We recently connected with Rosenna Bakari and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Rosenna thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the best thing you’ve ever seen (or done yourself) to show a customer that you appreciate them?

I give my clients gifts that are personal to me in my business but not tagged with promotion signatures. Sometimes I give them books I’ve written. I make sure I sign them with a personal message. I give my one-on-one clients sentimental handmade jewelry that I have made specifically for them. I mail it to their homes after they complete the sessions. Hopefully, it lets them know that our work was not just transactional. When I work with businesses, I make sure I give gifts to their team, not just the person who hired me. 

The most important gift I give to clients is my time beyond what they pay for. One business I was working for asked me what they should do next. I recommended they survey their employees to see how they are experiencing work post-COVID. They loved the idea. But, no one had time to fit that project into their schedule. So, I did the work for them, without charge. It took me 2 hours because I use templates for that type of work, whereas it may have taken them 2 days of team collaboration. I want them to feel like their work is easier with me around. 

For my one-on-one clients, I leave at least 30 minutes between clients just in case a client needs a little extra time. I don’t charge for extra minutes. Clients work harder when they don’t feel rushed out the door. 

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

I work with individuals and businesses to close the gaps between where they are and where they want to be by using Empowerment training. Empowerment training interweaves personal and professional development to help people detangle their needs from those around them to optimize productivity and growth. Services include workshop series, partnering/coaching, and program development.

I work with business clients onsite and individual clients online. I began supporting adult survivors of childhood abuse online in 2010, and my current work has evolved from that, along with the creation of five books, one play, two wellness theories, and over a decade of performing transformational poetry. I wrote my first book on self-esteem in 1996 and earned my Ph.D. in Psychology four years later. My extensive experience allows me to bring creativity and exceptional skill to my work.

One of my favorite projects involves working with a group of 20 women leaders in a large organization through a program I developed called PathfindHERS! I get excited when chief executives embrace the concept that “personal development is professional development” and permit me to introduce creative solutions.

I also enjoy working with men to help restore their sense of personal power, recognizing that they often have fewer spaces to express vulnerability. I respect and value their willingness to take risks when they are ready to engage in the work. Both men and women frequently carry unresolved adverse experiences from their past, influencing how they navigate the present. My work assists clients in understanding the connection between their past, present, and future to align their current desires and behaviors better.

I plan to expand my business by offering products for sale. I’m developing a line of beaded jewelry and empowerment trinkets designed to encourage introspection and empowerment. I aim to launch this line alongside my forthcoming book early next year.

My work is deeply intertwined with my life, as I believe an excellent helper should also serve as a role model. While I do not expect my clients to mirror my lifestyle choices, such as being vegan, committed to high levels of fitness (including martial arts, running, cycling, swimming, and lifting), and married for over 30 years, I want them to recognize my ability to make uncomfortable choices to achieve my goals. I am not just a talker but also a doer, committed to helping my clients take the necessary steps to reach their aspirations.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

My biggest lesson as an entrepreneur is that making money doesn’t make you an entrepreneur. An entrepreneur has a business. Turning a hustle into a business takes a lot of work. We hustle from our expertise. We know our product and our capability. We put them together to make a few dollars. 

As I transitioned from hustling clients to becoming a business, I had to learn so much, and when I realized all it takes to be a business, I quickly understood why most people never get beyond a hustle. 

I suggest getting your LLC and a bank account, at the very least. Just having a business bank account takes a different mindset. It means you are establishing a different relationship with another business, the bank. The bank deals differently with businesses than it does with individuals. 

There are a dozen certifications you can pursue as a business, including minority or women-owned, that create new networks for you. The paperwork to complete these certifications takes time and effort. I had a business mentor from Chase who helped me through the process. I would have quit without the help. She kept reminding me of the value of getting well-established as a business. 

I had to take my mind off the money for a year and put it on establishing myself as a business. Once I had certifications, accountants, and legal advice, I started associating with a different crowd, the business crowd. How I describe my work and pursue clients shifted. Money began to flow more regularly as a business. However, I had to allow my yearly earnings to drop significantly to strengthen my business. 

Today, I am much more confident when I talk about my work, whether I’m addressing corporations or individuals. My business is in order, thanks to my certifications and business professionals. This assures my clients that there is no risk in doing business with me. 

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I have always been a fan of Damond John, one of the most well-known sharks on the television series, Shark Tank, and founder of the FUBU clothing line. He always seemed to care about the people looking for funding, whether he did deals with them or not. When I started reading business books, I came across his titles. “The Power of Broke” and “Power Shift” were two that I clung to. I’ve read both numerous times because his philosophies about business resonate with me. It’s all about relationships. He tells you why and explains how to build business relationships. His stories are encouraging and tap into my resilience. 

The funny thing is that Daymond John is now a spokesperson for Rocket Lawyer, my favorite online legal platform. I’ve been using Rocket Lawyer for years. I read their articles and use their business templates in my business and personal life. Rocket Lawyer noticed my loyalty when they ran a campaign and reached out to me for a testimony. It was my pleasure, even before I knew about Daymond John. Seeing Daymond John represent Rocket Lawyer makes me feel good about my loyalty to them. I dream of meeting Daymond John and the Rocket Lawyer team someday, which motivates me to succeed. 

I advise anyone interested in entrepreneurship to align their support with someone they respect and trust. It doesn’t have to be someone you know. Choose products that you want to establish loyalty with. Take tips from them as you plan to keep loyal customers.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://RosennaBakaricom
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosennabakari/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosennab/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rosenna-bakari-b3120194/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3VK5QbAMBOxwDKconWfoGg
• Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/healing-challenge-2022/id1642543578?i=1000577812686
  https://medium.com/@rosennab