Business Scale Insights

On today's episode of Business Scale Insights, crisis communications expert LJ Wilson share her knowledge, experience and insight on how small businesses can effectively lead during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

  LJ has worked for over 15 years as a communications director and manager for various corporations and non-profits.  She is the Founder and Principal of LJW Social Media & PR Strategies.  During this podcast, she provides educates small business owners on crisis leadership strategies for small business owners.

If you are a small business owner and you do not have a crisis communications plan or strategy, reach out to LJ today.  This could impact your reputation and brand for years to come!

Her website and Linked In bio are below:

https://ljw-social-media-pr.constantcontactsites.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lj-wilson-m-a-74282025/

On today's episode of Business Scale Insights, crisis communications expert LJ Wilson share her knowledge, experience and insight on how small businesses can effectively communicate with employees, clients and the broader community during COVID-19.  LJ has worked for over 15 years as a communications director and manager for various corporations and non-profits.  She is the Founder and Principal of LJW Social Media & PR Strategies.  During this podcast, she provides educates small business owners on exactly what crsisi communications entails and how to effectively execute a crisis communications plan.  

If you are a small business owner and you do not have a crisis communications plan or strategy, reach out to LJ today.  This could impact your reputation and brand for years to come!  

Her website and Linked In bio are below: 

https://ljw-social-media-pr.constantcontactsites.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lj-wilson-m-a-74282025/

We conclude our Back to School series with an interview of Dr. Khia Thomas. 

Dr. Khia Thomas (pronounced: ‘Kee-yah’) is a proud graduate of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and the University of Michigan, where she earned a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology.

Thanks to her hard work, motivation, and persistence at Stanton College Preparatory School, in Jacksonville, Florida, she embarked on her college career with several academic scholarships under her belt. She graduated without having to pay a dime in college costs. She doubled down on a doctoral fellowship at the University of Michigan, which paid for virtually all costs associated with her Ph.D. program.

As a psychologist, Dr. Khia forged an area of research expertise in adolescent development and the transition to adulthood, and has presented at national conferences and published in academic journals and texts. She began her post-graduate career in mental health research, and soon found herself longing to return to higher education. In 2011, she accepted a full-time faculty position at Broward College, and has earned high praise as a gifted teacher, mentor, and student advocate.

Dr. Khia is a self-professed psychology nerd and a cheerleader for student potential and possibilities. After fielding tons of questions on college and career (who better to ask than a professor?), she embarked upon mastering a new skillset: college admissions consulting. Currently, she is a candidate for certificate in Independent Educational Consulting through the University of California at Irvine.

A unique set of experiences shapes Dr. Khia’s expertise as an educational consultant. She has over 20+ years invested in the field of higher education. She clears up myths, misconceptions, and getting-into-college confusion with rock solid information. She walks her talk as a mentor who is there for students – personally and professionally – and truly derives satisfaction in helping students achieve their highest potential.

 Her company, Admissionisms, provides the following services: 

www.admissionisms.com/

 If you need individualized guidance, tailored advice, and hands-on support, that’s where we step in.

Pre-college counseling is essential in helping students:

Student works with us on a one-on-one basis (with regular parent check-ins!), with a high degree of personalized care, time, and attention. They are strategically steered through a process of identifying “best fit” colleges where your student is likely to thrive, supported with customized application plans to ensure that no important date is left behind, and help crafting applications that speak to their unique strengths, interests, and stand out from the crowd.

We are  continuing our Back to School series with the owner of American Professional Martial Arts, Sensei Tony Hall. 

Sensei Tony began his Martial Arts Training at 9 years old in Fort Lauderdale Florida. While training towards Black Belt in a Kenpo based blended style of Martial Arts, Tony loved to help teach classes and assist instructors in everyday activities.

At 13 Years old Tony received his 1st Degree Black Belt. After Graduating from High School tony Enlisted in the United States Marines. There he studied the Marine Corps Martial arts Program becoming a Brown Belt and getting a Honorable Discharge as a Sgt after 5 years of Service and one tour overseas.

After leaving the Marines, Sensei Tony became a Police Officer for the City of Auburn, AL, where he served 5 Years and also filled the role of Self Defense Instructor on Auburn University.

In 2012, Sensei Tony relocated to be closer to his family and began working with the Martial Arts school that he originally received his Black Belt. Realizing his passion for training and teaching again, He purchased a school in Boca Raton in 2013 and that school is now American Professional Martial Arts.

Sensei Tony believes a Family that kicks together sticks together. His wife Jennifer is a Black Belt and his two sons train actively as well.

At American Professional Martial Arts in Boca Raton,  builds up students dedicated instruction and unwavering support.

The Kids Martial Arts program uses the excitement of kicks and punches to challenge a child's mind, help them stay physically active, and instill in them a wide range of skills and values that will carry them onto success in all aspects of life.

Business Scale Insights continues our focus on Back to School issues facing Parents and Children with Dana Cahn.  Dana Cahn is the Founder and CEO of F.A.C.E.S., Family and Co-Parenting Enrichment Services. F.A.C.E.S is a resource center for families going through divorce, separation, paternity and post-dissolution issues so that the emotional well-being of children is enhanced. 

