Women Entrepreneurs – Dream Big
Inspiration and wisdom for women entrepreneurs, female business owners and small business owners
This is a repost from January 2016 but it was a really uplifting one and I loved the “wisdom” in the fourth paragraph. I hope it inspires you today to dream big.
Hearts are racing, hope is mounting, and dreams are brewing as the anticipation grows for tonight’s $1.5 billion dollar Powerball jackpot. I am positive high on the list of any Central New York winners waking up this morning might be escaping today’s arctic blast for the rest of the winter in the Bahamas or buying a second house in Hawaii where the winter winds don’t blow.
Tucked in the dreams of an entrepreneur winning the jackpot might be the same as the non-business owner or it might be filled with a long list of improvements to their company, hiring staff, buying the latest technology, and serving a much larger audience. Perhaps their dreams would include starting a non-profit foundation, donating money to cure cancer or financing the dreams of other people they care about. We would feel unbelievable if we could do all the things a billion dollar jackpot could provide to us.
If the numbers on your lotto ticket are not the perfect match to every red ball rolling out of the jackpot machine tonight, it doesn’t mean you can’t start some of your billion dollar dreams. We might not be able to give as much away or help as many people, but if those items were important to us before we landed the incredible sum of money, why can’t we budget some time and resources this year to do them anyway just on a smaller scale.
Today I challenge you right now to write down the list of things you would do with the billion dollar jackpot to boost your business, support more customers, serve clients better, give to important community efforts, and support funding for health related causes close to your heart. When you awake tomorrow morning perhaps not rolling in the billion dollar dough, I hope you will seriously consider doing what is on your list. We really don’t need $1.5 billion dollars to make a difference, do we? Sometimes it takes recognition of what changes we want to make coupled with the passion to make a change.
I know tomorrow will be like any other day for me as I market, promote and unite women entrepreneurs online and in person across New York State to help them increase their opportunities for sales and create new economic connections. If by chance I have the right six numbers, I will continue my dedication to the women I’ve served for 22 years but with some surprise free funding for them. Whatever the outcome tomorrow, let’s keep dreaming big together today and every day.
Monday Motivation: Focus on Sales
Business wisdom and advice for women entrepreneurs and women in business
Many times throughout the day I focus. I find myself focusing harder on small font sizes that keep getting smaller as I keep getting older. I focus on the quietness of a balmy summer morning. I focus intently when a woman calls me asking questions to aid her business. But the kind of focus I am trying to use more is the focus I gleaned from listening to a successful woman entrepreneur last week.
Creating a million dollar enterprise in less than a year is a feat many women don’t achieve. In fact, most businesses in America fail before their first anniversary. So when one of our members spoke about how she accomplished a really big sales goal in less than a year, I listened intently. What I heard her say was how important it is to “focus” on direct, targeted, persistent sales to achieve the goal. Not all women love sales, but this woman admitted her love for sales and her focus in landing major sales contracts which where the catalyst behind her company’s fast track to success.
One of the definitions of focus is the “act of concentrating on a particular goal and not wasting time or energy on other things.” How often do we get so overwhelmed with business responsibilities – large and small – that we lose our focus, concentration and energy to accomplish the most essential goals in our daily business life? As much as we don’t want to admit it, conducting sales must be a priority, a focus, an ever present high ranking priority to keep our businesses surviving and thriving.
Today’s post is to inspire you to focus on sales.
*Make sales a priority.
*Know your target market.
*Go after your target market.
*Ask more times than you’d like to ask for the sale.
*Be confident.
*Be assertive.
*Keep reaching out for new customers.
If you don’t, you can’t continue to prosper and achieve your largest dream for your business. Those dreams don’t have to be million dollar sales goals, but you must have a sales goal and work diligently every day to achieve it.
Just like a blurry image becomes clear once we focus on it (with or without reading glasses), sales goals will be achieved with more direct, targeted action if we focus on making sales our number one priority.
If you are in Central New York and want to join us on Wednesday, August 9th from 9 a.m. – noon for a speed networking sales program, go to www.womenties.com and sign up today!
Pros and Cons of Longevity In Business
Wednesday Wisdom for women entrepreneurs, female business owners, small businesses
As the 22nd anniversary of becoming a female business owner approaches on August 8th, I thought about my longevity in business. I brought up the topic with one of my business friends recently. We had a debate on whether longevity in business is seen as beneficial or harmful in the eyes of consumers.
