So it’s the day after Thanksgiving and many of you are either recovering from a turkey-induced coma or out taking advantage of the Black Friday sales. Definitely not knocking the mass retailer’s hustle, but while you’re helping the large corporations get larger, don’t forget about the smaller businesses in your area. Local brands need love too…and lots of it! For many smaller stores, it’s do or die time so let’s do our part to support the hearts of our communities. Here are a few small businesses I think you should check out tomorrow for Small Business Saturday. Oh, and they just so happen to be owned by Fly Female Entrepreneurs. Does it get any better than this? I think not. Ready, set, shop!

Let’s face it. Funding a film independently is no small feat. Just ask Brooklyn-based filmmakers and creative visionaries, Daoud Abeid and Dahkil Hausif of Sunshowah Films. After realizing that compromising quality for limited budgets is simply not an option, this dynamic duo hopped on Kickstarter to raise funds for their latest masterpiece, “…The Harder They Fall.” As a coming of age story from the streets of Brooklyn to the mountains of Jamaica, “…The Harder They Fall” shows just how far a parent will go to save their child from himself.

In Her Shoes had the pleasure of talking shop with these two dynamic talents as they prepare for what just may be their greatest piece yet. They’re known for making statements, but live each and every day of their lives truly making a difference.

Last Thursday evening Image Activist (and all around fly girl) Michaela Angela Davis hosted the very first installation of her “Free the Girls” conversation series. Michaela sat down with the phenomenal Beverly Bond to chat candidly on the topics of image, beauty, and power.

This morning I stumbled across a post written by my girl, Jodie Patterson on georgiany.com. It was beautiful. It was powerful. It was timely. Titled “Success Feels Good When it Happens Frequently”, this piece was just what I needed to jump start my week. Just thought I’d spread the love and share it with you. Hope it makes your day the way it just made mine

Last weekend in Chicago was absolutely beauty-full! As the perfect follow-up to Friday evening’s “Treasure Our Tresses” event, celebrity makeup artist Tia Dantzler hosted her first ever “Beauty Elixer” workshop for makeup artists, stylists, and industry peers. While makeup and styling isn’t my area of expertise, I still managed to walk away enlightened and empowered since much of what was discussed can easily be applied to any career. Tia and her well-curated panel of seasoned industry professionals (including our girl, Afrobella), provided guests with insider tips on getting into the business, branding, strategy, social media, PR and marketing

Last Saturday evening the South Loop’s CityPoint Loft was the place to be for Windy City natural beauties. EDEN BodyWorks joined forces with beauty bloggers “The Mane Source” and “Natural Chica” to host one of the city’s hottest natural hair meetups to date. EDEN BodyWorks VP of Marketing, Ylorie Anderson, spearheaded the event with PR support from yours truly (via Crush Media). In one word, the night was magical! Over 150+ women converged onto the CityPoint Loft for a night of natural hair trivia, mixing and mingling, EDEN BodyWorks product testing, delectable eats, and natural hair-inspired cocktails.

Special guests included: celebrity makeup artist, Tia Dantzler; the “godmother” of brown beauty blogging, Afrobella; YouTube darlings, Vaughn and Meechy Monroe (The Monroe Sisters); and natural hair expert and makeup artist, Rachel Odom

Philly’s flyest female entrepreneurs, Kijafa Frink and Blair Sandlain of PNK Elephant, swing by In Her Shoes to talk all things accessories!

So, did everyone enjoy Sunday’s Black Girls Rock! premiere as much as I did? I laughed, cried, and loved every inspiring second of it. In fact, I’m still on a high! On the heels of this beautiful moment, Michaela angela Davis is giving us yet another reason to proclaim “black girls rock!” from the mountaintops. Project FREE THE GIRLS is a multi-platform, multi-generational critical community conversation with revolutionary women whose work and lives serve to liberate the image of women. Join Michaela angela Davis and Beverly Bond tomorrow night at the Brooklyn Museum for an empowering discussion you won’t soon forget!

While many of us use Facebook as a place to connect with family, childhood friends, new flames, and everyone in between, the business opportunities on the social media site are plentiful. With over 800 million active users, Facebook is the digital world’s hottest personal, product and corporate branding hub. What I love about it most is that every brand that exists on Facebook, be it ginormous or tiny, has the same core features and benefits, such as the ability to create a page, share resources, add multimedia and much more

On Wednesday night Tracy Reese’s boutique in New York City’s Meatpacking District was the hottest ticket in town. Why you ask? Because style veteran and beauty icon Mikki Taylor was celebrating the release of her new book, “Commander in Chic: Every Woman’s Guide to Managing Her Style Like a First Lady.” With a guest list that read like the “who’s who” of the beauty, fashion, and publishing industries, Mikki’s New York City launch event served as the official kick off for her national book tour

Last Sunday afternoon I had the honor of joining Latisha Daring of Ashtyn, LLC along with a room full of New York City beauties for the second installation of the Ladies Who Lunch event series. Guest speakers included: yours truly, Sonya Alleyne of Black Enterprise, Demetria Lucas of A Belle in Brooklyn, and Nadia L. Lopez of Mott Hall Bridges Academy. If you couldn’t make it out don’t fret. I’ve got pics galore and thanks to Latisha’s commitment to growing the Ladies Who Lunch movement, there’s always the next installation to look forward to!

So as you know, last week’s Fly Female Entrepreneur was the uber-talented Chef Danielle Saunders. In our conversation I shared the fact that after a long day of work (and play), I rarely have the energy to go home and prepare a home cooked meal. Who has the time? According to Chef Danielle, WE do! As promised, Danielle was gracious enough to share the recipe for her delectable Risotto Jambalaya. I encourage you to try this and if you do, let us know how it turns out!

What do you have planned for Sunday afternoon? Oh, you don’t have any plans yet? Now you do! Join me and a room full of dynamic women from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. at 320 Studios for the second installation of Latisha Daring’s “Ladies Who Lunch” series. This weekend’s event, appropriately titled “High Heels and High Tea” is a must-attend affair for women who are ambitious, focused, and passionate about their dreams. Join 100 of New York City’s flyest movers and shakers in an intimate afternoon of style, inspiration, and empowerment as we explore the world of entrepreneurship and what it takes to thrive as women in business.

With a penchant for breaking barriers, Chef Danielle Saunders is the first Black woman to win The Food Network’s “Chopped” competition, has prepared meals for countless celebs including Oprah Winfrey, Sean “Diddy” Combs, and Tom Hanks, yet remains grounded and focused. She may not have been born with a silver spoon in her mouth, but she was raised with a pan in her hand and an everlasting passion for the culinary arts. Get up-close-and-personal with Chef Danielle Saunders as she “chops it up” with In Her Shoes about her auspicious beginnings, a new life in the fab lane, and turning passion into profits

Imagine sitting in a beautiful, historic theater surrounded by a sea of gorgeous women ranging from 10 to 60 (and a few very lucky men). We’re talking all ages, shapes, and beautiful brown hues with every hairstyle and texture imaginable. In true black girl fashion, everyone is dressed to the nines as we entered the Paradise Theatre in the Bronx prepared for greatness. BLACK GIRLS ROCK! had us laughing, crying, dancing in our seats, and celebrating the brilliance of black woman across the globe. Grab your girls, grab some tissue and tune in to BET on November 6th at 8 p.m. EST for a night of sisterhood and empowerment you won’t soon forget!