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BOSS Spotlight Feature: Janita Gilliam

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  Janita Gilliam is a Speech-Language Pathologist, Child Advocate, Researcher, and Entrepreneur. She’s the founder and owner of Jabber Talk Speech and Consulting, PLLC, where she provides speech and feeding therapy services to children ages birth-21 along with professional development and consulting services to early childhood educators. What were some obstacles that you faced in the beginning process of starting your business or career? When I first started my business I had no clue where to begin and found myself looking to google for all the answers. I had resigned from my full-time job with no plan and was self-funding my business which was moving at a very slow pace. I had a dream and limited funds but was determined to help provide for my family and not fail. What inspired you to break into your industry?   I always knew when I grew up that I wanted to become a doctor and have a career where I could help people. In high school, I took a career aptitude test that provided me wit
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Sage and The BOSS Network Announce 25 Grant Awardees

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2023 Sage Invest in Progress Grant Program Program awards black women entrepreneurs across the U.S. $10K in funding and yearlong mentorship We’re proud to announce the 2023 recipients of the Invest in Progress Grant made possible by Sage and The BOSS Network! Sage is investing with The BOSS Network to fuel the growth of small businesses founded by Black women. These recipients share a commitment to their communities, a passion for their businesses, and a desire to grow their professional skills.  All recipients will receive a $10,000 grant, as well as one year of monthly mentorship through the BOSS Business University, an online program that helps Black women successfully start and grow a business. Congratulations to the 25 latest recipients of the Invest in Progress Grant: See below for a listing of this year’s twenty-five “Invest in Progress” grant awardees, including their business and location: 1.     Jordan Madison, Therapy is My J.A.M. (Silver Spring, MD) 2.     Kendra Pay
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It’s never too late or you’re never too old to become an Entrepreneur by Jacqueline Jones

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Jacqueline Jones worked as an IT Consultant for many years. At age 75 she is the CEO/Founder of Crystal EikcajTM Skin and Hair Care, LLC was founded in 2015. Historically, Jacqueline grew up extremely poor in the lower east side of Detroit known as the “Black Bottom”. Due to various health challenges, beginning as far back as 1997, she knew at age 50, she had to transform her personal health. Jacqueline often used a quote by Madame C.J. Walker “Don’t sit down and wait for opportunities to come. Get up and make them happen for you”. I used to think of aging as a period of decline,” but after reading many motivational and inspirational quotes from other entrepreneurs who started their businesses in their later years, Jacqueline decided to go for it. For me, so far, the 70s are the most exciting decade I’ve lived. I have more time because I’m not raising kids and I’m retired, but after losing a majority of my retirement funds when the stock market crashed in 2008, starting my business wa
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BOSS Spotlight Feature: Larita Webb Taylor, Ph.D, MPH

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Larita Webb Taylor, Ph.D ., MPH is the founder of Webbmark Health Solutions, a public health research and wellness consulting firm.  She is a Master Trainer for the CDC's National Diabetes Prevention Program,  lactation counselor, author, and professor.  She loves training people and organizations to integrate wellness into their lifestyles/organizations. What were some obstacles that you faced in the beginning process of starting your business or career?  I started my first business, a lemonade stand, at the age of 9, where my father made my older brothers work for me by washing the reusable cups. This experience was very impactful highlighting the need for a profit margin that allowed me to have enough money to reinvest in new inventory. I later learned the technical term: cash flow. Secondly, I learned that normal labor is not free.  Outside of the forced labor of my brothers, I was raised to be mindful of equity, which is why I drifted toward non-profit work doing many compassi
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The Power of Mindset By Dr. Tennille Johnson, Pharm.D

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  Dr. Tennille Johnson  is a Mother, Clinical Pharmacist, Fashionista, Community Activist, Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, and Entrepreneur. She is the CEO and Co-Founder of Scrubs To The Rescue, a local retailer of medical uniforms and accessories located in Houston, Texas. She believes when you look good, you feel good. *************************************** Mindset refers to a set of attitudes, beliefs, and assumptions that shape a person’s thoughts and behaviors about themselves and the world around them. It can be influenced by experiences, cultural background, and personal values, and can impact approaches to challenges, success, and failure. There are two main types of mindsets: a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. In a fixed mindset, individuals believe that their abilities and intelligence are fixed and cannot be changed or developed. They may avoid challenges, fear failure, and feel discouraged by setbacks. In contrast, individuals with a growth mindset believe t
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How to Get off an Emotional Rollercoaster by Jade J. Parker

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Jade J. Parker is a registered nurse, sickle cell patient advocate, and Indianapolis native. As founder & CEO of holistic beauty and wellness company ROJOrganics, she combines her nursing scope + childhood diagnosis to help melanin-rich individuals unlock the transformative atmosphere of the Jordan River through creating luxury self-care regimens at home. ***************************************** Recently, I sat laughing, talking, and singing with two close friends before the start of a new work week.  One thing of many I can count on us to share is our love for 90s/00s R&B. It takes my mind, body, and spirit to a space where life is innocent and free; just like I remembered as a 90s Baby.  Before life grew me up and I became the person others needed and depended on.  The icing on the cake for me with this genre right now is how this era of rhythm and blues allowed historically excluded individuals safety for expressions of love.  Whether it was a new love, a troubled relatio
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Are you afraid of success? by Cassandra Hill

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  Cassandra Hill is a Holistic Wellness Influencer, Life Coach, Best-Selling Author, and Speaker. After overcoming systemic lupus with a regimen she developed; Cassandra birthed Holistic Living Consulting. Her mission is to transform the health and well-being of black women. ************************************************* The idea that someone can be afraid of success sounds crazy to most people. Fear of failure is easier for most people to comprehend, but a fear of success? It sounds preposterous. After all, who wouldn’t want to be more successful? Perhaps you! Fear of success is a common obstacle to consistent and lasting success. People are often masters of achieving 90% of a goal, only to throw it all away at the last moment. Fear of success has multiple components and symptoms. Read on to see if a fear of success is an obstacle for you. Fear of success has more than one cause: 1. Fear of change . Humans are programmed to avoid change. This is true even if your life is in the p
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