Posted on by Female, Single & Hustlin'

Get Motivated: It’s Better to be Prepared and Not Have an Opportunity…

I love the adage: It’s better to be prepared and not have an opportunity than to have an opportunity and not be prepared. I take those words to heart. I mean, I travel to work five days a week with my notary journal, my notary stamp, blue pens and cah (singles and small bills to break large bills when clients pay with cash). I don’t allow myself to miss a notary opportunity if I can help it. And I carry all my supplies in a gently used brown leather briefcase just feminine enough to go with any business casual attire I don on, but professional enough to be taken seriously.

Just last week, I had a client email me asking to meet them within an hour and 45 minute window, however, I didn’t get the message (because they emailed rather than called me) until 40 minutes from their requested time. Oh, but I was on my way. And on time, needless to say. And… was greeted graciously because I had shown up on time before they could even respond back to my email message. That was a little risky on my part because for all I knew, they could’ve gotten someone else to notarize the documents. But fortune was on my side.

Take a risk, earn the reward. But not every risk is greeted happily with a reward. It’s still worth the risk.

I was a little late to work. But I texted my office I’d be 15 minutes late. In the name of an opportunity I refused to miss, unbeknownst to them.

I strongly encourage you stay prepared. Days and weeks and months may go before you’re greeted with an opportunity, but when you get it, it feels good knowing you had all the preparations made in advance. The reward feels good.

Posted on by Female, Single & Hustlin'

Money Matters: Be Thankful for What’s in Your Wallet

I speak a lot about the importance of earning extra monies and saving and investing, if you can, but sometimes I forget to slow down and be thankful for the dollars and cents that I have. Elle reminded me this past Sunday to find the positive in everything. I was talking to her over the phone while I was at Ross and the Dollar Tree and I was mentally calculating what I spent that day. I said to her that I had spent over a $100 I was not planning to (this is why we have budgets, right?) and she said to me without missing a best, ‘be thankful you had the money to spend’.

Deep, trust me.

Oftentimes, I’ll beat myself up for spending too much money that I won’t spend anything for weeks afterwards, thinking it’ll balance me out. And althouh, like everyone else, I am constantly working on being better with my finances and managing my money, I forget to be thankful for the money I do have.

I’ve operated far too long from a place of lack and need and hustle and grind that I don’t stop and just be… thankful. Gracious. In a state of gratitude. Shame on me. Really.

Yes, I think it’s absolutely important to be focused and geared towards something that offers value to our lives. But it’s also important to be present in the moment. And in those moments, be thankful. For all that we have. No matter how muc it adds up to.

I am thankful for my dreams, my ambitions, my mom, Elle, my job, other loved ones in my life, Los Angeles for offering me a wealth of opportunities. And the dollars and cents in my pocketbook.

What are you thankful for?

Posted on by Female, Single & Hustlin'

Inside The Hustle: Discount Notary Day

On my way to do my Discount Notary Day at 801 S. Olive St. from 9:00-12:00pm. I had another client text me while in route thinking we were meeting today but I scheduled our meeting for next Sunday in NoHo. It turns out he was confusing me for one of the three Michelles he regularly talks to.

Glad I got that straightened out because I am not prepared at all today for that meeting. Ugh.

But, I am a little excited about about today’s notary day. I had much more engagement with the Facebook ad I ran during the week. 🤞🏽Hope I get some turn out.

Posted on by junkfoodbyelle

Foodie Friday: Steel Cut My Oats, Please! [Recipe]

This is what wellness looks like! Nourishing your body with nutrient-filled foods. Steel cut oats topped with strawberries, blueberries, granola, and a drizzle of agave. This meal is high in protein, fiber, and antioxidants.

Why steel cut oats and not old fashioned oats? While you can have old fashioned oats, steel cut oats are less processed, and ultimately you want to decrease the amount of processed and increase the amount of whole foods (we will get more into that on a later Foodie Friday).

What You Need

What You Do

Cook steel cut oats according to package. Add a dash of water into the water you are cooking the oats in, and butter (optional). Once oats are cooked top with fresh fruit above or fruit of your choice and drizzle with agave or honey. If you want a more creamy oatmeal, add a splash of almond milk.

Because we are out here hustlin’ everyday we need to nourish our bodies which translates to nourishing our minds. So this week, I challenge you to go 1-2 full days of eating only nourishing foods that are beneficial to your overall health. Be the change you want to see.

Keep up with me and all things J.U.N.K., follow my journey on Instagram @mylifebeingelle and visit www.eatjunkfood.co to keep up with my book release and upcoming events.

If you are interested in learning more about plant-based eating check out J.U.N.K. Food 101.

Posted on by Female, Single & Hustlin'

Happy Friday: Everything Happens For a Reason

So, it’s been a bittersweet week. My nearest and dearest, Elle, is back in North Carolina. She left a month and half earlier than her orginal plans because the people she drastically changed her life for… well, let’s jsut say no matter how well we think we know people, they can always surprise. And not always in the way we like. I’m sad she’s gone, but I know this will give me an excuse to visit her in North Carolina.

