From The Publisher
And The Finalists Are...
I
t’s here! The 3rd annual Innovative Woman in Business Awards! I am so honored and excited to present these awards at SUCCESS Summit! It’s an opportunity to recognize outstanding women who are making it happen!
We had tons of applications/nominations this year, and narrowing down to our finalists was not an easy job. Everyone who applied is doing great, exciting things. But we must narrow the choices, and here we are announcing our finalists for 2013!. Please take a moment to read about these amazing women. We’ve included their websites as well so you can see first-hand what they are doing! Some have been in business a short time – others 10+ years. Most have created a business out of a passion – or serve a market they are passionate about. Here they share their challenges and how they overcame them. They share what SUCCESS means to them and what makes them an innovative woman! Once you’ve had a chance to review this special digital edition, go to our voting page at www.successsummitandexpo.com/vote - and cast your vote for each category! One vote per person (email please). And then stay tuned for the winners to be announced at the 5th Annual SUCCESS Summit on September 27/28, 2013. Congrats –and good luck!
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Finalists
Start-Up Entrepreneur
Susie Augustin
Katie Bressack
Visionary Award
Chris Atley
Michelle Broad
Doreen Dove
Innovative Award
Patsy Anderson
Lisa Goodwin
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Jayne Rios
Katrina Sawa
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Mom Entrepreneur Award
Nicole Dennison
Robin Taney
Best Product Based Business
Shajen Joy Aziz
Sally Short
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Start-Up Entrepreneur Award
Finalist
Susie Augustin
How/why did you begin your business?
B
eing in the beauty industry for over 15 years and working as a marketing copywriter, I’ve encouraged thousands of women to embrace their inner beauty and exude confidence. I wrote Sexy, Fit & Fab at Any Age! Say Yes to Your Natural Beauty While Being Funny, Healthy, Sexy & Inspired to motivate others to develop their essences while following their passions and dreams. I started Get Branded Press to help others pursue their dreams, brand themselves through their writing, and learn how to self-publish. This year Get Branded Press published two books: Sexy, Fit & Fab at Any Age! as well as Getting Your Life to a 10 Plus by inspirational speaker Kim Somers Egelsee. The mission for Get Branded Press is: Dream it. Write it. Brand it. Writing and publishing a book is an ideal way to be seen as a leader in your field, promote your business, score lucrative speaking engagements, fast track your success, create multiple streams of income, and ultimately to brand yourself. I’ve had the opportunity to encounter exceptional speakers and entrepreneurs who are experts in their field who want to share their knowledge through writing books. I offer book coaching, editing, proofreading, marketing copywriting, ghost writing, and workshops on book writing and self-publishing. What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it? While I was writing Sexy, Fit & Fab at Any Age! I was experiencing female health problems, which led to a hysterectomy last summer. While I was recovering, my mom was unexpectedly hospitalized and passed away. It was quite a challenge compartmentalizing the physical and emotional pain
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I was going through, while focusing on Get Branded Press, publishing and printing mine and Kim’s books. During this time I went to purchase a new car and discovered that I was a victim of identity theft. In addition to losing my “book savings” due to being on disability, I had no credit and no budget. But what I did have was perseverance and passion. I surrounded myself with uplifting people and lived with an attitude of gratitude. Our Living Your Extraordinary Life Red Carpet Book Launch was especially remarkable in that both books became bestsellers that night! Another blessing that week was that my finances were recovered. Since then amazing opportunities have come along; speaking engagements, radio and TV shows, and many requests for book coaching. How do you define SUCCESS? Success, to me, is the quality of life I live. My life is meaningful as I surround myself with fabulous friends and family. There have been times in my life when I’ve made more money than I do today, but I was unhappy, anxious and overweight. Today I’m following my passions, living the life I want to lead, have lots of amazing opportunities coming my way, and am helping others better their lives. If there was one thing you wish you knew before you started your business, what would that be? There are several things we need to know before we start a business, but I feel that sometimes we need to just go for it and stop worrying about not knowing enough to begin. You may risk failing or looking foolish, but that’s all part of life experience. Just like life, my business continues to evolve. I’m creative and learn along the way, surrounding myself with an amazing support system. I’d rather jump in and risk making a few mistakes while I enjoy what I’m doing rather than just watch my life pass by uneventfully. What makes you an innovative woman? What makes me an innovative woman is that I dare to go for it, live the life of my dreams, and encourage others to live fulfilling lives. Susie Augustin – Sexy, Fit & Fab www.SexyFitFab.com
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Start-Up Entrepreneur Award
Finalist
Katie Bressack
How/why did you begin your business? I traded in the corporate world for yoga and green juice while living in NYC. Working in the corporate world, I noticed that when I took time to eat healthy, exercise and take breaks during the day, I felt more focused and performed better at work. Watching others around me struggle to make it through the day inspired me to start my business supporting busy women with nutrition & wellness counseling. What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it? I took a leap of faith last August, jumping right in to my business without the safety net of another job, not to mention moving across the country to LA and leaving most of my professional relationships behind! I overcame my initial fears of starting over by hiring a great business coach, networking with like minded women, and truly believing in what I was doing. I haven’t looked back since! How do you define SUCCESS? Success is the freedom to live the life of my choosing. Too often in the past, I lived my life to fulfill others expectations. I love that I am creating my idea of success every single day while making a difference in women’s lives.
