Latest / Networking Unleashed: Building Profitable Connections / Networking Unleashed: S1E58 An Interview with Beverly Cornelll and Michael A Forman, Public Speaker

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Networking Unleashed: S1E58 An Interview with Beverly Cornelll and Michael A Forman, Public Speaker · Networking Unleashed: Building Profitable Connections

0:17
Okay, welcome back to Networking Unleashed, Building
0:21
Profitable Connections. I'm your host, Michael
0:24
Foreman, speaker, strategist, and champion for
0:27
those who build brands with heart and purpose.
0:30
Today's guest is someone who doesn't just help
0:33
entrepreneurs build a brand. She helps them uncover
0:37
it. Her message is powerful. Stop searching outside
0:41
of yourself. The clarity, purpose, and passion
0:44
you're chasing. It's already within you. We'll
0:49
talk about her signature iridescent slipper method,
0:52
how to bring your brand to life authentically,
0:55
and what it really takes to balance business
0:58
and family as a mompreneur. If you've ever felt
1:02
like you're losing your voice, your vision, or
1:06
your spark, this episode is a reminder that your
1:10
greatest brand asset is your true self. Beverly,
1:16
welcome to the podcast. I'm so glad to have you
1:19
on. Tell me a little bit about your Oh, Michael,
1:24
thank you so much. What a nice introduction.
1:26
I appreciate it. It's always out of body when
1:28
someone introduces you for some reason. I'm not
1:30
sure why, but it is. My name is Beverly Cornell,
1:33
and I am the founder of a company called Wickedly
1:36
Branded. We are a boutique branding and digital
1:39
marketing agency where we help solopreneurs step
1:42
out of the tornado of marketing, overwhelm, and
1:46
chaos to awaken your brand magic and boldly bring
1:49
it to life. 30 years in marketing. I've worked
1:56
with hundreds of service -based entrepreneurs
1:58
to help them simplify their message, attract
2:01
their dream clients, and step in front of their
2:04
brand. I'm also lovingly known as the fairy godmother
2:08
of brand clarity because I really do believe
2:10
that brand magic isn't just about a strategy.
2:13
It's about embracing your purpose, skill set,
2:16
systems, and truly step into your business with
2:19
confidence. Wow. Outstanding. You have me sold.
2:24
Okay. All right. So let's delve right into the
2:27
questions. Let's start with your journey. How
2:30
did you discover that the real magic of brand
2:34
starts from within rather than outside trends
2:38
or tactics? Oh, well, I never intended to be
2:44
an entrepreneur, Michael. Had a very successful
2:47
career in marketing and I worked myself up the
2:50
corporate ladder to like the VP level. I worked
2:52
for Chrysler's advertising agency. I worked for
2:55
tech startups, mom and pops. But when I married
2:58
my active duty army husband in 2012, my career
3:02
didn't really fit the mobile life that we had
3:05
ahead of us. Remote work wasn't really a thing
3:08
then. So I started freelancing and consulting
3:12
and thinking it probably would be temporary until
3:14
we got settled or whatever. But before I knew
3:16
it, I had a legitimately full blown business.
3:20
And I realized that I had everything that I needed
3:22
to build something really special. But I was
3:25
really overwhelmed. I was stressed out and completely
3:29
burned out. And I remember it was like a Tuesday
3:30
evening and my family was all asleep. And there
3:33
I was burning the midnight oil. thinking, is
3:36
this what being a business owner is all about?
3:39
And what I had to do was take some time away
3:43
from my business. I actually lost a couple key
3:45
clients, which really stung, but it was exactly
3:48
what needed to happen. Sometimes those moments
3:51
of being unsuccessful for whatever reason it
3:55
is, kicks you in the pants and you realize, okay,
3:58
this is not okay. We should not be living. Because
4:00
I really loved those clients and I gave them
4:03
everything. But what I learned along the way
4:06
was that I wasn't very clear. And I realized
4:10
that clarity isn't something that you find. It's
4:13
something that you have to create. That is when
4:17
everything shifted for me. And that is when I
4:19
created the method. that you talked about. I
4:23
actually have changed the name of it, Michael.
