My Village 2019: How my favorite people helped build EnrichHER

By sharing their compassion, strategy, laughter, intellect, and love

Building a business takes a village. I can honestly say that I stretched more this year in terms of courage, intellect, time management, flexibility, compassion, and leadership than I thought possible. The reason that I was able to do this was due to the example, compassion, love, understanding, support, guidance, and mandatory fun times (Yes I skip fun way too often) with my village. So many people have inspired me in 2019 and helped me build EnrichHER, and I want to shout out to a few of the people who have shined the brightest this year.

Tiara Zolnierz - Tiara said yes to being by my side on the path towards building EnrichHER. She is adamant about making every situational fun and she speaks her mind always. She never has doubt, fear, or lets anyone diminish her. Because of her, I see the world completely differently.

Xavier Peoples - Xavier and I met years ago in NLC. We became quick friends and decided that we were like-minded business-wise. We have one of those rare 360-degree friendships where I ask him for advice, he asks me for advice, and we both can admit to one another easily when we have no idea about the next strategic move. Most people don't have the courage to move with such candor. I'm so grateful for him as a friend. He talks about not ever being too busy for people that matter and things that matter. How he lives his life illustrates this.

Kate Brodock - Kate is a phenomenal woman who allocates her time in alignment with her beliefs. She served as a dedicated advisor for EnrichHER and stuck to her word of meeting with me every single week because she has a shared vision. She always makes time for me, and as a busy CEO, I needed to witness this to know that even busy people spend time in alignment with what matters to them.

Calvin Williams - I cannot put into words how much Calvin inspires me daily. How he optimizes and wins, while being supportive of so many others, amazes me. Watching him soar expand my concept of possibilities.

Ryan Kuder - I don't know how Ryan became the person that he is, but whatever happened, I'm grateful. Ryan told me that he believes in me unconditionally, and he picked me to be part of his retirement plan, lol. Ryan is funny, creative, action-oriented, bold, and a person not afraid to use his access to open up doors.

Arion Long- Arion is your favorite pitch competition winner taking the country by storm. She makes time to make people laugh, engage in conversation, and tells people how she thinks and feels without hesitation. She has figured out how to bend time, inspire millions and look flawless at the same time :)

Mike Ross - What can I say about the Godfather of Tech? Mike Ross is simply one of a kind. He's a fantastic business person, a tremendous advisor, and the best almost standup comedian I know. He offers help in a way different than anyone that I have ever met and somehow, it's perfect.

Taya Mueller - Who continuously shows me how to have courage in your convictions, how to separate logic from emotion, and how to always eat amazing food throughout the process.

Emily Best - Emily is like my startup older sister. She's 7 years in and rocking it. She often encourages me to take what I need for self-care. She reminds me that we can craft this narrative out in a way that we direct. She reminds me of my 'why' with every interaction.

Del Martin - I think Del is simply an angel in human form. She joined my team through a Students to Startups program, and now she's simply rocking and rolling. Del knows how to execute, be humble, and win at the same time. Soon after I met her, she asked me to help her prepare for a pitch competition. She was the sole woman pitching at Morehouse College for a trip to SXSW. She has 'it'. She won by a landslide, and I was so proud. So proud that a woman her age is so courageous. So proud to know that I met her before the rest of her story unfolds. So grateful that I finally understand what it feels like to say, "you're the daughter that I never had." I'm so impressed by her

Sid Tanu - I asked Sid to join EnrichHER after speaking to him twice. I did this because I could feel his compassion for helping other radiate from him. Since the day that I asked him to help in November of 2019, he's not only done everything that he ever said that he was going to do. He taught me the importance of knowing someone's favorite candy :) He showed me how much compassion, faith, and trust can be more valuable than logic.

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About Roshawnna Novellus:

Dr. Roshawnna Novellus is the Founder and CEO of EnrichHER, is a financial technology platform that connects female entrepreneurs with lenders who want to earn a return on their investment while fueling the growth of women-led businesses. Dr. Novellus is a gender equality advocate who believes in economic empowerment and inclusive economic growth. Dr. Novellus holds a Ph.D. in Systems Engineering, with a Minor in Finance, a Masters of Science in Information Technology emphasizing Information System Engineering, a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management Economics, and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering – achieving Summa Cum Laude in each. Roshawnna served on the Commission on Women for the City of Atlanta and was honored as one of the Women Who Means Business by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, one of the 40 Under 40 by Georgia Trend, a Halcyon Fellow for Social Impact, one of the Top 25 Disruptors and Innovators in Tech, one of the 27 Black Founders and Investors to watch in 2019 by PItchBook, and LinkedIn Top Voice in Technology.

Dr. Roshawnna Novellus 2019 Top News:

• LinkedIn | Top Voices Technology
• Forbes | Women Entrepreneurs Get Another Funding Option
• Moguldom | How Dr. Roshawnna Novellus Is Changing The Stats On Funding For Black Women Founders At EnrichHER
• PitchBook | 27 black founders and investors to watch in 2019
• UrbanGeekz | Meet The 10 Hottest Black Tech Entrepreneurs in Atlanta Right Now
• Fast Company | 4 Female Entrepreneurs on the Resolution that changed their Careers

What's Next:

I will continue on my quest to be a beacon of change and opportunity. We facilitated deploying $3 Million in Capital to women-led businesses and plan to grow this to $50 Million in 2020. If you'd like to help or participate, please contact me on LinkedIn or here.