“For me, I wouldn’t go back and change anything. It’s been a great ride. I’ve gotten to do things, learn things, and experience life in a way I don’t think I would have otherwise. ” - Kelly Fletcher

Kelly Fletcher (@fletcherpr) is a powerhouse leader, CEO, speaker, author, podcast host, marketer, and former Miss North Carolina. She graduated from Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina with a degree in Music, Vocal Performance, and Communications. All through her twenties, she was aspiring to be a singer and lived in New York. She’d tell you, “I worked a lot, but I didn’t make a lot of money.” Up until she was 29, she sang with the National Opera Company as a cover, which is similar to an understudy, for two years, she worked odd jobs to make ends meet, and she toured with music companies. When she left New York, she decided to pivot to a career in communications as well as start a family of her own. At age 40, she started her own marketing and PR firm, and let’s just say she’s killing it. She not only reinvented herself, but she created an incredible company, successful career, and community of leaders following in her footsteps.

In part 2 of this episode, Bob and Kelly dive into the power of the female consumer. Additionally, Kelly shares helpful and timely advice for leaders looking to grow in their leadership skills and abilities. Bob and Kelly talk about if this entrepreneurship journey is all worth it, what her pet peeves are, and a few productivity hacks.

Notes and Quotes:

-The female is the CFO of American households. They do the majority of household purchasing.

-About 50% of women in this country aren’t married. If you only market to women that are married, you’re leaving market share on the table. You can’t market to all women in the same way.

-Advice I’d give to young women is that you really can’t have it all. Media portrays that women can, but it’s not that simple. It’s only in certain seasons, and you have to realize how to prioritize.

-There are sacrifices to be made for different choices. We are kind of raised to think we should do it all, and it’s just not possible.

-Prioritize what’s important to you. Make a list. Set goals every year. I found this old journal of mine, and a lot of my goals are still the same as they are now. To find that and look back on it, it was cool to see I’ve been doing the right things. Figure out your process and stick with it over the years.

-For me, I wouldn’t go back and change anything. It’s been a great ride. I’ve gotten to do things, learn things, and experience life in a way I don’t think I would have otherwise.

-If you really want to find what you’re capable of, you have to push yourself.

-It’s a pet peeve of mine whenever someone on our team says, “I’m not this or I’m not that. Or I don’t know how to do this.” We don’t ever say that to a client. We deliver solutions. If we don’t know how to do something, we figure that out internally. It’s also a pet peeve when someone asks me how to do something. Be resourceful. Try Googling it. Figure it out.

-Another pet peeve of mine is when people are on their phone in a meeting. Be respectful of people’s time and don’t be on your phone in a meeting.

-Any productivity hacks? Something that really works for me is calendaring. Blocking off your calendar to do certain projects or tasks. I don’t know about you but if I have a to-do list, I’ll check off the things I want to do and leave the things I don’t want to do. But really I should have done the things I didn’t want to do first.

-Another productivity hack is this -- don’t live on email. It takes you down a rabbit hole, and it causes you to lose focus. Decide. How are you going to respond to email?

Links in this episode include:

New Way MBA, Bonvera’s education system for any entrepreneur

Blinkist, an app to that summarizes key takeaways from books in text and audio formats

Fletcher Marketing & PR, Kelly’s marketing and PR agency

Scott’s Cheap Flights

Under the Tuscan Sun, a movie that’s inspired a love for Italy

American Ad Federation Association

Bonvera Brew, it won Gold at the Addy Awards!

Kutano Refuel, it won a Silver at the Addy Awards!

Luebella, it won a Bronze at the Addy Awards!

Want to hear more with Kelly Fletcher? Subscribe to New Way MBA as we’ll be recording more exclusive content with Kelly and making that available to New Way MBA subscribers.

To learn more about Bob’s two books, find them on Amazon here: The Leap and Love Your Work.

Follow Bob Dickie on Twitter @RobertDickie

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