Scale Your Business to $1M: The 5 C’s of Success for Women of Color with Betty Hines

Deneen L. Garrett  0:02

Well, hello everybody. Today's guest is Betty Hines. She is the CEO and founder of W E W, which is women elevating women. Betty, tell us more about you

Betty Hines  0:16

bout me why women elevating women. It was a vision that I had several years ago for over 20 something years working with women, who are entrepreneurs and executives. And I saw some characteristics that we were lacking. So I had a powwow with my advisors at this time, my family advisors, my son and my daughter, and they said, you know, women elevating. And so I probably came with one of the women out with

any woman because I wanted to continue to elevate women. And I had served in roles as a C suite executive, as an entrepreneur, and then now as a consultant, and I consider myself a servant leader, the women who are entrepreneurs and executives, I just don't want them to make the same missteps I made when I wasn't able to get that.

Deneen L. Garrett  1:00

Yeah. And so you also started the collaborative pathways

Betty Hines  1:06

collaborative pathways was our conference. Okay? Yes, that was our conference, or the collaborative pathways. We our five pillars, each time we do a conference will take one of our pillars, okay. And collaboration is one of our pillars. So we had our domestic

conference, here in the DC area, and it was collaborative pathways. And we allowed the women to all get together in this conference along with our sponsors, JP Morgan Chase, and we had some other key sponsors. And they had a chance to interact, tell their experiences, tell their stories, and also make their ask. So that's the collaborative pathways, because I'm a firm believer that in order for you to have a pathway to scale, you're not going to do it by yourself, you need to do one of those pillars and collaborations. Wonderful.

Deneen L. Garrett  1:56

Awesome. So what are the other four?

Betty Hines  1:59

we also have connect, I'm a true believer that the connections that you make those strategic investments are imperative also for you to soar. I don't care your credentials. Many times, it's who you know, and that's not a bad thing. Because that person has already done the vetting. So if you get that warm, friendly introduction, or the

connection, or connect, that gives you a better opportunity to move forward. Absolutely have.

Deneen L. Garrett  2:26

Oh, and before we go on to the other one, I just wanted to make a comment. So I fully agree with you, as far as you know, who, you know, I tell my son it's who knows you as well. Right? And so everything that you said, because when they know you they know your worth, they know you know your work at this, they know a lot of things about you

that they can go in speak on your behalf when you are around and when you're not around. So yes, connections is very key.

Betty Hines  2:54

And I'm sure you've heard what people said that your network is your net worth. Yes. So that's all part of our Connected pillar. And another area that I find that is needed is the communicate pillar. The communicate pillar really falls in the area of branding, and people. We stay away from the personal branding. And it's important to have the personal branding that identifies who you are and what your business is about. You align your business values with that personal brand. And you want people to be able to tell that story. We don't do that well. And simple things like I tell women to I said, you know, I have several different email. This is not a good thing, but but there is one that I have for my business, which is Betty@BettyHines.com. And I said just spend that extra nickle. And you know, you can have the Yahoo Gmail for family, but get that business account. It's the little things like that. Like don't use a selfie as your profile. That's fine

for family. Notifications, but just some tips that we just need to do better in terms of branding. And then I have courage, Huge on this. And it really came to life, the courage because it's the courage to take care of your health and your wealth. And then during the COVID Oftentimes the women I don't care if you are an entrepreneur or an executive, oftentimes that was an added responsibility for you. I had executives and entrepreneurs say. Oh my god, I see why I'm not a teacher, you know, because they’re having to kids were at home, and they're preparing breakfast, lunch and dinner when normally they’s pack that lunch or have someone else cook the lunch, which was another barrier because you weren't having people come into your house who had

poured in that way and also support and cleaning. They found themselves doing all of that. And so that's why the and the mentally, I mean, you know what we like to be social, you can't get out. You’re stuck in their for a while pulling out your hair like what are we

