September 30, 2025 • 16 mins
Judith Ojo – CEO of HR Media & Co. | CEO's You Should Know
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hello, everyone, This is Cat O'Donnell and welcome to another
episode of CEOs.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
You should know.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
I am thrilled today to be joined by Judas Ojo,
CEO of HR Media and Co.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
Welcome. We're so excited to have you.
Speaker 3 (00:13):
Thank you so much. I'm so excited to be here,
really thankful to be here.
Speaker 4 (00:17):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (00:18):
I'm excited to dive in because you have had an
impressive career spans across nonprofit, government, corporate sectors. What are
some pivotal experiences that shaped your journey to find founding
HR Media and Co.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
Yeah, so, all of the different sectors that I've been
a part of, nonprofit, government and corporate were actually at
the core of HR Media and Co's finding or founding. Sorry,
I realized that I loved HR and wanted to do
something to create or create a focus on HR and
the future of work.
Speaker 4 (00:52):
Cool.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
So, and it sounds like wasn't necessarily a straight line
to get there.
Speaker 4 (00:56):
Definitely had a lot of what are some.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
It's good it's a good thing, right.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
Yes, what are some pivotal experiences that shaped your journey?
Speaker 4 (01:05):
For me?
Speaker 3 (01:07):
So, I relocated to New York because it was a
dream to live here From Chicago, And when I came
here like sixteen years ago, I could not find a
job and I was laid off like all the time.
And I had my master's degree and you know, I'd
done all these different things and just could not find
a job.
Speaker 4 (01:26):
And a lot of times they're like, oh, you're overqualified.
Speaker 3 (01:28):
You're overqualified, right, And so I was like, man, what
has happened? Like this is such a stepback, Like why
am I going through this? But I really realized that
it was part of a setup for me. It was
setting me up for a success and actually, you.
Speaker 4 (01:45):
Know, letting me know that.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
If it wasn't for that, I wouldn't be able to
understand what workforce development means, what human resources means. So
I literally had to go through being laid off to really,
you know, really dig deep as to what was happening.
Speaker 4 (02:04):
And it gave me a different insight, right from a candidate.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
Perspective, as to what people go through when they're trying
to apply for jobs and things like that. Little did
I know that I would overcome it and start a company.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
You feeled a need because you experienced.
Speaker 4 (02:21):
It absolutely absolutely.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
So as a black woman CEO, how is your identity
formed your leadership style and the culture that you've built
at HR Media and CO.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
I mean, you've you've lived through.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
This experience, but you've also had personal experiences as well.
Speaker 3 (02:35):
Absolutely, So definitely being a black woman is at the
core of who I am first, and so there's a
lot of times where I go into rooms and I'm
the only black woman that's there, And so for me,
it really is important to show up as my authentic self.
Speaker 4 (02:52):
And I know that right now we're really.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
At a point where people are drawn to authenticity. So
because of that, you know, they want to see who
you are and they want you to bring yourself. So
for me, it's really one of the reasons one of
the ways the most important ways I lead is being
who I am as a black woman. Many years ago,
(03:16):
I used to do what they call code switch, and
then when COVID hit, I was like, I'm not cold
switching anymore. You gonna get a little sister girl here
because this is who I am. So I decided to really,
you know, focus on that and became really comfortable on
who I was as a person and as a leader,
and recognized that that was what was important and that
(03:38):
I needed to bring my true self as a CEO,
and so my leadership style was developed through who I
am as a person and then also knowing how to
like navigate spaces where there's not always a person.
Speaker 4 (03:54):
Of color at the table.
Speaker 1 (03:57):
Authenticity is so important and you want to bring that
out in your candidates, I'm sure as well.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
So them seeing you and your role model for that.
Speaker 4 (04:04):
Yes, thank you.
Speaker 1 (04:06):
So you're leading the charge on AI Ready AI for
the future of work. So how do you balance that
technological innovation with the need to keep workplaces human centered?
We just talked about people, Yes, yes, how do you
how do you balance that?
