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Making money feels good. You make the sale, land the client, sign the contract—success!
But Thrivers, making money is only the first step in building a financially healthy business. In this special episode of the Women Thriving in Business podcast, we’re revisiting conversations about what happens after the sale and how women entrepreneurs can prepare their businesses for growth.
Know Your Money
Kathy Svetina and Dee Bowden remind us that business owners need to understand what is happening with their money. That means knowing your numbers, creating financial controls, tracking invoices, and actually collecting the money you earned. As Dee explains, if you can confidently ask for the sale, you should be just as confident asking for your payment.
Prepare for Growth and Build Relationships
What will your business need if it doubles, or grows into the multimillion-dollar company you envision?
Kathy explains how bookkeepers, accountants, and fractional CFOs support different financial needs, while Caitlin Carlson challenges entrepreneurs to build personal wealth instead of reinvesting every dollar back into the business.
Growth also requires people. Gigi Peterkin explains how public relations builds credibility, while Jessica Sinclair reminds us that intentional networking begins with listening. The relationships you build today may create opportunities you cannot predict.
Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable
Unfamiliar numbers can feel uncomfortable. So can collecting an overdue invoice, hiring help, investing outside your company, or walking into a networking event.
But growth requires you to move before everything feels comfortable.
Thrivers, know your money. Build systems for where you’re going. Invest in relationships. And prepare today for the opportunities you want tomorrow.
Let’s keep learning, growing, and thriving in business.
Keep Thriving!
This episode is produced by Skip The Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives: skiptheboringstuff.com.
Ready to take action? Listen to the full episode to hear these incredible women share the specific steps to build your dream business.
Connect with guests featured in this mini episode:
About the Show:
Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.
About the Host:
Nikki is a strategist and transformation coach who believes life is too short not to do what you love. She is passionate about helping entrepreneurs build sustainable companies and supports business leaders in developing the mindset, strategy, and connections to create thriving businesses and build legacy wealth.
Nikki is the CEO of The Bladen Group and an alumna of North Carolina A&T State University and UNC-Chapel Hill.
What does it really take to develop the mindset of a successful woman in business?
In this special mini episode of the Women Thriving in Business podcast, Nikki Rogers revisits conversations about self-care, self-trust, courage, and resilience to explore how successful women learn to lead themselves through uncertainty.
First, know yourself. Jan Hice-Smith explains why you shouldn't save self-care for burnout, crisis, or exhaustion. Self-care is an ongoing leadership practice of paying attention to your needs, advocating for yourself, and recognizing when you need support. Sometimes the biggest hurdle is simply becoming comfortable prioritizing yourself and remembering that asking for help can be part of taking care of yourself.
Next, trust yourself. Becca Powers shares how remembering that she was the “CEO of her life” helped her reconnect with her personal power during a difficult season in her career. Nikki and Becca discuss what happens when you stop assuming you have no options and start asking different questions: What if I stood up for myself? What if I explored something different? What if there is a path that better supports my well-being? Difficult circumstances may affect your choices, but they don’t necessarily mean you are out of options.
Finally, move yourself forward. Nikki explores courage and resilience as practices that require action. Courage means evaluating the risks and moving toward your goals even when you don’t feel completely ready. Resilience means acknowledging difficult circumstances, examining what you can control or influence, learning from the experience, and deciding how you will move forward. Sometimes that also means giving yourself permission to imagine something better waiting on the other side of discomfort.
Thrivers, success does not require eliminating fear, stress, discomfort, or uncertainty. It requires learning how to lead yourself through them.
Know yourself. Trust yourself. Move yourself forward.
Keep Thriving!
This episode is produced by Skip The Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives: skiptheboringstuff.com.
Ready to take action? Listen to the full episode to hear these incredible women share the specific steps to build your dream business.
Connect with guests featured in this mini episode:
About the Show:
Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.
What makes someone a leader people actually want to follow?
In this special Women Thriving in Business mini-episode, Nikki Rogers revisits standout conversations with women redefining leadership through trust, self-awareness, collaboration, mindfulness, and a willingness to grow through discomfort.
Great Workplaces Don’t Happen by Accident
You’ll hear why great leadership starts with understanding yourself. Carise Anderson explains that emotional intelligence requires leaders to recognize and manage their own emotions before they can effectively understand and influence others. She also reminds us that success is rarely an individual accomplishment; we need collaborators, mentors, colleagues, and people willing to invest in our growth.
