Podcast appearances and mentions of tara lynn foster

Asking your connections for help can make some of us hesitate or worse not act on our instincts at all out of fear they might say no to our request.  It comes down to being prepared so that we feel confident when we engage both our network as well as new connections we are at ease and comfortable in what we want to say.  Senior leaders on this show have shared how their network served them well when faced with a difficult choice or job transition.  And let’s face it.  Your circle of influence is there for you when you need them and ready for when you aren’t expecting it. If you want tips on how to be prepared for what to say-check out episode 08 with Robyn Sayles and episode 13 with Tara Lynn Foster.  This episode is going to go beyond the obvious statement that you need a personal network.  And it even past building your personal advisory board as described in episode 41 building your circle of influence.  This is what to do once you have people in your corner-one of the things people forget doing is asking their circle of influence to help them in powerful ways. Now I have a question for you-what would you do if…you will fill in the blank: You are standing in line at Starbucks and strike up a friendly conversation with someone-but it’s like the experience on a plane when you meet someone and then never see them again and walk away without sharing information, or you take the conversation further and offer to potentially help that person, become LinkedIn and start a new connection with that person. Maybe you are thinking-I don’t see anyone at Starbucks I would want to know-hey I get it.  Sometimes you want your quiet time without interruptions.  But, chance doesn’t happen.  Opportunities present themselves to you and when you see them-you need to seize that moment. This experience happened to me just this week.  I was in Florida and all week, I noticed this Empowering women conference around the hotel.  I saw women who looked like business owners, entrepreneurs and one thing they all shared was a confidence about them when they walked by or like this situation-standing at Starbucks. Standing next to a woman in line, we struck up a conversation and I asked: “Are you here for the women’s conference?”.  It turned out she was and after a few short moments, we realized that we shared a common passion for empowering women and I offered to make an introduction to one of my guests from this podcast whom I thought shared a common interest and would be helpful to her. Now-you may be thinking- “that never happens to me.”  But, I want to challenge you to step outside of your comfort zone and try to meet one person you didn’t know and offer to be of service to them. If you are feeling stuck-don’t work here are five tips to empower you to take action. 5 Ways Tips to Engage Your Connections Decide where you need help. Look at the details of your career and program-there areas of your job that you feel confident and know how to execute.  Then there are situations you aren’t sure how to handle-for example how to get executives to be more involved at your biggest show.  It may be in your organization that there are several layers between you and the President/CEO.  Navigating to that person can be a challenge.  Having a senior advocate in your arsenal will not only help give you access, but they can also help you create a plan and deliver a compelling story as to why the President’s participation will help close business.  Know what you need before you ask. Request introductions. If you need to engage a leader within your organization but don’t know them-ask someone you know to help-preferably a sponsor or senior advisor. Be of Service to Others. If you are looking to ask a leader for their help-know what is important to them before you ask.  For example, if increasing revenues at your face-to-face marketing is important-show how it will be mutually beneficial to collaborate together to have the President attend your next conference and interact with VIP attendees. Follow up on your ask. If you received help, and introduction or other advice, thank the person who provided the assistance.  Share the steps you took following your conversation. Share your success. Everyone feels good knowing they helped achieve results.  Be sure to not be shy, share how the steps you followed at their recommendation led to exceeding goals and objectives for your program.  The most important thing you can do right now is decide where you need help and who can provide you with the assistance you need.  Take action today and you will make steps to being noticed and promoted.  Please reach out to me with any questions at Rock Your Trade Show I love hearing from you!   Credits: Thank you to Christy Haussler at Team Podcast for editing this episode!

