The BOSS Network Blog

The art of pivoting can help the business owner know when it’s time to rebrand or release a partner, the employee of 15 years that has just been laid off have the courage change fields, the college student who has just graduated with a degree in a field they no want to work in or can’t find a job in, the family who just found out they are having twins instead of a singleton, the teenager that just found out they are pregnant and even the family that just found out they may have a hard time conceiving without help. The ability to pivot, aka mental flexibility and adaptability is one of the top ten skills employers look for, according to the University of Kent, and “a critical skill that all entrepreneurs need”, according to Inc.com.  Not only is the ability to pivot critical for success in the business world it is a necessary element in being able to have the resilient mindset to flourish regardless of the situation presented, based on the book “Emotional Agility” by Susan David, Ph...

Yvette Gavin, founder and Chief Strategist of Yvette Gavin Consulting is a certified John Maxwell coach, trainer and speaker. An alumna of Oral Roberts University, Yvette is a blogger and author of two books— Recalibrate! Navigating the Job Market with Confidence and What to Do After You Say I Do. 1. What were some obstacles that you faced in the beginning process of starting your business or career? My biggest obstacle was overcoming my fear of failing financially. I had become accustomed to a high-paying corporate America salary and the thought of not knowing if I would make the same or higher income running my own business was scary. I knew I would be exceptional at delivering my services but I wasn’t sure about how to get paying clients.  Nevertheless, my fear of not achieving my dreams became bigger than my fear of losing my comfortable corporate America check. So, I developed a growth plan and began to study networking techniques and sales strategies.  This l...

Flickr / Neal Wellons Considering the high-value gold possesses, the path to get to it is rough.  If it were easy, everyone would be there. The same principle applies to the gold mines of our lives.  Situation A I had a job at a large corporation upon college graduation.  It wasn't my heart's desire, but I went into it with an open mind to learn and get the most of the experience.  However, I started to dislike my job so much that I cried as I prepared for work each morning.  It wasn’t the place for me and I was trying to find a way out. Nine months later I was let go.  I was devastated but also felt like I just unloaded a pack of bricks off my back.  Lesson: Sometimes it takes getting lost a bit to get on the right track. Situation B When I decided to pursue public relations, I had the opportunity to work with one of the top public relations agencies.  I was excited and was confident that I was going to knock it out the park.  I...

It is so easy to host an initial meeting or consultation with someone. You both have shared key information and discussed the plans to move forward with all ideas discussed. When closing the meeting, both of you share next steps with intentions of following up. Somewhere along the way, you get super busy or super booked, life happens, and the intent to follow-up gets lost. As a result, you lose out on potential opportunities. To send the message that you are serious about truly providing support AND delivering results, as agreed, it is imperative to master the art of follow-up. Through the establishment of a true process for follow-up, you show that you are serious about your business, serious about establishing relationships, and you show that you are committed to both accountability and reliability.  Consider using the process below to Master the Art of Follow-Up: Be specific about your expectations for follow-up. Ensure that all parties involved clearly understand th...

When I began this MOMpreneur journey, I knew one thing and one thing only: I did not want to work for anyone ever again in my life. I had been fired twice from jobs because I put my kids’ health first. The last full-time job I had was with the federal government. I quit that job when I heard God say, “Pack your things. It’s time to go.” Before and after leaving my final full-time job, I had various side hustles to help my husband pay the bills. Some of my entrepreneurial jobs were: owning a home daycare for years (including weekend and overnight care for military families), tutoring, selling Mary Kay, Avon, and Real Estate (I did well until the bubble burst). Honestly, I did not understand how much time and commitment it would take. After numerous instances of forgetting to pick my kids up, to drop them off or to go grocery shopping, I had to find a way to manage all of this and stay engaged with my kids and husband. I had bouts where I was so overwhelmed that I would snap at eve...

Corporate/Career Strategist, Nicole Grimes, M.Ed. is an advocate for empowerment, education, image development, and strengths-based coaching, with a passion for leading others to their purpose-driven lifestyle. A native of Louisiana, Nicole is currently employed as a Special Education Supervisor and is a doctoral candidate in Educational Leadership.  Q1. What were some obstacles that you faced in the beginning process of starting your business or career? A1:    Creating a new level of balance and making “it all fit” Q2. What inspired you to break into your particular industry? A2: I was inspired to break into this industry, over time, through multiple experiences in my life, and through the encouragement of those close to me. Over the years, I have assisted many people with supporting their career goals, personal image development, and maximizing their strengths/talents to create their best selves through coaching. After much prayer, encourag...

Georgelyn Hicks has been a top advisor helping individuals and businesses realize their dreams by developing financial security and growth. She operates in multiple states, Georgelyn Hicks dba State Farm Insurance for more than 25 years. Georgelyn and her team of agents, help her clients protect themselves from the consequences of unforeseen events and build their future through insurance and financial products. BN: What were some obstacles that you faced in the beginning process of starting your business or career?  GH: The dream of business began 10 years before the door opened.  Each step along the way was exciting and hopeful but in the back of my head was that tape of fear, “can I really succeed” So I began practicing faithful affirmation and self- talk. I fight the tendency to become immobile. So I schedule my goal activities to keep me moving and accomplishing step by step.   BN: What inspired you to break into your particular industry? GH:  Thro...