It seems as novice businesswomen it takes a lot of convincing and sales to prove our value in the marketplace. Then as we mature in length of years in business, our confidence and sales grow. Before we know it we have approached our 15th, 20th or more years in existence, younger businesses have come in and gained ground. Their fresh appeal can make any confident business owner stop and pause to consider whether the time has come to change or stay the course.
There seems to be a fine line between being known as a reputable, long standing company and a new, progressive enterprise. The world is made up of consumers who love both. As a woman entrepreneur with an accomplished and sustainable business it’s not a bad idea to periodically analyze where you stand. We can’t be afraid to be honest with ourselves and to make the changes we need to make to stay viable and keep up with the Jones.
The thought of change doesn’t mean we lose our original perspective or our recognizable brand. It means we step back to study and determine if it’s in the best interest of our company to stay the same, make slight upgrades or do a total overhaul. The answer is most likely dependent on how successful we are financially. If we are maintaining market share and our companies are growing, we will stay the course. If we are losing ground, we need to make moderate or major adjustments.
Today’s Wednesday Wisdom suggests you ask yourself if you feel comfortable with where your company stands in the marketplace. If so, keep doing what you have been doing and let more people know about your company. If not, look at up-and-coming businesses in your field and figure out their edge. See what you might need to alter to stay relevant and attractive to consumers.
I don’t know many women who like getting older. But many do it by keeping themselves in shape, staying healthy and making changes in their lifestyle when they know it’s imperative like my friend Kathrine Switzer. It’s the same thing we need to do for our aging companies. We must give them check-ups, maintain their health, and make changes when it prolongs their existence.
Tuesday Thoughts for Women Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners
After hosting a national speaker who spoke on a new topic which I created for her she said after the event, “Thank you again for having the idea for this new topic. You really can’t imagine how much of an impact that decision is going to make on my speaking career.”
Recently a new member approached me at an event exclaiming how her membership had landed her a paid speaking gig because she listed herself on our Speaker’s Bureau of Women – which has become a popular place for members to be found and offered speaking opportunities. There was something about these two compliments that has stuck with me for a week.
As woman entrepreneurs we hope our products and services benefit others. We are in business to not only make money; but to provide positive assistance to our customers and the marketplace. It’s why we are so passionate about our offerings. So when we hear compliments or receive testimonials, do we take them seriously or just push them aside because we are too busy to soak them in?
It’s a proven fact that when a customer complains, we focus more on the negativity of their remarks and replicate them repeatedly in our minds. It also occurs when we personally experience poor customer service or a bad business situation ourselves. We will share the negative experience with many more people than when we have a positive customer experience.
Today’s post is meant for you to ask yourself, “Am I truly valuing the positive feedback, remarks and compliments I receive from customers or am I too focused on the negative critiques I receive periodically?” Do you keep a list of client testimonials? You should! Do you harbor criticism from your customers? You shouldn’t! Really ask yourself today, “Do I relish in my successes or am I stuck in client failures?”
What you choose to focus on every day will determine your outlook and positively or negatively affect your decisions. Choose wisely and take my suggestion to soak in those glorious compliments more often.
Suggestions for a Summer Slow Down at Work
Business inspiration and entrepreneurial wisdom for women entrepreneurs, female business owners and small companies
As much as I love my business and what I do, it is hard to ignore a truly blissful, beautiful New York State summer day out my window. You might feel the same way. Today’s blog post is to inspire you with suggestions to avoid a slower summer business season.
* Educate Yourself – Summer is the perfect time to enroll on an online business course (SUNY Oswego has some), a seminar or webinar (Women TIES has a special marketing event on August 9th). You can read books relevant to your industry or begin a mentoring relationship with a leader you admire.
* Take Someone to Lunch – If you are like me and don’t have time any other season to go out to lunch with people who ask, pick up the phone and make some lunch dates. Summer can be the perfect season to coffee dates or meetings.
* Host Your Own Event – Summer is the perfect time to plan a company picnic, lunch and learn program for customers, volunteer for a civic event with your employees or treat your best customers to a special summer concert. Live it up and invite your clients.
* Get Working On a Delayed Project – Have you wanted to start writing a book, organize your office, buy supplies or update your computer? When summer business is slow, set a day each week to accomplish one of your delayed work projects.
*Take Some Time Off for You – I have a long time Women TIES member who takes every Summer Friday off to give herself a break since it is her slow season. It is okay to enjoy time to yourself if everyone else is and you don’t have a long task list. Be deliberate about when you do work and when you take time off so you can be most productive……and relaxed.
Who is Tracy Chamberlain Higginbotham?
