and How to get inspiration from ABC’s The Bachelorette
Milkweed surrounded by a beautiful “milky” background. © Maria Dorothea Campbell 2012 (click on image for purchase information)
Correction 6.29.12: Murphy Anderson was not the first artist to draw Wonder Woman. He drew Wonder Woman on the first cover of Ms. Magazine. HG Peter was the first artist to draw Wonder Woman. He was 65 when he first started drawing her, and stayed on the series until he died at the age of 83.
I must say, this has been an incredible couple of weeks for me on so many levels, so I had to share. Almost 2 weeks ago, I attended Ms. Magazine’s 40th Anniversary at City Hall in New York City, where I met some terrific, accomplished, smart, strong women who were instrumental in shaping the more recent history of women’s rights in the US. It was the first publication to promote women’s rights. For example, before the establishment of Ms., according to an article by Abigail Pogrebin, published in New York Magazine October 30, 2011, entitled “How Do You Spell Ms.”, about the 40th anniversary of Ms. Magazine, on March 18, 1970, “about a hundred women stormed into the male editor’s office of Ladies’ Home Journal and staged a sit-in for eleven hours, demanding that the magazine hire a female editor-in-chief.” What was most interesting about my experience at the 40th anniversary and proclamation of Ms. Magazine at City Hall in New York City, was the (re)-union between women founders of Ms. Magazine and men who (literally) supported their efforts. What am I referring to, specifically? Murphy Anderson, the first artist to draw drew Wonder Woman on the first cover of Ms. Magazine, and Pete Marston, son of William Marston, the creator of the Wonder Woman character, were present. What’s their connection? Gloria Steinem had chosen to use the cover of Wonder Woman’s first issue as the cover of Ms. Magazine’s first issue! Paul Levitz, who started as assistant editor at DC Comics and eventually rose to President and Publisher (2002-2009), was present as well! To listen to the audio recording of the Ms. Proclamation ceremony at City Hall, to view the photos I took, and to learn more about Ms. and the event, please click here.
After my Ms. 40th experience, knowing what I do know about the founders, and watching them re-unite over the course of several hours, I came to the conclusion that recording history via a media network and social media platform are key to success and longevity. We learn from those before us, and perhaps teach those after us, but it’s only through our own journeys that we can truly feel connected and leave our mark. That’s the difference that Inter-Global Media Network wants to provide its customers.
This past week was equally exciting for me. I attended “Building New York’s Innovative Pipeline” at the SUNY Global Center/Levin Institute at 116 East 55th Street in New York City. Among those presenting were:
Steve Cohen, Deputy Commissioner, Empire State Development, New York’s chief economic development agency
Mark Fasciano, Canrock Ventures LLC
Jennifer Tegan, Cayuga Venture CVF IV, LP
Theresa Mazullo, Excell Partners, LLC
Nada Jain, Golden Seeds
Jordan Levy, SCP Buffalo Incubator LP
Brian Model, Stonehenge Capital Company
Owen Davis, NYCSeed
Dan Penberthy, Executive Vice President, Rand Capital
Mike Reidlinger, Manager, BioVenture Center @ High Tech Rochester
Mitchell Patterson, Managing Director Emerging Business, CenterState CEO
Anne Marie Sheidt, VP for Economic Development, Stony Brook University
Chirag Desai, Vice President and Director of Operations, IVR Technology
Mike Tucker, President and CEO, Center for Economic Growth
Brian Huzley, SUNY CFO & Chair of SUNY’s Entrepreneurial Century Taskforce
Dr. Alain Kaloyeros, CEO, College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, University of Albany
Thomas Moebus, SUNY Levin Insititute
An amazing string of presentations. So much going on within the State of New York meant to bring back and revitalize business here.
The next day, I visited the offices of Golden Seeds for their Open Office Hours. Golden Seeds is an Angel investment firm “dedicated to delivering above market returns through the EMPOWERMENT of women entrepreneurs and the people who invest in them”. The Open Office Hours are meant to be information sessions, not pitches for funding your company. You can give your elevator pitch, ask for feedback regarding your company and/or product, learn more about the angel investing process, etc. It’s informal. At the beginning of the Office Hours, Golden Seeds gives their own presentation about Golden Seeds and the Angel Investing process. I went to get general feedback on my company and product, not necessarily with future Angel Investing in mind (although one should never say never!), and I found the session most helpful! Women Entrepreneurs, if you come across their Office Hours, you should try and attend. It’s most worth it!
But it doesn’t end there. I developed Inter-Global Media Network’s product (which will only continue to develop ad infinitum of course), and am inviting women (entrepreneurs) to provide feedback. If you know me, and are interested in providing feedback about our product, please let me know! You can email me at interglobalmedia@gmail.com.
As for the tip of the week:
Remember: only you know what works best for you, and not anyone else. Remain firm in your convictions, while remaining open to constructive feedback! There IS a difference between the two.
