Baddies with Business
Baddies with Business Podcast is a weekly journey into the lives and experiences of entrepreneurship as a Black woman. Each week join Malliron Hodge as she builds community through conversation with early stage, 0-5 years of existence, Black women entrepreneurs. Come along as we learn about their journey, get real about challenges, and share advice for aspiring "Baddie" entrepreneurs.
Baddies with Business
The Journey with Blue
Learn more about Michelle as she navigates life as an entrepreneur!
Connect with Michelle Blue:
- IG: @themichelleblue
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelle.blue.165
- Website: https://thejourneywithblue.com/
Episode Sponsor:
- Willow Tree Soul Wellness: www.willowtreesoulwellness.com
Connect with Baddies with Business:
- IG: @Baddieswithbusiness
- Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Baddieswithbusiness
- Website: www.baddieswithbusiness.com
- Support Baddies with Business:Buy Me A Tea
- Email: Baddieswithbusiness@gmail.com
Music By: Tukool Tiff
- Instagram: @tukooltiff
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/tukooltiff
Connect with Baddies with Business:
- IG: @Baddieswithbusiness
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Baddieswithbusiness
- Support Baddies with Business: Join our Patreon Community
- Email: Baddieswithbusiness@gmail.com
Music By: TuKool Tiff
- Instagram: @tukooltiff
- iTunes, Spotify: TuKool Tiff
Be Bad. Be Bold. Be A Baddie!
Hello, everyone. Welcome back to another episode of baddies with business. I am sitting down today with Michelle Blue. So Michelle, can you tell the listeners a little bit more about yourself?
Michelle:Yeah. I always think it is so interesting when I get this question, because I'm like, what do I say? You know I feel like, you know, leading with my title and what I do is one thing, but me as a person. How I like to show up is like live this life as a person of light as a person of love. Who is really just excited to take on life. Right. And to really maximize this thing, like. What can I do to live fully, to operate boldly and my talents and my gifts and be able to give that to other people. So that is, I guess my being. And I do that through supporting other entrepreneurial dreamers and stepping into their purpose and bringing their dreams and their visions for their life to reality.
Malliron:I liked that being peace. So not only the work that you're doing, but also how you're supporting other individuals as they're stepping into this place with themselves. So. That's awesome. What do you like to do for fun?
Michelle:Mm for fun. I mean, So typical, of course I like one or travel. Right. Look cute. Go out, hang with my friends. Spend time with my boyfriend. But yeah, the basics. Does having a good time, right? I'm always down for dancing. I'm like such an old woman. I don't think anyone in our generation, it was like, oh, I want to go out dancing. But that is me. Take me to a place with some good music where you can just like vibe. It's not like about being pretentious and just like sitting down and trying to be cute, you know, to be seen on this, you know? I'm like, no, I want to be on a dance floor. I want to be dancing. I want to have a good time. So yeah, I'm a, I'm a Viber. I'm like a little too stepper. I can't do much else. There's not much variation outside of that. But. I do love to do it.
Malliron:Yes. I love that. Also. You're like, I'm going to go, I'm going to dance. So if you try to sit on the corner, I mean, if you're trying to sit on the seat on the side. Don't call me because I'm a dancer. I'm a
Michelle:We know there's a time and place, right. So there's times when I want to look cute and just like sit into section. You know, but there's times when it's like, I just like want to enjoy myself and be free and not worry about what I look like or what people are saying. And, you know, I think. Just kind of having that free element, I think is so, so much fun.
Malliron:I appreciate that. We don't let our hair down enough in general. I think about how that transition into ventures and business is just letting our hair down being transparent, being open, but also letting people see that vulnerable side of us and just like carefree.
Michelle:No facades, right? Like I'm not trying to put on for anybody. Like I'm just here for a good time.
Malliron:Now that we got to know a little bit more about you. Can you tell us more about your venture?
