Follow the Leader

(Running a Foundation)…”It sounds good on paper, but it is a lot of work!”
Some might look at Kimberly Alexander and judge her life by what she’s lost. In 2010 Kimberly’s husband, NFL linebacker Elijah Alexander, passed away due to complications from multiple myeloma (cancer of the bone marrow). As a stay-at-home mother of two, Kimberly decided that was the time to reinvent herself. A better way to judge Kimberly Alexander TODAY is by how much she has given back.
Kimberly is very active in the field of philanthropy and picked up where her husband left off by becoming an advocate for cancer patients and caregivers, as well as supporting health care initiatives for athletes. She also established KimCONNECTS, a boutique consulting firm that helps create business opportunities for her top-tier clients.
This episode marks my first Guest Leader who comes from the not-for-profit world. We talk about living through an unspeakable tragedy and using that experience to make real change in this world.
You can learn more at KimConnects.com, or follow her on social media @TheKimberlyAlexander

"Stuff like the names and colors...it does have a factor, but it shouldn't be something that you have to have."
Human interaction can be one of the biggest strengths of your business, but also a huge weakness when it comes to security. Tiffany Ricks knows that, and through her company Hacware, Inc. she's hoping to prevent threats rather than react to them. Along the way, she's learned a lot of lessons about going with your gut, listening to feedback, and not being so married to your ideas that you're afraid to let them go.
Tiffany Ricks has lead software teams for the one of the largest defense contractors and Fortune 100 companies. She has been featured at SXSW for a clean technology app that disrupted the transportation industry. Tiffany has over 10 years experience in the software development industry. She has also been featured in Tech.co, Dallas Business Journal, LaunchDFW, and many other tech and entrepreneur publications.
Learn more about Tiffany and Hacware, Inc. at http://www.hacware.com

"Am I making this an either/or choice when it could be a both/and choice?"
Elayne Fluker's credits in the media world are almost too long to list - from starting at Essence more than 20 years ago to launching Chic Rebellion TV and the podcast "Support is Sexy." As a speaker, media coach, consultant, and content producer, Elayne is committed to creating opportunities for women to share their stories. And she says all of that starts with leaving behind your comfort zone and telling the universe that you're serious.
Are you thinking too small about what could be possible for you? What is the power of podcasting? Why should a leader not be counted on to have all of the answers?
Learn more about Chic Rebellion Media at Contentforwomen.com
Learn more about the podcast booking service Girl on Podcast at Girlonpodcast.com
Learn more about Elayne's podcast at supportissexy.com
Learn more about Chanel Christoff Davis at www.ddhtax.com or on social media @SalesTaxHelp

"You've got to get some ouch on you."
You might not think of pest control as the place to find exceptional customer service, but Genma Stringer Holmes did. From when she was little, selling Girl Scout cookies, Genma found that getting to know the customer was the key to success. And now, after having built up a successful radio show and consulting business in addition, she says one of the secrets to success is to be present at all times and get a little "ouch" on you.
Learn more about Chanel Christoff Davis at www.ddhtax.com or on social media @SalesTaxHelp

"Marketing isn't brain surgery - it's consistency."
From attorney to marketing genius, Laurel Mintz made a huge career shift when starting her firm Elevate My Brand. Running a fully digital firm, Mintz was ready to capitalize on the shifting trends in the 21st century, but the only thing constant in marketing and PR is change. How are people pushing back against the online world? How can an event drive content? What is the big mistake companies are making when it comes to marketing?
Learn more about Laurel Mintz and Elevate My Brand at https://www.elevatemybrand.com/
Learn more about Chanel Christoff Davis at www.ddhtax.com or on social media @SalesTaxHelp

"If you get a seat at the table, use your seat at the table."
Dr. Karmetria Burton has dedicated her professional life to ensuring diversity in the business world, including her current position as the General Manager Supply Chain Management- Supplier Diversity at Delta. What are the particular challenges she has found for women in leadership roles? Why is it so important to have a playbook when you're trying to build future leaders? And what is the simple, yet powerful, statement that red lipstick can make?
Be sure to follow Dr. Burton on social media @drkarmetriaburton
Learn more about her leadership training and book her as a speaker at https://www.karmetriaburton.com/
Find out more about her "Paint Your Lips Red" Foundation at https://www.paintyourlipsred.com/
Learn more about Chanel Christoff Davis at www.ddhtax.com or on social media @SalesTaxHelp

"You're a professional, and people are going to listen to what you say based on how you say it."
Kicking off a new season of Follow the Leader is the host herself, Chanel Cristoff Davis! The tables are turned in this episode that was recorded as a pilot of sorts for this podcast. Hear about her early days as a young entrepreneur, working with a spouse, and some of her more hidden talents.
Learn more about Chanel Christoff Davis at www.ddhtax.com or on social media @SalesTaxHelp

"The award is not the reward."
There might not be a better guest for "Follow the Leader" than Janice Bryant Howroyd. For decades she's been synonymous with entrepreneurship and women leadership. She credits her business success to another woman in her life: her mother. She's also not afraid of the younger "millennials" in the workforce, calling herself the most mature millennial there is. Janice talks about how to hire, why skills are less important than attitude, and how she does her best not to give back, but to "give forward."
Learn more about Chanel Christoff Davis at www.ddhtax.com or on social media @SalesTaxHelp

"We weren't ready for the money."
Obviously one of the biggest things you need to scale your business is money. Psyche Terry of UI Global Brands LLC looked high and low for investors, and ultimately found a couple very close to home. But with that money came many lessons. Psyche explains why the best investors can also be your closest advisors, why the last thing that lenders care about is your race or gender, and why you shouldn't get too greedy. Psyche went from working for someone else to having her products in 7,500 stores across the country. Follow her journey from employee to leader!
Learn more about Chanel Christoff Davis at www.ddhtax.com or on social media @SalesTaxHelp

"In our society, we don't encourage people to make choices."
Dealing with family can be tough. Being a third-generation business owner is a whole other challenge. Jessica Johnson-Cope took over her family business in 2008, Johnson Security Bureau. She says challenges don't even come close to outweighing the benefits of learning business tips around the dinner table. She'll also talk about the importance of keeping the business in the neighborhood where she grew up, and giving back to those that helped her as she was growing up.
You can learn more about Jessica at http://www.johnsonsecuritybureau.com/
Learn more about Chanel Christoff Davis at www.ddhtax.com or on social media @SalesTaxHelp