10 Lessons Learned reaction episode

Has anyone ever inspired you to create a more fulfilling and successful life for yourself? As a leader in your business and in your community, what are the questions that you ask yourself on a daily basis? What are the questions that keep you up at night? I am your host, Betty Collins, I'm a CPA. I'm a business owner, and I partner with other women, other business owners who want to have remarkable results for themselves and for their business and their community. And I am here to help inspire you to take positive steps forward for a better life. So over the next 12 episodes and this season, we're going to focus on lessons learned. We're gonna hear from other women who have learned lessons, and they're gonna share with you. You know why? Because it's the right thing to do to help you navigate maybe similar situations that you're in. And I hope to challenge you that you have lessons learned in your journey that other women need to hear. Never underestimate that part of your life and that story because it will have impact.

In my opinion, we're obligated to share those life lessons. In my opinion, we have a responsibility to each other Women to woman. Ware women to men. But I really believe what we've learned in our lessons over our journey are impactful, and they need to be part of how you give back and how you help others.

Alright. So without further ado, Everyone give it up for peace. Yeah.

So many of

you were supportive to me in this venture that I decided to take called running an election. And some of you have been I know Women McGregor and Nancy, you guys have had how many elections that you've run for all these years, I couldn't imagine doing it. How about Ware? 23 elections. I mean, that's just huge. And part of the reason I decided to do, this not just today, but with my podcast is my mother the next day. So we had a party at, Ware Boer in Gahanna, and, my husband goes, well, didn't you bring anybody to be here? I'm like, if I lose, I don't want anybody here. You know? And, because I just had no idea really what to expect, honestly. But my mom, the next day Ware she had got on to to find out what this this stuff was.

And so she says, how how are you doing today? And I said, you know, I'm actually there's there's some of it a little bit of relief because it was gonna be a big task to take on. And she said, well, you know, this is my mom. She's 86, and people that old can say what they want. Right? She said, you're not really used to losing, let alone coming in last. Wow. You know? But that kinda did stick with me, and I thought, you know, I'm not gonna waste the opportunity of what did I learn from doing this. And I jumped into this, and it was kinda just I can't believe I jumped in really, and did it. And then I thought there's so many lessons in doing something like this this that you can apply it to business or whatever and and 24 to you know, hopefully, I can pull out some things that these are just things I learned along the way that I should know already.

Right? We always know this kind of stuff until it hits you. You're like, wow. So I would love if anyone had questions students because we are gonna put some of this on social media because my my podcast this year is gonna be the theme is lessons learned and kinda deriving from this. But does anyone have any questions about an you know, just what what Gahenna went through or what I went through? Mayor Held.

So I was thinking today, I was comparing and contrasting what you're saying versus somebody who's coaching today. And She's going through a tough time, and she's blaming everybody around her for creating this situation. Yeah. I didn't hear that once from you. No. You're taking responsibility for what happened. What is it within you, your mindset, your values that allows you to say, I could've done better versus blaming everybody, but taking responsibility.

1st and foremost, I chose to do this task. I chose it, I'm gonna own it whether because believe me, if I would've won, I would've thank you. But I lost. No. I mean, I I chose to do this. Nobody nobody made me. Nobody paid me. Nobody said these are our of you or any I mean, it was my deal from the beginning.

And when you do sit and look back and you go you walked away from doors, you would have rather just put something on Ware, you you know, those type of things. You have to own that. So to me, it I I just think you own anything. You're you're better off owning it and going. That's my opinion. And then you can go forward a lot quicker. And I I don't wanna live in anger and bitterness and all that stuff. So.

Other questions? Yes, Matt.

Did you, when how how old were you? When did you learn about locus of control and Which is what you're talking about. What what can I control versus the external controls, things things out there, and what how did you learn that in life? Who taught you? Where'd you pick that up?

Right. So my mom and dad probably would be where it starts, Of course. Right? And so they are people who said, number 1, you're 14, and you need to get a job. Here's a work permit because in four years, you're gonna go to college, and it takes money. So right from the beginning, you owned it. You were in it. It was gonna be yours. And you because because someday you're gonna need to provide.

You're gonna need Women you're gonna need success in your life if you want do it. And it is all on you, period. And so I think that upbringing was part of why I still look and go, I can control this. I cannot control this. This is the things I can do. This is the things I can do. And even if I try to control it all and do it all, and I did everything right and blah blah. And I tried, you know, Betty Clark the next she goes, you tried.

