Mhasalongandillustrioushistory Thefirst well-documentedbusinesswomenmaybe foundinthecityofAssurinnorthernIraq,datingbackto 1870BC.Duringtheperiod,Assyrianwomenwere frequentlyinvolvedintheregion'slargecommerce networks,demonstratingthatbusinesswasnotlimitedto men.
anypeopleareunawarethatfemalebusiness
SeveralnamescometomindwhenIhear"womenin business."Let'saddonemoreadjectivetothemix: ambitious.WhenIthinkaboutasuccessfulfemale entrepreneur,OprahWinfreycomestomindimmediately Herstrugglesandeffortsarewidelyknownthroughoutthe globeassheovercamethem,becomingastrongwomen leaderinspiringmillionsofpeople.
"Turn your wounds into wisdom," Oprahsaysinarenowned andstraightforwardstatement.Itmakesmewonderhow manybattlesfemalesinthebusinessfacedaily.Withgender discriminationstillprevalentinmanypartsoftheworld,if you'reawomanworkingonstartingorjoiningabusiness, you'redoinganincrediblejob.
Womensucceedinginbusinessgivesmeoptimismthatthe worldwillbecomeabetterplacetolive.Genderdiversity hastheaddedbenefitofbringingnewperspectivestothe table,whichcanbehighlybeneficialtoorganizations. Today,menandwomenworkingtogethercreatearayof hopeforabetterfuture.
Anybusinesspersonmustbesureofafewthings, whetheramanorawoman.Beinggoodatwhatyou doisoneofthem.Andintoday'sworld,fully utilizingtechnologyiscritical.Ambitionisnecessary tofuelyourdesiretosucceed,butconsistencyis crucial.Self-confidenceisessentialforsuccessin anyendeavor.Iconfrontmanychallengesinthis fast-pacedworldasawomanwhowishestoslow down,andtherearetimeswhenImustbattlefor whatIwant.
InsightsSuccessrecognizestheleaderwho embarkedonthepaththatfuelstheirambitioninthis editionof "The 10 Most Ambitious Women in Business to Follow in 2022." Learnabouttheefforts ofsuchremarkablefemalesinchangingthefaceof thebusinessworld.
Also,lookthroughthearticleswrittenbyourinhouseeditorialteamfocusingonshapingthefuture ofauthentication;lastbutnotleast,learnmoreabout theindustrythroughtheCxOwrittenbyexperts.
Haveahappyread!
R T I C L E S
Leaders that We Need
Unlocking the POTENTIAL of WOMEN for WELFARE of the WORLD
R Y
AudreyHlembizky
FounderandCEO
TeamsynergGlobal ConsultingInc www.audreyhlembizky.com www.teamsynerg.com www.unimaginable.com www.IDareU2BEE.com
TeamsyerGGlobalConsultingInc.isanInternationally recognizedconsultingfirmthatiscommittedtobuilding generationalsustainabilityandthatempowersorganizationsto embraceatransformativeandalignedapproachtoinfluence change.
DariaDubinina CEOandCo-founder
DianaJenner ManagingDirector
ElissaWeimer
Owner&Professional Trainer
HeatherRipley CEO&Founder
KarinaTiwana VicePresident,Legal
RuthieStaalsen Owner&Professional Trainer
SherryBlinkhorn Broker/Owner
TracyLamourie FounderandManaging Director
TalkDEI talkdei.io
Crassula crassula.io
OrchidsRetreatBeauty& WellbeingClinic orchidsretreat.co.uk
Paw&OrderDogTraining pawandorder.com
RipleyPR ripleypr.com
Infinera infinera.com
RuthieStaalsenInteriors ruthiestaalsen.com
TalkDEIisamarketplacewherecompanies,DEIsuppliers,and practitionersmeettobuildworkplacesthatembracediversity, equality,andinclusioninbusinesspractices.
CrassulaWhiteLabelsolutionsbuildPSP,Banking,FX products.
OrchidsRetreatoffersadvancedfaceandskincare,makeup, manicure&pedicure,arangeofmassagetreatments,bridal make-up,threadingandmuchmore.
Paw&OrderDogTrainingofferscertifieddogtraining programs.
RipleyPRisanaward-winning,globalpublicrelationsagency.
Infineraisaglobalsupplierofinnovativenetworkingsolutions.
RuthieStaalsenInteriorshelpsyoucreaterelaxed,collected interiors,withaglobalinfluence.
BlinkhornRealEstateLtd blinkhornrealestate.com
LamourieMediaInc. lamouriemedia.com
BlinkhornRealEstatimplementsinnovativetechnologiesand offersvirtualrealitytoursanddronevideographytoenhance thelistingsservices.
LamourieMediaInc.a UniversalWomen'sNetwork2020 WomanofInspirationWinnerfortheWomenInMediaaward.
When you have a driving force within you that is your soul's work, you develop the resilience and stamina to stand up against anything.
Whatifitwaspossibletocreateafuturewherenoonewas leftbehind?Whatifwecouldputanendtopovertyand everynationcametogetherpeacefully?Humankindis headingtowardsanuncertainfuture,oftenturningablind eyetomanyofoursocialinjustices.Ittakesgreatcourage toraiseavoiceagainsttheseissuesandempowerand encourageeveryonetobeapartofthereconciliationand repairneededtotransformtheworldtocreateasustainable futureandhopeforhumanity
AudreyHlembizkysharesherconvictionanddeep emotionalchargeaboutwhen,where,what,who,andWHY buildinggenerositycouldbethesolutiontoresolveand evolvealltheinjusticesthatcurrentlyexisttowardspeople andtheplanet.
"The future needs all of us. We all need to do our part. The oceans are losing millions of miles of life every day Animals are being unnecessarily slaughtered, and people are becoming addicted to a "convenience lifestyle.” We, the people, cannot sustain this type of lifestyle. We all need to hold one another accountable to live every day with this awareness and consciously give our best to create the best future possible for our kids," sharesAudrey
Withtheeffortstobuildethicalandgenerational sustainabilityfortheworld'smostinfluentialandimpactful industries,AudreyleadswithherventureTeamsynerG GlobalConsultingInc.
AstheFounderandCEOofTeamsynerG,sheis continuouslyevolvingherorganizationtoelevatecorporate andsocialresponsibility Asthefounderandpresidentof severalotherorganizations,sheplaysavitalrolein developingandfundingsolutionsfortoday’ssocial, political,economic,andenvironmentalissues.
Audrey’sinnovativeapproachanddeterminationplayeda vitalpartinestablishingTeamsynerG.Ittookmanygreat failurestodevelopthecompanyintowhatitistoday Yet, hergritandagileabilitytogrowthroughadversityiswhat providesherwiththecredibilitytocoachandleadothersto bewillingtogoafterwhatothersbelieveisimpossible.
Letusunveilheruprootingjourney!
Audrey plays a vital role in developing, funding, and implementing solutions towards social, cultural, and environmental issues.
Boardingonherentrepreneurialspirit,Audreystartedher firstlemonadestandbusinessatelevenyears.Shelater expandedhertinyventuretoincludepopcornbagswithan opportunityforthekidsonthestreettobartertheirfavorite culturecandieswithoneanother
“I remember one of my friends on my street introduced me to Nutella. I was blown away that I would be able to eat chocolate on toast in the morning and rushed home to tell my mom. I used to trade German orange chocolate that my grandmother brought in from Germany. My street was filled with kids, and I saw that all of us were so unique, and our food was so amazing. So why not create an opportunity to trade. We had a multicultural buffet. Hungarian, Jamaican, Italian, and we all learned about one another’s countries through our taste buds.”
Audreycamefromabusinessbackground.Shewatchedher dadoperatealargecontractingbusinessandhermom alwayssupportingherfatherwhileraising6kids.Froman earlyageof7,Audreylearnedtoberesponsibleespecially whenhermomhadabraintumor Throughhermom’s healingjourneyandjustbeingtheeldest,herleadership camenaturally.Frombabysittinghersiblings,tobeingthe live-intutor,shetookagreatinterestinwatchingherfather andmotheralwaystalkaboutbusinessandmore importantlywatchedandwitnessedherparentsbeingso generous,inspiring,andinclusivewitheveryone.
Audrey’smotherandgrandmothercamefromthespaand wellnessindustryforfourgenerations.Dermatologyandthe bodyfascinatedher,andherambitiousandcreativemind inspiredhertocontinuethelegacywithmanynew innovativeindustryventures.Audreysawaneedwithinthe hospitalityandcorporateindustrytoprovidewellnessinthe workplaceandsheownedandoperatedanational organizationthatincludedgroupmindsetdevelopment, teambuilding,healthandfitness,spa,corporateworkshops, productdevelopmentandexperientialmarketing opportunitiesthatkickedofftheboomofthespaandthe medicalcosmeticindustry.Hertruepassionwasbusiness development,andsheisrecognizedasthepioneerformany oftoday’sgreatindustrialachievements.
Unfortunately,in2009,Audrey'sprevioushusbandWalter, tragicallypassedaway;shewasleftingreatshock, grievance,anddepression.Audreystruggledwithmany thingsrightafterhedied.HersonStephanhadjustturned sevenandshestruggledtokeepherselftogetherforhim. Shenowwasasinglemomandunfortunatelyherhusband didnothavelifeinsurance.Thereweresomanyvariables thatbegantobeoutofhercontrol,andeverythingtogether wasarecipeforaverypainfulendingtoabusinessshehad builtforovertwenty-fiveyears.Fromatragiclossto claimingpersonalbankruptcyinaspanofeighteenmonths. Sheexpresses, "It took me some time to accept all of the loss, from my son losing his father, his home he knew and watching his mother cry to sleep every day, I had a hard time seeing beyond my circumstances. As time passed, I was
able to see that Walter’s death taught me how short life really is, I recall so clearly hearing words in my head that said, “Audrey, you have a gift to develop things that others cannot see, you need to go build what is needed.” I knew if I was going to give my life to something, it had to be something legendary. I knew I wanted to make a big impact in the world especially for my son, and I can see now that all the different stages of my life lead me to do what I am doing now."
"Starting all over again had its challenges, yet along the way I had so many amazing people in my life that stood by me, particularly my parents, all my siblings and especially my sister Simone. I had 25 years of business experience, leading, and training people, creating startups, and developing innovative projects and products. I knew I needed to put it all together and apply it towards creating a future of hope.”
Audreytookallherexperienceandpainandshiftedgearsto startTeamsyngerGasasoleproprietorshipfocusingon youthandlow-incomefamilies,especiallytheimpactsof povertyandsinglemomswithinthecommunity.Formany yearspriorandduringthetimeofrunningherfirstbusiness shealwaysparticipatedinlocal,communityprojectsand workedwithseveralminoritygroupsandindigenous communities.Shewasalsoabletotakeallherexpertiseto influencepositivechangewithincommunitieswhodidnot havethefinancialresources.
