Fashion beauty, retail startup, hospitality with hotels, union environment, so much fun. 00:15:39.440 --> 00:15:41.759 You name it, I have done it. 00:15:41.919 --> 00:15:48.240 Um tech as well, staffing agency, worked in a myriad of different industries. 00:15:48.399 --> 00:15:57.679 And every industry you add onto the tool belt, you have another tool to add to other plethora of diversity of things that you offer. 00:15:58.240 --> 00:16:27.200 What works in one environment won't work in others, you know, and I bring that into sisterhood and also my consultancy Duncan Workforce Solutions, bringing those tools, those resources, so that I can be an asset wherever I am planted and whoever I am assigned to help from a mentee, but mentor perspective, or being a coach at an organization, or being an HR strategist and workforce planning for organizations and government agencies. 00:16:27.519 --> 00:16:28.559 Okay, all right. 00:16:28.799 --> 00:16:34.399 And can you do you think you remember the first time you thought that you would actually start your own business? 00:16:34.559 --> 00:16:36.639 And well, business is for you. 00:16:37.279 --> 00:16:43.039 When I was still in school pursuing my bachelor's, like I knew that wanted to be my angle. 00:16:43.279 --> 00:16:45.600 Like I knew for me, success. 00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:50.799 Listen, I don't care what your title is, I don't care if you're a CEO of a company. 00:16:51.039 --> 00:16:55.840 There is somebody else signing that that board you're employed to, right? 00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:57.919 That private equity firm you're employed to. 00:16:58.000 --> 00:17:03.919 You're still an employee, you're still at the mercy of the decisions of other people. 00:17:04.000 --> 00:17:06.240 You know, and it's a lot when it's all on you. 00:17:06.400 --> 00:17:08.559 I am learning as the day goes on. 00:17:08.720 --> 00:17:13.920 It's a lot on you, but I can create the environment that I desire to work in. 00:17:14.079 --> 00:17:16.240 I could work when I desire to work. 00:17:16.400 --> 00:17:18.400 I can take a break when I desire to take a break. 00:17:18.480 --> 00:17:20.880 I can take the summers off if that's what I want to do. 00:17:21.039 --> 00:17:23.279 I can schedule things around so I can do it. 00:17:23.599 --> 00:17:27.200 Last year, I took three months off. 00:17:27.680 --> 00:17:29.599 There was no PTO request. 00:17:30.079 --> 00:17:36.720 I was out from June till um the end of August, really like the first week of September. 00:17:36.960 --> 00:17:44.079 I was traveling, I was with my mom and my family, all up and down the California coast, different islands. 00:17:44.240 --> 00:17:46.240 I mean, the only thing I do was go to Africa. 00:17:46.400 --> 00:17:46.720 Okay. 00:17:47.119 --> 00:17:49.200 And that's great. 00:17:49.359 --> 00:18:09.279 I knew that I wanted to be able to be on my own schedule, but also be able to build out to the point where all the people that I've worked with, maybe not all, that's not realistic, but I'm just saying, the people that I know that are amazing, that are culture ads to organizations that haven't overlooked, haven't gotten opportunities, haven't gotten chances. 00:18:09.519 --> 00:18:20.240 What would it be like to be in a position to put them in position and have an organization that has a phenomenal culture and you have top talent at every level? 00:18:20.720 --> 00:18:21.680 That's the dream. 00:18:21.839 --> 00:18:22.640 That's the dream. 00:18:22.880 --> 00:18:25.440 Now you said something that intrigued me. 00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:28.160 You said you took three months off. 00:18:28.480 --> 00:18:48.000 Now, a lot of people do go into entrepreneurship to be able to do things like that, but it doesn't always work out because when I'm, you know, there's this thing they say about um you leave the job to another, like you're your worst boss sometimes, because you basically go into entrepreneurship, but you just created another job for yourself and you work even harder than you ever had before. 00:18:48.240 --> 00:18:53.759 So, how do you get to the point where you actually can take three months off and come back? 00:18:53.839 --> 00:18:55.119 Like what systems you put in place? 