The 10 Most Successful Businesswomen to Watch, 2022 September2022

Benchmarking Excellence

AbhishekJoshi

AbhishekJoshi

Inthismodernera,businessleadersaresearchingfor

waystoleadtheirteamstosuccessandadapttocurrent eventsthathavethrownmanycompaniesintoaloop. Goodleadershipisdifficultintimesofchangeandcrisis, andmanymanagersarerealizingthatthemanytriedand truebusinessstrategiesofthepastarenotapplicabletothe currentstateofworldaffairs.

Manyleadersarechoosingtoadoptmanagingstylesthat aremorefocusedonkeepingtheirteamlean,agile,and adaptive.Theabilityoforganizationstostayflexibleis moreimportantthanever,givenhowunpredictablethe futureistoday.

Moreover,muchoftheconventionalwisdomabout managementhasbeenturnedonitsheadduetothe adoptionofnewtechnologiesthathavesignificantly changedthebusinesscultureofmanycompanies.

Managersshouldhaveaclearvisionofwhattheyaretrying toachieveandbeabletoinspirethisvisionintheir subordinates.Aleader'svisionshouldbeclearand meaningful.Settingavisionyourteamcanrallybehindand tangiblyworktowardiscrucial.

Sharingthiswisdomwillmakeworkersfeelliketheyare partofacollectivewholethatisworkingtogethertowards thesamegoal.Withoutavision,employeesaremorelikely tobeisolatedandself-serving,whichcanleadtoinfighting andconflictinanorganization.

Intoday'sfast-paceddigitalworld,stagnationandclosemindednessareagoodleader'sworstenemies.Effective managersareconstantlylearningnewskillsandexpanding theirsetofskills.Doingsoallowsthemtocommunicate moreeasilywithdifferentteammembersthatmightpossess theirownuniqueexpertise.

Constantlykeepinganopenmindandapproachingbusiness fromalearningperspectivealsoallowsthemtofostera morediverseworkenvironmentthatacceptsand encouragesallsortsofdifferentperspectives.

Embracingthejourneyofsuchstaunchbusinessleadersthat arerevolutionizingthemodernbusinessarena,Insights Success'latestedition,shedslightonThe10Most SuccessfulBusinesswomentoWatch,2022.

Flipthroughthepagesandexplorethefundamentalsof successwiththeresoluteleadershipcharismas.

Have a Delightful read!

Cover Story

An Undisputed Master of Money Energy

C O N T E N T

Daria Dubinina

Building the Next-generation FinTech Products

Diana Jenner Redefining the Beauty Industry

Heba El Hakim

Helping Businesses

Establish a Strong Online Presence

Jekaterina Stuģe

Each day, Amber Beverage Group is working to create the best value for all our stakeholders

Ruthie Staalsen

An Avid Designer Creating Spaces that are Collected, not Decorated

Managing

Aditya

Senior

Marketing

Editor-in-Chief

Business

Sales

SME-SMO

Circulation

David,

Successful Business women

FeaturedPerson

DariaDubinina CEOandCo-founder

DianaJenner Founder&CEO

HebaEl-Hakim BusinessCoachand Consultant

JekaterinaStuge GroupChiefExecutive Officer

KarenSimon PresidentandManaging Partner

RuthieStaalsen Founder&CEO

CompanyName

Crassula crassula.io

OrchidsRetreat orchidsretreat.co.uk

HebaEl-HakimConsulting

AmberBeverageGroup amberbev.com

EmersonsCommercial RealEstate www.emersonscre.com

RuthieStaalsenInteriors ruthiestaalsen.com

ValentinaWhite, CFO WhiteAccountancy www.waccountancy.lt

Brief

CrassulaisaFinTechsoftwareplatformprovidingsolutionsfor businessestocreatefinancialproducts.

OrchidsRetreatoffersbespokeserviceslikeadvancedfaceand skincareandmakeup.

HebaEl-HakimConsultingisabusinesscoachingservice thatfocusesondevelopingcustomizedonlinebusiness solutionsandmarketingstrategiesforpremiumservicebased businessowners.

AmberBeverageGroupisarapidlygrowingglobalspirits company,whoseproductsarefoundinmillionsofhouseholds andvenuesacrosstheglobe

EmersonsCommercialRealEstateisateamofrealestate professionalsdedicatedtoprovidingallthebenefitsofaninhouserealestatemanagementoperation.

RuthieStaalsenInteriorsisanawardwinningDallasInterior Designercompany

Valentinaoffersinnovativeandeffectivefinancialsolutions, draftingnecessaryandproperdocumentsrequiredby individualsandoffices.