Advocatingforthosewithoutavoicewaswhatwokeherup inthemorning.Shebegancoachingandconsultingwitha fewselectclientsandtookonprojectsthatwereprimarily governmentrunforhigh-riskyouth.Themoreherclients expandedthemoreshewaspulledforwardtowardsthe inequalitieswithinthecorporateandsocialsectorswhich leadhertofocusondevelopingprogramsanddesign corporatethinkingsolutionstotrainanddevelopleadersto leadtheirorganizationsthroughempathyand accountability Yet,whatkeptlingeringinthebackground wastheworkshedidpriorwhensheledthedevelopmentof thefirst100%biodegradable,organic,andeco-friendly amenityproducts.Whensheworkedinpartnershipwiththe hospitalityindustryfortwenty-fiveyears.Audreyshares, “You see so much unnecessary waste within the hotel industry, yet one thing that always bothered me was those little shampoo and soap bottles. I remember inquiring into what happens to all those plastic bottles. In North America alone there are millions of little plastic bottles that end up in landfills that may stay for a thousand years. That upset me, so I said “what if there was a bottle that could disappear once you place it in soil? I lead this project and brought it to fruition. However, at the time, sourcing biodegradable products that were affordable was not easy, yet with an amazing team we created a perfect product which I am proud to say is now the predominate bottle in all the major hotels.”
Throughthatexperience,Audreyopenedherworldtoso manylevelsofmanufacturing,fairtrade,agriculture,and theminingindustry.Sheshares, “Everything we use is either mined from underground, or grown above ground. All the ingredients in your vitamins, cosmetic products, to the way fertilizer is made and the baking soda used in household products. Everything begins somewhere and the supply chain process fascinated me. The more I researched the more I saw injustices towards people and the planet,
which made me angry, sad and afraid for our children’s future.”
Thisinspiredhertodeclarehercompanywouldbeasystem changer Tobringintegritytohowourindustrialgiantsdo businessandbegintocreateanewdemandaroundwhat doinggreatbusinesslookslike.Audreyshares. It took patience and perseverance. I had so many roadblocks; the corporate industry was not open to sustainable thinking initiatives, not like today where big companies are now in a big hurry to meet their SDG 2030 targets. There were many naysayers, but I knew that I could create a demand for the type of services that held leaders to account. I whole heartedly believed every company would begin to see how critical it was for them to create their sustainability road maps," explainsAudrey.
Sheshares, "With that, I began to build my consulting company to focus on minimizing the impacts of these injustices by focusing on enhancing the systems & processes and bringing integrity to how they conduct
business. Most of all, train and develop the leaders and the workforce to "think sustainably." And show them how. The more I saw the disfunction in all the levels of the supply chain and how it would impact our planet and the future generation, I knew in my heart I needed to be part of interrupting what was happening."
Today,TeamsynerGGlobalConsulting'smissionisto advancegenerationalsustainabilityintheworld'sleading industries.Itbelievesinbuildingethicalandsustainable communitiesandorganizationstodriveambitiousand transformativesocialimpacts.
TeamsynerGaimstocollaboratewithgloballeadersto developstandards,policies,andproceduresthatshowthe youngergenerationthattheirfuturematters.
TeamsynerGcreatesadeepcollaborationwithclientsto createpeopleandbusinessstrategiesthatdevelopalllevels oftheirleadershipandworkforceto"think"sustainablyand planaccordingly.Itdrivesaccountabilitywithintheculture andsetsalignmentacrosstheirorganizationstoputtheir mission,vision,andvaluesintopractice.
TeamsynerGisdata-driven,whichallowsittoletthedata tellthestoryineverypartoftheproject.Withacombined thirty-fiveyearsofindustryexpertise,thegeniuswithinthe teamprovidesthebestinleadershipdevelopment, organizationalchange,engineering,operationsandsystem designandextensivecapabilityingovernanceandsocial responsibility.TeamsynerGhasanextensiveportfolioof proprietarytoolsandmethodologiesthatwhenimplemented caneffectivelyadvancegenerationalsustainability.Itsgoal istopartnerwiththecompanies,design,developand implementwhatisneeded,thenfacilitateatrainthetrainer approachandmeasureprogressuntilitknowsthepeople willsustaintheimprovement.
TeamsynerGstronglybelievesintechnology,hopingforAI tobeusedinplaceswhereitcaneliminatethreatsto people'slives.Audreyasserts, "I do not believe AI should ever replace people in doing what people are to do. It is an area that is difficult for some large companies always to understand, but your PEOPLE ARE YOUR ACCESS TO profits. Great people are irreplaceable and when people are valued, they produce so much more value. And technology
can play a big part in consistency, integrity, and accountability, which is why we have developed distinct systems to drive high performance leadership.”
Audreygoesontosay, “There is a quote by Jim Bergeson. Data will talk to you if you are willing to listen.” We measure human performance. A person’s outputs are a direct reflection of the mental capacity and capability. The limits you have in your thinking will show up in your results.”
Asaresult,Audreyandherteamhavedevelopedatool, supportingthedevelopmentofhumanaccountabilityand effectiveness.Thebrainworksinawaythatcanlearnfrom repetition. Consistencyestablishesnewhabits,andunless consistencyisdrivingyouractions,anewpatterncannotbe formed.Thus,TeamsynerGhasdevelopedaplatformthat workswithitsleadershipcoachesandtrainers.
Theplatformelevatescriticalandstrategicthinking, emotionalandethicalintelligenceanddevelopsmoreagile andresilientindividuals.Integrityandaccountabilityare strengthenedandoptimizedwhichdirectlyimpacts performanceoutcomes.Theplatformmeasuresalllevelsof deliverablesandisdesignedtotrainanddevelopnew mentalmodelsthatshapethewayyouact,think,plan,and behave.DataiscontinuouslygatheredmeasuringKPI’sand KBI’swhichthensupportstheapproachoftheone-on-one coaching.Thekeyfocusistotrainpeopletobehigh performing,withoutcomprisingtheirownpersonalneeds andtofocusonthecriticalbehavioralskillsandindicators totakethemthroughanyperformancerisksandprovide themwiththeopportunitytostabilizetheirmindsetuntilwe optimizetheirhumanpotential.
AudreyproudlymentionsthattheteamatTeamsynerGis driventothrivetogether.Weareallapartofsomethingbig andinspiringandareacriticalpartoftheorganizations missionandsuccess.Shenotes, "When you are part of our company, you know you play an integral role in supporting, leading, and changing policies and practices that can empower gender and racial equality. You will be part of developing a system with less waste going into the ground or water that can kill wildlife. You are part of the governance and compliance process of honoring treaties for first nation communities. When you are part of our company, you are the face, voice, and heart. Each of us are building a future of generosity for all.”
Herdiverseandlargeteamalsoincludesherhusbandand
sister.HerhusbandDr.MarvinThompsonisan internationallyrecognizededucatorwithadoctoratein leadershipandpolicystudies. HersisterSimoneVitellaro leadsthecoachingdivision. Audrey shares: “I love my team, and to have the privilege and honor of your husband and sister wanting to build sustainable futures alongside you, is part of what keeps me thriving forward.”
Aspartoftheorganizationscontinuedcommitmenttothe 2030SDG’stheyhaveembracedgoalnumber“17”through theirpartnershipwithRJCGlobalImpactInc.
SDGGoal“17”istostrengthenthemeansof implementationandrevitalizetheglobalpartnershipfor sustainabledevelopment.RJCGlobalImpactisan internationalorganizationandatrustedresourceforthe globalresourceindustry.Theyspecializeinelevatingthe socialandsustainablefootprintwhiletransformingcomplex operationstobehighlyefficient,effective,andprofitable.
RJCisownedandoperatedbyRosellenJohnsonwhohad hiredAudreyasherpersonalcoach.Throughthis connectiontheybothrealizedhowalignedtheywerein theirdeeppassiontobuildasustainablefutureand especiallyhowtheywantedtoeliminatesomanysocialand environmentalinjustices.Audreystates, "Rosellen and I are cut from the same cloth. We both have an intense drive to create a greater world. I have never met anyone who gets as ill as I do when we see injustices like human trafficking, corruption, or manufacturing waste getting into the water sources and then impacting surrounding communities."
Sheadds, "These are real-life issues, and most people are blind to what is happening in our back yard. Rosellen is someone who, when she wakes up in the morning, says, "Okay, what will I transform today?" As her business and personal coach, we became so united and could not resist the opportunity of creating the impossible together. We saw one another in each other's eyes and heard our words spoken from one another's voices. Rosellen and I knew that together we could do much more than apart. So, considering that, we created joint ventures where our companies and teams partnered, which took our capability to a whole new level."
Astheirorganizationsgrew,thedemandforwhattheyhad toofferskyrocketed,yetthemoretheyengagedinsystems improvementandchangemanagementwork,themorethey couldseeagrowingneed.AudreyandRosellenhavenow started ‘UNIMAGINABLE’-anon-profitorganization
We ignite our clients minds and provide them with our proprietary tools they need to transform their goals into a reality and develop their leadership muscle.Photo Credits : Carmela Conza
regulatingeducationandsupportingthecorrectionsof globalpolitical,economic,social,andenvironmental injustices.Itfocusesonethicalandsustainablepractices holdingindustriesaccountablefortheirnegativeimpacts, inefficiencies,corruption,andunethicalpractices.Itisin theearlystages,yetitwillbeanonlinedestinationfor Philanthropists,C-levelexecutives,andtheirleadersto ensuretheirorganizationsmeettherequirementsof operatingasociallyresponsiblecompany.Itwillpartner withorganizationstobefutureleaders,ensuring generationalsustainabilityisattheforefrontofbusiness practices.
Longstoryshort,UNIMAGINABLEisaresourceforthe world’slargestindustriestomeasurewheretheyratein theirability,capacity,andcapabilitytomeettheneedsof theimmediatesustainabledevelopmentgoalsandthegoals thatwilldrivesustainabilityandethicalpracticesforfuture generations.
Audreyenvisionsherselfseeingthefruitionoftheefforts sheisinstillingatpresent.Sheisdeeplycommittedand passionateaboutcontributingtochildrenandteenagers’ psychological,physical,andspiritualneeds.While describingherplanssheputs, “I have worked with children’s groups and developed programs for many years and always knew one day I would have my own company that would be a staple in the development of our young leaders.”
“Being a mother is the gift that life has given to me. Up until recently, I was the mother of one, my son Stephan and now through my marriage to Marvin, I have another son Haden and daughter Kristian and I am also a grandmother to my grandson Makhi. My motherly love and instincts tell me that unless the adult generation of today are willing to do something to stop the rapid destruction of oceans, land, and the critical thinking of our children’s minds, my kids and grandchild will have a very hard world to try and be happy in. It is very important to me to be someone who can train and develop young minds to think confidently, courageously, and generously. Empathy and kindness are needed now much more than ever. One day I am sure I will hand over TeamsynerG to my extraordinary team, yet I will never be able to retire and want to spend the rest of my life developing our kids and writing."
