Imagine returning to pick your son up from daycare only to find him bruised. What choices would you make? Rae Majors-Wildman decided to make her own way in order to provide for her family, protect her son and love herself. With all the obstacles coming her way, many would not have made it but she did. Let’s meet her..
Who is Rae at her core? Who I am at the core is a passionate woman who is committed to making a greater impact and difference in this world. My true gift is to challenge people to get beyond their limiting beliefs and step into their God-given destiny.
Some entrepreneurs come from passion and some from pitfalls. Your son receiving less than quality care in daycare as a baby was definitely your catalyst to start but what is your current mission and motivation to keep going day to day? You are correct that my son’s incident is what caused me to shift my focus from being an employee to an entrepreneur. My current mission is to help organizations to create wildly successful business that they attract and retain rockstar employees. There are so many people who are entering the space of entrepreneurship not because they want to start their own company but because they want to work for a company where their gifts and talents are valued. My mission and focus is to help companies to create winning entrepreneurial cultures.
As the primary breadwinner in your household at the time, what type of “adjustments” did you have to make to your life in order to get your business off the ground? The adjustment I had to make was to “decide” that my business was going to be successful. I release my plan B because it only distracts you from really going for it. And I leverage community…specifically my mother and sister who I leverage to watch my kids while I were on sales appointment or attending workshops/training to grow my business. You cannot do it on your own…there is no such thing as a self-made man or woman.
How long did it take for you to see and feel completely that you had made the right decision and would never return to the workplace? It’s interesting because I have started 6 businesses over my lifetime and there have been many highs and lows. The low points is where I would have inconsistency with my income or a major client may had decided that they needed to shift their focus or some life challenge that would derail me and make me want to quit and get a “j.o.b” aka just over broke. However, with my coaching and training company I have a resolve and commitment like I never had before and I think it is because I am doing my life purpose. The other businesses were a way for me to make a living. What I do today is how I fulfilled my purpose, mission and assignment and I cannot ever see myself returning to the “workplace.” Alignment is the key to fulfillment. There is no “plan b”. It doesn’t mean it is easy, it just mean I am committed.
When the hurdles were popping up in front of your path—the domestic violence, single parenthood, welfare—did you ever feel like throwing in the towel and what advice would you give to other moms in those same situations who are looking to make their own way to independence and stability? Of course, there are moments even today in my business when I look at things as say “You gotta to be kidding me.” If I had a crystal ball I would never be able to imagine the life that I am currently living. It is so unrecognizable from my humble beginnings. The advice that I would give those who are fluctuating or going back and forth about their decision to create a successful business is to get CLEAR. Clarity is the key and to ask yourself the questions “What do YOU really want?” If you can answer that question and then answer what would stop you from having what you want, your life will change. I also would recommend that they surround themselves with likeminded people.
The greatest life lesson I have learned is “Your environment will always trump your willpower.” Your environment is the people, places and things that you surround yourself with. For some people they are going to take a hard look at those around them who are no longer supporting them and choose not to share their dream with them and also choose to release some of them. It’s a difficult conversation but you cannot stay the course if someone is constantly trying to pull you down.
Coaching is a crowded playing field—what in your opinion do you offer to stand out from the rest? Who is your ideal client and tell us about your services. I like that you stated that coaching is a crowded playing field and I agree 100% with that statement. Anyone can call themselves a coach. Other than the fact that I have over 15,000 one-on-one coaching hours and 4 certification from some of the best minds in the industry (i.e. Tony Robbins, Chet Holmes, John Assaraf). What makes me stand out is that I am a hybrid of a consultant and a coach and my clients get results…period! I don’t compete I simply seek out who I am called to serve and I do that successfully by marketing to my ideal client.
My ideal client is an organization that is either on the best places to work or want to be on the best places to work list. They are fast-growing with fewer than 1000 employees and committed to create a winning culture.
Do you have services that cater to the starting entrepreneur that you once were? I offer 1-on-1 coaching and VIP Days for the entrepreneur who is just starting off. I only work with serious business owners so there is an application process and my clients success rate is 98% (the 2% would be the projects or the hobbyist). The clients who are the most successful are the ones who are committed, willing to do the work and make the investment in their success of their business.
What lead you to seek to further your education as an adult and how do you utilize it within your business? Both of my parents were factory workers and it was important to them that we continued our education. I also realized that knowledge is powerful and therefore it is important that you continue to sharpen your saw and invest in your continual development. Your business cannot grow higher than you view yourself. And if you are stuck in your business it is probably because of mindset, skillset or mentoring. I am committed to working on myself and hire those who can cut my learning curve in half.
Do you work or volunteer with any womens focused groups or organizations/causes? I am the founder and president of the International Association of Women Entrepreneurs and Professionals (IAWEP) which is an organization that is devoted to helping women entrepreneurs to create wildly successful business on their terms. We have 3 memberships and level 1 is absolutely free for women to join. With the membership you gain access to monthly business building calls and expert interviews along with the opportunity to collaborate and connect online or during our live annual women’s conference.
Tell us about your book, The Juggling Act – A Step by Step Guide for Balancing Your Business and Your Life. What can someone hope to gain from the cover to the final page upon completion? The Juggling Act was birth because I had many people ask me how was I able to get it “all done”. Well first thing first, let’s dispel the myth that it is impossible to getting everything done. If you are a successful business owner you will always have more things to do than time to do them. The better question is how do you get the most important things done? The Juggling Act is my step by step guide for helping solopreneurs and small business owners to balancing their business and their personal life. The reader will learn how to plan their day in a way that they maximize their time, how to leverage technology and people to get non-important tasks.
What legacy do you hope to pass on to your sons? The legacy that I wish to leave my sons is for them to truly understand that they are responsible for charting their OWN course. That they are not victims and that everything happens for a reason and with the purpose of leading them to their life purpose. To treat people with love and compassion and to show everyone respect, we are all trying to figure this life journey out. To trust their instinct and intuition and to guide and lead them it will never fail them. Ultimately I would want them to understand that you don’t have to work hard to achieve success but you do have to work and if they understand that they decisions creates their results and shapes their destiny and really embrace making sound decisions I would have done my job. On another note…I would like to leave them my multi-million dollar business as my gift to what I believe was possible J
What makes you a connected woman and makes you relatable? One word authenticity. What I have learned is that if I show up authentic than I give other women the opportunity to be themselves. I love people and their humanity (flaws and all) and my assignment is the shine the “rae” of light on what’s magnificent. I want people to leave my presence feeling good about them. I also understand that the power of influence is about you r ability to help someone else. So when I am listening to someone I am asking my question, how can I further their dream, vision or goal and then if I have the power to make the connection then I do, if not, I will come back to my office and create a contact file which includes what they need next. After that I’m like a bulldog on a bone to see if I can help this person advance. This is why it is so important that we as women learn to open our mouths and share what we want. The person standing in front of you could be the puzzle piece you need to reach your goal.
How can our readers reach out to you? For those who desire to connect with me and learn about our coaching programs, products and services they can visitwww.RaeMajorsWildman.com and for those interested in learning more about the Int’l Assn of Women Entrepreneurs and Professionals (IAWEP) they can visit www.iawep.net. They can also reach our office at 888-821-1822
Anything to add? The dream that is inside of us is our responsibility alone to achieve. If you live your life asking the question “What do I want?” and “Who can I serve?” it will keep you in alignment and on purpose. Clarity is the key to your success but what unlocks the door is your decision and commitment to your dream. Live boldly, authentically and courageously!
