Pretty and Prosperous Profile: Yvonne McNair

What do you do?

My company, Captivate Marketing Group does event management, talent acquisition and brand marketing.  We specialize in creating event experiences for companies looking to target a specific demographic. 

What steps did you take to get where you are today?

Working for other agencies, I found that they were making so much money and I wasn’t getting the benefits. I started on a part time basis getting my money saved and my marketing plan together to launch my business. I also had some really good mentors to coach me to get my business off the ground.

What was the defining moment when you knew if you didn’t change you would never reach your goal?

The defining time really for me is that I had been traveling a lot going from city to city. I had successfully completed 8 or 9 events and I was not acknowledged for their success. I wasn’t looking for a gold star, but some sort of recognition. Here I am, a good employee working 7 days a week with no life. I just remember sitting there staring out the window thinking I need to do my own thing so I can do it my way. Now I can operate the way I want to operate. I would not treat staff like that.

Did you always know you would get here?

Yes, I did because I always read a lot of motivational books for many years. Believe and act as if it is possible. I’m always writing down new goals, projects that I wanted to work with and that I will continue to be successful and that I will have even greater success.

Did you have a plan?

I did, I took a few months to figure out how I was going to market my business and visualize how I wanted my business to be. I had a really extensive plan on every element of my business that I put in writing.

What kind of distractions did you have to deal with or overcome?

When I initially said I was going to go full force with my business a little over a year ago, out of fear I took on some partners and it didn’t work out. We ended up parting ways. I think I was afraid  to do it on my own. I felt that I needed a management team, but I was doing all the work. It came to a point where I knew this wasn’t the best for me. I really had to pray on it, I had a vision for it. I said I’m going to have to do what’s best for me. It was a tough decision to end those relationships. I was really the distraction and to part ways was the best thing for me and my business.

How much of an impact did others play in your decision making during your building process?

I was very, very fortunate and blessed to meet some really amazing people who were doing what I wanted to do. I asked them questions and those people had a lot to do with my decision making as I started.

Were there times when you wanted to give up?

Yes, absolutely. Being an entrepreneur is hard. If I want to take the day off I can or if I want to stay longer on a trip I can, but I’m working every single day. I have my clients that are retained monthly, but I’m always looking for new business and clients. Fortunately, I’ve looked at people that are successful who I don’t feel have the same work ethic or professionalism. So I know I have to endure the hard times and stick with it. If I stay true to my business and stick through the hard times I will reach my goals.

What made you keep pushing towards your goal?

Just my belief system. I do think that I have been blessed to be in a lot of different experiences and I think that for me I can’t give up. I feel like there’s something more. If I can do the things that I have done so far if I keep going that I’m going to reach the moon.

What advice can you give other women who are striving for their own goals?

Really sit down and listen and write down your goals. Really think it through. Everyday look at those goals to be reminded of them, I had to listen to my inner voice. You really have to listen to yourself and believe that you can do whatever you want to do.

How do you feel about where you are today?

I feel like I had a really good year. People that I met personally and professionally along with really great projects. Right now I feel good, but it’s not enough. I’ve set some aggressive goals for 2011!

For more information on Yvonne McNair and Captivate Marketing Group you can visit them on the web at www.captivatemarketinggroup.com or email info@captivatemarketinggroup.com

Pretty and Prosperous Profile: Beth Collins

What do you do?

I am the co-creator of Elizabeth’s House in Toledo, OH.  Elizabeth’s House is where amazing women gather to reinvent their lives and find the strength and courage they need to make life-changing decisions.   

Did you have a plan?

Nope, initially I just had a dream. I embraced the dream of creating a space where women could get support for moving their lives forward without necessarily needing to be in a crisis to do so.  Because places like Elizabeth’s House don’t exist I didn’t have anything to use as a model.  I really just had to believe in the vision.  Once I was able to articulate the vision with clarity, the plan began to unfold. 

What steps did you take to get where you are today?

In 2006 I began a private coaching practice.  I worked with countless people who were ready to do something different with their lives, they were just unsure what that something was.  I developed what clients still say is an ultra-simple approach to helping people get clear about what they want and then have fun getting it.  Although they were experiencing great progress, the women all seemed to be calling for a gathering place where like-minds could share the process of reinventing their lives.  Inspired by this idea, I used my own simple coaching method to respond.  Specifically; I got very clear about the vision for a gathering place for women in transition; I established a few goals that would move me toward the vision and would be fun to pursue, I told everyone I knew about my idea and what I needed to move it forward.  The resources appeared easily and quickly, and as they did, I took the necessary steps.  Before I knew it, I had leased a wonderful building where I could invite women to co-create a fresh approach to serving the epidemic number of women who claim to be living lives they no longer recognize as their own.  That space is Elizabeth’s House, a gathering place for women who want to renew, rethink, and reinvent their lives.

What was the defining moment when you knew if you didn’t change you would never reach your goal?

A defining moment for me was experiencing what I call my “truck incident.”  In 2004 I was directing programs for a non-profit that serves low-income women.  The organization was going through its own transition and I had been getting “vibes” that it might be time to make a change of my own.  I was being recruited by other organizations which I quickly dismissed.  What I now know for sure is that when you have that feeling there is something else you should be doing, pay attention.  I didn’t, and continued to ignore the clues that change was imminent.  As I was driving to a speaking engagement at BGSU I slowed for construction traffic.  Unfortunately the tractor-trailer behind me didn’t notice and proceeded to rear-end me.  After a helicopter ride and short stay in NICU, I was released from the hospital to recover from my injuries.  Reluctantly I resigned a job I was passionate about to allow my body and spirit the time needed to heal.  And that was just the beginning of the changes my life would make, inviting me to dream bigger.