4:24
It's the brand magic method instead of the iridescent
4:27
slipper. But I will talk about the slippers in
4:29
a second, which helps entrepreneurs who feel
4:32
like they're overwhelmed and stressed out like
4:34
I did, step out of the chaos and into their brand
4:38
with clarity, confidence, and momentum. And it
4:41
changed everything for me and it changes everything
4:44
for my clients. It's true that the more clear
4:48
you are, for your clients, the better they'll
4:52
understand how you can help them. And if they
4:56
understand that you can help them in such a way,
4:59
that's what they've been looking for. So by you
5:02
articulating that and by you focusing in on how
5:06
you can help them, then they really appreciate
5:08
it. I use this analogy all the time about, and
5:12
I say the tornado of overwhelm, it's very much
5:14
the Wizard of Oz. When you're in the tornado,
5:16
you can't see where you're going or what you're
5:19
doing or anything. You're just trying to like
5:21
manage. Like even trying to get your perspective,
5:24
right? Because you're just spinning in this chaos
5:26
of work. And so many entrepreneurs spin in this
5:28
chaos of work. They have to do financials. They
5:31
have to do marketing. They have to do the HR
5:33
stuff. They have to do the systems. They have
5:34
to do the processes. It's so much spinning around
5:38
that it's hard to get your bearings. Some people
5:42
say you're in the weeds as opposed to see the
5:43
forest for the trees, all the kind of things.
5:46
But what ultimately I realized is that no magical
5:49
man behind the curtain was going to fix anything.
5:52
And my daily work was full of the flying monkeys
5:56
of distractions every day. And what I had to
6:01
do was really lean into my heart and my brains
6:04
and my courage to fully step into my version
6:08
of the ruby red slippers, which is the iridescent
6:10
slippers. I actually literally have like sparkly
6:13
shoes that I wear. But it's like when I did that,
6:17
when I did that, when I got clear and when I
6:19
really became intentional and I step into those
6:22
shoes, it is it's changed everything for me.
6:26
No more chaos. Easy yes and nos. Yes and nos.
6:30
Very clear focus and simplified systems and processes
6:34
and marketing. And that for me was the moment
6:38
where I almost gave up my business because I
6:42
was like, I can't do this to. I love like I would
6:45
be up at 3 a .m., Michael, totally stressed out
6:48
about something I had to do to the moment of
6:50
3 a .m. where I can't wait to go do the thing
6:52
I want to do. Absolutely. That just means that
6:56
you listen, you look from to within before you
7:00
can get that sense of happiness. But once you
7:04
have found it and you found the passion to do
7:07
what you do, then you look forward to getting
7:10
up in the morning and doing the work. Yes. But
7:13
because you're so passionate, it's not work for
7:15
you. And that's really, I think, the main difference.
7:18
And I get to hang out with some really cool clients,
7:20
like people who are genuine rock stars in the
7:23
world of serving others. And just walking beside
7:26
them is an honor, to be honest. And networking
7:29
is having a servant's heart. Okay. You're always
7:33
looking to. Always looking to give rather than
7:37
receive. Yes. Now I'm going to use the iridescent
7:41
slipper. Okay. Tell us about the iridescent slipper
7:44
method. What is it and how does it help entrepreneurs
7:48
step in their true brand identity? So I mentioned
7:51
it, right? So we are all this tornado. We always
7:54
get these distractions. We're always looking
7:56
for that extra certification, the extra class
7:58
to somehow validate our experience and who we
8:01
are and all those things that man behind the
8:03
curtain, right? But what I really discerned from
8:07
all of that was just like Dorothy did, she always
8:10
had the power inside of her to get home. she
8:14
didn't need anybody else to help her she didn't
8:16
need this even the slippers really to help her
8:18
get home but what was it was inside of her was
8:20
her heart the things so the people who went with
8:24
her on that journey so the scarecrow had a lot
8:26
of heart what why did you get into business who
8:30
do you really want to help and how do you help
8:33
them what is your unique background that means
8:37
That doesn't just mean I have a master's in communication
8:39
and I worked for Chrysler and whatever. That
8:41
doesn't mean that does is important, but it means
8:44
I come from. A lot of trauma, to be honest. I
8:50
come from a lot of life experience. I've moved
8:53
28 times in my life. I have lived in foreign
8:56
countries. I have been in places that are really
8:59
uncomfortable. I have stepped outside of my comfort
9:01
zone so many times. And because of all of that
9:05
makes me uniquely me, I have experiences and
9:09
wisdom no one else has. And there are people
9:12
in the world that are looking for me to show
9:15
up as me. to guide them on their journey. And
9:20
that is when I think that's the moment where
9:22
I realized, okay, my heart, my passion, who I
9:24
am, how I got here, my level of empathy, my servant's
9:27
heart, all the things that have informed who
9:30
I am. My dad was a teacher. My mom was a nurse.
9:33
My husband's in the military. Talk about serving.
9:35
That's all we do is serve. I'm also a Stevens
9:38
minister. And so that's all about serving as
9:41
well. So you look at what makes me uniquely me.
9:46
I'm a mom. I'm a stepmom. I'm a foster mom. I'm
9:49
an adopted mom. I'm even a dog mom. But that
9:55
between that military life and all the kinds
9:57
of things that I've been through, I've been adopted.
