Balance Boldly for Ambitious Women in Business

On this episode of the Balance Boldly Podcast with Naketa R. Thigpen, listeners are in for an insiders treat! Meet Suzanne Ghee, President and CEO of Thrive Public Affairs, best known by insiders as Supernova. Suzanne's reign, just like her inner light, has become increasingly brighter with each opportunity she's taken to advocate for community members who benefit from this unassuming powerhouse. Exuding the true definition of R.O.Y.A.L behavior with every consulting and philanthropic project she aligns herself and her brand with, Suzanne Ghee stands true to her core guiding principles to treat others as she'd want herself and her family to be treated, regardless of socioeconomic background, environment or hereditary pedigree. More about Suzanne Ghee:Healthcare strategist, community advocate and feminist Suzanne Ghee is the President and CEO of Thrive Public Affairs, a recently launched consulting firm. Before becoming an entrepreneur, she was Head of Community Health Engagement at Virtua Health System spearheading disruptive solutions to complex social issues. During her career, Ghee has a history of thoughtfully growing organizational brand through purposeful advocacy, social impact and public affairs. In 2018, she was named Community Advocate of the Year by the National Association of Women Business Owners South Jersey and is also the recipient of a National Innovation Award by the American Heart Association for her work in creating and launching the Virtua Mobile Farmers Market program, the largest of its kind in the country. Suzanne has spent her career working tirelessly to create partnerships with other community organizations, government officials, advocacy groups and nonprofit trade associations to advance health and well-being. She has over 18 years of experience and prior to joining Virtua; Suzanne worked at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) in the Office of Government Affairs, Community Relations and Advocacy which directed the local and national advocacy initiatives for the nation’s number one children’s hospital. Before joining CHOP, she worked for the American College of Physicians on national healthcare issues affecting medical students and resident physicians.Suzanne has a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Temple University and a Master of Science Degree in Public Administration concentrating in Health Policy from Widener University. Suzanne serves on the Board of Trustees to the Food Bank of South Jersey, The Board of Trustees to the Cherry Hill Free Clinic and as an Advisory Board Member to the NJ New Leaders Council. Suzanne is a Member of the Forum of Executive Women, Philadelphia Chapter and also NAWBO SJ. In 2016, Suzanne started Virtua’s first affinity group — The Women in Leadership Network which advocates for women to learn, network and grow within the organization. In 2019, she co-founded “Deborah Reed,” a mastermind group for women in Southern New Jersey. The group is named after Ben Franklin’s wife, which honors Franklin’s mastermind group who envisioned and opened the Philadelphia Free Library in 1731.Contact Suzanne via www.thrivepublicaffairs.com If you loved this episode, subscribe, rate, and share on your favorite podcast app!To find, follow, and connect with Naketa R. Thigpen, visit www.thigpro.com and check out her new weekly livestreams of #LetsTalkIntimacy @asknaketa on IG/YouTube/Facebook every Thursday at 11:30am EST.

On this episode of the Balance Boldly Podcast for Ambitious Women In Business (and a few brave men), Naketa Thigpen interviews a bold, brave, and resilient woman, Mrs. Shayla Renee! Shayla Renee, has moved beyond intimate partner violence, ,multiple traumas, and found her way into a space of transforming others with a unshakable faith in God, a strong supportive husband, and her gift of leading other women to a path of wholeness. Tune in and find out what Shayla Renee has to share on why you too are worthy of so much more! More about Shayla Renee:Shayla Reneé is a Christ-follower, wife, mother, women’s wellness advocate, speaker, coach, author, entrepreneur, and overcomer.Deep faith in God helped Shayla overcome intimate partner violence, numerous near-death experiences, and other major losses—more trouble than a little girl from a small city should have to endure.Today, by God's grace, Shayla Reneé empowers other women to find purpose and identity in Christ through her highly-acclaimed book HE ALMOST STOLE MY LIFE, as well as “Shay’s Corner” inspirational blog, "Let's Talk About It" uplifting talk video series, and the TRUE Identity Women's Empowerment Program.*Shayla Renee is Available to Speak to Organizations and Associations. For information on Booking or to find out about upcoming products and services, visit her website below. Contact:Web: https://www.ShayWrites.comSpeaker Booking: https://www.shaywrites.com/speaker-booking-formLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ShaylaRPriceInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ShaylaReneeWritesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShaylaReneeWritesEmail: shaylareneewrites@gmail.comPhone: (267) 225-1515Thank you for listening. Visit www.thigpro.com or @asknaketa on Instagram for more work/life (and LOVE) balance tools.

