Hes a rapper, actor, poet, MC, comedian. Hes Mos Def. Hes making it happen and it feels right for him. I attended a taping of Def Poetry Jam and experienced fluid, dynamic poetry, vocal symbolism and political storytelling that inspired me to put this newsletter together. Mos Def confided to the audience that he loves to host Def Poetry Jam and kids with Russell Simmons about not firing him and hiring Ciara, a new R&B artist who is an exceptional dancer. He candidly says, I cant compete with the booty shaking! But everyone in the audience, along with Russell and Mos Def, knows that what he has to offer the show is uniqueness, relevance and his personal forms of expression. He delivers himself to us and we accept it because its real.

I was reawakened to that part of me that I feel a need to express, to share and to reveal to the world. And the real blessing is that I can do that through my business. Working with technology in a creative way is a combination that I wish I would have discovered earlier in my life. But it took me to really focus on my true strengths, recognize my weaknesses and use everything else to bring them together to create my ultimate entrepreneurial foundation. And it feels right for me. Mos Def has turned his creativity, his personality and his connectivity into his business. You can do the same thing and it begins with realizing your strengths, admitting your weaknesses and using skills, passion and a little luck, to make them work for you.

Here are some questions for you to contemplate. Dont struggle with them. Be honest with all of the answers you find within yourself, no matter how they may make you feel. Starting a daycare when you really dont like children will have you in the same rut as working at a job that you dont like, for someone else. But if you admit early on that since you dont like children you will be sure to hire personnel that feel the opposite way, you can possibly get past that obstacle. Trying to create your own destiny requires that you find passion in what you do and problem-solve continuously.

What are your strengths and opportunities? Your REAL strengths? Just because you sound great in the shower doesnt mean youll be the next Patti LaBelle. But all joking aside, you may want to ask some of your closest friends what they see you as being really good at to get some initial ideas. In the end you have to look inside yourself and come up with the answers.


Examples could be knowledgeable about computers, desktop software and the internet. You can list them one by one or write them in sentences. Maybe youre an excellent skydiver and want to start a skydiving attraction company. So you would list your strength as skydiving. Make a list of 5 strengths to build on.

Now, even though were all perfect, think of your weaknesses and threats. Things you may not be good at or want to do. Whats important for this activity is to focus on ideas or actions that could hinder your growth as an entrepreneurs or business owner.

Examples could be Dont know how to incorporate a business. If you have a great business idea and want to take your business to the next level of organization but have no clue how to do it, then you may need a business consultant, coach or attorney to get you on your way. Make a list of 6 weaknesses or obstacles to get over.

Now you have it down in writing - the beginning of a plan of action. Start moving those ideas around and think about who can benefit from your strengths? What career or industry have people with your similar strengths succeeded in? If youre good with people, have a love for music and have access to a production studio, you may be able to build a career as a producer in the music industry like Sean Puffy Combs. Since good business is about fulfilling a need, take the time to research who needs you.

Your weaknesses are not to be ignored. Once you know where you need help at, you can plan to get it. If you dont type well or organize files efficiently you may need to get an assistant. If youre very shy and find it hard to meet people, you may want to contemplate forming a partnership with someone who is more out going. Take the time to come up with solutions to your shortcomings.

Tackling these activities will help you to get started in reorganizing your business (if youre a current business owner) or figuring out if you can create a business at all (if youre an aspiring entrepreneur). Cause as the philosophy goes, Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained, so Work It Out!