Ryan P. Desmond

CEO Motivation: You’re The Boss

You are the boss now! Write your own rules.

When I was asked, “what do you want to be when you grow up?”, I always responded with…”I want to be a professional athlete.” Starting my own business was never a huge dream for me, until I got my first boss. Several bosses in, I realized that I enjoyed working, but I did not enjoy others telling me how to work. I learned that I prioritize work in order for it to be done efficiently. I believe efficiency helps to create profitability. Most of the bosses that I worked for did not prioritize work that way. I hate wasting my time; and I hate wasting other people’s time. So, becoming my own boss seemed like the only logical choice.

I am like most entrepreneurs. The percentages say that you are too. We want time freedom and the freedom to be creative in our work spaces. We also want the satisfaction of creating a work space that is tailor made to our strengths. You are like most entrepreneurs, so you started your own business.

“I had 22 bosses before I started my own business. I loved all my jobs, but I never liked my boss! When you’re the boss, you can make your job whatever you want it to be.”
— Barbara Corcoran, Shark Tank

Guess what, you are the boss now! You have the time freedom to work when you want and how long you want. You have the power to plan and take vacations on your own schedule. You have to freedom to create products and services that your customers love. You have the ability to create workflow that makes sense to you. You can master your strengths. You can also recruit and train the talent that compliments you. You get to set your salary, and give yourself raises when you deserve them. You get to make ALL the rules.

So, write your own rules and create the job of your dreams.

Talk to you soon,

Tilting the Brim to Nipsey Hussle

Gone, but certainly not forgotten.

Active: 2005 to 2019
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap

I came up on mostly Gospel music, but we were allowed to also listen to R&B and Jazz. I’m a self-professed R&B dude. From time to time, I would listen to other genres when I was a kid. Still, gospel music was the staple in my house. This site is dedicated to honoring the R&B musicians that I appreciate the most. However, there are artists in other genres that I really love. Nipsey Hussle definitely deserves a tilt of the brim.

Nipsey Hussle was a name that I heard quite a bit before 2019. Unfortunately, I never took the time to explore his musical genius. In mid-March Nipsey appeared on DJ Khaled’s track, Higher, along with John Legend. I absolutely loved his verse on the track. And that was my first real exposure to his musical talent. Higher was released about two weeks before Nip was gunned down in the streets of South Los Angeles. His verse on Higher and his death gave me the curiosity to take a listen to the rest of his work.

I started with Victory Lap. And honestly, I have been stuck on that album for about a year. I also listened to Crenshaw. Checc Me Out, The Weather, and Don’t Take Days Off are all hot tracks, but that Victory Lap album left a huge impression of me. That has been my go to album for about a year when I’m cruising. This morning, I came across Mailbox Money. The first track Killa is just that. Killa! So, now I’m exploring that album.

I am on a Nipsey Hussle marathon today. Listening to his music inspired me to pay tribute to Nipsey today. He may be gone, but his music helps us to never forget him or his work within the community.

Bullets Ain't Got No Name, Vol. 1 — 2013

Bullets Ain't Got No Name, Vol. 2 — 2013

It wasn’t only that he was young and beloved or that he was a father of two who was in a relationship with actress Lauren London. Hussle (whose given name was Ermias Asghedom) was lauded through his life not just for his music but also for his service to the black community.

— Zeba Blay, HuffPost

While most folks look at the Crenshaw neighborhood where he grew up and see only gangs, bullets, and despair, Nipsey saw potential. He saw hope. He saw a community that, even through its flaws, taught him to always keep going. His choice to invest in that community rather than ignore it – to build a skills training center and a coworking space in Crenshaw; to lift up the Eritrean-American community; to set an example for young people to follow – is a legacy worth of celebration.

— Former President Barack Obama

What’s your favorite Nipsey Hussle album and track?

CEO Motivation: You Get To

You don’t have to do it; you get to do it.

Entrepreneurs and business builders have a ton of things to do on a daily basis. It is 100% natural to feel overwhelmed with the day-to-day grind of building, growing, and leading. Give yourself permission to feel the way that you do. However, don’t get stuck there. Whenever you hit that point in your day, week, month, or year, I want you to take a step back.

Breathe.

And remind yourself that you do not HAVE to build a business; you GET to build a business. Be proud of your decision to deliver services to a customer base that needs you. Also, be proud of the fact that you are providing employment opportunities that allow families to grow and thrive. Your stress levels should be coming down and allowing you to think a bit more clearly.

Now, start a list of things that you need to get done. Set a goal to finish two per day. Have fun and enjoy the process, because you are fulfilling your dreams.

Talk to you soon,

Sinead Harnett

All R&B is moving to rnbarchives.com. Please Follow & Share.

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Active: 2011 to Present
Hometown: Finchley, London
Genre: R&B/Soul

Bio: Sinead Harnett is one of the many extremely talented British-born singers whose talent has reached a global audience. She made a huge splash with the release of If You Let Me (Acoustic), but her raise to prominence came after being featured on Wiley’s Walk Away. With the release of only one mixtape and two full length albums, Harnett is just getting started. The sky is the limit for her.

Albums

Avant

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Active: 1999 to Present
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Genre: R&B/Soul

Bio: Avant has been blessing us with hits since the independent release of Separated in 1998 and the remake of René and Angela’s My First Love featuring KeKe Wyatt. He has had at least two singles and two albums reach the top 10 in their respective categories. And with the 2020 release of Can We Fall In Love, Avant’s two decade career continues to be special.

Albums