On this episode of the Balance Boldly Podcast for Ambitious Women In Business (and a few brave men), Naketa R. Thigpen sits down with creative, polymath, and healer, Veronica Parker. A special treat during this episode, Veronica guides us with a taste of her stress-relieving technique that connects your energy as it expands your awareness about the power of your own ability to tap into your self-healing power. A little more about our Featured Expert:Veronica Parker is a Wellness Mindset Coach, Access Bars Facilitator, Certified Kundalini Yoga & Meditation teacher. She absolutely loves playing in the field of infinite possibilities inviting others to expand and reach beyond the sky. What if the sky wasn't the limit but a brand new beginning of what has yet to be created?Veronica is the Creatrix & host of the 5 star iTunes rated podcast Live Your Happy Now! She has been featured in Forbes, Shape, Elite Daily, Pop Sugar, Bustle, Prevention, I am & Co and Thrive Global.Would you like to come & play in the field of infinite possibilities together?Veronica is available for private sessions, coaching, classes and training certifications.https://www.veronicaparker44.com/https://www.accessconsciousness.com/veronicaparkerhttps://www.facebook.com/pg/Veronicaparker44/https://www.instagram.com/veronicaparker_44/https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/live-your-happy-now/id1435702835accessmoreofyou@gmail.comFREE GIFT: http://www.VeronicaParker44.com/Trust: Receive your free meditation to help you dissolve fear and doubt as you positively activate the power of trust in your life. How does it get any better than this?For more work/life (and LOVE) balance tools, subscribe to Balance Boldly to be notified of all new episodes and Follow Naketa @asknaketa on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.Thanks for tuning in!

On this episode of the Balance Boldly Podcast for Ambitious Women In Business (and a few brave men), Naketa R. Thigpen talks about the necessity to admit your choice. If you continue to choose certain actions, reactions, and inactions than you need to deal with the consequence just as much as you'd like to receive the benefits of those choices. The Selfish September Specials are solo episodes and nothing is held back. To continue the conversation and more, join the Intimacy Advantage Clinic (IAC) on Slack http://bit.ly/IntimacyAdvantageClinicNow Go, Create Your Balance and Create Your Joy, but do it, BOLDLY.Thank you for listening. Thank you for listening.

In this solo episode for the Selfish September series, Naketa R. Thigpen dives in and shares some of the pitfalls, triumphs and some of the more complex moments she's experienced from September 2018 through September 2019. A year can make a huge difference in your life, regardless of how it began and Naketa opens up with just how much. Starting with the important takeaway of limiting people's access to you to avoid burnout! Thank you for listening.

Tune in and find out how giving yourself permission to pause can propel your life and work forward exponentially. This is one of four Selfish September 2019 Episodes with Naketa R. Thigpen in full-on solo/rant mode. A rarity you don't want to miss. Subscribe, rate and share. Thank you for listening.

