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Nationwide, the number of women in leadership roles is growing. Over the last seven years specifically, the percentage of female representation in the C-suite has jumped from 17% to a more impressive 21%. Additionally, up to 44% of companies now have at least three women in executive positions. With all of that said, corporate America is still lagging behind the rest of the western world, where at least 40% of all director positions are now held by women. This has understandably sparked continued calls for more gender equality in the workplace. But why do we really need women in leadership roles? And what unique qualities do women bring to the male-dominated business table? Here are three (out of many!) reasons why women make great and invaluable leaders. 1. Women Pay It Forward First and foremost, women understand the power of reciprocity. Rather than cultivating a cutthroat environment, women leaders create a culture of supporting other women in future leadership. Often, women are even at the forefront of creating programs that bridge the gap and break the glass ceiling in the workplace. These include initiatives like creating workshops and solutions that help women learn valuable skills and connect with mentors. Mentorship specifically, has been deemed valuable by 97% of professionals –– although only 37% have one. Of those who do have mentors though, 89% pay it forward and become mentors themselves. By espousing this support system, women leaders are able to nourish not just their current workforce but also the next generation’s leaders. 2. Women Are Effective In Crises Secondly, women have been proven to be highly effective in a bind. Across the major crises of the last few years, organizations led by women have been more proactive and productive. As a matter of fact, female leaders consistently scored higher than their male counterparts in national surveys concerning workplace skills. And their lead widened even more during the pandemic. A few of the notable workplace skills in this regard include communication, adaptability, and the ability to take on new tasks quickly. Specifically, women were found to be better communicators because they spend more time and energy conversing, with an average of up to 20,000 words spoken daily. Women are also powered by 10% more brain cells that have been proven to make them more adaptive to challenges. And on top of all this, research also shows that women can get more tasks done in a shorter time because they can switch between responsibilities 8% faster than men. All in all, this makes women uniquely qualified to thrive in otherwise crippling crises. 3. Women Encourage Compassionate Behavior Last but not the least, women leaders also know the value of compassion. Not to be confused with being a pushover or being “too soft,” showing compassion in leadership helps encourage productivity, trust, and loyalty in employees. And according to studies from 423 companies in North America, 31% of women have been found to provide better emotional support to employees. Up to 61% of women leaders were also said to check in on their employees’ wellbeing more actively. Aside from this, with worker burnout rising, 21% of women leaders have also been able to better manage employee burnout. With so much still to be done in terms of workplace diversity, equity, and inclusivity, it’s also noteworthy that women have been found to be more active in contributing to these efforts. This is especially helpful for other minority groups who still lack representation or champions in the corporate setup. Despite all these laudable qualities and distinct advantages, only 5% of the country’s major corporations are led by women. This underscores a glaring need to push for more equality and support more women in higher positions. At the end of the day, having more women leaders isn’t an effort to simply “give women a break” or push men out, as some will argue. Rather, it is a necessary step towards equality of opportunity for everyone –– and one that will benefit a great many businesses. For more about inspiring women in leadership, please look through the rest of the blog here.
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How do you balance entrepreneurship with motherhood?
Being a mom came natural to me and I knew that I needed freedom to be available for my kids. Entrepreneurship had to be the route for me; I didn’t want to have to ask to take vacations, attend recitals or games, missing a moment was a complete deal breaker for me when it came to my kids. My kids are into extracurricular activities and they both are academic scholars so there’s always an event or program to attend. My balance comes from dedicating time; I have family time and I have work time which is essential. I work only 3-4 days a week, weekends are non-negotiable unless it’s a speaking engagement. What 3 steps helped you to become successful as a Mompreneur? The 3 steps helped me to become successful as a Mompreneur are boundaries, time management and communication. I communicated to my family and clients, 'hey I’m going to be taking the leap of faith into full time entrepreneurship things will be different from here on out'. I set boundaries with my clients, company, and family. My boundaries include work hours, non-negotiable family time and delegating tasks in my businesses & at home. We all have roles and responsibilities to make life smooth for all parties. Time, the most valuable asset you have is time because no matter what you’ll never get time back; and time doesn’t always equate to money. Eventually your kids outgrow your lap and you could never get time back so it was essentially important to give them the best childhood experience while providing them with a childhood they won’t have to spend time healing from as an adult. I communicate my