Who encouraged you to be who you are today?
Do you look back now and think, “That person mattered in my life in more ways than one!” One person can make a difference. I’ve been grateful to have many difference makers in my own life and to be one as well.
Former Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell spoke at the National Retail Federation conference I attended last week in New York City. One of the best stories was the one where he talked about his own career path. He said he was working for a small business owner who said, “You’ve got this kid.” And that was Powell’s tipping point. He went from being a ‘barely making it’ city college student to Secretary of State. Not overnight granted but still, he became something in no small part because of that man’s words. Regardless of where we are in our lives, we each need encouragement now and then. I’ve been fortunate to have a number of people in my life who have always showed up right on time. In other words, when I needed them to be there.
At the end of 2015, I was notified that I had been nominated for the Athena Award through The Business Forum. I was really surprised. It was the holidays so I had to write and wait to find out who had nominated me. There’s a process and paperwork but they were surprised that I didn’t know who it was. I really had no idea!
Founded in 1982 by Martha Mayhood Mertz, ATHENA International is a non-profit organization that seeks to support, develop and honor women leaders. The program inspires women to reach their full potential and strives to create balance in leadership worldwide. The award goes to individuals who excel in their professions, give back to their communities and help raise up other leaders, especially women.
On March 8, 2016, I will be joined by some of these exceptional women in Madison, Wisconsin, as we are each recognized for our work in our communities, in business and as leaders. The stories they will tell will encourage you because at the core of each of these women, they are people who didn’t accept the status quo, who knew things could be better and then did something about it.
When I first started my business in 1989, only 10 percent of businesses were started by women. I had a one in six chance overall of making it to where I am today— 85 percent of businesses will not see their 25th year. Given that I had no real connections or financial backing and I was 21 years old, my odds probably weren’t even that good. And yet here I am in no small part because of you and many others along the way who have taught me so much.
My first sales call in the early spring of 1989 was to Wisco Hotels. They were building a hotel in a new development called Old Sauk Trails Park on Madison’s West Side. When a company is building or growing, they need press, so I called. I got the appointment with their regional director, Jean Winkler. She opened the door 26 years ago and although she is now retired, we are still in touch and I will forever be grateful for the opportunity she gave me to do what I love to do for their brand. My next big client was Mid-Plains Telephone, which became Chorus, which was eventually acquired by TDS thanks to the deregulation of telecommunications. The marketing director there? That would be Holly Heuer, my nominator for the Athena Award. Women opening doors for women. In my early 30’s, there were two women who I met through the National Retail Federation who helped me get a seat on the board for the Retail Advertising and Marketing Association. Only 16% of board seats on a national level are held by women. It made a big difference in terms of my knowledge and skills as well as the opportunity to learn from advertising greats at some of the best brands in America.
While business is certainly of great interest to me, I’m equally as passionate about causes such as adult literacy, children living in poverty and food scarcity. I’m also an advocate for music for all and local and global missions. I’m a parent, a daughter, a friend and a neighbor too. Women have never been more interesting.
I’m grateful for organizations like The Business Forum who empower women from around the world. This night is a celebration of all of us. I hope you’ll join me and many others as we come together to honor and recognize not only our achievements, but our combined commitment to the world around us.
There is an African proverb that I quote often, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” I’m so glad I’m alive at this time. There has never been a better time for all of us to come together to make the world a better place.