We recently connected with Wanda Martin and have shared our conversation below.

Wanda, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

The data is in.. as per the Gun Violence Archive, over 6,000 youth/students fell victim to gun violence in the United States in the previous year,
Shockingly, guns have now become the leading cause of death among young people in the U.S. This alarming statistic hits close to home for me, spurred by the loss of my niece, Latia Jones, who at the tender age of 20, was gunned down and killed by a group of young kids in the neighborhood while sitting on a friend’s porch, who just recently testified in a murder case against some youths in the neighborhood. According to investigation, Latia’s friend was the intended target and she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

What many did not know, Latia was pursuing her goal @ Temple University to become a forensic psychologist to study why youths kill other youths.

From her demise, I’ve expanded my goal setting business geared towards youths and students in addition have authored a book titled “Have Goals Not Guns” which is an action guide that inspires, educate and teaches goal setting principles and strategies to youths to encourage them not to focus on gun violence but to focus on setting and achieving meaningful goals, academically and personally while fostering purpose and growth.

This action guide has become Amazon’s Best Seller’s in the Educational Category and serves as a deterrent from negative influences and risky behaviors prevalent among today’s youth. With my story and mission, I have been invited to conduct keynotes, presentation teach workshops at Colleges, High Schools, Elementary Schools, School Districts Administrations and HBCU’s such as Howard University to empower youth and students everywhere to achieve their full potential via goal setting.

With my mission and message, I have also established a goal setting camps for youths and students; been invited to teach goal setting strategies and principles to corporation, established a GOAL SETTING ACADEMY and was also given my own TV Show from RVNTV titled Achieve your Goals with Wanda Martin, where I weekly teach goal setting principles in over a million homes on the East Coast.

Wanda, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Sure, my name is Wanda Martin, and I am the President and Founder of Go For The Goals, LLC, who stands out as a premier leading expert in goal setting, while offering strategies and techniques for a diverse range of motivated individuals, including entrepreneurs, corporations, adults, students and youths to define their goals and align themselves with definitive pathways toward success.

As an accomplished Goal Setting Expert, Best Seller Author, Speaker, Strategist, TV Host, and graduate from Cornell University’s Women Entrepreneurship program, leveraging my expertise to impact thousands. My direct and no-nonsense approach delivers advice and proven practices for defining, attaining, and maintaining success through goal setting.
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With a proven track record, I specializes in teaching cutting-edge goal-setting methodologies that propel organizations employees such as Vanguard, Delta, Mary Kay, City of Philadelphia and many more achieve unprecedented 10x performance, heightened productivity, and increased profitability. With a passion for unlocking untapped potential, I have been known as the go-to authority for companies and educational institutions seeking transformative and sustainable growth through strategic goal-setting.

My influence extends greatly to educational institutions as well, where over the years, I have partnered with schools and administration to guide students on healthy career paths through goal setting. Featured on major networks such as 10 NBC & 6 ABC, and invited to teach at renowned institutions like Howard University and Community College of Philadelphia, my teachings shape the future of problem-solving with goal setting for students and youths alike.
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The journey doesn’t end there—through the demise of my late niece, Latia (20) who tragically fell victim to youth gun violence while pursuing her goal @ Temple University to become a Forensic Psychologist my commitment to “Give Back”, particularly in aiding underserved youth and students in historically African American communities, has been reflected in my Amazon’s Best Seller book, “Have Goals, Not Guns Action Guide (Youth/Student Edition)” and also my youth summer program titled, “Have Goals Not Guns summer youth camp. This resource teaches students/youths various goal setting principles on how to set and achieve meaningful goals (academically & personally) in order to passionately pursue their dreams and career aspirations, thus steering away from negative influences and risky behavior.
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In my role as the TV Host of “ACHIEVE your goals with Wanda,” I specializes in insightful interviews and moderating with entrepreneurs and celebrities, delving into their goal-setting strategies that propelled them to success. In my TV interviews, I had to privilege of speaking with various distinguished individuals, including renowned millionaires who were mentored by the late Bob Proctor, accomplished authors, mothers of NBA players, and even Ms. Joyce Abbott, after who the popular 6ABC show “Abbott Elementary” is named.
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With over 15 years of experience and certified as a Jack Canfield “Success Principles” trainer, I have the tremendous opportunity to empower individuals to recognize their capabilities and grow into purposeful achievers beyond imagination all through the avenue of goal setting.
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In conclusion, My mission is clear: to empower individuals with exceptional goal-setting strategies, guiding them to join the elite 8% who successfully achieve their goals, as highlighted by a University of Scranton revealing that 92% of Americans never achieve their goals while only 8% are able to accomplish their set goals.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
Absolutely! without a doubt, “Raise Your Game” by Alan Stein Jr. has been a total game-changer for me. This book is like a goldmine of wisdom for anyone looking to level up their entrepreneurial game.
In this book, Alan Stein insights are so practical and actionable that they’ve become my go-to playbook for success. Alan doesn’t just talk the talk; he walks the walk, drawing from his experiences working with top athletes and translating their winning strategies into the business world.
For example my favorite part of the book that I utilize in all of my keynotes, presentations, workshops with adults and youths alike is when he tells the story of how he met the late Kobe Bryant.
In 2007, Alan Stein Jr. received an invitation to watch a workout session of the late Kobe Bryant and during
his workout, he noticed that Kobe was doing some of the most basics moves of basketball (nothing fancy at all)/ as a matter of fact, he said he got bored watching him practice.

