1 00:00:00,030 --> 00:00:04,930 Maria Rosati: A lot of people say, how long till I'm famous or how long till happening. 2 00:00:04,930 --> 00:00:07,060 And I'm like, you can't quantify it. 3 00:00:07,060 --> 00:00:13,049 It's just like me saying my business, putting a timeline that, five years I want to quadruple my business. 4 00:00:13,049 --> 00:00:15,089 It doesn't work that way is something that. 5 00:00:15,854 --> 00:00:18,765 It's a constant on dedication. 6 00:00:18,765 --> 00:00:21,465 So I always say, ask Serena Williams. 7 00:00:21,465 --> 00:00:35,405 when she thought she was gonna win her first grand slam as Harry styles, when he was gonna get his first record deal, ask famous people and they were doing it for 12, 15 years before anyone even knew who they are. 8 00:00:39,130 --> 00:00:41,500 David Shriner-Cahn: welcome to smashing the plateau. 9 00:00:41,590 --> 00:00:45,370 We help you get on stuck so you can do what you love and get paid. 10 00:00:45,370 --> 00:00:47,290 What you're worth consistently. 11 00:00:47,770 --> 00:00:49,570 I'm your host, David Schreiner con. 12 00:00:50,540 --> 00:00:52,430 Today on smashing the plateau. 13 00:00:52,460 --> 00:00:57,560 I'm speaking with the CEO and founder of eminence communications, Maria Rosati. 14 00:00:58,310 --> 00:01:02,780 When you're selling your own services, you're trying to become better known in your niche. 15 00:01:03,050 --> 00:01:13,070 In today's episode of smashing the plateau, Maria shares how to promote your own personal brand so that you can be more successful in your consulting business. 16 00:01:13,460 --> 00:01:15,590 Stay with us to hear all of the details. 17 00:01:16,430 --> 00:01:19,220 Maria discusses the importance of testing your ideas. 18 00:01:19,985 --> 00:01:21,395 An easy place to test. 19 00:01:21,395 --> 00:01:24,995 New ideas is in a community of supportive like-minded colleagues. 20 00:01:25,625 --> 00:01:40,175 As a member of the smashing, the plateau community you'll have access to a community that is built to be a safe, caring place where inclusive, direct, active, and empowering conversations are welcome inside the smashing the plateau community. 21 00:01:40,175 --> 00:01:47,915 You'll also find a range of tools and resources to support your business, access to experts and the answers to your burning question. 22 00:01:48,875 --> 00:02:00,605 If you're committed to getting your consulting business, to grow on your own terms so that you can deliver great results to your ideal clients while supporting the lifestyle you want, and you don't want to do it alone. 23 00:02:00,935 --> 00:02:05,315 I invite you to apply to become a member of the smashing the plateau community. 24 00:02:05,855 --> 00:02:08,615 Learn more@smashingtheplateau.com. 25 00:02:09,395 --> 00:02:11,195 Now let's welcome, Maria Rosa. 26 00:02:12,110 --> 00:02:20,630 Maria is the founder and CEO of eminence communications, a boutique advisory, working with Changemakers to build brands and corporate reputations. 27 00:02:20,960 --> 00:02:22,220 Maria, welcome to the show. 28 00:02:22,640 --> 00:02:23,450 Maria Rosati: Thank you, David. 29 00:02:23,690 --> 00:02:24,260 Nice to be 30 00:02:24,260 --> 00:02:33,080 David Shriner-Cahn: here, Maria, how did you learn to embrace your individualism when it's been programmed out of you for most of your career, most of your life. 31 00:02:33,815 --> 00:02:36,155 Maria Rosati: Yeah, it's a very good question, David. 32 00:02:36,155 --> 00:02:49,685 I think embracing individualism is a lot about resilience and I consider myself as someone having thick skin and having worked with a lot of difficult people throughout my career. 33 00:02:50,015 --> 00:02:58,935 But, I think it is really hard when you are inside of it, now we're hearing a lot more about embracing your personal brand and that all stems from. 34 00:02:59,425 --> 00:03:00,535 Being authentic. 35 00:03:00,535 --> 00:03:12,315 So I feel like post COVID, being authentic and being individual is more embraced than it has ever been before, but it really is hard to do that in the corporate world. 36 00:03:12,315 --> 00:03:24,075 And so that was one of my choices of wanting to start my own consultancy was to re-embrace who I am, what my strengths are and how I can help others. 