Joe Gaspard Performance Coaching

Joe Gaspard Performance Coaching concentrates on training and rehabbing high-level professionals who are off their A-Game.

For more than a decade, Joe has trained many of the world’s greatest business leaders, developing cutting-edge programs designed for physical, mental and emotional strength, toughness, and above all, performance. 

Joe's system is designed to get executives back to action, physically and mentally ready to dominate not so you can be as good as you once were, so you can be better than ever.
JGC provides consulting and coaching services to individuals and teams, seeking expertise in the art and science of physical and mental excellence.
If you're a courageous leader who, despite your hard work and exceptional results, knows you're not expressing your greatest potential.

If...
You thrive under stress and pressure, but lately, you feel like you've lost your edge
You are supremely confident in your vision and yet, sometimes feel overcome with doubt
You are driven by a nagging fear of not being (or doing) enough

WHO I AM: I am an Executive Performance Coach headquartered in NYC, a Certified Sports Psychology Coach. A Fellow at the Institute of Coaching, McLean Hospital, a Harvard Medical School Affiliate. A National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Performance Enhancement Specialist and a 101st Airborne Iraq combat veteran. 
WHO I HELP: I work with high performing executives, top performers who know that if they just made a few small tweaks that they could look, feel, and perform their best in business and in life.
WHAT I DO: I teach busy Executives how to cut through all of the B.S. that’s holding them back and get back on their A-Game
HOW I DO IT: We design a lifestyle specific performance improvement planned that is guaranteed to get you physically, mentally, and emotionally stronger and tougher so that you dominate your industry, and your life.
If you're ready to learn more right now:

Performance Coach 

David Kirsch Wellness

Edufit Wellness Performance Coach | Mindset Coach

Performance Coach |Mindset Coach |Wellness Coach

Performance Coach | Mindset Coach

US Army

Training Specialist

Physical And Mental Fitness For Executives | Book Your Free Game Plan Session Below ⬇️

20 Years Teaching High-Performing Men How To Outwork, Out-Earn, And Outperform The Competition

For the past two decades, I’ve coached CEOs, executives, and entrepreneurs, helping them overcome burnout, optimize performance, and thrive in every area of life. 

My work is rooted in simplifying the complex—transforming fitness, nutrition, and mindset into straightforward, actionable strategies that deliver results.

I specialize in helping men over 40 regain their energy, confidence, and edge. 

Whether it’s dominating in the boardroom, reigniting passion in the bedroom, or excelling in life's daily challenges, I provide the tools and systems to make it happen.

What I Offer:
→ Tailored Coaching: Focused on fitness, mindset, and recovery for sustainable success.
→ Men’s Health Advocacy: Helping men stay strong, focused, and resilient under pressure.
→ Proven Experience: Over 20 years working with high performers, from Fortune 100 executives, Athletes, And Celebrities.
→ Expert Insight: Practical strategies to outwork, out-earn, and outperform the competition in any environment.

My Results:
→ Sustainable Success: Programs designed for discipline, resilience, and lasting results—not quick fixes.
→ Real Transformation: Clients achieve higher energy, greater income, and stronger relationships.
→ Actionable Strategies: Insights built on two decades of coaching and studying the world’s most successful men.
→ 80%+ Success Rate: Proven systems that work when followed consistently.

If you’re ready to take control of your health, sharpen your mindset, and reclaim your competitive edge, let’s connect.

Work With Me: 

Click The "Book A Free Strategy Session" Link In My Bio 
-OR-
DM me “Start” to learn more.

Joe Gaspard

Cynthia Barnes

Founder and CEO

Salesforce

Recognized by Salesforce as one of the Top Sales Influencers to Follow 4X (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)

 Salesforce Top Sales Influencer to Follow (4X)

Thank You; It's True.

From teaching women how to reach the top 1% to empowering them to own it—I've transformed my expertise into a revolutionary methodology that helps professional women Own Their Awesome with four simple words: "Thank you; it's true."

As the author of "Reach the Top 1%: A Strategic Game Plan for Warrior Women in Sales" and founder of the National Association of Women Sales Professionals, I witnessed firsthand how even the highest achievers struggle to own their success. This insight led to creating the transformative "Thank you; it's true" framework, which turns the simple act of accepting compliments into a powerful catalyst for authentic confidence.

