Over decades and throughout generations, we have witnessed how hate can destroy and tear away the fabric of humanity. However, we have also seen how hate has stirred the pot of deliberate hope and motivation for change.
I have been blessed to work as an entrepreneur for over 25 years. My nonprofit promotion/marketing and community outreach organization, established in 1998, has been the target of hate, disrespect, marginalization, and more. I, personally, have been dismissed and disrespected by others with more experience in the industry (and less). I have been plotted against because of my gender and age (at the time) and even chastised by an older gentleman (nothing gentle about his tone) for simply doing my job as outlined in my agreement. However, I learned over the years that, often- times, when people complain about the success God al- lows you to have, it is because they see the potential you have to become even more successful. So jealousy sets in, and the plot to destroy you personally and professionally begins.
Therefore, here are three tips that you can implement when the hare arrives and tries to thrive.
Know Your Value
So what if you are new to the industry or field of study, you bring a certain level of value (importance). Either you academically excelled to that level, earned it by going through proper business channels, or learned on the go and became a self-taught business owner. No matter how you got there, you know once your skills start to shine bright some people will begin to put a target on your back (and your front) but just remember you are valuable and stay true to what you bring to the table.
Show Don’t Tell
Sometimes, we as business owners or executives are so anxious to be seen as an asset that we do way too much talking. The best way to showcase your God-given talent is to walk in purpose-driven silence and let your work speak for itself. You don’t have to tell people that you’re the best in engineering, counseling, preaching, baking, sales, teaching, marketing, construction, entertainment, television production, or any other field. You just show your expertise by doing that which you do well. The best “in your face” moment to people that do not really care about you or are hating on you is to show and not tell because of the exemplary work with a tell-all.
Let the Hate Motivate
This tip may be difficult to conceptualize at first glance, but it is very doable. I remember back in my 20s when I was working for a radio station in New Jersey, and at the time, I had already started my record DJ business (Supreme Gospel Record Pool) where mobile DJs received complimentary products from record labels to play at functions. The then general manager was aware that I had my own business but got upset when a letter came to the station for me. Now all labels knew my business address was based in Philadelphia, so I would never have product come to the station, but the letter (which I never received) arrived at the station. The general manager used that as a reason to fire me. I knew he did not care for me as a young woman in my 20s. He was in his 60s. Certain things he’d say would be quite offensive and uncomfortable for me but as a newcomer. I would just sit back and accept such.
However, I used his disdain for me to better hone my entrepreneurial skills and made new industry friends. One of my new friends was a radio station general manager (Fred Blain) in Norristown, PA. When we first met he said the general manager had called all the GMs in and around the city to tell them if I came through to not hire or connect with me.
Well, it’s been over 20 years since then, and my determination to stay focused on the positive, God allowed my relationship with that general manager and many radios and music executives to blossom into long-lasting professional and personal friendships.
I allowed the hate that one general manager had towards me to become a motivating factor in changing the narrative of my journey. I took control, and I was blessed to change my business from a Gospel DJ record pool to a multi-faceted organization that provides the opportunity to travel throughout the country coordinating events and outreaches. I work with independent and national recording artists and host local endeavors to mentor youth in entertainment and related industries.
Therefore, please allow my personal story to help mo- tivate you past all the naysayers, haters, and the “slow downers.” Know when people are trying to offer good ad- vice or trying to throw you off your track to success. Once you know if they are actually hating on you, then you take action by motivating yourself to “show and not tell” and “know your value” in advance. When that next meeting with a potential client or vendor comes up, you will have the necessary tools to be more of a success story, and those naysayers and haters will only watch you from be- hind. Let the hate motivate!!
If you’d like to contact us, please call 267-428-0116 or email promo@supremegospelentertainment.org. Face- book: Supreme Gospel Ent or Sherri Y. Johnson | Instagram: @sherrisupremegospel
