angishields, Author at Business RadioX ® Page

BRX Pro Tip: 3 Sales Tips for Introverts

March 13, 2024 by angishields

BRX Pro Tips

BRX Pro Tip: 3 Sales Tips for Introverts

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BRX Pro Tip: 3 Sales Tips for Introverts

Stone Payton: [00:00:00] And we are back with Business RadioX Pro Tips. Lee Kantor and Stone Payton here with you. Lee, as our resident introvert here at the Business RadioX Network, what counsel, if any, do you have for being effective at sales as an introvert?

Lee Kantor: [00:00:19] Yeah. This is – as you know, this whole business radio was invented because I didn’t like sales. And I don’t like certain aspects of sales, but I understand how critically important sales is. So, I had to come up with a system or a process or a platform that helps leverage my strengths and kind of hides my weaknesses.

Lee Kantor: [00:00:38] So, my three sales tips for introverts, number one is to leverage your active listening skills to truly understand the needs and challenges of your prospects. That is a huge superpower. Most prospects don’t get listened to. They get spewed a lot of kind of features and benefits, but they don’t really have salespeople that are selling to them that are really trying to understand what it is that their challenges are. So active listening is your superpower. Lean into that.

Lee Kantor: [00:01:09] Number two, you want to move to a one-on-one conversation as soon as you can in order to build a deeper relationship faster. And that is something that seems counterintuitive for an introvert, that you would want to have a conversation with a human being, but that is something – that is another way to leverage what you’re great at, which is this kind of good listening skills and coming up with solutions. So, you want to get to that as quickly as possible. So, in my opinion, you want to move to that one-on-one conversation and get out of kind of a mass situation, if you can.

Lee Kantor: [00:01:45] Number three is something that I couldn’t stand is avoid cold calling as much as possible because for me that caused a lot of anxiety and stress. I didn’t like to be in a situation where I was cold calling.

Lee Kantor: [00:01:58] So if you’re an introvert who wants a cheat code when it comes to selling in a more authentic and less stressful way, then check out Business RadioX. Everything we have done as a business is to reverse engineer selling so that we can help introverts sell more with a lot less stress.

Unleashing Creativity: The Urban Essence of Street Studio Creative

March 13, 2024 by angishields

Sandy Springs Business Radio

Unleashing Creativity: The Urban Essence of Street Studio Creative

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On this episode of Sandy Springs Business Radio, Lee Kantor and Rachel Simon talk with Lisa Weltsch, CEO of Street Studio Creative, about the significance of branding for businesses. Lisa shares how her dance background influences her work and the importance of understanding a business’s vision and ideal clients. They discuss the challenges solopreneurs face in defining their brand and the need for congruence in branding. The conversation also covers personal versus company branding, the value of a brand audit, and team involvement in brand definition.

Lisa Weltsch has devoted 30 + years to her career as a graphic designer, creative marketer, and businesswoman.

Fueled by a natural entrepreneurial spirit, she uses her eye for design and talent for marketing with a sharp, creative edge.

Born and raised in Los Angeles in the 70s, Lisa is a proud “Valley Girl” from Encino. During the 80’s will living in San Francisco, she pursued her passion for design and also taught dance professionally and appeared in MTV music videos.

In 2009, she established her first brand, “Street Studio Dance and Fitness” in Roswell, where she gained valuable experience in building a brand from scratch. Today, she uses her marketing skills to help other businesses build their own brands from the ground up.

Going into its 12th year, Street Studio Creative exists to serve local and regional lifestyle businesses, restaurants, lifestyle brand. Lisa’s vibrant energy and passion for building relationships and community is ever-present.

As her company name suggests, Lisa’s long-standing belief remains unchanged to this day: that all our cultural influences, styles, vibes and trends that drive business first come from the ‘streets’.

Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn and follow Street Studio Creative on Facebook.

This transcript is machine transcribed by Sonix

TRANSCRIPT

Intro: [00:00:12] Broadcasting live from the Business RadioX studios in Sandy Springs, Georgia. It’s time for Sandy Springs Business Radio. Now, here’s your host.

Lee Kantor: [00:00:28] Lee Kantor here with Rachel Simon, another episode of Sandy Springs Business Radio. But before we get started, it’s important to recognize our sponsor, Connect the Dots Digital. When you’re ready to leverage LinkedIn to meet your business goals, go to Connect the Dots dot Digital. Rachel, what a show we have today. I’m excited.

Rachel Simon: [00:00:49] Me too. Hi Lee, I’m really excited about our guest. We’re gonna have a great conversation talking all about branding, which is something that I think is all around us all the time. And, uh, there’s always great real world examples. So I’m really pleased that we have as our guest today, Lisa Weltsch, who’s the CEO and founder of Street Studio Creative. Lisa, hi.

Lisa Weltsch: [00:01:13] Hi, Rachel and Lee, thank you so much for allowing me to be on your podcast today. And thanks for the introduction and sort of the lead in about branding. So we have a lot to cover here today too.

Rachel Simon: [00:01:26] So why don’t you tell us a little bit about you and what you do?

Lisa Weltsch: [00:01:29] Well, starting I can go way back, but I won’t necessarily go, well, we’ll get there. Let’s say, um, we I am the, the I run a branding and marketing agency in downtown Roswell. And what we do for clients and for our clients and for businesses help build the foundation of what they need to, to, for their their ideal clients to know who they are in the digital marketplace. So building brands, building branding tools like logos, brand messaging, all of the brand strategy behind that as well as websites. So websites are kind of our that’s usually the big ticket item that, um, is really critical in communicating all your marketing and sales tools need to kind of point to that hub. So we are a boutique agency. We are women led. Um, I have a team and we have a host of designers and web web designers and designers and writers and content writers, videographers and so forth that we use. And we’ve been in Roswell as an agency, as a creative agency for going on 13 years. So I have and I’ve lived in Roswell for 30 years. So that’s really my community. Um, I do have a back story behind that, if you want me to segue, or we can just kind of keep going to.

Rachel Simon: [00:02:51] Ask you about that later.

Lisa Weltsch: [00:02:52] Yeah, it’s all good.

Rachel Simon: [00:02:53] Um, well, you know, Roswell, our lovely neighbor to the north. Yes. Sandy Springs. Yes. Um, yeah. So it’s so interesting when we think about brand and the value of what branding brings to an organization, you know, in so many companies want to jump into a digital strategy. Why do we need to have that brand first? What does that bring to.

Lisa Weltsch: [00:03:14] Well, that is kind of the dilemma or issue that we see with businesses all the time. It’s very easy to like look around and go, okay, we need to get on social media. We need to be on TikTok. We need to be in all these crazy places. And I say crazy because that is, you shouldn’t start there. I have to always catch myself because I am a designer by trade. I tend to lead with design, and I have stopped myself because it’s really important to take a look at what the strategy is behind the brand. Building that foundation first, and there’s elements there in building the brand that’s really critical before. So actually it creates the roadmap. So you know which where to take your your next steps. So you by knowing certain things about your company and your vision and who your ideal clients are and what problems you solve, and really identifying that and then laying the brand foundation on top of that, the marketing and sales tools become that much stronger.

Rachel Simon: [00:04:20] So I think I saw something on your website and it was like something is the. Something is the GPS. Oh, yeah.

Lisa Weltsch: [00:04:28] Thank you. I wish I’d have to pull my website to get it. And that was quoting myself. Yeah. Um, if I can do it while we’re chatting. Because I have my iPad here. Um, if brand, if marketing is the roadmap, and, um, sales are is the the the the guide that branding is the GPS, that, that is the engine that drives the whole bus. So so if you look at that, let’s just say a triangle or depending on what side of the triangle, you’ve got branding really in the center. And then you have your, you have all your bigger sales tools off on those points that foundation creates. Especially I have to make a point of this. When a business owner has a very clear vision about who they are and what they want in that experience they want to create. That’s one reason why we love working with restaurants. Typically, restaurants understand that, you know, they know where they’re located. They know what their menu. They know they typically have a vision. So it makes it very easy for us to build the brand. The logo then comes out of that vision. It’s like designing or creating from the the brand from the inside out, because essentially it’s a personality. You know how you dress and what you look like and how you want people to perceive you is just the same as a brand. Um, and kind of make a sort of a side asterisk here. We have worked with restaurants, for example, that don’t know who they are, and they’re looking to us to create that vision for them, and it tends to get squirrely. We can’t we have to know the foundations and have that, and that has to be driven from their vision. Then we then can reflect back what they need in their logo design and their messaging and their colors and their their style and and so forth.

Rachel Simon: [00:06:09] It’s so interesting. I just had this conversation on a LinkedIn live that I did when I was in New Orleans. If anyone caught it, it was literally the most ridiculous LinkedIn live of all time. Okay, it’s so silly. Um, silly. And, um, we were talking about this and how, you know, when I started my company, Connect the Dots Digital, I was like, I kind of did what you said. I was like, oh, I need to have this. I need to do this, of course. And I went to Canva and I built a logo myself, which actually, you know, six years later, still functions okay. But I didn’t know what I was doing. Um. It’s very. It’s very challenging, I think, especially for the solopreneur to figure this stuff out and to figure out like, well, should I invest in this? Can I do it myself? Sometimes you can, sometimes you can’t. I’ll tell you where I learned that I couldn’t was my website. I tried to build my first website. It was an absolute hot mess. And then I was like.

Lisa Weltsch: [00:07:06] Okay, then you need a.

Rachel Simon: [00:07:08] Big girl website for my company.

Lisa Weltsch: [00:07:10] Now, right? And then what happens is if, okay, you just unpacked a lot of things in that one little statement, because that’s an experience that a lot of businesses or solopreneurs or businesses have. Where is the starting off point now? You might have created a logo that was functional. Like you just said, we often get businesses that come to us at that point where they’re ready for growth and they’re ready to go to the next level, maybe open more locations or whatever. They have cash flow coming in. And so we might do a logo refresh at that point. But the website is a is a key thing. But if you go to, let’s say a web designer and I’m not I’m not let’s say you start there. I’m not. Criticizing web designers. They still need to understand your core values and understand who you are, and if you are able to hand them a brand deck for example, your colors, your fonts, your styles, your brand voice, who your market is, how you want to look it will make it that much easier for the designer when you come for the for the web designer. But when you come to an agency, that’s when you put your big girl pants on and you recognize that I. I have a vision about this company. I have to bring in a team. And that is there’s a like, for instance, we have a couple of options. We have a custom option, but we also have a I hate using the word DIY, but we do have an entry level option in which it allows them to be self-starter and then maybe hand-holder and then fully engaged with our team.

Rachel Simon: [00:08:33] Yeah, it makes a lot of sense.

Lee Kantor: [00:08:34] Okay, now, well, let’s dig in about the brand. What kind of the definition of the brand is? Because brand I think means different things to different people. And, and and like you said earlier, some people think it’s the logo is my brand. But really the why of your being is closer to the brand, right? And brand is one of those things where you’re doing it whether you think you’re doing it or not. So you might as well be proactive about it because people are going to have an opinion about your company just however they interact with you, whatever they see you, whether it’s a website, whether it’s a business card, whether it’s a hat, and they’re going to come to some conclusion. And that, in essence, is your brand. So if you haven’t done anything proactively to really help define it and to clarify it, you’re kind of doing yourself a disservice, right? Isn’t isn’t that where you have to begin when you’re talking to people about a brand?

Lisa Weltsch: [00:09:27] I would say yes, all of that. You’re absolutely right, brand. Your brand is. I’ll go back to what I said a moment ago is definitely the personality of the the the experience, the vision of the business. So having an expression that’s really targeted to who your ideal client is, you cannot be all things to all people. And that’s something that, you know, when I had my dance studio, I would I used to call it spamming. I would just put and I was this is the 2020, what year are we 2010 I know, 2010. I’m just saying that it was a lot of like throwing everything out there and whatever stuck, stuck. And we have learned the value and the importance of really niching down. There’s riches in the niches. I heard someone say, and I love that. So it really does require investing in understanding what it is that drives the what solutions you provide in your business, and then how to address that and target your ideal client. So I don’t know if I answered your question.

Lee Kantor: [00:10:29] It also has to be it has to be congruent. Like, you can’t say I’m the fanciest place in town and then have like paper napkins at the restaurant, right? Like you can’t be Nordstrom. Say your Nordstrom and then be Walmart. Yes. Right. Like you can’t behave like Walmart and and say your Nordstrom. It’s just incongruent. So everything has to kind of work together. And I think the brand is is at the heart of it. Like you said it’s the engine. If you don’t get that right or you’re misspeaking in what you think you are and your customer thinks you’re something else, yes, it’s going to hurt you.

Lisa Weltsch: [00:11:04] It’s going to confuse your customer.

Rachel Simon: [00:11:06] Confused, right? And this is something that I work a lot with, with my training clients when it comes to LinkedIn is, you know, you have a sales team and they are all describing. They could all be describing the company in their own words as opposed to, you know, as simply as having a consistent boilerplate description. Right, clear.

Lee Kantor: [00:11:28] Messaging, right, to get that.

Lisa Weltsch: [00:11:30] Right. And it’s almost like a bit of clay because it does require molding and kind of refining. We were actually working on our own strategy right now and and defining it even closer or, or more more well defined as we have niched down in our services. I know who my ideal clients are, but we’re not. We’re serving we are serving a broad range of clients. But when I’m in front of restaurants or retail or right now, it’s commercial real estate because that’s been a rainmaker for us. Obviously, commercial real estate has all the consumer forward businesses. I in creating that experience and leveling up our brand so we can talk to those big guys. Some of these guys are these are we’re not talking to the little guys anymore. I we need to have a very clear understanding about what we can, what solutions we provide. And, um, I hope that we answered your.

Lee Kantor: [00:12:26] Yeah, well, I just want the listener to understand that this is not, you know, let’s pick two colors and that’s our brand. Or let’s pick a.

Lisa Weltsch: [00:12:35] Or even pick a logo. Right. And I’m actually I’m looking at because I’m looking at my iPad right now. Marty Newman Neminger is sort of the king of um or The Godfather, I guess, of of brand building if you want to look him up. Marty Newman. Newman I can’t pronounce his name, but he talks about how a logo is not a brand. Your logo is not a brand. It is the brand experience that’s represented by that logo. You think of Nike and you see the swoosh you have that you already, or target or any of the bigger brands that you have an experience with. They are they are consistent in their messaging. They know who their market is. They have, um, really identified the brand that experience. And when you see the logo, you can it’s very clear. So right.

Lee Kantor: [00:13:20] And it’s one of those things also especially um, Rachel, you were bringing up like the solopreneur just because Nike has can put a swoosh up there or even chick fil A can put a cow up there and you know exactly what that means and feels and all that. The small entrepreneur can’t necessarily copy the same strategies that these larger brands that have millions of dollars to invest in their brand, to put it everywhere and in fact, like chick fil A doesn’t put the cows in in brand new markets. They only do that in mature markets where everybody has already heard of them. So they have to do more education early on. And that’s. Do you help your clients with that, Lisa? Is that something that you can really help them kind of manage their expectations? Because you can be too clever sometimes for your own good when you’re doing this kind of work because you think, oh, this is so creative. And then if nobody gets it, that’s.

Lisa Weltsch: [00:14:14] Actually a very good point. In fact, I tend to be cheeky in my designs and in my, my, my taglines, for example. And my team is the one that really I really we, we, we operate as a team, but they’ll I’ll find them catching me saying that’s just, you know, this is not doesn’t it’s not congruent. It doesn’t fit the who the ideal client is. So we need to take the cheekiness out, maybe be a little bit more sleek or elevated. And our goal here is always to identify who the client’s ideal customer is, where they are. So we can make sure we’re on the right or they are on the right platforms. We’re not managing social media, by the way. I hope I kind of made that clear, but we do provide the, the, the graphics or the the brand messaging and the tools for them to execute that. Um, but having the understanding of who the what the ideal experience is is always at the forefront. And yes, we that is one of our strengths is because that’s something that a that a business owner will miss. They’ll think that, okay, this is cute, or this color is great and and things just don’t align right.

