Feb 8, 2023
The decisions made by local, state and federal government have a direct impact on our lives.
But while women make up 51% of the population in the US, only 28% of the people in political office are female.
So, what can we do to make our system a true representative government?
Debbie Peterson began her career as an award-winning entrepreneur in Scotland. When she moved home to California, Debbie realized that her business experience could help her community, and she rose through the ranks of local government in Grover Beach.
During her tenure as planning commissioner, councilmember and finally mayor, Debbie discovered unthinkable corruption and set out to bring it down. She uncovers the true crime story in her book, The Happiest Corruption: Sleaze, Lies & Suicide in a California Beach Town.
On this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, Debbie joins Anjel to share her journey to becoming an entrepreneur in Scotland and explain how she attracted a VC firm to buy her company when she returned to the US.
Debbie describes what inspired her transition from business to local government and discusses the widespread corruption she discovered among politicians and government officials in the city of Grover Beach.
Listen in to understand Debbie’s passion for helping more women enter the political arena and learn how you can get involved in making your community a more beautiful, safe and rewarding place for everyone!
What You Will Learn
How Debbie developed communication and leadership skills as a teen
Debbie’s path to becoming an entrepreneur in Scotland
How Debbie realized she was called to be an entrepreneur
What Debbie loves about the creative side of building a business
How Debbie attracted a VC firm to buy her company
What inspired Debbie’s transition from business to local government
The unthinkable corruption Debbie discovered in her small California beach town
Debbie’s passion for helping more women enter politics
The story behind the title of Debbie’s book, The Happiest Corruption
How we can all get involved in making our communities more beautiful
Connect with Debbie Peterson
Resources
The Happiest Corruption: Sleaze, Lies & Suicide in a California Beach Town by Debbie Peterson
City Council 101: Insider’s Guide for New Councilmembers by Debbie Peterson
Double Dais—Adventures in Local Government Course
Happiest City in America on Oprah
Connect with Anjel B. Hartwell
Wickedly Smart Women Facebook Community
Wickedly Smart Women on TeePublic
Wickedly Smart Women on Clubhouse
The Wealthy Life Mentor on Facebook
Email listeners@wickedlysmartwomen.com
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