Anatomy of a Leader with Maria Hvorostovsky

Vanessa Jacobs is all about action, grabbing the tiger by the tail and taking that first step. After a career in investment banking and consulting, she started what she calls her side ‘mummy hustle’. Little did she know that this would turn into a full on successful startup The Restory - a leading luxury aftercare company providing services for the likes of Harrods, Harvey Nichols and most recently Manolo Blahnik. In Episode 17 we take a look into the story behind The Restory, lessons learnt about starting a side hustle, taking the leap from consulting to startup, burnout and everything in between. WE DISCUSS: 02:21 - The birth of The Restory 07:14 - See a need - fill a need 09:31 - Vanessa’s biggest business challenge 15:54 - The hardest thing for a start-up 18:15 - Fuel for the fires 20:02 - (Believing) 22:41 - What is leadership 27:04 - Growing up and moving to London 31:20 - Advice for consultants who want to start their own business 32:32 - Understanding failure / Taking care of yourself 35:27 - Advice for Vanessa’s younger self 40:11 - The “Impossible” question 41:53 - What Vanessa is most proud of VANESSA JACOBS LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/vanessajacobs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vljacobs THE RESTORY Twitter: https://twitter.com/therestory_/status/930832106330230784 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therestory_/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-restory/ EPISODE #17: You can listen to the full episode here OR WATCH it on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC-YIz5pEMM9vigbYOxK2Kw (change this) MARIA HVOROSTOVSKY: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: @MariaHvo - https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/ Clubhouse: @MariaHvo - https://www.clubhouse.com/@mariahvo HVO Search: www.hvosearch.com/ Get in touch if you need help HIRING your senior leadership team LEAVE A REVIEW: If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Subscribe, Rate, and leave a REVIEW. The best review will get a mention in the next episode!

“Once I commit myself, I'm really all in. And I'm, as I said, a bit of a masochist about it” Vanessa Jacobs is all about action, grabbing the tiger by the tail and taking that first step. After a career in investment banking and consulting, she started what she calls her side ‘mummy hustle’. Little did she know that this would turn into a full on successful startup The Restory - a leading luxury aftercare company providing services for the likes of Harrods, Harvey Nichols and most recently Manolo Blahnik. In Episode 17 we take a look into the story behind The Restory, lessons learnt about starting a side hustle, taking the leap from consulting to startup, burnout and everything in between.  VANESSA JACOBS LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/vanessajacobs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vljacobs THE RESTORY Twitter: https://twitter.com/therestory_/status/930832106330230784 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therestory_/ EPISODE #17: You can listen to the full episode here OR WATCH it on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC-YIz5pEMM9vigbYOxK2Kw MARIA HVOROSTOVSKY: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: @MariaHvo - https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/ Clubhouse: @MariaHvo - https://www.clubhouse.com/@mariahvo Get in touch if you need help HIRING your senior leadership team LEAVE A REVIEW: If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Subscribe, Rate, and leave a REVIEW. The best review will get a mention in the next episode!

Steve Dennis is a retail industry veteran, keynote speaker on retail innovation, podcast host, and has recently revised his bestselling book “Remarkable Retail - How to Win & Keep Customers in The Age of Disruption”. Steve is President of Sageberry Consulting, Strategic Advisor, Senior Forbes Contributor and holds an MBA from The Harvard School of Business. In Episode 16 we talk about the current retail environment, fostering a culture of experimentation, mapping out the customer journey and, of course, how to be remarkable. WE DISCUSS: 04:24 - What retailers got wrong before the pandemic 06:30 - New retail strategies - what new tricks must old dogs learn? 14:10 - The end of scarcity 19:59 - Experimentation, innovation, trial and error 24:12 - The importance of risk and failure 29:09 - What we need in our retail leaders 38:01 - Challenges for legacy retailers and advice for next 5-10 years 42:00 - Read this one chapter of Steve’s book 45:40 - Meeting customers at different levels 51:18 - What to do with the old version of Remarkable Retail? STEVE DENNIS LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenpdennis Instagram: @Stevenpdennis - https://www.instagram.com/stevenpdennis Twitter: @Stevenpdennis - https://twitter.com/StevenPDennis  Website: https://stevenpdennis.com RetailWire: https://www.retailwire.com/author/steve-dennis Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevendennis Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/remarkable-retail Books: https://stevenpdennis.com/remarkable-retail/ Keynote Speaking: https://stevenpdennis.com/speaking/ EPISODE #16: You can listen to the full episode here OR WATCH it on YouTube - https://youtu.be/aD8LItLQ_fM MARIA HVOROSTOVSKY: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: @MariaHvo - https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/ Clubhouse: @MariaHvo - https://www.clubhouse.com/@mariahvo Get in touch if you need help HIRING your senior leadership team LEAVE A REVIEW: If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Subscribe, Rate, and leave a REVIEW. The best review will get a mention in the next episode!

“The main reason I wrote the book was for that retailer who is slowly sinking into oblivion, and thinking that a slightly better version of mediocre is enough to win” Steve Dennis is a retail industry veteran, keynote speaker on retail innovation, podcast host, and has recently revised his bestselling book “Remarkable Retail - How to Win & Keep Customers in The Age of Disruption”. Steve is President of Sageberry Consulting, Strategic Advisor, Senior Forbes Contributor and holds an MBA from The Harvard School of Business. In Episode 16 we talk about the current retail environment, fostering a culture of experimentation, mapping out the customer journey and, of course, how to be remarkable. STEVE DENNIS LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenpdennis Instagram: @Stevenpdennis - https://www.instagram.com/stevenpdennis Twitter: @Stevenpdennis - https://twitter.com/StevenPDennis Website: https://stevenpdennis.com RetailWire: https://www.retailwire.com/author/steve-dennis Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevendennis Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/remarkable-retail Books: https://stevenpdennis.com/remarkable-retail/ Keynote Speaking: https://stevenpdennis.com/speaking/ EPISODE #16: You can listen to the full episode here OR WATCH it on YouTube - https://youtu.be/aD8LItLQ_fM MARIA HVOROSTOVSKY: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: @MariaHvo - https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/ Clubhouse: @MariaHvo - https://www.clubhouse.com/@mariahvo Get in touch if you need help HIRING your senior leadership team LEAVE A REVIEW: If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Subscribe, Rate, and leave a REVIEW. The best review will get a mention in the next episode!

Grace Fodor is an age warrior, brand strategist, and founder of Studio 10 cosmetics, leading the pro-age revolution. In this time of ageism, she inspires, empowers and encourages women across the globe to appreciate their unique blend of beauty, experience and vibrance. In Episode 15 we have a heart-to-heart about struggles, perceptions and decisions of midlife women in the workplace. We also discuss Grace’s outlook on social media, business, gender and leadership and how mediocre practices are limiting not only our women but also organisations. It’s inspiring to hear Grace talk about her journey into midlife and beyond. She elaborates on her struggles, growth and insight as a woman in business. Her view is that it’s never too late to bloom. WE DISCUSS: 3:48 - The philosophy of Studio 10 6:47 - Grace’s insight into the pro-age movement and age relevance 16:29 - All about Studio 10 and Grace’s business background 21:05 - Humanising a brand 26:09 - The dilemma and the demands of the limelight / Authenticity 34:24 - Gender and roles 41:33 - Vision, inspiration and leadership 51:03 - Stress - past, present and future 56:22 - Resting to work 1:05:44 - What to focus on GRACE FODOR   LinkedIn:https://uk.linkedin.com/in/grace-fodor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studio10makeup/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/grace_fodor  AFA: https://www.advocatesforageing.com/grace-fodor     STUDIO 10 BEAUTY   Website: https://studio10beauty.com/  Twitter: @studio10beauty - https://twitter.com/studio10beauty  Facebook: @studio10beauty - https://www.facebook.com/studio10beauty/  Pinterest: @studio10beauty - https://www.pinterest.co.uk/studio10beauty/ EPISODE #15: You can listen to the full episode here OR WATCH it on YouTube - https://youtu.be/OTS6AbSJXQ4 MARIA HVOROSTOVSKY: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: @MariaHvo - https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/ Clubhouse: @MariaHvo - https://www.clubhouse.com/@mariahvo Get in touch if you need help HIRING your senior leadership team LEAVE A REVIEW: If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Subscribe, Rate, and leave a REVIEW. The best review will get a mention in the next episode!

“Focus on yourself. Compete against yourself." In Episode 15 I speak with Grace Fodor, an Age Warrior, Brand Strategist, and Founder of Studio 10 cosmetics. Grace is a leader in the pro-age revolution. In this time of ageism, she inspires, empowers and encourages women across the globe to appreciate their unique blend of beauty, experience and vibrance. We have a heart-to-heart about struggles, perceptions and decisions of midlife women in the workplace. We also discuss Grace’s outlook on social media, business, gender and leadership and how mediocre practices are limiting not only our women but also organisations. It’s inspiring to hear Grace talk about her journey into midlife and beyond. She elaborates on her struggles, growth and insight as a woman in business. Her view is that it’s never too late to bloom. GRACE FODOR LinkedIn:https://uk.linkedin.com/in/grace-fodor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studio10makeup/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/grace_fodor AFA: https://www.advocatesforageing.com/grace-fodor STUDIO 10 BEAUTY Website: https://studio10beauty.com/ Twitter: @studio10beauty - https://twitter.com/studio10beauty Facebook: @studio10beauty - https://www.facebook.com/studio10beauty/ Pinterest: @studio10beauty - https://www.pinterest.co.uk/studio10beauty/ EPISODE #15: You can listen to the full episode here OR WATCH it on YouTube - https://youtu.be/OTS6AbSJXQ4 MARIA HVOROSTOVSKY: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: @MariaHvo - https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/ Clubhouse: @MariaHvo - https://www.clubhouse.com/@mariahvo Get in touch if you need help HIRING your senior leadership team LEAVE A REVIEW: If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Subscribe, Rate, and leave a REVIEW. The best review will get a mention in the next episode!

In Episode #14, I spoke with Nicolai Chen Nielsen, Co-author of Return on Ambition about what ambition is, how to be intentional with your ambition, how to see yourself as an investment, the dark side of our strengths (in his book he calls them the 7 Frenemies) and how wellbeing and growth are inextricably linked to achievement. Nicolai is the director of transformation services at Peakon/Workday, where he provides cutting-edge talent analytics and employee engagement tools to empower employees. He is also a Partner at the Supertrends Institute, where he focuses on the intersection of the latest trends and their implications on leaders and organisations. He is also a co-author of Leadership At Scale. WE DISCUSS: 04:08 - What led Nicolai to write his book 08:30 - The analogy of the tripod (Achievement, Growth, Well-being) 13:04 - The disconnect between ambition and struggle 19:10 - 7 frenemies that need our attention 27:36 - Nicolai’s best return on investment 29:21 - Key leadership qualities 34:32 - The changing nature of organisations 38:36 - What Nicolai learned from writing his book 40:41 - What Nicolai thinks of failure 45:30 - What advice would Nicolai give his younger self? NICOLAI CHEN NIELSEN LinkedIn: https://it.linkedin.com/in/nicolaicn Instagram: @Nicolaicn - https://www.instagram.com/nicolaicn Twitter: @NicolaiOne - https://twitter.com/nicolaione RETURN ON AMBITION Website: https://returnonambition.com/ Instagram: @Returnonambition - https://www.instagram.com/returnonambition/ EPISODE #14: You can listen to the full episode here OR WATCH it on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC-YIz5pEMM9vigbYOxK2Kw MARIA HVOROSTOVSKY: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: @MariaHvo - https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/?hl=en Clubhouse: @MariaHvo - https://www.clubhouse.com/@mariahvo Get in touch if you need help HIRING your senior leadership team LEAVE A REVIEW: If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Subscribe, Rate, and leave a REVIEW. The best review will get a mention in the next episode!

