Most Diligent Businesswomen to watch in 2021

www.theenterpriseworld.com | America Edition | June 2021

Most

Diligent Businesswomen to watch in

2021 SHANNON WILKINSON Cybersecurity Redefined!

VICKY GRAMMATIKOPOULOU e n h a n c i n g i d e n t i t y, redefining aesthetics!

ELLEN VOIE Voice of the Working Women

SABRINA KHAN Revolutionary Woman of the Pharmaceutical Industry

BETSY WIERSMA

SAMANTHA RINCIONE CO-FOUNDER, CEO & COO

CRAVE HOT DOGS AND BBQ Ta s t e t h at R a d i at e s , Ta s t e t h at S tay s !

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The Most Diligent Businesswomen to Watch in 2021

The Most Diligent Businesswomen to Watch in 2021 features the stories of visionary and resilient woman entrepreneurs who not only dared to venture into the world of business but also used the pandemic to the company’s best advantages and valiantly faced and conquered all the challenges that were thrown at the company.

Many industries got shut due to the pandemic, some were staggered and some boomed.

Despite the setbacks and challenges, some entrepreneurs wanted to test their mettle and prove their worth as an entrepreneur and as an able, efficient and visionary leader. The Enterprise World magazines, The Most Diligent Businesswomen to Watch in 2021 bring to you stories of such innovative and passionate woman leaders who are the inspiration for budding entrepreneurs.

Featuring for the cover story is Samantha Rincione, Co-founder, CEO, and COO of Crave Hot Dogs and BBQ. Crave Hot Dogs and BBQ is a Hot Dog and BBQ restaurant franchise, with some of the best dishes when looking for a Hot Dog or BBQ. They not only deliver one of the most exquisite BBQ and Hot Dog menus but also their trademark taste and service is highly popular among their loyal customers and talked about highly whenever Hot Dogs and/or BBQ comes up in a conversation. Crave is rising to be one of the most popular and fast-growing franchises in its category. They are offering various mouth-watering dishes as well as their most distinctive feature, self-serve beer walls, featuring anywhere from 18-42 taps of local crafts.

No one buys flower just for special occasions anymore. Many average Americans will purchase bouquets once a week to freshen up their home and bring color to their space. What's even more shocking is the boom in flower sales despite the pandemic, or maybe, it isn't so surprising. With more time spent inside, consumers are excited to bring nature inside.

Eventually, flower delivery services are booming. Read more about the blooming flower business in our special editorial feature.

In our leadership talk segment read an interview with Betsy Wiersma, Founder of Wiersma Experience Marketing and Creator at CampExperience™ Network, in which she shared her journey throughout and her views on current business scenarios across the world. Betsy Wiersma is a visionary leader on a mission to transform the lives of many through her businesses and is the true motivation for budding entrepreneurs.

In a special editorial feature 50 Most Popular Women On the Internet, dwell on what made them become the most popular women, and most importantly, let’s celebrate the journey of women, from being neglected to becoming major role models in every industry or field. Give a loud cheer for the most inspiring, prominent, and most popular women on the internet.

There is much more inside!

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Rushikesh Deshpande

INNOVATION, BEYOND IMAGINATION

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For Editorial Concerns: editor@theentetpriseworld.com For Sales & Branding Enquiries: sales@theenterpriseworld.com For Subscription: info@theenterpriseworld.com Publisher The Enterprise World Creative Content Editor Susanne J. Asst. Editor Rushikesh, Adeeb Marketing Coordinator(USA) Peter J. PR & Marketing Coordinator James H. Business Development Executive Ben Clarke Creative Design Head: V. Mittal Social Media Manager Avinash G. Digital Circulation Manager Amanda V. This list is NOT a ranking. The companies on listed in magazine serve different aspects of the market, making ranking them in any order except revenue impossible and unfair.

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In the Spotlight The Enterprise World Magazines, The Most Diligent Businesswomen to Watch in 2021 features, Featuring for the cover story is Samantha Rincione, Co-founder, CEO and COO of Crave Hot Dogs and BBQ. Crave Hot Dogs and BBQ is a Hot Dog and BBQ restaurant franchise, with some of the best dishes when looking for a Hot Dog or BBQ. They not only deliver one of the most exquisite BBQ and Hot Dog menus, but also their trademark taste and service is highly popular among their loyal customers and talked about highly whenever Hot Dogs and/or BBQ comes up in a conversation. Crave is rising to be one of the most popular and fast growing franchises in its category. They are offering various mouth-watering dishes as well as their most distinctive feature, a self-serve beer walls, featuring anywhere from 18-42 taps of local crafts.

Read an interview with Betsy Wiersma, Founder of Wiersma Experience Marketing and Creator at CampExperience™ Network, in which she shared her journey throughout and her views on current business scenarios across the world. Betsy Wiersma is visionary leader on a mission to transform the lives of many through her businesses and is the

true motivation for budding entrepreneurs.

inspiration to all those aspiring women entrepreneurs.

Aptorum Group Limited is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, working to provide medical treatments, extensively in the domain of oncology and infectious diseases. They are one of the leading companies, taking the innovation curve ahead, dedicated to discovering, developing, and finally commercializing the medical treatments for such diseases which are not only infectious but as they are not given proper and adequate attention, can pose a serious threat to the survival of mankind. In conversation with the CFO of Aptorum Group, Sabrina Khan know more about the company, its products/services, and the CFOs professional journey.

Vie aesthetics is a leading name in the market and one of the most trusted brands in the aesthetic treatment industry and the hearts of its loyal and highly satisfied customers. Vicky’s sincerity, affection for the clients, and unmatched leadership not only make Vie Aesthetic and its services as the best-in-class but also a mile ahead of the competition in the market. In conversation with the Founder and CEO of Vie Aesthetics, Vicky Grammatikopoulou. Discover more about the company, its service, and the CEO’s professional journey.

Tego Cyber Inc. is one of the most sought-after companies when looking for solutions related to cyber threats and protection. They are not only of the most innovative and highly trained, experienced personnel with decades of combined experience, producing services that are not only efficient, foolproof, providing impeccable safety services and security net to their client’s data and systems.

Shannon Wilkinson, Director, CEO, and CFO of Tego Cyber Inc. is a visionary, a successful businesswoman, and a true

Women in Trucking is a not-forprofit association, aimed at encouraging employment in women, building a strong community on their way through, so they all can enjoy and achieve success, along with uplifting the sentiments and perceptions of those around them about women in work.

Organization are a breakthrough for what they have achieved and the number of members that are like a strong-knit family, sharing each milestone of their journey and their success. Read an interview with the President and CEO of Women in Trucking, Ellen Voie to discover more about the company.

Tego Cyber Inc. Cybersecurity Redened!

Crave Hot Dogs and BBQ Taste that Radiates, Taste that Stays!

FROM THE EDITOR

Aptorum Group Limited Revolutionary woman of the pharmaceutical industry

50 Most Popular Women on Internet Why Flower Delivery Services Are Booming Businesses?

Biggest Merger Companies of All Times

Ellen Voie Voice of the Working Women

Vicky Grammatikopoulou Enhancing Identity, Redening Aesthetics!

BETSY WIERSMA

CONTENTS

08 June 2021

COVER STORY

SAMANTHA RINCIONE Co-Founder, CEO, and COO

T

he Food and beverage industry has been one of the most looked upon and valued industries, as everyone loves food and everyone has to eat.

Most foodies seek out popular food and beverage joints that encompass great food and great environment.

The Food and beverage industry has seen rapid growth in past years ranging from cafés, fast-food joints, sit down and more. Since the pandemic has got them to shut down, the rising canned and other packed foods are serving as a good substitute for the taste that we all look for when going to these fastfood joints and cafes. This industry has witnessed major ups and downs in the past two years but this has not stopped Crave Hot Dogs and BBQ nor their mission to provide mouth-watering dishes, with unique and fun dishes and environment’s.

The pandemic has changed a lot of things, especially given the rise to hygiene and overall cleanliness of these places, which has not only boosted the popularity of these restaurants among the population who were hesitant before, but see

Crave Hot Dogs and BBQ

TASTE

THAT

Radiates, Stays!

the standards and procedures that were put in place. The future of the Food and beverage industry is exciting and mouth-watering, keeping everyone on the edge of their tables eagerly waiting for the arrival of the next generation of tasty and new, exciting food.

