4 power moves to make this Memorial Day weekend

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From Black Enterprise:

So, everyone is gearing up for the wild trips, fun barbecues or just relaxation for this upcoming three-day holiday. For many, Memorial Day weekend is a time to take a breather, with no thoughts of business, work or boss moves. But for leaders who are constantly on the grind and keeping it moving, this is prime time to hustle.

I recently moderated a super-inspiring panel that focused on creating secondary streams of revenue. Organized by a very enterprising young boss in her own right, Ronesha Byng, this event featured a panel of media, finance and entertainment power women including author and relationship coach Tionna Smalls, a Brooklyn, N.Y native who was able to take her self-published book into boss moves overdrive with a new show on MTV.

A common theme among the diverse panel of women was that, while others are doing what everyone else does, they do the opposite—something fearless and out of the box—especially when it comes to networking. Smalls noted that she would often attend events, where she might be the only person of color in the room, to network with who’s who of the media and TV industries. Another panelist, travelista Johnica Reed, talked about how she’d use her time during happy hour, not solely for alcoholic debauchery, but to connect with people who’d turn out to be key investors in her advancement. She’s been able to travel the world and write about it—all expenses paid.

So, what better time than Memorial Day weekend to put those boss moves into action while everyone is knocking back pina coladas or spending their last at Las Vegas casinos? Here are four things you can do during the holiday—that many people probably won’t be doing—to get a step ahead:

1. Attend at least one quality event: It’s cool to hang out with friends by the beach or pool, but what about being strategic? With so many things going on in major cities during this time, take advantage of the locale you’re in and find time to meet people you don’t already know. Maybe that bartender works celebrity or corporate events. Maybe the neighboring group of women in your cabana also work in an industry you have interest in. Maybe that club owner or promoter has a lucrative network of contacts. You definitely want to be conscious of the timing and environment, but when you’re presented with a key moment, take the time to make your move to build new relationships that could benefit your brand or future side hustle.

Read the rest of this story on BlackEnterprise.com.