ValentinaWhite CFO WHITE ACCOUNTANCY

C o v e r S t o r y

Valentina Valentina

White

An Undisputed Master of Money Energy

WHITE

ACCOUNTANC

Y guarantees strict quality control over the services.

Seasonedbyhertenyearsofexperiencerunningher accountancyfirm,ValentinaWhitesetsanexample foryoungsterstobuildagreatcareerinherfield.She hasdevelopeduniqueteachinganthebookof18Money EnergyLawsandhasbecomeaMasterofMoneyEnergy Hercuriositytolearnhasmadeitpossibleforhertowork asaChiefFinancialOfficerinaninfluentialand trustworthycompanynamedWHITEACCOUNTANCY.

Valentinaoffersinnovativeandeffectivefinancialsolutions, draftingnecessaryandproperdocumentsrequiredby individualsandoffices.Thecompanyseekslong-term customerrelationshipsandhascreatedanatmosphereof completetrustwithitsclients.Itisfocusedontheprinciples offairness,teamworkandcommitment,makingitoneof thepioneersinthefield.

WeatInsightsSuccessinterviewedhertolearnabouther visionforthecompanyandfutureplans.

Let'sdivestraightintohermindthroughthisquestionnaire.

Brieflydescribeyourprofessionaljourneyupuntilnow.

Iremembermyfirstdayinmyownbusiness:atwo-seat dormitoryoffice.Asmallcaveismorethananoffice.Iam alreadywaitingfortheclient'sfirstcallthismorning.Ihad zeroknowledgeinthefieldoffinancialaccountinganda greatdesiretodoeverythingverywell,toput200%effort intomywork.

Ihadanunquenchabledesiretolearn.Toknoweverything aboutaccountingandHMRCpenaltyappealsprocesses,I wentdeepintofinanceuntilIstartedlearningallabout moneyingeneral.AndIwentmywaytofinancialliteracy education.Igrewupasthecompany'sCFOandbecamea masterofmoneyenergy

Whatchallengesdidyoufacealongtheway?

MymissionistoworkwiththeLithuaniancommunity.And here,thebiggestchallengehasbeentochangeoutdated standardsandwoundsleftbyothercompaniesandcorrect theconsequencesofnegativebehaviouralpatterns.

Someaccountingcompanieshaveleftablackspotinthe Lithuaniancommunitybydeceivingcompatriots, plunderingandstealingtheirmoney,andengagingintax evasion.Ourcompatriots'naivety,trust,andproficiencyin theUKwereused.

Whatsignificantimpacthaveyoubroughttothefinance industry?

LithuanianscametoEnglandinsearchofanewlife.And someLithuanianaccountingcompaniesbehaved inappropriatelyandtookadvantageofthecurrentsituation. Thismodelofdeceivinghasbeenusedformanyyears,so Lithuanianshavegaineddistrustofaccountingcompanies. Itseemedtothemthateveryonewantedtotakeadvantage ofthem.

Andthishasbecomemymission-tochangetheaccounting company'sstandardsandgivemycompatriotsasylumand carefortheirtaxissuesinanorderlyandopenmanner.I gavemypeopleasafespacetocomeupwiththeirown problemsandhelpthemfindasolution.Icreatedaclearly structuredsystem,broadcastingclearvalues.Notonlydid weclearlybroadcastourmission,butwekeptitgoing.

TellusaboutWHITEACCOUNTANCYandits foundationpillars.

Ourfoundationpillarisnurturingcommunicationwithour clientele,nomattertheirbackground.Wetakeprideinour honesty,mentoringskills,ourabilitytoshareknowledge andhelpourclientsgrow.

HowdoesWHITEACCOUNTANCYpromote workforceflexibility,andwhatisyourroleinit?

In2022,weintroducedanewruleinthecompany:on Fridays,allofouremployeesdonotwork,buttheyarepaid asaworkingday.4daysworkingweek.

WeencourageemployeestotakeadvantageofFridaysfor self-development,professionaldevelopment,mentoring programs,orarelaxingbreak.

In9yearsofbusiness,therehasbeenarealizationthatan employeewhoworkslessactuallyworksmore.Thismeans thatwhenheisrested,heworksmoreefficiently,his balanceofpersonalandworkingtimebecomesnolongeran illusionbutareality

Whatisyourtakeontechnology'simportance,andhow areyouleveragingit?

Technologyintheaccountingbusiness(andbeyond)is everythingthattakesoveranefficient,productive,and profitablebusiness.Inmycalculations,aproperly

Our Foundation Pillar Is Nurturing Communication With Our Clientele, No Matter Their Background.

We Create A Personal Growth Club For Our Business Clients Where Business Owners Will Be Able To Transform Their Businesses Through Their Personal Transformation.

