THE LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT SHINES ON: VENITA STEWART-WILSON

1. Where were you born and raised; current city; family; hobbies; past business highlights...
I was born and raised in Tampa, Florida. I am currently a One-Star Director and a member of the 40/40 Club. My husband, Christopher, and I just celebrated our seventh wedding anniversary and we are proud empty nesters of five adult children: Brittany, Rashard, Chris II, Isaiah and J'Nai, our caboose, graduating college in May of 2021. My hobbies are family, fitness, photography and travel! I have been a top performer in information technology for over 25 years and I have worked with various Fortune 500 organizations like Sony, Turner Broadcasting and American Express, just to name a few. My husband and I own a photography business established in 2012, C & V Photography; we have strategically reduced our time spent on that business so we can devote more time to building our PlanNet Marketing residual income.

2. How have you grown or personally developed since joining PlanNet?
The self-development in PlanNet Marketing has been PHENOMENAL. My sponsor and coach, Director Pethral Daniels, in conjunction with Director Nina Vital, showed me how I would be able to transfer my years of experience from corporate to this opportunity. What I did not expect is developing in such a way that I would immediately be able to transfer skills learned here into other areas in my life. One, specifically, is the magic of intentional time blocking. This has helped me be a better business owner and professional due to the intentional focus, but also a better wife, mother, daughter, sister, etc. When managing multiple responsibilities, intentional time blocking ensures the focus remains on the objective within that time block. Business hours are just that, business hours; determining what specifically will be accomplished within those hours clearly defines objectives and the ability to track progress toward those objectives. Moreover, family time is family time, but what will be accomplished within that time block? Date night, family outing, study time, what? Simple, right? Absolutely!! But the truth of the matter is, time management is more effective when it is intentional and prevents even the slightest distractions from pulling you away from what is specifically intended.

3. What drives you; what motivates you?
Freedom! The freedom to be able to do what I want, when I want and how I want for myself and my family. Generating the resources needed to do so will ensure that I am able to leave a legacy for my family and my community.

4. Who would you consider a role model and why?
Without a shadow of doubt, my role models are my parents. My mother, Veronica Blanco, is my role model for being brave enough to choose herself despite societal norms that would suggest that she choose differently. Her example is why I am confident, fearless and unapologetic about challenging the status quo in the interest of myself and my family. She is literally the wind beneath my wings. My father, Attorney Delano Stewart, is my role model for being an all around trailblazer. He had the first integrated law practice in the state of Florida, his practice had the first African American female attorney in our county and his firm also produced the first African American county court judge. These few examples are evidence of him being an innovator but also evidence of what he deems a personal responsibility: uplift and support others while in pursuit of personal excellence. His example is why I embody one of the key principles of PlanNet Marketing: help and support enough people to achieve their goals, and in the process you will inevitably achieve your goals as well.

5. The three words that describe you best are:
Tenacious, Passionate, and Optimistic.

6. If you had some sound advice to give to anyone what would it be?
Plan your work and work your plan!! Planning and tracking your progress along the way ensures that you are prepared and positioned to make adjustments as necessary to meet your end goal.

7. What does your life look like five years from now?
Celebrating being a corporate dropout while proudly wearing a PlanNet Marketing Presidential ring, retiring my husband, clearing all unsecured debt and being free to show others how to do the same.