00:18:55.200 --> 00:18:56.079 How does that work? 00:18:56.240 --> 00:18:57.119 I want to know. 00:18:57.359 --> 00:19:05.200 I have to say, like, entrepreneurship is a hustle that I've never even, in all the hustles that I have, I've never encountered this level. 00:19:05.440 --> 00:19:08.319 It's like, did you really know what you were signing up for? 00:19:08.480 --> 00:19:10.960 And it definitely has its days. 00:19:11.359 --> 00:19:19.519 Um, I will say that once June hit the hustle of, because I work with government contracts, so writing proposals, right? 00:19:19.680 --> 00:19:22.480 Also looking at part-time contractual work, right? 00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:32.640 Because it's all about having income coming in, or even applying for jobs if you see something that you come across, even though you're doing entrepreneurship, but you're always thinking about another um revenue stream. 00:19:32.799 --> 00:19:33.920 I was tired. 00:19:34.079 --> 00:19:38.400 And I'm like, okay,

well, what feasibly do I need to cut back on? 00:19:38.640 --> 00:19:40.160 What do I need not to do? 00:19:40.319 --> 00:19:42.799 Where do I go to get the most bang for my buck? 00:19:42.880 --> 00:19:48.480 And my, you know, sweetie was gonna join, my cat was gonna join us at some point because she cannot be away from me for a long period of time. 00:19:48.720 --> 00:19:52.240 It's even shocking that we were on this long and she hasn't jumped on. 00:19:52.640 --> 00:19:54.720 And what can I cut back on? 00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:59.039 You know, where can I go for more to go more places, more bang for your buck? 00:19:59.200 --> 00:20:01.680 And I said, Yeah, um, I need a break. 00:20:01.839 --> 00:20:07.039 And I'm a person that that definitely does prioritize my well-being. 00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:08.000 How do I feel? 00:20:08.079 --> 00:20:09.200 How am I feeling internally? 00:20:09.359 --> 00:20:10.160 Do I need to breathe? 00:20:10.240 --> 00:20:10.799 Do I need a moment? 00:20:10.960 --> 00:20:12.079 Do I need a walk? 00:20:12.240 --> 00:20:14.880 You know, do I need to take a step back? 00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:23.599 And I went from 20 years of HR, I mean, my first year as a CPO, I took one day off the entire year. 00:20:24.079 --> 00:20:28.720 I came into so many priorities of things I needed to get done. 00:20:28.960 --> 00:20:38.000 I'm sure my team was ready to like wreck me, you know, nine months in, like, if this woman, but we had a lot to get in place quickly because a lot was happening. 00:20:38.160 --> 00:20:41.839 And although I stayed working, I did not put that on my team. 00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:44.319 I let all my team take their vacations. 00:20:44.480 --> 00:20:50.400 So I did not take one because I filled in so they could be out and they could get their rest. 00:20:50.720 --> 00:20:55.680 So yeah, to go from 20 years back to back, barely taking vacation. 00:20:56.079 --> 00:20:59.440 I was a person to go on vacation with a laptop and at 6 a.m. 00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:02.480 and I'm wherever I am on vacation, and at 5 a.m. 00:21:02.720 --> 00:21:05.680 I'm checking my emails because I don't want to come back. 00:21:05.759 --> 00:21:14.559 You know, I was always in that work mode to leave getting to the top of the mountain as a CPO and then going straight into entrepreneurship. 00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:15.759 Girl, take your break. 00:21:15.839 --> 00:21:16.960 So that's what I did. 00:21:17.200 --> 00:21:18.880 So figure out where do you cut back? 00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:20.400 What do you cut back on? 00:21:20.559 --> 00:21:21.519 What do you do? 00:21:21.599 --> 00:21:23.680 Uh, where can you get more bang for your buck? 00:21:23.839 --> 00:21:27.839 If you are a lot of people, even in those this economy, are thinking of exiting. 00:21:28.000 --> 00:21:30.000 Negotiate that severance package, you know. 00:21:30.079 --> 00:21:32.000 That definitely helped me for sure. 00:21:32.400 --> 00:21:33.759 Also, to make that move. 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:34.480 Yeah. 00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:28.799 Okay. 00:22:29.039 --> 00:22:36.079 So it sounds like there's a lot of intentionality there and a lot of planning because you know that's what your priority is. 00:22:36.240 --> 00:22:39.839 You know that's something you you want in this season of entrepreneurship. 