We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Wendy Zook a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Wendy, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
First of all, I know a lot of people say this but it’s true 100% for me — I never imagined, even in my biggest and boldest dreams, that I would be doing what I’m doing now. Nurturing a community and leading a brand-new nonprofit organization in transition wasn’t even on my radar.
However, I believe that my journey to now perfectly set me up to succeed where I am today. I once was a struggling entrepreneur with imposter syndrome, doubt, overwhelm and loneliness — and now, those are the people the Rising Tide Society team hopes to empower and support in every decision we make. I once alternated from side hustle to part time to full-time small business owner, most definitely winging it and usually reacting instead of being proactive — and now, we hope that our community provides all the “aha” moments I once wish I had had. There’s so much power and joy in being in a room, in-person or virtually, with other people who “get it” — who get ALL of it.
My purpose becomes much clearer, too, with every success story that is born out of discussions and meetups within our community — every match between a florist and flower farm owner; every time lifelong friends are born out of a chat on social media at a coffee shop; every time the newbie business owner becomes the sturdy mentor for others. Every time I hear someone share “My life is better because of Rising Tide; my business is more successful because of this community,” I am reminded of my “why.”
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
The Rising Tide Society is in the midst of an exciting transitional season.
Our 2023, 8 years after our founding to connect and empower small business owners, started with a sudden transition when we separated from our former partner. This meant an end to our financial support and the shift away from a paid team that had been supporting our community.
It took less than five days for the volunteer regional leaders of our community to communicate, loudly and strongly, that they did not want the community to end and that they and their members still saw immense value in this home for small business owners. And so, 2023 saw Rising Tide Society become a nonprofit organization with a Board of Directors, Executive Director and formation of multiple committees and subcommittees behind the scenes to keep things going.
If 2023 was our year of transition, 2024 has been our year of creating processes and adapting even more to the community our members are telling us they need. We now have the freedom to dream outside of the box and change some things for the better. 2025 will undoubtedly be our best year yet — with returning and new programming and more opportunities for small business owners around the world to feel supported, connected, empowered.
As the Rising Tide Society’s first Executive Director, a title I wear humbly and with great joy and honor, I am focusing on creating strong processes behind the scenes and nurturing our more than 30 *volunteer* team members who share their talents in everything from our website and social media to our marketing and copywriting and education. We’re focusing more than ever on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, thanks to our partnership with external expert Abbiola Ballah; we’re also recognizing the unique aspects of our non-U.S. chapters and members and how to best take care of them.
The thing that lights me up the most in my work with Rising Tide these days is the way that we are, for the first time ever, truly creating a community for our members and by our members — we’re listening to and growing from EVERY bit of feedback and we’re working really hard to create a team behind the scenes that also feels joy in what they do and how they support our community. We have big, big dreams.
The best way someone can support us these days — in addition to volunteering behind the scenes or leading a regional chapter — is by becoming a financial partner, affiliate sponsor or foundational donor to our community — we’re so excited by the people who are raising their hands to support us and show their belief in us through gifts that allow us to keep supporting our community
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?
1. Listening. I believe very strongly that the best leaders listen more than they talk. I have always been an observer and a storyteller and I think that those qualities make me more empathetic, creative and impactful in my own leadership.
2. Being a Role Model. In my opinion, it’s easier to follow someone and be inspired by someone when they walk the walk, I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty; I don’t believe any task is too small for anyone; I also want to show compassion and grace and patience every chance I get.
3. Take care of myself. If I take care of myself, my team and those in my world hopefully also will take care of themselves. I am honest when I’m close to overwhelm or burnout and I loudly proclaim my care for myself. I take regular time off, I do “me” things when I can and I talk to those around me often about taking care of themselves.
I have done a lot of personal growth to get myself to a place where taking care of myself is always a top priority. I’m a better mom to my kids when I am feeling fulfilled and rested. I’m a better partner when I’m taking care of myself. And I’m definitely a better teammate and leader when I’m not pouring from an empty cup. I’ve learned the importance of pausing before reacting and I know there are times when I have to ask myself “is this about me” or “Is this about xyz?” None of this is easy but all of this is important. To be the best in your field, you have to be the best YOU and you have to be the best TO YOU. I believe this with all of my heart.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Rising Tide Society is seeking partners and collaborators currently who believe in being good humans and nurturing small business owners and are excited to support our community either through financial gifts or partnership OR through educational opportunities.
We are looking for sponsors of our DEIB expert — someone or some great humans who believe that a more diverse and more inclusive community is important — we would want this sponsor to be a part of the conversations, too.
We’re also looking for sponsors for regional meetups we hope to hold throughout the US, Canada and Europe in 2025 — people who could also provide education at said meetups by speaking or sharing resources.
In 2025, we’re also seeking quarterly webinar speakers and future podcast guests. We’ll be welcoming guest blogs in 2025, too.
We’re most excited by people or teams who work with or understand creatives, entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Anyone who is interested can reach out to me at [email protected].
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.risingtidesociety.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/risingtidesociety/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/therisingtidesociety
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rising-tide-society
Image Credits
Virginia Johnston
Brittanny Taylor
Meredith Longo
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
