start up Archives - Speak Up Women

Guest Post from Jeanne Sullivan, Co-Founder of StarVest Partners and Panelist, Speak Up for Financing Panel at the Speak Up Women Conference

Three important places where your VOICE really counts:

In the Workplace:

This past year I was invited to deliver a TEDx for Barnard College. I am a Barnard Entrepreneur Fellow and this platform was one of the privileges. My theme was exactly the title of this post today. Here is why this title is so important to me – Women need to learn to find their voice and use it. How appropriate that this gathering is the Speak Up Women Conference.

In my TEDx talk, I used this theme related to dealing with Bullies, Bozos and Buffoons in the workplace. As anyone knows or has worked for more than month for a company an organization or firm, these people are everywhere (unfortunately). The approach that works best is to find one’s voice with these hard-to-deal-with people. Bosses, colleagues, customers, vendors and more. I believe the more effective approach is to use humor which often works to disarm the offender. I know one thing that does NOT work – and that is remaining silent and boiling over with anger and resentment.

When selling your idea, product or service:

Hone your ability to “sell” your idea, product or service.

I am a long-time venture capital investor and now Angel investor and advisor. I am amazed that CEOs often cannot package their “story”.

Yes…” story” is the operative word – I want you to tell me the genesis of your company – how you will execute and your plans and vision to build it big. How will you scale your business? Tell me about the “Business of the Business”. Don’t just fall in love with your product or tell me about the features and functions. Tell me about the channels where you plan sell this product or service. Lay out your marketing plan. Describe yourself as CEO and your team and track record. Lay out the financials around the business – how much capital you will require over time and your milestones.

Of course, investors want to hear about your product or service. But entrepreneurs need to remember that the primary goal of an investor is to make money – and they want to hear how you plan to make that money from their investment. And speaking of financials – Know your financials an I mean cold!”

Ladies – most of us are BAD at this but “You can learn this stuff”.

Get a finance professional at your side who can teach you. Let others show you how to understand the numbers and bring them to the meeting. When the snarky angel or VC says ‘What are the gross margins?’ And you have a blank look on your face, guess what? You got the first meeting, but you won’t get the second.”

“Investors want you to be stewards of their money.”

In an organization, these lessons are equally important. Imagine that you have a new idea or product for your line of business or company. Again, when packaging your idea – think about how to be most effective in presenting this innovation, new process or product. These are the stepping stones toward success for yourself and for the business.

Your Patter:

A talented PR person helped me along the way with this one. Someone asks you to introduce yourself at a meeting, a party, a job interview. Package yourself with a few short phrases that …tells your story. Just start listening to others and you will quickly see the difference between doing this well or not.

Finding One’s Voice –

And…this discussion is part of the journey of life! It takes time and continuous practice in many settings to learn to be articulate – find one’s voice – to be packaged! I am always amazed and in awe of the young, articulate people who do this well. We can learn from each other – I am still learning every day.

I look forward to meeting you at the Speak Up Women Conference on March 5th at the United Nations and hearing about your experience!

Link with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeannemsullivan

Connect with me: @Gianna212

Guest Post from Cherie Corso, Founder of G2 Organics and Panelist, Speak Up in Business Panel at the Speak Up Women Conference

Chasing the dream of life balance is exhausting. We, as women, spend more time giving to everyone else, leaving ourselves bankrupt. As the nurturers of the world, we are born with an innate gift to give; however, when we decide to give to ourselves, it is looked at as selfish. Some of us hate telling people no in fear of disappointing them at the cost of o Cherie Corso - Panelist, Speak Up in Business Panel ur sanity. That mentality has stopped many successful women reach their full potential in life and in business.

I am compelled to write to you to give you the confidence boost you need to come out of the shadows and speak up, demanding the life you deserve. You have a voice and hopefully these 5 steps will help you find it and ignite the inner strength you need to finally SPEAK UP!

Step One – Realize everyone is NOT going to like you.

The first thing I think every woman entrepreneur should understand is that your gifts and talents are not for everyone and that’s okay. As you understand your purpose, you will attract all those kindred spirits that you were sent for. Have you noticed that many entrepreneurs will name their audience?

