Ever wondered how to transform challenges into triumphs and build a thriving business network? In Episode 16 of Dig the Well, Vikki Downey chats with Sandra Yancey, the dynamic founder of eWomenNetwork. Sandra's journey from Dayton, Ohio, to becoming a beacon for business women is nothing short of inspiring. She reveals how her upbringing with a single mom shaped her resilient spirit and entrepreneurial drive. Discover how Sandra turned initial struggles in Dallas into the flourishing eWomen Network, connecting women who balance family life and business success.
Sandra shares invaluable insights on agility in business, the power of mentorship, and the art of "profit power." Learn why continuous learning, unlearning, and relearning are vital in today's fast-paced world. Plus, hear about her upcoming speaking engagements, including one in Orange County, California at the eWomenNetwork event on March 6, 2025 in Laguna Hills for her sought after 2025 Women's Success Summit titled "Your Profit Power." Join us as we dig deep into unlocking your potential and building a supportive community for success. Don't miss this empowering conversation!
Sandra Yancey's Bio: Sandra Yancey is an award-winning entrepreneur, #1 best-selling author of six books, movie producer, founder and CEO of eWomenNetwork and is recognized by the International Alliance for Women as one of the world’s 100 Top Difference Makers. Selected by the Emmy award-winning TV show “The Doctors” as their transformation expert she is recognized by CNN as an American Hero.
Sandra holds a Master of Science degree in Organizational Development from The American University, Washington D.C. and a post-graduate certification in Organization and Systems Design from the prestigious Gestalt Institute.
She is considered one of the premier business success experts in the world.
Sponsorship Opportunities for Sandra's 2025 Women's Success Summit, reach out to Managing Director, Vikki Downey, @ vikkidowney@ewomennetwork.com to inquire. We have 3 sponsorships available - 1 main sponsor and 2 secondary sponsors
Here is the link to purchase your tickets to the March 6, 2025 Women's Success Summit "Unlock Your Profit Power" with Sandra Yancey: https://bit.ly/OCANEMar6
Thank you for listening! We hope you enjoyed this episode. Remember you can always connect with us on social media @thevikkidowney and be sure to check out our website johnandvikki.com.
If you are interested you can find Vikki's book HERE and the audio book HERE!
Ever wondered how to transform challenges into triumphs and build a thriving business network? In Episode 16 of Dig the Well, Vikki Downey chats with Sandra Yancey, the dynamic founder of eWomenNetwork. Sandra's journey from Dayton, Ohio, to becoming a beacon for business women is nothing short of inspiring. She reveals how her upbringing with a single mom shaped her resilient spirit and entrepreneurial drive. Discover how Sandra turned initial struggles in Dallas into the flourishing eWomen Network, connecting women who balance family life and business success.
Sandra shares invaluable insights on agility in business, the power of mentorship, and the art of "profit power." Learn why continuous learning, unlearning, and relearning are vital in today's fast-paced world. Plus, hear about her upcoming speaking engagements, including one in Orange County, California at the eWomenNetwork event on March 6, 2025 in Laguna Hills for her sought after 2025 Women's Success Summit titled "Your Profit Power." Join us as we dig deep into unlocking your potential and building a supportive community for success. Don't miss this empowering conversation!
Sandra Yancey's Bio: Sandra Yancey is an award-winning entrepreneur, #1 best-selling author of six books, movie producer, founder and CEO of eWomenNetwork and is recognized by the International Alliance for Women as one of the world’s 100 Top Difference Makers. Selected by the Emmy award-winning TV show “The Doctors” as their transformation expert she is recognized by CNN as an American Hero.
Sandra holds a Master of Science degree in Organizational Development from The American University, Washington D.C. and a post-graduate certification in Organization and Systems Design from the prestigious Gestalt Institute.
She is considered one of the premier business success experts in the world.
Sponsorship Opportunities for Sandra's 2025 Women's Success Summit, reach out to Managing Director, Vikki Downey, @ vikkidowney@ewomennetwork.com to inquire. We have 3 sponsorships available - 1 main sponsor and 2 secondary sponsors
Here is the link to purchase your tickets to the March 6, 2025 Women's Success Summit "Unlock Your Profit Power" with Sandra Yancey: https://bit.ly/OCANEMar6
Thank you for listening! We hope you enjoyed this episode. Remember you can always connect with us on social media @thevikkidowney and be sure to check out our website johnandvikki.com.
If you are interested you can find Vikki's book HERE and the audio book HERE!
Feeling overwhelmed by your family's daily grind and looking for a way out? Welcome to "Dig the Well," the podcast that empowers you to build the life you deserve. Your hosts Vikki and John are top earners at Neora. Vikki is a # 1 best-selling author and John is a retired Los Angeles Police Officer. Together they’ve navigated family challenges, raised successful kids, and achieved financial freedom.
In each episode of "Dig the Well," they dive deep into the strategies and mindsets that can help you break free from the constraints of the traditional 9-5 lifestyle. They understand the unique challenges faced by stay-at-home moms and families who are juggling multiple responsibilities and struggling to find balance. Their mission is to provide you with the tools and inspiration you need to create additional income, gain more family time, and ultimately, transform your life.
