On Purpose with Isha Cogborn

Inspirational conversations with people bold enough to pursue their dreams. What can you learn from their journey to create YOUR best life? Join host Isha Cogborn as we provide practical tips to help you on your entrepreneurial journey - whether you are starting from an idea or have been a business owner for years. For a complete episode archive with links to resources mentioned during the show, visit ONPURPOSEPODCAST.COM. Got a story about how this show helped you? Have a question or show idea? Send us an email at [email protected]

The Platform Series: Part Two 06/15/2022

The Platform Series: Part One 06/08/2022

You Can Change Your Life with Pamela D. Smith 01/18/2022

Don’t Let Your Past Destroy Your Future with Veronica C. Armstrong 01/04/2022

Don’t Let Your Past Destroy Your Future with Veronica C. Armstrong How have your life experiences shaped your behavior professionally? As a leader, have you ever been criticized for being too harsh? Are you always trying to prove that you’re worthy? In this episode, we chat with Veronica C. Armstrong is the founder of Leadership Life Support and a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach who helps women shake off the traumatic experiences of the past while helping to propel them into the light of their future business opportunities. Growing up, Veronica experienced living in three group homes, two foster homes and a juvenile detention center before being declared an emancipated minor at 15. Always a leader and a gifted student, her life began to change after meeting the first of several influential women who came into her life. Instead of using her background as a crutch, Veronica took advantage of the opportunities to succeed that presented themselves. But it didn’t come without challenges. Veronica shares how the scars of her past threatened her ability to be an effective leader and what she did about it. Veronica and I also talk about: How experiences shape your behavior Why Black women are seen in a different light Strategies to improve your self-awareness Receiving constructive criticism The difference between a coach and a mentor Veronica is also one of the co-authors of my new book, . She talks about moving beyond what has happened in your life and overcoming those limiting beliefs that we’ve developed through life. There’s more for you! Connect with Veronica C. Armstrong: Do you know your CliftonStrengths Top 5 Themes? Here are Veronica & Isha’s: Veronica’s Top 5: Achiever, Deliberative. Learner, Focus, Maximizer Isha’s Top 5: Communication, Futuristic, Positivity, Strategic, Activator Join Startup Life Support If you want to connect to a community of fellow entrepreneurs who aren’t afraid to talk about the challenges of launching and growing a business, who share their knowledge freely and celebrate each other’s wins authentically, I invite you to join Startup Life Support - a mastermind community that eases the fear, overwhelm and isolation of entrepreneurship. Learn more and join at . /episode/index/show/onpurposepodcast/id/21671897

Video Trends with Ita Udo-Ema 12/07/2021

Video Trends with Ita Udo-Ema Ita Udo-Ema is a video producer, a strategic storyteller, and the founder of the studio, View From Above Entertainment. In this episode, Ita talks about how to move beyond getting caught up in new platforms and vanity metrics and how to use video as a vehicle to achieving your business objectives. In the episode I talk to Ita about: How he ditched engineering school at Purdue for a creative degree Understanding the metrics that matter most to your business Upcoming trends in video and how it can make your projects even more amazing Developing the G.A.M.E plan. Ita is also one of the co-authors of my new book, . He talks about his life then takes us for a walk through how to take your jumbled ideas and structure them into a beautiful story. Connect with Ita Udo-Ema: Website - Email - Youtube - Download Ita’s free resources ! Platform for Purpose Boot Camp Are you ready to build your platform, but don’t know where to start? Perhaps you’re completely overwhelmed trying to figure out where to invest your time, energy and money. Should you be blogging? Podcasting? Livestreaming? Hosting events? Pitching yourself to media? Do you need to hire a publicist? Or maybe you’ve been letting those nagging voices keep trying to convince you that you’re not qualified, no one wants to listen to you, or you don’t look or sound good enough to be front and center. If you can relate to any of these scenarios, I invite you to join me for the Platform for Purpose Boot Camp. IN THIS LIVE, VIRTUAL TRAINING EVENT, YOU’LL LEARN HOW TO: Build your confidence so you can show up on bigger platforms to reach the people you’re called to serve. Choose the right platforms to share your message (Hint: It isn’t ALL of them!) Authentically connect to the people you’re called to serve in a way that gets them to value your voice. Position yourself for speaking and media opportunities. Stay committed to your goals even when life gets in the way. Learn more about the Platform for Purpose Boot Camp at . /episode/index/show/onpurposepodcast/id/21409103

