Fauteux firmly believes in the responsibility of leaders to contribute to the preservation of our world. In his words, “I believe that everyone in a leadership position has the responsibility to ensure we are protecting nature and acting sustainably. Without it, little of what we do or achieve holds significance or meaning. After all, we have to ensure that we have a place where others following in our footsteps have the opportunity to achieve their own goals.”

Fauteux’s educational background includes a bachelor’s degree earned in 1995 from Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario, Canada. He also pursued further education, completing a Management Certificate from the American Management Association of International in 1999 as well as an Indigenous Studies Certificate from the University of Alberta in 2017. 

In this capacity as Senior Director of P3 at EQUANS Services, he’s responsible for managing the strategic delivery operations of multiple P3 contracts in both Canada and the United States. His areas of oversight encompass transit, healthcare, transportation, and cultural infrastructure. 

What does your day-to-day generally look like given your position?

Contract, Vendor, and Client Management are the activities that take up most of my day.  Making sure we are delivering on our commitments and serving our clients in the best, most sustainable way we can.

What initially inspired you to get into the field you’re in?

Leadership has always been the thing that I’ve gravitated to normally and environmentalism and sustainability are things that mean a lot to me personally. So being able to lead and contribute in those important areas has been great.

What do you think makes a great leader?

I generally subscribe to servant leadership so listening is where everything starts.  As a generalist, I believe strongly in putting the right people in the right places and then making sure you can support success, help them grow, and clear barriers for them. I also believe strongly that what gets measured, gets done so I am a big proponent of having accountability systems in place to track success.

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

The biggest misconception is that environmentalism and sustainability are only for environmentalists and that simply is not true. Everything we build, operate, occupy, use, etc. can be better more sustainable, and less harmful to the environment around us.  Keeping this in mind, ALL of us are responsible for this, not just the environmentalists.

What do you believe your future career is going to look like five years from now?

I imagine that I will be leading sustainably in whatever industry needs me. 

The post Our Interview With Brad Fauteux, senior director of P3 Management at EQUANS appeared first on CEO Medium.

Her leadership in business spans more than 20 years and her guidance as a coach for personal transformation and wellness spans more than a decade. In addition to guiding the start-up of three national-level organizations, as a management consultant with Booz Allen Hamilton, she has worked with corporate, government, and nonprofit leaders to build their organizations while supporting them through their personal growth. 

What inspired you to develop your idea?

It is important to me that my work is meaningful. I started my career in the non-profit space supporting equity and access to education. I then transitioned into the government arena where I developed an additional passion for organizational effectiveness. I began to notice that the work I found most fulfilling and impactful was guiding individuals and groups through reflection that allowed them to transform new possibilities for their lives, their families, and their communities. Once that spark was lit, I realized that facilitating transformational conversations was the most powerful work I could do – so I stepped fully into it.  

What is unique about your business? 

Me. As a bisexual, black, immigrant woman, I bring a deep appreciation of the ongoing pressures faced by marginalized groups and the ways these truths can manifest in their lives. That allows me to create a safe space for folks to speak truths that are hard to say and step into possibilities they have yet to imagine.

How did you decide where to establish your company? 

I was living in Washington DC when I became deeply excited about the power of coaching so I started my business there. Being in there allowed me to plug into existing communities and networks as I was honing my craft and delivering services.

Knowing what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently when you were first starting?

When I was starting my fear of failure drove me to strive for perfection. But it’s impossible to get everything right – especially in a startup. So, I would have been much more compassionate with myself and my learning curve for starting a business.  

 What challenges did you have to overcome at the beginning of your journey?

I am thankful to be surrounded by really smart people. However, sometimes what is right for one person isn’t right for you. It was challenging to get advice that came from well-meaning individuals but wasn’t the right approach for me. However, one way to mitigate this is to try something on a smaller scale and if it doesn’t work well then pivot. For example, when I first started my business I wasn’t on many social media channels. One of the pieces of advice that I received was that I needed to be on all of them! That was both draining and a time suck. I eventually decided not to pursue Twitter or Tiktok so that I could focus my efforts on LinkedIn and Instagram. Since then, I have made LinkedIn my primary social media vehicle which has allowed me to be more targeted with my outreach and engagement. 

What advice would you give to someone who is trying to become an entrepreneur? 

Managing your nervous system is key to giving yourself the space to try new things and take risks that are inevitable with starting a business. So practice centering yourself. I am a fan of meditation, yin yoga, naps, and walks. When we feel emotionally overwhelmed it’s hard to be expansive and creative. Being able to manage your nervous system will allow you to operate from a place of possibility instead of a place of fear.

https://catapultchange.com/

The post Meet Patrice Ford Lyn: Leadership Developer, Life Coach appeared first on CEO Medium.

What inspired you to develop your idea?

I began book publishing and fell in love with the industry quickly. I was in a position to meet new creatives, work with them closely on bringing their dream to fruition, and watch the results of our labour play out at retailers. For nine years, I was excelling but was also burning the candle on both ends. At this time, I knew I needed to slow down and figure out how to realign my lifestyle so that it wouldn’t cause detriment to my health, peace of mind, and business. I used to rely on coffee to get me through my long days or when I felt moody at the day’s end. Coffee seemed like a great option until I experienced adrenal fatigue. I often heard about the benefits of herbal tea. It wasn’t until I ran across rooibos and discovered how healing it was to my body that I fell in love and wanted to share it with the world. Upland Tea House was born shortly after.

Knowing what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently when you were first starting out?

We launched eagerly in April of 2021. After getting logistics underway, our storefront prepared for sales, and marketing campaigns running our biggest hurdle was inventory. We put so much preparation into smooth sales processes that we didn’t take into consideration having enough supply to meet the demand. Especially with shipping still being impacted by the pandemic. While America began to slowly open up India was still under lockdown. This affected our friends and partners’ ability to work but also their way of living. We should have taken all of this into consideration to not overwhelm them during such a critical time.

What is unique about your business? How did you decide where to establish your company?

