Episode 23: Finding Your Voice & Financial Freedom w/ Nathaalie Carey

Subscribe and get all my podcasts sent right to your phone:  iTunes, Google Play or Stitcher.

She's a wife, mom, and a true inspiration! Nathaalie Carey impressed me with her humility and true desire to make a difference in the lives of women. Nathaalie talks about her high powered job in state government, why women should take a seat at the table and the importance of getting your financial house in order.

7 Success Lessons Learned in 1 Month

It has been a month since the launch of our podcast. A whirlwind month filled with mostly surprising highs, thankfully only a few surprising lows and 7 surprising lessons. I thought I'd share with you the ways I am changing and growing in hopes that you may take away a nugget or two to cary on your journey of success.

1. Sharing Your Voice is Rewarding. I immediately knew I enjoyed interviewing fantastic women and felt their messages would resonate with many, but I was surprised to learn that I would feel such great satisfaction and reward from not just listening to, but sharing these stories with others. I feel like it's Christmas eve the night before a new podcast comes out because I just can't wait for you to open each special gift.

2. Doing Isn't So Scary After all. I wanted to launch a podcast a year before it finally happened.  I was afraid of the unknown, afraid it wouldn't be professional, afraid it would be a flop, afraid- afraid- afraid. It was the little women living rent free in my brain instilling the doubt and fear. When I finally decided to ignore her and just DO THE WORK- take the steps necessary to make it come to life- IT WAS EASY. What I found is- the fear of the unknown was so powerful... but I was MORE POWERFUL.  Now that we are sharing an amazing and different message each week, it's not scary, its exhilarating! It's exhilarating because I am operating in a space of inspiration and joy. I am no longer afraid.

3. If You Love What You're Doing Negative Voices Weaken. It's easy to live or die by the comments people offer about you- isn't it? I am learning that if you love what you're doing- those comments become less harmful. I say I am learning- because I am just like you- a work in progress. But, I've become highly aware of how sharing my voice and giving a voice to others is my gift. This flower is blooming. What is your gift? I challenge you to share it with others!

4. Perseverance Pays Off. I've had two HUGE disappointments happen to me this month with the podcast. Only a few trusted people knew about these... until now. The first- all the interviews we taped at the launch party got deleted. I don't know how. My equipment requires a three step process to delete. It happened. I brainstormed (and mourned) for three days, trying to figure out how to save it. I wasn't able to. Then my 9-year-old daughter reminded me of our Facebook and Periscope videos! She said we could use that audio. She thought and thought- just like me for 3 days... and she persevered through to give me a solution. I still need to work on that podcast.

Then, I spent a marathon day recording a dozen podcasts (amazing content to come) and when I got home I realized the content was recorded incorrectly for mobile devices. Again- three days of brainstorming and seeking technical help- but then on the 4th day I discovered a solution to save it!

Never give up. If you suffer a huge disappointment- you can somehow overcome. NEVER GIVE UP.

5. The Success Continues Here.  The podcast is one way for us to continue the Success Mission! So is this blog! Weekly blogs are a wonderful way to give a voice to more people. I want to share YOUR success. Email me to learn how. jodeekenney@gmail.com


6. Failure is OK and So Is Changing Your Mind- Giving Up is NOT an Option. Over the last couple weeks you may (or may not) have noticed I am experimenting on the best days to make our new blogs and podcasts available. I want to be able to provide you this content when YOU want it.

Also- I want to update this blog. If you're a tech person looking to make an in-kind partnership email me! jodeekenney@gmail.com

I have many crazy ideas rolling around in this head. The above are just a couple of them. Before, I'd probably stick with a single plan. Only post on a certain day- even if it wasn't working. Or, I'd ask about tech help and forget it if I didn't receive an answer. Now- I'm learning- you just need to take action. If you don't try- you won't succeed. Being willing to fail means you're also willing to succeed! No risk- No reward!

Be BRAVE. Lets take risks together!

7. We Must Build Each Other Up. We are stronger together than we are apart. Our fates are intertwined. Let's be successful together. Tell me what you want to accomplish. Share your dreams, fears, successes. I would love to know what lessons you've learned. Can I help you achieve your goal? How?

