Influential Woman · Project and Move Management

Cartha Bonner

Founder, CEO, Cpb Project and Move Management

Atlanta , GA

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Cosmetology School Member Northwest Business Association Member HOA Board

Her Story

About Cartha

I started out thinking I would be a cosmetologist - that's what I went to school for, and I have a family of barbers and beauty people. But one of my clients from a temporary agency asked me to work as a receptionist at Equifax for 6 weeks while somebody was pregnant. I thought, well, I've never done anything like that, but I'll try it. Those 6 weeks turned into 25 and a half years. I worked my way up from receptionist to Move Ads and Changes Manager, handling everything move-related including installations when vendors came in. It was the best thing ever for me - I got an opportunity to raise my daughter, made a very good living, and learned about what I do now. After retiring from Equifax, I got approached by one of our vendors to do project management for Corporate Environment, a well-known furniture installation company here in Atlanta. I did that for 2 years, managing their healthcare and education division and working on major projects with Grady Memorial Hospital, Georgia State, Emory, and Georgia Tech. Three years ago, I started CPB Project and Move Management. I'm a one-woman operation right now, doing everything - my own billing, quoting, recruiting for jobs, marketing. I have 3 teams that I sub out work to, and I also have a service contract with a well-known dealership here in Atlanta for smaller moves. My business expanded so quickly because I've been doing this so long and have so many connections. Once I put my business out there, it kind of took off - I thought I would have time to gradually get there, but it didn't work out that way, which is a good thing.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Cartha

01What do you attribute your success to?

I would attribute my success to people giving me a chance and just giving me an opportunity to present what I could do or show what I could do. That's kind of the hard work piece too, but if I didn't have a shot, I wouldn't be able to get to where I am, because if I didn't have that opportunity, I wouldn't know what I know. A lot of the promotions I got was just somebody saying, hey, we're gonna give you a shot and see what you can do. I was told a long time ago, just work hard, show your worth, and you'll be recognized that way. You don't have to have all the certifications, you don't have to have a college degree, just work hard. That has been my motto my whole life - I want to show you what I can do. If you give me the opportunity, I will show you what I can do, and you will not be disappointed. Early on in my career, I would feel some kind of way about not having the credentials, but I learned early on, all you have to do is work hard. People see it. They'll see what you're doing.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

The best career advice I received was to work smart, not hard, but more importantly, just work hard and show your worth. I was told a long time ago that because I did not have the college education, I should just work hard, show my worth, and I'll be recognized that way. You don't have to have all the certifications, you don't have to have a college degree, just work hard. That has been my motto my whole life - I want to show you what I can do. If you give me the opportunity, I will show you what I can do, and you will not be disappointed. Early on in my career, I would feel some kind of way about not having the credentials, but I learned that all you have to do is work hard. People see it. They'll see what you're doing.

03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

Number one is honesty. No matter how it may feel, be honest. I value being a kind person - not a nice person, but a kind person. I'm a hard lady, but my heart is kind, and I get told that a lot. I also believe in being fair. Things don't always work out all the time, but just try to be fair with people. I'm working with two little interns now that are driving me up a wall, but I need them, so I bear with them a little bit. One of them told me yesterday, Ms. Cartha, you are so kind-hearted, because she didn't have money to get to work and I helped her out. I don't look at it like being special, I just look at it as being a mother and making sure that they're good and have what they need. Those are the things I live by - being honest, being a kind-hearted person, and working hard.

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