Month: February 2021

Wellness — 2020 was an incredibly challenging year with repercussions on mental health, as well as economical consequences. This has led to a heightened focus on wellness and now more than ever, people are researching wellness-related experiences and “mindful travel”.

The majority of travelers are still lacking the confidence to book indoor or direct therapy treatments and are instead seeking opportunities to recharge through alternative amenities offered by hotels. On-property wellness offerings that connect guests with nature in a socially-distanced way, such as open-air yoga or sound baths, are faring better and this trend is likely to continue. Overall — an outdoor and healthier lifestyle is on the rise and people are looking for travel locations that will allow them to do more of this.

As part of my series about “developments in the travel industry over the next five years”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Ronald Ndoro Mind, CEO and founder of WorkMango.com, an exclusive relocation and remote working membership platform for people seeking a work-life balance in premier Caribbean locations. Ronald has always been a global citizen, now working on projects across 4 continents. He is a UCL and College of Law graduate who over the past 20 years has built an impressive resume of tech start-up, membership subscription models, venue operation, event management, entrepreneurial expertise and enterprise. Since March 2020, Ronald is now based in Antigua & Barbuda where he is currently working on an initiative to drive more traffic onto the small Caribbean island through the recently launched WorkMango.com.

Thank you so much for joining us! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

WorkMango.com was conceived in May and launched in October during the global pandemic of 2020 on the realisation that many people would now have to work from home going forward. This smart concierge platform connects people and facilitates remote working arrangements in Antigua and Barbuda and Barbados, and is changing the way people work by offering a VIP experience to relocate stress-free. The WorkMango community is a small group of people looking to thrive in a world beleaguered by existential challenges, interested in finding ways to more than exist.

I moved to the Island of Antigua and Barbuda to live in March 2020. It was this move that prompted me to come up with WorkMango.com to help facilitate anyone with an interest in relocating and working remotely. It was through my other work commitments in London, New York and Africa that it became obvious and apparent that living in Antigua and Barbuda or Barbados while working in another city is more than possible. It was this very process of working in paradise that led to the realisation that many other people could benefit from such a transition. I have a much better work-life balance since moving to Antigua and Barbuda. It feels like something worth sharing.

Another influence is that during the pandemic, many Western citizens had access to stimulus packages of one kind or another — the US and many European countries offer welfare to help support their citizens. In places like Antigua or Barbados, the reserves and opportunities are minimal and a majority of the population is reliant on tourism. So as a result, WorkMango assists by driving more traffic to these islands to help sustain their economies.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?

The most interesting thing about my career is how I have sought to create businesses with purpose. What do I mean by that? I mean, everything I have done, the intent has always been to re-invent, rewrite or reposition the way things are done and in the process I have worked hard at being innovative, diverse and inclusive. As a result I have traveled all over the world, been in some very interesting boardrooms, met with world leaders, influential personalities and celebrities — all the while trying to find ways to learn, assist or improve whatever the project.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

Now this is a hard one… I’ve made lots of mistakes and learnt a lot too but not sure how funny the mistakes were at the time or even now!

The 5 biggest lessons however have been growing to understand that 1) Being right is not more important than being able to move forward 2) You can’t do it all alone — so your team and how you treat them is everything 3) If you have partners — understand that it’s a relationship with all the ups and downs, the key is to ensure that your life maps and journeys are aligned — then you can work through most issues 4) Cash-flow is “king” in any business — it allows you the freedom and flexibility to manoeuvre in what is literally a competitive jungle out there, where only the fit survive and 5) Consistency in quality and of delivery will win the day over flashes of individual brilliance.

Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”? Can you share a story about that?

Well this one is easy — it’s all about finding balance, learning to delegate and fully understanding that the world is not going to stop spinning if you take time out for yourself. Balancing work and personal life can sometimes be difficult, but it is crucial for your wellbeing. Everything in life, in order to sustain itself, requires nourishment and that comes in many forms. The mind, the body and the soul all need constant maintenance and feeding for them to keep developing and remain healthy. Too often people under nourish one part while perhaps over nourishing another — which throws them out of sorts.

We all need to find a middle ground and have some boundaries to avoid burnout or a missed opportunity. Everyone should basically, “work to live” meaning you work so that you can allow yourself to enjoy other things in life, aside from your job. I am lucky in that for the majority of my working life, I have worked for myself which has meant that I am able to decide when I do or do not work…

A few years ago before the pandemic, I created rules to manage my work-life balance for example; I never worked on Wednesdays, which made my week seem much shorter, I had meetings on Tuesdays and Thursdays but not Mondays and Fridays which allowed me to make time for things like working out. And wherever possible, I would work remotely — in a different setting or in a different country when possible which allowed me to get work done but also to learn and experience new things.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?

Well, as an entrepreneur, often before you can get institutional funding — you need to have proof of concept and a business that has developed beyond the idea phase. Often that means months and sometimes years of no income or sacrifices of working multiple jobs at the same time. Ever since starting out — I have had support from my family, they have been there all the way and were my first investors when I needed my first backing. Even now, they continue to be my foundation. I would not be here without them and I could not be any more grateful than I am for their patience, assistance and support.

Thank you for that. Let’s jump to the core of our discussion. Can you share with our readers about the innovations that you are bringing to the travel and hospitality industries?

Historically, the travel market has largely been people on holiday or people permanently relocating. So either short stays of up to a month or much longer stays of over a year. There is a recent trend of mid-term stays of say 3–6 months and I have positioned WorkMango to focus on this new and currently underserved market. Platforms such as AirBnB typically cater for the short term stay but not the mid-term as it is often too expensive for a longer duration. There are many benefits to relocating for 3–6months that all feed into a better work-life balance and choice. In order to facilitate this we are working with property owners and resorts to come up with mid — term pricing which will naturally fall in-between short stays and long stays. In addition to this our focus is to get people to form communities when they travel so they can network and not feel so isolated or alone.

Which “pain point” are you trying to address by introducing this innovation?

As a result of the pandemic more and more people are now able to work from home or remotely going forward. However, doing that in what is typically a small city apartment during a cold and miserable winter is less than ideal. There are places around the world that are able to offer remote working possibilities, provide better accommodation and better weather at a fraction of the cost of remaining in the city.

How do you envision that this might disrupt the status quo?

The disruption is already happening, both Antigua and Barbuda and Barbados, along with others have introduced mid-term stay visa options to encourage digital nomads and this has seen tremendous pick up from across the globe. The disruption is already here — it’s all about facilitating it at this stage. The “work from home” or rather the “work from anywhere” revolution is gathering pace and it is only a matter of time before it is the new norm.

As you know, COVID19 changed the world as we know it. Can you share 5 examples of how travel and hospitality companies will be adjusting over the next five years to the new ways that consumers will prefer to travel?

1. Wellness

2020 was an incredibly challenging year with repercussions on mental health, as well as economical consequences. This has led to a heightened focus on wellness and now more than ever, people are researching wellness-related experiences and “mindful travel”.

The majority of travelers are still lacking the confidence to book indoor or direct therapy treatments and are instead seeking opportunities to recharge through alternative amenities offered by hotels. On-property wellness offerings that connect guests with nature in a socially-distanced way, such as open-air yoga or sound baths, are faring better and this trend is likely to continue. Overall — an outdoor and healthier lifestyle is on the rise and people are looking for travel locations that will allow them to do more of this.

2. Socially conscious, cause-driven content

As general brand loyalty is dropping across consumers, it is becoming more apparent that audiences are more loyal to and driven to engage more with brands that value social impact. This is especially true among millennials, a demographic that is predicted to be the one to travel most in 2021. Of this demographic, 75% expect brands to take a stance on the social issues that matter most to them. Brands that can speak about these issues authentically — and help guests make a difference — will have an advantage. It is important to note that sustainability and environmentalism are also key.

3. Brand personification

People want to relate to brands in a more personal, human way. The more authentic and real a brand — the better. Boutiques have seen an increase in traveler interest as they tend to feel more personal, tangible and relatable rather than remote and distant.

4. Celebration-centric travel

Following the postponement of life events and seasonal traditions, people are eager to celebrate those milestones missed in 2020. Travelers are looking to plan birthday getaways, anniversary trips, wedding celebrations, honeymoons, family reunions and religious observations. Those plans are already underway, with travelers turning to social media for ideas.

