We recently connected with Faith Schwalback and have shared our conversation below.
Faith, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Your ability to build a team is often a key determinant of your success as a business owner and so we’d love to get a conversation going with successful entrepreneurs like yourself around what your recruiting process was like -especially early on. How did you build your team?
Building a team has been the most rewarding challenge for me. Why? Because I realized that to have the dream team I envisioned, I needed to focus on self-improvement. The personal growth I experienced while striving to build this dream team has taught me many valuable lessons. One of the key takeaways is to hire slowly and let go quickly. If someone isn’t the right fit, it’s important to part ways in a manner that empowers them to pursue their dream job with confidence. Just last week, someone mentioned that I have high standards and lead in a way that inspires my team to elevate their performance. That was the best compliment I could receive.
I want everyone to know that it wasn’t always this way. By paying attention and learning from each employee and volunteer, I have grown significantly. Every single one, I have paid attention to the lesson to be learned. In the beginning it was my lack of communication and clarity. That is not the case today. Quick to see potential I would literally say, make this your dream job and figure it out. That was a recipe for disaster. Our hiring process is intense. It requires multiple interviews, a project test and taking the predictable success quiz. This quiz is a non-negotiable, it has always been spot on. Their traits and outlook must match their job description. I have thought I was smarter than the quiz and I was wrong every single time.
Our onboarding process is robust. It includes weekly videos, tasks, and projects, along with a comprehensive understanding of our mission and job responsibilities. This process lasts for 120 days, after which we decide whether to officially welcome the new member to our team.
Another major lesson I learned in hiring is recognizing my own weakness: I tend to see potential in everyone. I’ve stepped back from the initial hiring stages and now serve as the final decision-maker. My Director of Operations and HR guide candidates through our process and provides me with all the necessary data to make informed decisions. Ensuring the new team member meshes well with the existing team has been crucial to our success.
In conclusion, I would advise not to settle. Remember, a team is only as strong as its weakest link, which can impact overall performance and resources. Be bold, be strong, and build the team you deserve.
Faith, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I woke up one day feeling like just a shell of myself. After losing my mother, with whom I had a challenging relationship, I founded Beverly’s Angels—a nonprofit without a specific cause at first. I simply wanted to spread kindness and receive some in return. What began as a simple idea in my spare bedroom has grown into something truly remarkable. From storage units to a converted garage, and now to a 4,000 square foot headquarters, our journey has been incredible. Today, we have a dream team of five and countless Angel volunteers. We are beautifully small and mighty. This journey proves that dreams do come true when fueled by passion, heart, determination, intention, and the courage to overcome fear.
Through much trial and error, a pivotal moment occurred in our boutique, a converted car garage turned magical space. I handed a little boy a couple of pairs of khaki pants, neatly folded in a cellophane bag with new tags. He paused for what felt like an eternity, then looked up at me with his big brown eyes and said, “I don’t ever remember something being mine first.” That was our defining moment. Since then, we’ve committed to only giving brand-new items.
I witnessed the empowerment it brought to those we serve. When you’re at your lowest, imagine receiving not someone’s discards, instead imagine how you feel when you are lovingly gifted something brand new in your favorite color or featuring your favorite character.
My personal growth through this journey led me to become a mastermind coach, empowering women seeking a better version of themselves every day through enhanced emotional intelligence. I feel a profound sense of purpose in sharing my journey—the struggles, roadblocks, and successes—to inspire women who wish to live a life filled with intention, love, compassion, and unforgettable moments. Under my brand, I offer the Shifting Perspectives Academy and the Level Up Vibes Events mastermind. These platforms are designed for women seeking solutions, community, and connection in an environment free from judgment, where they can truly shine their light brightly.
As for my mom, the growth I’ve experienced running Beverly’s Angels has shifted my perspective. I no longer focus on what she wasn’t, but appreciate all that she was. In the end, I embrace that she was the perfect mom for me, because her influence has allowed my organization to change lives every day. My word of the year is impact, everything I do must have the why for impact. In return, we impact a life everyday of the year.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Building a team and working with challenging clients can be daunting, especially when you’re healing yourself. During my own journey of self-improvement, I realized that I couldn’t drag others along with me. It is a gift to give those not ready to rise a bless and release moment so they can find their passion and purpose. Being an all-in person with high standards that are non-negotiable, I can evoke both the best and worst emotions in people, which has taught me the importance of letting go with grace, love and compassion.
Through extensive personal work, I’ve learned to view others from multiple perspectives, rather than through the fearful lens I once had. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is not to take things personally. I’ve learned to let people be where they are and to bless and release them with kindness. I’m proud of how far I’ve come—from desperately seeking a seat at the table to walking by with love and grace. Understanding there will be those that don’t get me and I used to bang my head against the wall trying to get them to understand. Just let them has been pure freedom. What am I most proud of? It’s that every day I now live a life that I am genuinely proud of. I view the world through a multitude of lenses, rather than just one of hurt. I have developed compassion for those who have betrayed me, allowing me to see the best in them and wish them nothing but the best. This is a significant transformation from the person I once was, who felt like just a shell of themselves not so long ago. You can take your biggest liability and turn it into your greatest asset.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
For a long time, I believed that if you do the right thing and treat people well, funding would naturally follow. However, that’s not the case. You must clearly identify what you need and ask for it directly. Don’t confuse people, don’t have lots of options. Know what you need and ask for it. It is that simple.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.beverlysangles.org and www.faithschwalback.com
- Instagram: beverlysangels and l.u.v.events
- Facebook: Beverly’s Angels and Level Up Vibes
- Linkedin: Beverlys Angels
Image Credits
Glenn Christopher, CS Digita Media