Fly! July 8, 2009

With broken wings she tried to fly

Her aim was straight, the goal so high.

She’d seen the others glide and soar,

far, out and over the ocean’s shore.

She too wanted to spread her wings

and do all sorts of magnificent things.

But in her mind she was stuck in the past

and could not move beyond the looking glass.

Although her wings were healed and well,

           she still relives that day she fell.

She only rememebers the pain of flying

when her wings and her spirit were broken from trying.

If only she would break out and try

she’d see that her only limit was the sky.

~Tamara L. Redfern 7/8/09

Commit to a lifetime of learning!

Teacher~Tamara

© 2009 Teacher~Tamara ™.  All rights reserved.

 

 

Use what you got to get what you want! July 7, 2009

$17,500 Nintendo game

Good Morning! I am up and at ‘em nice and early trying to keep up with my new growth project of daily blogging for an entire month (see NaBloPoMo page on the right for more info).

Something that caught my eye this morning was an article on the front page of Yahoo! that lists this rare 1990 Nintendo game selling for $17,500! As the old saying goes “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”.  Amazingly enough there can be an unlimited amount of extra cash awaiting you inside your closets drawers and old toys stored in the attic, basement or garage. Even if you don’t have a rare item that can list for $25,000 (like this was on Ebay) you can still manage to find a few items here and there to sell, trade or consign which can all add up to money in the bank.

Other ways of getting more for less can be found on recycling sites like freecycle.com. You can find treasures keep and use or sell them. The only limit is your imagination  Remember a penny saved is a penny earned!

Anyone else have other ways to generate some easy cash with a little investment of time?  Every little bit adds up!

Commit to a lifetime of learning!

Teacher~Tamara

© 2009 Teacher~Tamara ™.  All rights reserved.

July Weddings July 6, 2009

by J. Groff

Summertime is made for celebrations and family gatherings but there is just something special about a July wedding.

 There  have been 3 wedding celebrations in the past 3 days! MashaAllah I LOVE WEDDINGS!!! I can not express the beauty and joy of witnessing  a bride celebrate one of the most special days of her life. It’s a heartwarming experience and it always brings back lovely memories and joy of every wedding I have attended.  

My love affair with weddings officially began at age 6.  My mom’s best friend was getting married and I wore a  pink miniature cinderella wedding dress. It had little pink roses on the sash around the waist and down the front. Sewn into the hem were small bells that softly tinkled as I swished and danced around and around. If you ask me what my auntie was wearing that day I honestly could not tell you because on that day, in my mind, I was the bride.

Since then I have been swept off my feet by every love story-romantic-wedding movie there has been. Off the top of my head some of my favorites were: 7 Brides for 7 Brothers, The Sound of Music (nice wedding scene at the end), The Best Man, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, My Best Friend’s Wedding, and my favorite to date -27 Dresses (who in their right mind could resist being in 27 weddings!!! ooooohhhh just the thought gives me goosebumps!!)

Family, friends and neighbors all come together to celebrate and welcome the new couple. The little girl in the princess dress who dreamed of being bride has finally had her moment to shine and become the Queen Bride. Beautiful.

May Allah bless and protect the newly formed couples! Don’t you just love weddings?

Committed to a lifetime of loving weddings

Teacher~Tamara

© 2009 Teacher~Tamara ™.  All rights reserved.

a little bit goes a long way July 5, 2009

A Red Red Rose for You! by Tamara L. Redfern

Compassion, Courtesy, Kindness, Sweetness, Happiness, Love, Ice cream (well maybe not ice cream) a little bit of most good things can go a long way.

Holding the door for someone behind you while sharing a smile. Picking up something for someone that they accidentally dropped. Helping a neighbor do chores for free. Paying a minimal toll for the car behind you. Small things that add up to a lifetime of good and happy moments.

Allah says in the Quran in Surah Al ’Ankabut ( the Chapter The Spider):

وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَنُكَفِّرَنَّ عَنْهُمْ سَيِّئَاتِهِمْ وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَحْسَنَ الَّذِي كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ (29:7) : 29:7 (Y. Ali) Those who believe and work righteous deeds,- from them shall We blot out all evil (that may be) in them, and We shall reward them according to the best of their deeds.

