As my adopted cousin Rosetta Cox settles into the conversation, she brings with her a tale of transformation and tenacity that's nothing short of inspiring. We reminisce about the elegance and sophistication of our Auntie Carol Sims, whose unwavering support was a lighthouse for Rosetta through her formative years. The grace of family ties weaves through our discussion as we celebrate Rosetta's evolution from a licensed pawnbroker to a daycare entrepreneur, a journey marked by perseverance and the strength drawn from loved ones.
Our heart-to-heart doesn't shy away from the raw truths of life's challenges, but rather, embraces them as the foundation of our faith and resilience. Reflecting on my own path of pursuing a passion for teaching, I emphasize the fire that drives a fulfilling career, while Rosetta shares her story of survival and faith, likening her experiences to those of a "female Joseph." Together, we unravel the undeniable connection between innate talents, unwavering faith, and sheer determination in the face of adversity, leaving listeners with a powerful testimony of what it means to overcome and flourish.
Welcome to The CJ Moneyway Show Podcast! The Podcast Show where we Unlock Potential, One Dream at a Time. Today, we have another guest whose journey is truly worth hearing. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the Moneyway experience.
Thank you for listening to The CJ Moneyway Show! Don't forget to share this episode with your friends, leave a comment, and drop a review. Be sure to tune in every Tuesday and Friday for more inspiring journeys. Who knows, your story might be next.
Whether you're an entrepreneur, aspiring author, or just someone looking for a dose of motivation, this episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable advice.
Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review The CJ Moneyway Show on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us bring you more amazing guests and content each week!
As my adopted cousin Rosetta Cox settles into the conversation, she brings with her a tale of transformation and tenacity that's nothing short of inspiring. We reminisce about the elegance and sophistication of our Auntie Carol Sims, whose unwavering support was a lighthouse for Rosetta through her formative years. The grace of family ties weaves through our discussion as we celebrate Rosetta's evolution from a licensed pawnbroker to a daycare entrepreneur, a journey marked by perseverance and the strength drawn from loved ones.
Our heart-to-heart doesn't shy away from the raw truths of life's challenges, but rather, embraces them as the foundation of our faith and resilience. Reflecting on my own path of pursuing a passion for teaching, I emphasize the fire that drives a fulfilling career, while Rosetta shares her story of survival and faith, likening her experiences to those of a "female Joseph." Together, we unravel the undeniable connection between innate talents, unwavering faith, and sheer determination in the face of adversity, leaving listeners with a powerful testimony of what it means to overcome and flourish.
Welcome to The CJ Moneyway Show Podcast! The Podcast Show where we Unlock Potential, One Dream at a Time. Today, we have another guest whose journey is truly worth hearing. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the Moneyway experience.
Thank you for listening to The CJ Moneyway Show! Don't forget to share this episode with your friends, leave a comment, and drop a review. Be sure to tune in every Tuesday and Friday for more inspiring journeys. Who knows, your story might be next.
Whether you're an entrepreneur, aspiring author, or just someone looking for a dose of motivation, this episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable advice.
Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review The CJ Moneyway Show on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us bring you more amazing guests and content each week!
Speaker 1:
Oh, my goodness, you're going to go there, corey. Now you're going to give me all emotional Last is going to come off this live recording man. I can say a million things, but I'll tell you that she played a very instrumental role coming up, even as a young woman. I remember looking at her and admiring her, the way she would dress. She was so classy, so sophisticated by the way she would dress. She was so classy, so sophisticated.
Speaker 2:
Like was it as far as being a store manager? You know, lee, you went through all the steps to get you to forming your own company. Now you have a daycare center, right Can?
Speaker 1:
you tell us a little bit about that.
Speaker 2:
Welcome, my good people, welcome to the CJ Moneyway Show, and I'm with your host CJ Moneyway. Let's get it. What's up? This? Your boy, cj Money Ray. Welcome to the Money Ray Show. Hey, I got a special guest, my adopted cousin. I will say Rosetta Cox, you know, since we share the same auntie, your biological auntie, my adopted auntie Carol Sims. Shout out to Carol, how's she doing anyway?
Speaker 1:
She's doing amazing. We just spent the weekend together. Actually, the last couple of weekends I've been so busy with the center and getting things together that I hadn't had any time for her. So she's like my big baby she calls and I come running. Oh yeah, you know. Yeah, she sent me a copy of her schedule so I knew that meant make time, and so last couple weekends we've been hanging out.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, I see y'all went to breakfast and everything. It looked good, you know.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, she's spoiled. You know she's spoiled, she's very spoiled.
Speaker 2:
And she loves you and she loves some Rosetta. So on that subject, you know talking about Carol, your auntie. What role, what pivotal role did she play in your life growing up?
