Support is Sexy

Back in 1995, before entrepreneurship was cool, Pennsylvania native Jen Groover didn't know exactly what it was called, but she just knew that the thought of making someone else successful based on her hard work and efforts was a warped concept. And it was a box she refused to fit in.

Nicknamed "Cyclone" when she was younger, Jen became committed to creating something of her own, and then something else, and then something else. Now, Jen is a successful serial entrepreneur, inventor of million dollar product, The Butler Bag, has partnered with brands like Verizon and Avon, has been featured on television and widely throughout the press, gives keynote speaking address around the country and is an advocate for women in business and startups.

On this episode, Jen talks about getting past your limiting beliefs, getting clear on what really makes you happy, how to strengthen your emotional intelligence, why you shouldn't stay in one lane, and why you should fear regret more than failure.

On this episode you'll learn:

Why your circumstances do not determine your destiny.How limiting beliefs stop you from moving forward.Why modeling -- and asking questions -- is so important.How having "things" isn't what will fulfills you.Getting clear on what really makes me happy.Why intentional personal growth is crucial to being a successful entrepreneur.The power of strengthening your emotional intelligence.Why sugar DECREASES your emotional intelligence.The wisdom behind strategic partnerships and licensing. Why it's foolish to think that you have to "stay in your lane."

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at supportissexypodcast.com.

Thank you for listening! And hey, if you love it, click here to leave us a Rating & Review on iTunes!

Subscribe to Support is Sexy podcast on iTunes or on Stitcher Radio!

[Music: "Someone Else's Memories" by Revolution Void]

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The intrigue of entrepreneurship was always within Brandice Daniel when she was an adventurous child growing up in Memphis, and it was always around her thanks to her entrepreneurial parents. But when it was time to go to college, Brandice "played it safe" by selecting the major that her parents had in mind for her: pre-med. That is until she got real with herself and decided to take the first of many leaps that would punctuate her career for years to come: She was going to work in fashion. Many brave leaps and "cliff jumps" later, and Brandice is now the creator and CEO of one of the fashion industry's premier annual events -- Harlem's Fashion Row, which she began in 2007 to help shine the light on designers and boutique owners of color who were often left out of the mainstream spotlight. But the journey to down the runway to success was far from seamless and glamorous. On this episode of the Support is Sexy podcast, Brandice speaks candidly about lessons learned, how she survived the very deep valleys, how she renegotiated the "nos" along the way, and how she's now creating courses, expanding her brand and building a powerful community surrounded by great girlfriends and supporting fashion stars of the future. On this episode you will learn: How to know when you're "on the right floor."How to pay attention to the thing that you're dream to.Why proximity is power.A step back is different than a setback.How to make sure you stand out with your "ask."The importance of taking inspired action when that bright idea hits you.The importance of the "cliff jump."The biggest lesson she learned about sponsorships.Figuring out the times of day that you are most productive.Why you have to meet the universe halfway.

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at supportissexypodcast.com

Subscribe to Support is Sexy podcast on iTunes or on Stitcher Radio!

Thank you for listening! And hey, if you love it, click here to leave us a Rating & Review on iTunes!

[Music: "Someone Else's Memories" by Revolution Void]

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For Annette Davison, CEO of Icon Food Marketing, the turning point when she realized that working for someone else who didn't appreciate her came in the late 1990s after she and her team were belittled by a popular fashion designer at a 7am meeting. In 2001, Annette finally parted ways amicably with the company and never looked back. She was an entrepreneur.

But when she woke up that Monday morning, the reality hit her: She was going to have to make money on her own. She decided then that she would make it happen by any means necessary.

On this episode of the Support as Sexy podcast, Annette -- who supports food companies from the Caribbean with breaking into the US market -- talks about how her cultural influences of being raised in Jamaica, West Indies, has influenced the entrepreneur she is today, how to refuse to accept "no" as the ultimate answer, and how you may have experiment with several difference businesses until you find your niche within a niche.

On this episode, you'll learn:

How to not take "no" for a final answer.Why you may have to experiment with different business ideas to discover your niche.The importance of discovering your niche.Why you have to do your research and find your point of differentiation.How to determine your ideal clients.The importance of "small bites" when it comes to distributing your product.Some of the big mistakes that food product makers make.Why you (and your clients) need to be clear on the brand "story."Why you have to hang in there because things come back around when you least expect it.

