Introducing: Patrice G. Taylor, CEO of Hephzibah Human Resources Training and Development, Bahamas

? What events led you towards becoming an entrepreneur?

A. The pandemic lockdowns were my “unlocking period” where I uncovered some truths about me, debunked some self-limiting beliefs and discovered MY WHY through reflection and introspection.?Then came November 3, 2020 when I received the infamous “Sorry, but…” 3-minute redundancy call. They said it was due to Covid-19.?I call it my “clipped for purpose” moment.?

? How did you come up with the name for your business?

In December 2019 I was searching for a business name for my side hustle (a teaching partnership with Esaura Cumberbatch, an HR colleague), when I recalled one of my pre-birthday reflections which I had journalized. It was taken from Isaiah 62:1-5 (The Message Version) and said “Foreign countries will see your righteousness, and world leaders your glory. You’ll get a brand-new name straight from the mouth of God … You’ll be called Hephzibah (My Delight is in her) …”

It’s a tongue twister, but I wouldn’t change it for the world!??

? Who supported you along the way?

A. My biggest supporters have always been my family and my small tribe of close friends.

In August 2020, I had a weepy meltdown because I was feeling overwhelmingly STUCK. My husband Dewey and my son Dante, also an entrepreneur, pulled me into an intervention and asked me some challenging questions. Then my son said “Mummy, it’s time to put your big girl shoes on!”

I went upstairs, bawled some more, talked to God, and by the end of that evening I had my business mission, vision and values formulated, an appointment with Lashanta Smith (an HR colleague/branding coach) and had started re-reading Rick Warren’s “The Purpose Driven Life”. ?

? What was the one biggest challenge you faced and how did you overcome it?

A. FEAR - False Evidence Appearing Real - was by far my greatest challenge, followed closely behind by my own self-limiting beliefs.

When I first got the news of redundancy, I felt free! Then one day it hit me that after 23 years, besides no longer having the security of a comfortable paycheck and perks, my “normal” had been disrupted!

With the help of Rhonda Eldridge, a former boss, who has become a lifelong friend and now coach, I gave myself permission to grieve. The fruit of that experience was “The 5 Stages of Unemployment”, a grief coaching presentation which I developed to assist others who find themselves in this vulnerable position.?

? Has the pandemic affected your original evolution in anyway i.e. did you have to implement a Plan B instead of Plan A due to Covid-19?

A. Absolutely! Three weeks before the March 2020 lockdown, I had just started in person HR certification preparation classes but had to quickly pivot to Zoom classes.

The bandwidth limitations, my tech “unsavviness” at the time, and having to rely on the millennials in my home to hold my hand through the process every Saturday morning (that’s another story for another day … LOL) were uncomfortable but valuable growth moments.

This scripture from Romans 8:28 sums up the effect of the pandemic on my life “All things work together for good to them that love the Lord and are called according to His purpose”.?

? What is your vision now and how bright do you see your future potential?

A. My vision is to continue to grow myself and my business as the beacon for human capital advancement and organizational development, and to be respected as a catalyst for people centered leadership and growth GLOBALLY.

My potential is limitless because I truly believe the words of 1 Corinthians 2:9 which says: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man the things HE has in store for those who love Him.”?

? What is the biggest lesson you’ve learnt from interacting with people thus far?

A.?Experience has taught me that people are people wherever you go.?Abraham Maslow got it right when he said we all have the same needs: physiological, safety and security, love and belonging, esteem and self-actualization.

We must meet people where they are because our level of influence is directly connected to how effectively we serve any one or combination of those needs in our personal and professional interactions. ?

? How do you invest in yourself and stay on top of current trends?

A. Some investments are financial, like coaching and mentorship, attending conferences, taking courses. Others require a commitment of my time such as networking, reading, and listening to podcasts.

I aim to learn something new every day!?

? You have also found time to write a manuscript, what led to its creation?

A. I battled for many years with low self-esteem and lack of self-confidence, but many would never guess that was the case, because I exuded the persona of confidence.?From a little girl, I was a reader and a scribe, so journaling became my outlet.

During my “unlocking period”, I wrote the manuscript for a devotional prayer journal and where I share my journey of self-awareness and finding my purpose. I am in the process of having it published.?

? Let’s talk as well about the leadership course you have created - what is it about?

A. I created the People Leadership 101 Course (a 5-week virtual certificate course) to serve as the launching pad for first time supervisors, managers and newly appointed leaders. It is also a springboard for current people leaders.?The content is an intentional, deliberately focused mixture of proven and tested theory by various leadership schools of thought, John C. Maxwell leadership curricula (which I am certified and licensed to teach), and of course my personal experience.

? Throughout your lifetime, who has been your biggest cheerleader ever?

A. Throughout my lifetime, my family circle has always been my biggest group of cheerleaders. From childhood to today, the love and support of my parents and my three beautiful sisters (we are inseparable); for the past 32 years of marriage, my husband, Dewey, who has become lead cheerleader; and our 4 wonderful children Dante, Tre, Charisma and Zion.?

? What was the best advice you ever received and who gave it to you?

A. It was more of a jolting question than advice. “Why NOT you?” was my husband’s response to my question of “Why did they choose me?” I had been invited to sit on an illustrious board of executives whom I considered as much more qualified than I.

His question gave me the hinds feet I needed to scale the wall of self-limiting beliefs which had been standing between me and my potential.?

? Do you have a favourite quote, mantra or saying that you live your life by?

A. My mantra is, “To cease learning is to cease living”.?

? How do you spend your free time?

A. Prayer, reflection, journaling, growing, and family time of fun gatherings, watching sports and traveling.

? What is the one thing most people do not know about you?

A. I have a manuscript waiting to be published!?

? Any final words of wisdom or advice to anyone thinking of starting their own business?

A. My advice to anyone thinking of starting a business is to

1. “Commit your works to the Lord and He will direct your path.”
2. Find your tribe - that support system of family, friends, mentors, coaches who will slap you into reality when you need it, pick you up when you fall and push you when you get stuck.
3. Get over yourself and focus on the assignment. The world needs you!
4. Believe in YOU! Be your biggest cheerleader. You’ve got this! ?

? What services/products do you offer your clients?

A. My company motto is "Providing human capital solutions that develop leaders and grow organizations". Everything I do is founded upon the tenets of Leadership, Growth, Emotional Intelligence, Purpose and Potential.

Services provided include:

? Organizational Development - Helping organizations thrive by partnering with leaders to develop performance and culture shift strategies.

? HR Consulting - Offering innovative, transformative, and measurable HR solutions for new and established businesses and organizations wishing to outsource or strengthen their HR function, from HR audits, to recruitment, to policy writing, to payroll administration.

? Coaching and Training - As a certified and licensed John Maxwell Coach, Teacher and Trainer, our leadership and soft skills workshops, group and individual coaching, training sessions and masterminds are tailored to meet the specific needs of each client. I am excited about our 2 new certificate courses, “People Leadership 101” and “Leadership Development” which will be launched in January 2022.

? Keynote Speaking – Living the vision to motivate and transform lives through the authentic delivery and sharing of my evolutionary journey to self-discovery.

? How do they contact you?

? Phone: 1 (242) 447-4525

? Email: [email protected]

Website: www.hephzibahtraininganddevelopment.com