Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Winnie Elizabeth Thompson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Winnie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?
As a business owner, it can be challenging because you’re depending on YOU for everything. But I am always happier when working for me and being in front of how things are executed.
And even as a boss and team leader, I’m always a student. When I’ve hired people to work for me, I hired those who I could trust to teach me as well.
But to be honest, I don’t think that this lifetime allows for me to work a 9-5. Stable income would be nice but every quarter always bring a new unexpected blessing that a 9-5 wouldn’t be able to coordinate with.
Winnie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
So I’ve been managing my son, Sidney Keys III for 6 years. Before Sidney was my client as the founder of Books N Bros, I was a blogger. With my blog I learned so much about online networking, media relations, web hosting, social media management, etc.
Books N Bros soon took off, so I devoted my time to that and paused my blogging efforts.
Later, I’d had requests from others to manage them and I always turned them away. I never looked at myself as a publicist or talent manager.
But over the years, I’ve learned so much and developed a formula that worked well for my son and now I’m applying a similar formula that works for my clients today.
Any advice for managing a team?
How a team operates is a direct reflection of their leadership. As a leader, you have to make sure that you’re present with who is on your team and what are their needs. Additionally, identify the strengths and weaknesses of them as individuals and capitalize on that.
Also identify brand values that everyone should adhere by and constantly be reminded of.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Unfortunately, as a black woman, I think it’s been engrained in us to be resilient. I don’t brag on being resilient anymore but I will say that pushing through the grit made me appreciate grace that soon came thereafter.
Contact Info:
- Website: Bookedenterprise.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/iamwinnieelizabeth
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/winniecaldwell