Throughout their journey, they’ve had the privilege of working with renowned figures like Jack Canfield and Jeff Olson, whose wisdom and insights have greatly influenced their path to success. They’ve also celebrated significant milestones, such as raising two valedictorian children and supporting their son, an Olympic weightlifter on Team USA. These experiences have equipped them with valuable knowledge and practical tips that they’re eager to share with you.
"Dig the Well" is more than just a podcast; it's a community of like-minded individuals who are committed to personal growth and financial independence. Whether you're worried about your family's financial security, longing for more quality time with your spouse, or simply seeking a way to reignite your passions, this podcast offers actionable insights and real-life stories that can help you achieve your goals.
Our mission is to inspire you with the belief that if we can do it, so can you. We want you to feel empowered, educated, and ready to take control of your future. By tuning in to "Dig the Well," you'll gain the confidence and knowledge needed to break free from the daily grind and create a life full of possibilities.
So, if you're ready to transform your family's future and discover the greatness within you, join us on this journey. Subscribe to "Dig the Well" and start building the life you deserve today!
Sandra Yancey:
This is the EWN podcast network.
John:
Ever wondered how you could turn your side hustle into a full time gig and spend more time together?
Vikki:
Hi. I'm Vicky, a number one best selling author.
John:
And I'm John, a retired Los Angeles police officer. Welcome to Dig the Well, where we help couples navigate the world of business.
Vikki:
We've been married for 30 5 years, and because we built a successful side business, John retired 9 years earlier than he originally planned from the Los Angeles Police Department after 25 years on the job. Now we spend more time together, and we want to help couples like you do the same.
John:
Join us as we help you overcome common obstacles, and we show you how to make extra income without sacrificing family time.
Vikki:
Ready to dig deep and build your well? Let's get started. Hey, everyone. Welcome to dig the well. It's me, Vicki Downey, here by myself.
Vikki:
John is not with us because I actually wanted some special time with our guest speaker, just girl to girl. I'm so excited to have the infamous or famous Sandra Yancey. I like to say infamous, Sandra.
Sandra Yancey:
I love whatever you say. Whatever you say, I trust you immensely, so it's all good.
Vikki:
Welcome to the podcast. Are you excited to be with us?
Sandra Yancey:
I'm really excited to be with you. You know, this is our first time doing a podcast together. So, thank I just wanna thank you for thinking of me and having me, and, I'm loving what you're about, what you're doing, who you are, and, what you're creating in the world, and I was really an easy yes.
Vikki:
Oh, thank you so much. And, you know, for all the listeners and those on YouTube and Rumble watching, I wanna tell you a little bit more about Sandra and why she's so special to me and the world. So, here's a little bit about Sandra and I'm going to read it because I don't want to mess anything up. Sandra is an award winning entrepreneur, number one best selling author of 6 books, movie producer, founder, and CEO of E Women Network, and is recognized by the International Alliance For Women as one of the world's 100 top difference makers. Selected by the Emmy award winning TV show, The Doctors, as their transformation expert, she is recognized by CNN as an American hero.
Vikki:
That's so cool. Sandra holds a Master of Science degree in Organizational Development from the American University in Washington DC and a postgraduate certification in organization and systems design from the prestigious Gestalt Institute. She is considered one of the premier business success experts in the world. So you can see why I said famous, infamous, all the super superlatives. So Sandra, I'm just so excited to have this fun time together here.
Vikki:
I
Sandra Yancey:
know. I know. Really precious time for sure.
Vikki:
Yes. So some of you know and maybe some of you don't know, but I just became the managing director of one of the chapters of E Women Network. And I really was gonna dive in and chat with you, Sandra, about, you know, why you created E Women Network, what inspired you, and how has its mission evolved over the years?
Sandra Yancey:
Yes. So I'm, I'm really a small town farm girl. Was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, about 2 miles from Cargill, which produced corn syrup produces corn syrup. And, so kind of a manufacturing farm city. I'm 1st generation American.
Sandra Yancey:
My father died before I ever, got a chance to know him. He it was he died on my birthday when I turned 5 years old. Mhmm. And he was French, French Canadian, and, my maiden name was Goulet. And, my mother, was from Mexico, and her maiden name was Lopez.
Sandra Yancey:
And it's so interesting because, as I was growing up, people would hear how to pronounce by name. Nobody could ever get it right, but, just reading it, but once they learned, then they knew it was French, and people would start to talk to me in French. And let me just tell you, Vicky, I know 4, maybe 5 French words like oui, bonjour, you know, bon appetit. I know. Right?
Sandra Yancey:
And, whatever that frog was, you know? And, but I I didn't get a chance to know my dad. So I, was raised by my mom, a single mother. And, what she did was she really taught me, you know, the fundamental values, I think, of, just being first generation. I think it's really easy to kinda miss, you know, all the opportunities that are in front of you.
Sandra Yancey:
And, she wasn't a woman. She was actually an orphan, so she was raised in a convent in Mexico. So she didn't have a lot of great communication skills, and she didn't know how to really be a mom. But what I know now and can treasure is that I could really see how she did her best. You know?
