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Juliann Nichols

Jennifer Currence, MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, ACC, CEO of WithIN Leadership

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Jennifer Currence is the CEO of WithIN Leadership, a leadership development and coaching company focusing on legacy leadership – who you want to be – in Tampa, Florida. It is here where Jennifer delivers results through customized training and coaching programs for leaders and Human Resources. She is the creator of the Leading for RealTM leadership development program and content creator for Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM’s) new People Manager Qualification (PMQ).

She earned her MBA with an emphasis in management and holds a nationally accredited certification in coaching (ACC) and two international senior-level certifications in human resources (SPHR and SHRM-SCP). Jennifer has been recognized as a Thought Leader by the International Society of Performance Improvement, a Subject Matter Expert by SHRM, and was named Tampa Bay’s HR Consultant of the Year for 2017.  She has 20+ years of experience in Human Resources and training in organizations, is a university professor, and is one of roughly 50 people in the world serving as a faculty member for SHRM.

Jennifer met JULO Strategy’s CEO Juliann Nichols at a Predictive Index Class they were both attending, and they established a relationship. Jennifer took CEO Mindset because she realized there were things she didn’t understand about running a business and the processes she needed to succeed.

During CEO Mindset, Jennifer learned how to “bake cupcakes,” Juliann’s process for writing detailed procedures, and her exit strategy – who does she want to be when she grows up. Jennifer focused on where she was in the present and not where she wanted to be. Her A-Ha Moment during CEO Mindset was thinking about the end game – a big awareness for her. She is still acting upon that awareness today.

Jennifer’s best things about CEO Mindset were hearing from other entrepreneurs – their successes and failures. The class helped her understand why she is a leader and business owner and clarify her business role. She now understands what she can automate, delegate, and eliminate to do more things she enjoys and is a genius doing. She’s learned how to spend her time wisely and more effectively.

Jennifer’s revenues have increased and are the most they’ve been since taking CEO Mindset. Being a CEO means freedom, constant change, a lot of innovation, and empowerment to Jennifer. She now has control over her destiny.

Jennifer has been published in HR Magazine and featured in Fast Company magazine, USA Weekly, and HR.com. She is a professional member of the National Speaker’s Association, the International Coaching Federation, and the author of three SHRM-published books on business behavioral competencies.

We are so proud of your accomplishments, Jennifer, and look forward to watching your continued successes!

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Juliann Nichols

14 Microchanges Guaranteed to Advance Your Career

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Is there some way to advance your career that’s faster than completing an MBA, and easier than rescuing your company from a hostile takeover bid? The truth is there are plenty of microchanges that can have a macro effect on increasing your value as an employee.

If you want a raise or just more job satisfaction, try these simple tips for taking your work performance to the next level. They’ll pay off quickly.

Online Microchanges for Greater Career Success

The internet makes it easy to gain knowledge and promote your visibility. Take advantage of virtual opportunities to climb the career ladder.

  1. Edit your LinkedIn profile. When’s the last time you updated your LinkedIn profile? Let colleagues see your most recent accomplishments. Research the most effective keywords that will make you stand out.
  2. Manage your network. Organize your contacts so you can follow up with the interesting graphic designer you met on the jogging trail. Whatever software you use, a successful system will help you to stay in touch and grow your network.
  3. Support others. Networking is more effective and rewarding when you focus on giving to others. Take a second to retweet someone’s message or recommend a former intern on LinkedIn.
  4. Follow industry news. Impress others with your knowledge. Spend a few minutes between meetings scanning the top business blogs in your industry.
  5. Collect time saving apps. Use technology to increase your productivity. Find a program that will remember your passwords or play phone tag for you.
  6. Monitor your time. On the other hand, it’s easy to lose track of time when you’re browsing online. Set limits on your YouTube sessions if you find yourself becoming distracted.

Offline Microchanges for Greater Career Success

Face-to-face interactions still have a dramatic impact. Maybe that’s even more true today when so much communication occurs electronically. See what a difference showing up in person can make.

