Just before the Coronavirus hit Europe I returned to the USA, after living in France for a year. I decided to relocate to Denver, Colorado, a new city for me. I knew no one! I was scrambling to get a job while I studied to transfer my real estate license to Denver. I managed to get a temp job working for a company doing some admin work in the HR department. So much for that International business and marketing/french bachelor’s degree. When the HR department at my temp job started working from home after COVID-19 I was surprised that I was able to work from home as well because my job was administrative office work. My supervisor said because I didn’t have a car I was a threat to the office because I was taking the train to work and could transport coronavirus to the office. So they did not want me in the office but being in the office was necessary for the job. After the project I was working on was completed two weeks later I was let go. They said when everything goes back to normal they would give me a call. Still, two months later I was waiting on that call. I wasn’t eligible for unemployment and I never received any stimulus check or government loan. I didn’t know what to do with myself and wasn’t sure what was going to happen since I didn’t have a paycheck. On top of everything else the day before I was scheduled to take my real estate test, the testing center closed due to Covid-19. So I had lots of time to plan my next steps. But I didn’t need time I needed a paycheck. In between studying for my real estate test and applying to remote jobs, I had a lot of time to worry. Instead, I found myself getting on Instagram live for entertainment, connection and to learn from others who have had some success. In the process, I made some online new friends, learned some new business strategies, and found some entertainment all on Instagram live. Some people online that I have admired even laughed at some of my Instagram Live jokes, I did not realize I was a self-proclaimed Instagram Live comedian. I started reaching out to some of the people who have inspired or have taught me in some way. I have been able to build a good report with some inspirational , down to earth people! It was so enlightening. I felt that the help and guidance I was seeking came in the form of whichever Instagram Live would pop up that day. Some of these accounts I never knew I followed before and some were accounts I never followed previously but were guests on Instagram Lives of accounts I already followed. Instagram Lives saved me from sinking into a slippery sad slope of the worries. The inspiration I received helped me spread some laughter, information, and hope to some of the people who watch my stories and follow me. Instagram Lives also helped me put action and strategy behind some of my entrepreneurial, personal talents and dreams. This time I had was maybe exactly what I needed after all. Here are the best Instagram Lives I have experienced and have positively changed my life and mind:
@Altucher, James Altucher- James and his wife, Robyn give tips on entrepreneurship, business, idea sex, stock market, parenting, writing, comedy, stories on live and even Tupac, and everything in between. Watching theses lives daily at 2 pm EST I learned so much about everything but also I learned what it comes down to is simply choosing yourself. The 30-day writing challenges to create and self publish a book James has done have got me started on writing my book again after years of putting it down and it helped me to start this newsletter. I connected with a lot of viewers who attended these IG lives and received a lot of support for my writing. A community has been created of people who attend the Altucher Instagram lives daily, I call them the Altucherites and this community was such a wonderful surprise!
@kevinolearytv, Kevin O’Leary from Shark Tank was on Instagram Live talking with the creator of Kind bars. It’s always good to listen to him and learn and to be able to talk with two successful entrepreneurs was so educational and fun. Kevin O’Leary always says you cockroaches to anyone of his victims. So I jokingly said something along those lines like what are you cockroaches doing, Mr. Wonderful. If you look at the comments one of the viewers came for me! They said Tina I can smell your breath from here. I found myself thinking if I needed to brush my teeth again. Lol! Online I learned to be careful even if you are not saying anything offensive it could be taken the wrong way. But The Instagram live was nonetheless informative and entertaining.
@GhettoGastro- These are two wonderful creative chocolate men in white robes are on an island…I think and they have celebrity guests cook on their Instagram lives. They are super chill and their Instagram Lives are so yummy they deserve a television show of their own. They are personable and positive they write back if you send a DM.
@Naomi and @ochosystem, Joe Holder- I got a jumpstart to working out again with Naomi and her celebrity trainer, Joe Holder. The workout Is an alternative cutting edge system to repair and rebuild your body it’s a good way to get fit and not kill your body. If Naomi has been working out with Joe, of Ocho System for two years and she looks that great at age 50, then sign me up! I’m so grateful for these workouts and find it incredibly thoughtful to share these very expensive workouts for free. Naomi says she not technical with Instagram but she now has learned to save the Instagram Lives so they can be viewed later! Bravo
@craigdavid For those of you in the USA that didn’t know Craig David is still a household name especially in Europe, he is not only an artist but a producer, songwriter, and Dj. This guy gave an Instagram Live Concert on his birthday. He sang live and he sounded amazing it lifted my spirits.
@marieforleo, I enjoy Marie Forleo and always being able to learn something helpful from her inspirational Instagram Lives. I applied to have free access to her writing course and was bummed I didn’t get picked but very happy that I still get to learn from her weekly videos and Instagram Lives!
@jo_franco, Jo Franco- She came to the USA From Brazil as an undocumented immigrant not speaking English and now she speaks at least 5 languages well.Including French, English, Portuguese, Italian, Spanish. Jo is a world traveler and has recently added a daily journaling course to her platform. journaling is A perfect pivot and exactly what was needed during a pandemic to help her followers reconnect with themselves and their inner feelings. I was happy to join this fun, inspiring and educational Instagram Live with Jo Franco being interviewed in Italian and English with an Italian YouTuber and Instagrammer 2minuticonpaolino.
@Iamardreorie: A Celebrity Ghostwriter and owner of her own publishing company, 13th & Joan. Ardre has ghostwritten many successful books for celebrities. She was hosting an Instagram live with the account BlackWall.St which I already followed. Ardre gave tips on how to become an Author and write books faster. She told me my book idea was a good one and also inspired me to finish my book after she responded to one of my questions on Instagram Live. I started following her as she’s such an inspiration to the writing community.
Vishen- co-president of Mindvalley he was very inspirational as long as we didn’t mention being against vaccinations or mention reality stars! On this Instagram live Vishen teamed up with instagram account Foodmatters to talk about happiness and health. They even laughed at my joke which you can see in the comments below! They were happy everyone had a good sense of humor. Vishen is offering a free manifestations/meditation class using the Silva technique which I would like to check out at Mindvalley.com
@TheBlackUpstart- I learned so much about finances and resources available during COVID 19. During this Instagram live it was the first time I learned about The Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund. Which is an innovative federal agency within the Treasury Department that was established in 1994, through the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act, to promote community development in distressed urban and rural communities by increasing the availability of credit, investment capital and financial services available? They also talked about SBA loans and how to make the most of your finances during the pandemic. I learned so much.
I had only two embarrassing days on Instagram live when I asked a question on Rickey Thompsons Live. First of all, I love Rickey and his video and his Janet Jackson Concert he gave on IG Live recently. This time, Rickey was asking people to ask relationship questions and I just said I want to find someone who is wealthy online that wants to have a baby because I don’t necessarily want a relationship. When I tell you he kicked me out to the curb and his fans dragged me so hard…. whew, I had to unfollow. I mean I never heard of a woman saying she wanted a baby with a broke man. Can’t I just be authentic? If he’s going to cheat don’t let him be broke as well. Okay I might need to revisit this subject with a professional. But so what my clock is ticking. But to be fair I never heard a man say he wants an ugly woman either, not even an ugly man wants an ugly woman. So, what’s wrong with saying I want someone accomplished in his career? The fans were all like pray for her, help her, get a job, laughing emojis. End scene. You can read the comments below…..
The other Instagram live I got out right bullied on was by the comedian Godfrey. He does IG lives every night for 4 hours at a time. Godfrey goes live and puts his cash app for people to donate. This night at 3 am he and his other comedian friend were upset because I mentioned something about the video they shared on Live was of men who were giving messages of how to succeed and be disciplined however these men were the main ones cheating on their wives and Godfrey and his friend started giving me backlash and saying my head was too big and calling me out of my name and threatening to go to my profile and make fun of how I looked, they called me a b$%^ and all of his fans were laughing. I told them to go to my profile and see how I look … and what! The guest comedian, I can’t remember his name because he’s not known for much of anything recently and he’s not that funny,(*pictured below) but he started verbally attacking me so I told him he looked like he could be Drake’s much older uncle. He didn’t like that too much and he went ham. A woman from the Godfrey IG live followed me and wrote to tell me she was sorry I was treated that way and she told me I was beautiful and don't’ listen to them they were acting immature and she unfollowed Godfrey as well. I thought it was very nice after two grown men came for me. Godfrey blocked me from the Instagram live and continued to talk about me and how many followers they both aspired to have, I heard! It was the worst because I didn’t feel great that day and I just wanted to go on there for laughs.
On a positive note, @thesharkdaymond- Just listening to Daymond The Shark give advice online has been so helpful. I learned something new every time about succeeding in business and life. Daymond’s Instagram Live was with Authors series with Afro-Punk. It was so informative and personal. He also keeps it real and he always puts God first. I appreciate that Instagram live so much!
@sydelcurrylee- was on Instagram live with @anisabeauty and Sydel Curry was open about having a hard time in the pandemic with mental health and productivity and being okay with having a therapist. She said something so helpful from her therapist which is to have grace with yourself most of us have never experienced a pandemic before!
I can always feed my strong esoteric side when I attend Instagram lives with @theshelahmarie she talks about the deeper meaning of the pandemic and she’s supportive of women and finding the deeper meaning of life! She’s a comedian too me and she got booty for days. No homo.
@kevion Keven Stirdivant with Kase Real Estate Inc. I just learned so many real estate gems from these Instagram Lives. He’s very open after experiencing the loss of loved ones and friends. These tragedies inspired him not to waste anymore time and to become his best self. On this Instagram live Keven had a very in-depth conversation with Liv Hernandez, founder of Wordaful. Liz also dropped some inspirational gems about life and loss of loved ones and how to continue on successfully. She emphasized the power of speaking and writing down what you envision for your life. I took the opportunity to write down some of my goals in the comments 😂
In other lives, Keven has shared with us his daily routine and his faith in God! I was so happy that he answered my questions on IG Live about how to become a better Realtor and how he holds himself accountable to his goals. Before he even meets with his team at 9 am he gets up around 5 am to take time to pray, exercise, and plan out his week so he’s centered before talking to any member on his team. I started getting up around 5:30 and 6 am after this Instagram Live after years of trying. Keven even remembered me when I attended on future lives! He said there’s my friend Tina! It uplifted my spirits knowing that Instagram Live can connect people. Who knows if Keven would ever remember me again but at that moment it was endearing to be acknowledged and remembered by someone that is inspiring.
@plusmodelmag Right before the pandemic hit I signed with Wilhemina Denver as curve model and actor even though I have been signed with agencies since I was age 23. Watching these IG lives I have learned invaluable guidance from @plusmodelmag I have also been able to connect with other curve models, model coaches and photographers on Instagram Lives. I have learned the importance of running your business, being professional, keeping yourself ready, and practicing your walk and posing. Even at home You can always take digitals to submit to agency. They can be simple and with your phone and a ring light, if you just want to start.
@devonfranklin What kept me was being able to pray and get the word from an inspirational and uplifting pastor his prayers for me through!! Sometimes I attended live Instagrams but sometimes I went back to his channel to listen to his prayers Inmsde some friends from his Instagram lives as well when pastor Devon was sharing about a couple that committed to saving themselves for marriage but they fell in lust. I commented that they need to get married the next day and won over some fellow faith friends who found that comment entertaining👏🏾 the 👏🏾next 👏🏾day!
Honorable mentions…
below are some of the honorable mentions that either inspired me, a word, or entertainment. I missed the Erykah Badu and Jill Scott battle and the Jamaican battle with Beenie man. I did catch the messy Babyface and TeddyRiley Song off—They both look good for their age but they looked so old trying to figure out a new technology it was a trainwreck but I couldn’t look away. They are both so talented I didn’t know they both wrote all those songs!!
I started listening to Dnice DJ lives his knowledge of music and mixing style is unmatched but after the bottles of wine and countless excessive hours he went online I realized it was just for the fans. I saw the way he was thankful for his fans but only shutout celebrities which were numerous among his 20k+ viewers. It was like being back in high school and not being part of the in-crowd. It was all “good vibes” in Club Quarantine they just ignore whoever is not in the in-crowd of the Club Quarantine (CQ) crowd. It was cute how Dnice would ask Halle berry out and the loyal followers would put the hashtag #berrynice when Halle was in attendance. It’s neat how they had the CQ dance floor and bar on deck. Very creative fun bunch…for the most part. After Dnice blew up and started selling merch and not giving any of the proceeds of his merchandise to charity, I didn’t feel it was as genuine as everyone thought but he brought a lot of people together and he’s been in the DJ business for a long time. It just wasn’t a crowd that I felt accepted in. .Don’t @AT me…I know everyone loves them some Dnice. I still got love for Dnice! Can’t hate the player he is on his hustle! Personal hustle. But to his credit, he did do some DJ sets for charity. Anyway, some of the less Instagram famous DJs I enjoyed were Producer, Will Packer, Diplo, Dallas Austin, and Questlove.
@entrepreneur the message of this Instagram live was just do it even if it’s not perfect, just start! So relevant during this pandemic.
@diddy I loved that Diddy brought so many celebrities together to raise money for charities. I didn’t like that he asked plus-size beauty, Lizzo to stop twerking when the reality star, Draya was twerking as well. Perhaps it was the hour of the twerk? We don’t know! But, it was all for a good cause.
To sum it up, I learned that you can make valuable connections even online, learn lessons, and get inspiration online as well. I also learned you have to watch what you say because it can get misinterpreted and there can be a tendency to bully a person in a group mentality. A lot of keyboard gangsters can live online. Also, these celebrity accounts have monitors and if you say something inappropriate, far worse than anything I would say, but outright inappropriate, they will remember you because your name could end up on their bad list. It would not be my intention to be added to this bad list and Luckily I have not been added to a bad list or so I think. I made more good connections and learned more useful lessons than bad ones. Instagram Live helped me more than I knew it would. I’m more focused on my goals and carrying them out strategically!
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