9:59
I found my biological father. There's so many
10:02
things in my life that have really helped me
10:05
trust myself. Intentionally live with people
10:10
I love as opposed to people who are just blood
10:13
or just brought to you. Intentionality has been
10:16
the thing I've learned through my life. When
10:18
you move every three years, you have to intentionally
10:20
go make friends. You have to get outside your
10:24
comfort zone on a regular basis. All of those
10:28
things have helped me create my heart and my
10:30
unique perspective. the skill set and the system.
10:33
So the skill set is obviously the education I've
10:36
had, the jobs that I've had, the work I've done,
10:39
the 30, almost 30 plus years of experience in
10:41
marketing. And that's been a little scary too,
10:43
because like literally when I went to school,
10:46
we didn't have the internet. Like that was just
10:50
like starting things. So I've learned a lot by
10:53
doing as well, but that skill set leaning into
10:57
that, like having all that experience, your unique
10:59
experience. helps inform you to have a unique
11:02
perspective and don't feel like you have to be
11:04
someone else and their experience because your
11:07
journey has gotten you to where you are and you're
11:11
successful. By all definitions, you're successfully
11:14
doing the thing. So you're successful. But then
11:17
the systems, I am a systems queen. I love a good
11:20
checklist. I love a good project management system.
11:23
I have a very scalable system. I have videos
11:27
on how to do things, SOPs, standard operating
11:31
procedures. That's easy for me to say. And I
11:35
love systems and training so that I can not have
11:39
to do everything myself. I can literally clone
11:42
myself with my team and encourage them and mentor
11:46
them to grow as well. And then the last thing
11:49
is the courage part, that courage part. So you
11:51
have your heart from the tin man, the brains
11:54
from the scarecrow and the courage. And the thing
11:57
about the lion that's always got me was that
11:59
he was the one that was the most courageous the
12:01
whole time. He was the one that was ready to
12:04
fight anybody who needed to. And he was the one
12:06
that, but he always was seeking this courage
12:08
outside of himself. And that, I think, So many,
12:12
I know so many of our clients and so many entrepreneurs
12:14
I've talked to has been the thing. They're afraid
12:17
to show up in front of their brand. They don't
12:20
know what to say. They don't have a good elevator.
12:23
pitch. They don't have a good one -liner. They
12:25
don't know how to serve. They don't know what
12:28
to say to let people know this is who I'm looking
12:31
for to meet. They don't know. In my first sentence,
12:35
Michael, I said I help solopreneurs, service
12:37
-based businesses who are purpose -driven, who
12:41
feel like they're stuck in this chaos, right?
12:43
So immediately you have an idea of who I serve.
12:46
But I didn't say I help business people who are,
12:50
like, I didn't say it that way. I said it with
12:53
a little bit more creativity, a little bit more
12:55
connection. I want to empower people to talk
12:58
about things the way that actually would talk
13:00
about them to a friend over coffee. And so I
13:04
think that creating these systems and this process
13:07
and all of this helps them step more visible
13:10
in front of their brand. I used to think, and
13:12
I know I'm not alone. I used to think that if
13:15
I just did the work, it would speak for itself.
13:18
Yeah. People will just talk about it. They'll
13:22
just go and talk about it. Sure. But if you don't
13:25
give them the tools to talk about or ask or all
13:28
those things, they're not going to necessarily
13:29
talk about you. If you don't really tell them
13:32
who you serve, if you don't really ask for the
13:35
review or the social media, the social proof,
13:37
if you don't ask for the testimonial, I'm all
13:40
about intentionality. So I'll actually write
13:42
the testimonial for them, send them a link to
13:44
my Google page. I make it as easy as possible
13:48
for people to talk about me and help me. So I
13:51
think when you step in front of the brand, when
13:53
you really own it, everything will change for
13:57
you too. That is just so that all those things
13:59
can have to be in place. And then you really
14:02
can step out and have the courage and the confidence
14:04
to be more visible. You even talked about it
14:07
today a little bit. Like you have, before we
14:09
got on this recording, you have to practice,
14:11
you have to stumble, you have to figure it out
14:13
and have it leave your mouth a couple of times
14:15
and all the things. Everybody started there.
14:19
You don't have to be perfect. I have a sticky
14:22
note on my computer that says, I am the permission.
14:24
Meaning I give myself permission to have progress
14:28
over perfection. I give myself permission to
14:32
maybe make a mistake, but that's tuition. I give
14:36
myself permission and we're all doing that. We're
14:39
all figuring it out. That is the most human part
14:43
of all of this is there's no... The only measurement
14:47
I have for myself now is how have I grown? Where
14:50
have I gotten to? And that's the only one that
14:53
matters. If I've developed, if I've grown, if
14:56
I've gotten better at what I do, then I know
14:59
I'm in the right spot doing the thing that I
15:01
love to do. And at the end of the day, if I'm
15:03
helping my clients and I see their transformations
15:05
and I actually see them in tears and crying and
15:09
saying, oh my gosh, this changed my life, this
15:11
changed my business, then I know that's exactly.
