With the Woman Wednesday series, CatMax Photography introduces you to exceptional female entrepreneurs who have gone through the CatMax Personal Branding Experience. Today, I invite you to meet Wendy Ellin of The 25th Hour, Inc.
Wendy Ellin of The 25th Hour, Inc.
Photo Credit: CatMax Photography
The word “system” is not synonymous with “complicated” in Wendy Ellin’s world. The workplace productivity consultant firmly believes in working smarter, not harder to achieve order and peace of mind.
As the founder of The 25th Hour, Inc., Wendy helps business owners and professionals establish the systems and routines needed to manage the day-to-day details of their careers and personal lives so they can win at both. She does this through programs she’s created and one-on-one coaching, all of which aim to increase performance and general well-being and come with a healthy dose of frankness and humor.
Wendy’s “unique gift of getting things done with no stress and worry” has led to collaborations with organizations such as the American Cancer Society, MetLife, The Coca-Cola Company, Cox Communications, Southern Company, and many more.
Rocking Remote Work
Most recently, Wendy launched her Work From Home…Redesigned program and Amazon No. 1 best-selling book, “Working From Home…How’s That Working For You?” because as countless articles have told us, working from anywhere is likely here to stay.
Making the adjustment to a home-office setting is one thing but learning to thrive in it is another. Luckily, Wendy understands how to do both. She made the transition two decades ago when she resigned from her advertising day job and bought an existing business.
While in corporate America, she witnessed the effects disorganization can have on a person and a company. “… I saw lots of chaos, overwhelm, missing deadlines, losing important documents, losing sales and all the things that are critical to business success,” she says. Wendy instantly realized developing sound organizational strategies for the administrative aspects of work (paper clutter and email management to name a few) was the key to conquering her newfound roles as business owner and remote worker.
(L TO R): Ruby, Marty, and Wendy
Photo Credit: CatMax Photography
Discovering Her Purpose
Once it clicked with Wendy that her approaches to decluttering and creating structure were atypical, she saw an opportunity to help those who were struggling. “I love empowering my clients to change their habits to experience joy and success, and I'm willing to meet them wherever they are to move them forward in their lives. I literally transform people's lives every day,” she says.
Established professionals and businesses aren’t the only ones who benefit from cultivating systems to keep things running smoothly. Wendy also advises that aspiring entrepreneurs have them too. She encourages those building a business they’re passionate about to stay focused on their goals, always be intentional, and acknowledge their weak points. “Get help with the things you are not good at or don't enjoy doing,” she says. “Creating the right team will make or break you!”
Finally, Wendy notes that knowing who you are and staying true to that is something to keep in mind for all areas of business—no matter what stage you’re at. She says it can be especially beneficial during marketing photo shoots like the CatMax Personal Branding Experience, which she has done three of! “I love her and love doing the shoots,” she says. The longtime knitter has even gotten her husband, Marty, who she met many years ago through a knitting class she taught, and goldendoodle, Ruby, in on them!
You can learn more about Wendy’s Personal Branding Experience and her business by watching an IGTV replay of an Instagram LIVE we did. Click here to see it. Follow CatMax Photography on Instagram at @catmaxphoto and Wendy at @wendy_ellin.