37 00:03:24,125 --> 00:03:27,125 That was my path was, striking out on my own. 38 00:03:27,125 --> 00:03:32,095 Really let me sit back and understand my value and how I could help others. 39 00:03:32,425 --> 00:03:38,185 And, I'd have to think a little more and a little more detail, how you can do that in the corporate world. 40 00:03:38,185 --> 00:03:42,530 But I would say in a corporate world, It's always about reinvention. 41 00:03:42,630 --> 00:03:48,770 some of us who've had the same job for 5, 6, 7 years, same titles, same role, same responsibility. 42 00:03:49,100 --> 00:03:57,520 So it's always trying to reinvent that role on a daily basis, can I add a new skillset where the, my manager or my company is gonna value that. 43 00:03:58,120 --> 00:04:01,300 I want to value that because at some point you're going to leave the company. 44 00:04:01,300 --> 00:04:05,230 So it's about being true to yourself and always reinventing. 45 00:04:05,410 --> 00:04:12,160 So they, your skillset and how you feel about yourself is a lot stronger when you do leave that organization. 46 00:04:15,110 --> 00:04:16,790 David Shriner-Cahn: How long have you been in your own business? 47 00:04:17,450 --> 00:04:21,380 Maria Rosati: I have been in my own business for about three years. 48 00:04:21,680 --> 00:04:27,800 I took a little time, from the corporate world to decompress and evaluate my opportunities. 49 00:04:27,800 --> 00:04:32,030 And then I started my business formerly in 2019. 50 00:04:32,740 --> 00:04:35,830 David Shriner-Cahn: And were you an employee for your entire career before that? 51 00:04:36,130 --> 00:04:36,400 Yes. 52 00:04:36,850 --> 00:04:37,000 Yeah. 53 00:04:37,000 --> 00:04:43,710 It's interesting this whole concept of embracing your personal brand in particular, when you're an employee and a. 54 00:04:44,380 --> 00:04:51,540 like you many people feel constrained to be able to be proactive about embracing their personal brand. 55 00:04:51,900 --> 00:04:57,300 And, you mentioned also that at some point you're going to, you're going to leave your job. 56 00:04:57,750 --> 00:05:07,580 How did you feel all those years as an employee about embracing your individualism, stepping into who you really are, knowing that. 57 00:05:08,435 --> 00:05:13,475 The employer, employee relationship generally doesn't last forever. 58 00:05:13,895 --> 00:05:14,495 Yes. 59 00:05:14,885 --> 00:05:17,015 Maria Rosati: So yes. 60 00:05:17,045 --> 00:05:20,075 And we both can testify to that. 61 00:05:20,435 --> 00:05:27,470 But what I would say is, for years, I started my career in PR at a PR agency. 62 00:05:27,470 --> 00:05:32,750 I was taught one of the things, I guess that helped me early on was in my writing. 63 00:05:32,900 --> 00:05:35,480 there's different writing skills for different clients. 64 00:05:35,480 --> 00:05:39,020 So some of our clients want more creative, flowery writing. 65 00:05:39,080 --> 00:05:40,100 Others wanted more. 66 00:05:40,505 --> 00:05:42,215 business gets straight to it. 67 00:05:42,424 --> 00:05:45,664 And so you learn to adapt to each client. 68 00:05:45,905 --> 00:05:52,235 And that's also very, part of my personality, I'm always questioning why are things done the way they are? 69 00:05:52,235 --> 00:05:59,555 And I think that's a topic that's a whole nother topic that's relevant to COVID, we've realized a lot of our processes are broken. 70 00:05:59,605 --> 00:06:03,205 so I'm the type of person that has always said, why are we doing it this way? 71 00:06:03,205 --> 00:06:07,180 for many years it was like, Shut up, go along with everyone else. 72 00:06:07,240 --> 00:06:13,390 Just do, as you're told, my last job, I was older, I wanted to make more of an impact. 73 00:06:13,390 --> 00:06:16,750 And I felt like the role I had, I was just a cog in a wheel. 74 00:06:17,140 --> 00:06:21,530 And so I knew that I wanted something greater and I didn't feel fulfilled. 75 00:06:21,530 --> 00:06:25,160 And I knew that my company had a short shelf life. 76 00:06:25,190 --> 00:06:31,400 And so I knew it was a matter of years before a decision would be made for me or I'd make the decision. 77 00:06:31,670 --> 00:06:38,270 So with that, Started doing is, reaching out to vendors and talking to other people. 