Her Business….

By LaTasha West

                Chatting with the CEO in Pajamas series seeks to provide information and real world advice. Over the next few weeks I will share interviews that I have done with ladies who are running their own businesses and doing so successfully.  These women are wives, mothers and business owners willing to share a small piece of their journey with you.

I hope this series encourages, motivates and inspires you to believe.

This week I chat with Summer Alexander, CEO of Summer Alexander Research

Here is what Summer has to say:

LaTasha: Summer, how long have you been in business now?

Summer: 2 years!!

LaTasha: What, if anything would you change about your journey in business?

Summer:  Honestly there isn’t anything I would change – even the months with no clients, the days I felt like giving up and the many, many tears I shed. I’ve come to understand that every little thing I’ve experienced has been a necessary step on the path to get me to exactly where I am today.

LaTasha: What was the biggest misconception that you had about working for yourself?

Summer: That I would have more time! While I do have flexibility with my time, I am always in CEO mode. When I worked a job, at the end of the work day once I walked out the door I didn’t think about it again. With my business there always seems to be more to do, another idea to implement, one more email to send, etc…

LaTasha: Were you born an entrepreneur or did you become one? Explain.

Summer: I was definitely born to be an entrepreneur but didn’t always know it. I had a “good job” working with people I loved and making “good money” but I found myself unhappy – restless even. I didn’t know why. After 7 years I was downsized and found myself unemployed for the first time since I started working at 16 years old. Initially I loved the freedom of not punching a clock but there was always this inner nudge pushing me to do more. Turns out that nudge was trying to tell me I had so much more work to do in the world but not for someone else.

LaTasha: If you taught a class on entrepreneurship what would you name the class and why?

Summer: I teach a few however, my newest class is my favorite: “Master Your Mindset, Money & Marketing to Create a Successful Business” I’ve learned from personal experience how mindset (lack of confidence, comparison to others), mismanagement of money (failure to track revenues and expenses, not setting financial goals) and failure to consistently market your business are all roadblocks which if not addressed prevent success in business.