Women Thriving in Business

Diving into government contracting is no small feat—it's a bold undertaking requiring courage and a deep grasp of the intricate landscape of policy making and implementation. As this challenging yet rewarding path unfolds, Jennifer Hanks, CEO of MMC Consulting and Co-Founder of Fed Propel Institute, seizes the opportunity with determination.In this episode, Jennifer shares strategies for building and managing cost-effective teams, navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the unexpected twists of starting MMC Consulting amid pregnancy and parenting during the pandemic. Discover her commitment to shaping the next generation of acquisition professionals and the impactful initiatives of the FedPROPEL Institute, designed to empower women, veterans, and minority-owned businesses.Tune in to learn more about how she sheds light on the imperative of staying informed, adapting to constant policy and technology changes, and the strategic development necessary to thrive and remain relevant in the ever-evolving government contracting arena.Thriving Points:Imposter syndrome is real. And it's like, as confident as we can be, there are going to be those moments where you doubt yourself. - Jennifer Hanks Even in your own business, there's going to be things that don't go as planned. And in that moment, we just had an attitude of we're doing this. - Jennifer Hanks You're writing proposals and all of those things. It's those things that just make you stronger, more resilient. And you just gain a new respect for yourself, your partner, and your team. - Jennifer HanksGet to Know the Guest:Jennifer Hanks, CFCM, NCMA Fellow, is a dedicated small business advocate and is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of MMC Consulting, LLC. MMC Consulting provides acquisition, program, and human capital management to federal and commercial clients with a commitment to delivering innovative solutions to challenges facing the federal government. Jennifer oversees the operations of MMC's commercial and federal practice with a portfolio that exceeds $1B in value.As a former warranted contracting officer with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), she obtained domestic and international contracting experience in Afghanistan, Guatemala, and Germany. She has also worked for several large federal contractors that gave her a complete understanding of the full buyer/seller experience and how to provide effective and creative solutions for clients. In addition to her responsibilities as CEO of MMC Consulting, Jennifer is also Co-Founder and Senior Advisor of The FedPROPEL Institute whose mission is to help 10,000 minority-led firms become elite federal contractors over the next decade.Connect with Jennifer Hanks:WebsiteLinkedInA Team Dklutr Production

A different result requires a different approach.Aspirations of growth often require a change in methodology in order to achieve new goals. But the mere thought of change scares us. Even when others are willing to give advice or share their experiences, we often cling to the familiar.  Our old ways can serve as a comfort blanket.While it can be uncomfortable to be in a new environment or unfamiliar situation, I want to remind you:“Don't automatically discount that new way just because it's new or unfamiliar to you.”Trust the wisdom of those who've walked the path before. Their guidance can help you avoid pitfalls and find shortcuts, ultimately leading you to your destination quicker.In this episode, I encourage you to ask three important questions to exercise your power of choice effectively:What guidance have you been overlooking or ignoring?What would your life or business look like if you followed that advice?What's getting in your way and causing resistance to taking that advice?Be open to exploring new routes and suggestions from other people as it may lead you to bigger and better opportunities. There is more than one way to get to your destination. Some are shortcuts, some have barriers or challenges along the way, and some are longer but provide a better vantage point. A rich experience is awaiting you if you follow guidance provided by those who have been where you want to go.  You never know which new path will help you thrive even more in life and business!Thriving Points:When you ignore the advice of those who are around you or the guidance that you've been given, you may still get to your goal but it's going to take up more resources.You always have the power to choose when there's an option for a new way.Don't automatically discount that new way just because it's new or unfamiliar to you.You may uncover or discover something that you never knew was there just because you're trying a new way.About the Show: Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.Connect with Nikki:LinkedInInstagramYoutubeA Team Dklutr Production

The beauty of the human experience lies in how its meaning evolves over time. For Ronnette Meyers, it all began with her grandmother's front porch beauty salon, where she learned the art of braiding as a young girl. This was her first taste of earning through her skill – the spark that ignited her entrepreneurial journey.From these humble beginnings, Ronnette became a senior leader in the federal government, which eventually led to her joining her mother's government contracting firm. From there, she forged her own path, founding an IT consulting company, and continuing to blaze trails in govcon for over 13 years. Ronnette has leveraged her business acumen to guide her company in obtaining numerous certifications and flourishing year after year. She's building an empire that includes, govcon, real estate, hospitality, and performing arts.Amidst her impressive accomplishments, Ronnette firmly believes in the power of relationships. She emphasizes the significance of trust and confidence in her partnerships, an essential factor in striking a harmonious balance between her professional and personal life.Listen in to learn more about Ronnette's journey and how you can apply her insights to your own experiences. Thriving Points:Starting as a subcontractor allowed me to build past performance so that I could go after a prime opportunity. - Ronnette MeyersPartnerships are key to developing good partners who actually care about you and the services you bring. - Ronnette MeyersYou meet so many different people who are already in the business who may have more experience and you want to learn and partner with them on different opportunities. - Ronnette MeyersBeing a subcontractor is a way to learn the business. Learn all the pieces and parts and not be the person on the hook for it. - Ronnette MeyersPay attention to your subcontract agreement. Ask and clarify clauses you don't agree with. - Ronnette MeyersThe key is socialization outside of business because you really have to know people and understand their values. - Ronnette MeyersAnd now, we are hotel investors. We invest in Broadway plays, apartments, and brand new condo construction.  Once you're at a certain playing field, you can actually support these different efforts. - Ronnette MeyersGet to Know the Guest:Ronnette Meyers, President and CEO, has leveraged her extensive experience as a former federal employee and as a senior executive with a multi-million dollar, award-winning government contractor to create JLAN Solutions, a premiere provider of superior IT and management consulting services. Ronnette's reputation in the government contracting sector is unparalleled, and she is a sought-after partner for engagements of all types. Ronnette is laser-focused on providing superior service and peace of mind to government customers at all levels.Ronnette is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program,  the Small Business Administration Emerging Leaders Program, and the Inner City Capital Connections program.Connect with Ronnette Meyers:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterA Team Dklutr Production

Revamping your career is no small feat; it requires strategic thinking and unwavering determination. In a journey marked by calculated risks and meticulous planning, Tasha Jones serves as a role model for transforming apprehension into achievements. She isn't just building a business; she's crafting her legacy through an intentional approach to achieve her envisioned future.After dedicating more than two decades to government consulting following her service in the US Navy, Tasha made a defining choice to seize control of her career and embark on an independent professional path. This bold decision unearthed a profound purpose: her overarching mission is to create an investment fund by the year 2039 that will provide capital support to businesses and communities.Tasha's insights on planning, establishing robust support systems, and exploring the unknown will inspire you to reassess your own career journey.Don't miss out on this episode; prepare to be captivated by Tasha's compelling story.Thriving Points:Having that consistent support structure, planning in advance, and having alternative options for the things that are very important ensure that I'm not taking too much high risk when I transition careers. - Tasha JonesSometimes we glamorize what we don't know, but talking to people who are in those roles helps a lot. - Tasha JonesDon't be afraid to put yourself out there to ask and show that you're still curious and you're trying to learn. - Tasha JonesIt's a different kind of grind, with all the regulations, it's not enough to just win contracts—  you have to build infrastructure. - Tasha JonesI always had systems and processes and things in place. If I made the decision to grow, I wanted to have things in place for that so I did put those in place upfront. - Tasha JonesI'm glad I had the confidence to try and grow a business because it's helping me to see some things that I didn't even realize I had already been exposed to. - Tasha JonesSince I want to create a product that makes services more accessible at a broader scale for businesses that don't have the revenue, I need to do it smartly so it doesn't break me financially. - Tasha JonesI always try to ensure that I'm engaged in the industry organizations that tend to yield the best results versus just being a member. - Tasha JonesGet to Know the Guest:Tasha Jones is a U.S. Navy Veteran and Founder of Twenty39, a data-focused professional services firm leveraging over twenty years of experience primarily in the U.S. Federal, Defense and Intelligence market space. From scaling multi-million-dollar, functionally diverse global portfolios to spearheading multiple high-visibility project turnaround efforts for major IT systems and processes at the US Department of Justice, Ms. Jones is an industry-recognized leader in developing data-informed solutions, turning around “off the rail” projects and “just getting the job done!"Tasha founded and co-hosts Unveiled: GovCon Stories podcast – to spotlight the true experiences and learned lessons from small business founders in government contracting; and is a Citrine Angels board member, a DC-based angel group of women investing in women.Connect with Tasha Jones:WebsiteLinkedInUnveiled: GovCon Stories PodcastOther Resources Mentioned:Citrine AngelsA Team Dklutr Production

It may seem like the worlds of aerospace systems design and organizational development exist in entirely separate realms. But what if we told you they actually are connected in a fascinating way? Well, they are, and in this episode we're diving deep into this convergence with Sonya Hopson.Sonya is an expert at working within systems, and she sees the world through that lens. Whether at NASA engineering rockets, or assisting various government agencies and commercial clients with strategic planning, she's all about putting the pieces together to develop a cohesive solution.Join us as we embark on Sonya's remarkable journey, from her early days as a practicing engineer to her impactful work at NASA. Discover how she transitioned into an unexpected role that led to teaching resume writing in a detention center, and eventually founded her own consulting business. Throughout her story, you'll learn what it truly means to perceive the world as a series of interconnected systems and how you can leverage that perspective in your own business.This is an episode you don't want to miss, as it offers valuable insights into Sonya Hopson's career and worldview.Thriving Points:I see the world in systems. I see them as pieces being integrated together. - Sonya HopsonWe help design, build and launch people, products and processes into their proper orbit. - Sonya HopsonWe focused on what we did well. We built systems. So it's just seeing the world as a series of gears and pieces. - Sonya HopsonYour child is unique. You have unique relationships, but it really requires a system for everybody to make it out happy, healthy, and whole. - Nikki RogersOur job helps put everybody back to the North Star, identify what is their role and contribution to making things happen. - Sonya HopsonWe come in, we work shoulder to shoulder with our government partners to give them the solution that they can implement. - Sonya HopsonGet to Know the Guest:Sonya Hopson is a Strategic Partner of DVIRC and the CEO of Sage Services Group LLC. For over 20 years, Sonya has provided leadership on mission-critical projects with a diverse range of public and private organizations to improve performance and strengthen organizational effectiveness.Over the last 13 years, Sonya has provided Training and Development, Organizational Design and Development, and Strategic Planning support to nearly twenty different Federal agencies, State government offices, and commercial clients. Sage has established a history of helping leaders and organizations in navigating challenging situations. They excel in bringing leaders and their teams together to identify strengths and limitations and agree on goals.Connect with Sonya Hopson:WebsiteLinkedInTwitterOther resources mentioned:QBQ! The Question Behind the Question: Practicing Personal Accountability in Work and in Life by John G. MillerWhat Got You Here Won't Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More Successful by Marshall Goldsmith

How do you transition from working in the corporate to finally starting and leading your own business?While it's not entirely impossible—I know a lot of people who took a leap of faith and started their own entrepreneurial journey—it takes a special kind of courage, especially for women and women of color to transition from the corporate setting to leading their own companies.So really, how do you do this?For Lesa Adeboye, CEO of Alliance Group, it's a matter of presenting your authentic self and building genuine relationships. With her mantra of “where there's a will, there's a way,” Lesa reminds us that it's not about being good at everything, but it's about knowing how to make real partnerships and identify the best people to engage when opportunities arise.In this episode, Lesa and I talk about her knowledge of govcon and how the desire for freedom motivated her to start her successful business after over 20 years in corporate. Thriving Points:I wasn't fearful about anything. But I made a lot of mistakes. Coming out of corporate, I thought I knew everything, so I had to learn that business is a whole other beast. I had to humble myself, but that took some time. I made a lot of mistakes but I learned a lot from the mistakes that I've made. - Lesa AdeboyeWhat I have learned—and it's taken a while—is bringing my authentic self to the table and making genuine relationships, doing business with the people that my personality resonates with. - Lesa AdeboyeI love women-owned businesses because I see it as an avenue to freedom. Entrepreneurship is an avenue to freedom. - Lesa AdeboyeGet to Know the Guest:Lesa Adeboye, the CEO of Alliance Group, has over 25 years of federal government contracting experience. Alliance Group's corporate capabilities include management consulting, professional and administrative services, and visual communications (film, animation, and graphic design). Before becoming a business owner, Lesa served in roles that include Director of Contracts and Procurement, Director of Business Development, and Executive Program Director, for Fortune 500, mid-sized, and small businesses.Connect with Lesa Adeboye:WebsiteLinkedInInstagramOther resources mentioned:The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom (A Toltec Wisdom Book) by Don Miguel Ruiz About the Show:Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.Connect with Nikki:LinkedInInstagramYoutubeA Team Dklutr Production

