Fearless Leaders!
Our speakers offer their insight on how to be fearless!- in business and in life.
Joyce House, a.k.a “Miss Coupon Diva”
What advancements have you seen women make in your industry in the last few years?
“More are being noticed as financial experts.”
What do you see as the greatest challenge to women in your field?
“Being taken seriously. There are still quite a few people that feel saving and shopping are women’s issues.”
What are your tips for achieving work-life balance?
“Prioritizing barring emergencies I stick to my agenda.”
What is your favorite forum for networking and making authentic connections with other professional women?
“Seminars. I have also become a fan of skpying. I like the personal connection.”
What advice do you give to young women just starting their careers?
“Have a passion for what they are doing. It helps maintain your goals when things get rough.”
Do you have a mentor or a sponsor, or are you a mentor to other professional women? What is the greatest benefit you’ve received from this relationship?
“I feel my story speaks to women from all walks of life. They figure if I can do it so can they.”
What is the most fearless thing you have done professionally and/or personally and what did you gain from that experience?
“I walked away from my nursing job. When one closes another one opens if you open yourself to the possibility.”
Ellen Gustafson, founder, executive director, 30 Project
What is the most fearless thing you have done professionally and/or personally and what did you gain from that experience?
“The most fearless thing I have done professionally is something that I have actually done repeatedly (although it doesn’t get all that much easier each time) and that is to leave a job/company. Knowing when to move on to the next challenge and opportunity is as important as knowing when to hang in there when things are tough. As I learned more about myself and the issues that I am passionate about, I became better at seeking new opportunities, which sometimes means going out on a limb starting something new. Not everyone is an entrepreneur, but everyone can grab ahold of the reigns of their career and forge a path that makes sense for themselves!”
What advancements have you seen women make in your industry in the last few years?
“As a social entrepreneur working with new models of for-profit and non-profit organizations that help address pressing global issues, I have seen women leaders push the boundaries for more socially-conscious capitalism. In the fields of food and nutrition as well as fashion, women leaders have proven to be essential shapers of consumer behaviors. Even as the main consumers of food and fashion for their families, women are leading businesses by pushing for products that are better for the health of the planet and its people!”
What do you see as the greatest challenge to women in your field?
“Like all industries, women social entrepreneurs are faced with the challenges of the work/life balance. Women like me, who are motivated by a cause or a global challenge, take an additional set of pressures “to the office”! As the Founder of a non-profit that does work all around the country and the world, the constant travel requirements on top of work and life are definitely the greatest challenge.”
What are your tips for achieving work-life balance?
“As I said above, this is really the toughest challenge, and my tips are to have the discipline to make time each day just to work and also make time just to relax and see friends. So, yes, put away the Blackberry sometimes! And I try to make some home-office rituals that get me into work-mode, like making coffee and a smoothie right before I am ready to roll on the morning, so I can sit at my desk and get to work. I also love combining work travel with visits to friends and family, which is what’s so great about the PA Women’s Conference, I can see my family since I grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs! ”
What is your favorite forum for networking and making authentic connections with other professional women?
“I love to attend food conferences, since for my field it is a great to get networked to other women working to improve the food system. I have been to a few women’s conferences, too, which are a great way to expand your network. But, my favorite forum is dinner! I think the best way to get to really establish an authentic connection (maybe after meeting someone at a conference) is to share a meal and really take time to learn about each other. It is always surprising how different people can help each other if they take time to scratch the surface a bit.”
What advice do you give to young women just starting their careers?
“Work hard at learning new things. Find female mentors, who’s career AND personal lives you respect and admire. Take time outside of work to figure out what you are passionate about.”
Do you have a mentor or a sponsor, or are you a mentor to other professional women? What is the greatest benefit you’ve received from this relationship?
“I have had a few amazing women in my career take me under their wing and just be kind in teaching a younger person the ropes. I also have some good examples of women I don’t know well who have blazed amazing trails ahead of me. Some of my close girlfriends have also become both mentors and mentees, as we grow together and navigate our careers and lives.”