WTF : Whats The Fix?
Buckle up for unfiltered conversations that turn life’s biggest “WTF” curveballs into practical, real-world fixes. Each episode dives into raw stories and expert insights, empowering you to transform those mind-blowing challenges into unstoppable breakthroughs. With Your host Mr. Rico
WTF : Whats The Fix?
Red Lipstick Is Not Just Fashion, It's a Call to Action for Women Leaders
Dr. Kermitia Burton shares her journey of transforming limited beliefs into limitless truths, turning supplier diversity into billion-dollar strategies at major corporations while redefining leadership for women. She offers powerful insights on finding your voice, building authentic leadership, and embracing femininity in professional settings, all while challenging stereotypes that hold back women and minorities in business.
• Limited beliefs are things that aren't true that we tell ourselves or others tell us, while limitless truths are boundaries-free alternatives
• Dr. Burton's grandmother told her "little girls should be seen and not heard," creating a limiting belief she carried into adulthood
• There's a significant difference between being silent (by choice) and being silenced (by others)
• The three essential professional relationships: mentors talk with you, coaches talk to you, advocates talk about you
• Small opportunities polish your skills and prepare you for bigger opportunities
• Leadership starts within—how you treat yourself reflects how you lead others
• Just because someone excels at their job doesn't mean they can effectively lead people
• Faith and business can intersect; Dr. Burton leads as a faith-led leader in corporate settings
• For entrepreneurs: provide solutions, know your customers' pain points, and develop clear mission, vision and values
• Black women deserve more opportunities in corporate America, contributing to many starting their own businesses
• Paint Your Lips Red (PYLR) redefines leadership for women as "fierce, fearless and feminine"
• Dr. Burton's upcoming book addresses eight limited beliefs that stop Black women from succeeding
Visit paintyourlipsred.com to learn more about Dr. Burton's leadership movement for women and her upcoming events.
To connect with Dr. Karmetria: www.paintyourlipsred.com
Watch this episode on our You Tube Channel: CLICK HERE
Little girls should be seen and not heard. As a leader, I am never going to ask a team member to do something that I wouldn't do or can't do so. That is how I turned that limited belief into a limitless truth. That's why I'm so passionate about training the next generation of women. There's a difference in being silent and being silenced right. Be progressive in what you want to do, but don't allow society to tell you when you have to do it and how you do it.
Speaker 4:Dr Kermitia Burton. She turned supplier diversity for Delta Airlines into a billion dollar growth strategy. She then did it again at McDonald's, rewriting the rules on what inclusion really looks like in global business, from corporate boardrooms to community front lines. Dr Kermitia Burton isn't just talking supplier diversity, she's executing it at scale. A John Maxwell certified powerhouse and strategic fire starter, she leads with faith, grit and a three-word framework that changes lives Pray, process, paint. Get ready to meet the woman who didn't just fix the system. She eliminated the limited beliefs of minority women in executive positions, all while wearing red lipstick. Here we go, you ready, dr Kamitia Burton? So before you were transforming global supply chains and signing 540 suppliers to a DEI pledge, who was Kametia Burton and what moment in your early life made you realize you weren't just going to lead, but you're about to change the system?
Speaker 1:Whoa, thank you for the opportunity to be here Such a great question. I've had a lot of moments. I would say one of the moments that really kind of defined my leadership is when I decided to start getting rid of the limited beliefs and we all have those beliefs and those are those things that people tell us. That's not true. But even bigger Rico, the things we tell ourself. That's not true.
Speaker 4:Preach it, yep, preach it. Bring it, bring it.
Speaker 1:And so I would say that's when I really changed, when I got out of my head and I turned those limited beliefs into limitless truths. Oh, and we all have those and I would. I would say that's, that's been a pivotal moment for me, realizing those limited beliefs.
Speaker 4:Okay, I love the limitless truths. Tell me about that and how did you come up with that?
Speaker 1:Yep, so limited beliefs are things that just aren't true, things that people told us that maybe aren't true and things that we tell ourselves as untrue. It's limited. It limits the way we think Right. So I said let's turn these into limitless truths.
Speaker 4:Okay.
Speaker 1:So it's a truth that doesn't have boundaries, right? So you stop the limited belief and you turn it into a limitless truth, and that's how I look at it, because it is limitless to what the truth can be and the things that you tell yourself.
Speaker 4:So give me an example of a limited belief that you turn into a limitless I can't even say that word truth.
Speaker 1:So I will tell you as a little girl. I'm from the South and a lot of people may be able to resonate with this story, but my grandmother always told me little girls should be seen and not heard.
Speaker 1:Little girls should be seen and not heard. And I'm like, but wait a minute, you're raising me to realize my voice when to speak up. And that confused me as a nine-year-old girl, right, Because my family was really teaching me how to use my voice. But my grandmother would say little girls should be seen and not heard. And I believe that, and so I was silenced, I was, I stopped speaking out. Little girls should be seen and not heard. But what she was telling me is know when to speak up and know when to shut up.
Speaker 4:Gotcha Okay.
Speaker 1:So as a nine-year-old you don't think about it that way, but I carried that limited belief until I went to college. I was always smart, I was always the big personality, but I dimmed my light because my grandmother told me little girls should be seen and not heard. So in my marketing class in college at Southern University, my teacher asked a question and I went. I know the answer, but no little girls should be seen and not heard.
