Inspiration for women, female runners, women in business
On May 27, 2018 I am joining an International Team of female runners on the beautiful shores and hillside of Devon, England to run in the Women Can Marathon. Instead of running the full marathon, I am running 6.5 miles of an International women’s relay team with teammates from England, Switzerland and Malta. I am excited to wear my American buff while I run with my International sisters to complete this women-only race during the countries 100th Anniversary of women’s right to vote. Our medal will be in the shape of a voting box. If you follow me you know I can’t wait to have that medal in my collection because of my feminist spirit and work in pay inequality as it relates to women entrepreneurs.
While American women were celebrating International Women’s Day in communities this year, with the freedom to choose activities they wanted to partake in, an ocean away a group of Saudi women exercised a new freedom by embarking on their first jog together through city streets. Saudi women are not the only women restricted from the joy of running, many women do not run because they are restricted in their marital lives, encounter harassment while they run or are fearful to begin or run alone.
This comes to no surprise to relatively new non-for profit organization 261 Fearless, a global supportive social running network which empowers women to connect and take control of their lives through the freedom gained by running. The organization hopes to grow communities throughout Central New York, New York State and the United States of America.
Established in 2015, 261 Fearless Inc. was founded by pioneer runner, Syracuse University graduate and 2018 Syracuse University Commencement Speaker Kathrine Switzer. Switzer was the first woman to official enter the Boston Marathon in 1967 when women weren’t allowed to participate in major races. Switzer wore bib number 261 which has become synonymous with fearlessness.
Photo by Horst Van Bolen
Tracy Chamberlain Higginbotham, Syracuse resident and President of Women TIES, LLC, has been affiliated with 261 Fearless, Inc. since 2015 when she was invited by Switzer to join her, Edith Zuschmann of Austria, CEO of the organization, and thirteen other International and American women in New York City for its launch. “My love for running and supporting women for twenty years led me to participate with 261 Fearless at its inception in the United States and now I want to share the empowerment I witnessed when women conquer their fears and run in a 261 Fearless community,” states Chamberlain Higginbotham.
261 Fearless Team Bloomington Normal IL
Ann Martin of Victor, New York recently became a 261 Fearless Coach because of her love of running combined with her 38 years as a Physical Education teacher. She states, “Running has given me so much including a positive outlook, a healing path in tough times, a social network, an avenue to continue to compete even as I age.” Martin retires from teaching the end of June and hopes to extend her experience through 261 Fearless to women in the Rochester and Finger Lakes area.
There are numerous ways women can get involved with 261 Fearless, Inc. by becoming a Club Director or Coach through the organization’s educational training program, becoming a member of a club or joining the organization’s friend program that provides access to the global women’s network and opportunities. For more information on getting involved visit http://www.261Fearless.org or locally reach Chamberlain Higginbotham at 315-708-4288
261 and 261 Fearless are trademark-protected brands, with registrations in the United States and throughout the world. Any use of these brands without the express written authorization from 261 Fearless, Inc. for each such use is strictly prohibited.
Inspiration for women, women entrepreneurs and working women
My work day began with a beautiful note from a dedicated sponsor of my company Women TIES, Bonnie Rosen Rozen (no misspelling there!). She responded to yesterday’s weekly Wednesday Wisdom by sending a beautiful account of her personal background obtaining a flexible job so she could be available for her daughters while they grew. She also shared her mother’s incredible history of working as her father’s bookkeeper and advisor for his business so she could stay home with Bonnie and her two sisters. My story inspired her to recall her own.
Yesterday afternoon as I was enjoying lunch with my 84 year old aunt our conversation started focusing on her mother, my grandmother, especially as Mother’s Day Weekend was approaching. We discussed my grandmother’s quietness about talking about her background and family. My grandmother’s unwillingness to share her family history has left a hole in what we know about her side of the family and we don’t know why. We believe there was an American Indian link to the family since my grandmother, her brothers and my father look Native American but we don’t know that for sure. My aunt remembers seeing a photo of an Indian woman standing next to a soldier in a family photo.