Michelle:Yes. So. You know, as we talk about facades and like feeling like we have to look a certain way and present a certain way. I think that really speaks to what I try to create in the world. Right. And I'm even in my own journey and my own process, but through my talk show, the journey with blue, it really started. Out of like my own desire of wanting people to share their transparent stories of entrepreneurship. Because again, so many times, especially years ago, when I started you see the highlight reel, you see the queue, you see the, you know, the features and the money and the deals going through. But when I was starting my business, I knew that wasn't my, for reality, I guess those things did happen, but that was like 3% of the time, like 97% of the time I was going through. Like the no's, the rejection, trying to figure things out. And I was like, am I the only one going through this as like, I can't be. And so out of my own like selfish ambitions, I started the journey with blue, because again, I knew if I had those questions, then other people were having the same. Right. So it kind of gives you. Look behind Instagram, behind the facades of, okay. What does it really take to step into your purpose? Right. And so it was around the lessons, the sacrifices. The failures and joys along the journey because you have all of it. And I was not like a pick and choose like, oh, I want the good only, no, you get it all. And it all is there to serve you. So. I lead conversations through my shows The Journey With Blue and I coach, entrepreneurial, dreamers to powerfully step into their purpose and into their dreams. So that they can bring them into reality.
Malliron:I love that. So, The journey with blue the talk show, and then you also mentioned coaching entrepreneurs to be able to step into their power. And their purpose. So tapping into that power and that purpose. If you think about your journey, what are some ways that you've tapped into your power and purpose? Through your journey with blue. But also your journey as like Michelle blue and navigating supporting entrepreneurs, but also finding that spark and passion within yourself.
Michelle:That's a good question. How I have stepped into my power. Is simply because I chose. And now, like I chose to go, I chose to step into this. Despite the fears. Despite the doubts descent, despite the previous failures, you know it was a choice and I think the power in saying yes, and the power in moving and taking the steps to create what it is that's been given to you. Shifts everything. Right? Like you literally get to create your thoughts and bring them into reality. And when you realize that when you give your yes. When you get to choose what it is that you want this life to look like. Then I think that's the game changer.
Malliron:When you think about the power of saying yes and bring that into kind of your vision. What are some ways that you said yes. Throughout this journey it, you know, with supporting entrepreneurs, but also your journey in navigating entrepreneurship at yourself.
Michelle:Yeah. I mean, I always say my first big leap was. Like, well, starting my first business. And so two weeks after I graduated college, I launched my business full time, which is crazy. I had no clue. Right. But I said yes to myself. I say yes to my dreams. I say yes, to going forward, despite not knowing how it was going to turn out, because I knew that was something that I wanted to get out into the world. I knew that it was given to me. And so I feel like our, our dreams are qualifiers in themselves. You know, so many times we doubt, but if the, I always say the dream is given to you, then it's up to you to bring forth into the world. And so that was one of my big leaps. One of the first times that I did say yes to myself, And bet on myself. Really big. And not getting. Like going to college and not getting a corporate salary and the benefits and this. You know, the security. But realizing that. Okay. I get to. I get to really co-create, like I said, right. And that life doesn't happen to me. Life happened. Happens through me. Right. And so I wasn't just gonna allow like me to settle for what the options were given, but I've had to create the options that I truly wanted for myself. And that was the first yes. That has literally spiraled to all these other yeses that I now get to make.
Malliron:So just like one saying yes to, I have an idea. Before you even jumped, like I have an idea finishing college two weeks out and you're like, I'm going to do this full time. Was that the. Was that the number one option for you? Did you have additional options that were on the table that you could have say yes to, or was it, this was the only option and this was my best option that I chose for myself.
Michelle:I did not have. Really any other options? Right. So I had interned that you know, through college. So I had a work experience, so I could have gone that route. You know, the college fairs were happening. People were applying to jobs. I didn't even do it. didn't even go. So crazy, like literally why everyone else? And I was in the business school, right? So this is intense. While everyone else is going to the job fairs and like talking about, you know, their interview process and where they're applying. I'm literally like, That's not what I want for me. And I didn't fully know what I wanted for me. I just knew that wasn't quite it. And I was willing to risk. It all. To figure out what was on the other side of my dream.
Malliron:And that's a big thing. Like. You took a risk and you said risked it all, like I'm in the business school for those who don't know. So I also I have a BS in business management, so I understand what business school is like. And it's like every Wednesday we had to dress up, they would have someone coming in and you do interviews. This is your path. This is the path you take. But for you, like I'm about to risk it all. Because I want to say yes to myself, but also I just, you may not know what that option is, but you knew that those options weren't the one you went to say yes to. It was to yourself and. Pursuing that. So. I think that's really powerful.
Michelle:Yeah. You know, I always say to thine self be true. You know, and sometimes we know the answer. Well, we always know the answer. I mean, sometimes it's the fear and the doubt and the uncertainty that allows us to go down different paths and allow us to delay our dreams and delay. Where we're supposed to be. But you always know. All right. So I think the better question is what are you pretending not to know?