Womenhavemadeenormousstridesinthe

financesector.Theircontributionsinthespace arestrengtheningthefinancial-servicesindustry andhelpingbusinessesstayaheadofchallenges.Onesuch womanshapingthefutureoffinanceisDariaDubinina

Beforedivingintoentrepreneurship,Daria'sjourneyhas beenfullofdiscoveriesandindustryresearch.Shehasbeen workingintheFinTechandpaymentsfieldforfiveyears, doinge-commerceandonlinepayments.Thisallowedher togettoknowtheFinTechindustryandstrengthenedher desiretolearnanddevelopinFinTech.

Dariahasdedicatedmorethannineyearstomastering payments,e-commerce,andbusinessdevelopment.Asa leadingstrategistandentrepreneur,shehasalsoledmajor partnershipdealswithtopinternationalcompanies.Today sheistheCEOandCo-founderofCrassula.

Let'sunveilmoreaboutDaria'sjourneyandhowCrassulais deliveringtheworld-classproducts.

PuttingAccumulatedKnowledgeintoAction

Crassula'sstorybeganwhenDariametAlexNovozhenov andVladNikolayev.Theyallareco-foundersofCrassula.

ThedecisiontofoundCrassulawasanaturalprogressionof thedesiretoputtheaccumulatedknowledgeintoaction. Theystartedwithasimpleideatoprovidefastandeasy coretechnologyforlaunchingFinTechs.Andtoday CrassulaWhiteLabelsolutionsaretrustedbytheindustry leaders.ThecompanyallowsuserstobuildtheirPSP, Banking,FXproductsindaysandprovidesaccesstoworldclassproductstoover5millionusers.

AllowingCompaniestoCreatetheirProductsand Services

CrassulaWhiteLabelsoftwareprovidesthetechnical infrastructurefortheFinTechcompaniesthatallows creatingtheirservicesandproducts.WithCrassula, companiescanconcentrateonbuildingtheirbusinesses withoutspendingyearsandhugebudgetsdevelopingtheir solutions.Also,thisapproachreducestheriskswhentesting abusinessidea;nowthecompanycanbegintoimplement itsideaonCrassula'splatform,attractcustomersandenter themarket.

Crassulaallowsitsclientstolaunchtheircryptobanksand wallets,acceptingcryptopayments.Usingitssolutions, clientscanstarttheircryptobusinessindays.

“We are constantly developing, growing and improving.”

CryptoBankingproductallowsCrassula'sclientstolaunch theircryptoprojects,manageandopenaccountswith uniquecryptoaddresses,exchangefiattocrypto,make cryptotransfers,investincrypto,issuecardsforprivateand businessclients.

PSPishelpingcreateaglobalpaymentgatewayattributed withalternativepaymentmethods,anti-fraud,risk management,merchantintegration,smartrouting,and virtualcurrencies,enablingpaymentcompaniestomake onlinepaymentssecureandsmartformerchantsand payers.

EncouragingOutoftheBoxThinkinginTeam Members

StatingtheimportanceofcultureDariastatesthatthemost

importantvalueforCrassulaisitsteam.Foritscommunity, oneofthekeyprinciplesiscalled "Freedom And Responsibility".Itdoesnotcontroleveryminuteofworking time,givingitsteammatesfreedomtocreatewheneverthey want,butexpectsresponsibilityoffinishingtheprojectson timeandwiththehighestquality.Itcreateditsproductwith theabilitytothinkoutoftheboxandtriestoencouragethis skillinitsteam.

AsaCEO,DariatriestomotivateCrassula'scommunity,be arolemodel,shareherexperienceandstimulatecreativity intheareaofresponsibilityofCrassula'steammates.

Dariabelievesthatthebasisforbuildingateamistowork withthebest.Tocooperatewiththebestprofessionalsfrom aroundtheworld,Crassuladevelopedremoteworking practicesevenbeforethepandemic.So,whenCOVID-19 flippedtheworkplacesupside-down,Crassulahadalready embracedaremoteworkmodelbeforehiringprofessionals onlinebegantogetpopular Thisapproachenabledtheteam todoubleinsizein2021.Currently,Crassulaisatechnical hubbringingtogetherprofessionalsfromallovertheworld. ItsdreamteamisworkingremotelyfromLatvia,theUK, Russia,Ukraine,Kazakhstan.

KeepingPacewithWorldTrendsandAvailingEdge

WeaskedDariaheropiniononthenextbigsignificant changeintheFinTechspace,towhichshesays, "Pandemic, lockdown, and society changes led to radical changes in technology. Technologies today are developing rapidly as never before, and the FinTech industry is growing as well. Online banking is becoming a transforming tool in finance. And it's not just about the cashless economy. Digital banking offers more innovative services and products, improves security and transparency. It is important to mention white labelling as one of the main trends. White Label FinTech solutions allow the market to develop faster, and the businesses to launch their own solutions, minimize risks and costs.”

