Meet Shannon Watt of The Business of Marriage
January 7, 2012
I met Shannon for the first time in the summer of 2011. She is fun, personable, smart, and above all her passion to help dedicated entrepreneurs grow businesses without sacrificing their marriage is wonderful. We see it all the time. Women who are excited to start a business and then 6 months in are wondering why their marriages are in shambles. Well, you can have both, and Shannon is committed to your success! I’m excited to introduce you to her!
Name: Shannon Watt
Location: Salt Lake, Utah
Education: Northern Arizona University
Professional Background: I’ve been a serial entrepreneur for almost 20 years. My 5th grade teacher predicted I was
too independent to work for someone else, and she was right! My husband has always been a performer, and eventually transitioned that into being a successful public speaker. I was initially terrified to ever be on stage, but with his encouragement, and some training, I’ve joined him in the movement to revolutionize marriages and reverse the divorce rate around the world. I’ve know done over 100+ trainings, and successfully mentored almost as many couples into creating more purpose, passion and play in their relationships.
What you wanted to be when you grew up: When I was younger I wanted to be a fashion designer or marine biologist.
What you are: Relationship Expert that speaks, mentors and writes on strengthening marriages, especially for women entrepreneurs.
Brief Summary of your Start Up: I’m the creator of the Making Love and Money training series. As a trainer, speaker, mentor and body language expert, my passion is to assist women to infuse more purpose, passion, and play in their marriages while achieve equal success in their business.
Where you are located: Mostly on the internet, but I have an office in Sandy, Utah
Company Website? www.TheBizofMarriage.com www.makingloveandmoneywork.com
What inspired you? Watching too many of my friends, colleagues and clients lose their marriages in the pursuit of their career dreams. It hard for me to watch people become successful, at the expense of their relationships when I know there’s a way to be fulfilled in both areas of your life.
How long have you been in business? My husband started the Marriage movement for couples in general back in 2007, and I joined in about 2 years ago, and have now created my own programs specifically to support women entrepreneurs in their business.
How did you fund it? Bootstrapping from our own earnings and savings.
Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? I’ve had many mentors along the way. Right now Michelle McCullough has helped me with learning how to foster sponsorship relationships for my live events.
Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? I am a part of the Utah Business Experts, Biz Divas, The Hub, and The Art of Business
Current Business Challenge? Expanding my reach to married, successful women entrepreneurs on a global scale.
What are you doing about it? I’ve switched the bulk of my trainings from live events to on-demand video trainings so it’s instant deliverable, and globally accessible.
Favorite motivational quote: I have binders full of them, but the one that resonates with me currently is: “Want to promote world peace? Go home and love your family.” Mother Teresa
Family? Yes! I’ve been married to my best friend, Dino, for over 17 years, and I have 3 amazing kids that are the light of my life: Hannah 14, Avery 12, Hayden 11.
If so, how do you balance family and business? With short, concentrated, but powerful one-on-one time with each child, usually 2-3x a day. Having 3 kids in 3 years, I learned early on that I needed to be conscious in giving each of them some of my undivided time, everyday. When they were young, I implemented “Snuggle time” at various sections of our day. First, we have a tradition where the kids come in our room in the morning and climb in bed for a 3-5 minute hug, back scratch, “good morning” time. Then I try to schedule my work day to be home when they get home from school, so I can make them a snack and snuggle on the couch and hear about how their day went, and connect while they are unwinding from school. We have a standing rule that if anyone asks for some “special time”, I will stop what I’m doing and go talk to them in my room, and the other kids are not aloud to interrupt. This provides a safe place for them to share what’s going on in their world, what they’re feeling, ask sensitive questions, etc. Last, and most important, we make sure to go upstairs every night and have a family inspirational moment, family prayer, and give each child some quality alone time to share their highs and lows from their day, and what they want to create the next day.
By having these 2-4 points of contact with my kids, I stay in tune with them, no matter my busy schedule. If I’m traveling, I can do much of our routine over the phone so they don’t feel my absence as much.
Favorite book? I have too many to name just one, but I love personal development books, biographies, and non-fiction. I read novels only while on airplanes or vacation!
What do you do to relax? Naps! I also love to read, especially soaking in a bath. I enjoy massages, nature walks, going to the movies with my husband and letting my girls paint my toenails.
What do you want to change most about your world? More patience and acceptance of myself and my family. There’s a fine line between striving for excellence, and surrendering to what is, and let it be… it’s a balancing act.
What are you most proud of? That my husband and I have been serial entrepreneurs, working closely together for almost 2 decades, and we haven’t strangled each other!~ we still enjoy working & playing together.
What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses? Get training and systems in place in your marriage and home first, so your husband and family will support the growth of your business, and not be torn apart by it. There’s nothing more heartbreaking than seeing a woman achieve her business goals while simultaneously getting a divorce. There’s a way to have them both be amazing!
Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)? The internet + Mac products & apps = bliss.
If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? Diamonds, because the transformation from ordinary to extraordinary happens under pressure and time, kind of like business & life.
I’d love to gift my fellow princesses with a free 4-part video training on relationships~ you can find it at www.maritalrevolution.com
Please connect with me on @facebook/shannonlinderholmwatt
Or follow me on Twitter at: @dinoandshannon
