The Revelations From Women Entrepreneurs Conversing
Inspiration and motivation for women, women entrepreneurs and female business owners
The past two months I have been hosting private poolside chats with women entrepreneurs in a comfortable setting where we allow ourselves to be open and honest about topics related to business, life, politics, sports, equality, health and mental wellness. Each woman has two hours to share whatever she wants, ask me questions, seek guidance, laugh, share personal hardships and open up about anything they want. This conversations have been both individual and yet universal topics.
These conversations have been a gift to me and to my guests too. Today I want to share some of the less personal and more business pieces of advice shared by the women who have visited me. My hope is although you are not sitting with me physically by my pool or in my poolhouse, you feel the interest and motivation in business today.
* Women are peaceful and grounded in what they do for others.
* We don’t have to do everything ourselves. Let go and give away work someone else can do.
* Seek testimonials from clients and use to attract new customers.
* Sports build confidence in women.
* Today’s generation operates more through technology than person to person. Keep meeting people in person when you can.
* We all have a book inside of us. Writing a book gets out what is inside of me.
* Turning an unused room in a house into a new studio can inspire women needing change.
* There is a divine design for your life. Look for it.
Stay tuned because I’ll be sharing more wisdom as more women visit me poolside this summer. Until then, let me know what wisdom you would like to share with other women entrepreneurs.
Imagery Leads to Success in Business and Sports
Inspiration and Wisdom for Women Entrepreneurs, Female Athletes, Small Business Owners
Every summer I travel back to a specific July morning when I decided to train to become an Olympic athlete. My semi-young stepfather was ranked fifteenth in the USA for downhill skiing at the time. I witnessed him travel to South America to train in the summer and to Lake Placid to train in the winter. This particular summer was also the year Nadia Comaneci scored a perfect 10 in competition and watching the Olympics was on my agenda every day after swimming in the lake I grew up on. Inspired by Nadia, I stated my intention quite clear at the dinner table that I was going to become an Olympic athlete. My stepfather immediately said, “Tracy, that’s great. I’ll train you!” I remember thinking my dream was going to come true quicker than I thought with an immediate “coach” by my side.
Every morning and afternoon, my coach and I headed down to the cove on the lake where our dock was stationed so I could swim laps for an hour to start my conditioning. I was pretty excited about my goal swimming every day. Until two weeks later, on one dark, rainy day we headed down for my training and the water seemed too dark to swim in and I declared, “I don’t want to be an Olympic athlete anymore!” My stepfather smiled at me as if he knew all along this would be the outcome. And that was that, my Olympic dream came to an end two weeks after I started it.
Even though imagery works well for elite athletes, it was not working for my 12 year old spunky self. For top athletes imagery can be a difficult skill to learn; but once executed can enable them to envision performing their sport from start to finish as if they are doing it in real time. I suppose I needed to know about imagery back when I was young.
As woman business owner, we can take a clue from elite athletes by using imagery for our own entrepreneurial success. We can use imagery to land an unexpected client, secure a lucrative financial contract, or increase revenue one quarter. One of the reasons I like morning meditation is to put big goals and intentions into the world and to see myself securing them in a few months.
This week I had a couple major intentions get realized. As I hung up the phone with two new women from other parts of the country entered my world through connections, asking and envisioning, I realized more women entrepreneurs should use imagery as part of their daily business practice. It might take time for imagery to work, but it does if practiced and remaining patient.
If we can’t see what we want to accomplish, we can’t manifest it. I encourage you today to spend the first half hour of your day using imagery to land some big new business dreams.
Wednesday Wisdsom Inspiration and wisdom for Women and Women Entrepreneurs
Did you ever notice before you open your eyes and just gaze at your eyelids closed that you see the color pink? I know this opening blog line might seem strange but stay with me for the moment, read the entire post and then decide to unfollow me if you don’t understand by the time you are at the end.
You see, I only see pink, and have for a very long time. Sometimes as in this case, it is literally the color pink but mostly it is figuratively pink because I am so passionate about supporting women’s issues. It started being born the oldest of five sisters and two brothers, surrounded by bold older women who were board presidents and female entrepreneurs and then the “sisters” I gained being a female business owner for 23 years and runner for 20 years. Women have always been at my side, in front of me leading the way and beside me on paved and rocky paths. I would not be who I am with women in my life.