As we dreamed about the generations of women we both would never know because that is how history happens, we wondered the great women we will never know were in our family. Could it be the sparkling blue eyes of my Aunt came from a distant female relative since no one else in her family has blue eyes? Could my feminist spirit sprung from another woman in our family that fought for equality in her lifetime? We have searched for more history on my grandmother’s background but simply can’t find it; we only have the photo with no dialogue or links to her past.
The conversation reminded me about the importance of women keeping their maiden names in their formal name so when future generations wonder about us they can discover who we are and what we did in our lives and careers. It is a reason I officially go by “Tracy Chamberlain Higginbotham” because I don’t want to be lost in history if my great great granddaughters want to learn about my entrepreneurial and women focused career. Being Catholic, I was baptized with my other Aunt’s name and choose my mother’s maiden name as my confirmation name so I am really “Tracy Elaine Lauri Chamberlain Higginbotham” My name is saturated with a generation of wonderful women I respect, love and cherish and I am proud of that every day.
This Mother’s Day instead of giving your mother a gift of flowers or a dinner certificate, think about using your maiden, middle or confirmation name more often especially if it gives tribute to a favorite female in your history. Anyone can formally change their name so if you feel strongly about not being lost in history, give yourself and future generations a gift by adding your maiden name to your formal name.
Another idea is to buy a journal and sit down with generational women you care about this weekend jotting down personal stories and memories of the women (and men if you want) in their lives for a keepsake. I gleaned some new historical lessons yesterday that I already shared with my siblings so they won’t be lost and I have written them down. Why not honor the women in your family by asking them for personal stories to cherish forever.
P.S. Bonnie Rozen Rosen got lucky and married someone with a similar last name but different spelling. Lucky her.
Inspiration for women entrepreneurs, working mothers, women in business
My mother and aunt weaved old fashion Italian career expectations of homemaker and mother to include entrepreneurs. The women’s liberation movement emerged in the late 1960s through the 1970’s in the United States. This was a time when women’s roles were changing as more women entered college, modern advances required more household income leading to two income households and equality was bubbling up in societal causes.
For the first time many more women had an opportunity to apply to college, graduate and enter the workforce. My mother was the first women in her family to do so when she left for SUNY Cortland in 1959 to become a Physical Education teacher and coach. She loved the liberty and opportunities that faced her although her traditional father did not agree with her choice. She graduated in 1963 the year before I was born and by late 1960s-early 70s owned two businesses with my father while teaching and coaching.
The next generations of women graduated with college degrees and had choices whether to stay home with their children, work full time, part time or become entrepreneurs. The choices were bountiful and diverse. I thought I would be one of those 1982 Wall Street career women after landing my first job in Philadelphia in an Investment Banking firm. I loved the idea of climbing the ladder to higher positions and salaries. Then one day I realized my future husband would never move to Philadelphia so I moved to Syracuse found another job in higher education and got married. I guess my Italian roots needed to take hold somewhere closer to home.
I honestly believed I would return to the job I loved at Le Moyne College until December 10, 1991 at 21:21 p.m. when I looked into the biggest brown eyes you can imagine and fell instantly in love with my first son. Climbing the ladder disappeared in an instant. I never guessed I could be so smitten by one human being but I was. I returned to work eight weeks later as a full time employee only to convince my boss one month later to split my job in half so I could work part time doing what I loved and being a mother at the same time. It was the perfect solution until my second son was born three years later and my heart almost burst open like the Grinch in the Grinch Who Stole Christmas movie. I soon realized I needed to become an entrepreneur so I could be a full time mother and professional career woman at the same time on my own terms.
As Mother’s Day approaches this weekend, I hope you stop and reminisce about the role your mother or female role models have played in your life. If you are a mother and running a business, think of all the blessings you have received by being and doing both. This Wednesday Wisdom wishes you the most glorious Mother’s Day with one hand on your business and your eyes on the children you love.