78 00:06:38,270 --> 00:06:45,620 But I also started adopting certain skills that I wanted, that I saw are where the future of communications. 79 00:06:45,920 --> 00:06:55,520 And so I wanted to learn more about, so I just built a network to help me do that so that when I came out, I knew I was very focused in what I wanted to do. 80 00:06:55,520 --> 00:06:58,230 But again, it all goes into individualism. 81 00:06:58,890 --> 00:07:02,880 Resiliency, but that's me is so I'm pushing the boundaries. 82 00:07:02,910 --> 00:07:17,040 your show is for entrepreneurs, solo foreigners, not everyone is a preneur and an entrepreneur, and there are a lot of people that want to be a cog in a wheel, or, they have financial means in a, they can't take the risk. 83 00:07:17,100 --> 00:07:21,720 but I would say probably most solopreneurs entrepreneurs have some sort of. 84 00:07:22,350 --> 00:07:24,570 Pushing the brown is resiliency. 85 00:07:24,600 --> 00:07:27,920 Individual is, already as part of their personality. 86 00:07:28,310 --> 00:07:33,890 David Shriner-Cahn: I agree with you wholeheartedly that not everyone is cut out to be an entrepreneur. 87 00:07:33,920 --> 00:07:37,970 There's some big differences between being an employee and being an entrepreneur. 88 00:07:38,550 --> 00:07:42,900 even if you're staying in the same discipline, the way you work is quite different. 89 00:07:43,410 --> 00:07:47,580 And I wonder what your thoughts are about particularly. 90 00:07:48,310 --> 00:07:56,850 If you've been an employee for a long time, how do you know whether being an entrepreneur is right for you? 91 00:07:56,850 --> 00:08:03,960 whether you'll be better off as an entrepreneur or not there, obviously there, there are risks to be in being an employee and their best to be an entrepreneur. 92 00:08:03,960 --> 00:08:08,010 But how do you know whether being an entrepreneur is right for you before you actually do. 93 00:08:08,900 --> 00:08:12,860 Maria Rosati: So here's the, medical equation that I went through. 94 00:08:12,920 --> 00:08:18,200 And hopefully this helps other people that are considering being a solopreneur entrepreneur by it. 95 00:08:18,510 --> 00:08:23,160 I am in my mid fifties and I looked around and I didn't see a lot of. 96 00:08:23,850 --> 00:08:27,150 Senior women and corporate communications. 97 00:08:27,150 --> 00:08:39,220 And so I said, I could go to a lateral role or, a little bit of a, get a promotion to more senior role, but what is my longevity in the corporate world? 98 00:08:39,280 --> 00:08:42,040 And so the risks reward for me. 99 00:08:42,490 --> 00:08:51,320 Was I rather start off slow and build a business that I can run effectively until, I have the mental acuity to stop. 100 00:08:51,320 --> 00:09:04,810 So I maybe have another 20 years left, maybe even 25 where I see most of my peers in the corporate world, maybe, making it to 60 would be a stretch. 101 00:09:04,860 --> 00:09:06,870 so that was my risk reward. 102 00:09:07,270 --> 00:09:13,060 I think it, you have to consider that I also came from my father had his own business. 103 00:09:13,060 --> 00:09:15,040 He was a optometrist. 104 00:09:15,040 --> 00:09:18,250 So I saw what it was to run your own business. 105 00:09:18,640 --> 00:09:22,300 And I think it was always something that was programmed in me. 106 00:09:22,300 --> 00:09:24,970 I just didn't know when I was going to launch it. 107 00:09:24,970 --> 00:09:27,930 And the stars aligned, I had the opportunity and I ran. 108 00:09:28,665 --> 00:09:35,535 David Shriner-Cahn: going back to what you just said about look, looking at your colleagues, particularly women in corporate communications. 109 00:09:36,225 --> 00:09:42,015 What did you see happening to those women when their past age, the age of 60? 110 00:09:42,475 --> 00:09:43,915 Maria Rosati: I didn't see any of them. 111 00:09:47,935 --> 00:09:48,295 Yes. 112 00:09:49,165 --> 00:09:50,125 They get moved down. 113 00:09:51,020 --> 00:09:57,950 the few women that were around, I saw them, the careers where we're an extension of their life. 114 00:09:57,990 --> 00:10:00,890 it was, everything they lived in brief work. 115 00:10:00,980 --> 00:10:02,690 I don't think that's a good answer. 116 00:10:03,080 --> 00:10:09,530 I tend to see also a lot of women that are the few that are around, tend not to have children. 