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Your Next Chapter Requires You to Let Go of Perfection and Control by Monique Caradine-Kitchens

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In my last article , I shared a conversation between my best friend and me. We are two women in our 50s, both solopreneurs, and we’ve become accustomed to carrying the full weight of our businesses and our decisions. The conversation that day reminded us that operating this way for prolonged periods of time can hinder our growth. Since then, I’ve been thinking about something else that tends to hinder the growth of so many women: Perfectionism. Not the neat, organized, color-coded kind. I’m talking about the deeper kind that turns bold ideas into endless planning…the kind where big dreams turn into delayed action. For women who are leaders, professionals, and business owners, perfectionism often disguises itself as responsibility. We want to get it right. We don’t want to let people down. We don’t want to fail publicly. So we wait until we “feel” ready. All of which is rooted in a need for control as well as fear (that’s a whole topic for another day). But here’s the truth: you do not ...
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The Mess You Leave Behind: You Can’t Take It With You by Tammecia Smith

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Tammecia Smith  is a monument dealer with over 17 years in the death care industry. She is the owner of Melanated Memorials, a diverse line of headstones and monuments featuring African American angels. She’s dedicated to transforming the memorial industry by offering high-quality memorials that honor memories while celebrating diversity.    As a follow-up to my previous post, I would be remiss not to share some of the most important information I’ve gathered over the years working in death care — specifically when it comes to “finding the money.” This isn’t about greed. This is about the next of kin who has to make funeral and burial arrangements — and discovers they need to come up with $15k by the day of service. Who has disposable income like that lying around in this economy?  How do you find the funds your secretive family member always told you were “in place,” but didn’t say where? Here are my tips for finding the funds — free of charge. 1️⃣ Employment &...
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The Mess You Leave Behind: Things to Handle Before You Pass Away by Tammecia Smith

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Tammecia Smith is a monument dealer with over 17 years in the death care industry. She is the owner of Melanated Memorials, a diverse line of headstones and monuments featuring African American angels. She’s dedicated to transforming the memorial industry by offering high-quality memorials that honor memories while celebrating diversity.    I get it — life is hard, and death feels scary. Some people believe that discussing their demise is somehow summoning it. From years of experience in the death care industry, here’s the  honest truth: Death isn’t the enemy. Avoidance is. Avoidance protects no one — it leaves families overwhelmed and unprepared while grieving. In this line of work, we talk about death like it’s a regular Tuesday. Not because we lack compassion, but because compassion is the job. We see the aftermath — the arguments, confusion, and frustration that could have been avoided with a plan in place. What you do (or don’t do) today will continue to impact the...
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BOSS Member Spotlight: Cheryl Monroe

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Cheryl Monroe is a highly decorated combat veteran, author, speaker, United Nations Peace Ambassador, and purpose-driven entrepreneur. As CEO of CK Management & Consultant Group and The Cleaning Advantage, she helps organizations build structure, scale with confidence, and turn opportunities into lasting impact through disciplined execution and leadership . What obstacles did you face at the beginning of starting your business or career? The biggest obstacle was transitioning from a structured military environment into the unpredictable world of entrepreneurship. In the Army, success is guided by clear systems and command. In business, I initially struggled with the lack of infrastructure. I also had to overcome being underestimated, particularly as a Black woman stepping into government contracting. But those challenges shaped the operational excellence and disciplined execution that define my companies today. What inspired you to break into your industry? I saw a gap in the comm...
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Self-Reliance Got You Here but THIS Will Take You Further By Monique Caradine-Kitchens

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Today, my friend Iris and I were on the phone. After our usual kee-kee and well-being check-in, the conversation shifted. We started talking about our business goals for the year, then we helped each other problem-solve and strategize. For a solid 30 minutes, we held space for the weight we both carry as solopreneurs. Then, Iris said it out loud. “We’re strong. We’re resourceful. We figure things out. But we’re also holding everything .” Our own opportunities. Our own momentum. Even our own accountability. Yes, we both know the value of having a coach–heck, I am the author of the quote “every winner has a coach!” However, for various reasons, we both found ourselves without coaching support for the past several months. In fact, when my coach Brenda passed away a while back, I went years without the kind of consistent support I needed to do the things I desire to do. You see, for women like Iris and me–those who’ve spent decades being dependable, capable, and self-sufficient–moving thro...
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BOSS Member Spotlight: Marcia Cox

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Marcia Cox founded Kaldi’s Coffeehouse & Roastery in Charlotte, North Carolina, a Black-owned specialty coffee brand. Kaldi’s focuses on intentional roasting, community connection, and creative collaborations that bring people together through quality coffee, culture, and shared experiences. What were some obstacles that you faced in the beginning process of starting your business or career? One of the biggest obstacles was learning everything on my own with limited resources. I was self-taught in roasting, sourcing, and operations while also figuring out branding, pricing, and scaling. Building credibility in a crowded coffee space and gaining access to capital were also early challenges. What inspired you to break into your industry? I was inspired by the lack of representation I saw in specialty coffee and the desire to create a brand that felt welcoming and community-centered. Coffee has always been a connector, and I wanted to build something that brought people together whil...
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Who’s Holding Your Ladder? by Deborah Gray-Young

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Deborah Gray-Young is a former advertising agency executive who now serves as a trusted advisor to senior executives and SMB CEOs. Known for distilling complexity, challenging assumptions, and clarifying high-stakes situations, she brings candor, strategic insight, and a grounded perspective that helps leaders see possibilities and lead with intention. Happy New Year to each and every one of you and your families. As we begin this new year, it’s the perfect time to take stock of our support systems. One of the most common and least discussed roadblocks to success is the absence of a strong support system. This is especially true for women who have been raised to be self-sufficient and self-reliant. While those traits are often celebrated, they can quietly work against us in certain professional environments, particularly for women of color. For many women of color, independence is deeply ingrained. Asking for help doesn’t come naturally. We are quick to support others, often without ...
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