Sowing the Seeds of Sisterhood

Sowing the Seeds of Sisterhood is the beautiful collaboration between the talented Artist and Graphic Designer, Gina Benson and the gifted Healer and Transformation Life Coach, Misty Blakesley. 

As Gina and Misty traveled the path of Solopreneurship, they realized just how lonely and difficult starting a business can be. And as they worked together towards their individual goals, something amazing emerged as they realized that they were better together than alone.  

And that is how Sowing the Seeds of Sisterhood was born. Together Gina and Misty have launched a Podcast with the mission to encourage and support women as they strive to serve with greatness as entrepreneurs or employees, daughters, sisters, wives, mothers, friends, mentors and more. Gina and Misty also wanted to create an opportunity for everyone to access coaching regardless of where you may be in your journey, budget, or time zone. So Misty and Gina have also launched multiple ways for their audience to participate via the podcast and memberships which include digital library of courses, live groups, and 1:1 sessions.

Co-Founder

Lemonade with Love

I started coaching because I know we are all powerful enough to create the life we want. I am living my dream and now I help people like you find and live your dream as well. Sometimes we just need someone else to help break down the barriers.

Founder

relode

In my most recent position, I was tasked with developing and building processes and systems to support Relode’s first Customer Success Organization, hiring and developing a client success and delivery team. In more detail, I sourced and ramped up a team of 10 (4 Client Success Managers, 4 Job Managers, and 2 Candidate Success Associates) during a high growth year of 84% YOY revenue growth and 4X customer logo increase.  I also implemented and documented scalable processes for all roles including Customer Success Managers and Job Managers, rejuvenating client kick off and on-boarding. In addition, I performed monthly ROI calls, and QBR’s with client senior leaders and decision makers, tracking performance and coaching for improvement and career growth. I authored and executed upselling and cross-selling processes, increasing sales. Moreover, I created accountability for Customer Success Managers tied to net & gross logo and revenue retention. I also designed a job intake PowerPoint and process, optimizing the Job Manager process, slashing candidate wait time in funnel. In a few measurables, I skyrocketed the crowd client NPS score from -11 to +64 and improved crowd client engagement $2M to $3.1M, with a predicted $1.2M in Q3 of 2022.  I also created processes and procedures, leveraging Salesforce and Power BI, exceeding all objectives in less than 8 months. Finally, I created an inspirational culture with zero team turnover as well as phenomenal client experience leading to client retention.

VP of Client Success

Apex HCM

For these three years, I was charges with New Sales, Account Management, Implementation and Onboarding, and the Marketing departments. I managed and motivated a team with a $1.2M team quota. In more detail, I :
•	Achieved a $1M pipeline during the Pandemic while recovering from an extreme 2019 ransomware attack. 
•	Focused on retaining the $10.5M client base and converted 1300 EINS and 87,000 EEs to the Apex Platform.
•	Achieved $850K in new sales and retained a $11.5M client base while growing ancillary and partnership revenue $600K.
•	Rejuvenated processes, implemented a sales funnel, and redefined sales opportunities escalating closing ratios from 18% to 35%.
•	Developed the Client Success Program, expanding recognized revenue from 72% to 89%.
I also completed an in-depth analysis of the conversion back log and recurring revenue, partnering with the CFO. In addition, I analyzed TAM and determined the market, understanding the competitive landscape and refining the value proposition.  I also identified new product requirements and prioritization for quarterly planning for the development team (Agile). I carefully created a new Sales Playbook, reducing the sales process time by half. Finally, I improved cross functional communication and escalated the new client on-boarding experience.

VP of Sales

Heartland Payment Systems

Here, I lead the charge of increasing sales in payroll and HR services and referrals to merchant services, e-commerce, and lending. I recruited, hired, trained, and developed sales professionals and sales leaders, conducted weekly team calls, 1:1s, and team building events. I supported the team with on-going mentoring and coaching, leading to promotions. Behind the scenes, I inspected the pipeline, managed forecasting and division budgets and produced production and forecasting reports for the Regional VP. Finally, I created 55% of the Diamond level performers in the top 25% of revenue producers in the enterprise.

