LADYBOSS… Why The Label?

Posted on by Charli Matthews
Charli-boss-horizontal

I’m curious. When you see that word is it a positive or negative?  Is it motivating or demotivating to you? Is it annoying or uplifting?

I was recently listening to Rachel Hollis’s book, “Girl, Stop Apologizing”.  I love Rachel’s energy and agree with most things she says.  She brought up the term Girl Boss and how media has created this cute word that we use to describe women entrepreneurs. She goes on to say how the “Girl” is not needed to describe the job and it reduces the value of the significant BOSS job us ladies are doing!  At first, I totally agreed with her. I thought, “ Yes, we are doing the job that would be described for a man as “boss”.  Shouldn’t we just be Boss for us too?” But, then as I sat and reflected on this statement, I began to feel proud of it.  I am just fine with claiming that I am a Lady,( a work in progress no doubt) … and a Boss.  I think it is great to find common bonds and connections with people who are like you.  I have said many times, “don’t label me” I don’t do well with politics or judgement based on these labels.  But, Lady… now that is a label I wear proudly. And well, “Boss” is just the name I was given to me by my team.

I think it is important to realize we ARE DIFFERENT but EQUALLY VALUABLE! Respecting the differences other “labels” have and realizing we all have ideas and solutions based on our unique experience and talents will help move us forward.

I have recently been studying leadership and paying close attention to my own bias, so I can be a better boss. The more I study, the more I know I have much to learn! Being one of the few women CEOs in my network, I find it motivating to have a focus on building up other women.. And though the men in my life give me a hard time for my “girlpower” energy, I will continue to be proud of it! In order for the numbers of female leaders to increase steadily we have to have more lady bosses there to support them, to make the environment more inviting, so we can help to solve the complex problems our world faces. I will continue to advocate and empower more #ladybosses and push for a #balanceforbetter society.

I am a woman, so I find it easy to talk about that… I am aware that diversity is not just about gender.  If you are focused on changing your “label”, I’m here to help you as well!

In today’s world, we have to think about our personal brand! Whether we convey it through social media or just in our everyday interactions, our personal brand is part of our identity! People are going to “assess” you and put you ‘in a box’ (whether we like it or not, it’s just part of our nature)  If we get to define our identify before others can do that for us, isn’t it something we should do?

I challenge you to create “your words” around your identity!

My word is #LADYBOSS!

Just a G.I.R.L with a Dream

Posted on by Charli Matthews
charli dreaming

As I celebrate my anniversary and National Girl Scouts Day, I am reminded what G.I.R.L means to me.  I was reminded of this several times since our International Women’s Day event.  First, as we sat around the table and discussed if we had ever felt like being the only girl at the table was a challenge for us. Most of the leaders at the table never even took notice of it. But I have heard stories from less assertive people, it was indeed a challenge. Then, as I watched the girl in Captain Marvel movie be pushed down over and over and told she shouldn’t want to do what he boys were doing, I started to be reminded just how hard it is.  I had been pondering on these things when I received the text, “Favorite moment of Captain Marvel when she’s kicking ass to Gwen’s “I’m just a girl” I instantly thought of you!”

I too had noticed “Just A Girl” playing at the very moment when the girl realizes she has always had the power she needed to win.  She just needed to take control it.

I am a girl named Charli.  I often laugh and say my dad thought I was a boy, and they just didn’t have a backup name. The truth is I have always wanted to prove I could do the same things boys could.  Growing up with a sister who was always annoyed with me, I had no other choice than to keep up with my two younger brothers. Competing with them left me with a broken arm and my feelings hurt too many times to count.  I continued to strive to be more than “Just a girl.”  I remember the day my brother picked me up and moved me to one side… I no longer tried to compete with him on strength, but I also didn’t understand how my limiting beliefs got in my way.

I have been drawn to No Doubt’s “Just a Girl” as long as I can remember.  Honestly, I can’t remember when I first heard it; it has been with me always. When you hear the title, you may think she is agonizing over being a girl or that she can’t do things because she is a girl.  The opposite is true.   She is fed up with the world telling her she can’t do things.  I am drawn to the lyrics.

“’Cause I’m just a girl
I’d rather not be
‘Cause they won’t let me drive
Late at night
Oh I’m just a girl
Guess I’m some kind of freak
‘Cause they all sit and stare
With their eyes”

Probably because I was 14 going on 18, and I wanted to be able to drive whenever I wanted to or wondered why I couldn’t wear a swimsuit without people staring.

Today, I find this verse closer to my everyday:

“Don’t you think I know
Exactly where I stand
This world is forcing me
To hold your hand”

My thoughts go to responses like “I’ve played this game long enough, and I have had it up to here!”  From time to time, I sing this VERY LOUD in private, or on a karaoke stage after too many margaritas with my sister (who always says I don’t know the song).  Honestly, I don’t either of us can say this line with margaritas… go ahead try it…

“What I’ve succumbed to
Is making me numb”

The point of this ramble is to say… I have had it up to “here.”  Here being the level in which I am forced to stop improving.  I want to continue to grow, climb, lead, and be challenged.

When you are at the top, pushing forward and feel the resistance, it can be crippling. Similar to Captain Marvel, when she knows she had done the work to compete.. YOU have to make a choice… To go for it, or to quit.

I have no desire to be masculine or to say I can do things better than men. I do want to continue to challenge myself as a G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-Taker, and Leader)  and to focus on the things, I can control…

Meghan Merkle now Duchess of Sussex,  says it best in this speech:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmAEQuK_6Rk

Where she says, “Women need a seat at the table, they need an invitation to be seated there, and in some cases, where this is not available, well then you know what? Then, they need to create their own table.” That is exactly what I am doing!

She goes on to say “It is said, that girls with dreams become women with vision. May we empower each other to carry out such vision because it isn’t enough to simply talk about equality. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to simply believe in it,  one must work at it… Let us work at it together.  Starting now.”

EmpoweringWomeninIndustry.com … Just a girl with a dream of sitting at the table!  Join me…

3 Ways Men Can Support Empowering Women in Industry

Posted on by Charli Matthews
Men_Supporting_Women_in_Industry

As we continue to build a community of women in male-dominated industries and finalize plans for the Empowering Women in Industry Conference & Gala, I can’t forget about the 79% of our audience that are men.  I want to assure you that shining the spotlight on women in industry will only increase value to you and your organizations.  It does not devalue men.  The end goal is a Diverse workforce.  However, to get there, we must build a more inviting space to be more inclusive; diversity only works when coupled with inclusivity. And inclusivity works both ways.

Just this week, as I planned my #IWD2019 event, I asked a few men to attend.  I got responses like “I don’t want to be in the minority” and “I would stick out like a sore thumb there.” This is the same feeling women have when they are the only woman in the room. It is their passion for this industry and professional goals that drive them forward and over the obstacles which sometimes unintentionally get anchored in front of them. Through my research and life experiences, I know there is a need for a “women supporting women” environment. In a male-dominated industry, this is harder to find.

On a positive note, I have found close to 400 women in my network (when I originally thought it was more like 20) who are actively seeking this supportive network.   What we focus on is what we see! My network ratio has always been 80/20 male.  We just experienced a 1% change because I focused on connecting with women… I am focused on building role models for our industry and our children.  And I need your help.  So, you might feel a little uncomfortable, but know that supporting this initiative is better in the long run. Many women who have a passion for building and problem solving feel uncomfortable and alone most days on the job, so let’s start showing our support for them.

Read more! 

 

 

Let’s Invest in Tuscaloosa… Let’s Elevate Tuscaloosa

Posted on by Charli Matthews
Elevate Tuscaloosa

Yesterday, I met with members of Chamber Tuscaloosa for a meeting for Small Businesses.  We discussed opportunities and challenges we face as business owners. I absolutely love these types of meetings and I am always inspired to get more involved!  These meetings allow us to understand a better way to help and grow our local community.  The majority of my customers are outside the state.  However the more I talk with local businesses, the more I realized there are many opportunities right here!

In this meeting, I also learned that there is a pretty strong proposal pending approval that will help develop and grow business opportunities in Tuscaloosa.  Spend the time and watch the video on ElevateTuscaloosa.com

We discussed a couple topics of this proposal that peaked my interest!  These topics were the Conference Center and Airport Improvements!  I travel monthly to airports to visit conference centers around the world, and it would be great to bring some of these event to T-town.  I’d bring my own company event here if there was proper transportation options for my clients.

