DWF Labs Announces Leadership Transition in Business Development

Dubai, UAE, October 30th, 2024, Chainwire

In light of recent changes, DWF Labs is pleased to announce that Lingling Jiang, our esteemed partner for Business Development, will be stepping up to lead the company’s strategic initiatives in this area. With a proven track record of driving growth and creating meaningful partnerships, Lingling will be taking over the roles and responsibilities necessary to support and expand our work with valued partners and collaborators. This transition is part of our ongoing commitment to fostering a resilient, forward-focused business environment that remains steadfast in supporting our portfolio companies.
Lingling brings a wealth of experience to her new role, positioning her as a key leader in DWF Labs’s Business Development and strategic initiatives. With over two years at DWF Labs as the Business Partner of Business Development and previously serving as Head of Regional Sales in Asia, Lingling has demonstrated her ability to drive cross-functional collaboration, optimise business operations, and build sustainable partnerships across the globe. Her tenure as Head of Hong Kong further solidified her expertise in regional and global market dynamics, fostering strong relationships within the business ecosystem.
This expanded role will include active participation in corporate decision-making, leading business development strategies, and representing DWF Labs at industry events worldwide. Her dedication to fostering impactful collaborations will strengthen our support for both new and existing partners, ensuring continuity and reinforcing our commitment to providing exceptional service.
“We are confident that Lingling’s expertise and leadership will play a crucial role in shaping our strategic direction,” said Andrei Grachev, Managing Partner of DWF Labs. “Her deep understanding of our industry and dedication to excellence make her the ideal leader to take our business development efforts to new heights.”
We look forward to the continued growth and success of DWF Labs under Lingling’s leadership in Business Development. We remain committed to our mission of driving innovation, creating value for our partners, and supporting the success of our portfolio companies.

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Head of MarketingLynn Chia[email protected]

Ethiopian culture is retold through blockchain technology

The Yatreda ያጥሬዳ collective, composed of a family of six creatives, wants to put a spotlight on Ethiopia, championing the stories of fallen empires, mythology, warriors who conquered, of forgetting and new cultures, religion and languages. And it does so through monochromatic motion portraits and NFTs.Yatreda’s origin began with a dream. The creative director Kiya Tadele had always wanted to make a movie about the Adwa victory, the 1896 events that saw Ethiopians’ victory over Italian colonial forces. Over four years, the collective has created multiple projects including ‘Kingdom of Ethiopia’, one that captures and celebrates Ethiopian kings, warriors and kingdom; and ‘Strong hair’, which celebrates the beauty of Ethiopian hairstyles in 100 motion portraits. The collective’s most recent project, ‘Abyssinian Queen’, opened at the Toledo Museum of Art in Ohio, USA, and is an appreciation of Ethiopian oral history, based on the story of a queen who is carried by her own people. The project was made during a residency at the Toledo Museum and features a 1,700-year history of artworks from Ethiopia.Here, Wallpaper* chats with Kiya Tadele, creative director of Yatreda ያጥሬዳ, about the collective, celebrating amazing stories of Ethiopia through motion portraits, and ‘Abyssinian Queen’.Yatreda ያጥሬዳ, Mother of Menelik, 2023(Image credit: Courtesy of the artists)Wallpaper*: Where does the story of Yatreda ያጥሬዳ begin?Kiya Tadele: During my childhood days, we lived in front of an Ethiopian Tewahedo church with a little theatre stage within the church compound. My brother and sisters would write little scripts, hoping they would perform what we wrote. We listened to radio dramas where there is only audio, so we always visualised the characters in our imaginations. We didn’t see them on TV, just inside our dreams. So, we would entertain ourselves by talking about the characters as a family. As I grew older, I always saw myself in a different place than in our little countryside. When I was 18, I moved to our capital city Addis Ababa and began modelling school and photography school. I began to understand the artist’s life but wasn’t fully satisfied being a part of other people’s creations only. I began to work with local photographers and international photographers, doing anything for productions, including the lighting department. I met my husband and we worked all over Ethiopia together. I would support him and at the same time learn and exchange a lot of knowledge. W: Why was it so important for you as a family to document century-long stories about Ethiopia?KT: Ethiopian stories can be really hard to find. Many are lost to time. I want to preserve what I know, what I learned from my mother, so that our future generations can continue the tradition.W: How would you describe your creative journey over the years?Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.KT: My creative journey has been growing and growing over the years. Originally, I only worked with my family members, but working with Toledo Museum of Art required engaging with a lot of people because it’s a huge institution. To make a decision, you can have a meeting with many people. This whole experience really helped me boost my confidence, explain my ideas more clearly in English, and become more comfortable doing public speaking. I learned a lot about myself and it became very clear I could be more fruitful to the world after this experience and share everything I have inside.W: Why was it important for you to use NFTs to document these stories?KT: In my public speeches, I have been telling one modern proverb: ‘ብሎክቼን ዉድ ሀብታችን የሆነዉን ባህልየምናስቀምጥበት ካዝና ነው’. It means: ‘The blockchain is a vault for our cultural treasures.’ I really believe that. I love Yatreda’s work existing on a blockchain. Because that is like carving our legends into digital stone.W: You mostly work in monochrome, why is that?KT: Monochrome can give a much-needed layer in-between us, the viewer, and the [featured] character. Many are legends, or historical characters, so it is important to not notice the modern cast playing them. I want it to be about the fantasy character, or someone who lived long ago, not about recognising me or my family members in there. Of course, I would always consider doing colour artwork but for now this is the style I am in love with.W: What inspired the project ‘Abyssinian Queen’?KT: The inspiration is based on collective memory. This idea doesn’t come from a specific painting or existing photo, it comes from oral history. Abyssinian Queen is not a specific historical character, but based on a countryside folktale my sister and I would tell each other growing up. In this oral tradition, there’s a queen who is carried by her people. It is a difficult task. The rule is that if anyone lets out a sigh from exhaustion, they might be punished. So, the people carrying her have a clever trick: they keep saying, ‘Don’t say sigh out loud.’ But, in saying it, they’re sneaking in a sigh. It’s a playful way for them to follow the rule while secretly breaking it. So this cute idea became the base for serious artwork. I first did a very rough sketch. Then my sister Roman painted another reference for me. In Roman’s painting, she multiplied the cast. Roman said, ‘If you make the queen carried by four people only, it reminds me of the rural stretcher-frame ambulance we had growing up, not a queen.’ So although it was a big challenge, I embraced this, and began to develop the other characters surrounding the queen in the composition. Her assistants and interpreters, her wise man who may be a negotiator between kingdoms, and her guards. I cast my cousin Yayu to play the queen. The others are other family members, friends, and neighbours.W: What was the process of creating this project and how long did it take?KT: We made the queen’s carrier by hand using wood and fabrics inspired by the Ethiopian Tewahedo Orthodox church. All the costumes and props are antiques or handmade. We actually shot the footage for ‘Abyssinian Queen’ twice because the first time we were not convinced it was as good as it could be. I changed some things around with the cast, and the second time we returned to the location, we made some magic.Yatreda ያጥሬዳ, Royal Dressing Room, 2024(Image credit: Courtesy of the artists)W: How was the residency, is it still ongoing?KT: The residency at Toledo Museum of Art is for all of 2024. It is aligned with the exhibition ‘Ethiopia at the Crossroads’, which features a 1,700-year history of artworks from Ethiopia. We are so proud to have five large-scale video artworks included in the museum exhibition. Beyond this, Yatreda also developed an immersive experience based around the Ethiopian coffee ceremony. In a collaboration with the hot glass shop at Toledo Museum of Art, we handcrafted glass cups following the traditional Ethiopian design. But like other Yatreda artworks, it is not only to replicate the past; we also added a futuristic element. Inside each glass, was an NFC chip with a unique link. Guests tapped their coffee cups to their phone and revealed a unique Coffee Proverb artwork. Those proverbs were gathered from me chatting with Toledo locals and comparing the American and Ethiopian coffee experience. One is about a fast-paced lifestyle, the other is about slowing down the world around us. Yatreda also developed a physical artwork called the Queen’s Medallion. Together with our amazing curator Sophie Ong, we studied the ancient Aksumite and Roman coins included in ‘Ethiopia at the Crossroads’, and made a kind of ancient diplomatic passport out of bronze. The idea is the Abyssinian Queen is giving safe passage from Abyssinia to Toledo, and by carrying this, you will be safe on your journey. Part fantasy, part history. This medallion was filmed and turned into a video artwork available only to guests who visited the exhibition. The main point is to bring people into the museum, and inspire repeat visits. Our other responsibility is to onboard local people to web3.W: Aside from Ethiopia, who and what has inspired your creative journey?KT: Aside from being in Ethiopia, being a woman, and now a mother, that made my creativity go even further. Especially considering my time, everything is precious, every minute, every second has value. It makes me feel like I have to use any drip out of any idea that comes to my mind, because I know I have a little human growing, and that little human is going to be curious one day to learn about this world.The Yatreda ያጥሬዳ collective’s project ‘Abyssinian Queen’ is at the Toledo Museum until 10 November 2024toledomuseum.org