117 00:10:09,530 --> 00:10:12,770 And so they dedicate more time to their work. 118 00:10:12,770 --> 00:10:17,090 But honestly, I just didn't see a lot of women and I. 119 00:10:17,960 --> 00:10:22,580 The pandemic has definitely made more of a change because women are the caregivers and we. 120 00:10:23,585 --> 00:10:25,685 We need more of a work-life balance. 121 00:10:25,685 --> 00:10:33,695 And that's what I don't see with senior women that are still around past age 68, there was never a work-life balance. 122 00:10:33,695 --> 00:10:39,875 and I just, in general, corporate America, there's a lot of old white man, but there's not a whole lot of old white women. 123 00:10:39,875 --> 00:10:41,265 So that's not. 124 00:10:43,015 --> 00:10:48,435 Read the chilies and said, you know what, let's just go now and start with, start on their journey ahead. 125 00:10:49,095 --> 00:10:53,355 David Shriner-Cahn: It also sounds like you have a lot of patients to build your business slowly. 126 00:10:53,725 --> 00:10:58,885 you just mentioned your plan to be doing this for 20, 25 years or maybe more. 127 00:10:59,455 --> 00:11:05,125 And what I'm hearing for you also is that you're realizing that it takes time to build a successful business. 128 00:11:05,695 --> 00:11:07,495 And it sounds like you have the patience to do it as. 129 00:11:08,205 --> 00:11:08,535 Maria Rosati: Yep. 130 00:11:08,595 --> 00:11:15,785 And, I had a roadmap coming out, I've talked to some other solo preneurs that thought they'd be profitable in year one. 131 00:11:15,785 --> 00:11:18,965 And I'm like, I don't know, business books you've read. 132 00:11:18,965 --> 00:11:26,435 But when I came out, I got a line of credit from a bank and I had to create a five-year plan, which was really good because it focused me. 133 00:11:26,435 --> 00:11:32,025 But I knew that, I was going to take a step back salary wise and year one to. 134 00:11:32,580 --> 00:11:36,360 Three and probably a year three would be breakeven and go and beyond. 135 00:11:36,840 --> 00:11:51,350 So I was fine with that again, because I see a longevity of twenty-five plus years, I mentioned my father and he didn't, he went part-time at 75 and fully retired at 78 and he's still around at 91. 136 00:11:51,740 --> 00:11:52,220 And. 137 00:11:53,105 --> 00:11:56,805 But solitary, you can play at age 91. 138 00:11:56,805 --> 00:12:00,555 And so I don't want to retirement that looks like that either. 139 00:12:00,555 --> 00:12:03,405 I'd rather work, but other people might not feel that way. 140 00:12:03,405 --> 00:12:06,195 And they'd rather take the money and maybe retire at 75. 141 00:12:06,195 --> 00:12:09,845 So it's, all in what makes you happy? 142 00:12:10,085 --> 00:12:13,445 David Shriner-Cahn: Let's talk a little bit about what actually it looks like. 143 00:12:14,350 --> 00:12:17,320 Control over your destiny, like you've done. 144 00:12:17,450 --> 00:12:18,370 How does that feel? 145 00:12:18,540 --> 00:12:23,070 especially right at the beginning, when you first opened the doors on your business, 146 00:12:23,610 --> 00:12:25,560 Maria Rosati: it feels amazing. 147 00:12:25,710 --> 00:12:35,480 And it's funny because earlier today I shared a post on LinkedIn about the annual performance review and how that process really needs to be. 148 00:12:35,930 --> 00:12:39,590 Rejiggered and that it's old and stale and broken. 149 00:12:39,620 --> 00:12:45,590 And, just thinking of that, every year, the performance review and what am I going to get for a raise? 150 00:12:45,600 --> 00:12:47,720 What's my promotion, what's my bonus. 151 00:12:48,050 --> 00:12:50,390 And it's also, I find highly biased. 152 00:12:50,450 --> 00:12:53,420 And so it's just refreshing to know that. 153 00:12:54,165 --> 00:12:55,395 I made control. 154 00:12:55,635 --> 00:13:03,835 I can run this as long as I want it also, it really changes your self worth because I'm building it. 155 00:13:04,105 --> 00:13:06,085 Clients are hiring me for me. 156 00:13:06,355 --> 00:13:11,975 So I'm sure all of your listeners, that's what people are buying is them and then their talents. 157 00:13:11,975 --> 00:13:15,255 So it's just so much more fulfilling. 