Perfection is an Illusion with Sarah R. Adams 11/30/2021

Perfection is an Illusion with Sarah R. Adams Do you feel like you’re not pretty or polished enough to build a platform? Working in media, Sarah R. Adams has had a front-row seat to the insecurities we often have to work through when our work puts us on stages, in front of the camera or behind the microphone. Sarah is an award-winning multimedia producer, freelance reporter, writer and educator with over 20 years of professional experience in broadcasting and higher education. As part of our Platform for Purpose incubator faculty, Sarah teaches the two-day On-Air Boot Camp experience, providing subject-matter experts, coaches and consultants with practical skills to be their best selves when they’re in the spotlight. In this episode, I talk to Sarah about: Why we turn into someone we’re not when the camera comes on. How to make sure you’re not distracting from the message people need to receive. Avoiding the comparison trap. Platform for Purpose Boot Camp Are you ready to build your platform, but don’t know where to start? Perhaps you’re completely overwhelmed trying to figure out where to invest your time, energy and money. Should you be blogging? Podcasting? Livestreaming? Hosting events? Pitching yourself to media? Do you need to hire a publicist? Or maybe you’ve been letting those nagging voices keep trying to convince you that you’re not qualified, no one wants to listen to you, or you don’t look or sound good enough to be front and center. If you can relate to any of these scenarios, I invite you to join Sarah and I for the Platform for Purpose Boot Camp. IN THIS LIVE, VIRTUAL TRAINING EVENT, YOU'LL LEARN HOW TO: Build your confidence so you can show up on bigger platforms to reach the people you’re called to serve. Choose the right platforms to share your message (Hint: It isn't ALL of them!) Authentically connect to the people you're called to serve in a way that gets them to value your voice. Position yourself for speaking and media opportunities. Stay committed to your goals even when life gets in the way. Learn more about the Platform for Purpose Boot Camp at . Connect with Sarah R Adams: Website - LinkedIn - Twitter - Order On Purpose: featuring Sarah Adams /episode/index/show/onpurposepodcast/id/21321536

Building Your Business on Your Own Terms 09/28/2021

Building Your Business on Your Own Terms La’Vista Jones is the Founder and CEO of 31 Marketplace, where she helps entrepreneurs bring order to the chaos of business and life by blending systematization and self care. In this episode, La’Vista discusses when the notion of self care became real for her as a person on the fast track in her corporate career and the day she, in her own words, “lost her mind” and how 31 Marketplace was born out of that experience. La’Vista speaks about how to build your business in a way that is nurturing to you as the founder and getting you to see that your vision is NOT a solo gig. She will show you that you have the capacity to fulfill the vision that you have for your business and take care of the Visionary at the same time; giving you permission not to subscribe to the habits of hustle culture and the glorification of busyness. In the episode I talk to La’Vista about: ● Why entrepreneurship isn’t necessarily the answer to your workplace stress. ● How we break ourselves of the mindset of busyness and #TeamNoSleep as an entrepreneur. ● Using systems and automation to replicate yourself and eliminate low value work that creates busyness in our lives and business. ● Identifying your personal definition of self care and surprising ways to infuse it into your business. La’Vista is also one of the co-authors of my new book, On Purpose: 12 Strategies to Reclaim Your Power and Change Your Life. If you would like to schedule a consultation with La’Vista, you can reach her at www.lavistajones.com. Read the B.O.S.S. Manifesto shared at the beginning of the episode: https://www.thirtyonemarketplace.com/single-post/shift-manifesto. Connect with La’Vista Jones: Website - www.lavistajones.com Podcast - https://bosstalkpodcast.libsyn.com/website Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lavistajones/ Join Startup Life Support If you want to connect to a community of fellow entrepreneurs who aren’t afraid to talk about the challenges of launching and growing a business, who share their knowledge freely and celebrate each other’s wins authentically, I invite you to join Startup Life Support - a mastermind community that eases the fear, overwhelm and isolation of entrepreneurship. Learn more and join at https://StartupLifeSupport.com. /episode/index/show/onpurposepodcast/id/20624390

