Megan Constantino on the Fast Leader Show

Megan Constantino Show Notes

Megan Constantino decided to go on national television to share one of the most un-cool, un-sexy things you could think about. Being completely driven by God, she and her husband Frank decided to go on the Steve Harvey to share their struggles with infertility and it made all the difference for them. Listen to Megan’s story of courage and getting over several humps.

Megan was born and raised in Beckley, West Virgina with her older sister. And as a young girl Megan was best known for talking.
Megan has networked since birth so a career in public relations flowed naturally. But bigger than business, she believes anything is possible with God’s will and relentless hard work.

With His help, Megan has overcome some unique life challenges including conquering an eating disorder as well as infertility. Her and her husband shared their journey in marriage and parenthood very publicly to create awareness and hope for others in similar situations. This included national media interviews such as being guest on The Steve Harvey show and an article in Parade Magazine.

Megan’s life experiences have instilled a perspective in her of confidence and courage, making anything possible. She has a life mission to help others reach higher.

Megan is the Chief Creative Officer of Parachute Partners. For more than a decade Megan has helped to build brands through marketing, public relations, business acceleration strategies, social media strategies, advertising, branding, event planning, and product placement.

She’s been responsible for marketing and public relations for a host of organizations across a range of industries including higher education, sports, non-profits, established corporations, and startups. Her clients have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Inc., Entrepreneur, Women’s Health, Parade Magazine, BBC, as well as television shows such as The Steve Harvey Show.

Megan now resides in St. Petersburg, Florida, as the proud wife of Frank and mother to Blake, their miracle 18 month-old son.

Tweetable Quotes and Mentions

Listen to @ParachuteMeg and get over the hump on the @FastLeaderShow Click to Tweet

“It’s hard to promote yourself and sometimes you need someone.” -Megan Constantino Click to Tweet

“You need someone behind the scenes to do the scrappy work.” -Megan Constantino Click to Tweet

“It is a marathon and not a sprint, it does require resilience.” -Megan Constantino Click to Tweet

“You have a personal brand, you can choose to mold and craft that.” -Megan Constantino Click to Tweet

“Social media has leveled the playing field for building your brand.” -Megan Constantino Click to Tweet

“My entire career has been nothing but overcoming humps.” -Megan Constantino Click to Tweet

“Parenting is the most exhausting and rewarding role.” -Megan Constantino Click to Tweet

“Things I am learning as a parent I am able to apply in my professional life.” -Megan Constantino Click to Tweet

“Sometimes you have to pare it back and focus.” -Megan Constantino Click to Tweet

Hump to Get Over

Advice for others

Courage can help you to be the change that is needed.

Holding her back from being an even better leader

Delegation…I like to do it all myself.

Best Leadership Advice Received

Fewer and bigger. Sometimes you have to pare it back and focus and do fewer and bigger.

Secret to Success

I am a natural connector. I look at every relationship and opportunity and I analyze to find every possible way that I can make a difference.

Best tools that helps in business or Life

My project management system. I do not have a virtual assistant so I send myself reminders. I use basecamp.

Contacting Megan

Website: http://www.wejumpwithyou.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/constantinomeg

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParachuteMeg

Resources

54 Emotional Intelligence (EQ) Competencies List: Emotional Intelligence has proven to be the right kind of intelligence to have if you want to move onward and upward faster. Get your free list today.

Show Transcript:

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082: Megan Constantino: From that hump I got a baby bump

Intro: Welcome to the Fast Leader Podcast, where we explore convenient yet effective shortcuts that will help you get ahead and move forward faster by becoming a better leader. And now here’s your host, customer and employee engagement expert and certified emotional intelligence practitioner, Jim Rembach.

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Jim Rembach: Okay, Fast Leader legion today I’m excited because I have somebody on the show who to me is someone of inspiration that we can all learn something from. Megan Constantino was born and raised in Beckley West, Virginia with her older sister who just won teacher of the year in Raleigh, West Virginia counties school. And as a young girl Megan was known for talking. Megan has network since birth so a career in public relations flowed naturally. But bigger than business she believes anything is possible with God’s will and relentless hard work. With his help Megan has overcome some unique life challenges including conquering and eating disorder as well as infertility. Her husband shared their journey in marriage and parenthood very publicly to create awareness and hope for others in similar situations. This included national media interviews such as being a guest on the Steve Harvey show an article in Parade magazine.

