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In our Take 5 series, sponsored by Verizon, we ask women in business about unexpected challenges, their inspirations, recent wins, and how the free Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program has helped propel their business forward. Here, we meet Therise Edwards, founder/CEO of Teshley Solutions, an education consultancy firm that helps students and families navigate the complexities of the education system K through 12.

What is an unexpected business challenge that you faced and how did you overcome it?

I wouldn't call myself a FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid) expert, but I ended up having to know a lot more about it than I ever anticipated. FAFSA is what administers Pell Grants, which is what a lot of colleges base their financial aid on. I knew about the application changes, and some were excellent, but they made a series of critical errors and a lot of parents were scrambling. It was not my intent to have this as my area of focus; it just became a necessity.

What's a recent small win for your business?

Recent small wins are my collaborations. I formed partnerships with one organization that focuses on students with special needs. I hosted a webinar with the executive director of that organization. I formed a partnership with members from an insurance company on planning and paying for college. That was my first corporate sponsorship. And I've got a series of events coming out because others actually reached out to me. One of them I met through another networking platform, but I got to that platform from one of the sessions that I did with Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program.

How did you start to collaborate with external partners?

Just changing my strategies and my approach, and just being more secure and more emphatic in making connections. It ends up being this continual cycle.

Is there a woman in business that you admire or that you look up to?

I have two. Leontyne Anglin, who runs a nonprofit called Beyond Expectations. She works with a small pool of students, but she just gives them enormous exposure and opportunity. She's brilliant with collaborating with individuals and businesses and really bringing the students what they need. And then the other on a bigger scale is Cate Luzio, founder and CEO of Luminary, who taught her Business Plan Bootcamp through the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program. She is just a dynamo. She is just so supportive of women entrepreneurs. She's awesome.

How did the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program help propel your business forward?

All of the collaborations and partnerships with the exception of one all came from joining the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program. I’ve taken all of the free classes and the one on projections and pricing, something every entrepreneur struggles with, was very helpful. There have been so many of them. Sometimes you're completely ignorant in a category so you take the class and it's like, okay, that's good to have. But then sometimes you sign up for it and it's like, oh, yeah, I did know 90 percent of that, but this other 10 percent is going to be very, very helpful.

Learn more about the free Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program and Teshley Solutions.

Illustration by Daniela Jordan-Villaveces

In our Take 5 series, sponsored by Verizon, we ask women in business about unexpected challenges, their inspirations, recent wins, and how the free Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program has helped propel their business forward. Here, we meet Rita Suzanne, a marketing strategist for health and wellness businesses who learned to network, connect with other entrepreneurs, and build her business online and IRL.

What's an unexpected business challenge that you've had to face and how did you overcome it?

The hardest thing for me was my sister passed away and I ended up taking custody of my nieces. I ended up being a single mom of four kids. This is the thing that transitioned my whole entire life. I stopped doing web design and started my podcast Mom Owned and Operated. I wanted to reconnect with other moms and figure out how they were able to run their businesses and raise a family and take care of themselves because I wasn't able to do all three at the same time. Through that journey, I realized that I really needed to connect with other people and how important it was for my business. It helped me to create that community that I was yearning for that I didn't realize that I needed.

What's a recent small win for your business?

For me, the win was just pivoting back to something that I actually wanted to do. Also, I’ve started to say no to things that I no longer want to do.

Who is a woman in business that you look up to and why?

I have always admired and looked up to Amy Porterfield [author of Two Weeks Notice]. I listened to her all the time when I was starting out. I think that she's amazing and I love her stuff. She just seems like a very genuine person.

Is there a resource that has made an impact on you as an entrepreneur?

I listen to a lot of audio books. One of my favorites that has been huge for me is You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero. I was told when I first started my business, by a friend who was a business coach, that I have a mindset problem. Ten years ago, I had no idea even what “mindset” was. Sincero’s book helped me to see what she meant by “mindset” and helped me adjust that mindset and fix some of the things that I didn't realize were broken.

How has the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program helped propel your business forward?

There are a lot of things that I have loved about it. There are local networking and training opportunities, and that has been great, and the online training is very valuable. It's a great resource. I find that marketing needs a three-tiered approach, meaning you need to network it locally, socially, and then also have a very comprehensive online approach to your marketing. One of the Verizon Small Business trainings that I took was all about taking advantage of your local resources. I found that to be extremely valuable because often people think they need to just focus on social media. I don't think that people focus enough on their local community.

Learn more about the free Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program and Rita Suzanne.

Illustration by Daniela Jordan-Villaveces

When you're in between episodes of your favorite January TV shows, then there's nothing better than watching new January movies. (Also, I can't believe it's almost a new year already!! Where did the time go?!). Whether you're a tried-and-true movie theater goer, or you love nothing more than a movie night from the comfort of your own couch, these rom-coms, action movies, and horror flicks coming in 2025 are exactly what you need to add to your New Year's Resolutions.

Here are all the new January movies you can watch in 2025.

1. Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl — On Netflix January 3, 2025

Netflix

Wallace and Gromit are back! Thank goodness, because there's no other way I would want to start a brand new year. This January movie sees Wallace's new "smart" gnome become way too smart — and a dangerous certain someone might be behind everything. Now Gromit has to battle the most sinister of forces to save the day.

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl premieres January 3 and stars Ben Whitehead, Peter Kay, Lauren Patel, Reece Shearsmith, Diane Morgan, Adjoa Andoh, Muzz Khan, and Lenny Henry.