00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:42.720 That's important that you're able to have that kind of flexibility. 00:22:42.880 --> 00:22:46.079 Um, so you plan around that, and that's how it works for you. 00:22:46.240 --> 00:22:47.680 If I understood that correctly. 00:22:47.920 --> 00:22:49.119 Yeah, absolutely. 00:22:49.359 --> 00:22:49.680 Okay. 00:22:50.079 --> 00:22:52.240 So let's go back a little bit. 00:22:52.480 --> 00:22:56.319 What about your childhood you think led you to where you are today? 00:22:56.559 --> 00:22:57.680 Oh, my mother. 00:22:58.960 --> 00:23:01.200 Like, don't even have to think about it. 00:23:01.519 --> 00:23:03.920 I had the mission, I'll start here. 00:23:04.079 --> 00:23:07.279 The mission for Sisterhood Society of what we do, what we provide. 00:23:07.519 --> 00:23:16.480 We say that we provide the tactical, emotional, and psychological needs for women of color to thrive. 00:23:16.720 --> 00:23:18.000 That's the mission. 00:23:18.160 --> 00:23:21.920 And again, sisterhood is built off of me as being like the blueprint. 00:23:22.079 --> 00:23:23.920 That's what my mother did for me. 00:23:24.160 --> 00:23:40.480 My mother created an environment that fostered a very resilient mind that got me to learn how to critically think early, critically think about the woman I wanted to become, how I wanted to live, where I wanted to live, what I wanted to do, how much money I want to make. 00:23:40.799 --> 00:23:43.359 She fostered an environment that let me know. 00:23:43.599 --> 00:23:46.400 And again, did I connect all these dots then? 00:23:46.559 --> 00:23:46.799 No. 00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:51.200 You're talking about her having helping me critically think in a second grade. 00:23:51.279 --> 00:23:52.640 I'm not putting the dots together. 00:23:52.720 --> 00:23:56.720 But of course, as I grow older, wow, I have these conversations with her now. 00:23:57.039 --> 00:23:58.559 You were teaching me agency. 00:23:58.640 --> 00:23:59.759 Did you realize that? 00:23:59.920 --> 00:24:04.480 And when I explain it and break it down how I understand it, she's like, huh. 00:24:04.880 --> 00:24:05.200 No. 00:24:05.599 --> 00:24:08.079 I didn't, I didn't think about it all like that. 00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:11.599 It was intentional but unintentional at the same time. 00:24:11.839 --> 00:24:14.559 But yeah, she taught me agency for a very early age. 00:24:14.720 --> 00:24:16.240 I have the power to choose. 00:24:16.400 --> 00:24:17.519 I'll do you one better. 00:24:17.599 --> 00:24:19.519 I have the power to become. 00:24:19.839 --> 00:24:21.200 Who do you want to be? 00:24:21.359 --> 00:24:23.440 What do you want to

accomplish? 00:24:23.759 --> 00:24:38.400 So much so that my value, what fosters my value is not based on what I acquire in degrees or accolades or titles or status or compensation. 00:24:38.720 --> 00:24:42.160 My worth and my value is what's done internally. 00:24:42.400 --> 00:24:44.079 And I say this often. 00:24:44.160 --> 00:24:48.000 Um I've gotten into deep conversations with different people about it. 00:24:48.240 --> 00:24:49.759 Take all this stuff away. 00:24:50.079 --> 00:24:51.599 Would I be less confident? 00:24:51.839 --> 00:24:53.440 No, because I'm clear. 00:24:53.680 --> 00:24:55.359 Self-clarity is everything. 00:24:55.519 --> 00:25:11.759 My energy, my personality, my vivaciousness, knowing my my stroke of genius, which is being an activator, getting people to see what they do not see in themselves, what they're unaware that they're capable of, or what they're aware. 00:25:11.920 --> 00:25:13.920 This is do you know that this is a strength for you? 00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:18.400 Like, do you you're really your people assessment is is really good. 00:25:18.559 --> 00:25:19.440 You think so? 00:25:19.599 --> 00:25:21.359 Yeah, that's discernment. 00:25:21.519 --> 00:25:23.680 You have a very discerning eye. 00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:25.279 Lean into that. 00:25:25.440 --> 00:25:31.359 Don't second guess your decisions because clearly you you you're connecting to something. 00:25:31.440 --> 00:25:34.400 Lean into that intuition, it's gonna guide you. 00:25:34.559 --> 00:25:35.440 It's important. 