8 Great Years and More to Come
In fall of 2003 I met a great person by the name of Larry Roy, who also happened to be the founder of a Nashville based production and advertising company. This company became my home for almost 8 years and this man, a member of my family. Raising a child as a single mom requires much flexibility, not just from the mom but also from everyone around her. Not knowing exactly what to expect from this fresh off the boat L.A./ N.Y.C. transplant, (who also insisted on working odd hours so she could be a mommy/taxi driver), Larry took a chance on me and I will forever be grateful.
Point 3 Media was established with a specific vision, however Larry was favorable towards integrating elements of my individual forte into that design. He also welcomed incorporation of my existing expertise into client projects and company marketing. As well, when our clients needed on-camera talent I could throw my hat in the ring for an audition, which afforded me the continued ability to sharpen my craft as a spokesperson. Through my P3M time, additional innate capabilities were nurtured and new proficiencies developed, all while still having the freedom to be “mom”.
Well, there came a day when my little girl no longer needed a taxi cab driver and then a day when my last excuse for not fully going after my own dreams, started going after hers and began college. And, although I did my best to sneak a few of my dreams into the Point 3 Model, that’s simply not where they belong or where they can thrive.
The formation of SheilahGriggs.com was birthed with much thought and much input and discussion with my trusted partner, Larry. We do not view this as a parting of ways but rather as a way with which we can direct our strengths more purposefully and serve our clients more holistically.
We want the best for each other and the best for our clients, many of which we will serve as a team. We also still want to work together, and why not? We trust each other. We trust the work ethic, the integrity, the willingness and hutzpa to fight (even with each other) for what we believe is “best” for our clients. We trust in each other’s creative abilities and our strengths compliment, as they always have. So, you will still find us collaborating on projects and working together on set.
I am simply beginning a new phase in my life as a single mom with a grown daughter and finally unpacking some of those boxes I tucked away so long ago.
Teaching What I Need
In early 2007 I was asked to assist other female entrepreneurs along their journey, which began to introduce me one-by-one to this amazing group of women. One-by-one led to several thousand names in a database and my heart full of faces and stories of remarkable individuals. My life would never be the same after meeting and mentoring these women. The groups organically grew and so did I. The connections formed because of these ladies have helped build a portion of my own business. I have several clients that employ me to make strategic introductions, helping grow their sphere of influence and business connections. It is business development the old fashioned way – through relationship development. Some come to me with a “hit list” of people they would love to meet and others want to know whom they should meet. In any instance, I know that I can be a connector for them and much of that is due to the women whom I’ve connected over the years.
I am a big believer that you teach what you need and because of my ladies, the truth I needed to hear was always in front of me. They helped me grow as much as they believe I helped them. Through workshops they were provided tools, resources, information and inspiration to move forward in all areas of their lives. Through them, I was reminded that what I was teaching was true - no matter how bad of a day it’s been, when you surround yourself with positive people your entire perspective can change.
They allowed me to share my own ‘ah-ha” moment when I truly accepted that women DO think differently than men, and that it is totally okay. It’s not better or worse, it’s just different and we bring unique skill sets to the business table even if we had taken time off from our career to gather family around a dinner table – and in fact, it is because of those experiences as a woman that we can impart an extremely valuable point of view. I also recounted that once I realized my business partner wasn’t arguing with me, but just thinking like a man, not only did my relationship with him change but so did my entire feelings about my business…and it made his life a bit easier too.
Even if we do not own a company, as women we run our lives like entrepreneurs – juggling, multitasking and prioritizing within a single breath. It’s difficult to take time out to connect but when we come together in a positive environment, no matter our differences in age, culture, position or status, we naturally begin to build-up the others cause. I always get a laugh when I put it this way, “You can say that women talk a lot or you can say that we are natural networkers.” It’s all about perspective, isn’t it?
My endeavors with women will not go away as I am addressing corporations and conducting roundtables with groups of women inside organizations to break down communication barriers. “Water cooler issues” effect working environments and reduce productivity. It may be politically incorrect to say, but there are differences in how to motivate women in the workforce and when employers recognize that they unleash their most powerful potential for success.
To all the women who have crossed my path – Thank You. I learned from you and because of you it is a passion to reach out and help women lead more understood and connected lives. Again, me teaching what I need.