Carolyn Hardy - Step Out

Step Out

Carolyn Hardys personal story, illuminated with real life struggles and successes, is inspiration for anyone who dreams of their own business or has already taken the leap. Faced with a storm by changing economic realities and a real-life tornado, she offers the lessons for balancing aspiration and assessment and creating a culture to drive growth and success. As her book title says, it is indeed about stepping up and taking bold moves.

J. R. Pitt Hyde III , Founder AutoZone

Carolyn Hardys book has great advice for budding entrepreneurs and for those who have already started their businesses. Much of what she writes reminds me of two key discoveries my dad, Kemmons Wilson, uncovered in his business career. He would have loved to have had the advice Carolyn offers before he started Holiday Inns and Holiday Inn Club Vacations. He was a man of action---ReadyFireAim was his mantra. And one of his Twenty Tips is an important reminder to all----Remember that success requires half luck and half brains. Thank you, Carolyn, for sharing your discoveries in your book.

Spence Wilson, Sr., Chairman, Kemmons Wilson Companies, Chairman, Holiday Inn Club Vacations

As an entrepreneur by trade, bold moves and big ideas can be the difference between success and failure. Step Out not only stresses the importance of enterprise leadership, it also provides an up front and honest blueprint on solving some of the most complex business problems alongside your most important assetyour people.

Randy Boyd, President, University of Tennessee System, Founder/Chairman, Radio Systems Corporation

Step Out is a must-have resource for those interested in pursuing entrepreneurial business interests or expanding an existing business. You no longer have to use your best guess or intuition to navigate the challenges associated with starting a new business alone. Step Out provides a playbook from the perspective of an experienced, savvy and successful entrepreneur to help identify and address issues you are sure to confront. Its a great read and an affordable investment that can deliver rich returns.

Beverly Robertson , President/CEO, Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce

The overwhelming majority of minority-owned businesses are first-generation firms born from the passion of the owner and pure entrepreneurial grit. At the MMBC Continuum, weve found business owners embrace growth strategies presented by minority entrepreneurs that have survived the challenges of business ownership and experienced a level of success. Carolyn Hardys Step Out: Bold Moves for Business Growth offers actual strategies and insight that business owners can use as an additional resource.

Jozelle Luster Booker , President and CEO, The MMBC Continuum

Carolyn Hardy, by definition, understands how to operate, lead and manage big organizations, supply chains and teams of people successfully. But what distinguishes her is the way she confronts adversity and turbulence in business which is to say, she does calmly, boldly and with an intention to grow. Step Out is a must read for these reasonsespecially right now!

Harold Ford Jr. , Former Tennessee Congressman, Chairman, Rx Saver, Managing partner, HFJ Ventures

Step Out: Bold Moves for Business Growth is Carolyn Hardys newest work that finally gives us a playbook for handling the triumphs and challenges of starting and owning your own business or brand. With the fierce acumen and experience as a serial entrepreneur, Carolyn Hardy presents practical advice with head, heart, and soul.

This toolkit addresses the standard issues that many business owners face. With this book, we are no longer left to muddle through the labyrinth of entrepreneurship, but rather we are given a path to survive, thrive, and flourish.

Similar to sitting at a table with a trusted adviser over tea, Step Out: Bold Moves for Business Growth gives us tangible tools and unshakable faith to step out boldly and make it the business world.

Dr. Janet Walsh, Owner Tea Tea and Company

There may well be no, Secret to Success. But, there is a, Path. In her new book, Step Out , Carolyn Hardy provides a perfect primer for entrepreneurial success. In this dynamic, compelling presentation, Ms. Hardy educates, equips, enables, empowers and most significantly INSPIRES others to be entrepreneurially triumphant. Her experience and vision serve to guide one to tap into ones own wisdom, creativity, discipline and perseverance to achieve significance in business.

YOU INSPIRE ME.

Roby S. Williams, President, Black Business Association of Memphis (BBA)

Step Out: Bold Moves for Business Growth by Carolyn Chism Hardy should be required reading for CEOs and others who want to be in the C-Suite. Ms. Hardy is a former CEO suite executive for billion-dollar companies. She now owns highly successful businesses. Carolyn knows how to lead people, launch companies that add value to society, and strengthen businesses endeavors by addressing problems business leaders face. Ms. Hardy uses her own stories to enlighten and inspire the reader, encourage beginners, and help others re-imagine their companies. I highly recommend Ms. Hardy as a person and her book for sage advice and clear direction.

Shirley Raines, President Emeritus, University of Memphis, Author, Leadership Consultant

In a world plagued with complex problems and rapidly changing dynamics that bring traditional strategies in question, bold leadership is a necessity for the prosperity of any organization. However, bold leadership is much more than talk. Step Out clarifies the path forward as a leader, by rooting the work of leadership in timeless principles. Carolyn Hardys latest book is much more than theory on transformational leadership. It is the journey map that has led to her success in business and community leadership, which she is now sharing with each of us. In any leadership opportunity, you will find this book to be helpful and handy.

Kenyatta Lovett, Assistant Commissioner for Workforce Services TN Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development

Carolyn Hardy is a visionary, leader, and entrepreneurial hero in the Memphis area, and she has served as a trusted advisor to local business ownersand to me personally. Her success and expertise are truly legendary, and her business advice is always on-point. I have no doubt that her fresh perspectives and real-life experiences in Step Out will inspire founders to transform their businesses or start a new venture.

Leslie Lynn Smith, President and CEO Epicenter

In Step Out Carolyn Hardy takes the lessons from her vast experience career as an entrepreneur and corporate executive and creates an entertaining and practical guide for business owners and corporate executives to break existing paradigms and create out of the box solutions to everyday challenges. With Step Out she turns her successful journey into an invaluable set of tools for you to use in navigating a complex business landscape.

D. Bryan Jordan, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO First Horizon National Corporation

Step Out is a true call to action for new and seasoned business owners as well as Executives that wants to transform their businesses. Carolyns inspiring stories are motivational and her ability to simplify complex problems is uncanny. Step Out is one of the most useful and pragmatic books I have read in a long time. Simple, Inspirational and actionable

Michael Ugwueke, DHA, FACHE, President/CEO Methodist Le Bonheur Health Healthcare

Carolyn offers a compelling and important read for business owners, one full of innovative ideas, real life examples, and practical recommendations for daily operations. Theres plenty to inspire business owners across the full spectrum of experience, from novice to the seasoned entrepreneur. If youre committed to doing more with less, operating in the most efficient and effective manner possible, and making sure you innovate to stay on the cutting edge, set aside time to read and study Carolyn Hardys latest offering.