C.J. Hayden
I love being introduced to the charming neighborhoods of San Francisco. And today my destination was an enchanting neighborhood right off Golden Gate Park. Upon arrival, it was cold and drizzling so I walked quickly, but took note of the intriguing boutiques along the way. What a treat to encounter an inviting, blazing fireplace in the cozy restaurant where C.J. Hayden suggested we meet. We scheduled our meeting months in advance to coincide with that all-important birthday that made her a 50+Fabulous woman.
As an entrepreneur, author, speaker, and innovator, C.J. is not only fabulous, but her life story is riveting. And, because her life is so rich and intriguing, I will be in line for one of the first copies of her book when she writes about it!
She has been living independently since the age of 15 and, as a result, developed her entrepreneurial skills early in order to survive and thrive. She knows what it’s like to walk into a new environment with nothing, and find your way. Having held over fifty jobs by the time she was 30 that ranged from carhop to management consultant, she knows that persistence works and that you don’t always have to come in through the front door to accomplish your goal. She knows how to identify the talents and assets that are available, ascertain the skills that need to be developed and how important it is not to shy away from the hard work necessary to achieve the goal. For example, when she determined that she needed to get her education, she obtained her high school diploma in five days. However, getting her college degree took 10 years of working full-time and attending classes at night. She knows first hand what it means to “risk.” She knows how motivational “discomfort” can be. And, she knows that there are always ways to overcome obstacles. Therefore, she is in a unique position to share “what it takes to be successful” with her clients.
In her 30s she read an article, in Fortune magazine, about women encountering the “glass ceiling,” (a new term at that time) and envisioned coaching women who wanted to start their own businesses. As a result, she became a pioneer in this field and not only opened the door for other women, but provided the tools to become a coach as well.
In her mid-40s, she adopted the phrase “social entrepreneur” to describe a new niche in her work with non-profits, activists, and businesses with a social agenda. She is passionate about working with those who are truly making a difference in our world, and is sharing her vast experience, knowledge, and skill to ensure their important work meets with success.
As you can see, risk is no stranger to C.J. and she admits that she is not very good at “comfortable.” She is always trying new things, stretching, and growing. But the wonderful thing is that she helps others to do the same thing. She loves to share her secrets and help blast others out of those comfort zones that are holding them back.
She feels that, at 50, you are who you are. Instead of bemoaning that which you feel you can’t have, be or do, it is important to work with whatever your “package” is. Get real with yourself and you will free up energy, be able to assess next steps more accurately, and attain authentic success.
C.J. got the jump on many of us by honing her skills from an early age, but feels strongly that it is never too late to go after our dreams and to make a difference in our own lives and that of others. She has a pragmatic approach, born of the need to survive while pursuing a dream, which underscores making a living every step of the way. C.J. always tells herself, “If I can do this, then I can do that!” We can all learn a lot from this fabulous woman!
If you’d like to learn more about and be inspired by C.J. Hayden and her work, take a look at the following websites:
- www.getclientsnow.com
- www.gethirednow.com
- www.coachpreneur.com
- www.howtobecomeahero.com
- www.socialentrepreneur.com
and books:
