Anna Votaw

I think doing business the right way and with the right people is really, really important. Everything we do always starts with the community. If it can benefit the community, I'm not really caring how much money we're making out of it. That's not our priority as a team and as a business. I think that's really allowed us into a lot of opportunities that maybe other people wouldn't have been able to get, because we are just making really genuine, good relationships with other collectives around us and our venue partners. We're doing things the right way, being very proactive, communicating, and everyone's been very impressed with how organized we are as a team and how we delegate so well and communicate so well. I've been able to connect with people in a very genuine and raw level and give people the safe space that they need to connect with other people. I think sales and psychology work hand-in-hand in a lot of ways. Psychology is the foundation of sales. It's really just talking to people, connecting with people, understanding them, listening, all of that. I've gotten really good at that, which I think is what brought this community together. I also do very well when I'm busy. I do very, very well when my calendar is booked and I'm doing things that add value to my life and I'm around people that are inspiring and driven. I'm constantly putting myself in those environments intentionally.

The first thing I would say is don't underestimate yourself. I think in society, we are kind of told to be less than, and it's really powerful to be more than, and just go for it and do what you want to do. Have faith in yourself and your ability and the value that you bring. Have confidence in what you're doing and lead with confidence. Not cockiness and not entitlement, but confidence. Understand your strengths and what you are looking to work on, and be genuine about that too. Don't pretend like you know everything, but you can accomplish really, really, really amazing things if you just do it. Just do the things that are hard, and really great things will happen. Also, just talk. I'm huge on just talking to strangers. Talk to people, talk to strangers, smile at people, bring a little light into their life, connect with people, understand their backgrounds. I don't think enough people do that. And don't let men rule the world. I think women are so strong, and we go through so much, and we are constantly told no or we can't do things, and it takes even more power to just be like, no, I can, actually, and let me show you.

I've been very intentional about my professional brand and my personal brand as well. I think just doing things the right way and being a good person in everything that you do is important, even when tasked with things that you don't necessarily agree with. It's okay to push back a little bit. Everything aligns with what we want this business to be, and it's always started with the community. If it can benefit the community, I'm not really caring how much money we're making out of it. I prioritize this life that we're given, and school should be about academic challenge and challenging how you think, and the people around you should challenge you and help you grow. I'm doing things that add value to my life and I'm around people that are inspiring and driven. I'm constantly putting myself in those environments intentionally.