My Conversation with an ICON - Janice Bryant Howroyd
Janice Bryant Howroyd – affectionately known as JBH – is an entrepreneur, educator, author, mentor, Presidential special appointee, Founder, and Chief Executive Officer of the ActOne Group. As the leader of a multi-billion business, with offices in over 30 countries, JBH is most passionate about what we can accomplish when we invest in each other. She is one of 11 children and credits her parents for instilling in her the strong values that fueled her success. Through it all, she has provided commonsense wisdom and real-world guidance not only for her own businesses but as a well-respected influencer with followers around the world. I was thrilled to learn more about her.
The Boss Network: Hello Janice. I am so excited to finally connect with such an amazing BOSS! Thank you for taking the time. Can we start with some background on you and where you came from?
Janice Bryant Howroyd: Cameka, yes, I can’t believe it has taken this long. Well, about me. I was born one of 11 children in North Carolina. My parents were loving and very focused on raising us all in a way they thought would best help us survive what was still really the Jim Crow South. To this day I bring many of the things I learned from my parents into my business. I eventually went to North Carolina A&T State University on a scholarship and earned my B.A. in English.
TBN: Amazing. Tell me, how does that Little Carolina Girl become the Boss Woman you are today?
JBH: Well in 1976, I decided to follow one of my sisters’ to California. I got a job working at Billboard Magazine as a secretary. During that job, I saw an opportunity to provide a hiring service, better than anything I was experiencing. I was fortunate my mother believed in me and had a whopping $900 (a lot of money for us then!) to loan me. I took that, one phone and a FAX machine to launch my company. I will never forget that feeling and I will always remember that it’s a blessing for the little girl I was to have grown into the opportunities I have as a woman. I accept my responsibility to ensure that the many other little girls facing futures are prepared — and prepared for.
TBN: WOW! What an empowering story. What I love is that you are doing more than just talking the talk, you are really walking the walk. Is that the reason you have partnered with Amazon to support their Black Small Business Initiatives?
JBH: ABSOLUTELY! When Amazon approached me and said they wanted to recognize and celebrate our Black community’s wide breadth of remarkable impact in society, I leaned in to listen. They are sharing authentic narratives about Black entrepreneurship to empower our community. I am excited to ensure many people can feel seen and feel heard! From the small victories to the giant wins. We SEE YOU, We HEAR YOU - ALL DAY, 365 DAYS OF THE YEAR.
TBN: I love hearing about Amazon’s Black Business Accelerator. Can you tell us a little more about that?
JBH: This is a new program launched just last year. Amazon’s Black Business Accelerator is dedicated to helping build long-lasting diversity and growth for Black entrepreneurs, the best way they know how through supporting their success as sellers in the store. They are providing financial support, strategic business guidance, and mentorship - from folks like me. I also love that they are sharing marketing and promotional support to amplify these entrepreneurs as well. We all must understand that in supporting Black businesses, we inevitably will also support our Black communities.
TBN: Janice, this has been a real treat. What are three ways you think our audience can support Black entrepreneurs?
JBH: GREAT question!
1.) Don’t focus on a title. Focus on achieving results. With good results comes the reward.
2.) Be honest about where you are in the process. Be honest about your abilities. Are they growing? If not, what are you prepared to do to fill the gap? And
3.) “Never compromise who you are personally to become who you wish to be professionally." My personal story is a great testimony to the power of my partnership with Amazon.
TBN: Any last words?
JBH: Yes, feel free to buy my books on Amazon...and THANK YOU for having me here!
Click here to buy Janice’s books on Amazon.
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