North End resident hands out children’s books for Halloween

For three decades, trick-or-treaters on Palm Beach’s North End have led their families to Sally Alice Smith’s front lawn for a special Halloween treat: a free book. “There’s one little boy who said to me last year, ‘I always come here first,’” Smith told the Daily News. “Another boy said, ‘this is my favorite stop.’” Countless books for all ages and of all genres are on display each year. So many, Smith noted, that she often uses the family’s surfboards as makeshift stands.It’s not a neighborhood secret, as signs on the front lawn and backyard remind passersby to drop by the ‘Book Lady’ — her nickname with local kids — home during the spooky holiday, which falls on Thursday.  The 30-year tradition began when she ran out of candy one fateful Halloween evening, she said. “’What can I give these kids?’ And I had some books,” the retired librarian said. “After that, I thought ‘boy, why do I bother with candy?’ So, from then on, I started giving books.” At first, she just handed out books, but Smith said as the tradition continued, she wanted the trick-or-treaters to have a choice. “I think they should be allowed to pick the book they want to read,” she said. So, she began to spend her summers visiting libraries, thrift stores and garage sales to buy as many books as she can, with titles ranging from classic children’s books like Robert McCloskey’s “Blueberries for Sal,” to nature-based coffee table books. Before the pandemic, the books were displayed inside the curved staircase of her home on North Lake Way, with trick-or-treaters invited to peruse the selection for the special book they wanted to bring home, she said.  With the pandemic, the book giveaway moved to the home’s driveway, where it has remained.  The giveaway has become a neighborhood effort, with some of her neighbors helping out with set up and keeping track of the number of books given away, Smith said. The best part of the night, Smith said, is seeing the trick-or-treaters joined by their entire family dressed in costume.With 30 years under her belt, Smith could soon be giving out books to the kids of the first generation of book receiving trick-or-treaters.”I’ve watched the kids grow up. I’ll ask the mother and she’d say ‘the girl is off at college, and the boys are in prep school now,” she said. “Some other family whose boys used to come regularly told me their boys completed college.” For Smith, the giveaway is all about igniting a passion for reading. “We have to keep these kids’ reading, and it begins when they’re young,” Smith said.  Diego Diaz Lasa is a journalist at the Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at [email protected].

The US Pledged to Rein in China’s Tech Ambitions. It’s Struggling

Breadcrumb Trail LinksPMN BusinessOn today’s Big Take Asia podcast, how China has made key technological advances despite the US’s effort to curb it.Author of the article:Bloomberg NewsK Oanh Ha, Yang Yang, Naomi Ng and Jessica BeckPublished Oct 30, 2024  •  10 minute readAn employee inspect integrated circuit boards at the Smart Pioneer Electronics Co. factory in Suzhou. Photographer: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg Photo by Qilai Shen /BloombergArticle content(Bloomberg) — Never miss an episode. Follow The Big Take Asia podcast today.China is making steady progress in its quest to dominate key industries of the future, despite years of US tariffs, export controls and sanctions. On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks to Bloomberg’s Rebecca Choong Wilkins about how the US is struggling to curb Beijing’s technological advances, and whether the upcoming election could change the dynamic.Advertisement 2Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O’Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world’s leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O’Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world’s leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentFurther listening:How China’s BYD Became King of the Affordable EVOn Friday, Odd Lots will dig into Bloomberg’s research on the Made in China plan, and why it largely succeeded in spite of US efforts. Subscribe here.Listen and follow The Big Take Asia on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcastsTerminal clients: Click here to subscribe Below is a lighted edited transcript of the conversation:K. Oanh Ha: The US presidential election is a week away, and the contest between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris could not be tighter. The two candidates are going head-to-head on everything from the economy to immigration. But one area they agree on is the need to curb China’s rise.Donald Trump: We got hundreds of billions of dollars just from China alone. And I hadn’t even started yet. But tariffs are two things, if you look at it, number one is for protection of the companies that we have here…Kamala Harris: A policy about China should be in making sure the United States of America wins the competition for the 21st century, which means focusing on the details of what that requires. Focusing on relationships with our allies. Focusing on investing in American-based technology.Advertisement 3Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Article contentHa: So how is the US doing versus China? Which superpower is leading the race for dominance of the 21st century? Rebecca Choong Wilkins, Bloomberg’s Asia Government and Politics correspondent says a good way to try to answer this question is by looking at the key emerging technologies that China identified as its priority — back in 2015 when it announced its Made in China 2025 plan. And when you look at that plan now — nearly a decade later, new research by Bloomberg Economics and Bloomberg Intelligence shows that Made in China 2025 has largely been a success.Rebecca Choong Wilkins: So of the 13 key technologies tracked by Bloomberg researchers, China has achieved a global leadership position in five of them and is catching up fast in seven others.Ha: Welcome to the Big Take Asia from Bloomberg News. I’m Oanh Ha. Every week, we take you inside some of the world’s biggest and most powerful economies, and the markets, tycoons and businesses that drive this ever-shifting region. Today on the show: How did China get ahead in key technological advances – despite US efforts to prevent that from happening. And would a Harris or Trump administration change that? Top StoriesGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don’t see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againArticle contentAdvertisement 4Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Article contentHa: Rebecca says back in 2015 when the Made in China plan was announced by the Chinese Communist Party – it was all about helping the country achieve two big goals.Choong Wilkins: One is this self-sufficiency, not wanting to be reliant on other countries and is preparing for any kind of scenario where, for example, China might be cut off from, say, its energy supply or whatever it might be, and China more broadly does have a sort of preoccupation or prevailing concern with preserving its own security. So standing on its own two feet. And the second is becoming increasingly competitive and, in fact, a global leader in some of these key strategic areas. So there’s both a sort of inward and an outward element to the Made in China plan.Ha: The plan highlighted 10 priority sectors for the nation to focus on, including aerospace equipment, energy-saving cars, bio medicine and high-end machine tools and robots. And now almost 10 years later – according to the analysis by Bloomberg – China has in fact become a global leader in many of these key areas. Choong Wilkins: So those sectors include solar panels, unmanned aerial vehicles — those are drones – graphene, which is a coating material that’s used in tons and tons of sectors, high speed rail, and electric vehicles. Advertisement 5Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Article contentHa: Now does China have any natural advantages that makes it possible that it’s been able to take leading positions in these sectors? Or is this simply by design and the will of Beijing?Choong Wilkins: Well it’s worth saying that even in 2015, China, as we determine, was already a global leader in three of these sectors – in graphene and solar panels and in unmanned aerial vehicles. So, they had a sort of, somewhat of a head start in any case. But the other important element here to remember, I think, is that when Beijing does signal out an area for support, when it signals out a key policy priority, it really is able to throw the full weight of its economy, essentially, behind that.So for example, if it decides that electric vehicles are a priority, say, it can ask banks to lend it credit cheaply. It can get local governments to lease it land cheaply or perhaps even at no or low cost. It can also get large state-owned enterprises to use the sort of full force of its resources, its talents and direct it towards those industries. So you know, Beijing has an incredibly sort of powerful basis here, an incredibly powerful set of resources to direct towards these industries when it has selected these priorities.Advertisement 6Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Article contentHa: But there is one key area where China hasn’t caught up to the US – and that’s in advanced semiconductors. That’s in part because of some key things the US has done to keep its rival from catching up.Choong Wilkins: There’s sort of three big tools for economic statecraft that we’ve seen. One of them is tariffs, imposing these high costs for imports coming into the US, sometimes prohibitively high. The second are export controls, essentially trying to prevent the transfer of US technology, goods, services overseas to other parts of the world. And the final part of that are financial sanctions.The big area where we can say that some of the US export controls and so on have been more effective is in sort of high, advanced semiconductors. And it’s important to remember in this context, there’s just a handful of companies involved in this kind of really advanced semiconductor tech manufacturing. And it’s fair to say, the Biden administration, they have been successful in building consensus among allies, among other countries trying to contain China’s access to semiconductors. And so we saw Dutch companies, Japanese companies essentially falling in line in preventing China from accessing the actual products needed to manufacture these types of chips.Advertisement 7Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Article contentHa: And in light of that of the US having allies to support its approach to trade on China and its approach to contain China. What has China done to make sure it has access to the technologies it needs?Choong Wilkins: China essentially has been stockpiling like mad. That’s a sort of fundamental basis of this. They’re stockpiling a record amount of semiconductor equipment, and that includes these high-end Nvidia chips. It’s preparing essentially, for a number of further curbs. It’s looking further out thinking, if we see these kind of moves accelerate, if they’re expanded, where will we be? And how do we try and future proof against that?  Ha: But it’s not just semiconductors where the US is trying to use export controls to slow China down. After the break: a look at the other tools the US is using and will a new administration keep them going.Ha: The US has leaned on its allies to limit China’s access to advanced technologies like semiconductors. Meanwhile, the US is also concerned about its ability to be a leader in other sectors as well. Some of these areas were outlined back in 2022 by National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.Advertisement 8Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Article contentJake Sullivan: Computing-related technologies, biotech, clean tech are true “force multipliers” through the tech ecosystem. And leadership in each of these areas is a national security imperative. We’re investing in the industries of the future and strengthening the resilience and security of our supply chains.Ha: Sullivan calls these technologies a “national security imperative”. Bloomberg’s Rebecca Choong Wilkins says that’s an important thing to take note of, because over time she’s seen a change in the way the US talks about the need to restrain China.Choong Wilkins: Yeah, I think in the early days of the trade war, a lot of the focus was on the sort of, wrongdoing as they alleged of Chinese companies. But over time that has really morphed into this whole discussion over national security and increasingly this focus on China’s preparedness for a war. And in fact we’ve almost seen the true real concerns at the heart of some of these economic policies, over sort of military might essentially.It’s this question of deterrence, whether or not Beijing and Washington will essentially adopt this idea that the costs of this trade conflict and trade war and the cost of this increasing competition are worth it or not. It comes, sort of, I suppose, to this fundamental question of to what extent both sides feel that their own national security is fundamentally at risk.Advertisement 9Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Article contentHa: On the campaign trail, Trump and Harris have advocated different approaches toward China, even as both agree on the need to thwart its rise. I asked Rebecca what Trump currently has in mind here.Choong Wilkins: Well, we just, in a way, have just seen an amplification, perhaps unsurprisingly, of some of his previous policies. He’s mentioned this possibility of 60% tariffs across all Chinese imports into the US. Ha: That would be crazy high. Choong Wilkins: That would be crazy high, and it would really hurt the Chinese economy. One bank, for example, estimates that it could essentially halve Chinese GDP growth. So it would really be a significant hit to China, but also a significant hit to the US if that then results in a higher cost of goods.Ha: Bloomberg’s Editor-in-Chief John Micklethwait pressed Trump on that point in an interview earlier this month.John Micklethwait: …You’re talking about 60% trade on that, 60% tariffs on that. You’re talking, as you said, 100, 200% on things you don’t really like. You’re also talking about 10, 20% tariffs on the rest of the world. That is going to have a serious effect on the overall economy. And yes, you’re going to find some people who will gain from individual tariffs. The overall effect could be massive in terms of the economy.Advertisement 10Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Article contentTrump: I agree. I agree, it’s going to have a massive effect. Positive effect. It’s going to be a positive, not a negative.Micklethwait: Well just… Trump: Let me just no, no..Micklethwait: Give me an example. Trump: I know how committed you are…Choong Wilkins: The other thing to remember with Trump is that he has taken a more protectionist stance writ large. He’s not just concerned about Chinese imports, but he’s concerned about imports from everyone, including, for example, the European Union.Ha: What do we know about Harris’s approach if she wins?  Choong Wilkins: Well Harris’s approach, we expect to be more consistent with the Biden administration’s. I will say she too has focused on this idea of jobs and sort of American industrial policy, trying essentially to build up some of those manufacturing bases again. She’s been critical of Trump’s proposed tariffs. But she has been quite firm on some of the national security risks that the US faces. Ha: So Rebecca, is either approach really doing a great job in containing China’s tech development? Choong Wilkins: Well if we look at the success of the Biden administration, and we look, just going back to the beginning at some of those Made in China targets, for example, we can see that actually, they aren’t successful, or they haven’t been successful in certain key areas. If we exclude semiconductors, actually, trade has found a way to get through. Sanctions haven’t been hugely successful. So that’s one question for Harris that this need to perhaps recalibrate the approach.Advertisement 11Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Article contentHa: Despite the US efforts to slow down China, the world outside the US is increasingly driving Chinese EVs, surfing on Chinese smartphones, and powering their homes with Chinese solar panels. And Rebecca says there might be better approaches for the US to maintain its competitiveness.Choong Wilkins: One approach to thinking about what would be more effective than sanctions is this idea that Adam Posen from the Peterson Institute has mentioned, which is suction, not sanctions. Essentially that the US should be making use and taking up talent, resources, innovation coming from China and partnering with it in order to advance its own industries and its own key sectors. Ha: So basically, taking away all the talent so that the US makes use of it. Choong Wilkins: Taking the best of what China has developed and then building on that to develop and innovate at a faster pace.(Updated the transcript)Article contentShare this article in your social networkComments Join the Conversation Featured Local Savings