Studies tell us that on average, humans spend more than 30% of their lives at work.Given that work is such a significant aspect of our lives, it is important that we work in an environment where we feel valued and appreciated.But how can we ensure that we work in a healthy environment where we can thrive?In episode 810, we discuss this topic with our guest, Dr. Melba Nicholson Sullivan, CEO of Freedom Flow Solutions. Melba believes that creating a culture where individuals feel seen and heard is the first step toward achieving a healthy work environment. With her clinical psychology background and passion for the performing arts, she customizes a solution based on each organization's unique challenges, recognizing that different industries require different approaches.If you want to find out more about Dr. Sullivan's distinctive approach to a sustainable workplace, tune in to this episode!Thriving Points:Avoidance is one of the key ways that we navigate trauma. - Melba Nicholson Sullivan, Ph.D.We're very committed to creating a space for wisdom that sits in every seat. - Melba Nicholson Sullivan, Ph.D.When I'm working with somebody individually, I'm working with them to navigate the impact of a work environment that needs to change. When I'm working with the organization as the client, I'm changing the context in which that individual is working. - Melba Nicholson Sullivan, Ph.D.Get to Know the Guest:Dr. Melba Nicholson Sullivan is a licensed clinical community psychologist, Executive Coach, and vocalist. She uses theater arts, contemplative practice, and body-based approaches to navigate systemic oppression while promoting resilience and liberation. Melba grew up as one of 3 Black children in her graduating class of 300 in Deerfield, IL. She earned her BS in Psychology from Howard University and her Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She completed postdoctoral studies in child and family trauma and social policy at Duke University, as well as global mental health at Harvard Medical School/Istituto Superiore di Sanità. Prior to creating her own companies, Melba worked for more than 20 years in nonprofit leadership and as clinical faculty at Northwestern University, Bellevue Hospital Center, NYU School of Medicine, and Ackerman Institute for the Family. She created a university counseling center at the American University of Nigeria, in Yola, Nigeria. She lives with her family in Brooklyn, NY.Connect with Melba Nicholson Sullivan, Ph.D.:WebsiteLinkedInAbout the Show:     Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.Connect with Nikki:LinkedInInstagramYoutubeA Team Dklutr Production

Have you ever wished for a "recipe" for business success? Imagine the efficiency and effectiveness you could achieve if your organization's processes were documented and communicated. Imagine what could be possible if everyone on your team understood what work needed to be accomplished and how to do it.But how do we document processes and establish consistency that benefits our businesses? This week, we're joined by Alicia Butler Pierre, the Founder & CEO of Equilibria, Inc., and the bestselling author of Behind the Façade—the world's first published book on business infrastructure. Alicia is an evangelist about the importance of operations and infrastructure management for companies of all sizes and types.To achieve business success, it's essential to clearly identify every individual activity involved in delivering your product or service—from initial client interaction to final delivery.Want to learn how to enhance your business processes from an expert? Tune in to Episode 809 and listen to Alicia's insights today!Other Resources Mentioned:Behind the Facade: How to Structure Company Operations for Sustainable SuccessHow to Win Friends & Influence PeopleThriving Points:“You are naturally skilled and talented at where your joy and your passion lies.” - Alicia Butler Pierre“By joining different networking groups that would meet fairly regularly, I was able to build that base of contacts.” - Alicia Butler Pierre“The concepts and basic principles that I learned in engineering enabled myself to apply them to the world of business.” - Alicia Butler Pierre“Process ensures consistency in the way that you provide your services or produce your goods.” - Alicia Butler Pierre“Blame the process before you blame the person. You have to take the time to train them, to onboard them; otherwise, you will lose them.” - Alicia Butler PierreConnect with Alicia:WebsiteInstagramLinkedinFacebookTwitterYoutubeAbout the Show:     Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.Connect with Nikki:LinkedInInstagramYoutube

Societal messages often suggest that women must choose between taking care of their families and taking care of themselves. This, coupled with persistent wage inequality, false assumptions about women's financial literacy, and previous laws that restricted women's money-related activities, can inhibit women from creating wealth and achieving financial freedom.In this episode, our guest Sarah Walton challenges these limiting beliefs and empowers women to take control of their financial lives. As Sarah puts it, "Women need each other." She helps women to become financially independent and make decisions that align with their values and goals.Sarah is the founder of Sarah Walton Coaching, and in this conversation, she shares her inspiring journey from humble beginnings to successful entrepreneur and business coach.Tune in to Episode 808 to hear more about Sarah's story and her insights on how women can build financial prowess and reclaim their power.Other Resources Mentioned:The Slight Edge by Jeff OlsonGet to Know the Guest:Sarah Walton is a success coach and business mentor who's been featured on The Today Show speaks at women's conferences all over the world and has helped hundreds of women start and grow businesses they LOVE.Originally from Salt Lake City, Sarah spent her 15-year corporate career in New York City, navigating the male-dominated world of tech, managing a P&L worth hundreds of millions of dollars, working closely with Marianne Williamson, mentoring dozens of women, and balancing motherhood at the same time.She's the voice behind the Game On Girlfriend Podcast, and she's known for her weekly "Coffee With Coach" streaming video conversations on Monday mornings.She offers comprehensive online courses including The Sales Mastermind and The Abundance Academy. She also runs her exclusive quarterly “Sprints” where you work on one goal, for one quarter, designed for women who are serious about growing and staying focused.Sarah has become the go-to source of inspiration, no-nonsense teaching, and practical integration for women in business.She's created a successful business and now speaks across the nation, offering her courses and workshops, which are designed to put more money in the hands of more women.Connect with Sarah:WebsiteInstagramLinkedinYoutubeAbout the Show:     Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.Connect with Nikki:LinkedInInstagramYoutube

The approach to diversity and inclusion within corporate workplaces has evolved over the last four decades. Organizations have moved beyond compliance to a current focus on creating inclusive environments that engage and empower employees. All change begins at the top and leaders must take initiative to incorporate equity and inclusion in their organizations. My guest, Celeste Warren, a global executive in diversity and inclusion, shares her insights and experiences in promoting diverse and inclusive workplaces. In this episode, we delve into the million-dollar question of how individual leaders can influence others to cultivate inclusive workplaces where everyone feels they belong. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on this important topic.Listen to Episode 807 to learn more!Other Resources Mentioned:How to be a Diversity and Inclusion AmbassadorThriving Points:“And so you have to look. Your policies, your procedures, your practices, because sometimes you might have the policies and the procedures, but if the managers and the leaders aren't actively practicing it with their employees, the policy's not even as good as the paper that it's written on.” - Celeste Warren“As a leader, you have to make sure that you understand what is happening from a cultural standpoint, from a social standpoint, from a political standpoint externally, and the impact that it's having on certain communities of employees within the workplace, and if you don't understand that, then you talk about the war for talent, you're not gonna be able to thrive.” - Celeste Warren”“You have to understand where people come from no matter whatever, their walk of life. Everybody comes to the workplace from different spaces with these deeply held beliefs that they were taught from childhood.” - Nikki Rogers“What is it that I need to do? What am I missing? What skills, what capabilities, and what biases do I have? Get in touch with yourself and understand you as a person.” - Celeste WarrenConnect with Celeste:WebsiteAmazonLinkedinAbout the Show:     Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.Connect with Nikki:LinkedInInstagramYoutube

Starting a career or a new job does NOT come with a manual. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for adapting to a new workplace. There are multiple factors to adjust to, including workplace dynamics, organizational values and practices, and new responsibilities. This transition might take a long time before you can actually feel comfortable and stable in your new environment and role. You have the smarts and skills to succeed, but do you know what else is important?To really thrive, you have to be aware of and understand the expectations and perspectives of others. Self-awareness and emotional intelligence are keys to climbing the corporate ladder or leading an organization.Gracing the podcast this week is Carice Anderson, career woman and author of Intelligence Isn't Enough, A Black Professionals Guide to Thriving in the Workplace. Besides being an author, she is now in the fourth phase of her career, as she would like to put it. She has undergone several career transitions, worked among diverse groups of people across continents, and taken all that she has learned to write an informational and inspirational career guide.Carice opens up about her journey from one work environment to another—from corporate to freelance, from the USA to South Africa. She takes us through her ups and downs of being a Black professional, how her identity and circumstances shaped her experiences, and the stories and lessons she picked up along the way.Listen in to our enlightening discussion! Other Resources Mentioned:Intelligence Isn't Enough: A Black Professional's Guide to Thriving in the WorkplaceThriving Points:“There are people who cannot put your values aside. They rule everything about the way you interact with people and how you expect people to interact with you. So if you're in an environment full of people who have no values, it's just not gonna work. “ - Carice Anderson“If you can't understand, recognize, and manage your own emotions, you can't understand and influence the emotions of others.” - Carice AndersonGet to Know the Guest:Carice Anderson is a major in Business. She is the author of Intelligence Isn't Enough: A Black Professional's Guide To Thriving in the Workplace and published it in South Africa and the UK last 2022.  She holds a MBA from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of Alabama. Carice enjoys traveling, and massages, and she is obsessed with mangoes, chocolate, and laughter. Connect with Carice:WebsiteLinkedinAbout the Show:     Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.Connect with Nikki:LinkedInInstagramYoutube

It's undeniable that even though the workplace is an exciting place to grow, mature, compete, and excel, it is also a place where harassment, oppression, inequality, racism, sexism, and many other problems can occur. These are problems that many employees face in the workplace. How can those who experience these issues fight back and obtain justice?  How do we make people understand these are not individual problems, but systemic issues that need to be addressed?This gives the legal aspects of things a big market for a startup, but the big question is: how do we approach the needs of the employees in a legal aspect, and how do we make investors understand that it is a purposeful area to pursue?In this episode, Danae Shell, co-founder and CEO of Valla, shares with us the impetus for starting Valla, a startup that makes legal support accessible and affordable for everyone, the challenges of integrating technology and legal services, the issues encountered by women tech founders, and more lessons learned from her extensive startup experience.Listen to Episode 805 to learn more!Other Resources Mentioned:The Compassionate MindThriving Points:Valla is a platform that helps people represent themselves in court or tribunal if they can't afford a traditional law firm—which means that it's for most people because most people can't afford a traditional law firm. - Danae ShellThe problem wasn't finding the lawyer, the problem was affording the lawyer. - Danae ShellWho you choose to back you as a company really matters at those [early] stages because an investor who doesn't understand early-stage startups could have easily tried to push us to rush to revenue too quickly. - Danae ShellAll female-founded companies like mine receive less than 2% of all the venture capital that's deployed… That the way that that manifests in terms of difficulty is you have less access to networks. - Danae ShellGet to Know the Guest:Danae Shell is the co-founder and CEO of Valla, a tech startup that is  making legal support accessible and affordable for everyone. Danae is a developer-turned-marketer and a Tennessean who has worked in Scotland's (UK) startup scene for over 17 years. She has extensive scale-up experience, joining as an early employee in Scottish startups FreeAgent and Care Sourcer and helping to build and scale their marketing teams. Danae is passionate about building inclusive, kind companies that support high-performing teams.Connect with Danae:WebsiteTwitterLinkedInAbout the Show:     Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.Connect with Nikki:LinkedInInstagramYoutube

