I'm Jamaican. Born and bred. Those who know me are aware of that and I am very proud of my Jamaican heritage.  It forms my foundation of who I am as that is where I developed my self worth. I know who I am and I am very comfortable in my skin.

When I started my training company JAD Communications in the year 2000 I branded myself as the "Jamaican American Dreamer."  I chose that name because I came to America looking for my American Dream. A great deal of my youth in Jamaica focused on achieving that objective.

I am proud to say that I have had 10 careers and enjoyed every one of them. So the dream comes true over and over again.

When I founded JAD Communications, I was called out by a Caucasian woman who said "You can't use that term because that's my business brand." 

She is an American. I don't even know if she has been to Jamaica. I was taken aback enough to remind her that I AM Jamaican. 

She insisted that her brand with Jamaica and "Everything's Irie" for project management has been in existence for awhile and so I cannot call myself and my company "Jamaican American Dreamer."

Imagine that! 

"By looking through the prism of possibilities we open the door to Self-Creation and the future we envision for ourselves." - Yvonne F. Brown 

Don't believe me? Google "Jamaican American Dreamer" and you will get my newsletters complete with the palm tree logo and the Jamaican flag.

While this was off-putting, it got me thinking about the JAD Communications brand. I opened myself to a receiving, receptive mode for ideas and inspiration. 

The new brand came to me "I help people on the Journey to Achievement of their Destiny."  I re-branded the company and business improved immediately.  

So, although that was not her intention, she really did me a favor. Years later she complimented me on the new company brand. 

What she didn't realize is that "I am the captain of my ship, and the master of my fate. I build self confidence by staying away from negative people who try to drag and tear me down."

How about you? Do you have a story of using lemons to make lemonade? I love to hear from you.