-After two hours of watching Kobe practice, he had an opportunity to speak to him, and with all honor and respect for who he was talking to, Alan said… “Kobe, you are one of the most best NBA players on the planet, why is it that your moves are so basics?”
-He said Kobe’s response was, “you wan to know why I am one of the best players on the planet?”
Alan said, “yes.” And Kobe’s response was…”because the best never gets bored with the basics.”

This was so profound to me because most entrepreneurs are looking for the:
quickest
fastest (or the)
easiest way to being successful
but according to Kobe, the quickest way to success is …just never get bored with doing the basics.

To me, the basic of being an entrepreneur consist of:
Writing down your goals and reviewing them daily,
Saying positive affirmations over your business goals.
20 minutes of daily meditating.
Checking in with your mentor and accountability partner once a week,
Reading, studying and growing in your craft in order to become 1% better everyday.

Sticking to the basics of maintaining my daily routine has caused me to:
Excel in life
Excel in my business
And raise my game in the Entrepreneurial space.

Doing the “Basics” really do work..they always have and always will!

I recommend every entrepreneur should read the book “Raise Your Game at least once a year because it is like having a personal coach in your corner, pushing you to raise the bar in your business and will help you to reach your full potential
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I have never looked at entrepreneurship the same way after I cracked opened this book over five years ago.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Absolutely, consistency has been the cornerstone of building my reputation within my market. Every day, without fail, I stick to my routines like clockwork. Whether it’s posting on social media, writing down my daily and quarterly goals, reviewing my goals, and maintaining my relationship with God…consistency is my secret sauce.

You see, in a world where attention spans are fleeting and competition is fierce, I believe consistency is what sets the real players apart from the rest. It’s what separates the successful entrepreneurs from unsuccessful entrepreneurs. It’s what separates the 8% from the 92%. You may ask “what is the 8%?”
University of Scranton did a research and discovered 92% of Americans who set goals never achieve them while only 8% do. I believe it should be the goal of every entrepreneur, youth, student and adults alike to become a part of the 8% by remaining consistent.

For me, consistency isn’t just a habit—it’s a mindset. It’s about making a commitment to excellence and showing up, day in and day out, delivering value to your audience.

Whether I’m sharing insights on social media, connecting with my audience through my website, sending out emails to check on my clients and their goals or refining my goals for the future, consistency is what keeps me grounded and my reputation out there in the market.

And the results speak for themselves. By staying consistent with my efforts, I’ve been able to build trust and credibility within my market. I’ve been featured in various magazines, seen on prominent TV Channels such 6ABC and 10 NBC to discuss goal setting, and featured on various platforms and corporations such as School District Of Philadelphia Administration; DELTA Sorority of Atlanta, Ga, Vaguard, Mary Kay, Howard University, Cedar Crest College, Beauty Institute of Ambler, Pa, Renaissance Academy for Students and many others. People know that when they engage with me, they can expect quality, value, and authenticity every time which all comes from me being consistent with my craft and my business.

So, if you’re looking to build your reputation within your market, my advice is simple: be consistent. Make it a priority to show up consistently for your audience, deliver value consistently in everything you do, and watch as your reputation grows stronger with each passing day. Trust me, consistency may not always be glamorous, but it’s the foundation upon which lasting success is built.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wandamartin.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_goforthegoal
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/8allday
• Linkedin: https:// www.linkedin.com/in/wandamartingoforthegoal
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/_GoForTheGoal8 @_GoForTheGoal8
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTnQH0PhUNmhTkAXuF4tjgA

Image Credits

Joyce Abbott- Namesake of ABC Abbott Elementary;Venture Capitalist Arian Simone, Monique Rodriguez owner and founder of Mielle Organic Products, Howard University_ These are no longe applicable and I cannot erase it.