September 28, 2017
Don’t you love stories with happy endings? Nina (not her real name) had just about given up on pursuing a communications career. After graduating with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in communications, she moved back to her hometown of Washington, D.C. and began her earnest job search. However, after three years, she had no luck.
September 14, 2017
A few months ago, I spent the day working with a friend on her resume. She had a high-powered position at one of the Fortune 500 companies and had recently negotiated an exit package with her company. When I asked her why she was leaving, she told me that her relationship with the CEO was not good.
September 7, 2017
Some people cry at the drop of a hat. It takes a lot for me to cry. However, some years ago, I almost broke down. I happened to be presenting a global communications strategy at an executive committee meeting, and the head of the organization stopped me in my tracks and said, “Who told you to present this information?”
August 31, 2017
Have you updated your LinkedIn profile lately? Your online presence is a significant part of your brand. I’m almost embarrassed to admit it, but until recently, I probably had not even looked at mine in umpteen years.
August 24, 2017
Last weekend, I traveled to Pittsburgh, PA for my 40th high school reunion weekend. (I can’t believe I’m that old either!). I attended St. Paul’s Cathedral High School, an all-girls school located in the heart of North Oakland. St. Paul’s merged with another girl’s high school in 1989 and is now known as Oakland Catholic.
August 17, 2017
My niece, Dominique Hooper and her daughter Dejah were recently in Walmart shopping for college stuff. Dejah was getting ready for her freshman debut at Penn State University Park Campus this fall. By the way, Dejah’s high school GPA was 4.0 (just had to do a little bragging).
August 3, 2017
As a native Pittsburgher, I’m a big Steeler fan and many of my Sundays during the football season are spent watching the games with my husband. The thing that always amazes me is how athletes are constantly proving themselves. The ones that are excellent at their craft command large salaries and often break records.
July 27, 2017
Last week, I visited the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History & Culture (NMAAHC) for the second time this year. However, this trip was different because I had the opportunity to spend time with the museum’s founding director, Dr. Lonnie Bunch III.
July 20, 2017
I am in a leadership development class for women-owned businesses, and we meet once a month. During one of our meetings, Karen, our facilitator asked us to write down 25 accomplishments we’ve had since the beginning of the year. The accomplishments could include business, personal, home, etc.
July 13, 2017
Almost ten years ago, I began a new chapter in my life when I launched Hooper Williams Communications. After spending nearly 27 years in Corporate America and getting used to earning a regular paycheck, it was one of the scariest things I have ever done.
Often, when I tell someone to “Keep Dreaming,” it comes from a sarcastic place and means “this will never happen.” However, as I reflect on the crazy, challenging year we all experienced in 2020, I think it’s time to get back to our dreams literally.
At the beginning of 2020, I had big dreams. I had planned a February vacation trip to Thailand, a women’s conference in March, Florida in April, Aruba in June, and Hilton Head with cousins in October. All plans were canceled indefinitely. Getting refunds/credits from travel agencies, airlines and hotels became a significant challenge and took lots of energy.
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Hi! I'm LaNella Hooper-Williams. Through my blog, my mission is to give you tips and practical tools that will help you build a powerful brand and accomplish your personal and professional dreams. You’ll learn strategies that help you manage your personal brand, get noticed and rewarded for your unique talents, and gain greater career focus.
