pacing for success

JASMINE’S LEAP OF FAITH

My name is Jasmine Graham and I am the President of Pace For Success INC. I am also currently a coach for the Brooklyn chapter of Team In Training (teamintraining.org) the world's largest endurance training organization with all proceeds benefiting the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. I have run 3 Marathons and numerous half marathons. I have coached hundreds of participants and aided them in their quest to cross the finish line in various endurance events.
I was recently laid off from a VP of Sales position in fashion. I had worked in fashion for the past 16 years and worked my way from assistant to VP of Sales. Fashion was my 2^nd career, I was a paralegal right out of college and realized that the legal field was not for me and I started temping and ended up at Speedo and worked my way up from there. I learned a lot about humility during that transition. I went from having an administrative assistant to type my depositions to answering phones, getting coffee and being paid much less. I knew I had to take a step back to move forward and I did.
On May 5^th, 2008 the EVP for my division told me that due to budget cuts May 30^th would be my last day of work with the company. I knew that layoffs were eminent but once I heard it I felt free to some degree. I can't explain it but I never panicked. I worked to the last day and put 100% effort in during that time. I received a good severance package so I knew I had some time to think about my future. I took the month of June to relax and de-tox from a toxic work environment. By the last week of June I started thinking about what I wanted to do with my future. I went on a few interviews but I knew deep in the heart that I would not be returning to fashion. I always knew that I would not be in fashion for the rest of my career but never knew what I would do. My thought was to make the money and hustle for as long as I could and then I could pursue other things. I had no idea that I would be facing this decision in June 2008.
My 91 year old grandmother told me to pray to God for guidance and write down my goals and aspirations. I took her advice, wrote down all my ideas and came up with Pace For Success Inc. The goal of my company is to create F.I.N.E. WOMEN through Fitness, Involvement, Nutrition & Empowerment. I wanted to reach out to women and teens and teach them how to eat better and exercise and get involved in their community. I realized that I needed to get certifications and i did. I took business couses that instructed me on how to start my own business. I became a student of the universe and I was taking in as much information as I possibly could. I launched my site in late July 2008. I contacted nutritionists and trainers and life coaches and let them all know what I was doing and asked them to join me. I expected this to be an instant success so I wanted to be ready for business. Build it and they will come was my motto.
I soon realized that I had a great site but not too much traffic. People started going to the site but no one was signing up for any of my programs. I knew that I had something that the world needed but it seemed like no one wanted it. The month of Oct was tough for me emotionally. Here it was 3 months after I stated the business and I had no clients. I was spending a lot on marketing and other business related expenses and it seemed like it just wasn't working. I questioned my choice to start my own business and think I was a bit disappointed. I kept a smile on my face but inside I was struggling to hold on to my dream. I prayed a lot and did a lot of marketing and brainstorming and praying and finally came up with my Runner's Bootcamp class. The moment I sent out an invitation on Facebook I got so many replies of interest and confirmation of classes. I also sent out emails to nonprofit organizations and now I am working on presentations for teen girls. I feel so blessed to see that in these hard economic times people are signing up for my classes and I can get an income so that I can work with nonprofits and help make a difference.
I am not making my 6 digit salary anymore but I am helping people and making a difference in people's lives. I am currently launching a Holiday drive for the Incarnation House in New York. They house abandoned and orphaned children with HIV Aids. I called and offered my services and they were so grateful. They told me that usually they have 30 calls about Holiday drives by now and they only had 3 this year and were concerned. I am putting 100% effort into this project and all my mini projects that bring people hope and put a smile on someone's face.
I took a leap of faith and I never looked back. I took all my years of planning someone else's business and planned my own business, Pace For Success Inc. I realized that because of my sales background I was used to instant gratification and this is not possible in my business. I had to build the foundation and make it strong and have faith that everything would start to come together. Well, it has started and I am beyond grateful to the universe for opening doors that allow me to follow my dreams. So many people tell me that I have a GIFT and I finally realized that I really do and I am using it to benefit others.
I am 44 years old and for the first time in my life I feel that my life has purpose and that I am on the right track. When you set a goal to run a marathon sacrifice your time and you train hard and you show up on race confident that you can do it. You have probably run between 20 to 22 miles on your long runs so when you show up on race day you may be nervous but your body is conditioned and after 5-6 months of training you should be prepared. I used these principals for life, you set an attainable goal and you sacrifice and do all the necessary duties to get it done. It's not easy, you may cry, fall and get hurt during the process but you will reach your goal if you tell yourself that you can do it. I'm at mile 13 with 13.2 miles to go and I will cross the finish line. I am fearless as I move forward in the next phase of my life.