Who is Tracy Chamberlain Higginbotham of Women TIES?
After writing this blog for the past 9 years, I thought I would list the “hard facts” and “personal information” about me since I had to fill this out for a new client of mine. If you are looking for inspiration in this post today, you might not find it but you will learn more about me and why I am so passionate about continuing my twenty two years of work to help women. Hey and by the chance if you know Dave Matthews, you could tell him he is mentioned in this post. Think about answering these questions for yourself and sharing them with your followers. People might want to know more about you.
“Hard Facts” – Tracy Chamberlain Higginbotham
Nationality?
I am American but very proud to be second generation Italian. My grandfather came to America from Italy when he was 8 years old. He lived one mile from my house so I ate home cooked Italian food every day.Although I am also English and French on my father’s side, I identify being mostly Italian since the Italian traditions had the biggest impact on my life and because I live on tomato sauce – seriously I eat it by the spoon! Although my last name is not Italian, I am in my heart and soul and most certainly in my round face which reminds me of my Italian grandmother who was also born in Italy. My favorite phrase is “Life is too short not to be Italian.”
Place of residence?
I live in Syracuse, New York which is in the center of the state with my husband and two sons Thomas and Adam. Syracuse is 4 hours NW of New York City, 5 hours West of Boston, 5 hours NW of Philadelphia and 4 hours South West of Toronto Canada. We have access to fantastic American cities and yet I live in a smaller city with an abundance of beautiful lakes, green land, rolling hills and a lot of snow in the winter. Syracuse is one of America’s snowiest cities because of all the lakes that surround us. I don’t mind since I’ve been skiing since I was 5 years old. Syracuse is also home to 261 Fearless Founder Kathrine Switzer’s college – Syracuse University – where she was a junior when she ran in the 1967 Boston Marathon that made her a running icon!
Occupation?
I have been a woman entrepreneur for 22 years. I started my first company – an event planning company in 1995 – when my sons were 3 years and 3.5 months old. I become an empty nester officially on August 1st! Before that I worked in higher education planning events around the USA for a local Jesuit college. I created my second and current company Women TIES, LLC (Women Together Inspiring Entrepreneurial Success”) in 2005 to help women entrepreneurs connect across New York State and promote their companies so they can make more money. I am a feminist and love all things WOMEN. I am also oldest of 8 children – the first 6 are girls so I was destined to love females.
Personal Information
What makes 261 Fearless so special for you?
I met Kathrine Switzer fatefully when I typed in the word “fearless” when I was looking for a powerful speaker for my annual business conference. I had no idea who Kathrine was but an article written about her by one of my business acquaintances came up. Fate. I called my friend and asked her to introduce Kathrine to me. Kathrine and I connected immediately over the phone on our feminist feelings about empowering women first and foremost in life. I felt like I found a “sister in feminism” when we spoke over an hour. By the end of the call, she invited me to New York City to the first Train the Trainer. I had to think about it because I was scared of flying because a friend died in one of the 9/11 planes in New York City, but when Kathrine said to me, “Tracy when you are fearless, you’ll be free,” I said, “Yes, I’ll join you.” 261 Fearless literally reminds me every day to be fearless and feel free.
Also in the thousands of women who have crossed my path the past 22 years, Kathrine is the number one woman I believe has done the most to change the world for women in her own way. Number One!
When and why did you start running?
No laughing at this answer……I started ‘running’ in my pool in 1997 when I wanted to lose weight after having my second son but not trusting I would look good running! Silly right? Well I advanced from running in my pool when the snowflakes where starting to fall to running up and down in my house that winter since we couldn’t afford a treadmill or gym membership. When spring came, I started running outside after my cross country sister told me I had good running form. I have never stopped running in 20 years. I run on average of 3 miles a day, every day.
What’s your favorite running course?
Besides my swimming pool (just joking), it is the beautiful trails around Onondaga Lake which is centered in Syracuse. They have trails on both sides of the lake. I must admit now Boston is my favorite running course after running my first marathon there which is also my favorite American city.
What’s your funniest running story?
I think you would agree my pool running is pretty funny! Right?
Who/what has most inspired you to run/do sports?
Both of my parents were physical education and coaching majors who met in College. They graduated in 1963. My mother had to coach boy’s football and wrestling because they didn’t have enough coaches at the time. Her tall 5’1” body towered over her students (laugh). Later in life my father was really my inspiration. I loved him so much I watched and talked sports with him all the time. I can name every NFL football quarterback. I watch ESPN every day. I raised two sons who were talented in basketball and lacrosse just like my dad. I attend sporting events regularly. I am also trying to put more women in the seats of women’s sporting events for equality purposes. I have a Women’ Athletic Network attached to Women TIES. I also believe “Life is too short not to play sports.”
