Meet Erika Rothenberger: Leader of 1000s
When Erika first reached out to me, we instantly connected over our drive to empower other women. She leads a team of many women for her business with Isagenix- my husband and I are gearing up for our 30 days of “resetting” our bodies as soon as our order comes in. We will keep you posted on our journey! She also founded and runs a women’s networking group called ENSPIRE! Read Erika’s responses to make your business about helping others be the best version of themselves!
1. Tell us about the mission of your brand- how does it empower women?
A little dirt under my fingernails has never held me back….from the day I graduated with my Civil Engineering degree, I have been heavily immersed in large construction projects wearing boots and a hard hat many of days. I have always been a minority as a female as an engineering student and as a professional in my field—and gaining credibility wasn’t always easy, but I was a firm believer that I could do the job as well as my male counterparts. I have always branded myself as a determined female who wants to continue to empower other females to have the belief and the confidence to do the same in whatever field, class or profession that tackle in life.
2. What is the biggest challenge you’ve had to press through as a female entrepreneur?
What are the steps you had to take to overcome it? As not only a female entrepreneur, but also as a corporate professional and mom of two young kids, I have been challenged by others for “being able to do it all.” Being busy and having my hands in a lot of things excites and challenges me, and also shows my son and daughter that they can where multiple hats in their lives. I can’t say I ever have it all “balanced,” but I can say that I am constantly challenging myself with various facets of my life. Some people have questioned me that I may do too much, and/or be too “aggressive,” but I look at it as someone who has drive to achieve big goals, and isn’t afraid to make it happen. I will never be a wall flower or someone who sits in the back row.
3. What sets your brand apart from others?
What I love about brands is that everyone is uniquely different—and imagine if we weren’t, life would be so boring. My brand is defined with my characteristics, my delivery in my message and the paths I have chosen in life—some of which I have made the wrong turns, but yet they define me and have made me grow leaps & bounds. My motto is to “lift others up as I lead,” and I genuinely want other females to feed off my energy and crave to do bigger things in life that they are yearning to accomplish.
4. How do you collaborate with others working towards a better world?
I love reaching out, encouraging and promoting other women—weather it is my hair dresser recommendation, a great female author who just finished her book or simply smiling at a women in the grocery store who looks like she could just use a friend. It is the simple things that make a big difference—the few words in a card, the hug you give a stranger or the words you say when you meet someone for the first time. As females, we need to let the cattiness go, and support each other in this crazy, and somewhat challenging journey of life. I also started my own Women in Construction Group, serve on a local Board, started a group called ENSPIRE (a female networking group) and attend several other workshops and networking groups.
5. What advice would you give to female entrepreneurs in the beginning stages of launching their brand or business?
BE YOU. Be authentic. Don’t worry about what others may say or think—this is your life. Your brand. Your journey. If you have the passion and inspiration, go for it—think less about the “what if,” and more about the success and joy you may obtain. And ask for help—we don’t know everything, and there are so many people who are willing to help—use them as council, springboards and encouragement.
6. Anything else you want to share with our readers?
Truly…too many to share, but a few favorite pieces of advice. Behind every successful women is a tribe of other successful women who have her back. Be that women. Be that cheerleader. Be YOU. Stay positive, work hard and make it happen—you are the in the driver’s seat—the journey you take is yours to make. And turn any of your doubts into determination—we are all scared of the unknown—it’s normal and real to have fears—and always remember you don’t have to be perfect to be amazing.