LAUNCHING:
REBECCA VEKSLER
Company:
Sol Products pty ltd/ Sol Cups
THE BIG QUESTIONS
WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSIONAL TITLE?
Director & SoLmate
WHAT DO YOU DO ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS?
Solve problems ! Haha! But really, everything you can imagine! That’s the beauty of building a start-up, you literally have to wear every single hat, so I never have a day that is the same.
WHAT DID YOU WANT TO DO WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD AND WHAT CHANGED?
Let me start of by saying I was a very passionate little child, if I set my mind to something I did it at full force. So first I wanted to be a vet, I used to volunteer at local vets in my area! Then as I grew older my obsession with ancient history and archaeology began, studied all through high school and university. I was just in love with the psychology of building an empire, and why some failed and some succeeded (they were practically running a business at the core). So I guess I always had my eyes on understanding business and people, I just didn’t know where to channel it! I also wanted to study psychology, but the key issue I always had was that none of these professions were utilising my skill base as well as my creativity, energy and my desire to lead a team.
WHAT ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS DO YOU HAVE?
Ancient history/Art psychology/Psychology
WHAT’S THE BEST CAREER ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN?
Never be scared of your own opinion.
WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL AND WHY?
My role model is my grandmother, she is the epitome of a powerful, independent woman, who just happens to be the most loved and kindest human I know. She would sacrifice everything for her family and has been through so much in her lifetime! I’m very lucky to have her in my life.
WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR CURRENT WORKING ENVIRONMENT?
Every day is positive and just filled with rewarding and fulfilling circumstances. I am very lucky to have the team we have and to be so supported by our clients.
WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT YOUR DAILY WORK ROUTINE IF YOU COULD?
I’m not a fan of being in an office all day, which is why I love summer, I like to take team meetings on walks at the beach.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF PROFESSIONALLY IN FIVE YEARS’ TIME?
Keynote speaking is my passion, I’d like to make sure this is at the forefront of my career, it is a major personal goal.
DO YOU FEEL YOU CAN BE THE SAME PERSON AT WORK AND IN PRIVATE?
Oh absolutely, my whole team know I’m a little bit silly, unconventional and love a good laugh, play, dance, the whole show.
WHERE AND IN WHAT ROLES ARE WOMEN IN THE LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE AT YOUR COMPANY?
Well, my mother and I are both the founders. We have an amazing UK operations manager who is one of the most intelligent magnificent women I know! And we have a full rounded team of strong female sales gurus and account managers! So it’s a female dominated office.
DOES DIVERSITY MATTER TO YOU?
Of course, I believe in making sure we as a business are diverse! We think outside the box, there’s no limitation to what we can achieve when we put all our heads together.
HOW GOOD IS YOUR WORK LIFE BALANCE?
It’s pretty much reached the perfect level. I don’t feel overwhelmed and drained like I did in the beginning.
WHAT QUALITIES DOES BEING IN YOUR ROLE NECESSITATE?
My mantra is, there is a solution for everything! So the most important quality, is have a coping mechanism, you need to be able to handle your anxiety or stress levels if you have one. Stay calm, collected and open to everything that is thrown your way. The ability to communicate and understand basic human behaviour is a big one, this will get you very far. I also highly recommend learning the basics of accounting.