Hello everyone and thank you for joining me. I have a special episode for you this week. As we are heading into the New Year and you are visualizing and commenting to what you want to create in the coming year I thought we could get some inspiration from some of my recent guests. I hope you are as energized and inspired by their words as I am.   201: Dana Malstaff on Seeing Your Value as a Mom and Businesswoman “Ah, but a man's [or woman’s] reach should exceed his grasp, Or what's a heaven for?” ~ Robert Browning boss-mom.com   202: Elizabeth Williams-Riley on Being Open to Loving Everyone “You never know how much your past will affect your future until it shows up in your present.” ~ Elizabeth Williams-Riley americanconferenceondiversity.org   203: Rene Brent on Happiness & Subconscious Mind “Do something every day that scares you.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt PracticeHappyNow.com ReneBrentHypnosis.com   204: Tara Lynn Foster on Situational Confidence “Fear is stupid, so are regrets.” ~ Marilyn Monroe “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Phillipains 4:6-7 taralynnfoster.com   205: Lee Hews on Leading with Action “It’s all about balance.” ~ Lee Hews mainewomenmagazine.com   206: Kara Lamerato on Owning You are a Leader “I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear.” ~ Rosa Parks weddingplanningpodcast.co   207: Ariana Sylvester on Not Wanting to Be a Burden “Be the kind of leader that you would follow.” serialstartups.co/join   208: Jen Hecht on Similarities Between Business & Dating “Let’s get it together, sisters!” thedatingadvisoryboard.com   209: Lolly Daskal on How Curiosity & Self-Reflection Can Set You Free “Greatness is a destiny that is available to anyone. We just have to choose it." lollydaskal.com   210: Erin Robbins on How to Give So Everyone Wins “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” ~ Thomas Edison ginzametrics.com/   211: Kara Snyder on How to Overcome Type-A Burnout “You will do foolish things, but do them with enthusiasm.” ~Colette vitalcorpswellness.com   212: Jen Glantz on Creating a Unique Business “Never, never, never give up” jenglantz.com   213: Lindsey Anderson on Being Truthful with Yourself “I’m convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance.”  ~ Steve Jobs, co-founder and CEO of Apple. oneclicklindsey.com   214: Andi Simon on Making Change a Doable Opportunity “We take observation into innovation.” simonassociates.net/   215: David Lee on Creating Safety in Conversations “Better results require better conversations.” humannatureatwork.com/   216: Stephanie Breedlove on Turning Point Moments “Never allow a person to tell you no who does not have the power to say yes.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt stephaniebreedlove.com/   217: Lynda Adams on Being Mindful of Those Who Influence You “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 successfulbalancedliving.com   218: Diane Gardner on How to Stop Believing the Lies “Whenever you see a successful business, someone once made a courageous decision.” taxcoach4you.com   219: Maggie Patterson on the Value of Unplugging “I run this day. This day does not run me, because otherwise, chaos will ensue.” scoopindustries.com   220: Joe De Sena on How to Begin Believing You Can “It could be worse.” spartan.com   221: Alison Cardy on Walking Toward Fear “Your real life, your whole life is worth getting your heart broken a few thousand times.” ~ Martha Beck cardycareercoaching.com   222: Rita Morales on Leaping to Big and Scary “You are enough.” ritamorales.com   223: Naomi Amat on the Need to Nourish Yourself “By nurturing you, you can better nurture your family too.” livinglifeonthespectrum.com   224: Lisa Woodruff on Leaning In To What You Are Good At “Done is better than perfect.” “Progress over perfection.” organize365.com   225: Megan Kelly on Creating the Experiences You Want to Have “Better to ask forgiveness than permission.” “Nevertheless, she persisted.” honorsociety.tv   226: Jenn Aubert on Identifying How You Want to Be of Service “Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.” learnsavvy.co   227: Elizabeth Moss on Challenges Creating Opportunities for a Thriving Art Gallery “Energy and persistence conquer all things.”  ~ Benjamin Franklin elizabethmossgalleries.com/about   228: Amanda O’Brien on Being a Leader Who Serves a Community “Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed in the things you didn’t do than by the things you did do.” takeflyte.com   229: Kelly Roach on Respecting the Stages of Entrepreneurship “Be the best that you can be in everything that you do.” kellyroachcoaching.com   230: Carol Mitchell on Breaking Female Stereotypes “What do you care what other people think?” ~ Richard Feynman tsphr.com   231: Jen Brown on Making Moves When You Feel It “You aren’t pizza. You won’t please everyone.” theengagingeducator.com   232: Christina Vinters on What’s Possible When You Shed Self-Limiting Beliefs “If you want to fly, give up what weighs you down.” ~Toni Morrison modernseparations.com   233: Katie Krimitsos on Becoming the Version of You Who Can “Stay in your lane.” bizwomenrock.com   234: Katie Allen on Being Both Planner & Risk Taker “The