About The Founders - Q&A
Q: Describe yourself in 3 words.
Andrea: Outgoing, Bold, Leader
Natasha: Energetic, Driven, Emotional
Q: Who are your biggest inspirations?
Andrea: My mom. She’s taught me that you can have a career and a family and also to push myself outside of my comfort zone
Natasha: My mum and dad. They are incredibly hardworking and are so loving/supportive to each other and our family as a whole
Q: Describe your career trajectory.
Andrea: I’ve always worked for global financial services companies even as an intern. I started in accounting & regulatory reporting and I’m currently in asset management
Natasha: Not a straight line, that’s for sure! I had more entrepreneurial dreams in college but ended up going the corporate route with different experiences in finance, including foreign exchange brokering, institutional sales and now, private equity
Q: What do you do to relieve work stress?
Andrea: I love to cook, exercise, or watch the housewives on Bravo!
Natasha: Cooking "recipeless", watching reality TV and spending time with friends/family! All with a glass of wine helps ;)
Q: What is your favorite podcast?
Andrea: My favorite podcast is How I Built This! The host, Guy Raz, does a fantastic job of interviewing his guests. I always feel so inspired after each episode because each entrepreneur had a humble beginning and plenty of setbacks, but persevered
Natasha: Mine too! Andrea was the one who got me hooked on podcasts by introducing me to How I Built This. All-time favourite episode is the one on Sara Blakely, the Spanx founder, that left a big impression on me because of her tenacity and resourcefulness. Skimm’d from the Couch is also a great one for women with their “no bs” rule
Q: What skill are you currently trying to learn?
Andrea: The art of sales and relationship management
Natasha: Prioritization! Learning not to agonize over small things that couldn’t get done
Q: What is your biggest pet peeve at work?
Andrea: Currently, it’s being ignored via e-mail when reaching out cold to prospects; I’d rather receive a rejection instead
Natasha: Receiving e-mails without a greeting and just using the name. Feels impersonal and hierarchical!
Q: What do you carry in your work handbag?
Andrea: Business cards, lipstick, mints and a snack
Natasha: Notebook, Muji 6-in-1 pen, stack of business cards, lip balm and lipstick
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
Andrea: “If you don’t ask, the answer is always no!” There’s truly no harm in asking, as long as you phrase the question well
Natasha: My dad once told me “it’s not about who’s right or wrong.” That has served me well both professionally and personally. If you’re too busy convincing people how you are right, you’re not listening or working towards a compromise/resolution
Q: If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?
Andrea: Have my own show where I’d travel and learn to cook new recipes. Anthony Bourdain + Ina Garten!
Natasha: Luxury hotel reviewer!!!