Lee Kantor: [00:15:22] And they all understand it. They get they get the joke right. They understand the message because they’re in it 24 seven. But the the prospective customer isn’t in the business 24 seven so they don’t they need more explaining sometimes. And it has to be kind of simpler, clearer.

Lisa Weltsch: [00:15:38] Simple and clear. That’s really that’s really a good way of putting it. Yeah.

Rachel Simon: [00:15:42] I think it’s interesting also on this, speaking as a solopreneur, um, you know, when I. Initially. Sort of built my company brand. I was very much in the background. But people are buying me. Ultimately, I’m. I am my business. And so when I did, which feels like my millionth rebrand. Um, I put myself front and center, like, on my website because I can’t be hiding. Right? So it’s like for solopreneurs, we have to balance our personal brand with our company brand and make sure that we’re hitting all the marks. In the same way, we still have to know who our ideal customer is, what’s the message that’s going to resonate with them, and who are we? The right personality for that?

Lisa Weltsch: [00:16:30] For them, right? In fact, that’s a good point. We may not be the right branding agency for every industry. We understand a lot of industries. And so even though I mentioned, um, restaurants, hospitality, that’s kind of a broad, um, a broad experience. We are working with lawyers, insurance. These are more service providers, professionals. What we still apply the same, um, the same techniques in order to understand who they are. But I will tell you, and I’m thinking of something ahead. So, uh, we apply that, apply the same techniques to understand who they are, who their ideal client is, and how to best communicate. I want to say when we do work with we’re now working with several, um, insurance and some, you know, this is more, I guess on the B2B side, we are applying some of the the things that we’ve learned, um, let’s say for our websites, for example, we’ve discovered that by and you guys probably already know this adding video and adding adding something more dynamic. It’s more engaging. So you’ve got these sort of businesses that might want to obviously remain very professional and very polished, but we we have ways of elevating that and bringing it, making a little bit more engaging. You know, and when you have video on a website, somebody stays, they stay there longer. And the goal, of course, is to, um, have lead capture and have, you know, the tools on there. So you can then that’s, that’s the marketing side. But we, we know what it takes to build those tools.

Rachel Simon: [00:17:57] Yeah. We got to infuse that humanity. Yeah. Right. Some of those right industries.

Lisa Weltsch: [00:18:01] Right. Exactly.

Rachel Simon: [00:18:03] Um, so Lisa, you have got a fun background in dance.

Lisa Weltsch: [00:18:08] Yes.

Rachel Simon: [00:18:09] So tell us a little bit about that. And how do you feel like that has like infused what you do in your. In your agency.

Lisa Weltsch: [00:18:18] Are you taking me back into my kind of my my own, you know. Actually, I don’t haven’t built a personal brand for myself. Um, I really focus on street studios as sort of the forefront, but I think if I’m going to talk about me as a and bring in my personality, I am a former dancer. I am, um, that meaning I did dance professionally in the 80s. I just gave away kind of my age and, um, and I’m from originally from California. So my MTV days and the days I was in dancing, um, and teaching, I was also in art school. I was in design school. So that was in San Francisco. Um, I felt like that was the lifestyle that, you know, reflected. I’m from Los Angeles originally, so I and I had a designer mother and I was sort of the the flavor and color of Los Angeles was sort of infused in me. So how does it help me today? It, it um, as I mentioned, I did open my own brand, which was Street studio Dance and Fitness. I segwayed into that in the 2010, I think. I come lost in the years here. Um, and what that did was gave me the sort of confidence because I opened it. Not as a dancer. I opened it as a business person, an entrepreneur, and the confidence to stand in front of people because that’s what you do as a dancer.

Lisa Weltsch: [00:19:34] You’re still it’s still a sense of performing and communicating and and connecting with people. So I think that one of my strengths, probably my biggest strength, is the fact that I’m I love people, love business. I’ve been in businesses shoes. I understand the, the the risks involved and what it takes to what drives business owners to have that, you know, fire about their their business and what it takes to bring it into the marketplace. My dance studio was an opportunity for me to have a brick and mortar and kind of be in those shoes. Now, today, I, I’ve, I find myself. Still. I mean, I still teach dance, so I mean, that is a different side to my personality, but I just love connecting with women because these were this was a dance fitness studio was for women, not for kids. So I want to be clear there. And and I still teach weekly. So I have an opportunity to kind of, uh, feed that part of my self, the part that makes me feel confident and excited about working out and feeling good about myself. And I like that value that I bring to people in, in business and in my professional and my personal life.

Rachel Simon: [00:20:47] That’s so awesome. I’m going to make a mental note because I was literally my husband and I were just joking about how for when we’re we have a milestone anniversary at some point, and I was like, we should go and have someone teach us the La La Land dance.

Lisa Weltsch: [00:21:03] Oh, okay. Well, actually, I have a teacher for you for that. Who can? A private teacher, if you want something. I don’t do that. I mean, I’m teaching essentially. I mean, you teach like hip hop. No, I actually am a jazz dancer. So I teach what I would call it’s a dance fitness class. If you come to my class, you just have to be prepared to really work out and sweat. I want to say it’s on the Zumba side, but I say the Zumba spectrum because I’m not a Zumba teacher, but it’s just essentially you’re following along and and I have following me. And if I have dancers in my class, we definitely add choreography. Um. It’s scary. No. Well, it’s it’s still, if I don’t have the answer, I got fitness people. I keep it on the beat. But anyhow, I mean, it’s listen, dance, just like branding or just, like, everything. It’s not for everyone. So I could still do a workout class with you because I lift weights and make sure I do all that stuff as well.

Rachel Simon: [00:21:54] I would just be pretending like I was in A Chorus Line the whole time.

Lisa Weltsch: [00:21:57] Okay, there you go.

Rachel Simon: [00:21:58] Um, that’s.

Lee Kantor: [00:21:58] So let’s talk though. But your brand has the word street in that, okay, so that that’s not an accident. Obviously, that’s part of your brand. So can you explain how that kind of all fits in?

Lisa Weltsch: [00:22:09] Thank you for that. So the the initially like when I mentioned that I we we were street studio dance and fitness. The idea is is that I, I personally lived in London. I lived in New York, I’m from Los Angeles, I lived in San Francisco. And I felt that this is going back to the dance studio. All dance and all culture came from the streets. So that was the street studio idea and and the design and the studio was. So I branded it this way. Again, I didn’t fully realize that I was launching into building this brand until after I went, oh my God, I’m building something that doesn’t exist, solving problems. And I’m doing all these things to create value in people’s lives filled with graffiti art. Very fun, very open, very urban. It felt very urban for being in Roswell. Close the studio open it rebranded as Street Studio Creative. It’s still the same experience. All of our communications, our culture, the words we choose, how we identify who we are as a as a people originally starts from the streets. So I feel that the that I carry that value because that is how ultimately we have we all. We all experience one another other. It’s in our cultures and in our daily lives. So the street represents that experience.

Lee Kantor: [00:23:25] And that’s at the heart of branding though, right? This is these are not accidents. They they happen. They’re there for a reason. And you lean into them. And that’s the full expression of what you do every day.

Lisa Weltsch: [00:23:36] Thank you for bringing that up, because that’s really important to me that, that, that that also drives the conversation of why Street Studio is different. We are a women led agency that loves creative, providing creative solutions and creative solutions. We’re not just designing something for fluff. There’s we put the meat behind the business in terms of how it’s experienced online. Maybe in print we do print. I’m a print designer. I mentioned that I was a designer, but that’s not our lead. Um, we really talk more about the digital space for business. Yeah.

Rachel Simon: [00:24:12] Um, well, speaking of women, um, you were you just received an award.

Lisa Weltsch: [00:24:16] Yes. We were. We will be. We will be receiving the award. We were, we are. We are honored. This award. So. Yes.

Rachel Simon: [00:24:22] So, um, you are involved with the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce? Yes. And you just shared with me before we started talking that you will be receiving a Bold Company award, which is about contributing to the success of women in North. Yes. So congratulations.

Lisa Weltsch: [00:24:41] Wow. I am really honored by that. Now, this is a team or a company award. Um, I am part of the Bold Women Committee through the Greater North Fulton. So I’m. I’m also proud of that. There’s probably. 25 to 30 women on this this committee and through Greater North Fulton. They have four significant dates that for that are women led events, women forward events. Their wine their wine event has men there, but it’s still in honor. It’s the bold wine event. I don’t know if I have all the names correct, but I was nominated and I was really proud that we had, um, we successfully were honored this award. So they’re having a luncheon in a couple of weeks and we’ll our team will receive the awards.

Rachel Simon: [00:25:31] Very exciting. Congratulations.

Lisa Weltsch: [00:25:32] Thank you very.

Lee Kantor: [00:25:33] Much. Now for the listener. Do you have any advice? Um, if there hadn’t really thought about branding, is there any piece of advice that’s maybe low hanging fruit for somebody or some questions they should be asking themselves when they get into the beginning stages? You know, maybe before they need you that they’re trying to do this on their own. What is some of the low hanging fruit that can help them at least be in the neighborhood of a brand that could, you know, last?

Lisa Weltsch: [00:26:02] There’s a lot there. But, um, and I do have a, um, we have a branding guideline that you can download on our website, and I don’t necessarily I mean, I, we can send that out or I can send it to you to send out or.

Lee Kantor: [00:26:14] We can put the link.

Lisa Weltsch: [00:26:15] On, we can put the link, or you can.

Lee Kantor: [00:26:16] Maybe share the link of your website and then they can they can probably get to it through the website. Exactly.

Lisa Weltsch: [00:26:22] It’s um street studio creative.com. But we do have it’s sort of a worksheet in and it’s something that just breaks down the basics and identifying your ideal client. It’s kind of the header. And in there you’ve got the who what, why your mission statement. Who do you serve? What do you offer? What is why does your business exist? In other words, what problems do you solve? Those sound like really easy questions.

Rachel Simon: [00:26:47] They’re so not they’re not easy. They’re not easy at all.

Lisa Weltsch: [00:26:50] No. And so when you stop to really reflect on these things, it helps you refine and define. I also would recommend writing a business plan if you’ve not written one. And a lot of this would fit into the business plan because that will help answer the questions about your about all of this, your budget and so forth. Um, and then what are your values? And then so I do have like a brainstorm list and write down the, the top words, which are your values. Um, refine and focus limited to five words. Um, and then define your core values. So all business, all brands, all have um clearly what I would call brand propositions, what those core values are. And when that is defined, it makes it very easy for you to understand what decisions to make at that point. Right. Um, and then you want to become this is really this is a it’s new Neumeier, Marty Neumeier. Why couldn’t I get his name? This is something I learned from Mani Neumeier, and that’s on his website, as well as how to become the one and only in your category. So, um, we have connect the dots. What makes you the, the go to and the specialist. And we don’t have to answer. I’m not I’m not interviewing you here. It’s okay. But really we have to we all have to answer that. So what makes you that one and only. And that is your clear brand differentiator and separates you. You want to keep your eye on competition. Competition is good because it kind of keeps you juiced up. It keeps you aware. But if your competition is doing a bunch of things, whatever that might be, email marketing, um, they decided they wanted it. You kind of got to be careful, though. They end up on TikTok, they’re on YouTube, they’re doing all these things. Doesn’t mean that means you have to do it. Just keeping your eye on it is really critical and important. But understanding what makes you different from that competition and and that allows you to really focus on your differentiator or problems you solve and how to niche down.

Rachel Simon: [00:28:46] Yeah. And it’s interesting because you and I are both in spaces where they’re they’re very crowded. They’re very crowded. Right. So, you know, very crowded.

Lisa Weltsch: [00:28:54] But I have to tell you, I don’t I know a few brand, um, agencies that I really respect here in Atlanta. Some especially that focus only, let’s say, on the restaurant space really, they do amazing work. Most of the time they do more than just that. They might do PR, they might offer, you know, full packages. And we really try to I bring referrals in if I need to because we don’t do PR, for example. Um, but I don’t, I don’t I feel like what our, our differentiator is, is that we really are true creatives and we really do boil it down to these, these the, the the root of the root, the core of the core.

Lee Kantor: [00:29:30] You want to be the go to. Right. That’s it. Yeah. Right. And let other people do whatever they do. But if you want this thing.

Lisa Weltsch: [00:29:38] And in in this I’m again I’m kind of glancing at my checklist here. We have a checklist of how to build your brand experience. And so there’s there identifiable things in here. And again we could share I’ll share the link with you and share this. Yeah.

Rachel Simon: [00:29:51] We can put it on the in the show notes um for sure.

Lee Kantor: [00:29:53] And that’s. Yeah. So. The website. Do the website so we’re clear on the website.

Lisa Weltsch: [00:29:58] Street studio creative.com. And. You should should pull up.

Rachel Simon: [00:30:03] Right. That’s I mean honestly just listening to that tells me it’s probably worthwhile just to take a brand audit to see how that’s.

Lisa Weltsch: [00:30:10] Exactly that’s exactly how.

Rachel Simon: [00:30:12] Are you, you know, kind of showing up. Do you need to refine any messaging? I mean, I’ve changed my messaging so many times. Yeah.

Lisa Weltsch: [00:30:19] So have so have we.

Lee Kantor: [00:30:21] And it’s interesting, if you took that that worksheet and gave it to your whole team, have them all fill it out individually. Then you’ll see the if there’s clarity. Right. Actually that’s.

Lisa Weltsch: [00:30:32] Real. That is you’re absolutely right. And I like I said, we are working on refining our our strategy right now. And that will be one of the exercises I’m sure. Um, and I’m really excited by it. Yeah, it makes me excited because new, you know, when you come out, you have your website, you’ve been open. Let’s just picture a business picture a business that has been open for five years, have the same website, same logo, same messaging, same, same, same. When they decide, okay, we need to pivot, we need to make a few changes. When they come to a company like us, they come out fresh. It changes in attitude. It catches an eye. Um, you can really see a difference because then it changes your kind of your body language. Like now, now I’m there’s confidence in building, having a solid website, having solid messaging, having a solid experience is a confidence booster. Not having those things and hiding behind it. Well I wish I could. I mean, it happens to all of us. There’s a there’s a lot at stake here and there’s a lot of investment, and branding is a little bit more of an art form than it is like marketing can you can tie to ROI and actually look at benchmarks and, and things like that. It’s not as easy with branding. It’s much more of, um, it’s a little more like I said.

Lee Kantor: [00:31:46] It’s it’s art and science.

Lisa Weltsch: [00:31:48] Yes. Thank you.

Lee Kantor: [00:31:49] And it’s one of those things where you need fresh eyes and you have to hire a professional that does this every day to ask the right questions, because you have all the answers. The the company has the answers. You just need a professional to facilitate it.

Lisa Weltsch: [00:32:03] There’s also trust, right. So trusting us and we do have a track record I we have lots of really great referrals and lots of really great experiences. So but it is that trust factor because they are it’s like leap of faith right. You know you have to you have to by by stepping off, having that leap of faith and knowing that you’ve got a team that will will kind of be there to catch.

Lee Kantor: [00:32:25] Right?

Lisa Weltsch: [00:32:25] I like that analogy. I’m going to use that.

Rachel Simon: [00:32:28] There you go.

Lee Kantor: [00:32:29] We’re all learning. We’re all learning.

Lee Kantor: [00:32:31] Well, thank you so much for sharing your story today. I mean, you’re doing such important work. We appreciate you.

Lisa Weltsch: [00:32:38] Well, Lee, I’m honored to be here, quite frankly. So I and Rachel, I don’t know, do you have any other questions for me?

Lee Kantor: [00:32:45] I do.

Lee Kantor: [00:32:45] I want to make sure one last time the website, okay, that people go there.

Lisa Weltsch: [00:32:50] Thank you. And you can follow us. We have um or I’m on LinkedIn as Lisa Welch. We do have our LinkedIn business page, which is Street Studio Creative, also on Instagram, Pinterest. We we have a lot of followers. Pinterest is a good platform for us because we do have and I don’t mean to jump into any sales pieces, but we do have some templates and some things that we offer as other types of solutions. Some digital templates and Facebook of course. Street studio, creative.com.