What’s your favorite travel location?
By far my favorite travel location is the beautiful and tranquil Sanibel Island off Florida’s South West coast. My husband and I have vacationed there every year with our two sons since they were 7 and 5 years old. It is tranquil and balmy. It has the most seashells on any beach in the USA. It does not have any traffic lights either. I love it. I run, swim and bike while my guys fish!
What’s your favorite meal?
Do you think it is anything Italian? You are right!
What is something that people would never guess about you?
I appeared on the Oprah Show in 1998 after submitting a tape on how I loved to do daily meditation in the morning outside in my backyard to center myself before I started my business day. I had to send the show tapes of myself meditating – now that is hard to do unless you have a wiz of an 8 year old boy who can take a photo of you meditating. I landed on her show. The local news media picked up the story and wondered out loud how I did daily meditation in my backyard when there was a foot of snow on the ground. Wise guys!
Who would you choose to be marooned on a desert island with?
Well, I know I am suppose to say my husband and two sons BUT if you knew me well you would know I would pick Dave Matthews! He is the singer for the Dave Matthews Band. I have been a fan of his since seeing him at Woodstock in Rome, New York (my hometown) in 1999. I am listening to him sing as I type this answer. I run to his music every day. I am never ever sick of his music. I ran with it in the Boston Marathon this year. I would love to meet him one day so if I could get stuck with him on a desert island, he could sing to me every day then I wouldn’t be sad without my music. (P.S. – My husband could guess this answer and then he’d marry a non-feminist for his second wife).
And last but not least…
Your claim to fame – Tell us something unique about yourself!
Well I told you about Oprah which is pretty unique and an event people remember. I love Mother Mary and have very deep faith. I ran with my rosary beads around my wrist in the Boston Marathon and said repetitive “Hail Marys” as I turned the bend to see the finish line. I knew if I was praying, I could get to the end and complete my big goal under 6 hours which I did. I never go anywhere without my rosary bead bracelet. I have statues of Mother Mary in many places. I thank my Italian heritage for that love.
I also took 110 women to the Women’s March on Washington because I believe more women should be in political office. I support as many of them as I can until our world had full equality.
How Iconic Are You or Your Business?
Business inspiration and wisdom for women entrepreneurs and small businesses
Chicago’s silver Bean sparkled with reflections of visitor’s faces. The Freedom Tower rises 1776 feet tall in the New York skyline. The big green monster is Boston Red Sox’s recognizable sports field. The golden gate bridge stretches one-mile-wide across the seven-mile-long channel between San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. These are all iconic images that place you in a certain place when you visualize them.
An icon by definition is a person or thing regarded as a representative symbol of something. The buildings above are representative images from specific cities. As you travel this summer to your favorite vacation locales I’m sure you pass a sign or landmark that informs you are arriving at your destination. One of my favorite signs is the one that greets me as I enter Maine, “Maine, the way life should be.” It is also a favorite slogan my father would recount when he greeted us at the door.
What does someone imagine or say when they envision the name of your company? Do they suddenly envision a specific logo, statement, visual or mission? Marketing specialists would hope so since successful entrepreneurs typically have a recognizable image. Will it be as iconic as the creative buildings speckled across our country? Mostly likely not but have you thought about whether you have or should create an iconic image for yourself or your business?
I used my iconic phrase about Women TIES twice last week; once in my New York State Labor Commission testimony and again around a table of 261 Fearless runners in Chicago. With my pink glasses, I reiterated my feminist motto of wanting women to ‘See Pink. Live Pink. Buy Pink.’ With 5 pairs of pink reading glasses, I wear them to remind myself and others of my personal mission to see inequality towards women and to spend money with women owned companies. I get numerous comments about my glasses and mission every time.
Today’s Wednesday Wisdom should immediately make you consider if you have an iconic image? Think about Gloria Steinem for example, what comes to mind when you hear her name? Perhaps there are icons in your industry you immediately identify with and emulate. Could it be you have a specific mission clients use to introduce you to others? What iconic style, words or images belong to you and your business? If you don’t feel you have something identifiable, why not take this beautiful summer day to start creating one.
As I write this inspirational business post with my pink glasses on having just viewed the Chicago Bean and running along Lake Michigan with running icon Kathrine Switzer, known and loved by thousands of people, I hope you are inspired to share the images and words you want tied to you and your company.