Speaker 3 (04:20):
Absolutely? So people first, it is extremely important, right. So
AI has had an explosion and wanted to create something
where we would be able to help companies adapt and
grow with this new explosion of AI. And so what
we do is we work with companies to make sure
that they're prepared. There's a lot of companies that are
(04:43):
not quite there yet. There's a lot of questions and
concerns around ethics and things like that. So and it's
one of the things now where AI, you know, it's
not a lot of policies and things around it, so
it's really kind of starting things from scratch. But one
of the ways that we balance AI is just focusing
(05:03):
on the fact that AI will support the staff and
will support the team and not replace them, because there's
also a lot of concern about you know, AI taking
over and things like that. So really looking at ways
that teams can collaborate with AI to be able to say, okay,
you know what, Okay, we can take care of some
(05:23):
of these repetitive tasks. And I know when I was
an HR journalist and had so much tedious work to do,
I wish AI was around.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
But they still needed you.
Speaker 4 (05:34):
That's right.
Speaker 1 (05:35):
Yes, So you sit on the direct Hire Council of
the American Staffing Association. So what leadership lessons have you
brought from the national stage back into your own company.
Speaker 2 (05:45):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (05:45):
Absolutely, So for me, it's just the importance of being adaptable, flexible,
and having empathy and then also celebrating your tribe. So
I love the American Staffing Associating Association. They are just
an amazing group of people. I'm like, I found my
try and so just really focusing on the fact that
(06:10):
you know, you should always celebrate wins and then celebrate
your tribe, whoever your tribe is, and what that looks like.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
So your firm you just mentioned as you're helping organizations
prepare for HI, but really the future of work because
it's probably going to look different. So what do you
see as some of those biggest shifts coming like ten
to fifteen years, five to ten years, how are you
preparing your clients?
Speaker 3 (06:32):
Yeah? Absolutely, so we'll see some of the biggest shifts
that we've seen in history. So I would say definitely.
AI will continue to transform the way that we work.
You'll see skills based roles as opposed.
Speaker 4 (06:45):
To like traditional roles.
Speaker 3 (06:48):
In addition to that, we'll see more collaboration with AI
that becoming the norm. You'll also see continuous reskilling and
upskilling as well different ways of learning. Of course with AI,
there's like so many different things now you can do
with learning, but you'll see that. I think you also
(07:09):
see a lot of customized career pathways and mobility career
mobility programs that will come about as well. They're starting
to come out now, and so I think you'll see
a lot of that as.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Well, like a lot in the next absolutely.
Speaker 3 (07:23):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (07:24):
I mean you talked about preparing these companies for all
that's to come, but Succession planning is a big part
of your mission as well.
Speaker 2 (07:32):
So why do you believe this is an.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
Area that's overlooked and how do you think that we
can help organizations take it more seriously?
Speaker 3 (07:40):
Absolutely well, because it's not necessarily an urgent need. It's
always for the most time put like put aside. No,
you don't really because we can do on that later. We
can do that later, right, And so in HR we're
used to putting out fires all the time, right. So
also it can feel uncomfortable as well. I think is
one of the reasons why a lot of companies kind
(08:02):
of shy away from it because you know, there's like
different uh you know, transitions, leadership transitions and things like that,
and it can be a challenge to kind of sometimes discuss.
So I think that's one of the reasons. And then
also being able to just prepare for the what ifs.
So I think a lot of companies just are like, Okay,
(08:22):
you know, we won't deal with this unless we have
to deal with it if it's not you know, urgent.
So I think that's one of the biggest reasons.
Speaker 4 (08:28):
Why.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
So if you can weave that magic wand and you
can help companies approach workforce development differently.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
What would it what would you do?
Speaker 4 (08:39):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (08:39):
Absolutely, I definitely would approach work force development with a
future mindset, futuristic mindset, and that what that means is
like looking at what's ahead, right and focusing on what
actually drives impact. So with with workforce development, well that's
actually where I started my career.
Speaker 4 (09:01):
There are a lot of outdated.
Speaker 3 (09:03):
Trainings and like different types of development certifications and things
like that where it didn't translate to like real opportunities.
Speaker 4 (09:10):
So a lot of you know, students would go through
the process and and they couldn't find jobs.
Speaker 3 (09:17):
And so I would say, just understanding, you know that
what's outdated no longer works in terms of like a
lot of these training programs and it doesn't align with
you know, the current opportunities that are available. So I
would say definitely focusing on what's to come and looking
at the different types of potential trainings and certifications that
(09:41):
can be used as as the workforce continues.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
To change and if they're looking to hire.
Speaker 4 (09:47):
Absolutely, yeah, and that's higher.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
Yeah, awesome.
