Charting My Course: How Chart Your Path Is Helping Women Lead with Purpose
By Monique Farmer, APR
After having the distinct honor of being interviewed by the Twins of Media — La Trisha McIntosh and La Tasha Taylor, founders of BSM Media Group LLC and the visionary forces behind Beautifully Said Magazine (BSM) — I found myself in a thoughtful space of reflection. BSM Magazine isn’t just another digital publication; it’s a purpose-driven platform that offers more than headlines. It serves a global audience with curated content that blends entertainment, lifestyle, business insights and empowerment — all accessible with a single click.
This article is my way of extending the conversation we began. I want to unpack the themes we touched on, dive deeper into the heartbeat of Chart Your Path, and reflect on what it truly means to take intentional steps toward creating the life you love.
The Purpose Behind Chart Your Path
When I wrote Chart Your Path, it was both a love letter to women’s potential and a challenge to the conventional paths so many of us are taught to follow. Whether it’s navigating a career pivot, moving on from a relationship, or simply reclaiming your identity, the book speaks directly to the woman who knows she’s made for more — even if she isn’t yet sure how to get there.
During Women’s History Month, the book took on a special role. At Nebraska Furniture Mart’s annual celebration, every attendee left with a signed copy. I didn’t just get to speak — I got to see women light up as they realized this book was written for them. So many told me, “I didn’t even know I was stuck… but I know I’m ready for something more.”
How The Book Resonates with Women and Entrepreneurs
I’ve received powerful feedback — especially from fellow entrepreneurs. Many women tell me they appreciate the book’s balance of philosophy and practicality. The nine steps are easy to follow, yet deeply transformative.
My goal was to write something that could guide women from reflection to action. And that’s what I hear most often: that it feels like a companion for those moments when you’re questioning your next step.
That encouragement is needed now more than ever. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there are over 12 million women-owned businesses in the U.S., employing 10.7 million workers and generating $2.1 trillion in receipts【Source: SBA Advocacy – https://advocacy.sba.gov. But entrepreneurship can be lonely. Women who have read it tell me they turn to Chart Your Path when they need a reminder that they’re not alone — and they still have more life to live.
A Book Built for Real Change
I used my background in higher education as a guide when I wrote Chart Your Path. It’s structured like a 16-week course, complete with exercises and a capstone project: the Chart Your Path Map. Readers finish the book with a personalized plan for their transformation — not just inspiration, but direction.
I’ve also repurposed the book in workshops, speaking engagements, and leadership cohorts. I offer free Audible codes because I want the message to reach as many people as possible. And when I hear how it’s helping? That’s the true reward.
My Personal Journey of Leadership and Discovery
One chapter I often revisit — both as a writer and a woman — is Chapter 9: Open Up to New Adventures and Possibilities. In it, I reflect on interviews with people like Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas and a Victoria’s Secret model who walked away from fame to live in alignment with her values.
That theme of exploration has shaped my life, too. I joined a leadership cohort focused solely on personal growth — not work, not business. Every month, we do something new: archery, axe throwing, dining in unfamiliar places. It’s helped me rediscover parts of myself that had been quietly waiting to reemerge.
And then there’s ancestry. I recently discovered that I’m 33% Nigerian. I had been thinking about traveling to Nigeria, but it’s looking like Ghana might be more feasible — and I even have a friend with a home there. I’m planning to meet with her soon and begin mapping out what this next chapter could look like.
According to the National Women’s Business Council, 39.2% of U.S. businesses are now women-owned — and those leaders are hungry for more than bottom-line success. We want growth that reaches into the soul【Source: NWBC – https://www.nwbc.gov】.
Passing Wisdom On
In the book’s dedication to my children — my “three hearts” — I wrote:
“Always know your inherent worth. External validation is artificial. Validate yourself.”
That’s not just a message for them. It’s something I have to remind myself of often. As women, especially women of color, we’re often told to smile through microaggressions, to stay small, and to not ruffle feathers. But if we don’t name our value, who will?
I’ve also learned the hard way that not every client is the right fit. Or as I like to say: “All money ain’t good money.” If it costs me my peace, it costs too much.
How I Find My Voice — And How You Can Find Yours
Before every speaking engagement, I tell myself, “Get Big.” It’s a phrase my son’s basketball coach used when they were just little guys. “Get big,” he’d say — a mental cue to rise to the moment. I carry that with me into boardrooms and onto stages.
Lately, I’ve added another practice to my routine: high-frequency instrumental music. I still love ‘90s R&B, but there’s something about those peaceful sounds that calms my nervous system. That peace becomes my power — my capital reserve — when life gets chaotic.
Why You Should Read Chart Your Path
I wrote this book for anyone who’s ever looked in the mirror and thought, There has to be more.
And guess what? There is.
“Chart Your Path reminds people to ignite passions they may have placed on the shelf. It reminds them that even though they may not realize it, they do have the power to create the life they want.”
At its core, Chart Your Path is about empowerment through intentional change. It’s about helping women take up space, trust their voice, and build lives that honor their truth.
⭐ My Top 5 Takeaways after my interview with The Twins of Media
- Empowerment Begins with Reflection
You have to know your worth before you can claim your space. - Practical Tools Make Change Tangible
Transformation isn’t a concept — it’s a plan, and you can make one. - Entrepreneurship Can Be Isolating — You Need a Squad
Find your people. Lean on them. Build together. - Peace Is a Power Source
Protect your energy. Make peace a daily practice. - Every Woman Has a Story — And a Right to Take Up Space
Stop shrinking. Get big. Show up — fully and unapologetically.
Monique Farmer, APR, runs a PR/Communication Consultancy, Avant Solutions, and is the creator of Anvil Ready, an online communication strategy builder that aids the communication professional in creating communication plans. She teaches at the University of Texas at Austin. Farmer spent 12 years working in the federal government prior to working in corporate communications for ConAgra Foods (now ConAgra Brands), then leading communication strategy for Nebraska’s largest school district. In March 2024, she published her first book, Chart Your Path: A 9-step Method to Getting Unstuck.