“I started my first business when I was 18, and in that moment in time I always knew that I would be an entrepreneur,” said former Majic 100.3 midday personality Selena J. “So this was not a surprise to me. Autonomy was always the goal.”
On Saturday she will aid others in taking the same leap of faith and self-investment by way of her company, Holistic Health Fitness and Life Success Group, with the BYOB (Be Your Own Boss) workshop Saturday morning (July 20, 9 a.m.) at the Regional Arts Commission.
And while Selena saw the writing on the wall for several years with respect to her transition out of radio, her announcement that she was leaving the airwaves certainly shocked her listeners – that stretched from St. Louis to 30 cities around the U.S. – when she resigned a couple of months back.
People are still wondering why she walked away after climbing through the ranks of radio for more than a decade.
The Centreville, IL native went from a part-time, two-hour a week gig hosting and producing Soulternatives – a popular neo-soul segment she brought to Majic several years ago – to stepping into the shoes of Chaz Saunders as the midday personality and a syndication opportunity that had her on stations around the nation.
Her “Words to Live By” segment offered a personal connection to her listeners while encouraging them through challenges, obstacles and the ups and downs of everyday life.
“I’m a person who believes in living life on my terms and when you have a certain life philosophy and you’re committed to that, no dollar amount or social status can change that,” Selena said. “I did it for as long as I was supposed to do it. And it was all preparation for this moment in time and I believe that that’s how this went.”
An in studio spiritual experience led Selena to submit her resignation and devote her time and talents completely to her Holistic Health Fitness and Life Success Group, an organization she created to help individuals with every aspect of personal growth and fulfillment – from physical to social and professional perspectives and beyond.
“I create classes, workshops and courses and eventually I’ll present conferences on a large scale geared towards enhancing people’s lives in every capacity – hence the name ‘Holistic,’” Selena said.
This weekend she has enlisted seven successful entrepreneurs to help individuals get about the task of building and sustain a successful business.
Presenters from a host of fields will be on hand to provide expertise – from finding direction for a business model to the basic government procedures for establishing proprietorship. A Q&A and networking opportunity are also on the agenda for the three-hour workshop that will also include giveaways of business services and consultations.
“And it’s not just business building – it’s life building. So these people will be there to help others find their path,” Selena said.
Shawn Stevenson, Rachel Jackson-Bramwell and Janet Allen are among the presenters for Saturday’s event.
“When you value yourself, you invest in yourself and you do the things that are going to help you better,” Selena said. “I’m not trying to convince people to want more – they’ve got to want that for themselves. I’m trying to provide resources and pathways for them to get to that more they’re already searching for.”
She sees big things on the horizon on her quest to help others arrive at a destination of happiness and fulfillment. A television talk show, national conferences, and a center that will provide people it serves assistance in every realm of life – from spiritual to physical and educational – are just a few of the things she’s claiming as her future reality via ‘Holistic.’
In the short term – aside from growing ‘Holistic’ full-time – she’ll still be on the scene as spoken word artist (she’s a featured performer for the anniversary fundraiser for Legacy Books and Café on July 26), promoting and presenting “non-toxic” musical artists, social events and she’s working towards completing her “Words to Live By” CD.
It’s as if somehow by stepping outside of her 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. comfort zone she realized those inspirations she spoke and/or wrote of during her time on the radio.
“I’m so happy and fulfilled right now,” Selena said. “This moment is me coming into my own. I have a very clear understanding of who I am, what I want and what I want to contribute to society.
And with that level of focus, I guess it was a combination of universal timing and me being ready to take on the level of responsibility that comes with entrepreneurship – and also the level of responsibility that comes with enriching other people’s lives.”
Holistic Health Fitness and Life Success Group, with the BYOB (Be Your Own Boss) workshop Saturday morning (July 20, 9 a.m.) at the Regional Arts Commission. There will be NO ON SITE participants must register in advance at http://selenaj.com/blog/be-your-own-boss-workshop/. For more information, visit www.selenaj.com or call (314) 441-6929.
