< Previous28 | TALK MAGAZINE • FALL 2019 plan before leaping. She recalled trading in her office job for a pharma sales rep role that allowed her to wrap up her workday by noon so she could go home and work on Curls. “Keep your day job so you can re-invest into your business. I did that until I knew the business could sustain itself.” Don’t Let Your Confidence Waiver Dellinger’s endorsement of caution should not be confused for a criticism of confidence. In fact, she notes that, especially for Black women who are often discouraged by repeated rejection, it’s important to show up to business meetings cer- tain of your value. “You are selling yourself when you go into those meetings,” she advised. “They are seeing how passionate you are about your product, how well you know your product, how well it is presented. They are buying into you. So, if you come in down on yourself, they are going to feel it.” Know Your Audience, and Surpass Their Expectations With Black businesswomen largely underrep- resented in many of the rooms and spaces they pitch to, she suggests that they find other ways to foster rapport with investors. “Google the person, get some information so you can have small talk at the beginning…Then from there, you have to be really professional. Know your numbers. I think it’s always about impressing them and giving them more than they expected.” Be Your Own Greatest Advocate While Dellinger is frustrated by the challenge Black women entrepreneurs face in accessing necessary resources for their business growth, she doesn’t believe that means they should give up. She argues that daring to ask for the things you need is a must. “You have to speak up. That is one thing you have to know we can do. It’s okay to ask for help. It’s okay to ask for assistance. And it’s okay to negotiate. If someone gives you something, you don’t have to take that first offer. You can go and negotiate.” Never Be an Empty-Handed Mentee Like nearly every successful entrepreneur, Dellinger has surrounded herself with like-mind- ed people who support her goals. In addition to a circle of women who share her millionaire mindset, faith, and generosity, she also relies on a financial advisor, life coach, and business mentor to foster her financial, personal, and professional growth. For entrepreneurs in search of mentors, she warns that making yourself valuable, even in a small way, is key. “Come to me where I am and then add value. That means bring me something. I’m busy. Buy me lunch. It’s that easy.” continued from page 9 NEED TO KNOW What Black Female Entrepreneurs “I want to make sure someone who looks like me is in the room when making these decisions,” said Tavarez, who began her new role with Wells Fargo in July. Based in Philadelphia, Tavarez focuses on “creating programs around strategic philanthropy and team member volunteerism, as well as managing signature community initiatives across the region,” which covers Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, New York and Connecticut. Along with assisting Wells Fargo in supporting various area non-profits, such as Read by 4th, a citywide effort of the Free Library of Philadelphia to promote literacy in early childhood, Tavarez is particularly excited about contributing to the company’s “Signature Day of Caring” project. The program enlists the help hundreds of volunteers, including company employees and their families, to improve the state of underprivileged schools in the region. “It’s about working with school and making sure it’s the best environment for our youth to learn in,” Tavarez said. Earlier this year, one such event took place at Phillip H. Sheridan Elementary School in Kensington. There, volunteers took part in a number of revitalization efforts, including painting murals, furnishing the library and creating a tech/STEM innovation space. Though this event took place just before Tavarez began her role with Wells Fargo, she commended her team for their work, adding that more of these initiatives will be put together throughout the region. Before joining Wells Fargo, Tavarez also served in executive positions at PECO, Comcast Foundation, Temple University and the Pew Center for Arts and Heritage. In April of this year, Tiffany Tavarez was recognized as one of six recipients of AL DÍA’s Women at the Top Award, which honors women for their roles as leaders in their chosen professions. Tavarez said the staff at Wells Fargo has been “amazing and supportive” in welcoming her to the company. “People are really excited about having an additional woman leader,” Tavarez said. “A Latina leader.” Wells Fargo welcomes a new Latina leader continued from page 10 Seek Assistance Both Singh and Skeans recommend talking with your health care provider and/or a nutritionist to make sure your diet is healthy and will support your nutritional needs, even when your ulcerative colitis is in flare. Your primary care provider is often the front-line for helping you manage ulcerative colitis, but you may also work with a gastroenterologist, especially initially to bring your disease under control. Food for Ulcerative Colitis continued from page 12 Latinos’ downbeat assessments extend to their own economic situations. Asked about their personal finances, only a third rate their situation as excellent or good, down from 40% who said the same in 2015. And when it comes to the next generation, the share who say their children will be better off financially than they are has declined from 72% to 54% over the same three- year period. These signs of waning economic confidence contrast with government data show- ing Latino unemployment at historic lows and Latino household incomes increasing faster than for other groups. More Latinos Have Serious Concerns continued from page 10TMAG 2018 Pennsylvania Voter Project Check Donation Level: n $5 n $10 n $20 n $50 n $100 n $300 n $500 n Other $______________ n Yes, I will Contribute to Talk Minority Action Group Voter Project Print Name ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ City ______________________________________________________ State ___________ Zip Code _____________________ Email _____________________________________________ Telephone ____________________________________________ Make checks payable to The Pittsburgh Contingency/TMAG Mail checks to PO Box 143 ~ Monroeville, PA 15146-0143 Our Partner The Pittsburgh Contingency (TPC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit and your Contribution is tax deductible. 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