For this week’s edition of FinanciElle “$tatements”, I had the opportunity to interview Ashley Beaudin, Founder of The Imperfect Boss. We talked profit, purpose, community and how embracing your imperfectness is a super power for your business.

The Imperfect Boss is on a mission to make imperfect normal. They have a vision to see tens of thousands of women connect genuinely, grow wholeheartedly and lead boldly.

Paolina: What has been your hardest experience dealing with your business and money/finance and what did you learn?

Ashley:

There have been many; but, I would say one of the biggest ones for me, has been learning how to be profitable. I am very driven by vision and impacting people and profitability has not always been high on my list of priorities. I have absolutely lived the months where you don’t know if it’s all going to come together or if you can pay your rent. It was through those periods that I was able to really anchor myself in my why, learn to trust myself and my own journey and re-write my story so that I can be purposeful and profitable.

Paolina: What’s your top tip for creating and leading an engaged, profitable, and impactful community?

Ashley:

My top tip for creating and leading powerhouse communities is to create a clear and compelling message. The most engaged communities are the ones that are built on a solid message. That message will not only draw people to your community, but will empower you to become known for that message in your sphere of influence.

Paolina: To me community is all about meaning and purpose, what is your opinion on combining purpose and profit and what would your advice be to someone who may be struggling with that idea?

Ashley:

It can be a struggle sometimes when we are people who are truly driven by purpose. We can carry stories around not being able to earn money doing what we really love or if it’s purposeful, then it can’t be profitable. But those are just stories. And any story can be undone, re-learned, let go of. It just takes the courage to go within and create a new experience.

Paolina: The striving for perfection thing seems to largely be something that women do, in your opinion, how does embracing your imperfectness; actually helps you in your business, because I think it does?

Ashley:

Embracing your imperfections is a superpower for your business.

Here’s why, it helps you:

• Take action faster
• Start projects easier
• Connect with people in a genuine and authentic way
• Grow personally which will only impact your business in consequence

Embracing your imperfections is a way to ensure that all of you is confidently yourself, so that you can show up and do what you do best.

Read about what Ashley has to say about Money, Shame & Being Creative on The Imperfect Boss Blog. To find out more about The Imperfect Boss Camp, watch the Camp Documentary.

I’m super excited to hear Ashley Speak at the GEM Conference on May 30th. You know there will be a massive blog post after the event so stay tuned!