Meet Cheryl Pullins
Business & Lifestyle Solutions Expert
The Woman Entrepreneur’s Mentor
The Woman Entrepreneur’s Mentor is a boutique style company that partners with women entrepreneurs to help grow their businesses, increase their income and live a marvellous life.
Founded by Cheryl Pullins in 2010, the company is currently based in Tampa, Florida with new locations planned for Orlando, Florida and Washington DC.
Through speaking, coaching and consulting Cheryl enables women to authentically create the business and life they dream about.
Why did you decide to start The Women Entrepreneur’s Mentor?
When I started The Women Entrepreneur’s Mentor, I had come to a crossroads and was frustrated with having started a business some years prior and getting no results. I was pretty clueless about what it truly takes to run a business that is successful and gets results.
When I started to educate myself on the entrepreneurial process I realised that there are many women who were in the same place as I once was. That is how The Woman Entrepreneur’s Mentor was born. It is a combination of two things I am passionate about helping women and business.
What was your career path prior to starting your first business?
I started my career path working in Human Resources. I just kind of fell into doing Human Resources and found that I enjoyed the field because of its operational diversity.
Human Resources has so many facets. I ultimately wanted to be a Senior Vice President of HR.
Did you always know that you would start your own business?
I had no desire to own a business! I wasn’t interested, no way! My mantra was that “Cheryl would keep a corporate job because Cheryl wanted to make sure she got a pay check every two weeks.”
I can‘t tell you how embarrassed I am when I repeat this out loud, because it reminds me of the mindset I had back during that time. I did not have any intention of owning a business of any kind. I was a corporate girl.
What are you working on at the moment?
Wow! I am working on a number of things at the moment. We have just released The Legacy Letters book project. I am so excited about that project and the incredibly fabulous co-contributors. I am honoured by the company of women who are included in this project.
I am also working on the third book in a series of inspirational compilation books. The first release was in 2009. We released one in 2011 and we are preparing to release one in 2012 in conjunction with a very intimate luxury woman entrepreneurs retreat.
Most recently I have been selected to serve as a Global Summit Event Director for The Women Information’s Network. In this capacity I will have responsibility for taking The Global Women Summit to several places throughout the world.
London hosted one of the summits during this year and I would like to bring the summit back to London after the Olympics in 2012. I am also looking to take the summit to Zambia, The Bahamas, three U. S. Cities and possibly Istanbul, Turkey. So in that regard 2012 is going to be a huge year for me and my business.
Can you tell us more about The Legacy Letters, how did you get involved with the book?
I think it is very interesting how I became involved. I met the project creator, Lisa Nicole Bell via one of the social networks, a number of years back. Lisa has always been good at keeping up with me and checking in to see what I had going on, from time to time. So of course I was deeply honoured when she sent a message telling me about The Legacy Letters and asking if I would be interested in participating.
Being a mom of two college age daughters I loved the concept of the project and was thrilled to participate. I am so grateful to Lisa for thinking of me and asking to be a part of this phenomenal book. It truly is a part of my legacy that I will not only leave to my daughters, but for the many daughters to come.
Can you describe your typical working day?
A typical working day for me includes quiet time in the morning. I use a time management technique called “time blocking.”
Using this method allows me to block my time based on tasks. Phone calls are done within a certain time. Client coaching calls, reading, program and product development and also preparing for speaking engagements.
I always make time for lunch or a break of some sort. It helps me to keep my momentum. Most of the time when I am working in my office, I have music playing. Music is a large part of my work day.
What have been the highlights of running your own business?
The highlight of having my own business is my ability to meet and connect with some of the most creative, insightful and inspiring women I have ever met.
Not only are the women I coach fabulous, but the women I encounter and partner with are doing it not just for themselves, but they are bringing others along for the ride and I absolutely love it.
What is the hardest part of running your own businesses?
One of the most challenging parts is getting others to see the value in what I do. The services I offer aren’t like going into the store and buying shoes or a dress, but it is a slower process that yields dramatic results.
Those results are based on their willingness to do what it takes and sometimes, that’s a hard sell.
How do you maintain a work/life balance while running your business?
First, let me say that I have a different perspective on work/life balance. My approach is that I don’t try to balance my work and my life. I create a life that works to harmonize them. Things in my life and my work have to co-exist.
The image of trying to balance them, to me, is unrealistic and I would spend more time trying to balance them then actually finding ways to live my life in a way that allows me to enjoy my life while growing and developing my business. It is a very different way of thinking but it serves me well.
I enjoy my marriage and create ways for my husband and I to share time together while I work. It’s like the scene from the movie “Something New.” Blair Underwood and Sanaa Lathan are sitting on the sofa with their laptops. That scene goes on in my house a lot. Friday night is date night. That is my sacred space.
What has been your proudest business moment so far?
I have a few proud moments in my business. But currently I am very proud of my developing international presence. It is something that I have desired for years and it is manifesting itself.
But as a specific moment, it was the night we surprised the contributing authors by unveiling the first book in the Victorious Living Series. My daughter says it best. She said that it was an Oprah moment. And I have to admit, that is how I felt. It was a proud accomplishment to see a vision come to life and to share it with those who made it happen.
What, or who, inspires and motivates you?
I love this question. Starting with who motivates and inspires me, every time I encounter a woman who is struggling to make it happen for themselves, their family and their community – I am motivated.
For every woman who has a dream, a passion and a vision for their life and needs to know how to make it happen – I am inspired.
I am motivated and inspired by everything around me. It is the way I look at life and perceive everything. I choose to see the good, the better and the greater in all things. And because of that motivation and inspiration is a constant in my business and my life.
What advice would you give to someone who is looking for a business mentor?
When you are looking for a business mentor, keep three things in mind.
1. Make sure it is someone whose message really resonates with you. When their message connects with you at your core it helps to keep you authentic to who you are.
2. Any business mentor you look to work with should be surrounded with mentors/coaches. Know who they are getting their counsel and coaching from, especially as it relates to business.
3. Look for signs of success. I am not talking about material possessions. I am talking about whether they are on the path of something noble and worthy. Something that impacts the lives of people for the better.
Fast forward five years, where do you think your business will be in 2016?
I will have a global presence. Five years from now the reach of my message will be global. I will be travelling the world and speaking to the nation, taking the message of internal change to get external results.
My business will be thriving because I have chosen to pursue that which is worthy and that thing of worth will change the lives of women and their change will impact families, change communities and make a difference in the world.
Cheryl, is there anything else you’d like to share?
Please connect with me on my website and Facebook. I would love to hear from your readers and followers. Each month I host a free training class for women entrepreneurs. It’s my 60 Minute Bootcamp where you can learn about mindset, marketing, methods, managing life and making decisions.
What a pleasure it has been for me to share with your community. Let’s stay connected and make it happen for the women of London!
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For more information visit www.iMentorWomen.com. You can also find The Woman Entrepreneurs Mentor on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn
For more information on The Legacy Letters anthology visit www.fromherpen.com
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Cheryl Pullins was interviewed by Octavia Goredema, founder of the Twenty Ten Club.
The Twenty Ten Club is an award-winning social enterprise designed to connect, inspire and
support Black female entrepreneurs. You can also find Twenty Ten Club on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Do you have a question for Cheryl? If so, please feel free to post a comment below:
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Awards
Future 100 social enterprise award winner, 2010
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