We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cherolyn Davis a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Cherolyn, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

In 2011 I was hosting networking events through my event planning company “Network Creations” where I invite my GIRLfriends out once a month to join me for cocktails and conversations at local restaurants throughout Broward, County. During these mixers I would engage the ladies in conversations about business, relationships, sisterhood, finance etc.

After hosting the mixers for about 2 years the numbers of attendees and interest grew dramatically. The platform was created I just needed to add a meaningful mission that would allow women to clearly see the vision.

It took me nearly a week to construct the idea of a women’s group that would engage, elevate and educate. After writing the vision I prayed that God would bring me 5 women who sees my vision and who would help me develop a structure that would impact women. Literally, the next day God sent me names of 5 young ladies who knew about finance, community service, leadership, personal development and faith as well as the name for the organization “GIRLfessionals”

GIRLfessionals: Women aspiring entrepreneurs, business owners & professionals “Innovative and Creative Women with an Entrepreneurial Mindset” (We are GIRLS and PROFESSIONALS in our industry)

Those 5 women came in and next thing we were registering as an incorporation business non-profit, opening bank accounts, creating membership packets, website and more.

Within 2 months we were ready to launch GIRLfessionals as a business entity as of 5/2013.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am Cherolyn Davis the creator/founder of GIRLfessionals, Inc. TM. I am also the CEO of Get Truckin’ Dispatch & Logistics, LLC. I am known to most as a “Women Empowerment Enthusiast” most just say I am “Every Girls GIRLfriend” because of my love of helping women especially women who look like me.

As a networker (connector) it comes naturally. I’ve always been the GO-TO GIRL so I did what comes naturally and created a business from my natural gifts. My passion is connecting and building relationships and I would like for my “Connectors & Collaborators” know that being a networker is not just a business for me, its a mission for me to educate women on the importance of connecting and collaborating for the best interest of their business and I stand firmly behind the GIRLfessionals name and brand.

Just before the 2020 pandemic the men of my family started their trucking company and as a “silent partner” I sat at the table during a few meetings and became interested in the transportation world. After further research I begin to take a look at how I can help the company and help others at the same time. I learned how to dispatch and became a certified Independent Freight Dispatcher, learning the different type of equipments, terminologies, how to negotiate rates, how to apply for an authority for owner operators, back-office structure and more. While dispatching for our company I also dispatch other owner operators and I am an instructor for aspiring freight dispatchers.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

“SHOWING UP” helped build my reputation. You have to be present even when you don’t want to or feel like it. Showing up and speaking your truth help potential clients/customers trust you in order to trust your product or services.

Show up on social media, show up at networking events and conferences and always follow up with any connections you’ve made from each event, DM or email inquiry.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

When starting a new business I would definitely suggest aspiring business owners to not leave their 9 to 5 without having start-up capital. I know you hear people say “Just Leap” and “Step Out on Faith” all of that is good but let’s be realistic “Nothing from nothing leaves nothing”

I had to learn the hard way and at one point I had to return back to working a 9-5 in order to fund my dream of being an entrepreneur. Being an entrepreneur is not easy but its necessary.

I would also apply for every business grants geared towards my industry and gender specifics. Another option is “Angel Investors” I stayed away from loans as much as possible.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.girlfessionals.org
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/_girlfessionals & http://instagram.com/gettruckindispatch
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/girlfessionalsnetwork & http://instagram.com/gettruckindispatch
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/cherolyn-davis-girlfessionals
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/girlfessional

Image Credits
Images credit: – Louis Lens Photography – Bcyoung Creations – Cherolyn Davis