Like rain drops on roses and whiskers on kittens,  bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens, wild gees that fly with the moon on their wings small deeds are a few of my favorite things. InshaAllah they will help us all grow and attain ultimate success in this life and the next.

What are some small deeds that you like to share with others? Let us know and maybe we can learn a few new habits.

Commit to a lifetime of learning!

Teacher~Tamara

© 2009 Teacher~Tamara ™.  All rights reserved.

What’s your ripple like? June 26, 2009

by Adam Hart-Davis

 

 

 A stone skims over the top and lands centered in a body of water. The ripples extend with each passing moment until they reach the watery edge. Every creature within has been affected by the rippling water…affected by the stone…affected by the hand that threw it.

 Just like a body of water we have the capacity to be a medium. One stone thrown into our day can immediately affect not only us and our small circle of influence but it can immensely affect any and everyone around us. Creating a continuous momentum that can be lead back to one event.

The single hand throwing a stone is life. One can never be sure what life will throw at us. However we have the capacity to choose. We either allow the stone to cause a wonderful ripple effect of charity, happiness, love and good tidings or we use it as an excuse to perpetuate wrongs that have been done unto us, to seek revenge or to gloomily sulk around.

Focusing on the future and passing along a good or dwelling in the past and missing the opportunity at hand. Either path we choose we are a means of carrying a message. Our ripples have the ability to emit positivity and beauty, blessing others with their presence or they can simply be a disturbance unto others spreading negative energy. The choice is ours.

Teacher~Tamara

Commit to a lifetime of learning!

© 2009 Teacher~Tamara ™.  All rights reserved.

Success Strategy #3:Don’t let ‘em steal your joy! April 27, 2009

Don't Let 'Em Steal Your Joys! T. Redfern

 

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.

Author Kent Keith (source RecoveryEmporium.com)

 

My grandmother used to always say “Don’t let ‘em steal your joy” and that phrase has kept me positive and moving many days when it seemed like  someone really was trying to steal my joy.  It reminds me of a major life lesson No one can take from you what you are not willing to give away.

As the wonderful words of wisdom above have detailed no matter what you do there will always be someone somewhere who may be unhappy with it, may not like you for it, may want to tear it down, and may want to cause you harm. Don’t let them steal your joy, do what Allah swt has inspired you to do and do it to best of your capabilities keeping in mind it was never about them anyway.  

Success Strategy #3- Don’t let them steal your joy! Strive to do good for the sake of Allah and Success will be yours!

Commit to a lifetime of learning!

Teacher~Tamara

Be Committed:Secrets to Success Strategy#2 April 16, 2009

Roqaya Al Gassra

Don’t Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don’t you quit.

 

 Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow–
You may succeed with another blow.

 

 Often the goal is nearer than,
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor’s cup,
And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out–
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit–
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.
- Author unknown

 

 

My entire life it seems has been framed by this poem, as I am typing this post I just remembered one of the first places I’d read it was in my childhood living room over two decades ago! I do believe my mother was my first self-help guru! MashaAllah, I know she has always been a source of inspiration.
So what’s the big deal behind this not quitting thing anyway? Why is it so important? It’s all about commitment. Commitment is what’s going to keep you at it when, not if the going gets tough. Commitment is… knowing that your goal or desired result is worth the effort and being faithful enough to dedicate yourself to seeing it through.

As you are coming to know, Teacher Tamara loves a good equation! (I really enjoyed algebra in school) so here is our commitment breakdown.

Knowledge+Effort+Faith=Commitment.

To really get a good understanding of what we are talking about here we need to clarify our own working definition of each term.
1. Knowledge of what you want-ex. Your goal
2. Exerting the required effort to reach completion- ex. Your actions
3. Being faithful believing that your goal will be achieved- ex. Seeing yourself reaching your goal

~Working it out ~Going the extra mile ~Raising the bar ~Pushing the limits ~Reaching for the stars

BEING COMMITTED to your goal is essential to achieve success in any endeavor. Like the athletes who push father and strive harder to do their personal best in the Olympics, we are our own measuring stick. We can only truly compete and win against ourselves (jihad an nafs–the struggle of the self). True struggle and true success reside in the same place – inside ourselves.

 
What are your thoughts on commitment and success?

 

Roqaya Al-Gassra

 A  picture is worth a thousand words…

 

Commit to a lifetime of learning!
Teacher~Tamara

© 2009 Teacher~Tamara ™. All rights reserved.

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Ready, Set, Write! November 21, 2008

Here is a mind clearing activity I do with my writing students. It can be about a specific topic or free-styled. You can give it a time limit or leave it open ended. It’s also a great slumber party game for the little girl in all of us!

Today I want you to share 10 things you really like that most people don’t know!  Don’t make it more difficult than it has to be! Okay?

 In 60 seconds or less some things I really like but most people don’t know are:

1. Post-it notes of various shapes and sizes especially the unique ones! Not just the regular yellow squares. The most unique one I saw was a footprint.

2. Emoticons 

3. learning new words sometimes I will read the dictionary (shhh)  

4. going to the library!

5. The Libary of Congress!!! A must see if you are ever in the DC area

6. butterflies

7. sunflowers

8. the color pink

9. clouds

10. looking into a starry night

 

Reflection: the best thing about this list is that the only thing on here that costs any money are post-its the rest are all free!

Ok now your turn….

What’s your list look like?  READY, SET, WRITE!

Making Maghrib Magic Mindset November 25, 2008

A dear sister recently emailed me asking me for advice about keeping up with her salat.  Here is a technique that I have used and have coached with before that has seen wonderful results.

I like to call this one a making maghrib magic mindset for fun.  Just like lots of us have these mp3 players we also can have our “m4″ for our prayers.

If making salat on time has ever been an issue here is a quick tip that has worked wonders for me.  I sit down and go over my prayer pattern. I see which prayer I excel in and then to apply it to all of my salat. For example, I was taught that maghrib only has a small window of time so we shouldn’t delay. Alhumdulillah, this belief is ingrained so when I pray maghrib 90% of the time I don’t mess around. 

 

Now with isha its the opposite.  When everyone else goes to pray, I am usually in the kitchen cooking or cleaning up and I put the prayer off until later. So I have been trying to apply the ”m4″ prayer theory to my isha and so far when I do it works well.

 

What little tricks or tips do you have that help you keep your salaat?

Please share we all can use the blessings!

 

Shining out!

 

Teacher~Tamara

 

She Got Game! February 14, 2009

 

Great summer day. Neighborhood barbecue/birthday party.

Live drummers playing. Basketball courts.

Somehow the girl in us had had enough that day. She wanted out and badly. So in the wide leg dress pants, white long sleeve tee, floral printed headscarf and pale green abayah the game began. First we just aimlessly threw the ball at the net, nervously laughing at our silly selves. Then the “I used to play in college” (Umm Daniel) and the “I come from a family of female athletes” (Teacher~Tamara) came out.

Her name was Umm Daniel and we both were in the park with our sons letting them get out some energy.

We were just in town visiting friends and didn’t know anyone there but it was too nice of a day not to play outside.

The kids ran races, played on the swings, slid down the sliding board, monkey bars etc…

While we did the Mom thing. Holding melting icecreams. Politely chatting about nothing. Fanning flies and mosquitoes. The Mom thing.

Sneakers in the car? Basketball in the trunk. 

Ice creams in the trash. Game on. 

Drums beating. Park crowded. Hot summer day.

Muslimah Moms ballin’?  Priceless.

We left town that day -just visiting, but Umm Daniel if you are out there thanks sis. 

You Got Game!

Shining Out!

Commit yourself to a lifetime of learning!

Teacher~Tamara

 

© 2009 Teacher~Tamara.  All rights reserved.

 

Lesson learned March 27, 2009

 

“This won’t take long, I just wanted to …” she stated softly. 

It was half an hour before magrib and the phone rang. I had just starting browning the ground beef for the tacos and was running back and forth between the kitchen and the phone.  We had just spoken to each other  earlier that day and in passing she mentioned something about a mutual friend. That was basically the jest of the conversation.