  1. Demonstrate initiative. Identify what your boss considers to be the top business priorities so you know where to devote your efforts. Find a way to contribute that goes above and beyond your job description.
  2. Volunteer your assistance. Make allies by being helpful and generous. Pitch in when your office mate is facing a tight deadline.
  3. Speak up. Participating in meetings and business discussions will grow your confidence as they bring you extra approval.
  4. Radiate enthusiasm. Your boss will trust and value you more if you show that you’re invested in your career. Think about how your efforts contribute to the success of the company.
  5. Express gratitude. Let your colleagues know how much you appreciate them. Offer sincere praise and share credit for team projects. They’ll be more likely to return the favor.
  6. Dress sharp. Appearances count. Pay attention to the office culture so you can choose an appropriate wardrobe even if there’s no formal dress code. One good rule of thumb is to start dressing like the position you want to hold in the future.
  7. Join a professional association. Membership has its benefits, including networking and educational opportunities. Your employer may be willing to cover all or part of the cost.
  8. Use your vacation days. According to the Harvard Business Review, employees who take all of their vacation time have a 6.5% higher chance of receiving a promotion or a raise than their peers who are stockpiling their time off. Now, that’s a fun way to succeed in business.

The average fulltime work week in the United States is already 47 hours long. Wouldn’t you like to have a strategy for impressing your boss that doesn’t involve putting in a lot of extra hours? These microchanges will help you do a great job and maintain balance in your life.

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Juliann Nichols

Sara Ferrera, Veteran and CEO of Floaty’s Farm – Providing Locals With Home Grown Microgreens

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If you have never heard of microgreens, they are young vegetable greens that fall somewhere between sprouts and baby leaf vegetables. They have an intense aromatic flavor and concentrated nutrient content and come in a variety of colors and textures. Although fragile, microgreens are versatile and flavorful and can complement or shine in any dish. And yes, they make powerful and delicious garnishes – but they are more than just toppers. Despite their small size, they pack a nutritional punch, often containing higher nutrient levels than more mature vegetable greens. This makes them a good addition to any diet.  

If you are looking for these fresh greens, Sara Ferrera, Founder and CEO of Floaty’s Farm has you covered. Sara provides local residents with these tiny but beautiful plants and does it all in her own backyard! 

Sara Ferrera spent most of her childhood running through cattle farms with friends in Russellville, Arkansas. Born in her grandparent’s cabin in the Ozark Mountains, Sara is no stranger to the wilderness and still finds solace when surrounded by nature. 

In 2011, Sara followed her grandfather’s footsteps and joined the Army as an Intelligence Analyst. She spent her days working in an office conducting research and processing Soldiers for the Combat Aviation Brigade out of Fort Riley, Kansas. Office life was a challenge, but Sara met the love of her life – in the next cubical over, and within a year, they were married. 

In August 2014, Sara left active duty to pursue the Army Reserves and experience what life was like on the “civilian side.” She soon moved to Florida to eventually become a contracted intelligence analyst until February of 2019, when she decided to pursue her passion and work toward a Fish and Wildlife Management degree. However, due to health complications, Sara put her education on hold. 

In January 2020, Sara joined the Veterans Florida Agricultural internship with the University of Florida’s Gulf Coast Research and Education Center.  This hands-on opportunity gave Sara just what she needed, a chance to learn the ins and outs of commercial agriculture. 

Sara expanded her knowledge by learning how to research chemical impacts of produce yield, identifying plant disease, identifying nematodes, and more. However, her internship was cut short due to COVID-19, and she was unable to continue lab rotations. Instead, Sara moved to the Farm Crew, where she transitioned from intern and eventually to a permanent employee. Sara’s time on the Farm Crew has been invaluable. She has learned managerial techniques, equipment logistics, and chemical operations. But the biggest lesson learned was that it is okay to make mistakes as long as you fix them and move forward. 

Sara has taken this lesson – along with her husband and team members’ encouragement and moved forward with starting her own urban farm, Floaty’s Farm.

