Tammy Hawk-Bridges, Founder at PerfectMarketingEquation.com
Tammy Hawk-Bridges’ BIO
Tammy is a broadly experienced marketing consultant, business strategist, and an entrepreneur mentor who has had the opportunity to consult with companies all over the globe. She is an expert at identifying new ways to leverage the Internet for marketing gain. Recently, Tammy re-launched her company under a different name, Perfect Marketing Equation.
In this new role, she teaches entrepreneurs marketing tactics to grow their business. In addition, she consults with small businesses on their marketing strategies.
Tammy’s book Yanking Bootstraps- Bootstrap Your Business to Success just published in February. “The book is everything I wish someone could have told me when I started my venture.” It outlines every mistake I made and how to do it the right way and launch a profitable business. Even if you aren’t a first-timer you will find valuable insight.
“It is truly the calling of my heart to help entrepreneurs navigate the craziness of the marketing world. I want to help them to do things the right way. I want their business to prosper and grow. Admittedly, it is an addiction and my passion to be a part of that process. I can’t stand the thought of someone feeling alone and scared the way I have in the past. I want you to know, you are not alone and it is okay to be afraid. You are incredibly courageous for what you are aspiring to do and you deserve to be successful. If you feel lost and alone, please contact me! I will tell you myself!”
www.perfectmarketingequation.com
IN THE SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW
1. Please share with us what prompted your involvement with Perfect Marketing Equation.
Tammy: Well it’s an interesting story actually… I had a different business at the time called SocialHeavy and we did web and brand development. The business was quite profitable and I while I enjoyed it, that little feeling in my stomach that put my feet on the floor everyday no matter how exhausted was – was still searching. I knew in my heart that SocialHeavy wasn’t my purpose. I always talked to my clients about the Perfect Marketing Equation which by the way is – the combination of the tools you use together, based on your business model and your goals, to create the desired profitability in your business. Being a very analytical person, it’s just something I came up with in the process of making my own business profitable – it was just something really works for me.
My book Yanking Bootstraps was close to being published and I wanted to grow my email list, which I would use to market the book so I decided to write a white paper called The Perfect Marketing Equation. I wrote it and then showed it to my husband and a few select clients and they all said, “you are giving this away for free??!”. One of my clients said this is not a white paper it’s a business. I just couldn’t get it out of my head. The more I thought about it – the more excited I got, I knew it – this was my purpose. I started it formally in Oct of 2012. I help entrepreneurs find successful marketing strategies that makes their businesses more profitable.
2. There is no typical day in the life of an entrepreneur. Please share with us a sample of your day, start to finish.
Tammy: Finish?? LOL I haven’t seen finish since 2009. 🙂 Unless you mean the moment that I collapse into bed. Actually, that isn’t that true, since things have become a little easier for me lately I have managed to finish sometimes. My morning starts at 6:30 am after a workout. I work on my own business for 2 hours before I start my day for my clients. (Which by the way I teach to every entrepreneur that I coach!). You must work on your own business everyday before you work for others. Just like in an airplane, when they tell you “in likelihood of a crash, put the oxygen mask on your face first before attempting to save anyone else.” Same thought process.
I do business development, return emails and write my blogs – whatever needs to be done. Then promptly at 8:30 a.m., I begin client work and do that for most of my day. After dinner and some time with my family, I go back to reading to learn as much as I can or writing my blog.
3. What are your ‘can’t live without’ Smartphone or desktop applications?
Tammy: One application that I absolutely love is a calendar that is online. I can keep up with my client’s tasks etc. and can share it with them. It’s a great tool for staying organized while being connected. I also love Zoho’s (which is a Google application) CRM it helps me keep my database organized. I also have a timer application that I use to keep me on task and it helps me to keep out S.O.S (shiny object syndrome). I also love my kindle on my android – I can read books wherever I am if I have down time or in the line at the supermarket or in traffic.