Sandra Yancey:
Mhmm. And, the most important thing was that she really raised me to, do better. That was her whole thing. You know, you you one generation has to do better than the next generation, has to do better than the next generation. She really couldn't paint a picture of what, you know, real success looked like.
Sandra Yancey:
For her, it was a lot about, you know, getting off of welfare. Yeah. You know? And, she was a seamstress, a masterful seamstress. She made men's dress shirts with brunch cuffs, But she wasn't confident, and she didn't speak English, in the early days, particularly very confidently, so she couldn't market herself.
Sandra Yancey:
And so she was kind of the best kept secret, and she was kind of relinquished to, doing hems, you know, and shortening sleeves and just some of the basic kind of tailoring that goes on. But for being as poor as we were, I was voted best dressed in high school because my mother, re we bought all my clothes secondhand, most of them, not all of them, but most of them. And she just took everything apart for the fabric and the buttons, the appointments as she called it. And then, she, you know, made patterns, and she made my clothes to fit me. And so, you know, I was poor without really knowing it, to be honest with you.
Sandra Yancey:
But I also had no clue what real success looked like. And so I decided to go to college, and, I got a window into I was in the drill team in high school. And the neat thing about what that was for me was that it when we when we took the school buses to the other side of town, I was like, who are these people? These big homes. You know what I mean?
Sandra Yancey:
And the drill teams where they all had the same boots. We were lucky if we all just had white boots. Everybody just found your own. You know what I mean?
Vikki:
Right.
Sandra Yancey:
They all had the same. And so, I was so impressed that I knew there was something else out there. I just didn't know how. I didn't understand what's what's the map. So from here to there to where to get there kinda thing.
Sandra Yancey:
And then I decided to go to college, and that helped. I got married the guy I met when I was in 17 years old, senior in high school. He was a drummer in a band, much to my mother's chagrin. And but we married, and here we are, like, 45 years later, believe it or not. Right?
Sandra Yancey:
So awesome. Now he works for me. You know? So I love it. So I followed him around like a little groupie in the early years, but now, you know, he's really a big support for me, and I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing without him.
Sandra Yancey:
So, I moved to Dallas, and I I had a really sexy consulting career by then. My clients were Coca Cola and John Deere and Levi Strauss and Wall Street Journal and Reynolds and Reynolds and AT and T. And, really great. Left corporate America. Was out on my own.
Sandra Yancey:
And I moved to Dallas and thought, world can change, like, really fast. I mean, here I am in the real big d. See, I thought Dayton was the big d. When I came here, I was like, oh my gosh. World headquarters for Frito Lay and JC Henness and Ross Perot, and I could do everything that I'm doing, but be home in the evening.
Sandra Yancey:
Yeah. You know, instead of being on the road when you live in Dayton, Ohio, there's not much, you know, within arms reach, so you had to be on a plane. I was really excited for it. Vicky and I started networking, and everybody was super nice to me, kind of that southern hospitality, genuinely nice. But nobody was really inviting me to play.
Sandra Yancey:
Like, hey. Let me bring you in on this project, or let me make an introduction to you or whatever. And I was complaining to my husband about it. I started going to women's networking groups at the time. And to be honest, I felt like we're the women that if they're gonna be away from their families, they're willing to make a $1,000,000.
Sandra Yancey:
I mean, we can either make a $1,000 or we can make a million
Vikki:
Yeah.
Sandra Yancey:
And, for the same amount of time. And I at least learned that and knew that from my, from the the consulting firm that I had built. But I and women weren't just talking in that language. The conversation was very different, And I and I was complaining about that to my husband. And then he said, well, why don't you go out and build it?
Sandra Yancey:
And that was the beginning of Eva Network. I was the very first managing director. I at the time, I wasn't thinking about scaling it worldwide. So when you think about how has it changed Yeah. You know, I just wanted to find the serious businesswomen that were like, if I'm gonna be away from my kids and my husband, then I just wanna have as much as I can to show for it.
Vikki:
Right.
Sandra Yancey:
You know? Definitely. And, and that conversation was different, and that's what I was looking for. And then people were kind of visiting. I've got a girlfriend that's visiting.
Sandra Yancey:
Can she come to the meeting? I'm like, yes. And then they would come and they'd say, you know, this would be great in my city. How can I how can I do this? And that's really it was of such an organic process, to be completely transparent with you.
Sandra Yancey:
And then once I saw the opportunity, I knew I had to get strategic.
Vikki:
Right. Right. Wow. Wow. Yeah.
Vikki:
And what and that's what I've noticed, honestly, is that women naturally network. We refer each other. Yeah. So I'm not surprised that it kind of organically grew.
Sandra Yancey:
Yes. Yeah. But I didn't have any systems in place Right. To do that. You know?
Sandra Yancey:
And here I am 25 years later, and now I understand the importance of slowing down to get things documented, to learn what the most, simplified, efficient system and processes are so that you can scale faster. You know? It's really about the efficiencies. Right? Getting everybody on the same page so that things are flowing, you know, in a way that you don't have to be there for everything.
Vikki:
Right. Right. Absolute and now you do have you have all of that. You know? As I can speak as a new managing director that I came back for the high performance training in November and got to meet you and Kim and Brianna in person.