What allows a business to thrive and be successful in the face of constant change in the market and the world? What propels organization leaders to achieve ambitious goals?There's no one perfect answer to these questions, but rather a myriad of options and strategies that can be employed to create success. The real question is—which strategy should you start with?In this episode, Elisabeth Embry answers our inquiries about strategies and the road to success. A strategic thinker with 25+ years of executive experience at Fortune 500 companies, startups, and everything in between, Elisabeth shares with us the foundation of every successful organization's strategy—its people and culture.Listen to Episode 804 to learn more!Other Resources Mentioned:Eliyahu M. Goldratt's The GoalThriving Points:It's important to be relevant and understand that the things that are important now are going to help set the tone and the temperament of where the company, department, or yourself is going. - Elisabeth EmbryAt the end of the day, it is all about people. - Elisabeth EmbryWhen we are leaders, we have to be aware of our strengths and our weaknesses. - Elisabeth EmbryWhat needs to be more explicitly stated in organizations is that we are all going toward this goal. And here's your role to play in it. - Nikki RogersGet to Know the Guest:Driving transformation and delivery at scale and at pace, Elisabeth Embry has helped enterprises, divisions, and individuals achieve massive success. Elisabeth is a strategic thinker, able to grasp and articulate the big picture and translate it into meaningful and effective actions. She possesses unique skills based on 25+ years of executive experience at Fortune 500 companies, startups, and everything in between. Through her experiences in companies such as Expedia, Amazon, IBM, and T-Mobile, she has led effective strategy and execution at the portfolio, project, and product levels. She has hands-on experience leading product organizations, business operations, strategic and organizational planning, as well as SAFe and Agile transformations. She enables teams to deliver more, with quality, while increasing speed and predictability, with a metrics-driven approach.Connect with Elisabeth:LinkedInCrosslake Technology LinkedInAbout the Show:     Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.Connect with Nikki:LinkedInInstagramYoutube

In an uncertain economy and a seismic shift in ways of working, organizations are feeling the impact of the great resignation and “quiet quitting,” while individuals are reporting unprecedented rates of burnout. As leaders, how can we transform the workplace for the better?How do we create better workplaces where employees feel seen, heard, connected, engaged, and fulfilled? Where their purpose and passions are acknowledged and supported?In this episode, Keren Tsuk,  keynote speaker, consultant, and a thought leader in 21st-century leadership, shares that mindfulness is the key to transforming the workplace into a better space. She explains that mindfulness not only means to be fully present in the moment but also refers to being aware of the experiences we are going through.Listen to Episode 803 to learn more about mindful leadership!Other Resources Mentioned:Sanaya Roman's Living with Joy: Keys to Personal Power and Spiritual TransformationKeren Tsuk's Mindfully Wise Leadership: The Secret of Today's LeadersThriving Points:I found that mindfulness is a crucial element that we need to embrace nowadays in order to lead our companies and be on the cutting edge and engage our employees. - Keren Tsuk The coronavirus transformed not only global work but also workplaces and caused people to ask themselves tough questions, “Why do I want to invest my time? Why do I want to engage in this company?” - Keren Tsuk I needed to go through this transformative process myself in order to be able to help other people to connect to themselves. - Keren Tsuk Mindfulness actually helps us to manage [our emotions] and not be managed by our emotions. - Keren Tsuk Get to Know the Guest:Keren is a keynote speaker, consultant, and thought leader in 21st-century leadership, as well as the author of the book Mindfully Wise Leadership. She founded the consultancy Wisdom To Lead which specializes in the development of senior management teams and corporate leadership. Keren helps companies and teams reach their full potential using mindfulness techniques. Checkpoint, Earnix, Plarium, Verint, Amdocs, Ex Libris, Google, and Siemens are all companies Keren has worked with. As a keynote speaker on the topic of the relationship between mindfulness and leadership, she also speaks at conferences worldwide and in fortune 500 companies.About the Show:     Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.Connect with Nikki:LinkedInInstagramYoutube

Have you been sitting on a great idea or concept for a while, but you are hesitant to put it into action? What if, instead of being paralyzed by fear,  you decided to bet on yourself and your big idea?  If you decide to make your concept a reality, you have the potential to create a successful business and benefit others who can use your product or service. My guest this week, Shiloh Johnson, the Founder and CEO of ComplYant, a technology platform offering entrepreneurs stress-free guidance to manage complex tax rules and regulations year-round. Shiloh leveraged her tax practice experience and deep understanding of business tax challenges to found a technology firm focused on helping 31 million small businesses move from tax confusion to compliance. Her big idea has paid off - Shiloh has raised over $12M in funding, making her one of the few African American women founders to raise over $1M. Not only is Shiloh living proof that taking full responsibility for your own journey will lead to a brighter future, but she is also a firm believer that when you have an idea, you should try it right away. If it doesn't work out, learn from it and use the lessons learned as motivation to keep trying until you succeed.Shiloh shares the inspiration for her decision to start ComplYant, the beauty of taking full responsibility for your own ideas, and the challenges of making it a reality.Listen to Episode 802 to learn more!Other Resources Mentioned:ComplYantVenture Deals: Be Smarter Than Your Lawyer and Venture Capitalist by Brad Feld and Jason Mendelson Thriving Points:I'm gonna try this thing. And if it doesn't work out, I walked away with a great set of experiences, and maybe a bigger network. - Shiloh JohnsonI try not to get too hung up on the sadness of the result of the decision, but instead, use it as a lesson. - Shiloh JohnsonI didn't give myself a chance to doubt myself. - Shiloh JohnsonGet to Know the Guest:Shiloh Johnson, a long-time accountant, and financial trauma advocate, is the founder and CEO of ComplYant, a digital tax assistant to help small businesses organize, save, and pay for various business taxes. Rooted in the mission to remove tax barriers for small or underrepresented business owners, ComplYant offers unique solutions to not only help founders navigate their taxes but to anticipate owed taxes and budget ahead of time.About the Show:     Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.Connect with Nikki:LinkedInInstagramYoutube

What is your next career move?  Should you go after that big promotion you have dreamed of? Or should you start that business you've always wanted to pursue?No matter where you see yourself, whether it's owning your own business or climbing the ladder in your organization, the question is this: do you feel powerful enough to make the next move toward your vision? My guest Lisa Baker spent over 30 years in corporate, ultimately becoming a Senior Vice-President managing a $2.5 billion P&L. She has had experiences and made connections that many of us dream of.  Yet, Lisa doesn't consider herself extraordinary and believes that we all can achieve professional and personal success by leveraging our inherent greatness.During our wide-ranging and engaging discussion, Lisa shared how her parent's decision to migrate from Atlanta to St. Louis in the 1950s not only changed the trajectory of her family but also established the foundation for her future success. Lisa is the youngest of 8 siblings and grew up hearing about the impact that the move to St. Louis had on her older siblings. These stories of sacrifice and challenge motivated her to work hard to make her family proud.Lisa is an ICF-certified coach, and her passion for helping others achieve success by identifying their strengths, passions, and purpose is what drives her as an entrepreneur. In this episode, she shares her stories of navigating the corporate world, starting her own coaching business, and some words of advice to help women of color thrive in a demanding corporate environment.Listen to Episode 801 to learn more!Other Resources Mentioned:Seth Godin's Small is the New BigThriving Points:One of the things that I often say to people is to find what your area of greatness is and work in that space because that's where you're going to thrive. - Lisa BakerWe, women, are often so accommodating. We don't wanna hurt anybody's feelings. We feel like we have to say yes to everything. But you cannot do that if you're going to run a successful business. You really have to know when to say no and limit your time and exposure to things that aren't driving you toward your goals.  - Lisa BakerYou have to get really good at building meaningful relationships… Getting to know people, and more importantly, allowing them to get to know you. People would want to work with and promote folks that they know, like, and trust. And you can't build that trust without really investing time in building meaningful connections. - Lisa BakerAbout the Show:     Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.Connect with Nikki:LinkedInInstagramYoutube

"In the midst of all those different elements coming together, that crisis of courage, that crisis of confidence, the financial pieces, the health pieces - that's where the power and the gift of crisis kicked in." - Nikki RogersLife is full of peaks and valleys. We can plan as much as we can, prepare for the worst and map out our desired path down to the T. But there will always be crises along the way that cannot be averted.I certainly couldn't.These past few weeks have been challenging for me personally and professionally. . I've encountered many obstacles recently, that forced me to pull out the magnifying glass, carefully inspect key elements, and recalibrate my approach to business and life.While no one wants to experience a crisis, I did find a silver lining in the aftermath. Moving through the emotional and psychological effects led me to a heightened sense of power and resolve to pursue my goals and dreams.In this episode, I share about different crises I faced recently that I have gratefully overcome. Through stillness, candid discussions, and reflection, I  assessed my situation and developed a way forward.So Thrivers, as you listen to this episode, I raise a thought-provoking question for us all. What are some of the things that have helped you really lean into the idea of the power - and maybe even the gift - of crisis?Thriving Points:I am unemployable. And by that, I mean I can't go back to not being the visionary and the key decision-maker around how I spend my time and my energy. I had to deal with the facts of the moment as well as the feelings that were coming up as a result of viewing those facts, and that moment of crisis really scared me. But it also motivated me and pushed me out of my comfort zone.I started to think about how I can be more strategic about where I show up, when I show up and how I show up so that I am attracting the kind of partners and clients that can support and align with my vision.Start to get clear about what your vision is and what you're doing in your vision and your life. And some of that clarity will actually come in the doing. Have that magnetism that attracts those people and those opportunities that are going to propel you toward your vision. These are your optimal connections.Mentioned on the Show:The Power of Crisis: How Three Threats – and Our Response – Will Change the World (by Ian Bremmer)About the Show:     Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.Connect with Nikki:LinkedInInstagramYoutube

It is nerve-racking to relinquish control of something that you have created. As a business owner, you may want to maintain control of everything because you are scared to allow others to help you. However, the time you spend on tasks that do not generate revenue can be spent more effectively on growing your business.It is in your best interest to delegate management of the operation to someone more capable, so that you may concentrate on the tasks that are most suited to your strengths. Hiring a remote team can be a  big advantage for your business as it will enable you to concentrate more on generating-revenue tasks. Rather than having to juggle multiple responsibilities, it will allow you and your business to flourish, generate MORE revenue, and enjoy your entrepreneurial journey.The Thriver joining us this week is Nicole Grinnell, Founder, and CEO of Bosun Solutions, a staffing and recruiting firm that holistically solves clients' problems by providing the right remote team members for all back-office roles who can operate a business. Nicole takes her passion for organization, assisting, efficiency, and providing the solution to her client's problems. Thinking of her father who was forced to juggle it all, she now finds joy in providing the relief small business owners need allowing them to grow, be profitable and enjoy their passion.Nicole shares with us the signs that business owners should look for when considering whether to seek more support and the value of having a remote team that allows you to focus on generating revenue for your business.Be inspired. Be empowered. Listen to Episode 709 to learn more!Other Resources Mentioned:Playing to Win: How Strategy Really Works by A.G. Lafley and  Roger L. Martin  Bosun SolutionsThriving Points:When you're first starting out, I guarantee you there is money in your inbox. -Nicole GrinnellPivoting and really kind of going to that next step is scary, especially when this is your comfort zone. - Nicole GrinnellIt's a trust fall, but it's actually an experience I'm thankful we had because now we can talk to that as well with our clients and say, I understand change is hard and I understand that this feels safe and secure, but I'm gonna need you to trust me and let's move into this. - Nicole GrinnellOur goal is to serve our clients, and so we wanna be really mindful of that and always keep our motives right. - Nicole GrinnellAbout the Show:     Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.Connect with Nikki:LinkedInInstagramYoutube

"Owning and running a business and being an entrepreneur is truly one of the hardest things that you can do just because there's so much culpability and pressure and there's so much understanding required. It's a big, big responsibility. So I think just being able to keep weathering the storm and showing up day after day is an accomplishment in and of itself." - Kat EcklesHow many times have we heard this story: a serendipitous event or an unplanned decision led to the genesis of a thriving business. What you'll hear on this episode is one of those inspiring and captivating stories.Kat Eckles, Co-founder of Clean Juice, and her husband thought about starting a business for only 24 hours before making decisions that would ultimately transform their lives. That's not to say that they made their choice at a whim, but were driven by their desire to be together and start their own venture. Fast forward to today, Clean Juice has grown from a single location to a multi-million-dollar franchise corporation.Listen to this episode and hear Kat discuss the importance of being willing to evolve in business, overcoming major challenges, and facing your fears. Learn key lessons such as not being too dogmatic about anything - be it in business or in life, avoiding the trap of perfectionism, and the amazing world of agriculture.Thriving Points:We really started to dig in on what franchising was. We got connected to people. And we really figured out that it was probably the best way for us to grow. - Kat EcklesGo back to trusting your gut and be intuitive in business. - Kat EcklesFarming is amazing. When you really dig into all that goes into it - the hard work and just the intricacies and the small margins - it's really incredible when you figure out how our food is grown. - Kat EcklesWe've matured a little bit as a business. We went for having a more consistent, offering versus just chaotic growing at lightning speed.  - Kat EcklesI'm a big believer in meditation. The benefit is you're going inside. You're very quiet. You're silent in yourself. - Kat EcklesGet to Know the Guest:Kat Eckles is the Co-Founder of Clean Juice, the first and only USDA-certified organic juice and food bar franchise. When clean eating expert Kat Eckles approached her husband Landon with an idea to start an all-organic juice bar, Landon quickly quit his corporate job and the couple relocated to Charlotte with a plan to open Clean Juice.Connect with Kat:WebsiteFacebookInstagramLinkedInAbout the Show:     Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.Connect with Nikki:LinkedInInstagramYoutube

