We had the good fortune of connecting with Makisha Boothe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Makisha, how do you think about risk?
Sure, as an entrepreneur, risk-taking comes with the territory – but business ventures have never been the scariest risks for me because once I decide to go after something, I design a game plan, and I really believe in my heart that nothing’s going to stop me. So I bet on myself and I think everybody I approach should too. But there are two types of risks that I have found very scary. The first is when I’m confronted with whether I’m going to be authentically me in a world that is not designed to accept me – as a Black woman. Risks have looked like me speaking up with an unpopular truth, me holding an institution or person accountable to the values they say they live by, me being the lone, dissenting voice in a room. The second type of risk involves me challenging my own limiting beliefs, learning to let go of controlling every aspect of a process and learning to trust others even after being hurt or betrayed. I’m learning to remember that my greatest power is in finding my sea legs – you know, finding my calm in a storm. Once I act from that place – versus a place of anxiety and fear, I find that my risk-taking is rooted in grounded, confident, woke decisions. I also work hard to detach myself from needing material things and approval from others. This helps because I’m not as scared to lose. I will say this though, you can’t take a risk with one foot out the door. If you’re going for something – go all the way.

What should our readers know about your business?
Sistahbiz is business accelerator for Black women in business. Our mission and vision is to create small group activities for Black women entrepreneurs that help each other win and play big in business. I founded the organization to close the gap in entrepreneurship for Black women solopreneurs and micro-businesses, the fastest growing group of businesses in the country but among the least funded and lowest earning groups of entrepreneurs. I didn’t just want to provide technical assistance and coaching, but also a dedicated space where Black women are heard, validated and understood, where they can heal, grow and manage the realities of entrepreneurship, while gaining free and affordable access to coaching, technical assistance and capital. What excites me most about Sistahbiz is the idea that it will live past my work in the organization, and have a multi-generational impact. I see the women in our network breaking chains, cycles of poverty, and building wealth. I see our network modeling what it looks like to successfully recycle the Black dollar within a smaller ecosystem. I see our reach being global. I don’t even think “easy” is in my vocabulary. Nothing about my journey has been easy, though I am grateful because I know I’m blessed. I’ve worked hard, I’ve learned a lot, I’ve made a ton of mistakes. I’ve found purpose, fulfillment and my voice. Like Michelle Obama, though, I’m still “becoming”, every day. Some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is how fragile people are and how important but complex relationships and communication are. I’ve learned that knowing my body, detoxing and keeping a dedicated mind-body-spirit self-care practice are key to my ability to live the life I want and walk in my purpose. I’ve learned how hard but critical forgiveness, compassion and grace are. I’ve also learned that most of these lessons I’ve mentioned don’t have a destination point where you’ve done it, but require ongoing and consistent daily self-work and patience with their layers of complexity.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Ok. So I would take them to Mimosa’s on Welton for good soul food, Whittier Cafe or Endless Grind for coffee and chill vibes, and Simply Pure for some CBD treats – everybody that comes to Colorado wants the Cannabis tour (LOL)! I’d take them to the new Gun Range in Five Points, a Sistahbiz Girl Gang Happy Hour, a good workout at FIT & NU, and a yoga session with Kinyata at Remembrance Yoga. I’d probably order us a vegan cake from Angie’s vegan cakes and maybe ask Chef Lisa Givens or Sentoria to cater a small dinner party. I’d likely try to find out where Konjo’s Ethiopian food truck are too. Finally, I’d probably schedule a fun photo shoot with The Female Shoota. All of these businesses are owned by sistahpreneurs in our city! Other outings would involve Foxy Brown ice cream at Smith and Canon’s on Colfax, hiking excursions in Boulder at Mount Sanitas or Hanging Lake in Glenwood Springs, and charbroiled oysters and wine on 6th avenue at Angelo’s.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to shout out all of the entrepreneurs in the Sistahbiz Global Network! The women in our village inspire me. They are Black women entrepreneurs who are blazing trails, conquering against all odds and modeling sisterhood every day. I also want to shout out my biological sisters and close inner circle of women in my life. They remind me that I am blessed, loved, worthy and capable whenever things get cloudy.

Website: www.sistah.biz
Instagram: www.instagram.com/sistahbiz
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/37521368/admin/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/sistahbiz
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sistahbiz
Yelp: n/a
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIaDMyS8yOxrt7E3J_ComPA

Image Credits
Photo Credit: The Female Shoota

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