Names like tribes, societies, newbies, armies, etc. are given to give them a sense of inclusion and letting your audience know you were sent for them and them alone. You’re either in the tribe or you’re not. The more you focus on the people that don’t like you, the less time you will be able to focus on the audience that’s waiting for someone just like you to speak directly to them.

Step Two – Believe you have a lot to offer.

You’ve probably said one hundred times, “Why would anyone want to listen to me?” Or, “that’s been done already, so why bother?”

When I got the idea to start G2 Organics, I didn’t look at all the other product lines out there. I knew that my beliefs and ideas were worth all the money and work to get it in the hands of customers around the world.

I believed so much in my voice that I couldn’t keep silent about it. Regardless of how many people have done it before you, no one will be able to transform that idea using your feminine energy and knowledge. Every trial, failure, and victory has led you to this moment. Seize it!

Step Three – Understand the role of competition.

We are bombarded by society to be in constant competition with each other. If you’ve seen two celebrities wear the same outfit on the red carpet, the headline the next day will read, ‘Who wore it better?’ For the single ladies at weddings, they fight to the death for the bride’s bouquet. There’s no need to be defensive and even snippy with other women. Realize that we are greater in numbers and the community that you’re able to build will elevate your thinking and status in so many ways.

I challenge you to find at least two like-minded women that can give you the much needed motivation to keep going. They will feed the woman that you are and the entrepreneur that you’re striving to be. These women will hold you accountable to your goals and a little friendly competition never hurt.

Step Four – Prepare for success.

I love to hear people say, “She came out of nowhere!” In reality, no she didn’t. There were years of planning and preparation before anyone knew her name. It takes a lot of work to be spontaneous. If you have an important meeting scheduled, show up early and have a pre-meeting, breaking the ice with conversation. When you’re in a relaxed state, your feminine energy shines and your mind is clear to communicate your ideas effectively.

The more you prepare that speech, presentation, or meeting, you are giving yourself room to adjust to last minute changes. You are able to simply acknowledge life’s hiccups and make the immediate adjustments. Luck is your preparation that meets the opportunities.

Step Five – Take the physical and emotional risks as an entrepreneur.

As an entrepreneur your greatest successes will come out of your greatest failures. You’re going to have to take the leap out of your comfort zone to take the risks necessary to get results. Some of our favorite inventions like the microwave, chocolate chip cookies, and even the potato chip were all products of the inventor’s mistake. Having your own business is exciting and exhilarating, but never lose your ability to throw your ideas to the walls and see what sticks.

As a wife, mother, and businesswoman, I wear many hats and sometimes I amaze myself when I get it all done. It takes work, but it’s not as hard as you think. Every no is one step closer to a yes! Will you be ready?

I look forward to meeting you at the Speak Up Women Conference on March 5th at the United Nations and hearing about your experience!

Everybody loves to receive gifts and we at the Speak Up Women Conference know how to give them with our hearts and souls to help support you with your “Speak Up” skills!

When you register by Thursday, March 3rd, at 11:59pm Eastern Time
for the Speak Up Women Conference, you qualify to win one of the following giveaways from our impactful elite speakers and amazing Speak Up Women team:

Cherie Corso is gifting and giving away a gift basket filled with G HEADER-3 2 Organics products to one lucky registrant! Thank You, Cherie!

Jessica Abo is gifting and giving away a 1-hour coaching session to help one lucky registrant turn her passion into action! Thank You, Jessica!

Experienced venture capital investor, Jeanne M. Sullivan, will meet for a half-day session to support your business vision. “Let’s talk about packaging, connections and how to get funded or brainstorm ideas to scale your business.” Thank You, Jeanne!

Kathy Zucker is gifting and giving away a 1-hour consultation with one lucky registrant! Thank you, Kathy!

Bonnie Bruderer, our esteemed Emcee & Mistress of Ceremonies, is gifting and giving away 1 hour of media training. Thank you, Bonnie!

Bonnie is also gifting and giving away a “Tweebot” which is a robot and a chance to win $10,000 with it! See #tweebaa and @tweebaa on Twitter. Thank You, Bonnie!

Laura Fredricks is gifting and giving away ½ hour of her valuable time to one lucky registrant plus the winner will receive a signed copy of her book. Thank You, Laura!

