JSC: Jan. 26, 2026

Happy New Year from JSC 🎉 Welcome to 2026!

January is almost behind us and this is the part of the year where momentum quietly matters most. How we start can determine the path we carry the rest of the year.

The rush of resolutions has faded, but the habits, conversations, and decisions you’ve made over the last few weeks are starting to reveal what’s sustainable and what isn’t. For some, that means clarity. For others, it means realizing something needs to change before February picks up speed. What have you been seeing and feeling these first few weeks of 2026?

This week’s update is about taking stock without judgment—what’s working, what’s draining energy, and where a small shift now can create real leverage in the weeks ahead. No pressure. Just progress you can actually build on.

If you're just joining us today, look forward to learning about our community updates and get some aadditional information about the Hiring for Impact event kicking off in March. Ready? Let's hop in!

The 28-Day Standing Firm Challenge Update: What We’ve Been Building

Over the past few weeks, the focus hasn’t been on doing more—it’s been on doing what actually lasts. This challenge reinforced that confidence, clarity, and consistency matter more than volume. From how we show up in first impressions, to how we structure our job search, to how we care for our mindset day-to-day, the work that compounds is the work that creates momentum long after January ends.

Key themes we leaned into:

First impressions start before the conversation
Confidence comes from knowing your value, your direction, and what you want—so you can show up intentionally, not performatively.
Not all effort is equal
Applications are linear. Systems, stories, networking habits, and interview readiness compound over time and keep paying you back.
Growth requires testing comfort zones
Whether it’s your resume, your outreach, or asking for feedback, small experiments create new options and unexpected doors.
Mindset is a strategy, not a side note
Daily reflection, structure, and community support improve consistency, resilience, and outcomes—especially during uncertainty.
Community accelerates progress
Engaging, asking questions, sharing wins, and leaning on others increases clarity, confidence, and follow-through.

The takeaway: this challenge wasn’t about perfection—it was about building habits, systems, and self-trust that carry forward. The work doesn’t end here. It compounds from here.

Be sure to jump into the JSC Discord community to join the challenge!

Feeling lost? Need some help or accountability? Could benefit from a soundboard or a 1:1 session to explore some of these elements? Book some time: Personalized Workshops+Coaching

Announcement:

Another reminder that Hiring for Impact is launching this March in Miami! The goal of JSC is to connect Talent with Opportunities and this is another way we are making an impact within our communities.

We’re proud to announce a powerful new partnership with the Urban League of Broward County.

This collaboration significantly expands our reach across Miami-Dade and Broward County, strengthening our ability to connect skilled tech talent with employers who are serious about inclusive, future-ready hiring. Together, we’re not just widening access—we’re deepening impact.

This partnership represents a meaningful step forward in building durable bridges between opportunity and access, talent and employers, and community and economic mobility across South Florida. It reflects a shared commitment to preparing job seekers with the clarity, confidence, and systems they need—while helping employers hire with intention and equity.

This is the work. And this is only the beginning.

So with that, we're excited to share more information about the Hiring for Impact series! Here's what participants can expect:

Week 1: March 3, 2026 - Topic: Define What Great Looks Like - A look at each business, it’s needs, and identifying open roles

Week 2: March 10, 2026 - Topic: Attracting Talent in Competitive Markets - Writing JDs, setting expectations

Week 3: March 17, 2026 - Topic: Interviewing for Skill and Fit - Questions to ask, scoring and evaluating candidates

Week 4: March 31, 2026 - Topic: Decision-Making, Offers and Onboarding - Special Guests: The Urban League of Broward Expert, Megan Johnson-Clarke

Week 5: Hiring event! - Thursday, April 9, 2026 MDC North Campus from 1-4pm ET

Hiring for Impact is a cost-free workshop series, brought in partnership with Miami Tech Works, and is designed for Founders and Operators who are actively hiring and want to build stronger, more intentional hiring practices—from defining roles clearly to making confident offers and onboarding for retention.

If you're in the Miami area and seeking Tech Talent, this is the series for you!

Learn more or register here: Hiring for Impact

That's a wrap!

As we move deeper into the new year, the message is clear: momentum comes from clarity, consistency, and community.

The quiet daily work, the discipline to protect your energy, and the willingness to reflect and adjust are what create real progress. With continued growth inside the community and new initiatives like Hiring for Impact on the horizon, we’re building a strong foundation for what’s next, together, and with intention.

See you next Monday,

Tena & Stephen

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JSC: Jan. 26, 2026

The 28-Day Standing Firm Challenge Update: What We’ve Been Building

Announcement:

That's a wrap!

Responses

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