Lee Kantor: [00:33:17] Good stuff. Well thank you. And Rachel, before we wrap, it’s time for our sponsor spotlight. You have some LinkedIn intelligence. Yes. So, listeners.

Rachel Simon: [00:33:27] Since we are talking all about branding, just a reminder of where we can infuse our brand into our LinkedIn profiles. And so first and foremost is in that in your banner image, which is the picture, the rectangle that sits above your profile photo. It is too often I’m doing a training for a company. Today I took an inventory of their sales and customer service manager’s profiles and I would say. Probably about 10% of them had something in that section of their profile. It’s such a missed opportunity to infuse company brands. So they didn’t have.

Lisa Weltsch: [00:34:06] They didn’t have anything there. Blank. Yeah. That is definitely an opportunity to have a brand message. Absolutely. And and use your brand colors. And so I have a question for you for people who are in a company and they may work for the company, would they have the message of the company that they work for or have a personal, let’s say, so experience about them.

Rachel Simon: [00:34:27] Ideally based on people’s, you know, comfort? I think that it’s great to have your company brand in there, particularly if you are in a customer facing role, but it is your LinkedIn profile. So just don’t have a blank, right? Because it just looks incomplete. So infusing your branding through in the banner image in your headline by adding a tagline to your company. Because so many company names mean nothing and require that tagline to make it clear. And then if you are a solopreneur or a small business owner, please build a company page so that your brand.

Lisa Weltsch: [00:35:02] Exactly. And I would say going back to this, the header, because we do a lot of those for not just for LinkedIn, but also for other platforms where you’re able to do that, um, keep it clean, keep it simple, don’t clutter it with a whole bunch of stuff. You don’t have to put all your contacts one if you because you can’t click on that. So if you are to put your website or whatever your main contact, but that’s going to be in your bio and all that, just keep it, keep it clean and and let it speak loud and clear. That’s another one. Loud and clear the kiss method.

Rachel Simon: [00:35:32] Keep it simple.

Lisa Weltsch: [00:35:33] Yeah, I love that.

Rachel Simon: [00:35:34] Um, so yeah. Utilize all those brand opportunities on LinkedIn.

Speaker6: [00:35:37] Good stuff. Thank you. Rachel.

Lee Kantor: [00:35:39] All right. Well Rachel, thank you so much for putting this together. Great episode. Oh, we all learned a lot okay. Awesome. All right. This Lee Kantor for Rachel Simon. We’ll see you all next time on Sandy Springs Business Radio. Ooh!

About Your Host

Rachel Simon is the CEO & Founder of Connect the Dots Digital. She helps companies ensure that LinkedIn is working for them as an asset, not a liability.

Rachel works with teams and individuals to position their brand narrative on LinkedIn so they can connect organically with ideal clients, attract the best talent, and stand out as a leader in their industry.

Rachel co-hosted LinkedIn Local Atlanta this week along with Phil Davis & Adam Marx – a networking event focused on bringing your online connections into the real world.

Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn.

BRX Pro Tip: 5 Ways to Increase Your Credibility with Prospects

March 12, 2024 by angishields

Romance Author C.S. McKinney

March 11, 2024 by angishields

Cherokee Business Radio

Romance Author C.S. McKinney

00:00 /

Canton, Georgia author C.S. McKinney’s passion is writing stories about the unspoken and sometimes off-putting aspects of dating and romance.

With each book, he envisions the stories that feel familiar or connect with the reader on a certain level.

By taking on the tough topics, he hopes to inspire others to find a life of love and happiness without having to make the same mistakes as the book characters.

When not writing, C.S. enjoys competing in triathlons, playing music, and hiking.

Connect with C.S. on Facebook and Instagram.

This transcript is machine transcribed by Sonix

TRANSCRIPT

Intro: [00:00:07] Coming to you live from the Business RadioX Studio in Woodstock, Georgia. This is fearless formula with Sharon Cline.

Sharon Cline: [00:00:17] And welcome to Fearless Formula on Business RadioX, where we talk about the ups and downs of the business world and offer words of wisdom for business success. And I’m your host, Sharon Cline. I have in the studio a local author who is actually a Canton native and has family that’s been here for 200, 300 years, something like that, which is cool. Um, he is a romance author, which I love because you’re a guy who does it. Um, please welcome to the studio, C.S. McKinney.

C.S. McKinney: [00:00:47] Hey, thanks. Yeah, thanks for having me. I appreciate bringing me on the show here.

Sharon Cline: [00:00:50] I’m excited that you’re here, because I was. We were just talking before the show. How many times do we walk by people that, you know, we have no idea what their story is, but here you are, local author. Been here for your whole life and doing well. And it’s and it’s plus you’re in the romance genre, which is so cool because you’re a guy, you know, and I just, I think most and I looked it up statistically like 80 some odd percent of romance writers are women. So I love that you’re like, I’m going to do it. I’m going to get into this genre.

C.S. McKinney: [00:01:17] Yeah. Before I started, like Nicholas Sparks was the only one I knew. There’s a couple others that are kind of mainstream, but, um, that’s part of the challenge. And part of the fun of it is, is being something new in that, in that perspective.

Sharon Cline: [00:01:30] Awesome. Well, so what did you do before you were an author?

C.S. McKinney: [00:01:34] So I actually went to school to be a math major because I was a terrible reader growing up. It was probably my Kryptonite. Um, but I always kind of liked to write. Like I always had that kind of feel of like, I just like to tell story. Um, so after I graduated college, I did a couple different jobs. Um, my last job was in insurance, and it was good for the time, like, of what I wanted to do and what I needed. But eventually it came to a point where it was like, If I’m going to do this, I need to jump all in, and I need to really push myself to be an author if if that’s what I want to do. And that’s exactly what I wanted to do.

Sharon Cline: [00:02:11] So we were saying before the show that you had a story in your mind for like six years.

C.S. McKinney: [00:02:16] Yeah. So after college, um, I was working and one day this idea, um, about a girl named Sarah and her experience in college of, um, the ups and downs of being a girl in college basically came to mind. And I went home that day, and I wrote just like, a page, and. Over the next six years, bits and pieces of that story fell into my lap, and I would write ideas or whatever. And fast forward six years later, it came a point where I just felt like, you need to write a book. You need to write this book.

Sharon Cline: [00:02:52] I felt a push inside you like a like an urgency.

C.S. McKinney: [00:02:55] Yeah. I mean, like, I’m a very religious person. And it was just like this subtle voice of, like, you need to write this book. And that’s exactly what I did. I sat down and it took me five months to come up with a first draft by taking all those little pieces and putting them together and and filling in the gaps. And then a year later, I had it published. Um.

Sharon Cline: [00:03:17] How did that feel?

C.S. McKinney: [00:03:19] Um, so originally it was just going to be one book, one and done, and four months before it went out into the world. It’s like there’s another book here. Actually, there’s two more books there, but I’ve only wrote the second one in that series. Um, and it just kind of went from there. It was addicting, like. I’ve always been like an endurance athlete, and this is like that mental struggle that I enjoy. So it’s just addicting, you know? Anything else?

Sharon Cline: [00:03:51] It’s fascinating to me how, because I’ve written some music as well and, um, some lullaby songs actually. And so. Um, back in 2007. Like there’s an album out there. It’s not under my name that I use right now. Just so, just so you know, but I had an idea for songs when I would hear the melody and, but it would turn out to be something different as I wrote it, which is so interesting because it’s almost like it writes it takes a life on its own. Is that kind of what you experienced?

C.S. McKinney: [00:04:20] That’s exactly what happens. You’ll be or for me and other authors I’ve talked to, you can be sitting there writing and your characters will do stuff and you’re like, what are you doing? And they have a mind of their own. And sometimes the story goes where you don’t really expect it to go or want it to go, but I mean, that’s part of it. Stephen King says he doesn’t write anything down. He doesn’t plot out his stories. And that’s kind of what I like to do, because I have an idea of what I want to happen. Um, but that’s not always the way it goes. So I’m what they call a pantser. Like, I will just sit down and write the story. So.

Sharon Cline: [00:04:55] So you had this idea and you decided, okay, I’m really going to pursue, uh, being an author. What were the steps that you took to get to the point of being published besides writing the book? Obviously.

C.S. McKinney: [00:05:08] So. I had to come to a decision where and I had talked to some other authors at this time. And, you know, there’s traditional publishing and they’re self publishing. And to me, I like to be in control of everything. This is my baby. This is, you know, my thing. And they had kind of said, you know, even if you get a contract with a publisher, you’re still going to be in charge of doing most of your marketing. And I’m like, well, at that point I’m going to self publish because. This gives me ultimate control of what I want to do, and I have the final say on everything. Um, so from idea to publishing it, it’s actually kind of crazy because, you know, I can sit down and write a book in a first draft in about two and a half months. And you. That’s the easy part, honestly. The editing and the rewrites. That’s what is tough for me because a I’m not plotting everything out. So I had to go back and fix certain things.

Speaker3: [00:06:09] Um, you self edit.

C.S. McKinney: [00:06:11] So I do about probably five rounds of self editing on my own, and then I have two professional rounds of editing.

Speaker3: [00:06:17] That’s wonderful.

Sharon Cline: [00:06:18] Though. You have a nice balance there.

Speaker3: [00:06:19] Yeah.

C.S. McKinney: [00:06:20] And I mean, it’s still not perfect. I had people point out in my first book, you know, hey, you got some spelling mistakes. I’m like, well, I tried.

Speaker3: [00:06:28] Um.

Sharon Cline: [00:06:29] Good answer. Yeah, I.

Speaker3: [00:06:30] Try, I.

C.S. McKinney: [00:06:31] Mean, there’s only so much you can do when you get into 70,000 words in a book, and there’s going to be some issues. But to me, it’s always, you know, you got to concentrate on the story. The story is what sells. You know, if you can tell a good story, that’s what you’re going to rely on. That’s what people are going to want to hear.

Speaker3: [00:06:49] They’ll look over.

Sharon Cline: [00:06:50] They’ll overlook things. Yeah.

C.S. McKinney: [00:06:51] I mean, that’s that’s the basic, you know, part of like movie book, whatever. So.

Speaker3: [00:06:57] Right.

Sharon Cline: [00:06:57] So you edit, go through rounds of editing, got your professional editing and then you’ve got your final ready. Yeah.

C.S. McKinney: [00:07:04] Well, so after you get your final you have to either get somebody to um, format the inside of the book. And so all my covers are actually done by my mother. She’s a painter. Um, she’s going.

Sharon Cline: [00:07:19] To ask you that. They look, they’re perfect, though. They’re beautiful.

C.S. McKinney: [00:07:22] I love what she does. She puts a lot of detail into it. And when we started out, I the first two books were actually, um, landscapes. And they really didn’t portray, like, romance. But if you look at like Nicholas Sparks books, a lot of them are, you know, landscape type.

Speaker3: [00:07:41] It’s true.

C.S. McKinney: [00:07:41] Things, but everybody knows who he is and that type of thing. So I started kind of thinking more about it. And there was other books that have, you know, when romance like real people on them, and then you get people like Tessa Bailey, who has more character, like cartoon based, and I love that idea. I love that feel. And it’s very popular. Um, so when we did Summer coffee and then my book that’s coming out, um, hopefully late spring this year, it will be late spring this year. Uh, for 30 girl, it’s going to have a very similar feel and look. And I love that look. It really encapsulates what you’re trying to do.

Sharon Cline: [00:08:17] And your mom is making that one for you.

C.S. McKinney: [00:08:18] She just finished it.

Speaker3: [00:08:20] So yeah.

Sharon Cline: [00:08:21] How exciting is this? You get to do something with your family too, you know, which is fun.

C.S. McKinney: [00:08:26] Yeah. I mean, she probably drive her crazy. I know I do.

Speaker3: [00:08:30] Um, but.

C.S. McKinney: [00:08:31] I mean, we’re both kind of, like, want want things to be perfect, and, you.

Speaker3: [00:08:35] Know.

Sharon Cline: [00:08:35] So you’ve got your artwork ready, the book ready. You’ve got to figure out the formatting. And then the next step, obviously, is actually getting the physical book in your hand. Right.

Speaker3: [00:08:47] Yeah.

C.S. McKinney: [00:08:47] So. All that comes together, and then you have a pre-sale period, which usually is like two months if you’re if you’re going to if you want to go through Amazon and all your books out at bookstores. Um, and that’s when you really want to push, I guess, sales, because anything you sell before day one during the pre-sale period counts as your day one total. So like people that are New York Times best sellers, I can’t remember what the number is, but we’ll say 10,000, 20,000, something like that. Um, to kind of get in that status, if you can sell that many during pre-sale period, it doesn’t have to be like that first week. It the pre-sale period counts.

Speaker3: [00:09:26] So that’s interesting.

Sharon Cline: [00:09:27] I didn’t know.

Speaker3: [00:09:27] That. Yeah.

C.S. McKinney: [00:09:28] It’s it’s nice.

Speaker3: [00:09:31] Um, it’s like.

Sharon Cline: [00:09:32] An analytic that is slightly misleading a little bit. Yeah, I guess, but at the same time, that’s the way they do it. So everyone in the industry must know that’s what that number means.

Speaker3: [00:09:41] Everybody got it.

Sharon Cline: [00:09:42] Um, okay. Wow. All right. So in terms of the genre, did you always know it was going to be romance that you were going for?

Speaker3: [00:09:51] No.

C.S. McKinney: [00:09:51] So the first book I wrote, if and only if, um, I just really wanted to write a book and I wanted to write whatever I wanted. And it was, you know, being a math major if and only if it’s actually a math statement. And it had my editor told me, first off, they’re like, you got to get rid of some of this stuff because it’s just too much. But like, there’s other books out there about people, um, that talk a lot about science, women in science and stuff like that. Um, but I did take a lot of it out. And after doing that and kind of getting into it, I then I realized I’m like, this is a romance. I’m writing romance. That’s what I’m doing. Um, so it.

Sharon Cline: [00:10:33] Just naturally.

Speaker3: [00:10:34] Happened. Yeah, yeah.

C.S. McKinney: [00:10:35] I mean, the other thing, I love mysteries, but in for 30 girls actually going to be a romance mystery.

Sharon Cline: [00:10:43] Oh my gosh. Exciting.

Speaker3: [00:10:44] Yeah.

C.S. McKinney: [00:10:44] So I’ve always been a fan of, like, those types of stories or Teagarden, um, type books. So.

Sharon Cline: [00:10:52] So while you’re getting into the industry and you’re becoming an author, are you doing research as well at on what is the most popular way for books to sell? I don’t I don’t know, I guess if I were because I have a book idea in my head. So I’ve always wanted to pursue this. And so I guess I’m asking, um, is that because that’s what I would think I would have to do in order to really market it?

Speaker3: [00:11:15] Well, yeah.

C.S. McKinney: [00:11:16] So I’ve watched a lot of stuff trying to figure that out and read a lot of stuff. Um, Kim Chance has a YouTube video channel, and her stuff is really good for authors that are starting because you can sit there and watch hours of stuff. Um, and she can go through a lot of, of. Any topic that you really want to know about. Marketing to me though, is like really difficult because there’s always something new. There’s always, oh, this is popular and you don’t really know what to do. Like, do you do TikToks? Do you do Instagram and you can chase your tail day in and day out? And I did that. I, I was like, I’m going to go and focus on Instagram really hard, got burnt out on it and actually stepped away from it for, you know, a long time because of that.

Speaker3: [00:12:02] Well, it feels like.

Sharon Cline: [00:12:03] It’s 24 over seven. You can never relax. That’s always the way I feel with social media.

Speaker3: [00:12:07] Yeah.

C.S. McKinney: [00:12:07] And I think the thing people miss is you need to be persistent, but you need to be persistent with your writing. If it’s taking you two years to put out a book, people are going to forget about what you’re doing. You know, most authors are putting one out a year, and that’s pretty good. I feel like like that’s a good thing. But then you have some that are putting out for a year, and those are the people that are getting a lot of attention.

Speaker3: [00:12:29] So the.

