Jada Willis is a business owner, podcaster, author, and HR professional. When she’s not helping small businesses create scalable HR processes, Jada is usually listening to a podcast or spending quality couch time with her wife. When COVID isn’t a thing, she travels, enjoys the spa, and other adventures. Jada is passionate about being a problem-solver and helping others succeed.
Cool! We have a few questions…
What jobs did you have before you landed where you are today?
I’ve been working in Human Resources in some way, shape, or form since 2001. I started as an HR Intern at Ponderosa Steakhouse working for chicken wings and mashed potatoes. I begged an HR Director for a chance to learn. By 18 years old, I had participated in sexual harassment investigations, attended corporate strategic planning meetings, and interviewed and hired managers in 3 different states. I didn’t receive any money, but the experience was priceless. The chicken wings were pretty good, too!
Prior to Willis HR, I have been a:
Human Resources Business Partner
Human Resources Manager
Recruiting Specialist
Target Store Manager
Server/Runner
Computer Lab Assistant
I believe that every experience has led to Willis HR, an opportunity to help small business owners reach the goals that have previously been unobtainable.
I have this passion for helping others. It’s what I’ll be doing for the rest of my life.
What do you wish outsiders knew about your job or industry?
Everyone should know that, without the right HR partner, a company of any size is like a boat without a rudder. At Willis HR, our team is typically providing guidance, stabilizing or implementing new processes, and chartering the path for growth. A business has the greatest chance of succeeding and reaching its people, purpose, and profit goals with relevant HR systems. HR can be much more than just payroll, benefits, and filing.
What’s the #1 question clients or customers ask you?
Initially, our clients usually want to know how an outsourced HR firm can really get to know their company quickly and customize HR solutions. (That’s actually one of our strengths)
Initially, our clients usually want to know how an outsourced HR firm can really get to know their company quickly and customize HR solutions. (That’s actually one of our strengths).
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned the hard way?
There are a few that I could list, but one worth sharing is that everyone isn’t a potential client. It’s okay to have an ideal client.
Our ideal client has a true desire for an HR partner, sees the value of their employees, and has less than 50 employees. We build partnerships with our clients, and that’s how real results occur. This is our sweet spot. But, it took a little while to get to the point where we weren’t working with clients that just wanted to check a box.
I have learned not to compromise my (our) values for money. We want to be a good fit for the right client. We even state on our website “We don’t say yes to every prospective client.” That’s one of the great perks of being an entrepreneur, the freedom to choose who you serve. As HR professionals, we terminate employees—it’s just the nature of our work. But, I naively didn’t think about the fact that I had to terminate clients. Ugh!
What’s one book, podcast, series, or movie you’d recommend…and why?
I’m going to say, “The Big Leap.” Once someone operates in their zone of genius, lookout. This book helped me realize what a zone of excellence and zone of genius really was for my company and myself. It was life-changing. My fulfillment level went up and revenue increased!
What’s one way the SOCO community has shaped your life?
SOCO was the community that I searched Columbia for. A space to be a game-changing entrepreneur with vulnerabilities, mistakes, and insecurities. The members are insanely smart, generous, down-to-earth, and truly embrace others in the community. I’m thankful to be a part of it.
What improvement do you hope to see in your own life in the next 12 months?
I have learned that when I am taking care of myself and refilling my cup in the ways I need most, I am a better HR, leader, wife, daughter, friend, and stranger. I am structuring my morning routine and self-care to be able to fully make a positive impact on the lives I get to interact with on a daily basis.
I know how discouraging it is to try to get healthy.
The frustration…
The disappointment…
The embarrassment…
It keeps most people from even TRYING.
That’s why I created this TOTALLY free 5 Day Get Moving Challenge.
It’s designed to help you get started on your HEALTHY journey…
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Every day, you’ll receive a simple exercise that anyone can do AND an encouragement to actually do it!
It’s simple, yet if you’re consistent you’ll be amazed…
It’s time to stop wanting to be healthy and start MOVING!
So will you join me? Will you let me help YOU grow in health? It would be my privilege.
If you’re IN On This Challenge just signup below with your email address!
If you have ANY questions about this, let me know. I’m here to help you coach@warriormindset.us
Gene Crawford is a designer/artist with over 2 decades of experience in the industry (Ugh!?!) with a degree in Graphic Design.