going to do? Right? So it was important that we we can Take care of our health, you know, if we don't take care of our health who's going to take, and then the wealth, these women make a lot of money. And so you need to leave that legacy. And so we bring people in the areas that I'm not the expert. And there's many of them. We bring in experts like EFPs, and the people in the financial services help them with their planning, and also with their business needs. Via that access to capital, making sure they understand, what are you trying to access, maybe just need to go get a small business phase one, and, and then the last one is cultivate. And we believe that cultivate color is

about reaching back to the youth. So in each one of my groups that I facilitate, I gift, a membership to a nonprofit, because you see all those five characteristics that I’ve labeled. I've seen most five is successful executives, and successful entrepreneurs, we try to mirror that.

Deneen L. Garrett  5:58

Very good. So we have collaborate, connect, courage and cultivate. So

those are the five pillars. And that's what you kind of build your

pathways around what's on for this year for 2023?

Betty Hines  6:11

It's going to be connect. And the Connect is we've had very good tremendous success in partnering with other organizations, woman organization, we've connected with woman, so this organization, Women Presidents Organization doing 24 billion, we've connected with Fearless Commerce, which is based in Minnesota, Dynamic Women, these are women and six figures that does like a directory to connect them globally.

With this as opportunities, we're now just signed a MOU with Women

Business Collaborative. And they are a global organization with very

successful women entrepreneurs and executives, we have Grow Your Biz,

which is based in Canada. And we also have another one that we've not

quite signed the MOU on. But it's in Dubai. And then we have another

organization that's Canadian Black Woman in Business. So we have those

organizations, because I think it's important that we do that

connection outside of.   I always tell people, get outside your zip

code.

Deneen L. Garrett  7:15

Yes. For sure.

Betty Hines  7:19

Yes, yes. So that's what the whole premise is, you know, we want

people to get outside there. And that's what the Connect is all about.

And we bring those women for the sole purposes to connect.

Deneen L. Garrett  7:32

Now, will that also be in the DC area?

Betty Hines  7:34

No. This year, it's going to be because we are a feeder program into

Women's Presidents Organization. So the conference will be in Seattle.

That's excuse me, not Seattle. Why am I thinking of Seattle, it's in

Las Vegas. That is May 10 to 13 in Las Vegas.

Deneen L. Garrett  7:54

Yeah, we were talking about time zones earlier. So I know,

Betty Hines  8:01

And our domestic conference. So we have a domestic conference, and our

domestic conference will be in Minneapolis, Minnesota. And that's in

September, that's September 13, through the 15th.

Deneen L. Garrett  8:12

Okay, so now the podcast, an intimate conversation with women of color

is focused on women of color. Now, of course, the five pillars that

you just mentioned, that applies to, you know, all women, it applies

to men as well. But I want to really focus in on women of color. So

your events? How does your, your pillars and everything else that

you're doing? How can women of color tap into their power and voice?

