Marlo Ellis
by The TRIBE
Occupation: Founder of The Uncommon Woman
Website: www.facebook.com/theuncommonwoman/
Instagram: theuncommonwoman
HOW DID YOU IDENTIFY YOUR PASSION AND THE WORK THAT SATISFIED YOU VERSUS WORK THAT JUST PAID THE BILLS?
I knew it was my calling because it connects straight into the deepest places of my being allowing me to serve women in powerful ways. The Uncommon Woman feels like ease and energy, joy and abundance, servitude and tirelessness. The more I create the more creative I become. The more women I support the more women I seek to support. It’s fire vs ice – passion vs stagnation. I was a high school teacher for 10 years and when I was done I was done! I’m going on a decade as an entrepreneur and the more years I get under my belt the more energized I feel. That’s the difference for me. FIRE!
WHO WILL ETERNALLY BE A WOMAN YOU ADMIRE AND RESPECT, AND WHY?
My mother was the first feminist I ever knew, and the most graceful one I’d ever encountered. She always stood up for women through her own experiences , often at the cost of relationships and the respect of those she loved. People wanted to see her as “just another pretty face,” but she made sure they knew that did not define her. They didn’t know what to do with her so she often got her way. She told me one time that women often sacrifice so much to be seen, heard, and believed but she always followed that statement with “but it’s worth it.” I get my grit and self – assuredness from her.
IN LIGHT OF YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF OUR HASHTAG #WHYITRIBE, WHY DO YOU THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO CELEBRATE WHO WE ALREADY ARE TODAY?
I love that hashtag! Everything that we have done is part of what is needed of us moving forward. This is the age of the Divine Feminine! The wisdom we have acquired from our own lives and the lives of the women before us is now being called forward. Every single moment matters. Celebrating those moments is just another form of loving the women we’ve become!
NAME A TIME RECENTLY WHEN YOU SAID SOMETHING GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF/HOW DID THAT MAKE YOU FEEL?
Recently I was with some of my high-end clients when I lost my keys. I hate wasting time so I dumped my entire purse on the table and said, “Good thing I’m damn good at what I do or you’d all be running the other way thinking Who’s this hot mess express!” We laughed and then talked about our individual quirks! We all have them! Mine? I lose my keys several times a day! I read somewhere it’s a sign of genius! 😜
WHY DO YOU THINK WOMEN SHY AWAY FROM CELEBRATING OR PRAISING THEMSELVES SO MUCH?
We grew up hearing and saying things like “She loves herself a little too much!” and “Don’t brag!” So, we’ve learned to tone it down and dim our light! We are working on our come back but it’s not easy and we still fear judgment and rejection! This is exactly #WhyITribe.
HOW DO YOU OVERCOME THE TENDENCY TO DISCREDIT COMPLIMENTS YOU ARE GIVEN?
I consider how hard I’ve worked to get where I am. If I want someone to see their beauty and light I must embrace my own. The light from my candle will illuminate the darkness others are standing in.
WHO WAS THE FIRST FEMALE TO TEACH YOU OR INSPIRE YOU TO FEEL THAT #YOUAREENOUGH?
My mom. She’s always been confident and bold. From a very young age she showed me, not just told me, but showed me just how strong I was by walking me through my hard times in deep conversation. I always found my own answers in those conversations by answering a series of questions, and she always supported them. I was never forced to be or do anything else when it came to decisions about my life. I’ll never forget that.
HOW DOES SOCIETY REINFORCE THE IDEA THAT WE, AS WOMEN, ARE NOT ENOUGH AND HOW CAN WE TAKE THAT POWER BACK?
It’s everywhere including the empowerment spaces. It’s shocking to see how hard we still feel we have to work to be seen and valued. However, we are human and human nature shows up everywhere, even in the most sacred containers. It’s literally why they exist. We take our power back by acknowledging its presence, understanding the original source and then flipping the dialogue. Again. And again. And again.
ARE WE TOLD ENOUGH AS YOUNG GIRLS THAT #WEAREENOUGH? IF NOT, HOW CAN WE CHANGE THIS MESSAGING FOR YOUNG GIRLS TODAY?
No, and sadly I believe social media has had a negative impact on young girls with suicide and self harm rates skyrocketing since social media became the new way to communicate. It’s pretty straight up. We have to look them in the eyes and tell how amazing they are until we see it in their belief and actions. Then, we keep reinforcing it through our responses and actions. We need to educate them about the messages in media vs the truth and give them the freedom to draw their own conclusions, as empowered young women.
WHAT WOULD YOU GO BACK AND TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF, TO ENCOURAGE SELF-ESTEEM AND SELF-LOVE?
You are going to do great things one day. Hang in there!
WHERE DO YOU THINK THE NEED TO COMPETE WITH OTHER WOMEN COMES FROM? IS IT TAUGHT?
I believe it’s taught to us by (sadly) other women and men. It’s a deep issue that needs more attention, to be quite honest! But platforms like THE TRIBE and The Uncommon Woman are tuned into this message, and as long as we keep pressing the message and idea, and creating safe spaces for women to share, we will not need competition as we will quickly see we are all necessary and vital exactly S we are.
WHY IS THE TRIBE MOVEMENT IMPORTANT?
We are at a critical time in history when we need strong female empowerment platforms that bring women together, lift them up, and share their gifts. This is how we heal our wounds and move forward as a collective.
HOW ARE YOU TRYING TO KEEP YOUR SELF-ESTEEM UP IN THE MIDST OF THIS GLOBAL PANDEMIC AND WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHERS READING THIS?
My esteem comes from the way I treat myself and how I show up in the world. I’ve deepened my morning practice, stayed active, nurtured relationships, connected with people I love and admire, and I continue to create more opportunities for my life and my life work. Do more of what you love with the people you love. It’s never the wrong answer!
