BONUS EPISODE: Taking Risks + Being BOLD [Plus an Exciting Announcement!]
We’re chatting all things taking risks, being bold, networking, community and more!
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE HERE:
Today on the Pod, Dani chats with her Biz Bestie, Our Fractional CMO + Friend, Alisha Kumar!
We've got an exciting announcement... and we also chat all things taking risks, being bold, networking, community and more! Grab a cup of coffee and dive in for a fun biz chat!
Connect with Alisha:
Instagram: @alishakumar
GET ON THE SEATTLE WAITLIST HERE: https://www.businessbabescollective.com/seattle
The Power of Taking Risks:
Alisha emphasizes the importance of taking risks in entrepreneurship.
Risks lead to either success or valuable lessons.
The entrepreneurial journey involves making bold decisions and stepping out of the comfort zone.
Building Connections Through Community:
Alisha shares her experience of building the Seattle Business Babes community.
The launch event exceeded expectations, attracting a significant turnout.
Building connections within a community is crucial for business growth.
The Evolution of Roles:
Alisha's involvement with Business Babes evolved from launching the Seattle chapter to becoming a fractional CMO.
The collaboration highlights the significance of lasting, multifaceted relationships in business.
Friendships in Business:
Danielle and Alisha stress the importance of maintaining genuine friendships in the business world.
Open communication, mutual respect, and ongoing support contribute to successful collaborations.
Reviving Seattle Business Babes:
Alisha announces the revival of Seattle Business Babes.
The community will host events, providing networking opportunities for entrepreneurs.
Stay tuned for exciting collaborations and future announcements.
The Impact of Community:
Community has been the backbone of Alisha's business growth.
Connecting with others, attending events, and engaging in various
transcript
[00:00:00] Danielle: Welcome to the Business Babes Collective podcast. I'm your host, Danielle Wiebe. In this podcast, you'll learn tangible business tips and strategies on how to grow successfully and sustainably. We'll also interview seasoned entrepreneurs so you can listen in on their stories and see behind the scenes of what it took to grow and scale their businesses.
[00:00:22] Danielle: Let's dive in as we discuss the wild, exciting, crazy, challenging rollercoaster ride of entrepreneurship. Welcome, Alisha. I'm super excited to have you here again. I think you're up there on the most times that we've had someone on the podcast. I'm pretty sure you and Taylor are definitely like neck and neck for who's been on the podcast the most.
[00:00:48] Danielle: So we talk so much. Yeah. I love it. So for those who don't know you, first of all, before we get into anything, we have an announcement. But we're going to share an [00:01:00] exciting announcement at the end of the podcast episode. So you have to listen to us chat, but we're super excited. I have been actually hinting on the podcast for a while that we have just a lot of exciting things that are happening.
[00:01:13] Danielle: And Alisha is actually involved in a couple of those things, which is really fun. Bye. Yeah. And introduce yourself. Tell us a little bit about who you are, what you do.
[00:01:23] Alisha: For sure. So I'm Alisha. If you don't know, I'm the founder of The Social Project. We are a marketing agency working with lifestyle brands and we help them with everything from strategy, organic, paid marketing, you name it, experiential events.
[00:01:36] Alisha: So glad events are back. I'm the host of a podcast as well called Here for a Good Time. And it is exactly what the name is. You come there for a good time. And what else? I am the former chapter leader of Seattle Business Babes and San Diego Business Babes. Your girl has been around. Okay. Yes.
[00:01:58] Danielle: Oh, that's so good.
[00:01:59] Danielle: Okay. [00:02:00] Tell everyone a little bit about like, how did we originally connect? How did we meet each other?
[00:02:06] Alisha: Yes, I remember it was 2017, maybe like March or something, and you hosted an event. It was with a bunch of bloggers in the lower mainland, so Vancouver area. And I was like, Oh, maybe I want to be a blogger.
[00:02:20] Alisha: And I had been in marketing for God knows how long at that time. I was like, Oh, blogging seems so fun. Like you get all this free stuff. Let's thank God. I didn't become a blogger because I think I post three times a year or so, but that quickly turned into me coming to more events and just more of the entrepreneurial world opening up through networking with so many people through Business Babes Collective and Vancouver mainly.
