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Women Taking the Lead

The Women Taking the Lead podcast is a resource for women leaders, allies, and organizations looking to promote more women into senior leadership. Episode formats include specific leadership challenges, "on-air" coaching with women leaders, and interviews with internal talent and organizational development leaders. Women Taking the Lead inspires women to overcome self-doubt and lead with confidence, integrity and a sense of humor.
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Now displaying: March, 2016
Mar 30, 2016

Becky is an entrepreneur who loves design and believes that building a company should be fun. She started her first company, iBec Creative in 2006 - the day after she graduated from University of Southern Maine. She taught herself web development, design and digital marketing and was able to grow her company by bootstrapping. She currently has 14 amazing, kind, and talented full-time employees and 150 happy clients around the country who are growing their businesses. 

Becky's honored to be featured in Business Week's Top 25 Entrepreneurs 25 and Under, awarded Small Business Administration's Young Entrepreneur of the year, and a recipient of the Stevie Women in Business Award.

Playing Small Moment

In 2008, Becky learned about Make Mine a Million, and she wanted to be on that list to make a million dollars. She learned that she needed to pay herself for the hard work she was doing on her own business. Becky also learned how to be a manager, and how to not let her shortcomings affect the business.

The Wake Up Call

Becky had an opportunity for a design intern to come in and work 40 hours a week for 2 months without being paid for school credits. Once she realized how much better it was to delegate, she was so relieved.

Style of Leadership

Becky is always striving for harmony, whether it is her team or clients. She is always making sure everyone is getting along and there is open communication.

What Are You Excited About?

Becky is excited about an ongoing project that tracks digital advertising and gives clients the opportunity to improve their methods.

Leadership Practice

Staff Meeting Agenda every week, rating the last week with peers, an individual gets a guitar award for going above and beyond.

Book to Develop Leadership

A Lapsed Anarchist’s Approach to Managing Ourselves, by Ari Weinzweig

Advice for Younger Self

Trust your gut and remember that your business is a reflection of you.

Inspirational Quote

“Everything you do counts.” ~ Becky McKinnell

Interview Links

ibeccreative.com

 

https://womentakingthelead.com/becky-mckinnell/

Mar 27, 2016

Stephen Woessner is CEO of Predictive ROI and the host of the brilliant Onward Nation podcast. He is the author of two bestselling books, The Small Business Owner’s Handbook to Search Engine Optimization and Increase Online Sales Through Viral Social Networking. His digital marketing insights have been featured in SUCCESS, Forbes, Entrepreneur, The Washington Post, Inc. Magazine and more. His agency blends education in very transparent ways for clients.

A Women Who Has Influenced Your Life

Stephen’s Grandmother, Julia, is a woman who has influenced his life. She was from Greece and her grandchildren called her Yia Yia. She worked side by side with her husband, raising 4 children and 10 grandchildren, while running their own restaurant. Yia Yia came to the US when she was 5 years old and her mother died during child birth shortly after this move. Julia’s father didn’t know how to raise kids, so he sent them to the orphanage and went back to Greece to find a new mother for them. The conditions inside the orphanage were horrific. Julia was a tenacious woman who overcame great odds to obtain her position in life.  She was loving, caring, hardworking, and compassionate. She also taught her children and grandchildren to be entrepreneurs that treat everyone with the respect and dignity they deserve.

What He Sees That Hold Women Back

The impostor syndrome – we are all victims of it. Stephen says you need to have an exorcism to get it out. The issues are: societal roles, peer pressures, and the traditional values or acceptances that may make women the victim. It’s that little voice which sits on your shoulder and says ‘who do you think you are to attempt something so awesome?’ You are doing that to yourself, more than the world is. Be scared and do it anyway!

What He Has Learned from Women

You can be compassionate and tough as nails, at the same time. 

The Necessary Changes

Stephen says there are a couple of things that need to change. Women cannot get hung up on titles. Everyone within an organization can be a leader. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, and acknowledge the fact that you are one. Put on your big girl clothes and be a great one! Remember, you are always mentoring 24/7/365, there is never a break whether you acknowledge it or not.

Inspirational Quote

“Procrastination and fear are the enemies of success; the war is long, but the battles are daily.” ~ Noel DeJesus

What Are You Excited About?