AccordingtoDaria,oneofthemostimportantfinancial innovationsandoneofthemaintrendsiscrypto.Trends suchasroboticprocessautomationandvoice-enabled paymentscannotbeignored.Noonecouldevenimagine howquicklyitcouldevolvewhenonlinebankinghasjust started.Bigdataprojectsarestillanimportanttrend,as peoplecreateanincredibleamountofdataeverysecond. Crassulaisatthecuttingedgeoftechnologydevelopment, anditisgoingtoworktoletitsproductskeeppacewith worldtrendsandpossiblyleadthem.

LookingForwardtoWorkingonNewSolutions

Lookingbackward,Dariaseesalotofamazingclients, successfulprojects,andcollaborations.Therefore,sheis lookingforwardtoworkingonnewsolutionsforCrassula's clients,tonewintegrations,nominations,and collaborations.

BeingOpentoNewOpportunities

Inheradvicetoemergingentrepreneurs,Dariasays, "Building your own business is one of the most hard yet exciting journey. This is a chance to give rise to new trends that may one day change the world. Therefore, you should be open to new opportunities, work hard, and develop your networking skills. You should always take care of yourself, of your team and keep moving to the new goals.”

Everyonedeservestofeelgreataboutthewaythey look.ItwasthisbeliefthatledDianaJennerto foundOrchidsRetreat.

DianaturnedherpassionforbeautyintoaboutiqueBeauty Salonthatgenuinelycaresaboutthewellbeingofitsclients. FromstartinghercareerbyworkinginaSpatorunningan award-winningsalon,shehascomealongway AtOrchids, shecreatestailoredprogramstosuiteachclient'sindividual needsofChemicalPeels,Mesotherapy,andCustomised Facialstopromoteandmaintainhealthyskin.

Inspiredbyherurgetotakebeautyindustrytothenew heights,weatInsightsSuccesscaughtupwithDianato learnmoreaboutherjourneyandOrchidsRetreat.

Below are the highlights of the interview:

Briefouraudienceaboutyourjourneyasabusiness leaderuntilyourcurrentpositionatOrchidsRetreat. Whatchallengesdidyouovercometoreachwhereyou aretoday?

MycareerinthebeautyindustrybeganworkinginaSpaat theLuxorHotelinLasVegaswhilstattendingUniversity NevadaLasVegas.Ialwayswantedtoownmyown business,andasalifelongpassionforbeauty,Iwantedto havemyownsalon.

MyDadtoldmethatIcouldn'tgotobeautyschoolasI neededaformaleducationnotjusttolearnatradeskill;he wouldn'tevenletmeattendaneveningmassagecourse whilstatuniversity.Instead,Igotajobinthespawhilst studyingatUNLVtogainhands-onexperience.Fast forwardafewyears,andImovedtoEnglandtobenearmy Mom.InEuropetheyofferBeautyTherapycoursesthat teachyouavarietyofskills,soIenrolledineverycourse possible.Forayear,Iattendedholistic,beautyand advancedcoursesfull-timeduringthedayaswellas

eveningandweekends,soIcompletedthreeyearsof coursesinoneyear.

Nowitwastimetogainsomeexperienceintheindustry.I startedmyownbusinesscalledOrchidsHideawayandset upatreatmentroominmybedroomathome.This expandedtoatwobedhousewithoneroomjustforsalon use;whilebuildingupmyownclientele,Iwasworkingina salonandmanagingabarandrestauranttomakeendsmeet. IthentookajobwithVirginAtlantictoseetheworldand visitspasandsalonsaroundtheglobe.In2008,Igaveup mywingsandboughtmyfirstsalononthetopfloorofa hairsalon.Iwasenjoyingtrainingandsharingmypassion asIgrewtheteam,soIgainedmyteachingqualification fromGreenwichUniversitytoenablemetoteachbeauty Teaching,runningasalon,andgrowingafamilyprovedto betoomuchtojuggle,sothenextchapterwastobea solopreneur.

Ikeptatreatmentroomonthecoastandtookupa residencyattheSohoHotelinLondon,whichgavemethe opportunitytohostseasonalskincareeventsforbeauty magazines,bloggersandtreatcelebrityclientele.Itwasa fantasticexperience,andI'msogratefultoKitKempforthe opportunity.

Thepandemicproveddifficultformany,butwithgritand motivation,Iwasdeterminedtoswimupstreamandprovide wellbeingforthecommunity.Lastsummer,Iopenedasixtreatmentroombeautyandwellbeingclinic.And,wenow haveateamoftwelvetoofferbeauty,holistic,wellbeing andadvancedaestheticservices.