I believe we are all born destined to make an indelible impact on the world. We don’t necessarily know what that impact is when we open our eyes as a newborn, as we grow into young women and even enter middle age, but one day the “aha moment” finds us because buried deep in our heart and inner voice we know what we were meant to do if we stop and listen long enough or as we look back at the natural paths of our lives. We see it. We know it. We must claim it.
When I started my company Women TIES, LLC 13 years ago, it was purely to strengthen the economic ties between women living across New York State, to provide a marketing platform for women entrepreneurs to promote themselves and businesses to other women so they could and would do business together since women don’t make as much money as men. It was my way of “passing legislation” to help level the monetary playing field. What I discovered is as much as that is still my number one passion, I also want to and must support women in sports and women’s equality issues. I suppose I lived out my destiny when my friend Maria DeSantis introduced me once as “Tracy Chamberlain Higginbotham, all things women,” because its the truth.
After taking over 100 women to the Women’s March on Washington in 2017, my political voice has gotten stronger, although it has always been there since running for President of my student class in 1979 with an all girls slate. I have always tried to stay as non-political as I could within the context of my business world because I invite women of all faiths, backgrounds, sexual identity and incomes into my company because “women are women” to me no matter who they are; but the stakes coming up this fall are just go high to ignore anymore and I want to use my strong feminine voice to also talk about why women must get out there and vote and support women’s issues.
American women are 52% of the population and our voices must rise to be at every table, legislative branch, community organization, boardroom and business to support women’s rights. As much as I love men – my father, brothers, husband and sons – they don’t understand the true struggles women have because they are not women. It is not their fault for not deeply being rooted in what womanhood means with its glories and defeats, so we – women – must stand up for ourselves and make sure women get an equal share of what is ours.
Before I opened my eyes this morning I saw pink. As I type I see pink. As I watch the news I see pink. As I decide who to do business with today I see pink. My hope for you is to see more pink and act on supporting women that are in business, sports, politics, and equality issues. Women must see start seeing pink all the time to change the world for the better.
To follow the Women TIES Equality Division, visit https://www.facebook.com/womentiesequality/, to buy from women owned business, visit http://www.womenties.com/members.cfm and to join our women’s athletic network visit, http://www.womensathleticnetwork.com
Woman Entrepreneur Shares Joy of Running and Sisterhood with International Women in Global Organization 261 Fearless
Monday Motivation, Inspiration and Wisdom for Women in Business and Sports
As a woman entrepreneur, I always set my eyes on meeting more women because of my love, passion and dedication to them in entrepreneurship, sports, equality and sisterhood. In 2015, I wanted to connect with more international women to expand my business and personal horizons. Sometimes you never know how big an intention can become until you set it! Have you realized that yourself?
After running by myself this morning in training for my first mini-triathlon, I remembered high-fiving my new English friend Jo Moseley at the end of my 7 mile leg of a 26.2 mile marathon relay team of all women when I ran on May 27th in Devon, England with three international women as part of Team 261 Fearless. I find it amazing how fast I bond with other women especially in business, sports and equality forums. Is it that women are just amazing and I know that as a truth?
261Fearless.org (pronounced TWO-SIX-ONE Fearless), was established in 2015 as a global non-profit founded by pioneer runner and Syracuse University graduate Kathrine Switzer. 261 Fearless is a global supportive social running network which empowers women to connect and take control of their lives through the freedom gained by running. Through a series of non-competitive running clubs, a unique education program and private communication channels, the organization provides networking, healthy running support and a sisterhood to women all over the world.
I became involved with 261Fearless at its inception in New York City in 2015 after being invited by Kathrine Switzer to join her and 13 other women from around the globe to launch the organization. I instantly bonded with the women I met from Iceland, Australia, Austria, England and Malaysia and also American sisters from Texas, Louisiana, New Jersey, and Boston, who I still communicate with today. The global sisterhood of 261Fearless opened doors unthinkable to me prior to getting involved with the organization.
