Today we’d like to introduce you to Carla Erskin.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Growing up in West Dallas I always knew two things for sure. First, I was going to college and secondly, I wanted to have my own business. Growing up in the West Dallas projects, I wasn’t like many of my friends who dreamed of a wedding and being a mom. Those things didn’t interest me. I graduated high with a full scholarship to Prairie View A&M University. However, I was ill-equipped for the discipline of college life and made the decision to come home and attend community college.
With my GPA on life-support, I managed to complete the courses needed to transfer to Texas Woman’s University. This was a long process. So many starts and stops that my dream seemed to be out of reach. I just kept at it and the longer I continued, the more disciplined I became.
The challenges were always with me. I lost an aunt and uncle in 2004, my brother in 2005, my step-father in 2008 and my marriage a week later. But by the grace of God, I earned my bachelors degree in 2009.
This one event changed me. It was like I had superpowers. If I could endure this process, I could do anything! I was so proud of myself. I felt like a heavy burden had been lifted and that my life could now be lived.
I have always been a mediocre employee and a bad one at times. It wasn’t because I couldn’t do the work, I would just get bored very quickly. I like to work in spurts and on my own time schedule. These qualities can be a challenge in the workplace. lol
About seven years into my position as a middle school teacher I started to feel that familiar itch. But instead of quitting, I decided it was time to revisit my second childhood dream. After doing a bit of research, I decided to turn my love of decorating into a business and Carla James Interiors was born. I loved including my late brother’s name in my business name. I felt it was a way to honor him and a way that was fitting considering he was the decorating king. I also have a private lable candle line that allows me the opportunity to vend and connect with the local communities.
I was just as excited about my business as I was about getting my degree. I had since also earned a Masters of Business Administration and entrepreneurship was the next frontier to conquer. Being a business owner gives me a tremendous amount of joy and I am on a quest to learn as much as I could about entrepreneurship.
I guess my enthusiasm was visible because I started getting requests from other new and aspiring entrepreneurs. After more than a few conversations thoughts of business coaching starting entering my spirit and I fought it! There’s a slight stigma attached to coaches and I wanted no parts of it. But God! God kept whispering in my ear and I finally decided to listen.
It was in my destiny. I had purchased the domain for Bossingly for a different business venture that I had planned to partner with my aunt on. God had other plans and Bossingly Business Coaching was born. I help women solopreneurs start and increase sales and profit in their businesses.
I am amazed at this opportunity to impact the lives of women of color who are the most underserved and dare I say, undervalued entrepreneurs. I have had the awesome experience of meeting some amazing women.
I am looking forward to helping many women successfully walk this entrepreneur journey as Bossingly continues to grow.
Has it been a smooth road?
Not at ALL! In addition to the many personal losses I mentioned before, I struggle greatly internally. I have battled with low self-worth that manifested in angry, emotional outbursts, inappropriate reactions to real or perceived injustices and self- medicating with food and shopping. I often say entrepreneurship has saved me from myself. I’m forced to continue to work through these issues as I grow and learn as a business owner. This endeavor requires physical and emotional wellbeing.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Bossingly Business Coaching story. Tell us more about the business.
Bossing Business Coaching helps women entrepreneurs of color start and grow businesses. I specialize in working with solopreneurs in the 0 – 3 year space. I can be considered an entrepreneurial coach but I do have clients with established businesses.
I am most proud that I get to help those who are struggling and often overlooked. Female African American entrepreneurs are a fast-growing demographic but our reported revenue is so far behind our counterparts that are often forced to close our doors.
My clients and I refer to me as the Business Bestie. I offer a high-touch service because that’s what my clients need. It’s what I needed when I started and what I still need. My clients have more access to me than most people have to their coaches and I like being able to support them. I call them the Bossingly Bunch. I want to foster a community of women who encourage and support each other.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
As the digital space continues to grow there will be a greater shift to the online market place. We have seen it with many major retailers shutting their doors while working to carve out space for themselves in the virtual space. The coaching area is experiencing a shift to more virtual interaction as well. We are not limited to local clients. I have serviced clients as far as California and New York.
We are also seeing my digital DIY courses and one to many coaching models.
Also, consumers seem to be making a shift from visual consumption to audio consumption as multitasking continues to dominate. Bring on the podcast!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bossingly.com
- Phone: 214-598-7998
- Email: carla@bossingly.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/doitbossingly
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/bossingly
- Other: www.facebook.com/groups/bossingly
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