Key Focus Areas:
• Transforming high-achieving women from reaching success to owning it
• Pioneering behavioral change strategies that eliminate imposter syndrome
• Delivering high-impact keynotes and workshops on authentic confidence-building
• Leading a global movement to revolutionize how women receive and internalize recognition
• Developing scalable programs that create systemic change in workplace cultures

Impact:
• Created the groundbreaking "Thank you; it's true" framework
• Built the NAWSP from inception to 15,000 members
• Featured TEDx speaker on confidence and authentic leadership
• LinkedIn Top Voice | 4X Salesforce Top Influencer

My mission has evolved from showing women how to achieve success to empowering them to fully own it. Through the power of "Thank you; it's true," I'm helping professional women transform their relationship with confidence and create lasting cultural change.

Chief Transformation Officer & Founder 

TED Conferences

• Delivered engaging keynote presentations and immersive workshops at TED Conferences to equip teams with the mindsets and toolsets for success.
• Collaborated with event organizers to tailor talks on various topics to inspire and motivate audiences.
• Received accolades for impactful talks that left lasting impressions on attendees and sparked meaningful conversations.

TEDx Speaker | Keynote & SKO Speaker

RedBoxMe in Collaboration with Cartier

RedBoxMe in Collaboration with Cartier is at the intersection of philanthropy, art, cinema, leadership, literature, sustainability, and more, all driven by deep passion and commitment from our group of members. RedBoxMe was architected by Cartier Awards Laureate and innovator Candice Pascoal alongside the President of Cartier International, Cyrille Vigneron. At its core, RedBoxMe is a platform that curates a diverse and inclusive community of thought leaders, creatives, and individuals from various backgrounds for the expansion of thought. We gather around a number of intellectual and creative opportunities, both online and in person, creating a dynamic and engaging space that goes beyond traditional knowledge consumption.

Luminary Thinker

National Association of Women Sales Professionals

∙ Built a global community of 15,000 women sales professionals, offering targeted mentorship, training programs, and resources that enhanced confidence and career advancement.
∙ Spearheaded strategic partnerships with 50+ global organizations to embed equity-focused hiring and development strategies, achieving measurable increases in diversity and retention.
∙ Designed and launched scalable programs like NAWSP:EVOLVE, addressing systemic challenges and driving industry-wide transformation.

Total Quality Logistics

• Secured and expanded pivotal freight brokerage accounts, identifying prospective clients and sealing lucrative deals.
• Exceeded growth targets by 200%, showcasing exceptional ability to set and surpass ambitious DEI goals.
• Amplified revenue streams to $2 million within eighteen months, ensuring long-term financial viability.

Senior Account Executive, Logistics

Mary Kay Inc.

• Drove customer interest and revenue for a cosmetics company through market research and successful deal closures.
• Initiated employee surveys to enhance organizational communication and understanding.

Director of Employee Engagement

Women leave millions on the table every year—in salary, promotions, and business deals—because they hesitate to ask for what they deserve.

🔹 I help high-achieving women own their worth, negotiate fearlessly, and close with confidence—whether in the boardroom, the sales floor, or their career.

🔹 As a TEDx speaker, executive coach, and Fortune 500 consultant, I’ve worked with leaders at companies like Google, Bridgestone, and New York Life to empower women to stop settling and start owning their value.

🔹 WHAT I TEACH:
✅ How to negotiate with confidence and secure what you’re worth
✅ How to own your presence, influence, and executive authority
✅ How to sell yourself, your ideas, and your expertise like a pro

📢 FEATURED KEYNOTE: “Own Your Ask™ – The Art of Getting What You Deserve”
🔥 Perfect for sales teams, corporate leadership events, and women’s executive groups.

📅 Want me to speak at your next event? Let’s talk!