He has overseen the design and architecture of hundreds of web sites and applications through his business at Period Three.
An active member in the design community, he co-founded SOCO, he has created and produced; UnmatchedStyle, RefreshColumbia and the Converge conference as well as BD Conf, President of AIGA South Carolina for almost 10 years and was the longest running monthly columnist for Net Magazine.
At the end of each year, we ask our SOCO members to reflect on the previous months and share some of their biggest “wins” — the things they are most proud of and most excited about, whether personal or professional. Every year, we are blown away by what our members accomplish, from making incredible business moves, paying off mountains of debt, to experiencing major personal growth. We share the wins with all of you to brag about the amazing community that we’re so proud of at SOCO; and to inspire and motivate everyone who might be reading. Enjoy!
For me, 2019 was an evolution of 2018. In 2018 I became debt free while completing my best year ever in business. In 2019 my business grew by roughly 25% over 2018 which has allowed me to fully fund my emergency fund, set my eyes on future plans, and begin working towards them. I was not able to take much of a vacation all year (outside of some long weekends) so my plan is to take 3 weeks off at the end of this year and enjoy some time with family and also take a few of those days for some R&R for myself. — Zoltan Borbely
I needed a kick in the butt and realization that I’ve already done a lot this year and to cut myself some slack:
Successfully got married to someone who pushes me to be my best and loves me for the nut -job I truly am
Successfully wrapped up my largest profiting freelance contract to date
Rode (5) new mountains this season, got nearly a dozen days on snow, pushed WELL outside of my comfort zone on some of the wildest and steepest terrain. Involved sleeping in a converted Church hostel in Revelstoke, driving from AB to BC solo, and snowshoeing RMNP in Colorado. Need more of that this winter.
Went from never kayaking as of June to paddling Class 3 rapids and owning a few whitewater boats (I don’t have a problem, you have a problem!)
Dropped some obligation and things I had previously committed time to in years prior to free up the above two items which truly make me happier.
Continued growth on a longer project with Krumware that allowed me to grow my product management and strategic side of the design realm to a recognizable level. (No metrics, just proud). Also weathered another Hurricane season where we helped aid in lifesaving efforts with our software we built.
“Recovered” from a shoulder injury that kept me from doing any pressing or pulling of any type for the last 3 years. Finally able to do pull-ups, deadlifts, and even press overhead (relatively) pain free. That alone is important to think back on and be extremely thankful for.
Built a killer garden, replaced all doors in the house, have our living room almost wrapped up (from a complete gut and renovation) for paint and hanging speakers and a number of other gains on the house. — Dan Marino, Creative Director, Krumware
A major win for SOCO this year? Opening our new Vista location, SOCO 80808.
With each year of freelancing, I’m always surprised by the many ways God provides for me and our family. This year, I’m especially grateful he led me to SOCO in March. By having the set time and place to work—and through meeting some incredible clients here!—I’ve had my most profitable year yet with about 50% growth over my previous best year. On a personal note, we entered the year by moving to Columbia to stay with family while we figured out our next steps. We are very excited and thankful that God has opened doors for us to stay here, and we expect to close on our new home and move in by Christmas! — Kaleigh Cox, Freelance Writer
It sounds like 2019 was a great year to be a freelancer! Although I only work for one client, I’m technically a freelancer, and I’ve also had the best year of my career in 2019. I just kicked off some exciting new projects, so 2020 is shaping up to be even better (especially now that I have such a great environment to work in). My two young kids are happy and healthy, and life is generally good. — Matt Frankel
In 2018, I made the switch from full-time employee with side-gigs to full-time freelance. In September 2019, I hit one full year of working for myself. I contributed to a client landing 300k in business through sales and marketing, I learned a lot about working as a writer, and I’m proud of the flexibility I’ve created for our family. On top of that, I made some incredible new friends.
Getting a dog still feels like the biggest win though. — Laura Bosco, Freelance Writer
Had an awesome year with the business and hit some big milestones I’ve been shooting for – also pumped to have joined SOCO and found a consistent rhythm and focus with getting work done since I have little munchkins distracting me at home 24/7. All that was great, but the biggest win for my family was bringing home our new lil guy to the fam. — Ben Landers
Feb 2019: Kicked off year winning 5 Addy awards at my full-time job.
