How do you succeed in an industry that wasn’t designed for you? Uncle Nearest, Inc. CEO & Founder Fawn Weaver faced an uphill battle in the whiskey industry. Her calls were ignored—until her husband stepped in and got instant callbacks, beer invites, and golf meetings. Instead of letting frustration derail her, Fawn adapted: “I never called myself founder and CEO. I was chief historian... This is how they play the game? No problem. Let me play by their rules." What lessons can her journey teach us? 💡 Know the game: Understand the dynamics and challenges of your industry. 💡Play it strategically: Adapt your approach without losing focus on your goal. 💡Keep your eyes on the prize: As Fawn says, “I knew people would know who I was, but did I need them to know it in its infancy? Absolutely not.” What strategies have helped you overcome barriers in your career? Share your thoughts below! 📝Are you a This is Working regular or maybe this is your first time? We'd love it if you'd take this survey and let us know what you think of the show: https://lnkd.in/eeSnexVw 📝
That’s not a gender issue. It’s a personality issue. It’s a friendship issue. If you can’t make friends with someone, don’t expect to do business with them.
What about masonry, plumbing, electrical, oil rigs, truck drivers or other businesses that are corner stone to society industries. Congratulations on starting an alcoholic beverage company. But compared to starting a company that would benefit society as a whole. Alcohol is far from the best choices of beneficial. As a personal point, I have been trying to start a local delivery/short haul owner operator truck company. Securing loans if you don't have some kind of capital, and are currently employed has been impossible. banks don't want to work with people in this "takes money to make money" system. Been a safe driver with a proven track record as an employed Commercial Driver with a Class A CDL. But when left unemployed because of medical reasons. Finding work with a long period of absence from employ feels like drawing blood from a stone. Being told I am over qualified, or to go back to what I was medically regulated out of. Shows the short sightedness of employers. To also be stopped at every turn when trying to start a small local business. That's the definition of adding insult to injurie. Any success is a victory for those who succeed. But don't forget that for every one victory, many others will taste defeat.
For you to succeed in an industry that wasn’t designed for you is to explore the opportunities of the industry and make your way through it without being too hard to navigate. You have to be flexible and allow your team to direct your business. If you’re going through this stage in the process you will be more flexible than others
It’s a shame that, after all this time, we have to ‘play the game’ at all. Good for you for playing it so well!
I am bothered for you Fawn Weaver. So glad that you broke into the Boys Club. That's for publicly sharing your story. 🥰 While it's disappointing in the 21st century that we are still fighting these issues, it's inspiring to see women shattering them.
Success isn’t about breaking the game, it’s mastering the rules and winning with grit. Fawn Weaver shows us how
It’s a teething problem for anyone who is starting a new business and is not sure how it is to get started.More so if you have not integrated into the company.The problem will gradually be solved.
Okay I would have considered that a success for someone to be proud with it, but this alcholic drinks industry not medicine or tech so success or no success the industry it self is a failure to humanity
I know many women who have had to take similar approaches. Many men of colour have also had to hire straw key persons to make inroads. #OldBoyz
Senior UX Researcher | Product Designer | Master's in HCI & Design | Five years experience Social Research and Analysis MA candidate at Montclair State University
1wI really dislike the way that women and black women especially have internalized that we are not allowed to be “bothered” (put lightly because experiencing discrimination is proven to have visceral health effects) by discrimination because it’s triggering for those in power or those who perpetuate discrimination. They love that “didn’t bother me “ sound bite because it aids the storyline “well if it doesn’t bother her, why does it bother you ? Why do you feel the need to speak about it or call it out ?”