Annie Gibbins

1. WWW.THECIOTIMES.COM | 2022 | EDITION 36 CIOTIMES F ve Women LEADERS, RULING T H E I N D U S T R Y 2022 M O S T DYNAMIC CEO| Business & Life Success Coach Podcast Host | International Speaker Annie Gibbins The Transformation Queen

4. W smaller percentage as business owners and entrepreneurs, their contribution to their respective fields is significant in terms of the extraordinary approach and perspective that they bring to the table. omen in every industry have displayed immense potential and have served as a source of new ideas and inspiration. Even though they occupy a In this edition of our magazine, we seek to highlight and appreciate Five Most Dynamic Women Leaders, who are ruling the industry in 2022. On the cover, we are featuring Annie Gibbins. Annie believes that authenticity must be present to aid a person’s success. Her many professional accolades gained over 30 years across Health, Education, Corporate, NFP and Charity sectors drive her to inspire and empower women across the globe to achieve success in business and life. On the inside of the magazine, we are featuring other prominent personalities such as Whitney Lee, Antonio Grano, Dr Mariam Shaikh and Robbie Merritt. Operating across different sectors and undertaking different forms of dynamism in their line of work, each women leader shines and excels in her own field, bringing motivation and the strive for perfection to the table. Interacting with each of them was a true delight, and they defined what being a leader means in the true sense. Flip through the pages of this extremely interesting edition to dive deep into the stories, journeys, responsibilities, and achievements of these incredible women.

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7. Dr, Mariam Shaikh Antonio Grano 14 18 Whitney Lee Robbie Merritt 24 28

8. Business & Life Success Coach Podcast Host International Speaker CEO

9. Annie Gibbins Cover Story

11. A Annie Gibbins is a big name in the business world and, among entrepreneurs across the globe. Her passion for success inspired her to create the life-altering programs, ‘The Women’s Business Incubator’ and ‘Life by Design’, which help women to achieve success in business and life. Over 6 transformational months her clients learn to thrive, both personally and professionally. As a global women’s empowerment coach, podcast host, speaker, and bestselling author, Annie Gibbins is a global brand and digital powerhouse. Australia is lucky to have Annie advocating for women’s rights. Her compassion to get equal opportunities for women is a devoted movement, for women in the workforce. nnie Gibbins – The Transformation Queen: A spokesperson for women empowerment and businesswoman performance, organisational excellence and work-life balance. Her many professional accolades gained over 30 years across Health, Education, Corporate, NFP and Charity sectors drive her to inspire and empower women across the globe to achieve success in business and life. Currently, Annie is leading both national and international organisations. As the CEO of Glaucoma Australia, an organisation dedicated to providing sight saving education, support, and advocacy to people with glaucoma and their families, Annie is no stranger on how to maximise impact with a punch. A Lady with a big voice The talented author speaks about gender equality and women leaders on international platforms with a strong voice. During the ‘Lady America Power Conference: Barrier and Bias - The Status of Women in Leadership’ in 2021, Annie was a keynote speaker who rallied women’s empowerment to another level. She talked about the strength and talent of female entrepreneurs around the world and was later announced as a 2021 Change Maker. As the host of her successful podcast, ‘Memoirs of Success Women’, Annie holds candid conversations with inspirational women from around the globe. Her guests include entrepreneurs, athletes, humanitarians, business leaders, and founders who share their story, inspiration and life learnings. Annie believes that authenticity must be present to aid a person’s success. With three degrees under her belt, Annie champions accessible education. In her free time, you will find Annie listening to podcasts, attending online symposiums, and learning through digital means. Connections are everything, and with an international network, Annie is connected to her peers more than ever. Early life and Education Annie has always had a thirst for knowledge. Starting her career as a registered nurse, Annie was gripped by health education and navigated a career path to CEO, board director and entrepreneur. All of this was achieved alongside raising her family of five. As an industry leader and pioneer in heading up multi- million-dollar scale-up’s, Annie landed the distinguished title in 2020, as one of ’50 Unsung Business Heroes’ for her formidable courage, compassion, perseverance, conviction, and selflessness when doing the extraordinary in women’s leadership. Speaking at the World Economic Forum, Annie shared the importance of engagement with political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. Annie was proudly recognised in 2021 by Mo2vate Magazine at the International Women Awards, among other powerful women who too are on a mission to make a difference by sharing their voices worldwide! Global brand Hoinser Group, dedicated to promoting and advertising outstanding individuals in business throughout Europe, Africa, Asia, UAE, and USA, named Annie an honorable Annie is no stranger to juggling life and business. After giving birth to two sets of twins just 26 months apart, it was then she realised her unshakeable capacity to have (and do) it all. With only 17% of Australian CEOs being women, Annie was determined to head a company in this prestigious role. With her tribe of children to raise, it was an ambitious dream. After completing the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Lean Six Sigma qualifications, Annie landed her first CEO position with the Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine. For over ten years Annie held senior executive positions and gained extensive experience and insight leading Boards to organisational transformation and success. Annie is a regular keynote speaker on strategic planning, peak

12. member after being awarded best entrepreneur award recipient, elevating her influence tenfold. Leading corporate organisations managing million-dollar budgets, Annie soon recognized the gender imbalance in business. She observed how promotions, pay-packets and prestige was far more in favor of her male counterparts. She worked hard to reach where she is today. As the newly appointed G100 Australian Chair- Equality and Equity, Annie is determined to address women’s rights at large. The G100 is a group of 100 female leaders including representation from Nobel Laureates, former Heads of States, Ministers, Philanthropists, and corporate leaders. Its aim is to create equal opportunities for women around the world. The team is focusing on providing practical solutions that enrich the economic and social status of women and Annie with working collaboratively to take fierce action on gender diversity challenges. Teaching women to feel inspired Annie is a proven strategist both in the boardroom and in life. Collating proven theories, strategies, and growth formulas, Annie guides and empowers women on how to secure success. The magic formula comes from confidently calling out limiting beliefs, clarifying purpose and constructing strong business practices to grow and succeed. Annie is the creator behind a suite of renowned coaching and mentoring programs, and workshops. As a budding author and change-maker in women’s business, Annie’s debut book, ‘Becoming Annie the Biography of a Curious Woman’, inspires women to take the leap into a career that can reward them with a 7-figure salary. Aims and ideals for the company Inspiring women is at the core of Annie’s ethos. At the core of Annie’s premium programs, women will learn how to achieve optimum performance by building synergistic growth opportunities. Understanding the complexities when it comes to launching business opportunities, Annie thrives by demonstrating clarity, simplicity, with a clear focus, vision and mission. Through Annie’s signature programs, The Women’s Start- Up Incubator, The Women’s Scale-Up Incubator, and ‘The Business Domination Incubator’, women will join a tribe of like-minded women who will motivate and empower you to grow, evolve and turn the impossible into possible. Her clear-cut approach regarding limiting beliefs, confidence building, and money mindsets, sets Annie apart from the rest. In today’s modern world, building a brand is building a solid and notable reputation. The synergistic requirements to achieve ultimate success, ensures that every action is creating a legacy. Not only is Annie wanting to enhance the profiles of women in business, but she also wants to make a dent in this world for inspiring female leaders to come. The Transformation Academy, an online network created by Annie, is an interactive platform for those who have been empowered by Annie through her selection of programs. Annie believes at the heart of transformation, is building a community that raises others up through collaboration and support. With the backing of a global sisterhood of powerhouse women, success becomes likely. Women empower women, after all. Under Annie’s leadership, women will be known internationally as those who are passionate about their physical and emotional health, achieving meaningful life goals and smashing self-doubt and perceived fear by catapulting themselves out of their comfort zone to see what they are truly capable of. Dreams rarely come easy As a child, Annie was a very curious child, with a love for comforting people. It was then, she realized her desire to become a nurse. But she also knew she wanted more. Her thirst to gain knowledge and achieve something different, helped her overcome challenges which led her on the path of success. As a tenacious teenager, Annie was presenting the qualities of a CEO: maturity, strategic mindset, willpower and determination. It was only a matter of time before the career ladder came calling. The COVID pandemic and our lost leaders Emerging from a global pandemic has hit the global economy hard. For women, harder. Since the pandemic began, Annie has observed the dismantling of social and economic progress of female professionals. The impact has stunted and strained the efforts to ensure gender equality be achieved. So, just when the conversation was heating up about gender equality and the disproportionate pay gap

13. Five Most Dynamic Women Leaders, Ruling the Industry 2022 between male and female co-workers, the global pandemic reversed the efforts of progress for women in the workplace. Women account for the hardest hit in specific sectors. Women account for employees in industries with some of the highest Covid-19 job losses, such as retail, accommodation, hospitality and customer services. The skewed irony when it comes to employment demands during a pandemic, are the heroes on our frontlines. As someone who champions the health sector, Annie has seen the demands on women from treating those hardest hit by the virus, to making ends meet at home. Nurses, doctors, health care workers and paramedics have undoubtedly risen to the challenge in employment adversity. Many other frontline workers, including teachers, early childhood educators and aged care professionals have taken care of our young and supported our elderly. Predominantly these occupations employ women, so with communities in lockdown means less women in the workplace. For many women, the coronavirus pandemic has forced them back into traditional gender roles. As COVID-19 continues to infiltrate the world’s economy, women are facing little choice when it comes to prioritising domestic security over success. Despite the world opening up again, the international fall- out for women in business is at serious threat. And Annie will be first in the line to build the gender framework back up again.

16. I continued to guide me as I created and expanded my company. nspirational design and style has been an absolute joy and personal pursuit since I was young, and At the beginning of my career I purchased property in interesting locations with challenging layouts that others struggled with. I found and worked with great people and I created solutions for the space, before submerging myself in the procurement of beautiful and provoking furnishings and lighting solutions. Buyers loved the idea of arriving on the day of their new property completion with just their personal belongings and no need to start trying to find or fit old furnishings into a new space that already looked and felt amazing. This concept soon developed into larger acquisitions and projects to design and refurbish properties for a number of interesting celebrities, foreign dignitaries and even overseas royalty. The diversity in creating designs for both residential and commercial businesses has taken myself and my team across Europe, Dubai, America and Africa to name some of countries we have completed projects in. ANTONIO GRANO PRINCIPLE INTERIOR DESIGN & PROPERTY DEVELOPER Inspiring my team has been so incredibly important to me, and is achieved with drive and a commitment to continue to innovate, and in the creation of exceptional designs and experiences for our clients. This is done through constantly challenging what we do to create a life less ordinary for our clients and ensure they live and experience their space at another level of enjoyment. We hold regular team meetings and breakout sessions to create new features, designs and experience that are different and exceptional for each client. Constantly 14 | MARCH 2022 | WWW.THECIOTIMES.COM

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18. growth of our company, as it is crucial to keep moving forward in a constantly changing world. Creating a greater experience for our clients, and also for the development and advancement of my treasured team. During the pandemic we challenged many ideas and ensuring our designs are aligned with the aspirations of our clients. asking ourselves, where we can make a difference for a new client in their world of living and working. for those that engage our services. Gaining aspirational talented team members is crucial, as these new individuals are infectious to those that they join, and our existing team is infectious in nurturing their new creativity. Sure, there are similarities in our clients and their needs, but there are hugely individual differences also, that we ensure are expressed in our designs for them. Our work is to realise these individualities into living experiences within their habitat, that matter and endure the test of time. All this, whilst creating solutions to the external changes to our lives that the world tests us all with, such as the pandemic. What sets our company apart in the market, is our ability to use our design work to create an emotion and enthusiasm for our clients in their property. We guide their senses and their guests through an inspirational and uplifting sense of wellbeing. Invoking desires to touch furnishings, to feel and absorb the features, textures, comfort and visual delights that are and memorable. I believe in the diversification and In doing so, I believe our team learnt along with the World, the incredible importance of humility, kindness and empathy to all those around us and what we could do to ensure we designed with the connecting of others in mind. Whether that be with our loved ones, friends or colleagues. Our team’s enthusiasm to create innovative and meaningful design, is rooted at the very core of conceiving the look, feel and emotion that is right We are now designing and creating homes and properties, that are designed 16 | MARCH 2022 | WWW.THECIOTIMES.COM

19. to help people to live and work with enhanced balance and wellness. Our new collection of properties has been developed, with living and working during restricted or challenging times at the heart of our designs. Each property is ergonomically designed, with multi-function areas, for video calls from huge mirrors that instantly open into monitors, and also allow for a bigger sense of closeness and connection of family, friends and work colleagues via video conferencing. This with ability to mirror your smart device or laptop on huge screens and audio systems for work. These discreet and interesting less obvious screens seamlessly allow for gaming and movies to relax in recreational times. Our lounge areas, all encompass a level of comfort, flame fires, furnishings, wall features and textures that are comfortable to the touch and inspiring to the eye. All rooms featuring mood lighting highlighting features and areas to draw emotion too. The sense of that spa experience, was our next area, with exquisitely designed sumptuous bathroom suites with waterfall shower features, mood lighting, and sumptuous spa products to help to unwind and relax at the end of a working day. features in our multi-functional areas. These embedded large screen features, effortlessly turn from a working environment with colleagues on video conference and the mirroring of laptops to dinning and lounge areas with large images of family and friends video conferencing to include those that are also isolated or just far from home. to completely pursue what is true to you, retain your authenticity, passion and belief in what you seek to achieve in the world. Others may not instantly see or understand what you see. And that is OK, as it is then your role to ensure your target customers understand your products or services that you provide, and more importantly how they can solve a problem for them. Bring your vision to life, by finding a way to be seen, heard and enthusiastically understood by your prospective customers. Keep going and never give up, you’ll get there, I promise. We are also ensuring our properties offer comfortable working retreats for remote workers to create, work, relax and experience the ambiance and sense of well-being when work is done. Us in development hotel style apartments, allow for staycation breaks to help with the challenges of possible new pandemic induced restrictions. I believe in the incredible power of wellbeing and balance gained from mindful inspiring design, and we look to expand this experience through ‘The Collection by Antonio Grano’ of new properties that we are developing, and are coming soon. It was also important to consider how those, isolated can connect at every level in challenging times. With this in mind, we have large screen wall My advice to budding entrepreneurs is 17 | MARCH 2022 | WWW.THECIOTIMES.COM

20. Dr. Mohammad Hassan Tavassoli I Pouya Complex included three companies worked in training & consulting, research and environment field. Pouya Complex was the 1st Iranian Company that was permitted by the Presidential Administration and Planning Management Organization of I. R. Iran to hold training sessions in NANO Technology. have started teaching since 1996 and I founded Pouya Innovation and Management Complex through which I worked with plenty of organizations and companies. As a teenager, I was always thinking of finding a way to make people enjoy their job. I wanted to make their job as much motivating and lovely. therefore, I was extremely eager to talk with them and know about their complaints. Thinking about their problems and looking for a solution was one of my hobbies at that time but my capabilities for making those solutions come true were not enough. These thoughts made a starting point for my job in future. When it comes to Innovation or Innovative Leader, listening to team members’ ideas and attitudes must be taken into consideration. when people are allowed to talk about their thoughts, they think more. I believe that having some discussions and meetings with team members about their ideas can reinforce their innovations. Challenges and obstacles in any field are inevitable. Therefore, we also face some challenges and obstacles. T5S is trying to put everything in order and make discipline. This is a very big change for companies. Being resistant to change is the biggest challenge of my job that occurs on the first phase. Unexperienced and unknowledgeable companies that work in this field is another challenge that we face because they show a wrong face from T5S. Applying T5S in an industry or organization requires experience and knowledge. As I have been working in this field for more than 20 years and I founded this system in Iran, that needed experience and knowledge is my competitive advantage. Top lecturer of Tehran Business School “TBS” in 2021 Iranian national center for productivity award nominee for Asian Productivity Organization "APO" in 2014. Top lecturer in Tehran Institute of Technology in 2013. Top National Lecturer in IRAN selected by Ministry of 18 | MARCH 2022 | WWW.THECIOTIMES.COM

21. Founder & Owner at IRAN5S Services 19 | MARCH 2022 | WWW.THECIOTIMES.COM

22. Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare for training the domestic industries in 2006. Top Lecturer in Tehran Province in 2006. phase, then they should think about the solutions, next they should consider all aspects of business in our country, after all they can start. More than 180 letters of appreciation from managers of private and government organizations & University and Training Center (1995-2021). Due to Covid-19 Pandemic that emerged in 2019, all the companies and organizations should change their approaches to business. In this regard, T5S should be able to work on Covid related aspects of the businesses that require change to be able to resist against any crisis. Adapting new strategies on making work environment as friendly and enjoyable as before, is one of the plans of T5S. regarding the chaos occurred in most of businesses after Covid-19, I believe T5S will be one of the required systems in any organization to make sure everything is in order. Working in this field needs knowledge. I recommend them to study the industries and know their problems on the first Dr. Mohammad Hassan Tavassoli -Founder & Owner at IRAN5S Services -Chairman of Training Committee, Member of the Council Iran Chamber of Cooperatives Iran 5S-official center is the first Comprehensive System of Arranging workplace in Iran that provides services including training, consulting, designing and executing T5S Systems in a lot of companies and organizations. Iran 5S-official center is the First company that brought up the idea of Productive Green Building in Iran and provides the productivity related services for the offices, administrations, factories, hospitals and hyper stores. Perspectives of Iran 5S-official Center: Being the most reliable training and teaching Center of Inclusive Productivity Improvement with Green Approach. Mission: Paving the ground for economic growth through expediting productivity process and achieving high quality life. Objectives: Practical trainings to improve personal skills and job competency for managers and employers. Making the relevant and practical content available for increasing information and learning of all Persian speakers. Create the culture of building the “Productive Green Buildings” to optimize energy and to reduce pollution. 20 | MARCH 2022 | WWW.THECIOTIMES.COM

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27. ROBBIE MERRITT my stylist John Hooke, my lead model Olga Sokol, my media contacts and promotional staff such as Chanelle Frost who never close their minds to ideas no matter how silly they seem at the time. Treat every contribution as valuable, remember you hired your staff because of their attributes, experience and knowledge of your industry. Don’t discount any ideas they may have, discus them as a group. What were challenges and obstacles you faced along the way? G kids in Western Australia had its challenges as racism was part of my daily life but what I learnt was compassion and resilience. I was fortunate enough to meet an ABC Cameraman Tony Munday who was kind enough to offer me an internship which at the age of 17 was my break in life while I studied to get my Diploma in Art and Photography. This led to my acceptance into the world of film and television as a photographer and part time actor with TVW 7 and STW9 in the late 70’s and early 80’s. My biggest obstacle was pretentious people on social media that would not take no for an answer, those who are not models contacting me asking to work with me that clearly were not model material , had no style, no scruples and absolutely no loyalty moving from one photographer to the next. It took me years to realise if you fight with a pig you both get muddy so don’t engage no matter how hurtful the comments. Some people are great at being stupid, they have so much experience and you can’t win. If you are attacked on social media or like I had, a competitor contacting every rowing up in the 70’s in the height of the Vietnam War as one of the only part Asian couture. Facebook created an anonymous wall of invisible competitors disguised as haters and I myself had to contact police too many times finally arresting a competitor in Perth and putting him in jail. Pay your staff first, pay yourself last. People appreciate you more and give more. As an innovative leader, how do you manage to inspire your team to innovate and think outside the box? Thinking outside the box involves many informal conversations empowering staff to contribute form What are the aims and ideals that guide you as you run your company? My parents always said treat others like you want to be treated which meant turning the other cheek too many times as I my business in Photography and News Media expanded. I always welcomed Internships from TAFE WA schools to inspire budding photographers experience what its actually like to work in fashion and shoot catwalk 25 | MARCH 2022 | WWW.THECIOTIMES.COM

28. organise the couture myself and working with stylist John Hooke who will dress my models in the latest Zimmerman or Carla Zampatti designs gives my company a cutting edge. Shoot images with large format digital cameras because 20 years ago all professionals shot on Hassleblad and large format. I’ve learnt that with most clients as long as it looks good on Instagram they don’t care. Its only when they need to blow the image up for a trade show they realise the loss of image quality. Shoot quality and give the client what they’ve paid for I say. Kindly mention some of the notable recognitions and accreditations received by your person and organisation? In 2013 I was approached by Cancer Support WA to provide a photoshoot that could raffle to raid a few thousand for photocopy material. I told the CEO to come visit and donated 100 photoshoots working with cancer survivors for an exhibition that would raise over $100,000 AUD. I was humbly surprised when some of my images raised over $10,000AUD making some of my images the most expensive images in Australian History. The same year I was Nominated First Official photographer to World Fashion Week Paris because of my humanitarian work ‘Fashion for Life. In 2014 I was Nominated Australian of the Year for my decades of charity work. client and offering to work for free, ignore them and if it gets bad seek legal advice or Police as social media bullying is a crime in most countries. What sets your company apart from the rest of the market? Where do you see your organisation in the years to come? Do you believe in diversifying? Covid lockdown allowed everyone to reset to ground zero and learn new skills. I personally invest in cutting edge technology to offer a premium photographic service. For example if a model wants a portfolio I will insist the wear designer clothes or I will How do plan to respond to the lows that followed the pandemic? The Pandemic has enabled me to learn new skills as a film maker at the moment working on my first short film for television called ‘Mother’, a film about a young cosmonaut returning to 26 | MARCH 2022 | WWW.THECIOTIMES.COM

29. earth with altered DNA. I will be screening globally at film festivals in 2022. Learn new skills and when you discover photography is a financial disaster because there will always be someone trying to copy your work and charge less , work harder , be innovative and charge more because people will buy quality. When I found out a film editor charges about $25,000 to work on a short movie and a sound recordist about the same I simply put my head down and learn new skills. I’m not too old to learn new skills at 61 and nor are you. What is your advice to budding entrepreneurs who wish to kick start their careers? Never quit, we all get kicked in the guts, slow down and think how to turn these stumbling blocks into stepping stones to success. My mother told me as a child that we all have one life and can achieve anything we wish for if we have a plan so plan your future. Plan your business and have contingencies in place for lockdowns and unforeseen negative impact by haters and bullies as they will always be around. Surround yourself with people who are not entitled. Use the block button on your mobile phone for time bandits, people who only call when they want something for free. Life is short they must value your time and experience or seriously they’re costing you money and reputation. Most of all never work for free. Exposure doesn’t pay the rent! 27 | MARCH 2022 | WWW.THECIOTIMES.COM

30. I national or international brand. At age 25, I became the Director of Marketing of the most profitable Hilton franchise in the world. I thought I was on my way. After one year of sitting in a room with no windows, Monday through Friday, 8 am – 5 pm, I quickly learned that corporate just wasn’t the life for me. The arduous process of getting approval on projects and ideas stunted my ability to be creative in the position, and lead to numerous missed opportunities in avenues like social media, where acting quickly is pivotal for campaigns to be successful and engaging. I realized at age 26 that everything I was doing for the hotel could be done remotely, or even for many clients at the same time. I decided to take the leap of faith and leave the fancy title and big office and began freelance consulting in 2013. I formally announced the always thought I wanted to climb the corporate ladder and become the CMO of a big Whitney Lee Whitney Lee 28 | MARCH 2022 | WWW.THECIOTIMES.COM

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32. we first engage with a client, we dive deeply into their past to fully understand what they have done to market themselves in the past and what goals they are trying to reach. We come back with a customized plan, based on our expertise, about the strategies and tactics to get them to their goals. Kindly mention some of the notable recognitions and accreditations received by your organisation? Our team has proudly received 10+ awards in the Golden Image Awards program through the Florida Public Relations Association. These awards spanned across numerous categories including Public Relations, Video, Integrated Marketing and Social Media. In 2021, we received our first Flagler Award from VISIT FLORIDA, which honors excellence in marketing campaigns for the hospitality and tourism industry. Personally, I am proud to have been named Communicator of the Year twice (2014 & 2019) for the Northwest Florida Public Relations Association, as well as receiving the President’s Award in 2015. I am proud to have my Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) and also the received the designation of Certified Public Relations Counselor (CPRC) in 2021. launch of the agency in 2015 and since then, have grown to a team of five, servicing clients all over the United States. whether that be for experiences like resorts, spas and cruises, as well as consumer products and services. We offer social media management, public relations, email marketing, influencer campaigns and digital advertising. For many clients, we are their fully outsourced marketing and public relations department. When The pandemic has changed the global economy, consumer behaviour has altered significantly. What are challenges/obstacles you faced along the way? What are the products/services you offer to your customers? Our strategies and campaigns are all centered around research and how We are experts at helping businesses drive sales and online bookings - 30 | MARCH 2022 | WWW.THECIOTIMES.COM

33. consumers engaged and purchased the client’s product/services in the past. The unprecedented times of the pandemic really forced us to create strategies by projecting forward, rather than planning based on historical facts and trends. This was truly an unprecedented time in how the agency usually operates, and really pushed us to be flexible, creative and nimble based on the facts that we had at the time. As a woman, how important do you think it is to find a balance between your life at home and the one at work? Balance is everything. When I first started my business, I was so passionate and excited that I had very little boundaries between my business and personal life. I’ve found that when I give myself time to disconnect from work and recharge, my work is more efficient and creative. I’ve learned that every time I say YES to one thing, I’m saying NO to something else. So I encourage everyone on my team and my colleagues to only say YES to things that really light them up or help them reach their goals. Time is the only thing in life that we can’t get back so it’s the only aspect of life that I encourage people to be selfish! We live in a world that is dominated by masculinity. What is your advice to women entrepreneurs across the world? someone is discriminating against you because you are female. You’re on a mission and that’s just a useless distraction. Successful people don’t throw (or attend) pity parties. They are out making stuff happen. So show up, work hard and treat others the way you want to be treated. People will quickly see your true colors and the value that you bring to the table. And those that don’t? Well, they are missing out but you’ll be so busy crushing it that you won’t even worry about them. Stop worrying about your losses and just keep pushing forward. Believe that being a woman is your biggest asset – not a setback. Be who you are. There’s no standard or handbook that says how women (or men) should act as professionals and entrepreneurs. Stop spending your precious time worrying if 31 | MARCH 2022 | WWW.THECIOTIMES.COM