With the passion for serving others, Jennifer Tyler-Washington is the Chief Etiquette Officer of I Am Polished, LLC, where she and her team help their clients learn about the different kinds of etiquette. Some of their services include business etiquette, social etiquette, professional development, and customer care workshops. With more than a decade of serving others through their catering business, Jennifer continues to be of service by equipping people with the skills they need to show up as their best selves so they can reach the next level.Jennifer joins me, Naketa R. Thigpen today to share how she realized that there is more to etiquette than table rules and manners. She dives into her passion for serving others and debunks the common myths regarding when people hear the word ‘etiquette.’ Jennifer also shares the elements in life covered by etiquette, and the part that mindfulness plays in learning not only about etiquette but also about life, in general.“Etiquette covers life - the whole spectrum. It’s the way we treat each other.” - Jennifer Tyler-WashingtonThis Week on the Balance Boldly for Ambitious Women In Business Podcast:●Jennifer’s entrepreneurial journey and how she got started with helping people with their own etiquette.●How her catering business Touch by You Catering started.●Why going back in the corporate world didn’t work out for her after the pivot that happened in her life.●How to show up the right way when meeting with clients and partners.●Why you should always be mindful of how you treat others.●The common but incorrect notion people have about etiquette.●Why Jennifer conducts her etiquette workshops the way she does.●The source of burnout among entrepreneurs and global leaders.●Why you need to make sure you’re growing all the time.●The significance of engaging with others.A Little Permission to Pause:●Schedule your time off to reflect where you are, where you want to be, and where you came from. Appreciate your life as well as how God is using you.Connect with Jennifer Tyler-Washington:●I Am Polished Website- https://iampolished.com/●LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-tyler-washington-82164b3●Twitter- https://twitter.com/Ampolished●Phone Numbers: 973 715 9320 or 856 481 2474Subscribe, Share & Balance BoldlyOn the Balance Boldly Podcast, host Naketa R. Thigpen talks with ambitious women in business (and a few brave men) from a wide array of industries about their pursuit of success, how they face business burnout and what work/life balance looks like for them. Not your conventional self-help podcast, Balance Boldly uncovers real solutions to real problems afflicting real people at home and in the workplace, daily. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, Spreaker, iHeart Radio, or Google Play to subscribe to the show and leave your honest review.Connect with me, Naketa R. Thigpen @asknaketa on IG, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Now Go. Create Your Balance. Create Your Joy. But remember, do it, BOLDLY!Thank you for listening!am help their clients learn about the different kinds of etiquette. Some of their services include business etiquette, social etiquette, professional development, and customer care workshops. With more than a decade of serving others through their catering business, Jennifer continues to be of service to others today by equipping them with the skills they need to show up in their best selves so they can take themselves, their clients, and their team to...

Chantelle Fitzgerald is the founder of Mindset Strategies, LLC, where she equips leaders with the training and tools they need to become the best version of themselves. She is a certified mindfulness and emotional intelligence trainer and the host of the online show Mindset on RVNTV, where she converses with industry leaders about the challenges they encounter and the mindset they have to press on. Before founding her business, Chantelle was a French instructor, studied abroad, and worked for international education.Chantelle joins me, Naketa R. Thigpen today to share how she figured out the need for equipping the workforce on how to deal with sticky and tricky situations in the workplace. She dives into the different professional situations that impact how we see ourselves as well as her personal stories that show how she recovered from depression. Chantelle also explains the meaning of the acronym PAUSE in her online course The Power of The Pause and how your mindset, thoughts, and the things you say to yourself affect your response and your ability to ‘get up’ and move forward.“We say there is power in the PAUSE because if you can pause, there is power to figure out what your next best move will be, and that could save you from a lot of headaches later.” - Chantelle FitzgeraldThis Week on the Balance Boldly for Ambitious Women In Business Podcast:●Examples of sticky and tricky situations in the workplace●Why it’s necessary to take a step back and reflect on life●Why there is power in the pause●The time in Chantelle’s life when mindfulness became her savior●How to change your mindset and your thoughts that are causing your problems●How the tools Chantelle used as a performer growing up hurt her desire to be someone in their next-level game of mindfulness and mindset ●How to move past survival into thriving●A life-changing tool that helps people who are suffering to open up to youA Little Permission to Pause:●Meditate daily. Be self-aware enough to know when you need a break. Constantly improve yourself.Connect with Chantelle Fitzgerald:●Mind Strategies, LLC- https://www.mindsetstrategiesllc.com/●LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/chantellefitzgerald●Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/chantelle.fitzgerald.3●Twitter- https://twitter.com/Chantelle_Fitz●Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/powerinthepauseSubscribe, Share & Balance BoldlyOn the Balance Boldly Podcast, host Naketa R. Thigpen talks with ambitious women in business (and a few brave men) from a wide array of industries about their pursuit of success, how they face business burnout and what work/life balance looks like for them. Not your conventional self-help podcast, Balance Boldly uncovers real solutions to real problems afflicting real people at home and in the workplace, daily. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, Spreaker, iHeart Radio, or Google Play to subscribe to the show and leave your honest review.Connect with me, Naketa R. Thigpen @asknaketa on IG, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Now Go. Create Your Balance. Create Your Joy. But remember, do it, BOLDLY!Thank you for listening!

