Today’s Notable Young Entrepreneur is bestselling author of ‘BYOB: The Unapologetic Guide to Being Your Own Boss‘ and digital/social strategist Gloria Roheim McRae, whose company, Wedge15, empowers others to make a great impact and build their visions…
Elevator Pitch: Describe your job in a nutshell.
I’m the Co-Founder and Chief Strategic Officer of Wedge15, a social strategy and training company. I do this with my husband and amazing biz partner, Ricardo McRae. I’m also an amazon.ca best-selling author, a speaker and a thought leader, empowering Millennials to be their own bosses. That’s a world I want to live in, so I made it my job to see it through.
Why did you start working at your company? What was the inspiration for this career route?
I started working at Wedge15 because I co-founded it to have a great place to work. But seriously, I came together with my husband to form Wedge15 after working as consultants together on a number of joint projects for a few years. After we got married in 2012, we wanted to formalize our business together and create a company. That’s how Wedge15 was born. Our inspiration is offering services and products that empower others to make a great impact and build their visions. Our tools are strategic social media, branding and training.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
Best part is working on creative projects with my favourite person: my husband. We have way too much fun together, and having a partner in the highs and lows of business is an incredible gift. Most challenging is the complete and utter unpredictability of business. The challenge is learning to accept that there is what you can control, and what you can’t.
What is one sign that you’ve seen over the years to suggest that your work/life balance is off?
I actually don’t believe in work/life balance. To me, work and life are inseparable. If anything they’re integrated. I think it’s a fantasy that we could actually separate or compartmentalize our life areas like that, especially if you’re like me and you love the lifestyle you’ve created. Sometimes it’s way more fun working on a project than hanging out with friends or family. But that doesn’t make me imbalanced, for example; it’s just how I choose to spend my time in my life. Ask me again if and when I have my first child, and I may have a different answer!
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I see everything that I am already living and experiencing now, but I see it expanded ten-fold. I see a rich life of relationships, of profitable business projects that matter to me and to the world at large, and living the messy art of managing my family’s needs with my desire to create things. I see one or two more books published that empower those who read them, and I see one child joining our lives with my husband. I prefer to think of my future in these terms, and enjoy the mystery of how this will actually take shape. All I know is that it will be rich in scope and scale.
What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?
I am typically the youngest and among the few women in the room. When I could be my colleagues’ or clients’ daughter or granddaughter, I really have to own what I bring to the table and be willing to prevail through the patronizing situations and comments. Luckily, I have a lifetime of experience being the odd one out, so in times like these, even when it bothers me, I own what I have to offer and give it all that I have. Sheryl Sandberg calls it Leaning In, I call it being my own boss.
What does success look like to you? Does Money = Happiness?
It means doing what I love, loving what I do (including the difficult experiences) and getting paid bountifully to do it. Success is getting back up fast after I fall down. It means forgiving my self and being gracious with people even when I least want to be. Money alone does not make me happy. It’s paper. But I’m more than happy to have money, use money, and receive money for what I love to do.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
Becoming a best-selling author on amazon.ca. It was an amazing surprise I wasn’t counting on. All I wanted to do is finish my book and get it out into the world for others to experience, to feedback, to read, share and to benefit from, however they chose to use it. I remember vividly the moment when I was on amazon.ca searching my book listing for reviews. That’s when I noticed the label ‘best-seller’ in Entrepreneurship and Self-Esteem under my book information. I had to refresh my browser to be sure I
wasn’t losing my senses. It was such a proud moment, of overcoming adversity, and being a 28-year-old woman recommended alongside some of my favourite authors, from Danielle LaPorte to Malcolm Gladwell. It was surreal and energizing.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
I have a handful of tips that I stand by, and here they are: Get seriously invested in exploring who you are, what matters to you, and what you do (or can learn to do) well. Use your 20s to experiment and seek answers to those three questions. I heard these three key questions from Jonathan Fields in his Good Life Project. Looking back at my 20s, all my choices were based on trying things to experiment with and to answer these questions. Also, you don’t have to be the best at what you do. You don’t need to have it all figured out before you take an action. You just have to be good enough relative to your context and try something. Be the last one standing when everyone else drops out, gives up, and quits after the first few obstacles present themselves. That’s been my strategy, and I would say I’ve been winning professionally by applying it over and over. Hustle, baby.
Where is your favourite place to wine/ dine in your city and why?
Lil Baci Taverna at Yonge and Davisville is our neighbourhood favourite spot. Grab their Brussels sprout pizza with pancetta. Don’t judge how that sounds, just get it and thank me for telling you about it. The food is great, the drinks menu one-of-a-kind, the atmosphere is chill and inviting, and it’s a great place to meet friends and unwind.
When you’re not working how do you love to spend your “Me” time?
It’s funny, I consider all of my day “me” time these days. I’m more and more selective how I spend my time, and I do as much of what lights me up every day as possible. When I ‘unplug’ though, I love conversations with friends over good food in a cozy restaurant or cafe nearby. I can never get enough of that. And aimlessly walking around the city. I get so reenergized by aimless walking. It’s good for my mental health, physical health and my soul.
Where is your favourite place to travel? Why?
I never tire of returning to Budapest. My roots and my heart call me back often. But two other gems that are more off the usual suspects list are Trinidad and Tobago and Montenegro. The spirit of both places is similar. Live simple, live beautiful, and slow things down to enjoy life. The gorgeous seasides and local cuisine are an added bonus.
If you had to choose a theme song, what would it be?
Alicia Keys, Girl on Fire. Easy one.
If you weren’t doing what you’re doing, what would you be doing?
I don’t entertain plan B while Plan A is working.
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
Our business is a monthly donor to Plan Canada’s Because I Am A Girl campaign. And we donate our time and our web resources to the Strong Academy for Black Men and the Driven Accelerator Group as Mentors.
What to you is notable?
Passion, hustle and creativity. I admire those qualities in anyone who lives by them. That is notable as all else to me, and it can’t be taught. You either bring it, or you don’t.
Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
iPhone until the end. I’m that person!
#LYNL | (Live Your Notable Life)
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