Meet Renee Weisman, author and consultant, Winning at Work Consulting

Tell us about your business.
After working and succeeding in a predominantly male environment (semiconductor engineering), I decided to help other women struggling with the same issues I started with 40 years ago. I wrote a book called Winning in a Man’s World and teach seminars to companies and organizations to help men and women work together more effectively. In some ways, I also fit the “women with a mission” category as I have really turned my retirement into helping others.

Please tell us what being a business owner means to you and why you became an entrepreneur in the first place?  As one of the few women “role models” I found myself doing a large amount of mentoring and coaching, to both men and women, throughout my engineering career. Often when they left my office, they’d comment,” I wish I knew that earlier”.  Then my children went into business and had the same issues, and as I advised them, they kept telling me to “Write it down”.  So I did and started my own business to share what I learned the hard way.

What or who has been your greatest influence in business and why?
Hmm, that’s tough. Originally I wanted to model myself after Marie Curie and went into science.  My mother was a strong influence as she worked throughout my childhood. My husband encouraged my career regardless of how difficult a burden I placed on him. Many managers and mentors helped me and I tried to emulate the best of them.

What would you say is your greatest professional accomplishment to date? 
Watching young women I mentored and advised becoming the next generation of leaders.

What’s the best advice you have received in business that you wish to pass on to our readers?
It is possible- if you want it enough.

What has been the most effective marketing initiatives or programs you have used to promote your business?
My network has been phenomenal and often my seminars lead to book sales which lead to more seminars. And of course, the internet. I write articles for excelle.monster.com and our local newspaper and numerous other ezines which attract visits to my website. One article had over 240,000 visits….

What one thing have you learned as a small business owner that has served you well over the years?
Love what you do. You will work more hours and harder than you did working for others so it had better be something you believe in.

Are there any resources or tools you’d like to share with other small business owners that have helped you run your business?
Free software for telephone conferencing, webmeetings, email lists. You can start small for free and then upgrade as you find you need more. Also you must have an interactive website where people can leave comments or messages. facebook and twitter are great for publicizing new articles and events.

What do you do for fun/relaxation?  
Garden, bicycle, play with my grandchildren (3)

What is Number One Business Goal you plan to accomplish over the next year?
My “big hairy” goal which is he one you want to strive for even if it is beyond anything you think you can achieve, is to be interviewed by a major TV show to get my message out.

I wrote a book, called Winning in a Man’s World and an ebook which is a collection of articles I wrote for ezines called 5 Ways to Get a Man to Listen.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Women have made great strides but we still have a long way to go. By knowing what holds you back, you can speed up the pace of your career.

For more information about Renee Weisman visit: www.winning-at-work.net