158 00:13:15,795 --> 00:13:27,845 Then, just being part of a function and, just because you're part of our 5 cents and people had to use you because you were a part of the function, it's just, it's blossomed being a solopreneur. 159 00:13:28,025 --> 00:13:28,355 David Shriner-Cahn: Yeah. 160 00:13:28,415 --> 00:13:32,165 I'd love to hear a little bit about your process for. 161 00:13:32,820 --> 00:13:36,240 Being able to sell yourself, creating your personal brand and selling yourself. 162 00:13:36,270 --> 00:13:48,540 Because one of the challenges that I hear from so many people when they go out on their own is you go from this, especially if you're in a high-achieving role in corporate, you go from a place where you have this overflowing inbox, your calendar's always fill. 163 00:13:48,560 --> 00:13:50,130 They're always people who need you. 164 00:13:50,490 --> 00:13:51,780 You don't have to go out and. 165 00:13:52,410 --> 00:13:55,660 And look for, not going out and look looking for work. 166 00:13:55,690 --> 00:14:00,010 The work is always coming to you and you have this built in social structure that you're part of. 167 00:14:00,010 --> 00:14:06,520 So you always have people to talk to, especially if you're working on something where you want to bounce ideas off of other people, they're always people to talk to about it. 168 00:14:07,180 --> 00:14:07,990 Then you go out on your own. 169 00:14:08,870 --> 00:14:14,360 Initially for many people, they don't have any business at first, they're starting from scratch. 170 00:14:14,420 --> 00:14:16,700 And so their inbox is empty. 171 00:14:16,700 --> 00:14:17,840 The calendar's empty. 172 00:14:18,200 --> 00:14:21,290 They have no social structure because that's gone. 173 00:14:21,350 --> 00:14:25,220 Your quote, unquote, friends from work are ghosting you because you've left. 174 00:14:25,680 --> 00:14:27,610 they're all sorts of reasons why that happened. 175 00:14:28,245 --> 00:14:35,265 But you spend a lot of time alone and you have to get up and market and sell something that you've never sold before, which is yourself. 176 00:14:35,775 --> 00:14:37,365 And it can feel really daunting. 177 00:14:37,365 --> 00:14:45,315 And then all these hours that you spend alone make the lack of self-confidence kind of feed on itself and it gets blown out of proportion. 178 00:14:45,675 --> 00:14:50,545 And it sounds like you embraced being able to create your personal brand and sell it. 179 00:14:50,545 --> 00:14:52,685 So I'd love to hear a little bit about how you. 180 00:14:53,570 --> 00:14:53,930 Sure. 181 00:14:53,930 --> 00:15:01,100 Maria Rosati: like I had mentioned, I had been stagnated in my career for my last corporate role. 182 00:15:01,100 --> 00:15:02,420 I was there for 12 years. 183 00:15:02,420 --> 00:15:10,330 So I would say the last three, I really, wasn't personally growing and Like I said, I was already having a lot of conversations. 184 00:15:10,330 --> 00:15:14,380 So when I came out, I just continued those conversations. 185 00:15:14,830 --> 00:15:25,770 But the path that originally, I thought it was going down or who I thought my target audience was shifted after having conversations and starting to see that wasn't really a market fit. 186 00:15:26,100 --> 00:15:26,550 But yeah. 187 00:15:27,055 --> 00:15:30,625 I also realized that I'm a natural sales person. 188 00:15:30,985 --> 00:15:34,345 Then I could just talk to people and they're like, okay, tell me where to sign up. 189 00:15:34,375 --> 00:15:35,215 tell me more. 190 00:15:35,605 --> 00:15:45,165 So it came very easy to me, but I would say anyone that's considering it, start to test the waters unless you don't have that opportunity. 191 00:15:45,165 --> 00:15:46,065 And you're let go. 192 00:15:46,065 --> 00:15:52,495 And then, you got to start your business, but you say it's something that's already an idea that's inherent within you. 193 00:15:52,765 --> 00:15:55,295 You already have a network of people that buy in. 194 00:15:56,185 --> 00:15:59,835 And buy into you as a talent to represent that idea. 195 00:15:59,835 --> 00:16:03,945 So it's just tapping into that and it just keeps growing. 196 00:16:03,975 --> 00:16:10,575 David, do you have an organization to help entrepreneurs grow and keep an agile mindset? 197 00:16:10,575 --> 00:16:12,675 And I also did a lot of networking. 