Vikki:
And
Sandra Yancey:
Right.
Vikki:
I was blown away by the system that there were. And I'm a notebook kinda girl myself. Me too.
Sandra Yancey:
Me too. Yep. Yep. Yep.
Vikki:
Just like you. So I thought, oh, this is this I've made the right decision for sure.
Sandra Yancey:
Right. Right.
Vikki:
You have it digital and but you also have it hard copy, and that's
Sandra Yancey:
Hard copy.
Vikki:
To me, key. Yeah.
Sandra Yancey:
You know, you just you just I love technology, when it works, and there's times when it doesn't. And I don't wanna be holding to corrupt files or you know? I recently just had a PowerPoint that I did, and I was working on it, and it was done. And I was pushing I just wanted to review it on Sunday night before I went to bed, kinda go to bed on that because it was a a Monday delivery. And, I did a few little changes and saved it and then went back into it to open it up, and the file corrupted.
Sandra Yancey:
Oh, gosh. Like that. It didn't disappear. It wouldn't open up. It was there.
Sandra Yancey:
I could see it. So it wasn't like I deleted it, and it was corrupt. And luckily, I had a previous version that didn't have all the final changes, but, nonetheless, I was, you know, still 95% there. But that's why I always keep a hard copy. Then some people roll their eyes, oh, she's old school or whatever.
Sandra Yancey:
I'm just telling you, it's wisdom. It's wisdom. It's learning, learning, because all you need is to have something saved, and then it just disappeared. You have no idea, sometimes even when it happened. You know?
Vikki:
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. It's like the old I I feel like Girl Scouts are really good with that.
Vikki:
I was a Girl Scout leader for my daughter growing up and
Sandra Yancey:
I was too.
Vikki:
Yeah. Funny. Yeah. And they have a they, yeah, they have manuals. They've got backups to the backup and be prepared.
Vikki:
Right? I guess that might be the voice mail model, but
Sandra Yancey:
Right.
Vikki:
They have to be. Yeah. So I just I love that. And I've been to your icon conferences, and this is a little side note to what we were gonna talk about, but it's the 25th anniversary year. This August is your icon conference.
Sandra Yancey:
Hard to believe, Vicky. It's really I mean, I just can hardly believe it's been 25 years.
Vikki:
Yeah.
Sandra Yancey:
But, you know, less than they say 3% under 4% of all small businesses ever survived 25 years.
Vikki:
Yeah. Right.
Sandra Yancey:
You know?
Vikki:
Yeah. And what is it? Don't they say, like, a tiny percent even make it past 5 years?
Sandra Yancey:
Oh, for sure. Like, 90% of all businesses fail. Don't make it 5 years.
Vikki:
So 25. Huge.
Sandra Yancey:
Yeah. A lot of ups and downs and twists and turns and shifts and changes, and Yeah. It just doesn't matter to me who's in office. I mean, in my 25 years, I've had 50%. I've had 6 Republicans and 6 Democrats, so it's not even political.
Sandra Yancey:
It does it's for me. Whoever's in office, you gotta figure it out. You know what I mean? And you just gotta keep rolling with it. Yeah.
Sandra Yancey:
You know? I don't wanna say rolling with the punches because you're not punched all the time. Mhmm. But I do believe setbacks are part of the setup for something bigger. I think it's the universe saying, you might be moving a little too fast here.
Sandra Yancey:
You might be too much on autopilot, and this is a really important lesson you need to learn because when the stakes are higher down the road, you might just see this again, and you need to know. Right? Right. Really, you know, what to do. This is a deliberate thing we need you to learn.
Sandra Yancey:
That's kind of how I I look at setbacks or disappointments. They're not we teach in in our school system the opposite of success is failure. And in entrepreneurialism, that's not true. Success and failure are on the same road. It's part of it.
Sandra Yancey:
You know? It's the universe protecting you. I mean, rejection is protection. Right? Protecting you to learn something because when the stakes are higher, it can be a lot more, debilitating.
Sandra Yancey:
Right. Absolutely. Yeah.
Vikki:
Our family feels the same. Like, I feel like your family and my family are so similar, and, we've been married 30 it's gonna be 36 years, January 28th.
Sandra Yancey:
Oh my gosh.
Vikki:
Boy and a girl like you guys do. And Yeah. And now it's it's so cool. And, and John, it works our my core business. I'm the kind of the figurehead, but he's right there too similar to Kim where he has, you know, his strengths and, for sure.
Vikki:
So with the business so, yeah, we you remind me of us. And so as you were sharing that, I was thinking about failures and and, opportunities that sometimes you miss or Right. You don't get the opportunity. And we've always told our kids that I can imagine you might be similar that, you know, God was just protecting you for something greater. You know, maybe you weren't meant you know, maybe they had their heart set on whatever it was.
Vikki:
But, and then sure enough, it always does work out that way that, you know does. They weren't meant to have whatever that what what they were going for and missed the opportunity.
Sandra Yancey:
So Exactly. Exactly. I agree. A 100% for
Vikki:
sure. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So alright.
Vikki:
So I'd love to switch over to women in business in this day and age, you know, 2025. Wow.