Inside the First Year of Entrepreneurship 08/24/2021

It’s Not Easy, But It’s Worth It 06/27/2021

Quit Your Job Responsibly with Joy Bretz 06/15/2019

Designing a Life of Freedom with Latiesha Johnson 04/20/2019

Leave a Legacy, Not Drama: Elaine Cauley 03/17/2019

Jane Spicer: Building a Multimillion-Dollar Brand 10/14/2018

Tiffany Haddish and the Currency of Likability 09/24/2018

Tiffany Haddish and the Currency of Likability Even if you don’t follow entertainment news, chances are you’ve heard about comedian Katt Williams’ tirade against fellow comedian Tiffany Haddish, questioning the meteoric rise of the Girls Trip star over more tenured black women comedians. He’s not the first to be critical of the recent Emmy Award-winning Haddish. Others have argued that she reinforces negative stereotypes or that she simply isn’t funny. What is it about Tiffany Haddish, Kevin Hart and Lil Rel Howery – all dissed by Katt Williams – that allows them to tap into levels of success alluding their arguably funnier predecessors? All three are high rolling in the currency of likability. What is likability? For starters, it's not about intentionally competing in a popularity contest. It's about genuinely being the type of person that others want to be around. Even if you consider yourself an introvert, humans are hard-wired to be relational. People who rank high in likability often possess the ability to break down barriers and authentically connect. We want them on our teams. We preferentially patronize their businesses. They're top of mind when it comes to new opportunities or referrals - even over people who may be more qualified. If you read other articles on improving your likability, you’ll often see a focus on tactics like remembering names and smiling, but likability runs deeper than this. It gets to the root of your character and the way you express it in the company of others. In my experience teaching workshops on personal branding for corporations and professional organizations for more than a decade, here’s a common attitude I see among people low in likability: “I don’t go to work to make friends.” That may be true, but the wall you’ve constructed between you and your colleagues may also be the barrier between you and the opportunities you’ve been after. Does that mean you have to go to Happy Hour with your co-workers? No, but it does mean being willing to demonstrate and embrace the characteristics that make us human – not just worker bots. Because likability is currency, the more you have, the more doors you’ll find opening for you. Mentioned in the show: How to be more likable Here are five practical principles that can help you to build more likability currency, even if you don’t consider yourself outgoing or charismatic: Be OpenMany of us feel connected to Tiffany Haddish because there’s something in her story that we relate to. I get that you don’t want your co-workers “in your business” but sharing something fun that happened over the weekend or talking about last night’s game is a far cry from sharing intimate details of your marriage. Make an effort to find common interests with colleagues that you interact with on a regular basis. Be InterestedWhen engaged in conversation, are you listening to what others are saying or simply waiting for your turn to speak? Practicing active listening and asking questions helps people to feel heard, which fosters respect. Be ExcitedThis is where Katt Williams gets a big, fat “F”. Do you have the capacity to celebrate others when they’re winning, or are you critical and envious? The success of others doesn’t mean that future opportunities aren’t available to you. Instead of fighting over the same piece of pie, what if we work to make the pie bigger? Operate from a mindset of abundance, not scarcity. Be HelpfulWe live is a self-centered society where the value of relationships is too often measured by what you stand to gain. Instead, look for opportunities to bring value to others, even if you perceive yourself as the small fish in the interaction. Be ConsistentAlthough Katt Williams is a successful comedian, his challenges with substance abuse and run-ins with the law may have cost him and those in his camp opportunities granted to peers who could be considered less talented. Even if you’re well-liked, being perceived as flaky or unreliable is a significant liability. If you’re a people pleaser, saying no may be difficult, but it’s more beneficial to your relationship in the long run. It’s better to say no than to say yes and fail to deliver. Likability isn’t about being the funniest or most intriguing person in the room. It’s about genuinely caring about people – and acting in a way that demonstrates it at every opportunity. What tips would you add to the list? Leave a comment below. Tired of being the underdog?Get off the ropes and win being you! In this motivational personal strategy guide, Life and Business Coach Isha Cogborn will show you how to: Create an aggressive, yet realistic plan to fulfill your purpose and leave your mark on the world. Use your talents, abilities, passions and experiences to have more fun and make a bigger impact in your career, business and even volunteer efforts. Defeat a lack of confidence, fear and bad habits standing between you and your success. /episode/index/show/onpurposepodcast/id/7083259