DM me or visit www.cynthia-barnes.com

* Founded NAWSP to offer executive-level consultation and develop DEI-specific strategies tailored for various industries, serving both U.S.-based and international clients.
* Advised C-Suite Leadership on optimal strategies to achieve short- and long-term objectives, sharing insights on trends, best practices, and their potential impacts on business models.
* Conducted Organizational Assessments to identify areas of improvement and recommended enhanced policies, processes, and procedures to clients.
* Developed and Facilitated Customized Curriculums focusing on recruitment and retention for over 50 organizations nationally and internationally.
* Implemented Employee Training and Development Programs to foster skill enhancement and professional growth.
* Established Performance Metrics and Measurement Systems to assess employee productivity and effectiveness.
* Orchestrated DE&I Roadmaps, aligning organizational goals with actionable diversity initiatives.
Increased Representation of underrepresented populations by 64% through targeted recruiting and mentorship programs.
* Conducted Equity Analysis across the entire employment life cycle, including recruitment, retention, interviews, performance evaluations, and separations.
* Developed ERGs (Employee Resource Groups) to promote inclusivity and address specific employee needs and concerns.
* Managed Talent and Succession Planning Programs to ensure organizational continuity and growth.
* Promoted a Positive and Inclusive Organizational Culture, enhancing team member engagement and productivity.
* Focused on Risk Management to mitigate potential organizational challenges and disruptions.
* Delivered Value by creating customized curricula and training for multiple industries, enhancing organizational capability and adaptability.
* Shared Industry Insights on current and emerging trends, enabling clients to adapt and innovate in their respective domains.

My niece FaceTimed me from her room. "Auntie, why are you always in fancy hotels?"

I turned the camera to show the Paris skyline from my Four Seasons balcony.

"Because the companies that paid me $89K to build their future now pay me $25K per day to explain their past."

She did that Gen Z math in her head. "Per DAY?"

Per day, baby.

See, when I was their employee, they got my frameworks for $42 an hour.
Now that I'm their consultant, those same frameworks cost $3,125 an hour.

Same brain. Same brilliance. Same Black woman.
Different invoice.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐄𝐎 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐲 $𝟓𝐊 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭?

Just approved $175K for me to teach his team the system I built.
The system that saved them $12M.
The system I created while he was golfing.

He called it an "essential investment."

I called it Tuesday.

Because this is what happens when you're the only one who knows how the machine works. When your documentation is the roadmap. When your expertise is the difference between profit and panic.

They don't pay for your time anymore.
They pay for their survival.

Last quarter alone:
• 18 days of consulting
• 6 luxury hotels
• 3 continents
• $450K invoiced

All for explaining work I already did. For less than they spend on office snacks.

My niece asked the question that matters: "Why didn't they just pay you right the first time?"

Because they thought $89K bought ownership of my genius.
They thought employment meant extraction without expiration.
They thought I'd always be available at employee prices.

They thought wrong.

The Four Seasons isn't about luxury.
It's about reclamation.

Every suite they book is an admission.
Every business class flight is an apology.
Every wire transfer is a confession.

That they knew what I was worth all along.

To every Black woman whose expertise is trapped in a salary:

Your frameworks have a market value.
Your systems have a price tag.
Your knowledge has an expiration date on discount pricing.

Start documenting like your future invoices depend on it.
Because they do.

Thank You; It's True™

P.S. My 13-year-old niece just asked if she should document her science fair project "just in case." That's my blood. Teaching them young that brilliance requires receipts.

#BlackWomensWealthLab #ConsultingLife #InvoiceYourWorth #ThankYouItsTrue

Founder & CEO, Black Women’s Wealth Lab™ | Closing the extraction gap for 1,000,000 Black women by 2040

A Black woman with short natural hair stands on a hotel balcony in Paris, wearing an oversized gray knit sweater with wide sleeves, holding a coffee mug. She gazes confidently at the camera with a slight smile. Behind her, classic Parisian architecture with cream-colored buildings and wrought-iron balconies creates an elegant backdrop. The luxurious setting and her relaxed yet powerful presence embody the lifestyle transformation from underpaid employee to high-value consultant.

"Can you walk me through your salary expectations?"

I slid my number across the table. $127K.

The hiring manager's eyebrows shot up. "That's... ambitious for someone with your background."

My background: 8 years building revenue systems. $14M in documented value creation. Three frameworks running at my previous company.

"We were thinking more like $85K," he said. "But there's room to grow."

I folded. Took $92K. Convinced myself the title mattered more than the math.

Six months later, I'm training the new guy they hired. His starting salary? $135K. His experience? Five years. His documented wins? "Strong potential."

Same role. Same team. Same hiring manager.
Different invoice.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠:

They knew my number was right. They just knew I'd accept less.

They didn't negotiate my value. They negotiated my confidence.

They weren't questioning my worth. They were testing my documentation.

The script from that failed negotiation still burns:
"I appreciate the opportunity..."
"I understand budget constraints..."
"I'm flexible on compensation..."

Translation: I'll subsidize your profits with my discount.

Now? Different script entirely.

"My rate reflects the value I create."
"Here's the documentation."
"This number is firm."

No apologies. No explanations. No negotiations on my worth.

