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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

Since moving from downtown Atlanta, I've been sad about not having a convenient commute to Whole Foods or Trader Joe's anymore. To circumvent my lack of access to them, I've been making frequent trips to Publix. It's been one of my go-to grocery stores lately because it has some of the freshest produce and incredible deli selections I've tasted.

Whether my fiancé and I are looking for inexpensive parmesan cheese or pasta salad that doesn't skimp on quality, Publix truly has everything we need! But, I've recently discovered the most amazing appetizer that cost me less than $15 — and I can't wait to share it with everyone who may not have the patience (or know how) to make a delicious charcuterie board yet. With just two ingredients, you can make an easy holiday appetizer that's totally giving bougie! Here's how!

Here's the inexpensive, luxe appetizer from Publix that'll fill your fancy snack needs!

Jasmine Williams

1. Firehook Baked Crackers

My childhood was filled with eating saltine crackers with soup whether I had a viral cold or upset stomach, but I've been looking for something that feels elevated. The problem is that I can be picky about the taste and texture of what I eat. But surprisingly these Firehook Baked Crackers have passed both tests!

They're super crisp and don't have an overwhelming sea salt taste, which makes my taste buds happy. They're also sturdy unlike some flimsy snacks I've tried. This is important because I knew I wanted to pair them with a tasty dip or spread. I just didn't know which until I took a chance on a new brand.

P.S. It does contain wheat, so steer clear if you're allergic to it!

Jasmine Williams

2. Alouette Garlic & Herbs, Soft Spreadable

This soft spreadable has all the makings of what I imagine bliss to taste like. I know you're thinking, "But it's garlic & herbs," — but this is what my uninterrupted staycation desires consist of! It's flavorful, yet somehow manages to remain lightweight...which is honestly rare with spreads. However, this gluten-free option will make you see stars.

A Tasty Two-Ingredient Luxe Appetizer 

Jasmine Williams

Okay, don't judge me...I had to dig in before I snapped a pic. Sorry, but my camera doesn't eat first!

In short, I stand by this quick and inexpensive luxe appetizer from Publix. It's helping me to remember to eat when I'm in the thick of working and caring for a busy toddler. It doesn't require a ton of prep time either. In less than two minutes you'll be tasting a delicious blend of sea salt, garlic, and herbs!

If you're hosting this holiday season, you can delicately arrange this duo on a tray, with the garlic spread dolloped in the middle and the crackers beautifully fanning out around it. However, this is my preferred method of eating it: getting the crackers and dip on my plate as quickly as possible so I can eat it even faster.

Happy snacking!

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