In the last month I've become inspired and humbled by your support and I want you to know it means the world to me.  Leave me a comment below. I'd love to hear how you're doing.

Get the podcast sent right to your phone:  iTunes, Google Play or Stitcher.

11 Ways for Women to Get Power and Make Money

The Forbes article "11 Surefire Ways For Women to Get Power and Make a Ton of Money" is a great quick read to get some #MotivationMonday! 

Cindy Gallop is the founder of a website MakeLoveNotPorn.TV so she's not afraid to be bold and out there with her opinions. Her comments about being successful can resonate with any woman looking to take on a new venture in any area of interest.

Here are a couple highlights:

1. Don't just look for a mentor... find a champion! Find someone who is not just going to guide you or offer advice... find someone who will fight for you or help you get there.

2. Never give anything away. Oh, man- I am guilty of this just like many of you. How many times have you not just over extended and volunteered to do something... but also paid a babysitter to watch the kids while you do it? Us women are notorious for saying YES when we really need to say NO. 

To learn some more tips to make you successful in your career and life check out the article. What is one step you think women should take to be more successful? 



Go Red For Women

Today is the 10th annual National Wear Red Day to mark the start of American Heart Month. Heart disease is the number one killer of women in America. More women die of heart disease than all forms of cancer combined.

 

For more information click HERE. 

Cultural Sensitivity

 

Did you know that:

• In Japan a call is more effective than a letter?
• You should wrap gifts in green paper for an Afghan wedding.
• Brides wear Red in India.
• In the United Arab Emirates, the workweek traditionally starts on Saturday and
ends on Wednesday.

 

These are just some of the very interesting facts I have learned from  Sujata Chaudhry and Vera Dordick, the Principals at Tangible Development LLC. They carved out a unique niche in upstate New York teaching cultural sensitivity. They sat down to answer some questions about what they do and why their services are becoming more and more valuable.

 

1- Tell us when you started your business and what Tangible Development does.

 

We launched Tangible Development two and a half years ago. We provide custom cross-
cultural awareness training for corporate clients across a wide spectrum of industries. Our
training course typically includes:
• What is cultural awareness and what key cross-cultural skills do these employees
require
• Cultural values and attitudes and their impact on work
• Cross-cultural communication styles and the expectations of multicultural teams
• Virtual communication: practical challenges and strategies
• How to enable trust within a cross-cultural team
• Best practices for handling cross-cultural disagreements and conflicts
• Guidelines to create a “third culture” to improve team cohesion
• Action planning and skills development.

 

2- Did your company always provide diversity awareness training- and when did you
notice a need for this type of service?

 

Tri City Rentals is one of our clients. They are very forward-thinking and asked
us to train their management and property leasing agents across New York State.
Their apartment communities have many multicultural renters and staff were often
challenged by different communication styles and the desire to understand the
various cultures. Now, after the training, TriCity agents are able to build rapport with
multicultural tenants, communicate property rules and policies more effectively, and
negotiate contracts more efficiently.

 

Both of us have international backgrounds and have always been involved in some
capacity with diverse populations. The need for cross-cultural training has always
existed…but technology has now put the world on our doorstep and the need is
heightened.

 

Becoming aware of our cultural dynamics is hard because we learn our culture at an
unconscious level. Our experiences, our values and our cultural background lead us
to see and do things in a certain way. Training helps you step outside of your cultural
boundaries and realize the impact that your own culture has on your behavior. It’s also
important to learn and evaluate how others perceive us to understand ourselves.

 

3- What would be something that the average person wouldn’t know (culturally, or
diversity related) that may surprise them about upstate new york.

So many things! Just here in the Capital Region:

Crossgates Mall shows Indian movies in Hindi, a language spoken in India, every
week.

We have more than 25 different ethnic markets.

The region has religious institutions or community organizations representing more
than 19 different cultures/countries.

Some retail establishments, like drug store chains, provide translation services.

 

4-Can you talk about the different demographics in upstate ny (Hudson valley,
capital region, central new york and western ny)?

 

The demographics across Upstate New York are definitely changing.

 

The U.S. Census reports that since 2000, foreign-born residents are the state’s fastest growing population. That said, the region is still not as diverse as comparable-sized metro areas.