TellussomethingmoreaboutOrchidsRetreat,its missionandvision.

OrchidsRetreat'smissionistohelpothersputtheirbest faceforward.Toeducateourteamandclientsabouthowto careandmaintainahealthybodyandglowingskinallyear

Wheredoyouenvisionyourselftobeinthelongrun andwhatareyourfuturegoalsforOrchidsRetreat?

Ihavesomanygoalsandaspirations!

Duringthepandemic,Iobtainedadistinctioninan aromatherapycourseandusedmyyearsofproduct ingredientknowledgetocreatemysignaturescentand formulatemyownbodycarerangetohelpclientsrefresh, relaxandrestoreathome.Iwouldliketobeahousehold nameonedayandtoadvanceAurumDtobeingstocked andsoldinhighendretailstores,notjustatOrchids Retreat.

TheBritishAssociationofBeautyTherapyand Cosmetologyaskedmetohelpthegovernmentwritethe guidelinesforourindustrytobecovidcompliant.Iwas delightedtohelptheDepartmentofBusinessandIndustry Strategy(BEIS)andtosharemyknowledgeandexperience withothersinthissectorIsetupSignatureDcoachingand consulting.

Goingforward,Iwouldliketosharemypassionand combinefeaturesfromallthreecompaniestofranchise OrchidsRetreataroundtheUnitedKingdomandlaunchour BeautyandWellbeingClinicsglobally.Offeringa'Beauty BusinessinaBox'withadvancedcoaching,policies, procedures,businesssetup,marketingmaterialsand ongoingsupport.

Whatwouldbeyouradvicetobuddingentrepreneurs whoaspiretoventureintothebusinesssector?

Justgoforit!You'llneverbecompletelyready;thereisno suchthingasfailure,justlessonslearnt.Ilearnnewlessons everyday,andithelpsusalltogrow,developandblossom.

Heba El- akim

HelpingBusinesses EstablishaStrongOnlinePresence

Adigitalworldawaitstheever-growingbusiness

communityinthevastonlineforumwherethereis anunlimitedreach,providedbusinessesfollow verifiedstrategiestobuildtheirbusiness.Somevaluable waystoventureintotheonlinesideofcompaniescanbe donebycreatingahighlyengagingemaillistandusing effectivemarketingstrategiestoachievehigh-volumesales quickly.

HebaEl-HakimConsultingisabusinesscoachingservice thatfocusesondevelopingcustomizedonlinebusiness solutionsandmarketingstrategiesforpremiumservicebasedbusinessowners.Itisaconsultancythathelps entrepreneurstaketheirbusinessesonline.Hebaisassisting businessestoestablishadigitalpresence,thereby maximizingtheirprofitsusingtheonlinemedium.Italso offersservicesforcreativeentrepreneurswhowishtoshift theirofferingsfromone-to-onetoone-to-manysustainably andprofitably

WeinterviewedHebaEl-Hakim,aBusinessCoachand Consultant,whoisthemindbehindtheventuretoflock intotheworldofherownonlinebusinessstrategies.Let's hearitfromher.

Below are the highlights of the interview:

AsaMarketingandBusinessCommunications Specialist,whatisyouropinionontheeffectsofthe currentpandemiconEducationalInstitutions?

Iworkextensivelywithintheeducationindustry.Infact,I supportcommunitylanguageschoolsacrossAustraliaand playedakeyroleintheadministrationofalanguageschool forseveralyears.I'veconductednationalsurveysofschools tounderstandtheimpactoflockdownsandremotelearning ontheeducationalinstitutionsinVictoria,Australia,which experiencedoneoftheharshestandlongestlockdownsin theworld.I'vefoundthroughmysurveyreportsthat

schoolsandothereducationalinstitutionswerefurther exacerbatedbynationallockdownsfindingcommunities thatwerealreadydisadvantagedandexcludedfrom adequateresourcesandsupportbeforethepandemicinafar muchworsesituation,leadingtothereductionoflearning opportunitiesandschoolperformance.

Andaseducationalinstitutionsresortedtoemergency remoteteachingtoensurecontinuityintheteachingand learningprocess,thisfurtherledtoexclusionsfor marginalizedcommunitieswhocouldnotaffordtechnology andthoselivinginremoteareaswhereinternetconnectivity isstillaproblem.Thepandemicalsowidenedpre-existing opportunityandachievementgaps,hittinghistorically disadvantagedstudentshardest.Surveyresultsalsoshowed thatthecrisisimpactednotjustacademicsbutalsothe broaderhealthandwell-beingofstudents,withmorethan 35percentofparentsveryorextremelyconcernedabout theirchildren'smentalhealth.Anditwasn'tjustthestudents impactedbutalsotheteachersastheyhadtoscrambleto learnnewtechnologiesandstruggledwithstudentand parentengagement.

