The BOSS Network Blog

NEW ORLEANS -  Two student business owners, Alana Matthews ‘24, and Nailah Starks ‘23 competed in and won The BOSS Network’s “Boss on Campus” pitch competition. The competition was hosted in George’s Auditorium on Saturday, September 3 by the founder and CEO of The Boss Network, Dr. Cameka Smith. The competition featured 10 Black women business owners from Dillard University who were tasked with pitching their business ideas to receive a cash prize to reinvest into their business ventures. Matthews, the Founder of Boss Babes, is an international business major and vice president of Dillard’s Collegiate DECA. In between academics and personal ventures, Matthews dedicates her time to furthering the Boss Babes brand and expanding its reach.  Boss Babes is an organization that curates educational workshops and social events geared toward equipping and preparing the next generation of successful female entrepreneurs. They are also gearing up to sell organizational and motivationa...

Jaquacer (“J”) Middlebrooks is a packaging professional with nearly 20 years of knowledge and experience in the Packaging Industry. J is the Principal Brand Ambassador and CEO of box it UP designs, a luxury custom packaging boutique located in Conyers, GA. box it UP designs specializes in helping its clients elevate their brand by producing premium custom packaging solutions which provide customers the ultimate unboxing experience at the initial point of engagement. What were some obstacles that you faced in the beginning process of starting your business or career? The biggest obstacle or challenge we faced early on was understanding how to use the various social media platforms to engage our intended audience. We are still “figuring” it out while trying to find the best company to help us in the areas of digital marketing and branding. What inspired you to break into your industry? I grew up in the packaging industry literally! I was 13 years old when my father started our family...

Dr. Mekia Troy is the Athletic Director at Creekside High School in Fairburn, GA. She is the longest-tenured AD in the Fulton County district and has served her school community for 19 years in roles as a teacher, department chair, and head coach prior to leading its athletic department. What were some obstacles that you faced in the beginning process of starting your business or career? Early in my career, I felt that I did not have a blueprint to follow. I needed professional development to grow and become a more transformational leader than the transactional leadership style that I was accustomed to seeing in athletics. Finding and joining quality professional organizations helped tremendously. What inspired you to break into your particular industry? I was inspired to become an athletic director by a mentor who strongly believed I would be a good replacement for him as he would be leaving the position. Once I considered it, I realized the impact I could have on the school and ...

Entrepreneurship is the activity of setting up a business or businesses, taking on financial risks in the hope of profit. Entrepreneurship in this season of time has continually been on the rise and popular. People really like the look and benefits of being their own boss. I’ve had over ten years of experience in this and have become extremely acquainted with the flow and risk of being an entrepreneur. Never the less, I truly know that uniqueness, originality, and authenticity sells and is very attractive. No one can do you better than you. Why do you think being authentic is profitable? It’s profitable because we are living now in a very visual and connected world. We all have so many voices and images that we hear and see especially on social media. Because of this and all the exposure, we have its hard to be true to you. If you not conscience and careful you will mimic and copy what others do because it appears to be working. So many things are influencing us and it can make i...

Women have truly stepped out in this season and have become their own boss. We’ve put aside fear and have become business owners and entrepreneurs. Being in business and a woman requires you to juggle and balance much in our lives. Women becoming bosses are totally different because we take care of our families too. Women wear many hats in our society today and have a great responsibility. Living as a woman at the best of times is not an easy fate. Add business, entrepreneurship, family and know that’s not a simple assignment to pull off. Yes, I give you permission on today to say it’s hard but it’s doable. The balancing act of ownership and family take some getting use too. Sometimes it can be a little crazy and stressful when we are the boss, mother, wife and etc. However, take a deep breath and be all we can be as women. As women, we are built to multi-task and juggle. Women understand and know that we are strong.  We’re soft, beautiful, smart and resourceful. It’s in our nat...