two most important days of your life are the day that you’re born and the day you figure out why.” ~ Mark Twain viaONEHOPE.com   235: Hira Ali on Believing “You’ve Got This!” “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.” ~ Henry Ford advancingyourpotential.com   236: Maegan Watson on Evolving Your Business “We are not given dreams or ideas without the ability to create them. We are not given the vision of ourselves without the bravery to being this vision to life. All you have to do is tell yourself that you are worth it, over and over.” watsonstylegroup.com   237: Melissa Hereford on How to Get What You Want “The only thing to fear is fear itself.” ~ FDR “You can’t be that kid standing at the top of the slide, overthinking it. You have to go down the shoot.” ~ Tina Fey MelissaHereford.com   238: Sari de la Motte on Trusting Your Gut “People won’t remember what you said, but they’ll remember what they felt.” ~ Maya Angelou nonverbalforte.com   239: Giovanna Capozza on Finding Your Meaning of Happiness “You’re not doing this alone.” sherisespodcast.com   240: Lynette Delane on “You Don’t Need that Piece of Paper!” “Let go of who you think you’re supposed to be and embrace who you are.” ~ Brene Brown kitsandbits.com.au   241: Anne L’Heureux on Empowering Those You Lead “Do and believe that which leads you to your goals.” ~ Tom Bilyeu fueltrainovercome.com   242: Alissa Daire Nelson on Not Feeling Good Enough “Life doesn’t happen to you, it happens for you.” daire2succeed.com   243: Elizabeth Ross Holmstrom on Using Mindfulness to Combat Stress “There’s no such thing as a weird human being, it’s just that some people might require more understanding than others.”  ~ Tom Robbins breaktogether.net   244: Suzanne Anderson on the Evolution of Women “The place life calls you to, where the most aliveness is, is where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” ~ Frederick Buechner mysterialwoman.com   245: Brian Ligotti on Rethinking What You “Have To” Do “I want to sing like the birds sing, not worrying about who hears or what they think” ~ Rumi dirigofitness.com   246: Kristy Wallace on Finding Balance by Releasing Perfection “Love what you do.” facebook.com/EllevateNetwork/   248: Angela Lussier on Speaking Your Voice “Stop waiting. Start creating.” angelalussier.us   249: Keisha Reynolds on the Valuable Risk to Be You “There is something inside of us that transcends the human experience of race, and culture, and class, and for me that’s the human spirit.” keishareynolds.com   250: Alexa Gilmore on Coming Back to Your Body “Be the first. The first to say hello. The first to compliment the other person. The first to give credit. The first to say sorry. The first to offer to help. The first to show up for someone else. The first to set an example. The first to offer hope. The first to shine. Be the first.” ~ Chris Winfield atxacu.com   251: Kelly Gushue on Helping Women to Succeed “Carpe Diem.” ~Horace PersonalFinanceWarrior.com   252: Randi Levin on Living Your Legacy “We tend to think of our legacy as something we leave behind at the end of our lives, but what would you do differently today if you believed that you had the choice to carve out exactly what you wanted that legacy to be in real time? Manifest that concept and magically you do have that choice. You are your own GPS in your life. Start by having a voice. Say yes by listening to that voice. What’s next? Now is your new next.” randilevincoaching.com   If you loved this episode you are also going to love The Quotes From the First 100 Episodes and Another 100 Quotes to Take on the Go. If you listened to this episode and got fired up to make things happen in the coming year but you are feeling lost or doubtful around how to make it happen, reach out to me. You can find me at jodi@womentakingthelead.com. I would love to hear from you and help you to achieve all your goals this year. As always, I hope this was of value to you and here's to your success. Thank You to Our Sponsors! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this online mini-course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen. Subscribe to Women Taking the Lead If you enjoyed this episode subscribe in iTunes, Stitcher Radio, Google Play Music or iHeart Radio and never miss out on inspiration and community!

 We are diving into the world of Assessments. On Episode 37 we looked at one of my favorite assessments the KOLBE, on Episode 39 we dove into the DISC, and on Episode 40 we uncovered the Enneagram. Some of these you may know, others you may be hearing about for the first time.   Today we are exploring two assessments that are very different from one another. The Clifton Strengths Assessment and the How to Fascinate Assessment. Why put these two together? I wanted to do this because all of these assessments, tests, designators, or whatever qualifier you want to call them are like different sides of a die, various shades of the same color, and together they form a tapestry that leads to greater understanding.   