The non-profit organization gave me an opportunity to run in my first marathon, the Boston Marathon, on a charity bib in 2017 and travel to England to run with my new international sisters. I have discovered women are wonderful no matter where you travel in the United States or world. In today’s news cycle it seems like people from different countries do not get along, I have found the opposite truth when meeting and running with women from around the globe. The positive relationships need to be reported as well because they exist.
I encourage women I know to get involved with 261Fearless.org and to take a risk, and opportunity of a lifetime in running the New York City Marathon with us or starting a 261Fearless Club in their region of the state because the organization has opened so many doors for me in terms of health, relationship and women.
261Fearless has a limited number of charity bibs for the 2018 New York City Marathon happening on November 4, 2018 and welcomes any woman to join the team. Monies raised from the bibs help 261 Fearless continue to break down the barriers of geography and create a global community of women runners of all abilities to support, encourage and inspire each other towards a positive sense of self and fearlessness. Find out more by visiting www.261Fearless.org.
Summer Networking Time: One-On-One with Clients
Wednesday Wisdom and Inspiration for Women Entrepreneurs, Female Business Owners and Small Businesses in New York State
Imagine yourself living in this post for a minute……You descend down a hillside overlooking a beautiful vista of farmland on a clear blue sky, 70 degree day with a subtle breeze blowing your hair wisps gently. The sound of deep, soothing chimes speckle the airwaves and birds hum all around. A crisp blue, clear pool lies in front of you with red geraniums adding contrast around it as you approach deck level still high above a glistening pond with apple trees budding to its back.
You are invited to sit down for a two hour conversation with someone who believes in you and your business dreams and considers you a friend as well as customer. The two hours start as a blank painting canvas ready to be drawn upon in whatever direction the conversation leads between the two of you. The experience might be like opening a Cracker Jack box where the sweet caramel popcorn and peanuts are expected by the visit but hidden deep inside is a prize ready to be delivered to you at the end.
This is what yesterday was for me as I began private poolside chats with my treasured members who want to visit me during my medical sabbatical and who I want to get to know better. I didn’t know if the conversations would be framed about business or their personal lives or how I could best serve them during this full time away from my work and their investment. I just wanted it to be easy and open and what they wanted it to be.
In the middle of the first morning chat, with a member named Val who is in a holistic trade with coaching and therapies, she unexpectedly massaged my feet with lavender to help promote healing. Her loving support and gentle touch were welcomed because I knew she wanted me to experience what she offers others in our organization if they work with her. I’m not sure I’ll ever smell lavender the same way after this loving exchange of womanly affection. As the chimes gently bonged from time to time, we were transported to a safe haven where women can talk freely about anything they desire, trust and support each other unconditionally.
My second visitor Rebecca arrived in time for afternoon snacks, chilled green iced tea with mint leaves and sweets. We sat under the tall umbrella table at the cooler side of the pool looking down past the aqua water to the pool house. Our natural conversation rippled with updates on her personal life, changes in her health that are altering her business in ways I relate with and a shared concern for mothers of children at the Mexican border. My guest has many close relationships with people from other countries and embraces diversity. Rebecca owns a unique gift and marketing product company women can use for clients and special occasions. The afternoon ended with a hug and promises to talk again before summer ended.
This blog post is to inspire you to schedule a two hour chat with someone you don’t know well in your business or personal world. Let it be a “one-on-one” experience, woman to woman, finding common ground and conversation to deepen your respect for each other and love for other women entrepreneurs. We are all in this life of “business ownership” to transport our clients from their pain, offer services they need and interact with them in trusting relationships. The social media marketing world will never be the place these types of true bonds are formed. They must be personal. We must become more personal with our approach to doing business.
Today I hope you consider using female “ties” to enhance your business life in a more personal way by taking time each week to book one lovely morning or afternoon with a woman who interests you face-to-face beside a pool, under a tree, or over a glass of lemonade. You might discover this is the best way to spend your ‘networking’ time this summer. Trust me. You’ll smell the lavender.
