Donna Smith Bellinger specializes in working with people who only “eat what they kill,” including members of professional organizations, sales teams, sales managers, and new sales reps. As an international speaker, adjunct professor in entrepreneurship, author, and award winning sales manager, Donna is educational, motivational, entertaining, and results oriented in her presentations. Information regarding booking and topics may be found at www.DonnaSmithBellinger.com.
What motivated and inspired you to start your own business?
My business journey began as a homeless single mother. With very few mentors and no support structure, it was a no-brainer to become results focused and be a leader, not a follower.
I created a unique sales and service model that felt natural for me, and later for the people I trained and managed. My goal is to help others shorten their learning curve to create and enjoy the life they deserve and pay it forward.
More about my backstory and my business style can be found in my book, “You Lost Me @ Hello: Actionable Principles That Move You Beyond Networking,” available on Amazon.
Tell us about your business.
I work with people who only “eat what they kill.” No matter who writes the check, we succeed by selling ourselves and servicing others. I show people how to sell themselves. Then the product or service will sell easily. Often the first person you have to sell your value to – is yourself. You have to get past your own preconceptions. There is so much more to the sales process than features and benefits.
We are about to launch my new program Account-ABILITY. This is not another networking group or mastermind. This program begins with a full sales assessment in addition to a 1 hour private consult with me to chart your path, identify your strengths, your revenue leaks and create an Account-ABILITY roadmap that sets your feet on the path to your goals.
As a sales manager, trainer and team leader I know what companies don’t provide… the secret sauce that turns you from average to Super Star in production and helps you earn at the level you desire – not just quotas and goals.
Are you currently running any promos/contests/giveaways that you would like our readers to know about?
Visit www.giftfromdonna.com and you will receive my 3 part video series, “How to turn Cards into Ca$h”, along with 2 chapters of my book “You Lost Me @ Hello: Actionable Principles that Move You Beyond Networking” (available on Amazon).
List awards/certifications/accomplishments.
- 2010 – Chicago Defender – “Woman of Excellence” Award
- Adjunct professor Columbia College, Chicago, IL, Entrepreneurship
- 2014 – Beauty In Beauty Out – “Business Coaching Excellence” Award
- 2014 – In Her Shoes Foundation – “Women Who Change the World” Award
- 2015 – We Dream In Color – “Harriet Tubman – Trailblazer” Award
- 2016 – National Sales Network “Excellence in Community Service”
- Who’s Who in Black Chicago – 2nd, 3rd and 4th Editions
Where is your business based?
Home is Chicago, however my clients are global. I can deliver my keynotes and programs anywhere. My corporate clients work with me both in person and virtually.
What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?
This is not my first business. However, the key to beginning any venture is to be very clear on the value you deliver and identifying the correct client. Often owners confuse who they want to serve with who is willing to pay. They are not the same.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and getting new customers?
Speaking has been the best tool for my business development. We are buried in print. You only receive what you can process. When I address a group, I am more effective because I can clearly see the light bulb moments and the blank stares. Face to face communication is dying, and only those who are able to communicate in person with confidence are going to grow into the leaders that are needed in their business and in their communities.
What have been your biggest challenges so far?
When I first started out I had the trifecta; I was young, African American and a woman. It was a tough challenge to sell my value.
How did you overcome these challenges?
I “sold” my value by out producing my peers. Ask for forgiveness rather than permission. Also, I surrounded myself with people who had already walked the path, learning from their losses as well as their victories. The lesson is don’t imitate – originate – create your own style of success. It’s your business – you get to make it up.
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
F3: Faith, Family & Focus.
Challenges are learning experiences. Sometimes the point is to make you stronger – other times, perhaps you are on the wrong path or with the wrong people (I could do a whole blog just on that)!
How do you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
As Your Business Revenue Accelerator, I am not trying to push anyone through a cookie cutter process. Your differences are valued by me. Yes, there are some foundational basics to master, but the goal is to increase the value you bring in servicing others using the gifts you have decided to monetize.
What is the best advice you have received recently?
Get your content out of your head and into the world.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
Work is what you DO not who you are. Keep your “why” crystal clear and let your business work FOR you to achieve your goals. And speaking of goals, business is about tracking what works. If it is not written down, you cannot track it, so it doesn’t exist.
What is your favorite business tool or resource?
My favorite resource is people. People see things in me that I don’t see in myself; they challenge me, excite me and broaden my possibilities. If you are always the smartest person in the room, you need new people.
What is a good article or book you have read recently?
I’m always in 2 or more books at a time. One for escape and one or more to grow.
- My husband’s Sci-Fi novel, “The Chronocar” by Steve Bellinger was a wonderful adventure.
- The “10x Rule” by Grant Cordone, if you are into hard-core sales.
- And “Getting Everything You Can Out of All You’ve Got” by Jay Abraham is another good one.
What are you currently learning about for your business or looking for help with?
Social Media is a challenge for me, it’s a job in itself. Since I am very aware of what I do and don’t excel in, I am hiring a team that specializes in this.
What are your goals for the next few months and how are you striving to achieve them?
My advisory board and I are working on creating on demand sales content for entrepreneurs and business owners. The goal is to launch a certification program in 2018. When I retire, I don’t want what I have learned to fade away. Somewhere there is a gifted person facing challenges that needs a lifeline, just like I did when I started. Pay it forward.
What social media outlets do you use? List them below.
Instagram @donna.smithbellinger
Twitter @askdsb
Facebook www.facebook.com/askdsb
Website www.donnasmithbellinger.com
Email contact@donnasmithbellinger.com
Hashtags #askdsb #accountability #donnasmithbellinger #revenueaccelerator