15:15
where I'm supposed to be. And that gives me loads
15:18
of confidence to step in front of my brand. Although
15:22
you're focused, you're intentional, and really
15:26
the entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, mompreneurs
15:29
all have to have that in mind for them to go
15:33
ahead. So that's very good. So let's get to a
15:36
little bit of the hustle part. So many people
15:39
chase clarity through hustle. Yeah. How can someone
15:44
slow down and actually listen to what their brand
15:48
is trying to say? I think you have, I know what
15:54
you have to do is you have to listen to your
15:56
clients and what they say about you. Absolutely.
16:00
We've done an exercise where we took all the
16:02
things that people have said, whether it's emails
16:03
or testimonials or whatever, and we've thrown
16:05
them through chat GPT and asked it to tell us
16:09
what we do really well. Because sometimes, again,
16:13
you're in the chaos and you're in the weeds and
16:15
you're not able to really get there. So here's
16:17
a great tip. Take your testimonials, take that
16:20
feedback you've been given and throw it into
16:22
ChatGP and say, what do we really do well? And
16:26
then use those words. Use your client's words.
16:28
Use those words to talk about what you do. I
16:31
really don't think the hustle is like some contrived
16:35
thing from the internet or whatever of what you
16:39
should do. And before you know it, if you're
16:42
doing all the things that your competitor is
16:43
doing because you're seeing this and that and
16:45
everything, before you know it, Michael, you
16:47
are shitting all over yourself and you have no
16:49
time for the things you're supposed to be doing.
16:51
So you have to be really careful about the flying
16:54
monkeys and distractions of the hustle and shitting
16:57
all over yourself because before you know it,
17:00
My business wasn't even my business anymore because
17:02
I was hustling so hard. It was my client's business
17:05
because I said yes to everything. I said yes
17:07
to everyone. And I wasn't supposed to do that.
17:11
That's one of the reasons why the clients left
17:12
was I wasn't supposed, they should never have
17:16
been clients in the first place probably. I should
17:17
have said no far sooner than I did. And had I
17:22
done that for myself, I would have known that
17:25
you cannot drag people across the finish line.
17:28
Like I now know the kind of people that I want
17:31
to work with that we can be great partners and
17:33
I can help them move the needle. But there are
17:36
some people who just don't. want to do the thing
17:39
you need them to do because it's uncomfortable
17:41
or it's out, it's something they haven't never
17:44
done before or whatever. So that's why like bold
17:47
people are my favorites, purpose -driven people,
17:50
because they want to make a change in the world.
17:52
They want to make a difference. And I guess something
17:54
you talked about too, you serve the purpose -driven
17:57
heart of people. And that is so important, but
18:01
the hustle, it's a mirage. The hustle. I'm really
18:06
intentional about how I chunk and stack my time,
18:09
how I do my work, the systems and processes and
18:12
how I train. It doesn't have to be a hustle.
18:16
I still work really hard. Don't get me wrong.
18:18
I love the work and I dig in and all the things,
18:20
but I do more of the things that drive me and
18:23
less of the things that drain me now. I've either
18:26
offloaded it or I've automated it or I'm in a
18:30
process of getting somebody to do the thing,
18:32
whatever it is. I lean into the things that drive
18:36
me and make that time intentional on my, my,
18:39
my camera does that. It's like automatic that
18:43
I do the things that are intentional that I know
18:46
that I need to do and not the distractions and
18:49
not the hustle kind of culture that may work
18:53
for some people that does not work for me. I,
18:56
when I was a business owner outside of a solopreneur,
18:59
when I had. a foundational store, pizzerias,
19:04
restaurants, things like that. I realized that
19:07
if I did the things I enjoyed, that's great.
19:10
But the things that I don't enjoy, let me form
19:12
out to somebody else. Let them do the hard work
19:15
or the work that I don't enjoy. And let me go
19:18
on and create the business that I do enjoy doing.
19:21
So I think that really much. So, okay. So let
19:25
me just change a little bit as a mompreneur.
19:29
Okay. How do you stay grounded in your vision
19:32
while juggling the very real demands of business
19:35
and family? So I created my business in the messy
19:40
middle of life, Michael. I remember my, there's
19:44
no parental leave for an entrepreneur. So I remember
19:48
having my son, he was two days old and I was
19:52
on calls with him. And I, that's just who I am.
19:55
Now, most of my clients are women. Most of them
19:58
are moms. So they totally got it and understood
20:01
it. And there was also times where like Zeke,
20:05
my son never slept. Like he, sleep was a magical
20:08
thing for him. It just was not, it was very elusive.
