Learn and implement ways to get your voice heard in the luxury industry.

1. Foolproof ways to get
your voice heard in a
male dominated luxury
environment
S TA N D O U T + G E T H E A R D
T H E C B L I F E S T Y L E . C O M

2. So, you are a female and somewhat engaged within
the luxury industry...but finding your voice is tough.
You don’t know how to instil confidence and assert
your authority with key stakeholders.You want to
carve out your own narrative and get more deals
signed and questions answered.
The frivolous environment of the luxury world is full of impressionists and
gatekeepers. So how do you stand out and get noticed?
As women, we are obsessed with curbing our inhibitions and keeping quiet
as opposed to standing up and voicing our opinion, we forget our equality
and purposeful standards in business, to attract, engage, inform and convert
opportunities.
I’ve worked alongside many businesses/clients over the years who have
assisted with my transition from a woman in the job to a proud female
leader - there are a few common issues I find in almost every industry.
Find out if you identify with any of these issues – and I’ll share my simple
recommended actionable steps you can take to get heard and noticed.
F O O L P R O O F W A Y S T O G E T Y O U R V O I C E H E A R D / T H E C B L I F E S T Y L E . C O M

3. Whether you are curtailing an opportunity for a yachting consultant or pushing for a partnership for a
luxury event, revision in your sector and beyond is key.The beyond part here is the real signifier, the
luxury industry is one that has a niche audience and very specific consumers, take the aviation
industry for example, this goes hand in hand with having a useful insight of the helicopter sector and
also luxury catering and bespoke interior design.
I see it all the time. Buyers, sellers and marketers are missing the mark on having the right person for
the right job, as women we have the great ability to multi task, so having a depth and well-rounded
knowledge in a vast range of sectors in line with our end goal is crucial.
You need to focus on getting in front of the RIGHT decision maker – not the tons of middlemen that
will give you wishy-washy answers and neglected presence where needed. Generating a small
network of leverageable contacts will lead you to getting the right recommendation and introduction
to get your voice heard appropriately.
Solo networking as women, can either be a natural instinct or an anxiety attack waiting to happen,
especially in a crowd of men. Having an expanse of knowledge can keep you talking for hours and
impressing the right people in the room, TIP – take along a tangible piece of marketing material such
as a leaflet, book or online presentation to your first few networking rodeos, they can do the talking
first to get you warmed up.
# 1 K N O W L E D G E K N O W L E D G E K N O W L E D G E
A C T I O N S T E P S
1. Leverage free luxury events to drive up your knowledge and building your
credible network.
This is my #1 tip to boost your confidence and grow your knowledge around the luxury sector.
Who are you connected with that can share industry invites? If none, explore Eventbrite and ask
your LinkedIn connections.
What if your sector doesn’t have any events?Take the opportunity to visit online providers/ retail
shops selling or marketing the service, I personally found this with the Cigar industry, until I visited
every shop I could find selling them and asked for any upcoming events. I am now a member in an
international Cigar network.

4. E X A M P L E # 1 : M A K E A N I M PA C T
Back in 2017, I attended a freeWhisky tasting event hosted by Four Seasons new
city hotel launch.Armed with no knowledge of the industry but a whole host of
knowledge about Cigars I interacted with the male orientated room about my
interests and expertise of other beverages, cigars and yachts.This later led to three
further event invites, a partnership for an event hosted by me about cigars and
whisky and a new-found industry interest inWhisky.And this link back to my
network as STILL one of my biggest referrers to new business recommendations.
Years later, I’m still attending referred events and even travelling toWhiskey regions
to learn about the distilling process.
Living in a city like London, distractions and opportunities are as frequent as the
weather change, so finding something topical and unique to bring to the table is tricky.
Sometime ago I started marketing work for an off-grid driving experience in Norway,
its achievement goal was to sell to tickets local residents, I called all local businesses to
get on-board, anything from locally brewed beer to boutique hotels and craft shops,
this ended up in the international exposure of the rally and Norway’s culture who are
now sponsoring international driving expeditions. Sometimes it’s the small fish that
engage the biggest audience.
E X A M P L E # 2 : F I N D N I C H E AU D I E N C E S
Sometimes it’s the small fish that engage
the biggest audience.
VIA @THECBLIFESTYLE
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5. E X E R C I S E : B R A I N S T O R M F O R 1 0 M I N U T E S
Who do you know that is has a great network and would be happy
to share a few invites?
What can you offer their audience?
Is their audience a good fit for your development and end goals?
Write down a few names - and start contacting them.They could be peers, colleagues and
even former clients.Trusted referrals are one of the best ways to generate speedy
introductions and knowledgeable insight.