Payroll Division Manager

As the Global Ancillary Sales Manager, I managed a team charged with increasing sales in consumer health spending account services, absence management services, dependent verification audits, total reward statements and custom communications in a dual hunter and partnership role. I profiled, prospected, and executed marketing and sales campaigns gaining top prospects and accounts in GA, FL, SC and NC, creating 25 opportunities in 9 months. I also repaired cross functional upper manager relationships in 9 months’ time, leading to better collaboration and a positive impact on results.

Ancillary Sales Manager

Becker Professional Education

SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER, 2014 – 2015

For this fast-paced year, I mentored and coached 55, with clients including Price Waterhouse, KPMG, Deloitte, Ernst & Young (EY), and Grant Thornton, underpinning company growth of 12-14% YOY.

ACCOUNT MANAGER, ATLANTA METRO, 2010 – 2014

I managed 70+ accounts producing $3.5M+ in revenue.  I was honored as a member of the Growth Initiative Counsel propelling new growth by developing targeted tools for online classes.

Sr. Account Manager

Helping people transform their life through healing | Intuitive | CPO | CHO (Chief Happiness Officer) | Boy Mom | My Husband's Biggest Fan

I work with individuals by leveraging my passion to help people transform their lives by guiding them to self-healing of their trauma and wounds allowing happiness, abundance, and love to flow. I am passionate about the potential living within each of us and activating that potential so every person can the life they dream of!  

I also partner with Founders and CEOs to support his or her vision by optimizing individuals and teams through coaching, providing valuable insights and best practices to create a culture of highly engaged and energized employees . I lead through example and inspire through my passion. 

Lemonade with Love: As I received my calling to transform people and businesses through healing, I founded Lemonade with Love. I merged my spiritual gifts with the science of meta cognitive programming to help people transform their lives through consulting, group/community sessions, and one-on-one sessions. I would love to help you unleash your potential and find happiness today. Message me to get started. 

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CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

LEADERSHIP WITH LOVE
"Misty was a spark of courage that I needed personally. Having a leader that pours into you and points out your strengths while acknowledging the weakness is what I needed. Most leadership I have experienced were not so uplifting, they only pointed out the bad and basically stated "Do better". You made me feel like I could definitely do well and go far in this position and any position I set my mind to. You have provided me vision. I greatly appreciate that."  - Joseph Smith

FINDING YOUR WAY THROUGH TRAUMA 
"Misty is without a doubt one of the most gifted souls that I have had the luck to encounter and know in my life. Her counseling and guidance have been vital to my personal healing from childhood trauma and relationship trauma. She is patient, nonjudgmental and genuine. She has a unique ability to give the right messages at the right time, and coupled with that she suggests practices for everyday life that further you along your path. I can honestly say, that I would not be the same person, mother, parter, friend and employee without the divine guidance I have received through Misty." -Dara Vaughan Peck

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Find out more at www.lemonadewithlove.com. 

For daily personal development tips and motivational guidance, FOLLOW ME on LinkedIn.

Misty Blakesley

Achievement by Design

I discovered the magic of coaching when, miserable in my job as a litigation associate, I went to see a career coach who was also a lawyer. He helped me reinvent myself and became a touchstone whenever I faced a crossroads in my career.  Along the way, I decided to follow in his footsteps.  No matter what the endeavor, a coach can help you accelerate your progress with proven methods.

In a nutshell, you describe what you want and, together, we explore options, design strategies for you to implement and achieve your goals. That is the winning formula I used with a best-selling author, attorneys from junior associate to chairman, accountants and executives. Common areas include: 
 - Marketing 
 - Confidence
 - Career transitions 
 - Leadership
 - Improving work relationships 
 - Work/life balance

Public Speaking:  I lead workshops and present to organizations on topics including marketing, improving self-confidence, effective goal-setting,  and communicating effectively.  I have presented at many continuing legal education seminars and can tailor most presentations to qualify for credit.

Founder and Lawyer Coach

The Legal Intelligencer

Lawyer coach Dena Lefkowitz helps attorneys learn what they don’t teach in law school: business development/marketing, leadership and she provides tools and strategies for career transformation within or outside the law.

Columnist

Nemours

Certified in Health Care Compliance by Health Care Compliance Association, conducted workplace investigations of alleged misconduct, analyzed legal requirements, evaluated organizational exposure, reported to Chief Compliance Officer and presented findings and recommendations to hospital leadership and human resources business partners.

