The BOSS Network Blog

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. There’s a quiet strength required when you’re in the room… but not the one being called forward. When your name isn’t announced. When the opportunity you prayed for goes to someone else. And yet—you’re still there. Still showing up. Still believing. Still building. Here’s the truth that will carry you: Just because it’s not your turn… doesn’t mean you’re not next. The Blessing of Being in the Room Sometimes we overlook the miracle of access. You’re in rooms you once prayed to enter. You’re having conversations your past self couldn’t imagine. You’re being seen—even when you’re not selected. That’s not small. That’s favor. Being in t...

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, win contracts, and  build sustainable revenue streams. I am building a business, raising six children, and protecting my peace on purpose. Let me be honest with you. There is nothing perfectly balanced about being a mom and an entrepreneur. Some days feel powerful. You are closing deals, making decisions, and moving your vision forward. Other days feel like a constant pivot between responsibilities. You are answering emails, check...

Shavonne Reed  is a visionary speaker and author of The Ugly Duckling, dedicated to helping leaders transition from the "hustle" to high-impact harmony. By prioritizing vitality and internal purpose, she empowers high-achieving individuals to edit their professional scripts, protect their capacity, and finally shine as the lead characters of their lives. Shavonne Reed is presenting the data-backed "Harmony Advantage," illustrating how reflecting on core values and protecting capacity leads to a 38% increase in decision quality and a 32% boost in productivity. This past weekend at the Women’s Leadership Conference, I stood before a room of ambitious, talented women and asked a difficult question: Is your "hustle" helping you, or has it hollowed you out? For decades, we’ve been conditioned to believe that leadership requires a relentless grind. We wear our busyness like a badge of honor, often at the expense of our own peace. But the data is clear: the ...

Ms. Childress is the managing attorney and founder of the Childress Firm PLLC, a boutique employment law firm based in Washington, D.C. Ms. Childress is also the author of the Juris P. Prudence collection and the founder of Juris Prudence LLC, a children's educational media company that offers books, curriculum, and educational programming teaching children about leadership, innovation, and law through the eyes of fictional 11-year - old lawyer, Juris P. Prudence. Ms. Childress holds a Bachelor of Arts in Government and African American Studies from the University of Virginia and a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law. Ms. Childress has been named to the Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers Rising Stars list from 2020 to 2025. She has been featured in numerous publications, including Forbes, Fortune, Essence, the Huffington Post, Success, Newsweek, and Entrepreneur. What were some obstacles that you faced in the beginning process of starting your business or career...

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, growth feels tied to chasing new customers in crowded markets. Yet one of the largest, most reliable buyers in the world is often overlooked: the U.S. government. Every year, federal, state, and local agencies spend billions on everything from janitorial services and IT support to construction, catering, training, and professional consulting. For small businesses, tapping into this marketplace can unlock a powerful additional stream of revenue. Government contracts offer something rare in the business world: predictability. Many are multi-year awards with options to renew, creating steady cash flow tha...

Being selected as a participant in the BOSS Pathways to Success program came at a pivotal moment in my journey as a founder. I had the vision for PB Eatz and a strong sense of purpose, but this experience challenged me to refine how I think, build, and communicate as a business leader. From the beginning, the program emphasized clarity. Not just what I am building, but why it matters and who it serves. It pushed me to define the problem PB Eatz is solving with greater precision and to align every part of the business with that purpose. That level of clarity became the foundation for everything that followed. As the program progressed, I began to approach my business with more structure and intention. From pricing and positioning to pitching and preparation, I learned how to communicate value in a way that is both confident and grounded in strategy. This was not about memorizing a pitch. It was about understanding the business at a deeper level and being able to articulate that with dis...