Crave Hot Dogs and BBQ is a Hot Dog and BBQ restaurant franchise, with some of the best dishes when looking for a Hot Dog or BBQ. They not only deliver one of the most exquisite BBQ and Hot Dog menus, but also their trademark taste and service is highly popular among their loyal customers and talked about highly whenever Hot Dogs and/or BBQ comes up in a conversation. Crave is rising to be one of the most popular and fast growing franchises in its category. They are offering various mouthwatering dishes as well as their most distinctive feature, a self-serve beer wall, featuring anywhere from 18-42 taps of local crafts. This truly sets www.theenterpriseworld.com 09

| Cover Story

them apart as one of the best among the competition in the market. They are delivering greatness by adhering to the best of industry practices, utmost cleanliness levels, and not to forget their unforgettable taste, making them one of the most looked after Hot Dogs and BBQ franchises in the United States today.

The Company, The Journey Crave Hot dogs and BBQ is a Hot Dog and BBQ franchise that features a self-serve beer wall as well as its delicious BBQ dishes and grilled dogs. The defining factors of this company are not only their service and standards of quality but also their savoring, and never-ending taste of pulled chicken, pulled pork and smoked brisket and fun plays on BBQ dishes like BBQ tacos or Mac N’ Brisket sandwiches. Also featured are many classic sides to include favorites such as baked beans, loaded baked potatoes and of course, fries and tots. They provide all of this with an interior design that not only welcomes and embalms the aroma of the food, wrapping the customer into a modern rustic design that is warm and inviting while creating a sense of happiness, giving a vibrant and authentic ambiance to the customers.

A company entering into the Food and beverage industry has additional challenges in the

10 June 2021

Mac N Brisket www.theenterpriseworld.com 11

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Pflugerville wall

12 June 2021

Beer Handles

beginning with this industry being ruthless to the newcomers but also the customers and acceptance of concept. Crave Hot Dogs and BBQ has experienced ups and downs but managed to make a great impression with their taste in the hearts and minds of their customers. Crave Hot Dogs and BBQ has become one of the most looked after restaurant franchises in the Hot Dogs and BBQ genre.

Some of their initial challenges were to find the right franchise partners that could help see their vision of greatness for the future.

They treat every Crave franchisee 14 June 2021

like family, so finding the right people who would believe in the brand and its success and growth was paramount to them. The goal has always been not to create just another fast-casual franchise, but to create a family, serving authentic and unmatched food to the nation.

The Services Provided by Crave franchise, New Additions, and how do these Services Cope with the Changing Time and Trends.

To provide the most satisfying unique experience, Crave has not only a customer-centric approach,

but has also created multiple ways customers can enjoy and dine with Crave. They can dine in while ordering from a cashier or utilizing their self-order kiosks, order through their app for takeout, pickup, or use the curb side pickup option. They can also order online and pick a time to pickup. Their app allows customers to view the menu, collect loyalty points and earn rewards. They also receive alerts on their newest products, promotions, and specials. All these factors not only add to a more engaging experience for the customer but also allows the

Meat by the LB franchisee to better understand the needs of their customers, allowing them to provide a more effective and efficient service. By doing so they are ensuring both the company and the customers gain from their experiences.

The founders of Crave, Samantha and Salvatore Rincione, have recently founded a non-profit organization, “Crave Saves INC”.

Crave Saves is a non-profit organization that will aid the prevention of child trafficking through awareness. The company plans to collect donations through

the restaurants as well as through its website, fundraisers, and events.

This not only shows their commitment to their customers but also to their duties towards society, and desire to help others.

Crave is always ahead of the curve.

They spend time watching the competition, other fast-casual brands, and knowing the market.

Their market research has allowed them to be ahead of the game. They follow trends and move quickly and efficiently to innovate their company and model as they grow.

This not only enables them to work

in a calm and precise manner but also track the changing trends and tastes as the food and beverage industry grows and changes. Crave is extremely well organized and is able to handle innovations in both technology and menu. They are not only handling this complex task beautifully and efficiently, but also increasing the customers and sales by creating a loyal fan base among the people and respect amongst the competition in the market.

The company was started with an idea and a concept along with passion, hard work and a vision. All

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credit to the team’s perseverance, efforts and not to forget their addictive taste, within 30 days of becoming franchisable, they sold their first franchised unit. It hasn't slowed down but in fact, is the opposite. Since its inception in 2018, every year the franchise sales numbers increase from the year before. They have a food truck model as well which took off this past year in 2020.

While many other concepts faced insurmountable obstacles in 2020, Crave persevered and grew with its highest year in franchise sales yet.

Having many of the key items in place was optimal to their success.

Professional experience of the CEO The idea of setting foot in the food and beverage industry is indeed bold but entering and setting up a franchise company is a different ball game altogether.

Crave Hot Dogs and BBQ has not only proved to be one of the fastest-growing BBQ and Hot Dog restaurant’s, but also its food has gotten them a loyal following and customers hooked, making them come back for more and more.

Crave Hot Dogs and BBQ has been lucky to have an effervescent and bold leader, who not only took the idea of creating a fast-casual franchise but also made sure the common goal and vision are shared throughout all the franchisees. This not only requires excellent communication skills, but also effective handling of other areas where one step can lead to a chain of disastrous events for the company.

The woman climbing to the hall of fame of the food and beverage 16 June 2021

industry is Samantha Rincione, Co-Founder, CEO, and COO of Crave Hot Dogs and BBQ. Samantha was the largest multi-unit franchisee for Red Mango Yogurt and Smoothies Café, owning and operating 10 locations on Long Island NY. Samantha’s stores were utilized for training locations, and testing of products due to their operational and cleanliness procedures. She also co-founded a franchise development company, Emerging Franchises. Emerging Franchises assisted new brands with development, construction, and innovation. They would re-configure kitchens, fix menus, create systems, and conduct their franchise sales piece to help these brands expand on a national level.

She is currently the President and founder of Crave Saves Inc, a nonprofit venture started by Samantha and her husband Sal. Her experience in being a franchisee as well as a franchisor truly sets her apart as she understands both points of view and believes this reason to be one of the most driving reasons for her success.

Team and Work Culture of Crave Hot Dogs and BBQ. Craves employees all have experience in different fields of restaurants and franchising. They are all interchangeable and can all assist each franchisee with any issue. They all have their defined roles and stay their lane, but the fact they can all assist a franchisee in case of an emergency is truly a game-changer for the company, always keeping them one step ahead of the competition in the market.

Salvatore & Crave is constantly innovating and have tight coordination as most of the team have worked together for 10+ years so they are nothing less than a close-knit family. This is not work for them, it’s a fun adventure that they are embarking on together. The members they have added along the way are truly an asset to their team, and they took a lot of time to find the right additions.

Samantha The Founder’s Views on how she sees and Copes with the Competition in the Market.

Samantha says: ” You need to be aware of what’s going on in the market, what are the trends, and be cautious of every decision you make. Your decisions don’t only affect you as a person but also the franchisees and other business partners that are on the ride with you.”

Samantha spends ample time researching trends and discussing innovative ideas with her team. “When we think we are the best, I push to become better.”

Be the best, know what the market warrants and demands and run the race to the finish line with confidence.

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Shannon Wilkinson CEO

18 June 2021

Tego Cyber Inc.

Cybersecurity Redefined!

A

s the world is pushing towards the digital realm, and most of the work and functioning of companies, enterprises, etc. is taking the digital roadmap, the security and vulnerability of the data has become a top priority for many.

This data is not only highly valuable but also contains confidential personal information regarding the company, their clients, etc. which can not only be exploited but can also be used for other criminal activities by individuals with malicious intent.

This not only calls for expert solutions but also highly specialized personnel who are not only aware of the latest tricks and methods used by hackers but can effectively manage any situation

and provide measures to not only keep the integrity of the data and its valuable information, also prevent any future threats to the same and ward off any attacks with ease, keeping the systems and data intact.

Tego Cyber Inc. is one of the most sought-after companies when looking for solutions related to cyber threats and protection. They are some of the most innovative and highly trained, experienced personnel with decades of combined experience, producing services that are not only efficient, foolproof, providing impeccable safety services and security net to their client’s data and systems.