Sandra Yancey:
My favorite.
Vikki:
Yeah. I know. It's just so awesome. And what do you believe is the biggest challenge women face in achieving business success, and how can they overcome it in 2025?
Sandra Yancey:
Well, it's, you know, it's hard. It's not just one thing. But if I could name one thing, I would say it's, agility. I think it's about being agile today. I think everything is changing so fast, and they're constantly gonna change.
Sandra Yancey:
I mean, since I've been in business, I mean, I've been first. Look. It took me 20 years to to move the business to completely online. Because when I first started in 2000, everybody said they wanted to be online, but nobody really wanted to do it. And it took COVID to force it to happen.
Sandra Yancey:
You know what I mean? And so I had to change my business model from e women network being electronic to e being entrepreneurial, enthusiastic, enticing, I mean, all the e's kind of thing. I did a whole brochure cover around it. Had to retool. You know?
Sandra Yancey:
Yeah. And then I wanted to open up Canada and then SARS, which I understand is somebody told me it was actually related to COVID, believe it or not. I heard
Vikki:
that too. Yeah.
Sandra Yancey:
Yeah. And that was in 2,004, 2005. Then 2 1,007 comes. We have the market crash, right, the housing crisis. Yeah.
Sandra Yancey:
That's 2,007, 2,008, and then, you know, COVID comes. It's always gonna be something. Mhmm. Right? And the the real question is, are you building your business so that you have enough momentum money that, when you need to retool or change direction, that usually takes time, resources, and dollars, you have the ability to do that, and most small businesses don't.
Sandra Yancey:
And so learning how to not be so locked on to what you're doing because I'm telling you, even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there. I mean, you gotta know how to to ride the wave when things are really going good, but you have to know one thing that all waves do. Mhmm. They crash. So you gotta know when you're riding the wave, when is the right time to jump.
Sandra Yancey:
And this time, you might jump onto a mountain, right, and not another wave. And a mountain requires different skills. Right? It requires different tools. It requires a different mindset, different training.
Sandra Yancey:
And so that's what it's like being an entrepreneur today is to be agile enough to know when you're on the right track, when that could be, you know, the that version of you could be the very version that could cause you to, to sink. And, you know, you just look at companies like Blockbuster. Right? You look at companies like Kodak. You look at really great companies.
Sandra Yancey:
A lot of people don't know. The first person to invent the digital picture was actually a Kodak scientist.
Vikki:
Oh, wow.
Sandra Yancey:
And he actually presented it to the board. And the board was was so aggravated with him, thought it was a ridiculous waste of their time because they had a blind spot. You know? They what what Kodak was in was not the camera business. What most people don't understand is that they were in the film business.
Sandra Yancey:
Mhmm. So their money was made on selling you Kodak film, Kodak film, code Kodak film. And so that was their business model. Right. I mean, like, McDonald's, they're not actually in the hamburger business.
Sandra Yancey:
They're in the real estate business. I mean, there's if you really peel back and look at what creates wealth in organizations. And so they didn't protect it.
Vikki:
Wow. And
Sandra Yancey:
digital digital cameras took a life of its own anyway. Right. You know? They have. And yeah.
Sandra Yancey:
And so Wow. You have to know when it's time for you. You don't have to give up on your dream. You have to find the new way in which the customer wants to receive it.
Vikki:
Right. Like, iterations. Is that what what you mean?
Sandra Yancey:
Yeah. Over and over and over. Like, what's working now? The version of me on December 31st is not the version of me that's required to lead this company in 2025. You know?
Sandra Yancey:
I have to be able to learn new skills. I have to acquire new tools. I have to change the way I look and think about things. Right? Because the world is changing too fast.
Sandra Yancey:
I mean, you look at AI, whether you love it or not. Guess what? It's changing things. Right? Yes.
Sandra Yancey:
I happen to love AI. Me too. Think it's a I don't think it's a substitute for, real connection and community. I think it's an accelerator. Right?
Sandra Yancey:
But it doesn't replace, you know, connection and community. But it's changing the speed. And if you're not willing to learn new ways to be faster, you really are gonna be left in the dust. Yeah. And AI is no different than money.
Sandra Yancey:
Good money left in bad hands with bad people, bad things are gonna happen. But money left in good hands with good people, great things are gonna happen. And the same is true with AI.
Vikki:
I couldn't
Sandra Yancey:
hear you more. Avoid it just because you have an angst with it and not be willing to look at the other side.
Vikki:
Right. Absolutely. It's funny, that you talk about AI. I'm training, our my core business team tonight on chat gbt and how to use it.
Sandra Yancey:
Okay. Yeah. Right?
Vikki:
I know. And I but I have some leaders that are they think it's the antichrist, and I feel like you do where just be careful what you put in it. Right? Don't share personal information ever, but it is, it it's a multiplier, right, on how fast
Sandra Yancey:
you can go. Mhmm. And it's the same is true with anything that's out there. Right?
Vikki:
Yeah. Yeah.
Sandra Yancey:
Good and evil on both sides.
Vikki:
Yeah. So women and I what I'm taking from a lot of what you're saying is we need to learn and grow, or we're just gonna decline. Right? You're glowing growing or declining.
