Social Impact Heroes Helping Our Planet: Why and How Dr Stacie NC Grant Of Workshop in Business Opportunity Is Helping To Change Our World
The essence of leadership lies in the ability to inspire, guide, and empower others toward a shared vision or goal. A true leader fosters trust, communicates effectively, and leads by example.
As part of my series about “individuals and organizations making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Stacie NC Grant.
Dr. Stacie N. C. Grant is the Board Chair at WIBO. She is a New York State Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, award-winning international speaker, master facilitator, best-selling author, influencer, producer, and media personality. Dr. Stacie NC Grant is living her divine calling to LEAD, TEACH and INSPIRE! She is also a faith-based entrepreneur who advocates for social and economic justice globally.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific path with WIBO?
I told my Mother not to long after graduating from College that I wasn’t going to last working for someone else. I was frustrated seeing what I felt could be done better. I started looking for business programs and ran across information about WIBO. It seemed too good to be true but I am glad I showed up to what was the beginning of a life changing opportunity.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?
The most interesting thing that happened to me was being called to apply for an opportunity to become the facilitator for the 20 Billion JFK Airport Redevelopment Community Advisory Council. I was successful and have had the honor of participating in this legacy work creating access and opportunities for local and minority businesses owners.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting?
The funniest mistake I made when I was first starting was printing marketing materials with a proof reader. I produced materials with multiple typos. It was so embarrassing.
Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
I learned the hard way the importance of having another set of eyes review anything that would be public facing.
Can you describe how you or your organization (WIBO) is making a significant social impact?
WIBO is making a difference by removing barriers to economic stability through the development of the skills, training and support needed to start and sustain small businesses. WIBO was created to increase income opportunities, reduce unemployment, and promote long-term economic development and community success, with a focus on women and communities of color.
Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
WIBO has had the benefit of a committed champion of entrepreneurship in the person of Mike Blumenfeld. Mike is Chair Emeritus of Workshop in Business Opportunities (WIBO). For decades, he has volunteered as a business mentor and workshop instructor, helping aspiring entrepreneurs learn practical business skills such as planning, marketing, and management. He has and continues to teach and mentor hundreds of small business owners who enrolled in WIBO. Mike became involved after recognizing that many people who needed business guidance could not afford consulting services. He chose to donate his financial resources and expertise to WIBO and kept the program operational for years. Through his commitment to WIBO, he has proved that small businesses can strengthen communities by creating jobs, increasing economic stability, and giving residents opportunities for upward mobility.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
3 things Government entities, politicians and community organizations can do is:
- Create more capacity building grants
- Offer low-interest loans
- Donate equipment, internet service, or safe co-working business spaces.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
The essence of leadership lies in the ability to inspire, guide, and empower others toward a shared vision or goal. A true leader fosters trust, communicates effectively, and leads by example. Leadership is not just about authority or decision-making; it’s about motivating and uplifting others, encouraging growth, and creating an environment where people feel valued, heard, and driven to contribute their best. I am clear that leadership is not a solo journey. Before my current leadership role, I have cultivated a priceless legacy of collaboration, partnerships and purpose.
Recently, I was touched by a young woman who came back to tell me that when she told me she had dropped out of college while volunteering on a program I was running, I encouraged her to go back to school. She not only went back to college she went on to receive her Doctorate in Education and is now a member of multiple organizations with leadership and service as a focus.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
1. Organize and set up your back office
I was focused initially more on sales and not enough on infrastructure to sustain and organize the sales so it made accounting challenging.
2. Hire slow and fire quickly
I lost money holding on to staff that weren’t aligned with our business success.
3. Know your numbers
without understanding budgeting and forecasting it is difficult to sustain income and increase your profit margin.
4. Offering discounts prematurely
I lost money by trying to give discounts as a sales strategy.
5. Leverage mentors early
avoid costly mistakes by seeking guidance from seasoned entrepreneurs.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”?
One of my favorite quotes is from Ghandi — “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
I have built my life serving others and find true joy in using my gifts to create space for others to grow into the best version of who they have been called to be.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why?
I would love to have a private lunch with Oprah Winfrey to discuss her leadership journey, how she deals with public scrutiny, lessons learned building her ideal team and her unfinished legacy goals.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
If I could inspire a movement, I would call it the “3 x10 Challenge”, I would challenge every human being to share 3 kind words with at least 10 strangers everyday and add their results in a master kindness log. This movement would prove there is more good than evil in the world.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Readers can connect with me on social media:
Facebook:/DrStacieNCGrant
Twitter:@StacieNCGrant
Instagram: @StacieNCGrant
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/StacieNCGrant
Clubhouse: DrStacieNCGrant
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Thank you so much for these insights! We wish you continued success in your important work.
Social Impact Heroes Helping Our Planet: Why and How Dr Stacie NC Grant Of Workshop in Business… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.