Speaker 1:But I know the answer no little girls should be seen and not heard. And I finally said you know what? Answer the question, karmitra. And so I answered it and my instructor said you haven't said anything the whole semester. I want to hear more from you. You have something to say and so that stopped that limited belief. I realized then that my grandmother was saying know when to speak up and know when to shut up. There's a difference in being silent and being silenced. Right.
Speaker 1:And so limitless truth is no one to speak up. If you have something to say, say it, even if your voice shakes, use your voice, Even if you're scared as hell. Say it anyway, because you're never going to get that opportunity. So that is how I turn that limited belief into a limitless truth.
Speaker 4:And there's so much in what you're saying there that prevents, whether as a person, an employee, a leader, a human being because either adults who are working with kids or have grandchild or son, daughters, whatever it may be, they don't clarify their intent of what they're saying. So, as a child, to you it was like keep quiet versus know when to say certain things. Right, how did that affect you before you came to that realization? Your relationships, who you were as a person, and what was the difference? At college, when you finally raised that hand, you finally got to say something and an individual told you I want to hear more. What was the difference in you after that?
Speaker 1:You know, so remember. She told me this at a very young age. So, I believed her. You know, obviously your grandmother would never do anything to hurt you. Right. But I think that belief is generational. I think those women Rico before me and before my mother, that's what they believe. Right, right. Seen and not heard. You raise your children. You keep a clean house. You know you support your husband. You don't say a lot. Right.
Speaker 1:And so I believe that. So as a little girl, but as I began to become a teenager and I started forming opinions about certain things, I was quiet teenager and I started forming opinions about certain things.
Speaker 1:I was quiet. I was silenced because I didn't think one my voice mattered. I didn't think what I said, you know people would listen or that it had any validity to it. And so when I went to college, I started seeing all these teachers and speakers around me, women that were using their voice, and I said that's me, but little girls should be seen and not heard. And so I struggle with that, and that's why that moment in my marketing class was pivotal. I was like forget it, I am shedding this. I want to be heard and I'm so glad that I did that.
Speaker 4:You know I was listening to another podcast you had done, and now I understand when you talked about that. Your family used to pay you to keep quiet, right? Is that why your grandmother said that probably I was a talker, I didn't meet?
Speaker 1:any stranger Rico, I was that little girl that had this big personality. I read a lot. I was a people person. I was having adult conversations at a young age. I believe, it. And that's a great point that is probably why she told me that, because I was a talker. Yeah, and wasn't afraid to use my voice.
Speaker 4:But now that you see, that's your superpower and I want to go to the listeners who are probably going through the same thing, right? What would you tell that person that says that's me, I love to talk, I love to be around people, but I keep being told no, that's too much. What would you tell that person? How can that person get out of their shell and be themselves?
Speaker 1:from your experience, yeah, be your authentic self.
Speaker 4:But how? How do I do that?
Speaker 1:So be true to yourself, and a lot of it is reading the room, right. So you may be this person with this big personality, know when to speak up and know when to shut up, but you gotta know if you're reading the room and maybe it is not the time for your big, bright personality to bubble to the top. So I think you gotta know when to use that superpower of speaking up and if you are a person that feels like you've been silenced, you really haven't. It's a limited belief. You have something to say and if you're nervous about it, again, maybe read the room to see who's in the room and determine if this is the right time for you to speak up. You'll know when it is. But I say, be your authentic self. You've been silenced. You've been silent but not silenced. So think about that.
Speaker 4:Yes, I like that. So we tend to overlook the small little things. When you said, read the room. Someone who may not have the experience that you have on, you know we learned those experiences through trial and error. So, in your experience, someone who's just getting started, maybe a little bit shy what should they be observing in that room to identify? This is my time to stay quiet. This is the time, unapologetically, I need to speak.
Speaker 1:Yeah. So I would say, if you are ready to use your voice, I would encourage you to do two things. First, get a mentor and maybe a coach to help you fine tune this superpower and get ready to step into your authentic self, cause you just don't do it. Right. It has to kind of be a strategy to it, right, and so I would say find you a mentor or coach or somebody that you admire.
Speaker 1:That does this really well that story tells well or that speaks up well on their behalf. So there are three things that you can do that. So, if you're in a meeting and you have something to say, the way you read the room is what's the energy of the meeting? Is your comment appropriate for what is being said and is the time right to say it? Because sometimes timing is everything. Sometimes, how you say it can also be a big factor.
Speaker 4:Okay.
Speaker 1:So I would say what is the context of the conversation? Is this the right time to say it? And if you don't feel comfortable saying it in public, maybe after the meeting you send an email. Hey you guys, great meeting, but here are my thoughts. You're still getting your point across. It's not live Right, but you're still letting people know that you have a voice and you have an opinion.
Speaker 1:OK that could be. If you're nervous to speak up and out, send an email after the meeting, or send an email to the person that you'd like to get your point to.
Speaker 4:So what sticks with me is when you said little girls must be seen, not heard, right? It's a phrase that stays in your head and it shapes your character, so I want to give our audience a different phrase that helps them to fix that. So I want you to finish this phrase around this context. Okay, fix that. So I want you to finish this phrase around this context. Okay, Listen, if you're worried about X, just remember Y. What would you put into X and Y?
Speaker 1:If you're worried about your limited beliefs, remember that there are limitless truths to everything. The one thing that somebody has told you or that you've told yourself may not be true, and if you find that it's not true, find out what your limitless truth is. So, for me, when the little girl should be seen or not heard enters my mind, I would say affirmations like you have something to say. You are smart, you are valued, your opinion matters. So when those limited beliefs happen, shout those limitless truths to yourself. And those are just affirmations.