198 00:16:13,005 --> 00:16:21,045 I'm a part of an organization for C-suite females to build their network and to support each other as felt. 199 00:16:21,990 --> 00:16:32,320 So that's been, really grateful for me to build my business, but I'm constantly out there having conversations and, again, it goes back to that taking control. 200 00:16:32,650 --> 00:16:41,410 If you're an entrepreneur and you're waiting for people to come to you, turn the lights out and shut the door because you're not going to go anywhere. 201 00:16:41,410 --> 00:16:43,780 So it's seizing those opportunities. 202 00:16:44,665 --> 00:16:45,925 you have to be out there. 203 00:16:45,975 --> 00:16:47,105 and that's what I did. 204 00:16:47,105 --> 00:16:47,405 I was 205 00:16:47,405 --> 00:16:47,855 David Shriner-Cahn: out there. 206 00:16:48,155 --> 00:16:48,365 Yeah. 207 00:16:48,395 --> 00:16:52,235 T tell me a little bit about how you can tap into the power of a community. 208 00:16:52,235 --> 00:16:57,245 Cause you mentioned that you're part of chief, how do you tap into the power of community to test your idea? 209 00:16:58,770 --> 00:17:10,440 Maria Rosati: Like I said, as a professional network to connect C-suite women and they're all premises, as you go higher up in your career, there are less and less women in the C-suite and you don't have a natural network. 210 00:17:10,440 --> 00:17:12,540 So that's what it was originally designed for. 211 00:17:12,540 --> 00:17:14,770 But, we used to have a slack channel. 212 00:17:14,770 --> 00:17:15,790 We have an intranet. 213 00:17:16,295 --> 00:17:22,745 Their premises, you have a core meeting, they designed a forum for you and you meet with your core group once a month. 214 00:17:22,745 --> 00:17:25,055 That's facilitated by an executive coach. 215 00:17:25,415 --> 00:17:27,395 So it's just the national network. 216 00:17:27,435 --> 00:17:42,405 early on someone introduced me to lunch club, which is also an online network where you can log in your interests and they set up, we could cause for networking, but it's just it's I would say it all goes down to being curious. 217 00:17:43,405 --> 00:17:44,095 Of course. 218 00:17:44,155 --> 00:17:51,865 I also, when I work with a lot of my clients are startups or individuals where are building their personal brand and I always. 219 00:17:52,695 --> 00:17:55,635 If you don't tell people, they don't know what you're selling. 220 00:17:55,965 --> 00:17:59,715 So one of the things you have to do is tell people what you offer. 221 00:17:59,795 --> 00:18:12,565 So a lot of my clients wanted to be on board service and I'm like, you actually have an audience of people that would probably hire you, but you have not sold any of them of your desire to be on a board. 222 00:18:12,865 --> 00:18:30,965 So it all goes back to the more you tell people, I've done very little outraged, 99.9% of everything I have and all my clients has been through referrals or my networking or for something, but it's all come to me, but I had to put the effort out there. 223 00:18:30,995 --> 00:18:34,385 And the last thing I will say is that is part of their job. 224 00:18:34,385 --> 00:18:35,615 As an entrepreneur. 225 00:18:35,615 --> 00:18:37,655 I see three buckets servicing. 226 00:18:38,595 --> 00:18:48,225 Building my reputation, which is, a good example of being on the podcast and then networking to keep the pipeline refresh and fresh. 227 00:18:48,585 --> 00:18:54,615 So those are the three buckets that every entrepreneur should build their business around. 228 00:18:55,035 --> 00:18:59,355 David Shriner-Cahn: So what's the difference between having the business come to you? 229 00:18:59,355 --> 00:19:05,265 Like you just described through referrals versus selling versus talking about. 230 00:19:05,970 --> 00:19:09,930 I can, what are the different, these sounds like there are different steps in this process. 231 00:19:10,230 --> 00:19:10,620 Yeah. 232 00:19:10,620 --> 00:19:12,120 Maria Rosati: And they are distinct steps. 233 00:19:12,120 --> 00:19:15,210 They sound a little like you're asking, how did they differentiate? 234 00:19:15,210 --> 00:19:17,670 But it's being at a cocktail party. 