#LadyBoss Profile: Afenya Montgomery

 

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Afenya Montgomery is the founder of The iCAN Collective, (innovation, collaboration, accountability, network).  The iCAN Collective connects diverse entrepreneurs to resources that allow them to launch viable businesses and elevate to the next level.  They curate and create exclusive events featuring successful business owners to share advice and their entrepreneurial journeys with attendees. 

 

Like her favorite African proverb, “If you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far go together,” Afenya believes collaboration is key to anyone achieving your goals and reaching the level that you aspire to. She draws her strongest source of inspiration from her family. Her parents came to the US from Ghana and laid a strong foundation for her and her siblings.  Growing up, her mother came to America and made less than $3 an hour to provide for her family and has now become a registered nurse while her father didn’t have his first pair of shoes until he was 19 and now has his Ph.D. Her brother worked in corporate American and has given it all up to pursue his passion for media and is now a radio/TV personal that works with huge brands as a media consultant. They all represent stepping out on faith and not letting fear stop them from fulfilling your destiny. We see Afenya following her family’s footsteps.

To stay motivated, Afenya doesn’t let a speed bump or roadblock get in her way. She doesn’t feel fazed by the small things, understanding it doesn’t make or break her process. She knows when to and not too put all her eggs in one basket, so when there is a bump in the road, she assesses it, acknowledges if she can find an alternative route and keep on moving forward. If she needs to change her path, she knows its probably for the best and getting you ready for the next awesome opportunity to come through.

 

Unstoppable, Focused, & Blessed.

 

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Q&A: 

Q-When was a pivotal moment that someone advocated for your career?

A- I have always been surrounded by amazing women in professional environments and I am so grateful for it.  I am a registered nurse by background and I got into nursing management because my then director, Lativia Carr, believed in me enough to hire me for the role.  I was pregnant and didn’t have a whole lot of experience at

Q-What is your process for making a crucial business decision?

A- I think about it very carefully. I lean on my family a lot so I run things past them.  I also think long and hard about the impact it will have.  What is the expected outcome? Will I be okay if that doesn’t happen?  How will this affect my clients?  How will it affect my bottom line? Also, if it’s a risk that’s worth taking to propel myself closer to my goal.  I take all of these things into account. 

Q-If you could share any wisdom with the EvolveHer community, what would it be?

A- One of my favorite quotes is “What’s for you will not pass you.”  Everything is by divine design.  If something that you were counting on didn’t happen for you, don’t worry too much about it, something bigger and better is definitely on the way.  Years ago I had a popular blog but didn’t know how to make it a business and I ended up dissolving that site.  I used to dwell on the what-ifs.  But all things work according to God’s will.  That was just a building block for me because HE had a grander plan that I never even imagined at the time.  Don’t push for things in a way that becomes uncomfortable for you.  Never stop working hard for your dreams but when it’s meant for you, things will fall into place.”

Q-How can we find you? 

Website: www.theiCANcollective.com 

Instagram: @afenyaBSN @theicancollective 

Pinterest: TheiCANco

Twitter: @afenyaBSN @icancollective 

 

    

The EvolveHer Team