Asaresult,Audreyhasalreadystarteduptransformingthe futureforkidswithherbusinesspartnerAlannaCarr They startedthecompanyIDareU2Bee.com,focusingon
developingkidstobekind.Theyhavedesigneda curriculumthatteacheschildrenthenecessarylifeskills suchasempathy,confidence,trust,positivecommunication, diversity,inclusion,andself-love.Theirproprietyprograms areaccessibleon-lineforhomeschoolingandthereareinclassprogramswithinschools,withexclusiveafterschool programsandsummercamps.Theirteensprogramisvery deartoAudrey’sheartasitspecializesinteachingprograms thattrainkidsinfinancialliteracy,projectplanning,goal mappingandallthenecessarygrowthmindsetand leadershiptoolstoempowerfuturesocialentrepreneurship.
Inheradvicetoemergingentrepreneurs,shesays, "Focus on what is important to you and never negotiate with your values. Do not just work for money yet learn how important financial integrity is. Do what you know you love to do as there are so many things that you will come up against that will trigger you to quit. When you have a driving force within you that is your souls work, you develop the resilience and stamina to stand up against the triggers.
"Be the best at what you do and hire other experts to do everything else. You take away from your craft and steal any possible results when you do it all. Making money is important; know your worth. As a high-performance coach and consultant, I fall in the high paying category. You need to earn your way here and there is no quick way up the ladder unless you sell out on your integrity. I am a professional who takes my profession seriously. I do not play games or gamble with my clients’futures. Their future is more than just a paycheque, their future goals could be what transforms this planet. I do not give in to my clients’ problems as my job is to see the solution and then help them see it themselves. Most of the time I go to battle with their negative thinking and not the person as when they believe something is impossible, my response is “Impossible is for the unwilling”. If you want to succeed in anything, pay more attention to the level of your work ethic, than the level of your bank account. Put in the time, give more than you get and have a non-negotiable mindset with your values and always remember your moral equity will sustain you forever.”
omenhavemadeenormousstridesinthe
Wfinancesector.Theircontributionsinthespace arestrengtheningthefinancial-servicesindustry andhelpingbusinessesstayaheadofchallenges.Onesuch womanshapingthefutureoffinanceisDariaDubinina
Beforedivingintoentrepreneurship,Daria'sjourneyhas beenfullofdiscoveriesandindustryresearch.Shehasbeen workingintheFinTechandpaymentsfieldforfiveyears, doinge-commerceandonlinepayments.Thisallowedher togettoknowtheFinTechindustryandstrengthenedher desiretolearnanddevelopinFinTech.
Dariahasdedicatedmorethannineyearstomastering payments,e-commerce,andbusinessdevelopment.Asa leadingstrategistandentrepreneur,shehasalsoledmajor partnershipdealswithtopinternationalcompanies.Today sheistheCEOandCo-founderofCrassula.
Let'sunveilmoreaboutDaria'sjourneyandhowCrassulais deliveringtheworld-classproducts.
Crassula'sstorybeganwhenDariametAlexNovozhenov andVladNikolayev.Theyallareco-foundersofCrassula.
ThedecisiontofoundCrassulawasanaturalprogressionof thedesiretoputtheaccumulatedknowledgeintoaction. Theystartedwithasimpleideatoprovidefastandeasy coretechnologyforlaunchingFinTechs.Andtoday CrassulaWhiteLabelsolutionsaretrustedbytheindustry leaders.ThecompanyallowsuserstobuildtheirPSP, Banking,FXproductsindaysandprovidesaccesstoworldclassproductstoover5millionusers.
CrassulaWhiteLabelsoftwareprovidesthetechnical infrastructurefortheFinTechcompaniesthatallows creatingtheirservicesandproducts.WithCrassula, companiescanconcentrateonbuildingtheirbusinesses withoutspendingyearsandhugebudgetsdevelopingtheir solutions.Also,thisapproachreducestheriskswhentesting abusinessidea;nowthecompanycanbegintoimplement itsideaonCrassula'splatform,attractcustomersandenter themarket.
Crassulaallowsitsclientstolaunchtheircryptobanksand wallets,acceptingcryptopayments.Usingitssolutions, clientscanstarttheircryptobusinessindays.
Dariaisplayingacrucialroleinsupportingthelaunch, growthanddevelopmentofFinTechsaroundtheworld throughCrassula. Firstly,CrassulahelpsFinTech companiestobringtheirideastolifequicklyandsavetheir budgets.Italsocreatesawholeinfrastructureofsolutions andproducts,akindoftechhub,stimulatingthecreationof newproductsandservicesdevelopment.
"We also do a lot of R&D and there is a clear trend of FinTech penetration into most tech industries. Social media, retail, gaming, and other industries are developing FinTech components. Thus, our solutions are also becoming more global, which allows us to develop the global market," Darianotes.
FurtherDariamentionsthatCrassularesearchesandtests thelatesttechnologicaladvancestocreatethemost effectiveproductsforitscustomers.Today,theCrassula platformoffers3mainproducts:CoreBankingSystem, CryptoBankingSystem,andPSP.
CoreBankingSystemprovidesledgerswithIBANs,card managementsystem,KYConboardingandverification module,AMLfinancialmonitoringmodule,SWIFT& SEPAtransfers,Currencyexchange,andmore.
CryptoBankingproductallowsCrassula'sclientstolaunch theircryptoprojects,manageandopenaccountswith uniquecryptoaddresses,exchangefiattocrypto,make cryptotransfers,investincrypto,issuecardsforprivateand businessclients.
PSPishelpingcreateaglobalpaymentgatewayattributed withalternativepaymentmethods,anti-fraud,risk management,merchantintegration,smartrouting,and virtualcurrencies,enablingpaymentcompaniestomake onlinepaymentssecureandsmartformerchantsand payers.
StatingtheimportanceofcultureDariastatesthatthemost
“We are constantly developing, growing and improving.”
importantvalueforCrassulaisitsteam.Foritscommunity, oneofthekeyprinciplesiscalled "Freedom And Responsibility".Itdoesnotcontroleveryminuteofworking time,givingitsteammatesfreedomtocreatewheneverthey want,butexpectsresponsibilityoffinishingtheprojectson timeandwiththehighestquality.Itcreateditsproductwith theabilitytothinkoutoftheboxandtriestoencouragethis skillinitsteam.
AsaCEO,DariatriestomotivateCrassula'scommunity,be arolemodel,shareherexperienceandstimulatecreativity intheareaofresponsibilityofCrassula'steammates.
Dariabelievesthatthebasisforbuildingateamistowork withthebest.Tocooperatewiththebestprofessionalsfrom aroundtheworld,Crassuladevelopedremoteworking practicesevenbeforethepandemic.So,whenCOVID-19 flippedtheworkplacesupside-down,Crassulahadalready embracedaremoteworkmodelbeforehiringprofessionals onlinebegantogetpopular Thisapproachenabledtheteam todoubleinsizein2021.Currently,Crassulaisatechnical hubbringingtogetherprofessionalsfromallovertheworld. ItsdreamteamisworkingremotelyfromLatvia,theUK, Russia,Ukraine,Kazakhstan.
WeaskedDariaheropiniononthenextbigsignificant changeintheFinTechspace,towhichshesays, "Pandemic, lockdown, and society changes led to radical changes in technology. Technologies today are developing rapidly as never before, and the FinTech industry is growing as well. Online banking is becoming a transforming tool in finance. And it's not just about the cashless economy. Digital banking offers more innovative services and products, improves security and transparency. It is important to mention white labelling as one of the main trends. White Label FinTech solutions allow the market to develop faster, and the businesses to launch their own solutions, minimize risks and costs.”
AccordingtoDaria,oneofthemostimportantfinancial innovationsandoneofthemaintrendsiscrypto.Trends suchasroboticprocessautomationandvoice-enabled paymentscannotbeignored.Noonecouldevenimagine howquicklyitcouldevolvewhenonlinebankinghasjust started.Bigdataprojectsarestillanimportanttrend,as peoplecreateanincredibleamountofdataeverysecond. Crassulaisatthecuttingedgeoftechnologydevelopment, anditisgoingtoworktoletitsproductskeeppacewith worldtrendsandpossiblyleadthem.
Lookingbackward,Dariaseesalotofamazingclients, successfulprojects,andcollaborations.Therefore,sheis lookingforwardtoworkingonnewsolutionsforCrassula's clients,tonewintegrations,nominations,and collaborations.
Inheradvicetoemergingentrepreneurs,Dariasays, "Building your own business is one of the most hard yet exciting journey. This is a chance to give rise to new trends that may one day change the world. Therefore, you should be open to new opportunities, work hard, and develop your networking skills. You should always take care of yourself, of your team and keep moving to the new goals.”
Everyonedeservestofeelgreataboutthewaythey look.ItwasthisbeliefthatledDianaJennerto foundOrchidsRetreat.
DianaturnedherpassionforbeautyintoaboutiqueBeauty Salonthatgenuinelycaresaboutthewellbeingofitsclients. FromstartinghercareerbyworkinginaSpatorunningan award-winningsalon,shehascomealongway AtOrchids, shecreatestailoredprogramstosuiteachclient'sindividual needsofChemicalPeels,Mesotherapy,andCustomised Facialstopromoteandmaintainhealthyskin.
Inspiredbyherurgetotakebeautyindustrytothenew heights,weatInsightsSuccesscaughtupwithDianato learnmoreaboutherjourneyandOrchidsRetreat.
Briefouraudienceaboutyourjourneyasabusiness leaderuntilyourcurrentpositionatOrchidsRetreat. Whatchallengesdidyouovercometoreachwhereyou aretoday?
MycareerinthebeautyindustrybeganworkinginaSpaat theLuxorHotelinLasVegaswhilstattendingUniversity NevadaLasVegas.Ialwayswantedtoownmyown business,andasalifelongpassionforbeauty,Iwantedto havemyownsalon.
MyDadtoldmethatIcouldn'tgotobeautyschoolasI neededaformaleducationnotjusttolearnatradeskill;he wouldn'tevenletmeattendaneveningmassagecourse whilstatuniversity.Instead,Igotajobinthespawhilst studyingatUNLVtogainhands-onexperience.Fast forwardafewyears,andImovedtoEnglandtobenearmy Mom.InEuropetheyofferBeautyTherapycoursesthat teachyouavarietyofskills,soIenrolledineverycourse possible.Forayear,Iattendedholistic,beautyand advancedcoursesfull-timeduringthedayaswellas
eveningandweekends,soIcompletedthreeyearsof coursesinoneyear.
Nowitwastimetogainsomeexperienceintheindustry.I startedmyownbusinesscalledOrchidsHideawayandset upatreatmentroominmybedroomathome.This expandedtoatwobedhousewithoneroomjustforsalon use;whilebuildingupmyownclientele,Iwasworkingina salonandmanagingabarandrestauranttomakeendsmeet. IthentookajobwithVirginAtlantictoseetheworldand visitspasandsalonsaroundtheglobe.In2008,Igaveup mywingsandboughtmyfirstsalononthetopfloorofa hairsalon.Iwasenjoyingtrainingandsharingmypassion asIgrewtheteam,soIgainedmyteachingqualification fromGreenwichUniversitytoenablemetoteachbeauty Teaching,runningasalon,andgrowingafamilyprovedto betoomuchtojuggle,sothenextchapterwastobea solopreneur.