She attended our CEO Mindset course to have a solid business plan and information on how to move forward to be successful. “I learned that I have a fear of failure but also success. I couldn’t start my business or begin to sell until I was confident in myself to get customers.” While focusing on produce, she still didn’t have a niche,  therefore, she wasn’t going anywhere with the product. Encouraged by peers, she decided to focus on microgreens and when she put out there what she was selling, she sold out in ONE DAY. She managed her time better by incorporating an assistant to handle tasks so she could focus on her produce.   

Floaty’s Farm began as a multi-produce urban farm, but after going through and utilizing what she learned from JULO Strategy, Sara now produces a microgreen specialty farm. Soon after, she began raising Barred Rock chickens and vermicomposting to assist with fertilization. 

Sara has vivid plans for Floaty’s Farm’s future, including expanding produce offerings, raising livestock, and an education center to teach others about responsible farming, wildlife conservation, and how agriculture can help others battling PTSD, much like her own internship. 

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Juliann Nichols

Kathy Smith, CEO of Chandelier Transformations Youth Mentoring Inc. – Empowering Young Women Through Mentorship

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Children’s opinions of their bodies form at an incredibly early age, especially young girls. With social media and apps like TikTok, girls become consumed with how many likes they get, how popular they are, all while trying to be their own person and stay true to themselves. With these young minds still developing, it can be exhausting and overwhelming to stay positive. It is difficult to escape the “ideal” body image that is promoted in today’s media and no matter how much you try to shield your child from it, the message is likely to come through.  

Kathy Smith, Founder and President of Chandelier Transformations Youth Mentoring Inc. 501c3 Nonprofit organization in the Tampa bay area, mentors young, brown-skinned girls to embrace their individuality and live boldly and confidently in who God created them to be. By transforming their mindsets to illuminate their path and the path of all they meet, it empowers them to be trailblazers in the world through coaching, speaking, community involvement, mentorship, adolescent scholarships, and social activities.  

Kathy is a veteran of the U.S. Army serving 17 years as a Human Resource Specialist. In the military she served various roles that required her to be the voice for many Soldiers as an Equal Opportunity Specialist and Sexual Assault Victim Advocate. Kathy holds a BSBA, MSHRM and is currently pursuing a PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology.  

Growing up in Hillsborough county schools and raising a daughter and two sons of her own, Kathy felt that our younger generations needed real life role models and someone to teach them how to not only lead but communicate effectively in all aspects of their lives. She strives to instill excellence in young minority females by mentoring them on leadership, self- esteem, healthy relationships, boundaries as well as educational and Christian values to become pillars of success in their communities.  

As a Life Coach and Motivational Speaker, Kathy is the Transformation Strategist to professional women serving in the Armed Forces, female veterans and career-minded, goal-oriented women in the civilian sector needing to move from overwhelmed and undervalued to illuminating the path for themselves and others. She walks women through tearing down walls and strongholds of generational curses and self-sabotage that have plagued women for years. Kathy trains her clients to tap into their spiritual consciousness by removing the mask that they have built their lives around and to live life boldly and confidently in their God-given purpose. Through her support, clients can unlock their identity and potential to live a life of abundance and prosperity without fear, worry, anxiety or self-doubt.  

She enjoys meditating, studying ministry and natural health remedies, as well as spending time with her family and friends. She loves seafood and her favorite verse is Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” 

Kathy joined our CEO Mindset course to have a solid business plan, qualify and secure the funding to run Chandelier Transformations Youth Mentoring on a full-time basis and to be an essential business in her community. She wanted to network and build solid relationships with various individuals and form partnerships throughout the Tampa and St. Pete communities. 

She learned there were a lot of things she could delegate or eliminate to maximize her potential and run the business more effectively. She put strategies in place to avoid pitfalls and created tasks to get things done. A big “a-ha” was the difference of an end user client and a target client/market. “I learned that with my mentoring organization, my clients are my sponsors and donors. The girls and families that I serve are the end users.” 