Trudy Tchume-Johnson is the Hematology Social Work Manager and newborn screening coordinator at the Division of Hematology of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Her over two decades of experience working with the chronically ill and 17 years of working with Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center of CHOP allowed her to experience and support the sickle community from a local to a global scope. Trudy enhances her spiritual consciousness by spending time with her family and friends as well as celebrating her moments alone, thinking, dancing, and traveling.Trudy joins me today to share how she rebounds and reclaims the conversation as she finds her balance professionally as a social worker and personally as a mother of three. She explains why walking away from negative conversations and situations does not imply weakness or incapacity to deal with stressful situations. Trudy also shares how to have less drama in your life and why it is crucial to nurture your spiritual self.“You have to understand why you’re using a word at that moment and how you can rebound and reclaim the conversation in a way that’s fruitful and purposeful and supportive.” - Trudy Tchume-JohnsonThis Week on the Balance Boldly for Ambitious Women In Business Podcast:●One of the primary reasons why it’s important to have self-care practices●What she does to balance expectations and reality in her family●Why allowing people to ‘just be’ and not fix them is the most challenging thing for her to do●The group of people to surround yourself with when dealing with challenging circumstances●The hardest relationships to honor ●How she became the mom that she is now●How she learned to actively understand the teachings and spiritual parables she learnedA Little Permission to Pause:●Reflect daily on quotes and when wisdom shows up.Connect with Trudy Tchume-Johnson:●LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/trudy-tchume-johnson-9a6b4a90Subscribe, Share & Balance BoldlyOn the Balance Boldly Podcast, host Naketa R. Thigpen talks with ambitious women in business (and a few brave men) from a wide array of industries about their pursuit of success, how they face business burnout and what work/life balance looks like for them. Not your conventional self-help podcast, Balance Boldly uncovers real solutions to real problems afflicting real people at home and in the workplace, daily. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, Spreaker, iHeart Radio, or Google Play to subscribe to the show and leave your honest review.Connect with me, Naketa R. Thigpen @asknaketa on IG, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Now Go. Create Your Balance. Create Your Joy. But remember, do it, BOLDLY!Thank you for listening!

Joanna Jane of JB Enterprises is a Licensed Financial Coach and Economic Change Agent who believes in investing in herself and others. Her multiple passions allow her to help small business owners and middle-income families create purposeful finance plans as well as those who seek quality living through the community development company she founded. With years of experience as a social worker, Joanna continues to grow personally and professionally, especially in the areas of wealth creation, healthy decision-making, and personal development.Joanna joins me today to share how not to get caught up with the titles that society places on you. She discusses what you can do if you’re in a position where you’re questioning your power, ability to move forward, and grow in love and life. Joanna also shares the things she is willing to sacrifice so she can pause and take a break to recharge on a daily and quarterly basis.“I decided not to box myself in by my degrees and certifications and just focus on God’s work, and allow the degrees and certifications to be a key to get me in the room.” - Joanna JaneThis Week on the Balance Boldly for Ambitious Women In Business Podcast:●What an economic change agent is●How to remain open after dealing so much with the things you dealt with●Potential reasons why you’re not listening to the voice inside of you●How to ask for the people who will help you grow●Why her two big words in 2019 are being intentional and executing●Why it’s necessary to take off your ‘armor’ and get more intimate with others●The moment when you can truly enjoy being an entrepreneur ●The one thing she wished she could have done even from the beginning of her business ●How she sets aside money for her quarterly “Me Time” retreatA Little Permission to Pause:●Take advantage of the loopholes throughout the day. Do a quarterly resort retreat for yourself. Make sure you’re delegating authority. Resource Mentioned:●Crystal Springs Resort- https://www.facebook.com/CrystalSpringsResort/Connect with Joanna Jane:●JB Enterprises Website- http://www.jbenterprises.co.uk/●Link for Financial Consultation Session- https://calendly.com/jbenterprises●Ohara Development- http://www.oharadev.com/●Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/j_b_enterprises/●Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/joanna.bartholomew.3Subscribe, Share & Balance BoldlyOn the Balance Boldly Podcast, host Naketa R. Thigpen talks with ambitious women in business (and a few brave men) from a wide array of industries about their pursuit of success, how they face business burnout and what work/life balance looks like for them. Not your conventional self-help podcast, Balance Boldly uncovers real solutions to real problems afflicting real people at home and in the workplace, daily. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, Spreaker, iHeart Radio, or Google Play to subscribe to the show and leave your honest review.Connect with me, Naketa R. Thigpen @asknaketa on IG, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Now Go. Create Your Balance. Create Your Joy. But remember, do it, BOLDLY!Thank you for listening!

