Michal's blog

Wavemakers: Nancy Peterson

Wavemakers is an initiative I've kickstarted with Femme-O-Nomics’ founder Leah Eichler (@Femmeonomics) that profiles female innovators — women who are constantly blazing new trails, inspiring others and revolutionizing the status quo.

This week we profile Nancy Peterson, the founder and CEO of HomeStars.com, a site that provides user reviews of home contractors across Canada.

 

1. Describe your current state of mind
Really positive – I’ve conquered a lot of mini Mount Everest’s to get to where I’m at personally and professional and I feel like I’m still growing & climbing. Hopefully the air doesn’t get too thin up top!

2. If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be? 
Hmm – I think still human form and I’d love to be a tennis star as I love watching tennis (Agassi is my all time favorite).

3. What is your greatest indulgence?
Probably M&M peanuts and watching SNL.

4. What or who helped you the most to achieve your success 
My amazing parents and definitely my husband for allowing me to leave a secure profession and invest us heavily in HomeStars.

5. What is the best advice you’ve ever received
Ha – probably more like the many I didn’t listen to about the scalability issues of the business and how I needed to be in the U.S.. Like Steve Kaufer (CEO of Tripadvisor) who I was pitching to back when I started. I watched him drop my deck into the garbage bin as he walked me out.

 

(Pictured above from Left to Right: HomeStars’ Shannon Wong, Paola Romero Garate, Nancy Peterson & Jessica Sugar)

 

Wavemaker: Kira James

Wavemakers is an initiative I've kickstarted with Femme-O-Nomics’ founder Leah Eichler (@Femmeonomics) that profiles female innovators — women who are constantly blazing new trails, inspiring others and revolutionizing the status quo. 

This week we’re profiling Kira James, HR Business Partner at Kobo Inc. Follow Kira on Twitter @kirajames

1. Describe your current state of mind
(My) state of mind is currently future focused in every way, career, family, life. I’m in full plan mode at the moment. Appreciating where I am and determining where I want to be…lots to think about.

2. If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be?
I’d come back as a lavender bush, so fragrant, peaceful and lovely.

3. What is your greatest indulgence?
Without a doubt my greatest indulgence is taking long, hot showers. It is the only time in the entire day that I have to myself.

4. What or who helped you the most to achieve your success?
Having a childhood riddled with adversity taught me to be adaptable, communicate my needs, and that hard work, focus and determination will not guarantee success, but will certainly help you travel the path of success.

5. What is the best advice you’ve ever received
I’ve got a tie on best advice ever received. The first was from a former manager who said “if you do not have that slightly anxious, uncomfortable feeling when presented with a new assignment or role, it’s because you’re not being challenged.” The second was from my mother who said “don’t be too proud to ask for help when you need it.”