Speaker 1 (09:51):
So what is the most important piece of advice you'd
give to young professionals, especially women of color? Who want
to lead but don't see many examples in front of them.
You talked a little bit before about how you're being
your authentic self.
Speaker 4 (10:03):
Yes, absolutely so.
Speaker 3 (10:04):
Funny enough, my former attorney I used to google like
and she's.
Speaker 4 (10:09):
Like, I don't know, are you googling? Googling yourself?
Speaker 3 (10:12):
And I didn't really understand what she was saying at
that time, but now I do. And what that means
is that sometimes there's no point of reference for what
you're doing or what you're looking to do, so regardless,
you have to do it anyway, right, you have to
show up anyway. So to me, it's important to show
up not only just for yourself, but for you know,
(10:34):
like the young person that you may meet, the young
girl that you may eventually meet.
Speaker 4 (10:39):
Who needs to see what's possible.
Speaker 3 (10:40):
Right. I'm really big on representation mattering, so you know,
you sometimes you just have to step forward without a blueprint.
Speaker 2 (10:50):
And as you're doing all this, you're a founder and
you're CEO.
Speaker 1 (10:54):
How do you personally stay grounded and resilient through the
highs and lows of entrepreneurship which are not easy?
Speaker 2 (10:59):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (11:00):
Yes, absolutely so for me, perseverance is the key. I
try to focus on the work that we're doing and
recognize that it's it's way bigger than just me and
so funny enough, Actually, there was a poem that used
to always come about throughout my journey, right when I
(11:21):
was laid off for having it, and it's by Edgar
Guest and it's called don't Quit. So that has really
been like the anchor for me in my life. So
I'm just want to share a little bit of that.
He says, rest if you must, but don't you quit.
Success is failure turned out inside out. It's when things
(11:43):
seem worse, you must not quit.
Speaker 2 (11:46):
I need to print that out and put that.
Speaker 3 (11:48):
Yeah, So I used to print it out and have
it in my office everywhere.
Speaker 4 (11:53):
So I printed it out. I was like, oh, I'm
like it.
Speaker 2 (11:55):
This is the reminder people need to stop and write
that down.
Speaker 3 (11:59):
That's right, it's amazing. It's from like the nineteen twenties
and it's just like it just really speaks to your heart,
it really does.
Speaker 4 (12:07):
Yeah, thank you for sharing that, of course my pleasure.
Speaker 1 (12:10):
So you've talked about faith, integrity, and service as your
guiding values. How have these principles helped you navigate tough
business decisions.
Speaker 3 (12:17):
Yeah, absolutely, So those things are definitely at the core
of everything that I do. So you know, I use
my faith, integrity, honesty service to make sure that they
guide me in all types of you know, decisions, and
so even when the path isn't always clear, like I
(12:39):
just kind of mentioned, you don't always know or you
don't have a point of reference, it's really just being
paired with the vision. So I feel like, you know,
sometimes I don't know necessarily know what to do my faith,
my integrity, but more so my faith actually will lead
me and guide me. And I feel like if I
(13:03):
have a vision or something like that, then it'll actually
help and pair with like providing clarity that I need
to be able to make the right decision.
Speaker 2 (13:15):
So what's next for HR Media and Co. What's on
the horizon?
Speaker 1 (13:19):
Any new developments, expansions, Yes.
Speaker 3 (13:22):
Yeah, so we definitely are hoping to expand we want
to continue to be at the forefront of HR and
AI and want to kind of really dig deeper into
those career pathways and career mobility programs as well as
focusing on continuing to focus on a talent acquisition and
(13:42):
things like that. We're also adding payroll so we're looking
at different ways that we can continue to expand. We'd
like to expand into additional locations and things like that.
So yeah, I just really want to be at the
forefront for the future of work. So I'm really excited
about some things that are with that. Also, some things
(14:03):
in the works I can't really say right now, but
some exciting things.
Speaker 2 (14:07):
With some young girls, young women and young girls.
Speaker 4 (14:10):
On the horizon as well.
Speaker 1 (14:12):
Yes, So if there's one thing you want people to
take away from your mission, what would it be?
Speaker 3 (14:19):
Yeah, that we should always start with people first, right,
So I've said this for years and I really mean this.
Everything starts as a simple hello, right, So just understanding that
that's really like the core of everything that we do.
And funny enough, even when I meet people, they don't
say they just come up to me, start talking.