When we hear the word etiquette, what comes to mind? What emotions are evoked? Is it inspiring? Or is it stifling? Do you look forward to situations that require etiquette or do you avoid them because you're anxious about an embarrassing "breach" in etiquette? The truth is, you are practicing etiquette every day as you go about your daily activities.This week's episode sheds light on how etiquette, or having an accepted code of behavior for particular situations is a great foundation for enhancing a person's leadership skills. Jacqueline Baker, speaker, author, and founder of Scarlet, helps debunk some of the myths that surround etiquette and shares how modern etiquette, protocol, and leadership can harmonize to bring out the best in each person.Jacqueline insightfully notes that there are 7.7 billion people in the world and we will be a better workforce and build better communities if and when we figure out a common way to operate together.Listen to this episode to learn more about the connection between etiquette and leadership.Thriving Points:If the rule is unethical, if the rule is stifling, if the rule and the etiquette and the protocol just flat out does not make sense for the world that we are now versus the world that it was first introduced in, I am not above challenging something and I'm not above other people challenging things that just flat out don't make sense. - Jacqueline BakerThere are layers to everything. But when we are incapable of, not interested in, or refuse to have the conversation or refuse to even understand why something is, nobody wins at all. - Jacqueline BakerOne of the most memorable mistakes that I made is not accepting the role and the opportunity to lead when clearly I was the person to lead in that situation. - Jacqueline BakerJust because you are a leader, whether it is by title, by position, or status, or if you are a self-leader, does not mean you won't be out there making these mistakes. - Jacqueline BakerThere's a whole self-sabotage component of not accepting your role, not accepting the opportunity to lead, or not accepting really just a quick congratulations. This can be a huge problem on your journey as a leader. - Jacqueline BakerSocial media is a beautiful lie. When you don't know the behind-the-scenes, you're like, this is a miracle that is happening over here. But that is the public face of this. When you know what's behind the scenes and you can take it in stride and understand what people have had to do in order to make that happen. - Nikki RogersMentioned on the Show:The Unexpected Leader: Discovering the Leader Within YouAbout the Show:     Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.Connect with Nikki:LinkedInInstagramYoutube

When was the last time you took a moment to reflect and say, "Let me put my own health and happiness first?" Self-care can seem like an impossible task for most entrepreneurs nowadays when there are so many responsibilities and to-dos on an ever-growing list. We always want to push things forward and manage all the details, and when you're extremely busy, self-care may be the last thing that comes to mind.It's important to focus on taking care of yourself, as it has a big impact on your mental, emotional and physical health. We cannot run and grow a successful business if we feel stressed, anxious, or depressed, as it can only lead to burnout and fatigue. Self-care is not a luxury, but it mainly focuses on the introspective work of being able to understand what you are feeling, allowing yourself to experience it, and being aware of what your mind, heart, body, and spirit really need.Making self-care a priority will help you feel better and support you in creating success in business and life!The Thriver joining us this week is Jan Hice-Smith, Founder, and CEO of Heart's Joy Consulting, LLC, a boutique firm specializing in joy and well-being. She is also the author of the book Soul Work: Excerpts from My Journey. Jan connects deeply with employee groups and leads with empathy and compassion. She works with a variety of clients from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies. Jan shares with us the significance of engaging in self-care practices, being aware of whether or not we are in an unhealthy environment, listening to ourselves, and paying attention to the aspects of ourselves that demand our full attention. She also discusses how to recognize when professional help is necessary to improve our well-being.Be inspired. Be empowered. Listen to Episode 706 to learn more!Thriving Points:This is a place of our own care where it's not that others are doing this for us,  but we have to fill our own cup. -Jan Hice-SmithSelf-care is needed because we are human beings. So it's that we don't just need self-care when we're in a burnout situation or we're in a crisis. We don't just need self-care because we're in a pandemic or we've gone through a transition. It is the fact that we're humans. -Jan Hice-SmithMy stance always with anyone is, you know yourself best. So, you know when you feel certain things and you know the symptoms and if you are finding yourself depressed, that is a reason to seek help. -Jan Hice-SmithYou really are your best advocate because you have to know yourself and what's going on with you. -Jan Hice-SmithI know that it takes effort to find a therapist. Nobody wants to do it. Yes, it takes effort. But we have to remember that we're worth that effort. -Jan Hice-SmithAbout the Show:     Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.Connect with Nikki:LinkedInInstagramYoutube

When you are striving to develop your corporate career, it is easy to be so focused on work that self-care gets overlooked.  In addition, it can lead us to neglect important people around us, and we can find ourselves successful, yet disconnected from those we love and care for.   Living a “work first” attitude can put a halt to our personal and even professional growth. It can also hamper our financial stability and affect the relationships we have in our lives.In this episode, guest Stephanie Taylor shares how she realized that the important moments in life were passing her by and that she was capable of much more in all aspects of life, whether financial success personal relationships or self-care.  She was able to achieve her dreams by transitioning from corporate employee to owning her own real estate business.Listen in to learn how you can take hold of your life and pursue a more fruitful path to success.Thriving Points:Your relationship with a person is your thoughts about them. It's not what that person does. - Stephanie TaylorI know there are so many things that we can complain about, but we also have so much privilege and so much opportunity, that it is really an incredible blessing. - Stephanie TaylorWe can't appreciate what we don't know about. - Stephanie TaylorYour life increases in satisfaction the more you are able to make those tough decisions. - Stephanie TaylorGet to Know the Guest:Stephanie Taylor is a UK-based real estate investor, co-founder of award-winning real estate management and development company, HMO Heaven, and co-founder of Rent 2 Rent Success, which has inspired thousands of non-traditional investors to get started in real estate. Along with sister and business partner Nicky, they grew their real estate management business, secured contracts worth over £2m in under three years, and bought their own multi-million-pound portfolio of multifamily blocks and commercial property.Connect with Stephanie:LinkedInInstagramFacebookOther Resources Mentioned:HMO HeavenRent 2 Rent SuccessBlow Up Your LifeAbout the Show:     Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.Connect with Nikki:LinkedInInstagramYoutube

Your life including your responsibilities and daily routine changes the moment you become a parent. It's not an easy task to take care of a child, as it comes with sleepless nights and requires a significant amount of energy, emotional commitment, and a great deal of patience. The adjustment to parenthood can be challenging, especially during the first year.  During that time, many parents need support from their family, friends, and most importantly, their employers. The transition to being a working parent is challenging to navigate, and it is so important to have support from your company or organization. Despite the well-known benefits associated with parental leave for both employees and employers, many organizations have not yet adopted parental leave policies. Parental leave contributes to the healthy development of children,  improves the health of mothers, and increases the economic security of families. . This benefit allows parents to return to their organization with their most productive selves, which in turn increases overall participation in the workforce. In this episode, we are joined by Amy Beacom and Sue Campbell from the Center for Parental Leave Leadership (CPLL), the first consultancy in the United States that primarily focuses on parental leave. Dr. Amy Beacom is the Founder and CEO of the Center and is the United States' premier expert on the personal and professional interplay around parental leave for employers and employees. Sue Campbell is the Communications Director for the Center and is a writer, author, and coach. Her work is often focused on issues important to parents.Dr. Amy Beacom and Sue Campbell authored a book called The Parental Leave Playbook: Ten Touchpoints to Transition Smoothly, Strengthen your Family, and Continue Growing your Career that aims to “help parents take control of their leave and make the most of what's considered a career time-out, but is actually a vital “time-in” for your life."Listen to our conversation as Amy and Sue share with us their practical tips and advice about creating the best possible parental leave experience within a broken system. Their guidance is based on Amy's doctoral research and their collective work with Fortune 100 companies to improve parental leave policies and programs.Listen to Episode 704 to learn more!Thriving Points:The mission is to really make sure that everyone in this country, regardless of their role or their level of job has a paid and supported parental leave process. - Amy BeacomIf we can nurture and support parents through this process, they just become these rock stars on the other side of it.  If we can sell them on that message, train the managers on how to support the parents. This is just going to go so far into improving parental leave culture and the country as a whole. - Sue CampbellAbout the Show:     Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.Connect with Nikki:LinkedInInstagramYoutube

Entrepreneurs embark on every business venture with the intention of eventually growing a healthy and sustainable business. But the million-dollar question is, how do you get there?Managing your finances is one of the most important aspects of a business. Many business owners avoid their finances and don't try to understand and manage the numbers. The management decisions you make regarding your business will determine its success or failure. Depending on those decisions, your business finances could either propel you forward or cause your business to collapse.When you are financially savvy, you will have more control over your business. When you understand the meanings of various financial statements, including balance sheets and profit-and-loss statements, this will provide a crystal clear picture of the health of your finances, and give you the ability to make smarter decisions on growing your business. Having the right person to assist you with finances can help you overcome the challenges that you will inevitably face on your journey and realize the goals that you have set for the future of your business.In this episode, we are joined by Kathy Svetina, Founder, and CEO of NewCastle Finance. She has 14 years of experience working in the finance industry. She was encouraged to start her own business after observing how small businesses handled their financial matters and how difficult it was for women-owned businesses to find the right financial advisor. Kathy helps women grow sustainable and profitable businesses by providing them with the same powerful financial insight that Fortune 500 companies use to their advantage.Kathy shares with us the significance of establishing internal controls over our finances and how to know when to hire a fractional CFO. She also discusses advice for small business owners on how to generate a million dollars in revenue, as well as some lessons from Fortune 500 companies that female business owners can use in their own businesses.Listen to Episode 703 to learn more!Thriving Points:If you have a lot of growth that you want to go and have in your business,  you have to plan for that and you have to plan for it appropriately. Otherwise, the business can really suffer. - Kathy SvetinaWhen you own your business, it's not just the things that you're good at. You also have to now start doing things that you're not good at. - Kathy SvetinaAs I'm working with clients, I'm starting to understand more about the things that I love to do and things that I don't want to do.  - Kathy SvetinaWhat other people are doing in the business might not be appropriate for your specific business. - Kathy SvetinaYou cannot have a fractional CFO, a good fractional CFO, in place if you do not have a bookkeeper and an accountant. - Kathy SvetinaAbout the Show:     Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.Connect with Nikki:LinkedInInstagramYoutube

Are you tired of working for an organization whose purpose, mission, and vision don't align with yours? Do you envision running a business that is different and guided by your core values and goals? If that is your dream,  then creating your own business and being your own boss might be the thing for you.However, entrepreneurship isn't always easy and fun. It does have its challenges along the way and you have to ask yourself, are you willing to navigate through those bumps on the road to have the dream lifestyle you've always wanted?Self-employment is a huge undertaking and a lot of uncertainty surrounds it. For example; How do you consistently pay yourself?  How do you find opportunities that align with your skills? How do you market your product or service to an ever-changing marketplace?In this episode, we are joined by, Maggie Karshner, a self-employment coach for small business owners. The driving force for Maggie to start her self-employment journey was a desire to help small business owners solve problems and to coach others on starting their entrepreneurial journey.Maggie shares how she went from employed to self-employed and how she navigated through the ups and downs of her chosen career path. She also provides advice on how to start your own self-employment journey and practical tips for those already in business.Listen to Episode 702 to learn more!Other Resources Mentioned:Drive by Daniel PinkThriving Points:I do the stuff that my heart's really involved in and it gets you interacting with different people, you start seeing connections, you build these relationships. A relationship is not transactional. -Maggie KarshnerTest the advice against your own knowledge and experience, because what works for one person might not work for another. -Maggie KarshnerOne size doesn't fit all. Because I think one of the things, if you have to, you do have to change, right? In some ways, you do have to try different things and, Be outside of your comfort zone and some air in some instances. But if it's something that's just so out of character, it's not going to work because you're not going to be able to sustain it. - Nikki RogersThat's a great reminder. So if you think about a plow horse, he's plowing a field and at the end of the day, now you have this freshly plowed fill and, there's that sense of accomplishment. And if you're not doing that, then you don't have the ground to sow your seeds. -Nikki RogersAbout the Show:     Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.Connect with Nikki:LinkedInInstagramYoutube

