Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Andrea Powell. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Andrea, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Looking back on your career, have you ever worked with a great leader or boss? We’d love to hear about the experience and what you think made them such a great leader.

The best boss I ever had (CW) taught me how to show up for myself in whatever environment I found myself in. We were both women of color working in a PWI where microaggressions were commonplace. This led to me be hyperaware and eventually anxious about being perceived as the stereotypical “angry black woman.” I found myself smiling and speaking in a higher tone to show myself more friendly, unaggressive, and thus more palatable for my coworkers. This particular boss was instrumental in helping me navigate the complexities of race relations in the workplace. She mentored me-showing me how to professionally and tactfully handle sensitive issues between colleagues. The skills I learned while working for this petite powerhouse of a woman have served me immeasurably as I interact with various cultures, ethnicities, working classes, etc. I’ve never felt more confident knowing that I belong in whatever circle or boardroom I enter.

Andrea, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

How did I get into the industry? This may sound weird, but hear me out. One day I simply heard “podcast.” Prior to that day, I had never even listened to a podcast- let alone produce one. I prayed about what I had heard because I had absolutely no idea on how to move forward. Then one day someone gave me a laptop for FREE! I continued to pray. Someone gave me a recording mic for FREE! I continued to pray. Someone designed my website for FREE! By this point, all my excuses to not proceed had been removed. So, I moved forward and We Are Not So Different LLC was born.

On We Are Not So Different podcast, we discuss all the things that are considered taboo. On social media, we get a highlight reel of all the amazing things that are happening in each others lives. Meanwhile, some folks are legitimately struggling in silence convinced that they are alone when the fact of the matter is we have more things in common than not. Let’s talk about some of the struggles. Let’s discuss how you made it through that divorce, miscarriage, domestic abuse, infertility, etc. What you gleaned from your tribulation may be just what the next person needs to hear to make it through.

I learned everything about podcasting (recording, editing, analytics etc.) through the school of hard knocks aka trial and error. I’m not ashamed to say that there was a lot of error, but I kept pushing. Shortly after starting my podcast, I was approached to host a radio show. I started vlogging shortly after that. Somewhere in there, I authored a book entitled Daily Devotions From the Heart of an Encourager which focuses on deepening your relationship with God. I host what I have named Prayer Bootcamps. In my PBCs participants engage in a 21 day program that promotes the power of consistency in prayer. Through all these things, I’ve continued to pray and it has really just been a natural progression.

I am most proud of the fact that I know I am making a difference in the lives of others. I’ve never felt more fulfillment in any of the conventional 9 to 5’s I’ve worked in the past. I’m genuinely looking forward to what comes next.

Any advice for managing a team?

Relationships will always be your most valuable asset. Money is nice. It’s REALLY nice. However, solid relationships with the right people will open doors for you that no amount of money could ever open. I cannot stress the importance of transparency enough. People need to know/feel that they are cared for, and they can usually sense when it is not genuine. Consider this. In a 40-hour work week, we often spend more time with the people on our jobs than we do our own families. If we are devoting that kind of time and energy, it simply make sense to invest in nurturing those relationships. Everyone benefits. Work doesn’t really seem like work when you can enjoy what you do as much as who you do it with.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

At the risk of sounding repetitive, it’s the people. I genuinely enjoy knowing that something I have supplied can positively impact someone’s life. When people are able to take a service I have provided, apply it to their everyday lives, and witness real time results- I am over the moon with joy! Serving people reaffirms my purpose and spurs me onward.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearenotsodifferent_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/We-Are-Not-So-Different-2819140581461672
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-powell-mba-09b25b206/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXopfL0JhVJEuDZY9CHV7TQ

Image Credits
All images except for the collage are by Images by Marc Anthony