Stephen is excited about his daughter blossoming into an amazing nine-year-old. In the business realm, he has many projects in the works. He is writing two books: the first one focuses on strategies of how business owners can use podcasts to increase sales traffic leads and sales, which is due out in the fall of 2016. The second book concentrates on the knowledge that they have extracted from their onward nation podcasts, which is due out in early 2017. Predictive ROI launched a brand new service called Sales Generating Podcasts.

Interview Links

www.onwardnation.com

www.predictiveroi.com

http://onwardnation.com/12download/

Bob Newhart’s SNL “Stop It” video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow0lr63y4Mw

 

https://womentakingthelead.com/stephen-woessner

Mar 23, 2016

After a successful career in Mutual Fund Operations as the Assistant Vice President of Corporate Quality, Jodi Flynn set off on a new adventure and founded her coaching business. Her specialty is partnering with women who experience self-doubt and feel overwhelmed to overcome stress, get organized, and start creating the business and the lifestyle they dreamed of having.

Her podcast, Women Taking the Lead, inspires women from humble beginnings to overcome self-doubt and lead with confidence, integrity and a sense of humor. The podcast has hit #1 in 3 categories of iTunes’ New and Noteworthy: Business, Careers, and Society and Culture.

Playing Small Moment

This happened after Jodi decided to not complete her Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology. She was looking in the newspaper back in 2000, for a job to pay the bills. She found jobs that paid from $22,000 to $24,000 and then there was a gap. She also saw jobs that paid $30,000 and up. She played small because she ended up going for the $22,000 job, which ended up paying a lot more than the $30,000 a year jobs, since she had been promoted over five times.

The Wake Up Call

Jodi’s ‘aha’ moment happened when she was reading a book called a New Earth, by Eckhart Tolle. He compared human consciousness to the evolution of a flower and stated that we are in a time where we as humans are experiencing a leap in consciousness. Just like the flower, the environment does not fully support it. The more people that experience this awakening, the more suitable the environment will become for more and more people to shift in consciousness. This made Jodi feel like she was on fire. She has so much energy that started flowing through her body. Jodi realized at that moment, this is why she was here.

Style of Leadership

Jodi is very nurturing, supportive, and naturally looks for the strengths/skills in others. She gets a thrill out of helping someone realize how capable they are. Jodi is a leader with high expectations. She is result oriented. Jodi’s favorite clients are the action takers.

What Are You Excited About?

Jodi is doing a free webinar called How to be Recognized and Rewarded For the Work You Do

Leadership Practice

Paying attention to the vibe in the room. Jodi does not make assumptions; she looks for the opportunity to connect with people.

Book to Develop Leadership

The Slight Edge: Turning Simple Disciplines into Massive Success and Happiness by Jeff Olsen

Advice For Younger Self

Don't lose faith. Worry and despair represent symptoms of you trying to control things that you have no control over. Set your goals, do your best, find enjoyment, and trust that God is taking care of the rest.

Inspirational Quote

"Life shrinks, or expands in proportion to one’s courage. ~ Anaïs Nin

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” ~ Helen Keller

Interview Links

https://womentakingthelead.com

 

https://womentakingthelead.com/jodi-flynn/

Mar 20, 2016

Heather Ann Havenwood, CEO of Havenwood Worldwide, LLC and Chief Sexy Boss, is a serial entrepreneur and is regarded as a top authority on internet marketing, business strategies and marketing. In 2006, she started, developed and grew an online information marketing publishing company from ground zero to over $1 million in sales in less than 12 months. Heather Ann is the Author of Sexy Boss - How Female Entrepreneurs Are Changing the Rule Book for Money, Success and Even Sex, and How You Can Too! Heather Ann Havenwood is smart, sexy, savvy and now stepping out from behind the curtain to educate, enlighten and empower women entrepreneurs to grow or start an online business and live a fearless and fulfilled life.

