Her International Formidable Brand is Building Confidence in Women!

Please introduce yourself to our readers.
My life’s work focuses on championing confidence in women. I believe confidence is the great separator and, so, it permeates in the fabric of everything I touch. I run an international confidence brand, Formidable.  Formidable Brand LLC is an international confidence brand that champions confidence in women. The company suite includes Formidable Coaching Institute, Formidable Mingles, Formidable Publishing, Formidable Woman Magazine, Formidable Apparel, Formidable Consulting and my Non-profit, B2F Girls, honored with the WHIM Community Organization Award 2020 by A Woman's Standard. I have been featured for my work in women's advocacy and empowerment by many publications, including FORBES, Black Enterprise, Rolling Out, SHEEN, and The Huffington Post.

What makes you a visionary?   
I have spoken out against gender oppression and disempowerment since 1992, penning my first published article, "Blocking Out the Gender Gap", while a high school student. This article garnered the attention of the National Press for Women. Even then I was thinking about what I wanted the future to be like for women; even then knew I needed to advocate for women, and I have been doing so ever since. Sure, I had to find my way, and I’ve failed at a lot of things, but now that my vision is clear there is no stopping me. I’m good with failure. I’ll never quit.

Share the 3 key steps that helped you bring your vision to life.
Confidence, clarity and conducive environments.

1. Confidence is key and I had to cultivate mine to bring my vision to life. I remember looking over my report cards from child hood during my freshmen year of college and there was a consistent them— “Shekina is shy, we worry about her social…” And I reflected on my social interactions while in college, having just moved from Belgium where the cultural norms were vastly different. I decided then that I was going to cut my hair and grow a backbone. It changed everything about how I show up in the world. I emphasize this key step because without confidence women simply cannot fulfill their purpose because they won’t seek it. 
2. Clarity is another biggie. And it can only come from being intentional. Knowing the specific audience I am called to serve was a journey I had the confidence to embark upon. My experience shifted from “she doesn’t like me” to “She is not my tribe”. And this is a complete paradigm shift. I urge women to not resist the clarity that comes from putting yourself out there in an authentic way. It is your authenticity that bring clarity and your clarity that pushes forward your vision with momentum. 
3. Conducive environments are a game-changer. One of the things that caught me off guard in the beginning was mistakenly thinking that my friends and I were on the same level. What separated us was vision. What made that divide apparent was movement, action. The moment I decided to carry out my vision, resources began to look for me and the traction became hard for others to ignore. I wasn’t ready for the lack of support, disdain and envy that ensued. On this side of it, I am wiser and ready. And what I now share with women is to make sure you surround yourself with like-minded individuals who celebrate you and don’t simply tolerate you. Someone making more money that you currently can still be jealous of you because they see where you are going. Do not try to sway these persons, keep moving. Vision thrives in conducive environments. 

What is next for you in 2020?
Currently, my company is going through a rebrand. I am launching a new initiative for women that is top secret but will be releasing this Fall and I couldn’t be more excited. Formidable Woman Magazine is also casting a bright light on 20 women dominating in their industries through our new online counterpart, FWM Power20. Formidable Apparel is also releasing new, stylish athleisure clothing for women.

How can readers connect with you online?
IG: @Formidable_Apparel | @FormidableWomanMag
FB: @FormidableApparel | @FormidableWomanMag | 
Websites: formidablewomanmag.com | traintocoach.com | b2fgirls.org/private-coaching