America Needs More Female Voices At The Table
Inspiration for women, female business owners, women athletes and feminists
Looking through recent memories of May travels to London and Paris, I found a photo my son took of me standing under England’s great suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst statue. I learned about Emmeline watching the movie Suffragette a couple years ago and it inspired me to be even more vocal about my feminist spirit and helping women get elected. I jumped for joy finding her statue right outside our hotel room next to Westminster Abbey.
I traveled to England earlier in the week to compete in the Women Can Marathon during the 100th Anniversary of women’s right to vote in England. I had forgotten until seeing the photo again that my marathon medal was a voting box and ballot to commemorate England’s 100th Suffrage Anniversary. Sometimes everything in life lines up just perfectly to produce an “Aha” moment and receiving the special feminist themed medal and finding Emmelin’s statue reminded me that I have a pre-destined mission to stand up and support women in business, sports, equality and life.
Like so many other Americans, mothers, Catholics and compassionate people, the Mexican border crisis has bothered me. I simply do not understand why and how our government can allow such inhumane treatment to families especially mothers who I identify with the most. I was raised to be a generous and compassionate woman welcoming everyone at our dinner table – single mothers, priests, gay artists, African American student teachers, deaf students, and even homeless, toothless men. I was gifted and shown what a compassionate heart looks and acts like. This is the America I wish I lived in now.
The feminist in me believes with 100% certainty that until we have more than 50% women as politicians in our country, we will not be able to change the world, politics and policies for the better. There needs to be a female voice at the table, in board rooms, in congress, in office and when policies are being made to bring a kinder, gentler, more female focused, open hearted, compassionate and intelligent way to run this country and world.
I tell people that I vote “PINK” and I do. I vote for as many female politicians as I can especially those I trust and believe can make a difference locally, regionally and nationally. If I could vote Internationally, I would vote for women too. If I was around when Emmeline Pankhurst was working so hard for women’s right to vote, I’m positive I would have joined her efforts.
So today I ask you to please consider supporting female politicians, leaders and committee members first and foremost so we can even out the state of affairs bringing more compassion, intellect and feminine light into the world. We need women!
P.S. If you live in Onondaga County, SouthWestern Oswego County or Cayuga County and you are a registered Democrat, please vote in the Democratic Primary for Juanita Perez Williams to run against the Republican incumbent in November. First of all, we MUST exercise our right to vote and second Juanita is someone I believe in to represent CNY well. She has experience, expertise, schooling and knowledge to fight for us. #VoteJuanita. Thank you.
Miracle Moments in Business
Inspiration and Wisdom for Women Entrepreneurs, Female Business Owners and Small Businesses
Two years ago today I was driving on a winding road through the beautiful lush green Adirondack tree lined roads. As I entered the quaint village of Lake Placid, Mirror Lake greeting me at its entrance. I had arrived just in time to catch the water sparkle before nightfall. The soft sounds of lapping water lulled me after the four hour drive; but the energy of being in a town of Olympic pride ignited me.
I was in Lake Placid to deliver a keynote speech entitled “The 5 M&M’s of Leadership Success” to a New York State Association of Tax Receivers to motivate them. I didn’t want to admit I had barely passed tax accounting in college so I concentrated instead on sharing the “sweet morsels” of leadership success which included one strategy titled “Embracing Your Personal Mission Statement and Miracle Moments.”
Obviously the city of Lake Placid can be a deep reservoir of inspiration if you imagine how many Olympians must have had personal mission statements in order to win medals there. Lake Placid was home to the 1932 Olympics and the 1980 Olympics. It is impossible to be in that historic town and not be inspired by the “Miracle on Ice” which occurred on February 22, 1980 when the USA defeated the Soviet Union. I wondered if each hockey player had a personal goal of making the Olympics and what that Miracle Moment did for those players that changed the course of their life.
As I encouraged attendees to think back to one or more “miracle moments” that inspired them to become leaders. I pose the same question to you today “Was there a moment of injustice, inequality, inspiration or a situation that actually was your own miracle moment?” We might not think about this question often but if we do and write down our moment and it can be inspiration on days when other people doubt or disagree with us, and we wonder why we do what we do every day to change the world with our business or life.