Shannon Wilkinson, CEO of Tego Cyber Inc. is a visionary, a successful businesswoman, and a

true inspiration to all those aspiring women entrepreneurs, showcasing her skills, dedication, and discipline. She is a testament that one can become a successful name in the world of business; all it takes is perseverance, confidence, and diligence towards one’s company, and to never stop moving forward.

Shannon not only portrays the persona of a true leader but also projects how a woman can transform any industry with cutting-edge and breakthrough solutions.

The company, and its journey.

Tego Cyber Inc. is a cyber threat intelligence company that focuses on filling the gaps in the cyber world, providing unparalleled and

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unmatched services, that enable their clients to work without any worry and hesitation, in turn providing additional return-oninvestment of existing cybersecurity tools.

Their threat intelligence platform takes in vetted and curated threat data and through a proprietary process, they analyze, deduplicate, add additional context, and then send that information through from their platform to leading SIEM software platforms through their integrations. This not only ensures a heightened security cover to their clients but also makes sure that there are no loopholes in the security system that could be leveraged to cause any threat to their clients and their data. These are some of the few factors that not only make them one of the most dominant and strong players in the cybersecurity threat intelligence domain but also keeping them a step ahead of the competition in the market.

As the company was founded in an up-and-comer in the threat intelligence space, they are constantly working hard to build brand awareness and highlight the differences in their platform compared to what companies may be used to up to this point, as they are not only keen on changing the way cybersecurity threat intelilgence works but are dedicated to set a benchmark for all the companies in the domain with their revolutionary and innovative services. As their founding team and management team are highly experienced and well-respected within the cybersecurity industry, there has been a great deal of excitement about their upcoming 20 June 2021

product launch in Q3/2021.

Tego Cyber Inc. is traded on the OTCQB as TGCB. Services offered by Tego Cyber Inc. and new additions. Tego’s plans to take these services a step ahead.

Tego is focused on the threat intelligence segment of the cybersecurity industry. Their product is a threat intelligence platform (TTIP.) The TTIP integrates with SIEM platforms to gather, analyze, then identify threats to an enterprise network.

The threat intelligence provides additional context including specific details needed to identify and counteract threats so that security teams can spend less time searching for disparate information.

The first version of the TTIP will integrate with the widely accepted SPLUNK platform to provide realtime threat intelligence to enterprises using the SPLUNK architecture.

Differentiators to the TTIP versus competing solutions are the addition of the context and integration into SIEM platforms.

The integration takes the idea of a “single pane of glass” but does not make the customer use Tego’s glass but instead allows the customer to continue to operate within the existing tools that they use daily for security operations.

Their services are not only leading the innovation curve of the cybersecurity industry but also a key factor in unlocking the potential of these services that can not only benefit enterprises in a much more holistic way but also

provide a whole new level of safety measure, ensuring the integrity and safety of valuable information.

Tego Cyber is always striving to provide its clients the best possible services and solutions to their needs and problems. Their dedication and sincerity are not only unparalleled but it is their drive to pursue excellence no matter what they do, which truly makes them one of the best-in-class cybersecurity service providers.

Tego Cyber is constantly working on enhancing and improving its services along with creating new services that adhere to more complex and unattended yet critical problems. They are working on providing a Planned future version of the application include integration with other leading SIEM platforms including Elastic, Devo, IBM QRadar, AT&T Cybersecurity (formerly AlienVault), LogRhythm, and Exabeam.

It was in hearing the frustrations of their fellow professionals in the security operations centers over having to look for disparate information when incidents arose that in part prompted their team to take a look at the threat intelligence market. They quickly realized the opportunity to create a platform that could easily give a security analyst the information they needed at their fingertips so they could make informed, timely decisions without having to leave the SIEM. Their network continues to give them feedback and recommendations based on their daily activities of what things they would like to see in their products and what would make their jobs easier. This not only helps Tego

Cyber in keeping their services up to date with the changing times and trends but also plays a key role in keeping their services flawless and always accurate to avert any threat at any point in time.

Leadership at Tego Cyber Inc.

peacekeeping mission that she met her husband, Troy Wilkinson. They decided to come back home to the US and she worked as the Director of Software Development for an eHealth company for a couple of years. In 2015, she and Troy realized that there was a lack of trusted companies that focused on cybersecurity solutions and services for small-to-medium businesses and they co-founded Axiom Cyber Solutions. They sold to private equity in mid-2019. She wanted to continue the entrepreneurial journey. Applying their knowledge of the cybersecurity industry and the feedback of their network on needed solutions, they co-founded Tego Cyber Inc. in September 2019 with a focus on enterprise cyber threat intelligence solutions.

For a company like Tego Cyber, which not only is present in highly technological and complex space, working 24x7 to maintain the integrity of highly important data and systems, requires a team of highly skilled and expert personnel but moreover an effervescent and highly talented leader, who not only can handle the highly stressful environment, handle the company, clients, upholding the vision and goals of the company, while keeping the employee and clients in close-knit coordination, keeping the delivery and performance standards at their best, at all times.

The work culture at Tego Cyber Inc.

Tego Cyber has been very fortunate to have been under the eloquent and charismatic leadership of Shannon Wilkinson, Director, CEO at Tego Cyber Inc. She is not only a true inspiration but also a leader that not only is a key factor to the growth of Tego Cyber but also a key player in the overall development of the team of Tego Cyber. She is not only a flagbearer of the company but also spearheading the Cybersecurity domain with her skills and highly effective leadership.

At Tego Cyber Inc. they pride themselves in a collaborative and diverse work environment. They believe in encouraging employees to provide feedback and suggestions. Working together and encouraging the creative processes of their employees simply makes their organization and products better. This inclusion and openness in their organization help them to avoid falling into the trap of homogeneous problem solving and brings about more creativity in their solution design.

She started her career with the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations as a software developer. She then moved up to manage development teams and into software architecture. It was in the

These factors not only make the team of Tego Cyber unique, capable of handling any complex problem and task with perfect coordination and minimum delays, makes Tego Cyber Inc. and its team one of the most skilled specialists

to provide the best-in-class cybersecurity services.

Shannon’s views on the competition in the market and how she deals with it.

She doesn’t think that many organizations ever lack competition. They will always face questions about how one is different than this or that product.

The challenge is explaining why your product offering and company are a better match for the customer and the benefits of working with your organization. At Tego Cyber Inc. they like to pride themselves on listening to the needs of their customers. Shannon has seen too often in product development, especially as a former developer herself, that product managers or designers will assume they know what the customer needs without ever asking the customer what problems they need solved, their current frustrations, or seeking to get their feedback during a product launch. What happens is that the customer ends up with systems that fulfill some of their needs but will often add to the existing frustration that they already have. If companies take the time during the development of their product to understand the problems, frustrations, and needs of their clients,they can deliver a solution that checks all the boxes.

Shannon feels having competition helps bring out the best in the company and solutions. Tego Cyber Inc. strives to set themselves apart from the competition by offering a better solution and taking the time to listen to the needs of their customers.

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22 June 2021

50 MOST POPULAR WOMEN ON THE INTERNET W

omen are becoming superheroes of today, there is hardly any top ten list in the world that does not have maximum women participants and holders. Women are not only progressing but also dominating many areas, careers, roles in the world. They are not only necessary but also crucial for the world to grow and become a place that treats everyone with the same respect and harmony. Today, we talk about the 50 most popular women on the internet. Let’s dwell on what made them become the most popular women, and most importantly, let’s celebrate the journey of women, from being neglected to becoming major role models in every industry or field. Give a loud cheer for the most inspiring, prominent, and popular women on the internet.

www.theenterpriseworld.com 23

| Trending

Women, achievers, succeeders, Leaders!

50 most popular women on the internet and in the hearts of millions and counting are: ♦ Kendall Jenner: She is an American media personality, model, and socialite. ♦ Marilyn Monroe: A popular American model, actress, and singer of the 50s-60s. An evergreen role model for today's women! ♦ Priyanka Chopra: Popular Bollywood actress, former Miss India, businesswoman, philanthropist, and humanitarian. ♦ Scarlett Johansson: Global heartthrob. Actress by profession. ♦ Billie Eilish: Teen sensation, professional singer. Looted 4 Grammy Awards in 2020, creating history! ♦ Jennifer Aniston – Her fan base is spread over decades, actress by profession. Her roles and acting have mesmerized one and all. ♦ Ellen DeGeneres: Host of the longest-running talk show 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show'. Humor, charisma, talent, she packs it all. ♦ Jessica Alba: Actress turned entrepreneur. Always dropping jaws with her acting and now running a billion-dollar business, the Honest Company.