Information, awareness, and curiosity all lead to growth, growth as a leader and growth as a person - I believe that personal growth is intrinsic to becoming a good leader and business owner. To help me uncover the strengths, benefits, and purpose of the Clifton Strengths Assessment and the How to Fascinate Assessment, I have enlisted 3 amazing people, Dr. LaTondra Murray, Mary Albright, and Tara Lynn Foster.   What you’ll hear in this podcast: How to discover your top 5 strengths Ways your individual strengths interact How to use your talents in a way that serves you How to determine what the world sees in you Where you add the most value when you show up with your highest energy How to put words around those thoughts we call a personal brand statement Where your primary advantage and your secondary advantage meet Work with Lara   Apply for an On-air Coaching Call! Free Breakthrough Assessment Got a Question? Comment? Email Lara Corporate Trainings   Buy the Book - Difficult Happens; How Triggers Boundaries & Emotions Impact YOU Everyday   Resources   Episode 37: The KOLBE – Assessing the Assessments with Andrea MacKenzie Episode 39: The DISC – Assessing the Assessments with Denise Myers & Jamie Gairo Episode 40: The Enneagram – Assessing the Assessments with Teresa McCloy   The Clifton Strengths Assessment How to Fascinate Assessment   On-Air Coaching Calls; The Scaling Mindset with Sarah Frink Leading After a Hostile Takeover with Carla Crumpton   How To Reach Guests   La Tondra Murray, Ph.D. ACC Career & Life Strategist “Engineer Your Bliss” www.latondramurray.com   Mary Albright Founder, Mary Albright Consulting Business Operations Consultant | Fascinate Certified Advisor www.maryalbright.com   Tara Lynn Foster tara@taralynnfoster.com www.taralynnfoster.com   Show Intro music is Whispering Through by Asura

Natalie Eckdahl, MBA, has been a guide, supporter and cheerleader for Shannon on her journey to create The Connected Yoga Teacher podcast.  Shannon hired Natalie for her services as a business coach, feeling she could use some expert advice along with an accountability partner. This helped Shannon immensely when taking on her vision to build a platform for yoga teachers.   Natalie is a business coach, professional facilitator, keynote speaker and host of the Biz Chix Podcast which iTunes featured as a top New Business Podcast in March 2014. She has over 20 years of business experience and works with female entrepreneurs to build their businesses through money mindset and social media strategies, all while recognizing her clients' family and individual goals.   This year Natalie successfully created and ran a Biz Chix Live Event, a 3-day Leadership Training for Women Entrepreneurs and has another set to run next November 2018.   If you struggle with charging for your services as a yoga teacher you are not alone. On this episode Natalie and Shannon discuss the importance of finding your niche, defining your services a charity, hobby or business and charging clients for your services accordingly with confidence.  Also covered is the concept of “passive” and “active” income along with the pros and cons of both business styles and many more nuggets of wisdom. 06:10 Is your business a charity, a hobby or a business- all are valid  but intention should be clear   10:05 Feeling conflicted about charging yoga students for a spiritual, healing practice   11:10 Offerings you don't have to charge for (articles, podcasts, etc.) are great but don't need to do that in order to justify charging clients- your competence justifies charging for your services   12:10 Take a moment to revisit childhood messages about money, confront them, do you still agree with messages? Maybe agreeing with them without conscious thought and it may be shaping your business   13:40 Challenging the idea of “passive income” (online videos, books, etc.) as a gold mine versus what Natalie calls  “active income” (consultation work, teaching yoga classes, etc.)   21:05 The fear around finding your yoga niche and the benefits of doing so   23:50 Shannon's niching down process   24:45 Creating a niche isn't about excluding others   25:45 Natalie's niching down process   28:50 Adjusting your brand to your newfound niche- Natalie calls our worry around this “The Spotlight Effect”   33:00 It's okay not to serve everyone, specializing helps attract clients   35:30 Naming and marketing your classes to attract the clients you are seeking to serve   39:15 Niching down allows your network (friends and family, business associates, etc.) know who they can refer to you   39:55 Natalie's top money mindset advice for small business owners- open a business bank account, get a bookkeeper, and more to build confidence as a business owner   45:05 How to get connect with Natalie   46:50 Shannon's closing thoughts Links   Natalie's Biz Chix Website   Podcast: Biz Chix 216: Small Business Reality- Is this a Business, Hobby or Charity?   Podcast: The Connected Yoga Teacher 005: Setting and Achieving Big Goals with Natalie Eckdahl   Podcast: Biz Chix 293: Where Are They Now? Updates with Christina Nicholson, Shannon Crow, Lilah Higgins, Julie Hefner, and Tara Lynn Foster   The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group   Follow The Connected Teacher on Youtube   Book a Consultation Call with Shannon   Mama Nurture Teacher Training (RPYT)

