They’re probably really good managers but they will never
be really good leaders. In order to lead a business you have
to lead an idea and an ‘idea’ comes from the mind, body,
and soul! A sound mind guides your business structure into
the big picture scaling up. Your body must be dedicated to
being the hardest working person you know with an air of
appeal that people can’t deny. And your soul… your soul
has to take you through until the day you die.
sense. Keep learning as much as you can but don’t be discouraged when you feel like you don’t fit in. The pieces will
fit eventually.
WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST ROLE MODEL/INFLUENCER?
My biggest influence would be my mentor Wayne Stewart.
He was a senior manager for business development, PR,
and a whole plethora of other stuff at Shell for 25 years and
then, because of his kind heart, took the nonprofit world by
storm. He was the CEO of the Homeless Foundation and
even ran for Calgary Mayor in 2010 before dropping out to
support the current mayor, Naheed Nenshi. I met him at a
research presentation and he gave me his card to meet. My
whole life changed. I walked into his office thinking it was
going to be a business discussion and he ended up ripping
my brain apart. I was of course really not self aware at the
time and had quite a struggle trying to figure myself out.
For four years we met regularly. I don’t ask for anything and
he doesn’t expect anything from me. We literally sit down
because he is an amazing person that wants to help people
and I am so appreciative of who he is. One really simple
piece of advice that I’ll never forget that he had was “… Ok,
it’s time to think bigger.”
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST LESSON YOU’VE LEARNED?
You’re always smarter and tougher than you think you are.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF
JUST STARTING OUT?
Things are going to get messy but it will eventually all make
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE TIPS FOR ASPIRING FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS?
Love yourself first. Make a 5 year plan. End the five year
plan with a goal that is not characterized by money.
WHAT DOES SUCCESS MEAN TO YOU? HOW WILL YOU
KNOW WHEN YOU’VE ACHIEVED IT?
Success is a very personal thing. The metrics are dependant on your perspective. My idea of success is based on
influence. To be honest, I’m not really sure what my success
will look like. If I had to say anything, I would say that I succeeded when I can hear from a substantial list of people
who are making a change in the world, that I’ve made a very
major change in theirs.
IF YOU COULD HAVE DINNER WITH ANYONE IN THE
WORLD, WHO WOULD IT BE? WHY?
When I was in high school I had a boyfriend who meant a lot
to me that passed away. He loved me unconditionally and
was a good man from a good family. A lot of those hard entrepreneur moments I’ve prayed to him and am very thankful in knowing he’s there. If I could, I would love to still have
dinner with him… to ask him how he’s doing and to thank
him for a very difficult part of my life that made me into who
I am today. ✴
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