June 2019: Unexpectedly lost full-time job. Returned to freelancing.
Oct 2019: Turned down FT job offer with ATL production company. Established an LLC.
July to Dec 2019: Regained energy + sanity. Increased earnings 300%.
Nov 2019: 1st TV ad broadcast nationally — Tyler Matthews, Freelance Videographer + Producer
SOCO Members at a family & friends member meet-up at a Columbia Fireflies game.
2019 wins!
Feb. 2019: Finalized my decision to change careers and kicked off a job search after five years as an educator.
March 2019: Directed a movement- and ensemble-based play I was enormously proud of.
April 2019: Was offered two jobs and ended up accepting a content creation position with 6AM City in which I’d be writing branded content for COLAtoday, CHStoday, GVLtoday, AVLtoday, LALtoday and NOOGAtoday. (We added RALtoday in October and expect to grow into more markets this year!) Writing full-time had always been my dream, and this was exciting as hell.
May 2019: Wrapped up my time as a middle school theatre teacher for good, saying goodbye to students I loved and a system I did not.
Summer 2019: Settled into my role at 6AM and as a member of the SOCO community, traveled to Arches National Park and Daytona Beach, tackled grief after losing two beloved members of my family (and appreciated having a job that treated me like a human and gave me the time and support I needed), and established an exercise routine I could stick to.
It’s been a year of major growth and a lot of change, and I’m looking forward to more growth (albeit less change) in 2020!
— Kayla Machado, Content Creator at 6am City
My big win for 2019 is joining the Fivable family. —Amanda Goforth, UI/UX Designer
Krit wins:
Doubled our revenue, and had our most profitable year ever. We did our first ever profit share with our team and partners and it felt so good to write those checks.
Grew our team to 8
Had a client pass $1m annual revenue and another is about halfway there (can’t share this outside of this channel)
Fired two of our most difficult clients and drastically improved our processes so that our team is less stressed and doing better work
Personal wins:
Went through a fuck ton of therapy and learned a lot about myself and how to be happier and healthier in the process
Restored an old sailboat
Went sky diving with my little sister
Had a blog post go viral
Worked out more consistently than I ever have before
— Andrew Askins, CEO of KRIT + Startup Watching
I think it’s too early to call anything a win, but I had a big change in 2019, which is that after 24 years at Apparel magazine, I accepted a new job as an research analyst at IDC, which I started nine weeks ago, and so far I am really enjoying it and happy with my decision. — Jordan Kalman Speer, Remote Worker, Writer
SOCO Founding Partner Greg Hilton presented to a packed house for a special edition of 1MC Columbia on SOCO 80808’s opening day.
My big win this year was probably being named “rock star of the month” at work for my contributions to get a major feature over the finish line and being the go-to guy for the other product teams that relied on that feature once it was released. — Mike Yount
Professional:
Taught a short summer class in Cellphone Filmmaking that continues in a minimalist meetup version once a week.
Made a super short film this summer, honoring Septima Poinsette Clark for The Supper Table Project, sponsored by Jasper.
Saw more students transform than ever this semester. Four classes in basic script writing offered for the first time ever next semester. I’ll be teaching three.
Created several art pieces and moved the studio into living space.
Personal:
Moved into a great new space in August. Changed my life.
Full recovery from a broken shoulder without surgery. After a lot of tests for other health things, declared very healthy.
Therapy that continues to fuel positive personal growth
— Faye Riley
This year was a strange year full of positive changes for me, some less obviously positive than others. My biggest win is that I got rid of the pit of toxicity I found myself drowning in, and I finally reached out and started working on my mental health. I’ve gained healthy weight, a boat load of confidence, and I can honestly say I’m happy for the first time in a long time. I’ve been excelling at work and in my relationships with family and friends. I’ve realized how lucky I am and started to slow down and enjoy the little things now that anxiety isn’t suffocating me 24/7. I wasn’t going to share this as it’s been a very personal journey, but I feel the need to encourage anyone considering seeking mental health help to do so. The amount of positive change you will see across all assets of your life is unbelievable. — Kelsey Baker
A member tasting and demo with Loveland Coffee at SOCO BullStreet.