20:11
He didn't sleep very often. And I remember my
20:14
husband's deployed and I am the only one that
20:17
can get up in the middle of the night and all
20:18
the things. So I literally slept around his schedule
20:21
and when he was awake or whatever, or asleep,
20:25
I would be working. So I worked at 2 a .m., I
20:28
worked at 11 a .m., I worked at 1 p .m., I worked
20:31
at 6 p .m., whatever worked for his schedule.
20:34
And that's the thing that I have found is you
20:37
can create the exact business for you that fits
20:42
your life if you are intentional and clear about
20:46
what that looks like. And that was really what
20:49
happened. I just said, you know what, if they
20:50
don't like it, that seeks on my call while I'm
20:52
feeding him or whatever, then you know what,
20:55
they're not probably the best client for me.
20:57
Because they aren't in that mindset. If they're
21:01
not understanding that I won't answer till two
21:04
o 'clock in the morning, because I have a kid
21:05
who won't sleep, then they're probably not the
21:08
client for me. But I was really honest about,
21:10
hey, I'm entering this next phase of my life.
21:12
This is what it's going to look like. It doesn't
21:15
mean that I don't care or I won't be here. I
21:16
just might be at different times and different
21:19
places and different things. And now that my
21:21
kids are older, my oldest is 19 in college and
21:25
my youngest is going to be 10 next month. I'm
21:28
actually more protective of my evening time and
21:30
my weekend time. So I'm like, hey, I don't want
21:32
any. And I am intentional. I don't want any meetings
21:34
after 3 .30. So I can wrap up and I can get dinner
21:37
on the table and I can do the things that I want
21:39
to do. So I think. Even more, and this is what
21:43
makes moms awesome, is you have to, when you're
21:46
really busy, you have to be so intentional with
21:49
how you plan your day, how you protect your day,
21:52
and what you do. And time is the one thing we
21:56
cannot get back or buy back or anything. So being
21:59
really intentional with your time and focus.
22:02
I have on my calendar, like nothing after 3 .30.
22:05
Like honestly, that doesn't happen. I have on
22:07
my calendar when I want to go take a walk. I
22:09
have on my calendar. On Fridays, I typically
22:11
don't have meetings because that's when I schedule
22:13
my son's appointments or things like that. Like
22:15
I live my life the way that I want to live my
22:20
life. And I'm also in a season right now where
22:22
my husband is deployed. So my husband or my son
22:24
needs me more because he's deployed. It's just
22:27
the way kids are. They need you more. So I have
22:29
had to adjust around this military life thing
22:33
is no joke. And I have to constantly adjust when
22:37
my husband comes home, when my husband leaves,
22:38
what is that going to look like, how much I have
22:40
to show up for my children versus having my husband
22:42
here who can take on some of those responsibilities.
22:45
But I think the thing that I know the thing that
22:48
has made help keep me sane is this intentionality
22:52
and the idea of being really clear about where
22:56
my time is best spent and not saying yes to everyone
23:00
and everything. Because when you do the things
23:02
that you're not really good at. Like you're like,
23:04
okay, I can do that thing. Like, for example,
23:06
Google ads. I do marketing, but I don't do Google
23:10
ads. I can help with some of the copy maybe and
23:12
things like that. But the back behind the scenes
23:15
is a little bit mad scientist -y. And I have
23:19
a person who I refer to for that because they
23:22
do it really well and they're in it all the time.
23:24
And those algorithms are changing and tweaking.
23:26
And she literally is a mad scientist. And I love
23:29
that about her. That's not me. My thing. is branding
23:33
and digital development. So your website, your
23:36
messaging, how it plays out into the world. That's
23:39
the thing that I do really well. And so I now
23:42
have a real right and left limit of nope, yes,
23:44
nope, yes. And that goes for people who are gonna
23:47
be on my team. That goes for the kind of clients
23:49
I wanna work with. That goes for the kind of
23:51
work I wanna do. That goes for the partnerships
23:53
I wanna make. I know very clearly, yes or no,
23:56
that that's gonna work for me. So intentionality
23:58
and clarity. I'm going to say clarity probably
24:00
the whole conversation, Michael. I have two things
24:05
to say about everything you just said. One, when
24:08
I was deployed, I saw it from the other side.
24:12
Yeah. And my wife had to handle everything. When,
24:15
first of all, my son, who is now 33 years old.
24:19
Okay. Didn't sleep through the night until he
24:22
was three years old. So that was three years
24:26
of not sleeping. We actually, it was a tag team.
24:29
You sleep one night, I'll sleep the next night.
24:31
Yep. That was that. But enough about me. Let
24:34
me go on to the next question. Before you go,
24:36
though, thank you for your service and thank
24:37
your wife and your son for their service because
24:39
it is very much a mutual thing. You thank your
24:43
husband very much for his service. I will. Because
24:46
from one vet to another, it's a lot. It is a
24:49
lot, for sure. My husband would tell you, thank
24:51
you for your taxes because that pays us back.