We have another update from previous on-air coaching clients! Christina Nicholson, Shannon Crow, Lilah Higgins, Julie Hefner and Tara Lynn Foster share their business updates. Some of them have changed their goals, the direction of their business, overcome fears and more, but all of them are definitely having incredible success in their businesses. Tune in to find out more and be inspired by their success!   Key Takeaways: [:11] Natalie has Masterminds launching in January! [1:15] Happy Thanksgiving! Natalie will be sharing the day with her sister-in-law, who has 12 children! [2:38] This episode features five more entrepreneurs who have done on-air coaching calls! [3:25] Natalie is thankful to all of you Biz Chix for supporting the podcast, and being a part of the community! [7:35] The first update is from Christina Nicholson. She shares how her business has grown and changed, and how her goals have changed as well! [15:50] The next update comes from Shannon Crow. She talks about overcoming her fears and launching her podcast! She also has an update on her consultation calls, and how she’s figuring things out as she goes. [24:00] Lilah Higgins is up next to share her updates. Lilah was thinking about expanding into the corporate space but had a realization that prompted her to move in a slightly different direction. [26:52] Julie Hefner shares her update about how Natalie has helped her grow her confidence, structure her business, and network more. [33:07] The final update comes from Tara Lynn Foster. She shares about how her learning experiences from marketing and conducting group coaching. She talks about the three things she has done that have really made a big difference in her business in the past year. [39:52] If you’re interested in exploring a Mastermind with Natalie, don’t forget to apply as soon as possible!   Join the BizChix Community   Mentioned in this Episode: ● Biz Chix Masterminds   Previous Biz Chix Episodes Mentioned:   ● 222: The 6 Lies of Six Figure Launches ● 290: [On Air Coaching] Where Are They Now? Updates with Betsy Furler, Blair Thielemier, Freya Casey and Shawna Dingman ● 238: [On Air Coaching] How to Prioritize Online vs. Local Opportunities with Christina Nicholson ● 248: [On Air Coaching] How to Set and Achieve Big Goals with Shannon Crow ● 276: [On Air Coaching] How To Pivot Your Business To Serve Corporate Clients with Lilah Higgins ● 221: [On-Air Coaching] How to Grow? – Coaching Julie Hefner of Nourish Nutrition and Health ● 220: [on air coaching] Launching a Group Program – Coaching Tara Lynn Foster”  

This episode is celebrating the incredible guests that have been on the podcast and shared so many valuable tips and insights.  I have taken the top pieces of advice from 15 leaders so that you can have it all in one easy to find location.  If you want to hear from any of these experts go to Rock Your Trade Show where you can find all of the podcasts.  Best of the Best Expert Tips and Advice from 16 Leaders Karen Chupka, Senior Vice President CES “You need to be able to answer in 30 seconds or less-how are you solving someone’s problems”. (Episode 001) John Taylor, Vice President of Public Affairs, LG Electronics “Before investing in a show, attend first and if you are a smaller exhibitor look at the layout of the hall plan to see how where you would be on the show floor”. (Episode 002) Jim Harris, Disruptive Innovation Speaker and Author       “Don’t tell me…show me”-demonstrate how your product works in a unique way.  An example is how Intel at the CES show showed models who were demonstrating their medical wearable technology. (Episode 003) Christ Krimitsos, host of over 1700 events including Podfest and Producer of “The Messengers” documentary “You make your event ‘sticky’ by starting your event with a power networking experience that includes a plan for your staff to help attendees interact and feel like they are getting value.” (Episode 004) Kim Feil, CEO BizHive and six time CMO of fortune 500 brands like OfficeMax, Walgreens and Dr. Pepper 7Up “Be seen as a leader by acting as a leader with a solid simple vision.  And remember that you will be judged not by what you do but by how you do it.” (Episode 005) Randy Acker, President and COO of EXHIBITOR Media Group “Trust is so important: Buyers don’t buy a piece of equipment off the internet-face-to-face marketing is based on trust and the trade show floor gives the opportunity to have these meetings. (Episode 006) Jodi Devlin, Vice President, General Manager Acute Care at Mallinckrodt “Invest in yourself: Join an organization that has networking opportunities and practice networking”. (Episode 007) Robyn Sayles, CEO and Founder of Launching Your Success “Describe Your Personal Brand in under 3 seconds by answering:  Who are you? How do you add value? Demonstrate how you are different. Stay true to your personality and practice in front of a mirror so words flow effortlessly”. (Episode 008) Leah Woomer, Director of Marketing at Parchmont “Networking can help you meet others who are as passionate as you are about the event industry and when you find your people, it can feel magical”.  (Episode 009)  Natalie Benamou, Division Vice President Exhibitus and Podcast Host Rock Your Trade Show “Boosting attending engagement is a five step process: Identify your ideal customer avatar, determine what is most important to each customer avatar, create a story, include an unexpected experience and have a call to action.” (Episode 010) NeKeta Argrow, Event Marketing Architect “Increase your visibility within your organization by getting involved in industry related associations and find speaking opportunities.” (Episode 011) Corinne Renteria, has had a career at Fortune 500 medical device companies in many diverse marketing roles “If you want to create an atypical position within your organization, talk with your boss and find out if there are any options to modify your role with a flexible schedule.” (Episode 012) Tara Lynn Foster, Leadership Development Speaker, Consultant and Coach “Confidence resides with a solid foundation and understanding ‘Who Am I? What do I want? Why do I want it’ knowing the answer to these questions empowers you to make the right decision.” (Episode 013) Natalie Benamou, Division Vice President at Exhibitus and Podcast Host While there were many great time saving tips, the app I use most and recommend is www.canva.com (Episode 014) Stacy McManus, Director of Corporate Alliances & Exhibition Operations at the American Thoracic Society “Listen to feedback from exhibitors.  ATS has an exhibitor meeting that includes all sizes of exhibits and categories who meet with association leadership to share feedback at the show.” (Episode 015) Alicia Tillman, Chief Marketing Officer, SAP Ariba “The most prepared and most highly skilled team is always going to win the game, they are always going to win the championship.” (Episode 016) Natalie Benamou, Division Vice President at Exhibitus and Podcast Host “Creating a personal advisory board is like building a house; you need a foundation, pillars and a roof and you can’t skip a step to achieving the desired result.  Foundation is based on Joining, Volunteering & Engaging.  Pillars are based on Connections, Confidence, Investing in Yourself and Being a Servant Leader. The Roof is creating your advisory board from the connections you made during the building process.  The peak is joining a mastermind. (Episode 017) Cathy Skala, Vice President of Transformational Change, Baxter “Ask the right question before presenting your ideas to leadership: What do you need to know in order to make this decision?” Follow this up with “I asked each of you what is important for you to make this decision.  Here is what I heard…” (Episode 018) If you found this information helpful and want to learn more about any of these topics, reach out to me at rockyourtradeshow.com/let’s talk And if you want to hear the full episode of any of these experts check out www.rockyourtradeshow.com Credits: Thank you to Christy Haussler and Team Podcast for their amazing editing!

If you’ve been giving presentations for awhile that are the typical 30-60 minutes in length, but you’re curious as to how to condense your idea into a speech that’s less than 10 minutes (it is possible!), you’re going to learn a lot in this episode. My guest, Tara Lynn Foster, is a leadership speaker and coach for women professionals and entrepreneurs. She spent her career in corporate America, dutifully climbing the ladder, until she realized she was on the wrong ladder. Earlier this year, Tara was invited to give a TED-style lightning talk at a conference for women entrepreneurs in Denver, so in this episode, I help Tara with putting that together. Since this call was recorded, Tara delivered her speech and I just watched the video. She did great, as I knew she would! We cover how to open and close the speech, what to cut to stay on theme with an 8-minute speech, what slides Tara should use, and how to prepare. I also go over my presentation framework and how it relates to Tara’s talk. You can download the free PDF by going to https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/framework/. If you’d like to hear more episodes on creating presentations, be sure to listen to episode 11 on creating and preparing for a keynote, and episode 3, where I deconstruct a short speech I gave at a conference. Highlights: Who Tara works with and the speaking engagements she’s been doing Shifting your presentation from practical to inspirational, from trainer to thought leader How to grab the audience at the beginning Have to stay on theme and cut everything that’s not on theme, especially for short speeches How to end the speech An overview of my presentation framework and how Tara’s speech fits into it What slides Tara should have How to write the speech, memorize it, and prepare for it   Links: Connect with Tara on her website: http://www.taralynnfoster.com/ Facebook = https://www.facebook.com/taralynnfosterllc Instagram = @TaraLynnFoster Twitter = @TaraLynnFoster Download the free PDF of my presentation framework I describe in the podcast: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/framework/ Join the free Speaking Your Brand community at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/. Sign up for a strategy session at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/strategy-session/. Say hi to me on Twitter @CarolMorganCox Subscribe to the podcast, so you don’t miss out on future episodes!