They mean business: Lessons learned, stereotypes busted, tips for the next generation

To subscribe, click here.To submit a letter to the editor, click here.To pitch a ‘My Turn’ guest column, email [email protected].

Want to purchase today’s print edition? Here’s a map of single-copy locations.Sign up for our daily newsletter hereThere are more than 12 million of them nationwide, including several dozen right here in our own backyard. The businesses they own generate $388 billion in annual revenue for the U.S. economy, selling everything from commercial real estate to car detailing and operating in every sector imaginable, from hospitality, travel and tourism to dentistry, legal services and animal care.With National Women’s Small Business Month about to wrap up, Editor JEFF D’ALESSIO recruited 37 local entrepreneurs for a roundtable-style conversation about changes, challenges and more.

Julee Gay

Jim Rossow/The News-Gazette

JULEE GAY (Westville’s Julees Shooting Star Tavern): “Well, being a bar owner for 38 years, that’s kind of a funny question. Sometimes, I tell people it’s been hard living in a man’s world. But as we all know, female bar owners go way, way back, clear to Miss Kitty on ‘Gunsmoke.’”

Ghada Adhami

Robin Scholz/The News-Gazette

GHADA ADHAMI (Champaign’s All Smiles Family Dentistry): “In general, there is an assumption by others that women do not know as much — more naive, less business-savvy, more gullible. “I remember going to a dental conference and one of the dental representatives made a snide remark, (inquiring) if I had permission from my husband to attend the conference and make financial decisions.”

Jackie Sampson

Robin Scholz/The News-Gazette

JACKIE SAMPSON (Champaign’s Esquire Lounge): “I get a good chuckle when people don’t know I’m the one they want to see. A customer who wants to talk to the manager,  and points to the male bartender standing behind me, or someone filling out an application, who wants to see the person in charge of the hiring. “There’s usually no point in arguing. I just hand the situation over the male employee they are pointing to, who listens to them, and then sends me back over.”Probably about four times a year, we will have someone turn in a job application, and want to turn it into a man behind the bar, and although I offer to take it, they refuse and say they will wait for the ‘owner.’ I let them wait for whatever male employee they are waiting for, who then hands it to me. “It’s men and women both who do it, and it honestly always surprises me how many people still think that way.”

Isis Griffin

Provided

ISIS GRIFFIN (Champaign’s CBPB Popcorn Shop and Sooie Bros Bar B Que Joint): “It’s bad enough that they think that women aren’t as smart as men when it comes to business, but when you’re young, it’s double the challenge.”

Jennifer Johns

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JENNIFER JOHNS (Monticello’s Simply JJ): “Overtly? No. But there have been instances where individuals have attempted to persuade me to change my mind about something I wanted for my business and I had to hold my ground. I don’t think a man would have had that same experience.”

Jill Guth

Robin Scholz/The News-Gazette

JILL GUTH (Champaign’s Guth & Associates): “Being in a male-dominated industry — commercial real estate — there are many times I feel like the outsider looking in, especially in the beginning of Guth & Associates.”I learned that hard work and dedication to the business pushed me through the perceived roadblocks.”

Mary Enright

Provided

MARY ENRIGHT (founder/creative director of Champaign’s Hunny Bunny Bakes): “I would say that my biggest challenge as a woman in small business is also something that is kind of a weird work perk, in a way — childcare.”It seems like, still, the majority of childcare responsibilities fall on women, regardless of whether or not there are additional responsibilities for them outside of the home. I’ve had wonderful jobs that attempted to be as understanding as possible regarding childcare situations, but the reality is that unless systems are set up to encourage women to be able to fit work into their home life versus home into their work life, it’s not going to happen in any way that doesn’t feel extremely stressful for the woman doing double-duty.”I needed a job that would allow me to set my own hours, miss days of work on short notice and disconnect when away from the shop, so I had to create it. Then I had to figure out how to make all of these accommodations work for my business in a way that kept us profitable.”Those things need to be intentionally thought about, in advance, and I just still don’t think it’s on most businessmen’s minds because it doesn’t have to be.”

Stefanie Pratt

Robin Scholz/The News-Gazette

STEFANIE PRATT (Champaign’s Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group): “In real estate, with the inspection items needing done, explaining and getting costs is key. I have had male figures — normally a parent or friend that isn’t involved in the transaction directly that wants to help — not listen to my knowledge or not take me seriously when at the inspection, or looking at the house even.

“I have learned to read that situation and prepare to show my worth to each person differently to ensure they know I know what I am talking about. I am a different type of Realtor; I am very involved. I will listen to contractors, ask questions of them and understand how things need to be done so I can be a benefit to clients.”I like to learn, though. It’s even more interesting when a contractor is working at my house. I am super hands-on with what is being done and costs. I will shut someone down if they try to upsell me and it’s not needed.“Then the party bus and limo business, it’s always entertaining when I say I own the business and the vehicles and bought the building I house them in. It’s not common for a female to own and run this type of business.”I felt some resistance at first when I started really building it, but it seems to have settled. In the past three years of building the business, I have gained more respect as this type of business owner. I also run a very good business.”Explaining the insurance and how the vehicles run can sometimes get some pushback, like I don’t know what I am talking about. Mainly, males will try to know more when it comes to limos and party buses because they relate them to normal vehicles. They are a different vehicle and I do understand them. I also know how they need to be fixed after learning and asking questions as things pop up.”

Landria Seals Green

Provided

LANDRIA SEALS GREEN (Savoy’s ExcelPrep): “I think as a business owner, the challenges have been the audacious questions asked of me as we build ExcelPrep. And one of them is: Did you do this for money?”I chuckle because I did this because of a heartstring. But those questions about economy and business development are not necessarily asked of people who do not look like me. As a speech language pathologist, I can appreciate the candor and style of communication. And at the same time, these questions really propel me to rise above and heighten my level of focus.”