In case you didn’t get the memo, it’s not that kind of party. The term “party” is almost a bit misleading. Different rules and expectations apply when it’s the office party vs. a social event with friends or family members. With an increasing number of public allegations of sexual assaults being reported beginning with Harvey Weinstein accusers, and more recently Cuba Gooding Jr., it behooves everyone to revisit, refresh and reacquaint themselves with what is considered appropriate social behavior. The following five tips may prove helpful in minimizing any regrettable incidents, especially during the holiday party season: 1. Know in advance whether attendance at the event is optional or required. Even if it’s the former, I always recommend showing up, if only for a few minutes. Your boss or your colleagues may feel as if you are not a team player, that you don’t view them, your department, etc. as important if you are noticeably absent.  2. Attire for the office part...

Hey, BOSS lady! Looking to maximize your social media relationships, but find yourself being unfriended, blocked, or simply ignored? If the answer is “YES,” to both, then I encourage you to continue reading. I’ve compiled some recommended dos and don’ts aka social media etiquette, to assist you when navigating and networking online: Your first connection with someone on social media SHOULD NOT involve: 1. A SALES PITCH, A REQUEST FOR A DONATION OR ANY TYPE OF SOLICITATION. Make an effort to get to know the individual somewhat before expecting them to support one of your initiatives or make a purchase. 2. A REQUEST FOR A “PICK YOUR BRAIN SESSION.” Success requires sacrifice. The knowledge that you want to pick from an entrepreneur’s brain (usually for free), probably cost that individual a hefty price to acquire. Respect the hustle and take measures to establish a genuine connection before asking for valuable information, especially that which you expect to receive at no or mi...

Entrepreneurship - the activity of setting up a business or businesses, taking on financial risks in the hope of profit. Entrepreneurship turns us into being a BOSS. It requires that you bring your boss mentality forward and build. Entrepreneurship is definitely not for the faint-hearted. Many people do not understand the work, finances, sacrifice, resources, and tenacity it takes to start and grow a business. Most importantly you must be business minded, as well as boss minded. Your mindset is everything as you plan, start, nurture and develop your business. As an entrepreneur, you are the vision for the business. It’s detrimental that you know the plan and mission for the business. Everything the company is, are going to be, will be birthed from the plan you have for it. This is a huge undertaking and should be taken on with great thought and consideration. It’s easy to say you are the boss but to take full ownership of everything that happens in your business can be unsettling. ...

It is a privilege to be part of such an amazing group of women on the BOSS Network. Thank you for the opportunity to shine. I truly didn’t have that glamorous successful life that so many women here have had. I didn’t know I would end up a single parent of 4, working 2-3 jobs just to keep a roof over our head and food in our belly. My hard work did pay off with great successful kids.  Once my last kid was grown, I sat back, lifted my head up and realized I didn’t live for me during that time. But, I’m still standing and now, I’m an entrepreneur working hard to build a business of motivating others, through apparel and promotional items and books. Also, I’m on a journey of finding what makes ME happy. What were some obstacles that you faced in the beginning process of starting your business or career? Some obstacles were not having a support system and help; and of course the, “if you give me something free then I will advertise for you”, “your prices are too high”,...

Being your own Boss is something many strive to accomplish but, not everyone is up for the challenge and stress that comes with entrepreneurship. I recently had an opportunity to sit down and speak with Cameka Smith, the founder of The Boss Network. Cameka shared with me all the struggles and successes of business and how she has continued to stay in business for the last 10 years. Cameka is a speaker, trainer and award-winning entrepreneur. She started The Boss Network in 2009 and it has been very successful. The BOSS Network has become one of the fastest-growing women business communities, garnering several accolades such as a Top 50 Websites for Entrepreneurs by Inc. Magazine, and the 10 Best Career Sites and Entrepreneur Websites for Women in Forbes.com.  Cameka Smith  Founder of The Boss Network What is The Boss Network and how long have you been in business? CS: I started The Boss Network in 2009 after working in the educational system as a school administrat...