Tara Lynn Foster is a leadership development speaker, consultant and coach. After twenty years as a marketing software consultant for clients including American Express and Royal Caribbean and as an executive with Bank of America, Tara turned in her badge. She shares the story of how she made a 3 day decision that was 5 years in the making. After thinking through her options, Tara determined that she couldn’t be the wife, mom and friend she wanted to be any longer in her current career role and knew that she needed to make a change.  Tara found her passion and purpose as a speaker and in this episode you will hear how to discover and communicate what makes you great. This is the interview for anyone who feels stuck, wants to communicate better and advance your career.  Here are the highlights from the interview and what you can implement today. 4 Ways You Can Discover and Communicate What Makes You Great Leverage Your Core Values: It starts with finding out what is really important to you. Once you are clear on what is important it helps make all decisions easier. Ask Yourself these three questions: Who am I? Once you know this you can ask for what you want and feel confident about it; stand your ground diplomatically-because you know what is important and make a career decision based on your values knowing what is right for you. What do I want? Having the answers to these questions you will have clarity-is the money more important right now or is time for my family more important. Why do I want it? When you identify the why it brings everything together. Confidence resides with a solid foundation of understanding these three values. When you are on the treadmill of your career you can lose sight of your values and asking yourself the three questions really can help you stay on track. As an opportunity comes up or if you have a negotiation situation knowing the answer to these questions empowers you to make the right decision. 2. Connect With People More Effectively: People often struggle with making meaningful connections both personally and in business. After you have a foundation like knowing your values, and turning that into a personal brand statement you can move to the most important step-finding out what is important to the person you are talking with in a conversation.  Ask yourself-how well do you know your audience, how do you want them to feel? When you find out what the other person is looking for your response can be: “I understand how you feel, I have felt that way myself and I found that…” (fill in the blank). Just like you have your three questions answered for your values, you know need to know more about your audience or people you are meeting: Who they are, what they want and why they want it. At trade shows-Sales Reps only have a few seconds to interact with an attending. Help them prepare by asking the reps to think ahead of what it is they want the attendee to feel, what they want the person to walk away with and what did they find about their interaction the rep and your company. 3. Have a Purpose and a Play Book: If you are going to a networking event or trade show, first decide why you are attending. Prepare in advance things you want to say that will resonate with the attendees at the event. This will help you be ready and not feel pressure to think on your feed. How to prepare before a meeting, conference or presentation comes down to preparation.  It helps to know what kinds of things are they want to hear-this can be done by researching the event and then going to meet and greets before an event. By preparing in advance, you remove the pressure to think on your feet. Create either physical note cards or use an app like Awesome Note to have information about the audience before you go to the conference. Add to the cards right after the event to help with your follow up communication.  4. Plan Networking Goals In Advance: Before you go, decide what you hope to gain from the event and set goals prior to attending. To make it easier to plan before you go and create a positive impression break it into three easy to remember words: Space, Sticker and Speech. Own Your Space-even if you are nervous, physically your body will show – check out the book by Amy Cuddy Presence how you hold yourself changes chemicals in the brain. Take up as much space you can-think Wonder Woman for at least 2 minutes. Have A Sticker-you can instantly change someone’s opinion of you.  Tara shares how she has 13.1 on a bumper sticker on her mini-van. People have pre-disposed idea about you. In Tara’s case, they have a different idea when she drives through an intersection see the mini van, and then see her sticker. What do you want people to know about you coming and going? Know Your Speech-Your Personal Brand Statement- Do you want to talk about your position or your passion? Compare: I am a project manager vs. I make order out of chaos as a project manager at xyz company.  Favorite Books:  Tara shared two books: Daring Greatly helps you take risk even if you are afraid.  The second book The Confidence Code helps you take bigger risks with each risk you area able to take. If you want to ask Tara questions directly -join our Rock Your Trade Show LinkedIn group.  I love to hear from you!  Contact me if you have questions or I can help you in any way with your program. Tara has a special cheat sheet she created just for you!  If you want to know how to get in and out of conversations at networking events get this free download!  Website: www.taralynnfoster.com Facebook:  http://www.Facebook.com/taralynnfosterllc LinkedIn:  www.LinkedIn.com/in/taralfoster Instagram: @taralynnfoster Twitter:  @taralynnfoster Editing Credits For The Podcast: Special Thanks to Christy Hausser and http://teampodcast.com Check out www.rockyourtradeshow.com for all podcast episodes!  