Ritu Chopra is the founder and president of Everest Consulting LLC and has over 22 years of experience in Fortune 500 companies. Her decades of experience in IT management paved the way for her to become a motivational leadership coach. She is an author, TV show host, an advocate for domestic violence and prevention efforts, film producer, and director of multi-awarded film documentaries about domestic violence that help victims and survivors find their way back to recovery and new life.Ritu joins me, Naketa R. Thigpen today to share how she moved forward and had a sense of peace and tranquility despite the undesirable things that happened to her that were out of her control. She dives into the critical role that self-analysis plays in a person’s recovery and understanding of oneself, strengths, and ambition. She also shares how the undesirable experience in her life led her to her advocacy as she continues to meet and listen to wonderful women - all with inspiring stories of survival and recovery.“Balance is admitting what you want and creating the boundaries to go after it and having the courage to do that.” - Ritu ChopraThis Week on the Balance Boldly for Ambitious Women In Business Podcast:●The first steps to take to be at ease with what’s happening in your life●The different kinds of teachers that can educate us●Where to find the motivation to move forward●How to achieve true happiness●When she realized she had to make the most of what life threw at her●How her ambition pushed her to carry on●Two significant traits that allow survivors to grow●How her sense of humor helped her in difficult circumstances●Ritu’s take on women being good about blaming themselves●How your work becomes enjoyableA Little Permission to Pause:●Give yourself self-care time and understand what your need is - spiritually or physically - to be in peace.Connect with Ritu Chopra:●Everest Group Website- https://www.everestgrp.com/●Lead My Way Website- http://leadmyway-usa.org/ritu-chopra/●The Art of Life Book- https://www.amazon.com/Art-Life-Ritu-Chopra/dp/1594536627●Mastering Life Book - https://rituchopra.com/books/●Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/LeadMyWayHelpsDVSurvivors/Subscribe, Share & Balance BoldlyOn the Balance Boldly Podcast, host Naketa R. Thigpen talks with ambitious women in business (and a few brave men) from a wide array of industries about their pursuit of success, how they face business burnout and what work/life balance looks like for them. Not your conventional self-help podcast, Balance Boldly uncovers real solutions to real problems afflicting real people at home and in the workplace, daily. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, Spreaker, iHeart Radio, or Google Play to subscribe to the show and leave your honest review.Connect with me, Naketa R. Thigpen @asknaketa on IG, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Now Go. Create Your Balance. Create Your Joy. But remember, do it, BOLDLY!Thank you for listening!

Deanna Deacon motivates women to be strong and successful by harnessing their innate feminine energy to achieve growth and prosperity, all while experiencing happiness and a deep sense of fulfillment. She is a spiritual personal trainer who employs mindset alchemy, energy healing, and has a knack for unlocking joy, laughter, and energy from anyone and everyone she meets. An empathic coach and a modern-day goddess rolled into one; it is her mission to guide, inspire, and enlighten.Deanna joins me today to discuss the impact of negative energy on our lives and why it’s important to release it. She shares her own experiences with loss and grieving and how she realized that in order to survive and thrive, her mindset needed to change. She discusses why it matters to recognize emotional triggers as well as the value of knowing how to release negative energy before it gets bottled up inside. She also shares how intuition guides her everyday choices and how being open to guidance and support helps fight feelings of negativity and isolation.“Allow yourself to feel guided. Allow yourself to feel supported, and that will create that massive shift for you.” - Deanna DeaconThis Week on the Balance Boldly for Ambitious Women In Business Podcast:●How a personal tragedy prompted a drastic change in Deanna’s outlook on life.●The ten-year period of grieving and the break down that followed.●How she reached the point of acceptance and how it started her journey into nutrition and holistic wellness.●The unpleasant feelings that watching emotionally disturbing movies bring to the surface.●The importance of acknowledging the feeling of being triggered, instead of suppressing it.●The relationship between energy and disease and why it’s important to experience energy-releasing techniques.●A simple, time-efficient way to release negative energy.●Allowing intuition to guide your decisions.A Little Permission to Pause:●I really allow my intuition to guide me, so I do everything in my life intuitively. I make sure that I’m asking myself questions all day.Connect with Deanna Deacon:●Deanna Deacon website-https://www.deannadeacon.com/●Deanna Deacon Coaching on Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/deannadeaconcoaching●Instagram-http://www.instagram.com/deannadeaconcoaching%E2%80%AF●YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBVWzr5B0tKlesb_wDz2daASubscribe, Share & Balance BoldlyOn the Balance Boldly Podcast, host Naketa R. Thigpen talks with ambitious women in business (and a few brave men) from a wide array of industries about their pursuit of success, how they face business burnout and what work/life balance looks like for them. Not your conventional self-help podcast, Balance Boldly uncovers real solutions to real problems afflicting real people at home and in the workplace, daily. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to iTunes, Spreaker, iHeart Radio, or Google Play to subscribe to the show and leave your honest review.Connect with me, Naketa R. Thigpen @asknaketa on IG, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Now Go. Create Your Balance. Create Your Joy. But remember, do it, BOLDLY!Thank you for listening!