Sharon Cline: [00:12:30] Tessa Bailey’s of.

Speaker3: [00:12:31] The world.

Sharon Cline: [00:12:31] Yeah, I’m a I’m a fan of hers too, I love her.

Speaker3: [00:12:34] Oh, yeah.

Sharon Cline: [00:12:35] So, um, as you’ve, um, come up with another book idea, um, because of the first book, you said there are more characters. There’s another story here. You’re finding that they’re kind of almost leading you on a path.

C.S. McKinney: [00:12:49] Yeah. So with the first two books, it was kind of like, okay, there’s more to the story. So I wrote a second one and I had a third one, and I have the third one in my head. But in that book, you know, she’s going to get married and like, I’m not married. So like, that is going to be really difficult for me to write because I don’t have any experience with that at all. But at the same time, I really want to write that and have that challenge. But what happened was, is summer coffee. That story came to my head and I was like, okay, I just got to write this book because it’s it’s here, like, let’s just do it. And then for 30, girl came. So it’s you don’t always get to pick what you write.

Speaker3: [00:13:33] It’s just. Which is.

Sharon Cline: [00:13:33] Fascinating, isn’t.

Speaker3: [00:13:34] It? It is because it’s interesting.

C.S. McKinney: [00:13:36] It’s not like Summer coffee started out as a short story. I wrote three chapters and I was like, okay, you know, this is just a cute little story. And I was like, no.

Speaker3: [00:13:47] There’s more.

Sharon Cline: [00:13:49] Do you feel like you’re haunted by these characters? You know, like, do they kind of stay in your head and develop as you’re doing other things?

C.S. McKinney: [00:13:56] Um. More like taunting, like.

Sharon Cline: [00:14:01] Not haunting, but taunting.

C.S. McKinney: [00:14:03] Taunting. Yeah, because with the first book series, um, like, my mom’s always like, when are you going to write that third book? And I’m like, I don’t know, like it’s just got to be there and it’s not fully developed in my head. Like, I know what I want to happen exactly, but it’s far like I’ve tried writing it and I’ve gotten like 5000 words in and just had to put it down because it wasn’t where it needed to be. So yeah.

Sharon Cline: [00:14:27] It’s fascinating to, to me that the there’s the thought process that I’ve seen in movies where there’s a writer, you know, sitting in front of the typewriter and just kind of like, no ideas sitting there waiting. And I’m wondering how accurate that really is.

C.S. McKinney: [00:14:43] Um, yeah, there’s some truth to that. I had to have that, like, spark of inspiration, um, that general like even just like a one liner idea that comes to mind. And then it’s like Steven, it’s like Stephen King says, the good ideas stay with you. So if it’s a story idea, that just kind of is like comes and goes, it’s probably not going to be something that you want to stick with. But if it’s something that really goes with you. Um, wakes you up in the middle of the night, that’s probably what you want to go with. And. What was the second part of that question?

Speaker3: [00:15:16] I don’t even.

Sharon Cline: [00:15:16] Remember having no oh, having.

Speaker3: [00:15:18] No oh.

C.S. McKinney: [00:15:18] Not being able to write.

Speaker3: [00:15:19] Yes.

C.S. McKinney: [00:15:19] So whenever I, whenever like you asked me before, like, you know, getting into writing, when I started, I dedicated an hour a day after work. I’d sit down at my computer, I had an office chair, and then I had my laptop separate, so I’d go to a different room and set a different table, and I would work for an hour every day. Um. And usually, you know, I could do a thousand words in an hour if I was. Things were flowing. Sometimes it’s not that way. Sometimes you don’t write anything in that hour. Um, but you had to try. And once you start, like, even if it’s not that great for the first paragraph or two, once you start, your mind starts to kick in and and starts to become creative. So you have to sit there for a little while. Don’t look at your phone, don’t look at Facebook, you know, sit there and really try to concentrate.

Speaker3: [00:16:08] So discipline.

C.S. McKinney: [00:16:09] Yeah, it’s you got to get the distractions out of your head.

Sharon Cline: [00:16:13] That’s so challenging these days.

Speaker3: [00:16:14] Isn’t it? Oh yeah.

C.S. McKinney: [00:16:15] I like to do it first thing in the morning though. Like if you can do it, wake up, not be sleepy. Like get a good night’s sleep in the first hours of the day. That’s prime time for me.

Sharon Cline: [00:16:26] Interesting. I wonder how it’s different for different people. You know, nighttime could be someone’s or in the middle of the night when they’re having an idea.

Speaker3: [00:16:32] Interesting. Yeah.

Sharon Cline: [00:16:33] It’s kind of a study on humans, too, isn’t it? How our brains work.

C.S. McKinney: [00:16:38] Oh, yeah. I mean, there’s no telling what some people do. Some people could probably write all day. I can’t like you. I think the most I’ve ever written in a day is, like 5000 words. And that’s a lot for me.

Speaker3: [00:16:50] And and plenty and plenty.

C.S. McKinney: [00:16:53] But, you know, I can’t do that every day.

Sharon Cline: [00:16:56] Do you feel like these characters are are real, just real people in your mind?

Speaker3: [00:17:01] Um, because, yeah, I.

Sharon Cline: [00:17:03] Think that they are. When I read a book, I sort of feel like I’ve visited with other.

Speaker3: [00:17:07] People, I.

C.S. McKinney: [00:17:08] Guess. Yes, more so in the fact for me, when I’m writing them, like they’re an extension of me, like there’s a little bit of me and probably every character in some sense. I mean, they’re coming from my imagination. Um, even if they’re like a bad character, like, I don’t know, like there’s, there’s still coming from my mind. So, like, they feel real. It’s like a dream.

Sharon Cline: [00:17:30] Does it feel almost cathartic to get in the mind of a character that’s doing nefarious things?

Speaker3: [00:17:37] Um, or.

Sharon Cline: [00:17:38] You know, what is it like to to try on different personalities?

C.S. McKinney: [00:17:42] Yeah. So, like when I was writing Summer coffee, um, when I write a first draft, I write whatever comes to mind. And it had a very dark ending, and my beta reader came back and they’re like, you can’t write this. And, uh, I was like, well, I did, you know, I was very offensive about it. And but I took a step back and I was like, you’re right, I can’t write this. Like, this is terrible. Um. So I went back and rewrote it and it was way better this way. Like I was able to convey the same message. And that’s one of the things you have to realize with writing is you can want to say something and you can be like, oh my gosh, like, nobody can ever read this, but you can reword it and get the same messages across and not be as, uh, I don’t know, like it drastic, right?

Sharon Cline: [00:18:29] Maybe it’s more palatable for people to read it and enjoy it as opposed to something dramatic. Yeah. Or dark.

Speaker3: [00:18:36] Yeah. Interesting.

Sharon Cline: [00:18:38] Well, I mean, we’re thinking romance novels. Of course, there’s love and hate and all of those things that are mixed in. But somehow, in my mind, I assume that everyone’s happy in the end.

Speaker3: [00:18:51] Yeah. I mean.

Sharon Cline: [00:18:53] I’m such a romantic just listening to myself say that, but it’s true. Yeah.

C.S. McKinney: [00:18:57] And a lot of times, like a reoccurring theme in a lot of my books is abuse.

Speaker3: [00:19:02] And that you.

Sharon Cline: [00:19:04] Had written on your, um, website, which I loved because it’s, it’s got links to all of the different ways to get in contact with you and also to your books. But you say you write about the unspoken and sometimes off putting aspects of dating and romance. Yeah. So how would you explain that to people who aren’t familiar with your work?

C.S. McKinney: [00:19:21] So I in the first book I wrote, um, one of the girls, uh, she doesn’t know she’s pregnant or not. And she doesn’t tell her mom or dad, but she eventually mentions it to her mom. And I had an older lady read the book and she was like, I would never be able to have that kind of conversation with my mother. And I was like, well, yeah, that would be scary for anybody. And obviously I’m not a girl, so I haven’t had that kind of, you know, that’s not something I would be having a conversation anyhow. But, um. Getting in that mindset and trying to figure out what is going through somebody’s mind and doing that is a challenge to to pin it down, right? Um, but yeah, like, I feel like there’s a lot of taboo topics that we don’t talk about where. And then there’s a lot of them that we do talk about that maybe aren’t beneficial.

Speaker3: [00:20:14] Um, almost.

Sharon Cline: [00:20:15] Um, um, what do they call it where it’s gratuitous, like it’s not necessary to have such drama. Um, it’s not meant to teach a lesson. It’s just to be there, to be dramatic.

Speaker3: [00:20:26] But. Yeah.

C.S. McKinney: [00:20:27] And like, sex, for example, is is, you know, a part of romance. And I feel like we talk about that topic in certain ways that are very vulgar. Um, whereas maybe like. More learning type instances is what we should be focusing on, and that’s what I like to do in my books a lot of times is present situations that are maybe not the best, um, to kind of maybe help somebody realize that, like, okay, I’m not the only one going through this or you know, what to do in those situations or what’s possible.

Sharon Cline: [00:21:00] How did you decide how graphic you were going to be?

C.S. McKinney: [00:21:02] Well, um, so I do not I, I try not to get graphic. Um, I don’t use curse words. I have not so far. I don’t plan on it, uh, for two reasons. My parents do read my books.

Sharon Cline: [00:21:19] Uh, yeah. How uncomfortable. Right. Yeah.

Speaker3: [00:21:22] And, I.

C.S. McKinney: [00:21:22] Mean, there have been times where, like, I like it would have been perfect to, like, write a certain slang slur or whatever. Um, but I do challenge myself to be more, um, artistic with my words. Um, like I said, you can write something and make it say the same thing. Um. Like in 1 in 1 part. This girl walks out on this guy like he’s he’s been terrible to her. He’s whatever. And she’s just walks out the door and says, forget you and slams the door. You know exactly what I’m trying to say there, but I use a different word and like get the same point, the same feeling across.

Sharon Cline: [00:21:59] Was that conscious decision then?

Speaker3: [00:22:02] What do you mean.

Sharon Cline: [00:22:03] To to be to limit how graphic you were going to be with even words or describing scenes?

Speaker3: [00:22:10] Um, yeah.

C.S. McKinney: [00:22:11] I mean, I was very conscious of what I was doing. Um, and like I said, like I describe. If I do get kind of graphic it’s purposeful. Mhm. Um, is to paint the scene the way it needs to be or there’s no real other way to do it. It’s just not like I’m, I’m trying to be, uh, smutty I guess.

Speaker3: [00:22:33] Um, because.

C.S. McKinney: [00:22:34] That’s not really what I’m striving for.

Sharon Cline: [00:22:36] I have, I’ve recorded many, um, romance books, um, on audible, and I never quite know because I don’t read the whole book. I’ll just get the general idea of the book, and I never quite know how graphic it’s going to be. And sometimes I’m just like, all right, just, you know, no guy would ever say this, but I’m just going to say it, you know? So it’s interesting because I prefer not. Saying all of it’s just a personal preference, but I get why a lot of people really like it here in the South. I’m wondering too, do you feel like people who know you, you wouldn’t want them to read these words?

C.S. McKinney: [00:23:16] Um, yeah.

Speaker3: [00:23:17] I mean, because I don’t.

Sharon Cline: [00:23:18] Want people to hear me saying those things either. That. No. Me. Yeah. What I’m trying to say.

Speaker3: [00:23:22] I guess, like.

C.S. McKinney: [00:23:24] To me, the rule is I want it to feel real. So if it feels real and it fits, then I would be fine with it. If it doesn’t, then I need to reconsider what I’m doing. Um, because, I mean, fairy tales are great. I love a happy ending. I’ll watch hallmark, you know, no shame here. Um, but for me, for my personal writing. Like, I want it to feel real. I want it to be like that first love experience, that college romance, whatever it may be. I want it to feel like that.

Sharon Cline: [00:23:54] I like to that you use some of the one of your books has to do with with running and and you are a fitness person. So I like that you incorporate different things that are of interest to you.

C.S. McKinney: [00:24:05] Yeah. So apparently like sports romance are real popular right now. So I’m waiting for that to kind of, uh, catch back up because that one’s from I published it in 2020 right before the pandemic. So like, um, but anyhow, yeah, like I tie in, like I ran in college, and that was a big inspiration for that book. Um. And like any kind of team sport and especially a coed team sport, you’re going to see those enter those relationships on the team.

Speaker3: [00:24:33] So.

Sharon Cline: [00:24:34] What have you learned about yourself that has surprised you as you’ve become an author?

C.S. McKinney: [00:24:41] Um. So like, I could probably like the amount that I have to read versus like, if you’d have told me when I was in high school that I was going to write, which a lot of people think, oh, you’re writing. So you’re, you know, that’s not reading. Oh, when you’re editing your book five times yourself, you’re doing a lot of reading. Um, and I’ve always been a slow reader, so like, but when you’re trying to edit something that’s perfect, so it gives you that ability to go back and, and really think about what’s being said, um, type deal.

Sharon Cline: [00:25:12] So knowing that you really didn’t like reading like in high school, but now you read all the time.

C.S. McKinney: [00:25:17] All the time. Um, yeah, I guess I guess that’s it. Because, like. Is just not something I would have pictured. That’s I majored in math to avoid reading.

Speaker3: [00:25:28] This, to be honest.

Sharon Cline: [00:25:28] What is the irony there? Yeah.

Speaker3: [00:25:31] But I mean.

C.S. McKinney: [00:25:32] That’s and that’s what part of it you need to play. Sometimes you have to play into your weaknesses and that’s where you can really grow. I’ve done it in a couple of different ways. Um, like I do triathlons. And swimming used to be something I never wanted to do. But you can’t do a triathlon without swimming. And finally I got to where I loved it.

Sharon Cline: [00:25:52] Interesting. I love that lesson. Just leaning into something that you don’t love. I think I am a avoidant in that way.

C.S. McKinney: [00:26:02] Yeah, I mean, but I mean, it’s something you just try and like knowing because I guess it’s like ignorance is bliss. Like you don’t know what’s really going to happen with it. And like if you don’t succeed in it, you really no harm, no foul because you didn’t really want to anyhow.

Speaker3: [00:26:18] Um, so if you but if.

Sharon Cline: [00:26:19] You like, your heart wasn’t in it. You weren’t didn’t lose a whole lot.

C.S. McKinney: [00:26:22] Well, just like, you know, if that wasn’t what you thought, it’s not like, oh, I’m going to be this great, I’m going to be a lawyer and do this, and then you don’t. Then you’re kind of heartbroken. But if you try something that you don’t really like and then you’re successful at it, like, that’s huge, because then you, you really get into this new perspective of learning about yourself.

Sharon Cline: [00:26:42] Like a surprise.

Speaker3: [00:26:43] Yeah, a happy accident. A happy accident. Yeah.

Sharon Cline: [00:26:47] So you’ve got your books and now promotion marketing comes. And I love that you have had lots of different book signings all around the area. I love it. It’s like to me, so smart that you’ve gone to different coffee shops. Um, it’s a perfect marriage, I think.

Speaker3: [00:27:05] Yeah.

C.S. McKinney: [00:27:06] I love getting out and like doing that. A lot of authors may be kind of introverted. Introverted, um, and like, if you meet me on the street and I don’t know, you, like, it’s hard for me to start a conversation. But once I get started, I get really comfortable and I can talk, um, and coffee shops, like, summer coffee. Like, that was a perfect thing that I wanted to do at a coffee shop. But even before then, I had been to other coffee shops and it just made sense. Like, people love to drink coffee and read a book, you know, and it was just relaxing and and welcoming. So.

Sharon Cline: [00:27:40] So you just called them and said, I’m a local author, I have a book. Can I please set up shop?

Speaker3: [00:27:44] Yeah.

C.S. McKinney: [00:27:45] And like, we make, you know, it’s a double promotion. Like I promote them, they promote me. Um, win win, you know, type type of deal.

Speaker3: [00:27:54] So perfect. Yeah.

Sharon Cline: [00:27:56] And you have shirts?

Speaker3: [00:27:58] Yep.

C.S. McKinney: [00:27:59] So I have, uh, shirts, uh, Yetis, which I know Stanley’s are like the thing now.

Sharon Cline: [00:28:04] But it’ll swing.

Speaker3: [00:28:05] Back to you. Live and learn. Right.

Sharon Cline: [00:28:08] So you’ve got merch, though. That’s so cool.

Speaker3: [00:28:10] Yeah.

C.S. McKinney: [00:28:10] And for me, like, when I, when I look at merchandise, like, my shirts are, uh, comfort colors. So when I was trying to decide on all that, my sister was teaching high school, and I asked her, I was like, what do what does everybody wear? And she’s like, comfort colors. I’m like, what is that? Um, but after I failed them, they’re like super comfortable, like great fit type shirts. So like, I really wanted to align my products with like, quality. And that’s the reason I had the Yetis, you know, because with the coffee themes and stuff, like, I wanted something like that. Um, and when I released 430, girl, I’ve gotten, um, like, stickers and pins and stuff that I’m going to go out with preorders. So like.

Speaker3: [00:28:52] You know, when.

Sharon Cline: [00:28:53] You research how to even get this merch going, where did you go? Did you just Google.

C.S. McKinney: [00:29:00] Um. Like for the shirts and stuff? Yeah.

Sharon Cline: [00:29:04] Like, if someone wants to do the same thing, is that kind of just the great. That’s what I do. Generally, if I’m looking to do something that’s not my normal, I just Google, how do you do this? So is that what you did as well?

Speaker3: [00:29:14] Um.

C.S. McKinney: [00:29:16] I don’t I don’t know, like so for the shirts I had had a buddy. He hosts a race every year and he had used custom ink. And I know there’s a lot of, like, local, you know, places to do things. And I would definitely recommend checking those out. Um, so like but that was the exposure I had. That’s what I had experience with. And I knew what kind of quality you could get because, you know, like I said, I’m obsessed with quality being good. That’s the reason I chose the publisher that I chose, um, type thing. So but like as far as, like figuring out designs and stuff that is trial and error.

Sharon Cline: [00:29:52] Like interesting. Yeah, I love that because it’s not like you had it so easy. It’s just kind of all unfolded for you. You actually kind of struggled, which is important for people to know. It doesn’t have to be easy. You just keep doing it.

C.S. McKinney: [00:30:03] Yeah, I’m actually rebranding right now for because when I wrote my, uh, what I call the if series, which is the first two books if and only if and a ring within a field, my logo was if only so not like, you know, like, what if I done this? What if I done that? It was like, if only I had done this, or if only I’d done that. And I put a leaf in there for the symbol, because leafs represent change the different seasons. And that’s what the books were an orange book, a green book. And then the third one was going to be another color to represent the changing of the leaves, um, which is growth in romance. But when I started writing outside of that series, I decided that I needed to do something a little different. So my new rebrand is believing in, uh, believing in magic, believing in romance, one book at a time. Um, because I feel like, you know, even in today’s society, there’s a lot of relationships that aren’t good, um, are abusive or, you know, whatever. And I really believe romance is not dead. Like you have to work at it to make it be something. Um, but it’s the pure is a pure form of love that we forget. And that’s what my books are for. That’s why I write, is to remind people that there is romance out there.

Sharon Cline: [00:31:17] Do you think people make it too sensational? What you’re saying is like it can be small and attainable. It doesn’t have to be this big, grand gestures of everything.

Speaker3: [00:31:26] Right?

C.S. McKinney: [00:31:26] And I, I think sometimes even the simpler stuff is better. Um. That’s just part of it. Like you had to know who you were with and and what they expect and be a team about it. So.

Sharon Cline: [00:31:43] I think it’s interesting that you’re writing a book about a, you know, a wedding, and that’s intimidating because you haven’t had to go through that yet. So it’s like, I like you’re using your life experiences, you know, but and then yet you’re willing to go out of your normal experiences to write about.

C.S. McKinney: [00:31:58] Yeah. And I feel like even though, like I’ve not reached that point in my life, I could still write it. Um. Because every marriage is going to be different. So whatever I come up with, it may not be your story, but it’s not supposed to be.

Speaker3: [00:32:16] It’s somebody’s.

C.S. McKinney: [00:32:17] Yeah, it may relate. It may not. Um, but that’s okay.

Sharon Cline: [00:32:22] Have you been surprised by the response to your books? Because I was reading some of your reviews and they’re wonderful, and I love that you’re compared to Nicholas Sparks as well, which is so sweet and like, encouraging. But I’m thinking, um, you know, in tackling different difficult themes, have you found that that has just given a space for an audience that they’ve been lacking that.

Speaker3: [00:32:50] Um.

C.S. McKinney: [00:32:53] That’s what I’m hoping to do. Um, because a lot of times you have these mainstream books that people expect, and when you give somebody something different, they sometimes they don’t know what to do with it. Um, and I’m hoping to change that. And that’s part of the reason why I don’t write more erotica or anything like that is because I want to make I want to change the way the industry kind of works. Like, I want to have something new that you’ve not read. And a lot of times when I’m rereading my books, I’m like, oh my gosh, like, I don’t know if I can publish this because.

Speaker3: [00:33:27] Um, like.

C.S. McKinney: [00:33:28] You’ve, you’re just kind of sick of it by the time you get done with it. You’ve seen it so much. But when I go back and I look at it the story and think about the story, I’m like, no, I love this story. It’s nothing like I don’t actually read a lot of books. And people are like, well, that’s kind of misleading. And I’m like, no, a I don’t want to feel like I’m borrowing ideas from other authors. And when you when you become something a part of like a writer, like when you’ve not been in that industry your whole life and you switch over, you have a new perspective that you need to cherish and you need to foster, because it can bring a lot of different things that people have not seen. And I feel like eventually people will will get on board with that. Whatever your idea.

Speaker3: [00:34:17] Is, well, it’s.

Sharon Cline: [00:34:18] New.

Speaker3: [00:34:19] Right? It’s new.

Sharon Cline: [00:34:20] It’s not the traditional formula which I love.

Speaker3: [00:34:24] Yeah.

Sharon Cline: [00:34:24] Because yeah, after a while it is, uh, you know, trite, boring, interesting. You know, it’s like just this the interest is like, only for that short period that you’re reading the book. And, like, I’ve read a bunch of books that I don’t even remember everything about the story because it was just like, you know, almost like fluff. What you’re saying is something completely different and and capturing a new way to get that audience to think, yes.

C.S. McKinney: [00:34:49] Yeah, definitely.

Sharon Cline: [00:34:51] That’s exciting though, isn’t it?

Speaker3: [00:34:53] Yeah.

C.S. McKinney: [00:34:54] I mean, I like as a kid I wanted to be an inventor, like, you know, that was what I wanted to do. Um, and I never dreamed about, like, this is me inventing stories, you know, like, that’s a stretch, but.

Speaker3: [00:35:06] Um. But, I mean.

C.S. McKinney: [00:35:07] It’s what it is. You have to be creative. You have to be willing to take a chance. People say, trust the process, you know, but you just have to. You have to try.

Sharon Cline: [00:35:16] I don’t want to ask you specifically what’s kind of your difference, because I want people to read your book, you know? But kudos to you for not following the traditional formula that, you know, people will consume just because they’re always hungry for more books. Um, it’s and I like as well that you talk about quality like I, I have my standard and that says a lot about your work ethic and what you want to put into the world isn’t just, uh, like I was saying, fluff. It’s actual quality. And, um, I’m wondering how challenging it is to stick to that when you know that you could do less and still get by.

Speaker3: [00:35:57] So that’s a good question.

C.S. McKinney: [00:35:58] And I mentioned to you before the show, like me and my dad play bluegrass together. And, you know, it’s hard. Like if I wanted to pick up a country song and play it, it’s really hard because a lot of times you can’t hear the guitar like there’s. And I was listening to an interview with Josh Turner the other day and he said, you know, I wanted longevity in this, in this industry. And he’s like, what I always said is. Um, a good singer singing songs, relatable songs with real instruments and real musicians is never going to go out of style. And with writing, I feel like if you are telling relatable stories like, you know, I could write a book that about anything that I wanted and try to fit that standard. But if I’m not writing a book that I don’t particularly just love, why is there any reason anybody else is going to love it if I don’t love the book? No one else is. If I love it, at least I love it for one. But there’s billions of people in this world. Somebody else is going to love it just as much as me. I feel like like. That’s just the probability of it.

Sharon Cline: [00:37:03] We were talking before the show about the fact that fearless formula for me is an opportunity for people to come in the studio and and tell their story, and in finding themes that are very similar between all of us being valued. Um, you know, what’s your mission and what’s your why and what’s your purpose and having people identify with those feelings. Promotes empathy and compassion and makes the world not seem like everyone’s a stranger, I guess. And I think that’s kind of what you’re doing as well, is your goal is to, uh, be identifiable to someone because there are only so many varieties of people, right? Only so many ways to experience love, I imagine. But finding the theme, the personality traits that you know exist out there and will hit the right person just right is very motivating.

Speaker3: [00:37:56] Yeah.

C.S. McKinney: [00:37:56] And one thing I would say about that is one of the things I’ve learned when.

Speaker3: [00:38:00] You.

C.S. McKinney: [00:38:02] Are writing books, you tend to think like, oh, I think this type of person or this person will love this book, and most of the time it’s people you never would expect to be like, oh my goodness. Like, I really love the story. Like, I wouldn’t have thought that you would enjoy this. So you don’t know, like who’s going to love it, who’s not going to love it? And even if somebody doesn’t love it, you know, you, it’s really hard. But you have to not focus on negative criticism.

Sharon Cline: [00:38:28] That’s a huge lesson isn’t it?

C.S. McKinney: [00:38:29] Oh my goodness. It’s terrible. Like if you can’t handle reviews, don’t ask.

Speaker3: [00:38:34] Ask for them because.

C.S. McKinney: [00:38:35] People will give you their honest opinion.

Speaker3: [00:38:38] Um oof yeah.

Sharon Cline: [00:38:39] So how do you deal with that? Do you just not look?

Speaker3: [00:38:44] No.

C.S. McKinney: [00:38:45] I want to know what people say. I like to know what people say. I like to know what people are thinking. If I could read minds, that would be my superpower. That are that are flying. But, you know, whichever.

Speaker3: [00:38:55] Um, I don’t.

C.S. McKinney: [00:38:57] Know. It’s a lot of people, like, even with the editor, like I was told before, I got my first edit back, like, oh, you may cry, but I don’t cry. Like when I get upset about something. Like, I actually get mad. Like I’m like, oh, this is my baby. Like, it’s perfect the way it is. Um, and you really just had to take a step back.

Sharon Cline: [00:39:17] How do you. It’s like a humbling thing, isn’t it?

Speaker3: [00:39:20] Yeah.

C.S. McKinney: [00:39:21] I mean, let’s just be honest. I got my last edit back, and there was, um, it’s 65,000 words and there was 5000 corrections, which a lot of those were like comma splices and, you know, stuff like that. But. I’m not educated enough in grammar to know all those details. Um, but you had to have that kind of structural critique to polish a book, so.

Sharon Cline: [00:39:49] Man, that’s tough.

Speaker3: [00:39:51] Yeah.

C.S. McKinney: [00:39:51] But as far as, like, reviewers or people that are just are negative, you just have to separate yourself. Um, no one’s going to care about your book as much as you do. And that’s a hard lesson I had to learn. My sister told me that in a very blunt manner.

Speaker3: [00:40:06] Um, but.

C.S. McKinney: [00:40:08] And I finally, after I, um, calmed down about, like, you know, being offended.

Speaker3: [00:40:13] Um.

C.S. McKinney: [00:40:14] I was like, okay, well, that’s that’s what I need to do is I need to focus on. Making these books one at a time and being persistent.

Sharon Cline: [00:40:24] Which makes your romance books one at a time match so well, it makes sense too. It’s not like you’re trying to change the world here. You’re just doing one book at a time.

C.S. McKinney: [00:40:35] No, and I think that’s the hard thing about being an author in like, your own relationships is you have to be you have to surround your people, yourself with people that are, um, understanding of you’re trying to build something. You’re not trying to be a shooting star that burns out in two seconds. You know, the quicker you rise, the the quicker you fall. We’re slow. Risers are going to slow burn out, you know.

Sharon Cline: [00:41:03] What would you like to see your career be like? Where would you like to go? What’s your dream if you have a bigger dream?

C.S. McKinney: [00:41:11] Um, obviously like just having more books, but like, I really my ultimate like, all this would be amazing. And I was trying to think of this because I figured, like, you had asked me this question. Um, and she didn’t give me these questions before, but I told her, like, that’s perfect. I like being on the spot.

Speaker3: [00:41:27] Um, me.

Sharon Cline: [00:41:28] Too.

C.S. McKinney: [00:41:28] But if I had a book that got to be a movie, and then they were like, hey, we want to do an opening night in your hometown at the theater. That would be the best feeling ever. I feel like as far as, like a writing career, because then you get to invite everybody to come out and watch this movie, you know?

Sharon Cline: [00:41:46] Oh my gosh, I would love to see that happen for you. Especially because you’ve had family here for generation after generation, you know? Yeah.

C.S. McKinney: [00:41:53] But I mean, and even just like the local theater in canton, you know, I went there in high school all the time. Middle school. So to come back to something like that and have a movie would be phenomenal.

Sharon Cline: [00:42:05] Ah, I would love to see that happen for you. I mean, it’s exciting because like I was saying, there aren’t as many natives here. There just aren’t. And so to focus on local talent, which I love, but also to focus on someone who’s lived their here their whole life. How many times have I passed you and I’ve never noticed or wouldn’t have appreciated the journey that you’ve been on and the things that you’ve learned along the way? Um, I’m grateful to have this opportunity to talk to you about it. So thank you for coming into the studio.

C.S. McKinney: [00:42:36] I’m glad to be here. This is this is great.

Sharon Cline: [00:42:38] Well, I, I have one quick question for you. Last one. So if you were talking to people who have an idea for a book and you would like to give them some words of encouragement or something that you wish someone had told you before you started your journey, what would that be?

Speaker3: [00:42:55] Um, as far as.

C.S. McKinney: [00:42:56] Words of encouragement, like an hour a day, like just sit down. Even if you don’t get anything done, dedicate an hour a day. You know, if it’s your dream and it means that much to you. You know, I never had bet on myself before this. It was always what’s the logical next step? And that never played out. Like I tried to go down every path but this path. And for six years I fought against it until the timing was right. Um, so, I mean, like, that’s. And as far as, like what somebody would have told me, I don’t know if anybody could prepare you for something like this. Um, you know, ignorance is bliss. Be in it. Be ready to be in it for the long haul, because it could take you a year to get to where you want to be. It could take you years. And I feel like as long as you’re committed to say, hey, if it takes ten years, it takes ten years, that’s fine.

Sharon Cline: [00:43:45] So I love that you’re managing expectations. You know?

Speaker3: [00:43:51] Yeah. I mean.

C.S. McKinney: [00:43:51] You got to be flexible. You got to be. And you said, why you do stuff? I somebody asked me like, why do you write? And I really couldn’t answer that honestly. And that’s when I came up with this new slogan is because I believe in true love. Like, I believe, you know, I’m hopeless romantic, whatever you want to call it. But that’s why I write, to get those emotions or feelings or whatever out there.

Sharon Cline: [00:44:13] So someone wanted to know more about you or your and your books. Where could they get in touch with you?

Speaker3: [00:44:20] Yeah.

C.S. McKinney: [00:44:20] So my website is CS mckinney.com. Um, and it has links to the Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and those are all CS McKinney author or at CS McKinney author. Um, and there’s, you know, book trailers on there.

Sharon Cline: [00:44:35] I love that you have them. That is so cool. Who did them for you?

Speaker3: [00:44:39] Um, I.

C.S. McKinney: [00:44:40] Just went on.

Speaker3: [00:44:40] Fiverr.

Sharon Cline: [00:44:41] Oh, wow. That’s amazing. Yeah. See, there it is. That’s what people can do. Yeah. That’s a that’s a resource.

Speaker3: [00:44:47] And you can see all those.

C.S. McKinney: [00:44:47] There’s a link to the YouTube channel that has all those trailers on there. And there’s videos of me and dad playing music.

Sharon Cline: [00:44:54] Where do you play, by the way?

C.S. McKinney: [00:44:56] Um, there’s a place in Suwanee called Everett’s Music Barn. It’s been there since, like, uh, 60s. Um, and we play there from time to time.

Speaker3: [00:45:05] Oh, good to know.

Sharon Cline: [00:45:06] So if someone wanted to come out and see you. Yeah.

C.S. McKinney: [00:45:08] And they’re open every Saturday night.

Speaker3: [00:45:10] So that’s awesome. Yeah.

Sharon Cline: [00:45:13] Well, I can’t thank you enough for coming into the studio. It was sort of last minute that I contacted you, but I appreciate your being willing to come and tell me everything about what it’s like to be you. And you’re so generous with your words. Thank you.

Speaker3: [00:45:26] Yeah.

C.S. McKinney: [00:45:26] Thank you for having me. And I really appreciate it. This has been.

Speaker3: [00:45:29] Fun. Yay!

Sharon Cline: [00:45:30] Well, also, thank you all for listening to Fearless Formula on Business RadioX. And again, this is Sharon Cline reminding you with knowledge and understanding we can all have our own fearless formula. Have a great day!

BRX Pro Tip: Enterprise Sales is Different

March 11, 2024 by angishields

BRX Pro Tips

BRX Pro Tip: Enterprise Sales is Different

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BRX Pro Tip: Enterprise Sales is Different

Stone Payton: [00:00:00] And we are back with Business RadioX Pro Tips. Stone Payton and Lee Kantor here with you. Lee, I’ve been at this for a while now with Business RadioX. My observation in this arena and years ago in selling training and consulting, the enterprise sale is – it’s a different animal, isn’t it?

Lee Kantor: [00:00:20] Yeah. It’s one of those things that when you’re in professional services for any length of time and you’re grinding and you’re getting and you’re working with entrepreneurs and you talk to them, you tell them what you do, you show your value, they make a decision, they cut you a check and you start the work. And it’s very kind of simple in that manner. There’s not a lot of complexity. You’re talking to the decision-maker. If they like what you say, they’ll do it or they won’t, and they make a decision pretty quickly.

Lee Kantor: [00:00:48] When you get into enterprise sales, it’s a different animal. In enterprise sales, you really have to invest some of your time to help your client get through their own internal, unique purchasing process. Because nothing is that simple in an enterprise. There’s a lot of layers. There’s a lot of politics a lot of times. There’s a lot of people that you have to kind of bring on on board in order to sell this and to get the decision done. And it’s not going to work on a timeline that you’re going to like, number one. But number two, they’re your clients.

Lee Kantor: [00:01:22] Procurement department is not typically going to change how they buy just for you. You’re going to have to adapt to their systems and their kind of complexity. So if they need to see a report each month, then you better invest some of the money they’re spending with you on creating some fancy report. If they don’t want to jump through all the hoops they ask you to, then let them know upfront what you’re willing to do and not willing to do and see how that goes. Because it’s not going to be as simple. But the payoff is going to be great because they typically have a lot bigger budgets than these entrepreneurs that you might be selling to right now.

Lee Kantor: [00:02:00] So it might be worth it to invest the time in doing it, but don’t think that you can just kind of sell to them in the same way you sell to an entrepreneur. It’s going to be different and you’re going to have to make some changes and adaptations if you want to kind of close those kinds of deals.

How Authentic Appreciation Can Transform Your Workplace Culture

March 7, 2024 by angishields

Workplace Wisdom

How Authentic Appreciation Can Transform Your Workplace Culture

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In this episode of Workplace Wisdom, Stone Payton discusses the importance of authentic appreciation in the workplace with guest Alicia J. Alexander from Make a Difference Consulting. Alicia highlights that most people leave their jobs due to a lack of meaningful recognition, not money. She explains the five languages of appreciation—words of affirmation, quality time, acts of service, tangible gifts, and physical touch—and emphasizes the need to appreciate employees in ways that resonate with them.

Alicia, a doctoral student in organizational leadership, shares her passion for educating organizations on creating a positive culture through authentic appreciation. She also discusses her marketing strategies and personal values, offering advice on implementing appreciation in various work settings.

Ms. Alicia J. Alexander is the Founder and Chief Consultant at Make A Difference Consulting, located in Pawtucket, RI. The company serves the local Rhode Island community as a Certified Facilitator of The 5 Languages of Appreciation In The Workplace (Chapman & White 2019).

Ms. Alexander speaks, educates, and coaches on Authentic Appreciation in the workplace. Companies hire Make A Difference Consulting and Alicia J Alexander, MSL to create a profitable, harmonious work culture for organizations and their staff. Ms. Alexander is also a contributing Author in the Journal of The International Society for Organization Development and Change, Summer 2022.

Formerly, Ms. Alexander contributed direction to the Advocacy and Policy Committee of the Rhode Island Black Business Association (RIBBA) bi-weekly. She also served on the Small Group Leadership team at Hill City Church in Providence, RI. Recently, Ms. Alexander pivoted to the title of Interpersonal Workplace Relationship Expert to bolster her expertise in working with organizations.

Ms. Alexander earned a Master of Science in Leadership from Grand Canyon University in the fall of 2021. She is pursuing a Doctor of Education degree in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis in Organizational Development (qualitative research). Ms. Alexander is fascinated with the Faith life in business.

Connect with Alicia on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

This transcript is machine transcribed by Sonix

TRANSCRIPT

Intro: [00:00:07] Broadcasting live from the Business RadioX studios in Atlanta, Georgia. It’s time for Workplace Wisdom, sharing insight, perspective, and best practices for creating the planet’s best workplaces. Now, here’s your host.

Stone Payton: [00:00:32] Welcome to another exciting and informative edition of Workplace Wisdom. Stone Payton here with you this afternoon. Please join me in welcoming to the broadcast with Make a Difference Consulting, Alicia J. Alexander. How are you?

Alicia J Alexander: [00:00:49] Great. Thank you for having me this afternoon.

Stone Payton: [00:00:52] Well, it is a delight to have you on the program. Today’s topic authentic appreciation in the workplace. What is it? And, uh. And why do we care?

Alicia J Alexander: [00:01:06] Well, let me start like this 79% of people who leave their jobs do not leave because they’re leaving for money’s sake. They leave because they don’t feel they’re contributing to something that’s meaningful. And so as a business owner, you want to retain your staff and mitigate high, um, turnover costs. The best way to do that is to show them that you care about them. You recognize they are individuals and you recognize they bring value and appreciate your employees.

Stone Payton: [00:01:47] Man, that is a sobering statistic that, uh, I mean, in, uh, instinctively, everything you’re describing makes perfect sense, but wow. That’s, uh. Yeah, man, that’s a huge number.

Alicia J Alexander: [00:02:02] But that’s what the stats show.

Stone Payton: [00:02:05] And so but to get at this I mean there’s, there’s the attention to the individual. But we’ve got to, to to to sustain maintain this. We’ve got to impact the the whole workplace culture, don’t we.

Alicia J Alexander: [00:02:21] Absolutely. Yes. The best way to do that is what I, um, from a book that I teach is called The Five Languages of Appreciation in the workplace. And why that is significant is because each one of us have innate value, intrinsic value. But we need to speak to that intrinsic value with authentic appreciation. Um, there are five, um, languages of appreciation, and we all have a primary and a secondary. And um, if you’re ready, I can go into that more if you wish. Well, I.

Stone Payton: [00:03:01] Do want you to go into it because I’m. I’m curious. Like what? Maybe what mine is like, what do I want? Right. So. Yeah. Absolutely.

Alicia J Alexander: [00:03:09] Absolutely. Well, the first one is called Words of Affirmation. That’s saying a meaningful, positive word more than just good job. It speaks to what the person is contributing to the work environment in a positive, affirming way. And 46% of the population have that as their primary or secondary language. The second one is called quality time. That’s like hanging out with the with the colleague or your circle of influence on the job. Um, just spending quality time. The third one is access service. That’s being able to recognize somebody needs a little assistance, and pitching in and doing it in a way that they would want it to be done just to say, hey, I recognize you’re doing something here. You need a little help. I want to help. The fourth one is tangible gifts. Nothing extravagant because it’s in the workplace, but something that’s meaningful to that person that you’re giving the gift to. And the last one is physical touch. Now, physical touch is limited in the workplace to handshakes, fist bumps, patting the bats and high fives. Nothing more than that.

Stone Payton: [00:04:36] I’m glad you clarified. Makes perfect sense. Uh, and so I’m kind of thinking through the team and the way we’re structured here at the Business RadioX network. We work with other entrepreneurs and various communities, and they’re licensed to run their own business, radio X studio, in a given community. They don’t really report to me, but it’s still a it’s still a cohesive team. We have best practices. We you know, we share what we learn in our own communities. And, you know, we had this this great kind of, uh, community of practice, I guess. But I think as you’re laying those out for me personally anyway, uh, both from my client base, my, the guest who come through, uh, the one of the studios that I personally, uh, work in and, um, and from my business, radio X family, I think I’m part of that big number of, uh, hadn’t really thought about it, but I the words of affirmation, I that’s probably a big one for me.

Alicia J Alexander: [00:05:37] Wow. You know it. There’s two ways to find out if you really want to know what specific languages yours. We do ask for what we call the managing body, um, appreciation inventory assessment. And, um, we can give we can have you take an assessment to find out how do you like to be appreciated, from whom you want that appreciated and how you convey that you, you desire appreciation? Um, it’s it’s probably like a 20 minute test. Um, our assessment, um, but it gives you accurate information. And the other way you can find out is just have a conversation with your circle of influence. Hey, you know, I’m I’m thinking about such and such. How do you feel about being appreciated? What do you like?

Stone Payton: [00:06:31] It makes a lot of sense to me. And it sounds like like fun work if you and rewarding work if you can get it. It is. But what’s the back story? Alicia, how did you get into this line of work?

Alicia J Alexander: [00:06:44] Well. Presently, I’m a doctoral student at Grand Canyon University in Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona. Um, albeit I live in Rhode Island. Um, I’m doing my studies online, and my major or my program of study is organizational leadership with an emphasis on organizational development, qualitative research. And so the fact that I had the opportunity to work with people and specifically, specifically, um, work cultures is very much aligned with what I’m studying. Um, I intend to graduate in 2025 with my doctorate, but having this opportunity to offer and to, um, affect change in organizations is right aligned with what I’m studying.

Stone Payton: [00:07:36] So the next time we do this, it’ll be Doctor Alicia.

Speaker4: [00:07:40] Doctor A yes.

Alicia J Alexander: [00:07:42] I intend to have it like that.

Speaker4: [00:07:45] All right.

Stone Payton: [00:07:45] So let’s talk about, uh, let’s talk about the work a little bit. You’ve got these five languages, I think of appreciation. You refer to them. Tell me about the work. Like you come into an organization and what happens?

Alicia J Alexander: [00:07:58] Let me give you a little history about the five languages of appreciation. Doctor Gary Chapman, that many might recognize for the five love languages took this concept of the five love languages. After being persuaded by many people in the different various industries to the workplace, and he partnered with Doctor Paul White, who has a tremendous business acumen. So together they got into companies like Miller Trust Credit Union. They worked with people and Hines Barony’s major organizations across the country and actually across the globe. So what happens is they’ll ask the question, and if you don’t mind me, I’ll ask you the question. On a scale of 1 to 10, how do you feel appreciated by your circle of influence.

Stone Payton: [00:08:57] When they refer business to me, or tell someone else about how much they’ve enjoyed being on a show or working with me. Yes. Yeah, that’s that right there. That that that makes it for me.

Alicia J Alexander: [00:09:10] Okay, so from there, depending on the size of the organization, we can give them the assessment and find out the different languages that each of the employees have, as well as giving them information about each language more than just saying what the name of the language is and, um, the percentage of the population that have it. And actually, as we get if we’ve given the assessment, we can specifically say to the organization, what percentage of your workforce has that particular language and derive a plan to say, okay, when this person is in need of appreciation or would refer somebody to say, let’s use the word words of affirmation as an example or perform a Board of acquisition, um, affirmation. They will have some kind of cue or something, um, that says on there like a little. I don’t want to call it a plaque, but like a little sign on their, um, cubicle that says, these are my languages, you know? Um, uh, you’re open to, you know, appreciate me anytime, you know, something like that. But it opens, it gives the opportunity to communicate. And that’s what I want to use. Communicate that appreciation to the employee with that specific language, i.e. words of affirmation, in a way that you know at any time, colleague to colleague, superior to subordinates or to employee, um, communicate that that word of, of of affirmation. So they all understand that, you know, when we recognize you are valuable, you are appreciated. And we thank, you know, thank you for being here, participating with us.

Stone Payton: [00:11:24] Well, and that’s the thing though, right? If you’ve got a team of any size and complexity, you’re going to have them all over the map, right? You’re going to have some that really lean into words of affirmation. Absolutely. And so.

Speaker4: [00:11:35] That’s why.

Alicia J Alexander: [00:11:36] That’s why having the sign there is, um, on the cubicle. She works for knowing who and which, um, appreciation language applies to that person.

Stone Payton: [00:11:49] And then there’s knowing that and words of affirmation. And I might be able to come off the top of my head with a little bit of language to help me communicate that. But I’m operating under the impression that there’s coaching, consulting, direction, guidance in the book and maybe in training and facilitation.

Speaker4: [00:12:05] Absolutely. Yes.

Stone Payton: [00:12:06] On how to do it right?

Alicia J Alexander: [00:12:08] Absolutely, yes.

Speaker4: [00:12:11] So, absolutely.

Stone Payton: [00:12:12] You’ve been at this a while now. Uh.

Speaker4: [00:12:14] What’s yours?

Stone Payton: [00:12:16] What’s the most rewarding for you? What’s the most fun about it for you?

Alicia J Alexander: [00:12:21] I love talking about it, I, I educate, I coach, and I speak on the subject of authentic appreciation in the workplace. I, I love three. I say I love the education, but I like the speaking more.

Stone Payton: [00:12:37] So so you’re out doing, like, uh, doing talks to groups of people and speaking on on this topic.

Speaker4: [00:12:44] Yes.

Stone Payton: [00:12:45] So what is that like? Like, is it ever I always ask this of, you know, people who do professional speaking. Is it a is it a little bit nerve wracking to get up there in front of a bunch of people and, and remember.

Speaker4: [00:12:55] What to say?

Alicia J Alexander: [00:12:57] I enjoy it, it’s, um, ever since I was a little girl, I’ve always enjoyed being on stage or in front of people. So, um, it doesn’t make me nervous or anything. I just enjoy it because I feel, especially with the authentic appreciation in the workplace, I’m doing something to help them, you know, my my, my audience. And so when I convey. Um, knowledge. I’m empowering my audience to make changes or see value in what I’m saying and and implement it in their daily lives or the work lives.

Stone Payton: [00:13:40] And your writing too, right? Like you contribute to to other pieces of written work on this topic and others. You’re you’re a busy lady.

Alicia J Alexander: [00:13:50] I try to be. Keeps me out of trouble.

Stone Payton: [00:13:54] So how does the whole sales and marketing thing work for this? I mean, do you find that people are is your phone ringing and they’re coming to you because the book is so popular? Or do you find that you have to have some sort of sales and marketing strategy to get into the conversations with the executives who can write the check to have you come in and help them.

Speaker4: [00:14:15] Was a little bit of both.

Alicia J Alexander: [00:14:17] It’s, uh. It’s, um. Strategizing as well as receiving inquiries. Um, I like the strategizing more, though, you know, being able to send out a post on social media or, um, speak as I am now, um, to a general audience. Um, it’s really I think it’s really rewarding and very effective to communicate, um, topics, you know, on this topic of authentic appreciation in the workplace.

Stone Payton: [00:14:53] And they don’t let just anybody read the book and go out and start teaching it. Right. Like you went through some sort of formal certification process to be like the the ordained facilitator and get the lapel pin and all that, right?

Speaker4: [00:15:07] Yes.

Alicia J Alexander: [00:15:08] And maybe not the lapel pin, but to be recognized, um, recently, uh, Doctor Paul White and I was on Voice of America, um, together and had sort of like how we are doing now on a podcast. So to be able to be in the presence of, um, with Doctor Paul White, um, was really rewarding, very rewarding to hear from him because, I mean, it’s one thing to read the book, but to actually sit and be on a podcast with the coauthor, it’s like, wow. So I was excited about that.

Stone Payton: [00:15:47] I’ll bet. Well, I don’t know when you would find the time, but, you know, pursuing your doctorate and and doing this work and the writing and the speaking, but, uh, what what, uh, passions, interests or hobbies do you pursue outside the scope of this work? Do you do you nerd out about anything else, or is it all heads down around this stuff?

Alicia J Alexander: [00:16:10] Well. I’m very active in my church, which is Awakening Church in Smithfield, Rhode Island. Um, and I love being around my family, so anything with my daughter or my son wants to do, I’m with them, you know? So make time for family. Sort of like the Mary Kay Cosmetics people put God first, family second, and all else that follow after that, you know.

Stone Payton: [00:16:34] Well, you know what? It brings up an interesting topic, and I think it’s probably quite related. Everything you’re learning and teaching with regard to the five languages, I suspect there’s a great deal of application in your personal and family life for practicing this as well. Yeah.

Alicia J Alexander: [00:16:55] Yes, yes. Um, my daughter is very, very much a professional marketer. And to be able to help out with dishes or, you know, um, help out with her, with my granddaughter. Um speaks of quality time, access, service. Um, just giving her a kind word. Words of affirmation. So yeah, I do practice it in my in my personal life as well, I’ll bet.

Stone Payton: [00:17:26] All right. Um, I want I’d like to wrap if we could, around maybe just a few. I call them pro tips. Some things for us to be thinking about. And look, guys, the the number one pro tip is get your hands on this book, reach out, have a conversation with Alicia, somebody on her team, you know, look into the the training, the consulting, getting your hands on the assessment. But between now and then, maybe some things that we ought to be kind of having our, our eyes and ears open to some additional things we ought to be reading, maybe even some things we ought to be conscious about, uh, doing or not doing that will help us get a little bit better, you know, just right after we are done listening to this conversation.

Alicia J Alexander: [00:18:12] Oh, absolutely. Um, I want to share that, you know, since Covid, our workforce has changed. Um, we have remote workers, we have hybrid workers. We have those who are in office.

Speaker4: [00:18:28] And the one, um, organization.

Alicia J Alexander: [00:18:30] And it’s important that we convey appreciation to each type of employee, whether it’s remote, whether hybrid or in office. And so finding an opportunity to have just, you know, a beginning conversation about authentic appreciation and how they value appreciation in their work, how it makes a difference in the organization.

Speaker4: [00:19:00] Um.

Alicia J Alexander: [00:19:01] It’s it’s a big deal. You know, it’s it’s a contributing factor to retaining your employees as a business owner and for the employee to valuing and being participatory in the work environment. The work culture.

Stone Payton: [00:19:18] Well, and that’s a word that you have used several times in this conversation. And I don’t want to gloss over it, but you’ve gone to some lengths to always use the word authentic, and I’m sure a person can sense whether they’re doing it, um, consciously or not. They can sense pretty quickly if you’re just kind of handing out a little quick platitude versus genuinely expressing appreciation in the language that’s best for them, there’s a lot to this authentic piece of it, isn’t there?

Alicia J Alexander: [00:19:54] Yes, yes. Um. Um, there are opportunities where people will there be the supervisor, manager, owner or employee? Will not feel that they want to show appreciation. But sometimes you have to discount your feelings and go ahead and say a kind word or a nice gesture, or give a gift. Discounting how you’re feeling. Because feelings follow actions, you know. So, you know, it’s important to just realize that you have. An opportunity to. Convey honest feelings as far as showing appreciation.

Stone Payton: [00:20:47] And finding something to genuinely appreciate them about. I don’t guess you’d have to appreciate every single aspect of them 20 47A day, but I bet you could. I had a mentor that used to call this, uh, good finding, you know, like there’s something you can appreciate about virtually anyone. And and if not, then maybe it is time to revisit and free free up their future. But for in most situations, there ought to be something you can appreciate them. Appreciate about them. Right?

Speaker4: [00:21:11] Absolutely.

Alicia J Alexander: [00:21:12] Absolutely. Yes. Um, and you know, no one is 100% evil and no one is 100% good. So there’s always going to be something that you can appreciate somebody for.

Speaker4: [00:21:26] All right.

Stone Payton: [00:21:27] So what’s the best way for our listeners to learn more tap into this book. Uh, maybe get their their hands on, get some access to the assessment, have a conversation with you. Is there a website or a good way to connect with you?

Alicia J Alexander: [00:21:41] Yes, I can be reached at (401) 601-3207 or Alicia Alicea at Make a Difference Consulting. Com and the website is make a Difference consulting. Com.

Stone Payton: [00:22:01] Alicia, thank you for investing the time and the energy to visit with us this afternoon. Thank you for your insight and your perspective and keep up the good work. What you’re doing is is so important and can have such an impact, you know, in any given moment, but well beyond that. Thank you for joining us.

Alicia J Alexander: [00:22:22] Thank you so for having me. I really appreciate this opportunity.

Stone Payton: [00:22:26] My pleasure. All right. Until next time. This is Stone Payton for our guest today, Alicia J. Alexander with Make a Difference Consulting and everyone here at the Business RadioX family saying we’ll see you again on workplace wisdom.

BRX Pro Tip: Optimize for Deposits not Downloads

March 7, 2024 by angishields

BRX Pro Tip: Reframe Your Business Goals from Dollars to People

March 6, 2024 by angishields

BRX Pro Tips

BRX Pro Tip: Reframe Your Business Goals from Dollars to People

00:00 /

BRX Pro Tip: Reframe Your Business Goals from Dollars to People

Stone Payton : [00:00:00] Welcome back to Business RadioX Pro Tips. Lee Kantor and Stone Payton here with you. Lee, let’s talk a little bit about business goals and the right – the right perspective frame. How should you really go about setting and then tracking business goals?

Lee Kantor: [00:00:17] Yeah. I think a nice way to create kind of goals for yourself is to not use dollar amounts as the goal, but use people amounts.

Lee Kantor: [00:00:27] And what I mean by that is, say you want to make $100,000 a year, that’s $80,333 a month. So instead of looking at it as I got to make $8,333 this month, ask yourself, “How many clients do I have to have to do that?” For example, if you charge $1,000 a month for your services, that’s, you know, eight, nine clients. You have to have eight or nine clients. If you charge $2,500 a month, that’s only four clients. When you know you only need four clients to reach your goal, isn’t it easier to make that one more sales call, to build one more relationship that gets you that much closer to where you want to go?

Lee Kantor: [00:01:10] So, try focusing on people, not money. And something tells me you’re going to make a lot more money.

The Mommy Hustle: A Story of Overcoming Challenges in Business and Motherhood

March 5, 2024 by angishields

High Velocity Radio

The Mommy Hustle: A Story of Overcoming Challenges in Business and Motherhood

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In this episode of the High Velocity Radio, Stone Payton talks with Dionna Walker, CEO of Rebirth Hair Products. Dionna shares her journey from Ohio to Georgia for a knowledge-packed weekend, including attending the Dropping Knowledge Tour. She discusses her book, “The Mommy Hustle,” which provides inspiration and tips for balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship.

Dionna also delves into the creation of Rebirth Hair Products, a brand born out of her own experience with postpartum hair loss, now catering to a broader audience with all-natural hair restoration products. She expresses her passion for the personal touch in shipping her products and her eagerness to learn more about marketing. Dionna emphasizes the importance of mentorship, both receiving and giving, and talks about how she’s created digital products to guide other entrepreneurs.

Dionna Walker established Rebirth Hair Products in July, 2019. Dionna is a wife, mother, and entrepreneur. Her hair care product line may just be the solution women and mothers have been waiting for. She’s also the author of The Mommy Hustle Book.

The product line features four different collections that include a shampoo, conditioner, hair moisturizer, hair growth oil, styling gel, and hair buttercream. Infused with rosemary, mint, coconut oil, and shea butter, this hair care line is one hundred percent vegan.

Also known as “the fairy godmother of hair products and edges” by her team, Dionna’s mission is to provide top quality hair products. With a hands-on approach, a vision for her company, faith, and trap vibes, Dionna Walker is on her way to continue helping not only women, but also mothers regain their confidence while battling postpartum hair loss.

Follow Rebirth Hair Products on Facebook.

This transcript is machine transcribed by Sonix

TRANSCRIPT

Intro: [00:00:04] Broadcasting live from the Business RadioX studios in Atlanta, Georgia. It’s time for High Velocity Radio.

Stone Payton: [00:00:14] Welcome to the High Velocity Radio show, where we celebrate top performers producing better results in less time. Stone Payton here with you this morning. You guys are in for a real treat. Please join me in welcoming to the broadcast, CEO with Rebirth Hair Products, Ms. Dionna Walker. How are you?

Dionna Walker: [00:00:34] I am great, thank you for having me.

Stone Payton: [00:00:38] What a delight to have you in studio and you have gone to some trouble to be here. You came in from Ohio?

Dionna Walker: [00:00:45] Yes, yes. Representing for the Dayton, Ohio area. I came flying in to Atlanta, Georgia for a jam packed weekend.

Stone Payton: [00:00:54] Yes, not just me. We’re going to have a great conversation, but you’ve got some cool stuff happening on Saturday. Yeah.

Dionna Walker: [00:01:00] Oh, yeah. So tell us about it. Okay, so Saturday I will be going to the Dropping Knowledge Tour and it is hosted by, um, Kaleidoscope Hair Products CEO, the real Baby Judy. So we’re going to be learning about how to reach our customers in 2024. And she’s just going to be dropping gems overall. So I am so excited for that.

Stone Payton: [00:01:26] Well I hope you’ll take some notes and share that with me.

Dionna Walker: [00:01:28] Okay. Of course.

Stone Payton: [00:01:30] We’ll take all the help we can get over here at Business RadioX. Okay. So Rebirth Hair Products. I do want to get into that in a little while. But, uh, what’s for foremost on my mind right now? You’ve got a book out. Yes.

Dionna Walker: [00:01:43] Yeah.

Stone Payton: [00:01:43] Tell us about it.

Dionna Walker: [00:01:44] So I have a book out called The Mommy Hustle, and this book is an inspirational read. And I kind of wrote it because sometimes being a mom, I have eight children. Oh, my. So. Wow.

Stone Payton: [00:01:56] That’s a whole nother show. Yeah.

Dionna Walker: [00:01:59] Couple of hours worth a show. But being a mom and business, sometimes we have this thing called mom guilt and we want to make sure that we are our number one priority is our children. But when you’re in business, sometimes you have to, you know, tip that scale a little bit and say, hey, I know you have a football game tonight, but mom has to go to this meeting and sign this contract so we can pay for this mortgage. Okay, so I kind of wrote the book to inspire and to also give tips on how to balance that mom and entrepreneur lifestyle out.

Stone Payton: [00:02:38] Man, that sounds like a marvelous pursuit, a noble pursuit. And it’s, uh, I would think it’s no easy task. How do you go about taking these ideas, these experiences, and, and committing them to paper in such a way that it’s really going to benefit other people? Tell us a little bit about the process you went through for getting the book together.

Dionna Walker: [00:02:59] So it just, you know, it came to me as an idea and I said, well, I looked for something that relates to me. Right. So I was looking for a book that could relate to my struggles. And you know what I was thinking, what I had going on, and I couldn’t find it. So that is basically where most of my entrepreneurial spirit comes when I find something, when I want, when I need to find something on the market that I cannot find for myself, I go ahead and I create it because, hey, I know a lot of other women is looking for some, you know, some type of encouragement, um, to, you know, juggling, you know, business and motherhood or even, you know, working the 9 to 5 and being a mom, you know what I’m saying? So I just the inspiration comes from seeing a need for it. And I just, you know, after I, I just couldn’t find what I needed. I said, I’m going to go put pen to paper.

Stone Payton: [00:04:00] So what what is the structure of the of the book? Does it have, uh, chapters or how did you how did you set it up?

Dionna Walker: [00:04:07] Okay. So the book is so interesting because I have, um, I have graphics like I have a quote in there that said, I am not a Cinderella and that that chapter just talks about, you know, I’m not I’m not going to be cleaning all day. I’m not going to be, you know, I’m going to put on my, you know, my business suit and I’m going to go out there and I’m going to do what I need to do, and then I’ll come back and be Cinderella. But I have pretty cool, I have pretty cool graphics. And then I have. Oh, and then in the back of the book it is actually a journal. So once, as you and I encourage in the book, as you’re reading through the chapters, go to the back of the book and write down your thoughts. And even if you have a business idea, write it down. So the book is really pretty beautiful graphics I have. Oh man, it’s just such amazing. I’m that is my Picasso work.

Stone Payton: [00:05:10] So did some of the chapters come together really easy for you and other ones? Take a little while and you had to kind of work through the the way you you decided to say what you really wanted to say.

Dionna Walker: [00:05:22] Well, I had a great editor, um, and I just, I wrote it up and she just said, hey, we’re going to put some things in, we’re going to put some things out. But the overall process, it just came natural to me because it was just like, you know, I’m sharing my journey, right? Yeah. And I’m and she edited it in a way to where even if you’re, um, working in the corporate or 9 to 5, you can still relate to the book. We have like inspirational quotes and, you know, just a journal in the back. So the overall process was easy for me because I had a team that was able to edit the book. And we took about a good 2 to 3 months to even work on the editing part. And then we went to the graphics and the journal and all that. So most of the things was added as we developed and as we got like the the draft done. But the overall development of the book, it just came. It came natural to me because I wanted to share my story, but then I also wanted to put in there tips to my success that I think that other women can relate to as well. Yeah.

Stone Payton: [00:06:32] So what are some other key messages in the book? I love that I’m not Cinderella, but what are a couple of others?

Dionna Walker: [00:06:37] Um, and then one other chapter that I love so much, it is, um, you can be me, but can you beat me? And that is just. And it is just like a little fun little, uh, motivational thing that I do for mothers. Like, hey, I’m not going to let depression beat me. I’m not going to let you know. My financial, my me, my financial situation, um, define me. So the that quote is just for any situation that we may go through. So that one is a really good one. And I want, you know, I’m going to save a little bit of that. You got to go get the book. You got to get the book.

Stone Payton: [00:07:19] Absolutely. Okay. So at the individual level a person invest in the book and they start reading it. If you had the luxury of kind of sitting behind their shoulder and coaching them up on the best way to get the most out of this book, and you did touch on it. But say more about how to how to really use the book so that you are getting, um, as my partner would say, my business partner would say, uh, all the juice out of out of the book. How do you get the most out of it? Is it reading a chapter? Journaling? Yeah.

Dionna Walker: [00:07:51] I recommend reading a chapter. And after you read the chapter, really think about your own situation and add it to the journal. Part of it is really for the reader to jot down how they’re feeling and what it is that they’re they’re wanting to do for their own life. So I even have a part in there where I say, hey, how are you feeling right now? Go to the back of the book and write it down. And that kind of like helps most of the readers because they’re like, I took my time and read each chapter because I was looking forward to that push of you telling me to go in the back of the book, tell me how I’m feeling, what is my ideas? And I even asked them, how are we doing so far in the book, goes to the back of the book and write about it, because when we write our ideas down, I just feel like we can have something to go back to look at it and say, hey, I’m going to, I’m going to get to that. I’m going to knock that out. So I just feel like the most the chapter by chapter, read it by chapter, write down how you’re feeling. Um, if you can relate to something, go in the back of the book and just really write it down of how are you relating to the passage? And I give a lot of tips on business. I give a lot of tips on motherhood. As a mom of eight, I know.

Stone Payton: [00:09:16] It certainly sounds like.