Did you always know you would get here?

Right now “here” seems like a mid-point. So yes is the short answer, but I’m not where I know I’m going.  Once I decided to live my life as an adventure, the possibilities for growth seem endless.

What kind of distractions did you have to deal with or overcome?

I guess initially there was the physical healing that had to happen before anything else could. And even though I was clear about the dream that I had for Elizabeth's House, articulating it so that others understood it was challenging.  For me, family responsibilities can also be a huge distraction.  When I am in the midst of creating something new I get really immersed in the process.  So when the family still expects things like meals at normal times, or my participation in a variety of activities, the challenge becomes balancing my needs with those of people I love.

How much of an impact did others play in your decision making during your building process?

Other people were everything to bringing me to where I am. They helped inspire and develop the vision. I wasn’t going to do it alone. I listened to women express what they were needing. Once the vision was in place I invited those other people to co-create. I would not be here without the input and support of other people.  

Were there times when you wanted to give up?

There are times, yes. And when that happens I know it’s time for a break.  Once I give myself time for my own renewal, whether it’s a retreat away from “normal” life or a mini-sabbatical from home I can return with the fresh perspective I need to continue.

What made you keep pushing towards your goal?

I have a greater commitment to creating the dream than I do staying in a current reality that doesn’t serve me.  It’s a decision I make and then I don’t look back.  If I’m following my passion I’m having fun and that makes all the difference.

What advice can you give other women who are striving for their own goals?

Let go of the goals initially and get focused on the dream. Then make sure your goals are aligned with that vision.  

How do you feel about where you are today?

Restless. That’s the good news. Because that means there’s more, and I’m ready.  And even though that feels a little scary, I’m excited and hopeful about the endless possibilities.

For more information on Beth Collins and Elizabeth's House please visit http://elizabethshousetoledo.com/

Pretty and Prosperous Profile: Sharonda Glover

What do you do?

I am the director of development for a small nonprofit GlobeMed. What I do is I’m in charge of our fundraising and marketing activity. I make sure we reach our financial goals and I manage the messaging behind our marketing.

What steps did you take to get where you are today?

Praying first. I decided to get my master’s degree in integrated marketing communications. When I moved to Chicago I wanted to be Oprah. I wanted to revolutionize advertising, but I enjoyed my experience in public relations more. I worked at several different public relations agencies and although it was great work, but I knew there was more that I should be doing. I felt I needed to do something with more purpose. Now, I have to be able to manage 50 million projects at the same time without panicking.

What was the defining moment when you knew if you didn’t change you would never reach your goal?

Oh my gosh, I was getting really bad headaches and I was having nightmares because I was having anxiety about going to work. I knew that I needed to find something else. I didn’t care about working the long hours, I wanted something more rewarding. I had to find something else where the long hours wouldn’t make me feel like I was wasting my time.

Did you always know you would get here?

Yes, I did know I would get here. The journey I didn’t know. I was talking with a friend and we were reminiscing about how 10 years ago we were in high school and I had no idea the journey that it would take to get to where I am today. I feel empowered every day.

Did you have a plan?

I did, I thought the plan I had was an effective one. I had a great plan, but it wasn’t God’s plan for me. I thought what I was doing I was called to do, but what I was doing allowed me to get the skills necessary to do what I am doing now. I never knew that I would be in the non-profit sector.

What kind of distractions did you have to deal with or overcome?

Men of course. The biggest distraction for me was men. Being in the city was great because I’m from Philadelphia. My other distraction was really my own fear and my own limitations of thinking, being afraid to try new things. When I was working at my old job there was a situation where my boss at the time didn’t know what she was doing and I knew that I could finish the project from start to finish, but I didn’t say anything because I felt it wasn’t my place. The president where I was working was frustrated with me and told me to never take a step back just because someone has a different title than you. Take initiative and do the work and shine. So I did from that point forward.

How much of an impact did others play in your decision making during your building process?

At first my parents had a huge impact because I wanted their support. But when I decided to make a career change to non-profit they were concerned because there was going to be a pay cut. My boyfriend was a big supporter telling me to do what makes me happy. I really had to keep people out of my head because everyone has an opinion. Life is too short and I want to be happy.

Were there times when you wanted to give up?

Oh my gosh yes! I wanted to move back to Delaware. I thought I’m really not cut out for this while I was in grad school. You know how you’re baking a cake and you keep checking it to see if it’s done, but you have to leave it in the oven so that it bakes all the way through? Well there was something that kept telling me you’re not done baking yet.

What made you keep pushing towards your goal?

A lot of prayer definitely. I really had to think about my future. What am I going to tell my kids one day, that I left school because I couldn’t take the pressure? What legacy am I going to leave? That really pushed me to work harder. I want to make everyone proud. I let them and their support take me to the next level.

What advice can you give other women who are striving for their own goals?

When it comes to goals, be selfish about it. We as women tend to think about everyone else, but to be an effective mother and wife we have to be happy. Take time to really enjoy life. Everybody is in such a rush to do this and do that. Doing what makes me happy has really changed my life. It’s really a mentality thing. Also, do your research and always pursue that passion that makes you feel alive and blessed to wake up every day. Always strive to do your best.

How do you feel about where you are today?

Where I am today, I am happy but I’m not ultimately where I want to be. I want to open a nonprofit organization for teen mothers because my mom was a teen mother. How do we motivate these young women to help their children? To help them produce children that are productive and ending the generational curse of teen mothers producing more teen mothers that many African American and Latino communities have. I really think my experience with all of my jobs is a launching pad for me for my next job or when I open the nonprofit in the next five years.

For more information on Sharonda Glover and GlobeMed:

sharonda@globemed.org

globemed.org 

302-545-9450