According to the Capital District Business Review, the foreign-born population of the Capital Region’s four core counties climbed 45.5 percent between 2000 and 2010—far outpacing
the overall population increase of 5.5 percent.

Evan Lowesnstein of Empire State Future
says that this increase in diversity brings new energy, ideas and values to the state, giving
stagnant local economies new hope and revitalizing cities across the state. Lowenstein
uses the example of Utica, which lost half its population since its peak in the 1960s. The
city’s population grew by 2,000 people in 2000-2010, almost entirely due to foreign-born
residents who moved to Utica. Buffalo’s foreign-born population is also increasing. These
newcomers are also highly educated: He points out that almost half of the immigrants to
the Buffalo-Niagara area hold undergraduate degrees.

The backgrounds of the state’s international newcomers are also diverse. While Utica is
now home to resettled refugees from 31 different countries, 40 percent of these residents
are from Bosnia and Hercegovina. Towns like Mt. Kisco in Westchester County grew 10
percent, mostly from an influx of Guatemalan immigrants, Loewenstein says. Here in
the Capital Region, the US Census showed that more than one-third of our foreign born
population is Asian, of which 23 percent are eastern Asians and 37 percent are south
Central Asians (mostly India and Pakistan.) Newcomers from the Americas are also one-
third of the foreign-born population.

 

5-As women who are in the world of teaching people to be culturally sensitive and
accepting to differences- can you offer a couple of tips on how to be sensitive to
others and navigate the way through meeting and making friends with people who
are of different cultures and backgrounds?

 

Even though the companies we train are varied, there are a number of things that
employees – whether they are executives, mid-level managers or front-line workers – can
keep in mind when interacting with multicultural clients and colleagues. The first thing to remember is that we live in a wonderful world full of different cultures, not to be afraid of people who are different, and to recognize that to others, we too are different.

 

• Don’t be afraid to say you don’t know much about a culture. Ask questions
and don’t rely on stereotypes, such as “all people from India are vegetarians.”
Be sensitive when asking questions.
• Don’t judge people before you learn about them.
• Imagine what it’s like, coming to a new country where they don’t speak your
native language and starting anew. Try to look at things from the newcomer’s
perspective.
• Keep an open mind. You can learn much from people of other cultures, as
they can from you.

 

If you would like to learn more about the services offered by Tangible Management. Please click HERE.

The Chamber Supports Women

The Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce has a number of business councils to support a variety of target audiences. One of their biggest and longest standing councils is the Women's Business Council. Let's face it, as women we experience unique challenges in the business world. We like to talk about fashion and the kids. Men like to talk about sports... and ... well, sports. At least that's my experience. That's why I'm trying my darndest to watch Sports Center now. It's not going very well. I'd rather watch Project Runway... but I digress.  

The council aims to support women and help them succeed. If we are able to find sources of funding, learn the keys to success and meet the people who can make our business dreams a reality- we can achieve the goal of being "Bold In Business".

I spoke with The Chamber's Vice President Laura Dehmer about the Chamber's efforts and got a chance to thank her for connecting us at the Bold in Business seminar this week. There's something very motivating about seeing a room full of women looking for ways to become a powerful source in their industry. 

Meeting Kate Today

Remember when I told you earlier this week about having the honor of interviewing the wildly popular former Editor of Cosmo Magazine Kate White? Well, today she's in Albany speaking at a women's business council summit. I am heading there this morning and will blog about my experiences for you!  After 15 years at the top of the publishing world Kate decided to leave her post and pursue her passion to be a Motivational Speaker and Author. This Gutsy Girl has written a new book called "I Shouldn't Be Telling You This" and I highly recommend it to all women.

After my interview with her I received some wonderful feedback about the interview and my blog post about it. My most exciting feedback? An email from Kate herself!

The email was titled "Just read the blog!!!"

Jodee, you are so nice to write those things. You made MY day. Kate

I admit I got a little tingle when I realized that she read my blog! Little does she know how much of a wonderful turbo charge she has sparked in me! She inspires me. She inspired me to take the leap and start this blog (which I've been thinking about way too long) and I plan to tell her today! Wish me luck.