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If there was one thing you wish you knew before you began your business, what would that be? To structure my day in a way that compliments my creative process. I find that writing blogs and newsletters first thing in the morning is the best for me, taking a break around lunch that includes movement allows me to be truly present during client sessions in the afternoon.
What makes you an innovative woman? The recognition that every one of my clients is unique. There are a lot of health and diet programs out there that treat everyone the same. Realizing the wants and needs on an individual level allows me to customize each program so that my clients get the unique attention that they deserve. Katie Bressack – www.katiebressack.com
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Visionary Award
Finalist
Chris Atley
How/why did you begin your business? I began my business because I longed to feel alive again after losing my passion and drive while working in the insurance industry. I wanted to feel like I was helping people and making a difference. I no longer felt that way in my corporate career. The problem was I couldn’t figure out what I wanted to do! After having my first born on moving day, and losing my Dad shortly after, a lot changed for me. I was left feeling pretty miserable. Then, one day, I had a great lunch date with a friend and came home in a completely changed and very positive frame of mind, which led me to watch the movie, “The Secret”. At that moment I realized I could dream big and create anything I wanted in life! One door opened after another, and I heard about coaching. I knew right away it was the perfect fit, and everything I did afterward confirmed just that. What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it? Me, me and ME! I was lucky in that I learned how to start and grow a business pretty fast due to being introduced to some fabulous mentors. Even though I had all of the business tools, things still weren’t flowing revenue wise. It wasn’t until I made a huge financial investment to work with a business coach, who focused on mindset as well as growth strategies, that everything changed. I was able to dig out what was really holding me back deep down and get out of my own way! I generated more in business in July of 2013, than I made in all of 2012. Life is magical!
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How do you define SUCCESS? I define success as being able to do what I want, when I want and with whom I want. Essentially it’s about having the means to have the freedom to do what I choose, and being able to help others do the same on a larger scale. It’s also about celebrating each step of the way as I reach my bigger goals and dreams! If there was one thing you wish you knew before you began your business, what would that be? Make sales calls! For some reason, in all of the business training I learned early on, not one program or mentor reinforced the importance of making quality sales calls each and every day! It doesn’t matter which level you’re at! This, along with my mindset shift, is what changed my business dramatically! What makes you an innovative woman? I am an innovative woman because I am willing to do whatever it takes to achieve the business and lifestyle I want – nothing illegal of course! Seriously though, it’s about doing whatever it takes to peel back the layers of the onion and get out of my own way. For when I do, life is magical and I also have the privilege of showing other entrepreneurs how to do the same. I now realize that It is all about overcoming what you are resisting on the path that the universe has already paved for you. Chris Atley, Total Harmony Coaching
www.totalharmonycoaching.com
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Visionary Award
Finalist
Michelle Broad How/why did you begin your business? I began my brick and mortar practice in 2001 and it remained open until 2009. I then merged my practice with a Doctor friend of mine. I have been working on my on-line women’s health portal since 2011. I began working on my on-line site to bring together a one stop education and shopping experience for women that they could look to as a trusted and up to date resource for all things related to their health, wealth and well being.
