PLUS RECEIVE Brenda Tillmann has become the marketing, sales and client relationship-building expert who truly simplifies the selling process and bridges the gap between heart, business and having fun. As owner and founder of Brenda Tillmann International and the creator of The Romance of Selling System™ she puts the fun back in selling with her natural, feminine, and conversational selling style. Today, she supports, coaches, and teaches women enrolled in her programs that selling is not difficult but you must learn to “court” your prospect until they are ready for you to “pop the question”.
My escape from Corporate America:
Every business in existence is in business to make money. Smaller businesses tend to be more focused on clients but pays close attention to the bottom line. I was ecstatic and eagerly accepted the offer when I was recruited to develop a new market my former employer was entering. Within a few years, the company had experience astronomical organic growth and was well on its way to quadrupling in size and revenue. When the economic crisis hit, they kept on growing until a few years later when international turmoil caused the firm to extract the expats due to increasing safety concerns. Suddenly, cutbacks, layoffs, salary reductions spread through the firm like wildfire. At the time, I thought I was one of the lucky ones…I still had my job.
It wasn’t long until the culture of the company changed. It all became about survival and staying afloat, meeting projections, and turning a profit. I understand and agree that business need to make money in order to serve the clients, truly I do. However, for me, there had to be more and I began to feel unsatisfied, there was a “thirst” that wasn’t being quenched.
One of the things that truly resonated with me about the firm and leadership had been the company’s philosophy which was client centered. They had believed in building and sustaining quality client relationships. But that changed, too!
Defining Moments:
Over the next couple of years, I began to have sleepless nights, developed anxieties, gained weight and loss interest in many things. I wanted to know why was this happening to me? I began searching for an understanding, some reasoning as to why I felt the way I did. My health was being affected, I wasn’t happy and I no longer enjoyed my job. I was restless and unfulfilled. I wasn’t happy although most people that knew me would have never known. I put on a happy face when needed and continued on this path. Can you relate? One thing about me you will learn, is that I cannot do or be something that I don’t believe in! Something had to give!
I began searching online and reading various self-help books, and that’s when I discovered why I had been feeling lost, confused, and unhappy. I wasn’t being true to myself. So my journey began, I began to put the pieces of my fragmented life back together. With each piece of the puzzle there was confirmation. I was on the right track but yet; I was still working in corporate America. At times it felt like two steps forward and one step back. Have you ever felt that way?
That’s when I decided I had to make a change. Not just to leave that job but I had to start my own business; I had to help other women who may be feeling like I had. To help women in business that want to make a difference in someone else’s life, reach the fullest potential in their business so they can reach and help more people. Now that was exciting and I was back to being me!
Why I went into business:
Did you know that everyone that is in business is in sales? And if you are a woman, chances are that you’ve been taught or learned sales from a man. Now, I’m not man bashing, I love men! It’s just that men tend to sell in a highly aggressive manner. Most women feel inauthentic when attempting to emulate these strategies. Besides, men and women are programmed differently.
When I made the decision to take control of my life, do you know what I discovered? I already had the skills I needed to do this on my own. During my time working in corporate America, many of my competitors (actually, they were friends working for a competing company!) would approach me at a conference or some sort of networking event and pull me aside only to ask, “How do you do it, Brenda?” Little did I know they had been watching from a distance when a client or prospective client would greet me with a hug and kiss on the cheek and yet they were lucky to barely get acknowledged or a handshake!
“How was I able to consistently get face-to-face meetings with senior management and top-level executives that I had never met?” “How did I get pass the gatekeeper?” “How was I able to shorten the incubation period and earn business quickly?” plus so many, many more!
One of my early mentors in life (although I didn’t know he was a mentor at the time) taught me to focus on building sustainable long-term business. So that’s what I did, I built business one person at a time. In order to accomplish this, I never focused on closing a sale but instead, I put all my energy into developing a relationship.
There is a soft approach to building relationships that practically insures sales, referrals, and fulfilling relationships. And this is what I want to teach you!
The Real Me:
- I grew up in Small Town USA, rural Alabama and Forrest Gump was my neighbor (just kidding!)
- Yes, I have a Southern accent and although I only hear it occasionally, I love it!
- Single mother to three wonderful boys ages 28, 24, & 8 (yeah, I know, right?).
- I’m a Scorpio. My birthday is November 4th.
- I do not have a college degree.
- My life experiences, in addition to some unsuspecting “mentors” along the way, have taught me well. (Thank you Ms Hickerson, Opal, and Emmett)
- I have overcome so many life-altering challenges and believe with every fiber of my being that NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE! I am living proof!
- I laugh at myself every day…sometimes twice a day!
- It has never been about the money; it is about making a difference…A HUGE, HUGE DIFFERENCE!
- I believe the best time to change your life is RIGHT NOW!
Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda …Just Say Yes, already!
Did you know that one of the most prominent characteristics of successful people is that they take action? My team and I care deeply about you and are committed to your success and having fun along the way. We’ve GOT to have FUN!!! I am here for you…every step of the way but it all begins with you…your decision to take action and claim the success you deserve and crave. You can achieve it, I promise! So… when do we start and how can I help you?
Got Questions?
If you have any questions, go to the contact page to submit your questions. If I feel other women could benefit from your question, I may even answer it on an upcoming video or blog post! I look forward to hearing from you.
From my heart to yours,
P.s. When I have new coaching programs or my live events open up (they all sell out fast!) – my subscribers are the first to know.
