We asked and they delivered! We asked the five incredible speakers from our upcoming Sept 21st Woman’s Advantage® Retreat in the City to offer insights into what has propelled them through their successful careers. We’d like to share their thoughts (on success, motivation & more) with you.

Here’s what Diane Thomson, of Vancouver’s famed Diane’s Lingerie, shared with us!

What is your definition of success?
Dream big and live your dream! Having a feeling of contentment within my heart and mind with a sense of satisfaction for achieving my life goals.

Has your definition of success changed from when you began to today?
Not really, your learn from falling flat picking yourself up and carrying on.  To quote Maya Angelou “if you don’t like something change it; if you can’t change it, change the way you think about it”

What motivates you to keep going on?
Changing women’s lives by helping them look and feel their best. Continuing to create opportunities for women to grow beyond what they think their capabilities are.  I do know how it feels to be “stuck”

How do you keep going when the going gets tough?
Having my own support network works for me.  Women really are resilient and want to help each other break through the glass ceiling.

What rewards are important to you as a successful business owner?  This can encompass everything from money onwards…
Remaining authentic as well as happiness, contentment, satisfaction, health and family, are all way more important than any financial gains.  Of course money does help achieve some of our successes but has never been the focus in my life.

In your opinion, who is a great  female business role model?  Why?
Judy Caldwell, founder of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, BC Chapter.  After personally surviving breast cancer Judy gathered together a group of women around her kitchen table to decide what they could do to help fight breast cancer.  What unfolded was the BC Chapter of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.