Consumers are prepared to spend more on travel insurance and upgrading other elements of their holiday to ensure they can travel safely during the pandemic, according to new research. Those with underlying health issues are willing to spend even more to ensure they have as safe a trip as possible. There is likely significant “pent-up demand” for traveling again among the older generations as soon as they feel it’s safe, they’ll want to go.

Another trend is the emergence of large, multigenerational group bookings to make up for all the missed family time with our broader families and that will feed into upcoming travel decisions.

5. Gaming

Gaming is set to emerge as the next dominant technology platform — much the way search engines, mobile phones and social networks redefined industries in previous decades, the Wall Street Journal reported in October 2020.

Gamification in tourism is not a new concept and many brands have already explored the technology as a way to promote their destinations / brands in a new way. Such as ‘gamified tour guides’ — city tourism boards investing in mobile gaming apps which act as both scavenger hunts and informative guides, allowing visitors to explore lesser known sights and compete with other gamers to maintain engagement.

You are a “travel insider”. How would you describe your “perfect vacation experience”?

Simple… Off grid — no tv, no phones — great weather — sun, sea and sand, great food, drinks and a few good books to pass the time.

Can you share with our readers how have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?

I co-founded Ndoro Children’s Charities in 2009 an organisation working with orphans in Africa and also co-founded Ibex Earth in 2008 an organisation committed to bio-diversity and sustainability. Both of these sustainable development goals have been at the heart of everything that I have done and will continue to do. I believe that if more people and more businesses were designed to give back more than they take out, the world would be a more just place… I am still on this journey so only time will tell how much impact or success my career will have, so watch this space…

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂

I love this question! It has always frustrated me how each year festivals such as Glastonbury and Burning Man spend over $40 million setting up only to dismantle again. Imagine, as a solution, identifying remote areas in the world desperately in need of development. You set up and host a festival with people from all over the world coming to support and frolic, but instead of dismantling it — you set up modular systems and accommodation with solar, water, sewage, wifi etc. Everything we demand — they should have too — because why shouldn’t they? When the festival and fun is over, you leave it for the local community to use. That simple!

And year on year — you move to a new part of the world in need of infrastructure development. In addition, partner up with both local and international organisations to run a legacy programme after the event, there would be tourism for the local community plus employment opportunities. This is something I’d love to do — but if anyone can do it sooner and better — then I’ll be the first in line to buy a ticket!

Imagine building an actual modern village each year while having fun in places most in need of development!

How can our readers follow you on social media?

On instagram @work_mango

This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!

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Ronald Ndoro Mind of WorkMango: The Future Of Travel In The Post COVID World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Cleanliness of aircraft — Most airlines have invested deeply already into new technology with automated spraying machinery onboard as well as changing surfaces to anti-microbial parts that deflect germs and so on, such as on arm rests tray tables and regularly used areas including bathroom seats and surfaces. This WILL remain ongoing.

As part of our series about “The Future Of Air Travel”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Fran Hume.

Fran Hume has enjoyed a career from 3 different industries, the Technology Sector, Food Manufacturing and more recently Aviation. Fran enjoys working with startup companies, and has been involved in 3, including her own start up children’s food company over 10 years ago. “You do not have to be an industry expert to be successful. Having passion, enthusiasm and the ability to form business relationships is key to all businesses, and you must love what you do. I have been a CEO of my own business, but I am a salesperson every day”! …. Quoted by Fran Hume.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

My husband has been in aviation all his life. I always found it fascinating, as he was largely in Engineering. I had a tour of a 747–400 which was in service once, with no interior panels, and the interior was being completely upgraded. It was absolutely fascinating the miles and miles of cabling etc, that are hidden behind the walls of the cabin. I also had the pleasure of having a tour on the empty aircraft, and in the good old days, flew in the cockpit of a 747 400 from New Zealand to LAX for 4 hours, including landing. It was an incredible experience. I was hooked!

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?

I worked with a major airline on an interior seating upgrade from start to finish. It was the first time I had been involved in an entire fleet change. The general public most likely do not understand the complexity of simply changing seat covers and the seat bottoms. There are many departments in an airline that makes this happen from Engineering, who need to ensure that the new covers and cushions are compliant (for fire or flotation) with the FAA, through to marketing who are obviously responsible for the design, corporate colors, and positioning of logos etc, and being involved in the comfort level for the customer. Then there is a manufacturing process and having to change schedules to ensure the aircraft is on the ground at a particular time to remove old covers and cushions, then replace the new ones. A large team is often required as this process can take hours — depending on the size of each aircraft. Often it is a particular fleet at a time. An entire seat cover change project can take anywhere from 6–18 months… that’s how complex it can be. After working in interiors for years now, I feel the general public, certainly do not understand fully the work processes that go on, simply to change a seat cover, or redesign an interior of any aircraft.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

Following an order for my first aircraft interior I was invited to visit the aircraft on the ground at the airport, it was after midnight when the aircraft was parked. As I hadn’t met these particular people before, I decided to wear a skirt suit and heels. I was expecting a gate ramp to walk onto the aircraft.

We had to walk across to the aircraft at the gate, and up metal steps… Horrified, I did my best, but my shoe heel got wedged in the metal stair half-way up, and while trying to release it, my skirt blew up in the wind and showed everyone behind me a view of my underwear! My lesson was, wear trousers and flat shoes when visiting aircraft!

Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”? Can you share a story about that?

When I joined aviation from a technology background, I knew little about the aviation industry. I consider myself a salesperson, and my motto has always been, be HONEST! If I didn’t know the answer to a question, I always suggested I would find the correct answer or solution and get back to people with the correct answer. The industry can be very complex. You are respected more when you say you don’t know, or you can’t, rather than saying you do and you can, and you find you are wrong. In aviation, it is often time critical, I would never take an order I could not fulfill, or make a statement I knew was wrong.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?

My husband of course. He has been in the industry over 35 years. He is my “daily dictionary” or “Information Center” for things I don’t know or want to check. I go to him all the time with technical questions or to find answers I need. He has been my information rock and has shown me many things, such as how to fit seat covers, where certain parts fit on an aircraft, and he has always been an interior and wide-bodied expert, so his knowledge covers literally every part of an aircraft big or small. He fully supported my career change, and I can’t thank him enough for sharing his knowledge.

Can you share with our readers how have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?

I wouldn’t say I affect the world however; I have encouraged many people to enter aviation, have recommended people for jobs, and encouraged my friends son to get himself an A&P license as he loved taking things apart and had never considered aviation. My husband helps him too. Last year he entered an A&P School, and with the pandemic, he was allowed to carry on online, so it worked out well for him. Now of course, we can recommend him to people we know as an excellent student, so we certainly played a part in kicking off his career. He LOVES it. Years ago, I started a children’s healthy food company, I was successful nationally, and created a recipe for healthy children’s sausages. The concept made its way to England and our company at the time came 2nd place for innovation in children’s food and packaging at an international food show in Paris. I have always had a personal interest in food concepts, especially for children.

Thank you for that. Let’s jump to the core of our discussion. Can you share with our readers about the innovations that you are bringing to the Aviation and Air Travel industries?

I started a small business during COVID-19, which produced PPE Seat Covers for aircraft and transportation. I have passed this onto a friend to manage this now, as I was offered the opportunity to manage the USA office for Egret Aviation and set up their USA operation in Dallas. Egret Aviation are the No2 supplier for galley equipment globally. Egret manufacture galley equipment such as meal carts and products for aircraft galleys etc. The airlines use all these products daily and there is always a need for them. Egret have designed very lightweight products as airlines always consider weight for fuel savings. In addition, I have implemented a new initiative, and have put in place a lease initiative given the cash crisis many airlines have faced during COVID. Egret Aviation are the first company to do this for galley equipment, and we are just getting started. I am very excited about our future.

Which “pain point” are you trying to address by introducing these innovations?

Cash flow for many airlines who lost billions of dollars during the crisis. We want airlines to know, they can still have access to the products they need, and get them immediately without having to spend ANY money as they enter our lease program. We also stock in USA, unlike some of our competitors.

