Name: Barb Girson

Business Name: My Sales Tactics

Barb Girson, an International Direct Selling Industry expert, trainer and coach, is a highly interactive, creative speaker and author offering professional skill development programs for workshops, leader retreats, annual conventions and teleclass sales training programs. Barb works with companies, teams & entrepreneurs helping them gain confidence, get into action, and grow sales. After spending a decade in corporate America, she desired to become an entrepreneur again. Often seeing other entrepreneurs, company owners and senior management steeped in technical experience, she saw a need to help them connect with the sales aspect of business. Her philosophy of success is truly contingent upon helping others succeed.

Tell us three words that describe yourself: Enthusiastic, Creative, Fun-loving, Knowledgeable and not very Humble (Ha-ha…that’s more than 3)

Who are your mentors and why? I just lost a dear mentor of mine who passed away. She taught me how to be an entrepreneur and helped me to believe in myself. She devoted her life to being a great mom, wife and business woman. Her example gave me a picture of how to juggle competing priorities with grace, and resourcefulness. For me, working beside someone who also balanced similar priorities and had like-minded values gave me a model to emulate, and was tremendously inspiring. Thank you, Effie.

What’s next for your business? Write a book—not an eBook, not a workbook, not an article… a book. Yes, it is a big goal.

Current business challenge: The constant refining and reshuffling that accompanies business ownership—making sure my time is always spent doing what matters most.

What are your thoughts on how you view your competition? There is plenty of business out there for all of us. My goal is to be aware, but not obsessed, with what my competitors are doing. As long as I consistently take the right actions and market my services regularly, the people who need and want my services find me. Additionally, I am ever-aware of this small, small world.  I never burn bridges. Competitors often become collaborators.

How do you live your brand? I strive to find ways to stick in people’s mind and encourage my clients to do the same. My hope is that my clients find my services ‘unforgettable,’ which is a part of my intentional signature stance.

Favorite way to build buzz, create celebrity and change the world: I find that when I succeed in helping others to be successful, they reliably promote my services thereafter.  Most of my business comes from word of mouth or relationships that I have nurtured.  Old fashioned is the ‘new’ fashion.

Best business decisions: To start, to stick with it, and to stay in motion—even if I don’t feel like it.

Hardest lesson learned: That it is not all about ME … in fact, it is rarely about ME.

Guilty pleasure: Morning: fresh ground dark roast coffee—strong and robust. Evening: a glass of Cabernet or Red Zinfandel—spicy, lingering and bold.

Favorite hobby: Dancing—the music makes me forget everything.

Favorite book or movie: So many books are my favorites, and am working on a top 10 list. For now, however, I am reading “How to Train a Wild Elephant and Other Adventures in Mindfulness” by Jan Chozen Bays, MD. This book is enjoyable because I appreciate the simple practices that enhance our awareness. Additionally Meredith’s book, “Flourish,” is one of my favorite go-to marketing books. This is a great tool for a small business owner’s bookshelf.

Pet peeve: People who do not keep their word.

For lunch today: Salad filled with lots of veggies and grilled chicken. This was a take home from last night’s dinner. Leftovers are the best!

Big or Small: Big and Small—Small details matter for achieving big dreams.

Slow or Fast: Slow and Fast—Slow enough to be intentional, fast enough to be productive and the insight to know the difference

Tennis is hard or tennis is easy: My mom always told me that an active woman is an attractive woman.  So when I first met my husband, I said, “Let’s play tennis.”  Meanwhile, I am not, and have never been a tennis player.  To this day, we never have played tennis however we sure found LOVE!  Mom was right.

How Can We Find Out More About You? www.MySalesTactics.com

© 2012 Meredith Liepelt, Rich Life Marketing