Today we’d like to introduce you to Patti DeNucci.
Hi Patti, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
For as long as I can remember I’ve been a keen observer of what works and what doesn’t when it comes to successful socialization. In other words, I’ve seen and experienced what makes for good conversation and what exchanges lead to connection and friendship. I know which people and exchanges light me up and which ones bore or drain the life out of me. When I follow the “light,” life is so much better!
For context, I grew up in a small mining town in Northern Minnesota. Dad was the local Chevy dealer who was gregarious and charming. I didn’t know what “networking” was back in my growing-up years, but now I realize Dad had it mastered. Meanwhile, Mom was a homemaker who was gracious and kind to everyone. Yet she also enjoyed her peaceful moments and chose her friends carefully. I’m a mix of these extraordinary personalities ─ and am so grateful for that!
Mom and Dad taught my three older sisters and I to place a high value on education, relationships, and reputation. “Remember who you are,” my parents would say when I was heading out the door as a teenager. I wasn’t perfect by any means, but that message has stayed with me.
I earned my Bachelor of Science Degree at the University of Wisconsin – Stout in Menomonie, Wisconsin. People joke about that school. As in, “When in doubt, go to Stout” and “Stout: Harvard of the Midwest.” But it was a fantastic little school with excellent professors in a comfortable environment. I made lots of friends and loved every minute of it. While there I studied textile design, art, journalism, marketing, and business. I thought I was going to head to New York and work in promotion for a chi-chi department store.
That didn’t happen.
Instead, I followed my then-fiancé to Texas (no more long winters for me!) and worked in marketing communications on both the corporate and agency side. I enjoyed the latter way better than the former. Maybe it’s because I had a female boss who was an amazing mentor and treated her employees like family.
In 1989, I launched my own marketing communications practice and later a freelance talent agency. Running my business out of my home office gave me the freedom to choose my own clients, talent, and projects. I could also set my own schedule and have plenty of time to be the kind of mom I wanted to be for my son.
Throughout my career, I’ve helped hundreds of clients craft and share their messages and stories; launch and promote their products and services; and build their networks, businesses, and reputations. I’ve also done a lot of mentoring, coaching, and consulting and attended numerous conferences and events. I really learned first-hand how important good networking is to business success and to building friendships.
I received many invitations to coffee, lunch, and to speak about my “networking success secrets.” So naturally, it dawned on me that I should write a book. That’s how my first book, “The Intentional Networker: Attracting Powerful Relationships, Referrals & Results in Business,” came to be. It’s about the art of networking better, rather than just more and was released in 2011.
To my delight, my book was dubbed not just “a networking book,” but a “success guide.” It has earned excellent reviews and ratings, two prestigious book awards, and a community of enthusiastic readers. Many report the book changed their lives. I couldn’t be happier with that feedback!
Most recently, I finished and published my latest book “More Than Just Talk: The Essential Guide for Anyone Who Wants to Enjoy Better Conversations.” It dives deeper into the power of good conversations, both personal and professional, and explains why we need them, why we may not be having enough of them, and what to do about it.
I’ll be taking this new book “on the road” as I expand my speaking, workshop, and coaching schedule for 2023 and beyond.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s always amusing to me when people say, “Oh, you’re always so lucky! Things just come so easily to you!”
Right. They have no idea!
My biggest challenges have included: losing (or having to leave behind) people I loved; moving across the country with $40 in my pocket; dealing with bosses or clients who didn’t value or respect my work ethic, talents, ideas, and expertise; balancing work and family; staying fit, healthy, and rested in a world that’s full of demands and distractions; knowing when to shift gears professionally and to delegate the workload and tasks I’m no good at. Then there’s the challenge of taking book projects from dream to completion.
For me, the journey and the challenges are easier when I can be true to myself, have a purpose, follow my interests, use my gifts, make and leverage good connections along the way, and learn the lessons I’m supposed to learn.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Right now I work with people who want to improve their ability to converse and connect and do it with greater authenticity, ease, and confidence. I do this via presentations, workshops, consulting, coaching, conversation salons, and of course my writing and books.
I do this work because I believe the ability to converse and connect WELL is probably THE most important and the least trained life-and-work skill. It helps us build relationships, families, teams, and community. It also increases our overall happiness and satisfaction with life; enhances our intelligence, creativity, and professional success; and even improves our health and longevity.
Other than raising an amazing son, my greatest accomplishments are my books and the related work I do. I’ve also gotten back into art and painting and am enjoying seeing what I create there as well.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I definitely would not be where am now without the love, guidance, help and support of literally hundreds ─ maybe thousands ─ of people.
I was blessed with extraordinary parents who were part of that “Greatest Generation.” They grew up during the Great Depression and had just gotten married when World War II broke out. Dad served in the Army Signal Corps on Guam for several years.
Because of the tough times my parents endured, they had strength and perspective. Their challenges made them loving, steady, and resourceful. And they worked at enjoying life. They would be horrified to know that today you can actually buy a t-shirt that says, “I just can’t adult today.” That thought or option never entered their minds, even on their worst days.
Mom and Dad were also prolific readers, had enduring faith, loved us kids unconditionally, had wonderful and interesting friends, and didn’t get hung up about the little things. There was no drama, not being disrespectful, and yet our home was a safe and secure place where we could be ourselves.
When I would come home and be sad or tearful about some “crisis,” Mom would offer this sage advice that I still rely on today: “Go take a nap. Have a cup of tea. And go find something to do.” (In that order.)
I’ve also had many encouraging, enthusiastic, and influential teachers, coaches, guides, and mentors. My first-grade teacher, Mrs. Sher, got me hooked on art and had endless love, energy, and enthusiasm for helping us kids learn and blossom. My high school English teacher predicted I would one day be a professional writer. My high school art teacher STILL encourages me to paint. And of course, when I attend conferences and workshops, the experts I meet there often become friends who help me continue to learn, grow, and adapt to new phases of life. Even the authors whose books I’ve read are my teachers.
To sum up, I’ll share my favorite quote, which is by Corrie ten Boom: “Every experience God gives us, every person He puts into our lives, is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see.” I really believe this to be true – and it’s why I do the work I do. When you can understand that every conversation and connection matters, life and work become more fulfilling and you can accomplish almost anything!
For more information on me, my books, and my work, please visit me at PattiNucci.com
Contact Info:
- Website: pattidenucci.com
- Instagram: pattidenucci
- Facebook: Patti DeNucci
- Twitter: @Patti DeNucci
- Other: https://intentionalnetworker.com/resources/