♦ Kate Middleton: Known as Duchess of Cambridge, a fashion icon, and married to Prince William. ♦ Michelle Obama: Former First Lady, veteran lawyer, and social activist. Inspiration and an iconic role model for women. ♦ Ellie Goulding: Singer, songwriter, and composer. ♦ Hillary Clinton: She is a renowned American politician, lawyer, diplomat, writer, and public speaker. She is honest and blunt, traits that inspire one and all. ♦ Halle Berry: Astonishing actress, and a role model. ♦ Kesha: A sensational singer, and a strong woman, inspiring bravery by standing tall, upfronting the lawsuits for unjust behavior. ♦ Hilary Doughman icon right from childhood to becoming a successful actress, singer, entrepreneur, fashion model, and producer. ♦ Kate Moss: One of the most admired models of today’s era. ♦ Kylie Minogue: Music and fashion icon, spreading awareness for cancer, after being diagnosed herself. ♦ Heidi Klum: Iconic host, first German Victoria’s Secret Angel.

24 June 2021

♦ Vanessa Hudgens: A well-known and respected actress and singer. ♦ Jessie J: Famous singer and songwriter of the past decade. ♦ Carly Rae Jepson: One of the most popular pop singers of the 21st century. ♦ Emma Watson: Better known as ‘Hermione Granger’ from the Harry Potter series. Works actively towards climate change and feminism. ♦ Lindsay Lohan: One of the most popular teen actresses of the early 2000s. ♦ Alicia Keys: Award-winning and renowned musician. ♦ Kristen Stewart: Actress, known for ‘The Twilight’ series. ♦ Mariah Carey: One of the most popular and legendary musical artists over the past 3 decades. ♦ Megan Fox: American actress and model, known for the ‘Transformers’ series. ♦ Kylie Jenner: Youngest billionaire in the world, known for ‘Kylie Cosmetics’, second-most followed woman on Instagram! ♦ Christina Aguilera: Known for her versatility with musical styles, she is a popular American actress, songwriter, singer, and television personality.

♦ Demi Lovato: An actress since her childhood, and a social activist. ♦ Paris Hilton: Granddaughter of Conrad Hilton. She is an eminent businesswoman, model, singer, socialite, actress, and DJ. ♦ Angelina Jolie: The bold and beautiful actress, humanitarian, and a human with a golden heart. ♦ Kimberley Kardashian West: American socialite, media personality, actress, model, producer, and businesswoman. ♦ Miley Cyrus –A highly acclaimed singer, songwriter, and record producer. ♦ Nicki Minaj: An extremely popular rapper, actress, singer, songwriter, and model. ♦ Shakira: A Colombian singer, record producer, songwriter, actress, dancer, and philanthropist.

These are just a few, her talent and fans are still being counted and discovered. ♦ Katy Perry: A very popular songwriter and singer. ♦ Jennifer Lopez: Most influential Latin entertainer in the US. She is an American actress, fashion designer, dancer, singer, producer, and businesswoman. A perfectionist indeed! ♦ Beyonce: Regarded as the epitome of beauty and brains, she is

a professional singer with a debut at the pole position on Billboard 200 with her first music act.

a sensation in the music industry and an iconic role model for women.

♦ Madonna: One of the most influential figures in pop culture, she is a professional singer and songwriter.

♦ Lana Del Ray: An iconic singer, bringing the world of emotions into her music videos, creating sensational music and back-to-back blockbusters.

♦ Adele: A well renowned and highly acclaimed English singer and songwriter.

♦ Oprah Winfrey: A highly regarded American talk show host, actress, tv producer, and philanthropist. ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’ ran for 25 years straight!

♦ Selena Gomez: A multi-talented singer and actress. ♦ Britney Spears: American singer, dancer, songwriter, and actress, often regarded as the ‘Princess of Pop’.

Women: Shaping the Future!

♦ Ariana Grande: A child actress, to a highly talented and popular singer. She is the most followed woman on Instagram since 2019. ♦ Taylor Swift: One of the bestselling and loved musical artists of all time. ♦ Lady Gaga: A sensational singer, actress, and businesswoman.

Known to few, her real name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta. ♦ Cher: She is an American media personality, actress, and singer. She is highly regarded and acclaimed as the ‘Goddess of Pop’.

These women have proved that anyone can do anything, whatever they want in their life. They are living examples of how a woman can achieve great success in her life despite the challenges, hurdles, and circumstances. Their roles, careers, etc. are a mere shadow of what they have achieved with their flair, charisma, dedication, and discipline, inspiring millions of people worldwide and still counting. They deserve to be called the most popular women on the internet owing to their tenacity to showcase what one can achieve if they set their hearts and minds into it, irrespective of gender, irrespective of race, irrespective of anything, and that is something that defines these women!

♦ Rihanna: Barbadian actress, singer, and businesswoman. She is

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| Leadership Talk

Aptorum Group Limited Revolutionary Woman of the Pharmaceutical Industry

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here is an alarming need for medical services and facilities since the pandemic has struck but that not only has shown the world the need for better and efficient medical resources but a need for improving the healthcare and fitness of the people. Since every medical facility and resource is being diverted towards the treatment of patients suffering from Covid-19, the other diseases and illnesses which are largely unmet are not being given proper medical attention or resources. We cannot overlook the fact that the existing medical conditions still exist and pose an imminent threat to the lives of the people regardless of the severity of the pandemic. There is a need for

experts and specialists in the field to provide treatment or medicine for the diseases that are largely unmet and require immediate medical attention before it takes the form of another pandemic.

Aptorum Group Limited is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, working to provide medical treatments, extensively in the domain of oncology and infectious diseases. They are one of the leading companies, taking the innovation curve ahead, dedicated to discovering, developing, and finally commercializing the medical treatments for such diseases which are not only infectious but as they are not given proper and adequate attention, can

pose a serious threat to the survival of mankind. They are not only dedicated but their sincerity and work speak a great deal about the company’s vision and goals. They are not only changing the way of treatment in oncology and infectious diseases by providing breakthrough treatments but are leading the competition in the market and strongly holding their dominance as one of the best pharmaceutical companies.

In conversation with the CFO of Aptorum Group, Sabrina Khan.

Let’s hear more about the company, its products/services, and the CFOs professional journey.

Sabrina Khan

CFO | Aptorum Group

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| Leadership Talk

Tell us about the company and the challenges faced during the initial stages.

Aptorum Group Limited (Nasdaq: APM, Euronext Paris: APM) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development, and commercialization of therapeutic assets to treat diseases with unmet medical needs, particularly in oncology (including orphan oncology indications) and infectious diseases. The pipeline of Aptorum is also enriched through (i) the establishment of drug discovery platforms that enable the discovery of new therapeutics assets through, e.g. systematic screening of existing approved drug molecules, and microbiome-based research platform for treatments of metabolic diseases; and (ii) the codevelopment of a novel molecularbased rapid pathogen identification and detection diagnostics technology with Accelerate Technologies Pte Ltd, the commercialization arm of the Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology, and Research.

As a start-up company, lots of things have to be done by ourselves from scratch. Setting up teams, proposing new projects, sharing new ideas, looking for new opportunities. Depending on how you view this. Some may think it’s a challenge but I would see this as an opportunity. I enjoy it because I don't have to follow other people’s footsteps and can turn my 28 June 2021

imagination into reality and create something I want.

Tell us about the products/services Aptorum offers, new additions, and the plans for taking the company ahead with the changing times and trends.

