Welcome to the Forty Over 40 blog. Every week we spotlight one of our honorees and their thoughts on reinvention, mentorship and momentum…plus a peek into what makes them tick.
This week’s Q & A is with Becky Robinson, Founder and CEO of Weaving Influence.Weaving Influence provides hands on execution of social strategy, delivered by a team of virtual subcontractors/employees.
1. What was a pivotal moment of reinvention for you?
I remember my husband asking me, around the time our youngest daughter was a year old, what career I’d like to pursue when the kids all reached school age. I laughed at him. At the time, I had no vision beyond the life I loved as a stay at home and homeschooling mom. His question, and the exploring I did in the days after he asked it, represent the most pivotal moments for me.
2. Who has been a valuable mentor or sponsor?
Since I started my entrepreneurial journey, I’ve had several key mentors. At times, it seems nearly every author we serve is a mentor to me in some way. Mark Miller, the VP of Leadership Development for Chick-Fil-A, has been a tremendous example to and encouragement to me. He has been a client of my company for nearly three years, but he also pours into me personally, challenging me to be the most effective leader for my team that I can be.
3. What is your biggest goal right now?
I am working to create capacity in my company so that we can move toward strong growth in the years ahead. Without the right talent on our team, we will be limited in our ability to grow, so one of my most important goals is to find and mobilize the right new team members, while I support the current team in growing their own contributions and productivity. In growing my team, I am focused on creating opportunities for myself and others.
4. What time do you typically wake up? What do you do every morning?
I wake up very early every day, always by 5 am and often earlier. For many years, I’ve been using early morning time as a jump on my work day. More recently, I use my early morning time to read, write, and run.
5. How did you feel on your 30th birthday? What were you doing at that time?
On my 30th birthday, I was pregnant with my first daughter and moving toward the end of my full-time work life at a non-profit. I was exceedingly excited, hopeful, and happy as I awaited our child’s birth, as becoming a mother was one of my most precious dreams. I was also wondering about work life after kids, as before I left on my maternity leave, I’d made arrangements for a flexible schedule with some work at home days, not knowing that my daughter’s birth would change everything — I never went back to that job.
6. How do you unplug? How often do you unplug?
I aim to unplug every day at the conclusion of my work day (typically between 5 and 6 pm). I’m not always successful at unplugging completely, but I am working toward improving. We eat dinner together as a family every night at 6 pm. Cooking, eating, and cleaning up together is an important part of our daily routine. I’ve also found that if I try to work from very early until very late, I don’t have the energy and focus I need. Unplugging each evening gives me time to renew for the next day. I often unplug for at least one full day of the weekend, as well.
7. What’s the best networking contact you’ve made? How did you make it?
I met Jesse Lyn Stoner in 2011 while promoting Kevin Eikenberry’s book, From Bud to Boss. I originally connected with Jesse through the Lead Change Group on LinkedIn, where I had posted asking for people to read and review Kevin’s book. Jesse replied that she would help, but she wasn’t yet blogging. I offered support and help as she started her blog, and her friendship, encouragement, and referrals fueled my business from the start. She referred our first client and helped me develop a very important partnership that has been another strong referral source in my starting and growing my business.
8. What challenge / achievement are you most proud of?
I am really proud of training for and completing my first marathon last year. It seemed crazy — adding marathon training to my already busy life — but the discipline of training physically mirrors and complements the discipline of my work life. The memory of my marathon helps me feel strong and capable.
9. What was the last business book you read? .
I am rich with business books, since my company promotes them. At any given time, I am reading several at once to get to know our clients and support their work more effectively. I’m currently reading The Genius of Opposites by Jennifer Kahnweiler and Wired for Authenticity by Henna Inam.
10. What song can’t you get out of your head?
A song that inspires my journey is Brave, by Sara Bareilles. I heard it played at church on a Sunday when I was experiencing some challenges in the business a few summers ago. Since then, I can’t get it out of my head. I want to be brave, every day.
Check out Becky Robinson’s full 40 Over 40 profile here!