Welcome to our WBE Spotlight Series! Today, we’re thrilled to shine the spotlight on Alicia La Hoz, CEO of BridgesXL. Join us as we delve into Alicia’s entrepreneurial journey and uncover the driving force behind her success in the Professional Training and Development industry.
What inspired you to start your own business?
Having dedicated 15 years (now 20 years) to the nonprofit sector through Family Bridges (the non-for-profit I founded), we began receiving inquiries about extending our programs into corporate settings. During a strategic retreat involving our partners, board members, advisory board members, philanthropic leaders and program beneficiaries, the consensus emerged that establishing a separate LLC focused on delivering these programs to businesses would be advantageous. This move not only presented a social impact opportunity but also offered a means to diversify revenue streams and bolster support for our nonprofit organization.
Our extensive experience collaborating with leaders within the nonprofit community highlighted the necessity of a comprehensive approach to achieving impactful collective outcomes in the communities we serve. It became evident that to truly make a difference, we needed to prioritize leadership development alongside program delivery. This realization informed our decision to prioritize investing in leadership initiatives from the outset, recognizing their pivotal role in driving sustainable change.
What is a business milestone or achievement that you are most proud of?
Last year we introduced BridgesXL to help elevate the success of 110 federal grant recipients across the nation. We collaborated with Manhattan Group and Thrive Group International in harnessing an innovative artificial intelligence (AI) platform, Cloverleaf, which delivered daily coaching tips to participants and uncovered hidden insights that directly impact recruitment and retention of program participants enrolled, as well as other aspects of the program. Leadership training roundtables for providers were held across the country to enhance organizational habits, foster well-being, and strategically position the workforce to tackle challenges, ultimately translating into impactful programs for the 70,000 families served by the 110 providers engaged in this leadership program.
The leadership program included: Leadership training included:
• Individualized digital daily coaching tips
• Customized leadership workshops covering communication, clarity, creativity, and culture
• Peer-to-peer pods for mutual support
• On-demand access to workshops
Social service programs play a crucial role in addressing societal challenges like poverty,
education, violence, recidivism, food insecurity, and health and wellness. Drawing insights from various academic disciplines, such as sociology, psychology, history, philosophy, and theology, social service programs have invested significantly in developing effective strategies to tackle a wide range of social issues.
Prioritizing investment in people, products, and processes is crucial for fostering growth. Traditionally in social services entities, leadership training would focus on recruiting and retaining participants or in program delivery. However, there is a real need for better leadership training.
The demands of social service agencies offering support to families in distressed communities can cause stress and anxiety among staff. Burnout is commonly fueled by the perception of being under-resourced. The organizational culture, work environment, available resources and quality professional development play crucial roles in either exacerbating or alleviating these pressures. Robyn Cenizal, with the Manhattan Group, a contractor providing guidance and support to federal guarantees across the nation noted a deficit in leadership development for program leaders, “I feel like as a society we tend to promote technical skill without focusing on people’s ability to actually lead and there is a difference between leadership and management. We need to lead people and manage work; and often we promote people that don’t understand the distinction. And we have to teach people on how to be the leader not to just do the work.”
Implementing workplace strategies that help staff regulate emotions, thoughts, and behaviors enhances their capacity to work with program participants. This is vital to achieving goals and positively impacting participants’ lives.
During the roundtables hosted, we inquired with leaders about the obstacles they encounter in retention and recruitment.
We categorized participants according to their primary personality traits, determined through assessments on Cloverleaf. Questions took into account the inherent challenges posed by the situation and the individual’s personality, aligning with our understanding of how different traits may affect responses.
The conversations yielded unexpected perspectives:
- A program director shared insights on how hesitating to part ways with a toxic employee, driven by a desire to maintain the status quo and harmony within the organization, ultimately led to a decline in employee morale and the loss of valuable talent.
- Another showed an inclination to strictly adhere to policies and processes, resulting in an inflexible approach. They acknowledged the need to introduce more team-building initiatives to cultivate creativity within the organization.
What challenges have you faced as a woman business owner, and how did you overcome them?
The primary challenge often revolves around funding, as organizations may not grasp the return on investment (ROI). However, among organizations that have participated in these programs, we’ve observed lower attrition rates and enhanced team collaboration. Understanding the reasons behind behaviors fosters empathy, reducing animosity within teams. Recognizing the organization’s investment in them, individuals are motivated to go the extra mile. Nevertheless, decision makers must advocate for funding, often necessitating sacrifices in other areas. Sustaining support for collective impact models, prioritizing leadership development, and easing operational burdens for non-profits, corporations, and small businesses are essential for achieving peak performance and profitability. It’s crucial for organizations and decision makers to recognize the importance of investing in these programs. Securing funding requires deliberate efforts.
What advice would you give to aspiring women entrepreneurs?
Leadership can be lonely but it doesn’t have to be. Surround yourself by advisors, coaches and other leaders who demonstrate a mix of personal humility and professional will and not only will you be better but also lead with joy.
About BridgesXL
BridgesXL is a transformative leadership development program that has been empowering directors and managers for the past 5 years. Designed to be a game-changer in the world of professional development, BridgesXL offers a powerful combination of interactive courses and personalized coaching. By bridging the gap between aspiration and achievement, the program equips participants with the skills, mindset, and confidence to become extraordinary leaders in their organizations. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or an emerging manager, BridgesXL provides the tools and support to elevate your leadership capabilities and drive impactful, lasting change.
Leadership can be lonely but it doesn’t have to be. Surround yourself by advisors, coaches and other leaders who demonstrate a mix of personal humility and professional will and not only will you be better but also lead with joy.