Women Worldwide with Deirdre Breakenridge

Charissa Thompson, co-host of the syndicated entertainment news show, Extra, joins Host Deirdre Breakenridge on Women Worldwide. Charissa is also recognized as one of the most visible women in sports media. In 2013, she also became the host of Fox Sports Live on the Fox Sports 1 Network.

On the show, Charissa shares her journey as a woman in sports media including the challenges of building credibility and getting past the “blond on the sidelines” stereotype. She knew that credibility was always her responsibility, and worked diligently to prepare for her interviews. Through her knowledge and relationship building, Charissa quickly gained the respect from her peers in the sports world. She also inspires Women Worldwide listeners to reinvent and discusses how she seized a new career direction. Charissa's success, having positions in two industries (sports and entertainment), demonstrates how you can expand your brand and take advantage of different opportunities. Charissa's philosophy: Do whatever it takes ... there are no shortcuts.

A little more about Charissa Thompson … Charissa Thompson has also worked for Versus, GSN, Big Ten Network, SportsNation, and ESPN. She has appeared in The 2007 MLB All-Star Game Red Carpet Parade and The Baseball Report on FSN.

You can connect with Charissa on Instagram and Twitter @CharissaT

 

Direct download: WW_056.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 3:12pm EDT

Jen Kluczkowski, CEO, and co-founder of Mindfresh, joins Host Deirdre Breakenridge on Women Worldwide. Jen started her company, Mindfresh, to provide on­site and digital mindful movement experiences to improve body language, enhance emotional IQ, and increase attention spans. With a background in startup media environments and 8 years studying the philosophy of yoga, Jen leverages her experience in both worlds to make mindfulness accessible in the office environment. Today, Jen leads a growing team of 30 Mindfresh teachers in New York City and San Francisco with similar and relatable "business­ meets­ mindfulness" backgrounds.

On the show, Jen discusses her personal career journey and how chronic pain, anxiety, and fatigue led her to a lifestyle change of yoga and mindfulness. Knowing the benefits she experienced, Jen launched Mindfresh and quickly pioneered a path in organizations to help their employees who were also experiencing cycles of burnout. Jen openly shares her challenges and the education process needed for Corporate America, where a company culture of being busy and working without breaks is rewarded. Jen reinforces the benefits of meditation and mindfulness, especially when dealing with stressful situations and how you can be much more present, focused and productive at work.

A little more about Jen Kluczkowski  Jen is an 800­-hour certified Jivamukti Yoga teacher and now travels annually to India to deepen her mindfulness practice. She also speaks on several topics including the tools you need to get along with difficult co-workers or clients, how to create a more joyful approach to work, and the modern wellness dialogue in the workplace.

You can connect with Jen on LinkedIn and Twitter @jenklu

 

 

 

Direct download: WW_055.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 9:25am EDT

Melinda Chen, the founder of Women Making Big Sales, joins Host Deirdre Breakenridge on Women Worldwide. Melinda, who is a native of Taiwan, started her sales career selling language courses for Berlitz. During her 15-year career, she has made more than 5,000 cold sales and has been responsible for more than $10,000,000+ in sales.  Today she coaches female entrepreneurs on how to land these big sales with big clients. Melinda's mission is to inspire more women to take control of their businesses by going for larger clients and closing important deals.

On the show, Melinda discusses how sales professionals need to differentiate themselves from their competition. You have to know the limitations of Google and really do your sales preparation; understanding the market and the numbers. Sales today is so much more than the elevator speech. Melinda offers advice on demonstrating fresh ideas, innovative thinking and the type of intense focus to see a situation differently.  When you identify the challenges of a business, having these deep insights is what makes you stand out. Melinda also shares her thoughts on the balance between giving and selling. You have to figure out in advance how much you will give away during the selling process.

A little more about Melinda Chen  Melinda specializes in sales and international business. She has established a successful career helping her clients develop new business opportunities in both North American and European markets. She has practical in-depth knowledge of cross-cultural business negotiation, she understands the diverse nature of modern business and has developed a cultural acumen that allows her to adopt different business practices for different cultures.

You can connect with Melinda on LinkedIn and Twitter @chen_melinda

 

 

Direct download: WW_054.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 2:08pm EDT

Rebekah Iliff, Chief Strategy Officer, at AirPR, joins Host Deirdre Breakenridge on Women Worldwide. Previously, Rebekah was the CEO of talkTECH Communications, where she created an industry-first methodology for emerging technology companies positioning talkTECH as one of the fastest growing, launch-only PR firms in the U.S. She is also currently a columnist for Inc., and a contributing writer for Mashable, Entrepreneur, and Huffington Post.

On the show, Rebekah, who is passionate about diversity and inclusion in the workplace, shares the importance of both to an organization. Her insights on the subject range from how you can’t have one without the other, the role of leadership as mentors and how leaders can leverage a diverse and inclusive workforce. Rebekah also shares her thoughts on what women must do to get recognized in an organization from having a voice to getting more comfortable with rejection. As a business professional, Rebekah is no stranger to challenges and discusses her own growth openly and how she honed her leadership skills.

A little more about Rebekah Iliff Rebekah speaks and writes frequently on the topic of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. She holds a B.A. in Philosophy from Loyola University Chicago, and an M.A. in Organizational Management and Applied Community Psychology from Antioch University at Los Angeles (AULA).

You can connect with Rebekah on LinkedIn and Twitter @rebekahiliff

 

 

Direct download: WW_053.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 5:31pm EDT

Jessica Iclisoy, CEO and founder of California Baby, joins Host Deirdre Breakenridge on Women Worldwide. Jessica is a woman who has long been ahead of her time. It was while Jessica was pregnant with her first child more than two decades ago that she began a dive deep into research about how to live the healthiest, most natural life possible. With no intention of starting a business but driven by an absolute determination to change the status quo, Jessica found replacements for unsafe cleansing and fragrance ingredients and made what would be the first California Baby product—a calming, shampoo and body wash.

On the show, Jessica shares her story; how she never intended to start a business but was looking for a healthier lifestyle. The launch of California Baby marked a period in time when organic / natural were not a part of our vernacular. Twenty years ago, she was educating the market and branding her company as a reflection of California lifestyle and thinking, which now is very popular. Jessica discusses her thoughts on smart consumerism and how we are living in a world of toxicity. She shares tips on how to be more in tune with the chemical in our products and how to identify them quickly.

A little more about Jessica Iclisoy Jessica single-handedly helped create the baby category in Whole Foods, and made California Baby the first natural brand to go to mass sales by selling in Target, even helping create the giant retailer’s premium category. Today, California Baby is also sold on massive e-commerce sites including Diapers.com, Amazon, and Drugstore.com.

You can connect with Jessica on LinkedIn

 

Direct download: WW_052.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 3:37pm EDT

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