In the March issue of the OWA newsletter, I wrote about a friend I had recently reconnected with, Alyssa Granlund. I shared Alyssa's story about how she came to be the owner of a company called Connexecute. In this second of a two-part series, I will share a story about another amazing woman, Linda Bradley.
Linda approached me while I was traveling and introduced herself. She was confident and classy, and wore more pins and ribbons then I had ever seen. I could just tell I needed to include her in my life!
How did your career evolve?
When I was a nurse twenty eight years ago, I met a woman who was a doctor and a Mary Kay consultant. She was so successful as a consultant, that her Mary Kay income exceeded that of her medical career. She inspired me to change careers and I'm now on my 13th pink Cadillac! My kids came with me to pick up the first one and have been by my side each time I get a new car. I think they are more excited than I am.
What do you consider your greatest failure, and what did you learn from it?
Losing women who were Directors at Mary Kay. I learned that you can't wish success on somebody; they have to want it for themselves.
Being a successful woman in your profession, how do you want to improve yourself in the next year?
Continue to improve my communication skills to a higher level as I believe it is a huge key to success.
With so much technology at our fingertips, what techniques and tools do you use to keep yourself organized?
I am old fashioned and love the good old paper trail. And I still believe that face-to-face conversations are preferred to build a relationship.
Tell me about your proudest achievement in the work place and personally.
I was thrilled when my unit accomplished one million dollars in retail sales! To me that meant that many women in my unit were very successful. Also, I'm proud to have been selected as a "Go-Give" Director, which encompasses Mary Kay's mission. Lastly, I consider having my daughter as a Mary Kay sales director as a great achievement.
Do you have a personal mission statement? If you do will you share?
"I love my life" and "God feeds the birds but he doesn't throw food into their nests".
What three character traits would your friends use to describe you?
Resistant, high energy and a visionary.
There are so many incredible women, both in our industry and outside. I hope you enjoyed getting to know both Alyssa (interview in previous issue) and Linda. Remember we are all wonderful in our own way, and we each have so much to give.
Back to: June 2014 : June 2014 Newsletter