WHITNEY’S DISCOVERIES & DELIGHTS: National Entrepreneur’s Day Edition
With National Entrepreneur’s Day coming up November 21st, it seems only fitting to hear from some favorite female entrepreneurs + founders + TSC members! Peer-to-peer support and learning is such an important part of our community and this day offers a fun, and educational opportunity, to discover what fellow members had to share with these three questions posed to each of them:
1. What is a book or podcast you recommend that has been helpful and/or meaningful in your entrepreneurial journey?
2. What quote has served to inspire/motivate you?
3. Best business advice you have received?
And here’s what they had to say…
What is a book or podcast you recommend that has been helpful and/or meaningful in your entrepreneurial journey?
Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown
This is the story of the University of Washington’s eight-oar crew team and their quest for a gold medal at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. To me the emotional heart of the book appears on page 235 when the wise boat builder explains to Joe Rantz, one of the crew members, what he needs to do to succeed and win in the boat …
“If you don’t like some fellow in the boat, Joe, you have to learn to like him. It has to matter to you whether he wins the race, not just whether you do.”
We all work hard to grow and build successful businesses but just as import is remembering that to be truly successful, we need to be mindful of those around us and know that their success is our success. A well-honed team “rowing in sync” can certainly accomplish more than any one individual – regardless of how talented that individual may be.
What quote has served to inspire/motivate you?
Dean Smith’s philosophy:
Play hard. Play smart. Play together.
Best biz advice you’ve received?
Be on time … be prepared … don’t take yourself too seriously.
What is a book or podcast you recommend that has been helpful and/or meaningful in your entrepreneurial journey?
I am bigger on listening to podcasts these days than I am at reading books. My favorite podcast is by Spanx founder Sara Blakely for Master Class.
What quote has served to inspire/motivate you?
“Don’t let what you don’t know scare you, because it can become your greatest asset.” – Sara Blakely
Best biz advice you’ve received?
Do not let failure get in the way. In order to succeed, you must first fail, so that you know what not to do next time.
What is a book or podcast you recommend that has been helpful and/or meaningful in your entrepreneurial journey?
Sweet Success by Candace Nelson (founder of Sprinkles Cupcakes). She keeps it real, honest, and down to earth about her entrepreneurial journey and I keep it with me for those times when my mind starts down that doubtful spiral. She reminds us that everyone starts in the same spot.
What quote has served to inspire/motivate you?
“No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.” Robin Williams and “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4
Best biz advice you’ve received?
From my husband who started his business 27 years ago: “Stay the course. Focus on the long game.”
What is a book or podcast you recommend that has been helpful and/or meaningful in your entrepreneurial journey?
Anything Brene Brown but especially Dare to Lead.
What quote has served to inspire/motivate you?
“Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.” – Rainer Maria Rilke (this quote inspires me so much that I named my son Rainer!)
Best biz advice you’ve received?
Don’t be in a hurry.
What is a book or podcast you recommend that has been helpful and/or meaningful in your entrepreneurial journey?
While it isn’t a business book per se, Becoming by Michelle Obama has been very impactful for me as a female business leader.
What quote has served to inspire/motivate you?
“Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life because you become what you believe” -Oprah Winfrey
Best biz advice you’ve received?
The best business advice I have received is to always have a roadmap to your plan for success – having a clear, defined pathway with benchmark goals along the way with drive your success and continue pushing you to meet your ultimate goals.
What is a book or podcast you recommend that has been helpful and/or meaningful in your entrepreneurial journey?
A recent book I’ve read that I have really enjoyed is The One Thing. It has helped me gain some clarity as my business grows!
What quote has served to inspire/motivate you?
I have this one on my desk: “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity”
Best biz advice you’ve received?
I think so of the best advice I’ve received is you can do anything, you just can’t do everything.
What is a book or podcast you recommend that has been helpful and/or meaningful in your entrepreneurial journey?
Good to Great by Jim Collins
What quote has served to inspire/motivate you?
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Best biz advice you’ve received?
Hire team members that take initiative and that are smarter than you. These two qualities will be a catalyst for innovation and growth for your business.
What is a book or podcast you recommend that has been helpful and/or meaningful in your entrepreneurial journey?
Profit First by James Michalowicz
What quote has served to inspire/motivate you?
“Embrace what you don’t know, especially in the beginning, because what you don’t know can become your greatest asset.” Sara Blakley
Best biz advice you’ve received?
Entrepreneurs need both passion AND perseverance in equal measure to achieve success.
What is a book or podcast you recommend that has been helpful and/or meaningful in your entrepreneurial journey?
I’m really more an audio rather than reader person.I really love and learn so much on podcasts. My very favorite of course by Emily Landers “How Did She Do That?” which I discovered organically. I learn so much in each one. One of my favorite episodes was by the Dudley sisters. I enjoyed learning so much more about them before I met them. I find it fascinating how real people share real problems and made me feel like I was not the only one.
What quote has served to inspire/motivate you?
