Women Entreprenuers

B the Word…Megan Noble

In September of 2019, the universe smiled down upon me and introduced me to the inspiring, determined Megan Noble. After dodging two serious health related bullets in 2019, my doctor advised that it was time to do something about my stress level and focus on my health. That same day, I received a free training session at a gym. I was a dues paying member for years, but I rarely darkened their door. Maybe it was the doctor’s stern warning or maybe it was fate, but for some reason, I took action and signed up for the session.

Early Saturday morning, I reluctantly reported to my free session. I was determined to get in a quick workout and even more determined to walk out without making a financial commitment for more sessions. And then I met Megan.

Megan Noble…a Brave Believer

Megan Noble…a Brave Believer

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Megan is confident, happy, kind and wise beyond her years.  We immediately connected and talked about my goals, challenges, and my own limiting beliefs around change. I commented that I was writing a women's leadership book, working on a chapter about how our belief systems hold us back from achieving our goals. The hour passed quickly.  We did some basic balance and core exercises. I left there feeling empowered and hopeful and decided that maybe it was time to invest in my health and work with Megan. I committed to one month.; just one month.

A month turned into several, and here we are a year, and a pandemic, later and I am still training with Megan. She has made a monumental difference in my life. I'm proud to say that I'm in better shape now than I was in my 30's and I have found a passion for fitness and working out. I could not have made it through this challenging year without the support and challenge that Megan provided.

At 24 years old, Megan is a powerhouse, taking Dallas by storm in her unique way.  Megan exudes” The B Word” - Beliefs and Bravery.  At a young age, she has already learned how limiting beliefs can limit her success. She bravely tackles challenges in her life. Whether facing a lay off or setting a new physical challenge like mastering handstands, Megan is unwavering and brave.


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During the COVID Pandemic Megan took on a new challenge-mastering  the art of hand stands.

During the COVID Pandemic Megan took on a new challenge-mastering the art of hand stands.

Here is Megan's story:

TK:  You come from a long line of strong women. Your grandmother, Ruthann Pitaro, was a police officer in the Bronx back in 1973. She chronicles her experience in her book called "Joining the Men's Club." What influence did she have on your life?

MN: My grandma, I called her Mimi, had a significant impact on my life. I grew up in Florida and spent most of my time with Mimi.  I slept at her house several nights a week. She taught me how to cook, took me to church, and talked to me about everything I was too scared to discuss with my parents.  She was and still is my role model.

Ruthann Pitaro wrote a book about being one of the first female police officers in the Bronx in the 1970’s. Available on Amazon

Ruthann Pitaro wrote a book about being one of the first female police officers in the Bronx in the 1970’s. Available on Amazon

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Megan and Mimi

Megan and Mimi

Mimi was the example of a strong, independent woman.  At five feet tall and barely a hundred pounds, she was the strongest woman I've ever met.  She worked as a police officer in the Bronx in the '70s, raised two kids as a single mother, and pursued a variety of different careers throughout her lifetime. Mimi showed me that in this life, you can do anything.   

She had unwavering faith, security, knowing that no matter her circumstances, it would all be okay.  I believe her influence made me the strong, independent woman that I am today.  I live my life with peace, knowing that struggles are a part of life, if something doesn't work out, try something else.  It'll all be okay.

TK:  In a short time frame, you graduated from college, moved from Florida to Texas, and started your own business.  How do you set your mindset and deal with limiting beliefs that may hold you back?

 MN:   After graduation, my college boyfriend and I decided to move to Texas. I never lived more than a four-hour drive from my family and the idea of leaving as scary. I had a lot of doubt from the voice in my head saying things like, "I don't know anyone in TX," "I have nothing-no job, no income," "I can't support myself," "What if this relationship fails," etc.

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Believe in yourself

If something doesn’t work out, try something else.

The fear felt crippling at times, but ultimately I made a move.  I reminded myself that I'd accomplished everything I'd set out to achieve thus far in life and that no matter what happened, I would figure it out, and I did. 

I took my first full-time job as a personal trainer in August 2019.  Just over six months later, I was furloughed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; what a blessing in disguise that was.  It was during quarantine that I realized how much time I had been giving to someone else's business and decided I wouldn't go back. 

With a gut-wrenching amount of fear and uncertainty, I took another leap of faith and began my own business.  This time I had to overcome limiting beliefs such as "I'm too young," "I don't know how to run a business," "How will I find clients?" and "What if I can't pay my bills?"  Again, I decided I would act despite fear and trust myself to figure it out along the way.  And I am! So far, my business is the most rewarding experience of my life.  

 TK:  What is your philosophy on dieting and health? How do you encourage your clients that it's a journey and not a sprint? 

Nutrition is truly my passion.  Over the years, I've personally tried a few different approaches.  I tried eating "clean" at the beginning of my fitness journey, which was an over-restrictive approach that ultimately led me to binge eating tendencies.  I tracked my macros for a few years, which was a fantastic tool, but after competing in bikini bodybuilding in 2018, my approach to nutrition evolved.  

Megan competing in bikini bodybuilding competition in 2018.

Megan competing in bikini bodybuilding competition in 2018.

Evolve
Challenges are opportunities to grow.

MN: My philosophy is that health and fitness don't have to be black and white.  It shouldn't be an all or nothing, "good" or "bad," mentality.  There are no magic diets or supplements that work universally.  Everyone is different, and the approach to exercise and nutrition you follow should be one that feels good to you!  It's much simpler than we think.  With the proper understanding of some essential nutrition principles, eating healthy can be sustainable and enjoyable!

My passion is to educate and empower women to develop sustainable, healthy habits through exercise and nutrition.  I help show them that extremes aren't necessary and how to conquer their nutrition once and for all.  In short, I like to say, "Eat like you love yourself."

