About LaJuanna Russell
I started Business Management Associates, Inc. more than 16 years ago at my kitchen table with $500 and big dreams.
All that I could think about was helping companies become more efficient via people and processes. In the first few years, I was pulled away from that focus by elements like accounting and human resources – definitely needed for a business, but not areas where I was an expert. I had to stop focusing on “the thing” I wanted to create and figure out how to ensure the infrastructure was sound. Back then, I searched for something that would truly give me the foundation and infrastructure I needed – but they were hard to find. That’s why I decided to develop Forward-Faster. Get the foundation you need. Take your business Forward-Faster.
************************
BMA President & CEO LaJuanna Russell offers her personal story and why she always recommends: Trust Yourself.
https://profilesinsuccessbook.com/profile-success/lajuanna-russell/
************************
Moving Forward and Giving Back
Building a business is a journey, and LaJuanna Russell is ready to guide new entrepreneurs along the way.
**as seen in October 2021 editions of Forbes, Fortune & Entrepreneur**
The idea of starting a company with just $500 may seem crazy. But for LaJuanna Russell, president and CEO of Business Management Associates, Inc. (BMA), it made sense. In 16 years, Russell has turned that tiny investment into a flourishing enterprise with more than 100 employees and $10 million in annual revenue. At the core of BMA is a dedication to helping organizations optimize their most valuable asset: people. Through workforce planning, process analysis, and enhanced technology utilization, the company transforms organizations through better strategic human capital management. “Every employee comes with different backgrounds, experiences, and knowledge,” says Russell. “It’s important that companies focus on the different perspectives employees bring to the table—and consider new opportunities. “Technology has drastically changed how humans perform in the workplace, giving organizations an opportunity to upskill, rescale, and retool people into different functions,” Russell continues, emphasizing BMA’s next priority. “We’re looking at the future of work. For every organization, it's an evolving situation.”
Finding Success Faster
Today, Russell is preparing for her next venture: helping underestimated entrepreneurs—predominantly minorities and especially women—realize their dreams. It’s a subject she knows well after starting her own business revealed challenges, even for a seasoned professional. “There are many things you don't consider when starting a business,” she explains. “I don't think any of us who decide to start a company realize what we're saying. But it hits you quickly.” For Russell, those challenges began with securing financial backing for BMA. Procuring capital and understanding legal requirements were tough, and she largely learned the ropes on her own, slowly scaling BMA into a multimillion-dollar, three-time Inc. 5000 company. “If I’d had someone to help me understand all the parts and pieces in the beginning, I would have moved my business along more quickly,” says Russell. “That's why I started Forward-Faster.” Newly established, Forward-Faster, Inc. provides mentorship, training, and resources for underestimated entrepreneurs through two tracks. The incubator track helps build a solid operational foundation while the accelerator track prepares entrepreneurs to pitch for venture capital. Entrepreneurs receive expert-level, hands-on coaching for topics ranging from marketing, to accounting, to human resources, to legal, and more. But unlike other programs, Russell says it’s her goal that “when you leave Forward-Faster, you have what you need in hand to succeed without unnecessary setbacks.”
“I don't want to just teach people about what an NDA is. I want you to have an NDA based on your business,” she continues. “When you walk out the door, you have your NDA, intellectual property agreements, teaming agreements, stockholder arrangement agreements, employee handbook—the list goes on and on for what sets a solid business foundation.” With the first cohort planned for 2024, Russell is looking forward to working with new business owners and to giving back to the community. Her dedication to giving back is built into Forward-Faster’s strategy as program participants must agree to return as mentors for future cohorts. For Russell, that’s what it’s all about. “I love helping people grow,” she says.
“To support someone on their personal journey from a little idea and a lot of hope to something that truly
expresses their passion in life—that's beautiful.”