Subscribe to Support is Sexy podcast on iTunes or on Stitcher Radio!

Thank you for listening! And hey, if you love it, please to leave us a Rating & Review on iTunes!

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at supportissexypodcast.com

[Music:"Someone Else's Memories" by Revolution Void]

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This past weekend I spent time with family in Mississippi celebrating the 90th birthday of one of my cousins. And during the celebration, there was a memorable moment when she made her way to the dance floor and did her dance! At 90. She. Did. Her. Dance. As brief as it was, it was wonderful!

The moment was so much fun and, for me, such a great reminder of the importance of -- in good times and bad, when business is going well or when it isn't -- to remember to do your dance, and, as I've mentioned before, to celebrate the small wins.

On this episode I talk about the importance of remembering to do your dance and how it can help you get through those tough or stressful moments in business and in life. I even add a little music in here to get you started! :)

Have a listen and have fun!

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at http://supportissexypodcast.com

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[Music:"Someone Else's Memories" by Revolution Void and "Easy" by SPCZ]

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Want to shift the energy during those moments when it feel like nothing is going your way? Here's the secret: Focus on what you're grateful for in that moment. Most of us know the healing power of gratitude, how being grateful for what you already have actually fertilizes the ground for more blessings, if you will. But I understand if there are days when a "parable" is the last thing you want to hear. All you want to know is how to fix it!

Don't know if you're a believer, but I've heard many preachers talk about this notion that it's wonderful to praise God or whatever power you believe in and be grateful for the good times; but what does your prayer sound like in the hard times? What matters as much, if not more, is how much gratitude you can show in those WTF moments.

If you're a regular listener to the podcast, you know I usually ask a key question of every single guest near the end of our interview: "If you think over your life and career, and you had the chance to thank only one person whose support was critical to you personally and professionally, who would that be and what would you say?"

And usually, during that moment of reflection, most guests get choked up. We all forget to pause sometimes to say thank you and to reflect with intentional gratitude, especially with the people in our lives.

So, your challenge for today is to call -- yes CALL -- at least one person to whom you are grateful for their love and support. Thank someone who has been there for you -- this might be a family member, spouse, a friend, a former colleague or someone you don't even know personally who has had a major influence.

To give you some support and inspiration, I rounded up a few of the touching "thank yous" of some of our previous guests (listed below).

And before you have a listen, I just want to say THANK YOU to all of you for listening and supporting the Support is Sexy podcast from all around the world. It truly means so much. Thank you!

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at supportissexypodcast.com.

Subscribe to Support is Sexy podcast on iTunes or on Stitcher Radio!

Thank you for listening! And hey, if you love it, please leave us a Rating & Review on iTunes!

[Music: "Someone Else's Memories" by Revolution Void and "Candlepower" by Chris Zabriskie]

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Believe or not, I can get business inspiration (or at least podcast episode inspiration) from nearly anywhere. And today's inspiration comes courtesy of the family dog.

Pup (not pictured) shows no shame when going after something he wants, especially if that something is a treat -- he puts it all out there. What if we did the same when it came to our businesses and the things we want to create in this world. What if we stayed hungry?

How much further along might you be in your business? Would you have a better chance of attracting the partners or resources you need to make some things happen? Would the satisfaction of at least knowing that you gave it your ALL continue to fuel you?

Have a listen to 7 ways staying hungry may help move you forward in your business. It's a real treat! ;)

Subscribe to Support is Sexy podcast on iTunes or on Stitcher Radio!

[Music: "Someone Else's Memories" by Revolution Void]

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Shortly after graduating college with a degree in broadcast journalism, Melinda Emerson landed her dream job as a television producer in Philadelphia -- and, she hated it. Mean people and countless hours pushed her to eventually make a move. And that move was to become an entrepreneur.

Melinda studied as much as she could about business, going to events and joining organizations that would provide her with business insight, and then she used her experience to start a video production company called Quintessence Group with just a laptop, a fax machine and a dream in 1999. The company, and Melinda, became very successful -- topping many of the who's who in business lists -- then everything changed, again, and she made a change to figure out her next chapter. She hasn't looked back.

On this episode, Melinda talks about how she became THE small biz lady, taking heed when "the voice" tells you where to go next, key ways to avoid small business failure and how to build a megabrand that reaches three million people weekly in spite of the curve balls in business and life.

