#YWiBbtgc: Meet Julie Gunn

Beyond the Glass Ceiling panel event is back again, and this year’s theme focuses on Women and Innovation. We sit with top tier panelists from Vancouver who live and breathe innovation. Who are these incredible businesswomen? Today, we’re pleased to introduce you to…

Julie Gunn

Julie Gunn

VP Customer Success of Vision Critical

Julie Gunn is one of the few individuals who have been at Vision Critical since it’s beginnings in 2000. Ms. Gunn played a role in the early development and management of this Vancouver-based company’s customer experience.

For those who are unfamiliar, Vision Critical’s signature product is a cloud-based customer intelligence platform that offers a range of solutions for companies looking for data-backed insight into their products, services, and brand that will lead to better business decisions. In other words, they help clients ask better questions, listen more intently, and learn what the people they care about think and say.

In order for this platform to achieve valuable results, it’s critical that it be user-friendly and engaging for those in the company's “community” (a defined cohort who a company is interested in conversing with). As such, innovation is a huge part of Vision Critical’s corporate culture, as they need to adapt to society’s changing preferences for interacting online and offline.

Today, Ms. Gunn leads a dynamic and growing business unit within Vision Critical, specializing in community strategy and management. In addition to a multitude of things including overall profits, Julie is responsible for employee retention, development of new offers, organic growth, all of which require innovative thinking and approaches if you want to get results. To encourage innovation and generate valuable ideas for Vision Critical's customers, Julie developed an initiative within the Customer Success team called the "Innovation Circle".

She is involved in a number of other initiatives that span across the organization pertaining to customer feedback on product, adoption of CRM systems, thought leadership, and marketing and customer experience initiatives such as the annual Vision Critical client summit in NYC.

At YWiB Vancouver's Beyond the Glass Ceiling panel event this Thursday, September 17th, come hear Ms. Gunn’s thoughts on being innovative from the point of view of an international and renowned organization that roots itself in innovation.

Check out:

https://www.visioncritical.com/

Julie Gunn on LinkedIn

#YWiBbtgc: Meet Lisa von Sturmer

Beyond the Glass Ceiling panel event is back again, and this year’s theme focuses on Women and Innovation. We sit with top tier panelists from Vancouver who live and breathe innovation. Who are these incredible businesswomen? Today, we’re pleased to introduce you to…

Lisa von Sturmer

Founder & CEO of Growing City

Ms. Von Sturmer is an entrepreneur from Vancouver who founded an urban composting company.

With a backdrop as stunning as Vancouver’s, it’s tough not to be conscious of our impact on the environment. The City of Vancouver has ambitious green goals and we Vancouverites love our community gardens, green rooftops, and widespread public recycling. Some residences have begun composting, but in other environments outside single-family homes, where people can collect and use their own composting in the garden, the process is more difficult.

Seeing an opportunity and being passionate about bettering her community, Ms. Von Sturmer founded Growing City to make composting a cinch for apartment buildings and residences, commercial buildings, and restaurants. She even pitched her concept on CBC’s Dragons’ Den.

Growing City customers receive a vestibule to collect their waste, the building’s employees or residents are educated on what can go into their bins, and away they go! Once full, a Growing City team member returns to remove the waste and clean the bins to prevent odour. A full-service company making composting effortlessly simple. As a result, they help clients reduce their waste by up to 40% or more!

An important part in retaining customers is educating and exciting them about composting and its positive impact, Growing City provides progress reports to show clients how much they’ve composted and what that means in terms of methane, CO₂, and monetary savings. They even make playful comparisons like the number of household items or Justin Biebers that it equates to in weight! Through this, Growing City keeps clients engaged and feeling good about their efforts.

Ms. Von Sturmer has presented on CBC’s Dragons’ Den, presented a TedxTalk on social entrepreneurship, is the current Canadian Global Ambassador for International Women's Entrepreneurship Day, and is an active advocate for youth entrepreneurship.

