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Making it happen: Advice from a Skilled Trade Winner

Monday, January 8th, 2024

Would you like to learn how our past grant recipients continue to succeed… despite the challenges of women-owned businesses?

Maybe you’re up against similar challenges and can glean a gem or two!

We’d like to reintroduce you to Leah Baum, with Paint Baum, our 2022 Skilled Trades winner.

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What do you wish you had known when your business was less than 2 years old?

  • Get ready for a learning curve ball to be thrown in your face.  Remember what Mandela said, “I never lose, I either win or I learn” and be prepared to never stop learning.
  • Get a line of credit, and save during your upswing.
  • Stay away from naysayers.  Surround yourself with people who believe in you and want you to succeed.  If you don’t have anyone, make new connections.  Drown out the doubt.

What advice would you give to a new business owner in your industry?

  • Don’t quote out a job based on your pocket book.  Don’t ever think, well nobody is going to pay that much.  I’d never pay $25,000 because my house wall color has a slight shade of blue in it and I want it a warm white.   People pay full price for their Nikes and Gucci, they can pay full price for you.
  • Get software.  Get bidding software, get CRM software.
  • Post regularly on all media outlets.  Stay in the public’s eye.  You may not see your ROI on the advertising instantly, but it’ll come.
  • Establish relationships with all the reps.  In the painting industry, I have a relationship with a Benjamin Moore Sales Rep, one from Sherwin Williams, and one from Behr/Kilz as well.  They can give you the best prices on products as well as sound free advice.

What was the most important lesson you’ve learned in your business?

“Your job is not to find a price that your customers are willing to pay. Your job is to find customers willing to pay your price.”  -Brad Huebner-  Don’t compete on price, compete everywhere else and provide value like no one else.  Success doesn’t come from racing to the bottom.

What are some pitfalls that you wish you had known about in your industry?

Industry specific pitfalls, marketing and lead generating scam.  Go for organic leads rather than paid leads.

What part of your industry was the hardest for you to overcome? How did you do it?

Asking for large amounts of money. I build out estimates in front of customers as much as possible, and see their reaction.  Also, all of my estimates are detailed and itemized, so as to not be seen as an imposter just making up numbers.

Furthermore, I educate myself on all this business and sales that I can find on Audible. I’ve learned numerous sales tactics from my mentors that have helped me overcome limiting beliefs which were holding me back.   And here when I say mentors, I mean people who wrote a book that I listened to on audible.

 

In your industry, where do you struggle most to manage your work-life balance? How have you overcome it?

Don’t laugh, but I implemented I-Don’t-Want-To-Hear-About-It-Wednesdays.

Can you share industry-specific resources and/or professional organizations that you’ve found helpful?

WomensNet always!  The online group has been such a great place to find people along your similar journey, the entrepreneurial path, and help to build each other up.

Painting Contractors Association just had their very first women in paint conference which I had the pleasure of attending.  It provided valuable connections and I got a mentor out of it which has been huge for me.

Painter Nation,  A facebook group with over 10,000 painters.  It’s a great place for industry expert advice.

Drip Jobs – Software developed by Tanner Mullen for contractors that helps manage sales and projects. It features:

  • Automation: DripJobs can automate follow-ups, send quotes, and send personalized messages to customers.
  • Project proposals: DripJobs can help create project proposals with logos and brand. Users can also add terms and conditions, photos, and videos.
  • Workflow automation: DripJobs can help automate workflows by sending timed messages.
  • Calendars: DripJobs has built-in drag-and-drop calendars to help separate jobs and appointments.
  • Integration: DripJobs can integrate with Google Ads and Pipeline Deals.

Painting Business Pro – Painting Business Pro is a program that offers industry-specific content for painters, both beginners and those looking to grow. It includes:

  • Copy and paste templates
  • Tips on building a team
  • Real-world applications
  • Examples of success and what not to do
  • Systems, processes, coaching, and support

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October 2023 Amber Grant Finalists

Monday, November 13th, 2023

We’re delighted to share with you 5 finalists for the $10,000 October Amber Grant. The recipient will become the eleventh qualifier for our 2023 year-end Amber Grant ($25,000).

We’ll announce the business selected to receive the $10,000 grant by November 23rd. As always, each of the runners-up will earn $1,000 in grant funds.

Note: The $10,000 Amber Grant continues to run monthly in 2023. If you’d like to apply in support of your women-owned business, you can fill out an application. In November, an additional grant of $10,000 will be awarded to a women-owned business in Technology.

Finally, a big congratulations to the following 5 Amber Grant finalists for October:

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September 2023 Amber Grant Finalists

Monday, October 9th, 2023

We’re delighted to share with you 5 finalists for the $10,000 September Amber Grant. The recipient will become the tenth qualifier for our 2023 year-end Amber Grant ($25,000).

We’ll announce the business selected to receive the $10,000 grant by October 23rd. As always, each of the runners-up will earn $1,000 in grant funds.

Note: The $10,000 Amber Grant continues to run monthly in 2023. If you’d like to apply in support of your women-owned business, you can fill out an application. In October, an additional grant of $10,000 will be awarded to a women-owned business in the Creative Arts.

Finally, a big congratulations to the following 5 Amber Grant finalists for September:

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August 2023 Amber Grant Finalists

Monday, September 11th, 2023

We’re delighted to share with you 5 finalists for the $10,000 August Amber Grant. The recipient will become the ninth qualifier for our 2023 year-end Amber Grant ($25,000).

