Why I wear Red!

When I started my business over 25 years ago, very few people knew what a business coach was. When I said I was a coach, I was asked, “What sport?”

So, in order to get clients and to become known, I networked. I networked everywhere. I lived in the Philadelphia area, and there were several Chamber of Commerce groups within an hour of my home office. In addition to several Chambers, I also attended ABWA, NAWBO, and regional networking associations. I loved it, and I got to meet many people and talked about coaching.

I remember going to the Main Line Chamber of Commerce which was in a suburb of Philadelphia. I met several nice people and decided that I would go back. Well, the following month, I went back to the Main Line Chamber meeting. A man approached me and said, “Phyllis, where’s your red suit?” Red suit? I was wearing a blue suit. He said, “I remember you from last month, and you had a red suit on. I’m a publisher of a business magazine. Why don’t you write an article for it?” I said, “I’m a speaker, not a writer.” He said, "Take one of your speeches, and turn it into an article.” Well, I submitted an article, which he liked, and he ended up publishing 36 articles of mine over a three year period. So, he published my articles, because he remembered my red suit. Well, from that day forward, when I go to a business function, I always wear red. I’ve had 2 red cars, and my business card and website have been primarily red. Red became my brand.

When I speak at a Bar Association or conference, I often get emails reading, “I’m looking for the lady in red.”

This year, I joined a national networking organization. The meetings are mostly on Zoom. It’s been six months since I have been attending meetings, and of course, I always wear red on Zoom. Do you have a way to set yourself apart from others in your profession? Do you have a unique way of introducing yourself at a meeting? Please share your stories with me. And, remember, please look for me at a networking event. I will be in red.