Work wins:
I launched my official company https://www.hellosmallbatch.co/ earlier this year and have made it a 1+ year of being a freelancer. I have worked with countless local restaurants on their branding, photography, social media and love what I do every day. Some of my work has been in Southern Living and Food Network!
On the other edge of my freelance hustle (photography) I’ve connected and captured a ton of memories with soooo many families, babies, dogs, surprise engagements and even my first two weddings! I also created and launched that official website this year as well https://www.simplylynnluc.com/
Last year, I quit my career in advertising after 7 years because I believed in an awesome community called SOCO. This year, I helpedGreg Hilton + team open up a new space (yasss 80808) and have made so many connections within this community on a work + personal level! I’ve laughed, I’ve cried, I’ve carried a ton of beers with many of you folks–and I’m so thankful for all of it.
Personal wins:
Stuck with therapy for over a year and am so much more balanced than I ever thought I could be. It’s been a rollercoaster of a year or two but I’ve finally learned to manage my anxiety and how important self-care + boundaries are to a successful work/life/relationship balance.
I was named as one of Columbia, SC’s (4) ambassadors for their pilot year. I got to showcase this city that I love and was featured across video, digital and print! (look ma, I’m famous!)
Finally got over my fear and self-consciousness of being in front of a crowd + in front of a camera. I’m still not 100% at public speaking but I don’t black out during it anymore haha.
— Lynn Luc, SOCO Community Engagement Manager
Members working and hanging out on the back patio at SOCO BullStreet.
Here it goes… closing out 2019 with some big wins. Personal:
1. Divorce – After a very long separation my divorce was finalized earlier this month. What a relief knowing that I can officially close this chapter in my life and move ahead.
2. Dumped my flooded house – After 13 months my short sale contract finally closed. Another headache behind me, and ironically the same week as the divorce was finalized… so I like now like to say a Marie Kondo’d my life in one week.
3. Moved Back to the Midlands – I’ve dreamed of moving back home for the last decade, and I finally moved back in late summer. I’m falling in love with the new, improved Soda City… so much has changed in 15 years!
4. Bucket List – This year I fulfilled a childhood dream to see the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in person.
5. Completed 3 half marathons this year.
Professional
1. Survived 2019 – This year was met with struggles of all kinds from personal chaos (flood & divorce) to staff turnover to mass media scares in the DR. Although my year end numbers aren’t where they should be I’m just grateful to celebrate another year in business.
2. Awarded NEST Elite Agency – For the second consecutive year our agency received this prestigious designation from our consortia.
3. Celebrated Grand Opening of Hard Rock Los Cabos Resort – I earned a Silver Platinum Sales Award from Hard Rock Resorts and attended the grand opening ceremonies at Hard Rock Los Cabos. The events included concerts from Enrique Iglesias and Bret Michaels and pool parties hosted by Lil Jon. I even smashed a guitar at the opening event! — Tara McCoy, Travel Consultant
Our furry friends are members of the SOCO Community, too! They love “working” at SOCO BullStreet.
Best revenue year since firm began, anchored by completion of approximately $15 million total compensation class action settlement. Moved to 80808 and became even more enmeshed in community that we love. Got a baller digital fireplace for our new 808 crib. — Dave Maxfield, Consumer Protection Lawyer
Personal/Professional
I went out of the country for the first time – spent a week and a half in Trinidad doing missions work and was able to bring my 10-year-old daughter with me (exposure) She was also baptized in the Nylon Pool (in the ocean off of Tabogo. unplanned by us)!!
Invested in my personal development (during that I traveled to Chicago and New York for conferences/seminars and got a chance to spend time with hard-working individuals that I’ve been listening to and watching for several years)
Completed a performing art project in collaboration with a few just-getting-started dance companies for the Columbia Museum of Art. Super proud of the work that was created, even more, excited about the short documentary that is being put together for it.
Completed my second full year in business full-time and my first full year not being subcontracted work (so truly hunting, gathering, cooking and feeding solo)
Generated 35.41% more gross revenue and 27.93% more net profit for Star Accounting and Business Solutions
Was able to pay myself and assistance for the third Dance in Collaboration camp through my art business i am art (first time getting really paid)
Did my first keynote speech for Midlands Tech Artworks Conference
Emotionally and spiritually stronger than I was a year ago
This year marked a full 10 years of being an intentional mom!
