SEPTEMBER STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Q&A with Tiffini Holmes
Sunshine Enterprises’ North Side Community Business Academy Instructor & Coach
Tiffini Holmes is owner of Total Transformation Solutions and author of Balancing the Scale: What I Gained While Losing. Tiffini also has 18+ years of combined coaching experience in human resources and wellness. She is a behavior change specialist, advocate, resource, and accountability partner to her clients and community. Tiffini is also a Co-Founder of Well Beings Chicago, an anchor tenant in The Aux, Evanston. Tiffini was first introduced to Sunshine Enterprises when she attended her cousin’s Community Business Academy (CBA) graduation. She then went on the enroll in the CBA program herself back in 2017 and in 2020 applied to be a coach when an opening for a North Side instructor became available. Besides her work here at Sunshine, Tiffini is very vested in the Evanston community and spends a great deal of time as one of the co-developers of The Aux - a commercial hub dedicated to healing, wellness, and racial equity, a space co-created and owned by the Evanston community. We are very fortunate to have Tiffini on our team!
Q: What is your favorite part of being a CBA instructor?
My favorite part hands down is seeing the evolution of the entrepreneurs through the 12 weeks - seeing the concepts come together for them with each homework assignment, seeing them gain more confidence and speak up during class.
Q: What topic in the CBA curriculum is your favorite to teach? Why?
The elevator pitch is by far my favorite topic. When the entrepreneurs introduce their business or business idea in week 1 they are often uncertain about certain aspects of their business or timid in their presentation. Then, we fast forward to weeks 9-11 when they are pitching again with more clarity and confidence and you see their pride and how much more sure of themselves they are.
Q: How do you create a positive and inclusive environment to help all CBA entrepreneurs succeed?
I believe I do this by establishing day 1 and reaffirming throughout the 12 weeks that their voice matters and is powerful. I remind them that they are the subject matter experts on their business idea. They know the dream and have what it takes to bring it to pass.
Q: Can you share some memorable moments or experiences during your time working at Sunshine?
I think the good news we share at the beginning of class is most impactful. Every time someone shares that they received a new grant, made a first sale or more sales, or even filed for an LLC it reignites the fire of every other entrepreneur in the room to keep going. It is tangible to feel that energy even through Zoom.
Q: What strategies do you use to keep CBA students engaged and motivated?
By building rapport between myself and the entrepreneurs and by setting an atmosphere in class for them to build a rapport with one another. Also, I believe in letting people get comfortable with engaging at their own pace and in ways they are most comfortable. As far as motivation goes, I try to share stories of successful entrepreneurs and things they have overcome. I also remind them to reframe their thinking and always be solution oriented.
Q: What challenges (if any) have you encountered as a CBA instructor and how have you overcome them?
I don’t know that I would consider it a challenge, but it is an area of focus that isn’t covered in the curriculum. For some of the entrepreneurs there is a measure of confidence building and personal development that is needed to get them through the program and to not give up on their business when they see some of the building blocks needed. I overcome it by identifying it, acknowledging it is part of the process for many entrepreneurs, and working with them to find ways that would work for them to combat it.
Q: In your opinion, what are the most important qualities a CBA instructor should possess, and how do you exemplify these qualities in your method of instructing?
Adaptability and insight are important for CBA instructors. You have to be able to discern when students are grasping concepts and when they aren’t because they won’t always verbalize it. You also have to be able to apply the concepts to their business to bring it home and the business can range from service to product based, transportation to counseling. You have to be agile enough to make it relevant for everyone in the class.
Q: Any final thoughts and/or advice you have for entrepreneurs?
I’m most proud of the number of entrepreneurs that have graduated from the North Side cohort since I started instructing, to see the number of businesses that started as an idea or businesses already running but their businesses get tighter or they even use the knowledge from class to negotiate a better salary, to see how whatever little seed I can plant just grows and grows and grows. My advice to entrepreneurs is - Do it! Think big! The business I’m starting now was the original business of my dreams. At first, I kept scaling it down to just coaching, but I realized that if I’d dreamed big enough at first maybe I would have started it sooner. All you have to do is stay faithful and stay busy.