Come hear Lisa von Sturmer by grabbing a ticket to Beyond the Glass Ceiling: Women & Innovation, where she will share her perspective on innovation and how that secret ingredient landed her where she is today.

Watch her interview on Shaw's program, the Rush, where she talks about her Dragon experience and her jump into composting!

#YWiBbtgc: Meet Joanna Buczkowska-McCumber

Beyond the Glass Ceiling panel event is back again, and this year’s theme focuses on Women and Innovation. We sit with top tier panelists from Vancouver who have live and breathe innovation. Who are these incredible businesswomen? Today, we’re pleased to introduce you to…

 

Joanna Buczkowska-McCumber

Managing Director of The Next Big Thing

Ms. Buczkowska-McCumber is an accomplished social innovation and business strategist with a strong passion in creating social change through entrepreneurship. Her philosophy is that business should not only provide economic value, but also create social and environmental value.

As the Managing Director of the non-profit foundation, The Next Big Thing (TNBT), she steers the ship in advancing the next generation of entrepreneurs. Ms. Buczkowska-McCumber comes across many entrepreneurs with innovative concepts in her role and has insight into how important a quality that is when it comes to starting a company that thrives.

Indeed, TNBT, itself, is innovative. Offering the nation with a rule-breaking fellowship program, TNBT breaks against traditional methods of teaching to get tomorrow's most promising entrepreneurs into the business world. Through this unconventional approach, they empower young entrepreneurs to succeed with resources, hands-on experience, and a network of driven like-minded and renowned innovators.

In 2014, TNBT helped accelerate 10 youth-founded startups. Prior to her involvement at TNBT, Ms. Buczkowska-McCumber was a founding member of the Centre for Social Innovation & Impact Investing at UBC's Sauder School of Business, and co-creator of the award-winning Coast Capital Savings Innovation Hub, a program that 'propels social change through innovation and entrpreneurship.'

Needless to say, innovative has been the air that Ms. Buczkowska-McCumber breathes, and we are so excited to hear from her at Beyond the Glass Ceiling: Women & Innovation!

Blueprint Mentorship Spotlight: Gloria Eid

  Our mentorship cohort that graduated this June all achieved, learned, and grew in many ways over coffee chats, workshops, and hard work for six months together. Each one of them reflected that these relationships gave them new perspective into their careers and selves, more clarity on where they were headed and how to get there efficiently, and a ton of support.

In anticipation of mentee applications opening again for our 2016 cohort in just one week, September 1, we highlight one mentee's experience.

Gloria Eid

Current Job: Program Manager, UBC

Blueprint Participant: Mentee

What were your goals for YWiB Vancouver's Blueprint program?

In October, I had an idea to start a blog focused on communication, creativity, and teamwork. In only the first few years of my career, I've learned many lessons from the workplace and I wanted to build an avenue to share these experiences with other young professionals. I was interested in learning more about the entrepreneurial lifestyle and the transition from working for a business to having your own.

Describe your mentor, Conny Millard, and how she was a good fit for you.

It feels like I could not have had a better fit for a mentor! One of my favourite things about her approach to business is that she is full of strategy and planning, yet so naturally starts from the heart in all that she does. It's also how I aspire to live and work.

What was something Conny said that really stuck with you?

After I launched my blog, Conny published a blog post herself that featured me. It took me by complete surprise, but it was so touching. That small action really meant a lot to me, as she was one of my biggest supporters and motivators behind launching my blog.

What inspired you most about Conny?

The boundaries she has learned to set for herself to build a life and business she loves. I'm also inspired by her own dreams that she is currently building and putting into action. It's inspiring to see my own mentor take on new challenges and growing as well!

What were the most valuable lessons, conversations, or development that came out of your discussions?

During one of our conversations, I was focusing a lot on feelings of disappointment during a time of a challenge and change management at work. Only a few months into the change, I couldn't help but feel like I was not doing enough, and was being hard on myself. She listened and let me share it all, and then simply said, "Now tell me, from your work in these last few months, what are the changes you have made so far? What are the things you are proud of?" It took me a few moments to shift my mindset, but I was able to share five or six significant changes and contributions, both big and small, I made in my first few months of the role. I felt a release after that exercise, and was reminded to be gentle with myself.

