Once a quarter, Babbit Bodner hosts the Women’s Power Breakfast to support women in leadership roles and foster a community of professional women. This quarter’s theme was “Entrepreneurship: From Emerging to Exit” and attendees had the opportunity to learn from an incredible panel of industry leaders:
- Chevenry Arnold, Managing Director, Ernst & Young
- Michelle Khouri, CEO & Founder, FRQNCY Media Co.
- Bassima Mroue, CEO & Co-Founder, SkinTē
- Leigh Smith Vickery, Founder, Queso Mama
The panel discussed the inception of their businesses, what they wished they knew at the start, tools to avoid burnout and strategies for growth. Below we have outlined the panel’s five key levers for professional growth that will take you to your goals and beyond.
1. Embrace the Pivot
Whether you are building your own business or seeking a promotion, it is important to have a clearly defined end goal; however, it is equally important to understand that the journey to achieving your goal will never go exactly as planned. You will receive new information. You will hit roadblocks. Being able to pivot and change course is the #1 factor that leads to long-term success and personal satisfaction.
2. Foster a Network of Support
Chasing a dream alone can be lonely and isolating. Invest time in creating a strong network and support system. A strong network consists of individuals who support your goals, challenge your mindset by offering a new perspective and inspire your passion. On social media, LinkedIn, is a great place to find groups specific to your industry and put yourself out there.
3. Modulate Your Pace
We are all familiar with the term ‘burnout’ and have probably experienced it at one time or another. Burnout is a special type of work-related stress – a state of physical or emotional exhaustion that also involves a sense of reduced accomplishment and loss of personal identity. To avoid burnout, change your work pace. Some days will be a churn and burn to meet a deadline, but other times you can step back and simply focus on your top three tasks for the day.
4. Practice Smart Planning
When starting or running your own business, it is easy to get wrapped up in the day to day. Because of this, it is important to zoom out frequently and look at the bigger picture. How do you define growth and success today? In five years? In 10 years? Spend time reflecting on and writing down your answers to these questions to keep yourself and your company centered on its mission.
5. Build the Best Team
To achieve real growth, we need a team. No one has all the answers and all the tools to move a business forward. So ask “who?”, instead of “how?” Hire for your weaknesses and fill the bus with the right people to build a strong, diversified team.
We are so grateful for this opportunity to hear and learn from some of the most powerful women in business. We are eagerly awaiting the next Women’s Power Breakfast!
