1. What have you found most challenging as a leader of a small or medium enterprise?

Funding it! People or organizations generally like to invest in what they see as already established or popular. I'm in the business of people & there is not usually a ROI quickly surmised in my line of business.


2. How did you become a leader of an SME? Can you please briefly tell the story?

I had a dream & that dream became a vision that I wanted to see brought to life so I prayed & planned & eventually all the people came into place to make this a reality. I'm leading the vision as a founder & follower.


3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

My day begins with a big thank you for the grace I was shown from 5he following day. My days actually run together...I never feel like I "finished" my yesterday. It just carries over. I feel accomplished many days, but I never feel finished.


4. What's the most recent significant leadership lesson you've learned?

How to walk in diplomacy with people who may not understand why you make the decisions you make. I'm learning to work with people who are displeased with me just as easily as those who I find favor with.


5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

My number one impactful leadership book has been the bible, specifically the book of Nehemiah. Nehemiah was a leader with great challenges, socially, economically & politically, but he came through as an accomplished leader overall in the end.

My second favorite book has been The Experience. It's a book about exceptional customer service & how we lead as visionaries but bestow excellence on the people we serve so they in turn become the greatest ambassadors for you & your company


6. How do you build leadership capacity in an SME?

Leadership capacity is built by trust. Allowing leaders to fail & try again creates capacity & simultaneously resiliency. There is nothing better than seeing a leader you're working with discover their own ability & then train others to do the same. It's the most rewarding thing for a boss...to know they facilitate growth in the working environment.


7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader of an SME so far?

Well, seven years ago I set out to obey what I believed was the voice of God & three ladies, one came onboard later, but still believed in my dream with me...They have worked tirelessly with little pay or no pay at all sometimes & now they see the fruit of their labor. Loyalty is rare in this world, but I am blessed to see it daily up close & personal.