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...

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 unfamil...

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 fe...

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 dedica...

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...

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 y...

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...

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 bus...

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...

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 exe...

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...

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...

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...

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 a...

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 , th...

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...

" 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 Rogers Life 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 b...

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 m...

" 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 Eckles How...

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...

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...

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 fin...

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 ne...

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...

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 wa...