mistakes just as well as my accolades, teaching them how to become phenomenal women of society. Any advice for moms who are considering a pivot into entrepreneurship right now? Yes, stay in control even if things aren’t going as planned which they won’t always but starting with boundaries, pricing, time management and communication. What do I mean by this ? I’m not answering the phone if it’s family time. Vice versa I won’t be putting off work if it’s office hours. Decide your non-negotiables for your family dynamic. Entrepreneurship is hard but if you start how you want to finish you’ll be successful. Parenting doesn’t come with a handbook but you’re still doing your best, continue to let your kids know they will not be overshadowed by your business, involve them, teach them some new tasks; it helps with work life balance. What is next for you in 2022? My daughter’s birthday is May 13th she’s launching a lipgloss line as she turns 15. Our biggest tax season ever is coming to an end and my Millionaire Makers Tour begins May 21 in Dallas Texas. Taxes in Tulum this summer July 29-August 2. Details of each city and state, ticketing and guests can be found on www.cartercapitalpllc.com under the events tab. I plan to work on my personal brand more so my you tube channel has launched and I’m wrapping up season 2 of my podcast Comma Convos available on Anchor, Apple, Google, & Spotify. My goal is to continue to make an impact while making an income. How can readers connect with you online and register for your wealth summit? Follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest @DrickaCarter and IG @Drickamcarter The link for Tulum is www.TaxesinTulum.com Natalie Jackson is the founder and owner of The Crafting District, an innovative company that focuses on one’s ability to create unique designs while using multiple creative mediums. The Crafting District is unlike anything else, while providing customers with the best gemstones and beads in the world, customers will also find products to aid them in their crafting journey with quality unmatched. Natalie and her team travel the world selecting the best products with precision and supreme attention to every detail. Natalie is no stranger to the crafting and creative community. Her passion for design started very early and in 2012 when she followed her dreams and started her first 6 figure company. Through her first company she opened many doors for hundreds of people to explore the world through beaded art and Gemstones. While Natalie creates one of a kind, wearable art pieces she also developed the first muti-lined bead board with inclusive sizes, that gives creatives the ability to create multiple designs at once. Natalie has a passion for bringing people together and assisting them on their path to accomplishing their creative and business goals. She mentors and provides counsel to countless artisans daily. Her unique ability to create greatness is not only limited to beading and crafts, Natalie also hosts motivational weekly live streams that assist others in building confidence in themselves and further developing their life goals. Through these lives, she connects listeners with resources, business partners and each other. While thinking of new ways to aid others on their business journey, she developed the idea for the FSJ Bead and Bubbly, an all-inclusive beading and business workshops where creatives can come together, learn, fellowship, and create together in a productive environment. Each year the event has grown and is now one of the most anticipated events in the crafting industry. The Bead and Bubbly is hosted annually by Natalie and her husband, Mr. Jackson, in their beading event center and warehouse located in Atlanta, Georgia. The beading event center and warehouse has over 4000 square feet of space and is equipped to accommodate several different events and workshops. Natalie is dedicated to empowering others and building a safe community for creatives to learn and thrive. With her natural perseverance and an unmatched ability to lead with honesty and kindness, she has opened doors for many other creators and business owners to follow their dreams. To connect with Natalie visit TheCraftingDistrict.com or on Instagram @TheCraftingDistrict. Share your current efforts as a Creative CEO:
Starting a business, owning a business and chasing your dreams are hard. Yet, CEO’s do it. We fail and we keep going. We find new ways and we keep pursuing. There are no days off. As a CEO everyday you think about your business, What’s next? The hurdles you have to overcome and the goals you are trying to reach. Fashion Design has its own battles in its self. You always have to stay ahead of trends. You have to either start the trend or be one of the first to do it.
Scroll below to view our interview with Health & Wellness Entrepreneur Sandra Senior and connect with her online at www.iriesalonandspa.com and on Instagram @iriesalonspa
Laray Dyer helps secretly frustrated and discouraged moms rediscover, prioritize, and accomplish their dreams and aspirations beyond motherhood.
To learn more about her platform checkout the interview below or visit: https://www.instagram.com/abundant_grace_coaching/ Dr. Raushannah Johnson-Verwayne, also known as “Dr. RJ” is a licensed clinical psychologist and the founder of Standard of Care Psychological Services, in Atlanta, GA. Dr. RJ integrates self-care with education of the brain and body connection and explains neuroscience in a relatable manner. Whether it’s speaking at a women’s conference, hosting a corporate retreat, or attending a grassroots community service event, Dr. RJ is passionate about wellness and self-care. Her latest endeavor focuses on helping black women executives and physicians eliminate burnout, anxiety, and stress.
Click below to check out our interview with her! Check out our interview below!