I believe our focus on building a community around the Rooibos bush is our uniqueness. We have built a tribe that serves as a haven for education, accountability to using tea as self-care, and gathering in real life for fellowship. As with many things in life, having support from like-minded people carries weight in our lives. To fully recognize tea as self-care, you need that consistent reminder and influence from people just like you. We see the value in and love all our tea cousins, lol, but personally have found pleasure and healing through Rooibos. It’s definitely not spoken about as often as the others.

Currently, we offer natural rooibos and rooibos tea blends. Western Cape is what I consider our ‘OG’ flavor. It is rooibos in its natural sweet essence without florals or fruits. This is particularly my favorite offering. Then we have Passion Fruit – our ‘High Vibes’ flavor. It has a citrusy aroma with a pinch of mango and passion fruit. It feels like summer. A favorite among teenagers is Strawberry Hibiscus – our ‘Young and Free’ flavor. It is pure strawberry, sweet rooibos, currant berries, blueberries, and elderberries that are refreshing to your palate. The flavor is very alluring. Last but not least, is our Chamomile Mint. This is what we consider to be a ‘Nourishing’ flavor. The sweet flavor of rooibos with a true mint essence is full of flowery Chamomile and decadent creamy notes. It’s soothing, flavorful, and perfect to wind down the day with or ease into sleep after. We love them all!

What challenges did you have to overcome at the beginning of your journey?

The biggest challenge was not fully understanding the process to harvest, process, and care for my tea. It’s truly an honorable thing to witness – the craft to produce quality tea and taste the difference on the side of the consumer. When I began, I over-steeped the leaves, didn’t conceal the tea properly after use, and didn’t realize the type of pot or presses could yield a different flavor. After learning from some of the best in the field, I have much respect for the harvesters as well as the experience overall. Tea consumption is more than just an alternative to coffee. It’s a time-honored lifestyle for some cultures and a ritual for others.

What advice would you give to someone who is trying to become an entrepreneur?

My main tip is: ‘slow down to catapult faster’. In business, it seems we are so quick to set the trend or move the needle to be recognized that we often miss the details in the journey. When you slow down you give way to learn more as a business person, build sustainable relationships, carve out a niche in your industry, and serve your community better. The sum of all these steps catapults you even further than rushing ever could. Also, if I could save someone a lot of frustration then I would add:

1. The key to success is consistency. So don’t think what you’re about to do is any easier than a 9 to 5.
2. We are all just trying to find our way. Don’t let anyone make you believe they have excelled at that. And as a bonus: No matter what happens, keep going anyway.

The post April Sheris Launches Tea Company appeared first on CEO Medium.

Singapore is a very brand-conscious market and it was pretty evident to Saruchi since she moved to this beautiful green island.  Saruchi says “It was like markets were either flooded with mass produced fashion jewellery or with high priced fine jewellery which people would only think of buying for special occasions. There was almost nothing here for daily wear and to make memories with quality, pocket-friendly jewellery. Nobody understood the goodness of natural gemstones, sterling silver and the affordability of 14k gold.

Being a creatively inclined jewellery lover and understanding this existing huge gap in the Singapore jewellery market led Saruchi to conceptualize SRJ in 2014. All jewellery created at SRJ is artisan made and only uses the best quality natural gemstones and skin-friendly genuine metals. Each and every step in the sourcing and making process is paid attention to and only the best is brought forward in the final pieces.

”Our jewellery is not the usual stuff you get in the market. It’s more special because each and every piece is handcrafted from scratch and is inspired by people and their modern work lives.  Our designs are elegant and perfect for all occasions as these reflect genuine authenticity, individual appeal and custom finish which mass-produced items simply don’t have” – Saruchi 

SRJ has a wide collection of jewellery ranging from rings to necklaces and earrings to bracelets and is always happy to work with commissioned orders as well. Saruchi says “We are always happy to give shape to your thoughts”. 

Saruchi R Jewellery creations are sold worldwide through various e-commerce platforms and various local pop-up shops in Singapore. The brand has a clear motto “work hard to create jewellery and work harder to keep customers happy” so do expect solid customer service from them along with quality jewellery.

Website : www.saruchirjewellery.com

Instagram :saruchi.r.jewellery

Facebook:  saruchirjewellery

The post Saruchi R Jewellery- Bridging the gap between fashion jewellery and fine jewellery in Singapore appeared first on CEO Medium.

What is your entrepreneur story? How did you come about building your business?

I worked in banking for over 10 years and I wanted to be my own boss one day. Unfortunately, I became an entrepreneur through tragedy. I lost my husband in 2010 to murder. Our story made worldwide news as it was considered a massacre. Through my pain, I started writing books. With my experience and training, I started assisting others with the publishing of their books. Soon, I developed my own publishing company.

What is your business model — how were you able to grow so fast?

Because of my background and story, people started to contact me to help assist with their books. I did not expect my business to grow as it has. My business took a complete turn when I worked with Grammy-Award Winner and reality star Stevie J, I worked with Genise Shelton from the show Married to Medicine on Bravo and I co-authored in a book that was created by Actress and Comedian Kim Coles.

Can you give me an overview of who you are, what is your educational or overall background? What are some of your achievements?

I was born and raised in Buffalo, NY. I have 2 amazing children. My background is in banking, but my MBA is in healthcare management and I have an MBA in business. I’ve received so many awards for my business including 2013 Utopian Euphoria Making a Difference, 2016 Metro Phenomenal Women, 2016 Black Women Are Award for Survivorship, the 2016 IALA award for Memoir of the year, the 2016 Rising Star Award, the 2018 and 2019 Best of McDonough Award for my publishing company and 2019 Author of the Year.

What have you learned through your experiences as an entrepreneur that can be used by aspiring business individuals?

Entrepreneurship is not an overnight success. It takes hard work and consistency to be successful. One minute your business can be up and the next minute your business can be down.

What makes your business so unique and successful?

I think my business is unique and successful because of my creativity and my relationships with my clients. I am honest with them about everything, I listen to my client’s needs and I execute their vision.

