Ingrid Vanderveldt is a current member of the , runs the Empowering a Billion Women by 2020 initiative, and served as Dell Computer’s first Entrepreneur in Residence.
And, not so long ago, she was homeless.
“I really hit rock bottom. I literally was living out of my car,” she said, explaining she sank everything into a business venture that went south. “All I wanted to do was drink wine and lay in fetal position.”
Vanderveldt credits a close friend who housed her and a mentor who helped refine her business vision with helping her to pull herself out of the doldrums. She now tells her story as a member of the ” ” panel — a multicity speaking tour from Northwestern Mutual that is part motivational speech, part networking opportunity and all about offering women advice on succeeding in the business world.
Joining Vanderveldt on the tour, which stopped at University of Colorado Denver on Monday, are , editor-in-chief of , and , Northwestern Mutual senior vice president.
Each shared and offered personal perspective on topics ranging from sexism to the importance of finding a mentor, all with the central theme of challenging oneself to find the self-confidence to succeed.
Although it may come as a shock, even a powerhouse like Moira Forbes struggles with confidence.
Forbes, who came into the family business with the shadows of her famous father and grandfather looming large, said she quickly had to learn to adapt, which was accomplished by examining and embracing her weaknesses and turning them into strengths.
“We have three selves: One, the self others view you as. Then there’s who you think you should be. And then there’s who you really are,” she said. “Know who you are and do that on purpose.”
Forbes at times somewhat dismissed the notion of women being automatically perceived as “bossy” or “pushy.” Instead, she challenges women to take a step back when accused of such, assess their behavior, and then work to be a leader who “earns respect.”
Eisenhart, however, spoke directly to the double standard women face in business.
“People accept a narrower definition of behaviors from women than they do from men,” she said. “It is difficult to be one of the ‘onlys’ and figuring out how to navigate in partnership — not in conflict — with other men and women is important.”
Vanderveldt said that many times women isolate themselves and compete among themselves rather than uniting to lift each other. Yet, she explained, there is one thing in common we fail to recognize.
“The most successful people — and definitely all the women that I know who have achieved some level of success — have at one point or another truly hit rock bottom. Whether it’s emotionally through depression, losing a child, losing a husband, getting divorced, bankruptcy, you name it, it is a journey that all of us have been on,” she said. “If it’s a rosy path, you’re probably not on the right path.”
Despite the anecdotes, there was little-to-no attention paid to the fact that massive wage disparities exist in the U.S. and nationally, women make 80.9 cents for every dollar that men make.
Focus instead was on learning how to play the game in what is still a man’s world.
All three women highly advise obtaining a mentor, learning to take personal financial responsibility and being as authentic to one’s true to self as possible.
Vanderveldt emphasized not being afraid of some hard work along the way — especially when there’s conflict and competition among women.
“Challenge yourself to walk into a situation almost with open arms,” she said. “Focus on the results of what you’re trying to accomplish, ideally together, and really focus on how turning the conversation to stay focused on those results, so that women recognize … we each have our positions on the team.”
Laura Keeney: 303-954-1337 or lkeeney@denverpost.com
