I am sitting on my bed with my Bible open, reading this & crying real tears. I am in this exact season. The debt is unreal, I feel alone, I am building not one but two empires. I can smell the end of the tunnel but I just can’t see it. Then I landed here. Thank you for sharing. I need to read this every single time I feel like giving up.
Wow Shana, I felt every single word of this. Thank you for being so honest.
That space where you can smell the breakthrough but not see it yet? I know it well. The debt, the isolation, the weight of building something bigger than you, it’s can feel so heavy, but you’re still here. And that means you’re still becoming.
God does His best work in the dark, and when the light hits, it’s going to make sense in ways you never imagined. I am rooting for you ✨✨✨
Whew, what a timely and relatable post. I'm currently in my own very uncomforable in-between, and it's messy, sticky, scary, thrilling and motivating. You summarized things so well. I've been around since your Necole B days, and am always so inspired by your grit, tenacity and transformations. Thank you for being so vulnerable and honest. 🙏🏽
I so needed to read 📖 this story!! Thank you so much for sharing and being wholeheartedly honest, and vulnerable in continuing to share your story surrounding the challenges many of us face in life.🥹💕 👏🏽
Thank you, we all need those reminders. I'm on Day 77 of being unemployed with over 100 rejection emails 📧 I keep wondering what is happening here lol. At 45 this is not how I imagined life but I'm calm and trust all is well
Sending you so much love during this time. Even though it may be hard to see, something incredibly beautiful will come out of this season. I was going to write this in another post recently but I'd love to place it here for you. One thing I've started doing as a part of my daily routine, as soon as I wake up, I say "Congratulations Necole" over and over to myself. Some days, I'll grab a journal and write down the page "Congratulations Necole for... " and list out all of the good things that I desire to happen in my life. Example "Congratulations Necole for clearing all of your debts. Congratulations on your engagement! Congratulations on being recognized by < > for... Congratulations on your < > revenue month". And I'll keep going until I can't think of anything else at the moment. I also ask Siri to play "Congratulations" when I walk in my door lol. (It always defaults to the Post Malone and Quavo song). I feel cheesy writing this but it has really helped mentally and I feel like a lot of great things are coming.
I remember coming across Necole Bitchie while browsing the web for Kelis hairstyles and I’ve been down ever since. In a money makes the world go round culture, you never allowed it to strip you of your integrity for the sake of a blog post. I’ve always admired your transparency, your tenacity, your integrity, and most definitely your evolution. Even if XoNecole was never acquired, your work speaks for itself and that’s something no one can ever take from you.
I remember being so excited when Rihanna selected you to do that 7 day run with her lol.
Thank you for sharing your truth and showing us the other side of the game. 💙
I’ve been following you since you launched Necole Bitchie, and watching your evolution has been inspiring - especially during your transparent moments. Thank you for all you’ve done for us, your contributions to the culture♥️ And thank you for sharing this moment in your life because I’m currently in an in-between season and for the first time, it feels like someone out there understands what I’m going through.
Thank you so much for the kind words! I am sending you so much love during this season! I'm still processing a lot of things that happened over the last 15-20 years of life but what I do know is things are making a lot more sense now that I'm on the other side then when I was treading through the fire.
Finally had a moment to catch up on my personal emails and wow…transparency on a 1,000. Keep sharing your story, Necole, and being an inspiration. “We go through to help others get through,” and that’s exactly what you’re doing. We’re rooting for you and forever grateful for you and how you opened doors for so many even while you were experiencing so many ups and downs along your journey.
Thank you for sharing this! And as someone who worked on your team, thank you for always looking out for others even in the midst of your own struggle. "Public progress. Private purgatory," is something I'm all too familiar with, but you're a reminder of what happens when you trust God and keep pressing on no matter how your circumstances look. I'm so excited to see what this next chapter brings for you, I know it's going to be an amazing one!
I'm currently in the shedding season and have been so confused, questioning everything regarding my life at this point. This article truly spoke to me and has given me a fresh perspective. I appreciate you and your transparency.
I have been a long time follower of yours from NecoleBitchie to XoNecole to your bodybuilding days (I think?!). I am sorry friend proud of you for making it through and sharing your vulnerabilities. As black women we are taught to be strong and prideful but sometimes that’s to our detriment. I am so glad you made it to the other side and I look forward to continuing to cheer you on!
Thank you so much Carolyn! The bodybuilding days really saved my life. After I hopped over one hurdle which was getting to the acquisition, I didn't realize I now would have a new obstacle that would present itself -- adjusting to running a brand I no longer owned. That presented a season of anxiety, depression and a lack of control over my livelihood (I'll have to write about that one day). I took up bodybuilding as it was the one thing in my life I felt I could control based on a commitment to myself to show up at the gym everyday, even when I had no desire to. It taught me discipline. I spent the mornings, listening to motivational speeches on youtube while building strength which would ultimately pour over into other areas of my life. I really appreciate your kind words as now I'm reflecting on other periods of my life that built character and ultimately shaped who I am today.
Necole,
I am sitting on my bed with my Bible open, reading this & crying real tears. I am in this exact season. The debt is unreal, I feel alone, I am building not one but two empires. I can smell the end of the tunnel but I just can’t see it. Then I landed here. Thank you for sharing. I need to read this every single time I feel like giving up.
Wow Shana, I felt every single word of this. Thank you for being so honest.
