The power of the Marketing Trailblazers Community is found in the passion of our members! I’m excited to share the stories of adventure, challenge, and success that show what it means to own a business in our Featured Member series:
Adventures in Entrepreneurship
Sue Painter is not only a sought-after business coach, but she’s also a successful entrepreneur running several active businesses while traveling the world with her husband, Bill Painter. I’ve known Sue for many years and am always impressed with her wisdom as well as the depth of her compassion for her clients, student and the global community in which she travels.
I’m honored to introduce you to Sue Painter, a valued member of the Marketing Trailblazers Community, a colleague whom I admire and trust, and a friend who inspired and recently encouraged me to start my second business, Globetrotting Adventure Travel.
Who: Sue Painter
Your Business: Business Coach
Where We Can Learn More About Your Business:
Confident Marketer, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
How did you stumble on your business path?
So many service professionals kept asking me how I built my first business that I started consulting with them individually and eventually it became my full-time gig.
Who inspired you into this path? What did that inspiration look like?
No one really inspired me to create The Confident Marketer. It arose out of requests (see above). But I’ve had many mentors along the way who do inspire me.
Who was the first person who believed in you?
I had a wonderful first-grade teacher, Mrs. Carey. She taught every kid that 1) you are responsible for yourself and no one else and 2) you can work to achieve anything.
What was the moment you knew you could be successful at your chosen path?
I was making a speech to a local women’s group, and in introducing myself I said something like, “I help you become a more confident marketer.” In that moment, 22 pairs of eyes locked onto me, and I knew I’d hit a nerve. Before I left that day, 8 of the 11 women were clients.
When did you know you could make a living as a Business Coach?
About a year into it – I was still running both businesses, and while I truly loved my massage clinic, business consulting was more lucrative for me without having to have a big staff to keep the clinic going.
How do you define success for yourself? How do you define success for the path that you’re on?
Freedom for me is everything. Freedom and flexibility. I am a big believer in working hard and playing hard. To me, success is the ability to live my desired life. Nothing more, nothing less. It’s less about money and more about living each day how I wish to live it.
Give us a typical day in your life.
I’m usually an early riser. My best thoughts and ideas hit in the early morning. But first I am a meditator, which I’ve been for over 30 years now. So sitting time, usually in our side garden. Then, typically I get up and write or map out business ideas for myself or for clients. Then smoothie for breakfast with vitamins. Then client work or working on my own business.
I pay attention to various businesses throughout the day but usually focus in 2-hour time blocks on a specific business. Besides The Confident Marketer, I own Travel Changes Life, and I have a busy affiliate marketing business. So I split my time but always in one or two hour chunks of time. My go-to snack is half a protein bar. By 2 or 3 PM at the latest, I’m done for the day. My prime energy is not afternoon. I’m ready to hit the beach, read, or have a solid conversation with someone else. Since we live in Florida, I want to be outside at least a part of every day.
When do you get up?
Varies. Always by 7 AM and sometimes earlier.
When do you eat lunch? Do you eat the same thing every day or mix it up?
We break around noon for lunch on most days. Usually a salad with some type of protein. Sometimes we go out but usually not. I like variety at lunch since breakfast is always the same (a smoothie).
What do you do from 1 pm to 6 pm?
Some work, and then knock it off for the day and get outdoors.
What do you do from 6 pm until you go to bed?
Dinner, probably a little follow up with business, evenings with friends.
Do you have a pre-bed ritual?
I prep the evening before for the next day. Review calendar, confirm appointments if need be, plan out the day. I usually read a little bit before bedtime, whatever our neighborhood book club is reading for the next meeting, or magazines.
How do you define a successful day?
That I’ve helped at least one person feel encouraged and stronger in her business, and that I’ve kept my energy and awareness on an even keel. Or, inspired someone to plan a trip.
What’s been the most important skill you’ve developed on your path?
Learning to always follow the energy, which is the simplest and clearest path to manifesting.
What’s been the greatest challenge on your path?
Interested in many things, love to learn many things.
What’s been your greatest reward in the choices you’ve made to do this?
Freedom.
What do you want to learn from a community of your peers?
I try to see what each person’s expertise is, and learn from them something about that particular topic.
Thank you, for sharing your journey as a Business Coach and member of the Marketing Trailblazers Community.
Does Sue Painter’s story resonate with you? Let us know, and share what it means for you to be a business owner/entrepreneur in the comments below!
Judy Rodman
What an inspiring interview… I am especially struck by her skill of learning to follow the energy! I admit I am really jealous of the way she manages her day. Going to get her newsletter and learn more about this amazing woman.
Denise Wakeman
Thanks for stopping by, Judy!
Cynthia
Great interview! Happy to have met Sue in Marketing Trailblazers and looking forward to learning from her. My greatest reward, in becoming an entrepreneur, has been, flexibility. Like, Sue and so many of us, I choose when to work, when to learn, when to [fill-in-the-blank]!
Denise Wakeman
I couldn’t agree with you more, Cynthia… flexibility and freedom. Can’t beat it.
Elizabeth Herbert Cottrell
Love this glimpse inside the world of people I respect. Thanks, Denise — and proud to know you, Sue!
Jan Carroza
What a lovely interview. Sue is a very special person and a great contributor to the Trailblazers group. I can see why her clients love her. Her newsletter is one of the best I’ve ever gotten.
Denise Wakeman
Thanks for stopping by, Jan! I agree that Sue’s newsletter is excellent. She knows how to tell a story!