From task management to deal negotiation to team coaching, being a mom has a lot of things in common with being an effective business leader. That’s why, for this upcoming Mother’s Day, we’ve interviewed a number of marketing influencers to find out how their mother’s wise words and guiding hand have shaped the kind of marketer they are today.
We asked each of them to point out (1) something that their mom has said that turned out to be right and (2) the best piece of motherly advice they’ve ever received. Here’s what we found out:
Jan Gordon, Currati
Mom was right:
Cherish your family and friends and let them know they matter – (I have always followed this advice).
What’s the best advice you got from your mother that made a difference in your life right now?
Stay active, be of service to others, look at the cup as half full, read a book, join a community, stay curious and keep learning new things. I’d say these two pieces of advice have truly shaped me as a person.
Jeremy Miller, Inspired Blue Media
Mom was right:
Mom was right when she would always tell me to work hard, stay humble, smile often, never stop learning, be thankful always, and love. It’s those few things that I have taken with me in every venture and endeavor in my life.
What’s the best advice you got from your mother that made a difference in your life right now?
The best advice my mom gave me was spiritual. Don’t always rely on my strengths but lean on the strengths of whom I call my Lord. For those who may not be spiritual I would encourage you to find a good mentor or a good small association of people who want to see the best in you. I often believed that I could do what I wanted if I worked hard enough. But in reality I realized that what I most needed was good people to lean on, good people to help me through trials, and good people to help me learn.
Jan Barbosa
Mom was right:
Mom Was Right…. You should always strive for the best but never look down on what you have.
What’s the best advice you got from your mother that made a difference in your life right now?
The best advice my mom gave me that made a difference in my life was… “In your professional life, Its not enough what you know, but to show what you know”… Right ‘now’ in social media we would call this “SocialSelling” or selling your own brand… And we know, it certainly works.
Related: Influencer Interview Series: Jan Barbosa Marries Content Marketing a
Sam Hurley
Mom was right:
Mom was right when she said “You’ll get there…”
What’s the best advice you got from your mother that made a difference in your life right now?
She always reassured me that I would achieve everything I wanted to achieve in life…but in good time and when the time is right. This always helped if I ever doubted myself. So far, her words have came true.
Related: Influencer Interview with The “Return on Relationship” Expert: Ted Rubin
Reginald Chan, Reginaldchan
Mom was right:
that I shouldn’t be working so hard (LOL)
What’s the best advice you got from your mother that made a difference in your life right now?
Don’t be a failure like her. Work hard to achieve whatever I want to achieve. (seriously)
John White, Bebee
Mom was right:
Education is the key to success.
What’s the best advice you got from your mother that made a difference in your life right now?
My mom always said education is the one thing in life that nobody can ever take away from you, material possessions come and go. She encouraged me to go back to school and pursue an MBA. Doing so made all the difference in my career and life. I was able to transition into doing something I love and makes me happy.
Mike Allton, The Social Media Hat
Mom was right:
Mom was right about many things, as I’m seeing first-hand with my own young children these days. But the one thing she always said which really resonates with me today is that I would make a good teacher. Growing up, my mom worked for the high school as a guidance counselor and taught graduate-level courses at a nearby college. Whenever she said that I’d make a good teacher, I’d instantly picture myself as one of my own teachers, or her, and that kind of career was completely uninteresting to me. It took 15 years of exploring different jobs and careers before I finally discovered in myself what she’d said was there all along – a real passion for helping people to learn and grow. I just had to find a way to do it along my terms, which happens to be writing and presenting.
What’s the best advice you got from your mother that made a difference in your life right now?
When it comes to advice, again, my mom shared plenty. What stands out most today is not so much something she said, but rather something that she did, and continues to do, which is to serve and network. My mom is one of the most active members of the community – from leading civic organizations to lending her vast experience to the schools – making her a true inspiration. Despite retiring years ago, she still maintains an extremely busy schedule and there’s no one in the community who doesn’t know and respect her. She has even been a commencement speaker! According to the Dean, “We are delighted to have Dr. Sommers as the commencement speaker. She is a champion of education and has been an avid supporter of BGSU Firelands and our entire community,” said Balzer. I couldn’t find a better role model for serving and networking, and continue to look to her as I figure out my own way forward. Thanks mom! 🙂
Related: Influencer Interview Series: Mike Allton Wears The Social Media Hat
Ana Hoffman, Traffic Generation Cafe
Mom was right:
My mother taught me one thing my entire life, but that one thing turned out to be the most valuable lesson of all. She taught me to learn from her mistakes. My mother was an alcoholic by the time I was 4. I barely remember her not being drunk…
What’s the best advice you got from your mother that made a difference in your life right now?
On the upside, that’s exactly how I knew what I didn’t want to be like and helped me figure out how to live my life differently. As a result, I was the first one in my family to go to college. To travel the world. To have a great marriage of 20 years. To have a beautiful daughter of my own. Hopefully, my daughter will have a much better answer to these questions when she grows up. 😉
So there you have it, we’ve just taken a snapshot of how the people who shape the industry have in turn been shaped by one of the most important persons in their lives. You’re also very much welcome to chime in and share something about your mom in the comments. Advance Happy Mother’s Day!
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