I go, I don't wanna hear about how I tried. I I think you, you know, you have to look at the the the environment you're in. You have to look at the environment we're in as a country, as a community. And and I can only control so much of it, but that's just how I was raised. You know? So, Yeah. Cynthia.

So do you think that part of the loss was based upon a lot of the left coming out to vote because of the issues and then also voting the slate card?

I do. I do. Timing, it was not a year to run member at large first race in a very year of emotional very big emotional things. Republicans do the same thing. I mean, we all we do this. Here's the slate card. Here's the slate card. I'm a Republican.

I'm not even gonna try. I had people literally when I did have conversations. Are you a Republican? Yes. But this is a nonpartisan race. I I'll vote for you. Do you know do you wanna know something about me? Do you do you wanna look at this? And we are not engaged enough now to do that. It was very rare that Sid had, you know, Four signs in her yard that were completely different. You know? And I'd look at the city, and it's a city full of every kind of, political party.

So it's to me, the balance needs to be there so that the city is represented. My views are not everyone's views. The left views, though, are not everyone's views. I don't really even cons I I don't even get that involved in am I Republican or not. I'm just a common sense, and I am conservative. So I hardly had a person ask me, though, if I was a Republican or a or a Democrat. I I hardly had people do that, But it was always amazing to me. Oh, yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. You're a oh, yeah. That's what I do. Versus, do you know me? And so but I do think it was the environment. I think there was a lot about the environment about it. And at the end of the day, Kahana chose, And you have to respect that.

You have to go they you don't have to like it, but that's who voted, and that's what they chose. It's not for me to decide. I think there's better ways to do things. I think there's better issues to be dealing with, but the constituents didn't. So but, yeah, I do think that. Now going back to that, somebody had called me, and they they talked to me about running for something. I said, until somebody gives me real data of of who voted, who didn't vote, who who voted for me? Who didn't vote for me? I I don't wanna even talk about it because I want real information as to yeah. Everyone in here is who gay, Anna.

Raise your hand. So but, I mean, I want I want real data for me to say yes. I want data to the why I lost instead of it's just as you wanted to, you may not have been because there were a lot of ballots where people just came in and voted as you wanted to and nothing else. That was definitely that's already been established. So I want real data because if I'm gonna have a strategy again, it's gonna be because well, you gotta know why you lost, And you gotta know why you came in last. So you're only gonna get that from World Data, I think. So that's my opinion. Anyone else have questions? Yes.

Ware did.

Betty, you mentioned that,

if you if you would That you would like

to measure things, and you would do it differently by measuring things and possibly be measuring as you're going along.

What kinds

of things do you think

you need to be

conversations with people. I know that I had 411 conversations out of 47150 something. I know that. Some of those could have been, you're Republican. Great. Give me the flyer. Some of those Ware, we had really good conversations. To me, I wanna measure how many people I can get in front of that don't know me and that I can convince, And here's why I convinced them.

So I had 3 people give, where I went to their house and just had a roundtable. And one of them Ware, we're just gonna have a couple neighbors over. I said, great. We're just gonna sit outside. I said, wonderful. So I'm sitting there, and there's 5 or 6 people there, which I thought, okay. By the end of the evening, there were 20 to 25 people in the parking or in the garage or in the driveway. They all brought their lawn chairs.

What was awesome was it was a long kinda court, and they're just neighbors. They all know each other. And we started having conversation. Before you know it, I'm there till 9:30 answering questions. That's what I needed to measure. That would have been what would have made me have some success, none of those people knew me except the person hosting. But 1 22 of the neighbors came to her and said, I've never thought about voting for a Republican till now. I didn't realize they can think like that.

Okay. Good. But that's it's the measure. That that's what you'd wanna see happen. You know? So that's what I would rather measure than I got to a 100 houses. Go go eat. I ate the Gahan Grill. I bet you once a week.

And what was great was, again, in the support systems, they couldn't there's a couple who couldn't get out and Ware. And when said, how many times do you go to the Gahanna Grill? I said, we're there, like, once a week at least. So every Friday night, they started having dinner for us. So we would have a home cooked meal. After we walked and got through, they did. So the 1st night, we come in. They had, like, a big bone in rib eye. This thing was I mean, 4 of us aided.

It was that big, it was it was awesome. I said, I'll come back

because this food was made next week,

we had hot dogs on the grill. But but at the but, I mean, it was it was great. Betty then they they said, we're with you. We just can't physically walk, but we would have our neighbors in and and let them talk to you. You know? And that was what I would wanna be a lot more about vote? Because Republicans are gonna vote for Republicans, and Democrats are gonna vote for Democrats. But after the 2020 election, most people, not most, majority of Gahanna now is is on they're they don't affiliate with either party. They don't. So you don't know kind of what they do and what they don't do.

