Apology Not Accepted
August 3, 2009
Do you ever find yourself saying any of these phrases?
• “I’m sorry, but I think…”
• “I’m sorry you have to do this, but…”
• “I’m sorry to bother you with…”
• “I’m sorry, this might not be exactly what you wanted…”
It’s a fact that women apologize more frequently than men. Many times we do it just to be polite. But is it diminishing our credibility? Our power? Yes. Read more
Get to Know Kaira Sturdivant Rouda of Real You
June 4, 2009
Kaira and I met of all places-TWITTER! She reached out to me and I knew that she’d be a great Fairy Godmother…or rather she already IS one as an entrepreneur, author, speaker, consultant, and more. She’s clear about her mission to support women entrepreneurs and has dedicated her career to encouraging them. I love her new website and while we’ve never met in person, I know we’d be great friends–she’s authentic, funny, loves Visions Boards and understands that the power is in personal branding! Enjoy getting to know her!
Hometown: Born in Chicago, parents from California, lived in Austin and Boston, and now Columbus, Ohio
Current Residence (City, State): Upper Arlington, Ohio
Education: BA in English from Vanderbilt University
Professional Background (brief, please): I started out as a reporter at a business newspaper, then I moved into public relations and advertising. From there, I was the first female executive at an Inc 100 franchisor. Along the way, I’ve always kept a writing and marketing consulting business on the side: Hobson Communications. To me, it was important to have my own business to fall back on for work-life balance while my kids were young, or for freedom when the corporate world got too, well, male. When my husband asked me to join the family business, and help brand a roll-up of three companies creating one of the largest privately held real estate firms in the nation, I jumped at the chance. I created and launched Real Living in 2002. Inspired by the 4,000 real estate entrepreneurs I’ve had the pleasure of working with, and the many other women entrepreneurs I’ve admired and met through my life, I wrote Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs and founded my new company, Real You – created to inspire women’s lives.
What you wanted to be when you grew up: I wanted to be Darrin Stevens in “Bewitched” and write the great American novel.
What you are: Entrepreneur, Marketer, Author, Speaker, Mother of Four, and lucky to be married to my best friend.
Brief Summary of your Start Up: Real You’s goal is to energize women’s lives through writing, speaking and consulting services for entrepreneurs.
Company Website? www.KairaRouda.com and www.RealLiving.com
What inspired you? I wrote the book because I was inspired by the amazing entrepreneurial women I met through the real estate industry. These women are strong and passionate about what they do. I am passionate about empowering women because I want the next generation – my daughter’s generation – to have even more opportunity.
How long have you been in business? The book was published in February 2008, and I refer to that as the start of something bigger. The start of Real You. The launch of the real me.
Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? I’ve had many mentors along the way, some I refer to in Real You Incorporated, and some who just know who they are. The most important cheerleaders in my life are my good girlfriends.
Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? NAWBO, eWomenNetwork, International Women’s Forum, Women Presidents’ Organization. I’m a big supporter of the Women’s Council of Realtors. I am a volunteer for Bright Futures, a program for high school girls offered by the YWCA (and I’m a former board member), and I’m a sustaining member of The Women’s Fund, a board member of The Women’s Book, and well, I guess you could say if it’s a cause to empower women, and I can help, I will.
Current Business Challenge? Continuing the momentum behind my book and securing more speaking engagements. It’s so important to tell the story of women entrepreneurs. It’s my passion.
What are you doing about it? Building a team to help me spread the word. I just launched my new website, and I’m really proud of it. I also am a big believer in social networking. I think I may be addicted to Twitter! I’m also a member of Savor the Success, Shine and other women’s online communities. I also write the Real You Incorporated blog and send out a free Tip of the Week! To sign up, go here: http://www.kairarouda.com/tip-of-the-week-signup.php
Favorite motivational quote: This is a tough one, as I have so many favorites. Here is one: “At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want.” ~ Lao Tzu. I open Real You Incorporated with that quote because it’s true, it all starts with you. The Real You.
Family? My husband, Harley, and I just celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary. We’ve been working together since 2002 at Real Living, and that has been full of challenges and blessings. I am so lucky though. I have four great kids, a dog, two cats, a bird, and I couldn’t ask for anything more!
If so, how do you balance family and business? One of my favorite sayings is: Balance is something I swing past on the way to something else. What you finally realize, at some point I hope all women do, is that balance is internal. And that your balance and my balance may look completely different and that’s OK. We really need to support each other’s choices – and if we did, women would truly rule the world.
Favorite book? Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
What do you do to relax? I do yoga, pilates, talk to my family, and I love to read.
What do you want to change most about your world?
I would like to have an ocean out my back window. I know that’s a bit hard to accomplish in the middle of Ohio, but you asked!
What are you most proud of? My family.
What advice would you like to offer other Startup Princesses?
Don’t go it alone. When life gets crazy, reach out and ask for help. You can’t do it all by yourself. It takes a great network of supporters to fulfill your dreams.
Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)? My iPhone. I would be lost without it!
If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? Blue Topaz. The color reminds me of the ocean, the one that isn’t in my backyard. (See answer to my world. 
) Oh, and Diamonds, of course.
Would you be interested in being a Fairy Godmother and writing articles or speaking at Startup Princess events? Absolutely!
What business subjects would you feel comfortable mentoring in? Entrepreneurship, putting the real you in your business, building a culture, vision boards and uses, getting involved in the community, marketing, advertising, digital advertising, working with your spouse, and, well, I love helping other women succeed in work and life.
