Liveops Agent Spotlight: Sharon, a woman entrepreneur
Liveops attracts business-oriented people who are dedicated to their clients, passionate about working when they want, and driven to help other people. For Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, we’d like to introduce you to Liveops Agent Sharon Meeks DeBouse, who embodies all of these characteristics and more.
Read on to learn more about Sharon’s story of achievement and endurance, along with her advice for independent entrepreneurs and business owners.
One of 14 children living in Florida, Sharon credits her entrepreneurial beginnings to her father.
“At a young age, my father taught me that if you build something that’s your own, no matter what happens, nobody can take it away from you,” Sharon said. “My father taught me and my siblings to be independent and to not depend on anybody first but yourself.”
Sharon has been an entrepreneur since Junior High School, where she participated in the Junior Achievement program. The club was the beginning of a string of entrepreneurial success, from creating the flag corp program at her high school, to empowering others as a consultant and business strategist.
How has working with Liveops has helped you grow your independent business?
"Because of Liveops, I knew I never had to worry about a consistent stream of income. If I needed to travel to see my mother or take care of my disabled brother, Liveops offered me the opportunity to earn my income wherever and whenever.
As an independent strategist, my job involves identifying my client’s strengths and weaknesses, listening to their needs, and helping them build their business. But while they're building that business, they need a foundation of income. If you have that foundation, you have a greater chance of success because you’re not looking for ways to fund your business plan or pay for the tools you need when you’re just starting out. Especially for people from underserved areas and single-income families who don’t have financial backers.
For me, Liveops became that solid foundation."
In honor of Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, what advice you would give to other women out there in a similar situation as yours?
“My number one piece of advice is to always believe in yourself. And once you believe in yourself, partner with someone else you believe in. That will give you external motivation to succeed.
It's important for us to mentor each other. But mentoring is always a two-way street. It goes both ways. And if you provide that support to other women, that feeling is what’s going to keep you motivated."
As women, we lead and we are in control of the narratives of our lives. So no matter how small, take a moment, celebrate each victory by sharing your motivations, your strengths, your unique qualities with at least two other women. Make it a daily goal to empower other women with words of encouragement. And remember that your womanly support and determination can make a drastic difference in overcoming obstacles in pursuing success as an entrepreneur.
Celebrate, empower and support each other, as today - and every day- is Women’s Entrepreneurship Day."