Charise Bennett is the Founder and CEO of the Best Me Ever Movement, its mission is to help people grow in self-love to confidently walk in purpose and achieve their goals. As an author, speaker, educator, and humorist, Charise combines creative storytelling, clever wordplay, and Christ-centered principles to deliver content that is designed to not-only amuse audiences, but to uplift and build community, as well. Charise holds a BA in English, MA in Interdisciplinary Studies and certificates in Women’s Entrepreneurship, Human Resources Management, DEI and is currently pursuing a doctorate in psychology.

Have a read of her Q&A Spotlight Interview with us and be inspired.                                          

1.Who or what inspired you to start your business?

My business started on the stage at church, LOL. I’ve always been a comedic writer and my personality reflects my wry sense of humor. I was asked by a friend do stand up comedy for an event, and never being one to back down from a challenge, I did it. My whole set centered around the fact that I am a single, childless, plus-sized Black woman of a certain age and the funny, crazy things that happened to me because of that. It was me taking all the negative things society has told me I can or can’t be, or things I should or shouldn’t have and rejecting it to embrace and love who I am right now. Even if I’m never deemed worthy by society’s standards, I had to do the work to fall in love with me and recognize that I am worthy of love and respect, and the person’s who’s love and respect I deserved the most was me. My message resonated with so many women who had society’s standards of success, but still didn’t feel loved or confident. And that is how the Best Me Ever Movement was born; I want everyone to understand that no one is better equipped to become the best ever version of you than you.

2. What has been your most satisfying or rewarding moment in business?

Every time I have an opportunity to stand in front of people and do my purpose work, because that’s what the Best Me Ever Movement is, I feel the deepest gratitude and satisfaction. I am blessed to have the confidence to stand in front of people and let them know that self-love is a necessity, that building their self-esteem, self-image, confidence, and self-respect are the keys to living a life of purpose and fulfillment. When someone reads one of my books, or emails me weeks after a workshop to tell me that they’ve implemented a self-care activity, or that they’ve started journaling and being more mindful, that they wore one of my confidence t-shirts and it made them feel like their own biggest fan, I feel rewarded. That woman who was filled with self-doubt now proudly saying she’s her own biggest cheerleader is my reward.

 3.What is the most important lesson life has taught you?

The most important lesson life has taught me is that everything that happens to you, whether good or bad, is an opportunity. I spent a great deal of my late 20s/early 30s unemployed or underemployed. I had two degrees, working in educational publishing, but being laid off after a year or year and a half. I went through this for years. I felt like a failure because at that time my sense of self-worth was tied to my job title or lack thereof. But during those peaks and valleys, I was still writing about my daily commutes or experiences working in different neighborhoods, I wrote funny posts about embarrassing incidents that happened to me. Those posts and messages created the foundation of my LLC, presenting me with an audience that eventually called on me to host events and just be myself. I had to learn from everything that happened to me and find the funny in order to deal with life as it happened.

4.What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of my family and my community. My mama has always been my biggest cheerleader, my aunts have always held me up, my brother, cousins, nephews and all the people I love have always been my support system. My partner challenges me and keeps me focused on my goals. My friends listen to my cries and complaints and then push me back to work. I have a beautiful loving network of family, friends, sorority sisters, and social media besties who let me know that I am loved and capable of everything I set out to do.

5.What do you hope to accomplish in the near future?

Becoming Dr. Charise Bennett is my next big goal. The doctoral work is challenging, but I love that what I’m learning is preparing me to be an even greater resource for my clients and other audiences. I’m planning to host a Best Me Ever Conference in the near future because this message of self-love and confidence needs to be shared with the world!

6. What is your take on woman to woman inspiration? Meaning women inspiring other women.

We have a responsibility as women to tell our stories. Other women are freed by our own testimonies. Look at how social media has allowed so many of us to connect; through posts and videos we escape our silos and learn that the things we’re going through are not isolated incidents; others have the same experiences. Speaking our truth is a revolutionary act, we owe it to our foremothers and the women coming after us.

How can readers find out more about your business and connect with you online?

Website: www.charisebennett.com

email:[email protected]

Facebook: Charise Bennett

Instagram: bestmeevermovement