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Introducing Paula ConstantinoFounder, Women’s Support TEAM
How I first got to hear of Paula Once again, I came to know of Paula through the Magical Power of Networking. She was referred to me by Suzanne Kincaid, Founder of InVeStworks (featured in an earlier article of mine, On Fire for Financial Freedom as well as by Marcia Brixey, for whom I submitted the article Mission Possible: Saving Women from Money Malfunction. My introductory visit to Paula’s web site, www.womenssupportteam.com got me so enthusiastic I knew I had to do an article on what she is putting together here. Then, after receiving her impassioned answers to my interview questionnaire, I was inspired to write her:
Once I’ve got my superlatives communicated, I begin my interview in my customary way: l ask Paula for an “elevator speech” summary of her enterprise. How would you briefly describe what you are doing? “As Founder and CEO of Women’s Support TEAM (a.k.a. WS TEAM), my passion was first to build a web-based resource with women helping other women achieve more success with less stress globally through Mentors, Coaches, digital informational products, affiliate solutions, articles, links to resources, and more… You can see it all at www.womenssupportteam.com. Gradually, this passion has expanded to providing practical information to women on a global basis.” What is the primary goal of what you do in this organization? “Well, the underlying theme of WS TEAM is that ‘Together Everyone Achieves More success globally through Synergy’. By this I mean the exchange of ideas, working together and combining resources for the success of all ─ where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Our goal is to provide practical, hands-on information to women throughout the world to empower them to make the most of their lives and those of their loved ones, thereby leaving a legacy for their children, grandchildren and generations to come.” That’s a gigantic goal! I laugh. “Wait, it’s actually getting even bigger,” Paula smiles. “We are in process of developing the 1000 Women Can Change the World Initiative at www.1000womencanchangetheworld.org. The concept behind this initiative is that when we educate women, we are in essence educating their family, friends and others… because women by nature share their knowledge with others so freely. Our goal is to provide useful, practical information that is easy to access, understand and pass on to others. This process will ultimately create more capable women who will in turn have more educated children and will begin to change the world from the grass roots up. The foundation of this initiative is that when 1000 women each contribute $1000 or more in Women’s Support TEAM, we will then have one million dollars to develop mentoring programs and digital informational products in native languages that are then distributed in developing nations throughout the world.”
Paula Constantino A Vision of Women Helping Women Succeed Globally...Primary features of the WS TEAM web site Major emphasis is placed here on building a strongly interrelated network, plus on the creating informational products. As stated on the site: “When women create and sell Downloadable Informational Products” (or DIP, to use Paula’s acronym),” they can reach and help so many more women than otherwise possible. In effect, they can benefit themselves and others by ‘packaging’ themselves for success online. Four primary categories of individuals—better said, TEAM Members— are highlighted and defined on Paula’s site:
“Everyone on the TEAM truly wins!” is the message clearly emphasized here.
To sum up the details on her site, Paula's mission is to create an all-inclusive virtual resource where women can find everything they need to enhance their life and business, including coaches, events, articles, life and business solutions, and more... all while pampering themselves, having fun and tapping into their creative side. So ─ how did you get started in all this, and how did you get to where you are right now? “As a woman who fully embraces continuous learning, I started law school at age 40 and practiced law as a trial attorney in New York and as in-counsel for a high-tech startup in Maryland. Working with ‘techies’ taught me not to be intimidated by technology and the internet. For a short time, I ventured into the world of network marketing where I learned concepts of motivation and team building. Then I partnered with a woman and brainstorming together we developed the concept of building an online community or team of experts. When she and I went our separate ways, I started creating the website for Women’s Support Team in May 2006.” How much of your work is focused specifically toward women? “Almost all of my time and energy are focused specifically on women. WS TEAM is all about supporting women through not only practical knowledge but also with online resources to give back, embrace fun, pamper themselves, tap into their creative side and give back to others. These latter sections of the website are still in the formative stage, but they will be expanding in the future.” What are some of the ways you promote your enterprise? “Since my enterprise is virtual, most of the promotion to date has been via email, e-newsletters, online press releases, search engine optimizations, online social networking, women’s organizations, etc. I would like very much to expand our PR to interviews, especially on NPR and other media to promote our 1000 Women Can Change the World initiative since this is truly a worthy endeavor with power to create true global change by improving the lives of women worldwide.” Which of your projects are you currently most excited and passionate about? “Just this month, I launched Find A Coach Online as a division of WS TEAM at www.findacoachonline.com (for men as well as women) and at www.womenssupportteam.com/Find-A-Coach.html (for women with an additional discount for member Participants). These websites make it so easy for anyone to find the right coach to fit each individual’s needs and lead him or her to success.” How exactly does this work? “The coach listings are user friendly. Each coach has a full one-page web profile that includes an audio introduction, as well as a photo, benefits unique to this coach, their coaching background, testimonials, usual rate, and special package(s) for online purchase. The prospective client simply clicks on the shopping cart link and is then