Saying Yes to Yourself with Kirsten Austin

I am so excited to kick off Season 2 of Hello Moxie with the amazing Kirsten Austin. Kirsten and I connected on LinkedIn years ago, and she’s become a true “LinkedIn buddy” over the years. We initially bonded through the #USAManufacturingHour Twitter chat (now XChat), and I’ve been so inspired by her ever since.

Kirsten is the President of DCSC, a software company specializing in warehouse management and multi-carrier shipping solutions. She’s a wealth of knowledge in the manufacturing and distribution world, and she’s a true force to be reckoned with.

This conversation was a joy. We talked about the women who inspire us, the importance of saying “no” to the things that don’t serve us, and the power of just doing things, even when they seem scary. Get ready for some serious inspiration!

“Success comes from work ethic and there are no magic pills. There’s no such thing as easy money.” – Kirsten Austin

Women Who Inspire: Audrey Hepburn, Rosa Parks, and Mom!

A cornerstone of Hello Moxie is honoring the women who inspire us, and Kirsten had some truly amazing women who have inspired her journey.

Audrey Hepburn: Kirsten admires Audrey Hepburn’s understated beauty, both inside and out. She talked about Hepburn’s ability to unify people on set, acting as a peacemaker amidst tension. But more than that, she loved how Hepburn aged gracefully and dedicated the later part of her life to UNICEF, advocating for children’s rights. In fact, in 1988 she went to Ethiopia as the goodwill ambassador for UNICEF!

“The most important thing is to enjoy your life – to be happy – it’s all that matters” – Audrey Hepburn

Rosa Parks: Kirsten marveled at Rosa Parks’ bravery in refusing to give up her seat on the bus, sparking a movement for civil rights. She wasn’t even in the first 10 seats because those were for white people. She was just tired and brave and said, “no.” She just did something a normal brave woman would do and say, you know what, I’ve worked all day. This is ridiculous. I’m not moving from the seat and look and look what happened. I mean, she spawned a movement.

“I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes the fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.” – Rosa Parks

Her Mom: For Kirsten, her mother was her biggest inspiration, she met Kirsten’s father and came to the United States! A translator who spoke seven languages, Kirsten’s mom instilled a strong work ethic and was always her biggest supporter. She said she even calls her mom whenever she makes a big deal! She instilled in Kirsten that she wanted her children to feel curious and to be generous to others. Kirsten shared, 

“When I started my own business, I mean, she just was my biggest fan. And you know, if I ever close a big deal, she’d be like the first person I would call, I’m like, mom, wouldn’t believe it. She’d be like, did you get it? Did you get it done?” – Kirsten Austin 

DCSC: Revolutionizing the Supply Chain

With 30 years in the software business, Kirsten and her company, DCSC, play a vital role in helping manufacturers and distributors thrive. They develop a warehouse management and multi-carrier shipping solution called DC Warehouse, designed to streamline operations and improve efficiency. 

“We’re basically revolutionizing how people do their work, and instead of manually entering information, they’re barcoding and they’re streamlining things…We’re giving you data that you can analyze and look at really quick.” – Kirsten Austin

In addition to their software solutions, DCSC also offers consulting services to help manufacturers and distributors identify areas for improvement and optimize their processes. They also sell an ERP product called Acumatica, providing comprehensive solutions to meet the diverse needs of their clients. DCSC is working to move everyone away from manually doing paperwork and enabling people to be agile and get their jobs done in record time.

Being a Peacemaker and an “Ego Tamer”

Kirsten shared some wisdom she’s gained over her 30 years in the software business. She has had to be a peacemaker and has had to take on the difficult ego tamers. She shared that different departments have challenges unifying, and she has often had to come in and save the day. Kirsten attributes this skill to being able to see the similarities between people. Although women tend to share long stories, and men tend to be short and sweet, Kirsten has learned to adapt so that she can see the best in both men and women.

Learning to Say “No”

This was a major theme of our conversation. I have always struggled with saying “no” in my life. In order to say yes to something, you have to say no to something else.

Kirsten emphasized the importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing your own well-being. You have to be so protective of your time to avoid getting burnt out. If you are burnt out, then how can you help anyone else?

“Just Do It!”: Advice for Young Women (and a Grand Canyon Story)

I asked Kirsten for her advice to young women. Her answer, “Just do it!”

She shared a story about hiking 12 miles into the Grand Canyon and back. I couldn’t even imagine! But she said that it reminded her that if you think you can’t do something, you are always stronger than you think you are.

“Just do it” applies to so many areas of life. Don’t wait for the “perfect” moment or for someone to give you permission. Just start. Take action, and learn along the way.

“I think fear is the worst thing for both men and women. Just like Nike says, ‘Just do it.’ Feel the fear, but do it anyway. Do it now. Whether you want to go to Germany, Europe, Mexico, or hike the Grand Canyon, find a way to make it happen. Get it done. You’ll never regret it.” – Kirsten Austin

Key Takeaways

• Find inspiration in unexpected places: Look to historical figures, loved ones, and even pop culture for guidance.
• Learn to say “no”: Prioritize your well-being by setting boundaries.
• Just do it!: Don’t let fear hold you back from pursuing your goals.