Speaker 4:I want to stay with this topic of limitless beliefs. I got a different question for you. Can you help us or walk us through a moment in your life when you faced not significant adversity and how did you overcome it significant adversity and how did you overcome it?
Speaker 1:You know, being a Black woman, I have been the only.
Speaker 4:Yes.
Speaker 1:On many occasions, particularly in the business world, when it comes to leadership levels and being in the room to make decisions, and I always shied away from that.
Speaker 1:But in this time, that is a plus, because so many corporations are leaning into inclusion and they want to hear from women and minorities what are your thoughts, what's your experience? And so that is one thing that I have overcome being the only in the room sometimes, and that's been hard, but it's also has pushed me right, because I feel like, if I'm the only, if I'm the only woman, kermitra, you got to represent all the women in this meeting, right? You got to make sure your voice is heard. If I'm the only Black, you have to make sure that you're representing the African-American culture and bring up that perspective in the room. So I would say, being the one and the only has not been easy for me, and the way I overcome that is just to show up my authentic self. I'm prepared and I add value by giving my opinion or experience. Even if I'm not asked, you always have something to say.
Speaker 4:And don't let that culture element, don't let that pressure deter from who you are, what you bring to the table, because that one thing you say or do could have a positive impact across the entire organization.
Speaker 1:That's right.
Speaker 4:So with that, that was interesting. What professional risk you regret not taking and what would have happened if you had.
Speaker 1:Oh, my goodness, the professional risk that I did not take is I felt like I was unqualified for a position and I didn't take the job and I wish I had. Do you know how many people have jobs that are less qualified than you are? But we don't go forward because we're afraid and we're scared, and I stayed in a position too long. I feel like I wore out my welcome and that stifled me.
Speaker 1:I was scared. I hadn't written a resume in years, I hadn't done an interview in years. So I stayed in that position out of comfort.
Speaker 4:I was about. I wrote that down comfort. Yeah, why do we feel comfortable? I mean, you're not the only person I've heard this from. We all do right, it's the devil. You know so, now that you are in a complete different position, a different part of your life, what causes the fear? But, more importantly, why do we feel comfortable?
Speaker 1:Lack of confidence of moving forward, complacent. Hey. I'm in this job. I can do this job with my eyes closed. I haven't been challenged yet, I'm not qualified for the job yet. Lack of confidence and complacency period, and I overstayed my welcome in one of my positions way too long and I feel like if I hadn't, my career would probably be further along than it is. But that's okay, because everything in time.
Speaker 4:Yeah, you said that your career would have been different. How so?
Speaker 1:I feel like I would have been maybe at higher levels at this point in my career because I would have gotten more experience. But, like I said, I overstayed my welcome in one position, so I feel like if I had moved on I would have gotten more experience, maybe in more industries. I think I would have been at different leadership levels at this point. Right yeah.
Speaker 4:I want to give our audience some context of your background and your experience. So imagine that you were at a meeting and someone handed someone you've met for the first time, you've met a CV of you.
Speaker 1:What would it say? Kermitria Burton is a passionate leader that believes in serving others, building high performing teams, giving back, real passionate about helping women get to the next level. I've started a nonprofit. I believe that, as leaders, your leadership approach should be 360. You shouldn't just be providing benefits to your corporation. You need to be doing things in the community. And so I started a nonprofit called Paint your Lips Red, where I have given back and have passed the playbook on to minority women, leaders and entrepreneurs, based on my experience and things that I could have done differently, and that I'm just passionate about helping people reach their goals.
Speaker 4:And we're going to definitely go into Paint your Lips Red because it's a very incredible organization that everyone should know about. So you got to stay tuned to the end to understand how that works. So I've had the privilege of working with you and watching you, with different groups and as a leader who is going through all the challenges that you have been through. What are the top three things? You would tell someone where you were 10 years ago that if they start to apply these three things, they're going to do way better than what you did.
Speaker 1:And I talk about this in my book you have to find you an advocate. Okay. And that's if you're in corporate or an entrepreneur, because this person will have seats at the table, will have access to other things that you may not have access to, and they are singing your praises when you aren't in the room. So, finding a advocate or coach, but also a mentor, because an advocate, coach and mentor are different. Yeah, explain all three of those.
Speaker 4:Explain the difference, because everyone convolutes that. Explain the difference because everyone convolutes that.
Speaker 1:Yep. So I would say a mentor is someone that talks with you, a coach is someone that talks to you and an advocate talks about you. Three different things.
Speaker 4:Okay.
Speaker 1:And I think you need all three.
Speaker 4:When do you know when you need whom?
Speaker 1:Yep. So let's talk about a mentor. Everybody needs a mentor, I don't care how, where you are in your career, in your business. These are people that will give you advice, share their experience with you, introduce you to people, help you network, help you promote your leadership skills or your business, okay, an advocate is somebody that is co-signing you right. You can deliver.
Speaker 1:I know Carmetria, I know Rico in this space. They are talking about you for that next promotion. They're talking about you to that next client. They're inviting you to speak at certain things. Right, they are advocating for you because they know your work. They are co-signing for you and we talked about a mentor. A coach is somebody that shares with you, shares their life experience and just helps you with skills as you move in corporate or in entrepreneurship.
Speaker 4:So in what space, would you say, you have built your career on?
