Today we’d like to introduce you to Jackie Robinson.
Hi Jackie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started my company, SheBoss Unlimited, as a result of personal and professional experiences and obstacles I have had to tackle on my professional journey. Not having access to resources that would align me with better opportunities, not having access to career mentors or sponsors, not having anyone in the workplace advocating for me or my professional development, and not being valued or recognized for my skills and expertise.
My passion for the equitable advancement and well-being of women is what landed me where I am today. I am a true advocate for women’s empowerment due to the unique circumstances and challenges women face when trying to excel in their careers or as a women business owner. I understand our needs. I know the fears. I study the data and I know where we are being neglected. I created SheBoss Unlimited to fill those gaps with knowledge, resources, coaching, and empowerment.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There is nothing about brand building that is 100% smooth. Just like with any other goal or initiative, no matter how much you plan and prepare, you might hit a rough patch or two.
In the beginning, what I call the pilot phase, there was some trial and error. I tweaked my value proposition statement a few times until I felt it really articulated and distinguished the SheBoss brand the way I wanted it to. I wanted people to think of the brand a certain way just by hearing the name. I wanted it to resonate with the women who would benefit from the services.
I also had to come to the realization that the people I thought would support me, would not, It was shocking to me at first, especially about those whom I had supported their businesses faithfully. Honestly, it’s still something that bothers me but it most definitely has not and won’t stop me. I have accomplished so many things through all of my business endeavors and I did that without the support of those people.
Another challenge is resilience. That’s one-third of the SheBoss Trilogy. You have to have the mindset to be resilient when you are not receiving the yes, not growing as fast as you would like, and not reaching your goals in the time frame you planned for. It can be discouraging if you don’t have a resilient mindset to not give up on yourself.
An issue that seems to be resounded throughout the world of women’s empowerment, and many other industries, is the competition vs collaboration phenomenon. This stems from mindset. It’s the crabs in a barrel mentality. I believe that inequities in the workplace and business that women face have a lot to do with this as well. It actually goes deeper but I won’t go too far into it here. Historically women have had to compete. If there is only one position or opportunity in a space where women’s representation is already miniscule, competition will intensify. The thought is “there is only room for one of us and I want it to be me”. This happens in the corporate world and it also shows up in the small business space. Woman working against women rather than working with women and/or supporting their endeavors. In this case, I had to find my tribe.
You don’t have to collaborate on everything you do, but when you do, be sure that you and the person you are collaborating with are aligned. Set clearly defined expectations of what each person’s role is for the collaboration. I say get it in writing once all involved agree on what the collaboration will look like. If you are collaborating on a business-related project, there needs to be a written agreement, even if it’s an email that reiterates everyone’s roles. Competition will always be. But it’s when competition turns into tearing another woman down, attempting to block another woman’s progress, and any malicious activity in the name of competition that makes it ugly and sad.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about SheBoss Unlimited?
SheBoss Unlimited offers professional development services to career-driven women and ambitious women entrepreneurs who are on a mission to excel. Whether she wants to develop leadership skills, change careers, grow in her current role, or plan and prepare to launch into entrepreneurship, there is a service to meet her needs. I specialize in leadership and career coaching and have almost 25 years of professional development experience, which if why I am effective at it, I didn’t just decide to do this type of work when SheBoss Unlimited was launched. I was a coach before I knew I was a coach. I was doing the work before I connected it with the industry. The work I did in my 9-5 jobs was training and development and coaching related. I just transitioned into doing what I love through my own company and targeted my services to the audience I know best: women. There are a lot of “coaches” out there who just decided to give themselves that label but have no background in coaching theories, processes, facilitating, instructional design, or adult learning. But I do and I’m proud of that.
I coach in alignment with my brand. If you look at my logo, it’s red and black. Red represents boldness. Black is powerful and professional. The edges at the tip of the “H “are sharp, just like a SheBoss, the silhouette of a woman’s head as the “O” represents women’s intellect, and the spikey hair exemplifies fierceness. My coaching empowers women to be all of those things.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
One of my favorite books is Atomic Habits by James Cleary. I recommend it to anyone, man or woman. One of my favorite podcasts is Women and Work by Harvard Business Review. One of my favorite Apps is Audible.
Contact Info:
- Website:www.shebossunlimited.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/she_boss_ultd
- Facebook:www.facebook.com/shebossunlimited
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sheboss-unlimited/
Image Credits
Jackie Robinson
