We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dr. Monica S. Hall a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Dr. Monica S. , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you as a business owner?

One mantra I acquired from owning a community center prior to starting my school is to value everyone as a stakeholder. From the custodial team to the CFO of the investor you’re pitching to – they each hold value and are stakeholders in the potential for your business to be succesful. Therefore, the opinion of the student in a school matters just as much as the suggestion from your tenured faculty. Valuing each aspect of your business and every person that comes in contact with your business not only attracts potential customers/clients, but also produces humility. Humble leadership is the cornerstone of my success story.

Dr. Monica S. , 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?

I do ministry! Not in a traditional church setting, but in a school context. Working with, serving, and empowering my students is my daily ministry; literally, seven days a week! I am a licensed and ordained minister; degreed with a Master of Divinity from Emory University Candler School of Theology and coupled with a Doctorate in Education from the University of Miami. Most persons would assume those degrees equipped me for my role as Founder and educator at T.H.R.I.V.E. Christian Academy (TCA), but it was really my undergraduate experiences at Howard University that molded my ministry and leadership ethics. My HBCU experience is so infused into TCA that one of our mottos has evolved into, “T.H.R.I.V.E., where your HBCU experience begins!” We not only celebrate all shades of learners and the unique narratives they bring into the educational context, but also affirm their cultures and communities via our culturally-responsive curriculum and enrichment experiences via our department of Student Life.

I’m most excited to drive onto our campus and see genuine smiles on the faces of the faculty, staff, students and parents alike. At T.H.R.I.V.E., people actually want to come to school! They desire to be here- in this community, garnering the energy, love and motivation they need to succeed in the classroom, in their contexts outside of TCA, and in the world at large. The way we “do” education infuses each person that walks through our doors with Joy, resiliency, hopefulness and a swag that unites! It’s simply, “the THRIVE way!”

I started my school in 2013 with two first grade students in an 800sq ft home in downtown Lithonia, GA. Eleven calendar years and twelve school years later, I hold the key to the city of Lithonia; we educate over 250 minority Title I students on a 23-acre campus in Tucker with a faculty and staff of 30 leaders who are committed to educate, empower, and equip this generation of scholars and the next generation of good Samaritans. At T.H.R.I.V.E. we, literally, thrive holistically as a community; growing academically, mentally, physically and spiritually.

The challenges of growing from two students to over two hundred have diversified my leadership, entrepreneur and education portfolio beyond what I could have learned in any textbook. I’m a people person; when I add that to the degrees, the military brat experiences of moving and handling transition every 2-3 years, along with my narratives as mother, wife, sibling, Black and Christian – Favor has to be my portion! Hence the inception of Full Count Consulting, my much-anticipated entrepreneurial pursuit to consult schools, churches and leaders on how to get to success when the odds may be against them. A “full count” is a baseball/ softball term meaning the batter has 3 balls and 2 strikes – this applies all the pressure on the next pitch. Often, the question for the batter is should they swing and take a shot at getting on base or even a homerun; or not swing and hope that the pitcher throws a ball and walks them. I say, “Take the SWING!” I’ll take God’s Favor over any odds, on any given day! I partner with clients and offer strategy, training and advocacy; essentially becoming that #1 fan that every batter needs when up against any “full count” in the form of funding roadblocks or lack of motivation or challenges accessing resources. Watch out for my Full Count clients – a grand slam is guaranteed!

On the T.H.R.I.V.E. side of the house – stay tuned for our Inaugural “Galatians 6:9” Gala coming up on Juneteenth 2025. Purchase tickets to contribute directly to supplement teacher salaries as we encourage them, and educators nationwide, to not become weary in well-doing! On the Full Count movement – be sure to register for our upcoming conference to get the tools and strategy needed to get you back up to the plate, bat in hand with the confidence and favor you need to hit a grand slam!

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Do right by the customers you already have! Prioritze their needs, versus making changes to attract a clientele you do not possess. My school has grown from two students to over two hundred by word-of-mouth. When you do right by people and do right by children, they become your walking and talking billboards. My students are my best “advertisement,” more efficient than any flyer and more effective than any radio ad. If you desire to grow your clientele, make their experience with your business so good that they can’t help but to brag on your quality of customer service, as well as all that you offer/provide.

Word-of-mouth is still the best recruiting tool; even in the 21st century! Provide a quality product that is so impressive to the point that your clients can’t stop talking about it. Service your customers in a manner that enhances their quality of life today and feeds positively into their future to the degree that they become recruiters for you because they want the lives of their family and friends and colleagues to be enhanced as well! First-hand testimonies have been the driving force behind my entrepreneurial success and the exponential growth of my businesses.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

My experience in the military has taught me that people respect leaders who are “in the trenches” alongside them. Essentially, this means that it’s easier to follow your directive to do something, if your team knows that you have 1) already done it, 2) are willing to do it again and 3) are confident in their ability to do it even better.

I started my school from scratch; I’ve been the teacher, the janitor, the “lunch lady” and even the bus driver. There is NO position that I’ve hired someone for that I didn’t do first. That reality builds high morale because I’m able to relate to the experiences of my team. I’m also present daily at my school and I have an open-door policy that everyone can take advantage of. When we meet challenges, people do not have to pick up their phones to call me; instead, they can walk up to me because I’m right there in the trenches with them; on-site working to resolve the issue and to ensure their enjoyment of T.H.R.I.V.E. on the daily basis.

Selfless leaders have the capacity to monitor morale and steer it in the proper direction. Having a hands-on approach differs from micromanaging; you’re not there to take over or give instructions every step of the way. In contrast, you’re present to be a helpmate and teammate – offering expertise and guidance when applicable or simply lending your hands to the cause. A present leader who is willing to listen, provide feedback and/or make corrective actions is key to maintaining high morale in any industry.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thethriveway.org
• Instagram: @the.thrive.way
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/thethriveway
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thrivestrong
• Twitter: @thethriveway
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/@thethriveway2013

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