Hashveer Singh | Phenomenal Leaders to Follow in 2023 | Exeleon Magazine by Exeleon Magazine

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In-Focus with Nicole Beauchamp I N - F O C US

Mike Welch: The personal pitfalls of business success, and how to avoid them

Hashveer Singh CHAMPIONING CHANGE T H R O U G H S U STA I N A B I L IT Y

How Out-Of-Home Advertising is Putting Brands Right in the Hands of Consumers

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CONTENTS

12 HASHVEER SINGH

CONTENTS

22 SERGE ROBICHAUD

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42 MISA CHIEN

Hashveer Singh

SUS

Founder & Managing Director at Veers Group

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COVER STORY

HAMPIONING CHANGE THROUGH STAINABILITY W W W. E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E . C O M

Over the years, climate change hasn't just aﬀected the environment, but also molded the very fabric of millions of lives and their livelihoods. Much like trying to piece together a puzzle, many people still grapple with fundamental needs like education, health, and food security. It, therefore, is also essential to point out that there is no make-do solution to address all these challenges quickly. To really make a diﬀerence, one needs a persistent strategy, given the strong links between climate change and sustainability.

One such pioneer who is oﬀering a transformative approach in the ESG space is Hashveer Singh. As the Managing Director at Veers Group, he is a respected and inspiring igure within this ield, driving the ESG narrative ahead in South Africa and delivering real and impactful results.

As a young, dynamic, and purpose-driven leader, Hashveer seizes every opportunity to ask real questions, challenge the assumptions of ESG and engage in a common and collective perspective that champions sustainability at its core. 14

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COVER STORY

EARLY ENTREPRENEURIAL INSPIRATION Entrepreneurial inspiration often springs up in the environment we grow up in. Walking down the memory lane, Hashveer's earliest memory as an entrepreneur is peppered with nostalgia and aﬀection.

“My mother used to run the primary school tuck shop and during lunch breaks there was always a bustling queue of students waiting to get their hands on everything,” he recalls with a smile. “But I have a secret,” he pauses, “I would run a separate queue at the back of the tuck shop and increase the price of the cold drinks and pies until the principal caught me,” he remembers. Singh recognizes that his mother played a unique role in nurturing his entrepreneurial spirit; serving as a beautiful reminder that big dreams start from the humblest of beginnings. Little did he know that this entrepreneurial streak would enable him to take on greater initiatives in the future.

Till today, Hashveer carries this spirit of resilience, intense rigor, and unmatched creativity into his work. He believes these early lessons weren't just limited to business; they were about leading a life fueled with meaning. HIS SIX-STEP LEADERSHIP BLUEPRINT

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According to Hashveer, a successful leader is someone who has a blend of those qualities and skills that inspire and guide a team toward achieving uni ied goals. “The most important qualities,” he points out, “are vision, communication, integrity, resilience and innovation.”

To help others pick up these qualities, he has created a six-step leadership blueprint. It begins with self-awareness, where leaders should re lect on their strengths and areas for growth while remaining open to feedback and continuous improvement. Second, lead by example by demonstrating the values you expect from your team members.

Third, communicate clearly to articulate your vision and expectations with lucidity and passion. Fourth, delegate and trust your team members based on their strengths and give them the autonomy to complete those tasks; trust in their abilities and provide guidance when needed.

Fifth, provide growth opportunities for learning and development, thus enhancing their skills to contribute more eﬀectively. Lastly, adapt and learn by pivoting your approach based on the needs of the situation and the evolving dynamics of your team. DRIVING IMPACT IN SOUTH AFRICA

Singh's Veers Group stands at the forefront of the ESG movement, reshaping the social investment journey of many companies and

allowing the investors to see how these investments create a meaningful impact.

Since 2018, his company has spearheaded the rise in demand for ESG reporting. Hashveer particularly views Reatec, which is a part of Veers Group, as the sturdy anchor for the renewable energy sector growth as it aims to positively in luence the Independent Power Producers' (IPPs) of ice, the Department of Minerals Resource and Energy.

For more context, Reatec is an exclusive technology solution for ESG reporting in South Africa that oﬀers organizations a tangible opportunity to yield real results.

