Welcome to another episode of SCV's Voices of Business, a Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce podcast. In this episode, host Corey Nathan and co-host Joshua Maddux sit down with Selina Thomas, the founder of 6 Degrees HR Consulting. Selina is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of her company, and she brings a wealth of experience in human resources, compliance, and small business development. Join us as we delve into Selina's inspiring journey, her insights on leadership, and her commitment to community building.

• The origin and growth of 6 Degrees HR Consulting.

• The impact of Selina's father on her personal and professional life.

• The evolution of work-life balance and remote work post-COVID.

• How humility and continuous learning are key to business success.

• The importance of human connection and community in business.

• [00:01:00] – Corey introduces Selina Thomas, celebrating the 10th anniversary of 6 Degrees HR Consulting, and discusses her background in HR and community involvement.

• [00:02:00] – Selina shares the influence of her father, Dr. Thomas, on her life and career, highlighting his role as 6 Degrees' first employee.

• [00:04:00] – Corey and Selina discuss her daughters' accomplishments and how her father's legacy continues through her family.

• [00:09:00] – Selina talks about starting her business in a Starbucks, the importance of networking, and thinking big even when starting small.

• [00:17:00] – The conversation shifts to how Selina helped businesses navigate the challenges of COVID-19, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and innovation.

• [00:25:00] – Selina discusses the significance of her biracial identity in relating to diverse clients and creating inclusive workplace cultures.

• [00:29:00] – Joshua and Selina reflect on the value of humility and the willingness to learn from mistakes in business.

• [00:32:00] – Corey and Joshua share their passion for podcasting as a medium to connect communities and tell compelling stories.

1. "Your passion becomes your purpose and then you're paid for it." – Selina Thomas

2. "Think big even when you're small." – Selina Thomas

3. "Humility is a secret to success. The ability to realize that you're always growing and never feeling like you have all the answers." – Selina Thomas

4. "The human is first in HR. Culture creates community." – Selina Thomas

- 6 Degrees HR Consulting https://6degreeshrconsulting.com/

- Linktree - Selina Thomas https://linktr.ee/selinathomas

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Welcome to the inaugural episode of "The Voices of Business," brought to you by the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce. Join your hosts, Corey Nathan and Joshua Maddux, as they delve into engaging discussions with local business leaders and influencers who shape our community. In today’s episode, we explore the journeys, strategies, and insights of two prominent figures: Becki Robb, Senior Director of Special Events at Princess Cruises and the Chair of the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber, and Ivan Volschenk, Managing Partner of Evolve Business Strategies and the President CEO of the Chamber.

**What You Will Learn:**

- How Becki Robb's extensive career at Princess Cruises has informed her leadership style and community involvement.

- Ivan Volschenk’s journey from starting a software company in South Africa to revitalizing the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber.

- The evolving role of the Chamber in local business advocacy and community development.

- Effective networking strategies that foster long-term business relationships and community growth.

**Episode Highlights:**

- **[00:01:45]** - Becki Robb discusses her transition from Disney to Princess Cruises and her 20-year journey with the company.

- **[00:05:10]** - Ivan Volschenk shares his entrepreneurial beginnings and what brought him to the United States.

- **[00:09:53]** - Joshua Maddux reflects on the transformative changes within the Chamber over the past decade.

- **[00:14:29]** - A look back at the historical impact of the SCV Chamber since its inception in 1920.

- **[00:18:24]** - Discussion on the importance of advocacy and how the Chamber supports local businesses in legislative matters.

- **[00:26:51]** - Predictions on the future of the business landscape in Santa Clarita Valley and the role of technology.

**Featured Quotes:**

- Becki Robb: “It’s honestly you—it goes to the people you work with. We have an amazing team, and it's those types of partnerships that drive you forward.”

- Ivan Volschenk: “Starting my own company at 26 was my way of taking control of my career. My only regret is not starting a year earlier.”

**Resources Mentioned:**

- Princess Cruises: https://www.princess.com/

- Evolve Business Strategies: https://www.linkedin.com/company/evolve-business-strategies/

- Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce: https://www.scvchamber.com/

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Thank you for tuning in to "The Voices of Business." Join us next time as we continue to explore the stories of business leaders and the impact of their work in the Santa Clarita Valley and beyond. Remember, together, we can make a difference in our community and beyond!

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Thanks for listening, and we'll see you in the next episode!

The Voices of Business is a Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce podcast! Hosted by Corey Nathan and Joshua Maddux, both of whom are small business owners in Santa Clarita and proud members of the Chamber, we’ll be bringing in a lineup of incredible guests with a special focus on business in our hometown, the Santa Clarita Valley. Sometimes we’ll be getting into related subjects, for example, when we speak with our local elected officials and a number of other remarkable folks. So sometimes, we get into leadership, management and life and anywhere the spirit takes us. Remember to subscribe or follow (depending on what your app lets you do). And definitely tell a friend or colleague about the Voices of Business - SCV so that more people can join in on the conversations we’ll be having right here at The Voices of Business - SCV!