That space where you can smell the breakthrough but not see it yet? I know it well. The debt, the isolation, the weight of building something bigger than you, it’s can feel so heavy, but you’re still here. And that means you’re still becoming.
God does His best work in the dark, and when the light hits, it’s going to make sense in ways you never imagined. I am rooting for you ✨✨✨
Whew, what a timely and relatable post. I'm currently in my own very uncomforable in-between, and it's messy, sticky, scary, thrilling and motivating. You summarized things so well. I've been around since your Necole B days, and am always so inspired by your grit, tenacity and transformations. Thank you for being so vulnerable and honest. 🙏🏽
Powerful, necessary, & super impactful! May we all bloom this beautifully! Cheers to letting go & transforming through the discomfort/unknown!
I so needed to read 📖 this story!! Thank you so much for sharing and being wholeheartedly honest, and vulnerable in continuing to share your story surrounding the challenges many of us face in life.🥹💕 👏🏽
Thank you so much for reading and supporting!
Thank you, we all need those reminders. I'm on Day 77 of being unemployed with over 100 rejection emails 📧 I keep wondering what is happening here lol. At 45 this is not how I imagined life but I'm calm and trust all is well
Sending you so much love during this time. Even though it may be hard to see, something incredibly beautiful will come out of this season. I was going to write this in another post recently but I'd love to place it here for you. One thing I've started doing as a part of my daily routine, as soon as I wake up, I say "Congratulations Necole" over and over to myself. Some days, I'll grab a journal and write down the page "Congratulations Necole for... " and list out all of the good things that I desire to happen in my life. Example "Congratulations Necole for clearing all of your debts. Congratulations on your engagement! Congratulations on being recognized by < > for... Congratulations on your < > revenue month". And I'll keep going until I can't think of anything else at the moment. I also ask Siri to play "Congratulations" when I walk in my door lol. (It always defaults to the Post Malone and Quavo song). I feel cheesy writing this but it has really helped mentally and I feel like a lot of great things are coming.
Thank you, I just burst in tears. This is wonderful advice and I look forward to sharing the turnaround story with you! Appreciate you
I remember coming across Necole Bitchie while browsing the web for Kelis hairstyles and I’ve been down ever since. In a money makes the world go round culture, you never allowed it to strip you of your integrity for the sake of a blog post. I’ve always admired your transparency, your tenacity, your integrity, and most definitely your evolution. Even if XoNecole was never acquired, your work speaks for itself and that’s something no one can ever take from you.
I remember being so excited when Rihanna selected you to do that 7 day run with her lol.
Thank you for sharing your truth and showing us the other side of the game. 💙
I needed to hear this! This feels like the season I’m in. I appreciate you for the transparency.
Right on time!!!
Im in a transition right now.
Thank for your honesty, the vulnerability with us, im definitely touched!
This is so powerful. I’m going to share with my friends asap
I’ve been following you since you launched Necole Bitchie, and watching your evolution has been inspiring - especially during your transparent moments. Thank you for all you’ve done for us, your contributions to the culture♥️ And thank you for sharing this moment in your life because I’m currently in an in-between season and for the first time, it feels like someone out there understands what I’m going through.
Thank you so much for the kind words! I am sending you so much love during this season! I'm still processing a lot of things that happened over the last 15-20 years of life but what I do know is things are making a lot more sense now that I'm on the other side then when I was treading through the fire.
Necole thank you for sharing. Im in a shedding phase right now and this was comforting to read .
Finally had a moment to catch up on my personal emails and wow…transparency on a 1,000. Keep sharing your story, Necole, and being an inspiration. “We go through to help others get through,” and that’s exactly what you’re doing. We’re rooting for you and forever grateful for you and how you opened doors for so many even while you were experiencing so many ups and downs along your journey.
Reconsider! THIS needs to be in a book!
Thank you for sharing this! And as someone who worked on your team, thank you for always looking out for others even in the midst of your own struggle. "Public progress. Private purgatory," is something I'm all too familiar with, but you're a reminder of what happens when you trust God and keep pressing on no matter how your circumstances look. I'm so excited to see what this next chapter brings for you, I know it's going to be an amazing one!
I'm currently in the shedding season and have been so confused, questioning everything regarding my life at this point. This article truly spoke to me and has given me a fresh perspective. I appreciate you and your transparency.
I have been a long time follower of yours from NecoleBitchie to XoNecole to your bodybuilding days (I think?!). I am sorry friend proud of you for making it through and sharing your vulnerabilities. As black women we are taught to be strong and prideful but sometimes that’s to our detriment. I am so glad you made it to the other side and I look forward to continuing to cheer you on!
Thank you so much Carolyn! The bodybuilding days really saved my life. After I hopped over one hurdle which was getting to the acquisition, I didn't realize I now would have a new obstacle that would present itself -- adjusting to running a brand I no longer owned. That presented a season of anxiety, depression and a lack of control over my livelihood (I'll have to write about that one day). I took up bodybuilding as it was the one thing in my life I felt I could control based on a commitment to myself to show up at the gym everyday, even when I had no desire to. It taught me discipline. I spent the mornings, listening to motivational speeches on youtube while building strength which would ultimately pour over into other areas of my life. I really appreciate your kind words as now I'm reflecting on other periods of my life that built character and ultimately shaped who I am today.