Diana Stewart

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DIANA STEWART (Danville’s EnvirOx): “The female experience is dramatically different than the male experience in life. Business leadership is no different. I’ve watched businessmen make inappropriate comments, be reactive in explosive, emotionally uncontrolled ways. I’ve seen this behavior brushed aside, laughed off or generally accepted.  “The damage to a woman’s reputation would be far greater and impact employee trust and confidence in her leadership. Women are still held to a different standard and not everyone is comfortable with female leadership — yet.”We’re getting there. And we’re raising the bar on workplace behavior in a way that increases psychological and physical safety for everyone in the process.”

Leah Bodine

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LEAH BODINE (Monticello’s Blue Dragonfly Catering): “When starting my business, I was often asked what culinary school I attended. I have what we call in the business the ‘back alley culinary degree.’ I was taught by outstanding chefs as I worked my way through the ranks.”When I told people this, I would get a simple: ‘Oh, interesting.’ One time, I was with a male chef friend of mine who also has the back alley degree; while both of us were standing there, someone came up and asked both of us the culinary school question. He laughed and said ‘I didn’t go to culinary school; I have the back alley degree.'”We all laughed and the person said: ‘That’s fantastic.’ When I answered, the reply was: ‘So how are you qualified to get a chef’s job?’”

Michelle Benjamin

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MICHELLE BENJAMIN (Champaign’s Benjamin & Co. Esthetique): “When I was leading a meeting with a potential product line, I arrived at the meeting prepared with data, projections and a solid proposal. However, during the discussions, I sensed that my expertise was being overshadowed by my male colleagues. The client seemed more inclined to engage with the men in the room, often directing questions to them instead of me.”This experience highlighted the importance of confidence and assertiveness as a woman in business. While men may not often have to navigate similar dynamics, I learned that advocating for myself and my capabilities is crucial in overcoming these challenges. It also reinforced the need for mentorship and support networks for women entrepreneurs to help address these types of biases.”

Jen Shelby

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JEN SHELBY (Champaign’s Shatterglass Films): “Oh, I have too many anecdotes for this one. During my 29 years in the auto industry, the last 13 of them as the dealer principal, there were no shortage of crazy incidents that I went through that my male counterparts never even had to think about.”I was at a dealer meeting for Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Florida. We were all meeting at a hotel for three days. This was the dawn of the online shopping age for vehicle purchases.

“One of the things that Chrysler did at this meeting was to invite several different online content providers to come and try to sell their programs to us. I wandered into the area this was happening and was quickly approached by a man asking me if I was here for the Chrysler meeting — as if I might be in the wrong place. I simply said ‘yes.’ He then asked me if I worked in the office of the dealership, to which I replied: ‘You could say that.'”At this point, I’d decided to give him all the rope he needed to hang himself. The next question he posed was: ‘Are you in a position to make any decisions at the dealership?’ I told him I was — and on and on. He continued to try to fit me into the role of a receptionist that might get to make choices about which coffee to buy, and what size Kleenex box might work best in the restrooms.”I had finally had enough of his demeaning questions, looked him in the eye and said: ‘I am the dealer principal. Is that enough decision-making power for you?'”I then told him that if he were selling the only product in the market, I would not buy anything he was selling.”This sort of thing happened countless times — I could write a book on the number of times I was talked down to in the auto industry. On the bright side, they now make T-shirts and coffee mugs that say: ‘Go ahead, underestimate me. That will be fun.'”

Regina Johnson

Robin Scholz/The News-Gazette

REGINA JOHNSON (Savoy’s RegCakes): “When I started my business, I encountered so many unknowns, and I thought to myself: ‘I’ll bet everyone else knows how to do this better than I do.'”But the more I rub shoulders with other small business owners, male and female, I’ve realized that the vast majority of others are just winging it, too.  Imposter syndrome tries to get in my head frequently.”Fellow women business owners: You are completely capable of doing this.  Capitalize on your strengths, and learn the rest step by step with help. Everyone in small biz has do-overs, failures and wish-they-wouldas, but grit up and don’t give up. You’re in good company.”

Shayla Maatuka

Anthony Zilis/The News-Gazette

SHAYLA MAATUKA (Champaign’s Maatuka Al-Heeti Emkes LLC): “One thing I wish I had been told early on is: It’s not a business unless I can afford to hire other people to run it. Otherwise, it’s just a job.”Now, when I evaluate opportunities, I make sure that I’m not just creating another job for myself, because I already have a job. I don’t need another job.”Additionally, I wish someone had advised me to scale slowly. I see a lot of people jumping into businesses, buying vehicles and other things they don’t really need, just to set up the business, before they really know if it’s going to make money. We did that with one of our businesses and paid for it later.”

Talisha Johnson

Robin Scholz/The News-Gazette

TALISHA JOHNSON (Champaign’s AMT Hair Salon): “Embrace the power of networking and mentorship. Early in my journey, I underestimated the value of building relationships and seeking guidance from those who have walked a similar path, even if their journey looks different than my own.”Collaboration over competition. It’s OK if you didn’t think of it on your own. When you take it and put your spin on it, it’ll conform to you.”

Emily Brown

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EMILY BROWN (Hoopeston’s 112 Wine and Coffee Shoppe and Boxcar Books and Vinyl): “Opening a new business isn’t easy.  There are so many details to consider, challenges to face and issues that will pop up that you never even dreamed of. “Having said that, when your concept comes together and people walk in and enjoy what you have created, there is no greater satisfaction.”My advice is to choose something you are completely passionate about and let that passion guide through the hard times. Also, and I cannot emphasize this enough, have a great marketing plan. The single most difficult aspect of owning a new business is getting people to know that you exist.”ISIS GRIFFIN: “Don’t think that your degree, experience working for someone else or hands-on knowledge is going to benefit you into becoming an entrepreneur. Although this is helpful for you, it is in no way an advantage.”I learned that business isn’t about what you can do or what your product is. Business is about understanding all the legal, codes and rules that are all put there to control something that you think you’re in control of. It’s about understanding all the hurdles and obstacles that will never go away.”

Tara Allen

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TARA ALLEN (Champaign’s greener goods shop + refillery): “This is something that I accidentally stumbled into early on: Surround yourself with other female entrepreneurs that support you, that have your back, that will listen to you vent about your small business problems and celebrate your small business victories.”

Becca Powers

Robin Scholz/The News-Gazette

BECCA POWERS (Savoy’s Industrial Donut): “Find your ‘why’ and never forget it. The day-to-day work can sometimes get mundane, and your ‘why’ can easily get lost in the shuffle. You must always remember that your power lies in your ‘why.'”

Monica Samii-Porter

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MONICA SAMII-PORTER (Champaign’s Mr. & Mrs. Auto Detailing): “Do your research and make friends. There is an abundance of valuable resources available to support you on your business journey. A key starting point is conducting thorough research, and the local library is an excellent resource for this.

“At the Champaign Public Library, Lauren Gramly offers expert guidance on launching a business and is a highly knowledgeable resource for entrepreneurs. Additionally, consider joining business organizations such as the Executive Club of Champaign County, the Women’s Business Council and Junior League of Champaign-Urbana, where you’ll find invaluable insights and extensive networking opportunities.”

Rhea Morallos, left, and daughter Aundie (Morallos) Owens

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RHEA MORALLOS (Monticello’s Adegacha! Premium Coffee): “As a child, I was very timid and my mom — a very confident and empowered woman — would send me to ballet, piano, singing and even to modeling classes just to boost my confidence. I did not understand why she insisted on making me take these classes at a young age until late in college and early in my career.”To reach your goals and have success in any field, you need to have faith in yourself and have the courage to be uncomfortable in facing adversities in life. Most especially, when you are there as a woman trying to be an accomplished provider, wife and mother. Easier said than done, but confidence leads to other things, such as resiliency and perseverance.”Though I realized the significance of these values later in life, my mother’s lessons taught me this — there is power in having a sense of confidence and building that sense to others.”AUNDIE (MORALLOS) OWENS (Rhea’s daughter and Adegacha! Premium Coffee co-owner): “Be fearless and fight for the future that you dream of. You absolutely do not have to give up being an amazing mom because you want to be a successful entrepreneur and vice versa.

“Don’t let anyone else tell you that you should just settle with a job you’re ultimately not passionate about because of the fear of not being able to provide for your family. That is never going to be sustainable.”

Susan Norris

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SUSAN NORRIS (Urbana’s Good Friends Animal Hospital): “Never give up. It’s a tough road, but we are all warriors who can succeed. Being focused and driven are, of course, important. But perhaps believing in yourself and embracing your strengths are the biggest boon to your business.”Show your heart. Keep on going. Bad times happen but there is light at the end of that tunnel. Keep going.”

Hopscotch Bakery + Market owners past (Kaya Speagle, left) and present (Jenny Kim).

Facebook

JENNY KIM (Champaign’s Hopscotch Bakery + Market): “You will not make it alone. It is absolutely necessary to seek out and spend time with other women entrepreneurs and leaders, colleagues with whom you can talk through the joys and challenges and shared experiences of business ownership.

“Entrepreneurship has the potential to be very isolating, and the value of sharing one moment of understanding with someone who has gone through the same struggle as you cannot be overstated. I’m still very early in my journey, and this is something that I have to remind myself of often.”We’re very fortunate to live in a community with so many impressive women business owners who are able to learn from one another and lift each other up.”MICHELLE BENJAMIN: “Embrace failure as a crucial part of the journey. Early on, many might fear making mistakes or facing setbacks, but those experiences are often the best teachers. Each failure provides insights and opportunities for growth, helping you refine your strategies and build resilience.”

