Beauty expert and entrepreneur, Mikki Taylor

For more than 30 years, Mikki Taylor has been a power player in the fashion and beauty industries, enlightening women of color as beauty and cover director at Essence magazine. Having appeared on several television networks and shows, including The Oprah Winfrey Show, The View and CNN, Taylor has become the leading source on embracing holistic beauty — from the inside out.

Ambassador for Ambi Skincare and author of Self-Seduction: Your Ulti­mate Path to Inner and Outer Beauty (Bal­lan­tine Books/One World), Taylor has expanded her international brand further with her latest read, Commander in Chic: Every Woman’s Guide to Managing Her Style Like a First Lady (Atria Books; $26.99). Inspired by the fashion poise and prowess of First Lady Michelle Obama, Taylor’s latest book is a convenient, yet extensive guide on beauty and fashion that any busy career professional can reference to step up her style game.

BlackEnterprise.com caught up with Taylor to find out how she began her career journey, how she tapped into her gift, and how you can capture your own purpose for professional fulfillment and success.

BlackEnterprise.com: How did you get started in the business of beauty and fashion?

I first met the Essence team as a model … and after I went into fashion and merchandising, I was hired at Essence to work on the fashion pages. I brought my expertise from working with Elie Tahari Ltd., where I handled a lot involving the production of fabrics and textiles.

In my first year at Essence, I was home sewing and accessories editor, so I would shop the fabric market and have the pattern houses create clothing for a special feature within each issue that was dedicated to clothes that readers could make at home. A year later, after curiosity and using my gift (I also had a background in beauty retail), I became the magazine’s beauty editor.

What sparked your purpose and inspiration in pursuing your career?

A lot of it was heavily influenced by my mother, Modina Davis Watson, who was the make-up artist, wardrobe and hair stylist to singer Sarah Vaughn for 10 years. [That time] was my coming of age, watching beauty and style have its way. My mother traveled the world with Vaughn, and she’d send magazines home from all over the world. All of it was an influence in getting started in my career. It was quite easy to choose a path of beauty and fashion.

What inspired you to write your book based on the style of Michelle Obama and what was the process?

It was in keeping with my goal to help women own their lives and master their purpose. I understood, after working with First Lady Michelle Obama, that every woman could embrace and relate to her. I’ve always seen women as muses and was always inspired by Mrs. Obama.

I’d first met her when she was then-Sen. Barack Obama’s wife in 2006 at an Essence shoot. I remember she walked in camera-ready, and I was quite impressed. I ended up working with her again, as I’d written about her in the magazine. I’d worked with her in her home in Chicago, and they were always entertaining guests and had all the excitement of the presidential election. The last I saw her at that time, I had a feeling it would be the last time I would see her as a senator’s wife.

The next time I worked with her, I decided to write the book, which took six months. From this book, readers will be able to know when and where to shop, what to wear, and the best makeup finds. They’ll know the most bankable, mileage-making pieces to include in their wardrobe, so that they can present their best and most confident look to the world.

How have you used social media in branding yourself and facilitating your purpose?

Social media allows me to keep conversation going. I’m heavily involved on Twitter and Facebook. On Twitter, I have themes like Follow-up Fridays, where women can ask questions; I Am Mondays, where women can declare their strengths; and Spread the Love Wednesdays, where people can tell how they are making the world a better place.

Continued on next page …

Beauty expert Mikki Taylor seeks to inspire and empower with her latest book, Commander in Chic: Every Woman's Guide to Managing Her Style Like a First Lady.

You’ve had more than three decades of success. How can women, who are also seasoned in their careers, find that boost to refresh and revive?

It’s part of owning your life. You have to ask yourself, ‘Is this the life that I want to live?’ Does your job allow you to use your gift? Does it fuel your soul in the most meaningful way? Does it challenge you to grow? If it isn’t pushing you, causing you to be smarter or open doors to other opportunities, it may be time for a change.

Whatever your dreams are, go get what you need to fulfill them. You have to consistently be in a revival. The Creator installs gifts in you, and your goal should be to spend all of it. Compose a checklist to make sure you’re on course and expand it all the time. Know your value and set your own standards. Where do you see yourself in five years? How do you evaluate yourself? Does the job live up to your standards? Are you making a contribution?

