Member Monday Featuring: Hilary Laffer, Principle, FLUENTc
1. What is your business?
I’m a facilitator and my practice is called FLUENTc (http://fluentc.com/). The heart of what I do is to help teams and organizations improve the way they communicate, collaborate, solve problems and make decisions. I facilitate meetings, processes and projects with lots of moving parts and stakeholders. I’m also brought in when communication has or is on the verge of breaking down. My role is to help everyone involved work through and resolve the situation.
2. Why did you launch this business?
As a mediator and project manager, I observed that communication breakdowns, more than anything else, were at the root of so many failed endeavors. I also knew that what I liked most about my work was facilitating conversations and interactions so that everyone involved understood each other and could move forward. So I decided to carve out this niche and focus on the area of facilitation.
3. What gives you your greatest pleasure in your business?
When I see people change their thought processes from making assumptions to asking questions, that makes me happy. It’s as though a dense fog has lifted and the path forward is clear for true collaboration.
4. Where have you run into challenges in your business?
Explaining what I do in a way that instantly resonates with anyone and everyone is my biggest challenge. Because facilitation sounds abstract, I would get obsessed with creating the perfect pitch. But I’ve had to let that go and just let my work and track record speak for itself.
5. Why do right brains appreciate what you do?
Right brains appreciate me because I think that it’s because I help them communicate/sell their ideas in ways that analytical thinkers can understand. I equip them with tools and strategies that enable them to successfully partner with their colleagues, rather than give in to demands that dilute their work.
6. Why do left brains appreciate what you do?
Left brains appreciate me because I help them navigate more subjective interactions and clarify underlying needs, assumptions and expectations. Also, I teach them to deliver constructive feedback.
7. If you could give small businesses one piece of advice, what would it be?
Sketching out conversations on whiteboards allows you to quickly see differences/gaps in understanding. It is amazing how much time you can save when you can actually see that you are talking about the same thing.
Member Monday: Featuring Sharmila Gokel Garg
Sharmila Gokel Garg, Owner of Parties & Petals
1. What is your business?
I own Parties & Petals, a boutique floral and event design company. We specialize in lush, modern designs inspired by the style, personality, brand or vision of our Clients. We provide flowers and decorative elements for corporate clientele as well as for all types of celebrations including weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, bridal showers, parties, etc. Check us out at www.parties-petals.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/partiespetals.
2. Why did you launch this business?
I have always loved all aspects of parties from picking a theme, to finding unique design elements such as invitations and decor, concocting cocktails and enjoying time with friends. I spent a summer in San Francisco, where I worked on wedding flowers for an incredibly busy event design company, and was hooked. I loved all aspects of the job, including meeting with new clients, dreaming up floral schemes and most of all, working with flowers. I knew then that this was a passion that I needed to turn into a career.
3. What gives you your greatest pleasure in your business?
The greatest thrill for me is the moment of the big reveal, when I see the look on my Client’s face-a mix of excitement, pleasure and gratitude at seeing the floral decor and overall atmosphere that I have created for his/her event.
4. Where have you run into challenges in your business?
I have run into many challenges, mainly networking. When I started, I was incredibly shy and intimidated. I found it difficult to attend networking events and to talk about my business and myself. I have made some progress but God knows I still I have a way to go! Other challenges run the gamut from daily operations, advertising decisions, how to grow, hiring personnel, finding time to do all of the things I need to do and relinquishing control.
5. What’s your fantasy flower story?
Ooh! That is a hard one-so many ideas, so many things. For starters, perhaps a wedding at a vineyard in Italy, with a reception in a palazzo with lots of flowers, overhead in floral chandeliers, on the tables, EVERYWHERE! Bright colors, complete creative freedom and an unlimited budget. I am drooling just thinking of it. Is that too much? You did say fantasy… :)
6. If you could give small businesses one piece of advice, what would it be?
Find people whom you respect and trust to bounce ideas off of. Before finding SMARTY, I relied on friends and family (especially my husband!) for advice. While their support has been invaluable, it helps to speak to other individuals in the same boat as you, who are facing or have overcome similar challenges. I am so grateful for what I have learned and gained through SMARTY, and fortunate to have an entire network of fabulous, intelligent women who are willing to help, as well as workshops and courses that address the specific issues I need help with.
Member Monday: Featuring Ali MacLean
Ali MacLean, Ali on the Air
1. What is your business?
I am an on-air personality, so I am my business. I am talent and I write and produce content for the web, radio and television.
People can find me on Huffington Post at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ali-maclean
or on my blog at: http://aliontheair.wordpress.com/
2. What is the difference between Ali on the Air and Ali MacLean?
Ali On The Air is my radio, blogger, and host persona. It’s a moniker I chose for people to tweet and AIM in to request songs while I was on the air and it stuck. Ali MacLean is a writer/performer who specializes in comedy. She’s also the one who cheats on her diet. Mmmm, Coconut Bliss.
