Dr.Shekina Farr Moore is thee definition of fierce. She is a woman who has taken the word entrepreneur to another level. She is a woman who gets the job done by any means necessary. She’s bold; but humble. I would also dare to say unapologetic. Where’s she at in her business, her family life, and her personal life she worked for it. Nothing was handed to her. She’s paid the cost to wear the crown she wears! And my God! Doesn’t she wear it well?!
1. Who is Dr. Shekina Moore at her core? I am a strong woman, passionate about advancing the lives of women and girls; a woman who is clear about my purpose and the value that I bring to the world; a woman enjoying the journey of life and all the challenges this life presents; a mom, wife, sister and friend who loves God.
2. Why are you so passionate about helping young girls and women thrive? My own struggles as a youth definitely fuel my passion. I didn’t have a mentor outside the home. Some things you can’t share with family. I needed that big sis or that cool auntie I could confide in and get sound feedback. I second-guessed myself—my decisions and my worth—a lot growing up. I believe having a good mentor would have changed the game for me much sooner. It all worked out…but I was a late bloomer, that’s for sure. I believe the spark to bring about change hit me when came when I started teaching in 1999. In every school I have ever worked in, students were drawn to me and called me their mentor. I have always had this effect on students. My own experiences with overcoming low self-esteem and playing small to appease others somehow made me relatable and magnetic. I love how things come full circle in that way.
3. Are you open to mentoring? Absolutely! Even as an adult, it is a must. I still mentors with whom I soul search and dig deep. I honestly do not know how I would have made it without their help and their wise counsel. Indeed, there is safety in a multitude of counsel. I advise all women pursuing free enterprise or professional careers to seek out mentors who can help them navigate the tiered challenges they will surely face as they matriculate.
4. Tell us about your businesses? I am Co-CEO of Eroom Marketing Group, an empowerment parent company that oversees Intercontinental Coaching Institute, Literacy Moguls Publishing, Black Reins Magazine, ZOOM CON (featured on the White House’s United State of Women in 2016) and my flagship Non-profit, B2F Girls Worldwide–a gender empowerment incubator that produces advocacy initiatives, campaigns and events. B2F Girls offers a girls empowerment certification program that equips women with skills, tools, strategies and the training needed to run a successful girls empowerment program. Our Girls Empowerment Coach program is a licensed program available for women with a calling to mentor and train girls, specifically. The bonus is having a network of industry insiders with whom to collaborate and to share ideas, methods and innovation. We initially started as an organization that offered free workshops for girls ages 10-17 that addressed the areas of self-worth, body image and leadership. After our first successful year we had an influx calls, messages, inboxes and emails from women from various parts of the country asking how they could implement a similar program for the girls in their communities. It was then that we realized that this need required a systematic and accessible way of providing the training we were already offering. Women were seeking to give back and mentor girls but didn’t know where to begin or how to launch. They wanted me to mentor and guide them in how to implement a successful program, but I was busy running my own. Fast-forward, another six months went by and the requests to train women from all around the country continued to come in. In June 2015, I acquiesced and Tween Style Power became B2F Girls!™, a certification platform that equips women to launch their own girls empowerment programs across the country. In essence, the mission stayed the same; the how changed. We have network affiliate companies in many states now.
5. Where do you see yourself in the next 2 years? 5 years? In the next two years I am expanding my Fierce brand to include apparel, a national challenge and my new book and tour. I also have my eyes set on introducing the B2F Girls curriculum to schools around the country. I would love a partnership that would empower girls on a grander scale. In the next five years I envision Black Reins Magazine available in every major retail store and airport across the globe.
6. What’s next for Shekina personally? I am getting in the best shape of my life right now. With that there are levels. God is preparing me for more. More income and more travel. Through my journey, and God’s grace, I would love to inspire women across the nation to join me in my journey from fierce to formidable (the title of my next solo project).
7. Tell us about your coaching practice? Sure. I run an accredited coaching and coach training company called Intercontinental Coaching Institute (ICI) at traintocoach.com where we train and certify individuals as life coaches (we also offer many other niches). We specialize in certifying coaches to become coach trainers as we teach them how to open their own academies and we accredit their schools. We even provide materials. I am really excited about our new Open Your Own Academy Program that is allowing coaches to not only empower others as coaches but to also leverage a lucrative income stream with our turn-key system.
8. How do you handle setbacks? I handle setbacks by embracing them as learning opportunities. I haven’t always embraced setbacks, but I have learned to. Everyone loves a comeback story. I remember being so depressed because my clothing design business was doing well but I couldn’t financially keep up with the new collections that had to be put out every new season. I was exhausted and I folded the operation. It bothered me so badly. But. What I learned from it was priceless. So, now, moving forward, we already know what to expect when we return to the brand at a future date. My husband and I learned so much going through the process of designing, working with factories, marketing, getting into fashion shows, getting our pieces into stores that we have no fear. And the knowledge that people will pay you for is bananas.
9. What is the greatest lesson that you have learned in business? The greatest lessons I have learned in business are (1) to be impeccable with your record-keeping; (2) to keep your business books and your personal books separate; and (3) share but don’t over share. Everyone doesn’t have good intentions.
10. What advice would you give to that woman who’s business is not doing so great and wants to give up? Pause. A lot of people confuse pausing with quitting. And, for me, they are very different. Sometimes you have to be okay with taking a break to recup and to regroup. I took a hiatus from a major conference to reassess its effectiveness, whether it should continue and, if so, what could be tweaked to improve its impact. I have put together surveys, focus groups and mastermind groups to access the effectiveness of programs. There is nothing wrong with taking needed time to reflect so that you can come back refreshed, renewed and stronger than ever.
11. What does it take to have a successful business? That’s a loaded question, but, if I had to name just three things they would be tenacity, faith and a willingness to say no. Tenacity—You have to be able to go the distance while other give up. Faith—You won’t always be able to see the end but you have to trust the process. Say No—You can’t get distracted by every fad. You have to say no to things that simply are not aligned with your vision and ethical standards.
12. Are you your sisters’ keeper? Sisterhood is very important. I hear women say that they don’t need their sisters. It’s a lie. We need each other’s support, encouragement, celebration, collaboration and elevation. Yes. I am my sister’s keeper. So, let’s embrace “each one teach one” and let’s make the sister circle a bond that can’t be broken. Let’s hold each other up. There is no lack and there is room for everyone!
Connect with Dr.Shekina on the following social media sites: Facebook: DrShekina Moore Instagram: @blahtofierce
Contributor:
Jessica Mosley is a serial entrepreneur. She has a book publishing and a PR Firm. She is also the 2016 Recipient of the Barack Obama Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. You can connect with her on Facebook: Jessica Mosley or The Leadership Tribe; Instagram: @jessicaellemosley
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