 TK:  What words shape your life each day? 

Eat like you love yourself.
— Megan Noble

MN: I have a tattoo on my wrist that says, "evolve."  To me, this symbolizes that challenges are merely opportunities for us to grow.  I believe our mindset determines our reality.  When faced with challenges, we can choose to feel sorry for ourselves, or we can choose to meet them head-on and learn from them.  What we focus on we create more of, so focus on what can go right.  And get comfortable being uncomfortable, it usually means you're on the right track.

 Are you ready to take the next step in your fitness and nutrition journey? Contact Megan at megnoble0410@yahoo.com follow her on Instagram at megan_noble_

Living the B Words; Cimone Key

My latest book, The B Words; 13 Words Women Must Navigate for Success will be coming out this fall. While researching the book, I had the opportunity to meet many extraordinary women, each one more than willing to share their stories to support other women.  Each week I will highlight a woman I admire who is living the principles outlined in The B Words

I’m excited to introduce you to the amazing, talented Cimone Key.

Cimone KeyFounder of CK Creative Studio

Cimone Key

Founder of CK Creative Studio


Cimone is an unstoppable black female entrepreneur and founder of CK Creative Studio (https://ckcreativestudio.com), a branding and digital design agency with an integrated Louisiana themed co-working spaced designed for creatives to work in a supportive, collaborative environment. While Cimone is growing her branding and digital design agency, she also opened her studio to provide coaching, connection, and creative opportunities and ultimately build a social community to share with others on her journey.  Cimone never ceases to amaze me in her professionalism, tenacity, and grace.

I met Cimone last year when I was looking for someone to create a website and take a head shot for me.  We set up a time to meet in person, and we immediately connected.  When the elevator doors opened in her eclectic and modern downtown Dallas renovated building, Cimone's welcoming smile and excitement filled the space between us. I was anxious about getting my picture taken. And in a splint second, all that anxiety melted away. Cimone and I chatted about my book and how I wanted to support and uplift women in non-traditional roles in the workplace.  Cimone shared her vision of opening a studio where creatives could collaborate and share experiences. We also perfected the art of the "fake laugh" that day. We discovered if you start with a fake laugh, you actually start laughing, which translates in to more natural, happier photos and a lot more fun.

Picture Day!!!

Picture Day!!!

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Fast forward less than a year, and through Cimone's leadership and commitment, she realized her dream. Cimone is living the characteristics of The B Word – Bad Ass. Cimone sets a vision, and nothing stands in the way of her achieving her dreams. That is Bad Ass!  I had the opportunity to interview Cimone to get some insight, and the following is what she shared with me.

 TK: What inspired to open your new studio?

CK: I always knew as a young child that I would open up my own branding and digital design agency. The woman who inspired me was named Margo Chase. She has several design studios around the nation, and I loved how small and intimate they were. Although I loved Margo Chase, it wasn't easy to find women of color in my space that I could look up to. We naturally have a hard time building a business and having the knowledge being passed down to us from generation to generation, so I wanted to see someone who looks like me, who had the same barriers that I would have building a tech business. Since I didn't see a woman of color in my industry, owning a branding and digital design agency and being in a tech industry, and flourishing, I felt that it was my duty to be the person people aspire to. I wanted to show other young women that they can do it too.

It's rare to see a minority-owned business doing what I'm doing and accomplishing the goals that I'm achieving. I've worked hard, with no handouts, no loans, no investments, or capital. 

CK Creative Studio Dallas, TX

CK Creative Studio Dallas, TX

TK:  What barriers were in your way?

CK: One barrier that was in my way was not being able to have a path to walk in.  I'm providing the path and knocking down those barriers for the next generation. We all go to high school and college to work for someone else. Schools don't typically teach us how to run a business. It's passed down from generation to generation inside of a family tree. I've had to fall and get back up multiple times.

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Another barrier is being a woman but also a black woman. There was a time that women couldn't work, and when they did, they were paid lower than their counterparts. Then black women were able to work, and we got paid lower than Caucasian women. I'm fighting for what's right; equal pay. 

TK:  How did you overcome these barriers?

CK: Overcoming my barriers is still an uphill battle for me. I've only been in business for almost five years, and if it takes me ten or twenty years, I will fight for what's right. 

 I do whatever is necessary to move forward.  COVID -19 delayed my studio grand opening. Yet, we opened anyway and had a small party with a few close friends. We have rescheduled the official Grand Opening for next year. Just a few short weeks later, the Black Lives Matter (BLM) riots started.  I knew I could put the studio to good use to bring awareness to this incredibly meaningful, life-changing issue finally. I invited creatives to my studio to collaborate and design BLM posters in a safe and collaborative environment.

A Poster from the BLM DESIGN FOR THE CAUSE poster design meetup at CK Creative Studio.

A Poster from the BLM DESIGN FOR THE CAUSE poster design meetup at CK Creative Studio.

TK: What would you say to other young females who want to start a business or pursue a passion? 

CK: What I would say to other young females who want to start a business or pursue a passion is that it's possible. You have to start somewhere. You are your worst enemy. Your business doesn't have to be perfect when you start because striving for perfection will delay your purpose. Strive for greatness. Always remember that we are strong, bold, and wise, and we can do anything we want when we put our minds to it. 

 

Strive for greatness. Always remember that we are strong, bold, and wise, and we can do anything we want when we put our minds to it. 
— Cimone Key

Cimone Key is a young black female entrepreneur who is living her own authentic life and already intentionally reaching back and opening doors for others on her journey. The world desperately needs more Bad Ass role models like Cimone.  Find out more about Cimone's studio and her work at https://ckcreativestudio.com/

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