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

Hi Mandy, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

Taking risks is not everyone’s cup of tea. It can be scary not knowing what’s next, or if taking a chance will pay off in the end. I like the way Jim Rohn put it, “I’ll tell you how risky life is. You’re not going to get out alive. That’s risky.”

I like to say, “If I never take the risk, I’ll never know what could have been. I’ll never know what I’m capable of.”

In my 20s, I felt the urge to venture outside my home state and explore the US. I’d been working for The Little Gym in Wisconsin and loved it. Teaching, recruiting, and coaching was my dream job. But I longed for personal growth and financial comfort, so I thought, why not Boston?

In my mind, I wanted to sharpen my business, sales, and communication skills. I took a chance and contacted Harvard Med School to set up an informational interview. (Goodwill Hunting was popular back then. LOL) ;They said to come on out. So, I did. Even though none of the research jobs were a fit or the academic culture, they helped me refine my resume. I found that to be pretty amazing.

Since I didn’t know how to use the bus system in Boston, I took a chance and walked 9 miles back to Watertown where I was staying.

Imagine a 20 something with a bulky laptop bag on her shoulder, ballet flats, and a Tom Tom GPS guiding her down the busy streets of Beantown. I don’t recommend it today. However, I took my time, read every historical sign, and admired the 17th century buildings from the early days of the United States of America. I was hooked on the history and the beauty of the East Coast.

That week, I flew back to WI, found a job on LinkedIn, and applied.

Funny enough, I got the interview, flew back to MA, and was hired by the COO and business manager on the spot for an entry-level sales job. But, I turned them down. I enjoyed taking risks, but they had to be calculated risks. I wasn’t going to be sold on a low base salary with “potential” to hit big numbers. The Midwesterner in me didn’t trust East Coasters yet. LOL So, I asked them to promise me one thing. Excellent sales training so I could actually hit those numbers.

Of course they said yes. But I wasn’t “sold.” The COO asked me to wait an hour and meet their top saleswoman once she got off the road. Apparently, I reminded them of her. Once we met, I understood. She led the SolidWorks product sales WORLDWIDE. Yes, worldwide. My mind was blown. It wasn’t because of her sales success. It was because she was not like any sales person I’d ever met. She wasn’t pushy or annoying. She wasn’t fake. She didn’t try to sell me the way I thought she would.
Quite the opposite. She was genuine, likable, and trustworthy. Just like the people I knew in Wisconsin. Needless to say, I took the job.

My dad and I drove 19 hours from Wisconsin to Watertown, Massachusetts. Everything I owned fit inside my Chrysler Concorde which I lovingly named, the Golden Goose. :) It kept me safe on I-90 for years to come.

That one risk led me down a path to a 15+ year sales and marketing career in the high tech space. It paid dividends.

I always knew I’d put every lesson back into my business one day.

And I do. Whether it’s coaching entrepreneurs on the various business models so they can make the best decision for their company and their family, or I’m training sales teams through complex contract negotiations so they can create win/win opportunities, I always strive to do the best I can for my clients.

Risks are common in my life. But living in Tennessee was one of them. It was my reward. I loved the Volunteer state ever since I could say Pat Summitt. My roots have been firmly planted for years now. The next step is to continue hosting high-performance sales training workshops for teams so that they can do their best at work, at home, and within their community. Because everyone deserves that, and more.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A lesson I had to unlearn was that I needed to wait until I felt like an expert to start my business. That’s not true at all. No one is ever an expert, and if they are, they’re in the wrong room. I believe lifelong learning is surrounding ourselves with smart people so that we keep leveling up. My lesson is, “Just start.” There’s no better experience than doing the thing, failing, and getting back up to try again. But with wisdom.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Oh man, this is a great question. Well, growing up, I was a dedicated athlete, musician, artist, performer, and a person who couldn’t not sit still, but excelled in quite a bit. I had energy to burn people said.

By 25, I had battled and overcome everything from perfectionism “just right” OCD, an eating disorder, a career ending athletic injury, to getting my behind kicked by alcohol for seven years as I tried to escape feeling any kind of pain.

But at that young age, I decided to ask for help and put myself into intensive outpatient treatment. It changed my life around. During my first recovery year, I thought about how my future kids would talk about me and how I’d be remembered by my loved ones. I know that sounds odd, but it really works.

I wanted to be the vibrant, confident, quirky, and fun mom, wife, daughter, aunt, sister, and friend who didn’t need anything to be that way. As a result, I dedicated my next few years to learning how to do just that.

My second year, I went back to speak to the outpatient group. I was floored when the facilitator said I’d been the only one of that group to make it through. That part is sad, but it’s also a reminder that each day is a blessing. Today, I support the cause with outreach, and by speaking openly to athletes on behalf of TN Voices, a mental health non-profit here in TN. It’s a lot of fun when we bring community schools, churches, businesses and other organizations together to serve youth, young adults, and families so they can access the care they need to live healthier and happier lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.girlsweatofficial.com
• Instagram:@mandyhougas
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandyhougas/

Image Credits
April Bowers