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What's The Path To Six Figures? Here's How To Level Up
When it comes to earning a living, we all know that there's a wage gap for Black women. And while we can acknowledge disappointing realities, we can also consider our hopes and still work toward making a dream of financial freedom a reality. There is a specific price tag on certain lifestyles, and even if a soft life is what you're into, it'll cost you.
Many of us simply want to earn enough to pay our bills, make sure our families are thriving, and retire peacefully. With the way this economy has been going, the price of simple survival keeps going up and up. According to a 2023 Pew Research Center report, 40 percent of Black adults in the U.S. say "an annual income of $100,000 or more is enough to lead the kind of life they want." So how do you level up from a five-figure salary to six figures?
First, let's address mindset: If you want to earn more, you have to think from a space of abundance, patience, and strategy, not one of fear, scarcity, and inaction. Take it from entrepreneur Chris Bible, who, when sharing her experience with a six-figure mindset shift, told xoNecole, "Most importantly, I had to embrace that I was worthy and capable of reaching a certain level of success and that it could be done all on my own." This is a powerful first step: Affirming and making a commitment to recognizing you are worthy and capable of reaching a financial goal.
Now let's get to a few ways to get to six figures:
1. Invest in higher education or additional training.
Research has shown that those who have earned bachelor's degrees or higher earn more than those who do not, and the top six-figure jobs require advanced degrees. That's not to say you can't earn six figures without going to college, but it's definitely one sure-fire six-figure path for many.
If you already have a bachelor's degree, consider going for a master's or higher. Find out what advanced skills or credentials are required to get a higher-paying job within your field.
Sometimes, you can get certifications or specialized training to do jobs that aren't necessarily what you went to college for but can enhance what you already offer as a professional, so be sure to look into those, especially if you work in the medical, tech, financial services, or psychological industries.
2. Apply for a new job and negotiate higher pay at the start.
Job hopping doesn't have the stigma attached to it that it used to, and for some, it's the best way to earn more. One good example of this is Chinneah El-Amin, founder of Flynanced. She worked in tech and banking, according to CNBC, and, in her 20s, went from being a senior project analyst (with an offer for $68,000 that she negotiated up to $72,000) to technical project manager (with an offer of $186,000 and she negotiated a signing bonus of $29,000).
True, El-Amin worked in industries that could pay that type of money, but again, if your desire is to earn six figures, the industry you're in (and whether you might want to transition for finance's sake) is something to consider.
Either way, negotiate no matter what, especially if you're a mid- or senior-level professional who has the experience, talent, training, and acumen to lean on.
Just because a company claims a salary is "the best" or "industry standard" doesn't mean you shouldn't negotiate. The worst you could get is a "no," or even better: You find that the company isn't one you want to invest years of your life working for at all, since they don't put dollars behind the most valuable asset in the world: Human capital.
3. Start a lucrative side hustle.
This one is a given. Side hustles are always promoted in stories like this, but you just can't get away from facts. Some side hustles can add more than $4000 to your monthly income if done just part-time, especially if you're savvy with tech, social media, or digital marketing. Other lucrative side hustles include offering services or products via e-commerce, personal fitness and/or wellness, mobile notary, and travel agents.
4. Sell your expertise and talents via speaking, digital products, or consulting.
This is yet another way to earn six figures and even transition out of a 9-to-5. If you have a gift for communications, public relations, marketing, or teaching, you can create workbooks, audiobooks, art, tutorials, and courses for download. (This couple started making six figures after selling patterns for doll clothes, for example.) If you're not great with actually creating and marketing the concept, take it to a freelance professional to bring it to life and market it for you. Take a few courses, research the best platforms (and their fees), and invest in a reputable tutorial on how to create and market digital products on social.
Another great way to add to your current salary is to get paid for speaking engagements or consulting gigs at schools, organizational retreats, churches, or conferences. Get a speaking or consulting mentor, join a networking organization, pursue more training to prepare you for success, and tap into your personal and professional communities to find out where you can serve through speaking.
5. Bonus: Invest, invest, invest.
Technically, this isn't really tied to your salary, but investing can help you add to your overall bottom line and prep for financial freedom in the future. I can't say this enough: At a minimum, be sure you're tapped into your company's 401K and that you know whether they're matching your investment or not. Let it grow, and avoid withdrawing from it if you can. If you're not into the idea of investing with your company's retirement options (or your company doesn't offer any), consider your options for an IRA (individual retirement account).
Above that, start investing via an online platform or open a brokerage account. (Here are a few good beginner-friendly options). Be inspired by women like Tiffany James, who turned a $10,000 stock market investment into a million-dollar portfolio. True, investing in stocks can be risky, but there are opportunities to add to your wealth if this is something you're willing to be patient and diligent about.
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Featured image by Mariia Vitkovska/Getty Images
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How This New Bond Repair Line Transformed One Mother's Postpartum Shedding Into The Ultimate Curl Comeback
This article is in partnership with SheaMoisture
For Crystal Obasanya, her wash day woes came shortly after her son did. The beauty and lifestyle content creator had been natural for years, but during postpartum, she quickly learned about one reality many mothers can relate to experiencing: postpartum hair loss. “Sis had thinning hair. Sis had split ends,” she shared about her hair changes in a Reel via xoNecole.
Over a year into her postpartum journey, Crystal explained she also had dry, brittle hair, noting that keeping it hydrated before pregnancy had already been “a task.” The 4C natural recalled going from thick hair during pregnancy to a thin hairline due to postpartum shedding as “devastating.” When it came to strengthening and revitalizing her hair, the new SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection was just the thing she needed to elevate her damaged coils to revive and thrive status and get them poppin' again.
SheaMoisture is providing us with the cheat code for transforming dry and damaged strands into thriving and deeply nourished crowns. By unveiling their 4-step hair system, the SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection is equipping you with the tools to reverse signs of hair damage caused by protective styling, heat, and color and is uniquely formulated for Type 3 and 4 hair textures.
The haircare system revives damaged natural hair by repairing and rebuilding broken hair bonds through a game-changing combination of HydroPlex Technology and AminoBlend Complex, a unique blend of fortifying amino acids formulated specifically for curly and coily hair. Scientifically proven to reduce breakage by 84% and make your hair six times stronger (vs. non-conditioning shampoo), the collection infuses your hair with the nourishment it craves and the strength it deserves.
All five products of the SheaMoisture Bond Collection are infused with natural strengthening ingredients like Amla Oil and fair-trade shea butter. The collection consists of the 4-step breakage-fighting Bond Repair system, as well as the Bonding Oil.
“When trying it out, I quickly noticed that my hair felt revived and renewed, and my curls were so hydrated,” Crystal said while using the Amla-infused Bond Repair Leave-In Conditioner. “I also felt my hair strands were stronger.” So much so that the influencer felt brave enough to get her hair braided shortly thereafter. “I can definitely say that I will be keeping it in my hair wash routine,” she added in the caption of her Reel about her positive experience using the products.
SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection is making bond-building a key player in your wash day routines and the purveyor of life for thirsty manes. Because who doesn't want stronger, shinier, happier hair?
Step One: Bond Repair Collection Shampoo
Rejuvenate your hair with SheaMoisture Bond Repair Shampoo, your go-to solution for luscious locks. Packed with hella hydration power, this shampoo adds moisture by 60% while removing buildup without stripping your strands. This shampoo gently cleanses impurities while significantly enhancing shine, smoothness, and softness.
The Bond Repair Collection Shampoo is the first step in the 4-step Bond Repair system, all of which are powered by the uniquely formulated AminoBlend, and HydroPlex, SheaMoisture’s technology that rebuilds hair strength at its core.
Step Two: Bond Repair Collection Conditioner
Tailored to repair styling damage, this creamy conditioner locks in 12x more moisture than standard non-conditioning shampoos, boosting damaged hair strength by 1.5x with significantly less breakage. The creamy SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection Conditioner deeply hydrates, enhances manageability, and leaves your hair looking healthier and shinier.