Speaker 4 (14:38):
I'm like, Hi, I'm Judith.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
Because we have to start there first, Yeah, exactly, we
have to start there first. We're human first. So that's
really like our mission is making sure that we start there, right,
we don't neglect that important human component, right, and connection
and just like focus on the fact that that actually
build like the culture, the connection, the collaboration, everything that
(15:04):
you're looking for, and our goal is really just to
make sure that companies have that, incorporate that, but then
also prepare.
Speaker 4 (15:14):
For the future of work.
Speaker 3 (15:15):
But then in addition to that, are excited about the
future of work. There's so many exciting things about the
future of work. So our ideas, i mean, our goals
really to get folks comfortable with the future of work,
what's to come, don't run from it, right, So are
preparing for it.
Speaker 2 (15:32):
Be a part of it, Be a part of it.
Speaker 4 (15:33):
Exactly.
Speaker 1 (15:34):
If we spend so much time at work, we need
we need to embrace work life balance.
Speaker 2 (15:39):
Yes, that's the second part.
Speaker 4 (15:41):
That's the second party.
Speaker 1 (15:43):
So lastly, is there a call to action you'd like
to share, Like, how can people engage with you?
Speaker 2 (15:49):
How can we support the work you're doing.
Speaker 3 (15:51):
Yeah, absolutely so, we'd love to continue the conversation with you.
You can visit us on our website at hrmedia andcode
dot com. You can also follow our journey on LinkedIn,
HR media and co. If you put it on LinkedIn,
you'll find it.
Speaker 2 (16:06):
That's awesome.
Speaker 1 (16:07):
It has been such a pleasure. Thank you so much
for taking the time, and we hope everybody goes and
checks checks you out, and checks out HR Media and Co.
So again, it's due to the Ojo CEO of HR
Media and Co. And we wish you the best of
luck with everything that all your new developments and expansions.
You have a lot of exciting things going on, so
(16:28):
we hope to keep an eye out in the future.
Speaker 3 (16:30):
Yeah, thank you so much for having me. It's been
such a blast. I'm really happy to be here. Thank
you again.
Speaker 1 (16:36):
Well, thank you again, and thank you for joining us
for another episode of CEOs.
Speaker 2 (16:39):
You should know
Hello, everyone, This is Cat O'Donnell and welcome to another
episode of CEOs.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
You should know.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
I am thrilled today to be joined by Judas Ojo,
CEO of HR Media and Co.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
Welcome. We're so excited to have you.
Speaker 3 (00:13):
Thank you so much. I'm so excited to be here,
really thankful to be here.
Speaker 4 (00:17):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (00:18):
I'm excited to dive in because you have had an
impressive career spans across nonprofit, government, corporate sectors. What are
some pivotal experiences that shaped your journey to find founding
HR Media and Co.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
Yeah, so, all of the different sectors that I've been
a part of, nonprofit, government and corporate were actually at
the core of HR Media and Co's finding or founding. Sorry,
I realized that I loved HR and wanted to do
something to create or create a focus on HR and
the future of work.
Speaker 4 (00:52):
Cool.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
So, and it sounds like wasn't necessarily a straight line
to get there.
Speaker 4 (00:56):
Definitely had a lot of what are some.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
It's good it's a good thing, right.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
Yes, what are some pivotal experiences that shaped your journey?
Speaker 4 (01:05):
For me?
Speaker 3 (01:07):
So, I relocated to New York because it was a
dream to live here From Chicago, And when I came
here like sixteen years ago, I could not find a
job and I was laid off like all the time.
And I had my master's degree and you know, I'd
done all these different things and just could not find
a job.
Speaker 4 (01:26):
And a lot of times they're like, oh, you're overqualified.
Speaker 3 (01:28):
You're overqualified, right, And so I was like, man, what
has happened? Like this is such a stepback, Like why
am I going through this? But I really realized that
it was part of a setup for me. It was
setting me up for a success and actually, you.
Speaker 4 (01:45):
Know, letting me know that.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
If it wasn't for that, I wouldn't be able to
understand what workforce development means, what human resources means. So
I literally had to go through being laid off to really,
you know, really dig deep as to what was happening.
Speaker 4 (02:04):
And it gave me a different insight, right from a candidate.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
Perspective, as to what people go through when they're trying
to apply for jobs and things like that. Little did
I know that I would overcome it and start a company.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
You feeled a need because you experienced.