00:25:35.839 --> 00:25:37.200 James Baldwin. 00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:41.039 He said, people that you love are gonna make you aware of the things that you don't see. 00:25:41.200 --> 00:25:42.640 And do I love everybody? 00:25:42.799 --> 00:25:43.119 No. 00:25:43.359 --> 00:25:56.640 But as a leader, do I feel accountable to do that, to activate, to leave people with, even if it's a mere conversation of FYI, do you know what you can have? 00:25:56.880 --> 00:26:02.480 People leaving a firm, people leaving, asking themselves questions about possibility. 00:26:02.720 --> 00:26:04.880 Yes, I feel accountable to that. 00:26:05.039 --> 00:26:07.920 I think about we met at a networking event. 00:26:08.160 --> 00:26:10.960 We had this, it feels like a long car ride. 00:26:11.039 --> 00:26:14.319 It didn't feel long because the conversation was so rich. 00:26:14.960 --> 00:26:16.960 But that was a rich conversation. 00:26:17.119 --> 00:26:18.799 That was a conversation of affirmation. 00:26:18.960 --> 00:26:19.599 What's possible? 00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:21.119 Do you know how you navigate? 00:26:21.279 --> 00:26:22.160 This is what you do. 00:26:22.400 --> 00:26:24.079 Yeah, I I I have to. 00:26:24.319 --> 00:26:24.799 Have to. 00:26:25.039 --> 00:26:29.519 Talking about that, that that reminds me of, you know, exit strategies. 00:26:29.680 --> 00:26:32.240 Um, because I think we touched on that in the car as well. 00:26:32.400 --> 00:26:41.440 And you did mention earlier that people in this environment, people are probably thinking of exiting, or people are being laid off. 00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:45.599 So there are negotiations that can happen, at least around the exits. 00:26:45.759 --> 00:26:48.799 Is that something you want to touch on, considering the environment we're in? 00:26:49.119 --> 00:26:53.119 As far as like people thinking about leaving their jobs, how they should go about that? 00:26:53.359 --> 00:27:03.599 Yeah, just the environment that we're in and maybe how even maybe like people who probably work with you, how that could help them as they navigate this climate? 00:27:04.559 --> 00:27:05.519 Absolutely. 00:27:05.759 --> 00:27:10.240 I think the angle that I'll take is how how people reach out to me or when. 00:27:10.480 --> 00:27:16.160 You know, in this climate, people definitely reach out to me if they are feeling targeted at work. 00:27:16.319 --> 00:27:19.680 This is happening, this doesn't feel right, but I can't really put a name to it. 00:27:19.839 --> 00:27:20.799 Can I run this by you? 00:27:20.960 --> 00:27:26.559 Do you have, you know, can I take a 30-minute consultation or severance negotiations? 00:27:26.720 --> 00:27:30.880 I'm not a lawyer, I've always directed you to an attorney, right? 00:27:31.359 --> 00:27:38.960 But having an HR person that can be an ear to is this the right thing to negotiate, right? 00:27:39.440 --> 00:27:46.079 Not being a person who is leading you from getting a cut of what you're getting is a different perspective. 00:27:46.319 --> 00:27:48.240 So that's how I support people there. 00:27:48.400 --> 00:27:52.000 And also people wanting to, we this is a very tough climate. 00:27:52.079 --> 00:27:53.039 Um, it's interesting. 00:27:53.119 --> 00:27:59.359 I've had conversations with about three people in the last week where like, I want to leave my job. 00:27:59.519 --> 00:28:00.400 Like, why? 00:28:00.640 --> 00:28:03.599 Talking about age, it's it's all like a two-sided coin. 00:28:03.759 --> 00:28:11.359 I believe in agency, I believe in the power of choice, at the same time telling someone, hang on to your job. 00:28:11.440 --> 00:28:13.119 You don't know when you're gonna get another one. 00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:14.640 Is that really taking agency? 00:28:14.799 --> 00:28:18.240 That feels like really clinging to the bottom of the barrel, right? 00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:20.480 I get it, but we need to be practical. 00:28:20.720 --> 00:28:31.200 Right now, to date, up until today, there are 650,000 black women that are laid off that cannot find work at every level. 00:28:31.440 --> 00:28:34.559 Something is to be said about that and can't find work. 00:28:34.720 --> 00:28:36.079 Is now the time to leave? 00:28:36.160 --> 00:28:37.359 And if you leave, what do you do? 00:28:37.519 --> 00:28:41.359 So I'm gonna add on another layer of complication that's like triple double talking. 00:28:41.440 --> 00:28:43.759 Well, what about if I'm

