Michele is an award-winning business owner, public speaker, acting coach and arts and culture advocate.
Things I wish I knew in my 20’s as a young entrepreneur:
1. Business: Don’t go into business with someone you can’t have a coffee or beer with. Otherwise, that relationship will never be at the level you want it to be. This is true in business and in life. Listen to your gut. There have been times that I thankfully listened to my gut, and there have been times when I didn’t listen. Let’s just say, it took a few times for me to listen.
2. Listen: When I was a young twenty-something entrepreneur, I was a bit arrogant. Ambitious and arrogant. The best thing any entrepreneur can do is listen to those who have done what you want to do. Listen to your mentors. If you don’t have a mentor, find one. Ask them questions. Then listen. Record their sage words of advice. Then pay it forward for those who come to you for advice.
3. Strengthen your Strengths: This one is borrowed from my friend Kathryn Ritter, and I love it. Yes, it’s important to always work on your weaknesses, but it’s important to keep those superpowers you have in check as well. Be known for those superpowers, and don’t be afraid to ‘toot your own horn’ about it.
4. Filter Your Thoughts: This one is a goodie. I no longer send angry emails. Yes, I write that email, but then I EDIT it and find more professional ways to explain my points. Take the higher ground. As Michelle Obama says, “When they go low, you go high”.
5. Look at the Big Picture: I find as I get older, I don’t sweat everything anymore. Take a moment, breathe, look at all sides. Be rational. Don’t let emotion dictate situations. This takes practice. At least for me it does. But I’m getting better at it.
I’m a 52-year-old entrepreneur and have had many careers in my life. I’ve worked in fields such as film and television, video gaming, hospitality, customer sales, public speaking, business management, and education. I’ve learned many valuable skills along the way. Those skills have led to my latest business venture. I am now a confidence coach. Ready for the next adventure.
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