We are a privileged generation of women with freedom and equality increasing in our professional lives. Count your blessings because there isn’t anything better in the world than being a female entrepreneur with a beautiful family to support and love us. Enjoy your weekend my friends.
Being Tenacious Is the Way to Live and Work
Inspiration and Monday Motivation for Women and Women Entrepreneurs
Being tenacious is one of the best qualities anyone can have. It has served me well in so many areas of my life including sticking firmly to my business plan opening my second business, persisting in finishing the Boston Marathon in under six hours to get the medal and facing personal medical challenges. I’ll be honest with you this Monday morning, I woke up took a look at my almost bald head (and I’m a 53 year old woman) felt a lowering of my spirit happen then walked into my business office looked outside saw the really hilly neighborhood road and decided after a couple calls I was going to run farther today than I have before on this road. Yup, that is what tenacity means to me – not giving up and giving in to challenges.
Of course there are some days when I get up look in that mirror and feel sorry for myself and go in my office and write out my sad emotions and stick inside but for the most part this health challenge is motivating me to do more than I have before when it comes to situations in my personal life. I’m working on the ideas and changes for my business life but that will wait for a few more months until I am done with my sabbatical.
I committed in December to travel to England for the first time to run in an all woman’s marathon called the “Women Can Marathon” in Devon, England. One strand, by one strand as my hair fell out I doubted whether I could still go on the trip. I had a great excuse to give up because like most women I am worried what people might think when they see me running bald with my Boston Marathon hat on. But then that tenacity resurfaced and the next thing I knew I was telling my teammates about my condition and they embraced me and said, “Come anyway and run with us.”
I know the Women Can Marathon is going to be a challenge since the beautiful, seaside, hilly terrain is something I have never run on before but the views look amazing and will propel me forward just like running with my teammates from Switzerland, Malta and England. I bought an American Flag buff to wear on my head and show off my American pride. Just buying that and envisioning myself representing the USA on Team 261 Fearless as I run empowers me. Small acts of tenacity will change any negative mindset.
On this Monday, I hope my example of tenacity will infuse in your spirit and give you the capability of persisting forward in light of difficulty whether it is in your entrepreneurial or personal life. When we are tenacious, we stick firmly to a decision or plan without doubting it.
Planting Business Ideas
Inspiration and Wednesday Wisdom for Women Entrepreneurs and Female Business Owners
I woke this beautiful warm spring morning to a message from a dear friend who is traveling in my favorite state of Maine where memories of my father and beloved JB lie in the seashore’s sand, ocean waves and tall mighty pine trees . Having never been to this region of the country, I shared with her some of my favorite places including a Franciscan Monastery with walking trails and an outdoor sanctuary to Mother Mary, a favorite restaurant overlooking the sea marsh with exceptional lobster bisque and a winding trail next to a harbor I run every morning on my vacations. I was gifted with views of these favorite places unexpectedly this morning as I rose. What a start to the day!
My friend is a very gifted, intuitive woman who vibrates energetically at my same level. A number of years ago I asked her to conduct a special visioning session she does with clients to help me see into my spirit and future. Within the session, I witnessed myself doing things in the future related to my business I had not thought of before. Only within this contemplative journey did I see something to look for. This morning she sent me a sign from Maine related to that visual session that reminded me when seeds are sown in our mind, they eventually spring into action.
Writing a business plan is another contemplative tool for women entrepreneurs to use especially as they begin their companies or are in the midst of one as the business road curves and winds. With a business plan the entrepreneur must also envision, create and vocalize their intentions into a document to remember what they have seen and want to plan. Typing out a commerce document isn’t nearly as fun as delving into the depths of a mind to extract a vision but it can be especially this time of year when we witness the bald earth growing its grass in the beauty of the warming air and sun reminding us our positive thoughts produce outcomes.