Aptorum Group focuses on diseases that are currently largely unmet or do not have an effective treatment available. We believe that patients in these disease areas often suffer from the lack of choices of (effective) drugs and are faced with limited therapeutic options available. On this basis, I believe that our company’s product objective is simple – to bring effective drugs to these patients and tackle these diseases. One of our major therapeutic developments is in “orphan diseases” (also known as rare diseases) which are an exciting emerging market and have huge growth potential. In the US, over 7,000 orphan diseases have been identified (compared to over 2,500 identified back in 2015), and that approximately over 90% of these diseases do not have effective treatment. ™

On this basis, Smart-ACT was set up to focus on screening our library of over 2,600 existing approved small molecule drugs against the selected orphan disease targets, the aim is to “discover and repurpose” drugs that can work for other orphan disease indications and to shorten drug development from on average of 10+ years to 3-4 years

and cut short the total cost of drug development in some cases up to 90%. Drug repurposing is well regulated and has had numerous successful precedents (for example, better-known ones are Viagra, Trastuzumab, Minoxidil, etc) and the US FDA has a reg 505b(2) approval pathway which we can fast track repurposed drugs too late human clinical trials because all these drugs have established safety and toxicity records when previously approved.

We will continue to develop the existing projects, yet we will also explore new ways to develop more treatments to target the evergrowing numbers of orphan diseases and unmet medical needs.

The traditional way of drug development may take years and it's difficult to deal with the continuously growing number of diseases.

Tell us about your professional journey.

I first began my career at Ernst & Young as an auditor and where I received my CPA qualification. I then took the role of senior finance manager at Global Cord Blood Corporation which was formerly called China Cord Blood Corporation. This was where I learned IPO and M&A and also found my interest in the healthcare and medical sector. I realized not just doctors can save lives. I could use my expertise in finance and accounting to contribute to medical

development through M&A and capital raising, which is very meaningful and keeps on motivating me to overcome different challenges at work.

Tell us about the team and work culture at Aptorum.

I treat them as my team members and always encourage them to share their views and suggestions.

When encountering any difficulties, I usually guide them to get their answer rather than providing them a quick solution. Getting their answer is the best way to inspire them to think and build their commitment to the team and what they do. I want them to seriously understand why they are doing it that way and what they are doing

instead of blindly taking instruction from above.

Your take on constant vigilance as a need or strategy and your views on the rat race in the market.

A need, business is like life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get next. You have to be on top of your game at all times.

I race myself; I can only be the best version of myself. I am my barrier to success and my challenge to overcome. Don’t waste time trying to be like others, be the best version of yourself, and have confidence in your actions.

| Leadership Talk

BETSY WIERSMA | FOUNDER 30 June 2021

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Everyone has a purpose and ideas to make the world a better place,

- BETSY WIERSMA I

n each business, a group of individuals works together to achieve a common goal. Whether it may be a small business or a big one, it needs an effective leader to find paths, motivate and guide the activities to achieve objectives. Such a passionate leader motivates the employees, works with them in every manner, and achieves the goals of the organization. There is no exaggeration that no other aspect is as important to any business as efficient leadership.

Betsy Wiersma is one such visionary leader on a mission to transform the lives of many through her businesses and is the true motivation for budding entrepreneurs.

In an interview with Betsy Wiersma, Founder of Wiersma Experience Marketing and Creator at CampExperience™ Network, she shared her journey throughout and her views on current business scenarios across the world.

Tell us about your entrepreneurial journey.

I began my event production and sponsorship “empire” with the Junior float in my hometown of Indianapolis, IN. I saw that I had a captive audience of 100 students and Dairy Queen had the dipped cones and Buster Bars (this was in 1977 before Blizzards!) I did my first “deal” with Dairy Queen donating money for creating our Homecoming Parade Float, and I distributed free Dairy Queen “float” coupons. Everyone was happy and my first example of ROI: Return on Ideas was born!

I am my dad’s daughter and an organizer like my dear mom (God rest her soul). My dad is a life-long entrepreneur and never gave up on his dreams. I learned to innovate, share the vision, gather my allies, co-create solutions, raise the money for the project, do it with style and rinse and repeat. And that Process on Purpose has worked for me for over 45 years www.theenterpriseworld.com 31

| Leadership Talk

in business. I thrive on the possible…and I believe what I teach: • Everyone has a purpose and ideas to make the world a better place.

• We are all “in this together” and can help each other.

• The journey is the destination…. enjoy the E-Ticket ride!

The road is long, but I am never afraid. I just listen to my gut, look for opportunities and innovate!

This journey has inspired me to do work in the world that I brand Do Good & Have Fun. My Leadership Style is Service with Style…Here is the Backstory On March 21, 1983, I was at college and late on a snowy Saturday night, seven college Seniors from Purdue University went snowmobiling. I know looking back not the most “adult” idea. Tragic long story short, we had a terrible accident, and my friend sitting with me on the sled was killed and I was in 21 days of intensive care with multiple injuries. When I looked through the bandages, I knew my life had changed forever. Not only my physical life and life-long rehabilitation, but my entire being had shifted. I knew I was spared for a Life on Purpose and that every day is a gift. This is the fuel to every day that I am blessed to be here to serve my team, my Network, and my clients.

So, my leadership advice is to let go of the “way” you are supposed to be, and You Be your best YOU! Enjoy the wild ride of business and the opportunities that await with a Be Possible attitude and belief you can. And surround yourself with 32 June 2021

Charit y Focus is Our Differential One thing different about our organization is that we use the process of philanthropy as a business and personal development tool. Over the 16 years, we have partnered with large organizations like our Mile High United Way in Denver and small organizations like the Sock It To Em Sock Campaign. In each partnership, we look for a specific project or group we can make a difference for and ways to engage our volunteers.

We have larger global partners of Imani Collective https://imanicollective.com/ and Threads Worldwide https://threadsworldwide.com and we promote their good works and buy goods to support the women they serve. Our smaller global partners are SITEAW, Inc. Shifting Ideas Through Education for African Women where we fund opportunities for young girls who have been or are being oppressed by traditions in their ethnic groups. Some of these women are circumcised and married off at a tender age, others are raped, trafficked, or sold into slavery. https://www.siteawinc.org There are so many examples of Doing Good and Having Fun. One of my favorites was 1000 Acts of Peace in September of 2019. We gathered donations of more than 20,000 items of shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, floss, toothpaste, combs, sanitized wipes, Kleenex, a bottle of water, and a Luna bar. Then 130 ladies assembled 1000 knapsacks in 2 hours, loaded them onto busses, and delivered the donations to the Mayor of Colorado Springs, Colorado, to gift to agencies that served people experiencing homelessness.

The process of partnering has elevated the stature of our CampExperience™ Network organization, attracted new members, and kept the loyalty of current members. Our focus on helping others rates high in surveys about organization interest and market reputation. We have developed a style of “sisterhood by choice” in that we treat each other as family and treat others as our own. Our community involvement generates positive energy, publicity, and more opportunities for our members and sponsors.

allies that will love and support your journey.

The Wiersma Experience Marketing portfolio looks like this: • The CampExperience™ Network in Denver, CO USA that for 16 years has gathered women for “Good.” Together we have raised over $1 million for charities in Colorado and around the world while lifting and growing the “Sisters” and their businesses.

• Global Sisterhood Network is the expansion of the CampExperience™ Network in Colorado for all women in the world that enjoy our outreach, podcasts, and events.

• A Global Sisterhood Podcast Network and my flagship brand Boost Power Podcast. This media tells stories for people to Plug Into

Uplift and get Inspired • Art On Purpose inspirational products, my book The STEW: Smart Talk Exceptional Women https://campexperience.com/the-stew and our new global online course MOVE Ideas into Action www.MoveIdeasIntoAction.com What makes your company unique?

All of our products and services are built to be easily accessible, to deliver education, inspiration, and the connections you need for life and business. We grow as people have outstanding experiences and then refer their clients and friends. And we pride ourselves on high energy, a positive “can do” environment, and having fun.

How did the 2020 Pandemic turn out to be a blessing for your team?

My team is nimble, talented, and energetic. In 2020, we reimagined our organization to meet the confinements of the global pandemic. Weirdly, the “stay at home” was an expansion for us. In this time, I was able to get 62 amazing women to write 1000-word essays for our book the STEW: Smart Talk Exceptional Women and I had time to create 100 new pieces of my mixedmedia art.

In “normal life” the co-authors would have never had the time to say YES to this huge project and my team and I would have been “too busy” for the project. When would I ever

www.theenterpriseworld.com 33

Can you tell us which your favorite book is?

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.

Every day there is a message I need to hear.

One person who you admire the most?

My dad Cliff Wiersma who made a rich life for us all from his dreams and hard work

have time to make 100 pieces of art from my heart?

In 2020 we also expanded our podcast network to serve disconnected women and took our monthly networking events online.

Now we have international participation, and we are growing!

We also attracted in these expanded online events our new lead staff member who finally “had the time” to connect to our organization.

What is the reason behind your long-standing success?

The Secret Sauce in Every Idea The Secret Sauce about all of these ideas that I would share with the world…I made them up! I saw a need, checked in with my talents and interests, and what the heck…just did it!

I call it “See It to Be It” and it is part of my Process on Purpose that I teach.

My philosophy in business is “match not sell.” That means you (your company, product, or service) be the best you and put that offer in the world with STYLE! Then you match the offer to the best 34 June 2021

customers and partner for HUGE success and an energized process of getting there!

What the future holds?

Global Good and Brand NEW MOVE Ideas Into Action Global Course I am so excited to launch my style of uplifting inspiration and to teach the Process on Purpose that I have used for 40 years in business to manifest and grow every idea.

Now people around the globe have a simple system to end the frustration of being stuck and to use my exercises to MOVE every idea.

In these online classes and global retreats, we will gather the biggest dreamers and Big Idea Thinkers to share the fun of the ride. And then stories from some of my best entrepreneurs plus my inspirational art is in my book The STEW: Smart Talk Exceptional Women.

All of these products are fueled by the Global Sisterhood Podcast Network as we continue to tell the inspirational stories of possibility.

This plan for the support of other and their ideas makes for a bright and adventure-filled future. www.MoveIdeasIntoAction.com

Whose business story do you find the most inspiring?

Any wild entrepreneur with a Big Idea!

Constant vigilance- a need or a strategy?

Vision and passion and just keep winning.

It’s a rat race out there. How do you cope with that?

I do not believe in “cutthroat” competition or bidding wars where we win or lose. You be you and do your gig your way. You will have the right clients and the right opportunities when you stretch to serve BIG! She Believed She Could…. And You Can Too! “There are only two ways to live your life. One is though nothing is a miracle, the other is as though everything is a miracle” Albert Einstein My final comment is to encourage the reader that you read this interview at this time on purpose! This is your message to go for your dreams and know you too will live a happy and full life with ROI: Return on Ideas.

| Just Business Things!

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o one buys flowers just for special occasions anymore. In fact, many average Americans will purchase bouquets once a week to freshen up their home and bring color to their space. What’s even more shocking is the boom in flower sales despite the pandemic, or maybe, it isn’t so surprising.

With more time spent inside, consumers are excited to bring nature inside. Eventually, flower delivery services are booming.

Popular Holidays and Beyond: The Popularity of Flowers Although the meaning of flowers differs based on culture, gifting a bouquet full of blooming perennials is one of the most inexpensive and appropriate presents one can give.

Whether you’re congratulating a colleague or mourning the loss of a loved one, there are flowers that can convey any emotion, such as love, sadness, hate, despair, purity, royalty, and more.

Flower shops already had cultural appreciation to fall back on. If you wanted to visit a florist near you to purchase flowers locally, you were spoiled for choice. However, once the pandemic hit, it became difficult for floral enthusiasts to buy timely flowers for holidays, special occasions, or for leisure. eCommerce saved many local businesses or even made them thrive.

Flower Delivery Services Stepped in as Audience Evolve Mother’s Day is one of the biggest flower-giving holidays next to Valentines’ Day. 26% of all flower 36 June 2021

sales are attributed to Mother’s Day, and demand for fresh blooms in the pandemic skyrocketed. Faced with a smaller workforce and fewer plants, flowers became pricy.

Consumers had to pay 25% more than they had in 2020, which meant a bouquet of roses went up by at least $10. Transportation and shipping became expensive, which hiked the cost anywhere from 1015%. However, the appetite for flowers increased by 20% from 2020 for their mental health benefits and accessibility. Flowers rose to the occasion by helping with loneliness.

While disposable income remains low, the need for luxurious purchases increased. Flowers are an inexpensive yet opulent item that brings joy to most despite their short shelf life. Still, most consumers want to have beauty around them during difficult times, and flowers can do just that.

Content Marketing Engages Buyers Adding content to any website is generally a good idea, even in the flower industry. Flower delivery websites can use blogs, podcasts, and videos to show viewers how to care for their bouquets or plant potted flowers. This actionable content drives traffic and promotes growth.

Subscription Boxes Keep Loyal Customers Subscription services ensure that your customers are engaged with your product, which keeps inventory flowing. A subscription service works perfectly for flowers because they’re a perishable product that needs to be replaced with new local or exotic blooms weekly.

Offer Gifts With Purchase or Similar Items

Coupled with the rise of online shopping and the need for joyful gifts, flower delivery services are booming. Let’s take a look at some brilliant marketing tactics the flower industry uses.

The vast majority of people who buy flowers are gifting them to someone else. Flower delivery companies are aware of this. They generally make sure you see the other options available on their website that fit well with your gift.

Chocolate, cars, and stuffed animals go well with flowers.

Campaigns that Promote the Joy of Flowers

Use Social Media Marketing Primarily

Flower delivery services have run several campaigns that reinforce the message that love is best shown through flowers. New generation consumers are more interested in giving to others than buying for themselves, and flowers are an inexpensive way to show you care.

Everyone uses social media daily, but many of us forget a major holiday is coming up if we don’t get a reminder. Flower delivery services use the fast-paced nature of social media to let consumers know a holiday is coming and that flowers are the perfect gift option.

How Flower Delivery Services Leverage eCommerce

Why Flower Delivery Services Are Booming Businesses?

| Leadership Talk

Ellen Voie President & CEO | Women in Trucking

ELLEN VOIE

Voice of the Working Women 40 June 2021

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he life and journey of a woman are full of obstacles, conventions, and pre-set assumptions, but this should not hold a woman back from doing what she desires and what she loves. Not all women are looking forward to having a career in the world of business, some wish to do and find other jobs but are unable to do so because of fewer opportunities for women and the pre-set norms that debar them from taking any job or opportunity as they feel like. There are those women who do not have much of an educational qualification but wish to work but due to the lack of opportunity and owing to the traditional conventions of the society that puts them aside, taking the power from them to choose their line of work or provide them with a line of work.

Women in Trucking is an opportunity for all those women desiring to work, providing them with a chance to turn their lives and celebrate what and who they are – women. Women in Trucking is a not-for-profit association, aimed at encouraging employment in women, building a strong community on their way through, so they all can enjoy and achieve success, along with uplifting the sentiments and perceptions of those around them about women in work.

Women in Trucking are a breakthrough for what they have achieved and the number of members that are like a strong-knit family, sharing each milestone of their journey and their success.

In conversation with the President and CEO of Women in Trucking, Ellen Voie. Let’s hear more about

the company, its services, and the CEO’s professional journey and views.

Tell us about Women in Trucking and the initial problems faced by the company.

For over a decade, we’ve been focused on this clear mission to encourage employment, address obstacles and celebrate success. It's supported by a passionate leadership team, highly engaged members, and committed sponsors and partners. We continue to build a strong community among our members (primarily business professionals and professional drivers) who believe in and support our mission. Our 5,200 members are individuals and corporate entities who support our mission.

They are located in twelve

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| Leadership Talk

countries. We aren’t a woman-only organization as fifteen percent of our members are men.

The first challenge I faced was in starting a non-profit association in the middle of a recession (2007).

Starting an organization requires a strong commitment, both financial and personal. I knew that I had to prove that we were a viable group that would provide a valuable resource to our members. In our first year, we attracted 500 members, which was amazing considering it was a difficult year

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for everyone.

The next biggest challenge we face as an organization is in changing the image of the trucking industry.

Too many people view careers as drivers as being something only men can do. This isn’t the case.

Often, women look at the trucks and see a diesel engine and smokestacks instead of all the technology that makes the truck easier for the driver and much safer for both the driver and those on the road around the truck.

LIFE BEGINS AT THE END OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE.

“ 42 June 2021

The most difficult initial challenge was to establish our credibility and to ensure that we would be an influential force in the industry.

Many companies watched to make sure we would stay true to our goal to increase the ranks of women in the trucking industry.

Tell us about the unique services offered by women in trucking, any new additions, and the reasons that take these services ahead in the future.

Our mission includes three goals;

to encourage the employment of women, address obstacles and celebrate success. I’ll break down our activities in these three areas: Encourage the employment of women: - Girl Scout Transportation Patch.

- Activity Books for children.

- Truck Driver Doll.

- Driver Ambassador Program.

- Image Team.

- Mentoring program.

Address Obstacles: - We work with truck manufacturers on truck cab design/ergonomics.

- We work with truck stops on safety and security.

- We help women buy their first truck or expand their fleet.

- A scholarship foundation gives tuition grants.

Celebrate Success: - Members of the Month.

Influential Woman in Trucking.

- Distinguished Woman in Logistics.

- Driver of the Year.

- Top Women to Watch in Transportation.

- Top Women-Owned Business.

- Top Companies for Women to Work for.

- Salute to Women Behind the Wheel.

We started the Accelerate!

Conference & Expo in 2015 and within five years our registered attendees exceeded 1,100. Last year we hosted a virtual conference, but this year we hope to meet in person in November in Dallas, Texas.

However, we will offer a virtual component as well the following

week. The main reason people come to our event is to learn and to network, so we offer many educational sessions but also lots of time to interact and to have fun.

We listen to our members. We respond to their needs and support them based on our mission.

Tell us about your professional journey.

In high school, I preferred to take an industrial arts class instead of home economics. Shop class was so much fun, and my instructor insisted I was the best welder he'd ever had. I loved the auto mechanics lessons, the woodworking, drafting, and welding lessons. In 1978 I was hired at a steel fabricating plant in central Wisconsin where I worked in the drafting department, designing material handling equipment, such as steel pallets, bins, and racking.

In 1979 my bosses asked if I wanted to transfer into the Traffic Department instead of drafting.

They sent me to school for “Traffic and Transportation Management.”

Shortly after I completed the course, my boss left the company and I was promoted to the position of Traffic Manager. We had three plants creating steel products as varied as material handling, fireplaces, and jacks. I was responsible for bringing the raw materials into the plants and for shipping the completed products out to our customers. We also had three trucks of our own, and I was in charge of hiring, firing, and managing the three drivers.

While raising my family I worked as a free-lance transportation

consultant to small carriers in central Wisconsin. During that time, I earned my bachelor’s and then master's degree in communication. In 2000 I was hired for the position of Executive Director of Trucker Buddy International where I led the program for six years. Then, I was recruited by Schneider National to lead their retention efforts. My job was to initiate corporate-level programs designed to attract and retain non-traditional groups, such as women! At the time, I was completing my pilot’s license, and I belonged to an organization for female pilots. It struck me that there wasn’t a similar group for women in the trucking industry; so, I started one. That was in 2007 when the Women in Trucking Association was formed.

Tell us about the team of Women in Trucking and the factors that make them unique.

We have five employees and an association management firm which supplies six more staff members. We are all working in a virtual environment, which makes collaboration even more challenging. However, our work culture promotes both independence and self-motivation. I believe in a results-oriented work environment, so we don’t monitor hours or days, and vacations and time off are unlimited. The caveat is that each of our team members has a job to do and they are responsible for ensuring that the job is done. In other words, we treat people like adults and ask them to do their job. If someone wants a day off, they are free to do so, as long as they don’t compromise any commitments.

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Vicky Grammatikopoulou | Founder & CEO | Vie Aesthetics

| Leadership Talk

44 June 2021

VICKY GRAMMATIKOPOULOU Enhancing Indentity, Redefining Aesthetics!

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s the trends are changing, taking different names and places, one of the most important and constant things that always remains is health. Health is not only the most invaluable treasure that one can ever get but also one of the main reasons why one tries to work and supplement or enhance their living standards. One is striving hard each day to not only become successful but also become their best self, as all of everything holds no value if one is not in their best shape with their best foot and best smile forward. There are a lot of clinics that not only provide unmatched aesthetic services but there are a lot who not only are very expensive but do not adhere to the promises of the highest service standards. This calls for famous, popular, and celebrated names in the world, who provide best-in-class and stunning yet natural-looking results.

Vie Aesthetics is one of the most sought-after clinics when looking for aesthetic treatments. The clinic was founded by the highly celebrated and famous name in the industry – Vicky Grammatikopoulou, Founder and CEO of Vie Aesthetics. She is not only a renowned celebrity in the aesthetic treatment domain but it’s her company that comprises of highly skilled and expert personnel who are dedicated to providing their clients with their best image, and results that are not the only natural, safe, yet elegant but also long-lasting and easy to maintain. Under the effervescent leadership of Vicky Grammatikopoulou, Vie aesthetics is not only a leading name in the market but also one of the most trusted brands in the aesthetic treatment industry and the hearts of its loyal and highly satisfied customers. Vicky’s sincerity, affection for the clients, and unmatched leadership not only make Vie Aesthetic and its services as the best-inclass but also a mile ahead of the competition in the market.

In conversation with the Founder and CEO of Vie Aesthetics, Vicky Grammatikopoulou.

Let’s hear more about the company, its service, and the CEO’s professional journey.

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Tell us about the company and the initial hurdles faced by the company.

Vie Aesthetics, named Global Aesthetic Practice of the Year in the MyFaceMyBody 2020 Global Awards, was founded in. 2013 by Vicky Grammatikopoulou. The company runs multi-awardwinning, doctor-led clinics based in London, Essex, and Germany. For the last 8 years, a highly skilled and specialized team of doctors and therapists, under the guidance of a celebrated aesthetic doctor and Medical Director Dr. Ioannis Liakas, offer the latest medical and cosmetic solutions under one roof.

Vie Aesthetics is a luxury brand providing cutting-edge aesthetic treatments with stunning yet natural-looking results. The doctorled team at Vie Aesthetics specializes in combining advanced non-surgical procedures and worldclass top-of-the-range products to achieve stunning results for the face, body, wellness, and hair. With bespoke, personalized treatment plans, and globally award-winning customer care, they help men and women achieve their transformation goals discreetly and subtly.

Like any other small start-up company, Vie Aesthetics faced challenges from the beginning however our motto when it comes to a challenge or mistake is that we are all going to face difficulty and hit a bump in the road at some point, but it is what you do next and how you handle those situations that matter. As a female CEO, Vicky has battled gender bias and stereotyping on her journey to get where she is today, which can make building your empire that little bit trickier, however using her 46 June 2021

background as a teacher Vicky was able to confront bias, command her own space and stick to her principles to overcome this challenge.

Of course, the biggest and most recent challenge Vie Aesthetics has faced is the Covid-19 pandemic.

With restrictions enforced, we were able to continue trading by sending out products and providing virtual consultations, Q&A videos offering advice, and simply by keeping in touch with clients via social media.

Fortunately, at the start of the lockdown, the company was in a robust and safe place to endure the rocky road ahead, however, having a safety net, a Plan B, the ability to adapt fast, and risk assessment constantly have all been life-saving precautions for the company.

Tell us about the services offered

by Vie Aesthetics, new additions,

and the plans of the company to take these services ahead.

We offer non-surgical medical and cosmetic aesthetic services including go-to treatments such as fillers, botulinum toxin injections, as well as, bespoke signature packages. We offer Life Coaching and a 360-degree Medical Weight Management Clinic and advanced Medical Skincare brands. Our doctors and therapists always have the client’s best interest in mind, even if this means advising against the sale of a service, product, or treatment. We recognize personal transformations and selfimprovement are not just about image transformations on the external but improving one’s health and mind from within.

We are excited to be the first UK clinic to introduce the 24K gold rejuvenating facial by Dibi Milano.

As Key Opinion Leaders in our field, we were selected to try a brand-new dermal filler- MaiLi before its official launch, and we are listed as a center of excellence for this product. We have also introduced a new signature treatment VieStemRF which combines three of our most popular treatments: Morpheus8, FaceTite, and Seffiller Stem Cell Fat Transfer.

Our Medical Director Dr. Ioannis Liakas was the first Dr in the UK to treat hyperhidrosis using Morpheus8 and BodyTite. Dr. Liakas is a key opinion Leader introducing BOCA Lips ‘onethread lip lift’ to the UK, Seffiller, and Seffihair as well as MaiLi and Lanluma.

Our decisions are based on research, data, training, feedback, and planning.

Firstly, we listen to client and staff

feedback via a continuous process of client surveys and staff training.

These insights feed into our planning of operating procedures and systems but also shape our offer of products and services. This has led to us being able to create value for our clients and to expand our offer with signature treatments, membership packages, and loyalty reward schemes.

We continuously engage in market research and visit conferences, conventions and organize continuous professional development (CPD). We are affiliated with experts and centers of excellence in the UK and abroad and share good practices between us. Our teams are always looking for the next advancement and we attend masterclasses and events which result in introducing new, proven procedures and products to the UK.

We constantly audit and review our results and our processes. As a result, the carefully designed and choreographed Vie Aesthetics Patient Journey provides clients with the utmost luxury experience.

This means that from the moment a client books their appointment to the time they finish their treatment and aftercare, they are fully supported and looked after. To make this possible, we have looked into ways how to link all services and experts to offer the whole range of the clinic’s expertise to every single client. In the last year, we created the role of Client Engagement Manager (CEM) who links all services. The CEM’s role is to support our clients’ success with us, by ensuring they have a personalized experience and access to all services. This has proven to make a huge difference already with patient satisfaction, conversion rates, subscriptions, and retention We take our products and services one step further also by personalizing and tailoring our treatment plans. We offer combination treatments and tailored packages that complement one another to achieve the most efficient result. By offering a very wide range of the latest advancements in aesthetics and wellness under one roof, we can combine procedures and treat our clients/patients by a whole team rather than individual practitioners.

To this end, we have developed a detailed consultation process that includes an added stage of a general and comprehensive Aesthetic Interest Questionnaire (AIQ) at the early stages of this process. The AIQ is used by practitioners to tailor their treatments and is then forwarded to

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the CEM, who uses it to ensure we address all areas of interest and concerns of each patient.

Tell us about your professional experience and any achievements you would like to share.

My previous professional experience before launching Vie Aesthetics was mainly in teaching and lecturing. I completed a FirstClass Honours Degree in Germanic Studies, Linguistics and Education at Aristotle University and founded a private language school, Aspekt, at the age of 25. This was my first experience as an entrepreneur. I employed 15 people with 250 students on-roll and received a grant from the European Commission for creating 11 new workplaces for women. Our accomplishments include creating a governance system that was showcased by the European Commission to business owners from across Europe.

In 1997, after seven years, I sold the business and moved to the UK for family reasons. In the UK I read for an MA in Languages in Education at the University of London. I taught in a Secondary School in Essex and became Head of Department. I then worked as a University Senior Lecturer at Middlesex University and Goldsmiths University.

A key achievement is that I started my business from zero, as a hobby and I grew it organically to a wellrespected company. I am very happy to see how I have now 3 clinics and opening the 4th one with around 20 members of staff and a very healthy revenue and balance sheet. I am very happy to see that we have picked up an array 48 June 2021

of awards along the way, over 8 this last year alone! We have created value for our clients and set standards high within the industry. I feel the greatest achievement is that I have proven to myself and our peers that you can offer 5star customer service with expert staff (doctors only), top-of-the-range only products, value, and fair pricing and still make it a profitable model without compromising on quality! On a personal level, my key achievement is that every morning when I go to work I can’t get there soon enough – I feel excited and very lucky!

A huge achievement is also that together with my team, we managed to steer our way through the storm of the pandemic. We managed to stay safe whilst also reaching the financial targets that we had set even before COVID-19 came about. Not only that, but we also managed to expand during this time, taking advantage of opportunities as they arose.

Tell us about the exemplary team of Vie Aesthetics.

The staff business model I follow is centered around openness, empowerment of staff, and selfdevelopment. Communication is key- both top-down and bottom-up.

I make sure we involve staff in decisions and keeping them always up-to-date with news and reasons why we do things the way we do. I ensure the staff has the tools, inspiration, and motivation to achieve excellence and expertise.

Being involved in the whole process of planning, implementing, and reviewing, and having no glass ceiling makes the team motivated, engaged, and passionate.

Your views on constant vigilance as a need or strategy and the ratace in the market.

A strategy. Stemming from my previous vocation as an educationalist and from my experience as a mum, I believe in risk assessment and vigilance.

Always combine having an optimistic vision with a plan B to cover your own back. As a business leader, you must always think of every possible pitfall, lookout for the next best thing, and make sure that for any risks you take: if you fail you will still be safe.

Rehearsing failure in your head and mentally playing out the worst-case scenarios and your response to them is a great way to become robust both in your personal and your professional life. It is the best way to face your fears, transcend them and turn them into action and success.

Rat-race, is it? Really? I believe that we manifest what we tell ourselves. We create our reality with our thoughts and beliefs. To me, it is a funfair out there. It doesn’t feel like work to mehonestly. It feels like I am playing, I do what I love and I even get paid for it. Really! I feel blessed and I am buzzing!

I remind myself every morning during a brief meditation, how lucky I am to wake up and how blessed I am to have the people and things I enjoy in life, and how happy I am that what I do has a positive impact on people.

Gratitude, discernment, and service to others make you waterproof from stress and the frantic pace of our society. To keep my focus, I make sure I schedule frequent decluttering both physically and mentally.

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preserving data ecosystems

| Get Known

M

erger and Acquisition of companies are always covered by people and media in intricate details because it is not only a merging of two companies, but also a mixture of two mission statements, visions, aims, teams, and course products and services. Mergers take place to provide enterprises with options to effectively sustain and capture more market cap than their competitors. Mergers can strengthen the companies by a great deal, as the pooling of resources, teams, etc. can prove to be very beneficial and lead to the evolution of new strategies, products/services, collaborations, and much more. Mergers can take place due to many reasons, such as cash crunch, limited resources, allied interests, better market capturing capability, etc., and can prove beneficial for the companies that merge. Of course, a merger of companies does not guarantee success, growth, and development, so it proves to be a make-or-break deal for companies that wish to merge.

One plus One equals Eleven?

Let us look at some of the biggest merger companies of all time: • America Online (AOL) and Time Warner Inc. (TWX) AOL was the largest internet provider in the US back in the late 1900s and that’s when it decided to merge with TWX in 2000, to form a conglomerate with a vision to become a dominant force in the news, music, entertainment, publishing, and internet industries. The deal was one of the biggest in history, worth a boggling $360 billion. AOL lost value and the dot com bubble burst, the merger couldn’t last even a decade and the companies got separated to work independently.

• Anheuser-Busch InBev and SABMiller This was a deal worth $104.3 billion between the world’s largest breweries. London-based SABMiller and Belgium-based Anheuser-Busch InBev combined SAB’s Castle Lager with InBev’s Stella Artois, Budweiser, and Corona brands to push them into the fast-growing Latin and African markets.

• Exxon and Mobil This deal between the two oil giants, Exxon was the industry leader and Mobil was the next in line proved to be one of the most successful deals in M&A history. The deal was struck in 199, worth $ 81 billion. The deal required major restructuring, leading to the sell-off of more than 2400 stations of the companies that merged. The company is still present and known as Exxon Mobil Corp.

• H. J. Heinz and Kraft Foods This $100 billion merger was aimed to create a U.S. food giant and 5th largest drink company in the world. The deal was announced in 2015, and brought major food brands such as Heinz ketchup, Capri Sun, Philadelphia, and HP sauce under one roof, estimating the revenue of the newly formed conglomerate at around $28 billion.

• Dow Chemical and DuPont This deal was made to create highly focused and oriented businesses in the field of agriculture, material science, and specialty products. The mega-deal was completed in 2017, worth $130 billion. The companies that merged, now known as DOW DuPont Inc., the merger was expected to bring increased revenue from cost and growth synergies expected around $ 4 billion.

Team up or Turn down?

Not many companies can strike a deal that not only benefits the two but also brings much more than just pooled resources and shared vision to the table, and that is one of the factors behind why mergers fail. Thus, companies that wish to merge should always know why they want to do the same, and how a merger can bring something that they alone cannot attain. M&A is not about combining two companies, two visions, two opposites but it is about letting go of the old ways and finding a common singularity, a single vision, to set eyes for!

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Biggest Merger Companies of All Times www.theenterpriseworld.com 51