Sandra Yancey is a networking expert who teaches others how to create relationships that harness great dividends. She is the Founder and CEO of eWomenNetwork, the #1 resource for connecting and promoting women and their businesses worldwide. Starting with just 20 women in her personal database in 2000, she has grown her organization to now have 113 chapters throughout the U.S. and Canada and a database of over 500,000 women business owners and professionals. Ranked #1 by Business Women’s Network as the best online community for women business owners and professionals in North America, eWomenNetwork.com is the most visited women’s business website on the World Wide Web, receiving more than 200,000 hits daily. Sandra is the recipient of numerous national business awards, including the 2007 Artemis Award from the Euro-American Women's Council recognizing international business leadership, the 2005 Entrepreneur Star award from Business Women's Network and Microsoft, 2005 Woman Advocate of the Year from the Women's Regional Publishing Association, and the 2006 Enterprising Women Advocacy Award from Enterprising Women magazine. She hosts the top-rated eWomenNetwork Radio Show, which broadcasts out of Dallas on the #1 ranked ABC affiliate, 820 WBAP. Sandra has been profiled in hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles throughout North America and is recognized as one of the leading authorities on the topics of networking and relationship building. Sandra is the author of the book, Relationship Networking: The Art of Turning Contacts Into Connections. Her story has been selected for the hot new Chicken Soup for the Soul series, Chicken Soup for the Entrepreneur’s Soul, which features the top entrepreneurs from North America. In fact, the eWomenNetwork logo is featured on the book’s front cover! Sandra holds a Master’s degree in Organization Development from American University in Washington D.C. and a post-graduate degree from the prestigious Gestalt Institute in Cleveland, Ohio. The eWomenNetwork Foundation, which Sandra founded in 2001, has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash grants, in-kind donations and support to women’s nonprofit organizations, as well as scholarships for emerging female leaders of tomorrow.
When you first started your career/business did you feel passion for your work? Absolutely! I knew there was a void in the marketplace, and I felt I had a different business model that would break through old networking paradigms. Without passion, I don’t think I would have made through all the touch and exhausting times.
When you first started were you able to visualize your final outcome?
While I visualized a vast network of women entrepreneurs and corporate professionals helping each other succeed, I could have never visualized all the transformational opportunities that opened up as the business grew and evolved. And, I expect that it will continue to evolve and morph into new and different dimensions and directions as we move forward. That’s the part that I find so challenging and exhilarating.
What were you top three obstacles/challenges?
Me, me and me! As I look back, I am amazed at how my need for control stymied the company’s growth, how my lack of understanding how to scale a business prevented fast expansion, and my poor hiring skills stifled innovation. Overcoming “me” is what has enabled me to surround myself while an excellent “A team” which helped overcome the three obstacles mentioned above.
How did you deal with doubt, fear, and self recrimination?
First, I don’t hang around “dream drainers.” There are too many wonderful things to be thankful for and too many achievements to make. Getting infected by negative people is fatal, and I have no tolerance for it. As for fear, I’ve learned to get comfortable with the discomfort of it. I have enough successes from stepping into my fear that I now calm myself down long enough to focus on all the good it’s brought me. Then I walk to the edge and jump!
Did you feel that the traditional male dominated workplace affected you at all? If so, what did you do about it?
I was affected by the magnificence I observed watching men help each other. They never forget where they came from and they are committed to giving access to the next generation of bright and bright-eyed protégés. I wanted to benchmark this success and adapt to a female model. Today that model is called eWomenNetwork!
Did you have mentors? If not, why? If yes, tell us about them?
My mentors have fallen into two buckets: 1) huggers – you know, those people in your life that love you and will be there for you unconditionally. They accept you for all that you are, and when we need comforting, they won’t let you down. 2) shakers – these are the people less investing in keeping you comfortable or happy. They are more investing in your success and therefore, they push you and when you get caught up in your misery (and we all do from time to time), they will shake you into reality by telling you to “get over yourself already.” I thank heaven that I have both.
As you look back, what is the one thing you wish you knew when you started?
I wish I had developed a relationship with a banker before I needed money. Nobody told me this but what I learned was that no bank will loan you money when you need it. You are better getting it before you need it!
Any regrets?
I regret that I didn’t share some of my problems earlier. I had often heard a term “fake it til you make it.” I think that is one of the worse things you can do because if you fake it then what you really are is an imposter! Who wants to do business with that? When I came clean and shared my problems and needs, it was amazing the people that surfaced to help me. I regret I didn’t do that sooner.
Do you believe luck had something to do with your rise to where you are now?
As the old saying goes, “The harder I work, the luckier I get.” Need I say more?
Do you feel you paid a price to be as successful as you are now?
Sure I paid a price. And, that’s what keeps me humble, grateful and supportive of others. I don’t think you can ask for what you aren’t first willing to give. I know I have a long way to go and that can’t do it alone. If I expect others to show up in my life and help me, I know I need to show up in others’ lives and help them.
What is the best piece of advice you have for other women on their way to their Optimal Level?
“Give first and share always.” When you do that for others, it will come back to you ten fold!
What do you think is the biggest mistake career/business women make?
I think a lot of women are more afraid of wild, crazy, incredible success than they are failure. I don’t think we are afraid to fall; we know we can pick up the pieces and dust ourselves off. Explosive success can feel scary, but it doesn’t have to be. If you surround yourself with people way smarter than you, they will guide you and support you. Hold on to your vision and never stop inspiring others by helping them see what you already know!
Any additional comments you would like to make?
My mother had a powerful message she would tell me as a little girl, and it guides me to this day: “Give without remembering and take without forgetting!” Living according to this philosophy has never let me down.