[00:02:45] Alisha: Cause that's where I was situated. And that then turned into me sliding into Danielle's DMs because I knew I was moving to Seattle. And at that time, I only knew one person and that was my then boyfriend. And so as cool as he was, [00:03:00] I needed some girls in my corner, especially when it came to entrepreneurship.
[00:03:03] Alisha: And so I started bugging Danielle and we met up for coffee and we just clicked right away. It was one of those friendships where I was like, I know some, we're going to collaborate on some sense. However, I know this is like a friend that I found for life. And yeah, I remember you launched, I think it was the San Diego chapter and then Victoria and I was like, girlfriend, what about Seattle?
[00:03:25] Alisha: And you finally said, okay, yes, let's do it. I'm ready for Seattle because the growth was so quick. I want to say it happened all within, I don't know, five months or something, all these chapters. Oh yeah, it was
[00:03:34] Danielle: wild. It was wild. Yeah. I think, yeah, I think it was 2017 to 2018 was like, When we opened up all our chapters, I think it was like those two years and it was just the wildest couple of years ever.
[00:03:50] Danielle: It was so funny. There's so many great memories that I have from that time, even though it was It's incredibly overwhelming at times there. It was a [00:04:00] lot of fun. Like it was, sometimes I thrive in the chaos, even though I have to sometimes just check myself before I wreck myself because I can easily go down this road.
[00:04:09] Danielle: I think a lot of entrepreneurs probably are the same way where you have so many ideas, so many things you want to do and you thrive in that, like things are messy and chaotic and my schedule is crazy full, but I'm loving it. But then you do have to actually. check yourself and be like, okay, am I actually okay here?
[00:04:27] Danielle: Am I doing okay? So I feel like those two years were just a wild ride as far as launching the chapters. I have a question for you though. Cause yeah, that was such a cool. I don't know. I remember you reaching out and I remember going for coffee. I think it was in Fort Langley and yeah, meeting you for the first time and being like, Oh my goodness.
[00:04:46] Danielle: Yeah, this is so cool. I'm super excited to eventually work with you and collaborate with you. But what gave you like the. Confidence to pitch something like that, because I feel like [00:05:00] you didn't know me very well. And I think a lot of people, maybe they have these ideas or things that they want to pursue, or maybe people that they want to collaborate with or work with, but then they never end up doing anything with it because they are just, I don't know, they hold themselves back or they don't go for things that they want.
[00:05:21] Danielle: So what gave you the confidence to, to do that in the first place?
[00:05:25] Alisha: Great question. And it's so funny that you said this because I just crafted a post about taking risks and I will die on that hill. Taking risks is the name of the game. When it comes to entrepreneurship, you're either going to win from it or you're going to learn those two things.
[00:05:39] Alisha: And I'm really excited that I got to learn that very quickly, not only in my entrepreneurship journey, but in my career, especially when it came to marketing and working on these big campaigns, it was a lot of risks being taken, especially things like. In the beverage world, because I used to work with a lot of alcohol brands or even in sports, we're seeing it right now with Travis and Taylor [00:06:00] and the NFL taking so many risks in terms of their marketing.
[00:06:03] Alisha: And so that kind of. I guess bled into, okay, Alicia, if you're going to start this thing, especially a business, you're going to have to take risks and you're going to have to go do things that are very outside of your comfort zone. That includes pitching ideas that may get shot down, but it may lead to something really great.
[00:06:19] Alisha: And in this case it did. And so I think it just comes down to asking yourself, Hey, how bad do I really want this? And am I willing to put in the work or make those scary decisions to just go all in and do the darn thing?
[00:06:34] Danielle: I love that. Oh, that's so good. Okay, and tell me a little bit more too about the idea of following up on your vision and on your ideas or people that you connect with because, like you said, you and I connected and then there was this kind of lull of nothing happened for, and I can't remember how long it was, I can't remember when you originally came to me with the idea of opening up [00:07:00] a Seattle chapter and then I can't remember like what that timeframe was of you coming to me with the idea and then us actually launching it.
