If you could be in a room, face-to-face with people who’ve had the success you want to have in this business, made the money you want to make, taken the time off that you want to take or faced and overcome the very obstacles you’re facing…would that be a room worth walking into? If these people were willing to mentor and teach you, would you listen?
I did just that recently, when I was asked to share on a panel with other women in business. I was honored at the request and blown away at the information covered. In this article, I will introduce you to nine of the most driven, successful, profitable, difference-making and SMART people you will ever know. As they each shared, we all learned.
You’ll find here what I recall, in my words, as the most powerful success secret take-aways from each presenter. You can plug in these tips immediately and see positive results. Whatever kind of business you own or work in, the words of wisdom I gained in that room and share in this article will impact your business positively. Things are about to get a whole
lot better. Now, let’s meet the panelists:
Sara Kooperman does far more than hold her own in business; she makes her mark. Sara has grown Les Mills Midwest, SCW Fitness and Water In Motion to record-breaking heights. Talk about someone who knows how to host and run an event! While events around the globe struggle to get attendees, the nationwide MANIA events still have hundreds, even thousands in attendance. Ever feel like life is caving in on you? Sara provided a solution.
Success Secret No. 1- You will have moments that the stress of life and intensity of business get to you. It’s ok to fall apart for a minute, but then stop and think of someone struggling far more than you. Realize how great your life is. Then get back out there and do the great thing you do!
If you have a unique style of training or unique combination you’ve created, what Shea Vaughn has achieved will help you make more money and a bigger difference. Shea combined her specifically-designed practice of multiple mind-body methods with a passionate desire to make a broader impact, and created a line of her own products and her own challenge… all under the name SheaNetics.
Her Healthy Initiative Program is getting her lots of P.R. in major markets and she’s now taking that message to major metro areas. She’s on a mission to help end obesity. If you’re wondering how to benefit from your unique ability, Shea relayed that answer.
Success Secret No. 2- There are more women-owned businesses now than ever before. Women, go for your dream, build your products. Men, partner with them. It’s this writer’s experience that you’ll both succeed.
Lori Patterson shows you how to turn group exercise into cash! She’s teaching the fitness industry how make real money with boot camps, probably because Lori is as real as they come. With a history in the Army, she led hand-to-hand combat with the original boot camp, and she won. She took a passion for group fitness and turned it into an international empire. Do you wonder if you can have success and balance? Lori says, “Yes”.
Success Secret No. 3- Keep your business… and your life… on your terms. Be dedicated to your family and run your business accordingly. Draw a line in the sand, based on what’s important to you. “I quit” moments are going to come; be ready for them. Pull the covers over your head, quit for 10 minutes or so, and then go grow your business… on your terms.
Ilene Bergelson has a Broadway and performance background, is founder of LifeMovesHealth.com and is a walking, talking miracle. If you’re educating on the benefits of wellness (you should be educating everyone in your community), Ilene provides continuing education for many recognized certifications in our industry and she’ll set you up to be the most impactful local expert on your wellness topic. Have you faced major struggles and don’t believe you can bounce back? Ilene says you can find your way.
Success Secret No. 4- You can turn obstacles into opportunities. When Ilene discovered her back had major curves, and treatments were not working, she began to partner with her body. Not only did she end up whole, but she now has a passion to help others regain their sense of being whole! Her burden became her blessing.
Beth Shaw has done incredible things. Her company, Yoga Fit, is not only a recognized name in the fitness and wellness industry, it’s known throughout multiple industries. Beth is experiencing a lot of success with her company, and her heart-felt segment was about not taking any of it for granted.
Beth said in her book, Pathways to Joy, “We have to bear in mind that we are all debtors to the world, and that the world does not owe us anything. It is a great privilege for all of us to be allowed to do anything for the world. In helping the world, we truly help ourselves.” If you’re curious about how to be happy while you work hard to build your career, Beth made a powerful point.
Success Secret No. 5- At the end of the day, doing good for others is what makes you feel good about yourself. Nothing is as profound as giving back. Find a cause you love (Beth’s is dogs) and give back. You’ll know happiness.