Dr. Barbara Cox is the author of The Muse Process: Unleashing the Power of the Feminine for Success and Fulfillment. She uses her experience and expertise as a coach and psychologist to assist organizations and communities in making operational changes and enhance their personal intuition through understanding the feminine archetype. As a public speaker, she has spoken about the psychology of building community in both groups and cities at the UNESCO 2018 World Congress for the Organization of World Heritage Cities, and has been featured as a subject matter expert in numerous publications.Dr. Barbara joins me, Naketa Thigpen today to discuss how she created her new book. She shares her thoughts on imposter syndrome as well as her experiences while writing the book. She discusses existing research on social contagion and how a person’s disposition can influence their environment. She also discusses the concept of the feminine archetype and how it impacts community-building. “It’s okay to have fun. It’s okay to enjoy your life.” - Dr. Barbara CoxThis Week on the Balance Boldly for Ambitious Women In Business Podcast:●Barbara’s new book and how imposter syndrome played a major part in its development.●Social contagion and the impact of happier people on their immediate environment.●The idea of the feminine archetype and why it matters in terms of building community.●The personal struggles that she went through while writing the book, particularly in relation to social isolation issues.●What she learned from studying communal cultures and how families thrive in such communities.●Her self-care routine, which includes daily meditation.A Little Permission to Pause:●I make regular salon appointments for manicures. I’m a girly girl; I get my hair done; I get my nails done; I have an hour to myself, and I try not to have my phone on while I’m doing that.Connect with Dr. Barbara Cox:●The Muse Process website-https://www.drcoxconsulting.com/the-muse-process-book●Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/themuseprocess/●Twitter-https://twitter.com/DrBarbaraCox ●Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/drbarbaracox/●LinkedIn-https://www.linkedin.com/in/drbarbaracox/ ●Email:  info@drcoxconsulting.comSubscribe, Share & Balance BoldlyOn the Balance Boldly Podcast, host Naketa R. Thigpen talks with ambitious women in business (and a few brave men) from a wide array of industries about their pursuit of success, how they face business burnout and what work/life balance looks like for them. Not your conventional self-help podcast, Balance Boldly uncovers real solutions to real problems afflicting real people at home and in the workplace, daily. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to iTunes, Spreaker, iHeart Radio, or Google Play to subscribe to the show and leave your honest review.Connect with me, Naketa R. Thigpen @asknaketa on IG, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Now Go. Create Your Balance. Create Your Joy. But remember, do it, BOLDLY!Thank you for listening!