[00:07:09] Alisha: I want to say it was like five months. I'm not going to say I want to say I remember it because it was so clear as day. I was like just waiting, but it was about five months. And in that time, though, I was learning also so much other stuff about owning a business and what I could bring to the table as well to you when it came to this collaboration as well, because it is such a two way street.
[00:07:29] Alisha: And so not only brushing up on my skills and connecting with more people, you know, It also came down to, okay, what am I bringing to the table as well? Because she is bringing this business idea and a business that is. Tried and tested and true to what it is and yeah, it was a lot of just working on that and following up.
[00:07:50] Alisha: I didn't let go of the follow up, whether it was commenting on your stuff online or
[00:07:56] Danielle: Following up to stuff as well, like I do remember, I [00:08:00] do specifically remember you showing up to like events or different things and just like being there and I think that's what really solidified the, okay, Alisha's serious and she's also committed and she supports and loves our community.
[00:08:14] Danielle: It wasn't just this like thing where I felt like you just wanted something from us or like from me and I think that's like a key thing that I tell people as well is show that you care about other people before you're just like Asking or pitching things and like giving as well, instead of just taking.
[00:08:34] Danielle: So I think that was a big thing for me that like, I think you gained my trust over time as well. Cause obviously if you're going to work with someone or if you want to do a collaboration, you need to build up that trust over, over time. And so I think that was like something that really stood out to me about what you did.
[00:08:54] Alisha: And it's just supporting the other person as well. And. Yeah, talking the talk and [00:09:00] walking the walk are two very different things. And so making sure you do both is so important too, but there was also not any other community like Business Babes. So I found such value in showing up to these events as introverted as I am because I wouldn't talk to anybody for days after because it wiped everything in me.
[00:09:18] Alisha: But at the same time, I knew that. There was just so much magic and connecting with other people in this world and growing my business from that. Hmm.
[00:09:27] Danielle: So good. I love it. Okay. Let's talk about the different roles that you've had in, because I think when you first came to me, obviously it was this idea of.
[00:09:38] Danielle: Launching a Seattle chapter, which we did, which was so fun, by the way, so exciting. So fun. We were talking recently about that launch party and just how fun it was and how packed the room was and how there was just so much buzz and excitement around it, which was so great. And then you ran that chapter and then you've also just worked with us on a few different [00:10:00] things.
[00:10:00] Danielle: So talk a little bit about that. Kind of just like infiltrated yourself into business.
[00:10:07] Alisha: It's so funny that you bring this up. Cause I think every single time people are like, Oh, are you done with business? Babes? I'm like, and then I come out and I'm like doing something else with you. Yeah, totally. Um, but yeah, it started with the Seattle chapter leader.
[00:10:20] Alisha: And then when everything went online, because if you know what, we're not going to bring that up. I think all of us just started working more in a collaborative way of, okay, how do we all show up for this community and use each other's strengths and figure out what this looks like for at least a year and a half or so.
[00:10:37] Alisha: And then from there, I found myself in California and the San Diego community. Had died off. And so I was like, no, let's relaunch this. And so I started the San Diego chapter again, did that for about a year and a bit. And absolutely loved it. I love events. It just gave me [00:11:00] more freedom because this Seattle or San Diego weather is very different than Seattle and Vancouver.
[00:11:06] Alisha: So, um, I got to do things like have a bounce castle at like our October networking event, which you could never do in Seattle because it's raining. But things like that were just so out of the box and got to play around with that. And then now not only am I stepping into. Back into one of my roles, but hint, I am also working with you as a fractional CMO.
[00:11:28] Alisha: And so really taking the marketing of business babes and figuring out, okay, how can we amplify the heck out of this? Because it deserves to, and figuring out where growth lies in that and coming up with really fun, cool concepts with you. And I
[00:11:42] Danielle: just, I love it. So fun. So fun. I love it. I know it's been so cool and so great to, I think like one thing that is so unique about our relationship is like through the different iterations of you being involved with business days and then not for [00:12:00] a while and then coming back and then like this.
[00:12:02] Danielle: back and forth type thing. We've just stayed friends and we've stayed connected and like just fully supporting each other and I think that's like something that, I don't know, I hope people can maybe take away from this conversation and be like inspired by in that like you can, I think like the world of business sometimes becomes so serious.