Speaker 4 (02:21):
It absolutely absolutely.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
So as a black woman CEO, how is your identity
formed your leadership style and the culture that you've built
at HR Media and CO.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
I mean, you've you've lived through.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
This experience, but you've also had personal experiences as well.
Speaker 3 (02:35):
Absolutely, So definitely being a black woman is at the
core of who I am first, and so there's a
lot of times where I go into rooms and I'm
the only black woman that's there, And so for me,
it really is important to show up as my authentic self.
Speaker 4 (02:52):
And I know that right now we're really.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
At a point where people are drawn to authenticity. So
because of that, you know, they want to see who
you are and they want you to bring yourself. So
for me, it's really one of the reasons one of
the ways the most important ways I lead is being
who I am as a black woman. Many years ago,
(03:16):
I used to do what they call code switch, and
then when COVID hit, I was like, I'm not cold
switching anymore. You gonna get a little sister girl here
because this is who I am. So I decided to really,
you know, focus on that and became really comfortable on
who I was as a person and as a leader,
and recognized that that was what was important and that
(03:38):
I needed to bring my true self as a CEO,
and so my leadership style was developed through who I
am as a person and then also knowing how to
like navigate spaces where there's not always a person.
Speaker 4 (03:54):
Of color at the table.
Speaker 1 (03:57):
Authenticity is so important and you want to bring that
out in your candidates, I'm sure as well.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
So them seeing you and your role model for that.
Speaker 4 (04:04):
Yes, thank you.
Speaker 1 (04:06):
So you're leading the charge on AI Ready AI for
the future of work. So how do you balance that
technological innovation with the need to keep workplaces human centered?
We just talked about people, Yes, yes, how do you
how do you balance that?
Speaker 3 (04:20):
Absolutely? So people first, it is extremely important, right. So
AI has had an explosion and wanted to create something
where we would be able to help companies adapt and
grow with this new explosion of AI. And so what
we do is we work with companies to make sure
that they're prepared. There's a lot of companies that are
(04:43):
not quite there yet. There's a lot of questions and
concerns around ethics and things like that. So and it's
one of the things now where AI, you know, it's
not a lot of policies and things around it, so
it's really kind of starting things from scratch. But one
of the ways that we balance AI is just focusing
(05:03):
on the fact that AI will support the staff and
will support the team and not replace them, because there's
also a lot of concern about you know, AI taking
over and things like that. So really looking at ways
that teams can collaborate with AI to be able to say, okay,
you know what, Okay, we can take care of some
(05:23):
of these repetitive tasks. And I know when I was
an HR journalist and had so much tedious work to do,
I wish AI was around.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
But they still needed you.
Speaker 4 (05:34):
That's right.
Speaker 1 (05:35):
Yes, So you sit on the direct Hire Council of
the American Staffing Association. So what leadership lessons have you
brought from the national stage back into your own company.
Speaker 2 (05:45):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (05:45):
Absolutely, So for me, it's just the importance of being adaptable, flexible,
and having empathy and then also celebrating your tribe. So
I love the American Staffing Associating Association. They are just
an amazing group of people. I'm like, I found my
try and so just really focusing on the fact that
(06:10):
you know, you should always celebrate wins and then celebrate
your tribe, whoever your tribe is, and what that looks like.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
So your firm you just mentioned as you're helping organizations
prepare for HI, but really the future of work because
it's probably going to look different. So what do you
see as some of those biggest shifts coming like ten
to fifteen years, five to ten years, how are you
preparing your clients?
Speaker 3 (06:32):
Yeah? Absolutely, so we'll see some of the biggest shifts
that we've seen in history. So I would say definitely.
AI will continue to transform the way that we work.
You'll see skills based roles as opposed.
Speaker 4 (06:45):
To like traditional roles.
Speaker 3 (06:48):
In addition to that, we'll see more collaboration with AI
that becoming the norm. You'll also see continuous reskilling and
upskilling as well different ways of learning. Of course with AI,
there's like so many different things now you can do
with learning, but you'll see that. I think you also
(07:09):
see a lot of customized career pathways and mobility career
mobility programs that will come about as well. They're starting
to come out now, and so I think you'll see
a lot of that as.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Well, like a lot in the next absolutely.
Speaker 3 (07:23):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (07:24):
I mean you talked about preparing these companies for all
that's to come, but Succession planning is a big part
of your mission as well.
