Jessica Styles is a South Carolinian who has taken New York City by storm. Styles is the Founder and CEO of The FAB Network, a consulting firm that caters to students and professionals.  Less than two years after its official launch, The FAB Network has implemented an after-school program in the Bronx and helped numerous young professionals pursue their dream jobs.  “Helping individuals to realize their passions and connecting them with the appropriate resources is the entire game plan for FAB!” she says.

After interning at Donna Karan, Bad Boy and BET, Styles began working at MTV and two years later she landed a job working for legendary fashion house Givenchy.  While working at Givenchy, Styles became passionate about starting a non-profit and started aligning herself with opportunities to learn the business. She concluded that her idea was better suited as an LLC. “I have always had ideas that didn’t exist, entrepreneurship always haunted me . . . I could never escape it so I stopped fighting it!” The FAB Network launched in August 2009.

Perseverance is an attribute that Styles instills in her clients and this trait has been honed from personal experience. After accepting the position at Givenchy, she was told that one of the job requirements was having a car. Three days prior to starting work, the car that her parents had purchased for her was hit by another car. “I ended up having to rent a car for my 1st day of work and when I went to pick up the car, Enterprise refused to rent it to me because of a previous incident in high school. I had to be in Long Island in 2 hours on my 1st day of work with NO WAY TO GET THERE! I called my mom as I stood on the side of the street bawling, literally! She told me to hop in a cab and she would pay me back (my tab ended up being $180).” Jessica Styles has endured professional challenges but nonetheless she came out on top! Her commitment to individuals is compelling and heartfelt. No other word can describe her other than FAB.

Advice for young BD’s:

If there was one thing you wish someone shared with you about being a successful woman, what would it be?

Always expect to be challenged in ways you’d never imagine. It’s just part of the route to achieving personal greatness. Don’t be alarmed by how many times you want to give up, just know that God will make a way, right when you believe it’s too hard!

On balancing work and personal life:

When I start to feel overwhelmed or tired, I take out time for me to rejuvenate myself. Being outdoors, walking/jogging, water, writing, talking, shopping and traveling all help me to balance work and play!

Tips for young professionals on a budget:

Only buy what you need and when you do decide to splurge, buy basic items that you know you will kill and will totally be worth your investment.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Hmmm…. Late night snacks (definitely!), chips, dancing like no one is watching and the rest are secrets (I can’t blow my cover) ha!

She’s a mother, a GM exec, an avid shopper, and it’s her belief in God that helps her hold it together. Jocelyn Allen is one of those women that reminds us that with hard work and faith, nothing is impossible.

A graduate of Notre Dame and Wayne State University, Allen began her career in film production, working on films being produced by Oliver Stone and Penny Marshall. She continued working in the entertainment industry as the assistant director at WDIV- Channel 4 in Detroit and from there began forging a relationship with General Motors (GM) as a freelance production assistant. Allen has been with GM for 12 years and is now Director of Regional, Grassroots, and Diversity Communications.

Advice for young BD’s:

On balancing work and personal life: “You have to learn to be comfortable with saying no; you have to make a conscious decision to put barriers around those things that are most important to you and protect them.” An invaluable piece of advice for young women: “Success doesn’t come without sacrifice.”

What makes this Diva so Fab? She’s gives back. She founded an organization entitled “Divas 4 Life” after witnessing what she calls the “generational curse.” A generational curse results from lack of exposure to opportunities being passed down from parents to children. Through her organization Allen offers children educational and career opportunities that would otherwise be inaccessible. Founded in 2002, Divas 4 Life works specifically with girls ages 8-18 to develop key life and professional skills through workshops on self-esteem, public speaking training, and an annual retreat. Despite her many professional accomplishments, Allen claims her life’s work would not be complete without her foundation. Her service to the community is one of her greatest achievements. “Success is finding the space in life that God wants you to occupy and then being a vessel to help others get to their right place in the universe” she says.

For more information about Divas 4 Life visit www.divas4life.org

Earlier this week I was beginning a new project for my company.  While thinking and trying to wrap my brain around the project, I decided that I needed to seek outside assistance…a counselor.  So, I got on my computer and began emailing various companies and government resources that were available on-line.

I then moved on to my next task of the day.  Shortly after, I spoke to my boyfriend and he asked what I was doing.  I explained that I was undertaking this new project and had just reached out to the various entities, to seek their counsel.  He explained that it was not necessary.  While talking about the process with him, he said everything you just said to me about how you think you need to go about doing the project, is what you need to be doing.

I had completely forgotten that his former position required him to do the work that I was seeking outside counsel.  He was very good and had generated lots of money for his business doing this work.  It then made me think about life.  There have been so many times where I’ve reached out to people and sought guidance from mentors, business professionals, co-workers, etc. when I could have asked my mom, friends, classmates, etc.

So, I suggest that we all take a step back and start at home.  Rather than going outside, whether in relationships, business, family, spirituality, see what can be accomplished by starting at the core (home) and then reach further.

I have been longing for MY day for a while.  I have squeezed in massages (50-80 minutes) but not set aside a full day for me in approx. 1.5 years.  So, that is what I did last week.  I spent a full day, 8 hours at the spa at the MGM Grand Detroit.  The day began with my making my fruit smoothie…raw oatmeal, fresh strawberries, blueberries, banana, and vanilla yogurt with ice.  I drank that and arrived at the spa at 11 a.m.  I put on my robe, spotted out a cabana and put my items on it, and then took out my book (The Guy Not Taken by Jennifer Weiner) and read until I fell asleep.  I then decided to switch gears and read my Fundraising Management book.  After about an hour of reading I decided to put on my headphones and listen to jazz; exactly what I needed to put me in the best mood.

Just after doing that, I ordered my soup and salad and enjoyed it!  Shortly after I was called for the first portion of my spa services…80-minute sports massage.  Unfortunately, due to extensive knots in my back (due to sleeping crazy and stress), my massage wasn’t relaxing.  It took the full 80 minutes to get the knots out.

After the massage, I went into the steam room and got ready for my facial.  After my facial, I into the Jacuzzi and enjoyed my last hour at the spa (hour 8).  While in the Jacuzzi, I started thinking about how much more often I need to do that for myself.  I spend a lot of time moving full force with my career, but don’t take the time out to physically and mentally take care of me.  Without good health, and physical and mental freedom, I won’t be able function, keep pressing on with my goals and be successful.

Do the same, I swear it’s a worth-while investment!!!

I haven’t written anything in a few months.  I have using the excuse that I’m too busy with my businesses, travel and school to make any posts, but that’s really not an excuse.  I am happy to say that I started 2011 off right, with eating healthy, doing pilates, going to church and being focused and productive with my days.

Last week, I took time out to focus on me and what I want out of 2011.  I wrote a vision for myself as well as measurable goals.  I then went home, wrote them down on poster board and posted them in my office, in front of my face.  I will have to see my vision and goals on a daily basis.  I later took a pile or magazines from my house, cut out photos of where I see myself in the future and made a vision-board.

I am really going to put forth the effort to take time out of my day to do something that makes me relaxed and happy…writing.  I encourage you to do the same.  We have only one life and should do what’s necessary to stay sane, relaxed whole.