Women Thriving in Business

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.

ADVERTISEMENT: If you are ready to explore entrepreneurship and looking for guidance, book a discovery call with me! With my extensive experience and knowledge, I can help you make a plan before you leap. Visit bladen-group.com/ to book a discovery call with Nikki Rogers.
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 culture
• Creating a saleable business

Other Resources Mentioned:

• The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It By Michael E. Gerber
• Next Wave Business Coaching
• Help Wanted to Fully Staffed

Thriving 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 Kok
• If you focus on the fundamental part of getting better every day, then growth will follow. - Nikki Rogers

Get 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:

• Linkedin

"Everything that happens to you is a reflection of what you believe about yourself." - Iyanla Vanzant

To thrive means to grow vigorously or flourish. But what does thriving in business mean? Does your business have what it takes to be successful in the long run? Have you thought about the things you need to start doing as you move forward in your business?

Mindset and intention are important factors to consider when starting your business. From creating a business model and understanding the levers in your business to overcoming hurdles that can delay success, entrepreneurs must be proactive in protecting and executing their vision.

ADVERTISEMENT: If you are ready to explore entrepreneurship and looking for guidance, book a discovery call with me! With my extensive experience and knowledge, I can help you make a plan before you leap. Visit bladen-group.com/ to book a discovery call with Nikki Rogers.
In this episode, Nikki will share key takeaways from her presentation at the Signature CEO Conference, her thoughts on what thriving in business truly means, and the three key components that are essential to thriving in business.

Her experience of being a speaker and attendee at the Signature CEO Conference will provide helpful insights to help you determine what thriving in business means to you. Listen in for some valuable lessons that you can apply to your own enterprise.

Thriving Points:

• Understand the levers in your business that create predictable and sufficient income, and deploy them repeatedly and consistently.
• Work on your purpose and let your business support your life.
• Love the people you work with, whether it’s your clients, customers, employees, partners, or vendors.
• Having sufficient income doesn’t mean it’s just enough to cover your bills. It’s actually whatever is needed in order to support the life that you want to build.
• Do what you're passionate about but you also have to temper that with what you're good at.
• As a business owner, you have the right, the opportunity to be in choice about who you engage within your business.

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.

About the Host:

Nikki is a strategist and transformation coach who believes life is too short not to do what you love. She is passionate about helping entrepreneurs build sustainable companies and supports business leaders in developing the mindset, strategy, and connections to create thriving businesses and build legacy wealth.

Nikki is the CEO of The Bladen Group and an alumna of North Carolina A&T State University and UNC-Chapel Hill.

Connect with Nikki:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

A Team Dklutr Production

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.
ADVERTISEMENT: If you are ready to explore entrepreneurship and looking for guidance, book a discovery call with me! With my extensive experience and knowledge, I can help you make a plan before you leap. Visit bladen-group.com/ to book a discovery call with Nikki Rogers.

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:

• ComplYant
• Venture 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 Johnson
• I try not to get too hung up on the sadness of the result of the decision, but instead, use it as a lesson. - Shiloh Johnson
• I didn't give myself a chance to doubt myself. - Shiloh Johnson

Get 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:

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.
ADVERTISEMENT: If you are ready to explore entrepreneurship and looking for guidance, book a discovery call with me! With my extensive experience and knowledge, I can help you make a plan before you leap. Visit bladen-group.com/ to book a discovery call with Nikki Rogers.

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 Meyers
• Partnerships are key to developing good partners who actually care about you and the services you bring. - Ronnette Meyers
• You 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 Meyers
• Being 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 Meyers
• Pay attention to your subcontract agreement. Ask and clarify clauses you don’t agree with. - Ronnette Meyers
• The key is socialization outside of business because you really have to know people and understand their values. - Ronnette Meyers
• And 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 Meyers

Get 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:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter

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Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs is a great foundation for business ownership, but having the heart to do so is important in order to love and enjoy the work that you do. Finding your voice and developing your marketing strategies will give your business a great head start.

This week, our guest is Tara Melvin, a creator of experiences who has been a professional event planner for 17 years. Tara shares how she became a successful entrepreneur who creates an impact in the industry by molding successful event planners in her company.

Creating connections, building partnerships, and developing relationships between business owners has been the foundation of her company as she worked in unison with her clients and listened to what people needed, she was able to contribute and gain knowledge from everyone in the same industry as well.

ADVERTISEMENT: If you are ready to explore entrepreneurship and looking for guidance, book a discovery call with me! With my extensive experience and knowledge, I can help you make a plan before you leap. Visit bladen-group.com/ to book a discovery call with Nikki Rogers.
Learn how she managed to go past different obstacles in her life and business and how she continued to thrive despite the pandemic. How did she enhance her network now that events all over the world have been restricted? By what means was she able to survive financially while continuing her work in the middle of the pandemic? How did she use social media to attract the right type of clients?
Let’s jump right into this episode to find out!

Thriving Points:

• “Although I built this for other people it's rewarding to me too because, especially in the mentor program, I learned things from them and then it's just rewarding knowing that they are inspiring me.” - Tara Melvin
• “It's just having those people in my corner and you never know who's watching you, and it will be the right people, you'll know who the right people are. They're not there to shame you, they're there to help you to move and advance forward.” - Tara Melvin

Get to Know the Guest:
For over 16 years, Tara Melvin has been the creative engine and leader of Perfect Planning Events and Signature Concepts, L.L.C., an all-inclusive boutique event planning firm creating luxe lifestyle events with a highly personalized touch She has been characterized as a Creative Entrepreneur Warrior and the Olivia Pope of Events. In 2015, Tara created an educational platform for creative entrepreneurs, The Signature CEO Conference (TSCEO). TSCEO is curated for Creatives who are innovators and exemplify keen business savvy to unite and discover great content. The conference is designed to help creative entrepreneurs become exceptional leaders, excel at business acumen, expand their professional network to build genuine relationships, and reach their highest potential in the world of business and entrepreneurship!
Tara is active within the creative industry serving in different capacities in various organizations. She has an esteemed reputation as an industry leader and innovator who exemplifies boldness in breaking boundaries, champions the professional growth of others, and galvanizes positive impact for the industry.
Find Tara:

• Tara Melvin Event Planner
• Perfect Planning Events
• The Signature C.E.O. Conference