at the end of my rope? 00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:49.359 Like I rather struggle than endure what I'm doing from a well-being perspective. 00:28:49.440 --> 00:28:50.799 This is impacting my mental health. 00:28:50.880 --> 00:28:52.160 I have anxiety, etc. 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:53.680 What is your plan? 00:28:54.000 --> 00:28:56.640 As women, we are going to feel. 00:28:56.799 --> 00:29:00.559 I think the goal, you know, we have all these conversations about femininity. 00:29:00.720 --> 00:29:02.160 Get in your feminine power. 00:29:02.400 --> 00:29:04.960 Proverbs 31 woman, she was planful. 00:29:05.119 --> 00:29:06.880 She was a strategic woman. 00:29:07.119 --> 00:29:11.519 She owned businesses, she ran the beach and everything in it. 00:29:11.680 --> 00:29:12.880 It's one thing to feel. 00:29:13.039 --> 00:29:14.799 The goal is not to be overcome. 00:29:14.960 --> 00:29:16.160 What is your plan? 00:29:18.400 --> 00:29:19.440 Absolutely. 00:29:19.680 --> 00:29:20.880 What is the plan? 00:29:21.039 --> 00:29:23.519 You know, I'd like to do a future self-exercise. 00:29:23.680 --> 00:29:24.640 What do you envision? 00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:25.200 What do you want? 00:29:25.519 --> 00:29:28.160 Where do you want to be at the end of the year? 00:29:28.400 --> 00:29:29.359 What do you want to have? 00:29:29.519 --> 00:29:30.799 What are you willing to give up? 00:29:30.960 --> 00:29:32.640 What are you willing to let go of? 00:29:32.799 --> 00:29:34.799 Oh, and can we really get to the good stuff? 00:29:34.960 --> 00:29:36.079 Can we really dig in? 00:29:36.240 --> 00:29:45.599 What are you willing to forego in your identity to become who you need to be, to have the rest, to have the peace, to have the well-being. 00:29:45.759 --> 00:29:50.319 You know, if I learn anything in entrepreneurship, it is the challenge of identity. 00:29:50.559 --> 00:29:52.240 There's so much hustle. 00:29:52.400 --> 00:30:02.480 You know, people talk about the hustle, you work more in entrepreneur, you work more nine to five, probably like nine to nine, eight to midnight in entrepreneurship than you do in a job. 00:30:02.559 --> 00:30:04.640 That's true, but it's not all hustle. 00:30:04.880 --> 00:30:10.319 There is the emotional text, there's the mental text, there's a spiritual text. 00:30:10.480 --> 00:30:12.079 All of that is on the internal. 00:30:12.240 --> 00:30:14.480 You need to become an entrepreneurship. 00:30:14.559 --> 00:30:15.599 That's how you succeed. 00:30:15.759 --> 00:30:17.119 Where's your mindset? 00:30:17.279 --> 00:30:18.559 You gotta be grounded. 00:30:18.799 --> 00:30:22.799 You got to be grounded, and there are days, there have been days. 00:30:22.960 --> 00:30:23.839 Let's be very clear. 00:30:24.000 --> 00:30:29.759 I'm like, get me back, I will take a nine to five tomorrow for the right opportunity. 00:30:30.240 --> 00:30:39.759 And you tie your rope because something that comes to mind is what if it was just two more weeks from now, but I gave

up and I was about to get a contract. 00:30:39.839 --> 00:30:42.640 I'm not talking about from an employer, I'm talking about like a government contract. 00:30:42.880 --> 00:30:45.119 Like I could just like relax for a few years. 00:30:45.359 --> 00:30:50.480 Because I know people who have done it, who it's happened to, like, and I'm about to give up now. 00:30:50.640 --> 00:30:52.400 So that's gas in the tank. 00:30:52.559 --> 00:30:54.720 Have go in your affirmation box. 00:30:54.880 --> 00:30:59.039 Sometimes I go on LinkedIn, I read my recommendations. 00:30:59.279 --> 00:31:08.079 I have the cards, I always leave a job with a plethora of all birthday cards, appreciation cards, thank you cards, promotion cards, all the things. 00:31:08.240 --> 00:31:09.920 I keep those throughout the years. 00:31:10.000 --> 00:31:11.119 I have it in my house. 00:31:11.279 --> 00:31:12.160 I look at that. 00:31:12.319 --> 00:31:19.119 You need to find, and I spoke about this on another podcast, find your gems to be fuel for you, to keep going. 00:31:19.359 --> 00:31:20.559 Hustle ain't it. 00:31:20.799 --> 00:31:25.039 Hustle's gonna have that tire, the tire metal to the cement. 