About us
BrainTrust is about YOU.
BrainTrust is a collective of diverse women business owners intent on using our businesses to build financial independence, wealth, and influence – together. We use our brain trust – our aggregated experience, expertise, access to networks, markets, and capital – to help one another grow and scale. By committing to dedicated monthly meetings, members learn to quickly process issues and opportunities, identify blind spots and pitfalls, develop strategies, and celebrate successes.
Women.
Faster,
Further,
Together.
Our Philosophy.
We believe that experience is the best teacher. By leveraging the lived experiences – successes and failures – of our members, BrainTrust Vaults dramatically shortens the learning curve required to grow and scale. Instead of giving advice, our members commit to listening intently as others share their challenges and opportunities, and then share any relevant experience they have in that regard. Knowing what worked or didn’t work for another in a similar situation is priceless!
What We Value
Our Model
Members are placed in thoughtfully assembled groups of smart, talented women business owners. Your group, known as a Vault™ consists of 5-8 members, each of whom commits to a four-hour monthly meeting in a safe, confidential space. Members are expected to show up to Vault™ meetings prepared and ready to report on the progress of their businesses, current challenges and immediate needs. Those needs are met through the exchange of experiences and the sharing of tools, resources, referrals and recommendations. Your Vault™ will quickly become your lifeline, and your fellow members will become your most trusted supporters and advocates, holding you accountable to your goals for yourself and your business.
Why Braintrust?
Consider the facts.
1100
Women in the US are starting over 1100 businesses a day at the rate of over 47 per hour! That’s more than double the national average for men.
1.7%
Though women are starting more businesses, only 1.7% of women-owned ventures have annual revenues of $1 million or more.
89.5%
The vast majority, 89.5%, of women-owned businesses are not employer organizations – they have no employees other than the owner herself.
The Ground Rules
Thank you for showing up for yourself. To ensure that all BrainTrust members get maximum return on their investment, here are the Ground Rules.
Be present.
Show up. It’s that simple. Vault™ meetings are required. To make that easier, your Vault™ will find a time, date and place that works for everyone. When scheduling conflicts arise, you’ll work together to make the necessary adjustments. It’s your responsibility to communicate those conflicts as soon as possible to ensure a timely resolution. Being present is critical to the success of your Vault™. This is your investment in yourself and your business. Protect it.
Confidentiality
Keep it to yourself. Everything discussed in your Vault™ must be held in the strictest of confidence. You may not share what you heard or discussed with anyone, not even your spouse. Your Vault™ must be a safe place to share your personal and professional challenges and joys.
Punctuality
Be on time. You have agreed to the time and date of your Vault™ meeting, so plan your day accordingly, anticipating traffic and weather, and other obligations so you are ALWAYS on time. Better yet, get there 15 minutes early!
Respect
Treat the members of your Vault the way want to be treated. Remove all distractions. Listen fully and share openly. Be open-minded and curious about other viewpoints. One of the greatest benefits of having a vault is having access to a diverse set of lived experiences.
Why $1M matters?
Why does BrainTrust focus so much on the need for a business to achieve $1M in annual revenue? Because a lot of good happens when you achieve this milestone! It’s not going to be easy…and that’s why only about 2% of women and 7% of men get there. But this is why it matters and why it’s essential to be admitted to the entry-level BrainTrust membership: The Vault.
When you get to $1M you start:
Paying yourself a good salary.
Employing 5-10 employees who are working IN the business so you can work ON the business.
Creating a sustainable business that can help you achieve your long-term financial goals.
Enhancing your creditworthiness so lenders are more likely to approve a loan or Line of Credit to power your business growth.
Attracting investors so your business can scale.
Selective about your clients, bringing on better clients at better rates, helping you achieve your goals sooner.
NEXT STEPS
Ready to Find Your Vault™?
BrainTrust is expanding, but we’re doing so carefully. It’s not about headcount, it’s about impact. If you’re ready to show up for yourself and seriously work on the growth of your business, we invite you to learn more about our community.