Sandra Yancey:
I call it learn, unlearn, and relearn. The things that got you to where you are today may be the things you need to unlearn so that you can make space for learning new things, and you're not just piling information and wisdom and, you know, tools and everything on top of each other. That's when I think we start to feel overwhelmed instead of taking inventory of what isn't serving me anymore.
Vikki:
Right.
Sandra Yancey:
What can I move to the side and create space to not hold on to old ways, so tight that your hands aren't available to catch the next blessing that's coming your way? Right.
Vikki:
And that's such a good point. I hope I hope everyone's hearing that. Rewind. Listen to Yeah. Listen to what Sandra just said again.
Vikki:
Yeah. I think people want to hang on. People don't like change. Right? And so they don't wanna unlearn.
Vikki:
Right. And they're afraid, but that is when we grow. I that's Yes. That's for sure.
Sandra Yancey:
Exciting when I think when you're around the right people, you know, people you have to take you do your people math. I mean, who's really adding and multiplying in your life? Who's subtracting and dividing? Who's inspiring you versus tiring you? Yeah.
Sandra Yancey:
And who are you choosing to hang out with? Yeah. You know? I when you hang out with people that are on the move, that are doing big things, that are clear about their purpose, that aren't attached to the how, they're just they know that they're one person away from getting the advice, the insight, the wisdom that could change everything for them. It's actually really quite fun.
Vikki:
Yeah.
Sandra Yancey:
You know? It's when I think it gets threatening when you know you're not around the right people. You know? That you're not you're not getting, really sage advice that you feel that you can trust or that you can count on. Right?
Sandra Yancey:
Then it feels overwhelming. It feels so risky. Right? And, and it causes us to do nothing. And I would rather take imperfect action than perfect inaction.
Sandra Yancey:
I think success is about being around the right people, trusting it, not asking 10,000 questions, you know, knowing that you're gonna learn as you move. By the time you stop and have it all figured out, the world has shifted again.
Vikki:
Totally. I I so agree. And John and I did an episode on that, just deciding and doing, and you will figure it out. Trust yourself. Trust and Right.
Vikki:
And get a good coach. You know? I know you would probably say that.
Sandra Yancey:
But I have multiple coaches. I belong to multiple, masterminds, and what I gotta tell you is they pay for themselves in droves. I just don't think anybody can make it alone. I mean, nobody I know has ever made it alone. You know?
Sandra Yancey:
And, I find it really the best investment. And I'm, you know, heavily, you know, invested in the market that's done pretty well for me, but nothing has paid me the returns on the investments that I've made, in myself. And part of it is because I just I'm like, how can I learn something and apply it? How fast can I apply what I've learned? You know?
Sandra Yancey:
What's my top three questions I'm gonna ask, and then I'm gonna move? And as I move, the answers start appearing and appearing and appearing. It's amazing Yeah. What how that works It is. Versus the people that have to have it all 100% figured out.
Sandra Yancey:
And there's I mean, those are the right people in certain professions. I'm not sure entrepreneurialism is it.
Vikki:
I agree. So true. So so true. But it's like they're stuck in quicksand in a sense too, I've I've noticed. Yeah.
Vikki:
Yeah. That I feel like they're sinking sinking some of them. But you're right. Some professions, I'm sure, that's nature.
Sandra Yancey:
I mean, honestly
Vikki:
Yeah. Not entrepreneurship. Yeah.
Sandra Yancey:
Even health today. I mean, so much is learned in the trials. So much I mean, we know so many of the the treatments that don't work. Right? That you know?
Sandra Yancey:
And we're always working on new things kind of thing. It's I think it's just you've gotta know that life is really about, you know, is particularly in in the small business market. You know?
Vikki:
Yeah.
Sandra Yancey:
Making yourself ready and not waiting to be ready. You make yourself ready by moving. Right? Say that
Vikki:
one more time. Make yourself ready.
Sandra Yancey:
What I said. I think life is about making yourself waiting instead instead of waiting to be ready.
Vikki:
Exactly. That was really good. Yeah. That was a mic drop for sure.
Sandra Yancey:
There you go.
Vikki:
So good. So good. So I'm loving everything I'm hearing. I would I know our listeners would love to know, what you're gonna be speaking about. I know you're gonna be doing a bunch of summits coming up.
Sandra Yancey:
I know. I think I'm gonna do 20 cities this year. I think that's a few more than last year, and I think that's the right thing to do because the momentum is so great. I'm gonna be talking about unlocking your profit power, Vicky. Yeah.
Sandra Yancey:
I it's more than just making money. I mean, success in large measure is being profitable enough that you're creating momentum money. Because anytime you wanna do the next thing, it takes time, resources, and money, and you've gotta be able to run your business as a CEO preparing for that. And so I'm gonna be talking about how the clues that success leaves, right, and how, you know, it's way beyond, you know, who you're hanging out with. I mean, proximity is everything.
Sandra Yancey:
But, you know, that old adage, you become the 5 the the sum of the 5 people you hang out most. Okay. Alright. If okay. That's true.
