The BOSS Network Blog

Briantria Smocks is a devoted researcher, visionary strategist, producer, and gifted educator. She is Editor-in-Chief of Levi&Toonk and CEO of Smocks Media Group (SMG). Also a member of Delta Sigma Theta, Bri enjoys lounging with her family, reading a juicy book, and getting lost in music. With all the learning courses and modules available for business professionals today, it can become overwhelming and daunting to sort through which options may be the best fit. I found it to be a tedious process once I became an entrepreneur in 2019. As it was not my first career choice, I sought out any and every space that offered complimentary sessions, prime networking, group feedback, sample coursework, you name it. About a year into my business, I had begun to realize how crucial it was (and still is) to seek out resources that were in alignment with either where I was at the time or where I was headed. Thankfully, that was around the same time that I'd heard of the Invest In Progress ...

Alana Iman Matthews is a real estate professional, visionary community founder, and future attorney redefining modern leadership. Through authenticity, consistency, and service, she is building a legacy of empowerment, proving that purpose-driven women don't choose one lane; they create their own.  People often ask how I've been able to navigate multiple career paths as a 23-year-old, from real estate to founding a thriving community, stepping into leadership roles, and now pursuing a legal career. They assume there must be a secret strategy behind it all. There is. First and foremost, God. But my dynamic duo is authenticity, paired with consistency. I've learned that opportunities don't come from trying to be the loudest person in the room. They come from becoming someone people trust. In real estate, clients aren't simply buying or selling property; they're placing some of the biggest financial decisions of their lives in your hands. That trust isn't buil...

Cassandra Hill is a Master Life Coach, Best-Selling Author, and Speaker. Her passion is empowering Black women to live life on their terms by up-leveling their emotional, spiritual, and mental well-being. Cassandra is passionate about spreading self-love as one of the solutions to eradicate the domestic violence epidemic among Black women. Hiring your first employee can be nerve-wracking. Many of us start our business as a team of one. If you’re one of these solo entrepreneurs, you probably have spent years as the only one working in your company. However, as your business begins to grow, you may notice that you can no longer handle everything alone. Hiring a staff member is an excellent way to reduce your workload and access new opportunities . However, it’s also pretty taxing. After all, what if you don’t end up being a good manager, or you choose the wrong person? Today, we’re going to look at some of the steps you can take to decide when and why it’s the right time to hire that fi...

Yara Banks , MBA, CHRMAP, is the CEO and Principal Consultant of BNX Business Advisors, with over 20 years of experience in HR, leadership, and organizational development. She is an expert in DEI, compliance, and talent management, known for building inclusive cultures, aligning HR strategies with business goals, and delivering impactful training programs that drive growth and performance. Yara also supports businesses in navigating government contracting, including DBE certification and RFP strategy, helping organizations position themselves to compete for and win contracts and build sustainable revenue streams. What if the most powerful thing you could do this month is give yourself permission to start over? Six months ago, many of us entered the year with vision boards, business plans, and ambitious goals. We promised ourselves this would be the year we launched the business, prioritized our health, increased our income, or finally pursued the dream that had been waiting patiently i...

Niehla O. spent over 20 years in the fashion and beauty industry but decided to pivot into an industry that helps people look good on the inside. After a chance encounter with a tasty green hummus blend, a late-night craving led her to begin mixing unique hummus flavors of her own. Her goal is to continue to spread love and hummus throughout our community. As Black women in business, many of us were raised to be nice. We were taught to be respectful, helpful, and accommodating. Those qualities have served us well in many ways. They help us build relationships, create community, and provide exceptional customer service. But somewhere along the way, many of us learned a dangerous lesson: that being nice means saying yes to everything. It doesn’t. There is a difference between being kind and being a pushover. Kindness is treating people with dignity and respect. Firmness is honoring your own dignity and respecting your boundaries. The two can—and should—coexist. How does this relate to y...

Cheryl Monroe is a decorated U.S. Army combat veteran and serial entrepreneur specializing in government contracting, operations strategy, and business development. As Founder and CEO of CK Management & Consultant Group and The Cleaning Advantage, she helps organizations secure multimillion-dollar contracts, build compliant systems, and scale with confidence. For many entrepreneurs, the first government contract feels like the finish line. After months of registrations, certifications, networking, and proposal submissions, finally receiving an award validates the hard work and sacrifice that went into building the business. But the truth is, the contract is not the destination. It is the beginning of a much larger journey. The businesses that truly succeed are the ones that understand how to turn opportunity into infrastructure, revenue into reinvestment, and growth into long-term legacy. Scaling Requires a Different Mindset Running a small business and scaling a business are two ...