Ikeptatreatmentroomonthecoastandtookupa residencyattheSohoHotelinLondon,whichgavemethe opportunitytohostseasonalskincareeventsforbeauty magazines,bloggersandtreatcelebrityclientele.Itwasa fantasticexperience,andI'msogratefultoKitKempforthe opportunity.
Thepandemicproveddifficultformany,butwithgritand motivation,Iwasdeterminedtoswimupstreamandprovide wellbeingforthecommunity.Lastsummer,Iopenedasixtreatmentroombeautyandwellbeingclinic.And,wenow haveateamoftwelvetoofferbeauty,holistic,wellbeing andadvancedaestheticservices.
OrchidsRetreat'smissionistohelpothersputtheirbest faceforward.Toeducateourteamandclientsabouthowto careandmaintainahealthybodyandglowingskinallyear
round.Weprideourselvesinofferingahighstandardof treatments,customerserviceandclientcare.
Enlightenusonhowyouhavemadeanimpactinthe AestheticFacialsnichethroughyourexpertiseinthe market.
Withover20yearsofexperienceintheBeautyIndustry,I stillhavethesamemotto-putyourbestfaceforward. Healthyglowingskinnaturallyisaboutlookingafteryour skin.We'reonlygivenonebodyinthislifeandyou'vegot tolookafterit.AsoneofthefirstUKBrandAmbassadors forDermalogicaandanAdvancedSkinExpert,Icreated theYouthBoostfacialalongwithatrioofotherstofocus onclients'specificskincareneeds.WeuseDermalogica ProfessionalSkincare,mesotherapy,micro-needlingand BioTherapeuticstechnologytodesignbespokefacialsfor eachclient.
Ifgivenachance,whatchangewouldyouliketobring intheBodyMassageindustry?
Ithinkteachingtherapistshowtosavetheirhandsandlook aftertheirbody'siscrucialtoalifelongcareerinthis industry AtOrchidsRetreat,wewelcomeapprenticeships andcollegestudentstojoinourteamasjuniortherapists.I hostmonthlymasterclassesforourwholeteamtofurther developtheirskillsetandamamazedhowmanydonot knowhandsfreeortriggerpointtechniquesthatcanbeused tosavetheirhandsfromrepetitivestrain.Ibelievethe industryshouldofferthistrainingaspartoftherapistsinitial coursecontent.
What,accordingtoyou,couldbethenextbigchangein SkinTherapyindustry?HowisOrchidsRetreat preparingtobeapartofthatchange?
Ithinkthenextbigchangeintheindustrywillbepeople tryingtoundotheeffectsofhavingtoomanyfillersand enhancedtreatments.Advancedaestheticsareagrowing market,butitisimportanttomaintainstandards.Ithinkit's alsovitalforprofessionalstoonlyrecommendwhatis neededandadvisewhentoputthebrakesonandeducate theirclientsabouttheneedtolookafterthecanvasnotjust continuetoplumpoutthelinesartificially.Youcan'tturn backtheclockyouhavetolookafteryourskin.
Wheredoyouenvisionyourselftobeinthelongrun andwhatareyourfuturegoalsforOrchidsRetreat?
Ihavesomanygoalsandaspirations!
Duringthepandemic,Iobtainedadistinctioninan aromatherapycourseandusedmyyearsofproduct ingredientknowledgetocreatemysignaturescentand formulatemyownbodycarerangetohelpclientsrefresh, relaxandrestoreathome.Iwouldliketobeahousehold nameonedayandtoadvanceAurumDtobeingstocked andsoldinhighendretailstores,notjustatOrchids Retreat.
TheBritishAssociationofBeautyTherapyand Cosmetologyaskedmetohelpthegovernmentwritethe guidelinesforourindustrytobecovidcompliant.Iwas delightedtohelptheDepartmentofBusinessandIndustry Strategy(BEIS)andtosharemyknowledgeandexperience withothersinthissectorIsetupSignatureDcoachingand consulting.
Goingforward,Iwouldliketosharemypassionand combinefeaturesfromallthreecompaniestofranchise OrchidsRetreataroundtheUnitedKingdomandlaunchour BeautyandWellbeingClinicsglobally.Offeringa'Beauty BusinessinaBox'withadvancedcoaching,policies, procedures,businesssetup,marketingmaterialsand ongoingsupport.
Whatwouldbeyouradvicetobuddingentrepreneurs whoaspiretoventureintothebusinesssector?
Justgoforit!You'llneverbecompletelyready;thereisno suchthingasfailure,justlessonslearnt.Ilearnnewlessons everyday,andithelpsusalltogrow,developandblossom.
Lifeisastrugglethatrevolvesaroundpersonal andprofessionalchallenges.And,whenyou arestruggling,seekingadvicefromgenuine friendsalwayshelpsyou.Butinsteadoffollowing peopleandtheiradvice,createyourownopportunities thathelpyoufindyourownpath.Becausefateisby farthegreatestmysteryofall,andyoucannever knowwhereitwilltakeyou.Buttherealquestionis thereanalternativetoallofthis?Whileeveryone speaksaboutthesecomplicatedthings,let’sdiscuss thesolutionthroughthisarticle.
Ourlivesareconnectedtotechnologyandsocial media,astheyplayakeyroleintoday’smodern world.Asbusinessleaders,wehavetoacceptthefact thatthevisiontobringchangeinthelivesofthe peopleandtransformtheworldispossiblewith technology.But,promotingcompassionandwellbeingamongthepeopleisalsoequallyimportant. Understandably,everyonewantstocreatetheir identityandinfluencetheworld.Butdeveloping leadersjustforthesakeofbusinessoutputandprofits willdegradethequalityoftheleadership.And,we don’twantsuchleaders,especiallyintoughtimeslike today
Wewantleaderswhocangetthebestoutoftheir team,whichispossibleonlywithoutthefearof judgment.Itisagreatwaytolead,discuss,guide,and helpeachotherincrucialtimes.Arayofhopeisall peopleneed,andleaderscanbringthathopethrough thesesources.Forexample,ifanyemployeeknows thathe/shedoesnothavetofacetheissuesaloneand thereissomeonetotalkaboutit,itgiveshopetothat person.
Yes,that’sthealternativeforaleader–toconnect-to helpthosewhofeeldownandtrytobringthebestout ofthem.That’swhattheleadershouldberecognized for,andthisistheshiftleadersneedtobringcurrently Asanorganizationandaspeople,weshoulddevelop compassionandethicsthatreflectouroutlookonthe world.
Itisonlywiththisapproachwecanmakeitpossible tosustainandimpactlivesforlonger,creatingabetter worldforall.Thisisamuch-neededalternativein today’spandemicsituation–promotingcompassion
andwell-beingamongthepeople.Nowthatwehave gotthealternativesolutionfortheleaders.Thenext questionis,howdoyourecognizethatyouneedhelp? Mostofustodayaretoobusymakingaliving.We existonlywithinourdailyroutine,asweare preoccupiedwithmassiveresponsibilitiesinmany aspectsofourlives,likeacademic,financial,career, householdchores,etc.Andduetothis,itbecomestoo latetorealizethatyouarealreadystruggling–emotionallyandmentally.Wenolongerlistentoour body&mind,andfinally,wedonotappreciateour actual/reallife.
Thereappearsanabsenceofself-care.Takingcareof yourselfcanbeoverlookedagainstalltheprofessional pressuresofourlife.Butitisimportanttotaketimeto careaboutyourphysical,emotional,spiritual,and mentalhealth.
Beforeyouextendyourcompassionandauthentic careforpeople,youmustfirstpracticeself-care. Why? Becauseyoucannevergivewhatyoudonot have.
Belowarethingsthatcanhelpyouinpracticingselfcare:
Startyourdaydoingthingsyoulovethemostand boostyourmood.
Begratefulforthingsyouhave,nomatterhow smallorbigitmightbe.
Havesufficientsleep,healthyfood,andexercise regularly
Doactivitiesandinteractionsaddvaluetoyourlife
Therearemuchmorethingsthatyoucandiscover yourselftopracticeself-care.Afterfollowingallthe things,youwillappreciateyourlife,evenmore, resultinginahealthywork-lifebalance.Withpeaceof mind,youwillachieveyourlifegoals.Youwillknow yourselfbetter–seeabetterversionofyourselfand attractpositivityinyourlife.
Ibondbetweenadogandownerisimpeccable.You mighthavecomeacrossseveralvideosonsocialmedia whereadogishappy,carryingouthisshenanigans, spreadingsmilesonmillionsoffaces.However,many effortsgointotrainingthesedogs,consideredasan essentialpartofcaninecompanionship.ElissaWeimer takesdogtrainingtoherhearttodeepenthebondbetween theownerandthedogtowidentheirsmile.
fyouareapetowner,youmayunderstandthatthe
differentfeelingthanseeinganagentorpoliceofficerat yourdoor.
ElissaistheOwnerofPaw&OrderDogTrainingandis aProfessionalTrainer,withnumerouscertificationstoher name.ThroughPaw&Order,sheoffersprofessional, balanced,dogtrainingandbehavioralproblemsolving throughoutthePittsburgharea.Paw&Orderrecently expandeditsreachtoSouthwestFlorida,Houston,TX,and CentralOhiothroughfranchising.
InsightsSuccesscaughtupwithElissainourendeavorto find “The 10 Most Successful Businesswomen to Watch 2022” andtalkedabouthowsheisinstillingprideindog owners,aswellasmakingdogssaferinthecommunityasa whole!
Below are the highlights of the interview:
Briefouraudienceaboutyourjourneyasabusiness leaderuntilyourcurrentpositionatPaw&OrderDog Training.Whatchallengeshaveyouhadtoovercometo reachwhereyouaretoday?
IjoinedthemilitaryrightoutofHighSchool.Beinga MilitaryPolicewomanledmetothepathIamonnow.
Duringcollege,Iacquiredapaidinternshipwiththe AttorneyGeneral’sofficeandlaterwiththeFederalBureau ofInvestigationsontheirViolentDrugandGangsquadin Philadelphia,PA.Aftertwoyearsofinterningthere,I appliedforaSpecialAgentposition,butquicklyrealized thatjustwasnotwhatIgenuinelywantedtodofortherest ofmylife.Iwantedtohelppeopleandwantedpeopletobe excitedwhentheysawmearriveattheirhomes—a
IknewIwantedtobeanentrepreneur,butIdidnotknow wheretostart.IspentalongtimefiguringoutwhatIwas goodatandrealizedIamgoodatteachingpeople.Ijust hadtodecidewhatIwouldbeexcitedtoteach!Irealized thatIloveanimalsandthattheyhadthepowerofmaking peoplefeelgoodinsomanyways.Irealizedthatsomany peoplehavedogs,soIdecidedtoshadowmanyotherdog trainersandattendedatonofschoolstolearnasmany techniquesaspossibletohelppeopleENJOYtheirdogs.To thisday,Icontinuetolearnandbettermyselfandmyteam oftrainerstohelpasmanypeopleaspossible.Wenotonly continueoureducationwithbehavioralproblems,butalso
withotherareasofdogtrainingsuchastricktraining, TherapyDogTraining,CanineGoodCitizen,agility training,largefieldsocializationclasses,andK9Detection training(myBelgianMalinoisandIwon1stPlace Narcoticsatlastyear’sPoliceK9Competitionin Kentucky).Werealizedhowmuchwehavetoofferand howuniqueourcompanyisthatwedecideditwastimeto franchisein2019!
