I grew up in a rough neighborhood on the East side of Tacoma, and in neighborhood like that hustle is considered a strength, a great quality to have. The part of the definition that makes it so powerful is that hustle creates “energetic space” to sell. Being able to hustle is powerful when you are a solo-preneur especially, but I would argue in this day and age, hustle is a good thing PERIOD. Your ability to create the energy you need to do what needs to be done and get that sale is a good thing.
I believe I owe my small business success to hustle. Those of you that know me know how much I believe that SALES is a part of small business life. While talking on the phone today with Tory Johnson of Women for Hire, Good Morning America and Spark and Hustle she said that at her events she met many women that would start a business and then they were “hoping someone notices”. Don’t hope, learn how to sell, learn how to do it so it feels right! In February I will be on the Spark and Hustle Stage sharing what I know about sales and social media, come join us!
What will you do in 2011 to uplevel your hustle?
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
I, like you, Ann, am not afraid to hustle or sell. I’m not sure why so many women are, but I hope you can inspire them to change their approach and attitude. You have such a large audience of women followers that I hope your message is heard and embraced.
You cannot succeed at business without hustle. People with hustle are proud of what they have to offer, confident in their ability to provide a benefit, and generally inspiring people to be around.
Sharon Hiebing
Follow Your Dream Compass
http://www.wealthships.com
oooh…self examination, may be a little painful. As much as I hate to admit it I have a common “woman’s problem”. It’s easier to sell product or someone else than myself. I have no problem selling my product, because I love it and use it AND I didn’t make it myself, I’m a representative. However, the part of my business that suffers is sponsoring, and I think that’s because I have to sell myself more than the company or product and though I know I’m smart, talented, and possess leadership qualities, that nagging voice inside says “it’s not polite to brag.” So, if I can say it here, I should be able to say it out loud, right?!
Pat Zahn
Photo Solutions Superhero
http://www.PatZahn.com
I will check it out today. I definitely think I lack a bit of “hustle” However, I know from past experiences that I have the ability to hustle, so I just have to figure out where my hustle is hiding and convince it to come out and play again
This is definitely worth thinking about and very timely for our business; we have just been talking about what we need to do to generate more excitement and energy and movement to lift us up out of what has become flat and predictable. We are pursuing some new ways of communicating and relating with our customers, part of that being what I am trying to learn in SNCC. I am predicting that 2011 will see some real and positive movement for us.
Right after reading and watching this post I listened to a live interview of Gary Vaynerchuk. He mentioned the need for hustle as well…It is incredible how quickly information aligns when you are open to it. I think the key behind hustle is the confidence in yourself and whatever you are selling…if you don’t have both of those things, hustle is difficult at best. I also think that it gets easier as you settle into knowing who you are. Gary and you Ann, make no excuses for who you are…you put yourselves out there and are committed to your message. As we all adapt to the new marketing paradigm the quicker we find our voice and settle into who we are, the quicker our hustle will come naturally.
Darcie Newton
Using Real Estate to Retire at
http://www.mywealthspa.com
Gary Vaynerchuk is part of the Spark and Hustle speaker team! Oh there is so much intention behind what I do!
This is a message I need to listen to several times. I understand about hustle and believe it’s essential, but I’ve never been good at it when it comes to promoting myself. I’ve definitely been one of those “let them come to me” people, and most of my life I worked in an environment where that was sufficient. But now I’m exploring a different avenue, so this is a lesson I have to approach and learn. My first step is the Social Networking Coaching Club where I am learning some tools, so I’m not just flailing about in a completely disorganized fashion. But I know that no matter what I’m taught, I have to have the confidence to put myself out there, face whatever rejection, embarrassment, failure, etc. I fear may be there, and gain some hustle!
Judy Stone-Goldman
The Reflective Writer
i, like some of the other commenters, will admit that i might be lacking somewhat in the hustle department. i agree with darcie that the ability to hustle is tied in with confidence in yourself, your product, + your ability to sell. i have all of those things, i think, so i’m not quite sure why the hustle doesn’t come out of me naturally. perhaps i can be a bit complacent, business-wise? i’m going to devote more thought to it + report back. thanks for a thought-provoking post.
I’m starting now, I’m hustling today to start a new business and I very excited about it. Ann, you are spot on that we, as entrepreneurs, need to adapt to what works to day. I’m a hustler by nature, and thanks for your post that reminds me to keep focused, keep moving, and enjoy the hustle! Thanks..
Janet K Fish
Option Trading Entrepreneur
http://www.optiontradingcommunity.com
The spark and hustle of it all, sounds like a dance, and I guess it is. Understanding how to make it work. The energy it takes to take your business to the next level does take a whole lotta jive and dive. Tactics one needs to learn and earn. I can see that I have a couple of areas that need some serious practice to move from amateur to winner. Thanks for the prod Ann. I cant wait to get back on the floor & fill up my dance card.Jennifer DucheneLift Your Spirits Home TransformationsThe Home Makeover Mixtress blending cool & cozy style
Hi from Stockholm! I find the hustle bit pretty hard and i always thought it was because I’ve got a little of that British reticence but it sounds like many Americans find it hard too. Amy’s comment about being complacent business wise touched a nerve, however and I think that may have always been the reason more than reticence. That, however, is starting to change for me as I am discovering a drive to succeed that I haven’t had before so I need to learn how to hustle! Thanks as always Ann – always spot on for me.
Yup, hustle is definitely a key component to a business, small or large. For me, hustle is easier when I am doing something that I truly love and that feels on purpose for me. I have noticed in my past that when I get to a point in business when it no longer “feels” right to me, my hustle drive goes way down and it’s time to find something new to do. This was particularly apparent to me between my time in the fashion business and when I started my own interior design business…and again now, as I’m writing my book. The book feels a bit like giving birth, and like any mother I am driven to make sure it will be healthy and succeed. Giving birth is my spark, and my drive to complete and sell it, my hustle!
Hustle is so important especially if you are still working full time while running a business. It is often hard to keep the momentum of your business going when the pressures of your JOB gets in the way. You must be passionate to keep the spark and hustle going.
Where do I find some of that hustle? Seriously! Reading Darcie’s post, I have to wonder if my lack of hustle is a lack of confidence.
It is interesting because the word hustle always has had a negative conitation to me- someone taking advantage of others, selling drugs, pimping, running a scam (a hustle), etc., along with the more generic meaning of moving along rapidly. I so love the fact that I can now see this word in a whole different light when dealing with business and turn that negative conitation around to a positive definition of a confidence in yourself. Thanks Ann!
Candace Davenport
http://www.ourlittlebooks.com ~ Little Books with a Big Message
Oh my gosh this is so awesome, I love it. In my past I did a lot of things most people would regret, but I know that diffrent side of me made me the person who I am today. I made it out alive to achieve big things and, hell yes, I am going to! lol Congratulations on your new adventure, Ann!
I find that I hustle when it comes to creating new products and services, the research and planning that goes into it – I do it with passion. But I find that I still need to find that “hustle” when I am actually doing the marketing and sales. This is where I need to grow and do it more effectively.