Meet Crystal Bessix, MBA, ABD: Founder and President of edOpp Solutions LLC

We had the good fortune of connecting with Crystal Bessix, MBA, ABD and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Crystal, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I’m a jump head-in-first type of a person when it comes to risk-taking! I go all in and go fast when exploring new markets, acquiring new clients, or launching new services. I believe it has helped me to remain confident, remove fears or self-doubt, and be resilient. Often, people over-think decisions and situations and this can paralyze action. While I believe you should be aware of all risks involved in any decision, you should not allow the risks to limit your ability to get things done or approach a new client or expand your business. My high tolerance for risk has helped me to launch and grow a successful business, navigate during the new normal of COVID19, embrace change, adapt to unknown situations better, and build my business acumen. 

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My work is my life. I brought edOpp to life in 2009 and ever since then it has been a leading force in the talent and learning industry. edOpp Solutions LLC partners with organizations seeking to attract, hire, train, certify and retain a high performing workforce. As the total solutions provider for businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, and K12/higher education, edOpp provides customized Workplace Learning solutions to upskill the workforce, HR and Management consulting services, interactive Digital Learning, and industry-recognized certification programs. I’m proud that we touch the lives of so many people in Houston and across America from the GED/ESL adult to the single mother on unemployment benefits to the ex-offender looking for a second chance. Our students also include recent college graduates, managers trying to collaborate with their teams in this new virtual environment, and executive leaders seeking to navigate their organization in this dynamic world. The need to help so many people including the millions unemployed with gaining new skills is critical and we want to expand our mission and bandwidth to become the provider of choice for online educational opportunities (edOpp) that will support our local workforce and advance the digital literacy skills needed in this new COVID-19 climate. I started this company at 29 years old and this past September I celebrated my 40th birthday. Personally, edOpp is my life and I haven’t looked back since I quit my full-time executive position. Through faith and resiliency, I’ve achieved so much during this time and faced so many challenges including losing a child, losing my business partner, navigating through Hurricane Harvey and now through COVID-19. I know edOpp still has so much potential, so much more to do, and more positive impact to make. Therefore, my birthday wish is for edOpp to grow beyond what I ever imagined at 29. Our big, hairy audacious goal is to serve 1 million people in our learning experiences around the world. edOpp will be the organization in which people of all walks of life can seek educational opportunities to achieve their best potential.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Houston has some great spots to visit for anyone visiting the area. For my friends, we will start with great food at the Breakfast Club, then visit the museum district to view the awesome exhibits at MFAH and HMNS. We’ll end the day with some spicy Jamaican food at Cool Runnings and attending a comedy show at Improv. Later during the week, we’ll start the day at Dish Society, then get some shopping and bar hopping in at Memorial City Centre. We must relax at the Houstonian with a spa and facial appointment. We’ll end the evening with a concert at the Toyota Center or Warehouse Live. Finally, to end the week, we’ll get some great Southern food at Grace’s on Kirby, attend a play at the Hobby Center or Ensemble Theater, and kick it with my sorors of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The entrepreneurial journey is both rewarding and challenging. As your company grows, it becomes a little harder to have people in your corner that your trust. That’s why I’m happy for the support and encouragement of my VP of Strategic Partnerships, Pat Butler. He is my rock to weather any storm the company faces and he is a reassuring voice that I can conquer any challenge. He is truly supportive in the efforts to grow and scale the company and sacrifices as much as I do. I can honestly say that I could not navigate this entrepreneur life without him. In addition, I couldn’t do anything without my core team, Learning Facilitators, Performance Coaches, and UH HRD interns who assure we deliver high-quality, results-oriented learning experiences for our client partners. Shoutout to Jonathan, Hannah, Alva, Kimberlee, Maria, Allison, Bruce, Ana, Laura-Lee, Kenya, Keshia, Tiko, and more! #TeamEdOpp is dedicated to transforming lives. Externally, I have a good network of friends and mentors. I appreciate the support from April Day, President of WBEA Houston. Not only does April support the mission of our company, but she also supports my personal ambitions. It is good to have a friend that actively contributes to my success, provides resources to help, is there to help me release when needed, reminds me to focus on self-care, and overall keeps me balanced. I can count on Stephanie Ross, Director of Adult Education for HCDE to keep me encouraged. I thank Robin Walls, VP of the HCVP Program at the Houston Housing Authority, for believing in the results of edOpp to upskill her team and providing encouragement along the way. Robin told me that “if I can survive COVID-19, then my business can survive anything”. I have been holding true to her encouragement as fuel to adapt and thrive this year. Over the past 11 years, I have come to value my annual lunches with my mentor, Beth Shapiro, VP of SCORE. I’ll always shout-out one of the best business development programs, Captial One Getting Down to Business Program, for helping to launch edOpp onto to the scene. There are so many people who have touched my life in some way either with giving a nugget of advice, providing an opportunity, connecting me to someone in their network, or just picking up my call when I need some help. Thank you all! Lastly but certainly not least is my foundation – my family. Being a CEO, single mom, and doctoral student while working remotely from home and helping my 2nd-grade daughter go to school online, can feel like a juggling act. However, it takes a village to make everything possible. A big shout-out to my mom, my sister Ashley, and my daughter Baylee! My family keeps me grounded, has my back, and fill in the gaps to keep everything running smoothly.

Website: www.edopplearning.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystalbessix/
Twitter: @Edoppsolutions
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edOppSolutions/

Image Credits
edOpp Solutions, Amy Shipley, Creative Director