[00:12:27] Danielle: And obviously, yes, all these things need to be done, like contracts and different things and setting out expectations and all of that. But there's also this important piece of actually caring about other people and supporting other people, whether or not you're collaborating or working with each other.
[00:12:44] Danielle: And there's going to be like different seasons of your business where maybe you even with like employees. Employees potentially, right? Like sometimes people have employees and then either it doesn't work out or they move on and sometimes they come back and there's just that beautiful, I think that can happen.
[00:12:59] Danielle: And [00:13:00] obviously that doesn't happen every time or sometimes you do need to step away from a business partnership or a relationship. But I think there's also this cool thing that can happen when you have mutual respect for someone, that you can continue to support someone. Whether or not you're working together, and I think that needs to be done better in the business world.
[00:13:22] Alisha: Yeah, no, for sure. And I think that millennials and Gen Z's are really changing what it is to, or what it looks like to own a business now and what these relationships look like. They're not transactional. We realize that there's another human being on the other side who goes through life and it can't always be business.
[00:13:39] Alisha: I'm so thankful that we can wear our business hat and then wear our friend hat and be like, okay, let's take the business one off. And it's usually me being like, Hey, I met this guy. Oh, no, just kidding. It didn't work out. Um, but just do the life thing together as well. And I think that's so important to remember.
[00:13:55] Alisha: That is a possibility. And while there has been some sort [00:14:00] of like. Unwritten rule of don't be don't go into business with friends and family or whatever. Yes. There's a lot of times it doesn't work out. However, there's a lot of times that it does. And so just remember that's a possibility as well. And if there is something that feels right to you and it feels right to the other person, go all in.
[00:14:15] Alisha: Yeah.
[00:14:16] Danielle: So good. And I think too, one thing that I will say is what I've appreciated about our relationship and what I think is really important in business relationships, especially if you're, you're friends or family as well is like. open communication and just like being really clear and then also sharing things that maybe are going well or not going well or like we've had to have conversations sometimes that are challenging and it's okay where do we go from here and there's nothing wrong with that and I think that's actually really healthy is having that clarity of okay where are we at and where are we going and that's like an ongoing thing that has to be.
[00:14:53] Danielle: Like, continued, like, forevermore. So, yeah, I think that's like maybe an [00:15:00] encouragement for anyone who's maybe thinking about going into business with a friend is be super clear in your communication and yeah, just like, I think clear, clearing the air. To sometimes because sometimes to both people might be feeling the same way or feeling like a certain way and then you just talk about it and you're like, Oh, okay, I'm so glad you said something because I was feeling this too, or whatever.
[00:15:23] Danielle: And then you just talk it out. So yeah, that's I think a big thing as well. Let's talk about why community is important. Like, what has community meant to you in you growing your brand? Because you've been a part of a lot of different communities, obviously our community, but then a lot of other communities too.
[00:15:42] Danielle: You've invested in a lot of masterminds and different things along the way as well. Like, what has that meant to you in growing your business?
[00:15:51] Alisha: I think community has been like the backbone of the growth of my business and now I'm on my third of the podcast and [00:16:00] just brand that's becoming and hands down all three have been built on the backs of community.
[00:16:06] Alisha: And it's not to say that. It was transactional in any way, or it was the relationships built through community and the doors that have opened up that wouldn't have been opened had I just stuck to myself and did this whole, like, self made thing, which I don't believe in. We all,
[00:16:23] Danielle: we all need somebody.
[00:16:25] Danielle: That's we could go off on that for a long time. No such thing as self made. I think both Alicia and I very much believe there's no such thing as self made.
[00:16:35] Alisha: No, it is so cringe. Like, Self funded? Different story. Yes. Totally. Your girl is very self funded. And same with you, Danielle. Yeah. But, yeah. Just looking back, the connections that have been built and the doors that have opened not only for clients, but collaborations or referrals or even people that I've needed to hire has just been so huge.
[00:16:57] Alisha: And This whole entrepreneur thing is [00:17:00] so lonely. My, I don't come from an entrepreneurial background at all. My parents did the nine to five thing and that's all they knew. And so trying to figure out, okay, what does this even look like? And learning to from other people and having those open conversations back to communication.
