We asked some of the brightest folks in the community to open up to us about the most important lesson their business or career has taught them. We’ve highlighted some of those responses below.

Kasie Maple | Kasie Said, Serial Entrepreneur / MSW Student

One of the most important lessons my business has taught me is simply one of my favorite scriptures James 2:17 “Faith without works is dead” meaning I had to have faith my business choices would work. You have to understand that I have been putting in work to get to where I am today since the age of 18 years old. I looked up to a popular influencer younger than me who goes by Jayda Wayda. I remember Jayda was in high school grinding and started an empire. I said man if Jayda can do it and she’s younger than me why can’t I?! I was inspired by her so I started looking into how do I acquire hair bundles to what I call “flip or hustle” with if you will. I am from a small town of Shreveport, Louisiana so I didn’t know anyone publicly doing that in my area back in 2006. So I begin to put in research and came across whole sale vendors looking for hair bundles. In the process I came across everything I loved women accessories! I was thinking man some women in Atlanta was pushing the hair heavy like Belle of Bree and some others that were at the top of their game. I got intimidated and shied away from selling hair. It wasn’t until 2017 after working for several years in various management and team lead positions I was like why not put that same exact energy into my own business. If McDonald’s worried about Burger King we wouldn’t have variety. I said it’s time in fact I’m overdue! So I tapped into my passion of accessories and formed my business Jovahni B from there! The rest was history. Read more>>

Kelley Workman | Integrative nutrition, health coach, Master personal trainer, Pilates instructor, 500 hr Yoga Teacher

Most everything had been done before you and some shape or fashion, So find a good mentor or someone who’s doing something similar that’s doing it successfully and emulate. Iron sharpens iron, get help! Read more>>

Brianna Strickland | Entrepreneur & Writer

The most important lesson my business has taught me is patience. Nothing good comes quick; it is something that gradually builds. I stay consistent by showing up everyday and staying positive. I’m always finding new ways to sharpen my business mindset while I wait. The last thing I want to do is get discouraged and lose focus because “I may not get an order today or any new hits to my website”, so I look into doing things to keep me in line and focused. Read more>>

Laziz Baldwin | Content Creator and Tech Sales

Biggest lesson I have learned is just to never ride to highs too highs and the lows too low.

You’re going to have moments of greatness and moments of failure. It’s just a matter of how you approach them and what you will do next. Read more>>