Cindy Somers

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CINDY SOMERS (Savoy’s Spherion Staffing & Recruiting): “Have patience, which I learned as I matured. It’s never going to be an easy ride — there will be good, there will be bad, you just have to ride the waves and stay patient.”

Sisters Caity Peterson, left, and Ellen Saathoff

The News-Gazette

CAITY PETERSON (Champaign’s Sprouts Art & Nature School): “My sister Ellen and I started Sprouts in 2014. Many childcares pre-date us and are still going strong, but many more have come and gone within that time period.“My best piece of advice is to get a business partner that you trust inherently. Having Ellen by my side is essential to keeping this going and I wouldn’t have even attempted it without her.”JACKIE SAMPSON: “Frequently, you’re just not going to be treated the same as a male boss. You’re just not, and sometimes it’s frustrating or irritating, but the sooner you realize it, the sooner you can adapt strategies to interact in better ways. Most of my role models in bosses are men, so I try to emulate the characteristics that make them successful. “But over time, I had to adapt and understand that much of what they do receives different responses than when that same interaction comes from a woman. I don’t think there is a right or wrong way, it’s just not the same.”

Kaitlin Mennenga

Robin Scholz/The News-Gazette

KAITLIN MENNENGA (Champaign’s Elite Bridal): “Early in my career, I underestimated the power of relationships. Having a diverse support system can provide guidance, open doors and offer different perspectives.

“Don’t hesitate to reach out, seek advice and collaborate. Networking is not just about advancing your career; it’s about creating a community that can uplift and empower you through the challenges of entrepreneurship.”

Tanya Wall

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TANYA WALL (Monticello’s Back Alley Boutique & Collectibles): “Really do your research in all that is required to start your business. I would also recommend meeting with the local small business development center to take advantage of all their free info and help. I took part in our community’s business boot camp program and gained a lot of useful information as well.”JEN SHELBY: “I wish I had learned earlier not to take things personally. It used to really upset me when an employee or a customer would get upset, or be disrespectful. You have to develop a tough skin to be successful.”Sadly, you will find that there are just some people that will not be happy, no matter what you do.”LANDRIA SEALS GREEN: “I learned the power and value of my voice. Early in my career, I would source and vet the opinion of other people to support the direction that I would take. There was a part of me that wanted someone to help me decide and I needed to feel the support of other people as I continued on.

“My mother noticed that I was seeking validation and she gave me this advice. At the time of receiving her words, I could not absorb them — they were too big for me — but I frequently reflect on the nugget that my mother gave me. Her words were simply ‘make a decision and be unafraid of it.’ Be decisive, be clear, be informed and move forward.“In this landscape of women, specifically Black women, there are so many words that are used and misused in leadership development. And one of them is collaboration. Collaboration is often mixed in with validation and sponsorship.”Not every space is primed and ready for collaboration that includes diversity of people and thought. Not everyone holds responsibility when it comes to mentorship and sponsorship. So it is important to be able to evolve to a space of discernment to understand who are the collaborators, where are the collaborators and if they are worthy of your collaboration.”

Taylor Reifsteck

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TAYLOR REIFSTECK (Tuscola’s Shimmer & Sheek Boutique): “Never give up on yourself. You will hit a lot of lows before you hit your highs. I have owned my boutique for five years, and it’s only been within these last six months I have finally  seen all of those years of hard work starting to pay off. You have to believe in yourself and be your own cheerleader.”DIANA STEWART: “Forge your own path. And forge it based on who you are as a person and a leader. Conforming to other’s expectations is unnecessary, exhausting, slows evolution and is a lot less rewarding.”

Lisa Allen

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LISA ALLEN (Paxton’s Prairie City Wine Room): “Don’t let being a female in the business world be a roadblock. Be willing to take risks and be confident in your decisions as a business owner.”MARY ENRIGHT: “Have a dream, and a goal, and a business model, but don’t be so tied to the specifics of it that you miss the opportunity to pivot into something bigger/better/more appropriate.”When Hunny Bunny Bakes was first forming, and the dream of a brick-and-mortar was just starting to take shape, I had a very specific idea of what kind of shop I wanted to have. Within a few months of being open, we started to realize that some of the ideas that we had didn’t actually transfer very well to this space or this community.”My original concept for Hunny Bunny Bakes is gone, and that’s OK, because we’re still here.”

Katie Kemen

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KATIE KEMEN (Monticello’s KDK by Design): “Never be afraid to ask for advice. Asking for advice or help is a sign of strength, not weakness.”Surrounding yourself with mentors and colleagues who can offer different perspectives and insights is invaluable. They can help you to navigate challenges and expand your understanding. Building these relationships builds a supportive environment where everyone can grow together and learn from each other.” 

Gigi Henderson

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GIGI HENDERSON (Tuscola’s Travel Simple 4 You): “My journey led me to my purpose in life, being a mom and a nurse, to my passion, being the owner of Travel Simple 4 You. … What I learned along the way, is that I already had all of the skills that I needed to be a successful business owner.“Being a female naturally equips you with skills and qualities that translate well into the world of business. Females are encouraged to be empathetic, collaborative and strong.“Motherhood adds to your business skills. Moms master multitasking, patience and organization. They need to think quick, handle unexpected challenges and think strategically to balance priorities. They understand resilience, patience, consistency and commitment, qualities that are necessary for business.

“Nursing experience adds service for others, clear communication, a drive for learning and the responsibility for caring for others with empathy. “Together with the skills from being a female, mom and a nurse, a woman brings a truly well-rounded approach to leadership. She can balance empathy and efficiency, prioritize with a focus on what truly matters, and foster a supportive environment while making thoughtful decisions. The combination of these life experiences helps shape a leader who is not only skilled and knowledgeable but also deeply compassionate and resilient — qualities that elevate her business and inspire those around her.“My advice: Embrace the lessons of your past, because you already have all the skills you need. You can do it.”JILL GUTH: “Find a mentor or a group of female entrepreneurs to meet with on a regular basis.  Having a support system of women with similar career goals/aspirations is critical.  But don’t just have people that tell you want you want to hear, have women in your group that will call you out when needed.”

Jada Burr

Hannah Knight

JADA BURR (Champaign’s Beyond Bonded Permanent Jewelry): “Customer service goes a long way. We have heard that a million times but it stays true. You can have top-quality products and the perfect image of your company but if you are not forming the customer relations, you will not see the growth that you want as a business owner.”Also, I never knew how hard social media actually is until I started my business. Running social media is a full-time job on top of Beyond Bonded. Being two years in, I have a routine down but in the beginning it was very trying.”JULEE GAY: “Let your customers know — or anybody affiliated with your business know — how much you appreciate them and are thankful for their contribution to your business.”I’ll never forget: I was 27 years old at my grand opening and I was just sitting off to the side. My daddy came and got me. He said: ‘You get up there. Stand by that door and tell every person that comes to that door thank you for coming and how thankful you are.'”

Kelly Finet

Steve Hoffman/Journal-Republican

KELLY FINET (Monticello’s Kelly’s Accounting Service): “Communication is the key to great customer service. People will tolerate a lot if you just keep them informed on what’s going on.”JENNIFER JOHNS: “The 3 Cs have transformed my business: commitment, consistency and community. I had the first two nailed down pretty early on based on experience in my previous business, but some business coaching several years ago truly transformed how I run my current business.”I stopped viewing those who support my business as customers and they became my community. I have worked really hard to nurture that community over the last nine years and I am so grateful for the amazing women — and a few men — who not only show up to support me, but they also support each other.”

Morgan Stone

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MORGAN STONE (Urbana’s Michelle’s Bridal and Black Tie Tuxedo): “One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned since taking over the bridal shop is the importance of building and nurturing relationships.”When I first started in the family business in 2010, I focused heavily on the day-to-day operations, but I soon realized that connecting with customers, your team and even fellow entrepreneurs is what truly drives success. It’s not just about providing a service; it’s about creating an experience and fostering a community.

“Invest time in understanding your customers’ needs and preferences, and don’t underestimate the power of networking. Surround yourself with mentors and peers who inspire and challenge you. This support system can provide invaluable insights and encouragement during tough times.”

Mary Manzella Racz

Robin Scholz/The News-Gazette

MARY MANZELLA RACZ (Champaign’s Manzella’s Italian Patio Restaurant): “Absolutely. When I joined the family business, I was young and timid with no knowledge of the food industry. The restaurant was always operated by the men in the family, so I knew I had some really big shoes to fill.

“It took some time for me to build the confidence that I needed to feel accepted as a female leader in a business that for 28 years prior to me had been the Manzella men. I can proudly say that I have now surpassed the 28 years the men worked as I currently have just over 36 years in.

“So, yes, it’s definitely and significantly less daunting a prospect now.”AUNDIE (MORALLOS) OWENS: “I grew up playing golf, a male-dominated sport, and competed with a lot of boys growing up. Coincidentally, I went to law school and entered the male-dominated legal field as well. So, I never really considered successful businesses or the prospect of creating a successful business something that would be daunting because of all of the male entrepreneurs out there.”Thankfully, I grew up with the experience to still dominate in fields where others would consider out of the ordinary for a female to do so. Just like it’s become a normal feeling to play from the back tees with a group of guys and keep up with them, it feels normal to start a business and create a successful one despite most entrepreneurs being male.”If it’s something you’re truly passionate about, whether it be becoming a successful entrepreneur or building a thriving family, you’ll make it happen, no matter the odds. I hope all these new female entrepreneurs inspire the next generation that it’s possible to make it happen.”STEFANIE PRATT: “I think women have realized they can do more and want to be their own bosses. The corporate world can be restrictive at times. Women have also empowered other women more over recent years than ever before.”TARA ALLEN: “Nope. It remains daunting. Small business is hard for a zillion reasons but being a woman was never one of those reasons for me.”