00:31:25.359 --> 00:31:26.720 Thank you for sharing that. 00:31:26.960 --> 00:31:27.599 Oh wow. 00:31:27.680 --> 00:31:30.240 That that's a that was a lot to take in. 00:31:30.400 --> 00:31:32.079 So thank you. 00:31:32.319 --> 00:31:37.759 And um can you at this time maybe tell us a little bit about more about Sisterhood? 00:31:38.000 --> 00:31:40.319 Sisterhood Society for Women of Color. 00:31:40.720 --> 00:31:41.200 Sure. 00:31:41.359 --> 00:31:43.920 Um, so you have our foundation story. 00:31:44.160 --> 00:31:48.079 We have some events coming up this year, potential partnerships. 00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:50.960 I'm just waiting for the green light, so stay tuned. 00:31:51.119 --> 00:31:55.200 Um, definitely want to have some resource giving when it comes to the job market. 00:31:55.599 --> 00:31:59.440 And that would be like the the main event for this year. 00:31:59.680 --> 00:32:08.480 You know, we go to a lot of events, we watch panels of people talking about their entrepreneurship journey, how they're how they're doing their thing. 00:32:08.720 --> 00:32:11.519 We mingle, maybe we do, maybe we don't. 00:32:11.839 --> 00:32:17.599 Mingle with people or make people we get put on a nice outfit for the day and we go home. 00:32:17.759 --> 00:32:23.119 But are you leaving with actionable things to get you out of the rut where you are? 00:32:23.279 --> 00:32:28.000 Like somebody, maybe you haven't gotten a job because your resume isn't formatted correctly. 00:32:28.240 --> 00:32:32.400 Maybe you don't know how to present yourself on paper and in person. 00:32:32.880 --> 00:32:37.440 Maybe you want to elevate to the next role, you're not sure what's holding you back. 00:32:37.599 --> 00:32:59.039 Really having an event where we can talk through from an internal space, get the therapy

perspective, talk to a branding person and get that perspective, talk to an executive level leader, understand what you need to do, what is absent, and actually we'll have a hands-on workshop where you come in and you're leaving with like red pen. 00:32:59.279 --> 00:33:01.359 This is what you need to not do and change. 00:33:01.519 --> 00:33:03.599 We really want to provide resources this year. 00:33:03.759 --> 00:33:11.759 Um, we are also looking for schools to partner with because we have a partnership with Georgia State University, which that was our collegiate partner for last year to this year. 00:33:11.920 --> 00:33:14.559 And we're looking to extend more collegiate partnerships. 00:33:14.640 --> 00:33:19.440 So we're having conversations with schools now to see who is the next to add to our roster. 00:33:20.000 --> 00:33:21.279 I love hearing that. 00:33:21.440 --> 00:33:22.319 Oh my goodness. 00:33:22.480 --> 00:33:28.400 And we'll definitely be keeping um out, we'll be looking out for updates, especially I hear events. 00:33:28.640 --> 00:33:29.599 I love a good event. 00:33:29.839 --> 00:33:31.359 I will look out for those. 00:33:31.599 --> 00:33:36.559 And um, in terms of success, can you tell us what success means to you? 00:33:36.799 --> 00:33:43.440 What success means to me peace and ease and alignment. 00:33:43.759 --> 00:33:49.599 To have peace in your mind, how your life is functioning. 00:33:49.759 --> 00:33:54.079 When I think of my friendships, they feel fruitful, they're peaceful. 00:33:54.240 --> 00:33:56.880 There's no drama, no what does that mean? 00:33:57.119 --> 00:33:57.599 Shade. 00:33:57.920 --> 00:33:59.119 There's nothing going on. 00:33:59.359 --> 00:34:02.240 We pour in, I pour out, they pour in. 00:34:02.319 --> 00:34:03.920 We're pictures for each other. 00:34:04.160 --> 00:34:08.239 You know, when I have ease, sure, there's gonna be a challenge that you're working on. 00:34:08.400 --> 00:34:14.639 Ease doesn't mean I think that life or you you get to a season where there's nothing going on. 00:34:14.960 --> 00:34:17.280 There's gonna be things going on, sure. 00:34:17.599 --> 00:34:26.320 But you're navigating, you're not freezing like stuck and unsure, you're not having anxiety, you're you're you're confident. 00:34:26.480 --> 00:34:30.159 You know, it's I almost I think of an I think in analogy. 