Chereace Richards

Chereace Richards, a leader in her community and role model to many, lives by a simple, yet complex creed: embrace your passion, whatever it may be, and fulfill it no matter the cost.  Never comfortable with achieving just the status quo, Chereace is creating a path guided by faith and focus, and using her success to show others how to reach for, and grasp, all of life's infinite possibilities.

Born and raised in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, Chereace always knew that she wanted to do things differently.  Excelling in her studies and extracurricular activities, she grew an interest in the exciting fashion industry and decided to head to Los Angeles to pursue her dreams of being a style insider.  Unfortunately, fear held her back from embracing her passion.  Chereace played things safe by attending nearby Bowie State University, in Bowie, Md., and majored in computer science, a career path that would bring stability and allow her to live a comfortable life, even if it wasn't what she'd dreamed for.  Despite the change in plans, Chereace applied laser-sharp focus and rose quickly up the corporate ladder in her role as a computer science professional.  Fully committing to her decision to forego a career in fashion, she never looked back on what could have been.   In less than five years, Chereace went from IT Specialist to Software Sales Engineer, more than quadrupling her salary and putting her in a comfortable, yet complacent place.   

This success, however, was abruptly cut short when Chereace was unexpectedly laid off.   As a wife and mother, the set back was shocking, but it motivated her to act differently.  She re-evaluated her situation, realizing that working for someone else wasn't what she wanted for the rest of her life.  Chereace put herself in a better position, professionally, and with prayer and more focus, she rose above the situation and landed a position with the federal government.  Understanding the power of education, Chereace also enrolled at American University in Washington, DC, graduating with a Master's in Information Technology Management which made her more credible and marketable within her industry.  With a great career and happy family, Chereace was living the American dream and had no desire to make any changes.  God, on the other hand, desired otherwise.

In 2006, Chereace was introduced to 5LINX, a rapidly growing, global telecommunications company.  Having no prior direct sales experience, the opportunity filled a void in her life and forced her to challenge herself like never before.  The increasing demands of her professional and personal lives put Chereace at a crossroads and forced her to finally decide if she would give her all to this new business opportunity.  After hearing a powerful message from her pastor, Chereace left her full time, secure position, realized her growing potential and followed her destiny of being her own boss.  The decision wasn't easy.  But it was one that she had to stand behind, no matter what obstacles stood in the way or sacrifices she'd have to make for herself and her family.

Chereace's success with 5LINX has been constant and rather extraordinary.  She and her husband, who also left his full time job as a bus operator, have built a flourishing business that is rewarding on many levels.   In just 14 months, they were named Senior Vice Presidents, moving up to Platinum SVP status in just 35 months.  The Richards have also consistently ranked #1 as Platinum SVPs and their team has regularly places at the #1 and #2 spots in production, company-wide. She and her business associates motivate each other to fight off complacency and embrace the idea of endless possibilities.  Chereace often explains how great it is to be able to "live full-time and work part-time".

Though the journey was long and sometimes difficult, Chereace Richards has finally found her passion.  As a Platinum Vice President with 5LINX, she travels the world, teaching others how to be successful, but more importantly, empowering them to embrace their own passion and fulfill it, by any means necessary.   Chereace resides in Bowie, Md. with her husband, best friend, soul mate and business partner, Stan, and their two sons.  Having completed two Marine Corps Marathons, she is a fitness enthusiast who encourages women to use exercise to relieve stress.   She also still possesses a keen eye for fashion and enjoys following what's new on the runways of her favorite designers.

Chereace's life epitomizes the value of having unwavering dedication to whatever you put your mind to.   She uses her story to empower others, specifically women, to 1. find their passion, 2. use that passion to create and understand their life purpose and 3. use that purpose to order their life steps.  With FAITH, laser FOCUS, and most importantly, ACTION, Chereace knows that anything is possible. Her purpose to empower women to discover their passion and become all that God created them to be, is a driving force in all she does. Having put her dreams to the side on a few occasions, she is now living a new, re-energized life, one that uses faith, focus and following through as its foundation.  

www.chereacerichards.com

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