4. What are your tricks for time management?
Tammy: I have a very strict schedule because I know that putting a dollar sign on my time is crucial to the profitability of my business. Like I said above, I also use a timer when I am working on projects and it keeps me from S.O.S. I operate from 2 lists that are done the day before – one is top priority which is activity that is primarily revenue generating and it gets done no matter what and the second list is other stuff needs to get done at some point.
5. What was the best advice you received when you started your career?
Tammy: Mistakes are crucial to success because they teach you the best lessons. But don’t ever make the same mistakes over and over and actually expect a different outcome. This was from my grandpa when I was 8 years old actually. I didn’t know then he was giving me the best business advice I would ever receive (still to-date). 🙂 I wrote a chapter about it in my book.
6. Given the current economic climate, what has been your strategy for building awareness of Perfect Marketing Equation? ( what you do for short term and long term growth)?
Tammy: Long and short term is the same answer. I practice something I call self-removal, which is a strategy I teach. I focus strictly on my ideal clients needs and I create content and solutions that cater to those needs. I do my best to create the content that puts me in a position of leadership, which attracts my client to me. I am constantly working on growing my list and my readership because I know that is the key to growing my business. In addition, as I mentioned before I spend time working on growing my business every single day before I do anything else. I also think its crucial to understand how marketing works, having a strategy (and a plan) and knowing how the Internet works. All those things have helped me get to where I am today and at an accelerated pace.
7. What is your proudest achievement as an accomplished entrepreneur?
Tammy: I would have to say first growing my business to a point that I can finally select who I work with which is a great feeling and secondly, of course, my book which is my legacy.
8. How do you achieve balance in your life?
Tammy: This may cause controversy but to me the word “balance” is equivalent to “Easter bunny” ; it’s a fun idea, but it’s a myth. I also think that it causes people, especially women, to struggle unnecessarily because they don’t have it and they think they are supposed to. It just doesn’t exist. If you love what you do, as I do, it doesn’t feel like working – so it’s fine if I spend lots of time doing it. I do have a wonderful husband, kids, house, pets, and friends just like everyone else. I also have a passion for cooking. I take time out whenever I want or need to. I don’t focus on balance. I focus on living my life, whatever that means at the moment.
9. Your top 3 book recommendations?
Tammy: Well, first my own! LOL! Yanking Bootstraps is a great story of a very personal journey building a business from nothing and everything I learned along the way.
Lately, I have not just read but devoured 2 books that I just love and have been given permanent placement on my nightstand.
First, the Pumpkin Plan by Mike Michalowicz I just loved. He talks about firing all of your bad clients so you can be profitable – I have found nothing is more true! People don’t realize how much bad clients cost – not to mention how they pull you down and affect your good clients! The second would be Launch by Michael A. Stelzner. I bet I used a whole pad of sticky notes on that book – it’s fabulous. I love his personal story of failure to success (which I am also very familiar with). Also he gives great information on leveraging the Internet to grow your business.
10. What are your most rewarding charitable involvements?
Tammy: Honestly, I have to say I have had very little time over the past few years for my family much less outside endeavors. My husband and I do donate financial support to charities. One of my goals this year is to choose a charity and get more involved actively now that my business is profitable.
11. Who has influenced your career the most?
Tammy: I have many heros, my grandfather for one who gave me some of the best advice I would ever receive as I was growing up. I also LOVE Barbara Corcoran, she is a true inspiration to me. I watch her YouTube videos anytime I feel discouraged. I was so lucky to have her participate in my book.
12. What is your advice for someone interested in entrepreneurship?
Tammy: Be sure it’s what you really want and it’s for the right reasons – not just because you hate your job. Learn everything you possibly can about marketing. No marketing = no sales! Also, are you the type of person that can take a beating and keep on ticking? Are you the type of person that takes massive ACTION? If you are a procrastinator, you may want to reconsider. Do your research before diving in!
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