00:34:30.559 --> 00:34:34.320 So I almost think of like boat is at sail and sea. 00:34:34.480 --> 00:34:43.360 You're not fighting against the wave, you found your sail, you're just moving forward, regardless of how the waves start to roll. 00:34:43.679 --> 00:34:46.960 It it doesn't keep you from moving forward in your path. 00:34:47.119 --> 00:34:48.400 Just having that ease. 00:34:48.639 --> 00:34:51.599 Things there will be challenges, but things don't feel hard. 00:34:51.760 --> 00:34:59.519 And above all, alignment, the relationships that I have in my life are I'm aligned with these people. 00:34:59.679 --> 00:35:04.639 I'm aligned with the people that are my friends, my tribe. 00:35:04.800 --> 00:35:10.960 I'm aligned with my professional community that I have, those I've chosen to have in my professional community. 00:35:11.039 --> 00:35:18.960 You know, when you're not in alignment, it doesn't have to be chaos, it's closure because you got clear that this person isn't going into the season. 00:35:19.119 --> 00:35:22.320 You know, you have to recognize when it's time to get off the boat. 00:35:22.719 --> 00:35:30.000 It can be hurtful and hard to close doors that you had all the plans for. 00:35:30.159 --> 00:35:33.840 Like we're gonna do this, we're gonna do that person is not in this chapter. 00:35:34.000 --> 00:35:36.960 That's the season is up, and that's okay. 00:35:37.199 --> 00:35:39.599 And that's okay, right? 00:35:40.000 --> 00:35:44.639 So, yeah, having full alignment, having ease, and having peace. 00:35:44.800 --> 00:35:46.559 Having a peace of mind is priceless. 00:35:46.639 --> 00:35:48.000 You don't really know until you don't have it. 00:35:48.159 --> 00:35:50.960 That that to me is success. 00:35:51.599 --> 00:35:55.519 And what is interesting about those three things, peace, ease, and alignment. 00:35:55.679 --> 00:35:58.960 People think like, oh, I'm successful when I'm making this money. 00:35:59.119 --> 00:36:00.320 I didn't say nothing about that. 00:36:00.559 --> 00:36:04.239 Because the people could have all the money in the world and had have those three things. 00:36:04.559 --> 00:36:08.079 I think success for me is very much so internal. 00:36:08.239 --> 00:36:11.920 My second part to that answer is the why. 00:36:12.239 --> 00:36:14.159 Has your why been fulfilled? 00:36:14.320 --> 00:36:17.599 When your why is fulfilled, that's when you're successful. 00:36:17.920 --> 00:36:20.559 My why was making my mother proud. 00:36:20.719 --> 00:36:26.320 Like, my I talk about, I mean, anyone who knows me, my mom is gonna come about, my mom, my mom, my mom. 00:36:27.119 --> 00:36:31.519 And I've done that six times around the sun. 00:36:32.000 --> 00:36:35.440 It's not that I am going to become successful. 00:36:35.599 --> 00:36:36.880 I am successful. 00:36:37.039 --> 00:36:45.599 She knows that every every sacrifice, every dream that she has ever had in her heart for me has been realized. 00:36:46.079 --> 00:36:49.920 And she likes me as a person, as a woman. 00:36:50.159 --> 00:36:51.599 She enjoys me. 00:36:51.840 --> 00:36:56.639 There's many people who have kids, but you don't like like the spirit of your child and how they are. 00:36:56.719 --> 00:37:00.480 You don't like them, but you love them because they're your child. 00:37:00.639 --> 00:37:02.000 My mother likes me. 00:37:02.239 --> 00:37:04.000 She likes me, she loves me. 00:37:04.079 --> 00:37:04.800 It's great. 00:37:04.960 --> 00:37:09.039 I did what I was supposed to do, and I will honor her to the end of time. 00:37:09.280 --> 00:37:11.440 That's my that's my

thank you to her. 00:37:12.159 --> 00:37:12.880 I love that. 00:37:12.960 --> 00:37:15.119 Thanks so much for sharing all of that with us. 00:37:15.280 --> 00:37:16.719 You've been dropping gems. 00:37:16.960 --> 00:37:17.599 I can say that. 00:37:17.679 --> 00:37:20.639 I wish I could sing because I'll just be singing a song right now. 00:37:21.360 --> 00:37:24.480 Um, this conversation has made me very, very happy. 00:37:24.639 --> 00:37:28.079 And I'm just really glad that you spent this time with us. 00:37:28.239 --> 00:37:34.480 If there is one thing you'd like to leave with our audience, just one quick thing, what would that be? 00:37:34.719 --> 00:37:38.320 Find out who you are and never let that person go. 00:37:38.559 --> 00:37:56.559 Life is gonna throw so much at you, whether you're trying to do entrepreneurship, whether you're at work dealing with a in a toxic environment, toxic boss, whether you are in complicated uh relationships, friendships, personal relationships, you have to be grounded and know who you are. 00:37:56.719 --> 00:37:58.000 You have to be centered. 