Entrepreneur of 30 years and author of the book Don’t Tell Me NO! shares her advice
Linda Collinson turned a kitchen table receipt into a natural skin care line that sold around the world. She says women entrepreneurs need cold, hard truths early in their careers to increase the probability of success
“Before my business really took off I had too many people saying the politically correct things about my obstacles as a woman entrepreneur, like there aren’t any” says Collinson. She adds, ‘That hurt more than helped me.’
In the 80s and 90s Collinson’s Lacrista Skincare was on major store shelves around the country. She eventually sold the company for millions. Collinson now helps run another family-owned business, Infusion Sciences, through which she recently released Dewberry Lotion www.dewberrylotion.com, a new skincare line.
30 years since she started her first successful company, Collinson still believes political correctness is hurting a young businesswoman’s chance of success. It’s part of the reason she write the book Don’t Tell Me NO!
Here are Linda’s FIVE facts women should, but aren’t being told:
1. In 2016…it is still a man’s world. Get over it and pursue your passion. If your product or company is good…it won’t matter who writes the check. If you work hard and learn every day, you can battle through the still existent sexism in business.
2. You won’t have life balance…deal with it. You have to love what you do because you WON’T have a perfect personal and business life. Something has to suffer. Just make sure you are in it for the long haul and decide what part of life you want to suffer. Yes, this is usually tougher for woman, but when you achieve success you may be able to better control the level of balance.
3. Use gender stereotypes to your advantage if needed. For instance, women are considered more generally honest. Make sure the honesty of your product or how you conduct your business is front and center. It may give you an edge over your competition. Just stay respectable.
4. Make them more comfortable. Even if you are a tough woman with a take no holds barred attitude, sometimes you will have to play docile in the business world to make others more comfortable with sharing info or doing business with you. Once you’re their boss, their comfort level won’t matter as much
5. Remember all entrepreneurs have failures…the true entrepreneur will pick themselves up and keep going. Learn from you failures. Don’t think that there is a right or wrong way to accept failure. We woman tend to be more emotional. Don’t think you have to be emotionally tough in business. Handle it how you usually would, and move ahead.
About Linda Collinson
Linda Collinson had always suffered from sensitive, irritated skin and thought maybe there was a natural treatment. Through intensive research she found that commercially available products all contained ingredients that actually contributed to her dry, irritated skin – most products contained mineral oil, a petroleum product that does the opposite of hydrating the skin. In 1981 Linda created LaCrista (meaning the best) Natural Skincare to market her natural skincare formulas that worked so well for her very sensitive skin. Linda landed her products on the shelves of Wal-Mart, Sams Club, Giant Food, The Cosmetic Centers, and other notable retail stores in the U.S. and abroad. To learn more about Linda Click here:
Linda is back at it with the release of her updated natural lotion, Dewberry Lotion www.dewberrylotion.com
ABOUT: Don’t Tell Me NO! (Book)
Linda Collinson took a life-threatening diagnosis for her infant son and made a career out of it. She cured her son, then used the determination and research skills she learned to solve other problems, including creating a line of skin care products that are beneficial to you and the earth.
This is her story, the roadblocks put in her way and the legions of people who were quick to tell her NO! Her response, and the theme to her life, was (and is) “Don’t Tell Me No!