If you have awareness, it’s time to act on it. Age is not the piece that gets in the way. Make someone know why you are the best at what you do, or create the opportunity for yourself.

Where do you see your career transitioning in the coming years? My goal is to empower women. That’s been my mission for the past 30-plus years. I see continuing that mission on a greater plane, to empower us in every aspect of our lives. I am touring the country as a motivational speaker trying to help us own our lives and master our purpose with distinction.

I have a new nail polish line coming out February 2012, called The Forever Nude Collection by Mikki Taylor, which includes a select group of nudes where the colors are based on skin tones and undertones [of women of color].

As the Ambi Skincare brand ambassador, I look forward to empowering a new generation of what I call ‘flawless females’ … and I look forward to empowering our inner and outer beauty from that perspective. There will be more books ahead, and I will continue to use every medium — radio, television, print, social media— to empower us in every way that I can. This is the work I’ve committed my life to.

Mikki Taylor’s 6 Tips for Finding Your Purpose and Career Success

Identify your gift and use it. “My mother really used her gift, and she was a creative artist. We were encouraged to do the same.”

Make your gift your contribution. It’s not about going to work. It’s not about getting a job. People do that every day. But using your gift is something on a higher plane.

If something you desire doesn’t exist, have the vision and determination to create it. “At Essence, I created the position for cover editor, pitched it and got it. I wanted to give our covers synergy and balance.”

Develop ‘Brand You.’ “Be aggressive. Be your best marketer and best cheerleader. Identify where you want to position yourself and use your gift.”

Get a mentor. This person should guide you to where you want to be. “Never accept the concept that its lonely at the top. You want to be surrounded by supporters, great people, and those who have been where you’re going.”

Get out of your comfort zone and get involved. Attend events that have everything to do with the industry you see yourself being involved in. “For example, if you want to be in the beauty industry, attend events by the Cosmetic Executive Women organization in New York. Network. Network. Network.”

Are you a Woman of Power? Then Join us for the annual Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit hosted by State Farm, Feb. 15–18, 2012, at The Ritz-Carlton, Orlando, FL. This exciting, executive leadership summit is your chance to focus on YOU. Network with industry leaders, learn career strategies, find work-life balance, and start creating—and living—the life you really want! Register now and use code DGED12 to receive a $200 discount off the price of registration! (Cannot be combined with other offers.)

Sound familiar? The pressure to pursue the “right” career—when your true passion lies elsewhere—can be a dream crusher. Whether the pressure is coming from your doctor dad and your lawyer mom or your struggling single mother who wants you to do better, the well-intentioned, but dispiriting expectations must be addressed.

“Balancing your family’s dreams and your own is a major hallmark of adulthood,” says S. Tia Brown, licensed therapist and founder of Do Better, Be Better, L.L.C. “Parents have many reasons — which may range from living vicariously through them to simply genuinely wanting what they perceive to be best for the child— for setting career aspirations for their kids. Defying parents’ wishes can have emotional and financial consequences, so individuals should be well-prepared for both.”

Brown offers seven tips for how to do just that, to move past the pressure to pursue profit over passion. Use them to get beyond your family’s expectations for you and earn a comfortable living doing what you love.

Make sure you are moving toward a desired goal and not just away from what’s expected of you. Are you not choosing a particular career path just to be rebellious? Are you actually interested in the “family business,” but you are just afraid of failure or being compared to successful relatives? These are questions you must ask yourself and have the courage to give honest answers.

Practice due diligence, Brown says. “Take an aptitude test to determine what areas you excel. Don’t pick something just because you simply like it.”

Get a mentor. Mentors are important no matter what the career is, but a mentor is especially important when it’s a non-traditional career that you seek. Get advice and guidance from someone who has achieved your goal.

Make long- and short-term financial plans. Beyond just the obvious need to pay your rent and cover your household bills, you must also consider other costs such as health insurance and future security in the form of retirement funds and savings. Create realistic financial goals and be aggressive about pursuing grants, loans and other available financial options.

