NAWBO event image, caption: Melissa Blatt speaking at the WealthWise Women event at the Biltmore Phoenix is home to a very active and growing community of business owners. According to a study, Phoenix outpaced the GDP growth rate of other U.S. cities by almost double after the pandemic. That was due in large part to the small-business-friendly ecosystem that supports … [More]
You Sell Naturally by Inspiring Your Audience: Are You?
Are you on podcasts, panels or interviews? Giving talks on stage? Is your audience getting value out of your appearances? Speaking to audiences is a great way to sell our services, raise awareness and build our following. There’s one way to know if you’re succeeding, and that’s whether you’re making sales and building your following. If you aren’t, there is likely a reason: … [More]
Breaking the Rules: Crafting Routines That Work for You (and Only You)
We are constantly told that routines (and discipline!) are the secret to success. Advice on how to structure your day is everywhere — and everyone, it seems, has a 27-step routine that you should be following. And while these methods work for some, they often fall flat for others. Why? Because they’re not designed with your unique energy, values and needs in mind. For me, as … [More]
Empowering Women to Build Wealth through Impact Investing
As the newly appointed president of the National Association of Women Business Owners – Phoenix Chapter, I am excited to champion the cause of women entrepreneurs. NAWBO has been a vital community for women business owners for more than 40 years, advocating for change, influencing policy and building networks that empower women. My commitment to these goals is deeply personal, … [More]
Reframe Your Thoughts about Networking and Start Connecting Authentically
Networking is typically depicted as formal events where professionals don their best suits and engage in rehearsed interactions. Often, these events leave participants feeling drained, anxious and unfulfilled. However, networking doesn’t need to be confined to these structured settings. By reframing your approach, you can transform networking from a nerve-wracking obligation … [More]
What Happens After Success?
Making the case for learning new skills
How do you define success? For a business owner, if five years have passed and you’re still seeing the light of day, that is success. You’ve likely turned revenue into profit, have proven a product-market fit and the people involved are happy. Reaching that milestone is huge, given that according to one statistic 65% of businesses don’t make it past this five-year … [More]
3 Key Steps to Scaling Your Small Business: Fulfillment, Sales Foundations and Marketing
Many small business owners find themselves stuck in business, and their instinct is to invest more in marketing and social media, only to be disappointed by the lack of sales. Despite their efforts, they often find their marketing dollars are not translating to the growth that they envisioned. The problem: They skipped a crucial step in setting up their business. I often … [More]
Three Steps to Actually Beat Burnout
We’ve all been there before. I know I certainly have. Exhausted. Overwhelmed. Trying to be all things to all people. I don’t care how smart and capable you are, it’s unsustainable. The productivity gurus will teach you to manage your time and most people start by asking, “Do I have time for this?” Here’s the thing — it’s not about time. Some of the most draining tasks … [More]
Let’s Normalize Talking about Money
As a woman now in her late 20s who got her first big-girl job at 18 while also navigating college life, I can say there were a lot of firsts as a young adult — and one of the most important ones that nobody prepared us for in school was how to manage our money. I assumed that student loans and credit card debt were just a normal part of life, and that everything would work … [More]
The Power of ‘No’ in Business: Boosting Profits and Happiness
As business owners, we’re frequently finding ourselves in a position of juggling multiple responsibilities, all the while trying to keep our clients, customers, vendors and team happy, and definitely ourselves, too! Amidst what can sometimes feel like chaos, one word can become your most powerful ally: “No.” Let’s explore how saying “no” to things that don’t work for you … [More]
Empowering Women in Phoenix, Arizona: PHX NAWBO Unveils Unique Event to Rally Male Support
The Phoenix Chapter of the National Association Women Business Owners is launching an exciting array of events and fundraising opportunities. Chief among them is NAW’Bro', a new annual fundraiser added to the roster of their legacy events. This year, the chapter aims to strengthen its support amongst non-members and their male counterparts through this unique event. NAW’Bro’ … [More]
Celebrating 35 Years of Empowerment: The Legacy of HR5050 and the Future of Women in Business
In the heart of Austin, Texas, more than 600 National Association of Women Business Owners members gathered to celebrate women’s entrepreneurship — and we took a moment to recognize the upcoming 35th anniversary of HR5050. This gathering wasn’t just a celebration; it was a powerful convergence of history, achievement and aspiration. The Birth of a Milestone: HR5050’s … [More]
Where did all the optimism go?
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in Phoenix, Arizona: Closing the Optimism Gap
On June 5th, I sat in a room full of powerful women in Washington, D.C., and we discussed the findings of the 2023 Small Business Owner Report from the Bank of America. As the president of the Phoenix Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners, I couldn’t help but reflect on the optimism gap that exists between women business owners and their male … [More]
Breaking Barriers: Empowering Women and Advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) cannot be overstated. While all businesses can benefit from embracing DEI principles, it holds particular significance for women-led small businesses. As we strive for success and empowerment, understanding and actively incorporating DEI practices become vital for growth and … [More]
The True Measure of a Woman’s Success
Many years ago, I was awarded my very first job in sales management. After only three years with the company, I was promoted to sales manager of their top billing property. News spread quickly throughout the industry and soon the phone was ringing off the hook with congratulations and well-wishers. It was fourth quarter, people were in a celebratory mood, and I was looking … [More]
Women in Graphic Recording: A Growing Force in the Industry
Whenever I tell people that I do graphic recording, I’ll often get a blank stare and maybe a head nod. The more curious person might ask, “Oh, what is graphic recording?” Graphic recording is a visual communication method that uses a combination of drawing, writing and sketching to capture the essence of a keynote speech, a business presentation, brainstorm session or a … [More]
Less is More: Your Leadership Focus Will Help You Grow Exponentially
Whether you are an entrepreneur, a small business owner or a corporate leader, you have likely felt overwhelmed and anxious when you have too much to do. As a one-person show or a leader of a small business, it may be easy to feel like we have to do “all the things” because we wear all or most of the hats in our business. It may seem counterintuitive, but research has … [More]
Investing in Teenage Mentoring: A Valuable Parental Decision
As parents, we often grapple with how best to guide our children through the tumultuous teenage years. The quest for identity, heightened emotions and peer pressure can make it a challenging phase for teens and their parents. During this critical stage, parents should consider investing in a mentor for their teenager. In addition, a mentor can provide benefits ranging from … [More]