What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it? My biggest challenge has been in learning how to bring my off-line knowledge and experience on-line in a comprehensive but simple format for women. It has also been a challenge for me to learn all the on-line technical stuff that I have had to learn but I have taken a lot of on-line courses to help me with that and I have surrounded myself with other talented women whose strong suits are not mine. How do you define SUCCESS? Success for me is doing what you love, blessing others with it and living with personal integrity on your own terms, and I am doing just that.
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If there was one thing you wish you knew before you began your business, what would that be? I wish that I would have had a mentor to guide me when I first opened both the off-line brick and mortar business, and now the on-line site so that I could have avoided many of the pitfalls that I encountered.
What makes you an innovative woman? My fortitude to never stop pursuing my dreams and helping others to fulfill theirs. Michelle Broad – www.wellwomennetwork.com
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Visionary Award
Finalist
Doreen Dove
How/why did you begin your business? The fabric of my company has been woven over several decades of my life. I started my retail career at the age of sixteen at Ann Taylor, which then was a fledgling new business. I never left the industry and used my skills and expertise to build several profitable companies - for others! Despite being successful, my heart longed for a business that would enable me to empower “other” women. So I sat down and wrote another business plan, this time for me. The difference in creating this plan was the ability to be able to formulate it with my clients’ end result in mind. Those very first lessons that I learned watching the founders of Ann Taylor build a business based on customer service still guide my future plan – to serve my customers, and service them well! What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it? My biggest challenge was defining my ideal client. Initially there was a tendency to think that everyone could be my client. Whereas my programs can certainly help any woman improve her confidence, I needed to focus on creating a sustainable, profitable business that had the ability to serve more women in different capacities. Overcoming that innate desire to serve “all” took focus and creativity. I needed to properly message my marketing to attract the client that not only needed my services, but also could afford to make the changes necessary to accomplish the desired transformation. Through targeted marketing and networking I have been able to create a steady income stream that has allowed me to additionally create programs that benefit young women who are less fortunate. I started a pilot program for Youth Villages, a non-profit residential school that takes care of teens at risk. Here is a link to the newspaper write-up in regard to the program and its remarkable results. http://bit.ly/136vZBi
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How do you define SUCCESS? My personal definition of success is being able to take all of my creative ideas and past successes and morph them into a thriving business that makes not only my heart sing but also the spirits of my clients soar. This success satisfies my desire to be an engaged business owner with the ability to continue to grow, prosper and maintain a work life balance while simultaneously empowering other women to reach towards their dreams and goals. If there was one thing you wish you knew before you began your business, what would that be? I wish I had known in advance how rewarding the client transformations would be not only for them but for me as well. I knew I would be providing a service, but to empower women with lifelong transformational changes, to improve their self-esteem, eliminate negative self-talk and provide them with the tools so they can soar on their own – that is amazing! What makes you an innovative woman? There are many image consultants out there but I am doing something different rather than doing the same thing better. I have combined decades of expertise in helping women to be the best version of themselves and created a process whereby a woman can step into her own transformation wherever she is along the way. I teach women how to use style as a tool, to take strategic control of their image, and fully engage in the opportunities that this will bring them in the future. Doreen Dove – www.DoreenDove.com
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Innovative Award
Finalist
Patsy Anderson How/why did you begin your business? After 14 years in Corporate America I became a stay home MOM. Though grateful, I cringed when I had to ask for money. WHY? Independence. I did not want to give that part of me up. I discovered a new world: entrepreneurship, and quickly learned there were not too many entrepreneurs in the 80’s! A Little Stash couldn’t hurt anything. RIGHT…?
