CEO and President of World Tree, Wendy is unabashed in her commitment to the three P’s: Planet, People and Profit.  Otherwise known as “The Tree Lady” Wendy has spent the last 20+ years promoting the economic and environmental benefits of the Empress Splendor Tree.

Wendy, a self-confessed tree-hugger, is living proof that it is possible to combine business savvy with a passion for improving the environment.  She believes that everyone can make a difference and that one of the most powerful ways to do that is through investing.

Describe your Mission.  What’s it all about for you?

I want to plant Empress trees all over the world.  I want to help stop the destruction of old growth forests and be responsible for cleaning up the air we breathe by restoring the lungs of Mother Earth.

Describe what your ‘end game’ looks like – complete fruition.

I will have completed my ultimate mission when I am in a helicopter flying over thousands of acres of trees, and I am present to the first harvest of the Empress plantations and have written a cheque to all the Carbon Offset Program investors.

Biggest highlight in your career/journey thus far?

Having the opportunity to meet Oprah, share my passion for the Empress tree and have her lit up and inspired by my passion.

One thing that you feel has been most pivotal or useful thus far in your career/journey?

The creation of the Carbon Offset Program.

You’ve been working on World Tree for almost 15 years.  How have you stayed not only focused on your end game but passionate and persistent?

I sincerely love what I do!  It is great to get up each day and know you are making a difference in the world.  When you are up to something big, you don’t get to play small. You surround yourself with great people who believe in you so the days when you feel defeated, they remind you of your greatness and why you are doing this.  Works every time. 🙂

How would you describe what brings you the greatest joy in your current role?

Sharing with individuals all aspects of the tree.  I love to see their faces light up when they hear for the first time that the Empress tree grows 20 feet tall in its first year. Then the excitement that follows when they hear about our investment program and what is possible.  Sometimes they can’t get the questions out fast enough for me to answer.  When they hear the financial returns and what’s possible for their future, you can see the processing in their eyes on how much they want to participate.  It’s quite a beautiful happy dance that always has me re-enrolled in what I get to do.

What would you like women to most understand or consider – on a higher level – with regards to your role and your mission.

Collectively, we are powerful beyond measure.  We have the ability to transform the planet inside our Carbon Offset Program.  Not only will each woman be able to be socially responsible for their own personal carbon footprint but also their families.  Knowing your hard earned dollars will actually make a real difference to the planet by planting trees, which in turn stops the destruction of old growth forest by supplying the world with a natural renewable resources, creating jobs for farmers on a global scale, but also creating personal wealth for themselves by caring about the lungs of Mother Earth.  It’s such a win/win/win, we can have it all and do good at the same time.

Best advice you ever received

Tony Robin’s advice ~ “You will never make what you want until you believe what you are worth”.  He said that to me, and I will never forget it.  From that day forward I asked for what I wanted and was constantly surprised to discover when you value yourself and your work, other people will too.

What would be your top three tips for women regarding a walking their talk and a courageously approaching to is most important to them.

1.  Surround yourself with a great team!  Team Work makes the Dream Work.

2.  It’s your dream!  Listen to your gut about how to proceed.

3.  Don’t let anyone tell you when it’s time to quit and move on just because it gets hard.  If following your passion was easy, everyone would be doing it.

Describe your happiness strategy in one sentence.

Love what you do, and you’ll never work a day in your life.

How do you balance between being an impactful community leader, a busy wife & Mom, volunteer, and so much more without dodging your own self-care?

I don’t dodge my own self-care.  In fact, I make it paramount to my success.  I can’t be run-down and be effective.  I listen to my body and my thoughts.  When my body needs a break, I take a walk, do a spa day or go to a movie.  I make it happen.  Especially massages.  I think they are very important to the self-care of the mind, body, and soul.

You must have some pretty long days.  How do you keep your energy up and your focus consistent?  How you stay PowHERful and on the top of your game?

I’m a morning person, and I get most of the mental heavy lifting done in the earliest part of the day when my energy is high and my mind is focused.  Going out to events doesn’t tire me but in fact, energizes me.  Now I may not want to go because I’m feeling tired, but once I’m there, I always come home revved up from the excitement and activity.

What would you say your Top 3 Excellence Habits are (ie. habits that ensure your success).