What have you learned through your journey as an entrepreneur?

I have learned that there will be good days and bad days. Keep pushing for success and never give up.

What skills and attributes make you as successful as you are?

I feel that life experiences, training, and customer service skills have helped me make my business a success.

Why is online business, marketing, etc important?

Online marketing and promotions are the eras that we are in today. With the internet and social media, we have access so so many people. I receive over half of my clients from social media. It is a great tool if used properly.

Is there anything, in particular, you’d like me to add in the articles?

I just released my 6th book called Living My Best Life On My Own Terms.

A recipient of the 2013 Utopian Euphoria Making A Difference, 2016 Metro Phenomenal Women, 2016 Black Women Are Award for survivorship, the 2016 IALA award for Memoir of the year for her book, My Testimony, I Don’t Look Like What I’ve Been Through, 2016 Rising Star Award, 2018 & 2019 Best of McDonough award for her publishing company and 2019 Author of the Year and Women from ACHI Magazine. Her experiences led Tanisha to write several books, write for several magazines and appearing on several radios and television shows. Tanisha has been in several magazines, including gracing the cover of Writers Life Magazine and Glambitious Magazine. Tanisha released her last solo book, Living My Best Life on My Own Terms, on April 24th on her 40th birthday.

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Social Media:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/tanishamackinpublishing

Twitter: www.twitter.com/tanishamackin

The post Publishing Evolution and it’s Award-winning Founder and CEO: Tanisha Mackin. appeared first on CEO Medium.

Tell us about who you are and what you do.

My name is Kelly Morita and I’m an Ikigai Empowerment and Success coach. I help people discover their purpose, activate confidence, and create a life of fulfillment and abundance. I live in the beautiful land of the rising sun and have learned from this country on a spiritual level. Through my journey living abroad, I’ve faced many challenges and explored my passions in search of my identity and purpose. I realized having a purpose isn’t about what you do, it’s about who you are and how you perceive the world! 

I launched my first online course called, “The Ikigai Lifestyle Academy” attracting over 65 students and $20k in sales in the first three months of launch! I’m very proud of what this course has done for many people and I now have 1:1 coaching available for anyone who needs direction in life or business! 

I started out as an influencer and content creator on YouTube and amassed over 100,000 followers in just one week due to a viral video about my emotions and struggles to find myself abroad. It’s all thanks to showing up confidently as my true, authentic self. Therefore, I’m open to helping people find purpose and direction in everyday life, business, branding, and even for those living abroad like myself and feel lost in what their next step is. Life purpose and living to the fullest is my expertise!

As for a little background, I grew up in a small town in Michigan with big dreams. My love for Japan started at a young age when I took my first foreign language class at 13 years old. I grew up with a dream to move overseas and teach English. I participated in internship programs and studied abroad, spending my last semester of high school in Japan. It was all so exciting! Nothing could keep me away. It was as if something was calling me to stay.

My heart was so set on a chance to live and teach in Japan, so I grabbed all of my courage and applied for every program before graduating from university. I lived and breathed Japan until I manifested my dream job there! 

After some time, I realized that, as much as I loved teaching, I felt as if something was missing in my life like I was meant for something bigger. I began to explore other passions, signing to a record label and releasing music, starting a YouTube channel, applying to grad schools, and later, starting a business to help influencers grow their social accounts. I loved all of it, but something still felt off.

Amongst all of this exploring, I fell into the trap of listening to what others had to say about me, self-sabotaging, afraid of taking risks, always in toxic relationships that didn’t serve me until one day, I came across the beautiful concept of Ikigai. 

I began to dive deep into Japanese psychology. I soon forgot all my struggles and started to incorporate Ikigai into my daily life eventually manifesting the life of my dreams and becoming the strong warrior I knew I always was. I attracted a beautiful husband, a successful online coaching business, a stronger community, closer friendships, peace within myself, and much more.

I realized my mission in life was to inspire and empower others with the concept of Ikigai or what I like to call, “Ikigai Empowerment,” using Japanese and western mindset methods. 

​Everyone has a different meaning in life and it starts in your soul. We all have incredible stories and a unique power within us. We can have and do whatever we desire if we get out of our own way and open up our awareness.

My new mission now is to spread this message across the world, change people’s lives from the comfort of my tiny Tokyo home, using techniques from another, beautiful kind. 

Shifting your mindset, habits, and taking risks aren’t easy. But once we learn to be honest with ourselves and understand that we’re human, we can become resilient in the face of challenge and struggle.

Tell us how you created this brand and what was the sole idea behind it.

I was already creating inspirational content on YouTube and Instagram every week but in the form of life abroad. I talked about Ikigai in subtle ways as I began experimenting with it after a breakup. I felt I relied on others too much to make me happy when in reality, I knew I could be my own support system and experience so many beautiful things in life. My mind began to shift and ideas began to circulate in my mind. I was already working with a branding coach thinking I wanted to go in the direction of social media strategy as I felt I knew the secrets to grow an audience and showing up authentically online but I still felt uninspired.

I soon enough fused my love for creating, sharing my stories, teaching, and social media with Ikigai and success coaching. It took a while for my current audience to warm up to it and it wasn’t an easy shift, but I wasn’t one to give up.

My brand is the way it is today because it evolved with me and became my truth which attracted so much abundance, connections, and experiences through content creation. I didn’t let others deter me from doing something I didn’t want to do. I’m very lucky to have such a thriving brand and idea!

The message I want to convey through my brand is that you can create the life you want, dream big, and do what you want to do by activating something called, Ikigai. Ikigai is the word for ‘life purpose’ in Japanese. All my life I’ve been incorporating Japanese mindset methods into my day to day and using them as tools to activate the power I know I have within me to achieve anything I want to achieve. Ikigai is all about activating your soul, your truth, and your honest self. Once we do that, we can be unstoppable! I also believe it has helped me show up in my business and create what you see today!

Go into detail and tell us about how your brand works. You may keep this from the audience’s perspective.