Start with Yourself
Leadership also requires letting go of perfection. Melba Nicholson shares how becoming an “imperfectionist” gave her permission to pursue the work she actually wanted to do instead of simply doing what she was capable of doing.
Celeste Warren explores what it means to create workplaces where employees can bring their full experiences and perspectives to the table, while Karen Tsuk explains how mindfulness helps leaders respond intentionally instead of being controlled by emotions and everyday triggers.
Success Requires Collaboration, Not Just Intelligence
Finally, Malika Jacobs shares how strong company cultures are built through trust, appreciation, connection, and intentional relationship-building. Her WATER framework (showcasing who you are, appreciation, trust, energizing your team, and repair) offers a practical model for strengthening workplace relationships before challenges arise.
Great leadership isn’t something you establish overnight. It is built day by day through the way you communicate, empower others, manage yourself, and create environments where people feel trusted and valued.
Ready to take action? Listen to the full episode to hear these incredible women share the specific steps to build your dream business.
Connect with guests featured in this mini episode:
Keep Thriving!
This episode is produced by Skip The Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives: skiptheboringstuff.com.
About the Show:
Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.
Are you building a business, or just a job?
Thrivers, in our latest Women Thriving in Business mini-episode, we tackled the essential question: How do you build the business you actually want, rather than just creating a glorified job?
Our expert panel broke down the transition from startup to sustainable enterprise. Here are the key takeaways from the conversation:
Operational Excellence is Your FoundationAlicia Butler Pierre reminded us that documenting your "order to delivery" process is non-negotiable. True operational success isn't just about the final product; it’s about the seamless customer experience happening behind the scenes. Nicole added a critical hiring trigger: if you are bogged down by admin, payroll, or vendor management, you’re losing money. To scale, you must delegate these non-revenue-generating tasks so your energy remains focused on what actually brings in income.
Build with the Exit in MindMichelle Seiler-Tucker challenged us to embrace "AIM" (Always Innovate and Market) to avoid complacency. She urged entrepreneurs to stop building a job and start building a sellable asset from day one. Using her "GPS Exit Model," she stressed that you need a clear destination, a current valuation, and a realistic timeline to build a business that attracts buyers.
Cultivate a Lifelong MindsetEntrepreneurship is, at its core, about answering questions and solving problems for others better than anyone else. Our guests highlighted that success requires a strong support system, including backup plans for your family and finances—and the humility to ask for help. Fenyx Blue reminded us that entrepreneurship is a practice of lifelong learning. Don’t be afraid to reach out to successful leaders for guidance; stay curious, keep learning, and keep innovating.
Ready to take action? Listen to the full episode to hear these incredible women share the specific steps to build your dream business.
Connect with guests featured in this mini episode:
Keep Thriving!
About the Show:
Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.
This episode is produced by Skip The Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives: skiptheboringstuff.com.
Diving into government contracting is no small feat—it’s a bold undertaking requiring courage and a deep grasp of the intricate landscape of policy making and implementation. As this challenging yet rewarding path unfolds, Jennifer Hanks, CEO of MMC Consulting and Co-Founder of Fed Propel Institute, seizes the opportunity with determination.
In this episode, Jennifer shares strategies for building and managing cost-effective teams, navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the unexpected twists of starting MMC Consulting amid pregnancy and parenting during the pandemic. Discover her commitment to shaping the next generation of acquisition professionals and the impactful initiatives of the FedPROPEL Institute, designed to empower women, veterans, and minority-owned businesses.
ADVERTISEMENT: If you are ready to explore entrepreneurship and looking for guidance, book a discovery call with me! With my extensive experience and knowledge, I can help you make a plan before you leap. Visit bladen-group.com/ to book a discovery call with Nikki Rogers.
Tune in to learn more about how she sheds light on the imperative of staying informed, adapting to constant policy and technology changes, and the strategic development necessary to thrive and remain relevant in the ever-evolving government contracting arena.
Thriving Points:
Get to Know the Guest:
Jennifer Hanks, CFCM, NCMA Fellow, is a dedicated small business advocate and is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of MMC Consulting, LLC. MMC Consulting provides acquisition, program, and human capital management to federal and commercial clients with a commitment to delivering innovative solutions to challenges facing the federal government. Jennifer oversees the operations of MMC’s commercial and federal practice with a portfolio that exceeds $1B in value.
