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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

Christmas wreaths are great way to elevate your front door, entryway, or mantel during the holidays. From faux cedar and pine wrapped in velvet ribbon to a beautiful mix of dried fruit and flowers, these wreaths satisfy any holiday aesthetic and budget. To preserve your wreath outdoors, try to keep it away from direct sunlight and limit its exposure to rain, snow, whatever elements come your way. Prefer to make your own? Check out our pom pom, succulent, and holiday wreath DIYs you can make at a fraction of the cost. Here are 20 wreaths you'll want to deck the halls, doors, mantel, and more this holiday season.

Real Touch Norfolk Pine Wreath with Velvet Bow and Bell

A simple velvet bow will elevate your door wreath for the season. This handmade and customizable faux Norfolk pine and juniper wreath is a very demure, very mindful way to decorate for the holidays, indoors and out.

Anthropologie Faux Cedar Wreath (optional trimmings)

Add velvet ribbon and ornaments to this faux and luxe cedar wreath and you have a colorful wreath for many years to come.

Crate and Barrel Faux Red Mini Berry Wreath

Available in holly berry red or winter white, this faux wreath brings holiday cheer to your door or mantel or even as wall art!

Food52 Vintage Bell Olive and Eucalyptus Wreath

Handmade in Monterey, CA, this stunning olive and eucalyptus wreath is very woodland vibes with two vintage bells strung with jute.

West Elm Faux Shimmer Wreath

Bring an instant glow to your holiday decor with this pre-lit wreath and matching garland.

Anthropologie Mistletoe Iron Wreath

For those who love kissing under the mistletoe, this wreath is the perfect holiday addition and tradition.

Maisonette Berry & Bright Ball Wreath

Go for vintage holiday party vibes with this cheeky glass wreath.

World Market Faux Eucalyptus and Red Berries Wreath

Deck your trad door with this lifelike eucalyptus wreath in two-tone green hues.

Afloral Real Touch Norfolk Pine Wreath

This super natural-looking pine wreath is faux and fabulous all year-round. Add small ornaments, ribbon, lights or just keep it au naturel.

William Sonoma Rainbow Kaleidoscope Live Wreath

Holiday wreath, but make it rainbow with air-dried botanicals like delphinium, larkspur, craspedia, strawflower, avena and eucalyptus. So fun!

DIY Holiday Wreath

Say hello to our embroidery hoop mixed with fringe, florals and wood. Take it a step further and add in succulents and some gold detailing to make it the cutest DIY Christmas wreath on the block. (via Brit + Co)

Etsy Large Beaded Natural Dried Wreath

This mix of boho botanicals on a lovely beaded wreath include: baby’s breath, banksia flowers, brunia stems, phylica, and flowers in green, red, yellow, and pink hues.

Anthropologie Paper Village Wreath

How cute are these colorful paper houses? Add a little village to your wreath this year for a whimsical look.

Etsy Boho Wreath

This boho-inspired pampas wreath is lush and beautiful and would look stunning on a dark-colored door.

DIY Pom Pom Wreath

Here's a wreath that's festive, colorful, and could be hung year-round. All it takes is some pom-pom skills (read: scissors) and a good Netflix binge to get you there. Get ready to bring pom-pom holiday decor to your home. (via Brit + Co)

ETSY DRIED FLOWER PAMPAS WREATH

Dried flowers combined with oats, wheat, pampas grass, and mixed cereals will turn your front door into an actual conversation piece.

Terrain Iron Constellation Wreath

This wreath is made up of a constellation of weathered iron stars for a little celestial vibe.

Cost Plus Mini Pinecone and Faux Greenery Wreath, Set of 2

Why go with just one big wreath when you can adorn your door with these sweet 6-inch wreaths with real pinecones, snowy faux pine sprigs and white eucalyptus leaves. Add them to doors, tablescapes or chair backs during your holiday feast.

Amazon Prime Snow-Covered Faux Spruce Wreath

With a mix of white berries, brown pine cones and festive stars, this "Welcome" wreath will cheer up your door instantly.

DIY Succulent Wreath

Here's a holiday wreath refresh, desert-style. It also makes a great handmade gift! (via Brit + Co)

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