[00:17:16] Alisha: It has just helped me grow so much in terms of the business and be able to work with really cool brands and build all these relationships. And so don't sleep on community. If I am. As introverted as I am and getting my butt out to networking events, even though I don't want to, and probably don't know a lot of people there, you can too.
[00:17:35] Alisha: And I 10 out of 10 would recommend.
[00:17:37] Danielle: Yes, that's so good. It's so funny too because people often assume that I am super extroverted and I am in a way, I think I'm like, what is that word? It's am pervert or something. It's like, yeah, it's like a weird word where it's you're both, or you can like you in certain situations, you're an expert.
[00:17:57] Danielle: And then in certain situations, you're an introvert, but [00:18:00] also like. When I grew up, I was actually really shy as a kid. Super shy. And yeah, and I still, that still comes up for me, especially when I'm walking into a room where I don't, I know I'm not going to know anyone. I get really nervous. And it's so funny because, It's like, I feel like a little kid again, walking into a room being like, okay, what do I do?
[00:18:22] Danielle: What do I say? And I'm like, so awkward too. I'll just say something super awkward and then whatever, break the ice. But yeah, I think that people just assume that it's easier for other people if they're either new into business or they are nervous to go to an event. They're like, oh, I'm the only one that feels nervous.
[00:18:39] Danielle: But the funny thing is, is that pretty much every other person in the room is just as nervous. As someone who runs a global community and that hosts tons of events, I still feel like that person often when I walk into a room.
[00:18:55] Alisha: Oh my gosh, I don't blame you. I feel like everybody feels like that. And now that we're talking about [00:19:00] it, I'm like, I hope people remember that walking into a room, especially when it comes to networking events is most likely 98 percent of the people there feel exactly the way you do.
[00:19:10] Alisha: And so do something that you would want somebody else to come do to you and whether that is saying hello. And we, you were on a panel with Karen that I moderated in Seattle, Karen Oconquo, and she had mentioned, and it stuck with me forever is to stand by the food. Cause that is such an easy conversation starter.
[00:19:26] Alisha: And so that has always been in the back of my mind for as As long as I can remember now and so stand by the food. Talk about the charcuterie. There's usually always charcuterie there guys, let's be real, but talk about the cheese or something and get that conversation started and you never know where it's going to lead to.
[00:19:42] Danielle: Oh, it's so good. I love that so much. Talk a little bit about starting the community in Seattle because as you said at the beginning, You started the community not knowing anyone, like how, so tell us, like, how did that happen? If you had no idea going into Seattle, you didn't know anyone, how did [00:20:00] you begin to start this community?
[00:20:03] Alisha: I have no idea. I'm like, how did this happen? Let's take it back. But it was wild. I think we just started reaching out to a bunch of people who were either. Influential in the business world in Seattle. We had a couple influencers and then we had a larger speaker at the time just to create some buzz. And I think a lot of people do that with the communities that they build.
[00:20:23] Alisha: I remember walking into the space and it looked huge at the time and we've done bigger venues than the one that we launched in and it looks so big and I was like, okay. There's me, you, Nancy, Sidney, the speaker, and probably somebody the speaker is going to bring. If maybe even four people show up, there's 10 people in the room.
[00:20:41] Alisha: Amazing. Like we've done great. I'm not even joking. A hundred people later with people waiting outside to come in. It really was like, okay, you know what? This is something that the community needs out here. So how do I now run with this? But it was a lot of connecting after that. And it was being involved in the [00:21:00] community.
[00:21:00] Alisha: Like you said, Not only did I go to the business babes events in Vancouver, once I came to Seattle, I had to immerse myself in other people's community as well and start showing up for them the way I wanted them to show up for business babes too. And so that grew into creating my network and that helped my agency down the road as well, because there were so many people that I connected with who either became clients or came to the workshops or whatever happened.
[00:21:23] Alisha: And so it all came down to connection and. Once again, just taking that leap of faith of being like, you know what, if I need this, there's probably at least five people who
[00:21:32] Danielle: need it as well. Yes. Oh, that's so good. Okay. So we have some news. Do you want to spill the beans? Do you want to tell them what we're doing?
