Belma McCaffrey Shares Her Journey from Corporate America to Empowering Professionals Through Work Bigger While Redefining Success and Work Culture

Belma McCaffrey, founder, executive coach, and leadership program developer, has dedicated her career to empowering professionals through her innovative platform, Work Bigger. After spending over a decade in corporate America with renowned organizations like the Associated Press, Conde Nast, and GroupM, Belma recognized the vital role of a healthy workplace culture in fostering happy, engaged employees. Her own experiences in the corporate world fueled her desire to create a supportive environment for others, leading her to develop programs that prioritize leadership development, team dynamics, and employee well-being.

With an impressive track record of coaching individuals across various industries—including luxury fashion, media, and finance—Belma has worked with notable brands such as Burberry and The Financial Times. Her academic credentials include an MBA from Baruch College and a BA from Syracuse University, complemented by specialized training in coaching and facilitation from the NeuroLeadership Institute and COR. Through her unique approach, she focuses on behavior change and emotional intelligence, equipping individuals and teams to thrive in their personal and professional lives.

Belma’s journey is particularly inspiring given her background as a refugee from Albania, having moved to the U.S. at the age of eight. Now based in New Jersey with her husband and two children, she is passionate about redefining the concept of work. With Work Bigger, she offers an immersive coaching experience designed to help young professionals identify their mission and integrate it into every aspect of their job search, encouraging them to think creatively and strategically about their careers.

In this Q&A, we’ll dive deeper into Belma’s entrepreneurial journey, exploring her motivations, the challenges she faced, and the lessons she learned along the way. From the importance of goal-setting to the value of a supportive network, Belma shares her insights on navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship while prioritizing well-being and personal growth. Join us as we uncover the wisdom and experiences that have shaped her mission to empower others in their professional lives.

What is the best part about being an entrepreneur? What is the worst/hardest part?

Entrepreneurship has helped me grow in ways I couldn’t imagine several years ago. First, it’s pushed me to become a bolder, more engaged and mission-driven person. I used to work from a place of fear and lack of confidence was always an issue. However, now I’m on a mission to create big changes in the world. My fear and lack of confidence can’t be front and center. I’ve got work to do!

With that being said, fear and worry is still an issue. The self-doubting words have become companions that live with me, but that I don’t let guide me.

Do you think you want to start other businesses in the future or do you want to keep growing this one as long as possible? What is the dream?

I launched WORK BIGGER in January, which was a transition from my first company, BOULD. I’m working to get this new platform off the ground, and I’d like to use this program and platform to eventually impact the education space.  Our work lives are significantly driven by our education, so you almost can’t address one without the other. I can definitely see new businesses forming from this one, as this is just the beginning of the work I want to do.

Is it important to set goals or is it better to just “go with the flow”? What is your strategy?

Goals are key and so powerful! You need to know where you’re going before you get there. You have to have a vision. This is also the focus of WORK BIGGER.

However, if you’re a new entrepreneur and you’re not sure how to move ahead, going with the flow and testing little by little can be very beneficial and great for learning. When I started working on my first company, I was pregnant and had started a full-time position at the AP. I decided to go with the flow in the first few months rather than create set goals. I needed that time to learn and discover what worked and what didn’t. This should really be a short-term approach.

How important is your network? Is there such thing as doing it alone? What is your view on “solopreneurs”?

I can’t stress enough the importance of your network! First, starting a company is emotionally, mentally, and physically challenging. As a mom with a full-time job and a business, I couldn’t do any of this without my husband, family and friends.  

Second, I’m a member of Dreamers // Doers, and having this support system has been incredible in launching my new platform. I’ve been able to learn and move more quickly than I did with my first company, not just because I learned so much from my first business, but because I have more emotional support and access to resources. You can try to do it alone, but why would you? It’s much lonelier and less fun. 

What is one (or more) piece of advice you can offer our readers and other entrepreneurs that are reading your interview? What is the most important to keep in mind?

Take care of your health. You can’t succeed when you’re burnt out and stressed. You also can’t be your most creative self, which is critical in solving the problems you’re trying to solve.

I know this from personal experience because I’ve been through burnout countless times, and one day I decided I’d had enough. It wasn’t serving me, my family and friends, or my business.

Changing the way we work is a big focus of “redefining what we call work.” Work and commitment are not about logging in 16-hour days and checking 30 things off a list. We can accomplish so much more when we’re healthy. We access the best parts of ourselves. That’s how we create change.  

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