The construction industry is at a crossroads. Amidst rising costs, workforce shortages and increasing project complexity, the pressure to deliver faster, smarter and with greater accountability has never been higher. Yet many of the issues we face are not new; they’re rooted in decades of fragmented communication, reactive risk management and siloed project delivery. I … [More]
Time Management Isn’t a Trait – It’s a Skill Set That Pays Dividends
If there’s one thing every professional says they need more of, it’s time. The tag line of my formerly burned-out and overloaded life was, “I don’t have time.” High achievers — especially in the demanding fields of sales, leadership, law and healthcare — often feel they’re running a race they didn’t sign up for. They’re productive, yes. But fulfilled? Not always. Time … [More]
Is Your Digital Marketing Working for You – Or Just Running?
You hired a digital marketing agency, approved some ads, and now … crickets. Or maybe the reports show clicks, but no sales. So — is your marketing actually working, or is it just running in the background? Here’s the truth: Digital marketing isn’t a vending machine. You can’t drop in a budget, walk away, and expect magic. It takes time and strategy to truly grow. Whether … [More]
Breaking Free from Owner Dependency
How you can build a business that runs without you
If you’re a business owner, chances are you’re wearing a lot of hats in your business — probably too many — and you aren’t making those hats look good. You’re the one answering late-night emails, handling every client crisis and making every decision because, well, you’re the owner. But here’s a tough truth: If your business can’t run without you, it’s stuck. You want to … [More]
Wealth Wise Women: 50 Years of Empowering Women Entrepreneurs
In 1975, a group of pioneering women in Washington, D.C., led by Susan Hager, founded the National Association of Women Business Owners. Their mission was clear: to create a unified voice for women entrepreneurs and to advocate for policies that would enable women to own and operate businesses independently. At that time, women faced significant legal and societal … [More]
Upcoming 50th year of NAWBO
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]
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]
Building Strong Foundations: Reflections on a Year of Growth and Gratitude as NAWBO Phoenix President
As I reflect on this transformative year as president of NAWBO Phoenix, I am filled with immense gratitude for the vibrant community we have cultivated. This role has been a journey of growth, both for me personally and for our organization, as we’ve embraced the collective wisdom of our members to empower women entrepreneurs across the Valley. Celebrating NAWBO’s … [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]