[00:21:46] Alisha: Seeing as if you do follow me on Instagram, you might know that I am back in Washington permanently. And of course, your girl still runs businesses and she is craving community and there just hasn't been anything [00:22:00] like Seattle. Actually, once I announced that I was in Washington, somebody didn't even message me and said, say congratulations.
[00:22:06] Alisha: They were like, Oh, are you going to be doing events again? And I was like, listen. Let me unpack one box and then we'll chat, but that to say, Seattle business space is back. We are going to be hosting an event. Hopefully this year, if we find a venue, knock on wood. And I
[00:22:20] Danielle: can, if you know of anyone, if you don't have any epic venues, we are ready.
[00:22:24] Danielle: We are so ready. Slide
[00:22:26] Alisha: in the DMS or slide in the DMS to say hi as well. But I am so freaking stoked. I think there's so many new businesses that have popped up since we last launched and so many new people to connect to and connect others with so they can grow their businesses too, which I love.
[00:22:43] Alisha: There's so many people who always message you, I'm sure as well and say, Oh my gosh, I met this person at an event or during a workshop and now we're doing this thing together and it's always so special seeing those things. And so we're back.
[00:22:56] Danielle: So exciting! Yes, so if you [00:23:00] are, I know we have a lot of people who listen to this podcast that are from the U.
[00:23:04] Danielle: S., and we have people from all across the country, of course, but, so if you are in Seattle, or the Seattle area, or even surrounding areas, come, drive out, fly out, but stay tuned, because we've got a lot up our sleeves. Alicia is very creative, as am I, so we're cooking up some fun things for the future. And so definitely stay in the loop.
[00:23:29] Danielle: What we'll do is we will put a link in the show notes. Go follow Seattle Business Days on Instagram as well, so you can join the wait list. Just stay in the when you join the waitlist, that means that any events that are happening in the Seattle area, you will be the first to know. Send Alisha a DM or yeah, just get in touch with us because.
[00:23:55] Danielle: There's so many exciting things coming down the line. Yes,
[00:23:58] Alisha: I can't wait. This is going to be [00:24:00] so good. Another launch. I'm going to be the queen of business babes when it launches here. If you're ever needing a launch of anything, I'm your girl. I have ideas like no tomorrow. And that is apparently what I'm going to be known for now is reviving things from the dead.
[00:24:16] Alisha: Yes.
[00:24:16] Danielle: Oh, it's so good. I'm super excited because yeah, like I said, we have so many. Just amazing and hilarious memories from launching the Seattle chapter. And I can't wait to relaunch because it's just going to be so good. It's going to be so fun. And for those of you who are in Vancouver area or where else, wherever else look out for the launch details for Seattle, because you should come out and support our Seattle chapter
[00:24:46] Alisha: be super fun.
[00:24:48] Alisha: Yes. We need the little mini business babes. bus or something coming down.
[00:24:55] Danielle: Totally. I love it. That'd be awesome. Oh, so good. [00:25:00] Alicia, it has been just the best just to talk to you again. It always is on the podcast. And I love that we get to work together, not only with this launch, but also with some of the marketing things, just another kind of hint, hint, wink, wink.
[00:25:16] Danielle: We have another announcement coming probably within the next, like, Couple months that are happening within business babes in general, like the online community. So that's going to be super exciting too. And Alicia is involved in that as well. So Alicia, where can people find you? Where can people connect with you?
[00:25:33] Danielle: Tell us all the places.
[00:25:34] Alisha: Yes. So you can find me on Instagram at Alicia Kumar and then at the social project Inc, or the podcast is at here for a good time co and we have a little camp coming up in January. So if you're looking for a. A little retreat in January to do some goal setting and stuff. I have one spot for you.
[00:25:54] Alisha: It's waiting. I love it. I love it. So
[00:25:56] Danielle: good. Thanks for being on the pod, Alicia. We'll talk to you soon. Thanks, girl.[00:26:00]
[00:26:03] Danielle: If you loved this episode, make sure you screenshot, post, and tag us on Instagram at businessbabesco. Want to know when the next episode goes live? Subscribe on your podcast app, and while you're there, leave us a review. Until next time, keep dreaming big, setting goals, and taking action.