Betty Hines  8:40

they can tap into their power and voice because what I found and why I

selected those five pillars, there'll be other characteristics. But

those were the five pillars that I saw align themselves with women of

color. And it also for what I call the people like to say the

disadvantage, I say the underestimated. For women of color that are

that 88%, we're not at that million dollar threshold, because that's

only about all women, that number is hovering around 3%. And if you

break it up by ethnicity, we are a smaller percentage of that. So

where we, I don't like to use the word get stuck, where we get lost in

the shuffle is in that six figures and trying to raise it to the next

level. And that's that million dollar threshold. So that is where

those pillars align themselves very nice, because one of the things

that we don't do well I mentioned earlier, it's collab. And if you

take a look at a lot of individuals, they don't get it done on their

own. It's through the collaboration and these are skills that are

taught that we don't learn we don't know about. We're used to just

keeping our head down pounding away and and getting it done. But if

you share that information, I mean, you pay your dues and I tell

people I'm not that auntie that's gonna keep the sweet potato pie

recipe to my grave. Share your knowledge and your experiences. And

that is what I try to encourage and show by example individuals who've

done collaboration. And also, you know, the business connection, you

know, people like right now, you know, people that I know people, and

then we do those introductions for those, each other, make those

connections. And that's not something that we're taught. It's like,

well, I got mine. No, to me, it's a very good feeling, and the giving

back. And so that was, that helps us. And so we do a lot of it. And on

the branding side, we tend to be very humble, and it could be about

our upbringing. We don't like to say, Yeah, you know, you know, I've

got selected on this board or, you know, oh, yeah, yeah. Like that

very humble on the board. So I know that some of us don't do that

well.  I'm your biggest cheerleader. And it's like, you got to tell me

if you want, I want to know, if you can't be a secret agent.  People

need to know about what you do. And so until you gain more confidence.

I say that, and I need to take my own medicines, I am working better

at that. But that's why I have an advisory board, and I have a CEO. So

go find yourself somebody that will do that for you. Because some

people call it bragging. For women, and for woman of color, they don't

call it bragging for men, and being boastful was it, it's, so we need

to learn how to do that, where we're comfortable and doing it as well,

especially if you're talking Black. So those, those sort of pillars

are what I bring to us. And then also the cultivate, we need to

continue to grow, grow up, our young sisters and brothers, you know,

why not have them come to work with you one day, you'll get involved

in those organizations that STEM groups or STEAM groups that are

trying to cultivate the youth. Give them some of that some of that

support. So and then on the courage, we don't do well, we're always

taking care of everybody else. We might take a loan for the car, this

vote of house, but we don't do enough in terms of making sure we are

self sufficient when everybody else is gone. And so that is why I

bring in the CFPs and the team, sit down with them and put your plan

together. Don't do that. We don't do enough of that. These are some of

the basic fundamentals that we need to keep in mind and embrace

implement in your daily life.

Deneen L. Garrett  12:38

Yeah, no, I definitely agree with you on all of that. And you know,

going back to the collaborative piece, I'm definitely a person who

champions others, right. So I definitely believe in sharing what other

people are doing pushing them probably, you know, beyond where they

were thinking to do, right, it's just natural for me, I will also

admit that I wasn't really one who asked for help a lot. Truly, truly

a missed opportunity. Now I'm leaning into it more, I coach, I also

have a coach. Right. So I believe in all of that. And like you said,

mentors and mentoring, giving back and showing up for others, you

know, we definitely need to do that. And we need to do that for

ourselves first, and then lean into and open it up to other people. So

absolutely agree.

Betty Hines  13:25

I agree. We can get better at that. So you can lean my way now that

I'm on here, I will be definitely be publishing about your podcast,

the network that I have, let them listen in.

Deneen L. Garrett  13:36

Yes, yes, absolutely. I you know, I appreciate that, because that's

what we need to do for one another. You know what it doesn't? It

doesn't hurt, what does it take away from you? Earlier, it takes

nothing away from you. As a matter of fact, it also, you know, boosts

you as well, right, because people when we do for others, or when we

share, you know, people like oh, look at that person, look what

they're doing for others, right? How generous, you know, let me work

with that particular person, right, because they have no problem with

working with other people and sharing a spotlight with other people.

And so when we do more of that, you know, we encourage other people to

do the same. We give people permission to do the same.

Betty Hines  14:12

We do. And that's just the act of kindness. Yeah, that's gratitude.

And I think that if we operate morer, on that kindness and gratitude,

then, you know, I don't want to sound so cliche but it will be a

better world. Right. But it will. Really. In our community. We need to

be kind, you know, we can be a little rude sometimes.

