We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Winifred Summer . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Winifred below.

Winifred , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

My beginning started with tears. Depression and anxiety as a result of toxic work environments. The bathroom stall became my safe space. I would go there to cry, pray, count to ten, and take deep breaths. After a couple minutes in the peace of the stall, I would emerge back into my workspace with my signature smile, quiet confidence, and can-do attitude. My most celebrated work, The Toxic Job Playbook, started my business. My goal for the book was honestly to share my frustrations and welcome others into a space where they would feel supported, encouraged, and well-informed about some of the dangers of the rat race. The Toxic Job Playbook catapulted me into being a well-respected thought leader, and boosted my social media presence where I candidly spoke on issues in the workplace and how HR can be of assistance. People started asking me for advice, offering to pay me for my time, and from there I started to build services, merchandise, and course curriculum. It was a pretty quick shift from author to entrepreneur. People wanted to specifically hear from me and I was honored to be trusted and respected in that way. I pride myself on being realistic and not only sharing what I’ve learned through higher education but also from real life experience. I had to trust my voice because that is what my audience is looking for; an everyday person who is knowledgeable, relatable, and passionate about the helping the workforce specifically as it related to how employees are treated. I have a lot of great skills. I’m very creative. I sat down and wrote a list of things I did well and asked for feedback from my audience. There was a lot of trial and error. Overall, the nurturing side of me is what really pulls people in. My soft side (that others may see as a weakness) is my biggest strength. I am not the big bad HR wolf. I am the HR darling. I can take an issue and find solutions from a caring angle. Care is the core of all that I do. When I network with people online or out at events, they can feel that so they are open to see what I do within my business.

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.

The majority of my work experience is in the healthcare industry. My bachelors degree is in healthcare management and administration. I have worked in the ER, surgery centers, OBGYN offices, and more. It was so interesting because of course our patients are priority, but I was apart of the piece that caters to the healthcare professionals like health insurance, patient signatures for consent, and credentialing our healthcare heroes. For a large portion of my healthcare work experience there was no patient contact at all, only contact with the professionals. I cared so much about how they were being treated. I could hear it in their voices and see it in their faces when something wasn’t going right. Sometimes they would share their stories. That is what made me want to get into a career in HR. Like many, I was hesitant with changing my career because I invested so much time and resources into where I was. Then things started to get toxic to the point where I had to change things up. I felt like God was pushing out me because I was not paying attention to what he was calling me to do at that time.

I help clients with everything from resume reviews and interviewing skills to narrowing down a career path and coming into businesses to obtain 3rd party feedback from staff. I teach on special topics like how to search for employment with a criminal history or creating a career vision board and I also speak about the tough topics that are severely impacting employee wellness.

My proudest moment was helping a woman (Francine) secure a full-time job. She was a temp and needed a resume in order to apply for a position at her temporary location. She never had a resume before, there was a big language barrier, but we got on the phone and I helped her write a resume and she was able to apply and was hired. There was a small time window for her to submit everything and I was so happy that things worked out for her. She shared her amazing story of being selected in a lottery type of situation to come to the USA and that she needed more hours to support her family back in Africa. I was so happy to be a part of that.

When it comes to the Winifred Summer brand, I want people to know that I didn’t just wake up one day and decide to do HR. I believe that this is part of my life purpose. I earned my masters degree in human resources management and graduated summa cum laude. My work experience is in many areas including full-cycle recruitment, employee relations, corporate culture, wellness, employee development. I have supported many different industries and I am a lifelong learner. I like to stay on top of what’s current and I am driven by passion to serve. Employees are the most valuable asset in the workforce and leadership has a responsibility to ensure they have the proper work environment.

Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?

I was invited to be a vendor (for the first time) selling books at a very large government conference. The venue was huge! I was surrounded by seasoned vendors with large fancy displays and a variety of merchandise. I had some quick dollar-store eye catching items like fun-size candy, a handmade sign, as well as 14 copies of The Toxic Job Playbook for sale. I honestly thought I would only sell 1 or 2. I have never been an extrovert. Being in the background behind the letters in my book was always where I felt comfortable, but as an indie author you have to show your face and connect with people. To my surprise, I was a total magnet at the event. I sold all my books and walked away with many opportunities and contacts. I never would’ve imagined that I could sell 14 books in only two hours. People were talking about my book in the hallways and sending others to come to my table (the table was in the back of the venue facing a wall, it was easy to not notice me). I felt like a superstar. Even as I walked to my car after leaving the event, people were rolling down their windows to wave at me and remind me to keep in touch. I sold more than some of the people with the pop-up banners, tablecloths with their logo, and giveaway bags. I am very proud of this moment! So for all my introverts, don’t think that you can’t make sales. Show up and share your message. People will be attracted to your light!

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

I like to try new things. I started on Instagram, but I have also been going to events in-person. I carry business cards everywhere that I go. You never know when you are going to meet someone who needs your services. I am also a part of a lot of professional groups with like-minded entrepreneurs and professionals. We help each other. Put out good energy and it will be returned to you, Proverbs 11:15. Just always be ready to talk about your business and tell your story.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.winifredsummer.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/writingbywinifred
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/lcthecreative
• Other: www.linktr.ee/writingbywinifred
• Shop: www.winifredsummer.bigcartel.com
• Upcoming course: https://www.howardcc.edu/programs-courses/continuing-education/courses/business-courses/leadership–management/

Image Credits
Photos by Michael at www.photomemike.com