WiBN:  What is the one thing that you want our readers to know about Advanced Business Image & Etiquette?

ABI, advanced business image & etiquette is still new, and the owner and director – Me – is still learning.  The owner and director – Leah Hawthorn – loves running this business. 

Leah:

WiBN: What advise do you give women who want to start their own successful businesses?

Leah:

Network, network, network – and then network some more.  Help others the way you want to be helped.  Focus on the other person and listen to what they have to say.  And then, network, network, network some more!

WiBN:  What are some of your personal skills that have helped you become who you are today?

Leah:

I’ve always liked helping others, and enjoying doing that is a skill that is a must as a Trainer of Protocol, Business Etiquette and Business Image.  Being on stage is a pretty scary thing, so I would have to say that being a singer in my earlier life has helped me with taking that stage presence and fear away. 

WiBN:  At any time during your life have you had a mentor?

Leah:

I have had several mentors throughout my lifetime, which have attributed to who I am today.  Unfortunately, two special women that were key in making me who I am, have passed away, but the man that taught me that integrity is everything is still alive, and that’s my dad.  He taught me to be a woman of my word. 

Since I have been networking and forming relationships, there are so many mentors, and friends, that have entered my life.  They each are mentors in a different way, and they know who they are:  One for the mind, one for the soul, one to make me laugh, one to make me smile,  and one to keep me grounded and down to earth.

WiBN:  What has been the greatest benefit of founding Advanced Business Image & Etiquette?

Leah:

Helping others better themselves, making friends and knowing that I can earn a living on my own.  Working 16 hours a day to make sure I don’t work 8 hours a day for someone else might seem crazy, but it’s my business and no one but me can take it away from me.

WiBN:  How can, or how does, networking benefit women in business?

Leah:

Networking is the key to success.  Networking is everything! Eighty-five percent of the reason you get a job, keep a job and move up in a job is because of your social skills.  Networking puts those skills out front.  Women want to help women become successful.  By networking, you can find out so much about someone else in business and what their needs are, and they, in return, will be doing the same for you.

WiBN:  When starting Advanced Business Image & Etiquette? , what was most challenging?

Leah: 

Being patient!  A business like, ABI, advanced business image & etiquette, doesn’t happen overnight.  Businesses need to trust you and trust that you are an expert in your field and the best person for the job.  It takes someone giving you that first shot, and then it takes off because then the buzz starts.

Jeanne Porter, founder of WiBN, gave me my first big break by asking me to present at the 2009 Leadership Conference.  Again, women helping women.  By doing this, she gave me my start. 

Getting that recognition and trust was the most challenging.  Once that came, so did the referrals.

WiBN:  Can you think of any mistakes that you have made that you wouldn’t make again?

Leah:

I would research the way my website is put together.  Never be held hostage.  I would have more patience, and slow down. 

WiBN:  Are there any fears that you have had to overcome?