Meagan Corey

I think it's having the support system that I do, having people around me that support who I am and where I'm going, support my dreams, whatever, however crazy they can be. The bosses that I've had within this company - I'm very fortunate. I definitely picked the right company to help build my career and build my morals and my values, and they do support women, they do support young entrepreneurial growth. I definitely would say the support system, both at home and in my career. I'm very fortunate that my fiance is one of the rare individuals that isn't intimidated by powerful or entrepreneurial women. Any dream that I can dream up, he's my biggest cheerleader.

The best career advice I have ever received is to swallow your pride and ask the question. It is always going to take you further in a shorter period of time to listen more than you speak, and to ask the question. Whether that is to leadership, asking them for clarification on what they need to see you do, or to your team as I'm developing my employees as well. If they come to me with questions, I then have to ask them a question in return - well, how would you answer this, or what do you think would be the best course of action? And then steer them in the right direction from there. I definitely say just ask the damn question.

Keep your chin up and don't be afraid. I think that as women, sometimes we fall into that habit of making ourselves smaller, as we might feel like we're being too much. There's nothing wrong with stepping into your power, and if people are intimidated by that, if your male counterparts are intimidated by that, then they can just get off the wagon. At the end of the day, this is your life and the direction that you want to go. You need to be your biggest advocate. Keep your chin up and don't be afraid to take up space.

Something that I notice often with business owners and entrepreneurs that I work with are the ones that get comfortable hiding behind the screen. We're living in this digital era where social media and otherwise is really taking over and consuming our lives. There is something to be said, of course, with social proof and having a digital footprint, but at the end of the day, making connections like talking on the phone, meeting in person, building or rebuilding a sense of community that we might have lost in society - community almost feels nostalgic now, which is unfortunate, but I think it's slowly coming back. I think it's just being a little bit more intentional with your networking, getting out and having those conversations instead of just a text, or an email, or a social media post. It's going to bring you more success as a business owner.

My values are always changing and improving, but one that really stays the same and resonates with me is just serving those around you. There's nothing more rewarding than seeing the people around you succeed, and that goes for my franchisees, to my employees, my team members. I'd also say filling your cup so that you can fill the cups of others - that's my absolute mantra. It's hard to give 100 and 120% every day if you're not also giving yourself that same time and dedication, and being mindful, and really being honest with yourself, checking in with yourself. If you need to have that day off, or that hour a day for yourself, so that you can give everyone else your 110%, then that's what you need to do.