For years, I struggled to balance my career and my business. I’m talking no sales, no sleep, toxic jobs, overworking, and no balance, okay? But in this episode of The Black Woman Bliss Podcast, I’m sharing what finally clicked and how I built a business that served me, created consistent revenue, and ultimately helped me leave my 9-5.This is a deep dive episode for the Black women building businesses after work, during lunch breaks, on weekends, and in between everything else. I’m telling the truth about what it looked like to balance my 9-5 and business, including the toxic work environments, overperformance, identity shifts, systems and the business decisions that helped me move toward my exit point.In this episode, we’ll cover:🤎 How I went from no sales to consistent sales🤎 Why clarity is one of the biggest foundations in business🤎 The mindset shift that helped me stop moving like only an employee🤎 How toxic jobs can drain the energy you need for your business🤎 How I used routines, habits, and calendaring to stay consistent🤎 Why repeatable services, SOPs, and systems helped me scale🤎 How I knew what to double down on before exiting my 9-5🤎 What a real week looked like when I was working full-time and coaching after hours👑 JOIN THE BLACK WOMAN BLISS COMMUNITYThe Community is a space for Black women ready to create aligned careers, businesses, and lifestyles we love. Inside, you’ll get strategy, support, sisterhood, trainings, and community as you step into your Black Woman Bliss Era.https://www.mercedesswan.com/join🤙🏾 SCHEDULE A 1:1 CLARITY AND STRATEGY SESSIONReady to get clear on the business you’re building while working your 9-5? Book a Clarity & Strategy Session so we can identify what’s working, what’s draining you, and the aligned next steps that will help you build with more confidence, structure, and ease.Book your session now: https://hello.mercedesswan.com/shop/8f5a153c-c508-4957-9618-f18677f65f30📊CAREER AND BUSINESS LOVE ASSESSMENTNot sure whether this season needs you to focus on your career, your business, or both? Take the Career and Business Love Assessment to discover where to focus your time and energy next, whether that’s advancing your career, building your business, or creating a hybrid strategy that supports your full Black Woman Bliss Era.https://www.mercedesswan.com/quiz✨ WATCH THE BLACK WOMAN BLISS WEBINARIf you’re ready to get clear on your career, business, and next chapter, watch the Black Woman Bliss Webinar and start creating your aligned vision.https://www.mercedesswan.com/blissSubscribe, leave a review, and share this with a professional sister in love who is building her business while working her 9-5.Chapters00:00 My Journey to Career Liberation02:47 Mindset Shifts for Black Women Entreprenuers05:54 Identifying Barriers to Business Growth09:09 The Importance of Business Clarity and Focus11:56 Navigating Toxic Work Environments15:07 Setting Boundaries and Priorities17:54 Building a Supportive Business Community21:10 Shifting Your Identity as a Business Owner24:11 Productivity Strategies for Balancing Career and Business29:17 Business Structures and Systems36:12 Optimizing Your Time40:46 Creating Repeatable Business Systems44:31 Doubling Down: Focusing on What Works56:05 Balancing Career and Business: Finding Your PathBLOG: https://www.mercedesswan.com/blog/how-to-build-a-business-while-working-a-9-5

Can one pivot change the way you see work, equity, and your worth?

In this powerful episode, Mercedes sits down with Tishayla Williams to talk about the equity pivot and what it means for Black women navigating today’s workplace. As an I/O psychologist and founder of The TW Collective, Tishayla brings a real, unfiltered perspective on performative equity, workplace harm, pay inequity, and the courage it takes to pivot with purpose.

Together, Mercedes and Tishayla explore the hidden cost of ambition, how systems fail Black women, and why creating your own opportunities is often the first step toward liberation. This conversation is honest, validating, and full of the kind of wisdom that reminds you that you are not imagining what you’ve experienced at work and you are not stuck there either.

During this episode, you’ll learn:

• How performative equity shows up when organizations quietly remove their commitments as soon as the political climate shifts
• Why pay inequity is often the foundation of broader workplace inequity for Black women
• How Tishayla’s journey from the Army and social work into I/O psychology shaped her lens on policy, compliance, and systems change
• What it looks like to advocate for yourself when a workplace is not designed to protect or value you
• Why Black women must stop waiting for permission and start creating their own opportunities
• How to think about your career pivot, business, or next move as a path toward greater autonomy and alignment

Pivot with Tishayla Williams

Tishayla Williams is an I/O psychologist and the founder of The TW Collective, where she helps organizations build more equitable workplaces and supports Black women in protecting themselves within them. A former social worker and Army veteran, Tishayla uses her voice and expertise to unpack the hidden cost of ambition, examine policy and systems through an equity lens, and help Black women navigate work with more clarity, strategy, and self-advocacy.

