We had the good fortune of connecting with Denise Liebetrau and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Denise, how do you think about risk?
Risk-taking is an essential component of being a successful entrepreneur. I took a risk when I left the comfort of being an employee at a large global company to start my business. Leaving the security of a paycheck and the benefits felt like stepping off a cliff. But I know that I am resourceful, decisive, and willing to ask for help.
I embrace the lessons I have learned from my mistakes and use that knowledge to do better as I move forward. Risk, for those who value safety and security, can be terrifying. And the desire for autonomy, freedom, and ease can be used to overcome fear. The reality is that fear never goes away. I have learned to act anyway when I am afraid and that even the smallest of steps can lead to better.
Here are some of the lessons I have learned related to risk. Embrace lifelong learning. Let go of perfection. Ask for help from the experts. Invest in yourself. Just take the first step. And then the next. And then the next. Don’t let the opinion of others stop you. Slow and steady wins the race. Don’t give up.
What should our readers know about your business?
As a business consultant, I specialize in collaborating with leaders to grow revenue and improve profitability through pay and performance solutions. With more than 25 years of experience as a leader in the design and implementation of compensation and rewards programs, I know what to do to attract and retain the employees leaders need to achieve their business goals.
My focus is on understanding the pain points of C-suite leaders so I can partner with them on solutions that pay employees competitively and that are aligned with the company’s budget. I also focus on designing incentives that reward employees for exceptional performance. My zone of genius is communicating the pay programs in a way that helps employees understand what is in it for them when they perform the activities that drive business success.
Of course, I’ve had struggles like most entrepreneurs. I had to learn to take my Fortune 500 experience and shift my thinking to that of a small business. I had to master marketing, sales, and the operational aspects of running my business. I hired coaches and invested in myself. I had to learn to let go of perfection and say “yes” to good enough.
I had to learn that a calendar filled with meetings wasn’t a sign of success. Revenue and profitability are priority number one and that makes me empathetic to all my business clients who have the same focus. I care deeply about my clients and their success. I want to simplify their approach to delivering pay that is fair, equitable, and competitive.
I also had to learn what my ideal client values and create deliverables that solve their pain points. I partner with business leaders to tell their pay story so that it motivates exceptional performance across their teams. And I help leaders use their emotional intelligence to become self-aware and communicate what is critical to achieve in a way that inspires action from their teams. It isn’t always easy, but it is incredible to see the difference after partnering to design a pay and performance solution that becomes a multiplier for success.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’d take them to the Meow Wolf and then out to eat at Sam’s No 3 Downtown. I would also make a trip up to Grand Lake to enjoy the mountains, lake, and Rocky Mountain National Park. After a couple days there, I would introduce them to some of the great hiking spots on the west side of Denver. If they liked sports, we would choose a baseball, hockey, football, soccer, lacrosse, basketball, or rugby game. And, we would spend time relaxing at my home cooking, catching up, and relaxing on the back patio.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to give a shoutout to my family for teaching me the value of persistence and hard work. To my clients, thank you for teaching me what you care about and for giving me the opportunity to help your businesses grow through the attraction and retention of great employees. To my kids, thanks for motivating me to get out of bed each day to see you grow, learn, and become the best version of yourselves. To my friends, thanks for being there when I need support and for forgiving my sometimes long absences from your life when I need to focus on other priorities. And finally, to the love of my life, thank you for being the best part of each day.
Website: https://prosperconsultingllc.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deniseliebetrau/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dliebetrau/
Image Credits
Benjamin Skigen Photography