INSPIRED IMPACT is an ongoing blog series that gives voice to purpose-driven brands and passionate business leaders and entrepreneurs who are making an impact in their communities and industries.
Steve Haase and Amy Scerra are the Co-Founders of Think Global. Get to know Steve and Amy on LinkedIn and follow Think Global on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
We are business advisors for women business owners, focused on the human side of entrepreneurship. Growing a business starts with the vision of the owner. We are here to help our community define success, build strong foundations, increase confidence, create direction, guide implementation and celebrate the successes throughout the journey.
WHY DO YOU DO IT?
OUR MISSION is to empower women across the globe to define, own, love and achieve their unique definition of success.
OUR VISION is that Think Global is a platform where the strongest businesses will be built by women and men working together, accepting and appreciating respective strengths and differences, without judgement or discrimination.
OUR PURPOSE is to change the way our world does business with each other. We believe by bringing men and women together as equals, we will leverage our respective strengths and differences, creating solutions for problems around the world.
WHAT IMPACT ARE YOU MAKING?
Our goal is to help women business owners build a strong foundation; a clear, big vision; and define the practical, actionable steps to get there. Think Global is investing in her for the lifetime of her business, supporting her as she implements, ultimately achieving her definition of success.
It’s critical to dig deep not only tactically, but emotionally. We help our Thinkers transition from founders and managers to leaders. We help them create their own approaches, so they can adjust, adapt and sustain the ever changing landscape of their business.
We believe that entrepreneurship is the most sustainable and viable catalyst for change in the business community.
WHAT (OR WHO) INSPIRES YOU TO MAKE THIS IMPACT?
It started with the international women entrepreneurs we met and worked with. It has evolved to the Thinkers in our community and the persistence, tenacity and commitment they show every day not only for their businesses, but for their family, community and network. We have been blessed and feel fortunate to have the clients we do. They are the fuel for us to keep pushing the boundaries we are.
WHAT IS (OR HAS BEEN) YOUR GREATEST CHALLENGE?
Access to women business owners. Its easy to find people who want to start a business, but much more difficult to find women who already have a business and want to explore growth (personally and professionally). Once we find them, we then encounter the “consultant” stereotype, when we are not that as much as we are facilitators and advisors, who happen to tie together the person and the business.
WHAT WORDS OF ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER LEADERS WHO ARE LOOKING TO MAKE AN IMPACT?
Know thy self, then know thy business. This is personal, there are not two lives here. Who you are drives your business. Knowing yourself and being honest in that exercise will allow you lead your organization so it fits you. That’s when you will feel the true impact of your business and how it’s working. People don’t want you to fake it to appease a market, they want you to be authentic and bring to the market, you. Your ideas, your vision, your purpose for starting this. When you do this, you create a consistency that is easy for others to follow and be a part of. To feel safe that their loyalty will be cherished and respected by your ability to stay true to who you are.
You will have no impact if people surrounding you don’t trust you or your brand. Define what success is to you, create a vision to achieve that and be loyal to it. You should not commit to a business model, those will evolve and change over time. They are adaptable and are designed to change. You must commit to your vision, purpose and values.
HOW CAN OTHERS SUPPORT YOU OR YOUR CAUSE?
We are constantly looking to be connected to women entrepreneurs who want to dig deeper into entrepreneurial journey. In addition, we are always open to meeting with organizations about possible partnerships to offer their members additional programming. We have a lot going on in cities around the world, so please follow us on social and say hi.