Why would she recommend this course? “CEO Mindset gives you a clear strategy and develops the mindset to help you to get things done in your business. My practices, clients and tasks are clear and defined. No other training program has helped me with these things and in such a short amount of time. The pace is fast but knowing to brain dump and start with a fresh mindset, begin with the end in mind and Automate, Delegate and Eliminate! I feel that CEO Mindset has allowed me to navigate the pitfalls of starting and running a business. It has shown me I can run a business in a manner that will allow for success at the current moment and well into the future.” 

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Juliann Nichols

Options for Small Business Owners to Fight Health Care Costs

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Health insurance is a huge cost of business for any company, but especially for small companies. As a small business ourselves, we understand how stressful it can be to provide coverage to your employees. Premiums continue to increase and many smaller firms are forced to require employees to shoulder the financial burden.

Many employers have been forced to eliminate medical coverage all together. Over 60% of those without health insurance are employed by small businesses. This is a pervasive problem in the United States. The costs are greater per employee for a smaller company than they are for a larger one; some authorities cite a difference of 18 percent.

As a small business owner, what can you do to mitigate this issue?

While there aren’t any complete solutions, here are several ideas that can help to reduce the cost of providing medical coverage in your small business:

  1. Keep your employees healthy. Offering a wellness program can be very effective. Investments like flu shots, stop-smoking groups, cancer screenings, and more have been shown to return as much as $4 for every $1 invested. In the long-term, some larger companies have claimed a total savings of over $700 million from their wellness program!
  • Most of these types of programs aren’t going to be free, but can be an excellent tool for some small businesses.
  1. Reduce the coverage. Though this option is unpopular with employees, reducing the amount of the coverage or requiring employees to pay a greater share of the premium may be necessary.
  • Talk to your employees. Maybe they’re willing to give up dental or vision insurance in exchange for keeping the cost to them the same. See if a compromise can be reached.
  1. Health savings accounts. These accounts are available to those in plans with relatively high deductibles. In a nutshell, these accounts allow workers to deposit earnings in an account that can then be used to pay for medical expenses. Contributions and withdrawals are both tax-free. Employers can also make tax-free contributions, but are not required to.
  • The deductions can even be made on a 1040 form without having to itemize.
  1. Join or start a group. Insurance premiums for businesses with over 25 employees are less than for those with fewer than 25. Essentially, the more people the better. Depending on state laws, it may be possible to join with other businesses and get a lower rate. The savings can be significant depending on the group size.
  2. Shop for the best policy. Different insurers will have different offerings. Look around and see what you can find. A new insurance company might be just what you need to find the perfect policy for your employees. Talk to other small business owners and see what coverage they offer their employees. Live in the Florida area? We have a great recommendation for you, our own JULO alum, Carrie Roberts with American Trustee of Florida, LLC.

While offering medical insurance is very expensive, if you can find a way to provide this at an affordable rate to your employees, employee retention will improve. You’ll also be able to attract better talent.

One of the most powerful things you can do to obtain affordable health insurance is to pool your resources with other small business owners and qualify for a larger-group rate. In some cases, you’ll save $100 or more per employee. Investigate your state laws to see what’s permitted.

Medical insurance isn’t an easy issue for small business owners, but you can usually find a solution with a little searching. Take good care of yourself, your business, and your employees; see what you can do to offer affordable healthcare to your workers.

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Juliann Nichols

Carrie Roberts, CEO of American Trustee of Florida LLC – Helping Small Business Owners Find Affordable Insurance

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In this ever-changing world of insurance, it can be difficult to know what type of coverage is right for you and your family. Health insurance is so important, especially these days, and having an experienced professional to assist with your needs can be helpful in finding the right program for you. 

Carrie Roberts, CEO of American Trustee of Florida LLC, helps employers and individuals‘ source affordable insurance solutions. They offer a wide variety of options for Health, Life, Supplemental, Annuities and so much more.  

