Meet Kanu Masenda Jacobsen of Real Love Real Stories in Downtown Phoenix

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kanu Masenda Jacobsen.

Kanu, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am a Zimbabwean American and have been here for 25 years. I was born into a family of 7 girls and I am the last.  I credit my work ethic and the love to learn to my mom Matildah and my late father Cyril. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Kinesiology and Sports Management and a Master of Arts in Counseling. In addition I am certified in Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Appreciation in the Workplace and  Development Dimensions International and as well  an Executive & Business Coach.

I lived in Portland Oregon for 17 years and I held several managerial positions. In my spare time I loved running, and reading while hanging out in coffee shops sipping my favorite cup of coffee. Many times though, one could catch me people watching. Watching couples was always fascinating as I would notice how they would react with each other. What was their story? How and where did they meet? These were some of the questions I would ponder.  You see, I was single and longing for a relationship myself. I was on and off online dating and I would meet lots of guys but  I wasn’t quite meeting Mr Right.  I was beginning to lose hope and always thought that I needed to learn from the couples I was seeing  who appeared happy.  The only kink was that I didn’t know how or what to do.

In December 2017, I decided to take a leap by moving to Phoenix. I didn’t know anyone nor did I have a job lined up. I was attracted by the 299 per year dry day average.

I packed up and drove 1000+ miles on December 1, 2017. I immediately entered the Phoenix job market and nothing came to fruition. I would go for a run or long walks at Tempe Lake enjoying the cool winter Phoenix temperatures and had all the time in the world to think, the idea of Podcasting was born. I decided I wanted to give hope to all the single people like myself. I wanted to highlight couples and share their love journey to remind myself and others like me that love happens to anyone and at any time. I started interviewing couples in May 2018 and released my first Real Love Real Stories episode in June of 2018.

In the first three months of being in my new city, I found myself happy and excited. Some of the stories that I have shared on my podcast are stories from people right here in the community. Here are a few highlights

A marvelous love story from Chuck a stage 4 cancer survivor and Hannah a stage 4 cancer thriver. 2) A story from JJ a Vet who almost took his life but his wife’s pregnancy announcement gave him hope to live 3) A story from a former BBC radio host who recently moved to valley on how she found love after rising from the ashes like a Phoenix 4) A story from a former lawyer who is now helping single people find love herself  5) A story from a couple who an internship at Intel brought them together and 6) how an arranged marriage brought Parul the love of her life and many more

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy” Martin Luther King Jr

It has not been a smooth ride by any means. In June 2018 (the same month I released my 1st episode) my life was turned upside down. My older sister Josephine had a brain aneurysm and was in a coma for a little over a month before she was called to glory. Her death was followed by a series of other significant people in my life gaining their angel wings. My sister Clare lost her battle to cancer in October 2018, followed by my uncle Solomon in November 2018, my childhood bestie passed away in June 2019, then my oldest sister passed away in August 2019 and on Christmas Day 2019 I lost my uncle Fredreick. That is 6 very important people in my life gone in a year and half. Life hasn’t been easy at all

All that said my Podcast has been the one consistent and growing thing in my life. I am so grateful because even between hospital visits and funerals I was still able to find couples to interview and was able to release my episodes on time every single month.

Please tell us about your business.
My business is divided into parts: Real Love Real Stories and The Black Woman’s Advantage.

Real Love Real Stories Podcast is the place to be to hear love stories. The stories are shared on the podcast as well live events in select cities where the community comes together for an epic night to hear their neighbors share first person “Love stories from the Heart”

The Black Woman’s Advantage: A toolkit I am using to help single professional women of color “the strong woman” between the ages of 35 and over, change the naraative on how they are being perceived into an advantage to allow love to find them.

My ideal clients tends to be:

1. Frustrated about not finding love.
2.  Misunderstood: labeled as unapproachable and intimidating

Research has shown *Black women are 25% less likely to be approached for a date online”

This is the motivation behind “The Black Woman’s Advantage”. Even though I am not a matchmaker after completing the modules the participants will be able to aunderstand themselves better and allow love to find them

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
At the core of my business are 3 P’s: Passion, purpose and professionalism. I have heard people say you should start a business that even if you weren’t getting paid you still find joy in doing it. I absolutely believe that and my business is exactly that. For the 1^st time in my life I absolutely love what I do and it doesn’t feel like a job. I love this quote:

‘There has never been and never will be another you. You have a purpose – a very special gift that only you can bring to the world” Marie Forleo

The word purpose means: the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists. Sometimes when I feel discouraged for whatever reason I always go back to my why? I keep all the “words of affirmation” I have received from happy listeners/ clients and that always gets me focused again. I highly recommend that when you want success you should really define your why. Your “why”will keep on the right course even though sometimes you sway ofcourse. And lastly you have to be professional to be success. I treat every listener/ every client as though they are my high paying client.

Pricing:

• $399 to $795

Contact Info:

• Website: www.realloverealstories.com
• Email: kanu@realloverealstories.com
• Instagram: realloverealstories and theblackwomansadvantage
• Facebook: realloverealstories and theblackwomansadvantage
• Twitter: RealLoveRealSt3

Image Credit:
Jojo Takyi-Micah

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