By Kathleen Hawkins, President
One of our members said to me the other day…. “I bet you can spot a WOAMTEC woman a mile away! You know how they walk, how they talk, and what they look like!”
I thought to myself, sure…I meet women all the time and say, “She needs to be a WOAMTEC woman! She has the epitome of sass and class! Someone who you just want to know!” BUT… the next reflection I had was the number of members I can spot now, that I couldn’t spot a week, a month, a year ago. The number of members who have grown personally from being around other professional “Sassy/Classy WOAMTEC” women.
Think about the women who wants to be a bundle of sass and class………….Perhaps, they are on the inside, but are a completely frazzled, overworked, stressed, and a mess on the outside. Do you see them the same way? Do they even see themselves that way? Is it holding them back from reaching their goals?
I recall a conversation I had with my brother shortly before WOAMTEC and after 2 adoptions. I said “I can now see how Mom’s let themselves go.” His head swung around like I was speaking crazy talk and he exclaimed, “WHAT? That is ridiculous!”
I replied, “Well I can’t wear black any more cause of spit up, I can’t wear clothes needing dry cleaned because I have to change them 3 times a day, I can’t wear big earrings because they might rip them out of my ears, I can’t get my nails done because I might scratch them, I traded in my designer purse for a diaper bag, and I can’t wear heels because I might lose my balance carrying a baby carrier, a baby bag, and holding a 3 year old’s hand. I don’t have time to eat, sleep, or do my hair, so I have roots, dark circles, and I would eat anything, salad or not, just to move on to task number two!”
Now, not that I regret any of that….I would do it all again tomorrow. (Not really, Tia so don’t call saying you have another child you want us to adopt please! I have learned NO is a complete sentence.) What it taught me was the importance of not loosing who you are because of someone else in your life. How many women have given up “me time” completely, because they are spinning too many plates in life? How many women give up who they are or who they want to be because of what their husband wants, what their parent says they should be, or what they feel they are worth being.
What are you worth? Do you deserve any less than the best? NO! Is someone in your life making you feel like you should be less then you should be? If so….
- Realize you are Beautiful,
- You are destined for Greatness,
- and taking time out for yourself doesn’t make you a selfish MOM, WIFE, SISTER, or FRIEND it makes you a better one!
You will teach those you love the value of making “Me” a priority and you will be happier, healthier, sassier and classier because of it. That will just make them love you more!
So the next time you see a “Not so Obvious” WOAMTEC woman, stop….invite her to lunch and help bring out her inner beauty!
By Kathleen Hawkins, Proud WOAMTEC President
Ever wonder why some restaurants succeed and some fail?
I do often…but it is no different than the Photography industry that I have spent so much time in. You can be a fabulous portrait artist and struggle to pay bills or eat. Likewise, you can be brilliant at business and teach an $8.00 an hour employee how to click a button and make a profit in the photographic industry. See, it is not as much about the craft, food or product you are selling; it is more about the experience the clients are receiving.
Recently, I was at the Ale House Restaurant in Altamonte Springs ordering take out for my family.
They have this thing where they ask you your name and then see how many times they can use it. How nice it is to here your name! We went from strangers to instant friends, only because she referred to me by name.
I felt comfortable enough to say, “you know I tried to place the order on the phone and was put on hold for more than 5 minutes, so now I am here.” She apologizes, said it was a new phone system and immediately told the manager. He offered me a glass of wine while I was waiting and apologized profusely! Now, I looked horrible, spent the day cleaning, and he didn’t know me at all, but they treated me like I was a “SOMEBODY.”
It truly is the little things that make a difference. The simple touches. The nice gestures that make you feel important or appreciated for your business. Those are the things that keep you coming back again and again.
As I sipped my complimentary glass of Chardonnay, I recalled one of our past experiences with one of our other WOAMTEC venues and began typing this blog on my blackberry. We brought them consistent business 30-40 women every other week for over a year at $20 a pop! After a meeting, we were celebrating because we just got a 2 page feature article promoting our chapter in a local magazine and they took pictures of our women in front of the restaurant sign.
I jokingly said to the general manager…”We are getting you free publicity…you should bring us a celebration drink!” There were only 4 of us celebrating, what a great day it had been for the women of WOAMTEC. The general manager responded, “Oh we can’t do that. We can’t give anything away with out the owners permission.”
That response shocked me so much, because I was half joking, but he definitely was not making me feel like a “SOMEBODY.” So I responded, “Well it sounds like you need to go call the owner. ” He didn’t and we felt so deflated. He left us feeling so discouraged, we changed venues that week. We also cropped the photo removing the restaurants sign because we were at a new location.
Why would one restaurant see value in someone ordering take out and another not see value right in front of them. Isn’t your restaurant name in print in 30,000 magazines worth 4 glasses of Chardonnay? My guess is Ale House would think so!
Remember, always choose your battles with your customers and never forget that everyone deserves to be treated like a “SOMEBODY.”
The bottom line… if you are seeing life as the glass is half empty- fill it up!
It could cost you your customer!
WOAMTEC is pleased to announce that its Chicago chapter is now meeting at Sabor do Brasil in Schaumburg. According to WOAMTEC chapter director Monique Puckett, the group meets from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. every first and third Thursday of each month.
“I am really excited about this new location which will be more convenient for members coming from the city or the suburbs and which also offers ample room for more members,” says Puckett, who is the CEO of Art of GLAM (Great Living Affordably Made).
WOAMTEC is pleased to announce that Marilyn Angelena will take over as director of its Tallahassee, Florida chapter, which meets at Food Glorious Food from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. the first and third Thursday of each month. The next meeting is September 2.
Founder and CEO of Women News magazine, Angelena also is the National Sales Director of Absolutely Dominate, a company that offers Internet marketing services for small businesses.