Did you know that humans now have a shorter attention span than goldfish? Unbelievable, right?  But according to research, our attention span has markedly decreased since the turn of the century. In 2000, it was 12 seconds. By 2015, it had shrunk to a mere 8.25 seconds.The question now is: How does that information affect your approach to business strategy?When you are a company decision-maker who needs to use consumer data and insights, you're not going to read a 200-plus page report.Listen to my conversation with Camille Nicita, CEO of Gongos Inc., who shares how to take all that consumer knowledge and create customer-focused strategies that will give you a market advantage. Listen to Episode 701 to learn more!Other Resources Mentioned:Gongos.comThriving Points:If you don't like change, you'll like irrelevance a whole lot less. - Camille NicitaThe market is always changing. Change is constant and will always be there and being perfect in a market that's always changing is impossible. So focus on the small wins that you're achieving each and every day. - Camille NicitaProgress over perfection. And that requires that nurturing a spirit of knowing what you do well and what you want to keep investing in and also knowing what you don't do too well.  - Camille NicitaGet to Know the Guest:Camille is the former sole owner of Gongos, Inc., a WBENC company that was named a Forbes “Small Giant” in 2020. Camille is on the board of the Insights Association, a contributing member of the Forbes Agency Council and is an official judge of the North American Customer Centricity awards. She has served as Chairperson of the Advisory Board of Michigan State University's Master of Science in Marketing Research Program and has contributed to the University of Michigan's Institute for Survey Research. She earned a BBA at the University of Michigan and an MBA at Wayne State University.Connect with Camille:WebsiteLinkedInAbout the Show:     Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.Connect with Nikki:LinkedInInstagramYoutube

Ever held back from doing something you really wanted to accomplish because of fear? No matter where we are going or what we are doing, fear is always going to be a part of our lives. Fear is powerful, so we should face it and use it as a teacher instead of letting it control our lives. Fear should not prevent us from moving forward toward our dreams.There is a great deal of fear involved when it comes to starting a business, growing it, and moving it to the next level. And even if you already conquered fear the first time you do something new, that same sense of fear may return a second or third, or fourth time; you still have to DO IT. Whether it is establishing a new business relationship, submitting a proposal, negotiating a contract, hiring team members, or having difficult conversations with staff or clients. Your support system, which consists of family, friends, and team members,  plays a vital role in and has a significant impact on your success. Having someone on your journey who believes in your abilities is so much better than having to deal with it alone, especially during difficult times. You can take bold and courageous action when you are committed to your goals. Sometimes you need cheerleaders, a push, or just internal resolve to do the hard and fabulous things you need to do. Determine what you need and ask for it.Focus on the journey, not the destination, as the joy is in what you learn and experience along the way. There are things to learn along the way, sights to see, and points of view that you would not have access to in any other circumstance. Fear can be a propellant or a prison. I chose to use it as a propellant - what will you choose?About the Show:     Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.Connect with Nikki:LinkedInInstagramYoutube

The pandemic's impact on business has highlighted the need for today's workforce (and employers) to be flexible and resilient in the face of adversity. Working from home has become the new normal for many businesses in order to sustain operations in the face of the pandemic.Now that most COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, many businesses are altering the work-from-home setup by adopting remote or hybrid work. In a setting like hybrid work, it is important that the lines of communication and the expectations of the team are clear. The question now is, How can you maintain engagement among your virtual workforce?It is far more challenging to keep a virtual workforce engaged and collaborative than it is in a regular office environment. it requires intentionality to foster a positive work culture where employees are empowered and encouraged to think creatively, their feedback and suggestions are valued, and most importantly, they have a strong working relationship with their team. Giving them time to build relationships within their team is important to maintaining engagement and fostering collaboration.In this episode, we are joined by Denise Cagan, Founder, and CEO of DCA Virtual Business Support. She has been successful in navigating the business world, and now she uses her strong operational and management style, along with her excellent business advisor skills to aid small business owners in achieving their goals. She does this with the assistance of her tech-savvy team of project managers and virtual assistants.Listen to our conversation where Denise shares with us how she was able to sell her previous business of ten years, the value of creating a syllabus for new hire orientation and screening for a virtual workforce, determining where to invest in technology for your business operations needs, and so much more! Listen to Episode 609 to learn more!Thriving Points:When you have a really small business, the problems of your clients or the problems of your team sometimes inherently become your problems without you even trying to. -Denise CaganI am very creative when it comes to finding out how to pull things together and make them work a little bit better. -Denise CaganIf you want people to feel engaged in working as a team and collaboratively,  you do need to give them that time to do that. -Denise CaganSometimes, people with very good intentions will give you misinformation. -Denise CaganOther Resources Mentioned:DCA Virtual Business Support WebsiteThe E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. GerberAbout the Show:     Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.Connect with Nikki:LinkedInInstagramYoutube

The pressure we put on ourselves to be successful manifests in how easily we are willing to deprioritize or sacrifice our health and wellness.  We have been raised in a society that has taught us that we have to give up something in order to accomplish our goals. We often feel we have to choose between our personal and professional lives. In reality,  we do have the benefit of choice, and that gives us the ability to steer our lives in a variety of directions. If we choose to be the pilot of our own lives, we are accountable for ensuring that our lives unfold in the manner in which we envision them.Our health is frequently the aspect of our lives that we fail to fully prioritize and take care of. Your body and health are entirely your responsibility. Nobody knows your body better than you do. Don't rely solely on other people to take care of your health; rather, you should be knowledgeable and vigilant about your own health. For many of us, it is in our nature to put the needs of others ahead of our own. But how can you help others if you don't prioritize yourself first? Your health is your most prized possession. If you don't take care of your body, you won't be able to do the things you love and live long enough to spend quality time with the people you care about.The Thriver joining us this week is Dr. Jerrica Dodd, Founder and CEO of Your Pharmacy Advocate. She has been a pharmacist for 24 years, providing the highest level of pharmaceutical and wellness expertise to providers and patients.She shares with us the value of prioritizing our health and stepping outside of our comfort zone. She also discusses the right of patients to be involved in decision-making processes pertaining to their own medical treatment, as well as the significance of having a comprehensive awareness of one's insurance policy.Be inspired. Be empowered. Listen to Episode 608 to learn more!Thriving Points: The thing that I'm most proud of is that I started shaping and having my hands on other people's businesses. So my impact was further than my own impact that I could have with patients,  but my impact was on the lives and the families, and the businesses of other women in pharmacy. -Dr. Jerrica DoddAs I was coaching the women,  I decided that I needed to help them tell their stories because I had learned how to tell my story.  And that was what was people coming to me and finding me because I was telling my story. -Dr. Jerrica DoddOther Resources Mentioned:PharmaSis MagazineAtomic Habits by James ClearAbout the Show:     Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.Connect with Nikki:LinkedInInstagramYoutube

As a woman thriving in business, do you still subscribe to the saying, “It's a man's world”?If you do, don't judge yourself. It's hard to outgrow decades - if not hundreds - of years of cultural, societal, and media perspectives deeply ingrained in our psyches and entrepreneurial systems. As women, we have been socialized to put everyone's needs ahead of ourselves.Thankfully, there are more and more women who are helping countless others step outside of imposed boundaries and think beyond the four walls of their homes and cubicles, such as this week's Thriver, Sara Roach-Lewis. Sara not only embodies a strong, independent woman; she actually wrote guidelines that will help educate and inspire fellow women to take action in their own businesses. Listen as Sara shares the six She Rules and how she was able to overcome challenges in her own life and achieve so much in her career and business.Thriving Points:The more women can hit that six-figure and seven-figure mark, the better off we all are. - Nikki RogersThe bible of business strategy is “The Art of  War”, which is a book about military strategy. And it is supported by a woman at home doing everything. So when we think about that, it's no wonder that it doesn't always feel comfortable for women - because it wasn't created for us. - Sara Roach-LewisThere's so much of that hustle culture and you just having to do all the things. You have to do it hard, and you have to do it fast, And that doesn't work for women. - Sara Roach-LewisTo ignore (everything else a woman does) in a plan for your business is just not fair. - Sara Roach-LewisOther Resources Mentioned:She Rules: What You Didn't Know Is Holding You Back in Business by Sara Roach-LewisGet to Know the Guest:Sara Roach-Lewis is a coach and advisor to ambitious businesswomen. She teaches the strategies they need to claim their confidence, scale their businesses, and double their revenues. Her first book, She Rules: What you didn't know is holding you back in business is available for purchase on Amazon.Connect with Sara:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagram About the Show:     Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.Connect with Nikki:LinkedInInstagramYoutube

In business, it's all fun and glamorous when we talk about marketing and making sales. But what happens AFTER the sale? There's more to it than meets the eye - and most of the time, the post-sales, post-delivery activity is what most entrepreneurs and small business owners find to be painstaking.We're talking about collecting payment. How do you collect the revenue you have earned? Making the sale is a “prize”, but collecting the payment afterward? Invoicing for your services and collecting the cash can be a burden or even feel distasteful. This might be especially true if you are used to people-pleasing or you are worried about maintaining the relationship. But take it from this week's Thriver, Dee Bowden. For Dee, sales are great, but cash is still king! We can run away from this business activity, dodge it a couple of times, or hope that we don't ever have to confront this situation. But the truth is if you don't have adequate systems in place, or you can't communicate with your clients and collect payment for services or products provided, then you need help in collecting the cash.Listen to this episode to know how you can set up an effective payment collection system that will help move your business forward.Thriving Points:The sale is not complete until the money's in the bank, but you must collect the first.  If you were competent to ask for the business, in terms of asking for the sale,  you have to be just as competent and asking for your payments. - Dee BowdenI make it fun because this is very serious. And it's also one of those things that a lot of people in business shy away from. They don't like selling. They don't want to have to ask for the business. They don't want to have to deal with all that. - Dee BowdenRelationships are everything in business. Especially around money. A lot of people don't like having that conversation. But if you set it up upfront correctly in the beginning, it doesn't have to go left. - Nikki RogersSetting up a collection system is no different than running your own home. Dee BowdenWe make things complicated. But what we really just need is to track who it is we're supposed to be billing. Nikki RogersIn deciding on your collection system, you have to make a decision based on what's best for you in terms of (1) your business, (2) the relationships, and (3) your cash flow. - Dee BowdenOther Resources Mentioned:Collect The Cash by Dee BowdenThe 52-Week Challenge for SavingsAbout the Show:     Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.Connect with Nikki:LinkedInInstagramYoutube

Yes, you can be both a great mom and a successful entrepreneur.  You do NOT have to choose one over the other. I believe that both endeavors require superpowers and that the two roles can complement each other if you are committed to making them both work for the life you want to create. Being a mother is both an empowering and incredibly humbling experience. The same can be said of entrepreneurship. The universe has so much potential for us to discover and enjoy. We can take care of our families, run our businesses, and practice self-care, all because of our superpowers and by asking for help when needed., You will be astonished by how quickly things manifest once you decide to pursue something and actually start doing it. You have to trust yourself and believe that you are capable of doing whatever it is you have set your mind to. In this episode, we are joined by Angela Henderson, a business consultant, author, entrepreneur, blogger, mental health clinician, and, most importantly, a mother. She provides assistance and direction to women so that they can successfully manage their businesses while also maintaining their personal lives.Be inspired. Be empowered. Listen to Episode 605 now!We also touched on the following:Why does mindset matter?The impact of workplace bullying on your mental healthWhy hypnotherapy is  recommended for  your healing journeyFocusing on our internal perspectiveOther Resources Mentioned:The Go-Giver by John David Mann & Bob BurgThe Business and Life Conversations PodcastAngela Henderson ConsultingThriving Points:I can be an amazing mother, but I can equally be an amazing woman in business.  You can have both. You don't have to choose. - Angela HendersonThe universe is working for you, not against you. - Angela HendersonBe the hero for yourself. - Nikki RogersMy life is my responsibility and every day I make choices, ultimately it's up to me how I handle these situations. - Angela HendersonGet to Know the Guest:Angela Henderson is an international award-winning business coach for women, international keynote speaker, and podcaster who helps women in business get all the pieces in place to have consistent 5-figure months and then onto 6/7 figure years without burning out in the process.Connect with Angela:WebsiteAbout the Show:     Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.Connect with Nikki:LinkedInInstagramYoutube

