Meet Pamala McCoy | CEO & Empowerment Evolutionary

We had the good fortune of connecting with Pamala McCoy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Pamala, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
As a child I thought about owning a boutique when I grew up; but, as I experienced retail as one of my earlier jobs, I decided that retail as a career path was not as appealing as I thought it would be; thus, my desire to own a boutique waned. However, the existence of an entrepreneurial spirit was present – as demonstrated in my top performance awards from selling Girl Scout cookies.

Fast forward, after college graduation, I began what turned out to be a successful corporate career in the credit industry. It was during what turned out to be my last corporate endeavor that my entrepreneurial spirit resurfaced. Allow me to share.

During my 25 plus years in the credit industry, the bulk of my years were in what is often referred to as the back end of the business – collections, recovery, fraud and probate. I was recognized as one of the top 5 women to watch in the ‘country, nominated as businesswoman of the year multiple years just to name a few – yet I was completely fulfilled. Over the years, people outside of work would ask me to help them with their personal money management – and I did. Many would make statements like ‘you should be doing this for a living – people really need not only what you teach, but more importantly how you teach’ and they would refer people to me. I’d gladly assist them as well. During this same period, my pastor preached a series on ‘walking in your purpose’ then when on travel and visited other churches, the message seemed to be recurring. Everywhere I turned, the same message – CONFIRMATION! It was through that faith journey of revelation of my purpose with the concluding confirmation that my first company, BONA5D Credit Consultants was birthed. As I reflected on revelation, I had the realization that my professional career to that time was my preparation for my predetermined destination – to use my God given talents to serve HIS people.

Whenever I am asked why I do what I do, in a word – IMPACT! and what I mean by that is no matter the time period, the location or the duration, whomever crosses my path I need their life to be better in some way as a result of our intersection.

So, to directly answer the posed question ‘what was your thought process behind starting your own business’ after my brief backstory, “to fulfill my desire to serve others through my talents, my way”.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
What I do in both of my businesses is ‘heart work’. My desire for IMPACT supersedes everything I do in my professional and personal life. My differentiator is I meet people where they are and build from there. Additionally, I now know what happened to me in 1984 had to happen to prepare me for my purpose.

The mission of BONA5DCC (established in 2008) is to Educate. Empower. Evolve. Enlighten. Enrich. These five pillars propel clients to “FUEL INDIVIDUAL’S FINANCIAL POTENTIAL” and the mission of B5ReAffirm (established in 2020) is to embrace “I’M ME” (Improve My Mental Esteem)

Both mind-shift endeavors allow me to “EMPOWER PEOPLE TO BECOME BETTER VERSIONS OF THEMSELVES”

One thing I am most proud of is knowing that my accepting my assignment from the BIG GUY, allowed me to literally save the lives of some females which was an unexpected outcome for me. I had no idea, but HE knew.

As part of my assignment, I have been journaling and will eventually publish another book to share my B5 journey so stay tuned.

My journey of entrepreneurship has not been easy. Wow, the stories I could share would shock you. There were many times I wanted to give up, but as I say on page 11 of my first book “BONA5D BITS: WHERE INSPIRATION & INTELLECT COLLIDE WITH YOUR FINANCES”, ‘If your WHY is strong enough, the WHAT won’t matter and the HOW will just show up’; thus, my faith and the reminder allowed me to persevere.

A few of the lessons I learned along the way are: The priories things are Faith-Health-Family-Dream-Fun. NEVER give up on you. When people show you who they are – BELIEVE IT (straight up-no chaser). You can’t share your big dreams with small-minded people. Always keep some of your powder dry.

I want the universe to know that BONA5DCC and B5 ReAffirm exists for the soul purpose of IMPACT! Assisting persons with becoming better versions of themselves. I’ve had the same dream many times so I believe it to be confirmation of the future occurrence that I am on a big stage with a sea of females as far as my eyes can see … all ages, all ethnicities – diverse in every way and when I ask the question (like call and response in church), ‘what is a B5?’ – they all respond in unison, as one person with the voice of a million – I am a BONA5D, BOSS with BRAINS BEAUTY and a BELIEVER in me – the roar of a million females is like nothing else and this is significant in what it represents. You see my goal is to serve/introduce 1 million females to the B5 ReAffirm journey … that is my assignment  It may sound daunting or unachievable, but I believe with every fiber in my body that it can happen because I am merely HIS vessel, it is HIS vision.

Everything about my businesses is intentional from the names, to the colors to the content … ex. the number 5

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We would definitely spend some time at a beach (I have a local spot that I call ‘my place of peace’). Partake at some of my favorite restaurants – Miquel’s (authentic Mexican), Columbia (authentic Cuban), Ulele, take dinner cruise and we’d hit up a few breakfast spots. Shopping would for sure be part of our itinerary. One evening I’d plan a gathering at my house (food-fellowship-fun). We’d probably do some touristy type things (historical attractions, Ybor City, Riverwalk area, Armature Works). Checkout local events if something we like (comedy, concert). Maybe take a quick cruise from the local port. Perhaps see a professional sport if there’s a home game (football, baseball, hockey).

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Though there have been many because I am a part of all whom I have met. My Shoutout is a trifecta – my mother, my father, my husband. My parents first and foremost because my entire life they have been my supporters, my encouragers, my everything! But my blessings didn’t stop there because God blessed me with a soulmate that I lovingly refer to as ‘my heartbeat’ – he is not perfect, but he is perfect for me.

I have to share this abridged version of just one example of who I married … I have worked since I was 15 and a half and always went from one job to a better job; thus, since we’ve been together, I’ve always had steady income. About 6 months after I left corporate as VP, Collections/Recovery/Fraud/Probate at a National Bank, my hubby and I were out walking and I stopped and asked him how he ‘really’ felt about me not having a steady income. He stopped dead in his tracks, looked at me and said “have I ever said we needed money, have you had to stop doing things you do (hair, shopping, vacations), have I ever said ____, he rattled off an entire list of things and then he said something that pierced my heart and brought tears to my eyes even now – he said “JUST DO YOU, SWEETIE! I GOT YOU! and if things change, I’ll let you know.” That was in 2013 and I have been a fulltime entrepreneur since.

When I share that story I think I get emotional because when you marry, you hope this is the kind of person you married, but you do not really know until the rubber hits the road. I was so moved by what he had said to me that I had to call my dad when I got home to share. WHAT A SPECIAL MAN! wouldn’t you agree.

I’ve been so blessed to have the endless support in my life from so many and my trifecta is heart on top and I love all three of my Shoutouts to eternity and back.

Website: https://www.PamalaMcCoy.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/b5reaffirm

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamalamccoy

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bona5d

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/B5Reaffirm

Youtube: https://bit.ly/2JRSLaI

Other: https://www.facebook.com/bona5d https://www.instagram.com/_bona5d