January’s Post

“Go find what makes you different to find your magic.” ✨ I’m thrilled to share new beginnings in this new year. As with many of my former colleagues, my role was eliminated at Disney last July. With gratitude and clarity, I chose to see the glass half full and fill my cup: For the first time in four years, I could focus on finding my own magic. I started Trivia For The Culture, a Black pop culture team trivia night, in 2018 to bring people together over a love of Black culture and trivia. I felt called as a lifelong fan of The Culture and former JEOPARDY! contestant. It started with in-person events at Soho House Chicago, then eventually pivoted to virtual corporate events I hosted sporadically during the pandemic while juggling a very busy 9-to-5. Last month marked the return of Trivia For The Culture in-person since 2019 and the room hummed with so much energy. I'm still overjoyed by the positive feedback. I hope you get to experience this event one day for yourself, too. And for those who already have, thank you and I can't wait to welcome you back. Trivia For The Culture is accepting bookings for corporate / private events and February is filling up with ERG events for Black History Month. See my comment below for links to schedule an intro call and learn more about what Trivia For The Culture can do for your organization. For all the people in transition - I know it's hard and circumstances vary. Whenever possible, seek the happily ever after that fits your definition of happiness and yours alone. I'm glad I did. #entrepreneurship #culture #creativity #newbeginnings

I think the biggest key to success is surrounding yourself with people who inspire you. Last night I was in a room full of people that inspire me every day to be better not only for myself, but for my clients. This past year with New York Life has developed my professionalism in ways I never imagined, and I can’t wait to see what my team and I accomplish in 2024. We’re just getting started ✨🏆 #newyorklife #2024kickoff #financialservices

Throwback to our first awards' night together ♡ Why 𝑷𝑳𝑼𝑺? It's simply about encouraging everyone to be a 𝑷𝑳𝑼𝑺 to the environment. It's easy to feel that your current job environment isn't giving you enough. It's healthier to consider what more you can give to the environment. Recently, a candidate asked me what it takes to be on the PLUS team. I replied, 'I'll take you under three conditions that you must agree to.' These conditions are 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 to each candidate. 1. For the amount of grievances you have now, I hope you'll maintain the same level of gratitude when you succeed. 2. Allow me to remind you each time defensiveness surfaces, just for a year. Allowing me to remind you means you actually recognize and accept it. 3. Complete your homework. Guess which one he said was the hardest? What would be the hardest for you? Are you able to tell which values I am focusing on? If you share the same values and are passionate about making a meaningful impact, I warmly invite you to join our team and contribute to the 𝑷𝑳𝑼𝑺 vision. 💪🏻

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou This powerful quote emphasizes the lasting impact of emotions and interactions on individuals. It also highlights the importance of empathy and kindness in our relationships with others. Sometimes we often overlook the human element. We get consumed with deadlines, targets, and growth at all costs. Forgetting about the people driving those outcomes. Behind every text, email, call, and meeting, there's a person. A person who has 📉 Good days and bad 📈 Triumphs and setbacks 💗 Hopes and fears Treat each interaction as an opportunity to make a positive impact. 👂 Listen with intention ❤️ Respond with kindness 🤗 Act with compassion Because at the end of the day, your business might possess the most advanced technology or revolutionary product. But it's the human touch, the empathy you show, that people will remember. Be the leader who not just understands, but feels the pulse of their team. Because it's not about being the smartest person in the room, it's about making people feel valued, heard, and respected. Be the leader that makes a difference. Happy Friday Fam!

It’s a family tradition for us to say thanks to our children at the end of each school year, not for the marks they brought home but for the effort they put in … … most importantly for embracing the opportunity to learn and have fun with it. I think that’s a good habit in business, too, especially for ambitious teams. When we’re constantly busy cracking the next challenge, it can be hard to hit pause for a moment and celebrate how far we’ve already come. It’s easy to take the effort for granted. But taking a moment once in a while to appreciate the effort and say thanks to the team should be just as easy. What traditions do you have to celebrate efforts? In your family or in business? __ I help people find the right words. If you’re looking for words

This is my dad, Bart Oates, Esq. - a poor kid from Georgia who grew up to become a 3x Super Bowl Champion. His journey taught me this invaluable lesson: You can't do everything, but you can do anything. My dad wasn't great at all sports (ex: not a great shot in bball--he will disagree--but good luck under the rim), but man, if you wanted someone to throw a football upside down backwards between your legs, he was literally the best in the world! And that concept of leaving your mark in this world by doing one thing deep really stood out to me. It's easy to get caught up in competing priorities and think we can do it all. We're tempted to think, "I can do this, I can do that, I can do this", but the truth is, true success comes from solving a very specific problem and dedicating ourselves to that mission. Early on at Ovation, we tried to be everything for everyone--a mistake I'm seeing some newcomers falling into--and saw mediocre results. But let me tell you, the day Ovation took off was when we decided that we would laser in on being the very best solution for a specific problem. In our case, this meant becoming the best guest feedback platform for restaurants in the world. So remember, you can't do everything, but you can do anything.

I have always believed until its your turn, keep clapping for others In a world filled with competition and comparison, it's easy to let insecurity cloud our ability to genuinely celebrate the successes of others. But here's a thought: their achievements don't overshadow yours; they simply add to the abundance of success in the world. Think about someone you know who recently landed a great job, got a promotion, runs a successful company, or completed their degree. Their victories are a testament to their vision and to make things happen, and it's time to shift our perspectives. Let's embrace a mindset of support, and genuinely cheer them on. Acknowledge that their accomplishments pave the way for others, including yourself, to achieve greatness. So, the next time you find yourself witnessing someone else's success, don't let insecurity hold you back. Rise above it, and appreciate the abundance of wins in the world. Together, we can create a supportive network that propels everyone towards greatness.

When we take chances, we open ourselves up to new possibilities and new experiences. We learn and grow, and we become stronger and more resilient. That's why I encourage you to make a choice to take a chance today. It doesn't have to be a big chance. It could be something as small as trying a new restaurant or talking to a stranger. But whatever it is, make sure it's something that will push you outside of your comfort zone. You never know what amazing things could happen. Give this post a thumbs up 👍 if you're ready to start taking more chances in your life.

Unleashing Your Joyful Journey: Embracing Your Path, Ignoring Comparison Noise! In a world filled with comparisons, let's remind ourselves of the profound wisdom in this message. Research studies in positive psychology reveal that comparing ourselves to others can erode our sense of joy and well-being. Embracing our unique journey, focusing on personal growth and celebrating our achievements fosters genuine happiness and self-empowerment. So, let's break free from the trap of comparison and find joy in every step of our own remarkable journey! Become your best cheerleader! 🌟 #EmbraceUniqueness #FindJoyInYourJourney

Starting a business can feel like walking a tightrope, where every step—every decision—seems to have the weight of the world on it. Each new opportunity could either be a tremendous success or a potential pitfall. But as time passes and our businesses grow, we gain insight into our true capabilities and what our ventures can handle. We learn, adapt, and grow stronger. I'm curious to know: What was one challenge that initially seemed like a hill you could not climb, but now feels like just another part of the day? Share your experiences below and let's celebrate how far we've come together!