Tara Lynn Foster is a leadership development speaker, consultant and coach. After twenty years climbing the corporate ladder, she took the risk to start a new career helping other professionals push past barriers and accelerate success in practical and meaningful ways. Tara has presented concepts of confidence, charisma and leadership to audiences ranging from Fortune 500 companies to regional organizations and non-profits. When she isn’t speaking, consulting or coaching, Tara enjoys spending time at home with her husband and three kids – or on a sandy shore in a beach chair alone with a pen and paper, contemplating her future best-seller. Click to tweet: .@taralynnfoster is sharing her story to inspire you on Women Taking the Lead https://womentakingthelead.com/204 #inspiration Playing Small Moment Tara had a goal while she was in corporate to have an executive role by the time her oldest was in kindergarten. She achieved this goal with a job within the same financial institution that she went after without knowing all of the details, but she was thrilled. On a day that it was her responsibility to pick up her children from daycare, as her husband was in study group, she was told she could not leave work until everything was finished. After informing her boss of these terms, she received a look and was asked why her husband couldn’t pick up the children. At that point, she knew her role was threatened and she had to continue to prove that she was reliable and capable of doing the job. If she was playing big, she would have realized that role was not right for her. The Wake Up Call Tara knew she was unhappy with her current role in the corporate world, and hired an executive coach. Tara was overwhelmed with life and unhappy at her job and she remembered driving to work, praying for just one happy moment in her day because her job was sucking the life out of her. Tara attended a women’s leadership conference and had major realizations. In the midst of a meditation exercise, where Tara was asked to focus on moments that brought her pure joy and laughter, she kept drawing a blank. In another exercise, she found that the fear of not having money from childhood experiences was what was holding her back. Tara spoke with her friend and her friend pushed her to make the jump. That Thursday evening, after the talk with her friend, Tara called her husband and confided in him about her need to change her life. He was supportive and kind, and not alarmed by this decision. On Monday morning, Tara made that risky move she had been dreading for five years, and started her new journey. Style of Leadership Tara takes an inclusive approach that is dynamic in nature. She loves to make things as interesting as possible. It’s important to Tara to be relational and empathetic, and to understand the perspective of those around her. She is also very focused and has a process driven mind, where solving problems becomes a puzzle she strives to solve. What Are You Excited About? Tara is excited about adding a new certification to her business to take the concept of personal branding and make it come alive in practical and useful way. She wants to help people take their slogan they could use on LinkedIn and push it past those boundaries into something completely new. This new certification will work with business teams and individual clients, as well. Biggest Leadership Challenge Tara’s first challenge is finding time to have time to maintain her family, marriage and social life while also running her business as a solopreneur. Because Tara does everything by herself, and is also trying to tackle this new project, she is struggling to find time to make it all happen. Secondly, Tara is starting to realize more and more that she needs to incorporate her faith more into her business. She has always relied so much on her faith, that she hopes she can translate that into her daily work. Tara knows this may mean her clients will change, and she may have to niche more, but it is worth it for her to be her authentic self in her work. Leadership Practice Tara has a morning ritual that is critical to getting her attitude right and starting day right. First, she writes down five things each day that she is grateful for. Tara also reads scripture and meditates on that, while writing some notes down on how she can apply that scripture to her day. Lastly, she adds a little bit of time for prayer before starting her day. That quiet time in the morning is so important for her to ground herself and start the day off in the best way possible. Advice For Younger Self Tara believes that so much of what happens to us helps us become who we are. Of course, Tara wishes at times that she had known more, but wouldn’t change a thing. When she really thinks about it, she would listen more. Tara thinks that she really could have done better if she was more observant of the people and world around her and more empathetic. “Work hard and look forward, but be present. Enjoy where you are." Inspirational Quote “Fear is stupid, so are regrets.” ~ Marilyn Monroe “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Phillipains 4:6-7   If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe in iTunes or Stitcher Radio and never miss out on #inspiration and community! Find more resources at https://womentakingthelead.com

In this fourth episode of the Small Business Reality Series, host Natalie Eckdahl provides on air coaching to Tara Lynn Foster, a paid speaker, executive coach, and consultant. Tara left a multi-six figure job two years ago to launch her own business. Tara shares some of the challenges of transitioning from a structured corporate environment to the freedom of an entrepreneur. Natalie provides coaching on how Tara can focus on activities that monetize her business and launch a group coaching program.   Key Takeaways: [6:34] Tara shares where she grew up and what she was like as a little girl. [9:26] The first steps Tara made toward becoming an entrepreneur. [14:19] Tara’s desire to be a landscaper, not a gardener, in her corporate job pushed her to work toward something that fit her personality and strengths. [22:14] How to move beyond planning and bring in revenue for your business. [24:46] How do you change the tires on the bus while the bus is still moving? [27:37] The entrepreneurial path involves risk and much is self-taught. [31:39] How to plan the week and organize networking, planning, etc. [34:50] Tara discusses why she decided to offer group coaching. [37:50] Who is your current audience and how can you put out leads to attract your target audience? [42:56] Natalie shares ideas for connecting with your audience. [49:14] How to make your idea or product “good enough,” not necessarily perfect. [53:10] Extend a personal invitation for a beta launch to get things off the ground. [1:00:05] How to define your avatar and determine what your audience really wants.   Mentioned in this Episode: Episode 218: On air coaching session with Sarah Snider of Nutty Snacks Episode 215: Top Productivity Tools and Books Biz Chix MasterMind Series Zoom Tara Lynn Foster Tara Lynn Foster on Twitter Tara Lynn Foster on Facebook