1. What have you found most challenging as a leader of a small or medium enterprise?

Finding new clients has been hard for my business, we rely mostly on word-of-mouth and networking.

2. How did you become a leader of an SME? Can you please briefly tell the story?

When I was in college as a Business student, I wanted to take my innate talent for Social Media and turn it into a real job. I freelanced as a Social Media Manager for more than 4 years and this year I turned my freelance job into a real company. It was a leap of faith to start a new business during the pandemic, but it really paid off.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

I like to wake up early in the morning and unwind before I start my day, this can include viewing Social Media, going for a drive, or watching the sun rise.
I then attend my meetings for the day, which I usually try to schedule between 9:00 am and 6:00pm. Between meetings I confer with my interns and do work for my clients.
After attending my many meetings of the day and working, I like to relax and turn off work-mode. I learned that no person can be 100% during 100% of their time, it is best to work 100% when necessary and then take a break at the end of the day so you don't get burnt out. I also take weekends off for the most part. I do not schedule meetings, but I do get some work done when I am not spending time on my own personal life.
I like to exercise at night and then relax by doing research and reading before bed. Then I sleep.

4. What's the most recent significant leadership lesson you've learned?

It is ok to delegate tasks to people who work for you, that's what they are there for!

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

There is no specific book that can prepare you to be a leader, you need to use the knowledge you accumulate through experience to truly know how to lead a team to victory.

6. How do you build leadership capacity in an SME?

You can build leadership capacity by being flexible and open-minded. People who may work jobs that aren't as high-up as yours' may have valuable ideas and comments that can help improve your business. People can do things that you don't expect, whether it be something good or bad. Keep your mind open and check your preconceived notions at the door.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader of an SME so far?

When I hired my first intern I learned that she was shy and had anxiety. I was nervous at first that I may not be able to help her overcome her shyness among my clients. But once she started to shadow me at more and more meetings, she really bloomed and showed her happy personality and sense of humor. It made me incredibly proud and taught me about the power of giving people a chance to overcome an obstacle.