I won… and said the “F” word
Last month, I got all dressed up and attended the Altitude Awards - an awards night for women in business in Australia.
I was a finalist in two categories - Solo Trailblazer and Emerging Leader.
It’s not the first time I’ve been lucky enough to be in the finalist list, and I was super appreciative to be there.
Solo Trailblazer was one of the last to be announced. I truly, honestly, did not expect a win. My business over the last year has been tumultuous at best (like many of us I think!). I actually expected one of the other wonderful ladies who was on my table to win it - and had my camera out filming ready to capture her moment.
Then my name was called.
My brain farted.
I swore. Loudly. Dropped the F Bomb.
Dropped my phone on the table, I think still recording. I tripped on my dress (super long on me, even though I ordered midi instead of maxi - the perks of being 4’11”).
I hadn’t prepared a speech. And if you know me, normally I wouldn’t need to. I’m not shy in front of a room, or on camera. But I got SUPER overwhelmed.
Stumbled over my words. My shoulders were so high and neck so tight that I didn’t just have a double chin in the photos, I had no neck or chin at all, just a blob of flesh that ran to my chest.
Someone recorded it for me, and my voice was high, tight, and even weirder than normal (we always hate our own voices, but this was weirder than normal).
Moral of the story?
Write the damn speech. Be prepared.
There are times for winging it (most of the time for me TBH). And there are times to definitely NOT wing it.
And if, like me, you’re thinking you won’t win? Maybe, just maybe, have a tiny bit of optimism. You won’t “jinx” it by writing the speech. If anything, you can repurpose allll of those thank-you’s into an end of year post or video for your business' socials. Yes, I will repurpose just about anything I can get my hands on. I’m lazy efficient like that.
So, here are all of the thanks I WISH I had said.
This one I did say - to the wonderful, supportive, kind Andrea from Women With Altitude. Not just for creating the awards and providing the opportunity to be there, enter and win, but for everything you’ve done for me - and other business women - since I’ve known you. And it’s been a while! I came across Women With Altitude when it was a LOT smaller than it is now, back in the days when I was a mortgage broker. The Hills chapter was tiny, and we used to meet at the Castle Hill Tavern. When I came back to the small business world after years of corporate and child-having, I knew that I wanted to reconnect with Andrea and check out WWA again. You see, it’s just in Andrea’s nature to support, encourage and love the people around her. Not only that, she has amazing experience in business, an awesome ability to connect people, and knows just when to give you a gentle pat on the back, or kick up the bottom (nicely).
To my clients, especially those who have stuck with me through thick and thin, and ALLLLL the changes I’ve made (and still make!) to No Grey Suits and what I offer as I redefine what works through different stages of business and life. Kylie from The Money Brew, I’m especially looking at you here.
Other amazing business women around me who have supported, given advice (or bottom kicks), hugs and more - thank you. In small business, the people you spend time around can make or break, and I’ve been super lucky to have surrounded myself with pretty cool humans.
And that’s what proper networking is all about. Not just getting leads. Not just willy-waving. But genuine connections with people who, even if they aren’t your clients, have your back when you need it.
Just in case this is still around when they’re old enough to read, thank you to my kiddos. The catalyst that made me brave enough to leave corporate. I know these first few years have been tough: “are you working again Mummy?”, and not yet being able to go on the holidays I’d love to take you on.
