Putting yourself out there can be incredibly exciting, but it comes with some downfalls. We’ve all experienced these attacks in one way or another, but how do we move past it? How do we survive an e-lashing from such hurtful, mean-spirited critics? I’ve had a few of these experiences myself, and there are a few tips that have gotten me through the worst of it.

Find your voice: Stick up for yourself, but do not personally attack your assailant.

• I have dealt with some harsh haters when posting on my business page for RedHead Wine.  I once had someone tell me that I deserve to be sexually assaulted — um, excuse me?  What kind of person says that?!  I’ve debated whether I should respond to comments that encourage the degradation of women or endorse sexual harassment. I was bullied in high school and I did not have the self-confidence to stand up for myself; I was too afraid back then, but now that I’m badass business woman, I chose to use my voice! Tell your attacker they are being disrespectful, and you have a zero-tolerance policy for negativity. Call them out for their behavior.  Your followers will see that you have class and will stand strong with you.

Keep your head up high! Haters will always hate, but know only you can dull your shine!

• It is extremely hard to ignore negative comments when it comes to your personal brand or business.  I’ve heard repeatedly that “business should not be personal,” but it is personal when you are pouring your heart into it. Trolls use words to drag you down below their level. I want to emphasize that you are good enough.  The fact that you are trying to create and build something is a huge deal! It takes courage and strength to even try — so you should be proud of that. Life has some very rough roads and at times can feel lonely.  But it truly shows the type of person you are when you are putting yourself out there and taking risks — it’s amazing, and you’ll never forget it.

Don’t Be Afraid to Hit “Block”

• Your page and your online profile is just that: yours. You get to decide who’s included in that community, and if someone is using that opportunity to spew hate, cruelty, threats, or just plain meanness, you are not obligated to keep that online relationship! Block them, and report them if they’re violating the platform’s terms of service. You don’t need that kind of negativity in your brand — for your own sake, and for the sake of your followers!

The internet is comprised of billions of community members – so focus on the individuals who build you up, not bring you down.  Internet trolls LIVE for internet battles, so if you shut down their banter with a concise warning, you are taking control and will feel better about it.  I know it’s helped me to act and take a stance. But, most importantly, be proud of who you are and what you are trying to accomplish. By staying positive and focused, you will only get further ahead.

Want to continue the conversation? Contact me on IG and Twitter: @MarisaSergi  

The post How To Deal With Internet Trolls appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

Possible face-saving alternatives filled my head: Maybe I can skip this presentation by claiming I had an allergic reaction or food poisoning? I absolutely did not want to give a presentation to 200+ salespeople at 7:30 a.m.

I could not stop the memories of other presentations I was forced to hear in the morning, no one seemed to want to be there… especially on a Friday! But I also knew that this was my “tell-all moment.” It was my first high-profile event to jump start the company I was launching. It was time to be a #GirlBoss.

At 7:10am, I arrived to present to the largest wine and beverage distribution company in the state of Ohio. After my name was called and RedHead was introduced, my face got redder than the red wine I make, but as I slowly crept in front of the movie theater-sized projector screens, my crippling case of “nerves” finally floated away.

You are probably wondering, why this story isn’t turning out to be a sh*t show as anticipated. No, I didn’t pass out in front of everyone…no, I didn’t spontaneously combust… and no, I did not blank out nor run out of the building.

 I actually rocked the presentation. I became energized as I threw out a few jokes and the group laughed with me. Getting a group to pay attention…let alone laugh a little gave me a new perspective! I knew at this moment I actually liked speaking in front of a group. I had something to say and others wanted and enjoyed hearing about it.

I’ve come a really long way from junior high. In those days, I was introverted because of others making fun of my red hair, freckles and voting me out of the group lunch table, twice. I hid in my room in my white fuzzy robe avoiding any socialization. I had no confidence and was depressed as I struggled with awkwardly trying to interact with others.

Here are a few simple tips to help you unlock your potential:

Know your business– Do your homework, be able to talk without notes,  add interesting stories or jokes, show a funny picture of yourself or something that makes what you are promoting memorable.  You should know more on your topic than everyone in the room so you have the advantage.

