Some people think that the key to success lies within their daily routines. Do you agree with this, and if so, what is your daily routine?
I don’t have a daily routine, so I would say I don’t necessarily see that as a requirement for success. I think it’s hard to have a routine when you travel a lot and each day is different. So I try to start my day by getting a grasp of what the day holds. I say, “what’s in my calendar day and what do I really need to accomplish by the end of the day?” That has been extremely helpful in not getting too overwhelmed with everything that has to happen all at once. It’s just a little bit at a time, always thinking of a view down the road.
Looking back at your teenage years, did you have any entrepreneurial interests?
I don’t think I did, entrepreneurial. I think I was always a leader, and I think that leadership is an important attribute of entrepreneurialism. I wouldn’t say I was the person that was out trying to create a new product when I was 12 years old, but I was definitely leading pretty much everything in which I was involved.
Is there a specific time of day when you feel most productive?
I am most productive first thing in the morning. I am usually working by 7 a.m. and keep that momentum going all morning long. Of course, you have to be productive regardless, but I am definitely a morning person.
Do you think there is one character trait/skill that is important to have in order to become a successful entrepreneur in today’s world?
I think there’s a lot, actually. One of the things I think is important, especially as a female entrepreneur, is to trust your intuition. I think it is harder to do that when you’re younger and starting a career, but I have learned that so many times your intuition is right, and I really believe that women are gifted with intuition. I’ve told people before that men either don’t listen to it, or they have none, so I really see listening to your intuition as an advantage.
Has being a woman in the business world affected you positively or negatively, and how so?
I think some of both. I think in many cases, being a woman in business is harder- you have to work harder for what you get, or you have to work harder for the opportunities. But it has also been very positive because I am where I am; I am the CEO of an international company, and I got there a lot of different ways, but I think my skills and attributes as a woman have definitely contributed to that success. One of the things I coach young professional women is that as a woman in business, if a door crack opens because they “need more women,” then shove the door open, go through it, and prove that you should have been there regardless of your gender. There have been numerous situations throughout my career where that exact same thing has happened, like “oh well, we need more women in this program” or “we need more women in this organization,” and therefore, I get in, and then I immediately I jump to leadership within that position or organization. So if a door cracks open, go through it and prove you should have been there anyway.
What is one major goal that you wish to achieve by 2030?
For me, in my business world, my goal for 2030 is to have successfully transitioned the leadership of my company to the next CEO, and that process is underway. I’ve got a president underway who is doing a great job. He is a male, so the future CEO of Design Workshop probably won’t be female in the near term, but he is really working hard to make sure that the company continues to be successful and has a really smooth leadership transition.
Who is your biggest influence, and why?
I don’t know if I have one. I get my inspiration from a lot of different places and people. I think, certainly, growing up and into my professional years, my mother was definitely an influence. She was very strong and vibrant up until the very end. I was inspired by her in many ways. I think you got to look for where you find your influence in a lot of different places.
If you could pick one female entrepreneur, who would you say is your biggest inspiration?
It’s so hard to pick one. There are certain stories if you think at a national level with Sara Blakely and her story with spanks, for example, is a great story, and then she sold her company. I think that I look to the inspiration for women entrepreneurs, like how did they get the idea and how did they implement it to lead to their success? I am more inspired by their stories than I am by one particular person.
What has been the most formative advice you have received and why?
I think it would be some variation of the advice of “go beyond your comfort zone.” By taking that advice, I have had some phenomenal experiences that I wouldn’t have otherwise. Gosh, that’s scary, or that’s really scary. So I think definitely going beyond your comfort zone has been some amazing advice I have received.
If you have siblings, are they also entrepreneurs?
I have a brother, and he is definitely an entrepreneur. He started multiple businesses throughout his career.
Do you think the drive to become an entrepreneur is born with or is learned?
I think it can be either. I think you have a situation like your family that you just kind of grew up in that environment, and I think there are others who I’m about it on their own. Is that learned, or is that innate- probably some of both.
CONTACT INFORMATION & SOCIAL MEDIA CEO Design Workshop Aspen, CO Address: 120 E Main Street Aspen, Colorado 81611 website: http://www.designworkshop.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designworkshop/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-zimmermann/ and https://www.instagram.com/designworkshop/