Connect with Tishayla on TikTok: Dr. Tishayla WilliamsLearn more about The TW Collective: https://www.thetwcollective.com/thebackboneframework Email The TW Collective: impact@thetwcollective.com

Read Tishayla's Essence Article: "I Walked Away At My Breaking Point. Now I Help Black Women Protect Themselves At Work" https://www.essence.com/news/money-career/redefining-success-after-burnout/

Step Into Your Black Woman Bliss

You deserve a career, business, and life that actually feels aligned. If you’re ready to stop settling, make your next pivot with intention, and build something that honors your brilliance, Mercedes has support for you.

✨ Join the Black Woman Bliss Community:
https://www.mercedesswan.com/join

✨ Register for the Black Woman Bliss Blueprint Webinar:
https://www.mercedesswan.com/bliss

✨ Work 1:1 with Mercedes:
https://www.mercedesswan.com/connect

Key takeaway from this episode

As Tishayla reminds us, Black women cannot afford to wait for systems to suddenly become safe, equitable, or affirming. We have to advocate for ourselves, create opportunities when doors do not open, and stay willing to pivot toward the life, work, and freedom we deserve.

Transcript: https://www.mercedesswan.com/blog/equity-pivot-black-women-advocate-performative-workplaces

Girl, Q1 of 2026 took me out! This is not how I envisioned my year! Everything from business launches, heartbreak, food poisoning, a doggy cancer diagnosis, and a depressive episode... tapped ya girl out! I decided to take a breather and create this pretty raw yap session! I know sharing the reality of sharing what it looks like and feels like to build a life you love, even when nothing is going right. In this episode, I share more about my mental health journey, how I've been coping with my Dog's Osteosarcoma diagnosis, the different empty cup dynamic that mission-driven Black women face and what my goals are for this quarter. I'm sharing some of the huge lessons I'm learning as a growing business owner and some inspirational thoughts to help you continue to choose your bliss even when life seems out of control!Make sure to subscribe to listen to the podcast anywhere, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and more! Join the Black Woman Bliss CommunityConnect with a supportive group of Black women who are building their dream careers with sisterhood, strategy, and support. The Community features connection circles, group coaching, coworking, and a training portal featuring over 60 lessons!Join now with a 14-day free trial: https://www.mercedesswan.com/offers/eJeeU6Va/checkout Black Woman Bliss Webinar: The Black Woman Bliss Webinar shares my journey navigating workplace-induced anxiety and depression to overcoming it to build a thriving career and business. Learn more about how Black Woman Bliss can help you create a career, business and life you love, even when it doesn't feel so blissful! Register for Free: https://www.mercedesswan.com/bliss Work with Mercedes Swan:Mercedes loves coaching and mentoring Black women who are launching their job search, learning to navigate the workplace with confidence or are planning their 9-5 exit by building a business she loves.Connect with Mercedes here to explore 1:1 Coaching or Mentoring: https://www.mercedesswan.com/connectChapters00:00 Introduction to Black Woman Bliss07:10 Reflections on Community and Support16:07 Coping with Loss and Grief21:10 Black Women with ADHD and Business26:04 Black women with ADHD, PMDD and Depression 31:04 The Importance of Filling Your Cup38:14 Reevaluating Time and Energy Investments46:11 Prioritizing Self-Care and Business Growth53:03 Defining Joy in Challenging Times56:38 Choosing Joy Amidst AdversityTranscripts: https://www.mercedesswan.com/blog/16-ambitious-black-women-with-adhd-depression-grief-and-big-goals

Can one moment change your entire life?

In this inspiring episode, Mercedes sits down with Karria Lawrence, who received a divine ultimatum and calling on her life to heal, grow, and lead.

Together, we explore how Black women can heal from trauma, connect with purpose, impact their community, and grow authentically as leaders.

Karria shares her story, lessons, and how Black women can grow as leaders and transmute our experiences to make an impact.

During this episode, you'll learn:

• How to identify the pivotal moments and spiritual signs directing you to purpose
• How to define who you are as a leader
• The importance of community, boundaries, and self-care
• The challenges and changes required for leadership
• How to decide if leadership is right for you
• How to pursue non-profit and community leadership

Transform with Karria Lawrence

Karria Lawrence is the founder of Pretty Gyrlz Pray and CEO of Arkitype & Co., a strategic operations and consulting firm that helps organizations improve internal systems and leadership. As an organizational strategist, speaker, and 2x author, Karria empowers women, especially Black women and girls, to lead with confidence, overcome personal and professional obstacles, and reach their full potential. With a background in community development, team alignment, and trauma-informed leadership, she creates spaces for healing, growth, and impact.