I am sure today you want to abandon desk work to be outside and embrace this beautiful day. I suggest if you do contemplate the vision you hold for your future and take a pad of paper and pen and write down what you see leaving the computer behind. Sometimes going back to basics like holding a pen and seeing our own handwriting injects the ideas more solidly in our mind. Sitting or strolling in nature’s elements can also open creative and intuitive vibes ready to be felt, seen and heard to remind us of dreams we have inside. Abandon the traditional way you work today to take in the beauty of the day and its gifts.
Today’s Wednesday Wisdom is to remind you the seeds you plant today will sprout in the near future if you take time to nurture them. Take a minute and think back to a time when a dream or vision for your business turned into reality. Perhaps the outcome didn’t sprout right up or develop as fast as planned; but it did in its own time. I refer to that as “divine timing.” It happens in both our personal and business lives if we let it.
Perhaps today find time to acknowledge the perfect timing of a dream or goal when it arrives one morning unexpectedly. Like me, you’ll be enriched when it appears reminding you to trust in yourself and what life has in store.
Courage Runs Deep
Inspiration, Wisdom and Monday Motivation about Courage for Women Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses
It was simply gorgeous weather as the warm Southerly breezes lapped the Chesapeake Bay on the shores of the Naval Academy grounds. My sister took me there sharing the secret gathering place near the historic bay town of Annapolis with its quaint shops peppered with tourists and navy officers in their dress whites. We passed the Navy lacrosse team playing Rutgers in a close spring game and watched a sailing competition of white sailed ships in the bay. It was a glorious day experiencing the change in season for the first time in its warmth and glory.
I held onto my wig, a new accessory I was wearing for the first time; in light of my alopecia back again after a ten year hiatus. I had been wearing my Boston Marathon hat with an itsy bitsy pony tail out the back just to prove I had hair still but my family though I should be ‘brave” and wear the wig out in public. With my handsome husband and two equally attractive sons, my sister and niece with the fullest heads of hair you can imagine and my brother-in-law with some baldness at my side, I knew I could “fake it until I made it” in town and eventually at a 5 star restaurant for my niece’s confirmation dinner. I wanted to look as normal as I could for them, not for me.
The revered Naval Academy had beautiful stone monuments along our bayside walk with a couple itched with slogans that spoke to this personal moment. One read, “Courage Runs Deep” and the other one just said “Courage.” It was if the heavens above knew I needed to be reminded I was tackling my own level of courage in the day. I was also quickly humbled in the moment remembering the importance of personal courage and dedication to be in the Armed Forces compared to my illness.
I know a multitude of women who display courage in everyday life. Some of them are battling life threatening diseases, running businesses after a loved one dies, starting a new enterprise hoping it produces much needed money, selling it to move on with a new career adventure or running for public office to change the world. I’m not sure any woman could get up and face the day without some level of courage. Sometimes we only need enough courage to get out of bed and other times we need a lifetime of courage to propel us forward to face a situation. We are lucky courage can ebb and flow, when we need it, like the bay waves in the Annapolis.
I hope if you are reading this blog post today and an abundant amount of courage is needed to face a business or personal issue, you unearth it and remember that just like the Naval Academy monuments stated “Courage Runs Deep” and you will survive anything big or small if you believe in the endless well of bravery that lies in your soul. It is there waiting for you to gather a bucket of and bring it to the surface.
Don’t forget to glimpse into the lives of people you care about to see how they face their situations with courage and allow it to motivate and uplift you into unknown or unfamiliar situations that help you to keep living life to the fullest.
Gratitude for Clients
Inspiration for Women Entrepreneurs, Female Business Owners, and Small Businesses in New York State
For a couple years now, I have purchased and listened to Oprah and Deepka Chopra’s 21 Day Meditation series. The one I’m re-listening to today is called “Manifesting Grace Through Gratitude.” The peaceful music and mantras are great for well-being and positive energy.
Oprah said today, “Gratitude opens up a space of light in every experience. Actually it lights up the light and path for grace to flow.” She reminds listeners Pope Francis said, “Grace is not knowledge or reason; but rather grace is the amount of light in our souls.”
