We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Liz Faublas-Wallace. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Liz below.
Alright, Liz thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you in your professional career?
Prior jobs have taught me to treat the people who work for our company as the most important part of Million Dollar Pen, Ink. What we do, the products we deliver, our growth, and financial success are not possible without my team and they should be treated in a way commensurate with that respect and understanding.
For years, I believed working for a company or organization meant I had to conform, acquiesce, and surrender my voice. I attribute this particular trait in part to my upbringing. As the oldest child of Haitian emigrants, I was raised to respect authority without question, work hard, and avoid confrontation. I understand this sounds like I was raised to be passive or fearful, when really, it was more about being deferential.
Their intentions were well-meaning and stemmed from traditional values. I can’t even be mad about it. It is what it is, and my parents did right by me. However, in corporate America (especially in newsrooms, which tend to be hyper-competitive, stressful, and male-dominated in general), being “accommodating” made me as a black woman vulnerable. I am smart, witty, creative, and assured about my areas of expertise, yet for too long I held back a level of assertiveness that surely would have curtailed the audacity some managers, supervisors, and directors exhibited.
I matured, gained more experience, honed my skills, owned my talent, became more confident and outspoken, and began accepting that if I did not stand up for myself I would continue to suffer offenses along my career path. Moreover, I would watch others get the promotions and salary increases I knew I deserved. One company even gave me an ultimatum –choose being a performer or the job–I chose MY life. Fortunately, I was in a position to let employers know I would not tolerate injustices. I knew the value I added to any organization I worked for and chose simply to shift that value to my own business.
Treating employees to be fearful by threatening them with punitive actions (including job loss) for challenging unacceptable and disrespectful practices in the workplace is reprehensible. No one signs up to be subjugated, marginalized, and chastened just to earn a living. I developed a management style that reflected how I would have liked to be treated.
Meeting people where they are, setting (and respecting) boundaries, and appreciating the humanity of employees who dedicate hours of their lives to your organization creates a healthy work environment. Your team, colleagues, and business partners should be encouraged and incentivized. Believe in them like you want them to believe in you and your business.
For those who argue it’s about the bottom line, revenue, expansion, growth…well, of course. That goes without saying. We are in business to make money. However, profit and creating a positive workplace culture are not mutually exclusive. A business can make money and make a difference in the lives of personnel at the same time.
It’s as simple as that. Be good to the people who are good to you.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am an Emmy-nominated, award-winning television anchor, producer, writer, and communications professional. I have over 28 years of broadcast television and media experience, and a proven track record of successful brand and image building.
I’ve always been a talker (or tawkah since most people seem to detect my New Yawk accent)! Telling stories, expressing “life” with dramatic flair, and a desire to inform and contribute to the way people receive and share information fueled my love of journalism. Being a television anchor, producer, and reporter was a dream come true. Creating, writing, producing, and hosting a television series based on my husband’s book “The Other 99 T.Y.M.E.S,” is one of my greatest accomplishments. Winning three Telly awards and two Communicator awards for the “The Other 99 T.Y.M.E.S: Count Your Blessings” was humbling and life-affirming at the same time.
My background and faith in God are an important part of who I am. I proudly proclaim I am from Brooklyn, I am Haitian, I am a black woman, I finally embraced my natural hair, and I can go days without applying a stitch of makeup. Being a wife, mother and grandmother are my greatest joys. I am a proud alum of St. John’s University and writing feeds my soul.
As a publicist, social media manager, and content creator, I understand the impact of connecting with people through relatable, human-interest stories that tell compelling stories which touch the soul and engage the mind. I don’t take any of this for granted. It’s been quite a ride and I love helping people reach their goals, realize their dreams, share their message, and live their best lives.
These days, I am fully invested in my company Million$Pen, Ink. My company is a certified Minority/Women-owned Business Enterprise. We have published 10 bestselling books (and counting) and I work as a publicist for several authors and as a content creator and social media manager. You’d be surprised at how many people do not want to manage their own social media pages! It’s exciting to give companies and individuals the edge and creativity they are looking for to leverage their businesses and brands on the various platforms. By the way, If YOU are one of those people, there is no shame in it! We are here to help. Reach out! Check out www.mdpink.com or editor@
While I am working for clients, I am living my life on my own terms. Having some corporate “entity” dictate how, where and why I use my voice was soul-crushing. Nothing and no one should rob you of your identity. I have learned to make a conscious decision to accept who I am, give myself credit for doing the best I can, and challenge myself to change what I do not like about myself. For example, the only reason that bad hair day affects us is because we are too consumed with what others will think or say. Sometimes you just have to own the reality: “Look, these folks gonna get what they get; I am not here to please you, I am here to be me.”
Through MDPI, I created my own platforms. I now have time and resources to visit schools, youth ministries, and even businesses to talk with women (young and old) about how getting out of my own way changed the course of my life. It’s become my mission to help others discover they can do the same.
My children’s book series (“You Have A Superpower: Mindi PI Meets…”) is about accepting the gifts you have been blessed with and using those gifts to change the world; accepting without fear our God-given talents. It took me years to realize how powerful I am. If for no other reasons–because I can choose to be who I want, do what I want, without seeking the validation of others. If we wrapped our brains around how much we control our lives, we’d be unstoppable. The book is available on Amazon and I am happy to send a signed copy to your little superheroes!
Thankfully, my husband Carlos is supportive and together we created a separate brand (The Author and the Anchor) that we use to encourage better relationships and share experiences we hope help others cope with challenges and overcome adversity.
I am not saying any of this is easy. But I am living proof, that it is possible. I promise. You just have to want it bad enough.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
Word of mouth, plain and simple. We are grateful that the word is out, and we have built the credibility and trust that allows clients to refer us to others.
We work hard to give every client our very best work. MDPI never cuts corners and we use the latest literary resources to ensure every book, blog, newsletter, status update, graphic, and video is accurate, creative, engaging, and positioned to promote growth, amplify sales, and build brands and images.
We support our clients by using our platforms (and leveraging theirs) as portals for recognition. Our editors all subscribe to the most updated research tools, social media strategies, marketing platforms, and industry newsletters.
When a client contacts us, it is because they are seeking an expert in the field. Bottom line: Do the homework, know your industry, study the trends, network with like-minded entrepreneurs, ask questions, and offer solutions.
An important side note here: Never be selfish with your knowledge, however, always maintain that your knowledge and experience have value. Don’t allow people to take advantage of that.
What do you find most rewarding about being creative?
Freedom of expression!
Using resources and platforms that are readily available to create stories, images, and videos that could bring about change, inform the masses, build a business, and give an author a voice.
As a creative, you don’t need anyone’s permission to be great, to be loud, to be enterprising, and to take risks. MOST IMPORTANTLY: Do all of the above with purpose, a plan, and a strategy; never just jump off a cliff just because you can (I had to add that little tid-bit for those who misinterpret what it means to take a risk).
I am fortunate enough to be able to write my stream of consciousness and perform it on stage as a stand-up comic. Whether it is through words or jokes, my soul and my heart can speak my mind and tell substantive stories without limitations.
Creatives can change the way you think, inform your consciousness, make you laugh, touch your heart, enlighten your soul, and bring you joy with the tap of the keyboard, stroke of a pen, pan of the camera, and the power of a mic. Great responsibility? Yes.
Is it worth it, YES!
What makes all this even greater? I (we) don’t have to seek these gifts. It’s all within us; it’s our superpower.
Few things are this exhilarating.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lizfaublas.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/efaublas/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefabuliz1/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-faublas/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYyr3XK_yvyRgEzvQimb3Gw
- Other: www.mdpink.com