Find creative ways to boost your income within your chosen field. Let’s say your family wants you to be a doctor, but your dream job is to be a magazine editor. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a primary care physician is $186,000 while the median annual salary for an editor is approximately $50,000.

Monetization matters, Brown says. “You may want to be a DJ, but can it pay the bills? Don’t ditch a steady career for a dream and expect others to finance your choice. Make sure you have a way to thrive — sans a parental stipend.”

You likely won’t climb to $186,000 (unless you snag a top spot at a major publication), but you can get closer to that by supplementing your income with freelance writing assignments for other publications and non-byline services such as writing press releases for companies. Be creative, and get paid for practicing. The more you practice your craft, the better you become.

Get professional help. If the career you love involves you working for yourself, you must be especially diligent about your business affairs. Consult experts in finance, law and business management. Do you need to form an L.L.C? What can you write off on your taxes? Paying for advice from professionals may hurt the wallet up front, but that advice can save you from future financial and legal troubles.

Become a pro with credentials. If being taken seriously in your dream job means obtaining a particular degree or license, go for it. Also, consider the time and money it will take to obtain those credentials. Be open to paying the bills with that traditional job as you prepare for your new career.

Speak affirmatively when you talk to your family about your career decision. Explain to your family that you are being practical as you pursue your passion. Don’t just bash the career they want for you, instead anticipate the questions they will undoubtedly come and have solid answers ready.

“Once you have a firm plan in place let your family know your goals, why you choose to change course and that you appreciate their support—but are not seeking their approval,” Brown says. “Young adults should remember that elders often have foresight due to experience. It is important be able to differentiate between constructive criticism and negativity.”

(Image: Thinkstock)

Many career paths include several jobs and interests, and they all may not be related. But what the journey should have in common is that it’s build on passion and applicable skills. Some people know their calling, while others are still searching, but one can’t deny whether they like, dislike, or are good at what they do for a living.

Whether it’s that sales clerk who always has an attitude, or that coworker who shows his incompetence more than often, there are always tell-tale signs that maybe a job or career path isn’t the right fit.

Madame Noire gives five key indicators that a change of career should not only be considered, but actively pursued. Tap into your strong suits to find out what vocation or career path fits you.

Read more at Madame Noire …

(Image: Thinkstock)

In day 7 of our Life Balance series, we urge high achievers — whose journey to excellence can be filled with reward, hard work, and quite a bit of stress — to nurture an unbreakable inner confidence.

Believe it or not, whatever you want is available to you if you have the confidence and belief that you can have what you want and that you deserve it. This does not mean confidence in our degrees, our knowledge, job titles, position, social status, etc. Instead, it is about having a pure and honest confidence in the person you are. Many successful people have achieved career success through their fear of failure. And while such fear can be a powerful and effective motivator, it can also limit your sense of accomplishment and impede growth in other areas of your life. For many high achievers, confidence is built on external validations like applause, accolades, wins, or promotions. And their ensuring quest to feel this rush keeps them from being engaged in other areas of their lives. True confidence should come from a life well lived and enjoyed … not the proverbial feathers in your cap.

Check us out tomorrow for Day 8′s method: The Courage to be Faithful.

Sheri Riley is founder and chief partnership strategist of GLUE Inc., a premier entertainment consulting and management agency with clients including Converse and CVS Pharmacy. Having a background working with the industry’s top achievers, Riley strives to motivate, teach and inform via her second role as creator of Exponential Living L.L.C., a concept that focuses on creating holistic life balance.

Day 1, Healthy Living Goes Beyond Watching Diet

Day 2: Seek Peace in Not Some — But All — Aspects

Day 3: Create in Yourself a Giving Heart and Spirit

Day 4: Channel Your P.O.W.E.R.

Day 5: Take a Moment to Pause and Evaluate

Day 6: Make Joy and Contentment Your Lifestyle

Day 8: Find the Courage to be Faithfulg>

Method 2:  Make peace a prominent goal in all areas for holistic success.