Turning Your Passion into a Business - SaRatta Reeves Murphy 09/07/2018

Turning Your Passion into a Business - SaRatta Reeves Murphy About the Show After making beaded bracelets as an Autism Walk fundraiser for her niece, SaRatta Reeves Murphy stumbled upon an idea that would grow into a lucrative jewelry business with worldwide sales. But it wasn’t as easy as making pretty products. In this conversation, SaRatta talks about how she learned everything she could about the industry and how to run a business. I’ve been coaching early-stage entrepreneurs for nearly a decade, and one thing I’ve found is that people tend to rest on one extreme or the other – you’re either a meticulous planner who needs a 20-page strategy, 5 checklists, timelines and a Six Sigma project before you make a decision, or you get an idea tonight and you’ve invested your life savings into launching it tomorrow. Okay, everybody is not THAT extreme, but you get my point. In this episode, SaRatta talks about how she didn’t start with a 20-page business plan, but spent time learning about her industry, how to market, coming trends, and built and continues to evolve accordingly. This is especially critical for people who are starting a business based on something you love to do, like cooking or speaking. It is absolutely CRITICAL that you don’t coast on passion alone. If you’re going to get out of hustle mode and build a viable business, you have to learn about business. Period. SaRatta also talks about learning to hire and outsource early. You may think you can’t afford to get help, but at some point, you can’t afford not to. Our Guest Reeves Murphy is a wife, dog mom, and CEO of , an online hand-crafted jewelry company with products in 30+ stores worldwide and available on three different websites. SaRatta donates a portion of each sale to creating bracelets to raise Autism Awareness. SaRatta began her career as a national spokesmodel for various corporate clients to include Toyota where she was a part of the The Live Your Life Tour with Oprah Winfrey. She quickly realized her passion for entertaining audiences and became a corporate trainer for Verizon Wireless and MillerCoors. This soon led to her traveling the country as a speaker and trainer for Monster.com’sMaking It Count Programs. SaRatta has traveled to over 41 states presenting programs to individuals from high school students to career professionals on a variety of subjects including, career development, branding, entrepreneurship, financial literacy and personal development. Topics Discussed Moving beyond the startup hustle to a sustainable work schedule. Research, trendspotting and knowing how to position yourself within your industry. Outsourcing, hiring good employees and building a structure so your business can run without you. Why your family and friends aren’t your customers. Managing multiple brands. The costly lesson she learned in business. The two important relationships you need to succeed. People & Things Mentioned During the Show Watch SaRatta and her niece, Storm on /episode/index/show/onpurposepodcast/id/7019426

Kenji Jasper: Writing a Best-Seller & Black Culture in Entertainment 08/30/2018

Making Money and Owning Your Value with Dr. Nadia Brown 05/27/2018

Entrepreneur Mindset - Mark "The Speaker Man" Wiggins 05/17/2018

Pam Perry on encore careers, side hustles and reinventing your business 05/03/2018

On Purpose with Isha Cogborn

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