Meet Salina Thompson, PMP

We recently connected with Salina Thompson, PMP and have shared our conversation below.

Salina, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

Imposter syndrome felt like a rite of passage when I decided to scale my virtual assistant business into something bigger in 2021. By then, I had already helped numerous business owners break down big ideas into manageable projects and improve their day-to-day operations. But as technology evolved, I knew I had to be more strategic about the services I offered. That’s when I became curious about project management.

I had been managing projects for years, but I wanted to speak the language of the industry—to back my real-world experience with the credibility of certification. One of my most supportive clients saw my potential and sponsored me to enroll in a PMP® certification program. I started taking evening classes three nights a week, fully committed to this next level of growth.

By week three, though, I hit a wall.

Many of my classmates had military and Fortune 500 corporate project management backgrounds. I, on the other hand, had built my experience by supporting small businesses, startups, creative agencies, and local government programs. I started to feel like an outsider. I constantly compared my path to theirs and questioned whether my work “counted.” I didn’t have the same lingo, the same case studies, or the same professional environment. That’s when imposter syndrome took root.

The turning point came during a lesson on team collaboration. The instructor discussed how to organize roles, timelines, and responsibilities. I realized—I do this every day. Not just for my business, but for my clients’ businesses too. I plan launch calendars, map out deliverables, facilitate team meetings, and build out entire ClickUp and CRM systems that keep their operations running smoothly.

That moment changed everything.

Suddenly, I stopped trying to fit in—and started leaning into my strengths. My classmates began asking me how I translated PMBOK methodologies into the small business world. Even the instructor was impressed by the way I used project management to build systems for overwhelmed CEOs. I wasn’t behind. I was just applying the material differently. And that difference was my superpower.

On November 4th, 2021, I passed the 200-question PMP® exam with an almost perfect score. But more importantly, I walked away with renewed confidence and clarity. I learned that my non-traditional experience made me uniquely qualified to lead—especially in spaces where business owners are juggling too much and need help scaling sustainably.

That realization helped fuel the next chapter of Savvy Empire Consulting.

Today, my firm helps small businesses—especially minority-led ones—shift from chaotic operations to systems-driven success. We implement automation, build team workflows, and create project plans that actually work. I’ve turned my journey with imposter syndrome into a framework that empowers others to feel confident in their own leadership. Because when you finally stop questioning whether you belong, you unlock the capacity to build something bigger than yourself.

My story isn’t about perfection. It’s about permission—to show up as you are, grow at your pace, and still succeed.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Meet Salina Thompson: The Project Strategist Behind Savvy Empire Consulting’s Rise

My passion for what I do is deeply rooted in one truth—I love helping people grow. Whether it’s a corporate professional transitioning into entrepreneurship, or a small business owner trying to scale without burning out, I’m passionate about giving people the systems, strategy, and support they need to move from stuck to streamlined.

In the early stages of my career, I supported professionals who were seeking clarity, structure, or the confidence to lead more effectively. Over time, I realized I had a natural gift for breaking down big goals into actionable plans—and doing it in a way that feels empowering. That’s when I knew I wanted to take that skill set and build something impactful.

I launched Savvy Empire Consulting to help small business owners—especially those in minority-led and women-owned businesses—transition from chaotic, CEO-dependent operations into smooth, systems-driven organizations. I teach them how to build the back end of their business with clarity, automation, and strategy so they can scale sustainably and stop feeling like they have to do everything alone.

What makes my work so fulfilling is watching my clients operate in their zone of genius while I work behind the scenes to bring order to the chaos. Whether I’m building a CRM, launching a ClickUp dashboard, or integrating AI automations, I’m not just organizing workflows—I’m helping people reclaim their time, elevate their brand, and build something that lasts.

What’s New at Savvy Empire?

