Meet Patsy Anderson founder of Women’s Expo Forum an organization that provides resources for the small business owner, and a finalist for the Innovative Women In Business Award!
How/why did you begin your business?
After 14 years in Corporate America I became a stay home MOM. Though grateful, I cringed when I had to ask for money. WHY? Independence, I did not want to give that part of me up. I discovered a new world, Entrepreneurship and quickly learned there were not to many Entrepreneurs in the 80’s! A Little Stash couldn’t hurt anything. RIGHT….
I participated in my first arts and crafts show, invested 2000.00 and sold one item. I had a partner in crime, my little sister. The look in her eyes, that I disappointed her/us, triggered the eldest of 6 kids in me. I kicked into survival mode. I knew someone was making money and it wasn’t the crafters. Less than 3 months later I hosted my first event out of my house, and within a year earned not only our investment, but began a huge movement in the stay home mom world, called “Don’t Tell Dad”. I began to teach woman how to create and sell and the concept took off, MAKE IT SELL IT and Clean it all up before DAD comes Home. Years Later it became Don’t Tell Dad , Moms Going to be a Millionaire.
I designed events that complimented talent and life style, and catered it to my own demographic. Years later, and still not a Millionaire, The industry became saturated, and I found myself nearly out of business. I redesigned the event to be The CCBC Womens Expo, a concept designed as a fundraiser for the American Association for Women in Community Colleges, (Supporting Project Second Start) women starting their lives over. I had the perfect project, and the experience to implement this event/program, that is now serving its 15th year in alliance with our local college supporting “Women in Business”
I understood women with an entrepreneurial spirit and the need to create income and the desire to be independent. I knew I could teach women in a creative way. And I wanted to be a Millionaire…. Doing what I love . It became my mission to show women they can do what they love and make money. I became a Concept Designer. Yeah, I made that up, and it remains as my title to this day.
My desire to discover the HOW and WHY led me to start a business where other women could work beside me and earn income. My natural born talent for concepts was the driving force behind taking my stay at home business to our local college, where we serve our community as one of the largest Womens Expo in the Baltimore area. Now the company is Womens Expo Forum, that owns Womens Expo, Career Fairs, and PWNradio.net I look forward to what Womens Expo Forum will become next…
What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?
I have two challenges right now, technology and market saturation. Accepting the Tech Challenge, incorporating products such as Infusion Soft, and embracing technology, Love it , Follow it, Become It. Collaborating is how I will overcome these challenges with consideration on rebranding.
2010 is when business started to change for us. Collaborating with young IT and Developers helped. We brought on board a 21 year old millionaire (technology development) and consult with young adults on a regular basis. Looking at companies like Google and AOL, and following their cues is helpful.
How do you define SUCCESS?
Do What you Love and Love What You Do!!!! If you are doing this you are successful.
There was a time I defined success by doing something you love, but I quickly learned that women that could not figure out how to create income doing what they love , were soon out of business and not feeling very successful. . Everyone looses . The Woman looses her business, her passion, her confidence and the universe looses what she had to offer. I have learned that success is when you can take what you love and create income, Uh that nasty word, money, When you become comfortable with the word money. When YOU are ok – to make it, ask for it, and believe you deserve it you have succeeded. You can decide to make money or to not make money , you are empowered to know its completely ok and a CHOICE.
If there was one thing you wish you knew before you began your business, what would that be?
I would borrow the money. I wanted to use all my own funds and it took me a very long time to grow. A small business loan would have given me the edge to have those great concepts developed, and the back office in place. Qualifying for a loan forces you to have all your ducks in a row.
What makes you an innovative woman?
Curiosity and creating that curiosity in others …. Risking more than others think is SAFE, Expect More than Others Think is Possible. ( I live by these quotes) Just as life is always changing, so is business. “Don’t be Afraid to be Afraid” is my motto. Being curious and a little scared at the same time, allows me to be an innovative woman.
To find out more about Patsy Anderson connect with her on Facebook.