Ikigai is not a new concept. It has been floating around the internet for many years. You may have seen a Venn diagram which states, in order to find “Ikigai” or your “life purpose”  you must discover ‘what you love,’ ‘what you’re good at,’ ‘What the world needs,’ and ‘what you can be paid for.’ I realized this diagram was a great resource for finding your passions in life and less about finding purpose. It also wasn’t the real Ikigai concept. The real concept of Ikigai wasn’t a diagram, a chart, or a list, it’s something we all have deep within us. Although discovering your passions is valid and allows you to attract amazing experiences into your life to HELP you activate purpose, it isn’t the main piece of the puzzle.

I read many books from several authors about Ikigai and realized they all had their own concept and image of what it means to have Ikigai. There was no real answer. The more I read, I began to have my own theories and interpretation of the concept.

My theory and own vision of what Ikigai means is it has nothing to do with your job and more about who you are authentically and truthfully. Your Ikigai is what you interpret the meaning of life as. Ikigai is everything you put into every aspect of your life. For example, if the meaning of life for you is to inspire yourself and others every day, then you must embody that version of yourself to live in alignment. 

If the meaning of life for you is to create powerful relationships, healthy habits, a peaceful and abundant life, then that is how you will live your authentic self. Everyone has their own meaning but not everyone knows what that is yet. You have a purpose already; you just have to activate it. I always tell my clients to let down their ego and start asking the right questions.

How you activate Ikigai is by going through my eight-step Ikigai Lifestyle Method Timeline and that involves many methods derived from Japanese psychology and other techniques like manifestation, NLP, time techniques, meditations, limiting belief work, and so on. It involves shedding this layer to reveal your truth. The ultimate transformation with a Japanese twist!

Once you have purposed it can translate into all aspects of your life pie – relationships, business or brand, career, finances, spirituality, environment, etc. When you become your truth, you give off something called, “The Ikigai Effect” and THAT’S when you experience freedom in your life to be who you’re meant to be.

There is no right or wrong way to live or uncover your truth which is why this theory can help so many, but I always advocate to use something called, ‘beginners mind’ to find the methods that work best for you even if it means inventing your own theory or way. You hold the power within you, you have everything you need to succeed in life, you just have to activate it. That is why I call my techniques “Ikigai Empowerment” and “having an Ikigai Lifestyle.”

I now have available a 4-month Ikigai Lifestyle Course which will soon be shifting to group coaching in the next month, as well as 1:1 3 and 6 monthly coachings available for both entrepreneurs or the average everyday dreamer for those who need direction or help to discover their purpose in life. Single sessions are also available for anyone who needs help answering something specific!

What is your giveaway idea through this interview? Highlight something that may interest the readers on a one to one basis.

Many people wait until “the right time” to live their lives, make a change, start that business, do that thing they’ve always wanted to do. They wait for “motivation” but motivation doesn’t happen until you take action.

There will never BE the right time to make a change or transformation. The thing is, if you believe you can accomplish anything, then you can accomplish anything. Start now! Start today! No matter what age you are, you can do what you set your mind to.

You can create the life you want by living your truth. Stop worrying about what others think, dig deep, and uncover limiting beliefs that might be holding you back. Once you do this, you’ll attract a life meant for you. Understand that life happens FOR you, not TO you.

Explain the challenges you went through while you were working on brand creation. What are the challenges you go through on an everyday basis?

Limiting beliefs and thoughts will always come up. That voice in your head will always find ways to hold you back and make excuses. In Zen teachings, there’s something called the ‘thinking mind’ and ‘the observing mind’ we have to separate those two minds to heal ourselves, get up, and keep going. What I love about the concept of Ikigai is the fact that it’s all about growth and becoming resilient. Even I have bad days where I break down and need to release some emotional energy. But I know how to take a step back and observe my energy and where I’m putting it to reassess and find balance again.

I thought I was pretty confident in myself and my abilities until I hired my own coach who guided me on my journey to entrepreneurship. I realized I had a lot of stuck beliefs about what it meant to run a business and make money. I had to continuously work on that.

We are human. It’s inevitable that we feel fear, doubt, unworthiness. Our emotions are messengers of the soul. We need to learn to recognize what those emotions are trying to tell us and not feed into the thoughts that come with it. 

Your journey is never-ending. There will always be battles and struggles along the way. It’s impossible to be perfect or happy all the time. But once we learn to cultivate the power we have within us and become resilient in every situation, we can realign, reassess, and move forward. 

How do you manage your finances through the services you offer? Any fundings etc received?

I quit my 9-5 and had no consistent income. I believed if I focused on my coaching business full time, the universe would see that and support me in what I needed. I had some help from my amazing husband in keeping afloat, in the beginning, along with some inconsistent YouTube and sponsorship income but other than that, I put faith in all that I created and put out there.

Tell us your future vision about the brand. How far do you want to take it? What is your dream about taking it to the next level?

I believe the Ikigai Empowerment is going to change many lives and perspectives of others. It’s a new concept fused with an ancient idea. There are too many people living in a world that isn’t their own and I want to guide others in seeing their truth in order to build confidence, achieve what they want to achieve, and go after the life they want whether that’s moving overseas, starting a business, living in peace, attracting abundance, writing a book, the list goes on. Whether you believe you can do it or not, either way, you’re right.

I hope to. Be known for Ikigai empowerment across several platforms. I see many amazing projects come to life and I want to create a community of warriors who can support each other in their endeavors.

I believe that we are the queen or king of our own kingdom and in order to get there, we have to be the hero of our own story. 

What message would you like to give to anybody who has a plan of creating something of their own and making a living through it?

There are no rules. Whatever you want to create, you can create. Whatever you want to be paid for, you can be paid for. Just because others are doing something one way, doesn’t mean you have to do it the exact same way. And if you’re the only one with a new idea, be the first to succeed in it. Show up as your authentic self and you will succeed because we’re all unique in our own way. In nature, no leaf is the same, and just like nature, we are not the same. Share your gifts.

Company name : Kelly Morita: Ikigai Empowerment & Success Coach

Website: www.kellymorita.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/kellymoritasan

The post Meet Kelly Morita, an Ikigai Empowerment Coach and The Secret Behind Her Brand and Methods appeared first on CEO Medium.

With more than 25 years of combined experience in human resources, organizational development, non-profit leadership, and executive coaching, Wendy has worked with hundreds of individuals and organizations. Throughout her career, Wendy’s outstanding ability to build trust and rapport with diverse audiences, and her agility in assessing and engaging individuals and groups from “where they are” has facilitated breakthroughs and business results. As a speaker, her natural warmth and humor captivate her audience, and her intellect challenges their assumptions about what is possible for us to achieve individually and collectively. 

In her consulting work, Wendy customizes research-based best practices to work with each client’s unique culture and business model. She is an expert in organizational and individual assessments, leadership development, strategic visioning, and implementing organizational change. Wendy also understands the dynamics of entrepreneurship, venture capital, and private equity funding and seamlessly integrate those dynamics into her work for the benefit of her clients. 

Wendy holds a Master’s Degree in Human Resources and Organizational Development from the University of San Francisco in addition to a post-graduate Certificate in Management and Innovation from Bentley College and dual Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology and Spanish from the University of California at Davis. 

Tell us about who you are and what you do.

I’m a leadership expert, equity & inclusion advocate, author, and the CEO of Kadabra, an interdisciplinary team of leadership and culture experts on a mission to grow exceptional leaders and teams.  My team and I aim to facilitate a ripple effect of positive change and transformation to advance the greater good.

Tell us how you created this brand and what was the sole idea behind it.

Billions of dollars have been invested in leadership and organizational development by companies trying to draw out what we know we’re capable of. The promised magic of leadership and teamwork have yet to fully materialize.  What started as a curiosity — What else is needed? —is what Kadabra aims to provide.  Our approach to transforming leaders and organizations goes deeper and stretches beyond the traditional.  We work at the head and heart level to expand what’s possible for people to achieve together.

Go in detail and tell us about how your brand works. You may keep this from the audience’s perspective.

At Kadabra, we help people do the hard inner work required to become better leaders. We support them to dissolve fear, expand awareness, and explore assumptions. We empower everyone (no matter the personality or style) to transform thinking, awaken potential, and lead with incredible skill and confidence. Because of this, leaders and teams become more than the sum of their parts and turn into powerful forces for good in the world.  

We help teams build BRAVE Cultures™.  BRAVE Cultures™ are Purpose Driven, Wildly Innovative, and Fiercely Inclusive.

●        We help you identify why you do what you do, what values support your purpose, and how to work in alignment with those values in daily operations.

●        Finding extraordinary solutions to complex problems means getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. We use proven tools and strategies to help you innovate and implement change.

●        Beyond checking a box for diversity, Fiercely Inclusive cultures make inclusion part of their DNA and everyday practices to exponentially improve employee motivation, satisfaction, and performance.

What is your giveaway idea through this interview? Highlight something that may interest the readers on a one to one basis.

It’s crucial to elevate your awareness around your own biases and elicit empathy for “others” — that is the first step toward sustaining success in a changing world.

Explain the challenges you went through while you were working on brand creation. What are the challenges you go through on an everyday basis?

We work with clients across all industries in the for-profit, not-for-profit, and government sectors.  And the core of our brand is creating and holding space for vulnerability – to admit flaws and learn how to ask for help. Helping clients overcome their fears around vulnerability is key to their success and ours. It’s hard for anyone to tell the truth when the results of doing so might be punitive. So, vulnerability is pretty scary. Vulnerability-based trust is at the heart of great teamwork; it’s simple in theory, but it’s not easy in practice because it requires courage and commitment not just one day, but every day, but it is worth it because the benefits of a great team are genuinely extraordinary. 

How do you manage your finances through the services you offer. Any fundings etc received?

Because we are a certified women-owned business, Kadabra was eligible for and was awarded a small business grant from Facebook in 2020 for $4k. We have adopted a value-based pricing strategy for our services, which enables us to factor need, resources, and impact together in ways that increase broader access and equity. 

Tell us your future vision about the brand. How far do you want to take it? What is your dream about taking it to the next level?

I would like to see Kadabra become the international “go-to” source for purpose-driven organizations seeking change and transformation, who want to cultivate equity and inclusive practices throughout their entire ecosystem and use their organizations as forces for good.

What message would you like to give to anybody who has a plan of creating something of their own and making a living through it?

Strengths, blind spots, areas of opportunity – you know everyone has them, but you need to figure out which of yours matters and how to deal with them. That is the key to success in any endeavor, no matter what your ultimate goal is.

Company name: Kadabra

Website: www.wearekadabra.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/we_are_kadabra

The post Creating Brave Cultures Through Transformational Leadership appeared first on CEO Medium.

We’re witnessing a momentous shift towards women empowerment. Closing the gap not only affords us a host of social, cultural, and ethical benefits to society but also enriches the global economy. According to leading statistics presented by GetSmarter, advancing women equality in the workplace could add $12 trillion to the global GDP by 2025. More than ever before, it’s a matter of necessity.

To find financial security, stability, and certainty, we can’t do things as we’ve always done. Statistics in support of the movement towards equality are too loud to ignore. A leadership survey conducted by Harvard Business Review assessed that women rated higher than men in a staggering 12 of 16 recorded leadership qualities, including communication skills, analysis, innovation, and strategizing. McKinsey further supported these findings, purporting that by cultivating a gender-diverse team, modern businesses can financially outperform competitors by 15%.

In the midst of a global pandemic, it’s undeniable: we need a feminine shift in leadership to reimagine the world ahead of us. Rhonda Swan, the CEO, and founder of Unstoppable Branding Agency, is commanding the charge. She’s a leading figure for women entrepreneurialism, the ever-emerging world of online branding, and PR. Helping “the best-kept secrets become the world’s best-known experts”, her agency helps coaches, pro speakers, consultants, and entrepreneurs share their stories and get featured in high profile publications.

Recently, Forbes named Rhonda “Influential Women of Diversity To Watch In 2021”. Rhonda now knows exactly how to create a strong, long-lasting personal brand, her talents were forged on a path of self-discovery in a male-dominated climate. And before she could help others tap into their potential for success, she first had to do so for herself. In this exclusive interview, Rhonda shares just how she was able to quit her corporate position and go on to dominate the world of branding and PR, inspiring countless women to find their calling and do the same.

Danny Barba: Where did your journey begin?

Rhonda Swan: After getting two MBAs, one in business and another in advertising, I landed a senior leadership role at GlaxoSmithKline, where I worked as a marketing executive for 8 years. The six-figure income was more than sustainable, but the work environment was stifling. It left me no room to grow spiritually or mentally. I found myself at a breaking point trying to find fulfillment, and that’s when I watched an interview with Steve Jobs. He said, “If you’re not learning how to use the internet to build a business in this digital economy, you’ll be left behind.” I took that seriously.

I quit my corporate position and began building an online business. I did this because I knew what kind of life I wanted to create for myself. A life in which I would never have to sacrifice family. But I knew that if I wanted to raise a child at the age of 30, I’d need to find a way to maintain my six-figure income without trading away valuable time. And as I started building my company, I quickly realized that the connection I had in pharmaceutical sales had everything to do with building a brand, connecting with people, telling their story, and helping them solve a problem. This has been a massive factor in the success of my company. Navigating a male-driven industry over the last 15 years, I’ve learned to listen more and be strategic. They never see you coming.

Barba: How has your company developed over the years?

Swan: The company has grown from strength to strength. It started out with courses designed to teach people how to build their brand. Before long, it became a full-blown agency that guides clients on their brand development, logo, message, strategy, and PR. We outshine our competitors not only because of impeccable service, but because of our comprehensive value proposition. We do more than just help our clients develop the brand. We also help them with their social media, marketing, and PR, which leads to accelerated exposure and whole new levels of online traffic.

Barba: What do you value most in a successful business, and what has led to your own success?

Swan: I place utmost importance on diversity within my team. I’m of American, Indian, and Italian descent, and I proudly identify with my cultural heritage. I want to make a real difference, especially for those marginalized based on the color of their skin or the place they were born. This is why, regardless of background, race, gender, or religion, I offer equal opportunities to anybody with the right mindset and a willingness to work. I’m proud to say that we have employees from all across the world. That includes Malaysia, New Zealand, the UK, Singapore, France, America, and many others. If our employees have done something amazing, it doesn’t matter where they come from. And they certainly don’t need a degree to work for us. We feel that experience is what creates knowledge, and an excited person that wants to work for you deserves a position.

Barba: What message do you want to share with women everywhere?

Swan: Empowered women don’t need an equal opportunity or equal pay. They’re creating their own economy. I conceived the first female-led company operating completely online, and with every passing year, my conviction and belief only grow in giving women everywhere a platform to speak and make a difference. About 80% of my workers are female and the number continues to grow since the company’s inception in 2004.  Right now, I’m writing a new book called Design to Lead for Women Empowerment, which discusses the importance of taking a stand for women empowerment and getting our voices heard. Because giving women the opportunity to be heard and make a difference is one of my highest values, and one I will always stand by.

Bottom line, I’m determined to help more women become successful. I want to set a great example for my daughter and young girls alike, and show that it doesn’t have to be a constant hustle to get ahead. Without a doubt, women are leading the charge right now. And they aren’t looking for handouts; they’re giving them. 

Barba: Are you involved in giving back or philanthropy?

Swan: Yes, Philanthropy and giving back to women and children in economic hardship and abusive situations has always been a big effort for me and my family. Together with my America husband, Brian Swan and daughter, Hanalei Swan we have supported non-profits that focus on providing life-skills and mentoring women and children in need, through many different sectors of life including, business, health, sports, equine therapies, arts and media, global human trafficking, global ministries, and global clean water. 

Closing Thoughts

Rhonda’s initiative, vision, and mission are endless sources of inspiration for women across the world. In defining and refining what it means to be a leader, Rhonda continues to create opportunities for women to grow and develop to their full potential. Her company is no less than a complete success story, and truly a tour de force in the online branding and PR space.

For women seeking to command, embolden their voice and stand proudly in their truth, this is your time. You don’t need to sacrifice your time, family or mental health to create the life you desire. To be positioned as the expert, charge more for what you do, and get invited to speak on stages across the world, the world needs to hear your story. And one thing is for certain: Rhonda and the unstoppable family will tell it like no one else can.

Dan Barba is a storyteller and head writer for one of the largest agencies that represent entrepreneurs, authors and coaches.

The post RHONDA SWAN – Best Selling Author & Film Producer Builds A Company To Advance Women Equality In The Workplace That Will Add $12 Trillion To The Global GDP by 2025 appeared first on CEO Medium.

What is your entrepreneur story? How did you come about building your business?

My family and I are from Hawaii. It’s where I met my husband, got married, had our children, and it’s what gave me my life. The aloha spirit is what guides me and my family, even now after moving off-island. My art career was born from this aloha spirit and started after a hospitalization. 2 years ago I spent a week in the ICU due to complications from Lyme disease and started painting as a form of therapy. I was in chronic daily pain and spent most of my day in bed. The more I painted, the better I felt, and the more I was able to get out of bed. I sold my first piece a month later, and from there never stopped. I posted my work online, shared my story, my heart, and shared my connection with Hawaii through my art. All of my work is based on our Hawaii home, and it’s my greatest hope that my art is not just beautiful but an inspiration.

In terms of building my business, I feel like my story is somewhat unique. I never intended for this to be a business, and instead viewed it as rehab. I was a stay at home mom with no professional art background, so a career wasn’t something I was looking for, but instead was something that found me.

Social media was how my business grew, however, it was all organic. I simply shared my work and people responded. I talked to my clients, I answered questions, I posted videos of the process and it simply grew. The more work I did, the better I felt, and the more my Instagram grew.

