Rest, reset, reflect: Here’s to 2023

Rest. Reset. Reflect. 

These are the three words I’m taking with me through the end of December in preparation for a new year. 

As an entrepreneur, I’ve found value in consciously recognizing every milestone in my business, no matter how big or small, perhaps more than ever before. When I worked in a traditional office setting, I made sure to celebrate my colleagues’ efforts, but I now feel more connected to the work. 

After all, when it’s your business, nobody’s going to do it for you. 

So as we approach the end of 2023, join me in reflecting on this year’s accomplishments. These months have been full of growth and I am proud of the Bonsai team and the work we have done to support our clients, continue building this business, and do our part in creating more harmonious nonprofits.  

I encourage you to do the same: take a moment to write out every milestone from this year and acknowledge 2023 for the challenges and opportunities it brought. 

We earned valuable recognition 

At the start of the year, Bonsai Leadership Group achieved official status as a ByBlack Certified Business by U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. with support from American Express. I started Bonsai because I wanted to help Black women rise within the nonprofit space and this certification is a pathway to helping Bonsai reach people who are searching for us and committed to diversifying their consultant pool within their organization.  

I also graduated from the Milestone Circles Program at the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center, a 12-week program that provides women entrepreneurs with the access, resources, and knowledge they need to grow their ventures.  

We grew our team 

After two years of running this business solo and with the help of trusted contractors, I knew it was time to bring new team members on board. Together, we’re building out a strong core team that will drive our mission forward. I’m grateful to them for their time, ideas, energy, and enthusiasm. Our local team has grown this year to include full-time, paid staff! That means we’re providing health insurance, vacation time, and 401k’s - the whole shabang.

La Mar Pipkins officially joined the team as managing director. With La Mar’s expertise and guidance, we’re envisioning Bonsai’s future with a focus on operations, strategy, and program implementation. 

Brittani Wright became our new Recruitment Project Coordinator. As our Recruitment Project Coordinator, Brittani ensures the success of our recruitment projects. 

Kelsey Snead was promoted to Operations Coordinator. In addition to making sure that our new office space (!) runs smoothly, he helps to coordinate the executive team schedule so that we can manage our time and energy effectively.  

We also expanded our offerings through referrals to talented professionals that offer services in alignment with our mission. Today, teams and organizations who wish to develop healthy work environments through communication, leadership, and teamwork can connect with Dr. Jermaine M. Davis.  Those looking for a coach and consultant that will help them feel balanced, healthy, and fulfilled in their personal and professional lives can connect with Victor Valenzuela. Individuals seeking diversity, equity, and inclusion coaching at work with a compassionate and empathetic approach can connect with Christa Otteson. 

In November, La Mar and I were invited to join leaders at ProGeorgia to learn about supporting their strategic goals through upbuilding.

We engaged with more nonprofits through recruiting 

When I started Bonsai, I had no intention of becoming a nonprofit recruiter. Then my friend and client Keecha Harris asked me to fill a few positions for her company, recognizing my skills and encouraging me to venture into something new. 

What started as a one-off became a large part of what Bonsai does today in our mission to build nonprofits that work for everyone through diverse recruiting practices. As a result, in 2023, we worked with 10 nonprofit organizations to place 14 people in leadership positions. 

I published my first book 

2023 was also a big year for me personally. I finished writing my book and put it out into the world! “When Black Women Rise” illustrates how I — as a Black woman — overcame struggles and seized my own power to rise to the highest ranks of white-led global nonprofit organizations.  

Photo credit: Dr. Mamie Parker

It was the experience of a lifetime to process my own story onto the pages of a book. I’m honored that my life lessons can help others navigate life’s hardships. The book launch opened doors, or rather recording booths, for me to share my story on other platforms with other amazing women in the nonprofit space, including Rhea Wong of Nonprofit Lowdown, Jess Campbell and Cindy Wagman of Confessions with Jess and Cindy, Mallory Erickson of What the Fundraising, and Kamilah Martin of Katalyst’s Meet the Mastermind. I also spoke with Isaiah Thompson of Nonprofit Quarterly about taking risks, finding my voice, and cultivating supportive relationships as an entrepreneur.  

We innovated and supported our clients in new ways 

Over the summer, leaders from a nonprofit that was experiencing serious internal challenges reached out for help. Trust and confidence in the leadership were damaged and both the staff and leaders had difficulty envisioning how to move forward. 

The team gathered to discuss the way that we could best use our strengths to assist. We responded with a new internal coaching program, which matched team members with Bonsai coaches to lay the groundwork for transforming internal challenges into opportunities for leadership growth. Our program addressed short-term issues and complex situations to gain clarity and a path forward, defined a successful vision and established habits that cultivated the skills needed to achieve that vision, and invited participants to explore their professional growth goals and map out the steps required to reach them. 

We expanded the ways we reach our clients, including our monthly newsletter titled Under the Bonsai Tree, a panel discussion for folks wanting to pivot their career into the nonprofit sector, and by publishing monthly resources on our blog. 

And we proudly supported the efforts of our clients publicly. In November, Bonsai became a sponsor of the inaugural BIMS Week from Black In Marine Science’s, a professional wellness retreat for scientists that focuses on self-care. We also joined the Taking Nature Black Conference from Nature Forward as a sponsor, which helps inform, engage and empower diverse communities around critical environmental issues. We also supported Georgia Birdfest by Birds Georgia, which is Georgia’s largest bird and nature festival for outdoor enthusiasts, packed full of field trips, nature-based workshops, and guest speakers. 

Looking forward to 2024 

A lot of thought and hard work has gotten us to this place in 2023. In just two years, Bonsai has shaped itself into a full-service executive coaching and nonprofit recruiting firm, helping me realize my original dream of supporting Black women in leadership, as well as creating a business that gives space for finding freedom at work through growth, joy, rest, and relaxation. 

I want to thank our clients, partners, and followers for their ongoing support. We are thankful for every recommendation, contract, application, and “like.” We look forward to continuing to work with you in 2024 and beyond. 

Photo credit: Raj Bandyopadhyay

In the meantime, I wish you a happy and healthy holiday season! May these next few weeks allow you to rest, reset, and recharge so we can face 2024 with new eyes, ideas, and enthusiasm.