Because they don't pay you what you're worth.
They pay you what you refuse to work without.

That failed negotiation? Cost me $35K annually. $175K over five years. Before compound interest. Before opportunity cost. Before the mental tax of watching Brad make more for less.

To every Black woman about to negotiate:

Your number isn't ambitious. Their offer is extraction.
Your experience isn't lacking. Their evaluation is.
Your documentation isn't excessive. It's evidence.

Stop negotiating against yourself before they even counter.
Stop accepting their framing of your value.
Stop believing growth potential pays bills.

They have the budget. They always did.
They're just waiting to see if you know it too.

Thank You; It's True™

P.S. That hiring manager? Reached out last year for consulting help. My day rate is now triple what that annual raise would've been. He said it was "outside their budget." I said that sounded like a personal problem. Documentation has a beautiful memory.

#BlackWomensWealthLab #SalaryNegotiation #KnowYourWorth

Founder & CEO, Black Women’s Wealth Lab™ | Closing the pay gap for 1,000,000 Black women by 2040 | Turning corporate extraction into income

A poised woman with short natural curls sits on the floor in a softly lit, elegant living room. She wears a fitted nude-toned tank top and taupe lounge pants, holding a floral teacup in one hand with a laptop in front of her. Her jewelry is minimal and refined, and the neutral décor behind her creates a serene, upscale atmosphere. 

My Bank Called About 'Unusual Activity.'

I Said Yes, That's My New Normal.

The automated voice was concerned. "We've detected multiple six-figure deposits to your account. Is this authorized?"

Authorized? Baby, I INVOICED for it.

See, Chase is used to my old pattern:
• Direct deposit: $3,846 biweekly
• After taxes and deductions: $2,712
• Same amount. Same date. Same 63 cents on the dollar.

What they're not used to:
• $75,000 wire from a Fortune 500
• $125,000 ACH from a tech giant
• $95,000 check from my former employer

All in one month. All for my intellectual property. All overdue.

𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫:

Old monthly income: $5,424
New monthly income: $295,000

That's not unusual activity. That's market correction.

The banker asked if I wanted to upgrade to private wealth management.

I asked if they had a tier for Black women collecting what they're owed. Because we're about to break their algorithms.

Last week, three Black Women's Wealth Lab™ members triggered fraud alerts:
• Former salary: $78K → Single invoice: $150K
• Former salary: $92K → Monthly retainer: $45K
• Former salary: $105K → Framework license: $275K

Their banks called it suspicious.
We call it Day 1 of pricing our brilliance correctly.

One woman's banker actually asked: "Did you win the lottery?"

"No. I just stopped letting them rent my brain for pennies."

To every Black woman whose bank is about to call:

That fraud alert isn't a mistake. It's confirmation that you've been undercharging.

That unusual activity isn't suspicious. It's you operating at market rate.

That private banker calling? Tell them you'll need a specialist in intellectual property recovery. Because this is just the beginning.

They trained their systems on our poverty wages.
Now we're training them on our prosperity prices.

Let their algorithms adjust.
We've got invoices to send.

Thank You; It's True™

P.S. My bank just raised my daily wire limit to $500K. Not because I asked. Because I needed it. Three times last month.

Your unusual activity is someone else's Tuesday. Price yourself accordingly.

#BlackWomensWealthLab #InvoiceYourWorth #WealthBuilding #ThankYouItsTrue

Founder & CEO, Black Women’s Wealth Lab™ | Closing the pay gap for 1,000,000 Black women by 2030 | Turning corporate extraction into income

A confident Black woman with short natural hair sits powerfully on a modern office chair in a sleek corporate environment. She wears a light blue business suit with a crisp white shirt and silver pointed-toe heels. Her posture is commanding with feet planted firmly on the floor and hands resting on her knees. The luxurious office space behind her features dramatic lighting with golden accents along the ceiling and glass walls, suggesting high-level executive status. Her direct gaze and composed expression convey authority and success in a contemporary business setting.

Yes, I invoiced my church $10K.

The pastor's jaw dropped. "But we're doing God's work."

"So am I," I said. "And God's work deserves proper funding."

See, they'd been running community programs for 15 years. Free financial literacy. Free job training. Free business coaching. All led by Black women who tithed, served, and subsidized.

The youth minister was teaching coding bootcamps after her 9-to-5.
The deacon's wife ran entrepreneurship workshops on Saturdays.
Sister Johnson's grant-writing saved them $2M.