“An idea is just an idea. When and how you execute that idea is what will define the outcome.” Justin Mateen
Best biz advice you’ve received?
When you have a good idea put it in writing, this is the start of making it real. Passion will be the fuel and perseverance will be the key to your success! Allow yourself to fail, to evolve and to own your real creation. Because once you see you are building your idea into a business, you are actually building yourself through the journey of it all!
What is a book or podcast you recommend that has been helpful and/or meaningful in your entrepreneurial journey?
There are soooo many! But two books that immediately come to mind: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie and Find Your Why by Simon Sinek . Both of these books have been powerful drivers behind how I’ve developed and thought about She Said/She Said. PLUS — I’m also a big fan of Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert because I think it can be easy to undervalue the importance of prioritizing creativity.
What quote has served to inspire/motivate you?
“Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration.” — Thomas Edison
My favorite mantra: “YOU GET WHAT YOU GIVE.”
Best biz advice you’ve received?
“Plan for failure” – not because you set out to fail, but because having backup plans makes taking the risk a little easier and can help you bounce back faster when you do experience a setback.
“Don’t call a setback a failure.” Words matter. If you are learning from the failure, it’s not actually “failure.”
What is a book or podcast you recommend that has been helpful and/or meaningful in your entrepreneurial journey?
Can I have two? They’re very different! First, a very practical one is Profit First. I know that’s probably not new to most people, but I am not a numbers person and it really did clarify so many things for me in my business! You can totally implement the system just from reading the book, but if you need a little guidance, I have a great coach that I’d be happy to point you to.
The second one is Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. This one is for creators and it is pretty “woo-woo”, but in a way that you can take and enjoy what you like and leave the rest. You will probably take a lot of what she writes a little less literally than she does, but there’s so much that will have you thinking, “Exactly!! That’s exactly how I feel!” And whether you create for work or not, it’ll make you want to make something.
What quote has served to inspire/motivate you?
A quote that inspires and centers me is one from Jim Elliot. “Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation which you believe to be the will of God.”
Best biz advice you’ve received?
The best biz advice I’ve ever gotten is really simple, “keep going.” It can be so tough sometimes, but really if you put it in perspective of ‘I either have to quit or keep going’, it makes it a lot easier to put your head down, figure it out and get on down the road.
What is a book or podcast you recommend that has been helpful and/or meaningful in your entrepreneurial journey?
A helpful book I’ve read along my entrepreneurial journey was recently The Desired Brand Effect by Tracy Matthews. Although this was a jewelry business specific book, it was a great read with lots of helpful (and digestible) tidbits that anyone could apply to their business.
Something that has been even more influential on my entrepreneur journey has been podcasts. Love to listen while I work! Here are some of my top favorites: The Skinny Confidential Him & Her podcast and How’d She Do That – I was honored to be featured on the podcast back in 2021 with Emily!
What quote has served to inspire/motivate you?
“This is a wonderful day I’ve never seen this one before!” – Maya Angelou
I love this quote by Maya Angelou as a reminder that every day starts fresh. I overthink and worry like it’s my full time job, ha! I am constantly reminding myself to not dwell on the day(s) before and especially what I did / or didn’t do. It is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of running your own business so I really try to ground myself by practicing gratitude and starting each day brand new!
Best biz advice you’ve received?
A short and sweet piece of business advice I think about often is “no risk, no reward”. Looking back at all of the “risky” and uncomfortable decisions I’ve had to make in business have all led me to where I needed to be. If I had to describe entrepreneurship in one sentence it would be — get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Owning your own business can be a lonely road filled with risk and uncertainty but it is truly such a blessing!
What is a book or podcast you recommend that has been helpful and/or meaningful in your entrepreneurial journey?
This is How You Heal by Brianna West. Other favorite books include The Most Powerful Woman in the Room is You by Lydia Fenet and Hitting Rock Middle by Sallie Holder are some books that got me fired up to go after things that scare me and release the limitations I had in place.
What quote has served to inspire/motivate you?
“Your energy is currency; invest and spend it wisely.”
Best biz advice you’ve received?
“What other people think of you is none your business.” Sallie Holder told me this in my year of coaching with her in 2020 when I embarked on this crazy journey as an artist and began selling my work.
What is a book or podcast you recommend that has been helpful and/or meaningful in your entrepreneurial journey?
Can’t name just one! Make Your Bed by Admiral William H. McRaven, Obsessed: Building a Brand People Love from Day One by Emily Heyward, Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara. But I also love podcasts! I am currently catching up on episodes that I missed from Laura Cox Kaplan’s She Said/She Said podcast which offers thoughtful and implementable insight from such an interesting mix of guests.
What quote has served to inspire/motivate you?
“Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, to all the souls you can, in every place you can, at all the times you can, with all the zeal you can, as long as ever you can.” – John Wesley
Best biz advice you’ve received?
Always practice the Golden Rule – “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. If you live by this, you can’t go wrong in your personal or professional life!
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