Today I encourage you to think about your own miracle moments which made you who you are as a woman entrepreneur, community leader or business professional. Take time on this beautiful June day to think back on moments that shaped you. After you remember your moments craft a short personal mission statement that reflects the lessons from those moments and keep it on your desk for the next month to inspire you forward.
We don’t have to be Olympians to recognize the miracle moments in our own lives. When we do remember them it is as if we had a shiny gold Olympic medal hanging around our neck reminding us of the journey we’ve taken and the successes we have accomplished.
Passion = Activism
Inspiration and Wednesday Wisdom for Women Entrepreneurs and Female Business Professionals
The television has never been an essential part of my life thanks to my mother and father who preferred for my sister and I to go outside and enjoy sports as much as we could. For a certain part of my youth, we didn’t have a television because my parents didn’t think we needed one. I never minded because I lived on a lake and could always bike 5 miles to my grandparent’s house if I really wanted to see something on the tube. The habit is hard wired into my spirit.
Last night I told my husband I had to watch the Rachel Maddow Show to catch up on the immigrant crisis at the Mexico border. He rolled his eyes and said, “You and your politics.” to which I said, “Honey, you can’t ignore what’s happening in the world especially to young children being separated from their parents. Remember I stayed home and ran a business so I could be with our two sons while they grew? We thought that was essential for their development.” He went back to reading for a few minutes until I blurted out, “By the way, I’m an activist. I have always been one and will always be one especially if there is a topic related to women.”
The next morning as I changed the quote on my inspirational calendar the passage said, “No more as is. Change the world.” I took the quote with me as I ran in the coolness of the morning dew along Onondaga Lake Parkway and thought about my statement to my husband about activism. I think there is a profound difference between being involved in politics and being an activist. The two are intertwined but not everyone who fights for the rights of people are in politics and not all politicians actively fight for every issue. I believe when we are born, we are given a unique mind, soul and voice meant to use and serve us and the world well. It is up to us to take the best actions to breathe change into the community and issues we are most passionate about. As you know, women have and always will be the most important topic in my professional and personal life.
Whether you are involved in watching the world news and the Immigrant crisis or not, I ask that you do one thing for me to help me with my mission in the world and it’s pretty simple:
“I hope you support and buy from women entrepreneurs first and foremost. If you are voting, please vote for women so American policies reflect 52% of the American population. Cheer on female athletes as much as you support male athletes. Lastly, support girls and young women until they are lifted up to the possibilities of greatness. We need more female voices and faces at all tables to help bring justice, equality and peace to our world.”
On this Wednesday Wisdom please think about the quote “No More As Is. Change the World.” Take an hour to think about ways you can be an activist in areas related to your business, professional life or community. Is there more you can do to help women and girls advance? Who inspires you to get more involved with local, national or international issues? Is now the time for you to step up your activism and get involved?
Remember Women TIES has a Women’s Athletic Network, Women TIES Equality Division and our overall Business Division. We are looking for active volunteers in the athletic and equality divisions. Ask us how you can get more involved in any areas of our mission which is “Women Supporting Women in Business, Sports, Equality and Life.” We need to keep turning the world a glorious color pink.
Saying Good-Bye To A Customer Must Be Done Right
Inspiration and Monday Motivation for Women Entrepreneurs and Female Business Owners
As a cruise ship pulls away from a dock loaded with passengers setting off on a voyage, friends and family wave good-bye and cheer them on. When loved ones are departing from an airport, well wishes abound as family send them off on their journey. Even at funerals, a respectful adieu is bid by those who once knew the person who passed away. Ending any relationship with the proper words and demonstrations of good will are necessary for both parties in every situation in life.
In business, we must think about ending good – and even not so good – customer relationships with respect. A couple years ago after 19 years of giving my business to a private e-mail service, they decided they were getting out of the business, I was turned down for assistance in the last forty eight hours when a major issue appeared as I tried to create a new email for my existing business. I was very disappointed this 19 year old business relationship ended this way.
It produced some business wisdom and customer service thoughts to share with my readers:
* Remember a client is a client until the final moment a contract, service agreement or relationship ends. No matter how soon you might want to get out of a connection to a customer, you should respect the business and the agreement and offer assistance until the moment the contract expires.