Angelena says she relocated to Tallahassee to take over the WOAMTEC chapter there. “I am excited about being a chapter director because my passion is helping women grow their businesses,” she says.
WOAMTEC is pleased to announce that Charlene Burke will take over as director of its Louisville, Kentucky chapter. The chapter meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at Limestone Restaurant from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. The next meeting is August 25.
Burke is the CEO of Search by Burke, LLC, a full-service online marketing agency. The company provides search engine optimization, email marketing, social media marketing and analytics, customizing the strategy and tactics to fit the customers’ needs.
“I am excited to be the Executive Director of the Louisville Chapter of WOAMTEC,” says Burke. Our local women business owners are strong, vibrant and knowledgeable and through WOAMTEC, we will be a force for good and for wealth building. Amazing things happen when we gather for a common reason.”
WOAMTEC President Kathleen Hawkins
As my kids get back in school today, I smile at them with pride, joy, and love. I love my babies with all my heart, but as a multi tasking Mom I must admit….I was ready for school to start again.
My middle baby Rachel starts kindergarten today! I can’t believe it has been 5 years already, since we adopted her. It feels like it was yesterday. I was so proud to see her big sis Mothering her as she showed her around her new school and prayed that she would be o.k. and the fear I saw in her big brown eyes would soon disappear. As I think about all of them being in school today, how proud I am of them, how much I love them and how blessed to be there Mother….I thank God for my unanswered prayers.
For years, I struggled with infertility and I prayed every night, I would get pregnant. Hundreds of dollars on pregnancy tests, fertility treatments, countless tears and years of disappointment. My prayers were never answered. I felt pain, anger, and disappointment. I resented pregnant women, I was mad at the world and no matter how hard a tried nothing would fill that void I had. Have you ever felt that way? Wanting something so bad and being angry because you aren’t getting it. Have you ever tried to fight against the current instead of going with the flow. Trying to make something happen in your life?
Do you have unanswered prayers and wonder why? If so, don’t give up…your story is still being told. Like the song goes…”I thank God for my unanswered prayers!” Having children the way I thought I was suppose to conceive was not my destiny. My life is not as I imagined…BUT I could never have imagined my life could be this awesome! Adoption was not my plan, it was my destiny. When you walk with purpose and know there is a bigger plan, life can be so much greater than we could ever dream!
If it wasn’t for my unanswered prayers, I would not have these 3 beautiful children, My Mother would not be living here, I would not have started WOAMTEC, and I would not be sharing this now with you. So if you have been praying for something that is going unanswered. Look at my family and have hope and know all in good time. There is a plan for you too! It may not be what you imagined it would be….but it might just be a whole lot better~
(WOAMTEC, is pleased to announce that Lisa Kimball will serve as director of its new Wesley Chapel chapter, which will meet at Grillsmith
in Tampa on the second and fourth Thursday of each month from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. The launch date is scheduled for Thursday, September 9.
Kimball is a sales representative with TonerType of Florida, an imaging solutions provider that offers service on laser printers and machines as well as a private label brand of toner and ink.
“I chose to launch the Wesley Chapel chapter, my second (she also directs the North Tampa chapter), because I enjoy meeting professional women, and growing personally and professionally,” Kimball says. “Opening up another group so that more women can enjoy this terrific networking organization just made sense.”
Saturday, I watched my husband cut back our bushes, I questioned why he trimmed them back, so far. He said they were too big and needed to be trimmed. Being allergic to everything that grows, I have never had much of a green thumb, so didn’t understand the concept. All I knew was to me, it looked prettier when it was full and green then when it was trimmed back and all you could see was brown sticks and branches. I questioned him again, but he proceeded convincing me he knew what he was doing. I chose that battle and walked away. Click Here To Read The Full Article –>
Confession by Kathleen Hawkins,
I killed a squirrel today! Guilty as charged.
Now, before you send in hate mail or animal right’s letters- I promise it was a complete accident and I prayed for the little guy!
He just darted out in front of my car. As I looked in my rear view mirror, I thought to myself, “I wonder if he had a family?” After saying a silent prayer for that poor little fellow, I began thinking about how audacious he must have been to think he could cross the road and what was he going after? It wasn’t a busy road by any means and I wasn’t even going fast. His timing was just bad.
It actually reminded me of a recent time when a turtle was trying to cross all 4 lanes on State Road 434. There, he was moving as slow as can be. He didn’t have a chance. I wanted to stop my car and get out and help him but the traffic was so bad, I was afraid I was going to get hit! Faith was on his side because some how he made it across all four lanes!
What was it that those two animals were after that was so important they would risk their life? The turtles risk was so much greater why did he survive and the squirrel didn’t? Are you chasing something that would be worth risking your life for?
Do you ever feel like sometimes your running into 4 lanes of traffic darting everything that comes at you? In business, I think it is important to want something so bad, you are willing to risk it all but to acknowledge timing is everything. Moving forward with strategy, even if it means you have to move slower is better then seeing a goal and running for it full speed ahead! After all, if you don’t know where you are going, there is no way to get there. Having goals and direction is imperative in business, but take the time to think through your business and marketing strategy. Otherwise, you may just spend your life dodging obstacles and end up like the squirrel!
Rest in Peace Little Fellow!
WOAMTEC is pleased to announce the launch of a new chapter in Viera, Fl. at Tradewinds Restaurant at Duran Golf Club on Thursday, August 19 at 11:30 a.m. Chapter Director Cherise Czaban noted that Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas is scheduled to speak at the event.
Czaban is an Independent Senior Sales Director with Mary Kay Cosmetics. “I’ve been a member of the Waterford chapter of WOAMTEC since last fall and am excited about the launch here in Brevard,” she says. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for professional women to team up to share ideas, form strategic partnerships, and support one another.”
