Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cherie Slane. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Cherie, appreciate you joining us today. Have you ever had an amazing boss? What did you learn from them? Maybe you can share a story that illustrates the kind of boss they were or maybe you can share your thoughts on what you think made them an awesome person to work for?

I had the best boss at my first paid job after college. I worked at an art gallery and consulting firm in San Francisco. The owner, Joanne Chappel, ran her business with her gut and it worked. She had incredible instinct about both art and people. Joanne treated me as if I were a seasoned art professional right from the beginning. She flew me to the art shows in New York and allowed me to take all my own meetings. During my first year working for her, a woman came into the gallery and said she had a colleague that needed help selecting artwork for Nordstrom department stores across the country. After a couple of months of presentations, I landed the project. Joanne offered the biggest congratulations – she had this incredible mom vibe of “I am so proud of you!!” but never micromanaged. She offered me total independence and that trust gave me so much confidence early on in my career.

Cherie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I worked for art galleries and consulting firms in San Francisco and New York for many years, and then transitioned to magazine publishing when I landed my first magazine job at ARTnews in New York. After working for several art and lifestyle publications, my contacts had grown in all different industries that were connected in interesting ways. I knew art gallery owners, real estate agents, marketing teams at museums, non-profit leaders…so many interesting people! My clients became my friends and I listened to what they needed. They needed specific types of connections in order to grow their businesses. For example, art gallery owners wanted to know more interior designers and museums wanted to host more private tours of their exhibits. Once I realized I could deliver on these specific business development needs, the seed for my business was planted.

My business is a members-only model. I work with around 50 clients every year. Members’ businesses are centered around San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles, although I also have members with offices in additional cities including London, Tel Aviv, Palm Beach, Houston and more. I only work with business owners who I know I can help. They have to have a few key qualities to be the right fit for Gold Collective – each member has had incredible professional success in their own right of course, but also they each have an innate quality of approachability and desire to help their fellow members. I assist each business owner by providing them with meaningful, high-quality connections and networking opportunities that result in business growth. Most businesses are familiar with the concept of a fractional CFO or CEO. Well, I’m what you could call a fractional business development executive.

The only way to become a member of Gold Collective is to be referred by current members. Since I am keeping my membership small, it’s pertinent that each member is the right fit.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I think this one is simple – I really, deeply care about each of my members and their businesses I want to see each of them thrive. My clients’ success is my success.

People talk – and specifically, business owners talk, as they should! My reputation is built from this concept. My members often tell me that their peers ask them about Gold Collective. My members talk with their greater business communities and are quick to share the names of their trusted service providers – from recruiters to business strategists to PR firms. It’s key that I communicate well and often with my members.

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What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

My best and only source for new clients is referrals from current clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.goldcollective.com
• Instagram: @goldcollectivesf
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherie-slane/ AND https://www.linkedin.com/company/gold-collective/?viewAsMember=true

Image Credits

Portrait of Cherie: September Days Photography