Today we’d like to introduce you to Nadine King.
Hi Nadine, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I never knew how my professional and personal experiences would bring me to a place of becoming an entrepreneur and certified coach. I started my working career in administration, providing support for executives across industries. I also gained experience at my parent’s church, learning the strategies of administration and organizational management. My choice to start in the administrative field was because I was told I had the gift of administration, and truthfully, I do. If you had asked me when I first started in the administrative profession if I believed in it, my answer would have been “NO!”. I did not believe in it.
In my mind, there wasn’t anything extravagant about being able to “administrate.” Who grows up saying, “I want to be an administrative professional,” the person filing paperwork, answering phones, and doing the projects others do not want to do. Of course, there is more to the profession than that, but at the core of administrative work, these tasks are part of the job, especially at the entry-level. I digress.
I grappled with minimizing my talents in administration because, at the time, I could not see how vital my talents were, and would be, to the industry. Sometimes we can minimize our gifts and talents when on the surface, they do not seem extraordinary. We can minimize them when they seem “unpopular.” Early on in my career, I felt the administrative profession lacked a certain luster and, because of that, started planning to find other opportunities. I became deliberate in searching out opportunities that paid more and were, in my mind, “elite.” Obviously, I did not know the power of the scripture “your gifts will make room for you” until now.
As an administrative professional during certain times of my career, I came in contact with colleagues and executives that looked at me as the “help.” I experienced being treated unfairly, not given access to professional development opportunities as well as being overlooked for promotions. I also dealt with toxic workplace environments that depleted my energy. My professional self-esteem suffered and I thought walking away from the profession would be best. Little did I know, I was being groomed and prepared for where I am today. My personal life also ran parallel with my toxic experiences at work. I had two failed toxic, dysfunctional, abusive marriages. It was during these times that I learned the power of overcoming self-doubt, self-sabotage, and self-reliance void of God’s direction.
As I mentioned above, my gifts have made room for me! My career experiences and my gift have landed me speaking opportunities at national conferences. I wrote my first book in support of the profession titled “The Ninja: Chronicles of an Assistant, which can be purchased on Amazon. I have created business partnerships, provided training, and mentorship for other administrative professionals through my organization, Black Admin Magic. I have taken my personal and professional toxic experiences to help my coaching clients overcome toxic mindsets and toxic relationships. My mindset is “Bye, Bye Toxic, Hello Peace!”
I would like to pause on sharing my story and take this moment to encourage you. You might think your gift is small, not marketable, not prestigious enough, or just plain crazy! Do not listen to that lie. Do not short circuit what is inside of you. The world needs what you have and is waiting for you. When you start working with your gift, watch the doors open up for you. Doors you never thought existed. The thing is, you never know until you focus and try. Go be great, go be you! xo, Nadine.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I faced toxic challenges, both professionally and personally. One of the struggles I faced was how I internalized my gifts and talents. I found myself falling into mental traps of comparison. I looked at others excelling in their industries from entertainment to politics. I fell into this toxic cycle of thinking there was nothing important about what I could do. Administration, blah.
I saw administration as the least, something I did not want to do. I frowned at it. It wasn’t glamorous. But God saw something greater. He saw my gift of administration and the doors it would open. He saw me as an administrator that could effectively strategize, build businesses, mentor and coach other administrative professionals. God saw me speaking at national conferences as an industry expert, and helping others grow personally and professionally, my passion! He took all of my experiences and made room for “the more.” I learned that comparison is a killer.
If I had allowed my toxic mindset to circumvent God’s plan, I would not be in the place I am in today, where my organization is building, elevating, and excelling the experiences of black administrative professionals.
No matter your gift and talent, work it!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Black Admin Magic?
Black Admin Magic was founded to support women of color in the administrative profession. We build, elevate and excel the experiences of black administrative professionals through our mentorship and community. In response to industry standards and the growing need to support BAMs, we are currently undergoing a relaunch that will roll out within the first quarter of 2021. This new launch provides access to professional development opportunities and national recognition through our programming. Stay tuned.
How do you think about happiness?
Being with my hubby, my children, my family, drinking tea and praying. I love exploring ideas and being in a space where I can create solutions. I love being near the ocean. At the ocean, I feel closer to God.
Contact Info:
- Email: nadine@blackadminmagic.com
- Website: www.blackadminmagic.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackadminmagic
- Other: www.byebyetoxic.com; www.lionofjudahfwc.org
Image Credits
9 Photography with Enin Jzar