“Ambition is a desire and drive to reach a future state that's different from today, challenging to get to, and personally meaningful.” In Episode #14 I spoke with Nicolai, Co-author of Return on Ambition about what ambition is, how to see yourself as an investment, how to work out your return on ambition, the dark side of our strengths (in his book he calls them the 7 Frenemies) and how wellbeing and growth are inextricably linked to achievement. Nicolai is the director of transformation services at Peakon/Workday, where he provides cutting-edge talent analytics and employee engagement tools to empower employees. He is also a Partner at the Supertrends Institute, where he focuses on the intersection of the latest trends and their implications on leaders and organisations. He is also a co-author of Leadership At Scale. NICOLAI CHEN NIELSEN LinkedIn: https://it.linkedin.com/in/nicolaicn Instagram: @Nicolaicn - https://www.instagram.com/nicolaicn Twitter: @NicolaiOne - https://twitter.com/nicolaione RETURN ON AMBITION Website: https://returnonambition.com/ Instagram: @Returnonambition - https://www.instagram.com/returnonambition/ EPISODE #14: You can listen to the full episode here OR WATCH it on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC-YIz5pEMM9vigbYOxK2Kw MARIA HVOROSTOVSKY: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: @MariaHvo - https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/?hl=en Clubhouse: @MariaHvo - https://www.clubhouse.com/@mariahvo Get in touch if you need help HIRING your senior leadership team LEAVE A REVIEW: If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Subscribe, Rate, and leave a REVIEW. The best review will get a mention in the next episode!

Miriam is an entrepreneur, NED, and advisor to early stage companies.  She has spent her career growing companies such as eBay, Figleaves, navabi, TJX and NET-A-PORTER. In Episode 13 we talk about how behavioural science can help create lasting positive change within companies, the importance of psychological safety and thinking about who is not at the table. It was fascinating to hear Miriam’s perspective of being a woman in business and a female CEO at that, the role models that showed her the power of leading with the heart and how you should never take a job you know you can do. WE DISCUSS: 03:07 - Why Miriam founded Aequip. Behavioural science and behavioural nudges 10:10 - Key leadership qualities (Vision, Clarity, Collaboration) 11:39 - Great leaders Miriam worked with and learnt from 14:22 - What is Psychological Safety and how do you know when you have it? 15:51 - CEO is the loneliest job 19:11 - Making mistakes and moving past fear of failure 21:07 - What Miriam is most proud of 21:45 - Miriam’s early years 28:49 - Being a woman in business, Anna Wintour as caricature 34:14 - What can be done to address gender equality 35:30 - How the pandemic shaped Miriam as a leader 41:03 - 3 pieces of advice to younger self 44:10 - The Impossible Question MIRIAM LAHAGE: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lahage/ Twitter: @MLahage - https://twitter.com/mlahage Aequip: https://www.aequip.co.uk/ EPISODE #13: You can listen to the full episode here OR WATCH it on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC-YIz5pEMM9vigbYOxK2Kw MARIA HVOROSTOVSKY: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: @MariaHvo - https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/ Clubhouse: @MariaHvo - https://www.clubhouse.com/@mariahvo Get in touch if you need help HIRING your senior leadership team LEAVE A REVIEW: If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Subscribe, Rate, and leave a REVIEW. The best review will get a mention in the next episode!

“Never take a job you know you can do.“ In Episode #13 I spoke with Miriam Lahage, who is an entrepreneur, advisor to early stage companies and co-Founder of Aequip (previously at eBay, Figleaves, navabi, TJX and NET-A-PORTER). It was fascinating to hear Miriam’s perspective of being a woman in business and a female CEO at that, the role models that showed her the power of leading with the heart and how you should never take a job you know you can do. MIRIAM LAHAGE: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lahage/ Twitter: @MLahage - https://twitter.com/mlahage/  Aequip: https://www.aequip.co.uk/ EPISODE #13: You can listen to the full episode here OR WATCH it on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC-YIz5pEMM9vigbYOxK2Kw MARIA HVOROSTOVSKY: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: @MariaHvo - https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/ Clubhouse: @MariaHvo - https://www.clubhouse.com/@mariahvo Get in touch if you need help HIRING your senior leadership team LEAVE A REVIEW: If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Subscribe, Rate, and leave a REVIEW. The best review will get a mention in the next episode!