Today we’d like to introduce you to Makini Smith.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
In 2009, as a woman who was a wife and stay at home mother of three, I decided to walk away from a marriage that was toxic for me. For years, I had no idea who I was, I gave others the power to control me and I felt as if I had no voice.
My older sister spoke for me when I wasn’t strong enough to use my own voice. She always had my back when I felt alone. So, when I filed for a divorce and was left to figure out how I was going to take care of three children, a dog, pay my mortgage, car note and all my other responsibilities… my sister moved in with me to help out.
I studied to get my real estate license and when I passed all the tests and paid all the fees, my first year as a full-time entrepreneur was rough. Working every day for eight months, I didn’t earn a dime. I stayed consistent putting in my time and the last four months of the year, I sold more real estate than the average realtor sold in 12 months. I was recognized with all sorts of rewards for my efforts and expected to do even better my second year.
My second year as an entrepreneur, my sister who had been my main supporter passed away after three weeks in a coma. Depression hit hard and I began to let my real estate business fail. Months later, I received notice that I was recognized for more industry awards for breaking records although I had only worked half of the year. After a flood of calls to congratulate me, a ton of messages and emails of what my sister had meant to others, it left me with questions…
What legacy did I want to leave behind? How did I want to be remembered? How can I make others feel as loved as my sister did?
I began to change my actions, my habits, my focus to being the best possible version of ME that I could be. Being of service to others became more rewarding than I thought possible. I became passionate about helping others walk in their greatness.
I was inspired to write my first book “A Walk In My Stilettos: How To Get Through The Struggle With Grace” which I was blessed to have Linda Proctor write the foreword for (the wife of the legendary thought leader Bob Proctor). The response to that book inspired my second book “A Walk In My Stilettos: 111 Affirmations To Help You Heal” with the foreword written by the self-love ambassador Derrick Jaxn.
The brand “A Walk In My Stilettos” grew into a personal development movement for women. I became certified as a mindset coach and consultant through Proctor Gallagher, Bob Proctors company. The third and fourth book I published was prompted by gratitude journals. I then created a mobile app as a resource for women to get the personal development tools they needed. It includes everything from morning affirmation notifications, afternoon quote of the day, chat rooms, blogs, podcasts and merchandise to help women walk in their greatness (taken offline this month for a rebrand this fall).
The need to show more examples of successful women that have overcome adversity inspired the A Walk In My Stilettos Podcast. Each week there is a new episode of women sharing their testimony of how they go to where they are despite major adversity. I feel blessed to be able to open up these conversations of healing and transparency.
My pain birthed my purpose. It allowed me to tap into my potential and help others own their story, conquer their fears and reach their goals. Today, I provide the tools and coaching that I needed before I got to this point.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. Life was not meant to be smooth. The bumps are there to build our character. If it was easy, what would we learn?
I have had to deal with naysayers, slander, heartbreak, huge financial losses (lessons), lose of people I called friends, family distancing themselves due to my transparency and their jealousy of what perceive as my success, falling on my face a few times and having to rebuild with a stronger foundation, I’ve had to sacrifice the old me for the new one and much more…
My advice for other women is to:
1. Embrace the changes that come as opposed to fighting them.
2. Set goals that scare you because they will stretch you.
3. Don’t give others the power to control you or feel you can control others.
4. Find your sense of purpose (whatever that looks like for you) because your commitments will develope or destroy you.
5. Express love in all you do and don’t allow your past hurts in life to make you bitter.
We’d love to hear more about A Walk In My Stilettos.
I help women who are frustrated, confused and isolated to find peace, clarity, and connection so they can go out and turn their dreams into reality as a mindset coach, As a Proctor Gallagher Certified Consultant I help turn goals into accomplishments, I’m a 4 time published author, creator of the “A Walk In My Stilettos” mobile App for women, and podcast host. I’m passionate about helping women own their stories, conquer their fears so they can reach their goals.
I’m known for my transparency not just in my book but in my talks around the globe, on my social media, and especially in my conversations coaching/mentoring.
What I’m most proud of as a personal brand is living my best life out loud unapologetically. Just by being myself, I’m inspiring others and getting paid to help others do the same.
Authenticity sets me apart from others. I was a teenage mother, divorcee, introvert turned full-time award-winning international entrepreneur. I’m not trying to be anyone else and those that connect with me feel that. I’m just out here sharing the evolution of my journey and bringing a tribe of other women that want to do the same.
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
My advice for finding a mentor is to only take advice from people in a position you wouldn’t mind switching places with. Taking financial advice from broke people will have you end up broke. Taking marriage advice from people who are forever single will have you end up single.
I have mentors in different areas of my life. Some of them I know and some are virtual (people online that inspire me). I have mentors like Bob Proctor (successful older White male) that I can learn a different perspective from and I have virtual mentors like Oprah (successful Black woman) that has made a global impact that I aspire to do.
In terms of networking, as someone who is naturally introverted, I’ve found social media to be a blessing. I connect, engage and build rapport with like-minded individuals and then take that connection offline. I’ve made beautiful connections with impactful individuals by engaging on their social media (not salesy) posts, occasionally sliding in the DM (direct message) and then connecting through email or in person.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://awalkinmystilettos.com/
- Email: info@awalkinmystilettos.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealmakinismith/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/makini.smith
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MakiniSmith
- Other: https://apple.co/2DdPzos
Image Credit:
Shardine Smith-Allison, Maryam Toson, Alice Xue
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