Karen Taylor Bass is gifting and giving away one complimentary 45-minute PR Coaching session to one lucky registrant. Thank You, Karen!

Stephanie Parker is gifting and giving away one hour of her valuable time as a business consult to one lucky registrant. Thank You, Stephanie!

Joan Pelzer of Joan Pelzer Media, our amazing social media strategist for the Speak Up Women Conference, is gifting and giving away a 1-hour Social Media Roadmap Session to one lucky registrant in which Joan Pelzer Media will evaluate current social media and help craft a strategic plan for moving ahead to create relationships online rather than just connections! Thank You, Joan!

Jennefer Witter of The Boreland Group, our fabulous publicist for the Speak Up Women Conference, is gifting and giving away a one-hour PR tele coaching session to one lucky registrant plus a signed copy of her book. Thank
You, Jennefer!

Our Founder, Jennifer S. Wilkov, is gifting and giving away a one-hour Reset Your Mindset session to one lucky registrant plus a signed copy of her book, Boys Before Business: The Single Girl’s Guide to Having It All

Jennifer is also gifting and giving away a one-hour JumpStart Your Book Session to one lucky registrant in which she will provide guidance and direction for the winner’s book or script idea, concept, draft, published or produced work. Thank You, Jennifer!

Judy Goss Headshot 1 2015 (3)

Judy Goss is gifting and giving away a 30-minute media training and a complimentary online membership to
Over 40 Females to one lucky registrant. Thank You, Judy!

Michelle Tillis Lederman is gifting and giving away one coaching call for one lucky registrant. Thank You, Michelle!

Jessica Minhas is gifting and giving away a 1-hour consultation on how to use your story for good or media/speaking coaching for one lucky registrant. Thank You, Jessica!

Victoria Moran, one of our esteemed Keynote Speakers, is gifting and giving away a Vegan Lifestyle Coaching Session via phone or Skype to one lucky registrant. Thank You, Victoria!

Alyssa Peek of Peek Photography, one of our fabulous photographers for the Speak Up Women Conference, is gifting and giving away one photo shoot session valued at $850 to one lucky registrant. Thank You, Alyssa!

What’s different about the Speak Up Women Conference?

We all want to go to events for different reasons. Some want to go to meet others. Some want to go because of the topic or to hear the speaker being featured. Others want to go because there is a chance to network in a great location or over great food or wine.

Here are the top 5 experiences you don’t want to miss at the Speak Up Women Conference at the UN on March 5^th:

1) The Caliber of Women You’ll Get to Connect With

The women who attend the Speak Up Women Conference are individuals who are committed to making a difference in the world by using their voices to build better businesses, communities and lives. They invest their greatest assets – their time, money, energy and efforts – to be around others who are doing all they can to create a better, bolder world for others…and themselves. They know great things happen at events at the United Nations, a different caliber location for such an auspicious opportunity.

They also know that it’s worth it to invest their time here among like-minded women who are truly moving and shaking the world.

If these are the people you have been looking to be in the same room with, then make sure you are in the room at the Speak Up Women Conference.

2) The Featured Topics of Discussion at a Single Event

In just one day at this one event, the Speak Up Women Conference, you will find yourself in conversations with other motivated, courageous, and inspiring women about speaking up in business, for money you need to grow your business and dreams, in your home, in your personal relationships with family and friends, and in your community – not to mention the keynote conversations about the impact speaking up can have when you are courageous enough to do it.

In order to cover all of the topics we will be discussing at the Speak Up Women Conference, you would have to pay for and attend at least 5 different conferences, including 5 different locations and associated travel and accommodations as well as time away from your family, friends and weekend commitments, not to mention childcare considerations and more.

3) Don’t Just Get a Book; Meet the Author and Get It Signed

At the Speak Up Women Conference, you won’t just buy a book. You can do that at home. You will have the unique pleasure and chance to meet and talk with the author as she signs your book.

Whether it is Victoria Moran, Laura Day, Judy Goss, Laura Fredricks, Michelle Tillis Lederman, Kelly Keenan Trumpbour, or any of our other powerful speakers, this is your opportunity to meet them in person, have your book personally signed, and take home not just a book, but the experience of meeting each one of them.

