Donna Price
Donna Price says that, “I learned from a very young age as a child of a teenage mother, that anyone can make a beautiful and interesting life. I believe that many of our achievements arise out of our effort (many times, significant effort), skill, character and personality. A hand up to others, especially women and children, is a wonderful gift to give to others and I try to live by the mantra.”
What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before starting your corporate journey/venture/initiative.
I was an observant and energetic child and discovered a talent for playing physical energetic games. My athletic talents sprung early and I recognized that sports games activated me in a very positive way. It never occurred to me that I could not or should not play the physical ‘boys games‘. As I matured, my interest in business and entrepreneurship was triggered. I was born to teenage parents who were energetic, determined and hard-working. My beautiful artistic mother provided much needed lightness to our family. She offered encouragement to follow your ambitions and interests even if it went against the societal norms of the day. Being a first born daughter I embraced independence at a very early age and started my first job at 12 years old in a mushroom farm that exposed me to multi-cultural ethnicities – it was very impactful. I paid for room and board at home and unknowingly curated my own independent mindset. Coaching and mentoring were natural to me and the work I do today reflects both my support for aspiring women and my love of ideas and business ventures.
Was there any turning point in your life that changed your journey? If so, what was it? Please tell us the backstory behind it.
While in high school, a neighbour in my very small town offered me a summer job working in the accounting office of a large ‘city‘ law firm. This opportunity exposed me to many career possibilities that were unknown or that I had not thought possible. It also eliminated a few – like accounting! I was drawn to business clients and identified a career path following two summers of work. Until that time, I fully expected that I would coach or participate in sports in some manner but the possibilities were discouraging. While working in the law firm those summers, I met a young woman who became a lifelong treasured friend. We are going to soon celebrate 50 years of friendship. Her friendship and role in the firm cemented my ambition for college and a career in legal services.
Every industry that is now a large-scale, top-notch business once started as a small idea in the minds of entrepreneurs. What was that idea or motivation that made you start your business /initiative? What motivated you within to say “YES, go for it!”
Quite honestly, I have been imagining business ideas most of my life – I am a chronic day-dreamer but also practical. Following a 40 year career in legal services and corporate governance, I assessed what I enjoyed most. I love to write and I love to coach. Combining those two things to support women in documenting and elevating their value for board service (a subject I know very well) was born. I am still drawn to work with founders and entrepreneurs about corporate governance and working with boards. It seems I cannot escape it so I also continue to do some very selective consulting work with growing companies.
Everyone has their own set of challenges when starting an entrepreneurial journey. Still, the most essential part for others to learn is how you deal with those. Would you like to share with us your challenges and your coping mechanisms?
I would say cash flow is the biggest challenge. I was a single parent for longer than I was married and even though I parted amicably from my former husband, I assumed complete financial and parental responsibility for raising our two daughters. So I was accustomed to boot-strapping. I think it is essential in start up ventures to have a disciplined mind set but to also have fun along the way. I am well regarded for my optimism and seeing the lighter side of challenges. For many of us, life can always be worse.
While the global pandemic of COVID-19 is associated primarily with adversities, it has also brought about a true boom in startups, with successful entrepreneurship in many countries. The pandemic has impacted all of us in one way or another. Would you like to share your experience on a personal and professional level?
I started my current business during the pandemic. I exited a start-up I was working with led by, latently discovered, a toxic female founder. From a personal point of view I was much relieved to disassociate. Leaving did not encumber my reputation with investors or board members nor my standing at a professional level – it elevated it in many ways. Mentally and emotionally however I was burnt out. In a strange way, the pandemic offered respite from the chaos of the previous 3 years and allowed me to reflect on where to go next. I was a long-time ‘work from home‘ candidate already so that change was largely negligible. Permission to meet virtually rather than in person was welcomed for a while. It was horrible to be in circumstances that were so dire for so many. I used the time to reflect and respond with a purpose that would fulfill the last chapter of my working life.
Your journey and your vision are very inspiring, but are there any achievements or accomplishments you would like to mention?
Ah, ask the humble person! I feel a great sense of both achievement and accomplishment when the women I work for express their gratitude which they all have. Many refer me to others. That is the best compliment and achievement I can ask for.
Would you like to share with our young budding women entrepreneurs the change you would like to see in the world if given an opportunity?
Understand early what governance means to your ownership and the distinctions between investor, director and management. Often budding women entrepreneurs wear all those hats but can easily displace them unknowingly. Secondly, to be selective when developing your first board of directors.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in your personal life and professional journey? What is your personal motto in life?
Achievement is accomplished through talent and effort and we all have something to offer humankind and most everyone is able to acquire skill that, with effort, grows into achievement. Sometimes, change must be embraced and minds opened to possibilities.
Women are a growing force in the workplaces worldwide, standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. There are cracks in glass ceilings everywhere, with many women breaking through to carve out a space right at the top of the pyramid. What are your thoughts about women’s leadership today?
I think many workplace cultures have a problem. The possibility of working shoulder to shoulder with men has existed for many of us for quite some time. It is working mothers (myself included) who have often had to make delicate choices between family and the workplace/careers or women generally who must ‘adapt‘ to the workplace culture. Some have no choice but to adapt while others can challenge the status quo. Women helping women bodes well for the future of humanity but I think male counterparts also need support. We must continue to challenge the status quo and adopt universal values that connect rather than divide us.
With your grit and determination, you are making a considerable impact, breaking through, and serving as role models for many budding entrepreneurs. What would you want to say to our young women leaders/audience reading this?
I have always had a ‘what is possible‘ mindset and believe that fortitude is necessary to fulfill our aspirations. We must prepare for continuous learning in life and that we sometimes step ahead with aspiration and at other times we step back. Through it all, we must live in gratitude.