Eleshia V. Cash, CEO of Jackson HR and Administrative Services, is an outstanding woman who is well respected as a community and spiritual leader as well as an HR professional. She has hosted various HR Professional Workshops, Women’s Empowerment Conferences, and Job Networking Meetings.
Eleshia is known for being The Collaborator across many platforms. She is a dynamic speaker, trainer, and contributor of content who is well- respected as a community and spiritual leader as well as an HR professional. She is a truly unique individual that wears many ‘hats’ and has made her mark in the community due to her passion for women, her church, her business, and her own non-profit organization which promotes Young Women in Leadership.
Eleshia is also the author of the Little Red Networking Book (Women’s Empowerment 1st Edition) and the Little Red Networking Book Companion Planner which offers a one of a kind blend of tips to assist women with building a strong network of connections.
Connect with Eleshia on LinkedIn and follow Jackson HR on Twitter and Facebook.
Show Transcript
Intro: [00:00:04] Broadcasting live from the Business RadioX studios in Atlanta, Georgia, it’s time for GWBC Radio’s Open for Business. Now, here’s your host.
Lee Kantor: [00:00:18] Lee Kantor here. Another episode of GWBC’s Open for Business. And this is going to be a fun one. Today, I have with me Eleshia Cash. And she is with Jackson HR and Administrative Services. Welcome, Eleshia.
Eleshia Cash: [00:00:31] Hello, everyone. Thank you so much for having me today.
Lee Kantor: [00:00:34] Well, before we get too far into things, tell us about Jackson. How are you serving folks?
Eleshia Cash: [00:00:40] Well, Jackson HR and Administrative Services was initially a marriage between providing human resources services, as well as administrative services to small and medium-sized businesses. And so, we brought those two skills together because many businesses may need some type of partnership around providing those specific services to help their businesses navigate through their employee and HR needs. And so, right now, in this current space, we’re figuring out ways to pivot and do things differently with business services but, traditionally, those are the type of things that we provide.
Lee Kantor: [00:01:24] Now, how’d you get into this line of work?
Eleshia Cash: [00:01:27] Well, I have over 20 years of human resources experience an administrative services. And so, I’ve always been great at doing things administratively, just something naturally and I get that I was able to do. And I wanted to bring those two passions and those two skill set together. And that’s how the business started with bringing those services together.
Lee Kantor: [00:01:51] And then, now, your work has shifted because of the pandemic we’re in, you’ve had to make some changes. Can you talk about those and what you’re doing now?
Eleshia Cash: [00:02:00] Yes, the needs and the clients have changed. And so, now, with over … I believe we’re up to 30 million people out of jobs right now, the services have changed to service that clientèle to workforce development. How do we support these people who was navigating in their careers? So, we’re providing workshops for them, professional self-profiles, redoing resumé workshops, and teaching them how to pivot into different careers, supporting them in their networking initiative, teaching them how to network online in a virtual space. And so, just providing a lot of support for workforce development at this time.
Lee Kantor: [00:02:44] So, now, one of the, I guess, kind of core values of your organization is leveraging the power of networking. Can you talk about the Little Red Networking Book and how that impacts your business?
Eleshia Cash: [00:02:59] Yes. Well, one of the things that we try to teach people to do is network before you really need the network. It’s so important for people to look at the network that they already have, people they may have gone to school with. If anybody’s gone to high school, there’s some type of mommy association, or college, or alumnae, or people that you’ve worked with. Teaching them how to network on different platforms such as LinkedIn. These are avenues and vehicles that could help you within your career and land use your next best opportunity.
Eleshia Cash: [00:03:35] And so, within our human resources services, we begin using our networking platforms to teach people the skills of networking. So, that’s what we talk about in the Little Red Networking Book. We found that especially women have not mastered the skill of networking. We know how to socialize, but we haven’t mastered the skill of networking, which is something totally different. So, within the Little Red Networking Book, we talk about how to develop your net-connect strategy, which is a combination of networking and connection and building those strategic relationships.