4) Time to Meet Fellow Attendees

The Speak Up Women Conference doesn’t only give you time to meet the phenomenal speakers appearing at the event, it also provides you with time during breakfast, lunch and the after-party to connect with fellow attendees. You never know who you are going to meet at an event like this.

With the type of women attending, you may just meet the one person who could be that game changer for you and your endeavors, business and interests.

5) Special Guest Appearance by Jillian Manus – At the Speak Up Women Conference, you won’t just eat lunch. Jillian Manus will be joining us to share her remarks about speaking up, why it is important and how it does make an impact.

Why should this make a difference for you? Not sure who Jillian Manus is or why you would want to listen to her?

Jillian Manus is a presently a Managing Partner of Structure VC, a Silicon Valley early-stage venture capital firm providing capital and brand strategy to tech companies focused on creating value in under utilized assets and excess capacity. Structure is the Architects of the Zero Waste Economy. Prior to SC, Jillian has had a multifaceted career as co-director of M & A for Credit Suisse in Zurich, Director of Development for Universal and Warner Bros Studios, TV agent for ICM, Associate Publisher of Upside Magazine. She is the founder of 3 companies, Global Goal Sports Management, Manus Media & Literary Agency and Broad Strategy, a brand acceleration and investment company.

She attended Oxford University and NYU where she served on the board of Trustees. Ms. Manus is a highly regarded public speaker, providing political and business commentary in both print and television, including Bloomberg News, Hardball and Fox News.

Jillian sits on numerous corporate and philanthropic boards including Box.org, Center for Investigative Reporting, Duke Engage National, Hyp3r, Iggbo, NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Communities in Schools and College Track. She served seven years as Chair of The Woman’s Conference where she joined Maria Shriver to create the largest women’s conference in the world; 15,700 women STRONG.

As an active philanthropist, she created the Manus Family Foundation whose mission is “to create paths of safety and self-sufficiency for women and children.” The two primary levers of investment for her are education and health. Jillian was recently selected by the San Francisco Business Times as a 2016 honoree for the Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business.

Jillian speaks up and has spoken up in all the areas of her life that we will be discussing during the Speak Up Women Conference. This is your opportunity to not just be in the room with her, but to hear what she has to say about why speaking up has made huge difference for her in her life – in business, in her community, and for herself.

So don’t miss the Speak Up Women Conference! Time is running out and so are our limited number of seats!

Haven’t purchased your ticket yet? The Speak Up Women Conference at the United Nations is on March 5^th. Time is running out! Don’t miss out on this elite experience to raise your game, and your life, to the next level by learning how to really speak up and make an impact.

Guest Post from Judy Goss, Moderator, How to Speak Up & What’s Holding You Back Panel at the Speak Up Women Conference

Before you SPEAK UP, make sure you know WHY it is you want to talk about it.

I’m writing this with the assumption that you want to market yourself to the world, increase your visibility and make a living from what you love, right?

Yes, of course – we all want to do that on varying levels, whether you have your own business, are a part-time freelancer or are simply trying to get ahead in your career as an expert. The problem is, we need to have a rock-solid grasp of WHO and WHAT we are and WHY we are doing what we do before we start growing.

I have heard countless times that today’s marketing is all about “authenticity.” Being authentic can be tough, especially when combining it in the professional world. I stopped myself countless times from admitting I had been through bankruptcy because I wanted to be known as an “astute businesswoman.” Little did I know that telling the truth about my story would inspire and motivate others, which was really what my companies were all about! So it came full circle and helped me in the end, when I could have saved time and wrapped my “real self” into my marketing in the first place. Real stories sell – Trump admitted his bankruptcies, why couldn’t I?

At the heart of it, speaking about yourself (and/or your business!) requires maintaining a consistent message to your audience that you are who you are, you know what you are selling, and within that message is why you are selling/offering what you do.

A good way to find where to begin is to write down the top three reasons of what your intentions are with your business or career in the first place, and tape it on the wall where you will see it every day. Here are mine when I started Over 40 Females:

To make the women over 40 demographic more relevant and thus create more opportunities for women.
To give women over 40 a platform to be heard and celebrated while connecting them with each other forming a close-knit community.
To take that exclusive community for women over 40 and provide resources to draw from ranging from business building to spiritual guidance to media exposure.

