A new Department of Labor report says women make up almost 50% of the workforce today and they own 30% of the small businesses in the U.S. It goes without saying that women in business – is big business. MyCity4Her caught up with Little Pink Book Founder Cynthia Good who was one of the first to see the potential for growth in this trend of women executives, entrepreneurs and business owners. Cynthia had the following to share regarding her vision for success, the path she walked to get there and more, read on…
1. Did you ever imagine yourself achieving what you have?
I didn’t imagine that I would own and operate my own company – and that I would have been able to do this successfully for several years now! When I was a girl I remember my dad handing me the “Life” section when I asked to see the newspaper. At that moment it became clear that he didn’t see me, or women in general, as having the chance, or the skill set to be a successful business owner or leader. He just didn’t many women in those roles in his life so I’m not sure he realized it was possible. Also, like so many women, I ran up against that ‘double glass ceiling.’ You know – the one in the business world (women still hold only about 17% of top jobs), and the one in our own minds. I learned that if you believe it – you can achieve it. The hugely successful women leaders we interview and feature every day prove dreams are achievable – and luckily I’ve been able to prove it in my own work and life as well.
2. What in hindsight would you say you underestimated about your industry or business and why?
Earlier in my career, as a TV news anchor and reporter, I underestimated the power and importance of relationships. I wish I had done more to get to know my boss on a personal level. He would have really liked me which would have led to more opportunities at the station – probably even more pay – plus it would have made the job more fun for all of us! So much of business success comes down to having great relationships. It really is eye-opening.
3. What is the best business related advice you have ever been given?
The best business advice of all is to have the courage to do what you love. Everything follows from that. It applies to your work and career – but more importantly to the quality of life – for you and everyone you touch. Aside from that – eliminate the four letter “C” word (as in “can’t”). Remember there’s no such thing as “no” – and if you don’t succeed, try, try again. That along with determination and optimism are traits common in all the women leaders we talk to.
4. What do you love most about what you do and why?
Most of all I honestly love the team I work with at Little PINK Book – this is a group of smart, dedicated women who join me in our mission and commitment to make the world better for all working women. I love that together we are making a difference. I love that we are doing our best to walk the walk – to work in a way that feeds our soul and allows us to fully express our individual gifts with the world. I am so proud of my team.
5. What if you knew then what you know now – would you do differently and why?
In some sense naïveté is a good thing. I’m not sure I could have imagined the switch from journalism to running my own business would be this challenging. One thing I would have done differently would be to get clearer about my overall priorities when I launched my company. Like too many women, I put myself last on my own ‘to-do’ list. And for a while I became too consumed with the business – 24/7. You simply can’t work that hard for that long without paying the price – usually it is your health and your relationships with those who are most important that suffer. It’s not worth it. It is so important that your priorities dictate your activities – not the other way around.
6. When you’re not working how do you like to spend your time?
When I’m not working – I like to dance, jazz. I also enjoy playing with my fabulous husband, mentor and soul mate of more than 21 years – and our teenage boys. Alden (18) just got into college and our other son, Julien (16) is learning to drive. Also, I enjoy spending time with our animals… we have mother/daughter miniature horses and four chickens – two of them are babies and I’m kind of obsessed with them. (One likes to jump right up on my shoulder) And of course we have fresh eggs – though we live in the city of Atlanta~
7. How do you define success?
To me success has little to do with pay, power and position – though there is nothing wrong with that! To me, success is measured by joy – and by the number of sunsets you get to see with those you love.
8. If you had to share one final thought with our audience of thousands of women in business – what would it be?
What the world needs is our aliveness. Everything stems from that. If you feel alive and able to share your true self and shine, because you’re doing what you love, your career and everyone you connect with will benefit!
About Cynthia Good
Good has grown Little Pink Book into a National phenonomenon. Little PINK Book was created by entrepreneur Cynthia so working women all over the nation would have one-central location to go to in order to find tips, networking tools and other business-related information.
Passionate about giving back, Good has served on numerous nonprofit boards including Childkind, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and the Girl Scouts. PINK also has a nonprofit component to every event. To date, the company has raised more than $75,000 for charities supporting women and girls.
A self-described “famillionaire,” she lives in Atlanta with her husband, Joey Reiman, their children Alden and Julien, two miniature horses and a small flock of backyard, egg-laying chickens.