Empowered Presence™

In this episode of the Empowered Presence™ podcast, host Melanie and guest Nickquolette Barrett explore the theme of career ownership and personal branding. Nickquolette, a career strategist and executive coach, shares insights on transitioning from employee to CEO of one's career, advocating for oneself, and the importance of self-awareness and strategic planning.

They discuss the challenges faced by women of color in the workplace and the need for authentic self-representation. Nickquolette also talks about her role in leading the Society of Elite Resume Writers and Coaches and her upcoming career branding program. The episode also highlights the Empowered Presence™ program, designed to help executive women of color build visibility and authority without compromising authenticity.

GUEST BIO:

Nickquolette is a.k.a. The "Get Hired" Strategist is the founder and CEO of iRock Development Solutions, LLC dba iRock Résumés and President of the Society of Elite Résumé Writers and Coaches.

She is a 4x Certified Executive Coach, Executive Résumé Writer, article contributor and member of the Newsweek Expert Forum, and a dynamic speaker and trainer. She specializes in résumé and LinkedIn profile writing, interview prep, and career development & strategy.

She won two career industry awards from Career Directors International and authored two books,`”You're Hired!” – Volume 1 & 2.

Nickquolette's mission is to take career professionals from job applicant to job candidate. She works to change your mindset from employee to CEO of your career. Her motto is “Land the Job of Your Dreams and Create a Career That Rocks!”.

Nickquolette works with clients at various stages of their career with most being in senior leadership roles. Testimonials from happy clients keep her referral pipeline full. She stands ready to help you land the job of your dreams and create a career that rocks!

LINKS:

• Follow Nickquolette on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickquolettebarrett/
• Subscribe to Nickquolette's newsletter: https://irockresumes.com/blog/ 
• Learn more about Empowered Presence: www.myempoweredpresence.com
• Book a call with Melanie: www.resume-evolution.com/letschat

Timestamps:

In this episode of the Empowered Presence™ podcast, Melanie interviews career coach and YouTuber, Timeka Green, about the importance of authenticity in personal branding. Timeka shares her own experiences with building a YouTube channel, overcoming personal challenges, and the significance of staying true to oneself.

They discuss how authenticity has helped Timeka connect with a global audience to the tune of 12,000 and make a positive impact on people's lives. The episode also touches on the Empowered Presence™ program, designed to help executive women of color develop their personal brand without losing their authenticity.

GUEST BIO:

Timeka Green is a Global Human Resources (HR) professional, Career Coach, Mom, YouTuber and Optimist who believes it is time to see others that look like her, grow in their career like she has.

Timeka has worked in HR for over 11 years, starting with job titles ranging from HR Assistant to HR Generalist and grown to Global HR Business Partner (HRBP) and HR Director. She has worked in a number of industries, ranging from local government, organ & tissue donation and clinical research to the tech industry.

After seeing so many disparities among minorities in the corporate workplace, she decided to create a space where she could reach many and educate them on how to skip the hurdles she has crossed.

In December 2020, Timeka started her YouTube channel called Heyyy HR and now has over 14,000 subscribers. Many find her not only on her YouTube channel, but also dropping daily gems on LinkedIn with a following of over 12,000 professionals.

• Follow Timeka on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timeka-green-mba-hrm-shrm-scp/
• Subscribe to Timeka’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@HeyyyHR
• Join Timeka’s Newsletter: https://heyyyhr.ck.page/e4b36e4aea
• Learn more about Empowered Presence: www.myempoweredpresence.com
• Book a call with Melanie: www.resume-evolution.com/letschat

GUEST BIO:

Wendy, an ICF Certified Coach and Leadership Development Practitioner, brings over 15 years of Fortune 100 Human Resources experience, excelling in transforming leaders for measurable performance outcomes. As the Founder of Emerge Development Solutions, she offers top-quality coaching to Fortune 500 organizations, specializing in innovative solutions through a coaching lens and utilizing assessments for self-awareness and actionable self-development plans. With Senior Leadership roles at AdventHealth, Walt Disney Company, and Citigroup,

Wendy's expertise spans career growth, confidence, and well-being. Holding an MHRM from DeVry University and a BA from the City University of New York at Baruch College, she holds an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) from the International Coaching Federation. A dedicated member of the International Coaching Federation’s South East Region and SHRM’s Central Florida division, Wendy contributes to advancing coaching excellence and HR practices. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, meeting new people, and cherishing quality moments with her family.