To learn more about Raichel visit: https://raicheltotherescue.com/ @RaichelWhite on Instagram During this touching interview, Beautypreneur Nikki Payne shares her personal journey to encourage other women to trust their instincts, prioritize mental health and become aware of the multiple forms of domestic violence. To learn more about her visit https://NikkisPayne.com or https://www.instagram.com/nikkis_payne/ To connect with the Glambitious brand visit:
https://TheGlamCEO.com https://Instagram.com/iamlilliemae What inspired you to become a CEO?
I have always done some small businesses. When I was younger, my brother and I had our own paper route which allowed us to collect our own money. I was also selected to be featured in Essence Magazine as a “Comeback Queen”. So when I was working in Occupational Therapy it occurred to me that they really do not want your ideas. All they wanted was for us to just work and be quiet. So it’s been almost 25 years later, and my husband and I now work on our own ideas in our home care business. Some ideas were successful and some were just flops, but I don’t have to ask for approvals anymore. Please introduce yourself to readers:
I am Tamika Washington, of Columbia, South Carolina, founder/CEO of Converspace and Start Up Strategist helping entrepreneurs and business owners start and grow their businesses through work space solutions, virtual office solutions, and business consulting. As a wife and mom of two toddlers, I enjoy connecting with other mompreneurs and women in business for tips, encouragement, and collaboration. I'm the author of The Busy Woman's Guide to Faith and am currently working on a new book project at this time. When I'm not focused on helping clients, I'm using my gifts and skills to assist at church, New Beginnings Outreach Ministries International and spending much time with my family. Dr. Benita Ledet is a woman with a Heart of Platinum. She was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Cornerstone University and an MBA from University of Houston. She has worked in Corporate America for over 30 years. The passion that was and is always the forefront in her mind is to help encourage and motivate women through Self-Love & Self-Care. She is known as the “Heart Healer” and “The Love Doctor” through her work in the community as well as in business. Everyone has a physical or mental health doctor; However, Dr. Benita focuses on your spiritual health. She is a Spiritual Health Doctor on a Quest for Love. When you feed your inner spirit with love, you become a better YOU, Period!
Please introduce yourself to readers:
My name is Shanail Monick, and I am the Founder / CEO of Fight4lupus. I founded Fight4lupus after being diagnosed with lupus in 2011. Fight4lupus organization matches living donors with survivors in need of organ transplants. I am a global motivational speaker and a Lupus activist. I hold many titles such as Co- Founder of the organization Girls United 4 Life, whose mission is to help mentor and coach young women. I have also been nominated and won many awards. ![]() Happy Black Business Month! Please introduce yourself and business:
Hi, my name is Jenni Steele. I am a mother of 3 residing in London, England and the Founder & Managing Director Project YANA CIC. I am also a qualified Early Intervention and Prevention Youth Practitioner, Healthy Relationships Educator and National Ambassador for Domestic Violence, UK. What do we do at Project YANA CIC? For the last four years and counting, Project Yana aims to work with high risk young people who have directly been affected by gang related violence, sexual grooming, criminal and sexual exploitation, domestic violence and abuse. I am an experienced speaker and qualified youth practitioner working 121 with young people and with statutory agencies (and referral agency) to ascertain the long and short term impact of their traumatic experience, develop a care pathway, harness and empower young people to develop their key skills. The long term purpose of the program is to help young people to recognize and accept their self worth, build their confidence and recognize situations that pose risk and reduce the long term harm. What makes you unique in your industry? We offer a wrap around support service, not just 121, for our teen clients. The family will also be supported if needed and will be sign posted to other services if necessary including therapy. We create bespoke education programs based on the needs of the school, College and clients not just in the UK we are international. During the lockdown period in England we created a podcast series to support, educate and offer solutions to families in the community. We support both girls and boys which is rare in this industry especially when it comes to domestic abuse. Please share your top 3 most proud accomplishments to-date:
Any advice to other women in your industry? I started out with a vision. After gaining the necessary qualifications, I emerged with a mission for change. I keep myself educated and updated in order to offer the best support that I can through all levels of my services. I never saw owning a business as a part of that vision. We all have to start somewhere if doors close, start to build the foundation you are going to need to be grounded. I remember applying for support roles in my industry before I got my qualifications. Nobody would give me a chance at the time and the rejection was hard to deal with. Now those very companies are coming to my door for support services (I did that!) I could have given up. Build trusting with long standing business relationships partnership is key. Word of mouth goes a long way and quite often your name, business or services reaches spaces way before you do! Obtain clinical supervision. I can’t say this enough if you are working to support people through trauma or life challenges