Lesson 1: Self-Awareness

I started journaling in college to reflect on my day-to-day experiences. I have filled the pages of over 50 journals over the years. This allowed me to look in the mirror and be honest with myself at times when I needed to grow. Knowing I will never be perfect, I practice self-awareness to continue growing.

Last year, I reflected on my lack of experience running a business. I felt concerned about my lack of exposure to people who have been a CEO. I have experience helping people sell their businesses as an investment banking analyst and buying businesses as a private equity associate. However, I have never operated a business. 

While journaling one morning this week, I realized I have always been exposed to entrepreneurship: Years ago, my mom ran a small business selling snow cones at my football games. My grandmother had also started a catering business. Even my great grandmother owned a small casino in Las Vegas while the city was still segregated. In fact, she was the first Black woman to do so. This legacy of Black women in entrepreneurship tells me I am fully capable of learning how to operate a business.

During my learning process, I read a book called Restructuring the Hold by Thomas Anderson and Mark Habner. The book taught me about the steps I can take to build on what my family has accomplished. The authors describe what day one looks like after you buy a business through the day you sell it to return money (or “capital”) to investors. As I learn about these things, my concerns about past experience become confidence for the future. 

My mission is to increase representation of Black leaders at the executive, investor, and board level. This mission motivates me to continue reflecting on who I am and what I have to learn to make progress. 

Self-awarenessis Lesson 1. Next week, I will share Lesson 2: Service