We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Erica Shaw. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Erica below.
Erica, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you as a business owner?
I have learned many valuable lessons throughout my 20+ year career. One of the most impactful lessons that I learned is that I own my career! This revelation changed the way I navigated my career and entrepreneurship.
I have been blessed with great bosses, mentors, and sponsors throughout my career. However, there was a pivotal moment in my career when I was working as an electrical engineer at a manufacturing facility. After 5yrs of working in this area, I wanted to make a career shift and do something different. When I shared my desires with my boss and mentors, they immediately shared that this would slow down my career advancement. However, I was sure that I wanted to do a different type of work that was more fulfilling.
Despite my communication, a few weeks later, I was offered a promotion if I continued to do electrical engineering work. Instead of excitement, I felt disappointed and hurt. I was left wondering: Were they ignoring my request? Do they care about me? Is this company the right place for me? Then I realized I had to take ownership for making my career shift happen. I became my own biggest advocate. I used every opportunity to share my goals, whether through informal or formal conversations. I shared my accomplishments and skills to gain the support I needed. A while later, I was offered a promotion and the job I really wanted. This chapter affirmed that while guidance from mentors and sponsors is important, I had to be the captain steering the ship of my career.
Much like our career journeys, we shape our businesses. We are responsible for our business outcomes, sharing achievements, and solutions with the world. Just as we’ve owned our career narratives, we must champion our businesses. As we network, connect, and engage online, we have to be the biggest advocates of our business’s success. We must own our brand with passion and purpose.
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?
Meet Erica Shaw, the visionary force behind Shaw Solutions LLC, where she wears the dual hats of Founder and CEO. A Maxwell Leadership Certified Coach, Trainer, and Speaker, Erica is passionately dedicated to elevating organizations through impactful leadership development training and consulting.
Erica’s profound expertise extends to her role as a Certified DISC Behavioral Analysis Trainer. Erica educates organizations on the power of understanding how different communication styles can foster a sense of belonging within workplaces. Her unwavering commitment to building capability and fostering connection and inclusivity has proven transformational for numerous organizations, both in leadership growth and workplace culture.
In addition to supporting organizations, Erica provides 1:1 and group coaching programs focused on helping women position themselves to have the career of their dreams without sacrificing their personal lives. Her coaching programs focus on helping women define their Purpose, carving a unique Path, and connecting with the right People to achieve their dreams.
Boasting a 20+ year journey within Corporate America, Erica’s comprehensive insights span a diverse array of disciplines. From cultivating leadership skills to spearheading Equality and Inclusion initiatives, she has consistently championed individuals on their career journeys. She successfully developed and led an award-winning E&I strategy for an organization of 700+ employees. She focuses on developing E&I strategies that encompass both individual and interactive learning, clear accountability, and heart-changing storytelling. By cultivating an environment, where all voices are heard, she helps organizations and individuals achieve benchmark results. Her goal is for every leader to feel comfortable and confident being their authentic self.
On a personal note, Erica was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. She received her B.S.E in Electrical Engineering at the University of Michigan. Erica is currently located in Cincinnati, OH with her husband and two children. In addition to her professional pursuits, she prioritizes time with family and is active in her church and her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
The Power of Pivoting
There was a time when in my career I was excelling in a job I loved, confident in my skills, and on the path to promotion. Then an unexpected “opportunity” arose: a short-term position that promised to build my skills and propel me closer to promotion. I was encouraged to take the role and decided to take the position even though deep down I knew the role would not be fulfilling and aligned with the type of work I really wanted to do.
It turned out that my instincts were right. Six months later, I found myself working 60+ hours per week, burnt out, no closer to promotion, and ready to quit. I had to take a step back and decide what I really wanted. I wanted to love my work, have time to do things I enjoy outside of work, and spend time with loved ones. I had none of that. Something had to change…
After spending time in reflection, I realized I had to let go of everyone else’s expectations of me and pursue my own dreams.
I made the decision to declare to my boss, mentors, and sponsors I wanted a different position. I also had to make some personal changes. I established firm boundaries with work, prioritized my mental and physical health, and began pursuing my dream of becoming a certified coach. A few months later, I was in a new position that I loved and had launched my coaching business. The focus of my coaching business is to help women position themselves to have the career of their dreams without sacrificing their personal lives. I had to learn many life lessons the hard way, and this has ignited my passion to help other women achieve success. I want to share what I’ve learned and help women get on the path that is right for them so they can create the life they desire.
This journey taught me the value of listening to my instincts and aligning my actions with my core values. It is a lesson I now share with the women I coach, as I guide them to navigate their career paths with clarity and confidence.
In the end, I discovered that pivoting in life isn’t about giving up; it’s about bravely following a path that aligns with our passions and purpose. Today, as a leadership coach, my mission is to help other women embrace their power to pivot, embrace change, and fearlessly pursue the careers of their dreams without sacrificing their core values.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
The best source of new clients for my business has been meeting new people in person. I meet potential clients at conferences, seminars or even social events. I always go to events with the goal of developing authentic relationships with others without expecting anything in return.
My first client came through a referral from a peer I met during a training session. Our conversations over the course of a 3-day conference led her to believe I would be a perfect fit for a Fellowship program seeking coaches. There have been other instances where I connected with individuals at conferences and made a conscious effort to stay in touch and it turned into business opportunities. The key here is to take initiative! After you meet someone, don’t wait for the other person to reach out to you. Follow up within 24 hours of the event while conversations are still fresh and they remember who you are.
One of the reasons I find this approach to be so effective is because people need to like, know, and trust you before investing in you as a coach or trainer for their organization. It can be challenging to achieve this with social media alone.
Here are 5 Tips for Navigating In-Person Events:
- Invest Wisely: Invest your time and resources towards events that your ideal clients are likely to attend.
- Perfect Your Elevator Pitch: Share your services, unique differentiators, and the transformation you facilitate in a concise yet engaging manner.
- Intentional Listening: Truly listen to the challenges and aspirations of others to gain insights into how your offerings can bring value.
- Build Personal Connections: Get to know the person, seek out common interests, and share stories about your journey and passions
- Follow Up – Repeatedly: Don’t underestimate the power of follow-up! Connect virtually or even meet for coffee. If you make a business offer continue to follow up. 80% of sales happen after the 5th follow up.
While networking events can have an immediate impact they can also foster long-term relationships and opportunities. As you consistently attend events and nurture connections, your reputation can grow organically, leading to referrals and new opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Website: ericacshaw.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericacshaw/
Image Credits
33 West Studios