JSC: Mar 31, 2026
As we close out the first quarter of the year, it’s hard not to notice how quickly time has moved. What started as ideas and intentions in January has now turned into real progress, real conversations, and real momentum. And while the pace of the year continues to pick up, one thing hasn’t changed, we’re still here doing the work alongside you.
We are thrilled to share that so far this quarter 4 of our Foundations members have achieved new roles!
At JSC, the focus remains the same: showing up consistently, building structure, and creating opportunities with intention.
Let's dive in!
Mindset Monday: You’re Not the Ripple, You’re the Stone
This week’s conversation centered on a powerful reframe: feeling “stuck” is often not a lack of ability or strategy, but a form of self-protection. When faced with uncertainty, rejection, or imperfection, it’s natural to default to behaviors that feel productive, actions like refining, researching, or delaying, but don’t actually move things forward. The discussion emphasized that real progress comes from awareness, honest self-reflection, and choosing action over comfort, especially as opportunities begin to accelerate in the market.
At its core, the message was clear: growth requires stepping out of maintenance mode and into intentional action. By recognizing avoidance patterns and addressing them directly, individuals can build momentum, strengthen confidence, and position themselves for the opportunities ahead.
Key Takeaways
- Awareness creates change: Progress starts by identifying where you’re hesitating, delaying, or disguising avoidance as preparation. You can’t shift a pattern until you acknowledge it.
- Action over perfection: Waiting until something feels “ready” often delays progress. Small, imperfect actions taken consistently will create more momentum than overthinking or constant refinement.
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
Hiring for Impact Week 3: It's all about the 'Fit'
Week 3 focused on one of the most critical parts of the hiring process: evaluating and interviewing candidates with intention. We moved beyond gut instinct and into structured decision-making, helping founders assess candidates based on Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) while also considering alignment with the team and business stage.
The session, alongside our guest HR expert, emphasized building consistent interview frameworks, asking better questions, and defining what “good” actually looks like before stepping into conversations. The goal: make confident, objective hiring decisions that lead to stronger performance and long-term fit.
This week we will be wrapping up for this Hiring for Impact Cohort by exploring the success factors and onboarding for new talent and team members.
Announcement:
JSC has been accepted to the 2025-2026 The Truist Foundation Fellowship! The Truist Foundation Fellowship, powered by Watson Institute, empowers small business owners, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit founders to build better lives and communities across Truist’s national footprint.
The Truist Foundation Fellowship, in partnership with Watson Institute, is a fully funded program designed to support emerging leaders who are building solutions that drive economic mobility. The fellowship focuses on equipping founders and operators with leadership training, mentorship, and a strong peer network to help scale their impact.
As a Participant, JSC will gain access to hands-on learning experiences, expert guidance, and a community of mission-driven builders, all centered around creating sustainable, community-focused change.
Stay tuned for more exciting updates as we journey through our fellowship expereince.
That's a wrap!
As we head into the next quarter, the opportunity is simple: stay in motion. The market is picking up, the foundation is set, and the only thing that matters now is consistent, intentional action.
Keep showing up. Keep building. Keep going.
Stay tuned for more updates and news from the JSC community.
See you next Monday with more insights, updates and perspectives!
Tena & Stephen
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