How do you envision that this might disrupt the status quo?

I know for a fact, from customer feedback, a number of our competitors struggle to get equipment to customers within 3–6 months, unless ordered well in advance. Others cannot produce spare parts on time for repairs either. Egret’s lease program also includes a service contract where we will SWAP a damaged piece of equipment, so there will be no waiting for repairs either. Our focus is on ensuring our customers always have the equipment they need with a CAPEX reducing option, and a 145 Repair Station in USA with our partner Aereos Interior Solutions with locations in Dallas and Miami for this service.

Are there exciting new technologies that are coming out in the next few years that will improve the Air Travel experience? We’d love to learn about what you have heard.

Innovations in this industry are constant. Especially interiors where airlines focus on customer needs and comfort, especially for long haul. Some airlines are considering onboard mini kiosks where customers can purchase snacks on board, and can help themselves, from mini vending machines. I haven’t seen one on board, however, I have noted the concept. Other suppliers to airlines are also designing a barrier between seats since COVID. Personally, I don’t like this idea, first it becomes less personal, and may reduce the width of the seat space for larger people. My thoughts are, perhaps these screens may also be detrimental to exiting the aircraft in an emergency situation? That comment is just my own opinion.

As you know, the Pandemic changed the world as we know it. For the benefit of our readers, can you help spell out a few examples of how the Pandemic has specifically impacted Air Travel?

Quite frankly, I think fear. Unfortunately, many journalists write articles before checking facts. I think the media both in print and TV have instilled many people with fear that travel is something you should NOT do. Some media outlets have made people panic. It has taken a while, however, many travelers are starting to understand how much money airlines have invested in safety and cleaning measures, and are starting to return to the skies. It is important to get the correct information to people, on how safe traveling on aircraft actually is. There are HEPA filters onboard which change the airflow every 2–3 minutes, and these filters are designed specifically to reduce and expel germs, including COVID, and keep the air clean and comfortable for all. In addition, the airline industry as a whole have engineered new coverings and anti-microbial surfaces on seat parts to reduce germs. Most airlines also deep clean aircraft interiors daily. There is more chance of contracting COVID at the supermarket. Whilst this is my own opinion, I am not an expert in this field, but I am very aware of the investment the airlines have made to ensure safety on board. I also travel weekly and have continued right through the pandemic with no issues or illness what-so-ever.

Can you share five examples of how the Air Travel experience might change over the next few years to address the new realities brought by the Pandemic? If you can, please give an example for each.

I will rate these in importance:

Cleanliness of aircraft –

Most airlines have invested deeply already into new technology with automated spraying machinery onboard as well as changing surfaces to anti-microbial parts that deflect germs and so on, such as on arm rests tray tables and regularly used areas including bathroom seats and surfaces. This WILL remain ongoing.

New Seat Configurations

Some airlines are still keeping the middle seat empty, to make sure their customers feel safer. Many designers are already changing interior concepts for the same reason. I believe you will see new seat developments (I have seen some) that are quite amazing. Airlines want to ensure their customers feel comfortable and safe, as well as it being a pleasant environment for customers who travel regularly and on long haul.

Catering Changes

Many airlines are not supplying meals on board currently. I mentioned earlier about onboard catering kiosks, you may see this adopted in the near future. A number of airlines already hand drinks and snacks as you enter, which is ok for now, but certainly not as glamorous as serving at the seat. I have ideas myself how this could be changed.

Replaceable Parts / High Use Areas

I believe airlines may look towards providing re-useable and disposable items as we move into future travel. I believe he airlines are so heavily invested in their clean programs now, it will always continue. There are many concepts for these, and new ideas are coming out constantly. I think disposable will be the way to go eventually. Although it needs to be thought about more, because of the waste it can create and the need to be recyclable or bio degradable. This will be an ongoing conversation for many.

Our Own Concept

My husband and I have come up with an idea which we are having designed at the moment. I believe it would solve two issues one for the airline and keeping passengers safety in mind at the same time with COVID. We can talk again when we have a prototype.

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement, that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂

I have also had, and still have; a strong interest in food and nutrition for kids, in fact in New Zealand pre-USA I started a healthy food company, specifically for kids, as I mentioned earlier. It started with readymade healthy children’s meals for schools and eventually went into retail stores. It was a success and eventually we sold it and came to USA. My son is a golfer and earned a golf scholarship to college, hence the international move.

After living in USA for the last few years, I have noticed there is a lot of food waste. Having the ability to use up food that is slightly damaged, over produced or just simply thrown away for other means, such as for the homeless, school meals and lower income families would be an amazing concept, and something I would love to get involved in again, outside of what I already do. Such a concept would also create jobs, as I would want it to be a national initiative. As an example, I would use the same set up I had in NZ, whereby I partnered with a food manufacturer, and a distribution company. Itg would need to have a central point (like Texas where I am located), and request for donations from farmers and producers / growers / retailers etc, that would otherwise throw away their products / produce. These could be slightly spoiled vegetables or leftover meat cuts etc. I would create a simply recipe using the meat and vegetables, and puree’ them to a point it would be put into a simple sealed pouch, (becoming an ambient food option). I guess like a chunky soup. It could be eaten cold for people in negative situations such as being on the street, although still a hearty meal and certainly nutritious. The pouch would keep it fresh for few weeks given new technology, and it could be handed to people in need, literally on the streets, food banks and schools, and they could eat directly from the pouch. In fact, it could also become a concept that could be considered at another level to be used on an aircraft and warmed slightly or eaten as is. It would certainly bring down the possibility of germ transfer, as there would be less handling required. To get such a venture (and a worthwhile venture off the ground), it would take a lot of capital…. I would need a partner with very deep pockets who would want to put it to good use as a charity venture.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

I typically don’t use social media such as Facebook although I have thought about an Instagram page, maybe I should do that? In fact, I will set that up. I do use LinkedIn as my professional page, and I have many connections and people read my posts, which is nice and encouraging. On LinkedIn, I am — Frances (Fran) Hume.

This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!

You are welcome, I enjoyed reflecting on what I do and why….

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Fran Hume of Egret Aviation: The Future Of Air Travel In The Post Pandemic World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

…A transition to touchless everything. The points of transaction or physical contact, like turning on a bathroom faucet, will all be sensor-based. Activities like bag-drop will be conducted via your smart phone and a self-serve drop off.

As part of my series about “developments in the travel industry over the next five years”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Sharron van der Meulen

As Managing Partner of ZGF’s Portland office, Sharron van der Meulen provides thoughtful and inspiring design leadership, while guiding marketing and interior design for a diverse portfolio of projects including corporate workplaces, law offices, civic and federal institutions, higher education, healthcare, and aviation. Sharron works closely with her clients to articulate their aspirations and develop the program; employing a human-centric design approach to align a project’s vision and goals with the wants and needs of multiple user groups.

Thank you so much for joining us! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

I was one of those kids that was creative but didn’t know exactly how to equate that to a career path. It began with a love of the art and history and evolved naturally into the study of architecture and design. What kept me interested and intrigued all these years is just how important the role of the built environment is in building community, innovation and creating the best outcomes for people, no matter the market sector.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?

In 1999, Turkey experienced a devastating earthquake in Izmit, outside of Istanbul, that killed over 17,000 people, mostly due to collapsing structures. I was working on a project in Turkey and arrived several weeks after the earthquake. One afternoon, while in the client’s office, the entire building started shaking back and forth. People ushered us outside into the middle of street, where I saw people jumping from the second floor to escape the potential collapse of buildings. That experience gave me a new appreciation for the rigorous life safety standards we have in the United States.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

One of my first projects was an history museum and I was working with Bob Frasca, one of ZGF’s founding partners and my mentor for many years. Bob informed me that I would be making the presentation to the museum director. Without much knowledge of how to present to a board or how to prepare, I launched into a high speed, high octane presentation. It must have been dizzying because the director stopped me mid-stream and asked me in the most polite, formal manner, if I could slow it down so he could try and keep up. Believe me, he had no issues in keeping up. He was a brilliant historian with a laser-quick mind, but he was teaching me a lesson about how to draw out a story and invite the audience on the journey.

Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”? Can you share a story about that?