Tellussomethingmoreaboutyourcompanyandits missionandvision.
Paw&Order’smissionistoimprovethelivesofasmany familiesaswecanbyprovidingqualityandeffective individualizeddogtraining.Ourvisionistocontinue spreadingPaw&Ordernationwideandhaveanamazing trainingprogramtoensurethatthequalityofourlocal Pittsburghmarketismirroredineverymajorcityinthe UnitedStates.Wetrainourtrainerstothehigheststandards andtreatouremployeeslikefamily.Allourtrainersare extremelyvaluabletous,andwemakesurethattheyare welltakencareof.Itbuildstheirloyaltytoourbrand, makingthemwanttoworkevenhardertoensurethatour clientsarehappyandexcitedtoreferustotheirfamilyand friends.
Enlightenusonhowyouhaveimpactedthetraining nichethroughyourexpertiseinthemarket.
Ourtrainingisuniquetoeachdogandfamily.Wehavealso madetrainingsimpleandeffectiveforfamiliesanddogs.So often,wehearthat“mydogwillonlylistenifIamholding treatsortheleash/someotherpieceoftrainingequipment.”
Oraclientwillsaythattheirdogknowsallbasic commands(sit,down,come,stay)butwillnotdoitwhen thereareotherdistractionsaroundortheenvironmentdoes notlookthesameeverytimeforthedog.
Dogsdonotgeneralizethingswellandneedhundredsof repetitionsinasmanysituationsaspossibletoreliably understandwhatyouareaskingthemtodo.Wehave masteredourcommunicationwithdogsandtheirownersto
trainSIMPLE.Wehavefoundthatoverloadingourclients withabunchoftrainingjargonthatmeansnothingtothem isnothelpful.Dogownerswanttheirdogtobeagood familydogtheycantrustandbeproudof!Theyarenot competinginshowswiththeirdogwheretheyneedtolearn fancytricksandunrealisticpositionstotheirfamily situation(thereisnothingwrongwithcompetitions,but mostpetownersdonotcareaboutthat).Mostpeopledonot haveperfecttimingwhenitcomestocommunicatingwith theirdog,soweusemethodsthatallowadelaybetween rewardsandconsequencesoncetheirbehavior,like/dislike, hasbeenidentified.Thishelpstremendouslysothattheir dogwilllisteneveniftheirownerdoesnothavefoodora leashintheirhand.
Weprideourselvesonsolvingbehaviorproblemsand teachinggoodbehaviorsforthelongterm,notjustforthe moment.Ourclientshavelifetimeaccesstoourtrainersand theyhaveaccesstoafreeprivateadventuregroupafter theirtrainingiscompletetomakesurethattheycontinueto besuccessful.Itintroducesthemtoanamazingcommunity ofotherdogsandownerstoexperiencefunthingswith.At leastonceaweek,wemeetupattrails,parks,stores,lakes, bars,etc.,andgohiking,camping,kayaking,orjustenjoya nicedayoutsidewithourdogsandadrink!Wewantpeople toexperiencehowlife-changingourdogtrainingprograms are.Onceyourdogiswelltrained,yourworldbecomes morefulfillingandexciting!
Wheredoyouenvisionyourselftobeinthelongrun, andwhatareyourfuturePaw&OrderDogTraining goals?
Werecentlystartedopeningnewlocationsnationwideand wanttocontinuedoingso.WestrivefortheQUALITYof ourtrainersinsteadofquantity.Paw&Orderismy“baby,” andwewillonlyexpandwithindividualsthatmatchour integrityandmotivationtoworkhard,beproudofwhat theyaredoing,andcontinuetoimprovethequalityofthe business.
“We pride ourselves on solving behavior problems and teaching good behaviors for the long term, not just for the moment. We will investigate and solve your dog's behavior problems.”
hatwasitthatmadeyourcompetitorposition
Witselfasanindustryleader?ItwaslikelyaPR agencythathelpeditgainacompetitiveedge.
Well,yourbusinesscanmakeittoo.Whatitneedsisan agencythatcancreateresults-drivenbrandingforyour businessandhelpyoucompetesuccessfully Thisisexactly whatRipleyPRbringstothetable.Spearheadingthe operationsofthecompanyisHeatherRipley,an accomplishedPRexecutiveanditsfounderandCEO.
Heathercombinesbusinessmanagement,solidanalytical skills,andcreativeB2Bpublicrelationsstrategiestodeliver measurableresultsforyourbrand.
Inspiredbyherpassionforservingclients,weatInsights SuccessgotintoconversationwithHeathertolearnmore aboutherjourneyandhowherrarecombinationof creativityandanalyticalthinkingishelpingbusinesses thrive.
Below are the highlights of the interview:
Briefouraudienceaboutyourjourneyasabusiness leaderuntilyourcurrentpositionatRipleyPR.What challengeshaveyouhadtoovercometoreachwhereyou aretoday?
In1996,Iworkedforadepartmentstore’sbuyingofficeand fellinlovewithadcopywriting.Mycareerovertheyears evolvedintopublicrelationsandmarketing.In2009,Iwas managingPRandmarketingforalargefranchisor, ClockworkHomeServices.Whilethere,Isecuredaspotfor ourthreefranchisebrands,OneHourHeating&Air Conditioning,BenjaminFranklinPlumbingandMister Sparky,onTheCelebrityApprenticewithDonaldTrump. ThatappearancehelpedourCEOpositionthecompanyfor acquisition,andhesoldthebrandsformorethan$180 million.Ithenenteredtheagencyworldandworkedin seniormanagementfortwodifferentagenciesbefore movingbacktomyhometownofMaryville,Tennesseeand startingRipleyPRin2013.
Within45daysofstartingRipleyPR,Ihadsecuredmyfirst threeretainerclients.Withinsixmonths,Ihadhiredmy firstfull-timeemployee.
Now,RipleyPRisaglobalpublicrelationsagencythathas beenrecognizedbyEntrepreneurMagazineasaTop
FranchisePRAgencyfouryearsinarowandwashonored byForbesasoneofAmerica’sBestPRAgenciesin2021. Throughourhardwork,wehavecementedourselvesasone ofthetopPRagenciesinthecountryforthehomeservice industryandskilledtrades.Ialsopublishedabookforthe homeservicesindustrylastyear,entitled“NextLevel Now,”whichisavailableforpurchaseonAmazon.com.
TellussomethingmoreaboutRipleyPR,itsmissionand vision.
Myteamreallyloveswhatwedo.Weonlysucceedwhen ourclientssucceed.It’snotaboutgatheringawardsfor RipleyPR,buthowbesttoensurethatwesuccessfully advocateforourclients.
AtRipley,youdon’tjustgetonepersontohelpyou increaseyourcompany’svisibility;yougetanentireteam ofspecialists.Ourexpertscanhelpyoucreatecontent,pitch
storyideastothemedia,andshowyouthebestwayto becomeanexpertinyourindustry
EnlightenusonhowyouhavemadeanimpactinthePR nichethroughyourexpertiseinthemarket. Weprideourselvesonourknowledgeofthehomeservices industryandtheworldoffranchising.Thosearetwoofour nicheindustriesthatweserve.DuringthetimeIspentat ClockworkHomeServices,Icametorealizethatthehome servicesindustrywasunderservedinthepublicrelations field.Manyhomeservicesbusinessownersdon’t understandthepowerofPRorfeeltheydon’tneedpublic relationsuntiltheirbusinessislargerorhasacrisis.Ripley PR’ssuccessindrivinggrowthforhomeservicecompanies andaddingvaluetoafranchisesystemillustrateshow importantpublicrelationsistotheseindustries.Ourgoalis tohelphomeservicesandfranchisesdominateintheir serviceareas.
“Success to us is all about you. It’s not about placing another award in our office. It’s about your success in clear, easy-to-understand, concise numbers.”
Undeniably,technologyisplayingasignificantrolein almosteverysector.Howareyouleveraging technologicaladvancementstomakeyoursolutions resourceful?
Theabilityoftheaveragepersontoinfluencethereputation ofservicecompaniesthroughreviewsiteslikeGoogleor YelpisaperfectexampleofwhyanagencylikeRipleyPR isusefultothisindustry.Whilewedorelyontried-and-true earnedmediaoutreachstrategies,weemployworld-class systemslikemediadatabasesandworkflowmanagement platformstohelpusprovidemeasurableresultsforour clients.Inadditiontousingtechnologyourselves,wealso representseveraltechandSaaScompaniesoperatingboth inandoutsidethehomeserviceindustry.Journalistsare hungryformorenewsaboutinnovation,soweleanintoand leveragethestoriesbehindourclients’owntech advancementstokeeptheirbrandstopofmind.
Ifgivenachance,whatchangewouldyouliketobring tothesalesandmarketingindustry?
I’dliketoshowsmallerbusinesseswhowanttodoubleor tripleinsizehowpublicrelationscanhelpthemgrow Manysmallercompaniesthinktheydon’tneedPRbecause theyeitheraren’tbigenoughortheyaren’tgoingthrougha crisis.Butpublicrelationscanworkforanysize organization.Ifyou’veeverwonderedwhyyourtop competitorwasquotedasanexpertonyourlocalnews,the chancesareitwasn’tjustluck.Theownerprobablyhireda PRagency Apublicrelationsagencycanhelpanysize businessbecomeknownasthethought-leadersintheir field.
What,accordingtoyou,couldbethenextbigchangein thepublicrelationsindustry?HowisRipleyPR preparingtobeapartofthatchange?
Socialmediawillcontinuetogrowandevolve.While socialmediahashadashareofbadpublicitylately,it’sstill amediumthatjournalistsfollow.So,inordertostay relevantandtopofmindforthosedeliveringthenews, companieswillneedtostayactiveonsocialmedia.In additiontolegacymedia,non-traditionalmediaisbecoming increasinglypopular.Influencers,podcasters,YouTubers andotherswillcontinuetoimpactmoreofourdecisionmakingonmediaoutreach.
Wheredoyouenvisionyourselftobeinthelongrun andwhatareyourfuturegoalsforRipleyPR?
RipleyPRhasclientsacrosstheU.S.,aswellas internationally.Wewillcontinuetoevolve,improveand growasanagencyanddeliverresultsforourclients,no matterwheretheyarebased.Weprovideourclientswith
detailedreportsthathelpusdeterminewhatisworkingand whatisnot,andwemakethenecessaryadjustmentsto improveresults.
