We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Michelle Talbert. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Michelle below.
Michelle, appreciate you joining us today. Do you take vacations? Why or why not?
I opened my coworking space on January 12, 2020. The first 2 years of my business were all about survival.
I made a couple of hires and their life circumstances changed so I found myself a solopreneur with no permanent team.
However, at the top of 2023 I made a promise to myself that I was moving from survival to “thrival” and that I would be intentional about time with family–who live in other states–and travel.
I created a roster of “Concierges of the Day” who are 1099 folks, on call to cover when I would be away. I have solid SOPs (standard operating procedures) in place.
Over the course of 2023 I took over 10 trips, to expand my social and business life, including 3 weeks in Europe with family at the end of the year.
The reality is that “things broke” because no one is me. However, nothing was catastrophic and each time that I returned to the office, I had more creativity and clarity and overall good health-mentally and physically.
As entrepreneurs we must remove ourselves from our businesses in order to help our businesses. When you’re out of the day-to-day your perspective shifts. You can breathe.
Do everything within your power to set your team up for success. Trust that you’ve put the right people and systems in place and then leave! Your business will thank you!
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
When folks hear me say that I’m a ‘Recovering Corporate Attorney’ they assume that I was privileged and walked away from a cushy career. They’re only half right.
I graduated from college and then law school after almost a decade of part-time community college classes, while working full tiime as an admin and raising my two school-aged children, after my divorce. So, after about 16 years of schooling I entered the legal profession with high hopes and dreams.
Then I realized that I was not fulfilled. As a mom, my kids had been with me as we defied odds, graduating college at age 30 and law school at 33. We had a plan and together we ticked all of the boxes; what I didn’t realize is how much I love to engage with people, conduct workshops and that at my core, I am a coach and motivational speaker.
After my youngest graduated college, I decided to focus my efforts on helping women solopreneurs and side hustlers live their entrepreneurial dreams. I relocated from Washington, DC to South Florida, near Fort Lauderdale.
I opened Her Power Space, a Woman forward, Men welcoming coworking space and I continue to speak and coach and curate safe spaces centering Black women 40&better entrepreneurs and lawyers who are seeking fulfillment.
My motto has always been, “Life is too short to procrastinate and too long to be miserable.” I wouldn’t change a thing about my journey, as each step taught me something deeper about myself and how I want to show up in the world. I pray this same awareness and joy for everyone.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
The best advice I can give to anyone about building their reputation and expanding their social media footprint is, “Show up, show people you care about them and honor your word.”
I began using what was then Twitter in 2011 as a means to market a self-published book. Within short order I had a DM from an editor of EBONY magazine to feature my co-author and me!
From that moment I was hooked on the possibilities available by connecting with people on social media and sharing my journey.
I knew that I loved “networking” in person, and now I could expand my footprint by writing, sharing my opinions, learning from others and amplifying their thoughts to my community.
If you are just starting on social media, I suggest that you have a why that rings true for you. Why are you getting on social media? Don’t stop at “so people buy my stuff.”
Go deeper. Why do you make your product or provide your service? Is there an impact you’re seeking to make? How can people benefit from what you’re putting into the world?
Then, once you’ve identified a why that is customer-audience centered, begin to share about it on social media.
I spent 16 years pursuing a law degree as a single mom, only to find out that it wasn’t the right career for me, so I began writing and blogging and podcasting to share my story. Lo and behold there were other women in their 30s and 40s who weren’t thrilled with their careers and were divorced and wanted more from life.
That’s the story of how I began sharing and connecting on social media almost 15 years ago.
Yes, I wanted to sell my book, but I wrote the book to help other women. It wasn’t about the numbers. It was about impact first. Centering the needs of my community, followers, friends, connections–whatever term the platforms use, these are people–people you can help. Today, I curate spaces, virtual and in person, where women who feel isolated and confused in their businesses can find clarity and community.
If you can help people through your offering, you will build a loyal base. As Seth Godin says, “Find ten people. Ten people who trust you/respect you/need you/listen to you.” That’s what I did, in 2011, and that’s grown to thousands now. You can do the same.
How’d you meet your business partner?
He’s not really a business partner (although he has invested in my business) but I met my “Sales Mentor,” Pompey Mansilla, a couple of years before I opened my space.
He has owned his own business for almost 3 decades and is an amazing salesman. We met at a local private club in Fort Lauderdale that is like a country club but in a high rise.
We would have lunch and discuss business a couple of times a year. And then I opened my coworking space in January 2020. It was exciting, until it wasn’t.
By the top of 2021 I was a wreck. I was $10,000 behind in rent for the Space and trying to hold on because I believed in the business, but was out of my depths in every way.
One day I asked him to be my “Sales Mentor”. His response: “Michelle, I don’t have a clue about your industry, but I believe in you.” To which I added, “And you know sales!”
Within a year of working with him as my mentor and with input from my business coach, Stacey Hylen, I increased revenue over 250% by 2022 and we continue to grow revenue, as of this writing (top of 2024).
The reason I state that he is my “Sales Mentor” is that many people seek out mentors and partners because they are generally successful. It is extremely important as entrepreneurs that we take inventory of the skill set and resources we need in our business.
I didn’t need a business mentor, per se. I was lacking in a big picture approach to selling. I’d always attracted my clients and community (as I discuss above in my social media journey). I never sold. In fact I had some mental blocks around concepts of selling.
Maybe you do too?
The key to any business relationship is that you need clarity around the areas where you don’t know what you don’t know. Seek out people and observe if they have the skills that you need–anything from making connections for you to helping you boost sales or navigate an exit.
Then cultivate relationships. Get to know them and let them get to know you, before making an ask. Be clear about the boundaries of the relationship–my Sales Mentor and I meet monthly for about 1.5-2hours. Our meetings have a cadence and flow.
Finally, remember that you too have value that you bring to the table. You have a network and expertise that may prove helpful to your business partner or mentor, as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: michelleytalbert.com
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/michelleytalbert
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@michelleytalbert