We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alan Goodman. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alan below.
Alan, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
My parents goal was to raise children who were educated and confident with a heart for service. They raised my siblings and I with a focus on education, social justice and cultural awareness. They fought to get us enrolled in the best schools in Pennsylvania and provided opportunities for our personal growth through church and other clubs and activities. My Alma Mater Hampton University, an HBCU, served to build me up and prepare achieve in a world in which the higher I ascend in my chosen career path, the higher the probability that I would be the only one in the room like me. Once I realized that I deserved to be in the room as much (and sometimes more) than everyone else, it became easier to work with my peers without a hint of insecurity. I could be freely creative in communicating my point of view and providing my opinion and guidance on issues discussed in group. Additionally, my advice is to become an expert in at least one area or discipline. You can position yourself as a Leader in that area and instantly establish your credibility among your peers.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am the Founder of A Goodman’s Desserts. I honor my ancestors – My Mom, Godmother and Aunt – for trusting me with the family recipes that I use in my business. Baking is like art: I share items that I created and are very personal to me. In return I receive feedback, some of it immediate, from the consumers of my creation. Baking is a very vulnerable, and sometimes lonely profession, where you share a part of yourself with every customer. For me, that makes this journey of expanding my business both exciting and challenging. My goal is to expand my business and continue to work with larger customers in the entertainment and leisure space as well as partnering with a food company to increase visibility in the food industry.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Faith, Relationships and Patience. I’m a Christian and I believe in the power of prayer. I pray about my business and look for guidance on which path to follow as I grow my business. God has open doors for me and I have to have the faith to pursue these opportunities. In my 20+ years in corporate America and now in business ownership, the constant key to success is the relationship that are established and nurtured. Relationships open up possibilities that are unknown to me. And these relationships can unlock connections to new business opportunities. it is important to have someone to speak well of you in the rooms in which you are not present. If you are not comfortable speaking and networking, connect with a coach or mentor to help you with your elevator speech and other tips for effective communication. Patience is required on any business owner journey. It can take 5-7 years or longer to establish a well run business. Larger opportunities can take longer to materialize and solidify and patience is required. Your journey is your journey. Don’t compare yourself or your business to others.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
My parents had a clear idea of what they wanted for myself and my siblings. They wanted us to have an outstanding education, to have an understanding of how our society works while maintaining a knowledge of our culture. They wanted us to go further than they did in our education and careers. The plan was to instill a long lasting confidence in us to allow us to succeed in this society no matter which obstacles presented themselves to block our progress. And most importantly, they supported us all along the journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://agoodmansdesserts.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agoodmansdesserts/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/agmdesserts
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alandgoodman
Image Credits
The Milwaukee Business Journal, Connie Jo Belle (Levy)
