#CoffeeTalk

With your career success and blog success, how do you stay on top of your “power hour” and balance each?

Even though my days are generally jam packed from the time I wake up until it’s time for bed, I’m thankful that they’re almost always flexible. I don’t have children or a husband, so my evenings are free. If I needed to miss the gym that morning for some extra sleep, I can make it for it after work. If I need to take 15-minutes at my desk in the morning to set my goals and practice my affirmations, no one will walk by and interrupt me. I’ll listen to Audiobooks on my drive to work so I don’t feel I have to find the time to read. Some days I slack. I’ll close my eyes to meditate and end up dozing off because I’m so tired. All of the things included in the Power Hour are important to me and increase my overall livelihood, so they stay at the forefront of my mind as things I “need to do”. We have the time, we just have to make the time.

It’s still freezing here in New Jersey and I’m not sure when I’ll actually be able to leave my coat at home. Do you mind doing a round-up of your favorite jackets this season?

I feel your pain sister. I’ve hardly gotten the chance to wear my jackets. Here are some favorites I had in my cart but didn’t make sense to order. By the way, it’s currently 85 degrees in Houston.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years? Personally and professionally.

Five years seems so far away, but just like I was just 22, I’ll look up and be 32. In that time, I hope to be married to a handsome, supportive and equally ambitious man and possibly have a baby… or two. Children are a long stretch for me LOL I’d have to wrap my mind around that. If for whatever reason I’m not married, I’ll be in my dream townhouse with a custom closet still traveling to the places I once dreamed of. I will very likely own my own company, helping start-ups and other companies perfect their branding. I plan to do a big amount of public speaking across many platforms discussing topics of education, independence, minorities in Corporate, how style changes your life and essentially, women following whatever vision they have for their lives. The B Werd will still be a very transparent brand walking women through their 20-something early 30 journey and I’ll be teaching everything that I learn in the meantime. I really advise anyone wanting to answer this question for themselves to work through the Where Will You Be in 5 Years book. It was gifted to me and it’s dedicated to purpose, progress and nailing down what you want to do and how you will do it.

Paris Fashion Week sounds amazing. Your style is impeccable, have you thought of styling in the future as a hustle?

Unfortunately, I won’t even be able to make it to Paris. My workload is unimaginable right now and I couldn’t afford to be out of the office for a week solid, so I had to make a grown up decision. That’s OK though! Paris is always there. As far as styling, I would love to tell anyone what to wear! My friends and coworkers text me all the time asking what to wear where, or what to pair what with. I do it because I love it. People don’t realize how time consuming shopping for the perfect piece is, especially if clothes need to be tried on. I probably step into a mall twice a year because 1) I don’t have the time and 2) I dread the germ-infested place. If there’s any way to be a virtual stylist, without having to actually go out and shop or meet clients I’d definitely make the time for it LOL. Other than that, I think my other passions beat styling.

I’m a female engineer and am being honored by company for recent water work I’ve done in Peru. I want to wear a sequin blazer to show off all this Black Girl Magic! Please help.

First of all, congratulations! That’s such a dope accomplishment. Second of all, I know that’s right girl! Lol here are my options. I actually have two of these and I love them. They spruce up even the most casual outfit.

The B Werd is bursting through barriers and I believe it’s really creating the platform you envisioned. How would you say you continue to drive traffic to your site?

I just post! None of my marketing tactics have changed since I began The B Werd. Keep in mind that when you first begin a blog, you’ll see a large number of visitors in the beginning. People are going to want to see what you’re talking about and how it’s set up. After a while, that buzz will die down and you’re going to wonder where those numbers went; which is why it’s so important to continue to create quality content specific to what your audience is going to want to read. Just like you’re a consistent reader (Hey Cass!) you will gain other consistent readers, who will share your posts with others who will become consistent readers. It’s very important to grow your following on at least one social media account in order to drive traffic back to your site. People stumble across my posts on Instagram, which leads them to my site. I’m never too good for a shameless plug, mmmk!

I just love your blog setup for TheBWerd.com. Do you edit and upload everything yourself? Or do you have a team that updates it for you? I would love to start a travel blog but I’m not that tech savvy yet.

Thank you! It’s a purchased theme from Pipdig, but there are millions of sites available to purchase simple clean layouts. I do everything on here. Write, edit photos, upload posts, respond to comments, etc. This site is personal for me and I’m not sure I’d trust anyone else to do it exactly the way I’d want it. You don’t have to be very tech savvy at all to have a blog. I use WordPress and the pages on the back-end can be complicated, but there are much simpler ways to house your blog, like Wix, Squarespace or Bloggr. The only things you’ll need for a simple, but quality travel blog are a decent camera for quality photos, a domain name, and an easy-to-navigate site. I’d be happy to put you in touch with a graphic designer if you need it!

Please share where you got that denim boyfriend button down from that you posted on Instagram! Tight fitting clothing isn’t the most flattering on me but I love how dainty it still made you look. 

Thanks so much! I picked that dress up from Zara a couple of weeks ago and was unable to find it online. However, denim shirt dresses are easy to come by and even easier to wear. You should definitely consider adding one to your closet for days you don’t want to have to put an outfit together. Here are some other options that I liked.

You’re always putting music up on your Instastories. What are some songs you’re currently listening to that keep you motivated and push you harder?

I have two moods: hustler trappin’ out the bando and spiritual neo-soul LOL. I’m rotating these songs currently, from the gym to the coffee shop after work. 1) Future – Mask Off 2) Big Sean – Halfway off the Balcony 3) Gucci Mane – Both 4) DJ Khaled – Shining 5) Jidenna – The Let Out 6) Migos – Cocoon 7) Jeremih – Think of You 8) Syd – Got Her Own, but the entire album jams 9) Wale – Running Back 10) Meek Mill – Offended