In another conversation, Conny was sharing some of the work her clients do and with my background in professional communication, she asked me for some thoughts around presentations/public speaking and other communication practices. Her response and comments to my suggestions were so positive and encouraging! She showed such interest and excitement in what I had to say, and I truly felt like I was offering expertise and valuable suggestions. I felt validated in my knowledge and experience, and was reminded that I do have things to offer in the world of professional communication and people development.

Did you use anything you worked on with Conny in your career?

So much. One example: as with many of us with a job that is driven by emails and meetings, I have difficulty carving out time in the workday for project work and thinking time. In a conversation with Conny, I proposed that I would block out time in my calendar during the first hour of every morning strictly for project work, and will never start the day with a meeting. From 11:30-1pm, I block out time for exercise and lunch. The last half hour of every day is meant for a wrap-up and a plan for the next morning's hour of project work. I'm excited to see how I keep this up throughout the summer months, when work gets into really high gear.

Another example is removing the fluff from my emails. As someone who values professional and respectful communication, I spend a lot of time crafting emails - the tone, subject line, sign-off, etc. - even with emails to my direct team. Recently I told my team to not expect all the fluff anymore. My responses will be short and direct as much as possible to my team, so that I can spend the time on emails to people and partners who need the effort. My direct team was very supportive and encouraging, and, in fact, felt permission to do the same when they need it! While I thought I would be viewed as choosing not to be thorough with them, they all understood it was just a way to keep things simple during challenging and hectic times. Keep communication clear and open first, then just keep it simple.

I feel very lucky to have been given the opportunity to participate in the program and have absolutely loved the relationship I've built with my mentor.

Want to apply for YWiB Vancouver's mentorship cohort starting January 2016? We are accepting applications starting September 1, 2015. Just go to the Blueprint Mentorship page for more details!

#YWiBbtgc: Meet Dr. Alexandra Greenhill

Beyond the Glass Ceiling panel event is back again, and this year’s theme focuses on Women and Innovation. We sit with top tier panelists from Vancouver who have live and breathe innovation. Who are these incredible businesswomen? Today, we’re pleased to introduce you to…

Dr. Alexandra Greenhill

Founder of MyBestHelper.com

Alexandra T. Greenhill is an award winning health leader and tech CEO, who believes entrepreneurship is the answer to the greatest issues today. Dr. Greenhill sought to solve one of those issues by founding MyBestHelper.com, an app and website that connect “helper” workers to the people who need them. What are “helpers”? Greenhill’s app includes nannies, childcare workers, housesitters and keepers, senior caregivers, petcare giver and even tutors. In a realm where personal references and word of mouth only connect you to so many people, Dr. Greenhill sought to make these people more accessible to seeking employers. Much like online dating, MyBestHelper.com provides an easy way to discover and vet multiple candidates.

This new approach to caregivers clearly met a real need as it has caught on and been adopted throughout the Pacific Northwest and won 1st place winner Startup Weekend Vancouver 2011, 3rd place in New Ventures BC 2012 and one of 20 BC Emerging Ready to Rocket 2014 and 2015 company as well as Deloitte Fast 50 BC finalist.

How did Greenhill come up with this solution? How much as the online industry changed since she started and what kind of innovativeness is keeping her ahead of the game?

Hear the answers to these and more at YWiB Vancouver’s Beyond the Glass Ceiling panel and networking session on Thursday, September 17th.

Want to ask Dr. Greenhill something specific? Tweet at us prior to September 10th at @YWiB #YWiBbtgc

Check MyBestHelper.com out here! https://www.mybesthelper.com/

How to Save Smart!

Considering Vancouver is consistently ranked as the world’s most expensive city, Vancouverites could benefit from being a bit closer with their personal finances. If you missed Forward Finance, our event last Tuesday co-hosted with YWiB Vancouver sponsor, Tangerine Bank, you're in luck because we took notes! Nicole Wells, VP at Tangerine Bank, dished out very helpful tips for saving smart and what you need to consider when budgeting for a home.

