Beth Carter has had a busy 2019! In addition to running her two businesses—Carter Consultants, Ltd. and Beth Carter Enterprises, focused on executive recruitment and leadership coaching and public speaking, respectively—she was recently named the executive director of Rhode Island Business Competition. All while finding time to tech at Bryant University!

With more than three decades of experience training leaders in hard and soft skill sets, Beth was the perfect facilitator to bring to our Women in Leadership Nexus community to teach the art of negotiation. Beth will walk our Nexus members through proven techniques and mindsets to negotiate like a professional during our Oct. 23 pop-up leadership training (our members can register for this event, by clicking here).

We sat down with Beth in advance of the training to pick her brain on entrepreneurship, leadership and what’s next. Take a look!

You opened Carter Consultants Ltd. almost three decades ago. Can you tell our readers a little bit about what you led to forming Carter Consultants, the types of clients you serve, and the ways in which you are impacting the business ecosystem?

I have been an Executive Recruiter for over 33 years working for KPMG, Ward Howell, and Ernst & Young prior to opening my own firm, Carter Consultants Ltd. in 1991. In all honesty, I had not thought of having my own company back then but due to economic conditions and a reorganization of one of my employers I was laid off twice in 1991.

A former colleague gave me my first freelance assignment and I built the company from there. We are unique in that we bill on a per hour basis. We have worked in a wide variety of industries, including financial services, retail, manufacturing, CPG companies, etc. and for many functional areas, all VP level and above. Our clients have been smaller companies and non-profit organizations as well as Fortune 500 companies and some of our searches are global covering Europe, Asia, and Africa primarily.

You are also a Certified Executive, Career, & Business Coach and President of Beth Carter Enterprises. Who do you work with through your business and what are the top challenges your clients face?

Due to my background in executive search, my coaching clients are very diverse as well. Executive and career coaching clients are focused on switching jobs and/or careers, getting recognition so they can be promoted, team engagement, improving communications, and enhancing their negotiation skills. In addition, I also conduct corporate trainings, presentations, and workshops for major corporations, women’s groups, associations, academic institutions, and professional organizations.

Currently I also teach one undergraduate course at Bryant University, my alma mater, and Roger Williams University; not only are they rewarding experiences but I get a much better insight into the younger Millennials and iGens' way of thinking which helps when guiding my older coaching clients or in my presentations.

You were most recently named the executive director of Rhode Island Business Competition (RIBC). Tell our readers a little bit about what you will be doing in this role and what you are most excited about!

I am thrilled to be named to this role! I am working with so many interesting people who are dedicated to increasing entrepreneurship in the State of Rhode Island. RIBC awards over $150,000 in cash and prizes to the finalists. Past winners’ businesses are in food, medtech/life sciences, water restoration, etc. It is so exciting to see what ideas people have come up with and how they launch their businesses. Besides the Kick Off event in October and the awards ceremony in May, we have a pitch competition and three trainings. My goal is to raise the level of awareness of RIBC to get more sponsors and cultivate relationships with relevant partners.

You have had a life-long career as an entrepreneur. What have been some of the most rewarding parts and, on the flip side, where have you felt most challenged?

“Sealing the deal” has always been great. Knowing that a company or individual has put their trust in you to meet or exceed their expectations is a great feeling. When a client tells you that they are beyond happy with your work and/or refers you to others, it is all worth it. I also enjoy working with the people on my team and my clients (most of the time!).

I have found that I am doing more business development but part of that is because I want to spend more time on the training side vs search side. I still do search but like to get out of my home office and be with others more at this stage of my career.

What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs who are chasing their dreams?

You really have to know your strengths and weaknesses. For the latter, you need to find people to work for you that excel in the areas you aren't good at or don't want to do. My office manager balances me perfectly so we make a great team as do the people who work for me on the search side.

My father who was a Wall Street banker always said, “You have to spend money to make money” and that is very true. Nicer marketing materials, professional wear, etc. is well worth the money. He also always told me that “talk is cheap” meaning you can ask, the worst you will hear is “no.” I admit it has gotten me into trouble a few times but overall it has been sage advice.

I also have a business advisor and also a mentor. I participate in a mastermind group once a month to share ideas. I feel we all need others to be successful.

Much of your work involves coaching women around leadership. What are some of the biggest ways you hope the leadership landscape evolves for the better as we move forward?

I hope of course that someday there will be more women in the executive suite and the boardroom than men. I do think sometimes though that women sabotage women so I would also like to feel that we can do this all together versus stepping on each other. I also feel women need to really understand their personal brand much better and the value they bring to an organization so that they are in a better position to not only negotiate for better salaries but also recognition and promotions. I also would like to see more mentorship of younger women who are our future.

Final question! What are you most excited about as we head into the New Year? Any exciting new developments on your front?

Haha! I like to think my new year starts right after Labor Day. That “new yellow pencil” (and my new lunch box!) mentality is the way I think at that time of year. One of my goals is to have at least three or more presentations/trainings outside of the NY/NJ/New England area in 2020. My goal last year was one and I did that.

I also will be revamping both my websites to better reflect the areas I want to work on more. Lastly, I am hoping I can do more renovations on my house. I moved to RI in Feb 2013 and although I have done a lot to my house, I have a few more major things I would like to get done so that equates to more lucrative client projects :)

Redefining Leadership: Q&A with Beth Carter, Leadership Specialist