Speaker 2 (07:32):
So why do you believe this is an.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
Area that's overlooked and how do you think that we
can help organizations take it more seriously?
Speaker 3 (07:40):
Absolutely well, because it's not necessarily an urgent need. It's
always for the most time put like put aside. No,
you don't really because we can do on that later. We
can do that later, right, And so in HR we're
used to putting out fires all the time, right. So
also it can feel uncomfortable as well. I think is
one of the reasons why a lot of companies kind
(08:02):
of shy away from it because you know, there's like
different uh you know, transitions, leadership transitions and things like that,
and it can be a challenge to kind of sometimes discuss.
So I think that's one of the reasons. And then
also being able to just prepare for the what ifs.
So I think a lot of companies just are like, Okay,
(08:22):
you know, we won't deal with this unless we have
to deal with it if it's not you know, urgent.
So I think that's one of the biggest reasons.
Speaker 4 (08:28):
Why.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
So if you can weave that magic wand and you
can help companies approach workforce development differently.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
What would it what would you do?
Speaker 4 (08:39):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (08:39):
Absolutely, I definitely would approach work force development with a
future mindset, futuristic mindset, and that what that means is
like looking at what's ahead, right and focusing on what
actually drives impact. So with with workforce development, well that's
actually where I started my career.
Speaker 4 (09:01):
There are a lot of outdated.
Speaker 3 (09:03):
Trainings and like different types of development certifications and things
like that where it didn't translate to like real opportunities.
Speaker 4 (09:10):
So a lot of you know, students would go through
the process and and they couldn't find jobs.
Speaker 3 (09:17):
And so I would say, just understanding, you know that
what's outdated no longer works in terms of like a
lot of these training programs and it doesn't align with
you know, the current opportunities that are available. So I
would say definitely focusing on what's to come and looking
at the different types of potential trainings and certifications that
(09:41):
can be used as as the workforce continues.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
To change and if they're looking to hire.
Speaker 4 (09:47):
Absolutely, yeah, and that's higher.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
Yeah, awesome.
Speaker 1 (09:51):
So what is the most important piece of advice you'd
give to young professionals, especially women of color? Who want
to lead but don't see many examples in front of them.
You talked a little bit before about how you're being
your authentic self.
Speaker 4 (10:03):
Yes, absolutely so.
Speaker 3 (10:04):
Funny enough, my former attorney I used to google like
and she's.
Speaker 4 (10:09):
Like, I don't know, are you googling? Googling yourself?
Speaker 3 (10:12):
And I didn't really understand what she was saying at
that time, but now I do. And what that means
is that sometimes there's no point of reference for what
you're doing or what you're looking to do, so regardless,
you have to do it anyway, right, you have to
show up anyway. So to me, it's important to show
up not only just for yourself, but for you know,
(10:34):
like the young person that you may meet, the young
girl that you may eventually meet.
Speaker 4 (10:39):
Who needs to see what's possible.
Speaker 3 (10:40):
Right. I'm really big on representation mattering, so you know,
you sometimes you just have to step forward without a blueprint.
Speaker 2 (10:50):
And as you're doing all this, you're a founder and
you're CEO.
Speaker 1 (10:54):
How do you personally stay grounded and resilient through the
highs and lows of entrepreneurship which are not easy?
Speaker 2 (10:59):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (11:00):
Yes, absolutely so for me, perseverance is the key. I
try to focus on the work that we're doing and
recognize that it's it's way bigger than just me and
so funny enough, Actually, there was a poem that used
to always come about throughout my journey, right when I
(11:21):
was laid off for having it, and it's by Edgar
Guest and it's called don't Quit. So that has really
been like the anchor for me in my life. So
I'm just want to share a little bit of that.
He says, rest if you must, but don't you quit.
Success is failure turned out inside out. It's when things
(11:43):
seem worse, you must not quit.
Speaker 2 (11:46):
I need to print that out and put that.
Speaker 3 (11:48):
Yeah, So I used to print it out and have
it in my office everywhere.
Speaker 4 (11:53):
So I printed it out. I was like, oh, I'm
like it.
Speaker 2 (11:55):
This is the reminder people need to stop and write
that down.
Speaker 3 (11:59):
That's right, it's amazing. It's from like the nineteen twenties
and it's just like it just really speaks to your heart,
it really does.