Take stock of your debt and savings

If you have debt, do you have a strategy to pay it off? When you're in debt, it's intimidating to even think about how to handle it, but a strategy can be as simple as deciding how much money per month you can comfortably put towards paying it down, and calculating how many months it will take to zero it out. Then make sure to do it. All it takes is a recurring monthly transfer from your chequing account, and you can set that up easily online with most banks.

Are you contributing monthly to a savings or investment account? Hate to burst your bubble (no Vancouver housing market joke intended), but you need to be saving a reasonable chunk of change if you want to be down-payment ready! Whether you pay off all your debt before starting to save is up to you, but take a look at what you're paying in interest. Lots of times it will make sense to pay the debt off first.

TIP:It’s okay to save money and pay your debt down simultaneously. No one says you have to pay all your debt off first.

Identify small sacrifices from your living expenses

Want to boost your monthly savings? Consider everything you purchase on a daily basis. Which items are frivolous and when do you pull out your wallet even without thinking? If owning your own property (or buying a car or whatever your longer term >3-5+ year goal) is worth more than your morning breakfast, then ditch the nonfat, sugar-free vanilla lattes or breakfast croissants. Nicole also gave us an excellent piece of advice: “small sacrifices” are the key to stick to your savings plan. Saving can be like being on a diet: go cold turkey on something you truly love, and you’re likely to fail. So, if caffeine is something you literally can’t be without and a coffeemaker is foreign to you, taper back to 2-3 days per week or pick something that won't hurt so much.

TFSA vs RRSP

These are two “programs” with different rules. The money you put into a Tax-Free Savings Account is taxed today; you don't pay tax on it later on when you withdraw the funds. Money you put into an RRSP is not taxed today; the tax is deferred, meaning it's paid when the funds are withdrawn.

Which is best? It has to do with the tax bracket you’re in now the one you expect to be in when you take your money out. This means you need to think... When are you planning to purchase your home? If you’re in at a higher tax bracket today than you expect to be when you withdraw, an RRSP is your best bet. You will defer the tax payment until later and it will be taxed at your lower rate.

Time to buy!

Before you start looking at properties, know exactly what you can afford on a monthly basis and draw a big, fat, black line right there. Do not forget to include those one-time costs associated with: legal fees, home insurance, moving costs, and all other expenses associated with buying a home. These add up in a hurry, and they’re not insignificant.

Another reason not to stretch your wallet has to do with mortgage payments. A 5-year fixed rate mortgage is typical…but what happens after those 5 years? Interest rates go up and down, and once your 5-years is up, your mortgage is now subject to change. Unlucky for you if interest rates are higher than they once were. It can add a considerable amount to your monthly payment, and if you only squeezed by during the last 5-years, you can imagine how tough it will be. Tangerine recommends setting aside about 3 weeks equivalent of your salary for time when making payments is tight. TIP: A healthy monthly mortgage payment is roughly 20-25% of your monthly income.

When possible, take advantage of prepayment options. It can amount to saving tens of thousands of dollars over the life of your mortgage!

A huge thank-you to Nicole Wells and everyone from Tangerine Bank!

------------ DISCLAIMER: The above information is not intended for nor constitutes investment, financial, tax or legal advice from either Young Women in Business or Tangerine Bank, and should not relied upon for those or any other purposes. Finances are personal and everyone's circumstances, needs, and goals are different. Consult a financial advisor before making investments.

Inhale Confidence, Exhale Doubt.

We all aspire to become that version of ourselves who is at ease in any given environment. A person who speaks with conviction, knows what assets they offer, what values they have, and where they belong. Though, sometimes, it seems like only a select few are ever lucky enough to obtain this kind of confidence.