All for "the glory."
None for the invoice.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐈 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐡:

The coding bootcamp they gave away? Worth $5K per student.
The entrepreneurship program? Corporations pay $25K for that.
Sister Johnson's grant expertise? Consultants charge $10K per proposal.

They were sitting on $500K in annual program revenue.
Giving it away while Black women burned out.
Calling it ministry while we subsidized their mission.

I didn't just invoice them. I taught them to invoice everyone else.

Started charging corporations for diversity training they'd been doing free.
Created certification programs that companies paid to send employees to.
Turned "community service" into community revenue.

Six months later:
• $500K in program fees generated
• 12 Black women instructors now paid $150/hour
• Zero burnout, maximum impact

The pastor called it a miracle.

I called it pricing our gifts properly.

Because even in sacred spaces, Black women's contributions have value. Our expertise doesn't become free because we're in the sanctuary. Our brilliance doesn't get discounted at the church door.

That $10K invoice? It was for the framework that generated the $500K.

They paid it. In full. On time.

Because transformation costs. Whether it's in boardrooms or church basements.

To every Black woman giving away her genius for "the cause":

Your cause needs funding.
Your gifts deserve compensation.
Your service has a price tag.

Even Jesus said the worker deserves their wages.

Start invoicing. Even your church.
Especially your church.

Because we can't pour from empty cups.
But we can invoice for the pitcher.

Thank You; It's True™

P.S. Three other churches just hired me to implement the same framework. $15K each. Turns out, sacred spaces everywhere need to learn how to value Black women's work. I'm teaching them. At market rate.

#BlackWomensWealthLab #InvoiceYourWorth #SacredAndPaid #ThankYouItsTrue

Black background with white text quote reading 'Even Jesus said the worker deserves their wages.' Black Women's Wealth Lab logo appears at top in gold/yellow. Tagline underneath reads 'Economic justice for Black women who built the wealth.'

My mentor told me "We're family here."

Then she stole my framework.

The same woman who preached "collaboration over competition" at every meeting. Who called me "daughter" in public. Who said my success was her legacy.

She presented my IP architecture to the board as her "strategic vision."

I sat there watching 18 months of my Sunday mornings—while she was at brunch—dissolve into her PowerPoint. My proprietary methodology became her "leadership innovation." My crisis intervention framework that saved $6M suddenly had her name in the author field.

"We're building this together," she'd said during our weekly one-on-ones.

Together meant I built. She collected.

Priority meant keeping me grateful at $94K while she leveraged my work for her $400K package.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭? 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐟𝐭.

Email threads showing her asking me to "walk her through" my framework.
Meeting recordings where I'm training her on the methodology.
Version history with my name on 347 edits. Hers on 3.

When I left, she called. "We're family. You wouldn't actually invoice family, would you?"

Family doesn't get a discount on theft.

I would. I did.

$275K for "Family Reunion Consulting Services."
Itemized:
• Framework Translation: $125K
• IP Recovery & Documentation: $75K
• Explaining What She Already Stole: $75K

She said it was aggressive.

I said theft was aggressive too, but she managed to find the ethics for that.

She paid. In full. Within 30 days.

Because when the board started asking questions she couldn't answer, when the framework needed updates she couldn't make, when the math stopped mathing—suddenly family values included my day rate.

𝐌𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞:

Corporate family → Licensing agreements
Collaboration speeches → Ownership contracts
"Together" rhetoric → My name on my work

Every "family" conversation now starts with my consulting agreement.
Every "collaboration" includes an IP addendum.
Every "mentorship" comes with documentation requirements.

Because families don't steal from each other.
But corporations calling themselves families do.

To every Black woman whose mentor is mining your brilliance:

Their "family values" are your extraction notice.
Their "collaboration" is your IP transfer.
Their "mentorship" is your unpaid consulting.

Document like they're strangers.
Invoice like they're competitors.
Protect your IP like they're thieves.

Because they are.

Thank You; It's True™

P.S. That framework? Still runs their department. My name still appears nowhere. But my invoices appear monthly. $3,125 per hour for "quick questions" about the system she "developed." Family discount not available.

#BlackWomensWealthLab #IntellectualProperty #InvoiceYourWorth

Black woman CEO in all-black power suit with gold chain necklace and statement belt, wearing sunglasses, standing confidently in front of a private jet. Her stance and luxury travel setting embody the transformation from underpaid employee to high-value consultant who invoices corporations for intellectual property they once extracted for free.