Malliron:We always even if it isn't clear, it may be murky. It may be cloudy, but we know something is not right. You know, something is not sitting well with our spirit. So. Yeah. we always know we can, we can sense it.
Michelle:Right. And you know, the thing is because so many times we are looking for like that 20, 20 vision, like that ultimate clarity of how things are gonna work out. And. That's never the case. Right. First of all, we can't predict the future. So even when you think, you know, you don't know, right. Because life has a crazy way of just like throwing things at you. That's completely outside of what you have planned for yourself. But I always say it's not for you to figure out the how, because we get so caught up in figuring out, well, how is this gonna work? How's this piece gonna fit? To the next how am I going to create this contact? How am I going to make this. X amount of dollars. How am I going to get the money to launch? And I say, it's not about the, how. It's about the what. You get clear on what it is that you're going to create and you step from there. Right. That is the yes that you have to make. It's not knowing that. Knowing all the variables, knowing exactly like the minutia of the plan. That's crazy. We're not forward to tellers. Like girl, you're always going to be in the same place. If you trying to figure that out.
Malliron:Right.
Michelle:Right.
Malliron:And it's never going to be perfect. Yeah.
Michelle:never going to be perfect. And no But. I always say, and I did a Ted talk on this is breaking free from the plan and letting your vision guide you. You know, so the vision is the, what. Right. And like I said, I mean, when you start this journey, there's so many unforeseen variables. I never thought that I would. Go through a$40,000 loss in my business. If I knew that I wouldn't have gone through the loss.. I would have avoided it at all costs. I would have had the foresight to do my due diligence. So that wouldn't happen. Right. But my vision, I did have the clarity on my vision. Despite the, you know the detours and how I got there. But the vision stayed the same. The vision guide at me. And my why guided me. Through all that life will bring you in all that this journey brings you.
Malliron:we're gonna have to y'all. I'm gonna have to pause, go look for that Ted talk so you can check it out. So you can, you can look at it. As well to learn a little bit more from Michelle. This is incredible. Especially around the how and the what, and really being able to sit in that discomfort. And being comfortable with that discomfort of not knowing all the answers. But being willing to just go on that journey to figure out what is accurate is your passionate about and what you want to say yes to. So. Thank you so much for sharing that. I'm curious on your journey. What are some things that you have learned?
Michelle:I mean, there's so much that I have learned. But through some of the most difficult times of my journey. Has been my greatest teachers. You know, and so many times you're always asked, well, would you have gone through a$40,000 loss or would you have changed anything? And I can't. There's no way I could change anything, because if I disrupt any piece of this order, I don't get to where I am and who I am today. Right. And so. I know that this is during the journey of becoming quite literally, right. It's not about the end destination, which is what. When I ultimately started this, it was about hitting these certain goals and creating this huge business. But it really is such a spiritual journey. You know, it is such an introspective journey. In R requires you to become a different person. Your dream requires you to become a different person. And I think that has been the biggest revelation to me.
Malliron:I like how you pointed out your dream requires you to become a different person. And you can't predict those things that might've happened. You can only take those learnings from that. Failure, however you challenge that hurdle. And continue evolving and continue changing. and to continue growing into the person that, you know, you can become, or you aspire to becoming, you may not even know it as well. So yeah, that's really powerful. As you think about your journey and this work that you've done through the highs and the lows. Are there some baddies that you want to shout out who have been there to support you every step of the way you discovered along the way? Like, let's just give them their flowers now.
Michelle:Oh, that's so sleeve. So I guess the first Baddie. Would it be. My mom. A lot of times when we are taking these big audacious leaps in life. You can't do it alone. You know, and having someone to support you and believing you makes the world of difference. And even the fact of. Especially, it's not like I come from. A wealthy family or, you know, I have a lot of people who have taken this path and my family. But for me to say, I'm not going for corporate job, I'm going for my dream. And my mother getting that. And. Being able to support me through that. That's a blessing. That's a huge, huge blessing. And yeah, I always, like I used to ask in my interviews, like who was your Virginia? That was my that's my mom's name. Who is your Virginia? Who was that person that stood with you, who supported you? Sometimes when you couldn't even support yourself. Right and going for that dream. So. I don't think she's ever been called a Baddie, but. But yes. My Baddie award, shout out, goes to my mom, Virginia.