Most of us have experienced high and low confidence levels at various periods in our lives. External situations or events and our internal responses to those situations or events can cause confidence levels to rise or fall. As unenjoyable as the lows can be, this underlines an important fact: confidence is malleable. How incredible a power would it be if you could harness the ability to influence your confidence?

Well, it's time to find out this Saturday, Feb 28.

YWiB Vancouver is incredibly excited to host a confidence workshop led by Adrienne Danielson, life coach and Director of Training and Development at H.Y. Louie. Adrienne has worked with corporations, non-profits, and independents for over 25 years. This ain't her first time at the rodeo, let's just say, and she's going to teach you strategies for attaining that "perma-confidence".

Some of the most esteemed business schools in North America (Stanford, for example) offer full courses that focus on dissecting people's own personal fears and emotions, identifying where and how they interfere with their lives, and addressing how to face or affect them. These schools recognize that it is often our own heads that become obstacles in the way of our success.

Register quickly to reserve a limited seat at this Saturday's workshop, usually $150!

It's important to come with an open mind. As with many soft skills and topics, things can get a little touchy-feely at times. We get that not everyone feels comfortable with this type of environment, but it's well worth the experience if you keep yourself open to the process and focused on the learning. Many of Adrienne's past clients sing her praises, so if we can't convince you that you'll strut out of Saturday a new, taller you, just take it from them:

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"Working with Adrienne this past year was much more than mental training enhancement for a work place environment; it was mental training for life. I have been in the grocery industry for over 25 years. Adrienne has always maintained that great technical and tactical skills are not enough; we need to train our mental and emotional dimensions to fully harness our potential...her philosophies became a foundation in my daily life. I highly recommend anyone pursuing excellence in any industry to spend some time with Adrienne. My only regret in working with Adrienne is that it didn’t happen years ago!"

Grace MacInnes, Assistant Store Leader, Fresh Street Brand

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"Adrienne takes a very non-traditional approach to leadership and life coaching and by doing so, is able to provide each individual with greater ownership of their own growth. She explores the inner motivation, goals, and mental barriers of each individual and guides you towards your own decisions. Her ability to pinpoint certain areas and explore them further with you provides you with clarity you didn't know you needed. My experience with Adrienne was life-changing and provided me with clarity on my career path, core values that drive my decision making, and the type of leadership qualities I want to encompass as I grow professionally. Adrienne is extremely talented at supporting your own thoughts as you work through, in your own mind, what it is you need to do to get the results you want. This is a rare quality. After working with Adrienne, I have found success in my chosen career path and have had several opportunities arise because of the clarity I have gained about myself."

Kiran Dhinsa, E.I.D., Canada Border Services

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"Adrienne is a natural teacher, she has an ability to say things that align perfectly with what an inividual needs to gain insight and awareness of themselves in ways they never saw or considered. She is able to create a feeling of safety and trust very quickly which encourages you to express yourself openly and honestly and allow yourself to be vulnerable and open up in ways you wouldn't normally. She is also skilled at getting to the heart of things, quickly and accurately. She is able to help you become aware of old thought patterns that do not support you in a positive way and assists you to develop new ways of thinking that are more productive.

I leave conversations with Adrienne feeling more focused, lighter, more confident in my potential and a renewed belief in "anything is possible in life". 

Robert Hyslop, Independent Owner/Operator, The Re-Store

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"I met Adrienne at a YWiB networking event and we hit it off. I decided to hire Adrienne as a coach because I was at a crossroads with my career, working in an environment that wasn't fulfilling, I wondered what was the best next step. As an avid planner, I wanted to work with someone who would help me understand my goals and career aspirations by breaking me out of my typical way of thinking (read: I'm a worrier). Adrienne helped me lay the ground work for understanding my skills and abilities and how I could lead the search for the job I really wanted. She also helped me take steps to improve my thinking patterns (read: less worrying, more optimism). Working with Adrienne was not only a complete success, but she is overall, one of the loveliest people I have ever met. I would recommend her to anyone wishing to embark on a journey of personal growth." 

Marianna Adamian, Content Marketing Manager, Recombo Inc.