Fouryearsago,IstartedanotherdivisionofRipleyPR calledOrangeOrchard.Thisagencydivisioniscommitted tousingwhatwe’velearnedatRipleytoadvocatefor organizationsthatareprovidingeco-andanimal-friendly productsandservices.IwouldliketoseeOrangeOrchard beaglobalforceforgoodintheworld.
Whatwouldbeyouradvicetobuddingentrepreneurs whoaspiretoventureintothebusinesssector?
Ifyoubelieveinyourselfandyouarewillingtowork harderthaneverbefore,youcanbesuccessful.WhenI startedRipleyPR,Ihadmyknowledgeoftheindustryand mybusinessacumentofallbackon,butIexperiencedalot ofchallengesandwasdeterminedtoremainresilient.Ifyou believeyouhaveauniquetalentorproducttoofferthe world,takeachanceandshowcasewhatmakesyouspecial.
t takes dedication and laser focus to find success, not
Ito mention rolled-up sleeves and dirt under your finger nails”, statesanardentleader,KarinaTiwana Asthe GeneralCounsel,VicePresidentandCorporate SecretaryofALEUSA–theU.S.entitynameofAlcatelLucentEnterprise-Tiwanahasbeenanintegralpartofthe successofthecompany.Herpassionforthebusinessside oflawandsheerdedicationhasledTiwanatowheresheis today
Afterspendingalmost15yearsatAlcatel-Lucent,firstasa ContractManagerforfiveyears,Tiwanamovedupthrough theranksofthelegaldepartment,whereshelandeda corporatecounselpositionsupportingthemostinnovative businessdivisionsofthecompany.Eventually,becamea primarylegalresourcetooneofthesedivisions,the Enterprisedivision,in2006.Thereafter,shewastappedto supportoneofthehighestrevenue-producingdivisionsin thecompany.Shedidthatupuntil2014whenshewas invitedtosupporttheplanneddivestitureoftheEnterprise divisionasGeneralCounselintheUnitedStates.Tiwana wouldbechargedwithbuildingadepartmenttosupportall thelegalneeds ofAlcatel-LucentEnterprise,thenew stand-alonecompany,inNorthAmerica.Thiswasnosmall featbut,shesaid, “many talented and professional people carried my torch.”
Reflectingontheexperience,Tiwanarecognizesshe’s gratefulforthemenandwomenalongherpaththatbuoyed herupwhenshefeltshemightbedrowning.Helpinganew companybebornisadauntingtask.TheEnterprise BusinessDivision,turnedAlcatel-LucentEnterprise, containsaclose-knitgroupwithmanyemployeesboasting longtenureswiththecompany
Let’sknowmoreaboutTiwanaandhercontributiontothe industrythroughaninterviewconductedbetweenherand InsightsSuccess.
Asabusinessleader,whatisyouropinionontheimpact ofthecurrentpandemiconthetelecommunications industry?
Thepandemic’simpactonpeople,insomecases,hasbeen horrifyinganddeadly.Iwillinnowayminimizemy feelingsofempathytowardfamiliesthathavelostloved onesandthosewhohavefallenillfromthevirus.And,of course,toparentstryingtocopewithbothat-homeworking andat-hometeachingofchildrenrippedfromschoolsand theirfriends.Thisat-homeworkingandteachinghas createdanincreaseintheneedfortoolsliketheAlcatelLucentEnterpriseRainbowUnifiedCommunication Platform,aswellasinfrastructuresolutions,suchasthe company’sOmniAccessStellarwirelessLANandthe OmniSwitchnetworkswitchesthatmakeeverything connecttosupporttheincreasedcommunicationneeds spawnedbythecrisis.Inthisway,manytelecomindustry segmentsarereapingthebenefitsofthe“newnormal”. It’s ashiftfromin-officetohomeworkingandfromin-person schooltohomeschool.Eveneventsandwhatusedtobe liveentertainmenthavegoneonlineaswealltrytocope withtherestrictionsrequiredtokeepallofussafethrough thepandemic.Ihearthroughnewsreportsthatmany companieswillcontinuethework-from-homeoptionsin someformorotherso,itlooksliketheneedfortelecom industrytools,solutionsandinfrastructureisgoingto continuetogrow.
Whatisyouropiniononthenecessityforbusinessesto aligntheirofferingswithnewertechnological developments,especiallywhenitcomestoDigital Transformation?
Ithinkthatwhenitcomestodigitaltransformation, businessesthataligntheirofferingstoadvancesin
technologyfurtherdrivetheevolution.Technology continuestobeinstrumentalinourlivesandthegrowthof business.Inparticular,Ithink,asastrategy,aligning businessinfrastructurewithCloudtechnologybuildsa mindsetthatpushesinnovation,agilityandproblemsolving.Ourcompany’sCloudtechnologyproductsand serviceshavehelpedourcustomerspushbeyonddigital transformationplansandovercomethechallengesof workingthroughapandemic.It’scleartomethatCloud deliversthebenefitofscaleandadaptstoopportunities, whilebeingreliableandsecure.Itjustmakessensetome howflexibletechnologyenablesbusinessestoadaptthe workenvironment,ensureefficientoperationsandmanage costs.
HowdoyoubringyourGeneralCounselskillsin establishingstrategicdirectionanddeliveringresults globally?
Idothisinmanyways,butoneofmygreatestpleasuresin therecentpasthasbeencontributinglegaladvicetoour teamofwomenandmenthathavecreatedtheDiversityand InclusionEmployeeResourceGroup(ESG)underour CorporateSocialResponsibility(CSR)program. Withthe executivesponsorshipofRukminiGlanard,ourExecutive VicePresidentofWorldwideSales,Servicesand Marketing,theESGhostedoursecondglobalonline summittohighlightthatdiversityandequalityarelife issuesand,definitely,abusinessissueimpactingfinancial results.Anequalworldinbusinessresultsinanenabledand betterworldforbusiness.Weneedallofourmindsandall ofourhands,asacompany,tocompeteandsucceed. Diversityandinclusion–acrossgender,ethnicity,age, religion,etc.–enableabetter,balancedenvironmentfor economiesandcommunitiestothrive.
Inwhatwayshaveyoucontributedtothecommunity?
Inmycommunity,asawomanVeteran,Iamveryactivein ourAmericanLegionandAmericanLegionAuxiliary.This “AmericanLegionFamily”providessupporttolocal Veterans,theirfamiliesandthegeneralcommunitywhere Veteransliveandwork.Oneexampleofarecentprojectin 2020,werecognizedtheneedsofsomanychildreninour communityaroundChristmastime.Wesponsored,locally, ToysforTotssupportedbytheUnitedStatesMarineCorps Reserve.Weservedover300childrenandallofthem receivedgiftsandafooddonationfortheirfamilies.
Supportingthiskindof“all-volunteer”communityevent bringsmegreatjoybecauseIsawthepowerofgivingin action.Collegestudents,homefortheholidays,stood
alongsidetheirParents,GrandmothersandGrandfathersto participateinthetoyandfooddistributionportionofthe event.Istronglybelieveintheempowermentprovidedby servingacausemuchgreaterthanyourself.Igetthis empowermentthroughworkingwithinourAmerican LegionFamily.IcurrentlyserveontheExecutiveBoardas Sergeant-at-ArmsandhaveservedinthepastasPost Commander.AtthetimeIservedasCommander,Iwasthe veryfirstwomanevertoserveasCommanderinthePost’s 77-yearhistory.Today,I’mproudtosay,asothernotable “firstwomen”leadersaresayingmoreandmore,“Imay havebeenthefirst,butIwon’tbethelast.”
Ifgivenachance,whatchangewouldyoubringin providinggrowthopportunitiestoWomen?
IamveryluckytohavebeengiventhechanceatAlcatelLucentEnterprisetoeffectrealchangeinmyroleas GeneralCounselatALEUSA.Ihiredstudentinternsin 2014asacreativewaytoaugmentmystaff.Weshowedso muchsuccesswithtrainingandutilizingstudentinternsin ourlegaldepartmentthatitinspiredthecompanytoadopt anInternshipProgramandnow,manydepartmentsare hiringstudentinterns.Infact,arecenthireisgoingto supplementourglobalCSRendeavors.Shewillbe graduatingfromcollegesoonwithadegreeinEthnic Studies.Ithinktheseinternshipprogramsarevitalto
creatingopportunitiesandsuccessforeveryone,especially forwomen.Inmycase,allofmyinternsmovedonto becomepracticinglawyersandhavesecuredpositionsin lawfirms.I’mveryproudofallofthem.
Asanestablishedbusinessleader,whatwouldbeyour adviceforthebuddingwomenentrepreneurs?
Makesureyouknowagoodlawyer!Notashamelessplug. No,seriously,it’sveryimportanttobuildastrongnetwork ofdiverselytalentedindividualsthatcanbeaskedforthe helpyouneedalongtheway.Beyourselfbecauseyour authenticselfisyourbestface.Haveaclearpictureofwhat yourauthenticselfis.Remember,therewillberoadblocks onyourjourneytosuccessandsomemayberelatedtoyour gender,yourageoranynumberofthingsbutthe roadblocksarejusthillstoclimbandthereareplentyof peopletogiveyouahelpfulpushsoyoucankeepgoing. Leverageyourmentorsandallies.Theseareyourfriends,
yourclassmates,yourteachers,yourfamily,your colleagues,andyourprofessionalnetwork.Theywillhelp younavigate.But,aboveall,dowhatyoulove.Doitalot. Ifyoudowhatyouloveandyoudoitalot,youwillget reallygoodatit.Ifyougetgoodatit,youwilllikelymake moneyatitandyouwillbewealthy Wealthisnotmoney alone.Wealthincludesnotonlyprofessionalsuccessbut alsoself-fulfillmentandrealizingyourdreams.
Karina Tiwana, General Counsel, Vice President, and Corporate Secretary, ALE USA Inc.
Thereisatremendousamountofpotentialinevery livingentity.Untappedpotentialshouldbetrapped forthewelfareoftheworld.Wherewomenare empoweredthatplaceflourishesinabundance.Empowered womenleadstotheprosperityoffamilies,societies,nations andtheworld.Deepdown,everypersonlikestolivewith dignitybycontributingsomethingtotheworldaccordingto one’scapabilitiesandpotential.Therefore,thatpotential shouldbenurturedineveryoneandespeciallyinthegirls andwomen.Nothingcandimthelightineverypersonthat shinesfromwithin.Allgirlsandwomenhastodoistobe awareoftheirowninnerpotentialandtheycancontribute toanyfieldoftheirchoice.
