In this episode, host Dawn Mullarney, also known as the "Unique Connector," welcomes networking strategist and fractional COO Anitra Deen to discuss the importance of perseverance in business and how to handle rejection with resilience. Anitra emphasizes the need for patience and consistency in networking and business development, sharing a compelling statistic: while 80% of sales require five follow-ups, nearly half of sales professionals quit after just one attempt.

This statistic underlines her point that success often comes to those who persist beyond initial obstacles.Anitra shares practical advice on following up intentionally rather than creatively, explaining that building a strategic relationship over time yields more value than just trying to impress through innovative gestures. She encourages listeners to stay focused, understand their business model, and prioritize nurturing existing networks rather than constantly seeking new connections.

The discussion also covers managing the distractions of modern business life and setting boundaries, with Anitra stressing the importance of making strategic decisions rooted in data rather than emotions. She concludes with insights on finding "your people"—a supportive network or "board of advisors" to lean on during challenging times.

Dawn and Anitra's conversation serves as a motivational guide for staying resilient and determined to succeed, reminding listeners of the power of intentional networking and the value of authentic relationships.

Connect with Dawn: ⁠

Follow: Determined to Succeed on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnmullarney

Check out Dawn's website to learn more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Uniqueconnector.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Anitra's Bio:

She supports women entrepreneurs and small business owners as a networking strategist and Fractional COO to create actionable strategies and structures around their businesses to gain momentum toward their vision. Anitra equips her clients with a strategic network to reduce their networking activities so they have a model to expand or scale their business. She’s on a mission to support small business owners to move from being stuck and disorganized to having the clarity, structure, and momentum to take that next, first step.

Connect with Anitra:

Website: www.anitradeen.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/anitra-deen

#uniqueconnector #determinedtosucceed #podcast

In this episode of the Determined to Succeed podcast, host Dawn Mullarney, also known as the Unique Connector, welcomes Sarah Young, founder of Zing Collaborative, for an insightful discussion on the hiring process. Dawn shares that she's been following Sarah for years and was drawn to Sarah’s thought-provoking online post about hiring. Sarah opens up about her experiences—particularly her challenges with hiring for her own business, despite excelling at hiring for others. She reflects on how her tendency to focus on a candidate’s potential, rather than the immediate fit for her team, sometimes led to misalignments. This prompted her to refine her approach to hiring. Sarah details the evolution of her process, which now involves an initial email filter, a paid project to assess real-world skills, and reference checks before even conducting an interview. This structure helps ensure that candidates are aligned with the company's needs and values, saving time and improving hiring decisions. Dawn and Sarah also discuss the importance of seeing beyond an impressive interview performance, as well as the value of incorporating projects and references early on to avoid costly mistakes. Sarah offers listeners practical tips and directs them to her blog for more detailed steps on how to implement a more thoughtful and effective hiring process. The episode is packed with actionable advice for both small business owners and larger organizations, emphasizing that the hiring process can—and should—go beyond traditional methods to ensure the best possible fit for long-term success. Connect with Dawn: ⁠ Follow: Determined to Succeed on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnmullarney Check out Dawn's website to learn more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Uniqueconnector.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sarah's Bio: Sarah Young is the founder of Zing Collaborative, a leadership development company that has been partnering with forward-looking organizations, teams, and individuals to elevate their leadership capacity since 2013. Sarah is also the author of Expansive Impact: An Invitation to Lead in Everyday Moments. Sarah is grateful to work with leaders and teams spanning industries and roles: from executive leadership teams, to construction and manufacturing companies, to high growth start-ups and professional organizations. Sarah is a former corporate leader, a two-time Ironman finisher, and a certified professional coach through both the International Coach Federation and the Co-Active Training Institute. Zing Collaborative is a proud member of 1% for the Planet. Connect with Sarah: Website: www.zingcollaborative.com Sign up for her FREE Inspiring Newsletter: www.zingcollaborative.com/fridayfavorites

In this episode of Determined to Succeed, host Dawn Mullarney, also known as the Unique Connector, welcomes Deb Rosman to the show. Deb shares her inspiring journey of leaving corporate America after decades in the energy sector to reinvent herself at the age of 63. She discusses how this transition was driven by a realization that life is short and precious, and that living authentically and pursuing one's passion is crucial. Deb opens up about her experiences with live theatre, her love for connecting with compassionate people, and her mission to bring kindness and humanity into corporate cultures.

Throughout the conversation, Deb and Dawn dive deep into the importance of living with joy, gratitude, and intention. They explore how powerful connections and kindness can impact both personal and professional life. Deb also touches on her belief in the power of positive energy and the law of attraction, as well as her upcoming workshops focused on emotional well-being.

Deb closes the episode by reading her heartfelt poem, I Am Not Gone, a piece about the lasting impact of love and presence, even after a person is physically gone. The conversation serves as a reminder to listeners to trust their internal compass, seek joy, and nurture the relationships that bring positivity and support into their lives.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone contemplating a career shift or looking to infuse more passion and compassion into their personal and professional worlds.

Connect with Dawn: ⁠

Follow: Determined to Succeed on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnmullarney

Check out Dawn's website to learn more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Uniqueconnector.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Deb's bio: Deb Rosman is an author, speaker, and corporate wellness advocate. She is an international best-selling co-author of It is Done! Using techniques from the Law of Attraction she teaches others to foster self-soothing during the grieving process.
Her first book, The Grieving Heart: a collection of poetry and prose about loss, hope, and living, which serves many as a silent companion during their grief journey. Deb became an entrepreneur at age sixty, making her a case study in reinventing oneself. She understands that the only constant in life is change and believes that we can always change for the better.

Connect with Deb:

Website

LinkedIn

In this episode of Determined to Succeed, host Dawn Mullarney, also known as the Unique Connector, dives into the challenges introverts face in public relations (PR) and networking. Joined by Alexson Calahan, founder of Small Adventures Communications and a self-described introvert, the discussion centers around overcoming the discomfort of self-promotion and finding authentic ways to connect with others.

Alexson shares her journey of transforming from someone who dreaded the spotlight to a confident business owner who has learned to apply PR and networking strategies to herself. The conversation highlights that PR isn’t about shameless self-promotion but about building mutually beneficial relationships. Both Dawn and Alexson discuss how reframing networking and PR as opportunities to connect and help others can remove the ‘ick’ factor, especially for introverts.

Dawn emphasizes that networking doesn’t have to mean attending large events that make you uncomfortable. Instead, she encourages people to find what works for them, whether it’s through one-on-one virtual meetings, leveraging existing relationships, or using platforms like LinkedIn for meaningful connections.

The episode also touches on the importance of celebrating small wins and consistently reflecting on progress. Alexson shares how her practice of monthly reflection helps her stay motivated and recognize her growth, despite the challenges of balancing her business and homeschooling her kids.

Listeners are reminded that growth happens in small steps and that finding ways to stretch their comfort zone can lead to significant personal and professional success. Both Dawn and Alexson inspire listeners to embrace their unique journey, be brave, and celebrate their accomplishments along the way.

Connect with Dawn: ⁠

Follow: Determined to Succeed on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnmullarney

Check out Dawn's website to learn more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Uniqueconnector.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Be sure to connect and follow Alexson Calahan:

⁠Website ⁠

⁠LinkedIn

In this episode of Determined to Succeed, host Dawn Mullarney, the "Unique Connector," welcomes back Andrea Andree for an insightful conversation. The discussion begins with Andrea's approach to staying motivated—putting herself in her clients' shoes. She shares how visualizing her clients’ struggles and dreams helps her refocus on her purpose as a spiritual business coach. Together, Dawn and Andrea explore the importance of aligning mindset and energy to overcome business challenges, and the impact of having a strong passion behind your work.

Andrea dives deeper into her work helping early-stage entrepreneurs who have mastered business strategy but are struggling with their mindset and energy alignment. She emphasizes the power of staying connected to one's purpose and remembering that there are people waiting for the unique services they offer. Dawn and Andrea also reflect on the idea of competition and how there is enough space for everyone to succeed, especially when focusing on what makes each individual unique.

In the latter part of the conversation, Andrea shares exciting news about her podcast, Your Business is Your Spiritual Path, where she discusses how spiritual concepts can enhance business success. The episode closes with the two women expressing excitement about their upcoming group trip to Cuba, and the value of stepping out of their comfort zones to grow together in a supportive environment.

Connect with Dawn: ⁠

Follow: Determined to Succeed on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnmullarney

Check out Dawn's website to learn more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Uniqueconnector.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Be sure to connect and follow Andrea Andree:

⁠Website⁠

⁠LinkedIn⁠

Andrea's Podcast

In the third episode of Determined to Succeed, Dawn Mullarney welcomes back Nancy Kalsow to continue their conversation about Nancy's R.E.A.L. framework. They dive into the concepts of Reflect, Engage, Align, and Lead—a process Nancy developed to help individuals live more authentically and stay true to themselves in a world that often pushes conformity.

Nancy shares how the framework equips people with tools to navigate personal growth by aligning with their true values and strengths. Dawn reflects on how she’s used these tools in her own life, and the ongoing nature of applying them over time. Nancy emphasizes that growth is continuous and encourages listeners to use the tools that resonate most with their current needs.

Nancy also reveals exciting news about her upcoming book series, which will guide individuals, teams, and businesses in applying the R.E.A.L. framework to achieve greatness. The episode is a motivational call to stay true to who you are, practice self-reflection, and take intentional action in both personal and professional life.

Catch this episode for a deep dive into living authentically and leading yourself toward lasting success!

Connect with Dawn: ⁠

Follow: Determined to Succeed on⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect on LinkedIn:⁠⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnmullarney⁠⁠

Check out Dawn's website to learn more:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Uniqueconnector.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect and Follow Nancy Kalsow: Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.kalsowcoach.com/⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn:⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancykalsow/⁠

In this episode of Determined to Succeed, host Dawn Mullarney, the Unique Connector, continues her insightful conversation with Nancy Kalsow in the second part of their three-part series. Nancy introduces the framework of her upcoming book, Get REAL, diving deep into what each component—Reflect, Engage, Align, and Lead—truly means.

Nancy shares how Get REAL is more than just a book; it’s a toolkit for personal and professional growth. She walks listeners through the four sections, each consisting of four chapters, designed to help individuals explore and implement strategies for continuous development. The discussion begins with the importance of Reflection, highlighting various ways to reflect on the past, present, and future. Dawn and Nancy explore how this process helps in recognizing personal growth and setting the stage for future success.

The conversation then shifts to Engage, emphasizing the value of active participation in life. Nancy explains how engaging with yourself and others through listening, asking questions, and observing can lead to valuable insights. She underscores the idea that advice, while well-intended, may not always align with one’s unique path.

Moving on to Align, Nancy discusses the importance of using the information gathered through reflection and engagement to make decisions that align with one’s true self. Dawn shares how this practice has helped her in various aspects of her life, including learning to delegate and saying no when necessary.

Finally, they delve into the concept of Lead, focusing on leading as a verb rather than a title. Nancy presents her formula for leading with purpose: Passion + Patience + Perseverance = Purpose. This segment encourages listeners to take action aligned with their passions, reinforcing that leadership comes from embracing one’s gifts and sharing them with the world.

Tune in to discover how the REAL framework can guide you toward a more authentic and fulfilling journey. Nancy's book, set to launch in October, is sure to be an inspiring guide for anyone looking to embrace their uniqueness and lead with purpose.

Connect with Dawn: ⁠

Follow: Determined to Succeed on⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect on LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnmullarney⁠

Check out Dawn's website to learn more:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Uniqueconnector.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect and Follow Nancy Kalsow: Website: ⁠⁠https://www.kalsowcoach.com/⁠⁠ LinkedIn:⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancykalsow/⁠

In this episode of Determined to Succeed, host Dawn Mullarney, also known as the Unique Connector, welcomes back Nancy Kalsow, who was instrumental in launching the podcast. Dawn and Nancy dive into an exciting discussion about Nancy’s upcoming book, which focuses on the importance of embracing individual uniqueness to achieve personal and professional greatness. Nancy reflects on her coaching experiences and corporate observations, explaining how people often feel stifled and undervalued in their roles, which limits their potential. The conversation highlights the idea that success is not solely about productivity but rather about being true to oneself. Nancy shares insights from her book, which serves as a toolkit to help individuals Reflect, Engage, Align, and Lead themselves to greatness. Dawn reflects on her own journey, acknowledging how Nancy’s guidance helped her recognize her strengths and authenticity beyond her achievements. This episode is the first in a three-part series, where Dawn and Nancy will explore the framework and how it can be applied in real life. Nancy also shares the challenges and growth she experienced while writing the book, emphasizing the importance of constantly revisiting and refining one's values and strategies, as growth is continuous. This series offers deep reflections on self-awareness, leadership, and the power of honoring one's uniqueness in a fast-paced world.

Connect with Dawn: ⁠

Follow: Determined to Succeed on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnmullarney

Check out Dawn's website to learn more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Uniqueconnector.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect and Follow Nancy Kalsow: Website: ⁠https://www.kalsowcoach.com/⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancykalsow/⁠