You’ve Got This!

Alice Tang is a Partner and Vice President at BPG Wealth Management, a full-service, multi-generational financial planning firm in Oregon. As a top female producer in the financial industry and a sought-after speaker, Alice has formed her business and success by focusing on creating and deepening relationships one connection at a time. Alice realized that relationships are the key to success by watching her father build a business out of his humble beginnings in Hong Kong.

Alice was the first in her family to earn a college degree when she graduated from the University of London, where she met her husband. She emigrated to the US without a network, family, or community and started a career in financial advising. When it became clear that the time-tested methods for running a business weren’t scalable, Alice created her own system. She now helps other professionals catapult their success and networks through her no-nonsense approach to developing connections.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 

• Alice Tang talks about moving to the US, her struggles, and how she got a green card
• How Alice got into the financial services sector and what led to her success
• Alice talks about making cold calls, what she learned about referrals, and how to build a better business through networking
• How Alice got into professional speaking and why it’s helped build her network
• What Alice plans to write about in her upcoming book
• Alice talks about a challenging moment she experienced on stage and how she handled it
• Why Alice is focusing on clarity this year
• The best piece of advice Alice has received from a mentor and her advice for other women
• Alice’s superpower and contact details

In this episode…

Life can sometimes be challenging. And no matter how much you might wish things were different, reality perseveres. However, you can still make the best of a bad situation. By accepting what you can’t change, you’ll be able to refocus your energy where it’s needed.

When Alice Tang moved to the US with her husband, adapting to the new environment was difficult. She couldn’t work, didn’t have a safety net, and could feel the tension building at home. Instead of giving up, Alice sought out solutions. Eventually, she changed her visa status, went back to school, and started a new career. Instead of allowing her circumstances to hold her back, she used them to push herself forward.

In this episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show, Andrea Heuston is joined by Alice Tang, a Partner and Vice President at BPG Wealth Management, to talk about the value of networking and building a business through good relationships. Alice shares her experience of starting over after immigrating to the US, how she got into professional speaking, and her advice to women wishing to jump-start their lives.

Resources Mentioned in this episode

• Artitudes Design
• Alice Tang on LinkedIn
• Alice Tang’s website
• Alice Tang’s email: alice@askalicetang.com
• BPG Wealth Management

Sponsor for this episode…

This episode is brought to you by Artitudes Design by Andrea Heuston. Artitudes Design is an award-winning creative agency that has been creating visual communication for Fortune 500 companies for over 25 years. They have worked with notable companies such as Microsoft, Starbucks, Expedia, and have also served startups and nonprofit organizations.

They specialize in connecting speakers with audiences by creating visual value with presentations and through the creation of motion graphics, video, and content.

To learn more about Artitudes Design, visit their website today. Checkout their portfolio to see their previous projects, and contact them today to find out how they can help you bring your business a cut above the rest.

[Women of EO] You Are Not Your Story

Jane F. Bolin is the Mayor of Oakland Park, Florida, and serves as the global Governance Chair for the Entrepreneurs’ Organization. She is also the Founding Partner and Chief Marketing Officer of the real estate law firm, PeytonBolin, as well as the Co-founder of Giannell Title. Jane has earned numerous accolades for her work and was named to the South Florida Business Journal “40 Under 40” list. She is deeply involved in the community and serves on many boards and committees that are dedicated to making the world a better place for all.

Jane has a B.A. in Political Science from Radford University, a Master of Sports Management from the United States Sports Academy, and a J.D. from St. Thomas University School of Law. A true renaissance woman, Jane is also a published author, a renowned speaker, and the host of the podcast, Association Nation. Before this, she played linebacker for the Women’s Professional Football League and has worked as a culinary producer for both MasterChef and Top Chef.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 

• Jane F. Bolin shares her journey into politics and explains how being mayor differs from running a company
• Jane talks about learning how to make bold business moves through the EO Accelerator program 
• How being a linebacker in the Women’s Professional Football League taught Jane to create her own path
• What Jane learned while working as a culinary producer on MasterChef and Top Chef 
• The new opportunities for civic engagement in a divided country
• Why you are not your story
• The biggest challenge Jane has had to overcome and what she took from it
• Jane’s advice to women who are at a turning point in their lives

In this episode…

Leading doesn’t always mean calling the shots. In fact, a good leader regularly changes roles. So, how do you know if it’s time to take charge or if it’s best to hold back and pivot in a different direction?