I felt an overwhelming amount of gratitude yesterday as I shared a very personal and honest video message with my cherished members about my current medical sabbatical dealing with a non-life threatening condition but one that is taking me visually out of my business for awhile since I have lost 90% of my hair. I have always been an honest and open person so it felt right to speak into a camera and reach them through a more personal means of communication.
This morning as I awoke to read over 22 heartwarming written responses from the video message I was enveloped in a cushion of kindness from women I work with that included messages of love, support, and offers of visits. If grace is the amount of light in our souls, I am full of abundant grace this morning from the light these women – actually customers – brought to me. I know my feelings for them transcend Wall Street business protocol but I don’t care because in my mind the best type of clients are not only the ones you serve with ultimate customer service and respect, but ones with feelings of gratitude for you and your work.
Today’s Wednesday Wisdom should inspire you to think of the answers to the following questions. How do you feel about your current clients? Do they inspire you every day to do better for them or improve services or products to meet their needs? Are you actively fostering a win-win relationship for both of you? Do you speak how you feel about them so they know you care about your relationship? We don’t need to wait until Bosses Day, Thanksgiving or Valentine’s Day to express our gratitude or feelings for clients. Figure out where you are lacking or over compensating in your customer service relationships to make them better.
I might just be someone who feels so darned blessed to be working with amazing women that I can’t help but pour my heart out to them at times when I feel the love, gratitude or grace; but entrepreneurship to me wouldn’t be worth the effort if I didn’t have customers on the other end who wanted to receive what I have to offer in all aspects of doing business with me.
The Six P’s to a Life of Extraordinary Design
Inspiration and wisdom for women entrepreneurs, females and small business owners
Inspiration and motivation come from unexpected sources. One never knows if what they are reading, listening to or viewing will touch a chord within them that vibrates unexpectedly and loud. I think it’s what makes life so unbelievable.
Friday I was listening to a meditation during my medical sabbatical which said at the beginning of the fifteen minute reflection, “Everyone, including you, can have a life of extraordinary design.” As I entered the mediation with water bubbling in the background like a fresh spring stream, I thought first to myself, “I have already lived a life of extraordinary design as an entrepreneur making each day the way I wanted it to be with the best people, customers and friends by my side; and with adventure in my passion for running and sports.” A knowing calm made my skin rise with goose bumps.
As the meditation continued and I thought of my current state of being away from my business, for three weeks already trying to take care of myself waiting for my health condition to improve and stay connected to the women I love, I started thinking what I could do with the rest of the sabbatical to keep crafting a life of extraordinary design during and after this temporary pause in my career life path. When the soft sounding bell rang to end the meditation, I took a pen and immediately wrote the origins of a three year plan that surfaced in my 15 minutes of quiet and calm. The words I wrote were “preparation, planning, platform, pitch, practice and performance.” I’m not quite ready to divulge what the end goal is by 2020 but I can tell you the thought of the dream shimmered into my mind like golden stardust.
Today’s Monday Motivation lesson might inspire you to complete these six P’s and apply them to your life whether its starting a new interest like painting or singing, training to run a half marathon, starting a new part of your current business model or anything else that graces your mind and heart. Anyone can prepare for a more extraordinary life if they realize they aren’t living it right now and want to change course. It can also be for anyone interested in a new challenge.
I think those six P’s can take you anywhere. I’ll let you know where my six P’s take me in a few more months when all is good! I promise.
Achieving Your End Goal
Inspiration and Wednesday Wisdom for Women Entrepreneurs, Female Business Owners and Women Runners
(041618 Boston, MA) Women’s winner Desiree Linden celebrates with an American flag as she crosses the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday,April 16, 2018. Staff Photo by Nancy Lane
Monday as 30,000 people demonstrated their true spirit and depth of soul to run in the worst weather conditions in Boston Marathon history, I witnessed the miracle of humans living up to their dream of accomplishing what only 1% of the people in the world experience….completing a marathon. Through the brilliance of technology, both on television and live streaming through the Internet, I witnessed Desi Linden, the first American woman to win the Boston Marathon in 33 years, cross the finish line. I recognized Desi immediately having met her at a VIP event in San Antonio in December at the Rock and Roll Marathon events I attended for 261 Fearless. I only said, “Hello” as I shook her hand but I remember her eyes and smile and was grateful technology allowed me to witness her crossing the finish line.