LINKS:

• Follow Wendy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendycarterstewart/
• Book a call with Wendy: https://scheduletimewithemerge.as.me/?appointmentType=36607242 
• Book a call with Mel: www.resume-evolution.com/letschat 
• Learn more about Empowered Presence™: www.myempoweredpresence.com 

In this episode, Melanie interviews Brenda Mariah from Push Career Management. They discuss the challenges of perfectionism, particularly for women of color in the corporate world, and the resulting imposter syndrome.

Brenda shares her personal experiences with striving for perfection and the realization that it's unattainable. She encourages listeners to embrace their imperfections and focus on progress. The conversation also touches on their professional journeys and the mutual influence they've had on each other. Brenda concludes by inviting listeners to connect with her for support in their career growth.

GUEST BIO:

When you KNOW you can do the job, but you’re having trouble getting others to see your value. That’s where Brenda Mariah comes in. Specializing in boosting confidence in those who are going to battle emotionally in their careers or transitions. Brenda Mariah of Push Career Management is a career-focused speaker, wordsmith, career storyteller, encourager, author, and strategist that can help them AND YOU see what you’re made of.

LINKS:

• Check out Brenda's On-Demand Interview PUSH course: https://brenda-mariah-s-school.teachable.com/p/on-demand-interview-push-with-brenda-mariah
• Book a call with Brenda: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/a4e9133a
• Book a call with Melanie: www.resume-evolution.com/letschat
• Learn more about the Empowered Presence™  program: www.myempoweredpresence.com 

GUEST BIO:

Ashley Watkins Thomas is a Job Search Coach and Certified Resume Strategist with Write Step Resumes. She is a corporate recruiter of 20 years, hiring for companies across banking, education, healthcare, nonprofit, and manufacturing industries. She has won multiple resume-writing awards and was named Jobscan's Top 15 Job Search Experts to Follow and LinkedIn's Top Voice. Her job search advice has been featured in major publications, including HuffPost, New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal. She is best known for positioning emerging and experienced leaders to land more interviews and 6-figure salary offers at Fortune 500 brands.

Links referenced in the episode:

• Book a consultation with Ashley: https://www.writestepresumes.com/schedule
• Follow Ashley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyjwatkins
• Book a call with Melanie: www.resume-evolution.com/letschat
• Learn more about the Empowered Presence™ program: www.myempoweredpresence.com 

In this episode, Melanie explores the idea of building a personal brand without relying on social media. She discusses the resistance and stress associated with social media, as well as the negative impact it can have on mental health.

She reflects on how famous people like Michael Jackson built their brands before social media existed, emphasizing the role of traditional media. Melanie suggests alternative ways to build a personal brand, such as search engine optimization and building a community around a brand. She acknowledges the benefits of social media but expresses the belief that it is possible to build a personal brand without it.

LINKS & RESOURCES:

• If you're interested in building a personal brand without social media, book a call with Melanie to discuss: www.resume-evolution.com/letschat
• Email Melanie your thoughts: melanie@resume-evolution.com
• Learn more about the Empowered Presence™ program: www.myempoweredpresence.com 

In this episode, Melanie introduces Kareen Turner, a leadership development expert with over 20 years of experience in corporate environments. Kareen shares her journey of self-discovery and personal branding, including her decision to pursue a career in nutrition and her unexpected path into leadership roles. 

She emphasizes the importance of exploring one's interests, being intentional in career choices, and not dismissing unconventional opportunities. Karen also discusses the importance of finding joy and fulfillment in work, advocating for equal pay and opportunities for women of color, and the significance of mentors and benefactors in career growth. 