24:52
Okay, so. What advice do you have for someone
24:57
who's struggling to stand out in a crowded space
25:01
yet doesn't want to lose their authenticity trying
25:05
to fit in? I would say do a BrandSpark interview
25:11
with us. But in reality, really to help you,
25:17
on our website at wickedlybranded .com, there
25:20
is a brand clarity quiz. And it takes about three
25:23
minutes. And it lets you know where your weak
25:25
spots are. And it also gives you a few insights
25:28
and tips on how to overcome some of those things
25:32
that you might be struggling with. So that's
25:34
a free tool. There's lots of free tools in our
25:35
marketing, on our resources tab, on wickedlybranded
25:37
.com, including a podcast, which you've been
25:39
on. But I guess the biggest thing is to really
25:43
lean into what makes you uniquely you. And don't
25:48
compromise on that. What I was afraid of before,
25:52
before I was clear on my mission and how I wanted
25:55
to serve and the transformation that we offered,
25:57
I was afraid to share some really vulnerable
26:02
things. But now that I know how I can help people
26:08
with those things, I've been able to share more.
26:12
For example, a couple weeks ago, I was at a soccer
26:15
game with my child, and some parents were really
26:18
rude. Really rude. And it's very disappointing.
26:22
Even their coach was really rude. You could tell
26:24
that is where it's coming from. And one of the
26:27
children pushed my son. Not just in a soccer
26:31
or whatever, but like legitimately just pushed
26:33
him when the play stopped. And the ref saw it
26:36
and all of a sudden, but my son did not respond.
26:39
And that's something we've taught him. The way
26:41
you win is you get a goal, not by pushing. So
26:44
let them do that nonsense. As soon as you get
26:47
the ball back, score. That's what you do. Really
26:50
channel your energy into that thing. And I feel
26:54
like that experience showed, really talked a
27:01
lot about how we parent and the kind of people
27:02
we are. And I shared the story on LinkedIn talking
27:06
about that because to me, I've never been prouder
27:09
of my child. Not because he shouldn't fight for
27:12
who he is and all those things. Like he knows
27:14
that there's certain times where you might have
27:15
to push back. But in the sense of I'm just going
27:18
to channel this in a really positive way and
27:21
I'm going to win the way you're supposed to win.
27:25
And that story says a lot about who I am. As
27:29
a leader, as a boss, as a partner of how I want
27:34
to win. I want to win the right way. I don't
27:36
want to win because we pushed or whatever. I
27:38
want to win because we worked freaking hard and
27:40
we did the thing we were supposed to do. And
27:42
so I've used those stories. I get really personal
27:46
about some of those stories because that is the
27:48
essence. Those are all examples of how I show
27:51
up in the world. And I even, so I'm Catholic
27:56
and Pope Francis died on Monday. We're recording
27:59
this the week of April 21st. So for those that
28:01
are, for those listeners that are probably seeing
28:04
this in a month or whenever you actually publish
28:06
the episode. I'm Catholic, and I don't really
28:09
talk about being Catholic or even much about
28:11
my religion often, except for that I am a Stevens
28:14
minister. And really, the Stevens ministry is
28:17
all about helping others, and so they don't feel
28:18
like they're alone is really what it's about.
28:20
So if the pastor is too full, is too busy, we
28:24
can go and sit with them as they grieve or as
28:27
they struggle with cancer or whatever it is,
28:29
but just knowing they're not alone. And that's
28:32
how I feel about business owners. You don't have
28:34
to do this alone. Like you can do this with other
28:38
people. So when Pope Francis passed away, I said,
28:41
I'm going to talk about him because I feel like
28:43
he's the kind of leader. I actually converted
28:46
to Catholicism in 2015. He became Pope in 2013.
28:50
He was a major reason why I converted because
28:53
I wanted to lead my life the way he led, serving
28:57
others. putting others first, even some of the
29:00
disadvantaged people. My entire team is all across
29:04
the world. And one of the reasons that I do that
29:06
is because if I can empower them to start a business
29:09
in a third world country, they can change their
29:12
family's trajectory. They can influence their
29:15
community's trajectory. One of the requirements
29:18
I have is they have to do a community project
29:20
every quarter, meaning they have to give away
29:22
marketing services to a business every quarter
29:26
so that They're building their community. So
29:30
I do this very intentionally. Again, intentionality
29:33
is huge. So I feel like that's the thing. When
29:36
you're talking about being unique, I'm not talking
29:39
about, oh, we all do websites because every branding
29:41
and marketer does websites. I'm talking about
29:43
how I lead, my focus, what I do, how we build,
29:47
and the kind of person I am. That's what makes
29:50
me unique and how indifferent. So I really challenge
29:54
people who are listening today to look at, the
29:58
things that are important to you the people who
30:01
have impacted you the experiences that have changed
30:04
you and how can that relate to what you do I'm
30:09
sure Michael there's a story about and I think
30:11
even on the podcast I asked you like your origin
30:13
story and like one of the testimonials of people
30:16
who you've affected and looking and leaning into
30:19
your story of how you developed your origin story,
30:22
but also all the little stories along the way
30:25
and how it plays into your journey as a person
30:28
and as an entrepreneur. Very good. Very good.