This has further compelled companies to integrate ESG reporting into its core operations, prompting leaders to innovate sustainable business models that embrace the best of both worlds: tangible bene its and long-standing value.

But, behind every success stands a resilient and talented team pouring their eﬀorts and waiting to see the impact. And Hashveer realizes this.

He acknowledges the potential of his young, skilled, and enthusiastic developers who further the expansion and success of his company. However, he also emphasizes that, while growth is essential, he and his team are committed to safekeeping the customers' data on its platform as a top priority.

LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

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COVER STORY

LEADERSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS As the Managing Director of the company, Hashveer's role typically involves a combination of strategic leadership, business development, decision-making, and oversight of various aspects of the business; additionally, as a Chartered Accountant (CA) he also manages risk within the business. Unfailingly, he believes that promoting sustainable development is crucial for the long-term success and well-being of both businesses and society as a whole.

EXCITING TIMES AHEAD Hashveer shares that his company has grown into an ecosystem to support South Africa's transition to renewable energy while bringing transparency to foreign investors on ESG elements for their investments in South Africa.

“We have packaged together a team of trusted experts to bring 18

While sharing his advice for upcoming leaders and entrepreneurs in the sustainability space, he expresses, “You should start by educating yourself and the team around you. Make sure that you collaborate within the space and invest in innovation and R&D.” He also suggests that sustainable development is not a one-size-ﬁtsall approach as it requires a customized strategy that aligns with your industry, values, and goals.

value to our clients. Looking forward we have a diverse, impactful, and driven team to succeed, and this brings a great deal of comfort to our clients. The team has grown to 132 people, and we keep expanding,” he elaborates.

renewable energy; as this opens more doors for job opportunities, upskilling, community investment and most importantly, energy security.

Ultimately, his vision is to contribute to the energy transition, and he is excited that there is great potential in South Africa for E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E

“When Sustainability Meets Innovation.”

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In – FOCUS

Wealth Manager

Serge Robichaud speaks on challenges and thrills of ﬁnancial planning

erge Robichaud has had a long, accomplished career as a wealth manager and inancial planner. His journey has taken him from studying inance at the University of Moncton at the turn of the millennium, to holding numerous positions of high responsibility at some of Canada's most trusted inancial institutions. While at Scotiabank, he oversaw more than six hundred client accounts. He's now been providing inancial advice for clients and their families for almost two decades. This has led to a wealth of experience in tailoring personalized solutions for individuals, many of whom felt overwhelmed by the complex nature of the inancial industry. Mr. Robichaud has taken some time to re lect on his journey and how rewarding it has been working with his clients to achieve their inancial goals. WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE A CAREER IN FINANCE? Serge Robichaud: I found the 22

puzzle of inance to be very stimulating. I've remained passionate over the years about making sense of all the pieces. The inancial world is incredibly dynamic and I love keeping up with the emerging trends from around the world.

I also recognized the kind of service that wise wealth management can provide. When done the right way, we can unlock people's dreams and change their lives. So for me, a career in inance was a win-win. On the one hand, I could devote myself to something I'm passionate about, and that I think I have an aptitude for. And at the same time, I could be of great service to people in pursuing their goals.

I still wake up every day eager to learn more, to get better, to be ahead of the curve. There is an analogy to sports in knowing where the play is going and being able to position yourself to capitalize. I'm driven to tackle the complex problems of inance in order to best

position my clients ahead of emerging trends.

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU WHEN WORKING WITH CLIENTS DAY TO DAY? Serge Robichaud: When a client invests their trust in you to handle their inancial goals, they're handing you a tremendous responsibility. I feel a sense of obligation to them to reward that faith. They're putting their lives in my hands in a real way. They've worked countless hours to build their inancial security, and they're relying on me to make their money work for them. I don't want to let them down. I work incredibly hard to exceed their expectations, because failure is not an option, for them or for me.

Along with this responsibility, I'm also just extremely enthusiastic to share a vision of a strong inancial future. I think my enthusiasm can be infectious, and I love to see the look in my clients' eyes when they

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begin to see that their inancial goals are attainable.