As a former warranted contracting officer with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), she obtained domestic and international contracting experience in Afghanistan, Guatemala, and Germany. She has also worked for several large federal contractors that gave her a complete understanding of the full buyer/seller experience and how to provide effective and creative solutions for clients. In addition to her responsibilities as CEO of MMC Consulting, Jennifer is also Co-Founder and Senior Advisor of The FedPROPEL Institute whose mission is to help 10,000 minority-led firms become elite federal contractors over the next decade.
Connect with Jennifer Hanks:
A Team Dklutr Production
A different result requires a different approach.
Aspirations of growth often require a change in methodology in order to achieve new goals. But the mere thought of change scares us. Even when others are willing to give advice or share their experiences, we often cling to the familiar. Our old ways can serve as a comfort blanket.
While it can be uncomfortable to be in a new environment or unfamiliar situation, I want to remind you:
“Don't automatically discount that new way just because it's new or unfamiliar to you.”
Trust the wisdom of those who've walked the path before. Their guidance can help you avoid pitfalls and find shortcuts, ultimately leading you to your destination quicker.
ADVERTISEMENT: If you are ready to explore entrepreneurship and looking for guidance, book a discovery call with me! With my extensive experience and knowledge, I can help you make a plan before you leap. Visit bladen-group.com/ to book a discovery call with Nikki Rogers.
In this episode, I encourage you to ask three important questions to exercise your power of choice effectively:
Be open to exploring new routes and suggestions from other people as it may lead you to bigger and better opportunities. There is more than one way to get to your destination. Some are shortcuts, some have barriers or challenges along the way, and some are longer but provide a better vantage point.
A rich experience is awaiting you if you follow guidance provided by those who have been where you want to go. You never know which new path will help you thrive even more in life and business!
Thriving Points:
About the Show:
Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.
Connect with Nikki:
A Team Dklutr Production
The beauty of the human experience lies in how its meaning evolves over time. For Ronnette Meyers, it all began with her grandmother's front porch beauty salon, where she learned the art of braiding as a young girl. This was her first taste of earning through her skill – the spark that ignited her entrepreneurial journey.
From these humble beginnings, Ronnette became a senior leader in the federal government, which eventually led to her joining her mother's government contracting firm. From there, she forged her own path, founding an IT consulting company, and continuing to blaze trails in govcon for over 13 years. Ronnette has leveraged her business acumen to guide her company in obtaining numerous certifications and flourishing year after year. She’s building an empire that includes, govcon, real estate, hospitality, and performing arts.
ADVERTISEMENT: If you are ready to explore entrepreneurship and looking for guidance, book a discovery call with me! With my extensive experience and knowledge, I can help you make a plan before you leap. Visit bladen-group.com/ to book a discovery call with Nikki Rogers.
Amidst her impressive accomplishments, Ronnette firmly believes in the power of relationships. She emphasizes the significance of trust and confidence in her partnerships, an essential factor in striking a harmonious balance between her professional and personal life.
Listen in to learn more about Ronnette’s journey and how you can apply her insights to your own experiences.
Thriving Points:
Get to Know the Guest:
Ronnette Meyers, President and CEO, has leveraged her extensive experience as a former federal employee and as a senior executive with a multi-million dollar, award-winning government contractor to create JLAN Solutions, a premiere provider of superior IT and management consulting services. Ronnette’s reputation in the government contracting sector is unparalleled, and she is a sought-after partner for engagements of all types. Ronnette is laser-focused on providing superior service and peace of mind to government customers at all levels.
Ronnette is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, the Small Business Administration Emerging Leaders Program, and the Inner City Capital Connections program.
Connect with Ronnette Meyers:
A
Revamping your career is no small feat; it requires strategic thinking and unwavering determination. In a journey marked by calculated risks and meticulous planning, Tasha Jones serves as a role model for transforming apprehension into achievements. She isn't just building a business; she's crafting her legacy through an intentional approach to achieve her envisioned future.
After dedicating more than two decades to government consulting following her service in the US Navy, Tasha made a defining choice to seize control of her career and embark on an independent professional path. This bold decision unearthed a profound purpose: her overarching mission is to create an investment fund by the year 2039 that will provide capital support to businesses and communities.
ADVERTISEMENT: If you are ready to explore entrepreneurship and looking for guidance, book a discovery call with me! With my extensive experience and knowledge, I can help you make a plan before you leap. Visit bladen-group.com/ to book a discovery call with Nikki Rogers.
Tasha’s insights on planning, establishing robust support systems, and exploring the unknown will inspire you to reassess your own career journey.
Don't miss out on this episode; prepare to be captivated by Tasha's compelling story.
