One of the hardest things in life is finding your purpose and being able to sustain a livelihood
through the initial discovery and pursuit of that purpose. I actually believe that modern day slavery is
bondage by those pesky distractions that have U focused entirely on achieving someone else's
purpose.
In 2015, it is truly my desire to return to school to pursue my Phd to formally study more about our
family's passion, vision and findings.
I have found it somewhat challenging to fulfill my mission of reaching our African American 0-6 year
olds to infuse a VISION of success and high self-esteem through a NEW BRAND of CLOTHING AND
GIFTS called HBCU kidz.
Many of my friends seem to say, "Great concept! But I have NO KIDS!" or "Great concept! But WHY
bother to promote college to kids who are NOT LIKELY to afford college? Why reach out to include low
income single moms?" I even vividly recall speaking to a white business owner over the phone who
patiently explained the industry, "Black people don't send their children to college at the same rate as
white people. There is NO market in HBCU paraphernalia for kids!"
Well my friends and the nay sayers should now all know the truth...W.A.S.S. "WE ALL START SMALL"
TM. Galatians 6:7-8 says that we reap what we sow.
Of course...I have to publicly admit...I used to feel that my personal comfort was most important too! I
had my MBA, my MRS. and my MOM credentials all in check. Check it.. My life's theme song seemed
to be .FINALLY!
I had all that I prayed for day and night.
I was a University of Michigan MBA, a newly married Mrs. Gosier and mother of two beautiful
daughters. I seemed to have done everything in proper sequence and order...so with what else did I
have time to concern my head and heart?
Finally! After my name... I had the 3 Ms that I DREAMED ABOUT HAVING ONE DAY!
So, I began my journey out of corporate employment to my ultimate dream to become self-employed.
Along comes Hurricane Wilma in late 2005. The monster of a storm hit our Pompano Beach (South
Florida) home and blew the roof right off of my home office! We prayed and asked GOD, "WHY?"
Through our actions in rebuilding and calmly sitting in the dark for 2 weeks, my family and I became
inspired to dare to dream about making a difference in a NEW and CREATIVE way.
So our journey began...one baby at a time. However, very shortly after this discovery of purpose, my
mom passed away after a very brief hospital visit. Upon recovery of this personal blow, I began to
aggressively pursue this life purpose once again with vigor. BAM! I faced another personal blow to my
heart when my only brother suddenly died from a heart attack in summer 2007.
So a gradual but oh so deliberate transformation has taken hold of my LIFE to bring me to this
wonderful place that I find myself authoring my very first book, "COTTON PICKIN' PAYCHECK-A 21st
Century Journal of Escape from Slavery". It is my triumphant victory of staying the course, and finding
personal peace despite the nay sayers and personal circumstances.
In hindsight, through self-discovery, I now realize that it was simply using God's word in completing 3
Steps Every Day in Life to gain my FREEDOM!
1. EXPLORATION! 2. DISCIPLINE! 3. APPLICATION! E+D+A=FREEDOM TM
through the initial discovery and pursuit of that purpose. I actually believe that modern day slavery is
bondage by those pesky distractions that have U focused entirely on achieving someone else's
purpose.
In 2015, it is truly my desire to return to school to pursue my Phd to formally study more about our
family's passion, vision and findings.
I have found it somewhat challenging to fulfill my mission of reaching our African American 0-6 year
olds to infuse a VISION of success and high self-esteem through a NEW BRAND of CLOTHING AND
GIFTS called HBCU kidz.
Many of my friends seem to say, "Great concept! But I have NO KIDS!" or "Great concept! But WHY
bother to promote college to kids who are NOT LIKELY to afford college? Why reach out to include low
income single moms?" I even vividly recall speaking to a white business owner over the phone who
patiently explained the industry, "Black people don't send their children to college at the same rate as
white people. There is NO market in HBCU paraphernalia for kids!"
Well my friends and the nay sayers should now all know the truth...W.A.S.S. "WE ALL START SMALL"
TM. Galatians 6:7-8 says that we reap what we sow.
Of course...I have to publicly admit...I used to feel that my personal comfort was most important too! I
had my MBA, my MRS. and my MOM credentials all in check. Check it.. My life's theme song seemed
to be .FINALLY!
I had all that I prayed for day and night.
I was a University of Michigan MBA, a newly married Mrs. Gosier and mother of two beautiful
daughters. I seemed to have done everything in proper sequence and order...so with what else did I
have time to concern my head and heart?
Finally! After my name... I had the 3 Ms that I DREAMED ABOUT HAVING ONE DAY!
- I had my MBA
- I had my MRS
- I had my MOM
So, I began my journey out of corporate employment to my ultimate dream to become self-employed.
Along comes Hurricane Wilma in late 2005. The monster of a storm hit our Pompano Beach (South
Florida) home and blew the roof right off of my home office! We prayed and asked GOD, "WHY?"
Through our actions in rebuilding and calmly sitting in the dark for 2 weeks, my family and I became
inspired to dare to dream about making a difference in a NEW and CREATIVE way.
So our journey began...one baby at a time. However, very shortly after this discovery of purpose, my
mom passed away after a very brief hospital visit. Upon recovery of this personal blow, I began to
aggressively pursue this life purpose once again with vigor. BAM! I faced another personal blow to my
heart when my only brother suddenly died from a heart attack in summer 2007.
So a gradual but oh so deliberate transformation has taken hold of my LIFE to bring me to this
wonderful place that I find myself authoring my very first book, "COTTON PICKIN' PAYCHECK-A 21st
Century Journal of Escape from Slavery". It is my triumphant victory of staying the course, and finding
personal peace despite the nay sayers and personal circumstances.
In hindsight, through self-discovery, I now realize that it was simply using God's word in completing 3
Steps Every Day in Life to gain my FREEDOM!
1. EXPLORATION! 2. DISCIPLINE! 3. APPLICATION! E+D+A=FREEDOM TM
| All Rights Reserved. © 2008-2010 COTTON PICKIN’ PAYCHECK-A 21st Century Journal of Escape from Slavery by Joan E. Gosier HBCU kidz, Inc. 120 E. Oakland Park Blvd, Suite 105H, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334 1-888-HBCU-kid |
| About the Author (Cont'd) |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
A 21st Century Journal of Escape from Slavery
| Introduction |
| Purpose |
| Conclusion |
COTTON PICKIN' PAYCHECKTM by Joan E. Gosier