What is a key lesson you learned from your mom that somehow helps or inspires you in business?

My mother, Sally, left a mark on me for sure, and gave me many rules to live by.  

I feel these four apply directly to business. 

Rule #1: Take genuine interest in others.

My mother believed in celebrating everyone. At my middle school and high school theatre performances, she clapped the loudest. When she committed to your greatness, she told everyone how awesome you were. She sang your praises the loudest and made it a point to high-five you for even your smallest accomplishments.  

Rule #2: Have light energy.

Even while battling cancer, mom still loved humor and a smile. Once, she even commended the cancer center staff on their efforts to get her a warm blanket so quickly. She added: “The service is so great I’d stop by here even if I wasn’t sick!” 

She was annoyed by what she called “cluggers,” or Eeyore-like personalities that dwelled on the morose or doom-and-gloom. These were the few people in life where she admitted patience and understanding were a challenge. But that didn’t stop her from trying to lighten the mood. Getting a smile out of a “clugger” was a huge win!

Rule #3: Don’t try too hard. Just be yourself.

I found great amusement when my mother would observe someone who was trying too hard to be funny or who was trying to act like someone they weren’t. She wanted them to stop overcompensating and be true to themselves.  

Rule #4: Be fiercely loyal.

With social media, we live in times where people’s bad traits are often magnified, but to my mom, if you were nice to her once, she was a loyal follower forever.  

Her memory is a blessing and being her daughter was a privilege.