00:37:58.079 --> 00:38:01.360 It's so important to be anchored, right? 00:38:01.519 --> 00:38:05.760 That no one can tell you who you are except your maker. 00:38:05.920 --> 00:38:07.280 And you be swayed. 00:38:07.440 --> 00:38:09.360 You start second-guessing yourself. 00:38:09.440 --> 00:38:12.079 You need to be confident in how you move in the world. 00:38:12.320 --> 00:38:16.000 And confidence comes with being aware and informed. 00:38:16.239 --> 00:38:28.079 And you can only be confident in yourself when you are clear on who you are and who you are not, what you bring, what's your stroke of genius, is what you don't do too well, but need to improve. 00:38:28.320 --> 00:38:32.960 I think knowing who you are is like an anchor of life, it's vital. 00:38:33.199 --> 00:38:35.599 Yeah, and we do see that confidence. 00:38:35.679 --> 00:38:37.440 We see it, we feel it. 00:38:37.760 --> 00:38:40.800 I know you're very, very confident, and I love that. 00:38:40.960 --> 00:38:46.000 Um, so what's the best way that people can reach out to you? 00:38:46.400 --> 00:38:48.719 Yes, LinkedIn DMs. 00:38:49.360 --> 00:38:51.920 I'm always here for LinkedIn Message. 00:38:52.159 --> 00:38:59.599 Um, I'm also uh also um my email, so Yasbeen at Duncan Workforce Solutions. 00:38:59.840 --> 00:39:05.199 That is my other business, my HR Workforce Advisory email. 00:39:05.360 --> 00:39:16.159 We're at the end, but I just want to say when you talk about your mom, your relationship with your mom, when I see the confidence that comes through, I I feel like it's everything I want for my daughter and myself. 00:39:16.320 --> 00:39:20.880 The the relationship that you have and just the way you present to the world. 00:39:20.960 --> 00:39:23.280 Like that's how I see my Sierra being. 00:39:23.440 --> 00:39:24.800 So thank you so much. 00:39:26.000 --> 00:39:26.880 Thank you. 00:39:27.440 --> 00:39:28.639 You are so welcome. 00:39:28.800 --> 00:39:32.480 Mom, moms are like the heart of life, I promise you. 00:39:32.719 --> 00:39:38.639 And I always encourage people who have kids, ask them these questions. 00:39:38.800 --> 00:39:43.920 My mom was asking, my mom would tell me in the second grade when I got home from school. 00:39:44.079 --> 00:39:47.119 We still talk about the second grade, third grade, fourth grade, fifth grade. 00:39:47.280 --> 00:39:49.599 I remember all she was like, So, what do you want to do? 00:39:50.239 --> 00:39:50.800 What do you want to do? 00:39:50.880 --> 00:39:56.000 You gotta know, yes, me, you gotta know what you want to do, who you want, the woman you want to be, where you want to live, how you want to live. 00:39:56.079 --> 00:39:58.400 So we would keep going through those questions all the time. 00:39:58.559 --> 00:40:00.320 This was a regular conversation, every grade. 00:40:00.639 --> 00:40:02.239 So so you knew you you knew it. 00:40:02.320 --> 00:40:04.559 There was no way you not know it. 00:40:04.880 --> 00:40:07.199 Yeah, I never deviated. 00:40:07.519 --> 00:40:11.199 I ultimately I started off with an archaeologist, I wanted to be an archaeologist. 00:40:11.280 --> 00:40:13.119 I gave that up because how how do you do that? 00:40:13.280 --> 00:40:17.599 And where I'm from, listen, it's not even it's so far out of the park. 00:40:17.840 --> 00:40:23.119 Then I went through social work for a while, psychologist for a while, but I ended up in HR. 00:40:23.199 --> 00:40:26.239 Um, but what does social workers and psychologists do? 00:40:26.320 --> 00:40:27.039 They help people. 00:40:27.280 --> 00:40:27.920 What do I do? 00:40:28.000 --> 00:40:28.800 I help people. 00:40:29.039 --> 00:40:35.519 My mom didn't even my mom was giving me a North Star that I was always working towards, even when I didn't realize it. 00:40:35.760 --> 00:40:37.039 Yeah, I love that. 00:40:37.199 --> 00:40:38.000 I love that. 00:40:38.239 --> 00:40:40.159 Thank you so much, Yasmin. 00:40:40.400 --> 00:40:42.559 And I feel like there will be a part two. 00:40:42.800 --> 00:40:45.119 I can't I love having those conversations with you. 00:40:45.199 --> 00:40:46.239 So I let me know. 00:40:46.400 --> 00:40:48.559 Yes, I hope we get on here again soon. 00:40:48.719 --> 00:40:50.639 Thank you so much and have a good day. 00:40:50.960 --> 00:40:51.599 You too.