It’s all about teamwork. You know that saying, “many hands make light work.” Having a unified team, where everyone has a part in meeting deadlines is important to spreading the load and creating balance. When I started out, drawings were done on mylar with ink or pencil and we had an unspoken rule that at the end of the day if there were people still working, no one would leave unless they asked if they could help in any way. Seriously! Today it’s still a good approach to take. Teams become stronger and frankly it’s more satisfying when people share the responsibility.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?

I’ve been lucky enough to have many mentors, but there is someone that has been a mentor from the very beginning: Bob Packard. Bob was the managing partner of ZGF’s Portland Office for most of my career, and then last year I took on the managing partner role. There are too many stories to list just one, but I can say that Bob teaches everyone to look at the world differently; not to come to conclusions too quickly; and to always seek out more information, be curious and do your research.

Can you share with our readers how have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?

Today I’m focused on others. Building a stronger ZGF for the future with more talent, more innovation and more diversity. I am especially focused on supporting women in more leadership roles across the firm.

Thank you for that. Let’s jump to the core of our discussion. Can you share with our readers about the innovations that you are bringing to the Aviation and Air Travel industries?

Flexibility is a word that is thrown around a lot when you talk about airport design. The one thing that is constant about airports is that they must change over time. As designers, we are focused on looking at every component as a “now and in the future” scenario.

Take the ticket lobby, for example. One of the big questions we are considering is whether we still need a ticket lobby if there are no physical tickets. In the future this space may become a baggage drop-off that doesn’t require personal interaction. In fact, the baggage drop-off may happen offsite entirely, when you leave your home or at your immediate point of arrival at the airport.

Our approach to this space today is to address current needs and ways of travel but build in flexibility to accommodate the inevitable changes of the future.

Which “pain point” are you trying to address by introducing these innovations?

This might seem obvious, but the pain point is change. Change is hard, especially in a setting like an airport that can already be a high-stress environment. We are working to acknowledge and embrace the natural evolution, or change, of technology and how people will eventually travel in the future.

How do you envision that this might disrupt the status quo?

It could manifest is several ways. The disappearance of the ticket lobby as we know it today as I referenced above. We are thinking about retail hubs inside airports as inherently flexible spaces that can be converted to support different brands and experiences with relative ease. In the future, maybe retail spaces are less about picking up a good that you then must take with you but selecting a good that is sent to your destination, or back to your home. Retail becomes more immersive and experienced based.

Are there exciting new technologies that are coming out in the next few years that will improve the Air Travel experience? We’d love to learn about what you have heard.

There are a couple of things that I’m excited about. One that is happening now is IoT, or the Internet of Things. This essentially allows internet connectivity across the airport and with the different stakeholders — airlines, TSA, etc. — that allows you as a passenger to both receive and send data about your preferences. This could make your travel more seamless and catered to your preferences throughout your entire experience.

I’m also excited about the possibilities of short distance passenger drone travel. Imagine being in a non-piloted flight, beating the traffic and landing at an intermodal hub, and then continuing on with your flight.

As you know, the Pandemic changed the world as we know it. For the benefit of our readers, can you help spell out a few examples of how the Pandemic has specifically impacted Air Travel?

Passenger well-being has been brought to the forefront. Both airports and airlines have been required to demonstrate to passengers the efforts to make the journey safe, from arrival and security to sitting on the plane. They’ve had to build and earn trust in an entirely new way. Approaches like leaving the middle seat empty are unprecedented moves by airlines but critical to signaling to passengers that their safety is top of mind.

Business travel has been significantly impacted. We’ve seen this within our own firm with colleagues that used to be on a plane several times a week and are now having the same meeting over Teams and Zoom while realizing all the other benefits of less travel. While I have no doubt air travel will come back, I think the ramp up of business travel will be much slower as companies have proven their work can be just as effective virtually with less overall costs.

Can you share five examples of how the Air Travel experience might change over the next few years to address the new realities brought by the Pandemic? If you can, please give an example for each.

1. A transition to touchless everything. The points of transaction or physical contact, like turning on a bathroom faucet, will all be sensor-based. Activities like bag-drop will be conducted via your smart phone and a self-serve drop off.
2. Biometric security screening will become the norm. This transition was underway before the pandemic but will further accelerate the need to no longer hand over your passport or ticket. This is will also speed up security screening.Airport design will emphasize healthy materials and nature-based strategies, or biophilic design. This includes things like more plants and using materials like wood. There is well-documented research that shows the real impact on how people react to their surroundings, pulse rates slow and anxiety recedes. These strategies contribute to mitigating their overall stress and feelings of wellbeing.
3. This might seem obvious, but airports will be better prepared to take action quickly, without delay. There were many lessons learned at the onset of the pandemic around minimizing risk to passengers and employees, introducing new cleaning protocols and coordinating with relevant agencies.
4. Speaking of, a coordinated response from the various agencies that operate within the airport. Currently, agencies like the FAA, Homeland Security, TSA, and the various airlines have their own approaches and it can look different in each airport. A coordinated response to mask policies, personal distancing and health screenings would ensure passengers can expect the same standards no matter their destination.

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂

Wouldn’t it be great if the airlines came out and made a commitment to flying only electric planes by the year 2030? The benefits to our collective health and the planet’s health would be significant We’re seeing this push across other industries like the auto industry. I hope we all can inspire aviation to follow suite, but it will take the airlines to really push airplane manufacturers into taking the next step to reduce the carbon emissions.

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Sharron van der Meulen of ZGF Architects: The Future of Air Travel in the Post-Pandemic World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Dr. Desreen N. Dudley: 5 Things Anyone Can Do To Optimize Their Mental Wellness

Share your thoughts and feelings with others. A part of being mentally healthy is paying attention to your thoughts and feelings, not stuffing or ignoring emotions. I tell my clients, as I’ve recognized in myself, stuffing emotions inward is like a pressure cooker…eventually, ignored emotions will bubble over, and you will explode

As a part of my series about the “5 Things Anyone Can Do To Optimize Their Mental Wellness”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Desreen N. Dudley

Dr. Desreen N. Dudley, PsyD, a mental health quality consultant and clinical psychologist at Teladoc, the global leader in virtual care.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?

I knew from early on that I wanted to be in a profession that helped people. I’m an identical twin, so growing up I sensed from others that I was unique in that way — I was a part of a twinhood, instead of being a ‘singleton.’ While my twin sister and I look exactly the same, our personalities differed and we were often compared, for good or bad. My biggest challenge since childhood and going into adolescence and young adulthood was how do I understand myself as an individual while differentiating from my sister? That question sparked my interest in gaining a deeper understanding of human beings, what makes us think, feel and do the things we do. In high school one introductory psychology course I took gave me the answers that my curiosity was begging for! I knew from then on there was no other career path for me — I abandoned my earlier aspirations of becoming an actress and author and set out to become a psychologist — with the main intention of understanding myself and helping others to understand and help themselves, as well.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?

The first position I was offered after completing all my training requirements and getting licensed as a psychologist was a big one. I was hired as a clinical director at a substance abuse treatment facility to create a 28-day substance abuse residential program for active-duty military personnel. I was humbled and excited by this! Starting my career there were certainly times when my confidence in my abilities was not that strong, but I have always been one to go toward challenge. So, for the first time in my career I built a treatment program, that became wildly successful! Watching it grow from two individuals on one unit to three units completely full of active duty personnel made me feel accomplished, honored, and humbled all at the same time. At the ground-breaking of my novel treatment program, I gave a keynote speech to a large audience of high-ranking military officials who had traveled to see what I created and how I intended to help service members. It was one of the first times in my early career that I felt honored, humbled and excited to experience my ultimate goal that I had trained for years to accomplish — helping individuals treat their mental health on a large scale.

Can you share a story with us about the most humorous mistake you made when you were first starting? What lesson or take-away did you learn from that?