According to Jane F. Bolin, the first step is getting to know yourself. She suggests that it’s easier to embrace change if you’re not struggling to fit your goals and interests into an inauthentic narrative. And, once you know who you are and what you want, the second step is giving it to yourself—whether that means more time with family or a new path for your career. As Jane says, the more you’re aligned with yourself, the more everything else will fall into place.

In this week’s episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show, Andrea Heuston interviews Jane F. Bolin, the Founding Partner and Chief Marketing Officer of PeytonBolin and the Mayor of Oakland Park, Florida, about her role as a leader in politics and business. Together, they discuss the EO Accelerator program, the importance of civic engagement, and the value of stepping outside of your story. Plus, Jane shares lessons from her days in the Women’s Professional Football League and her stint in Hollywood.

Resources Mentioned in this episode

• Artitudes Design
• Jane F. Bolin
• Jane F. Bolin on LinkedIn
• Jane F. Bolin’s email: janefbolin@me.com
• Jane F. Bolin’s phone number: 954-588-9282
• PeytonBolin
• Giannell Title
• Civics In Seconds
• Association Nation Podcast
• The City of Oakland Park, Florida
• Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO)
• EO Accelerator program
• Mauri Peyton on LinkedIn

Sponsor for this episode…

This episode is brought to you by Artitudes Design by Andrea Heuston. Artitudes Design is an award-winning creative agency that has been creating visual communication for Fortune 500 companies for over 25 years. They have worked with notable companies such as Microsoft, Starbucks, Expedia, and have also served startups and nonprofit organizations.

They specialize in connecting speakers with audiences by creating visual value with presentations and through the creation of motion graphics, video, and content.

To learn more about Artitudes Design, visit their website today. Checkout their portfolio to see their previous projects, and contact them today to find out how they can help you bring your business a cut above the rest.

Headtrash

Sejal Lakhani-Bhatt is the CEO of TechWerxe, a leading IT company working to bridge the gap between quality and affordability with customized solutions for small to medium-sized businesses. After graduating from the University of Buffalo with a degree in legal studies, Sejal began her career working for major global banking institutions in the regulatory and compliance divisions, as well as on the trading floor. For 12 years, she traveled around the world, working for leading financial firms in Japan, London, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

In 2012, she left the banking industry to join TechWerxe, an IT company founded by her husband in 2008. In 2014, Sejal took over the operations, sales, and marketing of TechWerxe and became CEO while her husband focused on its IT services. Under her leadership, TechWerxe earned recognition as a top 100 MSSPs (Managed Security Service Providers), top 500 MSPs (Managed Service Providers), and received numerous other industry awards.

In March of 2019, Sejal’s husband suddenly passed away from a heart attack at age 39. Committed to upholding their company mission, she spent months dissecting all aspects of TechWerxe to analyze knowledge gaps and determine the changes needed to move the company forward. She spent the past year and a half restructuring TechWerxe to preserve her and her husband’s long-term goals for the company. As a result, TechWerxe did not lose a single client during the transition period. Sejal is devoted to her two young boys and committed to showing them the strength women can have in the face of adversity.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 

• Sejal Lakhani-Bhatt’s background in the legal and financial sector
• Sejal explains the origins of TechWerxe, her transition into the company, and her experience working with her husband
• What led to the success of TechWerxe?
• How Sejal managed her business and personal life after the death of her husband
• What Sejal is currently focusing on and how the pandemic has impacted her business
• What most people don’t know about Sejal Lakhani-Bhatt
• How Sejal leads like a woman, and her advice to women just starting their careers
• Sejal talks about her superpower and shares her contact details

In this episode…

While grieving the loss of her husband, one of the best pieces of advice Sejal Lakhani-Bhatt received from a friend was, “Every decision you make will be the right decision.” It was a difficult time, and she wasn’t sure if her choices were right for her family and business. Her friend’s words helped her realize that she could always change things later if she didn’t like how something turned out.

Through her experience working in different companies and industries, Sejal learned the importance of not making excuses and the value of trusting herself. She advises women not to stress about doing everything perfectly the first time because it’s okay to make mistakes and learn from them. The idea is to get as much done as possible and to keep refining it. Sejal also encourages women to ask for what they want without fear of rejection because she believes that you get what you ask for and what you go for.

In this week’s episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show, Sejal Lakhani-Bhatt, the CEO of TechWerxe, is interviewed by host Andrea Heuston about how she leads like a woman professionally and personally. Sejal also talks about the importance of women taking care of themselves, taking charge of their lives, and embracing their imperfections. Plus, Sejal reveals how to tackle the trash in your head. Stay tuned!

Resources Mentioned in this episode

• Artitudes Design
• Sejal Lakhani-Bhatt on LinkedIn
• TechWerxe
• Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO)
• Keri Peacock on LinkedIn
• Merrill Lynch

Sponsor for this episode…

This episode is brought to you by Artitudes Design by Andrea Heuston. Artitudes Design is an award-winning creative agency that has been creating visual communication for Fortune 500 companies for over 25 years. They have worked with notable companies such as Microsoft, Starbucks, Expedia, and have also served startups and nonprofit organizations.

They specialize in connecting speakers with audiences by creating visual value with presentations and through the creation of motion graphics, video, and content.

To learn more about Artitudes Design, visit their website today. Checkout their portfolio to see their previous projects, and contact them today to find out how they can help you bring your business a cut above the rest.

There’s No Such Thing as No

Almira Bardai is a seasoned senior communications professional with over 20 years of experience creating powerful narratives for domestic and global brands. As a thought leader on PR industry issues, Almira is a frequent commentator in the media and is an actively-sought out speaker on both PR and entrepreneurial topics. With an enviable network of influencers and a storied career, Almira’s expertise lies in developing strategic communications and social media plans focused on brand experiences, building brand awareness, and user engagement. She’s delivered results-driven campaigns for the likes of Granville Island Brewing, Flight Centre, Nike, Best Buy, Future Shop, Molson, and TELUS.

Almira co-founded and was Co-CEO of Jive PR + Digital, one of Canada’s top boutique PR and social media agencies. After launching her career as a PR consultant at one of Canada’s leading PR agencies, Wilcox Group, she spent many years working abroad as head of global PR at Cobra Beer, one of the UK’s fastest-growing beer brands. She’s also practiced corporate public relations and communications in both Australia and South Africa. Almira is active as an entrepreneur, consultant, mentor, and board director in organizations such as Brands For Better, Aga Khan Foundation Canada, Entrepreneurs’ Organization, and Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 

• What inspired Almira Bardai and her business partner to start Jive PR + Digital and what led to the company’s success
• Why Almira decided to exit her business and what she is currently focusing on
• Almira shares details about a mistake she made in her business and the lessons she learned from it
• How Almira helps support fellow women entrepreneurs and her advice for women who are just starting out
• The best piece of advice Almira has received from a mentor
• Almira talks about her reasons for going to Australia and South Africa and what she does to live with gratitude every day
• Almira’s superpower and contact details

In this episode…

As a woman in business and leadership, you create your future. Almira Bardai believes that women need to be intentional about their time, their actions, and the breaks they take so they can continually build toward their future. After living and working abroad and finding it difficult to land a job upon returning to Canada, Almira knew that she had to do something for herself. So she started her own agency with a friend.

Almira advises women who are starting their careers to be flexible and to always say yes. They should volunteer for extra work and give more of their time whenever they can. She encourages them to say yes to new opportunities that come their way because that’s how they’ll get noticed.

In this week’s episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show, Andrea Heuston is joined by Almira Bardai, a thought leadership and communications consultant, to discuss Almira’s work supporting women entrepreneurs and her experience living and working in different countries. She also talks about being a member of Entrepreneurs’ Organization and living with gratitude every day.

Resources Mentioned in this episode

• Artitudes Design
• Almira Bardai’s website
• Almira Bardai on LinkedIn
• Almira Bardai on Instagram
• Lindsay Nahmiache on LinkedIn
• Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO)
• EO Accelerator Program
• Brands For Better Foundation
• Aga Khan Foundation Canada
• Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver
• Jive PR + Digital
• Everything Is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo

Sponsor for this episode…

This episode is brought to you by Artitudes Design by Andrea Heuston. Artitudes Design is an award-winning creative agency that has been creating visual communication for Fortune 500 companies for over 25 years. They have worked with notable companies such as Microsoft, Starbucks, Expedia, and have also served startups and nonprofit organizations.

They specialize in connecting speakers with audiences by creating visual value with presentations and through the creation of motion graphics, video, and content.

To learn more about Artitudes Design, visit their website today. Checkout their portfolio to see their previous projects, and contact them today to find out how they can help you bring your business a cut above the rest.