30:33
There are so many points that I wanted to comment
30:36
on, but I didn't want to stop you. So I'm just
30:38
going to leave it alone as it is. You help people
30:41
find their brand voice. What role does networking
30:45
play in that process? especially when building
30:49
it from the inside out. I'm going to go back
30:52
to intentionality and clarity. When I have done
30:56
networking that's been really successful, it
30:59
always starts from this idea of serving others.
31:02
How can I serve the networking group? How can
31:05
I volunteer? How can I get involved? And I know
31:09
like even here at Fort Bragg in North Carolina,
31:12
the Fayetteville Chamber. that I'm a member of,
31:15
if my community that I live in is successful,
31:19
then my business will probably be successful.
31:22
So by supporting the community itself, you are
31:26
essentially supporting yourself. Now, I have
31:28
no expectations of anything in return. However,
31:32
I do know there'll probably be some unexpected
31:34
opportunities that will come my way based on
31:37
who I meet, how I help, and how I just show up
31:41
for. the organization. So I went, recently I
31:45
went to a Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce event
31:47
and I was talking to the president of the chamber
31:51
who I'd never met before. And I was introduced
31:54
to him by the person who does a lot of the community
31:56
outreach. And she had asked me to write a couple
31:59
articles for their magazine on business for them.
32:03
And I just finished, wrapped up an article on
32:05
internships and the power of them. And we do
32:07
them a lot at Wickedly Branded. So I had a whole
32:09
different perspective. Anyway. She introduced
32:12
her and said, she's great. She writes for us.
32:15
She's always ready to help. She's always, okay.
32:18
So now the way that I'm being introduced is like
32:20
this really nice person who's done all these
32:23
things. And so immediately he wants to say hi
32:26
and see me. Well, I had suggested that the chamber
32:29
do a podcast. I said, I feel like it's a missed
32:31
opportunity. I feel like you should do a podcast.
32:33
I do a podcast. I would be happy to share my
32:36
tools, what it might look like, some ideas that
32:39
I have. And the next thing you know, he's saying,
32:42
hey, our big event and our big event that we
32:43
have 500 people, let's put you on the stage.
32:48
And you call out for like people's feedback so
32:51
they can stop by. You can interview them, whatever.
32:55
500 people, Michael, I would never have gotten
32:58
in front of 500 people that opportunity had all
33:03
those other things not happened. So it really
33:06
is about. showing up as yourself. I don't want
33:10
you to be fake about this. This is not going
33:12
to work if you're fake. Showing up as yourself,
33:14
the things that you're good at, how can you help?
33:16
Maybe you're a systems person. Maybe you just
33:18
are process driven, whatever. How can you help
33:21
them with a system or a process that could benefit?
33:24
Maybe you're a really good filer or organizer.
33:27
Like, how can you do that? Whatever it is, the
33:29
thing that you do the best, do it. I worked for
33:32
an organization in Michigan called Automation
33:35
Alley. I was the chair of their marketing committee,
33:38
volunteered. We ended up building an entire marketing
33:42
toolkit for everybody in the organization. So
33:44
I had sample press releases, sample bios, sample,
33:47
I mean, everything in there to build out your
33:49
marketing strategy. And I had my name all over
33:52
it. So guess who they call when they need marketing
33:55
help? So you just never know what the thing will
33:59
be that will lead you to. your opportunities
34:04
be you I remember I was part of the marketing
34:07
and sales executives of Detroit I was a member
34:09
and I gave a talk on LinkedIn about how you can
34:12
use LinkedIn to network and to build your business
34:15
to all the marketing and sales executives and
34:18
after that event they asked me to be on the board
34:20
so you just just show up as you give freely Be
34:26
genuine. And what I have found is I've found
34:29
speaking opportunities. I've gotten some business
34:31
for sure, but I've also gotten lifelong friendships.
34:36
People who I just admire and respect and really
34:39
enjoy being around. And that to me is worth everything
34:43
too. So it's not just about work, but it's actually
34:47
doing things with people that you really enjoy
34:49
doing them with. Absolutely. And it all falls
34:51
back to your servant's heart. to how you can
34:54
help somebody else without thinking about how
34:58
it can help you. Because as Zig Ziglar would
35:02
say, if what goes around does come around, because
35:05
if you look to help, then others will help you.