I participated in my first arts and crafts show, invested $2000.00 and sold one item. I had a partner in crime, my little sister. The look in her eyes, that I disappointed her, triggered the eldest of 6 kids in me. I kicked into survival mode. I knew someone was making money and it wasn’t the crafters. Less than 3 months later I hosted my first event out of my house, and within a year earned not only our investment, but began a huge movement in the stay home mom world, called “Don’t Tell Dad”. I began to teach women how to create and sell, and the concept took off: MAKE IT SELL IT and Clean it all up before DAD comes Home. Years Later it became Don’t Tell Dad , Mom’s Going to be a Millionaire. I designed events that complimented talent and lifestyle, and catered it to my own demographic. Years later, and still not a Millionaire, the industry became saturated, and I found myself nearly out of business. I redesigned the event to be The CCBC Womens Expo, a concept designed as a fundraiser for the American Association for Women in Community Colleges, (supporting Project Second Start) and women starting their lives over. I had the perfect project, and the experience to implement this event/program that is now serving its 15th year in alliance with our local college which supports “Women in Business” I understood women with an entrepreneurial spirit, the need to create income and the desire to be independent. I knew I could teach women in a creative way. And I wanted to be a Millionaire, doing what I love . It became my mission to show women that they can do what they love and make money. I became a Concept Designer. Yeah, I made that up, and it remains my title to this day. My desire to discover the HOW and WHY led me to start a business where other women could work beside me and earn income. My natural born talent for concepts was the driving force behind taking my stay at home business to our local college, where we serve our community as one of the
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largest Women’s Expos in the Baltimore area. Now the company is Womens Expo Forum, which owns Womens Expo, Career Fairs, and PWNradio.net I look forward to what Womens Expo Forum will become next… What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it? I have two challenges right now, technology and market saturation. Accepting the Tech Challenge, incorporating products such as Infusion Soft, and embracing technology, Love it , Follow it, Become It. Collaborating is how I will overcome these challenges with consideration on rebranding. 2010 is when business started to change for us. Collaborating with young IT and Developers helped. We brought on board a 21 year old millionaire (technology development), and consult with young adults on a regular basis. Looking at companies like Google and AOL, and following their cues is helpful. How do you define SUCCESS? Do What you Love and Love What You Do!!!! If you are doing this you are successful. There was a time I defined success as doing something you love, but I quickly learned that women who could not figure out how to create income doing what they love were soon out of business, and not feeling very successful. Everyone loses . The Woman loses her business, her passion, her confidence and the universe loses what she had to offer. I have learned that success is when you can take what you love and create income. Uh that nasty word, money, when you become comfortable with the word money. When YOU are okay - to make it, ask for it, and believe you deserve it, you have succeeded. You can decide to make money, or to not make money. You are empowered to know its completely okay and a CHOICE. If there was one thing you wish you knew before you began your business, what would that be? I would borrow money. I wanted to use all my own funds, and it took me a very long time to grow. A small business loan would have given me the edge to have those great concepts developed, and the back office in place. Qualifying for a loan forces you to have all your ducks in a row. What makes you an innovative woman? Curiosity and creating that curiosity in others. Risking more than others think is SAFE, Expect More than Others Think is Possible ( I live by these quotes). Just as life is always changing, so is business. “Don’t be Afraid to be Afraid” is my motto. Being curious and a little scared at the same time allows me to be an innovative woman. Patsy Anderson - Women’s Expo Forum
www.WomensExpoForum.com
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Innovative Award
Finalist
Lisa Goodwin
How/why did you begin your business? After selling my successful wellness practice, I wanted to work with entrepreneurs and provide insight into strategies for marketing that were different than cookie cutter programs. What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it? My biggest challenge has been scale, and it still is. Just when I think I have ramped up the business for the success it is prepared for, we hit a growth spurt again. So, I guess, it’s an ongoing challenge for businesses that follow their own advice! How do you define SUCCESS? Success is being able to look at the project we partner with our customers on, and see growth, results and enthusiasm for what’s next. If there was one thing you wish you knew before you began your business, what would that be? I wish I knew that there was a thriving community of support. When I launched I didn’t know about networking and
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organizations that support women in business. It took me a couple of years to discover the power between these collaborative environments. What makes you an innovative woman? I’ve bootstrapped all of my businesses and have always found a way to make it work! Plus I’m daring and unconventional and not afraid to tell people that the advice they may have received isn’t working. I’m passionate about breaking up with bad business strategy -- “just because you bought the dress doesn’t mean you have to go through wearing it!” Lisa Goodwin – www.AccelerateMarketingServices.com
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Innovative Award
Finalist
Jayne Rios
How/why did you begin your business? I wanted to spend more quality time with my children. I also wanted to make a difference in the world and share the lessons I have learned with others. What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it? Leaving a steady paycheck and relying on myself and my faith, knowing something better was waiting for me. I worked and networked and grew my company one client at a time. How do you define SUCCESS? I am truly happy. I am successful when I am able to give back with a grateful heart, and help others achieve the joy I’ve had raising kids while owning a successful business. If there was one thing you wish you knew before you began your business, what would that be? The power in hiring the right coaches and mentors, and aligning myself with the right people… positive, supportive and smart. 20 Today’s Innovative Woman
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What makes you an innovative woman? I have always searched for ways to improve. For example, I developed my e-course technology because I know that everyone has a message inside them that the world needs to hear. So we made it easy to share our knowledge on-line and reach global audiences.