Theworldiscurrentlygoingthroughtheunprecedented timesduetotheongoingpandemic.Thisiscertainly challengingtimeformanypeoplebutsomeexceptional womenleadersseethepositiveopportunityeveninsuch unprecedentedtimeandactuallythatisthehallmarkof goodwomenleadership.Exceptionalwomenleadersare alwaysawareandtheyunderstandthattheunprecedented timesalwayscallforunprecedentedactions,innovative, thoughtful,andwin-winsolutions.Theworldmaybefilled withlotofnegativityduetoinevitablechallengesand causes,butexceptionalwomenleaderscallupontheirinner lightandtheyusesuchunprecedentedtimetodevelopand nourishtheirskillsetssothattheycanbeaninstrumentof positivecontributiontotheworldinthecomingtimes.Now morethanever,womenandgirlsneedtocallontheirinner lighttoutilizethetoughesttimestotuneintotheir conscience,learnnewthingsbyusingvirtualplatformsand makethemselvescompetent.
Inthedifficulttimesofpandemicitisessentialforwomen leaderstobedetachedfromthenegativityaround themselves.Unlessanduntiloneisdetachedfromthe negativity,itisverydifficulttofocusonthepositiveandto makethemostoutofthatpositive.Exceptionalwomen leadersprefertobecourageoustoconfrontissuesmore diligentlyanddealwithpeoplewithempathyanddue consideration.Exceptionalwomenleaderschoosetothink deliberatelyandactontheconclusionoflogical,rational, analytical,systematic,andcognitive-intensivethought process.Thatisreallythemostimportantpartof exceptionalwomenleadership.Leadersaresupposedto thinkdeliberatelyandactonthebasisoflogicalconclusion fordeliveringtheefficientresults.
Educatingandempoweringagirlchildcreatesaripple effectanditcreatesapositiveinfluenceinthecommunity. Empoweredwomeninvesttimeandenergyincreatingthe strongernextgenerations.Thefutureleadersoftomorrow canbemoretalented,dynamic,andcompetenttodeliver maximumcontributionforthewelfareoftheworldifthey areraisedbytheempoweredwomen.Empoweringwomen isbeneficialinsomanywaysandtheircontributionplaya
veryimportantroleincreatingthegenuinelyexemplary futureleaders.
Genderequalityisbeneficialforthewholeworld. Promotinggenderequalityisnotjustresponsibilityof womenleadersorwomenissuebutitisasocietalissueand everyoneshouldsupportinpromotingthepurposeof genderequality.Unitednationsisagainandagain promotingtheempowermentofwomen.That’sverycrucial. Thegreaternumberofwomenineveryfieldisasignof growthandevolvedculture.Theempoweredwomenare boontotheworld.Thatisthereason‘GenderEquality’is oneofthemostimportantsustainabledevelopmentgoals. Empoweringwomenisessentialforthesustainable developmentoftheworld.Empoweredwomenbecome greatassetforbusinesses,families,societies,communities, nations,andthatisultimatelybeneficialforwholeworld.
Thereareplentyoffieldswherewomenhaveopportunities andtheycancontributeimmensely Theworldisin desperateneedofgenuinelyexemplarywomenleadersto makeadifferencethroughbusinesses,science,research, technologyetc.Womencanbecometheleadersinthefield ofbusinesses,science,research,technologyandinany choiceoftheirfieldiftheyarewillingtobeboldand courageousenoughtopursuetheircareerinsuchfields relentlessly Theyhavethepotentialtomakeadifferencein thechoiceoffieldtheygoandthereforewomenshouldnot shyawayfromutilizingtheirbestcapabilitiesandthey shoulddenytheworldoftheirvaluablecontribution.
Empoweredwomenarethesecretweaponofcreatinga positivechangeinthesocietyandtheworldatlarge. Empoweringandenhancingwomenandinvestinginthem unlocksatremendouspotentialfortheworld.Empowered womenarethemostimportantweaponandresourceinthe fightagainsttheglobalpoverty.Theuntappedresourceof womenhasthetremendouspotentialandthatshouldbe recognizedbythepeopleintheworldespeciallybythe peoplewhohavetheopportunitytocreateawareness relatedtothis.
Theempoweredwomenhavethepotentialtosignificantly improvelivelihoods,productivity,economicoutputs,and theoverallhumanlifeitself.Thebasiclongingtolivewith dignity,thefundamentaldesiretohavecontrolofone’s livesandone’sfutureandtobepartofdeterminingthe courseofourcommunitiesandournationsareverymuch universalintheempoweredwomen.Theselongingsburnin thewomenandgirls,andwiththeselongingstheycanbea greatdynamicforceintheworldtobeanagentofchange andmakeasignificantcontributionforthewelfareofthe worldwiththeirtalents,skills,andabilitiesandthatwill leadtotheultimatewelfareoftheworld.
Ruthie Staalsen Owner Ruthie Staalsen Interiors (RSI)
Knownforherexquisitetaste,superiorsenseof style,andinfectiouspersonality,RuthieStaalsen ofRuthieStaalsenInteriorsisaprominentname intheinteriordesignspace.
BornandraisedinSouthAfrica,Ruthiehaslivedallover theworld.Shecreateshomesthathavearelaxed,collected lookandaddsaglobalflairtoherdesigns.Herknackfor utilizingexistingpieceswithinaspacetocreatesomething completelynewmakesherapreferredchoiceamongher clientele.
Besides,shehasalsoco-authoredthebook, Behind Her Brand,whichdepictswhatlifeislikeasafemaleentrepreneur,mother,andwife,andhowtobestintegratethese aspectstocreateabalancedbusinessandfulfillinglife.
Inspiredbyherpassionfordesigningspaces,weatInsights SuccesscaughtupwithRuthietolearnmoreabouther journeyasabusinessleader.
BelowarethehighlightsoftheInterview:
Briefouraudienceaboutyourjourneyasabusiness leaderuntilyourcurrentpositionatRuthieStaalsen Interiors.Whatchallengesdoyouhavetoovercometo reachwhereyouaretoday?
I’mtheoldestof3kidsandcarriedtheroleofleaderasa kidandstilldo.IwasbornandraisedinSouthAfricaand traveledtheworldinmychildhood.Leadershiphasalways beenpartofmyDNA,andIthinklivingindifferent countriesallmylife,mademeabetterleaderbecauseI learnedtoadjusttohardshipsandcertainlylearnedabout beingflexible.Thatbeingsaid,I’maverydrivenperson andoneofthebiggestchallengesI’vehadtolearnishowto taketimetorelax.Beingthatmybusinessreliesaloton me,itishardformetoshutworkoff.Ilearnedthehard wayandhavenowhiredpeopletohelpmedothethings
I’mnotsogoodat.ThisrelievesmetodothethingsthatI love,andthatbringsmemorejoyandtimetorelax.
Tellussomethingmoreaboutyourcompany,itsmission, anditsvision.
WeareaDallasbasedboutiquedesignfirmfocussingon residentialdesign.Wedoeverythingfromwalkthrough consultationstofull-servicedesignprojects.Again,because ofourtravels,Iwatchedmymomsetuphomeeachtime wewereinanewcountry.Shealwayssurroundeduswith thethingsthatwereimportanttousandcreatedahome aroundthosethings.OurmissionatRSIistoalwaysgive ourclientsahometheyenjoybeingin,onethatwelcomes themhomeandmakesthemspendtimewithfamilyand friends.Wewantthehomeswecreatetobepractical, functional,andbeautiful.Wecreatea“feeling”thatnotjust anybodycancreate.
Enlightenusonhowyouhavemadeanimpactinthe Interiorsnichethroughyourexpertiseinthemarket? IamapartoftheInteriorDesignSocietyandkeepas involvedasIcan.Ibelievethatwhenyouhavegood relationshipswithothersinthesameindustry,youcanadd yourknowledgeandexperiencetoothersand,internslearn fromothers,makingourbusinessesstrongertogether.I’m notafraidofmakingchangestoourcompanyifthingsare notworkingastheyshould.Changeishardbutcan sometimesleadyouinamorepositivedirection.
Describeindetailthevaluesandtheworkculturethat drivesyourorganization. WehaveapositiveandfunvibehereatRSI,andwehire peoplewiththatsameenergy Weloveemployeesthathave alotofexperience,however,themostimportantthingto meistheirattitude,character,and“cando”spirit.Everythingelsecanbelearned,butthesecharacteristicsare crucialadditionstomybusinessmodel.
Undeniably,technologyisplayingasignificantrolein almosteverysector.Howareyouleveragingtechnologicaladvancementstomakeyoursolutionsresourceful? Weareincrediblyactiveonsocialmediaplatformsanduse themtoeducateandinspireourexistingclientsandour futureclients.Wedobeforeandaftervideosofourinstall daysanddocumentourbehind-the-sceneshappeningswith ourremodelsandfullhomemakeovers.
What,accordingtoyou,couldbethenextbigchangein theInteriorsindustry?Howisyourcompanypreparing tobeapartofthatchange?
Traveltakesupsomuchtimeandalthoughweloveto travel,weoftencan'ttaketimeawayfromourongoing clients.Iseemoreandmorevirtualevents,showroom tours,etc.happening(especiallysinceCovid)sothatwe canstillattendwhilebeinginouroffice.Theonlyproblem istheenergyandcomraderythatgoesalongwithin-person eventsisirreplaceableandneededinthislonelycareer We workalonealotasdesignerspreparingdesignplans,doing officepaperwork,etc.Beingwithothersthatmotivateand encourageusisveryimportant.Icertainlydon’twantinpersoneventstogoaway.
Wheredoyouenvisionyourselftobeinthelongrun andwhatareyourfuturegoalsforyourcompany? Iwouldlovetohaveauniquelinewithlighting,rug,or furniturecompany.Ibelievemyinternationalflaircould
God is the giver of gifts, it is up to me to use those gifts to serve Him.
reallybeabenefit.Somanycompaniesneedtorevamp theiroutdatedshowroomsandproductstokeeptheminline withtheircompetition.Promotingothercompaniesthrough mysocialmediaisoneofthethingsIdonaturallyso puttingthesetwothingstogetheronlymakessense.
AnothergoalofmineistohaveaJewelrylinemadewith bamboo,wood,string,metal,andotherfuntexturessimilar tothetexturesIuseinmydesigns.
Myfuturegoalsaretobeabletodonatemoremoneytomy favoritecharities.Istartedthisbusinesswiththatverygoal inmindandwanttocontinuedoingsomorethanever
Whatwouldbeyouradvicetobuddingentrepreneurs whoaspiretoventureintotheInteriorssector?
Thoughthisindustryisafunonetobein,thinkaboutit seriously.Therearelotofclientstopleaseandloadsof ballsintheairtojuggleconstantly Whenyoufirststart, youaresolodoingallthethingsabusinessneeds.Hiring peoplecomeslaterandthosefirstfewyearsareHARD.I wouldalsosaythatifyouarenotgoodatworkingwith othersorarenotaproblemsolver,thisindustryisnotfor you.Youneedthickskintobeanentrepreneuringeneral, alsobeingamarriageCounselorisdefinitelyinyourjob description90%ofthetime.
Idifficulttoreallyunderstandthestruggleonegoes throughtochangeoneself.Wehearstoriesabout peoplewhohaveachievedsuccessandpavedtheirwayto thetopoftheirfield,butthatisjustthetipoftheiceberg.
tiseasytosaybethechangeyouwant,butitisquite
thetop5%inCanada'stotalsalesvolumewithRoyal LePageNationalFranchise.
