Our first “ architect “ is Yvonne Hogenes, a businesswoman and entrepreneur who has now morphed into a creator of a community creative hub – Malary’s Creative Hub in Cloverdale; where communities can come together and share skills, talents and stories.
Here is her presentation at the SI Surrey/Delta monthly meeting for April.
- If you have a dream or vision to build something that will meet a need in your life or community, then pursue it with focused passion and deliberate planning. A five year business plan is a MUST, and focused passion is the fuel to keep going when many tell you it’s not possible or a very good idea.
- Build a very good team around yourself! You will need it and you can’t be everything to all people. I had amazing support from my family (and now I have 2 sons in the business with me) but I had to learn the hard way to delegate more and to offload what took away from my gifting and passions. Also, a mentor is a great idea!!
- Change, Challenge, and Chutzpah is a given! I had to shift and change quickly over the 25 years of business to adapt to the changing climate (the last 2 years has been the greatest example to that!). There will always be challenges, so accept them and embrace them! They often open up a new opportunity or just build your character a bit more! Finally, you need Chutzpah! A very strong dose of self-confidence and belief in your dream and vision! Don’t give up – persevere!
- See your clientele and customers as more than a commercial venture, treat each as a person of worth, regardless of the strength of their credit card or the amount of bling they wear. They will then value you and what you have to offer.
- Give back to your community! Champion a cause that you are passionate about and want to affect change in a positive way.
- Stay Curious and wander with wonder!