Megan’s life experiences have instilled a perspective in her of confidence and courage making anything possible. She has a life’s mission to help others reach higher. Megan is the Chief Creative Officer of Parachute Partners. For more than a decade Megan has helped to build brands to marketing, public relations, business acceleration strategy, social media strategies, advertising, branding, event planning and product placement. She’s been responsible for marketing and public relations for a host of organizations across a range of industries including higher education, sports, non-profits, established corporations and startups. Her clients have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Inc. Entrepreneur, Women’s Health, Parade magazine, BBC, as well as on television shows such as The Steve Harvey Show. Megan now resides in St. Petersburg, Florida as the proud wife of Frank and mother of Blake their miracle 18-month-old son. Megan Constantino, are you ready to help us get over the hump?

Megan Constantino: Yes, absolutely. And I have to say just being quiet during that short period of time was a challenge for me.

Jim Rembach: Okay, I’ve given our listeners a little bit about you but can you tell us what you’re current passion is so that we can get to know you even better?

Megan Constantino: Sure. I’m living my dream. I have long to live in sunny, southern Florida for many year and I feel that everything in my life work-related, and personal has led me to where I am, personally and professionally. I have started my own company, I finally jumped out front there and I’m having an exhausting but exciting ball serving really world re-known leaders, amazing companies and helping them grown their business in this world.

Jim Rembach: And I appreciate all the work that you’re doing. One of the things that I really wanted to have you on the show for is because in today’s world I think that everybody who wants to make a difference and make an impact really has to improve and enhance their own PR skills. And so when you start thinking about that, more social world those that are creating an environment and an inviting platform and things like that are the ones who are going to be chosen, followed and admired, respected, all of those things that we talked about in regards to leading, but when you think about folks and really that issue that many of them have associated with being afraid to put themselves out there being afraid to really be public, what would you say to those folks?

Megan Constantino: Holy smokes! I can completely understand what they go through because I’m used to my clients being on your show. When you asked me to join you I nearly fainted, so, I can empathized with first the fact that it’s hard to promote yourself and sometimes you need someone who is outside of the box, outside of the picture to step in. and then secondly, you’re busy. You’re doing the work, you need someone behind the scene to help you research, to look at new opportunities and to do a whole lot of scrappy work to get your message in front of new audiences, and that’s my passion.

Jim Rembach: I think you bring up a really important point that so many folks maybe just don’t have exposure to. One of the things that I talk about is ignorance. If you look at ignorance in the dictionary what the definition means is innocent, unknowing. However, the word ignorant or ignorance has got a negative connotation on our society so no one would say, well I was just ignorant about it because they don’t want to be dumb but the fact is that I think so many people are just ignorant in regards to like for example everybody who says everybody has a book on them, right? So write your book and then, there you go. But the fact is that running the book is really the simple part of actually being published and being recognized, the harder part is promoting it.

Megan Constantino: Absolutely. Really, there’s a lot of work that goes on behind the scene, many months in advanced at times and you’re doing it really, really fine tune strategy. My favorite quote and probably every person I’ve ever had a long discussion about marketing or promotions with I always say to them it’s always about “The right person, asking or offering the right thing at the right time in the right way” and sometimes it takes five times of that. It is a marathon and not a sprint and it does require resilience but I think my real key is I’m going to encourage her and the people I work with they know they’re not alone, they’re not alone at 8 a.m. they’re not alone at 8 P M my eyes and ears are out there on their behalf at all times and to me that is a mission and it brings fulfillment to me to see them grow and to see them move forward and they become one program like your show.