CINDY SOMERS: “I was fortunate to have my father lead the way and stay involved as I got my footing. “I do think there are more women-owned businesses now and the great thing is in our community there are several supporting groups that help to empower women and support them in their efforts.”EMILY BROWN: “I cannot say that the fact that I am female has ever caused me to take pause on anything that I wanted to pursue in life. I know that historically this hasn’t been the case for women.”For the strong women who have come before me and made it possible for me to never doubt that I can do anything in life, I’ll forever be grateful.”

Anne Carlson

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ANNE CARLSON (Champaign’s Anne Carlson Designs): “I believe today, the ease of starting and scaling a business is much less daunting than when I first started my interior design business in 2002.

“Garnering the potential of social media allows women to create more connection for coaching, mentoring and education as one begins the process. Networking is an obvious advantage through social media, but so is connecting for resources — financial and otherwise can be done through this tool.”There is significantly more funding available that there was 20-plus years ago. I have been able to meet so many talented women business owners from all over the world as suppliers that I use in my interior design business.“Building a client base and creating a brand where there are no geographical limitations creates the largest upside.“There are many ways for women to enter business ownership as well — whether you are a stay-at-home mother and want a side-hustle, or are wanting to shift gears after a long career and start something of your own. The opportunities are endless and it is easier to mitigate risk by not having to have a physical storefront or office.”In today’s world of working from anywhere any time, a woman has the flexibility to juggle different schedules and work at different times throughout the day.“I am optimistic that the number of woman-owned businesses will continue to rise because of fewer obstacles.”

LEAH BODINE: “I wouldn’t say significantly less but there seems to be a trend toward the positive of owning a business.”ISIS GRIFFIN: “I do feel like business is less daunting now because I have a better understanding to see what’s coming before it happens.”JILL GUTH: “I think it depends on the industry. Women are supporting women more than ever, which creates a foundation for more women-owned businesses to be created and be successful. Women business owners always need to reach back down the ladder and pull the next generation upward.”CAITY PETERSON: “The childcare sector has gotten increasingly more difficult to enter and to sustain since we started.”State regulations continue to grow in number and in stringency for everything from teacher education to building requirements, while the profit margins and average salaries are still some of the lowest of all professions and businesses in the U.S.”It might actually be harder than ever.”

KAITLIN MENNENGA: “For me, it hasn’t changed much in terms of how daunting it feels. While it’s great to see the rise in women-owned businesses, the fundamental challenges of entrepreneurship remain. Issues like access to funding and finding a work-life balance can still feel overwhelming.”That said, I appreciate the growing conversation around these topics, which helps build awareness and support. Each journey is unique, and while progress is encouraging, the challenges I faced when I started are still relevant today.”SHAYLA MAATUKA: “Over the years, I’ve gained wisdom and confidence that I didn’t have when we started our first business 28 years ago. Having more women-led businesses definitely helps me market my business more easily.”MICHELLE BENJAMIN: “It certainly feels like a more empowering environment for aspiring female entrepreneurs compared to the past. The increasing visibility of successful women in various industries, along with supportive networks and resources, has made the prospect of starting a business feel less daunting.“Initially, the challenges might have seemed overwhelming, with fewer role models and resources available. However, the steady growth and recognition of women entrepreneurs have created a more encouraging landscape. This shift not only helps in alleviating fears but also inspires confidence and motivation to pursue business goals.“So, while the journey may still have its challenges, the overall atmosphere is much more supportive and optimistic, making it easier for new women entrepreneurs to take that leap.”

JEN SHELBY: “Starting your own business is daunting, no matter who you are, so while this statistic is good, I am not sure it makes the process any less daunting. Happily, now there are programs for female- and minority-owned companies, and when you go to meetings or seminars you see more women, so it is easier to connect and find people that are going through the same process that can offer support and encouragement.”I think you can find that with men also — so really, the most important thing you can do is to be comfortable in your own skin, be confident with the path you’re taking and know that you are going to make mistakes.”People that don’t make mistakes are not trying to grow. A more interesting statistic might be to look at companies run by men versus women and how is this country doing on the equal pay question.”

How American tech giants are aiding Israel’s AI-powered genocide in Gaza

By Maryam Qarehgozlou  

Microsoft, a multinational tech giant headquartered in Washington, fired two employees last week after they organized a vigil at the company’s headquarters for Palestinians killed in the year-long Israeli-American genocidal war on Gaza.

Abdo Muhammad and Hossam Nasr, the two dismissed Microsoft employees of Egyptian descent, were both actively involved in an employee coalition called “No Azure for Apartheid.”

This group has been vocal for months in opposing Microsoft’s sale of its cloud-computing technology to the Israeli regime, citing concerns over gross human rights violations and the company’s support of Israel’s genocidal practices and war crimes against Palestinians in Gaza.

Microsoft, a global leader in cloud services, computer software, and hardware, confirmed the termination of several employees “in accordance with its internal policies” without providing specific details regarding the dismissals.

“So I guess the cat is out of the bag. I was fired from Microsoft on Thursday, hours after a vigil we organized to honor and remember the lives of Palestinians killed by American-funded and Microsoft-empowered Israeli genocide,” Nasr wrote in a thread of posts on X, formerly Twitter.

Nasr, however, emphasized that his dismissal, as well as the unfair treatment of other Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim employees at Microsoft, is not an isolated incident.

He said it is part of a larger pattern of discriminatory and repressive behavior that has been ongoing since at least 2021 against anyone with opposite views.

“This did not come out of nowhere, but follows a pattern stretching back to 2021 of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, silencing, and repressing against me and our Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim communities at Microsoft, for daring to humanize Palestinians,” he wrote.

Nasr asserted that his dismissal from Microsoft will not silence his voice or deter him from continuing to speak out on issues related to Palestinian rights and Microsoft’s complicity in perpetuating war crimes.

“If they think firing me will silence me, they couldn’t be more wrong. The more they try to silence us, the louder our voice gets. We will not stop, we will not rest!”

Google, the California-headquartered multinational tech company, fired more than 50 workers earlier this year for protesting the company’s contract with the Israeli regime, known as “Project Nimbus.”

This $1.2 billion deal was signed in 2021 by Google and Amazon to provide cloud computing and artificial intelligence services to the regime in Tel Aviv.

Cloud computing helps the Israeli military in Gaza as well as in the occupied West Bank and Lebanon by providing advanced data storage and processing capabilities.

Reports indicate that the Israeli military has utilized cloud services to store vast amounts of surveillance information on individuals in Gaza as well as Lebanon.

Furthermore, these cloud providers supply AI capabilities and services that have enhanced the military’s efficiency since the onset of the war on Gaza.

Amazon, Google, Microsoft fueling Israeli genocide

In July, at the “IT for IDF“ conference in Rishon Lezion, near Tel Aviv, Col. Racheli Dembinsky, commander of the Israeli military’s Center of Computing and Information Systems, confirmed that Israel is using cloud storage and artificial intelligence services provided by these US-based tech giants in its devastating war against the Gaza Strip.

Dembinsky’s lecture slides featured the logos of Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure, indicating the Israeli military’s overwhelming reliance on their technology for data processing and management.

This revelation again highlighted the collaboration between these tech companies and the Israeli military amid the genocidal war on Gaza, which has already claimed more than 43,100 innocent lives, most of them women and children.

Dembinsky said in her speech that working with these companies has granted the Israeli military “very significant operational effectiveness” in the Gaza Strip.

Google

In 2021, when Google and Amazon Web Services (AWS) entered into the $1.2 billion Project Nimbus, they agreed to provide the Israeli regime and its military with cloud computing services, AI, and machine learning capabilities.

A year later, Google established a cloud center in the Israeli-occupied territories as part of this collaboration.

Through Project Nimbus, Google offers advanced AI capabilities such as facial detection, automated image categorization, object tracking, and sentiment analysis to evaluate the emotional content of images, speech, and text.

Under this agreement, Google grants the Israeli war ministry a secure “landing zone” within its cloud infrastructure for data storage and processing, as well as access to Google’s AI services.

Google has consistently maintained that its Nimbus contract only provides commercial services for Israeli ministries, such as finance, healthcare, transportation, and education.

However, documents and statements made by Israeli officials reveal a different story.

Despite concerns raised about Israel’s deployment of AI in warfare, particularly the carnage in Gaza, a company document viewed by TIME in April showed that Google expanded its partnership with the regime in March 2024, allowing multiple units to utilize Google’s automation technologies.

Moreover, Israel has long used Google-provided biometric surveillance, including facial recognition technology, to maintain control over Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and East al-Quds.

Following the Israeli military ground invasion of Gaza in October last year, the army expanded this surveillance to Gaza, with soldiers employing Google Photos for biometric identification.

On November 19, 2023, Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha was misidentified and arbitrarily detained by Israeli forces at a checkpoint while fleeing North Gaza, due to this system.

He reported being blindfolded, interrogated, beaten, and later released without explanation.

