Description

Barbie Parsons (OK, Barbie the Welder) created a movement.

It didn't start that way.

Barbie had a moment, one of those "I knew right then..." things when she decided welding was her thing. At first it was about pursuing her passion.

Her movement? Trades are cool.

Barbie has always marched to her own drum. She's brilliant, passionate, and more importantly, 100% true to herself.

She stood the entire time we talked, coffee cup in hand, and shared the fears and challenges of starting your own business and balancing the work with the art.

And I loved every minute of it.

She apprenticed as a welder, learned the craft and paid her dues, but then she took it next level. Barbie's work is breathtaking and she does it by feel, look, and raw talent.

Key Takeaways for Leaders and Entrepreneurs:

1. Outsource. Barbie learned early on that for her business to scale she had to bring in outside help. One of her best moves: Someone to handle her video and social channels.
2. The art of self-promotion, without losing your soul. Barbie's presence on social media feels genuine, her content is there to entertain, impress and help you appreciate art and craft. She recognizes this self promotion puts food on the table, but that's it, it's part of her job, not to drive her ego.
3. Do quality work, promote it, and more work will follow. Barbie rarely looks for work now, people come to her.

Barbie's Eating Crow Moment:

• Ditching the traditional path for her passion. College, the big job, etc. Those things weren't for Barbie and aren't for many people. Thankfully Barbie has shown the way for other incredibly talented people to forgo the norm and pursue careers in trades, crafts, etc. - the backbone of our country.

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