Headtrash

Sejal Lakhani-Bhatt

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.

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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

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

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.

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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

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.

Don’t Be an A*hole!

Michelle Venorsky

Michelle Venorsky is the Founder of Hello, an engagement agency that helps build relationships between brands and consumers. Michelle, a mother of two, has over 20 years of hybrid PR & social marketing experience, mainly focusing on moms, consumer product goods, and housewares.

Prior to founding Hello, Michelle launched the social media marketing practice at Rosetta Publicis, which was one of the top five digital agencies globally. Before Rosetta Publicis, she spent 10 years at Marcus Thomas in the PR group and launched that agency’s social media practice. Michelle once authored the largest food blog in Ohio. She is also a freelance writer for Forbes Travel, an accredited member of PRSA (Public Relations Society of America), and a fellow for The Society for New Communications Research.

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

  • Michelle Venorsky’s inspiration to start her own business
  • What has led to the success of Hello?
  • Michelle explains her company’s culture and how she supports her employees
  • The projects Michelle is currently working on
  • Michelle describes how she’s learning to manage her faults to avoid repeating past mistakes
  • How Michelle leads like a woman, the best piece of advice she received from a mentor, and her advice to fellow women
  • Michelle talks about getting into food blogging, turning it into a business, and how that experience has influenced her life
  • Michelle’s superpower and her contact details

In this episode…

Is there something you have always wanted to do but are scared to take the first step? What’s holding you back? Are you afraid of failing?

The fear of failure holds back many women from doing things they want. However, according to Michelle Venorsky, failure is part of the road to success. In her own company, Michelle admits that she hasn’t always known what she’s doing and advocates for transparency and honesty when dealing with employees and clients. She advises fellow women not to be afraid to take chances and to seek help from other women—including herself. If you don’t try, you’ll never know.

Michelle Venorsky, the Founder of Hello, is Andrea Heuston’s guest in this week’s episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show. Together, they discuss the intersection of running a business and attending to the needs of employees, clients, and family. Michelle also talks about her company’s culture, some of the big clients she works with, and her experience being a food blogger.

Resources Mentioned in this episode

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.

Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

Sheila Attari

Sheila Attari is the Founder and CEO of SheBird. With the company’s creation, Sheila utilizes her strategic and brand-building skills to solve issues women face when getting dressed. After two-plus years in product development, SheBird launched in October 2019. Their goal is to make women happy by freeing them from their uncomfortable bras by designing wardrobe essentials with built-in bra layers.

Sheila gained substantial experience growing world-class brands and developing and launching new products in the beauty, health, and home cleaning categories. She spent the majority of her career in consumer products brand management, advertising, and new product development roles. She has worked with multimillion-dollar companies such as Procter & Gamble; SC Johnson; and Foote, Cone & Belding. Sheila holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BA in Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management from Michigan State University. Now, she’s on a mission to help women free the girls.

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

  • What inspired Sheila Attari to start SheBird and the type of clothing her company sells
  • The ideal customers for SheBird
  • Sheila talks about her entrepreneurial background and her decision to go into consulting and apparel
  • Why Sheila introduced sleepwear into her line of products and the new products she plans to create
  • What Sheila loves most about her work
  • Sheila talks about a mistake she made in her career and what she learned from it
  • The best piece of advice Sheila has received from a mentor and her advice to fellow women entrepreneurs and leaders
  • The difference between entrepreneurs and non-entrepreneurs
  • Sheila talks about her superpower and shares her contact details

In this episode…

When you wear comfortable clothes, you will be more productive in your work and feel more confident in yourself. Confidence is essential in every woman’s life—personally and professionally. In life, you have to identify what you need and take the steps necessary to get it.

The same case applies in business. If you feel the desire to go into entrepreneurship or start your own business, you should go for it. You’ll face a number of challenges along the way, but you have to believe in yourself and your abilities.

In this week’s episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show, Andrea Heuston is joined by Sheila Attari, the Founder and CEO of SheBird, to talk about Sheila’s journey from consulting work to creating and running a women’s clothing company. They discuss the common reasons women have for going braless, the benefits of getting comfortable being uncomfortable, and the difference between entrepreneurs and non-entrepreneurs.

Resources Mentioned in this episode

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 Series] Turning Flight Into Flow

Oksana Esberard

Oksana Esberard is a mental wellness expert, mindfulness and meditation trainer, international speaker, and best selling author. She is the Founder of SattvaMe, a global virtual training organization that’s focused on stress management, productivity, and wellness for employees, business leaders, and entrepreneurs. Utilizing her extensive practice and multicultural background, Oksana leads online corporate programs and in-person training in small businesses and Inc 500 companies around the world. She has worked with companies like Microsoft, Sandler’s Training, BuzzFeed, YPO, EO, Petra Coach, and New Horizons Computer Learning Centers.

After overcoming her struggles with severe anxiety and suicidal thoughts, Oksana shares her story in her best selling book, Next Level You. She is also a member of EO’s Accelerator Program which helps businesses grow through learning and networking.

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

  • What inspired Oksana Esberard to build a business about managing stress and anxiety and how she came up with its name, SattvaMe
  • Oksana shares her travel adventures and how they helped her to start her business
  • Who are the ideal clients for SattvaMe?
  • Oksana’s advice to someone starting a mindfulness practice
  • What inspired Oksana to write her book, Next Level You
  • Oksana discusses the crisis of femininity in business and why it’s crucial that women have fun and be present as they build and grow their businesses
  • Oksana talks about a big mistake she made in business and what she learned from the experience
  • The best pieces of advice Oksana has received from her mentors and her advice to women on building a business while trying to maintain her femininity
  • Oksana explains why she considers being an interpreter and or a bridge for people to be her superpower

In this episode…

Like other women, Oksana Esberard used to believe that success and stress came as a package deal, that you can’t be successful without having gone through a seemingly insurmountable amount of stress. But she learned through vast travel experiences that you can be productive and successful without sacrificing your mental wellbeing. She says that it is possible to work towards your goals and enjoy the material and financial fruits of your labor while being happy with your choices, your interactions with people, and the decisions that you’re making.

Oksana advises women to use their feminine power in their businesses to create an energy flow that creates less resistance in everything they do. This will open them up to more business opportunities, attract the right people, and find the best solutions to issues. She also encourages women to go with the flow, express gratitude, and be kind to themselves in every way possible.

In this week’s episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show, Andrea Heuston is joined by Oksana Esberard, a mental wellness expert, to find out how women can use their femine power and energy to build better business. Oksana talks about her inspiration to write her book, Next Level You, her journey to founding SattvaMe, and how she helps her clients improve productivity and handle stress. Stay tuned.

Resources Mentioned in this episode

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.