Leading, Not Laying Down

When you own a business, there is no such thing as downtime, especially when your business is built around helping other businesses grow. Entrepreneurship requires a level of commitment, resilience, and determination that doesn't always leave room for an off switch.

I've owned my marketing firm, Bern & Chris Business Solutions, for nearly seven years and have worked in the marketing industry for more than 12 years. Throughout that journey, I've had the opportunity to meet and work with people from all walks of life. I've encountered individuals who are quick to throw in the towel when faced with challenges that don't have an immediate solution. Then there are those who view setbacks as opportunities to grow, improve, and become better leaders for themselves, their businesses, and the people around them.

One individual who immediately comes to mind when I think about leadership through adversity is Ebonie Bledsoe, Founder and CEO of POM by ARI Cosmetics.

Ebonie's beautiful online store did not come from such a beautiful beginning.

Several years ago, what began as a routine doctor's appointment quickly turned into unfamiliar and life-changing territory. An ambitious businesswoman suddenly found herself navigating a lupus diagnosis and the challenges that came along with it.

The changes in her skin brought on by lupus presented a new challenge. Finding makeup that not only enhanced her natural beauty but also accommodated her skin's needs seemed nearly impossible. After more than a year of searching for products that worked for her, Ebonie decided to stop looking for a solution and create one.

Out of that frustration came something beautiful. What began as a personal need became the foundation for POM by ARI Cosmetics.

Fast-forward to today, and Ebonie is doing more than building a cosmetics brand. She's demonstrating what it looks like to take an unexpected turn in life and use it as fuel to pursue something greater.