On this episode you'll learn:

The biggest mistake she made in business.What happens when you fall out of love with the business you've created.Why writing a book -- a good book -- helps position you as an expert.What to do when life and business throw you a curve ball.How to market yourself and build your brand effectively on social media.The importance of repurposing content.Why quality content always rises to the top.Smart reasons to separate your brand from your name.Top 5 reasons small business fail.And why I'm pushing her to start her own podcast. :)Subscribe to Support is Sexy podcast on iTunes or on Stitcher Radio!

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at http://supportissexypodcast.com

[Music: "Someone Else's Memories" by Revolution Void]

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When Erin Woodward was ten years old, she had what many may consider the experience of a lifetime: Her parents sent her away from her small town just north of Toronto to live with extended family in Bali. Since then, Erin has loved traveling the world and visited 53 countries, so when she fell in love and considered making the move to London, she didn't hesitate. But once there, she quickly realized she was missing something: Connections.

Erin decided to use the Internet to bring other likeminded women together around something she was passionate about -- books -- and The Girly Book Club was born. Since then, it has grown to 46 chapters around the world in eight countries and with more than 30,000 members. On this episode of the Support is Sexy podcast, Erin talks about creating authentic connections, managing a global team and going virtual to grow your brand.

On this episode you'll learn:

How to know when it's time to take your business seriously.When it may be time to transition from moonlighting to full-time,How to manage a global brand.How to determine team leaders who can serve as the face of your brand.The importance of creating space for authentic connections.Scaling your brand by going virtual.Her top three recent reads.One of the biggest myths about entrepreneurshipTop tips for first steps when you're creating a group or event as part of your business.The importance of modeling.

Subscribe to Support is Sexy podcast on iTunes or on Stitcher Radio!

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at http://supportissexypodcast.com

[Music: "Someone Else's Memories" by Revolution Void]

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Dr. Karen Thomas has never fit in. Blame it on her third eye -- when everyone else sees blue or red, she sees purple. And while this ability may have irked her parents when she was growing up, it is what makes her an effective leader today, the ability to see what's not obvious others.

Though Dr. Thomas has a graduate degree in special events and marketing, and held an enviable position that she loved as director of marketing at Essence magazine back in the 1990s, she saw something others did not: it was time to move on. And in 1996, at the behest of the pastor of her church, she founded the Marion P. Thomas Charter School in Newark, New Jersey, in spite of the fact that she had no education experience. But Dr. Thomas saw purple. "As women...we're just limitless," she says. "I feel like, if it's something you feel in your spirit that you feel compelled to do, you feel like no one can stop you." Today, the school has grown from 60 students to 1500, and from four classrooms to four campuses.

On this episode, Dr. Thomas tells how to recognize when your next chapter makes itself known, how to keep moving when everyone else thinks your crazy, and what to do and where to turn in those moments when leadership gets lonely.

On this episode you'll learn:

The biggest challenge for running a charter school.Becoming a specialist in your category.3 things to know when starting a school.Why you have to think about your school as a business.How charter schools generate revenue.How to build a strong and balanced team.Why what got you here may not get you there.The importance of continuing to take courses to become a better leader.How to find people who can support you during those moments when leadership gets lonely.Subscribe to Support is Sexy podcast on iTunes or on Stitcher Radio!

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at http://supportissexypodcast.com

[Music: "Someone Else's Memories" by Revolution Void]

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"Tell me what you need."

I have said it before and I will say it again, these are five of the sexiest words in the English language. There are many, but these rank high on my list. The person making this request of you, to tell them what you need, is creating space for you to fill it with your desire, your needs in the moment, the things that you think will help you to move forward.

So, if someone were to make this request of you, as it relates to your business, would you be able to fill that space? Would you have answers? Would you be able to list AT LEAST three things that would move you forward in that moment?

This is what I faced this past week during two interviews with two powerful and incredibly important women entrepreneurs: Karen Cah, CEO of ifundwomen.com, and Dr. Karen Thomas, CEO of the Marion P. Thomas Charter School in Newark, New Jersey. And in this episode (episode 100!), I talk about what happened when I was asked what I needed, and how it has shifted my thinking around just how unready I am to receive support. But that changes -- for you and for me -- starting today. It's time to GET ready to tell the world what you need.

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at http://supportissexypodcast.com

Subscribe to Support is Sexy podcast on iTunes or on Stitcher Radio!

[Music: "Someone Else's Memories" by Revolution Void]

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