Whatisyouropinionontheadvantagesforclassrooms toimprovetheofferingswithnewertechnological developments,especiallywhenitcomestoteachingall aroundtheglobe?

Technologyhasalwaysbeenattheforefrontofhuman education.Thereisnosingletechnologyinitiativethatwill achievethesameresultseverywheresimplybecauseyou willalwayshavedifferentschoolsystems,different learners,anddifferenteducators.Instead,torealizethe potentialoftechnologyineducationtoacceleratestudent learning,thedecision-makersshouldfocusonthefollowing keyareas:

Ÿ Scalingupqualityinstruction,suchasthroughprerecordedqualitylessons.

HebaEl-Hakim, BusinessCoachand Consultant

El-HakimConsulting

“

Thewayyouengage withpeopleonlinecan expandyourreachand brand.Showingup sincerelyandgenuinely ishalftheequationto growyourloyalclient base.Youdon'thaveto beeverywhere,but whereyoudoshowup, makeitcount!

Ÿ Facilitatingdifferentiatedinstructionthrough,for example,computer-adaptivelearningandliveone-ononetutoring.

Ÿ Expandingopportunitiestopractice.

Ÿ Increasinglearnerengagementthroughvideosand games.

Inyouropinion,whatcouldbethefutureofthelearning centersposttheCOVID-19pandemic?Andhowareyou strategizingthecompany'soperationsforthatfuture?

Ibelievetherearesomekeyareastofocusontoadvance educationtomorrow.First,it'simportanttocommitto strengtheningeducationasacommongood.Education helpsfightagainstinequalities.Ineducation,asinhealth, wearesafewheneverybodyissafe;weflourishwhen everybodyflourishes.Secondly,decision-makersmust expandthedefinitionoftherighttoeducationsothatit addressestheimportanceofconnectivityandaccessto knowledgeandinformation.Thirdly,weneedtovaluethe teachingprofessionandteachercollaboration.Therehas beenremarkableinnovationintheresponsesofeducatorsto theCovid-19crisis,withthosesystemsmostengagedwith familiesandcommunitiesshowingthemostresilience.We mustencourageconditionsthatgivefrontlineeducators autonomyandflexibilitytoactcollaboratively Also,it's

importanttomakefreeandopen-sourcetechnologies availabletoeducatorsandlearners.Openeducational resourcesandopenaccesstodigitaltoolsmustbe supported.Educationcannotthrivewithready-made contentbuiltoutsideofthepedagogicalspaceandoutside ofhumanrelationshipsbetweenteachersandstudents.Nor caneducationbedependentondigitalplatformscontrolled byprivatecompanies.

Whichisthebestwaytomeettoday'sandtomorrow's challengeswithyourcontributiontoeconomic development?

Tonavigatethroughthebigchangesoftomorrow,weneed tobringtogetherdiversifiedknowledge,wide-ranging expertise,andimaginationtoaddressthedifficultquestions createdbytheadvancementsoftechnologyandsociety Contributioncanlooklikeofferingservicesthatare customizedandindividualizedsolutionsandconsumable anywhereaswemovemoreintoa“HomeAnywhere” world,whereconsumersconsciouslylimitwhattheyown, insteadsubscribingtoservices,anda“WasteNothing” world,whereconsumerswanttheirvaluesreflectedinall theirpurchasesandintheorganizations,theyworkfor.As businessownersandleaders,weneedtothinkaboutwhich futurecustomerswe'redesigningproductsandservicesfor

andwhomwearelookingtoemploy.Stress-testingthe currentstatewithfuturescenarioscanhelpbusinessesfocus ondrawingthearcbetweenpresentandfutureandhavean openmindabouthowtheyneedtoadaptandevolve.

Asanestablishededucationalleader,whatwouldbe youradvicetobuddingbusinesswomenaspiringto ventureintotheeducationindustry?

Entrepreneursareusuallymission-drivenandlivetobring tolightapositiveimpact.Entrepreneurshipisdrivenbythe innateneedtocreate,build,growandimpact.Whenwe connectthetwo,educationandentrepreneurship,it'sall abouttakingcontrolofyourjourneytospendyourlife usingyourstrengthsandgeniustomakeanimpact.

Myadvicewouldbethis:Shareyourentrepreneurialstory; letpeopleseehowyoucameupwithanideaandhowyou

shiftedtoanother,failed,anditerateduntilyoufinally foundwhatyouweremeanttodo.Theprocess,notthe product,mattersmosttothelearner.Bebrave.Youwere borntomakeanimpact.Doit.