A significant part of a clinical psychologist’s training is constant supervision and observation. My licensed supervisors at agencies where I was practicing treating patients would review my video-recorded therapy sessions and provide feedback. Of course, the patients I saw understood that I was a student in training, and consented for our sessions to be recorded. One of my first clinical supervisors would sit with me, and we would view the session together. I recall one viewing session where he timed how long I spent talking about the weather with my client and counted the number of times I used the cliché term “like.” I was mortified! But this was a great learning experience for me and helped me develop as a therapist. The experience taught me how to be intentional in therapy, and how my own anxiety can interfere with helping others focus on their sources of stress. Professionally and personally, the experience also taught me not to be fearful of feedback and constructive criticism. Being a psychologist calls for you to have Teflon skin and requires you to seek out and openly accept feedback, whether positive or negative!

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

Several individuals contributed to my success along my career path, but I must say, my parents have been my biggest influencers. Originally from Kingston, Jamaica, my parents migrated to the U.S. in 1968, married and started their family of my three sisters and myself. Growing up, I felt they were very strict; however, as I grew older and wiser, I realized that my parents’ goal was for their children to achieve in the ‘land of opportunity’ that which they always heard was possible. They worked hard to navigate a foreign academic system and never stopped pushing me to succeed. They always taught me to strive to be the best at whatever I was doing and saw any grade that was less than an ‘A’ as unacceptable. They never told me that I could not do whatever I wanted to do. They created a firm foundation for me to stand on my entire life, until I learned from them what it takes to create that for myself and my own family. I will always be grateful to my parents for who they are, and the person they helped make me to be.

What advice would you suggest to your colleagues in your industry to thrive and avoid burnout?

Being a professional helper can be emotionally taxing. Similar to what we teach our clients whom we treat, we need to prioritize our mental health by engaging in self-care activities. I recommend that my colleagues find activities they enjoy that are not related to providing therapy and set firm boundaries for themselves. I believe that when we as professional helpers take care of our mental health we are most likely to see our work as rewarding and not as a source of stress and burnout.

What advice would you give to other leaders about how to create a fantastic work culture?

Great leaders show that they care about their employees’ mental well-being as much as their work productivity. Leaders should model for their employees the importance of keeping a healthy balance between work and personal life. Leaders can do so by encouraging use of vacation time, offering flexible work schedules, and hosting fun and social engagement activities. Also, leaders should demonstrate to their employees that they care about their mental wellness by informing them of relevant resources, like Teladoc, and encouraging them to not be afraid to voice their questions and concerns.

Ok thank you for all that. Now let’s move to the main focus of our interview. Mental health is often looked at in binary terms; those who are healthy and those who have mental illness. The truth, however, is that mental wellness is a huge spectrum. Even those who are “mentally healthy” can still improve their mental wellness. From your experience or research, what are five steps that each of us can take to improve or optimize our mental wellness. Can you please share a story or example for each.

It is a dark moment in COVID-19, and one of the biggest concerns is mental health. In fact, Teladoc’s mental health and specialty visits are spiking at over 500% compared to last year alone. I have a few tips on how people can maintain and improve their mental health throughout this season ahead.

1. Share your thoughts and feelings with others. A part of being mentally healthy is paying attention to your thoughts and feelings, not stuffing or ignoring emotions. I tell my clients, as I’ve recognized in myself, stuffing emotions inward is like a pressure cooker…eventually, ignored emotions will bubble over, and you will explode.

2. Take care of your physical well-being! Get good sleep, eat healthy, and fit in physical activity regularly. Physical activity alone has been shown to have positive impacts on depressed mood.

3. Stay connected with family, friends, and loved ones. Social isolation and withdrawal exacerbate depression, and people feel more worthwhile when they feel connected to others. The pandemic has changed the typical manner that we connect with others, but staying connected is still possible through virtual means and physical — not social — distancing.

4. Seek help in the form of therapy. Engaging in mental health treatment, such as through telemedicine, IS taking care of your mental health. It can offer ways to challenge negative patterns of thinking and behaviors, and learn to replace them with more adaptive ways. Of course, virtual care providers like Teladoc also offer the benefit of being done in the comfort of your own home and on your own time.

5. Do things that are enjoyable to you. If you are struggling to find something of interest, research something new. Volunteer! Helping others increases your own sense of gratitude, appreciation, and sense of worth.

Much of my expertise focuses on helping people to plan for after retirement. Retirement is a dramatic ‘life course transition’ that can impact one’s health. In addition to the ideas you mentioned earlier, are there things that one should do to optimize mental wellness after retirement? Please share a story or an example for each.

Retirement is a major life transition. Work or career is a major part of one’s identity. Retirement can feel like a loss of one’s sense of self and can make the elderly person prone to feelings of depression. To optimize mental wellness after retirement, I recommend focusing on a new source of meaning and value. For example, my father has found much value in volunteering, giving back to the community by transporting the elderly to medical appointments after he retired at age 63. I also recommend finding enjoyable hobbies and trying new ones! Staying active is beneficial for all ages, and physically active people who are older extend their longevity and keep their minds flexible. Also, I have seen elderly for therapy — often for the first time in their lives — who want to reflect on their lives and express feelings and emotions that they had never discussed before.

How about teens and pre teens. Are there any specific new ideas you would suggest for teens and pre teens to optimize their mental wellness?

Generation Z — pre-teens and teens — is growing up in an era where mental health has less stigma attached to it than previous generations. Therapy is a common and acceptable option for them. To optimize their mental wellness, teens and pre-teens should have the option of an alternative outlet to express their feelings, other than a parent. They should be encouraged to share their thoughts and feelings with another adult whom they trust, whether it’s another family member, a coach, teacher, or counselor. Also, pre-teens and teens are masters of technology and social media, but this can, at times, be to their detriment. Social media can be a great source of stress for teens and pre-teens. Teens and pre-teens should be encouraged to limit screen time and engage in physical and social activities. Like adults, physical activities have positive effects on mood, including depression and anxiety, and pro-social activities foster self-confidence and self-esteem, as well as communication skills and a sense of belonging. Teens and pre-teens can’t optimize their mental wellness without the support of a parent. As a parent of a pre-teen boy myself, I know teens’ and pre-teens’ mental wellness is connected to how their parents support them; therefore, these ideas are for parents, as well. Parents should be open with their children, invite them to talk about anything, understand what their lives are about, be receptive to questions and thoughts, and try to avoid becoming reactive and dismissive of their concerns. Although it is common for adults to feel the worries and concerns of most teens and pre-teens are trivial and temporary, they should change their perspective. Parents should understand that those feelings are often experienced as major to children and partner with their kids to help them navigate any concerns.

Is there a particular book that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story?

Growing up, I was an avid reader; one of my first career aspirations was to be an author. I read many books, but really loved novels by Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, and Rita Dove; particularly Rita Dove’s book, “Thomas and Beulah,” the life story of the author’s grandparents, beautifully told through a compilation of poems arranged in sequential order of life experiences. I admired how eloquently these women of color articulated their thoughts. As a woman of color myself, books by these authors allowed me to envision myself as an author. I wrote my very first short story while in 6th grade, and my teacher encouraged me to continue writing and seek publishing it. Although I became a psychologist instead of an author, I’ve always seen myself as a writer and have been published (more so research articles instead of fiction). Expressing myself through writing has always given me a sense of feeling free.

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂

I would love to start a movement that focuses on teaching and mentoring youth to pursue careers within fields that lack diversity. The fields of psychology, information technology, and chief executives are some examples. This could involve creating programs for middle and high school students of color to enroll in to spark their interest early on in these careers. The movement for social justice and equality that we have seen in 2020 has highlighted the need to level the playing field. I once heard a Black woman who is a medical doctor state that she did not conceive of pursuing a career in medicine until she visited an African country and saw Black doctors. When you don’t directly experience professionals of all races in any field, it is difficult to envision yourself as a person of color in that field. Personally, as a Black female psychologist myself, I see that this profession lacks diversity. I would love to be able to create interest in pursuing psychology in the minds of youth, as I found the field so intriguing myself.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Do you have a story about how that was relevant in your life?