A Florida native, Carrie was born and raised in the great city of Jacksonville. She left to explore the “Wild Blue Yonder” in 1989 and joined the United States Air Force where she met her husband and had two children. Carrie served 10 years in Active Duty and 3 years Civil Service as a Weather Forecaster. 

Carrie went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in Business Management and her MBA with a focus in Marketing while working full-time retail management. After some time, she knew it was time to make a change as her season was over in retail. After much prayer and consideration, she entered the world of Insurance in 2016 and has not looked back.  

Carrie cut her teeth in the insurance industry as an Aflac Agent with a rapid succession to District Sales Coordinator. Wanting to provide her clients a more well-rounded suite of insurance options, Carrie became an Insurance Broker. She recently started American Trustee of Florida, LLC, where they help employers and individuals‘ source affordable Insurance coverage to meet their needs. It is Carrie’s vision to become “THE” go to Broker for small business owners! 

Don’t ever feel like it is too late to follow your dream! In addition to running her business, Carrie is now living her lifelong dream of performing in musical theatre. After raising two children, graduating from college and two careers, her very first show was in 2019 casted as Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast. She has since done two more shows and is looking forward to many more.

Carrie heard about our CEO Mindset course through one of our JULO alums, Trish Murphy. She wanted to be more of a savvy business owner, and well, learned she has a lot to learn about being a CEO! After implementing the knowledge gained, she realized she spent too much time doing things that were not income producing, therefore becoming counterproductive. She also needed to get her processes and systems in place in order to hire. Brain dumping was a huge takeaway and allowed her to allocate her time more efficiently. “At the end of each day, I can get it all out and help myself prepare for the days to come instead of spending that time spinning my wheels.”  

For Carrie, being a CEO means to own a business, with the processes, systems and a team that she puts into place to achieve her vision. “As a CEO, I am the face and cover of the business supported by a team that works together.” 

Why would she recommend this class? “This particular course is different than other business coaching classes. You walk away with the means and tools to run a practical business. The lessons are real life and real world and that’s important.”  

We couldn’t agree more Carrie. We look forward to seeing your continued accomplishments! 

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Juliann Nichols

16 Empowering Morning Rituals

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What you do in the morning can set the tone for what happens until you go back to bed. Start your day with rituals that make you feel powerful and alive.

Mornings are a busy time for many families just getting everyone out of the door on time.

On the other hand, you and your kids may be spending your days at home. That can be just as stressful as commuting, especially if you’re concerned about your health and finances.

The specific habits you choose will depend on your values and goals. Start small and have fun experimenting. Consider these ideas for morning rituals designed to help you thrive.

Empowering Morning Rituals for Your Body:

  1. First and foremost – BRAIN DUMP! We cannot preach enough how important it is to get everything you are thinking down on paper. Take 15 minutes out of your morning to jot down your thoughts.
  2. Skip the snooze button. Do you feel groggy even after 8 hours of sleep? The trouble could be your snooze button. It interrupts your body’s natural waking process. That can cause sleep inertia that lasts for hours.
  3. Drink water. You may want to postpone your first cup of coffee. Plain water will rehydrate your organs and make you feel more alert. You can add a little flavor with berries, herbs, or cucumber slices.
  4. Eat breakfast. You also need to refuel. Enjoy a balanced meal of traditional breakfast foods or heat up some leftovers. Smart choices include Greek yogurt with fruit or a fish taco.
  5. Work out. Complete your main exercise session or move around a little, especially if you’ll be sitting at a computer for hours. Choose an activity that you love, like yoga or swimming.
  6. Weigh yourself. If you’re trying to lose excess weight, stepping on the scale each day may help. Keep in mind that daily fluctuations are natural, so look for upward or downward trends.
  7. Go outdoors. Morning light wakes up your body and starts a hormone cycle that prepares you for restful sleep at night. Sit on your patio or bike to work.