I turned down another "Top Creator" spotlight.

A platform named me their Most Impactful Creator out of thousands of users.

They were kind.
They were enthusiastic.
They wanted me to share the award in a post, tag them, and let them "give me my flowers."

I replied with gratitude.
I also declined.

I asked that my name, likeness, and content not be used in any promotional or marketing materials unless we have a separate written agreement that includes compensation and terms of use.

That response is not ungrateful.
It is valuation.

Because here's what they don't tell you:

Too many high-performing women have been trained to accept:

Applause instead of equity
Recognition instead of royalties
Visibility instead of contracts

Meanwhile, platforms and companies quietly monetize our impact, our ideas, and our data.

This is exactly why I built Black Women's Wealth Lab™ and The Proof Engine™.

Our work is about:

Treating your results as assets, not favors
Documenting what you actually built as receipts, not memories
Setting clear terms of use for your name, IP, and labor

If my content helps a platform grow, that is not a compliment.
That is a line item.

If you are reading this and realizing you are "top tier" on someone else's dashboard while your own bank account has not caught up, you are not the problem. The structure is.

My rule is simple:

If it uses my name, my proof, or my IP, it sits behind a boundary or an invoice.

Period.

Your receipts deserve a rate, not just a round of applause.

Thank You; It's True™

#BlackWomensWealthLab #InvoiceYourWorth #ProofEngine

Professional portrait of a Black woman with short natural hair wearing a crisp white double-breasted blazer and silver hoop earrings, standing confidently in a warmly lit hallway with soft lighting, looking directly at the camera with a composed expression.

I just read Brad's LinkedIn profile.
My frameworks are listed under his accomplishments.

Screenshot his "achievements" for translation:

"Led digital transformation initiative" = Watched me architect it during nights and weekends

"Spearheaded revenue optimization strategy" = Sat in meetings while I presented my models

"Developed proprietary client retention framework" = Changed the font on my PowerPoint

"Drove 47% efficiency improvement" = Forwarded my process documentation to the team

"Pioneered innovative risk assessment methodology" = Added his name to my spreadsheet

The VP who promoted him? Called me last week.
"We need your help understanding Brad's framework."

Brad's framework. The one with my formulas. My logic trees. My IP fingerprints all over cells B2 through Z947.

I sent the invoice.

$75K for "Brad Translation Services."
$50K for "Framework Archaeological Dig."
$25K for "Explaining What You Already Paid Me $89K to Build."

They said it was excessive.

I said Brad's promotion was excessive too, but they managed to find $2.3M for that.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞:

Every "Led transformation" on his profile = $100K of my unpaid consulting
Every "Developed strategy" = $75K of my unrecognized architecture  
Every "Drove results" = $50K of my undocumented overtime

His LinkedIn reads like my invoice template.

The beautiful part? They need me to decode it.

Brad can present my frameworks all day. But when the board asks how it actually works? When the calculations break? When someone needs to modify the algorithm?

Suddenly it's "Let's bring in Cynthia for perspective."

Not for perspective. For resurrection.

Because Brad's accomplishments are just my receipts with his signature.

And now those receipts cost $3,125 per hour to explain.

Brad's still listed as VP of Strategy.
I'm listed as CEO of the company invoicing him.

His equity vests over four years.
My wire transfers clear in four days.

Turns out my frameworks do look good on LinkedIn.
Just not on his.

Thank You; It's True™

P.S. Brad just endorsed me for "Strategic Thinking" on LinkedIn. I endorsed his company for a $150K consulting contract. We're both being generous.

#BlackWomensWealthLab #InvoiceYourWorth #IntellectualProperty

Cynthia Barnes, CEO of Black Women's Wealth Lab, in cream cashmere sweater and tailored trousers, outdoor executive portrait for business valuation and corporate consulting expert serving Fortune 500 professionals.

"We successfully delivered the project as a team."

That's how my performance review summarized the $8M revenue system I architected alone.

Successfully. We. Team.

Three words that erased 14 months of my nights, weekends, and singular obsession with making their broken process profitable.

I sat there watching my individual contribution dissolve into collective language. My frameworks became "our approach." My crisis interventions turned into "collaborative solutions." My IP fingerprints buried under "cross-functional excellence."

Meanwhile, Brad's review? "Brad single-handedly transformed our client retention strategy."

Brad. Who asked me 47 questions about my model. Whom I trained on the methodology. Who still Slacks me when the formulas break.