1.  I journal.  Tony Robins once said to me back in 1994: “If your life is worth living, it’s worth recording”.  I’ve been journaling ever since.  It doesn’t matter where I go or what I do, I feel like I have a best friend that I can tell everything to.

2.  Before I go to bed at night, I do my gratitude journal.  Even during difficult times, I find 5 things I am grateful for that day.  Sometimes it may be I am just grateful that the day has ended, lol, but it keeps my mind consistently focused on the good.  It’s surprising how every day I think, “Oh that was exciting.  I’ll have to write that down”.

3.  I eat healthy.  I don’t like junk food.  Having a blend of veggies and fruit in the morning after my coffee just makes me happy!  With all that goodness going into my body, I picture all my organs clapping.

Describe your Top 3 Time Management Tips as they relate to your Mission.

1.  Get a good CRM to keep you on track.
2. Be your word, and if you can’t be your word, make sure you clean up your word immediately.
3. Always leave early for appointments if you can.  You can get there early and make calls or do emails.  People will learn they can count on you.

Describe a favorite hobby or adventure.

Besides journaling, I love walking in the forest.  It literally feeds my soul being around all those amazing trees.  I am present to all the creatures and insects that thrive there.  When I walk in the forest I feel loved, and they also know I’ve got their back.  I’m with my ‘people.’  There must be a reason why they call me the “Tree Lady” 🙂

Favourite energy meal or snack (healthy).

Raw almonds.  I carry a bag in my vehicle so when I am on my way to meetings or events, they help keep hunger at bay and energize me.

My favorite meal hands down is sushi.  I could live on salmon and tuna sashimi daily.

Favourite indulgence or treat.

I enjoy red wine, especially if it is accompanied by a delicious meal.

Top 3 things on your Bucket List.

1. Live in Paris for 3 months.
2. Have another personal conversation with Oprah.
3. Hike the Great Wall of China.

What does giving back (fulfillment) look like to you?

I prefer to donate to personal GoFundMe campaigns.  I like the idea of giving to a family in need who is associated with my network of family, friends ,and associates.  I feel more connected to the giving process, and I get easily enrolled in their needs and joy from sending immediate help to the cause.

I also made Blessing Bags that I keep in my vehicle, and whenever I’m at a light and a homeless person is needing help, I hand them a Blessings Bag with all the toiletries, treats, and surprises to help make their day just a little bit special.

I never leave home without my…

Cell phone or my lipstick.  It’s crazy.  I feel if I have lipstick on, I can conquer the world.

What are the apps or online tools you most use?

Google Maps, and of course Facebook.  The only time I am on FB is if I’m on my phone.  It is great for lineups at the bank or waiting for an appointment.  It keeps me connected to my peeps and their lives.

Do you have a morning ritual? What is it?

I like to get up early and take one hour to just be still and alone.  I have my coffee and snuggle with my pups, CeeCee and Jasper, my Cocker Spaniels.  I mentally prepare for my day, right down to the clothes I imagine wearing that day.  After that hour, I feel I’m ready with my most powHERful plan (read: powHERplan) for the day.

If you could display a 1-line message in Times Square that would be televised to women around the world, what would it say?

“Women of the world unite, and let’s show Mother Nature we are on her side!”

Your thoughts on mentoring young women?  What do you feel your most valuable lessons to pass on are?

I love the idea of mentoring, and I have so many life lessons that I don’t know that I could pick just one.  For me, it would look like time and presence on a regular basis to share with her my experiences as hers develops.  Having someone to hold your hand through the process who’s gone through it before is invaluable.  I found someone later on in my career that helped me handle the pitfalls of business.  I only wish I had had someone when I was younger to mentor me.

At PowHERhouse, we’re currently dissecting the term collaboration as we don’t feel that women have mastered how to collaborate at its fullest potential.  We’re intrigued by how to best synthesize our efforts and our energy to create the most direct path from A to B with EASE, fun, stimulation, learning and the greatest impact.  What are your thoughts on this?

That’s a good question.  Most of the women entrepreneurs I know are so busy getting things done that they forget to ask for help.  I think the key is to find great facilitators and leaders who foster a safe environment.  You need to create a container that is fun, supportive and energizing, and to give women the freedom to create, share and brainstorm together without fear that their ideas and perspectives will be dismissed.

Note:

World Tree has joined the revolution! The World Tree Carbon Offset Program is now available online from FrontFundr check us out at www.frontfundr.com