Speaker 1:Of those three.
Speaker 4:No, no, just in general. You're in supplier diversity. Right, it's been the most of your career. Why did you choose supplier diversity and how has that changed since you started?
Speaker 1:Yeah, so I tell people all the time this work chose me.
Speaker 4:I did not choose this job. How so.
Speaker 1:So I'll make it quick. I told this story on my podcast and when I talked to the CEO of McDonald's right out of college, I wasn't finding a job. So I went and worked for my dad Small business. I didn't want to do that. I didn't go to college for four years to work for a small business. Right, I wanted to be a corporate executive. Right.
Speaker 1:For whatever reason nobody was hiring me. Maybe I wasn't interviewing well. For whatever reason nobody was hiring me. Maybe I wasn't interviewing well. My dad said you know, I could really use your help and your energy. And I'm like no, I don't want to work for a small business. And he said I could use your help, I could use your aptitude. And he said unfortunately, I can't pay you but you can come live back home.
Speaker 1:It was like all my friends were getting these sexy apartments and here I was, back at my parents' house in the basement, and so I dug deep. I started the business. I created a business plan. I started doing leads and networking and going to events. And there was one client that we needed and I was able to get a meeting. So we had a meeting with this Fortune 100 company. They loved the presentation. We got the contract. But after the presentation, the lead decision maker came over to me and said we really like your style and your energy, come work for us. And I said I'm on a sales call. I got a job on a sales call.
Speaker 4:That's when you know you're really good. I think you're right.
Speaker 1:I said, dad, hey, I got good news and bad news. The good news is you got the contract. And I said the bad news is they offer me a job. And he said really. He said, well, what do you want to do? I said well, dad, you know, I've always wanted to get this corporate experience. I want to go and learn and get trained. And he said you know what You've done well by me. Go and do it. So after two years of running a small business with my dad, I was able to get my foot in the door. So that is when supply chain started looking for those businesses that were women-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned. And so now I am on the other side of the table creating opportunities for those businesses. And so that's why I say this work called me and I love it. I feel like I can make a difference in entrepreneurs' lives, making a difference in corporations and just serving, just serving, just serving my stakeholders with so much excitement and enthusiasm.
Speaker 4:But there's so much in what you just explained right there that both entrepreneurs, employees and leaders miss. Would you say that you would have gotten that job if you hadn't been working for your father?
Speaker 1:Probably not.
Speaker 4:Okay, were there any skills that you look back at that you had learned and polished working with your father that when you got that opportunity to present that executive team is the reason why they loved what you did, compared to when you were trying to interview right out of college.
Speaker 1:Executive presence Rico, I got to tell you. Yeah.
Speaker 1:Executive presence is something that will go a long way and you may not be the most skilled, but if you have that presence people skills, the ability to communicate what needs to get done that's all you need sometimes. So I would say executive presence because when you're a business owner, you're always talking to people. Everybody you meet is a potential client, everybody. You should never miss that, and so if you're in that mode, you're always on, you're always networking, you're always talking to people, you're always talking about your value proposition, and so I would say executive presence is something that I learned, and even today, when I have my performance reviews, all my leaders have said Kermitra, your executive presence is great.
Speaker 4:And that's what I want all the employees and young entrepreneurs to realize. Employees and young entrepreneurs to realize those small opportunities are the things that polish you, that improve you, that prepare you for that bigger opportunity. I think too often we get out of college or we think we should be a lot better and a lot higher than where we should be, but we don't have the reps, we don't have to develop that skill yet. So don't shun those small opportunities because you think you're better than that's right, because that could be the one thing that prepares you for the big thing.
Speaker 1:That's right. And that's where mentorship comes in. Exactly yes. Yeah.
Speaker 4:And the other thing I loved is what you father did. That I don't think too many leaders do. They want to either hold on to the talent because it makes their life easier, or they're using it as a stepping stone versus saying, yes, you are ready, you should take that opportunity. Great leaders are preparing the next legacy of leadership.
Speaker 1:That's right, that's right, that's right.
Speaker 4:You shouldn't be afraid of they're going to take my job. Well then, you're not doing your own job, right?
Speaker 1:And that's why mentorship is so important. Exactly. Kermitra will always be here. Right. So that's why I'm so passionate about training the next generation of women. Yes, yes but that's a great point you make. You're right. Yeah, we have to let good leaders flourish, and believe it or not. When you do that, I get not a lot, but I have people come back to me and say thank you. Yes. It's the best feeling in the world when they say, carmetria, that one piece of advice you gave me got here.
Speaker 4:Carmetria, you remember that time when you said and that just makes my heart flutter, because you made a difference. That's what it should be like. I remember when I got out of the military my father had a parking lot striping, pressure washing and interior plant design business. He had retired from IBM and needed help. I didn't want to do this job it's three o'clock in the morning. I got done out of the military. I wanted to relax, but I helped them. In three years we built that from a small mom and pop through all of Georgia, texas, florida businesses.
Speaker 4:And the three things that I learned that I still use to this day from my father is show up, do more than what's expected and always, always, do the job in a way that they never expect. And what I mean by that. He used to pressurize the car washes. He had found a way to combine two things that took the wax off immediately. Now he could have charged more, he could have made it proprietary, but he said no, this is the quality of work that we do. He was the only one that showed up. He did more than was expected and he always did quality. This is the quality of work that we do. He was the only one that showed up. He did more than was expected and he always did quality work.