So that's what I would measure. Big learning. Yep. Yep. That that would be the heart of it. Would you agree with me, Tom and Jim McGregor? You know? Okay. Cherry Joan Janie Jones.

So my question is somewhat of a observation.

Yeah.

That is you were you were asked To run, which most women that go into politics are asked.

Yes.

Yet there's a difference between doing something because someone asked you in doing something because you set the intention to do it and you have

your why.

Yeah.

But I'm just curious if in hindsight you think You did choose to do it again, it would be different because it would've been your choice and that kind of at someone else's kind of urging.

Yes. So so if you've known me for most of my life until Ware till 2017. Okay. I loved it. I was a big Reaganite. The Reagans and all yeah. It's into all that. And so I always have loved the conversation, but you can't have that now.

So I've kinda got it. But so I've always had I should about it. And I love being involved with things in Gahanna. But probably I mean, when I've I've really need to think about that because the mayor was you know? And and I felt like we need to support her. She it was it was more about someone ask to me, then I'm going I'm gonna do this. And there is a difference in that. Maybe I would've not come in last. No.

But, I mean, that's a great question. I mean, I've not thought about that side. I haven't thought about that side. Interest I will think on that. I might add that to my good good question. Anyone else have questions? Yes. Theresa.

So I have a Betty of a a little story. I don't walk with 2 other women. 1 is Very far left. 1 is kind of in the middle Democrat, and I'm Republican. So we started having some debates, and then I learned who I can't debate with because they're gonna change their mind. Right. So given that perspective, you knocked on doors where you hit people, or did you knock on Democrat doors, we Ware told not to.

Yeah. No. You so when they give you an act, yeah, they don't go, stay away from democrat. They don't do that. Democrats are not the enemy. Independents are not the enemy. It's just these are citizens and voters. And so when you got a app, it does tell you it does say that, you know, these these this independent has voted this way or that way.

So so they they are likely first of all, they're voters. So you're not you can't go to all 14,000 houses or households in in Gahanna. So you gotta go to to places where people vote. Betty go to those homes. But they were plenty where they were Democrats. And so you would I would Ware you I'd love when you could finally have the conversation and get in there and have station, you loved it. The number one thing you heard every time in Guyana just about, what are your concerns for the city? And there was usually not a lot of the Betty seems to be doing fine. However, I'm really irritated with schools? We heard that all day long.

I just got my new property tax bill. I'm gonna be taxed out of Ghana. So I I would say, I'm not running for school board, but I know some people who are. If you really want change, because I believe in a school board that has got different viewpoints, not all one. That's my problem with with it. We have 5 people who love education, love school. They all think exactly the same. The city doesn't all think the insane.

And so what was heartbreaking was you kept hearing that over and over again. And when the election night was over, the same people were in office for the school, but we heard that from anyone and and everyone, the school, the school, the school, and the taxes are out of control on that. So as much as you thought you were making some headway and having some debate and having some conversation, no one they it didn't happen. So but the debate is what we have to get back 2, having conversations is what we have to get back to. And if somebody is not like me, it's okay. But I don't need to be silenced, and I don't need to be quieted, but I'm never gonna be offensive. But I wanted to have a conversation with you. So

And for you.

Yep. Yep. Anyone else? Yes. Katie. Yeah.

So earlier today, we recorded another podcast episode. Spoiler alert.

She's my marketing person. This is her job. So and Yeah.

And you talked about the early days of your career. So I'm curious which one of these 10 lessons that you talked about tonight would have made the biggest impact on your early career days?

Knowing my why. I my why back in the day was earn, earn, earn, provide, provide, provide. Get the next house. Get the next car. I mean, that was the that was always the driver. It's not a bad driver, but knowing the why would be the the lesson. I wish I would have known more when I was 20 something, you know, for sure. And then not just go out and hustle, go work hard.

It'll all come back to you. How about step back and strategize and look at what you're doing and why you're doing it. That would be what I would really wish I would have known more of. I grew up under Joe and Lewis Wilson. You Ware taskers, man. You're 14. You're filling out your work permit, and because you got college to pay Ware when college is over, you gotta go out your 1st car. When the 1st car is bought, you gotta get a job.

You're not coming back home. And if you do come back home, you're gonna pay rent. And it was just this process. Cartoons were not a reality in our household on Saturday because we were raking leaves and earning money. Okay? It was just that way. So I we I was raised to be a tasker, and you didn't strategize. You didn't you didn't talk about why you're doing something. That would be it.

