Let's Connect with Donna Knutson...

Recently, I stumbled upon the MOST AMAZING community on LinkedIn.?

It is a place where people connect freely, support each other, engage in posts of their new connections, help them build their profiles, find jobs, do virtual coffee chats, and create a community.?

Founded by the fantastic Victoria Tokarz, #SocialSaturday is now a force on LinkedIn. Through this community, I have met some incredible humans who deserve to be seen! Our lives would all be better by knowing a bit about them.?

As a writer, I am starting my humans of LinkedIn project. Each Friday I highlight another up-and-coming professional that I have connected with.?

I am having a blast meeting these talented people. I hope you do too!?

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Donna reached out to me after Social Saturday, and I share her message to highlight how easy it is to connect with others on LinkedIn.

“ Last Saturday was my first round of Social Saturday. It was amazing. I know I won't be able to do it every weekend, but it has wonderful value in allowing people to interact as they would at a cocktail hour or in-person event.? Thank you for connecting. Here is my scheduler. I hope you can find a few minutes to chat.”?

Simple and straightforward and she became one of my first coffee chats!?

Donna is one of those magical people that help others write their stories. She has a presence about her that makes you want to tell her your life story - which I will neither confirm or deny I did. :)?

She is a wealth of information and really helped me gain clarity on some things in my life. She also became a mom late in life like me, adopting at 43! I can guarantee that your life will be better just by having a chat with her. And if you think you have a story to tell - definitely reach out to her!?

I so enjoyed this interview with Donna Knutson!

Who are you??

When I was 16 years old, I knew everything.?

By the time I graduated from college, I was in debt. I had no job, and I moved back home with my mother. I got a great education, but I didn’t know very much about life as it happens in practice or as we say “in the real world.”.

What I’ve learned over the years is this pattern just keeps repeating itself.?

When I was in my 30s, I was a pretty good TV news producer and newsroom manager.

I had no husband, no kids, and no parents.

When I was in my 40s, I was a pretty good wife and mother.

Then, my kid entered the teenage years. You could not find a worse parent if you tried.

Now, I’m in my 50s. My last job search revealed that means I’m “unhirable” in some circles. So, I am on a journey to use all those high-level skills, my acquired “real world knowledge”, and the compassion that comes with wisdom, to become the best entrepreneur I can be.

It’s a wicked learning curve.?

What are you proud of - successes?

• Helping my authors create their best manuscripts is rewarding. I get so much satisfaction when they read their work and cry with pride and accomplishment.?Writing is vulnerable. You’re putting yourself in a position to be judged.?
• I am most proud of the moments my authors have told me that I’ve helped them regain their confidence in their abilities.?I have one author who was told as a child that she would never amount to anything. I can’t imagine why an adult would say something like that to a kid. Those words were crippling. This author writes the most relatable stories. She writes all the time. She’s been an author for years, but thanks to those crippling words, she never imagined herself as good enough to be an author.?

Here’s my joy.?She carried two copies of her book into a small bookstore. As she pitched her book to the store owner, a customer came by, picked up the second copy, read it. and announced she would buy it.?The owner changed his order from, “I can only take one or two copies,” to “I’ll buy as many copies as you have in your car.” Witnessing the confidence and pride that now fill this woman is why I love my job.

What services do you offer??

Well, it costs $50,000 or more to have someone write your book for you. When that financial reality sets in, I think a lot of folks just give up on their dreams. Not having the funds to have your story professionally written should not keep you from writing your book. You can do it. You probably need some advice and guidance. That’s where I come in. I help guide people to write their own stories.

I believe almost everyone can tell their own story. Fear and overwhelm, not knowing where or how to start, and limiting beliefs and negative self-talk hold people back from writing.?

I help authors break through these obstacles. I provide a blueprint or roadmap so they know where their story begins, how it progresses, and how it will end.?

I help them fill in the missing pieces so they can confidently write their story.

Cheerleading. Yes. Everyone needs support and encouragement.

Accountability. Yes. When the going gets tough we often are bumped off track. This is when a call or email can prevent wasting time on a diversion, or worse, frustration and self-doubt. I have check-ins with my authors every Friday.

Favorite quote??

Most transformation book??

The Prophet ~ Khalil Gibran

Favorite person/guru you follow and why??

Ash Shukla ~ Financial Chakras He helped me use chakra knowledge to open my writing business. He uses the wisdom of chakras to help people manage their money in line with their energetic flow.

Advice you would give someone starting out on LinkedIn or in networking?

Give it a try.

?It’s what we say to our kids all the time. Eat this new food. Pedal on this bike that only has two wheels. Jump in the water.?

Now it’s your turn. Post something about yourself. Talk about what you do and why. Make a video, post your picture, and share your contact information.?

It is just as terrifying for us (adults) as it is for them (kids) sometimes. But we have just as much to gain by connecting with supportive people, growing as humans, and expanding our businesses.

My Linkedin family can ask anyone who wants to tell their story to contact me and set up a chat.

Telling stories is one of the most natural ways to make a connection with another person.?

If you’re having trouble connecting with clients, tell your story.

If people keep saying, “you should really tell your story,” chances are they’re already connecting with your experiences. You already have a potential reader for your book.

Anything else you want to say??

I am all about making deeper connections. Yes, I’ll click off a like here and there, but I prefer to respond less often, but with more reflection.?

If you want to chat, all of my contact info is on my profile. Send me a message. I’d love to learn more about what you do, your dreams and goals, and why you love your work.