Playing Small Moment

Heather played small when she was at an event with three of her male co-workers. Heather’s boss told her she better step up her game. She went to the conference and was selling her butt off. The CEO came up to her and asked her what she was doing. Heather was worried she did something wrong. The CEO says, you have $120,000 in sales and the guys, combined, only have $10,000 in sales. The CEO wanted to know what her secret was for selling. Heather was downplaying herself and she realized at that moment that she was good at what she did. Heather was highly focused on proving that she was worth something. She constantly felt like she needed to catch up to the boys’ club.

The Wake Up Call

Heather’s aha moment happened when she moved to a retirement island in Southern Florida. She realized the happy retired people were the ones who had been entrepreneurs, and the not so happy retirees had been in corporate jobs. Heather realized at that moment that she wanted to be an entrepreneur.

Style of Leadership

Leading a conversation is Heather’s style of leadership.

What Are You Excited About?

Heather is focused on one-on-one coaching. Her ideal client is the person who has been in their career or business for 15-20 years, and that has the knowledge and wants to take that information to the marketplace. She also works with people who have online businesses and want to take their message to another level. 

Leadership Practice

She is a listener. She takes it even one step further by recreating what she has heard and repeating it back.

Book to Develop Leadership

The Game of Life and How to Play It by Florence Scovel Shinn 

Advice for Younger Self

Don’t worry, you are unemployable and it is OK! Let it go, you are an entrepreneur, which is what you are supposed to do.

Inspirational Quote

“Does this feed my confusion or Strengthen My Clarity?” ~ Richard Flint

Interview Links

www.HeatherHavenwood.com

www.SexyBossInc.com

Facebook.com/HeatherHavenwood

http://www.amazon.com/author/heatherhavenwood

http://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherannd/

 

https://womentakingthelead.com/heather-havenwood

Mar 16, 2016

Lindsey is the founder of Fearlessly Authentic Living, a graphic apparel brand for women who are not afraid to do their own thing and live a life they love. Lindsey hopes to inspire a movement in which we all live authentic lives and pursue passions that invigorate our souls. Her current obsessions include fuzzy socks and gelato.

Playing Small Moment

Early on in Lindsey’s college years, she wanted to start a community for women. Lindsey asked others what they thought of her idea. They said she was too young and should focus more on college. Lindsey realized she was letting others influence her. She realized there was never going to be a time that she would be ready. Lindsey decided to get started and she has been learning as she goes.

The Wake Up Call

When Lindsey launched Fearlessly Authentic Living, she initially received some push back. These naysayers shook her because they were challenging one of her core values, which is to be true to yourself. Lindsey came to the realization that she needed to listen to herself and quit obsessing over what others were saying. She needed to stay original and do what felt right.

Style of Leadership

Lindsey is an introverted person, she is a behind the scenes type gal. Lindsey believes in leading by example, which allows her to be open and vulnerable with the people she is working with. This in turn helps her to build more trust and comradery within groups and relationships.

What Are You Excited About?

Lindsey is starting a community for women that want to jam on the art of self-expression and learn about the power of learning the truth. She is also working on building an online hub, packed full of resources for women to go to on living an authentic life and business.

Leadership Practice

Everyday Lindsey starts her day by naming off her desires. She writes them down in her daily planner. Lindsey takes those desires and figures out a way to do something that will make her feel that way. This practice allows her to be more present with others.

Book to Develop Leadership

The Desire Map by Danielle LaPorte

http://www.daniellelaporte.com/thedesiremap/

What Would You Tell Your Younger Self?

Don’t let naysayers stop you from pursuing your dreams.

Inspirational Quote

“Do your thing, do it unapologetically. Don't be discouraged by criticism. You probably already know what they’re going to say. Pay no mind to the fear of failure. It’s far more valuable than success. Take ownership, take chances, and have fun. And no matter what don't ever stop doing your thing.  ~ Asher Roth

Interview Links

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fearlesslyauthenticliving/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fearlesslyauthenticliving/

Website: http://www.fearlesslyauthenticliving.com/

 

https://womentakingthelead.com/lindsey-allen/

Mar 13, 2016

Kerry Heaps is the Founder and President of Kerry’s Network, Inc., a marketing organization that provides business-to-business marketing services. She is also the host of Strictly Marketing Talk Radio and publisher of Strictly Marketing Magazine. The magazine has recently spun off an online community for Strictly Women in Marketing, and for Women (and Men) looking to gain more media exposure. Kerry also has part ownership in other businesses in the fashion and beauty industry. Her passion is to help other entrepreneurs with their marketing efforts to continue their dream of running a successful business.