What I learned most by watching Desi yesterday was the statement she gave to the reporter. She told him she almost gave up running the marathon around the 2-3 mile marker because she didn’t feel great. What? Almost gave up? I only thought average runners like me had tough running days when giving up seemed like a good idea. I didn’t know marathon runners wanted to give up on historic race days. Did you? We can live so much inside our own heads that we forget that there are women just like us partaking in activities that challenge them the same way we are challenged. I can tell you the next time I think of giving up on a race or practice day before the three mile mark, I’m going to remember the Boston Marathon golden crown adorning Desi’s head and tell myself it is only a fleeting thought.
Not only runners, but women in business can feel this way too. There are days when we arise ready to conquer the world with our work and by 10 a.m. we want to go back to bed. We wake up with passionate enthusiasm to tackle duties with diligence and then one negative email or disruptive phone call sinks our spirits and we’re ready to jump under the covers for the entire day. What if you knew what was waiting for you at the end of the business day just like Desi had waiting for her at the end of the Boston Marathon? Would you quit or would you continue pushing yourself and work harder? I guess what I’m asking you is how dedicated are you to your end game or your end goal every day you work?
If there was one thing I learned as I worked on my business during my training for the Boston Marathon last year was the perspective needed to expand my thinking, work load and abilities to incorporate regular business duties along with long training runs. I had to build time into my schedule to do both. When you commit to a really big personal or business goal, you need to have an effective time management plan to accomplish it. In the world of social media, it is easy to waste time on mediocre activities when we could spend direct time pursing a bigger objective. I’m learning this as I write about a 1000 words a day towards a book or speech during my medical sabbatical. Marathoners know you must put in the “miles” (or the “hours”) to win the big one. Do entrepreneurs know the same thing?
Today’s Wednesday Wisdom is to inspire you to set or remember a big audacious goal established for 2018 and then build the time and framework around your aspiration. It has only been only four months since you set resolutions on New Year’s Day. What are you doing daily to accomplish one of those resolutions? Do you need more structure to the process? Do you need inspiration from others to get moving? What is limiting your thoughts or actions? Are you ready to start again and frame the work needed to achieve the goal into your regular duties?
I can tell you I have never been more proud of myself than finishing the biggest challenges I set up for myself whether it is in business, sports or life. I wish the same feeling for you too so keep your head in the race, set and finish your goals and be proud of the challenges you accomplish.
Success Strategies for Women Entrepreneurs
In February 2015 I was interviewed by Stan Linhorst of Syracuse.com for his Sunday column “CNY Conversations” about leaders in the Syracuse community. Stan knew I wrote a bi-weekly column in the Syracuse Post Standard for 11 years. I was approaching the 10th Anniversary of my company Women TIES.
I had forgotten about this interview until it appeared on a website search today. I thought since new people follow my blog but don’t know much about me, this would enlighten my followers.
INTERVIEW:
Q: You successfully founded companies and you bring women entrepreneurs together. Were you an entrepreneur or in leadership roles growing up?
I was one of those raise-your-hands students in classrooms. To be the sixth-grade graduation speaker in elementary school, you had to stand in front of your classmates and tell them why you should be selected. It was me and two boys. I won! I was also the No. 1 salesperson selling yearbook ads in junior high school. In high school, I was treasurer of National Honor Society. Even back then, I was somebody who raised their hand.
Q: Where do you think that came from?
I always had female leaders in front of me and around me. My mother and father owned their own business. My aunt owned her own business and still works in her business today.
Q: Tell me about your family growing up.
My parents were Physical Education teachers — hence my love for sports at an early age. Both came out of Cortland State. They ended up in Rome, which is where my mom was from. My mom, I think, was one of the first female coaches for a boys’ team. She was this short Italian woman, who was always sure and believed she could do it.