I found inspiration in the oddest of places, and for once, it wasn’t an entrepreneurial source. I have been watching The Bachelorette on ABC this season religiously. I had caught it here and there in prior seasons, but it never kept my attention. However, I caught it at the beginning of this season, and quiet, yet firm Emily, wise beyond her years, did keep my attention. Laugh, if you will, but good judgment in personal affairs can be an indication of good judgment in business affairs as well. Whether interactions are personal or business related, they still involve interaction with other human beings, and are equally complex. Emily is an attractive, slightly built, blonde, woman with a purportedly quiet way about her, and good-natured. To top it all, she is the (26 year-old) single mother of a six year-old girl. Perhaps at first glance, one might think her a soft touch, malleable. However, as the old saying goes, don’t judge a book by its cover! Women have come a long way. Today’s young woman has somewhat less stereotyping to deal with than prior generations, even though she still has to work hard at holding her own, and remaining strong! Especially if she’s feminine and pretty…
Which brings us back to Emily, the current bachelorette. She had been on the 15th season of The Bachelor with Brad Womack. They fell in love, got engaged, and Emily was ready to tie the knot. However, the relationship ended, and Emily was single again. Her daughter, however, was the result of a relationship further back. In 2004, she became engaged to NASCAR driver and team owner Ricky Hendrick. He died in a plane crash in October, 2004, on his way to a race. A week later, Emily found out she was pregnant.
Emily Maynard is a native of Morgantown, West Virginia, but she now lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. This season of the Bachelorette begins in Charlotte, North Carolina. Choosing a bachelorette’s hometown as a location is a first for the show, and featuring a single mom is a first as well. Sign of the times!
Just as entrepreneurs risk their futures with the establishment of new ventures, Emily knew it was a “huge risk” to put herself on The Bachelorette. She ended up disappointed once on The Bachelor, and risked disappointment on National Television again. She believes that if one does fail the first (or even the second) time, one has to pick oneself up and continue moving forward. As a single mother, she knows it’s important to remain strong.
In the latest (6th) episode this past Monday, June 18, 2012, the number of suitors left was 7 (the show had started out with 25). Emily goes on a one-one one date with Travis, 30, an advertising and sales rep from Madison, Mississippi. Travis is a good-looking, nice young man, whom most probably, many women would find quite appealing. He even shares similar experiences with Emily. He had been engaged once, but it didn’t work out. He and his fiancée realized that the connection between them just “wasn’t right”. There wasn’t a “this is it” feeling. Emily chose Travis for a one-on-one date, because she wanted to get to know him better, and to find out whether the connection they felt was “beyond friends”. Even though the friendship aspect is very important to her, she also knows it’s not enough to build upon a successful romantic relationship. She realizes that there isn’t a “this is it” connection between herself and Travis. She lets him know honestly, but makes sure that he leaves with his dignity intact. He showed her respect throughout, so she responds in kind. Experience has taught me that, most of the time, you get back what you put forth.
Then there was Ryan… Ryan, 31, is a pro sports trainer from Augusta, Georgia. Emily chose him for a one-on-one date, because she wanted to get a better grip on who he was and where he was coming from. She had ambivalent feelings about him, and sought clarification. He’s a good-looking guy, but perhaps too good-looking. He also seems overly concerned with his appearance and overly confident. He tells Emily on more than one occasion that he is seeking a “trophy wife”, the opposite of what Emily wants to be. At one point he does claim that “trophy wife” means who a woman is, and not how she is in appearance. When he reads her the 12 points he seeks in his significant other, it’s all about what she has to offer him, and not at all what he has to offer her. No two-way street there! Emily’s reaction? She doesn’t want to be someone who fits into someone else’s “mold”. The crux of it? Emily rejects Ryan, and he doesn’t take to it well. He tries to manipulate her into changing her mind any which way he can. However, in the end, Emily sticks to her guns, and doesn’t cave in to his manipulations. She knows in her gut that despite his good qualities and her self-doubt as to her ability to choose well, that he isn’t right for her. She knows she’s risking “missing out on the opportunity of a lifetime” by rejecting him, but she chooses to take it, nonetheless. Experience has taught me that it’s very important to listen to one’s gut instincts when making critical decisions. We all know that this phenomenon occurs in the business world too. Again, she makes sure that Ryan leaves with his dignity intact too.
Finally, Emily decides to buck tradition, and doesn’t send anyone else home. She adds an extra rose to the equation. She wants to get to know the remaining 5 suitors better, so that she can make more educated choices in future episodes. It’s always important to make educated decisions, to listen to what is going on around you, and maintain clear lines of communication with those that you’re dealing with.
Why did I choose to talk about The Bachelorette? It’s a good example of a woman placed in a difficult situation, yet is portrayed in a positive and realistic way. The show chooses not to stoop to cheap tactics to attract an audience, and it should be lauded for that. Shows such as The Bachelorette are what potentially influence people’s behavior when it comes to gender-related issues. I look forward to more such media content!
I will be posting a text version of this broadcast with all related links to sources entitled “Running Lean and Loving It” on the Inter-Global Media Network website.
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Until next time! Ciao for now!
