Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dr. Cheryl Polote-Williamson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Dr. Cheryl, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
From a young age, my parents taught me the importance of pursuing your dreams. They taught me the importance of giving and serving, and expecting nothing in return. They also taught me the importance of showing up for family. They taught me these things by modeling them in our home and family life. Since I began my entrepreneurial journey, my father has been at every grand opening, he has purchased an ad in every issue of Cheryl Magazine, he has generously given to all of my causes.
As a second-generation entrepreneur, I watched my father build his construction business from the ground up. Seeing him achieve this showed me the beauty of building a long-lasting legacy for your family.
His work ethic, perseverance, and resolve planted seeds of entrepreneurship in me when I was a young girl. The fact that he founded a successful company that has lasted over 5o years is one of my biggest motivating factors. I know that I can do it because he showed me the way. His example has served as a guiding light for me & I am so thankful that I have been able to lean and depend on him for support and wise counsel at various times during my entrepreneurial journey.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I am a multi-hyphenate Global Media Executive. My varied roles and titles include the following: I offer business and mindset coaching to female entrepreneurs and C-Suite Executives, I am an HBO Max Award Winning Filmmaker and Executive Producer, I am Editor-In-Chief of Cheryl Magazine which is staffed by all black women aged 35+, I am a best-selling author of 19 books (with the 20th releasing this year), I am a highly sought after global speaker and panelist and last but certainly not least, I am the Founder of Soul Reborn, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that focuses on transforming the lives of disadvantaged, disenfranchised and previously incarcerated women by educating and equipping them with the tools for life and business.
I have built my brand and business on empowering women aged 40+ to cultivate the life of their wildest dreams, using the power of mindset and affirmations. I focus my initiatives and business goals on creating opportunities for other women to win and providing them with the tools and resources necessary to excel. This is crucial for me because I understand the magic that unfolds when women lead. I know firsthand the profound impact that women have on the world and economy when we pursue our ambitions unapologetically.
I got started on this path at age 47. My family and I were in the thick of the most difficult and devastating chapter we had ever experienced (multiple catastrophic family illnesses and death of a loved one). As a result of this tumultuous time in my life, I was battling a very deep depression. I remember laying in bed one morning when God began to speak life into me. He gave me positive words and phrases (affirmations) that lifted the weight of depression from my shoulders. I eventually began to share these affirmations on my social media and the response I got from my followers was overwhelming. When I realized that my affirmations were blessing others, I decided to center my brand and next few books on the power of affirmations. From there, Affirmed: 365 Positive Thoughts & Actions to Start Your Day and Affirmed Volume 2 were published. My brand and business were born from the power of turning pain into purpose. I am so blessed to say that since I began, I have helped countless others do the same!
I am most proud of the fact that I have been able to honor 16 influential women who are making significant impact in their respective fields with my annual Women of Influence Awards Luncheon. This luncheon awards scholarships to deserving young women who are pursuing degrees in Communications/Journalism and/or entrepreneurship. I am also very proud of the fact that in the 8 years since its inception, Soul Reborn has given over $50,000 in grants to female-owned businesses, and provided over $175,000 in Christmas gifts for families in need and undergoing cancer treatments.
Potential clients, followers, and fans should know that you cannot work with or follow me for any length of time and remain stagnant. It is impossible to work with or follow me, and not start believing in yourself, and actualizing your dreams/goals. If you work with and/or follow me, you will begin to walk boldly and unapologetically in your purpose. You will learn to prioritize yourself and to write and speak your affirmations daily! You will learn the power of affirming yourself and watch the radical changes that take place in your life when you decide to share your gifts and shine your light on this world! I cannot wait to see you shine and see you soar!
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
When I was in the early stages of creating my HBO Max Award Winning Film, Twenty Pearls: The Story of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, my persistent resilience was crucial in securing the legendary Phylicia Rashad, as the film’s narrator. When I didn’t get a response from my initial email request for her to be the film’s narrator, my spirit told me that I was going to have to go to her. When I found out that she would at the Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit that year, I knew that was my opportunity to ask her. Would she say yes? Would I even actually get to see her? My mind swirled with questions, but most importantly, I knew that this was my last shot. I could not let the disappointment of not hearing back from her via email or the doubt and fear that kept trying to creep up on me keep from taking this life-changing shot. I had to decide to be resilient and to ask her in person. The worst she could tell me, was ‘no.’
After waiting and waiting, I finally got a chance to meet her and ask her in person if she would narrate Twenty Pearls, and she did not say no! If had not been resilient, I would have never got her ‘yes!’ Sometimes, you have to get creative and resourceful to get to your ‘yes!’ You have to be willing to be uncomfortable, to be patient, and to face the possibility of rejection. Learning these lessons have had major positive impacts on my business.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
During the pandemic, I had to pivot. At the height of the lockdown, I had been in the early phases of starting Cheryl Magazine. Except for close friends and family, everyone I spoke with agreed that it was not a good idea to start a magazine; especially amid a global pandemic (and the consequent quarantine and shutdown). The consensus was that the world had moved away from print publications and that everyone preferred digital. Also, with everything shutting down, many thought that I should I put all efforts on hold until the number of cases lowered and stabilized. I remember hearing on more than one occasion that the magazine would not be successful because of this. I am so grateful for the fact that I just celebrated my 3rd year in publication in January for this year, and my readership and subscribers are growing exponentially with each issue. This week, the Spring 2024 issue will be released and Emmy Award-winning actress and producer, Niecy Nash-Betts will grace the cover. The Winter 2023 issue featured the CEO of the Dallas Mavericks, Cynt Marshall.
Why is the magazine experiencing success? Because I pivoted. I knew that the odds were against me. I knew that most people thought a print magazine in a digital world was not feasible. But they were wrong. If I did not pivot to make my idea a reality, I would not have celebrated 3 years in publication at the beginning of this year.
Being able to pivot means understanding that plans are not always going to pan out the way that we want them to. Success is not tied to everything going as planned, its tied to how well you can adjust when they don’t.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cherylpwilliamson.com
- Instagram: @cherylpwilliamson
- Facebook: Cheryl Polote-Williamson
- Linkedin: Dr. Cheryl Polote-Williamson
- Twitter: Cheryl Polote-Williamson
- Youtube: Dr. Cheryl Polote-Williamson
Image Credits
Kauwuane Burton Studios Willie & Kim Photography