I sell all my work online and grew from 0 to 100,000 followers in the first 16 months, and now 2 years later am at almost 175,000.

The next step in my business though is opening a gallery and studio. My family decided last month to take this business forward and open a gallery and studio in our small town. My husband is a 100% disabled Army veteran, and we hope that this family-run business can be something we run together for years to come.

What is your business model and how were you able to grow so fast?

My business model is simple, treat everyone like they matter, and share love + aloha in everything I do. I truly believe that my art is a metaphor for life and that I’m sharing my life as much as I am my art. When people support me they are doing so for the whole picture, not just a piece of art. I think this same philosophy is also what allowed me to grow so quickly. People resonated with me because I am them. I am the stay at home mom. I am a person fighting chronic illness. I’m a parent of 5 young children. A lot of people saw aspects of themselves in what I”m doing, and I think they connected with that. You will never grow in any business if what you are doing isn’t real, and I hope that everything I do, and everything you see from me is real. And if that translates into growth, that’s great — but that was never the purpose of this.

Can you give me an overview of who you are, what is your educational or overall background? What are some of your achievements?

My background is in the culinary world and not the art world. I went to college at the University of Arkansas and graduated with honors with a degree in Hospitality Restaurant management. I, however, worked as a baker and pastry chef during and after college, and my first love was in pastry. I worked in various bakeries doing everything from classic French pastries to cakes, bread, and cupcakes. I have always been creative, but before I got sick I had never painted before.

Outside of this my passion and life were dedicated to my family. I’m a mom to 5 children, ages 13, 11, 5, 5, and 3, and we are a military family. My husband spent 22 years in the active duty army, deploying 5 times, so my life was in support of our family. When Ron retired from the Army we moved out of Hawaii and our new life began.

What have you learned through your experiences as an entrepreneur that can be used by aspiring business individuals?

I think the most important thing to take from business and life is to lead with love. It doesn’t matter what type of business you are in, what you are doing, what you are selling, or who you are — -if you aren’t leading with love then you won’t be successful. There is more to life than making a profit, and living and leading with love and integrity is the very best thing you can strive for. I truly believe that if you show love, you will be given it in return — and that is what I have seen from my clients throughout the last 2 years.

What makes your business so unique and successful?

I think what makes me unique and successful is that so many people see themselves in me. Like I mentioned earlier I’m a mom, wife, I live with a chronic illness, chronic pain, and am balancing life just like everyone else. I believe I am real. I think this resonates with people and it inspires them. They think If she can do it with Lyme Disease and 5 kids then I can try it too. I hear from people every single day to tell me that I have inspired them to start painting, or to take up a hobby — and that to be is more valuable than anything. Knowing that I am making a positive impact on someone else’s life is more valuable than any sale.

What have you learned through your journey as an entrepreneur?

One word, time. That you get exactly what you put into it, and without time, you won’t get anything. When I started this as a hobby I put very little time into it. And as it grew into a full-time job, time was what I invested most of. Time away from my kids, my husband, my family. It meant weekends packing and shipping items. Weeknights went from hanging out with my husband, to late-night studio work to get my commissions done. I’ve learned that above all else time is our most precious commodity, and you have to find a balance between what you are willing to give and sacrifice to make your business work.

What skills and attributes make you as successful as you are?

Love and aloha. I sign the back of every piece of mine with “Love+Aloha” because that is truly the heart of what I do, and truly what I think makes me successful. This is a journey for me, and one that is playing out through ocean art. Outside of that, it’s sheer work and determination, and unwillingness to let my body win. I live in a massive amount of chronic pain, and giving my body and brain something to focus on keeps the pain manageable. The brain is a very powerful tool, and I truly believe that working is what has allowed me to keep that in check. There is a fine balance between work and overwork, and it’s something that I have learned the hard way to balance. Ultimately art saved me. Connecting Hawaii and art was the best thing that ever happened to me, and both of those things gave me my life back.

Why is online business, marketing, etc important?

In terms of business, social media and an online presence is the only way to go. my business wouldn’t have been possible without my social media presence. I was fortunate to grow organically, and to now 100% of my sales have come from Instagram. This online growth is what has made it possible for me to reach for the dream of opening an art gallery and studio.

Currently, we are just starting the process of building out an old historic building in Athens AL, where I will be able to work and display my art locally. Outside of this, I’ll also be able to teach classes in person, host exhibitions and other artists, and be a beacon in our local community.

Because this is a small family run business I’m doing a Kickstarter to support this endeavor. It’s an enormous leap of faith to go from working over my garage to a 3000sqft gallery and studio, but I’m so excited for the opportunity.

Is there anything, in particular, you’d like me to add to the articles?

Yes. The main thing I want you to highlight in the article is that I have a Kickstarter going right now that is to fund our art gallery and studio in our home town. I want to be able to bring that Aloha Spirit and that inspiration to people in my town. Being able to teach people in person and encourage others through art is amazing. Also, if you could watch my video and look at the whole Kickstarter page. I want the focus to be supporting me in getting my studio off the ground. I only have 18 days left in the campaign and need to hit my funding goal.

The post “From Bedbound to Opening an Art Gallery: How Ann Upton used Art to Challenge Lyme Disease and Harness Instagram to Open Her Own Art Gallery” appeared first on CEO Medium.

Can you tell us more about yourself and what you do? 

I am a business strategist and the founder and president of Rebel Office Inc. I work with female founders who are looking for a fresh perspective on their business. They may feel stuck, like they’ve plateaued, or their business is no longer giving them what they want in life. 

I am a giant advocate for finding freedom through entrepreneurship and really redefining the definition of “business as usual.” This whole idea that there is only one way to do business and it’s this way is totally absurd to me. Instead, I help women break through all of the noise and comparison to build their businesses so that they work for them. 

How did you create your brand? What inspired you? 

In 2015, I began Rebel Office from a volunteer house in Peru. I’d just quit my marketing job at a consulting firm straight out of university, and decided to travel around South America for two months. While there, I kept being called to launch this idea I had. 

Looking back now, I realize I was strongly motivated to create a company that was unlike the past employment I’d had. I kept thinking “there has to be a better way of doing business, a more collaborative and ethical way.” 

To this day, one of Rebel Office’s values is “dare to redefine the definition of business as usual.” And even though Rebel Office has evolved and grown into what it is today, from graphic design freelancing to Integrator and Business Management services to Business Strategy & Systems, we have kept our values strong and focused. 

How does your brand work?  

Rebel Office’s values are: 

• Dare to defy business as usual
• Dare to connect and show up with compassion
• Dare to prioritize profit, planet and people equally
• …and dare to find freedom through entrepreneurship

All of our products and services reflect these values in some way. Our membership, The Founders Collective, gives founders access to our 3 resource libraries (training, templates and brand assets) as well as a 24/7 virtual coworking room and monthly connection events.

Our libraries contain resources that promote customization and adaptation so that they can work with our members businesses. We will never tell our members or clients that they HAVE to do one thing to reach success. 

Our connection opportunities and coworking rooms fosters a safe space to always have somewhere to connect and collaborate. 

Our hybrid program, The Abundance Accelerator, works with founders to find freedom through their businesses by giving them the community of group coaching, guidance of workshops and individual sessions, hands-on support with the asset development of lead magnets, brand refresh services and more. And of course, the mindset support which helps build the mental tools and skills to grow with them as their income scales. 

We are also preparing for the launch of the Good Business Grant, aligning with our value of “dare to prioritize profit, planet and people equally.” We believe that businesses prioritizing ethical business practices and community-based impact are the real champions redefining the definition of “business as usual.” With that, we are working with other businesses and partners to build a fund to support and give back to business doing good things. 

Do you have a giveaway thought or idea to help our readers?

If you find yourself waking up in the morning dreading working on your business — because yes, it does happen and no, you’re not alone — and you want to love running your business again, I recommend the following steps: 

1. Go back to the drawing board. Literally. Grab a pen and paper, and write out ALL of the moving parts of your business. 
2. Simplify it. Now that you’ve braindumped ALL of the things you’re doing, go over it all and highlight what still feels good. Highlight what still feels ALIGNED. Everything else needs to go. 

If you’re still feeling lost and disconnected, try: 

1. Writing out your values statements. First, brainstorm your personal values. Then, thinking of your business as its own, separate identity. What are its values? What does your business stand for?
2. Refine them. Bring your values down to 3-5 strong statements. Expand on them if you can. It’s okay to take a step back and come back to it a few times to make sure they feel right. 
3. Journal your Why. If you’re not into journaling, you’re probably rolling your eyes at me right now, but trust me. I’ve been here and this ALWAYS realigns me with a stronger vision and stronger connection to my business.  Ask yourself: 
   1. Why did I start my business in the first place? 
   2. Why does this matter to me? 
   3. Why am I doing this? 

And when you’re feeling refreshed, realigned, back on track and ready to take things up a notch, it’s time to elevate. If you don’t know where to start, but you’re ready to take ACTION for building your business better, grab Rebel Office’s free Guide: 5 Ways to Elevate your Business To Attract High Ticket Clients (and Hit Those Dreamy Income Goals): https://rebeloffice.ca/guide-elevate 

What challenges did you face when creating your brand? What daily challenges do you face? 

It is so easy to compare yourself to others. Unfortunately, while I may be at Square 10, I may be looking at someone on their Square 50. And someone may be looking at me while on their Square 1. 

Since starting Rebel Office in 2015, the biggest challenge I’ve overcome is learning how to stay aligned with my vision. I’ve learned how to keep my blinders on. In the online space, it is SO easy to get distracted and look at what someone else is doing and say, “Oh wow, that looks cool! And it works for them so it can totally work for me!” For me, it’s taken YEARS of learning how to check back in with our values FIRST and use them as a guiding compass for us to move forward stronger, more clearly and more quickly. 

A daily struggle is definitely conquering mindset. With Rebel Office growing so quickly over the past year, having to check in with myself daily and reset any sort of limiting or fear-based beliefs (and leaving them at the door when I start my work day) is a real thing. But the more you do it, the better you get. I’ve slowly learned to lean into the fear and make the big moves anyway.  

How do you manage your business finances? 

Rebel Office’s primary income comes from our membership, The Founders Collective, and our group business strategy program The Abundance Accelerator. 

For our Good Business Grant, we are in the process of launching a fundraising campaign to crowdfund and gain sponsorships for the grant fund to support women building ethical, impactful businesses. 

What’s your future vision for your brand? What’s your next level dream or goal?

While we are well on our way with members from all over the world, I envision our membership, The Founders Collective, to be a strong, global network of female founders coworking and collaborating together while leveraging the incredible and growing collection of video training, templates, and assets inside our resource libraries. 

I envision Rebel Office running The Abundance Accelerator multiple times per year to meet demand and to support our Abundance Attractors (what we call our clients in the Accelerator!) as they scale their businesses, currently only make between $20,000 and $100,000 per year to $250,000 + per year.

Our Good Business Grant is a fund of over $100,000 to support various levels and stages of ethical business. While our grant currently has four categories: Community Impact, Diversity & Inclusion, Environmental Impact, and Ethical Supply Chain, the larger our fund and the more partners we have, the more businesses we can support at varying levels of financial requirement.

What message would you like to give to those who have a plan of creating something of their own and making a living through it?

Do it. Make it happen. Get outrageously clear on what your life will look like when it works out for you (and is working well), and don’t quit until you’ve made it your new reality. Whatever your idea is, it’s not too crazy, it’s not too big, and it’s not too “out there”. You are in the driver’s seat of your life, not anyone else, so you get to choose what matters, what’s possible for you, and what impact you can have in this world.

Rebel Office Inc

Website : rebeloffice.ca

Instagram URL : instagram.com/rebeloffice 

The post Streamline your Business Growth with Sarah Williams and Rebel Office Inc. appeared first on CEO Medium.