They owned a ski shop called the Schuss Ski Shop. They got divorced and had to sell the business. I was young around fourth grade.
My father remarried someone who had three girls. I was the oldest. We were separated by about a year. So 14, 13, 12, 10 and then 8. Together my dad and my stepmother had another girl and two boys. So I am the oldest of eight all combined. I was a leader in that aspect of my life too! I love coming from a big family.
Q: What tips would you give someone moving into a leadership position?
1. I’ll talk from an entrepreneurial standpoint. You have to be knowledgeable about the field you’re in. It helps to be an expert within your field.
2. Have education behind you. Continuing to educate yourself is an important part of leadership.
3. Find collaborative partners in your field, people that can help you learn or promote or connect and you do the same for them.
4. Having a personal mission statement helps you lead. When it comes to entrepreneurship, it helps to know what contribution you truly want to make by what you’re doing.
Q: What is your personal mission statement
To help as many women entrepreneurs as I can become more financially successful.
I’ll give you an example about that. I asked a woman who owns a number of car dealerships in Rochester to speak at an event. We didn’t know each other, but she said, sure, I’ll be glad to speak. I’m standing up and explaining the mission of women trying to buy from more women. She was looking at me and I couldn’t figure out if she liked what I was saying or not. She got up to speak and said: Tracy, in all of the years that I’ve been in business — and it was hard coming up through a male-dominated field — I’ve never thought of giving business to women. I will do that from now on.
Q: You’ve encouraged many women entrepreneurs. What tips would you give somebody who wants to start their own business?
I didn’t have a business plan when I started Five Star Events (my first company). So when I started Women TIES ten years later than Five Star Events, I knew that I needed the business plan first.
You really need to crunch the numbers, do the research and do a SWOT analysis — SWOT is strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Look at your numbers, a competitive analysis of who is in the market place and where you fit. You have to do the planning to eventually be successful.
The thing that I probably promote the most is market, market, market, promote, promote, public relations. A lot of entrepreneurs start and they’ve got to do a lot of things. But they need to be promoting their business. If nobody knows you exist, how are you going to get business?
You have to have an online presence and social media. You have to feel comfortable advertising, marketing and promoting your business.
You need collaborative partners. Find other companies within your industry. Even in a competitive field you can find people who are collaborative in spirit, who understand that there is a larger pie of sales to go around, that are willing to help.
Another thing that has become a stronger focus for me is sales. When it comes to asking people for money, I don’t think it’s just women that don’t love doing it.
A woman spoke at one of my events and one of the important things she said was: Go for the noes, don’t go for the yeses. Have a tally and say, “I’m not going to stop my sales day until I get 10 or 20 noes.” When you get your first yes, you think, OK, good, I got that one today and I’m done.
If you’re going for the noes, you’re in it for a longer period of time. If you get the rejections up front, you realize it’s just part of the process.
Q: Rejection can be difficult to take?
It is, emotionally, because you’re so tied into and in love with your business concept and idea. I went to a number of sales training programs, because I knew it had to be a focus of what I was doing.
Q: To succeed, you need to innovate. How do you spark innovation in an organization?
For me, innovation comes from customers asking for something that I didn’t offer. If I have enough customers asking for something or to do a different type of program or to do a webinar, and I have enough of them asking, then I know that’s something I need to do. It’s being innovative, creating a service that answers that call.
Q: You become innovative by listening to your customers?
I started the Women’s Athletic Network when I noticed how many women at my events were talking about athletics and fitness and exercise. It wasn’t that anybody was telling me that they wanted it, but I noticed the interest.
Q: Can anyone be an entrepreneur?
No. You have to have a passion or desire to do it — to create or to serve. And then, the confidence to be able to do it.
“CNY Conversations” feature Q&A interviews about leadership, success, and innovation. The conversations are condensed and edited. To suggest a leader for CNY Conversations, contact Stan Linhorst at StanLinhorst@gmail.com.
Women TIES 