Work with Karria: https://www.linkedin.com/in/consultwithkarria/

Learn more about Arkitype & Co.: https://www.arkitypeand.co/

Connect with her nonprofit, Pretty Gyrlz Pray: https://prettygyrlzprayinc.org/

Step Into Your Black Woman Bliss

You deserve to create a life and career that feels like freedom, alignment, and fulfillment. If you’re ready to quit that toxic job, launch your business, or finally step into your purpose with confidence, join Mercedes for the Black Woman Bliss Blueprint Webinar.

✨ You’ll learn how to:

• Get clear on your Black Woman Brilliance
• Build a career or business rooted in your values and gifts
• Create an exit plan that lets you walk away from burnout and step into your Bliss Era

👉🏾 Register for the free Black Woman Bliss Blueprint Webinar here: ⁠https://www.mercedesswan.com/bliss ⁠

Ready to Keep Building? Join the conversation and connect with other powerful Black women creating aligned careers, businesses, and lives inside the Black Woman Bliss Community: ⁠https://www.mercedesswan.com/join

Transcripts: https://www.mercedesswan.com/blog/how-to-start-a-nonprofit-as-a-black-woman

As a Business Coach for Black Women, I will let you know right now... you're probably overcomplicating and overthinking your business!

If you want to leave your toxic job and create financial security with an online business, you can get started in 90 minutes.

In this podcast episode, I am sharing what I've learned about starting and scaling my online business including:

1. How to pick a business idea
2. How to create your first offer
3. How to launch a business website quickly
4. How to make your first sale

📌 RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

9-5 Exit Blueprint: Create a plan to build a profitable and purposeful businesshttps://www.mercedesswan.com/offers/CNrFmiHw/checkoutBlack Woman Bliss Blueprint Webinar: Learn how to create a 90-day plan to scale your business https://www.mercedesswan.com/bliss

Join the Black Woman Bliss Community: build with other business-focused Black Women: https://www.mercedesswan.com/black-woman-bliss-community

Hire me as your Business Coach: Work with me for 90 days to launch your business https://www.mercedesswan.com/business-love-coaching-program-black-women

LINKS TO TOOLS I USE

Get my full tech stack: https://mercedesswan.notion.site/Mercedes-Swan-s-Tech-Stack-21b0ae166516808897caec2fbd1f1b2e?source=copy_link

Beacons AI: Start for free https://beacons.ai/signup?c=mercedesswan

Kajabi: Start for Free: https://www.notion.so/mercedesswan/Kajabi-21b0ae166516801a8ea9fb23221d01d4?source=copy_link

TRANSCRIPTS: https://www.mercedesswan.com/blog/14-how-to-become-a-high-ticket-black-woman-business-coach

When we see another Black woman in leadership in the workplace, many of us expect to be protected, supported, and seen. Unfortunately, many of us experience the exact opposite.Join Mercedes Swan, your host, and Dr. Ashley Gaddy Robbins as we discuss how Black women navigate workplace challenges and opportunities when we're working with leaders who look like us. In this raw, reflective, and truth-telling conversation, we discuss the best and the worst Black women supervisors we've worked with, how systems of power impact our ability to navigate the workplace authentically and how we can create space and opportunity for other Black women in the workplace!🫱🏾‍🫲🏾 Connect with Dr. Ashley Gaddy RobbinsDr. Ashley Gaddy Robbins is a People & Culture Partner, educator, and creative who brings a grounded, human-centered approach to every space she enters. She partners with organizations, leaders and individuals to build cultures rooted in authenticity, accountability, and care—moving beyond surface-level gestures toward meaningful, lasting change.To learn more about Dr. Gaddy Robbins as well as invite her to teach, train and transform visit her website: https://www.askdrashley.com/Get Dr. Gaddy Robbin's book, the Conscious Leader: https://www.askdrashley.com/consciousleader📝 RSVP for the Black Woman Bliss WebinarLearn how to quit your toxic job, launch a business & create a life you love with clarity and confidence in my upcoming free webinar! This webinar was created to help Black women tap into their purpose, break the toxic job cycle, and take a 90 day path to freedom.Join the Webinar Now: https://www.mercedesswan.com/bliss🫱🏾‍🫲🏾Work with Mercedes Swan:Mercedes loves coaching and mentoring Black women who are launching their job search, learning to navigate the workplace with confidence or are planning their 9-5 exit by building a business she loves.Connect with Mercedes here to explore 1:1 Coaching or Mentoring: https://www.mercedesswan.com/connectTranscripts: https://www.mercedesswan.com/blog/black-women-with-black-supervisors-in-the-workplace-podcastChapters00:00 Navigating Workplace Dynamics as Black Women05:21 Working with Black Women Supervisors11:14 Black Women and Workplace Power Dynamics 16:59 Inclusive and Community Focused Leadership22:40 Navigating Power Dynamics in the Workplace30:04 Coping with Workplace Toxicity38:26 Human-Centered Leadership39:21 Practicing Solidarity Among Black Women43:47 Empowering Leadership PracticesTranscripts: https://www.mercedesswan.com/blog/black-women-with-black-supervisors-in-the-workplace-podcast

