Page 16 - Florida Sentinel 12-22-17

All About You! Local
Businesswoman Helps Others While Pursuing Her Dreams
ANGEL FERGUSON
... Mother, Grandmother,
Author, Motivational Speaker, Mentor, Publisher, and Business Owner
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
If one were to ask what hat Ms. Angel Ferguson is wearing, it would depend on what she is doing. She is a mother, grandmother, author, motivational speaker, mentor, publisher, and business owner.
A Tampa native, Ms. Fer- guson graduated from Tampa Bay Technical High School. She then earned an A.A. in Business Management from Tampa College.
And, then it was off into the workforce. During that time, she became a mother and grandmother. But, 17 years ago, she decided to hone her skills in the publishing in- dustry. “I was the Secretary of my parents’ church, Charity Lighthouse of Faith, Inc. I started out producing pro- gram for the different services that were conducted during the ministry,” she recalled.
As time passed, she took a vacation and during that week, she created Hope & Truth Magazine, and copy- righted her own magazine. This was the starting point of her not only becoming self- employed, but helping others in the process.
“A year ago, I left my job and financed my dream. Within the first full year, I have opened Motivations That Inspires bookstore, volunteer with the NAACP ACT-SO Pro- gram, started “Mentoring with Angel Ferguson,” and I host a radio program, “Motivation Speaks with Angel Ferguson,” Ms. Ferguson said.
She has also published a total of 25 books, journals and workbooks for her mentoring program.
A Certified Life Coach and Mentor, Ms. Ferguson is not restricted to Tampa. In fact,
every quarter she travels to New Jersey, where she has a mentoring organization. And, the majority of the people she mentors are in the ministry.
“They are all pursuing things that God would have them do,” she said.
However, she is not re- strictive in mentoring and en- courages others outside of her network through her radio program. “If someone needs words of encouragement, I try to be there for them. I don’t want to know their business, but I do lift them up in prayer. A lot of people just need a lis- tening ear. I try to be that ear for someone who comes to me.”
During the holidays is a hard time for many people who have suffered a loss. “I tell them to remember the good times and to let go, but keep their loved ones in their hearts.”
While she feels that a per- son should be allowed the op- portunity to grieve, she cautions that healthy grieving doesn’t slip into depression. “This is really important dur- ing the holidays and through the first of the year,” she said.
She also spends a lot of time working with local au- thors. “I teach self-publishing to the authors and focus on the entire process of market- ing. I tell authors, they must obtain their retail license as a publisher and become active authors.
“I tell them, as a published author, you are now a busi- ness. So, I teach them brand- ing, which is a method of keeping their names out there.”
Ms. Ferguson said she creates custom coasters, bags, and anything to create a brand for the author. I help them grow and expand their brand. When they have their book signings, they also have prod- ucts to sell. This creates sev- eral avenues to increase their revenue.”
She is also expanding her own business. Her gift to her- self on her birthday, Decem- ber 28th, is to offer 5 of her inspirational books that have been converted into Spanish.”
The 45-year-old mother of two is a member of Life Com- munity Worship Center, and will soon become the grand- mother to a fourth child.
As for the future, Ms. Fer- guson said, “I am a teacher and I’m looking forward to being more involved in the ministry.”
CONGRATULATIONS!
BOBBY R. YOUNG
Congratulations to Mr. Bobby R. Young, better known as “King Domino Duck,” as he wins 18 straight domino games in Kissimmee, Florida.
P. S. Mr. Skipper and Mr. Will were two of the greatest domino players to ever face Mr. “King Domino Duck” in Tampa. But, “King Domino Duck” wins.
CHRISTMAS EVE
ARTHUR CHAVIS, JR. BLESSED!
HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
NIKKI And CARLTON PEASE
‘Happy Holiday,’ to my love, my wife, Nikki Pease, from your husband, Carlton Pease, aka (TANK-KB), and many blessed years to come.
ROBERT L. GASTON, JR.
‘Happy Birthday’ to my husband. May God bless you to see many more.
Love you, your wife,
Brenda Gaston!!!
PAGE 4-B FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2017