7 minute read
WOMAN ON THE RISE
YOU ARE ENOUGH. ANNETTE WARREN
BY NICOLE HEROUX WILLIAMS I PHOTOS BY NSP STUDIO PHOTOS BY STACI REAFSNYDER
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Tell us a little about Annette Warren. Who are you? Where are you from? What is your background?
I am originally from Syracuse, New York, but moved1 to Rochester over 30 years ago. I grew up in a family business – my father owned a grocery store. I received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Roberts Wesleyan. My professional path for a long time was in retail management. I entered the information technology (IT) industry when my husband, John, started an ISP / VoIP business in 1995; at the same time we started having kids. With my business degree and retail background, I brought a unique way to approach clients along with the importance of educating our client base. At the end of the 1990’s, we started seeing security had now beocome an issue. We sold our ISP and VoIP client base; iSECURE was formed in 2011 with a sole cybersecurity focus.
What makes you hustle both personally and professionally?
Cybersecurity is not a “one size fits all,” and we need to understand what our clients need. I love what I do; it’s about helping people.
What made you decide to go into the cybersecurity industry?
I didn’t really ‘decide’ to go into cybersecurity, it picked me. iSECURE was started from the needs we saw in our client’s environments, not knowing how big of an issue it would be.
When did you start your business? What is your background that helped
push you toward this career choice?
iSECURE was founded in 2011, but we’d had an ISP / VoIP business prior. My husband, John, started our original internet company in 1995 and I slowly integrated myself into the business.
What is the mission behind iSECURE?
iSECURE’s mission is to inspire a cybersecurity culture through education and collaboration.
Security is a vital component for every business today because cyberthreats are everywhere. As cybersecurity specialist, it is our job to stay on top of the most current threats, trends, and information to give our clients choices and options. Not one client is the same as another.
Our clients come to us because they don’t have the time to distill the information. They’re busy growing their own business. Because of the lack of people in the workforce, we are more relevant today than what we were ten years ago.
What challenges have you faced this year being a female entrepreneur, especially in your business, and how have you pivoted?
I don’t think that being a female entrepreneur has been a challenge over the past year, as much as it was the change in client’s needs and the uptick of targeted cyber-attacks. iSECURE has experienced the distraction of employee turnover with our client’s, as well as within the vendor environment, which is a cybersecurity concern. We also haven’t been able to find experience personal to our team that has the knowledge.
What motivates you and keeps you moving forward?
I love what I do! I love the business of helping people and learning new technologies!
What do you feel makes you a successful woman in business?
I am compassionate, and I have the ability to relate to people and situations. I am also a good listener.
What are some of the pros and cons of being a female entrepreneur, and what is your favorite part of what you do?
Pros: I love owning my own business. Being a female in this industry has been a definite challenge, especially since I have a degree in business, not IT. Although I feel like I have the experience because I’ve been in the industry for 25+ years. I bring a different perspective to our accounts, and to solving problems.
Do you have any helpful advice to someone just starting out in this field?
There are so many options for someone who is looking at a cybersecurity career! I recommend doing co-ops and / or internships in a variety of businesses and focuses!
ask yourself: Do you like working in large company where focus is very specific or a smaller business where you get variety of experience? Do you like working alone or collaborating with a group? Do you like fixing problems or creating the future?
In such a male dominated field, how have you been successful moving up the ladder?
her love was unending. She always said, “I love you too much!”, which is now part of my mantra to my girls. It’s being part of an incredible family, if you didn’t experience it, it’s indescribable! family was very supportive – especially my parents – always willing to help, especially as the girls were growing up.
What is your businesses specialty?
Tell our audience one thing about yourself that not many others know.
I have confidence in what I do and do not know. I am not an engineer in a technical field, but I am a businessperson who understands the concerns of the C-Level.
Tell us about one moment in your life that has had a lasting impression on you and formed who you are today.
For me it’s not one moment; I am one of the lucky few to grow up with an amazing family, but with strong women. My mom had two sisters who had incredible strength! I watched them maneuver through life challenges, and that made me the strong person I am today. My grandmother was an incredible woman, and to meet her you just knew she was – beautiful at 100+, until the day she passed. She was an incredible cook and had her own garden. It’s not one thing she did, but I’m shy although I’m friendly and can strike up a conversation. I’m more comfortable in small groups.
How have you been able to balance your work and family life over the years?
I feel like I’m lucky, owning my own business. I could be flexible around my girls when they were in grade school through high school. Unlike many women I see, I really enjoyed my daughters. I feel very lucky to have a close relationship with all of them in a unique way to them. My iSECURE’s specialty is cybersecurity, but we focus on helping our clients figure out the best road map for their business. If they already have a road map, we can help support in their journey.
Who is someone that inspires you and why?
There are so many people that inspire me for so many reasons, but my dad is my true inspiration! He came to the United States at 14; my grandmother and grandfather had nothing. He joined the United States Army and served doing several jobs but sold solders cigarettes on the side. He sent all his pay and earnings home to his parents. My parents bought their own grocery store and retired at 50. My dad started activity following the stock market and did very well. I learned my business acclimate, hard work and finesse from him, but most importantly I learned that family is everything!
What are the secrets to your success?
Hard work and grit, as well as being authentic.
What do you want to achieve next?
I want to work in the community more and give back.
What are some of the challenges you face regarding growing your business?
being the only woman in the room…. and being a businessperson, not a technologist. I face the small business story roadblock; that we cannot deliver.
Any helpful advice for other women wanting to be successful as female entrepreneurs?
minded people to share ideas and solve problems. Always network to get your name in the community and always take time; FAMILY is important.