Howdoyouenvisionsustainingyourcompany's competencyinacutthroatandvolatileworldof technology?Wheredoyouseeyourcompanyinthenext fiveyears?

Ienvisionsustainingmycompany'scompetencybybeing authentic,caringforthecompetition,andcreatingmore valuethanIconsume.Iseemycompanyinthenextfive yearsthrivingwithitsownnetwork–thepeoplewhocare andareinterestedinfurtheringmyinitiative.Iwillbea trustedvoiceandauthorityinthefieldandmightevenhave writtenabookaboutbeingrelevantinthisindustry.

JekaterinaStuģe

Eachday,AmberBeverageGroupisworking tocreatethebestvalueforallourstakeholders

Withaninnovationagenda,coveringrelentless creativitytodevelopexistingbrandsandbuild newones,JekaterinaStuģeconsistently employsvariousstrategiestoseeknewconsumerinsights andfindnewwaysofcustomerengagement.Herdedicated effortsforherworkcaughteyeofInsightsSuccesswhichis whywecherishherasoneof “The Most Ambitious Women in Business to Follow, 2022”.

AstheGroupCEOofAmberBeverageGroup, JekaterinaaimstomakeherbusinessoneoftheTop10 spiritscompanies.AmberBeverageGroupisarapidly growingglobalspiritscompany,whoseproductsarefound inmillionsofhouseholdsandvenuesworldwide.

Fascinatedbyhereffortsandachievements, Insights Success caughtupwithJekaterinaandtalkedabouther amazingjourney,challengesandwhatliesnext.

Below are the highlights of the interview:

Brieflydescribeyourprofessionaljourneyupuntilnow.

“MyfirstseriousjobwaswiththeauditingcompanyArthur Andersen(laterErnst&YoungBaltic).Atthattime, becominganauditorinaninternationalauditfirmwasnot easy;itwasagreatchallengeandanhonourtogetaccepted intothiscommunity,”saysJekaterinaStuģe.Shespent morethan10yearsatErnst&Young,earninganMBA whilstthere.ShethenjoinedthenewlyformedLatvianfood producergroupNPFoods(currentlyOrklaConfectionery& SnacksLatvija)asaBoardMemberwithresponsibilityfor financialmanagementandinformationtechnology.She createdtheSharedServiceCentrethereandthenjoinedthe EcoBaltijateamasCFOandBoardMember

JekaterinajoinedtheSPIGroup(parentcompanyofAmber BeverageGroup)asCFOoftheBalticbusinessunitin 2014.SheparticipatedinthedevelopmentofAmber BeverageGroup(ABG)and,sincethen,shehasheldthe rolesofCFOandCOOandbecameCEOin2020.Sheis aimingtoleadABGtobecomea€1billioncompanyover thenextfiveyears.

Whatchallengesdidyoufacealongtheway?

Jekaterinasays:“OneofbigchallengesisthatAmber BeverageGroupisrapidlygrowing,bothorganicallyand throughM&A.Balancingexcellencevsspeedisa challenge.Inrecentyears,theGrouphasexpanded,and whenaddingnewcompanies,wealwaysneedtoconsider howtoadapttotheexistingcultureandprocesses.Oneof thewaysofworkingistocreate#ExtraordinaryEveryday Theapproachischaracterizedbyconstantimprovements andchanges,suchasintroducingautomationinproduction processes,introducingRPAfunctionsintheback-office, etc.”

Whatsignificantimpacthaveyoubroughttothe BeverageManufacturingindustry?

“Ourapproachisthatwhateverwedo,wedoaswellas possible.Agreatexampleofthisisourfuturelogistics centrecombininganewstate-of-the-arthigh-baywarehouse toserveexportcustomers;alargecustomerordersassembly line;andanabilitytohandleindividualandsplitorder assemblyjobs,”saysJekaterina.

TellusaboutAmberBeverageGroupanditsfoundation pillar.

AmberBeverageGroupisaglobalspiritspowerhouse,

Stuģe Group Chief Execuve Officer

Webelievethatstrong brandsarebuiltby strong,healthy,and motivatedpeoplesoour toppriorityistoprovidea cultureofvitalityanda dynamicworking environment.

addingAItoseveraloperationalfunctions,”saidJekaterina Stuģe.

Jekaterinabelievesthatembracingchangeisthebiggest challengeineverycompany.Shesaid:“Themainchallenge todrivehighlevelchangesinaglobalcompanysuchas ABGistomakepeoplebelievethattheyneedthese changesandconvincethemtoseethatassomething positive.AtABGweimplementacontinuousimprovement culture.WeuseKaizenmethodologywithafocusonreal innovationinmanufacturingthatcreatesamodelfor excellence.”