Melanie Augustin heads the nationally-recognized nonprofit software development school,  Zip Code Wilmington, as its Executive Director. With the mission of empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds to become professional software developers, Zip Code Wilmington guides its students through an intensive 12-week course. Melanie brings her own experience of career transition to the table, having worked in Washington, D.C. as an attorney specializing in employment law.Melanie joins me today to discuss her work at Zip Code Wilmington and how the incredible journeys of career transition that her students go through reflect her own unique career change story. She shares her insights on imposter syndrome and how the stories of her students inspire her to carry on with her mission. She also shares what made her decide to go on this new track, how she got over her fear of being judged for her decisions, and how she manages to balance her responsibilities as Executive Director, wife, and mother - no matter how busy she gets.“I think I’ve always had the mindset that I can make it work if I work hard enough at it.” - Melanie AugustinThis Week on the Balance Boldly for Ambitious Women In Business Podcast:●The diverse profile of Melanie’s students at Zip Code Wilmington●Imposter syndrome and the struggle her students go through in pursuing a new career track●Her own career track transition from lawyer to educator●What pushed her to make the decision to pursue this new mission●How she found the confidence in herself to shift careers - and the support she got from her family●How she draws inspiration from the difficult journeys of the people she helps●How she takes care of herself at home, especially when she has to bring the “mother” hat forward●How she makes her children and husband feel that she loves them, despite her busy scheduleA Little Permission to Pause:●I’ve tried meditation — I’m not really good at it — so every day at lunch, I’m at the gym. That is my form of meditation. Connect with Melanie Augustin:●Zip Code Wilmington-https://www.zipcodewilmington.com/●Twitter- https://twitter.com/melanieaugs●LinkedIn-https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanieaugustin/●Email: melanie@zipcodewilmington.comSubscribe, Share & Balance BoldlyOn the Balance Boldly Podcast, host Naketa R. Thigpen talks with ambitious women in business (and a few brave men) from a wide array of industries about their pursuit of success, how they face business burnout and what work/life balance looks like for them. Not your conventional self-help podcast, Balance Boldly uncovers real solutions to real problems afflicting real people at home and in the workplace, daily. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to iTunes, Spreaker, iHeart Radio, or Google Play to subscribe to the show and leave your honest review.Connect with me, Naketa R. Thigpen @asknaketa on IG, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Now Go. Create Your Balance. Create Your Joy. But remember, do it, BOLDLY!Thank you for listening!

Kem Odike encourages women and minority business owners in establishing strategic partnerships through her business, KemKlicks LLC. Utilizing her 20 years of experience as a Digital Marketing Manager for some of the world’s largest web hosting companies and advertising agencies, Kem inspires her clients to think big and see beyond the present. Having lived in several countries, Kem is quite familiar with a wide range of diverse cultures; however, she chooses to reside in the Philadelphia Suburban area, with her husband and 3 lovely children. Kem joins me today to discuss how women and minorities should support one another in professional industries. She shares her business journey: her mission, her motivation, and what she does to achieve her objectives. She emphasizes the importance of people from different backgrounds working together, and shares the “stop, listen, and learn” approach to succeeding in a professional environment. She also discusses the challenges of balancing work, family, and business, and underscores the significance of focusing on strengths instead of perceived limitations.“This is why we form partnerships: because people bring different gifts to the table.” - Kem OdikeThis Week on the Balance Boldly for Ambitious Women In Business Podcast:●The issues surrounding women supporting one another●How Kem’s business got started●The flawed notion of women seeing other women as rivals●Encouraging women and people of different ethnicities to work together●Taking the good and the bad, and turning them into something beautiful●What she does to make an impact with KemKlicks●The “stop, listen, and learn” approach, and how it helps Kem accomplish her mission●The challenges of juggling family, work, and business●Why women should not look at their perceived limitations●The need to focus on one’s strengths, and the benefits of forming partnershipsA Little Permission to Pause:●I work out occasionally; I love to go the sauna. I have my moment of zen there. I relax, I think, I meditate, and I think of my day and my strategy moving forward.Connect with Kem Odike:●KemKlicks Website www.kemclicks.com ●KemKlicks Going Global Event Page●KemKlicks on Facebook●KemKlicks on Twitter●KemKlicks on LinkedIn●KemKlicks on YouTube●Email: Kem@kemklicks.comSubscribe, Share & Balance BoldlyOn the Balance Boldly Podcast, host Naketa R. Thigpen talks with ambitious women in business (and a few brave men) from a wide array of industries about their pursuit of success, how they face business burnout and what work/life balance looks like for them. Not your conventional self-help podcast, Balance Boldly uncovers real solutions to real problems afflicting real people at home and in the workplace, daily. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to iTunes, Spreaker, iHeart Radio, or Google Play to subscribe to the show and leave your honest review.Connect with me, Naketa R. Thigpen @asknaketa on IG, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Now Go. Create Your Balance. Create Your Joy. But remember, do it, BOLDLY!Thank you for listening!