But, she plans to move back to L.A. officially when the time is right. It feels like a best friend is moving out state and I’ll never see them again. And in a way, much for that did happen. But these past four months have been wonderful to have her back and I’m sad to see her go. She’s part of my tribe. She’s my sounding board, my confidant. My business sister.

But we’ll reconnect in person in due time. I am happy for her she’ll finally get the peace of mind she lacked while she was here. They say, everything happens for a reason.

Posted on by Female, Single & Hustlin'

Inside The Hustle: Same Day Notary Service

On my way to service a notary client in the Hollywood at a nursing / convalescent home. The person helping or representing them found me on Craigslist last week and I was lightly in touch with her for a few days. Usually, when I don’t hear back, I assume they found another notary or no longer need the service.

But she sent an email and I’m on my way. I just wish she provided me a contact number. Little logistical necessities that help a great deal.

She’s also lucky I’m available right now since I’m flexing my time at work. I don’t have to be at work till 12:30pm, so squeezing this in works for me. I just hope I can reach by her time I get there and secure this assignment.

Posted on by Female, Single & Hustlin'

WHEN: Your Network Expands

It’s been a really long day at work. Like, not overly long in the sense of time, but long in the sense of activities and things taking place. But in my new (I can still call it new?) job, I find my days getting longer and my network getting bigger.

And I’m so okay with that.

I think all I ever wanted from my old job – other than better pay, better benefits, professional development that actually applied to the admin staff, flexible hours and decent coworkers – were opportunities to grow my network and build my career. That’s how I knew that job was a dead end one.

I had no opportunity to network with anyone in my industry because my company thought I wasn’t important enough.

Yeah, I accept that harsh reality now, but I hated it then. I wasn’t good enough to network. Which I translated into my professional goals didn’t matter.

Now, it’s essential to my role that I constantly be networking. Meeting new people, plugging in the programs we offer and the value of my role in the company. Today, I got to meet and hang out (loosely speaking) with the ladies of Sebastian Professional. Later in the day, an actress from the Hart of Dixie stopped by and talked with each one of us. And hugged us and mentioned how much she loved the work we’re doing. So that meant meeting her assistant and a photographer who was there to shoot her on site. Meeting more new people.

This is was networking like for me now. No two encounters are the same. No two experiences are alike. But each one offers of wealth to learn from and people to connect with.

Posted on by Female, Single & Hustlin'

This Week’s Goal: Purging My Apartment

I am of the firmest belief that a tidy and organized apartment is a successful apartment. Or at the very least, can be. However, I am not tidy in the least. Organized? Oh, yeah. Got several systems. Tidy? Not so much. And one would think they go hand-in-hand, but I can prove you wrong in 12 minutes. And it wouldn’t be a very proud moment.

But I’ve been working on purging since the first. I’m not cleaning or scrubbing just yet. Simply getting rid of things that no longer serve me or my goals. I like the idea of minimalism, but I don’t I’m that kind of person. I don’t mind aiming towards a minimal version of my own. But for now, I am just chucking crap that’s useless, pointless and good blocking energy.

I believe a tidy space is also a space that attracts success and good vibes. I also believe working people are going to be a little messy from time to time. I mean, if your desk is spotless and clean all the time, are you really working? I would say not, but we can debate that later. I do want the working spaces in my home to be as tidycas possible when I’m not working in the. So when I go to that space to work, I feel like I can either start anew or pick up where I left off without feeling distracted, overwhelmed or displaced.

So wish me luck. It’s day 24 and although I should be close to being done, that remains to be confirmed till the 30th. And hopefully by then I would have made a huge impact in what I don’t nees. Fingers crossed!🤞🏽

Posted on by Female, Single & Hustlin'

Working 5 to 9: Hustle Anyime

I was on the bus yesterday morning headed to work and a man got on the bus through one of the back doors with a wagon full of essential oils. He was selling them as an alternative to perfume and other fragrance options. He said a general hello to the rest of the passengers on the bus then sat down. I got off before he did, so I never knew where he was going, but it didn’t matter. He was already at work.

He was hustlin’. And for us who are consistent with the hustle, we know it never quits. We may say we’re gonna have a little side hustle after work and on our off hours, but we get the hustle in whenever we can. Nighttime, daytime, anytime, we are hustlin’!

I don’t know if I’ll ever find myself selling oils or whatever else can be transported in some tote or wagon, but sometimes we gotta step outside what seems normal to earn a little extra money. And we gotta work when the opportunity presents itself. Think of the people at the promenades. Whether they’re pretending to be still as a statue, move robotically or perform magic tricks, they’re all working out side our normal comfort zones. And doing it during prime hours.

Hustlers are different. We’re not like everyone else. Because deep down, we don’t want what everyone else is willing to settle for. That’s why we hustle.