Speaker 1:
oh, my goodness, you're gonna go there, cory, now you're gonna give me all emotional laughs gonna come off this live recording. Um, man, I, I can say a million things, but I'll tell you that, um, she played a very instrumental role coming up. Um, even as a young woman, I remember looking at her and admiring her. Uh, the way she would dress. She was so classy, so sophisticated and I just remember seeing her. She would always wear heels, like these high heels, and we would go to church and I would see her walk you know this collection and offering time and just try to walk around and she would walk, walk around like I would be, like I cannot wait to talk to her and he goes. She was so nice and so she was like a role model coming up.
Speaker 1:
You know, besides my mom and my grandmother, she was hands-on with, you know, the raising of me and my sisters, and so there were some dark days where, you know, carrie would always step in to help me, make sure me and my grandmother and my siblings were good. Um, she would make sure, you know, we had food. Um, I remember one time in particular, I wanted to try out for the pom-pom squad and I came home I told my grandmother I was like I gotta buy these shoes, I have to have this, I have to have that. And she said where was that? I don't have the money. She said, but we'll talk to Moochie, carol nicknamed me Moochie.
Speaker 1:
She said I'll talk to Moochie and see and I'll never forget. She called. She said how much is it? I said hold, let me see, let me find out. And I told her able to perform that year for our homecoming in my Nike shoes and my pom-pom squad outfit that Carol had gotten for me. And so when I say she played a pivotal role, that's just who she was. Whenever I had a need and my grandmother couldn't need it because she was a senior citizen and the income that she lived off of it wasn't a lot for both of us and my siblings and my mom so she would step in and she would just make sure we were good. So now she tells me you don't owe me anything, res. I'm like I know, but I love making sure she's good because without her I wouldn't be half the woman that I am today.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, that's cool. Like I say, I know Carol from riding with her to work a lot and she loves her. Rosie, yeah, she is my heart.
Speaker 1:
I love it. She plays that parent role Because I don't have my parents, my grandmother.
Speaker 2:
Carol fills that void for all of them, all three of them. So with that, I know you're an entrepreneur and I believe when I first started talking to Carol, when I first met Carol, you were working. You were doing something like at the. You were the manager of Pawn Shop.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, pawn Shop A lot of people don't know that I was a licensed pawn broker in Chicago. Actually, I got into the pawn industry because of Carol. When I was like 19 years old, we walked into a pawn shop looking for a computer and the guy kind of basically hired me on the spot. So fast forward 20 plus years in the business, climbed the corporate ladder, employee, uh, lead assistant, second assistant, and my goal was to eventually be a store manager. And so I became a store manager.
Speaker 1:
At that time it was a male dominant industry. There was not a lot of women, and then especially black women of color. Um, so I found my way up to the top and I made it there. And, um, it was, it was interesting. A lot of guys would come in and say, hey, let me speak to the top. And I made it there. And it was interesting.
Speaker 1:
A lot of guys would come in and say, hey, let me speak to your manager. And I'm like I'm the manager. No, dude, let me speak to the dude. I'm like what do you have? I got some speakers. What size? 12. Okay, I need 15. I got a watch. How many amps is your watch? How many is your amp? Is your amp? Oh, 200. No, I need 2,000 or more. Oh, let me speak to the guy, and so I made a game out of it. I would call my assistant over. His name was Russell. Russell, they want to talk to you, man, what can you do? He was like dude, you just got to talk to the man, yeah, so they would freak out, send me the circular saw and drill anything you name. I knew a lot about it because that's what palm grocers did. We had to know a little bit about everything. So it was opera saying a girl hooked up audio with her nails on and lashes, I did it and it really helped me.
Speaker 1:
Uh, working in that industry actually helped me in the business what I'm doing now.
Speaker 2:
That's what I was going to ask you. Like, you know, like in life, you know, as we go through life in different forms of things, and there's certain places that you go and you learn things you know along the way. That's gonna, that's gonna help you to grow into some things that you may not have seen. You know what I'm saying prior, but it was the learning experience that you got from here and there that takes you to different places. So, with that being said, um, like what? What was it? As far as being a store manager, you know you went through all the steps to get you to forming your own company. Now you have a daycare center, right? Can you tell us a little bit about that?
Speaker 1:
Yes, I co-own a home learning center called Mama's Bell Learning Center and we are focused on kindergarten readiness and we cater to. I have my credentials in early childhood, so all of our kids that we cater are from zero to five years old.
Speaker 2:
So, like early childhood, you know, you say you got an education in that. What was your main point or the thing that drew you to want to actually be involved with kids at an early age as far as their development?
Speaker 1:
Wow, If I could be honest with you, it goes back. It stems from my childhood. My grandmother raised me, Cheryl's mother. We were always in church. She would sometimes host and have Vacation Bible School in our yard in the project.
