Women Change the World: Noteworthy Women on Cultivating Your Potential and Achieving Success - Hardcover

A recognized visionary and lauded business accelerator, Michelle Patterson is a written contributor and guest on media outlets including The Huffington Post, CNBC, Fox Business News, and Bloomberg. Most recently, Patterson successfully oversaw the 2012 California Women’s Conference, continuing the tradition of this historical event that has featured thought leaders and A-list celebrities such as Michelle Obama, Laura Bush, and Jane Fonda. Under Patterson’s leadership, this year’s conference received critical acclaim and was covered by the largest media outlets in the world.

Patterson’s business acumen and impressive rolodex has led to her being labeled by the media as an acceleration executive” that focuses on helping individuals, corporations, and small businesses ignite growth. Patterson began her entrepreneurial journey after serving as a Regional Vice President and National Sales Trainer for the world’s largest specialized recruiting firm, Robert Half, where she oversaw nine divisions and was recognized for helping generate record revenue growth. When she launched TouchPointe, LLC in July 2006, she continued her track record of impressive revenue growth leading the company to achieve seven-figure revenue within just six months of launch. TouchPointe was tapped by internet giants Groupon and Living Social early on in their business cycle to help them increase their market share. Today, TouchPointe helps corporations engage women professionals from both a recruitment angle to attract the right talent, as well as customer acquisition angle to increase their market share with identified sub-segments of the highly complex and sought after demographic.

Beyond her notable business success, Patterson is most passionate about her family. She lives in Ladera Ranch, California with her husband, Eric, and their two beautiful children, Jaclyn and Chase.

Business consultant Patterson, a contributor to media outlets including Huffington Post and CNBC, offers a collection of essays by more than 40 women successful in a cross section of careers, from politics to philanthropy, firefighting, and finance. The contributors include comedian Kerri Pomarolli and Diana von Welanetz Wentworth, coauthor of two Chicken Soup for the Soul titles. The contributors recall their own challenges and triumphs and encourage women not to be afraid of being successful, to find mentors and be willing to be mentors to other women, to share their stories and strategies, and to find their own ways of operating in male-dominated arenas. Many contributors focus on volunteer work as a starting place for women to exercise talents and abilities, an arena that is more welcoming and accommodating of the needs of women to carve careers for themselves that will fulfill their need to use certain talents and satisfy their passions while also caring for their families. Patterson precedes each essay with a biographical sketch of the contributor. An inspiring collection of essays offering sound advice and encouragement. --Vanessa Bush