Jim Rembach: I appreciate you sharing that because I think we all need to be reminded of those things. I work with a lot of folks who are working with an organizations who I think have that same, you want to call it a platform problem, PR problem. One of my very good friend, a senior level leader in a very large organization, really got a comment from folks internally that you’re not known in the industry and then they view that as something that was a potential antagonist or preventative thing to help them to move on to yet even larger responsibilities with the organization. So, I don’t think anymore that it’s a situation where it’s just the entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, authors, even companies to have to really think about PR it’s also the individual.

Megan Constantino: Yes. Whether you like it or not everyone out there listening you have a personal brand. You can choose to mold and craft that in the direction that you want to go or you can let it be as it is. Obviously people are going to have their own opinions but you have the opportunity to craft and move in the direction you want. And social media has level the playing field but I think more than that I think people need guidance they need a mentor and really you just need someone there to encourage you as well. And ultimately that busy executive you mentioned, they don’t have the time to monitor so it continually changes every day something new has change you just have to stay on top of it.

Jim Rembach: Yeah and I think you brought up a good point as far as a specialization. As you’re saying that I started thinking about—for me while you and I, we’ve been working in social media and doing all that for many, many, many years so it’s easy for us to pick up the things that do change and shift and we can switch gears, but gosh, to be able to put all of that in what we know into somebody else’s hands that now has to do it is not an easy thing, it takes a lot of effort.

Megan Constantino: It is extremely overwhelming even for someone like myself that is neck deep in the industry all day every day the full marketing gamut, it’s ever changing and it’s exhausting.

Jim Rembach: I think sometimes we also can get exhausted because of having to get over humps and goodness knows some of us have to keep getting over the same one, speaking for myself. But can you think of a time where you’ve had to get over the hump and it really made a difference for you and it really gave you that inspiration, can share the story?

Megan Constantino: Oh! Yes. This maybe one of your juiciest you’ve had because it’s a personal story but it rolls into my entire life experience. I’ve had several humps. One I overcame an eating disorder. I did not do that alone and I share about it in a very public way both for myself and to help others and it took a lot of faith, effort and courage. So, fast forward to my adulthood every position I’ve ever had has been reaching higher perhaps stepping into situations I’m not comfortable with. So my entire career has been nothing but overcoming humps to get into straight, stretch, hurdles to the next hump. So fast forward to two years ago as you mentioned at the beginning of the show, how in the world did I end up on Steve Harvey in front of 3 million people talking about infertility? That’s quite the hump right there. I basically went on national television and shared about one of probably the most uncool, unsexy things you can think about out there but it was completely driven by God. Our families were hesitant, nervous but supported us and I’m telling you that hump in itself was larger than just overcoming infertility, it completely changed my mindset in life as a whole, there is a solution there is a possibility out there. So, we dove in, we went on that national TV show and it turned out the best it possibly could and God gave us our baby boy, I was pregnant literally a month later. So, how about that? You probably can’t—so, from that hump I got a baby bop.

Jim Rembach: We’re friends on Facebook so I get the opportunity to see some of your pictures of being on the beach when it’s cold where I am, although I’m not even that far north. I’m really happy for you and Frank that you’ve been able to have that gift be given to you and hopefully there’s more to come. I know you have a lot of things going on. Yes, you launched a new business and I love your tagline, please say it real quick.

Megan Constantino: We jump with you. It’s Parachute Partners and our website is www.wejumpwithyou.com because when you’re going to jump off into a new area of business or a new area in your life and you need quality, affordable and hand and hand partnership, that’s us we will jump with you. If you’re going to jump from an airplane, we will be your tandem partner with that parachute.

Jim Rembach: So, when you start thinking about all the things going on, family, business, what are some of you goals?

Megan Constantino: Well, my first and foremost goal is to continue learning thing parenting thing. Understanding that I actually probably will never be an expert at this and I will continue to change, I will say that parenting is the most exhausting and absolutely most rewarding role in my life. The things that I’m learning as a parent I’m also applying in my professional life. For example, if you are present and working, work very hard be completely focused, give your best. The same thing with my child, I’m working remote I struggle with that, there’s a hump for you. A ping goes off on my phone, I need to spend time with my son. Do I answer that client’s email? So that’s actually a challenge that I’m going through. But everything that led from the humps, the reason I launched my business was, to be honest with you my husband lost the position that brought us here. So I had this moment of opportunity and I have been feeling like it was time to go out on my own. And at that point I jumped, I decided that now’s the time. I’m working hard, I may as well work hard and do exactly what I want and serve the type of folks that I want. So, I would say that almost an aha moment an epiphany as you call it, happened when Frank lost that job and actually shortly thereafter Frank did get a new and amazing position, but here I am had he not lost that position I would not have felt the courage and the motivation to go ahead and do what my heart’s desire and what I knew that I had in me. I’ve only been in business for myself now for four months and just feels so natural and the appreciation and the satisfaction in result they’re there, it’s amazing.

