by Dr. Sheila Pope

What are You Selling?

I remember having a discussion regarding the best way to sell my products on my website. I had so many services to sell but my website did not have a focus. I could not figure out what was main product. I do so many things. During a conversation with Khufere, a great consultant from LEAP72, he said, “Dr. Pope, you are your product.” Suddenly, fireworks and bombs exploded immediately in my mind. The light came on because within an instant I understood my real role in the building of my company. I could move forward with branding because I understood how to sell my thoughts, my work, and my skills.

Who Am I?

It was easy for me to decide how to best promote my skills once I asked myself a great question. The question: Who are you at your core? My answers were as follows:

1. I am a business woman.
2. I am an avid reader, writer and a critical thinker.
3. I love to laugh at myself.
4. I find humor in almost any situation.
5. I make no apologies for loving money and the freedom that it brings.
6. I love convertible cars and the freedom they make me feel.
7. I have opinions about everything and I do not mind sharing them with the world.
8. I love technology and I understand its power.
9. I am a woman who supports and promotes other women.
10. I love generating ideas and concepts that result in profits for my businesses.
11. I am a woman that works best in a pair of Cole Haan shoes or a good pair of sneakers.
12. I enjoy my classic a Movado watch with diamonds.
13. I rock Coach and Dooney and Bourke handbags.
14. I was meant to drive a Mercedes.
15. I make no apologies for being honest, direct, and thinking outside the box.
16. I will spend my last dime on furthering my education.
17. I sign important business deals with my Mont Blanc pen.
18. I prefer T-shirts over suits because I love comfort.

Branding Me

Once I said all these things outloud and owned them, it was easy to see how I wanted to market myself and my company. I knew where I wanted an office. It had to be a location that I could afford, close to home, and it had to scream “You must pay me!” The location had to speak to my consumer base. I needed a location that I could expand and grow my companies. When I saw the conference room and the view from my office, I knew it was the spot.

A Simple T-Shirt

Next, I needed to find the right product to push my company’s name everywhere I traveled. I decided the best product for me, my supporters, and my customers to wear consistently anywhere was a T-Shirt. For 10 years I wore suits to work. As my own boss, I decide what I want to wear daily. When I am in the office, running errands as a mom, my T-shirt comes in handy. When I am creating my blogs, working in the community to bring awareness to my company, when I am collaborating with partners, recording my podcast, conducting FB Live segments, and writing my books, I wear my brand. When I wear my T-shirt, people often ask me, “What is the Resource Center?” I take the opening and I start to sell services, to promote services, and to share information about my company. Plus, my T-shirts represents who I am at my core.

My friend and Boss Lady, Susan Gonzales, founder of Chic Blessings worked with my logo and designed my first company T-shirt. The shirts sold super fast. Then, I decided I needed to produce more shirts at a lower cost. Eventually, I went to a T-shirt company and had them print bulk orders of my shirts. I love the finished product. The shirts are simple and comfortable. I can easily transport them anywhere. They do not cost a great deal to ship to consumers. I use them as gifts for fundraisers donations and I sell them in my e-commerce stores @TheResourceCenter. I plan to sell more products online soon. However, I must admit they are one of my best ideas. It is so cool to see my entire family rocking my brand (see slide show)!

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