Know your audience- Your presentation may change depending on if you are talking in front of a young sales force versus a group that has been working for a company for more than 10 years. Find out who they are, what they expect, what can you tell them that they do not already know. The key is to determine how to entertain them and still get your point across.

Know yourself- Being the same as everyone else and blending in is boring. Capitalize on what makes you or your product unique and show your passion for it.  Winners stand out from the rest. Spend as much time prepping and practicing as possible. I advise to add humor to help others relate to your story or to break down their concerns so you can turn it around in your favor.  Give it your best shot and do not be too hard on yourself. Examine the mistakes you may have made so your next presentation will  be even better. Ask for feedback. If you were turned down, ask why and you may be surprised on what you are told.

Still lost and cannot do it? Get help. Nothing wrong with having a business associate help present that has stronger speaking skills. Try to rehearse a small portion of the presentation so you participate too. Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses so try to use those who have skill sets that you may lack.

Tweet me to continue the conversation: @MarisaSergi

The post How to Survive Speaking to 200+ People appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

I knew if I didn’t take a chance, I would regret it for the rest of my life.

I cashed in my entire life savings, took my seat, and put my chips on the table. I sized up my opponents and tried not to break a sweat. In this card game I chose, I’m up against world-class wine industry giants, who have been at it longer than I’ve been alive. During my first handful of months as the CEO / Winemaker of RedHead Wine, these are four important lessons I’ve learned:

1. Entrepreneurship isn’t solitaire, you shouldn’t do it by yourself!

I wasn’t single when I started RedHead Brands: I was in a committed relationship with my business.  It was just the two of us, but I realized it wasn’t working.

I thought I would have an Olympic gold-medal-worthy swan dive into the cutthroat world of competition. But the reality was more like me breaking my neck in the “no diving” section of a kiddie pool.

So much to do, only 168 hours each week to do it.

Little did I realize just how much there would be to do. Or that hours would disappear in minutes. Countless days were consumed by meetings, attorneys, permits, potential partnerships, budgets, presentations and more. I decided to systematically find others to help me divide up the work, so I didn’t feel like I was failing at something I wanted so desperately.  

Now that I have more “players” on my side, I am starting to feel like I am getting somewhere with RedHead. What a world of difference it has made for me!  It really is okay to admit you don’t know something and to reach out for help.

There are an enormous number of resources available for startups and young companies regardless of where you live – don’t be shy about tapping into them.

2. You can create your own kind of “beginner’s luck” with what I call “unintended consequences.”

It’s almost eye-roll worthy when I hear myself say, (echoing Woody Allen) “Half of success in life is just showing up,” but it is so unbelievably true.  Get involved in the community, but ALSO make sure you have a positive attitude while doing it.  The more visible AND visibly happy you appear, the more people will be willing to talk to you and learn about what you or your business offer.

In addition to doing the usual things – going to business meetings and networking events – it’s important to discover new opportunities.

A recent example: I was at the Fort Lauderdale airport busy eating Bare Baked Coconut Chips as if my life depended on it. (side note: My love for anything coconut is borderline crazy). I hate eating on planes and wanted to get my snack in before I boarded when suddenly, a gentleman who sat near me asked if I was heading back to Pittsburgh.

I could have blown him off and been like “yes” and quickly start texting to avoid further conversation, but I decided to learn more about him and his story to pass some time. He told me he and his partner recognized me from the flight down (the bright side of having red hair and wearing a highlighter pink track suit).

Through this totally accidental meeting, I learned his family owns malls and restaurants and expressed interest in getting RedHead into them!

The unintended consequence? Being visible and noticed can give you a breakthrough for your business if you are open to them.

3. Keep your poker face on, take your time and do your research.

I have a flaw that I’ve been working on. I’m gullible and show my emotions, or what I like to say is that I easily trust people. This is interesting since I know many people have “trust issues.”  

“If I trust you, you can trust me.” – sounds like a good mantra to live by, right? Wrong.  In business, this is NOT best practice. Having an overly trusting attitude has hurt me more times than I want to admit.