Women – Asking For More Money
Wednesday Wisdom for women entrepreneurs, female business owners and business women
Sitting in front of me were 9 distinguished women sitting shoulder to shoulder at a long table with their names and microphones in front of them. Television cameras and recording devices were stationed in corners of the room. One table with a single chair and microphone was setup up in the middle of the room facing the long table. In my lap was my carefully written 5 minute speech to discuss who I represent and why an Equality Pay law is essential for women in 2017.
“Tracy Chamberlain Higginbotham” please approach the table. With my pink glasses on, I walked confidently up telling them I always wear pink glasses to ‘Think Pink. Live Pink. and Buy Pink.’ I broke the ice as the first presenter. I sat down and delivered the reasons there needs to be a law for equal pay because women need it to prosper financially. Just like the fore mothers wished for the right to vote, they didn’t get to vote until it became law. Female athletes faced inequality prior to 1972 before Title IX was approved and gave equality to female athletes. In the 21st Century, 100 years after New York State women received the right to vote, women still earn less than men. We need a law passed to finally receive equal pay.
No one else was representing women business owners. Most presenters spoke on behalf of women employed in Corporate America, higher educational institutions and the medical world all places where there is more support for women trying to earn the right pay for their work, experience and expertise. In the entrepreneurial world, there are no laws, support or protections for women entrepreneurs who make less than their male counterparts. I think the world believes since entrepreneurs have the power to price any way they want, they don’t have this issue. We know that’s not true.
I gave the panel statistics on why women become entrepreneurs – to be challenged, to be independent, and to have a flexible work schedule, because they yearn for work and life balance, and expectations for higher earnings. Women find success in the first four reasons but not in reaching higher earnings. Why they asked and I responded, “Mainly because women set their expectations and salaries against the benchmark of salaried women who earn less than men and because we look at historical data perspectives that prove women haven’t been as financially successful as men. We also tend to negotiate ourselves down in contract pricing because we aren’t confident enough.”
They listened and seemed interested in what I was saying. I realized after my testimony while I sat listening to the other speakers that without a law it is up to each woman to work our salary figures and become confident about asking for what we need and deserve.
Today’s Wednesday Wisdom should inspire you to take a hard look at what you make annually and ask yourself, “Am I happy with my pay?” Do some research and look to see what women and men in America make at your same position in your industry. How big is the disparity? How can you fix it – by raising your rates, talking to other women on how they handle pricing issues, getting advice from business counselors or researching ways to price higher?
I’m not confident we will have an Equal Pay law for a couple years so remember you are the best advocate for setting your own price and getting it. It is up to you and no one else.
Why There Needs to Be An Equal Pay Act to Advance Women
Business wisdom for women entrepreneurs, female business owners and women professionals
Today’s blog post is a copy of testimony given this morning by Women TIES, LLC Founder, Tracy Chamberlain Higginbotham, to
New York State Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. Women entrepreneurs in our organization were interested what I was sharing so I post my comments in my blog today to share my words. I would love your feedback.
My name is Tracy Chamberlain Higginbotham, the Founder and President of Women TIES, LLC, which stands for Women Together Inspiring Entrepreneurial Success, founded on March 3, 2005, during women’s history month. For the past 12 years, Women TIES has specialized in promoting, publicizing and uniting New York State women entrepreneurs and their companies online and in person in order to cultivate strong economic relationships to advance their companies, and help eradicate pay inequality. Yes, you heard it right “help eradicate pay inequality” is literally part of my company’s mission statement.
Ever since becoming a woman entrepreneur 22 years ago with my first company I have surrounded myself with other women business owners and know this niche very well, so well I have received many awards including “Women in Business Champion” awards from the USA Syracuse Business District – one in 2005 and another in 2011. I do not tell you this to boost but to have you understand my deep and unwavering commitment to help women entrepreneurs succeed.
In fact, my personal mission statement for 22 years has been to help women become more financially successful by encouraging them to put their money in the hands, pocket books and bank accounts of other women first and foremost to increase their individual revenue and assist this generation of women and the ones to follow to have a more financially successful future.
The main reason behind my unique “feministic” approach to business lies in the pay inequality issue that has plagued women for centuries and continues today. Women do not earn the same as men in Corporate America or for Woman Owned Companies and the government has not done enough to equal the playing field for women by passing an equal pay bill to ensure women, who make up 52% of our population, receive fair salaries compared to men.
