Let's talk about ambition. Your goals. Your dreams. Your wishes. Your plans.
You can have, do or be anything and everything you want in this world. If someone else has achieved it, then it's within your reach. And if no one else has achieved it, then you must do it and pave the way.
Women today can be whatever you want. What an amazing world we live in that you get to decided and you can be accepted for being yourself. Stay-at-home mothers perhaps have one of the toughest gigs in the world. It's a thankless, selfless, never-ending job that pays nothing, your co-workers spit up on you and you likely don't hear the words "thank you" enough for all the roles you play. Then there is the business world that is a dog-eat-dog, stressed out, phone-in-your-hand-24-7, board room presentations and sleepless nights way-of-life. As a woman, executive, newlywed, step mother, dog mom, sister, daughter, and friend, there are not enough hours in the day to do the job at hand.
"As a woman, executive, newlywed, step mother, dog mom, sister, daughter, and friend, there are not enough hours in the day to do the job at hand."
So we worry. Women worry about our loved ones, animals, each other, the groceries, deadlines, emails, the errands, the cleaning, the hearts of children, their homework, more dishes, the laundry and the bumps and bruises. The genetic make up of our lives is to give and to contribute. And, often times (ok a lot of the time) you are left feeling empty, depleted and worn out.
Why?
What I have learned is if you give to yourself first, the world gets a better version of you. It is not selfish. It is the pathway to progress.
For me, strategic marketing, branding, story telling, tv, speaking and engagement is my jam. I also love my husband and three step children and yes it is possible to be a mom, wife and boss. You simply have to get up earlier, work harder, be sharper and go all out every single day. This life is not for every one, but it makes my world go round!
I joined TITLE Boxing Club more than five years ago and it's remarkable to witness the growth of our brand, my team and myself. It's a great honor and accomplishment to lead the brand and my team of truly remarkable women.
I thrive on accomplishing goals, leading teams and leveraging resources to win. As an avid fitness enthusiast, cancer survivor, marketing exec and health and wellness spokesperson I have seen my fair share of business trends. And, the current issue of Franchise Update Magazine feature me as one of "8 CMOs who Rock and Rule" in the Annual Women's Issue.
To think that I am recognized as one of eight fearless women in franchising is just so cool. I have missed a lot of personal events, traveled the country and lost more sleep than I care to admit getting here and I am no where close to done.
Keep reading below for excerpts from the piece and my advice for your career!
THREE MOST IMPORTANT KEYS TO BEING AN EFFECTIVE CMO/LEADER TODAY:
1. Gratitude
Our team meets every Monday, and we start by going around the table and sharing the one highlight from last week that we are grateful for in business. Collectively as the team shares, we all are filled with the reasons we love our jobs at the start of every week. Then my request is for each person to write a personal thank you note to the person they are grateful for. This results in cross-department collaboration, gratitude and culture.
2. Influence
The art of influence is so key in business. If we have great ideas, yet cannot communicate them clearly and/or influence other departments on the importance of projects and collaboration, you don't get very far in your work. No matter what situation you are looking to improve, mastering influence will help you get more out of your business and your life.
3. FIRE
You don't have to compromise between passion and profession. To be great, you must have an intrinsic passion that lives within you as a human being, then translate that passion into your profession. When you get out of bed in the morning looking forward to work, your team knows it, your boss certainly knows it, and your results show it.
WHY DO YOU THINK SO MANY CMOS ARE WOMEN? *they asked*
I'm not sure if they were ready for my response, but honesty and authenticity are two of my core vales. I said, "Oh I didn't know that many CMOs are women, nor would I have guessed that. Marketing Week released an article some years back saying that men are twice as likely to become CMOs as women. I would bet that it's because women are naturally torn between wanting a family at the time in their career path when they would be at that level. However, there are ways to do both! I can't speak for women CMOs as a whole, yet for me it's natural to be chief of a brand where our consumer is 75 percent female. It's easier to get inside her head when forming our brand strategy."
MY ADVICE TO ASPIRING CMOs AND MARKETING LEADERS
Read books, listen to postcasts, network with people smarter than you, and always take notes. Be a student of the game and become obsessed with constant and never-ending improvement. As the world changes quickly around us, you can create a proactive strategy or a defensive reactive environment. To shift into the offensive strategy, you must carve out time for thinking and not just execution. Create white space in your mind for your business. When you take a step back, the bigger picture is so much clearer. My number one tip would be to invest in yourself and not expect the company to do it for you. Sign up for personal development seminars, get audiobooks to listen to on your commute, and use the time you have been given to your advantage!
Now, my advice to moms, working moms, young professionals, budding entrepreneurs and everyone in between:
BE YOURSELF.
In between your goals, remember that there's a little thing called life that has to be liked and enjoyed.
Beyond the magazines, TV appearances, keynote speeches and regular, grinding 9-5 work, I choose to be whoever I want to be. I laugh at work, offer encouragement, push for greatness and always rise to the occasion. The best roles of my life? Being a wife, step mom, dog mom, daughter, granddaughter, sister and friend.
In the same week of the magazine release, I was given a note from Makenna (12) that brought me more joy, validation, honor, accomplishment and pride than any other publication ever in my life.
Stop thinking that you need the approval or support of anyone else to do your thing. If they are in. Great. If not, hold your own and be relentless in making it happen and let your light SHINE.
Today, give yourself permission to be the very best at every role you serve. You can do it. It's possible. You've had the X factor all along. Remember, you are the CEO of your life. Hire, fire and promote accordingly.