6. So now you’re getting to grips with networking and building industry
knowledge - but people aren’t biting on your offer.
How often do you simply attend local events and stay within your comfort
zone?You often see similar faces and you are all hustling for the same client.
Frankly, you have outgrown your resources, look further afield and combine
business trips/holidays with expanding your presence.
Doesn’t it make more sense to explore audiences with an international
presence to gain traction and get noticed in the niches?
You can offer them an instant insight into your market impact, previous
achievements in your field and take action to implement international services,
if not done already.
# 2 S H O W I N G U P
A C T I O N S T E P S
1. Create an international event plan
This plan or calendar should have documented every significant event in the
luxury sector, I mean SIGNIFICANT, international boat shows, charity
Galas, polo games and luxury expo’s. Finding ways to compile key
stakeholders and decision makers into one location gives you the
opportunity to get yourself heard and leave a lasting impression.
F O O L P R O O F W A Y S T O G E T Y O U R V O I C E H E A R D / T H E C B L I F E S T Y L E . C O M

7. 2. Stay connected
Try to stay frugal with your business cards, once you are at an eventYOU decide who fits
the bill for your requirements, and if they do, ensure you take their contact details before
offering yours. Sharing knowledgeable and actionable insight of your wins and successes
will be sure to get you remembered.
3. Update your image
By this, I absolutely do not mean your outfit or hair colour. Update your personal profile
to show and share a global insight, many internationally based companies are looking to
leverage growing their presence in different markets, so skilfully invest in honing your
skills to significant markets.TIP – insight and knowledge of the UAE and the Far Eastern
markets (see demo-graph below) go a long way to bringing credibility as a woman.
B O N U S T I P :
Turning up to a high-profile event as a buyer brings access to more than just the sales
executive, think like a buyer and act like a buyer.As women, we are great candidates for
sellers, so use this to your advantage in asking for company/brand insider info and
securing the top bananas contact details.

8. It’s one thing to be mixing in the right playground but another to have credibility in it.
What happens when your approach was too sombre and they decide to go in another
‘direction’, will you sheepishly insolate into a pit of self-destruction. NEVER, during
my time as not only a consultant but a biz dev exec, learning that having a sponsor can
bring you earned advocacy and the credibility you deserve as a female go getter.
So, here’s how to make your life easier and get senior leaders to vouch for you.
# 3 C U LT I VAT E I N D U S T RY S P O N S O R S
1. Keep meaningful contact
Staying in touch with those who can later down the line cultivate an
opportunity is imperative.Whether this is a senior leader in your
organization or CEO of a member’s club, having credible and seasoned
experts bear witness of your hard work, enviable portfolio and
recommended candidacy will pay dividends further down the line.
2. Represent singularity
Be headstrong for what you believe in, times have changed and we women
are moving up in the world, so if your adjusted views on a project timeline
or coverage selection ruffles some feathers then so be it. Push back and say
no if it does not align with your intentions, having a backbone in business
will get you respected, recommended and given responsibility.
A C T I O N S T E P S
F O O L P R O O F W A Y S T O G E T Y O U R V O I C E H E A R D / T H E C B L I F E S T Y L E . C O M

9. W H Y T H I S M AT T E R S
Remember how in #1 we talked about knowledge, well retaining the smallest details matter!
A few years ago, a client whose yacht needed some marketing in preparation for the charter
season, invited me along to MonacoYacht Show, whereby he introduced me to the owner of
an industry renowned megayacht. Later down the line we had stayed in touch and I had
assisted him with some menial concierge work he needed, we met again at a Gala in Los
Angeles, I discussed of a brand I was keen to consult for and lone behold the next day I
received an email copying me into a meeting with my largest client to date, Feadship.This is
why you MUST stay on top of your network, they after all will become your net worth.
3. Play the Protégé’s Part
Gaining respect from a peer isn’t transactional so you need to uphold your end
of the trust deal, most sponsors cultivate protégés not from self-serving
motives but because it’s the right thing to do and it can be a gratifying
experience.‘Paying it forward is a way of paying back the people who helped
them get to where they are today, so ask for input not a job and you will reap
the rewards.
The best sponsors offer not just vision but also the tactical
means of realizing it.
A good sponsor will coach you on your performance and
train a spotlight on you so that everyone takes note of
your abilities and potential.
Successful protégés ask for career guidance, feedback,
and stretch assignments.
Sponsors seek out exceptional performers.
Protégés scan the horizon for leaders who embody their
values or value their strengths.
V I A @ T H E C B L I F E S T Y L E

10. What comes next.
Thank you so much for downloading this guide. If you want to
go further, I’d love to chat.
My consulting sessions are targeted hours where we dive deep
into what you want create and how to get there.
Want a checklist of things to prepare for market recovery?You
might enjoy my Luxury brand proposal guide to launching
back into business post pandemic.
And if you are woman starting your journey, go-and-kill-it!
F O O L P R O O F W A Y S T O G E T Y O U R V O I C E H E A R D / T H E C B L I F E S T Y L E . C O M