The world of inance can seem so negative, especially when the industry feels chaotic and overwhelming. But I try to see more order in the chaos. I lay out opportunities for them that are easy to understand and that are clearly rooted in my years of experience of capitalizing on emerging trends. It's exciting when those sparks of recognition are lying, we're making solid plans and the visions they have of their future start to become a reality before my eyes. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE OF YOUR

PROFESSION? Serge Robichaud: The volatility in the inancial markets and the economic cycles can wreak havoc in client investment portfolios. To use 2021/2022 as an example, interest rates skyrocketed with the 40 year high in lation rates. Most advisors would advise clients to just not panic and patiently stick to their long-term investment plans. However, I can't continue with a status quo when the economy clearly changed the inancial markets so drastically. I created new model portfolios for many of my clients during this time to better re lect the current economic environment. There was a tremendous amount of work

involved updating most of my client's portfolios. The changes that were made prevented substantial losses for clients during a dif icult period. In hindsight, this was absolutely the best strategy for my clients. Sometimes all this extra work is rewarded knowing that you're not only increasing the value of the portfolios during good times, but also mitigating the losses during bad times.

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IN - FOCUS

Nicole Beauchamp In-Focus with

icole Beauchamp is an award winning multi-lingual luxury global real estate advisor, with almost two decades of experience who is known for her expert command of the New York City real estate market and understanding its intricate intersection with the national and international real estate markets, utilized to craft bespoke strategies for diverse clientele, from irst time home buyers/sellers to savvy international and institutional investors.

What according to you makes one a powerful salesperson? How have you integrated the same thought into your real estate journey? Listening to our clients and using what they tell us to put their goals in an achievable context. One of the things people do wrong is fail to listen or observe, this gives us a key component of what is necessary to succeed. What is your earliest memory as a leader/entrepreneur that you can remember?

One of my earliest memories as a child has formed a core part of how I choose to lead. I had an experience where I was made to feel I was less than, and from that I came away with two lessons, not everyone is your friend, but you can make people feel included and welcomed; irrespective of whether or not they are your friend.

What prompted your interest and subsequently your foray into the real estate space?

My arrival in the real estate industry was an accident. I had a friend to whom I sent real estate related referrals for NYC, and over time they began to gently suggest I obtain my license so I could be compensated for the business I was generating for them.

I resisted for some time, but eventually relented and I got my license. After a few years, as I was winding down a company, and had not decided on a new venture just yet, I thought I would try being a broker as my next new business venture, and E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E

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here we are over two decades later, I guess I'm sticking with it.

Talk to us about your real estate journey. What have been some of the biggest challenges that you have faced over the years? Scaling a bespoke high touch brokerage practice/approach can be very dif icult, but not impossible. That being said, this has in some ways been my eternal challenge, and at the moment at the top of my mind is both scaling and transition/succession planning. I spend quite a bit of time evaluating solutions and future planning as I look at the (hopefully) next couple of decades of my life and how I want those to unfold. The pandemic was interesting in that it allowed (or forced) me to take time to pause and re-evaluate various areas of life and business, and it took some of my business practices that were previously mostly for one segment of my business and created additional ef iciencies throughout. Having built an incredible reputation over the last decade as an inspiring entrepreneur, what would you change if you were to start over again?

Probably better boundaries earlier on and the systems and staﬀ/support to protect the better boundaries. In some ways that is probably harder to accomplish now than it was 20 plus years ago. The ways in which technology is more accessible and utilized means the connectivity and speed of it can feel overwhelming to manage eﬀectively without burning out. W W W. E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E . C O M

What does a day in the life of Nicole Beauchamp look like? How do you ensure work-life balance? I typically start my day very early in the morning (I am a mix of night owl and early bird), until recently I still had the physical newspapers delivered to my home daily (NYT & WSJ), so I would read the paper with a cup of tea, while watching some morning news programs. I stretch when I wake up, meditate then I get a workout in (depending on the day it could be strength training with a trainer, spinning, barre or reformer pilates) and weather and time permitting a nice long walk in Central Park (which is a few blocks from my apartment on the Upper East Side) with my dog Hudson. I will write a bit, and also cross check my to do list and calendar and do an early email check.

This sounds like a lot – but I am usually up before 5am most days of the week, before my alarm goes oﬀ. It allows me time and space to think before the day goes crazy. On some days the early mornings get crazy quickly as they are illed with calls and meetings with my clients and colleagues overseas (and the same can be said for evenings, as I deal with my clients and colleagues on the west coast and overseas).