Without question, my favorite life lesson quote is simply, “Everything happens for a reason.” There are many variations of this, but one of my favorites is a direct quote from Ritu Ghatourey: “Everything happens for a reason. That reason causes change. Sometimes the change hurts. Sometimes the change is hard. But in the end, it’s all for the best.” I relate this quote directly to the most pivotal experiences I’ve had in my life, a near-death car accident that my sister and I were victims of in 2002. The experience was harrowing and forced me to confront my mortality way before I was ready to do so. I found myself in an existential crisis. After surgery and during my recuperation, I found myself struggling for a long time to understand how my sister and I could have survived the tragedy. After much soul searching, I came to the conclusion that as terrible as the experience was, its occurrence and my survival was for a reason. My perspective on life and my priorities changed, and every decision I made in my life since then has a direct connection to this very scary experience. I view mistakes that I’ve made, missed opportunities, and successes not with regret or as a stroke of luck, but with acceptance. I believe that the opportunities that I have been given to lead me to where I land is all in my plan, and that I am exactly where I am supposed to be. This feeling and belief has given me peace of mind.

What is the best way our readers can follow you on social media?

My Instagram is @desreendudley. You can follow Teladoc at @teladoc.

Thank you for these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!

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Dr Desreen N Dudley: 5 Things Anyone Can Do To Optimize Their Mental Wellness was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Female Disruptors: Coly Den Haan of ‘Vinovore’ On The Three Things You Need To Shake Up Your Industry

Work smart not hard — this is something I must remind myself often, especially when implementing a new idea. Ultimately, I kind of do both but I am always trying to think of ways to be more efficient and not run around like a crazy person trying to do it all. Sometimes I succeed!

As a part of our series about women who are shaking things up in their industry, I had the pleasure of interviewing Coly Den Haan.

Coly Den Haan, a third-generation restaurateur, has the hospitality business in her blood. Raised in Santa Barbara, her first after school job at the age of fourteen was as a busgirl. After moving to Los Angeles, she quickly accumulated experience in a myriad of capacities at Fred Segal’s famous Mauro’s Café, Farfalla on La Brea, and Barney Greengrass on the roof of Barney’s New York in Beverly Hills. She became a certified Sommelier with AIS & NASA specializing in Italian wines in 2008 and a certified beer specialist, in 2009. Den Haan opened The Must in DTLA in 2008 to rave reviews and an enthusiastic welcome from the neighborhood. Within a year of opening, The Must received numerous accolades in the press. Den Haan, along with her business partners, went on to open Perch, which also received glowing feedback and quickly became a downtown institution. Like The Must, Perch earned several write-ups and awards, and required no operating capital whatsoever from day one. In 2017, Den Haan opened Silver Lake’s female-driven wine shop, Vinovore, which carries exclusively female winemakers across the globe. In the following years, she launched her eponymous wine label.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your “backstory”? What led you to this particular career path?

I worked in hospitality all through my teens and into my twenties in pretty much all capacities. I was working as a bartender when I fell into wine. At that time, I was very much into the cocktail revolution and working to open my own bar. The General Manager of the place I was working at offered to sponsor me to take a Sommelier course that was being hosted at the restaurant. I always enjoyed wine but there was a stigma that surrounded it for me. I felt like the wine world wasn’t for me; I thought it was for rich white guys with their cellars and cigars, but I figured, free class what did I have to lose? Literally, from the first day I started to learn about wine, my perspective changed immediately. The winemaking process is so unpretentious, pure, and surrounded with so much passion and dedication. My mind was blown! Not only was wine for me, but it was for everyone and I felt a strong drive to get the message out. After finishing the whole course in 2008, I opened my first wine bar with a business partner. The Must opened in a still very up and coming Downtown Los Angeles. The Must did not take itself too seriously and I worked hard to bring in unusual wines at good price points to help people start drinking outside of the box. And it worked! Customers loved the whole concept, and I loved this business as if it were a living and breathing thing. Unfortunately, the first big mistake of my career was signing a bad lease for this space. I was young and eager, and the landlord had expected us to fail like the three previous tenants, so when we didn’t, they got greedy. There was a loophole we just didn’t catch, and all the shady people stars aligned and they literally came in in the middle of the night and locked us out. It was one of the worst moments of my life. The upside of all of that was the community support we received and because of that, other doors did open. We were approached by a Downtown developer wanting to open a rooftop bar and restaurant on the top of his building. A year later, we opened Perch in Downtown. Perch is a three story, 11,000 square foot rooftop venue, with three bars, two kitchens, three elevators, and, just overall, a ton of moving parts. It was a very big departure from my darling little wine bar, but an amazing learning experience and something I am very proud of. To make a very long story short, ultimately, I wasn’t happy operating this kind of beast and was able to sell my shares to the owner of the building and move on. The Must was always my heart, so we went back to reopening the concept in a new location. The second Must was really great in a lot of ways but Downtown had changed in the years since we had closed and I had changed as well. Ultimately, after a few years, my business partner and I decided to go our separate ways and sell the business. I frankly was feeling pretty burnt out on the food and bar side of things but still had a burning love for wine.

Retail wine seemed like a natural progression for me. I knew there were a lot of great wineshops in LA and I would have to do something to stand out. When I came up with the idea to only carry female winemakers/owners, it was around the last presidential election when we all thought we were going to have our first female president. I did some research on whether the concept already existed and as far as I could find, it didn’t. This was a reminder of how male dominated the industry was but also in a way that made it exciting to be able to do something first. I had always highlighted women on my wine lists in the past, so I had a good list of makers to already pull from. When we didn’t get our female president and that was followed with the #metoo movement, my choice became even more timely. I feel deeply proud of Vinovore and being able to support so many women in business through my own. It is a little victory in a man’s world!

Can you tell our readers what it is about the work you’re doing that’s disruptive?

My shop, Vinovore, specializes in natural wines made only by women winemakers! I also do my best to highlight women of color and other minorities such as queer-made wines. Unfortunately, the pool is very small to draw from, so we need to change that!

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

I was at my first trade wine tasting. It was at a huge hotel ball room with tons of winemakers set up at different tables pouring wines. There were lots of men in suits pontificating their wine prowess. I was intimidated but determined. Each table has spit buckets for you to use. I was tasting one winemaker’s whites with a full table of other people tasting. When I got to the first red, I went to go spit in the bucket and some of the wine went down the wrong way or something and I spit-sprayed red wine all over the winemaker’s face and shirt! My takeaway lesson from that — don’t spit, just swallow.

We all need a little help along the journey. Who have been some of your mentors? Can you share a story about how they made an impact?

For me, inspiration comes from so many places and people, making it hard to pinpoint specific mentors. I suppose life itself is my greatest mentor with its brutal uncertainty, relentless inspiration, and sheer compassion around every corner. As cheesy as this all sounds, it’s the truth. Life is the cruelest of teachers and the most tender of lovers; she’s a fickle, honest, and mysterious beast but also drives me every day. Also, my Mom — she is a boss!

In today’s parlance, being disruptive is usually a positive adjective. But is disrupting always good? When do we say the converse, that a system or structure has ‘withstood the test of time’? Can you articulate to our readers when disrupting an industry is positive, and when disrupting an industry is ‘not so positive’? Can you share some examples of what you mean?

I can talk about natural wine in the space of being disruptive both positively and negatively. Quickly, the main philosophy behind natural wine is minimal intervention. A lot of people don’t realize there are over 70 additives and chemicals that can go into your average bottle of wine. Natural wine is basically fermented grapes, the original way of making wine. I’m a huge champion for Natural wine and I love that it is disrupting the wine industry in a lot of ways right now. It is shedding light on an industry that has started to cut corners at our environment and health cost. On the flip side, there is a subset of people making natural wines exclusive and pretentious, making it sometimes feel like how the wine world was when I first started. Like a private club only the cool kids have entry to. It makes me so angry because natural wine is for everyone, that’s the point, so don’t let some dude with a mustache in a ratty t-shirt make you feel otherwise!

Can you share 3 of the best words of advice you’ve gotten along your journey? Please give a story or example for each.

Work smart not hard — this is something I must remind myself often, especially when implementing a new idea. Ultimately, I kind of do both but I am always trying to think of ways to be more efficient and not run around like a crazy person trying to do it all. Sometimes I succeed!

Push it, push it real good — I felt like Salt-N-Pepa were personally speaking to me with this one! I am a pusher; throughout my career, no matter what happens, I push through. Sometimes it has gotten me in trouble as I can be persuasive and push beyond my means but, for the most part, it’s the relentless drive that keeps me going.