Speaker 4:When the general manager saw that, that's why immediately we grew, he said I want you to do my entire region. So I learned that very quickly. It's that work ethic, is that quality, and I would have never learned it if I hadn't spent those two to three years working for my father. So if you're listening right now and you're right out of college or you're an entrepreneur, or you're looking at your nine to five as a paycheck, wondering I should be doing better than this, take a step back. Find a mentor, find a coach, find an advocate, but look for those little opportunities that helps you improve the skills that you're going to need when you reach that level. So I think that that is a very good point right there. If you had to leave a team without using your title, your resume or your voice, how would you do it?
Speaker 1:Leaving a team.
Speaker 4:you have the best questions have the best questions Without your title.
Speaker 1:they don't know your resume and without using your voice, how would you lead them? I can't physically talk. I can communicate by email, right? So I think that one thing as a leader, I am never going to ask a team member to do something that I wouldn't do or can't do Right. Right. So, as a leader, I think it's important you lead by example. You do the work. Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty.
Speaker 1:If you are a timely leader and you want your team to turn certain things in on time, you need to show that as well, exactly. I would lead by example. The other thing is, as a leader, it's important that your value shine through. What's important for you, what do you really care about? Right? Your team should know that. They should know whatever myths that most people have around leadership that you can dispel right now because you've been there. Oh, that's a great question. Yep, all leaders are not qualified.
Speaker 4:Number one. Sorry to say that, yeah.
Speaker 1:So sorry to say that Leadership starts within. I think if how you lead yourself speaks a lot to how you lead people, oh go deeper into that one.
Speaker 4:How do you lead yourself speaks a lot to how you lead people. Ooh, get, go, go deeper into that one. What do you, how do I, how do you lead yourself to lead other people?
Speaker 1:I think leadership starts within. So, number one um, do I have a lot of? Is my emotional intelligence high? Do I have empathy right? How do I? How do how does Karmetra treat herself? I think leadership starts with you and it starts within. Yes, Am I empathetic? Am I?
Speaker 1:timely. Am I sensitive? Do I care? Am I a great communicator? And so the other leadership dismantle is. Everybody's not meant to be a leader. You know, I look at people because they do well at the job, they get promoted to lead teams, and that's not always a good strategy, because just because you can do the job well doesn't mean you can lead people, and I think that is a misconception that so many people have. And leaders, they need training. That's right.
Speaker 1:It gets back to coaching and mentoring, right? So just because you may have the technical expertise, don't mean you can lead people. That's a different skill set.
Speaker 4:You and I met because there were some challenges that you were having with your team, and one of the things that we did is that we use behavior analytics to give you some data, some insight, Because I think and I've been in the same situation you have an emotional reaction or an emotional bias to both the person and the situation. How did that science help you to make better decisions?
Speaker 1:Oh, my goodness, the data led me big time. And you can't dispute the data. You can, but why would you? Right. So that science. It was really helpful as you helped me kind of navigate through some of those personality changes with my team. The data was lead with data leaders. I'm one of those people that use data to lead with and it was really, really helpful.
Speaker 4:And as data and technology starts to advance, how is you know you've worked with you've worked with the web previous and now another large organization? How is those analytics helping you navigate both the culture and the talent that you have to lead?
Speaker 1:Yeah, the data doesn't lie Right. So when you look at the culture of any corporation, I would tell anybody if you're looking to go work for a company, make sure you understand their culture and see if it fits your values. That is so important. I always say people don't leave companies, people leave leaders. I believe that People quit because of their leaders. But the data is so important and I think the way you can use the data is you look at retention. You know people are going. How long are they staying? You look at the data of women. You look at the data of women.
Speaker 1:You look at the data of minorities. So I think the data is available for you to use it to your advantage for a different outcome.
Speaker 4:So you work with two large organizations that everyone would recognize all around the world and you've experienced and either thrived or been challenged in either one of those cultures. How do you navigate those cultures and make sure that you can thrive in that culture?
Speaker 1:Let me be clear. I have never been shy about this Faith and business intersects. I am a Christian. I show up at my corporate job in prayer. I am a firm believer. When I bring my beliefs to me in the workplace, that helps positive outcomes or can help keep you centered. Right.
Speaker 1:So I believe in showing up as a faith led leader. That has helped me thrive. When I have to make hard decisions, when I have important meetings that maybe I'm not confident with my message, I pray about it. I turn it over to a higher power. I always make sure I pray about it and I prepare, and that's it.
Speaker 4:That's all you can do, right.
Speaker 1:That is really what made me thrive. It's not a secret science to it, yeah exactly. It is my faith that has really sustained me through all these years in corporate America that sustained me through all these years in corporate America.
Speaker 4:So I want to shift a little bit more now to where your passion lies not just women in business, but you have been passionate about the minority and the small business owner and, as the things that are really changing in today's economy, what advice do you have for that small business owner, that entrepreneur, that minority business owner, on what they should be doing right now that you're seeing corporations doing that is going to help them to thrive in 2025?
Speaker 1:Yeah, first of all, if you're a small business owner, stay the course. Entrepreneurship is economic freedom. It creates legacy. So I am so proud of all entrepreneurs. Stay the course, if you can, because I know it's hard. I always tell business owners provide solutions. Know what your customers' pain points are, and because sometimes they don't even know what their pain points are. But if you provide solutions, you've done your research, you know what they need Be solutions oriented. Tell them something that they need that they don't know they need it yet.