Being an entrepreneur involves a significant amount of perseverance and effort. Business ownership requires creativity, a growth mindset, and a commitment to continue offering the most advantageous solutions to your clients or customers. Thriving in business involves more than just running a company; it's a way of life.Achieving success in business also requires motivation, commitment, and a solid support system that will encourage and support you in working hard toward your goals. Most successful entrepreneurs can point to someone who inspired them to follow their dream or passion. In this episode, we are joined by Ethleen Sawyerr, founder of Speak Write Play. She has been teaching editing, reading, speaking, and writing skills to individuals and groups from all over the world for more than 10 years.We discuss what inspired her to choose entrepreneurship, the importance of identifying your target market from the very beginning, and why you shouldn't be afraid to raise your rates. Ethleen also shares some of the biggest lessons she learned throughout her journey, as well as the things you should avoid when growing your business.Entrepreneurs create their businesses in order to earn a living, but being able to help others and give something meaningful back to the community is what will really propel your business forward.Listen to Episode 604 to learn more!Other Resources Mentioned:Creating a World Without Poverty by Muhammad Yunus Speak Write Play WebsiteThriving Points:It's important that you really do have your target client or customer in mind because then that really takes out a lot of wasted energy from trying to sell to everybody. -Ethleen SawyerrI had to really remind myself like, Yes, I enjoy doing this. I love teaching. I love helping people progress in life.  But it's a business. -Ethleen SawyerrMy desire will always be to work with people who find themselves in countries that are not their homes. -Ethleen SawyerrEntrepreneurship is sexy. It sounds great, but a lot of people don't understand how much hard work goes into it. -Nikki RogersAbout the Show:     Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.Connect with Nikki:LinkedInInstagramYoutube

The power of the mind can be one of your greatest untapped strengths. Your mindset will either help expand your imagination or it can limit your ability to achieve the success you desire. It has the potential to bring about either positive or negative outcomes. Beliefs and thoughts are the building blocks of mental strength, and when combined with strategic action, you have the potential to change your reality. Your behaviors, habits, and relationships are shaped by the thoughts that occupy your mind.. The power of your thoughts can be used to create your own world. Energy-filled ideas have the potential to transform your life in remarkable ways.In this episode, I am joined by Victoria Gallagher, a worldwide leader in Hypnotherapy and the best-selling author of the book Practical Law of Attraction. She is also an international speaker and a life success coach. With more than 20 years of experience, she has been acknowledged as an expert in personal growth and teaching the Law of Attraction. Victoria shares tips for practicing the law of attraction to manifest your desires by thinking about your desired outcomes over and over again. Your subconscious mind will interpret your positive affirmations as real experiences, causing positive shifts and opening opportunities for you. This is not something that happens instantly. It takes time, and it all depends on how determined and focused you are on achieving your goals.Victoria's experience with the law of attraction provides a blueprint for how to make lasting changes in your outlook and behavior to bring about the changes you seek. Listen to Episode 603 to learn more!Thriving Points:The first thing that we need to get right with ourselves is, to get into integrity by practicing what we preach. -Victoria Gallagher Sometimes things take a little longer than you anticipate them to, and one of the things that make it take longer is we get in our own way. -Victoria GallagherHypnotherapy is the quickest way to make a permanent change in your mindset to cause you to take action on those things in a new way. -Victoria GallagherLaw of Attraction is really a special way of like, whatever you focus on, you are eventually going to attract that into your life. -Victoria GallagherAbout the Show:     Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.Connect with Nikki:LinkedInInstagramYoutube

Competition is a reality of the business world. Thriving in business and standing out from any competition requires a clear strategy to build a successful and innovative business.  Establishing a strong foundation for your business will enable it to withstand any uncertainties or unforeseen circumstances.One of the biggest mistakes that many business owners make is not having a strategy to sell their business. Therefore, when they are ready to retire or transition for other reasons, their business will either sell for less than it's worth or close down. When owners wait until they are ready to sell to begin building a sellable business, it is often too late to capitalize on their investment of time and resources.  In this episode, I am joined by Michelle Seiler-Tucker, founder, and CEO of  Seiler Tucker Incorporated. She is the best-selling author of Sell Your Business for more than It's Worth and her latest book is Exit Rich: The 6 P Method to Sell Your Business for Huge Profit, a Wall Street Journal, and USA Today best seller. She has more than 20 years of expertise in business mergers, acquisitions, and sales, making her an expert on the topic of Selling Your Business.Michelle shares with us how to make the most of your exit by planning it from the beginning, using her GPS Exit Model. Along with the largest profit mistakes that business owners make, she also talks about the 6 Ps that will help entrepreneurs develop a sustainable, scalable, and sellable business.Nothing lasts forever, therefore planning for your retirement or business exit is something you should keep in mind from the very beginning. One of the foundations of your business should be a plan to sell it because doing so will enable you to grow and scale it, and, whenever you decide to exit, sell it for the maximum value. Listen in to this episode to learn how you too can “exit rich".Thriving Points:It's really important to build a business, not a job. -Michelle TuckerYou don't build a business. You build people who build your business. -Michelle Tucker If you're going to be in a business and you're an entrepreneur, you always gotta keep thinking, How do I innovate? How do I stay ahead of the game? You gotta be preemptive.  Ask yourself, What's coming next? -Michelle TuckerYou can't ever stop. You're either growing or dying. There's no in-between. And when you stop,  then that's when everything will stop. -Michelle TuckerWhen your business is doing great is when you should sell it. -Michelle TuckerAbout the Show:     Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.Connect with Nikki:LinkedInInstagramYoutube

We usually equate taking time off as a non-productive approach to business. We're so used to working and grinding, thinking, producing, creating, and consuming, that we don't even take the time to stop, have a meaningful break, and reflect on how we're running our businesses or even living our lives. This is especially the case for small business owners and entrepreneurs. We know that our success and the well-being of our business are in our hands, so there's always that constant nagging fear that if we don't hustle, we won't achieve the pinnacle of success we are seeking.This may be counterintuitive, but it's okay to take a break from your business. In fact, it's necessary.We kick off Season 6 of the Women Thriving in Business Podcast with a crucial activity: deep thinking. Every entrepreneur should consider setting aside time for deep reflection to step back from their businesses to see the big picture and understand things from a different perspective. If we're always so close to our businesses, we may miss out on a lot of intangibles or lessons that can only be learned by stepping back or being from the outside looking in.In this episode, I share three important insights that can come out of my own deep thinking time: it's important to 1) examine and recalibrate your why, 2) leverage your curiosity and courage to experiment and take risks, and 3) take care of your mental and physical health.Thriving Points:If you're an entrepreneur or are thinking about entrepreneurship, you need to sit down and schedule regular time to do some deep thinking about what is going on within your business. Deep thinking helped me get clarity on my mission, my vision, and some key next steps for my business.Deep thinking allowed me the opportunity to engage with a new community of like-minded entrepreneurs. As you think and talk about your business, the more clarity you have, the more clarity others have as well so that they know how to refer people to you.About the Show:     Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.Connect with Nikki:LinkedInInstagramYoutube

What does it mean to tell your story?Your audience or brand will be greatly influenced by the story you tell. Your story is a way to connect with and impact those who hear it. It is a privilege to share your story with others and it's essential to understand and think about what story (or stories) you want to tell the world and how you want it told.Telling a story can be challenging at times, especially when you don't feel like you have the perfect words to express yourself. So ask yourself, "Is what I'm trying to tell a story or just an experience I'm still going through?" Remember that there are people listening to you, so knowing the purpose of your story and what lessons you have learned are fundamental to authentic storytelling. Your story has the power to change people's lives, so you should consider your intentions in sharing.  Thrivers, season 5 has been full of discovery, insights, and phenomenal guests that provided great examples you can emulate as you work to thrive in business. Pick your favorite episode and if you missed one, be sure to catch up during the break!We'd love to hear from you! Take the WTiB listener survey here.Episode Sponsor: The doors are now open to enroll in the Move Your Business Forward coaching program! This eight-week experience is for seasoned entrepreneurs to move from being anxious and overwhelmed about running your business to feeling informed, energize, and in control of your future. The program helps you cultivate a CEO mindset and establish or re-establish a vision and strategy for your company and then move towards developing the systems and connections you need in order to create a thriving and sustainable business. Click here to learn more about the Move Your Business Forward Group Coaching Program.Thriving Points:The stories that I share are helping me realize that there are lessons that come from what I have experienced, that I can now turn into stories. - Nikki RogersStories to me, have power and can take on a life of their own. -Nikki RogersA story is when you're on the other side of an experience, and now you have perspective or insight that can guide future thinking. -Nikki RogersAbout the Show:     Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.Connect with Nikki:LinkedInInstagram

"Resilience is about taking a situation that could possibly break you and actually thriving as a result of the lessons that you can learn by going through that experience." - Nikki RogersAs I was preparing for a presentation on the topic of resilience, I  reflect on the difficult situations I had to overcome in my life in order to be where I am now. I couldn't help but think back to a point in my life when I was faced with a difficult situation and thought I wouldn't be able to get through it, but I did. Those experiences that I thought of as a loss or a setback provided a great lesson in my life and showed how I have been able to leverage resilience to move forward in life.Don't miss out on this episode as I share a story 20 years in the telling, the definition of resilience in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the three key factors that can impact your level of resilience and ability to recover from challenging situations and move forward.Other Resources Mentioned:https://bit.ly/WTiBSurveyThriving Points:Resilience is about taking a situation that could possibly break you and actually thriving as a result of the lessons that you can learn by going through that experience. - Nikki RogersResilience is about the ability to go through and survive an experience that may challenge or squeeze you, or even rocks your world. And being able to go through that experience and take the lesson from it and actually grow from it. And use that experience as fuel to come out better on the other side. - Nikki RogersI can be changed by what happens to me but I refuse to be reduced by it. - Maya AngelouResilience is not all or nothing. It comes in amounts. You can be a little resilient, a lot resilient, resilient in some situations but not others. And, no matter how resilient you are today, you can become more resilient tomorrow. - Karen Reivich, Ph.D. (University of Pennsylvania Positive Psychology Center)About the Show:     Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.Connect with Nikki:LinkedInInstagram

For many of us, one of the first things you do in the morning is decide what to wear for the day.  Some may think this is a simple task, while for others,  it takes a lot of time and effort, and you find yourself wearing the same thing over and over again. As an entrepreneur, what you wear takes on greater importance - you are the face of your brand and the power of your first impression can set you up for business success. People will remember how you look when you first meet, so choose an outfit that makes you feel powerful and look great!In this episode, I am joined by Monica Barnett, award-winning wardrobe stylist and founder t of Blueprint for Style, which aims to help professional men and women discover the difference real "fashion" can make in their everyday lives, as well as inspire and influence them to be more intentional about their personal style. Listen to our conversation, where Monica shares how her business transitioned from a side hustle to a full-time business and how she helped many clients discover their unique style, enjoy their wardrobe, and feel good about themselves. We also touch on the following: The Psychology of FashionTips on how to be intentional and show up on a virtual work-from-home lifeWhat Pocket Personal Stylist is all aboutLife-changing lessons from the book Never Eat Alone By Keith FerrazziOther Resources Mentioned:Blueprint for StylePocket Personal StylistWithout Saying A Word: The Silent Power of Style By Monica BarnettThe Creatives' Closet: for Female Side Hustlers, Influencers, Entrepreneurs & Empire Builders By Monica Barnett Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time By Keith Ferrazzi and Tahl RazThriving Points:Necessity breeds invention. As an entrepreneur, you have to be flexible and you have to be continuously listening to your audience and listening to what's out there. - Monica BarnettIt is so important as an entrepreneur to put your best foot forward. - Monica BarnettGet to Know the Guest:Monica Barnett has over 13 years of styling and branding experience and has been featured on many stages around the world but the focus is always on the importance and power of the first impression. Across Ms. Barnett's distinguished career as a wardrobe stylist, she has had the privilege to partner with major corporations to fine-tune their employees' styles and brands; and the opportunity to work with corporate executives, politicos, and world-class athletes. The goal is always to develop a more intentional approach to curating one's outward appearance to align with one's lifestyle and aspirations.Connect with Monica:WebsitePocket Personal Stylist (Subscription-Based, On-Demand Personal Stylist)