I don’t think you can do this — I’ve heard this from many people along the way. I suppose it isn’t advice in the traditional sense, but I have always treated it as such. Depending on the situation, sometimes hearing this just spurs me on to prove them wrong and try harder. In other instances, if it is a person whose judgment I trust, it may lead me to look at things from a different perspective. This does not mean I won’t do it, but I might find a new and better way.

We are sure you aren’t done. How are you going to shake things up next?

I am definitely not done! My fiancé tells me I am not allowed to pitch her before 10am! I often wake up on fire with a million ideas — not all of them good, mind you. Like so many of us, my visions for what I would do in 2020 all flew out the pandemic window, so I built a wine window instead! I was focused on more locations pre-COVID, which is still partly the case, but what that might look like is different. I was planning on dipping back into wine bars with tasting and retail, but now I am enjoying my wine window and would love to open more. I also got a Vinovan, VANessa, this year that is perfect for collaborations and partnerships with other likeminded groups and brands. I think even when this crisis finally dissipates, we will all be a little forever changed. I think about this often in the landscape of the future of my business. While we are all craving the closeness of being together again physically, I think there’s a lot of creativity that has erupted during this time that will stick around. For instance, doing our online wine tastings and classes have been really amazing. For example, sitting in your living room speaking with a winemaker at their winery in Austria while sipping their wines is kind of incredible. I personally have had some mind-blowing moments this last year, feeling truly transported. In a strange way, I have felt more intimacy with a collective group being distanced than I ever did being in the same room with them. I am working on taking this video wrapped with an educational element and those special feelings during events I’ve had to try and create a new platform for Vinovore. I’m excited for what is to come and how it will evolve.

In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges faced by ‘women disruptors’ that aren’t typically faced by their male counterparts?

Where to begin? I think overall women are not taken as seriously as men and their thoughts and theories are minimized. We must work harder and be more innovative to get the same exposure a man might. I try not to get too caught up in the injustice of it all and just stay the course and run my own race. This all being said, I would like to note that by no means am I a man hater. There are some women who do more damage to the cause than a man ever could. I would also say around half of Vinovore’s clientele are men and I love it. As important as it is that women support women, equally so that men support women, and we have some pretty rad guys rolling through the shop!

Do you have a book/podcast/talk that’s had a deep impact on your thinking? Can you share a story with us?

How I Built This podcast has been so inspirational and enlightening for me; it’s seriously been life changing. I can’t pick just one episode that has impacted me because they all have such unique perspectives. The through lines that resonate with me are the people that do not give up, defying odds, dusting themselves off, and pushing through. Also, the people that aren’t afraid to evolve or change when things aren’t working the way they had planned. I think these are two important qualities of any successful entrepreneur. For the record, not all these millionaire stories have a fairy tale ending but the journey is a life worth living! IF I had to pick a few of my favorite episodes for you to check out, Kate Spade, Zumba, Boom Chicka Pop, Fubu, Marcie Kilgore, Ben and Jerry’s, Burton, Eileen Fisher, Beyond Meat, Lara bars, Bumble, Southwest Airlines, Glossier and Tate’s bake shop… Seriously, though, they’re all great.

You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂

The two things I am most passionate about is the environment and equal rights for all. This does tie into the Vinovore mission with natural and women made wines, but I would love to spread the message even more. I think it would be cool to implement a national day or even a whole month where people support only women and minority owned businesses, like small business Saturdays. This might already exist, and if it does, it should be bigger!

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

Don’t be afraid to fail, be afraid to try. So simple yet so relevant. I am not perfectionist, which in a way helps me a lot. I also do not consider myself a lucky person; I work hard and am relentless on my endeavors. Sometimes I feel I have to build up a somewhat false bravado just to get to keep going, a secret inside game to trick myself into constant positivity. I do like to finish things, see them through, then move on and that’s pleasing. It’s more important to me to follow through than get tied up in the little things. Sure, just going for it has led me to a lot of failures throughout my career but I will take a monumental miss over safe mediocrity any day!

How can our readers follow you online?

You can follow us on Instagram @vinovorela

This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!

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Female Disruptors: Coly Den Haan of ‘Vinovore’ On The Three Things You Need To Shake Up Your… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

When I get tired or frustrated, I’m a typical entrepreneur. Instead of thinking ‘take a day off’ or ‘take a week off’ i think ‘okay maybe I’m done’ or ‘maybe I’m not meant to do this business’. But the reality of it is, I get a good night sleep and I know that this business for me, is not about money, it isn’t about a business, it’s about a purpose in my life and I believe that I’m destined to be doing what I’m doing.

This mentality has dragged me to the future, even when I feel exhausted and burnt out. To build this business, I had to run and jump off of a cliff. There was no ability to hesitate or play it safe, I think for me I had to believe it was my destiny to do it, or I wouldn’t have been able to take the risks that I did.

As a part of our series about “dreamers who ignored the naysayers and did what others said was impossible”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Kathleen Black.

Kathleen Black is North America’s leading real estate team coach and trainer, delivering her proven success techniques to agents and teams around the world. That growth is worth billions in additional sales volume annually across her client network with 80% of her clients being national top 1% producers. Kathleen, the best selling author of “The Top 1% Life”, will help you to expand your business, at a fraction of the time and cost, using the tried, tested, and true “KBCC Ultimate Expansion Strategy” that has powered her client growth.

The success of KBCC centers around integrity, honesty, and results-driven measures, the very things that represent Kathleen. Kathleen has been named twice as Top 50 Elite Women Driving the Future of Real Estate (REP), Top 20 Emerging Leaders (Swanepoel Report). She was recognized within the top 1% of Realtors in the Toronto Real Estate Board, has ten plus years of agent development experience, and hundreds of teams attribute their growth and success to Kathleen’s leadership.

Most recently, Kathleen was recognized as 45th on the Top 100 Industry Trail Blazers (The BUZZ). Awarded as Iconic Leader Creating a Better World for All Award (Women’s Economic Forum), based on experience, results, influence, and commitment to change the world for the better of all internationally.

Kathleen is also the driving-force behind the Ultimate Team Summit, the largest team specific Real Estate summit in North America and the Ultimate Mastermind Series of events, including the 100 Deal + Ultimate Mastermind.

Kathleen lives in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada with her love Nicholas, and her two free spirited, independent, and very loved children Ethan and Ella, and their cats Ethel and Willow.

Thank you so much for joining us! Our readers would love to ‘get to know you’ a bit better. Can you tell us your ‘backstory’?

Beginning my career as a RE/MAX Real Estate Agent and working my way to being recognized within the top 1% of Realtors in both the Durham Region and on the Toronto Real Estate Board, many would agree that this level of success is the pinnacle achievement amongst their peers; but for me it was only the beginning.

Identifying the need, I set out to work on further developing the systems and platform of educational programs and coaching methods to which I attributed her own professional and personal success.

With the launch of KBCC in 2015 and building upon my 10+ years of Team and Agent development and guidance, hundreds of teams (80% of which are top 1% producers) have attributed their growth and success to my integrity, honesty and results driven leadership directly or through one of my coaching programs.

I was selling real estate as a busy single mom of two children and I had done a lot of content and systems development with a look to creating better work life balance.

The team I worked with was creating a coaching company and I had a background in psychology, so it just seemed like a natural fit to try to become involved.

That coaching company found itself in some challenging territory in its early days and there were differing opinions within the ownership as to how it should be resolved.

This ultimately resulted in the departure of the director of coaching and I was given the opportunity to step into that role within 18 months of the company going live. I had been a coach for just under one year at that point.

It was really a chain of complicated events that led to a great opportunity for me.

Are you working on any new or exciting projects now? How do you think that will help people?

We’re always expanding. We’ve currently been expanding our resources to help people obviously during the COVID-19 pandemic, to suit their needs of moving remotely.

But COVID-19 has definitely given another reason for top producers to build systematic process driven businesses, where clients get a higher level of services and the team or brokerage have a more organized way to conduct more business and transactions, while also having a life.

Our focus is on making sure the teams and brokerages that we support have a quality of life, to enhance their lifestyles in order to sell more homes. Our systems are allowing them to hit two very important goals at once.