Speaker 4:Right, exactly, I just spoke to a research. There you go.
Speaker 1:You're forward thinking. You look at trends and analysis. Tell them what they and they don't even know they need it yet. So be a solutions-oriented entrepreneur.
Speaker 4:That is so, so clear. But what I find is that people are trying to provide solutions. They assume their market needs. I just spoke to one of the top advertisers in the nation and what he told me was go out and understand your target market's pain. What are they saying? What are they researching? Because they may not know they need your solution. But if you can't resonate with them, they never see the problem or the solution. So don't speak in what you assume. Go to them so you can speak in a manner that resonates with them.
Speaker 1:That's right, that's right. Remember we talked about knowing the audience.
Speaker 4:Yes.
Speaker 1:Reading the room yeah exactly, and I think it's okay to interview a potential client or interview them or do their research. You're right. Yes. But you definitely need to get their voice as you provide the solution.
Speaker 4:Okay, now you are working with McDonald's right now and helping small businesses and diverse and inclusion, and that's when I opened up with that. You had 540 suppliers signed to a DEI pledge. Tell me a little bit about that and why was that important for the organization?
Speaker 1:So that was work that I started when I first came on to McDonald's and we talked about this whole value system. And so when I started about four years ago you know, d and I we had just come off of George Floyd we were looking to rebrand D and I and we wanted not only those small businesses that were diverse on, but we wanted all suppliers to commit to a DNI strategy. Ok.
Speaker 1:And so my plan was OK. Supplier, I want to see your DNI plan and that was called Mutual Commitment to Diversity, equity and Inclusion. Mcdonald's we want to use our brand and scale for good. 30 million customers, so many restaurants. We're a global brand, so we could use major influence by using our scale.
Speaker 1:Right, exactly, we say okay, suppliers, diversity and equity and inclusion is important to us. We need to make sure it's important to you. If it is, we want you to sign this pledge, and if it's not important to you yet, we can help you get there. So when a supplier signs the pledge, it opened them up to get resources and learning from not only McDonald's but other subject matter experts, Because we wanted to bring our supplier community along in this journey.
Speaker 1:No one would be left behind in DE&I and so that was our mutual commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and actually that increased Rico. We had over 650 suppliers.
Speaker 4:And so what lessons can minority business and small businesses take from some of the practices, like a McDonald's, that they can start implementing into their culture to help them to be successful?
Speaker 1:Yeah, so I think you said it. Make sure your workforce is diverse Women, minorities do you have mentoring program to help with that minority talent? Make sure your values in a small business is loud and clear. You'd be surprised. I've talked to several small businesses. They don't have a mission, vision or values. Right.
Speaker 1:Why not? And they say to me I'm a small business, but you're a business. I don't care how small you are, you're a business. So when you have your mission, vision and values, that's the personality of your business, that's the personality of your business that needs to be, defined.
Speaker 1:So make sure, as a small business, you have that in place Mission, vision and values that is so important. And then strategies right To DE&I or whatever it is. Make sure you have you know, you know who your stakeholders are and that you have comms plans as you think about socializing your business with corporations and other stakeholders. So those are some of the things that those are ways I would advise small businesses in this market in 2025.
Speaker 4:What you're saying is so critical because we run into this a lot. Tell our audience the difference between a mission, a vision and a value.
Speaker 1:Well, let's talk about value. So the values are who you are and what you believe in, what drives you Right, what's important to you, what matters speaks to you and what's important. So your mission is what do you want to get accomplished? And then your vision is what's long-term, what's long-term for the company. So that's mission, vision and values. And you can study large corporations to see how they set theirs, to help you, as a business owner, set yours.
Speaker 4:And that's important Right now, even large organizations, when we're working with them, they are struggling to hire the right people, because they're hiring for skill, which is transactional, versus aligning to their values. Why they haven't defined not the values that you see in the wall, but what are the behaviors that reflect those values, because now you can hire for people who are aligned to those values, and that's really important. Don't just say you know, our values are A, b, c and D. How are you living them? How do they manifest themselves in the business? Because that is who you are, the character, the integrity, and how are the people are going to relate with you, and so that's really critical on there. So I have another Rico question for you. Yes, here we go. You ready? What is one lesson the corporate world still hasn't learned from women, minority or black women in business?
Speaker 1:Hey, I'm a black woman. Black women deserve more. I feel like there are still, maybe, stereotypes. I've been in situations where we've had two good candidates, one Black and one white, and a difference was made. And.
Speaker 1:I just could not sit there and let that decision be made without saying anything, and not that I was taking up for the Black person, but as a leader, you got to do the right thing, be ethical, right. I would say Black women deserve more. In 2020, rico, I don't have the number, but Black women left corporate America by leaps and bounds to go and start their own business.
Speaker 4:Yep, the fastest growing segment in small businesses.
Speaker 1:Yes, there's a term I know you've heard of it quiet quitting. So many Black people have been not promoted, overlooked, underserved, and I think they just said you know what I'm out of here. I'm going to go start my own business because if I can give this corporation 80 hours a week, I can give myself 80 hours a week, Right exactly.
Speaker 1:So I would say black women deserve more. Black women are qualified and capable, but I don't think we're given that access to be shown that. You asked me a very good question earlier. What I have known about that job if I wasn't in a sales call, probably not that's access, correct, that's access. And if you have access like that, my goodness you know you would find out about opportunities not only from an access standpoint, but you're qualified. So I think Black women deserve more and we should be given more opportunities.
