009 - Unapologetically Asking For What You Want with guest Lucy Cohen

The Bold Blueprint with Claire Bartlett

Summary

Lucy Cohen, co-founder of Mazuma, shares her journey in the accounting industry and the pivotal moments that shaped her career. She credits her first job in accounting, where she witnessed strong female leaders, for teaching her to be unapologetic and ask for what she wants. Lucy discusses the challenges of being a powerful female CEO and how she handles employees who struggle with it. She also talks about the revolutionary subscription-based model she created for Mazuma and the initial backlash she faced. Lucy shares a major failure she experienced with a business partner and how she overcame it. Lucy Cohen and Claire Bartlett discuss the importance of shared decision responsibility and accountability in business partnerships. They emphasize the need for open communication, fair treatment, and a deep understanding of each other's strengths and roles. They also highlight the challenges of business growth and the need to adapt systems and processes as the company expands. Lucy shares her perspective on mindset and the importance of not dwelling on past mistakes or worrying about things beyond one's control. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, personal growth, and maintaining a positive and resilient mindset in entrepreneurship.

Keywords

Lucy Cohen, Mazuma, accounting industry, female leaders, unapologetic, subscription-based model, powerful female CEO, failure, business partner, shared decision responsibility, accountability, business partnerships, open communication, fair treatment, understanding strengths, roles, challenges of business growth, adapting systems, processes, mindset, continuous learning, personal growth, positive mindset, resilience

Takeaways

Learn from strong female leaders and be unapologetic in asking for what you want.
The subscription-based model can revolutionize traditional industries.
Some employees may struggle with having a powerful female CEO, but it's important to set clear expectations and communicate openly.
Failures are learning opportunities and can lead to growth and resilience.
Gumption and determination are key qualities for success in entrepreneurship. Shared decision responsibility and open communication are crucial in business partnerships.
Accountability and fair treatment are key to maintaining a healthy working relationship.
Adapting systems and processes is necessary for business growth.
Maintaining a positive and resilient mindset is important in overcoming challenges.
Continuous learning and personal growth are essential for success in entrepreneurship.

Sound Bites

"I saw them do it when I was about 20 and I remember thinking, wow."
"I'm very direct. I'm never horrible. I'm nice about it, but I'm just not going to spend 15 minutes, you know, having a little fluffy chat when we've got stuff to do."
"I've definitely had male employees who had a problem with having a female boss and they obviously not lasted very long."
"We've always been very good at shared decision responsibility."
"A lot of what happens to you in business is luck."
"Blame is a lack of accountability."

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Xero listener offer: https://refer.xero.com/femalefounders

Lucy's social links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucycohen/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucymazuma/