I can pinpoint my distinct “coming of age” moment…
Dad drove an old blue pick-up truck. It would rattle down the highway, catapulting over every bump in the road and sending my homework flying. It was one of those road trips to visit dad’s rental houses that changed my life.
I was 12 years old and a studious middle schooler. As the oldest daughter of seven children, my dad took me to work at his start-up one day per week. We’d visit properties, collect rent, and file paperwork, but one afternoon, he shocked me. “Hey Hannah, the phone is ringing. There’s a guy on the other line with a house for sale and you’re going to close the deal” he interjected. I took the phone, frightened, and fumbled through the call. Sure enough, within days, we had the home under contract and closed a few weeks later.
This experience changed my life. Before long, I was religiously consuming business books, enrolled in online college at age 14, and graduated with my degree in international business by 18. Since then, I’ve consulted Fortune 500 companies, boutique luxury brands, and have had the pleasure of working with some of the best and brightest leaders across the globe. Along the way, I’ve started two companies that failed, and I’m proud of that.
Now, I’ve embarked on a journey to help companies connect with my generation. Why is this my passion you may ask? Simply put, in a time when the world is increasingly divided, I exist to foster #RadicalEmpathy in the workplace - helping both young and old gain a voice.
While training leaders through my work at Biltmore Center for Professional Development, I realized how intense generational misunderstandings are and how they impact team well-being, productivity, and success. Many firms are attempting to recruit and retain Gen Z’rs using the same strategies they attempted on millennials and wondering why they are flushing millions of dollars down the drain.
I’m here to help. My book on the subject will be released in the summer of 2021, so stay tuned!
Here’s the thing. My story isn’t unique. There is an entire market of driven, entrepreneurial students out there waiting for you to snatch them up. And I’m here to help you find and lead them as YOUR competitive advantage.