Welcome to the Soulful Affluence (formerly known as Sophisticated Woman and Mama). I want to thank you for coming to this site and giving me the the opportunity to create a dialogue with you. The name change better reflects these two ideas:
1) Money matters if you want to design a lifestyle that allows you to comfortably meet your financial obligations AND reflects your values and beliefs.
2) Marketing matters if you want to serve the many people who could benefit from your work . This web site is dedicated to helping creative entrepreneurs to generate more income from their work.
The goal of Soulful Affluence is to teach you how to generate more income from your passion. In short, to move you from inspiration to having paying clients for your work. I learned quickly that writing books while rewarding doesn’t pay the bills—creating a business from my writing and speaking however did. You’ll get to learn from both my successes and my mistakes.
Here’s Why I Can Help You: An introduction….
I have been a professional writer and speaker for 16 years. I established the print newsletter, Full Disclosure: The Business of Hip Hop as a law student. The newsletter provided legal and business information, in plain English, to aspiring artists and entrepreneurs. The success of the newsletter lead to a “standing room only” panel seried held monthly in Manhattan.
My panels discussion created a buzz for me that led to me to be becoming a sought after speaker at entertainment and professional conferences. I also wrote music business columns for several music publications including TheSource. com, where I began to focus on the intersection between politics and culture. In 2003 I was included in The Source magazines’ “7th Annual Power 30 Issue.”
Over the years I’ve had the honor of speaking at numerous schools including Columbia University, Harvard University and Duke University about politics and culture. I was also a regular contributor to National Public Radio. BTW, I am graduate of Fordham University School of Law and I am a member of the New York State Bar.
In 2004 I debuted my first book and became a mother.
Stand & Deliver: Political Activism, Leadership & Hip Hop Culture (Softskull Press, 2004) is still used in college curricula around the country and the reference book, Encyclopedia of Rap and Hip Hop Culture (Greenwood Publishing, 2005) has been called the most comprehensive to date. My work is also included in several anthologies including, We Got Issues: A Young Women’s Guide to a Bold, Courageous and Empowered Life eds. Rha Goddess and JLove Calderon (Inner Ocean Publishing, 2006). My lastest work is the motherhood anthology, Who’s Your Mama: The Unsung Voices of Women and Mothers. Foreword by Rebecca Walker (Counterpoint, 2009).
I Don’t Mean To Brag or Testify…
In my career I’ve gone from paying my own way to appear at conferences to being a speaker paid between $1,000 - $5,000 (excluding air fare and hotel) for a 60-90 minute talk or panel. I’ve received $500 for reprint rights for an essay (a year or two old) and up to $5,000 for a new essay. Having a book and a brand (reputation) helped me to garner great fees.
Like many of you, I experienced the “feast or famine” money cycle. I had periods of receiving checks and (the occaisonal limo) to times when the phone didn’t ring and work was non-existent. Like many folks I thought marketing was sleezy—my work should speak for itself. I have since learned that creating a business and doing regular marketing is the means to get out your message (or art ) and creating consistent income from it.
Over the years the common thread of my work has been to provide people with valuable information that can improve their lives and their livelihoods.
Soulful Affluence will be valuable to anyone who’s committed to a creating a business that provide personal satisfaction AND an excellent income. You can also follow me on Twitter. I f you want to learn more about how I help creative folks earn more money Click Here
Join the conversation; I cannot wait to meet you! I’ve had the great fortune of having some great mentors as I’ve went about blazing a trail that was authentically me. I understand how important it is to mentor women business owners. Think of me as a new girlfriend who’s willing to share her experiences with you. Pose your questions and your comments and I’ll answer back. Here’s to you and taking your career to the next level!
Step Into Your Greatness!
Yvonne
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Great post. Goal setting is definitely something I struggle with. I tend to have big DREAMS, but fall short on actionable steps to make them happen. THAT is what I want to work more on these days.
The new website is fabulous, Yvonne! And the new name is much more in line with what you have to offer. Thanks for being there!