By Dan Weaver
Besides Bon Jovi and Big Apple, what else does Kristin Andree love? Shopping for accessories. It’s a good thing because she fills a lot of shoes. She’s President of Andree Media and Consulting, a certified Trainer, a Master Certified coach, an accomplished speaker and author, and a mother of three. What other shoes would she like to try on for size? Slipping into a Today Show “Working Mom” Correspondent gig!
She kicked off her shoes and spent a few minutes with us recently….
First, congrats on winning the CABO Business Pioneer Award at our recent Anniversary Expo…
It was really exciting to be the very first recipient of this award. I absolutely love being a part of CABO and participating in the events. I give of my time simply because it's fun & because I support what CABO stands for and the impact the group is having on the community. So, to be recognized for this - for doing something I love, was truly an honor.
You have been with CABO since the beginning. As a straight ally, what drew and has kept you here?
I joined CABO because a couple of my friends were founding board members. That is what initially drew me in. But, what has caused me to stay involved in the organization are the people I have met. I have been a member of a number of different networking & business groups, but CABO is different. People seem more genuine, and more themselves. With CABO, I see people become involved with the group & continue to be active members, because they truly care and genuinely want to help others. With other events I have attended and organizations I have been a part of, people appear to be putting on a front. They are simply there to get business, and have little interest beyond that. With CABO, however, I see people looking to build lasting, mutually beneficial relationships. And, I'd take that over swapping business cards any day!
As someone who has made a successful career at it, what is the power of creating relationships in the business world?
Business is 100% about relationships. We have all heard the old adage, "It's not what you know, but who you know." This is especially true in today's competitive marketplace. Clients & customers have lost faith in corporations and businesses and instead tend to put their trust in individuals. Financial and buying decisions are more often than not based on a person’s gut feel and on peer recommendations. And the absolute only way to influence those decisions is to let people get to know you...as a person. For small business owners in particular, clients and prospects want to know who you are, what you stand for. I tell my coaching & consulting clients all the time that their main job is to let people get to know them and their business ~ on a personal level. Forget talking about features, benefits & price. Instead, work to build trusted relationships and you will watch your business skyrocket. But the #1 rule in all of this is: you have to build genuinerelationships - ones where bothparties benefit!
You are one of CABO's biggest matchmakers-- any business marriages you've been particularly proud of?
The most fun for me has been seeing two people who did not previously know each other make a connection at one of CABOs speed events. The ideas that have been shared and the relationships that are forged have been amazing.
Your CABO speed networking style is so different than traditional events of this type. How was your special secret sauce first blended?
I was tired of networking events where people did little more than exchange business cards & spew out their 30-second commercial. Those types of events do nothing to foster any real relationships or any business. In my consulting practice I like to get to the heart of the matter with my clients -- what is it they want to accomplish & what is getting in their way? After all, those are the questions business owners really want solved. And often, as busy as we are, we get so engrained working IN our business that we don't take time to work ON our business. This is what my speed networking events are all about. They are an opportunity to step back for a second and let others give you the gift of a fresh idea. It is amazing what a few new perspectives can do to propel you forward!
Tell us a bit about Kristin-- your early years, hobbies and dreams....
I grew up in Georgia, so I am a true Southern girl at heart (I am sure anyone who has seen me speak has noticed a few "y'alls" slipped in there!). I have always been very driven & very independent, which seems to work pretty well for me, especially in the male-dominated financial arena. Overall, I'd say I am a little bit funny, a little bit goofy and a whole lot sassy! My hobbies are music (Bon Jovi being my ultimate favorite), theater & shopping (a girl's gotta have her shoes & accessories!). As for my dreams...I absolutely LOVE speaking & writing. My dream is to continue being able to do that, but on a more national stage.
And your life now, your family is your centerpiece…
Absolutely! I have three beautiful & amazing daughters who are my pride & joy. Being a parent is the most amazing (& definitely the most challenging!) thing in life! My goal, above all else, is to set an example for my daughters of what an accomplished, driven, honest & caring professional woman looks like.
Tell us how it led you to becoming an author.
In my practice, it was astounding to see how many professional women, who seemingly had it all together (great job, nice house, wonderful family), were completely & utterly miserable on the inside. I was frequently asked how I managed to do it all - to have a business that I loved AND a good family life. The truth is - it wasn't always like that for me.....at all! It took a LOT of work to get there. So, to help working moms create a life they loved living, I decided to share my story and the steps I took to a more fulfilled life. That is what Don't Make Me Pull This Car Over: A Roadmap for the Working Momis all about. It's a guided journey to leading your best life (& it's applicable to more than just working moms!). As for me, I am still a work in progress, as are we all. But I have found that sharing my story with others and helping busy working moms learn that they are not alone, has been a tremendous way to teach us all that we're not alone in this world, that none of us are perfect - nor should we strive to be, & that the more we learn from each other, the better we can ALL be.
Brag a bit for us! Tell us about your incredible success at Andree Media & Consulting.
My biggest success is that I have a business full of amazing clients! The beauty of being a business owner, especially in a service business, is that we get to pick & choose with whom we work. While I am always looking for new clients (who isn't, right?), I take on clients based on whether I feel they are a fit with my practice ~ both from a target market perspective AND from a gut reaction as to whether I would actually LIKE to work with that person or company. I never want to look at my calendar & dread any of the client meetings I have that day. Even with the success I have had & the accolades I have received, I would say the biggest success so far is that I have built a business of clients who I respect & that I have a ton of fun working with!
How might you help a CABO company or non-profit?
I am a business strategist, which means I take a look at a business & determine what it need to do to grow (we focus on everything from business development and marketing/social media to office operations, staffing & leadership development). With a background in finance & a keen understanding of the regulatory concerns that industry faces, I specialize in the financial services arena, working with insurance & investment professionals. It's a whole lot of strategy, some tough love & a lot of accountability.....but it's also a lot of fun!
Okay, a little free advice please. It’s a rough economy out there--and for a small business it can be especially brutal. What's the best way to stay motivated?
You have to have a "cheerleader" or a group of cheerleaders in your corner. ALL of us get frustrated & have bad things happen in our business and when they do, we have to keep moving forward. This is hard to do unless you have a strong support system. Someone who will, as I like to put it, "Pat you on the back when you do well, and dust you off & send you back out there when you get knocked down." My advice to everyone is to join a mastermind group. Find a group of 3-4 other professionals who you respect & admire and start a group. I coach a few groups in my practice, & to see the support, love & challenge they give each other is truly inspiring (and, it keeps them moving forward & growing, even when times are tough).
Anything else you'd like to say?
Only that if I can be a resource to anyone, please don't hesitate to reach out! Much success & love to everyone! :)
If you’d like to get in touch with Kristin, email her at kristin@andreemedia.com. Dan Weaver is a video storyteller who loves sharing CABO stories. If you’d like to see someone profiled or have video needs, contact him at dan@barmontproductions.com
