Successful Entrepreneur Maci Peterson Philitas Has to Work at Accepting Praise

Featuring a broad cross-section of women who have distinguished themselves across a rich variety of careers, our Portraits of Power series is a celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Black Enterprise, and of black women. It’s a place for today’s businesswomen to share their own favorite images and their own stories, in their own words. Today’s portrait is entrepreneur Maci Peterson Philitas.

Maci Peterson Philitas

CEO and Co-founder, On Second Thought

My first job was retail sales at Limited Too.

I’ve had to work hardest at embracing and accepting praise and success.

I never imagined I would live in Morocco.

I wish I’d learned sooner the importance of practicing gratitude on a daily basis.

The risk I regret not taking is trusting my gut when making decisions.

If I could design my fantasy self-care day, it would be spent praying, hiking, journaling, and going to the spa for hammam and massage treatments.

New business ideas and the impact I want to make on the world keep me up at night.

When I’m struggling, I say to myself, “I am whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious, and happy,” and “I have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control.”

I am unapologetically Maci.

Portraits of Power is a yearlong series of candid insights from exceptional women leaders. It is brought to you by ADP.