Black TV Bosses: Business Lessons Inspired by Olivia Pope and More
I look everywhere for business coaching teachable moments. I love my favorite Black TV show nights—whether I’m keeping up week-to-week or binging the whole season with popcorn and wine, Olivia Pope-style. Supporting Black female leads like Kerry Washington and Gabrielle Union isn’t just entertainment for me; it’s inspiration. And let’s be honest, there’s always drama to unpack. But a speaker at One Church LA dropped some wisdom: “God doesn’t show you other people’s mess for entertainment. Their mess is your message.”
So, sistah, I’ve turned up my radar and started finding lessons in everything—especially the moments we think are “just TV.” Today, I’m sharing business coaching gems from my favorite Black TV shows for my sistahpreneurs grinding for success. Before you get your Judge Judy gavel and dismiss these characters, take a closer look. Are they mirroring some of your own business habits, relationships, or decisions? Let’s dive in.
Braxton Family Values: on customer feedback
Oh, Tamar. Sis, we love your energy, but whew, your feedback delivery is spicy! Now, this isn’t about Tamar—it’s about Trina’s infamous food tasting. Trina hosted an event to get feedback on her menu but completely froze when her testers gave constructive criticism (admittedly delivered Tamar-style). Instead of adapting and improving, she got defensive. For us sistahpreneurs, this is a lesson in taking feedback gracefully, even when it’s not sugar-coated. Constructive criticism, especially from customers, can be the key to refining your offerings and building a loyal base. Trina’s chicken wings? Could’ve been fire. Don’t miss your chance to adjust and serve up excellence.
Queen Sugar: on uninformed investments
Ava DuVernay’s brilliance blesses us with so many lessons, but this one hit hard. Ralph Angel, desperate to secure sugarcane seeds, skips his due diligence and buys bad seeds for the farm. When the seeds turn out to be infected, the farm loses $15,000 and valuable time. A simple check—or consulting with the squad (Remy and Charley, we see you)—could have saved them the hassle and expense. The takeaway here is to always do your homework before making investments. Research your vendors, check reviews, and get refund policies in writing. Don’t skip due diligence, sis; your coins deserve better.
Mary Mary: on shared vision
Erica and Tina Campbell may sing in harmony, but their business partnership is constantly out of tune. Erica grinds nonstop, aiming to build an empire, while Tina prioritizes family and improvises her career strategy. Both approaches have value, but without aligning on roles, goals, and expectations, their differences spark conflict (and great ratings). For sistahpreneurs, the lesson is to create a shared vision with your business partners. Align on roles, responsibilities, and goals to avoid unnecessary drama and capitalize on each other’s strengths.
Power: on supply chains and cash flow
Tasha St. Patrick—queen of strategy and coins—always kept the financial operations tight on Power. While Ghost and Tommy were playing chess (and sometimes checkers), Tasha focused on keeping the operation profitable. Her attention to cash flow and supplier chains is a masterclass in thinking through the domino effect of every business decision. Sistahpreneurs, this is your reminder to plan ahead and ensure your moves make financial sense in the long run.
Scandal: on leadership and delegation
Olivia Pope is the queen of handling crises but often took on too much herself. Her team of gladiators was more than capable, but Olivia’s micromanagement led to burnout and missed opportunities for them to shine. Once she embraced delegation, her team excelled. For sistahpreneurs, this is a call to stop trying to handle everything yourself. Leadership is about building a squad and trusting them to deliver.
Being Mary Jane: on personal branding
Mary Jane Paul’s career as a journalist thrived on her authenticity and unapologetic presence. Her ability to stay true to her values, even in messy situations, resonated deeply with her audience. For sistahpreneurs, the lesson is clear: your authenticity is your superpower. Let your personality and values shine in your business—it’s what draws people to you and builds lasting trust.
Insecure: on adapting to setbacks
Issa Dee’s block party journey is full of stumbles and pivots. From funding issues to planning mishaps, Issa faced setbacks head-on, leaning on her network and adjusting her approach to make her vision a reality. For sistahpreneurs, the lesson is to embrace the pivots. Setbacks are just setups for comebacks when you’re resourceful and flexible.
My fellow sistahpreneurs, I’d love to hear from you! What lessons have you drawn from these (or other) shows? Drop a comment and let’s chat about how we can apply these gems to our businesses. And if you’re looking for personalized guidance on taking your hustle to the next level, check out our business coaching services at Sistahbiz. Let’s make boss moves together!