Today we’d like to introduce you to Bernadette Pannier.
Hi Bernadette, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
After a 20 year career in sales and lead generation, I started speaking at local networking groups to small business owners about how they can use the methods of enterprise companies to increase their sales. By late 2019 I had decided I was ready to plan an exit from the corporate world into my own business. However, things changed quickly in January 2020, my husband of 3 years was diagnosed with cancer and given only a few months to live. It became very clear very quickly that I could not work a full-time job and care for my husband correctly. I say that multitasking is the task of doing many things at once but none of them well. After six weeks of attempting to maintain my sales position and caring for my husband who by now had brain surgery, started radiation and immunotherapy I was strung out, tired worried and burnt out. By March, I had parted from corporate position and set up my own consulting firm. I started with training clients on using social media, Zoom and video. Since as a country, it was our first of many moments where we would need to learn how to pivot to continue our businesses this is where I started. I quickly was able to replace my income, grow clients and best care for my husband.
In the summer, I was consulting clients about lead generation, speaking from my home via video globally, and growing my company to a multi 6 figure business. Telling my clients and audience to continue to show up on camera to grow.
My husband was ill and we were very worried about what the future held but determined to fight and win!
I’m happy to say that in 2021 my husband fought his way out and is recovering. He still has cancer, however it is no longer winning. I now have clients from all over our country and Europe. I specialize in lead generation, the process of growing a companies brand, marketing and sales to increase revenue. My clients range from start ups to multiple million dollars.
At any size, the challenges are the same: What type of clients are needed?
Where can they find those clients?
Decreasing the sales cycle!
Increasing revenue!
Now in 2022, I support my clients with the process of using social media, digital marketing, software and lead generation to increase their sales. I enjoy my clients, my freedom to work from anywhere and the health of my husband.
And I still show up, even on the hard days. Because if I won’t show up for my clients who will?
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?Struggles are always around, I find that during these moments you must show up and continue on. While we don’t know day by day what may come. I have worked from the infusion room, hospital bedside and even beachfront. I say I only need electricity and Wi-Fi to do my job, this is very true. I have hosted events, trained clients, and held sales calls all while my husband was ill. I would like to say most didn’t even notice.
The other side of learning about becoming a CEO of your own company are the details. I have had clients walk away mid negotiation, clients cancel in the middle of a contract due to funding and staffing issues, and I have had clients take my ideas and use them without hiring me. All of these moments I have learned from and taken actions to not make the same mistakes again.
But, in general I have been very lucky, I have closed multi-figure deals, my clients have made hundreds of thousands of dollars and even a few have been able to sell for a high market value.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m so proud that during all of this, I wrote a book about our story. It launched in September 2021. And hit number one! It’s called Manifesting Queen, a collaborative book with other women. We share our stories about overcoming challenges to achieve a great life. It is very powerful, and I’m so happy I did it. This year I was asked to join the board of Dear Deanndra, it is a youth development program to empower teens to practice safe dating habits to prevent them from domestic violence, rape, substance abuse, teen pregnancy and mental health issues. To me, it’s the program that I wish that myself, Deanndra and other women who have been victimized was in so that we could have the tools and mindset to stop it. I will say I’m most known for my bright colors, animal prints, and big voice in a room. I’m no wallflower so I tend to enjoy networking, speaking and fundraising.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
I have learned to succeed you must be fluid. Where I started my company in 2020 is not 100% what I am doing now, it is a piece of the pie. But, as I went through this process of training my clients, I was also training myself. There is no reason why you can’t grow your company, close deals and make money while from your home. The need for in person sales conversations are no longer ‘the only way’. I have learned to keep my head up and on a swivel at all times. I’m open to making adjustments quickly and I support my clients in the same way.
I also learned how strong I am. I come out of this knowing asking for help no matter the task is stronger than going about it alone.
Contact Info:
- Email:CHO@bernadettebpannier.com
- Website: Bernadettebpannier.com
- Instagram: BernadettePannier.co
Image Credits
Milton Little from United Way Atlanta GA Anna Chafen Buckhead Club Cathryn Marshall Virtual Wealth Derek Pannier Husband