This proposal also discusses Workforce Development, Transportation, and Tourism.  I believe it is worth taking a closer look.  Our workforce needs skilled workers across the nation, and we have the ability to prepare & educate our community to provide these jobs!

Let’s invest in Tuscaloosa!

A Leaky Valve Story

Posted on by Charli Matthews
A leaky valve story

A little over a year ago, I had a wreck that changed my life! It opened my eyes to how fast that I was going and that if I didn’t “slow down” I may not be here for much longer.  That day I experienced tingling and numbness in my arms and the legs.  I began to experience fatigue.  A lack of care and then followed by headaches.  After taking my blood pressure as a joke really, I found my blood pressure was as high as when I was pregnant with Karli.  This was my bench mark of blood pressure because really it was the only time I paid any attention to it.  I can remember the doctor being worried and asking me to lay on my side until it decreased.  I had one more headache that lasted three days. Then I went and basically told the doctor I needed blood pressure medicine.  For me, this was big because I hate medicine.  I know… coming from a family in the medical field, but I just don’t like to take them; mostly because I am a baby and cough syrup knocks me out.  All my blood tests had come back showing I was healthy – other than this high blood pressure issue.  Well, coming from the pump industry, my reaction was “What is the root cause!” (did I mention I don’t like taking medicine?!).

I began to see doctors to try and figure out what was going on as I was still have the fatigue and numbness.  As someone that works with their arms and fingers everyday, this was very distracting because I had to be able to work. I paid very close attention to my body.  Thanks to my brother, the chiropractor, I am very aware when things are quite aligned.  But I knew this was different. In the Summer at the pool, I dove down to the bottom of an 8-ft pool and couldn’t catch my breath.  I noted it, but thought, “man, I am out of shape!”  After being put on the blood pressure pills, my doctor became MIA. I finally decided I couldn’t wait any longer.  I needed a new doctor.  I was recommend to a doctor just down the road.  The only problem was that I still had to wait on the appointment.  I had two weeks to be patient.  During this time, something happened.

I was in a situation with my family where I felt extremely annoyed because I wanted my children to understand the importance of engineering and welding, but my kids didn’t want to behave to tour the school.  All of a sudden, I felt a pain in my chest.  This happened again when cars were blinking their lights at me, and I couldn’t understand why.  I had Karli in the car, and since I had just watched a movie about a car catching on fire, I assumed I was having an anxiety or panic attack. I noted it but didn’t get too alarmed.

I finally had my doctor visit and described what was going on with me. I told her everything.  She listened and examined me with care.  I have to say it was so nice to have a lady to talk to, and I felt that she understood all my worries.  My blood work came back with VERY low B12 and D quantities, so I began weekly B12 shots and this helped my numbness and tingling immediately after the shot.  I was amazed! I was like… Well that was it! I have just been too stressed and not eating enough steak!  Everything else looked great…

I made it through the holidays, but I felt anxiety as we looked at purchasing hunting rifles. I walked away and didn’t feel bad, but later I didn’t sleep well. The next morning I started my day with coffee and my computer. As I took a break, I was pushed down to my seat. I couldn’t breathe well. I walked slowly. I told Carter that I was going to shower, and was very uneasy…I had trouble raising my arms and became really scared I would be found naked in the shower! Luckily, I made it through and then immediately called the doctor.  They brought me in right away, and the EKG was normal. I was shocked! I was persistent that they needed to keep checking, something was wrong and I could feel it, so they did an ultrasound and discovered I had a bicuspid opening instead of a tricuspid valve in my aortic valves.  Yes, aorta is all I needed to hear as well!

I laugh now coming from the pump industry… it’s always the valve right 😉 I’m being silly, but I am worried about putting myself under unneeded stress, as the valve is also leaking and flowing backwards. This, if not regulated, could create catastrophic damage. So… I have a regulated “chemical based” stress test Monday, and I just hope and pray this is something that can be protected with some predictive maintenance.

Say a prayer for me, and know I have great faith in all the people who maintain valves as well as the manufacture of my enlarged heart. Love to all of you today and every day.