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Kareen Turner is a leadership development expert with over 20 years of experience in corporate environments. As the founder of the Leadership Untitled Institute, Kareen is dedicated to providing top-notch resources through private consultations and group coaching programs. She is also the co-author of the Career Accelerator Planner, a guide designed to help individuals accelerate their career growth.

Throughout her career, Kareen has been consistently recognized for her ability to build trust and influence quickly, creating strong relationships with her team members and colleagues based on mutual respect. Her reputation as a servant leader has allowed her to lead teams to achieve extraordinary results focused on organizational goals.

She is the host of the podcast, Leadership Untitled with Kareen Turner, where she shares best practices and strategies to lead with excellence, helping individuals and organizations reach their full potential. Kareen is a Certified High Performance Coach, certified through the High Performance Institute.

LINKS:

• Follow Kareen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kareenturner
• Grab the Career Accelerator Planner: www.careeracceleratorplanner.com 
• Learn more about the Empowered Presence program: www.myempoweredpresence.com
• Book a call with Mel: www.resume-evolution.com/letschat

In this episode, Melanie introduces guest Deiera Bennett, an executive LinkedIn strategist and ghostwriter. They discuss the importance of having a strong LinkedIn presence and how it can benefit professionals in terms of attracting clients and establishing their personal brand.

Deiera highlights the lack of representation of Black women on LinkedIn and the misconceptions surrounding the platform. They also discuss the importance of engagement on LinkedIn, networking without being salesy, and the strategy of sharing valuable content to attract potential clients.

Deiera emphasizes authenticity, genuine interest, and consistency in posting. They conclude by encouraging more Black women to join LinkedIn and offer help and advice for personal branding.

ABOUT OUR GUEST: 

Deiera Bennett is an executive LinkedIn Strategist and ghostwriter. Her clients include founders and executives of multi-million and multi-billion dollar companies in industries such as healthcare, recruitment, logistics, and information technology. In addition to ghostwriting, she manages the marketing for an educational technology startup.

LINKS & RESOURCES: 

Connect with Deiera on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deierabennett

Learn more about Melanie's Empowered Presence program: www.myempoweredpresence.com

Book a free call with Melanie: www.resume-evolution.com/letschat

Today, Melanie discusses the importance of building a personal brand. She explains that personal branding helps individuals differentiate themselves in a competitive market and improve their network and opportunities. Melanie emphasizes the significance of authenticity and self-reflection in personal branding and outlines 6 steps to get started. 

She also discusses the importance of defining goals and aspirations, identifying unique value, targeting a specific audience, and marketing oneself through consistent content creation and networking. Melanie offers her Empowered Presence program to support individuals in building their personal brands.

• Book a call to chat with Mel: www.chatwithmel.com 
• Learn more about the Empowered Presence program: www.myempoweredpresence.com

Melanie L. Denny, a personal branding consultant, stresses the importance of prioritizing time for things that matter, such as building a personal brand and leaving a legacy. She acknowledges that everyone is busy, but emphasizes that success requires hard decisions and some level of sacrifice. 

Melanie invites listeners to consider what they are willing to prioritize and sacrifice to reach their goals, and encourages them to reallocate time to things that are important. Remember, time waits for no one, so what are you doing with your time?

• Book a call to chat with Mel: www.chatwithmel.com 
• Empowered Presence program: www.myempoweredpresence.com

Melanie speaks with Ms. Portia Obeng, a social media strategist with expertise in Instagram and LinkedIn. They discuss the importance of taking one's skill set to places where it serves them best, using LeBron James as an example.

They also touch on the tendency for women to feel the need for additional degrees or qualifications and the importance of investing in oneself and being selfish in one's career decisions. Ms. Portia shares insights on personal branding, networking, and prioritizing one's own needs and well-being. She offers her services in helping women level up on LinkedIn and improving their profiles for better opportunities.

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Portia Obeng is a social media strategist with over 10 years of experience in social media strategy and content management. She started before Snaps were chatted, Instagram had stories, and Tiks were toked; and her current specialties are Instagram and LinkedIn.