Since October 7, 2023, The Israeli regime also has been running ads on Google’s search engine and YouTube, disseminating false information about the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

These ads featured unsubstantiated claims that UNRWA is linked to Hamas and employs “terrorists” to discredit UNRWA and undermine its work in supporting Palestinians in Gaza.

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

A recent investigation by +972 Magazine and Local Call uncovered that the Israeli army employs Amazon’s cloud service to store surveillance data on individuals in Gaza while obtaining AI tools from Google and Microsoft for military operations.

AWS provides Israel’s Military Intelligence Directorate with extensive data storage capabilities, allowing for the collection of mass surveillance information on “almost everyone” in Gaza.

According to the investigation, AWS services have occasionally played a role in confirming airstrike targets for the Israeli military.

Furthermore, through Project Nimbus, Amazon’s subsidiary AWS established a cloud region in Israeli-occupied territories in August 2023, enabling the regime to transfer significant workloads to the cloud.

One major client of this cloud service is Bank Leumi, a prominent Israeli bank criticized for funding war crimes and illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.

AWS also collaborates with Palantir, an American data analysis firm that provides militaries with artificial intelligence models, assisting customers in enhancing their war-fighting capabilities.

In January, Palantir agreed to a strategic partnership with the Israeli ministry of military affairs to supply technology to help the Zionist regime in its war effort.

Microsoft

Microsoft has also had a long-standing business relationship with Israel’s military and spying establishments, which has only become stronger since October 7 last year.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu once described this partnership as “a marriage made in heaven but recognized here on Earth.”

Microsoft Azure, the company’s primary cloud computing platform, has been extensively used by Israel’s military and was considered the Tel Aviv regime’s main cloud provider.

Last year, almost a month into the Israeli genocidal war on Gaza, Microsoft introduced a new cloud region in Israel and has provided AI and cloud services for military purposes.

Microsoft also supports various Israeli initiatives by offering services used for the expansion of illegal settlement, military, police, and the Israeli Prison Service (IPS).

As of October 2024, there are over 10,000 Palestinians held illegally in Israeli detention centers, almost all of them held without charges or trial.

According to the UN Human Rights Office as well as verified testimonies provided by rights groups, Palestinian prisoners from Gaza, including hundreds of medical professionals, UN staffers, women, and children, face torture, ill-treatment, and sexual violence while in prolonged, secret, and incommunicado detention.

Reports also indicate that since the war began against Gaza, numerous Palestinians residing outside Gaza have had their Microsoft email accounts and Skype access suspended without explanation.

These suspensions have led to difficulties accessing bank accounts, disruptions to work, and further isolation from their families in Gaza, who have already been impacted by multiple internet outages in the past year.

#NoTechForGenocide

Tech companies’ provision of services to Israel has made them complicit in the perpetration of grave human rights violations, as they are contributing to Israel’s acts of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, according to anti-Israel tech workers and campaigners.

These grave violations are currently under investigation by both the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Despite facing repercussions, including dismissal from their jobs, tech workers remain steadfast in their opposition to providing services to the apartheid Israeli regime.

These individuals continue to express their objections, underscoring their commitment to uphold ethical principles and respect for human rights even at the risk of personal and professional consequences.

Nasr on his thread of posts challenged those who ask about their fear of consequences for speaking out against Microsoft’s complicity in the Gaza genocide by turning the question back on them.

“I am often asked: are you not scared of being fired? Are you not scared of being deported? And my answer is always, are YOU not scared? Are you NOT scared of being complicit in the Holocaust of our time,” he wrote.

“Are YOU not scared of being silent in the face of one of the gravest moral tragedies of our time? Are YOU not scared of what you will tell your children and grandchildren when they ask you where you were when the Gaza genocide was happening?”

MLB: Landon Knack (Science Hill) tosses four innings of one-run ball for Dodgers in Game 4 of World Series

Landon Knack has pitched pretty well all season for the Los Angeles Dodgers and in what will likely be his final outing of 2024, the rookie performed at a high level on the biggest stage.The former Science Hill High School and East Tennessee State University star tossed four innings of one-run ball for the Dodgers in their 11-4 loss to the New York Yankees in Game 4 of the World Series.Knack allowed just two hits, walked one and struck out two while throwing 56 pitches. L.A. leads the Fall Classic three games to one and can clinch the championship on Wednesday night.Taking over on the mound in the Bronx for Virginia native Daniel Hudson and the Dodgers trailing 5-2, Knack delivered a quality outing.He allowed a single to the first batter he faced, Alex Verdugo, but Gleyber Torres followed by grounding into a 4-6-3 double play and Juan Soto also grounded out.

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Things started tough for Knack in the fifth as Aaron Judge reached on an error and Jazz Chisholm walked. However, the 27-year-old right-hander buckled down and struck out Giancarlo Stanton, retired Anthony Rizzo on a flyout and got Anthony Volpe to flyout.Austin Wells hit a 384-foot home run to begin the sixth as that was the only run Knack allowed. He responded by retiring the final six batters he faced – Vedugo on a flyout, Torres on a flyout, Soto via strikeout, Judge on a flyout, Chisholm on a flyout and Stanton on a liner.He was relieved by Brent Honeywell, who like Knack, attended Walters State Community College in Morristown, Tennessee.It marked the second straight year that a Northeast Tennessean has played in the World Series as outfielder Evan Carter (Elizabethton) played a starring role in 2023 as the Texas Rangers won it all.Knack became the first local in the pros to pitch in the World Series since Justin Grimm (Virginia High) appeared in three World Series games for the champion Chicago Cubs in 2016.A Science Hill alum hadn’t participated in the Fall Classic since Ernie Ferrell Bowman was an infielder for the New York Giants in 1962.The last ETSU player to do so was left-handed pitcher Atlee Hammaker in 1989 for the San Francisco Giants.Bowman and Hammaker were on the losing side in the Series appearances, but Knack is one win away from securing a World Series ring.Knack had pitched one game apiece in the National League Division Series and the National League Championship Series. His postseason ERA is 7.71.

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The Art and Science of Becoming A ‘Likeable Badass’

Be assertive – but not aggressive.

Speak up – but don’t be too loud.

Show confidence – but stay humble.

If you’re a woman in the workplace, you’ve likely heard these seemingly impossible-to-navigate pieces of advice. The underlying message? Walk an impossibly fine line between being powerful and being likeable.

But what if that supposed tension between assertiveness and warmth is actually the secret to success? That’s the groundbreaking premise behind professor Alison Fragale’s new book Likeable Badass.

In this interview, Fragale unpacks how women can leverage both their capability and their care to build lasting influence at work. Drawing from her background in psychology and behavioral science, she offers a fresh perspective on age-old workplace dilemmas, from imposter syndrome to self-promotion.

Melody Wilding: What inspired you to write this book? Is there a personal story behind it?
Alison Fragle: I often say that I didn’t so much find the women who inspired this book as they found me. For years, I worked in predominantly male spaces—teaching MBA students and professional audiences, often on topics like negotiation and influence. After nearly every class or presentation, I’d notice a line of women waiting to speak with me one-on-one. They shared their struggles around negotiating, advocating for themselves, and building their reputations without facing backlash.

