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Entrepreneurship Balancing Act: The Trick To Being Perfectly Confident & Getting Noticed

 

Grace Killelea started her consulting business at age 53. Taking 35 years of real world corporate experience in human resources and talent management, Killelea has amassed an impressive resume of results for her business clients. Killelea is the author of "The Confidence Effect" which encourages women to speak out, take risks and assume awesome leadership positions with assurance.

 

What should new entrepreneurs do to be noticed without seeming too anxious?
 
There is a difference between being anxious and being enthusiastic and prepared. If a young woman is considering entrepreneurship and has a product or service she is passionate about, I think it's important that she also understands the fundamentals of business. You can certainly want to speak about what you are doing, but you need to be grounded. A focused clear description of what you are doing or providing is important. A lack of clarity will cause people to doubt your ability.

  1. Join groups of like-minded people to build skills and networks at the same time. The idea of group sourcing your solutions versus going to an event looking for help from a senior business leader will most likely gain you more momentum.
     
  2. Don't apologize for who or what you are. Slow your speech. Make eye contact. Don't meekly approach people. Confidence in yourself will translate into others having confidence in you. Don't lead with a sale or asking for help. You'll look anxious and won't make others comfortable continuing the conversation.
     
  3. Another important thing is to learn how to hear 'no' and keep on going. Hearing 'no' time and again can create anxiety. It can also help you fine-tune your message and/or product. Use 'no' as feedback. Use 'no' to reinvent your reinvention.
     
  4. It is great to network with women, and you should, but women also need to network with men. Make sure you network with decision makers. Find out who has the money. Who is your customer? Find that person because they are the ones who will need your skills.
     

 
 
 

This article was written by Robin D. Everson of Examiner.com for CBS Small Business Pulse.
 

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