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Archives for July 2016

How the Womeneur Platform Helps Female Entrepreneurs Thrive In Business

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Original article published in Black Enterprise by Kandia Johnson.

Womeneur connects, motivates, and educates female entrepreneurs

Sharon Beason is proof that sometimes you have to create what you want to be a part of. After feeling like she didn’t fit in with her former colleagues in business, Beason created Womeneur, an entrepreneurship-focused site offering digital guides, coaching sessions, skill-building events, and resources to help female entrepreneurs succeed in business.

“With my prior businesses, I catered to a majority non-black demographic, and although people did tons of business with me, I never truly felt welcomed nor did I feel like I could ‘break bread’ with my colleagues; there was always that empty feeling,” said Beason. “So I knew I wanted to create a platform where people could feel welcomed.”

As life would have it, she did just that. In a little over a year, Womeneur has evolved from a mere website to a highly- engaged community of over 50,000 people, who have access to an abundance of tools and workshops across all facets of business such as legal, finances, social media, branding, and web development.

BlackEnterprise.com caught up with Beason to learn how she turned her vision into reality.

BlackEnterprise.com: Before starting your own business, where did you work?

Beason: Prior to Womeneur, I was working diligently in the corporate accounting world as an accounting supervisor – overseeing a staff of five, traveling like crazy and working my but off! I had an amazing career and learned a lot, but it began sucking my soul and enslaving me, so I quit in 2008 and never looked back.

When did you know you had a viable business idea?

It wasn’t until I began doing research that I started noticing ‘the crazy’ on small business owners and entrepreneur’s websites and social media channel, such as inactive accounts, horrible aesthetics, lack of engagement, business emails ending with @yahoo, @hotmail, etc. I said ‘wow’ I have a lot of knowledge that I can share and motivate people to get their mind right about what it takes to operate and grow a business successfully.

You recently launched the WomeneurCollecitive™, a spin-off to the Womeneur platform. What have been some of the points in your journey when you realized you had something special on your hands?

I received a number of direct messages, comments, and emails from the Womeneur tribe. They talked about how my social media channels and website kept them motivated. It was so surreal to me because I also recognized that I was impacting more than just their business; I was impacting their lives.

What have been the key components of building your career and how have those factors helped you carve your own path to success?

I always remained true to myself no matter what I did or what situation I was in. I work my butt off and do it even if I don’t feel like it. Building a solid network was key! But most importantly – cheering on the next person and holding their hand to the finish line, has made me realize how successful I became with business relations, audience relations and of course, it helped my bottom line.

What has been your biggest challenge in growing your business?

The greatest challenge is getting your mind right and keeping it right. I faced so many no’s, oppositions, lost bids/proposals. This can do a ‘number’ on your confidence and self-esteem. You have to get around the right people who uplift, learn, share and grow with each other and you’ll forever feel empowered, no matter what obstacles you’re facing. Choose your circle wisely – it absolutely will make or break you!

Can you share any career advice you heard as a young adult, but glad you didn’t follow?

That’s easy: stay in your lane. I was always told it in a round-about way and it’s so easy to believe people who imply you’re not good enough. Not only did I NOT stay in my lane, I freaking created my own and kept it moving!

How to Overcome Fears of Objection

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I have a friend that is a natural born sales person. She can sell a glass of water to a drowning man – her game is that tight. She has meta-human selling abilities. I, on the other hand, am an earthling with a natural fear of sales like most entrepreneurs or small business owners.

However, if we want to be successful in growing our businesses we have to lose the fear of asking for the sale – real quick. Unfortunately, the selling process is anything but easy. When I started my virtual franchise skincare business, I’ll be honest; I lacked confidence in myself, knowledge of my product, a fear of failure, and fear of asking for the sale. I know I am not alone.

Fear is a liar.

Good news: Fears can be overcome with a change in mindset, training, and practice. I’m not an expert; I struggle with these issues just like you do. These tactics I’m sharing will help you get over some of the most common objections we hear running our businesses, and hopefully will help you to become a more confident business owner.

You got this.

Objection #1: You will be rejected

How to overcome it: Are you worried about not being liked? Understand where your fear is coming from and face it. Anyone saying “no” to your product or service, is not saying “no” to you. I know hearing “no” is frustrating but it’s not about you. Buried in the “no” is a learning opportunity. By analyzing the outcome of events, it can prevent you from making the same mistakes down the line.

