Meet Innovative Woman Sylvie di Giusto, professional image consultant, corporate trainer and founder of Executive Image Consulting.
1. How/why did you begin your business?
Initially, it was money. I know, many would have expected a more strategic, passionate or romantic answer. However, I’ve lived a very independent life and I saw no reason to change that when I walked down the aisle and got two wonderful children. I felt uncomfortable with the idea of being financially dependent on someone else. It’s not about the amount of dollars. It is fundamentally satisfying for me when I can pay for a weekend getaway or a pair of fabulous high heels —one definitely doesn’t need— with money that I have earned on my own.
2. What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?
My challenge is that I always try to give 100% for everything I do, and it seems as if there are always a million things to do. It’s tempting to believe the world is going to end if I step away from my computer, and it’s easy to neglect health, friends and especially family. But it requires a lot of self-discipline and time-management to take a break to refresh, relaxed and re-energize. I constantly have to remind myself that my business is a crucial part of my life, but not my entire life.
3. How do you define SUCCESS?
I always try to convince, delight and surprise my clients by delivering a level of excellence that they had not imagined was possible. This is true for every aspect of my work: being flexible, thoughtful and professional at every meeting, with my delivery style, with presentations and workbooks, with resources and research, with follow up’s or simply by sending hand-written “thank you” notes. It all has to be amazing and stand out for the right reasons. Success is when my clients share this enthusiasm, and let me know how much they appreciate it.
4. If there was one thing you wish you knew before you began your business, what would that be?
How much hard work it actually is to be a successful entrepreneur is something I wish I’d have known before I started. Maybe, it’s just better you don’t know it. I credit a significant part of my success to working while others aren’t. Many have great ideas, however most don’t want to do the work required to get the job done and show a lack of persistence if it gets messy. There is no easy way to become a successful entrepreneur. We always have to work as hard as we can, and then work even harder. If you can’t handle that workload, then don’t try to run your own business.
5. What makes you an innovative woman?
I’m leveraging new tools and technologies on a daily basis and have developed a strong presence and brand on the internet. For many corporate trainers and image consultants the world of social media, search engine optimization, e-mail marketing, content marketing and online lead generation is still unknown territory. Randomly opening accounts on any given platform and a little bit of tweeting, pinning, sharing and posting here and there just doesn’t do the trick. It’s not how much you post. It’s how good you post. I constantly share valuable information, which my audience may need and make sure that they see it – without being pitchy. The result: 100% of my leads are generated online. Each of my clients has found, explored and booked me over the internet. And if anyone tells you that you need a team or agency to do that, they’re fooling you. One person can do it. Look at me. I did it.
For more information about Sylvie visit www.executive-image-consulting.com and www.theimageofleadership.com