January – Success
Pam Borton, TeamWomenMN Founder and Full-time client of Union Plaza OffiCenter, is our Success feature in January. With Pam’s many years of coaching women’s college basketball and solid leadership skills, she felt a need for an organization to empower women, not only personally, but professionally. Pam created TeamWomenMN with the mission to “inspire, encourage, and support women in reaching their full potential”. For more on Pam Borton and TeamWomenMN, read on.
Every business has a story, tell us yours.
TeamWomenMN was formed in the summer of 2011 after Pam Borton spoke at the Mspl/St.Paul Buiness Journal awards luncheon honoring top women in the Twin Cities. Pam was encouraged by the women award winners to start a group where women supported women. We have a well-established mentoring program, sold out networking events, an annual leadership conference, and professional development clinics. We formed our first board of directors from the women who received awards that day and initial team members. We are excited about what 2015 holds as we are expanding our events and opportunities for all women.
You were chosen as this month’s Success Client. Tell us about your most recent Success.
Hiring a full time Executive Director is huge for this organization. Our events over the past 6 months have been sold out and we have grown like wild fire in the past 7 months.
No one likes to brag about their business, but if you HAD TO . . .
We are a non-profit first. We are very proud of the growth and it has become the premiere professional women’s organization in the Twin Cities. The quality, our growth and the people who are involved in this organization are what we’re proud of. We have become a big Team!
We learn from our mistakes, especially in business. Give us some words of wisdom.
Take risks but it is very important to ask a lot of questions and listen. We all have much to learn but we need to slow down at times. Find a balance between speed and thinking things through. Continue to network. Staying relevant and visible is a must for any business. Lastly, develop relationships, people must trust you.
Share the best advice you ever received.
Always do the right thing. The only thing you have is your integrity. Once you lose that – you’ve lost everything.
Describe your perfect day off.
Sleep in, a long work out, and spend the rest of the day outside in the sunshine with friends – it doesn’t matter what we are doing because it will be fun.
What might someone be surprised to know about you?
Right before I took the University of Minnesota coaching job in 2002 (Gopher Women’s basketball) I had applied to go into the FBI and was in their Top group of candidates. I took the test and passed and then I was offered the Minnesota job and obviously decided to stay in coaching for another 12 years. But, I always wonder what it would have been like but then I would have never experienced a Final Four!
Together we are stronger. Tell us something you like about being our client.
Feels like a family atmosphere, friendly staff, great facilities, first class amenities, and services.
If you could work anywhere under the sun, where would you choose?
The location never mattered to me – it was all about the people and the culture of the organization. First-class people, hard working, same values, great mission, and great leadership is a must.
How can people CONNECT with you?
I am available anytime by phone or email. I am out meeting with people most days and growing the business. I also started my own company – Pam Borton Partners where I am an Executive and Global Leadership Coach and Consultant and Keynote Speaker. pam@pambortonpartners.com or 612.418.7776.
