Executive Reads: Shelley Blechman

Shelley Blechman is the President of Film Locations & All-Star Accommodations. With her background in the hospitality industry, her company became a success right from the start. Now connected to film stars, rock icons, business tycoons, and sports celebrities who come to her to find their “pet-friendly home away from home ” while in Toronto, Shelley has stayed a sincere, friendly, vegan animal lover with unpretentious, hard-working, down-to-earth business ethics.

How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
When I was 16 years old I picked up this book. I have no idea what inspired me to buy it in the first place. The contents were a valuable tool to shape my social skills and give me confidence. My personality went from quiet to outgoing! Dale Carnegie expressed in his book that professional knowledge was only a small percentage success, it’s your honest genuine positive energy and passion that’s important! 

The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel
A 5-year-old Cro-Magnon girl was orphaned and left homeless. A Neanderthal women found the girl and adopted her into their clan.  They named her Ayla. She looked and acted differently than the other clan members. She grows with them and learns their way.  In business and personal life, It’s all about embracing and accepting the ways of others.

Redefining Success by Brett Wilson
A man who has accomplished so much, and a very savvy businessman and public philanthropist. He truly is one of my mentors, I think there is a lot we can learn from him as a businessman and even a human being. He has helped me see the value of taking risks and how we entrepeneurs have a higher risk tolerance and how, since we see the value in what we are creating, we have the passion to make it happen. He also has helped me see the importance of living your own values on the outside, building a business and hiring people who reflect those values and your defition of success, as well as the significance of establishing one’s legacy by mentoring others, documenting your journey and building a network of individuals, companies and organizations who challenge you to be a better, more honest version of yourself.