Karen A. Brown’s Post

Stop Wearing All the Hats: Your Hiring Roadmap Has Arrived Congratulations, you've built a successful business, hitting the $250k revenue mark! But now you're at a crossroads. Growth means hiring, but hiring feels like stepping into the unknown. Are you ready to face the unknown? That's why I created the Hire to Scale Blueprint. It's not just another hiring guide - it's a transformative system explicitly designed for women of color entrepreneurs who are ready to scale. Key Features: 1. Strengths Analysis: Leverage your unique talents to build a team that compliment your strengths 2. Culture Definition: Build a team that aligns with your values 3. Role Structuring: Create positions that drive growth, not just fill gaps 4. Hiring Strategy: Attract top talent that resonates with your vision But here's the real game-changer: the Hire to Scale Blueprint is tailored for women of color who've defied odds and broken barriers and are ready to create legacies. So, I'm curious: What's your biggest fear about hiring and scaling? What's holding you back from building your dream team? Please share your thoughts. Let's start a conversation about turning those fears into fuel for your next level of success. Send me a direct message so we can begin your roadmap to navigate your unique growth strategy. #HireToScale #WomenEntrepreneurs #ScalingUp

"Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships." - Michael Jordan As women entrepreneurs, we know that building a successful business isn't a solo sport. It's about assembling a dream team that amplifies our vision and propels us forward. But let's be honest: team building isn't always accessible. We face unique challenges - from limited networks to unconscious biases. Yet, these very challenges make our teams stronger when we overcome them. Remember: 1. Diversity isn't just a buzzword - it's your superpower 2. Your team should complement your strengths, not mirror them 3. Culture fit is as crucial as skill fit Here's my question to you: What's one unexpected lesson you've learned about team building in your entrepreneurial journey? Share your insights below. Let's learn from each other and build teams that don't just win games but championships in our industries. #WomenOfColorInBusiness #TeamBuildingTips #DiversityInEntrepreneurship

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝗲: 𝗛𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿𝘀 I'm not alone in this struggle. You're absolutely right if you've ever thought this while grappling with hiring challenges. The numbers don't lie, and today, we're diving into some eye-opening statistics that shed light on the unique hurdles women of color entrepreneurs face when scaling their businesses. 𝗟𝗲𝘁'𝘀 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗶𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗮𝗽: 🔳 Only 0.64% of venture capital funding goes to women of color entrepreneurs. 🔳 This lack of funding impacts hiring capabilities and business growth. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗹𝗳 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗲: 🔳 70% of women-owned businesses are solopreneurs. 🔳 This statistic jumps to 97% for Black and Latina women-owned businesses. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗲𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴: 🔳 Only 2% of women-owned businesses break $1 million in revenue. 🔳 This percentage is even lower for women of color entrepreneurs. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗹𝗲: 🔳 63% of women entrepreneurs see finding the right talent as a pain point. 🔳 The percentage is higher for women of color due to smaller networks and limited resources. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗲: 🔳 75% of women executives have experienced imposter syndrome. 🔳 This self-doubt impacts hiring decisions and leadership. Now, these numbers might seem daunting. But here's the truth: They're not roadblocks but fuel for the fire to overcome the challenges. Despite these odds, women of color are starting businesses at a higher rate than any other demographic. We're resilient, innovative, and changing the game. So, how do we turn these statistics in our favor? 1. 𝗔𝗰𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲: Understanding the landscape is the first step to changing it. 2. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀: Connect with other women of color entrepreneurs. Share resources, knowledge, and opportunities. Join Coaching After Dark on the first Sunday of the month for community and support. 3. 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗔𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴: Explore grants, crowdfunding, and angel investors who prioritize diversity. 4. 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: Upskill yourself in areas like financial management and team leadership. 5. 𝗘𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲: Your experiences are your superpower. Use them to innovate and stand out. Remember, every successful business starts with one hire. You can rewrite these statistics, one decision at a time. If you find hiring your dream team challenging, let’s turn the statistics on their head. Together, we're not just facing the challenges but rewriting the game's rules. Hire to Scale Blueprint can help you create a roadmap to hire a team aligned with your values, vision, and mission. Send me a direct message to get started! #DiversityInBusiness #HiringChallenges #ScaleYourBusiness

Picture this: It's 3 AM, and you're still awake, drowning in tasks that don't ignite your passion. You're thinking, "If only I could clone myself, everything would be perfect." Stop right there. As a woman of color entrepreneur who's built a thriving business, you don't need a clone. You need a compliment. Here's why: 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲: The areas you excel at are where you shine and your passion meets your expertise. We call them your superpowers. Hiring someone with the exact same strengths means doubling down on what you're already great at while leaving gaps in other crucial areas. 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀: Those tasks that drain you? They're someone else's superpowers. By hiring people who excel where you struggle, you're not just filling a gap but creating a powerhouse team. 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: A team of diverse strengths brings varied perspectives, leading to more creative solutions and robust strategies. 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁: Surrounding yourself with people who think differently pushes you out of your comfort zone, fostering personal and professional growth. So, how do you put this into practice? 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝗮𝗽𝘀: By understanding your strengths and weaknesses, you can take this data and decide which areas you need support. 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀: Create job descriptions that fill these gaps. For example, hire a detail-oriented operations manager if you're a visionary but struggle with details. 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝘀: In hiring, look for candidates whose strengths complement yours. My Hire to Scale Blueprint provides relevant data to assist with finding complementary strengths for your recruitment process. 𝗙𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Celebrate the diverse strengths in your team. Create an environment where differences are valued and leveraged. Remember, your unique perspective is your superpower. By surrounding yourself with people who complement this superpower, you're not diluting your vision – you're amplifying it. Now, I want to hear from you: 👉🏾 What's one task you're currently doing that doesn't align with your strengths? 👉🏾 How has diversity (or lack thereof) in strengths impacted your business so far? 👉🏾 If you could instantly acquire a new strength, what would it be and why? Share your thoughts in the comments. Your insights could be the missing piece in another entrepreneur's puzzle. Are you ready to build a team that doesn't just support you but elevates you? To create a business that leverages diverse strengths for exponential growth. Your complementary dream team is out there. Let's find them together. Send me a direct message so we can start the journey of finding your dream team. #HireToScale #DiverseStrengths #BusinessGrowth

Think you've made it to the top? Honey, that's just base camp! Listen up, boss ladies! If you think becoming a CEO is like finally getting your hair to lay flat on a humid day, think again. It's more like maintaining a perfect twist-out – it requires constant care, attention, and a willingness to try new techniques. Let's break it down like Indra Nooyi, who didn't just break the glass ceiling, she turned it into a dance floor: 1. "Continually increase your learning”: Sis, your brain should be as hungry for knowledge as your favorite dessert. Are you feeding it daily? Whether it's podcasts during your commute, books before bed, or workshops that make you say "Aha!" louder than when you find a dress with pockets – keep learning! 2. "The way you think": Your mindset needs to be more flexible than your edges. Are you stuck in old thought patterns like last season's trends? It's time to stretch that mental muscle! Challenge yourself to see problems from new angles. What if that obstacle is an opportunity in a funky disguise? This is where the real challenge lies and the real growth happens. 3. "The way you approach the organization": Your business isn't a static painting; it's a living, breathing entity that changes faster than fashion trends. Are you still running things like it's 1999? It's time to update your approach like you update your playlist. Stay fresh, stay relevant! Remember, being a CEO isn't a destination; it's a journey of growth and evolution. You've got to keep evolving, learning, and growing. It's about being as adaptable as your grandma's recipes – classic at the core but always open to a new spice. So, my aspiring and current CEOs, here's a question: What's one area in your leadership that needs a glow-up? Take a moment to reflect. Maybe it's your communication style, strategic thinking, or how you nurture your team's talents. Share below—let's start a rich and flavorful conversation! Ready to redefine what it means to be a CEO in your unique, melanin-rich way? Remember, the next level of success isn't about what you know but how quickly you can learn and adapt. Slide into my DMs or drop a comment. Your next level of success is just a conversation away! #WomenInLeadership #CEOMindset #EntrepreneurLife

I climbed the corporate ladder only to find toxicity at the top. Now, I'm building a new table. Will you join me?" Queens, listen up! I've walked the path of corporate success, but the view from the top wasn't what I expected. Disrespect, toxicity, and undervalued expertise were my unwelcome companions. 👉🏾 Doing the work, meeting deadlines, and not receiving credit. 👉🏾 Held to a different standard than my white counterparts. 👉🏾 Called aggressive when I defended my position. But here's the truth: We no longer have to play by the current corporate rules. We don't have to follow the regular Plan A. As women of color business owners, we can define growth and success on our terms. What do you want to change in your business? I'm passionate about helping women of color build a business and a team that reflects YOUR values and vision. Ready to turn your vision into reality? Let's discuss how the Hire to Scale Blueprint can help you craft the team, action plan, and desired growth in 90 to 180 days! Your success story starts with a conversation. So go ahead and send me a direct message 😊!

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🔥 Ready to Turn Your Highs and Lows into Growth Opportunities? 🔥 Kimyatta and I bet on ourselves in 2023 and joined a coaching certification program. It was an intense eight months. We found our community of like-minded women who love and support us. So we want to create this safe space for others to thrive. Join Kimyatta and me for "Coaching After Dark" on July 7 at 8:30 pm EST! This is your chance to connect with a community of women of color entrepreneurs who are navigating the same journey as you. 🌟 Share your triumphs and challenges 🌟 Recharge for the week ahead 🌟 Find your biz besties Let’s build a solid foundation for our businesses together. Don’t miss out on this empowering event! Details to access the event are in the comments. #WomenEntrepreneurs #CommunitySupport #CoachingAfterDark

🌙 Do You Have a Safe Space to Share Your Business Journey?🌙 On July 7 at 8:30 pm EST, Kimyatta and I are hosting "Coaching After Dark"—an evening dedicated to women of color entrepreneurs who need a community that truly understands them. 👩🏽🤝👩🏾 Find your biz besties 💡 Gain practical insights and support 🗣️ Open up about your wins and struggles Let’s have a night of pouring into each other so we are ready to face our week.. Details in to join the event are in the comments. #CommunityBuilding #EntrepreneurSupport #CoachingAfterDark