Objection #2: Your product won’t deliver

How to overcome it: I was unsure if my customers would find value in the premium skincare products I offer. I began questioning if the prices were too high. So, I started gathering feedback from my customers, in any medium they’d like to share – text, email, or hand written notes. I loved reading what they had to say, and I made sure I shared the testimonials on my various social media platforms. This positive feedback reassured me of the quality and value my products were delivering to all of my customers.

Constantly look for ways to improve your services so you are sure you’re providing optimal value, that way, you will always be confident in your product and your abilities.

Objection #3: You won’t close the sale

How to overcome: I’m in my nerd bag today, but Master Yoda says, “Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose.” Very often, we get really attached to “making the sale” or having a situation turn out a certain way. Instead, let’s re-focus on our efforts to, “I will give an enthusiastic and passionate presentation” rather than outcome of, “They will buy xx number of an item.”

Stay focused on your effort of doing a great job, the outcome will turn out better than you ever imagined.

Objection #4: You aren’t sure you are doing “it” right

How to overcome: Like any other skill, selling gets easier the more you do it. Verbal rehearsal and practice is one of the most effective ways to get over your fear of selling.

In today’s highly competitive world you need to be proactive in asking for the sale. Otherwise, someone else who is way more assertive will capture the business you deserve. I believe that it was Wayne Gretzky who said, “You will always miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.”

So get out there, start small, and keep taking those shots.

4 Tips to Help You Focus on Your Business (After Your 9 to 5)

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Lately, those “take the jump” motivational videos have been making the rounds on various social media platforms. You’ve seen those video clips with the “all-in or nothing” kind of message.

I am not dogging the message. I watch them and get pumped, just like everyone else. But let’s face facts, most of us are works in progress and for whatever reasons, we cannot just stop showing up at our 9-to-5. Bills need to be paid, and a girl’s got to eat. But trust me when I say when the moment is right – I’m gone!

So what should we focus on so we don’t feel overwhelmed? How can we keep slaying the 9to5, and still build our business like a boss?

The following are four incredible tips that I think will make the most impact on your business despite (okay – with the help of) your 9to5.

  1. Start thinking of your 9-to-5 as a blessing

Until recently, I always thought of my 9-to-5 as a big ol’ anchor holding me back from building my entrepreneurial empire. That couldn’t be further from the truth, the majority of my customers are from my 9to5.

Your 9-to-5 is the gasoline that will keep your dreams alive. So, it’s time to stop thinking of your 9to5 as something that is dragging you down, but as a partner that is holding you up until the time is right to leave. Use it to your advantage.

2. Align forces

[bctt tweet=”It’s super important to make getting your product or service in front of more people your top priority.” via=”no”]

Start reaching out to other businesses who reach a similar audience to see if they’d be interested in doing a marketing campaign. I have a skincare mini-franchise, I reached out to an up-and-coming make-up artist and we held an event for our customers. It was super successful!

Begin to spend your week strategizing between one and three ways in which you could market your brand, and map them out. Then pick one of these to implement the next week, and see what works. You’d be surprised!

3. Map it out

[bctt tweet=”There is no sugar-coating it: successful businesses are built on consistent imperative action taken daily. #womeneur” username=”womeneur”]

No busy work. No checking more email. No unnecessary phone calls. You only have so many hours to work on your side hustle outside of your 9to5 hours, so you have to make them count.

Start using Friday as your planning day for the week ahead. I still utilize Sunday to make sure the weekly plan that I created on Friday is a go. I’ve learned that these two days really clear up my headspace so I can be present with friends and family on the weekend.

By getting things planned out on Friday (and finalized on Sunday) you’re able to hit the ground running on Monday morning.

4. Be present online (Every. Day.)

It’s really easy to lose track of time while at your 9to5, but the power of being present online is incredible. I make sure to post on my favorite social media platforms at least twice a day. If you know you can’t do this at work, scheduling apps like Buffer or Hootsuite make it easier for you to be online when you can’t.

Utilize any online groups you might be in. Becoming known for what you do is powerful, and it can easily transition into referrals. The more referrals you get can mean more work, and more work means more money in your pocket.

Engage with others by answering questions as they come up in the groups, and adding advice when it’s appropriate. I make it a practice to give more than I promote.

Working a full-time job, while building a business is not an easy task, but we’re doing it. If you feel you need extra help to develop a business or marketing strategy, Womeneur has got your back.