Meet ZaLonya Allen, PhD | President/CEO of National Entrepreneurs Association

We had the good fortune of connecting with ZaLonya Allen, PhD and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi ZaLonya, how do you think about risk?
Taking risks is what entrepreneurship is all about. One of the reasons risk-taking is such a big part of entrepreneurship is because statistics have shown us time and time again that most entrepreneurs will not experience the success that they want in their businesses. If you’re going to be an entrepreneur you have to become comfortable with taking calculated risks meaning, do your homework, do your research and then based on that research make your move with confidence. Preparation is the key to believing in yourself and your ideas. I’ve been an entrepreneur for over 20 years and to this day I still find myself making decisions that cause me to have a nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach but despite that feeling I do things that I believe will pay off in the end. It’s natural to feel nervous when you have a lot on the line with no guarantee that it’s going to work out. One of my favorite quotes is by Nelson Mandela and it simply says, I never lose, I either win or I learn. I think that’s how entrepreneurs have to look at risk taking. If you try something and it works, great! However, if you try something and it doesn’t work then you have to ask yourself, “what can I learn from this experience?” Then try again but with a new level of understanding.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
The National Entrepreneurs Association is a 501c3 non-profit corporation created to empower entrepreneurs to sustain successful businesses. This is accomplished through our annual training conferences, entrepreneur bootcamps, pitch contests and networking events. I am most proud of our Entrepreneur Bootcamp and Certification Program that has graduated over 200 entrepreneurs and consistently gets rave reveiws from participants. Our programs our unique because they are created based on years of research and strategic planning. The research provides us with a clearer understanding of what the market needs so that we can create programs that are going to move the needle and truly make a difference in the lives of the people we serve.

Getting to this point was not easy but I was able to do it with persistence and focus. When you believe in what you are doing it is easier to overcame challenges. It also helps to have 2 or 3 key individuals in your circle that you can consult for advice and encouragement. The biggest lessons I’ve learned during my journey is that, you get out of life what you put into it and there is a price to pay for taking short cuts so operate with a high level of integrity at all times. If you make a mistake, own it and move on.

I want people to know that we can all be a light in the world. Start where you are and take small steps to make a difference in the lives of others and you will find that you will become the biggest beneficiary because in helping others you find yourself. The National Entrepreneurs Association was created to be a light for those seeking economic empowerment and financial independence through entrepreneurship.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I had a friend visiting the area I would take them to places that would allow them to learn about the rich history of the area so we would visit Greenfield Village, Henry Ford Museum, Hitsville USA, Belle Isle and because we are uniquely positioned next to another country, I would take them to visit Canada. We would go to Mexicantown in Southwest Detroit to eat authentic Mexican food and because I love animals I would also visit the Detroit Zoo. In the evenings we would visit Downtown Detroit and go to a sporting event or a show at the Fox Theatre, Little Ceasars Arena or one of the three casinos.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I dedicate this shout out to my mother Jennie Allen because she instilled in me the belief that I could do extraordinary things if I worked hard and had faith in a higher power.

Website: https://www.nationalentrepreneurs.org

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-entrepreneurs-association

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NationalEntrep1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationalEntrepreneursAssociation

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0MiAnMYBpFHWeGZ_Z2Cquw

Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zalonya-allen-phd-037816b

Image Credits
National Entrepreneurs Association