SubhannaAllah, a conversation simple and commonplace, yet holding such understated importance. 

She said she wanted to apologize for involving me in her shortcoming of complaining about another believer.  As believers we have to be reminders for each other.  Masha’Allah as soon as she apologized it made me think wow maybe I should apologize too, was I wrong for listening?

Maybe if we actually picture ourselves actually biting that person or think what if we were sitting by and watching passively as someone had their flesh eaten maybe it could help us be stronger and say let’s stop right now before things go any further.

 Some of the lessons I learned here:  

1. No one is perfect, yet the best of us are those who uphold righteous behavior. This is an excellent  example of how to implement this in our daily living. One of the bests way for us to improve ourselves is to self critique (within reason) and increase in the things that will bring us closer to Allah and to decrease in those that will not. 
2. Admitting a mistake not only helps you learn but it helps others as well.When this sister (whom I already admired for her adab/character) MashaAllah, called and apologized to me, it reminded me that I too as a listener had a responsibility as well.
3. Passive backbiting and gossiping is still a sin. How many times have we made the excuse of just listening to someone vent? Is this a valid excuse? Honestly it varies on the situation however if there is no solution to be sought by speaking to another person about the problem or situation then most times it doesn’t lead to much more than backbiting and gossip.

So yes, I was wrong for listening and even more wrong for adding any comments to the conversation. A simple good deed can lead us down the path to paradise and a simple bad deed can lead us towards the hellfire.  May we all be led to the paradise. Amin.

Oh and alhumdullilah I did learn one more thing, later in the week when I was in a similar situation I was able to say let’s stop before we go any further! So alhumdulillah, I learned from that mistake. 

May Allah bless that sister for being courageous enough to stand up and declare truth even against herself. She is an example for many.

As Muslims when we say the shahadah we are accepting an amanah with Allah (swt) that we will not intentionally harm our brother or sister Muslim and that we will uphold upright behavior. GOSSIP and BACKBITING hurts in this life and the next. It does not build or strengthen our sisterhood or our ummah. May Allah forgive us all and help us all to change ourselves. Let’s strive to implement this oft-repeated ayat of Quran:

Q:13:11

Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves.

May we all be helpers to one another in the path and way of Allah!

 

Commit to a lifetime of learning!

Teacher~Tamara

© 2009 Teacher~Tamara ™.  All rights reserved.

 

Secrets to Success Mini-Series April 4, 2009

Hidden Beauty by Tamara L. Redfern

 

 SubhanAllah,we plan and Allah plans and surely He is the best of planners.  As Allah would manifest for the month of April, the SIS series will be postponed. InshaAllah we will return in March with a great interview with an intriguing sister.

  MashaAllah, so far there has been lots of positive feedback on the SIS series.  In additon there have been questions on the key to achieving personal successes.  InshaAllah for the month of April in the place of a featured sister, I will run a Secrets to Success mini-series. 

 The aim of this mini-series is to cover several of the top principles of success and to open discussion in the area of achieving personal success by offering real-life examples and solutions.  That  is where you the reader comes in,  you can have your very own personal questions addressed simply by clicking here and typing in your question. Of course any personal details will remain confidential.

InshaAllah throughout the month I will choose the most often repeated themes and issues and offer practical advice for working through the situation.  The authors of the selected questions will be given an opportunity for a free coaching session at SisterShine LifeCoaching.

We will begin the mini-series with DEFINING PERSONAL SUCCESS.  The best definition for success is one that comes from within you.  Only you can truly judge if your goals and aspirations are enough. Other people looking at your life can only judge by their own paradigm or concept of success.  As we grow and mature experiencing more of life, we will go through several of our own beliefs and definitions of success.

Often our concept of success has changed yet we have not reconciled that within ourselves.  Take a few minutes and ask yourself  the following questions to see how you definition of personal success may have changed over the years.

1. Am I living the life I had planned to live 10 yrs ago?
2. How is my life different than I thought it would be?
3. Am I satisfied with what I currently am doing with my life?
4. What do I want to be doing with my life?
5. What would I be doing right now if I had nothing to limit me?

