Kyle Zimmer of First Book: “Reach out to others, because someone out there has the experience, knowledge or contacts — or all three — that can help you”

Reach out to others, because someone out there has the experience, knowledge or contacts — or all three — that can help you. I tell younger entrepreneurs to make a list of the 10 smartest people who may have insight on the problem you’re facing — and contact them. Even if you don’t know them. Actually, ESPECIALLY if you don’t know them. Most people are flattered that you want their insights. If you can connect with 2 or 3 people on your list, you can transform your work.

As a part of my series about strong female leaders, I had the pleasure of interviewing Kyle Zimmer. Kyle is the President, CEO and Co-founder of First Book, a nonprofit social enterprise that furthers equal access to quality education for the more than 31 million U.S. children ages 0–18 growing up poor/near poor. Under Kyle’s leadership, the award-winning organization has developed a research arm to give a voice…