Power 30 Women In Business: Michelle Yabui

1. What is your definition of a powerful businesswoman?  
My definition of a successful business woman is one that has prayer, power and purpose over her life.  Whatever industry or atmosphere is chosen as your career, exemplify it with a sense of focus and determination.  We all weigh success by our own scale so where some may see success as entering into a new tax bracket; others may determine it by how many lives they impact.  I choose to determine success for my company by growth and leaving an amazing legacy for my children and grandchildren.

2. How have you used your platform/passion to inspire women entrepreneurs? 
I am a sold-out cheerleader for fellow women entrepreneurs.  Whenever possible I solicit collaborations with other women for my business.  I have hired local women hosts, artists, painting instructors, and poets.  I enjoy promoting and attending new business debuts and speaking at conferences directed towards the empowerment of women is my newest passion.

3. What advice would share, as it relates to women operating fully in their power & purpose?      
In seeking to operate fully in your power and purpose, I would advise all woman entrepreneurs and those aspiring, to seek God’s direction first and foremost.  When I started my business it was in a very large and beautiful storefront.  I was the talk of the town and everyone had an opinion about what I could and should do with my space.  I was incredibly busy doing a lot of nothing; I lacked focus.  (Surprisingly enough, I was not making much money.)   Close to a year passed before I decided to seriously fast and pray about what direction I should go in.  There is never a lack of unsolicited advice when you start a business; I however, needed to hear from God.  I prayed for a few weeks about what direction I needed to go in.  I can honestly say God led me to close my shop and open Pop-Up & Paint, a mobile painting party business!  I have grown as a woman and an entrepreneur and I have never been more fulfilled.  We host paint party events, birthday parties, bridal showers; you name it; we’ve done it!

4. What is next for you in 2019?    
I operate a family business; although my adult children live in different states, they all very vocal in the decisions that need to be made for the business. Ultimately, this is my legacy for them.  Within the next year I plan to open a franchise in Atlanta, Georgia where my daughter will be able to run the day-to-day operations.  I will devote more time to writing and extending our local franchise here in Florida.

5. How can readers connect with you online?
 Readers can connect with me at:
IG:  sozealous_boutiqueandgifts
​       Iammichelleyabui
Facebook: Michelle Yabui
www.iammichelleyabui.com