It became clear to me, almost like a “lightbulb moment,” that women were grappling with challenges for which they weren’t finding answers elsewhere. I realized I was in a unique position to help, blending my background in psychology and behavioral science with my personal experiences. Through that combination, I could offer guidance on how women might regain control in environments where so much feels outside of their control, helping them pursue happier, more fulfilling lives.
One concept I discuss in the book is the importance of having others advocate for you—getting people to “say your name in rooms you’re not in.” As I often say, negotiation isn’t just for cars, houses, and salaries; it’s for anything you want. When you’ve earned someone’s respect, they’re usually happy to support you, especially if it’s as simple as talking up the good work you’ve done in conversations where their opinion is respected. Personally, I’ve never had anyone refuse when I asked them to mention my work, and I share an example in the book of doing this successfully with a colleague. I find people are thrilled to help, and sometimes, all we need to do is make the ask.
Wilding: What does it mean to be a likeable badass?
Fragle: A “likeable badass” is someone who shows up with a blend of two essential traits: capability and care. It’s about being both assertive and warm—demonstrating that you know what you’re doing, you’re good at it, and you genuinely care about others. This combination of assertiveness and warmth is powerful; it’s the surest way to earn respect from others.
When people meet us, they subconsciously assess two things: our ability to get things done and our concern for others. These judgments aren’t random—they’re based on whether we can control our environment and get results (assertiveness), and whether we care about more than just ourselves (warmth). This blend is crucial for respect, which opens doors to so many other good things in life.
In psychology, this concept is known as the “warmth-competence model,” or technically, the “interpersonal circumflex of person perception.” But let’s face it, “likeable badass” is a lot catchier!
Wilding: Tell me about task cues. How can we choose ones that balance assertiveness and warmth?
Fragle: Task cues are the signals we give off that help others judge our abilities and intentions. They reveal both our competence—how capable we are at completing a task—and our willingness to put effort into helping others. In essence, task cues are expressions of assertiveness and warmth.
For example, humor is a task cue that reflects both. Making people laugh is challenging, so it’s often seen as a sign of intelligence and assertiveness, but it also creates a sense of joy and connection, conveying warmth. Similarly, helping others by offering advice shows competence (since you’re in a position to share knowledge) and warmth (because you’re using that knowledge to benefit others).
Other cues, like eye contact, can reflect both assertiveness and warmth—it’s direct but also affiliative. Even the speed and quantity of speech matter; speaking frequently or quickly can signal competence, while a more tentative or collaborative speaking style, such as using hedges like “I think” or tag questions like “right?”, tends to come across as warmer.
Some cues naturally balance both qualities, while others lean more toward one side. Ideally, blending assertiveness and warmth creates a “magic combination.” However, it’s also beneficial to adjust based on the situation. For instance, when working with someone closely, warmth may matter more, while assertiveness might be more valued by those who work independently from you and primarily seek competence.
We also each have a natural tendency toward one of these dimensions. Personally, assertiveness comes easily to me because of my background in negotiation, so I don’t mind behaviors like apologizing that might lean more toward warmth. Ultimately, I encourage people to start with what feels authentic to them and then add cues mindfully rather than feeling pressured to change or hide their natural style.
Wilding: Tell me about task cues. How can we choose ones that balance assertiveness and warmth?
Fragle: Two narratives that stand out for me are around imposter syndrome and the idea of “not caring what others think.”
First, imposter syndrome. It’s hard to build your reputation and confidence if you don’t believe in yourself. My perspective is that while imposter syndrome doesn’t feel good, it’s actually necessary. I compare it to the soreness you feel after lifting weights—you don’t love the feeling, but you know it means you’re growing stronger. Imposter syndrome often sits between our goals and our actual achievements. When we set high goals but don’t quite reach them, we can feel like we’ve fallen short. However, goal-setting research shows that ambitious goals actually drive us to perform better, even if we don’t hit the target exactly.
Think of it this way: if you set a goal to run a marathon in four hours but finish in 4:20, you’ll run faster than if you hadn’t set that challenging goal at all. Yet all you might see is, “I missed the four-hour mark,” which triggers imposter feelings. The only people who never feel like impostors are the real impostors. So, the discomfort of imposter syndrome is actually a sign of growth, much like those sore muscles after a workout. I want people to get comfortable with it and see it as a side effect of success, not a sign of failure.
The second narrative I encourage people to rethink is “I don’t care what people think of me.” This sentiment often comes up as a defense mechanism when we face disappointment, but I always say, “No one tells you not to care what people think when you’re receiving an award!” Our quality of life is deeply influenced by others’ opinions—what our loved ones, coworkers, and bosses think of us can have real impacts. Instead of seeing indifference as a strength, I encourage people to embrace what I call “the pride of effectiveness”—focusing on how we can influence others’ perceptions to reflect who we truly are.
This isn’t about obsessing over others’ opinions; it’s about realizing we have the power to shape them. The idea of not caring what people think is often well-intentioned, but it can lead us to disengage from those around us. Instead, if we focus on being effective and understood, we can create the outcomes we want.
Wilding: What are some overlooked or underutilized ways women can tell their story at work?
Fragle: Two techniques come to mind: “dual promotion” and using tools like out-of-office messages creatively.
With dual promotion, you share a success story about yourself while also highlighting the contributions of others. It’s a “praise me and I praise you” approach. Research shows that by acknowledging both your accomplishments and the roles others played, you come across as both competent and warm. For instance, if you’re sending a weekly update to your boss, you could include the team’s wins along with a special thanks to specific colleagues who supported the success. This method can feel safer for those who are hesitant about self-promotion, as it balances assertiveness with appreciation.
Another great, low-risk way to tell your story is through tools you’re already using—like your social media profiles or even your out-of-office message. Many people think of out-of-office replies as simple notifications, but they can be subtle storytelling opportunities. For example, instead of just stating when you’ll return, you might say something like, “I’m out of the office attending an industry conference to enhance my skills,” or “I’m accepting an award and will reply when I return.” This approach lets people know what you’re up to in a way that feels natural, and no one perceives it as self-promoting.
I actually came across this idea because I noticed others using it, and it was so effective that it inspired me to look deeper. Sometimes, leaning into a strategy you feel drawn to—whether or not it’s traditional—is the best way to share your story.
Wilding: What are some overlooked or underutilized ways women can tell their story at work?
Fragle: I think of losing status as taking actions that may risk being seen as less assertive or less warm. For instance, if I need to disagree with someone in a meeting, there’s a chance they’ll perceive me as less warm. Or, if I’m balancing family priorities—like taking a call while on the go for my child’s activity—someone might see me as a bit less organized or professional.
My advice is to view status as a resource, much like money or health. Just as you wouldn’t save every penny without ever spending it on meaningful things, it doesn’t make sense to simply conserve status if it doesn’t help you live the life you want. But, like money, it’s finite, so it’s important not to “spend” it frivolously.
A good way to manage this is by setting long-term goals and considering how today’s choices align with them. For example, one of my personal long-term goals is to have strong relationships with my children as they grow into adults. So, when deciding between work and family moments, I ask myself if this particular choice will matter to my future relationship with them. That helps me navigate the risk of momentarily appearing less “professional” in certain situations.
Similarly, in professional settings, if I disagree with someone, I’ll think about whether expressing that disagreement supports my larger goals. Often, I find that it’s not critical, and I can let it go without sacrificing my status for something that doesn’t truly impact my objectives.
Ultimately, it’s about finding confidence in spending a little of that “status capital” when it serves your long-term goals—just as you might think twice about a purchase in light of your financial goals. This way, you can take risks thoughtfully, knowing they align with what really matters.

N1bn defamation threat: Taraba cleric dares TY Danjuma, says book God’s words

A Taraba-based cleric and the International Director of the Holiness Revival Movement Worldwide, Paul Rika, has responded defiantly to former Defense Minister Theophilus Danjuma’s threat of a N1 billion lawsuit over alleged defamation.
The cleric asserted that his writings were divinely inspired messages and urged Danjuma to accept them as God’s words rather than pursue legal action.
Danjuma, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Tayo Oyetibo, demanded on September 27 that Rika retract alleged defamatory statements in his book, “God’s Message to Kuteb Tribe and Indigenes of Taraba State.”
Danjuma’s letter claimed that sections of the book painted him as “a wicked, mischievous, evil, and anti-democratic person” and demanded N1 billion in damages within seven days.

In a letter obtained by journalists on Wednesday, Rika stood firm, advising the retired general to heed what he described as a divine warning and to consider the message for spiritual reflection.
“God’s message may appear damaging but if we listen, they will change us into what he desires us to be before our death,” Rika stated.
The cleric sent additional books to Danjuma to help him understand the context, explaining that God does not seek to “massage egos” but to convey truth.
Rika said, “I want you to know the certainty of the message the Lord has sent to you, the Kuteb people and the Indigenes of Taraba State. You know that God is your Creator as much as He is the Creator of other people. He loves you as much as He loves other people and will not want you to oppress them.
“God has no respect for persons; He is the Lord of all. He has the liberty to speak to anybody at any time and in the manner He wants. He is the one who will bring everyone to judgment. Should He speak to you in your lifetime on earth or after your lifetime, when there would be no chance anymore to show you mercy? Judge it yourself.
“As the Lord sent a message to King Ahab concerning the wickedness he did to Naboth and his family, so the Lord has sent you the message contained in the book on the evil you have done to the Kuteb tribe from your youth to this day, which you are planning to continue, even after your lifetime on earth, as revealed by God in the book.” Related News
He likened his book to the letter sent to Theophilus in the Book of Luke, saying “I have no doubt that this is true of you because the revelation came from God. Your argument against this truth has no meaning, because of your practical … deeds against the Kuteb tribe and against Taraba State at large, which are still ongoing.
“The revelation message in the book is true and many people bear witness to it, both in Taraba State and in the world around it.”
The cleric admonished the retired general, “Please Sir, acknowledge your iniquity, both as God revealed it in that book and as men testify practically in your hearing. I want you to know your need for genuine repentance through saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, your Creator, Saviour and the great Judge over your life both now in your lifetime and after your death.
“This involves genuine confession of your sins to Him and confession, apologies, and restitution to the Kuteb tribe … Be informed that the Kuteb nation is crying to God against you for vengeance against you …
“You will need to do the same to Taraba State and all that you have offended as much as you can remember. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.
“I want to believe that your sins have not gone beyond the boundary of being forgiven by God because He is a great God of mercy. Even when men get angry because of what you have done over the years, God will still forgive you and grant you heaven, if you genuinely repent and walk in the newness of life. You need to humble yourself and forget your greatness, riches, honour and popularity among men,and accept Jesus to be your Lord and Saviour.”
Enclosed with Rika’s letter were additional publications he offered to supply for Danjuma’s “spiritual edification,” along with titles like “Escaping Hellfire and Entering Heaven Made Simple” and “The Doctrine of Christian Restitution for Your Holiness and Heaven.”
He added, “If truly you are taking this matter to court, having taken a lawyer for it, then, it shall be you and Jesus, your advocates and the Angels that shall be involved in the court proceedings before the judge which I cannot tell now, while I and those with me may be witnesses. Hence, he that rejects the message of the Lord which He sends through His servant also rejects Jesus and the Father.
“It will be sin and rebellion against God to me, to retrieve from the society the Lord’s message meant to save humanity because a mortal man, who today is and tomorrow is not commands me to do so. We need money for evangelism and soul-winning and to prepare the church for Christ’s return. Is it sensible, therefore, that we should give man money because he said we have offended forgiving him God’s message?
“I am not by this writing stopping you from taking the matter to the court because every man is entitled to his opinion, but I am showing you the implication especially at this age when you should be seeking forgiveness, salvation and grace to escape hell and enter heaven”