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BOSS Member Spotlight: Yara Banks

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  Yara Banks , a luminary in entrepreneurship and HR with over twenty years of distinguished service. Honored as Alignable's Local Business Person of the Year for 2023 and 2024, and winner of the Best HR and Finance Consultancy Firm in Florida, Yara exemplifies excellence and innovation in Human Resources. ****************************************************************** What were some obstacles that you faced in the beginning process of starting your business or career? Starting my own business was really scary because of the fear of losing a steady paycheck and the unknowns that come with venturing out on my own. To handle this fear, I planned everything very carefully and asked for advice from people who had done it before. I decided to see every problem as a chance to learn and get better. I also learned the importance of trusting myself and working with a team that supports each other. Overcoming these fears has been a big part of my success, teaching me to be strong and adap

Re-evaluating the Idea of Entrepreneurship: The Road Towards Service and Community by Dr. Janita Gilliam

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Dr. Janita Gilliam is a wife, mother of two, and licensed speech-language pathologist for over 13 years. Dr. Gilliam owns a private practice called Jabber Talk Speech and Consulting, PLLC where she is committed to providing intervention services to underserved areas and marginalized populations. Dr. Gilliam believes that her gifts were given to be of service. She prides herself on volunteering locally with her church and professionally at both state and national speech associations. In her spare time she enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband Will and daughters Layla and Nova.   Many people believe entrepreneurship is the gateway to financial stability and the open door to personal success. However, no one equates entrepreneurship with sovereign service. I am two years, and 6 months into my new life as an entrepreneur. I don’t think I will ever minimize the tenacity it takes to become and remain an entrepreneur. The first year was a challenge in itself. No one prepares yo

BOSS & Sage Announce 2024 Invest in Progress Grant Winners

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We’re excited to announce the recipients of the 2024 Invest in Progress Grant, a collaborative initiative by Sage and The BOSS Network . This partnership has seen Sage commit funding over three years to empower small businesses with the resources they need to thrive. The selected recipients stand out for their dedication to community, entrepreneurial spirit, and a desire to grow their professional skills.  Each will be awarded a $10,000 grant and gain access to a year-long monthly mentorship program through BOSS Business University. This online platform is designed to provide the tools and knowledge necessary to successfully launch or grow a business. The partnership, in its third year, received almost 12,000 applicants nationwide. This year’s winners also feature four members from each of the Divine Nine sororities—including Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated; Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated; Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated—the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Incorp

BOSS Member Spotlight: Natasha Enos

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Natasha Enos is the owner and CEO of T'ayana's Scrubs and More, she is also the owner and Director of New Destiny Academy. Natasha Enos is a loving mother of 4 and wife. She started her scrub business 2 years ago to give grace, style, and comfort to those in different fields who wear scrubs. My goal is to have everyone looking and feeling good while wearing scrubs. What were some obstacles that you faced in the beginning process of starting your business or career? One of the obstacles I had to face was finding the right vendor to work with, I wanted my scrubs to be fashionable and comfortable and to make a statement. Another obstacle I had to face was funding and finding investors, so I started using my own money to get started. It was difficult because having a family of 6 and with other bills was definitely a challenge. What inspired you to break into your industry? My previous job working in the medical field for 15 years inspired me to start my own scrub business. I have

BOSS Member Spotlight: Dr. Ellana Stinson

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Dr. Ellana Stinson is an Emergency Room Physician and Trichology Certified, Dr. Ellana, a devoted Dog Mom, founded Safo Hair to promote healthy hair from within. Her passion for healing drives her as she merges Southern traditions with herbal science to foster wellness. Her goal: guide all back to their roots for vibrant hair and scalp health. What inspired you to break into your industry? I am an emergency medicine physician, driven by a passion for healing. My brand is a reflection of this commitment to wellness, recognizing that it's not just about hair; it's a profound expression of ourselves and mirrors our overall health. The inspiration for creating this brand arose from a personal need. Having faced challenges with thyroid and fertility issues, I struggled to find products that address my hair loss, thinning, and dry brittle hair. In response to this gap in the market, I embarked on a journey to create a brand rooted in my Southern family traditions that have stood the

Striking the Right Chord: Empowering Entrepreneurial and Career Women through Strategic Timing by Felicia Shakespeare

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Felicia R. Shakespeare  is a TEDx and Global Speaker. She has graced stages in person and virtually around the United States, in Paris, France, and London. In 2022 at the London Global Woman Summit, she was invited to moderate the panel; The Rising Young Female Entrepreneur. Interviewing the Winner of The Apprentice UK Harpreet Kaur among several other influential women for the panel, Felicia has shared this same stage as a speaker with the likes of Jack Canfield (Chicken Soup For the Soul), Kim Kiyosaki (Rich Woman) and many more. Felicia is also a 5 X Bestselling Author and has been nominated as Author of the Year Finalist for her book project You Are Your Brand; Building from the Inside Out! (Small Business Category) after the book was less than a year in print. In the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship and professional careers, women often find themselves at the crossroads of decision-making, balancing personal aspirations and business pursuits. The empowerment of entrepreneurial

Mastering the Art of Business Planning: Building the Blueprint for Success by Dr. Trina Pullum

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Renowned for her dynamic leadership, Dr. Catrina has curated a distinguished career, navigating the intricacies of the entertainment realm and corporate landscape. As a sought-after consultant, she's known for orchestrating success stories and infusing projects with a unique blend of vision and business acumen.     In entrepreneurship, success isn't merely the result of chance or luck. It's the product of meticulous planning, strategic foresight, and relentless execution. At the heart of this process lies the art of business planning—a discipline that separates thriving ventures from those that falter. Business planning is akin to crafting a blueprint for a grand architectural masterpiece. Just as an architect meticulously designs every detail of a building, a business plan lays down the foundation, structure, and pathways for a company's journey toward its objectives.   The first brushstroke in this artistic endeavor involves defining the business's vision and mis