Sandra Yancey:
But I think the most important thing for, when it comes to being a CEO of your own small business is that who are the people that can turn decades into days? Right? I mean, I have written a check for that. I could either take a decade, 10 years to make mistakes, undo the mistakes, which can be very costly to undo mistakes that you've made and sometimes never fully recoverable. Or I can pay someone a lot less than what it's gonna cost me in a decade full of mistakes to just tell me, you know, based on their wisdom, not just their knowledge.
Sandra Yancey:
Knowledge is free. We can get that on Google. But based on the wisdom of what they have learned because they are already where I wanna go. And so it's really about being so intentional about your circles, And there's multiple circles that we have in terms of relationships, but that close one, I think, is really, important. I'm gonna talk about, you know, how busy we are.
Sandra Yancey:
You know? Women are busy. We're busy. We're busy. We're busy.
Sandra Yancey:
We're busy. And what I also know is busy is the new stupid. So are we focusing on the priorities? Are we taking what I call results driven, actions that really show us at the end of the day that we have we have done something that has moved our business forward, that's made the cash register ring, or that's really hitting a looming deadline because there's no a for effort. In the end, there's no a for effort.
Sandra Yancey:
Right. And you have way more control over your time than you think you do. And I'm into measuring minutes because we can always make more money, but we can't buy more time, and so your minutes matter. You know? I'm also gonna talk about how you seize opportunities because opportunities, you know, they're they're often really quiet.
Sandra Yancey:
Distractions shout at you. Opportunities sometimes whisper. So like How do you and they're and they're also not convenient. I mean, opportunities don't live next door. They often don't live on the same block.
Sandra Yancey:
It's inconvenient to go to opportunities that's really easy to just jump on otherwise, what I would call distractions. Mhmm. And so how do you tell the difference between the 2 becomes a very strategic skill that you create. And by skill, that means you can learn it. You know, it's not just a talent that, you know, some people are born with certain talents.
Sandra Yancey:
Everything that I have learned and have applied in my business, is teachable because somebody had to teach me. I just had to be student enough to listen and then to give it a try. And I've never I've never died from what I've tried. I mean, here I am 25 years later. Right?
Sandra Yancey:
Right. So we're gonna be talking about the things that really move the needle. They aren't sweeping things. Can I talk about financial mastery? Absolutely.
Sandra Yancey:
Knowing how to, you know, create money mastery is really important, but there are a lot of things that drive that. And I don't think that, you know, profit, is really you know, money is what it's really all about. It's it's a tool. It's not a goal. Right?
Sandra Yancey:
And when you use it strategically, it can create more wealth than you could ever imagine. I mean, I've certainly broken the cycle in my own family. Right? My own family system. But it allows you you know, good people with good money do really good things with it.
Sandra Yancey:
It allows you to take care of the injustices or the the passions that you have, but you don't have the time or talent. But you see the other nonprofits out there, and they need you, and they need more than just volunteers. They actually need people to write checks. So I think profit power is really about learning how to master the strategies to earn more, to keep more, and to scale with confidence. And that's what I'm gonna be talking about doing.
Sandra Yancey:
It's the nuances. I love
Vikki:
it. And so much in business is the nuances. I mean
Sandra Yancey:
It's everything.
Vikki:
Yeah. Exactly.
Sandra Yancey:
It's everything. Agree. So looking for the big buckets, and the truth of the matter is it's the threads, almost like a patchwork quilt, that you sew that link them together. And so if you just do this and this and this, then what you've got is this, this, and this. Right?
Sandra Yancey:
When you do something and then you say, so how do I create this so that it magnifies, it grows, then you link it to the next thing and the nuances or all the threads, like a carefully sewn quilt that push and put put everything together in all one place.
Vikki:
I love that. I love that. And and and you you could come hear, Sandra, speak at our chapter in Orange County, California. I know
Sandra Yancey:
I can't wait.
Vikki:
I know. I can't wait for you to come March 6th. I'm filling up the room for you, Sandra. Call
Sandra Yancey:
March 6th. Yeah.
Vikki:
Yeah. We have a lot of people reregistered or preregistered, and we've got some sponsorship opportunities. It's gonna be a fantastic day. So definitely check out the link. We're not even talking to Sandra, but I wanted to throw this in here.
Vikki:
Check out the link in the show notes. It'll show you exactly how to sign up. You'll be able to click and register. Hope you bring friends. It's gonna be basically a full day from 11.
Vikki:
I mean,
Sandra Yancey:
if you're a hugger, I'm a hugger. I would love to hug you. But we can have a great time. We can be completely feminine. We can be wonderful women and daughters and wives and girlfriends and parents and all of that and still have a multimillion dollar business.
Sandra Yancey:
It's actually easier. You know, you have to pick your hard. You know, success is hard, but, being broke is harder. Living an unfulfilled life is just the worst. It's the hardest.
Sandra Yancey:
You know what I mean? And so you can learn how to make it not so hard. And my mission is to share everything I know in, the last quarter of a century that has landed me, where I am because there's plenty of room for women at the top. Yes. And, the party is better when there's more women who are in attendance.
Sandra Yancey:
That's the way I look at it. That.