3. Who is the most interesting person you ever interviewed?
Two completely different people come to mind. One is Debbie Harry of Blondie. She is such a huge icon and my walls are lined with pictures of her. I don’t normally get star struck but I was so nervous before interviewing her. She was so lovely and funny and down to earth.
I was completely humbled and fascinated when I interviewed John Prendergast. He is the human rights activist who has appeared in the Darfur Now documentary with Don Cheadle. My problems certainly seem trivial to the genocide in the Congo and this man is actually tangibly making a difference every day. He is amazing.
4. What advice would you give a rock star about dealing with the press?
It depends on the rock star. I’d say always be gracious, because most of the time the press is there to help you look good. Use the press as a tool. They are your best friend, not your worst enemy. They love music as much as you do. They write about you for a living, talk about you for a living.
5. Any interesting trends in music you would like to share?
Right now electronic music is pretty big. DJ culture keeps getting huge, and there is also a trend with straightforward Bruce Springsteen style rock. I always prefer music with guitars and acts who play instruments. I spend enough time in front of a computer, I don’t want to pay to stare at a stage and watch someone standing in front of a laptop.
6. What is your favorite pop culture topic?
Oh there are so many…right now I’m obsessed with vintage Biba, the late night talk show wars, and that Extreme Poodle makeover show. Why would you shave your poodle to look like a buffalo? Why?
7. If you could borrow anyone’s career path who would it be? and Why?
I feel like Tina Fey borrowed mine, but it will all even out. And I think that Ryan Seacrest should learn to share a little bit. He must be tired.
Member Mondays: Featuring Shannon Mattingly
CEO of Show Stoppers
1. What is your business?
I invented a new industrial grade fashion tape called ShowStoppers that keeps your fashion fastened. The product can fix a revealing dress, close a shirt gap, conceal bra straps, or create a perfect hem. Check us out at www.showstopshop.com
2. Why did you launch this business?
When I left college, I found myself in a career where I had to wear a uniform every day that consisted of a suit and a button up shirt. I was one of the many working women who felt uncomfortable and insecure about my clothes because of one reason, the gap in my button up shirt. Every time I would buy a button up it would fit everywhere except for my boobs. I tried everything- Velcro, snaps, hooks, safety pins (they would poke holes in my shirt) and sewing the gap, but none of it worked so I developed ShowStoppers. Finally, I had a durable solution that wouldn’t ruin my clothes and allowed me to feel comfortable, confident, and classy!
3. What gives you your greatest pleasure in your business?
I love watching members of my team pitch ShowStoppers. I am so inspired by their passion when they talk about our durable solution that empowers women to feel comfortable in their clothes.
4. Where have you run into challenges in your business?
I have put together the most amazing team of women, however, some of them are my friends. It can be a huge challenge managing friends, and it is something I definitely need to work on. Since we are a start-up, there is a large amount work and I have to ensure that every team member is as focused as I am about ShowStoppers.
5. What is a key resource that has helped you and might also help other business owners?
My mentor, Tina Aldatz, the President of Foot Petals. It has been the most incredible experience working with Tina, she gives me the support and guidance I need every step of the way. I know there are many successes that I owe to her and I just don’t think I will ever be able to thank her enough!
Member Monday: Featuring Eva Chiou
Eva Chiou, Founder of The Wedding Pantry
1. What is your business?
I am the founder and owner of The Wedding Pantry. The Wedding Pantry is the spot for stylish brides and vendors. We sell specialty wedding accessories and we rent office space for vendors that are tired of meeting clients at coffee shops. I want my customers to utilize my boutique as a resource for brides and vendors alike.
2. Why did you launch this business?
As a wedding planner, my clients would always ask me for resources for specialty wedding items. The only place I could send them was to online stores or 15 different supply stores to find the right pieces. I then realized that the industry needed a resource where brides could inspect tangible products before making a big purchase.
3. What gives you your greatest pleasure in your business?
My greatest pleasure is when I can help my customers find the perfect accessory for their wedding and connect them with vendors that they wouldn’t have found on their own.
4. Where have you run into challenges in your business?
Knowing when to let go and work ‘on’ the business instead of ‘in’ the business has always been a challenge for me. It’s always been easier for me to do it all on my own but I’m starting to learn that the only way I can grow is to delegate.
5. What is a key resource that has helped you and might also help other business owners?
Honestly, SMARTY has been my one key resource in building my business. It’s a comfort to know that I have a plethora of experts at my fingertips whenever I need advice or a connection. I know I can count on a Peer To Peer workshop to get my creative juices going when I’m losing my steam.