Thriving Points:
Get to Know the Guest:
Tasha Jones is a U.S. Navy Veteran and Founder of Twenty39, a data-focused professional services firm leveraging over twenty years of experience primarily in the U.S. Federal, Defense and Intelligence market space. From scaling multi-million-dollar, functionally diverse global portfolios to spearheading multiple high-visibility project turnaround efforts for major IT systems and processes at the US Department of Justice, Ms. Jones is an industry-recognized leader in developing data-informed solutions, turning around “off the rail” projects and “just getting the job done!"
Tasha founded and co-hosts Unveiled: GovCon Stories podcast – to spotlight the true experiences and learned lessons from small business founders in government contracting; and is a Citrine Angels board member, a DC-based angel group of women investing in women.
Connect with Tasha Jones:
It may seem like the worlds of aerospace systems design and organizational development exist in entirely separate realms. But what if we told you they actually are connected in a fascinating way? Well, they are, and in this episode we're diving deep into this convergence with Sonya Hopson.
Sonya is an expert at working within systems, and she sees the world through that lens. Whether at NASA engineering rockets, or assisting various government agencies and commercial clients with strategic planning, she's all about putting the pieces together to develop a cohesive solution.
ADVERTISEMENT: If you are ready to explore entrepreneurship and looking for guidance, book a discovery call with me! With my extensive experience and knowledge, I can help you make a plan before you leap. Visit bladen-group.com/ to book a discovery call with Nikki Rogers.
Join us as we embark on Sonya's remarkable journey, from her early days as a practicing engineer to her impactful work at NASA. Discover how she transitioned into an unexpected role that led to teaching resume writing in a detention center, and eventually founded her own consulting business. Throughout her story, you'll learn what it truly means to perceive the world as a series of interconnected systems and how you can leverage that perspective in your own business.
This is an episode you don't want to miss, as it offers valuable insights into Sonya Hopson's career and worldview.
Thriving Points:
Get to Know the Guest:
Sonya Hopson is a Strategic Partner of DVIRC and the CEO of Sage Services Group LLC. For over 20 years, Sonya has provided leadership on mission-critical projects with a diverse range of public and private organizations to improve performance and strengthen organizational effectiveness.
Over the last 13 years, Sonya has provided Training and Development, Organizational Design and Development, and Strategic Planning support to nearly twenty different Federal agencies, State government offices, and commercial clients. Sage has established a history of helping leaders and organizations in navigating challenging situations. They excel in bringing leaders and their teams together to identify strengths and limitations and agree on goals.
Connect with Sonya Hopson:
Other resources mentioned:
How do you transition from working in the corporate to finally starting and leading your own business?
While it’s not entirely impossible—I know a lot of people who took a leap of faith and started their own entrepreneurial journey—it takes a special kind of courage, especially for women and women of color to transition from the corporate setting to leading their own companies.
So really, how do you do this?
For Lesa Adeboye, CEO of Alliance Group, it’s a matter of presenting your authentic self and building genuine relationships. With her mantra of “where there’s a will, there’s a way,” Lesa reminds us that it’s not about being good at everything, but it’s about knowing how to make real partnerships and identify the best people to engage when opportunities arise.
ADVERTISEMENT: If you are ready to explore entrepreneurship and looking for guidance, book a discovery call with me! With my extensive experience and knowledge, I can help you make a plan before you leap. Visit bladen-group.com/ to book a discovery call with Nikki Rogers.
In this episode, Lesa and I talk about her knowledge of govcon and how the desire for freedom motivated her to start her successful business after over 20 years in corporate.
Thriving Points:
Get to Know the Guest:
Lesa Adeboye, the CEO of Alliance Group, has over 25 years of federal government contracting experience. Alliance Group's corporate capabilities include management consulting, professional and administrative services, and visual communications (film, animation, and graphic design). Before becoming a business owner, Lesa served in roles that include Director of Contracts and Procurement, Director of Business Development, and Executive Program Director, for Fortune 500, mid-sized, and small businesses.
Connect with Lesa Adeboye:
Other resources mentioned:
About the Show:
Women Thriving in Business features candid unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, business experts, authors, and academics aimed at contributing to business success. This weekly show provides interviews with business leaders who have built, grown, and are thriving in business. Nikki A. Rogers, host of the show, also discusses achievements, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners to develop the mindset, strategies, and connections necessary to thrive in business. Whether you are just starting or you have been in business for decades, WTiB offers inspiration, strategies, and resources to help you THRIVE in business.
Connect with Nikki:
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