Think Outside The Box with Martha Weidmann

Martha is the CEO and Founder of Nine dot Arts, a local art curation company headquartered in Denver.

From her experience growing up in Mobile Alabama to moving to Colorado and taking advantage of its great opportunities for female entrepreneurs and minorities to start businesses, Martha has gone through a transformative journey. Hear about how the 2008-2009 recession presented a pivotal moment in her life that led to the formation of Nine dot Arts, how they use trends to expand their geographic presence and refine their go-to-market strategy, the people-centric company culture they have built at Nine dot Arts, their success over the past decade completing over 900 projects in 36 different states across five countries generating over 50 million for the creative economy and building a database of 10,000 artists around the world. Plus, Martha gives us five pieces of advice on dreaming bigger, honing your vision, hiring for your deficits, aligning yourself with great people, and leading with joy. Join us for this inspiring conversation with one of Colorado's most successful female entrepreneurs as she shares her story on how she got to where she is today

[00:01 - 13:39] Achieving Success Through Bold Vision, Execution, and Adaptability

• Being the best in the world at placemaking and art consulting for large scale developments
• How they have survived and thrived through different economic environments
• Opportunities were in different places after the recession, such as healthcare, corporate offices, hospitality, multi-family, and municipal work
• How to set a bold vision, embrace execution, and not be afraid of pivoting

[13:40 - 20:10] Generating Over 50 Million for the Creative Economy and Building a Team of Specialists for Positive Social Impact

• Generated over 50 million for the creative economy
• Follow trends and look for new markets based on key characteristics
• Geographic expansion plan focused on diversification of regions 
• Culture is top down and bottom up 
• Positive social impact and team of specialists

[20:11 - 26:48] Building a Values-Based Culture and Refining Your Recruiting Process to Create a People-Centric Workplace

• Looking at people-centric benefits 
• Building perks and rewards into the company culture 
• Flexible work policies and parental leave 
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging trainings 
• Providing scenario for candidates to respond to in hiring phase

[26:49 - 33:21] Leadership Tips from Martha Weidman

• Intentional leadership around values
• Responsive and respectful leaders 
• Thoughtful leaders to remove bias 
• Dream bigger and hone your vision 
• Hire for deficits and align with great people 
• Lead with joy and practice gratitude

[33:22 - 33:48] Closing Segment

Key Quotes:

“Put out something audacious that might be 10 or 20 years down the road, because if you work towards it in just small increments and move the needle a little bit every day, you'll get there.” - Martha Weidmann

“So dream bigger, hone your vision.” - Martha Weidmann

Connect with Martha:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martha-weidmann-b112396, https://www.linkedin.com/company/nine-dot-arts?trk=public_profile_topcard-current-company

Website: https://ninedotarts.com/

Visit us on our Website: https://www.naiop-colorado.org/

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