Casey Conrad isn’t just smart, she’s funny! Laughter creates a result-producing environment for learning and Casey made us laugh! As a girl, she wanted to play little league baseball. When the coaches said, “No,” (and sent her parents’ $5 back) she took legal action with State Little League Organization. She’s been cutting-edge with everything she’s done, from Communication Consultants to Health Club Sales Training.
Right out of school, Casey worked for a division of the Dept. of Commerce. She came across a boss who told her to keep her ideas for making the dept. more efficient to herself, and that she’d see to it that Casey was fired if they got out. Casey quit and entered the fitness and wellness industry the next day. Ever feel like what you’re doing doesn’t match your core values? Here’s a simple solution.
Success Secret No. 6- If it doesn’t match you, move on. Have the faith and confidence to know you’ll find something better. But (AND THIS ONE IS CRUCIAL) once you move on, choose to be better, not bitter. Make this choice every day.
Lynne Brick’s been a positive industry pacesetter for a long time. Her accomplishments have been inspiring and educational for many in business, but (just as it is with most successful people) it’s who she is that’s most impressive.
In 2001, Lynne underwent a craniotomy where they cut her from ear to ear and peeled her face forward to remove a tumor. Going into surgery, the doctors told Lynne they could put her face back “a little tighter” if she liked. Even without knowing whether the tumor was malignant or benign, her faith and humor were firmly intact. She responded, “A facelift in the process? Absolutely!”
The Brick Empire is more than just Lynne and her husband Victor; it’s made up of family and incredible team members. Lynne shared how she sees what their businesses are doing. If you’re beginning to wonder if what you do will matter later, Lynne spoke about legacy.
Success Secret No. 7- Our children, other family members and loyal team members working with us allow us to leave the positive legacy that we want. Involve your kids and the people you care about in what you do. Granted, they may not love it at first, but they eventually will. Teach them your business to equip them for life and keep a healthy message perpetuating forward, which will impact many generations.
Karen Woodard-Chavez is a pro at teaching clubs how to thrive. She’s a fabulous writer and owns many businesses. With first-hand experience in business, Karen shared why she believes she’s had such success.
In an open and honest way, Karen shared that she’s made some choices that weren’t the best. She also shared that she’s learned she works best on her own. She said, “I know myself. I know how I work best and where I don’t.” If you’ve ever found yourself wondering if you belong in the position you’re in, or you’re confused if the decisions you’re making are helping or hurting your career, Karen had a profound answer.
Success Secret No. 8- Know yourself and honor that. Set annual goals and do real self-reflecting. Take time to discover who you are and plan your professional role accordingly. Go with what you know and create a profitable niche. Do something today that your future self will thank you for. If something you’re doing isn’t serving you, step back and look at it honestly. If it’s working, repeat it. Ask, “What’s working and what isn’t?” Be you.
And then there’s me, Donna Krech. I own multiple businesses teaching people how to build wealth from wellness. I’ve hosted national TV shows, authored books/audios and speak internationally. I LOVE working with other businesses, showing how we make more money without missing The Stuff In Life That Matters.
Having gone from being a penniless, abused mom to where I am today, my highest accomplishment is that I get to help my family, friends and those I work with become all God created them to be; whole and fully alive, seeing their dream become reality like I have.
As I prepared the words to share at my mom’s funeral service, everything I learned from her was heavy on my heart and mind. I wouldn’t know success if not for her. She taught me the secret to REAL prosperity.
Success Secret No. 9- My mom taught me that Monetary Prosperity occurs when you realize profits are better than wages: commission, bonuses and profit share all count. You don’t want a cap on what you can make, and surplus will come when you serve others as you sell.
She lived the definition of Personal Prosperity in front of me my whole life. Its definition is “to have a successful, flourishing, thriving condition”. She succeeded in business, she flourished in the way she loved others, and her life thrived as others loved her in return. Let your life FLOURISH & THRIVE and you’ll find Personal Prosperity just like my mom did, just like I’ve been blessed to find.