She helps women level up on LinkedIn, strengthen their personal brands, and attract the money-making opportunities they deserve. She also helps organizations turn their employers into LinkedIn superstars who advocate for the company, amplify brand messaging, increase brand visibility, and attract the best talent.

Portia loves being Ghanaian, spicy food, dancing, live music, listening to podcasts, experiencing new countries, and reading a good book (preferably on a beautiful beach in Ghana).

LINKS & RESOURCES:

• Visit Portia’s Website: https://www.portiaobeng.com/
• Connect with Portia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/portiaobeng/ 
• Follow Portia on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@portia.o 
• Book a call with Melanie: https://www.resume-evolution.com/letschat
• Learn more about the Empowered Presence program: https://www.myempoweredpresence.com 

ABOUT JAUNAI WALKER:

Jaunai (Jay) is an International Personal Growth and Business Development Speaker, Coach & Trainer. Jay comes with over 19 years of sales and marketing experience in the education, medical and advertising industries. Jay is the Chief Inspiration officer at the Success group Inc. and the Founder of the Sales Success Society. She is dedicated to serving people and hopes to inspire both entrepreneurial and career sales professionals to be the absolute best version of themselves while selling their products and services. Jay is a devoted Christian, loves connecting with others & currently resides in South Florida.

LINKS & RESOURCES:

• Join Founders Circle Membership at special rate (first 2 months free): https://salessuccess.group.app/plan-subscription/checkout?plan=5a92a836-52df-4f6e-b29b-aa2e982c35fe&fbclid=IwAR1K9YnXtYTgqUMLD3RZkWhpUYb1jm2mEgZ3dBRC9V2h4iHgEaUTTRZwMq8
• Visit Jaunai's website: www.jaunaiwalker.com 
• Book a call with Melanie: www.resume-evolution.com/letschat
• Learn more about the Empowered Presence™ program: www.myempoweredpresence.com 

In this thought-provoking conversation with Shaquanna Chappelle, a distinguished executive presence consultant and acclaimed wardrobe stylist, we dive into the nuances between physical presentation and leadership – especially among women of color.

Shaquana emphasizes the importance of inner confidence and authenticity before focusing on external appearance. She shares her approach to styling, which includes addressing any self-doubt or negative self-perception. Shaquana encourages women to explore their personal style and embrace colors that make them feel beautiful. 

Don't miss this powerful discussion of the power of exuding a strong executive presence.

About our guest, Shaquanna Chappelle: 

Shaquanna is a sought-after speaker, executive presence consultant, and wardrobe stylist who has been trusted by high-achieving professional women across the globe. She has helped women break out of their comfort zone, identify their unique style, and create confident, bold looks that propel their careers forward.

Her keynotes about facing fear and removing self-imposed limits have inspired thousands of women to tap into their confidence and show up in their full power.

Her self-published book, Get Up and Get Dressed, guides women through the journey of eliminating self-doubt and low self-esteem so they can “get dressed” in their fullest potential.

After having one encounter with Shaquanna, women are able to combat insecurities and reach a new level of confidence that commands the room.

Links & resources:

• Grab a copy of Get Up and Get Dressed: https://www.shaquannachappelle.com/buybook
• Wardrobe Styling Services: https://www.shaquannachappelle.com/stylepackages
• Invite Shaquanna to speak: https://www.shaquannachappelle.com/speak
• Learn more about the Empowered Presence program: https://www.myempoweredpresence.com/ 
• Book a call with personal branding consultant, Melanie L. Denny: www.chatwithmel.com 

In this episode, Melanie shares her proprietary framework for the 4 Types of Content that Supercharge Your Personal Brand. She breaks down each type and each component and emphasizes that simply posting on social media is not enough to build a strong personal brand. It's important to share content that connects with your audience on a deeper level.  

• Learn more about the Empowered Presence program: www.myempoweredpresence.com
• Download the 4 Types of Content that Supercharge Your Personal Brand infographic: www.resume-evolution.com/freebie