eXcapethematriX.com

I’m sitting in a courtroom right now waiting to have my informal hearing for a traffic ticket. The old me would have just been sitting here waiting, maybe reading a novel even. However, since last fall, what I like to call my “inner hustler” has stepped on the scene, which no longer allows me to waste my precious time. I try to seize every single moment and utilize it for something that will fulfill a goal, realize a dream or put a little change in my pocket.

My newfound affinity for “going for mine” came as a result of what I believe is the catalyst for most people…being broke. It all started last summer when I was unexpectedly laid off from my cushy, low expectation job. I was fortunate enough to work almost two years for a company that didn’t mind paying me to do not too much of anything from the comfort of my own home.

“I’ve been amazed at the opportunities that have availed themselves when I’ve simply opened my mouth and asked for what I needed or wanted.”

I waited a full two weeks before I filed for unemployment benefits, mostly because I was just lazy but also because I didn’t know who or where to call. After about a month, I found myself looking at the bills for all of the stuff I was able to afford while I was working, doing the mental math, and discovering that those little unemployment checks just weren’t going to get it. I had about two weeks worth of “woe is me” time then headed off to Baltimore for the eXcapthematrix.com anniversary get together. On the plane ride there, I had my epiphany which resulted in the formation of my latest Ravolution. It was then that I figured out that if something was going to change, I’d have to change it.

Thus began my “side hustle” grind. I made a list of the things I’m pretty good at, and started offering people my services to do them. Before I knew it, I was baking, tutoring, doing hair and facilitating toddler classes at my gym because the membership fees were ridiculous.

My mother in-law has always made a delicious lemon pound cake that I cannot resist. For years she’d tried to teach me to make it, but I never really wanted to learn. Remember, I used to be lazy. Lanie, the new-fangled hustler, got that recipe, rented a table at a church holiday bazaar and sold slices of cake for $2 until the last one was gone. I made business cards and took holiday orders. I worked that room with my tray of samples and pretty much dared anybody to leave without having tasted my cake!

I would get compliments on my hair at least twice a week. They came mostly from women who’d been contemplating “going natural” or starting locs. Lazy Lanie used to just smile and say “thank you.” Hustler Lanie whipped out a card on ‘em quick like Tommy Davidson on In Living Color’s Funky Finger Productions, like…“BAM! Let me hook you up!”

“hustler [huhs-ler]

–noun

an enterprising person determined to succeed; go-getter.”

I also decided that it was time raise my “taxable hustle” game and jumpstart my career by doing some professional development and networking. I’m currently pursuing a professional certification and looking into starting grad school in the near future. I joined my career field’s premier professional organization, assumed a leadership role and made it a point to get in everybody’s face, making it known that my broke behind needed a job and just exactly what I could bring to the table.

I’ve been amazed at the opportunities that have availed themselves when I’ve simply opened my mouth and asked for what I needed or wanted. I believe that to be a common thread amongst people who are successful in both business and in life; there is a difference. It would be easy to look back and criticize how I used to float through life and be tossed to and fro by whatever came my way. But that ain’t in the hustler code of conduct…keep it movin’. I have goals to achieve, dreams to fulfill and money to make!