My Voice

I'm 24 and I own my own business. Last Thursday marked the launch of a very exciting project I've been conceptualizing for the past year, My Voice is Strong, and I'm so excited to be creating something for women, with women in Atlanta.

The My Voice is Strong project is all about capturing voices of Atlanta women who inspire us and encourage us and remind us to cultivate our own voices in our relationships, in our jobs, in our homes and most significantly, to ourselves.

On the eve of the launch, just before I headed out to dinner with some family and friends, I double-checked my bank account to confirm an automatic deposit had come through from a client. Instead of finding a wad of cash in my account, a bunch of red numbers lined the screen. Start panicking.

After a series of phone calls, and a realization that I would not be paying for dinner that night or coffee the next morning, I felt sick. Not because I didn't have any money, but because I didn't advocate for myself to my client.

The check was actually due on the 8th, but because my client was having a hectic week I agreed to push back to the 13th. But on the 13th, my client didn't have the checkbook. We agreed to set up an automatic deposit that would clear the day my next bill was due.

My Voice is Strong conceptualized from a time in my life when relationships, school, and personal endeavors had the run of my life. I was quiet and I was miserable. I didn't advocate for myself, or tell myself I was beautiful, that I was enough, that I was skinny, that I was lovable.

At the eve of the launch of My Voice is Strong I was very quiet and very miserable. See, I have this belief that I don't deserve to speak up for myself in front of my clients, that I don't deserve to be paid on time, and that I don't deserve to be financially fit, successful, happy.

Breaking down the beliefs I had about my body, my beauty, my intelligence and my heart took a ton of work and lots of practice. I'm not really sure where to start, but I know flexing my professional and fiscal voice is the next step and that the simple act of using my voice makes me strong.