Each and every day starts with me looking over the ocean with a prayer that goes like this: “Today is an opportunity to live, love, learn, laugh and…. don’t forget to leave a legacy.”
Andrea Shaw is a woman you crave to be around. Her authenticity and positive energy is absolutely palpable. Her story and her vision beyond inspirational. I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Andrea in her gorgeous TwentyTen Corp. Gastown office, the company she founded and manages.
In September, Andrea was named in Chatelaine and Profit Magazine’s 2014 W100 rankings for top Canadian female entrepreneurs. Andrea was named #23 with her group of companies showcasing a rate of growth of 193%. Shaw and her team specialize in sponsorship sales and strategic marketing. She has found her sweet spot between her passion for sport, marketing, entrepreneurship and values-based leadership. And, she’s rockin’ it!
As the former Vice President of Sponsorship Sales and Marketing for the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC), Shaw and her team developed a revolutionary model that secured over $760 million in domestic sponsorship, in the face of a major economic downturn – an incredible story, an incredible woman.
So what’s her secret? How does this PowHERhouse keep it all together and in perspective? How does she maintain balance and self-care in a world so destined for her success? How does she stay strong and powerful in her day-to-day life, anchoring her to the positive and grounded approach for which she is known? How does she integrate a full and meaningful life managing overwhelm and fragmentation?
We set out to get to the bottom of it.
PH: Andrea, how you stay PowHERful and on top of your game?
I stay on top of my game through a consistent and authentically positive attitude. Staying positive despite what is going on around you is critical, and in turn has an effect on the people around you. The key to staying positive is taking care of oneself first, which enhances confidence, and that brings about a positive influence on others. I have a work hard, play hard personality and am a true “lover of life” every single day. Being grateful for family, friends and work colleagues is huge. Sleep is the medicine of life; exercise is essential, and a healthy diet all lend to a positive “being”. The outdoors truly feeds my soul, whether that is up in the mountains on a gorgeous cold and crisp winter day, on a boat on the ocean, or simply walking in the woods crunching autumn leaves beneath my feet. I see every day as a new adventure, a new journey, and a new opportunity.
I begin each day with the recital of this poem:
“I trust the goodness from my hands to circle around me.
I wish no harm to others, only an embrace of healing.
I extend my highest effort to the world of my day.
That it will be better at the end than when I first touched it.”
PH: Daily rituals are powerful things. Do you have any other rituals you could share with us?
One of my favorite hobbies or rituals is cooking with friends and family, especially my children and their friends! It is my way of relaxing at the end of each day and is a true celebration of life. It is rewarding. It can get courageous! It is fun, experimental and completely creative! Nothing makes me happier than to be cooking in my cozy kitchen with great friends and family with good music and a great glass of wine!
PH: Andrea, we understand that one of the most daunting challenges of your life was health-related. Can you tell us more about it? How did you overcome it, and what advice to you have for women going through a similar type of challenge?
Just months after launching my agency, I was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer. In that moment I recognized that I had two options, close the doors and cut my losses – or face it head on, charging forth with the belief that I can conquer anything. Without hesitation, I chose the latter, announcing to my friends, family and team, “… the bad news is, I have cancer. But the good news is, cancer does not have me.” Today, I take on every single day with marquee passion, energy and fire – celebrating life, celebrating health and over three years in the clear – cancer free.
PH: What does you daily or weekly health and fitness regime look like? Where does self-care fit in? At PowHERhouse.com, we talk alot about staying consistent with our Practice of PowHERful Living. What does your Practice look like?
I try to stay as consistent as possible with my workouts very early each and every morning. When at home, I have an exercise gym in my home and a exercise spa in my backyard. To start everyday with a workout frames me in a very positive way… nothing feels as good to start the day. I also have a dedicated trainer a couple of times a week who keeps me on top of what I should be working on. When travelling, which is often, my consistency gets broken which I need to fix!
PH: What is one of your favourite power-meals or healthy snack ideas?
I tend to be a very healthy eater…. some of my favourite healthy snacks are edamame or Vega bars.
PH: One of our goals at PowHERhouse is to put some ‘Muscle Behind Your Mission’ of female entrepreneurs, athletes, artists, changemakers and community leaders. How would you describe your Mission? And what’s the Muscle behind it?
My mission is to be the best I can be in everything I do and believe in and to help others do the same.
A huge part of the muscle behind my mission – hands down – is our people. While we truly have the best in the business when it comes to skills, experience and innovation – we hire based on like-minded values. From the outset, we have worked to develop an unparalleled corporate culture, engaging and inspiring our team with our work hard, play hard approach. While our team is motivated to deliver nothing short of client service excellence – they are rewarded by an environment founded in collaboration and celebration.
May 13, 2009: VANCOUVER, BC: The VANOC Sponsor Workshop held at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver with conference delegates and speakers. The Four Host First Nations host an Aboriginal luncheon and the evening reception was sponsored by Canadian Mint. Photo by Kim Stallknecht
PH: So would you say positive role-modeling is a strong aspect of your values-based leadership style? You know the saying, “Actions speak louder than words.”
Positive role modelling is absolutely critical in the workplace – and any place for that matter – and therefore I place a high priority on it, both for my self and our Executive team. The key to it though is that it must be authentic from tip to tail. I believe culture starts at the top and therefore can reinforce values-based leadership through the entire organization.
PH: You mentioned an environment founded in “collaboration and celebration”. Collaboration is one of the key pillars of PowHERhouse as well. Can you describe that it looks and feels like on the ground in your life and your business?
Collaboration is absolutely critical to any successful organization. Collaboration is all about recognizing that each and every one of us has something to bring to the table. It is all about having a genuine respect for others, and a respect for their intentions. The synergistic outcome of collaboration seeks results far greater than “going alone”.
Collaboration recognizes mutually rewarding relationships and a win-win philosophy. Effective collaboration is about collective efforts, and it keeps us honest, confident, and humble.
PH: Describe what success looks like.
Success looks like:
- Having a passion for what you do
- The ability to help others “be the best they can be”
- Staying true to your vision & values
- Building an exemplary reputation
- Being trusted and respected
- Achieving a work life balance
- Reaching your ultimate goals
PH: Biggest highlight or favourite story of your career so far?
Without a doubt, the biggest highlight of my career was being responsible for executing the longest Torch Relay in Olympic history in 2009/2010. 106 days long, 12,000 Torchbearers running through thousands of communities across Canada. I believe it unleashed a new found pride in Canadians from coast to coast to coast.
PH: Can you tell us about some of your success factors – excellence habits and tangible actions consistently repeated over time that yield the results you are looking for? What are the things you do day after day, week after week that ensure your success? I think we all know that success doesn’t happen by accident.
Hard work, hard work and hard work – period. And through that, earning the trust and respect of others. Trust and respect are not simply given out, you must earn them every step of the way which ultimately are the stepping stones to success.
PH: Life is busy! What are your Top 3 time management tips for busy women trying to juggle multiple priorities – family, kids, relationships, business, health, me-time, fun?
1. First and foremost being completely organized in all that you do, personally and professionally.
PH: Knowing what you know now – at this age and stage in your life – what would you tell your younger self?
Take good care of yourself each and every day. Your body is your temple, take care of it. Work hard at what you are passionate about, not at what you aren’t.
Andrea Shaw is the Founder and Managing Partner of the TwentyTen Group and TORQUE Strategies.