Jayne Rios – www.ExpressYourselfeLearning.com
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Innovative Award
Finalist
Katrina Sawa
How/why did you begin your business? I saw so many small business owners struggling just to get by each month and working way too hard for the money they were making when I was selling advertising in the local newspaper. Not only that, but they were going out of business so quickly in many cases that they never had a chance. I knew that I could change that, all they needed was some help, training, guidance and support to learn how to run a more successful business, and I knew that I could help them do that. My goal in the beginning was to help local small businesses run smoother, more efficiently, find better and more effective ways to market themselves, get customers, support them, navigate life’s challenges and so much more. I started locally, not knowing it was possible to go global. I worked my butt off too in the process, and found it wasn’t so easy to make a lot of money just trading hours for dollars. When I discovered the world of on-line marketing, coaching and information marketing, a whole new world opened up for myself and all of my clients. What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it? My biggest challenge was getting out of my own way. I knew that I knew a lot about building a successful business as well as marketing and I could teach thousands of people what I knew so they could do it too. What I didn’t do was stop often enough along the way to look at my own life, my own marriage, what I wanted and what was missing. I learned more about how to “be” in my business rather than just “doing” things I thought I needed to do to become more successful. When I first learned that message and really began implementing it into my life and my business day-to-day, that’s the year I hit six-figure revenues in my business. I did nothing different in the business, I was just “being” different.
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When I learned that I was no longer receiving what I wanted in my marriage or from myself, that’s when I had to take the biggest leap of faith of all. I got divorced, moved out and bought a house all on my own not knowing if I would be able to make enough each month to support myself…but I did it anyway. I learned how to love myself more, and to not settle in my life, my business or in any aspect of what I was doing. After that decision, I continued taking big leaps of faith, one after the other, sometimes unknowingly. Love and faith are my two business and life mantras now, that’s what I live by. How do you define SUCCESS? Success to me is living a life of complete happiness. That could mean different things to different people, but to me it means having a strong, loving family connection. Surrounding myself with those who love and support me first and foremost. Then, secondly, it’s the business success. Since my business is my passion and my work isn’t really work for me, it goes hand in hand with having that completely happy life. To be completely successful is an inner feeling in my mind, it’s not an outer degree of what we have or make. If there was one thing you wish you knew before you began your business, what would that be? To hire the right mentors to teach me the things I didn’t know that I needed to know so I could move faster in growing my business, without so many costly mistakes. What makes you an innovative woman? I have more off the cuff ideas for people when I meet them than I think anyone does. My mind is always spinning with ways someone could make more money, work less, systematize in their business, innovate themselves, create more, charge more, do more, reach more, etc. Innovative in the dictionary means to be: clever, imaginative, ingenious, innovational, creative, innovatory, inventive, original, and I think that about sums me up. I constantly have people tell me I’m so creative, full of ideas, I can see outside the box and that I can see so much bigger than they can see even for themselves. Katrina Sawa – www.JumpstartYourMarketing.com
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Mom Entrepreneur Award
Finalist
Nichole Dennison
How/why did you begin your business? I have an unquenchable passion for business. The backstory…I had my little girl when I was only 16 years old and became a single mother. I was determined to finish high school and college. I started my business career at 19 years old. I attended Fox Business College and earned a secretarial certificate. I starting working as an executive assistant and went to school part-time at night and on the weekends for 7 years while I was working full-time. I completed my business degree in 2007. I worked in the corporate world for 12 years. Although “Executive Assistant” was my title, I always did much more than that. I handled everything from marketing to hiring and felt that I very easily reached the ceiling in my jobs. I loved my work, but I didn’t like the limitations and office politics that came with it. I needed more of a challenge. I also wanted to work in a way that separated me from office drama and allowed me to really help businesses grow. I wanted to be viewed as a partner, not a subordinate. I wanted to do work that allowed me to think outside the box and that gave me the flexibility I need to be creative and take care of my family’s needs as well. I began my business because I had a passion to do and be MORE. What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it? My biggest challenge was my lack of self confidence and fear around income. I would think “Who is going to want to work with me?” And, if they do work with me, “What if I let them down?”