We were lucky to catch up with Morgan Stanley recently and have shared our conversation below.
Morgan, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
My parents, Scott and Kelly Stanley, are the best of the best. Both accomplished entrepreneurs and pharmacists by degree, have pursued their dreams, setting a phenomenal example for my siblings and me. Growing up, I realized the sacrifices they made for our family. Despite their hectic schedules, they prioritized being present for every milestone, whether it was a sports event, dance recital, or school play.
As children, my siblings and I often assisted my parents at the pharmacy, where we learned the value of hard work firsthand. While our tasks mainly involved cleaning and organizing shelves, the experience instilled in us the importance of a strong work ethic. To this day, my parents continue to serve as constant inspirations in my life.
I am so grateful to have Scott and Kelly Stanley as my parents. Their resilience, dedication, and support have guided me through all life’s challenges and shaped me into the person I am today.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Growing up in Searcy, AR, I was fortunate to be raised by two remarkable entrepreneurial parents. From a young age, I felt a deep connection to the world of entrepreneurship; it was ingrained in me. While I wasn’t certain where this path would lead me, I knew that I would end up in the entrepreneurial space.
Beginning my career in business coaching proved to be instrumental in shaping where I am today. For three years, I absorbed invaluable lessons. These experiences served as a foundation for where I am now and guided me to where I was meant to be – helping women entrepreneurs.
In 2022, I joined BrainTrust and immediately felt a sense of joy, unlike anything I had experienced before. It was as if I had finally found my true calling. At BrainTrust, our mission is to empower women entrepreneurs to achieve financial independence, wealth, and influence, while also supporting them in surpassing the $1M revenue mark and beyond. Through our peer-to-peer learning model, known as the Vault™, members exchange valuable insights, experiences, and support to overcome business challenges and opportunities.
I take immense pride in being part of an organization that is reshaping the landscape for women in business. For example, while only 2% of women entrepreneurs typically surpass the $1M revenue mark, 30% of BrainTrust members have achieved this milestone. I am continually inspired by the remarkable women I have met through BrainTrust.
Working alongside Sherry Deutschamann, our Founder and CEO, has been an incredible privilege. I am grateful every day for the opportunity to contribute to the success of women entrepreneurs. Our work not only benefits women in business today but lays the foundation for future generations of women.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
At BrainTrust, we are focused on helping women entrepreneurs grow their businesses to $1M in revenue and beyond. Only 2% of women entrepreneurs ever surpass that $1M threshold.
We have discovered that our best source of finding new members is through referrals from our current members. The current members recognize the value that the BrainTrust model provides and in turn, prompts them to share their experiences with others.
Additionally, we have cultivated strong partnerships with organizations in Nashville, whom we call Champions of BrainTrust. These partners serve as subject matter experts, offering invaluable insights and expertise on various topics to support the growth of women entrepreneurs. We value the support of each of our Champions.
Regardless of the source, we are always grateful for the ways women entrepreneurs learn about BrainTrust. At the end of the day, our main goal remains the same, to help women entrepreneurs build financial independence, wealth, and influence. We welcome any support that helps us make a difference in the lives of women entrepreneurs.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
Throughout my career, I have always believed in leading rather than managing people. When you as a leader provide the right tools and support for your team, it is amazing what they can do.
Clear communication is crucial when leading a team. To ensure everyone is aligned, I have implemented regular weekly huddles and daily huddles, as well as bi-weekly one-on-one meetings with my direct supports. Other than the meetings, I do my best to make sure I am clearly communicating with each of my team members daily. As Brené Brown says, “Clear is kind. Unclear is unkind.” Understanding how you communicate is important but understanding how your team communicates is equally as important.
Our team is very dedicated to our mission of helping women entrepreneurs surpass the $1M mark in revenue. We come to work each day knowing we are making a difference in changing the world for women entrepreneurs. Maintaining high morale amongst the team is very important and we achieve this through open communication and the willingness to face challenges head-on.
To encourage a culture of growth, I introduced a new segment in our monthly huddles where team members reflect on their failures and lessons learned from the previous month. Implementing this small change has allowed team members to recognize their missteps and find ways to turn them into opportunities for personal and professional development.
I am so proud of our team and grateful for the opportunity to work alongside each team member. Their dedication and willingness to confront challenges makes our workplace so fun and fulfilling.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ourbraintrust.org/
- Instagram: morganleestanley
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morganstanley/