sent a confirming email with the coach’s contact information. The coach then receives an email with the client’s information. Coaches deliver their work via telephone with email support. We have life and business coaches from international venues and diverse fields, including finding courage, increasing productivity, mastery of prosperity, healthy hormones, and so much more. I am, of course, also so passionate about our 1000 Women Can Change the World Initiative that I am working on and developing with our Board of Advisors. This is my true, ultimate passion and mission!” Whom does your network currently include? How far does your network extend? “My network is expanding on an almost daily basis as the numbers of Mentors, Coaches and other synergistic relationships increase every day. The combined contact lists extend to tens of thousands, possibly even more. All of this is based on our premise that Together Everyone Achieves More success globally through Synergy. The potential for growth is exponential!” Are there any names, groups you want to bring to our attention? “Many factors have converged to bring me and Women’s Support TEAM to where it is now. Both Robbie Motter, regional director for NAFE (National Association for Female Executives) and June Davidson, owner and CEO of ASLA (American Seminar Leaders Association) have been most pivotal and supportive of my endeavors in developing WS TEAM. More recently, three women (members of our evolving Board of Advisors) have infused me with even more passion and enthusiasm. These women are Linda Bolliger of Boardroom Bound, Rita Thompson for PR and Grace Palmer of Merrill Lynch for financial. Bob Lamond, author of Born to Lead ─ the New Feminine Principle has also agreed to act as one of our Board Members.” Sounds like you’re involved in a variety of different groups. “Of course, as a natural networker,” Paula tells me, “I belong to numerous women’s organizations, including NAFE (National Association for Female Executives), NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners), eWomenNetwork, ABWA (American Business Women's Association), ABWA Express Network, WITI (Women in Technology International) and others. I participate in these organizations in varying degrees, but I do try to attend their major events. I have made some phenomenal connections at some of these events.” What has been the best about building a network? “The best part of building a network is face-to-face networking, attending major women’s conferences and other events. Building an effective network is based on building and maintaining relationships and asking those contacts who they know who would be interested, etc. Having presented at an international business women’s conference recently, I have expanded my network globally, as well as having Mentors and Coaches from outside the US. The best part of this experience has been the way that all these women reach out to help and support each other, so willing to share what they know with others and to spread the word both verbally and virtually. Since my company is virtual, I rely significantly on virtual networking. I recently joined LinkedIn at the insistence of my friend and colleague, Robbie Motter, and it has shown me the true potential for exponential connections. After only two months, my LinkedIn network has 222 1st level connections, 33,100-plus 2nd level connections and 2.61 million 3rd level connections!” Benefits you’ve found, expected and unexpected? “I feel truly blessed”, Paula smiles, “that so many women have been so supportive of my vision and dreams and are willing to work with me to help make them a reality… This is true abundance!” What challenges (if any) have you found in your networking experiences? “My networking experiences ─ meeting new women with whom I would like to develop relationships ─ have been exceptionally positive. My greatest challenge, however, has often been not being able to follow up with wonderful women when I intend to and would like. Since, to date, I alone have been doing all the backend work (writing content for websites, newsletters, etc.; data entry; building web pages; following up, etc.), I have not been able to follow up with women that I meet the way I would like to. I need to be able to acquire a virtual assistant to help me with the backend piece so that I can concentrate more on networking.” What’s the accomplishment you’re most proud of at this time? “My greatest sense of accomplishment is seeing how my vision of women supporting other women and TEAM Together Everyone Achieves More success globally through Synergy is in fact well on its way to becoming a reality ─ is expanding to encompass our1000 Women Can Change the World movement. That this is all evolving day by day is truly exciting!” What are your plans and goals for the future, especially regarding networking activities? “Currently, I am working to promote Find A Coach Online and recruit more coaches to increase the value being offered ─ and also to acquire clients. Our Board of Advisors had its first virtual meeting in February with its focus being the development of the 1000 Women Can Change the World Initiative as a nonprofit. My goal is to attend as many major networking events as feasible to spread the word and to build relationships for the mutual benefit of all concerned.” Anything else you’d like to add? “As our 1000 Women Can Change the World project moves forward ─ I would like very much to achieve this goal because its success is based on a large degree on effective networking.” Conclusion As a bonus benefit of communications with Paula, I’m happy to report that, at her invitation, I have joined her group of Mentors for Women’s Support Team. As a professional writer / editor / writing coach I now look forward to assisting a whole new set of women with their creative projects in a variety of media ─ such as the DIP so highly encouraged by Paula. Yes, ladies, here we have ─ again ─ another example of how the Magic of Networking can and will open who knows what unexpected doors to who knows what interesting new territories ─ if we have the heart to share ourselves and the courage to step forward! Contact information Women's Support TEAM Together Everyone Achieves More Success Globally Paula Constantino, Founder 1783 Forest Drive #168 Annapolis, MD 21401 www.PackageYourself4Success.com www.1000womencanchangetheworld.org (under construction) 443-482-9046 (Ofc) 443-482-9047 (Fax)
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