Jekaterinaleadsnumerousprojectsinordertomove towardsrobotizingstandardroutinesandfreeupemployee timeforintelligenceanalysis.

Whatareyourgoalsintheupcomingfuture?

“Theinnovationagendaincludesthedevelopmentofnew products,expansioninnewmarketsandconsumer segments,introductionofnewtechnologies,and reinventionofoperationalandproductionprocesses. Overall,ABGiscontinuingonitsgrowthpath.”.

Whatadvicewouldyouliketogivethenextgeneration ofaspiringbusinessleaders?

“Diversityintheworkplace,includinggenderdiversity, makesthingsbetter Themoreperspectivesyouhave,the moreactiveandcreativetheworkplacedynamicbecomes.

“Iwouldadvisefuturebusinessleadersnottofearchange becauseitispartofeverydaylife.Itisbetterifyouare alreadyonestepaheadofothersandarethefirstto implementchangesbeforeyourcompetitors,”concludes JekaterinaStuģe.

An Avid Designer Creating Spaces that are Collected, not Decorated

Knownforherexquisitetaste,superiorsenseof style,andinfectiouspersonality,RuthieStaalsen ofRuthieStaalsenInteriorsisaprominentname intheinteriordesignspace.

BornandraisedinSouthAfrica,Ruthiehaslivedallover theworld.Shecreateshomesthathavearelaxed,collected lookandaddsaglobalflairtoherdesigns.Herknackfor utilizingexistingpieceswithinaspacetocreatesomething completelynewmakesherapreferredchoiceamongher clientele.

Besides,shehasalsoco-authoredthebook, Behind Her Brand,whichdepictswhatlifeislikeasafemaleentrepreneur,mother,andwife,andhowtobestintegratethese aspectstocreateabalancedbusinessandfulfillinglife.

Inspiredbyherpassionfordesigningspaces,weatInsights SuccesscaughtupwithRuthietolearnmoreabouther journeyasabusinessleader.

Below are the highlights of the Interview:

Briefouraudienceaboutyourjourneyasabusiness leaderuntilyourcurrentpositionatRuthieStaalsen Interiors.Whatchallengesdoyouhavetoovercometo reachwhereyouaretoday?

I’mtheoldestof3kidsandcarriedtheroleofleaderasa kidandstilldo.IwasbornandraisedinSouthAfricaand traveledtheworldinmychildhood.Leadershiphasalways beenpartofmyDNA,andIthinklivingindifferent countriesallmylife,mademeabetterleaderbecauseI learnedtoadjusttohardshipsandcertainlylearnedabout beingflexible.Thatbeingsaid,I’maverydrivenperson andoneofthebiggestchallengesI’vehadtolearnishowto taketimetorelax.Beingthatmybusinessreliesaloton me,itishardformetoshutworkoff.Ilearnedthehard wayandhavenowhiredpeopletohelpmedothethings

I’mnotsogoodat.ThisrelievesmetodothethingsthatI love,andthatbringsmemorejoyandtimetorelax.

Tellussomethingmoreaboutyourcompany,itsmission, anditsvision.

WeareaDallasbasedboutiquedesignfirmfocussingon residentialdesign.Wedoeverythingfromwalkthrough consultationstofull-servicedesignprojects.Again,because ofourtravels,Iwatchedmymomsetuphomeeachtime wewereinanewcountry.Shealwayssurroundeduswith thethingsthatwereimportanttousandcreatedahome aroundthosethings.OurmissionatRSIistoalwaysgive ourclientsahometheyenjoybeingin,onethatwelcomes themhomeandmakesthemspendtimewithfamilyand friends.Wewantthehomeswecreatetobepractical, functional,andbeautiful.Wecreatea“feeling”thatnotjust anybodycancreate.

Enlightenusonhowyouhavemadeanimpactinthe Interiorsnichethroughyourexpertiseinthemarket? IamapartoftheInteriorDesignSocietyandkeepas involvedasIcan.Ibelievethatwhenyouhavegood relationshipswithothersinthesameindustry,youcanadd yourknowledgeandexperiencetoothersand,internslearn fromothers,makingourbusinessesstrongertogether.I’m notafraidofmakingchangestoourcompanyifthingsare notworkingastheyshould.Changeishardbutcan sometimesleadyouinamorepositivedirection.

Describeindetailthevaluesandtheworkculturethat drivesyourorganization.

WehaveapositiveandfunvibehereatRSI,andwehire peoplewiththatsameenergy Weloveemployeesthathave alotofexperience,however,themostimportantthingto meistheirattitude,character,and“cando”spirit.Everythingelsecanbelearned,butthesecharacteristicsare crucialadditionstomybusinessmodel.