Vikki:
I love that. And I love what you shared. I was on a Zoom with you, and you were talking about a cruise and and traveling and some of your other programs. And you said that you and Kim kinda created these programs so that you could have friends to go and travel and see the world with. And John and I feel exactly the same.
Sandra Yancey:
We You can you can actually put it in your business model.
Vikki:
I mean,
Sandra Yancey:
I did. I I wanna see the world, and we wanna see it with great people. And I thought, wow. What would be a great way to do that? And I think I have 24 or 25 people in March after your event at the end of the month going to Cape Town, South Africa and masterminding, while we do an a safari.
Sandra Yancey:
So if you know anything about safaris, you typically get up really early in the morning. So we're gonna do evening safaris that are, you know, covered in tents and listening to the grumbling of the lions Oh, wow. And the communication between the tribes and all while we're masterminding around a bonfire. I mean Amazing. And guards, it's all it's all 5 5 star fully protected Yes.
Sandra Yancey:
Sanctuaries. But, you know, you can I do think that the environments that you put yourself in impact the way you dream? You know, the moonshot that you go for, and, environments are everything. And so I know that the environment that you're creating on March 6th is gonna be really special. It always is.
Sandra Yancey:
Orange County is one of our, top 10 chapters of all of our chapters. It's in our top, 10%. And, amazing businesswomen who've been part of eWomen Network for a really long time. They've become girlfriends of mine, so I always love coming. And, but we're gonna have serious conversation about the little things that can change everything.
Sandra Yancey:
That's what I want you to know. I'm not coming to teach you the big sweeping things. I got that. I got that too. But it's what are all the little threads that put it all together so that you could really see the fruits of your labor.
Sandra Yancey:
You can really reap the rewards of all of your efforts.
Vikki:
I love that. I love that. And I know the first time I came to an eWomen network meeting, a friend said, you've gotta come. So if if you're listening to this and a girlfriend has invited you to come, please do and and take that as Sandra and me nudging you and saying, yeah.
Sandra Yancey:
Yeah. It's
Vikki:
our invitation.
Sandra Yancey:
Yeah. We want you there. Exactly.
Vikki:
It really is your people. That's what I wanna tell you. That's what I found in the room. It was my people. It was who I'd been looking for, not just ideal clients, but power partners, people like you I
Sandra Yancey:
would say share We're not we're not the right environment if you've got a toe in your business. If you got like, you're just dipping your toe in.
Vikki:
Right.
Sandra Yancey:
But if you're all in your business and you just wanna make it better and you wanna have a really great 2025, this is your tribe.
John:
Yes.
Sandra Yancey:
You have to know your circle. You have to know your peeps. Right? Definitely. This is it.
Sandra Yancey:
I mean, that Orange County chapter that, you're the leader of, I mean, it just it couldn't be guided by a better person than you, Vicky. And I'm really, really excited about coming and, spending a powerful day together. It it can change everything. It doesn't you know, your life can change in a matter of a couple of hours, for sure.
Vikki:
It truly can. It truly can.
Sandra Yancey:
Well,
Vikki:
thank you for being with us, Sandra.
Sandra Yancey:
So excited. Been Can't wait to see you. Hug you. Safe.
Vikki:
I can't
Sandra Yancey:
wait to see you. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you for all the and my thoughts, in my prayers, in my everything. You know what I mean?
Sandra Yancey:
I'm Yeah. If you need me or if you know someone that needs me. Okay?
Vikki:
Thank you so much. Thank you. Yeah. We have high winds again today, so it's it's a bit crazy, but, we're excited. That'll be finished by the time you're coming.
Vikki:
And Well, we're on a
Sandra Yancey:
long road to recovery, and I'm part of the recovery. Yeah. You know, I wanna be part of it. You know? And and coming and showing, how people to can rebuild is part of it.
Sandra Yancey:
I had to rebuild. I mean, my business tanked when COVID hit. I was a 100% live event business. And, and it just I was like, 20 years, are you kidding me? And it's over.
Sandra Yancey:
And I had to totally, you know, pick myself, and I didn't know if I wanted to, to be totally honest with you. So if you've had those moments, like, I don't think I can do it, boy, do I get that too. But I want you to know, with the right people surrounding you, the right love, the right support, the right know how, the right directions, you got it. You got it, and we're here to help you every step of the way. You are not alone.
Vikki:
Love that. Love that. Thanks again, Sandra. Have an amazing day, everyone, and go ahead and
Sandra Yancey:
see you.
Vikki:
Yeah. We'll see you New.
Sandra Yancey:
See you. On March 6th.
Vikki:
March 6th. Alright.
Sandra Yancey:
Have a
Vikki:
great one. Bye. Bye, everybody.
Sandra Yancey:
Bye for now.
Vikki:
Thanks for joining us on Dig the Well.
John:
We hope you feel empowered and ready to take on new challenges.
Vikki:
Remember, if we can do it, so can you. Keep learning, keep believing, and going after your dreams.
John:
And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who needs a little inspiration or maybe a nudge in the right direction.
Vikki:
Help us grow this community of go getters. Together, we can achieve greatness and get back to family.
John:
Thanks for listening, and let's keep dating the world.