my {YWiB} story - mentor highlight: Judy Brooks
/name| judy brooks social| twitter: @judybrooks
name three people you'd like to have a dinner party with
Why stop at 3? The more the merrier! Those who know me best will tell you that my greatest pleasure is a evening with lots of friends, cooking dinner for them, a drink or 2, lots of conversation and laughs (and maybe a game of scrabble).
But 3 people? Dinner with my daughter Devon, my husband Denis and Val (one of the Co-Founders in Blo and a YWiB supporter) is a evening to feed my heart and soul.
you co-founded Blo Blow Dry Bar – tell us what is the one thing you need to have a great hair day every day?
I know nothing about hair (but something about creating and growing a business). When we visioned Blo - we knew the end goal was confidence, women feeling great about themselves. So we were selling confidence.
Having said that, the trick for great hair everyday is a getting someone else to do it! Get your hair blo-ed!
a lot of people fear taking the chance to start a small business. Did you experience that in the midst of the plans for Blo? How did you overcome that fear/apprehension?
Blo was my 3rd business, so I have had more than a bit of experience in the feelings that come with founding a business -the good and the overwhelming! In starting a business there are always those moments when you think " What am I doing here? Is this going to work? Can I make payroll?". You have to have the stomach for it. And just like everything that takes commitment, tenacity is key. Lots of people would say choose something your passionate about - Blo Co-Founders Val Litwin, Devon Brooks and I would say figure out your core values, and make sure they align with what you are doing. Then when the going gets tough, and it will, you will know why you are doing what your are doing and you can bring the energy it takes to achieve success. Check our our Passion Conspiracy Blog for more on that! http://www.bravolimaoscar.com/
what is your favourite part of your new role as chief of staff at nurse next door?
Always, always my favourite thing about a business (whether it is mine or not!) is the people - seeing the team learn, grow and execute. It is the most awesome of experiences. At Nurse Next Door I have had the opportunity to watch this gem of a company and these incredible people take off; from Co-Founders, to VP Team to Care Services Centre Specialists and Franchise Partners, everyone is focused on the same vision of care. Being trusted to help the team to organized and ready for their next stage of growth is interesting, fun and a privilege. Besides, who can resist a business whose purpose is Making Lives Better?
why do you think YWiB and the YWiB philosophy is important for females in Vancouver (and beyond)?
Any organization that supports personal growth, that allows you to gain confidence, helps you connect and build relationships and gives you access to mentors, serves a valuable purpose. YWiB does that. I have had the honour of being on the Board for YWiB, speaking at their events, moderating panels, and getting to know past and current YWiB'ers - I love the transition, as someone starts in the YWiB, to when they really start to understand the power and influence they have in a room when their voice gets heard. Magic. When companies ask me if I have anyone to refer for positions in their organizations, YWiB is one of the first places I reach out to.
I wish I had the kind of connection, mentorship and access YWiB gives when I was starting out.