. I was initially afraid I would disappoint my clients. I had a lot to learn and do. The last 3 years have been an amazing learning experience. I have developed whole new skill sets and my business focus changed as I started to understand more about my strengths and weaknesses and what I love to do. I overcame it by being honest with my clients and sharing what I had to offer as well as my goals. How do you define SUCCESS? Success is waking up in the morning and feeling excited about your work. It is feeling that you are making an important contribution to something you really believe in and knowing it’s appreciated. It’s that moment when you
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are having so much fun doing what you do that you almost forget you are working. And, it’s being paid what you deserve, so you can feel safe and enjoy your life. I received a valuable piece of advice from one of my greatest mentors, Anastacia Brice. She said, “When work or a relationship feels like we are paddling upstream—difficult and frustrating—we should drop the oar and paddle downstream”. We should let it go and work on projects, and with people that make us feel like we are always paddling downstream…a natural fit. I never forgot those words because they really impacted my life. When this happens, you know you are in the right place doing the right thing. If there was one thing you wish you knew before you began your business, what would that be? I wish I knew how well my clients and I would work together and how valued my skills would be so I didn’t have to worry so much about whether or not I would succeed. What makes you an innovative woman? I am an innovative woman because I believe where there is a will, there is a way. I don’t believe in not being able to do or achieve what we want in life. It’s all a matter of strategy and will. Innovating is defined as Introducing new ideas; original and creative in thinking: “an innovative thinker”. It’s about figuring out a way to make things happen, and I have a lot of experience with that; I have had to overcome many obstacles to get where I am today. In my younger days…I had a child at 16 and had to work and go to school with only 3 hours of sleep for what seemed like an endless amount of time. I had to barter babysitting services with other moms to make time to study. I chose to work for a company that helped pay my college tuition. Despite the fact that I was unemployed and my husband got injured and couldn’t work either, I used most of my savings to pay for my training at AssistU and took a huge chance I would succeed. So I had to, not only believe, I had to know would make my business work one way or another. And, I was the queen of fake it until you make it.
I
I had to build the business with very little resources, so I learned to build websites, and then built my own. And, when that was done, I learned to market my business on-line and then did all of it for my clients (and realized I love it)! I also innovate all the time for my clients to help them tackle the impossible. I believe there is always a loophole, an angle, a back road…a solution we haven’t thought of that can help us women do anything. And, if one is out there, I’ll find it! Nicole Dennison – www.MsIncredibleVA.com
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Mom Entrepreneur Award
Finalist
Robin Taney
How/why did you begin your business?
One of my main reasons for starting my business is that my husband and I adopted the foster child we’d taken custody of, an adorable little boy with special needs. I started the business so I could be home. I started Studio 4PR in 2009 as a way to help creative, independent and what I call “kitchen table” entrepreneurs to be found by their ideal client. I believe that, as business owners, we have to Get R.E.A.L. In order to get noticed, so I work with highly motivated women to create strategies that are realistic, engaging, authentic and designed for long lasting results (in other words, they’re real). What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it? My biggest challenge has been getting entrepreneurs to see how PR can help them grow their business (instead of as a money pit). I started speaking and sharing all the ways to business owners can get noticed without having to rely on traditional media. It’s fun to watch the “light bulb moment” when it finally happens. How do you define SUCCESS? I define success in the following ways: • By serving my clients so they get noticed • Having the freedom/flexibility to give 110% to the people who matter the most to me – my husband and son • Being able to continually learn from people who know more than I do, and then share that knowledge.
