We recently connected with REISCHEL SAWYER-COBB and have shared our conversation below.
Hi REISCHEL, so great to have you on the platform. There’s so much we want to ask you, but let’s start with the topic of self-care. Do you do anything for self-care and if so, do you think it’s had a meaningful impact on your effectiveness?
I practice daily self-care. My morning begins with prayer and meditation as I awake. Once I’m up and ready to get my day started, I take a walk in the neighborhood while listening to my Pandora Gospel station. This supports my physical, mental and spiritual well-being. This daily morning routine sets the tone for my day. If I went to bed with worry or being overwhelmed the night before, this routine shifts my energy into a positive space which allows me to be productive throughout my day. I also take a midday pause. This is usually during my afternoon lunch hour where I step away from my desk and just sit in silence. This allows me to release and make room for the second half of my day. Some years ago, I wasn’t aware of how important a self-care routine is. I used to be so busy throughout my day multitasking then feeling overwhelmed at the end of the day. I took pride in the fact that I assumed I was managing my life well, but in truth my life wasn’t balanced. I finally decided on my journey to live free, I needed to set boundaries and lead a well-balanced life. That’s when I began to really prioritize myself in my life. The changes I made have really enhanced my life. I feel a renewed sense of freedom. I feel more at ease and not always rushed. I can say I’m truly living free now and on my own terms. Self-care begins from the inside out.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am the visionary founder and CEO of ICANDO, a remarkable women empowerment organization and brand. With a deep-rooted passion for encouraging, inspiring, and empowering women to live their true purpose, I have embraced my role as a “Passion-preneur.” My journey began in 2017 when I recognized the need for a small mentoring program for young women, driven by my desire to support the next generation.
After hosting a successful vision board party for a handful of young ladies, I realized that my calling extended far beyond a single age group. I embarked on a soul-searching exploration of my own life’s seasons, gaining clarity on the universal need to inspire and uplift women and girls in all aspects of their lives. Guided by my favorite Bible scripture, Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” my vision grew into something greater, birthing the empowering brand known as ICANDO.
On August 1, 2020, ICANDO was officially launched, presenting a product line that includes apparel, accessories, and cosmetics. The core motto, “I Can Do all things purposed for me. I Can Do ME!” encapsulates ICANDO’s passionate mission to inspire women to confidently embrace their true purpose. With a focus on fostering confidence, boldness, and truth, ICANDO empowers women to overcome great obstacles with strength and resilience. The brand’s offerings delicately address the desire for inner growth while enhancing outer appearance.
Grounded in core values of truth, honesty, positivity, community, and passion, ICANDO aspires to touch, empower, inspire, and motivate women through its presence, daily inspirational posts, and a range of transformative products. In 2021, significant milestones were achieved, including the formation of the ICANDO Book Club, the creation of the ICANDO Scholarship Program, the successful launch of ICANDO Lip Gloss, the inaugural ICANDO Women Empowerment Conference, and the introduction of the ICANDO Girl Collection.
Additionally, ICANDO began providing regular assistance to women shelters within Los Angeles County, donating essential products to uplift and support women in need.
Looking ahead, ICANDO remains committed to the development and advancement of its mentoring program, eager to make an even greater impact. Although currently a small organization and brand, the vision for ICANDO is vast and boundless. The ICANDO Women Empowerment Brand has much more in store, as it continues to grow and bring forth positive change in the lives of women everywhere.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
It is important to be goal-oriented, have a plan in place to achieve those goals as well as organize and prioritize your steps or tasks. That has been a plus for me because I am very well-organized. I set goals every year for personal and business. I create a plan to achieve them. I create a “tasks list” (it’s always good to write things out) and use it as a checklist of what’s done and what’s pending. It helps to keep me on track timewise and on task. Because I earned my bachelor’s degree in business administration: Accounting as well as have a 27-year career in accounting, my education and experience made my transition to starting my own business pretty easy.
To those who are early in the journey, my advice is to be sure to know and understand the business of business before you get too far in. Gain knowledge of the industry you desire to enter. Take classes, workshops, webinars, etc. to obtain the knowledge and expertise to take your business to its full potential. Also, alignment is key. Align yourself with those people who get your vision, understand your vision and who you can learn from. If they don’t get as excited about your vision as you, that’s not who you should sit at tables with.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
There are so many impactful things my parents did for me but one that stands out the most is them instilling in me that I’m not here to be average, I am above average. They always pushed me to use my gifts and talents. One story I always share is how if I brought home a report card with a C grade on it, my dad would say “you are NOT a C student, you are an A student.” I carry that with me still in life today. What that did was empower me as a kid and build my confidence. Because my parents empowered me early on is the reason I stand tall as an empowered woman today. Because I was blessed with that, I feel it’s my purpose to empower those who may have not been empowered in their lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.icando.biz
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/icando.biz
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/ICANDOorg
- Other: email: [email protected]
Image Credits
Photos credit: Dope Shots Photography
