The BOSS Network Blog

Monique A. J. Smith, A certified Prana Business Partner and Founder of the consulting firm Seeds of Empowerment ®LLC. Smith’s focus is leadership development and uses her weekly podcast  “A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith” to share career paths, advice and initiatives of women leaders. TheBOSSNetwork: What were some obstacles that you faced in the beginning process of starting your business or career?   MoniqueSmith: The mind shift of monetizing services from a Higher Education  Administrator to an Entrepreneur was an obstacle I had to navigate. BN: What inspired you to break into your particular industry?  MS: I was inspired because I knew I was fulfilling a sense of community and a publicity void for African-American Female Athletic Administrators. My endorphin's are in Professional Development, cultivating a crop of able and accomplished administrators who are ready to be Deputy or Director of an Athletic Department, spe...

No man or woman is an island! We all need people. Anyone who says they don’t isn’t telling you the truth. In businesses, families and friend circles, we depend upon and share in the brilliance of others. We can not get through this life without other people. Period. To be honest, it would be a boring life even if we tried. Every smart and successful business person has a great team of people around them in which they consult and build. They may call these people friends, advisors, partners, board members, and sometimes spouses. For the purposes of this blog, we will refer to them all and deal with them as “partners”. When building successful business ventures, there are certain qualities your partners should demonstrate to secure the success of your business. Who you choose to partner with is the first, major and most important decision you will make for any business venture. Are you wondering about signing that new commercial lease with your long time friend? A...

Sister Duo Give Tips on Running a Business with Family and Friends By Lenora Houseworth So, you’re thinking about going into business with your sister or best girlfriend, are you? The idea of spinning your dream into a successful venture with your BFF sounds good, but are you actually prepared for the journey that lies ahead? One set of Chicago-based sisters Kyra and Kozi Kyles prove you can indeed go into business with your sibling or best friend, and have fun while doing it. As creators, writers, and producers of the comical sci-fi web series “Human Resources” starring puppets, the Kyles sisters are breaking new ground humorously addressing touchy workplace issues in the recession-era with the online project released under their entertainment company Myth Lab Entertainment, Inc. “It is definitely based on our work experience,” said Kozi, who came up with the idea for the show based off her experience surviving a company layoff earlier in her career. “What stood out to me was the po...