235 00:19:17,670 --> 00:19:22,480 It's being out with friends at a dinner and there might be new people that you haven't. 236 00:19:23,120 --> 00:19:24,530 People say, what do you do? 237 00:19:24,860 --> 00:19:28,370 And then I tell them, and then I tell a little bit about the importance of it. 238 00:19:28,700 --> 00:19:31,150 And they're like, oh, what, can you help me with this? 239 00:19:31,150 --> 00:19:34,400 Or I know someone or, and so that's how it starts. 240 00:19:34,400 --> 00:19:39,790 So it's not bragging to some people, feel, and that's another thing when you have your own. 241 00:19:40,715 --> 00:19:42,005 There is no bragging. 242 00:19:42,065 --> 00:19:45,485 It's just talking about what your value proposition is. 243 00:19:45,485 --> 00:19:53,855 So what, again, the more people you tell, what you offer and the need you service, the more things come back to you. 244 00:19:54,185 --> 00:19:54,365 So 245 00:19:54,365 --> 00:19:57,455 David Shriner-Cahn: when you meet somebody new and they say, Maria, what do you do? 246 00:19:57,455 --> 00:19:57,755 What's your. 247 00:19:58,535 --> 00:20:06,515 Maria Rosati: I tell them that I build personal brands and I build brands for startups that are trying to change the world and make an impact. 248 00:20:06,905 --> 00:20:09,425 And then they usually ask me, what's the personal brands. 249 00:20:09,425 --> 00:20:13,635 And I go on about how it's about asserting your individuality and. 250 00:20:14,460 --> 00:20:23,750 Setting you apart, but the whole basis behind any find a brand and then, there's metrics on this is that it creates opportunities. 251 00:20:23,750 --> 00:20:35,360 So the more you're known commodity, the more people seek you out, either for advice or to speak or to write a book, but it's creating opportunity, right? 252 00:20:35,630 --> 00:20:39,140 David Shriner-Cahn: What are some ways that people build a personal brand that are. 253 00:20:40,115 --> 00:20:41,675 Maria Rosati: I mean doing it in the wrong way. 254 00:20:43,605 --> 00:20:48,465 some people don't go into it with a philanthropic mindset. 255 00:20:48,805 --> 00:20:56,185 there are some people that do it for wealth or fame or, for an inauthentic. 256 00:20:56,725 --> 00:20:57,295 Good. 257 00:20:57,655 --> 00:21:04,240 And I think when it's authentic and natural, People know that and they see it and they buy into it. 258 00:21:04,540 --> 00:21:09,610 And the people that are doing it more for vanity, eventually people see through that as well. 259 00:21:10,750 --> 00:21:11,050 David Shriner-Cahn: Yeah. 260 00:21:11,380 --> 00:21:16,330 What's an example of somebody who is building a personal brand in the right way, who 261 00:21:16,330 --> 00:21:20,110 Maria Rosati: is someone that's building a personal brand in the right way. 262 00:21:20,770 --> 00:21:22,090 You stumped me on that one. 263 00:21:23,440 --> 00:21:23,710 Yeah. 264 00:21:23,760 --> 00:21:26,300 I think, like I said, it's what I'm doing. 265 00:21:26,330 --> 00:21:28,270 It's, it's marketing for yourself. 266 00:21:28,270 --> 00:21:32,050 It's networking for yourself and it's servicing clients. 267 00:21:32,080 --> 00:21:40,280 one of the things I will say about building a personal brand is a lot of people say, how long till I'm famous or how long until happening. 268 00:21:41,150 --> 00:21:42,410 You can't quantify it. 269 00:21:42,440 --> 00:21:48,580 It's just like me saying my business, putting a timeline that, five years I want to quadruple my business. 270 00:21:48,610 --> 00:21:49,720 It doesn't work that way. 271 00:21:49,990 --> 00:21:50,950 It is something that. 272 00:21:51,685 --> 00:21:54,625 It's a constant on dedication. 273 00:21:54,625 --> 00:22:06,375 So I always say, ask Serena Williams, when she thought she was gonna win her first grand slam it's, as Harry styles, when he was going to get his first record deal, That famous people. 274 00:22:06,645 --> 00:22:11,535 And they were doing it for 12, 15 years before anyone even knew who they are. 275 00:22:11,865 --> 00:22:17,745 And that's the same dedication of being a solopreneur, building a personal brand, building a startup. 276 00:22:18,105 --> 00:22:19,785 It's a multi-year commitment. 277 00:22:19,785 --> 00:22:22,305 This is not something that's five years, one and 278 00:22:22,305 --> 00:22:22,635 David Shriner-Cahn: done. 279 00:22:22,915 --> 00:22:31,275 This is I always say a breakthrough is when somebody else notices what it took you hundreds or probably thousands of steps. 