beginnings
how I got started | Back in the 90s I was part of a team that
built and sold two technology companies. I had helped start these
businesses and landed the big customers that made them successful. But
when the second company sold, I realized I didn't want to deal with
employees and facilities any more. So I created the job I wanted to have
for the rest of my life: working at home, my yellow lab at my side,
helping women build their own businesses. It wasn't a difficult
transition. I knew how to grow a business, and I knew a lot of women who
could benefit from my expertise. When the second company sold, we had a
subcontractor, a vendor with whom I worked very closely. After we sold
the business, she contacted me and asked me to work as a consultant to
help her grow her business.
My consulting business ramped up pretty rapidly, within three months,
because GETTING CLIENTS is my area of expertise. I've personally closed
accounts of up to million... and that's without the support of a big
corporation. Even now, I turn clients away because I limit myself to no
more than three clients at a time, located all across the country.
Importantly, I only work with clients I like, and that's one of the
reasons I'm great at what I do- because I only work with people I'm in
sync with.
It took a few years to become enough of an authority figure to command
speaking fees and gain book contracts. I self-published my first book,
Nine Lives, but then Kaplan Publishing actually approached me about
writing a second book, The Woman's Advantage, which helps women to grow
their businesses. In addition to my writing and consulting, I speak or
facillitate about 50 women's events each year. I did alot of pro bono
speaking the first two years, but now that I've developed a reputation
and audiences know they will be able to walk out with ideas they can
really use, organizations see my fees as an investment rather than an
expense. So when a women's group brings me in to speak, even after they
pay my fee, they make a very nice profit on their events.
inspiration
why this job?| The women I work with inspired me to do what I do.
In addition to that, I've always been a communicator. I've always liked
to write and to stand up and persuade people to do something; those
skills made what I do a natural choice. Plus, I love being able to work
with all different kinds of businesses, from retail to services to
manufacturing.
love
why I love this job!| I love that I can totally create my own
schedule every day. I can get up at three in the morning, pad across the
hall to my home office and begin working. Then I can take off for
Pilates class at ten. I can work until ten in the evening or quit at
three in the afternoon. I love being able to choose what clients I work
with; I only work with clients and vendors I LOVE. Essentially, I have
crafted the life and the business I want.
work
my typical day| My typical day starts very early, at three or
four in the morning. I never set my alarm, but I'll wake up with an idea
about about something I want to do, and I start working on it. Later I
get dressed, go to Pilates or Yoga class, maybe out for lunch with a
friend, then come home and work some more. I have alot of energy. I
think that when you do what you like, it fills you with energy.
challenges
what they are | Motivating myself to do the things that need to
be done when I'd rather be doing something fun. I force myself to do the
less pleasant tasks first to get them over with. You have to be very
disciplined to work from home, with no deadlines or bosses to answer to.
upside
all about growth | I think the secret to any business is having a
very definite niche. I work exclusively with women business owners,
helping them start and grow their businesses. My market is growing every
day...it has no boundaries.
More Info
|