Single-handedly.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐭𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠:

They use collective language to negotiate you down.
They use individual language to promote him up.

"Team effort" in your review = -$45K in your raise
"Led independently" in his review = +$75K in his package
"Collaborative approach" in your documentation = $0 equity consideration

The math of erasure is precise:

Every "we" costs you $15K in lost leverage.
Every "team" dissolves $30K of your value.
Every "together" subsidizes someone else's promotion.

I stopped accepting their edits.

Review says "team delivered"? I submit documentation showing I delivered.
Meeting notes say "collective decision"? I timestamp my framework presentation.
Brad claims co-creation? I pull the version history showing one author. Me.

Now I run my own firm. Every contract specifies: "Cynthia Barnes individually delivers..."

No we. No team. No collective anything.

Just my name, my work, my invoice.

The company that turned my $8M system into a "team effort"? They're paying my firm $300K to fix what broke when I left.

Funny how they need singular expertise when plural incompetence fails.

Brad's still there. Still "single-handedly" leading initiatives. Still calling me when the math doesn't math.

My consulting rate for translating my own work back to them? $3,125 per hour.

Turns out individual contribution has a price.
They just didn't want to pay it when I was an employee.

To every Black woman whose work becomes a "team effort":

Document with your name on every page.
Screenshot with timestamps on every contribution.
Archive with individual attribution on every innovation.

Next time they try to turn your $8M system into a "team effort," you'll have the receipts to correct their grammar - and their math.

Your excellence isn't a group project.
Stop letting them grade it like one.

Thank You; It's True™

P.S. That $8M system I built? Still running. Still profitable. Still has my formulas in cells B2 through AZ947. They hired a team of three to maintain what I built alone. The job posting said they need someone who can work "independently." The audacity is astronomical.

#BlackWomensWealthLab #InvoiceYourWorth #CorporateTheft

A confident Black woman with short natural hair stands outdoors wearing a fitted black ribbed cardigan dress, designer sunglasses, gold hoop earrings, and a chain necklace. She has one hand on her hip and wears a black belt with a gold designer buckle. A car is visible in the blurred background on a city street.

Every December, people treat Spotify Wrapped like a personality test and a holiday.

Pretty colors. Personalized data. Viral stories.
Unpaid genius.

In 2019, a Black woman design intern, Jewel H., proposed the interactive, story-based format that turned Wrapped from a simple email into the cultural phenomenon you share every year.

Spotify had Wrapped since 2013.
Her internship project reimagined it into billions in earned media.

The result?

120% spike in December app downloads.
$3 billion in free marketing from users sharing their data.
A global ritual that runs itself.

The compensation for the Black woman whose design shaped it?

Not equity.
Not royalties.
Not a licensing deal.

Just "intern experience."

That's not a charming origin story.
That's unpaid intellectual property.

And if you're honest, your company is running its own version of Wrapped on your back:

Your framework → Their "official operating model"
Your retention strategy → Their "flagship program"
Your crisis plan → Their leadership case study

Everyone gets the upside.
You get a salary that barely reflects the value you already created.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐈 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭 Black Women's Wealth Lab™ 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤.

Today and tomorrow, I'm opening 2 seats for the next Proof to Pipeline Lab starting Saturday, 12/6.

It's a 60-day container for Black women who are done being the unpaid R&D department and are ready to:

·  Document what they actually built
·  Value it with real numbers, not compliments
·  Translate it into consulting offers, retainers, and licensing plays
·  Build a live pipeline of opportunities they control

No mindset theatrics.
No corporate-pleasing.
Just receipts, valuation, and strategy.

If you read this and thought, "Spotify Wrapped is cute, but my employer has been running my version for years," then this Lab is for you.

I'm holding the room at a small number of women so we can go deep, not wide.

Comment "Pipeline" by Friday at noon EST - I'm reviewing applications until then.

Thank You; It's True™

#BlackWomensWealthLab #IntellectualProperty #ProofToPipeline

They call it "high performance burnout."

I call it the Excellence Tax™ - the specific exhaustion of being perpetually impressive for people who've already decided your value before you walked in.

You know this burnout. It lives in your shoulders during the third revision of work that was perfect the first time. It whispers during the meeting where Brad presents your strategy with confidence he borrowed from your competence. It screams when the promotion goes to someone who needs you to explain their own job.

This isn't regular burnout. This is extraction exhaustion.

