In a New York Minute: Lessons in Pace, Profit, and Presence from the Black in Business Program

For twelve weeks, I stepped into the Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women: Black in Business program as a founder with momentum.

Last week, I walked out as a sharper operator, a more disciplined leader, and a business owner with clearer systems for scale.

What most people saw were the Instagram reels, the New York City moments, and the celebratory photos.
What they didn’t see were the quiet internal shifts; the reframing of how I think about money, capacity, decision-making, and sustainability.

This journey wasn’t just about finishing a program.
It was about upgrading how I run my business and how I serve my clients.

Each step reflected a real-time leadership evolution:

Slowing down before graduation to prepare my heart for gratitude
Choosing presence over hustle
Reflecting deeply on financial wellbeing, not just revenue
Acknowledging that growth requires unlearning as much as learning

Those moments weren’t performative. They were formative.

And they directly informed how I’m now refining The PM Suite.

What I Learned And How It Shows Up in My Work

1. Financial Discipline Is a Leadership Skill

This program strengthened how I approach:

Cash flow forecasting
Decision-making tied to long-term margin, not short-term wins
Structuring engagements that protect both impact and profitability

Client impact:
I now help clients design project plans and operating models that align with financial reality, not just ambition.

2. Scale Requires Systems, Not Superhuman Effort

Growth isn’t about doing more. It’s about designing better.

Internally, I’ve been upgrading:

Client intake and qualification workflows
Capacity planning across projects and partnerships
SOPs that reduce friction and decision fatigue

Client impact:
Clients receive clearer timelines, stronger execution frameworks, and leadership that anticipates bottlenecks before they become fires.

3. Wellbeing Is an Operational Decision

One of the most affirming takeaways was this: sustainability is strategic.

I’m no longer glorifying overextension for myself or my clients.

Client impact:
I now help founders and organizations build operating rhythms that support longevity, not burnout, especially in high-stakes environments.