Image Credit: Amy Beilharz

Image Credit: Amy Beilharz

An Interview with Amy Beilharz

Sylvia: Hi Amy.  It is so nice to meet you.  Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to interview with me.  Please tell us about yourself and your business?

Amy: Hi Sylvia, I am Amy Beilharz and I help women succeed in business, allowing millions to do what they love in the process. I am a successful serial entrepreneur and have worked in high tech, low tech and tourism. After leaping from a successful career in high tech (where I managed 200 engineers for IBM as a Product Manager in their data communications area), I joined a small start-up company that was the infancy of the cellular industry.

I love the fast pace, team energy and innovative environment of early stage companies and continue jumping into new industries to join or start them—like with my zipline business. For 22 years, I have been coaching women entrepreneurs on the side. Recently, I have begun sharing my success, experience and knowledge on a larger scale through my book, training programs and website.

 

Sylvia: Well, you have a very fulfilling business model. What does success mean to you?

Amy: Success is the ability to live the life you choose, feel empowered to make choices (big and small) and have emotional, physical, spiritual and financial vitality. People who are successful wake up in the morning enthusiastic about their day and future—whether they are a stay-at-home mom or a Fortune 50 CEO.

 

Sylvia:  Yes, I agree with you. Success is defined by the individual. I really like your definition of success. If I understand you correctly, basically, it is defined by the life we desire and design for our selves. How do you create work-life balance?

Amy: I don’t believe in work/life balance. The people I know who are fully engaged in their dreams don’t seem to worry about balance because they feel alive and joyful doing what they do. Working long hours on an exciting project becomes just as fulfilling as when you are then home with family or out with friends. The only reason you need to balance work and life is when work doesn’t makes your heart sing and feels like it is sucking your life force—leaving no room for family and friends. My advice: follow your heart and your life will unfold in enchanted ways.

 

Sylvia:  What steps are necessary for a woman entrepreneur who wants to move her business to the next level?

Amy: Of course, next steps are very dependent on where the business currently resides. However, more important than existing circumstances is the entrepreneur having vision for where they are going. Without a strong vision, the “how” becomes irrelevant.

Once she has a strong vision, she should make visualizing success the most important part of her day.

A good business plan (not for investors; but for herself) is the other step that helps create a course of action to move forward from where she is to where she wants to be. I have a live training any entrepreneur can watch to jump-start their business plan process and make it is true a tool for her (not an arduous assignment).

 

Sylvia:   Of course I clicked on the link and perused your program. Good stuff! It is important to give back.  In what way do you give back to your community?

Amy: I give back by providing free coaching for youth on jobs, money and careers. Young people today are full of great ideas and sometimes all they need is some guidance to get started. I am encouraged about our world’s future based on how innovative and thoughtful our young adults are.

I also hold free adult and teen grief workshops. My father died when I was a teenager and before the process of grief was understood. I enjoy being of service to people in this delicate transition and helping them regain hope for their future.

 

Sylvia: What challenges and opportunities do you see in the present economic environment?

Amy: There are always challenges, but the people who get ahead don’t direct their attention on them. More millionaires were made in the depression than any other period in American history. When times are “bad,” savvy entrepreneurs find opportunities: startup costs are low (assets are cheap, rents are low) and higher qualified people are available for less.

Women have enormous opportunities right now. We make up 85 percent of the purchasing power in America, have a growing amount of wealth at our disposal as we mature, are more educated and maintain more freedom than ever before. And the business environment is moving to a more collaborative one, where women will excel.

The most exciting thing is to watch a woman move out of the old paradigm of “being as good as a man” to coming into her own strengths and bringing all of herself to the table. As women pursue things they believe in we are going to see an explosion of new businesses that serve our children, families, communities and world—and make female millionaires at the same time.

 

Sylvia: I agree with you in that women have strong buying power and in a great position to accumulate wealth. I love it! How do you promote/market your business?

Amy: Much of my business comes from women telling other women about me, sharing my blogs and recommending me as a coach. I am exploring the world of social media now, too.

 

Sylvia: Word of mouth is powerful! What books and resources would you recommend to other women in business?

Amy: Every woman entrepreneur should read Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich, Renée Mauborgne and W. Chan Kim’s Blue Ocean Strategy, and Thrive by Arianna Huffington.

I offer many resources on my website to help women thrive, and specialize in tools for entrepreneurs on BeAFemale Millionaire.com.

If you’re at the helm of small business, SCORE can be a great resource! SCORE.org is an organization of free business mentors for small businesses based on other business people giving their expertise.

 

Sylvia: Great resource! I was a SCORE counselor for many years, and highly recommend the resources to both start up and those expanding their businesses. There are also other resources such as Women’s Business Centers and SBDA; all located throughout the US and funded by the SBA.  What advice do you have for women who are just starting out?

Amy: The activities that you enjoy the most are what will bring you the most money in the long run. Follow your heart, not the money. If you follow the money, happiness may never come. If you are doing what you love, the money is sure to join you because you will be motivated, your results will show your passion and your joy will be infectious to investors, employees and customers alike.

 

Sylvia: How do you stay connected in mind body and spirit?

Amy: Each morning before starting my day I meditate and read my big goals and vision to ensure I create a day where my big dream is a priority, not a daily trivia and mountain of to-do’s.

I study something inspirational each day, even if I only read one page. Currently, I am reading Napoleon Hills Laws of Success in 16 Lessons.

I take time for walking, Pilates and yoga 3 to 5 times a week to make sure I am moving my body. I feel best if I walk 20 to 30 minutes each day.

I also keep a gratitude journal and write in it each night before bed. It keeps me grounded in all that is good and keeps me creating more of what I want.

 

Sylvia: Good stuff! What is your favorite quote to live by?

Amy: My favorite quote is:

Once you make a decision the universe conspires to make it happen.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

Sylvia:  Love that quote! Share with us two industry or general business related tips that could help other women business owners.

Amy: Always think from your customers’ point of view, not your operations or product.

 

Sylvia: Good advice! Well Amy, this has been a fantastic conversation. Thank you for sharing your time and expertise with my followers and subscribers.  Please share your contact information.

Amy: Thank you Sylvia, it’s been fun! My contact information is below:

  • Website: http://www.amybeilharz.com  
  • Website: http://www.beafemalemillionaire.com
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abeilharz
  • Twitter: https://twitter.com/askamybeilharz
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amybeilharz
  • Google+: https://plus.google.com/+AmyBeilharz/posts
  • Email: amy@amybeilharz.com

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