Meet Innovative Woman Gail Foley. Gail is an entrepreneur, business consultant, personal development trainer, author, speaker and a podcast talk show host and connector of women.
1. How/why did you begin your business?
I began my business because it was the next step for me…an ‘ah ha moment’! This journey actually started over 10 years ago, when I began working from home as an independent advertising rep. Although I had this restless entrepreneur in me that was always nagging me to create a business of my own, I wasn’t ready.
And then I am became an independent rep for a network marketing company…still not my own creation.
Seven years later when my income plateaued, I started looking for ways to grow and decided to turn to the Internet. I began Internet marketing and quickly discovered, it bored me to tears! But I was determined to figure it out! I went to training events to learn more, but nothing sparked, until…
An extraordinary event I attended in Nashville. I was still not into it, until a passionate speaker came out and talked about a new marketing method – podcasting! That was it! My ‘ah ha’! A high school teacher told me once ‘That if I could find a way to use my gift of gab to make money, I’d be rich!’ YES! What a fun way to market my business!
That’s why I started my show. I want to give business owners like myself a bigger ‘voice’ to their passion. I knew this new method would give us a ‘leg up’ on our marketing. And my research on who’s listening to podcasts confirmed it. I love interviewing guests, sharing their success stories and expertise, and then giving them a ‘forever marketing’ piece. We share life lessons in hopes it will help someone else in navigating their entrepreneurial journey.
2. What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?
My biggest challenge was narrowing my focus, finding my niche. I’m passionate about connecting people, and just did not know which way to go…
I had two podcast mentors and both said just ‘get started’. So my first show was ‘Gabbin With Gail…grows your Business.’ And I invited everyone to listen.
Thanks to this magazine, I attended Caterina Rando’s Business Breakthrough Summit. There I had my first ‘breakthrough’, receiving fabulous insight from Caterina and other awesome women I met. So I listened, took action, and changed it up to just “The Gail Foley Show”. Because at that time, I was still ignoring advice to carve out a niche.
On my second trip to hang out with Caterina and her community, I finally got it! I overcame my challenge by finally acknowledging who my real audience is… and made it my niche market!
3. How do you define SUCCESS?
SUCCESS, is about making a difference. If a story I tell, a guest I interview or a smile I share…if it touches one life, that’s SUCCESS.
4. If there was one thing you wish you knew before you began your business, what would that be?
My niche. My growth would have been steady, rather than creating 3 different versions. Some of my male listeners complain that I’m just for women now! I tell them they can still listen, ‘cause I’m thinking they know a woman or two they can share my show with.
5. What makes you an innovative woman?
I jumped into an unknown media with a passion for storytelling and for helping others.
I love how people describe my show, ‘transparent, raw, edgy’…Every show is a new experience for both me and the listener! I innovate on the spot.
To find out more about Gail vist www.oneawesomecommunity.com or connect with her on Facebook.
Gail is also the Today’s Innovative Woman City Director for Wichita visit her City Page to find out more!