2. Better Man — In Theaters January 10, 2025

Paramount Pictures

This new movie is based on the true story of British popstar Robbie Williams. While examining his rise to fame and his time with boyband Take That, the movie also dives into the highs and lows of fame...all while presenting as a monkey. I'm going to be honest, this movie really confuses me. It's definitely a creative and unique concept, which I've been craving more of, but I'll have to see this movie before I can figure out how I feel!

Better Man premieres January 10 and stars Robbie Williams, Jonno Davies, Steve Pemberton, Damon Herriman, Raechelle Banno, Alison Steadman, Kate Mulvaney, Frazer Hadfield, Tom Budge, and Anthony Hayes.

3. The Last Showgirl — In Theaters January 10, 2025

Roadside Attractions

Pamela Anderson stars as Shelly, a showgirl who has to figure out what the rest of her life looks like when her show suddenly closes after 30 years. With an incredible cast, a award-worthy performance from Pamela, and music by Miley Cyrus, this is one January movie I literally can't stop thinking about.

The Last Showgirl premieres January 10 and stars Jamie Lee Curtis, Dave Bautista, Brenda Song, Kiernan Shipka, and Billie Lourd.

4. Wolf Man — In Theaters January 17, 2025

Nicola Dove/Universal Pictures

Scary movie fans rejoice! Wolf Man is exactly the kind of movie that'll send shivers down your spine, unrelated to the winter weather. When Blake (Christopher Abbott), Charlotte (Julia Garner), and their daughter Ginger (Matilda Firth) come across a dangerous and mysterious animal, they barricade themselves inside a farmhouse to stay safe. Unfortunately, Blake begins a strange transformation of his own — and puts Charlotte and Ginger in a whole new kind of danger.

Wolf Man premieres January 17 and stars Christopher Abbott, Julia Garner and Sam Jaeger, Matilda Firth, Benedict Hardie, Ben Prendergast, Zac Chandler, Beatriz Romilly, and Milo Cawthorne.

5. Paddington in Peru — In Theaters January 17, 2025

Peter Mountain/StudioCanal/Sony Pictures

If you're already dreaming about a summer vacation, you're not alone — even Paddington Bear is headed somewhere warm! In Paddington in Peru, our favorite cuddly teddy is on a quest to find Aunt Lucy...and brings the whole family along for the ride.

Paddington in Peru premieres January 17 and stars Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Imelda Staunton, Carla Tous, Ben Whishaw, Olivia Colman, and Madeleine Harris.

6. One of Them Days — In Theaters January 24, 2025

Sony Pictures

Keke Palmer and SZA are reviving the BFF comedy in 2025 and I am MORE THAN READY. When Dreux and Alyssa learn Alyssa's BF has spent their rent money, they have to go on a totally unexpected adventure to keep themselves from getting evicted.

One of Them Days premieres January 24 and stars Keke Palmer, SZA, Maude Apatow, and Janelle James.

7. Flight Risk — In Theaters January 24, 2025

Lionsgate

In this new January movie, Downton Abbey's Michelle Dockery stars as a U.S. Marshall who must bring a witness to court and deal with the fact the pilot's really a hitman. (I can't help but wonder what Lady Mary would do in this scenario).

Flight Risk premieres January 24 and stars Michelle Dockery, Mark Walberg, and Topher Grace.

8. Inheritance — In Theaters January 24, 2025

IFC Films

Maya's life turns upside down when she learns her father used to be a spy...and then finds herself in the middle of an international conspiracy. No big deal!! Now Maya must evade dangerous hunters and stay alive long enough to find the answers to her questions.

Inheritance premieres January 24 and stars Phoebe Dynevor and Rhys Ifans.

9. You're Cordially Invited — On Prime Video January 30, 2025

Prime Video

Reese Witherspoon and Will Ferrell are starting 2025 with a bang! This hilarious R-rated rom-com follows Reese's character as she plans her sister's destination wedding...then realizes the venue has double booked them with Will Ferrell, a father who's determined that his daughter's (Geraldine Viswanathan) wedding go perfectly. When I say chaos ensues, I'm talking alligator wrestling, a zebra knocking over the cake, and strippers.

You're Cordially Invited premieres January 30 and stars Will Ferrell, Reese Witherspoon, Geraldine Viswanathan, Meredith Hagner, Jimmy Tatro, Stony Blyden, Leanne Morgan, Rory Scovel, Keyla Monterroso Mejia, Ramona Young, Jack McBrayer, and Celia Weston.

10. Valiant One — In Theaters January 31, 2025

Briarcliff Entertainment

When a captain and his unit get trapped behind enemy lines — and their equipment goes out — they have to band together and figure out how to get to safety. This January movie has some familiar faces like Chase Stokes and Lana Condor, and it'll keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Valiant One premieres January 31 and stars Chase Stokes, Lana Condor, Desmin Borges, Callan Mulvey, Jonathan Whitesell, and Daniel Jun.

11. Mickey 17 — In Theaters January 31, 2025

Warner Bros. Pictures

Mickey Barnes goes on countless life-ending missions after he signs up to be an Expendable. On his quest to colonize the ice world of Niflheim, he's cloned countless times — but, shockingly, nothing really goes wrong until two Mickeys wind up surviving at the same time.

Mickey 17 premieres January 31 and stars Robert Pattinson, Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo.

Don't forget to watch this year's best New December Movies and New December TV Shows before you ring in the new year!