Women similar to me choose entrepreneurship as a career for five main reasons based on many articles I have read on this subject online. According to the readings, my own experience and speaking with thousands of women entrepreneurs the past two decades, women become entrepreneurs because they
1. Want to be challenged
2. Desire independence
3. Want a flexible work schedule
4. Yearn to Balance work and life duties
5. AND Expectation for higher earnings
Women may find success in the first 4 reasons but not in the fifth one of higher earnings because:
1. Women set their expectations and salaries against the benchmark of salaried women which are earning less than men.
2. We lack confidence when we look at historical data perspectives on the financial success of women.
3. Women tend to negotiate themselves down in contract pricing.
4. There is pronounced gender segregation in types of businesses men and women start.
5. AND only 42% of women vs. 57% of men pay themselves a salary.
These situations were true for me as well:
* I left an Assistant Director position at a local college after having my second son and work from home.
* I have never giving myself a set salary. I put the money back into my businesses or helped save for my two son’s college expenses as equally as my husband.
* I own a service business which demands a lower hourly rate than a woman in a technology, science or product type business.
I’m happy with my career choices but wish – not only for myself – but for the thousands of women entrepreneurs I have represented over two decades that there was Equal Pay for Women law so we had justification for asking a certain hourly wage based on our education, experience expertise and a rate comparable to our corporate sisters in the marketplace.
I honestly believe equal pay will only happen for professional career women whether entrepreneurs or employees – if our great nation finally creates and passes an Equal Pay Act Law. The important word in all that I have stated is the word “law.”
I urge you and your congress members this year – 2017 – the 100th Anniversary of Women’s Suffrage in New York State, to finally pass a law for equal pay just like it passed a law for women to vote.
Women couldn’t wish to vote. We had to have it be a law. Women can’t wish to receive equal pay. It must become a law. That law will help not only women, but families earn more which in turns helps them contribute in greater ways to our local and national economy.
Women Who Make a Difference Have a Timeline
Thursday Thoughts and Wisdom for women entrepreneurs and females
Driving back from Ithaca along beautiful lakes and rolling hills, I eased into Auburn. I’ve driven the road a hundred times going to the Finger Lakes to produce events for women entrepreneurs. I often noticed the little white house situated behind fences and a historic blue metal sign saying “Home of Harriet Tubman” but I never drove up the driveway. Yesterday when I saw it approaching, I finally turned in the driveway to satisfy a yearning to learn more about this historic woman.
The event building behind the notable home housed a museum including a long wall timeline of Harriett’s life and a passionate African American woman and man “acting” out Harriett’s plight and successes. I couldn’t help but notice the white and black children in the audience listening with awe. It was a surreal experience to be sitting in this space a day after I told a group of 15 women I was going to only use $20 bills with Harriet Tubman’s face on it at my women’s business events to celebrate a woman on currency.
This morning as I opened an email from one of the women’s causes I follow, it had a timeline of historic female moments. It was a timeline about women finally rising in some areas of equality. The timeline made me think about Harriet’s timeline as well. It reminded me we each have our own timeline.
As my life changes this year with both of my sons moving and working in New York City, I look back on my own timeline to see it as a feminist timeline. It started in 1964 being born to a woman who fought to leave a traditional Italian upbringing to go to college. It developed in 1979 at the age of 15 when I put together an all girl’s slate to run for our class office. It arose when the first female board member of the alumni association of my college tapped me on the shoulder at 17 to lead a high school initiative. My feminist approach to life arose again in 1992 as I fought to turn my full time position into a part time position in my higher education job to be with my sons more. I occurred again three years later when I created my first company to use my intelligence to continue to earn money while being an active mother.
It happened when I stepped into the spotlight as a leader in women entrepreneurship in the early 1990s. And it developed when I created a Women’s Athletic Network in 2014 for women to enjoy sports together and put more women in the seats at women’s college games to show our support. After taking 110 women to Washington DC in January 2017, I added a “Women’s Equality Division” to my timeline and am assisting 261 Fearless.org create social running clubs for women all over the world. I do not list my own timeline to be narcissistic but to share how one woman’s life has a timeline centered around a common theme extending from birth to old age. What is your timeline?
Today’s blog post is to demonstrate that women who make a difference have a timeline. I bet you have a timeline. You might know you have one until you write it down, soak it up and realize what has inspired and led you all these years. I encourage you today to look back and create your own timeline. Keep living the life you have created for yourself and keep adding to your timeline the only way you know how with unique passion and vision.
Women TIES 