3 Words To Success: WERK, PRAY, SLAY!
3 Words of Success: WERK, PRAY, SLAY
This past weekend I was able to attend the Werk Pray Slay “Bossed Up Now What Brunch” and honeyyyyyy it was nothing short of phenomenal! First of all, I felt like I was at a business fashion show and everyone was ready to rip the run way, there were so many beautiful women in their glamed power suits! Everyone was definitely outfit goals and I was here for every minute of it!
This 4 day event was held at the W Midtown, which I have to admit, was the perfect setting for this curated event. This was the 7th successful year of Werk Pray Slay and I can tell that Ms. CEO of Werk Pray Slay Koereyelle and her friends April and Lakia aka the Wife Coach really took their time coordinating this event! They are the epitome of squad goals! For them to create a space for women to genuinely connect, boss up and empower each other (in high numbers), shows that they are making an impact and I’m grateful that I was given the opportunity to attend!
I had the leisure of having one on one EXCLUSIVE interviews with the Werk Pray Slay Dream Team, Koereyelle Dubose, Lakia Brandenburg, and April Fitch, their honorees, Lucinda Cross, and Mia Ray, and their guest speakers Apryl Beverly, Audria Richmond, Jasmene Bowdry, Nicole McLaren-Campbell, Arielle Antoinette, Sonia, Bianca Robinson, and Pinky Cole!
I just want to say that these ladies were sharp with everything from their hair, makeup, fashion and answers to my questions. I was like yaasssssss the entire time! The questions I asked pertained to my philosophy “Secure Yourself First, Then Secure The Bag” and other questions regarding the event.
Their perception on securing the bag basically meant that every woman should be taking care of themselves, including self care days, before securing a business which resonates with my definition of it as well!
During my interview with Koereyelle, she mentioned that once you’re bossed up, it’s time to live life on purpose, which I believe is very important. As a boss, you have to move with intention. Everything you give yourself and your time to, must be on purpose for your business. If you’re not living on purpose, then you’re not fully using your gift God gave you, so boss up sis, and own your gift to the best of your ability! There are people who are counting on you and your purpose.
When asked about securing yourself first, Apryl Fitch asked “how am I supposed to be getting money if I’m not happy or I’m not mentally charged?” And I agreed. I use Kate Spade for example, her business was highly successful, and even though she had all the fame and fortune, she wasn’t happy, and she ended up taking her own life. Kate Spade wasn’t mentally charged, and she definitely wasn’t secured, however her bags were, but what’s most important is securing yourself.
During my interview with Lakia Brandeberg, she gave great insight on her philosophy, “you have to prepare for what you’ve been praying for” and I concurred. You can’t ask God to give you something when you haven’t even made room for it, or training yourself to maintain it. It’s like asking God for a good man, but you’re still dealing with your ex. Sometimes God hasn’t given us what we’ve been praying for because we haven’t made room for it! I’m in a season where I’m trying to make all the room so I can be ready for what I’ve been praying for, ya feel me?
I enjoyed my interview with Lucinda Cross because she also coordinates her own conference, called The We Nation conference which is also centered around women empowerment. I asked her about the importance of having events like Werk Pray Slay, and she said “a lot of times when you’re in business, you feel alone and you feel like you’re by yourself on this journey” and how important it is to connect with other women who are going through the same thing. I believe it’s imperative for women to connect with each other and build friendships at these type of events, but most importantly, be educated! The amount of knowledge I received at that event and other conferences have really helped and motivated me to be where and who I am today. Going to conferences like Werk Pray Slay is important in building your confidence in your business and in you gift, which is the key factor in being secured.
My interview with Mia Ray was also inspiring, especially because she started out as a blogger and her business has been growing through the years. She asserted, “you have to be consistent” otherwise, you’ll lose your audience. People are consistent with you and your brand as long as you are consistent with it. Once you fall off, they fall off, and that’s the last thing you need. Therefore, stay consistent, people are watching. The world is your audience, your brand is your show, and if you don’t show up, people will leave.
Another great interview I had was with Apryl Beverly. I asked her what did it mean to her to secure the bag and she said “you are securing wealth, not just money for today” and I felt that when she said it. People get so caught up on securing money just so they can go shopping, take trips, flex on the gram and what not. But the bag is more than that. It’s about breaking generational curses, it’s about having money today, tomorrow, next month, next year, next century, and so on! It’s more than money for you, it’s money for your future family, for your business and for your legacy. What do you want to leave behind when you leave this world? Money and assets, or purses and shoes? I choose money and assets for $500 Alex!
I also had the opportunity to interview Pinky Cole, CEO of Slutty Vegan, a million dollar Vegan business who still has lines with a wait time for up to two hours! Sis is definitely business goals, I couldn’t wait to meet her! When I told her my philosophy of securing yourself first, she said “I don’t agree with that” and went on to say that it’s not about you, it’s about what you do for other people and secure them, that’s how you secure the bag. She put a lot of emphasis on giving back to the community which she loves doing and I admire her for that because I do the same thing which is why I created my own nonprofit. In order to receive, you have to be willing to give. You won’t get all that you’re asking for if your heart is not in the right place. God knows your heart and knows your intentions, so be genuine with him and generous with others.
I had more interviews with the other guest speakers which you can check out on my vlog at https://youtu.be/AzJEzPI3DlQ.
To see more footage and learn more, follow me on IG @davidasdiary !