Speaker 4:And I want to say this as well. Is that something to do with what you said earlier, from understanding the difference between what your grandmother said and what that marketing person in college? Don't be afraid to speak up, develop your skills. When you have that confidence, you know you deserve more. So go out and get it right. Don't be afraid, because I do speak with a lot of minority, especially women, in business. They have every qualification, the ability, they're the very best, but whether it's the stigma or fear or whatever may be, they don't have the confidence to step out and grab what should be theirs right. So that is one thing I hope that whoever's listening to this is that if you've done the work, if you've put on the skills, you know you deserve more, don't be afraid to go out there and speak up and get in front of the people that should be out there, because you can't argue with results.
Speaker 1:Right and but, and you make a great point. Here's another limited belief, though Rico. There you go.
Speaker 1:As women I was. I can't speak for all and maybe you know I can get a high five from some women that are listening. As women, we are trained. You work hard and you keep your head down. You don't go out and advocate for yourself. That's how we're trained. And so when I started kind of dismissing those limited beliefs in one job, I did that. I dusted up my resume, cleaned it off and I went on a road show because I felt like I was ready for a promotion. I wanted people to know I'm Kermitra and this is what I've done. So don't be afraid to speak up and speak out, but do it the right way, because I didn't do that the right way. That is when an advocate is important. See, carmetria shouldn't have to go around and advocate for herself. My advocate would do that. Correct.
Speaker 1:And back to cultures. In some cultures that doesn't fly you advocating for yourself, so you got to read the room. There you go, you got to understand the culture in which you're working in and have you a very good advocate.
Speaker 4:And the other things that you said. Have a strategy, right. Understand the room, what works. Have a strategy, but do so when you're ready. I can't tell you how many people try to do that too quickly and they fall and you now ruin the reputation of your advocate, right? So make sure you're doing your homework that you can validate. I am ready. I have the results, because one of the things you did have in your resume is look what I've accomplished is that you were being overlooked for that, that's right, all right.
Speaker 4:final question what does your 70-year-old self hope you finally let go of?
Speaker 2:let go of 70. I hope I can get rid of it before 70.
Speaker 1:Get rid of timelines. Again, that's another limited belief. I wanted to be married by 30, three kids by 35, house with a fence by 40, this income by 43. It doesn't happen that way and if you keep those timelines, you will drive yourself crazy because you will feel like you're not achieving anything because you haven't hit certain milestones. So be gentle with yourself. Get rid of the timelines. Be progressive in what you want to do, but don't allow society to tell you when you have to do it and how you do it. Society to tell you when you have to do it and how you do it. That, for me, is what I would like to at 70 years old.
Speaker 1:You know what Forget about it, it's my way or the highway on my terms.
Speaker 4:And you know what? We shouldn't wait till 70 for that right. You only have one life to live. Live it to its fullest. Don't assign things that you feel you should accomplish. And I see that with so much with younger generation right now. I should already be here by now because of something that's on social media or an assumption, and there's a higher level of stress, a higher level of concern for what right? So I really love that one Get rid of timelines. So, speaking of timelines, can you share with us the story of the inception of paint your lips red? What is that?
Speaker 1:Yes, so PYLR, affectionately, is a leadership movement for women, redefining the way they live and lead.
Speaker 4:Okay.
Speaker 1:And so red lipstick, ladies. If you love red lipstick, you'll know it's no longer a fashion statement but a call to action, and I came up with this concept. I was my grandmother's caregiver and she was on dialysis. She had congestive heart failure. But when she would get ready in the morning, Rico, after she would take her medicine, say her prayer, she would say give me my red lipstick. Oh wow, I never knew. Maybe she was trying to be cute for the day, but when I sat with it that was her cape for the day. It's tired, she was scared, but my red lip is going to get me through. I got four doctor's appointments today, but my red lipstick is going to get me through. So, ladies, red lipstick now. It's a call to action to be fierce, fearless and also feminine, because as women climb the corporate ladder or increase their business, they're losing the femininity. Ladies, your feminine power is so important and, believe it or not, men still appreciate women leaders that are feminine.
Speaker 4:Yes, absolutely.
Speaker 1:And so my red lipstick is my femininity. I'm a woman, I'm a leader, but I'm still feminine. I want to be a feminine leader. So, ladies, that's the whole premise for PYLR paint your lips red. It's not a fashion statement, it's a call to action to be more fierce, fearless and feminine. And I'm getting ready for my annual luncheon on May 18th. It's this year. It's hats off to women. It's a day of sisterhood, empowerment, promoting your business and networking.
Speaker 4:I had your website up and I'll make sure we'll share all the links to that. So if we're attending, give us a little bit of a snapshot. As the Black community going to see a counselor has a stigma attached to it and so, because it's Mental Health Awareness Month.
Speaker 1:as women, we wear so many hats, but I want to make sure women know how to check in on their mental health. So, I have a mental health speaker coming.
Speaker 1:We also have an entrepreneurship panel. If you're looking to start a business, scale a business, grow a business, I have expert entrepreneurs that will be to help you with that. And then we have a panel on sisterhood. I'm a big believer that women need to stop competing and collaborating. Ladies, we need to stop it because there's strength in numbers. And so it is a day of sisterhood, empowerment workshops. You'll get served lunch and it's just a day of celebration, so we'd love to see you on May 18th here in Atlanta from 12 until 4 pm.
Speaker 4:And we'll have all the registration links and links to the website for you guys to review it and look at that. And next year you have something special that's about to happen, right, kamitra?
