by Elizabeth Jennings | Feb 8, 2019 | BUSINESS
So we know that people who have so many opinions and who are so critical usually don’t have much responsibility and don’t have a lot going on. I have been the position of being a business owner for a little over ten years now. In the beauty industry, but an entrepreneur since 2016. I never got into it because I thought it was something easy, but I got into entrepreneurship because honestly it was something that I had to do. I didn’t have many choices. I didn’t have a lot of people looking to hire me, so when you are in a position where you are not in demand, then you have to make the demand for yourself. So becoming a licensed massage therapist, licensed esthetician and certified lash stylist, I had to make a lane for myself many years ago because there weren’t many places I could go to and have a satisfactory and financially sufficient career opportunity. I had to make the opportunity for myself, so having the experience of being an entreprneur, I have had many ups and had some downs.
I have learned a lot more from the down moments than I have from the up moments. Yes, it feels great to win, to make lots of money and amazing to have your phones ringing and having people schedule for services and want to see you. But boy, you definitely learn a whole lot about people when it’s the opposite. I’m not saying that I’m going through a situation like that right now. A lot of the things I’m experiencing right now are choice that I made for myself. I decided to step away from my business working with clients hands on as much, and working on the business more and be more of the “BOSS” and be more of the business owner than someone who’s operating like an employee who just happens to own a business. I was so satisfied with doing that for so many years, but in 2018 I learned a lot about my business and other people and myself due to situations that happened that were beyond my control. It put me in a position where I had to put things in perspective and make some changes. So when I had to do things differently I learned a lot about people and when changes occurred how people can flip at the drop of a dime. I immediately learned that those who criticize the boss will never really be in the position to be a boss, because being a business owner comes with ebbs and flows. Ups and downs. Complaining never changes a situation, and quite frankly is just plain annoying. I don’t think that people can’t share their opinions, but being the BOSS and owning a business is far different than working in a business and just earning a paycheck. So I have learned that I am built for this. Yes, when I worked as an employee I had my moments of frustration and things but have never took it to the extent that I have seen many do when they couldn’t get their way. So I have learned that those who criticize the boss will never truly be one.
by Elizabeth Jennings | Feb 8, 2019 | BEAUTY
Hitting 40 last year really didn’t make me feel any diffeent. But one day I woke up and I literally saw myself; I took the time to look in the mirror. And I saw myself. I started to see some lines, a little laxity in the skin that wasn’t there before. And I began to wonder, does continue to be this way each and everyday after this?
Although I’ve alwasy been aware of taking care of my skin, I am ever more conscientious about it at this point. Taking the time to truly cleanse, apply my skincare products and regularly doing this throughout the day and before bed has become essential.
I only wish I knew all the things that I do know now many years ago. I may have prevented some issues I am currently experiencing now. But in waking up and seeing myself, I started to see the experience of things I have overcome and conquered to be where I am now. I looked into my eyes in the mirror and saw into the past for many of the years and days I cried countless tears due to circumstances and situations that I had to go through in my life, family and business. And then I started to see some of the lines differently. I stated to myself, these lines are well deserved, because I made it through so much, and now the lines are seen as glory. The lines are being revealed because they are shown through smiles and laughter now, instead of the days I cried and was upset and angry. So yes, I woke up and saw myself. And I’m thankful to still be here; lines and all!
by Elizabeth Jennings | Feb 8, 2019 | LIFE
Television, movies, social sayings and memes often make it out that family is over everything else. But to what extent? Does that mean if you don’t have a close family relationship that you are not complete? I think family is important. But I have come to realize that is not everyone’s situation. I have had to come to that realization a long time ago. I didn’t grow up in a close knit family. Unlike my only sibling, who I am not close with either, I am okay with it. Because all in all, I am an individual before I am a family. I was born alone, as Elizabeth L. Jennings. I didn’t grow up as a twin, I didn’t have anyone at my hip the entire time. I didn’t grow up with I Love You’s and hugs and kisses from my parents. But I grew up knowing that I was created in the image of God because I’m here. And that is enough.