280 00:22:32,270 --> 00:22:32,720 Yes. 281 00:22:33,230 --> 00:22:34,370 Maria Rosati: Yes, exactly. 282 00:22:34,700 --> 00:22:35,240 That's what, I'm fun. 283 00:22:35,300 --> 00:22:36,770 Someone finally notices. 284 00:22:36,770 --> 00:22:49,470 And to that point, one of the things you ask who's done it well, and I don't have someone that comes off the top of my mind, but one thing I always say too, and this was backed by early years of PR, but it's that surround sound. 285 00:22:49,470 --> 00:22:54,770 So how do things go viral or how does someone notice, if they heard you on a podcast. 286 00:22:55,470 --> 00:23:03,450 you're just a book just came out, they read something you put on LinkedIn, but you have to be firing on a bunch of cylinders. 287 00:23:03,690 --> 00:23:05,880 And then people finally start to notice. 288 00:23:06,150 --> 00:23:07,410 And that's the aha. 289 00:23:07,860 --> 00:23:12,330 David Shriner-Cahn: Well said, Maria, is there anything else that I haven't asked you that you want to mention before we close? 290 00:23:13,065 --> 00:23:16,035 Maria Rosati: I think you've asked some really great questions. 291 00:23:16,065 --> 00:23:27,315 And the only thing I would say to the listeners is, I think now is a better time than ever for people to embrace their individuality and just get out there. 292 00:23:27,415 --> 00:23:29,695 the, where we're trying to remove all the stigma. 293 00:23:30,385 --> 00:23:37,145 this is mental health awareness month, stigmas against a lot of biases that have existed in the workplace. 294 00:23:37,205 --> 00:23:41,015 And so I just say, embrace yourself and get out there. 295 00:23:41,465 --> 00:23:46,925 David Shriner-Cahn: Sounds great, Maria, I want to thank you so much for taking the time to join us today on smashing the plateau. 296 00:23:47,225 --> 00:23:51,125 Somebody wants to go deeper with anything we've discussed today, or get in touch with you. 297 00:23:51,125 --> 00:23:52,775 Access any resources you have. 298 00:23:52,775 --> 00:23:53,315 Where's the best. 299 00:23:54,505 --> 00:23:54,895 Maria Rosati: Sure. 300 00:23:54,925 --> 00:24:07,645 So I would say the best place to find me is on LinkedIn, under Maria Rosati, or you can go to my website, eminence, E M I N E N C E N Y C dot Tom. 301 00:24:08,155 --> 00:24:13,225 Or you can email me@mrosatiateminencenyc.com. 302 00:24:13,585 --> 00:24:18,115 David Shriner-Cahn: My guest today has been the founder and CEO of eminence communications, Maria Rosati. 303 00:24:18,175 --> 00:24:20,005 Thank you so much for Maria for joining. 304 00:24:20,745 --> 00:24:22,005 Maria Rosati: Thank you again, David, 305 00:24:24,945 --> 00:24:31,605 David Shriner-Cahn: when you visit the smashing the plateau website@smashingtheplateau.com, you'll find a summary of each episode. 306 00:24:31,605 --> 00:24:40,575 Along with the links we mentioned on the show on today's episode, Maria discussed the importance of testing your idea and easy place to test. 307 00:24:40,575 --> 00:24:44,175 New ideas is in a community of supportive like-minded colleagues. 308 00:24:45,015 --> 00:24:52,215 As a member of the smashing the plateau community you'll have access to a community that is built to be a safe, caring place. 309 00:24:52,965 --> 00:25:00,195 We're inclusive, direct, active, and empowering conversations are welcome inside the smashing the plateau community. 310 00:25:00,525 --> 00:25:08,625 You'll also find a range of tools and resources to support your business, access to experts and answers to your burning questions. 311 00:25:09,135 --> 00:25:16,875 If you are committed to getting your consulting business, to grow on your own terms so that you can deliver great results to your ideal client. 312 00:25:17,635 --> 00:25:21,685 supporting the lifestyle you want and you don't want to do it alone. 313 00:25:21,685 --> 00:25:26,065 I invite you to apply to become a member of the smashing the plateau community. 314 00:25:26,605 --> 00:25:29,245 Learn more@smashingtheplateau.com. 315 00:25:29,695 --> 00:25:32,455 Thank you for taking the time to listen to our show. 316 00:25:32,815 --> 00:25:34,765 I'll see you on our next episode.