Speaker 1:
And she would have me teach the class as a little girl, and so I was always the oldest sibling, oldest grandchild, and so I was always pushed. You know, you're the leader, you're the oldest, and so it was. It became a natural thing for me, not knowing um, that I was being molded into operating in my gift. So, um, it's been from my childhood and I always just wanted to learn and teach. And um, I remember, you know, growing up and life happening started making good money at the pawn shop. My goal was always to be an educator. That was always my passion, and so life happened.
Speaker 1:
Kids bills, you know. That required a nice financial. It required some financial stability. So it was like you know what I'm gonna work this job? And in the bottom in the back of my mind, I'm like, wow, it would be amazing for me to one day be able to operate in my gift. And with all the ups and downs in my life, I just never thought that I would be here. And I just remember one day, like I always tell my children they can do whatever they want to do, never give up. And I'm like you can't do it, you can't do that. You know you have to. You know, stick to your guns. And so here I am now, fast forward, operating finally in my gift of teaching. And I love kids. People don't know this, but disclaimer. I always wanted a bunch of kids. This but disclaimer. I always wanted a bunch of kids. It never happened, but I always kept a house full of kids in my home, and so now that my children, I'm an empty nester. Now I have everyone else's children.
Speaker 2:
That's a beautiful thing, because a lot of people don't want to take time. You know what I'm saying. I know me. I just say me myself I wouldn't have the patience, you know, to do something of that magnitude. It does require it. Yeah, I wouldn't have the patience, you know. Yeah, hey, they can come over. Hey, come over to the house. Hey, as long as you're leaving with your mama and your daddy when they leave, hey, we all good.
Speaker 1:
Yes, yes, I agree, it is definitely a gift. A lot of times, people compliment me and they tell me things and it's like I can't really understand what they're saying, because when I'm doing what I love and I'm operating, I don't even, I'm not thinking about anything. All I know is that this child needs to retain what I'm teaching them and it's very rewarding. And so, yeah, I'm learning how to take compliments Because, like I said, it's not work for me, it's not a race, it's just I have a purpose, I have a gift, and teaching is one of them.
Speaker 2:
You know, like you say, I remember my father. He told me a long time ago he said man, get you a career, you know, go to school and get an education so you can have a career and not just a job. Because you know, as you're saying right now, that's what made me think about it, Because when you got a job you gotta go there, you know. But when you have a career, you're getting up excited to go to work because this is something that you're passionate about doing yes and so you know, like listening to you, it's a passion, you know what I'm saying and and so it's not.
Speaker 2:
You know, like you say I don't. I don't see it like that because this is something that I desire to do, you know, or whatnot. And so, like you know, I was talking to somebody last week and one thing that I'm hearing you say, and as we talked about last week, is that a lot of times you say you're working, you're in your purpose. You know what I'm saying. You're fulfilling your purpose, you're in your purpose. You know what I'm saying. You're fulfilling your purpose, your God-given talents that God gave you, you know what I'm saying now being displayed, and so, like, one thing that we were talking about last week was that, a lot of times, your purpose stay the same. You know what I'm saying. So, like a preacher or a pastor and people of that nature, your purpose stays the same, but assignments change. You know what I'm saying.
Speaker 1:
Wow, you would say, you would bring that up.
Speaker 2:
Assignments change.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, it's ironic that you say that. I'm laughing because a lot of people don't know this and they don't know after the podcast. But I actually have my credentials in ministry. I obtained it two years ago and the reason I cannot say too much about it is because I know I'm still operating in that Teaching is just my gift, whether I'm teaching children or whatever my other assignment is. I know that's a connection.
Speaker 1:
So I've just been actually training myself to be obedient. So whatever God tells me to do, so then you ask me, ask okay, god, what do you mean? Are you sure? Like what? Why me? You know he's like just be obedient. And every time I've been obedient with what he's told me to do, because in the past there's been times I wasn't and I had to start all over again like, okay, god, I get it. Okay, I'm not going to do it Rosetta's way, no more, I'm going to do it your way.
Speaker 1:
And so, obtaining my credentials in ministry, we look at what is ministry it's doing God's business and doing what he's gifted you to do. And so I would say one of my ministries are my kids. I do minister to women that are divorced, young teenage girls who are going through abstinence and feeling rejection, because I went through that and so my ministry is different assignments that God puts me on. So some things I share with people, some I don't. It's just between me and God. But when it's time for me to really expand and keep being obedient, then that's what I will do.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, you know, I understand that too. You know, you know, because a lot of times, you know, a lot of times when you put things out there, people try to scrutinize. You know, yeah, what it is. Yeah, you know, and you know like I was talking to somebody the other day and actually when you start putting certain things out, and even those close to you, you know whether it's a wife or husband or mother, father, brother, sister, and you start putting things out there and if they don't see it and I'll get to that in a minute, because I think we spoke about this once before and if they don't see it, it can be discouraging. You know what I'm saying.
