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Business Lessons from the Girlboss Rally

Over 1,100 women from all over the world met at the Knockdown Center in Queens, New York for the fourth annual Girlboss Rally last November. The rally was more than just a traditional conference. It also included opportunities for networking, a bazaar of more than 20 female-owned businesses, and a variety of panels featuring talented entrepreneurs and business leaders who encouraged and advised the attendees. Their advice will also be helpful for you as you advance your business.

Prioritize People and Your Product

Maggie Winter, co-founder and CEO of AYR, warned listeners against getting so wrapped up in the details of marketing that they forget to put product and people first. She suggests investing every dollar in creating an incredible customer experience and product. Once you’ve built a foundation of a solid product and the people who interact with it, you’ll be able to create a more successful marketing strategy.

Don’t Be Afraid of Failure

Growing a business requires risks and leaving your comfort zone. Bozoma “Boz” Saint John, the woman responsible for transforming Uber’s brand, discussed the philosophy behind her risk-taking attitude that has set her apart from the crowd. Every leader faces failure at some point, so rather than being afraid of failure, you need to work on your recovery.

Keep Moving Forward

Entrepreneurs will face many roadblocks, including many people who will try to discourage them. Alex Williamson, Chief Brand Officer of Bumble, stressed the importance of believing in yourself, even with others give you reason to doubt your product. She recommends channeling your frustration into excitement at the idea of proving them wrong.

Even negative feedback is useful. Brooklyn Decker, the co-founder of Finery, described how even though being told “no” by investors or clients can hurt, this feedback will ultimately be helpful as you determine your company’s future direction. This feedback will ultimately be what moves you forward, even only if it causes you to reevaluate and learn from your past mistakes.

Stay Focused

Starting a business includes many challenges that can cause you to feel overwhelmed and distracted. Rea Ann Silva, CEO and founder of BeautyBlender, talked about the importance of staying focused. She advised attendees to “Make sure that every day you are doing something that’s pushing your business forward.”

The Girlboss Rally generated impactful lessons not just for the attendees, but for every entrepreneur. Successful leaders in the industry shared advice ranging from embracing lessons from failures to how to remain focused in a challenging environment. By implementing their suggestions, you’ll be able to improve your skills and grow your business.

Originally published on JarvisBuckman.com