Step Three: Bond Repair Collection Masque
This Ultra Moisturizing reparative masque is a moisture-rich game-changer for those dealing with the aftermath of hair damage caused by styling. The SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection Masque delivers 13 times more moisture compared to non-conditioning shampoos, ensuring your hair feels nourished and soft. Designed to repair and rejuvenate, this masque significantly strengthens damaged hair — making it twice as strong while reducing breakage.
Step Four: Bond Repair Collection Leave-In Conditioner
Elevate your curl game with SheaMoisture’s Bond Repair Collection Leave-In Conditioner. Lightweight and hydrating, the Bond Repair Leave-In Conditioner provides 12x more moisture than non-conditioning shampoos and tames frizz with 24-hour humidity control. Designed to define curls and coils, the leave-in conditioner enhances softness and shine allowing you to detangle effortlessly.
Bonding Oil
The SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection Bonding Oil is a multitasking all-in-one formula that acts as a heat protectant and provides the hair with moisture, strength, shine, damage protection, and intense nourishment. This lightweight oil not only offers 24-hour frizz and humidity control but also fortifies your tresses, making them up to 5 times stronger with significantly less breakage.
Featured image courtesy
2024 BET Awards: From Megan Thee Stallion To Victoria Monét, The Women Were The Moment
We know that women have been running the music industry for a while, and the 2024 BET Awards showcased that perfectly through its many performances. But before we get into the performances, we must first acknowledge our sister, the beloved actress Taraji P. Henson, who hosted the award show and looked good doing it. While she isn't a musical artist, she did, however, open her set, rapping her own version of Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us."
Megan Thee Stallion set the tone by opening the show, performing a melody of songs from her new self-titled album. Victoria Monét had everyone singing along to "On My Mama" and gasping for air with her sultry performance of "Alright." She also took home two awards: BET Her and Video of the Year. Sexyy Red instantly had everyone on their feet when she performed "U My Everything" and "Get It Sexy." GloRilla performed her popular anthem "Yeah Glo!," her most recent hit "TGIF," and Megan joined her onstage to rap their song "Wanna Be" together.
Keke PalmerPhoto by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET
Latto took us to church with "Sunday Service" and showed out with "Big Mama." Five-year-old VanVan and eight-year-old Heiress Harris gave the cutest performance of their song "Be You." Ice Spice performed her viral hit "Think You The Shit (Fart). The legendary Lauryn Hill sang a melody of her hits from "Lost Ones" to Fugees' "Fu-Gee-La" with Wyclef Jean and her son YG Marley joined her to give a riveting performance of "Praise Jah In The Morning." Tyla took us to Africa with her recent single "Jump," featuring Skillibeng and Gunna, and she also walked away with two awards. She won Best New Artist and Best International Act.
Sexyy Red
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
But that's not all. While Usher was being honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, he received a primarily female tribute. This included Coco Jones, Marsha Ambrosius, Teyana Taylor, Chloe Bailey, Keke Palmer, Victoria Monét, Tinashe, Summer Walker, and Latto. Check out each performance below.
Megan Thee Stallion Performs "Boa," "Hiss" And "Where Them Girls At"
Victoria Monét Performs "On My Mama" And "Alright"
GloRilla Performs "Yeah Glo!" "TGIF," And "Wanna Be!"
Tyla, Gunna & Skillibeng Perform "Jump"
Latto Performs "Sunday Service" And "Big Mama"
Sexyy Red Performs "Get It Sexyy" And "U My Everything"
Ice Spice Performs "Think You The Shit (Fart)"
VanVan And Heiress Perform "Be You"
Lauryn Hill And Son YG Marley Perform "Praise Jah In The Moonlight"
Teyana Taylor, Victoria Monét, Coco Jones, Chloe Bailey, Keke Palmer And More Honor Usher
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Feature image by Kevin Winter/Getty Images