She is Inspiring-Sabrina Thompson
Hey Fam,
Hope you had a relaxing weekend 
So I am honored to feature this very special lady on my site today. She is amazing! Not only does she wear many fab hats but she manages to remain down to earth and really nice. Sabrina has looked out for me a few times without asking anything in return.
Sabrina you’re the best!
xoxo
Ally
She-blogs: Who is Sabrina Thompson?
I am an educator, TV/media consultant, designer and small business owner living in Brooklyn that has managed to hold onto North Carolina/Southern values.
She-blogs: You are the co-founder of WEEN (Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network), what inspired you to start WEEN and what is WEEN’s mission?
The Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network is a coalition of women and men of all ages and races committed to supporting, promoting and defending the balanced, positive portrayal of women in entertainment and society.
I was inspired to join the overall vision of my best friend, Valeisha Butterfield, in her efforts to provide an uplifting voice and platform for women worldwide. Often times, women do not know their power and options in life. We are here to educate the young women of the world in the areas of healthcare, finance, personal relationships and career development so that they can live their best life possible while being a positive beacon of light in society and media to the rest of the world.
She-blogs: The 2nd annual WEEN awards were absolutely amazing this year…they keep getting better? What are your plans for WEEN in the near future?
We can barely wait for the 3rd annual WEEN awards! We were truly blessed this year and we love the fact that it is an intimate evening of celebrating excellence among diverse women. Our next major plan is to start our very first WEEN academy. This academy will give our selective members a chance to have a hands-on, interactive opportunity regarding various careers.
She-blogs: You left your TV producing background to be a teacher. How has being a teacher inspired or influenced you as a person?
Teaching keeps you thinking of ways to improve yourself every hour of the day. Students are always watching what you do and listening to what you say. They hold you accountable for every single little thing. I feel like I am a parent to 115 students each day who depend on my guidance to show them a picture life outside of the classroom. I now know that living my life how I plan is not the answer. I am simply God’s vessel being used to touch the lives of others. I’ve learned to say what I mean and mean what I say. Teaching causes you to master the element of “following-through.”
She-blogs: I have seen your designs before and they are beautiful! How did you get started designing jewelry and do you have advice for people getting started?
I got started studding and embellishing old jackets and shoes in college. After moving to NYC after college, a random person off the street offered to buy the jacket I created off my back and the “I should start a business” light bulb came on. I was blessed to get a bunch of private donations to launch my company in 2005 and I have not looked back since.
My advice to people starting their own company is to not put pressure on yourself to make “X” amount of money within a certain time period. It takes time for a new company to make money and be successful. Keep it simple, do what you know how to do and do it well …and google any information you don’t know on “how to survive the first few years of a jewelry business.” The internet is your friend!
She-blogs: What is your average day like?
Unpredictable. It’s VERY different each day. On any given day, I can easily do the following: Teach over 100 kids, WEEN conference calls, magazine interviews, mapping out future project outlines, creating a website, creating custom earrings, completing legal documents for student’s learning patterns, a gym workout, cooking…and the list goes on and on…
She-blogs: Tell me about one of the biggest career obstacles you have faced and how you worked through it?
One of the biggest obstacles in my numerous careers would fall in the arena of teaching. In one week, I found out that three students in one of my classes were pregnant. I remember not being able to sleep and thinking to myself, “this has greatly surpassed an epidemic.” I have not worked through it yet. However, I was blessed to start an all girls empowerment group at the high school and safe sex is always the first topic we touch on.
She-blogs: Where do you see yourself in five years?
Happily married to a compatible, God fearing, amazing man with kids doing WEEN and beanpYe full-time.
She-blogs: Name one place that you have never been that you want to travel to and why?
I want to travel to Ghana. I have many Ghanian friends who have shared their amazing pictures. I can feel the spirit of the people through the pictures and I want to see it for myself. Tahiti and Greece are next up on my list.
She-blogs: What is your mantra on life?
Just do it.
She-blogs: What do you do to stay balanced?
I’m not balanced…I’m a work in progress. However, going to the gym regularly and having a weekend with my cell phone turned off is a great start!
She-blogs: What do you like the most about the way you look?
My height and full features.
She-blogs: What do you like to do for fun?
I’m a movie buff, traveling and playing group games at house parties.
She-blogs: Are you Happily single or Happily in love?
I plead the 5th. LOL…. I’m happily in love with love….hee hee.
She-blogs: Is there anything else you want the she-blogs readers to know?
One of my favorite quotes…from Maya Angelou “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude”
Tags: Beanpye, Jewelry Designer, Sabrina Thompson, WEEN, WEEN awards