Jim Rembach: And the Fast Leader Legion wishes you the very best. Now before we move on, let’s get a quick word from our sponsor.

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Alright, here we go Fast Leader listeners it’s time for the Hump Day Hoedown. Okay, Megan the Hump Day Hoedown is a part of our show where you give us good insights fast. So I’m going to ask you several questions and your job is to give us robust yet rapid responses that are going to help us move onward and upward faster. Megan Constantino are you ready to hoedown?

Megan Constantino: I’m ready to hoedown.

Jim Rembach: Alright. So what do you think is holding you back from being even better leader today?

Megan Constantino: Delegation. I like to do it all myself, Jim.

Jim Rembach: What is the best leadership advice you have ever received?

Megan Constantino: Probably I would say pure and bigger, I tend to want to do it all to have my cake and eat it too. Sometimes you have to pair it back and focus and do for your own baker.

Jim Rembach: What is one of your secrets that you believe contributes to your success?

Megan Constantino: I’m a natural connector. I look at every relationship and every opportunity and I analyze it and find every which possible way that I can make a difference.

Jim Rembach: What do you feel is one of your best tools that helps you lead in business or life?

Megan Constantino: I’m going to default to technology and I love my project management system because I don’t have a virtual assistant so I send myself reminders to remind my clients if they’re coming on your show, Jim.

Jim Rembach: What is that tool?

Megan Constantino: Base camp.

Jim Rembach: What would be one book that you’d recommend to our listeners, and it could be from any genre?

Megan Constantino: Just one? Just one… I have three. One is, Each Moment We’re Alive, it’s a musical and photographic story inspired by cancer survivors, and that’s by Deborah Alts and you can find that on debrasong.com. Karen Hurst, Winning Well: A Manager’s Guide to Getting Results without Losing Your Soul, it’s written in plain English. It’s fun and it’s real. And Chris Edmonds’ The Culture Engine, a framework for driving results and inspiring your employees and transforming your workplace, and it is the real deal.

Jim Rembach: Okay, Fast Leader listeners, you can find links to that and other bonus information from today show by going to fastleader.net/Megan Constantino. Okay, Megan this my last Hump Day Hoedown question: Imagine you were given the opportunity to go back to the age 25 and you’ve been given the opportunity to take the knowledge and skills that you have now back with you but you can’t take everything you can only choose one, so what skill or piece of knowledge would you take back with you and why?

Megan Constantino: I would take courage because at 25 years old I work for a university that was ran in a very unhealthy way and today that university is closed and I imagine not only myself but probably all the faculty and staff would have—and I would take courage back. I’m not going to name the university because half of them will probably listen to this one’s I share it on social media but I would take courage back because I could have been the change that was needed.

Jim Rembach: Megan, it was an honor to spend time with you today. Can you please share with Fast Leader listeners how they can connect with you?

Megan Constantino: Sure. You can find me on Facebook, just look me up, me our company—Parachute Partners. Or you can email me if you have any questions. If you want to get together have a chat and brainstorm, I can be reached at megan@wejumpwithyou.com

Jim Rembach: Megan Constantino, thank you for sharing your knowledge and wisdom, the Fast Leader legion honors you and thanks you for helping us get over the hump.

Thank you for joining me on the Fast Leader show today. For recaps, links from every show, special offers and access to download and subscribe, if you haven’t already, head on over the fastleader.net so we can help you move onward and upward faster.

END OF AUDIO

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082: Megan Constantino: From that hump I got a baby bump