don’t forget your support! Especially if you have continued to work like myself through pandemic/ lockdowns. Companies think about your staff’s health and well-being and make it part of the companies self care going forward it’s very important. What is next for you in 2021 and how can readers connect with you: As mentioned above during this year I became a patron of a school in Ghana. Alongside the support of a charity partnership we purchased curriculum books at the beginning of the year. In July, I visited the country and created the library. In January 2022, we will be launching an after school creative learning program for the children in Ghana, alongside the same charity Juvenis. There are exciting times ahead however education, empowerment and creatingsolutions are key to change. Connect with us : www.JenniSteele.co.uk Officialjennisteele Project_yana_cic @projectyana2017 The Teen Inspiration Lounge Podcast. Available on Spotify and all leading podcast platforms. written by Natalie Lee Martin As a serial entrepreneur and mama of two amazing little beings, Shanell Lamere is empowering women and moms to live the life of their dreams. Shanell owns a commercial cleaning business, is an event videographer, and is the host of a dope podcast called “What She Grows Through!” Her podcast is dedicated to pour into and align with black women on a range of topics from sexuality to self-love. With a degree in both Psychology and Sociology, Shanell decided to leave her career as a family-based clinician for children with various mental health disabilities to start her own business. Today she focuses on building a community that empowers and inspires black women. Her podcast was created to not only use her voice and share her story but as a platform for many other women to share theirs as well.
As a child, Shanell recalls always dressing up and taking pictures. She remembers getting her first professional camera which drastically improved her natural abilities. After watching hours of makeup tutorials on YouTube, she knew her dream of videography was more than just a dream. So she began her own channel and quickly realized how much she enjoyed editing. In an effort to capture every moment of her journey as a new mom she began filming precious moments. “After a while, I realized I could have something here and began to take it seriously and of course a lot in between but now I’m here as a professional event videographer, capturing my clients' moments and turning them into forever films!” says Lamere. Shanell currently has a new Club on Clubhouse for black women and/or anyone who loves black women looking for a space of empowerment and inspiration. She encourages others to push through that fear. “As long as you have a clear vision of where you want to be, you can and will accomplish all of your goals if you continue to show up.” The future is filled with endless possibilities and Shanelle looks forward to trademarking and expanding her videography business and podcast. You can follow her on IG and FB at What She Grows Through and Shanell Lamere Films as well as her page, Shanell Lamere. written by Natalie Lee Martin From the classroom to the boardroom, business credit guru, Josette Fleury is helping professional women get access to the funds they need to grow and scale their businesses. During the pandemic, Josette made a huge decision to make the leap from educator to entrepreneur birthing the “Securing My Gems” online academy for female entrepreneurs.
What inspired you to launch Bible University?
Our courses are Christian-based and available to anyone who meets our entrance requirements. I Founded Leaders Esteem Christian Bible University during the pandemic. Our courses require comprehensive study, self-discipline, and demonstration of comprehending the information. Our curriculum is used and accepted internationally. All academic degrees at LECU require mandatory coursework and must be earned. Please introduce yourself?
My name is Jayana Wood. I am a 17-year old student and entrepreneur. The name of my business is Jay’s Henna Designs, a full-service henna body art business offering henna for individuals, parties, weddings and special events. I am currently entering my senior year in high school as a part of the STEM Program at Oxon Hill High School located in Maryland. I am a three-time best-selling author, I am bilingual -- I speak, read and write French, I am world traveller (I have traveled to 5 countries), and the proud big sister of two younger brothers, James and Jalen. What makes you unique in your industry? What makes me unique in my industry is that not only am I a self-taught, teenage henna artist, but I am one of few African American henna artists in the industry. Please introduce yourself?
My name is Dr. Cheryl Wood. I equip women entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools to master their voice, maximize their impact, and monetize their story. I am an International Empowerment Speaker, 2x TEDx Speaker, 15x Best-Selling Author and Executive Speaker Development Coach. I have trained countless women entrepreneurs and leaders across the United States and abroad in South Africa, India, France, United Kingdom, Canada, Jamaica and The Bahamas. I empower women to get out of their comfort zone, take calculated risks, pursue their big dreams, and become the best version of themselves. I have delivered keynote presentations for NASA, Verizon, Capital One, The United Nations, The FBI, United States Department of Defense, United States Department of Agriculture, National Association of Legal Professionals, Federally Employed Women, Blacks In Government and the Congressional Black Caucus, to name a few. I am committed to empowering women globally to make their unique fingerprint count and to create their legacy starting today! |
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