Name: Gabrielle Bernstein
Age: 31
Job Title: Speaker, Author, Founder of HerFuture.com
College/Major: Syracuse, BFA in Theater
Website: www.gabbyb.tv and www.herfuture.com
Twitter Handle: @gabbybernstein
Her Campus: What does your current job entail?
Gabrielle Bernstein: I’m a motivational speaker, self-help book author, coach, and dot com entrepreneur. The mission behind my work is to guide people to transform their fearful beliefs and create positive life change. I do this through bestselling books, audio/video products, live lectures, group coaching, television, social networking, and much more. I’m also the founder of the social networking site HerFuture.com for women to find mentors and be mentors.
HC: Is there such a thing as a typical day?
GB: Every day brings new adventures. The one constant is my spiritual practice of prayer and meditation. Without this practice everything else will fall apart. I spend hours multi-tasking. I rock out with social media! I’m constantly creating new video content and I’m always working to spread my message through unique publicity vehicles.
HC: What was your first entry-level job in your field and how did you get it?
GB: I’ve never had a job—I’ve been an entrepreneur from the get-go. I started my first business (a boutique PR firm) in 2001, straight out of college. I was more afraid of having a boss than I was of starting a business. Entrepreneurship was in my blood.
HC: What is one thing you wish you knew about your industry when you first started out that you know now?
GB: I actually don’t think there is anything I wish I knew about my industry. I’ve loved learning as I go along. This process has always been my way. I’m a go out and grab it kind of lady. This makes things more fun and adventurous. Having faith in my career is what has allowed me to see obstacles as opportunities and stay open to learning along the way.
HC: Who is one person who changed your professional life for the better?
GB: My mentor Joe Watson. Joe has been watching over my career from the get-go. He took a strong interest in my work and has been a tremendous guide. Without Joe’s guidance I don’t know where I would be today. Having a mentor who supports your mission is one of the keys to being a successful entrepreneur.
HC: What words of wisdom do you find most valuable?
GB: When you’re inspired by your work it never feels like work.
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HC: What is one mistake you made along the way and what did you learn from it?
GB: I’ve learned a lot about negotiating throughout my career. For years I left a lot of money on the table because I was unwilling to ask for more. Learning to negotiate and be unapologetic about my abundance has been the greatest transformation I’ve made in my business. Not only has this greatly affected my self-worth but it has also totally amped up my net-worth!
HC: What is the best part of your job?
GB: The best part of my job is knowing that everything I do is serving others. I wake up fulfilled, inspired, and proud of myself daily.
HC: What do you look for when hiring someone? What qualities stand out?
GB: I want to hire people who know something I don’t know. I want to hire experts. For instance, both of my assistants are fantastic at detail-oriented work. That is not my strong suite, therefore they are the most incredible employees. They bring something to my business that I could never contribute.
HC: What advice would you give to a 20-something with similar aspirations?
GB: If you want to work in personal development make sure you put your personal development first. Life-cred is what has made me an expert in my field. Everything I teach is based on what I have taught myself and continue to practice daily. Make sure you’re walkin’ your talk.
Co-Founded by Natalie MacNeil and Scott Gerber, Y.E.C. Women is an initiative of the Young Entrepreneur Council (Y.E.C.), an invite-only nonprofit organization comprised of the country’s most promising young entrepreneurs. The Y.E.C promotes entrepreneurship as a solution to youth unemployment and underemployment and provides its members with access to tools, mentorship, and resources that support each stage of a business’s development and growth.