Lee Kantor: [00:04:15] And each of the different platforms has a different style, right? Like, what’s acceptable in one environment may be unacceptable in another. And you’ve got to kind of know the lay of the land and the language of each of those groups, right?
Eleshia Cash: [00:04:29] Exactly. We find out a lot of people don’t necessarily know that. And so, teaching people how to nurture your network will help you develop, and create, and start a networking strategy. We talk about even the virtual events right now that are on so many different platforms since the COVID-19. Be strategic in the ones that you’re going to. Make sure that you are putting yourself in a position to be in a circle around other people that have the same goals and missions that you have. Do the research on the speakers. Find out who’s presenting that day, and how they could help you, or how you can help them. Teaching people not to approach individuals during this time on, “Oh, how can you help me?” but finding out a way of how you can help them or how you can start because it’s in the helping that you begin to network, and meet different people, and expand your network.
Lee Kantor: [00:05:30] And then, if you do that right and you create those win/win opportunities for all parties, then you really have something, right? That’s when your organization can really expand and grow.
Eleshia Cash: [00:05:42] You use my keyword, which is the win/win. I talk about that so much about strategic partnerships. You know that you had developed a network when it’s a win/win for both parties. When it’s something that you’re giving, and you’re helping them with, and they can turn around and help you, that is a win/win connection. And so, you have net-connected when you’ve done that.
Lee Kantor: [00:06:06] And then, sometimes when you do that right, that’s additional ways to make revenue in ways that maybe you hadn’t considered previously, right?
Eleshia Cash: [00:06:16] Exactly. It’s about the support, promote, and refer piece of it. When you couldn’t make that win/win connection, you never know. You become a connector when you may connect two individuals together, or you become a supporter when you’re supporting someone. And then, you become the promoter where you end up promoting that person. Then, that person turns around and does that same thing for you. Then, that’s when the strategic partnership or the strategic connection is made, and you start seeing the revenue coming in due to those connections because you made a power move in connecting and networking.
Lee Kantor: [00:06:57] Now, speaking of power moves and powerful organizations, can you tell us about GWBC? How has that organization impacted your work?
Eleshia Cash: [00:07:07] Oh, it has impacted my words tremendously. It has allowed me to connect with some powerhouse women who are making great strides in their businesses to network with them, to learn from them, especially during this pandemic to even lean on them, to find out what are they doing in regards to the different stimulus packages that have been provided, and how they’ve navigated the trajectory of their business. And a lot of them are having to make changes, and it’s great to have the support of different women to lean on for guidance on making those changes.
Lee Kantor: [00:07:50] And that’s something that’s important in any network, right? It can always be about, “What’s in it for me?” You’ve got to really have a lot of empathy and look at things through the eyes of the other people in the group. And if you emphasize serving, and helping, and supporting, a lot of magical things can happen.
Eleshia Cash: [00:08:12] Exactly. One of the things that I talk tremendously about is the state of collaboration. And what I’ve noticed during this time, it has been easier for me to use that word and use that verb again, and people have been happier to embrace collaborative effort. Now, we’re in a phase where we’re able to lean on one another for ideas, and for support, and to go after things together. And so, yes, having this network has been very phenomenal to allow us to navigate such a time of this where there’s a lot of loss with businesses and uncertainty. So, to have the women business enterprise support, providing the resources, then to put in the tools and guidance has been so great to my network professionally.
Lee Kantor: [00:09:06] So, now, who is your ideal client? And how can we help you find them and let them know about the work you’re doing?
Eleshia Cash: [00:09:14] My ideal client, of course, right now, are women who are trying to learn how to network, who would like guidance in networking and in establishing strategic partnership. There are a lot of people out there that are introverts, and they just have a hard time getting started. They don’t know how to approach the networking component. And they know that networking correctly can really bring in strategic partnership that help revenue come in and to be ongoing revenue that’s continuous. And so, women is our ideal client. And also, people that are looking for employment right now. Anyone that needs help with their professional profiles, we’re doing resume, interview workshop, any of those things is going to prepare them professionally for their next career opportunity. Jackson HR and Administrative Services is here to support them.
Lee Kantor: [00:10:16] Now, in your work, is there any opportunity to partner with maybe affiliate programs or different ways that you can create those win/win opportunities with your ecosystem?
Eleshia Cash: [00:10:31] Yes, there are. Because we believe in nurturing your network, we are open to affiliate programs and partnering with other organizations and programs. Yes. So, contact us at Jackson HR Administrative Services, and we’ll be happy to work on that mission with you.
Lee Kantor: [00:10:50] So, that’s something where if somebody has a complementary service that’s not exactly what you do, but maybe adjacent to what you do, where you can work together, and there can be some sort of a revenue share or client share?
Eleshia Cash: [00:11:04] Yes. Yes, exactly.
Lee Kantor: [00:11:07] And then, if somebody wanted to learn more about what you’re up to, or network with you, or hire you, is there a website?
Eleshia Cash: [00:11:16] It sure is. We can be down at jacksonhrservice.com. My email address is jacksonhrservice@gmail.com. So, either one of those avenues or websites or email, you can contact us directly, and we could provide more information about our service or opportunities to connect, collaborate and work together.
Lee Kantor: [00:11:40] Thank you so much for sharing your story today.
Eleshia Cash: [00:11:44] Thank you so much for having me.
Lee Kantor: [00:11:46] All right. This is Lee Kantor. We’ll see you all next time on GWBC Open for Business.
About Your Host
Roz Lewis is President & CEO – Greater Women’s Business Council (GWBC®), a regional partner organization of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) and a member of the WBENC Board of Directors.
Previous career roles at Delta Air Lines included Flight Attendant, In-Flight Supervisor and Program Manager, Corporate Supplier Diversity.
During her career she has received numerous awards and accolades. Most notable: Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 2018 Diversity & Inclusion award; 2017 inducted into the WBE Hall of Fame by the American Institute of Diversity and Commerce and 2010 – Women Out Front Award from Georgia Tech University.
She has written and been featured in articles on GWBC® and supplier diversity for Forbes Magazine SE, Minority Business Enterprise, The Atlanta Tribune, WE- USA, Minorities and Women in Business magazines. Her quotes are published in The Girls Guide to Building a Million Dollar Business book by Susan Wilson Solovic and Guide Coaching by Ellen M. Dotts, Monique A. Honaman and Stacy L. Sollenberger. Recently, she appeared on Atlanta Business Chronicle’s BIZ on 11Alive, WXIA to talk about the importance of mentoring for women.
In 2010, Lewis was invited to the White House for Council on Women and Girls Entrepreneur Conference for the announcement of the Small Business Administration (SBA) new Women Owned Small Business Rule approved by Congress. In 2014, she was invited to the White House to participate in sessions on small business priorities and the Affordable Care Act.
Roz Lewis received her BS degree from Florida International University, Miami, FL and has the following training/certifications: Certified Purchasing Managers (CPM); Certified Professional in Supplier Diversity (CPSD), Institute for Supply Management (ISM)of Supplier Diversity and Procurement: Diversity Leadership Academy of Atlanta (DLAA), Negotiations, Supply Management Strategies and Analytical Purchasing.
Connect with Roz on LinkedIn.
About GWBC
The Greater Women’s Business Council (GWBC®) is at the forefront of redefining women business enterprises (WBEs). An increasing focus on supplier diversity means major corporations are viewing our WBEs as innovative, flexible and competitive solutions. The number of women-owned businesses is rising to reflect an increasingly diverse consumer base of women making a majority of buying decision for herself, her family and her business. 
GWBC® has partnered with dozens of major companies who are committed to providing a sustainable foundation through our guiding principles to bring education, training and the standardization of national certification to women businesses in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina