FINALLY, Real Media for Real Women doing Real Networking!

Welcome to Fearless Woman Magazine. MY magazine.  This has truly been a long labor of love (I wasn’t even in labor as long as this when I gave birth to my son!). I’ve laughed. I’ve cried. I’ve lost sleep. I’ve prayed hard. I’ve smiled. I’ve even almost given up. But it’s finally here and I am so excited. Well, technically the WEBSITE is here. But the magazine is coming!

Ten years ago, I wrote in a notebook that I wanted to start a magazine. I had no idea what kind of magazine, but I knew that I wanted one. But that was put way on the back burner and filed under “dreams”. Well fast forward to April 4, 2009. On my 40th birthday, I made a decision to make some changes in my life and to kick things into gear if I planned on being successful in my second act. I was facing my son leaving for college that summer and a growing boredom with my recruiting business. That day, I made a vow to go for everything I’ve ever wanted in life. You only live once and I refuse to be stuck wondering what could have happened “if only” I had the nerve.  I wanted a media company. I wanted a powerful network. I wanted a publishing company. I wanted to write books, interview people, have a radio show, educate people and grow a successful multi-faceted multimedia company. Right then and there I said “now is the time”.

I decided it was time to take the Empower Me! brand (which had been functioning as a network of sorts for years before) to new heights. So I sat down with my notebook (no not the same one from years ago) and I began to write freely everything in my mind. The end result was a culmination of me wanting personal and professional change, my hopes for the company and brand, and the social media and technology landscapes that would afford me the opportunity to work my magic. A living, breathing media and publishing company was born.

One would think that my journey began that day. But it actually started way before. Empower Me! has come a long way from that little network on a Yahoo Group for Black Women back in 1998 to a source of power networking resources and information for upwardly professional mobile women of all races. While I struggled with what I wanted the company to be in the early days, over the last two to three years God has really opened my eyes to what He had in store for it (and me). I had no idea when I started blogging a few years ago, that it would lead to me writing a book. I had no idea releasing that book in early 2009 would lead to me starting a radio show. Sometimes I still sit in amazement at what I’ve accomplished with this company, brand and magazine. I’m a real live media mogul. I had to work hard and struggle to find the right formula.  We’re (me and the company) still a work in progress. I’ve encountered some hellish obstacles along the way. But I never gave up. I held my ground and stood fast in my passion for this company. My dreams are now coming to fruition. And that’s my message to you.

We all have the tools and resources to be successful right inside of us. People think it takes money to be successful. But it is merely a tool. The real power comes from the relationships you leverage from the people you surround yourself with. If it were not for my phenomenal network of friends, advisors, colleagues and associates who knows where I’d be today. They kept me going and motivated.

My network of people offered to help in any way they could. And for that I am truly grateful. As long as you have at least one person who is in your corner, who will be truthful with you and stand by your side, there’s no limit to what you can accomplish. Cherish those people in your inner circle. But most importantly, never, ever give up. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t because *insert excuse here*. Anything is possible with passion, belief, hard work and technology! Toss the negative, unsupportive people to the side and keep it moving.

Thank you all for your support and belief. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the creation of this magazine. Thank you to all of you who believed in me when I said “I’m in- win, lose, or draw” because I truly am. Watch where I take this company, this magazine, this brand. You ain’t seen nothin’ yet!

 Be Fearless, Be Empowered!

Adrienne Graham
Publisher, Media Mogul, CEO