Carla Bailey — mom, business owner, community leader — is one of the most connected women in the Hampton Roads area. As CEO of USA Backgrounds Incorporated, her devotion to business and community is driven by a love for her family. To me, this alone gives her the WOW! Factor. Please take a minute to learn what you can from Carla Bailey, Woman who WOWS!
What ONE THING do you think gives a woman the "WOW" factor?
I enjoy being with women who are so confident, that they simply expect positive outcomes to their challenges. They have the capacity, influence, and leverage connections to solve big problems.
What three female celebrities do you think we could learn from – and what ONE sentence lesson do they teach us?
Oprah Winfrey – has the gift of articulating her power and the power that is in all of us, unlike anyone I have ever heard. She is connected to her power and she understands that she can do anything with it. She choose to do “good”, and that is how I believe we get to the next level of power and influence that is granted by the all mighty. Angelina Jolie – is who I would consider and example of a humble “Woman Warrior.” The paparazzi captures and tracks her fame, beauty, and money, but her choices to go into the most horrific, dangerous, and poorest places on earth to help the destitute, is her “real truth” and her profound purpose. Harriett Tubman – we all know the story; but when think about the courage of this woman, and her skill-set to build relationships and establish multi- state operations to see her mission through, in those times… is mind blowing. She selflessly risked her life, time and time again to bring her people out of captivity into freedom. How can any woman fear or lack the courage to do anything in the United States of America in 2012 when you read her story?
What is the most important lesson you learned from YOUR Mom?
My mother encouraged me to be independent and to be an independent thinker. In that, it has helped me in my role as a wife and mother. I am encouraged and aware of my commitment to my family’s successes and growth. I understand that I have a “place” in my family; and it is to love hard, create safe forward thinking intellectual environments, empower, exhibit excellence, and to create the “standard”.
If women could instantly emulate ONE trait, habit or skill set that YOU possess, which trait, habit or skill set should it be?
I am not afraid to get out of my comfort zone. It is my opinion, that when you are out of your comfort zone, it presents opportunities for growth. Get into circles with individuals who can elevate you to new and higher levels of personal and professional growth. There are things you will see and learn that you many not ever have learned within your own “comfy” circles. I can learn from almost anyone, even a fool; I can learn how not to be one. Remember to be comfortable in who you are, and do not place so much importance in those who are around you that you allow them to make you uncomfortable or nervous. Strangers respect power and confidence, not fear.
What ONE success tip or strategy can you leave us with?
Be a problem solver. When you live a life solving problems you possess the following: The ability to be kind and loving The ability to influence You serve mankind You have empathy for those who lack You are provided with unforeseeable resources You grow to higher levels of purpose and success