Cultivating and maintaining a peaceful life must be a goal of paramount importance. Distractions and life’s distresses both small and large will pull you away from this goal each and every time you allow it. Your thoughts are the training ground and springboard for your overall disposition and perspective on life.  Many accomplished people never pause to revel in or acknowledge their success. They are constantly striving for what’s next. While not entirely a bad thing, when your desire to achieve becomes bigger than your desire to BE, your existence will be likened to a hamster running in an endless circle, never at peace and never at a point of rest.

Check us out tomorrow for Day 3′s method: The Importance of Having a Giving Heart and Spirit.

Sheri Riley is founder and chief partnership strategist of GLUE Inc., a premier entertainment consulting and management agency with clients including Converse and CVS Pharmacy. Having a background working with the industry’s top achievers, Riley strives to motivate, teach and inform via her second role as creator of Exponential Living L.L.C., a concept that focuses on creating holistic life balance.

Day 1, Healthy Living Goes Beyond Watching Diet

Day 3: Create in Yourself a Giving Heart and Spirit

Day 4: Channel Your P.O.W.E.R.

Day 5: Take a Moment to Pause and Evaluate

Day 6: Make Joy and Contentment Your Lifestyle

Day 7: Build and Nurture Healthy Self-Confidence

Day 8: Find the Courage to be Faithful

(Image: Thinkstock)

Many of us wear several hats, from girlfriend to mother to friend to mentor to boss. But, when it’s time to get to work, we all have our distinct face we put on, bringing it to the office to get the job done.

There are several different yet typical personalities present in most offices, and if we don’t embody them, we know someone who does. Madame Noire details these types, from the nurturer to the cut-throat. Check them out and see which one might be you.

Read more at Madame Noire …

(Image: Thinkstock)

With today’s hectic life— from taking care of home to excelling at the office to finding time for leisure — it can be heard to properly balance it all. And far too many of us spend 100% of our time on only 10% of who we are today, and can be tomorrow.

When it comes to exactly how we spend our time, the numbers reflect some eye-opening truths: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, many of us work eight hours per day, commute for at least one hour per day, spend at least two hours eating, watch TV for five hours each day and spend nearly two hours a day using a computer for leisure activity, such as online games, research or social media.

That covers almost 18 hours, which doesn’t even include the multiple hours needed for our evening slumber. Clearly, we spend more time on what we aren’t than we do on who and what we are…and want to be.

For high achievers in particular, there isn’t a problem understanding how to get things done, but rather how to balance it all. So many successful people spend the majority of their time on one area of their life where they excel, but perpetually feel unfulfilled.

With this in mind, we begin nine days covering nine quick methods to help high achievers tap into the other 90% of who they are—beyond what they do— and realize greater life balance, joy and fulfillment in kind:

METHOD 1: Reverse negative thoughts, and find truth in self.

There is more to life than the race to achieve more money or a fancy job title.  And, there is more to living healthfully than what food you ingest or what physical exercises you do.

Other lifestyle decisions, such as those related to marriage, parenting, and friendships, all factor into one’s healthy sense of self. Healthy living requires being true to yourself and being truly present when you’re with loved ones.

It is also a frame of mind. If your thoughts are self-destructive, this negativity will manifest itself in your body through stress, anxiety and other adverse physical conditions, and can undermine your personal and professional relationships with others.

Check us out tomorrow for Day 2′s method: Peace and a Positive Mind: Your Defenses in the Face of Distractions

Sheri Riley is founder and chief partnership strategist of GLUE Inc., a premier entertainment consulting and management agency with clients including Converse and CVS Pharmacy. Having a background working with the industry’s top achievers, Riley strives to motivate, teach and inform via her second role as creator of Exponential Living L.L.C., a concept that focuses on creating holistic life balance.

Day 2: Seek Peace in Not Some — But All — Aspects

Day 3: Create in Yourself a Giving Heart and Spirit

Day 4: Channel Your P.O.W.E.R.

Day 5: Take a Moment to Pause and Evaluate

Day 6: Make Joy and Contentment Your Lifestyle

Day 7: Build and Nurture Healthy Self-Confidence

Day 8: Find the Courage to be Faithful