The past two years have had a significant impact on the business landscape. As the world recovers, businesses are likewise adjusting to the 'new normal.' Because of the pandemic, you may be hesitant to restart your business, but you can take this opportunity to start anew with a stronger, strategy and plan that will help your business thrive under any circumstance.In this episode, I am joined by Jennifer Kok, founder of Next Wave Business Coaching. Jennifer shares about helping small businesses establish visionary solutions and develop a clear roadmap to gain consumers, increase revenue, and profits so that their businesses can thrive for years to come.Jennifer shares her entrepreneurial journey, why she decided to start a coaching/consulting firm after selling her successful business, and how her experiences have shaped her into the mother, wife, entrepreneur, and woman she is today.It's painful to see your business, where you put all of your efforts and ideas, struggle. But the most difficult challenges and experiences in your life will help you grow and become stronger, and one day you'll look back and say, This is the best thing that ever happened to me.We also touch on the following:The  business owner mindset that helps you build a great team Small ways to foster your desired  business cultureCreating a saleable businessOther Resources Mentioned:The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It By Michael E. GerberNext Wave Business CoachingHelp Wanted to Fully StaffedThriving Points:I can honestly say that that decision and having to pivot and being forced into getting uncomfortable and being forced into doing something a little different saved my business and actually was the best thing that ever happened.  - Jennifer KokIf you focus on the fundamental part of getting better every day,  then growth will follow. - Nikki RogersGet to Know the Guest:Jennifer Kok spent 22 years running her own successful brick-and-mortar business, event business, and online business before selling at a profit in 2018. Today, she uses her extensive expertise to help brick-and-mortar business owners learn how to create more clients and customers, increase their revenue, and improve profits for long-term success. She is passionate about helping business owners create a strong and stable brick-and-mortar business that can handle any unplanned circumstances such as  (economic downturns, employee shortages, global pandemic, or even rapid growth) and provide profitable opportunities for years to come. In her own business, she mastered the art of developing products, creating and improving systems, growing a team, becoming a pillar in her community, maximizing opportunities for profits, and pivoting her business long before pivoting was a trendy buzzword. Her success made it possible to run her business while also living an active, faith-filled lifestyle and enjoying time with family, friends, golden retrievers, and plenty of good books and wine.Connect with Jennifer:LinkedinFacebookInstagram

You shouldn't have to choose between career, happiness, and good health  - all three should go hand-in-hand. It takes a lot of courage to pull yourself out of a situation that isn't serving you, but the moment you prioritize your well-being above all else, you will achieve true success. In this episode, I am joined by Becca Powers, a motivational speaker, executive life coach, and author of the best-selling book Harness Your Inner CEO. Listen to our conversation, where she discusses her journey of valuing her self-worth and well-being while pursuing her passions. She shares her inspiring story of when she realized she was her own EO, as well as what motivated her to pursue entrepreneurship while balancing corporate life.We also touch on the following: Taking a step back and reconsidering your career path and your passionsAsking “what if” questions that support your well-being and decision-makingEvolving while celebrating the achievements of the person you used to beKundalini yoga - the yoga of self-awarenessThe inspiration behind the book Harness Your Inner CEOTips on how you can harness your inner CEO Other Resources Mentioned:Harness Your Inner CEO: Rise Into Passion, Prosperity, and Empowerment By Becca Powers  The War of Art By Steven Pressfieldbeccapowers.comThriving Points:What was most important to me was giving space to let this part of me express itself without sacrificing myself in the process. - Becca PowersMany times in life, we are faced with a decision and we can choose either option, but the main question is “Which one serves me the most?” - Becca PowersWhen you let things go, you actually recognize that you have power. - Nikki RogersNothing requires self-sacrifice, and that would be the rising into your power pieces -  to be willing to consider yourself at least as much as you consider others. - Becca PowersGet to Know the Guest:Becca Powers is an award-winning hi-tech sales executive, motivational speaker, best-selling author, life|career transformation coach, and a kundalini yoga teacher - not to mention a mom and a wife! With a huge, vivacious energy, a strong yet warm confidence, Becca embraces that she is highly dynamic and encourages others to do the same. With over 20 years of corporate experience, her career boasts Fortune 500 giants such as Cisco, Dell, and Office Depot. Her career is filled with trials and triumphs which she boldly shares to inspire employers and employees to create environments where the individual can thrive both personally and professionally. Her philosophy of "People Before Profits" is part of her core beliefs which she integrates into her work. Becca Powers is an advocate for women in the workplace, stating that there is still a lot of work to be down for women to own their worth at work.Connect with Becca:WebsiteLinkedinInstagramFacebookTikTok

Most often in a business setting, the relationships we have with our partner, children, family, or even with ourselves impact the way we work. Good communication is a key aspect of all relationships and is a necessary part to achieve business success.This week, we've invited Michelle Thomas,  Your Relationship Surgeon, author, and founder of The Exceptional Black Woman Network, to talk about why communication is a vital part of any relationship, the importance of a quarterly S.W.O.T. Analysis, and how you can precisely pinpoint what is keeping you from you and your business from achieving the success that you know you deserve.Michelle shares a family tragedy that changed the way she viewed her business, the story behind her book, “The Eight Qualities of the Exceptional Black Woman in Business and Entrepreneurship”, and the lessons she has learned in her business journey.Join us and don't miss out on the valuable tips she shares that are applicable whether starting a  business, or trying to manage professional or personal conflicts. . You can build an empire of your own by shifting your mindset, aligning your strengths to your industry, and acting with confidence to create your own version of success!Other Resources Mentioned:The Eight Qualities of the Exceptional Black Woman in Business and EntrepreneurshipExceptional Black Woman WebsiteThriving Points:Sometimes people tend to relate the word relationship only with personal,  but you have a relationship in all aspects of your personal life and your professional life. - Michelle ThomasWe try to make sure that all of our strengths, our assets, and each member of the company find industries that maximize that strength. - Michelle ThomasMy success may not come from following a template of someone else, but I had to find a piece of myself and input it in there to find newfound success.  - Michelle ThomasThere are times that couples in the business allow that insecurity that's happening within their relationships to affect the profitability. - Michelle ThomasIf you want to make a change in how that platform operates, you can't go in and kick the door down. You have to go in and have an impact and then begin to show people. how it can operate differently. - Michelle ThomasGet to Know the Guest:Michelle S. Thomas, Your Relationship Surgeon is a 4X Internationally Best-Selling Author, Certified Life/ Relationship/Business Coach, Motivational speaker, and Multiple business owner. She believes that everyone has the power to “touch” their dreams. Even before she turned her purpose into her profession, she always recognized that real people needed to hear real stories to conquer what really mattered to them.Connect with Michelle:WebsiteFacebookLinkedInInstagramExceptional Woman Website

In any business agreement, it is vital that you have a legal document that states the system of rules or procedures that will happen within a deal. But many entrepreneurs, companies, or businesses don't really understand their contracts, and because of this, they are taken advantage of what they pay vs what services they receive.A strong contract can provide you and your business the security that you need to reduce risks and understand your rights within the agreement. By recognizing these small details you'll be able to avoid misunderstandings with your supplier or contractors and of course, save some cash!The Thriver joining us in this week's episode is Ashleigh Wilson, founder of AuditMate, the first-ever elevator and escalator auditing and managing firm. She shares with us what AuditMate is all about, its goals, mission, and purpose. Ashleigh brings us along her journey of how she started this business, some of the steps she took to reclaim herself and trust her inner voice, and the challenges she faced in building a company with empathy, and the heart to serve people.AuditMate empowers building owners and managers to better understand and get the most out of their contracts and get everything that they paid for when it comes to elevator maintenance and compliance. From safety testing, certifications, to inspections, AuditMate ensures your safety both financially and physically. Learn more by visiting www.auditmate.com.Thriving Points:Elevator companies didn't have to be transparent in how much maintenance they were doing because nobody ever knew to ask. - Ashleigh WilsonWe don't use empathy because we can profit off of it. Empathy is there because it is the right thing to do, it is our core, and it is our values. It is something that is embedded in our life and a part of who we are. - Ashleigh WilsonThe sooner we recognize that about ourselves and recognize that uniqueness is what makes us great. - Nikki RogersMy vision is you don't have to be an elevator expert.  We can connect the right people and build software around it and put the best minds together in the room. - Ashleigh WilsonOther Resources Mentioned:Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. By Brené BrownGet to Know the Guest:Ashleigh Wilson is the founder of Audit Mate, the first-ever elevator and escalator auditing and managing firm. She was raised in a family of elevator mechanics, inspectors, and business managers and entered the industry in her early 20's. Ashleigh was passionate about leading global change in an industry rich with history and innovation but didn't just see herself as a business manager, but rather, as an advocate for customers. She became part of the Executive Development Program being mentored by the CEO of the 2nd largest global elevator company and made it her mission to put people first then the profits would follow. Ashleigh is a CEO who gets results without sacrificing human dignity.Connect with Ashleigh:WebsiteLinkedInEmail

What happens when you pursue your dreams?  What if we all embraced an intentional approach to life and went after our goals?  Well, you may end up living around the world, working within different cultures, and impacting hundreds, maybe thousands of people across the globe!  My guest this week dreamed of being a diplomat at age 15 and she has worked to make that dream a reality, as a career foreign commercial service officer. Camille Richardson is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Middle East and Africa for the International Trade Administration. Camille describes her job and the role she plays in helping U.S. businesses explore international opportunities and create export strategies. She shares her 30-year career journey from serving as a Presidential Management Fellow to her current role, how she found her purpose, and the personal and professional challenges she faced along the way.We also touch on the following: Intentional mindset and overcoming self-sabotage Embracing change and connecting peopleMentoring and coachingDiversity in the workplace The WELLTI Initiative (Women Empowered Lead Legacies Through Trade and Investment) Opportunities for small and medium businesses relative to international trade Resources available to help entrepreneurs engage in international tradeListen to Episode 503 to learn more!Other Resources Mentioned:WELLTI Initiativehttps://www.trade.gov/contact-us Trade WindsContact usTake Control of Your Life: How to Silence Fear and Win the Mental Game by Mel RobbinsThriving Points:You're not going to be everybody's cup of tea and that's okay. As long as you treat people with respect,  and command the same respect for yourself - you give it, you get it. - Camille RichardsonIt's a good idea just to not just have a mentor, but even a circle of advisors, and trusted people that you can turn to for different perspectives. - Camille RichardsonYour dreams are out there and sometimes you have to defy gravity, the weight of other people's expectations, or even your own fears to reach them. - Camille RichardsonA lot of people talk about fear of failure,  but a lot of us have a fear of success because to succeed, then you have to be different. - Nikki RogersGet to Know the Guest:Camille Richardson is a tenured Senior Foreign Service officer with the U.S. Commercial Service. She began her career in government with the International Trade Administration (ITA) at the U.S. Department of Commerce in 1993 and became an accredited diplomat with the U.S. Commercial Service in 1998.  Camille has served in Miami, FL; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Nairobi, Kenya; Mumbai, India, and Sao Paulo, Brazil facilitating commercial partnerships between U.S. and local companies. In 2021, she was appointed as Commerce ITA's new Deputy Assistant Secretary for the MEA region.A native of Washington, D.C., Camille earned a B.A. in International Relations from Brown University and an M.A. in International Relations from Johns Hopkins/SAIS. She speaks Portuguese and Portunhol along with a bit of Hindi, Swahili, and French.Connect with Camille:LinkedIn