I don’t want you to think that you shouldn’t trust anyone, but take your time and do serious due diligence and research on everyone you consider using for their services – whether it’s a consultant or a player you may want to add to the game. I didn’t do this very well with a few people and ended up getting more burnt than a marshmallow engulfed in flames at a campfire.

The best way to find out if a working relationship is good for you is to observe carefully when interviewing and to ask for references. Find out exactly how helpful the person you are researching was to other businesses and what they did for them. Googling social media may be great, but nothing replaces interviewing someone in-person to see if they’re the right fit. Signing a contract they construct usually protects them and NOT you.

4. Move the chips to the side and stand out from competitors with unexpected personal touches.

This point might seem trivial but being unique and different is how to garner attention. I personally enjoy thinking outside the box and use creativity for business and in my personal life.

Examples: instead of showcasing a picture of myself dressed up, in heels doing a dirty job necessary for the business or instead of showing a picture of RedHead wine displayed sitting on a table, I display it upside-down.  

Once in a while – do the unexpected like writing a person a note instead of just sending a text or e-mail.  In this technology-filled world we live in, creating a personal connection can be a challenge. Develop your story and be original. It’ll go a long way.  

This is what I learned my first year in business. I’m sure there are more lessons to come.

Here’s what I know: if you play your cards right, have a great attitude and remain authentic and honest with yourself, you too, will find success at the dealer’s table.

When the feeling is right – throw all the chips in and go for it.  If not, get out of the game.

Want to connect? You can reach out to me on Twitter here.

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The post Cashing in my Life’s Savings to become an Entrepreneur appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

I should have been paying attention to what rootstock I should use to increase cold tolerance in vines.

As I continued to lose myself in the digital world that is my phone, I received an email, that for most college students, hope to receive, titled “Free Hot Wings at Warren Hall.”  I opened it with a smile (who doesn’t love free food!) and read further, “if you are a student entrepreneur and want to learn how to win 5K, you should come to Warren Hall Room 114 to eat free wings and hear about this opportunity.”

I was sold at  “free hot wings” but the money sparked my interest further.

As soon as I entered the meeting room, I was immediately in heaven- so many flavors of wings to choose from!  As I was stacking my plate higher than the empire state building, an announcement was made explaining that all in attendance who had student businesses had to give an elevator pitch. My soaring appetite immediately was destroyed by the thought of public speaking. I was not prepared what-so-ever and did not even know how to give an elevator pitch!

I quickly ran behind the nearest table and googled wine facts like my life depended on it. I researched a few interesting statistics and hoped I would survive the possibility of public embarrassment.  

My name was called first! I could feel my face becoming hotter than the buffalo wing sauces  waiting for me at my seat. To my surprise, I rocked the audience. Why do we underestimate ourselves? Turns out, I work work well under pressure.  

I was no entrepreneur, but that meeting made me want to be one.

The degree I was pursuing? Viticulture and Enology and to graduate, there was a requirement to complete a capstone project. A rare spark of motivation graced my lazy student life during my junior year, and so I started working on this project.  

I wanted a wine label that was a reflection of who I am.

RedHead.  

I used characteristics of myself and designed a blend that matched the branding, “Sweet and spicy, just like a redhead!”   

This is what I pitched.

Because I took a chance – and dared to dream, I was nominated by my college within Cornell, The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, to represent them at the first annual Student Business of the Year competition.  

My friend, Matthew Kurtas, who is now on my board of advisers and a certified Sommelier, and several professors mentored me to prepare for my formal pitch.  

Ever pitched your business?

While preparing, I learned I had something special. This time I didn’t win the competition like I did over a plate of spicy chicken wings, but I did win in experience.

1. I ate wings until I couldn’t fit another one in my body.

2. I started to overcome my fear of public speaking by sharing my passion.

3. I’m now following my dreams, as cliche as that sounds – but it’s true! I work full-time for RedHead and have learned to turn fear into positive energy. I found my voice which is helping me not only push myself past my comfort zone, but curate my career.  

Keep your eyes open. An opportunity could present itself at your next local chicken wing eating contest. Sometimes, the best opportunities present themselves in the most unexpected ways.

The post How an Email about Free Food Led Me to Becoming Self-Employed appeared first on HER Magazine ™.