Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Carmen Thomas:
It’s an honor to speak with you today. Why don’t you give us some details about you and your story. How did you get to where you are today?
My journey began living in the projects for the first 10 years of my life, and then to building a brand new home on the same street as my grandparents with a divorced mom, and being the oldest daughter and granddaughter to my grandparents who were pillars in the community. My grandmother owner a beauty shop in the 60’s and my grandfather was a union steward who had side a hustle selling cars. I grew up watching my grandmother design fashion with her friends, custom design her furniture, and most of all give love and encouragement to every beautiful woman who sat in her chair. I was privileged to listen to the women share their stories filled with so much laughter. I knew I was going to do something really great with women in my life because I saw how engaging their conversations were and how important it was for women to be encouraged and made to believe in themselves. That was what my grandmother did for everyone she encountered even for her family and community. She was the gift that God gave to us and I still see her smiling and reminding me how important it is to follow your heart. You can accomplish whatever you put your mind to and I have carried that with me forever.
I’m sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way?
I had to learn early in life to believe that I can do anything. Nothing was impossible for me, even when I made bad decisions. Which I’ve made quite a few of in my past. Learning to move forward after loss was tough. At the age of 12 my father died and so did my best friend, but I chose to move forward to live and hold on to great memories. I was divorced in my late 20’s without being able to hire an attorney, I found resources to do it myself and became a single mom to two beautiful daughters, I chose to move forward to live; my daughters and I had to face the struggle of low income, single parent with no place to live, but I chose to live and we did.
I owned a Real Estate Company and then the recession hit and I was left with almost a million dollars of debt and a 5000 square feet custom built home to unload, and it wasn’t easy but I survived with thoughts of telling myself, the situation does not define me.
I’ve worked with all white leaders where I had a seat at the table, but not valued for my voice, I survived and thrived to learn how to navigate several positions of being the only Black Woman in the room.
Each challenge I overcame has prepared me for the next challenge and believe that I’m Unstoppable. My advice: No one can stop you, but you!
Let’s talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in and why should someone work with you over the competition?
I show women how to design their lives by learning how to apply emotional intelligence daily. I assist them with believing they have everything they need to live their best life. I teach them to maximize every God given gift they have to create systems, legacies and become recession proof.
I have an executive career in the daytime, a non-profit for women, a women empowerment membership group, investment biz, coaching, and real estate and economic development business.
You should work with me because I teach what I’ve mastered and love what I do. I only work with people who are serious. I succeed when you succeed and if you are not ready to create your wealthy life plan and invest in your future and family, then I’m not the person for you, because you must believe, and prepare and train your mind to be great with being great.
What’s your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success in their life?
Believe in yourself, take risk and always compete against yourself daily and reward yourself. Remind yourself that failure is not failure unless you quit and quitting is not included in your legacy.
Always remember to give yourself permission to be great! You are Unstoppable!
Speaking of success, what does the word mean to you?
Success is more than the word defined in the dictionary!
Success is loving yourself and others, dreaming and believing you can accomplish your dreams, and always finding joy in the little things in life.
What’s next for you?
Empower 1000 successful women entrepreneurs, partner with funders to give over $100,000.00 to women of color in the next 5 years.
Open more Transformation GEMS for Women to start and accelerate their businesses in more communities with community partners.
Continue Women Conferences that engage women to launch into their business and maximize their gifts to live a wealthy life, being wealthy living a recession-proof lifestyle.
Write leadership books, create leadership talks, platforms and build more tables for women to have a seat and dine with more authentic sisters.
Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more?
Transformationgems.com
Unstoppablewomensempire.com
Carmen@transformationbycarmen.com
1-805-994-0822
Facebook Groups: TransformationGEMS Global Sisters Empire
Facebook Groups: Unstoppable Women’s Empire
Instagram: Transformationbycarmen
LinkedIn: Carmen Thomas Lansing