Numerousfactorsdriveonetomakedesiredchangestobe thechangetheywant.
Inoursearchtofindsuchapersona,driventoadaptto change,wecameacrossSherryBlinkhorn,whoperfectly fitsthedefinitionof'bethechangeyouwant.'Currently, Sherrypassionatelyleadsherventure,BlinkhornReal EstateLtd.,withherdedicationtobeingthebestofthe best.
Sherry'sjourneyhasn’tbeenaneasyone.Shecameup throughthefostercaresystemandwentthroughmany challengesinherlife,butshemadesomeconscious decisionsthatwouldchangeherlifeforthegoodafterher childrenwereborn.
Sherrybeganherprofessionaljourneyasacommercialand residentialpropertymanagerinherinitialyearsthenin 1998shepursuedgettinghersalesperson’slicense.She begantoachieveonemilestoneaftertheotherbyutilizing herextensiveknowledgeandexperiencetoaccumulate record-breakingsales.Itresultedinherreceivingnational recognitionin2002and2003andin2004shereceivedthe 'PlatinumAward'forhersalesachievement,placingherin
Subsequently,embarkingonthesuccess,Sherry's adaptabilitytochangeledhertothequestofinceptingher independentrealestatefirm,in2005,BlinkhornRealEstate Ltd.,andshehasneverlookedbackedsince.Shesowedthe seedsofeffortsanddedication,formingateamwithlikemindedcolleaguesthatreapedherandherfirmthefruitof gainingasolidreputationforprovidingexceptionalservices andsupportingmanynon-profitcharitableorganizations.
AddingDifferentIngredientstotheRecipeofSuccess
Plungingforwardinherpathofsuccess,shesaysthe learningprocessneverstops.Sherryholdsadiplomain adultpsychology,socialwork,andcounsellingskills.Being amplytrainedinthementalhealthfield,sheunderstands howstressfulitcanbetobuyorsellahouse.
Sherryhasfosteredanenvironmentwheresheputspeople firstandencourageshercolleaguestodothesame.She’s createdacaringandnaturalpositiveatmosphereinher workspace.Sheknowshowcrucialitisandishumbledto bepartofthemostsignificanttransactionofone'slifeandis overjoyedtohelpittobecomeareality “We don’t see ourselves as good salespeople – we are good Realtors; there is a big difference,” saysSherry.
Sherryhasfocusedherworkapproacharoundherbuyers andsellersmakingthemtheutmostpriority.Itwasvitalto
hertocreateafamilialworkspacewhichgivesafeelingof comfortandsmoothenstheworkprocess.Shetrulycares aboutherclientsandunderstandstheirrealestateneeds, whichiswhysheimpliesafriendlyandprofessional atmosphereinheruniqueway.Shehassculptedavaluedriventeamthatstrivesandimplementseffectivemarketing strategieswithhonestyandhardwork.
TheamountofhardworkanddedicationSherryputsinher workiscommendableinitself.Herworkethichassetan example,andhereffortshavebeenacknowledgedwith numerousawards,includingthe‘CommunityMentor Award’fromBigBrothersBigSistersofPictouCounty.She alsoreceivedtheprestigious‘BusinessLeaderoftheYear awardatthePictouCountyChamberofCommerceGalain 2012.Sherryisthefirstfemaletoreceivethishonorsince itsinceptionin1991.
Herachievementsdon’tstopthereandgofurther;in2018, Sherryreceivedthe‘VolunteerVisionAward’fromthe NovaScotiaMentalHealthFoundation.Thefollowingyear shewasalsorecognizedwiththe‘WomeninBusiness Award’attheChamberBusinessAchievementsGala.Aside
fromawards,Sherrywasfeaturedin2020inthe International‘TopAgentMagazine’andherlifestoryinthe NovaScotia‘AtHomeMagazine’.
AtBlinkhornRealEstate,Sherryhascreatedaworkculture drivenbyvaluestomakeclient'sliveseasieranddelivers high-qualityproducts.Thecompanyimplementsinnovative technologiesandoffersvirtualrealitytoursanddrone videographytoenhancethelistingsservices.Theydotheir besttoensurethatclientsgetthebestpricesforbuyersand sellersbythroughtheirexperienceandexpertise.
ThejourneythatSherryembarkedonhasbeenachallenge initself,she’sworkedhardtoforgeherpathtobeatthe positionsheistoday.Herexperienceshaveallcontributed tofindingtransparencyinherlife.Shehasbeena passionateadvocateforthementallyillforyears.Shewas alsothepublicrelationsdirectorfortheCanadianCancer Society,Pictou,volunteeredforyearsonthePalliativeCare unitandmadeitpartofherlifetogivebacktoher community.
SherryhasbuiltBlinkhornRealEstatefromthegroundup andcontributedtomanycommunityorganizationsin variouswaysalongthewayincludingsponsoringsports teamsandisroutinelyinvolvedwithmultiplenon-profits andotherorganizationsacrossthecounty.
UnfoldingthepagesofSherry'slife,itiscrystalclearthat despitehurdlesshe’sfaced,shealwayshascomeoutontop. Shealwaysempowers,inspires,andencouragesaTEAM environmentatherwork.Sheensuresanambianceof professionalism,integrity,andsuperiorclientservice.She leadswithapositiveattitude,highethicalvalues,andhard workandsaysshewillpersistindoingthesameintothe future.
Lastbutnotleast,Sherryhasassertedherselfinafirmspot beingaleaderinthefieldofrealestate.Sheisan inspirationtonumerouspeopleandcontinuestochange manylives.Hercompassion,dedication,andherdriveto changehavemadeherasuccessfulbusinesswoman.Sheis trulyanexampleoftakingchargeofherownlifeandbeing thechange,shewants.
is
creating
experience
Photographer- Dave Gruggen, gruggenphotography.com
Tseveraltransformativechangesthatareessentialfor humankind.Thevoicethatmediacangiveaperson holdsthesignificantpotentialtoamplifyessential messages.Beingalong-timeadvocateonamyriadof criticalworldwideissues,TracyLamourieispassionate aboutbeingavoiceforthosewhomostneedone.
hepowerofmediaisveryimpactful.Itcandrive
AstheFounder&ManagingDirectorofLamourie MediaInc.,Tracyhasbeenattheforefrontingettingmajor mediaattentiontohelppeople.Sheisanaward-winning internationalpublicistworkingacrossbordersand industries,frommajorentertainmentprojectstosmall businesses.
TheImmenseRise Tracygarneredvariousskillsetthatultimatelyledherto startabusinesshelpingotherentrepreneursandcreatives buildtheirglobalbrandsandreputationsforthought leadershipasayoungadvocateforcausesshecaredabout. Withnofinancialresources,noformalbacking-nothing morethananinternetconnectionandanoldcomputerinthe apartmentsherentedatthetime-andawholelotofselfbeliefandwillingnesstoputtheworkin.
Tracystartedworkingasafreelancer,whichquicklyledto herfirstcompanyLamouriePR,withherhusbandand businesspartner,DaveParkinson.In2020,they incorporatedLamourieMedia.Shementionsthatinthe earlydays.Thebiggestchallengewasclimbingthat mountaintoproveherselfwithoutthefive-yeardegree behindhername,withoutthousandsofdollarstospendin advertising.
Afterspendingallthoseyearsofconductingbusiness, COVIDhit,andabout80percentofTracy'scontracts relatingtoentertainment,events,andtravelweregrounded -soshehadtopivottofindnewclientswhoneededtheir messagesamplified.Shemanagedtodothatvery successfullytothepointthatthelasttwoyearshavebeen herbestyetfromafinancialandbusinessgrowth perspective-eventhoughmostofthetravelisstill grounded!
Inessence,LamourieMediaamplifiestheincrediblethings itsclientsacrossindustriesfromthecreativetothe entrepreneurialtoexpertsofallkinds-aredoingandgive themaglobalpresence.Intermsofvalues,thistrulyisa companythatgrewoutofitsfounders'values,from learningtowritethatfirstpressreleasethatledtoa19-year campaignthatultimatelyfreedaninnocentmanfromdeath row ThisexperiencetaughtTracythevalueofmedia attentionandhowdifficultitisforsometomaketheir voicesheardwithouthelp.Sheasserts, "Though today we are a for-profit business, we still make the choices about whom we will represent and what kind of messaging we will put into the world with our values at the forefront."
AstherecentwinneroftheWomenofInspirationawardin Media,Tracyheardmanyaffectingwordsfromwomenshe workedwith.Thesewomencomefromallbackgrounds, levelsofeducation,andcultures-thankingTracyforthe differenceshehasmadeintheirlivesandbusinessesby givingthemavoice.
Cherishingthisremarkableachievement,Tracysays, "I think we have been successful in what we set out to do. Elevate And Celebrate what these incredible people are doing and sharing it with the world. I've also heard from many women who tell me that my career trajectory over the last decade, watching me create this company, and seeing the success I am having with it has inspired them to find their own confidence to put their passions forward and work to create lives for themselves out of those passions!"
Likemostindustries,thewayTracydoespublicandmedia relationshasbeenchangingfasterthanmanycankeepup. Shebelievesthattechnologyisthenameofthegame,from newsocialplatformstoservicesthatconnectpeoplewith thousandsofmediacontactsandbeyond.Keepinguponall thatisavailablecanseemlikeajobinitselfbutultimately makesyourprocessesmoreaccessible.
Tracymentionsthatthemediaindustryischanging,andit isstartingtoreachasignificantmilestone.However,it needstodomorework-continueddiversevoicesand experiencesneedtoreachthepublic.Thoseinthepositions ofprivilegeneedtocontinuetodotheworktolevelthe playingfield.
Tracystatesthattheworldwillcontinuetoseetheeffectsof peoplecreatingtheirmediaandeffectiveformsof expressionwiththeevolutionofblogsandpodcastsand socialplatformslikeclubhouse.Itwillgetmoreeffective, allowingpeopletoreachtheirgrowingaudiencesand mainstreammediarespondingtoandoftentakingcuesfrom that.
Tracylooksforwardtotheworldopeningupfortravel againtoseeherselftravelingagain.
Shesays, "I am blessed that I can do most of my work from anywhere and after two years of being mostly locked down travel-wise in cold Canada. I'm looking forward to more trips back to Malta in the Mediterranean: one of her favorite destinations for business and pleasure. She gives a huge shout-out to the incredible BE hotel that I feel like is my second home!)."
Tracywantstovisittheworldthatalignswithherbusiness. Sheintendstocontinuepursuingherandherclients'goals withtherelentlesspassionthathasgotherthisfar!
Tracyadvisesupcomingentrepreneursaspiringtoventure tostarttheirentrepreneurialjourneyto "Don't Dream It, Be It." Itisoneofherfavoriteinspirationalquotesfromthe RockyHorrorPictureShowsoundtrack.
