by Tinhorn Consulting | Entrepreneurship
In the horse racing world, the “triple crown” refers to a rider/horse winning all three of the top major races — Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and the Belmont. When I work with a client, I too seek a “triple crown” win — an opportunity that will benefit Native communities; achieve the client’s goals; and uphold my business mission.
It all begins with listening.
What are the client’s intentions?
What is the benefit or value to client and target audience? Will it make a difference?
How can Tinhorn Consulting help remove obstacles that may hindering the client from accomplishing their goal(s)?
Helping others expand their outreach to benefit Indian Country is a significant part of Tinhorn Consulting’s portfolio. When Tinhorn Consulting works with you, we can provide in-roads into tribal communities to get to the right audience; we’ll maximize opportunities to elevate your outreach efforts; and, utilize long-established relationships to reach a broader base of participants.
For example, over three years ago the Manager of Project DreamCatcher, a new entrepreneurial training program for Native women, approached me as the program needed help to attract eligible applicants to meet enrollment goals. The program was developed and launched by the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation, in partnership with Thunderbird for Good (Thunderbird School of Management), to offer free business training to Native women entrepreneurs from four specific tribes — Hualapai, San Carlos Apache, Tohono O’odham and White Mountain Apache — as a way to invest back into the communities.
For Project DreamCatcher, it boiled down to basics — establishing trust. And those who work in Indian Country know trust is critical. We built trust with in-person outreach activities in each tribal community; I utilized my existing relationships to spread the word and encouraged the Native women entrepreneurs I knew to apply; and, Tinhorn Consulting created the branding and social media community management.
I’m happy to say for that first year, the program met its enrollment goals and retained Tinhorn Consulting’s services going forward. 32 Native women in two cohorts have benefitted from this program, including myself, and with encouragement to expand its impact, the 2019 program is now accessible to business women from the Navajo Nation.
Does your business believe in triple wins? Contact Tinhorn Consulting to set up your 15-minute consultation to explore your outreach needs.
by Tinhorn Consulting | Web Development
As I talked shop at the 24th Annual Indian Nations and Tribes Legislative Day at the Arizona State Capitol with Arizona Tribal leaders and varied constituents, I heard over and over that websites are a necessary tool to convey information and to attract business interest. Whether you’re a tribal government, small business owner, educator or non-profit, often the first introduction to information about you is through your official website. Yet, websites can be challenging to maintain and update.
In 2019 it still holds true that:
- Native small business start-ups need a website to get a foot in the door and introduce services and products;
- Even established industries like entertainment often desire revamped websites to appeal to customers;
- Small firms often don’t have the time to upgrade websites to be more professional and informative;
- Specialized service industries need motivational or targeted messaging to improve outreach;
- First impressions are important, which is especially true in business. In this digital age, often the first step to introduce information is through a website.
Every industry, including those in or working with Indian Country, are reliant on accessibility, particularly accessing information through mobile devices and tablets.
Website design and management is a pillar service of Tinhorn Consulting. We bring cultural responsibility, education, and experience to your website projects:
- Cultural Responsibility
From participating in tribal language preservation conferences to volunteering Native Women Entrepreneurs group, our team lives and works in Indian Country.
- Education
Unlike others, our project manager has a Master of Science in Computer Science and our web lead has an MBA combined with 15 years of software development.
- Experience
Our team has over 25 years of combined web design and programming experience in the federal/tribal government, business, academic, and non-profit sectors.
As a new year begins, as you take steps to improve facets of your life, don’t forget to take steps to improve your business. Tinhorn Consulting is ready to work with you to revamp your website to look more professional, be informative and authentic, and even ‘indigenize’ it! Our website check-up package includes inspecting for broken links/images, ease of use, organizational and search tips, and ensuring your site is informative and device-friendly.
Ready for a website makeover? Schedule a complimentary 15 minute mini-consultation and let’s get started!
by Tinhorn Consulting | Entrepreneurship, Training, Women Warriors
What an amazing year 2018 has been for Native women! I am proud to say that my daughter Zoey is growing up in a world with Native role models whom ARE Olympic gymnasts, computer scientists and elected U.S. Congresswomen. These accomplishments are a reality today for our Native people — and my daughter’s ambitions are not pie-in-the-sky dreams, they ARE achievable.
Everyday I encounter Native women transcending gender inequalities. By shattering the glass ceiling, they are introducing my daughter to a world of possibilities.
She could be an international award-winning architect like Wanda Dalla Costa of Redquill Architecture from the First Nations in Canada.
Or an economic empowerment thought leader like Vanessa Roanhorse of Roanhorse Consulting from the Navajo Nation.
These Native women ARE putting their own stamp in the world and making a difference for indigenous communities, which is a shared vision with Tinhorn Consulting, LLC.
From the local to national to international, in 2018 Tinhorn Consulting LLL was called upon to:
- Open doors for Native political candidates. By working with 7Gen Leaders, Tinhorn Consulting helped with brand identify and marketing collateral for the launch of this new organization that helps elect leaders that are making decisions that will have positive impacts on generations to come.