We’ll announce the business selected to receive the $10,000 grant by September 21st. As always, each of the runners-up will earn $1,000 in grant funds.

Note: The $10,000 Amber Grant continues to run monthly in 2023. If you’d like to apply in support of your women-owned business, you can fill out an application. In August, an additional grant of $10,000 will be awarded to a women-owned business in the Education & Child Care industry.

Finally, a big congratulations to the following 5 Amber Grant finalists for August:

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July 2023 Amber Grant Finalists

Monday, August 14th, 2023

We’re delighted to share with you 5 finalists for the $10,000 July Amber Grant. The recipient will become the eighth qualifier for our 2023 year-end Amber Grant ($25,000).

We’ll announce the business selected to receive the $10,000 grant by August 22nd. As always, each of the runners-up will earn $1,000 in grant funds.

Note: The $10,000 Amber Grant continues to run monthly in 2023. If you’d like to apply in support of your women-owned business, you can fill out an application. In July, an additional grant of $10,000 will be awarded to a women-owned business in the Hair Care & Skincare industry.

Finally, a big congratulations to the following 5 Amber Grant finalists for July:

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June 2023 Amber Grant Finalists

Tuesday, July 11th, 2023

We’re delighted to share with you 5 finalists for the $10,000 June Amber Grant. The recipient will become the seventh qualifier for our 2023 year-end Amber Grant ($25,000).

We’ll announce the business selected to receive the $10,000 grant by July 22nd. As always, each of the runners-up will earn $1,000 in grant funds.

Note: The $10,000 Amber Grant continues to run monthly in 2023. If you’d like to apply in support of your women-owned business, you can fill out an application. In June, an additional grant of $10,000 will be awarded to a women-owned business in the Animal Services industry.

Finally, a big congratulations to the following 5 Amber Grant finalists for June:

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May 2023 Amber Grant Finalists

Monday, June 12th, 2023

We’re delighted to share with you 5 finalists for the $10,000 May Amber Grant. The recipient will become the sixth qualifier for our 2023 year-end Amber Grant ($25,000).

We’ll announce the business selected to receive the $10,000 grant by June 22nd. As always, each of the runners-up will earn $1,000 in grant funds.

Note: The $10,000 Amber Grant continues to run monthly in 2023. If you’d like to apply in support of your women-owned business, you can fill out an application. In May, an additional grant of $10,000 will be awarded to a women-owned business in the Business Support Services industry.

Finally, a big congratulations to the following 5 Amber Grant finalists for May:

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April 2023 Amber Grant Finalists

Monday, May 15th, 2023

We’re delighted to share with you 5 finalists for the $10,000 April Amber Grant. The recipient will become the fifth qualifier for our 2023 year-end Amber Grant ($25,000).

We’ll announce the business selected to receive the $10,000 grant by May 22nd. As always, each of the runners-up will earn $1,000 in grant funds.

Note: The $10,000 Amber Grant continues to run monthly in 2023. If you’d like to apply in support of your women-owned business, you can fill out an application. In May, an additional grant of $10,000 will be awarded to a women-owned business in the Mental & Emotional Support industry.

Finally, a big congratulations to the following 5 Amber Grant finalists for April:

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March 2023 Amber Grant Finalists

Wednesday, April 12th, 2023

We’re delighted to share with you 5 finalists for the $10,000 March Amber Grant. The recipient will become the fourth qualifier for our 2023 year-end Amber Grant ($25,000).

We’ll announce the business selected to receive the $10,000 grant by April 20th. As always, each of the runners-up will earn $1,000 in grant funds.

Note: The $10,000 Amber Grant continues to run monthly in 2023. If you’d like to apply in support of your women-owned business, you can fill out an application. In April, an additional grant of $10,000 will be awarded to a women-owned business in the Sustainability industry.

Finally, a big congratulations to the following 5 Amber Grant finalists for March:

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February 2023 Amber Grant Finalists

Monday, March 13th, 2023

We’re delighted to share with you 5 finalists for the $10,000 February Amber Grant. The recipient will become the third qualifier for our 2023 year-end Amber Grant ($25,000).

We’ll announce the business selected to receive the $10,000 grant by March 22nd. As always, each of the runners-up will earn $1,000 in grant funds.

Note: The $10,000 Amber Grant continues to run monthly in 2023. If you’d like to apply in support of your women-owned business, you can fill out an application. In February, an additional grant of $10,000 will be awarded to a women-owned business in the Health & Fitness industry.

Finally, a big congratulations to the following 5 Amber Grant finalists for February:

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Amber Grant Winners

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  1. Apply right now by telling us your story. No lengthy, complicated forms.
  2. Our Judges pick two $10,000 Amber Grant winners each month.
  3. Two of our 24 monthly winners will be awarded our $25,000 Amber Grant at the end of the year.

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What people are saying about WomensNet

Forbes

“You have to be in it to win it...seize the opportunity and apply.”

Nerd Wallet

“The Foundation awards $10,000 to a different women-owned business every month. At the end of each year, one of the 12 grant winners is awarded an additional $25,000.”

Score

“Launched 20 years ago this grant honors the memory of a young woman who wanted to be an entrepreneur but died at age 19 before she could achieve her goal.”

Fundera

“The Amber Grant Foundation was launched in 1998 to honor the memory of a young woman. The grant was formed to help women entrepreneurs reach their goals when Amber could not.”

Essence Magazine

“This organization offers monthly grants of up to $10,000 to support female entrepreneurs starting businesses. Those who qualify for these grants are also in the running for a yearly $25,000 grant.”

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