The math is brutal but precise:

Your excellence at $87K = Their mediocrity at $145K
Your frameworks running the department = Their "potential" getting equity
Your crisis interventions every quarter = Their "leadership presence" getting promoted

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭.
𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞.

Your excellence is the baseline. The expectation. The uncompensated requirement.

Meanwhile, Connor's adequacy is "meeting expectations."
Brad's baseline is "showing promise."
Ashley's mediocrity is "ready for next level."

You're tired of being impressive because impressive doesn't move your income. It moves their profits.

I stopped being impressive for free the day I calculated the delta:

Revenue I generated: $14M
Salary they paid me: $89K
Consulting rate now: $3,125/hour

That's not high performance burnout.
That's a pricing error with a body count.

The exhaustion you're feeling? It's not from the work. It's from the theft.

It's from building $8M systems for team-effort recognition.
It's from training your replacement while they call it "collaboration."
It's from being excellent at discount prices while watching adequacy get equity.

The antidote isn't rest. It's invoices.

Stop being impressive for people who've commoditized your excellence.
Start being expensive for people who need your expertise.

They know exactly how impressive you are.
That's why they keep you tired—so you don't have energy to price it correctly.

Document everything. Calculate the delta. Send the invoice.

Your exhaustion has a number.
Make them pay it.

Thank You; It's True™

P.S. That promotion they said you weren't ready for? They just hired someone external at 2x your salary. You'll train them next week. The Excellence Tax™ is real, and you're the one paying it.

P.P.S. If you are a Black woman doing this math in your head and you can name at least one result worth 7 or 8 figures that no one ever paid you for, you are exactly who I built the Black Women's Wealth Lab™ Proof Engine for.

I am quietly reviewing applications for a small founding cohort who will use the platform before we start charging. Ninety days of access in exchange for your honest usage and feedback.

Comment PROOF and I will DM you the private application link.

#BlackWomensWealthLab #ExcellenceTax #InvoiceYourWorth

"But Can I Legally Take My Work With Me?"

Most Black women at VP+ level have created frameworks, methodologies, and strategic thinking that generated millions—but they're terrified to use any of it.

"Isn't this company IP? Will I get sued?"
"Can I teach my methodology to consulting clients?"
"Can I even say I created this framework?"
"What if they come after me for trade secret violations?"

Check your employment agreement. Most say "work product," not "thought process."

I watched a brilliant VP sit on $3M worth of methodologies she built because legal said everything she touched belonged to the company.

Legal lied.

Or rather, legal protected the company's interests while you protected nothing.

𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰:

Your thinking process? Yours.
Your approach to problem-solving? Yours.
Your methodology documented in your own words? Yours.

What you CAN'T take: Company slide decks. Client names. Confidential financials. Materials with their logo.

What you CAN take: The way your brain works.

But documenting that distinction? That's where most executives get stuck.

The Proof Engine™ doesn't just document your wins. It includes legal extraction frameworks that show you exactly how to separate your thinking from their materials.

✓ How to create NEW frameworks that codify your EXISTING thinking without copying a single company document (new names, fresh visuals, same underlying logic)
✓ How to structure case studies that prove your value without violating NDAs (hint: percentages, not names)
✓ When you actually need a lawyer (rarely) and when you're just scared (usually)
✓ How to document your methodologies NOW, while you still have access to refresh your memory

That VP who was sitting on $3M of methodologies? She's now running a $500K/year consulting practice teaching the same frameworks she built inside. Different slides. Same brain.

The company that claimed to own everything? They're paying her $25K/month to explain the thinking they said belonged to them.

Turns out they owned the PowerPoints.
She owned the power.

Stop asking permission to use your own intelligence.
Start documenting the thinking that made them millions.

They can keep their templates.
You keep your genius.

You don't need their permission to own your thinking. You need the receipts to prove it was always yours.

Thank You; It's True™

P.S. 15 Black women executives are extracting their genius as we speak. Next Proof Engine™ cohort opens in 48 hours. Comment MINE if you're ready to claim what's already yours.

#BlackWomensWealthLab #IntellectualProperty #ConsultingLife

A Black woman with natural hair styled in an updo sits confidently in a modern chair against a white backdrop with dramatic shadows. She wears an elegant white silk blouse and dark pants, accessorized with statement gold earrings. One arm is raised gracefully above her head while the other rests on the chair arm, creating a poised, powerful pose. The lighting creates striking shadows that add depth to the minimalist composition.

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Cynthia Barnes

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The Battle

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