Cheryl Garrison CEO, 50Something Lifestyle and author of From Expert to Entrepreneur: The Women’s Guide to Starting a Business After 50 is this weeks featured Woman of Wisdom.
This is her interview
Tell us about your business
50Something Lifestyle is a training and coaching resource for women over 50 who are transitioning in their financial, professional and spiritual life. It’s for the woman over 50 who is ready to live her BEST life right now. We provide online and offline training classes on business startup and growth and coaching services on lifestyle re-invention.
Please tell us what being a business owner means to you and why you became an entrepreneur in the first place?
I have been blessed to be a 30+ year entrepreneur with business experience in the areas of consulting, retail, professional services, coaching and network marketing. I became an entrepreneur out of a need to stay home and raise my 3 children. I was able to do that and also make money at the same time. I have earned millions from home and am passionate about maintaining my independence and freedom as my own boss. Being a business owner is my passion and purpose in life. I once heard someone say ability security is a must if you want to be able to decide your own financial future. I have been able to capitalize on my abilities and had the privilege of being my own boss living life on my own terms.
What or who has been your greatest influence in business and why?
My husband has been one of my greatest influences. While working a full-time job and working on a doctorate degree, he was able to sustain a service business and earn a quarter of a million dollars part time. There were never any excuses. He serviced his accounts regularly and never quit until he reached his goals. I learned the art of goal setting and accountability watching him. I was also influenced by my mentor and coach Carolyn Johnson who at 60 years old changed her life and became a multi-millionaire through her network marketing business. She was the consummate professional and taught me the art of business planning and goal setting. I watched her lose everything but have the strength to not give up. That’s the best lesson I could ever learn.
What would you say is your greatest professional accomplishment to date?
As I said, I have had many businesses and many successes. I have also suffered failure along the way. One of my greatest successes was in an interior design business I invested in 2005. I was trained and certified in the details of design but didn’t have a lot of experience with a service business. I had come from a consulting business where I was extremely successful and confident. In this new business, I struggled in the beginning only earning $2000 in my first year. Being the competitor that I am, I went to the annual conference for the business and witnessed women on stage receiving accolades for their success. I told myself at the conference that the next year I would be on that stage. I came home, hired a coach and was coachable. To make a long story short, I was on the stage the next year having earned $200,000.
What’s the best advice you have received in business that you wish to pass on to our readers?
Set goals, create a business plan and never give up!
What has been the most effective marketing initiatives or pro grams you have used to promote your business?
The most effective marketing for me is social media. I market predominately to my Facebook Group and on my business page. My most effective program is my 50Something Women’s Network Success Club.
What one thing have you learned as a small business owner that has served you well over the years?
I learned to fail forward. What I mean by that is that I learned failure is a singular incident not a state being. Just because I failed in one instance doesn’t label me a failure, it only means I failed in that one instance. The lesson is to move forward from that failure and take action.
Are there any resources or tools you’d like to share with other small business owners that have helped you run your business?
If yes, please describe (and include links if available). My all-time favorite tools are Canva (canva.com) and Zoom (zoom.us). I use canva to create my social media posts, flyers and even my ebooks. I use Zoom to host online webinars and training. I use Quickbooks for accounting which is essential in a small business. (quickbooks.com)
Do you have any new projects coming up? If so, please tell us about it.
My newest project is an eight-week Business Success mastermind for women over 50 who are growing their existing business or starting a new business. This is a small, interactive class that teaches women all aspects of business startup and growth. I have been conducting these classes for a few months and have obtained numerous coaching clients (women who want to take their business to the next level). My other project is the next issue of my magazine 50Something Lifestyle, an online lifestyle magazine for women over 50.
What do you do for fun/relaxation?
I love to travel and cook. I also love hanging out with my grandchildren.
What is Number One Business Goal you plan to accomplish over the next year?
My goal for this next year is to grow my Facebook Group and online membership site 50Something Women’s Network Success Club. This is an online training site for women over 50 who want resources for starting and growing their business.
You want to write a book on . . .
I’ve been fortunate to write three books to date, RE-INVENT YOURSELF, From Expert to Entrepreneur and Becoming 50Something. These books are directed to women over 50. My next project is a second volume to the Becoming 50Something book series.
What’s the best way for the readers of WE Magazine for Women to connect with you?
Website: https://www.50somethinglifestyle.com/
Facebook Business Page: https://www.facebook.com/50somethinglifestyle/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/50something/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/50somethinglifestyle/