Deneen L. Garrett  14:32

Yes. No, and you know what, it's funny, two things you you said and

it's just so coincidental. Because today, you know, on LinkedIn, a lot

of people were posting different things about kindness. So sharing

that kindness. You know, just different people, unrelated they were

talking about kindness. But the other thing that really struck for me

is when you talk about getting you you know, your boss or getting your

advisors, I actually posted a throwback today rom one of my, one of my

friends and we talked about building your board. So your board of

advisors, your mentors, so I repost today, that was a throwback for my

episode for today. So for you to mention that is truly in alignment,

because we do we need other people with us, and we need their wisdom.

Right? Absolutely. And different people, because you didn't say, get

one person you said, get a board you know, is that several people? But

is it Yeah, you need other people to tap into you and, and lean into

what it is, you know, that they have to offer?

Betty Hines  15:37

So you will be surprised.  A lot of the women, the woman that I've

asked, I asked them because I've known them, and you know, sure I

would love to. But generally speaking, they want to help they want to

share their knowledge and share their gift. But I encourage you, every

woman if you yourself, glad to hear that you're thinking about the

board. It's okay. It's okay. And it's advisable. Get another someone

else about that idea off. Yeah, absolutely.

Deneen L. Garrett  16:09

Absolutely. So I want to pivot a little bit. So I'm honor my late

sister, author and poet. Soltru, by asking about dreams defered,

which is the title of one of her books, please share, dreams deferred

moment.

Betty Hines  16:23

My dream deferred moment is that I should have made that leap of faith

into entrepreneurship a lot sooner. I went into corporate America, and

was quite successful, and it had its trials and tribulations but I

came to learn. But to do that, am I you know, we just didn't you know,

start a business are you kidding me. What about you didn't think about

that. So I wish I had done that earlier. So that's a dream deferred.

But right now I'm living my dream. No longer defered. It doesn't have

to be defered because people don't understand. I'm not saying this is

everybody else's dream. Right. You know, but I did the corporate thing

for a lot of reasons. I had responsibility, and you gon' make all the

excuses. I had two kids. So I did the corporate but that was a dream

deferred. But I’m here now. And I you know, is it was just put on

pause. Yeah. So it wasn't a period, it was a comma. So now.

Deneen L. Garrett  17:21

So now why do you wish you would have done it sooner?

Betty Hines  17:25

Um, because it takes time to grow your business, you might have a lot

of resources and business connections. There's so many learning

experiences and certifications. And you have to wade through those

that and all these certifications. So it's the learning process and

learning how to navigate. I had enough experience in corporate

America.  We segued right into the entrepreneurship. But I had that

fear. Okay. And so a lot of it has to do my dream deferred is because

I didn't have the confidence, and why it's important to surround

yourself around people who have confidence in you. Sometimes it, well

for me, I won't speak for everyone. People say you didn't have

confidence? No, I'm scared. But then I had individuals and it was the

women hat I have in my group that I've facilitated that said, you

should be doing this. Let us help you. This is what you should be

doing. So that was it. And so now I'm like, This is what I'm doing. I

love it.

Deneen L. Garrett  18:32

Yeah. Yeah. And you know, when and I want to just point something out,

I was having a conversation with someone yesterday, and we were kind

of talking about the same. Same thing. As far as you know, the

deferment sometimes is because it's just not the right time. And or

there's more for you to learn. And so I'm, you know, I'm just

wondering and thinking there may have been more for you to learn,

right? Sure what happened when it happened. Because that's when it was

supposed to happen. And so we can look at dreams deferred that way,

like, okay, like you said, it wasn't a period, it was just, you know,

it was maybe it was dot dot dot it was a comma, right, you know, it's

really dot dot dot, okay, to be continued, right? You know, and you're

loving it, and you're living your dream, which is kind of seguing into

the the next one, you know, so I empower women of color to live a

dream lifestyle. And that's, and so live was my word for 2022. And

then live a dream lifestyle was my focus. And so for me, the main

component of that is travel. So I started traveling, you know, and

sharing it with other people. Again, that whole thing sharing yourself

with folks and encouraging and motivating them and giving them

permission to do the same things. But anyway, so I wanted to do that

for other women. I wanted to empower other women to do the same thing

for them not to wait until let's say retirement to start living and

start living now. What does this mean to you and beyond  WEW, how are

you living a dream lifestyle?

