Home: Orlando, FL. Age: Older than I look. Profession: Technology marketing. Organization: The Launchpad. Title: CEO & Chief Inspiration Officer. Alma mater: University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Current project: Building a B2B technology matchmaking marketplace connecting IT buyers to the technology vendors who are a precise fit for their needs. Recent recognition: Orlando Magazine Woman of the Year 2022. Latest accomplishment: Women Business Enterprise (WBE) Certification and Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Certification. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Starting a business after bankruptcy in 2011 and pulling my kids out of school to worldschool for three years.
Personality profile: Advocate: INFJ. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Creative. Moral compass: My gut and my heart. What is your greatest joy? My sons. What is your guilty pleasure? I believe pleasures shouldn’t be guilty. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Travel, travel, travel. How do you relieve stress? Yoga. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Downtime.
What was your favorite college course? Transpersonal Psychology. What book have you repeatedly read? Big Magic, by Elizabeth Gilbert. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? “Please take responsibility for the energy you bring into this space. – Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor”. What’s the best advice you received growing up? Confidence is not a prerequisite for action. It's a consequence of taking action. It's a result of experience. So just go for it without confidence. Confidence will come.
What is your big idea?
A technology matchmaking marketplace portal where IT buyers can connect with technology partners who are a precise fit for their needs. Think match.com for technology buyers and sellers to connect. We are ultimately changing the way technology is bought and sold.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? Greater diversity and more female leadership in tech. What message do you want to send out into the world? Your business isn’t just a business. It’s the potential of your fullest expression – and all of its possibilities. You don’t have to become more of anything. You just need to bring more of who you are forward.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Expansion and Possibility. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? Maya Angelou. What advice would you give your younger self? Don’t play small, just put your whole self out there and do all the things you want to do. Don’t second guess yourself. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? The time after I sold my last business. I would relax and enjoy it so much more, and wouldn’t have been in such a rush to start the next thing.
Personal mission: Be a light, whatever you do. Desired epitaph: She really lived and really loved, wholeheartedly.