Empowering Morning Rituals for Your Mind:

  1. Avoid technology. Resist the urge to lose yourself in social media. Turn off your phone or check for urgent messages only.
  2. Be prepared. Starting on tasks the night before can make your mornings more pleasant. Lay out your clothes and pack your briefcase.
  3. Meditate and pray. Nourish your spirituality. If you’re a beginner, start with a few minutes of meditation and build up your time gradually.
  4. Repeat affirmations. Give yourself loving and motivational messages. Speak in the present tense and keep your statements brief. Looking in the mirror can help you focus.
  5. Connect with loved ones. Enjoy family time. Play a word game with your kids while you’re helping them get dressed. Tell your partner that you love them.
  6. Cultivate gratitude. Count your blessings. Think of someone who you need to thank today.
  7. Continue learning. You could use your mornings to complete your degree online or study more informally. Listen to history and economics podcasts. Read high quality fiction or nonfiction.
  8. Have a project. Do you struggle to find time for yourself? The early hours may be an opportunity to engage your personal passions or expand your side gig.
  9. Listen to music. Research shows that listening to music reduces anxiety and enhances mental alertness and memory. Put together a personal playlist or turn on your favorite radio station.
  10. Plan your day. Set goals and block out your time. Otherwise, external events can keep you from focusing on your true priorities. Remember to leave yourself adequate downtime for refreshing breaks.

Kick off your day with a morning routine that will make you feel more productive and fulfilled. Adopt positive habits and jump out of bed with a smile.

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Juliann Nichols

Micro-Famous: How to Become Well-Known in Your Niche

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It’s not necessary for the whole world to know who you are to be highly successful. You only need the right people to know who you are.

For example, if you’re a real estate broker, you want the people in your area to know who you are. If you own a company that provides web links, you want all of the SEO business owners to know your name.

If you’re a realtor in San Diego, it won’t matter much if you’re a household name in Portugal. However, being famous to the right population can make all the difference in the world.

Luckily, being famous on a small scale is easier than you think!

Follow these tips to ensure that the right people know who you are:

  1. Specialize. It’s easier to become well-known if you’re extremely good at something. It’s easier to be extremely good at something specific.
  • For example, keeping with our San Diego real estate example, you don’t want to be a general realtor in San Diego. You want to be the realtor that specializes in high-end San Diego beach properties.
  1. Identify your target audience. Who are you trying to serve? What does your ideal customer look like? Develop a composite of the people that you want to know you. Are they a certain age? Male, female, or both? What income level do they have? What profession are they in? What hobbies do they have?
  • Be as detailed as necessary, but not more detailed than necessary. It’s important to know who you’re trying to reach.
  • Avoid wasting your time with those who aren’t in your niche.
  1. Rise above the noise. What does your audience need? What is the common problem they all have? Center your message around this need and your ability to solve it.
  • Noise is simply non-meaningful messaging. Be meaningful to your audience.
  1. Become an authority. When people want to solve a problem, they want an expert. But how does the average person spot an expert? They aren’t experts themselves, or they wouldn’t need you. Consider these ideas to be looked at as the expert:
  • Put content in front of ready-made audiences. There are others who already have the attention of those you want to reach. Write a guest post for a blog. Be a guest on a podcast.
  • Teach an online class. Create a class and put in on one of the several websites that specialize in that sort of thing, such as Udemy.com. Everyone will assume you’re an expert if you’re teaching a course that you created.
  • Put content on social media and on your own website regularly. It’s important to be consistent with your postings, so stick to a schedule.
  • Use linkedin.com. Keep your profile up to date and use all the features that are supplied on that platform to post content.
  • Write a book. It’s not as daunting as it seems. It only takes a few pages a day to write a book in six weeks. There’s no expense for creating a Kindle book. It’s hard to find a respected expert that hasn’t written a book.
  1. Make friends with the well-known experts in your fields. You can become famous by association. Interview these experts. Contribute a guest post to their website. Ask them to write the introduction to your book.

Being famous has its advantages. This is especially true within your niche. The world within your niche is quite small, so it’s not nearly as challenging to be famous within your niche as it is to be famous in general.

A little fame can go a long way toward building your career or business. You don’t have to be a household name. Just a little fame will do.

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