Good question. Yes.

I'm vocalizing for somebody else just

to For a friend.

Okay. Good.

But

I'm asking for myself

too. Okay.

So what is that why, Betty?

The why for which one? The Now. The now? What's the What's the The why now for me is as is of course, I'm a, you know, I'm a CPM, a business owner. When this country works, the world works. Call it what you want, but the US is number 1. And when we work well, the world works well. We are the light. I don't care what you say. So what makes it work? The marketplace is a big factor.

It's a big Ware businesses run well and businesses are good, you've got employers, which means they have employees. Those are people that you are making sure have provision, and those provisions are households which form our communities, and I play a part of that in accounting. That's the real why. That's the behind it. I don't just do your QuickBooks, although I do. I don't really care about doing taxes. I have people that do them, but that's what I always say. Betty, I mean, I mean, the the tasks over here are all there.

But when I started going, when this marketplace works, the country works. And and it's it's crucial. It's crucial. The one thing since the pandemic, you know, the 1st 6 weeks of that pandemic, I was on the phone daily for hours with people What's next? But what I loved about 2020 and 21 and even 22 was the resilience Of the marketplace. All these institutions are going crazy in a way, but the marketplace is intact, and they're still doing it. They're doing it with inflation. They're doing it with I can't even I get a loan right now that's not 9%. I'm a truck driver that's paying $6 for gas, but I'm still doing it.

It hasn't really hindered. People have gone out of business. Don't get me wrong. It's been hard, But people are still moving. Ware just talking about that today. So that's the why. That's the drive.

Yes? Regarding your answer, I, I'd like to know because you and I agree with you on a lot of things. But Yeah. So, you know, if the country works well, the marketplace but can you break that down for city council, what way what way as a city council do you think you could've affect the marketplace?

Right. So if you want a good city, you need 2 things. The heart and soul of your of your constituents. You know? You gotta have good people that that are taken care of and represented on council, but they we need good people. You know? And and your city is always good as your people are, in my opinion. But the 2nd piece of that, what what makes the difference in a city is economics. It pays for the roads. It pays for the schools.

It pays for the things that you need. And when economic is Ware when economic development thrive and people are coming where you're getting intel has changed Ohio. Right? It's not just changed looking county. It's changed the entire region. So city council wise, you have a budget. Everyone goes, you gotta balance the it's the law, so get over those things. But what are you gonna spend your money on? Right. You know? There's only so much money that comes in.

It's gotta be spent Ware, so I felt like I could have added to that. The other thing was we gotta do anything we can to make sure development of businesses and those owners get the support they need because that's what's gonna drive a tax base. Don't raise my taxes. Bring in more good business that will pay to a fair mix. So that was one of the things I talked about. Very good. Thank you. Yeah.

Sure. Anybody else? No. We're done.

You came in last.

Yeah. But but but but

you didn't you were the last to enter.

I was.

I was.

And you

didn't have much time. It was only, like, 2 months, and you did a Wonderful thing. We had an open slot that we needed somebody, and you stepped up. And so, you know, I think you're to be commended to Oh, thank you. Gave it a try in a very short period, and they had 2 years, a year and

a half.

They had a machine that that's spun by unions and organizations. And Right. I want the that went up against that, and I don't think you did so bad compared Ware

I didn't. When I Ware I sat down and looked at what did I learn from this and and step back and look at it, it's like, one run doesn't mean it's over, but it also is I I didn't do as bad as as I come across. And my mom, you know, she was hilarious that day, but she said, you need to stop working anyways. I said, I learned from Lois Wilson. But, yeah, I mean, I I I I I do look at the fact I was tenacious, and I went out and I did it. I mean, Joe, you know it. I mean, you're tenacious. I mean, Jill did Jill, what did you you ran for state senator house? State house.

State house. Yeah. House. Okay. I mean, she doesn't need it. She's got a great business. She's done her stuff. If she's done life, she doesn't really need to do it, but she went out and did it.

I mean and so I I did I think I think for the amount of time and my husband said, had you done decided this in Pearl or May? First of all, I think he would have said no. I don't think he would have been into it. And so but I don't know. I could I shouldn't say that, but it could be. But if I would've had the summer and I would've had the timing, it would've been different. But I don't know that I would've had enough 1 on 1 at houses. You know? I don't know that I would I still would have been really productive with the app in getting to those houses, I think. So now I really learned that, I think.