Betty Hines  20:03

Well, my lifestyle is because I'm an empty nester. And so, my husband

and I, we travel. We do staycations. It might be just right down the

street. And just to be away, because I find that if I'm, if I'm

somewhere near the computer, I'm gonna hop on it, you know, it's

learned that timeout, so I really travel, we'd love to travel. So that

that's living my dream. But also for me, my husband is retired,

except, you know, he's got his honey do list he has to do. But

retirement is not part of my vocabulary. You sit back and you think

you take a look at some of the people. When, who, you know, I'm

looking at my mother Maxine, you know, being in the DC area. She's

still doing it in her 80s. Yeah, making an impact. So you know, I step

back and look, and I guess your body. And And for her, it's not your

finances. She enjoys doing that. So my my dream is doing something

that I enjoy doing. Until it's time for me to say no more it might be

I might, I might decide to just decide, but I'm working on. If I do no

longer, WEW. I'll maybe be chairman, and then sit on some profit

boards and still travel. So my dream is keeping that activity going

and keeping myself aware. And on top of mining. There's always that

knowledge that I can pass on to the younger one.

Deneen L. Garrett  21:37

Yeah, and you know what, sometimes the retiring is you retire from

that thing to something else. Yeah, so one of the CEOs, so I did

retire in June, so for me retired from that thing. And so saying

goodbye to that. But one of our CEOs, she actually calls it

rewirement. So she has her rewirement phase. Which I love that idea.

And the woman I mentioned who's episodewas a throwback for today, same

thing for her. She's retired and rewiring.  They're saying goodbye to

whatever that thing is, but they don't stop. They keep moving in some

direction. And it's up to you to choose what direction it could be

another job. It could be entrepreneurship, it could just be just

traveling full time.

Betty Hines  22:35

There's nothing bad about that.   Travel here and say, hey, look, I

was here. Let me tell you about this restaurant, or site site that you

saw. So yeah, it's and I believe, and my mom, I mean, love definitely

has my back. My mom lived until she was 95 all her sisters lives to

95.  Her dad was like two weeks short of his 101 birthday, but they

kept their minds active. Crossword puzzles and reading. I believe if

you just retire here. Your mind is just atrophied. And there's nothing

for you to engage in.

Deneen L. Garrett  23:11

Yes, absolutely. No, you have you have to keep it moving and some kind

of way as opposed to when I said do nothing meaning not do nothing,

nothing. But you know, you don't have to go to another job. You don't

have to, you know, have a business. You can do other things that are

fulfilling. Right, right  keep you thinking and keep you fresh. keep

you alive.

Betty Hines  23:32

Living. Exactly. Yeah.

Deneen L. Garrett  23:35

Yes. Before we wrap, what would you like to leave the guests with?

Betty Hines  23:41

I want to leave them with to keep elevating. I don't care if you're a

man or a woman, keep elevating, always try to take it up a notch to up

another row. Because as long as you elevate you're elevating yourself

personally, spiritually, professionally, always elevate yourself and

elevate others.

Deneen L. Garrett  24:04

I love that I thank you so much. So Betty Hines, thank you so much for

your voice today. Thank you for sharing. I love the five C's again,

collaborate, connect courage, communicate courage and cultivate. Those

are definitely great ways and great pillars to live our lives. So

thank you so much. And enjoy the rest of your day.

Betty Hines  24:26

Thank you so much and ask your listeners to they can learn more about

me on Google. Yeah, wewcrew.com

Deneen L. Garrett  24:36

and I will definitely have all of her information her bio in the show

notes. Thank you

Betty Hines  24:42

so much. Thanks for having me.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai