A Front Row Seat

How did I get here? That s how my a-ha moment began. The realization that, yes, I had accomplished something significant and unique, something that eluded other women around me. I had succeeded as a businesswoman in a very high stakes, very male-dominated business world. In that moment, I asked myself - how is it that I managed to thrive in corporate America, while many of my sister counterparts dropped by the wayside? What made my journey different? Now that s the $1,000,000 question. And so it unfolds...

I've been described as a risk taker. Fresh out of college, I packed my bags and moved to the big city - New York City without a job, without any leads. What I had however, was an intuitive energy guiding me toward what I wanted most...to succeed with a bang! I knew that I could, that I would, make my way as a successful businesswoman in one of the toughest business environments in the world. Shortly after arriving in the Big Apple, I landed my first real job at a Fortune 500 media conglomorate. I was on the treadmill to success.

I learned early on to press forward with confidence regardless of how big the obstacle - this was my true point of distinction. That meant being more efficient and more effective, "effective" being the operative word. I was once given an award for performance excellence that pretty much sums it up: the Bulldog Award. The plaque reads: "Given in special recognition for demonstrated perseverance, tenacity and bold aggressive spirit in the dogged pursuit of goals that others believe impossible." I was humbled and honored. To this day, I proudly display that award in my office.

Through the years, I ve seen many women come into their own as business leaders and have been fortunate to work with some of the strongest and most successful women in leadership. I guess you could say I had a front row seat. But it wasn t always pretty. I ve seen some women handle the pressures and responsibilities of success with confidence and grace, truly leading with a cashmere glove. I ve also watched women destroy themselves trying to emulate their "rule with an iron fist" male counterparts. I myself flew dangerously close to the fire of fury while launching a new business venture a decade ago. Nearly succumbing to the pressures of building a business growing at the speed of light, I became harsh, difficult and blunt with those around me. Blessed (or maybe saddled) with a "driver personality", I felt that in order to stay the course while moving so fast, I had to be tough and rule with an iron fist. The results: it wasn't effective and it wasn't me. In short, I didn't like who I was becoming as a professional and recognized the need to make a change. It was then that I realized that success is not the result of being forceful, it s the result of being effective. And that sometimes being soft is a sign of strength.

From that point on, I donned my Cashmere Gloves.

My Background
I embody the concept of the Cashmere Glove: The Feminine Approach to Business™. I am a seasoned businesswoman with nearly three decades of experience in corporate cultures, including Fortune 500. I formerly served as a key member of an organization that launched the most successful consumer electronic product in history at the time (DIRECTV). After only five years of operation, that business was sold for over $1.2 billion. At the very core of my authentic self, I am a nurturer, a mentor to young business professionals, a wife and a mother of three. Two years ago, as an expression of love for my children, I authored a self-published book of advice entitled "Mom's Simple Book: Things To Remember, Consider and Live By." And lastly, I am a "corporate business treadmill" survivor.

A Seat at the Big Table
Today, I'm the VP of Business Development for a full-service ad agency in Minneapolis. I serve as the only woman on the executive team and have proudly earned a seat at the big table in the boardroom. I call on my Cashmere Glove skills on a regular basis and have come to realize the amazing strength that lies within us if we choose to seek it.