EDITOR’S NOTE – Change is a powerful force, be it of our own making or a byproduct of life’s inertia. If we’re honest with ourselves, there are few circumstances more daunting than when we must yield to change; but how else would we become better versions of our personal and professional selves if we didn’t evolve?
Sheri Yocum and Niki Lee, founders of Tasman Consulting, and the subjects of this month’s cover story, decided to make a huge change in 2011 by leaving their executive positions at Cisco Systems Inc., to begin their own human resource mergers and acquisitions firm. In less than five years they’ve propelled their startup into a force representing such corporate powerhouses as American Express, Dell, LinkedIn and Symantec. They’re success proves that as professionals we must take chances, especially on ourselves, because if we don’t, who will?
Also featured in this month’s issue is Ilana Harkavy, founder of The Just, Girl Project, an initiative designed to empower young women through music. At just 26 years old, Harkavy is using her passion for lyrics and melody to change the way girls view themselves and their place in the world. Her enthusiasm for her work and its message is evident, not just in her songs but in her interview with Lioness Magazine. She said, “This project is my livelihood, I put everything into it. I just want people to see that I’m doing it from a place of upmost honesty.”
Our next feature reveals the work of Gil Michel-Garcia, CEO of WAFU Inc., who has tapped into the world of crowdfunding to raise capital for his food-based company. Michel-Garcia was a lawyer in Canada before delving into the world of Japanese-style dressings and mayonnaises. By taking a chance on a new career and the generosity of others, Michel-Garcia has raised more than $1 million for WAFU through crowdfunding and also established a cross-border raise to allow for United States and Canadian investors. The goal: to “Japanize” food dishes the world over.
We’re also encouraging you to take a look at The Indus Entrepreneurs Conference, TiEcon, which took place at the Santa Clara Convention Center in California May 15-16. The conference is one of the largest in the world for entrepreneurs and we hope that if you’re unfamiliar with their offerings you’ll check it out and even plan to participate next year!
I hope this month’s issue encourages you to take a chance, whether attempting to reinvest yourself in a favored pastime or by drafting a proposal for your new startup company. A simple change to your schedule by taking up a hobby or gambling on a life-altering idea by going into business for yourself is not something to be feared, they’re changes to be embraced. We cannot be successful in the marketplace unless we, like those featured in the magazine each month, bet on our greatest asset, OURSELVES!
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