Q & A With the Chief Chick

How did Chickonomics come about?

I was talking to a well-known publicist in NY and told her I was really struggling with what my "angle" as a speaker and author should be. Honestly, the LAST thing I wanted to become was yet another woman business speaker. YAWN! I'd already spent the past 17 years being asked to speak about marketing and branding, and the thought of doing that for another 2 decades bored me to tears.

I told her I wanted to be a voice for, and cover topics and trends about, women. She suggested I create a phrase or name for it, because it felt like I was beating a drum to "call all women"…like a powerful movement.

An hour later I came up with "Chickonomics" and ran it by her. She loved it. I figured if a top publicist in NY thought it was catchy and media friendly, I should run with it. And now I really love it. It's strong, memorable and truly captures the meaning I wanted.

What is your reaction to the women that find the term "chicks" offensive?

I laugh. But luckily I've only had a couple of women express disdain for my use of the word "chick". I look at it as a term of empowerment, but some women think it's derogatory. I think "bitch" is derogatory, not "chick". I really think some people just take themselves too damn seriously. I focus on educating and empowering women; I just do it with an edge and a sense of humor.

I want women to get what they want out of life AND SUPPORT other women on their journey. If you don't support other women, you don't qualify. I don't want any egocentric, self-centered women in the Chickonomics Movement. I have a zero tolerance policy for women like that. I mean really. Unless you are curing cancer or solving world hunger, get over yourself.

I did actually have a woman write me an email (really pissed off) that said (and this is an EXACT quote): "Comparing 'chickonomics' to feminism is ludicrous. You should be blushing with shame. 'Chick' is about as close to feminism as 'n----r' is to black civil rights." But she spelled out the n-word.

Whatever, Bitter Betty…she is a perfect example of the type of chick that probably shouldn't read my books or hear me speak. And we probably share the same core values and goals for women, but she's so stuck on my use of the word "chick" that she can't see what I'm really about.

And here's my thought on feminism: If you believe in equal rights for women, you ARE a feminist. Period. Regardless of how you express it (or don't), that's what I think "feminism" is about. Some women are just more radical about how they express that than others. I'm moderate. You can burn your bra, or not, I don't care. Just take it off first. And respect yourself, get what you want out of life, and support other women.

How come you are now focusing on Millennial Chicks?

Because there are 50 MILLION of them!! The entire Millennial Generation is estimated at about 100 million. That's a BIGGER generation than the Boomers. They are unique kids and (now) young adults that will impact our world in ways we can't imagine. The Millennial Chicks, I think, will redefine careers, success, family and much more. These chicks, now ranging in age from 6 to 26, will influence the economy, marketers, and society in a big way. People are totally wrong thinking this generation is a bunch of Britney Spears wanna-be's, that do nothing but watch MTV, play videogames, slack in school, and have sex.

My Millennial Chicks Special Report and seminars explain whom they REALLY are and why we need to pay attention to their power and influence. This new generation of chicks kicks butt and should make the Boomer Chick trailblazers proud. But the perception of them by many is negative.

My goal is to educate society in general, the business world, marketers and media about the BIGGEST chick influx our country has EVER seen…and explain why we should care.

What's next on your radar?

All kinds of very cool stuff. My podcast, Chickonomics Chat, now has a subscriber base spanning over 10 countries so that's going well. I'm creating my "Chickonomics Guide To…" book series. Plus I'm launching some new seminar and workshop topics soon, so stay tuned!

And I'd really like to develop Chickonomics Chat into a television show for women. I currently have a show treatment being reviewed by a production company in New York but they haven't accepted or passed yet, so if you're a producer or agent give me a call! It's a great show idea!