For the past year, Black women have been facing job loss and the most challenging job market we've seen in a long time.

For some of us, navigating this space has presented exhaustion, hopelessness, and fear about our career trajectories and financial stability.

In this podcast episode, Mercedes Swan, the Career Love Coach sets out to inspire some hope by sharing what's going on in the job market for Black Women based on employment data, how this is impacting Black women, and how you can confidently navigate the job market with confidence by leveraging Brilliance Niching!

Start Brilliance Niching: The show featured two resources to help you start defining your Black Woman Brilliance!

• Get the Black Woman Brilliance Niching Workbook to get clear on your niche for your 2026 job search: https://www.mercedesswan.com/offers/8inUpAAF
• Watch the Black Woman Bliss Blueprint Webinar, which highlights Brilliance Niching and a 90-day Job Search Strategy: https://www.mercedesswan.com/bliss

Join the Black Woman Bliss Community

Connect with a supportive group of Black women who are building their dream careers with sisterhood, strategy, and support. The Community features connection circles, group coaching, coworking, and a training portal featuring over 60 lessons!

Join now with a 14-day free trial: https://www.mercedesswan.com/offers/eJeeU6Va/checkout

Work with Mercedes Swan:

Mercedes loves coaching and mentoring Black women who are launching their job search, learning to navigate the workplace with confidence or are planning their 9-5 exit by building a business she loves.

Connect with Mercedes here to explore 1:1 Coaching or Mentoring: https://www.mercedesswan.com/connect

Referenced in the Show

• Economic Policy Institute Blog
• Economic Policy Institute Data
• 2025 Lean In Report
• Logan In the Future
• Tank Rhodes
• Why 300,000 Black Women Were Pushed Out Of The Workforce

Transcripts: https://www.mercedesswan.com/blog/the-state-of-the-job-market-for-black-women

What does it really take to plan 2026 as a Black woman who wants more in her career and business?

In this solo episode, Mercedes gets real about what it means to plan a new year after a hard one, especially when you know you’re meant for more but you’re tired, over it, and done with grind culture.

She walks you through how she’s planning her own 2026 using reflection, the 12 Week Year, and soft, supportive systems so she can build a business and life she actually loves.

Together, we're exploring what it looks like to redesign your goals around who you’re becoming, not just what you think you “should” be doing.

Through honesty, storytelling, and practical strategy, Mercedes reminds you that your Black Woman Bliss Era isn’t about doing more it’s about doing what’s aligned, sustainable, and worthy of the woman you are right now.

🤚🏾 FREE 7-Day Clarity Challenge: Come plan your 2026 with Mercedes and her mama in community starting January 11th. For seven days, you’ll be guided through reflection, vision, and aligned action so you can step into this year with purpose!
Join the challenge: ⁠https://www.mercedesswan.com/clarity-challenge⁠

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

9 to 5 Exit Blueprint (Pay-What-You-Want): ⁠https://www.mercedesswan.com/offers/CNrFmiHw/checkout⁠

Curious About My Systems? My Tech Stack: https://mercedesswan.notion.site/Mercedes-Swan-s-Tech-Stack-21b0ae166516808897caec2fbd1f1b2e?source=copy_link

The 12 Week Year: ⁠https://amzn.to/4pzpN0B⁠

Work 1:1 with Mercedes: ⁠https://www.mercedesswan.com/connect⁠

Blog Guide and Transcript: https://www.mercedesswan.com/blog/2026-planning-for-black-women-goal-setting-12-week-year