Please share your answers in the comments or reply here  and we can get the ball rolling!

Commit to a lifetime of learning! 

© 2009 Teacher~Tamara ™.  All rights reserved.

Shining In the Spotlight presents:Entrepreneur, Sister Khadiyja Y. Ali, CEO of Atqana and Associates (final part) June 6, 2009

 

Shining In the Spotlight presents the final part of the exclusive interview with
Entrepreneur Khadiyja Y. Ali  CEO, Atqana +Associates !

 

T~T: Many people use age as an excuse to why they can’t have the life they desire. How do you view age in relation to what you have to offer and gain in business and in life as a whole?

KYA: Age is nothing but a number. But I will say that with age comes wisdom, which is of benefit when it comes to executive decision-making. This is not to say that someone in their 20s cannot be successful in business, but having 10-20 years of business and life experience under your belt is a degree that isn’t bestowed at the age of 25.

T~T: You are currently pursuing your MBA while being a mom to two adolescents. What things inspire you to keep going?

KYA: Honestly, I think I was just built this way – to be diligent in going after my professional pursuits. Actually, I’m pretty driven personally as well.

T~T: How do you attain a sense of inner peace?

KYA: Prayer, supplication and talking to my best friend!
T~T: Three words you tell me what they mean to you? Tenacity, Purpose and Destiny.

KYA:Tenacity means not giving up even when you think everything is against you. Purpose is your mission in life. Destiny is the Qadr (pre-destination or decree of Allah); that which was pre-ordained for you in this life and that if meant for you, will not pass you by, and if meant to pass you by, will not be fall you. Period.

T~T: Please fill in the blanks: ….means the most to me in the work that I do because….

KYA:  Working with small, newly emerging companies because I am able to work with them from inception to market. Also, speaking with disenfranchised women and women’s groups about starting businesses and in turn, transforming their lives.

T~T: Do you have any specific advice for those who have been told that they are too… for their dreams to be possible?

KYA:Yes. As I’ve said before, “never let anyone take your gris-gris!”

T~T: What’s something that you want to leave as your legacy?

KYA:As it relates to my business, leaving my corporation and related entities for my future generations as well as being a socially responsible corporate citizen. As it relates to academics, I would like to fund an endowment for my alma mater, North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, NC. It’s all about sustainability.

T~T: What’s next for Atqana +Associates? Any upcoming engagements or events you’d like to share with us?

KYA:Our blog, Innovation + Marketing View.0, has just launched! IM View.0 is a platform for discussing all aspects of innovation and marketing, whether from a traditional perspective, or inclusive of new media and marketing. The blog is located at http://imviewpoint0.wordpress.com.

I’m also pleased to say that Atqana + Associates has been selected to provide brand management and marketing services to the Man Up Movement, based in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded by songwriter/producer MC Spice, the Man Up Movement is a non-profit organization dedicated to changing the conditions in communities and neighborhoods one block at a time. For more information, check out their website at www.manupmovement.org.

T~T:  My Goal is to use SIS to exemplify how we all can tap into our own personal strengths and use them to magnify Allah (swt). What are your final thoughts about achieving this lifelong challenge?

KYA: Basically, you have to always be true to yourself, know yourself. It’s true that success (whatever your definition may be) will usually come with doing that which you love.

Many thanks to Sister Khadiyja for the interview! May Allah swt continue to give her much success in all her endeavors!

Commit to a lifetime of learning !
Teacher~Tamara
© 2009 Teacher~Tamara ™.  All rights reserved.

Shining In the Spotlight presents: Executive Entrepreneur Extraordinaire! Sister Khadiyja Y. Ali, CEO of Atqana and Associates (pt.2) May 13, 2009

 

Shining In the Spotlight presents part 2 of the exclusive interview with
Executive Entrepreneur Extraordinaire Khadiyja Y. Ali!

Teacher Tamara (T~T): At some point we usually realize this is what I want to do. Sometimes it’s subtle and gradual others times it’s like a light bulb turning on overhead.  What were the defining points that helped you gain clarity about your passion?

Khadiyja Y. Ali (KYA): Although the entity officially launched two years ago, I have been acting as a consultant for years! A few years ago, it dawned on me that I should be doing this professionally. I believe I knew I possessed these capabilities back in undergraduate school, but because the talent was so innate, I didn’t think twice about it. However, the light bulb just “clicked” two years ago and Atqana + Associates was launched.

T~T: Exactly what it is that you do that expresses your talents and passion?

KYA: Nothing special really, except do what has been entrusted to me to fulfill, whether in a more traditional (consulting) or bohemian (creativity) way. Honestly, I’ve never been a conventional person. This is why I so enjoy what I do – it combines the consulting with entrepreneurship and marketing, two areas which are extremely dynamic and exciting. And as an entrepreneur, I’ve always had about 3-4 ideas floating in my head at any given time. Only other entrepreneurs truly understand that this is just how we’re constructed. The brain never rests – something’s always floating around. Yes, you do get those brilliant ideas that come to you at 4:30 in the morning and you have to either record them, either on paper, write them on your hand or record them on your Blackberry.

T~T:  As a life coach, I apply and teach success strategies to individuals helping in defining and supporting their ultimate vision to live their lives to the fullest potential. Have you had professional coaching or used success strategies to motivate yourself?

KYA: My success strategy has simply been to be diligent, believe in myself and keep negative people and thoughts away from me by any means necessary. Never let anyone take your gris-gris (your spirit, essence, that which is closest to your heart). And to sit back and regroup when necessary. It’s as simple as that.

T~T: It’s been said you may have to go through 1,000 “No’s” to finally get that 1 “YES” please explain how you would interpret that. What advice would you give others about persistence?

KYA: Believe in yourself and know that you will not receive unless you strive for it and unless it’s meant. And that rewards lie with the patient and persevering. You should know also yourself and your strengths as well as areas for growth. Always look at the big picture and like Stephen Covey says, “start with the end in mind”.

Come back soon for part 3!

Commit to a lifetime of learning !
Teacher~Tamara
© 2009 Teacher~Tamara ™  All rights reserved.

Shining In the Spotlight presents: Executive Entrepreneur Extraordinaire! Sister Khadiyja Y. Ali, CEO of Atqana and Associates May 4, 2009

 

Hello Everyone!  I hope you enjoyed our interim Secrets to Success series, InshaAllah ( God willing) the series will be continued at a later date. Now with out further ado, I welcome you back to our monthly special series: Shining In the Spotlight!  This month we will be featuring: Khadiyja Y. Ali, CEO of Atqana and Associates !

 Marketing and development are integral elements in the foundation of a successful business endeavor.  This month we will get to know the mastermind executive entrepreneur extraordinaire Sister Khadiyja Y. Ali.  Enjoy the interview while learning more about this dynamic sister and where her inspiration to succeed originates! With everyone starting a business these days, there’s no doubt that she will have a word or two of excellent advice. 

Welcome Back to Shining In the Spotlight! 

 
Teacher~Tamara (T~T): Please share some information about yourself, your occupation, family and educational background.

Khadiyja Y. Ali (KYA): I was raised in Greensboro, North Carolina and suburban Boston, Massachusetts. I had the fortune to live in Europe when I was young (Germany, Italy and France) as well as Alaska, which is my favorite place even to this day. I can honestly say that my living experiences brought rich culture to my life, which somewhat shaped my choice of profession.

When I lived in Alaska, my father would bring me and my sister dolls from around the world. The eyes of a little girl drank in all of the cultures of countries like Japan and Spain, for example, and created a desire to learn about the people, languages and cultures of the world. My father was an Air Force Major way back in 1969, which was a major accomplishment for a black man at that time. He was also a squadron commander. Commissioned from North Carolina A&T State University (my alma mater as well), he possessed leadership skills as a young man.

My mother returned to school after the death of my father in 1971 and earned her Bachelors’ (from A&T), Masters and Ph.D (from Boston University). This was no easy feat as a single woman, much less African American then. These traits of leadership and strength as well as intellect, I believe, I inherited from both of my parents.

It’s noteworthy to mention that as a little girl living in Alaska in the late 1960s, TV shaped my decision to engage in international business in the future. You see, at that time, the people on TV who seemed important were either businessmen or doctors. There were women, but they were nurses or housewives. I told myself, “One day, I will be one of those important people”. So along with the traits from my parents, the thirst for knowledge of the world around me and what I saw on TV, I have been brought to where I now stand.

These influences, along with the ever changing world of business, also were part of the reason why I chose to pursue my MBA at the University of Maryland University College, with an expected graduation date of December 2009. While pursuing an MBA is not a requirement as an entrepreneur, it has accentuated my strengths and greatly enhanced areas of mine that required growth. Additionally, since the world of business is constantly evolving, I have found it a great asset to obtain current knowledge of theory in areas like management, operations and finance while incorporating current knowledge gained into daily operations and executive decision making.

T~T:  MashaAllah, you are an entrepreneur extraordinaire can you explain how and when you got bite with the business bug?

KYA: The bug bit me when I was a kid in Alaska watching TV. Actually, the show that greatest influenced me was Bewitched. I saw plenty of cool businessmen on TV with their suits and briefcases…but the coolest were on Bewitched. Plus, they worked in advertising, the quintessential profession and took long lunches!

 

T~T : Who in your life inspired and influenced you to be all that you have become today?

 KYA: My parents first, but I had two very influential professors at North Carolina A&T State University. The first is Dr. Japhet Nkonge, Chairman of the Department of Marketing, who told me (at that time), that although I was pursuing a degree in management, I really needed to be in marketing! He was right! The second was Andre Vonsiatsky, an accountant by trade, but professor of a class called “Small Business Management”. To this date, that was my favorite class, besides my marketing classes.

I was given the name Khadijah [RA] by a brother, Abu Saif (may Allah have mercy upon him), whom I met in the early 90s. Because of her qualities – noble character, one of the four perfect women and of course, an excellent businesswoman, she is the ultimate role model for me as a Muslim woman.

T~T:  In any basic business frame work you must have a vision and mission, what are your life’s visions and missions?

 KYA:  On a business level, it is to continue to be active in my business units, although in the future I will likely step back from some activities. However, in affairs relating to international business, marketing and culture, I will always be closely involved, as they are my biggest areas of interest and core competencies. The success of women and minorities is also important to me. All of my current and future initiatives are developed for the purpose of fulfilling these objectives.

Academically, I would like to fund an endowment to my alma mater (North Carolina A&T State University). That school was key in bringing me to where I am…and the praise and glory, of course, is all due to Allah. On a spiritual level, I would like for my sadaqah [charity] to be pleasing to Allah and that He accept my efforts, knowing my heart really is to help others and this is the driving force behind current and future initiatives related to our corporate social responsibility.

T~T:  How has this vision helped to shape what you do as a CEO of your organization?

KYA: The name Atqana, derived from the Arabic verb “itqan”, means “He (Allah) perfected”. The noun “atqana” itself means “the ability to arrange or dispose of with art to achieve perfect results”. Since this quality has been placed in me, it’s just my nature to construct the best solutions and strategies for my clients.
Or to take what tasks I am charged with in this life, be they business or otherwise and fulfill the obligations with which I have been entrusted. I strive to achieve this in consulting or when I have speaking engagements.

 

T~T:  How is your mission manifested into daily living for you?

KYA: Simply by living and trying to fulfill the responsibilities with which I have been entrusted. Throughout the course of the day, there’s always some strategic planning going on for each and/or any of my business units. I took a leadership assessment as part of my leadership development and coaching, which revealed that I am as much traditional as I am creative. I was shocked to learn that, but then again, not really. The “traditional” part is the consultant, which also manifests in my love of writing; the “creative” part is expressed in my appreciation of art, beauty, language, culture and literature. I try and give my best every day, be it on a business or personal level. And of course, I’m always striving to better myself. My life and the description of “atqana” are intertwined.

Stay tuned for pt 2 of this exclusive interview series with Executive Entrepreneur Extraordinaire!

Khadiyja Y. Ali, CEO of Atqana and Associates!

Commit to a lifetime of learning!

Teacher~Tamara

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