We’re also expanding our services globally, by building systematically, we’re offering teams 16% higher profit margins than a typical team model would. Having agents on the top teams using our models sell 10 to 20 times the average transactions on most of their local Real Estate boards. Additionally, we’re aiding them in converting at up to 7 times higher when they get to our advanced conversion systems.

We’re really committed to helping our agents build the most efficient, productive and profitable teams in the world. Why would agents follow another path and journey when we’ve already created this path with a predictable track record with our agents?

In your opinion, what do you think makes your company or organization stand out from the crowd?

Our company stands out because we build strong businesses, in an industry that is often still relying on old methods and models, which are increasingly less and less effective.

We stand out because we actually track, and have a strategy that works to expand, where teams are making much more money than traditional brokerages and offering superior value, where team members are able to sell much more and have more time.

I think in an industry where we have all male top thought leaders, we stand out in being a female led team, but also a team that is committed to efficiency, productivity, and profitability, without looking at it as if it’s a bad name.

We bring a systematic, process driven approach which allows us to be more agile and to lean into technology changes, instead of fearing them.

Ok, thank you for that. I’d like to jump to the main focus of this interview. Has there ever been a time that someone told you something was impossible, but you did it anyway? Can you share the story with us? What was your idea? What was the reaction of the naysayers? And how did you overcome that?

I moved on from Director of Coaching to Director of Operations in a relatively short time and became half owner of the company with access and full decision-making authority. At that time the books were opened to me and it was instantly evident that the company was in quite a bit of financial difficulty. I played a significant role in turning the company around. I led the clearing of about $180k in debt and revamped the majority of the content which led to considerably stronger client retention.

As things were turning around, my (largely silent) partner decided they wanted to go in a different direction professionally. I was presented with some difficult questions; ‘Is this who I am, can I look at my children in the face with integrity if I don’t stand up and defend what I have built, what will I do if I don’t do this’. I remember fear. I remember the reality of having bills to pay. I also remembered some great advice I had been given; ‘If you really believe in it, bet your house on it’.

Ultimately, I went all in. I stood up for myself. The result of that pivotal moment saw my shares bought out, half of the client base following me to the new company based on the content I owned, and within a month and a half my client roster was full. Within three months, head down and determined, I had a client roster that occupied a second coach as well. Necessity and focus were the defining factors in my early success.

In the end, how were all the naysayers proven wrong? 🙂

When I get tired or frustrated, I’m a typical entrepreneur. Instead of thinking ‘take a day off’ or ‘take a week off’ i think ‘okay maybe I’m done’ or ‘maybe I’m not meant to do this business’. But the reality of it is, I get a good night sleep and I know that this business for me, is not about money, it isn’t about a business, it’s about a purpose in my life and I believe that I’m destined to be doing what I’m doing.

This mentality has dragged me to the future, even when I feel exhausted and burnt out. To build this business, I had to run and jump off of a cliff. There was no ability to hesitate or play it safe, I think for me I had to believe it was my destiny to do it, or I wouldn’t have been able to take the risks that I did.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

I don’t think there has ever been one person. A lot of my opportunities actually came from overcoming challenges, so some of the people who gave me some of the opportunities I had are also people who presented massive challenges for me and my career.

At the end of the day, it’s relying on great mentorship, there’s not only one person I can name.

There were definitely brokers who gave me great advice and now we’ve built programs in place that we’ve created together, like Paul Baron from The #1 Century 21 Brokerage for the country, C21 Leading Edge in Canada.

I’m grateful for our team, I have an amazing group of people who support me and there’s no way I would be able to do what I do without them.

We have a collaborative leadership team who are very entrepreneurial, and who take ownership over what needs to happen. It’s very collaborative without a director style delegation, everyone owns their portion of the business. That is how we thrive.

It must not have been easy to ignore all the naysayers. Did you have any experiences growing up that have contributed to building your resiliency? Can you share the story with us?

Some people are born entrepreneurs, and I would say I fit into that criteria. There are always early signs: The proverbial lemonade stand, an innate youthful rebelliousness, a way of seeing things differently, and an early discovery of the power to manifest.

I knew as an 8th grader that I could manifest whatever I envisioned. Every milestone I reach comes from an inspired flow state — a practice of inner work I leverage now as one of Canada’s leading Real Estate Coaches and Trainers, delivering my proven success techniques to Agents and Teams across North America.

I have never done things the easy way. I had a tumultuous childhood that culminated in me leaving my home while still in high school. I self-funded my university education and completed it as a new mother.

I saw a need for more women voices in a female dominated industry (Real Estate), where there were predominately men being highlighted.

The more that we show and highlight women in these professions and positions, more women will follow them to lead successful careers.

We can have a landslide of valuable women, but if we don’t learn to listen to and respect their voices as valuable, then is it going to matter in the end? Women leaders are only as valuable as the people they serve are open to hearing value from them and other different perspectives.

At the end of the day you have to be committed to getting there, and even though the disparity is there, in most industries, the top 10 percent of performers or skill sets, the disparity is almost invisible.

Based on your experience, can you share 5 strategies that people can use to harness the sense of tenacity and do what naysayers think is impossible? (Please share a story or an example for each)

1. You need to be your own light in a dark room. When you’re building a business, you’re going to have times when you have no one around you who’s there to support you, and you need to believe in yourself. That was the most important thing I was able to do, to realize that if you believe you can create something important on your own, you can create that light and do it for yourself.
2. You Have to be so Good People Can’t Ignore You. Our benchmark is to be the best in the world at what we do. At the end of the day we have to be so good, and bring so much value to the market and let our results speak so strongly for themselves that they can’t ignore us. Setting the bar up so high will give you an edge, because most people aren’t confident enough to show up and be the best.
3. Believe. From a spiritual standpoint, I believe I am meant to perform service to people in sales-based functions. I cannot afford, either spiritually or financially, to be distracted from my greater purpose. The trials and tribulations in the business along the way, I believe, serve only to remind me that I’m strong enough, and that my intentions are pure enough to overcome them, and that they existed to educate me and enrich our offering to our clients.
4. Plant the seeds without expectation. In the tarot world, they call it the fool’s card. Many would suggest that if anybody knew what was going to be involved in overcoming all of the obstacles that stood in the way of our current place, that only a fool would knowingly choose the path I did. I made a conscious decision that whether it took 2, 5 or 10 years, that’s where I was going. Ironically, every time I have made the commitment the results typically materialize faster than hoped.
5. You don’t have to justify your actions, as long as you have good, clear intentions and you’re doing what you feel is right for the whole business in the long-term, the people who stay in that business will be stronger.

Business can be difficult, you have to make decisions that will help the future of your business. People management can be really tricky. At the end of the day I really believe that if someone is not a good fit for the business, if you don’t see them being a part of the business in five years, or the impact of their presence in the business will not support your vision, then it’s also not a positive fit for that person.

It’s more important to focus on where you’re going than to stay in the mud of any challenges that might come up.

What is your favorite quote or personal philosophy that relates to the concept of resilience?

My favourite quote is something that I’ve heard in my head since I was very young and that’s “You’re built to win”, and when you believe that, when things get hard, you’re going to lean in and really win or learn, so either way you win overall.

Some of my most devastating losses in life and in business catapulted me forward ten times more than I could have ever gotten without them.

‘I was built to win”, allows me to see things in my favour as I’m working in a place of abundance and I’m trying to see myself in the world.

I’ll always try to be better because I want to do good here and I want to have the resources in order to be and do good.

I need a strong business in order to make the changes and impact I want to make for myself and in order to contribute and have a positive impact with as many people as possible.

You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good for the greatest number of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.

Conscious living. I think people who are conscious about who they are, their values, and what they’re bringing to the world are typically better parents, better team members, better community supporters, better people.

I find the ability to ‘do good’ is just more naturally present for people with a conscious mindset. If I can help people raise their consciousness and see their abilities and power, they will ultimately serve the world through their greater purpose with ease. If KBCC can have any influence on people leading themselves versus looking at others, that’s a win!

Can our readers follow you on social media?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Kathleenblack_/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thekathleenblack/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleen-black-4811a052/

Thank you for these great stories. We wish you only continued success!

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Kathleen Black: “They Told Me It Was Impossible And I Did It Anyway” was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.