I’ve been blessed to be in a marital relationship for years, but even in that I knew that my life was my life, and I had to make myself happy. Yes, when it came to things I wanted to do for my career, I didn’t put family over everything. I had to sacrifice time and many things to do what was mandated to become who I am today in my career. I know I can never get the time back that was lost on nights out with the husband or spending time with our son. But I am okay with that. Listen, not everyone has the perfect life. And who says life is supposed to be perfect anyway? Oh yeah, that’s right. Television and media. But those are just that, telling a vision and programming. I am just not made that way and will never feel guilty for not having a closely knit family growing up, or even now. That doesn’t mean I love any less, I just love differently. And I’m cool with it.
by Elizabeth Jennings | Feb 8, 2019 | INSPIRATION
We will often have moments in our lives when it seems like it’s one thing after another. And by that I mean bad things. Because let’s face it, there’s never a problem with an abundance of great things happening in our lives, right?
But that’s just not life. It’s not business . . . It’s not reality. In life there will be moments when we may feel like we’re suffocating for air. There may be people that are turning against us that we thought would be there for the long haul. Our friends and family may not understand our lives and project their issues on you or how they think you should react to situations that arise. So when it all comes crashing down, we need to give up. Right?! WRONG!!!! Listne I know that it may feel like we have to surrender and give up on what we’ve been doing. But often retreat is defined as giving up. But you need a retreat. A moment, a time to get away, regroup and figure things out. I had a series of things happen in my life and business over the past year and even in the past few weeks that made me rethink some things. But I decided to retreat. For a moment. Giving up is not an option. I’ve come to far in life to give up now and I believe the best is yet to come. So you have to believe it too. Trust me, I know it’s not easy, but you have to continue to keep moving because there are others you are supposed to help through their situations and you will only be able to do that once you have conquered and obtained the victory. And the victory may not always feel like a win, especially if you didn’t come out of it with lots of money, status or applause. But the fact that you made it through with some scars that are healed, and you are still here is victory sure enough.
by Elizabeth Jennings | Feb 8, 2019 | ENJOYMENT
And I can now understand what all the quack is about! This place is so cute on the inside. It’s pretty simple as well, has a few tables and a lunch counter type table at the windows where multiple people can sit, gather around and enjoy their items they’ve indulged in. I decided to give this place a try because I was in the area for business, and heard so many good things about it. I’m not a huge sweets fanatic, but I like a good sweet bite now and then.
Truth be told, when I usually come to the area, 1 out of 3 times, I would make a swing by Krispy Kreme to get a donut or twelve (LOL) because I don’t live nearby any Krispy Kreme locations, and it’s hard to resist that glazed sensation of goodness.
When I decided to come to this location, I was a little nervous. You’d probably say what the heck for, and I would say to you that I normally would go to the drive thru line of Krispy Kreme, so I didn’t have to go inside. This place doesn’t have a drive thru line, and I have never been here, so I didn’t know what to expect. If you are like me, The only real experience you’ve had with doughnuts besides Krispy Kreme’s is the hard donuts that come in a bag at the grocery store. Yuck! So, I had this thought that any other donuts besides Krispy Kreme would be the same as those other un-delectable concoctions I’ve had many many years ago.
So I had to make the trip to the counter to order. Clearly, the others who were inside ordering were pros to this place and I was a mere amateur. I didn’t want to look silly, so I took a menu and sat down to examine it, and make sure I was going to order just what I would want to taste. There were so many items that looked appealing to me, and I started to get excited a little bit! So their donuts are freshly-made vanilla cake donuts that are coated, topped and drizzled as you desire with the offerings they have on the menu, some such as coffee, toffee and even bacon! (Everything is better with bacon, right?!)
I ordered one Vanilla iced with toffee topping and caramel drizzle, and one Lemon iced with Powdered sugar. Because I was leaving the area, I wanted to enjoy it at home, which is a pretty hefty drive one way. But when I got home and opened that box, man oh man when I tell you it was delicious! I cannot even tell a lie. I got a spoon to take a small bite and I was not disappointed. The donut was extremely soft to place my spoon into, and that first bite was so off the chain, I had to continue. But I did have self control, and I didn’t eat both of that at once. I just enjoyed a few bites of each, and saved the rest for later. (Mainly because I was kicking myself that I didn’t order more, so I wanted to savor what was remaining and enjoy it later)
Give Duck Donuts a try if you are in the Columbia, SC area. They also have online ordering to make it easier for you to just come in and pick up. I know I will not be a stranger to this place, they honestly may get tired of seeing me more in the future, because they will definitely be seeing more of me!
www.duckdonuts.com
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