“Girl power” has remained a central theme in Sabrina Peterson’s life for many years. When she opened Glambar in Atlanta and transformed the beauty salon into a celebrity hot spot, the powerful entrepreneur became a well-known figure and gained connections to very high-profile names. She has since transformed her method of helping women become their best selves by becoming a mentor to those who have big goals of becoming their own boss, but not before she learned from one of the most trying times in her life.
In 2013, Peterson served one year in prison after an altercation with another young woman. She used her time while incarcerated to reflect on her mistakes and devised a plan to come out of the situation a better woman.
Peterson enacted her plan through her financial empowerment program, Glam University, uses coaching and speaking engagements to encourage women to think outside the box. She released a documentary, I Am Girl Power, in December 2015 that gathered businesswomen from various lines of work to discuss their journeys. She’s now keeping the momentum of inspiration going by holding her second annual GirlPower SleepOver.
Beginning on Jan. 9, Glam University’s GirlPower SleepOver will gather 25 influential and successful women to instruct a business boot camp and a fun sleepover for a group of young ladies eager to gain financial prosperity on their own terms. The exclusive meeting will take place in downtown Atlanta at the upscale W Atlanta venue.
Just days prior to her GirlPower SleepOver event, Peterson spoke to rolling out about her business approach and what she learned from her experience in prison.
What are three valuable reasons to secure a business coach?
Access, experience and a wise woman learns from some else’s mistakes and not your own.
Describe your coaching style.
Unconventional, straight from the hip and no-nonsense.
What are your top three business book recommendations?
Million Dollar Woman by Julia Pimsleur
Business Model Generation by Alexander Osterwalder
The Power of Focus by Jack Canfield
How long do you suggest an individual participate in coaching?
You should participate in coaching for a lifetime. At every stage in life, an expert of your current experiences paves a smoother road.
What are three common business mistakes business owners make before they seek coaching?
Being cheap and ultimately losing money due to a lack of personal expertise. … Getting business advice but not [properly] executing it.
How important is it for business owners to trust their coach and be honest about their business status?
It’s very important to trust your coach due to the fact that your coach only gains from your wins.
Women in Prison
What are the top three reasons women are often caught in criminal enterprises?
Poor decision-making skills, a lack or resources and sometimes desperation.
How did you use your time while in prison?
Reflecting, enjoying stillness and alone time, studying [my] craft and self-assessment.
How important is it to forgive yourself for making bad decisions that led to being in prison?
It’s very important [for me] to forgive [myself], but never lose sight of accountability.
What advice do you have for a woman who is getting ready to surrender to prison?
I would suggest getting your own magazine subscriptions sent to yourself before you surrender, put money on your account, sell everything you don’t need, spend every moment with your family and children, take a bible or religious book in.
How does low self-esteem play a role with women in prison?
Low self-esteem is a major factor for women in prison. Most women who commit crimes [do so because of] how they personally feel about themselves.
What three business principles allowed you to go from prison to producing a nationally recognized business conference?
If you have done it before, you can do it again. The market is always looking for a new maverick. And just plain old keep going.
Women in Business
Why is it important for mothers to be businesswomen?
Mothers are key mentors for our children and children learn more from example than they do words. Being a businesswoman allows your children to grow with you and learn from business greats and woes.
Describe how courage and faith play roles in being in business.
Faith is the foundation of any level of achievement, as stated in my I Am Girl Power documentary. There’s a certain level of courage and faith that come into play when pushing yourself to create products and services that you’ve never seen before.
What role does having a system play in being the CEO of a business?
System building allows your team to have processes, and processes allow your team to be efficient, and being efficient allows your team to be effective, and being effective leads to demand, and demand leads to profit.
Why is it important for female business owners to support each other?
It’s important to support each other due to the need to create a culture in which we embrace and assist in cultivating each other’s dreams.
Please give two affirmations female business owners should live by.
Everything you need to know is in a book.
If you can’t find a way, then that means you need to create one.
How should women approach working in industries that were traditionally male-dominated?
Be extremely knowledgeable in your industry. Know: “she who knows the most, wins” and don’t let emotions affect your work ethic.
Finish the sentences:
Women will … Live in 90 percent performance and only 10 percent potential.
I am a CEO because … I want to create chances for other people and I can’t create many chances if I’m not in charge
I rise again because … I never stopped believing in my vision and acting on it every moment I’m awake.
I never give up because … There’s no reward in giving up and I aspire to live a rewarding life.
To purchase tickets to GirlPower SleepOver, visit www.girlpowersleepover.com.
