Programming your mind for success | Carrie Green | TEDxManchester

Inspiring words. Great focus on goal setting.

Personal Branding For Modern Women: It's All About Self-Acceptance

It's time to recognize women for who we are, instead of oversexualizing, demoralizing and devaluing women.

Is she beautiful? Is she demure? Inviting of advances, but not too sexual. An object with a mind, but not a mind. As a culture, we’ve been submerged in a place where to be “feminine” we walk on eggshells, much like that of an abusive relationship. Careful, calculated moves mask self-doubt. There's an unbalanced focus on the superficial instead of issues of substance. It’s anxiety- and despair-producing to be disallowed the opportunity to just be.

Look beautiful, but don't be superficial.

Be smart, but don't be smarter than anyone else.

Look sexy, but don't draw attention.

Be gentle, but be aggressive.

Be assertive, but don't be a jerk.

Women's articles and branding topics are quickly turned into articles about what to wear to "ward of unwanted advances" and how to wear your makeup as to draw enough, but not "too much" attention. I'm tired of seeing these articles. There needs to be a place where, as women, we can find self-assurance and self-acceptance. From the water cooler to the boardroom to even our LinkedIn inboxes, unwanted advances and comments on our looks are unacceptable.

Instead of messages such as, "Congratulations on the new business venture!" or "Can you tell me more about this project? What interesting results you've achieved," I frequently receive LinkedIn messages about my smile or my hair. Mixed messages for women about how to dress, behave and build businesses are both underwhelming and overwhelming!

Ladies, I'm here to tell you that personal branding is about so much more than the way you look, it's about the way you make others feel. It is about who you are and how you resonate with yourself. When we look at strong corporate branding, it is all about signage, colors, website, print materials and tone of voice. It even echoes through sales processes and procedures. Strong brands have a strong identity and know their customer well.

I like to think of branding and marketing as best friends, and best friends need to be able to have a conversation. In my business, we work to develop strong, ethical brands that put their clients first — after they've established who they are. This is not theatre. Once you know your true desires, your personal brand will develop into something a lot stronger.

What do you want out of life? Who do you aspire to be? Have you taken the time to search out your own longings? Families, officemates and clients aside, who are you, and do you accept that woman? As cliché as it may sound, you have everything within you that you need to succeed. When it comes to your personal brand, give yourself the support you need to stand behind your experience and present yourself the way you want to be seen. Be your own self-affirmer, your own hero.

It's not about acting like a man. It's not just about acting like a woman. It is about acting like yourself and knowing your audience. When you know and accept yourself, your brand messaging will become more clear. People are marginalized to confidence, and confidence is not something that can be foraged.

In personal branding for women, it is time to shift the conversation away from the image and work on core issues. Do you accept yourself? Major strides have been made toward gender equality, but there are still steps to take. When is the last time that a man had to put on more makeup or spend $60 on a blowout to be taken more seriously? Looks shouldn't play a factor in the words and ideas we have to share.

Ladies, let's rise up and create a better future. If you are trying to satisfy your boss, devouring articles about office makeup, humoring unwanted advances or wishing you were "enough" but not "too much" for society, stop.

Back up the bus and get on the you train. Be yourself.

It is OK to be a bit of a jack-in-the-box. You don’t have to choose one column. Write all over the lines when you are defining yourself. Be the best version of you that you can be. If you’ve been looking for a way out of an identity crisis, I’m here to tell you to stand up, look in the mirror and say yes to the woman looking back at you. You’re worth it, and you’re more than capable.

Heather Pinay Heather Pinay , Forbes Councils

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10 Tips For Entrepreneurial Success From Women, For Women

(BPT) - More women than ever are entrepreneurs. However, while women continue to make strides in business ownership, the path to success is still significantly more difficult for women than men. A recent study reports that female entrepreneurs receive only about two per cent of all funding, despite owning 38 per cent of the businesses in the country (Harvard Business Review).

#"The culinary industry is dominated by men, but I have never let that get in the way of my success," says Leticia Skai Young, owner of LoLo's Seafood Shack in the Harlem neighbourhood of New York City. "Don't worry about being a woman, worry about being a leader. Focus on being your best self."

#To inspire the next generation of business owners, Young partnered with the Stacy's Rise Project, an initiative from Stacy's Snacks that helps women shatter the glass ceiling in the highest ranks of the culinary industry. Young hopes her tips will help other women who aspire to own their own business:

1. #Don't let your gender hold you back. "Being a woman is a business advantage," says Young. "Many women are excellent multi-taskers and natural leaders, who are community-minded and want others to share in our success." All are positive attributes of any successful business owner. "Ultimately, your attitude and work ethic matter far more than your gender."
2. #Identify your niche. Don't be a "Jane of all trades, master of none." Find a niche for your skill set and make it your own. LoLo's Seafood Shack serves a mixture of coastal comfort foods and Caribbean street food, drawing upon the heritage of Young and her husband, who is the executive chef. The unique combination helps set LoLo's apart in the crowded New York restaurant scene.
3. #Every day is an opportunity to learn. At the beginning of her culinary career, Young invested in specialised training at the International Culinary Center's Culinary Entrepreneurship programme. Today, she's taking free business courses through a community education programme. "I knew I had a lot to learn about the business side of things," said Young. "So, I got the help that I needed to get ahead. No matter your time and budget, there are opportunities to learn, grow and improve."
4. #Find a mentor. Mentorship is critical to success, with women in mentorship programmes garnering more promotions, higher salaries and more career satisfaction overall. But it can be challenging for women to find a female mentor. If needed, search beyond where you work, or look for someone who is where you aspire to be in 10 years.
5. #Get practical experience. "A mentor once told me that before I opened my own restaurant, I should open three restaurants for someone else," said Young. "Higher education helps immensely, because you understand the strategy and theory behind your work. But when you encounter a business challenge, nothing beats having past experiences to draw from."
6. #Ask for help. Many women try to do it all, often sacrificing their own health or happiness in order to complete the task at hand. "Asking for help does not mean you're incapable. It's an indication of strong leadership and self awareness - two excellent qualities in an entrepreneur," says Young.
7. #Be your own advocate. When you've proven you have the skills to do the job, stand up for yourself and say so. Confidence is a valuable business asset. When you believe in yourself, others will sense it and be more inclined to believe in you, too.
8. #Find your own work/life balance. No one can tell you what type of balance is right for you. Find what works for you and focus on the mix of professional and personal time that allows you to be best satisfied at home and at work.
9. #Don't forget to have fun. You can work hard, produce a good product and still have fun. When you are a positive influence on the people around you, you elevate the entire team - people who feel encouraged and appreciated will take pride in what they're doing and become not only employees, but also ambassadors.
10. #Share your success. Stories of women who have succeeded help encourage those who are still striving to accomplish similar success. "Don't be afraid to speak proudly about yourself and what you have accomplished, you never know who is listening - and who your story will inspire," says Young.

#To learn more about Stacy's Rise Project and opportunities to advance your entrepreneurial dreams, visit stacyssnacks.com/riseproject.

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