Hayley Foster
Founder, Foster Inc. & FosterWomen
"It's never too late to be what you might have been"
-George Eliot
Why did you start your business?
In 2001, my friend and I started a business. We weren’t even 30 years old. I remember the support we had from friends and family and hearing the words from my dad... ‘If anyone can do this, it’s you. You’ve got the drive, the ambition and the tenacity to get what you want as long as you put your mind to it.’ After 12 years of building and running a business, I had learned a tremendous amount but had lost the passion for what we were doing. I realized that the thing I loved most, was trying to fix the business and find new avenues for growth. I had been helping local women for the past few years with their businesses and imparting not just business advice, but career coaching, social media education and brainstorming ways for them to grow their businesses. I discovered that what I was doing had been engrained in me since I was a kid…. I was Fostering and I loved it. I loved seeing the satisfaction when these women closed big deals or watching their ideas become their realities. I loved Fostering them and decided, this is what I am meant to do be doing. It’s literally, who I am.
Biggest Achievement so far.....
Starting Foster Inc. was a scary move to make. As a single mom of two young girls, failure was not an option. Having lost my dad 5 years ago, I no longer had him as my mentor and sounding board (and my biggest fan). Thankfully, he sent me a man that is just as supportive and encouraging. With the blessing of him and the rest of my family, I knew that this was the right next step for me. It just seemed so perfect. I then went to the women that I had been helping for several years and presented them with my business idea. Needless to say, they loved it and showered me with their support. Seeing the women that I work with achieving their goals and growing their businesses is beyond the biggest achievement I have had so far….. it’s everything.
Greatest Lesson Learned....
Doing things alone or operating in a silo doesn’t work. Support, encouragement, accountability and guidance are what it takes to grow a business. That’s what I have and that’s what I give to my women.
Person, Place or Thing that inspires you
My dad. He was such an inspiration for me as a young girl (mom too but on a different level). My dad was self taught and worked his fingers to the bone when he needed to. He worked till his last days and was just as passionate after he retired about selling vacuum cleaners, industrial soap products and hurricane shutters as he was about his 40-year career in the Direct Mail industry. He inspired me to work, work hard but most importantly, enjoy life and be a good person. My daughters inspire me with their unfiltered creativity, their smiles and their pure heartedness. The man in my life inspires me to be a better person and do things that matter. Without his unwavering love and support, Foster Inc., FosterWomen and all of this would not be what it is.
Words to Foster others....
There are so many but one of those quotes that sticks with me and is indicative of my life is “Always be yourself, because the people that matter don’t mind and the ones that mind don’t matter." I truly believe that if you can't be yourself, you can't be anyone, be anything or ever truly be happy. Happiness is your choice to make, chose it.
Hayley's Social
Hayley's Contact
Email: hayley@fostering101.com
Phone: (917) 498-5411
URL: www.fostering101.com
Location: Port Washington, NY