Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Adrienne Barker, MAS. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Adrienne, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. The first dollar your business earns is always special and we’d love to hear how your brand made its first dollar of revenue.
A few years ago, an opportunity emerged that would set the foundation for my business, ‘I’m Your Service.’ I was invited to conduct a workshop for a group of women in the promotional products industry. During this session, I shared insights on the importance of LinkedIn and demonstrated how to optimize profiles and utilize the platform for networking and business growth.
The workshop, which lasted about an hour, was an educational experience for the attendees and a pivotal moment for me. The interaction and the immediate positive feedback led to a request that would shape my professional journey. One participant, intrigued by LinkedIn’s potential to amplify her professional presence, asked if I could offer a service to enhance and manage LinkedIn profiles.
Seizing this opportunity, I launched ‘I’m Your Service,’ a service dedicated to transforming LinkedIn profiles. The core of my offering was to provide a compelling headline, an engaging ‘About’ section, and guidance on effective posting strategies. Some clients opted for a comprehensive package that included regular posting and profile management.
What started as a single workshop became a thriving business, primarily propelled by referrals from satisfied clients. My approach was hands-on and personalized. I meticulously managed each client’s profile, dedicating 15 minutes each morning and evening to ensure their LinkedIn presence was active and impactful.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
With a career spanning over 40 years, I have dedicated myself to business consultancy. I focus on the promotional products industry and build a strong foundation in sales, marketing, and business development. My work involves partnering with distributors and suppliers, providing them with targeted strategies to enhance their market presence and operational efficiency.
My website, AdrienneBarker.com, showcases my journey and the breadth of services I offer, including LinkedIn lead generation, international protocol, corporate etiquette, and business soft skills workshop development. These services are meticulously designed to cater to my client’s diverse needs, ensuring they achieve their business objectives while fostering professional growth and development.
From 2021 to 2023, I served as the Chair of SCORE, where I committed myself to mentoring small businesses. This role underscores my dedication to community development and the nurturing of emerging enterprises.
As a recognized expert in LinkedIn strategy and being named one of the Top 13 LinkedIn Experts in Orlando, I leverage this platform to enhance networking and business growth opportunities for my clients. My expertise also extends to international protocol and corporate etiquette. I offer comprehensive training programs to equip professionals and organizations with the skills to excel in a global business environment.
My passion for knowledge sharing and development is further reflected in my role as a podcast producer and my participation in thought leadership as part of Ramon Ray’s Zone of Genius experts. Additionally, I serve as a Fractional CMO, leading social media strategies to bolster my clients’ online presence and engagement.
My secondary website, ProfessionalGlobalEtiquette.com, further details my commitment to fostering professional etiquette and international protocol, ensuring that individuals and organizations can effectively navigate the complexities of global business interactions.
My extensive experience and dedication to business consultancy have enabled me to support and elevate numerous organizations’ operations, helping them navigate the challenges of the modern business landscape and achieve sustainable success. My newest passion project is being a Guardian ad Litem for Volusia County.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
The onset of COVID-19 presented unprecedented challenges and necessitated a swift pivot in my business approach. Recognizing the shift in societal norms and business operations, I launched workshops focusing on the “New Etiquette” during COVID, especially tailored to navigating video meetings and preparing for the eventual reopening of businesses. This pivot was about addressing immediate needs and foreseeing the evolution of professional interactions in a pandemic-stricken world.
A pivotal moment came when a client introduced me to software that revolutionized my approach to LinkedIn Lead Generation. This tool not only streamlined my processes but also enhanced the quality of my services, allowing me to scale my business effectively. As a result, I could offer more advanced services and increase my pricing structure, aligning with the added value I was providing to my clients.
During the early days of the pandemic, I ventured into selling masks, sanitizers, and other related products in the promotional industry. However, I quickly realized that my passion and strength lay elsewhere. This realization led me to focus on fortifying my core business services. Consequently, I established a new website and developed a hybrid LinkedIn Train the Trainer program named LinkedInLift.com, aiming to sell this course to a broader audience.
In addition to these business endeavors, I embraced the role of a contact tracer and even joined the U.S. Government as a Census Employee. This period was marked by relentless work and continuous networking, crucial to my success during these trying times.
Capitalizing on the power of digital media, I launched the “Adrienne Barker Speaks: No Prep Needed” podcast, conducting over 130 interviews with acquaintances and individuals I had never met before. This platform allowed me to expand my network, share valuable insights, and maintain a connection with my audience and clients.
Through hard work, dedication, and a commitment to daily business improvement, I navigated the challenges of the pandemic, providing for my family and strengthening the foundation of my business. This journey underscored the importance of adaptability, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of growth and excellence in the face of adversity.
Alright – let’s talk about marketing or sales – do you have any fun stories about a risk you’ve taken or something else exciting on the sales and marketing side?
Launching the “No Prep Needed” live show was a venture into uncharted territory. I wanted to create something unique, a platform where spontaneity ruled, and guests could freely express themselves. The concept was simple yet daring: go live without prior preparation, giving me no chance to anticipate what might unfold. This approach was both thrilling and risky, as live broadcasting inherently comes with unpredictability.
I crafted a logo that reflected the show’s ethos and jumped into the unknown. The format was unconventional—no research on guests, no scripted questions, just real-time, unfiltered conversation. This spontaneity resonated with the audience, and to my amazement, the show quickly gained traction. It was likened to the HLN of podcasts, known for its dynamic and engaging content.
The experience was exhilarating. Each interview was a dive into the deep end, requiring me to stay sharply focused and ask insightful questions without any background information on the guests. This unique approach led to many memorable moments, one of which stands out distinctly.
In one episode, I interviewed C. Andrew Nelson, who had portrayed Darth Vader in various Star Wars media. Unfamiliar with the Star Wars universe, I was curious to know whether Darth Vader was a hero or a villain. This interaction highlighted the essence of the “No Prep Needed” show: embracing the unknown and turning it into engaging, enlightening conversations.
Encouraged by the success and the unique connection I forged with my audience and guests, I revived the show in March. Since then, I’ve conducted 12 interviews, each adding to the rich tapestry of spontaneous dialogue that defines the “No Prep Needed” experience. This venture stands as a testament to the power of live, unscripted content and continues to be a journey I relish with each episode.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://adriennebarker.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/professional_global_etiquette/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProGlobalEtiquette/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriennebarkermas/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/profetiquette
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5w3cSQVuICYyzHgI9JXn6g
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/AdrienneBarkerSpeaks