Back to School can be a difficult transition period.  However, navigating the communication and emotional issues with parents and children going through a divorce can become almost impossible without help.  Dana Cahn provides very real-world, practical advice for parents going through that in this episode. 

If you live in South Florida and are going through a divorce, FACES has the resources you need to transition into healthy co-parenting.  The services include but are not limited to:

1- Co- Parenting Classes

2-  Supervised Visitation

3-Monitored Exchanges

4-Private Sessions

5- Therapeutic Supervised Sessions

6- Anger Management Classes and More!

Check out the website for details: https://www.faces.family

We continued our focus on children's focused services and business in August by interviewing the incredible Dr. Deborah Tillman.  Dr. Deborah is a familiar face to so many as she has appeared on Lifetime TV's Supernanny series.  She is a force of nature and shares her riveting personal story of how she started her child care services and how they have expanded and now have an impact around the world.   You really do NOT want to miss this episode. 

Deborah L. Tillman is a Consultant, Speaker, Author, Founder of Happy Home Christian Leadership Academy for Early Learners and “America’s Supernanny” on Lifetime Television. Labeled “A Force for Good” by The Washington Post, Tillman has a deep passion for children.  She began her career over twenty-five years ago when she became frustrated with the lack of quality childcare her son was receiving and as a result, quit her lucrative accounting job and started her own successful childcare center in 1994.

Dr. Deborah holds a Masters’ Degree in Early Childhood Special Education from George Washington University and a Doctorate in Education from the Richmond Virginia Seminary.  She has also studied at Oxford University, Magdalen College in England. Among her many accomplishments, Deborah has been a recurring parenting expert on the HARRY and Steve Harvey Daytime Talk Shows.  She has also been seen on The View, Today Show, Katie Show, Wendy Williams, Great Day Washington, and CNN to name a few.  In 2018, Deborah was asked to join the faculty of the #1 Leadership Expert, John Maxwell Team to create parenting and family content all over the world.

She is the author of Stepping out On Faith - How to Open a Quality Childcare Center and Parenting on Purpose: A Menu for Raising Children in Today’s Society.  In 2017, Deborah designed an online Greater Parenting System (GPS) that supports parents as they become the best version of themselves so that their children have every opportunity to reach their fullest potential and Divine Destiny.  She also created her own childcare curriculum called “The Guiding Light:” from infants through five-year-olds.

Lifetime Television Executives have called her “a miracle worker” but Deborah is “a proud mom” and humble servant doing the work of the Lord with a LIGHT shining bright for children and families everywhere.  Dr. Deborah currently resides in Northern Virginia with her son Zeplyn who graduated from Georgetown University.

For more information about Dr. Deborah and her work visit the site: 

www.deborahtillman.com

Business Scale Insights kicked off a series on children focused services and business this month in light of "Back to School" season.   The first interview in the series was with John Lipetz, CEO and Founder of Fish and Explore in Falls Church, VA. https://www.fishandexplore.com/guides-tours/

Fish and Explore enables children and adults to learn and enjoy outdoor activities in a safe environment.  Children in particular who previously do not express interest in nature and the environment often become enamored with FAE's work and become outdoor lovers for LIFE!

Fish and Explore is a experiential learning leader dedicated to developing programs that are well suited for all ages.  

The focus is on youth programs, which are structured around elements that naturally excite children – Animals, Water, and a little Dirt! Our programs build confidence in a natural way, by providing guided instruction to introduce anyone to the outdoors while allowing them to explore their abilities. 

Be it through fishing, exploring, or both, FAE engages all explorers in the wonders of the great outdoors in a safe and fun environment.

FAE is looking to expand its footprint beyond the Washington, DC/metro area and is looking to partner with interested franchisees around the country.  If you enjoy the outdoors and children, this may be just the right business for you. 

For more information about franchise opportunities, click on the website. 

https://www.fishandexplore.com/franchise/

https://www.fishandexplore.com

We closed out this series on Branding with Nick Nelson, CEO of Brandprenuer, and Michelle Talbert, CEO of Her Power Moves.  This episode is chock full of wisdom and insight on why branding is so critically important for small businesses and small business owners and what branding is ALL about.  So, you definitely want to listen and share this episode with friends and colleagues. 

Nick F. Nelson is an entertainment marketer, author, and motivational speaker.  Nelson is an innovative force and has produced targeted marketing and communications strategies for some of television’s highest rated shows and more than 20 number-one box office films.

Nelson’s keen ability for connecting brands to targeted consumers through entertainment, has led to him working with leading consumer, brands. Most notable include Disney, ESPN, General Mills, HBO, NBC, STARZ, Warner Bros. Pictures and Walmart.

Recognized as the “Agency Marketer of the Year” by the Atlanta Chapter of the American Marketing Association in 2012, Nelson became the first, and only, African-American to receive the honor in its more than 50-years of existence.

Michelle Y. Talbert is the CEO of Her Power Moves and is hosting a Branding unNetworking event in South Florida on Saturday, August 17, 2019 and Nick Nelson will be the featured guest and speaker.  http://herpowermoves.com/ 

To reach Nick or book with him, please connect with him here:  https://www.brandprenuer.com/about