Speaker 4 (12:07):
Yeah, thank you for sharing that, of course my pleasure.
Speaker 1 (12:10):
So you've talked about faith, integrity, and service as your
guiding values. How have these principles helped you navigate tough
business decisions.
Speaker 3 (12:17):
Yeah, absolutely, So those things are definitely at the core
of everything that I do. So you know, I use
my faith, integrity, honesty service to make sure that they
guide me in all types of you know, decisions, and
so even when the path isn't always clear, like I
(12:39):
just kind of mentioned, you don't always know or you
don't have a point of reference, it's really just being
paired with the vision. So I feel like, you know,
sometimes I don't know necessarily know what to do my faith,
my integrity, but more so my faith actually will lead
me and guide me. And I feel like if I
(13:03):
have a vision or something like that, then it'll actually
help and pair with like providing clarity that I need
to be able to make the right decision.
Speaker 2 (13:15):
So what's next for HR Media and Co. What's on
the horizon?
Speaker 1 (13:19):
Any new developments, expansions, Yes.
Speaker 3 (13:22):
Yeah, so we definitely are hoping to expand we want
to continue to be at the forefront of HR and
AI and want to kind of really dig deeper into
those career pathways and career mobility programs as well as
focusing on continuing to focus on a talent acquisition and
(13:42):
things like that. We're also adding payroll so we're looking
at different ways that we can continue to expand. We'd
like to expand into additional locations and things like that.
So yeah, I just really want to be at the
forefront for the future of work. So I'm really excited
about some things that are with that. Also, some things
(14:03):
in the works I can't really say right now, but
some exciting things.
Speaker 2 (14:07):
With some young girls, young women and young girls.
Speaker 4 (14:10):
On the horizon as well.
Speaker 1 (14:12):
Yes, So if there's one thing you want people to
take away from your mission, what would it be?
Speaker 3 (14:19):
Yeah, that we should always start with people first, right,
So I've said this for years and I really mean this.
Everything starts as a simple hello, right, So just understanding that
that's really like the core of everything that we do.
And funny enough, even when I meet people, they don't
say they just come up to me, start talking.
Speaker 4 (14:38):
I'm like, Hi, I'm Judith.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
Because we have to start there first, Yeah, exactly, we
have to start there first. We're human first. So that's
really like our mission is making sure that we start there, right,
we don't neglect that important human component, right, and connection
and just like focus on the fact that that actually
build like the culture, the connection, the collaboration, everything that
(15:04):
you're looking for, and our goal is really just to
make sure that companies have that, incorporate that, but then
also prepare.
Speaker 4 (15:14):
For the future of work.
Speaker 3 (15:15):
But then in addition to that, are excited about the
future of work. There's so many exciting things about the
future of work. So our ideas, i mean, our goals
really to get folks comfortable with the future of work,
what's to come, don't run from it, right, So are
preparing for it.
Speaker 2 (15:32):
Be a part of it, Be a part of it.
Speaker 4 (15:33):
Exactly.
Speaker 1 (15:34):
If we spend so much time at work, we need
we need to embrace work life balance.
Speaker 2 (15:39):
Yes, that's the second part.
Speaker 4 (15:41):
That's the second party.
Speaker 1 (15:43):
So lastly, is there a call to action you'd like
to share, Like, how can people engage with you?
Speaker 2 (15:49):
How can we support the work you're doing.
Speaker 3 (15:51):
Yeah, absolutely so, we'd love to continue the conversation with you.
You can visit us on our website at hrmedia andcode
dot com. You can also follow our journey on LinkedIn,
HR media and co. If you put it on LinkedIn,
you'll find it.
Speaker 2 (16:06):
That's awesome.
Speaker 1 (16:07):
It has been such a pleasure. Thank you so much
for taking the time, and we hope everybody goes and
checks checks you out, and checks out HR Media and Co.
So again, it's due to the Ojo CEO of HR
Media and Co. And we wish you the best of
luck with everything that all your new developments and expansions.
You have a lot of exciting things going on, so
(16:28):
we hope to keep an eye out in the future.
Speaker 3 (16:30):
Yeah, thank you so much for having me. It's been
such a blast. I'm really happy to be here. Thank
you again.
Speaker 1 (16:36):
Well, thank you again, and thank you for joining us
for another episode of CEOs.
Speaker 2 (16:39):
You should know
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