Playing Small Moment

Kerry realized she was playing small when she would take on clients in a desperate need, instead of waiting for the right ones to come along. Kerry would devalue herself by lowering prices or giving discounts that could hurt her business in the long-run.

The Wake Up Call

During Kerry’s trade-show networking days, is where she had her ‘aha’ moment. Other people were trying to lure away her members, which created an unhealthy competition. It got to the point where it would keep her up at night. She decided to go to a colleague to vent and he told her, “If you won the lottery would you still be doing these trade-shows?” She has never done a trade-show again.

Style of Leadership

Kerry’s leadership style is different from other women. She doesn’t sugar coat anything. She tells people the things they don’t want to hear. Kerry is sympathetic; however, if she feels you need to hear something she isn’t afraid to tell you.

What Are You Excited About?

Kerry has a 30-day Publicity Boot Camp. She wants women to feel less intimated, instead of talking themselves out of opportunities. Everyone is welcome, this isn’t just for women.

Leadership Practice

Listening is a key to being a good leader. Listen to your people and where they are having troubles. Kerry follows these rules for actively listening: be quite, have a talk one-on-one, take notes, and be open minded.

Book to Develop Leadership

How To Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003WEAI4E/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?ie=UTF8&btkr=1

What Would You Tell Your Younger Self?

Kerry would tell her younger self to trust her gut. She says if there is something in your business that you don’t feel right about, stop until your feeling goes away. Women are intuitive, follow your instincts.

Inspirational Quote

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it

-Bert Lance

Interview Links

Strictly Women in Marketing (SWIM) http://www.strictlywomeninmarketing.wildapricot.org

Strictly Marketing Magazine & Talk Radio:  http://www.strictlymarketingmagazine.com

 

https://womentakingthelead.com/kerry-heaps/

Mar 9, 2016

Nikki Wetherell is a licensed Counselor in Portland, Maine. She empowers clients to find their natural strengths and overcome challenges in order to live happier, healthier lives. Nikki provides mental health and substance use counseling for adolescents with Day One in South Portland. She has a private practice in Portland with services geared specifically towards the unique needs of women, and volunteers for the American Red Cross Disaster Mental Health services.

Playing Small Moment

Nikki realized she was playing small when she applied for a job that was out of her wheelhouse. She packed up and moved to Colorado to work with children who had lived through one trauma or another in their lives. She had to learn how to stand on her own two feet, with a 50 lb backpack on top of a mountain. She realized at the moment how strong she actually had become.

The Wake Up Call

While Nikki was in Colorado, she met a 13-year-old girl. One day the teenager came up to Nikki and told her the story of the horrific abuse she had been through. Nikki didn’t know how to help her at the time. She quickly realized that she was going to have to be the one to help her. The ripple effect of helping this girl back in Colorado was the wakeup call Nikki needed, which changed her whole life path. 

Style of Leadership

Nikki’s leadership style is all about quiet empowerment. People often have much more inner wisdom than they realize, but they are rather afraid to trust it.

What Are You Excited About?

Nikki is excited about her private practice, which is geared towards the unique needs of women.

Leadership Practice

Recognizing that she is stuck, or needs help is her way of growing, which in turn keeps her human and humble.

Book to Develop Leadership

Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brené Brown

What Would You Tell Your Younger Self?

Nikki would tell her younger self to do things even though she is scared. That it is OK to be scared and do it anyways. Embrace the fear and lean into it.

Inspirational Quote

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’

Eleanor Roosevelt

Interview Links

www.nikkiwetherellcounseling.com

 

https://womentakingthelead.com/nikki-wetherell/

Mar 6, 2016

Laura Brandenburg started an online business in 2008. In 2012, shortly after the birth of her first daughter, she landed on a mix of digital project offerings that enabled her to build a 6-figure business while working part-time from home. Now, Laura empowers women to build online businesses the ‘mom style’ way – profitable, flexible ventures that nourish your creative spirit.

