We were lucky to catch up with Sheryl Tullis recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Sheryl, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
Confidence and self-esteem go hand in hand with challenges and problem solving. In my experience, nothing breeds confidence like overcoming obstacles, pressing through predicaments, and forging a path forward. The antidote to fear is action.
I was raised as a fairly free-range Gen Xer, so I learned early to be self-sufficient, to navigate by bike or public transportation, and to keep myself entertained. I did have boundaries – kudos to my parents – but I also had encouragement to try new things. My parents must have planted the growth mindset seed early, because I was rarely bored; I developed a consistent pattern of pushing the envelope, quite often scaring myself.
What I’ve found is that the moment before a big leap is the scary part. Once I jump into something, I’m immersed and too busy figuring out what’s next to be afraid. And when I succeed, it builds confidence that I can tackle the next thing, and the next.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
The Line Bike Experience is on a mission to make riding bikes more accessible than ever. We built The Line to bridge a gap we saw in the bike industry and help more people enjoy the great outdoors — even if they don’t own a bike. We provide quality equipment right at the point of use, and friendly staff to help guide them to the trails that will give them the best experience. From cycling enthusiasts seeking new adventures, to families and first-timers looking for a fun day outside, The Line helps riders of all levels ride the right bike, in the right place, with the right support.
Our Trailhead Rental Kiosks are a game changer. Customers can park at the trailhead, walk up to our staff, get fitted and set up, and pedal on world-class singletrack or gravel trails in minutes. Unlike self-serve rentals or downtown pick-ups, The Line’s Trailhead Rental Kiosks are staffed by riders who know the gear, the trails, and how to set up riders for success. Our reviews underscore the friendly experience that welcomes riders of all skill levels.
We have an array of great gravel, cargo, youth, and e-bikes to rent, demo, and buy. From custom setups and full-service repairs and rebuilds to suspension coaching, clinics, and community-focused events, we’re changing the game. Whether you’re just giving the sport a try, or you want to level up your skills, we’re here to help everyone rediscover the joy and freedom of exploring on two wheels.
Learn more at https://theline.bike.
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?
Adaptability: the ability to quickly pivot and change course is crucial in today’s dynamic world. Being comfortable with change requires developing skills to assess a situation, consider options, select a path, and execute quickly – all while incorporating new information and iterating. This is something the Army taught me and it has served me well through turbulent corporate life.
Curiosity: a thirst to learn more is a lynchpin for career growth and continuous improvement. Ask for projects that teach you a new skill or a new side of the business. To cultivate curiosity, ask more questions, dive deeper into the data, observe how your leaders make decisions, and gather points of view, like a bee gathering pollen to transform into golden honey.
Servant Leadership: business is based on filling needs and providing value – to customers, to the organization, to employees. The best leaders I worked with prioritized these needs by removing barriers, empowering team members, fostering collaboration, and nurturing growth. They created a thriving culture and inspired shared purpose.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
All along my journey, I’ve had people who believed in me, sometimes more than I believed in myself.
My Parents who expected straight A’s and scholarships, but mostly for me to be a good person
The 2nd Grade Teacher who let me lead reading groups (my first leadership role!)
The West Point Professor who nominated me for a life-changing internship writing speeches for General Colin Powell
The Director who asked me to create the first e-commerce business at P&G
The P&G CEO who introduced me to his wife, a force of nature who modeled fierce advocacy for women.
The Private Equity Owners who approved a pioneering program to train transitioning veterans for tech roles, and supported the team through the bumps
The Chairman who made me a CMO
The other Chairman who invited me to my first Board role
The Author/Speaker/Consultant/Coach who trusted me to be part of his brand
The Founder who invited me to be his Cofounder
My Husband who encouraged and supported me through it all
I am humbly, intensely grateful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thenextstage.co/
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/sheryl/