Speaker 2:
Oh you are hitting some stuff, Corey. Oh, you are hitting some stuff, Corey. Their comments you know what I'm saying or remarks, can be discouraging, and so, when it becomes discouraging, the path that God has you on can take you off that path, because you're saying to yourself you know, maybe this is just me that if I can't convince those who love me and those that I love.
Speaker 1:
How can I convince somebody else? Come on now, that's true. I mean, I've actually I've actually went through that. I remember being excited and at that time I was in a relationship and I remember just being so excited and I came home and I told him first, you know, there was mocking, you know, and labeling oh, reverend Rosetta, and it was very discouraging because he made fun, but that was okay and that's what I want to let my young single women know. You know, when God has someone for you because they're going to be in line with your purpose, they they're going to be aligned with what it is that you're going to do, and then you guys are coming together for a purpose also, whatever that looks like.
Speaker 1:
So when that happened, when he did that, it was a gut wrench feeling because I'm like he's not my husband, he's good to me, I don't have to worry about nothing. He, he's an amazing man. You know how kids be wanting a toy. You're like, no, give it here. I got you a new toy for Christmas. You're like, no, that's how it was. It's like God, no, this is a good one. He was like uh-uh, nope. And so I knew then there was no way I could actually operate in my full gift, my full potential, when that happened, and I had to be okay with that yeah, um, you know, I was just telling the young lady this.
Speaker 2:
The other day we was talking, and I listened to TD Jakes one time right and he was talking about how, say like, um, I got a woman and I was this way with her, but then when I got with another woman, those gifts that you're talking about now, it's a change. And so now that woman's sitting back, or that man's sitting back, like well, where was that woman at? Or where was that man at when I had him? You know what I'm saying. And he say that you didn't have what it took to dig out of them what was in them. And so that person that came along had what it took to you know, because he was talking about the lady at the well, had what it took to get that up out of them.
Speaker 2:
You know what I'm saying? Yes, and so now they're operating in the purpose that they should have been operating in, because you can get beat up so much in-house. You know what I'm saying. Yes, it becomes discouraging, you know, and it's like a battle, like the Bible tells us too. It tells us that we don't fight against flesh and blood.
Speaker 1:
Flesh and blood, but the principle.
Speaker 2:
But we go through, like you said, with the tour, we go through a tug of war with each other. You see what I'm saying and it shouldn't be that way. It shouldn't be that way, not in the marriage and the relationship. But you know, but we do and you know, and so I bring that to bring to this point, because I think you know we haven't really talked, but I think we mentioned it on Facebook or something when I first asked you to come on the show, and you say, oh, that's my favorite story in the Bible. I say, yeah, that's my favorite one too. And so that's going to go there, because everything that we've been talking about has actually aligned to this.
Speaker 1:
It was Joseph. Right, joseph, I love Joseph. He is my dude man. Listen, you know, it's so crazy I think about when I say I want to be a future author. I think about different titles and things that come to mind and I don't know if God put this in my spirit. I keep thinking about the female Joseph when I look over my life. I feel like the female Joseph is like okay, is that a book title? Or because, ah, that's his story man. It just it motivates me.
Speaker 1:
It reminds me that at the end of the day, a lot of people tell me like, okay, you're favorite, and oh, you're just so glad Things your favorite and oh you're just so glad things always work out for me. And I'm thinking it's god's hands on on my life, like it's not me, it's connected to my purpose and, um, everything that I've been through. It's like it can be a fire. This whole house can catch a fire, but for some reason it's like I would be uplifted out of that fire. And I say that because, based on everything that has happened in my life, no matter how crazy it was, for some reason I was able to still operate in my life. No matter how crazy it was. For some reason I was able to still operate in my gift and the love that we have, that God gives us, the joy that he gives us, and people look at me like, how are you doing this? I'm like it's not me, it's God, and so I'm very grateful to be alive today and to just look back over my life and see all of those things that I went. All it was doing was preparing me for this day, the loss of my parents and my siblings, and going through divorce.
Speaker 1:
I was married for 15 years, went through a divorce after I lost my dad. I had lost my sister eight months prior the same way. They both passed of brain anoxia, injury which comes from having an asthma attack. They had asthma attacks and then, prior to that, losing my mom suddenly to heart disease. She had what you call hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Very beautiful woman appeared to be healthy, but she had a bad heart. It was hereditary and, prior to that, losing my brother to a murder and so and being robbed at gunpoint. People don't even know that I have been robbed at gunpoint.