By Denise Michaels, Author, “Testosterone-Free Marketing”

It’s easy to get disconnected from your passion. Owning a business takes a lot of hard work. Especially as a woman when you have so many other things competing for your time and energy. Let’s be honest, how many women among us enjoys learning QuickBooks, asking for the sale, writing a marketing plan or handling someone who says “no.”

Success in life, however you define it, goes to those who stick with it. It’s constantly touching back with what makes your heart sing. Be willing to touch back AND confidently take a risk with your business. Show up. Actor and Director Woody Allen is famous for saying, “Eighty percent of life is just showing up.”

Are you willing to stand out a little so people can notice you and you get what you want?

Kevin Skinner was exceedingly ready. The 35 year old, humble, family man and self-described chicken catcher from hardscrabble Mayfield Kentucky who tears up easily when people compliment his singing was more than ready to take his big leap. Watch his audition on America’s Got Talent by clicking here.

I was mesmerized by Skinner’s performance. My intuition told me he’d go all the way and win it all. I watched his YouTube’s as he progressed in the competition repeatedly. And I’m not a country music fan. At all. He sings with such heart, compassion and emotion. You want to give him a hug, a cookie and hear it over and over again.

Was he the best singer in the competition? Not by a long shot. But Skinner’s talent isn’t about having a perfect voice – it’s about by making each and every member of his audience FEEL and believe in his sincerity and innate kindness. That’s his gift. He took them on a 90 second emotional journey with each performance. That’s entertainment. That’s talent. Audiences agreed.

Now the whole world knows Skinner went on to win America’s Got Talent on Wednesday September 16th. See his winning moment by clicking here. Suddenly he’s a million dollars richer and has a contract for a headline show in Las Vegas at Planet Hollywood.

I’ll bet Kevin knows he’s not a perfect singer. But he wasn’t willing to wait until he was perfect. Instead he got out there and saw how far he could go on the talent he does possess. The answer came back loud and clear: pretty far.

What about you? Have you hidden your talent or great business idea in the shadows for years hoping someday it’ll be perfect and someone will discover it magically? Life doesn’t usually happen that way. The people who win are the ones who move energy even if it isn’t perfect. In fact your talents and gifts will become more perfect when you get them out on a larger stage whether it’s in business or in life. Our true “lesson” in life is about growing up and authentically becoming who we really are. And, knowing how to market yourself and feeling good about it can help you get there – just ask me.