Each year that I have sat down and written out my blessing for the year, I am amazed at how much has happened and how much I forgot about in a short period of time. It’s worth doing this at least half a year to keep good in the forefront
— Starlitt Miller, Business Consultant + Workflow Strategist
What small steps will you take regularly to create momentum toward your goal?
If you’ve got big plans for 2019, you don’t want to miss out on setting goals. Last month, I had the chance to work with a small group of entrepreneurs, creators, and dreamers to help them map out their plans into actionable steps.
In case you missed it, here’s a quick recap of how to turn your big picture plans into actionable goals.
Step 1: Cast a Vision
Take just a few minutes to dream about how your life will look three years from now. Specifically, consider the areas of livelihood, wellness, creativity, connection (relationships), and money. Don’t worry about making this part perfect, just jot down a few phrases that represent what you hope will be happening in each area three years down the road.
Step 2: Write REAL Goals
Take each area, one-by-one, and write a REAL goals for where you’ll focus in 2019. REAL goals are like SMART goals but better. Why? Because they include feelings. What does REAL stand for?
(R) Realistic, but challenging
(E) Energizing
(A) Aligned with your vision
(L) Linked to success
An example from my own life in the area of creativity: In 2019, I’ll switch up my morning writing practice so that I’m actively working on an article, short story or poem to share; the sharing will take some courage.
Step 3: Create a Habit
Think of things you can shift in your environment that will support you in taking action toward your goal. Do you need to expand or limit your access to resources? What small steps will you take regularly to create momentum toward your goal?
Step 4: Set Your Intention
An implementation intention will help you start and protect your habits helping you actually accomplish your goals. To help you start a new habit, use a when/where statement. To help protect your habit, use an if/when statement.
Here are examples from my own goals setting strategy:
Weekday mornings from 5-6, I’ll write at my dining room table.
If I miss a day, then I’ll add a weekend writing session.
Step 5: Make it Stick
Learn more about your own tendency when it comes to expectations and leverage it to set up accountability systems that truly work for you. To learn more, take this quick assessment by Gretchen Rubin: quiz.gretchenrubin.com.
If you’d like to learn more about these topics, check out these books that have been truly life changing for me:
Better Than Before, Gretchen Rubin
Atomic Habits, James Clear
The Desire Map, Danielle LaPorte
Want some help getting your plan out of your head and down on paper? Reach out to me for a free laser coaching session: jeanniesullivan.com/laser.
It’s a familiar cycle. We set a goal, tape it to our desk, and think real hard about it for a few weeks (or minutes, if you left email open). Then something happens. Whether it’s a move, a kid, a layoff, or lack of willpower, most of our goals derail.
Since this is such a shared pain point, SOCO figured what better time to chat about it than in January.
For the first Slack Session of 2019, we met up with a group of members in the #slack_sessions channel to chat through setting and achieving our 2019 goals.
Picking a target for the new year
Some members had big targets, others had small habits they wanted to improve. Things like:
Get into digital illustration
Cut out (gasp!) caffeine
Plan a few snowboarding trips
Bulk up various savings accounts (have you read through the Personal Finance session, yet?)
Coach a child to a basketball championship
Go through the mail every day
Take a full month off for vacation
Finish a book
Figuring out how the heck to get there
Once members know their goal, it’s less of a matter of what they want to achieve, and more about how. And a lot of members think small steps are the way to go.
How NOT to hit your goals
Just like you can set yourself up for success, you can also set yourself up for failure. If you want to ensure you don’t hit your goals, here are some foolproof ways to do that.
Members’ recipes for nailing goals
Thankfully, members have just as many ideas on hitting your goals as trashing them. When we asked what’s tipped them toward “nailed it” and away from “failed it” in years past, here’s what they had to say.
To reach a goal, you have to put in daily effort. And you want to make sure you have the kind of support system that encourages you to do that. Because doing the work day in and day out? That’s far from easy.
Hey you, don’t miss the next Slack Chat!
If you’re already a member, make sure you’ve joined the #Slack_Sessions channel. It’s where we post updates about topics, times for the next chat, and other related info.
If you’re not a member, how about scheduling a free tour? You’ll get to check out our space, meet a few members, and see for yourself why we rave about SOCO.