Playing Small Moment

Laura realized she was playing small when she found out that her boss was hiring someone else to take over a third of her team. She didn’t speak up at that moment. Laura reflects on that day, thinking if she could’ve focused on what she thought was right, she would have made a much bigger impact in that situation.

The Wake Up Call

Laura hired a coach to figure out what was happening with her business. Her coach pointed out that her plan wasn’t leading to her goal. She wasn’t setting the proper financial expectations for the amount of people she was making offers to, which in turn was putting undo stress on her while trying to maintain her business goals.

Style of Leadership

Leading by example is Laura’s style of leadership. By being transparent, Laura has found it easier to connect with people.

What Are You Excited About?

Laura has been working on a Money Mindset Master Class Workshop. This workshop is going to be geared towards her knowledge on the taboo topic called money.

Leadership Practice

Laura found her leadership practice is about getting out of her own head. She takes a look from someone else’s perceptive and utilizes that information to give her a broader view.

Book to Develop Leadership

Playing Big by Tara Mohr

 

What Would You Tell Your Younger Self?

The sooner you embrace that you can't please everyone, the sooner you can do more impactful creative work.

Inspirational Quote

Stepping into her power is Laura’s mantra.

Interview Links

http://laurabrandenburg.com

Facebook group for momprenuers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/momstylebiz/

 

https://womentakingthelead.com/laura-brandenburg/

Mar 4, 2016

As a psychology major, a corporate executive, a coach and a Director Consultant for BNI I’ve gotten tons of training on building relationships and managing my reputation. I don’t always do it perfectly but I’m constantly learning and integrating this learning into my life and my business.

Because of this training I’m also really good at identifying when others are doing things that hurt relationships and hurt their reputation. What also catches my attention is when they do these things oblivious to the consequences.

I see it all the time and it is very concerning to me because I know it’s hurting those people’s opportunities to grow in their career or grow their business.

People want to do business with people they know like and trust. The same is true within organizations. Managers want to promote those they know, like and trust.

What I’m going to address is TRUST.

I want to help you to not only avoid losing trust; I want to help you to know what you can do to build trust as well.

Here are five things that will cause people to lose trust in you.

I’m also doing a free webinar on How to be Recognized and Rewarded for the work you do. Go here to stay in the know on when the next one is coming up: https://womentl.com/webinar-interest

Post to accompany this episode: https://womentakingthelead.com/credibility/

Mar 2, 2016

Marina Darlow is a project manager and a productivity expert. She views her job as helping impact-driven entrepreneurs get 10-20 more productive hours a week, stop leaking money, and prevent stress-fueled breakdowns. An engineer by training, Marina came to a realization a couple years ago that working for a conglomerate is not as inspiring as she wants her life’s work to be. Marina’s quest for inspiration brought her to found Vision Framework, a company that builds small, purpose-driven businesses from the inside, helping entrepreneurs run their companies with ease by putting effective, easy-to-use and fun (yep!) systems in place.

www.womentakingthelead.com/102

Playing Small Moment

Marina felt lost, having panic attacks, and was in a confused frame of mind. She signed up for a career coaching leadership program, because she wasn’t certain of her career path.

The Wake Up Call

On a trip to New York City, Marina realized - while lying in bed in a swanky hotel - that she had exceeded her goal. Marina was ecstatic because at that moment she realized she can create her own reality.

Style of Leadership

Independence with support is Marina’s style of leadership. She believes people need to learn how to do stuff on their own. She can guide, but you are the one that has to do the work.

What Are You Excited About?

Marina recorded a podcast mini-series with Cameron Gott. This mini-series is based on the emotional needs related to the creation of systems for global visionaries with ADHD.

Leadership Practice

Marina believes there are non-negotiable qualities that one must possess to be a great leader: focus, determination, and empathy.

Book to Develop Leadership

Rising Strong by Brené Brown Ph.D.

What Would You Tell Your Younger Self?

Make as many mistakes as you can. Staying put, out of fear, is not OK.

Inspirational Quote

Change is possible. We can change our reality.

Interview Links

http://www.vision-framework.com/

https://visionframework.leadpages.co/appguide/

https://visionframework.leadpages.co/systemsforcreatives/

 

https://womentakingthelead.com/marina-darlow/

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