A company's success is often in the hands of its leader. And to be a successful and effective one, you must first learn to value your team, their skills, and opinions.There are different types of leaders and employees but for sure, each one of them has the same goal: To succeed. Despite the fact that leaders must learn how to lead, leading from behind can also be a great strategy to gain the trust of your employees and allow them to bloom on their own as individuals. By learning to embrace change, you can welcome growth.Having teamwork allows the company to build trust, enhance relationships, improve morale, foster creativity in the workplace - yes even virtually!In this episode, we are joined by Malika Jacobs, founder, and CEO of Kingmakers, a company that offers virtual, board game-centered experiences through their Team and Enterprise Solutions. Malika shares with us the story of how Kingmakers started, the vision of the company, the challenges they faced, and how they were able to adapt and evolve during the pandemic.Malika discusses the importance of building a team that supports a vibrant and supportive company culture, her W.A.T.E.R. framework for employee engagement, and so much more. Other Resources Mentioned:Raising the Bar: Integrity and Passion in Life and Business: The Story of Clif Bar Inc.Thriving Points:Your people are your biggest cost but they're also your biggest investment. - Malika JacobsYou can't build that company culture overnight. Like that's not going to be there when the whole world shifts and you have to figure it out. - Malika JacobsDifferent companies have different cultures and that is fine. And hopefully, you attract the people that best resonate with your company culture. - Malika JacobsAs leaders, every moment counts, and it's not the big grand gestures, it's really how do you act day by day, moment by moment and that builds trust. - Nikki RogersYou might not have a megaphone, but you do have a platform. - Nikki RogersOften businesses don't give themselves the advantage of hiring the best. - Nikki RogersGet to Know the Guest:Malika Jacobs is the founder and CEO of Kingmakers which offers transformative team bonding experiences for business leaders who understand the value of investing in radical employee care.Connect with Malika:LinkedInKingmakers InstagramKingmakers LinkedInAbout the Show:     Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.Connect with Nikki:LinkedInInstagram

Welcome back Thrivers to Season Five of The Women Thriving in Business Podcast!The past year was educational, enlightening, and has led to some key insights about how I plan to move forward.  All of my 2021 experiences taught lessons that have made me stronger, braver, and bolder for 2022. As entrepreneurs, it can sometimes feel like we are running a race around a track. We keep starting and stopping, running into hurdles, trying to figure out which of our ideas or initiatives is going to make it to the finish line first.  What if we took the time to align our goals?  What if each individual activity or project actually propelled us toward our ultimate goal? When you think about your business and each of its components as more of a relay effort vs a sprint, you can indeed start to recognize and capitalize on inherent synergies that will help you build a stronger, more resilient business. I kicked off 2022 by creating strategies to focus on the future of my business and how I can best achieve this year's growth goals. In this season's first episode, I'm sharing with you some of the lessons that I've learned over the last few months and some quick updates on what I have planned for the year.Don't miss out on this episode as I share a preview of Season 5 guests, some tips on the four areas that are key to creating a sustainable business that supports a thriving life, and some of the systems that have helped my business to grow and evolve.Thriving Points:I had all these runners (initiatives) in different lanes and they're all running toward the finish line but they're all running at their own pace.A milestone leads to the next achievement.Connections not only help you get stronger within your business but those are also connections that you can leverage to do business together and work together. About the Show:     Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.Connect with Nikki:LinkedInInstagram

"The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate."  — Oprah WinfreyGrowth is an essential part of any success story. It is the realization of how far you've come and the evidence of hard work. Anniversaries are a great way to come together and reflect on this long yet fruitful journey - a chance to celebrate growth and happiness by remembering our humble beginnings. This podcast has been a labor of love over the past year and has allowed me to meet fabulous people, create new relationships, and learn new skills. I wear alot of hats - as the producer, content creator, managing editor, and host, and I love it all!  I look forward to what the next year brings as Women Thriving in Business continues to evolve and grow.As we celebrate one year in this week's special episode, I am joined by my beloved son, Dillon, as he asks me a series of questions that point to the purpose of my podcast (Women Thriving in Business), the Bladen Group, and my goals for the future.What's one memorable moment from this season that you want to share? Feel free to send me a private message on any of my socials, or email me at thrivinginbusiness@gmail.com. I'd love to hear from you!Thriving Points:Being an entrepreneur allowed me to have control over my time, to be able to spend time with family and friends as well as to travel. — Nikki RogersYou can only make so much money as an employee. Being a business owner or an entrepreneur allows you to determine how much money you're making. — Nikki RogersI created my business to one day leave a legacy for my son, Dillon. — Nikki RogersAbout the Show:     Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.Connect with Nikki:LinkedInInstagram

"Networking is an investment in your business. It takes time and when done correctly can yield great results for years to come." - Diane HelbigThere's a misconception that the people who stand as our leaders aren't considerate and supportive of the entrepreneurial community. Yet in reality, local governments understand that it's essential for small businesses and government agencies to work together since businesses are the backbone of a community. They provide what the people need, whether in a form of service or a tangible product.Networking and building key relationships with the elected officials of your community are important to business success. . Yes, meeting new people may be scary, and it may be twice as intimidating if they're in elected office. Or maybe it's the perception of a bureaucratic system and having to jump over so many hoops that are keeping you from inquiring and reaching out. Remember - life is all about building relationships and connections that can benefit not only your business but your community as well.In this week's episode, I am joined by Cori Henderson, a government relations expert and the host of the Policy Influencer Playbook Podcast. She talks about the essence of networking with your local government leaders as an entrepreneur and the common misconceptions people may have about working with or reaching out to government agencies. She discusses her A.C.T. framework as an easy-to-implement guide to engaging with government officials that serve your community. Listen in to learn more!Other resources mentioned:12 Week Year by Brian P. MoranAtomic Habits by James ClearThriving Points:Start by having a goal, know what your goal is and be knowledgeable about it. — Cori HendersonAs a business owner, the conversations you have are the same conversations you have in government affairs. It's just a different topic and a different audience, but the skills are the same. — Cori HendersonThe advantage goes to the person who's willing to pick up the phone, make the call, and make an introduction. — Cori HendersonDo the application and make the request. The worst they can say is a ‘no' but oftentimes they say ‘yes.' — Nikki RogersWhile you're doing all that relationship building, you have to take the initiative. Otherwise, you're not going to be in the running. — Nikki RogersGet to Know the Guest:Cori Henderson is a government relations expert and the host of Policy Influencer Playbook Podcast. She and her guests talk about the best practices in telling your story, how to cultivate key relationships, and form government relationships that propel your agenda forward. Connect with Cori:LinkedIn

“Freedom lies in being bold." – Robert FrostMy guest this week has mastered the art of leveraging entrepreneurship as a path to freedom. From growing up in an entrepreneurial family to leveraging corporate experiences to prepare for business ownership, Dr. Kimberly West has taken every opportunity to build the life of her dreams.The gears of an entrepreneurial mind should always be turning, ticking, and constantly on the lookout for new business perspectives and opportunities.  As entrepreneurs, we should make the most of our time by shaping the future of our businesses, based on our experiences as employees and business owners.Each day brings a new lesson to learn, so what better way to reap the return on investment than by applying it to your own company?Dr. Kimberly West is a serial entrepreneur who owns not one but three businesses: Magnum Opus Consulting, Global Gastronome, and Ms. Kim's World. She talks about her entrepreneurial journey and the challenges she faced as a woman of color. Dr. Kimberly also shares with us some of the most beautiful countries she's been to, the art of keeping an open mind when traveling, and 'practicing' as a means of rising above your circumstances, embracing who you are regardless of your gender, status, and color, and becoming the best at what you do. Listen to learn more!Other resources mentioned:Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun by Reginald LewisGod in Me by Mary Mary ft. Kierra SheardHappy by Pharell WilliamsFighter by Kristina AguileraAs by Stevie WonderThriving Points:Entrepreneurship represents freedom: to do what you want, call your shots, and the ability to control your life and not be beholden to someone else's nine to five. — Dr. Kimberly WestThink of it as Game of Thrones, an acquisition of some kind of conquest. You are there to take that back and to make yourself and your business greater. — Dr. Kimberly WestOnce you learn something, teach it to someone else. Pass it on, so the knowledge doesn't die with you. — Nikki RogersGet to Know the Guest:Dr. Kimberly West is a former technology evangelist for Microsoft, a certified foodie, a person who loves to travel, and the owner of several businesses namely: Global Gastronome a company that provides a hands-on culinary experience, the consulting firm Magnum Opus Consulting, and Ms. Kim's World where she coaches CEOs, entrepreneurs, and small businesses about the latest technology, streamline, and how to grow their business.Connect with Dr. Kimberly:WebsiteInstagram

"Life is just too long to do something that you hate and too short not to do what you love." - Nikki RogersThis week's episode hits really close to home - so close that at one point I didn't think I could get through it. Some memories are bittersweet, both loving and painful, especially when it's about the most important woman in your life.In this episode, I commemorate my mom's birthday, and it has given me the opportunity to reflect on the lessons and inspiration that she shared with me. Though she's no longer with me in person, she continues to be a part of my journey and will always be in my heart.I was fortunate enough to have a mother who inspired me to excel. Her memory lives on - in me and in the legacy she's left behind, which I summarized into these three crucial points:Dreams. My mother had a dream that she had held onto for years, and she never let it go. This provided an example and gave me permission to explore the possibilities and define my own dream.Beliefs.  My mother taught me to operate in excellence and always expect to win. I apply that philosophy in my business, by establishing a foundation for success that supports implementation. Action. From my mother's example, I learned that in order to achieve my goals, I have to be willing to take the next best step towards my dream.  It's never too late to take that first step, or in my case, the leap, that will put you on the path to greatness.One more thing - remember to appreciate those that you have in your life right now and those who are no longer with us but are motivators and silent mentors that remind you the world is full of possibilities.Thriving Points:Life is just too long to do something that you hate and too short not to do what you love.Out of that challenging time after my mother's passing, I began to recognize that what I was doing for a career was no longer a fit for the life that I wanted to have.My mother passed away very suddenly without warning, and it just made me realize and recognize that no day is promised to you. You can wake up one morning and have all these plans in place and not make it to the next day.I really wanted to start living my life in a way that supported my spirit, that supported myself.The thought of my mother's still striving in her later years just really compelled me to take the risk, take the leap and get started in my business.What is your dream for who you want to be in life? Write that down. Think about it, meditate on it. Don't worry about the how of that right now, because that will come later. But really figure out what is your dream.Why was I surprised about having a good outcome? I expect excellence. I expect greatness. I expect to win. And if I don't win, I still learn.Action is about taking one step towards your dream.About the Show:     Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.Connect with Nikki:LinkedInInstagram

"Financial independence is paramount. My mom always says that when a woman is financially independent, she can live life on her terms." — Priyanka ChopraBeing a woman in a male-dominated field, like finance, is a challenge like no other. It requires courage, passion, and mental toughness to overcome stereotypes and challenge the status quo.  At some point, you may realize that entrepreneurship provides the best opportunity for true industry transformation. My guest, Kaitlyn Carlson, recognized the inequity of working with over 300 wealth management clients, and none being women or people of color. That realization sparked a mission and identified an opportunity to revolutionize who benefits from financial advisory services.  For many entrepreneurs, true financial independence may seem like a long-term goal, a dream, achieved only in retirement after selling a business. But Kaitlyn believes that with the right mindset, self-awareness, and strategy, you can build the foundations for financial independence as you build your business.In this episode, Kaitlyn shares her success story from being a private wealth management advisor at a large financial institution to founding Theory Planning Partners. She highlights her experiences as a woman in a male-dominated field, how she spoke up to ensure she and other women were treated fairly and why every entrepreneur needs a financial advisor to help build wealth now.Thriving Points:It takes a great amount of self-awareness and an understanding of your environment that if you don't make it change, it's not going to change. — Nikki RogersThe biggest challenge is mindset. And for an entrepreneur, I think it's almost 90% of your success. — Kaitlyn CarlsonEntrepreneurship is really about managing yourself and managing your time, and that goes back to mindset. — Nikki RogersIt's brave to ask for help. — Kaitlyn CarlsonBuilding wealth is about the process. It won't be solved overnight. — Kaitlyn CarlsonIf your business is not helping you achieve financial freedom, it's a hobby. It's a really expensive hobby. — Kaitlyn CarlsonOther resources mentioned:The Four Agreements by Don Miguel-RuizSuper Bass by Niki MinajWe Found Love by RihannaGet to Know the Guest:             Kaitlyn Carlson is the founder and CEO of Theory Planning Partners. She is a Certified Financial Planner™️ (CFP®), a Certified Exit Planning Advisor™️ (CEPA™️), and an Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA®). As a female entrepreneur, her objective is to assist other female entrepreneurs in accumulating personal wealth while helping their businesses thrive.Connect with Kaitlyn:WebsiteInstagram