Shekina Farr Moore, Ed.D, is an author, gender advocate, master certified coach (MCC) and Forbes Coaches Council member. She is also co-CEO of Eroom Marketing Group, which oversees Intercontinental Coaching Institute, Fierce Academy, Literacy Moguls Publishing, Black Reins Magazine (the first and only black cowboy magazine in the southeast), Fierce to Formidable, ZOOM CON (featured on the White House’s United State of Women in 2016) and her nonprofit, B2F Girls Worldwide. She has been named among “Atlanta’s Who’s Who,” “Atlanta’s Power 25” and “52 Empowering Women Who Empower Girls.” She has been featured in Black Enterprise, Forbes, SHEEN, and the Huffington Post.
How did you get into your business?
I started my business as a side hustle, working as a MAC freelance artist. I was doing makeup for weddings and helping women with their style while teaching. That spawned into my later launching a clothing line, opening a style and brand agency and authoring my first two books on style. It’s a bit of a departure from what I do now but what I love is how God will lead you to try things and, in the process, you begin to get clearer and clearer about your purpose. As I began to work with women addressing the outside, I began to notice that it was my ministry. I also began to see patterns during our conversations that later led me to work with women and girls to do the inner work. Today I run B2F Girls, a gender empowerment incubator that offers a comprehensive certification and accreditation program and produces advocacy initiatives, campaigns, and events.
How do you handle stress in your business?
I decompress by cooking, working out and connecting with women.
I love, love, love to cook. I cook almost every day. It takes my mind off of my business and onto my family, which is good for me because I like to compartmentalize my life when I can. It also helps me to stay in control of what I’m putting into my body. Healthy eating is key to combatting stress and mood swings.
I also work out daily, a habit I picked up in June that has completely changed my life and my approach to my business. The bonus is that I have dropped eight sizes since June when I started my journey.
Wanting to inspire other women with my journey, I recently launched a support group for women — Fierce to Formidable — where we share healthy meals and post our workouts. It’s been great. The connection and support among the women has been amazingly transformative. My transparency, and how I handled the grind and the stress of it, has helped so many women to believe that they, too, can take the challenge.
What is your biggest hurdle you’ve overcome since becoming a business owner?
The greatest hurdle I’ve overcome would have to be setting boundaries. This means business hours are business hours; Acceptable methods of contact are acceptable methods of contact. Often, especially in the age of social media, people will try to circumvent your policies because they begin to think they know you, but boundaries are a must. I had to learn this the hard way. Set time aside for family and honor it.
What is the biggest achievement you’ve accomplished with your business?
B2F Girls was honored with a resolution by the Georgia House of Representatives and we received the Volunteer Service Award from President Barack Obama.
In your opinion, what is the key to success?
The key to success is to know your voice and to trust it while operating in your divine purpose. There will be all kinds of opportunities out there but being true to yourself and your purpose should bring you both fulfillment and peace.
The best business tip you can give a prospective person who is looking to merge into your field?
Get certified. We need more women in the girl’s empowerment industry to launch programs and provide mentoring and training services that supplement what is [not[ being offered in schools.
What is a quote or mantra that motivates you?
Rome was not built in one day. The beauty is in the process.
What advice would you give your younger self about growing up as a woman in this world?
I would tell my younger self to negotiate more. You don’t get what you’re worth, you get what you negotiate. My value deserves compensation at the highest level.
If you were the first woman president, what would be your first order of business?
My first order of business would be to require entrepreneurial courses in schools and to push for greater C-suite access to women, especially minority women.
What was your last Google search?
My last Google search was for my name. It’s how I discovered that my advice had been featured in Forbes four times this week.