Malliron:Yes. Well, shout out to you, mama, Virginia. You are a Baddie and just thank you for how you poured into Michelle, but also that is inspiring to other Virginia's out there who are supportive, want to support may not know what to do. Just like being able to say like, I'm going to support you as you figure out this vision and continue to follow your dreams. So, if you think about. The journey with blue. And how far you've come and where you aspire to be in the next two to three years. Where is that? And how can the community of baddies and friends help you get there?
Michelle:Yes, I'm always for, you know, vision casting. I say. You know, if you can see it in your head. You can hold it in your hand and so anything and everything is possible and available to us. And so in two years, And I'm really excited for a number of reasons, because I, you know, even, like I said, this is such a process and a journey for me. And I'm excited to step into more transparently sharing my journey. So it had continued to be a light to others. Right. So being able to speak on more platforms, right. And that's through my show, I'm excited for season. Four of the show, which I'll be shooting sometime this year. I'm like, Lord, I can't even imagine. It seems so overwhelming right now, but I'm like, okay, break it down, girl. Make it happen. But season four of the show. Coaching more women. And. You know, I think there's, you know, some very key guests that I don't know personally right now that I really want to join me in conversation. And one of those guests is Elaine Welteroth. Right. So this is me speaking it to y'all y'all are hearing. Oh right now, I would say your dream doesn't scare you is not big enough. So that was kind of scary for me to tell y'all this, but we are committed to the dream, but you know, she had her book several years ago, more than enough. And that is such a conversation around worthiness. Right of like who you are in your like intrinsic value, not with any title, not with anything that you've created, not based off of any of the money that you have. But you stand alone. As your truest raw itself. Are enough. I, and I think that's so important that when we step into our businesses, when we're stepping into our purpose, that we realize that. Right, because that's how we are able to. Shift paradigms. That's how we're able to attract more of the things that we want in this life. Whether it be relationships, contacts, contracts, money. Right. And so when you reach inside and have the understanding of who you are, Right. And that nothing else makes you, you. I think that is so powerful. Right. And so, so much of my conversations and so much of my coaching. You know, is really from the inside out. Like I'm not, yes. I support with strategy. Like. I do that. That's the easy part. Right. But people are coming to me because they want transformation. Right. They need a shift in their mindset. They need a shift in what they see and believe and think is possible for themselves. Right. So his mindset is transformation, but as starting from the inside out, Because you can have all the strategies in the world. But have you are not well of, you're not showing up. You're not going through your healing and your process. If you're not checking your own thoughts, right. Your negative and limiting beliefs. Then nothing is truly available to you. Right. You're stuck. And so I help people, entrepreneurial dreamers get unstuck so that they can powerfully again, take the leap and create these visions for their businesses, for their lives and bring it into reality. But. Elaine, where are you at of y'all gonna help me get filled lane of someone's listening. You know, her, you're her manager. I don't know. Then you need to make this happen. We need to connect. And so I am claiming that. For. 2022. And that's a scary. Scary thing for me to say.
Malliron:Yeah.
Michelle:But I'm putting it out there and I'm trusting in that. Right. Cause like I said, I choose that. And you choose not based off of what you can see. You choose based off of what it is that you want. And it's as simple as that.
Malliron:Put it out there. So look. Anyone listening. If you have connections Elaine, we need to get them to Michelle because we want to make this happen for her. to
Michelle:Is that a scary. Ooh.
Malliron:We want to bring this sense of reality and that in two to three years, you know, let's make it happen in 2023.
Michelle:Oh, yeah, I forgot. This was two to three years. No, I'm claiming it now.
Malliron:Right now now. Yes. For people that want to learn more about your show coaching and ways to support you, where can they find you on social media and on your website?
Michelle:Yes. So my social is pretty much, my name is T H E the michelle blue. Blue light the color. Michelle with two L's is all really simple. You can find me and my website and show it's called the journey with blue. So. If you're looking for inspiration, motivation the tangible tools and strategies and mindset work to shift your reality to bring these businesses to life. And then I look forward to you. Following me and Joe and joining the journey.
Malliron:Wonderful. I will include all of that in the description of this episode. So you all can easily find it and reach out to Michelle, make some stuff happen, you know, bring Elaine her way. In closing Michelle, I do something called a Baddie benediction. So not necessarily a prayer, but it is a closing before we open up the flood gates for the community to come and support you. So what is your closing Baddie benediction that you want to leave us with today?
Michelle:You have everything that you need. Everything that you need is already within you. So, like I said, you have the answers, you have the ability, you have the vision, you have the skills, you have the talent. So trust that. And move confidently in it. Right because you are worthy and the dream alone qualifies you.