- Invest in Native Business women owners and entrepreneurs. Tinhorn Consulting LLC is at the forefront of initiatives like Project Dreamcatcher that offers free business training to Native women business owners; Tinhorn Consulting participated in an inaugural business summit of Native women business owners and leaders; and, collaborated with Cherylee Francis of Native Women Entrepreneurs of Arizona to present at a global trade summit in Mongolia, opening doors for Native businesses at an international level.
- Support the next generation of Native business leaders. Tinhorn Consulting proudly participated in educational events for UNITY, Arizona State University and others to encourage students interested in business and entrepreneurialism, providing helpful tips and experiences unique to Indian Country.
- Improve business leadership and management for tribal organizations. Organizations such as the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona’s Good Health and Wellness In Indian Country and the United Southern and Eastern Tribes (USET) sought Tinhorn Consulting’s training and facilitation expertise to address barriers impacting progress and communication.
- Make connections to and within Indian Country to address disparities. Tinhorn Consulting worked with the Arizona Community Foundation and tribal non-profit leaders to discuss strategies to increase participation of tribal communities in philanthropy; and, assisted Care1st to improve outreach and understanding of disparate health care needs and access in Indian Country.
2018 has been called the Year of the Woman; the same is true for Native women. This is my daughter’s world and I tell her everyday to do whatever makes her heart sing. With the positive Native role models around her, she and Native women everywhere ARE and WILL lead in political leadership, business, science and more.
by Tinhorn Consulting | Training
Eight years ago, as I was just starting my own business, I had a distinct vision. I could visualize myself on an auditorium stage in front of a large crowd. I didn’t know exactly what my role was, except that I knew I had a purpose and a message.
Eight years later, my vision came true.
Earlier this month, I presented at a global women’s conference in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, as one of two featured Native American speakers representing Native women business owners. The International Federation of Women in Commerce and Industry (IFWCI) invited Tinhorn Consulting, LLC and the Native Women Entrepreneurs of Arizona to share information about the digital economy and industry in Indian Country before an international audience.
It was an eye-opening experience on many levels.
First, when I started Tinhorn Consulting, my goal was to help change perceptions of Native people, by telling our own stories in our own voices. While in Mongolia, I was startled to hear the misperceptions about Native American people. Many believed Native Americans no longer existed. Others, while not intending to be negative, referred to us as the “Red Indians.” I was quick to say that Native people are still very much alive and thriving, and identified myself as a proud Hualapai woman. Everywhere I went, I encountered curiosity. I realized that even as Native people still encounter stereotypes in our own backyard, there are also global misperceptions that also must be addressed. Native American people are very much a part of the world economy and many other people around the world are curious and ready to work with us.
Secondly, as I counted my own blessings to be a part of a global economic dialogue in Mongolia, I recognized I owed the chance to connections. I would not have had the opportunity to be a part of such an event without the connection I first made with Cherylee Francis of the Native Women Entrepreneurs of Arizona. That connection led me to being a part of the IFCWI conference, which in turn presented me with a range of additional opportunities that I hope will come to fruition. For the Native businesses out there….connect, engage and you will achieve.
Finally, I thought about the evolution of my business, especially as I celebrated the 8th anniversary of Tinhorn Consulting on September 10th. My initial foray as a small business owner had focused on web development but has since expanded into training, facilitation, marketing, tribal liaison services and more. And now I add public speaking as part of my portfolio. I want to participate, not only in local events, but also on a global stage, to speak about the creativity and innovation of Native people and the opportunities to partner with Native businesses. Tinhorn Consulting has blossomed over its eight-year history and I’m ready to go to the next level.
My vision has realized. I’m ready to take the stage.
Do you have an event and need a public speaker? Ready to book your Tinhorn Consulting speaking engagement? Use our contact form and let me help you meet your educational and outreach goals!
by Tinhorn Consulting | Training
For a brief time in my life, I was gifted an opportunity to be a educator, teaching basic computer skills to community college students. It was an enlightening experience, especially as I was the one who learned valuable lessons and skills in the process. What I learned is that it isn’t enough to share knowledge, or to speak at the students. I had to open myself to the students, to be present in their educational journey and engage with them and earn their trust.
Now I apply these lessons in my business. At Tinhorn Consulting, a key part of our business focus is to develop and implement training workshops for tribal entities and community partners. Because of our focus on Indian Country, our workshops are uniquely balanced to be respectful of cultural sensitivities and values.
My rule of thumb is that trainings ought to be informative, applicable to your business needs, and gratifying, i.e. “fun.” Participants in our workshops are engaged from beginning to end. We start with interactive icebreakers, identify consensus ground rules, apply concepts to real-world situations, and conclude with presentations by participants to share their learned knowledge.
Whether you’re the employee, manager or CEO, we all need a little help to hone our skills, improve communication and efficiency, or stay abreast of the latest in technology. Whatever your professional development needs are, Tinhorn Consulting can work with you.
Ready to book your 15 minute mini-consultation with Tinhorn Consulting to schedule your training session? Let’s get started!
