As a self-titled"nanapreneur" and "UberNana,"
Leslie Flowers, a certified speaker, coach and business consultant, works to help women entrepreneurs and business owners define their goals and reach them.
Flowers retired from a 45-year corporate career a decade ago. Since then, she's penned best-selling books, "Champion" and "Own Your Purpose and Reach Your Potential." The mom of two and grandmother to four from Cary also hosts
live events, speaks to groups and provides one-one-one counseling.
As we start a new year, I checked in with Flowers to learn more about her work and get advice on how we all can reach our goals. Here's a Q&A:
Go Ask Mom: For years, you've been helping women do better in their careers and in life. How did you get involved in this line of work?
Leslie Flowers: Majoring in drama at San Francisco State in the 60s, I am comfortable leading and speaking before groups. For 45 years, I worked in corporate America, yet, in my off time, I organized as band booster president with seven consecutive band competitions to help fund their program. Since 1996, I have studied leadership and personal development because I am very curious about what makes us tick!
GAM: What's the biggest challenge that women face as they navigate life and work? Is there an overriding theme to the questions you get?
LF: Lack of information and the application thereof. It makes perfect sense after 200 generations at home that we would be lacking how to be successful in 21st century business. I teach the principles of success, so women can finally ask for what they deserve and be paid. I teach women who not only want things, but are willing to 'do the work' online live on Tuesday evenings. This way, no matter how busy a woman is, if she is WILLING, she can have it all!
The biggest issues women have are:
1. Being controlled by, rather than controlling their schedule and calendar.
2. Being clear about what they really want.
3. Staying focused on what they are doing.
I address these in my programs.
GAM: As you work with women entrepreneurs, you talk with them about the importance of one small success at a time. Why is that way of thinking helpful for women, and how can we translate that into success at work and at home?
LF: At home, we have to do many things all at the same time. We do not need to change that if we are at home. If we are running or starting a business, we must only have ONE goal every 90 days because we have to shine! And all the minor tasks required to reach that ONE goal is what actually builds the muscle of confidence and has us be successful.
GAM: Lots of women are making resolutions for 2019. How would you coach them as they make plans for 2019?
LF: In 10 years, I have only met one person who actually took a class on setting and achieving goals in high school or college! No one every taught us how to get our best shot at achieving goals, so our results are haphazard at best. That does not build confidence.
Pick one goal for the next 90 days that would elevate your business and make you very happy! Make it specific, such as 10 more clients, 15 speaking engagements, X amount of money. Make it big enough that you don't know anything but your first steps because the purpose of a goal is to motivate us into ACTION. If we already know the steps, we would have already done it. Then, never give up!
GAM: What do you love about what you do?
LF: I get to guide women who Want and are Willing to do the work required to enjoy success! They manage their calendars on their terms! They always have time for family, no matter how many clients! They have an accountability partner to bounce ideas off of! They are, above all, learning and applying principles of success that have been around for 5,000 years and are crushing the wage gap every single quarter.
Go Ask Mom features local moms every Monday.
