Welcome to the Hot Mommas Project Learning Series where we showcase a Hot Mommas Project case selected by a student team member or guest. The series is targeted toward educators and leadership groups seeking authentic role models in addition to business/career lessons. A complementary podcast accompanies each blog post. Episodes feature interviews with Hot Mommas Project founder Kathy Korman Frey and student contributors.
Student contributor: Rachel Roizen, a GW student and Hot Mommas Project team member.
Featured case: Brenda Rhodes’ “CEO – Actress – Producer – Mom and Lover!”
In her case Rhodes elaborates on her several attempts at entrepreneurialism and how she came to run a $300 million business. She also discusses her background and her involvement in acting and producing.
Brenda Rhodes was the 1st Runner Up in the 2008-2009 Hot Mommas Project Global Case Competition!
Case themes include: scaling a company, finding your talents, family business, addiction, overcoming challenge, relationships, self confidence.
Case excerpt and discussion starter by Rachel Roizen:
“Good Grief! Where is he?
“Of course they didn’t say it exactly like that. They asked “Is he here yet?” “What time does class start?” or “Do you know where he is?”
Yes, I knew where he was! My father was in his crappy little apartment undoubtedly sleeping off last nights’ drunk, counting on me to wake him, even though I’d already called him at least a dozen times. It must have been a doozy of a night, since he hadn’t responded, so I headed over to drag him out of bed.
He didn’t answer the door. When I finally was able to gain entry through the landlord’s son, I saw why my father was late, and it wasn’t because he was hung-over. It was because he was dead. On the bathroom floor. “
The above passage is the startling opening of Brenda Galilee Rhodes’ case. After reading this intro for the first time, my immediate thought was, “How in the world does an individual not only get through an experience like that, but manage to find extreme success and happiness in the future?” Brenda did not just lose a parent the day she found her father dead, she lost her friend and her business partner.
Brenda’s case goes on to explain how she broke into the technical recruiting industry, was fired by a boss who was certain she was only good at her position in a “small company”, went on to start her own $300 million dollar company (I’m sure her boss is still kicking himself for firing her!), and finally began a career in acting. I was struck by the way Brenda explained the position she was in when her father passed away- she was broke, confused, and had two daughters to take care of. Instead of feeling hopeless and settling into a dead-end job to pay the bills, she approached the future with a drive to succeed and an admirable determination. Brenda refused to listen when her boss set limits on what she was capable of achieving, breaking the glass ceiling that had been placed above her. By later moving into a career in acting, she once again proves that anything is possible and that no one can put limits on your dreams.
Brenda is an inspiration to anyone who has felt trapped by their circumstances or by others opinions. Her story is proof that success is possible in any field, at any age- as long as you are willing to fight for it. I was truly moved by her ability to step into the drivers seat and take control of her future, and her willingness to follow her passions despite the risks.
I was honored to have the opportunity to read a portion of Ms. Rhodes case at the Hot Momma’s case study awards ceremony, and for those of you who have not read it, I highly recommend reading Ms. Rhodes case, or any of our other Hot Mommas Project cases by going to www.hotmommasproject.org. Or, if you know any dynamic women, nominate them as Hot Mommas at support@hotmommasproject.org.
Summary:
To use Hot Mommas Project cases in a learning, training, or bookclub environment:
- Read this blog post and Rhodes’ case, “CEO – Actress – Producer – Mom and Lover!“
- Discuss!
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