Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Holly Cotton. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Holly, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.
Having both parents in my life was crucial to the person I am today. My mother was the epitome of a strong woman. There was never I time I didn’t see her on the roof, under the hood, sawing and building something….she always had me right there next to her too! I learned how to use a jigsaw at ten. I learned how to fish at seven. Nothing intimidated me. I was always getting my hands dirty and I learned how to get it done! No waiting for someone to save me or paying someone to figure it out. I learned from my mom and sisters that women were able to do anything a man could do. My father had a different approach. Even though he did the typical man things, being a provider, showing me how to change my oil, fix a tire, etc. his input in my life was my mentality. My dad never took a “can’t”. He never accepted me giving up. No matter the fear he pushed me to overcome it. I remember, something minor now as an adult, when I was scared to ride Space Mountain at Disney World. I was probably eight. I don’t remember anything else about that trip except that ride and me being scared. His words were “my daughter isn’t scared of anything”. Growing up those words stayed with me and no matter the obstacle I could always hear them and I pushed past whatever it was. Quitting is just not an option for me. Ever..
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My whole, as I like to call it, second chapter started in 2018. I was diagnosed with cancer in 2012. I was always transparent with my fight and would tell my story to people. I became a cancer advocate and support person for a lot of fighters and survivors. That summer of 2018 I was sitting around and started typing up notes to journal my journey and said “I think I will write a book”. I sat down for the next few months and wrote my first book called “STRONG. More than Muscles”. I had no idea where it would lead to. I finished and published it and then was in shock with all the feedback and support I received. People started buying it and emailing me and sending me messages on social media about gifting it to cancer patients. I have also always been into fitness and working out. After I wrote my book I wanted to go a step further and figure out how to incorporate physical fitness into the mix. I decided to start a fitness brand. I came up with the name “Strong Squad” as the name of my company. My goal was instead of just being another fitness brand and focusing on fitness I wanted to focus on the mental side of being strong. I always say my survivor story is of me surviving cancer, but we are all LIFE survivors and everyone has overcame something that caused them to come out stronger on the other side. I made Strong Squad an actual business. I started selling apparel and fitness accessories. I also began to divulge in public speaking. I started speaking at events about my book and being a squad of strong people, mentally and physically. It just took off. I have since written another book entitled “Day 1. A guide to organizing and executing your goals”. After completing my second book I just kept talking. I started creating videos on YouTube and Facebook where I started having discussions with people about their lives and whatever they had dealt with in life. I was approached by EBONY Magazine regarding their podcast network and invited to have my own show. I now, in addition to my day time job of being a nurse manager and college professor, have a successful business, a podcast show with a major magazine and have two published books. I get to use my passion for helping other people everyday. I get to talk to other life survivors and people making a difference in the world. I’ve also been able to network with numerous people that I would have never imagined knowing. In addition to that, I still focus on my fitness as I am a certified trainer and I am also a Life Coach. My whole purpose is to use the platforms I have been given to make the world better.
Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?
Other than training, I believe networking is the biggest asset for your success. I have a Masters Degree so I definitely have knowledge in a bunch of things, but until I started networking, the business opportunities that have come up would have never happened. I recommend talking to people doing things you want to do. Get into their lives and ask questions. My biggest mentor was someone who I was scrolling on Instagram and saw a video he was tagged in. I watched his interviews and took notes. After I had already done the ground work and started my brand I was able to network with him and get valuable feedback. We all have this million dollar/successful idea in our heads. You have to break past the doubt and timidness. You have to get in the room. I’ve been to conferences where I met people that put me on stages at their next conference. No matter the training, if you don’t have a platform and support your idea will fizz. You get discouraged because you feel like you don’t have support or your idea won’t work. I’ve seen people build brands by just doing something they are passionate about with zero training. I tell everyone, be obnoxious with your goals. If you don’t believe in yourself you can’t expect other people to. Find people that will mention your name, brand, book, idea, etc. when you aren’t even around. Also, always remember that your name is a brand. Even if you have a company, people may or may not support it based on if they like you or not. Make smart decisions on how to get exposure. I am often approached about being on shows and interviewed and I choose wisely. Some people can twist what you say out of context. I want to be remembered for everything I’ve accomplished not something raunchy for views or likes.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
My strategy has always been to be relatable. Just as I said before, I tell people all the time my story is not bigger or better than your story of survival, its just different. I remain humble with my support. I still get calls from newly diagnosed cancer patients asking me questions about my treatment. I talk to them the same way as the first time I ever did it. We all go through things and need support. I think people lose that when they start getting successful. You start not wanting to deal with the little things. The people I respect the most are the ones still giving back. The ones still doing the same things as they were at the beginning of their business. Of course we all grow and can’t continuously do all the clerical, marketing, packaging as the beginning, but the principal has to remain. For me, keeping the passion of helping other people and having that energy has brought me success. People enjoy being around me, they feel inspired after talking to me. Find what you are passionate about and then make it your purpose. You will never go wrong doing something that was made for you and the money will automatically come you way. Chase the goal not the cash.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.defineyourstrong.com
- Instagram: hollycotton_
- Facebook: Holly Cotton
- Linkedin: Holly Cotton
- Twitter: thehollycotton
- Youtube: Holly Cotton Strong Squad