Sometimes after I walk in the park, I will stop for a hot chocolate at a local coﬀee shop, and then go home, shower, change and get ready to walk to my irst appointment of the day or the of ice. It's a nice walk to the of ice, and it's one of my favorite times to dictate articles or reminders to myself or take calls that can be appropriately

conducted in public. Once I get to the of ice, I tackle whatever might be on my list, some days it's preparing for zoom calls or in person meetings, or heading to preview or show properties, and prepare for listing presentations or updates with sellers.

I often talk to clients and colleagues about the distinction between accessibility and availability, and that is a lot of how I try to manage work life balance. I am also fortunate to have understanding people in my personal life, but I also need to invest in the relationships in my personal life, in order to maintain them. I try, for example, to always take ONE weekend day, where unless absolutely necessary, I am not meeting with clients in person. It's a day where I try to not only keep up my own personal errands and such, but a day to connect with the rest of the people in my life who work more traditional hours or are not entrepreneurs. Finally, talk to us about your vision going forward with your brand and network.

I am currently very focused on leverage and growth and inding a great junior partner. I am working my way back to my pre pandemic travel patterns not only for business development reasons, but for personal enjoyment with my signi icant other, friends and family.

COMPANY SPOTLIGHT

HOW OUT-OF-HOME ADVERTISING IS PUTTING BRANDS RIGHT IN THE HANDS OF CONSUMERS

ith digital marketing dominating industry headlines for the past two decades, business owners and marketing teams could be forgiven for thinking that out-of-home (OOH) or outdoor advertising has had its day.

But think again before writing oﬀ this marketing channel because OOH advertising oﬀers unique opportunities that digital marketing channels simply cannot. Putting your brand directly in the hands of customers and connecting with hardto-reach, underserved communities are only two of the strengths of this type of marketing. HOW OOH ADVERTISING IS GROWING

Mention OOH or outdoor advertising and most people will 32

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advertising in 2023. This igure is only slightly less than the spending of 2019, and it is a testament to the sector's recovery.

Looking ahead, the future looks even brighter. In 2024, global outdoor advertising spend is set to surpass $45 billion. While not every global market is recovering from the pandemic at the same speed, the United States looks to be largely following the overall global trend with 2024 spending surpassing the budgets of 2019. The strategy is paying oﬀ with over 80% of consumers saying they have made a purchase after seeing an OOH advert, according to Billboard Insider. THINK BEYOND ROADSIDE BILLBOARDS

No doubt, much of the recovery of OOH advertising is thanks to people spending more time outside, traveling to work, and using public transport and roadways for other trips. However, part of the revival also needs to be credited to marketers inding more creative ways to connect brands and customers.

immediately think of billboards on the side of highways and other major thoroughfares. Subway and train advertising might also spring to mind, but at its core, this area of marketing encompasses all adverts that reach consumers outside of their homes.

At the time of writing, around 5% of the world's advertising budgets were dedicated to OOH channels. While that may not seem like much, it actually means that brands are spending more on this medium than they devote to radio or print advertising.

Plus, OOH advertising is rebounding and experiencing strong growth. The industry hit a high in 2019, only to plummet in 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic caused mobility restrictions and made OOH advertising less eﬀective. Right now, industry experts forecast that brands will spend just over $42 billion on OOH W W W. E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E . C O M

New York-based OOH specialists Encompass Media Group (EMG) noticed that brands are looking for more innovative and eﬀective forms of advertising after the pandemic. “Today more than ever, clients need to break through ad clutter,” says EMG Co-CEO Adam Pierce. On average, American consumers see between 4,000 and 10,000 advertising messages per day. As a result of this high volume of advertising messages, brands need to work hard to make a meaningful connection with consumers.

Based on running more than 400 OOH advertising programs annually, the EMG team found that branded coﬀee sleeves were one of the most powerful locations for advertising messages. “Brands are getting directly into the hands of consumers with those sleeves,” explains Adam Pierce. “Plus, we have found that something as simple as a branded sleeve delivered recall rates of more than 80% for brands.” 33

COMPANY SPOTLIGHT

Given those igures, it is not surprising that more of EMG's customers have been opting for branded sleeves over billboards and other, more traditional OOH media. Saying that, there is more to running successful OOH campaigns or integrating OOH into an overall media strategy than the choice of medium. Aside from putting brands directly into consumers' hands, senior marketers have found that selecting the right location in which to connect to target audiences may turn out to be even more important. EMG's Co-CEO Don Winter believes that brands need to focus on places where consumers spend time rather than simply passing through.

“We have built an extensive network that allows us to reach consumers in key locations such as pharmacies, convenience stores, doctors' of ices, grocery stores, laundromats, and more,” Winter says. Like the choice of medium, the selection of locations varies depending on individual brands and their marketing objectives. There is no one-size- its-all solution for using OOH media to connect with consumers.

engagement potential of digital channels. Rather than showing static adverts or rotating between a selection of static billboards, digital billboards have made it possible to display videos, including 3D videos, and interactive adverts.

The number of digital billboards across the U.S. grew by 80% between 2016 and 2022, evidence of the success of combining digital and OOH advertising. As a result, some of the most innovative OOH advertising campaigns are now categorized as digital out-of-home – or DOOH – advertising. As a segment within outdoor advertising, digital outdoor advertising is on course to surpass one-third of spending in the sector during 2023. By 2026, DOOH adverts are likely to account for more than four out of ten dollars spent in the ield.

COFFEE SLEEVES OR DIGITAL BILLBOARDS – WHERE IS OOH HEADED? At irst sight, branded coﬀee sleeves and digital billboards may not have much in common. However, on closer inspection, it becomes clear that both have innovation at their core. Whether brands are looking to connect with consumers over their morning coﬀee or engage them on a deeper level by revolutionizing their use of billboards, it will take a highly creative approach to stand out from the competition. In either case, OOH has the potential to strengthen the marketing strategy of small and large brands alike.

HOW DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY IS CHANGING OOH ADVERTISING

The renaissance of out-of-home advertising is not only a consequence of the waning pandemic. In fact, it is closely intertwined with the growing use of digital marketing channels. Over the past decade or so, advertisers across the United States have embraced digital billboards. These huge attention-grabbing displays combine the bene its of traditional outdoor media with the 34

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IN– FOCUS

Mike Welch T

his summer, like every holiday period, I took a pause from work to spend time with family. After a busy and challenging year, it was an opportunity to take stock of what really matters to me. Have I achieved what I wanted in my business? And is that the achievement I truly wanted?

The critical balance between work and personal lives is notoriously dif icult for those with an entrepreneurial mindset. The same qualities that help us succeed in business – agile thinking, restlessness, thirst for new ideas and inspiration, drive, and competitiveness – also prevent us from prioritizing our health, our family, and our personal time over our businesses.

Whatever stage you are at in your entrepreneurial journey, whether you are just starting out or working hard to maintain momentum after a decade or two on the business 38

The personal pitfalls of business success, and how to avoid them

frontline, it's not easy. The pressure to get on top and stay on top, and to keep up or even lead the social media hustle, is intense. Economic demands mean that many of us are having to work more and harder to achieve the results we need.

I have come to understand, in time, that if your success can be marked purely on the growth of your business, or businesses, at the expense of your personal growth, of your family and of your physical and mental health, that is not success at all. I know other leaders and entrepreneurs have come to the same conclusion, albeit sometimes after decades at the top.

When leaving his job as British Prime Minister in 2010 Gordon Brown said in his resignation speech: “And as I leave the second most important job I could ever hold, I cherish even more the irst – as a husband and father.” I couldn't agree more with his

sentiment, and it was echoed again in the resignation statement of Ben Wallace, UK Defense Secretary when he spoke about sleeping with three phones by his bed. He said, “While I am proud to have worked with so many amazing people and helped contribute to protecting this great country, the cost of putting that ahead of my family is something I am very sad about.” Balancing the pros and cons of being a successful leader but not the partner, parent, or person you may want to be is now the subject of numerous books, courses, and podcasts.

Gone are the days when business coaching and professional self-help books were stuck in the unloved corner of the bookshop. Simon Sinek's best-selling books like Start with the Why, Hoﬀman Institute courses, and various leadership podcasts are now ubiquitous, with people from all walks of life and all professions seeing their value. E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E

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There is a clear need to recognize and resolve our needs and issues because addressing them is essential for sustainable success.

The younger generation of public igures has caught on to this quickly – Justin Bieber and Katy Perry have both attended Hoﬀman Institute courses – and are showing the rest of us the way.

Despite this epiphany, that our mental health and our lives deserve our attention as much as our professional lives do, if not more, many entrepreneurs still face mental health obstacles. According to the US National Institute of Mental Health, 49% of entrepreneurs are dealing with mental health issues, with burnout, stress, anxiety and isolation from friends and family cited as the main reasons behind those issues. I have put together some thoughts on my own struggle to balance between being a successful business leader and a present father and husband, whilst worrying about missed business opportunities that might not come along again. Here is what I have learnt: Ÿ Do follow Simon Sinek's advice and think about your personal “why” as well as the “why” behind your business and work to understand that these should not be mutually exclusive. Ÿ Set clear boundaries and enforce them – vacation/weekends are work-free, planning activity spikes that do not coincide with family holidays, delegating and ful illing family commitments. Try to hold yourself accountable to these boundaries or get your family or your mentor to hold you accountable instead. Ÿ Be consistent: families, and especially young children, need a consistent and reliable parent, but so do many other personal commitments you may have or 40

want to have. You must make sure you are there for the soccer practice you signed up for in the same way you would make sure you attend an important client meeting. Ÿ Make small signi icant changes in your routine to protect yourself. Small changes like meditating, running, or listening to a relaxing podcast between your last business meeting and getting home to the family can help you switch modes and be fully present with your family, with your partner or just with yourself. Ÿ Say no to opportunities that are either too small to drive pro it or too unwieldy to work for you, even if it pains you as an entrepreneur used to grasping every straw. Making you a calmer, more ful illed human being irst and a businessperson second is the route to achieving your professional AND your personal goals, instead of giving up one for the other. Ÿ Seeking mentorship and mental health support – admitting that you need support and advice is not a weakness, any more so than going to the dentist when you have a toothache, it is just common sense. Doing it early will mean preventing deeper problems in the future.

As a inal thought, I wanted to share a piece of advice from Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, an international religious leader and philosopher who wrote about the deeper meaning of life: “Follow your passion. Nothing — not wealth, success, accolades, or fame — justi ies spending a lifetime doing things you don't enjoy.”

About the Author E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E

Mike Welch is the President and CEO of Tirebuyer.com. At just 16 years old, he launched his own tire business with a £500 grant from The Prince's Trust. He later sold his business to Kwik Fit, where he became the group's inaugural Head of E-Commerce, leading up to Ford's £1bn acquisition. In 2001, Mike founded Blackcircles.com, the world's irst click-to- it tire retailer, which

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was acquired by Michelin Plc for £50m in 2015. In recognition of his contributions to business and charity, Mike was honored with an OBE from the Queen in 2016. He also serves as the Founder and Chairman of The Welch Trust, established in 2015, dedicated to supporting children and young people.

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s i M CEO & Co-founder Autopilot Reviews

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n e i h sa C A

t the age of eight, a young and determined Misa Chien set out on her entrepreneurial quest. A quest that began by selling rocks! A quest that has today propelled her as an empowering entrepreneur. Misa Chien is the Co-Founder of Autopilot Reviews, a one-of-a-kind

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software platform built with the intention of showing frontline agents' positive feedback about themselves. In this interview, the model turned tech leader shares about her journey, her failures, achievements, and the importance of mental health.

In– Focus What according to you makes one an empowering woman? How do you integrate the same thought into your leadership? An empowering woman is someone who is open to grow, self-re lect, and continues to put herself out there. I continue to experience fear of failure and imposter syndrome, but despite that, still want to continue to be uncomfortable with being uncomfortable and pushing the envelope. Talk to us about your growing up years. What is your earliest memory as an entrepreneur that you remember?

