Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicki Joiner.
Hi Nicki, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
At its core, our agency was founded out of one simple word “No.” In early 2017, we came together because we cared about the same things and were looking for an avenue to talk about those things. We presented training sessions at conferences and created resources for people to actualize change in their organizations. During this time, we also attempted to fold what we were doing into other organizations – many of whom noted that we didn’t have “what they were looking for” and that our topics were “too divisive”. In early 2020, we regrouped and created what is now known as The Parallel Agency.
People often ask about our name – and it’s rooted in the vision for the agency, which is to align our words with our actions. For years, we saw gaps in what people said they did, and what they actually did (specially related to diversity, equity, and inclusion), and we wanted to start something that people could buy-into. To us, it’s more than just the name of our company, it’s a philosophy of how to approach our lives.
The name of our agency has been a catalyst for the #beparallel movement, which encourages people to think and action congruently. With this vision, we have built out a team of eight people and earned over $250,000 in sales with 60+ clients. I am really proud of what we’ve accomplished and all the amazing work we have yet to do.
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?
My first challenge has been prioritizing my time. I went to a webinar where someone said the greatest piece of advice they ever got as an entrepreneur was this “Time is money, and money is time. You should be focusing on high-value, high-earning tasks, and everything else should be delegated”. I could not agree more. Delegation has definitely been a challenge for me, but it’s something I am working on.
Another challenge has been not letting the things people do get to me. Spoiler alert – not everyone wants to see you win. And I’ve never felt that harder than in my entrepreneurship journey. While it’s been discouraging to see people try and derail our success and diminish the work we’ve done, it serves as a reminder of my own perseverance and dedication. These challenges keep me honest, humble, and focused on the main goal – building an empire to support me and my family.
As you know, we’re big fans of The Parallel Agency. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
The Parallel Agency is a full-service consulting agency specializing in organizational culture and change management. We want what you say you do, and what we you actually to do #beparallel (hence, the name). Everything we do is through the lens of equity and empowerment, and our team is committed to fostering long-term learning and accountability with everyone we work with. We offer interactive programming, equity audits, customized curriculum and provide individualized support.
I am most proud of our ability to connect the dots and be practical. From our training sessions to our customized content, we are a leading force in our industry because of our unique ability to help people solve a problem. We are going to help you learn and unlearn what you need to get where you want to be. That is why our mission is to empower people and organizations to make better choices in all aspects of life, from school, to work and beyond.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
The biggest lesson I learned from COVID-19 is that if you want to reach people, you have to be where they are. From investing money into new opportunities to putting myself out there on social media, the pandemic has taught me that everything is a choice. And as a business owner, I need to choose to take control of my own narrative and look at the business from the lens of a growth mindset. This has allowed me to meet people where they are and focus my time on the things that matter.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.beparallel.co
- Instagram: @be.parallel
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-parallel-agency-llc/
Image Credits
Ruff Prophet Productions LLC
Bailey Leigh Photography
Lily and Hawthorn Photography
Treyvaughn Smith Photography