Speaker 1:Yes, next year. I have just turned in a book to my publisher and I have written a book called Never Wear Red Lipstick Eight Lies that Stop Black Women From Succeeding in Life and Business. And what I talked about earlier. This book is on limited beliefs. I'm killing eight limited beliefs that I've experienced and that other women experience, and I'm giving you the limitless truth on how you can pull from those limited beliefs.
Speaker 4:Okay, so give our audience a teaser. What are the eight limited beliefs in?
Speaker 1:the book. I can only give you a few of them.
Speaker 4:Okay, go ahead.
Speaker 1:Self-care. It doesn't cost People. Equate self-care with going to an expensive spa. No, self-care is finding your happy place, being mindful. So get rid of thinking that self-care is expensive, ladies, because it's not your favorite book in your closet, your favorite chair. That's taking care of yourself and being mindful. Women should collaborate and not compete. Let's stop competing with each other. What woman do you want to collaborate with? What woman can you learn from? Call her, let her know you admire her and you want to work better together. There is strength in numbers. The other one is be optimistic about your life. Sometimes we come to the table with so much magic, so much baggage and pain. Be optimistic about what's next for you. And then one of the other beliefs is there is a place for faith in business.
Speaker 1:I tell women all the time there's a place for faith in business. Your faith should not be separate from your business. They are aligned.
Speaker 4:Very nice. I can't wait to read that book.
Speaker 1:Thank you, I'm excited.
Speaker 4:So, as we close, and well, the great, amazing conversation, and again, thank you for your wisdom and insight. I know it's going to inspire so many of our listeners. Love that raw passion that you have and yet you leave everything out there. So I really, really appreciate that.
Speaker 1:Thank you.
Speaker 4:For someone who comes across this podcast, sees the title and maybe we have five seconds to get their attention. What would you tell that person who's now looking at you, why they should stay and listen to this podcast? What are they going to get out of it?
Speaker 1:Stay and listen to this podcast. We are talking about limited beliefs and so many other things that can help you grow as a leader and an entrepreneur. There are so many resources out there. Push past the things that are just not true. Push past the things that you've told yourself that are not true. Push past the things that maybe you grew up with that are holding you back. They're not true. And if you feel like you need to seek help, get counseling, kill the stigma. Go talk to somebody to get you those tools, because those limited beliefs can really stop you from meeting your fullest potential. And, as women leaders, we need all hands on deck and all women to be prepared to show up as good leaders.
Speaker 4:You're the perfect person for this, because I want to start a new tradition to end the show. Okay. So this is. You know we have WTF, what's the fix? So here's the what's the fix phrase. I want you to complete it. Right. A lot of people don't know this, but around limited beliefs, whatever it may be.
Speaker 1:Yeah, A lot of people don't know this, but limited beliefs exist in you. You may be calling them something else, but what is that thing that you have told yourself for years? That's just not true. That you have told yourself for years? That's just not true. Or what has somebody else told you that's not true? Make sure you're calling it the right thing and turn it into a limitless truth.
Speaker 4:Excellent, all right, so we end this show with a question that our previous guests left for you to answer. Okay, what belief do you have today that you did not have 10 years ago?
Speaker 1:I need to think about that, but I'm just going to say this one I think women are better leaders. Okay, we're intuitive. Right. Empathetic, I think, women. I'm not taking anything from men, but I do think, let me say it like this women lead differently.
Speaker 4:There we go Okay. Women lead differently.
Speaker 1:Not saying it's better or worse, but they lead differently and you need to embrace that right. Don't try to lead like other people. Adopt your own style and run with it.
Speaker 4:So when you say that women lead differently, how do they lead differently?
Speaker 1:I think women are more empathetic. I mean, men are too. I think women tend to be better storytellers. Yeah. That's just my opinion. So those are some things that. I've observed with women leaders.
Speaker 4:It's been my experience that women leaders are also more intuitive. And in the group, yeah, okay.
Speaker 1:Great point.
Speaker 4:So now it's your turn. What question would you like to leave for our next guest to answer?
Speaker 1:What is your leadership legacy? What do you want to be known?
Speaker 4:for I like that, kamitra, as always, it is such a joy to not only speak with you, but see you and hear your thoughts. I always leave energized after a conversation with you, so thank you so much for sharing your wisdom, your insight, your passion. Please, everyone, take a look at the bottom and look at all the links to connect Any other way that people can connect with you, kamitra.
Speaker 1:I'm on Instagram at Dr Kamitra B. I'm on Facebook at Dr Kametria B. I'm on Facebook at Kametria Burton. I'm on LinkedIn at Kametria Burton. My website is wwwpaintyourlipsredcom. You can follow me all there and I will be letting you know when my next book is launched or other events that I may be having.
Speaker 4:And I'm going to also add a link there for anyone who wants to pre-register for your book before it comes out, so that way, when your book comes out, we can have you back and everyone who's on that list you know she's going to kill me for this will probably get an autographed book if you're on that list. Let's do it. Perfect. So we'll have a pre-sale or pre-registration, if you want Kometra's book before it comes out, and only those on our list during our interview when it comes out will get an autographed copy.
Speaker 1:I love that. I look forward to that Dr.
Speaker 4:Correa, thank you so much. Enjoy your day. Thank you for being here. And for everybody else we'll see you next time.
Speaker 1:See you soon.
Speaker 4:Bye-bye.