When you want to be an entrepreneur, you need to start somewhere. For my sister and me, it was selling rocks. Yep, that's right, rocks! It wasn't a very successful business. If I remember correctly, we didn't have many customers. In fact, I think it was only our mom and maybe a neighbor who pitied us. We had no market and no demand, but it did teach us one thing—

How important it is to put yourself out there. If you don't put yourself out there, you will never take the irst step. You'll never start your own business or launch your own ideas. You'll always wonder "what if" and dream of what could be. In the end, selling rocks was not the right business for me. It was the irst of my many business failure stories. But at only eight years old, it was a great irst step.

I got to learn how to sell and be an entrepreneur. Today, I'm cofounding a software business. Luckily that has a much better pro it margin than rocks! My sister, on the other hand, has still managed to sell rocks. But now, she's doing it as a popular jewelry designer. So, I guess it is a happy ending.

What prompted your interest and subsequently your foray into the tech space? I saw a lot of opportunity to make a large, positive impact on the world, through tech. You can scale very quickly (for example we only have a team of 5 people, but we positively impact millions of employees/customers per year). It's a very dif icult industry to break into, unless you both understand marketing, sales as well as engineering. However, I was lucky, because my husband is the CTO of the company, and I have a great understanding and forte in sales/marketing, so we've found the recipe to be able to scale and grow the company in a dif icult market/industry. What led you to start Autopilot Reviews? What was the pain point that you wanted to address in the market?

As a front-line employee, your life is usually a path of putting out ires, and hearing negative feedback.

In my 20s, I worked as both a frontline employee and manager for my food truck business, Nom Nom Truck, and I was always trying to please the unhappy customers,

making sure everyone was happy. When you're on the front line, you don't usually have time to get a pat on the back from customers. You don't have time to stop and be recognized for your good customer service. You don't have time but to get to that next customer in line, or ful il that next order. So, when Nom Nom Truck failed, and I had the opportunity to build another business, I re lected back on my time at this business and realized I wanted to build something to help others, i.e., frontline employees.

And so I did. Just like all frontline employees, frontline agents at call centers never get to see much positive feedback about themselves. For the software tool we built— Autopilot Reviews, we decided to build a platform to show frontline agents' positive feedback about themselves.

And what was the result? Increase in customer retention. Increase in employee retention. And a survey tool and customer experience platform that everyone loves with almost 0% client churn.

What is the approach followed by you and your team to ensure optimal client satisfaction? We've built an awesome software product for leaders in the customer service industry because we've listened to our customers. It's extremely important to listen to your customers, without them, you will be out of business. There's a reason we have almost 0% churn despite there being a recession; it's

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In– Focus because we have built a great product, that customer experience leaders need and want.

One Book Entrepreneurs must read: The Charisma Myth by Olivia Cabane

One Productivity Tool that everyone should use: Slack

One Mobile App that you use the most: LinkedIn

One Movie / Show that you would recommend: WeCrash- It shows the dark side of startups, and what you don't want to do

One Quote that Motivates you the Most: “Just because you failed, does not mean you're a failure.”

One Investment Advice that you Follow: Traction Trumps Everything.

What would be your advice for aspiring female entrepreneurs struggling to take that leap of faith?

A lot of people – advisors, the media, society in general—often highlights the negative statistics of being a woman. It's important to ignore the statistics, and don't let them scare you. It's easy to not even try, when you feel that you have a whole mountain to climb. But just remember, if we all never tried, we would never break that ceiling, and there would not even be female entrepreneurs in existence. We all need to start somewhere, and the irst step is taking the irst leap of faith.

Looking back at your journey, what would you have done diﬀerent when starting out?

I wish I had addressed my mental health in my 20s sooner. When I was on TV and in the spotlight for my previous business, Nom Nom Truck, I didn't realize how unhealthy my lifestyle was. I should have found an executive coach as well as a therapist right away to help me through the tough times. Instead, I did not ind a therapist until after I had a falling out with my business partner, and I had hit rock bottom. It's important to prioritize mental health, even if you don't feel you have the time. What does the future look like for Autopilot Reviews? What are you most excited about?

I am most excited about helping others. That could be everywhere from helping frontline employees staying motivated and driven through positive customer feedback on my software, or it could be from being a headlined speaker at a conference and helping others through that talk. It's drives me to get up every morning, knowing I am making a positive impact on the world, that's what I feel I've been brought on earth to do.

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