* With emotions set aside, review the work and money you collected from the customer analyzing the positive influence the business relationship had on your company and bottom line. Don’t let emotions influence the business association you had by ending the relationship or work for the client too early. One wrong decision can negatively influence this customer’s testimonies to others.
* Not every business affiliation works out perfectly. Every entrepreneur faces criticism and harsh judgment over their career. Make sure to always walk away from any good or bad relationship with lessons learned and ways to improve or change future business bonds with other customers or vendors.
It’s important to make sure when you say “good bye” to a customer you treat them with the same enthusiastic fanfare as the crowds near the cruise ship wishing them safe passage into their future. It’s the best thing to do for not only them, but you too.
Glow From New Female Business Sessions and Lessons
Inspiration, wisdom and Thursday Thoughts for Women Entrepreneurs, Females and Women Facing Health Issues
I sat down this afternoon at my son’s favorite Thai restaurant where we gathered for a quick dinner when he was a Syracuse University student. Seeing his face over a bowl of coconut milk, tofu, peas and basil warmed my heart and his belly. Although we lived in the same town where he went to college, I made a pledge I would not intrude on his college life by dropping in for a visit. I think that was most important to him his freshman and sophomore year but as he “aged” and understood the boundaries were established and lived well we would have impromptu mother/son lunches.
Today was an average Thursday afternoon with a longing to see, my now New York City working son who traveled to Europe with me a couple weeks ago, so I ventured to a place with memories. Perhaps Anthony Bourdain’s example of loving what you eat also rested in my soul after watching some of his memorable travel food shows after he laid his soul to rest. It was comfort I was seeking over a warm bowl of Thai soup.
I was dressed in my bright pink Women TIES “Women Supporting Women” shirt, matching pink hat to hide my alopecia, and pink glasses along with pink nail polish and pink lipstick. I sound like a prima donna writing this description but it was my brand I was wearing with pride. An older waitress came up to me and said after taking my order, “You are glowing!” She mentioned how my colors coordinated and how blissful I seemed. I smiled at her gift of words and thought how ironic she said that because I wore all my pink to cover up my health condition and I was missing my son.
As I waited for my tea and meal, I revisited the two hour Time Line Therapy and Hypnosis session I had just come from with Women TIES member Val Cook in a beautiful office in a Whole Mental Wellness Center in the South of Syracuse. I had been to the building before but only in the upstairs level where my endocrinologist’s office was years ago trying to help treat the same issue. Coming from an uncle, cousins and son in the traditional medical fields, I always seek support in traditional medicine first but also allow myself to supplement with different holistic treatments.
Val’s office setting was so comforting and her beautiful soft peaceful voice calmed me as she introduced me to her background, work and our two hour session we would be doing together. As the leader of women entrepreneurs, it is hard to be vulnerable to a member when seeking treatment because of professional relationships; but I promised myself during my medical health journey with alopecia and autoimmune issues I would be open to all modalities. I followed Val’s voice and found myself two hours later feeling very rested, healed from past emotions and I suppose “glowing” from the discoveries. I’m not sure I have ever been called glowing before by a stranger but if words speak the truth, Val’s session produced that affect on me.
Today’s Thursday Thought is one of profound positive energy from my glowing spirit to yours. Sometimes we need to be open to different ways to heal, improve or support our logical, strong minded opinion and let others show us other ways to think, see or experience our lives. It takes trusting in people we meet and taking the first step to try the services they offer in whatever aspect of life or business we are struggling with. I personally believe women are the best people to do business with especially if you are a woman because we have so much in common and feel similar emotions. I think they understand us and can serve us best.
Remember by opening your mind to doing business with other women you have met, might just open the door to a healthier, more glowing way of living your life. Give yourself the gift of being in the company of other healing, smart and experienced women whenever you need it.
NOTE: You can contact Val Cook, a personal growth specialist, BCH, NLP & TLT and her Val Cook Coaching & More, Solutions, LLC at http://www.valcook.net or by calling 315-505-8577. Val is offering a Hypnosis For You Women TIES Member Discount through July 27th!
Women TIES 