Crystal started in the corporate world as a marketing manager in hospitality making sales goals. She was a rock star- consistently exceeding goals by over 100 %! She knew she found her true talent and knew what it took to market. She had the natural inborn ability to even get the most difficult clients to sign on with a campaign. Yet, the corporate world was a dysfunctional environment and one she did not enjoy – even though her passion for marketing was strong. Through prayer and soul searching, it hit her that she could really do this for small businesses – the exact same thing she was doing for corporate just without the dysfunction. The seed was planted and now the implementing phase had to begin.
Initially the thought of going out on her own was overwhelming as it would be a major undertaking. Depressed, sitting in her car she had a vision. She could see her future clearly. Her vision was HUGE – so huge she even tried negotiating with it in her mind. The vision was bigger than her and the driving force that steered her straight to registering her company.
After registering her business, Crystal felt odd not being in the corporate world. Everything was designated in her day. She had an office to go to – routine. Now she sat feeling out of
“ When you’ re on purpose, you will have a peace that I can’ t explain; if you’ re focusing on what you’ re supposed to.... Money always showed up. I was always able to pay my bills.”
place with nowhere to go. Instead of getting into the rut many do when leaving a job, Crystal took that opportunity to educate herself even more. She went to the library, checked out 20 books and read 3 every day.
There were things that Crystal just knew were her strong points and she embraced them. Speaking in front of large groups was one of them and an avenue that would eventually lead to her extreme success. Crystal’ s speaking engagements she currently does around the world are just a natural extension of what she was already doing. Social Media is about being social – being out in the front and speaking your mind, sharing, informing, and educating.
In the beginning Crystal didn’ t charge when she would go speak at various venues. From her speaking, she usually signed up many
Crystal Washington
of the attendees for her personal coaching, marketing, branding and social media consultations. When you put yourself out in the universe, the universe acts on your gifts and she began to get flooded with speaking engagements. It was at this time she started charging for speaking and considering it as a business. Always learning, Crystal honed her business speaking skills and connected with Karen Mc- Cullough, who is a branding expert, social media enthusiast, and a Gen X and Gen Y Evangelist who has the ability to bring out great leadership qualities. Crystal read Karen’ s book‘ The Seven Women Project’ in one sitting and after that her speaking business changed. Crystal got on Facebook and started talking about how much Karen’ s book had changed her and how much she loved it. Once again, the universe stepped in.
41POWERCULTURE APR2013