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If there was one thing you wish you knew before you began your business, what would that be? I wish I knew that expectations (mine and everyone else’s) were going to be such a tough mountain to climb, and to celebrate the small successes as enthusiastically as the big ones. What makes you an innovative woman? Chocolate. Just kidding (although I do get some of my best ideas this way!) I am an innovative woman thanks to: • Confidence • Passion for serving others • My belief that it’s physically impossible for any problem to exist without a solution Robin Taney – www.studio4pr.com
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Best Product Based Business
Finalist
Shajen Joy Aziz
How/why did you begin your business? I began my business because my purpose had a greater calling. Discover the Gift is a book, CD, and dvd to touch, inspire and change the world by helping people realize their passions, gifts and purpose, heal from tragedies and hardships and radiate love and practice gratitude. This is a globally successful project that began about 4 years ago What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it? Creating a committed team. I overcame it by creating a Global Ambassador Program and Global Trainer Seminar, then handpicked my team from there. Really, they naturally emerged as leaders of the conversation. Then the important part...”I invited them to join me.”
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How do you define SUCCESS? I define success as joy and happiness. If you wake up authentically present and happy, this is success. And... it looks different to everyone. It is personal. If there was one thing you wish you knew before you began your business, what would that be? That there are real shysters and people who will try to cut you down. Knowing this ahead of time would have helped me manage some situations with more grace, ease and compassion. What makes you an innovative woman? The 4 I’s. Insight, Intention, Integrity and Involvement. I am present and I listen to my insight and follow through on what I know to be true for me. Shajen Joy Aziz – www.discoverthegift.com
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Best Product Based Business
Finalist
Sally Short How/why did you begin your business? I “accidentally” created Zymbol™ while doodling! One day, I wrote down the phrase “LOVE IS ALL U NEED” stacking each letter on top of the next, and then added a peace sign to complete the design. I loved the way it turned out, so I decided to send the design off to be cast as a “Love and Peace” pendant.
But something happened when I received the pendant, my kids randomly saw it sitting sideways and noticed a ‘K’ popping out. Since there is no “K” in the phrase LOVE IS ALL U NEED, it motivated my family and I to see what other letters we could find, and we ended up uncovering EVERY LETTER of the ALPHABET and EVERY NUMBER, hidden in plain sight! We decided to create a line of interactive jewelry around the design. Our packaging allows people to wear their daily inspirations as the TRACE out NAMES, DATES, PHRASES, GOALS and INTENTIONS. What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it? Our biggest challenge has been obtaining wholesale accounts, given the extensive story behind our product. In a retail setting, Zymbol is just another piece of jewelry until you hear how it was created, and what it represents.
30 Today’s Innovative Woman
Special Edition August 2013
We decided to shift our focus away from wholesale, and focus on increasing on-line sales. In sticking with the theory of “you must give to receive”, we developed a program where we gift an acrylic pendant to a child in the hospital for every Zymbol sold. Going into the hospitals and watching the children TRACE out messages like “never give up” and “you’re a warrior” is truly life altering. Our Children’s Hospital gifting program resulted in a four-minute news segment on FOX 7 just months after launching it. This coverage ended up catching the attention of Real Housewives of New Jersey star, Melissa Gorga and NFL Quarterback, Vince Young. Both Vince and Melissa partnered with our company shortly thereafter. How do you define SUCCESS? Waking up every day with a smile. Enjoying the process of building our business by living in the present, rather than being focused on some day in the future when the company finally “makes it”. Working with my Family, impacting people’s lives in a positive way. If there was one thing you wish you knew before you began your business, what would that be? It’s going to take longer and cost more than you think. What makes you an innovative woman? Our entire company is based on a random doodle. What makes us different is that we actually did something with it! People constantly tell me about a past idea they had for a product or service that never went anywhere. No action = no results. I feel that any woman who acts on that idea is innovative. We’re introducing the market to a new concept, which takes grit and persistence. Luckily, I’ve developed a business that allows me to work with my husband and kids every day. I handle the stress better when surrounded by the ones I love . Sally Short - www.zymbol.net
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Today’s Innovative Woman P.O. Box 3893, Palos Verdes, CA 90275