35:08
So let's bring this full circle. And if someone
35:12
listening feels like they've lost their spark
35:14
or identity in their business, what's the first
35:18
small step they can take to reconnect with their
35:21
brand? And their why. So that clarity, that elusive
35:26
clarity thing that you don't just stumble upon,
35:28
but you create. This is the little tip I'm going
35:31
to give today to help you start that ball rolling.
35:35
So if you're feeling overwhelmed in your business,
35:36
it's probably because your message or your mission
35:40
is just not as clear as it should be. So let's
35:44
fix it. That's the first step. So just take.
35:46
five, 10 minutes today to jot down one thing
35:50
that makes your brand truly unique, you truly
35:53
unique. Maybe it's a story. Maybe it's how you
35:56
got started. Maybe it's how someone talked about
35:59
you. But think of all your lived experiences
36:02
that give you insights or certain things like
36:05
maybe it gives you the skill of empathy or gives
36:07
you the skill of listening. because of your life
36:10
experience, or maybe you're really observant
36:12
because of your experience in life. But think
36:16
of all the things that you've experienced, and
36:18
then think of all the things that light you up,
36:20
that speak to your heart, that speak to your
36:24
purpose, to your why, why you want to help people,
36:27
how you help people. That little nugget of clarity
36:30
is going to be a foundation for everything else
36:33
that you do. You want to build out from that.
36:36
It's really magical. Once you've got that, the
36:39
overwhelm just starts to melt away because now
36:42
you know. And I would say just like with core
36:45
values, they don't just sit on a wall. It becomes
36:47
infused in everything you do. This five -minute
36:50
exercise of the thing that makes you truly unique,
36:53
the thing that makes your lived experiences and
36:55
your passion and everything correlate together,
36:57
becomes a decision of does it feed that or does
37:00
it take away from it? Yes or no? That's... Easy
37:05
decisions. So when you're thinking like, oh,
37:07
I have to do this thing. Does it feed it? Yep.
37:09
Does it not? Probably don't need to do it. Or
37:12
you need to figure out somebody else or some
37:13
way else to do it. And I love automation. I love
37:17
offloading. I love scaling. I love systems. And
37:20
I've just figured out that's the best thing for
37:22
it. So does it speak to it? Yes or no. And that
37:26
will help clear the fog, clear the overwhelm.
37:30
and really help you prioritize what you need
37:33
to do next for your business. Really, this was
37:36
absolutely wonderful. You were a sensational
37:40
guest. And listen, if somebody wants to be coached
37:45
or they wanted you to teach them or anything,
37:48
how can they possibly get hold of you? So they
37:51
can always go to the website, wickedlybranded
37:53
.com. Check out that quiz. That's great. But
37:56
you can Google Beverly Cornell or Wickedly Branded.
37:59
And we are on all the social media platforms.
38:01
I'm on LinkedIn. I would love to connect. I am
38:04
a connector, as you can tell. And then just really,
38:07
but don't just connect with me. Reach out to
38:09
me. Let's talk. Like actually have a conversation
38:11
and see how we can help each other. Because that's
38:14
where the magic is. In the relationship, in the
38:17
actual connecting. So I would love for a DM or
38:20
like just take it offline a little bit and let's
38:23
try to connect and have a 15 minute conversation
38:25
or whatever. And if there's no intersections
38:28
or whatever, totally fine too. We got to have
38:30
a chat. So I really welcome more than just a
38:34
connection if possible. But yeah, I just, we
38:37
are everywhere. So you can't miss us. Beverly
38:40
Cornell and Wickedly Branded. Normally, I can't
38:44
tell you enough. I thank you so much for coming
38:46
on to the podcast. Michael, thank you so much
38:49
for having me on the show. It was an absolute
38:50
pleasure to connect again and share insights
38:53
with you and your audience. I love the conversation
38:56
and I really hope the tips and stories we talked
38:58
about today are helpful and inspiring for your
39:00
listeners. Well, hold on, folks. Don't go anywhere.
39:05
Let me just read a few of our sponsors that we
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-E -V -V -E -D -U -P -K -I -D -S .org. A huge
40:20
thank you to our guests for sharing such incredible
40:22
insights today. And of course, a big shout out
40:26
to you. our amazing listeners, for tuning in
40:29
and spending your time with us. If you're interested
40:32
in my digital courses, being coached or having
40:35
me come and talk to your company, just go to
40:38
Michael and fill out the request form. Remember,
40:42
networking isn't about being perfect. It's about
40:45
being present. So take what you've learned today,
40:48
get out there and make some meaningful connections.
40:52
If you've enjoyed this episode, please don't
40:55
forget to subscribe. Leave us a review and share
40:58
it with someone who could use a little networking
41:00
inspiration. Let's keep the conversation going.
41:03
You can find me on Apple, Spotify, Pandora, YouTube,
41:08
or my website, foreman .com slash podcasts.