Today’s Notable Young Entrepreneur is Brix Media Co. Founder and CEO Jennifer Maloney Adab, who we caught up with to find out what inspired her innovative company and what advice she would share with other young professionals…
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WORK
Describe what you do in less than 140 characters. Go.
I run Canada’s first PR and influencer marketing agency focused on social innovation.
What was the inspiration for your career route?
Human behaviour has always intrigued me. As a former journalist, I’ve had the opportunity to learn about people and their ideas from all walks of life. I realized early on I had a passion for leveraging media to connect others to meaningful stories and life lessons. This has been the inspiration behind my PR career as well.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career so far?
One of the most memorable was organizing a press conference for Deepak Chopra to launch the world’s first Chopra Yoga Centre. Working with him affirmed that personal values and principles don’t need to be separated from business.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years?
I’m about to embark on my most daring venture to date – being a mom, which I think will greatly alter my goals and perspective. In five years I hope I have set an example for my son that you can achieve anything you want in life. The hard, but also fun part is being true to oneself and discovering what that is.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
I think it’s a great time to be young and ambitious because there are so many opportunities to connect, collaborate and communicate with like-minded people around the world. My advice would be to take the route that’s right for you over what is popular opinion. To truly become successful, you need to follow your own path.
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is it (or they) important to you?
I sit on the board for two non-profits. One is Raw Beauty Talks, which promotes the mental and physical health of girls and young women. The other is the Young Entrepreneurs Leadership Launchpad, which promotes entrepreneurial thinking in high schools.
What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?
Launching Brix Media Co. has been the biggest risk and challenge I’ve undertaken to date. It meant leaving the security of the brand I had spent three years building and trusting in my team and our collective vision to build something new. There were many hurdles in getting it off the ground, but they were all overcome through teamwork and realizing I had an amazing support system to help me on some of the hardest days.
What does the word notable mean to you?
I associate it with “worth paying attention to.” Living in an era of information overload, we increasingly rely on trusted sources to tell us what is worth our time and attention.
PLAY
Where is your favourite place to wine/ dine in your city and why?
We’re spoiled with restaurants in Vancouver so it’s hard to choose one. I recently went to AnnaLena in Kits and it’s at the top of my “must go back” list.
What’s the most visited website on your Internet browser? The most played song on your phone?
Website: Google
Song: One Man Can Change the World by Big Sean & Kanye West.
Who’s one person you think everyone should be following on social media?
@dobbiesandlittlepawrescue – We have an Doberman who came from a shelter. This site makes me want to adopt 20 more.
What’s your favourite country to visit and why? And what’s the next one you plan on travelling to?
Brazil is one of my favourite countries. All the restaurants have meals made for two people. That tells you something about the warmth of their culture. I really need to make it to Pondicherry in India. There’s an ashram I’m dying to visit there.
What gives you the greatest FOMO?
My husband travels to LA a lot for work and I always think this somehow involves pool and mojito time, which give me FOMO. He assures me this is not the case.
What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
Frozen yogurt or gelato with chocolate, berries and coconut.
What’s something you wish you didn’t spend so much money on? What’s something you wish you spent more on?
I wish I spent less on cell phone bills and more on travel.
And finally, what does success look like to you? Work, play, or otherwise…
Success is being happy with the people, places and experiences you surround yourself with on a daily basis.
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