But thank you. I appreciate it. I I appreciate your kind words. It was. It was. If you tapped it really hard, it works.

Sometimes you gotta do that. So

it was what it was. So anybody else that we'll wrap it up, though. I gotta go home too. 1 Yeah. Go ahead.

Marketplace opposition Yeah. Dealing with your competition, Women did you learn about your competition that you can apply or help other advise other people to apply for future runs?

For future runs, the biggest thing I would tell you is that and I don't I I'm gonna say this, so you need to correct me if I'm wrong. But I believe in 2016, leading into that, Gahanna had always been a stronghold with Republican leadership and conservative leadership. And I think we had I think there's 15 elected positions in 12 of them were Republicans, and now we have 12 of them as Democrats. And what what I would tell you is games, it's a long game. So if you really want to change and you really want to be it, you can't just look and go, well, we didn't win this. Well, this won't do anything. Do you want common sense in your leadership? Do you want a marketplace that works? Do you want your community to be safe and have police and all the things there. So it's a long game.

It is not a short term moment, and you have to look at it. And so you might win 1 more seat, and then you might win 1 more seat, and then you might win 1 more seat. But I would still tell you the council that we've had this last, I think, 2 years probably, was a very balanced team or a very balanced political you know, it's half Democrats, it's really one more Democrat than Republican. They worked well together. There was a lot accomplished that was good. Okay? I mean, Nancy's on she's on there. She's calling. You have no idea what we go through.

No. Betty, I mean, I mean, honestly, they they did a lot of things under under, and the may you know, and and when you look at it, the mayor actually won her seat pretty handedly, and and in a year of of emotional issues. I'm not that's a bad way to say that, but you know what I mean. But, again, for her, it it was the long game of not just the 1st 4 years. It's she was already thinking of the 2nd 4 years, and she just has this mapped out plan that's a long term vision, and I think that's the number one thing you have to look at. This is a long term plan, and it's and you gotta find the right people. You gotta find money to do it. It's expensive to run.

Am I right? You guys are all shaking your heads. You know? It takes a lot of cash flow. So it's a long hand game. And so to me, if I would ever consider it, I'm gonna fundraise for a period of time. Yeah. You now I'm not gonna go into it. Like, I'll just use my money for right now. I hate asking people.

And then finally, I went, I'm gonna ask people. And, I mean, honestly, that was another thing that I didn't say about my value was I put out an email to my NABO, my OWC, my, peep women in business, and I said, I'm running. I I really need some money. I raised about $3,000 in 24 hours. People didn't even hesitate, but I didn't ask before because, well, I don't wanna. Yeah. So those are the things you learn. I mean, for me, it's gonna be if I do this, it's a long game of, I gotta raise money.

I gotta get a network. I gotta have my team around me that really knows how to run a campaign, and they need to be able to tell me what I need to hear, not what I want. And that's so anyone that wants to run up against any of it has to think in that way. Definitely. I don't know if that answers your question, but Yes. Okay. Alright.

Yes? I got a question. I just have a Yeah.

A a

point to make. As you ponder going into the future Yeah. I, for 1, think you'd be a fabulous city council member. Thank you. And, just keep in mind that Joanne Davidson, who obviously became our 1st female speaker of the house, who's a rock Solid person who's made so many great decisions for our state. Right. You know, she lost her 1st city council race.

Okay. So So something to keep in mind. Gonna be the speaker of the house. Ware I'll just go right there. Take it on.

I know.

Yeah. The e b Betty con. Yeah.

I would think just Accomplishing the, the the campaign is a victory in and of itself too.

It it Ware. I mean, it was something really phenomenal to go through, my kids even my Bernie Sanders son. You know? He was laughing. But my kids were like, mom, I I can't even imagine doing what you just So so it did it did inspire people around me to go, wow. You really were serious. I'm like, yeah. I just spent a boatload of money, so I'm like, I could've been in Naples, like, 4 times. No.

Could've been a Naples fortress, but no. No. So well, I appreciate all your indulgence tonight. I really do. I think that you're here. We just got work to do, in my opinion, for just the world in which we live. You know? It needs to be changed. But I'm 60, and so I feel like I've missed my moment in some ways.

Oh, yes. I know. I'm I'm bragging. Sorry, Yes. No. So Well, please hang around because if I have to go it means if I go home, I gotta put kids to Betty. So if you hang around no. I'm just kidding.

I can't. Thank you. Thank you. Alright. You got you're very generous, all of you. Thank you. More about inspiring women can be found on Ware, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify, thank you for listening.