Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Tanya Heath
Born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario, Tanya Heath has always been an innovator. After completing a BA and MA in international relations from the University of Toronto and Carlton University, Heath moved to France with her husband in 1996, where she studied business, specializing in strategy and new technologies.
A fashion-forward woman on-the-go, Tanya spent 15 years working in private equity, innovative high technology, and even in academia as a professor of innovation in Paris. Through the years, she struggled to find a shoe that was versatile enough for her busy lifestyle; she needed a shoe that was fashionable enough for work, yet comfortable enough to walk her children to school. After unsuccessfully seeking a pair of shoes that could reconcile comfort with style, Tanya decided to take her heels into her own hands.
In 2009, Tanya began working on her first pair of shoes. With the help of 14 engineers and shoe technicians plus several designers and master boot makers, she created a shoe and heel system that was both stylish and comfortable.
In 2013, Tanya launched TANYA HEATH Paris, the world’s first adjustable height shoe with removable heels. As a tribute to the individuals who gave their time, expertise, and creativity to make Heath’s dream shoe a reality, all of the heels have men’s names while all the shoes have women’s names.
Interview of Michelle Phan
Let the video speaks about how Michelle success in her path to become an entrepreneur. Video speaks better than words. Let's us have a look.
Michelle Phan - Inspiring story of her
Michelle Phan a successful entrepreneur in make-up line. She is well-known through her uploaded make-up tutorial videos that gone viral in YouTube. Michelle is a co-founder of IPSY, owner of make-up line ‘em by Michelle Phan’ together with L’Oréal, partner of Endemol Beyond USA to build a talent network that will feature people from YouTube and create content for millennials, partner of Cutting Edge Group (CEG) to launch Shift Music Group. She had also launched a book together with Random House in October 2014.
Michelle make-up tutorial videos are going viral and leaded her into this successful path.
Every successful story will have it's own story behind it. Let's have a look on Michelle's story.
Michelle do have a very inspiring story, she always strive hard to achieve what she want to be.
Monday, December 14, 2015
Jack Ma Quotes
The lessons I learned from the dark days at Alibaba are that you've got to make your team have value, innovation, and vision. Also, if you don't give up, you still have a chance. And, when you are small, you have to be very focused and rely on your brain, not your strength.
Sunday, December 13, 2015
8 Keys to Success from Jack Ma, Self-Made Bilionaire and CEO of Alibaba
It takes a rare person to accumulate a total net worth over $20 billion through a devoted work ethic while maintaining a sense of perspective. Jack Ma is one of those people. The founder and CEO of Alibaba, one of the world’s leading e-commerce web portals, is one of the world’s richest men, but he has not let success cloud his vision for the future or his acknowledgement of where he came from. Jack Ma’s keys to success are true and inspiring for everyone from aspiring billionaires to owners of the smallest businesses.
1. He Values Attitude
When Jack Ma talks about the biggest mistake he ever made he describes how when he founded Alibaba he told his team that the highest level they could achieve would be that of managers, and that executives should be hired from the outside. Ma has learned his lesson and now stresses the importance of attitude and passion over theoretical skills.2. He Unites People under a Single Goal
Ma understands that no matter how hard you try you will never be able to convince every single employee, business partner, and potential investor to trust you or believe what you say. Accepting that and changing your approach is another key to his massive success. Rather than uniting his company under the vision of one person, he unites them under a common goal. The vision is more important than the leader.3. He has Foresight
Jack Ma believes that a good leader should have foresight. He should try to stay one step ahead of the competition and anticipate how decisions will play out ahead of other people. Taking time to develop creative thinking skills and following informed intuition is a hallmark of any great business leader.4. He Hires People with Superior Skills
When asked what separates a leader from an employee Ma has gone on record saying “Your employee should have superior technical skills than you. If he doesn’t, it means you have hired the wrong person.” Focusing on the skills of employees and hiring people with the know how to carry out your vision is an important pillar of any great company.5. He is Tenacious
In addition to foresight Ma says leaders should be tenacious and have a clear vision. Knowing what you want to achieve and having the drive to chase it down will not only put you on the path to success, it will inspire those around you to work hard for that common goal. Taking pride in your work and not taking no for an answer are keys to Ma’s business philosophy.6. He Defines Failure as Giving Up
According to Ma, “giving up is the greatest failure.” If you go out, try your best and fail to achieve your goal but see it through to the end you are a success. Like all great leaders, Ma recognizes that a person is able to learn the most from obstacles and hardships. They key to success is persevering and learning from your mistakes.7. He Loves Life
“I always tell myself that we are born here not to work, but to enjoy life. We are here to make things better for one another, and not to work. If you are spending your whole life working, you will certainly regret it.” This sentiment lies at the heart of Jack Ma’s lifestyle. Life is for experiencing the world and helping out other people. If money is your goal, you have to change your mindset.8. He Doesn’t Make Enemies
One the most unique aspects of Jack Ma’s business philosophy is the idea of friendly competition. Ma does not see his competitors as his enemies, rather they are friends whom he can learn from and who challenge him to achieve his full potential.It is clear that Jack Ma’s philosophy is built for success in a rapidly developing world. We can all learn a thing or two from this self-made billionaire.
Saturday, December 12, 2015
Are You 'Intelligent' Enough to Be an Entrepreneur?
Many people feel that they just aren’t smart enough to be an entrepreneur, yet there seems to be no convincing evidence that a high IQ is a prerequisite for this lifestyle. We all know of successful businesses started by first-time entrepreneurs who dropped out of school, and according to many sources, “street smarts” (experience) tends to trump “book smarts” (intelligence) every time.
Another perspective is that there are in fact multiple types of intelligence, and we all have strengths and weaknesses along all of these scales. It does appear that most successful entrepreneurs are those with the broadest range of interests, skills and experiences (street smarts), while a maximum depth in any given discipline is not so important.
Here are basic definitions for the eight most commonly recognized intelligences that cover the potential of most humans, prioritized by my view of applicability to the entrepreneurial role:
1. Word-smarts (linguistic intelligence)
People with a high linguistic intelligence display a high facility for word usage and languages. They are typically good at communicating ideas, reading, writing and telling stories. Good entrepreneurs need these skills to lead a team, sell ideas to customers and investors and write business plans.
2. People-smarts (interpersonal intelligence)
These attributes are the embodiment of social skills. Entrepreneurs with high social skills interact more effectively with all their constituents. They are able to sense the feelings, motivations and temperaments of others, to enlist their support and negotiate effectively. They love working with people.
3. Self-smarts (intra-personal intelligence)
Intra-personal intelligence is the capacity to understand your own strengths, weaknesses and motivations, and to capitalize on these insights in planning and strategy. Good entrepreneurs must be able to surround themselves with advisors and partners who complement their skills to find satisfaction and happiness.
4. Number-smarts (logical-reasoning intelligence)
Logical-mathematical intelligence is the ability to calculate, quantify and think logically. Entrepreneurs use strengths in this area to balance their passion for a specific solution and to develop the specific steps and financial resources required for building, rolling out and scaling the business to success.
5. Nature-smarts (naturalist intelligence)
This sort of environmental and cultural insight is deeply rooted in a sensitive, ethical and holistic understanding of the world and its complexities. I believe that good entrepreneurs use this to see new markets first, predict world trends and devise effective marketing campaigns and demographics for focus.
6. Picture-smarts (spatial intelligence)
Spatial intelligence is the ability to think in three dimensions and the ability to visualize with the mind's eye. Core capacities include mental imagery, spatial reasoning and an active imagination. It’s easy to see how this is important for entrepreneurs in marketing, solution design and product branding.
7. Body-smarts (kinesthetic intelligence)
This intelligence involves a sense of timing and the perfection of skills through mind-body coordination. Business entrepreneurs who are also good at invention and building innovative new products are especially strong in this area. Strengths here also lead to leadership presence and public-speaking prowess.
8. Music-smarts (musical intelligence)
Musical intelligence is the capacity to discern pitch, rhythm, timbre and tone. In addition to being key to any business directly or indirectly related to music, this skill help entrepreneurs to be better listeners, orchestrate events and develop marketing programs. Music-smart people also tend to be logical.
In addition to looking at intelligence, every aspiring entrepreneur needs to look at mindset. The mindset that works best is one that sees challenges as exciting rather than threatening, setbacks as learning opportunities and a conviction that effort and perseverance will overcome any obstacle.
If you have that mindset and even a few strengths among the multiple intelligences described above, don’t let anyone, including yourself, tell you that you aren’t smart enough to be an entrepreneur.
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Entrepreneurs Don't Follow Trends -- They Create Them. by Amy Cosper
I never did anything worth doing by accident, nor did any of my inventions come by accident; they came by work. —Plato
There are people and there are trends. Behind both? Thought. And the reinvention of thought. Trends and people can never be separated. The people part represents the soul -- the heartbeat.
What are trends? That’s the thing: They are created by humans rethinking the known ways of doing things. People are the force behind new ideas.
And one thing we’ve learned here is that behind invention is humanity. There’s math and there’s something more: people and thought and passion -- and the fire in the belly that lights the two.
Yes, we have trends and the things that will define our future economy, but almost always, without fail, people define the trends. And the trends define the future. You, as entrepreneurs, are the future. The two are inextricably connected. Trends without the intellect are just numbers.
When Edison created the first commercially viable light bulb, it was unheard of. It was unexpected and very much a new way of thinking. It was novel. And so, too, are the stories of Jack Dorsey, Kathleen Kennedy, Satya Nadella, Ellen Pao, Richard Plepler, Meg Whitman and, yes, Taylor Swift. They are the intellectual capital who will define future opportunities.
And there are surfers. Surfers who, well, surf -- and make fashionable hoodies. And do so with aplomb.
Putting a surfer on our cover was not an easy choice. Because since when do surfers embody the spirit of entrepreneurship? Since they started making clothes, and realizing new ways of experiencing life. Just like Kelly Slater, whose company represents one of our trends of 2016 -- apparel brands making sustainable fashion.
This issue celebrates both people and trends -- and the opportunities they create. We love looking at the choreography of new ways of thinking, but also at the unexplained magic of the intellect behind it.
We’ve never had a surfer on the cover before, but we’re proud we do this month because he captures the spirit of adventure and entrepreneurship. Just like you.
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