Sherri Langburt is Founder of Babbleboxx. Sherri Langburt is a thought leader, influencer, and risk taker, and Sherri has provided the vision and energy that has inspired the creation of Babbleboxx. Sherri Langburt joins other leading CEOs and Founders taking part in our Leader Roundtable Interview Series.The DotCom Magazine editorial team has awarded Babbleboxx as an Impact Company of 2019, and we are delighted to have Sherri join us for our Leader Round Table Interview. The Babbleboxx story is very interesting, and we are very excited to not only interview Sherri, but also put Sherri through our popular speed round as well!
Sherri, thank so much for taking the time out of your busy day for this interview, and answering some questions about leadership, your vision, and your passion.
1. Can you describe what the “elevator pitch” for BabbleBoxx is?
BabbleBoxx is a full-service influencer marketing agency best known for our unique co-sampling and signature box programs.
2. Many of our readers are just starting to build a company. What advice can you give CEO’s just starting out regarding keeping a company moving forward, and please tell us the key to your company’s success?
Make it a practice to do the things that you find the most difficult first. Getting through the tasks you find challenging will be easier earlier in the day when your mind is fresh. Plus it frees you up to focus on the areas of your business that you enjoy for the rest of the day.
And don’t look to the sides. It’s one thing to understand the competitive landscape but if you take your eyes off the path that’s in front of you will get distracted. Remember, no one can do or be YOU.
3. For other entrepreneurs seeking to build a business as successful as yours, what advice can you give them when times get a little challenging?
My uncle used to say, “if they don’t let me in the front door, I find a window. If the windows are closed, I go through the garage” There is always a way in or a solution, and every challenge is an opportunity to learn and improve. Persistence, an unrelenting determination, is probably the most critical skill for entrepreneurship. Second to that is the fluidity to re-work your vision and practices, a controlled pivot , in order to meet market demand.
4. How important is the commitment to client satisfaction at BabbleBoxx, and how do you make sure your customers will become raving fans of your company?
I have never been a fan of the word fine. Performing adequately is simply not an option when it comes to our partners. I am always more inclined to do a “make good” or refund before accepting mediocracy. And our commitment to doing things right helps brand personnel with whom we work look good, a key to repeat business.
5. What is the one thing BabbleBoxx does to have great communication with their customers?
Communication is one of the biggest challenges of being a virtual organization. If we are able to build an internal infrastructure that works then our external conversations will only be better. In that vein, our team is on Skype 24/7 – we even instituted virtual Skype Video get togethers to make sure we have regular face time which has proven effective for morale and workflow.
6. In today’s fast changing business environment, what do you do to keep up with the changes? What do you read to stay abreast of things?
I listen to industry podcasts and have one mentor. My parents who I count as one. My Dad who taught me to stare fear in the face and my Mom from whom I learned to trust my gut. The two of them combined provide me with 158 years of experience which I rely on every day.
7. What is your “Why”? Why do you get up in the morning, and how do you keep yourself at peak performance to lead BabbleBoxx?
Making my parents proud, bringing ideas to life and helping others, especially my family and friends. My “why” has nothing to do with business, this is just the path on which I landed. That, and my Peloton.
8. Can you recommend a book that has had an influence in your career? How did it influence you?
I love reading but my selections are often time about wartime survival. So, probably best to say I find inspiration in listening to Podcasts like Mike Rowe and Andrew Warner (Mixergy)
9. When communicating with your staff, can you tell us the most important thing you do so that they are able to carry out the objectives that you set forth at BabbleBoxx?
While running a business is serious stuff, I think it’s important to keep things in perspective. When we run into problems, I go back to the industry phrase “It not the ER, it’s PR.” One of the most important things to me is making sure my team is happy and sometimes that means they have to be reminded of perspective, including taking things more lightly while pursuing options, resolution and implementation.
10. In one sentence, can you give some advice to fellow entrepreneurs wishing to build a company as exciting as BabbleBoxx?
Keep dreaming, hope is on every corner.
We would like to have some fun and do a “First Reaction” round with you!
We will ask you ten more questions that we want you to answer in just one to three words only. Here you go!
1. In three words or less, What makes a successful CEO?
Grit, grind and care
2. Describe your business in one word?
Out-of-the-box(x)
3. Describe your customers in one word?
Partners
4. What one attribute do you look for when hiring an employee?
Heart
5. What is the one word you want your customers to say about your company?
Integrity
6. In three words or less, describe your passion?
Dream. Create. Help.
7. In three words or less, describe what it takes to be successful?
Tenacity, passion and courage.
8. In three words or less, describe your first year in business at BabbleBoxx?
Thrilling
9. In three words or less, describe how running a successful company has changed you?
Increased self-trust
10. What is the one word that you believe has the most power in the English Language?
Hope
Sherri Langburt, thank you so much for sitting down with us at our DotCom Magazine Impact Player Round Table. We very much appreciate the time you spent helping others to learn more about what it takes to be a leader. We hope your interview helps our readers, and we wish you, your family, and of course The Babbleboxx, nothing but the best. Thanks again!