Dionna Walker: [00:09:17] You do. I know. So I give tips on motherhood and just juggling the overall mom and business. And and that’s why it’s called the Mommy hustle. Because I give all my gems and I just want you to. I want us to feel connected in a way of, I have written this book, but you are partnering with me. You’re like my virtual partner and we’re going to write through our ideas. So I kind of wanted to just, you know, include that as a way of pushing out, you know, what it is that the reader wants to, you know, do.

Stone Payton: [00:09:55] Well, it sounds to me like this is also the kind of book that that you you reread. You don’t just read it once and you’re done. I could see reading it chapter by chapter, but also coming back to it. Yeah. Is that accurate?

Dionna Walker: [00:10:08] I wanted to make sure the reader got their money’s worth. Um. It is, it is a book. But the diary part of it is to where you can keep it on you and go back and read, you know, read your thoughts and go to a chapter and say, hey, I’m not a Cinderella. Today I have a meeting to get to and let me go brush up on that chapter. You know what I’m saying? So yes, this book is an investment of being able to carry it with you right in it. You know, it’s really it’s really like a diary, but it is a it is a guide on, you know, juggling the, the, the 9 to 5 and juggling a mom being a business owner.

Stone Payton: [00:10:51] So I am not a leader of a women in business mastermind, but I’m trying to put myself in that type of person’s shoes. I can also envision if I were. Eating a mastermind group of six, eight, ten, 12 people or whatever that we could use the book that way too. Whereas, you know, you go off and you read some, and then we come, come together and we, we use it as a platform for dialog. I mean, it has some real application in a, in a, in a group setting too. Yeah. Oh yeah.

Dionna Walker: [00:11:20] Absolutely. I know a couple of women, they purchased it. Um, they were college students. Um, and they purchased the book and they were saying, hey, we it took us a month to get through the book because we didn’t want to not read it with each other to talk about it. So I said, yeah, the book has some tea in it. And tea means interesting, interesting stories. So yes, you can definitely read it in a group setting. And I and I kind of feel that a group setting would be awesome as well because we can say, hey, let’s bounce ideas off each other, you know, let’s, you know, what are you putting in your notes? So yeah, I think a group setting will be great too.

Stone Payton: [00:12:00] So we have a great meeting, as you might imagine. Well, we have a great many authors actually kind of in our, in our crew. Right. People who tap into our work, people who come on as guests, uh, people who are clients at Business RadioX. But we also have a great many who are aspiring authors. So let’s talk about the benefits to you as an author, and specifically, I’m at least interested to know, did you find that committing your ideas to paper preparing this in service of others also helped you kind of crystallize your own thinking, solidify your, uh, ability, equip you to be even that much more effective when you were speaking or consulting or training or facilitating, did it have that effect for you?

Dionna Walker: [00:12:43] Um, it did, but I will say to anyone that is looking to get into, you know, writing, I just say go for it. You never know what. With your book may help, you know, tell your story. Um, someone is waiting on you to tell your story. And I say, don’t worry about how much it cost and what it’ll look like if you’re going to fall. Fall for it, okay? You don’t have to. You don’t have to be perfect. My first book. Oh my God. It was not the best, but I kept going and I learned. I listened to the customers and hiring someone on Fiverr to edge a book and make the graphics don’t cost number $1,020. So I just say started. Um, for me it was, um, I failed a lot when I was writing these books, but the mommy hustle is my protege. I learned a lot before I released that one. Um, I hired amazing team, and for me, the benefit was not only financial, but it was also knowing that I took a chance to inspire women to, you know, and that was enough for me because I want to always be inspirational and be inspirational to others. And I also want to lead by example and everything that I put in that book. I have went through every single thing. I have been a Cinderella at once. So yeah, everything in the book I just can relate to. I went through and, you know, the readers say, hey, I can’t believe you put this in the book, but that’s that’s something that people don’t say out loud, but you put it in there, and I just, I just had to email you to let you know, like, wow, that’s what I was thinking as well. So the benefits for me is just to make sure the reader is enjoying the experience. I wanted the book to be an experience, and I also wanted to bring the reader in to, you know, to have the connection of this is my book, but we’re sharing the experience because you get to write your own part in the back of the book.

Stone Payton: [00:14:56] Well, it sounds like you’re getting feedback from this thing. What are some of the things that people are saying you’re hearing from readers? Right, I.

Dionna Walker: [00:15:02] Am, I get a lot of emails and oh, interesting story real quick. Uh, my teacher, she emailed me and I haven’t talked to this lady in so long, and she said, I seen you on the news and I had to get your book. And she said, that’s my student.

Stone Payton: [00:15:22] That had to feel good. Yeah, that was great.

Dionna Walker: [00:15:24] And she was one of my favorite teachers as well. But I just wanted to throw that story out there. But yes, the readers are enjoying it. And, you know, some some things are not for everyone, but for the most part, um. When the readers get the book, they’re excited because, like I said, it flows as if we’re on a journey together. So the feedback has been great. Um, and whenever the feedback is not great, I make those notes for my next book. Yes, yes.

Stone Payton: [00:15:57] Good for you.

Speaker4: [00:16:00] All right.

Stone Payton: [00:16:01] What’s the best way for our listeners to get their hands on this book?

Dionna Walker: [00:16:04] Um, my website would be, uh, Rebirth Hair products.com, and they can get it. It’s on my website.

Stone Payton: [00:16:13] So that’s Mecca for everything. If they want to get to you, they want to get to the book. They want to tap into any of your your speaking, your facilitation, your coaching. It was just whatever you might be doing. Yeah. Okay. Let’s go into some of the real life source material for this book because, oh, by the way, you’re a CEO of a company, a successful company called Rebirth Hair Products. Uh, paint force, if you would. Mission. Purpose. What are you out there doing for folks with that company?

Dionna Walker: [00:16:41] So the rebirth hair products, that is my baby. Um, I’ve been in that business for three years. And what Rebirth Hair Products is. We started as a hair restoration brand for moms and we have expand. So I created this brand because when I had I was going through postpartum hair loss and I didn’t know that was a thing. I did my research and as I was getting bald, I was putting together, you know, I was looking for products again. I was looking for products to help that. So when I couldn’t find it, I created it. And I, you know, I created the Rebirth hair products specifically for moms with hair loss. And to this date, if Google, Google is our friend, Rebirth Hair Products is the only company. Of his kind that have products for mothers experiencing hair loss after postpartum. So we expand and I said, I want to reach more people. So our products are now for anyone. We have men, we have women, we have children, and we are a hair restoration brand. And our motto is to restore, rejuvenate and rebirth your hair. And we do that by offering all natural hair products. So we have conditioners, we have shampoos, we have edge control. You know, we got to keep some edges cute. We have you know, we have products that I have sourced and I, you know, I add my ingredients to it. And I let our people on the back end do what they have to do. And it’s just that, that brand, all of that is my baby.

Speaker4: [00:18:32] I have to believe.

Stone Payton: [00:18:34] A product like that that delivers results like that has got to be so much more than just the product. It’s it’s the, uh, it’s what it produces for the individual in confidence and self esteem. And I would think that would be huge for a lot of people, yeah?

Dionna Walker: [00:18:50] Absolultely. Especially us women. Our hair. What we don’t play about that. But yeah, the confidence is because you can imagine how I felt as I was losing hair and I just had a baby. So postpartum hair loss, you know, and I had to do my research. That is a big issue. And once I found that out, I was able to create Rebirth Hair products. And that’s how I really got the name, because I said, I need a rebirth, this hair. And that’s how I came up with the name rebirth. But to this day we expand, um, and we are an overall hair restoration and growth system brand. And we have products just for about anyone.

Stone Payton: [00:19:34] So now that you’ve been at it three years and counting, right. So, uh, clearly it’s very rewarding work. What’s the what are you enjoying the most? What’s the most fun about it for you?

Dionna Walker: [00:19:46] I love the shipping part because I’m doing everything, um, right now. Or it’s just me and my kids and my husband and my mom. Some family sometimes, and the shipping is what I had to get a handle on. And once I learned how to do that, I enjoy it. Sometimes I’ll put an extra product in there. Sometimes I’ll write a note in there. I really enjoy the shipping aspect of my company because I just feel like, oh man, this this person took a chance on my dream and I’m just so appreciative. So I try to make sure that even doing the back end of my company, you know, doing the marketing and everything, I always, you know, find time to ship most of my orders. I kind of feel connected in a way to my customer, and I’m just so grateful for them to take a chance on my company. So I love the shipping part. I know that sounds crazy, but I love the shipping aspect of my brand. I love all of my brand, but the shipping part and getting my orders to the customer. I love that part.

Stone Payton: [00:20:55] I’m so glad that I asked.

Stone Payton: [00:20:57] And no, I did not expect that answer at all. But then as you described it, it made perfect sense to me. And I got to tell you, you know, I get stuff mail order all the time, and there’s one company when they send me stuff it, they send me a bottle of hot sauce. And it’s just, it’s a nice little touch. And to get even to get a little note, you know, thank you for the business or we appreciate you or, you know, enjoy that. Really it means so much. So there there’s a pro tip for you guys out there. Yeah shipping shipping product makes all the sense in the world.

Dionna Walker: [00:21:27] It does. It gives your it gives your customer a personal feel to the person you are. I’ll even put in there ship with love or you know, you never know what someone could be going through. So you’re you going the extra mile for your customer can hey, I got this product from Rebirth Hair Products Girl. They send me a cute little note and some extra products. Try this product out. You may like it. It gets the word of mouth out.

Dionna Walker: [00:21:56] So yeah.

Stone Payton: [00:21:58] So I know you’re going to go learn a lot more Saturday. And I hope you share some of your notes. But talk to me a little bit about the sales and marketing aspect of your work because you can’t just, you know, build it and they will come. Right. You got to get out there and let people know about it. What’s what’s that like for you?

Dionna Walker: [00:22:12] Oh, I’m still learning. That’s why I’m going to the event Saturday with the real Julia Kaleidoscope Hair Products Dropping Knowledge tour, because I’m still learning the marketing aspect of the business. And that one is tricky because the, you know, reaching your customers is different. You know, especially in 2020 for a lot of things is expensive. And you have to be creative when you’re reaching your customers. So I have everything business related when it comes to reaching reaching my customers. But you want to stay true to your brand, but you want to make it interesting. You want to make make it to where you’re producing good content that tells your customers about your product, what you’re offering, but you don’t want to drag it all out. So I’m still learning about the marketing aspect of it. But, you know, I feel that we’re doing great because we have a good we have a good team. We have people that’s helping us. We put up billboards, um, we we go to events, we do bags with mini sized products in it at other events. Um, but I’m excited to learn more about that Saturday. But it is a learning. It is a learning. I’m learning a little bit, you know, I’m trying to get into that marketing aspect. So if anybody can help me reach out, please.

Stone Payton: [00:23:35] Well, I love that attitude, that life learner, uh, approach.

Dionna Walker: [00:23:39] I’m forever a student.

Stone Payton: [00:23:41] Well, I can see that. And often I will ask my guests if they’ve had the benefit of a mentor or two as they’ve kind of, you know, transitioned into different aspects of business. The answer in your case is clearly yes. So maybe a better question would be, uh, what tips, if any, do you have in terms of, uh, seeking out mentors and and getting the most out of that relationship?

Dionna Walker: [00:24:06] I for me, connect with someone who’s already where you want to be. Connect with someone that is not afraid to tell you. Like, um, the product that you put out is ugly, and I need you to start over. You need to connect with someone that is honest already in a position of where you want to be in life, either as business, at a job, anywhere, and just get the most out of the gems that they can drop to where to how they got to where they are for you to join them, you know what I’m saying? And I just say reading books as well, and then having a mindset of I am a student. I’m always learning, I learn, I wake up to learn. What am I going to learn today, especially on TikTok? I didn’t try so many TikTok videos. I am a student and I receive, you know, I received the knowledge I received, you know, learning. You know, that’s that’s just my personal preference. I’m always a student. I’m going to learn. I’m going to look forward to the knowledge. You know what I’m saying? I’m and I, I just want others to, you know, be a student, learn. Um, and then once you learn, reach back and help other people.

Stone Payton: [00:25:43] Well, yeah, I want to dive into that a little bit, too. So, yes, on the other side of the coin, as a successful entrepreneur, an author, you find yourself in a mentoring role sometimes maybe formally, but I’m sure a great deal informally insight, perspective on being a good mentor and maybe some do’s and don’ts on trying to help the next person.

Dionna Walker: [00:26:00] The funny thing is, I have, um, I have a well, I wouldn’t say a mentorship per se, but I created digital products as well, and the digital products are just basically ebooks to help business owners. So I have one that’s how to make a sale and or how to make 30 sales in ten days. I have another one that is basically how to create a digital product, how to create a six figure product. I, I have used ebooks as a way to mentorship because I’m a mom of eight. I sometimes don’t have time to sit and chat with other people. So I created ebooks to help entrepreneurs and I detail so much in the ebooks. Yeah.

Stone Payton: [00:26:54] I’m a switch gears on you for a moment before we wrap, if I might. And I don’t know where you would find the time with eight kids, a successful business, writing books, creating digital product. But I’m going to ask anyway about passions, pursuits, hobbies, interests outside the scope of your work. A great meeting of my listeners know that I like to hunt, fish, and travel, you know? So what do you have a tendency to nerd out about or get into when it’s outside the scope of the work?

Dionna Walker: [00:27:20] I am a die hard Harry Potter fan, I love books, I love iced coffee, I love to dance, I love fashion, um, I love walks in the park, I love picnics, I love candles. Wow, I can go on for and I just, I love the simple things in life because I don’t I don’t need to go to a fancy restaurant. I mean, it’s nice, but going to the park, getting a cute bath, getting a blanket and just I love vibes. I’m a vibe type of girl.

Stone Payton: [00:27:58] And I know you mentioned earlier you must like to cook because you said you went to TikTok and got the rest of season.

Dionna Walker: [00:28:03] Yeah, I love trying different foods. I love to cook. I just love the experience of, you know, TikTok. Oh my God, I try so many of those meals.

Stone Payton: [00:28:17] I should have had cooked to my list. Uh, Santa Claus brought me a Blackstone, one of those griddles. Wow. And so I’ve really enjoyed that. And I was watching YouTubes last night on how to do the hibachi. So, you know what? I’m gonna I’m gonna, I should add, cooked to my list, because I do.

Dionna Walker: [00:28:30] Yeah. Make some hibachi.

Stone Payton: [00:28:32] Well the activity is fun, but the what builds around it having family and it’s just, it just it helps create a variety of very intimate, you know, genuine experiences around around food. Yeah.

Dionna Walker: [00:28:44] It does.

Stone Payton: [00:28:46] All right. Uh, what’s the best way for our listeners to tap into your work? Let’s I know you mentioned the website and the book, and maybe that’s the right place. I just want to make sure that folks, if they want to reach out and have a more substantive conversation with you or get their hands on these, uh, digital products or get to your book, let’s leave them with some coordinates to do that.

Dionna Walker: [00:29:06] So, um, I’m on IG, Instagram at Rebirth University and then I am not opposed to dropping. My email address, I just hey, it is Deanna Walker. Zero eight at gmail.com. Email me, email me. Check out the website Rebirth Hair products. Com follow me on Instagram at Rebirth University. Email me Diana Dionna Walker WALKER08 at gmail.com. And if you’re going to message me, just put in the subject line. If you want digital products, say hey digital product. Hey, how you doing? I heard you on the hottest radio business, radio X. I need a digital product.

Stone Payton: [00:29:53] Well, Diana, it has been an absolute delight having you in the studio sharing your story. You’re doing really important work and we want you to keep it up. We sure appreciate you.

Dionna Walker: [00:30:06] Thank you for having me. I’m so I’m so appreciative for the opportunity. Until next time.

Stone Payton: [00:30:14] Absolutely. My pleasure. All right. Until next time. This is Stone Payton for our guest today, CEO with Rebirth Hair Products and author of the Mommy Hustle book, Miss Diana Walker. And everyone here at the Business RadioX family saying, we’ll see you in the fast lane.