A great way to be consistent with your story is to come up with a tagline for your company. Or, if you are a sales rep or don’t have your own business, you can still have a quote that follows you around and represents your personal story in just a few words – put it on your email signature, post it on Facebook, show it everywhere you market yourself. The most important part is to be consistent. Over 40 Females is “Your Network. Your World. Your Community.” Our motto is “Connect, Encourage and Inspire” but I didn’t feel like that that was enough – it doesn’t really describe what we are, so we came up with a tagline that as soon as you see our company name, you will have an idea of who we are and what we do.

The why? It should be in your messaging. One of my favorite videos is one Simon Sintek did, it’s about 20 minutes and it changes my life every time I see it:

{Click the image to view Simon’s TED Talk}

Here is an example of “Who” and “What” Over 40 Females is:

A live and online networking community for women over the age of 40 to give women a platform to be heard, a place to network personally and professionally, a hub for educational resources and an impassioned community for women over the age of 40 with the motto “Connect, Encourage and Inspire.”

“Why” would you join us?

We help women over 40 who are in transition, going through a re-invention or re-building their lives professionally or personally. The ways we do this is by connecting them with other like-minded women, providing them constant resources through our experts with teleseminars, educational videos and more, offering them unique ways to promote their businesses or careers and giving them a place to come where everyone feels like extended family – a place where women over 40 finally belong.

What is YOUR why?

I look forward to meeting you at the Speak Up Women Conference on March 5th at the United Nations and hearing about your experience!

Have you ever felt like shouting, “Show Me the MONEY!!!” to someone? I mean really got in that place, like Cuba Gooding Jr.’s character in the movie Jerry McGuire where he is dancing up a storm, laughing, and shouting at Jerry to “show me the money”?

Why not?

What’s holding you back from asking for the money you need – for your business, for a cause you believe in, for others to sponsor an event or buy Girl Scout cookies from your daughter or niece?

Asking for money can cause an emotional response in many of us. Money is funny. It conjures up all kinds of judgments we make about ourselves – and our worth.

The truth is there is a secret code, like a secret handshake, for asking for money. It all begins with confidence and the belief in yourself and what you are asking for the money for.

Too many times I hear people say that they can’t figure out where the secret door is to the venture capitalists for their business or that if they found it, they can’t seem to speak the right language to stay in the conversation and engage those they have had the privilege to meet.

Asking for money comes down to a few things.

What are you asking for the money for? Are you clear about that? You are going to need to articulate this specifically, so make sure you are clear about it yourself.

Why are you asking for it? Is this a passion project? Are you looking for investors as equity partners, people with whom you will share your business? Are you looking for investors to give you the money to bridge you and your business while you build it and then you will pay them back? When? Are you getting a mortgage for your first home? How many people will you be able to help, serve or solve their issue, such as feeding people or providing access to clean water, if someone gives you the funding? Why is it so important to you to get the money?

When you get it, what will you apply it to? Be prepared to specify what you are going to do with the money – and why.

How do you feel, think about and manage money? This is pivotal. Fear is not an ally in these types of conversations. Confidence, competence and courage are. Be prepared to discuss fiscal management of the money you ask for. It’s essential that you know what you want to do with it, how you feel about it, and the words you use to talk about it that matter.

So when you are preparing to have your “Show Me the Money!” conversation with someone, practice makes perfect! Interview yourself about how you feel, think and interact with money. Get clear about why you want someone to invest in you and whatever you are asking for the money for. Most of all, check your emotions at the door. And I mean check in on them! Be honest with yourself about how you feel. More than that, check in on how you feel about whether you’re worth it or not. The truth is, you are whatever you believe you’re worth. And trust me, you’re worth it!

So Speak Up!

Be sure to attend the Speak Up Women Conference at the United Nations on March 5^th which features a Speak Up for Financing Panel with rockstar women experts from the world of financing who can address your specific questions about financing and how to speak up for money.

Guest Post: Stand Up – Step Up – Speak Up

Guest Post: Your Ultimate Life and Business ‘Speak Up’ Guide

Gifts & Giveaways to Registrants Only for the Speak Up Women Conference!

5 Experiences You Don’t Want to Miss at the Speak Up Women Conference AND Special Guest Announcement!!

Guest Post: WHY You Speak Up Has Impact

Show Me the Money!