Meet Natalie Born: Founder, Inventor, Podcaster, and Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Natalie Born and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Natalie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Before becoming a founder, I worked in Technology within Corporate America for 20 years. I noticed a trend in business; if you lacked leadership and innovation you would not last very long. To me, leadership is not about a position or title; it’s about collaboration and transformation at all levels of your business. When people leave you they should be better than when they came, more confident in their craft or more sure of where their true leadership skills reside. The ingenuity and drive required to lead and innovate are requiring a higher level of EQ and collaboration at all levels of the organization. For me, this is what birthed Innovation Meets Leadership. Out of Innovation Meets Leadership, I created a thought leadership platform with podcasts, videos, and blogs that really lean into this way of leading through these two lenses. On the podcast, we explore some of these harder areas of innovation and leadership, encourage people not to just get out of the box but break the box and set it on fire. Transformation doesn’t happen through thinking the way we have always thought and doing what we have always done.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I want to encourage anyone looking to open up their own business. As a consultant, it was not easy to begin and the biggest thing that holds you back from starting your own business is fear and education. So go educate yourself. Talk to other founders and do your research. Then once you get understanding it’s time to decide if you are ready to take the leap. No one is ever fully ready to begin and that’s where the fear enters. If you are certain that you want to take the path you are on, no regrets create a plan and launch your business. As humans, we spend way too much time second-guessing ourselves and dealing with fear and insecurity. I like to use the rule of 3 in business. If I have put my plan in front of 3 successful trusted advisors and they have all given me a thumbs up; then I am going to run with the idea. I believe there is safety in a multitude of counselors especially in the early days of your business, At each point of growth in your business the advisors that surround you may need to change but advisors are a critical part of the journey – that and faith!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
So I am a foodie and I love trying new spots here a few of my favorites: – Two Urban Licks – Go for the ambiance and stay for the food the salmon chips and lamb lollipops are amazing
– Gunshow – Many chefs creating different creations each night it’s an innovator’s dream. This is one of my favorite restaurant concepts
– The Optimist – You must try to octopus.
– Bacchanalia – A delicious take on cuisine. We always go here when it’s a special occasion.

Piedmont Park is a great place to hang out for the day.

If you are looking to venture outside of the parameter hanging out in Suwanee or Duluth town centers gives you a lot of choices. So just park and walk around. If you are in Duluth stop by the Falling Rabbit for dinner.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am grateful for the influence of my parents on my life. My mother was the first female entrepreneur I saw in action. When I was young she started her own modeling agency. She ran both the business and the creative side. I saw her juggle work, being a wife, raising me and my brother. She really influenced what I thought women were capable of and what I thought was possible in my own life. My dad always encouraged me to remove the lid I placed on myself. He always says “open your mind, it opens your possibilities”. His influence led me into the field of technology and innovation.

Website: innovationmeetsleadership.com

Instagram: @innovationmeetsleadership

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-born-mba-pmp-csm-68bab4/

Twitter: @nataliemborn

Facebook: @innovationmeetsleadeship

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCptCkKBF_VfCXFnifyHzrhg/featured

Other: Podcast: https://anchor.fm/natalie-born

Image Credits
Renee Jael