This year, I’ve doubled down on community impact. Every month, my team and I host free business process workshops and labs in the metro Atlanta area to support startups, solopreneurs, and small teams with practical tools to grow. From CRM tutorials to sales lead generation labs and A.I.-powered strategy clinics, we’re meeting founders where they are and helping them implement tech and tactics that make real change.

We also recently launched The Consistent PM Approach—a powerful 12-week program for solopreneurs and micro-teams (5 people or less) who are ready to get serious about systems. For just $80 per week, participants get personalized project management coaching, strategy support, and direct implementation help. We meet twice a week for two hours total, offering the structure and accountability they need without the hefty consultant price tag.

It’s one of my favorite offers to date because it blends coaching, consulting, and doing into one practical package—and the results have been amazing.

At the heart of all of this is my mission: to prove that small businesses can operate with the same level of excellence and sophistication as large enterprises, while still staying true to their own path. That’s what drives me, and that’s what continues to shape Savvy Empire Consulting’s next chapter.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The 3 Skills That Transformed My Entrepreneurial Journey—and How You Can Build Them Too

Entrepreneurship isn’t just about building a business—it’s about building yourself. Looking back, three key skills have made the biggest impact in my journey, especially as I transitioned from a solopreneur to leading a growing consulting firm.
1. Emotional Intelligence
Understanding people is everything. Whether you’re managing a team, closing a sale, or onboarding a client, the ability to read the room, empathize, and respond with intention is what separates good leaders from great ones. Emotional intelligence helped me build stronger client relationships, manage difficult conversations, and create sales pipelines rooted in real connection—not just transactions.
Advice: Start by observing. Pay attention to how people communicate, respond to stress, and make decisions. The more emotionally aware you become, the more strategic and grounded you’ll be as a leader.
2. Communication
This is a skill that I revisit constantly. In operations and project management, your ability to communicate clearly can make or break a project. From scoping out client goals to training teams on new systems, communication isn’t just about talking—it’s about translating ideas into action.
Advice: Don’t assume people understand what you mean. Practice explaining your services, your process, and your value in simple terms. The more you refine your messaging, the easier it becomes to lead, sell, and scale.
3. Sales & Self-Confidence
The most underrated skill in entrepreneurship is the ability to sell. I had to learn that even the best systems, services, or solutions won’t sell themselves. You must know how to position your value and confidently ask for the sale. And that confidence? It’s something you build over time—not something you magically wake up with.
Advice: Embrace the discomfort. Selling is a muscle you develop through practice, feedback, and showing up consistently. Start small, refine your pitch, and celebrate your wins—no matter how small they feel.

One of the biggest revelations I’ve had is that networking has helped me improve in all three of these areas. When you’re in the right rooms—online or offline—you sharpen your communication, grow your emotional IQ, and gain the confidence to speak about your business with clarity and conviction.
Pair that with reading, mentorship, and professional development, and you’ll not only build a business—you’ll grow into the leader that business needs.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

The Book That Reshaped How I Sell and Serve Clients

One of the most important books that impacted my growth—both personally and professionally—is The Challenger Sale: Taking Control of the Customer Conversation by Matthew Dixon and Brent Adamson.

This book completely shifted the way I approached sales and customer relationship management. It taught me that the most effective salespeople aren’t just order-takers—they’re educators. They challenge assumptions, offer new perspectives, and guide customers through the buying journey by teaching them something they didn’t know they needed.

One of the biggest takeaways for me was the idea that customer loyalty isn’t just about low prices or even high satisfaction—it’s about delivering value during the sales experience itself. That realization pushed me to elevate how my team and I engage with potential clients. Every conversation became an opportunity to teach, to reframe their problem, and to provide strategic insight—not just pitch a service.

As a result, The Challenger Sale helped me build a more confident, informed, and empowered sales strategy that not only increased conversions but built deeper client trust and long-term loyalty.

If you’re in business and want to move from “just another vendor” to a trusted advisor, this book is a must-read.

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Savvy Empire Consulting, LLC

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