Today’s guest is Jennifer LaFrance, a Happy Black Woman based out of New Orleans. Jennifer is a life coach and entrepreneur with the mission to encourage, inspire and educate women. Jennifer developed her mission while she journeyed into her best life, and now coaches others on their journeys. The “encourage” aspect of the mission is about offering support to women as they realize their value.  Jennifer “inspires” by being an example herself, and connecting women to others who have traveled similar paths.  The “education” piece teaches women how to tap into their inner strength and increase clarity and focus so they can live their best life.  Sound like a mission you could get onboard with? This conversation paints a picture of how a life coach works with clients to understand the blocks preventing them from seeing their potential. Jennifer uncovers the mental tapes women play over and over in their heads of things they cannot do.  She tackles these thoughts one chunk at a time in line with your goals. Listen in on lessons to change your way of thinking and start creating your ideal life.   Moving from the sidelines of life, into the game.   Jennifer knows that she is the reason she started her business.  She found herself sitting on the sidelines of life, disillusioned and uninvolved in her own life. She had a job, but no fulfillment. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina caused her even more disillusionment.  Jennifer lost all of her material possessions.  She lived through the devastation of her whole world. Jennifer turned inward to thoughts of “Now what?” and “What is the purpose for my life?”  She could not fully embrace herself, because she was so distant from who she truly was.  Jennifer wrestled with these questions until 2011, when her company reorganized and eliminated her position. It was a force she could not control, but turned out to be the perfect time to embrace discovering what she wanted to do with her life.  Jennifer’s business was born out of wanting to help others embrace their life and get off the sidelines-before life forced them to. Have you ever found yourself watching from the sidelines when you should be in the game, doing the things you love? Be sure to tune into this episode of Happy Black Woman   Drop the excuses and start daydreaming.   Do you need to rediscover yourself and get back in the game?  Jennifer says the key is simple: allow yourself to daydream.  Remove the excuses, the details, the logistics and think about what you would if you could achieve whatever it is you are passionate about regardless of things like time and money. As risky and silly as it felt, Jennifer made a list of her dreams.  She was only working part-time, feeling like financial security was more relevant that daydreaming.  Today, Jennifer is able to offer examples of dreams realized that started out on that scribbled list. She worked day by day and sought help from outside her own brain. As someone who has tasted success, she recommends finding a life coach, or at least a friend who understands and supports you. An outside source can help you think through the barriers in your brain and help your dreams manifest.  Having accountability helps Jennifer get unstuck and off the sidelines. Are you ready to make a list and put action to your dreams?   Embracing your failures is the foundation to moving forward.   Jennifer’s business was born out of her own journey, but how does she stay the course?  She keeps her day fluid, because she took the time to get to know herself, her best self.  She found out that she’s critical and hard on herself when operating on a tight schedule.  She needs to be able to enjoy the process of becoming an entrepreneur.  She used to work straight through the day, but now makes sure to inject creative thoughts into her day. Jennifer is full of inspirational messages, both to keep herself going and to encourage her clients.  She reads, blogs, and writes to stay in line with her mission of encouraging, inspir