Compliance

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Responsibilities included:

Advising the Executive Director on all legal affairs;
Appellate arguments before the Commonwealth and Supreme Court;
Supervising and mentoring staff attorneys
Overseeing and directing outside counsel;
Drafting external and internal policies;
Lobbying lawmakers to increase funding;
Recommendations to support initiatives of the Office of Open Records
Supervising litigation in appellate and common pleas courts;
Monitoring appeals from decisions of the Office of Open Records
Conducting training for public officials and attorneys and ppeals officers;
Handling inquiries from government officials and citizens;
Presenting continuing legal education seminars for attorneys;

Significant Accomplishments:
Oral argument before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court;
Created an appeals process pursuant to the new Right to Know Law;
Designed training for public officials on Pennsylvania's Sunshine Law;
Drafted the first Final Determination ever published by the Office of Open Records
Served as Senior Attorney and Appeals Officer from 2008-2010;
Drafted advisory opinions;
Instrumental in all aspects of implementing the Right to Know Law

General Counsel - Office of Open Records

Chester Upland School District

Represented and advised the Education Empowerment Board, Superintendent and executive management team on all legal matters involving the School District. Was responsible for all legal affairs including:
Creating the Office of General Counsel:
Reducing outside legal expenses by over $800,000 in the first year;
Developing strategies for cost-effective selections and use of outside counsel;
Overseeing outside counsel and reduction of litigation expenses
Drafting Policies and protocols ;
Providing counsel to improve governance and oversight of legal costs;
Drafting or approving all procurement contracts;
Monitoring and advising senior staff to ensure compliance with the Public School Code, Administrative Regulations, Public Employee Relations Act, Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, Public Officials Act, the Pennsylvania Charter School Law and law related to education including FERPA, NCLB, Title IX, and ADA;
Mediation of employee grievances;

General Counsel

School District of Philadelphia

Assistant General Counsel

Eckell Sparks Levy Auerbach Monte Sloane Matthews & Auslander, P.C.

Associate

ALAN R. KUTNER & ASSOCIATES

CAIOLA, CAIOLA & GOWEN

ABRAHAM, PRESSMAN & BAUER, P.C.

Business and Career Coach for Lawyers / Author of "Winning in Your Own Court" / Entrepreneur

When I was a kid, I was the only girl I knew whose dream did not involve walking down the aisle in a white dress. I wanted a career. My role models were more Mary Richards than Carol Brady. 

And the coolest career, I thought, would be to become a lawyer. 

Imagine if the girl whose mother called her “impossible” for being argumentative could use that specific trait and be a courtroom lawyer like Katherine Hepburn in “Adams Rib!” My dreams became grander when I was in law school and watched how the lawyers on “L.A. Law” lived. The sexy cases, the gorgeous designer suits, the cars, the prestige. Yes, please!

Well, that dream lasted for three years. Yup, 1000 days is all it took for me to realize that being a lawyer can really suck if all you know is what they taught you in law school.  As soon as I graduated, I began to see all the things I still didn’t know. And they were big, crucial things. How to get clients? I didn’t know. How to make partner? I didn’t know. How to change areas of practice if I didn’t like the first one I picked out of law school? I didn’t know.

And, that’s exactly what happened to me. I didn’t like being a litigator, my first job out of law school, because I had no idea what it was like. After all, we never saw the long hours, sleepless nights, drudgery, or stress on “L.A. Law.”

I realized that although I was helping some of my clients recover millions of dollars, I wasn’t feeling like a winner because I didn’t understand the basic laws of being a successful professional outside of the courtroom and so I quit. I shifted my practice a few times and, after 20 years, I decided to leave the law.

My dad said I was crazy. My colleagues said I was crazy. But I’m not crazy because, now, 14 years later with a successful coaching practice, having helped hundreds of lawyers win more in their careers and lives, I realize that this is my purpose, what I was made to do. I’m grateful I became a lawyer so I could become not-a-lawyer and help the rest because we will always need great lawyers. As a lawyer coach, I’m here to make sure we still have some.

Book a call here: https://achievementbydesign.com/calendar/

taplio

The Battle

Misty Blakesley

Dena Lefkowitz, Esq.

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